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SPRING CHALLENGE 2011: AUSTRALIA
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Spring Challenge 2011 Completed Tasks (DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS)

15.4 It’s a Repeat
The Courage to Stand Alone: Letters from Prison and Other Writings by Jingsheng Wei 320 pages
Here I Stand by Paul Robeson 168 pages
Repeated word -- Stand
25.4 Science Fiction/Fantasy Masters
The Languages of Pao by Jack Vance (DKA winner, 1997) 159 pages
Lost Boy, Lost Girl by Peter Straub (WFA winner 2010) 304 pages
Claiming one GoodReads Author for Peter Straub
Task Points: 40
Total Points: 605/910
Tasks Completed: 37
Books Read: 50
Pages Read: 14,120
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+ (4)

I read

Points for this task- 15
Total Points- 415
Goodreads Authors- 3
Tasks Completed- 27

15.8 From a Different Perspective
Read Dracula by Bram Stoker
This book is told from the perspective of the journals of four different character and various telegraphs and newpaper articles.
Total points: 165
Goodreads Authors: 2
5.2 Circle of Friends
I read The Art of Racing in the Rain, listed on the "popular books" for my friends.
5.10 Kia Ora
I read The Painter of Battles: A Novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. Written in Spanish and translated into English, my native language.
15.1 -- The Land Down Under
I read Aunt Dimity Down Under
20.3. Best Review Contest. Katy's Task: Happy International Women's Day!
I read When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson, published in 2009. Kate Atkinson lives in Scotland, I live in the U.S.
Total points: 585
I read The Art of Racing in the Rain, listed on the "popular books" for my friends.
5.10 Kia Ora
I read The Painter of Battles: A Novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. Written in Spanish and translated into English, my native language.
15.1 -- The Land Down Under
I read Aunt Dimity Down Under
20.3. Best Review Contest. Katy's Task: Happy International Women's Day!
I read When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson, published in 2009. Kate Atkinson lives in Scotland, I live in the U.S.
Total points: 585

I read The Department of Lost & Found by Allison Winn Scotch(A Good Reads Author). On the cover was a blurb by Johanna Edwards, and I read her book The Next Big Thing.
Total Points to date: 305
Total Tasks Completed: 19
Total Books Read: 26
Total GoodReads Authors: 11
Total Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0

25.3. Mrs. Soule's Task: A Better World.
Book A. Read a fiction title where a main character works in one of the mentioned areas - Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen (environmental activist).
Book B. Read a non-fiction title about one of these areas - Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance by Atul Gawande (Doctor).
***Sick Puppy is a BIG BOOK with over 500 pages***
Total: 400

Completed task #15.3 - Earth Day, option a, reduce, and option c, recycle:
(A) Reduce - Slightly Tempted/Mary Balogh
(C) Recycle, library book - D is for Deadbeat/Sue Grafton
This post: 15 points
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Total challenge points as of 05/03/11 = 290

15.2 Blurb It I read A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole, which has a blurb by Sherrilyn Kenyon. And I also read Sherrilyn Kenyon's book Sins of the Night
Total Points: 165
Total Points This Post: 15
GRA: 2
Total Books Read: 17
Tasks Completed: 13

I read the first 3 books in the vampire acadeny series
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
Richelle Mead is a goodreads author...3 times yeah baby!
Total points this post- 50
Total points - 375
Tasks completed - 22
Pages read - 11437
Books read - 31
Goodreads authors - 10
Big books - 500+(4), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

I read The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor. It was nominated in 2002.
Total Points to date: 320
Total Tasks Completed: 20
Total Books Read: 27
Total GoodReads Authors: 11
Total Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0

The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers
Books read: 9
Challenges completed: 7
Points : 155

