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)
Repost - I forgot part of the original task (see below)30.5 - DLM Rose's Task - Virtual Block Party
Choose 2:
A. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by: Alan Bradley (goodreads author)
C. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by: Michael Pollan
My contribution to the block party would be a delicious homemade apple pie with a cinnamon crumb topping. To make it extra special, the block party would have to be in the late summer / early fall so I could go pick apples from the orchard.
Total Points this task: 30
Total Points overall: 145
Goodreads authors: 3
Big Books - 1 (750+)
Linda S IL15.1 Cover Her Face P.D. James (old--originally published in 1962--and borrowed)
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues Tom Robbins (new--I've never read anything by Tom Robbins before--and blue in title)
15.8 Sights Unseen Kaye Gibbons
Queen of the Underworld: A Novel Gail Godwin
15.9 Queen of Babble Meg Cabot
I chose this because I, like the main character, talk too much. However, I think I'm a bit more discrete and I do know how to keep a secret when asked to.
25.1 A God in Ruins Leon Uris retired military
This Is Where I Leave You Jonathan Tropper
white cover30.1 The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey Ernesto Guevara
South America
The First Deadly Sin Lawrence Sanders noir mystery
50.1 The First Counsel Brad Meltzer past-Meg read
The School of Essential Ingredients Erica Bauermeister present-Karen is reading it
Long Lost Harlan Coben Future-Karen to read
Previous points posted 450
Points this post 150
Total points 600
I'm really disappointed because it looks like I'm not going to finish my first challenge! I've got several tasks in progress but I'm still waiting for library books to come in for the second half of many tasks. There's only a few days left so I guess I'll just get as much done as possible.
15.3 - Books And Blogs ~ The Thirteenth TaleI drove myself nuts with this task! It was one I wasn't planning to enjoy, because I didn't follow any blogs. Well I do now!! I found several that I really enjoy following! Here's the one I decided to use: http://readingforsanity.blogspot.com/...
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great mystery and the ending totally threw me. I was not expecting it at all! I love it when that happens. I give this book a solid 4 stars!
Total Points: 950/950
Tasks Completed: 56
Books Read: 78/78
Books by Goodreads authors: 11
Big Books: 6 (500+), 1 (750+), 0 (1000+)
And I'm DONE!!! Whoo Hoo!!
Congratulations, Leigh Ann! Way to go!!!I finally got around to watching the movie for Task 20.9.
I have now finished this task by reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (Indie Choice: Best Indie Buzz 2009) and watching the movie Precious.
Guernsey is a wonderfully warm story of friendship and loyalty. I really enjoyed the people and their stories throughout.
I hadn't realized that Guernsey had been occupied during the War. Or ever thought about how isolating such an experience would be.
A humerous book with the darker presence of WW2 Occupation mixed throughout.
Precious was well done. I'm glad I saw it but am also glad that movie watching will be an optional part of the Challenge in the future.
Reader board name: Lindy-LaneAnother task finished.
50.1 - Beth NC's Task - Let the Tarot Decide
Pick a book that is in a friends read shelf (past):
I read The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde
pages 378
finished 8.24
This book was on my friend Abby's read shelf.
And pick a book that is in a friends currently reading shelf (present):
I read
Uneasy Relations by Aaron J. Elkins
pages 304
finished 6.23
This book was on my friend Keesha's cr shelf.
And pick a book that is in a friends to-read shelf (future):
I read The Eight by Katherine Neville
pages 598 *not claiming big book ticket
finished 7.31
This book was on my friend Ashley's tbr shelf.
My goal reading points: = 100
Points for this task: = 50
My total points earned: = 95
Tasks completed: = 3
Books read: = 7
Pages read: = 2920
I'm 5 points away from completing my goal.
LIZZIE JANE 10.9 - You Cannot Open A Book Without Learning Something
I wanted to learn about religion.
The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball (4*) - 8/24/10
Tasks: 18
Books: 22
Goodreads authors: 12
Pages: 8,483
TOTAL POINTS: 300
Kate.x.Hi,
Right after a slow start, I have finally finished several tasks.
