Rules and Posting

[Barbara ★]

I had it on there for SRC but realized I have to post my name every time anyway so I just add it when I post over there.

[Barb]

Ahhh, I see :) I figured that was a good reason for it LOL

[Chaitra]

NFL 2012

Duration: Aug 29, 2012 - Feb 3, 2013
Points: 212

Part 1 Points: 47

(view spoiler)[
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

My Pick: New York Giants. Lost.

Task:
The official team colors are Dark Blue, Red, Gray and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White.
Skios: A Novel | Michael Frayn ★★★★ (09/01)

Extra Points:
1. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Frank Gifford » Flight, Gemma.
The Flight of Gemma Hardy | Margot Livesey ★ (09/05)

2. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word GIANTS » N. G.
Neverwhere | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (09/07)

3. The Giants have had 18 Hall of Fame players. Read a book with a character whose name matches one of these players (first or last): Harry Carson » Harry Boddicker.
The Inquisitor: A Novel | Mark Allen Smith ★★ (09/12)

4. The Giants won Super Bowl Championships in 1986, 1990, 2007 and 2011. Read any book published in one of these years » 1986.
A Dark-Adapted Eye | Barbara Vine ★★★ (09/14)

5. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Fran Tarkenton » Fall, Things.
Things Fall Apart | Chinua Achebe ★★★★★ (10/12)

6. The Giants were established in 1925. Read a book by any author born in that year. » Yukio Mishima.
Confessions of a Mask | Yukio Mishima ★★ (10/19)

7. The Giants are based in New York. Read a book set in New York City.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn | Betty Smith ★★ (11/01)

8. The official team colors are Dark Blue, Red, Gray and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Gray.
Ignorance: A Novel | Michèle Roberts ★★★ (12/06)

9. The Giants won Super Bowl Championships in 1986, 1990, 2007 and 2011. Read any book published in one of these years » 2007.
The Zookeeper's Wife | Diane Ackerman ★★ (01/09)

Points: 3 + 9 = 12.

Week 2: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

My Pick: Houston Texans Won.

Task:
The official team colors are Red, White and Blue. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White.
The Right-Hand Shore: A Novel | Christopher Tilghman ★★★★ (09/04)

Extra Points:
1. The Texans were established in 2002. Since they are such a new team, read any new release.
Capital | John Lanchester ★★ (09/14)

2. The logo is a bulls head with the Texas state flag superimposed over it, including the iconic "lone star." Read a book with a the word Star in the title (can be part of a word like starlight or starship, etc).
Stardust | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (09/15)

3. The Texans were established in 2002. Since they are such a new team, read any new release.
Alys, Always: A Novel | Harriet Lane ★★ (09/25)

4. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: DeMeco Ryans, Dunta Robinson » Day, Remains.
The Remains of the Day | Kazuo Ishiguro ★★★★★ (10/12)

5. The Texans are based, of course, in Houston, Texas. Read a book set in the state of Texas.
I Scream, You Scream | Wendy Lyn Watson ★★ (10/13)

6. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word TEXANS. The initials do not have to be in order » T, S.
The Forgetting Tree | Tatjana Soli ★ (10/31)

7. They won a Division championship (AFC South) in 2011. Read any book published in that year.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? | Mindy Kaling ★★★★ (11/02)

8. 4. The Texans are based, of course, in Houston, Texas. Read a book set in the state of Texas.
Anacacho, An Allie Armington Mystery | Louise Gaylord ★ (11/16)

Points: 6 + 8 = 14.

Week 3: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings

My Pick: San Francisco 49ers. Lost.

