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)

Book One. Read a book in which the beginning letter of every word in the title (AND subtitle, if applicable) begins with a "Straight" letter.
The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes. T and L are "straight" letters.
Book 2 - Read a book whose author's initials are all "Crooked".
The Woods at Barlow Bend by Jodie Cain Smith. J, C, and S are all "crooked" letters. Smith is a Goodreads author.
Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 160
Total Tasks: 7
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: 0
Total Books: 11

TASK NUMBER :30.6 Dancing in the Streets
TASK DESCRIPTION: Read book with "Girl" in title
BOOK READ #1:

AUTHOR:Lena Dunham
DATE READ: 6/2/2015
REQUIRED INFO: Girl in Title, matching My Girl in song title
GR Author: Lena Dunham is GR Author (already claimed previously....no claim needed here since book is being reassigned)
BOOK READ #2:

AUTHOR:Tara Sivec
DATE READ: 7/27/2015
REQUIRED INFO: T.S. = The Supremes
GR Author: Tara Sivec is a GR Author
NOTE PAGE REQUIREMENTS: 265 + 400 = 665 (meets minimum 500 page requirement
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
TOTALS
Points This Post: 30
GR Author: 1 new entry
Big Book: 0
Total Points: 380 - 5 = 375
Total GR Author : 20
Total Big Book: 0

20.3 - Best Review - Meghanly's task: ACRONYMS
A 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.
Everlasting Bad Boys by Shelly Laurenston, Cynthia Eden & Noelle Mack -- Title's initials spell 'ebb' meaning flowing backward or away.
Cynthia Eden is a GR Author.
Points This Post: 20
GR Authors This Post: 1
Big Book Tickets This Post: 0
Total Points: 320
Total GR Authors: 20
Total Big Book Tickets: 0

10.2 It's Hurricane Season Again
Read a book by an author whose first name matches a hurricane's name
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. Bill is one of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane names found here
15.2 Outfoxed
Task 1: Read a book that is #1, 5, 7, or 9 in the series
Maus, I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spielgeman. This is #1 in the Maus series.
Task 2: Title or subtitle contains: Heaven, Void, Wind, Spirit, Fire, Earth, River, Ocean, Fountain, Forest, Thunder, Time, or Sound
Bears Discover Fire and Other Stories by Terry Bisson.
30.2 Jonquil's Task: Takin' It to the Streets
Doing Option 1 twice
Option 1: Read a book set in a place you consider magical
Anne's House of Dreams by L.M.Montgomery
IL: MG - BL: 6.1 - AR Pts: 13.0
The Anne of Green Gables' series holds a special place in my heart. It is because of them that I consider Prince Edwards' Island a magical place where imagination is allowed to run wild. Anne and Gilbert's House of Dreams was on par with the Sleeping Beauty's castle to me when I was growing up.
Option 1: Read a book set in place you consider magical
The Janus Affairby Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
**** Tee Morris is a Goodreads Author ****
Steampunk Victorian England. I feel like that is self-explanatory to some people, but I really love the combination of Victorian England romance and drama with all the fancy gadgets that you find in Steampunk novels. Something about the combination feels just fantastical and magical to me. Needless to say, I want some of the toys these secret service agents have.
IN POST:
Points: 10 + 15 + 30 = 55
Goodreads Author: 1
Big Book: 0
TOTAL SO FAR:
Points: 595 + 55 = 650
Goodreads Author: 19 + 1 = 20
Big Books: 3

1. June-
The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander. Author's initials R and A in Rhubarb.
2. July-
Where the Cherry Tree Grew: The Story of Ferry Farm, George Washington's Boyhood Home by Philip Levy. Cherries are a good July fruit.
30.5 Teri K's Task--Good Old Summer Time:
1. Title contains word SAUNA
My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh S, U, N in Sunshine, A, A, in Away.
2. Ice Cream on cover

Today's total: 55
Grand total: 740

TASK DESCRIPTION: Read book set in Ireland
BOOK READ :

