The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Ailthough I am not necessarily a cat person I just read a very cute book. Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron w/ Bret Witter (Task 10:10)

I have finished 25.5 with The fortune cookie chronicles by Jennifer 8 Lee.

Old points: 80
New Points: 25
Total Points:105

Finished 15.4: Read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and watched The Wonder of It All, the new documentary interviewing the surviving astronauts who landed on the moon during the Apollo program.

Total Points: 120

5.8 Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List (Rachel Cohn & David Levithan)
5.9 Gingerbread (coming of age)
10.8 Away Laughing on a Fast Camel Even More Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (my 11th word on the generator was "laughing"...i lucked out!)
10.10 Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers More Mad, Marvy Confessions of Georgia Nicolson
25.8 Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
I'm not quite sure if I enjoyed the book more or the movie. I guess I'll call it a tie. I loved how in the book you knew exactly what the characters were thinking and how they felt. But the language was a little too much for me (way to many f-bombs). Yes, the movie did leave some parts out, but I still liked it. I guess I enjoyed one of the minor characters more in the movie, Caroline. I'll give both movie & book 3/5.

total points = 55

25.7 - CINDY'S TASK - One, Two, Three - Read Three Books...

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld, Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich and Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich.

Books Read: 8
Tasks Completed: 4
Tasks in Progress: 1
Total Points: 45
Total Pages: 2845

5.10 (Travel back in time): Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

This was a reread, and I'm really glad I did. I stalled out at book 4 in the series a few years ago, and I really don't know why I never continued. I have now forgotten almost everything that happens, and after rereading the first book, I'm excited to continue the series, and read them all this time.

I also listened to Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (published 10 years ago), but won't be claiming points until I watch the movie version that was out five years ago. It's now at the top of my Netflix queue.

Nicki wrote: "Sara wrote: "2 More tasks completed:

10.10 Cats Meow - I read Bad Kitty by Michelle Jaffe and also
for
25.10 Devil,Witch, Vampire, Zombie or Werewolf I read
[book..."


I didn't think it worked as well as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (maybe because that one is tongue and cheek). It wasn't terrible, but it just didn't work for me.

I just realized that my points haven't posted to the leaderboard. Are there any problems with the tasks I just finished?

No new points...
Just finished one book out of three:
The Third With A Three Word Title: Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner-9/22 (359 pgs)
I alway enjoy reading Jennifer Weiner, but this one was a disappointment for me.

I am now reading my One Word Title book.

25.4. 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.

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (2005 novel/2007 movie)

The novel is a very intense crime drama with a strong philosophical element. The movie is a good translation of the book to film, but in the end it is only an abbreviated version of the book and much of the author's original message is lost in translation. For this reason I would consider the book to be the superior presentation.

Total points 95

15.1. Brush Up On Your Grammar (English) - Select One Of The Following...
• Prepositions - Read 2 Books That Contain The Same Preposition In Their Titles. Ex. A Lesson Before Dying & I Heard That Song Before
• Homophones - Read 2 Books That Contain Words That Are Homophones - (This website has a list to help http://www.all-about-spelling.com/list-o...) Ex. If You Chose The Words Peace & Piece You Could Read War and Peace & The Missing Piece.
• Participles - Read A Book Whose Title Contains A Verb And Another With It's Participle...Ex. Me Talk Pretty One Day & Straight Talking A Novel - Talking Is The Present Participle Of Talk.
"swim"
Swim to Me by Betsy Carter

AND

"swimming"
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson

Wendy wrote: "25.7. CINDY'S TASK - One, Two, Three - Read Three Books...
• One With A One Word Title
• The Second With A Two Word Title
• And The Third With A Three Word Title.
Drown by Diaz
The Scarecrow by Connolly..."

Wendy, how did you like The Scarecrow? Someone suggested it to me as part of Roseann's task as I work in the software development industry. I haven't read Connolly before but I used to read all of Robert Ludlum's work. I've been kind of out the the 'thriller' genre for awhile, but maybe this would entice me back.

