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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

I'll be HOME for Christmas
Home Buying For Dummies by Eric Tyson
Oh Christmas TREE
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith a big book at 528 pages
Total points: 245

For this task, select two different genres from those listed below and read one book from each selected genre. Each book must be part of a series as identified on Goodreads. The Goodreads main book pages for the books you choose must have the selected genre on the Popular Shelves. You may read any book in the series.
Option 1 – Young Adult – Daniel X Demons and Druids by James Patterson *A Goodreads Author*

Option 2 – Urban Fantasy – Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse #2) by Charlaine Harris

Points this task: 25
Total points: 250
Tasks completed: 167
Books read: 17
Goodreads Authors: 7
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0
30.6 - Sassafrass's task: The Many Facets of EARTH
This task explores the many meanings and uses of the term earth. This is a 2 book task. To determine which options your books must fit, roll 2 dice and read a book that corresponds to the numbers you rolled. If you roll doubles, you should complete the same task twice.
OPTIONS:
I rolled a 1 so I read: Susannah’s Garden (Blossom Street #3)

I rolled a 6 so I read: The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag (Flavia De Luce #2) By Alan Bradley *A Goodreads Author*

Points this task: 30
Total points: 280
Tasks completed: 18
Books read: 19
Goodreads Authors: 8
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

*** Re-posting task 50.1 ***
50.1
Book 1: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
*** Goodreads Author ***
Book 2: Legend by Marie Lu
*** Goodreads Author ***
Book 3: (rolled 1) Blockade Billy by Stephen King
Points this Post: 50
Total Points: 320
Tasks Completed: 13
Books Read: 20
GR Author: 14
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

30.2
Book 1: When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James (Fairy Tales #2)
*** Goodreads Author ***
Book 2: Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James (Desperate Duchesses #1)
*** Goodreads Author ***
Points this Post: 30
Total Points: 350
Tasks Completed: 14
Books Read: 22
GR Author: 16
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


**Lisa Genova is a Goodreads Author**
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 385
Tasks Completed: 20
Books Read: 27
Goodreads Authors: 23
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

15.10:Sweet! Graveminder by Melissa Marr goodreads author
For task 25.1, I am replacing Pretty with Perfect by Sara Shepard goodreads author. This book fits the sweetbriar category. The other book I used for this task was Matched by Ally Condie for plumeria.
25.5 - Mstan's task: "Movies - Ruining (Advertising?) the Book Since..."
Option A: Made the Grade A Matilda by Roald Dahl
Goodreads: 4.2; Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Option D: In the Eyes of the Beholder Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico
Goodreads: 3.82; Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
30.7 - Delicious Dee's task: Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover
I got a heads and a tails. For the cover I liked I read


Points this task: 70
Total Points: 730
Goodreads Authors: Lauren Kate, Stacey Jay, Kendare Blake, SJ Watson, James Patterson**, Chevy Stevens, Gregg Olsen, Rebecca Skloot, Janet Evanovich*, Lauren Oliver, Chris Bohjalian, Sara Shepard****, Heidi Betts, Sarah Blake, Melissa Marr, Matt Rees
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

I read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, who is a Goodreads author.
25.1 - Where Have all the Flowers Gone?
White Lilacs (youthful innocence) - I read The Thief of Always, a young adult book by Clive Barker.
Sweetbriar (simplicity) - I read Grimspace by Ann Aguirre, who is a Goodreads author.
Points this post: 40
Total points: 325
Tasks completed: 19
Books read: 25
Goodreads Authors: 13
Big Books: 500=2, 750=0, 1000=0

I read

30.7 Double or Nothing
My first dice rolled was odd so I read Elizabeth The Queen: The Life Of A Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith; 3 stars. Sally has a double "ll" in it.
My second dice rolled was even so I read

ELIZABETH THE QUEEN IS A BIG BOOK AT 672 PAGES
SALLY BEDELL SMITH IS A GR AUTHOR
Total Points: 270 + 10 + 30 = 310
GR Authors: 4
Big Books: 500+ (2); 750+ (2) and 1000+ (1)

