The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS
OK, got 5 more to add. This is a super new fantasy book, by a British author, really enjoyed this one, and that has become a rarity for fantasy books.5.3 In 1492 Columbus Sailed The Ocean Blue The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert Redick,445pp, read 10/6/2009.
Total points: 180/690
Tasks completed: 11/45
Books read: 20/59
Total pages: 6924
15.4 Science Fact vs. Science Fiction - I read Specials by Scott Westerfeld and I watched the March of the Penguins. Total points: 60
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 11
Total pages: 3835
Task 20.3 (Group Read): Shutter Island - average read with a decent twist at the end.New pt total: 45 pts
15.4 Science Fact vs. Science FictionScience Novel - Sibley's Birding Basics (10/7)
Sci-Fi Movie - Dune (9/1)
Total Points: 155
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?ke...
Finished 25.7 to bring me to 120 points!Read:
5 Points
2 Apple Cover or Title: Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen
10 Points
3. Children’s Books: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, Bernard Waber 48pgs
Katie and the Sunflowers, James Mayhew 32pgs
Katie Meets the Impressionists, James Mayhew 32 Pages
4. Hispanic Heritage Month: Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Exquivel
15 Points
4.Science Fact vs. Science Fiction: Read: Specials, Scott Westerfield and watched The Greatest Places, an IMAX film about different amazing places all over the world.
6. Creative Minds (The Arts) - • Learn Your Art History - Read A Book About An Artist Or Art History AND Go To A Museum To View Art Read: The Agony and the Ecstasy, Irving Stone and went to Fernbank Museam, Atlanta, GA
7. Let's Get Physical Read: Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town, Warren St. John and played soccer
25 Points
3. WENDY'S TASK – Positive GL Character: The Funny Thing Is, Ellen DeGeneres
7. CINDY'S TASK - One, Two, Three - Read Three Books...
• One With A One Word Title: Netherland, Josepth O’Neill
• The Second With A Two Word Title: Lover Eternal, J.R. Ward
• And The Third With A Three Word Title: Green Grass Grace, Shawn McBride
Totals
Points: 120
Tasks: 8
Books: 12
Pages: 3271
25.10. SAM'S TASK - Halloween Part III: Monsterfest - Read A Book With One Of The Following In The Title: Devil, Witch, Vampire, Zombie, Or Werewolf. Variations Of The Words Are Fine The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson-10/7 (390 pgs)
New Total: 200 pts
5.5 Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes. Had to read in 8th gradeTotal points - 50
Hi,I have just finished the group read task, Shutter island. For 20 points.
Running total is now 60.
Kate.x.
Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :)
Mod
The Girl Who Played Go A Novel by Shan Sa
All 5 point tasks complete
+5
total 500
I read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane for 20.3 Group Read task.
15.3 - (division 1984/25 = 79) The Calling by Cate Tiernan,(subtract 25-16 = 9) Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) by Richelle MeadTotal Points: 275
Tasks Completed: 20
Just finished task 15.1 (prepositions) by reading:The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime- Mark Haddon AND
The Leaving of Liverpool- Maureen Lee (OF being the preposition)
Loved the Curious Incident- 5 stars. Really enjoyed the Leaving of Liverpool as well but gave it 4 stars- it just felt a tad chick-lit like. And I used to LOVE chick lit, but I feel like I’ve come so far since starting Cynthia’s challenges (in terms of different genres) that chick lit doesn’t quite cut it for me now as it used to. Still an enjoyable read though.
That should bring me to 80 pts now.
Stephanie wrote: "Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
We have faith in you, Stephanie. You'll get the hang of it soon.
Completed: task 15.5, read two books originally published in a language you don't speak fluently.My language of choice: French
My books: The Little Prince and Night
Total Points = 135
Stephanie wrote: "Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
I really think you aren't officially part of the challenge until you've reported at least one book that doesn't quite meet the task requirements.
Deirdre wrote: "Completed: task 15.5, read two books originally published in a language you don't speak fluently.My language of choice: French
My books: The Little Prince and Night..."
Dierdre, I thought Night was originally published in Yiddish?
Donna Jo wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "
Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
I really think you aren't officially part of the chal..."
