The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Petra wrote: "Teresa wrote: "Petra wrote: "Great question! It's nice to hear which tasks are being worked on and how we're all doing with them.

I'm reading Cross Country for Task 15.6 (Music Ap..."

I have A Sugarland fan and of course they love Taylor and Carrie. I like some of the new guys, Paisley, derks bently, keith urban and of course ALABAMA, Garth, Reba


WHen I am on the computer I listen to cmt radio, no commericals

SHould finish CHicken soup today, but need the other book for credit,

SOON I will have points to post.

I need to finish carved in bone, marley and me, sunstroke to complete tasks.

I finished Catch Me When I Fall last night ... it was ok, nothing to rave about.

I then started Songs of the Humpback Whale A Novel in Five Voices for the 'apple' task (the edition I have has apples on the cover). I'm only a few pages in as I got distracted by Jamie Oliver cooking his way around America on tv last night!

I finished In Her Shoes last night and I'm planning to watch the movie version this evening to complete that task.

Just starting The House at Riverton today for the 3-part noun task.

I also have about 1 hour left of Rich Dad's Prophecy Why the Biggest Stock Market Crash in History Is Still Coming... and How You Can Prepare Yourself and Profit from It! on audio. I'm trying to finish that here at work so I can get some points on the board!

Last night I finished A Pizza the Size of the Sun for part of task 25.1 and also Holidays on Ice for task 25.3.

Now I'm working on Blind Fall for the remaining half of task 25.2. I'm only 13 pages in, but its gotten me intrigued already.

I'm currently reading My Life in France. With the boy I tutor we are reading The Graveyard Book. Then in the car to and from work I am listening to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Tomororw includes a trip to the library so I can figure out what I will read to complete other tasks and I will be in need of another audiobook.

I finished Matilda and really enjoyed it as an audiobook, and altho the movie took liberties with the book (when do they not?!), I liked the movie even more - this is the kind of story that lends itself so wonderfully to the visual.

Am now listening to Black Powder War Temeraire #3 for Nicole's task, so when I finish this and my poetry book, I'll have another task to claim!

At the moment I'm reading China Lake by Meg Gardiner for one part of the alphabet task (20.2). It's a book I've had on my book shelf for years without reading it so I was happy when I could fit it into this challenge. I'm enjoying it so far!

Katie wrote: "I finished In Her Shoes last night and I'm planning to watch the movie version this evening to complete that task.

Just starting The House at Riverton today for the 3..."

Ooh, how are you liking 'The House at Riverton'? I'm in the queue for it on the PBS (PaperbackSwap website). I've heard great things about it, but I'm way down in the queue. I may have to go to the library for this one if my patience wears out!

I'm currently reading The Hunger Games for task 25.8 (Games being the "thing").

I just finished Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto and wasn't very impressed.

Right now I'm reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk and listening to Great Expectations. Martin Jarvis is an excellent narrator.

I'm reading Mr. Lincoln Goes to War for part of BJ Rose's task. Should be done with that in a few more days. It's not too bad, but I have trouble reading war books. All that "brigade", "regiment", "caissons", just makes my eyes glaze over.

I'm also reading Olive Kitteridge for the Person part of Cait's task. It's pretty depressing, but Amy and Isabelle A Novel was sort of that way, too, and I liked it, so... we'll see.

I'm currently reading March by Geraldine Brooks (set during the Civil War) as well as listening to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets whenever I make it to the gym.

I have finished 3 books for different multi-book tasks, and am currently reading "Empire Falls" for the "place" selection. It is a really good book, but the words are very tiny and it is over 400 pages. I have been reading it for several days now, and haven't even gotten halfway thru. Oh well, it is a journey, not a race!

I am currently reading Suspicion by Kate Brian, the most recent book in her Private series. It is about a bunch of students in a Private school. It is probably my favorite series!!! I am thinking about fitting it into the teacher student task, though a may change that later!

Lene wrote: "At the moment I'm reading China Lake by Meg Gardiner for one part of the alphabet task (20.2). It's a book I've had on my book shelf for years without reading it so I wa..."

oops your link went to a different book : )

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Lene wrote: "At the moment I'm reading China Lake by Meg Gardiner for one part of the alphabet task (20.2). It's a book I've had on my book shelf for years without readi..."

Ooops, thanks for letting me know Teresa! I've fixed it now :)

I'm reading The Good Plain cook by Bethan Jones for the rhyming challenge. I have a poetry book my mum used to love and buy every year- The Fireside Book. She's lent me one from a few years ago. I'm not too sure what to make of the book yet. I loved the start- but not really sure where it is going at the moment.

I get really fixated on the tasks at the beginning of the challenge and want to read everything!

