The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SPRING CHALLENGE 2010
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Spring Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks
10.5 - Freedom Of The PressIn Honor of World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd)...
A. Read a novel with a main character who is a journalist.
Or
B. Read a non-fictional book written by or about a famous journalist.
The Lonely Soldier by Helen Benedict (Non-fiction, Journalist)
10 points
135 total
Goodreads author
task 20.5I read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (audio) by JK Rowling, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise, The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper, Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel, I love you, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt ; The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss and The Foot Book" by Dr. Seudd as well.
I have finished the following task 10.7 heartless: The True Story of Neil Enstwistle and the Brutal Murder of His Wife and Child by Michele R. McPhee
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads Authors - Bridgit - Favorite SeriesI read 'Breaking Dawn' by Stephenie Meyer
I was against reading this series due to the hype. My friend wanted to watch the movie Twilight. I really did not like Twilight the film and when my good friend wanted me to see New Moon with her I was hesitant. But after the movie I was so confused there was not much I go do other then read the novels so that I can actually have an understanding of what they were trying to with the movie. The Twilight Saga is now one of my favourite series and I hope to read them all again soon. Stephanie Meyer is engaging and enjoyable to read. The series allows you to forgot your every day issues and relax into this world of love at first sight and true friendship.
Tasks Completed: 2
Points Earned: 45
Books Read: 2
15.5 - "A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom."April is National Poetry Month. For this task read a collection of poetry (Must be at least 75 pages). When posting this write and share with the group an original Haiku.
Great Poems for American Women edited by Susan Rattiner
15 points
150 total
20.9 A Really Cheesy TaskSwiss Mist
I have to say, this book wasn't nearly as creative as the task I read it for >_> It wasn't awful, but it wasn't anything I'd reread on my own.
Total: 20 + 335 (from earlier) = 355pts
25.10 I've always been wary of Jane Austen spin offs but I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try one out. I read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen which was incredibly entertaining. 5* Then I read North By Northanger, or The Shades of Pemberley: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery which I also enjoyed quite a bit although it might have been because I had incredibly low expectations. :)70 points
4 books read
1169 pages
For task 10.2 - Three/Four/FiveI read Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story which has a rating of 3.45
I really enjoyed this memoir about a mother approaching 50 traveling with her daughter who was just facing adulthood and the real world after college. A great read for mothers with daughters and daughters with mothers. I gave it 5*
New points: 10
Total points: 50
10.1
by Dave Crehore (the trees are in the background along the river)
25.1
by Sarah Dessen. I'm hoping to get a bike this summer.Total points: 35
First Post for this challenge!!!5.7 Developmental disorder: Asperger's Syndrome:
House Rules
Told in Jodi's style of alternating voices, this seems to be a very realistic depiction of this disorder and how it affects those living with the disorder and the people who care for them. The story was compelling and I actually had a hard time putting it down at a certain point.
BIG BOOK (500) *532 pages
POINTS FOR THIS TASK: 5
5.7 - March is Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month To celebrate this month read a book featuring a character with mental retardation or a developmental disorder (i.e. Autism, Down Syndrome etc.), or a non-fiction book that relates to one of the disorders.
Ex.The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time or The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal
I read The Curious Incident... by Mark Haddon
Mod
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street- 2009 Bluebonnet List and
When You Reach Me- Lone Star list
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street mimics Little Women (a little too obviously) If you think that children's lit has gone too realistic and issue-heavy, try this book. Written in 2008, it feels and looks like a book from the 50's- sanitized for your protection.
When You Reach Me really deserved this year's Newbery: a rich, subtle, charming coming of age story
+30
total 115
Recently completed tasks:10.10: Pink Slip Party – Cara Lockwood 03/05
20.1: Holidays on Ice – David Sedaris 03/06 This was recently recommended to me and was the first book I’ve read by David Sedaris. The book has 6 short stories. I think SantaLand Diaries was the best one and I laughed the entire time I was reading it.
