The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Completed task 5.4 (adoption) and read Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn which was a 3 star read for me. I liked it but I didn't love it.

Books Read: 4
Tasks Completed: 3
Pages Read: 1,502
Total Points: 40

Finished my fourth task today - 5.6 - Halloween as I finished Wicked:The life and times of the wicked witch of the west

Previous Points:20
New Points:5
Total Points:25/690

6. Terrifying Titles
Ladies of the Gothics: Tales of Romance and Horror by Seon Manley

Completed task: 10.9

Summer Has Gone With The Wind- On November 5, 2009, The Actress Vivien Leigh, Who Portrayed Scarlett O'Hara In The Film Adaptation Of GWTW, Would Have Been 96 Years Old - In Honor Of Her Most Famous Role - Read A Novel Set During The U.S. Civil War.

For this task, I read Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen. See the review in my profile.

Saw someone else had read this book. Thank you. It was a great read. Reminded me of a modern-day The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Total Points: 40
Tasks Completed: 4
Tasks in Progress: 4
Total Books: 5
Current pages: 1,143 (+ 1 audio CD/2.75 hours)

I have finished 25.7, one, two, three word titles with
Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and
Ella Minnow Pea A Novel in Letters by Mark Dunn

and

30.1, current profession (mom to late teen kids)/childhood dream job (forest ranger) with
You're On Your Own (But I'm Here if You Need Me) Mentoring Your Child During the College Years by Marjorie Savage and
Nature Noir A Park Ranger's Patrol in the Sierra by Jordan Fisher Smith

If they qualify:
+55
total=190

The Pianist: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-45 (Paperback)
by Władysław Szpilman

Dear Teacher
by Jack Sheffield

These 2 books are for Fall2009 Challenge 30.1, as most of my current professional life is spent lecturing/teaching IT Management Theory, and playing piano would be a dream occupation (instead of a much-neglected hobby)

Challenges completed: 5
Points claimed to date: 110

I finished another task -

10.2 - River Pheonix dies Oct. 31, 1993 - Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher.

I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Carrie Fisher herself. Loved it! Very funny, raw, and at times, very touching. The book (and audiobook) are based on her show "Wishful Drinking".

Total Books Read = 12
Audiobooks Completed = 1
Tasks Completed = 8
Tasks In Progress = 9

Kim wrote: "25.10 SAM'S TASK

Read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith.

Boy do I regret picking up this book. It was badly written. I love the original and I should ha..."


I have to agree with you. It was very predictable and I didn't like the idea of Elizabeth being a zombie slayer.

10.3. This Year Thanksgiving Falls On November 26th - Famous Children's Author Stanley "Stan" Berenstain (The Berenstain Bears) Died On That Day In 2005 (He Was Born September 29, 1923) - In Memory Of Him...
• Read A Book With The Word Bear Or Bears In The Title.
OR
• A Collection Of Children's Stories.
OR
• Several Children's Books (The Number Of Pages Should Add Up To At Least 100).
No Juvenile Or YA Books For This Task.

364 pages
Stories Children Need by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
This was published in 1916. I'm so glad that Dr. Seuss and Stan Berenstain were born before I was.

Quick Announcement - Just thought I'd let you guys know that it's only day 17 of the challenge and we've already read over 1000 books as a group!!! I think that's pretty awesome and just wanted to share it with everyone.

Hey Cynthia, you have me on the leaderboad with 115 points. I only have 100 according to my calculations. I don't mind the extra points, but I would hate to take them from someone else--if you need me to send another post of what I have read so far, just let me know.
Thanks.

Elizabeth (NC) wrote: "Hey Cynthia, you have me on the leaderboad with 115 points. I only have 100 according to my calculations. I don't mind the extra points, but I would hate to take them from someone else--if you need..."Fixed it - thanks.

I have completed task 5.2 by re-reading Twilight.

Point Total: 160
Page Total: 3101

10.6 Indian Killer, Sherman Alexie

25 Points
6. President Died in Office: FDR by Jean Edward Smith (880 pages).

This is a looooong book, and if I hadn't listened to it on audio (over two days' worth of audio!), I would never have finished it. However, it was well written and some parts, especially the bits about his personal life, were really interesting. Though the fact that the author keeps calling FDR's mother Sarah confused the hell out of me; I kept forgetting that was the name of his mother and thinking "who's Sarah?" She should've been called "Franklin's mother". Calling a mother by her first name makes me think she's someone else.

The biggest scandal would probably be FDR's court-packing scheme (not cool, FDR, not cool at all), though personally I found the news about his affairs the most scandalous. I hadn't known at all! It was a bit of a shock.

