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)
30.5 Confections of a Closet Master Baker by Gesine Bullock-Prado and Recipe of the week: burgers: 52 easy recipes for year-round cooking by Sally Sampson. I really enjoyed both books. I thought Prado did a great job of (1) explaining why baking is so fulfilling and (2) why obesity and baking/bakeries are not connected. Not that those were her goals, but those parts really resonated with me. 120 points
I have finished:10.5 Bring the Beach to You
That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo
This one had many high points, but wasn't my favorite Russo. Still, I enjoyed it, especially the mother, who was much like mine.
25.8 Once Upon a Time
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George280 pages Goodreads Author
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale144 pages
I loved both of these fairy tale retellings!
30.5 Virtual Block Party
Signature Dish: Deviled Eggs
I don't do much measuring when I make deviled eggs, but the ingredient I add that makes them unique is cumin. I'll post on the recipe thread, too. Deviled eggs started as an Easter dinner tradition. My fiction book:
Eggs by Jerry Spinelli
This book was a great choice because it started with an Easter Egg Hunt! If any of you are looking for a child main character, the boy in this story is 9 years old. I really enjoyed this one.
There are actually two different Deviled Eggs recipes in the cookbook I read:
Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader: Recipes from Mitford Cooks, Favorite Tales from Mitford Books by Jan Karon
This was fun to read because there were great recipes and excerpts from all of the Mitford Series books, which I enjoyed reading. I learned a lot about Southern cooking traditions!
Points This Claim: 10 + 25 + 30 = 65
1 Goodreads Author
Total So Far: 285
5.1 Catching Fire by Suzanne CollinsTasks: 10
Points:135
5.6 Among the Betrayed by Margaret Peterson Haddix 160 pagesTotal Points: 15
Total Tasks: 3
Total Books Read: 5
I joined the group on July 1st.Saw that I could post readings after June 1st so wanted to list the ones I've completed for a local book club that matches some on this site.
5.3 Self-sufficiency Household Cleaning by Rachel Strauss
5.7 Echoes(train on the cover) by Danielle Steel
5.9 Short and Tall Tales by Lilian Jackson Braun (public reading in the library and restuarant)
10.1 Matters of the Heart by Danielle Steel
10.2 The CAT who MOVED a Mountain by Lilian Jackson Braun
10.5 Sandcastles by Luanne Rice (girl walking on the beach)
15.10A Sisters by Danielle Steel
15.10B I have 2 older sisters that have always taken care of me. Let it be friend, a counselor, a "Partner in Crime", or to scold me when needed, but always and foremost have loved me for ME!
20.1 Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-peanut butter cup. YUM! YUM!
25.2C The Cat WHO Could read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun & Theodora's Diary by Penny Culliford
Total points-105
25.8 -- Once Upon a Time... The Serpent's Shadow by Mercedes LackeyPoints for this task: 25
Total Points: 165
Tasks Completed: 9/56
Tasks in Progress: 25.4, 25.5, 25.9, 30.3, 30.5
Books Read: 16
Books by Goodreads authors: 2 (Sarah Addison Allen (10.2), Kathryn Stockett (20.9A))
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Christine USTask 25.1
part 1:The Unholy Cause
Confederate soldier (approved in thread)
part 2:
blue cover
Tasks Completed: 15
Books read: 17
Points earned:215
Goodreads author tickets: 1
20.6 List Maker - I read One Dayby David Nicholls. I heard a lot about this book. It was apparently a huge success in the UK and I even saw a large ad in the NY time for this book, then I heard it was currently being made into a movie starring Anne Hathaway, so I had to see if it was a "must read". YES, YES, YES. I loved this book and can't wait to see the movie. A definite must read. It will make you laugh, cry, reflect on your own life. Thoroughly readable and enjoyable. A great beach read. Tasks completed - 4
Books Read - 4
Total Points - 60
This is an update with previous tasks included...5 POINT TASKS
1. Dark Fever—Karen Moning
2. Beezus and Ramona--Beverly Cleary
6. When The Bough Breaks (Alex Delaware, #1)—Jonathon Kellerman
10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) -- J.K. Rowling
10 POINT TASKS
6. Anything but Typical--Baskin, Nora Raleigh
15 POINT TASKS
1. Something Blue—Giffin, Emily
8. Baseball (two books, same name)-- Buckley, James and Temple, Bob
9. Baby Proof—Giffin, Emily
20 POINT TASKS
6. Secrets of Eden--Bohjalian, Chris
7. Shutter Island—Lehane, Denis
9. Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus-- Wilems, Mo and (500) Days of Summer
25 POINT TASKS
4. Weezer Changes the World--McPhail, David and Penny from Heaven--Holm, Jennifer
9. The Hour I First Believed—Wally Lamb
30 POINT TASKS
2. Grimm’s Fairy Tales—the Brothers Grimm and Saving Cee Cee Honeycut—Hoffman, Beth
*I passed it on to a student I worked with this past year.