20.5: The Giving Tree – Shel Silverstein 03/07 (#3 on Teacher’s Top 100) AND Where the Sidewalk Ends – Shel Silverstein 03/07 (#22 on Kids Top 100) AND The Cat in the Hat – Dr. Seuss 03/07 (#4 on Kids Top 100) AND The Lorax 03/07 (#14 on Teacher’s Top 100) AND Horton Hears a Who! – Dr. Seuss 03/07 (Darryl Hannah, Celebrity Book Picks) AND Horton Hatches the Egg – Dr. Seuss 03/07 (#32 on Teacher’s Top 100) AND I Am Not Going to Get Up Today 03/07 Total pages read: 584
15.5: Columbaruim – Susan Stewart 03/07
Spring is here again
Goodbye to the snow and cold
Time to be outdoors!
10.6: Precious – Sapphire 03/09
New Points: 75
Previous Points: 20
Total Points: 95
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COMPLETED TASKS:
>15.5 National Poetry Month
A. Poetry (75 pp)
Love in Verse: Classic Poems of the Heart by Kathleen Blease - READ 3.10.10
RATING: 3 stars
I read a few old favorites, and some that should have been long forgotten.
My haiku:
Snow covered the ground
I sat cozy in my chair
Reading from white pages
TASKS COMPLETED: 4/57
POINTS COMPLETED: 45/980
BOOKS READ: 4/73
*BOOKS READ FROM MY PERSONAL LIBRARY: 2
Task 10.5 I read The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot. All of the main characters work at newspapers. I though this book, told totally in e-mail, was a fun beach-y type read!210 Points
12/57 tasks
16 books
finished 20.3 option B by reading Daughter of the Queen of Sheba. wow! what a story! i would recommend this book, absolutely. it's a powerful story and very beautifully written.
Total Points: 25 /260
Tasks Completed: 2/13
Books Read: 2 /15+
Tasks in Progress: 1
I've been reading merrily away, but wanted to delay any posting until I had my tasks (almost) organized. So here I go!#5.4 Read a book mentioned in a Goodreads Newsletter:
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins was mentioned in the January 2010 newsletter March 4
#5.9 Spend a day in bed reading the book of your choice:
Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie March 10
#15.8 Read a fictional or non-fictional book about or featuring your favorite artist. Tell why the artist is your favorite and which of his works you enjoy the most.
Ansel Adams: Our National Parks edited by William A. Turnage March 6
Ansel Adams first personally experienced the beauty and grandeur of Yosemite National Park when he was 14 years old. About a decade later, he began his lifelong work of preserving the beauty of nature by photographing as much of the wilderness areas as he could, and by using those photos to lobby Congress to preserve the national park areas. Many of the letters he wrote to presidents and to various members of government are included here.
We love to travel in our national and state parks. The photos in this book remind me of areas already visited and enjoyed, and make me want to visit other parks that are known to me only by name.
Here are three examples of the awe and grandeur he portrayed in his photos:
Kings Canyon
Grand Canyon
Yellowstone
#15.9 Read a novel published under a pen name or pseudonym. When posting, create and share a pen name that you might use as a writer. Explain why you would choose that name.
Second Sight by Amanda Quick, which is a pseudonym of Jayne Ann Krentz March 3
My pen name would be/is BJ Rose, which uses one of my real names, and the initials of the other two.
Total Pages = 1131
Total Points = 40
Finished Task 5.3 (S.P.R.I.N.g) by reading Everyman by Philip Roth.A story of a Life.....everyman's Life. Death seems to follow the hero of this tale throughout his life, from the age of 9. He lives an "everyman"'s Life with all it's foibles, joys and sorrows.
Somehow he sees the negative side of things throughout his Life, with Death at it's side.
The writing is really well done and despite the rather depressing look at Life, I enjoyed this story.
I'll have to look at other Philip Roth books and see what else he writes.
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.
The Best Gift by Wendy Markham-3/10
Wendy Corsi Staub's pen name is Wendy Markham
I would pick Ava O'Connor to be my pen name because my good friend has two children named Ava and Connor and it just has a nice ring to it.
New Total: 60 points
Books Read: 6
Tasks Completed: 4
Tasks Started: 2
10.8 "I could have gone on flying through space forever..."2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Total points: 175
15.7 Beware the Seven Deadly SinsTwo Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film about The Grapes of Wrath
The sin in this book is "wrath," but "lust" would probably work just as well *GRIN* Seriously, though, there were plenty of angry characters, and in the final few chapters, the protagonists all end up pretty pissed at the prom. The vice-principal seems to have a major chip on his shoulder, and other characters spend the book in a constant state of righteous indignation. So, plenty of wrath (and raging hormones) to go around. A funny book, too!
