The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SPRING CHALLENGE 2010
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Spring Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks
5.10 Lady Windemere's FanOscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Ok, I'm finally posting. Here are my completed tasks thus far:5.3 - S.P.R.I.N.G. - A First Rate Tragedy: Robert Falcon Scott and the Race to the South Pole by Diana Preston
5.6 - May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month - God's Fool. The main characters are Chang and Eng, the two Siamese twins from "Siam," who eventually make their way through Europe and then on to America.
5.10 - "The Important thing is not what they think of me but what I think of them." - Summer by Edith Wharton (January 24, 1862 - August 11, 1937)
15.3 - At Least Once in a Lifetime - Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland should definitely be included in the books that everyone should read at least once in their life. While I think it is definitely more suited for children than adults, it takes you away to an imaginary place, providing the ultimate escape in reading. Plus, there are too many references to the book in music, literature, pop culture, etc. :) However, I saw that my favorite book, Les Miserables, is on the list, but I would put it at the top instead of in the 30s. I just love how Victor Hugo tells the story of Jean Valjean and Cosette in 1800s France. That being said, I would put it at the top for selfish reasons.
15.9 - What's in a Name? - Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll (real name: Charles Lutwidge Dodgson). As for my pen name...I would have to go with Drew Buckley. I've always liked the name Drew and its androgynous aspect, and Buckley is the name of the street I grew up on in Arkansas. Plus, it's all a lot easier to spell and pronounce than my real name.
Total points thus far: Should be 45.
Mod
Making Toast: A Family Story March 2010 and
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (big book 531 pages)
Making Toast is a father's story of raw, overwhelming grief. Painful to read, but well done
Eon is a fabulous YA dragon fantasy based on the East Asian zodiac- shades of Hunger Games
+30
total 240
10.2 - Three/Four/FiveMarch, April, and May are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th months of the year - Read a book whose average rating is made up of the numbers 3,4, and 5 (i.e. no other number can be found in it so 3.34 is fine while 2.35 is not). (The book must have that rating when you start to read it - if the rating changes after you or other Goodreads members review it...i.e. if the score is higher or lower than 3.45 when you post the task it will still count.)
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
3.35 average
20.3 - I read The Wasp Factory: A Novel by Iain M. Banks.Frank (the main character) appears to be a psychopath. The book gives insight on how psychopaths think and ideas about what might be the cause of the condition.
15.10 “Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are” – The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff, 158 pagesI feel like I have the same philosphy about life as Pooh, and oddly enough, Taoists. Life is fun! Don't take yourself too seriously, and enjoy what life hands you. Even if it's something that seems negative, the final outcome could be a positive one, as long as you remain positive. Keep things in harmony, and enjoy the ride!
130/980 points
Tasks Completed: 8/57
Tasks In Progress: 3
Books Read: 15
Pages Read: 3113
5.9Spend a day in bed reading the book of your choice.
Midnighters #2:Touching Darkness by Scott Westerfeld
10.10
Read a book that has a type of clothing or accessory in the title
Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You by Dorian Cirrone
Total Points: 210
Finished 20.2 with a goal to be more organized in the kitchen, thanks to this book:
Once-a-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth LagerborgTOTALS
Points: 90
Books: 10 (plus picture books)
Pages: 3,610
Tasks: 5
reposting this as I forgot some information for 15.320.10: The Handmaid's Tale
15.3: The Hunger Games - I agreed with it being on this list it is my favourite dystopian read so far, really exciting to read too. I think Pride and Prejudice should be at the top of the list, it is a classic that I think most people who read it, enjoy.
25.5: Fallen 452 pages, Rising Shadow 378 pages and Herland - read 60 pages of this one so does that still count as it comes to 890 pages - more than I needed to read?
25.7: The Lightning Thief
Fallen and Rising Shadow - Goodreads Authors.
