Summer Reading Challenge: Sharon's Task - Read a fiction or non-fiction book that takes place in the capital city of your country or state

For this I read Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf though I can't say I enjoyed it. This is a stream of consciousness novel meaning that not much happens in it, what you read is the thoughts of the main characters. Mrs Dalloway is preparing for a party to be held at her London residence that evening. Several interconnecting threads are followed to the conclusion at the party.



Points so far: 165

Three Things...

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:



(in order of usage)
1. Kristina
2. Tina
3. Kriss

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:



1. My green eyes
2. Being tall (5'10")
3. Being smart

THREE THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT YOURSELF:



1. I'm pear-shaped
2. I never got my teeth straightened when I was younger (I would still get them done now if I could afford it)
3. My skin could be better

THREE PARTS OF YOUR HERITAGE:



1. Irish
2. Scots
3. English

THREE THINGS YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND:



1. Quantum Physics
2. The 10th Dimension & String Theory
3. Teenagers

THREE THINGS THAT ANNOY YOU:



1. People who are late habitually
2. Mess
3. Completing lists like this

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:



1. Spiders
2. Centipedes
3. The dark

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:



1. Hugs
2. Laughter
3. Learning something new every day

THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:



1. Pinstripe Trousers
2. Linen top
3. Lingerie

THREE THINGS ON YOUR DESK:



1. Post-Its
2. Pencils with cute toppers
3. Desk fan

THREE THINGS YOU SAY THE MOST:



1. Seriously?
2. What the Hell?
3. Ohmigod!

THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T DO:



1. Drive a car
2. Play chess
3. Crochet

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:



1. Reading
2. Cross Stitch
3. Knitting

THREE THINGS YOU WANT REALLY BAD RIGHT NOW:



1. A holiday
2. Peace and quiet
3. Driving lessons

THREE CAREERS YOU’VE CONSIDERED:



1. Lawyer
2. Teacher
3. Nurse

THREE PLACES YOU WOULD GO ON VACATION:



1. China
2. India
3. Japan

THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:



1. Climb Mount Hua
2. Read the 1001 books
3. Sky dive

Summer Reading Challenge: Amy MA's Task - Read a book where pearl, ruby or peridot is named in the title or is part of the author's name

Not my normal choice of reading but it was on my bookshelves (bought for my daughter at some point) and it fitted the task. A thoroughly enjoyable book, better than I expected for a Young Adult read. Some scenes quite violent so only suited to the slightly older YA reader.


Points so far: 140

Summer Reading Challenge: Ashley ID's task - read a dystopian novel

Perhaps an obvious choice for this task but I read Animal Farm at school and have never read this one. Everyone should read it.


Points so far: 115

Summer Reading Challenge: BJ Rose’s Task - Read A Biography (Not An Autobiography) of a U.S. President who was either born Or who died during summer

John Quincy Adams (11 July 1767 - 23 February 1848) - More information can be found here


This book was fascinating in places, particularly in it's discussion of early American foreign and economic policy (isolationist and protectionist), but the language is of the time it was written which makes it hard to read. I'm sure there are much better books available on John Quincy Adams than this one which also seems biased very much in his favour.

Points so far: 90

Nuthanger Farm & Nuthanger Copse

Another literary inspired wander around Hampshire countryside. This time an attempt to find Nuthanger Farm, the place where the rabbits of Sandford free some domestic rabbits in an attempt to find some does for their new warren on Watership Down.

We started out at the Royal Oak public house in Ecchinswell (a post about pub names and signs might be a coming in the future - The Royal Oak was a tree in Boscobel in Shropshire in which Charles II hid himself during flight after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 and it's quite a common name for pubs in England)


Just outside Ecchinswell we came across a field of sheep with a black one, curiously enough the black ewe seemed to have a pair of creamy white ewes. Being an odd person I had to take a picture of the odd one out!

Around a corner, a curious rooster and chicken that had forgotten it was a chicken for a while and then it remembered and ran away! Also hiding in these bushes were two ducks including a punk duck with a tuft of feathers on it's head!

Onto a track and up quite a steep hill, the path was almost blocked by this huge fallen tree, it was about hobbit height!

A little further up the hill and there was a lovely view down towards Ecchinswell.

At the top of the hill this charming brick and flint barn/outbuilding

Those who have been paying attention will spot Watership Down in this picture

And this is Nuthanger Farm

Some kind of outbuilding that's almost been reclaimed by nature. It must have been built some time ago as the evidence of joints using wooden pegs and not nails could be seen.

Just past Nuthanger Farm, a gorgeous panoramic view of the whole of Watership Down and the Gallops looking south from Nuthanger Farm

The view from beside Nuthanger Copse looking North East

Looking North to a farmhouse?

A Charlie's eye view of the walk!! Needless to say there were plenty of fabulous things to explore in this long grass!

