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WINTER CHALLENGE 2010-2011: ASIA
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Winter Challenge 2010-2011 Completed Tasks (do not delete any posts)

Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown ***Goodreads Author***
My pet peeve is having to breathe second hand smoke. I've worked as a r..."
I'm an RRT too!

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson is a GR author
500+ pages - big book ticket
Points this post: 10
Total points: 75
GR Authors: 3
Big Book: 500+(3), 700+(0), 1000+(0)

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The Outsiders has 59,000 ratings.
20.4 Game On!
Fences by August Wilson
Fences used sports metaphors (mostly baseball) throughout the whole play. The main character, Troy, uses baseball to show the discrimination of blacks in the South during the 50s. The son uses football in the 60s to show how times are changing.
Points: 5 + 20= 25
Total Points: 85
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 5
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

30.7 Forever Young
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - dystopian, 472
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - romance, 434
Toatl pages 906
Task points 30
Total points 90
Total tasks 3
Total books 6

I read Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett. My pet peeve is men hitting on me/catcalling me in the street.
20.8 Inauguration Day
Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander
keyword: "white"
Points This Post: 35
Total Points: 165
Tasks Completed: 10
Total Books: 13
Pages Read: 3,711
GoodReads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


Read Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Laurie Halse Anderson is a Goodreads Author.
This post: 5 points + 1 GR author
Total to Date = 50 points.
Books Read: 5
GR Authors: 3

30.5 The Old '10/The New '11
Old:The Land of Laughs and New: Blood Harvest
The Land of Laughs was actually the oldest book on my list and I have enjoyed many Carroll books in the past...very creepy! I have never read anything by SJ Bolton but enjoyed the book a great deal! It was creepy too...lol.
Points: 30
Total Points: 70
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

Task 5.9 (no "L") The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Task 10.9 (Serial Killer) Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts is the latest (and last) in the Bride Quartet series.
Total: 15 points

5.8 Here's to a New Beginning
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett - 1st book of the Discworld series
10.9 Serial Killer
Hungry for You by Lynsay Sands - Most recent in the Argeneau series
10.7 My Favorite Things
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell in the Non-Fiction:Society Genre
http://www.bookpage.com/resultsbygenr...
20.5 Bigger is Better
The Help by Kathryn Stockett, who is a Goodreads Author.
20.8 It's My Birthday
Losing Confidence: Power, Politics and the Crisis in Canadian Democracy by Elizabeth May
Points this post: 65
Total Points: 65
Big Book tickets: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
Goodread authors: Kathryn Stockett
Tasks Complete: 4
Books read: 4

Task 20.6 20-10s
Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big, or Why Pie is Not the Answer by Jen Lancaster
She was in her late 30s when this was written- she mentions it several times in the book. I am 33
Task 25.3 Reflections on 2010
Book #1: Disney at Dawn by Ridley Pearson
In 2010, I took a great family vacation to Walt Disney World. The book is set in WDW.
Book #2: Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
Julia Quinn is a GR author.
New total: 120
GR Authors: 2

Task 15.7 The Book Was Better than the Movie...or not
Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
This book is on both lists. I actually walked out of the movie because I thought it was so boring, but I was pretty young at the time, so I might like the movie better now. The book was okay, but the language was pretty purple and overwrought.
Grand total: 75

Full Dark, No Stars - 368 pages
Cookie: Death Star Cookie
15.6 - Begins with Q, Alex
The Finkler Question - 320 pages
20.7 - Christmas Fuzzies, or not
Berlin: City of Stones, Book One - 212 pages
I love this time of year, and this graphic novel about Berlin in the 20s made me sad.
Points: 45
Total Points: 95
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 9
Pages: 2200
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

Divine Misdemeanors by Laurell K. Hamilton
This was a 3* book the first time I read it. I'm tempted to make it 4*. I'll think on it.
Total Points To Date: 170

Het Gulden Vlies van Thule by Thea Beckman
This is the third and last book of the "toekomsttriologie"
Points: 10
Total points: 45
Tasks completed: 3
Books Read: 3
Pages: 1113
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books 500(1), 750(0), 1000(0)

The Conch Bearer by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni takes place in India.
Goodreads Author
20.2 Rookie at the Top: Stacey's task- Winter Flowers Day
Peony in Love by Lisa See
Total Points = 545 Points
New Goodreads Author = Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

a) book written in the 1930s - Murder At Hazelmoor by Agatha Christie originally published in 1931
b) book mom would enjoy - I got Life's Too Short to Fold Your Underwear by Patricia Lorenz off my mom's bookshelf
Points this task: 30
Total Points: 65
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 6
GoodReads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+ (3), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

15.10 No Brainer - any book you want
Rescue
Total points to date: 15
GR Author: 0
Big Book tickets: 0 (500+ books= 0) (750+ = 0) (1000+ = 0)
total books read: 1
total tasks completed: 1

