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)
25.5 In Pale Battalions by Robert Goddard Historical FictionThis is the the story of a young woman's who life is shrouded by a murder that takes place during WWI.
The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner Biography/Autobiography/Memoir
This is a tale of a man's battle with homlessness and single fatherhood, while he attempts to establish himself as a stockbroker.
I haven't had time to come in and claim anything yet for this challenge. I have a couple completed and a few in progress. Finished are:
15.3 Books and Blogs: How Did You Get This Number by Sloane Crosley
I haven't actually read any book blogs regularly, but I looked around and I found that I liked this blogger. Our opinions don't match entirely but I understood her take and enjoyed her review.
The review: thebookladysblog
My own review:
I loved these essays. I felt Sloane's added maturity, but more I saw so much more of what she said in this book was thought out and genuine. On a personal note, being born and raised in Alaska and coincidentally my best friend living in New York, made that particular essay feel eerily connective. When people visit Alaska I always brace myself, worried that I'll need to pull out my protective edge (Like that giant stunning complicated landmass and culture really needs my looking out for it). So I went in braced to be chagrined at her take of something I love so much... only to find myself pleasantly surprised, even grateful for her essay. The last paragraph made me catch my breath and look longingly at the calendar, counting the days til I can plan a trip back home.
20.6 List Maker: Lady of the Butterflies by Fiona Mountain
This was a must read for me! One of the most enjoyable historical fictions I've read in awhile. This was based on the real life story of a 17th century woman Eleanor Glanville who, fascinated by butterflies, spent her life studying them, despite the disapproval of family and society. A dangerous and courageous choice in an era where women could still be tried for witches if uncommon interest in the natural world were perceived. Beyond the obvious choices for conflict, there were many layers of depth within Eleanor's relationships, familial and romantic.
Total: 35
20.10 Finished ABC Murders by Agatha Christie and posted today under the discussion thread. 5.5 Authors We Read this Spring -
by Dodie SmithTotal points - 20 + 5 = 25 points
finished:5.3 S.U.M.M.E.R.
Das persische Cafe. Roman mit Rezepten- Marsha Mehran
10.5 If you can't go to the beach...bring the Beach to you
Task Points: 5+10
Total Points: 105
Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 4056
Tasks completed: 7
I finished25.9 swimsuit : tankini
The Book of Fires Jane Borodale
The Street of a Thousand Blossoms Gail Tsukiyama
Total points 185
20.6 List MakerI read Dakota Born by Debbie Macomber, mostly because it is the first of a series, and I wanted to use the second book for another challenge :) It would be a must-read for me because I love series based in small towns, and the characters draw you in to want to read the rest of the books.
25.4 Happy Birthday to Me
I read A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog by Dean Koontz (birthday, July 9). On page 31 was the word home, so I read Dakota Home by Debbie Macomber, the second book from the above series.
Points for these tasks: 45
Total Points: 195
Tasks Completed: 12
Books Read: 17
Pages Read: 5070
10.1 Willow by Julia Hoban10.2 The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester
10.3 The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
10.4 Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
368 pages; random number 371
10.5 A Fistfull of Sky by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
10.6 Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
10.7 Lucky by Alice Sebold
10.8 Happyslapped by a Jellyfish by Karl Pilkington
10.9 Cheating in School by Stephen F. Davis et al.
This is a non-fiction book about academic integrity.
10.10 Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Total Points: 150
5.2 - Blockbuster Books: Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. This seemed to relate not only to the Sorcerer's Apprentice, but also I found out Disney is releasing the Tales of Earthsea later this summer. I used to love this book!Points for above tasks: 5
Tasks above completed: 1
Total tasks completed: 7/56
Points completed: 100
Books read: 8
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
I completed 15.1- Wedding Bells Are RingingA. Old/Blue- I read A Patch of Blue by Kata published in 1961- before I was born, in 1966. It has a blue cover.
