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FALL CHALLENGE 2009
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS
Finished:15.6 Creative Minds--Music Appreciation Music genre Classical
Who Killed Homer The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom by Victor Davis Hanson. The title pretty much says it all. It is written by a couple of kind of whiney professors. I hope their classes are more entertaining than the book.Attended Sept 26 KC Symphony concert--Efrem Bronfman plays Brahms-Piano Concerto No. 2. Orchestra also played Hayden's Symphony No. 49 and a new work, Rouse's Rapture. I really enjoyed all three pieces--and it didn't hurt that since it was opening weekend of the season they had free chocolates and champagne during intermission.
I finished reading Lord John and the Hand of Devils by Diana Gabaldon for Sam's task 25.10 (devils). It was good but my least favorite of the Lord John books - probably because it was 3 novellas rather than one cohesive novel.15 TASKS COMPLETE - 4 PARTIALLY DONE
27 BOOK READ
10,184 PAGES READ
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Completed task 25.7 (Cindy's Task). For this one, I read Scott Westerfeld's Specials for the one word book, Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely for the two word book, and Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol for the three word. I liked all 3 books quite a bit. It let me finish the Westerfeld series, start Marr's and work a bit more on Brown's. Great task Cindy!!Total points = 290
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I'm finally here again! I've finished a few multi-book challenges, and it took awhile!Completed:
10.10 The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
20.2 Final Freedom by Michael Vorenberg, Gathering of Days by Joan W Blos, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
25.7 Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Confederate Emancipation by Bruce Levine, and Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation by Allen Guezlo
Previously Completed Points: 200
New Points: 55
Total Points: 255
Although I have read quite a few books, I have finally finished my first challenge. I read Shutter Island for task 20.3. Great book!!Task Points: 20
Total Points: 20
Cynthia wrote: "This is where you will need to post information about completed tasks - updates to the scoreboard will be based on what is posted HERE AND ONLY HERE. The things that must be included in your post ..."5 Point Task
8. Let's Find Out If Two Heads are
Really Better Than One - Read A Book That Has More Than One Author.
I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Just finished 5-8 with the Traffickers by W.E.B. Griffin and William Butterworth, I am a big Griffin fan so I was excited to read this and it was great.130 points
I had a productive day today having finished another task. I read Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie for my 2 word title to go with Manhunt and Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich to finish 25.7 Cindy's task. Strange Bedpersons and Manhunt were both cute fluffy romances and Finger Lickin Fifteen was another hilarious Stephanie Plum mystery so this was all in all a good task.16 TASKS COMPLETE - 3 PARTIALLY DONE
28 BOOK READ
10,433 PAGES READ
Not bad for a month's work - nearly a book a day!
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I finally finished one of the multiple book challenges I've been working on. Number 25-2, read two books by two people who are related to each other, is now completed. I read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King and Locke and Key: Head Games by Joe Hill. Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. This is an additional 25 points to bring my total to 130.
I'm off to read The Lost Symbol, the new Dan Brown!
Finished task 5.2 - Read a book with an apple on the cover. Garden Spells.I really enjoyed this book - I got the audio version after seeing several of you use it for this task. I really liked the narrator and the story was pretty good too :) 4 stars
Total points: 70
I completed the self improvement task today (25.9) by reading The Five Love Languages How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman. I paired it with Crazy Aunt Purl's Drunk, Divorced, and Covered in Cat Hair The True-Life Misadventures of a 30-Something Who Learned to Knit After He Split by Laurie Perry which I read earlier this month. Chapman's book was okay--I liked it but it seemed like common sense to me. I didn't disagree with anything he had to say but I didn't have any revelations while reading it either.
The Perry memoir, on the other hand, was pretty fun! She's quite the character and since I very much appreciate two of her favorite hobbies (knitting and drinking wine) I felt some kinship with her. I also buy into the belief that knitting IS wonderful therapy for the hurting spirit (be that divorce or any other curve balls life might throw you). It can definitely make you a better person! :)
Also, I think my last update may have gotten lost in the madness. It's message 1455 on page 30 (I finished 2 15-pt. tasks over the weekend).
