Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

SPRING 2015 CHALLENGE

This challenge will last from March 20, 2015 to June 20, 2015


** This is a "spell-it-out" challenge, where you will spell out a word (or words) using one of two options:

1. Use only the first word of a title. (The words "the", "and" "a" and "an" do not count.)
2. Use an author's first or last name.

Examples:

S = Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell
P
R
I
N = Cold Pursuit by Carla Neggers
G

E = Lethal Letters by Ellery Adams
G
G
S


** Books DO NOT all have to be mysteries. You can use any genres.

** A book can only be used once for this challenge, but may be used for other challenges (such as the monthly mini challenges or ultimate challenge).

** You DO NOT have to choose books in advance.

** You can keep track of your challenge in a message here, or you can create your own challenge folder HERE (or both).


As with the winter challenge, we are deviating from the norm. You do not have to spell the same word as everyone else, but can choose to spell out one of the following words (or combination of words) � obviously some will be more challenging.


HERE IS YOUR WORD LIST:


HOLIDAYS during this period:

Anzac (celebrated in Australia, New Zealand)
April Fool’s (Day)
Arbor (Day)
Earth (Day)
Easter
Father’s (Day)
Flag Day
May Day
Memorial (Day)
Mother’s (Day)
Passover


Words associated with the season:

Eggs
Bunny
Chicks
Crocus
Daffodil
Equinox
Flowers
Galoshes
Lamb
Lilacs
Palms
Puddle
Rain
Robin
Showers
Snowdrops
Spring
Tulips
Umbrella
Vernal
Windy


HAVE FUN!

SPRING 2015 Challenge
Spell it out

P - The Precious One by Marisa de los Santos
A - Agatha Christie, Poirot Loses a Client
L - Loretta Chase, Mr. Impossible
M - Moran, Terrie Farley, Well Read, Then Dead
S - Sherry Harris, Tagged for Death



C - Loretta Chase, Last Night's Scandal
H - Heaven Preserve Us by Cricket McRae
I - If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell
C - Cricket McRae, Lye in Wait
K - Krista Davis, The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss
S - Denise Swanson, Dying for a Cupcake

Tulips are my favorite flower so going with them of course!



E - Easter Bunny Murderby leslie meier completed 04/09
A - Alpine for You by Maddy Hunter completed 04/06
S - Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiaryby David Sedaris completed 04/13
T
E -Erika Chase A Killer Readcompleted 04/23
R - Robert KirkmanThe Walking Dead, Volume 1: Days Gone Bye Completed 05/16





T
U
L Logan, Kylie Mayhem at the Orient Express completed 03/22
I - Isis Crawford - A Catered Fourth of Julycompleted 03/25
P - Picoult, Jodi Leaving Timecompleted 04/13
S Seed No Evil - Kate Collins completed 03/30

I am going for the traditional.



S- The Bell Jar by (S)ylvia Plath 3/26/15
P-Yes Please by Amy (P)oehler 4/20/15
R-Return to Willow Lake5/31/15
I- I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban 3/22/15
N-A Night Too Dark5/16/15
G-Ape Houseby Sara (G)ruen 4/15/15

Can't wait to break out the SPRING books tomorrow! Hopefully the weather will even turn spring like too.

S - Shoots to Kill
P - Patterns in the Sand
R - Remodeled to Death
I - Inked Up
N - Tapped Out by Natalie M. Roberts
G - G'Day to Die






F - Flying Too High
L - Little Tiny Teeth
O - On Thin Ice
W - We'll Meet Again
E - The Eye of Jade
R - Knock 'Em Dead by Rhonda Pollero

Oh boy! It's almost spring! :) I'm thankful I live in a southern state, so I don't get snow, but I'm still ready for warmer weather.

I'm going for "Easter Eggs" for this challenge. I'll keep my list in my own challenge folder with my others.

Oh boy, spring! I haven't decided on my word(s) yet.

This is a long one but my mother had some pretty lilacs in her garden...


M - 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success by Amy Morin
O - Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
T - Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein
H - The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
E -
R - Flash Wisdom: A Curated Collection of Mind-Blowing, Perspective-Changing Quotes by Russ Kick
S - Woman with a Secret by Sophie Hannah

L -
I -
L -
A - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
C - The Plague by Albert Camus
S -

Linda wrote: "Can't wait to break out the SPRING books tomorrow! Hopefully the weather will even turn spring like too...."

There's snow in the forecast for my area for the first day of Spring :/
Please let this be the very last one.

Nell wrote: "There's snow in the forecast for my area for the first day of Spring :/ Please let this be the very last one."


