The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Leigh, strikethroughs are done using the letter S. Click on (some html is ok). It's to the upper right of the comment box at the bottom of the screen. It'll show you the exact syntax. I keep trying to show you but the webpage interprets as html and adds the strikethrough. HEE!

Tanja wrote: "Leigh, strikethroughs are done using the letter S. Click on (some html is ok). It's to the upper right of the comment box at the bottom of the screen. It'll show you the exact syntax. I keep trying..."

I'm so glad you just described how to do that because I've been wondering the same thing. Thanks Tanja!

Tanja wrote: "Leigh, strikethroughs are done using the letter S. Click on (some html is ok). It's to the upper right of the comment box at the bottom of the screen. It'll show you the exact syntax. I keep trying..."

Thank you Tanja!! It's so simple, I was just looking in the wrong place :)

Kari ♪ wrote: "Leigh wrote: "I have finally completed my first task, I was a little late in joining the challenge, but I figure I will just do as much as I can!

Completed task 10.3, read 3 children's books: Th..."

Hahahaha, I keep telling myself that..."it's still September, you can do it". Thanks for the vote of confidence!

10.4 The Postman by Antonio Skarmeta (Chile)

edited to add country

Leigh, you can also count any book you have read in September that will fit in the challenge. Hope that helps your points grow!

Thanks for the tip Angela! I found one that I read in early September that works, yay!!

I just completed task 25.10 Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs, it's #11 in the Temperance Brennan series, I love these books...and the TV show Bones!




35/690 points
Tasks Completed: 2
Tasks in Progress: 4
Books Read: 6
Pages Read: 937

Completed 15.3 Math Task

Addition: My name = 13 letters - read: First Family by David Baldacci also 13 letters

Division: birth year divided by age = 29 so read: Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich (book two in the Stephanie Plum series)

Points: 225
Books: 23
Pages: 8155
Tasks: 17
In Proc: 4

I finally have something to report, yay! I've been swamped, and while Dorothy Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals was fascinating, it's not a speed read. Here's my summary for BJ Rose, without whom I would never read presidential biography:

Most of Lincoln's accomplishments are well-known, but Goodwin shines light on some more subtle aspects, particularly his ability to build functional coalitions between people who wanted desperately to hate each other. I also find amazing his ability to stay calm and positive in the midst of the greatest crisis the nation's ever faced. Talk about the right man in the right moment! And can I give him points for being able to realize that leadership and a sense of humor are not mutually exclusive?

What surprised me, though, is that he took so long to fully realize the scope of McClellan's delays and make the decision to remove him from command - to me this is the real scandal because of the human toll involved. Lincoln was clearly sharp, insightful, and not beyond putting his foot down when warranted - it kind of drives you crazy that the one person he couldn't afford to indulge ended up being the one who received "seventy times seven chances." Or maybe I just hate unwarranted arrogance, which the general certainly had in spades if his letters to his wife are any insight.

Current Total: 90 points

For 5 point task #7, I read The Actor and the Housewife A Novel by Shannon Hale. What I am most thankful for is my friends and my family.

Total points: 60
Tasks completed: 5/45

5 point task
8. Let's Find Out If Two Heads Really Better Than One - Read A Book That Has More Than One Author.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Unofficial Companion by Susan Green, Randee Dawn, & Dick Wolf

Current Point Total: 40
Jessica (MI)

I just finished

10.8 Random word: House
Dragon House
Other words: Hour and Blanket

Wonderful and engrossing tale and my first 5 star book of the challenge.

Total points: 120

I read What Dreams May Come for 5.7 because I am thankful for my wonderful husband and the life we have together. I had looked forward to this book and expected it be a sweeping, romantic love story, but was actually pretty disappointed the book.

Total points: 110

Finished task 10.6 (Native American). For this one, I read Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. I actually liked this more than I thought I was going to.

Total points = 265


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Jessica wrote: "I finally have something to report, yay! I've been swamped, and while Dorothy Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals was fascinating, it's not a speed read. Here's my summary for BJ Rose, wi..."

I think I might change my plans and go with this, between seeing what you had to say and all the positive reviews and 4&5 stars for this book (plus library has it on CD with Richard Thomas narrating). Glad you picked it!

For Cindy's task (25.7) I read Pretties by Scott Westerfeld, Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare.

