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FALL CHALLENGE 2009
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FALL CHALLENGE 2009 COMPLETED TASKS
Tammy wrote: "Completed 15.1Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet A Novel
ANDThe Memory of Running
Hotel was a 5-star read for me. It is about a Japanese-American family living..."
Tammy, glad to see that you like Hotel on the corner..I just added it to my tbr list the other day and was waiting to see how it was reviewed in this group. I am really looking forward to it now. Thanks!
I just finished another task (finally). I read Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark for Task 5.6.This brings me up to 100 points.
Completed Tasks
5.4 Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
5.6 Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
5.9 The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
15.7 Words of Silk by Sandra Brown
20.1 The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
25.5 The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
25.7 Blindness by Jose Saramago
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
Things Fall Apart by Jose Saramago
Totals:
100/690 Points
11 Books Read
7/45 Tasks
Pages Read: 2,844
10 POINT TASK7. Can You Read Faster Than A Speeding Bullet? - Christopher Reeve, Famous For His Role As Superman, Was Born On September 25, 1952...
• In Honor Of Him Read A Novel About Heroes/Heroines/Superheroes/Super-heroines
Georges, Alexandre Dumas.
Sara wrote: "One more task done, three more to go!I finished 25.6 BJ Rose's task - I read about Abraham Lincoln. I read [book:"They Have Killed Papa Dead!" The Road to Ford's Theater, Abraham Lincoln's Murde..."
You still need to post his accomplishments/scandals for this task.
Emily wrote: "Hey Cynthia! I'm not sure if you missed my post or if there was a problem with it. Can you let me know if I need to do anything more to claim my points? (post 3744 should have brought me up to 640)..."
It was my fault - it's fixed now!
Last posting for me:5 Points:
9. Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett
TOTAL SO FAR: 50 points (5 new since last posting)
10 Points:
4. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
6. Close Proximity by Donna Clayton – Rafe James is a Native American
TOTAL SO FAR: 70 points (20 new)
15 Points:
5. Japanese: Naruto, vol. 1 & Naruto, vol. 2: The Worst Client by Masashi Kishimoto
TOTAL SO FAR: 120 points (15 new)
20 Points:
1. Like a Watered Garden by Patti Hill
TOTAL SO FAR: 40 points (20 new)
25 POINT TASKS
4. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern – I read the book after several of my friends LOVED it, I personally wasn’t impressed – the movie, which I watched after reading the book, was so much better with the relationships feeling so much more real
9. Checklists for Life by Kirsten Lagatree – surprisingly informative lists on topics like “What to keep in a first aid kit” & “Fall Maintenance” AND A Date on Cloud Nine by Jenna McKnight
TOTAL SO FAR: 175 points (50 new)
30 POINT TASKS
1. Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward – Marissa ends up working for a non-profit service organization, which is the type of organization I work for – couldn’t find any books with data tech heroines :) AND Night Play by Sherilynn Kenyon – the heroine owns her own store in a downtown urban area and lives in the apartment attached to it – my business dream come true.
TOTAL SO FAR: 30 POINTS (30 NEW)
50 POINT MID-WAY TASK
Minding the World - 3 books:
I. Senses – Something Rich & Strange by Patricia McKillip – The sense this book focuses on is sight and how what’s in our hearts and minds changes what we see vs what’s actually there. Megan is an artist who not only draws the sea but picks litter off the beach she comes across due to her concern for how the trash affects the creatures she draws, while Jonah studies and sells sea fossils but tends to miss what’s right in front of him because he’s always looking for something else.
II. Emotions – Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward – this book is emotionally intense, focusing on numbness due to overwhelming terror for both the hero & heroine and the steps back to life from that numbness (rage, hope, and love).
III. Memories – My keepsake is a postcard of a beautiful little Nepali girl with huge brown eyes – I’ve had this since I lived in Asia – it reminds me of my desire to adopt and how I feel like the child I’ll adopt in the future has been in my heart since that time and will be my own just as much or more than a biological child. In Don’t Let Go by Marliss Melton (a re-read for me) Jordan is in the process of adopting a child whom she already loves and thinks of as her own. When the nation she is adopting from experiences a military coup, her maternal instincts draw her into the heart of the violence to rescue her son. The beginning scene where her son is ripped from her arms by American soldiers (because her adoption papers haven’t been finalized) makes me cry every time.