Task:
The 49ers are based in San Francisco, California. Read a book set in the state of California.
Of Mice and Men | John Steinbeck ★★★★ (09/06)

Extra Points:
1. The official colors are Red, Metallic Gold and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White and Red.
Seating Arrangements | Maggie Shipstead ★ (09/19)

2. They won Superbowl Championships in 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, and 1994. Read a book published in one of these years » 1994.
One For The Money | Janet Evanovich ★★★ (09/20)

3. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Bob St. Clair » Banyan, Shadow.
In the Shadow of the Banyan | Vaddey Ratner ★★★★ (10/28)

4. Read any book that has 49 in the page total (249, 490, etc) » 492p.
Elantris | Brandon Sanderson ★ (11/21)

5. The 49ers were established in 1946. Read a book by any author born in that year » Julian Barnes.
A History of the World in 10½ Chapters | Julian Barnes ★★★★ (01/06)

Points: 3 + 5 = 8.

Week 4: Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos

My Pick: Denver Broncos. Won.

Task:
The official team colors are Navy, Orange and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Orange.
Arcadia | Lauren Groff ★★★ (09/05)

Extra Points:
1. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word BRONCOS. The initials do not have to be found in order » S, C.
The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins ★★★★★ (09/11)

2. The Broncos were established in 1960. Read a book by any author born in that year » Neil Gaiman.
Coraline | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (09/17)

3. The Broncos are based in Denver, Colorado. Read a book set in Colorado.
Monument 14 | Emmy Laybourne ★★ (09/18)

4. The logo and mascot are both a horse so read a book where a horse or horses play a major role.
Out Stealing Horses | Per Petterson ★★★ (09/25)

5. The official team colors are Navy, Orange and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Orange.
Tree of Smoke | Denis Johnson ★★★ (10/27)

6. They won Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998. Read any book published in one of those years » 1997.
Timequake | Kurt Vonnegut ★★★ (11/26)

7. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Floyd Little » Fictional, Live.
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe | Charles Yu ★★★★ (11/30)

8. The logo and mascot are both a horse so read a book where a horse or horses play a major role.
Winter's Tale | Mark Helprin ★ (02/03)

Points: 6 + 8 = 14.

Week 5: Green Bay Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts

My Pick: Green Bay Packers. Lost.

Task:
The Packers are based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Read a book set in Wisconsin.
This Bright River | Patrick Somerville ★ (09/13)

Extra Points:
1. The Packers were formed in 1919 when high school rivals Curly Lambeau and Calhoun wanted to start a football team. They both worked for a meat packing company that sponsored the team. Read a book with 2 male main characters.
Tilt-a-Whirl | Chris Grabenstein ★★★★ (09/13)

2. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word PACKERS. The initials do not need to be found in order » K & A.
True Believers | Kurt Andersen ★★★ (09/28)

3. The official team colors are Dark Green, Gold and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White.
Theft: A Love Story | Peter Carey ★★★ (09/30)

4. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Earl (Curly) Lambeau » Every, Last.
Every Last One | Anna Quindlen ★★ (12/03)

5. They won championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996 and 2010. Read any book published in one of those years » 2010.
Horns | Joe Hill ★★★★ (11/28)

6. They won championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996 and 2010. Read any book published in one of those years » 1962.
Night, Dawn, the Accident: A Trilogy | Elie Wiesel ★★★★★ (12/22)

Points: 3 + 6 = 9.

(hide spoiler)]

[Chaitra]

NFL 2012

Duration: Aug 29, 2012 - Feb 3, 2013
Points: 212

Part 2 Points: 59

(view spoiler)[
Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tennessee Titans

My Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers. Lost.

