The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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OFFICIAL WINTER CHALLENGE - 2008/2009
5 Point Task10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you've Already Seen the Film To.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice.
Total: 45 points
The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To. - The hours - Michael cunningham - 5 ptsTotal tasks completed - 9 / 33
Points - 90
The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To. The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highmith – 5 points
For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.
PS I Love You by Cecilia Ahern - 10 points
New total = 145 points
My update:25 point task
Karen's task
Read a book that takes place somewhere that starts with the first letter in your name.
CROSS CROUNTRY by James Patterson (Africa)
my points- 195
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.)
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn
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.
Predator by Patricia Cornwell
7. Read A Book Whose Title Starts With The Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
10 POINT TASKS
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).
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
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.
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
8. Read A Book That Relates To One Of Your New Year's Resolutions.
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
(Resolution to read more)
25 POINT TASKS
3. Lisa's Task - Read a book of at least 700 pages.
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
TOTAL POINTS: 100
I should get quite a bit of reading done today as it's a snow day!! I'm snowed in - can't get out of my road. ALl the cars that have tried just slid back down again. I'm very excited and have already built a snowman!
Alice wrote: "I should get quite a bit of reading done today as it's a snow day!! I'm snowed in - can't get out of my road. ALl the cars that have tried just slid back down again. I'm very excited and have already built a snowman!"I want to be snowed in... Stupid Texas....
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
6. Read a book that takes place in a country that is part of your ancestory: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
7. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
8. Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien
9. The Door to December by Dean Koontz
10. HP and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
15 Point Tasks
1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2. Santa and Pete by Christopher Moore & Pamela Johnson
3. Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper by Diablo Cody: Lifesaver
4. The Fellowship of the Ring & The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien
5. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares: Tibby is a cashier
6. The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory
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: 330
Total Books Read: 27
Total Pages Read: 9893
Next up: Read a book by an author who died this year (2008): The 13th Warrior by Michael Chrichton
Read Graceling for a book written by a first-time author - and what a first novel it was! If you like fantasy, I HIGHLY recommend it.Also finished Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, a book I started at my cousin's house when I was there for Thanksgiving but never finished - since we left! It also was great!
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)
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. From Dead to Worse - Charlaine Harris (1/27/09)
6. Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (2/2/09)
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)
10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To. Marley and Me - Josh Grogan - not Groban, LOL (READ 1/25/09)
10 POINT TASKS
1. Read a book set in China. Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah (READ 1/24/09)
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 - Marisa de los Santos (READ 1/25/09)
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. Touching Darkness and Blue Noon (Midnighters Series, Books 2 and 3) - Scot Westerfeld (READ: 1/13/09)
6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A
Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure. The Boleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory (READ 1/31/09)
25 Points:
1.Read a book set in a country with a name that starts with the first letter of your name (first / middle / last). Like Water for Chocolate - Laura Esquivel (M for Meghan and Mexico!)
2. Read a book that you have started but never finished. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - Cohn/Levithan (2/1/09)
3. Read a book of at least 700 pages.
Brisingr, Christopher Paolini (READ 1/24/09)
Tasks Completed: 15/33
Points: 175 / 375
15 POINT TASK:6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A
Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure. The Black Dahlia by James Elroy
I'm not sure if this counts. If not, I'll remove it.
Total: 160
10 points3. For Christmas: Read a Book with Any of the Following in the Title: Angel, Miracle, God, Jesus, Shepherd, Manger, Wise Man, Mary, or Joseph.
Angels A Novel
total 195 points
This book I enjoyed much more than I thought I would. It looks boring and empty but it is actually nice, funny and not that bad.
I've started reading
What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew about Judaism
by Robert Schoen. It's a really easy read--well written, well organized--and it's very interesting! (And only 244 pages, not including the glossary or index...)If you're still lacking the non-fiction book about another religion task (and you're not Jewish), I'd recommend this book!
New Task Completed:8. Read A Book That Relates To One Of Your New Year's Resolutions. Revolution: The Manifesto - Ron Paul 15 pts
(my resolution is to become a wee bit more political)
Previous total : 80pts
New total 95 pts. (Liz Vegas)
I finished the following tasks:Winter Study, by Nevada Barr (read a book with winter in the title.) 5 points
The Teacher's Funeral, a Comedy in Three Parts, by Richard Peck (Read a story where the main character has the same profession as you.) 15 points
and I moved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet to book by a Chinese Author (Cynthia said Chinese American could count) instead of first time author so that is an extra 5 points (10 point task instead of 5).
