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)
15.3 - Books And BlogsFor this task read a book that has been featured on your favorite book/reading related blog. When you post this task include a link to the blog and a review of the book.
Nanny Returns by Emma McLaughlin and Nicole Kraus-6/7
ChickLitIsNotDead.com.
My Review:
I loved the first book, but I cannot say the same about this one. It takes place years later after she is married and started her own business. She comes into contact again with Grayson (the child she used to be a nanny too) and he has a slew of issues. Basically, she takes him under her wing along with his younger brother. The book is based on her working for a private school who has no morals and her trying to take care of Grayson and his brother, since his parents have checked out. Just did not care for it and felt like it lacked a plot and just did not keep me entertained. Disappointed!
New Total: 20 points
Just one more quick post tonight. Just finished 5.2 Blockbuster Books: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. I started it the first time when it first came out in hardback. But since I had just ripped through the first 2 books in the series, I was afraid that I would go nuts waitin for the next one. I actually put it on the shelf and took a whole lot of flack from friends and co-workers for not reading it... till now.Total points: 80 (previous) + 5 = 85 currently
Finished 5-9: Get Caught Reading- The Quest Begins Seekers #1 by Erin Hunter
read at the pool while kids swam.
Pages: 293
points:5 points
Finished 25-6: Summer Lovin'-
Meatloaf: To Hell and Back an autobiography by D.Daulton/Meatloaf
I really loved this album. My favorite was "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" I was in my teens and this was considered "devil music" by my grandmother. My mom and us 4 kids piled in the car, drove through all the back roads of Maine. She was usually drinking a beer, smoking, and singing at the top of her lungs. We usually sang too. What a noise!! One of the few good memories I have of my family.
Pages:285
Points:25
Total 50/950
Total pages: 785
Sorry cynthia, I forgot the authors. So I finally added them. Thanks
Finished:10.2 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Steig Larsson
*Big Book - 576 pages
Total Points = 10
Also I read The Secret of Annex 3 by Colin Dexter for 10.1.For 10.4, I read The Blue Cotton Gown by Patricia Harman. My number was 292 and the book had 289 pages.
Total 70/950
Total pages: 1292
I'm finally getting around to my first post for this challenge. I've completed the following tasks:5.6 Spy/Espionage
The 39 Steps by John Buchan - READ 6.6.10
My Rating: ★★★
5.9 Get Caught Reading
Blacklands by Belinda Bauer (224 pp) - READ 6.7.10
My Rating: ★★★★
I read this on my morning coffee outings at Panera and in the doctor's waiting room. A fantastic thriller, which sent shivers down my spine.
10.6 Discrimination
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman - READ 6.14.10
My Rating: ★★★★★
10.9 You Cannot Open A Book Without Learning Something
Making Toast: A Family Story by Roger Rosenblatt - READ 6.11.10
My Rating: ★★★★
Excellent memoir on how a family comes together to handle grief.
25.8 Fairy Tales (400 pp)
Impossible by Nancy Werlin GOODREADS AUTHOR (384 pp) - READ 6.10.10
My Rating: ★★★★
I loved this modern day fairy tale, where a long line of women were cursed. I can't get the song, Scarborough Fair, out of my head since reading this.
Tooth Fairy in Trouble by Julia Jarman (48 pp) - READ 6.7.10
Total Tasks: 5/56
Total Points: 55/950
Total Books Read: 6/76
*Books Read I Own: 3
15.10 FamilySisters Redby Jackson PearceGoodreads Author
I love my family for many reasons, but one reason in particular is because we are all crazy and we laugh nonstop when we are together. We are so close, and we have the best time teasing each other and joking around. My Dad and I have the same dry sense of humor, and my Mom and little brother are more goofy but when we all get going its hilarious! We probably look like a bunch of weirdos but we have fun!
