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This is the discussion thread for the Spring 2024 Group Read How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse in the category Fiction: Space Opera. Please post your comments here. This thread is not restricted to those choosing this book for task 20.10, feel free to join in the discussion. Warning- spoilers ahead!The requirement for task 20.10: You must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
This is the discussion thread for the Spring 2024 Group Read Code Name Hélène in the category Fiction: Biographical Fiction. Please post your comments here. This thread is not restricted to those choosing this book for task 20.10, feel free to join in the discussion. Warning- spoilers ahead!The requirement for task 20.10: You must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
If you would like a place to plan or share what you'll be reading for the Spring 2024 Challenge you may post a list in this thread. You are NOT required to post here to participate in the challenge.
25 Point Tasks25.1 - RobinP task The Fab Four
Help Thread
Recently, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ appearance in the US on the Ed Sullivan Show. As an elementary school student, I wasn’t the target fan base, but everybody knew about the Beatles, and everybody watched the show. My family was pleased that they weren’t as wild as we expected. Paul even sang “Till There Was You” from the Broadway musical, The Music Man. As I got into my teen years, I was disgusted by the screaming girls and the boy-band adulation – “Which one do you want to marry?” But then my brother came home from college with later music, like Eleanor Rigby. And by the time I went to college, my friends and I bonded over Sgt. Pepper, The Magical Mystery Tour, and The White Album. Here are some tasks related to the Beatles.
Read 2 books from 2 different options.
Option 1: Their names were of course John, Paul, George and – Richard (Ringo’s real name.) Read a book whose author has one of those as a name part. It must be exact – no Jon, Johnny, Richards, etc., but the name may appear in any position.
Option 2: The Beatles’ career largely matched up with the decade of the 1960’s. Read a book published in or set in the 1960’s.
REQUIRED: If the setting isn’t clear from the GR description, please provide evidence of the era.
Option 3: The cover of the Sgt. Pepper album is iconic because of the many characters depicted. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to read a book associated with one of them (although I did do that for a challenge in another group).
Read a book with a word or 4 or more letters found in the title of one of the songs on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band OR on Magical Mystery Tour – words must match exactly
https://genius.com/albums/The-beatles...
https://genius.com/albums/The-beatles...
REQUIRED: State the name of the song & the word
Option 4: The Ed Sullivan show was a variety show. Performers included singers, dancers, comedians, acrobats, and puppeteers. Some books are set up the same way.
Read a book that has one of the following as MPG: Essays, Short Stories, Letters, or Anthology/Anthologies.
25.2 Tiens task - Kid's Sports
Help Thread
5 weeks of school and all I seem to be doing is driving the kids around from one sport activity to another.
This is a two-book task. Please select one book from two different options. One children’s/middle grade book may be used.
REQUIRED: State the option
Option 1: Swimming
Read a book where author's (first & last) initials are found in one of these swimming training aids: TRAINING FIN, KICKBOARD, PULLBUOY
Letters can only be used as they appear in the word. If reading a book with multiple authors, all authors' initials must be found in the word
Required: state initials & word used.
Option 2: Volleyball
Read a book with MPG Sports and Children* or Middle Grade* or Young Adult or New Adult
For example:
Catching Jordan (Hundred Oaks #1) by Miranda Kenneally (Sports + Young Adult)
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (Sports + Middle Grade)
This list may help: Sports Themed YA NA
*If you are reading Children / Middle Grade MPG, please check SRC rules to ensure they qualify
Option 3: Crossfit
The teen is lifting 102.5kg for dead lift these days. Read a book with page count that consists of with at least 2 of these numbers (0, 1, 2, 5). Numbers may not repeat.
25.3: KMarieD: What’s your favorite challenge type?
Help Thread
This is a 2-book task based on common task challenges. Pick an option and read a book for each category in that option. You may read one book that is 500+ pages if it fits both categories of your chosen option.
REQUIRED: state the option you have chosen
I have found that challenge tasks seem to be categorized into 3 main types with variations within. Each option deals with two variations of one of these main types.
Option 1 – Using a phrase to spell title words or contain author initials, letters can only be used as often as they appear
Category 1 – Be sure to check those uncommon words because they have often surprised me by fitting in a challenge like this. Read a book with at least a four letter word in the title or subtitle that can be spelled from the phrase TITLE WORD SPELLED FROM PHRASE (Apostrophe's can be ignored)
REQUIRED: State the word
Category 2 – One of the easiest challenges for me to complete since I read a wide range of books and work in a library. I can usually just go to the shelves and scan for a book that fits that I wouldn’t mind reading. Read a book with all author initials, middle initials count if the author has one, in the phrase AUTHOR INITIALS CONTAINED IN PHRASE
Option 2 – Finding items or colors on the cover
Category 1 – I remember my mother constantly trying to get me to wear colors other than black during my teen years. It’s not that I didn’t like color, I just wasn’t very fashionable and black goes with everything. Read a book with at least 6 different colors on the cover according to TinEye. A guide to using TinEye can be found here
Category 2 – While I am not very talented and have only taken lessons sporadically, I like to play the piano and can play simple tunes on my recorder and dulcimer. Read a book with a musical instrument on the cover.