5.5 Dropping Names, I read Audrey Niffenegger's the Time Traveller's Wife.
10.6 Stand up for your rights. A book about discrimmination. I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
10.6 "You can not open a book without learning something" I'm trying to be slightly more glamerous and polished so I read "To hell in high heels" by Helena Frith Powell. A non-fiction book about how not to age.
15.5 "Great Authors were great readers" I picked Douglas Coupland and so read "Hey Nostradamus" by him and then "Fight club" by Chuck Palahniuk.
25.3 Jennifer N's task - Virtual vacation. I have always wanted to go to Russia so I read "One day in the life of Ivan Denisovich" by Alexander Solzhenitsyn and then "The Angel's Game" by Carlos Ruiz Zafon which was orignally pushlished in Spainish.
25.5 Helen's Task - Share the summer Love
I read "Fear the Worst" by Linwood Barclay which is a thriller and this is my favourite genre, I love reading a good gripping book desperately trying to work out what happens next.
I also read "Married Lovers" Joan Collins which I class as chick lit, and this is my second favourite genre, I love a story full of fun and fashion, friendship and love. Pure escapisum.
25.9 Donna Jo's Task - Swim Suit Edition
My favourite is a Tankini (as it hides the stomach).
I read 2 books totalling 850 pages, I read "Pop Tart" by Kira Coplin and Julianne Kaye and then "Stone's Fall" by Iain Pears.
Total points = 205
Rachel wrote: "I'm finally getting around to claiming points for all the tasks I've done! I will definitely have lots more by the deadline. :)READERBOARD NAME: Rachel OH
I completed...
10.7 I Think We Can Han..."
Please put your Readerboard Name as the first thing at the top of your posts.
15.5 - The Great Authors were Great Readers.The Lost Art of Gratitude: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel by Alexander McCall Smith
And from his top ten books list:
The English Teacher by R.K. Narayan
Alexander McCall Smith is a Goodreads Author
Total points to date 410
Carly25.3 - Jennifer N'S Task - Virtual Foreign Vacation
A. Getting the Boot by Peggy Guthart Strauss
I've always wanted to go to Italy and have yet to have the chance.
and
B. Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner
This book was translated from French.
Points This Task: 25
Total Points: 165
Tasks Completed: 10
Tasks in Progress: 1
Books Read: 16
GoodReads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Pages Read: 5026
Tanja25.1 Valorie's Task I: Military Character
The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education by Craig M. Mullaney (4 Stars)25.1 Valorie's Task II: Red, White OR Blue Cover (Red Cover)
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (4 Stars)Total Points: 225
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love A. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48...
My favourite genre is historical fiction so I read World Without End by Ken Follett (1000+ pages). I have always had an interest in history and reading historical fiction brings, for me, the events of the past to life. It lends a human aspect to what is normally considered in abstract terms and I love this genre of writing.
For this book I wish to claim the 1000+ Big Books tickets
B.http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
My second favourite genre is mystery/thriller so I read The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (500+ pages). I love novels that require me to think. I love guessing what happens next, who did what and why???
For this book I wish to claim the 500+ Big Books ticket
REVIEW FOR THE SHADOW OF THE WIND
This book was recommended to me by a friend a couple of years back and I really regret not having read it sooner. The Shadow of the Wind is your classic mystery thriller and yet it is different to many other titles in this genre which I have read. Ruiz Zafon manages to effortlessly mingle suspense and intrigue with a subtle element of fantasy and a dash of romance creating a truly unique reading experience.
The Shadow of the Wind, set in post- WW2 Barcelona tells the story of ten year old Daniel Sempere from the moment he salvages Julian Carax’s The Shadow of the Wind from the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Daniel is bewitched by this book and becomes determined to find out more about the mysterious Julian Carax. What ensues is a tangled web of mystery, heartbreak, friendship, death, tragedy and passionate love all with a hidden hint of humour. The very nature of this book lends itself to the creation a series of subplots which do not fail to intrigue and delight, in particular the character of Fermin Romero de Torres adds some much needed light relief from the darker elements of this adventurous, exciting novel.
