The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
FALL CHALLENGE 2010
>
Fall Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks (do NOT delete any posts in this thread)
Jennifer D.15.4 ~ Fall Equinox:
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers and Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. Each book has 7 letter in its title.
I would like to claim 1 big book ticket for Freedom; it is 562 pages long.
New Points: 15
New Total Points: 60
Total Pages Read: 1981
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 6
Big Books: 500+ (1) 750+ (0) 1000+ (0)
GR Authors: 1 (Chris Cleave)
Emily ID20.9 - Babies - Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella. Fun book.
Total completed: 18
Total points: 210
Total books: 20
Total pages: 7149
Goodreads Authors: 4 (Neil Gaiman, Cassandra Clare, James Dashner, Julia Quinn)
Big Books: 2 (The Red Pyramid 500+ & Paris: A Biography of a City 500+)
Jennifer OH10.9 UNDER THE COVERS- A good book is flashlight worthy. - Go to Flashlight Worthy, browse around a bit, then choose a list you like, read one book from that list. Required: Please tell us the list that you chose. Optional: Tell us if your book was "flashlight worthy".
7 beach reads you can grab off your t(w)een’s bookshelf
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins re-read 9-10-10
*it was definitely flashlight worthy!!! this was the 2nd time I read it and I was still unable to put it down
20.10 Group Reads -
Read one of the following Group Read Selections and make at least one post in the discussion thread.
A. Recent TBR Additions -Little Bee
NOTE: This book was published under the titleThe Other Hand in the UK.
B. Most Wanted of 2010 - Mockingjay
C. Suspense - The Passage
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins re-read 9-12-10 post 75
Challenges Completed: 3
Total Books Read: 3
Total Points: 40
My name is Beth F. and I am a seasonal reading challenge addict. This is my first post for my eighth seasonal reading challenge.5.2 – the play must go on - The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (76 pages)
How is it that I missed out on The Importance of Being Earnest until now?!?!? This was one of the most riotously hysterical things I’ve read in a long time. I absolutely loved it and I highly recommend that anyone who hasn’t yet read it stop whatever you’re doing right now, download a copy from the public domain (the copyright hass long since expired) and spend the next hour and a half in a fit of giggles.
Reading this was the most fun I’ve had at work in a long time. Thanks for the task, lady moderators!
----
5.3 – T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G - Once A Pirate by Susan Grant
----
15.2 – recommended books - The Giver by Lois Lowry
I didn’t add any books to the group list but I voted for several including Hunger Games, The Help, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, etc. :P
Then, since I’d already read the first nine books that appeared on the list I decided I’d read the first one I came to that I hadn’t read and The Giver was it! I wish I’d read it when it was newly published. I certainly enjoyed the book (couldn’t put it down) but probably would have loved it as a younger reader.
----
15.3 – continental divide - Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The list randomizer chose South America for me; the author is from and the book is set in Colombia which is in South America. A short review here.
----
15.5 – literature map - Cross My Heart by Carly Phillips (Goodreads author)
My daughter’s daycare provider gave me a couple Debbie Macomber books recently with the warning that it was total fluff but sometimes moms need brain candy. And I’m certainly not opposed to fluff! Anyway, because I’ve enjoyed reading Macomber lately I input her name in the literature map and Carly Phillips was butt up against Macomber. I’d say it was a pretty decent fit.
----
Points: 55
Goodreads authors: 1 (Carly Phillips)
Big Books: 0
5.10 Name That Car- Asking for Trouble by Elizabeth Young. 30.7 - Donna Jo's task as suggested by Meghan: GOOD SPIRITS
A. The Summer Book by Tove Jasson. 1972, I was born in 1984.
AND
B.Simply The Best by Shirley Jump.
Points: 130/890
Books Read: 9/66
Good Read Authours: 1
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()
20.4 The Plot Line ThickensLove in the time of Cholera
movie plot unrequited love or finding long lost loves
10.8 What a Way to make a living
Miracles Happen Mary Kay Ash
10.4 Leaving Civilization Behind
Lord of the Flies
Challenges Completed 4
Total Points 45
Total pages 803
Hannah the Blonde15.9 Coin Collector I flipped one heads and one tails, so I needed to read a book of at least 500 pages: Passage by Connie Willis which was 781 pages.
