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Yay, December challenge! :-D

I'd be happy to lead it, if you'd like.

PARTICIPANTS
Brian: 2/3
Craig: 1/4
Jaclyn: 4/4 - COMPLETED
Jodi: 1/3
Kaitlin: 3/6
Kme_17: 3/3 - COMPLETED
LynnB: 3/4
Megan: 5/3 - COMPLETED!
Pigletto: 3/6
Sharon 0/3
Sherry: 1/5
Sibyl: 0/4
Talia: 4/6

5/6

1. "Anything Goes" is a musical written by Cole Porter - read a book which was adapted into a musical, or a book either set in or written in the 1930's
Written in the 1930s Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - Completed 12/14/2013

2. The song "Anything Goes" can be heard at the start of the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" - read an action or adventure book, or a book about archaeology, or a book by an author with the surname "Jones."
Hand Me Down World by Lloyd Jones - Completed 12/21/2013

3. "Indiana Jones" was famously played by Harrison Ford, who also famously played "Han Solo" in the original "Star Wars" movies - read a book from the sci-fi genre, or read a solo book i.e. one which is not part of a series.
Solo book - Alphabet Juice: The Energies, Gists, and Spirits of Letters, Words, and Combinations Thereof; Their Roots, Bones, Innards, Piths, Pips, and Secret Parts, Tinctures, Tonics, and Essences; With Examples of Their Usage Foul and Savory by Roy Blount Jr.

4. The original "Star Wars" was a great trilogy as was "The Lord of the Rings" - read a book from the fantasy genre, or a book which is part of a trilogy, or a book where the authors name contains the letters J.R.R.
Fantasy - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Completed 12/8/2013

5. Lord and Lady are titles traditionally associated with the aristocracy, positions which in olden days would have held a lot of power, influence, wealth and lands - read a book which features the aristocracy, or a book recognised as a classic.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery - Completed 12/1/2013

6. Tradition plays a central part of many festive celebrations, and I have fond memories of Christmas every year, but especially when I was younger - read a childrens or young adult book, or a book featuring Christmas, or a book which has fond memories for you.
Children's book - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - Completed 12/15/2013

I'm in for four! Question with respect to the first category - would a book that was made into a movie musical, but not a stage musical, count?

Got you, Sibyl. And to answer your question - a book made into movie musical sounds perfectly legitimate to me!

I'm new in this group, so this will be my first challenge here. I'm in for 4.

Completed 3/4

2. The song "Anything Goes" can be heard at the start of the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" - read an action or adventure book, or a book about archaeology, or a book by an author with the surname "Jones". Travels with Charley: In Search of America completed 12/7

3. "Indiana Jones" was famously played by Harrison Ford, who also famously played "Han Solo" in the original "Star Wars" movies - read a book from the sci-fi genre, or read a solo book i.e. one which is not part of a series.The Signature of All Things, completed 12/11

5. Lord and Lady are titles traditionally associated with the aristocracy, positions which in olden days would have held a lot of power, influence, wealth and lands - read a book which features the aristocracy, or a book recognized as a classic.The Nutcracker completed 12/29

6. Tradition plays a central part of many festive celebrations, and I have fond memories of Christmas every year, but especially when I was younger - read a childrens or young adult book, or a book featuring Christmas, or a book which has fond memories for you. A Christmas Hope: A Novel, completed 12/1

Sign me up for 3 please


With anything goes as a theme, this was a wide open challenge but try this little tour for some added fun over the festive season. See how easy it is to get from anything goes to Christmas, with a tour of various genres en route :)

1. "Anything Goes" is a musical written by Cole Porter - read a book which was adapted into a musical, or a book either set in or written in the 1930's

2. The song "Anything Goes" can be heard at the start of the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" - read an action or adventure book, or a book about archaeology, or a book by an author with the surname "Jones".

3. "Indiana Jones" was famously played by Harrison Ford, who also famously played "Han Solo" in the original "Star Wars" movies - read a book from the sci-fi genre, or read a solo book i.e. one which is not part of a series. Defending Jacob Defending Jacob is a stand alone "solo" book

4. The original "Star Wars" was a great trilogy as was "The Lord of the Rings" - read a book from the fantasy genre, or a book which is part of a trilogy, or a book where the authors name contains the letters J.R.R.