I think his major accomplishments are the two major things: the New Deal and guiding America through WWII (and, especially, doing everything he could within political bounds to aid the Allies before America entered the war).

Total Points: 215

25 point task
4. CANDACE'S TASK - Read A Book That Has Been Written Within The Last 10 Years And Made Into A Movie Within The Last 5. Read The Book And Watch The Movie Both, Then Post A Little Review Of The Two And Tell Us Which One You Liked Better And Why. (Examples: Atonement, Twilight, The Time Traveler's Wife, Angels & Demons, Harry Potter (5& 6).
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

I very much enjoyed the book and the time travel aspect. I literally could not put the book down during the last 100 pages. Henry and Clare were great characters and to be honest, I was worried they wouldn't be able to pull off the story on the big screen. I thought the movie started slow but quickly picked up and I enjoyed it. I thought they did a very good job adapting the book to the screen but of course, I liked the book more.

Current Point Total: 25
Jessica (MI)

I have been reading up a storm these past two days. Just finished a few more tasks.

20.2 ROOKIE OF THE SEASON -
A - Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
B - Blame by Michelle Huneven (Great!)
C - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Great!)

30 POINT TASKS

30.1 Dream Job-

I work as a Public Librarian, so I read - Dead over Heels by Charlaine Harris
My life-long dream was to be a Teacher/Headmistress. Seriously, I used to line up my dolls and teach them. My mother worked as a teachers aide, so she would photocopy grade book pages for me so that I could give my dolls grades. I still sometimes dream about opening up my own school. I read - Simply Perfect by Mary Balogh

Previous Score: 55
Current Score: 105

I've been trying to tackle the multi-book tasks first, because I think that's what held me up last challenge. I'm hoping to actually finish this time. :)

Tonight I finished reading Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie & Bob Mayer for the 2 authors better than one task. I liked it - it was like reading a book version of one of those parody movies (i.e. Scary Movie, Epic Movie etc.) this being the action movie story literally. If it hadn't been so ridiculously absurd and over the top it would have been horrible but because it was it ended up being a fun little bit of fluff.

12 TASKS COMPLETE - 3 PARTIALLY DONE
20 BOOK READ
6,586 PAGES READ


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Completed task 15.4 read Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton and watched "Disney nature Earth 2007". I really enjoyed the book as it was different enough from the movie to stay interesting and I found the Disney nature Earth quite fascinating. It's interesting to see how all the animals behave in their natural habitat.

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10

10.1
10.2
10.3 The Selfish Crocodile (32pg)Aaron's hair (32pg) Where the Wild Things Are(48pg)
10.4 (Mexico)The Ruins
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10

15.1 (Prepositions=to)Dead to the World & TBR
15.2
15.3
15.4 Jurassic Park & watched "Disney Nature Earth 2007"
15.5
15.6
15.7
15.8
15.9
15.10

20.1
20.2
20.3

25.1
25.2
25.3
25.4
25.5
25.6
25.7
25.8
25.9
25.10

30.1

50.1

Total Points = 35
Tasks Completed = 3/45
Books Read = 6
Pages Read = 1,121



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5 point
6. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

15 point
10. Teacher: Anne of Avonlea by L.M Montgomery
Anne is the teacher at her old school in Avonlea in this one.
Student: Peeled by Joan Bauer
The main character is a high school journalism student.
Total so far-- 50 points

Bonnie wrote: "25 Points
6. President Died in Office: FDR by Jean Edward Smith (880 pages).

This is a looooong book, and if I hadn't listened to it on audio (over two days' worth of audio!), I w..."

Kari ♪ wrote: "Completed task: 10.9

Summer Has Gone With The Wind- On November 5, 2009, The Actress Vivien Leigh, Who Portrayed Scarlett O'Hara In The Film Adaptation Of GWTW, Would Have Been 96 Years Old - In..."

I read a different book on FDR, I see all the things he did to get us out of the depression and see why our current president is compared to him. The scandals of the affairs and hint of racism suprised me.

I finished 25.5 Fortune/Prophecy with
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer 8. Lee

+25
total= 215

Two more tasks down. I need to read the discussion of Shutter Island, interesting book.


10.2 Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik read 7/17/2009, 292 pp.
20.3 GROUP READ - Read One Of The 3 Group Reads- Shutter Island read 9/15/2009 325 pp.

Total points: 135/690
Tasks completed: 8/45
Books read: 12/59
Total pages: 3553

I completed task 15.10 with the following:

Student - Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
Teacher - The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

Total points = 40

I completed 15.2 (Re-Writing History) by reading Watchmen - It was nice to finally read this classic graphic novel - great storytelling and interesting characters.

