The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SPRING CHALLENGE 2010
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Spring Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks
15.9 - What's in a name?In honor of Charlotte Brontë (April 21, 1816 – March 31, 1855) who wrote under the pen name Currer Bell...Read a novel published under a pseudonym or pen name. When posting this task - create and share a pen name that you might use if you were a writer. Explain why you would choose that name.
Glossed and Found by India Ink
If I had to create a pen name it would be Tutti Woodside. This is actually the result of an exercise my teacher made us do in 2nd grade. You take the name of your first pet as the first name and the name of the first street where you lived as the last name. I'm not sure if I'd sell many books, but I like it.
TOTAL POINTS = 35
I read Gone by Michael Grant for task number 5.7.One of the main characters has a little brother with autism. I would call him a peripheral main character because he is always around when things are going on, he just does not contribute a lot. But it turns out later on that he actually plays a major role in the story.
Gone was a really good book. I gave it 4 stars. It was well written and the characters were well developed. The characters were not perfect. No one was a instant hero. They were reluctant heroes, some took on responsibility easily and others had to be pushed into leadership type roles. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. Supposed to be a six book series. :)
This makes my pathetic total 15 points .
5.1 - All About The Birds And The BeesA - Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie
5.3 - S.P.R.I.N.G
SP - The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield
5.5 - "Whatever is popular deserves attention."
Bleachers by John Grisham - Popular 2003
10.4 - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
C. Recycle: The Best of Times by Penny Vincenzi
Tasks Completed: 4
Points Earned: 25
Books Read: 4
Mod
Dave Barry Does Japan
This book was pretty funny- a few laughable moments re: japanese baths, bullet train travel, sports culture, gift giving, etc., but it was a bit dated (1992)
+20
total 185
Julie McVey20.6 - Size 14 Is Not Fat Either ~ Meg Cabot
This book is part of the Heather Wells Mystery Series. The main character of this series is a former teen rock star who is now an assist residence hall director. The mystery part of this series comes into play when mysterious murders begin to occur in her residence hall and she feels that she must secretly try to figure out who is actually behind the crimes. I have read two of the books and I can't wait to read the 3rd!!
Enjoy!!
Total points = 95 points
Total books = 6 books
Total pages = 1630 pages
Mod
Read a book with one of The Seven Deadly Sins in the title: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
I read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
I found it curious to think of pride as a “deadly” sin – even though in this context, “deadly” doesn’t literally relate to one’s physical death. Looking it up on Wikipedia, I found that pride "is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise.” It went on to say “In perhaps the best-known example, the story of Lucifer, pride (his desire to compete with God) was what caused his fall from Heaven, and his resultant transformation into Satan.”
Hmmm….I don’t see the behavior of the people in this book as terrible in this way, but more as silly and petty. On the other hand, their pride could literally be deadly, since it seemed to justify attempts to kill each other!
Points: 175
Books: 11
Pages: 3098
Tasks: 9
Just finished task 10.1 - read a book with a picture of a tree on the cover. For this task, I read Daughters of the Witching Hill
The author, Mary Sharratt, is a goodreads author.This brings my total to 30
Laura FL
20.5I read:
The Cat in the Hat 72 pages
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish 72 Pages
Green Eggs and Ham 62 Pages
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories 96 Pages
Fox in Socks 62 Pages
Horton Hears a Who! 72 Pages
The Lorax 72 Pages
Total Pages= 508
Points= 20
Total Points=40
I've been reading and reading, and mostly find myself in the middle of multi-book tasks! But finally some things are finished:Task 5.1 I read Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie. It wasn't one of my favorites of hers, but any AC is good AC, and it takes place at a girls' boarding school, so double bonus!
Task 10.10 I listened to Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot on CD. I didn't love the woman who read it (she actually read it as if she were the Winona Rider character in "Heathers" and while I love that movie, and that character, it was a bit much to hear *only* that voice!). Cute book about finding your true inner self. Also, took place near where I grew up, so that was fun.
Task 30.2A I read Savvy by Ingrid Law. I liked it, but it definitely read as very young (older elementary school-aged maybe).
30.2B I read The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Definitely a cross between "Ender's Game" and "The Hunger Games", though not as good as those. Enjoyable, but not great. Maybe I was expecting too much?
** He is a Goodreads author (can't remember if I've put in for this ticket yet!)
This brings me to 315 points.
19/57 tasks
30 books (not counting those I read for the two book tasks)
25.9 The Girl Who Loved Tom GordonStephen King
EVERYBODY was reading King when I was in high school (1972-1976) and college (1976-1980)!
