The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2011: EARTH
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Winter Challenge 2011: Completed Tasks -DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS TOPIC

The Alchemist's Daughter by Katharine McMahon
Tasks Completed: 2
Points for this task: 5
Total points so far: 10
Books read: 2
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500=0, 700=0, 1000=0

25.9 My Favorite Genres
-Option 2: Urban Fantasy
Dead Witch Walking

-Option 4: Adventure/Thriller
Guilty as Sin

30.2 One Author - Two Series
Book 1 - No Mercy

Book 2 - Born of Night

Points this post: 55
Total points: 105
Tasks completed: 6
Books read: 8
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500=2, 750=0, 1000=0

Still Alice by Lisa Genova, a Goodreads author.

Butterfly on the cover.
Total Points: 375
GRA: 10

East of Eden by John Steinbeck
***This is a big book at 601 pages***
25.3 A Series in Your Stocking
Book A: Set around Christmas and Boxing Day
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
Book B: Not set during a winter holiday in the same series as Book A
The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny
25.7 Name Train
Started with the 'S' at the end of my reader board name
In the Dark of the Night by John Saul
Then using the 'N' at the end of John
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
25.8 This Year in Review
Option 1 from the fiction category
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Option 2-movie released July 15, 2011
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
***Lisa See is a GR Author***
Post Total: 90
Season Total: 565
Tasks Completed: 33/57

10.6 Can't Wait 'Til Spring!

15.5 All Shiny and
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
Published March 2011
Sarah Addison Allen is a Goodreads author.
20.1 - Most Improved Player - Karen F's task: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
D. Snuggle up with your Honey

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Bec's task: Off to War
Option B:
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
25.2 - Jenn Renee's task: Santa by any other name is..... well, still Santa
Option 2:
Innkeeping with Murder by Tim Myers
A Murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer
Melissa Glazer is a pseudonym for Tim Myers.
Tim Myers is a Goodreads author.
25.6 - Laurie ME's task: Winter Fun and Games
Book 1:

Book 2:
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
Takes place in the Riviera
Wendy Clinch is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 115
Total Points: 275
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Book Tickets: 2

20.4 Happy New Year.....
Option 5: Take a Trip/Vacation
I read a book about Tibet which is a place I'd love to visit.
Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family's Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom by Yangzom Brauen
(*****)
***Goodreads Author***
+20
total: 210
tasks: 14
books: 17
GR Authors: 5

2 new tasks
5.6. Other People Liked It, Why Not Me?
Nominated for the 2011 GR Choice Awards, in any category.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness was nominated for the GR Choice Favorite Book of the Year and also for the PNR/Fantasy Book of the Year.
Big Book ticket for A Discovery of Witches at 579 pages
30.1 - Cheryl TX/Lori (BNPL)'s Task: Unique Winter Holidays
I rolled 3,3, so I needed books with a male on the cover.
Maya Banks is a new-to-me author, and since I liked the first book, I read another book by her.


Points this post = 35
Total Points = 580
Tasks Completed = 32
Total Pages Read = 16,350
Goodreads Authors = 11
Bog Books = 1 (500+)

Sand Chronicles, Volume 5 by Hinako Ashihara – I’m loving this series! .
15.1 Cause Knowledge is Power!:
All You Need to Be Impossibly French: A Witty Investigation into the Lives, Lusts, and Little Secrets of French Women – Option A & C (All & And) .
15.8 What’s IndieNext?
A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter by William Deresiewiscz - May 2011 list .
20.1 - Most Improved Player - Karen F's task: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Option D. Snuggle up with your Honey .
Beowulf and Roxie by Marissa Chenery

20.3 - Best Review - Chris MD's task: Words Among Friends
Sins of the Soul by Eve Silver- TOSS.
20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Joanna T's task: Microhistory!
The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson
30.2 Sheila’s Task: One Author – Two Series
Eloisa James series:
Book A: A Kiss at Midnight (Happily Ever After #1)
Book B: Desperate Duchesses (Desperate Duchesses #1)
Points This Post: 130
Total Points: 575