5. Poor Girl Gourmet—McCoy, Amy and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Clean—Welland, Diane
50 POINT TASK
* 5.10 is 500+ pages, so I am claiming a big book ticket.
*25.9 is 500+ pages, so I am claiming a big book ticket.
6311 Pages Read (including partial completes of other tasks)
245/950 Total Points
18/64 Books Completed (including partial completes of other tasks)
5.5 Dropping Names - read The Shop on Blossom Street which is the most popular book by Debbie Macomber10.4 Roll the dice - I rolled 546 so I read Riders in the Chariot by Patrick White, my version of which has 552 pages.
20.2 A trip to the past - I, Claudius by Robert Graves, set 10BC - 41 AD.
25.8 Once Upon a Time - The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm - this book has over 800 pages.
25.10 Let's Play the Name Game - The Embedding by Ian Watson and Montana 1948 by Larry Watson
30.5 Virtual Block Party - I always bring a fruit salad, which usually includes a mango.
A - The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi
B. Like Water for Chocolate by laura Esquivel
25.4 I read The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. She was born on 6/28. On page 31 there was the noun "home" and I read Calling Home by Janna McMahan. Books read: 16
Pages read: 5483
Tasks complete: 9
Tasks in progress: 5
Points: 110
20.2 -- A trip to the past -- Just finished Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse which is set in ancient India during the time of the Budda (4th-7th century B.C.).Points for this task: 20
Total Points: 185
Tasks Completed: 10/56
Tasks in Progress: 25.4, 25.5, 25.9, 30.3, 30.5
Books Read: 17
Books by Goodreads authors: 2 (Sarah Addison Allen (10.2), Kathryn Stockett (20.9A))
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
25.3 A Charmed Life by Liza Campbell and Scroll of Seduction by Gioconda BelliI would love to go to Scotland and Wales, where A Charmed Life takes place. The Scroll of Seduction was translated from the Spanish.
Books read:15
pages read:5176
tasks completed: 9
points: 150
Task 25.3 Place to visit: A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute. I would love to visit Australia, especially Sydney and New South Wales. I would love to experience Christmas "Down Under" - how fun! I have always wondered how much of the English tradition was retained. Christmas in the US is all about snow and fir trees and winter.
For the Written in a foreign language portion, I read The Book of Chameleons: A Novel. I can see reading this again to see how much I get out of it the second time. I feel like the first reading was too superficial to give the novel full credit.
5.2 - Blockbuster Books ~ Movie: The Sorcerer's Apprentice Witch and WizardTotal Points: 315/950
Tasks Completed: 19
Books Read: 24/74
Books by Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Finished:5.2 Blockbuster Books: Someone recommended Furies of Calderon as a match for The Last Airbender. Since I had just put it on my Sony Reader, that was what I went with.