30.2 Sheila’s Task: One Author – Two Series
Book 1:Lord John And The Brotherhood Of The Blade by Diana Gabaldon (Lord John Series #2)
Book 2: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #1)
Diana Gabaldon is a Goodreads Author
I would like to change my book for 10.9 Earth Signs (original post 2407)
Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon (instead of Outlander)
Diana Gabaldon's birthday is January 11
Big Book: 752 pages
Total Points: 745
Total GR Authors: 25
Total Big Books: (4)500; (3)750; (0)1000

15.1 - Cause Knowledge is Power
A(and)and D(No!)
God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales
Points this post: 15
Total points: 420
Tasks completed: 18
Books read: 26
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big books: 500+(4); 750+(0); 1000+(0)

I read These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf (a GoodReads Author). It was a nominee in the Mystery and Thriller category. I liked it!
Points this post:5
Total points: 440
Tasks completed:24
Books read: 32
Goodreads Authors: 12
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Task 5.2 (bugs) Lucky Stiff by Deborah Coonts has a bug charm on the necklace on the cover (and bugs are prominent in the plot -- ewwwwww)

Task 5.4 (goal) I read

Task 15.6 (police officer) I read Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George. The main character is a Detective with Scotland Yard. **Big Book -- this book was over 600 pages**
635 previous points plus 25 points = 660 points
21 Goodreads Authors plus one = 22 Goodreads Authors
1 Big Book Ticket

15.10 Sweet!
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 285
Goodreads Authors: 5

5.7 - Third Stone from the Sun
Be Still My Vampire Heart by Kerrelyn Sparks
10.2 - As You Like It
Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz (GR Author)
used read-in-2011 shelf
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Bec's task: Off to War
Option B: Front in title
Home Front by Kristin Hannah (GR Author)
Points this post: 35
Total Points: 900
GR Authors: 42 (2 this post)


The o's in "Koontz" and "Good" are oval.
15.10 Sweet! My book of choice was
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson
Helen Simonson is a GoodReads Author.
20 Points this post
350 total Points
3 total GoodReads authors
1 total Big book
Thanks for a fun challenge!!!!

Task 10.3 - Here, There be Dragons
White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey
Pages - 468
Points - 10
Task 25.4 - Sandy's Task: On This Day in History
Book A - December Option 1 - Queen in Title
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Julie Kagawa is a Goodreads Author
Pages - 358
Book B - February Option 1 - Magic Central to Plot
Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
The main character has elemental magic - ice and stone.
Jennifer Estep is a Goodreads Author
Pages - 395
Points - 25
Task 25.7 - Amanda A's Task: Name Train
Readerboard Name - Denise NC - Authors Name Start with C
Book A - Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher
Lucy Christopher is a Goodreads Author
Pages - 299
Book B - The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Pages - 513
Big Book (500)
Points - 25
Points this Post - 60
Points this Challenge - 905
Tasks this Post - 3
Tasks this Challenge - 58
Goodreads Authors this Post - 3
Goodreads Authors this Challenge - 34
Big Books this Post - 500(1) / 750(0) / 1000(0)
Big Books this Challenge - 500(3) / 750 (0) / 1000(0)

853 Ratings:
Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
+10 Points
10.10 The Winter Blues
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
+10 Points
Points this Post: 20
Grand Total: 820

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
15.8 What's Indie Next
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
It appeared on the January 2011 Indie Next List.
15.10 Sweet - read a book of choice
Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier is a GR author
20.1 Baby It's Cold Outside
D. Snuggle up with your Honey

Jennifer E. Smith is a GR author
20.2 The Nutcracker
1. A book where a child is a main character
Legend by Marie Lu
Marie Lu is a GR author
20.3 Words Among Friends
The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared by Alice Ozma
T R P M F A T B W S = BATS
20.4 Happy New Year!
4. Save Money/Manage Debt - book for free from library
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Chris Cleave is a GR author
20.5 Off to War
Option A
When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
20.7 And They Lived Happily Ever After
Option A:Once Upon a Time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
20.9 Honoring the Grands
A. A book focusing on a senior citizen
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
25.4 On This Day in History
A.2. A book with a moon on the cover

