The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2014 CT
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Winter 2014 Completed Tasks: Do Not Delete Posts

I forgot to claim a big book ticket for message 2765, task 25.1
De wereld van Sofie
I read the Dutch version of the book and that one is 500+ pages.

10.4. Let's Go!
Love, Lucy - April Lindner (GR Author) - 10ppl have shelved as travel
Points this Post: 10
Points Total: 980
ŷ Authors: 59
Big Book Tickets: 500+ - 1

The Rock Star And The Girl From The Coffee Shop by Terry Towers,a GRA
10.8. Our Friends in Tuxedos
Silence by Natasha Preston,a GRA
10.9. Get to Know the Author
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Page 2 of Author Interviews.
15.1 Returns and Exchanges
Book 1- Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult,a GRA.Rated Mercy 4stars.
Book 2- Champion by Marie Lu,a GRA. Rated The Scorch Trials 4stars. Chosen on 7/2/2015.
20.4 - Author! Author! - Gea's task: The College Years
The Kommandant's Girl by Pam Jenoff,a GRA. Poland
25.6 -- Pamela3265's task: Let It Snow!
Option A- One to Hold by Tia Louise,a GRA
Option C- Life is What You Make It by Preeti Shenoy,a GRA.
Points this post- 85
GRA this post- 7
Total Points- 885
Total GRA- 58
Total BB(+500)- 5

15.7 Creature Feature
The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the Ocean (I read the hardcover edition.)
Points This Post: 15
ŷ Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total for Winter Challenge:
Total Points: 280
Total ŷ Authors: 10
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+: 0
Big Books - 750+: 0
Big Books - 1000+: 0

Read 2 books.
Option A. The goddess Ma'at. Read a book with the name of a season (winter, spring, summer or fall/autumn) in the title or subtitle. Plurals and possessives will work but no other variations.
The Winter Ghosts by Kate Mosse

Option C. The god Osiris. For this option read a book that is first in a series that is new to you or resurrect a series that you have been neglecting and read another book in the series. NO REREADS for this option.
One Of Our Thursdays Is Missing by Jasper Fforde (Thursday Next #7). Not a reread, #6 in series read in July 2011.

Current post:
Points: 25
ŷ Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 285
Total ŷ Authors: 1
Total Big Book Tickets: 2

5.9 - Urania
The Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs
The word "moon" is in the title.
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 130
Books Read: 9
Completed Tasks: 7
Tasks in Progress: 1
Pages Read: 2663
ŷ Authors: 5
Big Books: [500+: 0] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

25.5 Lucky Number Twelve-read 2 books from two different options
Option A: 12th book in a series
The Red Door by Charles Todd*
The Red Door
Option B-Read a book by an author born on Dec. 12
Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella
Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Current post: 25
ŷ Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Previous Point Total: 180
New Total-205
Total ŷ Authors: 3
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

I rolled a 2 & a 5.
2: Orpheus and Eurydice
One in a Million by Jill Shalvis - per genre “Romance�
Jill Shalvis is a ŷ author.
5: Medusa - horror genre
The Gunslinger by Stephen King - per genre “Horror�
Stephen King is a ŷ author.
30.4 - Annapoorni's task: Neptune's Neighbourhood
Option A) Term for a body of water in title
Ice Lake: Gone Cold & Cold Heat & Stone Cold by B.J. Daniels, Delores Fossen, Julie Miller - per word "Lake"
B.J. Daniels is a ŷ author.
C) Body of water large enough to swim in on the cover.
Death Of A Gossip by M.C. Beaton

Points This Post: 60
Total Points: 590
ŷ Authors: 22

*** RE-POST ***
Task 20.7: Colors of Trivial Pursuit:
Option 4: Never Left The Bluejay Shaman by Lise McClendon. Two of the main characters in the story are professors of Anthropology at the University of Montana. This is not mentioned in the GR description but can be found at other descriptions, including .
Totals this posting:
Total Points: 20
Books Read: 1
Tasks Completed: 1
GoodReads Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 500+: ; 750+: 0;
Summary Totals:
Total Points: 220
Books Read: 15
Tasks Completed: 11
GoodReads Authors: 6
Big Book Tickets: 500+: ; 750+: 0;

20.4 - Author! Author! - Gea's task: The College Years
ONE of the options below
3. Read a fictional book where one of the main characters is in college.
S. One of the main characters is a college senior.
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 145

