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

The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (GR author)
Total points: 15
Total pts/challenge: 350
GR author: Eleanor Brown

Read a book originally published before 1960.
Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
Little Dorrit is a Big Book (1024 pages).
This Post: 10
Total Points: 865
Tasks Completed: 52/54
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (4), 750+ (1), 1000+ (1)

City of Masks: A Cree Black Thriller by Daniel Hecht.
This post: 15 points
Total: 340 points
Books read: 25
GR Authors: 3
Big Books: 3 (500+)


15.8 -- From a Different Perspective

***Written from about 6 different perspectives every chapter changing***
Points for this Task: 20
Total Points: 160
Completed Tasks: 5.2, 5.8, 10.4, 15.8, 15.10, 30.1, 30.6, 50.1
Tasks in Progress: 5.1, 10.6, 20.10, 30.3
Goodreads Authors: 5 (Cassandra Clare, William Manchee, Sara Shepard x3)
Big Books: 500+(1) 750+() 1000+()


Seven Little Australians
+10 pts for this task
515 pts - Grand Total
and even though it is itty-bitty, I changed my profile picture where I am actually "kuddleing a koala"! Do i get extra points for taking the task literally? LOL

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
15.9 In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

15.10 Spring Break
From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
25.2 Your Bucket List
Reading the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die is on my bucket list, so I read two books from the list:
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Animal Farm by George Orwell
30.6 Myth-Behaving Greeks
I rolled double fours.
Book 1, Hades, A Main Character is Considered Dead: Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
Book 2, Homer, Fantasy or SciFi: A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris
Points this post: 90
Total Points: 280
Challenges Completed: 18
Books Read: 17
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

5.1. Walking Matilda
The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman
***Goodreads Author
House Dance is a Hip-Hop style of dance
5.3. Gimme Five
Looking for Alaska by John Green
5.7. Going Green
Season of Mists by John Green
***Goodreads Author
I borrowed this one from the library
5.9. Shrimp on the Barbie
Dream Country by Neil Gaiman (160 pages)
***Goodreads Author
5.10. Kia Ora
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
Originally written in French
10.1. Sing Out
A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages by Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth is a professional singer
10.2. Say what?
The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and HOW It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johhnson
10.4. Elementary, my dear Watson
The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters
***Big Book: 512 pages
10.5. It Takes Two
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
10.7. Kuddle a Koala
The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks
10.8. Eat Your Spinach
The Particular Sadness of LEMON Cake by Aimee Bender
***Goodreads Author
15.3. Earth Day
B. Reuse - Sex, Drugs, Einstein, and Elves: Sushi, Psychedelics, Parallel Universes, and the Quest for Transcendence by Clifford A. Pickover
(planned to read during the Winter Challenge)
C. Recycle - Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
***Goodreads Author
borrowed from the library
15.6. The Truth Is
Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs by Ken Jennings
Reading An Abundance of Katherines made me want to learn more about trivia buffs and the world of trivia in general.
15.8. From a Different Perspective
Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters
Written from 2 perspectives, the mom and her son. The mom's part is written in 1st person, the son's is written in 3rd person.
15.9. In Like a Lion
Grayson by Lynne Cox

20.1. Lassiez Les Bon Temps Rouler
PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
***Big Book Ticket - 512 pages
20.3. International Women's Day
Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi
Published in 2005, Satrapi was born in Iran
20.4. Royal Wedding
He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters
***Big Book Ticket - 512 pages
20.6. Young Adult Series
Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
#4 in the Gallagher Girls series, 265 pages
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
#1 in the Scarlett series, 353 pages
20.7. Quips and Quotes
Skip Beat!, Vol. 23 by Yoshiki Nakamura
Quote: "A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to BEAT others." - Ayn Rand
20.8. The Night I Was Born (Mini-Series)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
***Big Book - 596 pages
1983 TV Mini-Series
20.10. Group Read
Outlander by Diana Gabalon
***Big Book Tickets - 850 pages
My comment is message #12 in the ground read book thread.
30.5. All the World is a Birthday Cake
My birthday is the 6th.
Amanda B (6th) -
Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
Angela Sunshine (5th - the other girl with a birthday on the 6th had a private profile) -
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
TOTALS:
Points: 315
Tasks completed: 23
Books read: 26

