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)
10.2 -- The (Fill in the Blank) Who...For this task, I read The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen and loved it! Sarah Addison Allen is a GoodReads Author.
Points for this task: 10
Total Points: 25
Tasks Completed: 2
Books Read: 2
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
10.7 I Think We Can Handle the TruthBlizzard: The Storm That Changed America
15.8 Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
and
They both have the same names (Breathless) and the same concepts on the cover (someone under water). McDaniel's book was the better of the two, in my opinion--it raised a lot of good questions about euthanasia. I felt that Warman's book, while interesting, went on two hundred pages longer than it needed to with regards to her message.
Total: 25 + 125 (from earlier) = 150pts
5.9 Get Caught Reading. I read The Morning Show Murders by Al Roker, and I read it in Starbucks and by the pool. It is 320 pages. It was surprisingly engaging -- which I guess is why the 2nd Billy Blessing book is coming out later this year.30 points
books: 3
tasks: 2
pages: 1198
5.9 Get Caught ReadingI read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith here, there and everywhere. I read at the office, in restaurants, at the park, the library and even in line at the bank!
Points for this Task: 5
Total Points: 20
Tasks Completed: 2
Books Read: 4
Pages Read: 1254
I finished Task 5.9 with The Day I Turned Uncool: Confessions of a Reluctant Grown-up for 5 points! I'm on my way!!
I completed Task 10.10 (Great Minds Think Alike). My last 5* book of the Spring Challenge was A Tale of Two Cities. On Page 6 of the 5* reviews, I found Donna, who gave Blue Shoes and Happiness 5*, so I chose this book. The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series is one that I really enjoy and I always enjoy spending time with Mma. Ramotswe. Her humour and wisdom and calmness are soothing and enjoyable.
In this book, besides the numerous little mysteries, Mma. Ramotswe ponders the disappearing traditions of Botswana as the country moves towards a modern future. Her love and pride for her country is very apparent.
I gave this book 3*. It's a cozy mystery with warm, loveable characters.
Forgot to add (from Task 10.10): Alexander McCall Smith is a Goodreads Author.Thanks, Cynthia!
20.7 - I Like Big Books And I Cannot Lie - Dionisia's Task - For Those We Love To HateI read The Killer Inside Me which was narrated by the killer. This book wasn't fantastic but it wasn't terrible either. It also wasn't as chilling or graphic as I expected it to be.
30.5 - DLM Rose's Task - Virtual Block Party
My recipe is for Sugar Cookies. I've only recently discovered them (they're not a big thing where I live) and they are awesome. Everyone loves them too because they're so chewy and unusual.
So for option A I read The Sugar Queen which I loved loved loved. Read it in one sitting.
AND
Option B I read Motif for Murder which had recipes in it. This was cute but I prefer the other series this author writes.
Total Points: 90
15.1 A. Fifteen by Beverly Cleary (borrowed from the library)B. A Time to Mend by Angela Hunt (new author)
5.10 Key of Light, Nora RobertsPoints for this task: 5
Total Points: 5
Tasks Completed: 1
25.6 - Ashley FL'S Task - "Summer Lovin""Everyone has songs that make them think of summer. Pick one of your favorite summer songs and read a book related to it. It can be related in one of the following ways:
A. Singer or songwriter or member of the band wrote the book. OR
B. Biography or autobiography of the singer or songwriter or member of the band. OR
C. Book has the same topic as the song (this needn't be exact, but should be pretty close). OR
D. Title of the book is also lyrics in the song.
When you claim points for this task, please identify the song, the connection to the book, and you must say why it reminds you of summer.
(Example: The song "One Particular Harbor" by Jimmy Buffett is one of my (Ashley's) favorite summer songs. So I (Ashley) might read A Salty Piece of Land (a novel by Jimmy Buffett), A Pirate Looks at Fifty (an autobiographical memoir), One Particular Harbor (book has same title as song), Too Much Stuff: De-cluttering Your Heart And Home ("too much stuff" is a significant phrase in the song), or any book about someone domesticated after years of wandering the world (same theme as the song).