25.6 This Day in HistorySeptember 19, 1846 Elizabeth Barrett & Robert Browning elopes
Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Selected Poems and Story of a Girl
150 yrs ago, when the two poets eloped, it was a major scandal. She was virtually a prisoner in her own house because of her overprotective father, and her poetry reveals how she despaired of ever getting out and living her life. So she developed a long-distance relationship with Browning (through the mail, no less!), and they eventually eloped. Her father disowned her, but she lived happily ever after with her fellow poet and savior. Incredibly romantic, I know.
Story of a Girl follows slightly in the same vein. A girl gets caught y her dad with her older brother's best friend, who is 17 to her 13. The dad doesn't disown her, but he definitely freezes her out, and they hardly talk for the next thirteen years. The protagonist is also labeled "the school slut" after the brother's best friend brags the story to the school. While the protagonist doesn't find her true love, she keeps searching for a way out of her dead-end town.
Oh! And while there wasn't a huge number of poems I liked in the Elizabeth Barrett Browning collection, I absolutely love the Sonnets to the Portuguese, which she wrote for Robert Browning. I'd only ever read XLIII ("How do I love thee? Let me count the ways"), but I fell completely in love with XXXVIII:
"First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
The fingers of this hand wherewith I write;
And ever since it grew more clean and white,
Slow to world-greetings, quick with its “Oh, list,”
When the angels speak. A ring of amethyst
I could not wear here plainer to my sight,
Than that first kiss. The second passed in height
The first, and sought the forehead, and half missed,
Half falling on the hair. O beyond meed!
That was the chrism of love, which love’s own crown,
With sanctifying sweetness, did precede.
The third, upon my lips, was folded down
In perfect, purple state; since when, indeed,
I have been proud and said, “My love, my own."
Definitely almost fell off my bed laughing at it. The images are great, and I could hear the voice in my head. I went back and reread it aloud about a dozen times once I caught my breath. Brilliant, and it really makes me realize people haven't changed all that much in 150 years.
Anyway, decent books. I'd recommend reading the Sonnets by themselves (they really are beautiful, especially how they all interconnect), but the rest of the poems and Zarr's book could be skipped if you're short on time.
Sorry for the exceptionally long post! ^_^;
Total: 25 + 610 (from earlier) = 635pts
Well, having a sick computer certainly gave me more time for reading the last couple days!Finished: 5.4 The German Mujahid by Boualem Sansal. This is a look at the Holocaust told from an Arab point of view. I found the combination of the two narrators very interesting.
10.7 The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale is a look at an English 1860s true crime story and one of the early police detectives there. The murder of the little boy is pretty gory just to read about--luckily no photos of the body.
15.5 While We Still Have Feet David Budbill (not found in GR database) This is a collection of poems written, many on modern life, as compared with Chinese poets. Most are pretty accessable, if you don't insist on rhymes or even meter at times. The title comes from the last poem--"Tomorrow"
Tomorrow
we are
bones and ash,
the roots of weeds
poking through
our skulls.
Today, simple clothes,
empty minds,
full stomach,
alive, aware,
right here,
right now.
Drunk on music,
who needs wine?
Come on,
Sweetheart,
let's go dancing
while we've still
got feet.
My haiku is about reading outdoors.
Hold it more closely
this little cocoon of thought,
Butterfly for reading.
Donna Jo wrote: "Well, having a sick computer certainly gave me more time for reading the last couple days!Finished: 5.4 The German Mujahid by Boualem Sansal. This is a look at ..."
I love that line: "Drunk on music / Who needs wine?" If I ever get some more laminating paper, I think I'll turn that into a mini-poster for myself.
25.2 - Stephanie Anne's Task - Fabulous firsts or superior seconds? - Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit and Boating for Beginners by Jeanette Winterson. I thought Oranges was good (the Whitbread winner) but Boating I find rather painful to get through (thankfully it was a short book). A couple challenges ago I read another book by her, The Passion, which I thought was amazing.10.9 - Read a book with the word Horse or Horses in the title OR a book that features Horses in the storyline. - Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry.
Total Points: 190/980
Books Read: 20
Tasks Completed: 13/57
Tasks in Progress: 7
From Owned TBR: 18
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25.9 Author popular in 1959 when I was in High SchoolDear and Glorious Physician
Big Book - 576 pp
275 points
I finished 10.1 by reading Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. The cover has trees on it:
.Total Points 40
10.7 Beware the ides of March The Great British Train Robbery, 196310.9 A lovely horse is always an experience The Dark Horse
25.7 The gods must be crazy The Demigod Files
"15.9 - What's in a name? Tricks By Ellen Hopkins
actual name Margret K. McElderry
Rings collins
becuase rings is my moms name and collins is the last name of a favorite telivision charecter but since so few people know who the charecter is and rings is such a unique name it would be memerable.
points total 15
Julie McVey20.7 - L.A. Candy: A Novel ~ Lauren Conrad
I read this book because it has candy on the cover. Specifically, heart shaped candy. I am a 2nd grade teacher and I have a difficult time getting rid of things that my students give me. Sadly I have bags of Valentine's and Valentine's candy that I have yet to get rid of. Now that I have finished this challenge, I think the time has come to get rid of those goodies!!