TOTAL SO FAR: 50 POINTS (50 NEW)
TOTAL CHALLENGE POINTS: 535 points (190 new)
50 POINT MID-WAY TASKPJREADS TASK
Minding the World - 3 books:
I. Senses – Read a book that has one of the traditional five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) in the title OR a book where one of these five senses plays a major role. Post some highlights from what the book says about the sense.
Scented Gardens for the Blind, Janet Frame.
-The story follows the Glace family - the daughter, Erlene, is a mute and communicates in her mind with an insect in her room; her mother, Vera, is supposedly jealous of the attention Erlene receives and has thus willed herself blind. Without giving away the twist at the end, one of the layers of the story is about communication - the difficulties and the importance of it, the different facets, the different motives and the elusive nature of it and how, in the end, it's the only thing that really matters. To lack any of the senses can effect the extent of communication as one may internalize all thoughts and feelings, as evidenced by each of the characters in this book.
II. Emotions – Read a book that has an emotion in the title (happy/joy, sad/sorrow, angry/anger, afraid/fear, etc.) OR a book where an emotion plays a major role. Post some highlights from what the book reveals about the emotion.
Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad.
-Amongst other things, Heart of Darkness is about primal emotions, and how when left unchecked emotions can overcome a person and consume their body, mind and soul as in the character of Kurtz. "The mind of man is capable of anything - because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future. What was there after all? Joy, fear, sorrow, devotion, valour, rage - who can tell? - but truth - truth stripped of its cloak of time" (page 50).
III. Memories – Pick one of your keepsakes that reminds you of an event in your life. Read a book with either the event or the reminder in the title OR a book where either the event or the reminder plays a major role. In your post identify the keepsake and the event.
The Poppy Seed Cakes, Margery Clark.
-The book itself is one of my keepsakes. It was a library book once upon a time, but came to our family as a Withdrawn book. It's one my mother used to read to me when I was little which was an important bonding moment for us on both a cultural level (though I didn't understand that fully until I read it now on my own as an adult) as well as it's one of the first books that helped encourage me to become the voracious reader I am today. I think of it anytime I eat a poppy seed muffin or cake. It has also instilled in me the desire to someday own a feather bed.
COMPLETED TASKS
Cynthia,
I would like to switch a book out of a task. I've already claimed points for Task 25.8 Person, Place & Thing titles. I'd like to switch my "thing title" to:
25.8 THING TITLE (butt) - *The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler (pp 246) READ 11.28.09
I've seen this book mentioned several times on this site and it's also included in another challenge I'm doing, so when I found it last week in Goodwill for $2, I decided I had to read it. I enjoyed it a lot and gave it 4 stars.
I'd like to move my original "thing title" to:
10.5 OCTOBERFEST (GERMANY) - *The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (pp 224) READ 9.9.09
I'm also claiming points for:
10.9 U.S. CIVIL WAR - * On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon A Novel by Kaye Gibbons (pp 273) READ 11.28.09
An aging Southern widow reflects back on her life. I liked seeing how circumstances, like a tyrannical father, marriage to a Union sympathizing physician, and the Civil War, shaped the character of this woman. I gave this 3.5 stars.
TASKS COMPLETED: 41
TASKS IN PROGRESS: 4
BOOKS READ: 57/62
PAGES READ: 17,676
TOTAL POINTS EARNED: 650
*Books I Own
Congrats Finishers!! I'm in awe! I didn't finish some of my multiple book tasks so I'm moving some of my finished books to other applicable tasks! Here goes:For 25.7 (Cindy's Task):
One Word: Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Two Word:
Fragile Things Short Fictions and Wonders by Neil Gaiman
Three Words: The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory
For 10.1 (Buddy Holly):
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson (originally published 1938).
For 5.6 (Hopefully this is an appropriately scary adjective, but feel free not to count it if not):
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger.
For 5.7:
I'm most thankful for my family and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri was probably the most heartbreaking/enjoyable book I've ever read on the subject. I'd heard so many good things about it, but never expected to relate to it the way I did. It's hard to explain, but she described being the American child of foreign parents in such a way that it was exactly like I didn't know I felt. (If that makes any sense at all.) Yet another amazing book I'd have missed out on without this challenge!!!
I just saw that I forgot to post one of the books I read... my post:Finished task 25.7 (nouns,person place & thing)
read Emma and The Handmaid's Tale
total points: 80
What it should have been:
Finished 25.7
read Emma, The Handmaid's Tale, AND Unaccustomed Earth Stories
Total points: 80
sorry!! :)
Congrats to all the new finishers - all the finishers are amazing!!One more for me - an OK book, 3 stars.
