Fiona’s Comments (group member since Apr 01, 2023)

Fiona’s comments from the Bookish Challenges group.

House Shopping Tour Challenge


Sign-ups are open until July 31st.
The challenge is open-ended.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up and I will create a challenge thread for you.

2. This challenge is designed specifically for you to spend points but there will also be free options. You will be given different options for houses and certain rooms, which all cost you a different amount of points. Once you have chosen one of the options, I will give you a set of three tasks, of which you have to complete one.

3. You have one free skip. You can read a book that meets the general guidelines instead.

4. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book:
Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

House Shopping Tour Challenge


Sign-ups are open until July 31st.
The challenge is open-ended.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up and I will create a challenge thread for you.

2. This challenge is designed specifically for you to spend points but there will also be free options. You will be given different options for houses and certain rooms, which all cost you a different amount of points. Once you have chosen one of the options, I will give you a set of three tasks, of which you have to complete one.

3. You have one free skip. You can read a book that meets the general guidelines instead.

4. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book:
Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

House Shopping Tour Challenge


Sign-ups are open until July 31st.
The challenge is open-ended.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up and I will create a challenge thread for you.

2. This challenge is designed specifically for you to spend points but there will also be free options. You will be given different options for houses and certain rooms, which all cost you a different amount of points. Once you have chosen one of the options, I will give you a set of three tasks, of which you have to complete one.

3. You have one free skip. You can read a book that meets the general guidelines instead.

4. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book:
Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

Investigation - Sarah Donovan

Daniel: (Looking at her steadily) “Sarah, I understand you and James argued the night before his death. Can you tell me what it was about?”

Sarah: (Huffs, shifting uncomfortably) “It was nothing, really. Just… a difference of opinion. We’re—were—siblings. Arguments happen.”

Daniel: “A difference of opinion that had you both raising your voices? The staff heard shouting from down the hall.”

Sarah: (Rolling her eyes) “Fine. He was being his usual controlling self. He thought he could dictate my life choices, tell me who I should avoid, as if he knew everything.”

Daniel: (Leaning in) “Who did he warn you about, Sarah? Maxwell Carter, perhaps?”

Sarah: (Pauses, her eyes flickering) “Maybe. Maxwell and James had their own issues. I mean, they argued that night too. Did you know that? I wasn’t the only one who found him insufferable.”

Daniel: “I’ll get to Maxwell. For now, let’s stay with you and James. Did he mention why he was so concerned about your choices?”

Sarah: (Nervously) “He just… he thought I was naïve, that I didn’t see what people were really like. James always had this need to control everything—my life included. He never let me live anything down, you know?”

Daniel: “But it was more than that this time, wasn’t it? Something specific triggered him.”

Sarah: (Tightens her arms around herself, lowering her gaze) “Yes, all right? It was about a decision I made with Maxwell. James kept saying Maxwell couldn’t be trusted, that he was out to take advantage of me or something. But maybe he was wrong. Maybe James wasn’t always right, and Maxwell actually understood me better.”

Daniel: (Raises an eyebrow) “So you defended Maxwell. But tell me, Sarah, did James say anything about his business dealings with Maxwell?”

Sarah: (Flinching slightly, her voice quieter) “He… he said Maxwell was becoming a liability. That he couldn’t trust him anymore. I told him he was being paranoid, that he needed to loosen his grip a little.”

Daniel: “Interesting. And how did James take that?”

Sarah: (Shrugs, forcing a bitter smile) “How do you think? He was furious, of course. James didn’t like being told he was wrong. But I didn’t kill him, Mr. Hunt. If you’re looking for someone with more than hurt feelings, maybe you should dig into James’s business relationships.”

Daniel: (Watching her closely) “Don’t worry, Sarah. I’ll speak to Maxwell soon enough.”

Sarah: (Glancing away, her voice barely a whisper) “Good. Maybe he’ll have answers I don’t.”


Read a book that meets the general guidelines.

Backup

Ask your questions here!

House Shopping Tour Challenge


Sign-ups are open until July 31st.
The challenge is open-ended.

The Challenge

1. Comment here to sign up and I will create a challenge thread for you.

2. This challenge is designed specifically for you to spend points but there will also be free options. You will be given different options for houses and certain rooms, which all cost you a different amount of points. Once you have chosen one of the options, I will give you a set of three tasks, of which you have to complete one.

3. You have one free skip. You can read a book that meets the general guidelines instead.

4. Please make a completion post in your thread using this template:

Book:
Author:
Date completed:
Task:
How it fits:

5. If you don't have a personal point account thread yet, request one here.

3/4

🌦️ Unpredictable Weather
a) Read a book that features extreme or unpredictable weather
The Crash by Freida McFadden March 6 - features a snow storm

👩‍🎨 International Women’s Day (March 8th)
a) Read a book with a female protagonist who inspires you
Fake As Puck by Sarah Smith March 4 - FMC is an inspiring genius doctor

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
a) Read a book that features mythology or folklore
b) Read a book where luck, fate, or destiny have a critical role
c) Read a book set in Ireland or with Irish influences

🌍The Balance of Light and Dark
c) Read a book told from two perspectives
All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles February 23 - told from the perspectives of the FMC and MMC

Read in Pink!

