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2025 Reading Challenge discussion

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ARCHIVE: Monthly Challenges > February Challenge: The Saints Go Marching In

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message 51: by Adriana (last edited Feb 02, 2015 02:45PM) (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments Welcome Cynthia!

@Cassandra - Yes, I got to choose my saint for confirmation. I chose St. Dominic Savio because from the very beginning he strived to be a good person. He went a little extreme at times to show his love for his religion and Jesus but I loved how innately good he was and how much he devoted himself to something he believed in. He died very young which is probably another reason I chose him since I was young - a teenager - when I got confirmed. I'm not very religious now. I've never really been and I don't go to church anymore but I have always loved stories about saints (the only thing I really like about religion at this moment are the saints) and he happened to resonate with me at the time and now. I actually love the name Dominic because of him (:

An interesting fact is that when he died his last words were: "I am seeing most wonderful things!"

Confirmation is the third step in Catholicism for those of you who don't know. It's basically confirming yourself that you want to be part of the religion like you couldn't when you were baptized.

Awesome Meg! I love that everyone is reading based on St. Dominic Savio.


message 52: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Just completed Saint #2, Saint Lucy (prostitution) - The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes. While I appreciate the characters and the unique storyline, I felt that the story was a bit long and could have been edited down. Worth reading. 3.5 stars

2/5


message 53: by ChrisP (new)

ChrisP Poyner | 387 comments 2. St. Francis of Assisi: Early in his life Francis lead a crowd of young people who spent their lives in wild parties, giving into their vices and surrounding themselves with evil. When he was 25, God came to him in a dream and he turned over a new leaf. Francis became a lover of nature, where he felt all of nature and the animals in it were part of his brotherhood. Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil or read a book where nature or animals is an important part of the story.

The Tiger A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant
The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival***A solid and interesting read about the life and hardships of the Amura Tiger in Far Eastern Russia. St. Francis has his work cut out for him on saving this species and finding a balance with 21st century humans.

1/4 Complete


message 54: by Cassandra (new)

Cassandra | 5832 comments That's awesome, Adriana! Thanks for sharing that. :)


message 55: by Ramesh (new)

Ramesh | 35 comments Count me in for 3

#3 & #7: War & Peace (only 1300 pages to go! lol) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
#6: Percy Jackson, The Lightning Thief The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan
#5: Let Me Wear Your Coat Let Me Wear Your Coat by John Basil


message 56: by Ramesh (new)

Ramesh | 35 comments Count me in for 3

#3 & #7: War & Peace (only 1300 pages to go! lol) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
#6: Percy Jackson, The Lightning Thief The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan
#5: Let Me Wear Your Coat Let Me Wear Your Coat by John Basil


message 57: by Arushi (last edited Feb 20, 2015 10:36PM) (new)

Arushi (arushi1) | 98 comments My list:

1. Read a book about music, or someone who is falsely accused of something- To Kill a Mockingbird

2. Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil or read a book where nature or animals is an important part of the story. - Prince of Thorns

3. Read a book about a fierce battle or war. - King of Thorns

4. Read a book about slavery or read a book that takes place in Ireland. - Beloved

5. Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults. - The Girl on the Train

6. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death. - The Stranger

7. Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty. - Emperor of Thorns

8. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution. - Kiss an Angel

9. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.

10. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle.


message 58: by Arushi (new)

Arushi (arushi1) | 98 comments Completed- 1/4


message 59: by Maria (new)

Maria (mariah90602) | 2260 comments Please update message 12 1/4

6. The Thirteenth Tale


message 60: by Maddison (new)

Maddison Poletski | 211 comments I'm in for ten books.


message 61: by Megan BG (last edited Feb 22, 2015 08:29AM) (new)

Megan BG (meganbgreads) | 1557 comments I'm going to say 4...

5/4

1. Read a book about music, or someone who is falsely accused of something.

2. Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil or read a book where nature or animals is an important part of the story.
The Invisible Man - 2/20

3. Read a book about a fierce battle or war.

4. Read a book about slavery or read a book that takes place in Ireland.

5. Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
Sense and Sensibility - 2/17

6. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death.
A Storm of Swords - 2/16 (who isn't sentence to death in this one?)

7. Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.
Island of the Blue Dolphins - 2/18

8. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution.
Mr. Kiss and Tell - 2/22

9. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.

10. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle.


message 62: by Adriana (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments Wonderful start Megan, ChrisP, Arushi, and Maria!

Welcome new challenges.

