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SPRING CHALLENGE 2010
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Spring Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks
10.2 - Three/Four/Five The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright-3/3
Rating: 3.53
Total: 10 points
I have two completed tasks to report:I read The Golden Compass a few years ago and thought it was alright but I didn't care to reread it. I also read The Handmaid's Tale last summer and loved it but it's too soon for a reread for me so I chose The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova for the group read (20.2), somewhat by default. It was on my TBR list but since I already have several other 500+ page books slated for other tasks, it was a choice I made somewhat grudgingly since its 700 pages long. Oy.
Luckily I have an e-book version so I started it last week to read during breaks in my work day (50% rule, baby!) I finished it this afternoon. My reaction to the book is in the discussion thread. Three stars from me.
I also read Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann, which had (and still has!) a 3.45 rating when I started it (10.2). This has been my commuting book for the past couple days and it's been such fun! It's a humorous murder mystery told from the perspective of a flock of detective sheep who are trying to find out who killed their shepherd.
This book has been on my TBR list for awhile. I grew up on a hobby farm with a flock of misfit sheep so I was instantly drawn to the premise for this reason. The ending was fantastic and I almost gave it four stars for that reason alone, however, because it took me awhile to get into and because it was a little too easy to set down when real life called, I'm settling on three stars.
Also...
The Historian is a Big Book with 704 pages (my e-book version actually had more, but for the sake of consistency I'm going with what GR says on this one). :)
Total Points: 40
Books Read: 3
Tasks Completed: 3
Pages Read: 1,445
20.6 - Supporting ŷ Authors - Bridgit - Favorite Series -- One of my favorite seriesis the "in Death" series by J.D. Robb. I just completed Fantasy in Death. The series and this book provides excellent character background and development of relationships between the main characters -- friendships, couples and marriage, and parenthood. Lt Eve Dallas' husband Rourke is an excellent romance hero, partner, and companion. The time line is just far enough in the future that NY is recognizable and the new technology is believable.(please see message 15 for 1st task -- not on readerboard)
Books Read: 2
Pages Read: 868
Tasks Completed: 2
Tasks in Progress: 1
I have completed task #10.2 Three/Four/Five by reading In the Woods by Tana French. This book has an average rating of 3.55 but I gave it four stars. If you love Law & Order: SVU, it's very likely you will enjoy this book.
20.6 - Supporting ŷ Authors - Bridgit - Favorite Series: Read a book from your favorite series - Mrs. Pollifax on Safari by Dorothy Gilman.This mystery series is a guilty pleasure of mine. I enjoy curling up and experiencing another adventure with dear, sweet, Mrs. Pollifax. The protagonist is an elderly CIA operative who is similar to Agatha Christie's Mrs. Marple in a lot of ways (but more likeable, imho). She travels to exotic locations around the globe, so there is some interesting information about foreign cultures, too. The character actually has a lot of similarities to Dorothy Gilman herself. The stories are a bit dated, but in some ways that adds to their charm. Most of the people who die are either bad guys or characters that weren't developed enough to care about, so the stories really are quite tame. Just nice, cozy, check-your-brain-at-the door kind of mysteries. A nice break after reading some of the heavier stuff.
Total Points: 50/980
Books Read: 5
Tasks Completed: 4/57
Tasks in Progress: 2
From Owned TBR: 5
5 POINT TASKS1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2.
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
4. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (Jan 2010)
5. The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
6. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
7. Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by John Elder Robison
8.
9. Eclipse by Stephine Meyer
10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (Barnes & Noble Classics) by Lewis Carroll, John Tenniel
10 POINT TASKS
1. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
2. The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers #1) by Carly Phillips
3. Cut by Patricia McCormick
4. The Host by Stephanie Meyer
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) by Stieg Larsson
6. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game (Movie Tie-in Edition) by Michael Lewis
7. The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas
8. 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
9. The Horse and His Boy (Chronicles of Narnia, #3) by C.S. Lewis
10. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, #1) by Ann Brashares
15 POINT TASKS
1.House of Dolls by Ka-tzetnik 135633 (Yehiel De-Nur/Dinur) and Aches & Painsby Maeve Binchy
2.Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah and Billy Bishop Goes to War by John Gray, Eric Peterson
3. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
4.The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum and PS, I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
5.Wicked Poems by Roger McGough
6. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
7.Lust (Seven Deadly Sins #1) by Robin Wasserman
8.Letters of Vincent Van Gogh by Vincent Van Gogh
9.Educating Caroline by Patricia Cabot
10. Fear and Trembling (Penguin Great Ideas) by Søren Kierkegaard
20 POINT TASKS
1.The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 1 by Douglas Adams
2.Green This!: Greening Your Cleaning (Green This, #1) by Deirdre Imus
3.