Would the world be better? I would have to say no even though in the end it looks like there may be world peace, I can't say that the way we got there (or that some of us got there) makes it worth it. Plus, who knows how long we can keep it up!

Total Points: 220

I completed Nicole's rhyming task (25.1) by reading Danger On The Tracks. I had previously read Ogden Nash's I'm A Stranger Here Myself. (Danger/Stranger).
(total pages: 162 + 151 = 313)

This wasn't the book I had intended to read for the task. I was at a friend's and was telling her about the Challenge and some of the tasks I'm working on, including Nicole's. I said that I would be visiting the Library looking for a book title that had a rhyming word for either "stranger", "here" or (if there is such a thing) "myself". Her son then left the room and brought back Danger On The Track, telling me I could borrow it for the task "because danger rhymes with stranger" and that it was "really good". How could I say no?? :D
It was a cute story about a brother and sister helping their family during the time of the building of the railway.

Total points: 85

I finally completed another task:
10.3 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers.

New total: 100 points

Total Points = 60

5 point tasks:
1. Why do they act that way: a survival guide to the adolescent brain for you and your teen by David Walsh
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
9. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
10 point tasks:
3. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holli Black and Tony DiTerlizziThe Field Guide Lucinda's SecretThe Wrath of MulgarathThe Ironwood Tree
6. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
15 point tasks:
20 point tasks:
25 point tasks:
5. JANICE'S TASK - The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
30 point tasks:

L wrote: "5 point
6. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

15 point
10. Teacher: Anne of Avonlea by L.M Montgomery
Anne is the teacher at her old school in Avonlea in this one.
..."

I just took a look at Peeled which you read for the Teacher/Student task. (It would work for the 'Apple' task too!) I'm looking for good books for my 12 year-old niece who is an advanced reader. Do you think she would like this book?

Thanks!

Newly Completed Task:

25.1 – NICOLE OH'S TASK - Rhyme Time - Read ONE Fiction Book And ONE Poetry Book That Have A Word That Rhymes From Each Of The Titles.

Poetry Book: Red --- Red Bird Poems
Fiction Book: Dead --- Definitely Dead

I gave Red Bird Poems five stars. It was a very lyrical book of poetry that made me stop and think about all the glorious nature just outside my door that I often take for granted. It reminded of so many things that I am grateful for. I had never read Mary Oliver before, but I’ll check our more of her work.

Definitely Dead is book #6 in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. This series just keeps getting better and better. I think this is one of my favorites so far. I gave it four stars. It was a fun romp on the dark side.

Total Points: 110
Tasks in Process: 6
Completed Tasks: 6/45
Books Read for Completed Tasks: 7/60
Pages Read for Completed Tasks: 2,096


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20.1 Julie task, read a christian book

I read The God Cookie A NovelGREAT BOOK< 5 stars

new grand total

195

25.9 self improvement month

Chicken Soup for the Working Woman's Soul Humorous and Inspirational Stories to Celebrate the Many Roles of Working Women

and The Bear Essentials Everything Today's Hard-Pressed Parent Needs to Know About Bringing Up Happy, Healthy Kids

new grand total

220 ( almost 1/3 done)

Just completed the group read challenge with Shutter Island, to bring my total to a resounding 30 points.

Starting up teaching again has really made a dent in my reading time :(

Finished:
for 5.1
Daughter of Kura A Novel by Debra Austin, a book with Clan of the Cave Bear overtones.

and 5.4 Somebody's Daughter by Marie Lee, a novel about an adoptee's search for her Korean mother.

Both books were okay reads, but not stellar.

I just finished task 10.9 and read A Light in the Storm the Civil War Diary of Amelia Martin. Really enjoyed this book and glad that BJ Rose had suggested it. Quick read. I have always been fascinated with lighthouses, so it was quite enjoyable.

Total points for this task: 10
Tasks completed: 7
Tasks in progress: 6

Total points for challenge thus far: 100

Finished:

10.7 – Joseph Smith - Robert V. Remini

TOTAL POINTS = 50

Finally...I've been reading lots of books, but they're all for multiple-book challenges, so I haven't gotten any points yet!

For 15.3 (Math): Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (24 x 14) and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1985/24)

I finished another task late last night -

15.6 - Creative Minds (the Arts) - Join the Drama Club - I read Arthur Miller's The Crucible and watched the movie, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor, Joan Allen as Elizabeth Proctor and Winona Ryder as Abigail Williams

I LOVED this task! I really enjoyed reading The Crucible and loved the movie, which may have been because Arthur Miller wrote the screenplay. I think it was a wonderful adaptation and highly recommend it.

