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

5.8 Jump!
I read Fablehaven - Grip of the Shadow Plague and it has 496 pages which is divisible by four.
Points for this task: 5
Points so far: 40

10.8 Hidden Gems
To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal
As of 12/16/2011 there are 718 ratings.
this task 10
tasks completed 4
total points 35
gr authors 3

Marigold - death is central to the plot:
Needled to Death by Maggie Sefton
Hibiscus - a beautiful cover:

Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh
Total points 110

Stacey
5.6 Other People Liked It
Ready Player One
5.8 Jump!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Omnibus, Vol. 1 (312 pages)
New points: 10
Total points: 45
5.6 Other People Liked It
Ready Player One
5.8 Jump!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Omnibus, Vol. 1 (312 pages)
New points: 10
Total points: 45

10.4 Blue & White & Dark of Night
The Wind's Twelve Quarters: Stories

15.4 Go Green Green Gone Wrong: How Our Economy Is Undermining the Environmental Revolution

A. “Green” in the title, and
D. Non-fiction shelved as “Environment,”
256 pages
20.6 Microhistories Tea: Addiction, Exploitation, and Empire

Task Points this Post: 45
Total Points: 215
Pages Read: 5,256
Big Books: 500+ (2)

10.3 Here, There Be Dragons

this post = 10
challenge total = 10
Big Books: 500=0, 750=1, 1000=0

Read Candlemoth by R.J.Ellory (LL) and The Last Warner Woman (WW) by Kei Miller
That's 3 books and 50 points

Task 20.6 Microhistory!...read a non-fiction microhistory of the study of one small thing:
I read

Points earned for this task: 20
Points Achieved to date: 50
Updated last on: 12.16.11
Total # of books read: 5
Total # of pages read: 1,708
Total # of tasks completed: 5
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 0
Total # of Big Books:
500+ (0)
700+ (0)
1000+ (0)

Let's warm up! Read a book that is set in the southern hemisphere OR one that takes place during the summer.
Freedom Summer: The Savage Season That Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracy by Bruce Watson
This book takes place during the summer of 1967.
This Post: 10
Total Points: 65/985
Tasks Completed: 7/57
Books Read: 7/79

I tried out for the the part of Clara (one the Stahlbaum Children) by completing option 1 - read a book with a child as the main character.
I read:
Swann's Way by Marcel Proust.
In this novel, the narrator is a young child (5-8) for much of part 1 and about 10-12 years old throughout part 3.
Points this post - 20
Total points - 40
Books read - 2
Tasks completed - 2
Goodreads Authors - Rebecca Skloot
Big Books - 0

20.3 Words Among Friends
Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
(I-O-T-S-L-N = SLOT)
Points this Task: 20
Total Points: 30


(Goodreads Author)
Points this post: 10
Total points: 30
Tasks completed: 4
Books read: 4
Goodreads Authors: 3

20.1 Baby It's Cold Outside
Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States by Bill Bryson
A: I took the first option, drinking some English Breakfast tea!
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 45
Tasks Completed: 4
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (), 1000+ ()



Task 30.7 - Don't judge a book by its cover (I flipped 2 heads, these are two covers I love.)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson ***GR Author***
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier ***GR Author***
Total GR Authors this post = 2
Total GR Authors for challenge = 7
Challenge total = 160
10.3 Here there Be Dragons Vanish by Sophie Jordan (Goodreads Author) Main character is a Draki- Dragon that can hide in manifestation of a human.
30.6 The Many Facets of EARTH
Rolled 1 and 2
read for option 1 Juliet Immortal (GRA) last name 3 letters
and option 3 The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (GRA) brown cover
Points this Post: 40
Total points- 230
Tasks Completed: 13
Books read: 16
Pages Read : 4,332
GR Authors: 8
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)
30.6 The Many Facets of EARTH
Rolled 1 and 2
read for option 1 Juliet Immortal (GRA) last name 3 letters
and option 3 The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (GRA) brown cover
Points this Post: 40
Total points- 230
Tasks Completed: 13
Books read: 16
Pages Read : 4,332
GR Authors: 8
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)


4 new tasks
5.7. Third stone from the sun
All I Ever Needed by Jo Goodman is 3rd in the Compass Club series
5.10. EARTH
Read a book by an author whose first or last name begins with E, A, R, T, H.
George's Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy Hawking whose last name begins with 'H'
20.2 - Rookie on Top - Connie's task: The Nutcracker
#4 - read a book by an author whose first or last name begins with one of these letters S, N, O, W.
Mastered By Love by Stephanie Laurens whose first name begins with 'S'
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Option A: Once Upon a Time
Once a Gentleman by Candice Hern has 'once' in the title
Points this post = 50
Total Points = 55
Tasks Completed = 5
Total Pages Read = 1870

