The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
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SUMMER 2009 TASK SUGGESTIONS
I have two at the moment:1. In honor of Ann Frank's birthday (June 13, 1929) read a book related to the Holocaust
2. Read a book by an author who spent time in jail/prison/as a p.o.w.
I have no idea what the point values should be on those.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice, i.e. "The Longest Day of the Year", (or, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, celebrate winter hibernation) by getting a tome off your bookshelf: Read a book that is at least 500 pages.
Canadian Independence Day (July 1st): Read a book written by a Canadian or that takes place in Canada.U.S. Independence Day (July 4th): Read a book about U.S. history or about one of the founding fathers.
Good ones, WV Heather.I have a couple to suggest as well:
1. In honor of Gay Pride (often celebrated in June in memory of the Stonewall Riots in NY during the sixties) read a LGBT author.
2. In honor of Bastille Day read a French author.
3. For Father's Day read a book recommended to you by your father (or a father-figure).
Charity wrote: "Celebrate the Summer Solstice, i.e. "The Longest Day of the Year", (or, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, celebrate winter hibernation) by getting a tome off your bookshelf: Read a book that is..."I love this one, Charity. I love me some tomes!
I have a few:1. Read a book set on the beach or in the ocean
2. Read a book on your local high school summer reading list.
3. For Father's Day, read a book suggested by your father or has his name (character or author)
4. For Canada Day (July 1) book sent in Canada or Canadian author.
5. In August, Hawaii will have been a state for 50 years. Read a book set in Hawaii or by Hawaiian author.
Summer is a big time for family reunions: Read 2 books that are 'related' by having ONE word in common (word must be at least 5 letters long).
El wrote: "I love this one, Charity. I love me some tomes! "Whoo hoo! I love me some big, fat books! :-)
Here is my one suggestion for now:Learn a little about your local area...Read a non-fiction book that is written about the area you live in, or as close as possible to the area you live in.
Obviously you wouldnt use all of these but I like the general idea..Read two books that have the same word in the title.
Read a Book, poem, and short story that have the same word in the title.
Read a fiction and nonfiction book on the same topic.
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Read a book that is related to a current event, and read an article on that current event, link to the article in your post. (ex: Iraq War, President Obama, economic crisis, etc)
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Read a book, fiction or nonfiction, about a religion different from your own.
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Read a book by an author that shares your first and last initial.
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As June is the time of many high school graduations, read a book in which someone graduates.
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The Mod Squad: Read a book from Lori's or Cynthia's "READ" shelves.
Manday wrote: "Read two books that have the same word in the title."Great minds do think alike!
Rebecca wrote: "4. For Canada Day (July 1) book sent in Canada or Canadian author. "Ditto 'great minds' for this. :-)
One more idea....August 9-15 is Ressurrect(sp?) Romance Week...Read a romance book.
Some of the ones I had already written coincide with some already suggested, but I just copied and pasted my list, so pardon my duplicates.In honor of Canada Day (July 1) – Read a book by an Canadian author, set in Canada, OR about Canada
In honor of Bastille Day (July 14) - Read a book by a French author, set in France, OR about France
In honor of US Independence Day (July 4) Read a book about gaining freedom or independence
August 2 is Friendship Day – read a book about friendship
To honor our friends in the southern hemisphere where it is winter, and to cool those who are trying to avoid summer’s heat, read a book that takes place in winter or where it is cold.
Because June, July and August are the 6th, 7th and 8th months, read a book whose author’s last name is 6, 7, or 8 letters in length
Read a mystery
Read a romance
Read a historical novel
In honor of father’s day, - Read a book where the author/main character shares the same FIRST name as your father OR…Read a book recommended by/given to you by your father.
Read a book that has a mode of transportation in its title; e.g. car, truck, train, plane, ship, boat, wagon, cart, surrey, buggy, etc., or an animal that is ridden such as horse, camel, elephant, etc.