Books Read: 22
Tasks Completed: 16
Total Points: 240
Total Pages: 7148

30. 1. ROSEANN'S TASK - Your Job/Dream Job Challenge - First Read A Book That Is Somehow Related To Your Current Profession (Students Count) AND Then Read A Book That Is Related To Either Your Current Or Childhood Dream Job. The Books Can Either Have A Character Or Setting That Relates To That Job.
Current:(student) Blood Promise Richelle Mead 9-20-09: Rose, the main character has dropped out of school at the beginning of the book to go on a reckless journey. By the end of the book she has re-enrolled at school and has promised to stay long enough to finish up and graduate. I graduated from college and then did nothing while looking for a job only to enroll in graduate school where I will stay until i graduate. 503 Pages
Childhood Dream:(psychologist) Nutcase Charlotte Hughes 9-29-09 I wanted to be a lot of things when I was little, but the one that stuck the longest was a psychologist. Dr. Kate Holly, the main character, has a lot of patients with intense needs. I am glad that I decided to be (hopefully one day if i ever get a job) a teacher instead. 259 Pages

Current Pages Read: 4628
Books Read: 13
Challenges Completed: 9
Total Points: 140

No new points at this time. I did finish Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich for half of 15.3. This was the addition part and my total was 14.

5 POINTS

1. Children: The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan
2. Apples: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
3. Ocean: Life of Pi by Yann Martel
4. Adoption: Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
5. Back to School: The Lord of the Flies by William Golding COMPLETED 9/16/09
6. Terrifying Titles: Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye
7. Giving Thanks: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
8. Two Heads: The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub
9. Age Spectrum: (coming of age) Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
10. Daylight Savings Time: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

10 POINTS

1. Buddy Holly: All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren
2. River Phoenix:
3. Stanley Berenstain: Bears in the Night; The Bear Detectives: The Case of the Missing Pumpkin; The Birds, the Bees, and the Berenstain Bears; The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream all by Stan Berenstain for 129 pages. COMPLETED 9/1/09
4. Hispanic Heritage: The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux
5. Oktoberfest: Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
6. Native American:
7. Superman: 8. Dictionary (Paragraph, Casing, Dictionary):
9. Gone With The Wind:
10. Cat's Meow: A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

15 POINTS

1. Grammar: Prepositions - Something from the Nightside by Simon R. Green 9/7/09 and From the Corner of His Eye by Dean Koontz
2. Rewriting History: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Suzanna Clarke
3. Math: Division (62) Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts and Addition (14) Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich 9/29/09
4. Sci Fi vs. Sci Fact: Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams
5. Study Abroad: Swedish - The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
6. Creative Minds: The Eight by Katherine Neville
7. Get Physical: Bo Knows Bo by Bo Jackson and watch a Texas A&M Football Game
8. Geography: J - Japan - Shogun by James Clavell and M (Middle Initial because last initial is W) - Mexico - The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton
9. Homework: Nursing Theorists and Their Work by Ann Marriner Tomey
10. Teacher/Student: student - A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray and teacher - The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

20 POINTS

1. Christian Fiction: Left Behind by Tim LaHaye
2. Alphabet: K - Key of Valor by Nora Roberts; L - The Last Dickens: A Novel by Matthew Pearl; and M - My Favorite Mistake by Beth Kendrick
3. Group Read: Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane COMPLETED 9/11/09

25 POINTS

1. Rhyme Time:
2. Related: Black House by Stephen King and Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
3. Harvey Milk:
4. Book/Movie: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
5. Fortune Telling:
6. Curse of Tippecanoe:
7. One, Two, Three: Marked by P.C. and Kristen Cast; Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich; Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
8. Nouns: Name - The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe; Place - Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris; Thing - The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
9. Self-Improvement: The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews 9/4/09 and Kennison's Gifts by W. David Tibbs
10. Halloween Part III: Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert

30 POINTS

1. Job/Dream Job: Theoretical Basis for Nursing by Melanie McEwan (acutal - nurse) and Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (dream - archeologist)

50 POINTS

1.