Ugh! I know that feeling. There is a chance of a rain/snow mix in our area for Sunday, and we've had snow as late as early May. Here's hoping this isn't one of those years!

I think I will just go with SPRING this time around.

SPRING 2015- READ THE SEASON
3.30.15-6.20.15

6/6 Complete 6.1.15

S Scrapbook of Secrets by Mollie Cox Bryan 4.18.15 3 stars
P Privy to Murder by Carol Shenold 3.23.15 3 stars
R Rosemary Harris Pushing Up Daisies 3.22.15 3 stars
I If Catfish Had Nine Lives by Paige Shelton 6.1.15 4 stars
N Nightshade by Susan Wittig Albert 5.29.15 4 stars
G Graves, Sarah Triple Witch 4.30.15 3 stars

Nell wrote: "Linda wrote: "Can't wait to break out the SPRING books tomorrow! Hopefully the weather will even turn spring like too...."

There's snow in the forecast for my area for the first day of Spring :/ ..."

We got 2 inches of snow on the first day of Spring as well. But tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s. Woo-hoo!

Finally decided on my words and this will be my tracking post.

SPRING 2015 CHALLENGE
March 20, 2015 to June 20, 2015

Updated: June 18th
Progress: 11/12

S - Mandarin Plaid by (S).J. Rozan
P - (P)lay Dead by Harlan Coben
R - The Shanghai Moon by S.J. (R)ozan
I - These Happy Golden Years by Laura (I)ngalls Wilder
N
G - Fearless in High Heels by (G)emma Halliday

C - Too Rich and Too Dead by (C)ynthia Baxter
R - Young Pioneers by (R)ose Wilder Lane
O - (O)ne False Move by Harlan Coben
C - Death on the Nile by Agatha (C)hristie
U - The (U)nfinished Sonata by K.D. McCrite
S - (S)izzling (S)ixteen by Janet Evanovich

I think I'll begin with Spring and, later, I'll see if I do it wider (although I now feel that spring rain is quite appropriate):

Duration: 03/20/2015 - 06/20/2015

(0 / 6)

S.-
P.-
R.-
I.-
N.-
G.-

Since my love of reading comes from my mother, and mysteries were always her favorite, I am going to go with the word Mother's Day. I also love daffodils in the Spring...so, that is my other word. Have added books that are already in the house, or on my to read list. Trying to incorporate a lot of new authors, but also going through an author's series, and want to put as many of hers on here as I can.

(22/22)

M Murder by the Glass Done
O Out of TimeDone
T Through the GrinderDone
HHeard It Through the Grapevine Done
E The Exile: An Outlander Graphic NovelDone
R The Remains of the DeadDone
S Spell BookedDone

DThe Diva Cooks a Goose This is featured April Author Done
A All the Time You NeedDone
Y Yarn to Go Done

D Death on a Deadline Done
A The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesDone
F A Fright to the DeathDone
F Flowers for AlgernonDone
O Of Grave ConcernDone
D The Dangers of Dating a Rebound VampireDone
I If You've Got It, Haunt It Done
L Latte Trouble Done

E The Eyre AffairDone
G A Ghostly GraveDone
G Ghoul GoblinDone
S Star Spangled Murder Done

I'm in! 13/13 DONE


S - The Witch of Little Italy by Suzanne Palmieri � � � �
P - The 5th Horseman by James Patterson � � � �
R - The Ringmaster's Daughter by Jostein Gaarder � � � � �
I - The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi � � � �
N - Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts � � � � �
G - Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love by George R.R. Martin � � � � �

F - From Potter's Field by Patricia Cornwell � � �
L - Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence �
O - Once She Knew by Sheila Connolly � � � �
W - Whiteout by Greg Rucka � � �
E - All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld �
R - Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts � � � � �
S - The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón � � � � �

I am in. Lilacs is one of my favorite flowers.

S - Silence in Hanover Close - Anne Perry
P - The Prime Ministers Secret Agent - Susan MacNeal
R - Run - Becky Johnson
I - Invention of Wings - Sue Monk Kidd
N - The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah
G - The Girl Next Door - Ruth Rendell

L - Love of Money - L. A. Taylor
I - Iced - Jenny Siler
L - Leap of Faith - Sharon Zukowski
A - At the Drop of a Hat - Jenn McKinlay
C - Confessions of a Murder Suspect - James Patterson
S - A Small Weeping - Alex Gray

Since I am almost finished with Spring and Lilacs, I thought I would add Rain

R - Rain-A Natural and Cultural History - Cynthia Barnettt
A- The Alphabet House - Jussi Adler-Olsen
I - It Happened In Colorado - James Crutchfield
N -

I'm going to have a go. (So much for not doing many challenges this year - already up to 5!)