REQUIRED: Post the cover
Option 3 – Choosing a book from genres or lists
Category 1 – Based on probably my most read genre (many books I read in other genres also have a subtext of romance), read a book with a MPG of Romance, genre may be embedded such as Historical Romance
Category 2 – Mysteries is my first love in books. Over the years, I have discovered that some of the best come from Scandinavian countries. Read a book from one of these lists
REQUIRED: state the list and page where your book was found
Nordic Scandinavian Mysteries Female
Scandinavian Nordic Mysteries
Murder Most Cold
25.4: Nick KY’s Task: Nordic Noir Plus Ten
Help Thread
In the Spring of 2014, SRC member Elizabeth B gave us the task “Nordic Noir.” She began with the phrase: “It's been more than 10 years since I got the Nordic noir bug.” Now, because of Elizabeth B’s task 10 yrs. ago, I can honestly say that, too.
I am bringing back the task almost exactly as Elizabeth B outlined it and moderator Kristina Simon edited it.
Unlike the previous task, though, mine is for adults only. No books with the genres “Children’s” or “Kids” are allowed.
Variations of the “same name” in option B.1. are not allowed this time; the name must be exact – trying to avoid a lot of questions and confusion. I eliminated one option for Book B.
Other than that, here’s how Elizabeth B and editor Kristina Simon gave Nordic Noir to us, and I give it to you.
The task is for 2 books that total 500 pages or more.
Book A: Read a book set primarily (at least 50%) in a Nordic country or written by a single Nordic author (by birth or by residence). For the purposes of this task, the Nordic countries will be considered to be: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the Åland Islands, the Faroe Islands, and Svalbard. These lists might give you some ideas, but be careful as it's possible that not all books on the lists will fit the task: Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries
Scandinavian Literature
REQUIRED: If the GRs description does not make it clear, explain how your book fits the task.
Book B: Read a book that is connected to Book A in one of the following ways:
1. By author’s name -- The first or last name of the author of Book B is the same as the author of Book A. Names may appear in any position (Variations in spelling of the same name are NOT allowed – this might be exasperating for Scandinavian authors, but I want to avoid as much confusion as possible.) Both books may be by the same author as well.
2. By setting -- Book B is set at least 50% in the same country as Book A.
3. By year of first edition -- Book B was first published in the same year as Book A.
REQUIRED: Identify how Book B is related to Book A when you post.
25.5 - Delicious Dee - Bee Hive Bookclub
Help Thread
This past year, I was lucky enough to participate in my first cycle of the Bee Hive bookclub. The club is divided into sub-hives of 12 people each and during the year – you read 12 books picked by members of your sub-hive. Since March 2023 was my start of Bee Hive and I’ll be starting my new cycle this month, my challenge is based on it.
For this task, read 2 books that meet 2 of the different options. Your minimum page count must exceed 500pgs (so 501+)
No graphic novels, no childrens books. All books must be by a single author.
Required: State the options you used.
Option 1: Read a book where BEE or HIVE can be found intact in the title (not subtitle). for example - Shiver (HIVE found intact) or If He Had Been with Me (BEE intact)
Option 2: Read a book by an author found on my Bee Hive shelf – you may read a specific book that is on my list, or any other book by the author.
Option 3: The initials of the members in my sub-hive for last year and this year are:
Read a book where the authors first & last initials match a member in my sub-hive. Initials must be in the order they appear (i.e. for my team mate LB – you could use Linwood Barclay but not Brian Leung)
KS, SM, JG, LW, KV, LM, LB, BM, AS, SD, DF
Option 4: Several of books read this year really pushed me out of my comfort zone (which is why I love these book clubs). Those books were Black Sunday and The Book of Goose. Read a book that can be found on the first 25 pages of either African Literature or France lists
REQUIRED: state the list & page you found the book on.
20 Point Tasks20.6 It's a Fact - Jammin Jenny's Task: TV Family Fun
Help Thread
My whole family loves TV game shows so I have very fond memories of watching a variety of games on TV. My father was usually the best of everyone in the room. Here are four of our favorites, some of which are making a comeback.
Pick one of the following options:
Required: State the option.
