The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
SUMMER CHALLENGE 2011: EUROPE
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Summer Challenge 2011 Completed Tasks (DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS)

I want to shuffle books. Please change task 5.10 to this, and I want to use that book in 30. 4 (below)
5.10. Summer Fun: revised
How To Marry a Millionaire Vampire 7/6/11
30.4 -- MsOPP's Task: Summer in Europe
1. Cool Summer Books 2011: Heartless 8/2/11
**Goodreads Author: Gail Carriger)
4. Set in a European country: (Set in Paris, France) You Slay Me 6/7/11
Goodreads author: Katie MacAlister (already claimed)
************************************************
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 490
Tasks Completed: 31 (1 new in this post)
Books Read: 38 (2 new in this post)
GoodReads Authors: 18 (1 new in this post)
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0) (0 in this post)

10.8 Baby It's Hot Outisde

Points this task:10
Total Points: 190
Books Read: 13
Tasks Completed: 9
Goodreads Authors: 1 (Kalotay)
Big Ticket Books: 500+(1) 750+(0) 1000+(0)

50.1 Hodge Podge



Points this task: 50
Total Points: 240
Books Read: 16
Tasks Completed: 10
Goodreads Authors: 2 (Kalotay) (Donahue)
Big Ticket Books: 500+(1) 750+(1) 1000+(0)


50.10
Book 1: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -- category H (ratings 25K or more) -- fits criteria #1 (book over 700 pages)

Book 2: The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly -- category F (published in 2011) -- fits criteria #2 (Goodreads author)

Book 3: Fuzzy Navel by JA Konrath -- category A (author I've read and liked) -- fits criteria #3 (part of a series)

Points this Post: 70
Tasks Completed: 23
Total Points: 455
Books Read: 31

10.10 - GIMME S'MORE - The Hollow. I have read many Nora Robert's books but this series is new to me.
TOTAL POINTS - 1000



30.5 To the Moon
Nonfiction: Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon by Buzz Aldrin
Science Fiction with space travel: Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke
Grand total: 310

Task 5.9. The Long and the Short of It
A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin 1128 pages
Claiming (3) Big Book Tickets
Task 5.10 Summer Fun
Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
**Janet Evanovich is a Goodreads Author
Total Points: 720
Total GR Authors: 17
Total Big Book Tickets: 10

I am going to move a book around.
I'm moving The Bridge of San Luis Rey from task 5.9 to task 25.3, replacing The Lost World. For 25.3: Ice Cream Truck, my books should be:
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder, option 6- made into a movie and Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled by Dorothy Gilman, option 5- mystery.
Thank you!
Points this task: -5
Total Points: 470
Goodreads Authors: Berwin, Skye, Coelho
Big Books: 500+: 1

True Believers 8/19/11
**Goodreads Author: Maria Zannini
10.7 -- It’s Been a Year Already??!!
Total Eclipse 8/23/11
New Release in August 2010, #51 on the list
************************************************
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 510
Tasks Completed: 33 (2 in this post)
Books Read: 40 (2 in this post)
GoodReads Authors: 19 (1 new in this post)
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0) (0 in this post)

15.09 PULLING WEEDS
The Bolter by Frances Osborne
(I used this method: "Read one of the 50 books on your 'To Read' shelf added before 5/21 with the lowest rating.")
Points: 15
Total points: 495
Tasks completed: 31
Books read: 39
Goodreads authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(1), 750+(0), 1000+(0)

A. Autobiography of an actress:
That's Another Story by Julie Walters
B. A play:
Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward
Total points to date 460


15.5 Mind the Gap
High Wizardry
Book 3 of 9
15.8 Up In the Air
First Term at Trebizon Anne Digby
Andorra AD
15.10 Summertime, And the Reading is Easy
This Place Has No Atmosphere
30.1 -- Cheryl TX's task: Best Friends and Lovers
Part A: Best friend of past friend Lucy Smith
I Capture the CastleDodie Smith
Part B: 2) Read a book with exactly seven words in the title.
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
30.7 -- Jennifer N's task: Choose Your Own Adventure – SRC Style
Starting author was David Eddings
Book 1 Option 1 Arrows of the QueenMercedes Lackey
Book 2 Option B entering Mercedes Lackey
Guilty PleasuresLaurell K. Hamilton
Previous points: 465
Points this post: 105
Total points: 570

rolled a 4. Green.
Option 1. cover primarily green: read

Option 3. Green in the author's name:
read The Letter of the Law by Tim Green
Points 25
Stacey
15.10 Summertime, nd the Reading is Easy
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
New points: 15
Total points: 705
15.10 Summertime, nd the Reading is Easy
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
New points: 15
Total points: 705

