The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Finished two more--

20.3--THE STUPIDEST ANGEL by Christopher Moore

I really like this author, anyone who can fit zombies and middle-age sex into a Christmas tale is on my list of to reads (now everyone is going to think I'm weird). I'll put more in the group reads section to finish my challenge.

and

25.7--Sam/THE LOVE OF THE LAST TYCOON by F. Scott Fitzgerald

This was Fitzgerald's "final" novel--it was not quite complete when he passed away, but the notes were all there. This version was completed by Matthew J. Bruccoli and includes a preface with notes on how he edited Fitzgerald's words and an afterward including excerpts of the notes and a glossary of people alluded to in the story. This is a story of Hollywood during the depression with a gumshoe detective type edge. I can't say I really liked it, but it was enjoyable.

&

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME MARGARET by Judy Blume

I cannot believe I got through my girlhood without reading this novel. I know it has made many a "banned books" list, but I think it should almost be required reading for girls who are on the brink of becoming women as it deals with all that is going through our minds, much of which is not easily discussed with mothers (although I think moms should read it too and then after both have read the story they could get together and talk about what they thought).

This brings me to 550--halfway there!

Here is my first task!

35.3 DLM Rose's Task - It's About Time
I read Dreamers of the Day A Novel, a well-told story about life, the Middle East, and the 1920s.

1 task
35 points

Finished 15.3 during our annual ornament-making party with the preschoolers today.

We read How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss (64 pages) and Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh (40 pages). We also read Jingles by Krissy Smith (28 pages), but that doesn't exist on Goodreads for some reason.

Earlier this week, I watched the movie "Holiday Wishes." (Don't ask. I *love* made-for-TV movies, the cheesier the better. I think this one was on Lifetime.)

TOTALS:
Points: 55
Books: 7 (includes kids books)
Pages: 1,168
Tasks: 3

finished task 5.1 by reading Mermaid Tales from Around the World. The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney film. this book was just "meh." the tales were just too abrupt, but it was interesting to hear different ones from different countries.




Total Points: 115/1100
Books Read: 7/79+
Tasks Completed: 5 /58
Tasks in Progress: 3

5.10 THE ALLURE OF ALLITERATION - Read A Book Whose Title Contains Alliteration - The Title Must Have 2 Or More Words That Begin With Same Letter Back To Back OR With Only A Short Word In Between (i.e. A, And, In, On, The etc.)
Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling, #1) by Nalini Singh



30.10 THERESA IN OHIO'S TASK - COLOR BY NUMBERS
A. Winter Can Be Drab, Cold, And Bleak. Read A Book With A Bright Or Happy COLOR Word In The Title. ACCEPTABLE WORDS: Red, ...
B. At The End Of The Year, Many Lists Appeared, From Best Of To Worst Of Biggest Seller Of Years, Most Money Made By Celebrities, Etc. So Read A Book With A NUMBER In The Title. It Can Be Written (Thirteen) Or An Actual Number (13).

A. With Red Hands (Violet, #2) by Stephen Woodworth
B. High Five (Stephanie Plum, #5) by Janet Evanovich


Previous Points : 30
Points earned this post : 5 + 30 =35
Total points : 65

I completed task 10.4. WINNERS CHOICE by reading Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. This was a 5 star read for Lisa MD, Gina, Sara Nicole, and Rachel Lee.

Total points = 35

Breaking Dawn

Patricia wrote: "I completed task 10.4. WINNERS CHOICE by reading Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. This was a 5 star read for Lisa MD, Gina, Sara Nicole, and Rachel Lee.

Total points = 35

[book:Breaking Dawn|11..."

I love the whole series. :)

I've been reading so many books at once that I haven't finished any! I read a bunch of Christmas books with my little homeschool students and watched Polar Express tonight! I love Christmas!
Task 15.8: , The Florida Night Before Christmas, The Night Before Christmas, The Nutcracker, Auntie Claus, The Missing Mitten Mystery = 100+ pgs

and watched Polar Express.