Read a book originally published before 1950
Read a book originally published in the 1800s
Read 2 books whose titles start with the letters of your initials (my initials are ER, so I need to read a book that starts with an E and an R)
Read a novel that won a major award prior to the year you were born
School usually starts at the end of August..maybe a book with school in the title or a book that has to do with school somehow.August is the only month without a major (religious or federal) holiday in the United States. Maybe a book about or with your favorite holiday in the title.
The first full weekend in August each year, Twinsburg, Ohio celebrates Twins Days. A book about twins??
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is Winter "down under"...so go to the Winter Challenge thread and pick a task that either you didn't complete the first time (if you did the Winter Challenge) or that looks the most interesting.
This is the task I was going to use for when I completed the spring challenge, but that looks like it ain't gonna happen, so here it is.Judge a book by its cover. Read two books whose covers you find beautiful, attractive, aesthetically pleasing, etc... Then post the covers in the forum.
Also, when I think of summer I think of fresh garden fruits and veggies. Read a book with the name of a veg or fruit in the title.
Finally, read a book told by the POV of an animal.
I love the suggestion to read a book off of your local HS reading list, the reunion suggestion and the one about Hawaii being a state for 50 years!I also think it would be fun to read a book having to do with the ocean, sea life or a beach?
What about reading a book with "hot-related" words in the title? Burn, fire, steam, smoke, scorch, boil, flame, etc?
reread a favorite book?
I also liked the tasks where we had to look at lists of other challenge participants and pick books, I made a new friend that way...
I think it might be nice to have some more general tasks, to have a nice mix of reading things you wouldn't normally read as well as things you've been wanting to read for awhile.So maybe a few "indulgent" tasks, like:
*Read a book by an author you've always wanted to try but haven't yet
*Read a book you've been meaning to read for at least six months
*Read a book with a plotline that mirrors your own place in life, life story, etc
*Read a book where you share the same first name as the hero/heroine (and if your name is too unique, pick the name of someone you love, your significant other, etc)
*Read a book in a genre of your choice, and tell us why you choose this genre
*In celebration of Summer holidays, take a day out exclusively to yourself, drop all other obligations, and read all day (only receive points if you read for 6 or more hours)
Holidays:
*Midsummer's Eve - read a book about fairies, mythical creatures, or with the word Midsummer or Solstice in the title
*Independence Day - read a book about a character who becomes free
*Flag Day - read a book that takes place in a country other than your own
Judge a book by its cover. Read two books whose covers you find beautiful, attractive, aesthetically pleasing, etc... Then post the covers in the forum.I LOVE this idea!!
Angie, if you don't end up finishing the spring challenge and Cynthia doesn't use this for the summer challenge, would you mind if I used this idea for my 25-point task? (I *think* I'll be finishing the spring challenge, anyway!) I love picking books based solely on their covers. :-)
I love all of your ideas Elizabeth, especially "Read 2 books whose titles start with the letters of your initials (my initials are ER, so I need to read a book that starts with an E and an R)"!
Thanks, Lizzi. Obviously that was inspired by a task on the Spring Challenge, as were others on my list.I like many of the other ideas expressed here. With this kind of thinking, summer will present some interesting reading!
Lizzi, it's yours! It would be awesome if you could use it. I already have two books picked for this task. :D I saw the books at the bookstore and immediately fell in love w/the covers.
Some suggestions that I gave for the college students group:-In light of Flag Day, July 4th, and Memorial day—read a historical fiction book/play that is set during an important time in American history (like during the Civil War as an example)
-Join Hands Day is celebrated the first Saturday in May (.Join Hands Day is a day to make a difference in your community through helpful projects that connect youths and adults. It is an opportunity to reach out through volunteer organizations and to connect generations and develop new relationships.).In light of this..read a book about somebody who made a difference in the community and then (to complete the challenge) do something to make a difference in yours (it could be small or large—donating to a charity, volunteering at a soup kitchen, etc. etc.)
World Environment Day is June 5th (hosted by New Zealand this year)—Read about an environmental issue or something pertaining to “going green”
The Summer Birthstones are Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, and Jade—Read a book with one of those in the title
August 26th is Women’s Equality Day—read a book about a women you admire
Read 2 books by one author you have never read
Read a book that was recommended to you by a family member or a friend that you have never read
Read a book by an author who was born in either May, June, July or August
For Father's Day--read a book that centers around a father/son or father/daughter relationship.
