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

30.2 Alphabetically Speaking
(A) Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer - 4 stars
(B) The Secret Life Of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain - 5 stars
********Diane Chamberlain is a GR author**********
*would like to claim a big book ticket for "The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes - 528 pages
Points this Task: 30
Total Points: 120
20.2 Rookie at the Top: Stacey's task- Winter Flowers Day
I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
I've been meaning to read this book ever since I read, and loved, Shanghai Girls. I'm so glad I did!
Total points: 265
I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
I've been meaning to read this book ever since I read, and loved, Shanghai Girls. I'm so glad I did!
Total points: 265

5.8 Here's to a New Beginning: A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison...I will be buying the rest of this series soon!!!
***Tracy Madison is a GR author***
20.2 Winter Flowers Day: The Lady's Slipper by Deborah Swift The Lady's Slipper is a type of orchid.
***Deborah Swift is a GR Author***
20.4 Game's On: I rolled a 5, which is short stories, so I read Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris
25.2 Thank you Mods!: From DLMRose's shelf - Tinkers by Paul Harding and From Sandy's shelf - Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
***Sarah Addison Allen is a GR Author***
Totals:
Points: 205
Tasks: 13
Pages: 4064
Books: 16
GR Authors: 7
Big Books: 0
Dlmrose
10.7 My Favorite Things- Travel genre
A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East by Tiziano Terzani
10.8 Promise Her Anything- flowers on cover
The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace
This was a lovely book, very visual
15.2 Beginnings and Endings
A. Best Beginnings #85
Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
B. Best Endings #91
The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan
KIndness Goes Unpunished was a very strong outing for Walt Longmire: strong crime novel, good sense of place (out of his Wyoming element in Philadelphia), lots of character development, and plenty of emotion. The Crown Conspiracy was very entertaining. It did have a very good ending, and it is the beginning of future adventures. Very likable characters
15.6 Begins with Q, Alex
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
I like Philippa Gregory but thought that this book was a little flat and that there was an element of character change and motivation that was missing.
15.9 Warm Up
Mama Makes Up Her Mind: And Other Dangers of Southern Living by Bailey White
Entertaining essays with vivid characters
total 290
10.7 My Favorite Things- Travel genre
A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East by Tiziano Terzani
10.8 Promise Her Anything- flowers on cover
The Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace

This was a lovely book, very visual
15.2 Beginnings and Endings
A. Best Beginnings #85
Kindness Goes Unpunished by Craig Johnson
B. Best Endings #91
The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan
KIndness Goes Unpunished was a very strong outing for Walt Longmire: strong crime novel, good sense of place (out of his Wyoming element in Philadelphia), lots of character development, and plenty of emotion. The Crown Conspiracy was very entertaining. It did have a very good ending, and it is the beginning of future adventures. Very likable characters
15.6 Begins with Q, Alex
The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
I like Philippa Gregory but thought that this book was a little flat and that there was an element of character change and motivation that was missing.
15.9 Warm Up
Mama Makes Up Her Mind: And Other Dangers of Southern Living by Bailey White
Entertaining essays with vivid characters
total 290

Task # 5.3 Starts with
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Becca Fitzpatrick is a Goodreads Author.
Task #10.9 Serial Killer
Ghost town by Rachel Cain
Task # 30.5 Out with the old in with the New
A. Old--- Wings by Aprilynne Pike
B. New--- The dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Carrie Ryan is a Goodreads Author
Points this post = 45
Total to date = 50
Goodreads Author = 1


Task 5.9 Noel, Noel
Burned by PC and Kristen Cast

Task 15.1 Keep it Simple
Nurk: The Strange, Surprising Adventures of a (Somewhat) Brave Shrew by Ursula Vernon

Points this Post= 20
Total to date= 20
Goodreads Author= 0


30.1: The B & W Task
A) Contains word "Black": My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster
AND
B) Contains word "White": Vision in White by Nora Roberts
Points: 30
Total Points: 135
GR Authors: 3

Rolled 2 4's - Author with same name - Carol Higgins Clark
Read Fleeced and Cursed both by Carol Higgins Clark.
Both books are out of a fairly entertaining series. The main character, Reagan Riley is a PI and solves various mysteries.
Points this task 30
Total 160

15.2 a. Best Beginning Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - took until about page 100 before it all started fitting together - then
WOW
b. Best Ending - Water for Elephants
15 points this task + 110 previous = 125 total

Task 10.6 Cookie Exchange

This was a nice easy cheerful read with a cookie recipe to try with each chapter.
Points for this post 10
Total tasks completed 1
Total points 10
Goodreads Author 0
Big Books Tickets 0