Task:
Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word STEELERS. The initials do not have to be in order » L, E.
The Round House | Louise Erdrich ★★★★★ (10/05)

Extra Points:
1. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Bobby Layne » Between, Light.
The Light Between Oceans | M.L. Stedman ★ (10/05)

2. They won the Super Bowl Championship in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, 2008. Read any book published in one of these years » 2008.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society | Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows ★★★★ (10/07)

3. Their official colors are Black, Gold and White. Read a book whose color is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Black and White.
The Night Circus | Erin Morgenstern ★★★★★ (10/26)

4. The Steelers logo is based on the Steelmark logo and was created by U.S. Steel Corp. The three diamonds stand for the 3 materials used to create steel: yellow for coal, orange for ore and blue for steel scrap. Read a book with all 3 colors on the cover.
Scoop to Kill | Wendy Lyn Watson ★★★ (11/16)

5. The Steelers were established in 1933. Read a book by any author born in that year » Philip Roth.
Portnoy's Complaint | Philip Roth ★ (11/25)

6. Their official colors are Black, Gold and White. Read a book whose color is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Black.
When the Emperor Was Divine | Julie Otsuka ★★★★ (12/24)

7. They won the Super Bowl Championship in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, 2008. Read any book published in one of these years » 2005.
Still Life | Louise Penny ★★★ (01/21)

8. The Steelers are based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Read a book set in the state of PA.
Christine | Stephen King ★★★ (01/21)

Points: 3 + 8 = 11.

Week 7: New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

My Pick: New Orleans Saints. Won.

Task:
They won the Super Bowl Championship in 2009. Read any book published in that year.
If I Stay | Gayle Forman ★ (09/21)

Extra Points:
1. The team became official on All-Saints Day and since there is a large Catholic population in New Orleans the owner thought it only fitting to name the team the "Saints." Read any book with religion as a genre on its main page.
Silence | Shusaku Endo ★★★★★ (09/26)

2. The official team colors are Gold, Black and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors » Black and White.
NW | Zadie Smith ★★ (11/02)

3. The Saints have had 3 Hall of Fame players. Read a book with a character whose name matches one of these players (first or last): Rickey Jackson » Ricky Tarr.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy | John le Carré ★★★★★ (11/12)

4. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word SAINTS. The initials do not need to be found in order » A, T.
The Joy Luck Club | Amy Tan ★★★ (12/10)

5. The Saints were established in 1967. Read a book by any author born in that year » Monica Ali.
Alentejo Blue | Monica Ali ★ (12/11)

6. The Saints are based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Read a book set in Louisiana.
Tiger Rag: A Novel | Nicholas Christopher ★★★ (01/18)

Points: 6 + 6 = 12.

Week 8: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams

My Pick: New England Patriots. Won.

Task:
The Patriots were established in 1960. Read a book by any author born in that year. » Neil Gaiman.
Fragile Things | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (10/17)

Extra Points:
1. Pick a set of initials matching one of the above hall of famers and read a book that has words starting with those letters: Andre Tippett » Acadia, Time.
Time and Tide in Acadia: Seasons on Mount Desert Island | Christopher Camuto ★★ (10/18)

2. Their colors are Red, White and Blue so read a book with a cover that is primarily red, primarily blue, primarily white, or any combination of the three » Red.
The Casual Vacancy | J.K. Rowling ★ (10/19)

3. They won Super Bowl Championships in 2001, 2003 and 2004. Read any book published in one of those years » 2003.
On What Grounds | Cleo Coyle ★ (10/19)

4. The logo of the team is a minuteman which was a select group of the colonial militia from the Revolutionary War. Read a book set during the Revolutionary War.
Marmee and Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother | Eve LaPlante ★★★ (11/04)

5. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word PATRIOTS. The initials do not have to be found in order » T, P.
Mort | Terry Pratchett ★★★★★ (11/04)

6. The Patriots are based in New England so read a book set in any New England State: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont » Maine.
Under the Dome | Stephen King ★★ (11/09)

7. Their colors are Red, White and Blue so read a book with a cover that is primarily red, primarily blue, primarily white, or any combination of the three » Blue.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog | Muriel Barbery ★ (11/28)

Points: 6 + 7 = 13.

Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Diego Chargers

My Pick: San Diego Chargers. Won.

