The Challenge Factory discussion

Welcome to the challenge formerly known as August (or whatever month) in History.

There are no levels for this challenge. Read as many or as few books as you want. You can even double up on a number if you choose. Re-reads are allowed. No page limits. Be creative. Don't forget to rate and date your book.

Duration: 8/1/14 – 8/31/14


August 5, 1962 - Film star Marilyn Monroe died at age 36 from an overdose of sleeping pills. She made 29 films during her career and came to symbolize Hollywood glamour.


1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous.

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character.

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it.

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.).

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.

7. Bus Stop (1956) - Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation.

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover.

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) - Read a second chance romance.

10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted.

What Happened on August 5, 1962?
Duration: August 1-31

8/8 READ

1. Dangerous large city:Vices - 8/27 - 3 stars

√ 2.Blonde character: Road of No Return - 8/2 - 4 stars

√ 3. Wealthy character:Broken Neon - 8/10 - 3 stars

√ 4. Involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.) character:Being Sawyer Knight - 8/11 - 4 stars

√ 5.MCs uses a form of public transportation:Embracing His Syn - 8/5 - 3 stars

√ 6.Hot cover:Geeking Out on 11C - 8/9 - 4 stars

7. Second chance romance:Savage Love - 8/15 - 4 stars

√ 8. The Misfits character: Brokedown Hearts - 8/13 - 4 stars

* COMPLETED BOOKS

I'm looking around for different books, and I found that I could probably do 6 or 7 white dresses :) I just looked, and I have 18 covers with white dresses!

Wow! 18 white dress covers. How many of those are you going to read?

lol, probably just one. Still looking for books that fit into other categories.

Okay:
dangerous city (London) - Wicked Widow 8/7
a blonde character - The Grand Finale 8/1
a wealthy character - Zinnia 8/2
using public transportation - Improper English 8/2
main character doesn't seem to fit in - The Wicked Ways of a True Hero 8/3
a character from show business - The Scandalous Life of a True Lady 8/4
a pseudonym - Truly Yours 8/5
a hot cover - Hot on Her Trail 8/8
white dress on cover - Cowboy Heat 8/8
2nd chance romance - Burning Love (Hell Yeah! Cajun Style, #1) 8/9

I'll shoot for 5.


What Happened on August 5, 1962?

READ: 6/5

✔1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous.
On the Prowl - Christine Warren (NYC) 8/4

✔2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.
Can't Buy Me Love - Molly O'Keefe 8/21

✔3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character.
Feel the Heat - Cindy Gerard 8/16

✔6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.
White Wedding - Ursula Sinclair 8/11

✔8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover.
Heart of Atlantis - Alyssa Day 8/11

✔10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted.
Tall, Dark & Lonely - R.L. Mathewson 8/13

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

What Happened on August 5, 1962
Begins: 01Aug14 / Ends: 31Aug14


9/10 completed



1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous. - BERLIN - In the Garden of Beasts: ✔ – 05Aug14

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Jeane. - JEAN Paget in A Town Like Alice ✔ – 05Aug14

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character. - GOLDY in The Last Suppers ✔ – 07Aug14

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it. - The WHITNEY family in The Day the Music Died ✔ – 20Aug14

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business. - Actors and producers in Enter A Murderer ✔ – 28Aug14

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.

7. Bus Stop (1956) - Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation. - The Unbearable Lightness of Being ✔ – 13Aug14 (Tereza rides the bus, of course.)

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover. - HOT as in baking in the sun ... A Carrion Death ✔ – 23Aug14

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) - Read a second chance romance. - Outlander ✔ – 02Aug14

10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted. - MARTY in Endangered Species ✔ – 11Aug14

10/10 READ

1.Dangerous metropolis: bad things happen to people who won't be missed in alt-universe Chicago Night of the Loving Dead 8/2 ★★★
2.uses a pseudonym/fake name: CIA Assassin "Soldier of Fortune" Redding takes the place of and impersonates a beauty queen librarian to hide in Sinful, LA, pop 262. Louisiana Longshot 8/1 ★★★★★
3.Blonde character: Candice Olson Everyday Elegance 8/9 ★★
4. Wealthy character: Maximilian Oceanus Spellbound Falls 8/15 ★★★
5. Involved in show business: rock stars Independence Hall 8/5 ★★★
6. white dress on the cover:Merely Magic 8/11 ★★
7. MC uses public transportation: Jessica Fletcher because she can't drive Murder, She Wrote: Aloha Betrayed 8/16 ★★★
8. Hot cover: flames! giggle, giggle Inkheart 8/12 ★★
9. Second chance romance: The Girl's Guide to (Man) Hunting 8/4 ★★
10. Misfit character: Searching for Dragons goodreads summary: "an un-ordinary king and an extraordinary princess, a couple of kooky giants, an overzealous magician, a loyal and helpful witch, and a host of evil and dangerous wizards 8/2 ★★★★★