Total points: 15
Tasks completed: 1

15.2. ADVENTURES WITH ALICE AND LEWIS - In Honor Of Lewis Carroll (27 January 1832 – 14 January 1898) Author Most Famous For Alice's Adventure's In Wonderland…
A. Read A Book Featuring A Character Or Person Who Is Named Alice/Lewis (First Or Last) OR Was Written By An Author With The Name Alice/Lewis (First Or Last).
AND
B. Read A Novel That Takes Place In A Fictional Land Such As Narnia Or Oz.


A. The End of Alice (A.M.Homes)
B. Feet of Clay (Terry Pratchett)- Discworld Series

Total points: 20

30.2 Helen's task - Science Fiction - past and present

I read The Jagged Orbit by John Brunner and Diplomatic Immunity by lois McMaster Bujold.
Both these books were nominated for Nebula awards and both were concerned with racial tension, but that is about as far as any similarity goes. I found 'The Jagged Orbit' very confusing at first, and I suspect that that is deliberate, whereas in 'Diplomatic Immunity' every concept that is likely to be strange to the reader was explained immediately.

For 5 point task #1, I read Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid" by Debbie Viguié. It was interesting, but in the end, I hoped for more depth to the characters. I did like the story, though! :)

Points: 10
Tasks completed: 2/58
Books read: 2
Pages read: 688

I am reposting this book since I wrote the wrong task number for it. I read The Cinderella Hour for task 35.3.

I also just finished Divinely Designed for task 5.10.

That makes my total 125 points.

I've finished My Favourite People and Me by Alan Davies. I read this for 10.7 - Small Screen Stories. My favourite programme is Jonathan Creek and Alan Davies is Jonathan Creek. This book is his autobiography but written around who the prominant famous people were in his life over ten years as a teen into his early 20s. A great way to write a biography so that it doesn't become a and then I did this and then I did that book!


Previous Reads
10.4 The Winners Choice - PJReads list Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

20.3 Group Reads - The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

25.5 Odd Task Out - American Tabloid by James Ellroy

30.7 Mulitasking - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carrol



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Completed 5 Point Task #2...
SHE WAS A GRAND OLD FLAG MAKER - In Honor Of Betsy Ross (Born January 1, 1752 – Died January 30, 1836) Famously Credited With Sewing The First American Flag…
A. Read A Book That Has A Red, White, And Blue Cover. (Other Colors May Appear But R/W/B Should Be The Primary Colors Of The Book)

I read Holidays Are Hell

Total Points: 140/1100
Books Read: 10
Tasks Completed: 9/58
Total Pages: 2791

I completed Little Bee last night for task 10.5 POPULARITY CONTEST. It was from the overall list for 2009. I wasn't impressed, I gave it 3*.

I am in the middle of like 5 tasks but I did finally complete 30.8. I read Little House in the Big Woods, the first book in the Little House on the Prarie Series, as well as Jefferson's Secret Death And Desire At Monticello. I liked the Little House book, but I think I will wait till my daughters are old enough to read them. The Jefferson book was terrible! It was very poorly written, and I hated every second of reading it!

I would not have liked to live during that time period, although there is something to be said for living off your land! But finding a bear in your barn yard is not cool! I also prefer city life, so I would not fared well in the woods.

New Point Total: 90
Task Completed: 4
Tasks in Progress: 4
Books Read: 10
Pages Read: 3081

I completed 15.9 by reading Me Talk Pretty One Day which has been on my TBR shelf the longest. I also read Evermore by Alyson Noel who I have never read before. Alyson Noel is also a Goodreads Author.

My total is now 45.

For task 15.7 I read Under the Tuscan Sun At Home in Italy byFrances Mayes and baked apple bread pudding.

This task was really a leap of faith for me. I really don't cook. Thankfully, I have co-workers who will eat anything!

Finished 2 this weekend:

25-6 The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson, this takes place on the island of Puerto Rico. Really boring.

5-6 Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, I would never want to be an insurance adjustor! Loved the book!

130 points.

I'm finally on the board!

15.7 I read Southern Living 2001 Annual Recipes Every Single Recipe From 2001 and made the Banana Nut Bread without the nuts, since my husband doesn't like them. However, he told me that it was the best banana bread that he ever had. The recipe was very easy, and it's a great way to use up ripe bananas.