Task:
The official team colors are Navy, Gold, Powder Blue and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Navy.
Shine Shine Shine | Lydia Netzer ★★★ (09/26)

Extra Points:
1. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word CHARGERS. The intials do not have to be found in order » A, C.
Ordeal By Innocence | Agatha Christie ★★ (10/05)

2. The Chargers were established in 1960. Read a book by any author born in that year » Neil Gaiman.
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (10/18)

3. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Dan Fouts » Death, Foretold.
Chronicle of a Death Foretold | Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez ★★★★★ (11/01)

4. The Chargers are based in San Diego, California. Read a book set in California.
Telegraph Avenue | Michael Chabon ★★★★ (11/17)

5. The Chargers name was chosen from a contest because the then team owner, Barron Hilton, owned the credit card company, Carte Blanche, and wanted to encourage his team's fans to be "chargers." Read a book with a character who loves to shop.
Beautiful Lies | Clare Clark ★ (11/19)

Points: 6 + 5 = 11.

Week 10: New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks

My Pick: Seattle Seahawks. Won.

Task:
Read a book whose authors initials can be found in the word SEAHAWKS. The initials do not need to be found in order » A, K.
Little Century: A Novel | Anna Keesey ★★★ (10/10)

Extra Points:
1. The official colors are Navy, Light Green, Gray and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Light Green.
Peaches for Father Francis | Joanne Harris ★★★ (10/11)

2. The official colors are Navy, Light Green, Gray and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Gray.
The Kill Artist | Daniel Silva ★★ (11/04)

3. They won a conference championship in 2005. Read any book published in 2005.
Xs: An Allie Armington Mystery | Louise Gaylord ★ (11/23)

4. The Seahawks are based in Seattle, Washington. Read a book set in the state of Washington.
Blasphemy: New and Selected Stories | Sherman Alexie ★★★ (11/26)

5. The Seahawks got their name in a name-the-team contest. A seahawk is another name for an osprey which is a type of hawk whose main diet is fish. Read a book with any type of bird on the cover.
Catching Fire | Suzanne Collins ★★★ (11/26)

6. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Steve Largent » Sleepy, Legend.
Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories | Washington Irving ★★★ (11/30)

Points: 6 + 6 = 12.

(hide spoiler)]

[Chaitra]

NFL 2012

Duration: Aug 29, 2012 - Feb 3, 2013
Points: 212

Part 3 Points: 58

(view spoiler)[
Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs

My Pick: Cincinnati Bengals. Won.

Task:
Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word BENGALS. The initials do not have to be in order » A, B.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie | Alan Bradley ★★★★★ (09/07)

Extra Points:
1. The team is named after the bengal tiger which can be found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Read a book written by an author from one of these countries » India.
River of Smoke | Amitav Ghosh ★★★★ (10/21)

2. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word BENGALS. The initials do not have to be in order » N, G.
American Gods | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (11/09)

3. The official team colors are Black, Orange and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Black and Orange.
The Book Thief | Markus Zusak ★★ (11/11)

4. They won Conference championships (AFC) in 1981 and 1988. Read any book published in one of these years » 1988.
Sourcery | Terry Pratchett ★★★ (11/29)

5. The Bengals were established in 1968. Read a book by any author born in that year » Junot Díaz.
This is How You Lose Her | Junot Díaz ★★★★★ (12/09)

6. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Anthony Munoz » Advertise, Murder.
Murder Must Advertise | Dorothy L. Sayers ★★★★ (12/25)

7. The Bengals are based in Ohio. Read a book set in the state of Ohio.
The Last Runaway | Tracy Chevalier ★★★ (01/07)

Points: 6 + 7 = 13.

Week 12: Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

My Pick: Atlanta Falcons. Won.