Total points = 115 points
Total books = 7 books
Total pages = 1956 pages
5.9 Read a book in bed: Before I Fallby Lauren Oliver (GOODREADS AUTHOR)
POINTS FOR THIS TASK: 5
Total Points: 45/980
Tasks Complete: 4/57
I finished 5.3 by reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (sPRing). The book was VERY good, I gave it 5*.Total Points: 65
Tasks Completed: 6
Tasks In Progress: 1
Books Read: 7
Pages Read: 3299
This book is over 500 pages, and Patrick Rothfuss is a goodreads author.
Chelsea wrote: "".....collins is the last name of a favorite telivision charecter ..."Would that be Barnabus Collins?
5.2 Read a novel featuring GardensI read Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, she is a Goodreads Author. 5*
This was a great book about family and how to embrace our differances. I read this in about 3 hours it was so good now am very tired from being up so late!
Points: 115
Tasks done: 8
Books read: 8
Pages Read: 4205
20.10 Group Reads - The Handmaid's Tale and I posted to the discussion forum.45 total points
2 tasks completed
30.2 Roseann's Task - Spring FlingI read Spring Torrents by Ivan Turgenev and Toss the Bride by Jennifer Fenske.
5.5Read a popular book that was published in a year ending in 3/4/5.
Midnighters #1: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld
Popular in 2004
15.9
Read a novel published under a pseudonym or pen name.
Evernight 2: Stargazer by Claudia Gray
Claudia Gray is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent
The pen name that I do use when writing is Audiaa or I would use Audiaa Martin for a full name. I would use it because I've used that name online for a while and I identify with it and the last name is the same as a friend of mine that a wrote a NaNo novel about.
30.5
Read any book; Read a book that the author is at a maximum of six degrees of separation from the author in Part A
Evernight by Claudia Gray and Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Claudia Gray and Libba Bray both wrote short stories for the Anthology Vacations from Hell
Total points: 195
5.4 The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley10.4 The Host by Stephenie Meyer
20.2 Wench: A Novel by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Total Points: 35/980
Books Read: 3
Tasks Completed: 3/57
I completed the following tasks.5.1 Bird and Bees The Language of Bees by Laurie R. King
Laurie R. King is a Goodreads author
10.5 Freedom of the Press Heat Wave by Richard Castle
Total Points so far: 15/980
Books Read so far: 2
Tasks Completed so far: 2/57
Pages Read so far: 630
So I've been reading a fair amount, but I keep doing half-tasks. I finally have a few to post, though!COMPLETED:
15.9
Don't Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes by Dixie CashDixie Cash is actually a pseudonym for a pair of sisters. If I needed a pseudonym for my writing, I think I'd go with Arabella Acorn. Arabella: unusual, easy to remember, plus I have always liked it; Acorn: that was the name of my dog growing up and it is a very special word to me. Plus, it would put me in the As in the bookstore, and no one will wonder how to say it.
For 20.5, I read a bunch of books with my kids. I'm not doing links here since they're all on the NEA list, so hopefully that will be easy enough (and apologies if it made your life harder). The total page count for the combined books is 509:
Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Tacky the Penquin by Helen Lester
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Olivia by Ian Falconer
Finally, 30.6:
I read
This Charming Man by Marian Keyes (which qualifies as a Big Book at 563 pages). One of the main characters reads an old, golden age mystery that she found in her country cottage by Margery Allingham. I thought, why not? So I picked up
The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham.COMPLETED TOTALS
Points: 65
Books: 8 (not including picture books)
Pages: 3,304
Tasks: 3
For 20.1 April Fool, I read Curse of the Spellmans, the sequel to the Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. I laughed even more reading this one, and became even more attached to Isabelle Spellman and the rest of her zany family and friends. I can't wait to start the third one! 5 *
New points: 20
Total points: 75
15.5 A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom...A Heckuva Job: More of the Bush Administration in Rhyme by Calvin Trillin
The old snow softens.
Delicate petals stir.
A call to a new life.
