The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SUMMER CHALLENGE 2015
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Summer Challenge 2015: Completed Tasks (DO NOT DELETE POSTS)

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Lauren Jodi's task: The X-Philes
I chose to use Option 1.
I read

Previous point total: 15
New points this post: 20
Total points: 35
New tasks completed in this post: 1
Total tasks: 2
GRA tickets this post: 0
Total GRA: 1
Big Book tickets this post: 0
Total Big Books: 1

10.5: JUNE IS CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
The New Moon's Arms
15.7: BIRTH OF A NATION
ITALY
A Mortal Terror
Points this post: 25
Total Challenge Points: 140
BB(500) - 1
BB(750) - 0
BB(1000) - 0

25.5 Bluemoons’s Task: Summer Fun
Please chose TWO different options and read a book for each. REQUIRED: State which options you chose when you post.
A. IN THE GARDEN. In honor of my husband read a book that you got for free. It can be borrowed from the library, a friend or family member. Or it could be a gift. Just as long as it was free. REQUIRED: State where you received the book.
The Nominated Short Fiction Works: John C. Wright
Got it free as part of the Hugo Nominees Voters Pack
Approved for length by DLMRose in Ebook Verification thread message #4665.
B. ON THE WATER. Read a book that has a boat on the cover.

Approved in Help Thread message #17.
Points this Task: 25
Books Read: 2
GRA: 0
Tasks completed: 2
Total points: 55
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books: 0

25.5 Bluemoons’s Task: Summer Fun
Option A: Shadows and Strongholds by Elizabeth Chadwick
I borrowed this book from the library.
**Elizabeth Chadwick is a Goodreads author.**
***Shadows and Strongholds is a big book (533 pgs). Claiming 1 BB Ticket.***
Option B:

**Marie Force is a Goodreads author.**
Points this post: 25
Total points: 40
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Book Tickets: 2

5.2 - Bishamonten: Read a book with "crime" listed as a main page genre
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
**Alexander McCall Smith is a Goodreads author**
Points this task: 5
Total points: 25
Total GR Authors: 2
Total BB Tickets: 1

SarahBR
5.8 - Kudokuten
Kudokuten is sometimes named as one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, replacing Jurōjin. She is considered to be the goddess of happiness, fertility, and beauty. Read a book written by a female author who has a first, middle, or last name that starts with the letter K.
The Fill-In Boyfriendby Kasie West A GRA
20.3 - Best Review - Meghanly's task: ACRONYMS
Read one book with a title that consists of two or more words where the first letters of each word in the title spell an English word that is not a proper noun. Every word in the title counts, including "The", "A" "of" and "And". You should be able to read the letters from left to right and make a word (see examples below). Subtitles should be ignored. They may not be used. Titles that include numbers and symbols (ex: &) that are NOT spelled out cannot be used for this task.
Someone Like You bySarah Dessen A GRA.
Someone Like You spells out SLY
Points This Post: 25
GR Authors This Post: 2
Total Points: 115 (Had updated my points properly since original post)
Total GR Authors: 7
Books Read:9

Option 2: Shapeshifting
...read a book with the main page genre “Shapeshifters”. The genre may be stand alone or embedded.
Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King. King is a Goodreads Author.
Shapeshifters > Werewolves
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 20
Total Tasks: 1
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books: 0
Total Books: 1

10.3- Ghost stories around the campfire.
Revival, Vol. 2: Live Like You Mean It Horror on main page
Points this post:15
Total: 35
Books read: 3
Tasks Done:3

20.10 Group Reads
Option 1: Read and discuss The Ghost Bride
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo (p. 368)
I read and posted about this book on the discussion thread here (post #6).
**** Yangsze Choo is a Goodreads Author ****
TOTAL IN POST
Points: 20
Goodreads Author: 1
Big Book: 0
TOTAL SO FAR:
Points: 20
Goodreads Author: 1
Big Book: 0

Stiff by Mary Roach
My contribution to the discussion board is post number 6. Mary Roach is a GR author.
Total points: 20
Tasks completed: 1
GR authors: 1
Big Book tickets: 0

5.8 - Kudokuten
Just One Taste - Kimberly Kincaid (GR author) - female author; ebook only approved #4726 of the approval thread
20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Mhairi's task: UNESCO Cities
Before Jamaica Lane - Samantha Young (GR Author) - set in Edinburgh - from description - "But moving to Edinburgh has given her a new start"
Points This Post: 25
Points Total: 70
Goodreads Authors: 6

Task 25.5 - Summer Fun
option A - In the Garden
read a free book
Sand by Hugh Howey
I got this from the library
option B - On the Water
read a book with a boat on the cover

======
points this post: 25
total points = 85

10.1 - Summer Reading
Read a book from one of these summer reading lists: Gear Patrol 2015 Summer Reading List
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
This book is the Beach Read on the Gear Patrol 2015 Summer Reading List.
Paula Hawkins is a Goodreads Author!
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 30
Books Read: 3
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Books:500+(0)750+(0)1000+(0)

10.9 three of a kind?
I read Nachtbus naar Andalusië by Eugen Ruge.
On the cover there are three cats.