Task:
They won an NFC Conference championship in 1998. Read any book published in that year.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | Alexander McCall Smith ★★★ (11/09)

Extra Points:
1. The Falcons were established in 1966. Read a book by any author born in that year » Nicola Barker.
The Yips | Nicola Barker ★★★ (11/10)

2. The official team colors are Red, Black, White and Silver. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Black and White.
Black Water | Joyce Carol Oates ★★ (11/21)

3. The name "Falcons" was chosen in a name-the-team contest. The winner was school teacher Julie Elliott who wrote that that “the falcon is proud and dignified with great courage and fight.” Read a book with a character who is a teacher.
The Graveyard Book | Neil Gaiman ★★★★ (11/26)

4. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Deion Sanders » Down, Staircase.
Up the Down Staircase | Bel Kaufman ★★★★ (12/18)

5. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word FALCONS. The initials do not need to be found in order » L, A.
Little Women | Louisa May Alcott ★★ (01/13)

6. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word FALCONS. The initials do not need to be found in order » S, C.
A Murder at Rosamund's Gate | Susanna Calkins ★★ (01/17)

Points: 6 + 6 = 12

Week 13: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

My Pick: Baltimore Ravens. Lost.

Task:
The Ravens were established in 1996. Since they are a newer team, read any new release (published in the last 6 months).
Gone Girl | Gillian Flynn ★★★ (11/28)

Extra Points:
1. Their colors are Black, Purple, Metallic Gold and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of both » Black and White.
Good Omens | Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett ★★★★★ (11/29)

2. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word RAVENS. The initials do not have to be in order » S, R.
Joseph Anton | Salman Rushdie ★★★★ (01/04)

3. The Ravens are based in Baltimore, Maryland. Read a book set in Maryland.
Pure | Julianna Baggott ★★★ (01/27)

4. The team got their name in 1996 when the Browns moved from Cleveland. They were renamed the Ravens in honor of Edgar Allen Poe who spent a good part of his later years in Baltimore. Read a book where Edgar Allen Poe is a character (fiction or biography).
Dragonwyck | Anya Seton ★★★ (02/01)

5. They won a Super Bowl Championship in 2000. Read any book published in that year.
Slammerkin | Emma Donoghue ★★★ (02/01)

Points: 3 + 5 = 8.

Week 14: Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers

My Pick: Detroit Lions (even though I know Packers will win). Lost.

Task:
The official team colors are Blue, Silver, Black and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Blue.
Absolution | Patrick Flanery ★★ (09/13)

Extra Points
1. George Richards renamed the team when he purchased it in 1934 commenting that the lion was the monarch of the jungle and he intended his team to be the monarch of the NFL. Read a book involving a monarch, real or fictional.
A Hologram for the King | Dave Eggers ★★★★ (10/05)

2. The Lions have had 14 Hall of Fame players. Read a book with a character whose name matches one of these players (first or last): Alex Wojciechowicz » Alex Cleave.
Ancient Light | John Banville ★★★ (12/16)

3. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Joe Schmidt » Jonathan, Strange.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell | Susanna Clarke ★★★★★ (01/17)

Points: 3 + 3 = 6

Week 15: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins

My Pick: Miami Dolphins Won.

Task:
The team is, of course, named after the dolphin so read a book where the ocean plays an important role.
Beautiful Ruins | Jess Walter ★★★★★ (09/19)

Extra Points:
1. The Dolphins are based in Miami, Florida. So read a book set in Florida.
Anansi Boys | Neil Gaiman ★★★★★ (11/24)

2. The official colors are Aqua, Coral, Navy and White. Read a book that is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White and Navy.
Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology | Caroline Paul ★★★ (11/29)

3. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word DOLPHINS » S, H.
A Cold and Lonely Place: A Novel | Sara J. Henry ★★★★ (12/11)

4. Pick a set of initials matching one of the above hall of famers and read a book that has words starting with those letters in the title: Dan Marino » Dream, Midsummer.
A Midsummers Night's Dream | William Shakespeare ★★★★★ (12/14)

5. The official colors are Aqua, Coral, Navy and White. Read a book that is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Aqua.
Snow | Orhan Pamuk ★ (12/28)

Points: 6 + 5 = 11.