30.1 - Captain America Girl's task: It’s All Greek to Me�
REQUIRED - Rolled a 4 and a 5
Option 4 - Odysseus - Read a book with the word ‘ship� found intact in the title, subtitle, or author’s name (first or last).
The Second Ship by Richard Phillips
Option 5 - Medusa - Read a book with ‘horror� as a main page genre. Genres must be the main genre. So Horror > Supernatural would work, but Supernatural Horror would not.
Run by Blake Crouch
This Post
Points this Post: 30
Tasks Completed: 1
GRA Tickets: 0
BB Ticket: 0
Total this Season
Points: 335 / 1045
Tasks Completed: 14/60
Pages: 7983
Books: 24
ŷ Authors: 14
Big Books: [500+: 2] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

20.1- January and Janus
For this task, you will chose one option. It is a ONE BOOK task.
Option 4
Read a book from one of these shelves: Memory or Aging.
The Death Cure by James Dashner **James Dashner is a ŷ Author**
This book can be found on page 27 of the Memory shelf.
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 515
ŷ Authors: 32
Total Tasks Completed: 32

5.3 - Euterpe - Read a book with an identifiable musical instrument on the cover.

Guitar over his shoulder. Also approved in help thread.
**Lexxie Couper is a goodreads author.**
Current post:
Points: 5
ŷ Authors: 1
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 990
Total ŷ Authors: 51
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Erika’s Task: Feminism is for Everybody!
Option 3. Read a book with a pink object, high-heeled shoe(s), or a bare-chested man on the cover.
I read


Task 5.5 Thalia - Read a book with the genre "humor" on its main page.
I read Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters. On the book's main page, "humor" is the first listed genre.
Also -- the author Mallory Ortberg is a ŷ Author.
[POINTS]
This Post: 5
Total Points: 30
Books Read: 4
Completed Tasks: 3
ŷ Authors: 2

Task # 15.8 Under My Thumb
Read a book that has a human hand on the cover that shows a thumb

Points this post: 15
Total points: 895

(view spoiler)
A: Garment of Shadows by Laurie R. King is #12 in the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series.
***ŷ Author***
B: Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella - author's birthday 12/12/69, approved post 2
THIS POST:
Points: 25
Tasks Completed: 1
Books: 2
GRA Tickets: 1
BB Tickets: [500+:0][750+:0][1000+:0]
TOTAL THIS SEASON:
Points: 995
Tasks Completed: 58
Pages: 26918
Books: 78
GRA Tickets: 42
BB Tickets: [500+:7][750+:0][1000+:0]

Task # 20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Erika’s Task: Feminism is for Everybody!
Option 2. Read a fictional book from the Best Feminist Fiction list

Points this post: 20
Total points: 915

Task 5.2 - Clio
Read a book with history genre
Lost London: An A-Z of Forgotten Landmarks and Lost Traditions by Richard Guard

25.10 Lois's task: Book Group Books
Book 1. Pick any SRC Group Reads book, from any past season, that you did not read previously. (It's new to me and I'd wanted to read it for awhile.)
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I listened to the audiobook, the pb has 461 pages.
Rainbow Rowell is a **ŷ Author**
Book 2. Read a book from the Most Popular bookclub books list.
#33 | "this month" (January '15) | US
Red Rising (Red Rising Trilogy #1) -- Pierce Brown
I read the kindle version, the pb has 416 pages.
Pierce Brown is a **ŷ Author**
[POINTS]
This Post: 25
Total Points: 870/1045
Books Read: 68
Completed Tasks: 51/59
Pages Read: 22977
ŷ Authors: 46
Big Books: [500+: 5] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

25.1 - Angel **Book Junkie**'s task: New and Old
Option 1: Read a new-to-you book (not a reread) by an author that you have read before.
I read The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson ★★. It's not a reread.
I have read The Ghost Pirates and The Boats of the 'Glen Carrig' by W. H. Hodgson some years ago.
Option 2: Read a book by a new-to-you author.
I read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick ★★★★�. Philip K. Dick is new to me.
Points this post: 25
---------
Total points: 155
Tasks completed: 10
Books read: 15

15.8 Under My Thumb
Read a book that has a human hand on the cover that shows a thumb.

Nick Cutter is a ŷ Author!
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 395
Books Read: 25
ŷ Authors: 10
Big Books:500+(0)750+(0)1000+(1)