Total Points: 20
Total Tasks: 2
Total Books: 2
Goodreads Author: 0
Big Book 500+: 0
Big Book 750+: 1 (Passage)
Big Book 1000+: 0
20.6 - Seeing Yourself in a TitleKiller Colt: Murder, Disgrace, and the Making of an American Legend by Harold Schechter
My middle name is Scott.
Killer CO l T : Murder, Di S grace, and T he Making of an American Legend
Points for this task: 20
Total Points: 60
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 4
Pages Read: 1163
JEN B20.4 The Plot Line Thickens
Seeing Me Naked by Liza Palmer
I don't get to watch movies very often (at least non-animated ones), so when I do watch them, my favorites tend to be chick flicks. I like the ones about women who start out bumbling through their lives and end up changing them for the better (and usually finding love along the way). Liza Palmer's book is about a chef from an eccentric family who isn't too happy with the way her life is going until a new job offer and a new man inspire her to make some changes.
20.7 The Melting Pot
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Loved this one in high school, but loved it even more this time around. I'm not usually a re-reader, but I'm glad I reread this one.
Total Points: 45
Tasks Completed: 3
Total Books Read: 3
Books by Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 1(500+), 0(750+), 0(1000+)
[image error]
CHRISTIE15.3 Continental Divide - Asia
The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall (takes place in India)
Points This Task: 15
Total Points: 35
Tasks Completed: 2
Books Read: 2
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Julie TN (repost - I have now commented in the discussion - post 78) Sorry about that!20.10 - Group read
Mockingjay
Total points: 20 points
GR Author: 0
Big Books: 0
total books read: 1
total tasks completed: 1
30.8 - BETH NC's task: FALL BACK INTO READING A. Sept. 15, 2009: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
B. Sept. 15, 2000: Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende
Task Points: 30
Grand Total: 95
Lauren CT5.6 She's a Beauty: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard *Goodreads Author*
I think this book is beautiful because of the colors on the cover and the pretty writing- I will admit the girl is a little scary!10.1 Shorter Days: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. A collection of short, personal essays/memiors.
15.4 Fall Equinox: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare Both titles have 16 letters, and I would like to claim a goodreads author ticket for both of them, and I would like to claim a 500+ big book ticket for City of Glass (my version was 541 pages).
20.5 Oprah's On: Beloved by Toni Morrison, first published in 1987.
TOTALS
Total Tasks: 7
Total Points: 80
Total Books: 9
Total Pages: 3210
Good Reads Authors: 4 (Cassandra Clare X 3, Sara Shepard)
Big Books: (1) 500+ pages
Mod
The Golden City
"Vanessa, in your posts please include your total points to date.
Thanks.
10.9- Under The CoversI read Little House in the Big Woodsby Laura Ingalls Wilder. This book is listed in FlashlightWorthy on both the Little House on the Prairie list by Peter, who runs Flashlight Worthy and the Great Reads for Culinary Kids list. I have always wanted to read this book and was so happy to finally do it. It was flashlight worthy- a warm, cozy read that made you feel you were in that little cabin with Laura Ingalls.
Points for this task-10
Total Points- 105
Books Read- 10
Goodreads Authors-5
Total Pages Read- 3046
finished:5.2 The Play Must Go On
Private Lives by Noël Coward (This is an old Book Club edition with no ISBN) and only copyright date is 1930. 88 pages
20.5 Oprah's On
The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold published 1986
20.6 Seeing Yourself in the Title
Passionate Nomad: The Life of Freya Stark by Jane Fletcher Geniesse, using my first name Donna
Today's total: 45
Grand Total: 210
10.9 UNDER THE COVERS - The list I chose was Can't Put Down Teen Books and I read Life As We Knew ItTotal Points: 95/870
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 8/64
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
20.4 The Plot Line ThickensPromethea Book 1 by Alan Moore
(I like movies where the main character gets transported into a strange, magical world- think Alice in Wonderland and other stories along those lines- where they have a special role to play. Promethea is another twist on this plot line.)
Task points: 20
Total points: 70
5.9 - Comfort ReadThe weather is turning colder. It's time to snuggle up with your hot beverage of choice and a good book. For this task, you should reread an old favorite, revisit a beloved author, or pick up your favorite genre. OPTIONAL: Tell why you consider this a comfort read.
