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)
El wrote: "Ashley FL wrote: "Congratulations!!! If I understand the new rules correctly, I think this means you get to do the 50 point task! Be nice to us :) "Wait, according to the Readerboard, Cheryl TX..."
Yeah, but the new rule is that the participant with the most points but no task in the current challenge gets to do the 50pt task. Since Cheryl has a task already, Emily Kate would get to come up with the 50pt one.
Thanks, Ms. Anderson, I did forget that. So what does Cheryl get? Does she get to come up with a different task for the next challenge?
Anyone (everyone) who finishes gets to design a task in the next Challenge!!
Mod
Wait, according to the Readerboard, ..."
The person who finishes first who does not have a task in the current challenge creates the 50 point task. That person is not determined until the claimed tasks are verified and the readerboard update posted. The only other "prize" right now is selecting a category and/or nominating a book for the group reads for next time, if the person is eligible (did not nominate for this challenge, has not had her nomination previously chosen for the group reads).
Jessica VA5.3 T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G
Ape House by Sara Gruen
20.8 Pirate Talk
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 120
Tasks Completed: 8
Tasks in Progress: 1
Books Read: 9
GoodReads Authors: 4
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(1), 1000+(0)
Pages Read: 735 (3695 total)
15.6 One Hit WondersWuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
I wonder how I've missed reading this gem all these years.
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 295
Tasks Completed: 19
Books Read: 25
GoodReads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (4), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)
5.9 Comfort ReadsMy Reading Life by Pat Conroy
This is a comfort read because I love Conroy's writing. In this memoir-ish book, his writing is superb as usual and his southern charm and wit really shine through, too.
Total Points: 35 (sigh)
5.3 THANKSGIVING-SGA is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
15.4 Fall Equinox-I chose 17 characters.
Neighborhood Watch by Cammie McGovern
Gunn's Golden Rules by Tim Gunn
Points: 20
------------------
Total Points: 180
Completed Tasks: 12
GR Authors Tickets: 4
Big Book Tickets: 1
I completed task 20.2 (Musicals) by reading Les Misérables, the inspiration for the musical of the same title. It was a great read, and at 1400 pgs I claim 3 big book tickets.total points: 40
20.5- OprahI read Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume. This book was published in 1987.
Points for this task-20
Total Points- 320
Books Read- 26
Goodreads Authors-9
Total Pages Read- 8523
10.5 THE FIRST ESTATEPriestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey by Ellen Evert Hopman
**GOODREAD AUTHOR**
10.8 WHAT A WAY TO MAKE A LIVING
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
who is a food critic
15.2 RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
I added Santa Olivia to the list
25.1 AND THE STORY CONTINUES
A. Fever Dream by Douglas Preston
which is 10th in the Agent Pendergrast series
B. The Burning Wire by Jeffery Deaver
which is the 9th in the Lincoln Rhymes series
25.3 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
A. Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
This book was 239 pages
B. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
This was a dark book, although it did have some funny and heartening parts in it.
30.3 SHIPWRECKED
A. The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica 9 by Maxim Jakubowski
576 PAGES **BIG BOOK TICKET**
B. The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven
512 PAGES ** BIG BOOK TICKET**
POINTS: 115
TASKS: 6
BOOKS: 9
PAGES: 3558
GR AUTHORS: 1
BIG BOOKS: 2
TOTAL POINTS: 335
TOTAL TASKS: 23
TOTAL BOOKS: 30
TOTAL PAGES: 11571
GR AUTHORS: 8
BIG BOOKS(500): 5
10.4 Leaving Civilization Behind-Read a novel that takes place largely in a nature setting. The Mountain Between Us
Book takes place mostly in the High Uintas Mountains.