I was hoping to break 200, but I don't know if it's going to happen.
Right now, my grand total is 130.
5 Point Tasks 1. Their Eyes Were Watching God
3. Breaking Dawn
7. How to Behave and Why
9. Plum Spooky
10 Point Tasks
4. Love Walked In
5. Consider the Lobster: And Other Essays
6. The Book Thief
15 Point Tasks
2. Confessions of a Backup Dancer
3. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
4. Odd Thomas and Forever Odd
5. Nine and Counting: The Women of the Senate
6. The Other Queen: A Novel
9. All the President's Men
25 Point Tasks
2. Finish Eclipse!
Points: 110/275
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.) These few lines: a convict story: the Lost Lives of Myra William Sykes by Graham Seal 5 PtsTotal @ 31/01/2009 = 195 Pts
For the 15 point task -Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure would 'the duchess by amanda foreman' be suitable for this??
-->Read a book that you have started but never finished - Songs of the humpback whale - jodi picoult
Points total - 115
7. Read A Book Whose Title Starts With The Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How.Where my Heart Belongs - Tracie Peterson
Total Points:45
10. Read A Book With A Title Containing The Name Of A Body Part (Eg. Hand, Nail, Finger, Toe, Etc). Cold Feet by Heather Swain, Pamela Ribon, Tara McCarthy-2/2
New Total: 300!!
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
5. Read a book by an author who died this year (2008): The 13th Warrior by Michael Chrichton
6. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
7. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
8. Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien
9. The Door to December by Dean Koontz
10. HP and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
15 Point Tasks
1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2. Santa and Pete by Christopher Moore & Pamela Johnson
3. Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper by Diablo Cody
4. The Fellowship of the Ring & The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien
5. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
6. The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory
7. The Essential Tao by Thomas Cleary
8. Dracula by Bram Stoker
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: 340
Total Books Read: 28
Total Pages Read: 10171
Next up: Read a book by a Chinese author: The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan
Woo! My interlibrary loan finally came in!
Sticky Fingers
by Niki Burnham (body part)... I love YA fiction!
Finished December by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop. BORING. Wouldn't have even completed it if it hadn't been for this challenge!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)
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. From Dead to Worse - Charlaine Harris (1/27/09)
6. Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (2/2/09)
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)
10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To. Marley and Me - Josh Grogan - not Groban, LOL (READ 1/25/09)
10 POINT TASKS
1. Read a book set in China. Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah (READ 1/24/09)
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 - Marisa de los Santos (READ 1/25/09)
9. Read A Book With December, January, Or February In The Title. December - Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop (READ 2/3/09)
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. Touching Darkness and Blue Noon (Midnighters Series, Books 2 and 3) - Scot Westerfeld (READ: 1/13/09)
6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A
Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure. The Boleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory (READ 1/31/09)
25 Points:
1.Read a book set in a country with a name that starts with the first letter of your name (first / middle / last). Like Water for Chocolate - Laura Esquivel (M for Meghan and Mexico!)
2. Read a book that you have started but never finished. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist - Cohn/Levithan (2/1/09)
3. Read a book of at least 700 pages.
Brisingr, Christopher Paolini (READ 1/24/09)
Tasks Completed: 16/33
Points: 185 / 375
Just finished reading Random Acts of Heroic Love by Danny Scheinmann for 10 point task of reading a book with the word love in the title.Really enjoyed this book - would recommend
PREVIOUS 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
6. Read a book by a first time author.
Addition by Toni Jordon
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
7. Read a book where the main character is mentally ill.
Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allan
15 Points
1. Read a book about the Civil Rights Movement.
Malcolm X Autobiography
4. Read a book and it's sequel
Lost in a good book and the Well of lost plots by Jasper Fforde
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: 150
Next Read
10 Points
Read a book with the word december, january or february in it.
December by Elizabeth Winthrop
I'm afraid that although there is still lots of snow today i have got into work!
c'mon Jon..... usually I'm pretty polite... but I'm not gonna wait for ya... ;)
10 Point Task8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.
Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia by Jean Sasson.