Total: 15 + 355 (from earlier) = 370pts
Oh, right--forgot to mention why the sin is deadly. Well, wrath is bad because when people are mad at each other, they say things they don't mean, don't allow people to explain themselves, and can even resort to violence or spreading nasty rumors. People get hurt physically, mentally, emotionally, and sometimes socially when people are wrathful.
5.10 (Queen Victoria's lifetime, 1819-1901)The Canterville Ghostby Oscar Wilde 1854-1900
(4 stars)
Oscar Wilde, along with John Irving, is my favorite storyteller of all-time. Surprisingly, I've never read this story; unsurprisingly, I adored it. This story, about a ghost foiled in his attempts to haunt an American family, is unique and funny. It is also a commentary about how American and English people differed in their views of the spiritual realm at that time.
+5
points: 10
Books: 2
Tasks: 2
I read Until It Hurts: America's Obsession with Youth Sports and How It Harms Our Kids for 25.3 (Coming out of hibernation). I coach a boys basketball team so I attend games and practices every week.Total Points: 55/980
Tasks Complete: 3/57
20.6 -Read a book from your favorite series.Just finished book 2 of the Millennium series-"The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larsson.
I've had a very slow start this season. Maybe if I can read something under 500 pages, that would help!
Anyway-loved this book as much as the first, and can't wait for the final book to come out in May!
5 POINT TASKS1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2.
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
4. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (Jan 2010)
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. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, #1) by Ann Brashares
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.Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
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 Song of Names by Norman Lebrecht and The Life and Death of Classical Music: Featuring the 100 Best and 20 Worst Recordings Ever Made by Norman Lebrecht
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
1440/24447 Pages Read
85/980 Total Points
6/75 Books Completed
Finished task 20.7: Arctic Diary by Sam and Richard Branson (5* - highly recommended) and throwing out all my old diaries that are just gathering dust!TOTAL POINTS = 40
Mod
Think of something you really want to have in the future and read a book with that thing on the cover.
I read
It has a picture of a clock on the dog on the cover - and what I really want is more time, to read and sew and do things that I want to do, rather than spend so much time working. An appropriate book for this as well, since one of the messages is to take the time to enjoy what's around you, instead of just rushing along, looking down, never seeing the world around you.a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/counter/...
Points: 80
Books: 6
Pages: 1427
Tasks: 5
25.9 Wendy's Task - Spring Break - I read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. I was an undergrad from 1995-2000 when J.K. Rowling was first becoming very, very popular...and when I first discovered Harry Potter.I'm also claiming the 500+ page book ticket for this one, it's 652 pages.
95/980 points
Tasks Completed: 6/57
Tasks In Progress: 2
Books Read: 8
Pages Read: 2409
Two more tasks down....20.3 - Best Review Contest - Amy MO - Mental Health
National Mental Health Month is celebrated during the spring challenge. Today, an estimated 450 million people globally suffer from mental illness. To honor those who live with a mental illness, read one of the following...
A. A fiction book with a main character with a mental health disorder (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety or phobia, eating disorder, personality disorder, etc). The mental health disorder does NOT have to be a diagnosed condition in order to count for the challenge. The character just needs to have a clear mental health disorder that can easily be identified by the reader.
For this task I read Mr. Monk and The Blue Flu by Lee Goldberg. Adrian Monk has Obsessive/Compulsive disorder. Everything needs to be in a specific place and must be germ free!! It really seems as though this can be a very debilitating disorder. It would be hard to keep friends and be around family.
25.4 - Diane's Task - The Name Game
A. Read a book written by an author that shares your first, middle, OR last name. (My name is Diane Joyce Phillips. I might choose a book by Diane Setterfield, Joyce Carol Oates, James Joyce, or Susan Elizabeth Phillips). Spelling variations are acceptable (i.e. Dianne instead of Diane) as are name shortenings (i.e. Sue for Susan).
For this task I read Blood Is the New Black by Valerie Stivers, who I share the same first name with.
Total Points: 80/980
Books Read: 6
Tasks Completed: 6/57
Task 15.6--Friends and Friends of FriendsA.
This is the only Jane Austen novel I had not yet read. I attempted it several months ago, but gave up after a few chapters. I finally pushed my way through. This was the least enjoyable Austen novel for me. It also took me what felt like forever to finish. 13 of my friends had this on their various lists.B.