Shannon Hale is a GR Author
C.2. "With A Little Help From My Friends" is from Sergent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult has "My" in it.
points - 210
GR authors - 5

Book 1 - the last letter of my Readerboard name is L, and I chose a book by an author starting with L.
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Book 2 - A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Rohinton Mistry's first name begins with the last letter of Leif Enger's last name.
A Fine Balance is a Big Book with 603 pages.
25.8 The Year in Review
1. The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka is one of the 100 Notable Books of 2011
5. No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Fay Greene takes place in Atlanta, where an Occupy protest has taken place.
30.3 Small Changes or Simple Swaps
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
I added an "s" to the word "Girl"
Both Jean Kwok and Lisa See are GR authors.
30.5 Christmas Carolling
"The Most Wonderful Day of the Year"
The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder
Lisa Schroeder is a GR author
"Joy to the World"
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See
Lisa See is a GR author
30.6 The Many Facets of Earth
I rolled a 1 and a 2.
1. An author with 3 letters in first or last name
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
2. A book that has a brown cover

Lisa McMann is a GR author
This post:
Points - 140
GR authors - 5
Big Book Tickets - 1
Totals to date:
350 points
10 GR authors
1 Big Book

Points thus far: 445
Goodreads Author: 0/3
Big Book Ticket: 500=2, 750=0, 1000=0
30.3 Small Changes
Breath
Breathe: A Ghost Story

My final post for this challenge.
Task: 10.8 Hidden Gems
Book: Incompetence
This had 258 ratings when I chose the book.
Task: 15.10 Sweet!
Book: The Sealed Letter
Total Points: 220
Previous Reads:
5.1 It's the Latest Thing - The Hypnotist by Lars Keplar
5.3 Round Here - The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
5.4 Call it a Goal - Greek Island Hopping 2011
5.6 Other People Liked it why not me? - A Discovery of Witches
5.7 Third Stone from the Sun - The Knife of Never Letting go
5.8 Jump - The Auschwitz Violin
5.10 E.A.R.T.H - Shadows in the Street by Susan Hill
10.2 As You Like It - Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
10.3 Here be the Dragons - Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
15.5 All Shiny and New - The Woman In Silk by R.J.Gadney
15.6 Read 'em their writes - Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch
15.8 What's Indie Next - The cellist of Sarajevo
20.3 Word among Friends - Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson
20.5 Off to War - War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
25.4 On this day in history - The King Must Die and The Last of the Wilds
30.6 The Many Facets of Eart - Monsters of Men and The Ask and the Answer
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Colum McCann is a Goodreads author.
50.1 - FOR THE LOVE OF MIDDLE SCHOOL.
A. Girls - Death du Jour which the Bones series on TV is based on.
B. Boys - The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan which is shelved as dystopia.
C. I rolled a 3 so I read Get Lucky by Katherine Center which has shoes on the cover.
Carrie Ryan and Katherine Center are both Goodreads authors.
That will do it for me for this challenge. I look forward to seeing all the tasks for next challenge.
Congrats to all who have finished and a big cheer for those who are close I know you can do it!!
Finally thanks to the Mods for all the hard work that they put in.
TOTAL POINTS - 625
GOODREADS AUTHORS - 20
BIG BOOKS - 3


15.10 SWEET!
For my valentine from the mods, I read Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War.
Total points: 130
Tasks done: 7
Books read: 7
Pages read: 1,941
That's about it for me this challenge. See you at the spring challenge!

Task 20.4 Happy New Year
I picked resolution #4 and read Still Alice by Lisa Genova who is a Goodreads Author!!! This book was a gift so it fits #4.
Points this post:20
Total points:360
Tasks completed:19
Books read:25
Goodreads Authors:7
Big bokks:500+(2)750+(0)1000+(0)
I think this is it for me this challenge, bring on the FIRE!!

