The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SUMMER CHALLENGE 2010
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Summer Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks (do NOT delete any posts in this thread)
10.6 - Stand Up for Your Rights Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok (3.75*) (goodreads author)
This book showed discrimination against race, age, & social class - the main character was a Chinese girl working in a sweatshop in NY while also trying to get an education as a poor minority.
Tasks: 7
Books: 7
Goodreads authors: 2
Pages: 2,853
TOTAL POINTS: 125
Task 5.5 - Read the most popular book by an author from the Spring Challenge Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
Total books- 1
Total points - 5
Pages read- 443 (large print edition)
completed 10.6- Stand Up For Your Rights
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok *goodreads author*
total books-2
total points- 15
pages read-747
Completed 15.2- Stars and Stripes
stars- Georgia On His Mind by Ann DeFee
stripes- Lover Mine by JR Ward
takes place in NY
total books- 4
total pts- 30
total pages read- 1483
Goodreads authors- 1
20.4 4th Anniversary = fruit/flowers/appliances
In the Cherry Tree: A Novel by Dan Pope
My gift would be cherries and a cherry tree.
405 points
25.8 Once Upon a TimeI read The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling (111 pages) and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (375 pages.)
Points for this task: 25
Total Points: 35
Tasks Completed: 3
25 Point Tasks25.1 - Valorie's Task - Independence Day
The 9th Judgment by James Patterson
AND
Rules Of Prey
by John Sandford25.2 - Coralie's Task - Q & A
A. Read a book with the word WHERE in the title AND a book with a place name in the title.
Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark
AND
Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
25.6 - Ashley FL'S Task - "Summer Lovin"
One of my favorite summer tunes is "Warmth of the Sun" by Brian Wilson and Mike Love of the Beach Boys. When I hear this song it always makes me nostalgic for a more innocent time in my life and the world (at least the way I viewed it as a teenager.) I don't think this was a big hit for them but has always been one of my favorite ballads.
AND I read.
Wouldn't It Be Nice?: My Own Story by Brian Wilson
30 Point Tasks
30.3 - Sheila's Task - An Ode To Illinois
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
I REALLY looked forward to reading this book and was SO disappointed. I felt it was a waste of my time. I don't understand all the hype surrounding this one.
AND
The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Who knew attending the Chicago World's Fair could be so dangerous. Creepy.
Current Posting Total = 105
10.8 You Can't Read a Book Without Learning- Dirty Blonde by Lisa Scottoline
This summer I'm submerging myself in law to apply to law school this fall. The main character of this novel was a judge...perfect!
Task Points: 10
Total Points: 45
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 6 (working on 2 tasks)
Pages Read: 1,490
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 0(500+), 0(750+), 0(1000+)
5.6 - "I Only Regret That I Have But One Life To Lose For My Country."I read Heat Lightning by John Sanford, I believe he is a Goodreads author. In this book which features Virgil Flowers you have an old murder in Vietnam, the men who where at the murder start dying and Virgil must figure out who and why. One of the people helping him out is a spy from the old guard CIA. This was a great story and I loved that Homeland Security gets a huge black eye in it.
Points for this task 5
Total points 65
Pages read 1830
Books 7
Mod
5.8, Wall Street, with
Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking by Michael Ruhlman
This book was on Alton Brown's list of best cookbooks. I think this is a valuable book to add to your collection if you are comfortable cooking without recipes- if you get the concepts in this book, you can build many recipes yourself. Pam Anderson's How to Cook Without a Book: Recipes and Techniques Every Cook Should Know by Heart is a bit more user-friendly and less scientific.
20.2, Kiri's Trip to the Past,
The Art of War by Sun Tzu written in the 6th century
I have seen this book referenced countless times- it is the oldest military treatise. I'm glad I read it
20.4, Shelley's Anniversary,
This is my fourth challenge: fruit/ flowers or appliances
I would give a red rose bush- red roses mean love, respect, and courage
I read The Red Rose Girls: An Uncommon Story of Art and Love by Alice A. Carter
This was a really interesting story of three women artists: Jessie Willcox Smith, Elizabeth Shippen Green, and Violet Oakley who studied, lived, and worked together in early 20th century Philadelphia. Beautiful pictures
25.1, Valorie's Independence Day,
a. MIlitary character: Nobody Comes Back: A Novel of the Battle of the Bulge by Donn Pearce and
b. blue, white, red cover: 61 Hours
by Lee ChildNobody Comes Back was a classic war story- read in honor of my uncle who was there
I felt a little cheated by 61 Hours- I love Reacher- but having to wait until 10-19-2010 for Worth Dying For...I'm feeling a little manipulated. If it delivers, all may be forgiven
+70
total 200
I finished 5.2 by reading Spirit Bound which is a Vampire Academy book. I am looking forward to seeing Eclipse this summer. 
