2011 April - June Challenge

[Butterflycager]

TASKS COMPLETED:

1.2 April Showers - The Gentleman Poet: A Novel of Love, Danger, and Shakespeare's The Tempest by Kathryn Johnson (4/1/2011)

2.2 What's Your Sign? - Pisces - Paragon Walk by Anne Perry (4/2/2011)

2.6 Bling! Bling! - The Deception of the Emerald Ring by Lauren Willig (4/3/2011)

3/40 Books
25/360 Points

[Becky]

Task Completed:

1.10 Wedding Season: Happy Ever After Nora Roberts

1/40 Books
5/350 Points

[Jen B]

Task Completed:
5.3 May Flowers

by Sarah Addison Allen

Those are peach blossoms on the cover.

Total Points: 5
Total Books: 1

[Tara]

TASK COMPLETED

5.2-April Showers-Demonglass-Rachel Hawkins
15.1-Tried and New-Sweet Valley Confidential(Tried)-Francine Pascal, Switched(New)-Amanda Hocking

20/360 points
3/40 Books

[Leah]

Task completed:


2.2. What’s Your Sign? - Read a book whose title starts with the same letter as your Zodiac sign. The Perfect Hero by Victoria Connelly

4/40 Books
15/360 Points

[Jencey/]

Task completed: 15.1 Tried and New Here, Home, Hope and Shadow Dance

points= 15/350

books= 2/40

[Ashley]

Jen B wrote: "Task Completed:
5.3 May Flowers

by Sarah Addison Allen

Those are peach blossoms on the cover.

Total Points: 5
Total Books: 1"

How was it?

[Kourtney]

TASK COMPLETED

10.2. What’s Your Sign? – Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Cancer)

TOTAL: 10 points
BOOKS: 2 read

[Leah]

Task Completed:

3.1. Tried and New - Read a book by one of your favorite authors and a book by an author you’ve never read. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult (favourite) and Blood On My Hands by Todd Strasser (never read)

5/40 Books
30/360 Points

[Becky]

TASK COMPLETED:
2.4: Promise Not To Tell: Can You Keep a Secret? Sophie Kinsella

2/40 Books
15/360 Points

[Nicole]

15.1: (Tried) Heartless by Sara Shepard & (New) Love You More by Lisa Gardner

15/360

[Tara]

TASK COMPLETED
10 Points
10. Two in One-Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending.......-Jen Lancaster

4/40 Books
30/360 Points

[Alicia]

TASK COMPLETED

5.5 Sweet Valley Confidential, Francine Pascal 4/6/11

2/40 books
10/360 points

[Butterflycager]

Task completed:

5.1 Grey's Anatomy - Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

4/40 Books
30/360 Points

[Stacy]

Butterflycager wrote: "This looks like a fun challenge, and it will give me a chance to read some books of my own for once. I've got almost everything filled in:

5 pts
1. Springtime – Something Borrowed by..."

Welcome to the challenge!!!

[Stacy]

Kourtney wrote: "And so we begin!!!

Don't forget everyone (and for all of the new challengers): remember to post when you finish a complete task so Stacy can keep track easily :) Let's see if we can overwhelm h..."

Nice Kourtney! LOL!
I still have to go through and do the final tally for the other challenge! :)

Does it help your jealousy to know that getting home yesterday was the ultimate day of travel hell? (We're lucky we didn't lose our luggage!)
Left the hotel at 8:45am and didn't get home until 3am this morning!
The travel agent booked our connecting flight from Houston too close to our incoming flight. We only had an hour to deboard, go through customs, three security checkpoints, re-check our baggage and find our way to the terminal. However, we didn't get boarding passes and the lady that we asked about that told us the wrong terminal so we missed our flight and had to wait two hours for a later flight. That took forever, they didn't start boarding on time because maintenance was on the plane "fixing signs." Then, and I am NOT kidding, we sat for a good twenty minutes to half an hour before even moving. THEN, and I am seriously NOT KIDDING, we taxied for AT LEAST 15 MINUTES!!!!! I was like, WTF?!? Are we DRIVING to Chicago??? Oh, so not a good day. Add to that a headache that hurt so bad it was all I could do to not cry.
Oh, and while the normal rainfall in Jamaica is only like 20 minutes at the most, we had two days in a row where it clouded up in the afternoon and downpoured like a freakin' monsoon the rest of the day/night. Most of the rest of the days were cloudy, we only had really two good days (out of SEVEN!!!) of absolutely beautiful weather all day.
Other than that, and really missing my daughter, it was pretty good.
Especially, the day we went on a sunset cruise and my boyfriend proposed!!!! :)

[Stacy]

Ok, between getting caught up on everything else on here, and trying to do laundry (helps if I actually CLOSE the washer lid....), and everything else I'm probably not going to post a leaderboard today.

[Ashley]

Stacy wrote: "Especially, the day we went on a sunset cruise and my boyfriend proposed!!!! :)
"

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :)

[Becky]

Ashley wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Especially, the day we went on a sunset cruise and my boyfriend proposed!!!! :)
"

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :)"

Congratulations... How romantic...

[Jencey/]

Congratulations Stacy!!!

[Cathy]

That's fantastic Stacy! Big congrats...what a vacation! you must be on cloud nine...you deserve it!! Have fun:)

[Suzanne]

Congratulations!

[Kourtney]

Stacy wrote: "Kourtney wrote: "And so we begin!!!

Don't forget everyone (and for all of the new challengers): remember to post when you finish a complete task so Stacy can keep track easily :) Let's see if w..."

HAHAHAHAHA I love how you snuck in the engagement at the end of the big long travel story :) I'll be emailing you this weekend so I can get the DETAILS!!! <3 Now you need to start planning a book-themed wedding in CA so I can attend too!

[Stacy]

Thanks everyone! :) I had the stupidest, big-assed grin on my face the rest of the vacation. (Even in spite of developing a fever blister on the last day there from too much sun.)

Kourtney - :D I freakin' LOVE it! However, since I've been down that road once before and he hasn't, I'm letting him run with his "dream" which is to get married in Jamaica. So if you've got your passport, feel free to join the party. :)

[Stacy]

5.1 Springtime – Sweet Love - Sarah Strohmeyer

10.1 All Made Up – A Total Waste of Makeup – Kim Gruenenfelder

10.2 Two in One – Pretty in Plaid: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered, Smart-Ass Phase – Jen Lancaster


3/40 books
25/360 points

Sweet Love was very good, not exactly a light breezy vacation read, but I did read it in two days. It was hard to put down.

A Total Waste of Makeup - LOVED it. Loved the characters. Please, somebody make it into a movie so I can watch it again and again!!!

Pretty in Plaid - Brilliant as always, I LOVE Jen Lancaster!!! She's like, my hero. :) I'm even considering taking time off of work to drive to Chicago (the closest she'll be) for her book tour just to meet her!

[Stacy]

Ok, so here we go. I don't even know how I'm still awake, but I couldn't let this go any longer.

First LEADERBOARD
Butterflycager - 30
Leah - 30
Tara - 30
Stacy - 25
Becky - 15
Jencey - 15
Nicole - 15
Alicia - 10
Kourtney - 10
Jen B - 5

Way to rock (or should I say, read) the first week!!
;)

[Kristine]

Congratulations Stacy!

[Stacy]

Thank you Kristine! :)

[Beth]

Especially, the day we went on a sunset cruise and my boyfriend proposed!!!! :)

Nice twist at the end there, Stacy. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Did you pick a date yet? Or are you still in the OMG I can't believe I'm getting married stage?

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)]

Task completed: 10.9 My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

10 points 1 book completed

[Stacy]

Beth wrote: "Especially, the day we went on a sunset cruise and my boyfriend proposed!!!! :)

Nice twist at the end there, Stacy. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Did you pick a date yet? Or are you still in the OMG I c..."

Thanks Beth! More the OMG stage. I thought it was going to happen, but then days went by and it didn't. So then I convinced myself it wasn't going to happen and I was going to be a perpetual girlfriend. Luckily, I was wrong. :)
We don't know when yet, gotta have the money to go back to Jamaica, plus we have two other couples that we don't want to steal any thunder from. One of them being my brother and his fiance! LOL!

[Butterflycager]

Task completed: 2.9 Averages - The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

5/40 Books
40/360 Points

Thanks for the welcome, Stacy, and congratulations on your engagement!

[Stacy]

Butterflycager wrote: "Task completed: 2.9 Averages - The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

5/40 Books
40/360 Points

Thanks for the welcome, Stacy, and congratulations on your engagement!"

You're welcome, and thank you. ;)

[Kourtney]

TASK COMPLETED

5.4. Plain Jane – Room by Emma Donoghue

TOTAL POINTS: 15
BOOKS READ: 4

[Butterflycager]

Tasks completed:

2.7 Royal Flush - The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne

3.1 Tried and New - Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne and The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva

8/40 Books
65/360 Points

[Kristine]

My List - Finally
5 pts
1. Springtime – After the Leaves Fall – Nicole Baart
2. April Showers –
3. May Flowers –Staying at Daisy’s – Jill Mansell
4. Plain Jane – Heat - Bill Buford
5. Grey’s Anatomy - Happiness Sold Separately – Lolly Winston
6. Singles – Smashed - Koren Zailckas
7. Doubles – Like Mother, Like Daughter - Jane Sigaloff
8. She’s/He’s My… - My Life in France – Julia Child
9. I Heart Shopping! – The Booster - Jennifer Solow