Fatally Frosted Finished 9/14/10
Total Point Earned: 95/890
Total Pages Read: 2491/23366
Total Books Read: 10/65
Good Read Authours:
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()
20.3 FEMINIST LITERATUREWoman At Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi.
The author has written several books about the rights and plights of women in the Arab world. This is a book about an Egyptian woman growing up in a poor family and what happens to her that leads her into prostitution and more. But through it all, she learns to carry her head high and value herself.
Total points: 30
30.1 IT'S IN THE CARDSAce of Clubs - First in series - Goodreads Author
State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
4 of Diamonds - even year best seller
The Grilling Season by Diane Mott Davidson
from USA today http://content.usatoday.com/life/book...
Points this task: 30
Total Points: 115
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 11
GoodReads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
ERIN C5.6 She's a Beauty
The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay
I find this beautiful simply because I find old books so captivating, and beautiful in their own way.
Points This Task: 5
Total Points: 95
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 3,992
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(3), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
20.6 - Seeing Yourself in a TitleHorace Helfin's Holiday Home by John Philip McCarthy (Goodreads Author)
The name I used was my first name Alisha.
Points for this Task: 20
Total Points: 60
Tasks Completed: 4
Goodreads Authors: 1
[image error]
5.10 - Name That CarBasil, Wilkie Collins.
I don't actually have a car of my own, but my boyfriend has a habit of naming his cars something practical. I keep pushing for Basil (a name I have always loved) but he won't do it. I've taken to mentally referring to my own method of transportation (the public bus) as Basil because it sounds much more pleasant than riding the bus actually is.
10.2 - We Need a Drink
Sugar and Rum, Barry Unsworth.
20.3 - El's Task - Feminist Literature
The Feminine Mystique, Betty Friedan.
TOTAL POINTS: 75/890.
Mod
I read A Midsummer Night's Dream
15.1 - NEW HORIZONS
i went to the graphic novels shelf and read the graphic novel version of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Graphic novels are not something I would normally read.
I thought it would be interesting to do these two tasks together. I enjoyed both versions - perhaps because it was a play, which is intended to be seen as well as read, I thought the graphic version was pretty good.
Total points: 85
Jennifer KS15.4 - FALL EQUINOX Read two books that have the same number of characters in their titles.
I read The Alpine Advocate and The Alpine Betrayal
by Mary Daheim
Points this task 15
Total Points 80
Books read 8
Tasks finished 6
Task 30.1 - It's in the cardsI drew: 5 spades and A diamonds
Bestseller first in series: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bestseller list # 23: http://news.bookweb.org/news/book-sen...
*782 pages = 2 big book tickets*
Classic with odd publication date: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Published 1847. Sadly, I slogged through it and gave it my first 2 star rating of the challenge. Thoroughly enjoyed the task, though.
Total task points = 30
Total Big Book tickets = 2
Total Challenge points = 110
Readerboard Name: StacyCT5.9 - Comfort Read
The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
I'd like to claim a Big Book Ticket for this one -- 730 pages.
Task Points: 5
Tasks Completed: 4
Total Points Earned: 35
Total Books Read: 4
Pages Read: 1952
Good Read Authors:
Big Book Tickets: 500+(2), 750+(), 1000+()
Kate.x.15.8 Is that an eye underneath that nose? I read "The Swan Thieves" by Elizabeth Kostova.
It is about a painter who tries to knife a painting at the National Gallery, the psychiatrist in charge of his care starts to interview the women in the painter's life to work out why he did this, and in doing so he undercovers a dark secret at the heart of french impressionism.
This book was slow in places, but overall good. I still prefer her first - The Historian more.
Total points = 75.
Delicious Dee
Last Post - 191
5.9 - Comfort Read
No Mercy - Sherrilyn Kenyon - this series to me is a comfort read as it is the 16th in the series and I know that they are always going to be faced paced with a HEA and some steam
10.2 WE NEED A DRINK
Fuzzy Navel - J.A. Konrath (GR Author)
10.7 CITY LIGHTS
City of Veils - Zoë Ferraris (GR Author)
15.8 - IS THAT AN EYE UNDERNEATH THAT NOSE?