I got really lucky for this part of the task! First on the list for me was Karin Perry, and she enjoys a lot of the same types of books as I do. Fortunately for me, several of her 5* books were YA fantasy books that I was really wanting to read, and had just recently purchased. (I rated it as 4*)Total: 100 points
I completed task 20.9 by reading 13 Little Blue Envelopes (for blue cheese!). I am so glad that this task came up because I never heard of this one and it was an excellent YA novel. I love the premise of having 13 letters that lead you on a journey. I thought the characters were well written and genuine.Tasks Completed: 12/57
Books Read: 16
Pages Read: 5001
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25.3 - Coming Out of Hibernation: Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz
I will be attending several Admitted Students Days with my daughter in the next few weeks. She has been accepted to several colleges and is trying to make up her mind, so we will attend these events together.
POINTS FOR THIS TASK: 25
GOODREADS AUTHOR *yes
Total Points: 30/980
Books Read: 2
Tasks Completed: 2/57
Hello!I have completed the following:
Task 25.7 (Gods) by reading the novel Gods Behaving Badly . I rate this novel 4 stars; it was a fun book and I appreciated the style of humour. Some could find the book offensive (in parts) but I, generally, found the book hysterical.
Total # of Points: 60
Total # Pages Read: 1367
Total # Tasks Completed: 3
Total # Books Read: 4
20.6 I read Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton. I really enjoy the Anita Blake series. She is a strong woman who is not constantly looking for a man to save her. I enjoyed the earlier books a lot more than the newer but I can't seem to stop reading them.
10.6 Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell related to the movie The Hurt Locker. It is the true story of a Navy SEAL's experience in Afghanistan where he lost his three teammates and close friends. It is a moving, tragic story of the tremedous valor and ultimate sacrifice that our country's bravest, the U.S. Armed Forces, make to serve our great country. 5 stars!
My Total - 50 Points
Complete5 Points
5.2 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, Barbara Kingsolver
5.6 The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami
5.8 Moon Called, Patricia Briggs
20 Points
20.2 The Help, Kathryn Stockett
Totals
Points: 35
Talks: 4
Books: 4
Pages: 1736
Here is the haiku that i forgot to postThe litter box reeks
From half digested rodents
I take two Advil
If I did nothing
No one else would even notice
That is my despair
Leslie wrote: "25.3 - Coming Out of Hibernation: Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz
I will be attending several Admitted Students Days with my daughter in the next few weeks. She has been accepted..."
What an excellent idea! Congratulations to your daughter and I hope she finds the school that is right for her. My youngest son is also a H.S. senior, and has been accepted at his top choice. Notification of merit scholarship came in about a week ago, which has sealed the deal for him.
30.6 Character ReverencesOphelia Joined the Group Maidens Who Don't Float: Classic Lit Signs on to Facebook and Nineteen Eighty-Four
1984 is good; Ophelia is AMAZING. As funny as I expected it to be, and I'm sure it'd be even funnier if I knew more classic lit. Such a great book, and I highly recommend it.
Total: 30 + 370 (from earlier) = 400pts
5.2 - "A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." When I think of spring I think of flowers and when I think of flowers I think of gardens...For this task read a novel featuring gardens (Ex. The Secret Garden) OR a gardener (Ex. Gardener to the King) OR a non-fiction book about gardening (Ex. The Vegetable Gardener's Bible)
The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris (main character Paula is a gardener and the corpse flower plays a part in the story)
25.6 Alice in WonderlandLewis Carroll (event: Alice in Wonderland is published in 1865)
and
The Professor and the Madmen
Simon Winchester
Takes place in the UK and is about the publishing of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Mod
Free Gift with Purchase The subtitle is My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup by the beauty editor of Lucky Magazine
I really needed to go through my makeup bag(s). I think I was first seduced by the Clinique counter in college when I was working part-time in a department store. Now it is hard to pass a cosmetics counter without at least looking. I think I need to admit that I might be addicted to Sephora. And the sad/strange thing is that my usual makeup routine is mascara, tinted moisturizer and chapstick- but maybe someday if I find the "right" products I will have a finished face. I threw out the smoky eye makeup that made me look like I lost a prizefight, the blushes that made me look feverish, the bronzer that made my face look dirty, and anything I couldn't remember buying in the last few years.
