The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Fire and ice then.

...and I'm on the board!

25.5 - JANICE'S TASK - Fortune Telling Has Long Been A Halloween Tradition: Read A Book With "Fortune" Or "Prophecy" In The Title, OR That Features Fortune-Telling, Prophecy Or Prediction(s) As The Main Theme Or Has A Fortune Teller As A Main Character.

Rich Dad's Prophecy Why the Biggest Stock Market Crash in History Is Still Coming... and How You Can Prepare Yourself and Profit from It! by Robert T. Kiyosaki & Sharon L. Lechter

TOTAL POINTS = 25

Michelle wrote: "ok then for task 15.4 I changed my movie to Project X starring Matthew Broderick. It has to do with ethical values on animal experimentation.

I thought the movie Outbreak would work because it h..."


Michelle, the point is since you read Digital Fortress (which is considered science fiction), the other part of the task requires that you watch a science documentary... Outbreak and Project X are both just movies, not specifically documentaries. That's what Cynthia was trying to explain.

Alternatively you could watch Outbreak or Project X, but then you would have to read a science book (as in non-fiction).

It's not so much the subject matter of the two movies you have chosen that is in question - it's the style of movie. The ones you have chosen are fictional movies, if you will. You need to watch an actual Science film along the non-fiction realm, like a documentary.

I finished Raising Jake for the first part of 25.1. Both of the main characters fit with what I do now. The son was a student and the father was a writer for a paper.

This still leaves me at 30 points with 2 tasks partially completed.

For Task 10.8 I read The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket. My random words were brilliant, ultimate and beginning.

Books Read: 3
Tasks Completed: 3
Total Points: 35+10=45
Total Pages: 496+162=658

I completed 5 point task numer 5. The book I read was The Collector by John Fowles. This was required reading during my last year of highschool.

Cheryl wrote: "I completed 5 point task numer 5. The book I read was The Collector by John Fowles. This was required reading during my last year of highschool."

Cheryl, how did you like it? It's one of my favorite books.

25.7 - Wake by Lisa McMann, Heat Seeker by Lora Leigh, As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Total Points: 65
Tasks Completed: 4

I finally finished The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm for Task 10.3 (read half of it last month).


Books Read: 4
Tasks Completed: 4
Total Points: 45+10=55
Total Pages: 658+880=1538

5 Point Tasks
3) Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong

TOTAL POINTS: 5

Finished

25.5 The Prophecy of the Stones- it was ok, but not that wonderful. The two pieces of the story didn't fit well in my opinion, but that may have been due to listening to this rather than reading it and not getting a clear distinction when it switched back and forth.

Total Points 130/690
Total Books 14/59
Total Tasks Completed 9/45
Total Pages 4319

Completed task 5.4 - Drag Queen by Robert Rodi

FINISHED:

10.8 – The Lost City of Z - David Grann (Scaling, Lost, Profit)

TOTAL POINTS = 40

Report 2

Completed Tasks
5.4 Adoption - A Theory of Relativity 464pp 3stars
5.5 Required reading & feelings - A Separate Peace 208pp 4stars
Read in 1961: I liked it then. My strongest memory about A Separate Peace is how surprised I was that a book we were required to read was so new and so relevant.
Now: My feelings about A Separate Peace this time are overwhelmed by the memories of Kennedy, Freedom Riders, the race to the moon and the beginnings of the Vietnam war. 1961-62 to me is what John Knowles says in the book:
"Everyone has a moment in history which belongs particularly to him. It is the moment when his emotions achieve their most powerful sway over him, and afterward when you say to this person 'the world today' or 'life' or 'reality' he will assume that you mean this moment, even if it is fifty years past. The world, through his unleashed emotions, imprinted itself upon him, and he carries the stamp of that passing moment forever."

10.8 Random word = MIST - Soldier of the Mist 335pp 3stars
10.10 Cat title/cover - Dewey The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World 277pp 3stars
25.10 Halloween III - Glimpses of the Devil A Psychiatrist's Personal Accounts of Possession, Exorcism, and Redemption 288pp 2stars

Partially Completed Tasks
15.5 Foreign Language (1 of 2) - Five Plays Antigone, Eurydice, The Ermine, The Rehearsal, Romeo and Jeannette280pp 4stars
25.7 1, 2, 3 (1 of 3) - World Without End 1014pp 3stars




Tasks Completed - 10
Tasks Partially Completed - 4
Books Read - 15
Pages Read - 4839
Total Points - 115

Cynthia -

I completed challenge 5-8, two heads are better than one. I read Cemetary Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

I also completed challenge 25-9. The self improvement book was The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and the book with a character who improved himself/herself was The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo.

This gives me an additional 30 points for a new total of 65 points.

Thanks!

Task 10.8 Random Word Generator--word Bible
The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor


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5 Point Tasks:
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Old Man & The Sea - Hemingway
6. Scream for me - Karen Rose
7. I read two for this one: Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams by Janet Miller Rife and Me, Myself & Them by Kurt Snyder. I read them because each one pertains to the medical issues of my sons. My sons are what I am most thankful for, and I'm grateful every day to have them! I counted this as only 5 points.
8. Body Clutter by Marla Cilley & Leanne Ely
9. Secrete Keepers - Mindy Friddle
10. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

10 Point Tasks:
6. Native American Art (ISBN: 9781588100924)
9. Rhett Butler's People - Donald McCaig

15 Point Tasks:
1. I am Potential by Patrick Henry Hughes

20 Point Tasks:
1. God Said Yes - Heather Hornback-Bland
2. Body Trauma - David Page; Cause of Death - Frank Smyth; Deadly Doses - Serita Deborah Stevens (B-C-D)
3. Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane

25 Point Tasks:
2. The Year We Disappeared: A Father-Daughter Memoir - Cylin Busby & John Busby
4. The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
5. The House on Fortune Street - Margot Livesey
7. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer; Perfect Family - Pam Lewis; Surviving Black Ice - David Fierce
8. Wit & Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln - Anthony Gross; The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square - Rosina Lippi; The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
9. One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No Regrets Life - Kerry Shook; The Silver Linings Playbook: A Novel - Matthew Quick
10. The Devil Wears Prada - Lauren Weisberger

30 Point Tasks:
1. Body of Secrets - James Bamford (this book is actually more about NSA, but since I work for a defense contractor, I assumed it was close enough); Cheaper by the Dozen - Frank Gilbreth & Ernestine Gilbreth Carey (this was about a very large family and when I was young, I always believed that I would have a family like this).

Completed:

5.8 Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

25.3 Three Junes by Julia Glass

New points: 30

Total Completed Points: 120

Hello! I've completed task #10.3 by reading HELP! A Bear is Eating Me!.

Cindy wrote: "5 Point Tasks:
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Old Man & The Sea - Hemingway
6. Scream for me - Karen Rose
7. I read two for this one: Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams by Janet Miller Rife..."Just to be sure these are all books your finished reading correct (I'll wait to post points until you confirm) - if you have I'd love to know your secret to finishing so many (30 by my count) in 9 days. I do have a problem with a few of these though - Scream is not an adjective and the word for 5.6 needs to be an adjective; also both task 15.1 & task 25.2 require 2 books not one. So that would put you at 290 if these are actual completions.

I completed 30.1 (current and former dream occupation) by reading:

Current occupation (I work for a non-profit youth media organization - i.e. I teach media literacy to youth): Hey, Kidz! Buy This Book A Radical Primer on Corporate and Governmental Propaganda and Artistic Activism for Short People which I thought was a great resource for young people - much of it was not knew to me, but some great examples and great laughs throughout. My favorite part that we could all use a reminder of:

"Have fun every single moment you're working. Do things just because they're silly and because you can....If you aren't happy changing the world, don't do it. Changing the world requires too much work, energy, and time to do if it's not any fun. By the same token, work only with good fun people you respect and enjoy, but work with them a lot once you locate them."

She also suggests making pie to encourage people to join your media activism campaign! Amazing! She even gives you her recipe!

Former dream job (I had many to choose from, but the one I remember most vividly is wanting to be a doctor): Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde which I have to admit helps me feel really solid in my job choice! Glad to finally read this one! One thing that I appreciated about this book was that I learned new words on nearly every single page ("...a flying wrack of the most diaphonous and lawny texture.")

Total points: 140

Hi -

Finished the Berenstein Bear's task - Corduroy, Freckleface Strawberry, and Eloise

Total: 60 points

15.10 Teacher-Student Relations - 1) The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks (Teacher - one of the two main characters is a school teacher) and 2) The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs by Cynthia DeFelice (Student - the main character is a middle-school student who encounters a ghost during a school project).

