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)
20.1 - Sweltering Summer Days - Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline StevermerMy favourite ice cream flavour is Peanut Butter 'n Chocolate
20.7 - I Like Big Books And I Cannot Lie - Dionisia's Task - For Those We Love To HateThe Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer
Points this Task: 20
Total Points:145
Kathleen....I loved The Handmaid's Tale. It made me think. I was constantly wondering why she thought to put this or that into the story. I reviewed it on my page.Also finished Water for Elephants. Winner of the ALA Alex Award 2007. 5.4 Lesser Known Awards.
Total Points: 40
Kandie wrote: "B. NEW - I read 
and the cover was blue. I would recommend both."This is my favorite of Ann Patchett's books, but many people prefer
, and you will probably like it as well.
20.10 - Group ReadsRead One Of The Following Group Read Selections And Make At Least One Post In The Discussion Thread
I read The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie, I also put my review in the appropriate place.
Points this task 20
Total Points 60
Pages Read 1416
Tasks done 4
5.10 - "If One Cannot Enjoy Reading A Book Over And Over Again, There Is No Use In Reading It At All." - Oscar WildeI re-read "Bag of Bones" By Stephen King...AWESOME!!!
This book was 529 pages long, so I'd like one big book ticket!
Tasks Completed: 3
Total Points: 20
Total Pages: 1,444
For 5.2 - Blockbuster Books, as I really want to see Toy Story 3, I read The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery WilliamsBooks read: 5
Challenges accomplished: 4/58
Points : 65
PS : Cynthia, you didn't count my previous points, so I hope there's no problem with them... please tell me if there is
Finished 25.5 by reading Deja Dead-Kathy Reichs and Best Friends Forever- Jennifer WeinerMy first fav. genre is suspense-action type. I like books about solving crimes, murders and mystery type books, and I especially like them when they are part of a series. Unfortunately, I’ve had a hard time finding a really good series to sink my teeth into in the last little while. And this book was no exception, really. I had high hopes, and I was really curious given that the book is set in my home town. But the writing style was a little strange, and I found that I really didn’t care about the end result one way or the other. There were a lot of characters and they all seemed more archtypical than real- none of them were developed properly. Maybe the next books in the series are better, and maybe I’ll pick them up at some point, but for the moment, I’ve got too much on my TBR.
My second fav. genre is Chick lit. To me, that’s basically any book which deals with friendship, family, a little bit of light romance. Recently, I’ve been trying to read different genres and try different things, to varying degrees of success. I was able to knock this book off in a day and a half, and it left me with a warm fuzzy feeling of being content. I love that I didn’t have to think too much about the storyline, even though parts of it were pretty far-fetched. I just kind of rolled with it, and I ended up really liking the book.
This should bring me to 70 pts.
I’d also like to claim a “big book” ticket for Deja Dead (540 pgs). And Jennifer Weiner is a GR author.
Lily wrote: "Just finished 10.6. I read The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. Still trying to figure out how to make Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard count for the challenge. It's a memoir about how the author ..."I used it for the Virtual Block Party task, if that helps. I liked it a lot better than I thought I would. How did you find it?
20.7 - I Like Big Books And I Cannot Lie - Dionisia's Task - For Those We Love To HateThe Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer
I read this book and had not thought about using it for a challenge until someone else did. I am glad reading it didn't turn out to be a complete waste. It did not stand up to my expectations.
Marie wrote: "PS : Cynthia, you didn't count my previous points, so I hope there's no problem with them... please tell me if there is"Cynthia probably hasn't gotten to your post yet. At the top of the readerboard, Cynthia states what post it is updated through. At the moment, she has only updated through post 600 (bottom of page 12), or around June 14th.
15.1A To Kill a Mockingbird (Something old and borrowed) by Harper Lee15.1B 13 Little Blue Envelopes (Something new and blue) by Maureen Johnson
15.3A Heist Society by Ally Carter
Very entertaining book about some juvenile major art theives set in other countries. I loved the book and had trouble putting it down.
15.3B melissasbookreviews.blogspot.com
15.8A Trouble by Kate CHristensen
15.8B Trouble by Jesse Kellerman
20.6A Marley and Me by John Grogan
20.6B I have read this book twice now and still love it. I believe that it is a must-read for anyone who has dogs or especially an labrador retriever (like me). I had trouble putting it down. It made me laugh and cry all over again.