B. Borrowed/New- I read One Day by Nicholls. I borrowed this book from the library and he is a new author to me.
Points for this task- 15
Total Points- 120
Total books read- 12
Pages Read- 3089
GR authors- 5
I read Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot for 15.9. I picked that book, because I really like to talk. I can talk for hours! The main character's main difference from me is that she can talk with anyone, even strangers, unlike her, I am usually shy around strangers (I only talk a lot with people I know).Total Points: 200
Tasks Completed: 14
Tasks in Progress: 7
Books Read: 22
Pages Read: 5909
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 2 (500+), 1 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Whole checking my spreadsheet and posts I found that one of y posts didn't take and my numbers are off so I try again!5.5 Dropping Names - Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers
5.6 I Regret That I Have... - We Spy by Hannah Ingram
And I add for this week
10.1 Stormy Weather - Lost Art Of Gratitude - Alexander McCall Smith
Tasks Completed - 12
Books Read - 13
Pages Read - 3936
Points/Goal - 130/350
I found another book that did not post, the first I read in a 2 book challenge.30.5 - Virtual Block Party - On Rue Tatin by Susan Loomis
I am still at 130 points
20.6 List MakerI read Wild Ride by goodreads author Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer.
I love love love Jennifer Crusie, she mixes romance with mystery/action so well, and this is one of her best, and even includes paranormal elements. It is so well done that although there are demons and minions and even the devil, it's not creepy, which is amazing as far as I'm concerned. I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a romance with a little substance.
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 110
Tasks Completed: 7
Hi,I read The Other Hand by Chris Cleave, fo the 10.5 Beach cover. This was an amazing book that i really loved, would recommend to anyone.
Total points = 65
Kate.x.
Mod
5.2, Blockbuster Books,with
Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell
The movie based on this book got really good reviews Winter's Bone The book was powerful, raw, and violent.
5.7, Transportation cover, with
by Jacqueline WinspearThis is the 7th Maisie Dobbs novel- very strong- better than the last- great sense of time and place
10.1, Stormy Weather, with
Alex: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Charming and clever
10.8, Under the Sea, with
Whale: The Whale Road by Robert Low
If you were looking for a saga about marauding Vikings, then this book series is for you- bloody and violent with fabulously funny curses, it is filled with historical details and Norse mythology
20.3, Amanda's School's Out, with
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
This fits either parameter- published in 1884 and on the St John's list, 368 pages
25.3, Jennifer's Foreign Vacation, with
A- travel destination- The Butterfly Effect by Pernille Rygg set in Norway
B. translation- The Diving Pool: Three Novellas by Yoko Ogawa translated from Japanese
The Diving Pool is from the author of The Housekeeper and the Professor one of my favorites from the last challenge, the language is still beautiful but these novellas are very dark, twisty, and unsettling
We almost made it to Norway this year to see family (hence my inner viking- see above) but schedules, etc. got in the way. In the meantime, I'll read lots of Scandinavian fiction
+75
total 590
25.9 Donna Jo's Task - It's time for the swimsuit editionI chose C (tankini) and read:
Seven Deadly Wonders by Matthew Reilly published in 2006 with 576 pages
The 6 Sacred Stones by Matthew Reilly published in 2008 with 576 pages
Total pages: 1152
Total points: 95
20.8 - B&N Classics Listened to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: And Other Tales of Terror on audiobook.
25.2 - Q & A
Listened to both The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen **Goodreads Author** and Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson.
My Total - 100
I have managed to find time to read this summer, but haven't seem to have much time to post them online. Here is my latest updates:5.2 BLOCKBUSTER BOOKS - First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher This book is related to Avatar. The people in the book use Furycrafting which is a manipulation of the elements.
5.9 GET CAUGHT READING -The 9th Judgment by James Patterson I read this book in the park during lunch one week.
5.10 IF ONE CANNOT ENJOY READING A BOOK OVER -
The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk I try to reread this book at least every 5 years.
10.10 GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE - Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost I used Pride Mates for my 5 star book. Slavenna also had a 5 star rating on that book and I chose this from her list. **GR AUTHOR**
20.8 B&N CLASSICS - The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling I enjoyed reading this book to my grandchildren, They enjoyed it as much as their parents did.