4.
5.
6.Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
7.Boyz and the Bandz: The Hottest Men in Music: From Elvis to Nsync by Donald F. Reuter
8.Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
9.
10. The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1) by Philip Pullman
25 POINT TASKS
1.
2.
3.Wicked by Gregory Maguire
4. Hex (Hex, Book 1) by Rhiannon Lassiter and Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
5. Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4) by Stephenie Meyer ( Large Print)
6.Donnybrook: The Battle of Bull Run, 1861 by David Detzer and First Blood (Civil War) by William C. Davis, Time-Life Books
7. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan
8. Animal Farmby George Orwell and Marley & Me by John Grogan
9. Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris
10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen
30 POINT TASKS
1.Spring Break (Sweet Valley High, Super Edition) by Francine Pascal and Toss the Bride by Jennifer Manske Fenske
2. Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli, Matt Phelan and Girlfriend Material by Melissa Kantor
3.Hard to Get by Emma Carlson Berne and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
4.Best Friends (Sweet Valley Twins #1) by Francine Pascal and Deep End of the Ocean (Oprah's Book Club) by Jacquelyn Mitchard
5.The Color of Money by Walter Tevis and Revolutionary Road (Movie Tie-in Edition) (Vintage Contemporaries) by Richard Yates (Tom Cruise was in The Color of Money, which was directed by Martin Scorsese. Scorsese has collaborated with Leonardo DiCaprio in a number of films. Leo has starred in the following film adaptation: Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates)
6.Inkheart (Inkheart, #1) by Cornelia Funke
50 POINT TASK
1104/21549 Pages Read
75/980 Total Points
5/70 Books Completed
Rhiannon wrote: "5 POINT TASKS1. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 3/3/10
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
4. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (Jan 201..."
I am going to have to keep an eye out for what books you pick for tasks. We have a lot of the same books picked!
First task down: 25.7 The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Cindie wrote: "First task down: 25.7 The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan"
I really like your ticker. That is cool!
10.10--"Fashions fade - style is eternal."-Read a book that has a type of clothing or accessory in the title: Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? by John R. PowersTotal Points: 10
15.10 Personal philosophy -Race-ing Justice, En-Gendering Power: Essays on Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas, and the Construction of Social Reality
A lot of my personal philosophy is based on Martin Buber's distinction between relating to people as I-Thou vs I-It.
I-Thou is:
"Man wishes to be confirmed in his being by man, and wishes to have a presence in the being of the other�.
Secretly and bashfully he watches for a YES which allows him to be and which can come to him only from one human person to another."
Title words Race, Gender, Power are dealing from I-It. For Martin Buber meeting people in the authenicity, openness and respect of I-Thou is the basic necessity of the Construction of Social Reality.
Big Book = 512 pp
55 points
10.10 True Love Wedding DressMultiple Authors
5.2 “A Book Is Like A Garden Carried in the Pocket� - I read The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This was a 5* read for me!45/980 points
Tasks Completed: 4/57
Tasks In Progress: 1
Books Read: 4
Pages Read: 1072
5.1 Allabout the birds and the bees Flightless Falcon5.2 A book is like a garden carried in the pocket The Gardener's Grandchildren
25.9 Wendy's Task - Spring break The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov who was popular back in the years 1968-1976.
TOTAL POINTS = 40 + 15 = 5515.9 Pseudonym: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
"Ilona Andrews" = Ilona and Andrew Gordon, a husband and wife writing team
Completed Tasks
5.9 Walking Dead by C. E. Murphy
10.9 Moving Target by Mercedes Lackey et al
25.1 Recipes from a American Herb Garden by Maggie Oster
5.9 - “I think even lying on my bed I can still do something.� In honor of Dorothea Dix (April 4, 1802 � July 17, 1887), an American activist on behalf of the indigent insane whose quote inspired this task...Spend a day in bed reading the book of your choice.
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
10.8 - "I could have gone on flying through space forever."
On April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first human in outer space and the first to orbit the Earth. In honor of this event in history...Read a novel featuring space exploration/travel/astronauts (Ex. 2001: A Space Odyssey) a non-fiction book about space/astronomy (Ex. Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe), OR a biography/autobiography/memoir of an astronaut (Ex. Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir).
Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein
Points: 15/490
Books: 2
Tasks: 2/57
Pages: 278
I finsihed my first couple of tasks. For 10.4 (reduce) I read Shades of Grey: The Road to High Saffron by Jasper Fforde. It took me a little while to get into the world he created, but I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next in the series.
20.1 (humorous novel) I read Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath.
I had originally chosen this book to go along with Single Shard in the last challenge (read a Newbery winner and Newbery honor from same year). While I think Single Shard is more what I look for in a Newbery book, I loved Everything on a Waffle. I listened to it in the car and found myself a few times waiting for a section to end before going into work or the house. I also found myself laughing outloud quite a few times which always feels great. Overall, a very good story and one I will highly recommend to my students.
That puts me at
30 points
550 pages read
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Hello all! My first post of the challenge!! I finished
30.3 - Ms. Anderson's Task - Birth and Renewal
A. Read a book first published in 2010.
One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Hardcover, 240 pages) published February 2nd 2010 by Voice
B. Read a book with the prefix "re-" in the title or subtitle. In post #57 of her task help thread by Ms Anderson at Feb 23, 2010 04:10AM: Resurrection yes; so I read ....
Doctor Who: The Resurrection Casket by Justin Richards (Hardcover, 256 pages)
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a ŷ Author.
30
Tasks Completed: 1
Points for this task: 30
Points thus far: 30/980
Books read: 2
Pages Read: 496
Read but not claimed: 3 books
Massive head cold = time for reading! Now, if only I could breathe...5.1 All About the Birds and the Bees
Journey of the Sparrows
15.5 Poetry Month
It's Raining Pigs & Noodles
Look! The white flurries
That sunbeams alight upon:
Not snow, but blossoms
Total: 20 + 90 = 110pts
20.9 Luck of the Draw (Rebecca): That's So CheeseyThe Grilled Cheese Madonna and 99 Other of the Weirdest, Wackiest, Most Famous eBay Auctions Ever by Christopher Cihlar
I took this book on in order to complete a Spring Reading Challenge. Let me tell you, I was giggling over the absurd items people sold on E-Bay! It's ridiculous what people will try to do in order to make a quick buck. This book teaches you certain business lessons on how to make the most of your E-Bay auction. Each lesson is supported by an assortment of actual cases, most usually ABSURD items. (3 Stars) - 3/3/10
Points: 20
Now to pout since my Kindle's power went out!! I cannot read during lunch ;_;
Tanja wrote: "Now to pout since my Kindle's power went out!! I cannot read during lunch ;_; "This site has some classics you can read on the computer, if you're able to sit at one and read. You could get a start on one of the other tasks that way :3
Ms Anderson wrote: "Tanja wrote: "Now to pout since my Kindle's power went out!! I cannot read during lunch ;_; "This site has some classics you can read on the computer, if you're able t..."
Best website ever. Thank you.
Oh thanks, Laura. I'll use that for home. Found this site which had Gulliver's:
10.9 - Horse in the title - Half Broke Horses5.9 - Day in bed reading (actually an evening!!) -
Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas: Further, Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson
Task Points: 10, 5
Total Points:15
Tasks:2
Books:2
Nicki - STL
Finished: 5.9 Lying on my bed:In Bed with the Duke by Christina Dodd. Somewhat mistitled as our sexy Zorro-type hero was NOT a duke, but all the heavy breathing served to help me forget the cold I caught--I hope not from Ms Anderson.
Finished 15.5 - the Poetry Task: Poems by Emily Dickinson, Series Two (80 pages)Writing a haiku
ain't something i like to do
here is my attempt.
:)
Total Points: 20
Books Read: 3
Tasks Complete 2
Pages Read: 688
10.4 C. Recycle - For this option: read a book from your personal collection and when your finished pass it on so another person can read it.
I read Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink. The plot drags on and on and then nothing happens at the end. I'm happy to recycle it, because I don't think that I will want to read it again.
Michelle Zink is a goodreads author.
Total points: 10
Finished 5.2 by reading The Secret Garden .... wasn't that impressed tbh, 2*Total points: 15
That is a fantastic haiku, Bridgit! So funny. :)
20.6 - finished Blood Rites by Jim Butcher.This book is from The Dresden Files series, which describes the life of a wizard trying to eke out a living in Chicago. The books are funny, manic, and involve pretty interesting characters. I tend to like books that mix fantasy and reality, so this series is definitely one of my favorites. It's not for the serious-minded, but can be a treat for people who like sarcastic, sometimes idiotic, but generally well-intentioned souls who always seem to get tangled up in situations that are too crazy and/or dangerous for others to understand.