Hello!Completed:
Task 20.4 - Shelley's Anniversaries
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This is my fourth challenge. My category was fruit/flowers or appliances. Purple hibiscus is a unique and beautiful flower and has inspired many writers. This is why I chose it.
Total Points: 75
Number of Completed Tasks: 5
Number of Books Read: 6
Number of Pages Read: 1794
Thanks Cynthia!
10.3 Same Place, Same TimeHow to Say Goodbye in Robot
Wonderful. I highly recommend it.
Total: 10 + 230 (from earlier) = 240pts
I have completed the following tasks:5.9 Cook This, Not This by David Zinczenko Read at The East Branch Library here in Fort Worth
10.7 The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham
15.7A Sacred India by Vic Hawthorne
15.7B I would like to see more day programs and activities for the Homeless in Fort Worth that are unemployable or underemployable. Of COurse I would like to see everyone that wants to work get a job but that isn't reality in today's economy.
15.9A 72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell
15.9B The main character in this novel has Bipolar Disorder, which I have. This chrarcterization is an extreme form of the disorder manifesting itself. I am not in this position because I do stay on my medication and avoid those things that I should avoid.
20.2 The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson
20.5 The Deserted Library Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
20.10 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
25.6A The Hitman by David Foster
25.6B He is the Producer of my all-time summertime song I Will Always Love You sung by Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard
30.1A The South Americans by Alan Cullison Born in June
30.1B What My Mother Doesn't Know Born on a Monday
30.2A Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie I gave the book to my nephew as part of his summer reading assignment at his school
30.2B The Child Called It by Dave Pelzer
30.4A A Dying Breath: A Forensic Mystery by Alane Ferguson
30.4B The Pain Nurse by Jon Talton
30.1B
5.4 Lesser Known Awards -Read The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Award - South Carolina Book Award.
Great book!
Points this task: 5
Total Points: 75
Total Books: 7
Total Pages: 2094
10.6 Stand Up For Your Rights - Same Kind of Different as Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall.
30.5 Virtual Block PartySignature dish:Jalpeno Popper Spread
read a. Chocolate Chip Murders-Jo Ann Fluke
d. Texas Home Cooking Cookbook by Cheryl Aters Jamison and Bill Jamison
See my recipe in the recipe section. It is easy and super good.
10.5 If You Can't Go to the Beach...
I must admit that I'm biased. I really didn't want to read another Dessen, even though I enjoyed the first one I read (Dreamland). They've a reputation for being so cheesy and slushy and melodramatic...But I didn't mind this one, honestly. And it's a little embarrassing for me to admit that. I'm not quite sure why. It's certainly not the best book I've ever read, but I couldn't put it down once I started, either.
Total: 10 + 240 (from earlier) = 250pts
Oh my gosh! I forgot to note all my goodreads authors!So sorry!
For 5.10 - Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack
for 10.4 - Stephenie Meyer
for 20.6 - Sherri Browning Erwin
and for 25.3 - Barbara Demick and Carlos Ruiz Zafon
I'll try to better from now on.
My first points for this season!!!I completed..
--5.9: March
I read it out in my local park--the weather was beautiful!
TOTALS
POINTS= 5
TASKS= 1
BOOKS= 1
I finished two more tasks!5.7 Transportation - J is for Judgment - Sue Grafton
and
10.5 If you can't go to the beach Beach Road - James Patterson
Tasks complete: 4
Books read: 4
Total points: 25
15.1 - Wedding Bells Are RingingJune is one of the most popular months for weddings and weddings as we all know are full of traditions. One of the most commonly followed of those traditions is for the bride to have "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue" on her wedding day. To honor that tradition...
A. OLD - Read an old book (to qualify as an old book it must have been published before you were born).
Agatha Christie Ten Little Indians
AND
B. NEW - Read a book written by a new author i.e. a book by an author you haven't read previously.
Tinkers by Paul Harding library book
15 points
200 points
15.4 Learn your NumbersI am a 5 like Scott Westerfeld. I read
Leviathan
An attribute is Adventurous--- I read
Daughter of the Mountains by Louise S. Rankin.