June 6 = Belmont Stakes - read a fiction/nonfiction book about horses/horseracing, or a book with the word horse/horses in the titleSummer is a popular time for weddings - read a book about a wedding/bride/groom, or with any of those words in the title
In honor of Elvis, the King of Rock & Roll (who died in August 1977), read a fiction/nonfiction book about a musician or that focuses on music
Read a book whose title is also the title of a song
To me, summer is all about relaxation and vacations, so how about a book that's set in your dream vacation spot?
Jen B wrote: "Read a book whose title is also the title of a song"I LOVE this one!!
With the swine flu on everyones minds and the fact that July is Bioterrorism/disaster Education & Awareness month, read a fiction or non-fiction book about a nationwide or worldwide pandemic/illness or disaster.
Read a book about the game of baseball or about a baseball playerHave your librarian or wherever you get your books recommend their favorite book.
How about Christmas in July read a book that takes place or has a scene during Christmas Summer Lovin' - read a book about summer romance
summer is the time for vacations so read a travel book or memoir
Kids are out of school but don't let them forget to read, take time and read a book to a child, maybe volunteer at the library to read or read to your own kids, must read at least 30 minutes total (not all at once, like if it's a 2 year old can read for 10 minutes 3 times)
June is Zoo and Aquarium month so read a book about exotic animals
ok that's all I can think of that hasn't already been suggested :)
WOW!!! these are some awesome ideas. I can't wait to see what Cynthia uses. :~)
I may incorporate some of these challenges into my own personal ones for the summer months. heat/smoke - Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts.
beach - Beach Road or Lake House(?), Honeymoon - James Patterson
Christmas - Mary Higgins Clark has a couple.
Summer is just the hottest time of year, so how about reading some of 2009's bestsellers?link: http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/us...
(it includes books published in previous years, but were bestsellers in 2009)
I love movies in the summer. How about we find a movie we really want to see in theaters or at the video store, and then read the book first. Then watch the movie and see how it compares.I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife and am interested to see how the movie turns out. (I hope the movie is more interesting, but that's off topic)
Just a thought.
In honor of June 5, World Environment Day - read a book that has a predominant transit system, so that there are less cars on the road (bus, train, el, subway, etc.)In honor of June 14, Flag Day - read a book that has Flag, Stars & Stripes, Red; White; and Blue, Star Spangled Banner, etc. in the title
In honor of June 14-18, National History Day Contest - read a historical fiction book about a natural disaster, a accident/wreck, or a war
In honor of June 19, Emancipation Day - read a book on the Civil War, slavery, fighting for black civil rights, etc.
In honor of June 21, Father's Day - read a book where the main character is talking from the POV of a father
In honor of July 4, Independence Day - read a book about the bringing about of our day of independence (Boston Tea Party, Revolutionary War, founding fathers, writing of the Declaration of Independence)
In honor of July 27, Korean War Veterans Day - read a book about Korea, Korean War, POW Korean War, etc.)
August 26, Women's Equality Day - read a book from a series written by a woman where one of the main characters is a woman (i.e. Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum)
From a genre that is near and dear to my heart:Read a Book about Books and then pick a book that is discussed or mentioned within it and read that also.
Charity wrote: "Celebrate the Summer Solstice, i.e. "The Longest Day of the Year", (or, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, celebrate winter hibernation) by getting a tome off your bookshelf: Read a book that is..."I love the 500 pg challenge, it reminds me of when I was young I actually used to look for books by their thickness on the shelves. This actually allowed me to read novels that a pre-teen/teenager wouldn't normally read. I became a huge Michener fan!