AUTHOR:Tana French
DATE READ: 7/27/2015
REQUIRED INFO: Per description, set in Ireland
GR Author: Tana French is GR Author
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
TOTALS
Points This Post: 10
GR Author: 1
Big Book: 0
Total Points: 385
Total GR Author : 21
Total Big Book: 0

15.4- The Big O
Read a book with the genre sexuality, romance or erotica on its main book page AND read a book with a word that begins with the letter O in the title or subtitle.
Snowed Over by Angie Stanton **Angie Stanton is a Goodreads Author**
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 305
Goodreads Authors: 18
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total Tasks Completed: 17

10.10 - Haiku!
The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb (7 words in title)
Robin Hobb is a Goodreads Author
Post total: 10 points, 1 GRA
Challenge total points: 525
Total GRA: 18
Total BB tickets: 1
Tasks completed: 25

Task 20.1-Most Improved Player-Mary P's task: Summer is for Relaxing
Option 1: Read a book that has been on your to-read pile the longest. This has been on my to-read pile for about 2 years.
Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End

------------------------------------------------------------
Task 20.4-Author! Author!-Julie De's task: Happy Birthday!
Option 1: Read a book that is #2 in the series.
Call the Midwife: Shadows of the Workhouse

Points this post: 40
Total points: 335
Total tasks: 14
GRA: 7
Big Books: (500+): 1

15.5 - Witch Hunt
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
Points this task: 15
************************
Total Points: 95

REPOST (need to move Vivid Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland, 1890-1923 to a new place)
30.3 - Donna Jo's task: Going My Way?
for option 2 I read Hush Hush
for option 3 I read

TALLY:
This post - no new points
Total - 635

10.8 - Ulysses, again
I read Vivid Faces: The Revolutionary Generation in Ireland, 1890-1923 (moved from 30.3 as stated above)
15.9 - Take a Ride
I read A Match for Marcus Cynster
25.2 - Shiraloo's task: Summer’s Bounty
I read two Amy Harmon books for option 1:
Running Barefoot
A Different Blue
25.10 - Sirena's task: My Mom Is the Best
I picked option A
For option a2 I read Branded as Trouble (Wyoming)
For option a3 I read Rev It Up
TALLY:
This post - 75 points
Total - 710

Task # 15.10 - BBQ Time
Book 1: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
Bell, Butterfly & DominQue to spell out BBQ
Points this post: 15 points
Total points to date = 320 points
GRA this post: 0
Total GRA to date: 9
BB tickets this post: 0
Total BB tickets to date: 2

20.5 - Bigger is Better – Camilla’s task: Dragon Kings
Approved in Help thread #47
Option 2: Shapeshifting
For this option, read a book with the main page genre “Shapeshifters”. The genre may be stand alone or embedded.
Charm & Strange
Shapeshifters > Werewolves on main page
Points this post:20
Total: 385
Books read: 29
Tasks Done:20

Read ONE book that fulfills BOTH book 1 and book 2 requirements
Book 1 - Read a book with the genre sexuality, romance or erotica on its main book page
Book 2- Read a book with a word that begins with the letter O in the title or subtitle.
One
Just One Day (Just One Day #1) (2013) by Gayle Forman (Goodreads Author) (Paperback, 369 pages)
**Gayle Forman is a Goodreads Author.**
205 + 15 = 220
Tasks Completed: 13
Points for this post: 15
Points thus far: 205 + 15 = 220
Books read: 17
Pages read: 5,911
Read but not claimed: 07
Goodreads Authors: 05
Big Books:
(2) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

15.8 - Dearly Departed
Read a book with Science Fiction, Fantasy, or any combination of those genres (Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fantasy, etc.) on its main book page.
The Ghost Hunters by Neil Spring
This book has Fantasy as one of its genres on the main page.
The genre was verified in the Genre Verification Thread in post 129
Neil Spring is a Goodreads Author!
I read the Kindle Version, but the paperback has 513 pages: The Ghost Hunters
I claim 1 Big Book Ticket for this book!
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 250
Books Read: 25
Goodreads Authors: 14
Big Books:500+(1)750+(0)1000+(1)

