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)
Sandy wrote: "I completely agree with you, Nicki."Thanks Sandy :) This goes on my '5 star books that I must keep and will re-read more than once' pile! There's so much in it for a thin book.
PS Happy belated birthday and congratulations on finishing!! :D
15.4 Learn your numbersA. Definitely Dead by: Charlaine Harris. My number is 9 and so is Charlaine Harris. AND
B. All Together Dead by: Charlaine Harris. People with the number 9 are supposed to exhibit the following qualities: Humanitarian, giving nature, selflessness, obligations, creative expression. In this book I think that Sookie Stackhouse exhibits a couple of these qualities. She puts herself in danger of exposing her special abilities to the world in order to save any people who were trapped in the destroyed hotel. I think this definitely displays a giving nature as well as selflessness.
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 185
Goodreads Authors: 3
25.8 Once Upon a TimeI read two books for this challenge to meet the 400+ page requirement.
The first book that I read was Briar Rose by Jane Yolen. Great premise, horrible execution. I really disliked this book, giving it 1 star.
The second book that I read was Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. I thought that this book was tolerable. I gave it 2 stars.
Total Points - 345 +25 = 370
Well, if I didn't blow a task for 30 points, I would have met my goal of reaching 400 points. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Overall, I read some great books in this challenge, but then I read some real crap, too.
Congratulations to everyone who participated! See you tonight for the Fall Challenge.
Ok, I'm going to guess I'm Kristen TX...I am supposed to repost task 30.2 - For the Children.
A. I read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and recommended it to my friend's little girl, who is starting kindergarten.
B. I read Push.
Now, my points should be 240. I will be posting later today for my final post of the Summer challenge.
Carly5.6 - "I Only Regret That I Have But One Life To Lose For My Country."
I read I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
I think Fate didn't want me to finish this book. I started to read The Irregulars for this task, and I couldn't get into it and it wasn't what I expected and for me, it was too slow. I finally had to return it to the library, after having renewed it three times. So I decided to read I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You instead. I left it in my car one night and I left my window open by an accident (which I never ever do) and it stormed that night, and my book got soaked. It couldn't be saved, so I put it in the trash. Thank goodness it was only a bargain book. So I got it from the library so I could finish reading it. I'm now generally pleased that I finished this task.
Points This Task: 5
Total Points: 215
Tasks Completed: 13
Tasks in Progress: 1
Books Read: 20
GoodReads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Pages Read: 6231
20.1 Sweltering Summer DaysSorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot
Chocolate and Peanut Butter from Baskin Robins is my favorite ice cream flavor, summer, winter, fall and spring!
CHRISTINE USThis is my last post for the Summer Challenge.
10.6 Stand up for your Rights
My Name is Mary Sutter
by Robin Oliveira
15.7 Change in the World
The Blue Notebook
by James Levine
If I could change one thing in my community, it would be the level of involvement with recycling efforts. My neighborhood has no recycling option by our trash collection company, and there is no local recycling "dump point". For months I got the Sunday paper and always felt bad having no choice to do anything but to throw it away. Same with soda cans (which we go through a lot of in our home) -- no recycling means they go into the trash. If the trash company would offer the option for recycling, I would happily separate out my paper/plastic/aluminum items.
In the meantime, I have several of the reusable shopping bags from Target that I use when I go back to the store.
Total Points: 525
I finished much higher than my goal, which is exciting to me:) In the fall, I'm not going to set a goal of points for myself, but focus on fitting in as many GoodReads authors as possible.
25.4: I read Icebound by Dean Koontz whose birthday is July 9th and with the word Wind I read The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth GrahameI think that's the end of it for me this season.
170 total points
My last post for Summer 2010.Task for 50 points
Past: The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers (A GoodReads Author). This was on Emily IM's list of read books.
Current: The Septembers of Shiraz: A Novel by Dalia Sofer. This was on LB Hicks' currently reading list.
Future: The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life by Laurie Notaro. This was also on LB Hicks' to-read list.
Brings me to 430 points for the Summer Reading Challenge. See you all for the Fall!
Congrats to all the Winners, and to all who made their personal goals. Also, thanks to the girls who picked up this challenge after Cynthia disappeared.
My name on the readerboard is Terri FLThis will be my last post, so that's it for me! I didn't meet my goal, but maybe next challenge.