What Happened on August 5, 1962?
Duration: August 01/14 - August 31/14

1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) -
Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous.
Brazen by Katherine Longshore 08/04/14 **** (London 16th century)

2. All About Eve (1950) -
Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.
The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith 08/02/14 **** ( Perkin Warbeck - Richard, duke of York) fake name

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) -
Read a book with a blonde character.
Midnight Exposure by Melinda Leigh 08/01/14 ****

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) -
Read a book with a wealthy character in it.
Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir 08/07/14 ****

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.).
The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank 08/08/14 *** (artist)

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) -
Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.
The White Princess by Philippa Gregory 08/10/14 ***

7. Bus Stop (1956) -
Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation.
Bristol House by Beverly Swerling 08/12/14 ****

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) -
Read a book with a hot cover.
The Wedding Shroud by Elisabeth Storrs 08/17/14 ****

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) -
Read a second chance romance.
The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr by Sandra Byrd 08/09/14 ****

10. The Misfits (1961) -
Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted.
The Ruby Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan 08/03/14 ****

August 2014

5/5

1. Liesl and Po 8-11-14
2. Escape Under the Forever Sky 8-5-14
3. Listen 8-3-14
6. Dark Companion 8-21-14
10. Before I Die 8-14-14

I'm in!
What Happened on August 5, 1962
Begins: 01Aug14 / Ends: 31Aug14

0/10 completes


1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous.

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character.

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it.

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.).

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.

7. Bus Stop (1956) - Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation.

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover.

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) - Read a second chance romance.

10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted

I'm in!

1. The Asphalt Jungle - takes place in a large city - The Problem with Black Magic - 8/2/14 *** - Cassie goes to New York City and gets kidnapped

2. All About Eve - a character named Eve - The Grand Tour - 8/6/14 *** - the evil henchwoman's name is Eve Marie

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - a blonde character - Paranormal Public - 8/7/14 **** Sipythia has spiky blonde hair

4. How to Marry a Millionaire - a wealthy character - Johnny Doesn't Drink Champagne - 8/9/14 **** Johnny owns a Jaguar, an Aston Martin, a Stingray Corvette and a Lamborghini. He's wealthy.

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business - a character involved in show business

6. Seven Year Itch - a white dress on the cover - To Sleep No More - 8/6/14 ***

7. Bus Stop - a main character uses a form of public transportation - Those Who Hunt the Night - 8/21/14 **** "Ysidro summoned a cab..."

8. Some Like It Hot - a hot cover - A School for Villains - 8/4/14 **
another hot cover - Saving Oliver - 8/9/14 ****

9. Let’s Make Love - a second chance romance - "Last Chance Cafe" by Amanda Stevens - 8/9/14 ****

10. The Misfits - main character is not easily accepted - Scandal's Daughter - 8/6/14 *** Diantha is illegitimate

Duration: 8/1/14 – 8/31/14

1. The Asphalt Jungle ---- Shadows before the sun ---- Kelly Gay
2. All About Eve ---- Raising innocence ---- Shannon Mayer
3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes ---- Blade Song ---- J.C. Daniels
4. How to Marry a Millionaire ---- Shadowed Threads ---- Shannon Mayer
5. There’s No Business Like Show Business ---- A Kiss Before the Apocalypse ---- Thomas Sniegoski
6. Seven Year Itch ---- The Undead Pool ---- Kim Harrison
7. Bus Stop ---- Aurora Sky ---- Nikki Jefford
8. Some Like It Hot ---- Under the Final Moon ---- Hannah Jayne
9. Let’s Make Love ---- A Discovery of Witches ---- Deborah Harkness
10. The Misfits ---- Zombies sold separately ---- Cheyenne McCray

10/10

The Challenge Factory
What Happened on August 5, 1962?
Duration: 8/1/2014 - 8/31/2014

Progress: 10 out of 10

1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous -
Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher - ***** - 8/4/2014 - Set in Chicago

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.
Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich - ***** - 8/21/2014 - 324 Pages - Uses a fake name

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character.
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading by Nina Sankovitch - *** - 8/25/2014 - 241 Pages - Blonde Character

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan - ***** - 8/7/2014

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.)
Self-Inflicted Wounds: Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation by Aisha Tyler - ***** - 8/2/2014

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks - *** - 8/27/2014 - 324 Pages - White Dress

7. Bus Stop (1956) - Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe - **** - 8/10/2014

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover
The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne - ***** - 8/27/2014

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) - Read a second chance romance -
Fanning the Flames by Victoria Dahl - ***** - 8/5/2014

10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted -
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende - *** - 8/6/2014 - 396 Pages - Doesn't Fit In

I can't resist 4/10


1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - High Five 8/15/14

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character.

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it.

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) -Deep Dish 8/12/14

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.

7. Bus Stop (1956) - Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns 8/4/14

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover.

