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)
25.4 completedCancer author Yann Martel
I read Beatrice and Virgil
p. 31 had the noun "coffee" on it so I read Black Coffee
New point total: 175
Heather in KS
25.3I've just finished
Ellis Island- Kate Kerrigan- which is set in America and Ireland - both countries that I would love to visit.
I also read Faceless Killers- Henning Mankell which was originally written in Swedish.
For 25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love, I've read Eva Luna by Isabel Allende (magical realism) and Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie (mystery)Eva Luna, written by chilean author Isabel Allende, is the eponymous story of an orphan living in a South American country. The novel tells Eva Luna's stormy life and her ability to tell stories, and how she encounters several colorful characters in the context of South American geopolitics of the 2nd part of the 20th century (chilean dictatorship, guerilla...).
Magical realism is one of my favourite theme as it combines realistic themes with magical and fantasy elements. I am also very found of latin american literature, where magical realism is very present.
Lord Edgware Dies is a mystery with Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie. Lady Edgware, wife of Lord Edgware who would like to remarry, meets with Hercule Poirot and asks him to murder her estranged husband as he doesn't want to get a divorce. Poirot refuses but accepts to discuss with Lord Edgware, who actually agrees to the divorce. The day after, Lord Edgware is found dead...
I like mystery, especially Agatha Christie's, as those are quick read books, very entertaining and catching, and I never can guess who is the killer in the end.
Books read: 8
Challenges accomplished: 6/58
Points : 110
25.8 - Sandy's Task - Once Upon A Time…Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce and The Boy Detective Fails by Joe Meno
Sisters Red was 329 pages while The Boy Detective Fails is 320. Sister red was based off of the story "Little Red Riding Hood" while "The Boy Detective that Fails" was approved by Sandy on the task forum.
Tasks:14
Books:19
Pages: 5,879
Points: 245
Casey wrote: "I have completed a short story Short Second Life of Bree Tanner which is 178 pages and Re-read Twilight which is 498 pages. I also read The Secret Life of Bees. Not sure which category this ..."
Casey to get credit, make sure you put the number of the tasks you have completed. I bet Cynthia hasn't gotten to these posts yet and you can probably just edit your original instead of reposting.
15.1 Wedding Bells RingingI read Cry of the Kalahari by Mark Owens for Old/Borrowed. It was published in 1984, so it just fit in for old :)
I read Rescue Me by Christy Reece for New/Blue. I haven't read this author before, but I think I'll look for a couple more of her books now. I borrowed it from the library.
Points for this task: 15
Total Points: 210
Tasks Completed: 14
Books Read: 20
Pages Read: 5789
15.1 - Wedding Bells Are RingingSh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern (new and blue)
I loved, loved, loved this book. I rarely laugh out loud at a book and this one made me laugh so hard that I had to stop reading several times because my eyes were full of tears.
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love
(A) Kindred in Death by JD Robb for mystery
I love the JD Robb books and this one was no exception. The interaction between the characters is believable and adds to the books. The mysteries are solid and are interesting. I love that she uses just the right amount of technology from the future that it feels plausible. I would definitely recommend this book (or any in the series).
(B) Amaryllis by Jayne Castle for scifi
I thought this book would be great for me because I love scifi and romance. I was so disappointed in this book. First of all, I really didn't like the main character, I actually found myself rooting against her. And, I didn't think the scifi aspect of it was done well at all. Making compound words like coff-tea and talking about a curtain in space do not a scifi novel make. I would not recommend this book.
Total Points 80/900
I just completed task 15.1.For old and blue I read Henry James's The Portrait of a Lady. The edition was the blue BN classic. The book was 613 pages.
For new and borrowed I read The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. The book was 461 pages long.
Task points: 15
total tasks points: 45 + 50 bonus for reading a 500 + book.
so 95 in total.
tasks completed: 4
books read: 6
total pages read: 1967
Big books (500+)- 1 (750+)-0 (1000+)-0
goodreads authors- 0
books
I finished Task 10.1 (Stormy Weather)(Lisa) by reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See.I thoroughly enjoyed this story of immigration from pre-WWII China to the United States.
Pearl and May are 2 sisters who immigrate to the States as brides in arranged marriages. Their story in America where they overcome culture shock, poverty, fear, uncertainty, etc., while always being by each other's side, is happy, hopeful and, at time, heartbreaking.
