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Summer Vacation Challenge - June/July

Tasks and Rules


Use this thread to report your points for the Summer Vacation challenge.

Here's an example of how it will look when reported:

25.3 Travels with your Family: Read a HF book set in a country of one of your ancestors.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Great grandparents are from Germany
550 pages - 6 points
Review - 5 points
Link to review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Total - 36 points
NOTE: No HF points because it is already required for task.

To write a review, you either write the review when you say that you are finished with the book OR if you want to wait until later, go to your "read" books shelf. On the right side of your list of books, click "edit" -- this will give you review box.

To link to your review, click on the view hyperlink on your bookshelf and copy the URL that is displayed in the address bar.

NOTE: I will no longer accept a review that is the first comment of a book. If you are having issues, please PM me.

5.2 out of this world

Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Fire

Pages 461

Points this task 14

Total points 14

5.5 Summer Sun: Read a book where the titles' letters are one of the colors of the sun (red, yellow, orange).

by Kirby Larson

Task - 5 pts
240 pgs - 2 pts
HF - 5 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task total - 17 pts
Challenge total - 17 pts

5.3 Traveling Through Time

The Time-Traveling Fashionista by Bianca Turetsky

262 pages-2 Points
HF-5 points
Review-5 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Points this task-17

Total Points-17

10.5 Fun with the Family The Good Daughter
384 pages=4 points
Review=5 point

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Points this task:19
Total points:19

10.1 Tourist Visa: Read a book where the author is from a different country than the setting of the book.

A Small Hill to Die On by Elizabeth J. Duncan
Set in Wales, author from Canada
Task - 10 pts
272 pgs - 2 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task total - 17 pts
Challenge total - 34 pts

5.3 Task: Travel Thru Time: Book that features time travel.

I'll See You In Your Dreams

Task: 5pts
232 pgs: 2pts
Review: 5pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task Tot: 12 pts
Challenge Total: 12pts

10.1 Tourist Visa: The author is from a different country than the setting of the book.

Brida
Author: Paulo Coelho is from Brazil
Setting of book is in Ireland

TASK: 10pts
212pgs: 2pts
Review: 5pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task Tot: 17pts
Challenge Tot: 29pts

10.3 Passport Stamp: Read a book set in a location you would like to visit.

Three Lives of Tomomi Ishikawa by Benjamin Constable

Would like to visit Paris.

Task : 10 pt.s
pgs 352: 4 pts.
Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... 5 pts.

Total: 19 pts.
Chalenge total = 19 pts.

10.3 Passport Stamp: Read a book set in a location you would like to visit.
Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund
Location - Birmingham, AL

Task - 10 points
560 pages - 6 points
HF - 5 points
Review - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... - 5 points

Task/Challenge Total: 26 points

25.2-Wonders of the World

Read a HF book that features one of the wonders of the world. This book features Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Inferno by Dan Brown

Task-25 points
464 pages-4 points
Review-5 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task Total-34 points

Total Points to Date-51 points

5.3 Travelling through time: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
322 pages = 4 points
Task = 5 points
Book total = 9 points

50.2: Two Sides of the Story: Read 2 HF books about the same event that are set in different countries.
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez
Depicts the 1880s cholera epidemic in Colombia
348 pages = 4 pts
Review = 5 pts (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)
An Imperfect Lens: A Novel by Anne Roiphe
Depicts the 1880s cholera epidemic in Egypt
304 pages = 4 pts
Review = 5 pts (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)

Total This Task = 68
Challenge Total = 68

5.3 Traveling Through Time

The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

368 pgs.. = 4 pts.
Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... = 5 pts.

Total = 14 pts.
Challenge total = 33 pts.