+20
Total points: 20
OK, here's my first go at this (including poem -- ack!)15.5 Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. I LOVE this book and have read it over and over again, though not in a year or two. I quote it to my kids sometimes. My daughter has the 30th Anniversary edition and it has new poems (yay!). And here is my lame haiku:
As I go about
my day, and about my evening,
I think of reading
15.8 I read Who Was Claude Monet? by Ann Waldron. It was a biography of Claude Monet, wo is my favorite painter. When I was single, I had several prints of his, mostly from the Giverny years), on my walls. They make me feel happy and serene. This book was written for children (and, interestingly, a better-written but similar style to my 4th grader), but it was interesting to read about his life. I'd like to find something a bit longer, as reading between the lines of this one, makes me think there are some good stories to be had!
Task 20.7: I read Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb. I HATE clutter and rarely buy "things", even preferring library books over owning them. But last summer I was obsessed with this series and bought several of the books because they were taking too long through ILL. Now I'm going through these and other books that have been passed onto me, and passing them onto new readers!
50 points
3 books
3/57 tasks
25.1 - Michelleo's Task - Future AspirationsThink of something you really want to have in the future and read a book with that thing on the cover. For example, if you want to buy a house someday, then read a book with a house on the cover. If you really want children, read a book with children on the cover. If you're planning to start a garden, read a book with flowers or vegetables on the cover.
When posting the book tell us what you want and why.
Not Without My Sister: The True Story of Three Girls Violated and Betrayed by Kristina Jones-3/4
I have always wanted to have children. I just believe for some people it is a natural instinct to want to create a bond with a person that is a part of you. I am a new aunt and whenever I spend time with my nephew, it makes me all that more excited to have kids of my own.
New Total: 35 points
For task # 10.3 I read Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs.This was a great book. I always enjoy reading about the messes that Mercy gets into. And all the wonderful ways she gets rescued. LOL
Total points: 10
I just completed task 15.9 by reading Twenties Girl: A Novel by Sophie Kinsella (given name is Madeleine Wickham). I absolutely loved this funny and moving story!Oh and I just noticed that since I can't access my ticker at work and had to create a new one, my tickers aren't "synced". Oh well...
Tasks Completed: 5/57
Books Read: 7
Pages Read: 2349
10.3 - The Luck Of The IrishIn Honor of St. Patrick's Day (March 17) read a book with...
A.An Author by the name of Patrick, Pat, or Patricia.OR
B. A Main Character by the name of Patrick, Pat, or Patricia.
Almost Alice by Naylor (Boyfriend is Patrick).
10
total 40
25.1 Michelle0's Task - Future Aspirations
by Steve BerryMy husband is up for a promotion in the next few months and the position is in Europe (either London or Paris). I hope that he gets it because I want to live in Paris.
Total points: 75
Alright! Let's get my name up on the board shall we?10 points
10.4 Reuse: To Desire A Devil - Elizabeth Hoyt
I wanted to use this in the last challenge but alas! my library did not have the two in the series before it on eBook (being in the middle of nowhere is horrid for my reading habit)
20 points
20.2 To Beguile A Beast - Elizabeth Hoyt
The heroine comes to a castle as a new housekeeper and it needs a ton of cleaning/organizing.
Totals
Points: 30
Books: 3
Challenges: 2
Notes: Elizabeth Hoyt is a ŷ author!
10.2 Read a book with a rating of 3.45 when you start reading it.I read The Wednesday Letters , which has gone up to a current rating of 3.53, but not with my help. I gave it two stars for pounding in a message and being utterly hokey.
Total points = 20
Deirdre wrote: "10.2 Read a book with a rating of 3.45 when you start reading it.I read The Wednesday Letters, which has gone up to a current rating of 3.53, but not with my help. I gave it two st..."
I completely agree with you on that one, Deirdre. :-)
Kate wrote: "Deirdre wrote: "10.2 Read a book with a rating of 3.45 when you start reading it.I read The Wednesday Letters, which has gone up to a current rating of 3.53, but not with my help..."
Kate, the premise totally sounded intriguing...but ended up yuck. Just yuck. When did you read it?
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Loving Frank (other topics)Frankenstein (other topics)
Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began (other topics)
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage (other topics)
Model Home (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Chelsea Handler (other topics)Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (other topics)
Art Spiegelman (other topics)
Eric Puchner (other topics)
Nancy Horan (other topics)
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I read You Are Here: A Portable History of the Universe by Christopher Porter - it was very enlightening - learning about matter and it's connection to the universe and different theories about black holes, the big bang, and what happens when a star collapses.
This brings me to 15 points.
2/56 Tasks Completed