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)

30.2 - Jonquil’s task: Takin’ It to the Streets
Option 1 - book set in a place I considered magical
Girl on a Wire by Gwenda Bond (GR Author)
This book is set in a circus. I went to a circus as a child and I remember thinking it was a magical place because of the performers I saw.
Option 2 - celebration in a book
Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray (GR Author)
There is a celebration in the streets in this book when people come out to greet a "famous character" (Jake Marlowe) who comes to visit the city.
This is a big book at 624 pages.
30.3 - Donna Jo's task: Going My Way?
Option 2 - author's last name starts with A, L or O
Ruthless by Carolyn Lee Adams (GR Author)
Option 3 - title in solid white lettering

30.4 - Dlmrose’s Task: Title Time
Book 1: Inherit the Stars by Tessa Elwood (GR Author)
Book 2: The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent (GR Author)
30.6 - Sandy's task: Dancing in the Streets
Book 1 - word is "mountain"
Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich (GR Author)
Book 2 - author's last name "Robinson" matches Smokey Robinson
The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me by Lucy Robinson (GR Author)
30.7 - Pamela3265's task: Celebrating Summer
Option 2 - author's initials in the word REUNION
Uprooted by Naomi Novik (GR Author)
Option 3 - I would like to go on vacation to Bangkok and Thailand where this book is set
Off the Edge by Carolyn Crane (GR Author)
Total points in this post: 150
GR Authors in this post: 10
Big books in this post: 1
Total points: 715

Book 1 - author initials are ALL "Straight" (K, H)
Benediction by Kent Haruf
Book 2 - author initials are all "Crooked" (G, O)
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
Task total=25
Grand total=575

15.1 - Yin and Yang
Book 1:

Book 2:

15.2 - Outfoxed
Book 1: The Ghost Writer (#1 in series)
Book 2: The Secret Wisdom of the Earth (Earth)
15.3 - Now Appearing
One-book option: The Princess Bride
IMDB link
Author: William Goldman; actor: William Fichtner (#74 on list)
15.5 - Witch Hunt
No Dominion
15.6 - Rock Around the Clock

15.7 - Birth of a Nation
The Boy in the Suitcase (Denmark)
15.8 - Dearly Departed
The Sword-Edged Blonde (fantasy)
15.9 - Take a Ride
The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith
Points this post: 120
Total points: 640

This is a 2 book task. Choose 2 different options below and read a book for each option.
Option 1 – June Wedding: I will be travelling to attend the wedding of one of my closest cousins. Since June is a popular month for weddings, read a book with a wedding dress/veil, wedding cake, church (or other religious building such as a mosque or synagogue), or a floral bouquet on the cover.Required: Include the cover when you post and, if it's not obvious, identify the wedding-related object.

Option 3 –Vacation: I will be joining members of my extended family for a week-long vacation in the mountains. For this option, read a book set in a place you would like to go on vacation. Required:Identify where you would like to go on vacation.
I would really like to go on a vacation to San Francisco, the setting for Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin.
Points This Post: 30
GR Authors This Post:0
Total Points: 455
Total GR Authors: 20
Books Read: 32
Challenges Posted: 19

20.7 Shorter IS Sweeter
Heartless by Sara Shepard
This book is in the Young Adult genre and 478 users shelved it as Young Adult
Sara Shepard is a Goodreads author
Tasks Completed 8
Books Read: 10
GR Authors Total: 9 +1 Sara Shepard
BB Tickets 0
Task Points: 20
Grand Total: 135

Option A: The title and subtitle...must contain all the letter in SAUNA, including the two As

The Life-Changing M"A"gic of Tidying "U"p: The J"A"pa"N"e"S"e Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Option 3:
Read a classic genre book....originally published before 1956

A classic originally published in 1818
Total points this task: 30
Total points challenge: 335
Total GRA tickets challenge: 12
Total BB tickets challenge: 1

25.5 Bluemoon's task: Summer Fun
Option A - Free book
Book obtained for free from the library
Extreme Medicine: How Exploration Transformed Medicine in the Twentieth Century by Kevin Fong
Option C - Author's initials are in fAmily gatheRing
Ideal by Ayn Rand
GRA this post: 0
Total GRA: 7
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 185

Task 5.2: Bishamonten: At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie. The genre crime is listed on the main page.
Task 20.5: Dragon Kings:
Option 1: The Snack Thief

Totals this posting:
Total Points: 25
Books Read: 2
Tasks Completed: 2
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 500+: 0; 750+: 0;
Summary Totals:
Total Points: 380
Books Read: 26
Tasks Completed: 21
GoodReads Authors: 9
Big Book Tickets: 500+: 3; 750+: 0;

25.8 - Catherine T's task: Diverse Reading
Book 1: Like Water for Chocolate -- Hispanic/Latin -- new author, new book
Book 2: Once on a Moonless Night -- China -- new author, new book
Points this task: 25
-------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative Totals

Big Books - 500+: 2
Goodreads authors: 9
Books read: 27

15.6 - Rock Around the Clock - Read a book with a clock face on the cover, clock hands or the time must be visible

Points this task: 15
Total Points: 360
GRA Ticket: 1

30.2 - Jonquil’s task: Takin’ It to the Streets
Option 1 – Magical Setting
Stolen Heat by Elisabeth Naughton*
This book is set in Egypt. I’ve always been fascinated with the majesty of the country - the pyramids and the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings are all magical to me.
Option 2 – Street Celebration
Boundary Lines by Nora Roberts*
Fourth of July, County Fair - confirmed in post #101 of the task help thread
* Goodreads Author
~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 690/1085
Total Books Read: 51
Tasks Completed: 36/61

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
I read:

The word formed from the title is: HAS
POINTS
Points This Post: 20
Points Total: 335
GR Author:
Big Books:
500 () 750 (X) 1000 ()
Tasks Completed: 17
GRA Total: 5
BB Total: 2

Completed Tasks
25.2 - Shiraloo's task: Summer’s Bounty
Book #1 -- Author's initials (HB) found in "rhubarb"
Faerie Wars -- IL: MG+ - BL: 5.2 - AR Pts: 14.0
Book #2 -- the word "Cherry" found in title of book
Kindle edition I read: Cherry Cobbler
Paperback edition: Cherry Cobbler: Book 2 of the Blackberry County Chronicles
25.3 - Andy P's task: Straight Letter, Crooked Letter
Book 1 -- first letter of each word of title (L and Y) is a 'straight' letter
Kindle edition I read: Limoncello Yellow
Paperback edition: Limoncello Yellow
Book 2 -- first letter of each word of author's name (J and R) is a 'crooked' letter
ebook edition I read: Crispens Point by JoHannah Reardon
Paperback edition: Crispens Point: Book 1 of the Blackberry County Chronicles
**POINT SUMMARY**
Previous Points Earned: 350
Points Earned this Post: 50
Total Points To Date: 400

I rolled a 3 and a 4
Book 1 (4 A's) The Cat, the Lady and the Liar: A Cats in Trouble Mystery by Leann Sweeney
The Cat, the Lady and the Liar
*** Leann Sweeney is a Goodreads Author***
Book 2 (3 O's) Veronica Mars: The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas
Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line
25.10 - Sirena's task: My Mom Is the Best
Option 2: Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones - set in New Mexico
*** Darynda Jones is a Goodreads Author ***
Option 4: Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris - on page 11
Total points: 115
Total GRA: 7

Crime Seen by Victoria Laurie - thriller on main page
*** Victoria Laurie is a Goodreads Author ***
20.4 - Author! Author! - Julie De's task: Happy Birthday!
Option 1: Marked Masters by Ritter Ames - #2 in series
*** Ritter Ames is a Goodreads Author ***
Total Points: 145
Total GRA: 9

15.7 - Birth of a Nation
Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye*
Set in Washington, D.C.
* Goodreads Author
~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 705/1085
Total Books Read: 52
Tasks Completed: 37/61

25.11 - Summer In The City
1. New York City! - Bonfire of the Vanities 659 pages
* I claim 1 x Big Book Ticket for this *
2. Music: - Soul Music
POINTS
Points This Post: 25
Points Total: 1040
GR Author: 6
Big Books: [500+: 8] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]
Tasks Completed: 59

25.8 - Catherine T's task: Diverse Reading:
read two books by authors from diverse backgrounds and/or cultures.:
Nainen nollapisteessä by Nawal El-Saadawi
and
Red Azalea by Anchee Min.
Neither book is a reread and both authors are new to me.
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 440
GR Authors this post: 0
Total GR Authors: 12
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets:
BBooks - 500+: 2
BBooks - 750+: 1
BBooks - 1000+:

5.8 - Kudokuten
Read a book written by a female author who has a first, middle, or last name that starts with K
The Undertaker's Daughter by Kate Mayfield
5.10 - May the Gods Be Ever in Your Favor
Enjoy any book of your choice
Molina: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty by Bengie Molina
Points this post: 10
Total points: 130

I rolled 1 (E) and 5 (I)
Book 1: 1 x I
Finders Keepers by Stephen King
*Stephen King is a GR author, claiming one GRA ticket*
Book 2: 5 x E
The Empire of Ice Cream
Points this post: 25
Points total: 690/1085
GRA total: 17
BB total: 5
Tasks completed: 38/61
Books read: 52

White: (this is a lot whiter "in person" - I just noticed that it looks kind of yellow here:( )

Black:

+15 Points
20.8 - Nickels and Dimes - Mhairi's task: UNESCO Cities
Dublin, Ireland: Author and Setting
The Likeness by Tana French
+20 Points
Points this Post: 35
Grand Total: 975

Task 5.5-Fukurokuju
Read a book with Books About Books as main page genre.
This was present as of 5:07 am PDT today.
The Bookshop

Points this post: 5
Total points: 520
Total tasks: 25
GRA: 14
Big Books: (500+): 1
**Thanks for another fun challenge.**

25.9 - Elizabeth B's task: Roll of the Dice
I rolled 4 and 5; 4 = O (5 times) and 5 = I (4 times)
Book A - When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II - 2 O's in Books, 1 in To; 1 in Stories, 1 in World
Book B - The Viking's Captive Princess - Michelle Styles (GR Author) - 2 in Viking, 1 in Captive, 1 in Princess
50.1 - Ms Anderson's task: Three Cheers for Equality!
Book A - Unsaid - Avery Aster (GR Author) - shelved as GLBT by 4ppl
Book B - Openly Straight - Bill Konigsberg (GR Author) - author found in the provided link
Book C - Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor: A Master Class on Mentoring, Motivating, and Making It Work! - approved in THT, shelved as memoir/autobiography
Points This Post: 75
Points Total: 1085
Goodreads Authors: 65
**Pending any errors i'm done - fingers crossed

NICOLE OH
20.5 - Bigger is Better – Camilla’s task: Dragon Kings
Option 1:

Robin Hobb is a Goodreads author.
30.7 - Pamela3265's task: Celebrating Summer
Option 1:

Laura Levine is a Goodreads author.
Option 3

POINTS
This Post: 50
Total Points: 575
Books Read: 45
Goodreads Authors: 29
Big Books: [500+: 1] [750+: 1] [1000+: 0]

Option 2. The author's first name is Donna:
The Anonymous Venetian by Donna Leon
Option 3. The title is written in blue lettering:

A Cold Blooded Business by Dana Stabenow****Goodreads Author****
Total points 165

A - The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith, a Goodreads author
Borrowed from my mom
C - Fatal Affair by Marie Force, a Goodreads author
Author's initials found in "FaMily gathering"
POINTS: 520

20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Wayne's task: It's Stampede Time!
Option 2: Author initials found in STAMPEDE PARADE
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams
(Neil Gaiman is only the author of the foreward, so I understand that according to SRC rules he doesn't count as a co-author.)
Points this post: 20
Total points: 505

For this task, I read “

Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 5
Pages Read this Challenge: 80
Books Read this Challenge: 1
5.6 - Hotei
For this task, I read “

Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 5
Pages Read this Challenge: 208
Books Read this Challenge: 1
5.10 - May the Gods Be Ever in Your Favor
For this task, I read “

Also, W. Bruce Cameron is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for him.
Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 5
Pages Read this Challenge: 208
Books Read this Challenge: 1
10.1 - Summer Reading
For this task, I read “

Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 10
Pages Read this Challenge: 278
Books Read this Challenge: 1
10.4. We miss you, Jane.
For this task, I read “

Also, Jesse Andrews is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for him.
Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 10
Pages Read this Challenge: 304
Books Read this Challenge: 1
10.6. What is GR up to?
For this task, I read “

Also, Jojo Moyes is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for her.
Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 10
Pages Read this Challenge: 369
Books Read this Challenge: 1
10.10 - Haiku!
For this task, I read “

Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 10
Pages Read this Challenge: 352
Books Read this Challenge: 1
15.5 - Witch Hunt
For this task, I read “

Also, Juliet Blackwell is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for her.
Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 15
Pages Read this Challenge: 316
Books Read this Challenge: 1
15.6 - Rock Around the Clock
For this task, I read "

Also, Josi S. Kilpack is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for her.
Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 15
Pages Read this Challenge: 336
Books Read this Challenge: 1
15.7 - Birth of a Nation
For this task, I read “

Also, Kami Garcia is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for her.
Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 15
Pages Read this Challenge: 305
Books Read this Challenge: 1
15.8 - Dearly Departed
For this task, I read “

Also, Eric Stephenson is a Goodreads Author, so I’m claiming a ticket for him.
Here’s the summary for this task:
Points Earned this Challenge: 15
Pages Read this Challenge: 144
Books Read this Challenge: 1
Here’s the summary overall:
Total Points Earned to Date: 505
Total Pages Read to Date: 11751
Total Books Read: 38
Goodreads Authors: 20
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()

20.5 - Bigger is Better – Camilla’s task: Dragon Kings
Option 1:

20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Mhairi's task: UNESCO Cities
Option 1: In the Woods, Tana French (GRA), set in Dublin, Ireland, 8/30/15
Points this post: 40
GRA this post: 1
BBT this post: 0
Total points: 620
Total GRA: 23
Total BBT: 7 (500: 4, 750: 1, 1000: 1)

15.9 - Take a Ride: Read a book with a name in the title or subtitle
Sophie Scholl and the White Rose
Points this post: 15
Total points: 215

15.8 Dearly Departed
The Death Cure by James Dashner
"Science Fiction" on main page
20.7 Summer Celebrations
Authority by Jeff VanderMeer
Option 1: "Science Fiction" on main page
Points this post: 20
Total points: 165
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 12
This will probably be it for me for the Summer Challenge. Going to try to do better in the Fall!

15.4 - The Big O
Oscar and Lucinda 515 pgs
* I Claim 1 x Big Book Ticket *
30.1 - American Independence Day 7-04
1. Don't Know Much About the American Presidents 752 pgs
* I Claim 2 x Big Book Tickets *
2. Gone 558 pgs
* I Claim 1 x Big Book Ticket *
* Michel Grant is a GoodReads Author *
Total page count: 1310 pgs
Challenge completed for the 1st time. Thank you all Mods and Task creators for your great work.
POINTS
Points This Post: 45
Points Total: 1085
GR Author: 7
Big Books: [500+: 10] [750+: 1] [1000+: 0]
Tasks Completed: 61

Option 2: A Family for Summer by Lois Richer
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 915
Goodreads Authors this post: 0
Total Goodreads Authors: 37
Big Book Tickets this post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets: 9
Big Books - 500+: 7
Big Books - 750+: 1
Big Books - 1000+: 0

10.2 - It's hurricane season again! Read a book whose author's first name matches the name of one of the 2015 Atlantic or Pacific hurricane names. Atlantic Hurricane Names or Pacific Hurricane Names.
I read The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler. Erika is on the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Names list.
POINTS
This Post: 10
Total Points: 75
Books Read: 10
Completed Tasks: 6
Goodreads Authors: 4

10.3- Ghost stories around the campfire.
The Yard by Alex Grecian
"Thriller" is listed as a genre on the book's main page.
Alex Grecian is a GoodReads Author.
Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 70
Books Read: 5
Completed Tasks: 4
Tasks in Progress: 1
Pages Read: 1735
Goodreads Authors: 4
Big Books: [500+: 0] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

20.1 - Most Improved Player - Mary P's task
Option 1: I read The Crystal Cave; this link is to the top MMP edition. The edition I actually read is contained in this Kindle omnibus edition: Legacy: Arthurian Saga
This book was one of the 10 books that had been on my GR TBR shelf the longest.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 195
Tasks completed: 12
Books read: 12
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500=2, 750=0, 1000=0

'Thriller' on main page- Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica.
'Thriller 62 users' on main page
*Kubica is a GR Author*
Points this post- 10
Total points- 215
GR Authors- 13

15.5 - Witch Hunt
Points for this task: 15
I completed First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
GRA:1; Darynda Jones is a GRA
BB:0
Points for Summer:
Points: 195
GRA: 12
BB:
Books Read:18
Tasks Completed:15

TASK DESCRIPTION: Read 2 books from Two Options
BOOK #1 READ:

AUTHOR:Nicole Edwards
DATE READ: 8/17/2015
REQUIRED INFO: Option 5 - 2 people facing each other
GOODREADS AUTHOR: Nicole Edwards is GR Author
PAGES: 183 pages
BOOK #2 READ:

AUTHOR:Sara Shepard
DATE READ: 8/29/2015
REQUIRED INFO: Option 2 - #10 in series
GOODREADS AUTHOR: Sara Shepard is GR Author
PAGES: 308 pages
TOTAL PAGES = 183+308 = 491
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
TOTALS
Points This Post: 25
GR Author: 2
Big Book: 0
Total Points: 765
Total GR Author : 38
Total Big Book: 0

25.13 – It’s Not Usagi – Option 1: I read The Looking Glass Wars, which has a MPG of retellings
*** Frank Beddor = GRA ***
Option 3: I read L'étrange voyage de Monsieur Daldry, which has a picture of a single woman on the cover

*** Marc Levy = GRA ***
30.3 – Going My Way? – Option 1: I read Lila from the Popular Iowa books list https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Option 3: I read Sum: Forty Tales From The Afterlives, with the title in solid white

*** David Eagleman = GRA ***
This Post
Points This Post: 55
Tasks Completed: 2
GRA Tickets: 3
Big Book Tickets: 0
Totals for Summer Challenge
Points: 515
Tasks Completed: 27
GRA Tickets: 12
Big Book Tickets: 2 (500+)
34 books
10931 pages

task 5.7:

>Points: 5
task 5.9 (repost)

>Points: 5
task 15.5:

>Points: 15
>Author tickets: 1
task 15.7:

>Points: 15
task 25.8 (Very proud and happy I managed to do this task since I aim to read more diverse anyway!)
None of the books read is a re-read and I had not read anything by the authors before.
book 1:

book 2:

>Points: 25
total points this post: 65
total author tickets: 1

For the Sake of Elena (crime genre)
Total points: 355
That does it for me this season. Thanks once again to the mods and task creators. You guys are awesome!

5.2 - Bishamonten: Genre "Crime" - A Scream in Soho
5.10 - May the Gods Be Ever in Your Favor: Book of my choice - The Story of a New Name
10.3- Ghost stories around the campfire: Genre "Horror" or "Thriller - 1st to Die
Points this post: 20
Total points: 205

TASK DESCRIPTION: Read 2 books from Two Options
BOOK #1 READ:

AUTHOR:J.K. Rowling
DATE READ: 8/30/2015
REQUIRED INFO: IMDB for Part 1 + IMDB for Part 2
ARBOOKFIND INFO : IL: MG+ - BL: 6.9 - AR Pts: 34.0
GOODREADS AUTHOR:
BOOK #2 READ:

AUTHOR:Gary Paulsen
DATE READ: 7/2/2015
REQUIRED INFO: Actor Gary Oldman #10 on list
ARBOOKFIND INFO: IL: MG - BL: 5.7 - AR Pts: 7.0
GOODREADS AUTHOR:
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
TOTALS
Points This Post: 15
GR Author: 0
Big Book: 0
Total Points: 780
Total GR Author : 38
Total Big Book: 0

REPOST TASK 25.13 TO INCLUDE COVER
25.13 Morgan Faeriesfolly's Task: It's Not Usagi
I chose options 1 and 3
Option 1: Book with "retellings" as main page genre.
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth
Kate Forsyth is a goodreads author.
Option 2: Book with a single woman on the cover

Patricia Bracewell is a goodreads author.
Points completed this post: 25
Total points to date: 530
Tasks completed to date:27
GRA this post: 2
GRA to date: 21
BB (500 pages) this post: 0
BB to date: 4
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)
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1. Read a book with the genre sexuality, romance or erotica on its main book page.
2. Read a book with a word that begins with the letter O in the title or subtitle.
Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Big Book: 842 pages) by Diana Gabaldon (Goodreads Author)
Points This Post: 15
Total Challenge Points: 225
Total Goodreads Authors: 13
Total Big Books: 500+ (0); 750+ (1); 1000+ (0)