The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
WINTER CHALLENGE 2011: EARTH
>
Winter Challenge 2011: Completed Tasks -DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS TOPIC

Completed task 20.4 Happy New Year
I read Then Came You
I used option 4-save money and got this book from my library.
Also, Jennifer Weiner is a GR author.
New point total: 180


Points for this Task: 20
Total Points: 135
Goal Total Points: 325
Completed Tasks: 7/57 (15.6, 15.7, 15.9, 20.1, 20.4, 20.8, 30.5)
Tasks in Progress: 20.2, 30.1, 50.1
Pages Read: 1683
Books Read: 8/77
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Susan Mallery)
Big Books: 500+() 750+() 1000+()


5.06 Other People Liked It, Why Not Me?
Bossypants by Tina Fey (under 2 categories: Favorite Book, Humor)
Points: 5
Total points: 160
Tasks completed: 14
Books read: 17
Goodreads authors: 1
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

Christmas Mourning by Margaret Maron
AND
Southern Discomfort by Margaret Maron
Total Points = 985!!
**That should do it for me this season. Thanks moderators for making this such an enjoyable experience.

Christmas Mourning by Margaret Maron
AND
Southern Discomfort by Margaret Maron
..."
congrats, Sheila!!

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is about the history of HELA cells. Very interesting read.
Rebecca Skloot is a goodreads author.
25.3 - Mrs. Soule's task: A Series in Your Stocking
Two for the Dough and Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich are part of the Stephanie Plum Series.
Janet Evanovich is a goodreads author.
Points this task: 45
Total Points: 365
Goodreads Authors: Lauren Kate, Stacey Jay, Kendare Blake, SJ Watson, James Patterson*, Chevy Stevens, Jillian Lauren, Gregg Olsen, Rebecca Skloot, Janet Evanovich*
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Option D: Snuggle up with your honey Book approved on help thread.
You Against Meby Jenny Downham

25.1 Rachel Lee's task: Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
Marigold(pain & grief)- Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag- Murder mystery
Plumeria(new beginnings)-Shakespeare's Landlord by Charlaine Harris- 1st in the Lily Bard series
Points this post:45
Total Points: 315
Total Tasks: 17
Total Books:23

20.7- And they lived Happily Ever After
Option A: book with Once, Upon, Time
The Time Traveler's Wife
Big Book Ticket
%^&*Audrey Niffenegger is GoodReads Author%^&*
Points this post: 20
Total points: 255
Tasks completed: 12
Books read: 15
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big books: 500+(2); 750+(0); 1000+(0)

Task 25.8 The Year in Review
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Option 1: 100 Notable Books 2011 List
764 pages claiming 2 Big Book ticket
The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn
Option 2: 2011 Books to Movies List. Movie title is "Limitless."
Task 10.5 It's Summer Somewhere
Underdogs by Markus Zusak
Book is set in Australia
501 pages claiming 1 Big Book ticket
This post: 35 points
Total to date: 345 points
Goodreads Authors: 8
Big Books: 500=2, 750=2, 1000=0


From the September 2011 list, I read

THE ART OF FIELDING IS A BIG BOOK AT 512 PAGES.
20.4 Author! Author!
I picked #4, save money/manage debt. I read

30.7 Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover
I flipped 1 heads and 1 tails, so I read


Dan Chaon is GR Author
Total Points: 70 + 15 + 20 + 50 = 135
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+ (1)

10.5 It’s Summer somewhere Death of a River Guide by Richard Flanagan, takes place in Tasmania, the island state of Australia, 336 pages
30.5 Christmas Caroling I sang Angels we have heard on High and read:
Book 1: High on Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips, 292 pages, and
Book 2: Angels of Anarchy: Women Artists and Surrealism edited by Patricia Allmer, 280 pages – though only 110 pages are text so that’s all I’m counting in my personal total, -- the other 170 pages are full-page reprints of paintings and photographs
Task Points this Post: 40
Total Points: 565
Pages Read: 13,825
Big Books: 500+ (4) 750+ (1)

