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

5.4 It's Cold Outside
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris - 2 stars
Points this Task: 5
Total Points: 65

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff***
This is off the fiction list.
Claiming a Big Book Ticket - Book was 510 pages long
***David Ebershoff is a Goodreads Author
10.9 - Serial Killer
Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine
This is the last book in the series. Loved this series!
Total Points To Date: 145

10.10 - "Top Ten Lists" - Read The Woman in Black: A Ghost Story by Susan Hill. This was from Kate Mosse's Top 10 Ghost stories.
Points for above tasks: 15
Tasks above completed: 2
Total tasks completed: 4/56
Points completed: 50
Books read & claimed: 4
Books by Goodreads authors: 0
Big Books: 0 (500+), 0 (750+), 0 (1000+)


20.2 Stacey's Task - Winter Flowers Day: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe by Charlaine Harris. It is a book of short stories and one of the contributors is a goodreads author - Dana Stabenow. So I will claim a GOODREADS AUTHOR TICKET.
Total Points: 60
Total Tasks Completed: 3
Total Books Read: 3
Total Pages Read: 948
Total GoodReads Authors: 1
Total Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0) & 1000+(0)

Finished 15.7 - The Book is Always Better Than the Movie - Or Is It?
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
It was actually on both lists.
Total Points: 40

5.7 -- Happy New Year!
Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (436 p.)

Kelley Armstrong is GoodReads Author
15.2. Beginnings and Endings
A. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (312 p.)
Neil Gaiman is a GoodReads Author
B. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (352 p.)
15.6. "Begins with Q, Alex"
Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick (340 p.)
20.2 Rookie At The Top: Stacey's task- Winter Flowers Day
Consider Lily: A Novel by Anne Dayton (292 p.)
Flower: Lily
Points this Post: 55
Tasks Completed this Post: 4
Books Read this Post: 5
Pages Read this Post: 1732
GoodReads Authors: 2
Big Books this Post: none
Total Points: 120
Total Tasks Completed: 11
Total Books Read: 12
Total Pages Read: 3953
Total GoodReads Authors: 3
Total Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Frostbite
Claiming a goodreads author ticket for Richelle Mead
Task 30.10 Asian Authors
a)Burned Alive by Souad
Author born in Palestine
b)In the Name of Honour by Mukhtar Mai
Author born in Pakistan
Points these tasks:35
Total Points:145
Total Goodreads Authors:3
Total Big Book Tickets:0


Making a Scene by Trudy Doyle
Main character is an author.
This Post: 5
Total Points: 60
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 6
Goodreads Authors: 1 (James Patterson)
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

I read

Points for this task- 10
Total Points- 90
Total # of books read- 6
Goodreads Authors- 2
Tasks Completed- 5

5.9 - No "L"
This is going to be a long list. These are books that I've read with my son. I had fun going through his library to see which ones had no Ls in the title/author names. I've used the page count from GR, but I'm sure I have more books that fit this category if these aren't enough.
By Byron Barton:
My Car -- 36 pp.
Trucks Board Book -- 16 pp.
Trains Board Book -- 17 pp.
Boats Board Book -- 16 pp.
By Sandra Boynton:
Barnyard Dance! -- 24 pp.
Hippos Go Berserk! -- 16 pp.
The Going-To-Bed Book -- 14 pp.
But Not the Hippopotamus -- 14 pp.
Pajama Time! -- 24 pp.
Doggies -- 14 pp.
Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! -- 24 pp.
Horns to Toes (Boynton Board Books -- 14 pp.
One, Two, Three! -- 14 pp.
By Margaret Wise Brown:
Goodnight Moon -- 34 pp.
The Runaway Bunny -- 34 pp.
Home for a Bunny -- 32 pp.
By Dorothy Kunhardt:
Pat the Bunny -- 20 pp.
Good Night, Bunny (Pat the Bunny -- 12 pp.
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman -- 72 pp.
Fuzzy Bee and Friends by Roger Priddy -- 14 pp.
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss -- 72 pp.
Points: 5
Total points: 50
No big books or GR author tickets yet.

