The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Completed 15.3:

Add: First + Last = 16 letters in author's name
Read: The Everything Bridesmaid Book by Jennifer Lata Rung

Subtract: 27 (age) - 22 (letters in whole name) = 5 letters or words in title
Read: Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin

Total points = 15

How messed up is it that it is only 7:30 pm on Day 1 of this challenge and after reading this thread I already feel SOOOOO behind!

I have completed:

10.3

I read and finished on 09/01/09:
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Giving Tree by Shell Silverstein
Are You A Ladybug? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries

Total Books: 3
Total Pages 121
Total Points 10

Wow! Talk about getting out of the blocks fast! You guys are amazing.
I have finished my first task 10.5 OktoberfestThe Reader, although I haven't had my German beer yet!

Total: 10 Points
1 book
218 pages

OOPS!!
Guess it's been a while. my two books were for--
10.3-BEAR-OLOGY
10.7-THE STRANGE DEATHS OF BATMAN

Sorry!

Also finished one more today between classes--

25.3--LOVE & LIES by Ellen Witlinger

A story of a young lesbians first love and break-up along with some discoveries about who to trust and link with. While I thought the characters were a little "canned" I still enjoyed the book.

This brings me to 45 points!

New updates!

For task 5.4 (Adoption) - I read Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis. Its a story about a little girl asking her adoptive parents to tell her again about the night she was adopted/born. Its really sweet :)

Then, for task 15.6 (Creative Minds), I decided to go with the Music Appreciation choice. I read Kurt Vonnegut's A Man Without a Country. The book was okay, probably not the best for me to start reading Vonnegut with though... for the second part of the task, I listened to Brad Paisley's Mud on the Tires CD AND also Lady Antebellum's debut CD. Both are fantastic!

Total points = 35


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FINISHED:

5.9 - A Long Way Gone Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

TOTAL POINTS = 20

5.8 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows

Total Points: 5/640
Total Pages: 274

10-2 Diary of an Exercise Addict by Peach Friedman, an inspiring read.

FINISHED:

10.3 – The Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party / The Berenstain Bears' New Neighbors / The Berenstain Bears Go to School / The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five – Stan & Jan Berenstain

TOTAL POINTS = 30

10.7 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklinby Benjamin Franklin

Total Points: 15/640
Total Pages: 454

Bridgit wrote: "How messed up is it that it is only 7:30 pm on Day 1 of this challenge and after reading this thread I already feel SOOOOO behind! "

Me too, Bridgit! I think I have to stay away from here... ;)

10.2 (Addiction) Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Total Points: 10
Total Pages: 224

Abigail wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "How messed up is it that it is only 7:30 pm on Day 1 of this challenge and after reading this thread I already feel SOOOOO behind! "

Me too, Bridgit! I think I have to stay away fr..."

I feel 100% behind, but I can't slack at my job to do well at the challenge. It's the beginning of the school year and I have been at school working until 6 most days. I also can't stay up late reading because I need sleep.

Oy. I have no idea how I am going to deal with my competitiveness and perfectionism throughout this challenge. Summer was much easier because I was off. I want to keep pace with everyone!!!!

Erin wrote: "Finished:

15.4 - READ: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins & WATCHED: I Am Legend

TOTAL POINTS = 15"This was a mix and match task - because you read a science fiction book you needed to watch a film about science or visa versa.

Nicole NC wrote: "Finished Pretties for 15.4. Didn't like it as much as Uglies, but will probably finish the series. By the way this is probably the highest on the leader board I'll be, so I'm basking..."You need to post which science film you watched before I can give you points.

Britta wrote: "


Here's my little ticker. None so far, but I have a plan, and I know exactly which book I'm reading for my next task!

Does anyone know if I can fit Going Postal into this challenge?"

Is your dream job working for the post office? (Ha Ha)

25 Points
10. Monster Word: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead.

I'm a fan of YA, but I'd never considered the Vampire Academy series because I thought it would be a poorly written Gossip Girl/Twilight cash-cow. I only read it because it fit the task. But it was actually really good. It's hard to find good YA these days that I haven't read yet, so I'm super happy! I just wish the covers were prettier and less hokey.

Total Points: 40

Bridgit wrote: "How messed up is it that it is only 7:30 pm on Day 1 of this challenge and after reading this thread I already feel SOOOOO behind! "

lol, I know what you mean. I was going to go to the library and read 100 pages of children's books just so that I could get some points on the board! I talked myself out of that one (because I have like five hours worth of homework and I am working tonight)!