5.2 - Bishamonten
I read Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town
15.8 - Dearly Departed
I read The Heir
20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Wayne's task: It's Stampede Time!
For option 2, I read Neanderthal Marries Human
TALLY:
This post - 40 points
Total - 85

Book 1: Read a book from this list: Best American History Books
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - 500 pages; found on page 1 of the Best American History Books List
**Claiming 1 BB ticket (500 pages) for this book
Book 2: Read a book with a title consisting of one 4-letter word
Room - 321 pages
**Emma Donoghue is a Goodreads Author
Total combined page count = 821 pages
Points this Post: 30
Total Points to date: 30
GRA this post: 1
Total GRA to date: 1
BB Tickets this post: 1 (500+)
Total BB Tickets to date: 1

5.10 - May the Gods Be Ever in Your Favor
any book
Graveyard Shift
Angela Roquet
6/7 Paperback, 256 pages
Points this post: 5
Total points: 50
Books posted: 10
Tasks complete: 10
Pages this post: 256
Total pages as of this post: 2640

Read ONE book that fulfills BOTH book 1 and book 2 requirements
Only His by Susan Mallery *Goodreads Author*
*Romance as main page genre
*O-word in title
TASK TOTALS
Points: 15
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets:
CHALLENGE TOTALS
Points: 20
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

Using the word money, I read
The Chocolate Money
20.8 Mhairi's Task--UNESCO Cities:
1. Set in Edinburgh (where I'll be later this summer YAY!)
Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers
Today's total: 25
Grand total: 50

10.1 - Summer Reading
San Francisco Public Library 2014 Adult Summer Reading List
Still Life with Bread Crumbs: A Novel
Anna Quindlen
6/7 Paperback, 288 pages
Points this post: 10
Total points: 60
Books posted: 11
Tasks complete: 11
Pages this post: 288
Total pages as of this post: 2928

You're Loved No Matter What: Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect
I had the religion genre verified in help thread #28, since there were so few people rating it.
Holley Gerth is a GRA for 1 ticket.
New points this post: 10
Total w/this post: 40
GRA tickets this post: 1
Total w/this post: 1
Big Books this post: 0
Total w/this post: 0
Post: 177

15.4 The Big O
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (goodreads author)
* fulfills reqs for both book 1 (romance) AND book 2 (itle begins with O)
*big book at 850 pages
----
20.1
Summer is for Relaxing
Option 2: ('winter' in title)
The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly (goodreads author)
*big book @ 736 pages
---
Above tasks: 35 points
# tasks completed to date: 2
GRA: 2
Big book: 2
Total points: 35

10.2 - It's hurricane season again!
Author's first name matches a 2015 Atlantic hurricane name: Teresa
Overdue for Murder
Teresa Trent
6/7 Paperback, 144 pages
Points this post: 10
Total points: 70
Books posted: 12
Tasks complete: 12
Pages this post: 144
Total pages as of this post: 3072

25.10 - Sirena's task: My Mom Is the Best
I chose the B option: one book fulfilling two parts of the task. I used Option 1 (birthday) and Option 4 (Best Mystery/Crime list).
I read

**I'd like to claim 1 Big Book ticket, my copy was 599 pages long**
Previous point total: 35
New points this post: 25
Total points: 60
New tasks completed in this post: 1
Total tasks: 3
GRA tickets this post: 0
Total GRA: 1
Big Book tickets this post: 1
Total Big Books: 2

10.6. What is GR up to?
Book 51 on the March list is...
Area X: The Southern Reach Trilogy, which is a compilation book containing all 3 books in the Southern Reach Trilogy.
Per the compilation rule listed in the task, I read
Annihilation
by Jeff VanderMeer (Goodreads author)
which is the first book of the trilogy.
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 1
Goodreads Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Points: 10

Both horror and thriller on the main page:
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
+10 Points
Grand Total: 10

15.6 - Rock Around the Clock
Eighth Grave After Dark by Darynda Jones
There is a watch on the cover -

This post: 15 points
Total points to date: 15 points
Tasks completed: 1
** Electing to not track GR authors and Big Books this season **