Books may be fiction or non-fiction, but not children's books or juvenile fiction."
The Lord’s My Shepherd is the song. Deliver us from evil are part of the lyrics. I love summer and hate winter and am very happy for summer to arrive.
Deliver Us From Evil (Shaw & Katie James, #2) by Baldacci, David
25 points
total 75
On the board with 15.10, I read The Concubine's Daughter: A Novel, which was not a happy story but a decent read. Unlike the characters in this story, one of the best things about my family is that I grew up surrounded by love. I knew my parents loved me and after 40 years my parents are still madly in love with each other which has provided me with an amazing example for my own marriage.Total points: 15
Finished:25.6A Ashley's Task--Summer Lovin': Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer by Philip Furia
Johnny Mercer was the lyricist for one of my favorite meloncholy summer songs (probably comes of growing up in the '50s) "Summer Wind".
Listening to Frank Sinatra sing of summer love being gone, like the Summer Wind, just made it seem that going back to work in the fall was a fitting end to summer.
Task points: 25
Total points: 55
Tasks complete 2
Total books read: 3
Total pages read: 780
25.6: Summer Lovin'To Hell and Back: An Autobiography
The first half of the book (the first quarter, especially, where he's talking about his childhood) is amazing; it fizzles out a bit when it gets into his music career. Overall, a great read. Oh! And "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," which is the song I'm connecting the book to, is a true story. No wonder it's such an epic song!
Total: 25 + 150 (from earlier) = 175pts
Cathy wrote: "10.5 - If You Can't Go To The Beach...Bring The Beach To YouMy Almost Epic Summer
"
Forgot to add that this is a Goodreads author!
First task done! Finished 10.6 (character who faces discrimination).I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I really loved this book.
**Kathryn Stockett is a goodreads author.**
Total Points: 10
5.6 The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
Cynthia,
I think you may have missed a couple of my posts.
Post 52 which is 15.7 and post 78 which is 5.5. Let me know if you'd like me to repost.
Thanks!
20.5 Library LoveSo You Want to Be a Librarian! by Lauren Pressley
I've been trying to get as much advice as I can about becoming a librarian; this was a good source and was, of course, recommended by a librarian.
20.1 - Little Bee ★★★★ I've been on the library waiting list for this book for awhile because of the title alone. Little Bee is my daughter's nickname. Her name is Brigid and I go by Beth, so we both have "B" names. I was friggin' ginormous while I was pregnant and I started jokingly referring to myself as Big B and her as Little B. She'll be 7 months old next week and the nickname has stuck because we still call her Bee, Baby Bee or Little Bee.
Anyway, this book came in from the library last week and at first I wasn't sure where I could fit it in, and then Deirdre's creative ice cream task was posted and I thought a-ha!
Beeeecause...I've been buying Haagen Dazs Vanilla Honey Bee ice cream for similar reasons that prompted me to request Little Bee from the library in the first place. Not to mention the fact that you can't go wrong with a classic like vanilla - it is definitely my favorite staple when it comes to ice cream. This flavor has honey mixed in and ohhhhh yum, it is so refreshing, I love it!
Points: 20
10.3 - Same Place, Same TimeThe Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Total Points: 25
Tasks Completed: 2
Books Read: 4
5 POINT TASKS1. Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
2. Eclipse by Stephine Meyer
3. Sloppy Firsts (Jessica Darling, #1) by Megan McCafferty
4. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling
6. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
7. Up in the Air by Walter Kirn
8. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
9. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
10. One for the money by Janet Evanovich
10 POINT TASKS
1.
2. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, #2) by Stieg Larsson
3. The Host By Stephine Meyer
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson, Reg Keeland (Translator) (rolled a 465)
5. True Believer by Nicholas Sparks
6.
7. The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson
8. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
9. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
10.