Task: 20.1 - Laissiez Les Bon Temps Rouler!
Book:The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
Total Points: 335
Previous Reads:
5.5 I'm Tellin' - Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
5.6 Water Water Everywhere - Prince of the Mist
5.9 Shrimp on the Barbie - The Humbling by Philip Roth
10.1 Sing Out - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
10.2 Say What? - The Dog who came in from the Cold by Alexander McCall Smith
10.4 Elementary, my dear Watson - Started Early, Took my Dog by Kate Atkinson
15.4 It's a repeat - Cold Comfort Farm and The Double Comfort Safari Club
15.9 In like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb - Even the Dogs
15.10 Spring Break - Blueeyedboy by Joanne Harris
20.2 Random Words - Spies of the Balkans
20.3 Happy International Women's Day - Annabel by Kathleen Winter
20.9 - Lucky Me - Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova
20.10 Group Read - I am Number Four by Pitticus Lore
25.6 It's all about Australia and Oceania - Zeitoun by Dave Eggers and So Much for That by Lionel Shriver
30.1 Literature Map by Gender - For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemmingway and On the Road by Jack Kerouac
30.3 Yours, Mine and Ours - The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O Farrell and The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
30.6 Myth-behaving Greeks - The Red Queen by Phillippa Gregory and Wonders of the Universe by Brian Cox
30.7 Title Connections - Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively and Tiger Hills
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Room, 2011, Emma Donoghue is a Goodreads Author
The News from Paraguay, 2005
50.1 3 Books in a Series
House of Night: Chosen, Untamed, and Hunted.
20.6 YA 400+
Marked, 306 pages
Betrayed, 310 pages
Points this Post: 95
Total Points: 200
Total Tasks Completed: 10
Total Books Read: 16
Total Goodreads Authors: 2
Total Big Books:


15.10 -- Spring Break
Take a break and read any book you choose.
Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage (1989) by Clifford Stoll (Hardcover, 326 pages)


Task 30.7. Diane's Task: Title Connections
Option A. Read two books. The first book must end with the same word or group of words as the beginning of the second book.
Book 1: The Mistress's Daughter (2007) by A.M. Homes (Hardcover, 240 pages)
Book 2: Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1) (1999) by Juliet Marillier (Goodreads Author) (Mass Market Paperback, 554 pages)
Goodreads Author: Juliet Marillier
Big Books Ticket: Daughter of the Forest - 554 pages
475 + 15 + 30 = 520

Tasks Completed: 29
Points for this task: 10
Points thus far: 475 + 15 + 30 = 520
Books read: 40
Pages Read: 12,860
Read but not claimed: 0
Goodreads Authors: 9
#1 Margaret Atwood (#25.2)
#2 Joanna Bourne (#30.5)
#3 Alan Bradley (#15.9)
#4 Terry Brooks (#30.1)
#5 Danielle Evans (#5.3)
#6 Siobhan Fallon (#25.3A)
#7 Juliet Marillier (#30.7)
#8 Michelle Moran (#20.5)
#9 Patrick Rothfuss (#30.1)
Big Books:
(2) 500+
(1) 750 +
(0) 1000 +
Big Books:
500 +
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) (2007) by Patrick Rothfuss (Goodreads Author) (Hardcover, 662 pages) (#30.1)
Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1) (1999) by Juliet Marillier (Goodreads Author) (Mass (Market Paperback, 554 pages) (#30.7)
750+
A Game of Thrones(A Song of Ice and Fire #1) (1996) by George R.R. Martin (Mass Market Paperback, 835 pages) (#30.5)
I might ... might ... have one more post this challenge.
Thanks to the moderators, y'all do a amazing job running this challenge!!!