TASKS COMPLETED: 14
TASKS PARTIALLY COMPLETED: 2
BOOKS READ: 18 (+4 kids books)
PAGES READ: 5,921
POINTS EARNED: 130
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ FROM MY 'OWNED AND UNREAD' SHELF: 15
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.
Blood Work by Connolly
Study the guidelines for mystery stories. Where does this novel comply and where does it deviate. Are the deviations a distraction?
Mystery stories are a special type of writing. Fast paced and complex, they are a problem solving person's idea of a great read. Good mysteries keep a reader wondering while solving the crime. Great mysteries keep a reader in the dark until the very end.
Though you can have almost any combination of genre in one, there are certain rules you must follow for the tale to be considered a mystery.
1. Plot - Mysteries are plot-driven tales. They go beyond the standard victim is killed - detective searches for clues - killer is caught plotlines. Good mysteries have all that. Great mysteries have twists, turns and enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the moment the killer is revealed. A mystery story's plot must be plausible or the story will fall flat on its covers.
2. Crime - The crime should be introduced as early as possible, preferable in the firs chapter. Not many readers will be willing to read hundreds of pages without a victim. Most would not be willing to read past the first chapter. The crime should be believable, something the reader can see happening.
3. Main Characters - Introduce your detective and villain early on. Your detective is the hero of the story and your reader wants to see him in action from the get go. Your villain can be shown early, but if you want to keep your reader guessing, then keep your villain in the shadows until his unmasking.
4. Take your time - Keep your villain a secret until the last possible moment. If you show the reader who he is too soon, they might lose interest in the rest of the story. Be sure you reveal the clues as your detective uncovers them so your reader has a chance to solve the crime first.
5. Research - Make sure you read up on the type of crime, police procedures, and forensic information to make your story come to life. Also, make sure you know your story's setting inside and out. Nothing ruins a story faster than a writer who doesn't understand their own setting and makes errors the reader can see.
Mystery stories tend to follow more standard rules than other genres. Following those rules will help you write the kind of mystery your readers are looking for, and create the kind of suspenseful storyline that will have your readers turning the page until the very ending.
Dawn Arkin is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Fiction Writing. Her portfolio can be found at http://darkin.Writing.Com/
15 points
405 total
Finished one more task5 points
5.6. Terrifying Titles - Read A Novel That Has An Adjective In The Title That Relates To Halloween...I.E. Spooky, Creepy, Crawly, Scary etc.
I read Spooky Campfire Tales Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Supernatural Lore by S.E. Schlosser. -- 181 pages
Since I was an X-Files fan (at least the early years), I liked actually reading the "story" behind the Jersey Devil that was included. And of course, there was the story of Bloody Mary, that all I knew about was what I'd seen in the horror flicks. Probably the one story that really gave me shivers (though I think I'd heard it before), was where the couple is in their car, their car stalls on railroad tracks where a tragic accident had taken place and killed a bus full of children, and as a train is baring down on the car, the car is suddenly pushed to safety. The couple then see afterwards that there are handprints on their car that look like children's hands.
Total Points: 105
Total Books: 12 (includes 1 for all the kids' books)
Total Tasks Completed: 10
Total Pages Read: 1,198 (not including kids' books)
Total Hours listened: 29.25 (approx.)