My homework assignments:
1. At the start of the book Cat moves from Boulder, Colorado, to London, UK. Compare and contrast the two cities and countries.
2. Pip, Fen and Cat are sisters. Look up the psychological traits of oldest, middle and youngest siblings and discuss how the sisters fit their roles.
3. The McCabe family is not 'traditional' in many ways. Discuss the pros and cons of their non-traditional family.
15.9 Homework – Home Truths by Freya North
Total: 390/690 points
33/62 books
20/45 tasks
12,558 pages
Here is my final update... I thought I would be able to finish another task, but I don't think that will happen...5 Point Task:
#2The Poison Apples
#3The Old Man and the Sea
#4Anne of Green Gables
#6Down a Dark Hall
10 Point Task:
#3The Complete Adventures of Curious George
#6Walk Two Moons
#7Wonder Woman Love and Murder
15 Point Task:
#4 READ - Catching Fire; WATCHED March of the Penguin
25 Point Task:
#7 1 WORD TITLE: Suspicion; 2 WORD TITLE: New Moon; 3 WORD TITLE: The Golden Compass
#8 PERSON:Madame Bovary; PLACE:Sundays at Tiffany's; THING: The Lost Symbol
50 Point Task:
#1 SENSE: The Hunger Games; EMOTION: Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed; MEMORY: Twilight
Total Points Earned:165
Total Books Read:17
Total Pages Read:5556
Total Tasks Complete:11
Goal for the winter challenge: My goal is to read more then 6000 pages; more then 17 books; and hopefully to finish with more points.
10.8. You'll Find It In The Dictionary - Noah Webster Was Born October 16, 1758 - In Honor Of Him Visit The Random Word Generator Website And Then Read A Book Whose Title Contains The 9th, 10th, or 11th Word You Come To. My words were: Continent, Trace, Wade. So I read Trace by Patricia Cornwell. I give it 3 stars.10 points
This is the last book I am reading for the challenge since I met my goal of reading at least 10,000 pages! Yay! Now I'm excited to start the winter challenge!
Total Points: 315
Tasks Completed: 19
Total Books: 30
Total Pages: 10,018
Lisa wrote: "COMPLETED TASKSCynthia,
I would like to switch a book out of a task. I've already claimed points for Task 25.8 Person, Place & Thing titles. I'd like to switch my "thing title" to:
25.8 THING ..."
You are so close!!!
Congratulations to all of the finishers!
I finished the task 15.3 by reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo(addition), the author has twelve letters in his name as do I. For the second part of the task I read The Girl Who Played with Fire (division), the book is the second in the series.
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.
City of Bones The Mortal Instruments Book One Cassandra Clare 11-28-09 Clary has never known her father and early in the book her mother disappears. Jace has never known his mother and he thinks his father is dead. Both think they are only children, who are missing parents. I am most thankful for my family. My parents are still happily married to each other and I have a great brother. Reading about people who are missing members of their family reminds me of how lucky I am that I have mine. 485 Pages
Current Pages Read: 10790
Books Read: 29
Challenges Completed: 20
Total Points: 310
I completed task 25.7 (BJ ROSE/leader who died in office) by reading Indira The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi by Katherine Frank. I was sort of dreading this task because I'm not a fan of biographies and so left it for the end. AND in the end, I really enjoyed the book! Indira's life story and Prime Minister-ship is during an especially exciting period in the history of South Asia. I would say that her greatest accomplishment as a leader, at least from my reading of this book, is her support of Bangladesh during Bangladesh's fight for independence (and the genocide of millions of Bengalis by West Pakistan), including taking in millions of refugees and (as much as I am anti-war) going to war against Pakistan. The US sided with Pakistan in the war and it makes me interested in what public opinion in the US was about Indira Gandhi at the time; for instance, how did our major media outlets report on what was going on in South Asia? I would say the biggest scandal was the State of Emergency declared in 1975 and lasting until 1977, which involved arrest/detention of many opposed to Indira Gandhi and her party, censorship of the media, sterilization by force/harrassment/threat, and "beautification" projects which resulted in slum dwellers being left homeless or dead. Much of this scandal could be placed on the shoulders of her son, Sanjay, who was a strong influence on Indira and was in charge of many of these programs, but as the leader she should have made smarter decisions about her "team". total pages: 592 (504 minus notes etc)Total Points: 665
Wow, Emily, you have like 25 points left. Do you plan on finishing the challenge? I wonder how many finishers we will have in these last two days.