Thanks! -Krista

I've just read Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich for 15.6.

Finally finished another task! 15.7 Let's get Physical; listened to Artemis Fowl The Arctic Incident while walking. The narrator is wonderful and the weather around here has been ideal for evening walks.

Finished another task: 15.1 Improving your grammar - Prepositions: The Enchantress of Florence and 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear - both have 'of' in the title.

I read EofF because it was the monthly read for my in person BC. I really didnt like it. It was my first ever Rushdie, so I think maybe i needed to get used to his writing style first. I still have no idea what actually happened...

As for the Captain Bluebear book, I really enjoyed it. It was a bit long in parts (Life 12) but overall, it was really enjoyable. Its not a kids book, despite the concept and illustrations. (there is nothing anti-kids in it, fyi) But it really brings you back to that moment in your life when you used your imagination all the time. From things like mini-pirates and different dimensions, mile-tall cyclops, the city of atlantis, trolls, hobgoblins, dwarves and a million other creatures you have never heard of, the book constantly keeps your imagination nimble. Really loved reading it.

The only drawback i would say is that it really is more of a chronicle of events than a full novel. I'd say its basically a collection of 13 1/2 short stories rather than a single cohesive narrative. But really enjoyed it. highly recommended.

New total: 160

I finished Task 5.6 - Halloween Adjective Title: Scary Beautiful by Niki Burnham (9/22/09).

This was a reread, but I'm glad I read it again, because I thought this book was about one thing, and it was about something totally different! I have THE WORST memory!! It was a cute little YA book.

I believe that brings me up to 175 points.

For 25.10 (Monsterfest), I read The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coehlo.

The story was not great, nor were the characters. I found Athena and Andrea self-indulgent and impressionable, and I remember thinking that about Veronika, too. Young women are not all like that, Coehlo! Some of his ideas are really important, but they've been better explained by other writers. He doesn't do his philosophy any favors by embedding it in such a mystical narrative.

The cover is gorgeous, though:



Total Points: 170

Finished:
25.2 The Elements of Organic Gardening by Charles, Prince of Wales and

The Ghost Who Fell in Love by Barbara Carland, who was step-grandmother to Princess Diana.

Incidently, I had forgotten those awful Cartland covers where the women always seem to have joints in unlikely places. And the little...spaces in the dialog...as the heroine became...overcome by emotion. It's always a treat filling in the blanks.

I finished Cait's task (25.8) Proper Nouns

I read:
Person: The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory.
Place: Dune Road by Jane Green.
Thing: The Shack by William P. Young.




Tasks Completed: 13
Tasks Started: 1
Books Read: 16 (plus 3 childrens picture books)
Pages Read: 4,959
Points Earned: 245
# of Books from "owned and unread" shelf: 14

Done with task 10.5 (Germany) and I have to say that so far this was one of my favorite books I've read for this challenge. I decided to read Markus Zusak's The Book Thief. I am SO glad I did. It was WONDERFUL, probably one of the best books I've read this year (and since I've already read over 100 - I'd say that's pretty good)!. Definitely read it if you haven't.

Total points = 240


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One more down--

25.8--

Elizabeth Costello by M.M. Coetzee (person)

This was a weird one; I'm not quite sure if I liked it or not. The whole story was based on a series of lectures the title character, a writer, gives. I liked some of the lectures, but the whole story was a little too weird for me.

CALIFORNIA ANGEL by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg (place)

A light mystery type tale about a woman who has what appears to be heart attacks and perform resues while she is "dead". The mystery ensues when she is suddenly charged with murder and kidnapping. Was she actually a "guardian angel" or did she have another motive?

THE BODY ARTIST by Don DeLillo

A sort of ghost story about a woman who uses her body (my noun) to produce art. Her husband had recently commited suicide when a strange man suddenly shows up in her rented house, or is he really there???

This brings me to 380 points!!

Completed Task 15.7 (exercise): Fool A Novel - Christopher Moore
As with every other book I've read by Moore, I laughed my (_|_) off. 4 stars.