A Dilly of a Death by ***Goodreads Author Susan Wittig Albert***
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 495
Tasks Completed: 29
Books Read: 40
GoodReads Authors: 9
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ ()

Finished task 20.7 Happily Ever After
I read The Time Of Your Life: Finding God's Rest In Your Busy Schedule
Option A: the title has "time" in it.
New point total: 355

Finished task 20.3 Words Among Friends
I read How We Love: Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage
Out of these letters: HWLDYLSEYM I spelled: SLED
New point total: 375

30.1 - Cheryl TX/Lori (BNPL)'s Task: Unique Winter Holidays
Rolled 2 and 6
Option 2: Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb
Peggy Webb is a Goodreads author.
Option 6: Name chosen: Amanda
The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee
Both authors were new to me.
30.4 - Donna Jo's task: Double or Nothing
Book A: 2 rolled
Up Jumps the Devil by Margaret Maron
Book B: 4 rolled
Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde
Points this post: 60
Total Points: 485
Goodreads Authors: 9
Big Book Tickets: 2

20.2 - The Nutcracker
Option 4: The Snow Queen and the Snowflakes
Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures - Walter Moers
Author's name begins with W
Edition I read had 688 pages so ***claiming Big Book Ticket***
20.5 - Off to War
Option B: "War" in title
War Horse - Michael Morpurgo
Points this post: 40
Total points: 210
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 12
GR authors: 1
Big books: (500+=2)(750+=0)(1000+=0)

Thanks for the encouragement, Dee! I don't think I can finish because I'm working and have too little time left, but I'm going to try for the highest score I can get!
Go Denise!


5.8. Jump!
Since leap year occurs every four years, read a book with a number of pages that is evenly divisible by 4.
Kristin Lavransdatter, Part 1: The Wreath (1920) by Sigrid Undset, translated by Tiina Nunnally (Paperback, 308 pages)
560 + 05 = 565

15.10 Sweet!: A valentine from your mods- Read a book of your choice
I read:
Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth (2008) by Xiaolu Guo (Hardcover, 172 pages)
565 + 15 = 580
Tasks Completed: 27
Points for this task: 05 + 15 = 20
Points thus far: 560 + 05 + 15 = 580
Books read: 41
Pages Read: 13,245
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books:
(2) 500+
(0) 750 +
(1) 1000 +

Task 15.8
A Thousand Splendid Suns
This book appeared on the Spring/Summer 09 Reading Group List
Never heard of IndieNext before, but I love independent book stores. Joined right away :D
Task 20.4
The Likeness
My resolution is to get fit and lose weight - I've gained over 20lbs in the last year and a half since starting my new sit-at-a-computer-all-day job :(
I went with the TBR option for the lose weight resolution -- this book was on my TBR since December 2010, over a year.
Points this post: 35
Total Points: 185
GRA: 3
Big Books: 0

White Lilacs (youthful innocence): Moon Over Manifest
Sweetbriar (simplicity): Dreamfever
Task Points: 25
Total Points: 150

20.4 - Happy New Year!!
I picked resolution 4 Save Money/Manage Debt and read a book I got from the library:

25.9 - My Favorite Genres
I picked Option 1 Young Adult and read

and Option 4 Adventure/Thriller and read

Points for this post: 45
Total so far: 355

25.1 Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
Marigold (pain and grief):
Read The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Hollyhock (ambition):
Read The Eight by Katherine Neville
I always wanted to learn how to play chess.
****Big Book Ticket for The Eight with 598 pgs.
Total points: 235



Task 30.3 - Small changes or simple swaps
Book 1: Peony in Love by Lisa See **GR Author**
Book 2 - Option A (add a letter): Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Love + r = Lover
Total GR Authors = 27
Challenge total = 825

Recommended off my 1000 books to read shelf
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
***This is a big book at 567 pages***
10.4 Blue, White, and Black of Night

20.1 Baby It's Cold Outside
Option A
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Post Total: 40
Season Total: 985
Thank you to our wonderful moderators for yet another fantastic challenge!!

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
Total points: 545
Tasks completed: 28
Books read: 38
Goodreads Authors total: 17
Big Book total : 500+ = 2
This is it for me this season! Thanks for the great challenge !