5.7 (Third Stone from the Sun) I read Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett, #3 in the Booktown Mystery series.
10.8 (Hidden Gems) I read Implied Consent by Cody Fowler Davis, which had 6 ratings when I read it.
Task 10.9 (Author Born Under Earth Sign) I read Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich, who was born on April 22nd, 1943 and is thus a Taurus.
Task 20.1 (Baby, It's Cold Outside), Option D (Romance with couple on the cover) I read

Task 20.3 (Words Among Friends) I read MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search For A New Best Friend by Rachel Bertsche. It anagrams to BASS
Task 20.4 (New Year's Resolutions), Option 5 (Take a Trip) I read Hotel Vendome by Danielle Steele. This book takes place in a hotel in New York City. I would love to take my oldest daughter to NYC at Christmas and do all of the holiday stuff (Rockefeller Center holiday show, windows on 5th Avenue, etc.)
Task 25.1 (Flowers)
For Option Marigold (Pain and grief), I read Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett
For Option Red Rose (true love) I read Christmas Wishes by Debbie Macomber
Task 25.4 (Day in History)
For January (ice), I read Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
For February (Magic) I read Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (about a witch who owns a vintage clothing shop)
Task 25.6 (Winter Fun and Games)
Outdoor winter activity: The Penalty Box by Deirdre Martin (hockey players, including a hockey player on the cover)
)

Place to get away from the cold: Green 61: An Anderson Parker Legal Thriller by Cody Fowler Davis takes place in Florida
Task 25.7 (Name Train)
My readerboard name is Ashley FL, so I read Bookmarked For Death by *L*orn*a( Barrett, and read Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by *A*tul Gawande
Task 25.9 (Favorite Genres)
Option 1 - Young Adult: The Future of Us by Jay Asher
Option 5 - Romance: Total Rush by Deirdre Martin
210 Points
Goodreads Authors: 5
Lorna Barrett
Janet Evanovich
Rachel Bertsche
Lorna Barrett
Lorna Barrett

30.3 (Small Changes)
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Drop the A from Beast to make Best: London Is the Best City in America by Laura Dave
30.6 (Many Facets of Earth)
Option 5 (electrical) Hot Ticket by Deirdre Martin (I read the ebook)
Option 6 (astrology) I read Chasing Stanley by Deirdre Martin, the 6th Book in the NY Blades series
30.7 (Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover)
I rolled one heads and one tails.
I love the cover of The Leftovers by Tom Perotta

and hated the cover of

90 points, plus 210 previous points = 300 points total
Two additional Goodreads Authors:
Eloisa James
Laura Dave
so seven total Goodreads Authors

5.2 That Bugs Me!
The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter
Butterfly tattoo on the man's torso:

20.4 Happy New Year!
Option 1: Get Fit/Lose Weight
I lost some weight off of my owned Mt. TRB and read a book that I've had for a while.
A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson
**Vicki Lewis Thompson is a Goodreads Author**
20.10 Group Read
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Post #25 in the discussion thread.
25.5 Movies Ruining (Advertising) the Book...
Option B: Stay Home, Read the Book: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Goodreads: 4.14/Rotten Tomatoes: 49%
Option C: Larger than Life: Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Goodreads: 3.91/Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
**Neil Gaiman is a Goodreads Author**
25.7 Name Train
KarenF -> Liz Fielding -> Liz Fielding -> Zoe Archer
Flirting with Italian by Liz Fielding
**Liz Fielding is a Goodreads Author**
Chain Reaction by Zoe Archer
Pre-approved in the ebooks thread
**Zoe Archer is a Goodreads Author**
Points this Post: 95
Total Challenge Points: 370
Goodreads Authors: 15
Big Books: 500+(0),750+(0),1000+(0)