15 POINT TASKS
1. Cyrano de Bergerac (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)by Edmond Rostand and Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
2. Ghost Stories of Minnesota (Ghost Stories of) by Gina Teel and Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum, #15) by Janet Evanovich
3. Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
4. Salem's Lot by Stephen King and Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye (A Psychic Eye Mystery, #1) by Victoria Laurie
5. Carrie by Spehen King and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Blindness by José Saramago, Giovanni Pontiero (Translator) and Breaking Dawn by Stephine Meyer
7. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
8.
9. A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans
10. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
20 POINT TASKS
1. Throw Darts At A Cheesecake (Bernstein/Miller Mystery, #1) by Denise Dietz
2. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation by Anonymous, Seamus Heaney (Translator)
3. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
4. The Toaster Broke, So We're Getting Married: A Memoir by Pamela Holm
5.Free For All: Oddballs, Geeks, and Gangstas in the Public Library by Don Borchert
6.
7. Wicked by Gregory Maguire
8. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
9. Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
25 POINT TASKS
1. Killing Floor (Jack Reacher Series, #1) by Lee Child and Look Again by Lisa Scottoline
2. When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You, #1) by Meg Cabot and It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken: The Smart Girl's Break-Up Buddy by Greg Behrendt, Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt
3. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and Anonymous Celebrity (Latin American Literature) by Ignácio de Loyola Brandão, Nelson Vieira (Translator)
4. Angels & Demons (Robert Langdon, #1) by Dan Brown and The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood
5.Down the Rabbit Hole (An Echo Falls Mystery, #1) by Peter Abrahams and The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers, #1) by Carly Phillips
6. Backstreet Boys: The Official Book by Andre Csillag, The Backstreet Boys
7. A Cook's Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines by Anthony Bourdain and Cooking Up Murder (A Cooking Class Mystery, #1) by Miranda Bliss
8. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
9. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
10.Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris and Chocolat by Joanne Harris
30 POINT TASKS
1.Body Art by Kym Menzies and Uglies (Uglies, #1) by Scott Westerfeld
2. Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr., Ernestine Gilbreth Carey and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
3. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith and Deep End of the Ocean (Oprah's Book Club) by Jacquelyn Mitchard
4.Postmortem (Kay Scarpetta, #1) by Patricia Cornwell and Beat the Reaper: A Novel by Josh Bazell
5.
Made Strawberry Shortcake. It stood out cause i was the only one who made it.
50 POINT TASK
1400/26276 Pages Read
60/950 Total Points
6/70 Books Completed
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Task 5.7 - "I Confess That In 1901 I Said To My Brother Orville That Man Would Not Fly For Fifty Years.
The cover of the book has an old model t ford on it which is a key element in the book, when the main female returns home to 1920-osh Maine after her divorce and immediately shakes up the town by getting a car which most women don't do.
Total Points This post: 5
Total Points: 30 / 950
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
So far I have read four books but the only task I can claim is5.3 S.U.M.M.E.R Shadrach in the Furnace by Robert Silverberg
20.5 - Just Joined In - Amber GA's Task - Library LoveRead a book about librarians OR a library OR with the word "library" OR "librarian" in the title.
Open Season by Linda Howard (The main character is a small town librarian.)
Points: 20/475
Books: 1
Tasks: 1/56
Pages: 464
Mod
5.3, SUMMER, with
"MM" Everyone Dies: A Kevin Kerney Novel by Michael McGarrity
This is the 8th Kerney novel, but I think it was the weakest-full of stereotypes and poorly written female characters. I had enjoyed this series, but it may have jumped the shark.
10.4, Roll the Dice,
I rolled 222 and read Far Bright Star by Robert Olmstead- 224 pages
I really liked this spare, brutal novel set in 1916 Mexico. The writing is precise, harsh, and intense.
15.10, Start and End with Family
The Family Man by Elinor Lipman
The Family Man is a charming witty tale of a modern family with great characters.
My entire family just spent 5 days together over the Memorial Day weekend celebrating my grandmother's 97th birthday. We fished in the pond, took all the kids horseback riding and biking, cooked mounds of food, worked the garden, and ate way too much cake. I am blessed to have a feisty grandmother, parents that have been married happily for 50 years, a husband that loves my family as his own, my 17 and 20 year old kids who surprise me with their maturity, 3 siblings and their spouses who can spend 5 days together in the same house without drama, and a bunch of nieces and nephews who bring us all joy.