15.6 The Truth Is…
I first cam across Theodora in The Bearkeeper's Daughter. Since then I have met versions of her in An Oblique Approach and Sailing to Sarantium. I wondered just how much these views of her were based on fact.
Theodora: Empress of Byzantium
30.2 Sheila’s Guilty Pleasures
Startide Rising by David Brin (David Cook)
The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith (Emmitt Smith)
30.4 Like I need an Excuse
When I am not ignoring the housework to read, I am ignoring the housework to knit.
Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter and The Help
Total points 615

Take a break and read any book you choose.
Galore by Michael Crummey
This Post: 15
Total Points: 445
Tasks Completed: 33/54
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

A Discovery of Witches* by Deborah Harkness**
This book was listed as being popular among my friends.
**Deborah Harkness is a Goodreads Author.
*This book has 579 pages in it. I am claiming a Big Book Ticket.
5.8 - Blow Your Stack
Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill**
This book has been on my TBR since before 2/19/11.
**Chloe Neill is a Goodreads Author.
15.3 - Earth Day
Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh**
This book was borrowed from the library using their OverDrive System.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This book was the oldest book on my TBR list.
Total Points to Date: 745

My words: Pudding, Parlour, Ridge, Scorpion, Evening
I read The Plum Pudding Murders- Plum Pudding Murder Bundle with Candy Cane Murder & Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
This Post: 20
New Grand Total: 250

Task 25.6 It's All About Australia...
Option 1: Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos
This book is mentioned as one of the examples in the task description for this option.
Sing Them Home is a big book (560 pages) and Stephanie Kallos is a GR author.
Option 2: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Author's name (R, S) appear in AUSTRALIA.
Rebecca Skloot is a GR author.
Grand total: 255




Points for this Task: 50
Total Points: 85
Completed Tasks: 5.2, 30.6, 50.1
Tasks in Progress: 10.4, 10.6, 15.10, 20.10
Goodreads Authors: 4 (Cassandra Clare, Sara Shepard x3)
Big Books: 500+(1) 750+() 1000+()


Task 10.9 - No Lawyer Jokes!
I read Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts. The main male character, Del, is a lawyer.
Points this task: 10
Total points: 410
Tasks completed: 26
Books read: 33
Pages read: 8784
Goodreads authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

5.4 Fan Club:
I've read L'élégance du hérisson by Muriel Barbery.
The author I chose was Amélie Nothomb, and I used Christina's shelf.
Total Points: 25 + 5 = 30

5.3 - GIMME FIVE - The Beach House
5.6 - WATER, WATER - Slipknot in the noose of the rope there is a fishing boat at sea.
10.8 - EAT YOUR SPINACH - The House on Mango Street
10.9 - NO LAWYER JOKES - Hope Mountain one of the main characters is a lawyer.
10.10 - THE FINAL FRONTIER - Genesis
15.9 - IN LIKE A LION -

50.1 - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT -



James Patterson is a Goodreads author so I am claiming 3 tickets please.
TOTAL POINTS - 500


A Bird in the House by Margaret Laurence
I'm in the UK and Margaret Laurence was Canadian.
This Post: 20
Total Points: 225
Tasks Completed: 15
Books Read: 21
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Elle Amery)
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

I had already read Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody books, so I thought I would try her Vicky Bliss series.
1. Borrower of the Night
2. Street of the Five Moons
3. Silhouette in Scarlet
Today's total: 50
Grand total: 910

I would like to move Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder from 20.6 "Young Adult Series" to 50.1.
50.1 "I Need to Know What Happens Next"
Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study
All book are written by Maria V. Snyder.
Since I already claimed one GR author ticket for Poison Study, I would like to claim 2 extra GR Author tickets for Magic Study and Fire Study.
Task Points: 50-20 (for 20.6)= 30
Tasks Completed: 10
Books Read: 12
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Total Points: 230

Danielle: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins read 4/25/11
KSMary: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins read 5/4/11
Total This Post: 30
Completed Tasks: 40
Total Points to Date: 680
Goodreads Authors: 11
Big Books: 500+ (7), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