Managing Stress: Keeping Calm Under Fire
My work is very stressful. This book has made me aware of ways I create and respond to the stresses I experience and what to do to manage my life better.
I plan to share this with my work team through a newsletter I write.
Points: 20
Total Points: 550
Total Books Read: 40
Total Tasks Completed: 26
Total GR Authors: 3
Total Big Books: 1 (500+), 1 (750+)

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Rolled a 6, Chose option 4, Dana goes to a foreign place (Avalan) to meet her father.
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 180
Total Tasks Completed: 14
Total Books Read: 14
Total Pages Read:4038
Total GoodReads Authors: 9

5.8 But No Shoplifting!
I listened to Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't by Jim Collins, which I borrowed from the Library.
Points this task 5
Total points 205
Tasks Completed: 10
Books read: 14
Total pages: 4932 + two audiobooks
GR Authors: 2
Big Books: 500+(3), 750+(1), 1000+(0)

For this task, read two books written by the same author but under different names.
The Reindeer People by Megan Lindholm
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
This Post: 30
Total Points: 910
Tasks Completed: 54/57
Goodreads Authors: 3
Big Books: 500+ (0), 750+ (1), 1000+ (3)

5.4. S U M M M M M M E R - The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary profeSSor Simon Winchester read 6-4-11
5.7. Don't Stop Reading - Thirteen Reasons Why Jay Asher 8-5-11
5.8. But No Shoplifting! - Sex with Kings: 500 Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge Eleanor Herman borrowed it from my Mom read 6-30-11
5.9. The Long and the Short of It - The Help Kathryn Stockett read 8-18-11
5.10. Summer Fun - The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons Katie MacAlister oh Baltic! read6-8-11
10.3 Spare Me - Cream Puff Murder Joanne Fluke set in Minnesota and 1, it's way too cold there and 2, I'm a packers fan and hate the vikings! read7-10-11
10.5 What’s Next? - I'm in No Mood for Love Rachel Gibson *5star from my list was FAKING IT by JENNIFER CRUSIE read 8-6-11
10.7 It’s Been a Year Already??!! - Sizzling Sixteen Janet Evanovich *June 2010 #6 on the list read 7-21-11
10.8 Baby, It's Hot Outside! - The Playboy Carly Phillips re-read 7-31-11

10.10 Gimme S’more - The Forbidden LA Banks read 6-12-11
15.3 In The Eurozone - A. Germany: The Book Thief Markus Zusak read 7-16-11 B. UK The Little Lady Agency and the Prince Hester Browne read 8-26-11
15.4 Summer Shorts - The Guy Next Door Lori Foster, Susan Donovan, Victoria Dahl read 8-11-11
15.5 Mind the Gap - Real Vampires Live Large Gerry Bartlett Glory St. Clare #2 read 6-26-11
15.7 The Readers Have Chosen - Maybe This Time Jennifer Crusie Romance Nominee read 7-2-11
15.10 Summertime, And the Reading is Easy- Dead Witch Walking Kim Harrison read 6-7-11
20.3 Best Review Contest - Sera's task: Happy, Happy, Happy -
My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto Jen Lancaster *Reality TV and laughing make me happy and this book is about the author's attempts to give up reality tv and become more well rounded and intellectual; my mom and I have a girls night on thrusdays and we watch reality tv (so you think you can dance)! read 7-22-11
20.4 Author, Author - Isabell's task: Focus on My Favorite Goodreads Author - I rolled a 6 so I picked option 1 The Good, the Bad, and the Undead Kim Harrison *Rachel, the main character, is a witch read 8-8-11
20.7 Shorter is Sweeter - Sandy MN's task: A Trip to the Past - Too Sinful To Deny Erica Ridley read 6-27-11
25.3 - Sandy's task: The Ice Cream Truck 1. Bubble Gum Bar Hourglass Claudia Gray 7-7-11 9. Push Up Pop
See Jane Score Rachel Gibson 7-5-11
30.7 -- Jennifer N's task: Choose Your Own Adventure – SRC Style I picked Jennifer Crusie and used her for both options b/c I was not a big fan of the Katie Fforde book Book 1 Option 1 - Second Thyme Around Katie Fforde read 7-25-11 Book 2 Option 3 Under the Boardwalk Carly Phillips read 7-24-11
30.8 Beth NC's Task: Summer Solstice - Option B Long: Thirst No. 3: The Eternal Dawn Christopher Pike read 8-23-11 Short: Dragon's Oath PC and Kristin Cast read 8-19-11
Total Points: 295
Tasks Completed: 21
# of Books Read: 25

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
My favorite summer activity is taking time for a summer vacation. My vacation this year was to Scotland. I read this book on the plane.
***Rebecca Skloot is a Goodreads author. I would like to claim a Goodreads author ticket for this book.***
Total Books Read: 7
Total Challenges Completed: 7
Total Pages Read: 2709
Big Book Tickets:0
GoodReads Author Tickets:1
Total Points: 100

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer was nominated in the favorite heroine category.
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 485
Goodreads Authors: Berwin, Skye, Coelho
Big Books: 500+: 1


Task 15.9 - Pulling Weeds (I sorted my TBR shelf)
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Challenge total = 595

COMPLETED TASKS:
10.8 Baby, It's Hot Outside!
cover that is predominately made up of hot colors (red, orange, yellow)
❀Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward READ 8.29.11
15.3 In The Eurozone
Read TWO books
A. ONE set in or written by an author who was born in or currently resides in a
country that uses the Euro: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Vatican City
❀In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson READ 8.26.11
GOODREADS AUTHOR
B. ONE set in or written by an author who was born in or currently resides in a country that does not use the Euro: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bulgaria, Croatia, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom
❀22 Britannia Road by Amanda Hodgkinson READ 7.20.11
20.9 Lucky Me! - Kate.x.'s task: Summerthing Better
non-fiction book on a subject that you think you need to improve on to feel better - "aging gracefully and having a good attitude about aging"
❀The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife by Marianne Williamson READ 8.25.11
*********************************************************************

TOTAL TASKS COMPLETED: 32/57
TOTAL BOOKS READ: 39
TOTAL POINTS: 510/1000
TOTAL GOODREADS AUTHORS: 20
BIG BOOK TICKETS: 500+[ ] 750+[ ] 1000+[ ]

15.10 Summertime, And the Reading is Easy......
Paper Moon by Joe David Brown
4 stars
+15
total: 220
tasks: 15
books: 17
GR Authors: 3

5.4 Summmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmer
My Horizontal Life: A CoLLection of One-Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
10.3 Spare Me
Citizen 13660 by Mine Okubo
Set in a Japanese Internment Camp during WWII. Why I would never want to visit should be fairly obvious, but it sounds like it was a pretty miserable experience.
10.6 Gay Pride
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
The author/main character is a lesbian.
10.7 It's Been a Year Already?
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
#16 on the June 2010 list
10.8 Baby, It's Hot Outside
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

10.10 Gimme S'more
Sandman, Vol. 5: A Game of You by Neil Gaiman
***Goodreads Author
15.5 Mind the Gap
Children of the Storm by Elizabeth Peters
#15 in the Amelia Peabody series (there are 19 in total)
15.9 Pulling Weeds
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
I sorted my “To Read” shelf by average rating ascending. This book was #31 on that list with an average rating of 3.06 stars
15.10 Summertime, and the Reading is Easy
Empire State: A Love Story by Jason Shiga
20.4 Focus on My Favorite Goodreads Author
I rolled a 4 - book with "god" in title
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
**Goodreads Author
**Big Book Ticket - 672 pages
20.5 Family Reunion
B. Fictional Family Saga
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
**Big Book Ticket - 604 pages
20.6 Summer Reading
Skip Beat!, Vol. 24 by Yoshiki Nakamura
** Read while lounging on our back deck in the sun. :)
20.7 A Trip to the Past
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Set in the 1960s, published in 2010
25.3 The Ice Cream Truck
5) Bullet Firecracker Pop (crime/mystery):
Guardian of the Horizon by Elizabeth Peters
8) Big Dipper Cone (sci-fi/fantasy):
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
**Big Book Ticket - 836 pages
30.1 Best Friends and Lovers
A) My best friend in Elementary School was named Lauren:
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
**Goodreads Author
B-3) Book with word "night" in the title:
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
30.4 Summer in Europe
1) Cool Summer Books 2011:
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
4) Set in European country:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (set in Germany)
**Goodreads Author
**Big Book Ticket - 584
30.6 Shakespeare Under the Stars
First Die - 6 - As You Like It - Comedian/Humorous:
Bossypants by Tina Hey
Second Die - 4 - Hamlet - murder mystery:
The Serpent on the Crown by Elizabeth Peters
30.7 Choose Your Own Adventure
Literature Map -- I started with Cameron Dokey, and went with Option 2, a book I haven't read by an author I have read before:
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
For my second book, I went with Option 2, and entered Sarah Dessen into the Literature Map. Again, I went with Option 2, a book I haven't read by an author I have read before:
Abandon by Meg Cabot
CHALLENGE TOTALS:
Points: 325
Tasks completed: 18
Books read: 23
Pages read: 8,574