I have finished two tasks. 5.7 My Life in France. It actually has two things I am thankful for and love, food and traveling! On top of that it was a GREAT book. A must read, especially for those who have read Julie and Julia (regardless of how much you liked or disliked that book).
15.3 Addition with Siddhartha. Hermann Hesse and my full name contain the same number of letters.
And Division Lover Avenged. I had to read the 7th or 3rd in a series. Lover avenged is the 7th.
Task 25.4 I readIf Only It Were True by Marc Levy and watched the movie "Just Like Heaven". Liked them both but as always, the book was tons better.
OK! Finished 2 books this weekend.25.6 Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
FINALLY! This book took the full 3 months to finish. Started it the first week of the challenge and finally finished it on Friday.
Accomplishments: His biggest were obviously the abolition of the slaves and successfully rebuffing the Confederate states secession. In addition to this, I thought that one fun thing (clearly the timing has affected my opinion) was that Lincoln was the first to nationalize Thanksgiving and set a single date for all states across the country.
Scandals - His cabinet member Chase attempting to steal the 1864 Republican nomination from Lincoln. Also, Mary, Lincoln's wife was constantly causing problems with her behavior in publlic.
ALSO 25.10 -
Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert. Not really a fan. The book was about mysticism and the study of memory which is not what i thought i was getting into from the description on the cover. BUT I already owned this and now I can say I finally read it. Two stars.
whew. . .
Total points: 690
Congratuations Bridgit!!! I am doubly glad you finished. We get a new task and you pushed my task to the 30 point category :D
Way to go Bridgit! Can't wait to see your task!
I have completed task #15.5 by reading two books that were originally published in Swedish. I really enjoyed them both and look forward to reading other books written by these authors.Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Congratulations, Bridgit!!! Awesome!Lisa and Emily, you're both so close!!! You can do it!!!
Congrats Bridgit, Sam and Michelle. I know that there are quite a few who are close. READ, READ, READ.
Kim wrote: "I met my goal of reading at least 10,000 pages! Yay! Now I'm excited to start the winter challenge!r..."Kim, Congratulations on meeting your goal!!
Bridgit wrote: "OK! Finished 2 books this weekend.whew. . .
Total points: 690"
Congratulations, Bridget!!!
Looking forward to seeing your task.
Finished 5.8 Out of the Dark - Linda Caine and Robin Hoyston
I completed task 5.1 by reading The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan. I hadn't read Amy Tan since high school and it was nice to see that I still enjoy her writing! Total Points: 670 ...off to read my last book! I'm already half way through so I may be able to finish by this evening! thanks to everyone who has been cheering on those of us near the end of the challenge; you are all very sweet!
I'm working on one more for tomorrow, but if I am sidelined by a cold at the moment, so this could be my last completed task for this challenge.15.1. Same Preposition = After
After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson & After by Amy Efaw
TOTAL = 120 POINTS
Kim wrote: "10.8. You'll Find It In The Dictionary - Noah Webster Was Born October 16, 1758 - In Honor Of Him Visit The Random Word Generator Website And Then Read A Book Whose Title Contains The 9th, 10th, or...This is the last book I am reading for the challenge since I met my goal of reading at least 10,000 pages! ..."
Congratulations, Kim, on meeting your goal!
Congratulations Bridgit! I can't wait to see who else finishes!
Finished Task 5.1 (Children are Our Future). I read The Memory Keeper's Daughterby Kim Edwards. It was just an ok read for me. Pretty disappointing.New Total: 130
This will be the last one for this challenge. Congrats to all of the finishers, good luck to all who are hoping to finish, and I look forward to the winter challenge.
25 points- Candace's taskAtonement by Ian McEwan
I saw the movie first (I didn't know it was based on a book!) and absolutely fell in love with it. Not only was the story beautiful but the soundtrack was phenomenal and the movie well cast. Of course, I'm a sucker for James McAvoy, but it wasn't just him that made it wonderful, it was everyone else as well.
When I finally picked up the book my mind didn't change one bit. I couldn't really picture anyone better for any of the parts. The wonderful thing about the book was that (as is usually the case with me) i loved it more than the movie. I had thought the scenes where Robbie is off at war were a bit drawn out and actually a little boring in the movie. Not so with the book. Ian McEwan's writing is beautiful and heart wrenching and i am in love with this story all over again.
I re-watched the movie after reading the book and I definitely like the book better. As I said above there were scenes where Robbie is in the war that feel boring and dragged out to me. The book made me appriciate those scenes much more. Plus, there is so much more emotion in the book that i didn't expect. A must read in my opinion.