Task 5.1 Waltzing Matilda
Fire Dance by Delle Jacobs
Pages - 300
Points - 5
Task 5.2 - Circle of Friends - Sandy
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Pages - 445
Points - 5
Task 5.3 - Gimme Five
Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady by L.A. Meyer
Pages - 488
Points - 5
Task 5.4 - Fan Club
Favorite Author - Karen Marie Moning
Fan Page - Greenabsinthina - Vampire Academy
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Goodreads Author
Pages - 336
Points - 5
Task 5.5 - I'm Tellin'
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren
Pages - 231
Points - 5
Task 5.6 - Water, Water, Everywhere

Big Book
Pages - 518
Points - 5
Task 10.3 - Beware the Ides of March
The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis
Pages - 329
Points - 10
Task 10.8 - Come On, Eat your Spinach
Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Pages - 320
Points - 10
Task 15.4 - It's a Repeat
Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane
Pages - 374
Points - 15
Task 20.5 - Alliterative Authors
Death of a Trophy Wife by Laura Levine
Pages - 304
Points - 20
Task 20.10 - Group Read
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Thread Post - 43
Pages - 440
Points - 20
Task 25.3 - A Better World
Book A - Fiction
The Sculptor by Gregory Funaro
Goodreads Author
Pages - 352
Book B - Non-Fiction
Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon
Big Book
Pages - 631
Points - 25
Task 50.1 - Three Books in Series
In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber by L.A. Meyer
Big Book
Pages - 528
Mississippi Jack: Being an Account of the Further Waterborne Adventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman, Fine Lady, and Lily of the West by L.A. Meyer
Big Book
Pages - 611
My Bonny Light Horseman: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, in Love and War by L.A. Meyer
Pages - 436
Points - 50

COMPLETED TASKS:
5.7 Going Green: This was a library ebook.
audiobook, ebook, library or a friend, swap, or second-hand books
❀Once Upon a Time, There Was You by Elizabeth Berg READ 5.1.11
50.1 MsOPP (Julie)'s Task: "I Need to Know What Happens Next!"
Read 3 books in a series.
❀ #1 Dark Lover by J.R. Ward READ 4.24.11
❀ #2 Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward READ 4.30.11
❀ #3 Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward READ 5.4.11
*********************************************************************

COMPLETED TASKS: 32/54
TOTAL POINTS: 585/910
BOOKS READ: 43/71
GOODREAD AUTHORS: 12
BIG BOOKS: 500 pp. [ ✔ ✔ ] 750 pp. [ ✔ ] 1000 pp. [ ]

5.8 Blow Your Stack
I'd like to switch Angel's Blood to task 20.3 and put
Succubus Dreams in here - it was added to my pile in January 2011 - Richelle Mead (GR Author)
20.3. Best Review Contest. Katy's Task: Happy International Women's Day!
Angels' Blood - Nalini Singh author born in Fiji/raised in NZ - I was born in Australia and live in the US.
- (GR Author) - book moved from 5.8 to this task
25.2. Sandy's Task: Your Bucket List
A. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal – my personal bucket list includes travelling for non-work purposes and there are several places covered in Lamb that I would love to visit - China, Israel and India (to satisfy my history nerdiness)
B. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - (Big Book Ticket - 500+ pages, book is 576 pages)
25.4. Helen's Task: Science-Fiction/Fantasy Masters
A. The Accidental Time-Machine – Joe Haldeman (Won in 2010)
B. Gifts - Ursula K. Le Guin (Won in 1995)
30.4 Dlmrose's Task: Like I Needed an Excuse.......
A. Agility Training for You and Your Dog: From Backyard Fun to High-Performance Training - one of the things I love doing when not doing housework is playing with my dog - his trainer recommended I might look into doing agility training with him, so I picked up this book to read. - Finished - 5/2
B. Love Letters From a Duke - the main character (the Duke) is disguised as a footman during the course of the book (approved in the task help thread) - Finished
Total Points this Post: 100
Total Points in Challenge: 840
Books Read: 67
Tasks Completed: 51
GR Authors: 25
Big Book Tickets: 500+(4); 750+(0); 1000+(0)
Previous Tasks Completed:
5 pointers - DONE
10.1;10.2;10.3;10.4;10.5;10.8;10.9;10.10
15 pointers - DONE
20.1;20.2;20.4;20.5;20.6;20.7;20.8;20.9;20.10
25.2;25.3;25.5;25.6
30.1;30.2;30.3;30.5;30.6;30.7