10.3
• No More Teasing ~ Emma Chichester Clark – pg = 32
• Mummy Never Told Me ~ Babette Cole – pg = 32
• Mummy Laid an Egg ~ Babette Cole – pg = 32
• Pear Barley and Charlie Parsley ~ Aaron Blabey – pg = 32
• The Very Cranky Bear ~ Nick Bland = pg = 24
Total = 152 pages
• No More Teasing ~ Emma Chichester Clark – pg = 32
• Mummy Never Told Me ~ Babette Cole – pg = 32
• Mummy Laid an Egg ~ Babette Cole – pg = 32
• Pear Barley and Charlie Parsley ~ Aaron Blabey – pg = 32
• The Very Cranky Bear ~ Nick Bland = pg = 24
Total = 152 pages
Report #8Completed Tasks
10.1 Buddy Holly 1948 - Cry, the Beloved Country 320pp 5 stars
15.6 Drama Play & Film - The Comedy of Errors 224pp 3 stars
15.10 Teacher - The Piano Teacher 328pp 3 stars
Student - A Student of Living Things 256pp 3 stars
20.2 Three consecutive letters - Between Heaven and Earth A History of Chinese Writing 128pp 3 stars
- City of Illusions 217pp 5 stars
- Death Comes for the Archbishop 304pp 3 stars
25.8 Nouns: name - Pope Joan A Novel 448pp 4 stars
Place - High Tide in Tucson Essays from Now or Never 288pp 4 stars
Thing - Love in the Time of Cholera 368pp 4 stars
Completed tasks - 41
Books read - 56
Pages read - 18,238
Total points - 605
Finished a task. 5.4 Adoption Story - Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery, which is my favorite so far of the Anne novels. I loved Philipa Gordan and of course the love story, but mostly I felt like there was some sweet insight laced throughout. I'm glad I've finally gotten around to reading this series.[image error]
I completed task 25.7 (one, two, three) by reading Mudbound, The Road, and Wide Sargasso Sea. I enjoyed The Road and Wide Sargasso Sea the most of these three, though Mudbound I found myself enjoying as well (I never fully committed to the style of the narration, but I found the story engaging). The Road served as a reminder that I read too many post-apocalyptic novels though I enjoyed it all the same. And Wide Sargasso Sea was read for book club and is one of my favorites that my book club has chosen. I read Jane Eyre long enough ago that I can't recall the details, but I do remember the "mad woman" character as quite haunting and intriguing and thought it interesting to read a telling of her tale. Total Points: 315
pjreads wrote: "Report #8Completed Tasks
10.1 Buddy Holly 1948 - Cry, the Beloved Country 320pp 5 stars
15.6 Drama Play & Film - The Comedy of Errors 224pp 3 stars
15.10 Teacher - [..."
I gotta ask you how you do it! I spend A LOT of time reading, but I don't seem to be able to match your pace. What's your secret? I'd love to be able to read books as fast as I buy them! ;D
Finished 20.3: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz ZafonIt reminded me of a Spanish version of The Count of Monte Cristo. Loved it.
Total Points: 155
Finished Task 15.3 by reading :Addition: The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (15 letters)
Multiplication: 15 x 23 = 345 pages. My range is 320-370pgs. I read The God of Small Things- Arundhati Roy which was 322 pages
That should give me a total of 65 pts.
Books Read: 8
Pages Read: 2562
Total Points: 65
Off to a pretty slow start, but I’ve been really busy this month. And I’m going to be busy in the first half of November so hopefully my reading will pick up in October.
Last night I finished task 25.5 (Janice's). For this one, I read Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink.The story wasn't quite what I was hoping it would be, but it definitely has potential for improvement as the series progresses, I will be interested to see what happens to Lia next.
Total points = 315
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A few more down--5.2--AFTER THE APPLE by Naomi Rosenblatt
A study of the "women's stories" of the bible. This one was only OK for me.
and
25.7--VIDEODROME by Jack Martin
I saw this movie when it first came out and the novelization is just as weird and twisted as I remember the film to be.
FUN HOME by Alison Bechdel
A lesbian coming of age Graphic Novel.
SUGAR CAMP QUILT by Jennifer Chiaverini
This novel surpasssed my expectations as I thought it was going to be chick-lit and it wound up having much historical content on Abolistionists. I really liked it.
and
25.6--ABRAHAM LINCOLN by Benjamin Thomas (write accomplishments/scandal review & pg total)
I finally finished slogging through this one. I found this author's writing very dull and I usually like biographies. As for the Scandal/Accomplishments Lincoln was a pretty solid president. Lincolm's main accomplishment was to free the slaves. Ironically by freeing the slaves he made them able to fight in the Civil War, thereby causing many of their deaths and his greatest scandal.