Don't feel bad this is my first time on the challenge and I already reported two books that didn't meet the task requirement. The best you can do is try and fit it somewhere else.
Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
I really think you aren't officially part of the chal..."
Don't feel bad this is my first time on the challenge and I already reported two books that didn't meet the task requirement. The best you can do is try and fit it somewhere else.
Donna Jo wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
I really think you aren't officially part of the chal..."
Haha! Thanks for making me laugh. Since I am home sick one final day, I just went through my to-read list on goodreads and put holds on all books I need. My local library is going to be swamped with acquiring books for me. :)
Oh, and as a sidenote, my husband is pumped that I am going to read his copy of The Blind Side to meet 15.7 - let's get physical. :) I called him at work to see which sports book he wants me to read, which he really got a kick out of. He has been trying to get me to read The Blind Side for awhile now, so he is all excited. He asked "Are you going to go start that right now?" Cute.
Stephanie wrote: "Donna Jo wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
LOL - I know! I'm getting on a first name basis with the ladies at my local library. It's fun.
I really think you aren't officially part..."
Finished:5.7 3 Willows The Sisterhood Grows : I am so thankful for my group of friends. I also enjoyed this "Sisterhood" book better than the originals because I think it was very representative of something most people go through: friendships changing as you grow up and become interested in different things. Most of my friends from when I was younger, I am no longer in contact with although I often think about what they are doing and do enjoy looking them up on Facebook.
15.7 Evil Without a Face-One of the main characters is an ex-NFL quarterback and I watched a few high school football games.
25.9 The Everything Meals For A Month Cookbook Smart Recipes To Help You Plan Ahead, Save Time, And Stay On Budget AND The Princess and the Hound
30.1 The Keepsake (dream job=archaeologist) AND Waiting for Daybreak (current profession = pharmacist)
Total Points 430/690
Total Books 43/61
Total Tasks Completed 31/45
Total Pages 13623
It's been a while since I have posted so I have a few tasks to report.5.4 Look Again by Lisa Scottoline - the main character has an adopted son and the adoption is part of the story
5.6 The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
15.2 The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
I definitely don't think the world would be better off if things were like in the book. I think it would be really dangerous to be able to pull characters out of books or go into books. There are some crazy books out there! :)
15.3 Subtraction (14) - Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Division (62) - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
25.5 Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
That brings my total to 140.
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5.7. Giving Thanks - In Honor Of Thanksgiving (November 26th) Read A Book That Relates To The Thing You Are Most Thankful For. • Please Tell Us What That Is When You Claim Points.
I'm thankful to be a two-time cancer survivor: breast cancer in 2001, intra-uterine cancer in 2005.My Journey with Farrah What I've Learned about Life, Love, and Friendship by Alana Stewart
The Kite Runner (Khaled_Hosseini) set in AfghanistanHalf of a Yellow Sun (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) set in Nigeria
to complete challenge 15.8 (books set in 2 countries matching my initials A.N.)
Another 15 points to 180 - 10 challenges complete to date :)
Janice wrote: "5.7. Giving Thanks - In Honor Of Thanksgiving (November 26th) Read A Book That Relates To The Thing You Are Most Thankful For. • Please Tell Us What That Is When You Claim Points.
[bookcover:M..."
Congratulations x 2! I hope you continue to be cancer-free. What did you think of the book?
Task 50.1
1) Senses-- The Awakening by L.J. Smith--Touch and taste
2) Emotion--The Struggle by L.J. Smith--Fear and Love
3) Memories--DOn't Hex With Texas by Shanna Swendson
1) Senses-- The Awakening by L.J. Smith--Touch and taste
2) Emotion--The Struggle by L.J. Smith--Fear and Love
3) Memories--DOn't Hex With Texas by Shanna Swendson
Stephanie wrote: "Donna Jo wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
I really think you aren't officially part..."
As an added bonus, The Blind Side Evolution of a Game would also work for the 'Senses' portion of PJ's Mid-Way (50 Point) task. I love books that fit multiple tasks. It gives me some flexibility to switch things around if new books pop onto my list.
Kim L wrote: "It's been a while since I have posted so I have a few tasks to report.15.2 The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
I definitely don't think the world would be better off if things were like in the book. I think it would be really dangerous to be able to pull characters out of books or go into books. There are some crazy books out there! :) ..."