Total Points: 150/690
Books Read: 20 (+ 7 Berenstain Bears books)
Tasks Completed: 10/45
Tasks in Progress: 5

Finished Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier for task 5.5 Going Back to School. I remember reading this book in high school but don't remember having a strong opinion about it. I liked the story line but I hated all of the blather by the main character. What I mean is when she is explaining what other people are thinking. I found that frustrating. But I ended up giving it 3 stars.

Read 5.7 The Thanks challenge. I am thankful for having great friends, so I read Best Friends Forever A Novel by Jennifer Weiner.

Also, I completed 25.9 the Self-Help challenge. I read enLIGHTened How I Lost 40 Pounds with a Yoga Mat, Fresh Pineapples, and a Beagle Pointer by Jessica Berger Gross, which was sort of like a self-help memoir. I will say this, that I did enjoy the book, I could relate to Jessica's story and I will definitely be making some of the recipes mentioned in the book. She talks about transforming herself into a healthier person by dealing with her emotional issues, taking yoga classes, and embracing a healthier lifestyle (eating, etc.) I recommend it as a non-preachy self-help book as well as an easy to read memoir.

Total : 30

Slow start for me, but I have the next week off so I will probably get a lot of reading done. (Vacation time, but no money to go anywhere, lol. Staycation)

10.10. This Task Is The Cat's Meow - Read A Book That...
• Has The Word Cat(s) In The Title.
• Or Has A Picture Of A Cat(s) On The Cover.
The White Tiger
10 points
125 total

Just completed 5.4 - The Graveyard Book as Bod was adopted by dead parents living in a graveyard.

I enjoyed this one, but didn't love it. I will definitely go see the film though to see how it translates to the big screen.
I gave it 3 stars, but would really like to give it 3.5 stars.

Earned: 5 points
Total: 15

3. WENDY'S TASK - Harvey Milk, The First Openly Gay Man To Be Elected To Public Office In California, Was Murdered On November 27, 1978. In Honor Of Him Read A Book With A Positive Gay Or Lesbian Character.
The Funny Thing Is...by Ellen DeGeneres-9/9 (177 pgs)

New Total: 55 points

I completed Diane's task (#25.9) by reading Cry No More.

Dacey wrote: "Finally completed my first task. School and work are taking up way too much of my reading time.

5.1 Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble

5 points total so far...pretty sad c..."

I know how you feel! Did you like the book? I read it for that same task!

10.5 Oktoberfest-read: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (book takes place in Germany)

I really enjoyed this book!

10 more points for me.


Total Points: 20
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3
Total Pages: 1241

5.4. Adoption Story – November Is National Adoption Awareness Month - Read A Novel Where The Main Character Is Adopted Or Adopts A Child Themselves Or A Non-Fictional Book Related To Adoption.

Krapp's Last Cassette A Novel by Anne Argula
I did not like this story. I came away from it feeling manipulated, which was, I suppose the whole point.

10.6. November Is Native American Heritage Month - Read A Book Written By A Native American Author, With A Main Character Who Is Native American, Or A Non-Fictional Book About Native Americans.

Sacred Ground by Mercedes Lackey
Lackey incorporates the belief systems of several Nations into this tale of spiritual/supernatural vs. worldly evil and retribution in a most satisfying way.

10.8. You'll Find It In The Dictionary - Noah Webster Was Born October 16, 1758 - In Honor Of Him Visit The Random Word Generator Website And Then Read A Book Whose Title Contains The 9th, 10th, or 11th Word You Come To.
My words are "carbon", "joining", "naive".

Joining by Johanna Lindsey
This would have been a better book if Ms. Linsey and her proof-readers had brushed up on the second person singular/personal verb conjugation. [I would, you would, thou wouldst, he/she/it would.... :]

running total: tasks 6, books 6, points 50

I just finished Billy Budd, Sailor by Herman Melville for task 5.3 (sea travel).

This book stunk, literally. My copy was published in 1965 and had rough, yellow pages that smelled funny and made me sneeze.

It was also boring.

Luckily it was short.




TASKS COMPLETED: 5
TASKS PARTIALLY COMPLETED: 3
BOOKS READ: 11
PAGES READ: 2,477
POINTS EARNED: 30
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ FROM MY 'OWNED AND UNREAD' SHELF: 6

Katie wrote: "...and I'm on the board!