10.5 - "If You Can't Go to the Beach" Read Beowulf on the Beach: What to Love and What to Skip in Literature's 50 Greatest Hits
by Jack Murnighan.15.6 - "Eventually, All Things Merge Into One, And A River Runs Through It..."
Book A. - Option B - Read a novel that takes place in or a non-fiction book about one of the countries that the Congo flows through.... Read We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families: Stories from Rwanda by Philip Gourevitch. Sad sad book.
Book B. - Author's second longest book... Read The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
25.3 - Jennifer N'S Task - Virtual Foreign Vacation
Book A. - Novel from country you want to visit. Read Woman At Point ZeroNawal El Saadawi. Set in Egypt. I would love to visit!
Book B. - Translated book. Read Ghosts by César Aira. Argentinian author, translated from Spanish.
50.1 - Beth NC's Task - Let the Tarot Decide
Book A. - Past; from Jaime's Read bookshelf. Read Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman.
Book B. - Present; from Rob Hilbert's Currently Reading bookshelf. Read Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.
Book C. - Future; from Nicole's To Read bookshelf. Read A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
Neil Gaiman and Jack Murnighan are both Goodreads authors.
Points for above tasks: 100
Tasks above completed: 4
Total tasks completed: 21/56
Points completed: 365
Books read: 30
Books by Goodreads authors: 5
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
25.5 Share the Summer LoveA. Shadow Hills - YA Paranormal
I love YA Paranormal because it takes everything that is tumultuous about adolescence and throws it into an even sharper scale with added stakes of superpowers, bizarre occurrences, and battles of good and evil.
Shadow Hills was solidly written, but the mythos of the tale was a little shaky. I think Ms. Hopcus tried to combine too many elements--ghostly visions, genetic modification, and superhero powers. There were many interesting and sharply written characters, but the two leads were perhaps the least interesting characters in the story. There's plenty of a tale left to tell in Shadow Hills, however, so I'll be looking forward to future books in the setting.
B. The Name of the Wind - Dark Fantasy
Dark Fantasy takes all the elements of the supernatural and magical, but grounds them in more philosophical, contemplative settings, where good and evil aren't as clearly defined. I enjoy exploring these stories because you never really know which characters you can rely on, and no one is a perfect knight in shining armor.
The Name of the Wind definitely fits that description--the main character, Kvothe, is a bit of a smug jerk, but damned if he isn't fun to watch! This was a very impressive debut novel, with loads of gorgeous background work, and convoluted stories within stories. I can't wait for the follow-up to be released.
10.6: Stand Up For Your Rights
Crossing Chinese immigrant faces discrimination in upstate New York.
5.2: Blockbuster Books
Linger (relates to Twilight: Eclipse)
5.3: S.U.M.M.E.R.
On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
15.8 B Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
and
20.6- Must Read List - The Passage by Justin Cronin. 3* This book has been on a ton of people's must read lists. For me I think it's a must read if you love reading vampire/virus outbreak type of books. It follows the basic plot line of all of those similar stories. It reminds me of a Stephen King book. I found it predicable at times, although there were enough new twists to keep me interested and I actually like a lot of the characters so I will be reading the next in the trilogy.
Total Points: 290
15.1 -- Wedding Bells Are RingingOld (published in 1963) and Borrowed (from the library) - The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
New and Blue - Stay by Allie Larkin
**Allie Larkin is a GR author**25.4 - Nicole OH's Birthday Task
A. Cancer author - Dean Koontz, born on July 9 - I read Watchers.
B. On p. 31 of Watchers, I found the noun "sanctuary." So I read Sanctuary by Nora Roberts.
Total Points: 530
Tasks Completed: 28/56
Tasks in Progress: 15.4
Books Read: 41
Books by Goodreads authors: 5 (Sarah Addison Allen x2 (10.2 and 30.5A), Kathryn Stockett (20.9A), Lisa See (50.1), Allie Larkin (15.1))
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
Tanja20.6 Nicole CA's Task -- Must-Read (300 pages)
The Family Fortune by Laurie Horowitz (3 Stars) 320 pagesPersuasion is my favorite Jane Austen book so I thought for this Must-Read Challenge why not read a highly-recommended Persuasion re-telling? I was a little bit disappointed but would still recommend it to Austen re-telling fans. This is mainly due to the few Persuasion re-tellings in a modern setting. Max though doesn't make a great modern Wentworth -- from naval captain to writer? Something felt off but Jane in this book was rather cute at times. So it stands in the middle ground.