I suggested someone would be able to do a fabulous impression of a scarecrow in the middle of this field of barley, the idea didn't need to be suggested twice!!

Stopped for a picnic beside a stream, Charlie took a dip to cool off.

Downstream...

This low-lying branch made the perfect picnic seat

We played Pooh Sticks here, unsuccessfully (neither of our sticks reappeared on the other side of this bridge!)

The tree ate it! Nature showing who is the boss

The War Memorial in Ecchinswell commemorating both WWI and WWII

Though is was wondering if this is a history lesson that I missed because I thought the armistice was signed on 11/11/1918


And there is a definitely a story here on this bench next to the War Memorial.

Back in Ecchinswell looking away from the Royal Oak Pub.

Back to the car - and off for a jaunt to Kingsclere - a larger village close to Ecchinswell

St. Mary's Church complete with unique weathervane, possibly depicting a bed bug found by King John during a stay at a local inn

The church is Norman in origin, and a church has stood here for over 1000 years. This is a Norman arched doorway that has been filled in. The picture above shows later pointed Gothic style arched windows.

The path is lined with old headstones

Sydmonton & Watership Down Walk

Otherwise known as following in the footsteps of fictional bunnies! And more red pins on my Google World Map :) Also found some ideas for places to visit on my day off work on Thursday.

Notes on the walk:

Stopped the car just before Sydmonton to take a long-distance view of Watership Down...


We parked up just past Sydmonton and followed a bridlepath up a steep hill. This was the somewhat discreet entrance to the bridlepath we were going to take.

The path soon opened up, it was shady and cool.

These pictures were taken from a gap in the trees along the bridlepath about 3/4 mile along towards the A34 and the West. Beacon Hill, another iron age hill fort is just past the A34 on one of the hills in these pics.




Past some dogrose, there was quite a lot of this on the bridlepath.

Past a tree that was holding up half another tree at a somewhat precarious angle.

From the other side you can see the broken tree trunk.

This view is the view to the East across more rolling downs and open farmland.





At the top we walked between two fields (at the 1 mile marker) and stopped at the junction of three paths for a picnic.

After the picnice we turned left and walked along a wide grassy path between two poppy lined fields of oil seed rape (canola) until we found the iron age fort that sits on top of Ladle Hill.










We did a circuit of the Hill Fort, taking in the view to the North that the vantage point gave us before returning to the bridleway and walking along the ridge top.







Just past mile two marker we crossed a field full of sheep and at the far end of this down a very steep slope to the gap between Ladle Hill and Watership Down. Across a small country lane and on up a steep footpath to the top of Watership Down and the gallops that are mentioned in the book as being a favoured grazing spot of the bunnies. Here a rest whilst the car was fetched by someone feeling much fitter than me. Then back down the steep footpath to the car and a scenic drive home.

This walk was about 3.5 miles long but with quite tough terrain so I'm feeling it this afternoon!

Summer Reading Challenge: Rora’s Task – Read a nominee or winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award from 1971-1991

For 30 points read a book that was a nominee or winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award from 1971-1991 Watership Down was nominated for this award in 1975, the winner was Song of Rhiannon by Evangeline Walton

This is a re-read of a book that I read as a teenager and has never left me. The book creates different emotions as you follow the rabbits on their journeys and adventures. Sadness at the loss and joy at their successes.

I don't live very far from the setting of this book so one of my planned summer expeditions is to visit Watership Down and perhaps find some rabbits!


Points so far: 60

Summer Reading Challenge: Lizzi’s Task – Judge a book by its cover

For 30 points select a book only because you love the cover and post a picture or a link:


This book is gross, but compelling. Don't even start reading it if you don't have a strong stomach! I'm not sure if I was more disgusted or fascinated by this book though I do question the mental state of the author. I can't imagine writing in such detail about so many taboo topics, from menstruation, anal sex and anal surgery to nose picking and not washing. Toss in a severely dysfuntional family, divorce and a suicide attempt and you have the complete package.

What attracted me to the cover? The bright colours and I couldn't figure out the connection between avocado and the title. Even after I read the frontispiece I couldn't figure it out but you'll have to read the book if you want to know. I picked this book up off the desk of a co-worker (thanks Luke) and when he finished it he left it on my desk to read.

Summer Book Challenge - Tasks

The latest reading challenging on The Next Best Book Club on Goodreads.com begins on 1st June 2009 and runs until 31st August...

5 Points
1. Read a book that takes place in or is about a small town

2. Read a book with the word … dance, dances, dancing, dancer, dancers, or a dance term, or a specific type of dance in the title

3. Read a fiction or non-fiction book about a musician or band.

4. Read a book where the main character is getting married or where a wedding occurs during the story.

5. Read a book with a fruit or vegetable in the title.

6. Read a Christmas story or a book that takes during winter.

7. From your favourite genre...find and read a book that has less than 50 ratings on Goodreads.

8. Read a book with one of these “beachy” words in the title – beach, boardwalk, island, lighthouse, ocean, sand, sandcastle, sea, seashell, seashore, seaweed, shell, shore, starfish, tide, wave.