5. Lord and Lady are titles traditionally associated with the aristocracy, positions which in olden days would have held a lot of power, influence, wealth and lands - read a book which features the aristocracy, or a book recognised as a classic. Death Comes to Pemberley

6. Tradition plays a central part of many festive celebrations, and I have fond memories of Christmas every year, but especially when I was younger - read a childrens or young adult book, or a book featuring Christmas, or a book which has fond memories for you. Christmas at Tiffany's

3/3 Completed

Welcome to the challenge, Craig & Jodi!

And a special welcome to you, LynnB. I hope you love the group! This is a great place to chat about books with relaxed, friendly people. I'm not a moderator, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the group to the best of my ability :-)

Way to jump right in! Challenges are so fun and in this group, there is no pressure, just a lot of encouragement!

Please sign me up for 3. Thanks!

Got you, Brian! Good luck.

I'll start with 3 if I finish early might try for more

Welcome, Sharon! I added you to the list.

LynnB, great job on finishing your first book! I updated you.

Sign me up for four please!

I m in for three please

I'm in for three!

#1. 1930's - Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - completed

#2. Action/Adventure - The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman - completed

#3. Solo - Break With Charity by Ann Rinaldi - completed

#4. Fantasy - The Golem and the jinni by Helene Wecker - completed

#5. Classic - the Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - completed

#6. Christmas - Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews - completed

6/3 - challenge complete!

6. Read a young adult book: Finished The Maze Runner by James Dashner 12/03/2013.

I read this 370 page book in less than a day. It's not the best writing...the author does a lot of telling rather than showing, and the characters are kind of one-dimensional. It is a unique story though, and I'm impressed that it was able to hook me in spite of all of that and make me want to read the next book. 4 stars.

4. Read a book from the fantasy genre: Finished The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker 12/09/2013.

I read this for our monthly December group read and absolutely loved it. A beautiful fairytale full of philosophical insights into immigration, religion, community, free will vs adhering to establishments, and humanity - all seen through the eyes of two mythological misfits, Chava and Ahmad, the former a golem (a creature formed from clay for the sole purpose of serving its master) and the latter a jinni (better known to most as genies, a creature born from fire that answers to no master, follows its own passions, desires, and whim with no interest in consequences). These two lead characters are torn from their homelands of Prussia and Syria, both winding up in separate Jewish and Syrian Lower Manhattan neighborhoods in New York City, circa 1899-early 1900's. Their discussions about the complicated and confusing world that humans have created for themselves and the interactions between them and the many other characters who live among them were fascinating and engrossing to read. A truly unique and powerful story. 5 stars.

6. Read a young adult book which has fond memories for you: What I Wish For You by Isaac D. Garuda Finished: 12/30/2013.

My mom gave this book to me before I went away to college :] It's a parent-to-kid cute advice kind of book for when the kids move out. It actually is extremely uplifting, positive, and inspirational. It even made me feel better today, almost 10 years later.

But I must be honest that I'm being a bit sneaky and reading extremely short books that take a quick half hour or so to read so that I can reach my goal in the next 24 hours. I was/am so busy this month, and I only started challenging myself in August. Next year will be better because I have already prepared for it and will be starting at the very beginning! Can't wait!

3/3 Challenge Complete

Welcome, Jaclyn, Kme and Megan! You're all on the list.

Good work, Brian! I updated you.

I'm in for 5!

Just completed #4 - Fantasy - The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. At the beginning of this book, I was not terribly thrilled with the concept. However, as soon as I began reading, I was drawn in by the writing. The concept, seemingly farfetched, was woven into history so seamlessly as to seem at times realistic. I loved the complexities of the characters! Overall, fantastic book and definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

1/3

I just did #3. I read a solo book: The Good Lawyer by Thomas Benigno.

Hi Sherry! You're on the list :-)

Good work, Jaclyn and Megan.

I just finished #2 with an adventure book. Not a thrill-a-minute adventure, but a travel adventure (Travels with Charley: In Search of America by Steinbeck).

Got you, LynnB. That's a good one - gotta love Steinbeck. I just bought The Red Pony, which I've not read before.

Kaitlin wrote: "Got you, LynnB. That's a good one - gotta love Steinbeck. I just bought The Red Pony, which I've not read before."

The Red Pony was good. I've liked all the Steinbeck I've read so far.