25.7A Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan
25.7B Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
I am very passionate about dogs. I love mine beyond any shadow of doubt and believe that everyone should spend lots of time with their pet regardless of the reason you got it (guard dog, playmate for children, etc.) My baby sleeps with me and he is a 100 pound Labrador Retriever/Chow mix and is the sweetest and smartest dog I ahve ever known. (And NO I am NOT prejudiced or anything LOL>)
25.10A Woman Strangled News at Ten by Laurie Moore
25.10B Angels on the Roof by Martha Moore
30.3A Abraham Lincoln by George McGovern
30.3B Once Upon a Project by Bettye Griffin
30.1B Correction What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
10.8 Ocean animal in title
Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury's Adventures Making Moby Dick with John Huston in Ireland by Ray Bradbury
805 points
10.2 - The {Fill in the Blank} Who... The Spy Who Loved Me, Ian Fleming10.3 - Same Place, Same Time... Same Books Dandelions in the Garden, Charlie Courtland* **
Points Claimed in This Post: 20
Total Points Claimed: 55
Total Good Reads Authors: 3
**: Claiming 1 Big Book ticket for 500+ pages
#15.1 Wedding Bells Are RingingA. Old & Blue: Heidi
by Johanna Spyri June 27B. New & Borrowed:
by Kate Carlisle June 11#20.10 Group Read: C. Mystery: The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie June 28 posted in the discussion thread @ Post # 35
Total Pages = 6,713
Tasks Completed = 18
Total Points = 220
10.2 The Man who disappeared- Claire MorralI really enjoyed this one and it has been selected as one of the summer reads on our tv book club- so I have read one of those before the summer season starts.
I am new so I don't know if this would work.5.9- Buffalo Valley
I read this on an airplane to and from trip for work
20.7-The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novellaby Stephenie MeyerThis book is based off one of the newborn vampires out to get the Cullens
10.9-A Good YarnbyDebbie Macomber
This is about some women that are learning to knit socks. I don't know how to knit but have always wanted too.
Points for this task: 30
Total Points: 35
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 4
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Welcome to the challenge Meghan. It looks like you have a good start.
Lily wrote: "Just finished 10.6. I read The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. Still trying to figure out how to make Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard count for the challenge. It's a memoir about how the author ..."I don't know what you've read so far, but you could use it for 25.2 and pair it with a book that has "where" in the title; or 25.3--if you've never been to France, but want to go; or 25.10 and pair it with a book by another author that also has the last name Bard.
25.9 - The Swim Suit Edition (bikini): I read What Is the What and Zeitoun, both by Dave Eggers, for a total of 902 pages.Tasks Completed - 3
Books Read - 6
Pages Read - 2689
Total Points - 80
10.9 - “You Cannot Open A Book Without Learning Something.” - ConfuciusFor this challenge I decided I want to know about astronomy and our place in the universe, a most important subject. As a fan of Cosmos and the other books I've read by him, I decided on Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan. I was not disappointed--I took over 100 notes & learned a lot!
15.3 - Books And Blogs
For this I read Catching Fire. I read The Hunger Games for the group read and I loved it so much that there was no question I had to read this one too. Luckily many people are fans and one of my very favorite book sites, The Book Smugglers (I think of all fiction, the kind they call "speculative fiction" is my favorite! Especially mixed with the young adult style & pace, which is my other favorite fiction!), did a review of it here. And here is my review. (Not very in depth, I know--if you want something more like a standard book review, let me know and I will be happy to oblige!)
10.7 - I Think We Can Handle The Truth
I read Eating Animals for this task and boy am I glad I did!
10.1 - Stormy Weather
For this I read The Mystery of the Yellow Room, by Gaston Leroux who is actually a suggestion on the list!
10.2 - "The (Fill In The Blank) Who..."
I read The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope for this one--highly recommended.
Points: 55
Previous points: 90
Total points: 145
For Task 5.7, I read As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth. It's hard to see, but there is a small airplane and a small sailboat drawn on the 'photograph' cover. And, more prominently, railroad tracks. It's a quirky fun YA book, I gave it 3 stars and reviewed it on my shelves.
.New points: 5
Total points: 50
25.5- Share the Summer Love-First Genre- Historicial Romance
Daughters of England by Philippa Carr
***I read the purple cover--- 308 pgs.)
Second Gengre- Fantasy
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
(500+ pages)
Total Pages- 2,129
Total Tasks- 5
Total Points- 90
(500 page books--- One)
15.2 stars/stripesA. state:
Crazy in Alabama by Mark Childress (4 stars)
This book takes the reader on a wild ride. It is partly a story of the civil rights struggle and partly the story of Lucille, who poisons her husband, and carries his head to Hollywood in a Tupperware lettuce holder. Very odd in a good way.