30.1 BIRTHDAYS AND BIRTHMONTHS -
a. - Body Sacred by Dianne Sylvan August topic was the Occult (easy one for me, since I am Pagan) I had this waiting to read on my bookshelf.
b. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis Saturday was sports.
30.3 - AN ODE TO ILLINOIS
a. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
b. A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons from Oprah's Book Club list.
Points: 105
Tasks: 7
Books: 9
Pages: 3269
1 GoodReads Author
Total Points: 385
Total Tasks: 23
Total Books: 33
Total Pages: 12465
10.10 - Great Minds Think AlikeListened to M Is for Magic by Neil Gaiman **Goodreads Author**. Fool by Christopher Moore is the last book I gave 5 stars. Kayla Hensley from Mt. Orab, OH gave both Fool & M is for Magic 5 stars.
My total - 110
20.1 The Chocolate Snowman Murders by Joanna Carl. My favorite ice cream flavor is Chocolate Fudge Chunk. It was a very quick, easy read.Points this task: 20
Total Points: 150
Tasks Completed: 12
Books Read: 15
GoodReads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (1)
Completed Tasks This Post:5.9: Confessions of a Slacker Mom- Muffy Mead-Ferro
5.10: The Westing Game- Ellen Raskin
Total this Post: 10
Completed Total: 115
Goodreads Authors: Laurie Viera Rigler
Finished 10.3 (Same Time Same Place)I read Mercy by Jodi Picoult and I found a girl Merredith who was reading it as well.
New Total: 80 points
25.10 - Belinda's Task - Let's Play The Name Game Part A- A Mother In A Million by Melissa James
Part B-Step on a Crack by James Patterson
New points: 25
Total points: 55
-Rebecca MA
Tasks completed: 2
15.1 - Wedding Bells Are RingingI've read Treasure Island (old and borrowed from the library) and Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality (new and blue).
5.4 - Lesser Known Awards
Looking for Alaska won the Printz Award (and is now one of my favorite books ever).
I love summer reading!
Mod
I read The Blue Fairy Book (old,published in 1889, and blue)
and
Egg on Mao: The Story of an Ordinary Man Who Defaced an Icon and Unmasked a Dictatorship by Denise Chong (borrowed from the library and an author I'd never read before).
Points: 210
Books: 17
Books by Goodreads authors: 4
Big Books - 1 (Over 500)
Tasks: 13
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.
A. Tank Suit - Read 1 book of at least 850 pages.
I read A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
Points This Task: 25
Total Points: 170
I completed task 10.6 - Stand Up For Your Rights by reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (Goodreads author).Total points = 120
25.8 - Sandy's Task - Once Upon a Time...I read The Once and Future King by T.H. White (639 pages)
I read this book many years ago and it was even better the second time around!
total points: 85
25 9 tankini water for elephants Sara Gruen 336 airhead. Meg Cabot 2008 340 being Nikky meg cabot 352 1028 pages70 points total
5.4 -- Lesser Known AwardsI read Anansi Boys, which won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 2006.
I am also claiming a Goodreads author ticket for Neil Gaiman.
Total Points: 5
Tasks Completed: 1
Tasks in Progress: 1
Books Read: 1
Pages Read: 334
Goodreads authors: 1
5.8 - Take a Walk on Wall Street: The Green Man by Kingsley Amis. This was on the Ghost Story list from 10/25/08. I listened to this through audible.Points for above tasks: 5
Tasks above completed: 1
Total tasks completed: 8/56
Points completed: 105
Books read: 9
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Another task completed!
25.2 - Coralie's Task - Q & A
For this task you will need to select one of the following options...
C. Read a book with the word WHO in the title AND a book with a person's name in the title.
WHO in the title: The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare (1908) by G.K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton (Paperback, 224 pages) I’ve had this on my TBR for a very long time. Look at the cover --- isn’t that cool? All of those men in bowler hats walking in unison and saluting a beat cop!! This book starts off interesting but just becomes ridiculous and then (even worse) philosophical. 3 stars.
Person’s name in the title: Sherlock Holmes Through Time and Space (1984) by Isaac Asimov, Martin H. Greenberg, Charles G. Waugh (Paperback, 368 pages) A reprint collection of stories with Sherlock Holmes dealing with space aliens and with other science-fictional situations. As is normal with collections, some of the stories were quite good, and others quite forgettable. 3 stars.