Books read: 9
Pages read: 2528
Tasks completed: 8
Points: 80
Finished 15.10 - “Other Things May Change Us, But We Start And End With Family.” I read A Death in the Family, by James Agee. This book won the Pulitzer in 1958. Overall, I didn't love this book. The entire book is about the death of one man and how it impacts his family. I thought it read more like a play than a novel.While the family in this book didn't remind me much of my own, it did remind me of the importance of families supporting each other at the worst times. One of the things I love about my family is that we are always there for each other. You can always find someone to help you weather any crisis. This book made did make me appreciate how especially grateful I am for my sisters, cousins, and aunts.
Total points: 40
I read the Group reads task. I read The ABC Murders, which I really enjoyed.Total points = 25
Kate.x.
30.4 - Cheryl TX's Task - The Science Of CrimePostmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Secrets of Eden: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian
Points for this task: 30
Total Points: 75
15.2 - Stars & Stripes ForeverA. Alabama Moon by Watt Key (3*) (goodreads author)
B. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (4*) (goodreads author) - set in New York
Tasks: 8
Books: 9
Goodreads authors: 4
Pages: 3,632
TOTAL POINTS: 140
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.
My latest 5-star book (then) was The Lightning Thief, so I certainly found many people gave the second book 5 stars too.
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
25.9 - Donna Jo's Task - It's Time For The Swim Suit Edition.
Pick one of the following swim suit styles to fit your reading type.
C. Tankini - Read 850 pages of book(s) published in last 5 years.
The Titan's Curse (2007) 327 pages
The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008) 375 pages
The Last Olympian (2009) 388 pages
= 1,090 pages
Points: 70/475
Books: 7
Tasks: 5/56
Pages: 2,265
5.9 - Get Caught ReadingI read Blood Orange Brewing at various bus stops, on buses, in a waiting room and in parks.
15.4 - Learn Your Numbers
My number is 3
So for A I read Poirot's Early Cases: 18 Hercule Poirot Mysteries by Agatha Christie who's also a 3
AND
the characteristics for 3 were expression, verbalization, socialization, the arts, the joy of living so for B I read Speak. The main character in this book learns about all of these characteristics over the book - she starts off not able to verbalise or express herself and she cuts herself off from people but by the end of the book she expresses herself and becomes closer with people. She's also an artist.
20.9 - Luck Of The Draw - Terri's Task - The Spirit of Independence
For A I read Wintergirls (YA Honor Awards 2010)
AND
B I watched Heathers.
20.10 - Group Reads
I read The ABC Murders and posted in the discussion post.
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love
My first favourite genre is crime so I read Lost Souls. Unfortunately this wasn't a fantastic example of the genre. The story wasn't fantastic and the main character wasn't realistic.
I love this genre because I'm really interested in criminology and forensic psychology and will probably go on to study in one of those areas. I like reading fiction crime because everything (usually) works out in the end - the good guys win and the bad guy dies or goes to jail. It works out nicely with all the loose ends tied up.
AND
my second favourite genre is young adult sci fi so I read The Knife of Never Letting Go which was awesome. Seriously, I loved this book, couldn't put it down and can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. It was about a planet where the women have all died and all the men can hear each other's thoughts (and the animals as well). It might sound strange but it works really well in the book.
I love young adult sci fi because it's usually less complex than adult sci fi. It gives my brain a bit of a break and I don't have to think about it too much. I also think there's a lot of great stories being written in this genre at the moment.
Total Points: 175
5.2 - Can You Keep a Secret?The cover of this book is pink and girly (and so is the content) so the summer movie I'm tying this to is Sex and the City 2, which always makes me think pink, girly thoughts.
Points: 70
15.2 - Stars and Stripes Forever -I read Love...Like Snow In Florida On A Hot Summer Day by Tracy L. Darity. I won this book here on Goodreads and I found it to be pretty horrible. 1*
Tracy L. Darity is a Goodreads Author.
and
I read Hot Six by Janet Evanovich. 4* This book takes place in New Jersey. I love these books so much. It makes me long for home!