5.4 Lesser Known Awards: See How Much I Love You by Luis Leante which won Spain's Alfaguara prize for fiction.
15.1 Wedding Bells are Ringing:
A. Old and Borrowed : The Building of Jalna by Mazo De La Roche (borrowed from Olathe Public Library)
B. New and Blue: Roberts' Guide for Butlers and Household Staff by Robert Roberts
15.2 Stars and STripes forever:
A. Kansas First Families at Home by Nel Lindner Richmond.
B. A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas which takes place in New York.
15.10 finished by reading Awkward Family PhotosHILARIOUS!!!!! Since the word Family is in the title, I love my family because we are so unique. We always have a great time together, and we are together for the 4th holiday right now. We know how to have fun without a lot of plans-just enjoy each others' company.
New point total: 150
Heather in KS
10.1 Stormy WeatherI read Lynn Visible by GoodReads authorJulia DeVillers.
Books read: 17
Pages read: 5048
Tasks complete: 12
Tasks in Progress: 4
Wow, its been awhile since I've posted! 5 POINT TASKS
3. S.U.M.M.E.R: Devour by Melina Morel
8. Take A Walk On Wall Street: Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey
10 POINT TASKS
2. "The (Fill In The Blank) Who...": The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming
6. Stand Up For Your Rights: Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh (The main character is discriminated against because he is half human and half werewolf)
8. Under The Sea: Murder on the Rocks, Gray Whale Inn, #1 by Karen MacInerney (Goodreads author)
15 POINT TASKS
3. Books And Blogs: Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
This is book #5 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a paranormal romance series about vampires who are trying to save their race and the human race from the lessers. This was a great book about Vishous, one of the brothers. The blog website is http://www.paranormalhaven.com/ The have great paranormal and urban fantasy book reviews and contests.
20 POINT TASKS
2. Rookie Of The Season - Kiri's Task - A Trip To The Past: One With the Darkness by Susan Squires. This books takes place in ancient Rome.
3. Best Review Contest - Amanda VA's Task - School May Be Out: Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift which is on the St. Johns Reading List.
9. Luck Of The Draw - Terri's Task - The Spirit of Independence: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and watched The 500 Days of Summer.
10. Group Reads: The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie - I posted on the group thread.
30 POINT TASKS
2. PJ Read's Task - As Suggested By Shannon South Africa - For The Children: Part A Stuart Little by E.B. White and for Part B The Field Guide by Holly Black (Goodreads author)
Total Points: 200
Tasks Completed: 14
Books Read: 16
Goodreads Author: 3
15.1 A. (old and borrowed) Galapagos by Kurt VonnegutB. (new and blue) Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
Tasks: 11
Points:150
25.3 - Country I would like to visit - The Constant Princess - Spain is my number one for place to visit and the beginning of this book takes place in Spain. Part 2 - first written in a foreign language -
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
15.3 - book mentioned on a blog - the blog http://www.jennsylvania.com/ - Jen lancaster is an author and she did a summer reading special with a bunch of books so I read The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee I think Sara Silverman is funny - inappropriate but entertaining, however I found this book to be almost unreadable. The humor was crass, but her humor does not translate into writing. I would still watch her on television but I do not recommend reading this book.
5.6 - main character is a spy - The Spellman Files
Task Points: 25,15,5
Total Points:170
Tasks:15
Books:17
Nicki - STL
Time to claim another task! Both the books I read for this task were non-fiction. In both books, the journalist investigated the real lives of individuals caught up in historical events.
25.1 - Valorie's Task - Independence Day
In honor U.S. Independence Day (July 4th)...
A. Read a book with a character that is in the military or retired from the military. EXAMPLE: Articles of War
I read: The Long Way Home: An American Journey from Ellis Island to the Great War (2010) by David Laskin (Hardcover, 416 pages) In this book, David Laskin traces the lives of a dozen men who immigrated to America post-American Civil War (but pre-World War I) and then served in the American Army during World War I. “At the peak of USA involvement in that war, nearly 1 in 5 American soldiers was foreign-born.” Fascinating! 5 Stars.
AND
B.Read a book of your choice with a Blue, Red, or White cover. I read:
White cover: Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea (2009) by Barbara Demick (Hardcover, 336 pages) In this book, Barbara Demick interviewed hundreds of North Koreans who had managed, one way or another, to move to South Korea. Most of the book centered on their lives in North Korea; about a quarter of the book detailed how her interviewees made their way to South Korea and how they have adjusted to South Korea. The author says that the only changes she made were of names and some identifying characteristics, so as to protect relatives of her interviewees who are still living in North Korea. 5 Stars.
