JennH’s Comments (group member since Nov 17, 2023)

JennH’s comments from the 2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge group.

Update to message #8

6/5

Challenge completed.

Update to message #10

3/5

Didn't quite make it. Challenge not completed.

Please sign me up for 11.

A POP OF JOY
Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2025

16/11

Spark Joy - A popular decluttering and organizing book written by Marie Kondō.
- Read a book that has been on your TBR for over 2 years
El Deafo by Cece Bell 5/12/25 - TBR 7/22/2020
- Read a self-help book

Joy - The embodiment of the first emotion created in the Disney/Pixar's movie Inside Out.
- Read a book with 'yellow' in the title or with a yellow cover
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan 5/17/25

- Read the first book in a series
Renegades by Marissa Meyer 4/24/25

Ode to Joy - In 1824, Ludwig van Beethoven used Friedrich Schiller's 1785 poem in his Symphony No. 9.
- Read a book first published in 18th or 19th centuries
- Read a translated book originally written by a European author
The Healer by Antti Tuomainen 5/18/25

Joy of Cooking - First published in 1931, over 20 million copies are in print.
- Read a book that has been on a 'bestseller' list
Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson 4/24/25
- Read a book about food and food culture, or where the main character works in a food-related industry
Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien 4/19/25

Joy to the World - While not initially associated with Christmas, this hymn is now the most published Christmas carol in North America.
- Read a book that you have been gifted, or have gifted, in a holiday or gift exchange
- Read a book by an author from a different religion or belief system (or lack thereof) than yours
When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed; Victoria Jamieson 5/16/25

Tears of Joy 😂 - Widespread in digital communication, this emoji conveys the feeling of laughing so hard that tears are shed.
- Read a graphic novel or a book from the humor and comedy genres
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/1/25
- Read a book that includes new technology or a science fiction book
The Jules Verne Prophecy by Larry Schwarz 5/13/25

The Joy Luck Club - A popular novel by Amy Tan that explores relationships between four Chinese immigrant mothers, their daughters, and families.
- Read a book about immigrants or immigration
- Read a book that has been adapted for film, television, or the stage
Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It by Yi Zhu 4/5/25

Joy Ride - A ride taken for pleasure, often involving reckless driving in a stolen vehicle.
- Read a thriller, or a book where the main character goes on an adventure
Sea Legs: A Graphic Novel by Jules Bakes 5/12/25
- Read a book with less than 120 pages, so you can zip through it

Joy by Jean Patou - An expensive, luxury perfume introduced in 1930, and voted Scent of the Century in 2000.
- Read a book where one of the main character is wealthy, or pretends to be
Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood 4/30/25
- Read an award winning book (any award of your choice!)
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 4/10/25 - Locus Award for Fantasy Novel (2019)

Nurse Joy - A patient and caring recurring character from the Pokémon series.
- Read a book about healthcare or medicine, or about a character who works in these fields
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 4/15/25
- Read a book written by an East Asian woman
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 2 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/1/25

Joy of Missing Out - JOMO embraces finding joy and contentment, focusing on what you want to do, rather than what you feel pressured to do.
- Read a book with less than 500 reviews on Goodreads
The Tell-Tale Start by Gordon McAlpine 5/2/25 - 218 reviews
- Re-read and re-visit a book that you love

Please sign me up for 10.

10/10

A RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS
Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2025

You will need:

A cupful of your favourite genre – What genre always lifts your spirits? Romance, fantasy, mystery? Indulge!
Romance - Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It by Yi Zhu 4/5/25
Fantasy - Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 4/10/25
Mystery - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 4/15/25
Cozy Mystery - Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien 4/19/25
Mystery - Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood 4/30/25

A spoonful of your favourite author – Revisit an old favorite or discover a new gem from an author who never disappoints.
Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson 4/24/25

A pinch of an anticipated new release – Is there a book you've been eagerly awaiting? Now’s the time to savor it.

A drop of a long unread book from your TBR pile – Dust off that book you've been meaning to get to forever.
Renegades by Marissa Meyer 4/24/25

And the cherry on top: Book(s) with a pretty cover – Because sometimes, judging a book by its cover is the best kind of treat.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune 4/30/25

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 1 by Luo Di Cheng Qiu 5/1/25

Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Vol. 3 by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù 5/2/25


Quantities can be altered to make the perfect recipe for you!

Please sign me up for 5.

7/5

CHILD'S PLAY
Duration: April 1 - April 30, 2025

1. Red Rover - Read a book with a red cover, with alliteration in the title, or about someone changing sides or perspectives.

2. Hide & Seek - Read a book where a character hides from a pursuer, about someone seeking something, or with a synonym for hide or seek in the title.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 4/10/25

3. Freeze Tag - Read a book with a hand in the cover art, set in a cold environment, or involving a runner.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 4/15/25

4. Capture the Flag - Read a book set in a country other than yours, with a character who has been incarcerated, or set during a war.
Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It by Yi Zhu 4/5/25

5. Red Light, Green Light - Read a book with a light source on the cover, about a road trip or other journey, or with a red and green cover.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune 4/30/25


6. Ring Around the Rosie - Read a book with a flower or circle on the cover, including illness or death, or with the letters R-I-N-G in the title.
Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson 4/24/25

7. Follow the Leader - Read the next book in a series, a book by a bestselling author, or friend's recommendation.
Fatal Fried Rice by Vivien Chien 4/19/25

8. Double Dutch - Read a book with double, two, or twice in the title, two books with the same title, or a re-read.

9. Simon Says - Read an epistolary book, a book with a name in the title, or one where communication plays a key role.
Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood 4/30/25

10. Mother, May I? - Read a book about female relationships, written in first person, or with punctuation in the title.

I'm picking my favorite board game, Scattegories. So I'm going for 12.