Read: 6/6

1. "Anything Goes" is a musical written by Cole Porter - read a book written in the 1930's - Three Act Tragedy (1935) 01/12/13

2. The song "Anything Goes" can be heard at the start of the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" - read an action or adventure book - King Solomon's Mines 07/12/13

3. "Indiana Jones" was famously played by Harrison Ford, who also famously played "Han Solo" in the original "Star Wars" movies - read a solo book i.e. one which is not part of a series. - The Perks of Being a Wallflower 15/12/13

4. The original "Star Wars" was a great trilogy as was "The Lord of the Rings" - read a book from the fantasy genre. - The Princess Bride 13/12/13

5. Lord and Lady are titles traditionally associated with the aristocracy, positions which in olden days would have held a lot of power, influence, wealth and lands - read a book recognised as a classic. - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 28/12/13

6. Tradition plays a central part of many festive celebrations, and I have fond memories of Christmas every year, but especially when I was younger - read a childrens book - Heidi 06/12/13

Welcome, Pigletto! I added you to the list.

Please sign me up for 6!

Completed #3 - Solo - A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials by Ann Rinaldi. Bit of a slow start at the beginning but picked up in the middle. I appreciated Rinaldi's examination of the non-hysterical Salemites who worked against those crying witchcraft. Good read. 3 stars

2/3

Welcome, Talia! You're on the list. Good luck!

Good work, Megan. :-D I updated you.

Completed 4/6

3. Read a book from the sci-fi genre, or read a solo book i.e. one which is not part of a series. -- Ender's Shadow

4. Read a book from the fantasy genre, or a book which is part of a trilogy, or a book where the authors name contains the letters J.R.R. -- Divergent

5. Read a book which features the aristocracy, or a book recognised as a classic. -- Ender's Game

6. Read a children's or young adult book, or a book featuring Christmas, or a book which has fond memories for you. -- Blood Red Road

Awesome, Talia! I updated you.

I'm 2/4 now!

2. The song "Anything Goes" can be heard at the start of the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" - read an action or adventure book, or a book about archaeology, or a book by an author with the surname "Jones". I read First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones. 12/09/13

Great, Jaclyn!

I'm at 2/6.

6. Tradition plays a central part of many festive celebrations, and I have fond memories of Christmas every year, but especially when I was younger - read a childrens or young adult book, or a book featuring Christmas, or a book which has fond memories for you.
Not sure if this is a YA book, but it seemed like it to me. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - Completed 12/8/2013

I read my 3rd book for this challenge, The Signature of All Things (a "solo" book).

Just completed #5 - Classic - The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. On the book page, the listed genres include classics. I love Kingsolver's writing - every time I read her work, I feel like she's writing what is in my head! And this book is no exception. She does a superb job of telling the story with wit and sentiment in perfect measure. The characters are complex and sympathetic. Definitely worth reading and cannot wait to read the next book! 4.5 stars

3/3

3/4

4. The original "Star Wars" was a great trilogy as was "The Lord of the Rings" - read a book from the fantasy genre, or a book which is part of a trilogy, or a book where the authors name contains the letters J.R.R. Robin: Lady of Legend by R. M. ArceJaeger 12/13/13

Good job, LynnB and Jaclyn!

Congrats, Megan! You're all finished. Great work!

I'm at 3/6:

1. "Anything Goes" is a musical written by Cole Porter - read a book which was adapted into a musical, or a book either set in or written in the 1930's
Written in the 1930s - Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - Completed 12/14/2013

Completed #6 - Christmas - Christmas Bliss by Mary Kay Andrews. Classic Andrews - fun read with tons of heart! I love the characters in this series. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars

4/3

Edited message #10. Completed task #3 "Han Solo" to include Defending Jacob. It is a stand alone solo book

Updated message #20. I'm now at 2/3 having completed task #6 and task #4. One more to go!

Great work, Megan, Craig, Jodi & Brian! You're all updated.

I'm now 4/4. I have completed my very first challenge! Yay me!

"Anything Goes" is a musical written by Cole Porter - read a book which was adapted into a musical, or a book either set in or written in the 1930's The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The book was set in 1939-early 1940's, but I'm counting it because it went back and forth time wise. 12/17/13

Yay you! You're updated.

3/3 Done
2. a book by an author with the surname "Jones".-First Grave on the Rightby Darynda Jones

4. a book where the authors name contains the letters J.R.R.-Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie

6. Tradition -(young adult) ttyl by Lauren Myracle

Way to go Jaclyn!

Good job, Kme! I hope you enjoyed the challenge.

thanks Kaitlin : ) It was fun

Finished first book of this challenge.

Task # 6. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg