2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Monthly Challenges
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February: Explorations in Love Challenge
Daphne wrote: "Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Jodi wrote: "Hi Daphne,This is a great challenge idea. I noticed that the books I have planned out for February will fit your categories. I will try for 4 books. Th..."
I didn't find anything :(. There weren't that many books. And the books that were for sale, were all Dutch writers (mysteries and romance mainly) and I don't really care for those kind of books in Dutch.
But I bought some awesome horror dvd's for 1 euro per dvd, so it wasn't too bad haha.
I picked out my books for next month last night and I just have to buy 1 book to complete all my challenges.
These challenges really help me clean out my TBR pile at home :).
Lindy wrote: "count me in"Welcome Lindy. What is your goal? :)
Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Jodi wrote: "Hi Daphne,This is a great challenge idea. I noticed that the books I have planned out for February will fit your categories. I will try ..."
I suppose that's why it's a flea market. Glad it was fun though.
Lindy wrote: "To read a book a day"That's a ton of books in a year! Good luck!
How many are you aiming to match with this challenge?
My books for this challenge..1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
Lindy wrote: "my goal this year is 325"Aye, that is an awesome goal, but this challenge is for the month of February with specific goals. I am just asking what books you are aiming for for this specific challenge so that I can add you to the challenge list and track your progress.
Janm should be 30, so Feb maybe 26-28. Where do i add them
February's Challenge: Explorations in Love Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
In for all nine. Let's do this thing!
Complete: 6/9
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
Carrie by Stephen King
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
True Grit by Charles Portis
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
This will really help with my personal challenge. :)
These are the books I am going to read:
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
Prince Caspian (This was included in a list of mythic fantasy books I found, does it qualify?)
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
Lolita
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
Either The Great Gatsby or Little Women (I would really like to read Great Gatsby because I feel like it is one of those classics that is essential to have knowledge of but I really dislike Fitzgerald's writing...if I can't get past it I will be reading Little Women.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
The Map of Time (already part way through this one...it is a really long book so I wanted a head start hope it still counts!)
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
Prince Caspian (This was included in a list of mythic fantasy books I found, does it qualify?)
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
Lolita
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
Either The Great Gatsby or Little Women (I would really like to read Great Gatsby because I feel like it is one of those classics that is essential to have knowledge of but I really dislike Fitzgerald's writing...if I can't get past it I will be reading Little Women.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
The Map of Time (already part way through this one...it is a really long book so I wanted a head start hope it still counts!)
Lindy wrote: "Janm should be 30, so Feb maybe 26-28. Where do i add them"Lindy, for a monthly challenge, you look at the tasks and then read books that fit the tasks.
So for this month, you could do up to 9, or even up to 27 if you want to do every task three times. You don't have to count every book you read for a monthly challenge though.
If you want to add a book for the challenge, you just put it in a comment here. For that you click "add book/author" above the comment box, and then look for your book.
And all the books that you read, you can add in your personal challenge thread. :).
Hope this helped to clear things up :). You can also use this topic if you have any general questions :).
@Daphne, I hope you don't mind me explaining :).
Rose wrote: "DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVE Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
In for all nine. 0/9 so far. Let's do this thing!
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a ..."
Woohoo Rose! Happy to have you jump all in with us this challenge. It helps my reading list too lol.
Kelsi wrote: "These are the books I am going to read:2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fant..."
Prince Caspian absolutely would work for this one. It's fantasy, and has the religious/mythical context. Perfect book for this goal.
Nice choice with the Lolita and Chronophilia. That's definitely a potentially naughty goal.
Love all your choices. :)
Spectacles wrote: "I will do 4 :)"Welcome Spectacles! Can't wait to see what books you choose.
SilverRaindrops wrote: "Lindy wrote: "Janm should be 30, so Feb maybe 26-28. Where do i add them"Lindy, for a monthly challenge, you look at the tasks and then read books that fit the tasks.
So for this month, you co..."
Thanks so much for your explanation Silver. :)
Daphne wrote: "Kelsi wrote: "These are the books I am going to read:
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR..."
Great thank you! :)
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR..."
Great thank you! :)
I am not feeling ambitious right now . . . sign me up for two.
Daphne, would you mind checking if my choices are alright? (Message #52)
Sibyl wrote: "I am not feeling ambitious right now . . . sign me up for two."Welcome to the challenge Sibyl and good luck!
SilverRaindrops wrote: "Daphne, would you mind checking if my choices are alright? (Message #52)"I love all of your choices! I think I'm going to need to add a few to my tbr list.
They all fit except the last one, A Betrayal in Winter. There doesn't seem to be anything about a sub-culture or anthropomorphism in it. BUT! That one would fit great for the only one you didn't list a book for, Pygmalionism, since the main character is a an artist (poet). Does that work for you?
Daphne wrote: "SilverRaindrops wrote: "Daphne, would you mind checking if my choices are alright? (Message #52)"I love all of your choices! I think I'm going to need to add a few to my tbr list.
They all fit e..."
Thank you :).
I figured it would work for antropomorphism, since an idea is not human, yet it gets a human form. But I'll happily count it for that one instead :).
Would The Maze Runner meet criteria for #1? I found it on a goodreads list under bromance, but I just wanted to make sure before I buy it :)
I'm in. Not sure how many of the books I have planned for Feb will work yet. So let's say 4?
Jaclyn wrote: "Would The Maze Runner meet criteria for #1? I found it on a goodreads list under bromance, but I just wanted to make sure before I buy it :)"For sure! Mostly male cast. Compared to Lord of the Flies. I'd say that fits. :)
Karena wrote: "I'm in. Not sure how many of the books I have planned for Feb will work yet. So let's say 4?"Welcome to the challenge Karena and good luck!
I will go for 4. Also I finished my first for #1 features a bromance of sorts, the shadowhunter's codex by Cassandra Clare and Joshua Lewis
I finished 1/5!A book about a sub-culture: Trainspotting
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies.
Updated to here. Congrats Spectacles and Erika on getting the first two updates! I finished my first book for the challenge today too. :)I put you down for 25 Lindy.
1/9
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
Completed #1 - Philia (bromance) - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I loved this book! I started reading with no expectations and was intrigued after the first chapter, enamored after the 13th chapter, and totally in love by the end. The book has all the hallmarks of a great indie romantic film, complete with oddball characters and social awkwardness. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars1/3
Megan wrote: "Completed #1 - Philia (bromance) - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I loved this book! I started reading with no expectations and was intrigued after the first chapter, enamor..."I'm so glad you enjoyed your first book of the month of February. I'm not sure this one will fit for this category though. It looks like it is more of a traditional modern romance novel instead of having a 'bromance' or two strong male leads. Unless, I have missed what the book is about because I haven't read it yet.
1/45. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time. Interpreter of Maladies One of the short stories is about a man who is in his thirties who is renting a room from a woman who is 103.
Update...(2/9)
DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVE
Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
✓ 1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters
The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch
✓ 2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
Pegasus by Robin McKinley
1.
2.
Daphne wrote: "Megan wrote: "Completed #1 - Philia (bromance) - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I loved this book! I started reading with no expectations and was intrigued after the first c..."Daphne, the book has two strong male leads, Don the main character and his best friend, Gene. Don is led by Gene's example through the majority of the book until there is a switch in the end when Don enlightens Gene as to character flaws to save their friendship. They are best friends, and Don is rather co-defendant on Gene at the beginning of the book, which in my mind qualifies as a bromance and definitely satisfies the requirement of two strong male leads characters.
Megan wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Megan wrote: "Completed #1 - Philia (bromance) - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. I loved this book! I started reading with no expectations and was intrigued af..."Updated to here!
Thank you for telling me more about the book Megan! I'm excited to add it to my TBR list. That absolutely counts as a bromance. Poor Gene doesn't get any love in the reviews or synopsis. Such is the life of the wing man I suppose.
Nice nominal determinism with the name Gene and a book about geneticists.