Total Points: 45
Tasks Complete: 3
Books Read: 8
Pages Read: 2,796
Tasks in Process: 15.6, 20.9, 30.2, 30.3
My update:Total points: 15
Completed tasks:
5.9 - The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
10.10 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Pages read: 646
I finished a bunch of tasks in the last week. 30.2 (children) - I've been reading Peter Pan to my belly and I've added it to the baby's bookcase plus I finally finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time whose main character Christopher is a child.
25.2C (WHO?) - I listened to the audiobook of Doctor Who: Feast Of The Drowned and read Vivaldi's Virgins
25.7 (Passion) - One of my passions is physics, astrophysics to be specific. I wish I had the money and smarts to become a professional astrophysicist but until then I will be an amateur astrophysicist. Anywho, I read 2 books by Neil deGrasse Tyson: Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution AND The Sky Is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist which has the word "astrophysicist" in it.
Old Total: 35
New total: 115
20.3 - "School May Be Out"I read Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Since the book was 679 pages, I am also claiming my first Big Book Ticket! My complete review is at http://colreads.blogspot.com/2010/06/...
Tasks completed: 7
Books read: 9
Pages read: 2480
Points earned: 110
Big Book Tickets: 1
25 Point Tasks25.7 - Wendy's Task - I'm Passionate About...
I'm an avid quilter so this task was an easy one. One of the things that I have done is help document antique quilts. It is so sad to come across a quilt from pioneer days that has no documentation. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to trace the origins of these old masterpieces.
The American Quilt: A History of Cloth and Comfort 1750-1950 by Roderick Kiracofe
AND
The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
25.10 - Belinda's Task - Let's Play The Name Game
What Came Before He Shot Her by Elizabeth George
AND
The Night Gardener by George P. Pelecanos
30 Point Tasks
30.4 - Cheryl TX's Task - The Science Of Crime
Book Of The Dead by Patricia Cornwell
AND
Flesh and Bone: A Body Farm Novel by Jefferson Bass
Current Completed Tasks = 80
I have completed the following tasks:5.10 The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
10.9 The Idiot's Guide to Dairy-Free Eating by Scott H. Sicherer and Liz Scott
I have become Lactose intolerant in my old age and am trying to learn how to go about that without giving up some of my favorite things.
25.8 Classic Fairy Talesby Berlie Doherty 223 pages
The Tooth Fairy by Graham Joyce 320 pages
25.9 How I Became a Famous novelist byh Steve Nely 322 pages
Homer and Langley by E. L. Doctorow
208 pages
Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott 276 pages
30.5 Eat This, Not That by David Zinczenko
My Darling, My Hamburger by Paul Zindel
Finished another task early early this morning:15.10- Brother Odd by Dean Koontz.
It is about a man named Odd Thomas who is staying at a monastery to heal from events that happened in the first two books. This book reminded me that you don't have to be related by blood to be family. I live a long way from my real family but I have made a family for myself. They both are wonderful in that no matter where the chips may fall, any one of them would be there to pick me up. I am truly blessed!
Pages: 430
Points: 85/950
Total pages: 1722
Welcome Alice to the summer challenge. If you have as big a tbr list as I have, you won't have any trouble plugging one of them into a task.
I completed task #10.2 by reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson. I loved it!!
5.4 - The Woman in the Dunes - Kobe Obo. It won the Yomiuri Prize in 1962. It's a prestigious Japanese literary award that was created to help form a cultural nation.
I really enjoyed this book. Deceptively simple and yet very philosophical.
15.3 Books and Blogs - Breathers's: A zombie's lament - S. G. Browne (Goodreads Author)
http://readinginappalachia.blogspot.c...
This is just a fun read!
Points for this task: 20
Total Points: 65
Tasks Completed: 6
Books Read: 6
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Petra wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "20.3 - Victorian Novel - Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. I did not enjoy this book (2*)."I remember reading that book in High School. We..."
I usually will give an author 2 books. If I am still disappointed then he/she is off my list. So I will try another of his at some point.