A graphic novel/comic book can be used (and is encouraged) for this task as long as it is 200+ pages.
Option 1: Password
Everyone in our family liked this game. And I love the re-boot of this show with Keke Palmer and Jimmy Fallon. It's so funny the faces they make and the way they say the words to try to get the right answer from their partner.
Read a book with MPG humor
Option 2: Jeopardy
My mother was really good at this game so sometimes she would win the crown. I was hardly ever the fastest to have the answer but I'd give it my best shot.
Read a book with all the letters in the word JEOPARDY in the title/subtitle. Letters may be used as many times as they appear.
Option 3: Name that Tune
This is another one of those old game shows that has a new life with actress Jane Krakowski and musician and judge from American Idol Randy Jackson. The premise is you get clues to a famous song and you have to say how many notes you need to hear to get the name of the song. There's a lot of strategy to get to the right # of notes you need. One time, my dad did it with 0 notes.
Read a book from pages 1-10 of this list:
There Ought to be a Band
Required: State the page of the list where the book is found.
Option 4: Match Game
Match Game with Gene Rayburn from the 70s is so classic. Two contestants would battle by picking either A or B (they took turns picking first), Gene would read the card and a word would be missing. Like, "My wife was so fat her nickname was BLANK". The answers some of the contestants and panel were so funny.
Read a book that has an author with a first or last name of one of the panel members from this list (they need to be on at least 20 episodes). The name must match exactly but position does not matter.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069608/...
A full list of names is listed in post #2 of the Help Thread
Required: State the name of the panelist and the author.
20.7 Shorter is Sweeter - Lois' Task: The Dating Game
Help Thread
The original version of The Dating Game was a popular TV game show in the mid-1960s to early 70s. A bachelorette posed questions to three bachelors who were behind a screen and at the end of the half hour, she chose Bachelor #1, Bachelor #2, or Bachelor #3 for a date.
Read a book with MPG Romance that is #1, #2, or #3 in a series that has at least 3 published books in the series.
The series number must be indicated in gray on the book's main page, usually above the title. Whole numbers only. Romance genre may be stand-alone or embedded, e.g., Historical Romance, Western Romance.
20.8 Nickels and Dimes -Trishhartuk's Task: The Golden Shot
Help Thread
The Golden Shot was a somewhat unusual British TV gameshow which ran from 1967-1975 (yes, I am old enough to remember it…just). It was based on a German TV show, Der goldene Schuss.
Over the course of several rounds, contestants guided and fired a crossbow attached to a TV camera (which acted as the viewfinder), to shoot a bolt at an exploding target embedded in an apple on a decorated backdrop, until all but one were eliminated (from the show!). In the final round, the last contestant had to cut a string with the crossbow bolt, which released a tumble of (decorative) gold coins from a chest.
This is a one book task, choose an option and read one book for that option.
Required: State the option
Option 1. Read a book first published between 1967 and 1975, inclusive.
Option 2: Read a book with an apple, target, crossbow, crossbow bolt, or arrow (the archery kind, not the directional kind) on the cover.
ex:
Required: post the cover, and identify the element used.
Option 3: The most famous presenter was British comedian Bob Monkhouse, although others fronted the show at different times. The person who loaded the crossbows was nicknamed "Bernie", giving rise to the catchphrase "Bernie, the bolt!".
Read a book with a word of at least four letters in the title, that can be made from the letters in EITHER “BOB MONKHOUSE” OR “BERNIE THE BOLT”.
Required: State the word
20.9 Moderators Pet - Marie-Anne's Task: Card Game Memories
Help Thread
The games theme for the Spring challenge inspired me to use card games as the theme for this task. I am originally from Flanders, and learned card games playing with my grandparents. It took some time getting used to the English suit names instead of Dutch ones: Hearts for Harten, Spades for Shoppen (although my grandparents used Piques, the French version), Clubs for Klaveren, and Diamonds for Ruiten.
This is a one book task. Choose 1 option. Books that are MPG Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may not be used.
Required: State the option.
Option 1 - The whole deck: Read a book that has playing cards on the cover. At least 2 different suits must be clearly visible.
EX:
Required: Post the cover.
Option 2 - A reduced deck: One of our favorite games was "Manille", a game that uses only 32 cards in the deck - cards 2 through 6 are discarded. Read a book where the number of pages does not include digits 2 through 6.
Option 3 - The black suits: Clubs have 3 lobed ends, and Spades have 1 spiked end. Read a book that is either #1, #3 or #4 in a series and has at least one of the digits 1, 3, or 4 in year of first publication. The series must be apparent in greyscale on the Goodreads book page.
EX: The Black Echo (#1 in series, 1992 pub date.)