B. colony: Virginia
The Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University
by Kevin Roose
(Goodreads Author-4 stars)
A liberal Brown student goes undercover, as a student, at Jerry Falwell's Liberty College in Lynchberg, Virginia. I thought the author was insightful and a lot less bias than I would have been in the same circumstances. Interesting read.
+15
points:45
tasks:3
books:4
Finished:5.9 - Get Caught Reading
Knit One, Kill Two - Maggie Sefton
Read this book outside this weekend at Breezy Point Resort in Breezy Point, MN
20.1 - Ice Cream
Tough Cookie - Diane Mott Davidson
My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate chip cookie dough :)
30.5 - Virtual Block Party
A) Sticks and Scones - Diane Mott Davidson
B) The Main Corpse - Diane Mott Davidson
My party contribution would be by mother-in-laws spinach salad - it has a yummy vinaigrette dressing crasins, cashews, apple and shredded swiss cheese
New Points - 5+20+30=60
TOTAL POINTS = 90
5.1 – Heat WaveSolar by Ian McEwan
In the spring, I helped Mr. Wolgemuth’s class at GHHS with a research project on climate change and CO2 in the atmosphere, so I was pleased that I knew a bit more about the details of research in Solar then I would have otherwise. However, knowledge of the scientific background regarding climate change is not crucial to reading this book because it is primarily a character study and dark comedy about a former Nobel Prize Winner, Michael Beard, who likes to take the path of least resistance when dealing with every problem he comes across. If you can’t read a book without liking the main character, then this one might not be for you, but if you like books that are meticulously written, then McEwan is a master to enjoy in Solar.
20.10 – Group Reads
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This was a re-read on audio for me and I have added a number of comments to the discussion as well.
30.2 For the Children
Children's Classic
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden is one of my favorite books from my childhood. Revisiting it this summer was a joy! This story taught me a lot about how I wanted to live my life, and this was revealed to me as I reread this wonderful book. In the story, Mary learns to let go of prejudices ingrained in her when she was part of the British “ruling class” in India and truly connect with people. She helps Colin find his own inner strength and helps others make more empathetic connections as well. Although I no longer garden much myself, I love being in nature and studying and taking time to look at the animals and plants around me. I love this story and recommend it to you as a reread or a first time reading of a wonderful classic for children that speaks to adults as well. For a number of years on Fox Island there was a Secret Garden maintained for people to visit and I used to spend a lot of time there. That was my biggest memory of the book and I am glad that I revisited the story and discovered so much more meaning than I had remembered.
I bought a copy for my "adopted" son's daughter to keep for when she's old enough and I have saved my own childhood copy for my first grandchildren which will probably be awhile!
Child Main Character: Ted/12 Years Old
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
In the same spirit as The Curious Incident of the Dog in Nighttime by Mark Haddon and House Rules by Jodi Picoult, Siobhan Dowd brings us Ted, a young boy with Asperger’s Syndrome who helps solve The London Eye Mystery. Ted’s cousin Salim goes up for a ride on the London Eye, but he doesn’t come down. Ted has some theories about how this could have happened and he and his older sister, Kat, set out to find their cousin. This one kept me guessing right to the end. It’s a great little mystery!
5 + 20 + 30 = 55 points
Grand Total: 220 points
Mod
A. Read one book from The Indies Choice Awards
I read Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. What a terrific book - I hated to see it end (even though it was 541 pages!).
AND
B. Watch an Independent Film Spirit Award Winner or Nominee
I watched Crazy Heart. I enjoyed that as well.
Points: 190
Books: 14
Books by Goodreads authors: 4
Big Books - 1 (Over 500)
Tasks: 11
5.10 -"If One Cannot Enjoy Reading A Book Over And Over Again, There Is No Use In Reading It At All." - Oscar WildeI re read Gossip Girl By Cecily von Ziegesar which i loved just as much as the first time :)
Points for this task: 5
Total Points: 5
Tasks Completed: 1
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
10.5 - If You Can't Go To The Beach...Bring The Beach To YouI read All I Want Is Everything All i want is everything by Cecily von Ziegesar
Points for the this task: 10
Total Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 2
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
5.7 - The Great Train Robbery by Michael CrichtonPoints for this task: 5
Total books read: 4
Total points: 30
Pages read: 934
Time for me to finally get some points on the board for this challenge...15.10 A. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan
B. I like that people in my family speak their minds. It always makes for intersting conversation.
20.10 Group Reads - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Total - 35 points
This challenge I am just reading the books that I feel like and trying to fit them into the tasks. I still have five more books that I have to try to assign somewhere and I continue to read...