No problem Cassandra (:


message 63: by Adriana (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments 9. St. Clare: Clare was a beautiful Italian woman of nobility. After hearing St Francis preach, Clare wanted to imitate Francis. She ran away from home and gave herself to God. She cut off her hair and wore a rough brown habit, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.

The Host (The Host, #1) by Stephenie Meyer 1/6 complete

This counts for both parts of St. Clare. An alien takes over a human body and runs away to the family that the human she hosts loves.


message 64: by Meg (last edited Feb 03, 2015 06:37PM) (new)

Meg (megscl) | 497 comments 7. St. Joseph: Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.
I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life about a family's challenge to only eat locally grown food for one year. Great idea, not a great book!

2/5


message 65: by Izavel (last edited Feb 20, 2015 10:06AM) (new)

Izavel (izaveldfranco) | 23 comments Love this idea. I think I can commit to 2 for right now.
1/2

5. Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
Queen Mab: A Tale Entwined with William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet 2-13-15


message 66: by Whitney (new)

Whitney | 43 comments 1/3

8. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution. My Brilliant Friend

I finished this book last night, and it was wonderful!


message 67: by Lorina (last edited Feb 16, 2015 11:22AM) (new)

Lorina | 59 comments Update for message 18.

Completed 1/3.

8. St. Lucy challenge - Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution.

Read Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. Quick read! Good chick lit.


message 68: by Adriana (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments Meg wrote: "7. St. Joseph: Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.
I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life a..."


Aww! Too bad. I had planned to read this bok a while back but didn't get a chance. Do you know any books similar to this one that you like?


message 69: by Smokkee (new)

Smokkee Singleton (mrgbiz) | 3 comments Count me in for 3 for sure but I'm gonna go for more.


message 70: by Meg (last edited Feb 04, 2015 02:08PM) (new)

Meg (megscl) | 497 comments Adriana wrote: "Aww! Too bad. I had planned to read this bok a while back but didn't get a chance. Do you know any books similar to this one that you like? "

It was a shame I didn't like it because Kingsolver is one of my favourite fiction authors. I haven't read anything similar before (I'm not really much of a non-fic person, which probably doesn't help). People seem to compare it to The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals a lot, but I haven't read it.


message 71: by Susan C (new)

Susan C (sacorwin) | 906 comments Updated message 13

1/4 completed


message 72: by JennyGirlReads (new)

JennyGirlReads (novelidea) | 69 comments Count me in for 6:

1. Saint Dominic Savio (music): Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

10. St. Rose of Lima (suffering): Miramont's Ghost by Elizabeth Hall


message 73: by Laurie (last edited Feb 04, 2015 06:31PM) (new)

Laurie I'm in for this challenge and I'll try for 3.

Currently reading A Week in Winter - #4.(set in Ireland).


message 74: by Nwanneka (new)

Nwanneka Chukwujiorah | 45 comments Just saw this challenge I will commit to 3 books, more if I can.


message 75: by Courtney A.J. (new)

Courtney A.J. (courtneyajw) | 249 comments First of 6!

�4. St. Clare: A character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

This book was awesome!


message 76: by Adriana (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments 7. St. Joseph: Joseph was the husband of Mary and foster father to Jesus. Joseph was a working man, with humble work (a carpenter) and humble means. He wasn't a rich man but he came from royal lineage. Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.

How (Not) to Fall in Love by Lisa Brown Roberts

MC goes from really rich to broke.


message 77: by Adriana (last edited Feb 05, 2015 07:51AM) (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments Thanks Meg! I'll check out some reviews (:


message 78: by Cristal (new)

Cristal Punnett Please update message 7

Read a book about music, or someone who is falsely accused of something. Station Eleven read 5/2/15 - the travelling symphony a musical troop.
1/5


message 79: by Adriana (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments Updated you Cristal!


message 80: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Just completed my selection for #9 St Clare (running away) - The Good Girl by Mary Kubica. The book was written well and I liked the characters. The alternating chapters from before and after told from different perspectives was an interesting technique. The "surprise" at the end was rather unnecessary and I had figured it out by the time it happened. Worth reading. 3.5 stars

3/5


message 81: by Robyn (new)

Robyn | -15 comments Finished my first book of the month which will fit for number 6, angel or paranormal being

1/3
Court of Nightfall (The Nightfall Chronicles, #1) by Karpov Kinrade


message 82: by Arushi (new)

Arushi (arushi1) | 98 comments Completed 3/4. Message 58 edited.


message 83: by Courtney A.J. (new)

Courtney A.J. (courtneyajw) | 249 comments Completed 2 of 6

�6. St. Therese of Lisieux: Where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

Don't read this book... seriously.


message 84: by Lorina (new)

Lorina | 59 comments Update for message 18.