1. Use only the first word of a title. (The words "the", "and" "a" and "an" do not count.)
2. Use an author's first or last name.

E Back to the bedroom by Janet Evanovich�
A Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery
S Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead
T Travelling to infinity by Jane Hawking
E Egan Cassidy's Kid by Beverly Barton
R Run, Mummy, Run by Cathy Glass

F Frostbite by Richelle Mead�
L Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
O Once by Anna Carey �
W Welcome to Rosie Hopkins Sweetshop of Dreams by Jenny Colgan �
E Eve by Anna Carey �
R Run for Home by Sheila Quigley
S Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Good luck to everyone joining the Spring Challenge. I'm going to stick with "spring" to start off, but may add another word later, as I did with the Winter Challenge.


S =
P =
R =
I =
N =
G =


.

Spring Challenge - Spell It Out


S = Bad Dreme by Jay R. Stuck 5-1-15
P = Personal by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #19) 4-17-15
R = Resident Evil by Ricardo Sanchez 4-15-15
I = I Am Human & We Are Not Who We Think We Are by Dennis Nappi II 3-27-15
N = Nancy Knows by Cybele Young 2-2-15
G = Geezer Paradise, A Barney, Willie & Oscar Mystery Book 1 by Robert Gannon 5-1-15


Completed May 2, 2015

Since I actually already have a 'Z' author, I'm going with ANZAC - list to follow...

SPRING 2015 Challenge
Spell it out

S - The Selection 04.21.15
P
R - Room with a Clue 04.15.15
I
N - Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography06.18.15
G -The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 04.25.15

Here's my challenge�

A = Ann B. Ross: Miss Julia Takes Over
N = Nightingale Way by Emily March
Z = Zanetti, Rebecca: Sweet Revenge
A = Albert, Susan Wittig: Thyme of Death
C = Christine Feehan: Dark Lycan

I think I'll begin with Spring and, later, I'll see if I do it wider (although I now feel that spring rain is quite appropriate):

Duration: 03/20/2015 - 06/20/2015

(2 / 6)

S.- <S>outhern Peach Pie and A Dead Guy by A. Gardner (03/30/2015 - ★★★★)
P.-
R.-
I.-
N.-
G.- The <G>arden Plot by Marty Wingate (03/25/2015 - ★★)

I changed one of my words in post #14 from FLOWERS to CROCUS. The reason is just this past week, our crocuses finally came out. They usually come out in February or early March at the very latest, but are very late this year. They made me smile when I saw the purple petals, like it always does every year, so it's my inspiration. ;-)

Finally found a missing letter when I went to Barnes and Nobel. Ah, such an excuse to buy a book. "Honey, I need this book for my reading challenge." LOL

Julesy: We're starting to see crocus bloom here, which is usual for this time in March. Daffodil, iris and tulip shoots are also starting to come up. Can't wait to see them, even if this time of year is already making me miserable.

Valerie: Works for me, LOL. I'm hoping to pop into Frugal Muse later when I stop at Target to see if they have a book I want for both a group read and the Ultimate Challenge. �

Valerie & Heather- I was at Barnes and Noble this weekend (had a coupon burning a whole in my pocket!) I picked up the first in the "Inspector Harry Hole" series. I've seen a lot of good reviews for the series.
by Jo Nesbø
Not sure when I'll get around to reading it, though! So many books, so little time!

Skeetor: Have heard good reviews about The Bat, and the author in general. I stopped in at Frugal Muse this afternoon, and while I did pick up a couple books, I struck out on the challenge book for which I am searching. I may have to order it online. :-/

Skeetor....Yes, so many books, and way too little time. I think I could read all day long and still never get to all the books I want to read!

Heather L- I have been having to search a lot of online for some of what I need as well, BUT, I have been VERY happy that a lot of my challenge books have been at my library. Yea! That way, I can spend my $$ on books they do not have at B&N (Or Amazon, or Half Price, or local Mom and Pop...I am not picky!)

Valerie: So far, I've been able to find challenge books in Mount TBR � my own or a friend's � but Regency Buck is proving more difficult. I've found other books by Heyer (some of which I already have), but not the one I need. It's for a romance group's quarterly read, but also fits the "classic romance" for the Ultimate Challenge. NOT that I don't have other books in Mount TBR that fit that category, but I really did want to read this one and it's nice when you can kill two or three birds with one stone, LOL.