15.9 - Take a Ride - Read a book with a name in the title
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
20.4 - Author! Author! - Julie De's task: Happy Birthday!
Option 1: Read a book that is identified as #2 or #6 in a series on goodreads
A Hidden Witch (A Modern Witch #2) by Debora Geary
Points this post: 35
Total Points: 175
GRA this post: 2
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 12

Option 1: read a book with the main page genre 'Retellings'. The genre may stand alone or be embedded. (ex. 'Fairy Tale Retellings')
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale - main page genre Retellings - 83 users approved on help tread #25
Shannon Hale is a Goodreads author.
Option 2: read a book where a full moon can be seen on the cover. The full circle of the moon must be visible for it to count. Required: Post the cover when claiming the task for completion.

Cover approved in the help tread #25
THIS POST
Points: 25
Goodreads Authors: 1
TOTAL
Points: 165
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books Tickets: 8

5.8 - Kudokuten
The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Marina Keegan
5.9 - Takarabune

It has an apple in the cover
5.5 - Fukurokuju

Angels & Demons
10.1 - Summer Reading
The Sun Also Rises
Found in Gear Patrol 2015 Summer Reading List
10.3 -Ghost stories around the campfire.
Angels & Demons
10.5-June is Caribbean American Heritage Month!
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
( The author is Carribean and is a GoodReads Author)
Points this post:45
Total points:65
GRA:3

10.2 - It's hurricane season again!
The Devil's Own by Sandra Brown, Sandra is one of the 2015 Pacific hurricane names.
10.3- Ghost stories around the campfire.
The Indian Bride (genre thriller)
10.10 - Haiku!
a book with a title consisting of 5 words
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
Points: 30
Total: 660

15.9 - Take a Ride
Read a book with a name in the title or subtitle. At least the first AND last name appearing together (Mark Twain) or title/honorific and name (King Arthur, Mr. Toad) must be present.
I read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

25.3 - Andy P's task: Straight Letter, Crooked Letter
Book 1 - "Straight" letters
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
**H and L are "straight letters"
Book 2 - "Crooked" letters
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
***J and S are "crooked" letters
Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 80
GR Authors: 1
Big Ticket Books: 0

15.8 Dearly Departed
Macbeth by AJ Hartley (goodreads author)
*Fantasy on main gr page
25.2 Summer's Bounty
Option 1: War Brides by Helen Bryan (GRA)
Option 1: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins (GRA)
*HB & RH found in word RHUBARB
Above tasks: 40 points
# tasks submitted to date: 10
GRA: 9
New total: 175 points

25.8 Catherine T's task: Diverse Reading
The Sellout by Paul Beatty
I have not read this book nor anything by this African-American author before.
Delicious Foods by James Hannaham
I have not read this book nor anything by this African-American author before.
James Hannaham is a Goodreads author; claiming ticket
This post: 25
Total points to date: 195
Goodread authors: 7
Big book tickets: 0
Total tasks completed: 11

15.6 - Rock Around the Clock
Book with a clock on the cover.

Anathem by Neal Stephenson. Neal Stephenson is a Goodreads author. Anathem is 954 pages long, claiming two Big Book tickets.
Points This Post: 15
GR Authors This Post: 1
BB Tickets This Post: 2
Total Points: 465
Total GR Authors: 10
BB Tickets: 4
Books Read: 36

30.3 Going my way
Go Away Home Carol Bodensteiner, option 1 , set in Iowa, list Popular Iowa Books, page 4
The Mystery of the Blue Train Agatha Christie, option 4, train in title
Task points 30
Total points 230

5.4 - Ebisu
Book with letters in FISH in its title
The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett (GR Author)
5.5 - Fukurokuju
Book with the genre "Books About Books"
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine (GR Author)
5.6 - Hotei
Nonfiction book with the genre "Humor"
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed (GR Author)
5.8 - Kudokuten
Book with a female author who has a name that starts with K
The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood (GR Author)
Total points: 20
GR Authors: 4

River Runs Deep by Jennifer Bradbury July 27 (Book not found on Bookfinder)
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 195
Total Tasks Completed: 13
Total Books Read: 16
Total Goodreads Authors: 7
Total Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