25.8 2011: The Year in Review
First choice: Option 5
Chicago is one of the locations of an Occupy Wall Street movement, and this book is set in Chicago.
With the Procession by Henry Blake Fuller
Second choice: Option 6
I had my first federal jury trial in 2011. I'm glad to say that mine went much better than the main character in the book I read.
The Litigators by John Grisham
30.6 Facets of Earth
First Die: 1
Three word title (500 pgs of picture books):
One, Two, Three! by Sandra Boynton - 24 pgs.
Hippos Go Berserk! by Sandra Boynton - 16 pgs.
Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman - 72 pgs.
Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings by Matthew Van Fleet - 20 pgs.
Harriet the Helicopter by Grandreams Books Limited - 14 pgs.
Five Little Gefiltes by Dave Horowitz - 32 pgs.
The New Baby by Mercer Mayer - 24 pgs.
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey - 64 pgs.
Monkey Steam Train by William O'Brien - 14 pgs.
Busy, Busy Town by Richard Scarry - 48 pgs.
Alice The Fairy by David Shannon - 40 pgs.
The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss - 48 pgs.
Happy Hanukkah, Biscuit! by Alyssa Satin Capucilli - 20 pgs.
Elmer and Rose by David McKee - 32 pgs.
Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal - 32 pgs.
Second Die: 5
I chose an audiobook (and one that I actually downloaded from the library in electronic form)
Scorpions: The Battles and Triumphs of FDR's Great Supreme Court Justices by Noah Feldman
Points this post: 55
Grand total: 235
10.8 Hidden Gems read Dearly, Departed
by Lia Habel (goodreads author) at time of choosing book the number of ratings were 551
20.3 Words Among Friends read Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares - word is SOFT from the words in title Summer of Forever The
25.6 Winter Fun and Games
Book A Frostbite by Richelle Mead (goodreads author) kids go on a winter ski trip over the holidays
Book B The Summer I Turned Prettyby Jenny Han (goodreads author) family spends summer at a beach house.
25.9 My Favorite Genres
Book A Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon for YA genre
Book B Changelessby Gail Carriger (goodreasd author) for Romance Genre
Points this Post: 85
Total points- 600
Tasks Completed: 35
Books read: 46
Pages Read : 14,594
GR Authors: 22
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
by Lia Habel (goodreads author) at time of choosing book the number of ratings were 551
20.3 Words Among Friends read Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares - word is SOFT from the words in title Summer of Forever The
25.6 Winter Fun and Games
Book A Frostbite by Richelle Mead (goodreads author) kids go on a winter ski trip over the holidays
Book B The Summer I Turned Prettyby Jenny Han (goodreads author) family spends summer at a beach house.
25.9 My Favorite Genres
Book A Invincible by Sherrilyn Kenyon for YA genre
Book B Changelessby Gail Carriger (goodreasd author) for Romance Genre
Points this Post: 85
Total points- 600
Tasks Completed: 35
Books read: 46
Pages Read : 14,594
GR Authors: 22
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


Task 25.3 - A Series in Your Stocking
I decided to read two books from the S.A.S.S. (Students Across the Seven Seas) series (approved in the task help thread) and read:
Pardon My French by Catherine Hapka
and
French Kissmas by Catherine Hapka
Points this task: 25
Total points: 470
Tasks completed: 28
Books read: 37
Pages read: 9011
Goodreads authors: 10
Big books: 500+ (1); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

I have already read Shelter In A Soldier's Arms (That Special Woman!) and used it for task 20.2. I would like to use if for this task, 20.5 instead.
I read The Future of Us by Jay Asher and would like to use it for task 20.2 instead of the above title.
The Future of Us fits 1. a child is main character and 2. Magical Realism is listed on home page of book.
15.10 Sweet!
I read Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay.
*Stacey Jay is a GR Author*
Points this post- 35
Total Points- 335
GR Authors- 12

30.6 - Sassafrass's task: The Many Facets of EARTH
(I rolled a 4 & a 5)
4: Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
5: Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich (audiobook)
Points this post: 30
Total points: 45
Tasks Completed: 2
Books read: 4
Goodreads authors: 0
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Carol: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Book: Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
Carol: Silent Night
Book: The Silent Girl: A Novel by ***Goodreads Author Tess Gerritsen
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 255
Tasks Completed: 15
Books Read: 21
GoodReads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ ()

Harmony by Project Itoh

5.4 Let’s Call it a Goal!
One of my goals was to cook more, and I've cooked a few recipes out of this book, and plan to cook more!
Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys by Lucinda Quinn
5.10 EARTH
Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse
Editor John Joseph Adams
10.7 Featuring Earth
The Clan of the Cave Bear (Children of the Earth #1)
10.8 Hidden Gems
Warnings: The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather
This book had 27 ratings when I selected it.
25.1 Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
White Lilacs (youthful innocence): Moribito: Guardian Of The Spirit
Plumeria (new beginnings): The Hunger Games
Points this post: 60
Total points: 60