Stephanie wrote: "I usually will give an author 2 books. If I am still disappointed then he/she is off my list. So I will try another of his at some point."Petra wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "20.3 - Victorian Novel - Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. I did not enjoy this book (2*)."If you want to give Hardy another try at some point, I recommend Far from the Madding Crowd - that one I really enjoyed.
Alice wrote: "I'm new and I am scared...but here we go!"
Don't be scared Alice. Just jump in and have fun. There is alot of support in the help section if you need it.
Task 5.7 - "...Man Would Not Fly For Fifty Years. "The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
He is a Goodreads author.
Points for this task: 5
Total Points: 15 / 950
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3
Books by Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
15.5 The Great Authors were Great ReadersA. - Testimony by Anita Shreve. I've read several by this author, and was happy to read this one and get it off my shelf.
B - That Night by Alice McDermott is on her top ten list. It was OK, but it won't be on my top ten list.
accumulated total: 45
15.1 Old-Blue
This book was published way before I was born and this is the closest to the blue cover that my mid-70s paperback has.Borrowed-New Look Again a new-to-me author that I got from the library
Total Points: 40
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 6
Scottoline is a goodreads author.
Task - 10.3-Same time, same placeBook - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen . When I began on 6/3 it was also being read by Jessie - United States.
Pages - 358 pages (in my edition)
Points for this task - 10
Total Points: 10
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 703
Sheila wrote: "25 Point Tasks25.7 - Wendy's Task - I'm Passionate About...
I'm an avid quilter so this task was an easy one. One of the things that I have done is help document antique quilts. It is so sad..."
I love the elm creek quilt books! I am not a quilter myself, but it is so cool that you work with antique quilts. I bet it is really fascinating. We have a crazy quilt that my mom's great aunt made and I just love looking at it and imagining her putting it together!
10.3 - Same Place, Same Time...Same Books - Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza.Books Read: 4
Tasks Completed: 4
Tasks in Progress: 2
Total Points: 60
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: (500)x (750) (1000)
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Nicole wrote: "Sheila wrote: "25 Point Tasks25.7 - Wendy's Task - I'm Passionate About...
I'm an avid quilter so this task was an easy one. One of the things that I have done is help document antique quilts..."
I love the Elm Creek quilts books too, have always wanted to make one, and was inspired to try by the Elm Creek books. My first quilt is nearly complete.
Birish wrote: "15.9 - "You Cannot Open A Book Without Learning Something" Read Parenting Teens With Love And Logic, I have a 14 year old daughter and I need to learn all I can on dealing with her ..."
Oops, this should have been task 10.9, not 15.9. Sorry!
My total - 10 Points
5.4 - Lesser Known Awards - Listened to Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher which won the Florida Teens Read award in 2008.10.4 - Roll the Dice - Listened to Would You by Marthe Jocelyn. I rolled 164, this book had 165 pages.
My Total - 25 Points
Birish wrote: "5.4 - Lesser Known Awards - Listened to Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher which won the Florida Teens Read award in 2008.10.4 - Roll the Dice - Listened to [book:Would You|283420..."
I forgot to mention... Marthe Jocelyn is a **GoodReads Author**
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. My favorite genre is Magical Realism/Fantasy. I love being immersed in a world where anything is possivle. I read The Girl who Chased the Moon, which was the perfect example of magical realism. A place where a sweet tooth is a bit more or where everything a cheating husband touches is coated in a black dust sounds like a wonderful place to me.
B. One of the newest Genres that I love is Young Adult. Of course YA fantasy is even better. I read The Everafter. In this book a teen is dead and through her lost things in her afterlife she not only has to figure out how she dies, but she has to navigate life in the afterlife. An interesting approach to the coming of age novel.
***Both are Goodreads Authors : Sarah Addison Allen (Goodreads Author) and Amy Huntley (Goodreads Author).
Total points: 25
I completed task 20.8 - Happy Birthday To You - Rhiannon's Task (July 21st) - B&N Classics by reading:The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Total points = 50
25.9 Tanksuit (book greater than 850 pages)The Crimson Petal and the White- Michel Faber (894 pages)
What an amazing, amazing book.