Total Points: 85/980
Total Pages Read: 2043
Books Read:6
Tasks Completed: 4/57
Two more to add: 5.6 - Asian Pacific - Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
5.1 - Lord of the Flies - WIlliam Golding
Total Points: 135
Tasks Complete: 11
Books Read: 18
Pages Read: 6542
Tasks In Progress: 6
GOODREADS AUTHOR x
BIG BOOK (500)
BIG BOOK (750)
BIG BOOK (1000) x
Percent Complete: 24.7%
Time Elapsed: 20.7%
Bridget, what did you think of "Never Let Me Go"? I loved that book, but I know reactions in this group have been mixed.I had planned to re-read "Lord of the Flies" for last season's TV task (using "Survivor" -- I thought that was hilarious, if I do say so myself) but ended up reading something else instead. I love that book!
REPOST because I forgot to put the author--thats what happens when you try to do this at work!20.6 Read a book in a favorite series
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown-- This like his other two books takes hidden symbols, in Washington DC this time, and uses them to write a thriller that you cannot put down until you finish it. I love how these books make you think about what you are reading and how it causes people to see things in a way they may not have thought about.
30.1 Read a book with spring, fling or toss in the title. I read The Bookwoman's Last Fling by John Dunning 4*
I would like to use The Lost Symbol as my big book ticket 500 pgs.
Points: 110
Books: 5
Tasks: 5
Pages Read: 3915
Isn't 30.1 a two-book task? I ask because, if it's not, I'm done with it!
Ok Cynthia Somewhere I got lost on what I have reported and what I have not so here is the whole list:First off I claimed credit for 15.1 and I cannot use the author so I will resubmit that when I have accomplished it.
5.1 The Cardinal by June Osborne
5.5 The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
5.6 THe Asian Texans by Marilyn Dell Brody
5.4 Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
5.7 Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Ana Maria Rodriguez
5.8 The Telephone Gambit-Chasing A;exander Graham Bell's Secret
10.2 The memory Keeper's Daughter Rating as of 03/13/10 of 3.43 by Kim Edwards
10.6 The Blind Side: The Evolution of the Game by Michael Lewis
10.7 Heartless: The True Story of Neil Entwistle and the Brutal Murder of His Wife and Child by Michele R. McPhee
10.8 Alan Shepard The First American in Space by Tamra B. Orr
10.9 Homestretch by Paul Volponi
10.10 The Charm Bracelet by Emily Rodda
15.2A Australia Enchantment of the World by Ann Heinrichs
15.2B World War I by H. P. Will mott
15.3 Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
15.4A A Fistful of Diamonds by John B. Robinson
15.4B Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
15.5A 101 Classic Love Poems Compliled by Sara L. Whittier
15.5B Previously put in my Haiku
15.7A Greed by Robin Wasserman
15.7B Previously posted my statement
15.8A Rembrandt and His Art by Christopher Wright
15.8B I liked his art back when I was in an Art Appreciation class in my first college go around
15.9A The Adventures of huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens
15.9B My pen name would be Cherly
20.1A Beauty Fades, Dumb is Forever by Judith Sheindlin
20.1B Posted my review previously
20.3A Schizophrenia by Editor Scott Barbour
20.3B Previously posted
20.4A Jury Rigged by Laurie Moore
20.4B Fort Worth by Richard Selcer
20.5 A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle 203 pgs
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White 184 pgs
The Lion, The Witch, and Wardrobe by C. S.
Lewis 189 pgs
20.6A I will Always Love You A Gossip Girl Novel by Cecily von Ziegesar
20.6B I got started on the very first book of this series and have loved every book. It is so much different from the way I was raised in Arkansas it made it interesting.
20.7A The Impatient Beader by Margot Potter
20.7B I have never gotten any good at these projects so I need to just get rid of them. It wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be.
20.8 Magic for Dummies by David Pogue 369 pgs
Presenting Houdini His Life and Art by The
Amazing Kardi and Bert Randolph Sugar
191 pgs
Houdini His Legend and His Magic by Doug Henning
20.10 The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
25.1A The Complete Idiot's Guide to Computer Basics
by Joe Kraynak
25.1B I want a home computer with internet service so bad I can taste it but for now the Library will have to do :(
25.6A 06/08/1789 Introduced the Bill of Rights
A Look at the Bill of Rights Protecting the
Rights of America by Amy Graham
25.6B Washington, D. C. Celebrate the States by Dan Elish
25.7 Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology by Michelle M. Houle
25.8A The Art of in the Rain by Garth Stein
25.8B Marley and Me by John Grogan
30.1A Shadows at the Spring Show: An Antique Print Mystery by Lea Wait
30.1B The Bookwoman's Last Fling by John Dunning
30.2A Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
30.2B Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
I liked Someone Named Eva better because I understood a lot more than the other book, plus it was well constructed.
