The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL WINTER CHALLENGE - 2008/2009
Alycia - you can use anything you've read since December 1. In fact, the rule at the beginning was that if you had to read 1/2 or more of the book from Dec. 1 on that you started in Nov., you could use those as well.
Eva: I double checked with Cynthia on Candy Girl and she said it was ok. I just started it, but it seems like it's going to be a good read!
Thanks for letting me know Darla! I have a couple friends who have already read it and liked it. I first thought it wouldn't be all that great considering she was only dancing for one year but I've heard so much about it I decided to give it a try- let me know how you like it if you remember when you're done. I'm going to start it next I think.
Hi Everyone! I just discovered this group and loved the idea of this winter challenge, these tasks are so original and creative! fantastic! :-)
I'm a bit late (more than half of the challenge period has elapsed), but I'll join anyway and keep my eyes open for the Spring Challenge :-)
So here is what I have read so far/plan on reading:
5 POINT TASKS
- 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.) SHIRLEY BY CHARLOTTE BRONTE
3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel.
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. EMMA BY JANE AUSTEN (5 pts)
7. Read A Book Whose Title Starts With The Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How.
9. Read A Mystery Novel.
10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To. WIDE SARGASSO SEA BY JEAN RHYS (5pts)
10 POINT TASKS
4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title. THE PURSUIT OF LOVE and LOVE IN A COLD CLIMATE BY NANCY MITFORD (10 pts)
5. Many Great Authors Died In 2008: Read A Book By An Author Who Died This Year. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/years/...
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.
15 POINT TASKS
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. TWILIGHT and NEW MOON BY STEPHENIE MEYER (15 pts)
5. Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You.
6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A
Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure. THE MITFORD GIRLS BY MARY. S. LOVELL
8. Read A Book That Relates To One Of Your New Year's Resolutions.
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/Academy_Awa...
10. In Honor Of Inauguration Day: Read A Book About Politics/Politicians (Fiction Or Non-Fiction).
25 POINT TASKS
2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished. THE THIRTEENTH TALE
3. Lisa's Task - Read a book of at least 700 pages.
Elizabeth wrote: "♡ Eva ♡ wrote: "I just finished a 25 pointer! :) 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 / ..."
i read Paula by isabel Allende and was suprised how much I liked it. Want to read other books by her.
Darla wrote: "5 Point Tasks2. The Sand Castle by Rita Mae Brown
3. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Harper Lee Wiki Link
7. Who Put the Butter in Butterfly? by David F..."
darla, It is almsot a week ago i finsihed the book for the chocolate task...but I am still continuing the part where we have to eat some chocolate then after finishing... :-)))
Welcome to all the people just joining us - please do count all books read from Dec 1st on - and if you did have any books that you started prior to the challenge as long as you read 1/2 or less and then finished after Dec 1st (and it fits a task) you can use it.Do post the total points you have earned so I can update the scoreboard - and have fun!!!
Stella - if I'm adding correctly you've earned 80 points so far (you put two books for the one 10 pt task but only can count) so I'll add you to the leader board.
Completed tasks:5 point tasks
3: What a Lady Wants, Victoria Alexander
9: Murder is Binding, Lorna Barrett
10 point tasks
3: The Archangel Project, C.S. Graham
15 point tasks
25 point tasks
3: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
10 Point4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern-1/16
Total Points: 185
Completed Tasks:5 Point Tasks
2. The Sand Castle by Rita Mae Brown
3. Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Harper Lee Wiki Link
7. Who Put the Butter in Butterfly? by David Feldman
8. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
10 Point Tasks
2. Deck the Halls by Mary & Carol Higgins Clark
3. Elizabeth & Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens by Jane Dunn
4. Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
7. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
10. HP and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
15 Point Tasks
2. Santa and Pete by Christopher Moore & Pamela Johnson
3. Read a book with chocolate or another form of candy in the title and eat that candy: Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper by Diablo Cody: Lifesaver
5. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares: Tibby is a cashier
7. The Essential Tao by Thomas Cleary
8. Dracula by Bram Stoker: Resolution: Read all of the books on TNBBC's Reading List
9. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
10. And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidimic by Randy Shilts
25 Point Tasks
1. Watership Down by Richard Adams Richard Adams Wiki Link
2. Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
3. HP and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Total Points Earned: 255
Total Books Read: 20
Total Pages Read: 7172
Next up: Read a book and read it's sequel:
The Fellowship of the Ring & The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien
To all who were curious... Candy Girl was absolutely fabulous. I loved every second of it. It has a lot of smutty humor and dirty words in it though... so if you are easily offended, you probably won't care for it too much... :)
Fiona wrote: "2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished. Watership Down - for 25 points bringing me up to 35! I started this when I was about 15/16 but never got through it..."
at least you are wondering that about your book for this task...I am still not wondering why I never finished....thirth attempt in a period of about four years...but I am getting there.