25.1 CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE -
a. Covet by J.R. Ward
b. Night of the Vampires by Heather Graham
Both books are Paranormal Romance
30.1 THE OLD 10/THE NEW 11 -
a. Odd Hours by Dean Koontz
This is an old author and was from my oldest TBR list
b. Memory and Desire by Lisa Appignanesi
This is a new author from my newest TBR list
***Big Book 500+ ***
Points: 75
Tasks: 3
Books: 5
Pages: 2245
Big Books: 1
Total Points: 215
Total Tasks: 11
Total Books: 14
Total Pages: 5745
GR Authors: 3
Big Books 500+: 3

15.9 Warm Up....
(Author resides in Texas, which is also the setting for the story.)
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
5 stars
This was lovely read and much more sophisticated than I had anticipated. I'm going to begin reading it with the middle school girls I tutor.
+15
total: 30
books: 2
tasks: 2

Amanda's Wedding: A Novel by Jenny Colgan
10.5 Chinese Dragon Dance
The Dragon King's Palace by Laura Joh Rowland
Points: 20
Total points: 45
Books: 5
Tasks completed: 5

A. 2. Gunpowder Green Tea- I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (shelved 472 times as mystery). Chrisopher also loved to garden so it could also fall under the "You are my sunshine flowering tea".
B. I read Tease Me, Please Me by Kate Davies.
Previous Points- 190
Points for this task- 25
Total Points- 215
Goodreads Authors- 4

10.2 Orient Express
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Points: 10
Total Points: 10
Tasks Completed: 1
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

Read a book from Books by Genre at Bookpage.com. I used the genre "Biography & Memoirs."
Shakespeare's Wife by Germaine Greer
This Post: 10
Total Points: 85
Tasks Completed: 9
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Best Beginning- Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Best Ending- Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Total Points: 175
Tasks Completed: 13
Books Read: 16
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


What I Cannot Change by LeAnn Rimes
5.2 Singles Awareness Day
Candor by Pam Bachorz*
Pam Bachorz is a Goodreads author
15.10 Keep it Simple
Anita Blake #11: Cerulean Sins* by Laurell K. Hamilton
* Big book 500 (560 pages)
20.3 Frosty the Snowman
Anita Blake #12: Incubus Dreams* by Laurell K. Hamilton
There are a lot of were animals in this book specifically leopards and wolfs that play a major part in the story.
*Big book 750 (752 pages)
30.7 Forever Young
A) Hold Still by Nina LaCour*
Genre (issue oriented, about suicide), YA because main character is 16, stand alone, 304 pages
Nina LaCour is a goodreads author
B) Vampire Academy #6: Last Sacrifice* by Richelle Mead
Genre (paranormal or fantasy, about vampires), YA because main character is 18, series, 594 pages
*Big book 500 (594 pages)
Total Points: 75

10.4 Auld Lang Syne: January 25th, 1759 was the birth date of Robert Burns, the author of "Auld Lang Syne" and widely regarded as the National Poet of Scotland. Read a book written by a Scottish author or that is set in Scotland. Here's a resource for Scottish authors (or authors that Scotland has claimed as their own by birth or residence): Authors from Scotland
Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning read 12-18
Completed Tasks- 7
Books Read- 7
Points- 75
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)


5.6 It's All in the Numbers
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson - It has 56,361 ratings.
It is also 503 pages long, so it's a 500+ book.
20.7 Shorter is Sweeter: Christmas Fuzzies... or Not
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. - Since in the last 10 years, I've never been able to fly home for Christmas, I'm in the dreading camp - I miss my family and mailing Xmas gifts is a pain in the ass, so I read a book that made me laugh.
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 85
Big Book tickets: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
Goodread authors: Kathryn Stockett
Tasks Complete: 6
Books read: 6

5.7 Happy New Year
Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich Wicked Appetite
10.1 Birthday Wishes
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
I believe that I picked this off of pjreads list.
15.1 Time After Time
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Future
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda CheeverFahrenheit 451 The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
15.3 From A - Z
Alt Ed by Catherine Atkins
Small Crimes by Dave Zeltsermann
Alt Ed Small Crimes
20.2 Stacey's Task Winter Flowers Day
The Wild Orchid Society by Laurie Moore
The Wild Orchid Society
25.2 Emily IN's Task - Thank You Moderators
I picked Dlmrose's List
Drink the Tea: A Mystery by Thomas Kaufman
The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb
Drink the Tea: A Mystery
The Anteater of Death
25.5 Valorie's Task - SRC Tea Ceremony
Part A You Are My Sunshine Flowering Tea:
The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking With Herbs Edited by KAtherine K. Schlosser
The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking With Herbs
Part B
The Story of Tea - A Cultural History and Drinking Guide by Mary Lou Heiss Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide
This posting +115 points
Grand Total 525


5.9 -- Noel, Noel
I read Piercing by Ryū Murakami
15.7. The Book is Always Better Than the Movie...or Is It?
I read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which was on the The Book Was Better Than the Movie list.
15.9 - Warm up
I read Firefly Rain which was set in North Carolina
30.1 -- Sheila's Task -- The B & W Task
Part A. Black Coffee (Hercule Poirot Mysteries
Part B. THE WITCH'S CRADLE by Gillian White
Total Points: 110