Lene wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Lene wrote: "At the moment I'm reading China Lake by Meg Gardiner for one part of the alphabet task (20.2). It's a book I've had on my book shelf..."

LOL and now it is on my tbr shelf : )

Kathryn wrote: "I am currently reading Suspicion by Kate Brian, the most recent book in her Private series. It is about a bunch of students in a Private school. It is probably my favorite series!!! ..."

Kathryn, I discovered the Private series early this year and I absolute love it. It's written the way in which I want to read YA fiction. I've only read the first two so far but I am looking for ways to get the third one read as part of this challenge. Good thinking to use the student challenge!

Left the Kindle at home to force myself to finish the paperback book I have. It's a pre-release which I'm excited about but Kindle books tend to lure me away...sometimes it's easier to read on the Kindle than the thick book. Hehehe.

I moved on to Son of a Witch A Novel for task 25.10. I shouldn't have let so much time lapse since reading Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West as this story picks up where that left off and it's taking me a little to remember all the details.

I'm reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and loving it. I'm also reading Franklin and Winston An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship by Jon Meacham. It's a little slow going, but I'm trying to knock out at least 20 pages everyday.

I started Mrs. Mike last night for the two author task (written by the husband and wife team of Benedict and Nancy Freedman).

This is one of my mom's favorite books--my sister is named for the main character, Katherine Mary.

I only got 30 pages in last night before I fell asleep and I had to drive to work today so I didn't get to read on the bus like usual but I have a feeling this will be a very fast read. I'm a sucker for sweet love stories. :)

I am working on task 25.8 (nouns). I completed Little Bee by Chris Cleave for the proper name component. Next I am going to read Gilead A Novel by Marilynne Robinson for the proper place name component and then I will read Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo for the thing portion of the task.

I am also working on Task 25.1 (rhyme time). I have started Lorna Crozier's poetry book Everything Arrives at the Light and The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith (rhyming Light and Right). I should finish this task today - fingers crossed. LOL!

Have started Home To Italy which seems like a super quick read. I'm not expecting any great things from it, but i have had it on my shelf for about 3 years, so am glad I am going to be able to knock it off my list.

I'm listening to A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon for part 1 of Roseann's task (present job is retirement). And I've started reading Gilead A Novel by Marilynne Robinson for 5.9: Growing Up & Then Some - so I'm deep into the problems of getting old. Think I need something light after these!

Jennifer and BJ Rose, let me know what you think of Gilead. It's one of the rare books that I've never finished. I found it to be horribly dull. I hope that you both enjoy it more than I did. Please keep me posted.

Sera wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I am currently reading Suspicion by Kate Brian, the most recent book in her Private series. It is about a bunch of students in a Private school. It is probably my fav..."

I know... I love this series. I discovered it about two years ago. I absolutely love the drama and everything in it!!! I hate waiting inbetween each book for the next one... especially since it always ends on a cliffhanger! I think that Noelle is my favorite character.

Sera wrote: "Jennifer and BJ Rose, let me know what you think of Gilead. It's one of the rare books that I've never finished. I found it to be horribly dull. I hope that you both enjoy it more than I did. P..."

I'm currently 70 pp. into it, and I've found some of those dull spots, but so far more of it has been interesting, and even funny in a couple of spots (the town that dug a tunnel, and the boys' ABC game). Not sure how far Jennifer is, so don't want to say more.

I just started The Shadow of the Wind last night. I'm only about 40 pages in, but I'm really liking it so far! Good thing its seems pretty slow at work today! :)

I finished Guilty Pleasures last night, and Red Bird Poems this morning. Talk about books at the opposite ends of the spectrum!

I FINALLY got Dead to the World in from the library hold queue yesterday. So I'm starting on that today. I also got the 5th (Dead as a Doornail) and 6th (Definitely Dead) books in the series from the library yesterday too. Of course, they all will be used towards *different* multi-book tasks. It looks like it wil be another week before I post any new points. Arghhh!

Krista wrote: "I finished Guilty Pleasures last night, and Red Bird Poems this morning. Talk about books at the opposite ends of the spectrum!

I FINALLY got [book:Dead to the Wo..."

Krista, Dead to the World is probably one of my favorites of the series! The next two are both awesome after that! I think 3-7 are my favorites overall... :D

i am still working on Leota's Garden (I have been reading in bed at night only) and trying to decide what to read next! I might dive into Roseann's task or I may start Devil in the Details Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood

Nicole wrote: "i am still working on Leota's Garden (I have been reading in bed at night only) and trying to decide what to read next! I might dive into Roseann's task or I may start Devil in the Details Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood...."

