2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Quarterly Challenges
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4th Quarter Challenge: Looking Back on 2013
August:types of non fiction. History; I read Astronaut Wives Club, a true story by Lily Koppel
Kaitlin. As far as Catcher in the Rye goes, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It may be one of those books that you have to give a second chance to.
Finished three more...Completed 11/18
Anagram. Read a book that you can, using the first letters of the title, spell a word from.
BOAT
Just Babies: The Origins of Good and Evil - Completed 11/1/2013
Henry VIII of England r. 1509-1547. There are a plethora of books on this monarch and his six wives. Read a book of fiction or non-fiction that is based on his or his wives’ life OR read a book set in England.
The Moonstone - Completed 10/28/2013
- Completed 10/27/2013
Pat, I updated you to 4. Good stuff!I think I will reread Catcher when the mood strikes.
I read Rascal and updated my original post #51. Now I've read 4/7.
I updated you, Lorelei. More than halfway!Haha, thanks Barb :-)
Pat, The last time I read Catcher in the Rye I thought it was sooooo negative. Tell me what you think. Kaitlin you have read a bunch!!
Kaitlin wrote: "Haha, thanks Barb :-)"Well, you're cheering everyone else on, I thought you might appreciate some encouragement too :)
I'm going to change my challenge from 5 to 10. As I seem to have plenty of ideas for books that I can read. 3: Back to school (September) - history: Stone's Fall
4: The definition of a classic challenge (July) - read a new to you book: Dark Matter
So that is 4/10; six to go
5/10February's All About Cupid:
10. A Date with Prince Charming: Read a book that has a place to go on a date in the title (ex. Movies, beach, dinner, etc.) or that has a Knight or Prince as the leading male character.
Cory Doctorow - Pirate Cinema
March's Mini Literary Awards:
3. Read a book that has won a Hugo or Nebula award. (If science fiction & fantasy really isn't your thing, choose another type of genre-specific award.)
Joan D. Vinge - The Snow Queen
June's Royalty:
6. Catherine the Great of Russia 1762-1796 was Russia’s longest ruling female. Read a book with a strong, independent heroine.
Mur Lafferty - The Shambling Guide to New York City
August's Types of Nonfiction:
7. Popular science. Read a science book OR read a science fiction book.
Mira Grant - Parasite
September's Back to School:
8. Creative writing. Read a book you consider to be "creatively" written. Maybe it takes a unique point of view or isn't written in standard prose. This is up to your interpretation, so have fun with it.
Jeff VanderMeer - Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction
That's awesome you're upping your goal, Danielle! I updated you. Great job so far!You're halfway, Karina! That's awesome. You're updated.
@ Lorelei - Yeah, I read TOO much sometimes I think. But I can't help it...I love books :-D
@ Barb - I definitely appreciate it. That made me smile :)
Lorelei- Catcher was on the dark and depressive side but I was struck by what drove the main character to his way of life
Yippee! Good job, Craig. I updated you.
You've all been busy readers over the last couple weeks! Here's where we are at the close of this strange weekend (Can I say how much I hate Daylight Savings Time?):Aislinn: 0/5
Barb: 15/17 (23/25 books read)
Cathy: 7/12
Craig: 6/9
Danielle: 7/10
Elizabeth: 0/6
Erika: 2/10
Heather: 0/9
Joanne: 0/?
Jodi: 10/10 - COMPLETED!
Kaitlin: 18/18 - COMPLETED!
Karina: 5/10
Katrina: 1/9
Laura: 7/18
Lianne: 3/9
Lorelei: 5/7
Mave: 0/10
Megan: 14/5 - COMPLETED!
Nicole: 1/5
Pat: 9/9 - COMPLETED!
Sharon: 0/9
Sibyl: 5/5 - COMPLETED!
SilverRaindrops: 0/18
Teresa: 3/6
Theresa: 10/10 - COMPLETED!
I edited message 69 to include April: Word Play Challenge 5. Homophone. Read a book with a title containing a homophone (a word that is pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning) Examples: Cannery Row (row a boat versus a row of chairs), The Handmaid's Tale (tale versus tail)Streaks of Blue: How the Angels of Newtown Inspired One Girl to Save Her School The whole title is a word play. The cover shows a girl with blue streaks in her hair but one of the main characters is a boy who struggles with depression and dealing with his emotions. He is feeling "blue"
LOOKING BACK ON 2013 CHALLENGEDuration: October 1 - December 31, 2013
Completed 7/12
THE NEW BEGINNINGS CHALLENGE:
2. Read a book that was released in the last six months
Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt
All About Cupid Challenge:
4. Covers of Color: Read a book that has a cover that is mostly Red or Pink.
History of Civil Rights (mini challenge):
3. Read a book from 2012
AWARDS COVER HUNT:
12. The Merlin Award is an award given to magicians. Read a book with something you consider magical on its cover
Blood Rites by Jim Butcher
THE WORD PLAY CHALLENGE:
3. Alliteration. Read a book whose title contains alliteration of some sort
THE POEM TYPES MINI CHALLENGE
2. Haikus are best known for their brevity. Read a book under 100 pages.
Slow Ride by Lorelei James
May Spell-Out Challenge:
MOTHER
KELSI'S ROYALTY CHALLENGE
5. Louis XIV of France r. 1643-1715 Read a book that has a main character that is wealthy.
July's The Definition of a Classic Challenge
12. Read a book that's part of a series.
August Types of Nonfiction Challenge
3. Dictionary. Read a book whose title is only a single word that can be found in the dictionary.
Rebel by Zoe Archer
August Spell Out Challenge
LAKE
September's Back to School Challenge
7. Geography. Read a book that takes place in a country you've never visited.
Duchess in Love by Eloisa James
May: spell it out modified, choose a book who's title reminds you of spring. I read The Walk by Richard Paul Evans 5/9
I updated you, Jodi and Pat. Good work.Welcome Cathy, and great start! I added you to our list.
Just updated message 69 to includeAugust: Types of Non-fiction
2. Diary. Read a diary OR read a book written in diary entries or letters. Some examples can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of... World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
Completed #10 (classics) for July's definition of classics - North and South by John Jakes. While I appreciated the story and characters, the book was much too long and would have been aided by a good editor. Glad that I read a book that was so popular back in the day but do not plan to continue the series. 3 stars11/5
January mini challenge: goodreads choice awards: finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed. 6/9, 3 to go.
Three more down for me! 14/18
Read a book about a culture you consider not your own.
The Lace Reader - Completed 11/3/2013
Read a book that takes place in a country that you would like to visit.
All Shall Be Well; And All Shall Be Well; And All Manner of Things Shall Be Well - Completed 11/9/2013
The Cranes Dance - Completed 11/8/2013
Great job, Jodi, Megan and Pat! I updated you all.
Just edited message 69 to include:June: Kelsi's Royalty Challenge
6. Catherine the Great of Russia 1762-1796 was Russia’s longest ruling female. Read a book with a strong, independent heroine. Nil The main character Charley (view spoiler)
7/10
In the past week I've completed the following:3. February's All About Cupid Challenge
Be my valentine: Read a book that has chocolate or flowers in the title. - Chocolat by Joanne Harris
7. April's Word Play Challenge
Alliteration: Read a book whose title contains alliteration of some sort. - The Myth of Mr Mom by Jeremy Roddin
8. April's Poem Types Mini Challenge
Haikus are best known for their brevity. Read a book under 100 pages. - My Friend Asmodeus by Nathan Barnes
13. July's Definition Of A Classic Challenge
The classics are books which exercise a particular influence, both when they imprint themselves on our imagination as unforgettable, and when they hide in the layers of memory disguised as the individual's or collective unconscious. This task is all about imagination, read a fantasy of science fiction book.- The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
18. September's Labour Day Mini Challenge
Read a book that highlights a particular worker. - Sick Notes: A Doctor's Tale from the Front Lines of Medicine by Tony Copperfield
Having some time off work really makes a difference to my reading speed :)
Completed August's Spell-Out Challenge - Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Good and logical conclusion to the series. Can't really say anything else without spoilers. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars12/5
January new beginnings. Author new to you. Completed. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen 7/9
6: the mini decades challenge (May) - read a book from the decade you where born: The Spy Who Came In from the Cold6/10
Completed #4 (award specific to your country) in March's Mini Literary Challenge - Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz. Chosen as an Orpah book club selection, an award or distinction unique to the US. Overall, I enjoyed this book. The characters were complex and the narrative was interesting, once I figured out the author's style. However, the beginning was incredibly slow and confusing, and I felt that the male characters were treated rather flippantly. Glad I read it and would recommend to anyone wanting a challenging read. 3.5 stars13/5
Three more to go!15/18
Hero - The Book Thief - Completed 11/10/2013
I just edited message 69 to include:February: All About Cupid Challenge
8. Cupid's Arrows: Read a book that is either set in an age in which bows and arrows were used in combat or is about Native American Indians. A Storm of Swords Lots of bows and arrows were used in this book. A little bit of love too for Cupid.
Good stuff, Jodi! You're almost done.
Thanks Kaitlin. I am almost finished Divergent too which I am sure I can fit somewhere in here. This is a great challenge.
Just updated message 69 again to include:February: History of Civil Rights
2. Read a book from 1929, the year that women were declared "persons" under law in Canada (thanks to The Famous Five!) OR read a book with a female heroine. Divergent Tris the main character is a female heroine.
(I was dog sitting this weekend. I just sat with him on the couch and read this weekend.)
Completed #7 (Geography) of September's Back to School Challenge - We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of the American Women Trapped on Bataan. An amazing and inspiring story of courageous nurses! Coming from a family of nurses, I really appreciated the author's thorough research and obvious dedication to her subjects. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars14/5
Super, Jodi, Lorelei and Megan! You're all updated.
September Back to School Challenge. Recess. Read a book just for fun. Home To Italy by Peter Pezzelli. 8/9. One more to go.
7: the awards cover hunt (March) - read a book with a building on its cover (the Pritzker architecture price): The Cleaner of Chartres
i wont be able to do this challenge so drop me off the list. im trying to finish the books i have started.
I just edited message 69 to include:March's Literary Awards Mini Challenge
1. Read a book by an author who has received the Nobel Prize in Literature. All the Names Jose Saramago won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998
That makes me 10/10
I know alreaady that I'm not going to finish this challenge. I haven't had much time to read the last weeks.I've finished The Shining a couple of weeks ago, so I'm at 3/9.
July's Definition of a Classic Challenge
1. The classics are those books about which you usually hear people saying: 'I'm rereading…', never 'I'm reading….' Read a book on this Read Them Twice...At Least list.
I'll shoot for 5! :)Progress: 1/5
-June: Kelsi's Royalty Challenge- Henry VIII of England r. 1509-1547. Read a book of fiction or non-fiction that is based on his or his wives’ life OR read a book set in England.=
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Not Love Alone: A Modern Gay Anthology (other topics)Brave New World (other topics)
Love lyrics (other topics)
Crown of Midnight (other topics)
Scorched (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Tone Almhjell (other topics)Daryl Gregory (other topics)
Simon Winchester (other topics)
David Brin (other topics)
Terry Pratchett (other topics)
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Barb - you're almost done! Keep it up!
Pat - What did you think of Catcher? I haven't read it since 10th grade but remember not liking it.
I hope everyone had a happy Halloween.