30.3A Shadow Tag by Louise Edrich
30.3B The Re-Gifters by Mike Carey, Marc Hempel, Sonny Liew
30.4A The Hill A True Story if Tragedy, Recovery, and Redemption on North America's Highest Peak by Ed Hommer
30.4B Down the Colorado Travels on a Western Waterway by Jim Carrier
Whew I think that makes 690 points. Please let me know if I am incorrect
Ashley wrote: "Isn't 30.1 a two-book task? I ask because, if it's not, I'm done with it!"30.1 - Roseann's Task - Spring Fling
A.Read a book with the word Spring in the title.
And
B. Read a book with "Fling, Throw, or Toss" in the title.
Recently completed tasks:15.8: Girl with a Pearl Earring – Tracy Chevalier 03/12 I am not a huge art fan. However, I fell in love with Vermeer’s painting “The Lacemaker” first and then really began to recognize and appreciate his work. “Girl with a Pearl Earring” is also another one of my favorite paintings.
20.6: Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs – Gerry Bartlett 03/13 This series is about Glory St. Clair, a 400+ year old plus-sized vampire who always manages to find trouble and always manages to find her way out. The books are filled with vampires, shape shifters, and villains. The characters are very comical and there are times when you are caught laughing out loud. Good recommendation for people who like paranamoral/supernatural and romantic suspense.
25.2: Continent – Jim Crace 03/16 (1986 First Novel Winner) AND The Gift of Stones – Jim Crace 03/17 (Second book published) It is really hard to say which one was better because the books really aren’t my style. I liked the first one a little better because it was a collection of short stories.
New Points: 60
Previous Points: 95
Total Points: 155
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Ashley wrote: "Bridget, what did you think of "Never Let Me Go"? I loved that book, but I know reactions in this group have been mixed.I had planned to re-read "Lord of the Flies" for last season's TV task (us..."
I actually REALLY liked it! I was slightly annoyed with myself becuase I accidentally read a review that gave the whole 'plot' away right when i started reading it. So instead of slowly realizing who these kids are, I already knew. I think that ruined my appreciation a little. But other than that, I thought it was really innovative.
I think I would have liked to see more of this world instead of just the quick snapshot, but I would definitely recommend it!
Lord of the flies was really fun too - i was going to read it last challenge as well, as either part of the Lost Lit challenge or just for the TV show Lost, but didnt make it that far. I always felt my reading education was poorly lacking for having not read this before.
I plan on spending some time on wikipedia and some other discussions on this site getting more into the symbolism of this book.
15.9 I read Silas Marner by George Eliot which is the pen name for Mary Anne Evans. I enjoyed the book. If I were to choose a pen name I think I would go with Gladys Rogers. Gladys Rogers is a combo of some of my family's names.
15.3 At Least Once in LifetimeBel Canto by Ann Patchett
The book was nice and interesting, but I don't think I'd put it on the list of books everyone should read at least once. In fact, I can't even think of a single friend I want to run out and recommend it to. I just felt really "meh" about it. Books that I think should be near the top of the list would include Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Lord of the Rings. Oh, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
3 tasks completed
60 points total
Another task completed! 25.1 - Michelleo's Task - Future Aspirations
I read The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen. My edition has a picture of a young girl on it. My future aspiration is to have a large family. I want to have several kids because I love children and would love to have a big family.
25.9. Annie on My Mind by Nancy Gardner, who was popular during my high school days in the mid-90s.TOTAL =65 POINTS
Beth wrote: "25.9. Annie on My Mind by Nancy Gardner, who was popular during my high school days in the mid-90s.TOTAL =65 POINTS"
Lovelovelovelovelove Nancy Garden!
5.5 I read "Those Who Save Us" by Jenna Blum* (a GoodReads Author) It was published in 2004.
This is another book that took me a while to decide if I liked it or not, but it really was quite good!