(hide spoiler)]

[Chaitra]

NFL 2012

Duration: Aug 29, 2012 - Feb 3, 2013
Points: 212

Part 4 Points: 48

(view spoiler)[
Week 16: Oakland Raiders vs. Carolina Panthers

My Pick: Carolina Panthers. Won.

Task:
Here are 5 of the Panthers greatest players of all time. Read a book with a character whose name matches one of these players (first or last): Jake Delhomme » Jake Barnes.
The Sun Also Rises | Ernest Hemingway ★★ (09/04)

Extra Points:
1. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Jake Delhomme » Just, Desserts.
Just Desserts | G.A. McKevett ★★★ (10/08)

2. The official team colors are Black, Blue, Silver and White. Read a book with a cover that is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Black.
Marlene | Marlene Dietrich ★★★ (11/02)

3. The owner's son named the team the Panthers and picked their colors. Read a book involving a father/son relationship.
Kafka on the Shore | Haruki Murakami ★★★★★ (11/24)

4. The Panthers were established in 1995. Since they are a newer team, read any new release.
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore | Robin Sloan ★★ (12/12)

5. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word PANTHERS. The initials do not need to be found in order » A, S.
Hotel World | Ali Smith ★★★★ (12/20)

6. The Panthers were established in 1995. Since they are a newer team, read any new release.
Flight Behavior | Barbara Kingsolver ★★★★★ (12/21)

7. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word PANTHERS. The initials do not need to be found in order » S, R.
Fury | Salman Rushdie ★★★ (01/24)

8. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word PANTHERS. The initials do not need to be found in order » P, E.
It's Not Love, It's Just Paris | Patricia Engel ★★★★★ (01/31)

Points: 6 + 8 = 14.

Week 17: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins

My Pick: Washington Redskins Won.

Task:
Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word REDSKINS. The initials do not have to be found in order » E, D.
The Cold Light of Mourning | Elizabeth J. Duncan ★★★ (09/06)

Extra Points:
1. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Darrell Green » Detective, Gourmet.
The Gourmet Detective | Peter King ★ (12/05)

2. The official team colors are Burgundy, Gold and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White.
The Maytrees | Annie Dillard ★★ (12/29)

3. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word REDSKINS. The initials do not have to be found in order » K, I.
An Artist of the Floating World | Kazuo Ishiguro ★★★★★ (12/29)

4. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Sam Huff » Silent, House.
Silent House | Orhan Pamuk ★ (01/04)

5. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word REDSKINS. The initials do not have to be found in order » E, D.
Landing | Emma Donoghue ★ (01/11)

6. The Redskins were originally located in Boston and were named after the city's baseball team at the time, the "Braves." Later, the team employed a number of Native American players as well as a Native American coach who all objected to the name so it was changed to the "Redskins." Read a book where Native American customs and culture are a main part of the book.
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus | Charles C. Mann ★★★ (01/26)

Points: 6 + 6 = 12

Week 18: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

My Pick: Green Bay Packers. Won.

Task:
The Packers are based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Read a book set in Wisconsin.
The Long Earth | Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter ★★★★ (09/22)

Extra Points:
1. The Packers were formed in 1919 when high school rivals Curly Lambeau and Calhoun wanted to start a football team. They both worked for a meat packing company that sponsored the team. Read a book with 2 male main characters.
Water for Elephants | Sara Gruen ★★★ (10/21)

2. The Packers were formed in 1919 when high school rivals Curly Lambeau and Calhoun wanted to start a football team. They both worked for a meat packing company that sponsored the team. Read a book with 2 male main characters.
Await Your Reply | Dan Chaon ★★★★ (10/30)

3. The Packers were formed in 1919 when high school rivals Curly Lambeau and Calhoun wanted to start a football team. They both worked for a meat packing company that sponsored the team. Read a book with 2 male main characters.
Death Comes for the Archbishop | Willa Cather ★★★ (11/30)