Task 5.8 - But No Shoplifting!
I read Jack of Fables: Americana by Bill Willingham
I got this book where I get the majority of my books, from my local library.
Points this task: 5
Total points: 765
Tasks completed: 43
Books read: 58
Pages read: 14729
Goodreads authors: 11
Big books: 500+ (0); 750+ (0); 1000+ (0)

Persuader by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #7)
Big Book ticket claimed - 542 pgs
This Post: 15
Total Points: 285
Tasks Completed: 13
Books Read: 18
Goodreads Authors: 9 (Kelley Armstrong, Dan Walsh, Sandy James, Kate Sherwood, Stephen Booth, Marie Sexton, Stephen Booth, Anthony Bidulka, Stephen Booth)
Big Books: 500+ (6), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0)

Congrats to all that finished before me!! There are already some great tasks on the board.
There is still some time for a few more finishers. I am routing for you all.

a. The Paris Wife by Paula Mcclain **
main character travel from US to France, Spain, Canada, and Spain throughout the book
b. Eden Lake by Jane Roper
word LAKE in the title
Points this Post - 30
**both authors are goodreads authors**
books read - 19
tasks completed - 13
TOTAL POINTS - 310

I read

*BIG BOOK ticket - 734 pages
10.9 Around the Campfire
I read The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (GOODREADS AUTHOR) which features many ghosts.
NEW TOTAL: 565

I completed task 10.3 Spare Me. I read "Black Box" by Julie Schumacher. The main character's sister suffers from depression and is sent to the hospital for treatment. I would never want to be sent to a place like that for a mental illness.
Tasks Completed: 14
Books Read:17
Big Book ticket 750+ (1) 1000+ (1)
GR Authors: 3: Susan Wilson, Lori Devoti, Janet Evanovich
Grand Total: 205/1000


The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook by Matt Dunn

----
Points Claiming: 10
Total Points: 365

Fragile by Lisa Unger
Total = 145 points

I also realized I forgot to list the page numbers for Cutting for Stone and A Discovery of Witches. I read this version of Cutting for Stone which has 667 pages and this version of
A Discovery of Witches which has 579 pages.
New Task
50.1 Hodge Podge
A. Author Already Read-

C. Book with One Word Title-

D. Friend Rated 5 Star

Total Points:215
GR Authors-7
Big Book Tickets-6
My guess is this is going to do it for this challenge unless I manage to finish something else by tomorrow night which looks doubtful.
Stacey
25.4 Color Me Happy
Rolled a 2, Orange.
Book 1: A Clockwork Orange (Option 2)
Book 2: For Your Eyes Only (Option 5)
New points: 25
Total points: 735
(Dammit, I want so badly to make it to 750 and I just don't think it's gonna happen. Sigh. Unless I call of work tomorrow and read all day...)
25.4 Color Me Happy
Rolled a 2, Orange.
Book 1: A Clockwork Orange (Option 2)
Book 2: For Your Eyes Only (Option 5)
New points: 25
Total points: 735
(Dammit, I want so badly to make it to 750 and I just don't think it's gonna happen. Sigh. Unless I call of work tomorrow and read all day...)