15.10 "Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are."What Dreams May Come
I'm sorry if this comes out convoluted and awful and no one can understand it, because I'm not quite sure I really have the words to explain it, except that I know how I feel. And actually, I almost want to use the German title of the book, "Das Ende ist nur der Anfang" (The End is Only the Beginning), because it's closer to what I think is true. I think that there's definitely a place we go after we die, and our actions determine what level we reach (but in a "karmic balance" sense rather than any "God thinks you're bad" sense). I believe in reincarnation, too, so the end of your time in the afterlife only leads to new opportunities on this plane of existence. As for the English version of the title, I believe there is always something more out there, if we keep on striving to reach it. We may never be absolutely sure what's coming, but that's no excuse to stop dreaming.
And, yes, this IS the book the movie was based off of, but the only similarities between the two are character names and the fact that Chris goes to save his wife, Ann, from hell after she kills herself. The book definitely focuses more on the philosophical aspects of the afterlife than on the romantic story.
25.9 Spring Break
Schooled
Gordon Korman was incredibly popular when I was in college and doing my field experiences. I don't think I ever managed to check out any of his books from any of the libraries because kids were always checking them out. Even now they're still somewhat popular, but not as much since the whole Twilight thing has taken over. Schooled was Korman's new release when the district I student taught for my last semester had him come in for book talks and signings, and its possible we missed almost an entire period of class waiting for kids to come back from getting their books signed. An absolutely hilarious book, too, btw.
Total: 40 + 710 (from earlier) = 750pts
Okay, time to start posting tasks for this challenge:5.7 Disabilities: Cowboy & Wills: A Love Story
This is an excellent book on childhood autism. Very compelling story of a young boy who learns to relate to the world through his dog. Highly recommended for anyone who has an autistic child. 4*
5.9 Lying in bed: Rainwater
Goodnight read for several nights: Thoroughly enjoyable. An atypical Sandra Brown book since it is not much of a mystery. It is a wonderful slice of life during the tough times of the dust bowl in the early 1900's. Definitely recommend. 4*
10.4 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The Underneath
Reuse: This is a Newbury Honor book that I was going to use for the last challenge but read Savvy instead. Great chance to read this one for this task. Excellent YA book - would have won if it had not been pitted against The Graveyard Book - Neil Gaiman wins every time. 4*
10.5 Journalist: The Girl Who Played with Fire
A really good followup to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Very detailed with a convoluted plot so you must really pay attention but a good read. 4*
10.10 Fashion: Sand in My Bra and Other Misadventures: Funny Women Write from the Road
A somewhat trivial book but laugh out loud funny in spots. 3*
Big Book: The Girl Who Played With Fire - 512 pages
Goodreads Authors: Sandra Brown and Kathi Appelt
POINTS 40
TASKS 5
BOOKS 5
Pages 1583
TOTAL POINTS: 200 + 20 = 22020.1 Dave Barry Does Japan by Dave Barry
Definitely had some laugh-out-loud moments!
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
25.9 Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
5 POINT TASKS1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2.
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
4.
5. The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
6. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
7. Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
8.
9. Eclipse by Stephine Meyer
10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (Barnes & Noble Classics) by Lewis Carroll, John Tenniel
10 POINT TASKS
1. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
2.
3. Cut by Patricia McCormick
4. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson
6. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game (Movie Tie-in Edition) by Michael Lewis
7. The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas
8. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
9. The Horse and His Boy (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) by C.S. Lewis
10.
15 POINT TASKS
1.House of Dolls by Ka-tzetnik 135633 (Yehiel De-Nur/Dinur) and Aches & Painsby Maeve Binchy
2.Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah and Billy Bishop Goes to War by John Gray, Eric Peterson
3. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
4.The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum and PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
5.Wicked Poems by Roger McGough
6. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
7.Lust (Seven Deadly Sins #1) by Robin Wasserman
8.Letters of Vincent Van Gogh by Vincent Van Gogh
9.Educating Caroline by Patricia Cabot
10. Fear and Trembling (Penguin Great Ideas) by Søren Kierkegaard
20 POINT TASKS
1.The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 1 by Douglas Adams
2.Green This!: Greening Your Cleaning (Green This, #1) by Deirdre Imus
3.