B. Touch of Evil 5/28/11
Reuse: Reread an old favorite.
C. Single White Vampire 5/17/11
Recycle: Library book
20.4 Author, Author. Tracyj's Task: The Royal Wedding
Wolf Tales I by Kate Douglas 5/17/11
**Goodreads' author**
************************************************
Points this post: 35
Total Points: 565
Tasks Completed: 32 (2 in this post)
Books Read: 44 (3 in this post)
GoodReads Authors: 20 (1 in this post)
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

The Best Short Stories of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe
5.7 Going Green
Son of Eden by Brianna J. Merrill ***GR Author***
-I read the e-book.
30.2 Guilty Pleasures
A: American Idol - David Cook
Outside Wonderland by Lorna Jane Cook
B: DWTS - Drew Lachey
The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson ***GR Author***
Points this post: 40
Total Points: 480
Total GR Authors: 7
Total Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

5.9 Shrimp on the Barbie I read The Front
by Patricia Cornwell. My copy had 180 pages
25.6. Jennifer N's Task: It’s All About Australia and Oceania
1) I read Chill Factor by Rachel Caine
2) I read Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons
30.2. Sheila's Task: Sheila’s Guilty Pleasures
For Dancing I readFly Away Homeby Jennifer Weiner (Jennifer Grey)
Jennifer Weiner is a Good Reads Author
For Idol I read False Witness by Lelia Kelly (Kelly Clarkson)
Total Points 465
Tasks done 36
Books read 41
Goodreads Authors 15
Pages read 14208

Spirit Song: The Introduction of No-Eyes
Points: 5
Total Points: 635
Total Tasks Completed: 31
Total Books Read: 46

Witches' Bane by ***Goodreads author*** Susan Wittig Albert
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 560
Tasks Completed: 36
Books Read: 48
GoodReads Authors: 11
Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (2), 1000+ (0)

Task 10.1 - Sing Out
I read Where She Went by Gayle Forman, which features a member of a rock band and a professional cellist.
Points this task: 10
Total points: 795
Tasks completed: 46
Books read: 61
Pages read: 16231
Goodreads authors: 7
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

5.2 Circle of Friends - Click on the "Friends" tab, and then "Popular Books". This produces a list of the most common books from your 20 most recently active friends' lists. Read a book from that list.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
30.2. Sheila's Task: Sheila’s Guilty Pleasures - For this task you will need to read 2 books whose titles (no series titles please) or authors names match either the first or last names of the winners of these two shows.
For this challenge, you will read two books.
American Idol:
David Cook - Deborah Cooke - Darkfire Kiss
Dancing With the Stars
Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough - Jennifer Estep - Hot Mama GOODREADS AUHTOR
This Post:
Points: 35
Completed Tasks: 2
Good Read Authors: 1
Big Books: 0
FINAL FOR THE SEASON:
Points: 195
GRA: 11
TASKS: 13

Something Rottenby Jasper Fforde Book #4 in Thursday Next Series
First Among Sequelsby Jasper Fforde Book #5 in Thursday Next Series
One of Our Thursdays Is Missingby Jasper Fforde Book #6 in Thursday Next Series
Points this task: 50
Total Points to Date: 260

15.9 -- In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

20.4 Author, Author. Tracyj's Task: The Royal Wedding
William Walker's First Year of Marriage: A Horror Story
Has the word marriage in the title
Points this post: 35
Previous points: 85
Total Points: 120

20.3. Best Review Contest. Katy's Task: Happy International Women's Day!
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters (British) and I’m American.
20.8. It's My Birthday. Jayme VA's Task: The Night I was Born
Queen Emma of the South Seas: A novel by Geoffrey Dutton
The miniseries was of the same name. Apparently, neither book nor miniseries was well liked!(It was tough to get through...)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095093/
Points this Post: 40
Tasks Completed this Post: 2
Books Read this Post: 2
Pages Read this Post: 831
Big Books this Post: 500+(1)
Total Points: 775
Total Tasks Completed: 47
Total Books Read: 61
Total Pages Read: 21904
Total GoodReads Authors: 13
Total Big Books: 500+ (4), 750+ (2), 1000+ (0)

5.2 Circle of Friends
I read Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog.
Cyn Balog is a GoodReads author.
Total points = 405

COMPLETED TASKS:
5.1 Waltzing Matilda:
"Dance" or a word from any form of dance in the title - "ice dancing"
❀The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman READ 5.29.11
5.8 Blow Your Stack:
To Read stack - added before February 19, 2011
❀Green Angel by Alice Hoffman READ 5.29.11
Added Feb 23, 2010 - Another Goodwill find
15.2 Blurb It
A. book that has a blurb from another author on it
❀Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by Michelle Moran READ 4.26.11
GOODREADS AUTHOR
B. book by the author that provided the blurb - Alison Weir
❀The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir READ 5.30.11
*********************************************************************

