The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS
Finished 25.8:PERSON: Jane Austen
Read
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laura Viera RiglerPLACE: London
Read
What Happens in London by Julia QuinnTHING: Inbox
Read
Holly's Inbox by Holly DenhamTOTALS:
Points: 250
Books: 38
Tasks: 21
Pages: 10,748
I finished challenge #5.9 (coming of age)Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski
+5
total 55
Finished 25.1 with Shel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic and George Pelecanos's The Night Gardener. I'm finally starting to make some progress!Current Total: 280 points
Forgot to give my opinion of Jamestown here. I definitely think the status quo is the way to go here. While I dont think the Jamestown settlement was a raging success in real life, the disgusting depravation described in this book had to be 10x worse. Additionally, the background story of the US being a destroyed environment, with no natural resources makes this a no brainer. i say no thank you to this alternative.
Completed task 10.9 by reading Numbering All the Bones. It was good, but not great. Quick read though.[image error]
I just finished Nightseer by Laurell K. Hamilton for task 25.5 (prominent storyline featured a prophecy). This book in particular was too much telling and not enough showing. I was bored and confused from start to miserable finish. Not my thing at all. But at least it's another 'owned' book I can get rid of. Only 172 left!
TASKS COMPLETED: 24
TASKS PARTIALLY COMPLETED: 3
BOOKS READ: 31 (+4 kids books)
PAGES READ: 10,075
POINTS EARNED: 290
NUMBER OF BOOKS READ FROM MY 'OWNED AND UNREAD' SHELF: 19
AK Erin wrote: "WINTER CHALLENGE 20095 Point Tasks:
1. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3. Morgan’s Run by Colleen McCllough
4.
5. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
6.
7..."
Welcome to the challenge - just so you know I can't credit you for Candace's task until all parts are done i.e. until you see the film so right now your points are 195 not 220.
COMPLETED TASKS:
25.4 BOOK/FILM (LAST 10/5 YRS) - *Empire Falls by Richard Russo (novel - 2001 READ 10.23.09/movie - 2005 WATCHED 10.20.09)
I really enjoyed the saga of the families of Empire Falls. From the chronicled origins of the textile industry and it's eccentric founding family to the livelihood of the town's cast of folksy characters, I was captivated. Although I sometimes found the narrative a little slow going, I thought the writing was rich and the detail made the characters real.
I also liked the mini-series, but thought the characters weren't as well developed or as fleshed out as they were in the book. Paul Newman's character, Max, could've been better developed and some of the humorous dialogue he had with his son in the book was cut short on film. I think the movie stayed true to the book, but some things like the history of some of the characters and revelations about events were better explained in the book. I'd highly recommend the book and mini-series.
TASKS COMPLETED: 16
TASKS IN PROGRESS: 6
BOOKS READ: 25/62
PAGES READ: 7965
TOTAL POINTS EARNED: 270
*Books I Own
I've completed 3 tasks:20.3 - Shutter Island
25.4 - The Soloist (This is my book/movie task.)
I actually watched the movie first which I don't usually like to do. But I did not know it was a book. In this instance, I am actually pleased that I did watch the movie first. I probably enjoyed them both equally. The movie had more emotion, having been portrayed beautifully by Jamie Fox and Robert Downy Jr. But the book of course created a more complete story, containing more details. The book answered any questions the movie left unanswered. And while reading the book I was able draw from scenes from the movie, that showed the passion "the soloist" has for music.
25.7 - Amsterdam, Fallen Skies, My Sister's Keeper
All righty... Two more tasks down:
Task 10.10 — Cat on Cover:
Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me? by Louise Rennison (10/23/09)Fabbity-fab and vair marvy ending to a series full of hilariosity! ;) Loved it!
Task 15.6 — Play + Movie:
As You Like It by William Shakespeare (10/22/09)
As You Like It, 1936 version (10/23/09)
As You Like It, 1978 version (10/23/09)
As You Like it, 2006 version (10/26/09) - will watch Monday
So far, the 1978 version had better acting and was more true to Shakespeare's words (they hardly skipped any lines, and had all the lovely songs).... but Laurence Olivier (1936) was very nice to look at.... ;) I'm excited for the new version, set in 19th Century Japan. I have no idea what Kenneth Branagh was thinking, but it sounds intriguing! (I ♥ all things Asian...)
CURRENT STATS
Tasks Completed: 28/45
Tasks Partially Completed: 3
Books Read: 41/62
Pages Read: 13,882
Points Earned: 430/690
I completed two more tasks today. Everyone is right, this challenge stuff is addictive!Completed Tasks:
5.1 Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
15.6 Henry IV, Part 1 by William Shakespeare (This is one of those plays that proves that Shakespeare, although great when read, can only be fully appreciated on the stage. The humor of a character like Falstaff--when acted well--can't possibly come across just on the page. I didn't think I was going to be able to do this task, by the way, but lucked into last-minute tickets to a local production of this play tonight, so I scrambled and read it for the first time this afternoon. Also, I really liked all of the 15.6 tasks. Wish we didn't have to pick just one!)