This is an artistically written book, and although the prose does not flow as naturally in some parts this is probably as a consequence of the translation into English. If possible I would suggest reading this in Spanish, the form in which it was intended to be read.
The Shadow of the Wind is a thoroughly enjoyable read, suitable for anyone looking for an engaging mystery, with an unique historical setting.
REVIEW FOR WORLD WITHOUT END
I was a bit sceptical about this book to begin with as I felt nothing could live up to the epic masterpiece that is “The Pillars of the Earth” and for I while I began to believe that I was correct in this assumption. However, within a couple of pages I reversed this opinion, and within a couple of chapters, as I was brought deeper and deeper into the lives of Ralph, Caris, Merthin, Gwenda and all of Kingsbridge I had found a new favourite work of historical fiction.
For me World Without End far surpassed my greatest expectations. Follett once more perfectly intermingles real life history with the personal stories of his four main protagonists. Perhaps it was the more definite focus of this novel on the lives of these characters rather than the far-reaching scope of Pillars which resulted in my preference for this novel. I got to know these characters deeply, to smile when they succeeded, to cry out in frustration when they failed. This is certainly a novel which grips the reader emotionally, at the unfairness of the treatment of women and the everyday struggle of peasants at the time. It reinvents the time-honoured tale of star-crossed lovers, in what perhaps many will believe is an incredibly far-fetched plot line and others as a terribly romantic battle for true love.
A particularly interesting aspect of this book is its focus on medieval health practices, which will have you screaming in frustration. It really is quite staggering to learn of some of the cures used at the time and for this aspect of the book alone it is well worth a read.
This book, although I would classify it as comfort reading, is certainly not for the faint hearted – clocking in at 1100 pages it is certainly an epic novel, and therefore not for everyone. However, if you fancy a challenge and have an interest in historical fiction, this is the book for you.
Total so far - 90 points
Amanda BJust joined yesterday and looked at all the tasks to see if any of the books I read during this challenge matched and this is what I came up with.
5.5 Dropping Names To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee
5.9 Get Caught Reading The Grapes of WrathJohn Steinbeck (619 pg.) All of my books classify for this I read during my lunch hour outside of my office in downtown Nashville. I think that’s a pretty public place LOL
500+ book
10.3 Same Place, Same Time...Same Books Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince J.K. Rowling (500+ book)
15.1 Wedding Bells Are Ringing
A. The Catcher in the RyeJ.D. Salinger (Old and borrowed)
B. Fatally Flaky
Diane Mott Davidson (New and Blue) show the cover20.3 Best Review Contest - Amanda VA's Task - School May Be Out
B. Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen (Published in 1813 so read at least 350 pgs.)
25.9 Donna Jo's Task - It's Time For The Swim Suit Edition
A. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix J.K. Rowling (870 pgs.) Published September 10, 2004
500+ book
It's going to take me a little bit to get used to posting these things.
I believe that gives me 100 points plus the 3 500+ page book bonuses. I don't know I hope I did this right been looking back and forth at rules and posts getting confused.
25.9 - Donna Jo's Task - It's Time For The Swim Suit Edition. A. Tank Suit - I read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Folett, which is over 1000 pages long
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5043
For this task I wish to claim the 750+ pages Big Books tickets
10.4 - Roll The Dice...I rolled 335 and read Edward Phelan and the ILO The Life and Views of an International Social Actor which was 325 pages long
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/87...
Total so far - 100 points
Christine USTask 15.4 Learn your number
My name is an 8. The description of an 8 is "status-oriented, power seeking, high material goals"
Book #1: Sliding Into Home by Kendra Wilkinson. Kendra is also an 8.
Book #2:Lethal Justice by Fern Michaels
In Book #2, the main "bad guy" is a women who is extremely status-oriented and power seeking that she sent someone jail to climb up the work ladder.
Points earned:490
Goodreads author tickets: 6
5.3 - S.U.M.M.E.RMy Hero by Mary McBride - ★ ★ ★
10.1 - Stormy Weather
Lisa – Killer Smile by Lisa Scottoline - ★ ★
25.1 - Valorie's Task - Independence Day
In honor U.S. Independence Day (July 4th)...