Task 10.1 Summer Reading
I used the SF Public Library List.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
Task 10.3 Ghost Stories Around the Campfire
thriller/horror genre
Fever Dream by Douglas Preston
**Douglas Preston is a GR Author = 1 GRA Ticket**
Points This Post: 20
GRA This Post: 1
BB Ticket This Post:
Total Points: 60
Total GRA: 2
Total BBT: 1

TASK NAME: 25.5 Bluemoon's task: Summer Fun
Option A: In the Garden - read a book that you got for free
Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry
Qualifier: Borrowed from the library.
Option C: initials in FAMILY GATHERING
The Devil's Workshop by Alex Grecian
Qualifier: Alex Grecian's initials A.G. in FAMILY GATHERING
Claiming GRA for Alex Grecian
Points this task: 25
Points Total: 30
Tasks Completed:2
GR Author: 1
Big Books: 0

10.10 Haiku!
Book with 5 words in the title
The Color of a Memory by Julianne MacLean a GRA
this post
10 pts
1 GRA
Total:
20 pts
2 GRA

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald
10.5. June is Caribbean American Heritage Month! Read a book set in one of the Caribbean countries or written by an author who was born or currently lives in one of the Caribbean countries.
The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Ana's task: Summer Celebrations Required: I chose Option 1: Read a book with the main page genre "Science Fiction" or "Young Adult".
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park (Young Adult) (IL: MG+)
25.4 - Beth Robinson's task: Science & Writing
Option 1: Read a non-fiction book with the genre or sub-genre "engineering" or "science."
The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality by Richard Panek
Option 2: Read a non-fiction book with the genre or sub-genre "writing".
Ambrose Bierce's Write It Right: The Celebrated Cynic's Language Peeves Deciphered, Appraised, and Annotated for 21st-Century Readers by Ambrose Bierce
25.10 - Sirena's task: My Mom Is the Best
Option A:
3: Read a book with Military as a main page genre.
The Red Battle Flyer by Manfred von Richthofen
5: Read a book featuring at least one person with white, gray, or silver hair on the cover.

30.5 - Teri-k's task: Good Old Summertime?
Options 1 and 2
1. The title and subtitle of the book you read must contain all the letters in SAUNA, including two A's.

The Life Story of a Russian Exile, by Marie Sukloff
2. Read a book whose cover has ice cream (popsicles or other frozen novelty desserts work, too), a firefly (1 must be lit up), or a baseball uniform, bat, ball, or mitt.

Total: 115

Repeating Option 1 for both books
Set in a place I consider magical
There is nothing more magical the the Hogwarts Castle and the magical world of Harry Potter to me. The author has done a great job of making the setting realistic and believable, and it is the one place I would want to visit over all others.
Book 1: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
AR Bookfinder information
IL: MG+ - BL: 7.2 - AR Pts: 29.0
Big Books Ticket = 652
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Book 2: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
AR Bookfinder information
IL: MG+ - BL: 6.9 - AR Pts: 34.0
Big Books Ticket = 759 pages
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Totals for Challenge
Points this Post: 30
Total Points: 75
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Books - 500+: 2
Big Books - 750+: 2
Big Books - 1000+: 0

Something Smells Like Pee by Blythe E. Jewell, a Goodreads author
30.1 - Schatzie's task: American Independence Day 7-04
1 - Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Found on page 1
This is a BIG BOOK with 500 pages
2 - Hush by Anne Frasier
384 pages
500 + 384 = 884
POINTS: 35

5.8: KUDOKUTEN
---female author K name
Mambo in Chinatown: A Novel by Jean Kwok
5.10: May the Gods Be Ever in your Favor
---book of choice
A Man Called Ove
Points this post: 10
Total Challenge Points: 150
BB(500) - 1
BB(750) - 0
BB(1000) - 0

15.5 - Witch Hunt
Darker After Midnight - Lara Adrian 6/4
(paranormal)
Goodreads Author
Totals for Challenge
Points this Post: 15
Total Points: 45
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books - 500+: (0)
Big Books - 750+: (0)
Big Books - 1000+: (0)
45/1085 POINTS

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Ana's task: Summer Celebrations
Option 1 - Main page genre “Young Adult"
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 20

20.10 - Group Reads - Best Lesser Known Novels - The Invention of Wings - Sue Monk Kidd
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 20
Books Read: 1
Tasks Completed: 1

5.5 - Fukurokuju
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke - 635 pages BIG BOOK
Inkspell
Funke, Cornelia
AR Quiz No. 100861 EN Fiction
IL: MG - BL: 5.6 - AR Pts: 29.0
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 5
Goodreads Authors this post: 0
Total Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets this post: 1
Total Big Book Tickets: 1
Big Books - 500+: 1
Big Books - 750+: 0
Big Books - 1000+: 0

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Ana's task: Summer Celebrations - Option 4 - Their favorite colors are Pink and Blue. Read a book that is predominantly (at least 50%) one of these colors. Required: Include the cover when you post.