Be My Enemy (#4 in series, 2004 pub date)
The Return of the King (#3 in series, 1955 pub date)
Option 4 - The red suits: Read a book with a minimum 3-word title where the first letter of every word can be found in HEARTS-DIAMONDS and the author's first and last initials are in HARTEN-RUITEN. Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
20.10 Group Reads
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Spring 2024 season. The requirement for this task: you must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
Fiction: Space Opera - How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse
Discussion Thread
Fiction: Biographical Fiction - Code Name Hélène
Discussion Thread
Non-Fiction: Extreme Survival - The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
Discussion Thread
Gutenberg Classic - The Mystery of Easter Island: The Story of an Expedition
Discussion Thread
20 Point Tasks20.1 Most Improved - FLY's Task: Springing To Mind
Help Thread
This is a one book task, choose an option and read one book for that option.
Required: State the option.
1. My son’s birthday! My son was born on March 1st, and this year was his 21st birthday. Right now we’re recovering from our night out celebrating. His drink of choice was something called an “emerald” martini, though it was actually the color of antifreeze. Eww. For this task choose a book with a drink on the cover. . The drink needs to be a beverage for humans and the container needs to be one that humans drink out of- Glass, cup, bottle, mug... (It doesn’t have to be alcohol, but we should be able to see that it’s an actual drink, not just a drink container.)
examples:
,
,
Required: Post the cover
2. The Oscars! I don’t watch them on TV, but I do try and watch all the nominated movies at some point. Since Oppenheimer is leading the pack in nominations, let’s recognize its impact by reading a nonfiction book with Main Page Genre of Biography, Science, or War.
3. Baby Animals! Yes, fuzzy ducklings and bunnies are the first things that come to mind when I think spring. Since the book Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings falls short of SRC requirements, let’s see if we can find a book with ALL author initials in the phrase FUZZY YELLOW DUCKLINGS. Multiple authors are okay, as long as all the initials can be found in the phrase.
4. Spring Break! Much of the world has a springtime or Easter break from school, but in the U.S. spring break is pretty much an excuse for college students to act crazy and kill brain cells. For this option, read a book set at least 50% in Florida.
Required: Provide a reference if the location isn't obvious from the Goodreads main page.
5. Spring cleaning! I hate cleaning, but I love the way the house feels when it’s aired out after winter. Read a book that features cleaning by either (a) being about someone who cleans for a living or (b) showing domestic cleaning supplies on the cover. (e.g. laundry detergent, mop, toilet brush, etc.)
Examples:
Required: Post the cover (if using the cover option) or identify how the books fits the task if it is not evident on Goodreads book page.
20.2 Rookie at the Top - JenJ IA's Task: LEGO Masters - Play Well, Read Well!
Help Thread
LEGO is a big part of life at our house, so we naturally tuned in to watch the competition TV show LEGO Masters when it premiered in the United States in 2020 (It is based on a British TV show of the same name). The name "LEGO" is a contraction of the Danish words: "leg godt" (English: "play well"). It turns out the word also means either "I collect," "I compose," or "I read” in Latin. What could be better than combining two of my favorite things, LEGO and books?!
Since LEGO is for all ages, MPG Childrens and Middle Grade books are allowed. Also, one part of the fun of LEGO is visual storytelling so books that are MPG Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used.
This is a one book task. Select a book for one of the options below.
REQUIRED: State which option you chose.
Option 1: The host and judges of LEGO Masters are a big part of the charm and humor of the show. Since I’m watching in the US, I’m familiar with the cast from the American version of the show. Will Arnett hosts the show and Brickmasters Jamie Berard and Amy Corbett are the judges.
Read a book written by a single author who shares their first AND last initial (ignore middle initials) with the initials of the cast listed above. You can use any of the initials: W, A, J, B, A, C in any combination, in any position, but only as often as they occur (A is the only one you can use twice). Ex. Chris Bohjalian, Jennifer L. Armentrout, or Alexandra Andrews would work. B.K. Borison would not.
Option 2: One episode of LEGO Masters that stands out is Season 1, Episode 6: Need for Speed / Super-Bridges. In this episode, the builders had to build a bridge out of LEGO that would support the most weight. This inspired my kids to compete by building bridges out of LEGO to find out how much weight they could support. We then incorporated LEGO into our new pandemic at-home learning as this originally aired March 11, 2020.
For this option, read a book that has a bridge on the cover. The bridge needs to be recognizable as a bridge, but water or ground beneath the bridge does not need to be visible.
Required: Post the cover.
Option 3: The American LEGO Masters series completed its 4th season at the end of 2023 and the 5th season is anticipated for Fall 2024.