10.2 - Read a book which has a mode of transportation or the name of a vehicle in the title.
Titanic: The Long Nightby Diane Hoh
Vehicle Name: Titanic

Task - 10 points
373 pages - 4 points
HF - 5 points
Review - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... - 5 points

Task Total - 24 points
Challenge Total - 50 points

5.5 Summer Fun
Read a book where the title letters are in the color of the sun- 5 points

Eulalia! by Brian Jacques

336 pages-4 points
Review-5 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task points-14

Total Points to date-65

Remove Message#4 post from my scoring thread. was mistakenly placed on currently-reading shelf prior to June 1-not read until after June 1 but has been disqualified.

subtracting the 17 points makes my total points now 48

#25.5 Summer Vacation. Read a book that features characters on a trip. The India Fan. Drusilla, the main character, travels from England to India.
396 pages=4 points
Review=5 points
Book Total=34 points
Challenge total =73 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

15.2 Customs Official: Read a book which describes a specific custom of the country that you did not know about.

The Roving Tree by Elsie Augustave

A Haitian funeral contains professional mourners and those who believe in voudou, leave a sewing needle and thread on the grave, so that the spirit of the dead person will be so busy trying to thread the needle, it will not come to claim those that are left behind.

300 pgs. = 2 pts.
Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... = 5 pts.

Total = 22 pts.
Challenge total = 55 pts.

10.5 Fun with Family


The Wednesday Sisters
Review
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Pages 320

This task 19

Total points 33

25.2: Wonders of the World: Read an HF book which features one of the Wonders of the World
Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors
368 pages = 4 pts
Review = 5 pts (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)


Total This Task = 34
Challenge Total = 102

10.3-Passport Stamp Read a book that takes place in a location that you would like to visit
The book I chose takes place in Denver, Colorado and this is a city that I would like to visit.

Booked To Die by John Dunning-10 points

394 pages-4 points
Review-5 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Total Points this task-19
Total Points to date-67

10.5 Fun With Family.

Big Brother by Lionel Shriver

384 pgs. = 4 pts.
review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... = 5 pts.

Total = 19 pts.
Challenge total = 74 pts.

15.2 Customs Official: Read a book which describes a specific custom of the country that you did not know about.

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan
224 Pgs - 2 pts
HF - 5 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Unfortunately, I learned about the practice in the early part of the 20th century of maiming children at a young age by deliberately twisting young limbs. These children were literally owned by individuals who would place them at strategic locations to beg, with all the proceeds going to the owner.

Book total - 27 pts
Challenge total - 61 pts

15.1 Water Works. Chose body of water on cover.

How to Breathe Underwater by How to Breathe Underwater.

226 pgs. + 2 pts.
Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... = 5 pts.

Total = 22 pts.
Challenge total = 96 pts.

I need to remove my posting #25. I overlooked the part about the book needing to be HF and the one I chose isn't.

10.3 Passport Stamp: Read a book set in a location you would like to visit.

The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan
400 pgs - 4 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I have a strange fascination with the people and places of the Manhatten Project. This tells the story of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a town made from scratch for the Project and one I'd like to visit.

Book total - 19 pts
Challenge total - 80 pts

15.1 Tourist Trap - Read a book where the characters visit a tourist attraction. Tell why we should or should not visit.

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
Tourist Trap - The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) in Prague. I think people should go there because of the history behind it. It's the site of the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe and of the supposed creation of the Golem, a creature made of mud that went on a rampage.

Task - 15 points
448 pages - 4 points
Review - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... - 5 points

Task Total - 24 points
Challenge Total - 74 points

10.5 Fun With Family
The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory

HF +5
Bonus +4 (417pp)
Review+ 5
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Book Total: 24
Grand Total: 24

I will post a scoreboard over the weekend but I did notice the following:

@Kathy: Post 7 -- #of pages is 332 (not 232) so 4 pts book bonus. Post 8 - the review goes to the previous review

@Linda: Sent you a msg -- you are not posting your reviews correctly;

15.3. Traveller’s Warnings: Read a book about a threatening event which would make you think twice about visiting that country.
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Part of this book takes place during the Talibans rein in Afghanistan and the US occupation there. There is much destruction and death during this time.
404 pages- 4 points
HF - 5 points
Review: 5 points
Link to review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... -