Tasks Currently in Progress: 7
Tasks Completed: 8
Total Books: 18
Total Points: 65
Hi,I have just read, Pride and Prejudice and zombies (by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-smith) for Sm's 25 point task.
Current total = 90
Kate.x.
My first completed tasks:5.6 Spooky Southwest by S. E. Schlosser
25.7 Affinity by Sarah Waters, Nanny State by David Harsanyi, The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
Total = 30 ponts
I completed 10.3 Berenstain Bears. I read Pickle-Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield (64pgs), That's Not My Monster by Fiona Watt (10pgs) and The World is Your Oyster by Tamara James (50pgs) total: 124 pgsAll were wonderful children's books! I wish I owned the first one, and I bought the last two! One for my cousin's baby shower and the last for me! :)
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25.2. Donna Jo's task – Related Authors: Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, the father-in-law to brother of Wilkie Collins, the author of The MoonstonePages read: 3552
Books read: 10
Tasks completed: 9
Total Points: 175
Liz (Bklyn)
Just finished 5.8 Are 2 heads better than 1. I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pee Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Lovely book.
Finished another task - 20.2 - ROOKIE OF THE SEASON - Consecutive letters K, L & M - Kilmeny of the Orchard by L.M. Montgomery, Lady Macbeth A Novel by Susan Fraser King, and Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
I have to say that I REALLY enjoyed Lady Macbeth A Novel. The author wrote a historical note at the beginning of the novel saying that the book was not based on Shakespeare's play, but was based on known historical fact about MacBeth and his queen. I will NEVER look at Lady MacBeth the same way again! I gave it 4 stars but would have given it 5 if not for a few slow parts.
Total Books Read = 34
Tasks Completed = 23
Tasks In Progress = 5
Finished (newly finished in bold)25.10 ~ Title: devil, vampire, werewolf, witch, zombie: The Devil's Hearth
25.7 ~ one, two & three-word titles: Deathwish; Supernatural Nevermore; Full Dark House
25.8 ~ name, place, thing: Loving Frank A Novel; Living Dead in Dallas; Moon Called
25.9 ~ self-improvement: Getting Things Done The Art of Stress-Free Productivity; and Eat, Pray, Love One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Total Points: 100
Total Books: 9
Total Tasks: 4
Total Pages: 2908
Tasks Completed This Week: 8. Let's Find Out If Two Heads Really Better Than One - Read A Book That Has More Than One Author.
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (5 points)
3. GROUP READ - Shutter Island (20 points)
8. CAIT'S TASK - Nouns - The Most Basic Definitions State That A Noun Is A Person, Place, Or Thing.
Person:
An Abundance of Katherines
Place:
Abarat
Thing:
Cat Among the Pigeons (25 points)
10. This Task Is The Cat's Meow - Read A Book That...
• Has The Word Cat(s) In The Title.
• Or Has A Picture Of A Cat(s) On The Cover.
(10 points) This brings me to:
I finished 10.2 by reading Intervention by Terri Blackstock. That puts me at 265 points.
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Finished 15.1 Grammar with Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes and The Four Feathers by A. E. W. MasonOld points:265
New Points:15
Total Points:280
Tasks Completed:19
Tasks in progress:3
Books read:25
Pages Read:8555
One more down. Took me a couple tries to find something I could sit down to read or find at my library branches. I went with Paul Coelho. His writings have been traslated from Portuguese.15 points
15.5. Time To Study Abroad (Foreign Language)
• Read 2 Books That Were Originally Published In The Same Foreign Language (One You Don't Speak Fluently).
Brida Novela and Witch of Portobello.
Both books were pretty enjoyable, but I liked Brida a little more than the other. Certainly the style of telling the story through various interviews for The Witch of Portobello was interesting, but there were elements in it that just reminded me so much of Brida and seemed like a similiar story, just a different book. Still, I've heard a lot of good things about The Alchemist, so I probably will still read it sometime. Both books made for a good fast read, which surprised me about a translation.
Tasks Completed: 38/45
Partially Completed Tasks: 1
Points Earned: 585/690
Total Books: 49
Total Pages Read: 10,590
Total Hours listened: 62.25 (approx.)