Total tasks completed: 2
Total pages read: 945
Total points: 25
20.2 Music Tells the Story: For this one, I chose the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" as well as Madame Butterfly for the musical portion. I can't wait to read more about the Japanese culture. 20.6 Seeing Yourself in a Title: My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientists Personal Journey (My name is "Karen" and all of the letters are in the title)
20.7 Immigration: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
30.1 PJReads: It's In The Cards - my cards are 3 of Hearts and Jack of Hearts
A. 3 of Hearts: odd # & published after 1/1/2000: The Wind Comes Sweeping by Marcia Preston published in April. 2009.
B. Jack of Hearts: published after 1/1/2000 and written by a man: "Brangelina" by Ian Halperin - published in Dec. 2009.
30.8 Fall Back Into Reading:
A. 2000 List: (September) Pagan Babies by Leonard Elmore
B. 2009 List:
Total Challenges Completed: 4
Challenges in Progress: 1
Total Books Read: 6
Total Pages Read: 1916
Total Points: 90
Amy W5.4 I'M GLAD MY MOTHER DIDN'T NAME ME
Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris
I'm glad my mother didn't name me Charlaine!
15.9 COIN COLLECTOR
I flipped two Do It! (heads)
Child of Mine: Feeding With Love and Good Sense by Ellyn Satter (535 pages) - Big Book
Total Points This Post: 20
Total Points in Challenge: 65
GR Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 500+(2); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
Amy W5.10 NAME THAT CAR
Star Island by Carl Hiaasen
My friend called her car Star because the license plate started with STR.
Total Points This Post: 5
Total Points in Challenge: 70
GR Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 500+(2); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
Jayme(the ghost reader)I finished task 20.7 The Melting Pot by reading "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
Tasks Completed 5/53
Books Read 6
Goodread Authors: Rachel Simmons
Big Books 500+ 1
Grand Total: 50/980
10.5 THE FIRST ESTATE – Pelagia And The White Bulldog : The First Sister Pelagia Mystery by Boris Akunin Pelagia is a Russian Orthodox nun. Her patron, the Bishop, is also an important character.
Total Points: 45
Total Tasks: 4
Total Books: 4
Total Pages: 1,012
Kristina UK30.5 – Life Lessons
A. Rolled 2: Commonly mispelled words - heaven
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
B. Rolled 6: Read nonfiction book about something you are not familar - geology
The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology
Points this task: 30
Total Points: 320
Total Tasks: 14
Total Books: 18
Total Pages: 6697
GR Authors: Margaret Atwood, Chris Cleave, Rebecca Skloot
Big Books: 500 (0), 750 (1), 1000(0)
Michelle WI 30.7 Good Spirits
(A) Read a book published before you were born
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - originally published in 1959
(B) Read a book with someone smiling on the cover
by Rebecca Skloot****Rebecca Skloot is a Goodreads author****
Points This Task 30
Total Points 190
Tasks Completed 11
Books Read 11
Total Big Book Tickets 0
Total Goodreads Authors 4
10.9 Under the CoversRebecca by Daphne du Maurier
This book is #1 on the list "Creepy Houses That Must Be Explored"
Total points: 140
Kate.x.5.10 Name that car. I read "Sugar and Spice" by Lauren Conrad.
I think this Sugar would be a great name for a car and then you could call it spice when you were made at it.
Total points = 135
Danielle71910.10 GROUP HUG- Read a book that is on any OTHER Goodreads Group’s “Currently Reading” shelf when you select the book. You do not need to be a member of the other group. Required: Please tell us the name of the group.
I read Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks
it's on the currently reading shelf of the International Librarian League as of today
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...
Total Points: 30
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3
Books by Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)
15.1 - New HorizonsI read Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.
The shelf I chose from which is WAY outside my comfort zone was "Religion".
The book was a little slow throughout, but picked up and got pretty intense towards the end. Although I will probably generally still shy away from books shelved as "Religion" I will definately read at least the next book in this series... The author(s) did a great job of leaving me on the edge of my seat... I just have to know what happens next! I give this book 4 stars!
My total - 60 Points
15.5 - Literature Map (type in the name of a favorite author and get names of similar authors)I entered Dan Brown and selected James Rollins
Map of Bones by James Rollins
The story tried very hard to be as compelling as the Da Vinci Code, but I felt it fell short.
Task Points: 15
Total Points: 20
20.1 Stephanie Anne’s Task (Most Improved Player) - Bookmarks Magazine Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler
This was rated ★★★ in the March/April 2010 issue
25.2 - Leigh Ann's task - AS HER DEBUT...
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (debut novel 2001)
AND
Bones of Contention by Jeanne Matthews (debut novel 2010)
Total Points = 800 Points
Janice CA20.9 Babies.....
Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir by Neely Tucker
4 stars
This intense memoir chronicles Neely's and his wife's struggle to adopt a baby in Zimbabwe. He is a foreign war correspondent. The infant girl was left under an acacia tree to die, the day she was born. Although, much of the story is brutal, due to the backdrop of war, terrorism, AIDS, infant mortality, and political corruption, it is mostly the story of determination,love, and fate. I think anyone would relate to the frustration and anxiety this couple felt while navigating through the dream killing bureaucracy, while their daughter awaited a permanent home.
+20
total: 110
tasks: 7
Books: 8
GR Authors: 1
30.1 - It's in the Cards7 Hearts - A book published in a year ending in an odd number since Jan 1, 2000:
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood First published 2009
*A Big Book* - 516 pages - by a *Goodreads Author*
Queen of Spades - A classic novel written by a woman:
The Parasites by Daphne du Maurier First published 1949.
Total points to date 260
5.4 - I'M GLAD MY MOTHER DIDN'T NAME ME... Operation Sheba by Misty Evans Nothing against the author but I really wouldn't want to be named Misty. But I'll still claim the GoodReads Author ticket for her!
10.10 GROUP HUG
Such A Pretty Face by Cathy LambCathy Lamb - This was one of the September books for Novel Ladies group. I can see why it was recommended. A fantastic book.
Claiming a GoodReads Author ticket for Cathy Lamb as well.
So that's a total of 15 more points this time bringing my totals to:
Total Points: 70
Tasks Completed: 7
Pages read: 2979
Books Read: 1
GoodReads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
10.2 WE NEED A DRINK - read a book with a drink in the title - Seven Up by Janet Evanovich.Total Points: 220/890
Tasks Completed: 18
Tasks in Progress: 8
Books Read: 26
GoodReads Authors: 1 (Laila Lalami)
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(1), 1000+(0)
[image error]
5.10 - Name that car. Since my van has had electronic issues almost since day 1, I often call it trouble.Nothing but Trouble by Susan May Warren
**Susan May Warren is a Goodreads author**
Points this task: 5
Total Points: 300
Tasks Completed: 20
Books Read: 26
GoodReads Authors: 4
Big Books: 500+ (4), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)
ElizabethNC5.5 (baseball) Blockade Billy by Stephen King
10.4 (takes place outside) Endangered Species by Nevada Barr
10.6 (pink cover)
by Christopher Moore. (This is actually the third book I've read during this challenge that has a pink cover. For some reason when I'm at the library without my list, that task sticks in my head and I forget that I've already completed it. Maybe now that I've posted one of them for this task, I can finally let it go.)That gives me:
Points: 70
Books Read: 6
Challenges Completed: 6
Pages Read: 2014
5.9 – Comfort ReadBlue Moon by Alyson Noel Goodreads Author
This is a comfort read for me because it's book 2 of a great series, because I'm going to see Alyson Noel at the Washington Library Media Association Conference next week, and because it counts for Reading With Style, too!
Points: 5
Goodreads Author: 1
Grand Total: 180
wendymai think this one was skipped by accident
wendyma
30.4 - Cheryl TX's task: MYSTERIES AND ANIMALS
A. Read a mystery where an animal plays a main part in the story i.e. as a detective sidekick/pet or appears in the book description as having caused the mystery- stolen animals, the apparent cause of a death, etc.
The Cat Who Tailed a Thief by Braun (Cat KOKO has ability to solve crimes)
B. Read a mystery with an animal besides a dog or cat in the title.
Ex. The Lions of the North, Border Prey, Blue Wolf in Green Fire: A Woods Cop Mystery, The Anteater of Death: A Zoo Mystery,Death by Dressage, The Boreal Owl Murder: A Bob White Birder Murder Mystery,
The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly
30 points
270 total
plus the new one
20.5 Liz Vegas’s Task (Bigger is Better) - OPRAH'S ON!
The Oprah Winfrey show first aired on September 8, 1986 during the 1986-87 season. The 25th and final season of The Oprah Winfrey Show will be the 2010-2011 season, beginning September 13, 2010.
To celebrate this long running show, read ONE BOOK that was published in 1986 or 1987. Requirement: state publication year when posting.