Total Points: 290
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...
20.5 Library LoveI read
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson.Total points earned: 340
Total tasks completed: 19
Well this was my first challenge, but it was a busy summer and I didn't read as much as I hoped!5.5 - Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenger
5.7 - The Silent Gondolier by William Goldman - My copy has a picture of a gondolier in a waterway on the cover.
5.9 - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. I read this sitting in the middle seat on a plane.
10.6 - Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips - This might be a bit of a stretch. The main characters are the greek gods who have been forced to live in secret after centuries of discrimination from humans.
25.7 - Judgment of Paris by George Taber and The Merlot Murders by Ellen Crosby - I was going on a trip to Napa and Sonoma so I decided to do some reading to enhance my knowledge and love of Wine. Incidentally, I decided to go to Chateau Montelena after seeing the movie Bottle Shock.
TOTAL POINTS - 50
Total Book - 6
Total Tasks - 5
Thanks everyone, it's been fun. Good luck to everyone in the fall challenge!!!!
I finished another task for the challenge.For task 10.4 - Roll the Dice - I read Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. I rolled 3,2,3, and this book had 326 pages. Great book, 4 stars.
Books Read: 3
Tasks Completed: 3
Pages Read: 1091
Total Points: 40
I'm looking forward to the next challenge, good luck everyone!
Ellen CATask 5.4 - Lesser Known Awards: I read the National Indie Excellence Award winner for Best New Fiction (2009) Elijah's Coin: A Lesson for Life by Steve O'Brien
Total to Date = 75 points
25.3A. Read Still Midnight by Denise Mina set in Scottland (maybe next year).
B. Read The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson translated from Swedish.
Total points 750
Alice GOk here goes for my last completed task of this season's challenge
Completed Task: 25.3 Virtual Foreign Vacation
A. Rounding the Mark is set in Sicily where I would like to go on holiday.
B. After Dark was originally written in Japanese and has been translated into English
Total points: 140 points
PREVIOUS READS
5.7 I confess that in 1901 I said to my brother Orville that man would not fly for fifty years - The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffee
5.9 Get Caught Reading - The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Phillip Pullman
15.5 Great Authors were Great Readers - All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve and The Master by Colm Toibin
15.8 Double, Double, Toil and Trouble - Trespass by Valerie Martin and Trespass by Rose Tremain
25.5 Share the Summer Love - Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger and Awkward Situations for Men by Danny Wallace
50.1 Reading the Tarot - The Help by Kathryn Stocket, A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore and The Angel's Game
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Sue T (aka Sue IL)This is my last post for the challenge. I exceeded my original goal.
10.4 Roll the dice. I got a 4,2,4
The Last Oracle by James Rollins. My copy has 434 pages.
Points this task: 10
Total Points: 605
Tasks Completed: 35
Books Read: 49
GoodReads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)
Phew! Finally figured out where to fit all the books i read these last 3 months.5.1 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
5.9 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
10.2 The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
10.3 The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
10.10 Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
15.4 My number is 3. (A) Diana Delonzor is also a 3 - Never Be Late Again: 7 Cures for the Punctually Challenged (B) The major characteristics of a 3 are friendly, social, optimistic, inspirational. The main character of Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella wakes up from a coma with no memory of the last 3 years. She was kind and caring, always looking out for her friends and saying the nicest thing, so she is thoroughly confused when all her former friends think she's now a b**ch. She's become head of her department and when she finds out they're not making enough money, she tries her best to motivate her team, giving pep talks and bringing in snacks. She is constantly optimistic that her former friends will become her friends again and that she will regain her memory.
15.9 (A) The Girl Next Door by Selene Castrovilla
(B) The main character of The Girl Next Door does have some of the typical 'girl next door' traits as your typical, average, cutesy, friendly girl, with which i identify. However, as the book progresses, she gives up her self to be with her neighbor who is dying. She's in love with him and wants to be with him, so she stops going to school or doing work or pursuing any of her own interests. I would never give up who I am for another person.