TOTAL PAGES READ: 1411
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ: 9
NUMBER OF TASKS COMPLETED: 3
NUMBER OF TASKS IN PROGRESS: 3

Wow, I really enjoyed "The Glass Castle", the dry detached tone adds a touch of realism to her story. In growing up she realizes how abnormal her life is, then how dangerous and hurtful, then she comes ot terms with it. I would have liked a little more connection between the girl who denied her background in college and the woman who wrote this book, but perhaps it was enough for her to acknowledge her history without analyzing it or passing judgment - thought provoking book.

10.8 Visit The Random Word Generator Website And Then Read A Book Whose Title Contains The 9th, 10th, or 11th Word "glass"
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls 288pp, read 9/29/2009.


Total points: 175/690
Tasks completed: 10/45
Books read: 16/59
Total pages: 5401

25.5- Fortune's Rocks by Anita Shreve.

I am not a big historical fiction fan, and I often find Anita Shreve difficult to read. That being said, I did enjoy the ending of the book-it was the only point I really felt I finally connected to Olympia, and I agreed with the choices she finally made in her life.

That takes me to 185 points and the 16th book I read for the month of September. Hopefully I will be able to keep that pace up for October!

Leigh wrote: "Thanks for the tip Angela! I found one that I read in early September that works, yay!!

I just completed task 25.10 Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs, it's #11 in the Temperance Brennan series, I love ..."

I love the tv show Bones, but I haven't tried any of the books. I can't figure out what order they go in.

For 10.1 I have just finished Scoop by Evelyn Waugh.

Previous reads

5.2 Apple a day - Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller
5.4 Adoption - Digging to America by Anne Tyler

15.3 Addition - Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday (Alice Gould) Muliplication - Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer (10x27=270, 276 pages)

20.3 Group Read - Shutter Island by Dennis LeHane

25.5 Fortune in the title - Fortune's Rocks by Anita Shreve
25.8 Nouns - person The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, thing Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, place Brick Lane by Monica Ali

30.1 current job and dream job - The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury(I work in a University) and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (I would love to own a bookshop).


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Kathryn wrote: "Leigh wrote: "Thanks for the tip Angela! I found one that I read in early September that works, yay!!

I just completed task 25.10 Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs, it's #11 in the Temperance Brennan ser..."

www.stopyourekillingme.com has books in series order

25.1 Nicole Oh's Task - Rhyme Time (just & trust)
Poetry: Just a Saying by Catherine Cookson (122 pages)
Book: No One to Trust by Iris Johansen (296 pages)

Total points: 190

Hello!

I have completed Task 25.2 - Related Authors

I read You Shall Know Our Velocity! by Dave Eggers and Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name A Novel by Vendela Vida. Eggers and Vida are married.




# of Tasks Completed - 13
# of Books Read - 22
# of Pages Read - 6363
# of points accrued - 225

Jennifer D. (Canada)

I completed 20.1 (Christian Faith) by reading Prince Caspian - not my favorite, but there were some nice moments in there. I was hoping that this would be more up to par with The Hobbit or the Earthsea books - ah well.

Total Points: 290

I read Twilight for the first time for task 5.2!

Total: 40 points

Finished 20.3 Group Read with Shutter Island by Dennis DeLane.

NEW POINTS: 20
OLD POINTS: 190
TOTAL: 210

TASKS COMPLETED: 13
TASKS IN PROGRESS: 3
BOOKS READ:18
PAGES READ:5879

I finished task 15.4 (sci-fi vs. science)
I read The Man Who Sold the Moon by Robert A. Heinlein (which my husband nicely recommended...helps he loves this genre) and then I watched "Yellowstone: A battle for life" on the discovery channel. This was a two hour documentary on the animals in Yellowstone park. Beautiful cinematography and had already tivo'd it to watch, so glad it worked here.

Total points for this task: 15
Tasks completed: 12
Many in progress, I keep jumping between tasks because of the library

Total points for challenge thus far: 170

Golfing for Cats by Alan Coren - task 10.10

With the word CAT in the title (AND a picture of one on the cover!) it allows me to get another 10 points on the Fall 2009 Challenge bringing me up to 165

Meow!

Finished 15.7: Read The Road by Cormac McCarthy while walking on the treadmill.