Hey cool --- I didn't realize that The Eyre Affair qualified as an Alt History book. Sweet!
Finally finshed cait's Task 10-8Person: The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle-Tobias Smollett
Place: Round Ireland With a Fridge-Tony Hawk
Thing: Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too-Nancy Martin
185 points
I just got this approved by Wendy:Task 25.3 — Wendy — Gay/Lesbian Character: Rites of Spring (Break) by Diana Peterfreund (10/6/09)
This was a reread... I was REALLY in the mood for this book, so I was excited it fit into this task. Plus, the book I was going to read was ALSO a reread, so I didn't miss out on anything...
CURRENT STATS
Tasks Completed: 20/45
Tasks Partially Completed: 3
Books Read: 28/62
Pages Read: 9,623
Points Earned: 265/690
30.1-dream job-Psychology-When Words are Not Enough by Valerie Raskin current job-Housewife-The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale
25.4-I read The Memory Keepers Daughter and watched the made-for-tv-movie. I didnt really like the book so I appreciated the movies' abbreviated version more. They did a good job following the story and it was all over in a couple hours.
Cindy WA Total-85 points
5.2. An Apple (Book) A Day Keeps The Librarians Away - September Is National Apple Month So Let's...• Read A Book That Has A Picture Of An Apple On The Cover.
OR
• A Book With The Word Apple(s) In The Title.
Appleseed by John Clute
Total points 180
Tasks completed 10
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 (David Copperfield, Odd Thomas, Still Alice Would Work
The World According to Garp by John Irving-9/8 (688 pgs) GARP
• With The Name Of A Place In The Title. Again, Proper Nouns Only
Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem-10/3 (311 pgs) BROOKLYN
• With A Thing/Object In The Title, Such As Tree, Key, Car, Book, Etc.
Another Place at the Table by Kathy Harrison-10/7 (224 pgs) TABLE
New Total: 225 points
El wrote: "Deirdre wrote: "Completed: task 15.5, read two books originally published in a language you don't speak fluently.My language of choice: French
My books: The Little Prince and ..."
I am fairly positive that it was originally published in French. I read it for the Spring challenge. On wikipedia, it was said that the Yiddish version and the French version are different. What we read now is the French edition that was intended for non-jews. The Yiddish version (published first) has several differences that make it so that the Jews (especially those who survived the Holocaust) can identify with it more. I would argue that what was read of night was originally published in French.
I actually finished a task5.10 10. Fall Back In Time For Daylight Savings Time – Read A Novel Where One Or More Character(s) Travel Back In Time.
An Echo in the Bone
Tasks Completed:1
Total points:5
Just finished another task.15 points
15.6. Creative Minds (The Arts) - Choose ONE Of The Following Tasks...
• Become A Member Of The Drama Club - Read A Play And See A Production Of It Live Or On Film.
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard -- 126 pp (10.7.09)
Saw this at the library when looking through the "Classics" section and thought it had been a film and not a play. And also to my surprise, it had to do with Hamlet, which, I'm going to admit, I have never read/seen the play before. Reading the play was a bit harder to follow, especially with the banter between Guil/Ros, so the movie (1hr 52 mins) of it (free watching Veoh and downloading the player) helped me to make more sense. Bonus--it had Tim Roth in it! (love him in Lie to Me). I definitely enjoyed the movie over reading the play. Sometime I'm going to have to read Hamlet.
Total Points: 235
Total Books: 23 (includes 1 for all the kids' books)
Total Tasks Completed: 19
Total Pages Read: 3,361 (not including kids' books)
Total Hours listened: 32.75 (approx.)
Completed another task while home sick today: 1opts #5 - Read Siddhartha by German author Herman Hesse.
This takes me to 70 points.
Stephanie wrote: "Ok, so no About a Boy. I am new...I will get the hang of this! :) You wait until the winter challenge! It's on! :) "
can you use it under the noun task or the abc task?
Eliza wrote: "I actually finished a task5.10 10. Fall Back In Time For Daylight Savings Time – Read A Novel Where One Or More Character(s) Travel Back In Time.
An Echo in the Bone
Task..."