On the board on day one!!

10 POINT TASKS
1. This Year Labor Day Falls On September 7th - Rock And Roll Pioneer Buddy Holly Was Born On That Day In 1936 - Read A Book First Published During His Lifetime (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959).
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote-9/1 (111 pgs) Published in 1958

Total: 10 points

Michelle wrote: "10.2 (Addiction) Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Total Points: 10
Total Pages: 224
"

Michelle - what did you think of Go Ask Alice? I have it slated for Cait's task (Proper Name) and I'm just wondering if its good or not. I thought it sounded like it would be, but I'd love to know what you thought! :)

Nicole wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "How messed up is it that it is only 7:30 pm on Day 1 of this challenge and after reading this thread I already feel SOOOOO behind! "

Me too, Bridgit! I think I have..."

Schoolteacher challenge plan: Compete moderately during fall, winter, and spring. Dominate during summer.

Can you imagine what the Winter one will be like? If 11 finished it with 73, imagine how many will finish with approx 54 books. It also seems like there are a lot more people participating too!

Even through all the controversy, I finished 20.1 with The Shack

New point total: 30

Heather in KS

Bridgit wrote: "How messed up is it that it is only 7:30 pm on Day 1 of this challenge and after reading this thread I already feel SOOOOO behind! "

No kidding, huh? I'm still trying to recover from the last challenge.

Angela wrote: "Can you imagine what the Winter one will be like? If 11 finished it with 73, imagine how many will finish with approx 54 books. It also seems like there are a lot more people participating too! "

You can pretty much guarantee that fall and spring challenges will be modest, and the winter and summer challenges will be huge.

5.7 Giving Thanks -- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

In honor of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for imagination.

Total Points: 5
Total Pages: 128

Finished 5.9 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Geeez. I'm feeling WAY behind already. How are people done?? I read a bit before work but I didn't get home until midnight from work and I was only able to read about 5 minutes on my break! What amazing jobs do you all have that you get so much reading done!? I want it!!

Jamie wrote: "Geeez. I'm feeling WAY behind already. How are people done?? I read a bit before work but I didn't get home until midnight from work and I was only able to read about 5 minutes on my break! What am..."

I work at a bank...so I got to work from 9 to 5 and then I come home and pretty much have free time. I don't have to think about it at all when I come home, so lots of reading time for me!

Andrea wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Geeez. I'm feeling WAY behind already. How are people done?? I read a bit before work but I didn't get home until midnight from work and I was only able to read about 5 minutes on my ..."

SIGN ME UP! lol. I hate money though..as in..I suck at math! :)

One more done--

10.6--SWEETGRASS BASKET by Marlene Carvell

A heartbreaking story of two young Native American sisters who are sent off-reservation to a school so that they can better themselves. What they find is pain and labor with little compassion. Told in a prose/poetry style the girls (Mattie & Sarah) voices alternate, telling their story. I really liked this one.

This brings me to 55 points!

5.4 (Adoption Story): Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

5 points! I've been wanting to reread this series for awhile, and I should be able to fit several of the books into the challenge.

I finished my first task for the challenge - I read Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich for 5.6 the Halloween Adjective task. Yet another hilarious Stephanie Plum book - I mean how can you not laugh at book that has a Mario Brothers playing monkey named Carl. Only one more book and I'll be all caught up with this series and then I'll be like dying till the next one gets published.


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1 TASK COMPLETE
1 BOOK READ
309 PAGES READ

I just finished task 10.6. I read Under the Lakota Moon by Deborah L. Weikel. One of the two main characters was a Native American.

That gives me a point total of 10.



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Roseann - I love that your ticker is of a runner sprinting towards a pot of gold! That is so like this challenge!!!

Candace wrote: "New updates!

For task 5.4 (Adoption) - I read Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis. Its a story about a little girl asking her adoptive parents to tell her..."

Now rethinking things, I thought books had to be 100 pages long? the curtis book is a picture book and about 40 pages. What am I doing wrong

Candace wrote: "Michelle wrote: "10.2 (Addiction) Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Total Points: 10
Total Pages: 224
"

Michelle - what did you think of Go Ask Alice? I have it slated for Cait's task (Prope..."

I read this and still remember it 20 some years later. My non reader read it in about 2 hrs, and has shared the book with many of her friends. They are teenagers, so this is good

Jamie wrote: "Geeez. I'm feeling WAY behind already. How are people done?? I read a bit before work but I didn't get home until midnight from work and I was only able to read about 5 minutes on my break! What am..."

Under the rule, I started some of my books before Sept 1 but stopped at the 1/2 way mark. Plus during homework time I read so my children know I value homework time(1-2 hrs) I also read for 30 minutes when the kids do their reading. I read in the morning for 30 minutes or so. I read while watching tv, I read at the laundrymat( about 1 hr there) I read while the kids swim and have lessons ( about 2 hrs ) I read in the car waiting for people . I read .......... about anytime anyplace. NOW if the book is Good I can devour it in about 2 days.

Right now I am tackling the ones I am pretty sure I don't like, Scarlet letter, have read 1/2 of it and no clue on what I read. Just like 10th grade when it turned me off the classics. I plan on reading the fat books early in the challenge.

Teresa wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Geeez. I'm feeling WAY behind already. How are people done?? I read a bit before work but I didn't get home until midnight from work and I was only able to read about 5 minutes on my ..."

Oh, I definitely didn't like that book in High School. It will not be the one I choose to re-read... Maybe 1984! I loved it then and I hope to love it still!

Teresa wrote: "Candace wrote: "New updates!

For task 5.4 (Adoption) - I read Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis. Its a story about a little girl asking her adoptive p..."

Teresa, Cynthia has said, I think, that for the 5 point tasks they don't need to be 100 pages. I'm not sure about children's picture books of 40 pages though - except for the task that specifically asks for us to read at least 100 pages of them ....

Wow. Honestly I did NOT intend to stay up until 345 reading this darn book, but it kind of sucked me in and at around 2am I figured I might as well finish considering I don't work tomorrow...
5.6 Supernatural Witch's Canyon

I've completed the following tasks:

10.5 (Octoberfest) The Book Thief - If anyone hasn't read this and hasn't picked an Octoberfest book yet, I highly suggest it!

10.7 (Superheroes) Runaways Vol. 1 Pride and Joy - Interesting first book in this series - I read one of the future volumes and thought it would be interesting to see how it all began!

Angela wrote: "On the board on day one!!

10 POINT TASKS
1. This Year Labor Day Falls On September 7th - Rock And Roll Pioneer Buddy Holly Was Born On That Day In 1936 - Read A Book First Published During His..."

I really liked it...it was intense and quite a roller coaster, but it was very real. I recommend it!

25.3 Wendy's Task A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Hanif

25 points

25.10 Sam's Task
Lie Down With Devil by Barnes

25 points
Total 50

Teresa wrote: "Candace wrote: "New updates!

For task 5.4 (Adoption) - I read Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis. Its a story about a little girl asking her adoptive p..."

According to the rules of the challenge, its okay to use some books under 100 pages (when used sparingly) and only for the 5 point tasks. :)

Teresa wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Geeez. I'm feeling WAY behind already. How are people done?? I read a bit before work but I didn't get home until midnight from work and I was only able to read about 5 minutes on my ..."

Wow! You get a ton of good opportunities to read! I try and bring my book and read anywhere I can..but people always must think I want to talk or something because they always get all chatty on me while I'm in the middle of reading!! haha

Cynthia wrote: "Nicole NC wrote: "Finished Pretties for 15.4. Didn't like it as much as Uglies, but will probably finish the series. By the way this is probably the highest on the leader board I'll be, so I'm basking..."You need to post which science film you watched before I can give you points.

Sorry! That's what I get for staying up late reading and being sleep deprived! I watched "March of the Penguins" last night, I had never seen it, but the penguins were awesome!

Been spending a lot of time cleaning my house, so plenty of time to listen to my audiobooks.

25 Points
3. Positive Gay or Lesbian Character: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.

This is my third David Sedaris book (all on audio) and my favorite. I found When You Are Engulfed in Flames unfunny and a bit pretentious. But Me Talk Pretty was really very funny, especially since I lived in France and can totally appreciate when he's coming from a lot, especially in learning the language. I actually want to read another Sedaris.

Oh, and for the longest time I had no interest in this book because the title made me somehow think it was about a mentally disabled person with abusive parents. I kind of thought it was A Child Called "It" One Child's Courage to Survive with a mental handicap. It's not like that at all.

Total Points: 65