Angela wrote: "10 Point4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern-1/16
Total Points: 185
"
Angela, how was the book? I read two books by her and really loved them.
I loved that book. I did get caught out as its the same book as where rainbows end. My name is Rosalind and I got called Rosie when I went to Serbia by my group I was with. 
Jeanne - Allende is awesome, try house of the spirits and daughter of fortune
Thanks Darla for telling us about Candy Girl! I'm suffering through something right now but the minute it's over I'm picking up Candy Girl now! I can't wait!
Sarah- was The History Of Love good? I've heard the authors name I think and I think I even own something by her....somewhere in the mess of books I have. I don't have anything for that challenge yet.
Jon wrote: "Jeanne - Allende is awesome, try house of the spirits and daughter of fortune"i will Jon. House of the spirits is already for about five years on my lsit to read but I am determined to only read that as second Allende book.
Cynthia, would April in Paris A Novel be okay for the romance novel? Or as first time novel, I checked on the internet and for now I don't find any other book he has written. Anybody knows about another one?
4. Read A Book And Read It's Sequel: The Subtle Knife & The Amber Spyglass. (15 pts.)New total: 175 pts.
Liz (Bklyn)
10 POINT TASKS4. For Valentine's Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
Boundaries of Love And Other Stories, Henry H. Roth.
TOTAL POINTS: 255.
Jeane, if you click on Michael Wallner's name on GR, it looks like he has published quite a few other titles.
Thanks El, I should have done more logical. I went to check in general on the internet and didn't find anything besides the book I have...but I didn't think about jsut watching on Goodreads!!!!! I should learn to take the easy way or the more logic one....
No problem, Jeane. And actually now that I've looked at April in Paris I'm interested in reading it, so thanks!
You are welcome El. Am I right thatit could match for romance novel or completely wrong on that one too?
15 POINT TASKS9. 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.
The Informer, Liam O'Flaherty
TOTAL POINTS: 270.
Jeane, if it were up to me I would say Yes, but I'll defer to Cynthia on the final decision.
Total Points To Date: 80--Completed Tasks--
5 Pointers:
3. Read a Romance Novel.
12/18: Persuasion = +5 pts
5. Pull a book from a hat.
1/4: Solaris = +5 pts
15 Pointers:
4. Read A Book And Read It's Sequel.
12/27: The Golden Compass & The Subtle Knife = +15 pts
6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A Famous Historic Personality...
1/2: Girl with a Pearl Earring = +15 pts
8. Read a book relating to one of your New Years resolutions.
1/17: Don't Eat This Book! Fast Food and the Supersizing of America + 15 pts
25 Pointers:
3. Read a book of at least 700 pages.
1/15: The Count of Monte Cristo = +25 pts
Tasks To Be Completed:
5 Point Tasks:
1. Read A Book With A Main Character Who Is African American...
- Beloved, Toni Morrison
7. Title Starts With Who, What, Where, When, Why...
- What Dreams May Come, Richard Matheson
9. Read a mystery novel.
- Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, John Berendt
10. Read a book that you've already seen the film to.
- The Runaway Jury, John Grisham
10 Point Tasks:
3. Read a book with God, Angel, Miracle, etc in the title.
- American Gods, Neil Gaiman
4. Read a Book with Love, Romance, or Heart in the title.
- Where The Heart Is, Billie Letts
5. Read a book by an author that died this year.
- The Andromeda Strain, Michael Crichton
7. Read a book where the main character has a mental or physical handicap.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon
8. Read a book with King, Queen, etc in the title.
- The Princess Bride, William Goldman
Goal: 130 total points.