Marigold (Pain and Grief) - a cozy murder mystery
Christmas is Murder by C. S. Challinor
Red Rose (Romance) - A Christmas Romance
The Christmas Basket by Debbie McComber
**** C. S. Challinor is a Goodreads Author *****
25.3 A Series in Your Stocking
I chose to read two books from the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown
Christmas: Santa Clawed # 17 in the series
Non-Christmas: Cat of the Century # 18 in the series
25.4 On This Day in HIstory
A. December, Option 2 - book with "moon" in title
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
C. February, Option 1 - magic is part of this novel
How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn
***** New Moon has 563 pages - qualifies for a Big Book ticket***
25.6 Winter Fun and Games
Book 1 - the young protagonist in this story ice skates in Central Park, also she is shown skating on cover
He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
Book 2 - A cozy murder mystery in central Florida
Mama Does Time by Deborah Sharp
***** Deborah Sharp is a Goodreads Author*****
Points this post = 100
Total Points = 220
Tasks = 8
Books = 16
Pages = 3937
Holiday books = 14


15.1 Cause Knowledge is Power -one book that fits two catergories
A. Conjunction = AND
C. Pronoun = His
Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O'Brien (hardback library book 230 pages)
Tasks Completed: 9
Points for this task: 15
Points so far: 140
Books read: 10
GR Authors: 3
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

My Name is Mary Sutter
Robin Oliveira
This book is about the American Civil War.
Points this post: 20
Total points this challenge: 140
Goodreads Authors: 3

20.4 - Author! Author! - Valorie's task: Happy New Year!!
1. Get Fit/Lose Weight: Read a non-fiction book about getting fit, exercising, or eating healthier.

Total points:220

10.8 Hidden Gems
By reading: Saffron Skies by Lesley Lokko. This book had only 250 ratings when I completed it.
Tasks Complete: 8
Total Points: 80

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
**Claiming Big Book Ticket (516 pages)
Total Points: 685/985
Tasks Completed: 35/57
Books Read: 49/77
Goodreads Authors: 28
Big Books: 500=5 750=1x2, 1000=0

Carols: Little Drummer Boy and Winter Wonderland
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Alice's Adventuresin Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
***Maureen Johnson is a GR Author***
***Correction from post #1579 (with the right link): Firefly Lane is a big book at 513 pages.***
____________________________________
Points this post: 30
Total points: 230
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 14
Number of pages: 479/4741
Goodreads Authors to date: 4
Big Books: 500=1, 750=0, 1000=0


**Claiming GR Author Ticket**
Total Points: 690/985
Tasks Completed: 36/57
Books Read: 50/77
Goodreads Authors: 29
Big Books: 500=4, 750=1x2, 1000=0

30.1 - I rolled a 3 and a 4.
Feast of Fabulous Wild Men -

National Backward Day -

30.2 - I chose Katie MacAlister.
Light Dragons -

Silver Dragons -

20.1 - I chose option D: Snuggle With Your Honey -

Kelly Barnhill, Kristan Higgans and Katie MacAlister are GR authors.

Shakespeare's Christmas: A Lily Bard Mystery by Charlaine Harris
Book number 3 in the Lily Bard mystery series
5.8 Jump
Shakespeare's Champion: A Lily Bard Mystery by Charlaine Harris
This book has 224 pages which gives 56 when divided by 4
Points this post: 10
Total points: 325
Total tasks: 19
Total books: 25

5.6. Other People Liked It, Why Not Me? (2011 GR choice awards)
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
S.J. Watson is a GR Author.
The book is listed in the Mystery/Thriller of the 2011 GR choice awards which fits the task requirement
Points this post: 5
Total points: 5/985
Tasks completed: 1/57
Books read: 1
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Option 4- Last name begins with O
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Lauren Oliver is a goodreads author.
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 385
Goodreads Authors: Lauren Kate, Stacey Jay, Kendare Blake, SJ Watson, James Patterson*, Chevy Stevens, Jillian Lauren, Gregg Olsen, Rebecca Skloot, Janet Evanovich*, Lauren Oliver
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

30.3 Small changes or small swaps
When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
I used a word God and added other "o" to get good
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Task points 30
Total points 215
Total tasks 11
Total books 16