20/20

1. Nurse Barbie
a. Read a book where the character wears glasses
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez May 23 - Tio Ricardo wears glasses

2. Aerobics Barbie
a. Read a book with an athletic/sporty character
Fake As Puck by Sarah Smith March 4 - MMC is an ice hockey player

3. Vet Barbie
b. Read a book with a caring character
Heartless by Elsie Silver May 28 - both MCs are very caring

4. Rapper Barbie
b. Read a book with lyrical or poetic writing
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo May 25 - MPG Poetry

5. Jillaroo Barbie
a. Read a book with animal on cover
The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez May 21 - frogs and fish on cover

6. Superhero Barbie
a. Read a book with mpg magical realism
Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman August 30 - MPG Magical Realism

7. Detective Barbie
a. Read a book with a shocking twist
The Crash by Freida McFadden March 6 - book has a shocking twist

8. Matador Barboe
a. Read a book with a physically strong MC
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas March 3 - MC is a strong assassin

9. Pilot Barbie
b. Read a book with an MC who has to wear an uniform
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros May 3 - cadets are wearing flight leather uniforms

10. US Presidential Candidate Barbie
a. Read a book with "President" mentioned in the text
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James May 21 - "Or five boxes of rubber bands, a picture of Farrah Fawcett, a picture of President Carter or a box full of liquor as if they don’t have liquor in America." 38%

11. Cowgirl Barbie
a. Read a book with mpg Western
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage July 19 - MPG Westerns

12. Maid Barbie
b. Read a book set in a grand house or mansion
Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson May 17 - set in a grand house

13. Lifeguard Barbie
a. Read a book with water on cover
Home: Haus der bösen Schatten by Riley Sager May 24 -

14. Entrepreneur Barbie
a. Read a book where someone quits their job
The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully July 14 - MC quits her job

15. Astrophysicist Barbie
a. Read a book with MPG SciFi
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar June 9 - MPG Science Fiction

16. Judge Barbie
a. Read a book with a court scene
Der Fremde by Albert Camus May 17 - court scene during MC's trial

17. Tooth Fairy Barbie
a. Read a book with mpg fantasy
Elevation by Stephen King June 9 - MPG Fantasy

18. Ballerina Barbie
a. Read a book where MC faces challenges or self-doubt
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams June 3 - MC Derek faces self-doubt after an injury

19. Queen Elizabeth I Barbie
a. Read a book with mpg historical fiction
Tausend strahlende Sonnen by Khaled Hosseini June 7 - MPG Historical Fiction

20. Original Barbie
a. Read a book published before 2000s
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov June 1 - published September 1, 1955

✅

Investigation - Lydia Blackwood

Daniel: “Miss Blackwood, you weren’t invited to the manor that night. Why were you here?”

Lydia: (Flatly) “I came to speak with James. We had unresolved matters.”

Daniel: “Unresolved, like your broken engagement?”

Lydia: (Shrugs) “Call it closure. It wasn’t much of a conversation—he was distracted.”

Daniel: “Distracted by what?”

Lydia: “Business, I think. He mentioned an argument with Maxwell earlier that day.”

Daniel: “Interesting, since you’ve been seen with Maxwell recently. Care to explain?”

Lydia: (Eyes narrowing) “We’re friends, nothing more. That’s irrelevant to James’s death.”

Daniel: “Is it? Maxwell was here that night too.”

Lydia: (Firmly) “I didn’t kill James, Mr. Hunt. I came to talk, and then I left. Check if you don’t believe me.”

Daniel: (Pausing) “For someone seeking closure, you didn’t stay long.”

Lydia: (Softly) “There was nothing left to say. James didn’t deserve this. No one does.”

Daniel: “No, they don’t. But someone thought otherwise.”

Lydia: (Standing) “It wasn’t me. Find whoever did.”

Daniel: (Nods, watching her leave) “I intend to.”


Read a book that meets the general guidelines.

Investigations Begin – Victoria Donovan

Daniel: (Carefully) “Mrs. Donovan, I’ll be direct. Emotions can run high in families, especially in matters of inheritance and legacy. Was there… any reason you might have felt resentment toward James?”

Victoria: (Her eyes flashing, voice sharp) “Resentment? Toward my own son? Mr. Hunt, I’ve already lost my husband; now my son is gone, and you’re suggesting I had a hand in it?”

Daniel: “I understand this is difficult. But you still have Sarah, your daughter. Family conflicts, even among the closest, sometimes run deeper than they appear.”

Victoria: (Takes a slow breath, her voice softening) “James and Sarah were everything to me. Yes, we had disagreements—every family does—but they’re my children. You must understand, I would have done anything to protect them.”

Daniel: “Yet protection can look different to different people. Perhaps you saw something in James’ life or choices that worried you. Something you couldn’t control?”

Victoria: (Gazes toward the study down the hall, her voice low) “The only thing out of my control was Lydia. You were there, Mr. Hunt; you saw how she marched in here like she still belonged. She was the disruption. I could see the fire in her eyes.”

Daniel: “She did seem distraught, yes. But bitter emotions don’t always lead to violence, Mrs. Donovan.”

Victoria: (Quietly, her tone unwavering) “Lydia’s life fell apart without James. She came here with an agenda, and when he turned her away… I could see it in her face, Mr. Hunt. She was desperate. Dangerous.”

Daniel: (Watching her closely) “I’ll look into her motives, rest assured. But remember, I have to consider everyone’s, even those closest to him.”

Victoria: (Nods slightly, a faint sadness in her eyes) “Then you have no reason not to see the truth. Lydia’s grudge was bound to turn deadly.”

Read a book that meets the general guidelines.

Literary Launch - End


Read a book that meets the general guidelines to complete this challenge.

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