Good luck with Devil in the Details Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood. I tried to listen to it in audiobook format for the last challenge. (It was one of my friend's 1 star books.) I only listened to the first disc, and then abandoned it. I rarely give up on a book, but this one just seemed so depressing. I'll be interested to hear what you think about it.

Candace wrote: "Krista wrote: "I finished Guilty Pleasures last night, and Red Bird Poems this morning. Talk about books at the opposite ends of the spectrum!

I FINALLY got Dead to the World..."

Krista, Dead to the World is probably one of my favorites of the series! The next two are both awesome after that! I think 3-7 are my favorites overall... :D ..."

Wa-hoo! I've had several trusted readers tell me that this spot in the series was their favorite. That's why I stuck it out to this point. I really didn't like book #1 in the series, but they have been getting better. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm really looking forward to this week's reading load. :-)

Sera wrote: "Jennifer and BJ Rose, let me know what you think of Gilead. It's one of the rare books that I've never finished. I found it to be horribly dull. I hope that you both enjoy it more than I did. P..."

I'm neither Jennifer nor BJ Rose, but I read Gilead and didn't care for it. Then it was picked for the United We Read book and I had to lead a book discussion of it. I really enjoyed it the second time through. I later decided that the first time I had tried reading it quickly, and this is a book that demands time and deliberation while reading. Hope you enjoy it.

>phew< Finally passed the half-way mark of Little Dorrit (for task 25.2)

Reading a poetry book in small pieces on the subway (for 25.1)

When I need a break from Dickens, I am reading The Last of Mr. Norris (task 10.5)

I might need to start Shutter Island, just so I can finish a task sometime this month!

Krista wrote: "Nicole wrote: "i am still working on Leota's Garden (I have been reading in bed at night only) and trying to decide what to read next! I might dive into Roseann's task or I may start [..."

i am 80 pages in and like it just fine! I think it's pretty amusing/interesting...

Am starting Grub for my dream job - novelist. Its supposed to be retelling of New Grub Street. Fingers Crossed!

Also just finished my first book in the Highlander Series - Beyond the Highland Mist - Karen Marie Moning. I really liked this - very similar to Outlander!

Krista wrote: "I finished Guilty Pleasures last night, and Red Bird Poems this morning. Talk about books at the opposite ends of the spectrum!

I FINALLY got [book:Dead to the Wo..."

I have the 5th and 6th books in different task too! Trying to fit the 7th in somewhere.

Finished Mr. Lincoln Goes to War and started the JFK one. Can't remember the name right to find it on GR. That would require standing up and walking into the other room. Can't have that.

I'm also reading Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories. I'm wondering if maybe I could use this for the age spectrum task since it mostly takes place from the point of view of Olive as an elderly woman. Hmmmm.

Melissa wrote: "Krista wrote: "I finished Guilty Pleasures last night, and Red Bird Poems this morning. Talk about books at the opposite ends of the spectrum!

I have the 5th and 6th books in different task too! Trying to fit the 7th in somewhere.
..."

I'm putting #7 All Together Dead in the 'A' spot for the ABC task. (20.2) I know we don't have to literally read books that start with A, B, and C, but those are the books that fit best for me. For 'B' I'm going to read Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes in preparation for the release of the next Outlander series book this fall.

Let me know if you need any help working 'All Together Dead' into the challenge. I'm happy to add my noggin to the search for the perfect spot. :-) (Not that my noggin would *be* the perfect spot, but my eyes might see a slot you had missed....) Double :-)

Still working on Franklin and Winston An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship for task 25.6. I returned Catching Fire to the bookmobile today and swore I wasn't going to get anything else. I also have Summer of My German Soldier checked out to read for another book group and the addition portion of task 15.3. Of course, I came away with two more books: Home Safe A Novel which I immediately started for task 15.9 and Two Little Girls in Blue A Novel, which I'll read for part of task 25.2. I've got lots of tasks going, I need to stay away from the library and complete some!

I started Traitor to His Class The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt for BJ Rose's Task & plan to read a chapter a day till I finish. At that pace I'll be done sometime in November!

Also reading Borderlineon audio when I exercise and am almost finished with Shadow of the Wind.

I'm working on task 15.1 - I've just finished In The Woods by Tana French (disappointing) and am now just about to start Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This has been on my TBR pile forever, so I'm glad I'm finally getting to read it!

I am reading Vampire Diaries and Dead Until Dark Not sure where I am going to put them in the tasks...I'll figure that out when I get them done. :~)

I am working on the Studey Abroad task and I just started reading Crime and Punishment (Russian).

I just started Shutter Island on audio for the group read task. I'm only on the 1st CD and hoping the story picks up pretty quickly.

I started The Piano Teacher for the teacher task.