The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Nickboy.

30.3 If it’s Tuesday, it must be Belgium.
A. “Day” in title: Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'NeillLong Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill, 179 pages

B. European city/region/country in title: Love Over Scotland by Alexander McCall SmithLove over Scotland by Alexander MacCall Smith, 368 pages

Task Points: 30
Total Points: 1000
Tasks Completed: 57
Books Read: 79
Pages Read: 23,512
Big Books: 500+ (5) 750+ (1)

FINISHED!!
It was only at the end of June that I realized that if I kept reading at the rate I was, then I would finish the challenge. Before that I had no idea, nor intention, of it. I did it -- But I am exhausted!! My hat is off to those of you who keep up this pace all year long! How do you do it! – Thanks to everyone here for making it such a true challenge, and an enjoyable one.

Great going Nick!

Congrats to Beth and Nick, looking forward to seeing your tasks!

Congrats, Nick!

I would like to move some books around.

5.8 - NO SHOPLIFTING - I would like to use No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year which I borrowed from the library.


25.5 - US PATRIOTS - I would like to replace The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and Friendship with The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott who is from Pa. The other book for this task Veterans Way remains the same.


This will not change my point total of 890.

15.2 - SUMMER STOCK - A. The Moon Opera the main character is an opera singer. B. The Glass Menagerie.


20.3 - The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and Friendship. Spending time with my friends makes me happy. The whole premise of this book is friendship.


TOTAL POINTS - 925

10.3 Spare Me

Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia is set in high school where I do not want to return, especially so because I would hate the world of girl-on-girl violence as portrayed here (though I highly recommend the book).

Total points: 175

Gayle

I need to make the following change to Task 30.3/

Book with Day of the Week in Title:

Monday Night Jihad by Jason Elam

Book with European City/Region/Country in Title:

Home To Italy by Peter Pezzelli

Points this Post: 30

Total Points: 475

Coralie
15.9 Pulling Weeds
As I had less than 50 books on my TBR shelf, I went by my average rating which was 3.33 and read Black Genesis which was rated 3.25

50.1 Hodge-Podge
Rebels and Traitors fits A and 700+ pages
Cyteen by C.J. Cherryh fits C and by a goodreads author
The Water Devil fits A and part of a series

Total points 815

50.1 Hodge-Podge

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry ---- BIG BOOK TICKET 821pp

The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen ---- GR Author

The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart: A Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery ---- GR Author Also Series

Points: 50


Total Points: 500
Total Books Read: 38
Total Tasks Completed: 24
Total GR Authors: 3
Total Big Books: 1 (500+), 1 (750+)

5.3 - The Dog Days of Summer - The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs by Alexander McCall Smith, a Goodreads author.

----
Points Claiming: 5
Total Points: 355

Emmalita

15.10 Summertime, And the Reading is Easy

Waiting for the Barbarians by JM. Coetzee

This post: 15 points
Total points to Date: 375 points
Goodread authors: 8
Big Book tickets: 5
Total tasks completed: 16

KIM NY

10.3 -- Spare Me

I read by Phillipa Gregory. Although I love to read historical fiction, I would never want to spend any time in 15th century England. I like running water and modern conveniences too much!

Points for this post: 10
Total points: 280

25.2 Pulitzer winners

Drama 1993 Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner

General Nonfiction 1993 Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words that Remade America by Garry Wills

Total points: 200

Task 15.8 Up in the air

I chose AL which is Albania and read:

Endurance by Alfred Lansing



Task 20.5 Family Reunion

I chose option F. The author was born/lives and her autobiography take place in Blackburn, which is in Central Scotland, about 45 minutes from where I live.

The Woman I Was Born to Be by Susan Boyle


Task 20.9 Summerthing Special

I studied for a Certificate in Contemporary Science which includes Geology as a major part of the course. I read a non fiction book about a volcanic eruption to help me better understand the subject. Book was approved by task creator.

Volcano in Paradise: Death and Survival on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat by Phil Davison


Points these tasks:55
Total Points:615
Goodreads Authors:11
Big Book points:5

20.6 - SUMMER READING - The Bookshop which I started yesterday on my lunch break at work (where I usually read) and finished in the recliner at home which is probably my favorite place of all to read.