I'm in for 7 right nowRead: 7 of 7
In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death, and Duran Duran
The Boys in Duran Duran = Bromance Galore!
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
Tell the Wolves I'm Home
Return to Hell House
Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy
Covers Aristocratic families from 1918 to present, with people of every age represented.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
Madonna of the Seven Hills: A Novel of the Borgias
The Borgias....reading like mad to have this one done tonight.
Doctor Who: Magic of the Angels
Time Travel, TARDIS, etc......
Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground New Edition
This book deals with the subculture of Black Metal.
Finished my first book.
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
The Map of Time. I don't want to say it is entirely Steampunk because it contains elements of fantasy, historical fiction, and science fiction as well. The main subject is time travel though and the setting feels a lot like Steampunk.
Overall a good read, I gave it four stars. Felt that it was unnecessarily long but the writing was absolutely beautiful.
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
The Map of Time. I don't want to say it is entirely Steampunk because it contains elements of fantasy, historical fiction, and science fiction as well. The main subject is time travel though and the setting feels a lot like Steampunk.
Overall a good read, I gave it four stars. Felt that it was unnecessarily long but the writing was absolutely beautiful.
Angela wrote: "I'm in for 7 right nowRead: 1 of 7
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
2. Love trian..."
Welcome to the challenge Angela and good luck! Your first book looked like a really interesting read. I love history, but haven't delved much into modern Russian history. What did you think of it?
Kelsi wrote: "Finished my first book.8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
[book:The Map of Time|976..."
*cheers* on completing your first book.
I keep seeing that book pop up in my news feed, and have considered adding it to my amazon cart several times. It is the length that throws me when added to the very disparate reviews. I love reading long books, but I prefer to know if they are worth the investment in time before I jump.
Daphne wrote: "Kelsi wrote: "Finished my first book.
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
[book:The M..."
Fair enough, I bought it on sale for I think $8 and hadn't heard anything about it previously but I thought for the price it was worth a try. I'm glad I picked it up, it was definitely worth the investment :)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
[book:The M..."
Fair enough, I bought it on sale for I think $8 and hadn't heard anything about it previously but I thought for the price it was worth a try. I'm glad I picked it up, it was definitely worth the investment :)
Maybe I'll try for #1... Haven't crossed a book about a BROMANCE... I guess I'll give this thing a try...
Sheryl wrote: "Maybe I'll try for #1... Haven't crossed a book about a BROMANCE... I guess I'll give this thing a try..."Added you to the list Sheryl. Here is a link to give you an idea on what a bromance is: 17 Best Bromances in Literature
It can also just have two strong male lead characters in the book. :)
Updates(4/9)
✓ 3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
I Was Vermeer: The Rise and Fall of the Twentieth Century's Greatest Forger
✓ 4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
A Morbid Taste for Bones
3.
4.
Completed #4 - Mystery/Thriller - Inferno by Dan Brown. As with all of Brown's books, he can really use a decent editor! This book could have been cut down by about half and would have had a more coherent storyline as a result. Writing is still basic, but some of the content was interesting and the mystery, while following Brown's same pattern, was much better than his last book. Worth reading and audiobook performance wasn't bad. 3 stars2/3
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Legends (other topics)The Plot Against America (other topics)
The Rosie Project (other topics)
Watchmen (other topics)
Einstein’s Dreams (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Littell (other topics)Alan Lightman (other topics)
C.S. Lewis (other topics)
Andrea Cheng (other topics)
Arthur Conan Doyle (other topics)
More...
DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVE
Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
Love comes in all flavors right?
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
Tongues of Serpents. Going to count Lawrence and Temeraire here :).
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
Among Others. Welsh fairies and things.
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
The Forgotten Garden or Portrait of a Spy
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
The Mermaid Garden or The House At Riverton
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
The Snoring Bird: My Family's Journey Through a Century of Biology
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
The Swerve: How The Renaissance Began
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
Dead Iron or The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
A Betrayal in Winter. Poets give human form to ideas.