Read a book that is #4 or #5 in a series. Whole numbers only. Half or other decimal numbers (eg #4.5 or #5.7) are not allowed. The series name and number must be noted in gray parenthesis after the book title.
Option 4: LEGO creations are made by connecting different shaped pieces, bricks, tiles, plates, etc. Part of the satisfaction comes when all the interconnected pieces come together and form a new object. Playing on the idea of connection and how books are made of many words connecting to create something new, this option plays with letters and words. Choose one of the following, a or b
Required: State the option
a) Read a book with a two-word title (ignore subtitles) where the second word starts with the last letter of the first word.
EX: Darling Girls The Enchanted Still Life
b) Read a book with a title of at least three words (ignore subtitles) where each word must share at least one letter (in any position) with the word preceding it.
EX: The Cheat Sheet The Echo of Old Books No Two Persons
Optional: Get creative! Build something with LEGO, or your blocks of choice, while listening to an audiobook!
20.3 Best Review - Lucy-Bookworm's Task: Subtitles
Help Thread
We have a lot of tasks that relate to titles, but the poor subtitles often get overlooked so this is a task dedicated to the humble subtitle!
Read a book with a subtitle that has at least 6 words in it.
20.4 Golden Oldies - Hannelore's Task: I Really Like This Bowl
Help Thread
While there are a lot of good gameshows from the Netherlands (where I live), my favourite shows are from the UK. I especially like the creative shows, like The Great British Bakeoff, The Big Flower Fight and The Great Pottery Throw Down.
As this task is centered around creativity, using a book with the MPG “Sequential Art”, “Comics”, “Comic Book” and/or “Manga” for this task is allowed and encouraged.
This is a one book task, choose an option and read one book for that option.
Required: State the option
Option 1: The Great British Bakeoff - My absolute favourite cake is lemon merengue pie. Read a book that is, according to TinEye, at least 50% yellow. A guide to using Tineye can be found here
Required: Post the cover
Option 2: The Big Flower Fight - Read a book with multiple flowers clearly visible on the cover. (At least 3 flowers.) Bouquets, flower arrangements and gardens all count
Required: Post the cover
Option 3: The Great Pottery Throw Down - One of the judges from The Pottery Throw Down, Keith Brymer Jones, is known to get teary-eyed when judging a piece that he especially appreciates.
Read a book where the first and last initials of the author(s) can be found in the quote “I REALLY LIKE THIS BOWL”. Letters may only be used as often as they appear. In case of multiple authors, all first and last initials must fit in the quote at the same time.
Bonus task for fun: Go to YouTube and look up “pottery throwdown keith crying”. Seeing him appreciate art and creativity gives me so much joy. You might want to keep some tissues ready.
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Lisa’s Task: Bowling For Dollars
Help Thread
Bowling For Dollars was a popular television game show when I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. Unlike most game shows, which were taped at a studio in New York or Hollywood and broadcast nationally, this show was produced by local tv stations in cities across the country and featured contestants from the immediate area.
Contestants rolled 2 or 3 balls to win cash and sometimes other prizes. If they knocked down 8 pins, they won $8 dollars. Strikes and spares might earn $20 and 2 strikes in a row won the Jackpot, which increased incrementally until a contestant won. At the start of the game, each contestant picked a “Pin Pal” from a hopper of postcards sent in by local viewers, who would share in the winnings.
Pick one option and read a book to satisfy that option.
Required: State the option
Option A: I watched Bowling For Dollars on WBAL-TV broadcast out of Baltimore, Maryland. Read a book where the letters “WBAL” can be found in the title and/or author’s name.
Option B: WBAL aired Bowling For Dollars, which was played with tenpins, but also Duckpin and Dollars, which used a smaller pin than a tenpin and harder to roll a strike on. Read a book where the author’s first and last initial can be found in one of the show titles: “Bowling For Dollars” or “Duckpins and Dollars.”
Required: State which show title you used.
Option C: Read a book where one of these Bowling For Dollars terms: STRIKE, SPARE, PIN PAL or JACKPOT can be made using letters in the Title.
Required: Identify which term you used.
15 Point Tasks15.1 - Here's the Question
Help Thread
What's My Line? was a panel game show that originally ran in the United States, between 1950 and 1967, on CBS. The game show started in black and white and later in color, with subsequent U.S. revivals. The game uses celebrity panelists to question contestants in order to determine their occupation.
Read 2 books, one book 1 and one book 2.
Book 1: Read a book with one of these words in the title.
WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY HOW
The words need to be stand alone and must match exactly.