15.7 Creature Feature
Read a book with one of these words in the title: centaur, chimera, dragon, giant, gorgon, griffin, harpy, minotaur, Pegasus, satyr, sphinx, serpent, siren, unicorn.
To Ride Pegasus, Anne McCaffery
ŷ Author: No
Big Book: No
Total Points this Challenge: 15
Books Read: 1
Tasks Completed: 21
Total Points: 465
Total ŷ Authors: 15
Total Big books: 500+ (1)

Read a book that has been reviewed in "Blogging for a Good Book":
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Review:
This post: 10
Total this season: 135

20.7 Shorter is Sweeter - Berls's Task: Back to High School
Option 3: pick a book that's been nominated for Young Adult Fiction or Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction in the ŷ Choice Awards.
Chosen from: Best YA Fantasy & Science Fiction of 2014 Nominees
Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #3) -- Laini Taylor
I listened to the audiobook, the pb has 613 pages.
At 613 pages, it's good for one **Big Book Ticket**
Laini Taylor is a **ŷ Author**
[POINTS]
This Post: 20
Total Points: 890/1045
Books Read: 69
Completed Tasks: 52/59
Pages Read: 23590
ŷ Authors: 47
Big Books: [500+: 6] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

20.4 - Author! Author! - Gea's task: The College Years
Book: Picture Perfect by Alessandra Thomas
Notes: 3) Cat is a college student, which is mentioned in the blurb.
20.10 - Group Reads
Book: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Notes: Discussion post #53.
This Post: 40
Points to Date: 875

Beth Robinson
25.1 -- Angel **Book Junkie**'s task: New and Old
(Read 2 books)
Option 2: Read a book by a new-to-you author.
Stuff: The Things The World Is Made Of by Ivan Amato
Never read a book by this author before
Option 4: Read a book in a series that you have already started.
A Scream of Angels by Joseph Nassise
Book # 2 in a series. Read #1 before I was logging books on ŷ again.
Points this post: 25
Total points: 95

25.1 Angel*Book Junkie task - New and Old
Option 3: Start a series by a new to you author.
A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger. This author is new to me.
Bruce Holsinger is a ŷ author.
Option 4: Book in a series already started.
A Fatal Grace which is #2 in the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny. I have also read #1.
[POINTS]
This Post: 25
Total Points: 140/1045
Books Read: 11
Completed Tasks: 7/60
ŷ Authors: 8
Big Books: [500+: 1] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]
(note - edited my points totals to correct an error)

Task 50.1 - Let's Start the New Year Off Right
1) Close, But Not Quite - Read a book you wanted to read for this challenge but that didn't quite fit the requirements for the task.
REQUIRED: Indicate which task the book almost works for, include all required information from the original task AND briefly explain why it didn't fit.
Doesn't fit 20.9 “S�, “L�, “U�, “M�, “P� because author name has “L�.
Bobcat and Other Stories (2013) by Rebecca Lee (Paperback, 209 pages)
3) Jump on the Bandwagon - Read a book from GoodReads Best Book of the Year 2014 nominees and winners.
REQUIRED: Name the category the book is listed in and state that it is not a reread when you post.
Not a re-read.
2014 Winner: Category HUMOR
Yes Please (2014) by Amy Poehler (Hardcover, 329 pages)
4) It's Your Last Chance - Read a book which has "mythology" AND either "Greek" or "Roman" as genres on the main page.
Persephone(Daughters of Zeus #1) (2012) by Kaitlin Bevis (ŷ Author) (Kindle Edition, 203 pages)
ebook pagecount verified
**** ŷ Author **** Kaitlin Bevis
300 + 50 = 350
Tasks Completed: 19
Points for this post: 50
Points thus far: 300 + 50 = 350
Books read: 27
Pages read: 8,189
Read but not claimed: 6
ŷ Authors: 7
Big Books:
(1) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