20.10 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
25.1 (A) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld - an alternate history about World War I; one of the main characters is in the "air force" for the UK (there are no planes; they fly in/on living creatures that have been genetically manufactured)
(B)
Sliding on the Edge by C. Lee McKenzie25.3 (A) The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak -- luckily my brother is studying abroad in Germany next year, so I'll go visit him!
(B) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson -- originally in Swedish
25.9 TANKINI: Dear Big V (200 pages), Scars (250 pages), Change of Heart (286 pages), Stepping Up (216 pages) ((total 952 pages))
TOTAL BOOKS: 17
TOTAL POINTS: 165
10.5 - If you can't go to the beach...Read The Gatheringby Anne Enright
15.9 - He who knows other is wise...
Listened to
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson **GoodReads Author**.
I chose the title Wintergirls because I enjoy everything "winter" ie, skiing, sledding, christmas, snow, hot cocoa, fireplace, football... and i am a "girl". The main character is anorexic and does not remind me anything of myself!
My total - 285
Here are my last books : 25.7 - Wendy's Task - I'm Passionate About... : as I'm pregnant, my current passion is... babies. So I read Le guide de mon bébé au naturel and Baby Blues 04: I Thought Labor Ended When the Baby Was BornBooks read: 22
Challenges accomplished: 17
Points : 295
Lauren CT15.9 He Who Knows Himself: The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman. This describes me because my sister and I love to tell, and hear, stories from all over when we get together. There were a couple of main characters in the book. I would say I am more like Claire (likes to keep to herself, quiet, studious, and often left out) than Elv (who gets into drugs, sex and self-mutilation). However, I can relate to Elv on the basis of using stories and inventing a world to escape from situations in life that hold you back.
Total Points: 560
Total Tasks: 37
Total Pages: 14779
Total Books: 46
See you tomorrow for the Fall Challenge!!!
I have completed task #20.5 "Library Love" by reading the following:
Big Machine by Victor LaValle
In the book, the Washburn Library recruits former addicts and reformed criminals and puts together a ragtag team of paranormal investigators. It's all very mysterious! This is my last book of the challenge...ending with 85 points.
Lisa MDCOMPLETED TASKS:
5.7 Mode of Transportation on Cover - "bicycle"
*
Lottery by Patricia Wood - GOODREADS AUTHOR - READ 8.31.10My Rating: 5 stars
15.9 A Title That Describes You in Some Way (Explain if Main Character is Like You)
The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman - READ 8.30.10
My Rating: 3 stars
I am most definitely a cookbook collector. I have an entire bookcase dedicated to cookbooks and cooking magazines. I like to cook, but I think I enjoy collecting and reading recipes more. There were several main characters who shared stories, but the actual "cookbook collector" was a deceased elderly man whose cookbook collection is bought by one of the main characters. I share this characters love of collecting books, but I'm more involved and demonstrative in the lives of others than him.
15.10 Family or Family Member Title (explain what you like about family)
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris - READ 8.31.10
My Rating: 4 stars
I love spending time with my family, especially gathering for large family meals. I saved this task for last, because it is a bittersweet one for me this summer. My oldest son graduated from college in the spring, but has just moved back to Pittsburgh (7 hours away) to work and get his masters. My baby leaves in 3 days for his first year of college. We had a large family dinner at my mothers last night and another one planned the night before he leaves and I'm an empty-nester.
Total Tasks: 56/56
Total Points: 950/950
Total Books Read: 78/78
*Books Read I Own: 53
Big Book Ticket Claim: (✓)500+pp ( )750+pp ( )1000+pp
I'M EXHAUSTED!!!!
Mod
COMPLETED TASKS:
5.7 Mode of Transportation on Cover - "bicycle"
*
Lottery by Patricia Wood - GOODREADS AUTHOR - READ 8.31.10My Ra..."
Congratulations, Lisa!
25.5 - Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love
A. Narrative History - The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the Rush to Empire, 1898 (2010) by Evan Thomas (Hardcover, 432 pages) 5*
B. Science Fiction - The Devil's Eye (Alex Benedict, #4) (2008) by Jack McDevitt (Hardcover, 368 pages) 4 *
Task:
C. Write a short review for each and an explanation of why your like that genre/type.
Narrative History - The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst, and the Rush to Empire, 1898 – This is a book about the Spanish-American war of 1898. His interest is more with why the people made the choices that they did, choices that resulted in war. He made heavy use of personal diaries, personal letters and public speech, so that as much as was possible the people in this history speak for themselves. It was interesting to read about how a nation decides to go to war with a nation that had not attacked it (the battleship Maine was NOT bombed by Spain!).
