The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL WINTER CHALLENGE - 2008/2009
10 points4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
It Must Be Love
total:50 points
Third task completed10 points
4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
Love Walked In
Total points: 20/290
Tasks completed: 3
10 point task8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.
Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot
Current Point Total: 10
Quick question, for no. 6 on the 10 pt tasks(A Book That Takes Place In A Country That Is Part Of Your Ancestry), I was wondering if The Painted Veil would be acceptable? (My ancestors came from England, but the book takes place in both England and Hong Kong. If it needs to be a book strictly in one country, then I don't imagine it would be too hard for me to find another one, but The Painted Veil would be convenient since I've been meaning to read it and already have purchased it.)
Jeane: Good answer, haha. I'm studying full-time and I'm in the middle of moving to a different town, in a month, and doing lots of paperwork with school transfers and the move. So I see why I don't have as much time to read. When I finish the book I'm on (whenever that'll be), I'll at least have 30 points :P
Just finished a 15 pt task:Tasks Completed: 5
Total Points Earned: 80
Other than the ending, I didn't care for it much at all, especially after reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which portrayed a far more believable nine-year-old protagonist.
kristina, treasure the few moments between all the chaos that you can read!
I'm down with this.5 POINT TASKS
1. February Is African American History Month: Read A Book With A Main Character Who Is African American Or A Biography/Autobiography Of An African American.
Clifford's Blues, John A. Williams.
2. February Is National Library Lovers Month...Visit Your Local Library And Either Check Out A Book Or For Those Who Have To Own - Buy One From A Library Sale And Read That Book. (Previously Purchased Books Don’t Count.)
The View From the Seventh Layer, Kevin Brockmeier.
3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel.
Possession: A Romance, A.S. Byatt.
4. It’s Winter: Read A Book Whose Title Contains a Winter Weather Word – i.e. Blizzard, Snow, Ice, Sleet, Icicle, Snowflake, Frost, Freeze, Slush, Flurry, Chill, Or Hail.
Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson.
5. Pick 10 Books From Your TBR List, Put The Titles Pieces Of Paper, And Pick One Out Of A Basket Or A Hat Whatever You Can Find, And Then Read That Book.
Musicophilia, Oliver W. Sacks.
6. Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. (The author can have only one published book at the time you read it.)
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, David Wrobelwski.
7. Read A Book Whose Title Starts With The Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How.
What Is the What, Dave Eggers.
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday.
Winter's Tale, Mark Helprin (re-read).
9. Read A Mystery Novel.
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie.
10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To.
The Princess Bride, William Goldman.
10 POINT TASKS
1. For Chinese New Year: Read a Book That Takes Place in China or Was Written By a Chinese Author.
Pavilion of Women, Pearl S. Buck.
2. For The Holiday Season: Read a Book with a Holiday Song in the Title.
Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce, Stanley Weitraub.
3. For Christmas: Read a Book with Any of the Following in the Title: Angel, Miracle, God, Jesus, Shepherd, Manger, Wise Man, Mary, or Joseph.
The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins.
4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
Kiss of the Spider Woman, Manuel Puig.
5. Many Great Authors Died In 2008: Read A Book By An Author Who Died This Year. http://www.fantasticfiction.co...
For the Good of the Cause, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
6. Read A Book That Takes Place In A Country That Is Part Of Your Ancestry (I.E. If Your Irish Read A Book That Takes Place In Ireland Or About Ireland).
Severin's Journey Into the Dark (A Prague Ghost Story), Paul Leppin.
7. Read A Book Where The Main Character Is Mentally Or Physically Handicapped.
Children With Emerald Eyes, Mira Rothenberg (re-read).
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.
The Once and Future King, T.H. White.
9. Read A Book With December, January, Or February In The Title.
The Dean's December, Saul Bellow.
10. Read A Book With A Title Containing The Name Of A Body Part (Eg. Hand, Nail, Finger, Toe, Etc).
Buddha's Little Finger, Vincent Pelevin.
15 POINT TASKS
1. For African American History Month: Read a Book about the Civil Rights Movement (Non-Fiction) or Takes Place during That Time Period (Fiction).
Women in the Civil Rights Movement: Trailblazers and Torchbearers, 1941-1965, Vicki Crawford.