New Total: 110
Congratulations to Michelle and Bridget! Great reading, ladies.For task 25.1 (Rhyme Time), I rhymed Hughes and News:
Selected Poems of Langston Hughes - 4*, I enjoyed these poems and am glad poetry found a place in the fall challenge.
and
The Shipping News A Novel by E. Annie Proulx - 2*, so boring, all boats and knots and whatnot. I picked up this book on reputation. There's no accounting for taste.
For task 25.6 (Tippecanoe), I read Lincoln's Virtues An Ethical Biography by William Miller (515 pages). I gave it 3*. It wasn't a super-fun read, but it was edifying and I'm glad I finished it. The bulky subject matter is peppered with a good bit of humor, too, which makes it so much more pleasant.
Miller's approach isn't that of a typical biography, telling a person's story through life's events. Rather, he selected stories specifically to show the development of Lincoln's ethics and to show how Lincoln's ethical code affected his decision-making. (In Miller's words, Lincoln wasn't born on Mt. Rushmore.) I always had an image of Lincoln as this contemplative, bookish, idealistic type. Miller confirms that Lincoln was a thoughtful man, but argues that he was more of a pragmatist than an idealist, with a sort of Kantian "greatest good" approach to leadership. Surprisingly, this president reveled in playing politics and was a great leader for the Republican party in Illinois.
Lincoln's greatest accomplishments include the preservation of the union, which Miller attributes to Lincoln's "executive force" or strength of will in denying the legality of both the secession of states and the extension of slavery. Miller also credits Lincoln's clarity of mind in working through these difficult legal issues and carefully articulating his position. The Emancipation Proclamation, which freed four million slaves, was certainly a victory. Another success was his rejection of self-righteousness and refusal to cast moral blame against the South, particularly after the Union victory.
Scandals include Lincoln's election, achieved in large part because of a couple of splits in the Democratic ticket. His first appointment of a Secretary of War (Cameron) was a disaster and caused some to believe that Lincoln underestimated the power of the secessionists. (Also, this debacle marks the creation of the term "shoddy.") He was criticized for not supporting the Crittendon plan, a stop -gap measure to prevent war. And also, under his watch, there raged an incredibly bloody war, with one soldier dead for every ten white Southerners held in union.
Sorry, that was a bit more long-winded than I had intended, but this book did take me two+ months to read!
Total Points: 555
Finished the last task for me for this challenge! 30.1. ROSEANN'S TASK - Your Job/Dream Job Challenge
Your Current Profession: I'm a Stay-At-Home Mom (SAHM), so I read Sahm I Am by Meredith Efken. The novel is 100% emails between a group of SAHMs. Brought back fond memories of when my children were young.
Your Current Or Childhood Dream Job. I've always wanted to be an astronaut, ever since Neil Armstrong walked on the moon way back in 1969. I read: Mars Crossing by Geoffrey A. Landis. It's a novel about a mission to Mars, about a quarter of a century from now. The author is a NASA scientist and he stayed close to what is believed to be possible.
375 + 30 = 405
Now, onto the Winter Challenge!
Down memory lane for the Fall Challenge:
5 Point Tasks
1. Children: Sedley, Kate “The Prodigal Son”
2. Apple: Connolly, Sheila “One Bad Apple”
3. Sea: “Pirate Freedom” by Gene Wolfe
5. High School Re-read: "MacBeth" by William Shakespeare
8. Multiple Authors: "Marked" by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (mother and daughter)
10. Travel Back In Time: “What Would Jane Austen Do?” by Laurie Brown
10 Point Tasks
1. 9/7/36 to 2/3/59: Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbluth “The Space Merchants”
2. Addiction: "Drinking: A Love Story" by Caroline Knapp
5. Germany: “The German Woman” by Paul Griner
6. Native American: “Blue Tattoo : The Life of Olive Oatman” by Margot Mifflin
7. Superhero: "Superpowers" by David J. Schwartz
15 Point Tasks
1. Brush Up On Your Grammar: • Participles - Read A Book Whose Title Contains A Verb And Another With It's Participle
Words used: Vanish and its present participle, Vanishing
“Vanish With the Rose” by Barbara Michaels
“Vanishing Acts: A Science Fiction Anthology” (Ed.) by Ellen Datlow
2. Alternative History: “St. Antony’s Fire” by Steve White
3. (Math)