Completed Task: Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. (The author can have only one published book at the time you read it.) - The Gargoyle : Andrew Davidson 5pts
task completed 8/33
New total 80 pts.
- Liz (Vegas)
Completed Task: Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. (The author can have only one published book at the time you read it.) - The Gargoyle : Andrew Davidson 5pts
task completed 8/33
New total 80 pts.
- Liz (Vegas)
5 POINT TASKS2. 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.)
I checked out and read: Transparent Things by Vladimir Nabakov
2. Street Games- Eric Myrieckes
Total Points= 115 pts. as of 1/17/09
Next I'm going to read Candygirl by Diablo Cody
10pt challengeTotal points: 215
Starting on All the Pretty Horses next--to be followed by The Crossing.
Jeane - You can feel free to use that book for either task (amazon says it's his debut so does random house) so I'm guessing the other books might be by an author with the same name.
I know this might be stretching things a bit but I figured I may as well give it a shot- can we use the word 'heaven' for this challenge? 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.
:)
Cynthia wrote: "Jeane - You can feel free to use that book for either task (amazon says it's his debut so does random house) so I'm guessing the other books might be by an author with the same now."Thanks Cynthia. I also checked on Amazon and random house, so that's why I thought it.
10 POINT TASKS1. For Chinese New Year: Read a Book That Takes Place in China or Was Written By a Chinese Author.
Uninvited
total 150
10 POINT TASK:8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.
The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani
TOTAL POINTS: 105
finished another task!for 15 points:
read a book and it's sequel; books should be read back to back.
It Had to be You and Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Philips. they are the first two book in her Chicago Stars series.
a question about the candy challenge:would Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons work for that?
LEADER BOARD
ROS – 375
EL - 290
DARLA – 255
ANGELA - 215
JON – 215
OFMATT – 215
LESLIE - 185
LIZ (BROOKLYN) – 175
HEATHER (ONE OF MANY) – 165
KAREN – 165
BONNIE - 160
LINDSEY – 155
JEANE – 150
SERA - 150
ANGIE - 145
BETH – 145
BIANCA - 140
CYNTHIA - 140
EVA – 130
ANN FROM SC - 125
LAURA - 125
LYNNLEE4 - 125
MELODY - 125
SARENNA – 125
SARA - 120
JAMIE (23) - 115
ALICE - 110
AMANDA - 105
APRIL – 100
ELIZABETH - 100
KRISTINA - 95
LEANNE - 95
BECKY - 90
MELISSA - 90
ROBIN – 90
SANDY - 90
JEN – 85
JULIE – 85
ADRIENNE - 80
LIZ (VEGAS) - 80
SUZIER - 80
ALYSSA - 75
FALLON – 65
HEATHER (KS) - 65
JASMINE - 65
MARSHA - 65
ANDREW (ACE) - 60
MEL - 60
CHRISTINA V - 55
FIONA – 55
JESSICA - 55
JOANIE – 50
LISA (CO) - 50
MARIA - 50
MEGHAN - 50
POTJY - 50
TERRI - 50
TIFFANY – 50
ALYCIA - 45
BNOIR - 45
HAYES – 45
SARAH - 45
STEPHANIE - 45
EMILEE – 40
RHIANNON - 40
STELLA - 40
ASHLEY – 35
FIONA (BUGS) - 35
JAMIE (25) - 35
KATHRYN – 35
LIZ (NY) – 35
ELIZ - 30
JUDITH – 30
ALLISON - 25
JULIE (TN) - 25
STEPHANIE (NV) - 25
LISA (NV) - 20
ANDREW - 15
GEMMA - 15
JAMIE (MN) - 15
LORI - 15
MELISSA (UK) – 15
NICOLE - 15
LIZZY - 10
ANN – 5
KT - 5
Eva - heaven would be okayMaria - yes that book is fine
Great- thanks! I've been dying to read a certain book and was hoping I could slide it into the challenge some way! Thanks a bunch!
Finished another at last!for 15 points, read a book and read it's sequel.
I read Witch Child by Celia Rees, followed by the sequel, Sorceress. Young Adult novels, but both great and interesting reads!
Total points: 70
I picked up Witch Child at my local Dollar Store for $1.oo a few weeks ago and my sister read it and liked it a lot. I had no idea there was a sequel- I'll have to let her know. I still have Witch Child because I hadn't gotten around to reading it- thanks for the recommendation!