25.5 - JANICE'S TASK - Fortune Telling Has Long Been A Halloween Tradition: Read A Book With "Fortune" Or "Prophecy" In The Title, OR That Features Fortune-Telling, Prophe..."

Awesome! I may have to look that one up.

I just started the challenge, here are my completed tasks:
5 pt task #10: The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
25 pt task, Candace's task: Again, The Time Traveler's Wife. Excellent book, but I was a little disappointed with the ending, I felt as though it ended rather abruptly without much closure. As for the movie, it wasn't as good as the book (they never are), but I did enjoy the ending much more, to me it made more sense and was a little more clear. Both made me cry, but the book was my preferred choice.
Tasks Completed: 2
Tasks partially completed: 3
Books read: 2
Points earned: 30

15.6 Book With A Type Of Music In The Title And Listen To A CD.
Jazz by Toni Morrison and listened to Norah Jones.

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5.3 In 1492 Columbus Sailed The Ocean Blue
Rowboat in a Hurricane My Amazing Journey Across a Changing Atlantic Ocean by Julie Angus, which is a fascinating account of her experience rowing from Portugal to Costa Rica. I think I'm going to have to change my pick for the 2 authors challenge to her and her husband's new book, Rowed Trip.

Total points: 35
Cindy from Canada

Sara wrote: "Read 5.7 The Thanks challenge. I am thankful for having great friends, so I read Best Friends Forever A Novel by Jennifer Weiner.

Also, I completed 25.9 the Self-Help challenge. I ..."Dionisia wrote: "I completed Diane's task (#25.9) by reading Cry No More.


"

Dionisia & Sara - For 25.9 you actually need to read 2 books - one a self-help book and another with a person or character that transforms themselves in some way "self-help" - so I can't credit that one yet.

Just finished 10.6 the First Nations task. I read Louis Riel A Comic-Strip Biography it was amazing. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, if all history and biography books were done so well maybe I would read more of them. Louis Riel, a charismatic Metis leads the Red River rebellion against the Hudson's Bay company and the Canadian government.

I also chose to read Best Friends Forever A Novel by Jennifer Weiner for the Giving Thanks task - I'm very grateful for my best friend and my friends in general because I know they would do anything for me just like I would do anything for them. She is one of my favorite authors and this book is no exception.


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6 TASK COMPLETE - 2 PARTIALLY DONE
12 BOOK READ
3,605 PAGES READ

Completed Tasks
10 Point Task
#3 The Complete Adventures of Curious George
#7 Wonder Woman Love and Murder

Total Points Earned: 20
Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 528


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Cynthia wrote: "Cindy wrote: "5 Point Tasks:
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Old Man & The Sea - Hemingway
6. Scream for me - Karen Rose
7. I read two for this one: Injured Mind, Shattered Dreams by Janet M..."

I am curious too how did you get 30 books read in 9 days, that seems a little impossible. and if you started that many before Sept 1 and quit at the 1/2 way mark how fair is that?

Recently Finished
10.2 (Addiction - Marijuana) Inherent Vice - Thomas Pynchon
20.3 (Groupread) Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane
25.5 (Prophecy) Dune - Frank Herbert

Total Points - 80

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Cindy wrote: "5 Point Tasks:
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Old Man & The Sea - Hemingway
6. Scream for me - Karen Rose
7. I read two for this one: Injured Mind, Shatter..."

Maybe she got the topics confused and thought this is where you post your proposed tasks??? I don't know, but that seems like a plausible explanation!

This is my first time, so I hope I'm doing this right. This is for the 10 point task, number 3. I've listed the number of pages next to the book.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett (29)
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (29)
Mommy in My Pocket by Carol Hunt Senderak (23)
I Lost My Dad by Taro Gomi (23)

This is fun!!

Kathryn wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Cindy wrote: "5 Point Tasks:
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Old Man & The Sea - Hemingway
6. Scream for me - Karen Rose
7. I read two for this one..."

that makes more sense : )

Completed 5.2 - apple on the cover of Songs of the Humpback Whale



I did not like this book!!

Total points: 75

Cynthia wrote: "Dionisia & Sara - For 25.9 you actually need to read 2 books - one a self-help book and another with a person or character that transforms themselves in some way "self-help" - so I can't credit that one yet..."

Wow, how did I miss that!? Thanks for the heads up. There's a book that has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time and would be perfect for the second part of this task.

Finished 20.1: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Total Points: 55

10.7 (heroes/superheroes) Extras, by Scott Westerfeld