I'm starting a little late, here are the challenges I've accomplished so far: 5.9 - Coming Of Age Or All Grown Up – Water for Elephants by Sara Grunen
10.6. November Is Native American Heritage Month - Volkswagen blues by Jacques Poulin
15.2. Rewriting History - First among sequels, Jasper Fforde: as this series of books is humorous and absurd fantastic/science fiction/literary thriller english litterature, I obviousely prefer our world, even if books are much more importants in Thursday Next's world. I especially wouldn't like vampires, Goliath mega-corporation, and mostly, the fact that cheese is illegal :)
Total points: 30
Books read: 3
I'm also a late starter - here are my completed challenges so far:20.3 - Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
25.3 - My Most Excellent Year A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger
Total points: 45
10.1. Book published between September 7, 1936 and February 3, 1959: Goodbye to Berlin, first published in 1939.10.5. Oktoberfest: The Last of Mr. Norris, which was set in Berlin.
Pages read: 3950
Books read: 12
Tasks completed: 11
Total Points: 195
Liz (Bklyn)
Tracy wrote: "Just finished 5.8 Are 2 heads better than 1. I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pee Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Lovely book."I love typos--the Pee Pie society
**********COMPLETED*************10.3. Children's book totalling 100 pages.
—The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
—Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
—Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
15.3 Discover The Equation For Good Books (Math) - Pick 2:
—Subtraction: I'm 28 and my name has 19 letters in it = 9, so I read "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon
—Division: 1980/28 = 70.7 = approx. 71, so I read "Undead and Unworthy" by MaryJanice Davidson, the 7th book in the Undead series.
15.7 Let's Get Physical (P.E.)
• Listen To An Audiobook While Walking/Jogging/Running Or Exercising In Some Way.
—"The Gargoyle" by Andrew Davidson
TOTAL POINTS: 40
Just completed 5.6 by reading Dead Until Dark. I thought it was really fun and can't wait to read the others and watch the series!!![image error]
25 POINT TASK3. 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.
The Well of Loneliness, Radclyffe Hall.
9. Your Homework Assignment-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.
Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens-10/22 (387 pgs)
-This book switches back and forth between present and past. Explain why the author chooses to write her book in this particular style.
-What does the title suggest? Addy is driven out of her town and goes through a lot (without giving away anything in the book), but whenever she runs somewhere she always says, rush home, rush home...what is still there for her?
-Despite the fact that she is old, what makes her decide to take Sharla into her home and treat her like a daughter?
New Total: 265
Task 15.8 Death in Kenya by M.M. Kaye (Not bad)
and
The Ruins by Scott Smith (Awesome!!!)
15 Points
New Grand Total 120 points.
Just completed 15-1, with the preposition 'of'. The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes-anonymous, from the 1001 list-yay! and,
The Women of Pemberley by Rebeccs Ann Collins
280 points
Finished task 25.7 by reading:One: Outlander- Diana Gabaldon
Two: Stepping Stones- Maureen Lee
Three: The Flying Troutmans- Miriam Toews
Whew! That task accounted for just under 1,700 pages of reading and took me forever...
Should bring me to 110 points.
20.2 Rookie of the Season (Erin's Task)My consecutive letters were G, H, and I
The Gathering by Anne Enright
The Hollow by Nora Roberts
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Total points: 495
I have completed task 5.9 Coming of Age by reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.Total points for this task: 5
Tasks completed: 14
Many in progress, doing as get from library
Total points for challenge thus far: 200
Beth(MN) wrote: "I just finished Nightseer by Laurell K. Hamilton for task 25.5 (prominent storyline featured a prophecy). This book in particular was too much telling and not enough showing. I was b..."Happy to hear that my task helped someone reduce their pile'o'stuff.
;^) Jan
Elizabeth (NC) wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Just finished 5.8 Are 2 heads better than 1. I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pee Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Lovely book."I love typos--the Pee Pie ..."
Lol! Yummy... :o)
5.9. 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..
Unstrung Heroes My Improbable Life with Four Impossible Uncles by Franz Lidz
Not only were his uncles impossible, but his father was also unhinged. I think the best part of Lidz's childhood after his mother's death was when he realised that he could use his crazy uncles' defense mechanisms (to drive his martinet of a stepmother crazy) without succumbing to insanity himself.
Jan - even though the book I chose for your task was a klunker I'm thrilled that it isn't collecting dust on my bursting bookshelf of unread books anymore.And hopefully Half Price Books will be equally as thrilled to buy it from me the next time I have a full bag of books to sell--and then reinvest the proceeds in more books, of course! :)
10 POINT TASK10. This Task Is The Cat's Meow - Read A Book That...
• Has The Word Cat(s) In The Title.
• Or Has A Picture Of A Cat(s) On The Cover.
The Cat's Pajamas Stories, Ray Bradbury.