I like Narrative History when it’s done well. Narrative History books assumes that the reader has some knowledge about the subject at hand and wants to learn more. It’s written in “narrative” form, rather than dry textbook form. Despite this, the good narrative histories worship truth. There are usually exhaustive references in the back. Narrative history is more interested in why than traditional just-the-facts histories. That’s another reason why I like it.
Science Fiction - The Devil's Eye – This book is the 4th in a series starring an antiques dealer and is set on a distant planet 10,000 AD. This installment starts off as a futuristic murder mystery and then evolves into a good, old fashioned space opera. Revealing the plot twists would spoil the story. I was glad to see the novel move away from murder mystery into something more sci-fi. McDevitt writes in a clear, straight-forward manner, and this novel was a quick read despite the pagecount.
I like Science Fiction. I have always liked Science Fiction. I like the “big ideas”, the wild speculations, and the adventure that Science Fiction has and which other genres don’t have (or don’t have in very large quantities).
515 + 25 = 540
Totals: Tasks Completed: 30
Points thus far: 540/950
Books read: 44
Pages Read: = 14,426
Overall average number of pages per book: 327.86
Average pages per day: 156.8
Number of books with less than 200 pages: 3
Non-fiction: 12 / total 4057 pages/avg. 338.08 pages per book
Science Fiction/Fantasy: 17 / total 5763 pages/ avg. 339 pages per book
Other Fiction:15 / total 4606 pages/ avg. 307.06 pages per book
12 + 17 + 15 = 44
YA books: 5 (including the 2 Doctor Who tie-in books) / total 1220 pages/ avg. 244.00 pages per book
Non-YA books: 39 / 13206/ avg. 338.61 pages per book
(Goodreads Author) 6
(Goodreads Author) Laurie Viera Rigler (10.10)
(Goodreads Author) Adrienne Mayor (15.6)
(Goodreads Author) Sheramy Bundrick (20.4)
(Goodreads Author) Jessica Day George (25.8)
(Goodreads Author) Melissa Senate (25.9)
(Goodreads Author) Janny Wurts (50.1 Present)
Big Books:
500+
Year's Best SF 15 (2010) by David G. Hartwell (Editor), Kathryn Cramer (Editor) (Mass Market Paperback, 512 pages)
750 +
The Curse of the Mistwraith (1993) by Janny Wurts (Goodreads Author) (Wars of Light & Shadow, #1; Arc 1, #1) (Mass Market Paperback, 841 pages)
Holy Cow, Lisa!! Congratulations! That is fabulous work :) Now you can rest (for about 8 hours)!!
This last big post is my last one for the Summer challenge.
and
Independent Film Spirit Award Winner or Nominee 2009: "Amreeka"
Onward to fall!
Total Points(including tasks below): 31020.6: Must read list: The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian Goodreads Author
Not a must read at all. I actually really disliked it until the ending. I had a lot of theories on what was really happening but was wrong on all of them.
25.8: Fairy Tales:
The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm
That's it for me. Thanks so much to PJ Reads and Sandy for all the work you've done!
Last post for Summer 2010.25.7 - Wendy's Task - I'm Passionate About...
Favorite genre: Fantasy: I love reading books that take my to another word and away from mundane life. Temptedby PC Cast does this be taking the reader into a world of myth and magic. The characters go through normal issues that are a part of growing up. At the same time, they have to deal with things that around far beyond everyday life.
2nd fav genre: Historical Romances: I love to read them in the summer when I am out of school. I always say it gives me a chance to read purely for fun.
Secrets of a Proper Lady by Victoria Alexander is the 3rd book in a series about four men who have wagered about who will get married. I must say that this isnt your typical "romance" Yes, boy must marry girl even though he may not want to. But there is a Twist to thier courtship in that they haven't met. Or have they?
I haven't read the 2nd yet but these seem to stand alone and can be read in any order. (as long as you don't mind knowing who gets married in each book)
5.6 - "I Only Regret That I Have But One Life To Lose For My Country."