+30
total 50
Okay, so far I finished15.3 Perchance to Dream
This book was featured on one of my favorite blogs - WORD for Teens and here is the link to the review on her blog:
Perchance to Dream Review
Total Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 1
Pages read: 333
I completed 15.4 read an author with the same number as you and then read a book where the main character has one or more of the same characteristics as you. I am a 4 which is foundation, order, service, and steady growthA- I read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman he is a 4 like me.
B I read Pawleys Island by Dorothea Benton Frank In this book the main character Rebecca must learn to rely on her foundation in order to overcome a nasty divorce. She steadily grows from a emotionally abused ex-wife and mother to a strong mother and friend.
Task completed 2
Books read 3
Points 15
pages read 1160
15.8 Doppleganger
Anywhere But Here by Mona Simpson* Goodreads Author (535 pp)
Anywhere But Here by Jerry Oltion
115 points
25.4 Life of Pi - Yann Martel is a Cancer. On pg. 31 of this book is the noun "Children". So I also read There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America by Alex Kotlowitz. 15 + 25 = 40 Total points
Finished:5.7 Wilber Wright--Mode of Transportation on cover
The Galactic Gourmet
by James Whitehas a space ship on cover.
Task points: 5
Total points: 60
Tasks complete: 3
Total books read: 4
Total Pages read: 1068
I feel so behind...Just completed task 10.3 by reading Going Bovine. So glad I found someone reading this who was online while I was!!
Total pages= 1332 (that's a good chunk of pages for having read only 3 books for the challenge so far)
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5.4 Little known awards - Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom which won the Locus award.10.2 The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession Interesting book and paired well with another book I read, but haven't posted yet
10.7 Non-fiction by fiction author - The Monster of Florence
Of this group this one is the most interesting. It puts a whole new spin on the Amanda Knox case. The Italian justice system is like and unlike ours, and man's capacity for deluding themselves is unbelievable.
Books read: 8/71
Tasks completed: 3/56
Points: 25/950
Pages read: 1897
Editing my original post since I completely misread Task 5.5.Third task completed:
20.6 Nicole CA's Task
My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares
I'd definitely call this book a must-read. The idea behind it -- that everyone lives multiple lives -- has had me thinking about this book nonstop for the last three days. It's a very romantic, thought-provoking book.
Total Books: 3
Total Points: 30
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I completed Task 20.10 (Group Read) by reading The Book Thief and commented in the Group Discussion (post 5). (I'd like to claim a Big Book Ticket, please. This book has 552 pgs. Thanks)
This is such a warm story, for all it's horror and sadness. It tells the story of the silent heroes of that time: those who lived good, caring lives and, at times, put themselves & their families lives at risk to help others.
I completed my 1st task-Task 5.5 - Read the most popular book by an author from the Spring Challenge
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
Total books- 1
Total points - 5
Pages read- 443 (large print edition)
completed 10.6- Stand Up For Your Rights
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
total books-2
total points- 15
pages read-747
10.5 For a book with a beach on the cover I read Tove Jansson's gorgeous The Summer Book
. Reading this was such an emotional experience, it reminded me so very much of my own gruff but loving grandmother. Five stars for sure! My complete review is at http://colreads.blogspot.com/2010/06/...By the way, Cynthia, I changed my name to ColleenPA, so it would be easier to keep track of my books!
Total books read: 5
Tasks completed: 4
Pages read: 1148
Points earned: 65
25.9 C Finished two books published in the last 5 years. Total pages = 879.Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn and Silent Sea by Clive Cussler.
25.1- Independence DayA. Read a book with a character that is in the military. Dear John
B. Read book with your choice of a Blue, Red, or White cover.
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads Authors - Nicole CA's Task - List Maker
Since I couldn't use My Name Is Memory for the task I wanted to, it fits this task description. I've been eagerly awaiting more books from Ann Brashares, and this one didn't disappoint. Anyone who likes stories of perseverance and true love will like this one.