Heather L wrote: "Valerie: So far, I've been able to find challenge books in Mount TBR � my own or a friend's � but Regency Buck is proving more difficult. I've found other books by Heyer (some of whic..."

I know how it can be, getting more bang for your buck. Trying to do that myself...though, I am down to only a few choices...so, I do not have that many. I also understand how it would have been cool to find what you were looking for when you were out. I was lucky to find Hawaii (for place you want to visit in the 2015 Ultimate Challenge) at the place my husband was selling some of his used books!

That book you chose looks good! I might have to pile it on my own Mountain! I noticed that my library has it both in book, and electronic! (My 'list' at the library is getting to be an electronic mountain of sorts.)

FYI, I noticed that if you had Kindle Unlimited, it is listed on its 'shelves' for free checkout.If you want to go that route.

Course, our town librarian said that for that category, she thought it had to be a book from a classic author (aka, dead long ago like Jane Austin)...so, I picked Mansfied Park. I am about 10% through it. I would rather read what you have picked. Though, my choice was easy to find and it isn't bad. Just I am not as well equipped brain wise to read it right now while we prepare for State Wide Standardized Testing.

The subject of what one considers a classic tends to be subjective. In the Classics for Beginners Group, the rule is that a book has to be at least 50 years old to be considered for group reads. In the romance group in which we are reading Regency Buck, we aren't strict about the 50-year rule so much as the "happy ever after."

Plus, if you go by what your librarian says about a "classic" author needing to be dead, To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, would not qualify since the author is still alive, even though many -- including myself -- consider it a classic.

When I think "classic" romance authors, I think first of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Georgette Heyer, and Elizabeth Gaskell. I have a collection for the Nook, 50 Classic Romance Books, which includes all of the previous mentioned authors plus many selections I would not consider as "romantic" -- but again, it depends on what one's definition of romantic is. For example, Madame Bovary is included in the collection. It's ending is tragic, not romantic/happy ever after, though there are romantic elements, and therefore not what many consider a true romance.

As for Mansfield Park, I read that one a few years ago and liked it -- would even recommend it. So far, the only Austen I have not liked is Emma, which I've yet to finish in two attempts. :-/

Wish I had had you define it fore back in January! But, I have heard good things about Mansfield Park.

Valerie wrote: "Wish I had had you define it fore back in January! But, I have heard good things about Mansfield Park."

Actually, I did include those authors as examples in the main Ultimate Challenge list, but as I said -- Mansfield Park is a good choice. Not my absolute favorite Austen, but I finished it in a few days and there was a lot I liked about it. '-)

I did not join this group till after I had joined another group that had the 2015 Challenge. (Had also joined another Cozy group that turned out to not be active, so, I started looking for another and found this one. ) The 2015 Challenge one is exclusive to that challenge, and that challenge only. I asked for a definition there, and they defined it similarly to my librarian. Then, I found this group, and noticed you all also had the challenge. Personally, I like how you all are doing it...and, the other challenges. You make if fun!!

But, I am new to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, so I am learning. And, I am VERY glad I found this group. It was what I was looking for. People who love books, talk about their books, and have fun with reading.

Thanks Heather L for making such a fun group. That is why I wish I had seen YOUR definition first. Your group is making the challenges what they should be .... FUN!

Thanks, Valerie -- and my apologies, I thought you had joined sooner than you did. �

No problem. I came along in February...and, am very happy I found you all. Like I said. Great group, great moderator, and fantastic challenges!!

Spring 2015 Challenge
03/20/2015 - 06/20/2015

1/6 Finished

S
P
R
I
N
G - A Ghostly Undertaking

Spring 2015 Challenge
Duration: 20 March - 20 June 2015
Status: 18/18

I've decided to spell my two favourite things about spring - the rain (especially when I can sit in and read on a rainy day ;) and snowdrops!

Since I finished two words with a month left, I decided to add another word - the robin's are all over the place looking for worms...and my cats love to chat at them!