25.1
Flower 1 = White Lilacs (young adult)
Book 1 = The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Goodreads author). 310 pages.
Flower 2 = Hollyhock (ambition)
Book 2 = Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar. 288 pages.
My Ambitions = The title of the book connected immediately to my personal ambition to sleep more. :-) The content of the book connected to my ambition to get one kid, sometime, somewhere, to be as excited about English as the main character, Scott.
Points this Post: 25 points
Total Points: 115 points
Tasks Completed: 4 tasks
Books Read: 11 books
Pages Read: 2,932 pages
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500=1, 750=0, 1000=0


15.7 - Directionally Challenged

Points this Post: 15
Total Challenge Points: 640
Total Goodreads Authors: 15
Big Books: 500+ - 2; 750+ - zero; 1000+ - zero

20.10 - Group Read
The Color Purple My discussion is #12 and 17.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 275
Tasks completed: 13
Books read: 16
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big books: 500+(2); 750+(0); 1000+(0)

5.3 Round Here......

The round thing is that weird white symbol that can be seen behind the words. There is also a circle in the middle of the brown symbol at the top.
Points this post: 5
Points to date: 60
5.8 Jump read
Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney (goodreads author)
Points this Post: 5
Total points- 600
Tasks Completed: 35
Books read: 46
Pages Read : 14,594
GR Authors: 22
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
Sebastian Darke: Prince of Fools by Philip Caveney (goodreads author)
Points this Post: 5
Total points- 600
Tasks Completed: 35
Books read: 46
Pages Read : 14,594
GR Authors: 22
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


I rolled a 6 and a 3
6.

3.

Both are new to me authors!
Points for this Task: 30
Total Points: 165
Goal Total Points: 325
Completed Tasks: 8/57 (15.6, 15.7, 15.9, 20.1, 20.4, 20.8, 30.1, 30.5)
Tasks in Progress: 20.2, 30.3, 50.1
Pages Read: 2269
Books Read: 9/77
Goodreads Authors: 2 (Suzanne Jenkins, Susan Mallery)
Big Books: 500+() 750+() 1000+()


I chose two books, option B: book with a cover that’s “all about the dress”


Jessica Day George is a Goodreads Author
Total points: 260
Tasks completed: 14
Books read: 20
Goodreads Authors total: 7
Big Book total : 500+ = 1

15.8 What's IndieNext?
Darling Jim by Christian Moerk - listed on the April 2009 IndieNext list.
25.3 - Mrs. Soule's task: A Series in Your Stocking
All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks (Love at Stake #5)
Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks (Love at Stake #10)
Points this post: 40
Total challenge points: 610
Tasks completed: 32
Books read: 45
Goodreads Authors: 19
Big Books: 500=1, 750=0, 1000=0

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Bec's task: Off to War
The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
*took place in WWII*
30.7 - Delicious Dee's task: Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover
I flipped two tails

by Sarah Mayberry*Goodreads Author*
*I love romance novels, but there covers are just plain horrible*

by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright*Goodreads Author*
*The cover is too white and very boring*
Points this post: 50
Total points: 520
Tasks: 30
Books: 38
Goodread authors: 21

Marigold - Murder Mystery - Affairs of Steak by ***Goodreads Author Julie Hyzy
Daffodil (chivalry) Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters - takes place in 1138.
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 280
Tasks Completed: 16
Books Read: 23
GoodReads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ ()
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Far Reaches (other topics)Beyond the Grave (other topics)
Witch & Wizard (other topics)
The Princess Bride (other topics)
Lemon Tart (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Neil Gaiman (other topics)Josi S. Kilpack (other topics)
William Goldman (other topics)
Barbara Ann Kipfer (other topics)
Rebecca Skloot (other topics)
More...
30.6 Facets of Earth
Book 1: Option 6 2nd in a series
Book 2: Option 5 Ebook
Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl, and Janet Evanovich are Goodreads authors.
Beautiful Darkness is 503pp so I am claiming one big book ticket.
Task Completed: 12
Books Completed:13
GR Authors: 6, Diane Chamberlain, Janet Evanovich, Kami Garcia with Margaret Stohl
Big Books: 500(1), 750(0), 1000(0)
Task Points: 30
Grand Total: 150/985