Task total: 29 points


25.3 Travels with your Family: Read a HF book set in a country of one of your ancestors.
Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear
My great-grandparents (on my father's side) are from Great Britain.
309 pages- 4 points
Review: 5 points
Link to review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task total: 34 points


15.5. Water works Read a book that features the name of a type of body of water in the title or shows a body of water on the cover. Requirement: post cover if using this option.
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

This is the amazon river, which is critical in the book.
352 pages- 4 points
Review: 5 points
Link to review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task total: 24 points

5.5 Summer Sun: Read a book where the titles letters are one of the colors of the sun (red, yellow, orange)
by Rick Riordan
389 pages- 4 points
Review: 5 points
Link to review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task total: 14 points

Challenge total: 101 points

10.2 PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES

Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith

224 pgs. = 2 pts.
Reviw http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... = 5 pts.

Total = 17 pts.
Challenge total = 113 pts.

15.1 Tourist Trap: Read a book where the characters visit a tourist attraction. Tell why we should or should not visit.

Palisades Park by Alan Brennert
432 pgs - 4 pts
HF - 5 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The novel brought back to life the wonderful family ran Palisades Amusement Park, a summer mainstay in the New Jersey/New York area. Although closed in the early 70's, it reminded me of trips to other small amusement parks in my native Texas. These parks are a vanishing breed and yet more magical than the corporate parks - my daughter and I have fonder memories of our visit to Lakeside Amusement Park in Denver than we do of Disney or Six Flags (as great as they are). Go make a memory at your nearest family owned, old school amusement park!

Task total - 29 pts
Challenge total - 109 pts

5.5 Summer Sun Title letters red.

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

262 pgs. = 2 pts.
Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... = 5 pts.

Total = 12 pts.
Challenge total = 125 pts.

15.2 Customs Official. Read a book which describes a specific custom of a country that you did not know about. The Breath of God: A Novel of Suspense. In Bhutan, the Buddhist custom of presenting offerings in a monastery by pilgrim visitors is describe. The various offerings are described as well as the specific layout of the monastery. I found out that the carvings and pictures on the walls are somewhat similar to the function of stained glass pictures in a cathedral, that the leader at the ceremony sat on a raised dais to elevate him above the pilgrims and what the different colors of the monks's robes signified.
414 pages=4 points
Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Total=24 points
Challenge total=97 points

Adding 5 extra points for HF for post #19 per Jolene's approval. New challenge total=102.

10.1 Tourist Visa
Waiting for the Monsoonby Threes Anna
Author is from the Netherlands, book takes place in India
544 pages - 6 points
Review - 5 points
Link to review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Total - 21 points
Challenge Total: 21 points

15.4 Summer Sports: Read a book featuring a sport played in warm weather. Baseball.

Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger
368 pgs - 4 pts
HF - 5 pts
Review - 5 pts

Book total - 29 pts
Challenge total - 138 pts

10.3 Passport Stamp: Read a book set in a location that you would like to visit.
Inferno by Dan Brown
Professor Langdon visits the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which sounds like a beauitful museum that used to be both a basillica and mosque. I would love to see this museum and see the interesting mix of religious symbols.
480pages- 4 points
Review: 5 points
Link to review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task total: 19 points

15.1 Tourist Trap?: Read a book where the characters visit a tourist attraction. Tell us why we should or should not visit.
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordon
In this book, the characters visit the Hoover Dam. I have been there and it is an amazing structure which gives a wonderful view of the damn and desert around it. It is a big tourist spot and you can stand in the corner of four states. You can also go into the damn and see the turbines and learn how the dam helps provide power.
304 pages - 4 points
Review: 5 points
Link to review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Task total: 24 points

Challenge total: 144 points

10.5-Fun with Family Read a book with the word indicating family relationship in the title.