Points this task: 20
Total points: 155
Books read: 11
Tasks completed: 9

5.6 Hotei
Nonfiction book with the genre "Humor," "Funny," or "Comedy":My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands

Verified for Humor,Comedy,Funny AND non-fiction: Genre Approval
Points Earned This Post:5
Points Achieved to Date: 30/1085
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book Tickets:
500+ (0)
750+ (0)
1000+ (0)

Task 25.1 - In a Series
read two books from the same series
Single by Saturday and Taken by Tuesday by Catherine Bybee, #4 & 5 in the Weekday Brides series
======
points this post = 25
total points = 110

10.10 Haiku!
Read a book that has five or seven words in the title.
Spinster: Making a Life of One's Own by Kate Bolick
This post:
Points: 10
GRA: 0
BB tickets: 0
Tasks complete: 1
Books read: 1
In total:
Points: 10
GRA: 0
BB tickets: 0
Tasks complete: 1
Books read: 1

5.5 - Fukurokuju - Read a book with the genre "Books About Books" listed as a main page genre.
I read Letter to a Future Lover: Marginalia, Errata, Secrets, Inscriptions, and Other Ephemera Found in Libraries by Ander Monson. This book has the required genre listed on the main page.
POINTS
This Post: 5
Total Points: 5
Books Read: 1
Completed Tasks: 1
Goodreads Authors: 0

5.10 - May the Gods Be Ever in Your Favor. For this task, enjoy any book of your choice.
The book of my choice that I read is Jonathan Adler on Happy Chic: Colors
POINTS
This Post: 5
Total Points: 10
Books Read: 2
Completed Tasks: 2
Goodreads Authors: 0

10.4. We miss you, Jane.
Palestine by Joe Sacco
15.3 - Now Appearing
Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh
REQUIRED: Fills both requirements. IMDB link shows recent film made from this book; Julie in author's name matches Julie Walters (#50 on list)
15.9 - Take a Ride
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan O'Malley
REQUIRED: Features full name -- Scott Pilgrim
*Bryan O'Malley is a GRA*
25.9 - Elizabeth B's task: Roll of the Dice
REQUIRED: I rolled a 2 and a 3.
Book1: Dear Beloved Stranger by Dino Pai -- has 2 "A"s
Book2: That Salty Air by Tim Sievert -- has 3 "Ts"
CURRENT POST
Points: 65
Goodreads Authors: 1
_______________________
CUMULATIVE TOTAL
Total Points: 135
Goodreads Authors: 2

5.4 – Ebisu
I read Rat Queens, Vol. 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth - "F" in Far, "H" and "I" in Reaching and "S" in Queens to spell FISH.
Kurtis J. Wiebe is a Goodreads Author, I'd like to claim a GRA ticket.
Previous point total: 60
New points this post: 5
Total points: 65
New tasks completed in this post: 1
Total tasks: 4
GRA tickets this post: 1
Total GRA: 2
Big Book tickets this post: 0
Total Big Books: 2

15.9 - Take a Ride
Saving Ceecee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
The title contains a name (CeeCee Honeycutt) who is the main character of the book.
This post: 15 points
Total points to date: 30 points
Tasks completed: 2
** Electing to not track GR authors and Big Books this season **
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lathe of Heaven (other topics)Tipping the Velvet (other topics)
A Suspension of Mercy (other topics)
Daughter of the Blood (other topics)
The Price of Salt (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Sarah Waters (other topics)Patricia Highsmith (other topics)
Anne Bishop (other topics)
Ursula K. Le Guin (other topics)
Jim C. Hines (other topics)
More...
~~~~~
5.3 Daikokuten
"Gold" in title = Booster Gold, Vol. 2: Blue and Gold
20.6 It Was Ability...
Option 1: deaf main char = A Silent Voice 1
One of the main characters, Shoka, is deaf.
20.7 Summer Celebrations
Option 1: ya genre = Girl Friends ガールフレンズ , Volume 2
Young Adult is fourth from the bottom as of 6.7.15
25.6 Internship or Summer School?
Option 3: college life = Odd Girl Out
The novel takes place entirely at an unnamed college in the '50s.
Option 4: instrument on cover =
The main character (the girl on the left) is wearing her marching band bass drum
Total: 70 pts