This brings me to 590 ooints!!
finished:15.2
Ruled Britannia by Harry Turtledove. In Ruled Britannia England has been under the Spanish rule of Isabella (daughter of Philip II) and her husband Albert of Austria for 9 years following the Spanish Armada Invasion. Elizabeth is in the Tower; the Inquisition is in full force. William Shakespeare has been commissioned by the Spanish to write a play memorializing Philip II of Spain on his death. At the same time he is approached by English patriots to write a play that will be the match to the uprising that will be set off on Philip's death.Since the book ends with the Spanish leaving the country, I'd say Alls Well That Ends Well. (sorry,) Anyway, that leaves us much in the place that we were before the Armada, only with a few more victims of the Inquisition. Of course, had the uprising failed, we'd be speaking Spanish now ...
Finished (newly finished in bold)25.7 one, two & three-word titles: Deathwish; Supernatural Nevermore; Full Dark House
25.8 ~ Loving Frank A Novel; Living Dead in Dallas; Moon Called
Total Points: 50
Total Books: 6
Total Tasks: 2
Total Pages: 2035
Completed tasks:25.7 (Cindy's): (1 word) Election - Tom Perrotta (9/27)
(2 words) Dark Places - Gillian Flynn (9/20)
(3 words) The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen (9/30)
I gave Election 3 stars. This is one of those rare instances where I actually prefer the movie. This is my 4th Perrotta and I'm kind of getting let down. Maybe I shouldn't have started with Little Children (which I gave 5 stars). So far nothing else of his compares.
I gave Dark Places 4 stars. The central theme is pretty gruesome, but it sucked me in right from the start. I'm looking forward to reading Flynn's first novel, Sharp Objects A Novel.
I also gave The Sugar Queen 4 stars. For the first half of the book I was thinking 3 stars, but the conclusion made me bump it up. And I absolutely LOVE the cover
15.9 (homework): Body of Work Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab - Christine Montross (9/29)
I really enjoyed this book, probably because I could relate so much of what the author described to my own experiences with cadaveric dissection - everything from trying to find the right balance of humor and respectfulness in the lab, to the rush of emotions you feel when you see that your cadaver has painted fingernails (ours were a pearly pink), a stark reminder that she was once a living and breathing human being and not just a lab specimen. The historical bits were interesting as well, and reading this book made me really want to get back to the the lab again. 4 stars
My homework assignment would be for an anatomy class.
Part 1 - Read the book prior to the first day of lab and answer the following questions:
1. Montross describes many different student approaches and reactions to dissection of cadavers in the lab. Describe your mindset going into this course (are you apprehensive, excited)? How do you think you will approach dissection (will you be first to volunteer using the bone saw or will you prefer to observe and instruct from the text)?
2. Describe any tips or insight given in the book that you feel helped to better prepare you for the lab.
3. Do you think cadaveric dissection is necessary for those going into the medical field? Why or why not?
Part 2 (to be completed at the end of the course)
1. How did your experience in the lab differ with your initial expectations? How was it the same?
2. Could you relate to any of the observations Montross made in her book? Do you think reading it before beginning your lab was beneficial? Would you recommend it for other anatomy students?
3. Do you think cadaveric dissection is necessary for those going into the medical field? If your opinion has changed, explain why. If your opinion has remained the same, explain how your experience has reinforced your opinion.
Total Points: 175/690
Books Read: 24/60
Tasks Completed: 13/45
Pages Read: 7,669
5.8. Let's Find Out If Two Heads Really Better Than One - Read A Book That Has More Than One Author. • Fiction Or Non-Fiction Is Acceptable
• But Short Story Collections With Multiple Authors Are Not Acceptable. I.E. It Should Be A Singular Work That Two People Collaborated Together To Create.
• Ex. You Could Read The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus
Lincoln Childs and Douglas Preston
Wheel of Darkness
5 points
410 total
25.9 DIANE'S TASK - September Is Self-Improvement Month. •Read A Nonfiction Self-Improvement Or Self-Help Book.
AND
• Read A Book In Which The Main Character Undergoes A Significant Positive Change In His Or Her Life As A Result Of Self-Improvement (Can Be Fiction Or Nonfiction).
non-fiction: self-improvement helpJust Do Something by Kevin DeYoung subtitled A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will or How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Impressions, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc.
AND
fiction: an improved lifeA Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
Note the appropriatly (autumn) colored covers!