Book 2: Read a book by an author whose initials (all) can be found in the word QUESTION
15.2 -It's A Match
Help Thread
Match Game is an American television panel game show that premiered on NBC in 1962 and has been revived several times over the course of the last six decades. The game features contestants trying to match answers given by celebrity panelists to fill-in-the-blank questions. (It is known as Blankety Blank in the UK & Aus)
Read two book each with a different single author, whose first or last name match. Names must match in placement.
EX: Stay Awake and That's Not My Name are both written by authors with the name MEGAN or Don't Forget Me and Last Girl Breathing are written by author with the last name STEVENS
15.3 X's and O's
Help Thread
Tic-Tac-Dough is an American television game show based on the paper-and-pencil game of tic-tac-toe. Contestants answer questions in various categories to put up their respective symbol, X or O, on the board.
Choose One Option Below:
Option 1. Read two books, one book 1 and one book 2:
Book 1: Read a book with a title that contains at least one X
Book 2: Read a book with a single author that contains at least 2 O's in their name, first, last , or middle.
OR
Option 2: Read one book that satisfies the requirements for both books of Option 1.
EX: Stone Cold Fox
REQUIRED: State which option you used
15.4 Category Is...
Help Thread
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show that has aired continuously since January 1975. It features a competition in which contestants solve word puzzles, similar to those in hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a giant carnival wheel. Since its premiere, the program has been adapted into several international adaptations. The 1975 version premiered on Australian TV in 1981 and premiered in the UK in 1988.
Choose One Option Below:
Option 1. Read two books, one book 1 and one book 2:
Book 1:
Category Same Letter: Read a book with a title that begins and ends with the same letter (all words count)
or
Category Same Name: Read a book with an author that shares a first or last name with one these hosts, VANNA WHITE, PAT SAJAK, RYAN SEACREST, NICKY CAMPBELL, BRADLEY WALSH, JOHN LESLIE, ERNIE SIGLEY, JOHN BURGESS, TONY BARBER, ROB ELLIOTT, STEVE OEMCKE, LARRY EMDUR, TIM CAMPBELL.
Name must match exactly, Position does not matter
Book 2:
Spin the wheel: https://wheelofnames.com/fep-n25 and read a book with the corresponding MPG
The genre may be stand alone or embedded
Required: State the MPG
or
Option 2: Read one book that satisfies the requirements for both books of Option 1.
15.5 Survey Says
Help Thread
Family Feud (Family Fortunes in some countries) is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson. It features two families who compete to name the most popular answers to survey questions in order to win cash and prizes.
Read a book that has won or been nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards
link: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...
Required: State the category and year for the winner or nomination.
15.6 Rebirth, Renew, Refresh
Help Thread
Spring traditionally symbolizes rebirth, a new beginning, starting over....
Read a book that is an re-imagining or retelling of a classic, fairytale, or myth.
Required: If re-imagining or retelling is not evident on the main Goodreads page, provide a reference to support the fit.
15.7 Let's Break!
Help Thread
Spring Break is a common feature of college life for many American students, and some consider it to be one of the highlights of the collegiate experience. While many students use their week-long March vacation to relax and recharge, others use the opportunity to travel to exotic locations and engage in behavior that is often perceived as risky
Read a book where a vacation, holiday or leisure break involving at least one overnight stay is central to the story.
Required: If it is not evident on the main Goodreads page, provide a reference to support the fit.
15.8 Readers Unite!
Help Thread
March is National Reading Month, a celebration that encourages reading for all ages and promotes reading as a key feature for learning, social, and professional development.
Read a book with a book featured on the cover.
Required: post the cover.
Examples:
15.9 I am beautifully different.
Help Thread
April is Autism Acceptance Month. The recognition raises awareness about autism acceptance and promotes inclusion and connectedness for people with autism.
Read a book from one of these lists:
Stories about Individuals with Disabilities"
Autism in Fiction
Neurodiverse Characters
Required: State the list and the page.
15.10 Take A Mental Health Day
Help Thread
Each May, the National Council observes Mental Health Awareness Month, a national event to bring attention to the importance of mental health.
Read a Non-Fiction book with a MPG Mental Health/Mental Illness
10 Point Tasks10.1 - Tick Tock
Help Thread
Countdown is a popular UK TV Gameshow and the countdown clock has become iconic.
Read a book with a clock on the cover
The clock may be digital or analogue but must have the clock face, including numbers and/or hands clearly visible. A wrist or pocket watch will count if the face is shown.
REQUIRED: Post the cover
10.2 - Pointless
Help Thread
Pointless is a popular UK TV gameshow where contestants must achieve the lowest score possible - a correct answer that 100 people DIDN'T know ... a pointless answer is prized! (it is sort of the opposite of Family fortunes/Family Feud!)