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE
Three To Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Rage Of Angels by Sidney Sheldon
JANET EVANOVICH IS A GOODREADS AUTHOR
Total points: 380
Tasks completed: 18
Books read: 27
Goodreads Authors total: 11
Big Book total : 500+ = 1

25.3 A Series in your stocking
Murder in the Dark which is set over Christmas/New Year
And Cocaine Blues both in the Phryne Fisher series
25.9 My Favourite Genres
Option 1 Young adult Prince Caspian
Option 2 Urban fantasy The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack
Total points 745

I read Leviathan. My post is #28 in discussion thread.
Points: 20
Total Points: 355
Total Books Read: 30
Total Tasks Completed: 20
Total GR Authors: 7
Total Big Books: (500) - 2

Angelfall (* * *)
*Susan Ee is a Goodreads author.
25.6 - Laurie ME's task: Winter Fun and Games
Book 1 - Skating Shoes (* * * *) - about ice-skating
Book 2 - Moloka'i (* * *) - set in Hawaii
30.1 - Cheryl TX/Lori (BNPL)'s Task: Unique Winter Holidays
I rolled a '2' and a '6'.
Miss Pym Disposes (* * *) - a cozy mystery by Josephine Tey (new-to-me author)
All Passion Spent (* * * *) - I think Vita is a cool name, and Sackville-West is also a new-to-me author
Tasks completed: 45/57
Books read: 57/77
Points claimed in this post: 70
Total points claimed: 685
GR authors to date: 10
BB tickets to date: 2


Repost of task #25.8
25.8 - Gayla's task: 2011: The Year in Review
Option 3:The Wedding by Julie Garwood.
Option 5:Between the Lines by Tammara Webber.This book takes place in Austin, Texas which hosted an "Occupy Austin", (Occupy Wall St), protest.
______________________________________________________
25.4 - Sandy’s Task: On This Day in History
Option A: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa.
Option C: The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching. This is a fantasy/magic/supernatural book.
Points for these posts: 50
Total points for challenge: 705

Task 30.4 I rolled a 3 and a 5, so:
Book A (author whose name contains double consonants), I read Sentenced to Death by Lorna Barrett (two r, two t), **Lorna Barrett is a Goodreads author) and
Book B (Title contains consecutive words that begin with the same letter), I read My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (My Man both begin with M)
420 previous points plus 30 = 450 Points
13 Previous Goodreads authors plus 1 = 14 Goodreads Authors

10.6 Can't Wait Til Spring!
Mum's the Word by Kate Collins
Flowers on the cover:

**Kate Collins is a Goodreads Author**
10.8 Hidden Gems
Lessons in Seduction by Sandra Hyatt
This book had 55 ratings when I chose it.
20.3 Words Among Friends
Entice Me at Twilight by Shayla Black
TAME, MEAT, TEAM But since this is a Paranormal Romance I'm going with: MATE
**Shayla Black is a Goodreads Author**
20.6 Microhistory
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum
Points this Post: 60
Total Challenge Points: 500
Goodreads Authors: 20
Big Books: 500+(0),750+(0),1000+(0)

30.3 - DLMRose's task: Small Changes or Simple Swaps
At Grave's End
Destined for an Early Grave
At to An
Both books by Jeaniene Frost, who is a Goodreads Author
Total Points: 605
Total GR Authors: 19

i read Good-Bye, Chunky Rice

20.1 Baby, It's Cold Outside
for Option D, i read Habibi


Total Points: 380/985
Tasks Completed: 19/57
Books Read: 33/76
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Selection: Sweetbriar (1 word title) I read Swimming by Joanna Hershon (a GoodReads Author).
Selection: Hollyhock (ambition) I read Yoga Bitch: One Woman's Quest to Conquer Skepticism, Cynicism, and Cigarettes on the Path to Enlightenment by Suzanne Morrison (a GoodReads Author). My ambition this year is to practice yoga and meditation.
Points this post:25
Total points: 295
Tasks completed:14
Books read: 19
Goodreads Authors: 8
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich.
Joe Morelli is on the Trenton police force, and Bill Berger is a FBI agent.
Janet Evanovich is a Goodreads author.
25.4 On This Day in History
A. December Option 2: The word "blue"is in the title.
Girl In Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland.
C. February Option 1: Read a book in which witchcraft is important to the plot.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.
Points this post: 40
Total points: 525
Tasks: 25
Books: 35
Goodreads authors: 6
Big Books: 500=1