115 + 25 = 140
Tasks Completed: 8
Points for this task: 25
Points thus far: 140/950
Books read: 11
Pages Read: 3468
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
(Goodreads Author) Sheramy Bundrick (20.4)
Read but not claimed: 4
(Parts of the following 2-book tasks: 15.4, 25.2, 25.5, 30.1B)
25.9 The Queen of New Beginnings- Erica James- 384 pA perfect proposal- Katie Fforde 376 p
Oh Carol- Carol McGiffin- 304p
25.9 - Donna Jo's Task - It's Time For The Swim Suit Edition. Tanktini -- Read Killer Takes All by Erica Spindler Pub (2005) 384 Pages and Silent Scream by Karen Rose (pub 2010) 589 pages for a total of 973
Books Read: 19
Pages Read: 6130
Tasks Completed: 12
Tasks in Progress: 2
Goodreads Authors: 2
Total points: 265
Finished task 10.6 Stand Up For Your Rights by reading Drown. I thought it was a pretty good and easy read. Points for this task: 10
Tasks Completed: 2
Tasks in Progress: 3
Total Pages Read: 1397
Total Points: 15
25.9 Donna Jo's TaskI chose C. Tankini, and read:
My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster (384 pages), L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad (326 pages), and Promises to Keep: A Novel by Jane Green (352 pages)
Total Points: 110
Total Books Read: 13
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15.5 Carrie By Stephen KingLord Of The Flies By William Golding
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads AuthorsWill Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan 7/3/10, 310 pages
*sigh* I'm really not sure what to say. I think I really liked this book. At first I was bothered that everything was coming together too nicely, but then I really got into it. John Green and David Levithan are really quite genius together. The feelings and want you have when you first realize you like someone was so apparent that it took me back to those feelings. It's really not like anything I've read in a while. It's about love, but also need and the love of need. You just have to read it.
Total Points: 50
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 4
Pages Read: 1,287
10.9. Small World, David Lodge (ahem, literature is a subject I'm very interested in finding out more about and the main characters of this book are all English professors/researchers)&
20.7. A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess
150 points/ 8 tasks/ 10 books
20.6 - Nicole CA's taskThe Man from Beijing - Henning Mankell
In my opinion, this is not a must read. I don't remember where I first heard about this book - probably a review in Entertainment Weekly - but it was highly recommended. The story starts off great and left me wanting to know more and more about what happened, but half way into it I realized what had happened and the rest of the book was just details. I guess I like a mystery where I am surprised or shocked at the end of the book when everything is explained and we find out who did what. I gave it 2 stars.
TOTAL POINTS = 110
25.1 - Valorie's Task - Independence DayMilitary character- The Gun Seller - Hugh Laurie
Red cover In Odd We Trust- Dean Koontz
Total points: 195
Tasks completed: 10
Tasks half completed: 4
Ok I have been quiet since the challenge started but I can now upload books that I have read that I am happy that I have placed into the correct task catagories !5.1 - The Playboy Firefighter's Proposal - Emily Forbes - 02 July - 192 pages
5.8 - Little Women - Louisa May Alcott - 14 June - 449 pages
5.9 - The Baby Doctor's Bride - Jessica Matthews - 01 July - 185 pages
10.1 - Beautiful Lies - Lisa Unger - 27 June - 444 pages
10.4 - (rolled 213) - The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks - 07 June - 213 pages
20.4 - Homicide in Hardcover (Books = Paper) - Kate Carlisle - 06 June - 289 Pages
20.10 - The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins - 18 June - 454 pages (Commented in group book read section 18 June 10:18 pm)
Tasks Completed = 7
Points earned = 75
Books read = 7
Pages read = 2226
15.7 The White Tiger byAravind Adiga. This book was ok for me (2*).I think the thing that I would like to change in this country (The U.S.) is the benifits for our elected officials. In my town a board member who is elected gets full medical benifits for life after serving only one term. This is considered a part time job for them. I would continue this up the ladder all the way to national officials who also get free medical insurance that is way better than what I pay for. I feel that if they had to subscribe to the same medical benifits as the rest of us things would be alot different. I really don't know how I would go about changing this as the only people who get to vote on these changes are the ones in office and electing someone new who then walks into this "Cadillac" medical plan wouldn't work either.