Total Books Read = 14
Audiobooks Completed = 1
Tasks Completed = 9
Tasks In Progress = 10

No new points right now, but I just finished The Lost Symbol for part of task 25.7. It was pretty good - not quite as good as the first two Robert Langdon books, but not bad :).

10.7. Can You Read Faster Than A Speeding Bullet? - Christopher Reeve, Famous For His Role As Superman, Was Born On September 25, 1952...
• In Honor Of Him Read A Novel About Heroes/Heroines/Superheroes/Super-heroines
OR
• An (Auto)Biography Of Your Personal Hero/Heroine
Girls Like Us- by Sheila Weller
Folksinger Star Carole King
10 points
170 total

Happy New Year to those celebrating tonight!!!

Task 15.3 (math): Addition (15 letter name) Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris (9/18)
Subtraction (7 letter title) The Help - Kathryn Stockett (9/4)

I loved The Help, but the Sookie books just aren't doing it for me. I'm not in any hurry to continue the series.

Total Points: 70/690
Books Read: 15/60
Tasks Completed: 6/45
Pages Read: 4,848

I completed task 25.2 Donna Jo's task on reading two books by authors who are related.

I read The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook A Novel by Gemma Townley
and The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham. These two authors are sisters.




Tasks Completed: 7
Tasks Started: 3
Pages Read: 3,647
Books Read: 12 (plus 3 children's picture books)
Points Earned: 170
# of Books from "owned and unread" shelf: 10

10 Point Tasks
3.(I missed the "or" and read several children's books with bear in the title, heh)
3.aBears on Wheels by Stan and Jan Berenstain
3.bHe Bear, She Bear by Stan and Jan Berenstain
3.cBrown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
3.dLitte Bear by Elsa Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak
3.eLitte Bear's Friend by Elsa Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak

Total Points: 10

15.9 Your Homework Assignment (Should You Choose To Accept It) Is To Read A Book With The Word Home OR Work In The Title.
• After Reading The Book You Have To Design A Homework Assignment That Relates Somehow To That Book. Post The Details Of The Assignment When You Claim Points For This Task.

I read Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg. One of the primary themes in the book is love and the main character is a writer who during the book is teaching a writing workshop. So my homework assignment is: Write one page on your first love. Be it love for a person or a thing. Make sure to be detailed such as describing the setting you were in when you realized you loved this person or thing and all of the many emotions you had.

15 points

Total Points: 100
Tasks Completed: 8
Tasks in Process: 2
Total Books: 9
Total Pages: 2,967

Gah! I feel like I'm reading like a house afire, but not getting any points! *sigh*

25.9 Diane's Task
Part I: If the Buddha Dated A Handbook for Finding Love on a Spiritual Path by Charlotte Kashl, Ph.D.
Part II: The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison
The way the main character rises from his fear and seizes control of his life while accompanied by learning true love is beautiful. He rises from the nobody Prince to a true King through this life-opening timeframe.

Total Points: 65

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?ke...

10.2 The Basketball Diaries

new grand total

230 ( 1/3 done YEAH)

I am on a roll today, 2 hrs at the laundrymat reading, 1 hr reading at swimming lessons and taking a me myself I day and spent it on the couch eating fast food and reading

Melissa wrote: "Total Points = 60

5 point tasks:
1. Why do they act that way: a survival guide to the adolescent brain for you and your teen by David Walsh
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
9. The Secret Garde..."Your book for task 5.1 does not have any of the required words so I can't take that, and the books you have listed for 10.3 are juvenile books also not acceptable for that task.

Emily wrote: "I completed 15.2 (Re-Writing History) by reading Watchmen - It was nice to finally read this classic graphic novel - great storytelling and interesting characters.

Total Points: 220"You also need to state whether or not the world would be better if history had happened as it did in the book to get credit for this task.

I just finished task 10.6 Island of the Blue Dolphins. Super fast and fun to go back and read a book from my childhood. Very enjoyable.

I have a lot of multi-part tasks going, so it may be a while until I can post more, but we will see how the weekend goes.

Total points for this task: 10
Tasks completed: 8
Tasks in progress: 6

Total points for challenge thus far: 110

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "10.2 The Basketball Diaries

new grand total

230 ( 1/3 done YEAH)

I am on a roll today, 2 hrs at the laundrymat reading, 1 hr reading at swimming lessons and taking a me..."

Sounds like you had a super productive day!