25.3 -- Christine US's task - REFLECTIONS on 2010
Read 2 books:
Book A: Think of a positive experience/memory you have from 2010. Find a book that relates to that memory -
From my child's favorite series (I am so glad I can count the books I read to my kids!): The Curse of Camp Cold Lake by R.L. Stine. I got to spend the summer working as a camp nurse at a boy's camp. It was a great experience. The water at the lake was really cold, too, so I couldn't resist the title of this book).
Book B: Read another book by an author you read for the first time in 2010 (including December) - E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton.
Total Points: 310/975
Tasks Completed: 22/56
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 26
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Rebecca Wells)
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
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Captivate by Carrie Jones
Goodreads Author
+5 Points
+1 Goodreads Author
Task 20.1 Groundhog’s Day!
Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco 623 Pages = Big Book Ticket
I liked this book lots more this time. I'm glad I gave it another chance!
+20 Points
+1 Big Books Ticket
20.7 Christmas Fuzzies…or Not
I love the holidays so I read:
Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood by Jame Richards
Sad story, but not without hope!
+20 Points
30.4 — Donna Jo’s Task — By the Numbers
A. 1953 Letter S:
Death with Interruptions by José Saramago
B. I got a 3 and read:
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
+30 Points
Points This Post: 30 + 20 + 20 + 5 = 75
1 Goodreads Author
1 Big Book
Grand Total: 130

A. Read a novel of historical fiction
Heidegger's Glasses, by Thaisa Frank
Thaisa Frank is a GoodReads author.
B. Read a novel set in the future.
Super Sad True Love Story, by Gary Shteyngart
This Post: 15
Total Points: 100
Tasks Completed: 10
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

30.1 - The B&W Task
Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
New Points = 30
TOTAL POINTS = 80

10.5 Chinese Dragon Dance
Dragon Wing by: Margaret Weis.
Points this task: 10
Completed Tasks: 4
Total Points: 60
Books Read: 5
Big Ticket Books: 500+ (0) 750+ (1) 1000+ (0)

I rolled a 2 and a 6.
2. I read Carol of the Bellskis by Astrid Amara - This is a sexy romance, probably categorized as erotica, but it's really just a bit spicy- I loved it.
*Astrid Amara is a Goodreads author*
6. I read Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern - this is a 5* re-read for me. Loved it the first time, and this time listened to it on audiobook and it was just as good if not better.
Previous Points- 215
Points for this task- 30
Total Points- 245
Goodreads Authors- 5

Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey, ed.
Several of the stories dealt with characters who had be changed to part people, part rats. And of course, most of the stories had Companions--enhanced beings who look like white horses.
15.9 Warm Up
All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg memoir of author's mother, set mostly in Alabama.
20.5 Bigger Is Better and Larger than Life
Isabella of Castile: The First Renaissance Queen by Nancy Rubin Stuart
This is the Isabella of Columbus fame, the mother in law of Henry VIII of England. She was a much more active queen than anyone expected here to be. She refused to just hand over the reins to her husband and male advisors.
I dedicate the reading of this book to my mother, a woman whose grandchildren refer to as "My Grandmother the Force of Nature".
20.7 Christmas Fuzzies
Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett--a happy book with a blue cover. I'm in the happy camp

Today's total 65
Grand total: 295

Chronicle of a Death Foretold first published in 1981
Books Read: 10 / 74+
Points Completed: 115/975
Tasks Completed: 6



10.4 Auld Lang Syne: Read a book written by a Scottish author or that is set in Scotland.
I read:
The Lost World (1912) by Arthur Conan Doyle (Paperback, 272 pages)
Arthur Conan Doyle was born and educated in Edinburgh, Scotland.
15 + 10 = 25

Tasks Completed: 3
Points for this task: 10
Points thus far: 15 + 10 = 25
Books read: 3
Pages Read: 841
Read but not claimed: 4

A. Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks (set in Manitoba, Canada)
B. Searching for David's Heart: A Christmas Story by Cherie Bennett (key word: Christmas)
Total Points: 85
Tasks Completed: 9


Points: 10
Total points: 55
Tasks completed: 4
Books Read: 4
Pages: 1385
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books 500(1), 750(0), 1000(0)

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
The story takes place in Beaufort, North Carolina.
Total points: 130

Devil Bones
The setting is North Carolina.
25.1 - CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE
2 books in favorite genre
Design for Murder
Murder Can Ruin Your Looks
The genre is cozy mysteries.
Points this post - 40
Total points - 140

10.9 Serial Killer
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games #3) - 4 stars
Points this Task: 10
Total Points: 75

Finished 20.4 - Game On!
I rolled a 2 and had to read a fantasy or science fiction book: The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
Total Points: 80

Task 15.10 Keep it Simple-- Read a book just for the sheer pleasure of reading it.
The book I picked is Carnivorous Nights: On the Trail of the Tasmanian Tiger by Margaret Mittelbach and Michael Crewdson
Fun Austrailian Travel adventure. Nice for a cold winter read.
Points this task 15
Total Points 25
Big Books
Goodreads Authors 1
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5.7 -- Happy New Year!
Read a book with a predominately red cover -
Total Points: 285/975
Tasks Completed: 21/56
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 23
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Rebecca Wells)
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
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