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) -The Castaways 8/20/14

10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted.

1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous.

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character.

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it.

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.).

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.

7. Bus Stop (1956) - Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation.

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover.

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) - Read a second chance romance.

10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted.

Here's a mid-month question:

Which of the books that you have read for this challenge so far would you LEAST recommend to others and why?

Hot On Her Trail, Cowboy Heat, and Burning Love were rather explicit (and they were the sweet versions!), but Improper English had an annoying heroin.

Like it, but have too many challenges in-progress right now. I will do it later!

Leslie wrote: "Hot On Her Trail, Cowboy Heat, and Burning Love were rather explicit (and they were the sweet versions!), but Improper English had an annoying heroin."

I know when I look at book reviews, one of the first I look for are warnings about language and sex scenes. Also typos (in the case of self-published books) and slow beginnings. These issues don't always stop me from reading a book, but at least I want to know.

Marla wrote: "Like it, but have too many challenges in-progress right now. I will do it later!"

Absolutely. Check back in later.

Message 8 -- finished

Jonquil wrote: "Message 8 -- finished"

And it's only the middle of the month. Good job! Did you have a favorite book out of the ones you read?

Finished my challenge...happy reading

1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) -
Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous.
Brazen by Katherine Longshore 08/04/14 **** (London 16th century)

2. All About Eve (1950) -
Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name.
The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith 08/02/14 **** ( Perkin Warbeck - Richard, duke of York) fake name

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) -
Read a book with a blonde character.
Midnight Exposure by Melinda Leigh 08/01/14 ****

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) -
Read a book with a wealthy character in it.
Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir 08/07/14 ****

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.).
The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank 08/08/14 *** (artist)

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) -
Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.
The White Princess by Philippa Gregory 08/10/14 ***

7. Bus Stop (1956) -
Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation.
Bristol House by Beverly Swerling 08/12/14 ****

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) -
Read a book with a hot cover.
The Wedding Shroud by Elisabeth Storrs 08/17/14 ****

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) -
Read a second chance romance.
The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr by Sandra Byrd 08/09/14 ****

10. The Misfits (1961) -
Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted.
The Ruby Brooch by Katherine Lowry Logan 08/03/14 ****

What Happened on August 5, 1962?
Duration: 8/1/14 - 8/31/14


August 5, 1962 - Film star Marilyn Monroe died at age 36 from an overdose of sleeping pills. She made 29 films during her career and came to symbolize Hollywood glamour.

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Eve, Marilyn, Norma, Jeane or a character who uses a pseudonym/fake name. – Origin by Jennifer L Armentrout - ♥♥♥♥ - 8/7/14
3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character. – Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead - ♥♥♥♥ - 8/5/14
4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it. – Lead by Kylie Scott - ♥♥♥♥ - 8/24/14
5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business (ie: artist, performer, writer, musician, etc.). - Play by Kylie Scott - ♥♥♥♥ - 8/21/14
8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover. – Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young - ♥♥♥♥♥ - 8/25/14

I've finished 5 of them, but I think that's all I'm going to be able to accomplish this month.

Tayajay wrote: "What Happened on August 5, 1962?
Duration: August 1-31

8/8 READ

1. Dangerous large city:Vices - 8/27 - 3 stars

√ 2.Blonde character: Road of No Return ..."


DONE

UPDATE Message # 7 - CHALLENGE COMPLETED - 28Aug14


I finished 9 of the 10 and don't have anything that will fit that last task ...

What Happened on August 5, 1962
Begins: 01Aug14 / Ends: 31Aug14


9/10 completed



1. The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Read a book that takes place in a large city that might be considered dangerous. - BERLIN - In the Garden of Beasts: ✔ – 05Aug14

2. All About Eve (1950) - Read a book with a character named Jeane. - JEAN Paget in A Town Like Alice ✔ – 05Aug14

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - Read a book with a blonde character. - GOLDY in The Last Suppers ✔ – 07Aug14

4. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) - Read a book with a wealthy character in it. - The WHITNEY family in The Day the Music Died ✔ – 20Aug14

5. There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954) - Read a book with a character involved in show business. - Actors and producers in Enter A Murderer ✔ – 28Aug14

6. Seven Year Itch (1955) - Read a book with a white dress on the cover or that is the seventh book in a series.

7. Bus Stop (1956) - Read a book where a main character uses a form of public transportation. - The Unbearable Lightness of Being ✔ – 13Aug14 (Tereza rides the bus, of course.)

8. Some Like It Hot (1959) - Read a book with a hot cover. - HOT as in baking in the sun ... A Carrion Death ✔ – 23Aug14

9. Let’s Make Love (1960) - Read a second chance romance. - Outlander ✔ – 02Aug14

10. The Misfits (1961) - Read a book where a main character doesn't seem to fit in, is different from others, or is not easily accepted. - MARTY in Endangered Species ✔ – 11Aug14