After going through a few books that I was either just OK with, or really did not like, I decide to shift my ABC's a little and added some "fluffy" reads to my list!20.2--
A LITTLE BIT WICKED by Kristin Chenoweth
I found this in my massive pile of books to be read a little while back and since I saw her last night in Glee I figured now was the time! I found her writing fun and loved the fact that she is my mom's height (4'11") and managed to make it in the usually very tall world of Hollywood. A very fun read.
BEWARE WHAT YOU WISH by Constance M. Burge
A while back I bought the entire Charmed series of novels and I have never really gotten around to reading most of them, so I figured I'd find a couple to add to my challenge!
This is basically a Phoebe story (who is my favorite sister). She starts having massive vision after seeing a South American statue while photographing a man who is runing for the Senate. Things start going very wrong in San Francisco and the sister's have to rush to try to end a disaster.
CHARMED AGAIN by Elizabeth Lenhard
This book follows the story after the sister lose Prue. They are lost without their third so Piper summons a lost witch to make them whole again, but then runs into the problem as to whether she is willing to fulfill her destiny.
and (my not so "fluffy" read)
5.1--SONS AND LOVERS by D.H. Lawrence
This is one I read in short sections along with the Lincoln bio as I found it a bit slow. I had expected a "sexy" novel for its time, but found out that this one is more psychological in nature, looking at family relationships along with some erotica added in. I can't say I really enjoyed the novel, but am glad that I took the time to read it through.
This brings me to 615 points!
Finished:5.10 Sent
10.4 Mexican High A Novel
15.1 Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow AND Peter and the Starcatchers
Total Points 340/690
Total Books 35/59
Total Tasks Completed 25/45
Total Pages 10899
5.5 Reread a book that you read in school. I read The Red Pony by John Steinbeck. I don't remember being so boring. I read it in high school and really liked it but this time I really wanted to hurry and finish it.10.2-I also read Go Ask Alice by Anonomous (spelling wrong). I really thought that it was an OK book. I liked the diary format but it was very depressing and I was thankful that I have overcome those feelings because I had a lot of those same feelings while growing up. The story really hit home and that is why I felt uncomfortable.
I have 15 more points.
Eesh, apparently I have been slacking. I need to start some speed-reading classes if I ever want to keep up :)15.1 Brush Up On Your Grammar - Prepositions: My preposition was INTO: 1) He's Just Not That Into You The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys by Greg Behrendt and 2) Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
25.5 Janice's Task - Book featuring a prophecy -
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Finally! I am no longer one of the few people on earth who haven't read this book! I really enjoyed it and my children really enjoyed having it read to them, too.
Total Points: 500/690
Books Read: 49 (+ 8 Berenstain Bears books)
Tasks Completed: 35/45
Tasks in Progress: 3
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9. Coming Of Age Or All Grown Up (And Then Some) – Explore Stories Told From The Perspective Of A Character From One Of Two Opposite Ends Of The Age Spectrum By • Reading A Coming Of Age Novel.
OR
• A Novel Where The Main Character Is A Senior Citizen.
Read Dancing In My Nuddy Pants
5 points
Total = 10 points
I've finished 5.6: Terrifying TitlesHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
Total points so far: 20
Mod
Leaper The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero by Geoffrey Wood
+10
total 420
I have completed 15.6 Become a member of the Drama Club--with Equivocation. I saw a production of Equivocation at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where the play premiered this spring. It was a wonderful production. It is one of those plays that leaves you wanting to explore it more. I picked up a copy of the script at the Tudor Guild Shop. I am glad I saw the play first. I would have had difficulty following the play from just the script because there are six characters and four play multiple parts. It helped to understand the play by visualizing the actors and the costumes. It was fun to see the stage directions to see what the playwright had called out and what the director and actors had added. I am planning on seeing the play again in Seattle this fall. (the Seattle Rep is going to put it on in association with OSF).Total points: 55
5.8 Two Authors Task - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie SocietyWhat a five star read! <3
Total Points: 115
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?ke...