140+25 = 165
Tasks Completed: 9
Points for this task: 25
Points thus far: 165/950
Books read: 13
Pages Read: 3860
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
(Goodreads Author) Sheramy Bundrick (20.4)
Read but not claimed: 3
(Parts of the following 2-book tasks: 15.4, 25.4, 30.1B)
15.2 Gods in Alabama is the book with state in title, and Queen of Babble in the Big City, takes place in NYC, which of course is a part of the original 13 colonies.Total Points: 215
Tasks Completed: 15
Tasks in Progress: 7
Books Read: 25
Pages Read: 5909
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 2 (500+), 1 (750+), 0 (1000+)
5.1-Heat WaveI read Sandra Brown's Slow Heat in Heaven for this task.
Sandra Brown is also a Goodreads Author!!!
Tasks Completed: 4
Total Points: 25
Total Pages: 1899
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book Ticket: 1
I have completed the following tasks:5.7 - "I Confess That In 1901 I Said To My Brother Orville That Man Would Not Fly For Fifty Years. "
For this task I read "The Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans, because as a horseback rider, my favourite mode of transportation is by horse!
5.9 Get Caught Reading
I read "The Secret Lives of Married Women" By Carol Manson. I tried to read it in all sorts of places. The book made it:
- on the street car
- at work (I'm a receptionist)
- at the food court
- on the deck of my old apartment
- on the subway
10.9 “You Cannot Open A Book Without Learning Something.” - Confucius
I read "You Grow Girl" by Gayla Trail. A FANTASTIC book about gardening for the craft girl or guy (who's willing to be caught with a book called "You Grow Girl")
15.10 “Other Things May Change Us, But We Start And End With Family.” - Anthony Brandt
For this I read the latest Sookie Stackhouse book "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris. My favourite thing about my family is that they are all voracious readers. Since I got lots of hand-me-down books from my older sisters, I thank them for my diverse reading habits!
25.5 Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love
My two favourite genres are:
#1: Vampire Literature: So I read "Breaking Dawn" by Stephanie Meyer, since most people attribute "Vamp Lit" to her! I really enjoy Breaking Dawn as a novel because it seems very "real life" to me, and it is the first Twilight series book where I really like Bella - I feel like she comes in to her own, and finally matures from a whiny teenager in to a woman (vampire?) who is willing to do anything for her family.
#2: Mystery (cozy and or romantic suspense!): For this I read "Envy" by Sandra Brown. This novel is a cross between a cozy and a romantic suspense imho, others argue differently :) Envy was awesome - from both a mystery standpoint and a romantic standpoint it kept me guessing right up until the end.
I always find it hard to describe why I like a genere - right now I love vampire literature (expanded to include other demons/supernatural/shape shifters of course!) because it brings me back to being a teenager during the Buffy the Vampire slayer (TV show)era. It's like a refreshing blast from the past :P
As for cozy/romantic suspense mysteries: I've always loved who-dun-it type mysteries because it is fun to try to figure out the crime before the main character! I'm also a huge fan of romance (who isn't!), so any mystery which also incorporates a good romance is even better!
So, that is the end of the challenges I have finished right now. That brings my totals to:
6 books read
5 challenges completed
60 new points
60 total points
10.7)The Real History Behind the Da Vinci Code - Sharon Newman
20.10)The Book Thief - Markus Zusake
55+10+20=85
20.10)The Book Thief - Markus Zusake
55+10+20=85
I finished a couple more tasks. For 25.9 I chose option C and read Tiger's Curse (pub 2009, 516 pages) and Tiger's Quest (pub 2009, 626 pages). I gave both books 5 stars! I will definitely be reading the rest of the series when it comes out.
I also finished 25.5. I love lots of different genres so I picked two of many I could pick! The first one I picked was young adult. I like reading young adult books so I can help my kids find good books to read as they get older. The book I read was This World We Live In. This book was the third book in a series about a meteor hitting the moon and the effect it has on the Earth. It wasn't my favorite books of the series, but I liked it. It can be an uncomfortable book to read, but I think it's a good reminder about how we should be prepared for emergencies.