15.8 - "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble..." - I read 2 books with the same title. Schooled by Anisha Lakhani. 3* and Schooled by Gordon Korman. 3*
Total Points: 175
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 15
Pages Read: 4,901
Tasks in Process: 15.4, 20.8, 25.9, 30.1
Mod
5.6 Main character is spy / espionage plot
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
900 points"
congratulations! that's impressive. Can't wait to see the 50 point task!
Sandy wrote: "...congratulations! that's impressive. ..."
Thanks. The 50 point task will be Sheila's. She finished the other tasks last week.
I completed 5.4- Lesser Known Award-I read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman *who is a goodreads author*
Points for this task- 5
Total Points- 100
Total books read- 9
Pages Read- 2947
GR authors- 5
I am reposting a couple of my books because I forgot to include authors...sorry!20.10 Group Reads: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and I posted in the comment section.
10.10 "You Cannot Open a Book Without Learning Something" Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives by Brian L. Weiss. I learned a lot about a therapist/patient relationship and the extent one will go to to help a patient, very important as I just graduated with a degree in psychology!
I think that brings me all up to date.
Mod
congratulations! that's impressive. ..."
Thanks. The 50 point task will be Sheila's. She finished the other tasks last week."
wow, I didn't realize that - even more impressive, that two people have finished already.
Congrats, Sheila!
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads Authors - Nicole CA's Task - List MakerMust-Read lists abound. Let's create our own! For this task, read a book that is at least 300 pages and tell us whether it is a must-read or not and why.
After the Moment by Garret Freymann-Weyr
This book was a quick read and an interesting story but not a must read, in my opinion. The topic itself had the possibility for this book to really stick with me but in the long run, it is easily forgettable.
Current Point Total: 85
Jessica MI
Hi,I read Moonfleet by J Meade Falkner for the task 5.7 as it has a boat on the cover.
Total points = 55
Kate.x.
25.5 Helen's Task - Share the Summer LoveRomance = Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts
Romances are my easy reads - for when the brain is too tired to concentrate on something serious. And Nora Roberts always adds a little suspense that livens things up. The last in a trilogy - this was a pleasant 4 star read.
Mystery = Death of a Dancer by Caro Peacock
Mysteries (cosy or less so) are another favourite genre. A book with a surprise in it is always worth a try. This is the second in the Liberty Lane series and was better than the first. A murder mystery set in early Victorian London with a female heroine. Another 4 stars.
Total points: 65
Tasks completed: 4
Tasks in progress: 4
Books read: 9
Pages read: 3843
Hello.I have completed: Task 30.2 - PJ Reads ( from Shannon SA) - The Children, by reading:
a) The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (children's classic, published in 1958. Winner of the 1959 Newbery Medal. I rated this novel 4 stars and thought it very good but slightly predictable (through adult eyes).
b) Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos which features eleven year old Clare Hobbs as one of the two main characters. I rated this novel 2.5 stars. It had a lot of potential and interesting characters but it was just okay.
Total points: 130
Total tasks completed: 7
Total books read: 7
Total pages read: 3699
Thanks!
15.2 - Stars And Stripes ForeverThe Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (took place in North Carolina)
Minnesota: A History by William Lass
Tasks Completed - 13
Books Read - 17
Pages Read - 4563
Total Points - 200
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
5.9 - Get Caught ReadingSpent time reading in the new addition of our public library, The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.
11 tasks completed
80 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)
More...
Books Read: 10
Tasks Completed: 7
Tasks in Progress: 4
Total Points: 95
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: (500)x (750) (1000)
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