10. Wedding Season –

10 pts
1. All Made Up - A Total Waste of Makeup – Kim Gruenenfelder,

2. What’s Your Sign? – Thin, Rich, Pretty (Taurus) - Beth Harbison
3. United Nations –
4. Promise Not To Tell? -
5. Shoe Addict – Goodbye Jimmy Choos
6. Bling! Bling! –
7. Royal Flush –
8. What The &^%$*? – Blood Bones & Butter – Gabrielle Hamilton
9. Averages – Abby Copper Psychic Eye - Victoria Laurie

10. Two in One – Ravenous : A Food Lover’s Journey from Obsession to Freedom – Dayna Macy

15 pts
1. Tried and New - Tried: The Peach Keeper – Sarah Allen Addison
New: Millie’s Fling – Jill Mansell
2. Initially Speaking –Mum’s the Word – Kate Collins/ Everyone is Beautiful – Katherine Center
3. Alpha & Omega – The Bridesmaids – Hailey Abbott/ Her - Laura Zigman

4. Don’t I Know You? – Fleeing Famous – Laura Freed
Family: Flyover States – Grace Grant

25 pts
1. Me, myself & I – (Me) Better Read Than Dead (brown hair) – Victoria Laurie


2. Drinks, Dinner & Desert –

3. Morning, Afternoon and Evening – Breakfast at Stephanie’s – Sue Margolis,
4. 4, 5, and 6 -

[Kristine]

Task completed:

15.2. Initially Speaking –Mum’s the Word – Kate Collins/ Everyone is Beautiful – Katherine Center

10.2. What’s Your Sign? – Thin, Rich, Pretty (Taurus) - Beth Harbison

Total: 25

[Stacy]

Butterflycager wrote: "Tasks completed:

2.7 Royal Flush - The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne

3.1 Tried and New - Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne and [book:The Ki..."

What did you think of the Hester Browne books? I really liked the first Little Lady, but the second one was almost torturous to get through. Because of that, I keep putting off the third.

[Stacy]

Kristine wrote: "My List - Finally
5 pts
1. Springtime – After the Leaves Fall – Nicole Baart
2. April Showers –
3. May Flowers –Staying at Daisy’s – Jill Mansell
4. Plain Jane – Heat - Bill Buford
5. Grey’s Anat..."

Yay Kristine!

[Leah]

Task completed:

1.8. She’s/He’s My… - Read a book with two people on the cover that are related (parent/child, siblings, spouses, etc.). The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

6/40 Books
35/360 Points

[Ashley]

Task Completed:

5.5 Grey’s Anatomy: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

1/40 books
5/360 points

[Kourtney]

Stacy wrote: "Butterflycager wrote: "Tasks completed:

2.7 Royal Flush - The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne

3.1 Tried and New - Little Lady, Big Apple by Hes..."

I'm with you Stacy - the third was not that great either and had a horrible ending...

[Stacy]

Kourtney wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Butterflycager wrote: "Tasks completed:

2.7 Royal Flush - The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne

3.1 Tried and New - [book:Little Lady, Big Apple|..."

Great, I'll probably never get round to reading it now. LOL!

[Butterflycager]

Stacy wrote: "Butterflycager wrote: "Tasks completed:

2.7 Royal Flush - The Little Lady Agency and the Prince by Hester Browne

3.1 Tried and New - Little Lady, Big Apple by Hes..."

I must be a little left of center, because I actually liked the third one best! And I also liked Browne's The Finishing Touches a lot. But I read that in March, so I can't fit it into this challenge. Browne has a new one out called Swept off Her Feet, and I can't wait to give that one a try.

[Stacy]

I read Finishing Touches too and had a hard time keeping with it. I wanted to like it so much, but I kinda didn't.

[Jencey/]

Task completed 5.6 So Single Very Valentine

points= 20/360

books= 4/40

[Tara]

TASK COMPLETED
5.9-I heart Shopping-Bright Lights, Big Ass-Jen Lancaster
5/40 Books
35/360 Points

[Kourtney]

Stacy wrote: "I read Finishing Touches too and had a hard time keeping with it. I wanted to like it so much, but I kinda didn't."

Uh-oh. I have that somewhere on my bookshelf. It got pushed to the back when I didn't fall in love with the LLA trilogy.

[Stacy]

Kourtney wrote: "Stacy wrote: "I read Finishing Touches too and had a hard time keeping with it. I wanted to like it so much, but I kinda didn't."

Uh-oh. I have that somewhere on my bookshelf. It got pushed to t..."

Yeah, it was ok. Not great, just ok.

[Becky]

TASK COMPLETED:
1.9 I Heart Shopping: The Smart One and the Pretty One

3/40 Books
20/360 Points