Read a book with a page count containing two or more zeros (200, 400, 1000 etc)
10.3 - Dusty Bin
Help Thread
In the 1980s, there was a popular TV gameshow called 321 where the booby prize was a new dustbin/trashcan. The bin became iconic & people wanted to win it!
Read a book written by an author whose initials can be found in DUSTY BIN. Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
10.4 - The Adventure Game
Help Thread
This game show ran on UK TV for just 22 episodes, but it was quite a turning point in game shows and is fondly remembered by so many people ... do you remember the aspidistra? or being evaporated by the vortex?
Read a book with MPG Adventure OR the word Adventure or GAME in the title
(plurals & possessives allowed but no other variation eg The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
REQUIRED: State whether you have used the MPG or Title word option
10.5 - Blankety Blank
Help Thread
Another classic UK TV game show was Blankety Blank ... (also known as the Match Game in the USA)
Read a book with a 2 word title where both words start with the same letter.
10.6 - Traitor
Help Thread
Probably the most popular game show of recent years is The Traitors. A group of strangers compete to win a prize, but amongst them are a number of traitors, playing to fool the "faithful" and be the last one standing to scoop all of the money.
Read a book written under a pseudonym (somebody who isn't who they claim to be!)
REQUIRED: State the real name & pseudonym of the author, or provide a reference to indicate that the book was written under a pseudonym.
10.7 - Springtime in Paris
Help Thread
"Paris in the Spring" is a popular song composed in 1935, with lyrics by Mack Gordon and music by Harry Revel. It was first introduced by Mary Ellis in the film Paris in Spring.
Read a book set at least 75% in France
REQUIRED: If it is not apparent from the description or metadata, please provide a reference for the location.
10.8 - Spring Forward
Help Thread
Many countries change their clocks to "summer time" in the spring, with the phrase. "spring forward, fall back" used to remind people which way to change their clocks
Read the next book in a series that you've already started. Half-numbers (eg #1.5) will work as long as they are next in the series.
The book must be new to you, and the series name must be noted in grey parenthesis under book title.
REQUIRED: state that the book is new to you AND which book in the series you have previously read
10.9 - Beware the Ides of March
Help Thread
When the world used the Roman calendar, the middle of each month was called the “Ides” and in 44 BC an oracle predicted Julius Caesar’s downfall to be no later than the Ides of March.
Read a book with a title word of four letters or more that can be made from the letters in BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH. Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
REQUIRED: State the word
10.10 - World Bee day
Help Thread
May 20th is was designated by the UN to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development.
In honour of the humble Bee, read a book where the Title AND Author name both contain the letter B
All tasks remain draft until 12 MAR (or 5 days after the last task is posted)5 Points
5.1 Spring Colours
Help Thread
Holi, the Hindu festival of Spring, colours and love, is usually observed in March. The celebrations include lots of dancing and music, as well as people joyfully throwing coloured powder and water at each other.
Read a book whose cover contains a minimum of three distinct colours according to TinEye. A guide to using TinEye can be found here.
Required: Post the cover.
5.2 What Goes Around...
Help Thread
March 18th is Global Recycling Day. In honour of this, read a book that is new-to-you but NOT bought new - for example, borrowed from a library, bought second-hand, or passed on by a friend or family member.
Required: state how you obtained the book.
5.3 P-P-P-Pick Up A Penguin
Help Thread
April 25th is World Penguin Day, and while we all love our flightless black-and-white friends, as readers we're perhaps more likely to celebrate Penguin, the publishing house well known for its extensive collection of classic works.
Read a book that has been published as a Penguin Classic according to this Wiki list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of... OR where a Penguin Classics edition of the book exists on Goodreads.
The edition you read does not need to be a Penguin edition.
Required: If your book does not appear on the Wiki list, provide a link to the GR page for the Penguin Classics edition. This must show Penguin Classics in the publisher metadata.
5.4 What's In A Name?
Help Thread
May 23rd 1707 was the birthdate of Swedish botanist and naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who is responsible for introducing binomial nomenclature - the system of naming organisms according to genus and species - which has become the global standard in scientific fields.
Read a book by a single author where the author's initials (first and last) can be found in CARL LINNAEUS. Letters may only be used as often as they appear.
5.5 Welcome, Watchers of Illusion
Help Thread
Knightmare was a children's game show that proved to also be a surprise hit with the grown-ups. Innovative for its time in the late 80s and early 90s, it was based on computer games and used blue screen technology to create a fiendishly difficult fantasy-themed adventure for its teams of young contestants. Of course, being a blue screen setup, the actual set was minimal and the chosen adventurer could not see the graphics. The solution? Poke fun at the limitations by making the adventurer wear the "Helmet of Truth" (which definitely wasn't just a glorified bucket designed to obscure their vision) and have their teammates guide them.