A. Wild for Him by Janelle Denison (ex-marine) - ★ ★ ★
AND
B.
by J.R. Ward (red) - ★ ★ ★ ★25.3 - Jennifer N'S Task - Virtual Foreign Vacation
A. Norway = Fires of Winter by Johanna Lindsey - ★
AND
B. Siddhartha by Herman Hesse - ★ ★ ★
30.1 - Ms Anderson's Task - Birthdays and Birthmonths
A. December: History of Language by The Ohio State University Linguistics Department (this was a re-read of one of my favorite old textbooks) - ★ ★ ★ ★
B. Wednesday: Fanfiction - Backlash by Aaron Allston - ★ ★ ★ ★
50.1 - Beth NC's Task - Let the Tarot Decide
A. Changeless by Gail Carriger (Amanda) - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
B. Finders Keepers by Linnea Sinclair (Carolyn Crane) - ★ ★ ★ ★
C. Daring to Dream by Nora Roberts (Mel W) - ★
Points This Post: 145 pts.
Total so Far: 790 pts.
Total Goodreads authors: 8
LDBTask 10.9 "You Can't Open a Book Without Learning Something"
Blood River by Tim Butcher
I am always looking to learn more about Africa, particularly about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This book finds the author, a journalist, traveling to the DRC in 2004 to follow the trail of Henry Morton Stanley. Not a book that will make you run to visit the DRC but a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
Cumulative Points: 50
Liz Vegas15.3 Books and Blogs
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. Blog: thecompulsivereader.com
Total points: 405
Barbara VA Repost 264820.6 Nicole CA List Maker
'Tis Herself: A Memoir by Maureen O'Hara
I LOVED THIS BOOK! What a classy lady! She has been a favorite actress of mine as long as I can remember and now I understand why. She gave as good as she got, kept quiet when she needed to and stood up for herself and others when it was the right thing to do. Loved her john Wayne and old Hollywood stories. The best part is that I finished it, quite accidentally, the day before her birthday and she was the Summer Under The Stars actress for 24 hours! A Must Read for any Classic Movie fan!
Sorry, I keep reviewing the books and forget to add it to my posts after adjusting my spreadsheet and shelves! So many places to make notes!
Points Claimed For This Task - 20
Tasks Completed - 25
Books Read - 33
Pages Read - 9714
Points/Goal - 350/350
50.1 - Beth NC's Task - Let the Tarot DecideThe most common tarot spread is the three card Past/Present/Future.
A) Pick a book that is in a friends Read Bookshelf(Past),
B)a Book that is in a friends Currently Reading Bookshelf(Present),
C)a Book that is in a friends To-Read shelf(Future).
They do not have to all be from the same friend.
This is a total of 3 books.
A) Brave New World from Apple's shelf
B) The Thief The Queen's Thief 1 from Potjy's shelf
C) The Black Echo Harry Bosch 1 from Potjy's shelf
Points : 95
New points : 50
Total : 145
25.10 - Belinda's Task - Let's Play The Name Game Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason by Nancy Pearl
and
Baby Brother's Blues by Pearl Cleage
25.5 Share the Summer Love (your 2 favorite genres)I read Get Lucky by Katherine Center(GoodReads Author). I consider this Chick-Lit.
I also read The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. The genre is Literary Fiction.
That brings me to 355 points
BJ Rose2 new tasks:
#25.2 Coralie's Task: I chose 'C. book with WHO & book with person's name
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson Aug 24 What a terrific ending to a great trilogy!
Dancing with Clara by Mary Balogh Aug 22
#50.1 Beth's Midway Task
A. Past = K. O'Doharty's 'Read' shelf: Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn Aug 4
B. Present = HMS's 'Currently-Reading' shelf: Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare Aug 26
C. Future = K. O'Doharty's TBR shelf: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley Aug 23
Total Points = 755
Tasks Completed = 47
Total Pages = 20,922
My name on the readerboard is Terri FLNot as many as I wanted to finish on my vacation but I hope to still have at least 1-2 more challenges done before then end. Here's my latest completes.