It's a warm story filled with interesting characters, secrets, hurts and everything else that goes alomg with being a Family.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Sera wrote: "Petra wrote: "I completed Task 30.3 (Ode To Illinois) by reading Mary by Janis Cooke Newman (about Mary Todd Lincoln) and Night by Elie Wiesel, from Ophrah's..."That's a good point, Elizabeth, and it does give the book an additional "oomph" factor for some readers.
Tammy wrote: "Petra wrote: "Sera wrote: "Petra, I wasn't a fan of Night either, but for different reasons. I didn't find anything there that hadn't been written before (and in a better style) so I don't quite un..."Please do - we would love to hear your opinion!
I finished 20.10 by reading The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie. I commented in the discussion thread (message 45).Total Points: 245
Tasks Completed: 17
Tasks in Progress: 8
Books Read: 28
Pages Read: 5909
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 2 (500+), 1 (750+), 0 (1000+)
10.3 - Same Place, Same Time...Same Books: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. Not sure which Goodreads member it was, but, that's the book I found when I looked. It was on my TBR list anyways too!Audrey Niffenegger is also a Goodreads author.
Points for above tasks: 10
Tasks above completed: 1
Total tasks completed: 11/56
Points completed: 145
Books read: 12
Books by Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
I finished two more tasks15.7 I read Shadow of the Moon by M.M. Kaye. It is set in India during the 1850s. It is one of my all time favorite books and I was thrilled to have a reason to re-read it. At 800 pages, I'd like to claim a big book ticket, please.
The change I would like to see here in Illinois is the way the state is attempting to balance it's budget. There has to be a way to keep schools, libraries and police departments funded.
25.1 The Arctic Event - the main character is a physician in the US Army. I also read
which has a blue cover. Tess Gerritson is a Goodreads authorPoints this task: 40
Total Points: 220
Tasks Completed: 15
Books Read: 20
GoodReads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (2), 1000+ (0)
I finished 25.2 (who/name option)The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Leviathan
Total Points: 270
Tasks Completed: 18
Tasks in Progress: 7
Books Read: 29
Pages Read: 5909
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 2 (500+), 1 (750+), 0 (1000+)
10.9 - “You Cannot Open A Book Without Learning Something.” - Confucius -- Read Simon Said by Sarah R. Shaber -- Simon is a history professor who solved a mystery. -- I love history and I am working on my Master's so I can teach.
Books Read: 22
Pages Read: 6893
Tasks Completed: 15
Tasks in Progress: 2
Goodreads Authors: 2
Total points: 300
Task 30.2--For the ChildrenA. I have read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz--have passed it on to my daughter (3 and half years old)...we are reading it together and she LOVES it!
B. I have read
Anna Casey's Place in the World--the main character is 12 years old.
30 points
Total Points: 190
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads Authors - Nicole CA's Task - List Maker (must be 300+ pages) ~
Amanda Hocking is a self published author, and she sent me an advanced copy of Switched to read. This is a YA Paranormal Romance, and is very well written. It's also alot different than some PR that I've read...no vamps or shifters or fae. Amanda has made up her own little world. I really, really enjoyed it. It's the first book in a trilogy, and I will definately be reading the others as they come out. It's a must read for anyone that likes paranormal.Amanda is a GR author!
Total Points: 405/950
Tasks Completed: 26
Books Read: 31/74
Books by Goodreads authors: 3
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
I am plugging away while on vacation! Two more tasks to claim:10.2 I read The Girl Who Stopped Swimming. I really enjoyed this one!
15.2 I read Dead in the Family. It was a disappointment after Dead and Gone! I love that my family is very generous. We are not perfect by any means but all of my family members try to show their love in their own way! I really am quite lucky and try not to gripe too much (although we all do it at least once in a while, I am sure)!
Total Pages= 11,098
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5 POINT TASKS1. Dark Fever—Karen Moning
2. Beezus and Ramona--Beverly Cleary
6. When The Bough Breaks (Alex Delaware, #1)—Jonathon Kellerman
8. The End of Baseball as We Knew It—Korr, Charles
10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) -- J.K. Rowling
10 POINT TASKS
6. Anything but Typical--Baskin, Nora Raleigh
8. Songs of the Humpback Whale—Picoult, Jodi
9. Cooking Light: What to Eat
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
10. The Book Thief—Zusak, Markus
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.
*20.10 is 500+ pages, so I am claiming a big book ticket.
*25.9 is 500+ pages, so I am claiming a big book ticket.
7889 Pages Read (including partial completes of other tasks)
290/950 Total Points
24/64 Books Completed (including partial completes of other tasks)
I finally completed another task!15.9 - “He Who Knows Others Is Wise. He Who Knows Himself Is Enlightened.” - Lao Tzu
For this I read
That brings my total points to 85.