Task 5.4 Let's Call It A Goal
I read Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story by Sue Monk Kidd
My goal is to take a trip with my two grown daughters, perhaps even to Europe where they travelled and shared a lovely experience.
Tasks this post: 5
Total points: 70
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 5
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(0)750+(0)1000+(0)

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt was on the May 2011 IndieNext List.
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 80
Goodreads Authors: Lauren Kate
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Task 5.8: Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams (288 pages) *Riley Adams is a Goodreads Author
Points this post: 5
Total points: 5
Tasks completed: 1
Books read: 1
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

5.8: Jump!:
El nombre del viento by Patrick Rothfuss.
840pages/4 = 210
I want to claim 2 BB tickets and 1 GR author.
Points this post: 5
Total points: 5
Big Books: 750 (1)
Goodreads Authors: 1

15.1 Cause Knowledge Is Power
I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship: Hilarious, Heartwarming Tales About Man's Best Friends from America's Favorite Humorists edited by Wade Rouse
This title combines options B and C: There is a pronoun (I) and a superlative adjective (biggest).
15.4 Go Green
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

This book combines options A and C: The word "green" is in the title, and the cover of the book is green. (It looks yellowish in the thumbnail, but if you click on it, you'll see it's green checks.)
20.9 Honoring the Grands
Nothing with Strings: NPR's Beloved Holiday Stories by Bailey White
Unless you've read this book, you're going to have to trust me on this one. Despite the title, there are no stories in this collection about the holidays. (I'm not kidding.) Every single story is about senior citizens dealing with divorce, dementia, and death. Quite the jolly holiday read! (BTW-It was approved in the task thread.)
Points for this post: 15 + 15 + 20 = 50
Total points: 50
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 3
Goodreads authors: 0
Big books: 500=0, 750=0, 1,000=0

20.1 Baby, It's Cold Outside
Option C: Curl Up by the Fire (flame on cover)

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Points this post: 20
Total points: 35
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 3
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom Big Book 648 pgs.
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
25 Total Points
1 Big book

15.10 - Sweet!

Points this Post: 15
Total Challenge Points: 175
Total Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500+ - zero; 750+ - zero; 1000+ - zero

I read The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm.
The letters of the title are T T W M A. I created the anagram WATT.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 60
Tasks Completed: 5
GR Authors: 3
Big Books: 0

25.1 - Rachel Lee's task: Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
Marigold (pain and grief) - False Mermaid by Erin Hart (this is a murder mystery)
Plumeria (new beginnings) - Once Upon a Winter's Night by Dennis L. McKiernan (Faery Series #1)
Erin Hart is a Goodreads Author.
Points this post: 25
Total challenge points: 285
Tasks completed: 14
Books read: 18
Goodreads Authors: 12
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

15.5 Read Em Their Writes: Still Life
Armand Gamache is Chief Inspector of the Quebec Police
Task Total: 15
Grand Total: 30

A) Green in title: The Green Trap by Ben Bova.
C) Green cover: I read

Points this post: 15
Total points: 60
Books read: 6
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 0

20.1 - Most Improved Player - Karen F's Task: Baby It's Cold Outside
I chose Option A - English Breakfast

20.3 - Best Review - Chris MD's Task: Words Among Friends
My word is BACK

Points this Post: 40
Total Challenge Points: 215
Total Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500+ - zero; 750+ - zero; 1000+ - zero

5.6 Other People Liked It, Why Not Me?
Just Like Heaven- Julia Quinn (Julia Quinn is a GR Author.)
10.4 Blue, White, and the Black of Night
Skellig- David Almond

Points this post: 15
Total points: 40
Tasks completed: 5
Goodreads Authors: 3

Book 1 (book #2 of the Pink Carnation series): The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig
Book 2 (holiday book - book #4.2 of the Pink Carnation series): Ivy & Intrigue by Lauren Willig
***Lauren Willig is a Goodreads author - claiming 2 GR author tickets this post***
Points this post: 25
Total points: 105
Tasks completed: 6
Books read: 9
Goodreads Author Tickets: 6
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

5.7 - Third Stone from the Sun
Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
Janet Evanovich is a Goodreads Author
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 2
Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 529
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(-), 750+(-), 1000+(-)


15.5 All shiny and new
A Girl Like You by Gemma Burgess
published in 2011 and new author
Task points 15
Total points 45
Total tasks 4
Total books 4
BIg books 500- 1, 750- 0, 1000- 0


20.5 - Bigger is Better - Bec's task: Off to War
Option B: Read a book that has one of these words in the title or subtitle: war, battle, front or soldier.
Three Soldiers (1921) by John Dos Passos (Paperback, 430 pages)
40 + 20 = 60

Tasks Completed: 3
Points for this task: 20
Points thus far: 40+20=60
Books read: 4
Pages Read: 1445
Read but not claimed: 1

25.1 - WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE - SWEET BRIAR Juliet and PLUMERIA - The Lincoln Lawyer.
Juliet is a big book.
Michael Connelly is a Goodreads author.
TOTAL POINTS - 55
GOODREADS AUTHORS - 1
BIG BOOKS - 1