I forgot my points---total pages- 1,318
total tasks- 4
total points- 65
20.10 - Group Reads - The ABC Murders and posted in the discussion forum5.1 - Catching Fire
5.10 - The Hunger Games - this is the 3rd or 4th time I reread this, can't wait for Mockingjay!!!
Total points: 30
20.10-The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie I also posted in the discussion forum for this book, Post 23. Task: 1
Books: 1
Points: 20
Pages: 253
15.3 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg LarssonBlog: www.betterworldbooks.com
Wow! I have been really busy at work for the past week or so and haven't been able to read more than a few pages at a time, but today it rained all day and I was enthralled! I haven't read a book that caught my imagination the way that this book did since I read The Time Travelers Wife. Larsson was an amazing writer and an even better storyteller. I really enjoyed the twists and turns that this one took and even when I figured out what was going to happen next, I didn't mind because he put such an interesting spin on it. Definitely a 5 star book!
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer LoveFor all us booklovers, summer is a great time of year to relax with our favorite reads. In this task, share your love of your favorites with us. Read two (2) books:
A. One from your favorite genre/type.
B. One from your second favorite genre/type.
C. Write a short review for each and an explanation of why your like that genre/type.
For A, I (Helen) love historical fiction so will probably read An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon. I love being able to live history through the eyes of a strong character. It makes the time period and the events more real.
For B, I love SciFi/Fantasy and will probably read To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. The ability to see beyond current reality and describe those visions in book form is incredible. I am sampling some of the older Hugo Award winners.
A. Jeffrey Deaver’s The Burning Wire
I love all thrillers. I like to read them in one sitting to the wee hours of the morning
B. YA Sea of Monsters by Riordan
I love science fantasy. I became hooked back in the day on Anne McCaffrey, Jean Auel and Roger Zelazny. I also love Harry P.
25 points
225 total
I completed the following tasks:5.1 - Heat Wave
They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan, Benson Deng, Alphonsion Deng, Benjamin Diak with Judy A. Bernstein
Judy Bernstein is a Goodreads author
20.9 The Spirit of Independence
In honor of Independence Day - Let's honor the independents as well.
A. Read Catching Fire by Suzanne Colllins
B. Watched Amreeka (nominated in 2010)
Points for these tasks: 25
Total Points: 100
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 3347
Books by Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
20.3 - School May Be OutFor this task I read Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskett, published in 1853. Its a social commentary about a small town in England, told from the perspective of a visitor who comes regularly to stay with her Aunt Mattie.
25.6 - Summer Lovin
A song that reminds me of summer is "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by the Beach Boys and the book I read is Forever. The relationship between the two is that Wouldn't It Be Nice is about adulthood and forever love and Michael and Kath in Forever are faced with that...what does forever mean to a teenager...
Total Points This post: 45
Total Points: 135/ 950
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 10
Books by Goodreads authors: 4
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads Authors - Nicole CA's Task - List Maker - Saving Fish from Drowning: A Novel by Amy Tan.Sadly, this doesn't make my must-read list. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Amy Tan, just not this particular book. The premise for the book was very interesting as was the setting. It had the potential of being outstanding. The delivery and character development were just okay. The book also moved slowly and took a long time to get going (and it's a very long book, too). Therefore, I'm placing this book in my must-not-read list.
This book was >500 pages and qualifies as a "Big Book".
Total Points: 30
15.2 Stars and StripesPicture the Dead Takes place in Massachusettes, one of the original 13 colonies
by Adele Griffin Goodreads Author
On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God: Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Has state name (Georgia) in the title
Books read: 7
Pages read: 2006
Tasks complete: 6
Tasks in progress: 2
Points: 55
20.9 Indie SpiritThe Graveyard Book (Young Adult Buzz Book Winner, 2009) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Best Feature Nominee, 2001)
Wonderful book, and the movie is a trip. Very weird and in places, which I enjoyed. "The Origin of Love," "Wig in a Box," and "Midnight Radio" are all brilliant songs.
Total: 20 + 250 (from earlier) = 270pts
I have completed task # 20.6 List Maker by reading Super Sad True Love Story: A Novel (331 pgs). I was really excited to read this one...especially since I was lucky enough to win it as a Goodreads giveaway. Sadly, I would not include it on our "Must-Read" list. Shteyngart creates a very bleak future for America but it all comes off as shallow and the characters flat. I didn't care what happened to them. I wanted so badly to immerse myself in the world he created but couldn't get into it.