Total points: 235
30.3A Book published in 2010 -Shadow Tag: A Novel
30.3B Book with "re-" in title/ subtitle -
The Genius of Language: Fifteen Writers Reflect on Their Mother Tongue
305 points
20.5 Read Across America (and the rest of the world)Year of Impossible Goodbyes, The Hundred Dresses, The Cabin Faced West, and A Light in the Storm: The Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin, Fenwick Island, Delaware, 1861 for a total of 553pgs
Total: 20 + 635 (from earlier) = 655pts
25.9 I decided to read a John Grisham book for when I was in high school in the 90s. When I was looking through his stuff at the library I came across this Playing For Pizza: A Novel and decided that I had to read it. It's a lot different than his others. I don't think that anyone could have gotten it published if they weren't already a successful author. It was entertaining because of it's novelty.70 points
5 books read
1467 pages
Finished 5.7 (Mental Retardation Day) by reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time which was fantastic! I worked with 2 autistic kids for 6 years so I really loved this and felt that it was a pretty good portrayal of the struggles and issues. Total:
Jamie (24)- 25 points
I finished Task 20.6 Favorite Series. I read "The Pretties" by Scott Westerfield. I enjoyed it and gave it 5 stars. Completed Tasks: 4/57
Books Read 4
New Points : 40/980
15.4A Birthstone = bloodstone -The Bloodstone Papers
15.4B Bloodstone = courage -
The Life of Courage: The notorious Thief, Whore and Vagabond
320 points
Task 25.3 Juliet, NakedKind of a stretch, but I went to the 1st grade music program at my elementary school. The book is about a musician who releases a "comeback" album. Hope that works!
Total points: 100
Heather in KS
So I forgot ALL about the Goodreads author aspect... I read a book by Audrey Niffenegger who is a Goodreads author. Can I still claim that, or do I have to do it when I post the points? Thanks!Heather in KS
Julie McVey20.3 - Dirty Little Secrets ~ C.J. Omololu
** Good Reads Author **
This book was about Compulsive Hoarding. Compulsive Hoarding is a disorder that is categorized as a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This book was interesting to me because it did not approach the disorder from the point of view of the hoarder, but instead from the daughters point of view. This disorder is very real and it goes beyond just cleaning up your house. This book really hit home for me and made me realize how serious it is not only for the hoarder, but the children/family of hoarders. I like that the author put in a website that can be helpful to families. It is www.childrenofhoarders.com. This book was also good about pointing out that people should not feel alone, every family has their secrets.
Total points = 135 points
Total books = 8 books
Total pages = 2168 pages
5.4 - In The NewsJuliet, Naked by Nick Hornby - October 2009 Newsletter
Tasks Completed:5
Points Earned: 30
Books Read: 5
TOTAL POINTS: 175 + 25 = 20025.9 Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
While this book was published earlier, it became very popular during my high school years because the movie was released in 1992 (sophmore year).
Completed Tasks
5.2 Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart
5.6 Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto
5.9 Walking Dead by C. E. Murphy
10.1 Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles de Lint
10.8 Spin State by Chris Moriarty
10.9 Moving Target by Mercedes Lackey et al
10.10 Angus Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
15.9 Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
20.3 The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
20.5 The Giver by Lois Lowry, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
20.6 Roadkill by Rob Thurman
20.7 The Pleasure of Cooking for One by Judith Jones
25.1 Recipes from a American Herb Garden by Maggie Oster
Mod
April is National Grilled Cheese month. In honor of this unusual day, select a book that has either the word cheese or a type of cheese in the title
I read Grilled Cheese Madonna and 99 Other of the Weirdest, Wackiest, Most Famous eBay Auctions Ever by Christopher Cihlar
Quick read, a lot of fun!
Points: 195
Books: 12
Pages: 3260
Tasks: 10
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Frankenstein (other topics)Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang (other topics)
Loving Frank (other topics)
Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (other topics)
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Nancy Horan (other topics)Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (other topics)
Elizabeth Gilbert (other topics)
Chelsea Handler (other topics)
Eric Puchner (other topics)
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Fushigi Yugi, The Mysterious Play: Rival, Volume 5
Fushigi Yuugi was the first anime series I ever discovered/bought myself, all the way back in middle school. I had some Easter money, and I went to the mall with one of my best friends to splurge. I'd liked anime for awhile, but I fell in love with it when I got this series. Now I'm finally getting around to reading the manga (which I never really did before)--and I love it just as much as the show. There are slight differences (the pacing is different, some of the personalities are less wild, etc.), and I absolutely love Watase's side notes and all the fourth-wall-breaking that goes on.
The series is about a girl and her best friend who find an ancient Chinese book and get sucked into this fantasy world. Both girls become priestesses to warring gods, and are served by seven (incredibly attractive) Celestial Warriors, each of whom are named after constellations. The art is gorgeous, and Watase definitely tortures her characters. My adult self sees this and wants to smack them around, but the hopeless romantic in me still squees and cries and throws her book across the room when things get rough.
So, if you like graphic novels or unique fantasy stories or supremely romantic and genuinely funny characters, read this series! ^_^
20.8 A Magical Birthday
Fushigi Yûgi, The Mysterious Play: Oracle, Volume 2, Fushigi Yugi, The Mysterious Play: Disciple, Volume 3, and Fushigi Yugi : Bandit (for a total of 568pgs)
Total: 40 + 570 (from earlier) = 610pts