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)

A. I resumed teaching Sunday School after a 5 year hiatus, and was thrilled to remember how much I love teaching kids. To honor that, I read

B. I read Rita Mae Brown for the first time in 2010 for a previous reading challenge. I revisited her with

total points: 245
total books read: 20
tasks completed: 15
pages: 6446
Good reads authors: 3
Big Books (1) 500 (1) 750


15.7- A Walk to Remember being replaced by Dear John
15.10- Dear John being replaced by
Breaking Free by Cherise Sinclair *Cherise Sinclair is a GR Author*
Adding a new one-
15.3- From A...to Z
A. I read A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks (previously from 15.7)
B. I read Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Previous Points- 490
Points for this task- 15
Total Points- 505
Goodreads Authors- 11

5.3 Starts with...Fred and Edie (2000) by Jill Dawson 288pp
Author's first name starts with J, Last name with D (and not that it counts for anything, but book title starts with F). If you like books told with letters and news clippings, this might interest you. It's an historical fiction set in 1922 England.
10.7 My Favorite Things:
Rules of Surrender (2001) by Christina Dodd 437 (large print)
Governess Bride Series #1. I got this from Historical Romance list.
Today's total: 15
Grand total: 770

10.3 Sláinte! To Your Health!: Read a non-fiction book that might inspire you to improve your physical health.
BOOK: The 12 Week Triathlete, 2nd Edition-Revised and Updated: Train for a Triathlon in Just Three Months
Points: 10
Pages: 228
Total Points: 75
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 7

TASK #30.1 -- The B & W Task
Book A - The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy
Book B - White Oleander by Janet Fitch
I had so much fun with this task, I played a little with it. Black & white, both have flowers in the title, both are set in L.A.,... Although very different themes, there are a lot of strange connections between the 2 books, too.. Anyway, loved them both.
This post: 30 points
Total to date: 30 points

10.1 Birthday Wishes
Yours Until Dawn - Teresa Medeiros - from Mrs. Soule's list of 5 star reads
10.4 Auld Lang Syne
Devil of the Highlands - Lynsey Sands -
25.3 -- Christine US's task - REFLECTIONS on 2010
A - Nutcase - one of the high points this year was finishing my masters and starting my phd in psychology - the main character in Nutcase is also a psychologist
B - Succubus on Top - Richelle Mead (GR Author) - i discovered Richelle Mead late last year with her succubus series, but as soon as I finished the first one, I purchased books 2 and 3...and need to get the rest - a different urban fantasy
25.4 -- Beth NC's task - IMBOLC
A - Dreamfever
B - Trial by Fire
30.10 -- Jennifer N's task - In Honor of Asian Authors - Finished - 1/20
AThe Surrendered - Chang-Rae Lee (Korean)
BHotel Iris: A Novel - Yoko Ogawa (Japan)
Total Points This Post: 100
Total Points in Challenge: 800
Books Read: 63
Tasks Completed: 48
GR Authors: 25
Big Book Tickets: 500+(6); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
15.3. From A... to Z
A. I read American Subversive: A Novel and
B. I read City of Veils: A Novel by Zoë Ferraris.
20.5 Bigger is Better: Ashley FL's task as suggested by Stesse- Bigger is Better, and Larger than Life
I read The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters.
Amelia Peabody is certainly an unconventional woman who lives life on her own terms!
Total points: 535
A. I read American Subversive: A Novel and
B. I read City of Veils: A Novel by Zoë Ferraris.
20.5 Bigger is Better: Ashley FL's task as suggested by Stesse- Bigger is Better, and Larger than Life
I read The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters.
Amelia Peabody is certainly an unconventional woman who lives life on her own terms!
Total points: 535

20.3 (human turning into something else) The Wolfman by Nicholas Pekearo. Interesting debut novel, but don't know if I would have continued the series if it continued (the author died)
20.5 (unconentional woman) Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain. One of the main characters is a female serial killer (approved in the help thread)--nto so positive, but very unconventional
25.3
A. (good memory) Freddy Goes to Florida by Walter R. Brooks. This is about a group of animals who go on an adventure by migrating to Florida during the winter. This October (which sometimes feels like winter to me), my family came together in Florida for my cousin's wedding. The drive alone (10 hours with my 5 year old) was plenty adventure for me!
B (second book by an author I discovered) A Nail Through the Heart by Timothy Hallinan This is my second book by him and I will definitely look for more.
That gives me:
Points: 130
Books Read: 10
Challenges Completed: 8
Pages Read: 3442
(glad that I finally broke 100!!)