15.2 Blurb It. Read one book that has a blurb from another author on it.
Book: Across the Universe, Beth Revis
AND
Read a book by the author that provided the blurb.
Book: Paranormalcy, Kiersten White
*** Goodreads Author ***
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 200
Tasks Completed: 11
Books Read: 13
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun read 5/4/11
Total This Post: 10
Completed Tasks: 41
Total Points to Date: 690
Goodreads Authors: 11
Big Books: 500+ (7), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

50 I need to know what happens next
Uglies #1
Pretties #2
Specials #3
************
Points this Post: 50
Total points: 345
Total Pages:10,602
GoodReads Authors: 10
Big Books: 500+(2), 750+(1), 1000+(0)

Murder on the Flying Scotsman
Damsel in Distress
Dead in the Water
Daisy Dalrymple #4, #5, #6, by Carola Dunn
Total points to date 480


15.5 Award Me! Anthills of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe --- shortlisted for the Man Booker in 1987 288 pages
20.5 Alliterative Authors --
Reborn: Journals and Notebooks, 1947-1963 by Susan Sontag 304 pages
Task Points: 35
Total Points: 640/910
Tasks Completed: 39
Books Read: 52
Pages Read: 14,712
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+ (4)

My Goal Points for this Season: 225
Points earned for this task: 15
Points Achieved to date: 195
Updated last on: 5.5
Total # of books read: 17
Total # of pages read: 5,911
Total # of tasks completed: 14
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 4
Total # of Big Books: 500+ (1)
Task 15.2 Blurb it....(read one book that has a blurb from another author on it and then read a book by the author that provided the blurb):
I read the new book

I then read


Read a fiction or non-fiction book about law or featuring a lawyer.
Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion, and the Battle for America's Soul by Edward Humes
This fascinating book deals with a court case in Dover, Pennsylvania, over teaching intelligent design in high school biology.
This Post: 10
Total Points: 455
Tasks Completed: 34/54
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

My Goal Points for this Season: 225
Points earned for this task: 30
Points Achieved to date: 225
Updated last on: 5.5
Total # of books read: 19
Total # of pages read: 6,595
Total # of tasks completed: 15
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 5
Total # of Big Books: 500+ (1)
Task 30.6 Myth-behaving Greeks...(go to dice roller and roll the dice once. read 2 books in the category for the dice numbers you rolled)
I rolled a 6 and a 2.
For my Book A (#6: Demeter: read a book where a main character is a rancher..) I read

A Creed In Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller 384 pages (4.29)
For my Book B (#2: Sappho: read a romance...) I read


My Goal Points for this Season: 225
Points earned for this task: 25
Points Achieved to date: 250
Updated last on: 5.5
Total # of books read: 21
Total # of pages read: 7,177
Total # of tasks completed: 16
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 6
Total # of Big Books: 500+ (1)
Task 25.1 Coralie's in my Backyard:...(choose 2 of the features that Coralie can find outside her back door and read one book for each)
For a needle and thread(read a book featuring sewing of some sort) I read

For a television screen (read a book based on a TV show or one on which a TV show is based) I read


My Goal Points for this Season: 225
Points earned for this task: 20
Points Achieved to date: 270
Updated last on: 5.5
Total # of books read: 22
Total # of pages read: 7,499
Total # of tasks completed: 17
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 6
Total # of Big Books: 500+ (1)
Task 20.9 Lucky Me!...(read a book that has the word murder in the title)
I read