Take My Picture - main character is a photographer
20.1 Stephanie Anne's Task - Bookmarks Magazine
The Postmistress - May/June 2010
20.8 - Pirate Speak
Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage - Jennifer Ashley (GR Author)
30.1- pjreads's task as suggested by Jen B: IT'S IN THE CARDS (2 spade; 4 club; A club; 10 club)
A - A/Club (First in Series/GR Author) - The Surgeon - Tess Gerritsen(Rizzoli and Isles Book 1) (GR Author)
B - 4/Club (even year/GR Author) - Double Blind - Heidi Cullinan (GR Author)(2010)
Total Points This Post: 110
Total Points in Challenge: 180
Books Read: 15
Tasks Completed: 13
GR Authors: 8
Big Book Tickets: 500+(1); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
Previous Tasks Completed:
5.1; 5.5
10.1; 10.3; 10.6
30.5
15.7 Mystery -A)
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Brontë
Total to Date = 15 points
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 1
Pages Read: 441
GR Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(0); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
20.2 Music Tells the StoryThe Bohemians of the Latin Quarter: Scenes de la Vie de Boheme
I'd like to apologize in advance for the massive rambling review-type thingy below. It's late and my brain is kinda fuzzy, but I'm too excited about the wonderfulness of the book to sleep without posting.
I actually read a version from Project Gutenberg, so I'm not sure which edition I read from the list of copies on GR, but it was an unabridged translation, so the page number should be roughly correct.
This book was hilarious. I loved it, and I spent a lot of time picking out bits and figuring out the counterparts of various characters in Rent (which was based off La Boheme, which was based off this book). Musette was pretty much the same as Maureen (her Rent counterpart), and the four main guys were all pretty much the same: Marcel/Mark was the artist (because they didn't have movies back in 1851), Colline/Collins was a philosopher, Schaunard/Angel was a musician (Angel--DuMotte-Schaunard~! Also, "Today 4 U" is lifted from one of the chapters in the book, only it's a parrot and a piano instead of an akita (Evita!) and some drums, but the point is the same!), and Rodolphe/Roger was a writer (this is the biggest stretch, but Roger spent most of the musical trying to write his "one song," so it works).
The biggest and most interesting change was with Mimi. Her Rent character was a composite of her story character (coquettish woman who likes a good time) and a character named Francine, whose story is told in arguably the saddest chapter of the book. "Light My Candle" comes directly from Francine's first meeting with Jacques, who becomes her lover--her candle blows out and she asks Jacques for a light, and they end up getting to know each other and fall in love (though, rather than losing her "stash," Francine drops her key somewhere in the room). Their love is doomed, however, as Francine is dying from tuberculosis, and she and Jacques only have about six months together. Mimi in the story also dies, but her death is due to a naturally weak constitution and (romantically) a broken heart. Both of these stories were combined to make the Rent character of Mimi (although, if I remember my synopsis correctly, Mimi from La Boheme isn't too much different from the one in Rent, aside from not being an exotic dancer).
Oh! And one other awesome thing: after the sexy-awesome rap-ish part of "La Vie Boheme," the characters joke around with random crazy lists of things that other characters are going to present (like Collins says, "In honor of the death of Bohemia, an impromptu salon will commence immediately following dinner. Maureen Johnson, just back from her spetacular one-night engagement at the Eleventh Street lot, will perform Native American tribal chants backwards through her vocoder while accompanying herself on the electric cello--which she ain't never studied."). That whole section of the song is lifted from one of the chapters, too! Well, the idea of it anyway. The characters send out invitations for a party they're going to hold, and the invitations list similarly random, crazy entertainments. I enjoyed that part.
And if it weren't 230am, I'd go watch Rent again! Seriously, though--if you like the musical, definitely read the book. It's awesome.
Favoritest quote ever (or at least from this book):
"First reader: I told you that this was not a very lively story.
What would you have, reader? We cannot always laugh."
Total: 20 + 215 (from earlier) = 235 points
Shannon South Africa10.1 Shorter Days
How Does Your Garden Grow? by Agatha Christie (audio)
Task points: 10
Total points: 45
15.5 Literary Map (Jane Austen's map)
Homeland, The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
(I read The Bean Trees from this compendium)
Task points: 15
Total points: 65
Mod
5.4 I'm Glad My Mother Didn't Name Me
Absolute Certainty : A Crime Novel by Rose Connors
I'm glad my mother didn't name me Rose- Rose Rose-not the ideal name- I met my husband at 18 and my then 18 year-old shallow self might have avoided a guy based on his name and that would have been the biggest mistake of my life
10.2 We Need A Drink
The Gin Closet by Leslie Jamison
10.4 Leaving Civilization Behind
The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron set in the Maine wilderness
15.2 Recommended Books page 3
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson
Total= 105
The Gin Closet was a raw and intense debut novel- it was hard to like the characters, but it was not hard to admire the writing
The Poacher's Son was another debut novel- I hope Paul Doiron writes quickly, I want to read more.
15.2 - Recommended BooksThe Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
I also voted in the Challenge.
Total pages in book(s): 565 (a "Big Book")
Total Challenges Completed: 5
Total Books Read: 5
Total Pages Read: 1162
Total Points: 40
Big Books: 500+(1)
15.9 Flip a coin - Two "hell with it"Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
756 pages - 2 big book tickets, please.
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 130
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 12
GoodReads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
5.7 Circle of LifeStorm of the Century: An Original Screenplay by Stephen King
He was born September 21, 1947
Total points: 80
I'm finally on the board!Finished 30.5 - Life Lessons
I rolled a 4 and a 6. For the 4 roll, I read Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. The book was at a 4.61 rating when I started reading it. I liked the book but I didn't buy into the hype, only giving it 3 stars.
For the 6 roll, I read Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis. I love baseball, but I learned many things from this book that I hadn't known about previously. Primarily, I learned how the Oakland As were able to effectively compete with the big money teams through the use of probability and scientific theory. I really enjoyed this one, giving it 4 stars.
Total Points: 0 + 30 = 30
Total Tasks: 1
Total Books: 2
GR Authors: 0
Big Books: 0
15.1 New HorizonsLet the Right One In taken from the Horror shelf.
I am claiming a Big Book ticket as the book was 519 pages.
Total Points: 55
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
wendyma10.1 SHORTER DAYS – Read a book of short stories, novellas, or essays. The book may be by a single author or an anthology. Ex. Selected Stories of O. Henry, Essays of E. B. White, Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the 20th Century
Buddha in a Teacup by Walton
10 points
125 total
wendyma5.6 - She's a Beauty
November 20th is Beautiful Day. Read a book with a cover you consider beautiful.
Dexter is Delicious by Lindsey
5 points
130 total
wendyma5.1 - Fall Colors
The leaves, they are a-changin'... Read a book with a title that includes a fall leaf color (yellows, oranges, browns, reds). (EXAMPLES: The Red Tent, The Scarlet Letter, The Gold Coast, A Clockwork Orange, Tangerine, etc.)
Dangerous Days of Daniel X by Patterson Mostly orange
GOODREADS AUTHOR
5 points
135 total
25.2 As Her Debuta. When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
b. The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard
Both of these authors are GoodReads Authors.
This makes my point total 45.
wendyma15.9 - COIN COLLECTOR! Go to: Coin Collector
Please click Flip Again! Those are your coins - no more flipping!
-If you get 2 Do It! (or heads), read a book or books totalling at least 300 pages
-If you get 1 Do It! (or heads) and 1 The Hell With It! (or tails), read a book or books totalling at least 500 pages
-If you get 2 The Hell With It! (or tails), read a book or books totalling at least 700 pages
2 DO IT—Treasure Hunt by Lescroart 368 pages
15 points
150 total
Finished:30.6 Exploration and High Adventure
A. The Ice Master: The Doomed 1913 Voyage of the Karluk and the Miraculous Rescue of her Survivors by Jennifer Niven, the account of a scientific team stranded in the Arctic ice.
B.
Phoenix: Travels In West Africa: The Classic Account of One Woman's Epic and Eccentric Journey in the 1890's by Mary H. Kingsley.
Today's total: 30
Grand total: 240
Task 5.10 Name That CarI chose the name Tempest for the car as it is a freaky, dangerous and temperamental force of nature just like our last car was!!!
Tempest Rising
Claiming a Goodreads Author Ticket for Nicole Peeler
Points this task:5
Total Points:100
Tasks Completed:9
Books Read:11
Total Goodreads Author:3
Total Big Books Tickets:0
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
A View from the Bridge (other topics)A Scandalous History of the Roman Emperors (other topics)
21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey (other topics)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (other topics)
I Only Say This Because I Love You: How the Way We Talk Can Make or Break Family Relationships Throughout Our Lives (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Wallace Stegner (other topics)Patrick O'Brian (other topics)
Deborah Tannen (other topics)
Jeff Kinney (other topics)
Noel Streatfeild (other topics)
More...
I read Collision Course by K.A. Mitchell. This book is on the Kindle Smut groups currently reading shelf.
Points for this task-10
Total Points- 95
Books Read- 9
Goodreads Authors-5
Total Pages Read- 2790