I am sad to say that I can't use Mockingjay for the Fall challenge... because I just had to read it as soon as it was released. And once I stared, there was no stopping till I finished every page. So, Mockingjay... spying, sneaking, going behind people's backs. Sabatage, betrayal, false information...it's all there.
Total for this my first challenge....
Total Points: 320
Tasks Done 20
Books Read: 11
Total Pages 0
Goodreads authors 30
Big Books 1
RACHEL CAA few more tasks for the summer challenge: 40 points (520 points so far)
5.04 LESSER KNOWN AWARDS “The Whistling Season” Ivan Doig [ALA Alex Award:]
10.08 UNDER THE SEA “Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions” Daniel Wallace
25.08 ONCE UPON A TIME "The Juniper Tree and Other Tales from Grimm" Translated by Lore Segal and Randall Jarrell, pictures by Maurice Sendak (332 pgs) AND “The Light Princess” by George MacDonald, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (110 pgs)
Last task for the challenge!25.2 - Q&A - I picked WHO and person
Ophelia Joined the Group Maidens Who Don't Float: Classic Lit Signs on to Facebook by Sarah Schmelling
** Sarah is a Goodreads Author
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Sunshine is the main character's name
FINAL TOTALS:
Points: 220
Tasks completed: 14
Last post for this challenge!Task 5.10 - Reread a Loved Book - When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (8/31/10) - Goodreads Author!
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FINAL STATS
Tasks Completed: 39/56
Books Read: 55/80
Pages Read: 17,151
Points Earned: 680/950
Jackie NMLast post for the summer season!
15.4 Learn Your Numbers
Part A- The Search by Nora Roberts. My number was a 1 and so was Nora Roberts.
Part B- Characteristics of a number 1 are initiating action, pioneering, leading, independent, attaining, individual. For Part B I read Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen. The book was about a woman who left her abusive husband with her son to restart her life under a different name. She definitely was initiating action and trying to attain her individuality.
25.5 Share the Summer Love
Part A- I read Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I enjoy reading Young Adult novels where the main character is facing some problem that most young adults face. They give some insight on the feelings behind the problems that seem trivial to older people. This book was about a girl who committed suicide and sent tapes of her story out to everyone who affected her decision. Really good book.
Part B- I read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer. Another of my favorite genres is Urban Fantasy, books about vampires, werewolves, ect. They take you out of the real world and suck you into a different world. The book was about Bree Tanner, a minor character in the Twilight novels.
25.10 Name Game
Part A- Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
Part B- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Task Points: 15 + 25 + 25= 65
Total Points: 385
Tasks Completed: 21
Books Read: 32
Books by Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 5 (500+), 0(750+), 0(1000+)
30.5 - DLM Rose's Task - Virtual Block Party - The dish I'm bringing to share is Pierogi Casserole.Pick Two:
C. Read a food-related non-fiction book (non-cookbook) - In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan.
D. Read a cookbook related to your dish - The Belarusian Cookbook by Alexander Bely. The recipe I'm sharing does not actually come from this cookbook, but I chose the book because Pierogis are a food popular in Belarus.
My recipe stands out because it is very different from standard potluck fare and it is a new twist on a traditional ethnic recipe.
Books Read: 33
Tasks Completed: 22/56
Tasks in Progress: 4
Total Points: 320/950
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: (500)x (750) (1000)
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All right, last one, here goes! Too bad, what with grading papers to do, I don't think I can make it through the rest of Oliver Twist tonight! :)15.7 Animal Farm by George Orwell who was born in India. Something I would like to see changed (there are so many things!) is inequity in education depending on where you happen to live and grow up. Besides actually being a teacher and trying to remedy that in my own little corner, I would lobby for more equitable funding formulas. There's been a lot done on this but there could be more!!!
20.4 Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran. This is my fourth task, so it fits fruit and for the anniversary I'd definitely want to toast with pomegranate seeds in our champagne (thank you Trader Joes for that little tip!). Although the recipes in this book look DELICIOUS!
20.6 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I couldn't hold out for fall either! I would say it IS a must-read if you've read the other two. It's, as I've heard a bunch of times, not quite as great plot-wise as the others but does a wonderful job bringing the story to a close. And I cried - that's rare!
25.9 - Tankini Option!