20.5 Bigger is Better - Sue T's task: Family Reunion
Option D
Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts
Total Points: 740

Task 10.7 It's been a year Already
From June 2010 most popular books published
I read The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
Aimee Bender is a Goodreads Author!!
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 345
Tasks completed: 23
Books read: 30
Goodreads Authors: 6
Big books: 1

Task: 10.6 Gay Pride
Book: Middlesex
Total Points: 355
Previous Reads
5.4 SUMMMMMMER - Great House by Nicole Krauss
5.9 The Long and The Short of It - Ravens by George Dawes Green
5.10 Summer Fun - Dave Gorman vs The Rest of the World
10.1 For Real? - Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde
10.4 Here Kitty, Kitty - The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
10.9 Around the campfire - Turn of the Screw by Henry James
10.10 Gimme S'more - Generation A by Douglas Coupland
15.5 Mind the Gap - Excursion to Tindari by Andrea Camelleri
15.9 Pulling Weeds - Rescue by Anita Shreve
20.1 My Birthday - One Day by David Mitchell
20.4 Focus on My Favourite Goodreads Author - Death and the Penguin by Andrea Kurkov
20.5 Family Reunion - The Bed I Made by Lucie Whitehouse
20.6 Summer Reading - A Visit from the Goon Squad by Elizabeth Egan
20.7 A Trip to the Past - Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant
25.3 The Ice-cream Truck - Dirty Work by Julia Bell and The Twisted Heart by Rebecca Gower
30.1 Best Friends and Lovers - Demo by Alison Miller and Night Watch
30.2 AKA - Portobello by Ruth Rendall and The Minotaur by Barbara Vine
30.6 Shakespeare Under the Stars - The Sunlight in the Garden by Francis King and Vienna by Eva Menasse
30.8 Summer Solstice - Memory of Love and Where or When by Anita Shreve
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a) author born in PA Everywhere That Mary Went by ***Goodreads Author Lisa Scottoline***
b) main character is Lt. Col. in US Army - The Lazarus Vendetta by Patrick Larkin
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 685
Tasks Completed: 40
Books Read: 51
GoodReads Authors: 16
Big Books: 500+ (4), 750+ (3), 1000+ (0)

1. Bech: A Book by John Updike - 224 pages
Updike was born in Pennsylvania.
2. The EC Archives: Frontline Combat - 212 pages
This graphic collection contains stories of US servicemen fighting at the front lines of different battles in recent history.
30.8 - Summer Solstice
A. From Quality Dark Fiction: The Turn of the Screw - 128 pages
B. From Light but Not(Too)Dumb: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner, a Goodreads Author - 376 pages
Points this post: 55
Total Points: 730
Total Tasks Completed: 44
Total Books Read: 60
Total Pages Read: 18,412
Total GoodReads Authors: 5
Total Big Books: 500+(5),750+(0),1000+(0)

25.1 - Tennis, anyone?
1. Phoenix Wright ace attorney, official casebook. Vol 1, The Phoenix Wright files by Kenji Kuroda - 416 pages
2. Drop Shot by Harlan Coben - 341 pages
(Following totals include additional tasks posted before repost.)
Total Points: 730
Total Tasks Completed: 44
Total Books Read: 60
Total Pages Read: 18,412
Total GoodReads Authors: 5
Total Big Books: 500+(5),750+(0),1000+(0)
Books mentioned in this topic
Looking for Alaska (other topics)Flawless (other topics)
A Game of Thrones (other topics)
An Abundance of Katherines (other topics)
Juliet, Naked (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Molière (other topics)P.G. Wodehouse (other topics)
Robin Oliveira (other topics)
Fannie Flagg (other topics)
Barbara Delinsky (other topics)
More...
The Winds of Dune (448 pages) by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson 8/29/11
long book (400 or more pages) with a short title (fewer than 5 words)
30.7 -- Jennifer N's task: Choose Your Own Adventure – SRC Style
Literature Map: entered Meljean Brook (didn't participate last summer, so used a favorite author that I used in the spring challenge)
First book:
• Option 2 – Windfall by Rachel Caine 8/10/11
Second book:
• Option A – Firestorm by Rachel Caine 8/11/11
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Points this post: 35
Total Points: 460
Tasks Completed: 30 (2 in this post)
Books Read: 36 (3 in this post)
GoodReads Authors: 17 (0 in this post)
Big Books: 500+ (1), 750+ (1), 1000+ (0) (0 in this post)