I also like romantic, suspense books. For this genre I read A Bid For Love. I gave it three stars. It was good, but a little predictable.
Total Points: 110
I completed task 15.2 Stars and Stripes by read "Looking For Alaska" by John Green and "One For the Money" by Janet Evanovich. "One For The Money takes place in New Jersey.Completed Tasks: 6/53
Books Read: 10/71
Grand Total: 80
10.2 - "The (Fill in the Blank) Who"The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson
**This book was 500+ pages so I'd like to claim a Big Books ticket**
Total pages in book(s): 503
Total Challenges Completed: 2
Total Books Read: 3
Total Pages Read: 1171
Total Points: 35
25.4 Nicole OH's Task - Happy Birthday to Me!A. The Five Greatest Warriors: A Novel by Matthew Reilly
Matthew Reilly's birthday is July 2nd
on page 31, line 28: "Dawn came, and Pooh Bear made his move."
B. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Total points: 120
I completed...5.10: Pride and Prejudice
TOTALS
Points: 10
Tasks: 2
Books: 2 [big books: 0; GoodRead author books: 0]
For task 10.6 Stand Up for Your Rights, I read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.Erin B.
BOOKS READ: 7
TASKS COMPLETED: 5
TOTAL POINTS: 60
25.3 - Jennifer N'S Task - Virtual Foreign Vacation A. Read a fictional book that takes place in a country that you have always wanted to visit but have never had the chance to - I have always wanted to visit Finland, so I read The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna.
B. Read a book that was originally written in a foreign language - Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez, originally written in Spanish.
Books Read: 14
Tasks Completed: 8
Tasks in Progress: 5
Total Points: 120
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: (500)x (750) (1000)
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25.10 read Santa Cruise: A Holiday Mystery at Sea by Mary Higgins Clark ANDTwanged by Carol Higgins Clark. Mother and daughter authors - very readable mysteries by both...
Points this task 25
Total Points 285
Total Books 28
Total Pages 7883
For 30.2 I read Half Magic and The Owl Service. Half Magic is probably something I would have enjoyed a lot as a child. The Owl Service was a struggle to get through and ended very strangely. Not a big fan.Points: 100
Tasks: 7
Pages: 3928
Books: 13
10.10 -- Great Minds Think AlikeMy last 5 star read was The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. On page 6 of the 5 star ratings for this book, I found Yanni who gave Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 5 stars, too. So, I read the second book in the series and liked it even better than I did The Hunger Games. Now, like a lot of other people, I'm anxiously awaiting Mockingjay.
Points for this task: 10
Total Points: 240
Tasks Completed: 13/56
10.2; 10.3; 10.5; 10.10
15.3
20.1; 20.2; 20.9; 20.10
25.1; 25.6; 25.8
30.1
Tasks in Progress: 25.4, 25.5, 25.9, 30.3, 30.5
Books Read: 20
Books by Goodreads authors: 2 (Sarah Addison Allen (10.2), Kathryn Stockett (20.9A))
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
10.3 Same Place, Same Time..BooksAre You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelseaby Chelsea Handler
10.4 Roll the Dice
The Red Tentby Anita Diamant
Points These Tasks:20
Total Points: 60
Task 25.5I read Bullet by Laurell K. Hamilton for my favorite genre...Adult Paranormal Fiction. I couldn't say for sure why...but I love vampires. And I like the rest of the paranormal or preternatural community as well.
I just love Anita Blake. Laurell is back to her best writing with this book and I am thrilled. I love my favorite characters being back in the mix. There is not a lot I can say without giving too much away. But can I just say...I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
My second favorite genre would have to be Young Adult Paranormal Fiction. I read Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins for this part of the task. And I like this genre for the same reasons I like the Adult ones.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can't wait for the next one to find out what happens to everyone. I knew something was "hinky" but I had no idea it would be what it was. This was a great first book.
So this gives me my first points for this season. 25 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)
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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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The Epic of Gilgamesh
(Translated by N.K. Sandars)
20 points