30.5 - Diane's Task

For the deceased narrator, I read Elsewhere and for the author who died and had a book published posthumously, I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I gave both books 3 stars. They were both pretty good, but I liked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo better. I will also read Larsson's follow-up books in this series.

Therefore, I have 15 + 30 = 45 total points.

Yay!

5.5 The shadow of the wind- CARLOS RUIZ ZAFON
My librarian told me that this was her favourite book when I was checking it out- so I was all set for this challenge.

Finished some more tasks.

5.1. THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY - I've read Gertrud by Hermann Hesse because my favorite Disney movie is Fantasia. The main character (who is also the narrator) is a composer, the two secondary characters are opera singers and most of the minor characters are musicians/relate to classical music somehow.

For 30.7. JAN THE GRYPHON’S TASK - MULTI-TASKING I've read Farewell Waltz by Kundera (I could have also used to book for the task 25.3.A as the cover is predominantly green (picture) and for 5.6. because one of the main characters is a nurse at a spa resort where most of the clients are women with problems related to infertility. I can't see myself ever doing anything related to medicine. My mom's a doctor, my cousin's a pharmacist, her boyfriend/fiance is a dentist and my brother wants to be a doctor too, but tbh I hate being around sick people.

& for task 30.10. THERESA IN OHIO'S TASK - COLOR BY NUMBERS I've read Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four both by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

If my calculations are correct, I now have 140 points.

Cynthia, thank you for updating my score, but I forgot to mention that the author of Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin, is a GR author.

Thanks much.

I'm finally on the board!

7. JAN THE GRYPHON’S TASK - MULTI-TASKING
Read A Book That Will Fit Two Or More Other Tasks In The Winter 2009-2010 Challenge. List The Other Tasks It Will Fit (BJ ROSE'S TASK DOES NOT COUNT)

Latte Trouble by Cleo Coyle

It fulfills task 5.8 (cozy mystery) & 15.3.A (written by a female author from a series that has a female main character).

TOTAL POINTS = 30

Task 30.9. RACHEL LEE'S TASK - THE NEWBERY AWARD
The year 2002 Award Winner A Single Shard the Honor Book Everything on a Waffle. They are both very good children's books but I think A Single Shard is better because it not only discusses good moral themes and families but introduces children to the history and creativity of another country (Korea).
Books Read: 9
Pages Read: 2377
Tasks Completed: 7

For task 20.1 I read Princess in Training by Meg Cabot. I am Leo and this book is about royalty, so it satisfies 15.9 in the Help Thread for this challenge (read a book about your zodiac sign: Leo is listed as "royalty"). It was ok. I am reading these because my daughter is reading them, and I think they are honestly getting a little racy for the intended age group. (I'm not against racy, but I'm not a pre-teen!)

This brings me to 200 points.

Oops! Forgot to claim my tickets for supporting GoodReads authors:

I read:
Neil Gaiman: The Graveyard Book
Ingrid Law: Savvy

I read these for 30.9 and already claimed my points in post #481

Task 20.3 GROUP READS
The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore
Posted in discussion: #27 & #33

points this task: 20
tasks completed: 4
total points: 85

20.1 MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - ROOKIE OF THE SEASON - BETH MN'S TASK - REVISITING THE PAST Choose Your Favorite Task From A Past Challenge. The Task You Choose Must Originally Have Been Worth 15 Points Or Higher. When You Claim Points, Let Us Know Which Challenge And Which Task You're Revisiting.
To See A List Of Former Tasks See The Help Thread For This Task.
Fall 25.6 FDR’s Folly by Jim Powell
20 points
175 total

I finished 5.10, Allure of Alliteration with
Last Lullaby An Eve Diamond Novel

+5
total 290

Task 10.1 Under the Big Top: Josser: The Secret Life of a Circus Girl by Nell Stroud



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Finished 30.3 The Year of the Flood. This was my first Margaret Atwood book, and I wasn't too impressed. I have several of her other books on my TBR list and I won't be running out for them anytime soon after reading this.

Total points: 90

I finished another task today: 25.3. For the book with blue cover I read , and for weapon I read (the weapon is fire). I got the book The Girl Who Played with Fire from the library.