TOTAL POINTS: 30 + 25 = 55New Tasks:
25.7 ONE: Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre
TWO: Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
THREE: The Shadow Queen by Anne Bishop
Past Tasks:
5.2 Apple of My Eye by Helene Hanff
5.7 Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg
20.3 Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
I finished A Good and Happy Child A Novel by Justin Evans for 5.1. This novel was pretty creepy, although the ending did leave me a little baffled. Still, amazing story.I also finished Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough for task 25.10. I absolutely love YA novels and this one was no exception. I thought it was great. Loved all of the characters and am hoping there's a sequel in the works.
Anyway, that now puts me at 90 points.
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Completed Tasks5 Point Tasks
#3 The Old Man and the Sea
#6 Down a Dark Hall
10 Point Tasks
#3 The Complete Adventures of Curious George
#6 Walk Two Moons
#7 Wonder Woman Love and Murder
25 Point Tasks
#8 Person: Madame Bovary; Place: Sundays at Tiffany's; Thing: The Lost Symbol
Total Points Earned: 65
Total Books Read: 10
Total Pages Read for Completed Tasks: 2238
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Finished the 50 point task with the following.SENSE:
A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass which I thought was good. This book is all about senses. For Mia everything is associated with color - letters, numbers even sounds. There are a few characters in the book who experience color when tasting certain foods. I really liked it.EMOTION:
Love, etc by Julian Barnes. I did not like this book at all. It had a weird format and was difficult for me to follow. It does talk about the various forms of love throughout the book.MEMORY:
A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve. I chose this book as I had my wedding in December. This will bring my total to 335.
I completed 5.8 by reading Betrayed which was written by a mother and daughter.My point total is 210.
I completed 15:3 MathAddition - Author who has the same number of letters in their name as me - The Year of Pleasures A Novel (Elizabeth Berg) and
Division - Divide the year you were born by your age then read a book in a series that is one of that number - Artemis Fowl The Opal Deception (Fourth in the series)
Total points 25
Alisha wrote: "I finished A Good and Happy Child A Novel by Justin Evans for 5.1. This novel was pretty creepy, although the ending did leave me a little baffled. Still, amazing story.I also ..."
A Good and Happy Child A Novel is indeed a creepy book. And I hope no one's child ever REALLY goes through that.
Stephanie wrote: "Finished the 50 point task with the following.SENSE:
A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass which I thought was good. This book is all about senses. For Mia e..."You need to post your keepsake for part 3 before I can credit you for this one.Natasha wrote: "Finished 15.9. Read Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel.
Halfway there.
"You need to post the homework assignment for the second part of this task.
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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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5 Point Tasks:
1. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
3. Morgan’s Run by Colleen McCllough
5. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
6.
8.
9. Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
10. Kindred by Octavia Butler
10 Point Tasks:
1. 1951 - The Old Man & the Sea by Earnest Hemingway
3. Alice in Wonderland & Alice through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
4. Log from the Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck
8. 11th Word: Four -
10.
15 Point Tasks:
1.
Walking my Dog, Jane by Ned Rozell
3. Addition – 9 letters: Eric Blehm, The Last Season
Division – 6th book: Chapterhouse Dune by Frank Herbert
4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, What the %$*! Do We Know
5.
7.
8. E = Egypt:
J = Japan: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
20 Point Tasks:
2. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
3. Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
25 Point Tasks:
4. New Moon
Book: The story of Bella & Edward continues in Stephenie Meyer’s saga of teenage vampire love. I found this book to have the same writing style as Twilight – no improvement. The part with Italy was entertaining. The love triangle was very strange. The part with Forks being filled with vampires and werewolves is very strange. Bella is a needy girl who is supposed to be independent and an idiot who is supposed to be very intelligent. Edward clearly has an over-reaction issue while Jacob is treated very badly by Bella. That being said, I give SM full marks for being able to engage a wide audience and keep them captivated with her story. I completely understand why so many young girls love this book – lofty expectations of true love (and what the love of your life will be like) are being met and exceeded in the eyes of so many young girls who do not have real life experience. I hope they meet a man who can live up to Edward’s (and Jacob’s) example of devotion, adoration, protection, and abilities. Not likely.
Movie: I will see this & review when it comes out November 20th.
5. Dune by Frank Herbert
7. Xenocide by Orson Scott Card
Fragile Things by Neil Gaimon
What to Eat by Marion Nestle
8. Lilith’s Brood by Octavia Butler
9. Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach
Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
10. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
30 Point Tasks:
1. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (dream job: bookstore owner)
50 Point Task:
I.
II.
III. The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis. My keepsake that I chose was the necklace my dad gave me when my mom died. This book was a perfect choice to honor that memory & keepsake because it’s a story about 13 women who buy a diamond necklace to share. The journey of the necklace and the changes it brings to the women’s lives…it is something my mom would’ve loved to be a part of!
Total Points: 230/690