25.9 - Donna Jo's Task - It's Time For The Swim Suit Edition.I am a ....
C. Tankini - Read 850 pages of book(s) published in last 5 years.
I read Betrayed
Chosen &
Uncharted TerriTORI
Task Points: 25
Total Points: 85
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 7
Pages Read: 2596
15.10-Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin HalpernFor Some reason earlier today I couldn't think of a challenge that would fit this book. But someone helped me figure it out.
I actually love this book because it reminded me so much of my mother. In my house the roles seem to be reversed of what this book is, my mom is the more "outspoken" whereas my dad avoids talking in the same manner.
Points for this task: 15
Total Points: 50
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 4
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
30.1 - Ms Anderson's Task - Birthdays and BirthmonthsThe Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman (I was born in September)
Silver Canyon by Louis L'Amour (Friday)
Points: 30
Total Points: 185
Tasks Completed: 10
Books Read: 16
Pages Read: 5195
Books by Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 2 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
COMPLETED TASKS:
15.6 Congo River
A. Portugal Setting or Author OR Congo Country Setting
*Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin - READ 6.28.10
My Rating: ★★★★★
"Baking Cakes in Kigali" is one of the most satisfying books I've read this summer. Angel is an endearing character, who I want to sit down with, share a cup of tea and sample one of her homemade confections. I may worry if she takes off her glasses and starts to wipe them clean, because I will then know I have a problem which needs solving.
Angel is a mother, friend and good neighbor who dispenses advice and wisdom along with special cakes for any occasions. Taking place in Kigali, the story brings attention to the reconciliation of Africa, HIV, foreign relief workers, feminism and a host of social issues. Parkin treats these issues brilliantly by having Angel's customers reveal parts of their story to her as they order a cake. Troubles are washed down with a cup of spiced tea (or several), and a cupcake. This book is delectable!
B. An Authors Second Longest Book
*The Nobodies Album by Carolyn Parkhurst - READ 6.6.10
My Rating: ★★★★
Octavia Frost, the protagonist in Parkhurst's latest novel, is a bestselling novelist, whose career took off after a family tragedy. With several novels under her belt, Frost thinks she has come up with a revolutionary idea to create an anthology of the last chapters of all her novels, but with different endings. Is it really her novels she wants to rewrite or her own history?
Frost's rock-star son, Milo, has been estranged from his mother; but a murder accusation forces them to confront their issues and reconcile their past. Their relationship is slowly revealed and pieced together out of the pages of Octavia's novels.
Parkhurst alternately mixes Octavia's stories with the present. It was a wonderful way to develop Octavia's character and demonstrate how a person's words and actions are not always a true indication of their feelings and intentions. So often, people wish they had said this or done that, after the fact. I loved how Parkhurst made me question how we reveal ourselves to others and if we could rewrite parts of our past, would it be worth it. Not only was this a well-written and layered family drama; but it was also a great mystery.
20.1 Ice Cream Flavor Title- (Edy's Double Fudge Brownie)
*Double Cross (Alex Cross, #13) by James Patterson - READ 6.25.10
My Rating: ★★★★
20.10 Group Read
The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie - READ 6.22.10
My Rating: ★★★
My review is posted in the group thread.
Total Tasks: 12/56
Total Points: 180/950
Total Books Read: 16/76
*Books Read I Own: 9
Big Book Ticket Claim: (✓)500+pp ( )750+pp ( )1000+pp
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Kandie wrote: "B. NEW - I read and the cover was blue. I would recommend both."This is my favorite of Ann Patchett's books, but many people prefer [..."
Thanks for the rec! :) I loved The Magician's Assistant - really pulled me in and I read it quite quickly. One of those books that you don't want to finish because you want to stay in that world :)
Finished a couple more tasks...15.10 "It All Starts and Ends With Family"
Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky
I love my family because we can just look at each other and crack up. All the women in my family are able to say one little thing, then the rest of us dissolve into pieces. And no one else around us gets it.