Total Points: 135

Finished:
10.10 Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

NEW TOTALS:
Points: 175
Books: 25
Pages: 5,507
Tasks: 14

10.7

An (Auto)Biography Of Your Personal Hero/Heroine


Einstein His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

Total: 25


Liz NY

Task 5.5-- Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

30.1, ROSEANN'S TASK - Your Job/Dream Job Challenge - First Read A Book That Is Somehow Related To Your Current Profession (Students Count) AND Then Read A Book That Is Related To Either Your Current Or Childhood Dream Job. The Books Can Either Have A Character Or Setting That Relates To That Job.
Gifts of War by Mackenzie Ford (teacher)
Banquo’s Ghost (Spy)
30 points
385 total

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.
Mop, Moondance and the Nagasaki Knights by Walter Dean Myers
5 points
390 total

Emily wrote: "I completed 20.1 (Christian Faith) by reading Prince Caspian - not my favorite, but there were some nice moments in there. I was hoping that this would be more up to par with The Hob..."

I much preferred Voyage of the Dawn Treader as a Christian allegory. The children, Lucy and Edmund, joined by their cousin, Eustace, do a lot more growing up in faith. The ending scenes at the "end of the world" are a bit thickly laid on in pointing out the allegorical aspect of the book, but the rest has an interesting journey meeting various peoples and learning of their accommodation to faith.

5.8 Two Heads Are Better Than One
Dashing Through the Snow by Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark

Total points: 195

Task 5.2 Apple Cover/Title
I read Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.




Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 6
Pages Read: 1925

Jessica wrote: "I finally have something to report, yay! I've been swamped, and while Dorothy Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals was fascinating, it's not a speed read. Here's my summary for BJ Rose, without whom I would never read presidential biography:..."

Jessica, wonderful review of Team of Rivals, and I agree with all of your points. I've always pretty much despised McClellan, both in his personality and in his leadership. My take on Lincoln's 'dithering' about McClellan was that hewanted to be right in his choice, and therefore saw the positive things that could happen, but since he wasn't usually a ditherer, this was really out of character for him, and disastrous for the country.

And since you stated that the book was fascinating, I'm glad I encouraged you to read it. I loved it, but you're right, it's not a speed read. I'm doing my presidential book in increments for that same reason, although so far I'm liking it.

Kari ♪ wrote: "I think I might change my plans and go with this, between seeing what you had to say and all the positive reviews and 4&5 stars for this book (plus library has it on CD with Richard Thomas narrating). Glad you picked it!"

Good choice, Kari - and narrated by Richard Thomas!!!

Emily wrote: "I completed 20.1 (Christian Faith) by reading Prince Caspian - not my favorite, but there were some nice moments in there...."

Emily, I was also disappointed in Prince Caspian, but I read The Voyage of the Dawn Treader for my Going to Sea task, and thought it was much better than PC.

Kathryn wrote: "Leigh wrote: "Thanks for the tip Angela! I found one that I read in early September that works, yay!!

I just completed task 25.10 Devil Bones, Kathy Reichs, it's #11 in the Temperance Brennan ser..."

Hi Kathryn, the first one in the series is Deja Dead, if you want a complete list let me know and I'll send it to you. I've read them all!

I just finished task 10.6 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie. I had no expectations when I started reading this book, and by the end I completely fell in love with it. It's just so clever and heartwarming, and Junior is adorable and endearing. Loved it!




45/690 points
Tasks Completed: 3
Tasks In Progress: 4
Books Read: 4 (+3 kid's books)
Pages Read: 1,167

25.8 Cait's Task - Nouns
Person: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (John)
Place: The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin (Stepford)
Thing: Sun at Midnight by Rosie Thomas (Sun)

Total Points: 460/690
Books Read: 47 (+ 8 Berenstain Bears books)
Tasks Completed: 33/45
Tasks in Progress: 5


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Hi,

I completed Diane's (the self-help) task for twenty five points.
I read Sophie Kinsella's coffession's of a shopaholic and for the non fiction book i read Detox your fiances by Justine Trueman.

Total points = 40

I finished 5.3, Sea Travel with
The Motion of the Ocean 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman's Search for the Meaning of Wife by Janna Cawrse Esarey

+5
total 410

Finished:

15.6 - Become A Member Of The Drama Club:
READ - Mary Poppins - P.L. Tavers
WATCHED - Mary Poppins on DVD

I never read or watched Mary Poppins growing up!