I just finished 20.8- read a B&N Classic. I read The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Beautifully written and heart wrenching.Task Points: 20
Total Points: 195
Pages: 218
Tasks Completed: 11
Books Read: 19 (includes in progress)
Total Pages Read: 5955
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 2 (500+), 0(750+), 0(1000+)
10.3 Same Place, Same Time...Same BooksThe Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
I found Ally on page #6, from the United States, who was reading the same book at the same time.
Total points: 150
30.5 - DLM Rose's Task - Virtual Block PartySummer in my (DLM Rose's) neighborhood means potluck barbecues where each family brings a dish to share.
Identify your signature dish - it can be a food or beverage (someone needs to bring the margaritas!)
Brown Sugar fried Chicken!!!! The brown sugar crisps it up!!
Choose 2:
A. Read a fiction book with a food or beverage in the title - the item could be the dish itself
Plum Pudding Murder by Fluke
B. Read a novel with recipes (Same book also applies )
C. Read a food-related non-fiction book (non-cookbook). (EXAMPLE: The End of Food)
The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide
McGraw, Phillip C.
30 points
410 total
"15.9 - “He Who Knows Others Is Wise. He Who Knows Himself Is Enlightened.” - Lao Tzu For this I read The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing."
Oh, and the second part of that...lol the character is NOTHING like myself, though we are both the fifth child. Ben is a "monster." He more closely resembles my older brother than myself. He is wild and out of control. He was a problem child who ruined the "happiness" of the Lovatt family.
5.1 - Heat WaveIt's summertime and it's getting HOT out there..Read a book with one of the following words in the title (Hot, Hotter, Heat, Warm, Warmth, Heatwave, Fire, Sizzle, Blaze, Scorch, Sun, Sunny, Toasty or another similar word). (EXAMPLE: Heat Wave)
Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen read 7-11-10
Points- 85
#books read- 19
#pages read- 4172
#challenges completed- 8
#20.1Deirdre's Task: Sweltering Summer Days: Read a book whose title contains at least on of the words from your favorite ice cream nameI love sorbet, and my favorite flavor is peach sorbet, so I read: Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke July 13
20.4 Shelley's Task: Anniversary Gift: This is my 6th Seasonal Challenge, and the 6th anniversary is candy/iron or wood, so I read Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke July 12
My anniversary gift would be a decorative wooden box/cask filled with one lb. of homemade fudge and a bottle of wine - to be replenished every month for 6 months with another variety of wine and another flavor of fudge.
Total Pages = 10,870
Tasks Completed = 27
Total Points = 365
Just finished 30.2 - PJ Read's Task - As Suggested By Shannon South Africa - For The ChildrenFor the classic children's book I read Heidi by Johanna Spyri (252 pages). My copy of this book must be almost 30 years old. I think I got it for Christmas one year and kept it all this time, never reading it before now. It is a very sweet story and beautifully written book. I passed it on to my neighbor's granddaughter to read.
For the second book, I read Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (238 pages), where the main characters are the famous Pevensie children. I read this many years ago and enjoyed it just as much this time around.
Total points: 115
10.7 I think we can handle the truthI read Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret, who is a popular author for children and young adults. It is the true story of her year recovering from polio and the interesting people she met in the polio wards.
Books read: 21
Pages read: 6196
Tasks complete: 17
Tasks in progress: 4
25.1 61 Hours (ex-military main character) by Lee Child and Lazarus Vendetta (red & white cover) by Patrick Larkin Love the way Lee Child writes. Probably won't read another Covert One series though.
Points = 125
Tasks = 6
Books = 8
I completed task 20.5 - Just Joined In - Amber GA's Task - Library Love by reading Summer by Edith Wharton. The main character Charity Royall is a librarian.Total points = 150
I completed task 5.3 by reading the book Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty that stands for the two mm's in summer.Total Points: 100/950
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 6/74
Pages read: 2322
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
I completed task 5.3 by reading the book Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty that stands for the two mm's in summer.Total Points: 100/950
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 6/74
Pages read: 2322
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Completed 5.2 task Blockbuster books Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer, also saw the movie June 30th. The movie I felt did the book justice!
2 more tasks:20.6 - Let the Great World Spin. I really enjoyed this book and would say it is a must read for those who enjoy character driven novels. Although the story appears to be about the man who walked between the Twin Towers on a high wire, it is really a variety of stories about a handful of interlinked people who had a peripheral connection to the walker and a snapshot of NYC in the 1970s.