The Black Unicorn by Brooks (1987)
20 points
290 total
Another update: 10.3 - EMANCIPATION - The Wind Done Gone: A Novel
15.10 - Second Chances - A. City of Dreams - this could also count for 10.7 City Lights
B. Clockwork Angel - GR AUTHOR
25.1 - Series 9/10/11 - McKettricks of Texas: Tate - Number 11
Blonde Faith - 11
30.2 - INs and Outs - Storm Glass Maria Snyder - GR AUTHOR and The Cold Room - JT Ellison - GR AUTHOR
Total Points: 235
Tasks Complete: 17
Books Read: 23
Pages Read: 8496
Tasks In Progress: 6
GOODREADS AUTHOR 5
BIG BOOK (500) 2
BIG BOOK (750) 0
BIG BOOK (1000) 0
Mod
10.3 Freedom
The Long Song by Andrea Levy
15.1 New Horizons
I chose the Mathematics shelf- I haven't picked up a book on math since college (and thought I never would again)
Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife
I was surprised by how readable this book was. I wouldn't rush to this shelf again, but now it is not something I would avoid.
20.2 Music Tells the Story
My favorite musical is Guys and Dolls
The Bloodhounds of Broadway and Other Stories by Damon Runyon
There's no GR description, but here's one from Novelist:
"Stories from the twenties and thirties tell of gamblers, showgirls, small-time hustlers, and gangsters in New York City."
The show was based on Runyon's short stories.
20.3 Feminist Lit
Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
30.6 Exploration and High Adventure
A. Explorer/survival: Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth by James M. Tabor
B. Travel: Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman
Total 420
Jennifer D.Task 15.6 ~ One Hit Wonders ~ Up from the Blue: A Novel by Susan Henderson
This is her first novel, though she is an accomplished poet.
Susan Henderson is a GoodReads author, so I would like to claim one ticket. Thanks!
Task Points: 15
Total Points: 135
Completed Tasks: 8
Completed Books: 11
Pages Read: 4087
GR Authors: 3 ~ Susan Henderson, Chris Cleave, Kathleen Winter
Big Books: 500+ (1 - Freedom) 750+ (0) 1000+ (0)
Last Post 1052
5.8 - Freedom to Read
Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson (GR Author) - Speak is currently being challenges in several states due to "soft core pornography" (I'm assuming scenes talking about her being raped)
15.1 - NEW HORIZONS
The Tao of Pooh (Philosophy/Spirituality) - I wouldn't normally pick a book that has been shelves as Philosophy or Spirituality (this book was on both of those shelves), but it was an interesting read. Talking about the elements of Tao through stories of Winnie the Pooh. I might consider reading from this shelf in the future, but would still be selective.
15.9 - COIN COLLECTOR!
I rolled a heads and a tail, so I read:
The Archer - Abigail Roux (GR Author)(Big Book Ticket - 500+, page count is 576)
20.4 Mrs. Soule’s Task (Author! Author!) - The Plot Line Thickens -
The Housekeeper and the Professor - my of my recent favorite movies is 50 First Dates with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, especially the retroactive amnesia portion of it (I just took a class on this for my PhD), so the book I picked was similar, in that the main character, the Professor, had suffered a car accident and his memory reset every 80 minutes.
25.4 - Lisa MD's Task: Stay Tuned For Your Regularly Scheduled Program (I rolled a 2 and a 5)
A (black and white) -
- Larissa Ione (GR Author)B (more than 3 colors) -
- Laura Kinsale (GR Author)(Big Book Ticket - 500+ pages - 560 pages30.8 - BETH NC's task: FALL BACK INTO READING
A The Darkest Whisper - Sept 15, 2009, bk 39
B High Tide - Oct 15, 2000, book 55
Total Points This Post: 110
Total Points in Challenge: 510
Books Read: 40
Tasks Completed: 32
GR Authors: 18
Big Book Tickets: 500+(3); 750+(1); 1000+(0)
Previous Tasks Completed:
5.1; 5.5; 5.9
10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; 10.6; 10.7; 10.8; 10.10
15.5; 15.5; 15.8; 15.10
20.1; 20.3; 20.6; 20.8; 20.9
25.1; 25.2; 25.3
30.1; 30.5
Task completed:10.10 GROUP HUG- Mini – Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella (Group - Red Dress Ink)
Total points: 55
I finished task 10.9 today! I really loved Blankets by Craig Thompson. There were some parts of the book I wasn't sure why he put it in there but overall I loved the book! I also get one ticket here because it's over 500 pages. The list I picked this from was 9 of the Best Books About Love... that Your Book Club Probably Hasn't Read. Although I don't really know if it was flashlight worthy because I am unsure of the meaning. I think it should not been on this certain list because it's really not meant for children but more for young adults or 16+.So that makes:
Points for these tasks: 10
Total points: 60
Tasks completed: 4
Tickets: 2 (Goodreads author and Bigger Is Better)
Finished:5.3 THANKSGIVING:
The Defiant Agents by Andre Norton.