4/12

BOOK SCRABBLE!
Duration: April 1 - April 30, 2025

S - Secretly, Secretly; But Unable to Hide It by Yi Zhu 4/5/25
C
A - Alex Cross Must Die by James Patterson 4/24/25
T
T
E
G
O
R - The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon 4/15/25
I
E
S - Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik 4/10/25

Woohoo, Prose Pros! Awesome reading! 🎉🎉

And congrats to you, Beth, for being our team's top reader. But we knew that already! 🥇

See you at the next readathon!

Denise wrote: "Great job team...but yeah I also agree, it was hard. But now I know there is an award for best book about horse racing, which I discovered while trying to find awards won by Horse and gladly used i..."

I'll admit I emitted a sigh of relief when you took on that prompt. I took a brief look at military/sport awards and noped out of them.

I agree, a most challenging challenge. I also tend not to read award winners, as I find they go over my head. I did enjoy a few. Piranesi and Bud, Not Buddy come to mind.

I'm also very impressed to realize that we completed all the prompts, short a couple of members.

I just updated my last books, filled in the last prompt needed - Piranesi for the Women's Prize for Fiction, and was able to add two books for bonus prompts. Whew!

Great reading with you all.

Megan (sporadic hiatus due to law school) wrote: "JennH wrote: "Woohoo, Team Prose Pros! I didn't think it was possible to finish all the prompts. This challenge was quite challenging. We really are Prose Pros. hahaha

I'm finishing up [book:Memoi..."

Thanks, Megan! But I think, according to the spreadsheet, Beth already has the Indie award covered.

Woohoo, Team Prose Pros! I didn't think it was possible to finish all the prompts. This challenge was quite challenging. We really are Prose Pros. hahaha

I'm finishing up Memoirs of a Polar Bear and might be able to squeeze in another audiobook.

I was able to borrow Lemon Drop Falls, an independently published book; however, I don't think I will actually be able to read a whole book, after having to finish Piranesi, before midnight.

Beth wrote: "I made a pass through the Planning tab of the spreadsheet to see what we still need. I needed to do this to see for myself where we stand and thought it might help others.

Singles
!! An independen..."

Thanks, this is so helpful! I tried to figure it out but was confused.

I managed to get the library (yay!) and got Piranesi. I've just started it and will try my best to finish to by tomorrow. I'm also in the the middle of The Boy in the Suitcase which can go towards the Audie award.

Go, Team!

Update to message #29

11/10

Challenge completed.

Betty wrote: "We've completed so far:
2 Single prompts
2 Double prompts
4 Triple prompts


Looking at what's marked as currently reading:

Betty is currently reading 1 for the Romance award triple with 2 more to..."

Sorry for the late update. I've added a couple of completed books. And when I finish Greek Lessons today or tomorrow, that should finish off the triple for the Nobel Prize in Literature? I'm currently also listening to Out Stealing Horses which will go towards the literary translation award.

Please sign me up for 5.

6/5

🍳 1. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea or supper?
Read a book with any of the above meal terms in the title.

🥫 2. Acquired taste
Read a book from an author, genre, or series that you didn’t initially like, but now enjoy.

👨‍🍳 3. Enjoy your meal
Read a book about someone who is a great cook or adores cooking.
Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander 3/5/25

📋 4. Recipes
Read a fiction or nonfiction book which includes one or more recipes.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 3/19/25

🔪 5. Tools of the trade
Read a book that involves securing food, like hunting, fishing, farming, etc.; or where someone uses a kitchen implement for nefarious purposes.

🍯 6. Food & Mood
Read a book where food is used to try to cajole or persuade someone.
Memoirs of a Polar Bear by Yōko Tawada 3/2/25

🥺 7. Hunger
Read a book involving deprivation or famine.
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 3/4/25

🍽️ 8. Setting
Read a book set in a restaurant, diner or other place where food is prepared and served.

🥮 9. Celebrate
Read a book with a banquet, festival or similar celebration involving food.
Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower 3/30/25

🍕 10. Feast for the eyes
Read a book with a food or beverage on the cover or in the title.
Sealed Off by Barbara Ross 3/31/25

Please sign me up for 5.

3/5

1 - Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander 3/5/25
2 - Botched Butterscotch by Amanda Flower 3/30/25
3 - Sealed Off by Barbara Ross 3/31/25

I finished Milkman. I decided to go with Crooked Plow for another South American literary award, or another European literary award - if need be.

Denise wrote: "JennH wrote: "I'm working on finishing Milkman and Pink Slime, hopefully today. I'm reminded why I don't really read literary award winners....

I have [book:Pirane..."

I just didn't quite get it. I spent a fair amount of time going "what did I just listen to??"

I'm so glad you loved it. Why did you love the book? Perhaps that can help me understand/appreciate it better?

I'm working on finishing Milkman and Pink Slime, hopefully today. I'm reminded why I don't really read literary award winners....

I have Piranesi as a TBR; however, I wasn't able to get it from the library or through Libby. I won't have a chance until the Friday the earliest to check for it at another library. Which is too bad since it worked for 3 prompts.

I'm having trouble figuring out which prompts still need fulfilling. The spreadsheet is kinda overwhelming.