5.9 - "Get Caught Reading." Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis. Read all of this in public, mainly on my flight to and from Germany from Florida and various trains in Germany and my flight to London. Really enjoyed this so it was hard to not finish it in the evenings!
10.2 - "The (Fill In The Blank) Who..." The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by >Allison Hoover Bartlett. I listened to this through Audible. (Allison Hoover Bartlett is a Goodreads author. I'll claim below)
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love
Book A. - Favorite Genre/Type - Translated World literature. Read Almost Dead by Assaf Gavron.
Why I like this genre/type. Technically, this might not be considered a genre (but should be a type) because it can include many different types of books that we would fit in various other defined genres, but to me, reading various books from other countries always brings different perspectives. Also, just because a book was not originally written in English does not guarantee it is a good book, I have found that the limited amount that do get translated and published in English usually are of a very good quality.
My Review - Ok, I am not great at reviews, but I'll do my best. I really enjoyed this novel. It was written by an Israeli author and alternates between 2 narrators. The first, a 30-something Israeli Jew nicknamed Croc narrowly survives 3 terror attacks within a week and becomes a media celebrity. The 2nd narrator is a Palistinian Muslim in a coma who is involved with terror activities and directly with the last 2 attacks that Croc survived. The events leading up to his coma are how the 2 stories come together as his group is targeting Croc who they feel has embarrassed their efforts.
Hearing both sides, although Croc was very much a moderate, helped me understand a little better the crazy situation in Israel. In fact, often I believe novels like this can help us understand and empathize more with various points of view than most non-fictions or media articles ever will.
Book B. - 2nd Favorite Genre/Type - Psychological thrillers. Read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.
Why I like this genre/type. I had to really think about my 2nd favorite because I'm not a genre reader. I enjoy all good literature and if it just happens to fall into a genre and is good quality then that is fine with me, but I rarely read just because it is a type of genre. That said, I think psychological thrillers would probably be my guilty pleasure read if I'm looking for something fun. I would include spooky ghost stories as well in this category. Not the King type horror books but the 'something around the corner' Victorian type ghost stories. Also, I am not a reader of the Thriller genre like Koontz (although I've listened to a couple of them). I'm not knocking him or other authors that write for this genre for those that love that author. I actually have a hard time finding the books in this that are good quality and enjoyable to me. Shutter Island was one of them in my opinion.
My Review - This was the first Denis Lehane novel I've read although I ended up reading one other for the challenge as well. I had a hard time getting into the book at first and having seen the movie last year it did not hold the suspense for me that someone unfamiliar with the story would have, but I did like reading this. For those unfamiliar with the plot, a female prisoner goes missing from a psychiatric prison hospital on a remote island in 1954. Two US Marshalls are sent to investigate, but soon the story becomes much more difficult and questions about the true purpose of the prison ward arises.
30.2 - PJ Read's Task - As Suggested By Shannon South Africa - For The Children
Book A. - Read a children’s classic book. Read Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. I enjoyed the first half better than the second half but the stories were fun. I passed this on to my best friend for her 6 year old son Max. I have not heard yet if they've had a chance to read it yet though.
Book B. - Read any book where a child is the main character. Read The Ninth: A Novel by Ferenc Barnas. A great, heartbreaking story from the point of view of a 9 year old boy in Hungary from a large, poor family who relates his surroundings as well as his own personal troubles in school all the while constantly dealing with an excruciating hunger.
30.4 - Cheryl TX's Task - The Science Of Crime
Book A. - Female author. Read Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs. Main character is a forensic anthropologist.
Book B. - Male author. Read Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. Used forensics to solve a crime.
Allison Hoover Bartlett is a Goodreads author.
Points for above tasks: 100
Tasks above completed: 5
Total tasks completed: 18/56
Points completed: 265
Books read: 28
Books by Goodreads authors: 3
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Sara E. -
15.10 - I read Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. It is a Sci-Fi-ish internet thriller-y book about terrorists, Homeland Security getting out of control and Big Brother-ish, with Marcus, our protagonist waging war against the government by engaging the countries youth using souped up Xboxes. I actually found it pretty interesting. Doctorow does get technical and even historical, but it was an engaging read.