Option 4: Author's last name begins with an "N"
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
This Post: 20
Total Points: 235
Tasks Completed: 13
Books Read: 17
Goodreads Authors:10
Big Books:500=1, 750=1x2, 1000=0

I read the Beekeeper's Apprentice by The Beekeeper's Apprentice and posted on the comment thread.
total points: 65
tasks comleted: 4
Books read: 5
pages read: 1868

The Monstrumologist (* * *)
15.10 - Sweet!
Red Seas Under Red Skies (* *) - 630 pages - *claiming 1 Big Book ticket
20.2 - Rookie on Top - Connie's task: The Nutcracker
Snow Crash (Option 4 - 'snow' in the title) (* * * *)
Tasks completed: 9/57
Books read: 9/77
Points claimed in this post: 40
Total points claimed: 100


I chose option D-a book with the word religion on the title page on goodreads
The Gospel According to Harry Potter: Spirituality in the Stories of the World's Most Famous Seeker by C.W. Neal
Points this task:20
Total Points:120
Goodreads Authors:2
Big Book Tickets:0


10.9 Earth signs
Long Lost by Harlan Coben
born 4th January
Task points 10
Total points 55
Total tasks 5
Total books 5
Big books 500- 1, 750- 0, 1000- 0

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Set in 1941 during World War II, a young girl is deported to the death camps in Siberia by the Soviet secret police.
**Claiming GR Author Ticket**
This Post: 20
Total Points: 255
Tasks Completed: 14
Books Read: 18
Goodreads Authors: 11
Big Books: 500=1, 750=1x2, 1000=0

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Points this post: 20
Total points: 20
Tasks completed: 1
Books read: 1
Pages Read: 374
Big books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

5.10 Earth
The Searchby Nora Roberts
R for Roberts
10.4 Blue, White & the Black of Night
The Lake of Dreams: An absorbing. perceptive and moving tale

15.6 Read 'Em Their Writes
Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson
Features Detective Alex Cross
15.8 What's Indie Next?
The Language of Flowers By Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Appeared on Sept 2011 Indie Next list
20.2 Rookie on Top- Connie's task: The Nutcracker
Tried for the part of The Snow Queen & The Snowflakes with The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
Authors first name begins with N
20.5 Bigger is Better- Bec's Task:Off to War
The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli
Vietnam War-American photojournalist Helen Adams attempts to flee the fall of Saigon with her Vietnamese husband Linh, but she is drawn back into the war with her determination to capture history.
This Post: 85
Total Points: 85
Tasks Completed: 6
Books Read: 6


Points this post: 20
Total Points: 200
Tasks Completed: 12
Books Read: 16
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

2. Cozy mystery: Face of Betrayal (A Triple Threat Novel) Large Print by Lis Wiehl; April Henry
Lis Wiehl is a Goodreads Author
April Henry is a Goodreads Author
3. Hot male on cover:

30.2-Sheila's Author 2 Series:
1. The Burning Shore(Courtney #4) by Wilbur A. Smith 640 pages-BIG BOOK*****
2. A Falcon Flies (Ballentyne #!) by Wilbur A. Smith 704 pages-BIG BOOK*****
This post: 60pts, 2GRA, 2BB
Season Total: 270

I chose Option A: Once Upon a Time. I read two books to make the page count. This was approved in the help thread.
1. Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life & Times (TIME)
and
2. Once upon a More Enlightened Time: More Politically Correct Bedtime Stories (ONCE, TIME)
both books were by James Finn Garner - a GR author x2
Points: 20
25.3 A Series in Your Stocking
I read Shakespeare's Christmas and Shakespeare's Trollop. Both are from the Lily Bard Series (#3 & #4) by Charlaine Harris
Points: 25
Total Points: 75
Total Books Read: 10
Total Tasks Completed: 4
Total Big Books: 0
Total GR Authors: 2

Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
My goal is to pick up some good recipes and do a bit more baking in the coming year. I think I definitely need to try the Vanilla and Chocolate Crack and the Chocolate Sugar Cookies.
20.8 It's My Birthday - Dionisia's task: ...and it's all about ME (Myself, and I)
Fool Me Twice by Stephanie Black
Stephanie Black is a Goodreads author.
30.1 - Cheryl TX/Lori (BNPL)'s Task: Unique Winter Holidays
I rolled 2 fours: Read a book whose author's initial is reversed from yours. My initials are MG.
The Enemy Has a Face by Gloria Miklowitz
A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard
Points this post: 55
Total points: 145
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 11
Goodreads Authors: 5
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0

Cover I liked:

Cover I didn't like:

Goodreads Authors: Brandon Sanderson and Maggie Stiefvater
Big book 500+ pages: Elantris
Total Points: 30
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...
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan – featured on the Summer 2010 Kids’ Next List
**David Levithan is a Goodreads author**
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 85
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 5
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0