Bout of Books Mini Challenges For Day 4

I'm participating in the Bout of Books read-a-thon going on now. For more info, go to their website here. For Day 1, there are two fun mini challenges. Be sure to check them out.

I must admit... here on day 4 I am dragging.  I don't even feel like reading today!  But I must!!

Mini Challenge #1:  A Book for Every Season

A Book for Every Season is hosted by Reading in Winter
The challenge is to name the perfect book for each season!!

Wow this is going to be tough for me!

Spring-The Secret Garden is perfect for Spring!  A whole garden blossoms!

A ten-year-old orphan comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors where she discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden. Burnett's classic story of a disagreeable and self-centered little girl and her equally disagreeable invalid cousin is as real and wise and enthralling now as it was when it was first written over 75 years ago. The strength of her characterizations pulls readers into the story, and the depth inherent in the seemingly simple plot continues to make this sometimes forgotten story as vital to the maturation of young readers as Tom Sawyer and Little Women. Hague's illustrations enhance the story beautifully, capturing as they do, both the old-fashioned and timeless quality of the tale. The charm, clarity, and muted tones of Hague's paintings add dimension to each part of the tale. A reissue of an old classic to be treasured by a new generation of children (and their parents)!

Summer- Where's Waldo for me is perfect for Summer!  The beach drawings in the book are hilarious.  My sister and I grew up with these books and just loved them!

Just when you thought you’d found Waldo in all the likely places, we give you the slipcased edition — offering a complete set of Where's Waldo? adventures: WHERE'S WALDO? WHERE'S WALDO NOW? WHERE'S WALDO? THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY WHERE'S WALDO? THE WONDER BOOK WHERE'S WALDO? IN HOLLYWOOD Exclusively in paperback: WHERE'S WALDO? THE GREAT PICTURE HUNT! Showcasing Martin Handford's art in its original oversize paperback format, this handsome, hefty collection offers hours of entertainment for long-time Waldo lovers and new seekers alike.

Fall- If you haven't read A Night in the Lonesome October then you are missing out!!  This is perfect for fall especially October.  There is a chapter for each day of the month!!

Snuff, a guard dog who performs thaumaturgical calculations, accompanies his master, Jack, on collecting expeditions into the Whitechapel slums of nineteenth-century London. Zelazny manages to cleverly combine Jack (the Ripper), Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Frankenstein, and Dracula together with witches, werewolves, druids and many others in this amusing tale of an approaching confrontation that, on the Halloween of a full-moon, will change the cosmic balance of power between good and evil. Told through the eyes of Snuff, Jack's guard dog, who performs magical calculations in addition to accompanying his master on collecting expeditions into 19th century London. Twists and turns of magical espionage and adventure unfold as this unforgettable tale plays out over the course of 31 lonesome nights in October.

Winter- The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings always reminds me of the winter season.  It is an EPIC classic that is great to curl up under a blanket and read through the winter.

A great modern classic and the prelude to The Lord of the Rings Smaug certainly looked fast asleep, when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance. He was just about to step out onto the floor when he caught a sudden thin ray of red from under the drooping lid of Smaug's left eye. He was only pretending to be asleep! He was watching the tunnel entrance... Whisked away from his comfortable, unambitious life in his hobbit-hole in Bag End by Gandalf the wizard and a company of dwarves,Bilbo finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Although quite reluctant to take part in this quest, Bilbo surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and his skill as a burglar! Written for J.R.R. Tolkien's own children, The Hobbit met with instant success when published in 1937. Now, in 1997, this special new edition, illustrated by Alan Lee, commemorates the sixtieth anniversary of a great classic which has established itself as "one of the most influential books of our generation" The Times

Mini Challenge #2- Candy Challenge
The Candy Challenge is hosted by BookSmartie
This Challenge asks what do you snack on while reading?

Personally I have always loved to snack on pretzel sticks.  I just think they are perfect for reading!!  I have snacked on them while reading since 8th grade if you can believe it!  Just something about them!    

Mini Challenge #3-Contemporary Challenge 
The Contemporary Challenge is hosted by Books with Cass


This challenge asks three questions:  What is your favorite contemporary book of 2012, favorite contemporary cover, and my surprise contemporary book of 2012.  UGHHH!  This is hard for me.  I don't normally read contemporary literature.  Honestly I have been meaning to read more contemporary books... but it seems like a different book gets pushed in front of them and I have no idea which ones are good.  So if you have suggestions let me know.  I guess I have to pick Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins .  I hope that is a contemporary.  I did really enjoy it... and I love the cover too. It is also my biggest surprise book because like I said I tend to stick to fantasy type novels lately.






Phew... OK so that is the challenges for today. Off to grocery shop and then read!!!