The Surrendered Single by Laura Doyle
Last name begins with D.
20.5. Bigger is Better, and Larger Than Life
The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
The main three characters were all strong women; Isyllt was an necromancer, something looked down upon and feared by society. Zhirin was a mage apprentice who went against her mother and mentor's wishes to join a rebellion group with the man she loved. Xian left her lover to fight for her clan.
Amanda Downum is a GoodReads Author.
Points: 25
Total Points: 85
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 7
Pages: 2292
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

5.4 IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. *** Maggie Stiefvater is a GOODREADS AUTHOR***
10.8 PROMISE HER ANYTHING, BUT GIVE HER - He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys by Greg Behrendt. There is a heart on the cover

10.9 SERIAL KILLER - Cross Fire by James Patterson. This is the latest book in the Alex Cross Series. ***James Patterson is a GOODREADS AUTHOR***
15.1 TIME AFTER TIME -
A. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray. The book takes place in 1896. *** I would like to claim a BIG BOOK TICKET. This book is 548 pages.
B. Glory in Death by J.D. Robb. This book takes place in 2058.
15.6 BEGINS WITH Q, ALEX - The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory.
15.6 THE BOOK IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE MOVIE...OR IS IT? New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. *** This book has 563 pages. I would like to claim a BIG BOOK TICKET***
15.8 A FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US - Among Thieves by David Hosp. My pet peeve are thieves - especially at work when people just steal things off your desk or food from the refrigerator.
Total Points: 145
Books Read: 12
Pages Read: 4350
Goodreads Authors: 3
Total Challenges Completed: 10
Big Book Tickets: 500 (2)

I rolled a 1 and a 4, so I read a book by one of my favorite authors-- Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut-- and a book recently added to my TBR shelf, Vita Sexualis by Ogai Mori. Both books have the letters A-S-I-A in their titles.
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 220
Total Tasks Completed: 9
Total Books Read: 14
Total Pages Read: 3415
Total GoodReads Authors: 1
Total Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
Bitter and sweet are opposite words.
Jamie Ford is a GR author.
Points this Post: 15
Total Points: 110
Tasks Completed: 6

Sandstorm by James Rollins
The majority of the novel takes place in Oman.
James Rollins is a Goodreads Author.
I'm claiming this book for a Big Book Ticket (608 pages)
Total points: 185

30.7 Forever Young
Read Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick,
Becca Fitzpatrick is a Goodreads Author
Crescendo is YA Book because the protaganist is 16 years old. The genre is paranormal because it is about fallen angels and guardian angels.
This book is part of a series...Hush Hush #2
pages 427
Read That Summer by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen is a Goodreads Author
That Summer is a YA Book because the main character is 15 years old. The genre is coming of age because she is coping with a changing home life; sister moving out, baby sibling on the way...boys and friends, too, of course.
This book is a stand alone
pages 198
Read Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine
A YA book because the main character is 16 years old. Paranormal because she lives in a town of vampires.
This book is part of series The Morganville Vampires #6
pages 241
total pages 866
This task: 30
Tasks completed: 18
Total points earned: 250
Goodread Authors: 5
Big Book: 2/550+

10.3 Slainte! To Your Health
Beat Sugar Addiction Now! by Jacob Teitelbaum
This task: 10
Tasks completed: 19
Total points earned: 260
Goodread authors: 5
Big Book: 2/500+

A. The Little Prince

B. rolled a 5. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary

C. rolled a 1. Winnie-the-Pooh
Books Read: 33/ 77
Points Completed: 460/975
Tasks Completed: 18/56

my point total may be off, i think i may have mixed something up somewhere. please let me know if you have something besides 460! :)