10.3- Ghost stories around the campfire
Book with the genre "Horror"
The Diviners by Libba Bray (GR Author)
This is a Big Book with 592 pages.
10.4. We miss you, Jane
Book whose author's initials can be found in JANE AUSTEN
Madly by Amy Alward (GR Author)
10.8 - Ulysses, again!
Book set in Ireland
Love and Summer
10.10 - Haiku!
Book with a title consisting of 5 words
The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne (GR Author)
Points in this post: 40
GR Authors in this post: 3
Big Book Tickets in this post: 1
Total points: 60

*Option 1: Book #2 in series
*City of Ashes
*Cassandra Clare is a Goodreads Author
20.5 - Bigger is Better
*Option 4: Cardinal Directions
*Walden
*Henry David Thoreau's initals can be found in NORTH or SOUTH.
*Author approved on Help thread, post #43-44.
20.6 - Seasoned Reader
*Option 3: Book from list
*Now I See You: A Memoir
*This book is found on page 1, #57 (as of today)
*Nicole C. Kear is a Goodreads Author
Points This Post:60
Total Points: 170
Total Books Read: 10
Goodreads Authors: 8
Big Books: [500+: 1] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

A clock face on the cover: The List by Martin Fletcher

Points this post: 15
Total points: 395

5.10 - May the Gods Be Ever in Your Favor - *repost*
(I'd like to use previous book in another task)
On the Rocks by Sawyer Bennett
*** Sawyer Bennett is GR author ***
Points This Post: 5
Total points: 580
Tasks Completed: 35
Total Books Read: 49
Goodreads Authors: 38
Big Books: 500 (3), 750 (/), 1000 (/)

5.1 – Benzaiten: Read a book that features a main character who is a librarian (currently or retired).

5.4 – Ebisu: Read a book that has all of the letters in FISH or all of the letters in LUCK in its title/subtitle. The letters may be in any order:

Used Fish
5.10 - May the Gods Be Ever in Your Favor: enjoy any book of your choice.

15.2 – Outfoxed:
Book 1: Read a book that is #1, #5, #7 or #9 in a series.

Book 2: Read a book with one of those words in the title or subtitle.

This Post: 30
Total Points: 110
Tasks Completed: 8
Books Read: 11
Goodreads Author: 9
Big Books: 500+(0), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

50.1 - Ms Anderson's task: Three Cheers for Equality! - In honor of recent victories highlighting the power of love in this crazy, mixed-up world of ours, read THREE books from the following options.
Book 1: Read a book with the genre GLBT as a main page genre. GLBT may appear alone or embedded.
Everything Leads to You
Books 2 and 3: Read TWO books from the following options. You may choose the same option twice. The genre GLBT is NOT required for these books, although it may appear. Required: State which option(s) you chose when you post.
A) Read a book written by a GLBT author on this list: List of LGBT writers.
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
Both are found on the above-linked list of authors.
Points this task: 50
Total points: 690
Books read: 49
Tasks completed: 33

Book 1: Main page genre of GLBT - approved in post #3
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Book 2: Memoir about someone who is GLBT
Lions and Tigers and Bears (The Internet Strikes Back) by George Takei
Book 3: Memoir about someone who is GLBT
Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres
Totals for Challenge
Points this Post: 50
Total Points: 350
Goodreads Authors: 7
Big Books - 500+: 5
Big Books - 750+: 2
Big Books - 1000+: 0

I read Hold Tight by Harlan Coben - old in hOLD.
10.10 Haiku
I read How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz - 5 words in the title
Claiming a GRA Ticket for Lisa Lutz
15.10 BBQ time
I read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray - 2 Bs in author's name, Q in title
Claiming a GRA Ticket for Libba Bray
New Total: 225

➜ Read a book whose author's initial can be found in the phrase STAMPEDE PARADE.
Zombie Rules byDavid Achord. stAampeDe parade
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 180
Total Tasks: 8
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: 0
Total Books: 12