I completed 5.10 I reread A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana GabaldonTotal Points:30
15 Point Tasks 15.4 - Learn Your Numbers
I'm a 3 and part of the characteristics is love of the arts. Sandra Brown is also a 3 so I read -
The Switch by Sandra Brown Goodreads author
AND
Loves Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark
15.10 - “Other Things May Change Us, But We Start And End With Family.” - Anthony Brandt
Bootlegger's Daughter: A Deborah Knott Mystery by Margaret Maron
I've often thought that one of the greatest things that a parent can receive after raising their children is to have them grow up to be adults that you are not only proud of but be people that you would want to have as friends. I happen to be blessed with both a son and a daughter that I truly enjoy spending time with as one would a good friend.
20 Point Tasks
20.2 - Rookie Of The Season - Kiri's Task - A Trip To The Past
The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads Authors - Nicole CA's Task - List Maker
The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen Goodreads author
This is a classic murder mystery and would definitely included on my list of must reads.
25 Point Tasks
25.8 - Sandy's Task - Once Upon A Time…
Swan sister : fairy tales retold
Datlow, Ellen.
165 p. ; 22 cm.
New York : Aladdin Paperbacks, c2003, (2005 printing)
(no link here are Goodreads)
AND
What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire 322 pages
25.9 - Donna Jo's Task - It's Time For The Swim Suit Edition.
B. Bikini - Read 2 books totaling at least 850 pages and first published in 1946 (date of first named bikini) or later.
A Day Late and a Dollar Short by Terry McMillan 496 pages
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 391 pages
Current Posting Total = 120
Goodreads Author X 2
15.3-The Thief by Megan Whalen TurnerLink to Blog: http://blbooks.blogspot.com/search/la...
Blog Review: Gen is a thief. He's in prison--in Sounis--for boasting that he could steal anything. Well, more precisely that he could steal something from the King. Has he been forgotten? Not exactly. There are those that would have him released from prison so they can use his services. Magus, with the approval of the King, wants Gen to steal something of mythological importance from a neighboring country. Hamiathe's Gift. Can he do it? He must if he wants his freedom! He will embark on a journey, on an adventure, with some interesting companions. Can he turn these enemies into friends?
I really enjoyed The Thief. I loved the world Megan Whalen Turner created. There are three very different countries explored: Sounis, Eddis, Attolia. Different countries, different monarchs, different intrigues, different gods and goddesses. This is a richly detailed fantasy novel. And I thought the storytelling worked well. I would definitely recommend this one!
My Review: Basically this book is about Gen, a man who bragged one too many times and got thrown in jail because of it. Well that and an incident involving the King's royal seal. His shenanigans led him to being locked away in a deep, dark cell to rot until the King needed the space for another convict. So for months he waited, for the perfect moment to make his escape. His escape came in forms of a legend, a magus with something to prove, and a plan. The King has called upon him to find a lost treasure and if he does, untold riches. If he doesn't, certain death. So he happily goes on the expedition, but no one but him knows what secret agenda Gen has in mind.
I thought this was an intriguing book, i got sucked in right away. For one thing Gen is a smart, witty and interesting narrator. He's an unreliable narrator but that makes him all the interesting and works well with his personality. he drops just enough crumbs to drag you along the moon lit path but not enough to give away all the secrets.
The other characters in the book were well developed as well. All having their own secrets, own motivation, than what was on the surface.
The plot was well made as well. It was like a jigsaw puzzle that had enough pieces to keep you guessing but not enough to tell what the picture is to the end.
All in all I give it 5 stars and I considered it one of my new favorites.
Tasks: 2
Books: 2
Points: 35
Pages: 472
A finished 20.7 with A Clockwork Orange, and 10.2 The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare. I really liked The Man Who Was Thursday, A Clockwork Orange not so much. I didn't like its message about youth.
Total Points: 40
I finished A Passage to India vor task 15.7. One thing that I would like changed about my community is the total lack of respect for the planet. I do my part by picking up garbage on the ground, and throwing my stuff away properly. I tell others to do the same as well so we can have a cleaner place to live.Total points: 45
Total books: 4
Total Tasks: 4
Total Pages: 1685
Hi,I have only just completed my first book!! It was for task 5.3 I read Rasputin by Edvard Radzinsky ER.
Total = 5 points!
Kate.x.
20.3 - Victorian Novel - Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. I did not enjoy this book (2*). I did not like any of the characters. I would not characterize Tess as a heroine. There were really no hero's in the book and I hated the ending.This book had 544 pages so I would like to claim my big book ticket for that.