Total Points: 100/690
Books Read: 18/60
Tasks Completed: 9/45
Pages Read: 5,918

25.8. CAIT'S TASK - Nouns - The Most Basic Definitions State That A Noun Is A Person, Place, Or Thing. Read 3 Books:
• With The Name Of A Person In The Title. Proper Nouns Only
Julian Comstock: A Story of 22nd-Century America by Robert Charles Wilson
• With The Name Of A Place In The Title. Again, Proper Nouns Only
In the Valley of the Kings by Terrence Holt
• With A Thing/Object In The Title, Such As Tree, Key, Car, Book, Etc.
The Wave by Walter Mosley

Total points 120

Just finished Awake And Dreaming by Kit Pearson for task 5.5.

I was required to read this book in grade 7- I loved it then and I loved it now! Between the ages of 11-15 I must have read the book at least a dozen times. As a result of reading this book, I went through a pretty long Kit Pearson phase.

This time around I found that it was super easy reading but the magic of the story was not lost on me. Definitely one of my alltime fav. books!

This should bring me to 45 pts.

I finally got my first points!

25.5 The Palace of Illusions A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I don't expect to do that well with this challenge now that I am back to work, but I am still reading.

I finished 10.2, Addiction with
Beautiful Boy A Father's Journey Through His Son's Meth Addiction by David Sheff

+10
total 320

Roseann wrote: "One more down--

25.8--

Elizabeth Costello by M.M. Coetzee (person)

This was a weird one; I'm not quite sure if I liked it or not. The whole story was based on a series of lectures the titl..."

Umm... Roseann are you going to be completely done with the challenge by the mid-way point?? :) LOL Man you're fast!

Just finished my One Word Title: Tricks by Ellen Hopkins, but no new points to report.

Three more tasks completed:

10.2 Addiction challenge - I read Ivy by Julie Hearn which is a young adult historical fiction novel about a impoverished redhead teenaged model who poses for pre-Raphaelite artists and is addicted to laudanum. Very interesting.

20.3 I read

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. Very cute. I hope to see the movie this weekend. I received Mastering the Art of French Cooking vols. 1&2 as a wedding gift two years ago, and I'm feeling inspired enough to actually crack them open and take a look.

25.3 Harvey Milk - I read Empress of the World by Sara Ryan. A very touching YA book about two girls who are friends and realize that they have feelings for each other. Both characters are really positive, and though they face some struggles (Am I gay or not?, homophobic peers, etc), they remain true to who they are, and are able to find comfort and happiness.

Previous Score: 140
Current Score: 195

Ladies and gentlemen I'm on a roll. :)

Read 1984 for 10.1. I started out not exactly loving this book, but I didn't dislike it. However, it just kept droning on and on about the same crap and I couldn't wait for it to be over.

Total points: 105

Shelley wrote: "I finally got my first points!

25.5 The Palace of Illusions A Novel by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I don't expect to do that well with this challenge now that I am b..."

I'm pleased that your first points this season were for my task. And what a book choice!

I'm on a roll!

For 25.9, I read iWant My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life which was absolutely amazing, by the way.

And It's All Too Much An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff which inspired me to clean out the dresser in our bedroom.

10.5 (Germany): The Candy Bombers by Andrei Cherny

Nonfiction about the Berlin airlift. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, but this was very accessible an uplifting, and I feel quite well educated on the topic after reading it.

Finished two more tasks - both excellent.

5.5 The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

10.1 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury pub 1953

5.5 Back to School: I had to read several Hemingway works in high school. The Old Man and the Sea was the one I liked best - but I did not understand all of the symbology, etc. Just listened to it again on CD - narrated by Donald Sutherland. I was enthralled. After 40 years, the story had so much more richness and depth. I could relate much more to the symbology and imagery. Thanks so much for that task - it was wonderful.

10.1 Buddy Holly's Life (1936-1979) - I reread another of my favorite books of this era - Fahrenheit 451. Loved it even more than when I read it in the 1950s. So thought provoking and a real warning for us. Books are so important for allowing us to have wide perspectives - we cannot allow censureship to narrow that perspective.