I actually do have a little brother. We are only two years apart and we grew up pretty close together, fighting like cats and dogs, but now we are pretty good friends. I think it helped that we went to different high schools. He's at Duke now doing a Ph.D in Art History and I love him because he is funny, interesting, and a complete and total spoiled brat, to this day.
Previous Score: 435
Current Score: 450
15.10 - I read Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. It is a Sci-Fi-ish internet thriller-y book about terrorists, Homeland Security getting out of control and Big Brother-ish, with Marcus, our protagonist waging war against the government by engaging the countries youth using souped up Xboxes. I actually found it pretty interesting. Doctorow does get technical and even historical, but it was an engaging read.
I actually do have a little brother. We are only two years apart and we grew up pretty close together, fighting like cats and dogs, but now we are pretty good friends. I think it helped that we went to different high schools. He's at Duke now doing a Ph.D in Art History and I love him because he is funny, interesting, and a complete and total spoiled brat, to this day.
Previous Score: 435
Current Score: 450
Lyn M - Task 25.3 - Virtual Vacation
A. Place I want to visit:
Book: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
GR Author: C.W. Gortner
This book takes place in France, which I have always wanted to visit, especially Provence and the Loire Valley.
B. Written in Foreign Language:
Book: The Alchemist
GR Author: Paulo Coelho
This book was originally written in Portuguese.
Total points so far: 120
50.1 - Beth NC's Task - Let the Tarot Decide Fly Away Home - Past (Read) Jan
The Sky Is Everywhere - Present (Currently Reading) Missy
Mockingjay - Future (To-Read) Lisa
Task Points: 50
Total Points: 275
20.6 - Supporting Goodreads Authors - Nicole CA's Task - List MakerI read Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer (357 pages)
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70...
I have to admit that this book is not deserving of a place in a must-read list. It is quite an entertaining book and manages to produce several laughs which will satisfy fans of the Artemis Fowl series. However, if you wished to read a book by Colfer which is a must-read I would suggest the first in this series rather than this, which at book number 7 seems to have lost some of its sparkle.
Total so far : 120 points
Delicious Dee UpdateLast Update was post 2564 and 555 points
5.6 – The Darkest Knight– Gayle Callen - the fiancée of the main character is a spy against King Richard and planning to help overthrown him
10.10 – Undead and Unappreciated – MaryJanice Davidson - last book I read that was 5 stars was Goddess of the Rose. I looked at Aleina's profile and she rated Undead and Unappreciated as 5 stars. To me, this was another short read about the ditsy Vampire Queen Betsy – I’d read other books in the series previously.
15.4 – A - I am a 5 and according to the website so is Jude Deveraux, so I read The Mulberry Tree
B According to the website, a 5 is idealized by the characteristics Expansiveness, visionary, adventure, the constructive use of freedom, the main character, Faith in Visions of Heat is a F-Psy who uses visions and her visionary ability to predict the future.
15.7 – The Mango Season - Amulya Malladi (set in India) - contributing to society - while it isn't much, one of the things that I try to do when I have the opportunity is donate time to the various veteran organizations, honor flight being one of them. As a volunteer for honor flight, we take WW2 vets who have travelled to the DC area to visit the War Memorial that has been dedicated to them. It isn't much, but it is something to support that generation who are disappearing quickly
20.10 – The Book Thief - Markus Zusakand posted in Message 43
25.4 – LaVyrle Spencer’s birthday is in July and I read Then Came Heaven. On page 31 of Then Came Heaven was the noun Sisters (approved in the task help thread) and I read Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah
25.5 AMy first favorite genre is Western Romances. I don’t know what it is about them, but something about reading about Cowboys in various situations…of which one of my favorite authors is Lorelei James. I read Corralled by Lorelei James – this is the first book in a new series by her that is going to follow people who participate on the Rodeo Circuit. I enjoyed the book, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite by her – I think partly because the main couple were already together when the book began, so I didn’t get to see as much of a relationship develop as in other books. But I still rated it a 4 star read.