TOTAL POINTS - 945

congrats Nick, Beth and anyone I might have missed! Can't wait to see your tasks! I have a feeling next season is going to be an even higher scoring one ;)

NICOLE AR- (This has been previously posted; however, my name was not attached correctly. You will find this is post #890)

20.1 -- Most Improved Player

For this task, I chose Option #3 (a book that was published in the year I was born which is 1985)

I read Don DeLillo White Noise

Points for this task:20
Total Points:70

Stacey

30.5 To The Moon
A: Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void
B: The Ship Who Sang

New points: 30
Total points: 635

Task 25.6 European Landmarks

Both books chosen have been approved by task creator in task help messages 68 and 132/133

option 4-The Highgate Vampire: The Infernal World of the Undead Unearthed at London's Highgate Cemetery and Environs by Sean Manchester

Sean Manchester is a priest and this is his account of his vampire hunting.

option 6-My Turn: The Memoirs of Nancy Reagan by Nancy Reagan

These memoirs cover the Reagan years in the White House and the peace talks with the Soviet Union.


Points this task:25
Total Points:640
Goodreads Authors:11
Big Book Tickets:5

Amanda A


10.6 - Gay Pride
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
David Levithan is a Goodreads Author

15.4 - Summer Shorts
Read ONE anthology or collection of short stories, poems, or novellas by several contributing authors
No Rest for the Dead: Twenty Six Writers, One Mystery by Jeff Abbott, Lori Armstrong, Sandra Brown, Thomas Cook, Jeffery Deaver, Diana Gabaldon, Tess Gerritsen, Andrew F. Gulli, Peter James, J.A. Jance, Faye Kellerman, Raymond Khoury, John Lescroart, Jeff Lindsay, Gayle Lynds, Philip Margolin, Alexander McCall Smith, Michael Palmer, T. Jefferson Parker, Matthew Pearl, Kathy Reichs, Marcus Sakey, Jonathan Santlofer, Lisa Scottoline, R.L. Stine and Marcia Talley
Sandra Brown is a Goodreads Author

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sandy MN's task: A Trip to the Past
So Still The Night by Kim Lenox
This book is set in Victorian England.

25.6 - Gayla's task: European Landmarks
3. The Leaning Tower of Pisa - read a book about math, a biography of a mathematician, or a novel that features math in some way.
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

4. The Cologne Cathedral - Visit it by reading a book about religious history, a biography of a religious leader, or a novel that features a religious institution or a religious leader.
Faith: A Novel by Jennifer Haigh
Jennifer Haigh is a Goodreads Author

30.10 - Coralie's task: Half and Half
Blood Bound was read during the Spring Challenge

A. Blood Law by Karin Tabke

B. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Thea Harrison is a Goodreads Author

Points this post: 100
Total Points: 800
Goodreads Authors: 28 (4 this post)

Readerboard Name= Lindy-Lane

My Goal Points for this Season: 350
Points earned for this task: 25
Points Achieved to date: 465
Updated last on: 8.27
Total # of books read: 38
Total # of pages read: 13,028
Total # of tasks completed: 29
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 12
Total # of Big Books:
500+ (0)
700+ (0)
1000+ (1)

Task 25.6 Gayla's European Landmarks...choose two different European destinations from the list and "visit" them via reading:

I chose (#3)The Leaning Tower of Pisa [math themed] and read An Abundance of Katherines by John Green 227 pages (8.5)

My second choice was (#1) The Louvre [artist as a major character] and read Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach 288 pages (8.23)

Readerboard Name= Lindy-Lane

My Goal Points for this Season: 350
Points earned for this task: 15
Points Achieved to date: 480
Updated last on: 8.27
Total # of books read: 39
Total # of pages read: 13,340
Total # of tasks completed: 30
Total # of Goodreads Authors: 12
Total # of Big Books:
500+ (0)
700+ (0)
1000+ (1)

Task 15.6 Speak English!...British English-learn a "foreign" language;select a British word and read a book with that word in the title:

I chose the British word Bang (having sex)and read
The Big Bang Symphony: A Novel of Antarctica by Lucy Jane Bledsoe 312 pages (8.27)

15.7 The Readers Have Chosen- Read a book that won or was nominated for the 2010 goodreads Choice Awards

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

2010 GoodReads Choice Awards ---Humor category


Points this Post: 15
Tasks Completed: 14/57
Total Points: 160/1000
Total Books Read: 15
Total GoodReads Authors: 4
Total Big Books: 500+ (2), 750+ (0), 1000+ (0)

Sorry.... above post by Annie M (readerboard name)

50.1 Hodge-Podge

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Category H - Book with more than 25K ratings on Goodreads main book page
Criteria #1 - 700+ pages and #3 - part of a series

Big Book ticket claimed - 703 pages

Black Dog by Stephen Booth

Category A - Book by an author you have already read and liked
Criteria #2 - Goodreads author

Stephen Booth is a Goodreads Author

Big Book ticket claimed - 528 pages

Amuse Bouche by Anthony Bidulka

Category I - Added to your TBR during this challenge (but before this task is posted)

Anthony Bidulka is a Goodreads Author

This Post: 50
Total Points: 270
Tasks Completed: 12
Books Read: 17
Goodreads Authors: 8 (Kelley Armstrong, Dan Walsh, Sandy James, Kate Sherwood, Stephen Booth, Marie Sexton, Stephen Booth, Anthony Bidulka)
Big Books: 500+ (5), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

5.10 - SUMMER FUN - Visions of Sugar Plums. Stephanie Plum and her wacky sidekicks always make me laugh.