15.10 Second Chances:
A. The Desperate Game by Jayne Castle, which will also fit task 20.5.
B. The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman
20.1 Bookmarks Magazine:
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. It was from Issue 46 May/June 2010. (I really enjoyed this book)
30.1 It's In the Cards:
A. 6 of spades: a book published in an even year before 1960
The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer, first published in 1934
B. Ace of Hearts: First in a series published since 2000
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik published 2006.
Today's total: 70
Grand total: 485
15.4 Fall EquinoxCrank and Glass
Both had 5 characters in the title, and I reread these so I could read...
15.9 Coin Collector
Fallout (662 pages) and Scott Pilgrim vs The Universe (178 pages)
I got two "To Hell With It" flips, so I had to read more than 700 pages. I had to wait for Fallout to be released to post this SP book, and then I had to wait for Crank and Glass to come in at the library before I could read Fallout, since I couldn't remember all the stuff that happened in those. I think Fallout was the best of the trilogy, though all of them were great.
25.4 Stay Tuned For...
Playing for Keeps (rolled 6: musical main character or high school setting) and The Absolute Value of -1 (rolled 5: number in title)
Playing for Keeps was definitely a product of its times (the early 90's), and was therefore a fun read in a sort of kitchy way. The main characters are all part of one of two high school bands in California. The Absolute Value of -1 is conceptually cool: three different protagonists tell their version of the same events, meaning the reader has to piece the truth together from each different account. Plus, the true title (as given on the cover) is just awesome: |-1|
30.6 Exploration and High Adventure
The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride and Amazing Traveler Isabella Bird: The Biography of a Victorian Adventurer
Books about the Donner Party were approved in the task help thread for Part A, and the Isabella Bird book was approved for Part B. Both were pretty interesting, and I had a hard time tearing myself away from the Donner Party Bride book today to, y'know, teach. Like I was supposed to. *shifty eyes*
Total: 85 + 445 (from earlier) = 530 points
10.10 Group HugI read "Veronika Decides to Die" by Paulo Coelho. This is the group read for the group "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die"
Total Points: 140
Total Tasks: 8
Total Pages: 5292
Total Books Read: 15
Total GoodReads Authors: 4
Elizabeth NC10.1 (short stories) New Sudden Fiction: Short-Short Stories from America and Beyond A collection of very short stories (under 2500 words I think). Some were good, but most were just so-so. They were all very short though which made for good reading in short bits of time.
That gives me
Points: 80
Books Read: 7
Challenges Completed: 7
Pages Read: 2334
Lindsey IL10.6 - In the Pink
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
30.7 - Good Spirits
A. Cassie Binegar by Patricia MacLachlan (published 1980, 3 years before I was born)
B. The Raw Food Revolution Diet by Cherie Soria et al.
You can't see her face too well in the bitty image, but I can definitely see her smiling on the cover of the physical book I own.
Points This Post: 40
Total Points: 155
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 10
Pages Read: 1817
10.5-The First EstateI read When Bruce Met Cyn by Lori Foster. Bruce is a Preacher with his own Church and congregation in N.C.
*Lori Foster is a Goodreads Author*
Points for this task-10
Total Points- 330
Books Read- 27
Goodreads Authors-10
Total Pages Read- 8955
30.4 - Mysteries and AnimalsA. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
B. Wolf to the Slaughter: Passion can be lethal by Ruth Rendell
Total points to date 290
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...
Wait, according to the Readerboard, Cheryl TX has already finished with 840 points as of the last update (through post 1150). So Emily Kate and Emily ID were second and third.
Right?