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Favorite book category
Tasks Completed: 3
Points for this task: 5
Total points so far: 15
Books read: 3
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500=0, 700=0, 1000=0



15.1 Cause Knowledge is Power!:
Read TWO books choosing from 2 different options from categories A-D
A. Conjunction Junction: Read a book with a title or subtitle that contains a coordinating conjunction: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.
A Morbid Taste for Bones (1977) by Ellis Peters (Hardcover, 192 pages)
C. Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla- Read a book with a pronoun in the title/subtitle *note the use of "most"
Object pronouns include me, you, him, her, it, us, them.
The Stress of Her Regard (1989) by Tim Powers (Paperback, 470 pages)
285 + 15 = 300

Tasks Completed: 18
Points for this task: 15
Points thus far: 285 + 15 = 300
Books read: 22
Pages Read: 7,133
Read but not claimed: 6
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books:
(1) 500+
(0) 750 +
(0) 1000 +
Tasks Completed: 17
Points for this task: 20
Points thus far: 265 + 20 = 285
Books read: 20
Pages Read: 6,471
Read but not claimed: 8
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books:
(1) 500+
(0) 750 +
(0) 1000 +

Sue T - Margaret Truman - Nancy Atherton
Murder at the Opera by Margaret Truman
Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 320
Tasks Completed: 18
Books Read: 26
GoodReads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ ()

For 30.1 -- I read Accidental Seduction


For 30.5 -- I read The Holly Sisters on Their Own


For 20.4 -- I read Emerald Magic

For 15.5 -- I read The Dig,

For 10.4 -- I read Atlantis Redeemed.

For 5.7 -- I read Illusions.

For 20.5 -- I read Dragon's Keep -- set during the War of the Anarchy in England between 1135 and 1153.


15.6 Read 'Em Their Writes!
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
One of the main characters is a police detective investigating a school shooting
Total Points:620
25.6 - Laurie ME's task: Winter Fun and Games
For Book 1, I read The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team about an ice hockey team and the Olympic game between the US and the USSR in 1980.
For Book 2, I read Swamplandia!, set in the Florida Everglades - so certainly somewhere away from cold, wintery weather!
30.1 - Cheryl TX/Lori (BNPL)'s Task: Unique Winter Holidays
I rolled a 3 and a 6.
For book 1, book with a hot male on the cover, I read
by Kaui Hart Hemmings. George Clooney is on the cover, and I'd say he's hot!
I've always liked the name Maggie, so for book 2, I read
by Maggie Barbieri.
Both of these authors are new to me.
Total points: 635
For Book 1, I read The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team about an ice hockey team and the Olympic game between the US and the USSR in 1980.
For Book 2, I read Swamplandia!, set in the Florida Everglades - so certainly somewhere away from cold, wintery weather!
30.1 - Cheryl TX/Lori (BNPL)'s Task: Unique Winter Holidays
I rolled a 3 and a 6.
For book 1, book with a hot male on the cover, I read

I've always liked the name Maggie, so for book 2, I read

Both of these authors are new to me.
Total points: 635


Task 15.9 - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
City of Glass ***541 pages Big Book*** by Cassandra Clare ***GR Author***
Total Big Book Tickets = 4
Total GR Authors = 18
Challenge total = 565

20.1 - Most Improved Player - Karen F's task: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Option D. Snuggle up with your Honey .
Beowulf and Roxie by Marissa Chenery

ebook approved on eBook Verfication board post 697
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 575

For 15.4 -- I read The Year of Living Scandalously: The Secrets of Hadley Green #1