10.9 - AROUND THE CAMPFIRE - Blood Brothers. Three boys all with the same birthday go for an outing on the eve of their 10th birthday. They decide to become blood brothers and in doing so unleash a demon that has been waiting over 300 years to be released. There are 7 days of terror in the town this year and every seven years after. There are sightings of the demon and of other people long dead through out the book.


TOTAL POINTS - 960

15.10 Summertime - The Reading is Easy
Ender's Game

Total points this Post: 15
Total Points Challenge: 385

Come on Bluemoon! You can do it!

15.6 Speak English!
'Bloody' from the slang list
Bloody Awful by Georgia Evans

30.7 -- Jennifer N's task: Choose Your Own Adventure – SRC Style
Entered: Charlaine Harris
Option 2: Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine
Option A: Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine

Total Points This Post: 45
Total Tasks This Post: 2
Goodreads Authors This Post: 0
Grand Total Points: 1000/1000
Total Books Read: 77
Tasks Completed: 57/57
Total Goodreads Authors: 28
Big Book Tickets This Post: 0
Total Big Book Tickets: 2

Done - Yay! Congrats to all the finishers this season, I'm looking forward to all the fun tasks! And thank you moderators for all your hard work!

Valorie - congratulations!!

congrats Valorie and bluemoon - you can do it!!!

Bluemoon - you are SO close!

30.9 Rosemary's task: Vacation Time!

A. Read a book (fiction or nonfiction) in which a *main* character travels from one country to another (or to more than one country).

On Canaan's Side by Sebastian Barry

The main character travels from Ireland to the U. S.

B. Read a book (fiction or nonfiction) that contains one of the following vacation-related words in its title or subtitle (but not series name): beach, sea, seaside, sand, shore, surf, vacation, holiday, sun, lake, hotel, camp, camping.

The Lake Shore Limited by Sue Miller

This Post: 30
Total Points: 860
Tasks Completed: 52/57
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (1), 1000+ (3)

Congrats Valorie!

10.2 — Phone Home

There are two concurrent stories going on in this book; one on earth and one in space. It's a definite task fit, but I can't say more without spoilers!

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card + Big Book Ticket 675 pages

+10 Points

15.4 Summer Shorts-

Tablet & Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East edited by Reza Aslan + Big Book Ticket 657 pages (not the over 700 posted on Goodreads)

+15 Points

Points this Post: 25
Big Book Tickets: 2
Grand Total: 820

REPOST of #2042


50.1 Hodge-Podge

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry ---- BIG BOOK TICKET 821pp ----- B,D and #1, #3

The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen ---- GR Author ---- A, D and #2, #3

The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart: A Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery ---- GR Author ---- A and #3

Points: 50


Total Points: 500
Total Books Read: 38
Total Tasks Completed: 24
Total GR Authors: 3
Total Big Books: 1 (500+), 1 (750+)

KAREN F

5.2 Sun, Sea and PIRATES

The Pirate Prince by Gaelen Foley

25.3 The Ice Cream Truck

5. Bullet Firecracker Pop (mystery): The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton

9. Push Up Pop (sports agent character): Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben

Points This Post: 30

Total Challenge Points: 430

Congrats Nick and Valorie! Come on Bluemoon!

30.3 If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium

a) Memorial Day by Vince Flynn ***Big Book 574 pp***

b) The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry

Points this post: 30
Total Points: 610
Tasks Completed: 38
Books Read: 46
GoodReads Authors: 13
Big Books: 500+ (4), 750+ (2), 1000+ (0)

Congrats, Valorie!