4.Roots by Alex Haley and Maud Hart Lovelace's Deep Valley: A Guidebook of Mankato Places in the Betsy-Tacy Series by Julie A. Schrader
5.Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells and green Eggs and ham and the lorax by. Dr. seuss
6.
7.Boyz and the Bandz: The Hottest Men in Music: From Elvis to Nsync by Donald F. Reuter
8.Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
9.
10. The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1) by Philip Pullman
25 POINT TASKS
1.
2.The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks and Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks
3.Wicked by Gregory Maguire
4. Hex (Hex, Book 1) by Rhiannon Lassiter and Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
5. Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4) by Stephenie Meyer ( Large Print)
6.Donnybrook: The Battle of Bull Run, 1861 by David Detzer and First Blood (Civil War) by William C. Davis, Time-Life Books
7. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan
8. Animal Farmby George Orwell and Marley & Me by John Grogan
9. Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris
10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen
30 POINT TASKS
1.Spring Break (Sweet Valley High, Super Edition) by Francine Pascal and Toss the Bride by Jennifer Manske Fenske
2. Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli, Matt Phelan and Girlfriend Material by Melissa Kantor
3.Hard to Get by Emma Carlson Berne and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
4.Best Friends (Sweet Valley Twins #1) by Francine Pascal and Deep End of the Ocean (Oprah's Book Club) by Jacquelyn Mitchard
5.The Color of Money by Walter Tevis and Revolutionary Road (Movie Tie-in Edition) (Vintage Contemporaries) by Richard Yates (Tom Cruise was in The Color of Money, which was directed by Martin Scorsese. Scorsese has collaborated with Leonardo DiCaprio in a number of films. Leo has starred in the following film adaptation: Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates)
6.Inkheart (Inkheart, #1) by Cornelia Funke and The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien
50 POINT TASK
2198/24372 Pages Read
120/980 Total Points
9/75 Books Completed
20.6 Janet evanovich books are always a fun and easy read. The book plum spooky is part of a series inside of a series but no the less it is still a very good book. I highly recommend this book if you love mysteries along with a little bit of love thrown in there.
All right... Finally getting around to posting some points...Completed Tasks
5 Point Tasks
1. Birds & Bees Title: The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (3/10/10)
4. Goodreads Newsletter (Jan 2009): Paper Towns by John Green (3/18/10)
6. Asian/Pacific American (Korean): A Step from Heaven by An Na (3/3/10)
10 Point Tasks
4. Book from Last Challenge (15.3a): Airhead by Meg Cabot (3/19/10)
15 Point Tasks
8. Favorite Artist: Wassily Kandinsky, 1866-1944: The Journey to Abstraction by Ulrike Becks-Malorny (3/18/10)
20 Point Tasks
7. Potjy – Throw Away Object (old audiobook on cassette tapes): Audiobook of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (3/12/10)
25 Point Tasks
7. Ashley FL – Greek/Roman Gods: Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips (3/13/10)
9. Wendy – Popular 1997-2005: Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (3/15/10)
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CURRENT STATS
Tasks Completed: 8/57
Books Read: 10/79
Pages Read: 2774
Points Earned: 110/980
I just finished 5.5 by reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It was published in 2005.Total Points: 90
Books Read: 13
Tasks Completed: 9
Partially Completed Tasks: 15.2, 15.6, 20.5, 25.5, 30.1
Pages Read: 4,616
Re-posting for 15.3 Murder on the Orient Express, I forgot to say in my original post what should be on the list. In my opinion this book didn't warrant the need for everyone to read in their lifetime. It was a simple, easy mystery, but didn't stand out to me in writing or content.As far as what should belong on the list, someone earlier mentioned how hard it was to nail down books that would appeal to everyone, and I completely again, so I'm going with books that you would learn from: Persepolis 1: The Story of a Childhood and Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage.
Newly completed:
15.9 Glory in Death by JD Robb, a pen name for Nora Roberts. If I had to choose a pen name, it would be Savannah Davis, nothing too special behind it, I like the name Savannah and Davis is a shortened version of my maiden name.