30.7 -- Emily Kate's task -- Forever Young
1. The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau -- series/dystopian (338 pages). The People of Sparks is considered YA and dystopian because it deals with two young teenagers and how they are rebuilding their society in the future after their world was destroyed in a huge war.
2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne -- stand-alone/historical fiction (224 pages). The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is YA and historical fiction because it deals with mature topics like the holocaust and what it means to judge people, and why its important to know what's going in your society and in the world.
3. Flawless by Sara Shepard -- series/mystery/suspense/thriller (330 pages). Flawless is YA is because its protagonists are teenagers and it is a mystery/suspense/thriller because someone is stalking the 4 main characters and then don't know who it is and the stalker has been making scary threats.
Total number of pages = 892
Sara Shepard is a GoodReads Author.
Points This Task: 30
Total Points: 60
Tasks Completed: 4
Tasks in Progress: 7
Books Read: 6
GoodReads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Pages Read: 1882

30.4 By the Numbers
A. I was born in an odd year, so I read a book by an author whose last name starts with "s". I read
Flawless by Sara Shepard.
B. My phone number adds up to 3, so I read a book with a 3-word title. I read Deadly Little Games by Laurie Faria Stolarz.
Sara Shepard is a GoodReads author.
Total Points = 190

25.3 Christine US's task - Reflections on 2010
Book A: The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton
My husband and I vacationed on the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico in August of 2010. We loved it so much that we bought into the time share of the resort and have already booked a vacation to return there this coming August. The book, The Xibalba Murders takes place entirely on the Yucatan peninsula. I even recognized some of the places in the book as places we had visited while we were there.
Book B: Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson
I discovered MaryJanice Davidson for the first time in 2010 when I read her first book in this series. I love this series and I always find myself laughing when I read it.
Total Points: 160
Goodreads authors: 3

Blessingsby Anna Quindlen
Points this Task: 15
Pages this task: 302
Pages to Date:3,736
Points to Date: 150

30.2 alphabetically speaking:
A. Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner
B. The Women by T.C. Boyle
total points: 255
pages: 6746
tasks completed: 16
books read: 21
Goodreads authors: 3
Big Books: (1) 500 (1) 750


I read Canal Dreams by Iain M. Banks. Iain Banks was born in Scotland
20.1 Groundhog Day
I reread Watermelon by Marian Keyes
I gave this book a 3 star rating initially, and I haven't changed my rating - still a 3 star read for me.
Points for these tasks = 30
Total points to date = 135

Part A: I chose Gunpowder Green Tea - true crime, suspense, western or mystery novel.
I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells
I think this book fits under mystery and suspense.
Part B: Read a book that has the word "tea" in the title
Drink the Tea: A Mystery by Thomas Kaufman
Points: 25
Goodreads Author: 1 - Dan Wells
Total Points: 205
Total Books Read: 22
Total Tasks Completed: 16
Total Goodreads Authors: 2
Total Big Books: 1 (500+)

50.1- Melanie's task: Land Among the Stars
LAND AMONG THE STARS
A. Words: Midnight by Dean Koontz (Night)
B. Constellations I rolled a 2. Gemini: Read a book from the Kin list
The Husband by Dean Koontz which is # 223 on the Kin list.
C. Stars I rolled a 2. Sean Connery as... James Bond: Read a mystery/thriller.
Chopin Manuscript by Jeffery Deaver
Total Points = 975 Points

That's the winter challenge for me. A BIG thank you goes out to our moderators - Sandy, Dlmrose and Kristi for a great challenge.

25.4 IMBOLC
A. The Celtic Twilight.
B.

Books Read: 37/ 77
Points Completed: 485/975
Tasks Completed: 19/56



10.6 Cookie Exchange: Read a book with the word "cookie(s)" or any word from a cookie variety in the title.
Death by Chocolate (Savannah Reid Mystery, Book 8) (2003) by G.A. McKevett (Hardcover, 304 pages)
230 + 10 = 240

Tasks Completed: 15
Points for this task: 10
Points thus far: 230+10 = 240
Books read: 20
Pages Read: 6710
Read but not claimed: 3
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books:
(1) 500 +
(0) 750 +
(0) 1000 +

5.4 It's Cold Outside:
A Christmas Blizzard (2009) by Garrison Keillor 180pp
5.5 Blast from the Past:
Noble House (1981) by James Clavell 1206 pp
10.2 Orient Express:
The Street of a Thousand Blossoms(2007) by Gail Tsukiyama 422 pp Set in Japan
Today's total: 40
Grand total: 780