Option A: Read a book with the word “twelve� in the title.
Twelve Drummers Drumming (Father Christmas Mystery #1) (2011) by C.C. Benison (ŷ Author) (Hardcover, 374 pages)
**** ŷ Author ****C.C. Benison
Option C: There are 12 signs of the Western Zodiac. Find your Western Zodiac sign and read a book that has YOUR sign's symbol in the title/subtitle or series name.
I was born on September 22, making me a VIRGO. [ Virgo-"Maiden" ]
A Fair Maiden (2010) by Joyce Carol Oates (Hardcover, 165 pages)
350 + 25 = 375
Tasks Completed: 20
Points for this post: 25
Points thus far: 350 + 25 = 375
Books read: 29
Pages read: 8,728
Read but not claimed: 5
ŷ Authors: 8
Big Books:
(1) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

5.4 Erato
Book with 'love' intact in title
The Lover
10.7 You Can Do It!
Book with genre 'health'
In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating
15.9 Public Enemy
Book with genre 'crime' (embedded)
Murder and Mendelssohn
This post 30 points
Total to date 885 points

25.8 -- Hana C's task: Merry Saturnalia!
Book One: Any book
Contact by Carl Sagan
Book Two: 3. Science Fiction with a setting that is primarily extra-terrestrial.
A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 515
Tasks Completed: 26
Books Read: 37
GR Authors: 4
Big Book Tickets: 500(), 750(), 1000()

5.10 - Who's Your Muse?
Take your favorite muse out to play by reading a book of your choice.
I read True Confessions by Jon Winokur.
[POINTS]
This Post: 5
Total Points: 270
Books Read: 18
Completed Tasks: 13
ŷ Authors: 8
Big Books: [500+: 3] [750+: 0] [1000+: 0]

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult was interviewed on page 6.
Jodi Picoult is a ŷ author.
25.3 Two Types of Tasks
Book A: This was a library book.
In My Father's House by Ernest J. Gaines
Book B: This is from Mrs Soule's 5 star shelf
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey
Points this post: 35
Total points: 315
Goodsreads authors: 9

25.4 - Bluemoon's task: EGYPTIAN DEITIES
A. THE GODDESS MA'AT: Read a book with the name of a season (winter, spring, summer or fall/autumn) in the title or subtitle.
Scandal in Spring
C. THE GOD OSIRIS: OR resurrect a series that you have been neglecting and read another book in the series.
Archangel's Storm Not a reread
Last book in series that I read was Archangel's Blade Oct 9, 2011
Points this post:25
Total: 440
Books read: 31
Tasks Done:20

10.2: NEW YEAR, NEW NUMBER
The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing: A Novel
by Mira Jacob --- GR Author
I did the audio, so here is the link to the hard cover since no paperback book is available in english: /book/show/2...
Also claiming BB ticket: 512 pages
Points this Post: 10
Total Points: 870
Total GRA: 33
BB-500: 3
BB-750: 2
BB-1000: 0

Task 20.4 -Author! Author! -Gea's task: The College Years
Option 1: A book set in a member nation of the EU. This book is set in Ireland (which is listed separately from the United Kingdom on the Member states chart linked to in the task).
Star Sullivan

Points this post: 20
Total points: 240
Total tasks: 11
GRA: 7
Big Books: (500+): 2

I read Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
This Post
Points: 15
ŷ Author this post:
Big Books: Big Books: 500() 750() 1000()
Winter Totals
Total Points: 295
Total Tasks: 21
Total ŷ Authors: 14
Total Big Books: 1

Option 1, new-to-me book by a previously read author: One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
I read Me Before You in March 2014.
Option 4, a book in a series already started: The Game by Laurie R. King, #7 in the Mary Russell series
Points this post: 25
Total points: 650

(view spoiler)
2. Countrymen: The Untold Story of How Denmark's Jews Escaped the Nazis by Bo Lidegaard is a translated work. I couldn't use it for task 25.2, however, because Danish is not one of the languages given as an option.
3. The Pearl that Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi is a 2014 ŷ Fiction Nominee.
***ŷ Author***
5. Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference by Cordelia Fine (Not a reread)
Resolved: To understand diversity better. This includes gender and sex differences, which this book covers.
THIS POST:
Points: 50
Tasks Completed: 1
Books: 3
GRA Tickets: 1
BB Tickets: [500+:0][750+:0][1000+:0]
TOTAL THIS SEASON:
Points: 1045
Tasks Completed: 59
Pages: 28136
Books: 81
GRA Tickets: 43
BB Tickets: [500+:7][750+:0][1000+:0]
"I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done!"


