Spring Book Challenge 2011

Tomorrow is the last day of The Nest Book Club's "Spring Book Challenge 2011".  As you could see in the tabs above, I have been following this since April, and although I didn't come close to finishing, I still think I did pretty well.  My final score was 270 points.  Not shabby for a first time around!

I will be removing the tab above and replacing it with the "Summer Book Challenge 2011" today.  The challenge starts on Friday, July 1st.  The book I'm reading right now, Legacy by Susan Kay, doesn't fit in the SBC, but it will fit in the SuBC, and it's so long, and I have so little time over the next few days, that I'm fairly certain I won't be past 50% done with it by Friday morning.

So, for posterity's sake, here is a recap of the 2011 Spring Book Challenge:

5 pts

1. Read a book with a one word title Testimony by Anita Shreve

2. Read a book that you already own, but haven't read Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter

3. IHO Cherish an Antique Day (April 9), read a classic A Little Princess by Frances H. Burnett

4. Read a book by an author that has an X, Z, or Q in their name. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

5. Lewis and Clark set off on 5/14/1804: Read a book set somewhere you'd like to go  Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

6. Read a book with a person's entire head not visible (only shows other parts of the body) The Devil Wears Prada by Laura Weisberger

7. Flowers are (finally!) growing: Read a book with a green cover or with "flower" or a specific flower name in the title Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

8. Read a book you loved as a child/teenager Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

9. IHO Earth Day read an ebook, library book, or listen to an audiobook Shine by Lauren Myracle

10. Read something outside The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory

10 pts

1. Read a book about/at a wedding The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

2. School's out for summer: read a book set in or about high school The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

3. Read a play by Shakespeare

4. Read a book set in or about a country you haven't been to The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

5. Read a good book: has an average of 4 stars or higher on Goodreads. The book must have at least 50 ratings (not reviews). The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

6. Read a book with a weather word for the start of hurricane season. Ex: snow, rain, thunder, hurricane, wind, etc.

7. Poll Nesties for your book (out of 5 you suggest) Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

8. Read a book to continue a series you have already started Anne of Avonlea by Lucy M. Montgomery

9. IHO Pet Owner Day (April 25): book about a pet or animal Animal Farm by George Orwell

10. Read a book about an author (biography, memoir, historical fiction) Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

15 pts

1. IHO of royal wedding, book about royalty or royal character The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

2. Holocaust Remembrance Day (May 2): book about/set in the Holocaust The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

3. Read a book of poetry

4. Read a book in a genre you don't normally read The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

5. Read a book by an author with your name (first, middle, maiden, or last) Bumped by Megan McCafferty

6. Read the April, May, or June NBC pick and participate in the discussion Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

7. IHO National Smile Month (June), read a humorous book

8. Read a popular book: a book that has at least 15,000 ratings (not reviews) on goodreads A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

9. IHO Mother's and Father's Days, get a suggestion from your mom, dad, or other family member from an older generation Different Seasons by Stephen King 10. Read a non-fiction book that isn't a biography or memoir Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

25 Points
Read a book about urban farming, sustainable agriculture, or American food policy (200 pages +, not an audiobook) and grow an edible plant. Post a 100 word response to the book and a picture of your plant. Recipes and photos of what you cook with your plant are encouraged but totally optional. If you can't grow a plant, read at least 3 children's books that are set on a farm or in a garden with a child of the appropriate age and post which one was your favorite, which was the child's favorite and why.

Read a non-fiction book about Africa or the Middle East (history, politics, geography, etc). The book can be about a particular country or the region in general. Post your thoughts on the book and whether or not the book impacted your impressions/opinions regarding this part of the world.

Many NBCers have their Goodreads shelves linked in their siggy. Pick a nestie and read one of her 5-star books and one of her 1-star books (or 2-star if she doesn’t have a 1-star). Report back on which nestie you picked, what you thought of the books and how your ratings compared to the nestie you picked.

This task is inspired by a Jeopardy category. You will have to read two books- the last word(s) of one title will be the first word(s) of the second.

Experience a book two ways.  First read a book and then either listen to the audio book, watch the movie based on the book, read the comic book based on the book, etc.  Write a short post on which medium you preferred. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

With spring comes exciting news!

Happy Spring!  I have never felt so happy to say those two words!  It really does feel like this past year was the cruelest, coldest winter ever.  And even though we in Connecticut are due for not one, but TWO snowstorms again this week (*sigh*), today's date is the death-knell for winter 2010 - 2011.  It is ALMOST OVER.

And with the death of winter, to the B household, came an email.  Our landlord will meet with David on Friday, take our security deposit and first months' rent...and the apartment is OURS.  We can then go in any day we like, and move in on April 1st.

So painting and redecorating will commence next weekend.  We're moving in to our new apartment a week from this Friday!

It's coming at just the right time, too, because I have had it with this place.  The small space, the cramped quarters, the bumping into each other constantly.  It's not easy being married in two and a half rooms.  Soon we'll have SIX rooms to spread out in, and move about, and decorate!  I can't even imagine having that much space right now.  I am so excited about it.

Life seems very good right now.  I started Weight Watchers this past week, and so far have stuck to it very well (even on St. Pat's, which was quite difficult!).  I've also gone to the gym three days this past week, and biked a total of 41.39 miles and 115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes) on the stationary bike this week.  That is now my base goal -- this upcoming week I will try to bike for at least 20 hours and try for 50 miles.  It can only go up from here!  I also have to pick up a scale, so I can weigh in once a week.  I'm supposed to weigh in on Monday, but I don't have a scale right now.  Other than my WiiFit one, and I hate getting on that thing.  Ugh.  It just goes "ooooh" like an elephant is getting on it.  Demoralizing!

And it may snow tomorrow, but as for today, I will spend the afternoon outside, and enjoy this fleeting glimpse of Spring.  It's almost here.  You can smell it.