New Point Total: 115
Task Completed: 5
Tasks in Progress: 3
Books Read: 11
Pages Read: 3584

Finished 35.3 Winter Vacation by reading The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer. I gave this book 2*. It was about a group of friends and how their careers were put on hold for 10 years for various reasons. I really did not connect to any of the characters.

This will bring me to 130 points.

Finished a couple more--

10.6--DANGEROUS DAYS OF DANIEL X by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge(Kandice’s list)

I liked this tale of a 15 year old boy from another planet who, when his parents are killed, decides to complete his job of destroying all of the beings who plan on taking over Earth. A very quick and fun read. I am looking forward to reading the further adventures!

and

15.1--THIS IS YOUR LIFE:A NOVEL by John O’Farrell

This is the story of Jimmy Conway who after a little lie to a news reporter about his friendship with a comedian begins a life of fame and publicity without having ever performed. A scathing look at how we glorify those who have fame.

and

BURN AFTER READING (DVD)

I had seen this film before and hoped that the second time through it would be better; unfortunately, that was not the case. I have to say that of all the Coen brother's films, this is one of my least favorite. I think that without Brad Pitt it would have had no redeeming qualities. He at least gave me a few chuckles. Oh, well.

This brings me to 575 points!

So I managed to finish reading another book and watch a movie in between cooking (cheesecakes, macaroni & cheese, and peach dump cake) for various work things and thus completed task 15.1. I read Three Girls and Their Brother A Novel which takes a satirical look at the "IT Girl" fashion scene - it was a pretty good story that was divided into 4 sections each narrated from the voice of one of these 3 girls and their brother (hence the title). I also watched Tropic Thunder for the satirical film.

Nicole NC wrote: "Finished 30.3 The Year of the Flood. This was my first Margaret Atwood book, and I wasn't too impressed. I have several of her other books on my TBR list and I won't be running out ..."

Nicole, Atwood's Oryx & Crake is very much outside of her usual genre and I hear that The Year Of The Flood is set in the same time/place as O&C. Her other books are very different. I recommend you try one of them before making your mind up about Atwood. She really is a good storyteller.

Nicole NC wrote: "Finished 30.3 The Year of the Flood. This was my first Margaret Atwood book, and I wasn't too impressed. I have several of her other books on my TBR list and I won't be running out ..."

Sorry, I mis-posted, I actually finished DLM ROSE'S task which was 35.5. Thanks Cynthia!
Total points: 95

Petra wrote: "Nicole NC wrote: "Finished 30.3 The Year of the Flood. This was my first Margaret Atwood book, and I wasn't too impressed. I have several of her other books on my TBR list and I won..."

Good to hear Petra, thanks!

30.2 Science Fiction Past and Present: The Forever War and The Bar Code Tattoo
Aside from the obvious differences (length, age written for, hard sf vs. soft sf), the two books actually touch on similar ideas, most notably that of healthcare in the future. In Haldemon's book, the healthcare of the future is ranked based on age. If you're older than seventy, then you are a "Level 0," meaning you get no health insurance at all...so if you get sick, that's it. Weyn's novel has a similar concept, though you are denied healthcare at eighty and are given a lethal injection or allowed to die if you get injured. Also, if you are genetically predisposed towards certain illnesses or conditions (cancer, diabetes, schizophrenia, for example), you can be denied health coverage or even a job, all based on your bar code information. I thought it was interesting that both books, written thirty years apart, would have the same ideas.
Weyn's book is the scarier of the two. I'm not as afraid of alien invasion than her vision of the future, and the things she proposes seem much more likely to happen, especially given the political climate right now. Even though it takes place in the future, it seems like we have much of the technology to use the systems she suggests. I just hope none of it happens in our lifetime.

35.1 Dewey Decimal: The Essential Confucius (181) and First Emperor of China (931)
I think it's awesome how the numbers line up like they did, and I'm glad I read The Essential Confucius first, since it shed a lot of light on information briefly touched upon in First Emperor of China. Wonderful books, both of them.