10.2. A New Year and a New Number
Beauty with a Bomb - book had 251pgs - all of which appear in 2015
Points this Post: 10
Points Total: 990
ŷ Authors: 59
Big Book Tickets: 500+ - 1

I've read Purity and Danger: An Analysis of the Concepts of Pollution and Taboo by Mary Douglas - religion as main page genre
* * * * *
15.3 Launch A Thousand Ships
Book 1:
I've read The Beautiful Screaming Of Pigs by Damon Galgut
Book 2:
I've read The Bay of Noon by Shirley Hazzard - set in Naples
* * * * *
This post
Points: 5 + 15 = 20
Challenge Totals
Total points: 190/1045
Tasks completed: 11/59
Pages read: 4555
*Not claiming tickets this challenge*

30.1 Captain America Girl’s Task. I rolled a 1 and a 6.
Roll of 1. I read a book which is a retelling of the Persephone story,

Roll of 6. I read a book which has a candle on the cover, This House is Haunted by John Boyne.

30.2. Hina’s Odyssey
Option 1. “Classics� as a GR genre. I read The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois. It is over 300 pages in length at 320 pages.
Option 5. First published in 2008. I read The Gentling Box by Lisa Mannetti. It is over 300 pages in length at 316 pages.
Points This Post: 60
Total Points So Far: 880

10.4. Let's Go! - Read a book with the genre "travel" on its main page.
A Cook's Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines by Anthony Bourdain.
Travel ~310 Users
Current post:
Points: 10
ŷ Authors: 0
Big Book Tickets: 0
Total:
Total Points: 1000
Total ŷ Authors: 51
Total Big Book Tickets:
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

5.10 - Who’s Your Muse?
Take your favourite muse out to play by reading a book of your choice.
Death by Didgeridoo, Barbara Venkataraman
No Print Copy: Approved for length in ebook verification thread, /topic/show/...
Big Book: No
ŷ Author: Yes, Barbara Venkataraman is a ŷ Author
Total Points this Challenge: 5
Books Read: 1
Tasks Completed: 22
Total Points: 470
Total ŷ Authors: 16
Total Big books: 500+ (1)

Vatican City celebrates its national day on January 6th.
St. Peter's Bones: How the Relics of the First Pope Were Lost and Found . . . and Then Lost and Found Again by Thomas J. Craughwell
Points this post: 10
Total points: 710
ŷ Authors this post: 0
Total ŷ Authors: 20
Big Books - 500+:
Big Books - 750+:
Big Books - 1000+:

25.1 Angel Book Junkie's Task
Option 1: Read a new-to-you book (not a reread) by an author that you have read before
Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life by Eric Metaxas
I previously read Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by the same author.
Option 2: Read a book by a new-to-you author
Bridge of San Luis Rey, Tie-In the by Thornton Wilder
Thornton Wilder is new to me.
Points this post: 25
Total points: 205

20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Alicia T's task: Deployment
Option 1:
Lost Horizon by James Hilton
I live in Pennsylvania (North America) - the book is set in Tibet (Asia)
***This book is not a re-read***
Points this Post: 20
Total Points: 120
Big Ticket Books: 1
GR Authors: 1

15.10 All I Want For Christmas is U
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay is a goodreads author
25.9 -- Pat's task: Narcissus & Echo
Narcissus
Option A: first person, book is new to me, 352 pg paperback
Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck
"I opened my arms to her."
Erika Robuck is a goodreads author
Option C: one person on cover, book is new to me, 286 pg hardcover

Cristina Henriquez is a goodreads author
Points this post: 40
Total points: 285
Tasks completed: 14
Books read: 19
ŷ Authors: 9
Big Books: 500=0, 750=0, 1000=0
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task 10.10 A new blog for a new year: The Mice Templar, Vol. 1: The Prophecy Link:
>points: 10
task 15.8 Under my thumb.
>points: 15
task 30.2 Homers Oddysea:
Book 1: Option 1, classic:
Book 2: option 6, water and ship on cover:
points: 30
task: 30.8 make your TBR list:
Book 1: option 5, guilty pleasure
GR author: Cardeno C.
Book 2: option 6, as you wish royalty: The Once and Future King
>this is also a 500+ book
>points: 30
>GR author tickets: 1
>big book tickets: 1
total points this post: 85
total author tickets: 1
total big book tickets: 1