30.6 The Wind in the Willows which was referenced in 84, Charing Cross Road
Total points: 150
Julie McVey25.1 - Family Tree ~ Barbara Delinsky
I chose this book because the cover features a woman holding her child. This stood out to me because my husband and I are both hoping for children in the not distant future. As I read about how Dana (the main female character) felt just after having her child tears ran down my face. That tells me that I chose the right book!!
***Good Reads Author***
Total points = 160 points
Total books = 9 books
Total pages = 2536 pages
Task 20.2 --Clean SweepMy book club this month chose The Help by Kathryn Stockett. A good portion of the book focused on the black women in their working positions as maid, child raiser, housekeeper, etc. There were a lot of layers to this book, a lot of stereotypical characters, but Stockett did a wonderful job in giving each of her narrators a distinct voice. I rated this book 4*. I'll be hosting book club this month, and reading this book has reminded me that instead of reading, I should probably be unpacking from our move so that I have a clean and organized house in which to hold book club.
Total: 150 points
For task 20.7 I read Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human. Right before we moved 3 months ago, we threw away a lot of cooking things that were old, and our kitchen now is much smaller.The book had an interesting premise, but the way it was told was like an academic paper and it made me fall asleep every time I tried reading! So it took me a long time to get through (2*)
Total Points: 100
Tasks Completed: 8
Tasks In Progress: 1
Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 3917
25.3 - Coralie's Task - Coming Out Of Hibernation:I saw The Nose at the Met, an opera based on short stories by Gogol, and read The Collected Tales by Nikolai Gogol.
"The Nose" was one of my least favorite of the short stories, actually. I find absurdism difficult. But the stories with devils were thoroughly engrossing and the later stories, such as "The Portrait" and "The Overcoat," are beautifully written.
Pages read: 958
Books read: 3
Tasks completed: 3
Total Points: 70
Liz (Bklyn)
Just completed Task 30.2 by reading North of Beautiful and Someone Named Eva. I thought that North of Beautiful definitely revolved around an extremely familiar theme of self-acceptance but it was told in a very fresh way and I felt strongly about all of the characters. Someone Named Eva was also well-written and many of my students have read it. What I noticed about myself as a reader is this: the more I read, the tougher I am on a book. There truly is nothing new under the sun, but the more I read of a certain type of a book, the less moved I am the next time. I have read a lot of Holocaust literature and I feel like if I had read this one sooner, I may have liked it more. On the other hand, I think if something is truly amazing it will blow you away even if you have read a 100 books like it. I don't know. I am thinking a lot this challenge!!!!Tasks Completed: 18/57
Books Read: 25
Pages Read: 7877
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Task 30.6 - Character References - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, which was mentioned on page 232 (hardcover version) of Larsson's book Total Points = 105
Good morning, everyone!15.1 Independently Speaking
Snow Treasure (takes place in Norway) and Benny and Babe (Eoin Colfer is from Ireland)
Snow Treasure was okay, but Benny and Babe was brilliant. A coming-of-age story that is genuinely funny and where things actually HAPPEN! Too bad it couldn't have been up for the Newbery, because it's miles better than any similar Newbery books I've read.
20.4 Our Histories
The Joy Luck Club (B) and Nothing but Ghosts (C)
JLC was a reread for me, but I hadn't read it since high school, and I like it better now than I did then. Nothing But Ghosts I picked up because I read somewhere that it took place in Philly, the nearest city to me. However, upon reading it, I discovered that it takes place in my town. I can name all the shops she mentions by description, and I'm a regular one of the restaurants she mentions. I know all the parks and streets she describes. So I was pretty excited last night as I read. I'm going to take this book with me next time I go to that restaurant and show the owner~!
Total: 35 + 750 (from earlier) = 785pts
10.4 Reduce, Reuse, RecycleSplendor by Anna Godbersen(A)
This was the only currently published book that has been written by Anna Godbersen that I had't read previously.
Total points = 70
Tasks completed = 4
30.6 Character References - A. Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami - In this book the main character references The Great Gatsby numerous time throughout the book.