Total: 65 + 480 (from earlier) = 545 points

Finished task 10.10 (From Russia With Love). I read Master and Margarita which has been on my TBR list forever. It was a 4* read for me though I can see why so many people call it a 5* book. The 2nd part moved a little too slow for me to absolutely love it.

New total: 15 points

I completed Task 30.10 (Theresa in Ohio's Colour By Numbers) by reading The Seven Daughters of Eve The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry by Bryan Sykes and The Red Scarf by Kate Furnivall. ("Seven" and "Red")
Thank you, Theresa! I read two very good and very different books.

The Seven Daughters of Eve was a look into the evidence of mitochondrial DNA.
The first 2/3's concentrates on the discovery that mitochondrial DNA can be used to look at family trees into the far past and the establishment of the science behind the theory. The author has an "everyday" voice that is easy to follow and understand.
The last third of the book gives each "daughter" a chapter and gives a romanticized account of their life. The topography, animals, living conditions, tools, etc. that is described in these chapters are historically correct but, of course, the actual women's lives aren't. It's a fun way to end the book.
I found this to be a very interesting book.

The Red Scarf is a wonderful Stalinist Russian story. It had everything that a good Russian story usually has plus a touch of mysticism. The story centers upon 2 women who meet in a Concentration Camp in Siberia. One escapes and tries to help her friend. Throughout the book there's fear, belief, confusion, humanity, brutality, Siberian cold, betrayal, love. The characters are real and human. The mysticism adds to the mystery of Russia at a time when it's citizens fought to survive.
I highly recommend this book.

Completed task 15.8 Silver Screen celebrations - read Vegan, Virgin, Valentine by Carolyn Mackler and watched the film "I Hate Valentine's Day" starring Nia Vardalos. I loved the book, it was cute and clever. The movie however, was one of the worst films I have ever seen. Don't waste 2 hours of your life on this one, it was just awful!

Brings me to:
95/1100 points
Tasks Completed: 4/60
Tasks In Progress: 3
Books Read: 6
Pages Read: 1,494

i finished who am i without him today. for task 5.4

tasks done 1
points 5

5.2

Ugly Americans The True Story of the Ivy League Cowboys Who Raided the Asian Markets for Millions - An interesting look at Ivy league "hedge fund cowboys" who raided the mid 90's Japanese financial markets for millions while navigating the underbelly of Yakuza run sex trade and night life.


25.4
The StrainThe Strain - Vampires, i guess, but a pretty loose interpretation. Pretty scary in parts though, i certainly won't forget Mr. Leech's visits to grandma's house.

25.10
A - TBD
B - The Umbrella Academy Dallas - A superhero family, time travel, sadistic assassins in Banana Splits masks, and a very unexpected person behind the "trigger" at the end.

Points: 30
Books: 3
Tasks: 2

Hi

Just completed task 25.9 by reading the following two books:

Vodka, by Boris Starling (containing a map of Moscow)

and

Wise Children, by Angela Carter (containing a list of characters. Also, Vodka had 656 pages.

Thanks.

I finished 5.9, Isn't it Romantic (chocolate) with
Bittersweet Recipes and Tales from a Life in Chocolate

This is a great cookbook, but it is so much more. It demystifies dark chocolate- the science, uses, and pairings. Alice Medrich shares her time in Paris, the beginnings of her chocolate shop, and how to appreciate chocolate. The recipes appear to be very clear and user-friendly. I'll let you know... I enjoyed my library copy so much I ordered a copy to add to my collection.

+5
total 295

Task 5.1 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY -- Beauty Sleep A Retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" -- the retelling of Sleeping Beauty
Books Read: 10
Pages Read: 2718
Tasks Completed: 8

Stephanie wrote: "Finished 35.3 Winter Vacation by reading The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer. I gave this book 2*. It was about a group of friends and how their careers were put on hold for 10 years fo..."


This was for 35.3 but this was for the It's all about time task. Cythia awarded me my points so all is good. I woke up this morning at 2AM and thought about this.

Finished another task -

20.2 - ROOKIE OF THE SEASON - Civil Rights - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

LOVED the book and gave it 5 stars.

Kathryn Stockett is also a Goodreads author.

Books Read = 4
Tasks In Progress = 4
Tasks Completed = 2