Paris vs New York by Vahram Muratyan
This book is the French edition that was published on November 3rd 2011. This is a new-to-me author.
Total = 70 points

Option 1:

***CLAIMING GR AUTHOR TICKET***
Option 4:

Points this post: 25
Total Points: 355
Total GR Author tickets: 7
Big Book tickets: 5

This book has 551 ratings as of today.
25.9 My Favorite Genres:
Option 3 Mystery - Spider Web - #15 in the Benni Harper Mystery Series
Option 4 Adventure/Thriller -
Protect And Defend - #8 in the Mitch Rapp Series
Post Total: 35
Grand Total: 220

15.2 Make it Work
B:

by Isabel Wolff *Goodreads Author*
B:

by Aimee Ferris *Goodreads Author*
25.2 Santa by any other name is..... well, still Santa
Option A:
Dark Flame
by Alyson Noel *Goodreads Author*
The Vampire Stalker
by Allison van Diepen *Goodreads Author*
Points this post: 40
Total points: 635
Tasks: 37
Books: 48
Goodread authors: 26

Option 2: Magical Realism
The Night Circus
20.4
Resolution 6: Take a trip, book takes place in Seattle, want to visit
Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James **GR Author**
507 pg **Big Book**
25.9
Option 1: Young Adult Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor **GR Author**
Option 2:Urban Fantasy Turn Coat by Jim Butcher **GR Author**
Points this post: 65
Total points: 220
Tasks complete: 15
Books read: 17
Goodreads authors: 13 (3 this post)
Big Books: 500 = 1, 750 = 0, 1000 = 0

Task 25.4 - On This Day In History
For January, option 1, I read:
Box Office Poison by Alex Robinson
For February, option 1, I read:
Fables, Vol. 14: Witches by Bill Willingham
**Alex Robinson is a Goodreads author!!**
Points this task: 25
Total points: 630
Tasks completed: 39
Books read: 50
Pages read: 12684
Goodreads authors: 14
Big books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

What's IndieNext?
from the August 2011 list
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Ernest Cline is a Goodreads Author
Points this post: 15
Total points: 215
Tasks completed: 12
Books read: 15
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Book 1: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard ***who is a GR author***
Book 2: Possession by Elana Johnson ***who is a GR author***
Book 3: Rolled a 3: Ugg Boots:

***claiming 3 GR author tickets***
Points this post: 50
Total points: 275
Tasks completed: 13
Books read: 21
Goodreads Author Tickets: 16
Big Books: 500=1, 750=0, 1000=0

25.4: Sandy's Task: On This Day in History:
A2: December 31, 2009: Blue Moon and Lunar Eclipse:
Karen Robards - Ghost Moon

C2: February 29, 1968: Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Albums won 4 Grammy awards.
Susan McBride - The Lone Star Lonely Hearts Club

Susan McBride is a goodreads author.
30.6: Sassafrass's Task: The Many Facets of EARTH: Rolled 1,5:
1. 3rd book in series:
Katie Macalister - Me and My Shadow

Katie Macalister is a goodreads author
5. An e-book
JB Stanley - Chili Con Corpses

Points this Post: 55.
Total Points: 655.

I want to learn how to tattoo so I read High Voltage Tattoo by Kat Von D
10.2 As you like it
It was recommended for my Read-Shelf: Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
10.6 Can't wait til Spring

10.10 The Winter Blues
I wanted to continue reading this series and read

15.1 Cause Knowledge is Power
For option A I read:

and for option C I read:

15.2 Make it work
For A:

For B:

15.4 Go Green
option C:

option D: Grün, Grün, Grün Ist Alles, Was Wir Kaufen: Lügen, Bis Das Image Stimmt which is about how the economy lies to us and sells things eco-friendly even though they're not
15.6 Read em their writes"
Das Herz Der Hölle: Roman the main character is a detective
15.9 Hark the Herald Angels sing
Angels and Demons
20.4 Happy New Year
I picked resolution no. 5 and read I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away
25.7 Name Train
my last letter is S so I read Deadline by Simon Kernick
and Kernick ends with k so I read Seelenlos by Dean Koontz
25.9 My favorite Genres
option 2 Urban Fantasy: Blutlinien by J.R. Ward it's Black Dagger
option 4 Thriller: Dark Origins by Anthony E. Zuiker
30.1 Unique Winter HOlidays
for Get-A-Different-NAme-Day I read Freyas Geheimnis Roman by Christina Sunley.
for Feast-of-Fabulous-Wild-Men-DAy I read

Both authors were new to me.
30.2 Two Series
For my first book I read:

and for the 2nd book I read:

30.4 Double or Nothing
First Die was odd.

Second Die was odd:

30.5 Christmas Carolling
I chose "We Three KIngs of Orient are" and read

and then i chose "I'll be Home for Christmas" and read

Tasks completed: 16
Points total: 300

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (nominated for best Children's/Middle Grades book)
Points this Post: 5
Total Points: 840/985
Tasks Completed: 45/57
Books Read: 62/77
Goodreads Authors: 34
Big Books: 500=5, 750=1x2, 1000=0

25.7 Name Train The House At Riverton by Kate Morton – using “k” as the last letter of “Nick” in “Nick KY” and the first letter of “Kate” – 599 pages, and
A Place Beyond: Finding Home in Arctic Alaska by Nick Jans – using “n” as the last letter of “Morton” and the first letter of “Nick” (funny how circular this game turned out) – 189 pages
Claiming One Big Book for The House at Riverton
Task Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 705
Pages Read: 17,314
Big Books: 500+ (5) 750+ (1)

15.4 - Go Green

Approved in task thread for one book option (B & C)
Points this Post: 15
Total Challenge Points: 830
Total Goodreads Authors: 20
Big Books: 500+ - 2; 750+ - zero; 1000+ - zero

Task 5.5 - All Around the World
I read:
A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
Points this task: 5
Total points: 635
Tasks completed: 40
Books read: 51
Pages read: 13036
Goodreads authors: 14
Big Books: 500+ (2); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

I used my 2011 Winter Challenge Shelf, and read Breathing For a Living: A Memoir by Laura Rothenberg. It was very good, and very sad.
Points this post:10
Total points: 305
Tasks completed:15
Books read: 20
Goodreads Authors: 8
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Option 5:Take A Trip/Vacation
The Colour by Rose Tremain
This book is set in New Zealand which is in my top 5 countries to visit.
20.7-Shorter Is Sweeter-Stacie MI's task:And They Lived Happily Ever After
Option B
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
25.8- Gayla's Task:2011:The Year in Review
I chose options 2 & 3
2. The Descendants by Kaui Hart Hemmings(Movie release date:12/09/11)
3.Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts- Book 3 in the Bride Quartet
Points this post:65
Total Points:390
Total Tasks:22
Total Books:29

task 20.1 -baby it's cold outside
opt D Snuggle up with your honey

total points:300

I rolled a 2 and a 3. Both authors are new to me (and that was a real chore this time)
A. 2 Cozy mystery
Must the Maiden Die by Miriam Monfredo
B. 3 Hot Male

50. MS Anderson's Task--For the Love of Middle School:
A. The Girls Like:

B. The Boys Like:

C. Everyone Likes:

Today's total: 80
Grand total: 945

15.10 Sweet!

***Big Book - 880 pages ***
this post = 15pts
challenge total = 275pts
Goodread authors = 2
Big Book: 500=3, 750=2, 1000=0
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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)
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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)
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5.7. Third stone from the sun. - Club Dead by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #3)
10.4 Blue, White, and the Black of Night - Raising Freethinkers: A Practical Guide for Parenting Beyond Belief by Dale McGowan (blue cover)
15.7 Directionally Challenged: North River by Pete Hamill
Points this post: 30
Total challenge points: 810
Tasks completed: 43
Books read: 61
Goodreads Authors: 23
Big Books: 500=4, 750=0, 1000=0