*I'd like to claim a big book ticket for a book 750+ pages*
Total: 115 pts.
Liz wrote: "25.9 Tanksuit (book greater than 850 pages)The Crimson Petal and the White- Michel Faber (894 pages)
What an amazing, amazing book.
*I'd like to claim a big book ticket for a book 750+ pages*
T..."
Ohhhh, I loved this book!
20.2 - Katherine by Anya Seton (4 stars) Takes place in the 1300's. Big Books - 500 pages.New total: 120 points
10.4 Dice Roll = 214
John Guare, Vol. 1: The War Against the Kitchen Sink by John Guare = 204 pp
425 points
5.8 - Take A Walk On Wall StreetThe Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol by Eric Kimmel – Funny Books list ★ ★ ★
10.10 - Great Minds Think Alike
The Hollow by Nora Roberts - last book that we both gave five stars to was Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts. ★ ★ ★
15.4 - Learn Your Numbers
A. Toni McGee Kausey is a 1 like me – Bobbie Faye's aka “Girls Just Wanna Have Guns” by Bobbi McGee Causey - ★ ★ ★ ★
B. Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton – Anita Blake is very much a dominant, action-oriented leader who fights to remain independent. ★ ★ ★ ★
15.8 - "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble..."
A. Hot Property by Susan Johnson ★ ★ & Hot Property by Carly Philips ★ ★ ★
15.10 - “Other Things May Change Us, But We Start And End With Family.” - Anthony Brandt
A. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts ★ ★ ★ ★
B. My deceased brother was the only person in my family I was close to.
20.5 - Just Joined In - Amber GA's Task - Library Love
Batgirl: Year One by Scott Beatty ★ ★ ★
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love
A. Military Romance – SEALed with a Ring by Mary-Margret Daughtridge ★ ★ ★ ★
B. Paranormal Romance – The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts ★ ★ ★ ★
C. SEALed with a Ring was great – Daughtridge is a local author who knows the area and the effects of military life on those involved with military personnel. I love military romances because of the real life interpersonal dramas heightened by facets of military life (long absences, life-threatening situations, keeping secrets, etc.). The Pagan Stone was also very good – the last in a trilogy that felt more like Stephen King for its creepiness than Nora Roberts. I enjoy paranormal romances because no one is quite what they seem and everyone has superhuman powers so anything can happen. I prefer reading romances because while I like some suspense, I have to know that at least the two main characters live happily ever after.
Points This Post: 105
Total Points So Far: 105
Finally on the board!10.7 - I Think We Can Handle The Truth
July 7th is Tell The Truth Day - In honor of this event read a book of non-fiction written by an author who also writes fiction.
Under the Duvet: Shoes, Reviews, Having the Blues, Builders, Babies, Families and Other Calamities by Marian Keyes
TOTAL POINTS: 10
Finished 15.10 (Family Member in Title)I read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares.
My family is amazing! It is huge, loud, protective, and hilarious. I admire my sister because she has never once cared what people think, strives to be her own person, and is living the life that she wants. Love my baby sister!
New Total: 50 points
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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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I hope I did this one right. A song that reminds me of summer is Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There” because I remember one summer I was watching Free Willy with a friend and at the beginning of the video was MJ’s video “Will You Be There”. This song just so happened to have changed my life as well. I was suicidal for a number of years and after hearing this song, I became a Michael Jackson fan as I realized that life doesn’t have to be so bad. Even if he did create a lot of the issues within himself, he was still living life. I was suicidal because of how I was treated by my peers (suicidal from ages of about 9-13 years old).
With all of that being said-my connection is by reading the autobiography book (AGAIN)
10.4 - Roll The Dice...
My number was 284. I read
Total Points: 45 (including these two)
Total Tasks: 3
Total Books: 3
Total Pages: 925