Sorry forgot to update numbers:

Points: 140
Books: 12
Pages: 3821
Tasks: 12
In Proc: 6

I read four children's books for task 10.3: The Mouse and the Wizard, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Pete's a Pizza, and Olivia. Total: 108 pgs

Total 35 points

Cider with Rosie, by Laurie Lee, for challenge 5.5 (re-read a book studied at school)

I first read this at school aged about 13 so I welcomed the chance to re-read it some 30 years later. Most of it, read during English lessons had faded completely from my mind.

I had remembered the details about the two old women ('er up atop' and 'er down below') and the last-but-one chapter, where I had finally realised why the book was called what it was.

So death and sex lasted... the rest didn't really sink in to a 13yo student.

I enjoyed learning again about the family, the village life, the passage of changes of the seasons and larger events.

Another 5 points, hopefully, bringing me (slowly) up to 140 to date

I finally finished Jazz, by Toni Morrison, for task 15.6, and I listend to a CD of "Jazz Favourites".

Tanya wrote: "Just finished Awake And Dreaming by Kit Pearson for task 5.5.

I was required to read this book in grade 7- I loved it then and I loved it now! Between the ages of 11-15 I must hav..."

Someone was looking for books for her Niece I wonder if this would work? and do you think it would fit under the adoption story?

Helen wrote: "Finished two more tasks - both excellent.

5.5 The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

10.1 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury pub 1953

5.5 Back to School: I had to read several Hemingway..."


I read Fehrenheit 451 for the science fiction task, so HAPPY that is not the world we live in

25.3 Flight Dreams A Mark Manning Mystery mystery was lacking but the Gay theme was positive. Mark realizes who is, and embraces a new life with his Partner Neil

new total
290

Hi,

I have completed task 3 for 5 points.
I read If a pirate i must be, which was a wonderful book about the life of Captain Roberts.

Total so far, 15.

thanks,

Kate.x.

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Someone was looking for books for her Niece I wonder if this would work? and do you think it would fit under the adoption story?"

I would definitely recommend this book to someone pre-teen or early teen. Actually, basically any one of Kit Pearson's books are pretty fantastic. I don't think it would fit the adoption task though- She's never actually ADOPTED legally by the family, it just kind of magically happens. Then she goes to live with her aunt, but again, she wasn't actually adopted, she just sort of lived there for a few months.

I think one of the first two books in her Guests of War Trilogy would probably work for that task. It's about a girl and boy from England that get adopted by a Canadian family during WWII.

A Handful of Time works for the traveling back in time task though, if I recall.

I finished Stiff The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers for the science part of 15.4 and watched 'The Island' on television a few days ago for the science fiction film part of the challenge

I feel like I have not posted in forever (nearly a week). I finished 5.10 by reading To Say Nothing of the Dog. It was really good! I have no idea why it took me so long to finish - this whole "having a real job thing" got to my reading. LOL.

Point Total: 165
Page Total: 3594

I finished another task -

25.8 - CAIT'S TASK - Nouns - Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange (person), Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (place), and Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall-Smith (thing)

Total Books Read = 18
Tasks Completed = 12
Tasks In Progress = 7

Finished:

5.9 I Capture the Castle
25.3 Boy Meets Boy

Total Points 290/690
Total Books 29/59
Total Tasks Completed 20/45
Total Pages 8928

I completed Task 5.3 (at sea) by reading Treasure Island.
I read this book when I was younger and remember more adventure than I found this time. I was surprised at how much stereotypical behavior the characters displayed. The good crew members had honour and bravery. The bad crew members were treacherous to all, wanted nothing more than lots of rum and were all bluff and no bravery.
Although I enjoyed it more when I was younger, I still enjoyed the story now.

Total points: 135

5.8 Finished Nanny Diaries

Total points 45

I read Maurice by E.M. Forster for task 25.3. I did not care for it. I found it very hard to follow.

Total points: 50