Read a book where the title contains a word of four letters or more that can be made from the letters in KNIGHTMARE. Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
5.6 Tiger, Tiger
Help Thread
Fort Boyard is a French game show that takes place in the Napoleonic fortress of the same name. In it, contestants complete challenges to earn keys that will allow them to access the treasure room, a chamber full of gold guarded by the resident tigers. While the real tigers retired in 2022, there are still CGI versions roaming around to terrorise anyone who doesn't escape the treasure room in time.
Read a book that features a tiger on the cover. This must clearly be a tiger (not a domestic Bengal cat) with stripes visible.
Examples:
,
,
,
Required: Post the cover.
5.7 Trust Nobody
Help Thread
Think you can spot a saboteur? In the Belgian game show De Mol (The Mole), contestants try to complete various challenges in order to build up the cash prize to be won at the end of series - all while trying to identify who amongst them is deliberately undermining their efforts. At the end of each episode there is a test, with the contestant who is furthest from identifying the Mole is eliminated.
As the show takes its name from espionage jargon, read a book with an MPG of Espionage or Spy Thriller.
5.8 Roboteers, Stand By
Help Thread
In the late 90s and early 2000s, it wasn't just humans taking part in game shows. Robot Wars was a regular fixture on Friday night TV, with teams of competitors pitting their battling machines against each other - and indeed, the resident house robots, who had such colourful names as Dead Metal, Sergeant Bash and Sir Killalot. As digital technology advanced and became more widely available, it spawned other, similar shows such as FightBox and Bamzooki (for the younger enthusiasts).
Read a book from the first 25 pages of this Robots shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Required: State the page of the shelf your book is found on.
5.9 What is the Seasonal Reading Challenge?
Help Thread
Having made its debut way back in 1964, Jeopardy! is a well-known US quiz show where answers must be given in the form of a question. With over 40 seasons having been broadcast to date, it's one of the longest running game shows of all time.
Read a book with ! Or ? In the title or subtitle. e.g.
,
5.10 All The Information Is On The Task
Help Thread
Taskmaster is a comedy game show where five famous faces compete to see who fares best in a battle of increasingly bizarre challenges set by the tyrannical Taskmaster, Greg Davies. A common refrain throughout its sixteen series (much to the chagrin of its contestants) has been "all the information is on the task", the utterly unhelpful advice provided by the Taskmaster's assistant, Alex Horne. Hopefully, this task is somewhat simpler and needs no explanation!
Read a book of your choice that meets SRC rules.
For this task, a book with the MPG Childrens, Kids, Middle Grade or Juvenile that is NOT found in ARBF may be used.
1 MAR 12:01am EST = SPRING 2024 Challenge starts1 MAR = 20/25 Point Task Creators identified
2 – 7 MAR = 20/25 Point Tasks posted when available
12* MAR = All Tasks proofread and FINAL or *5 days after the last task is posted.
15 - 31 MAR = Group Reads Category Ideas brainstorming
15 MAR - 5 APR = 50 Point Task Idea Submission Thread Open
6 APR - 12 APR = 50 Point Task Idea Poll
13 APR - 15 APR = 50 Point Task Idea Poll Runoff if needed
15 APR = Logo Contest for Next Challenge begins
15 APR = Best Review Contest for Next Challenge begins
15 APR Midnight EST = Midpoint Cutoff
16 – 20 APR = 50.1 Midpoint Task posted
16 – 31 APR= Group Reads Books nominated for next challenge
1 – 14 MAY = Group Reads polls for next challenge
1 – 12 MAY = Task Ideas brainstorming for next challenge
13 - MAY Midnight EST = Cutoff for 30 Point Early Finishers
14 MAY = 30 Point Task Creators Identified
17 MAY = 5/10/15 Point Tasks posted for next challenge (as available)
31 MAY Midnight EST = SPRING Challenge Ends
1 JUN = 20/25 Point Task Creators identified for next challenge
14 MAY Midnight EST = Logo Contest Cutoff
15 – 31 MAY = Logo poll for next challenge
14 MAY – 7 JUN = 20/25/30 Point Tasks posted for next challenge when available
April is Autism Acceptance Month. The recognition raises awareness about autism acceptance and promotes inclusion and connectedness for people with autism.Read a book from one of these lists:
Stories about Individuals with Disabilities"
Autism in Fiction
Neurodiverse Characters
Required: State the list and the page.
March is National Reading Month, a celebration that encourages reading for all ages and promotes reading as a key feature for learning, social, and professional development.Read a book with a book featured on the cover.
Required: post the cover.