15.4 - Opposite Day
One Bad Apple - Sheila Connolly*
Had a Good Time: Stories from American Postcards - Robert Olen Butler
20.1 - Groundhog Day
Olive Kitteridge - Elizabeth Strout
Still don't like it! I'll stick with my 2 star rating
25.5 - Valorie - SRC Tea Ceremony
Part A: #2 Gunpowder Green Tea - Mystery
The English Breakfast Murder - Laura Childs
Part B: A Tea Shop Mystery Series
The Jasmine Moon Murder - Laura Childs
New Points = 15+20+25 = 60
TOTAL POINTS = 170
*Shiela Connolly = GOODREADS Author

Read a book with the word "cookie(s)" or any word from a cookie variety in the title.
Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross
(Peanut was approved as a cookie variety in the thread.)
This Post: 10
Total Points: 150
Tasks Completed: 15
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+ (3), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

20.2 Rookie at the Top: Stacey's task- Winter Flowers Day. Read a book that has the name of a flower or the word "flower" in the title - Under the Neem Tree by Susan Lowerre. The flower is the neem flower, from the neem tree. Description: "Neem flowers are white in color, they are generally 5mm long and have a peculiar fragrance and produce nectar." They are found in many parts of the world, including Asia and Africa.
Total Points: 450/975
Tasks Completed: 30/56
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 36
Goodreads Authors: 3 (Jennifer Weiner, Jackson Pearce, Rebecca Wells)
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
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I read The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble. The modern time protagonist, Babs Halliwell, is 42. I am 43. (and a half!)
Total points: 135/975
tasks completed: 9/56
Books read: 11
Good reads authors: 2
Big Books 500(1) 750 (1)
total pages: 4153


Task #5.1 -- Short and Sweet
Shopgirl by Steve Martin
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 55
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 5
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney
Stef Penney was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland
Points this task - 10
pages this task - 371
Points to date - 70
Pages to date - 2,064

5.2 -- Singles Awareness Day
For this task I read Instinctive by Cathryn Fox.
5.4 -- It’s Cold Outside
For this task I read Frost Moon by Anthony Francis.
20.3 Best Review Contest: chucklesthescot's task- Frosty the Snowman
I read Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston. In this book the some of the characters turn from human into wolves or lions.
20.7 Shorter is Sweeter: Mrs soule's task- Christmas Fuzzies…or Not
I dread this time of year so I read Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovich. I'm always guaranteed a good laugh when I read her books!
30.8 -- Ms. Anderson's Task -- In the Spirit of the Season
I rolled a 2 and a 5 so I read....
2: Read a book from one of your favorite genres. One of my favorite genres is mystery so I read A Blush With Death by India Ink.
5: Read a book you've been dying to read, but haven't had a place for in the challenge.
For this part I read A Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski.
Total Points This Post: 80
Total Tasks This Post: 5
Goodreads Authors This Post: 0
Grand Total Points: 310/975
Total Books Read: 25
Tasks Completed: 21/56
Total Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Book Tickets This Post: 0
Total Big Books: 2

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (870 pgs) *Big Book 700+ pgs*
While I love the movies, the Harry Potter books are WAY better.
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 170
Total Tasks Completed: 9
Total Books Read: 10
Total GoodReads Authors: 4
Total Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)


10.7 My Favorite Things
Required: Include the genre when you post.
GENRE:
Results by Genre: History: World
At Home: A Short History of Private Life (2010) by Bill Bryson (Hardcover, 497 pages)
85 + 10 = 95

Tasks Completed: 7
Points for this task: 10
Points thus far: 85 + 10 =95
Books read: 9
Pages Read: 2909
Read but not claimed: 3

20.4 I read "The Stupidest Angel" by Christopher Moore, in which due to a small error father christmas comes back to life as a zombie. Great book, very funny.
Total points = 160.

30.4 BY THE NUMBERS
My numbers
odd 1 The Lovers by John Connolly
even 4 In Search of Adam by Caroline Smailes
Task points 30
Total points 120
Total tasks 4
Total books 8
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!

15.7 The Book Is Always Better Than The Movie...Or Is It?
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
#384 of < a href="http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/10... Movie was BETTER than the Book.
25.2 Thank You Moderators
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins &
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Both books were in Kristi's list.
Points: 40
Total Points: 115
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 3088
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

I read Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
5.8 Here's to a New Beginning
I read Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
5.9 Noel Noel
I read New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
10.5 Chinese Dragon Dance
I read Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia.
It has Succubus among other mythical creatures.
10.10 Top Ten Lists
I read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
It was featured on the list "Cathy Cassidy's top 10 Stories about Sisters"
20.2 Winter Flowe Days
I read The Scarlet Pimpernel
55 points total

I have quite a few tasks to post-sorry!
Readerboard Name: Leora
Task 5.2 Singles Awareness Day: Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald
Task 5.3 Starts With....
The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgesdon.
Task 5.7 Happy New Year