B My second favorite genre is Urban Fantasy. I like this genre because unlike most romances, most UF books follow the same couple through several books, so you see more development than you would in a standard romance novel. For this I read Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn (GR Author) which was also a new series for me. Overall I enjoyed the premise – Kitty is a were-wolf who hosts her own radio show. The relationship that is developing between her and the bad guy (a hitman hired to kill her) was entertaining and will be interesting to see how it develops over the next few books. I will definitely be seeking out more in this series in the future.
25.8 – Sweet Son - Heidi Cullinan (GR Author) (134 pages) – an erotic re-telling of sleeping beauty with elements of 1001 Arabian nights
Awakened by a Kiss - Lila DiPasqua (GR Author) – an anthology of short stories based on fairy tales (Sleeping Beauty; Puss in Boots and Little Red Riding Hood)
30.3 - A Tried by War by James McPherson– discusses Abraham Lincoln’s role as the Commander in Chief during the Civil War – why he made the decisions did, how he came to put different people in positions of power
B Some Girls Bite - Chloe Neill (GR Author) – an Urban Fantasy set in Chicago (the series is called Chicagoland Vampires)
Total Points This post: 170
Total Points: 725/ 950
Tasks Completed: 44
Books Read: 62
Books by Goodreads authors: 19
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Tasks Already Completed
5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 5.4; 5.5; 5.7; 5.9; 5.10
10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.6; 10.7
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.5; 15.9; 15.10
20.1; 20.2; 20.3; 20.5; 20.6; 20.7; 20.8
25.1; 25.2; 25.3; 25.6; 25.9; 25.10
50.1
Ellen CATask 15.4 - Learn Your Numbers I was a number 5 For part A.)The Outsiderby Ann Gabhart who is also a 5. For part B.)Traits for a 5: Expansiveness, visionary, adventure, constructive use of freedom) ForevermoreThe main character, Hope, is a young lady who travels to farms throughout Texas to help with the crop harvesting. She definitely shows her adventurous side in the way she helps out the family and a “constructive use of freedom” traveling around helping out the farmers.
Total to Date: 60 points
Kelly G.Task 15.2 Stars and Stripes Forever
A. Read a book with the name of a US State in it. The Kingdom of Ohio by: Matthew Flaming (goodreads author)
B. Read a book that takes place in one of the original 13 colonies.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by: John Berendt. Takes place in Savannah Georgia.
Total Points this task: 15
Total Points overall: 150
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: 1 (750+)
Lisa MDCompleted Tasks:
5.5 Dropping Names (most popular book by author haven't read)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley - GOODREADS AUTHOR - READ 8.24.10
5.8 Wall Street Journal Top 5 Lists - 10/27/07 "Portraits of Americans"
*The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson - READ 8.21.10
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I'd like to switch a book. I originally claimed Dracula for Task 20.8 Barnes & Noble Classic List, but would like to move it to Task 20.3.
20.3 School May Be Out- Victorian novel or St John's College Reading List(350 pp)
*Dracula by Bram Stoker - READ 7.12.10
Total Tasks: 46/56
Total Points: 795/950
Total Books Read: 64/76
*Books Read I Own: 44
Big Book Ticket Claim: (✓)500+pp ( )750+pp ( )1000+pp
Elizabeth MA15.4: Learn Your Number. My Number: 5
Part A: A book written by an author with the same number as you.
I read The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis who is also a 5.
Part B: A book where a character demonstrates one or more of the characteristics of my number. I read In Too Deep by Jude Watson. In this book Dan demonstrates the number 5 characteristic of adventurous. He and his sister took the option to chase down 39 clues instead of the large amount of money they were offered. This search took them to Australia in this book where Dan found himself face to face with snakes and spiders, not to mention a very active volcano. I'd say this definitely qualifies as adventurous!! : )
Total Points: 170
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.