4. Read any book whose author's initials can be found in the word PACKERS. The initials do not need to be found in order » S, C.
Mockingjay | Suzanne Collins ★★ (12/07)

5. The official team colors are Dark Green, Gold and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » Gold.
The Plum Tree | Ellen Marie Wiseman ★★ (12/18)

6. They won championships in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996 and 2010. Read any book published in one of those years » 2010.
Washington: A Life | Ron Chernow ★★★★★ (01/07)

7. Pick a set of initials matching one of the players above and read a book whose title includes words that begin with those letters: Paul Hornung » Present, Illness.
A History of the Present Illness | Louise Aronson ★★★★ (01/17)

Points: 6 + 7 = 13.

Week 19: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots

My Pick: New England Patriots. Won.

Task:
The Patriots are based in New England so read a book set in any New England State: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont » Massachusetts.
The Age of Desire | Jennie Fields ★ (10/26)

Extra Points:
1. The logo of the team is a minuteman which was a select group of the colonial militia from the Revolutionary War. Read any book with historical fiction listed as a genre on its main page.
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag | Alan Bradley ★★★★★ (11/11)

2. They won Super Bowl Championships in 2001, 2003 and 2004. Read any book published in one of those years » 2001.
Death by Darjeeling | Laura Childs ★★ (11/30)

3. Their colors are Red, White and Blue so read a book with a cover that is primarily red, primarily blue, primarily white, or any combination of the three » Blue and White.
Astray | Emma Donoghue ★★★★★ (01/07)

4. Their colors are Red, White and Blue so read a book with a cover that is primarily red, primarily blue, primarily white, or any combination of the three » White.
number9dream | David Mitchell ★★★★ (01/11)

Points: 6 + 4 = 10.

Week 20: San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons

My Pick: San Francisco 49ers. Won.

Task:
The team is named the 49ers in honor of the men who were a part of the 1849 gold rush in the mountains east of San Francisco. Read any book about or set during the gold rush.
Cloud Atlas | David Mitchell ★★★★★ (09/20)

Extra Points:

1. The 49ers are based in San Francisco, California. Read a book set in the state of California.
The Buddha in the Attic | Julie Otsuka ★★★★ (12/26)

2. The official colors are Red, Metallic Gold and White. Read a book whose cover is primarily one of these colors or a combination of them » White.
Room | Emma Donoghue ★★ (01/25)

3. They won Superbowl Championships in 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, and 1994. Read a book published in one of these years » 1994.
East, West: Stories | Salman Rushdie ★★★ (01/26)

Points: 6 + 3 = 9.

Super Bowl: San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens

My Pick: San Francisco 49ers. Lost.

Task:
The 49ers have had 13 Hall of Fame players. Read a book with a character whose name matches one of these players (first, last or nickname): Leo Nomellini » Leo Gurski.
The History of Love | Nicole Krauss ★★★ (01/21)

Extra Points:
1. The 49ers are based in San Francisco, California. Read a book set in the state of California.
The Tin Horse: A Novel | Janice Steinberg ★★★★ (01/29)

Points: 3 + 1 = 4

(hide spoiler)]

[Chaitra]

I finally assigned all my books to tasks. I have a total of 212 points, because of unlimited extra points and all my books fitting tasks.

[Barb]

Wow, Chaitra, congrats!

[Jkmays]

I am so looking forward to football season, and I missed this challenge last year. Does anyone know if there will be an NFL challenge here this year, or in another Goodreads group?

[Barb]

I don't know about this group, I haven't seen any new challenges here in quite some time, but I have it on good authority that the Crazy Challenge Connection has an NFL challenge coming up shortly :)

[Jkmays]

oh fun. I have been looking for one there...will keep my eyes open...thanks!

[Barb]

It won't be set up the same way this one way, as none of the mods have the time to set it up and keep up with it as the season progresses, but it'll still be fun ... I hope :)