25.8 - Catherine T's task: Diverse Reading
This is a TWO book task. **Both books and at least one of the authors should be new to you.**
Read two books by authors from diverse backgrounds and/or cultures.
Finding Your Roots: The Official Companion to the PBS Series by Henry Louis Gates Jr. (African-American, photograph in GR profile and book cover)
I listened to the audiobook, but linked to the hardcover version (no MMPB or PB editions).
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (Hispanic/Latin - born in Mexico per GR Profile)
**Both books and both authors are new to me**
~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 230/1085
Total Books Read: 18
Tasks Completed: 15/61
Goodreads Authors This Post: 0
Total Goodreads Authors: 12
Big Books This Post: 0
Total Big Books: 1

5.3 - Daikokuten
The word MONEY in the title
Money, A Love Story: Untangling Your Finances, Creating the Life You Really Want, and Living Your Purpose
***********
THIS POST:
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 1
Goodreads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Points: 5
TOTALS:
Tasks Completed: 7
Books Read: 8
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book Tickets: 0
Points: 80

5.9 - Takarabune
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

IL: MG - BL: 5.4 - AR Pts: 6.0
Points this post: 5
*****************************
Total Points: 100

5.2 - Bishamonten
Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot whom is a GRA. Mystery/Crime is listed as a main page genre
Points This Post: 5
GR Authors This Post:1
Total Points: 600
Total GR Authors: 32
Books Read:45
Big Book Tickets: 2

10.1 - Summer Reading - Read a book from one of these summer reading lists:
San Francisco Public Library 2014 Adult Summer Reading List, TED blog 2014 Summer Reading List, or
Gear Patrol 2015 Summer Reading List
The Spellman Files is on the SFPL 2014 Adult Summer Reading List.
Points this task: 10
Total points: 700
Books read: 50
Tasks completed: 34

Task 10.6 - What is GR Up To?
read a book on the March 2015 GR leading list
Small Gods by Terry Pratchett is #17 on the list
====
points this post: 10
total points = 655

50.1 Ms. Anderson's task: Three Cheers for Equality!
Book 1: GLBT genre The Good Fight by Andrew Grey
For Books 2 and 3 I chose Option C twice and read by Andrew Grey (same author as book 1) The Fight Within and Inside Out
Points 50
Total 710

Book 1 - Read a book written by an author whose initials are ALL "Straight" (including middle initials, if used).
Sleepless Knights (2013) by Mark H. Williams (Paperback, 410 pages)
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Adult Literature (2014)
Book 2 - Read a book whose author's initials are all "Crooked".
Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson #2) (2007) by Patricia Briggs (Mass Market Paperback, 292 pages)
220 + 25= 245
Tasks Completed: 14
Points for this post: 25
Points thus far: 220 + 25= 245
Books read: 19
Pages read: 6,613
Read but not claimed: 06
Goodreads Authors: 05
Big Books:
(2) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

*Repost due to incorrect posting*
Task #10.6 What is GR up to?
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
March 2015 list - #91
Task #15.3 - Now Appearing
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
IMDB Link
+
Michael Crichton shares first name with Michael Caine (actor #23 on list)
_________________________________
This post: 25 points
Total to date: 60 points

Task #10.10 Haiku - Read a book with a title consisting of 5 or 7 words
No Quest For The Wicked by Shanna Swendson
_________________________________
This post: 10 points
Total to date: 70 points

10.4 We Miss You, Jane. I read An Absolute Sort of Certainty: The Holy Spirit and the Apologetics of Jonathan Edwards by Stephen J. Nichols. “SJN” are in Jane auSteN.
25.8 Catherine T’s Diverse Reading.
Book 1. Author is Vietnamese-American (born in Vietnam, she is ethnically Asian-Pacific) – I read The Book of Salt by Monique Truong.
Book 2. Author is Native Canadian (Dogrib of the NW Territories) – I read The Lesser Blessed: A Novel by Richard Van Camp.
Points This Post: 35
Total Points So Far: 780
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...
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
Total Points: 300
Tasks completed: 13
GRA: 4
Big book tickets: 2