The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL WINTER CHALLENGE - 2008/2009
5 POINT TASK - For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel. - Second Chance, Danielle Steel- Read a book whose title contains the word winter, christmas, hanukkah, kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday - The Christmas Sweater
15 POINT TASK - New Year's Resolution - 15 Minute Low Carb Meals
TOTAL= 25
15 Point Task8. Read A Book That Relates To One Of Your New Year's Resolutions.
A Life in Smoke: A Memoir by Julia Hansen-1/18
Total: 200
Total Points To Date: 90--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
10 Pointers:
7. Read a book where the main character has a mental or physical handicap.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time +10 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...
- Where The Heart Is, Billie Letts
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.
- Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton
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.
- Heart-Shaped Box, Joe Hill
5. Read a book by an author that died this year.
- The Andromeda Strain, Michael Crichton
8. Read a book with King, Queen, etc in the title.
- The Princess Bride, William Goldman
25 Point Tasks:
2. Read a book that you've started but never finished.
- The Runaway Jury, John Grisham
Goal: 155 total points.
(Edited to change some of my book choices.)
Cynthia, Hello! I have a question. Could THE HOST be considered a romance novel? It had a beautiful love story that made me cry.If so....
My update:
5 point task
3) read a romance novel.
THE HOST
MY POINTS- 125
If not, where can I put this huge book? (lol)
Thanks for everything.
5 POINT TASKS1 – Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (12/10/08)
2 – Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris (12/26/08)
8 – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (12/19/08)
10 POINT TASKS
2 – Silver Bells by Luanne Rice (12/27/08)
3 – Midnight Angel by Lisa Kleypas (01/07/09)
4 – The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (01/09/09)
6 – The Princess of Burundi by Kjell Eriksson (01/07/09)
9 – The Warmest December by Bernice L. McFadden (12/28/08)
15 POINT TASKS
2 – The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guin (01/19/09)
4 – Club Dead and Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris (12/17/08) and (12/19/08), respectively.
25 POINT TASKS
1 – The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho (12/30/08)
2 – Jewel by Brett Lott (12/23/08)
Tasks Completed: 12/33
Points: 145/375
Just completed the 15 point task of reading a book and then it's sequel: Lost in a Good Book and The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper FfordePREVIOUS COMPLETED TASKS:
5 POINTS
3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel.
Mansfield Park by Jane Austin.
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.
The Road Home by Rose Tremain
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter etc. Winter in Madrid by C. J. Sansom
10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
10 Points
1. Read a book set in China: Peony in Love by Lisa See
15 Points
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.
Crazy as Chocolate by Elisabeth Hyde
Also eaten a lot of Roses from the tin in the kitchen at work!
25 point:
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.
My Father's Wives.
3. read a book which is longer than 700 pages. Sepulchre by Kate Mosse.
Points total: 110
Next task:
15 point task
1. Read a book about the civil rights movement
Malcolm X's autobiography
Karen, did you like The True History of the Kelly Gang? I bought it thinking it was a nonfiction book (I wasn't paying close enough attention, and it was on the sale shelf so I didn't see what section of the store it was originally in). It's still sitting on my shelf and I'm a bit wary about starting it.Also, finished another book!
10 points
5. Author Who Died 2008: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton.
Total Points: 160
Jurassic Park was my first audiobook in a long time. Audio was the easiest way for me to get access to a Michael Crichton book right now. Audiobooks aren't my favorite way to get through a book, mostly because it's too easy for my mind to wander when I'm not physically reading. But it was an interesting experience and it made my commutes go by faster. Now I have to go watch the movie again.
UPDATE:COMPLETED TASKS:
5 POINT TASKS
3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel. - BY FORCE OF INSTINCT BY ABIGAIL REYNOLDS
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
10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To. WIDE SARGASSO SEA BY JEAN RHYS
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 BY NANCY MITFORD
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
TOTAL: 40 pts so far
HEY ALL! Just found this group, but have been recording the books I have read since November, so I was able to fit a few into this challenge, as well as make some plans for others I want to read! I have put the date next to the ones I have finished and will continue to update...5 POINT TASKS
2. February Is National Library Lovers Month...Visit Your Local Library And Check Out A Book. The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness (READ: 1/12/09
3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel. Blue Dahlia - Nora Roberts (READ: 12/22/08)
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday. Skipping Christmas - John Grisham (READ: 12/25/08)
9. Read A Mystery Novel. Little Brother - Cory Doctorow (READ: 1/17/09)
15 POINT TASKS
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. Chocolat - Joanne Harris (READ: 12/27/08)
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. Touching Darkness and Blue Noon (Midnighters Series, Books 2 and 3) - Scot Westerfeld (READ: 1/13/09)
Tasks Completed: 6/33
Points: 50 / 375
Next Task: 5. Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You. Teacher Man - Frank McCourt
Just finished watching Little Women with Katharine Hepburn. I saw the one with Winona Ryder when it first came out...liked the newer one much better.Now I have to go read the book so I can get my points!
Red Branch (Ireland) by Morgan Llewlyn
10 POINTS - Read A Book That Takes Place In A Country That Is Part Of Your Ancestry. England - The Undomestic Goddess By Sophie Kinsella
15 point task10. In Honor Of Inauguration Day: Read A Book About Politics/Politicians (Fiction Or Non-Fiction).
Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise by Barack Obama-1/19
New Total: 215
3. Candy Girl- Diablo Cody
Total= 130 pts. as of 1/19
Next up:
5. Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You.
The Other Mother- Carol Schaefer
I finished two more tasks:For 10 points
3. Title with the words angel, miracle, God, etc
Angels in the Gloom by Anne Perry
6. Book that takes place in a country that is part of your ancestry
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
(it takes place in Germany and some of my ancestors came from Germany. Well, my family was basically kicked out of most European countries so this task was wide open for me)
New Total: 165
15 POINT TASKS4. 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.
Things Fall Apart (1958) and No Longer at Ease (1960), Chinua Achebe.
TOTAL POINTS: 290.
just finished The Secret Life of Bees for the read a book during the civil rights movement for 15 points.NEW TOTAL:
Jamie(23)-- 115 points
Just finished Watership Down for Ann's Task - Read a book you started and never finished. WHEW! Glad that one's finished. You could cut the tension in the last 100 or so pages with a freaking knife! My God, rabbits can be vicious.Total: 110 points.
5 POINT TASK: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.
Jack with a Twist Engaging Your Adversary and Other Things They Don't Teach You in Law School
Point total: 85
Read a book about a country with a name that starts with the first/middle/last letter of your name. My surname starts with A and I read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini set in Afghanistan.
New points total = 125
for 15 points:Read a book with chocolate in the title, then eat that candy.
Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons, by Lorna Landvik.
Total Points: 50
i'm STILL plugging through Jonathan Strange...i swear i'm never going to finish this thing.
3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel. The Winter Pearl by Molly Noble Bull 5pts9. Read A Mystery Novel. To trust a stranger by Lynn Bulock 5 pts
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.
I read Angel's Cause by Tracie J. Peterson 10pts
2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished.
I read courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist. I'm glad that I completed this task because otherwise I probably wouldn't have tried reading this book again and it was actually good. 25 pts
total points= 90 points
I have a bit of a strange question. For the main character with the same profession as me task... If I get a REALLY THICK book of Dilbert comics, can that count? I don't know of ANY books with an engineer as the main character... (Plus, BORING, right?) Let me know, thanks!! PS - I've got 120 pts so far... Not bad considering I didn't start until the end of December!
I am really enjoying this challenge. It is making me read things I would probably never dream of reading. I'm reading Malcolm X's autobiography at the moment for the task about the civil rights movement. I knew nothing about him and wouldn't ever have read this book if it wasn't for this challenge however i'm finding it a good read!
I just posted something very similiar the other day Alice. I found a book for one of the 25 pointers that I absolutely LOVED and I'm a big non-fiction person and am VERY picky with any fiction I read. I had to find a book that was set in/about/by an author-a country that begins with E, M, or L. I finally found something I thought I could get through, no matter how hard and it was about a young boys experiences in El Salvador during war time. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLY GREAT! I would have never dreamed of picking it up in a million years had it not been for this challenge! Not only that but it's helping me read books I've had sitting around for months and years that I kept putting off over and over. :)
Just completed another ... Read a book by an author who died in 2008 for 10 points.I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, who died in February 2008. (it was finished off by her niece who is still living, but hope this counts as the bulk of it was by Mary Ann Shaffer!) And actually, on my copy Mary Ann's name only appears - no mention of the niece!
Total points earned: 80
15 Points 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.
Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas - this was surprisingly good, even tho I only picked it because of the challenge!
New Total: 125 points.
I just finished The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman for 10 points (author who died in 2008)It is snowing here--very rare, and I have the day off of school. Thought I would get a lot of reading in, but I forgot I have a three year old, who also doesn't have school! Oh well.
I'm at 100 points.
Maria wrote: "for 15 points:Read a book with chocolate in the title, then eat that candy.
Angry Housewives Eating Bon-Bons, by Lorna Landvik.
Total Points: 50
i'm STILL plugging through Jonathan Str..."
Maria, don't forget the part of HAVING to eat the chocolate after finishing the book!!!!:-)
If I read Sugar Daddy, I have to eat a sugar daddy? Oye... where can you get sugar daddy's nowadays?? I wonder if there's a book called Lindt... or Godiva... ;)
Sara - you can get them on the internet. I'm going to say that I completely did that and enjoyed them very much;)
jeanne-i read the book for the local library book club, and we always have food associated with the book there. so don't worry, i had my fill of Bon-Bons!
Tally Update 21 Jan Newly completed :
Now is the Time to open your heart Alice Walker 5pts, 3stars
The Bone People Keri Hulme 10pts, 5stars
Read So Far:
5 POINT TASKS
2.
4. Read A Book Whose Title Contains a Winter Weather Word The Snow Empress
5. Read a book From Your TBR List, The Lovely Bones
7. Book Whose Title Starts With What. Etc What I Loved Siri Hustveldt
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter etc - Closed for Winter Georgia Blain
10 POINT TASKS
Arghh I should get 50 pnts for that ordeal!
3. For Christmas: Book with God etc in title The God of Small Things
4. Book with the Word Love Love in a Cold Climate Nancy Mitford
6.
8. Read Title Containing The Word Queen, Prince etc The Black PrinceIris Murdoch
9. Read A Book With December, January, Or February etc February Flowers Fan Wu
15 POINT TASKS
1.
3. Read a Book with the Word Chocolate Like Water for Chocolate
4. Book And It's Sequel.:
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Book 8
The Miracle at Speedy Motors No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Book 9
5. Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You.
Family Village Tribe: The Story of Flight Centre Limited
6.
7.
8. New Year's Resolution (quit smoking) White Teeth
9.
10. Read A Book About Politics/Politicians Russia's Secret Rulers Leo TimoFeyev
25 POINT TASKS
3. 700pages. Nab End and Beyond: The Road to Nab End and Beyond Nab End William Woodruff or Underworld Don Delillo
SCORE
Total @ 21/01/09 = 215Pts (Goal: 375)
19 Tasks complete (Goal: 33)
Some clarifying questions about books: For Christmas: Book with God etc in title--can I use American Gods by Neil Gaiman?
Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You--I want to read Little Women; one of the March sisters becomes a governess and I'm an English teacher (both are in the field of education).
5 POINT TASKS3. For Valentine's Day: Read a Romance Novel.
The Romance of Tristan The Tale of Tristan's Madness, Beroul.
TOTAL POINTS: 295.
Yes for American Gods It's a stretch for Little Women but I'll take it.
Laura - Oh, I love caramel in any form. I'm just worried about availability. But now that I think about it, my local grocery story has a HUGE selection, including a wide variety of European and Mexican favorites. Or what I assume are favorites. :)Still wondering about the Dilbert comics... Okay for the same profession item? It's 224 pages... 3 strips on a page. I promise to read carefully and look at ALL the pictures... (Anyone know any books with an Engineer main character???)
Oh sorry that book is fine if you want to use it...but there are quite a few books out there about engineers.Here is just a few...
The Size of the World A Novel
Pryde's Rock
The Assistant
Cellophane
Havoc
Pompeii A Novel
Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom by Qanta A. Ahmed 5 PtsTotal @ 21/01/2009 = 170 Pts
Cynthia wrote: "Oh sorry that book is fine if you want to use it...but there are quite a few books out there about engineers.Pryde's Rock sounds good. Oooh... so does Pompeii... I'm a sucker for a good aqueduct! Wow. I'm a nerd! But seriously! The Romans were AMAZING!
PS - Did you just know all those books off the top of your head, or did you do a search? (If the latter, how does one go about searching like that?)
PS - Did you just know all those books off the top of your head, or did you do a search? (If the latter, how does one go about searching like that?) I was wondering the same thing but I was wondering how in the world those could all be stored in her head!
I can barely remember the title of what I'm currently reading and forget about what the book was about a month or so later- I couldn't dream of remembering titles by occupation!! LOL
5 POINT TASK4. 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.
The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman
Total points: 130
Yes you cant beat a good aqueduct, or a toga for that matter can you... i too wonder how one can dream up a list of books on a proffession from memory - Kudos!
Hayes: 45 + 10 = 55
7. Read A Book Where The Main Character Is Mentally Or Physically Handicapped.
The Time Traveller's Wife, Niffenegger
(Henry is chronologically challenged, or something like that, it's a genetic flaw)
7. Read A Book Where The Main Character Is Mentally Or Physically Handicapped.
The Time Traveller's Wife, Niffenegger
(Henry is chronologically challenged, or something like that, it's a genetic flaw)
Sarenna- was The Ice Queen good? I have that on my shelf and haven't picked anything for that challenge if I remember correctly. I forgot I had this Hoffman book until I saw your post!
10 POINT TASKS1. For Chinese New Year: Read a Book That Takes Place in China or Was Written By a Chinese Author.
I read Peony in Love by Lisa See ... interesting if sometimes WEIRD read!!
Total points: 90
I've finally completed another task - Read a book and its sequel - The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives & The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects5 POINT TASKS
2. Library Book - Inkheart
3.
5. Pick out of a hat - An Abundance of Katherines
9. Mystery - Plum Spooky
10. Book already have seen film to - Ella Enchanted
10 POINT TASKS
6. Set in country of ancestry - Chocolat (France)
15 POINT TASKS
3. Title contains "Chocolate," etc. - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
4.
9. Read a Book whose movie counterpart nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar and watch the film - Breakfast at Tiffany's
25 Point Tasks
1. Karen's task - An Artist of the Floating World (Japan)
3. Lisa's task - Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
Goal: 140
New total: 30 pts.
Jamie (MN)
LEADER BOARD
ROS – 375
EL - 295
DARLA – 255
JON – 230
ANGELA - 215
OFMATT – 215
LESLIE - 185
CYNTHIA - 175
JEANE – 175
LIZ (BROOKLYN) – 175
KAREN – 170
HEATHER (ONE OF MANY) – 165
BONNIE - 160
LINDSEY – 155
SERA - 150
ANGIE - 145
BETH – 145
BIANCA - 140
EVA – 140
SARA - 140
SARENNA – 130
ANN FROM SC - 125
LAURA - 125
LYNNLEE4 - 125
MELODY - 125
APRIL – 115
JAMIE (23) - 115
ALICE - 110
AMANDA - 105
BECKY - 100
ELIZABETH - 100
SANDY - 100
KRISTINA - 95
LEANNE - 95
JULIE – 90
MELISSA - 90
ROBIN – 90
SUZIER - 90
ANDREW (ACE) - 85
JEN – 85
ADRIENNE - 80
LIZ (VEGAS) - 80
MEL - 80
ALYSSA - 75
FALLON – 65
HEATHER (KS) - 65
JASMINE - 65
MARSHA - 65
MARIA - 60
CHRISTINA V - 55
FIONA – 55
HAYES – 55
JAMIE (25) - 55
JESSICA - 55
SARAH - 55
BNOIR - 50
JOANIE – 50
LISA (CO) - 50
MEGHAN - 50
POTJY - 50
TERRI - 50
TIFFANY – 50
ALYCIA - 45
STEPHANIE - 45
EMILEE – 40
FIONA (TWEETY) - 40
RHIANNON - 40
STELLA - 40
ASHLEY – 35
KATHRYN – 35
LIZ (NY) – 35
ELIZ - 30
JAMIE (MN) - 30
JUDITH – 30
ALLISON - 25
JULIE (TN) - 25
STEPHANIE (NV) - 25
LISA (NV) - 20
ANDREW - 15
GEMMA - 15
LORI - 15
MELISSA (UK) – 15
NICOLE - 15
LIZZY - 10
ROSEMARY - 10
ANN – 5
KT - 5
Lol...I wish I could store that kind of information in my head that would make my job a LOT easier. I did a novelist search for books about engineers...novelist is a fiction book database that I have access to through the library I work for.
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6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure. The Heretic's Daughter
I'm hoping this book will count.
Assuming it does...
Total = 125