COMPLETED TASKS: 48/54
TOTAL POINTS: 820/910
BOOKS READ: 63/71
GOODREAD AUTHORS: 20
BIG BOOKS: 500 pp. [ ✔ ✔✔ ] 750 pp. [ ✔ ] 1000 pp. [ ]

Je suis une légende by Richard Matheson -- first published in 1954
This post: 10 points
Total to Date = 120 points
Total Tasks Completed: 10
Total Books Read: 11
Total Pages Read: 3723
Total GoodReads Authors: 1
Total Big Books: 500(0);750(1);1000+(0)

2. The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School by Alexandra Robbins** (AR author's initials found in word Australia)
** Alexandra Robbins is a goodreads author**
4/5 - Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey (this book was set in Australia and the author is from Australia)
Tasks Completed - 12
Books Read - 16
TOTAL POINTS - 250

15.5 Award Me :
Room was a Nominee in 2010.
Emma Donoghue is a GoodReads Author.
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 385
Goodreads Author Books: 3
Big Books: 500+(3), 750+(1), 1000+(0)

Damon Knight Award
Podkayne of Mars by Robert A. Heinlein
World Fantasy Award
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
I really enjoyed both of these books. Thanks for the task!
+25 Points
Grand Total: 770
Back from vacation, which was helpful in fitting in a few last books!
5.5 I'm Tellin'
Sister Carrie
20.10 Group Read
The Glass Castle
15.1 Down Under
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
and
Under the Banner of Heaven
10.8 Come On, Eat Your Spinach
The Fruit of the Tree
New points: 50
Total points: 580
5.5 I'm Tellin'
Sister Carrie
20.10 Group Read
The Glass Castle
15.1 Down Under
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
and
Under the Banner of Heaven
10.8 Come On, Eat Your Spinach
The Fruit of the Tree
New points: 50
Total points: 580

Task 20.10 I read I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore and posted in the discussion thread (post 55). I thought the book was a great idea and not-so-great execution. After reading the thread here, I see that everyone else had the same reactions I did, so I didn't really have much to add :)
Total Points: 545

Death and the Dancing Footman by Ngaio Marsh - 320 pages
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 615
Total Tasks Completed: 38
Total Books Read: 50
Total Pages Read: 14,822
Total Goodreads Authors: 8
Total Big Books: 500(3);750(0);1000+(0)

15.10 Spring Break
I read Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner. I enjoyed this book on audio. 4*
JENNIFER WEINER IS A GR AUTHOR.
Total Points: 205 +15 = 220
GR Authors: 8
Big Books: 750+(1)

For this task, you must read 2 books. Go to Dice Roller and roll the dice ONCE.
I rolled a 5 and a 6.
Book A:
5. Ares: A book where a main character is in the military or with a mercenary outfit or is a veteran.
The Killing of Crazy Horse by Thomas Powers
This was approved in the task thread.
Book B:
6. Aristophanes: Read a comic or humorous book.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
This Post: 30
Total Points: 895
Tasks Completed: 53/54
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (4), 750+ (1), 1000+ (1)

25.2 Bucket List
A) The Sweet Life in Paris: A Recipe for Living in the World's Most Delicious City
Living in Paris is on my Bucket List and this book is about the author moving from America and doing just that.
B) Perfume: The Story of a Murderer from 1001 Books to Read Before You Die
Task Total: 25
Grand Total: 310
That wraps it up for me this season. Working on my list for the Summer Challenge. Thanks for all your hard work managing the challenges!

For Part A, I read
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
For Part B, I read
Cardboard Gods
This is a memoir, and the author's childhood was defined in large part by his parents' unconventional marriage and by the step-father who helped raise him.
New Points: 30
Total Points: 190 (so close to the elusive 200)
Tasks Completed: 16 (a personal best!)
Total Pages Read: 6636
Sitting out summer, "see" you in the fall!!