B. The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald (forgot how sad this book was)
Tasks Completed - 3
Books Read - 4
Pages Read - 1,178
TOTAL POINTS - 55
I haven't posted any completed tasks yet this season. Here's what I have done so far:10.5 Character who is a journalist - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society- Mary Anne Shaffer
20.1 Humorous book- My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands- Chelsea Handler
25.1 Picture of future aspiration on cover - Never Let Me Go-Kazuo Ishiguro. Last year, My husband and I found out that we are unable to have biological children. We hope to adopt a child someday in the near future. This book has a picture of a bright eyed child on the cover.
25.7 Gods book - The Battle of the Labyrinth-Rick Riordan
Total Points 80
Tasks completed 4
Tasks in progress 2
Posting several tasks at once. Hope this helps, Cynthia - #5.10 Read a book written by an author who lived during Queen Victoria's lifetime
The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis Mar 19
#10.1 Read a book with a picture of tree(s) on the cover
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis Mar 16
#15.7 Read a book with one of the Seven Deadly Sins in the title. State if/how your book related to the sin in title & why you think that sin is so deadly
Envy by Sandra Brown Mar 17 two young men who are college friends/roommates are both budding authors, and each wants to be published first. When one of them envies the talent of the other, it leads to murder, attempted murder, blackmail, etc. I think envy is such a deadly sin because it can and often does lead a person to commit hurtful or dangerous or deadly acts.
#30.2 Cheryl TX: A Texas-Sized Task
A. Read one book from Texas Bluebonnet Award List: Someone Named Eva by Joan Wolf Mar 6
I have read many books about WWII & The Holocaust, but never anything about the events of this Czech village, so I researched the incident in addition to reading this book - so thanks, Cheryl!
B. Read one book from this year's Texas Lone Star Reading List: Graceling by Kristin Cashore Mar 19
#30.3 Ms. Anderson: Birth and Renewal
A. Read a book first published in 2010: Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky Mar 13
B. Read a book with the prefix "re-" in the title or subtitle: The Rake and the Reformer by Mary Jo Putney Mar 18
Sandra Brown is a GoodReads author
Barbara Delinsky is a GoodReads author
Jennifer Crusie is a GoodReads author I posted Anyone But You in message #424 but forgot to mention she's a GR author
Total Pages = 5,638
Total Points = 255
10 more points for me!10.8 - "I could have gone on flying through space forever." The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Total Points: 60
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On my business trip I managed to finish task 25.4 Diane's name game. I read A Lova' Like No Otha' (3*) by Stephanie Perry Moore who shares my first name. And Breakfast at Stephanie's (3*) by Sue Margolis. Both were quick reads for me but neither one was spectacular.This will bring me to 85 points.
5.4 - In The News For this task, read a book mentioned in a former or current Goodreads Newsletter.
NEWSLETTERS
Stones Into Schools by Mortenson
5 points
5.5 - "Whatever is popular deserves attention."
Using the following link (Popular Books) read a popular book that was published in a year ending in 3/4/5.
Dead as a Doornail by Harris
5 points
25.1 - Michelleo's Task - Future Aspirations
Think of something you really want to have in the future and read a book with that thing on the cover. For example, if you want to buy a house someday, then read a book with a house on the cover. If you really want children, read a book with children on the cover. If you're planning to start a garden, read a book with flowers or vegetables on the cover.
When posting the book tell us what you want and why.
Photoshop ability, so I read:
Photoshop CS2 for Dummies by Bauer
25 points
total 310
COMPLETED TASKS:
25.1 Future Aspirations Cover
*
Rogue Stallion by Diana Palmer* - READ 3.20.10RATING: 1 Star
I originally downloaded this to my Nook for the horse task. I thought, "Stallion in the title, horses on the cover, it must have horses in the storyline." Nope, the rogue stallion was was not a reference to a horse!
Disappointed that this didn't work for the horse task and the book was so pathetically lame to boot, I decided since the cover fooled me, I would use it for another task. I've always wanted to travel out West and I would love to attempt horseback riding again someday. I did it once about 30 years ago.
TASKS COMPLETED: 9/57
POINTS COMPLETED: 170/980
BOOKS READ: 12/73
*BOOKS READ FROM MY PERSONAL LIBRARY: 5
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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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Total Points: 100/980
Books Read: 7
Tasks Completed: 5/57
Tasks in Progress: 1