2. For Christmas: Read a Book with the word Santa, Elf, or the Name of Any of the Reindeer in the Title.
Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, L. Frank Baum.
3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Chocolate (Or Type of Chocolate or Other Candy) In The Title, Then Eat That Kind Of Chocolate Or Candy.
Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America, Steve Almond.
4. Read A Book And Read It's Sequel. Books should be read back to back. They can be any two books from a series (not necessarily book 1 & 2) but should be read in order i.e. book 3 then book 4 not book 5 then 8.
The Eyre Affair and Lost in a Good Book, Jasper Fforde.
5. Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You.
Literary Secretaries, Secretarial Culture, Leah Price. (This was tough as I do not know of any books with main characters who are Medical Secretaries. This is non-fiction, but I hope that counts.)
6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure.
Dangerous Woman: The Graphic Biography of Emma Goldman, Sharon Rudahl.
7. Read A Non-Fiction Book About A Religion Other Than Your Own.
Plain and Simple: A Woman's Journey to the Amish, Sue Bender.
8. Read A Book That Relates To One Of Your New Year's Resolutions.
Wanderlust: A History of Walking, Rebecca Solnit.
9. The Oscar’s are coming: Read a Book or Play Whose Movie Counterpart Was Nominated or That Won in the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay Category and Watch the Film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A...
The Informer, Liam O'Flaherty.
10. In Honor Of Inauguration Day: Read A Book About Politics/Politicians (Fiction Or Non-Fiction).
The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli.
25 POINT TASKS
1. Karen's Task - Read a book about / set in / or by an author of a country with a name that starts with the first letter of your name (first / middle / last). Example - If your name is John - you could read a book about Japan, set in Jamaica, or written by an author from Jordan. http://www.listofcountriesofth...
Tales of the Amber Sea: Fairy Tales of the Peoples of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Irinia Zhaleznova.
2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished.
On the Road , Jack Kerouac.
3. Lisa's Task - Read a book of at least 700 pages.
The Quincunx, Charles Palliser.
with the task read a book of which you saw the movie, how long ago can it be we saw the movie or you just had to have seen it once?
Ofmatt - I think as long as a good portion of the novel tasks place in your country of ancestry then yes it would be fine to use it.Jeane - It doesn't matter when you saw the movie as long as you watch the movie before you read the book then it counts.
New Finished 25 Point Task2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished
Consuelo and Alva Vanderbilt: The Story of a Daughter and Mother in the Gilded Age
Total Points: 60
5/29; 60/305
Ok, I am IN!!! Here are my completed tasks so far:5 point tasks:
4. It’s Winter: Read A Book Whose Title Contains a Winter Weather Word – i.e. Blizzard, Snow, Ice, Sleet, Icicle, Snowflake, Frost, Freeze, Slush, Flurry, Chill, Or Hail.
Holidays on Ice
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday.
The Christmas Bus
For a whopping 10 points! I have had SO much fun putting together my list of how to complete this challenge using only books from my TBR pile/lists. I did have to get a few from elsewhere, but still-it has been very fun and I look forward to completing as many books as I can!
Heather in KS
I orginally started to read this for the romance task, then I realized it was set in England and Ireland, so I've chosen to use it for 10 Point Task #6 - Read a book that takes place in a country that is part of your ancestry.
The Romance of Tristan and Iseult
New total: 50
10 points 4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
The History of Love: A Novel
30 points total
I finished Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot for 8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess. 10 pts.
I currently have 30 points
I've just read The new glucose revolution: losing weight by Prof Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell and Prof Stephen Colagiuri for 15 points. This is a new years resolution of mine every year as I seem to stack on the kilos in the second half of the year. This year I am starting earlier as I am heavier than usual.Total = 35 points
4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title: Troubling Love (10 pts.)Total: 35 pts.
Can Fra Filippo Lippi count as a famous person? He was an Italian painter in the 1400s. I didn't know who he was, so I'm not sure that he counts as famous, but he's definitely historic (and I'm sure that people who are up on Italian art would know who he was.)
Finished 2 books:15 Point Task #8 - Read a book that relates to one of your new year's resolutions
The Smart Cookies Guide to Making More Dough: How to Spend Smart, Get Rich and Live a Fabulous Life
and
10 Point Task #5 - Read a book by an author who died this year
Napalm & Silly Putty - George Carlin
New total: 75
There's a poem about Fra Lippi, I can't remember who it's by. Ok googled it, Robert Browing. I remember reading it for my Victorian Literature class in college.
Here's a link http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poem/2...
If Robert Browning thinks you're good enough for a poem, I vote famous and historic. :) But I don't think my opinion counts in this case.
Fra Lippo Lippi - he's not super famous but I'll accept it.
Completed 1 more5 Point Task #10 - Read a book you've already seen the film to
Casino Royale - Ian Fleming
New total: 80
Sera wrote: "New Finished 25 Point Task2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished
Consuelo and Alva Vanderbilt: The Story of a Daughter and Mother in the Gilded Age
..."
Sera, how was the book? The title interests me but enver heard about it before.
2. February Is National Library Lovers Month...Visit Your Local Library And Either Check Out A Book Or For Those Who Have To Own - Buy One From A Library Sale And Read That Book. (Previously Purchased Books Don’t Count.)Robinson Crusoe checked it out a while ago and returned it today!
Total 5 points
If it is allowed, going to change A christmas carol for 10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To.
instead of read a book with chrsitmas, ...in it. Have a different book for that one.
My points don't change.
3. For Christmas: Read a Book with Any of the Following in the Title: Angel, Miracle, God, Jesus, Shepherd, Manger, Wise Man, Mary, or Joseph: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson 10 PtsTotal @ 17/12/08 = 40 Pts
After a year of keeping a list of the books read, I find I am sadly lacking in depth ... mostly mystery and some 'good lit'. The Winter Challenge looked like a perfect way to spice up the coming year... so I joined up... thanks for developing the challenge and for the public group to join!
Jeane, the book about the Vanderbilts was very good, but it's a long read and at times, the author strings together a list of facts that made it difficult for me to finish it the first time. However, when Stuart steps back and simply tells the story, the book moves along much more quickly. I viewed it as a semi-tough read because of this, but others don't see it that way. I read alot of non-fiction so I was surprised to find this book difficult.
Laura, how did you enjoy History of Love: A Novel. I just picked it up at the library for 50 cents. I'm not sure whether I want to use it as my library or love pick in the challenge. I've had my eye on it for some time and for 50 cents figured "what the heck" :)
MB wrote: "After a year of keeping a list of the books read, I find I am sadly lacking in depth ... mostly mystery and some 'good lit'. The Winter Challenge looked like a perfect way to spice up the coming ye..."That's why I started too--except I didn't have any of the "good lit," just a bunch of mysteries! So this has stretched my reading.
Sera - It was okay. I would have given it 3.5 stars (History of Love). If you are Jewish, I think you may get alot more out of it though. There were three intertwined stories, and I really enjoyed the one the book opened with (an old man), but the others really didn't trip my trigger. It is worth the read, but don't expect anything wondrous.
Laura, thanks for the comment. I think that I'll wait on that one and read Peony in Love or something else for that challenge. I also have American Wife on hold at the library (I've been waiting a month for it) so I have some opportunity there, too.Two more days and then I am on vacation until 1/5 - I can't wait!
Me too Sera! Woo hoo!American Wife is on my TBR, you'll have to let me know what you think. I think it was supposed to be kind of "about" Laura Bush, wasn't it?
5 point task8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Current Point Total: 15
Finished task #3- Romance Novel for 5 pointsSeaside Cinderella by Anna Schmidt
Total points = 20 points
Finished task #5 - The Basket/Hatt Task for 5 pointsKattens språk: förstå din katt - Helga Hofmann
Total points: 10.
Translation of the title, for those who wonders: The Cat's Language: understand your cat.
kristina, there is so mucg dutch in it, when i read the original title, even if thewritting is compleely different!!!
10 points9. Read A Book With December, January, Or February In The Title
A Wedding in December
total 70 points
LEADER BOARD
ROS - 140
DARLA – 90
LINDSEY - 85
OFMATT – 80
SERA - 75
JEANE - 70
BIANCA - 65
CYNTHIA - 65
ANGELA - 55
SUZIER - 55
LIZ (VEGAS) - 50
SARENNA – 50
KAREN – 45
ANGIE - 40
FALLON – 40
MELISSA - 40
ALICE - 35
ANN FROM SC - 35
JASMINE - 35
LIZBROOKLYN – 35
MELODY - 35
APRIL - 30
HEATHER (ONE OF MANY) - 30
JAIME (23) - 35
FIONA – 30
LAURA - 30
MARSHA - 30
SANDY - 30
STEPHANIE - 30
BNOIR - 25
JEN – 25
TIFFANY - 25
BETH - 20
ELIZ - 20
LISA (CO) - 20
LISA (NV) - 20
LIZ (NY) – 20
MEL - 20
ALYSSA - 15
HAYES - 15
JESSICA - 15
JOANIE - 15
LORI - 15
ELIZABETH - 10
HEATHER (KS) - 10
JAIME (25) - 10
KRISTINA - 10
ANDREW - 5
ANN - 5
FIONA (EYEPIC) - 5
KATHRYN – 5
LIZ(NY)10 POINT TASKS
For Chinese New Year: Read a Book That Takes Place in China or Was Written By a Chinese Author
Red Azalea - Anchee Min
Total: 20 (as of 12/17/08)
That's right, Laura. I wish the library would get me that book already :) I didn't like Prep, which is by the same author as American Wife, Curtis Settenfield (sp?) I believe, so I'm hoping that this one is good. It's definitely a "hot read" right now, since I can't my hands on it - lol.
I'm sorry if this has been asked before - this thread is getting kind of long to dig through! For the "read a book you've already seen the film to" task, is it okay to re-read a book? (ie, I saw the film, then I read the book. Now I want to read it again) The holidays always make me want to re-read Harry Potter...I'm just trying to figure out how to fit it into my challenge!
jen, you can use Harry Potter also for the sequel reading, if you haven't yet.
Yes re-reads are ok for the challenges.
Thanks! Jeane, I like the idea of using it as my sequel one, too...didn't think about that since I have another series I was going to start for that one. I'm afraid I'd get sucked into the whole HP series again, though! :)
10 POINT CHALLENGE10. Read A Book With A Title Containing The Name Of A Body Part (Eg. Hand, Nail, Finger, Toe, Etc).
Dragon Bones by Lisa See
This book took me forever to finish.
Total points: 45
Jeane - I read that book about Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt earlier this year. It was OK. I found Alva the more interesting of the two, though.
thanks susanna, feel even more like reading it now.
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Points to date: 15 Finished only in bold type
5 POINT TASKS
1. African American Book
2. Library
3. Romance Novel
4. Winter Weather
5. TBR List
6. New, First Time Author–
”A Fortunate Age” by Joanne Smith Rakoff (reading with B&N “First Look Book Club” We’re actually reading a non-published copy. Starts Jan5th
7. Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How
8. Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday
9. Read A Mystery Novel
10.Oscar Book
10 POINT TASKS
1. Takes Place in China or Chinese Author.
2. In the Title: Holiday Song.
3. In the Title: Angel, Miracle, God, Jesus, Shepherd, Manger, Wise Man, Mary, or Joseph.
4. In the Title:Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart
5. By An Author Who Died in 2008
6. Part Of Your Herritage
7. Main Character Is Mentally Or Physically Handicapped.
8. In the Title:King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.
9. In the Title: December, January, February
10.In the Title: Name Of A Body Part
15 POINT TASKS
1. Civil Rights Movement
2. In the Title: Santa, Elf, or Name of Reindeer
3. In the Title: Chocolate (Or Type of Chocolate or Other Candy) Eat That Kind Of Chocolate Or Candy.
4. Sequels.
Blood Ties Book One: The Turning - complete 12/12/08
Blood Ties Book Two: Possession - currently reading
5. Same Profession as me
6. Historical Fiction Book of Historic Personality
7. Non-Fiction Book About A Religion Other Than Your Own.
8. New Year's Resolutions.
9. Book or Play Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay Category and Watch the Film
10. Book About Politics/Politicians
25 POINT TASKS
1. E. =England -
”Tess of the d'Urbervilles” by Thomas Hardy. I’m reading with B&N Classics on PBS in January.
2. book started but never finished.
”Dead Witch Walking” by Kim Harrison
3. book of at least 700 pages.
Blood Ties Book One: The TurningBlood Ties Book Two: Possession