The book was uneven- some interesting things (I had a career in magazine advertising pre-kids) some gossip, some stuff that was off-topic- just barely 3 stars
+20
total 135
10.6 The Host by Stephanie Meyer20.6 Among the Mad (Maisie Dobbs Series #6)
by Jacqueline Winspear
The Maisie Dobbs series is not only one of my favorite mystery series it is one of my favorite series in general. The protagonist and super sleuth is a charming, intuitive and caring character who jumps off the page to become a "real" person in my mind every time I read another of her adventures. Also, it is not often to find a series about the period of time between World War I and World War II and Jaqueline Winspear does an excellent job bringing it to life with her research and story telling skills.
Total Points: 30/980
Books Read: 2
Tasks Completed: 2/57
Tasks in Progress: 1
From Owned TBR: 2
5.4 Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney85/980
total books:11
tasks completed: 5
pages: 1700
[image error]
I've been reading books for multi-book tasks so haven't updated in a few days but I finally finished something I can report this afternoon. I read Grimspace by Ann Aguirre for the space exploration task (10.8). I didn't care for it and gave it 2 stars.
Total Points: 75
Books Read: 9
Tasks Completed: 7
Partially Completed (not reported): 15.2, 15.6, 20.5
Pages Read: 3,279
My first post this challenge:
5.2 - Garden book - The White Garden: A Novel of Virginia Woolf by Stephanie Barron. A book about a gardener who travels to England to "copy" a famous garden for a client, family connections, Virginia Woolf's "suicide" and a love quadrangle.
10.1 - Book with a tree on the cover, I read [image error] Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia. Creepy Gothic YA romancey book. It was OK. Good. Not Great. (Although the black trees/purple titled cover is lovely.)
10.6 - Oscars - I read Precious by Sapphire. Short, but a very heavy read because of the content. Sort of reminds me of like a modern day Color Purple, especially because of the content.
15.5 - Poetry - I read How to (Un)cage a Girl by Francesca Lia Block. A Haiku review:
Goddess girls welcome
you to Shangri-L.A., dear
with tears and kisses
20.1 - Humourous book - Diva without a Cause by Grace Dent. If you want to laugh out loud like a maniac on the subway and have everyone stare at you like you are crazy, read this book. It is about Shiraz Bailey (like the wine and the liquer) Wood, a self-described "chav," the British equivalent of white trash. Shiraz is a teen, so if you aren't into YA, you might not enjoy, but this is a fun read. A new teacher at her school (nicknamed Superchav Academy and known as the worst school in Britain) causes Shiraz to question what it is she really wants in life. The best part of this book is the glossary at the end that is sort of like urbandictionary.com for British slang words.
Current Score: 60
Woo hoo!
5.2 - Garden book - The White Garden: A Novel of Virginia Woolf by Stephanie Barron. A book about a gardener who travels to England to "copy" a famous garden for a client, family connections, Virginia Woolf's "suicide" and a love quadrangle.
10.1 - Book with a tree on the cover, I read [image error] Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia. Creepy Gothic YA romancey book. It was OK. Good. Not Great. (Although the black trees/purple titled cover is lovely.)
10.6 - Oscars - I read Precious by Sapphire. Short, but a very heavy read because of the content. Sort of reminds me of like a modern day Color Purple, especially because of the content.
15.5 - Poetry - I read How to (Un)cage a Girl by Francesca Lia Block. A Haiku review:
Goddess girls welcome
you to Shangri-L.A., dear
with tears and kisses
20.1 - Humourous book - Diva without a Cause by Grace Dent. If you want to laugh out loud like a maniac on the subway and have everyone stare at you like you are crazy, read this book. It is about Shiraz Bailey (like the wine and the liquer) Wood, a self-described "chav," the British equivalent of white trash. Shiraz is a teen, so if you aren't into YA, you might not enjoy, but this is a fun read. A new teacher at her school (nicknamed Superchav Academy and known as the worst school in Britain) causes Shiraz to question what it is she really wants in life. The best part of this book is the glossary at the end that is sort of like urbandictionary.com for British slang words.
Current Score: 60
Woo hoo!
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Elizabeth Gilbert (other topics)
Chelsea Handler (other topics)
Eric Puchner (other topics)
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Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne (1828-1905)
A real adventure that I would have read under the covers with a flashlight as a child- but never did.
+5
total 85