What did you think of the book? I've heard mixed reviews. I have it sitting on my shelf, but it's such a huge book that I really want to wait for the right moment to sink my teeth into it...
5.5: And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie.I read this in Jr. High, and I really liked it. But now, I can't believe that we were allowed to read this! I still think its a good story, but for a 13 year old to read this, especially where the killer explains why.... Is it really appropriate for kids to read about senseless murder where someone takes the law into their own hands?
But still a good story.
Dos mas.
5.9 Coming of age. After sifting through Novelists' coming of age tagged books, I decided on
Thumbsucker by Walter Kirn. I really enjoyed it. I actually saw the movie first when it came out, and of course, I enjoyed the book more. It's still a really good movie though, and it features one of my favorite age-inappropriate crushes, Lou Pucci Taylor.
15.6 Creative challenge - I read
So Punk Rock by Micol Ostow (which was meh) and I listened to The Clash's Live at Shea Stadium album.
Previous score: 260
Current score: 280
5.9 Coming of age. After sifting through Novelists' coming of age tagged books, I decided on
Thumbsucker by Walter Kirn. I really enjoyed it. I actually saw the movie first when it came out, and of course, I enjoyed the book more. It's still a really good movie though, and it features one of my favorite age-inappropriate crushes, Lou Pucci Taylor.15.6 Creative challenge - I read
So Punk Rock by Micol Ostow (which was meh) and I listened to The Clash's Live at Shea Stadium album. Previous score: 260
Current score: 280
Rachael wrote: "5.5: And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie.I read this in Jr. High, and I really liked it. But now, I can't believe that we were allowed to read this! I still think its a good story, b..."
One of my all time favorite novels. I read in junior high and then in high school just for fun. I think I liked it more for the surprise ending and wasn't looking at it as someone taking the law into their own hands.
Finished:25.8 Nouns
Person
Descartes' Bones a Skeletal History of the Conflict Between Faith and Reason by Russell Shorto. An exposition on the difference Rene Descartes made in changing the world and its division between faith and reason. Place
The Rose of Sebastopol by Katharine McMahon. Historical fiction about English cousins and the Crimean War, Sebastopol being the place.Thing
The Iron Bridge by David E. Morse. This one is a time travel that goes back in time to impede the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the hopes of making things (pollution, etc.) better in the future. The thing being Bridge.
Completed 15.3 with division giving me the numbers 6 & 2 so I read Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts which is the second book in her Key Trilogy. I also finished Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich for 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:
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:
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 -
2. Rewriting History: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Suzanna Clarke
3. Math: Division (62)
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:
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:
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: 1738
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ: 10
NUMBER OF TASKS COMPLETED: 4
NUMBER OF TASKS IN PROGRESS: 2
Finished Task 10.10 - Read a novel that has a picture of a cat on the cover OR has the word Cat in the titleListened on audio to
Cat O' Nine Tales And Other Stories
. I have not read Archer before and I normally don't do short stories, but I found this mostly enjoyable. There were a few clunkers, but I think that happens with most short story collections.Total Points: 80
Kathryn wrote: "I am fairly positive that it was originally published in French. I read it for the Spring challenge. On wikipedia, it was said that the Yiddish version and the French version are different. What we read now is the French edition that was intended for non-jews. The Yiddish version (published first) has several differences that make it so that the Jews (especially those who survived the Holocaust) can identify with it more. I would argue that what was read of night was originally published in French."Ah. I'm one of those sticklers who sees the word "originally" and expect it to mean the original publication. It's a good book regardless, so whatever.
5 POINT TASK1. Our Children Are Our Future (Reads) - Funnily The First Letters Of The Fall Months Spell Out The Word Son (September, October, November) - So Read A Book That Has The Word Son(s), Daughter(s) (Because They're Just As Important), Kid(s), Child, or Children In The Title.
The Children's Hospital, Chris Adrian.
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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)
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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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A Cup of Tea A Novel of 1917 by Amy Ephron and
I Feel Bad About My Neck And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman by Nora Ephron
Both were very disappointing. I felt guilty about using these books to complete a task, so I picked up Big City Eyes by another sister Delia Ephron- not much better. I think I will stick with their movies and skip their writing.
+25
total 495