California Demon: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner (GOODREADS AUTHOR) - 352 pages, published 2006
Relentless Pursuit: A Year in the Trenches with Teach for America by Donna Foote - published 2008, 353 pages
and
Marcelo In The Real World by Francisco X. Stork, published 2009, 320 pages
30.2 Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (published in the 50s) - I shared this with students in my 5th grade class.
and
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. The main character is 12.
NEW (and final!) TOTAL: 470
Points this post: 110
Linda S IL15.6 Baking Cakes in Kigali Gaile Parkin
The Pact Jodi Picoult
15.7 Shame Salman Rushdie
I live in Chicago which is known for, among many other things, corrupt politicians. What I would like to see changed is to have honorable people in elected offices. What I do to help bring about this change is to make sure I’m informed about the candidates and try to elect the person I think would bring the most integrity to the position.
20.7 A Clockwork Orange Anthony Burgess
20.8 A Room With a View E.M. Forster
70 points this post
860 total points
This is my last post. Didn't finish, but didn't do too badly.
15.4 - Learn Your NumbersA. My number is 6. Beverly Barton is also a 6, so I read The Fifth Victim.
B. The characteristics of #6 are: responsibility, protection, nurturing, community, balance, sympathy. For this part of the task I read Susannah's Garden by Debbie Macomber.
Susannah, the main character, shows her responsible, nurturing, and protective nature when she returns to her hometown to help her mother, a recent widow, come to terms with the idea that she can no longer live alone. In the process, Susannah also confronts her past, reconnects with old friends, and struggles to find a balance between being a daughter, a mother, and a wife.
25.5 - Favorite Genres
A. Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb
My favorite genre is Mystery. I'm drawn to this genre because I enjoy puzzles and I like to try to figure out the clues. If there's a little romance sprinkled in with the mystery, so much the better ;o).
Betrayal in Death is the 12th book in the Eve Dallas series by J.D. Robb. All the books in this series are futuristic police procedurals. In this book, Eve is assigned to investigate a murder that occurs in one of her husband, Roarke's, hotels. I really enjoy the characters in this series. The interaction between Eve and Roarke is wonderful and there are many minor characters (Peabody, McNab, Mavis, Feeney, etc.) that I enjoy reading about, too.
B. Summer On Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
My second favorite genre is Women's Fiction, particularly those stories that deal with women's friendships. I enjoy this genre because it tends to explore women’s lives and their connection to friends and family. I can usually relate to the women in these stories which keeps me involved in the story line.
Summer On Blossom Street is the 6th book in Macomber's knitting series. In this book, Lydia, the owner of A Good Yarn, the knitting shop on Blossom Street, is teaching a knitting class called Knit to Quit. The story is about the people who join the class and what they're trying to change about their lives. After reading six books in the series, each one is like sitting down with old friends ;o).
Total Points: 570
Tasks Completed: 29/56
Tasks in Progress:
Books Read: 42
Books by Goodreads authors: 5 (Sarah Addison Allen x2 (10.2 and 30.5A), Kathryn Stockett (20.9A), Lisa See (50.1), Allie Larkin (15.1))
Big Books: 1 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
KRISTEN MAMy last post for the season. I did better than I thought I would.
20.6 Nicole CA's TAsk - Listmaker - I read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. A friend of mine has been begging me to read this book for about a year, so I finally decided to read it. In my opinion I don't think that it is a must read book. I am glad I read it so I could see what all the fuss was about but I don't really think that I will continue on in the series.
25.5 Helen's Task - Share the Summer Love
A. Baseball Fiction Changing Pitches by Steve Kluger. After reading My Most Excellent Year I had to go back and read all his other books. Changing Pitches was his first book and I have to say that it wasn't that good. I would only read it if you are a hard core Steve Kluger fan. I love that all of his books involve baseball to some extend
Baseball Fiction is one of my favorite genres because baseball is my favorite sport. There is something about baseball and summertime that always makes the greatest stories for me.
B. Fantasy - I read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. I really wanted to like this book but it was only okay. I love that it took place during World War II and I loved the fantasy land that Connolly created but it felt really disjointed to me and whenever I but the book down I had difficulty picking it back up. I liked the concept of the book but I felt it could have been written better.
I love fantasy books because I can escape into a different world. I really love fantasy books that I can really picture the world that the author created. I love that for a few hours I can leave my world behind and pretend that I am somewhere else.