10.2 - "The (Fill In The Blank) Who..." The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lillian Jackson Braun10.5 - If You Can't Go To The Beach...Bring The Beach To You
Gidget by Frederick KohnerTasks Completed - 3
Books Read - 3
Pages Read - 551
Total Points - 30
25.6 - Ashley FL'S Task - "Summer Lovin" -- A song that always reminds me of a particular summer is "Night Moves" by Bob Seger. I read Night Moves by Heather Graham. Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 674
Tasks Completed: 2
Tasks in Progress: 2
Total points 35 see message #6
5.3 - S.U.M.M.E.RFor this task read a book written by an author whose initials are found in the word Summer. (Initials must be sequential i.e. SU, UM, MM, ME, ER, and RS not SM).
Examples
SU - Sigrid Undset
UM - U.R. Anantha Murthy
MM - Michelle Moran
ME - Michael Ende
ER - Eva Rice
RS - R.A. Salvatore
Southern Discomfort by Margaret Maron
5 points
80 total
5.6 - "I Only Regret That I Have But One Life To Lose For My Country."Nathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and is widely considered America's first spy. In memory of this famous patriot read a book with a main character who is a spy or where espionage plays an important role in the plot. (EXAMPLE: The Tourist)
The Godfather of Kathmandu (Sonchai Jitpleecheep Series #4) by Burdett
5 points
85 total
15.10 - Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris.I love that my family is numerous and loud and always having fun. We hang out all the time, and I love spending time with them because we are so comfortable together - we really belong.
TOTALS:
Points: 15
Tasks completed: 1
Tasks in progress: 0
Books read: 1
Pages read: 311
15.3 Books and BlogsI read Jekel Loves Hyde
Review Featured on Wicked Awesome Books: http://ahauntofancientpeace.blogspot.com...
My review:
Jill Jekel is crushed by the brutal murder of her father, but even more so by the revelation that he was not who she thought he was. Comfort comes in the form of a mysterious guy named Tristen Hyde and the promise of winning a chemistry scholarship. At their teacher's urgings, the two pair up in hopes of increasing their chances of winning with their famously paired names- Jekel and Hyde. As they begin recreating the volatile experiments Dr. Jekyll performed, they are drawn deeper into a nightmare as they discover that it was not just fiction after all. Tristen is dangerous, and not who he seems- yet Jill can't help but feel drawn to him. As they continue their research, the stakes get higher- the outcome now affects not only Jill's chance at the scholarship but Tristen's own soul.
I definitely enjoyed this book, it is very dark but also romantic. The relationship that develops between Tristen and Jill feels very real, despite the fantastical circumstances. The only thing I did not like about the book was Jill's self-deprecating nature. Like Bella in Twilight, Jill just could not believe that such a great guy would fall for her, which gets a bit frustrating. Overall a fun, suspenseful read.
First book of my first challenge!
Books read: 1
Pages read: 282
Tasks Complete: 1
Tasks in Progress: 3
Points: 15
Nicole--- I liked your review. I'd love to read that book. :-)
Kathy wrote: "Nicole--- I liked your review. I'd love to read that book. :-)"Thanks Kathy! I hope you enjoy it.
25.6 - Sunshine by Robin McKinley (4 stars)My favorite summer song is "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves. It's a bright, happy, care-free song and it reminds me of the summers when I was a kid, when there was summer vacation and the break from school and freedom to look forward to.
New total: 50 points
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Daughters of the North (other topics)At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple (other topics)
The Catcher in the Rye (other topics)
Every Man Dies Alone (other topics)
Sepulchre (other topics)
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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 read The Few for this challenge. It was not a good book to start off my summer reading with. When I reviewed this book I only gave 2 stars especially because of how it was written. If you spend all your free time learning about WWII & Aviation, you should read it. Otherwise make sure this book is on your DON'T list.