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#scsbc14 Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge 2014: The Preliminary List

May 3, 2014August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
#scsbc14 Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge 2014: The Preliminary List

Happy Saturday, everyone! Do you love the weekend as much as I do? To be honest, while I always loved having a couple of low-key days I loved them more once I got Little One. I can’t think of anything that I like more than a lazy morning sitting with Little One, a cup of coffee and a book.

I have always liked book challenges and have signed up for many, although I don’t know if I ever actually completed one (aside from yearly book goals), but when I saw Emily’s first post about the Semi-Charmed Summer Book Challenge, I knew I’d be participating too. Let’s see if I manage to complete this one. I started one of my books this morning (Reconstructing Amelia) so I guess I’m off to a good start.

Megan hosts the challenge and you can see a list of rules at her blog. The categories and what I think I’ll be reading for each one are listed below. I’m not very good with planning out what I’m reading, so we’ll see if I stick to this list or if I switch it up a bit.

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that is at least 200 pages long.

The Starter House, by Sonja Condit (400 pages)

10 points: Read a book that was written before you were born.

Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery (336 pages) – Last year I decided I was going to read this series throughout spring/summer so I bought the boxed set, but never did. This year I decided the same thing, but wasn’t sure if I’d actually do it, so I thought this prompt would be the perfect opportunity to make sure that I start the series at least.

10 points: Finish reading a book you couldn’t finish the first
time around. (You must have at least 150 pages left in the book to use
it for this category.)

Sophie’s World, by Jostein Gaarder (544 pages) – I almost got rid of this book earlier this year when I cleaned out books. I had the hardest time reading it and eventually stopped about five years ago, but I’ve heard such good things about this that I really want to finish it. I’ll start it from the beginning since it’s been so long, but I know I was only about halfway through the book when I stopped.

10 points: Read a book from the children’s section of the library or bookstore.


The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, by Claire Legrand (352 pages)

15 points: Read a book that is on The New York Times‘ Best Sellers List when you begin reading it.

Reconstructing Amelia, by Kimberly McCreight (400 pages) – Currently #13 on Combined Print & E-Book and #8 on E-Book Fiction.

15 points: Read a historical fiction book that does not take place in Europe.

Gods and Generals, by Michael Shaara (512 pages) – This is the first in a series about the Civil War in the US. My high school history teacher raved about this series so I bought them back then and haven’t touched them yet. I know, high school was a long, long time ago.

15 points: Read a book another blogger has already read for the
challenge. (Yes, you will have to wait until the first check-in to
choose this book! So no one will be able to finish this challenge in
only one month; sorry!)

TBD

20 points: Read a book with “son(s),” “daughter(s)” or
“child(ren)” in the title. No other words will count—including kids,
offspring, etc.—so please don’t ask. šŸ™‚

The Twin’s Daughter, by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (416 pages)

20 points: Read a book that was/will be adapted to film in 2014. (Here are 16 ideas to get you started, but I know there are plenty more options.)

Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn (368 pages) – I did a double-take when I saw this on the list. I knew that Gone Girl is coming out this year, but didn’t realize this would be a movie too. How cool for Ms. Flynn that two of her books will be out as movies by the end of 2014! I’ve read Gone Girl, so Dark Places it is, although there are a couple of other books on my to-read list that would also count.

25 points: Read a book written by a blogger. (Submitted by Jessica of The Tangerine.)

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, by Jenny Lawson (384 pages)

25 points: Read a biography, autobiography or memoir.

The Girl in the Red Coat, by Roma Ligocka (304 pages)

30 points: Read a pair of books with antonyms in the titles.

The Shining Girls, by Lauren Beukes (400 pages) & The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout (352 pages) – I was walking through the book section at Target mulling over all of the categories in this challenge and these two books were sitting next to each other on the shelf. I was just like, “Perfect!” This might change, since it was decided on a whim, but The Shining Girls has been on my to-read list for awhile and the whole situation was just so perfect that I almost have to read these, right?

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Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

If only we always remembered to be in touch with o If only we always remembered to be in touch with our loved ones regularly; to tell them that we love them.

This thought has been on my mind the last few weeks as I’ve been in touch with one of my best friends almost daily. They’ve been navigating a scary situation.

But that’s what everyone says, isn’t it? Reach out to those you love. Tell them you love them. Don’t let a lot of time pass.

We all know that. We think about it sometimes. We hear about it when others are in crisis. We’re thankful that we aren’t the ones in crisis and we can remember this lesson through someone else.

But eventually we get caught up in life. Our daily ā€œI love you’sā€ are reserved for those we live with and sometimes we forget to text someone back… or it takes a few days to do so.

This week as I wondered why we don’t remember this more often I realized it’s probably a good thing. It’s a good thing that we can live life without worrying that tragedy is right around the corner. That would be an exhausting way to live.

It’s also good that we can get little reminders, sometimes not from our own life. So from someone who spent one week numb, another week weepy, and this week sad, remember to send your friends a text. Tell them you love them.
I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
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