***Colum McCann is a Goodreads author
25.1 - Boots on the Ground by Dusk: The Life and Death of Pat Tillman - Military
and
61 Hours - Blue cover
I listened to Boots on the Ground as read by Mary Tillman, Pat's mother and there were times I had tears running down my face. Listening to a mother describe the death of her son, the love and affection she has for her daughter-in-law, and the enjoyment she gets from her children was very moving.
115 points
Task 20.6 Must Reads!I read The Last Summer (320 pages). I definitely think this should be a must read for the beach or the pool! Is is a good book with love, friendship, sisters, romance, and some tears, of course!
20 points
Total 190 points for the challenge
5.7
there's a boat on the cover!
10.9 A a non-fiction book
I wanted to learn more about Art so I read
Task Points: 5+10
Total Points: 130
Books Read: 12
Pages Read: 5407
Tasks completed: 10
Recently completed tasks:10.3: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress – Rhoda Janzen 06/09
5.6: I'd Love to Tell You But I'd Have to Kill You – Ally Carter 06/10
5.1: As Sure as the Sun – Anna McPartlin 06/15
10.10: What I Did for Love – Susan Elizabeth Peters 06/18
5.8: Dave Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need – Dave Barry 06/21 from the Five Best Books on Travel (dated 01/02/10)
30.5: The Chocolate War – Robert Cormier 06/21 (ingredient is chocolate – I make chocolate pretzels) AND Strawberry Shortcake Murder – Joanne Fluke 06/26 (novel with recipes)
10.7: The Murder of King Tut – James Patterson 06/28
5.9: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood – Rebecca Wells 07/08 **Goodreads Author**
20.4: The Mermaid Chair – Sue Monk Kidd 07/12 (My 5th challenge)
New Points: 100
Previous Points: 25
Total Points: 125
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I finished task 30.5: A book with recipes: Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah. My dish will be garlic bread (I am not much of a cook) : Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl.Total Points: 300
Tasks Completed: 19
Tasks in Progress: 6
Books Read: 30
Pages Read: 5909
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 2 (500+), 1 (750+), 0 (1000+)
I just completed task #15.1 - Wedding Bells Are Ringing: Something Blue/New: The End of the Affair by Graham Green,
Something Old/Borrowed: My Antonia by Willa Cather
I keep reading one book for a task, then not reading the second. That's my biggest problem this challenge, I think. That, and I'm actually busier than I usually am, which is strange for the summer. Maybe I should take a book to the gym instead of a movie on my iPod...nah lol---
25.1 Independence Day
A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (father in story is a WWII veteran) and
25.4 Happy Bday to Me
and
(word "years" appears on page 31 of Love Hina, vol. 1)25.9 Swimsuit Edition
(608pgs) and
(272pgs)I'm a bikini kind of girl...in fact, that's my ultimate reward when I reach my final weight-loss goal, a cute bikini ^_^
30.4 Forensics
Darkly Dreaming Dexter (male author) and The Christopher Killer (female author)
Total: 105 + 390 (from earlier) = 495pts
10.1 Stormy WeatherFinal Appeal by Lisa Scottoline - Goodreads author
Points this task: 10
Total Points: 230
Tasks Completed: 16
Books Read: 21
GoodReads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (2), 1000+ (0)
25.8 - Sandy's Task - Once Upon A Time…I read The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy and The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling.
Total Points: 190
Tasks Completed: 13
Tasks in Progress: 1
Books Read: 17
Pages Read: 5920
30.3 -- Sheila's Task - An Ode To IllinoisA. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
and C. Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat -- an Oprah book club pick
Points for this task: 30
Total Points: 300
Tasks Completed: 15/56
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; 30.3; 30.5
Tasks in Progress: 15.4; 15.8; 25.4; 25.5; 25.9
Books Read: 24
Books by Goodreads authors: 3 (Sarah Addison Allen x2 (10.2 and 30.5A), Kathryn Stockett (20.9A))
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Ms Anderson wrote: "I keep reading one book for a task, then not reading the second. That's my biggest problem this challenge, I think. That, and I'm actually busier than I usually am, which is strange for the summer...."Me,too, Ms Anderson. I've got lots of partial tasks done and am busier than usual. I can't read at the Gym...I get motion sick right away. You're lucky if you can do this. It would make workouts a lot more fun.
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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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I think "Night"was one of the earliest published books about the Holocaust. I think it was first published in the 1950's. I read a LOT of books about the Holocaust and haven't read this one. I'll have to pick it up and put in my two cents!