Task 20.2 Winter Flowers Day
The White Rose: Munich, 1942-1943 by Inge scholl The flower is a rose.
Task 20.5 Ashley's Task, Bigger is Better.....
Jane EyreJane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I chose to use this book for this task because Jane is so unconventional for her time period. The fact that she didn't keep all of her inheritance to herself and that she was loved Mr. Rochester so much that she saw through his blindness...(no pun intended). I LOVED that story!
Task 30.6 Looking For a Few Good Authors...
My favorite author is Jane Austin and I rolled a 1 and a 2.
1. Transfer of Power By Vince Flynn, both authors have 10 letters in their names.
2. Mr. Darcy's Daughters: A Novel by Elizabeth Aston. Both books take place in England.
Sorry there are so many at once, it got crazy near the holidays and I didn't find the time to post.
Total points: 130

5.5 Blast From the Past - A Secret Rage by Charlaine Harris
Published in 1984.
30.8 In the Spirit of the Season - I rolled a 4 and a 5.
4 - Read a book you've added to your TBR list in the last 6 months. The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements
5 - Read a book you've been dying to read, but haven't had a place for in the challenge. Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket
Total Points: 90
Tasks Completed: 8
Pages Read: 2645
Books Read: 9
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(1), 1000+(0)


Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was by Barry Hughart
I was born in the 80's and my book was originally published in 1985.
Points this task: 20
Total points: 75
Tasks complete: 4

Sotah by Naomi Ragen
Points: 5
15.8 A Festivus for the Rest of Us!
Thank You for Smoking by Christopher Buckley
Pet peeve: People who smoke in enclosed spaces
Points: 15
20.10 Group Read - Post #11
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Points: 20
Total Points: 85
Books Read: 8
Tasks Completed: 8

read 1. Invisible: A Novel by Lorena McCourtney
and 2. Murder, She Wrote: Nashville Noir by Jessica Fletcher
points 25
total points 185

Total Points: 165


Read one book whose title contains opposite words (ex. up and down, over and under, right and left, man and woman, son and daughter, cat and dog, etc.).
Gold Boy, Emerald Girl: Stories by Yiyun Li
This Post: 15
Total Points: 165
Tasks Completed: 16
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+ (3), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
from Sandy's List
Claiming Big Book Ticket - 569 pages
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
from Dlmrose's List
Alexander McCall Smith is a Goodreads Author
This Post: 25
Total Points: 95
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 9
Goodreads Authors: 2 (James Patterson, Alexander McCall Smith)
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Task 5.3 (It starts with...), I read A House of Pomegranates by Oscar Wilde which starts with a W.
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 8
Pages: 2164 pages
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Tickets: 1 (500+)
Total Points: 110


10.3 Slante to Your Health - The South Beach Diet by Dr. Arthur Agostin
10.6 Cookie Exchange - Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson (chocolate cookies)
20.2 Winter Flowers - The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig (GR Author) Flower = carnation
20.5 Bigger is Better -Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum is a female bounty hunter)
Total Points: 65
GR Author: 1 (Lauren Willig)
Yeah! I'm on the Reader's Board now and I've started several of the multi-book challenges. Now to finish them.
KSMary
Stacey
5.9 Noel, Noel
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
10.8 Promise Her Anything, but Give Her...
by Lois Lowry
(I'm not sure if you can see in the little thumbnail, but in the lower right-hand of the book cover the girl is holding a bunch of flowers.)
20.10 Group Read
The Giver by Lois Lowry
(and I posted in the discussion thread)
New points: 35
Total points: 200
5.9 Noel, Noel
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
10.8 Promise Her Anything, but Give Her...

(I'm not sure if you can see in the little thumbnail, but in the lower right-hand of the book cover the girl is holding a bunch of flowers.)
20.10 Group Read
The Giver by Lois Lowry
(and I posted in the discussion thread)
New points: 35
Total points: 200

Hail to the Chef by **Goodreads author** Julie Hyzy
Series was specifically approved in the help thread.
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 110
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 9
GoodReads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (3), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

This is my first post of the Winter Challenge
6 new tasks
5.1 Short and Sweet
Death of a Scriptwriter by M.C. Beaton *214 pp
5.3 Starts with... W,D,J,F,A (AUTHOR'S FIRST OR LAST NAME)
A Duke's Temptation by Jillian Hunter
5.7 Happy New Year... Predominantly red cover... include link
Lady Rogue by Suzanne Enoch -

5.9 Noel, Noel... no 'L' in title or author name
Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton
10.6 Cookie Exchange: my cookie is 'lady finger'
Lady Velvet by Claudette Williams
10.9 Serial Killer - this is the last book in The Bride Quartet
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Total Points = 40
Total Pages = 1,798
GR Authors = 0