R - Bruja Brouhaha by Rochelle Staab 6 May
A - Assaulted Pretzel by Laura Bradford 15 April
I - If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell 17 April
N - Night of the Living Thread by Janet Bolin 27 Apr



and

S - Shunned and Dangerous by Laura Bradford 16 April
N - Norway to Hide by Maddy Hunter 15 May
O - Pretty in Ink by Karen E. Olson 14 May
W - Wicked Autumn by G. M. Malliet 2 May
D - Murder, She Barked by Krista Davis 23 Apr
R - From Fear to Eternity by Michelle Rowen 14 May
O - Off Kilter by Hannah Reed 10 May
P - Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters 31 Mar
S - Let Them Eat Stake by Sarah Zettel 17 April



and

R - Writing about Magic by Rayne Hall 15 Jun
O - Driven to Ink by Karen E. Olson 16 Jun
B - A Cast-Off Coven by Juliet Blackwell 26 May
I - Ink Flamingos by Karen E. Olson 17 Jun
N - Engaged in Murder by Nancy J. Parra 5 Jun

So I am trying to spell Spring Flowers, Easter Eggs, and Mother's Day. I have spelled Spring and Eggs so far, better look for some books to get those other letters.


S - Joanne Huist Smith wrote The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle
P - Private Vegas by James Patterson
R - Ru by Kim Thúy
I - The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America
N - Neil Gaiman wrote The Graveyard Book Volume 1
G - James Grippando wrote Cane and Abe

F - Farley Mowat wrote The Dog Who Wouldn't Be
L - Lois Lowry wrote The Giver
O - One, Two ... He Is Coming For You by Willow Rose
W - Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
E - Jane Elson wrote How to Fly with Broken Wings
R - Kathy Reichs wroteBones in Her Pocket
S - Sue Ann Jaffarian wrote Ghost a la Mode

E - K.J. Emrick wrote Death Comes to Town
A - And the Birds Rained Down by Jocelyne Saucier
S - Sue Ann Jaffarian wrote Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini
T - Those Girls by Chevy Stevens
E - Ellery Adams wrote The Path of the Crooked
R - Kathy Reichs wrote Bones Never Lie

E - Eggs in Purgatory by Laura Childs
G - Beth Groundwater wrote A Real Basket Case
G - Tess Gerritsen wrote Die Again
S - Lisa Scottoline wrote Betrayed

M - Margin Play by Eric Plume
O - Only the Brave by Mel Sherratt
T - Thomas King wrote Green Grass, Running Water
H - Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
E - Exposure by Kathy Reichs
R - Reinaldo DelValle wrote The Valentine Circle
'
S - Sue Ann Jaffarian wrote Gem of a Ghost

F - Fredrik Backman wrote My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
A - Angela Henry wrote The Company You Keep
T - Terminal by Kathy Reichs
H - Maddy Hunter wrote Dutch Me Deadly
E - Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs
R - Rhys Bowen wrote Evanly Choirs
'
S - Sue Ann Jaffarian wrote Gem of a Ghost

D - Death On Demand by Carolyn G. Hart
A -Anna Sewell wrote Black Beauty
Y - Yesterday is Dead by Jack Lynch

C - Bailey Cates wrote Brownies and Broomsticks
H - Maddy Hunter wrote Norway to Hide
I - If Catfish Had Nine Lives by Paige Shelton
C - The Crossing at Blaisdell Park by Marta Tandori
K - Krista Davis wrote The Diva Runs Out of Thyme
S - Roland Smith wrote Jaguar

Carla wrote: "So I am trying to spell Spring Flowers, Easter Eggs, and Mother's Day. I have spelled Spring and Eggs so far, better look for some books to get those other letters.


S - [author:Joanne Huist Smit..."

I'm impressed!! That is quite ambitious. Good luck!!

My God, Carla! :O Good luck!

Marisa wrote: "My God, Carla! :O Good luck!"


What she said, LOL!

Spring 2015

2/5

A = Ann B. Ross: Miss Julia Takes Over
� N = Nightingale Way by Emily March - 4.23
Z = Zanetti, Rebecca: Sweet Revenge
� A = Albert, Susan Wittig: Thyme of Death - 4.18
C = Christine Feehan: Dark Lycan

Wow, Carla!! That is certainly impressive :)

You are awesome, Carla, and an inspiration! Good luck.

Going to add another word to my list. Short word, but I think I should add another to give me a challenge. Going to try Eggs, since I have some books in my stack that would qualify...and, I really need to work on getting that TBR mountain down. (course, then Tuesday rolls around. LOL)

Naomi wrote: "I'm in! 13/13 DONE


S - The Witch of Little Italy by Suzanne Palmieri � � � �
P - The 5th Horseman by James Patterson � � � �
R - [book:..."

Good Job!! And, thanks for the stars. Will look into some of your higher star ones!

I have now spelled:
SPRING FLOWERS
I have only 6 more to read to finish spelling:
EASTER EGGS and MOTHER'S DAY

I have 3 weeks to do this so I should be able to manage, but only time will tell.