Total: 55 points.
HiJust finished a 5 point task:
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 Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield.
New points total: 25
PS I've changed my user name to Susanna UK, as there seems to be two of us posting.
Newly completed : 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 15pts
SCORE
Total @ 5Feb = 300Pts (Goal: 375)
...and he sneaks over the 300 line!
This sounds like so much fun, I don't hope to contest with those of you who started this at the beginning but I look forward to trying and will try to do all of them next time!Thanks for this idea, if you need any suggestions for next month I'd be glad to help.
For Chinese New Year: Read a Book That Takes Place in China or Was Written By a Chinese Author. The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan 10 PtsIn Honor Of Inauguration Day: Read A Book About Politics/Politicians (Fiction Or Non-Fiction). William Pitt: A Biography by William Hague 15 Pts
Total @ 3/2/2009 = 220 Pts
Danielle - I believe people are listing suggestions for the next challenge in the Spring Challenge ideas folder, if you want to suggest something.Some of the ideas listed there are great.
10 point task5. Many Great Authors Died In 2008: Read A Book By An Author Who Died This Year.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Bu Mary Ann Shaffer
Current Point Total: 90
Jon wrote: "SCORE Total @ 5Feb = 300Pts (Goal: 375)
...and he sneaks over the 300 line!
Congrats!
finished a 5 point task:6. Read a book from a new, first time author.
The Herectic's Daughter, Kathleen Kent
new total: 70 points
I'm new, so this is my first exposure to the Challenges! What fun! I've only accomplished two tasks, and since I just saw the list, I'm guessing my score won't be great for the Winter. But now I'm pumped for the Spring!5 POINTS
9. All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn
10 POINTS
10. Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
Total = 15 points
Woohoo!
25 point task:2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished.
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Total: 185
5 POINT TASKS
15 POINT TASKS
Total Points Earned: 250
Question about # 8 on the 5 point tasks: What about the word Holiday itself? I was considering Politically Correct Holiday Stories For an Enlightened Yuletide Season.
Welcome to the Challenge, Beth! Also, you can count any book you read during the current Challenge period; you don't have to start from when YOU joined the Challenge. So if you've read any books that fit a category since December 1st, you can count 'em!
15 Point Tasks:4. Book and Sequel: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkein
6. Historical Fiction or Biography of Famous Person: The Other Queen A Novel by Philippa Gregory.
Bess of Hardwick, one of the main characters in this book, is the ancestor of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire's husband. I just read Georgiana's biography, so it's cool to have that connection.
Total Points: 275
7. Manic- Terri Cheney
Total- 155 points
5 POINT TASKS1. 1st to Die by James Patterson
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. The Black Ice by Michael Connelly
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. Matter of Death and Life by Andrey Kurkov
9. Hide by Lisa Gardner
10. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
10 POINT TASKS
1. Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountain (Xue Shan Fei Hu) by Jin Yong
2. For The Holiday Season: Read a Book with a Holiday Song in the Title. Deck the Halls by Mary Higgins Clark
15 POINT TASKS
6. The Surgeon of Crowthorne (or The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary) by Simon Winchester.
7. Read A Non-Fiction Book About A Religion Other
Than Your Own. Signs and Symbols in Christian Art With Illustrations from Paintings from the Renaissance by George Ferguson
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.listofcountriesoftheworld.com... Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (set in Papua New Guinea)
total points: 100
Newly Completed :10pnts - 3. For Christmas: Book with God etc in title The God of Small Things
New Total : 310 pnts
loved loved loved this book!...did i tell you i loved it?
Jon wrote: "Newly completed : 5. Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You.
...and he sneaks over the 300 line! ..."
Congratulations Jon ! A round of applause for the Australian gentleman bowing in the corner please...
Aw thanks Laura :)... its being in the future that helps im sure!
I'm just wiping the sleep outta my eyes here....glad the God of Small Things worked out well! I'm looking forward to reading that one now too.
saw book thief on audio book at library today Laura and thought of you, doesnt fit in books at the moment though so another time, will let you know if theres an accent involved!
The Next Best Book Club
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Thanks Heather! Becky had a great idea about the ending, and I think she's right-on.
I am the Messenger. GREAT BOOK ! I would say as good as Book Thief, but they are apples & oranges, so it's hard to compare.