B. Bikini - Read 2 books totaling at least 850 pages and first published in 1946 (date of first named bikini) or later.
C. Tankini - Read 850 pages of book(s) published in last 5 years.
D. Victorian (The kind with sleeves, skirt & bloomers.) - Read 850 pages of book(s) published between 1834 and 1901.
Tankini: Cut (160 pgs), Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac (271 pgs), Charles and Emma (272 pgs), The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (274 pgs) (977 pages total)
AutumnRhythm:
Task Points: 25
Total Points: 140
Tasks Completed: 11
5.1 HeatwaveFreezer Burn by Gayle Carline
*** GOODREADS AUTHOR ***
Total Points: 230
Total Tasks: 13
GoodReads Author: 1
Big Book - 500+ (1)
20.10 Group ReadFinally finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and posted my comment in the thread (Post #145)
Total Points: 210
Total Books: 19
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Lisa MDCOMPLETED TASKS:
20.8 Barnes & Noble Classic List
*The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - READ 8.26.10
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Total Tasks: 47/56
Total Points: 815/950
Total Books Read: 65/76
*Books Read I Own: 45
Big Book Ticket Claim: (✓)500+pp ( )750+pp ( )1000+pp
SHANNON SOUTH AFRICA30.2A: Read a children's classic and pass it on:
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I passed this on to my granddaughter to read
30.2B: Any book where MC is a child:
The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet by Reif Larson
(TS is 12 years old)
This was a fantastic, amazing, most unusual book, I give it 5+ stars.
TOTAL POINTS = 190
10.6 Stand Up For Your Rights - book about discriminationMaus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman
A graphic novel about Jews in the Holocaust
20.10 Group Reads - Mystery
The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie
25.2 Q&A, part C: read a book with WHO in the title, and a book with a person's name in the title
Book 1: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
Book 2: Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime by John Heilemann
TOTAL - 55 points
I am Julie TN on the Readerboard50.1
I finished Before Your Pregnancy: A 90 Day Guide for Couples on How to Prepare for a Healthy Conception (Jenna read), The Prodigal God (Christina's currently reading), and A Thousand Splendid Suns (on Dawn's tbr).
Total points: 100
Tasks completed: 3
Total books: 6
15.2 Stars and StripesBeasts of New York: A Children's Book for Grown-Ups by Jon Evans
3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows by Ann Brashares (takes place in Maryland)
I was very impressed with The Beasts of New York. I loved Patch and the fact that he wanted to be friends with the birds and learn to talk to them and that idea helped him help the rest of the squirrels. I was drawn into this story and had a hard time leaving it when I needed to. Great book!
3 Willows turned out to be a good book. It took me a while to get into it at first, but when it really got rolling it ended up being good. I loved the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books, and I liked how she incorporated some of those characters into this story.
Jon Evans is a GoodReads Author.
This additional 15 points puts me over the 200 mark at 210. Woooo!!!!!! Hoooo!!!!!!!!!!
Kathleen FL Task #50.1 - Tarot Cards
Past- Cerulean Sins, Present-The Gargoyle, Future-Water Ghosts
* Goodreads Author: Both Shawna Yang Ryan and Andrew Davidson are goodread authors
Total to Date = 165 points
15.3 - Book BloggersVirals by Kathy Reichs
It is a cute, YA book from the author of the Tempe Brennan series. Surrounds her grand niece and her friends that acquire a set of supersenses. I liked that it included a bit of the technical lingo you would expect from Reichs, but was accessible enough for a teen.
Found it on www.darkfaerietales.com
Total Points: 215
10.7 - I Think We Can Handle The TruthI read Boyhood Scenes from Provincial Life by J.M Coetzee
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61...
15.1 - Wedding Bells Are Ringing
A. OLD & BORROWED - I read Light A Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy which was first published in 1982 (I was born in 1992) and which I borrowed from my aunt.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41...
B. NEW & BLUE - I read Watermelon by Marian Keyes
Total so far: 145 points
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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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)
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Shel Silverstein (other topics)
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Woman on the Run by Lisa Marie Rice
10.4 - Roll The Dice... I got 3,5,1 (= 341-361 pp) so I read
Sex with Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge by Eleanor Herman
My edition is 345 pages long.
25.7 - Wendy's Task - I'm Passionate About... Cat!
A. A non-fiction book about the subject
50 Simple Ways to Pamper Your Cat by Arden Moore
B. A fictional book that includes your passion in the title.
The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun
Points: 185/475
Books: 18
Tasks: 14/56
Pages: 5,022