Just finished The Old Man and The Sea for 5 points for the sea task. NEw Total:
Jamie (23)-- 55 points
Completed 30.1Current job: retired - The Serpent's Trail, Sue Henry
Dream job: writer - The Help, Katherine Stockett
I am currently retired so I read The Serpent's Trail about a retired, sixty-ish lady named Maxie from Homer, Alaska. Maxie tools around the lower 48 states in her Minny Winny (Winnebago) with a dachsund named Stretch. She has a penchant for gettting involved in mysteries and seeing wonderful parts of the country. In this book, it was the Grand Junction, Colorado Monument area. Great fun reading, definitely a cozy - first in a series which will be aptly called: Maxie and Stretch Mysteries.
My dream job as a youngster was to be a writer. So I read The Help which had a major character as an aspiring writer developing her first book. Timeframe was apropo since I was in college during the early 60's which was the setting for the book. Outstanding book - one of the best I have read this year.
Points: 255
Books: 25
Tasks: 19
In Proc: 4
I finished task 10.2 by reading Tweak Growing Up On Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff. The first part of the book is really, really hard to read because it goes into great detail about one of his relapses on IV drugs. The second part is easier, but the whole thing is really depressing overall.
Is it wrong that I'm a little giddy at the thought that I have been ordered to stay home and rest tomorrow? I mean, yeah, my back hurts a bit and all, but I get to read for hours!!!
25.3. 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.Farthing by Jo Walton
The book is filled with gay and bisexual characters, most notably Inspector Peter Anthony Carmichael, gay protagonist. Carmichael and others are portrayed positively. Others are portrayed negatively. The overall message is that homosexuals are just people, as full of potential for good or evil and shades of gray as anyone.
Total points 175
Tasks completed 9
Claire wrote: "9. Coming Of Age Or All Grown Up (And Then Some) – Explore Stories Told From The Perspective Of A Character From One Of Two Opposite Ends Of The Age Spectrum By • Reading A Coming Of Age Novel.
..."This is YA but not a coming of age story
Rachel Lee wrote: "Finished:
5.10 Sent
10.4 Mexican High A Novel
15.1 Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow AND Peter and the Starcatchers
Tota..."
15.1 - I can't figure out how this fits this task - please explain.
Finiashed--5.6--PLUM SPOOKY by Janet Evanovich
I usually don't read the majory best-selling books out there, but this was a fun little mystery. Besides, it had a very cute monkey, and I am a sucker for monkeys!
5.7--NO END IN SIGHT by Rachael Scdoris
One thing I am very grateful for is my sight, I don't know what I would do if I was not able to see to do crafts or read. This book is an inspiring tale of a legally blind girl who runs the Iditarod dog-sled race in Alaska. I am always amazed at what us humans can do if we put our minds to it.
20.10--TEACHER MAN by Frank McCourt
After reading this book I am slightly regretting my decision to get my MLIS and not a PhD in English in order to teach college literature. I have never read any of Mr. McCourt's books, but now will definately look at Angela's Ashes.
&
A STUDENT OF LIVING THINGS by Susan Shreve
This was a weird one. The lead character is called a student of living things by her father as she is a biology student and always studying nature. The actual story evolves around her brother's murder in which she was a witness. It was OK, but a little contrived in the end.
This brings me to 640 points!! Now I can focus on my writing class instead of reading all the time.
Completed Task 5.6 with Dead as a Doornail. I'm really enjoying the Sookie Stackhouse series :0)5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6 Dead as a Doornail
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 & (Film)"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(One) TBD & (Two)Burnt Offerings (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #7) & (Three) TBD
25.8
25.9
25.10
30.1
50.1
Total Points = 40
Tasks Completed = 4/45
Books Read = 8
Pages Read = 1'808
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Tempt Me at Twilight (other topics)Patterns in the Sand (other topics)
The Shadow of the Wind (other topics)
My Grandfather's Son (other topics)
Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lisa Kleypas (other topics)Sally Goldenbaum (other topics)
Clarence Thomas (other topics)
Audrey Niffenegger (other topics)
Neil Gaiman (other topics)
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Jessica, I read this book and loved it, too, even though it was a behemouth to read. I agree that to me, Lincoln's primary (and some may argue only) weakness was that he kept the duds around for too long. I found it amazing that the Civil War could have been over much sooner if he would have removed McClellan from his post.