9. Read a mystery or crime fiction book.

10. Read a historical fiction book that takes place in the US and relates somehow to an important event or time period in its history.


10 Points
1. Read a novel where the main character is a chef, a caterer, a waiter or waitress... or anybody whose job revolves around/relates to food.

2. Read a book written by an author that lived between 1792 and 1822.

3. Read a collection of fairy tales or a novel that is an adaptation of a classic fairy tale.

4. Read a book written by an African author; or set in/about Africa.

5. Read a book written by a French author; or set in/about France.

6. Read a book written by a Japanese author; or set in/about Japan.

7. Read ONE book that has… 6/6th/Six/Sixth or 7/7th/Seven/Seventh or Or 8/8th/Eight/Eighth in the title or is the 6th/7th/or 8th book in a series.

8. Read a book whose title has the one of those that matches the street where you currently live.

9. Read a non-fiction or fiction book about a baseball player or the game of baseball.

10. Read a fiction or non-fiction book with the word dog or a specific breed of dog in the title.


15 Points
1. Read a fiction book that takes place in or a non-fiction book about your dream vacation spot – when finished create and post an itinery of things you would do if you were to visit that location.

2. Read a book that hasn't already been made into a movie and post a list of who you would cast as the main characters.

3. Read an entire book while sitting outside - at least 150 pages.

4. Do the Goodreads Trivia Quiz and read the first book you come to but haven't yet read.

5. Read a book that in someway relates to current/recent events/topics from the news and read a newspaper/magazine article related to the same topic.

6. Read two books that have words in the titles that have opposite meanings.

7. Read one book from the All Time Most Popular Books on Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/popular and one from the All Time Most Unpopular Books on Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/unpopular

8. Read a 5* star book from the book list of the first friend you made on Goodreads and a book they gave their lowest rating to.

9. Read two books written by two different authors who share either a first or last name.

10. Read two books where the first letter of the first word in the title matches your initials.


20 Points
1. MOST IMPROVED PLAYER - Rhiannon's Task – Choose and Read a Book by an Author That Shares the Same Birthday as you. Month and Date.

2. ROOKIE OF THE SEASON – Tina's Task – PENDING


25 Points
1.Jessica IL’s Task – Read a classic novel or play and then read a modern novel that reinterprets the story or the characters in it.

2. Ashley ID's Task - Read a dystopian novel

3. Cait's Task - Read two books - one from Lori's (the TNBBC Mod's) shelf and one from Cynthia (the Seasonal Challenge Mod's) shelf - by an author you've never read before.

4. Amy MA's Task - Read a book where pearl, ruby or peridot is named in the title or is part of the author's name.

5.Beth MN's Task - Read two books (no audio) from the adult genre of your choice with over 555 pages each.

6. Sharon's Task - Read a Fiction or Non-Fiction book that takes place in or is about the capital city of the country you live in.

7. Bonnie's Task - Read a Book with 900+ pages.

8. Angela IL's Task - Read 2 Books by 2 Different Goodreads Authors.

9. April's Task - Read a book first published in the 1800s, a book first published in the 1900s, and a book first published in the 2000s

10. Kristina GA's Task - Read A Book About A Secret Society And Post A Little Review About It. It Could Be Fiction Or Non-Fiction.

30 Point Tasks

1. Donna Jo's Task - Read a biographical fiction book and an autobiography/biography about that person.

2. Sandy's Task – Read two books with main characters whose names are Lucy, Ricky, Fred or Ethel or derivatives of.

3. Wendy's Task - Read 2 books…one with a positive Muslim, Islamic or Arabic protagonist and one with a positive Jewish, Israeli or Zionist Ccaracter.

4. BJ Rose’s Task - Read A Biography (Not An Autobiography) of a U.S. President who was either born Or who died during summer - at least 300 pages.

5. Kristen IL's Task - Read three YA books.

6. Bridgit’s Task - Read a compilation of short stories or essays...not a book with a collection of short stories all written by the same author. Then choose one of the authors included in the compilation that you have never read before and read a stand-alone book of theirs (not another short story.

7. Kristenr’s Task – Read a book published the year your father was born, and a book first published the year you were born.


8. Leora’s Task – Pick and read two books from the '1001 Books To Read Before You Die' list. http://www.listology.com/list/1001-books...

9. Lizzi’s Task – Select a book only because you love the cover and post a picture or a link.

10. Rora’s Task – Read a nominee or winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award from 1971-1991. http://www.mythsoc.org/awards/fantasy/


50 Point Mid-Way Task
1. PENDING

5 points x 10 = 50
10 points x 10 = 100
15 points x 10 = 150
20 points x 2 = 40
25 points x 10 = 250
30 points x 10 = 300
50 points x 1 = 50

total available points = 940

my target for this challenge is 400 points