Some are more popular than others and might be read several times in one night. The less popular ones might take us several tries to read through. The Byron Barton books are probably at the top of the favorites list right now with my 19-month old. A few of the Boynton ones I can now perform from memory, which is useful if we find ourselves out waiting in line or driving in the car.
Dlmrose
5.8 Here's to a New Beginning
Magic's Pawn Valdemar: Last Herald-Mage #1 by Mercedes Lackey
Very interesting characters- I'll be reading more of this series and Valdemar
10.2 Orient Express
A Nail Through the Heart: A Novel of Bangkok by Timothy Hallinan
Outstanding book- dark, brutal, funny, touching all at the same time
10.6 Cookie Exchange
Moravian Spice Cookies
The Spice Necklace: A Food-Lover's Caribbean Adventure by Ann Vanderhoof
I spent a miserable 19 degree day cruising in the Caribbean with this book- a perfect get-away with recipes
20.10 Group Read
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
post 4
total 100
5.8 Here's to a New Beginning
Magic's Pawn Valdemar: Last Herald-Mage #1 by Mercedes Lackey
Very interesting characters- I'll be reading more of this series and Valdemar
10.2 Orient Express
A Nail Through the Heart: A Novel of Bangkok by Timothy Hallinan
Outstanding book- dark, brutal, funny, touching all at the same time
10.6 Cookie Exchange
Moravian Spice Cookies
The Spice Necklace: A Food-Lover's Caribbean Adventure by Ann Vanderhoof
I spent a miserable 19 degree day cruising in the Caribbean with this book- a perfect get-away with recipes
20.10 Group Read
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
post 4
total 100

Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke The ever popular sugar cookie
20.9 Lucky Me: Nancy's task-Presidents' Day
The Devil's Bones by Jefferson Bass
Total Points = 375

The Power of Their Ideas: Lessons from America from a Small School in Harlem by Deborah Meier
30.4 -- Donna Jo’s Task -- By the Numbers
Book A. I have an even birth year and I read True Blue by David Baldacci
Book B. The number I got from my phone # was 9 and I read Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It by Maile Meloy
Total Points = 35

5.3 -- Starts With...Read a book by an author who’s first or last name starts with W, D, J, F, or A: Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich.
Total Points: 195/975
Tasks Completed: 14/56
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 16
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Rebecca Wells)
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
[image error]
Joanna wrote: "
Some are more popular than others and might be read several times in one night. The less popular ones might t..."
LOL - I can STILL do Goodnight Moon and Go Dog Go by heart - and my youngest is 21!
Some are more popular than others and might be read several times in one night. The less popular ones might t..."
LOL - I can STILL do Goodnight Moon and Go Dog Go by heart - and my youngest is 21!

15.9 - Warm up read a book set in the south or written by a southern author
I read Southern Discomfort by Margaret Maron which actually fits both categories! It is set in North Carolina and Margaret Maron is from there as well.
Points this task 15
Total Points 70
Task complete 7
Books read 7
Pages read 2389


A. My birth year ends in an even #- I read Hurt Me So Good by Joely Sue Burkhart.
*Joely Sue Burkhart is a goodreads author*
B. My phone # adds up to 1 so I read Switch by Megan Hart.
Points for this task- 30
Total Points- 120
Total # of books read- 8
Goodreads Authors- 3
Tasks Completed- 6

5.7 - Happy New Year
Sima's Undergarments for Women by Ilana Stanger-Ross

10.4 - Auld Lang Syne
The Double Comfort Safari Club by Alexander McCall Smith
***Alexander McCall Smith is a GOODREADS author***
New Points = 5+10=15
TOTAL POINTS = 25

15.7. The Book is Always Better Than the Movie...or Is It? Read a book from The Book Was Better Than the Movie OR a book from The Movie Was Better Than the Book:
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (from The Book Was Better than the Movie). I have yet to see the movie, so I can't offer an opinion.
Total Points: 210/975
Tasks Completed: 15/56
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 16
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Rebecca Wells)
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
[image error]

Raymond Carver: A Writer's Life by Carol Sklenicka
This is a Big Book (500+ pages).
This Post: 5
Total Points: 65
Tasks Completed: 6
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
Points: 15
Total Points: 140
Tasks Completed: 11
Books Read: 13
Pages: 3,653
Goodreads Authors: 8
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

10.9 Serial Killer
This World We Live In
It is the last book in "The Last Survivors" Trilogy.
Points: 10
Total Points: 25

5.7 -- Happy New Year!
Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen

Total Points: 30
Tasks Completed: 5

5.1 Short and Sweet
Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King (128 pages)
5.7 -- Happy New Year!
I read

5.8 -- Here's to a New Beginning
A Shadow in Summer which is the first book of the Long Price Quartet series.
10.7 My Favorite Things
Twisted - from the 'teen fiction' genre
20.4 Author! Author! Tani's task- Game On!
The Blue Girl
I rolled a 2 and so read a fantasy book.
Total Points: 45

I used to do The Going to Bed Book every night for my little one right before we turned out the light. I loved when she started to imitate me while I was saying it.

Task: 20.6 The Twenty-tens
Book: Twenty-One Locks
The main character is 21 and I am 29 so she shares the same decade as me in age.
Total points: 100
Previous Books
5.10 About the Author - The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry
10.10 Top Ten Lists - The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
15.10 Keep it Simple - Dancing Backwards by Salley Vickers
20.7 The Christmas Fuzzies - No and Me by Delphine de Vigan
30.7 Forever Young - Artemis Fowl and the Altantis Complex Eoin Colfer and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Alice in Time by Penelope Bush
[image error]

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer
(published 1935)
AND
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
*Julia Quinn is a Goodreads author*
I picked Georgette Heyer as a fairly obvious choice for the 1930s, and then it seemed to make sense to carry on with the Regency romances. As my mum owns every single Georgette Heyer book, and I read them all when I was a teenager, they doubly worked for this task! I think she'd like Julia Quinn, but it's fascinating how different the two styles are. Georgette Heyer is a lot more descriptive and detailed about the period, and then there's the rather chaste kiss for the 1930s and a lot more than that for the 21st century!
Total points: 75
Big Book tickets: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)
Goodread authors: 2
Books read: 6
Pages read: 2523

I read

Total points: 120"
How was this book Sandy? I have it down for part of a task -new series or 1st in a series or something. Is it worth the read?
Sheila wrote: "Sandy wrote: "5.7 -- Happy New Year!
I read
.
Total points: 120"
How was this book Sandy? I have it down for part of a task -new series or 1st in a ser..."
It was a little too cutesy for my taste. I also got REALLY tired of the "cute" byplay between the main characters, about how he was so fantastic in bed that he would just make her crazy, except that he couldn't sleep with her because one of them would then lose their powers.
And I have enjoyed her other books, although I wouldn't put them on my "favorites" list. It seemed as though this one took the parts of the Plum books that sometimes get a little tedious and focused on them, with a dash of paranormal thrown in to be trendy.
It is a quick read and certainly doesn't require any mental effort, though!
I read

Total points: 120"
How was this book Sandy? I have it down for part of a task -new series or 1st in a ser..."
It was a little too cutesy for my taste. I also got REALLY tired of the "cute" byplay between the main characters, about how he was so fantastic in bed that he would just make her crazy, except that he couldn't sleep with her because one of them would then lose their powers.
And I have enjoyed her other books, although I wouldn't put them on my "favorites" list. It seemed as though this one took the parts of the Plum books that sometimes get a little tedious and focused on them, with a dash of paranormal thrown in to be trendy.
It is a quick read and certainly doesn't require any mental effort, though!
Readerboard Name: Gina NY
Task 10.2 Orient Express--a book set in Asia
Lisa See is a Goodreads Author
Total Points: 60 Points
Total Goodreads Author Points: 2
Task 10.2 Orient Express--a book set in Asia

Lisa See is a Goodreads Author
Total Points: 60 Points
Total Goodreads Author Points: 2

Task: 10-9 Serial Killer
I read: Dexter Is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay. This is the 5th book in the Dexter Morgan series.
45 points.
Stacey
Task 5.3: Starts With....
Through the Hidden Door by Rosemary Wells
New points: 5
Total points: 35
Task 5.3: Starts With....
Through the Hidden Door by Rosemary Wells
New points: 5
Total points: 35

5.1 -- Short and Sweet
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech (only 112 pages!)
Total Points: 35
Tasks Completed: 6

One Foot in the Grave
Claiming Goodreads author ticket for Jeaniene Frost
Task 5.5 Blast from the past
Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley published 1985/86
Task 10.3 To your health
Jade: Fighting to the End by Jade Goody
This book made me go for a long overdue smear test which I'd kept finding excuses to put off. After reading this tragic story I will never put my health at risk like that again. I was lucky. She wasn't.
Points these tasks:20
Total Points:165
Total Goodreads Authors:4
Total Big Book Tickets:0


20.6 Seasoned Reader: Beth F's task- The Twenty-tens
Read a book where a main character shares your same decade in age. The main character is 30-39:
Tell No One by Harlan Coben (339 p.)
Points this Post: 20
Tasks Completed this Post: 1
Books Read this Post: 1
Pages Read this Post: 339
GoodReads Authors: none
Big Books this Post: none
Total Points: 140
Total Tasks Completed: 12
Total Books Read: 13
Total Pages Read: 3953+339
Total GoodReads Authors: 3
Total Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

10.2 - Orient Express
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali (takes place in Yemen)
Task Points: 10
Tasks Completed: 5
Total Points Earned: 70
Total Books Read: 5
Pages Read: 1374
GoodReads Authors:
Big Book Tickets: 500+(1), 750+(), 1000+()

Night by Elie Wiesel
120 pages
30.3 Ho! Ho! Ho!
Book 1: Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Setting is Sweden
Book 2: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Christmas Word is "Good"
Neil Gaiman is a Goodreads Author
Total points this post = 35
Total points to date = 70
Goodreads Authors this post = 1
Big Book Tickets this post = 0
Total Goodreads Authors = 1
Total Big Book Tickets: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Pages Read = 2317

The House of Dead Maidsby Clare B. Dunkle
Selected December 1st
+5 Points
5.2 — Singles Awareness Day
Split by Swati Avasthi Goodreads Author
+5 Points and 1 Goodreads Author
5.7 — Happy New Year!
The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller Goodreads Author

+5 Points and 1 Goodreads Author
20.2 Winter Flowers Day
My Flowers: Roses
Blood Roses by Francesca Lia Block
+20 Points
Total this Post: 5+5+5+20= 35 Points
2 Goodreads Authors
Grand Total: 55 Points

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Points: 20
Total points: 20
Tasks completed: 1
Books Read: 1
Pages: 284
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books 500(0), 750(0), 1000(0)

10.9 (Serial Killer) - I read the last in the Robert Langdon series by Dan Brown The Lost Symbol. It is a big ticket book at 528 pages.
Tasks Completed: 2
Books Read: 3
Pages: 1179 pages
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Tickets: 1 (500+)
Total Points: 40

5.2 Singles Awareness Day
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman **GoodReads Author**
10.4 Auld Lang Syne
Halting State by Charles Stross
30.9 Happy 80th Birthday!
The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien (published 1937)
Small Gods by Terry Pratchett (book my mother would like)
My mother loved humor books and since I have been obsessed with the Discworld series recently, I would make her try one if she were still alive. Small Gods is one of the most stand-alone ones (and one of the best so far!), so it would be a great introduction.
Points This Post: 45
Total Points: 105
Tasks Completed: 6
Total Books: 9
Pages Read: 2,723
GoodReads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


5.7 Happy New year - red cover:

Alexander McCall Smith is a Goodreads author
I also have to point out that this cover is more red in person than in this picture, and I got it approved in the help thread because of it's orangy coral color.
10.7 My Favorite Things - Bookpage reviewed books: Fire by Kristin Cashore, 461 pages read 12/12/2010.
The genre is Fantasy.
The review was titled "Sense of Wonder:Harnessing the Power Within". I did not enjoy this book as much as I thought I would.
10.8 Promise Her Anything - flowers, candy, hearts, jewelry:

It is a little hard to see, but there is a heart formed of steam from the tea cup, also approved on the help thread.
20.10 Group Read: Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, 376 pages, read 12/14/2010
Off to post my comments on the discussion thread.
This post: 45 points
Total to Date = 215 points.
Points - 215/975
Books - 17/70+
Pages - 6341
Goodreads Authors:6
Big Books:500+ - (1), 750+ - (0),1000+ - (0)
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20.3 - Best Review Contest: chucklesthescot's task- Frosty the Snowman
In Christmas films we often see snowmen magically coming to life. For this task, read a book where a magical transformation takes place using any of these scenarios:
~ human turning into animal-ie dog, cat, wolf (werewolf), bird etc. Book examples- Fluke, Bitten.
~ human into other human-ie boy into girl, parent into child etc. Book example: Freaky Friday.
~ human into mythical creature/monster-ie demon, zombie, vampire, or ghost. Book example: Some Girls Bite.
~ human discovers previously unknown powers: god, witch, wizard, or superhero. Book example: The Lightning Thief, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
~ inanimate object comes to life- ie gargoyle, mannequin, statue etc.
Soul of the Fire by Terry Goodkind
In the 5th book of the Sword of Truth series, one of the main characters turns into a raven.
Claiming Big Book Ticket (750+)
Pages: 800
Points: 20
Total Points: 55
Tasks Completed: 4
Books read: 4
Pages Read: 1888
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500[], 750[1], 1000[]