For better or worse its wedding season-read a book with the words Borrowed, blue, old, or new in the titleMy favorite summer tradition is going on road trips-read a book about a journey
a travel essay book about a place you’d like to visit
Read a book whose title is a quotation/reference from another literary source (ie. For Whom the Bell Tolls or The Sound and the Fury) and the original source material
Read a book that takes place in the place you were born
Read a book off the bookshelf of one of your favorite goodreads authors
Read a classic children’s novel
Read a book with the name of a country or nationality in the title
My local library system has an annual reading summer reading program (thematic and for all ages) and a special title is chosen for the "One County, One Book." Last year was The Book Thief and 2007 was The life of Pi. They include special activities that relate to the selected book as well. I'm looking forward with anticipation for the 2009 selection and Summer reading theme for Salt Lake County Library System.I'm willing to bet that similar reading programs exist in most of our communities as well. I think we should include a challenge to participate at some level on our local library summer reading programs.
Celebrate Summer - books with summer words in the title, summer, hot, heat, sea, beach. sand, seafood, sandals, sun, water, pool, picnic etcOne Word Titles
Exercise - words like run, jump, walk, jog, kick, hop, lift etc in title
Books featuring something you like to do as a hobby = cooking, stitching, knitting, reading, photography...
Senior main characters
Books featuring music, musicians
Scary Monsters (okay I was listening to Bowie), but horror books, vamps, werewolves, etc...
Roseann wrote: "From a genre that is near and dear to my heart:Read a Book about Books and then pick a book that is discussed or mentioned within it and read that also."
OMG!! Get out of my brain!!!! LOL! :) I cannot believe you suggested that because that is the challenge task I've been thinking of adding if I finish the challenge.(((((((SPOOKY))))))) That is too weird. I would definitely love to see this as part of the challenge....as one book can lead to another book that leads to another book...love it!
Charity wrote: OMG!! Get out of my brain!!!! LOL! :)No kidding! Rachel CA, this was going to be my "most improved" task (because I know I won't finish the challenge, but I might actually stand a shot at most improved): Read a book whose title is a quotation/reference from another literary source (ie. For Whom the Bell Tolls or The Sound and the Fury) and the original source material. The Sound and the Fury was even my example! :)
In any case, I definitely think it's a great suggestion! ;)
For the "dog days of summer" read a book with the word dog (or a type of dog) in the title, or a book that has a dog as one of the main characters.
Read another GR group's "group read."Required summer reading introduces us to new books! Go on to google and look up summer reading list. Read a book off of a class's summer reading list. Tell us where you found the list.
These are all GREAT ideas...Now I am getting really excited for the summer challenge and we still have one month left for the spring challenge. Here are some I thought of for the challenge...To celebrate those people we love, read a book with the name or a character in a book that shares a name with a family member or friend who is having a birthday in June, July, or August.
Read a book with six, seven, or eight in the title. Or all three like we did last time.
Read the book that you most recently put on your TBR on Goodreads.
I don't know about most of you, but my to-read list on GR is about 26-28 pages long, so read a book that is on the sixth, seventh, or eight page of your TBR by picking the book that is the sixth, seventh, or eigth of the number you choose...confusing so, If I pick page Six, I would read the sixth book listed on that page.
Read a book with summer in the title.
Find a 'friend' who is participating in the spring challenge and decide on a book that you will both read together for the challenge (around the same time) and post individual thoughts on the book.
Some people may have a 'siesta' in the summer. Read a book with a sleep related word in the title ie. sleep, nap, dream."Mad dogs and Englishmen lie out in the mid-day sun" Read a book that has dog in the title or is about a dog.
June, July, August. Read a book each beginning with one of the same letters as those months so 2 beginning with J and one beginning with A.
Read a book that is set in a place where you have visited as a summer holiday.
Many places have air displays during the summer months. Read a book which has a 'flying thing' in the title ie. bird, aeroplane, kite etc.
For Independence day (4th July) read a book with fireworks or type of firework in the title.
10th August is the beginning of national allotments week (!!) read a book with a flower in the title and then attempt to grow something!
National Volunteering week is the first week of June. Read a book which has a storyline or plot centred around helping or volunteering and then volunteer your services in some capacity.
Roseann wrote: "From a genre that is near and dear to my heart:Read a Book about Books and then pick a book that is discussed or mentioned within it and read that also."
I love this idea!
The Next Best Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Red Badge of Courage (other topics)The Time Traveler's Wife (other topics)
Sincerely,
Cynthia - SCM