30.2 Guilty Pleasures
American Idol - David Cook - The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson **GOODREADS AUTHOR**
Pages: 465
DWTS - Emmitt Smith/Cheryl Burke Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith
Pages: 272
************
Points this Post: 30
Total points: 415
Total Pages:12,434
GoodReads Authors: 13
Big Books: 500+(3), 750+(1), 1000+(0)



Task 25.4 - Science Fiction and Fantasy Masters
A: Tehanu by Ursula K. Le Guin
B: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett
Task points = 25
Final Challenge total = 550

I need to remove The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova from my previously claimed task 30.5 - All the World Is Birthday Cake - and replace it with The Constant Gardener by John Le Carré (also from Sheila's shelf).
25.5. Gayla's Task: March Madness
B. Read two books from the Tournament of Books -
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2006 Tournament) and The News from Paraguay by Lily Tuck (2005 Tournament).
The Constant Gardener is a BIG BOOK (506 pgs)
(The Historian has already been claimed)
Total: 720

5.3 GIMME FIVE: Ransom My Heart by Meg Cabot.
15.1 SPRING BREAK: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard. ***Sara Shepard is a GOODREADS AUTHOR. I would like to claim a goodreads author ticket***
20.9 LUCKY ME! LAURIE'S TASK: City of Thieves by David Benioff.
25.6 JENNIFER N'S TASK - IT'S ALL ABOUT AUSTRALIA AND OCEANIA
PART 1: Nocturne by Syrie James. There is a blizzard that takes place in this book.
PART 2: The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve.
30.5 DELICIOUS DEE'S TASK - ALL THE WORLD IS A BIRTHDAY CAKE. My birthday is on the 23rd so I read
Fade by Lisa McMann. (Rachel Lee March 24) ***Lisa McMann is a GOODREADS AUTHOR. I would like to claim a goodreads ticket.***
The Help by Kathryn Stockett. (Jenny Chicago May23) ***Kathryn Stockett is a GOODREADS AUTHOR. I would like to claim a goodreads ticket.
TOTAL POINTS: 400
TASKS COMPLETED: 22
TOTAL BOOKS READ: 29
TOTAL PAGES: 10788
GOODREADS AUTHORS: 5
BIG BOOK TICKETS: 500+(2), 750+(2), 1000+(0)

The Princess Bride
Task Points: 20
Total Points: 160

Total Points: 150
Total Tasks Completed: 13
Total Books Read: 15
Total Pages Read: 4486
Total GoodReads Authors: 3
Total Big Books: 500+ 1, 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)


5.10 Kia Ora: Read a book originally written in a language that is not your native language.
I read The Hangman's Daughter, originally written in German by Oliver Potzsch.
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 275
Total tasks completed: 13
Total books read: 19
Total pages read: 6938
Total GoodReads authors: 4
Total Big Books: 500+ (2) 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

Task 10.4. Elementary, my dear Watson
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
FINAL TOTAL: 735
THANK YOU, moderators and task creators for a fun and very challenging challenge!

Task 5.2
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
DONE!!!!!
Total: 910
I'm so glad I finished this one...I know I won't be able to finish the summer one b/c of time commitments on my part, which really pushed me these last few days to just sit and read.

15.10 Spring Break
I read

Points this post: 15
Total Points: 60
Total tasks completed: 4
Total books read: 4

The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis - 329 pages
Detective story set in ancient Rome.
50 - I need to know what happens next
I read three of Peter Robinson's Detective Banks police procedurals.
#14 - Playing With Fire - 464 pages
#15 - Strange Affair - 416 pages
#16 - Piece Of My Heart - 530 pages (Big Book)
And that's it for me for this challenge!
Points This Post: 60
Total Points: 675
Total Tasks Completed: 40
Total Books Read: 54
Total Pages Read: 16,561
Total Goodreads Authors: 8
Total Big Books: 500(4);750(0);1000+(0)
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Books mentioned in this topic
Fer-de-Lance (other topics)The Possessed: Adventures With Russian Books and the People Who Read Them (other topics)
The League of Frightened Men (other topics)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (other topics)
Quidditch Through the Ages (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Alan Bradley (other topics)Rex Stout (other topics)
Elif Batuman (other topics)
J.K. Rowling (other topics)
Georges Simenon (other topics)
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20.5 - Alliterative Authors - Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson
Total Challenge Points = 120