Completed 2/3.

9. St. Clare challenge - Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance .

Read Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee. This book would also be valid in completing #5, the St. Therese of Lisieux challenge about overcoming a physical fault. Good YA fiction.


message 85: by Cassandra (new)

Cassandra | 5832 comments 3. St. Michael the Archangel: In the New Testament Michael leads God's armies against Statan's forces, where during the war in heaven, he defeats Satan. Read a book about a fierce battle or war.

1776 by David McCullough
Finished February 4
4 stars

1/5


message 86: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Just completed my selection for #10 St Rose of Lima (overcome suffering) - Married by Monday by Catherine Bybee. Quick read with good plot points. Not the standard romance fair. Some of the slight legal references were inaccurate, but other than that, worth reading. 3 stars

4/5


message 87: by ChrisP (last edited Feb 07, 2015 06:47AM) (new)

ChrisP Poyner | 387 comments Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death.

Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch***
The banter between the angel Azirpahle and the dark angel Crowley was hilarious and by far the best part of the book. There are lines in the book that have made it into my daily usage.

2/4 Complete


message 88: by ChrisP (last edited Feb 07, 2015 06:49AM) (new)

ChrisP Poyner | 387 comments Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.

Dhampir (The Noble Dead Saga, Series 1, #1) by Barb Hendee
Dhampir***Magiere traveled from village to village slaying vampire spirits for simple villagers. From there she opens a tavern in a town who are simple folk. The book kept me just interested enough to keep me turning pages it wasn't long before I realized I liked the book. I look forward to future books because I want to know what the characters are going to do next.

3/4 Complete


message 89: by ChrisP (last edited Feb 07, 2015 06:53AM) (new)

ChrisP Poyner | 387 comments Please update the number of books to 7....Thank You!!!


message 90: by Ilona (new)

Ilona | 4698 comments I finished #1 St. Dominic Savio (music) by reading Station Eleven

(1/2)


message 91: by Jodi (new)

Jodi (readinbooks) | 1971 comments Hi Adriana,

I finished my first saint, St. Francis of Assisi. I read I Am Number Four John's dog plays quite an important role in this story, particularly towards the end of the book.


message 92: by Adriana (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments Wonderful job everyone!
lol Courtney. I'll take your word.


message 93: by Adriana (new)

Adriana | 3888 comments I updated your goal number ChrisP! Glad you feel confident to read more books for this challenge (:

Hi Jodi,
Did you like I Am Number Four?


message 94: by Cristal (new)

Cristal Punnett Please update message 7.

Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.Paper Towns read 7/2/15
Margo runs away. 2/5


message 95: by Jodi (new)

Jodi (readinbooks) | 1971 comments Hi Adriana,

I did like it quite a bit. I loved the relationship between John and Henri and it was really interesting seeing John's legacies develop. What I didn't like was (view spoiler) I did like it enough to probably continue on with the series at some point. How about you?


message 96: by Claire (last edited Feb 12, 2015 06:48AM) (new)

Claire | 41 comments I'm in for 5. :)


2/5

1. St. Dominic Savio: Smart Girls Get What They Want finished Feb. 8
2. St. Therese of Lisieux: Truly finished Feb. 12


message 97: by Isa (last edited Feb 08, 2015 10:13AM) (new)


message 98: by Cassandra (new)

Cassandra | 5832 comments 5. St. Therese of Lisieux: Therese had always wanted to be a saint but when she compared herself to all of the other saints, she felt the differences between them were so great. She believed that God wouldn't make her wish for something impossible, so she decided to accept herself and all of her faults. Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Finished February 8
5 stars

2/5


message 99: by Megan (new)

Megan (lahairoi) | 7470 comments Just completed my selection for #3 St. Michael the Archangel (war) - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I am incredibly impressed with this book! The story is well-written, crafted beautifully, and contains complex characters. There is a very smart thread of suspense written throughout the story. Overall, it is a story of love and forgiveness and the will to survive unbroken. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

5/5 - challenge completed but will continue to add throughout the month!


message 100: by Ilona (new)

Ilona | 4698 comments 6. St. Cecilia: She was a virgin given in marriage to a youth named Valerian. She wore sackcloth, fasted and invoked the saints and angels to protect her virginity. Four hundred people, including her husband were baptized because they wanted to see the angel protecting her. Cecilia was sentenced to death for preaching and converting people. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death.
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

(2/2)


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