B. Tournament of Books
2010:
Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie
2005:
The Finishing School by Muriel Spark
Total points to date 505



World and Town by Gish Jen
5 Points
15.7 — Lab Lit
When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle
15 Points
30.5. “All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, or a book”
My Birthday is January 16th. I found one book on Matthew’s shelf, Birthday: May 16
The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud
And the other on Delicious Dee’s Shelf, Birthday: March 16
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I'd like to claim a Big Book Ticket, 590 pages
30 Points
Points this Post: 50
1 Big Book Ticket
Grand Total: 520

Task 5.3 Gimme Five: Damaged by Alex Kava (four letter last name)
Task 5.4 Fan Club: Anna, a fan of Chloe Neill, rated Firespell five stars. I liked it, but rated it 3 stars.
**CHLOE NEILL IS A GOODREADS AUTHOR**
Task 5.6 Water, Water, Everywhere: F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton has water in the background:

Task 5.7 Going Green: I borrowed G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton from the library!
Task 5.8 Blow Your Stack: I read Last Sacrifice by Rachelle Mead from my To Read list.
**RACHELLE MEAD IS A GOODREADS AUTHOR**
Task 5.9 Shrimp on the Barbie: I read Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, which is under 200 pages.
Total 30 points

Task 10.1 Sing Out: Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult -- the main character is a music therapist.
Task 10.4 Elementary, My Dear Watson: Dangerous Admissions: Secrets of a Closet Sleuth by Jane O'Connor (murder mystery)
Task 10.5 It Takes Two: Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters has a two word title
Task 10.9 No Lawyer Jokes! The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly is about a lawyer :)
Task 10.10 The Final Frontiers: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell is Science Fiction
This post: 50 points
Total: 80 points

I had already read Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody books, so I thought I would try her Vicky Bliss series.
1. [book:Borrower of the N..."
Congrats, Donna Jo!

I read The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton - great read
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 385
Tasks Completed: 27
Books Read: 36
GoodReads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

Task 15.3 Earth Day
B. Reuse: Task 5.8 in Winter 2010 I planned 'A' is for Alibi by Sue Grafton but didn't read it until this season.
C. Recycle: I borrowed Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs from the library.
Task 15.4 It's a Repeat (B) Two Books with the same word in the title are Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle and Cupid: A Tale of Love and Desire by Julius Lester (both have "Love" in the title)
Task 15.7 Lab Lit: In E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton, one of the main characters is a major character. The story revolves around a family which owns a company that creates machines and the brother-in-law is a scientist.
Task 15.8 From a Different Perspective: In Queen Takes King: A Novel by Gigi Lavigne Granger, the chapters are told from the point of view of different characters
Task 15.9 In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb:

Task 15.10 Spring Break: I read

Points: 90
Total Points: 170


Task 20.3 I read Twenties Girl, written by Sophie Kinsella, who is British (I am American) and was published since 1911. Sophie Kinsella
Task 20.4 Open House was written by Elizabeth Berg (and Elizabeth is Catherine's middle name)
Task 20.5 Alliterative Authors: The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn (approved in the help thread for this task)
Task 20.6 Young Adult Series Feed by Mira Grant is shelved as YA and is 600 pages
**BIG BOOK TICKET, please**
Points: 100
Total Points: 270

three books in a series.
Read Dead Is the New Black
by Marlene Perez
Dead Is a State of Mind
and Dead Is So Last Year all by Marlene Perez a Goodreads author
GRA x 3
Points this task 50
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50.1 I Need to Know What Happens Next!:
Mistral's Kiss Meredith Gentry #5, A Lick of FrostMeredith Gentry #6, and Swallowing Darkness Meredith Gentry #7
Points This Post: 50
Total Points: 310
Goodreads Author Books: 2
Big Books: 500+(2), 750+(1), 1000+(0)