25.9 DonnaJo's TAsk - It's Time for the Swimsuit Edition
B. Bikini - Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City by Holly Denham (552 pages) and The Love of Her Life by Harriet Evans (486 pages)
Total Points: 415
Total Books: 33
Total Tasks: 25
Total Pages: 11961
This is it!25.10 - Belinda's Task - Let's Play The Name Game
A. For the first half of the task, read any book you like of at least 100 pages.
AND
B. For the second half of the task read another book (of at least 100 pages) whose author’s first or last name, is the same as the last name of the author of the book you read for the first half of the task.
I read My Before and After Life by Risa Miller
and Personal Velocity by Rebecca Miller
This brings me up to 395 -- lower than I wanted and annoyingly uneven (oh to have time to finish that last 5 pointer!) but I am so happy the challenge will go on...I'll take it!
Total Points: 395
Tasks Completed:19/56
Pages: 10,101
Books Read: 30
Big Books: 1 (500)
This is my first time posting this summer (tho I've participated before) and alas I must do it from my phone without a working computer at hand. In other words, I hope this works...5.1 hot summer word
Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie
5.9 read in public
Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie
10.1 hurricane names
Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter
10.2 the (noun) who (verb)
The Man Who Made Lists by Joshua Kendall (GR
author: Joshua Kendall)
10.4 roll the die, read a book
The Morning Watch by James Agee - I rolled 156 and this actually happened to be 156 pages. Than goodness I finally had a reason to read Agee as I've been wanting to for years.
10.7 nonfiction by a fiction writer
A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut
10.9 something you want to know more about
Swords, Ships, and Sugar: a history of Nevis to 1900 by Vincent K. Hubbard - because I wanted to know more about St. Kitts and Nevis.
15.1 something old, something new...
a old and blue: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
b New and borrowed: Maigret and the Killer by Georges Simenon
20.2 pre-1450 AD book
Beowulf by David Wright, translator
20.7 Villain's POV
Perfume: the story of a murderer by Patrick Suskind, translator John E. Woods
25.1 Military, red, white, and blue
a Hocus Pocus by Kurt Vonnegut (about a Vietnam Vet and West Point graduate)
b The Other Woman by Colette, translator Peter Owen (white cover)
25.1 Who, how, when, where and why
a who: People of the Century: one hundred men and women who shaped the last hundred years by the editors of Time
b name: God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
25.3 foreign lands and languages
a The Curse of the Pharoahs by Elizabeth Peters - takes place in Egypt, which I've never visited...one day...
b Misreadings by Umberto Eco - translated into English from Italian
25.5 Fave genres and why
a Third Girl by Agatha Christie - detective fiction is my favorite genre because it's full of puzzles and makes you really think. Plus you don't have to know forensic science techniques to figure out the criminal.
b Times 100: heroes and inspirations by the editors of Time - histor is my second fave genre because the past has so much influence on our lives. It's impossible to make changes or improvements in life without knowing what happened or was discovered in the past. And you needn't look beyond our current recession to understand how mistakes repeat themselves when you don't remember them.
25.10 Authors that share a name
a The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis
b The Yellow Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee (GR author: Lewis Buzbee)
2 goodreads authors
: Joshua Kendall, Lewis Buzbee
15 challenges
240 points
JULIA OH15.3 - Books And Blogs Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt
A review at Dear Author.com
Elizabeth Hoyt is a goodreads author
Totals
Old Points:310
New Points: 325
Goodreads Authors: 12
10.10 - Great Minds Think AlikeLittle Bee by: Chris Cleave (goodreads author).
I gave 5 stars to "Water for Elephants" and found Beth who also gave it five stars. I chose "Little Bee" as the 5 star book on her bookshelf. I thought the book was wonderful and also give it 5 stars - I guess great minds DO think alike!
Points this task: 10
Total Points: 195
Goodreads Authors: 4
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Daughters of the North (other topics)At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple (other topics)
The Catcher in the Rye (other topics)
Every Man Dies Alone (other topics)
Sepulchre (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Elise Broach (other topics)Virginia Woolf (other topics)
Roald Dahl (other topics)
Shel Silverstein (other topics)
J.K. Rowling (other topics)
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The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by: Stieg Larsson
Points this task: 10
Total Points: 170
Goodreads Authors: 3