Task 20.1 - Groundhog Day
A Night Without Armor : Poems by Jewel Still a one-star read for me.
Task points = 20
Total Challenge points = 105

Snow orhan pamuk is from turkey
Haroun and the Sea of Stories salman rushdie is from india
Books Read: 14 / 74+
Points Completed: 180/975
Tasks Completed: 9


From Beth F.’s list: Hawk O'Toole's Hostage by Sandra Brown - ★ ★ ★
Goodreads author: Sandra Brown
15.6. "Begins with Q, Alex"
Lie by Moonlight by Amanda Quick - ★ ★ ★
20.7 Shorter is Sweeter: Mrs.soule's task- Christmas Fuzzies…or Not
B. Dread the Season: Undead and Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson (an author who always makes me laugh) - ★ ★ ★ ★
20.8 It's My Birthday: Erin MN's task-Inauguration Day
Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Goodreads author: Cheryl Mendelson
25.4 -- Beth NC's task - IMBOLC
A. Sword of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor - ★ ★ ★
B. Red Fire by Deidre Knight - ★ ★ ★
Goodreads author: Deidre Knight
30.6 - Delicious Dee's task - Looking for a Few Good... Authors
I rolled 2 Sixes and used Kresley Cole as favorite author:
A. Uneasy Alliance by Jayne Anne Krentz - ★ ★
B. A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands - ★ ★
30.8 - Ms. Anderson's Task - In the Spirit of the Season
I rolled a 2 & 5:
2: Favorite Genre: Paranormal – From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris – Author’s name has letters for ASIA - ★ ★ ★
5: Book I really wanted to read: Hana-Kimi, Volume 2 by Hisaya Nakajo – Author’s name has letters for ASIA - ★ ★ ★ ★
Points this post: 150
Total so far: 270
Goodreads authors this post: 3
Goodreads authors so far: 7

Lightborn by Alison Sinclair
This book was approved in Message 32 of the help thread.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 170
GR Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+(3), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

3 new tasks
15.6 Begins with 'Q', Alex
The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick
20.2 Stacey's task: Winter Flowers: Name of a flower or the word flower'
A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
Lisa Kleypas is a GoodReads Author
20.3 Chucklesthescot's task: Magical Transformation:
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs *Mercy shapeshifts to coyote*
Total Points = 95
Tasks Completed = 9
Total Pages = 2,735
GR Authors = 1

20.5 Bigger Is Better
Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb
Aunt Lydia is as unconventional as they get!
Total Points = 100

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt from the list "The Book was Better Than the Movie"
Total Points: 105
Tasks Completed: 9
Pages Read: 2784
Books Read: 10
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(1), 1000+(0)


Task 5.4 - It's Cold Outside
I read Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater is a Goodreads Author.
Task 5.8 - Here's to a New Beginning
I read Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher, which is the first book of the Codex Alera series.
The copy I read had 502 pages, so I'm claiming a Big Book ticket.
Task 10.6 - Cookie Exchange
I chose "Hershey Kiss Cookies" and read Kiss Me If You Can by Carly Phillips.
Task 15.10 - Keep It Simple
I read Guys and Dogs by Elaine Fox.
Task 20.7 - Christmas Fuzzies...Or Not
I generally dread this time of year, so I read Charmed, I'm Sure by Liz Ireland. It was a cute story, and had me smiling and laughing at the idea of turning my boss into a puppy!
Task 25.2 - Thank You Moderators
From Kristi's list, I read Storm Front by Jim Butcher.
From Cynthia's list, I read The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel.
Claiming a Big Book ticket for the Valley of Horses - 576 pages
Sorry for such a large post! I've been on vacation and haven't had access to a computer :) Hope everyone had a great holiday!
Points This Post: 80
Total Points to Date: 80
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(2), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

The Time TravelersbyLinda Buckley-Archer
Book One in The Gidion Trilogy
Points this task: 5
Pages this task: 400
Total points to date: 75
Total pages to date: 2,464
Big Books to date: 2 (400+), 0 (500+)

5.2 -- Singles Awareness Day
Noise by Darin Bradley
Darin Bradley is a Goodreads Author.
Points: 5
Total Points: 45
Tasks Completed: 3
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
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Books mentioned in this topic
Death by Darjeeling (other topics)Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (other topics)
Hungry for Happiness (other topics)
Need (other topics)
Eat for Health: Lose Weight, Keep It Off, Look Younger, Live Longer (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Becca Fitzpatrick (other topics)Victoria Forester (other topics)
Jackson Pearce (other topics)
Jessica Verday (other topics)
Kate Constable (other topics)
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The Cross-Country Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini
Total points to date 160