50.1 Emily Kate's Task-Hodge Podge
Option B: by Stephanie Perkins***Goodreads Author*** Criteria 2
Option D: by Sarah Addison Allen ***Goodreads Author*** Criteria 2
Option C: by Diana Gabaldon ***Big Book-850 pgs*** Criteria 1&3

Points for this Task: 50
Total Points: 215
Goal Total Points: 165
Completed Tasks: 20.2, 20.7, 20.8, 20.10, 25.3, 30.1, 30.4, 50.1
Tasks in Progress: 20.6
Pages Read: 3283
Books Read: 11
Goodreads Authors: 7 (Sarah Addison Allen, Kelley Armstrong, Stephanie Perkins, Sara Shepard x3, Kathryn Stockett)
Big Books: 500+(2) 750+(2) 1000+()

BJ Rose

1 new task

30.4 -- MsOPP's Task: Summer in Europe
For this task, pick 2 of the following:

#4. Read a book set in a European country - set in Scotland
The Scottish Companion by Karen Ranney

Karen Ranney is a Goodreads Author

#5. Read a book that has the word 'summer' in the title
Apache Summer by Heather Graham

Points this post = 30

Total Points = 755

Tasks Completed = 41
Pages Read = 20,887
GR Authors = 13
Big Books: (500+) = 2
Big Books: (750+) = 2

Task 10.9 - Around the campfire

Beyond Spirit Tailings by Ellen Baumler

Challenge total = 580

LISA NC

15.8 Up In The Air - Author initials match European Country Codes

Pirates of Savannah: The Birth of Freedom in the Low Country by Tarrin P. Lupo

Tarrin P. Lupo (TPL) matched with Poland (PL)

GOODREADS AUTHOR

This post: 15 points
Total: 155
Goodreads Authors: 2

15.10 Sumertime and the reading is easy
Lost for Words by Alice Kuipers

15.9 Pulling Weeds
Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later by Francine Pascal
I chose the book on my TBR list with the lowest average rating out of over 200 books on my list. This book's rating was 2.25

15.8 Up in the air
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
Country code CS = Serbia
*Chevy Stevens is a goodreads author

15.5 Mind the Gap
Flawless by Sara Shepard - Pretty Little Liars book #2
*Sara Shepard is a goodreads author

10.8 Baby it's HOT outside
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
*Sara Shepard is a goodreads author

Points: 70
Total Points: 220
Tasks completed: 14
Books read: 17
Goodreads authors: 9
Big books: 500+ (2) 750+ (0) 1000+ (0)

Boston Kate

50.1 Hodge-Podge

Book 1: Brief Lives
A. Book by an author you have already read and liked
Criteria 2 (Goodreads author)
Criteria 3 (Part of a series)

Book 2: A Game of Thrones
B. Book with a Goodreads rating of 4.30 or more (4.42)
Criteria 1 (700+ pages - ebook edition 783 pages)
Criteria 3 (Part of a series)

Book 3: The Hunger Games
E. Previous SRC Group Read that I never read (Summer 2010)
Criteria 3 (Part of a series)

This post: 50 points
Total to date: 255 points
Tasks completed: 12
Books read: 18

Readerboard Name - Denise NC

Task 5.9 - The Long and Short of It

Long Book with Short Title

Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow

Lilith Saintcrow is a Goodreads Author.

Pages - 416

Points - 5


Task 10.9 - Around the Campfire

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong is a Goodreads Author

Pages - 390

Points - 10


Task 20.4 - Focus on My Favorite Goodreads Authors

Rolled 1 - Medieval Times or Magic Plays Important Role

Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Main character is a Druid.

Kevin Hearne is a Goodreads author.

Pages - 485

Points - 20


Points this Post - 35
Total Points - 965

Big Book Tickets this Post - 0
Big Book Tickets Total - 8(500) / 1 (750)

Goodreads Authors this Post - 3
Goodreads Authors Total - 24

Joy Marie

10.5 What's Next?

I typed in "Heart-Shaped Box" by Joe Hill

and read Candles Burning by Tabitha King

Total Points: 115
Goodreads Authors: 2
Big Book Tickets: 1
Tasks Completed: 9
Books Read: 10
Pages Read: 3415

25.4 - Jenn Renee's task: Color Me Happy......
Roll 1 die 1 time to find your color:
I rolled a "5"
5. Blue (Azure, Denim, Sky, Cyan, Cobalt, Indigo, Sapphire)

1. Read a book with a cover that is primarily the color you rolled.
Austenland (Austenland #1) (2007) by Shannon Hale (Goodreads Author) (Hardcover, 208 pages)

**** Goodreads Author **** Shannon Hale

2. Read a book with the color you rolled in the title.
Yellow Blue Tibia: A Novel (2009) Adam Roberts (Hardcover, 326 pages)

540 + 25 = 565




Tasks Completed: 28
Points for this task: 25
Points thus far: 540 + 25 = 565
Books read: 43
Pages Read: 14,592

Read but not claimed: 2
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big Books:
(2) 500+
(1) 750 +
(0) 1000 +