30.5 Christmas Carolling
Night by Elie Wiesel
(Silent Night)
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgsen Burnett
(LIttle Drummer Boy)
This task: 30
# tasks completed: 37
Total points: 660

50.1 For The Love Of Middle School
Book 1:
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
Book 2:
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Book 3:
Die Roll 2
Captivate by Carrie Jones
CARRIE JONES IS A GOODREADS AUTHOR
This task: 50
# tasks completed: 38
Total points: 710
GR Authors: 19
BB: 1/750+, 3/500+
This task: 50
# tasks completed: 38
Total points: 710
GR authors: 19
BB: 1/750+, 3/500+
That should be it for me for winter!

15.9 Hark! The Herold Angels Sing (read a book with significant character being a fallen angel)
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
The books main character, Patch, is a fallen angel, which fits the task requirement
Points this post: 15
Total points: 105/985
Tasks completed: 10/57
Books read: 10
Goodreads Authors: 7
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0
My final posting for the Winter Challenge :-(

10.10 The winter blues
The Blackstone Key by Rose Melikan
25.9 My favourite genres
Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn - romance
Last Chance by Sarah Dessen - ya
Tasks points 35
Total points 480
Total tasks 22
Total books 34
big thanks to our moderators :)

15.3 Winter Wonderland
A.

B. The Murder of King Tut by James Patterson, which is set in Egypt where the pyramids are. moved-see below for replacement
25.4 - Sandy’s Task: On This Day in History
Replacing King Tut with A2

30.5 - Butterflycager's task: Christmas Carolling
Replacing I Still Dream About You with A Christmas Visitor by Anne Perry from the carol The Christmas Song. My other book for this task was Knit the Season.
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 745
Goodreads Authors: Lauren Kate, Stacey Jay, Kendare Blake, SJ Watson, James Patterson**, Chevy Stevens, Gregg Olsen, Rebecca Skloot, Janet Evanovich*, Lauren Oliver, Chris Bohjalian, Sara Shepard****, Heidi Betts, Sarah Blake, Melissa Marr, Matt Rees
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

30.4 - Donna Jo's task: Double or Nothing
Book A: Odd: Author double consonants: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells- double LLs and published before 1975.
Book B: Even: Double Letters: Pretty: A Novel by Jillian Lauren has double Ts and was published after 1975. Jillian Lauren is a goodreads author.
Points this task: 30
Total Points: 775
Goodreads Authors: Lauren Kate, Stacey Jay, Kendare Blake, SJ Watson, James Patterson**, Chevy Stevens, Gregg Olsen, Rebecca Skloot, Janet Evanovich*, Lauren Oliver, Chris Bohjalian, Sara Shepard****, Heidi Betts, Sarah Blake, Melissa Marr, Matt Rees, Jillian Lauren
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

25.5 - Mstan's task: "Movies - Ruining (Advertising?) the Book Since..."
Option A- Made the Grade: Matilda by Roald Dahl has a 4.2 rating on GR and a 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Option D: In the Eyes of the Beholder: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells has a 3.7 on GR and a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. (corrected from Mrs. Arris Goes to Paris.)
Due to this replacement, I am also changing task 30.4- Double or Nothing. I'm replacing the Time Machine with Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico who has double LLs in his name for my odd roll for book A. It was published before 1975. My other book for this task was Pretty by Jillian Lauren.
Points this task: 25
Total Points: 775
Goodreads Authors: Lauren Kate, Stacey Jay, Kendare Blake, SJ Watson, James Patterson**, Chevy Stevens, Gregg Olsen, Rebecca Skloot, Janet Evanovich*, Lauren Oliver, Chris Bohjalian, Sara Shepard****, Heidi Betts, Sarah Blake, Melissa Marr, Matt Rees, Jillian Lauren
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

15.10 Sweet: Pitch Dark
Task Total: 15
Grand Total: 350
See ya in the Spring. Thanks mods for your hard work, the challenges are always enjoyable!
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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)
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...
Points this post: 15
Total points:360
Tasks complete: 23
Books read: 27
Goodreads authors: 20 (1 this post)
Big books: 500 = 1, 750 = 0, 1000 = 0