Daughter of Time: A Time Travel Romance by Sarah Woodbury

Task -10 points
352 pages-4 points
HF-5 points
Review-5 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Total task points-24

Total points to date-91

15.3 Traveler's Warnings. Read a book about a threatening event which would make you think twice about visiting a place. The First Rule of Swimming. At the time of the book there were wars occurring--first World War II and second the civil war in Croatia. It also covers the time of the Communist regime of Tito. I would not have liked to be there at any of those times.
336 pages=3 points
Review=5 points
Book total=23 points
Challenge total=125 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

15.2 Customs Official: Read a book which describes a specific custom of the country that you did not know about. Please share what that was.

Burmese Days by George Orwell

During this book there was a hunt in which a leopard was killed. The young Burmese hunters took the internal organs especially the heart from the leopard to eat. They believed by eating them they would gain the courage and strength of the animal.

Task Points-15
376 pages-4 points
HF-5 Points
Review-5 Points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Total Task Points-29 Points

Total Points to Date-120

Updated through post: 43
DATE 18-Jun
Participant Score

Rebecca 144
CherylA 133
DianeS 125
Wanda 120
LindaB 110
HeatherJ 102
Ashley 74
Kristine 33
Kathy 26
Jayme 24
Ariane 21
Macarena 9

Linda - Post - 5, 14, 19: Reviews not in correct location: (-15 pts)
Linda - Post - 42: Page bonus is 4 not 3 (+1)
Kathy Post - 7: There are 332 pages so book bonus is 4 (+1)
Kathy Post - 8: Review goes to previous book (-5)
CherylA Post - 39: No link to review (-5)

Update to Post 39

Link to review needed:
Last Days of Summer
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Previous challenge total: 133 pts
New challenge total: 138 pts

15.1-Tourist Trap

Disney at Dawn by Ridley Pearson

This book takes place at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Most of the action happens at the Animal Kingdom Park. Everyone should be fortunate to visit Disney World at least once. I guess this would also apply to Disney Land but since I live about an hour and a half from Orlando, I am partial to Disney World. It is an entertaining place for children and the child in all of us!

Task points-15
378 pages-4 points
Review-5 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Total Task Points-24

Total Points to Date-144

5.4 PICTURE POSTCARD

Children of the Jacaranda Tree by Sahar Delijani Children of the Jacaranda Tree.

288 pgs. 2 pts.
HF 1 pts. Half takes place in 1983
rReview http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... = 5 pts.

Total = 13 pts.
Challenge total 138 pts.

5.1 Personal Journeys: Read a memoir involving travel.

Our Hearts Were Young and Gay: An Unforgettable Comic Chronicle of Innocents Abroad in the 1920s by Cornelia Otis Skinner
208 pgs - 2 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Book total - 12 pts
Challenge total - 150 pts

10.5 Fun with the Family : Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates
434 pages = 4 points
Task = 10 points
Book total = 14 points

10.3 Passport Stamp : Eines Abends in Paris by Nicolas Barreau
The story is set in Paris, which is a city I'd love to visit :)
362 pages = 4 points
Task = 10 points
Book total = 14 points

Challenge total = 37 points

15.4. Summer sports Read a book featuring a sport that you would play in warm weather.


Breaking Point by Martina Navratilova
This book is a mystery set in the world of professional tennis.

Task Points-15
292 Pages-2 points
Review-5 points
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Total Task Points=22

Total Points to Date-166

50.1 Island Hopper: Read 3 HF that are set on islands.

April Lady by Georgette Heyer (England)
246 pgs - 2 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Book total - 7 pts

Honolulu by Alan Brennert (Hawaii)
360 pgs - 4 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Book total - 9 pts

Fever: A Novel by Mary Beth Keane (Manhatten and North Brother Islands)
320 pgs - 4 pts
Review - 5 pts
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Book total - 9 pts

Task total - 75 pts
Challenge total - 225 pts