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WINTER CHALLENGE 2010-2011: ASIA
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Winter Challenge 2010-2011 Completed Tasks (do not delete any posts)
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Brenna
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Dec 18, 2010 09:08PM

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Read a book set in one of the countries listed. I read Anna Karenina, which is set in Russia. I loved this book and gave it 5 stars.
AND
Read a book with a certain word listed in its title. I read Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story, which has Christmas in its subtitle and subtitles are permitted in this part of the task. I thought that this book was awful, giving it 1 star.
Total Points: 55 + 30 = 85
Anna Karenina is also over 750 pages so I get Big Book credit for this one.

For Book A, I read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Goodreads Author).
For Book B, I read The Secret Life Of CeeCee Wilkes (a Big Book at 528 pages) by Diane Chamberlain (Goodreads Author).
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 75
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

Gentle Warrior by Julie Garwood
Julie/January
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5.6 - it's all in the numbers
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Has more than 25,000 ratings.
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10.4 - auld lang syne
The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith (Goodreads author)
He was born in Zimbabwe but now lives in Scotland.
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15.10 - keep it simple
First Impressions AND Blithe Images by Nora Roberts
I'm celebrating 'No Brainer Day' early.
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20.1 - groundhog day
Animal Farm by George Orwell
I first read this in the fall of 1993 as a high school freshman and I remember thinking it was "stupid and boring." I rated it 2-stars based on the memory but have been meaning to reread it for ages after having read and loved 1984 as an adult.
New rating: 3-stars. Better the second time around buuuut...I guess I don't care for the animal fable in this context.
----
Points Claiming: 55
Total Points: 95

20.4 Game On - I rolled a (5), short stories:
Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher 418 pages 12/17/2010
30.4 By the Numbers - my birth year(even) and my phone number adds up to (6):
Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis and
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kwamkwamba and Bryan Mealer 626 pages total read 12/5/2010 and 12/15/2010.
The subtitle is optional and I do not want to use the words in the subtitle.
William Kwamkwamba is a Goodreads author
This post: 50 points
Total to Date = 265 points.
Points - 265/975
Books - 20/70+
Pages - 7385
Goodreads Authors:7
Big Books:500+ - (1), 750+ - (0),1000+ - (0)

Books read: 1
Challenges accomplished: 1
Points : 20

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
[1st book in the Flavia de Luce series]
Tasks: 2
Points: 25

A) Kommandant's Girl: AND The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff. Set in Poland
B) A Christmas Promise: A Novel by Anne Perry
Previous Points: 25


For 5: Margaret Atwood was born in 1939. I read Christmas Holiday, which was published in 1939.
For 6: Joyce Carol Oates was a new-to-me author that was placed close to M. Atwood in the Literature Map. I read The Falls.
New total: 75


#4: read Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America by Barbara Ehrenreich (matches the first name Barbara.)
#6: read Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. She came up on the literature map for Kingsolver. I really liked Bel Canto! I've never read Patchett before, I may have to check out more.
Books Read: 8 / 74+
Points Completed: 110/975
Tasks Completed: 5


30.5 Clearing TBR shelf a. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and b. Thirteen Reasons Why
30 pts + 50 previous = 80 total points

Task 30.5 Old 10 New 11
20th Century Ghosts
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You: A Novel
New point total: 45

15.6 Begins with Q, Alex
Wait Until Midnight by Amanda Quick
Total Points: 15
Total Tasks Completed: 1

I read Identical by Ellen Hopkins which is 565 pages This is not part of a series and is about real life issues that the main characters(teenage girls) are having. Boy are they issues..yikes
I also read The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting which is 336 pages. This part of a series about the paranormal abilities of a teenager girl who can find people who have been killed.
Both of these books are by goodreads authors.
And Identical is a big book.
Total points this task 30
Total Points: 75
Tasks Done 3
Goodreads authors 3
Big Books: 500 2

The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum - takes part primarily in Hong Kong and mainland China.
646 pages = 1 big book ticket, please
Points this task: 10
Total Points: 35
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 4
GoodReads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+ (3), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

5.10 -- About the Author
Read a book about an author or about writing: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.
Total Points: 280/975
Tasks Completed: 20/56
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 22
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Rebecca Wells)
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
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Task 30.9 (Happy 80th Birthday!)
I listened to Death on the Nile, which was originally published in 1937. I also read Three Seconds, which my Mom would have thoroughly enjoyed. She loved a good mystery/thriller.
New total: 105


5.6 - It's All in the Numbers
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Total Points: 15
Total Books: 2
Total Tasks: 2

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Total Points: 120
Tasks Completed: 10
Books Read: 11
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


5.6-"It's All In the Numbers"
For this task, I read Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet In Heaven"
Total Points: 45
Points for this task: 5

Task 10.7 - My Favorite Things
I read Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, who is a Goodreads author. The book was number 34 on the Teen Fiction list.
Points this task: 10
Total points: 55
Tasks completed: 6
Books read: 6
Pages read: 1960
Goodreads authors: 4
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Task 10.8 - Promise Her Anything, But Give Her...
I read The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler, which has a flower atop one of its many cupcakes.

Points this task: 10
Total points: 65
Tasks completed: 7
Books read: 7
Pages read: 2202
Goodreads authors: 4
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray Genre: Teen
Total Points: 130
Tasks Completed: 11
Books Read: 12
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

15.9 - Warm Up
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Points for this task: 15
Total points: 95
Goodreads Authors: 2
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Points for this task: 15
Total points: 95
Goodreads Authors: 2
20.6 Seasoned Reader: Beth F's task- The Twenty-tens
I read Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1953, the year I was born.
Despite the title, this is the second of her humorous family books. It's hard to believe that this is the same woman who wrote books like The Haunting of Hill House.
Total points: 185
I read Raising Demons by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1953, the year I was born.
Despite the title, this is the second of her humorous family books. It's hard to believe that this is the same woman who wrote books like The Haunting of Hill House.
Total points: 185

5.4 It’s cold outside
The Winter of Our Discontent
5.7 Happy New Year

Big Book 688 pages
10.3 Slainte! To your Health!
My Plevic Flaw by Mary O'Dwyer
Total points 95

Read a book that has a lot (over 25,000) of Goodreads ratings.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
This Post: 5
Total Points: 75
Tasks Completed: 8
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
Dlmrose
10.4 Auld Lang Syne
Dying Light by Stuart MacBride set in Aberdeen
This book was very good- so good that it has caused nightmares for the past 4 nights...I'm off serial killers and torture until this passes
10.5 Chinese Dragon Dance
The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey
Thoroughly enjoyable fantasy
10.9 Serial Killer
To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn
The latest (#3) Chet and Bernie mystery. The first book was the strongest, but Chet is still so much fun
15.7 The Book Was Better Than the Movie
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham -#95 on better book list
Christmas with the Kranks was on TV yesterday and the book was better.
Total 145
10.4 Auld Lang Syne
Dying Light by Stuart MacBride set in Aberdeen
This book was very good- so good that it has caused nightmares for the past 4 nights...I'm off serial killers and torture until this passes
10.5 Chinese Dragon Dance
The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey
Thoroughly enjoyable fantasy
10.9 Serial Killer
To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn
The latest (#3) Chet and Bernie mystery. The first book was the strongest, but Chet is still so much fun
15.7 The Book Was Better Than the Movie
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham -#95 on better book list
Christmas with the Kranks was on TV yesterday and the book was better.
Total 145


I posted in the discussion thread (message #9). Really liked this one!
Points: 20
------------------
Total Points: 40
Completed Tasks: 3


Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown ***Goodreads Author***
My pet peeve is having to breathe second hand smoke. I've worked as a respiratory therapist for the past 36 years so that might have something to do with it. I try not to be militant about it but it isn't easy.
20.6 Seasoned Reader: Beth F's task- The Twenty-tens
I Still Have It, I Just Can't Remember Where I Put It by Rita Rudner
Also in the title of this book is "Confessions of a Fiftysomething" Since I am in my 50's I chose this very funny book.
Total Points = 510 Points
New Goodreads Author = Sandra Brown


A) I love the holiday season so I read a sad story; and it did make me cry on the subway no less.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Total Points = 20 points

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
This book was first published in 1972 which was the year I was born.
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 120
Total Tasks Completed: 6
Total Books Read: 7
Total GoodReads Authors: 3
Total Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is a GoodReads Author
541 pages Claming a Big Books Ticket
This gives me a total of 5 points.

Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown ***Goodreads Author***
My pet peeve is having to breathe second hand smoke. I've worked as a r..."
I totally agree with you Sheila!!! I work in the lab for a large group of MD's. We have a large oncology department and it amazes me that these people come in reeking of smoke. Hello you are already going through chemo for cancer. If you are not going to quit smoking why go through all the pain and suffering of chemo etc.

3. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
5. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Total Points: 160
Tasks Completed: 12
Books Read: 14
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


15.8 - A Festivus for the Rest of Us
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain
(My pet peeve: people who talk with food in their mouth!!)
Task Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 6
Total Points Earned: 85
Total Books Read: 6
Pages Read: 1655
GoodReads Authors:
Big Book Tickets: 500+(1), 750+(), 1000+()

Wake (Dream Catcher, #1) by Lisa McMann (GOODREADS AUTHOR)
This is the first in the Dream Catcher series which is new to me. (And was a good read if a little farfetched at times).
30.2 - Alphabetically speaking
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (L - M)
and
The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant (H - G)
Total Points: 70

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
Maus I was popular in 1986.
Task points: 5
Tasks completed: 1
Total points earned: 5
Books read: 1
Pages read: 159
GoodReads Authors:
Big Book Tickets: 500+(), 750+(), 1000+()


The cover of this book is actually very red. I won this as a Goodreads giveaway, and it was a powerful read!
15.6 Begins with Q, Alex
The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson
15.8 A Festivus for the rest of us!
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda *Goodreads author*
A pet peeve of mine is family members keeping secrets from each other
Points for this post: 35
Total points: 35
Goodreads authors: 1

A. A positive memory I have from this year is our family trip to Washington D.C. We hadn't been there in several years and my kids are finally old enough to really enjoy the museums and they asked us to fit in as many as we could in 2 1/2 days. We had a ball, and each child had a favorite museum that we spent several hours in, and lots of great memories. I read First Kids: The True Stories of All the Presidents' Children by Noah McCullough. This is a fantastic book about the children of every President, cool, unusual facts about their lives. The cover of the book and the fact that it was about kids in the White House reminded me of our great trip.
B. A new author for me this year is Shelly Laurenston. I read Go Fetch! and loved it. So funny and sexy.
Previous Points- 165 (thx for the help Sandy!)
Points for this task- 25
Total Points- 190
Goodreads Authors- 4

Task 5.1 - Short & Sweet
Revenge of the Mooncake Vixen by Marilyn Chin
Total to Date = 20 points.

It's All in the Numbers
I read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson. This book currently has 35,091 Goodreads ratings!
Tasks Complete: 3
Total Points: 15

Fox's Earth by Anne Rivers Siddons
Published 1981
Task 25.1 Old Chestnuts - Both from YA
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Laurie Halse Anderson AND Sarah Dessen are GoodReads Authors
Total points these tasks: 30
Total Points to date: 145
Total GR Authors these tasks: 2
Total BB tickets these tasks: 0
Total GR Authors to date: 3
Total BB tickets to date: 500+(0),750+(0),1000+(0)
Total pages read to date: 4337

25.2 Thank You Moderators
Animal Farm by George Orwell
AND
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
*** Sandy read both these books in 2010***
Total Points- 100
Total Tasks- 7
Goodreads Authors- 1
Big Books- 0

Task points: 5
Total challenge points: 35
5.8 The Hunger Games
Task points: 5
Total challenge points: 40
10.1 Catching Fire (from Pollyanna's shelf)
Task points: 10
Total challenge points: 50
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