2 new tasks
15.1. Time After Time
A. A novel of historical fiction: Stolen Kisses by Suzanne Enoch takes place in 19th century
AND
B. A novel set in the future: Messenger by Lois Lowry dystopian novel set in future
25.2 - Emily IN's task - Thank You Moderators - read 2 books
50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber - Krista read this on 7.20.10
Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb - Krista read this on 3.14.10
Total Points = 330
Tasks Completed = 21
Total Pages = 8,150
GoodReads Authors = 5

BJ Rose
2 new tasks
15.1. Time After Time
A. A novel of historical fiction: Stolen Kisses by Suzanne Enoch takes place in 19th century
AND
B. A novel set in the future: Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry dystopian novel set in future
25.2 - Emily IN's task - Thank You Moderators - read 2 books
50 Harbor Street by Debbie Macomber - Krista read this on 7.20.10
Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb - Krista read this on 3.14.10
Total Points = 330
Tasks Completed = 21
Total Pages = 8,150
GoodReads Authors = 5

I chose Sugar Cookies
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (goodreads author)
Previous Points- 75
Points for this task- 10
Total Points- 85
Goodreads Authors- 2

15.5 Fiction or NF about Asian WAr - Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War I'm not usually a war book kind of person, but this put a lot of things into perspective for me. I recommend it.
15.7 Which is better, movie or book. I read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - I've been wanting to read this for a long time. Glad I did.
15.9 Book about or from the South. The Widow of the South - this was a re-read for me. I liked it as much the second time around.
45 pts this post + 180 previous = 225 total

5.3 - Starts With
I am removing Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank from this slot and moving it below. No new books here yet.
10.1 Birthday Wishes
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd from LeighAnn's list
15.3 From A...to Z
A. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (moved from above)
B. Miss You Most of All by Elizabeth Bass
20.10 Group read
I read The Giver by Lois Lowry and commented in post # 50.
30.3 HO HO HO
A. Through Black Spruce by Joseph Boyden set in Canada
B. The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror by Christopher Moore has word "Christmas" in subtitle
Points This Post: 75
Total Points: 350
Total Tasks Completed:19
Total Books Read: 24
Total GoodReads Authors: 5
Total Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)
Stacey
10.10 Top Ten
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
(From the "top 10 graphic novels for teenagers" list)
20.1
The Pearl of the Soul of the World by Meredith Ann Pierce
New points: 30
Total points: 360
10.10 Top Ten
Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
(From the "top 10 graphic novels for teenagers" list)
20.1
The Pearl of the Soul of the World by Meredith Ann Pierce
New points: 30
Total points: 360

50.1- Melanie's task: Land Among the Stars
LAND AMONG THE STARS
A. Words: Midnight by Dean Koontz (Night)
B. Constellations I rolled a 2. Gemini: Read a ..."
Congrats Sheila for finishing!

One pet peeve is I hate it when people leave every light in the house on instead of turning them off as they leave the room - what happened to conserving energy?
I read Last Light by Terri Blackstock
and
10.7 My Favorite Things... Read 61 HoursbyLee Child
points these tasks 25

In post #746 I claimed Skyhook for task 15.10 Keep it simple.
I would like to move this book to task 5.2 Singles Awareness day.
For 15.10 I will now claim Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans.
Total points: 190

5.7 - Happy New Year
And Then There Was One by Patricia Gussin

10.3 - Slainte: To Your Health
Clean by Alejandro Junger
15.4 - Opposite Day
Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman
15.10 - Keep it Simple
Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich
20.6 - Seasoned Reader
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Book published in the 1970's
30.7 - Forever Young
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Stand Alone/Coming of age (192)
YA - Karana is 13-17. Coming of age because Karana grows up, learns how to survive, and the importance of relationship.
Edges by Léna Roy
Stand Alone/Issue oriented (176)
Ya - Luke is 16/17 and Ava is 18. Issue oriented because it deals with addiction
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
Series/Fantasy (553)
YA - Jason, Piper, and Leo are 15. Fantasy because they are demi-gods fighting monsters and gods
Points: 95
Total Points: 200

BRENDA MO
30.4 - Donna Jo's Task - By the Numbers
(A) EVEN
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Ranch Wife by Ree Drummond
(B) 3
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
Points: 30
Total Points: 230

Me, Myself, and Why? by MaryJanice Davidson (Cadence Jones #1) - ★ ★ ★
10.6 Cookie Exchange:
Merry Christmas, Baby by Pamela Browning - (Christmas cookies) - ★ ★ ★
20.3 Best Review Contest: chucklesthescot's task- Frosty the Snowman
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh - Human turning into animal - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Goodreads Author: Nalini Singh
20.6 Seasoned Reader: Beth F's task- The Twenty-tens
Crave by J. R. Ward – heroine is in her 30s - ★ ★ ★ ★
480 pgs
20.9 Lucky Me: Nancy's task-Presidents' Day
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison - ★ ★ ★
30.2 - Cheryl TX’s task - Alphabetically Speaking
Book A. Storm of Visions by Christina Dodd (CD) - ★
Book B. Night Moves by Heather Graham (HG) - ★ ★ ★
Points this post: 105
Total so far: 550
Goodreads authors this post: 1
Goodreads authors so far: 11

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison - first in a series/coming of age (272 pgs) about a 14-year old girl and the daily situations she faces throughout her year in school and socially.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - series/fantasy (288 pgs) about a 15-year old girl living in the middle ages who is given a gift/curse by a fairy
The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley - series/mystery (284 pgs) about 2 orphaned sisters, aged 7 and 12, who become detectives solving fairy tale mysteries
Points this post - 30
Total points posted - 445



25.5 -- Valorie's task - SRC Tea Ceremony
For Part A: Please choose a tea flavor listed below and read the corresponding type of book (fiction or non-fiction) listed with it.
4. China Moon Palace Tea: Read a book about a character/person that is part of a royal family or has a castle or palace on the cover.
William and Kate: A Royal Love Story(2010) by Christopher Andersen (Hardcover, 320 pages)
Part B: Read a book that has the word "Tea" in the title
Stealing the Elf-King's Roses (Goodreads Author) (2002) by Diane Duane (Mass Market Paperback, 401 pages)
Diane Duane is a Goodreads Author

Tasks Completed: 16
Points for this task: 25
Points thus far: 240+25 = 265
Books read: 22
Pages Read: 7440
Read but not claimed: 2
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Books:
(1) 500 +
(0) 750 +
(0) 1000 +

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich -- found on Valorie's shelf. Very cute book. I enjoyed it.
15.10 -- Keep it Simple!
Lover Beware by Christine Feehan and others -- I've been looking forward to this book for a while but, as it turns out, I didn't like it very much.
20.2 -- Winter Flowers Day
Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris -- daisies are the flowers
25.1 -- Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
My favorite genre is MYSTERY with a bit of romance thrown it so I read:
Homicide In Hardcover by Kate Carlisle -- fun new-to-me series! I'll be reading more of these.
AND
Seduction in Death by J.D. Robb -- enjoyable as always
Points this post: 70
Total Points: 220/975

Tasks Completed: 13/56
Tasks in Progress: 30.1; 30.3
Books Read: 18
Books from my book shelves: 8

5.2 Singles Awareness Day - one word title
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
This post: 5 points
Total: 120 points

Task 10.9 Serial Killer - Read Last or Latest Book in Series
Ascend by Amanda Hocking
Amanda Hocking is a Goodreads Author.
Third and final book in Trylle Trilogy.
Pages - 301
Points - 10
Task 50.10 Land Among the Stars
Book A - Moon, Star, Night, Sky, Dark in Title
Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy
Pages - 378
Book B - Rolled 5 - Book with Animal on Cover or Important Role in Plot
Don't Die, Dragonfly by Linda Joy Singleton

Linda Joy Singleton is a Goodreads Author
Pages - 288
Book C - Rolled 6 - Book with War Central Role in Plot

Steven Pressfield is a Goodreads Author
Pages - 400
Points - 50
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Melanie's Task Land Among the Stars
A. Stardust on My Pillow by Patsy Clairmont
B. I rolled a 1
The..."
Congratulations Cheryl and hope you recover soon and all goes well :)