20.1: Sweltering Summer DaysMonkey Town: The Summer of the Scopes Trial
My favorite ice cream is Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey...which I can't have anymore. Stupid diet ;_;
Total: 20 + 270 (from earlier) = 290pts
10.10 - Great Minds Think AlikeFor this task we will find out if this saying is true when in comes to reading preferences. Go to the individual page for the last book you gave a 5 star rating to (i.e. if the last book you rated 5 stars was The Help by Kathryn Stockett you would go to this page The Help). Scroll down to the section for other reviews and click on the link for 5 stars...then click on the link to organize the list by date. Once you do that you will need to click on page 6,7, or 8 (if the book you use does not have that many pages of 5 stars use page 1-3) and select a person. Visit that persons profile and select another book (one that you haven't read before) that they gave 5 stars to and that will be the book you need to read for this challenge task.
Uglies by Scott Westerfield (Kara on P.7 of Dexter in the Dark)
10
235 total
finished task 5.3. Till The Butchers Cut Him Down by Marcia Muller
This is my first post for this so I hope I'm doing it alright!10.4 - Roll the dice: I rolled a 251 and read Mary Reilly by Valerie Martin which had 244 pages.
20.2 - Trip to the past: read Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross which was set in the 9th century.
20.3 - School's out/Victorian novel: actually listened to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by Robert Lewis Stevenson. I did not check how many pages this has so I hope this counts. I read it to go along with Mary Reilly but it was also a reread for me.
Donna Woolfolk Cross is a Goodreads author.
Points for above tasks: 50
Tasks completed: 3
Points completed: 50
Books read: 3
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Mod
I read Annie's Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret (416 pages) by Steve Luxenberg (a Goodreads author)
I won this as a First Reads giveaway - and it proved to be just as interesting as I had hoped when I entered to win. I'm particularly glad I won, because I don't know that I would ever have run across this book otherwise.
After his mother’s death, the author discovers that she had a sister, who was institutionalized in her early 20’s – a closely guarded secret. His mother had always emphatically stated that she was an only child. This discovery shakes him up – suddenly, his whole picture of his mother’s life and her character is turned upside down.
The author is a journalist, so he has more knowledge than many of us would have about how to find information to follow up this story. His research leads him to re-connect with family members he didn’t really know and to find out a lot about how the mentally ill/mentally and physically disabled were treated . He also discovers other family secrets as he goes along.
There is a lot of information in this book about larger issues as well – treatment of the mentally ill/physically and mentally disabled, the eugenics movement, World War II, the history of Detroit, the Holocaust, the immigrant experience in America. At times, that annoyed me a bit – I wanted to get back to the main story. However, while sometimes this seemed like side tracks, overall I think it provided the big picture, within which this particular story took place – and it was interesting to learn something about all these topics, in a readable discussion that was illuminated by the specifics of the main story.
This is a must read, if the subject matter interests you – family history and family secrets, as well as the larger issues that come into the picture. It’s one that gets you thinking – the whole time I was reading this, I kept thinking “what if I found out that my mom actually had a sibling that I never knew about?” Or, more generally, what happens when you find a family secret that changes your whole picture of your family?
The subject matter is interesting, and the book was a pleasure to read. I particularly liked the fact that the author did not try to distance himself at all – this book is also about him, and how he reacted to this discovery and the search. For me, this was a 5 star read – fascinating subject, well written, and made me think.
Points: 85
Books: 5
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books - 0
Pages: 1306
Tasks: 4
5.9- Get Caught ReadingI read The Big Four by Agatha Christie in several different public places including Starbucks, a hair salon and a restaurant.
Points: 5
Total Points: 105
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 10
Pages Read: 3571
Books by Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
5.4 Lesser Known AwardsThe Road by Cormac McCarthy
James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction (2006)
Total points: 30
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love -- I read the cozy mystery Not a Blessed Thing: A Sister Mary Teresa Mystery by Monica Quill. I like cozy mysteries because they show how improbable questioners can often get answers the police can't and they tend to explore character interaction more deeply. I also read The Burying Place by Brian Freeman a police procedural thriller that deals more with the chase of a serial killer. I read these for the excitement and suspense.
Books Read: 8
Pages Read: 2418
Tasks Completed: 5
Tasks in Progress: 2
Total points 115
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Daughters of the North (other topics)At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple (other topics)
The Catcher in the Rye (other topics)
Every Man Dies Alone (other topics)
Sepulchre (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Elise Broach (other topics)Virginia Woolf (other topics)
Roald Dahl (other topics)
Shel Silverstein (other topics)
J.K. Rowling (other topics)
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Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 1 has 224 pages.
60 points total.