Total points = 100

Finished a few more--

5.3--ESCAPE BY SEA by L.S. Lawrence

Tele of a girl who lives in Carthage who has to go to sea when the Roman's invade her village. It was a little weak, but overall interesting.

15.8--DREAMS OF MY RUSSIAN SUMMERS by Andrei Makine & RESISTANCY by Anita Shreve (Belgium)--my initials are RB.

DREAMS OF MY RUSSIAN SUMMERS was an interesting look at Russian life from the viewpoint of a Grandmother telling her Grandson the story of her life. It was OK, but I had some trouble following all of the stories (not clear enough).

RESISTANCE is the story of a soldier who gets shot down over Belguim during WWII in a B-17 and of people of the village who help to save him from the Nazis. I did not expect to like this at all, but it was a very good look at what people are willing to do in time of war and even a nice love story.

and

25.9--EAT, PRAY, LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert & FIGHT YOUR FEAR AND WIN by Don Greene

EAT, PRAY, LOVE--

I had been looking forward to reading this book for a while now. It was not as good as I had expected it to be, but I still liked it. The author takes a year to find herself and does it through food in Italy, spirituality in India, and finally love and balance in life in Indonesia.

FIGHT YOUR FEAR AND WIN

Rather than go off on a tangent, let me just say that I don't like self-help books and this one did not change my mind. I tend to like figuring out my problems myself (like in the other book I read for this challenge), or through my close friends. That said, if you like this sort of thing, the book gives many detailed ways to fight seven differents aspects of "fear" in your life.

This brings me to 535 points!

5 POINT TASKS
1. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
2. Twilight By Stephanie Meyer 9/3/09
3. Vanished at Sea: The True Story of a Child TV Actor and Double Murder by Tina Dirmann
4. The Face on the Milk Carton by Carolyn B. Cooney
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
6. Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, Stephen Gammell (Illustrator)
7. Whatever Happened to Janie? by Caroline B. Cooney
8. The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading by Charity Tahmaseb and Darcy Vance 9/15/09
9. Little Women by Louis May Alcott
10. Something Upstairs : A Tale Of Ghosts by Avi

10 POINT TASKS
1. The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
2. A Child Called it By David Pelzer 9/10/09
3. Cat and the Hat/ Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss 9/1/09
4. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
5. The Book Thief by by Markus Zusak
6. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell 9/11/09
7. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
8. Breaking Dawn By Stephanie Meyer
9. The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
10. The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who..., #1) by Lilian Jackson Braun

15 POINT TASKS
1. About a Boy by Nick Hornby and Don't You Forget About Me (Gossip Girl, #11) by Cecily von Ziegesar
2. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
3. The Ex Games (Romantic Comedies) by Jennifer Echols 9/26/09 and Hot Six By Janet Evanovich 9/20/09
4. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
5. When Jonathan Died by Tony Duvert and The Tenant by Roland Topor
6. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Volume One in the Wicked Years) by Gregory Maguire
7. Adam Copeland On Edge by Adam Copeland
8. The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoevsky and The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
9. No Place Like Home A Novel by Mary Higgins Clark
10. Treacherous Love: The Diary of an Anonymous Teenager by Beatrice Sparks (Editor ) 9/30/09 and Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez 9/28/09

20 POINT TASKS
1.The Shack by William P. Young
2.Jessi's Wish (Baby-Sitters Club, 48) by Ann M. Martin and Kristy's Great Idea (The Baby-Sitter's Club #1) by Ann M. Martin and Logan's Story (Baby-Sitters Club Special Edition) by Ann M. Martin 9/2/09
3. Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell

25 POINT TASKS
1. A Light In The Attic By Shel Silverstein And The Friday Night Knitting Club By Kate Jacobs
2. Carrie by Stephen King and Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
3. Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez 9/21/09
4. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 9/7/09
5. Daughter of Fortune: A Novel (P.S.) by Isabel Allende
6. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
7. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer and New Moon by Stephanie Meyer 9/4/09 and Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
8. Heart and Soul of Nick Carter by Jane Carter and Around a Minnesota Campfire by Ruth Hein , Terry Fisk and Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
9. Knitting for Dummies by Pam Allen, Trisha Malcolm and Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb
10. Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead

30 POINT TASKS
1. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber and Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

50 POINT TASKS


140/690 Points
4298/19897 Pages Read