25.5 Share the Summer Love
Tempting Evilby Keri Arthur
My first favorite genre is fantatsy. I love being transported into another world. To me, that is one of the points of reading. What better way to do that then to go to a world that could not possibly exist in our world? This book is the third in a series about a dhampire (half wereworld, half vampire) and her job working for the Directorate that protects these half species. I really enjoyed it, but its definitely for those who enjoy vampire fantasy specifically.
The Villa by Nora Roberts
My second favorite genre is romance/chicklit. I think it has to do again with escape. I can read a book about another family, another set of lovers and friends, another scenario and escape from whatever is going on in my live. I liked this book as well - it had a little bit of something for everything - family ties and responsibilities, murder, romance and wine.
Total Points: 130
Total Tasks: 10
Total Books: 11
Total Pages: 4488
Finished:30.2 PJ's Task as suggested by Shannon
A. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater. I have been getting rid of a number of books, so I reread this one and passed it on to Morgan, my fourth grade neighbor.
B. The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley. I listened to this on the way home from WI. I really dislike listening to books and while this one was well read, it was no exception.
25.9 Swimsuit Edition C. Tankini (Read 850 pages of book(s) published in last 5 years Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (611 pages)25.10 Name Game A. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
B. Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris
Total Points: 25
Tasks Completed: 1
Tasks in Progress: 1
Books Read: 3
Pages Read: 1308
My favorite ice cream flavor is Coffee.....especially a scoop of coffee ice cream in a latte mug with hot coffee poured over it. Yum! The ice cream slowly melts into a creamy froth. The combination of the cold and hot coffee flavor on my tongue is devine. I completed Task 20.1 (favorite ice cream flavor) by reading The Coffee Trader by David Liss (Goodreads Author).
I enjoyed this historical novel about the start of the coffee trade in Europe. This turned out to be an interesting story of a good man trying to make his fortune on the Stock Market in 1600's Amsterdam. This story shows the stakes involved, the build up to a "scheme", the hopes, deceits, betrayals, friendships and intrigue that are involved in daily Stock Market trading.
It also shows the fall out of a completed scheme, both the good and bad sides, and how it effects everyone involved.
A very enjoyable & interesting story with good characters and an intriguing story to tell. It's quite appropriate for getting an understanding of today's stock market, too...of how the deals go through, of how schemes are played out, of how people win & lose and the economy is manipulated.
Finished task 15.4. I read House Rules by Jodi Picoult. One of the books on her list was Life of Pi. I read it as well and really enjoyed both of these books!House Rules had 500+ pages, so please add it to my big book ticket. Thanks!
This makes my point total 95 points.
Heather in KS
5.10-Reread a book you loved the first time....Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer. This was my favorite book of the series and since I'm going to see it tonight, I thought I might as well reread it!!!!
5.9-Get Caught ReadingWater for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I read it in the airport and on a plane.
25.5 Share The Summer Love-A. Right now my favorite genre is Contemporary Romance- I read The Pregnancy Test by Erin McCarthy. I love Contemporary because I sometimes find myself relating to the characters in some way, seeing myself in their shoes or just wishing it was me. This book was funny and romantic and sexy. The heroine was going through a difficult time but managed to be witty and hold herself together and find love all at once- I admired her.
B. My second favorite genre is Erotic Romance- the reasons why are kind of obvious. I love a good love story with a HEA and if there is steam and passion all the better. I read Unlaced an anthology by 4 authors, including GR authors Jaci Burton and Denise Rosetti. I loved this book for many different reasons. The first story is about divorce and rediscovery between a couple- I love when old loves reunite and rekindle their passion. The second story is about a woman in her 40's (my age bracket) who finds passion with a younger man and learns to take risks. The thought of taking risks as you get older and discovering new things about yourself is very appealing to me. The other 2 stories were nice reads and hot.
Points for this task- 25
Total Points- 95
Total books read- 8
Pages Read- 2627
GR authors- 4
15.1 Wedding Bells Are RingingI read:
New and borrowed: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris - this was my first book by this author and I borrowed it from my roommate.
Old and blue: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - this book was originally published in 1963 (I was born in 1981) and the cover is blue.
25.2 Q & A
I read How to Buy a Love of Reading by goodreads author Tanya Egan Gibson, and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams.
Points for these tasks: 40
Total Points: 90
Tasks Completed: 6
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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)
More...
Tasks Completed - 2
Books read - 3
Tasks in progress - 1
Pages Read - 1107
Total points - 15