• Subtraction – (53 – 15 = 38) “Hot House Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire” (2009) by Margot Berwin
• Division – (1956 divided by 53 = 36.9; nearest = 37; a book that is 3rd or 7th of series) : “The Trouble With Witches” (2006) by Shirley Damsgaard [this is the 3rd of a series:]
4. Science vs Sci-Fi: (Science) viewed “Mythbusters” 2 hours on Oct. 7, 2009
(Science Fiction) "Steal Across the Sky" by Nancy Kress
6. Music Appreciation Class – book: Beagle, Peter S. "The unicorn sonata"; CD : Beethoven, Ludwig van : Piano sonata in D major, op. 10, no. 3 : Piano sonata in E flat major, op. 7 ; Piano sonata in F minor "Appassionata," op. 57
8. Geography Lessons: D and H
D: Dominica : Allfrey, Phyllis S. “The Orchid House”
H: Hungary: Lipták, Béla G."A testament of revolution"
10. Teacher/Student:
Teacher: "The Land of Laughs" by Jonathan Carroll
Student: "The unlikely disciple : a sinner's semester at America's holiest university" by Kevin Roose
20 Point Tasks
1. Read A Christian Fiction Book. “Home for Christmas” by Andrew M. Greeley
2. ABC's –
[B:] “Busted: Life Inside the Great Mortgage Meltdown” by Edmund L. Andrews
[C:] “Catastrophe: An Investigation into the Origins of Modern Civilization” by Daniel Keys
[D:] “Dissolution” by C. J. Sansom
25 Point Tasks
1. Rhyme Time -
Rhyme Word: Pretty / City
Fiction Book: "Pretty Monsters: stories" by Kelly Link
Poetry Book: "Return to the City of White Donkey" poems by James Tate
2. Related Authors: Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman are married
"A Playdate With Death" by Ayelet Waldman
"Werewolves in Their Youth : Stories" by Michael Chabon
3. Gay/Lesbian Character: "Girl most likely to" by Poonam Sharma
7. (one word) "Genesis" by Bernard Beckett
(two word) "Curly Smoke" by Susan Holtzer
(three word) "Goddess of Light" by P. C. Cast
8. (Person) [Judy Garland:] “The stormy life of Judy Garland” by Christopher Finch
(Place) [America:] “Julian Comstock: “A Story of 22nd-Century America” by Robert Charles Wilson
(Thing) [Map:] “Map of Dreams” by M. Rickert
10. Halloween Part III: Monsterfest : "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
30 Point Tasks
1. Your Job/Dream Job Challenge
Your Job: “SAHM I Am” by Meredith Efken
Your Dream Job: “Mars Crossing” by Geoffrey A.Landis
I finished another book a few days ago:25.10-Halloween Part III-The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
The book ended up being focused more on the architects of the fair than on serial killer Holmes, but I thought it was great! Not quite a five star for me, but definitely worth 4 and I'd give it 4.5 if I could.
I'm still trying to meet my goal of 200 points for this challenge. I have a book 3/4ths finished, so I think I can do it!
Tasks Completed: 16
Total Books: 27
Total Points: 190
25-7 is done:Tempted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Cloud Nine-Luanne Rice
Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
670-almost there!
Completed tasks:5 points
9. Getting the Girl: A Complete Guide to Private Investigation, Surveillance and crookery - Susan Juby
10 points
5. The Book Thief - Mark Zusak
20 POINTS
2. Rowboat in a Hurricane - Julie Angus; Sophomore Switch - Abby McDonald; The Black Dahlia - James Ellroy
25 points
7. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer; The Club - Mandasue Heller; A Living Nightmare - Darren Shan
8. Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up - Dave Barry; Living Dead in Dallas - Charlaine Harris; 206 Bones - Kathy Reichs
10. The Vampire's Assistant - Darren Shan
30 points
1. Chain of Blame - Paul Muolo & Mathew Padilla; I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You - Ally Carter
Chain of Blame is related to my current job in the mortgage industry; I'd Tell You I Love you... - the main character is studying to be a spy (!!), which is a job I would have loved to have..
Total points: 140
If one more person finishes we'll hit the Summer amount of Challenges!
Another update, but hopefully not the last - I think I can squeak in one or two more before the challenge closes tomorrow. I finished up 20.2 (ABCs) with a literal A, B, and C - Will Adams's The Alexander Cipher, James Church's Bamboo and Blood, and Susanne Alleyn's The Cavalier of the Apocalypse. Current Total: 545 points
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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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Looking forward to two whole days of rest!"
Yay! Michelle!!
Enjoy your weekend!!