5 POINT TASKS7. Read A Book Whose Title Starts With The Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How.
Where Have All the Soldiers Gone? The Transformation of Modern Europe, James J. Sheehan.
TOTAL POINTS: 275.
Points Update(Most recent task completed is in bold.)
Tasks Completed
25 points
#3 Read a book of at least 700 pages- Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
15 points
#2 Read a book with one of these words in the title: santa, elf, or any of the reindeer- Santa Fe Woman by Gilbert Morris
#4 Read a book and its sequel- Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, book 6) and All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, book 7) by Charlaine Harris
#5 Read a book where one of the main characters has the same job as you- The Missing Books by Ian Sansom.
#8 Read a book that relates to one of your new year's resolutions- Two for the Road by Jane and Michael Stern
10 points
#2 Read a book with a holiday song in the title- Santa, Baby by Jennifer Cruise, Lori Foster, Carly Phillips
#3 Read a book w/ any of the following words in the title: angel, miracle, God...- Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies
#8 Read a book whose title contains one of the following words: king, queen, princess...- The Princess Bride by William Goldman
5 points
#4 Read a book whose title contains a winter weather word- Chill Factor by Sandra Brown
#6 Read a book by a new, first time author- Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunee
#7 Read a book whose title contains one of the following words: winter, Christmas, Kwanzaa...- The Winter Pearl by Molly Noble Bull
#8 Read a book whose title starts with Who, What, Where...- What's So Great About America by Dinesh D'Souza
#9 Read a mystery novel- A Wicked Way to Burn by Margaret Miles
#10 Read a book you've already seen the film to- Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Total Points = 145 points
Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A Famous Historic Personality: True History of the Kelly Gang A Novel by Peter Carey 15 PtsTotal @ 19/01/2009 = 165 Pts
MY FINISHED TASKS
10 POINTS - For Chinese New Year: Read a Book That Takes Place in China or Was Written By a Chinese Author. - The Kitchen God's Wife By Amy Tan
5 POINTS - Read A Mystery Novel. – The Good Thief's Guide to Paris By Chris Ewan
5 POINTS - Pick A Book Out Of A Hat - Elegance By Kathleen Tessaro
10 POINTS - Read A Book That Takes Place In A Country That Is Part Of Your Ancestry. England - The Undomestic Goddess By Sophie Kinsella
10 POINTS - Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess. – The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter, and the People Who Raised Them By Amy Dickinson
5 POINTS - Read A Book Whose Title Starts With The Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How. – Where or When By Anita Shreve
15 POINTS - Read A Book And Read its Sequel. - Scot On The Rocks: How I Survived My Ex-Boyfriend's Wedding With My Dignity Ever-So Slightly Intact & Jack With A Twist: Engaging Your Adversary And Other Things They Don't Teach You In Law School By Brenda Janowitz
5 POINTS - Library Book Challenge - Savannah Blues By Mary Kay Andrews
25 POINT TASK - Lisa's Task - Read a book of at least 700 pages. - The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers By Margaret George
5 POINT TASK - Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. – Dreams for Stones By Ann M. Warner
5 POINT TASK - For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel. – Romeo, Romeo By Robin Kaye
10 POINTS TASK - For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Or Heart in the Title. - My Old True Love By Sheila Kay Adams
15 POINT TASK - New Year's Resolution - Read More Non-Fiction. - The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment That Transformed Their Lives by Cheryl Jarvis
15 POINT TASK - Chocolate Valentine Book Task - Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini and I ate Dark Chocolate M&M's
NEXT TASK
25 POINT TASK - Read A Book You've Never Finished. - PS, I Love You By Cecelia Aherrn
Tasks Completed: 14/29
Total Points Earned: 140/305
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Jon, I hear you about slowing down. I was cranking, too, in regard to the challenge, and then I started reading my 700+ read, Team of Rivals, and I thought - "I'm going to take my time with this one." I likely won't finish high in the challenge, but the great thing is that I am reading books from my shelves at home, which adds another level of accomplishment for me. Plus, half the fun is trying to find books that fit into a particular task.
However, I am finding that I read only challenge books so some other things are sitting while I work on this. That's ok - every book shall have its moment - ha ha.
Anyway, excellent jobs to all of you who are participating. I am having so much fun!