2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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February: Explorations in Love Challenge
4/5The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
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.
I have read my first book for this challenge (slow start, had a lot to do last week). 
Completed (9/9)DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVE
Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
Completed (2014/02/12)
✓ 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
✓ 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
✓ 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
✓ 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.
Orlando
✓ 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!
Anthill
✓ 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.)
Lucrezia Borgia: Life, Love, and Death in Renaissance Italy
✓ 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 Difference Engine
✓ 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.
Redwall
5/5 Completed!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 Time Machine
Wow! So I updated to here. Everyone has been doing awesome this month so far. My apologies for not updating earlier. Guess who played beta weekend for Elder Scrolls Online until her eyes nearly bled? This girl. I don't even feel like I missed out on reading either. The lore in that game is incredible. Half my time was spent playing; the other half was spent reading each and every book as I came across it.I suppose this means I have 2 months to finish my 150 books this year goal lol.
Congrats to Erika, Megan, and Merja for completing their challenge goals already. Big grats to Maiko for finishes all nine!
Welcome Jill and Brian to the challenge. Thank you for taking part, and good luck with your goals.
Just finished my fifth book of nine.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
It's been a pleasure. I got the chance to read a couple of books from different genre that I usually read. A new experience... Happy reading to all!!
I finished one more and updated Kelsi. Over half way done now. :)That makes me quite happy to hear this challenge got you to read outside your normal genres. *cheers*
5/9
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
Daphne wrote: "I finished one more and updated Kelsi. Over half way done now. :)
That makes me quite happy to hear this challenge got you to read outside your normal genres. *cheers*
5/9
4. Autassassinophilia...."
Thanks Daphne, and I forgot to mention kudos on the gaming weekend! I am a little jealous I haven't spent that long gaming in a really long time, especially when you still got to spend time reading!
Also didn't know there was a new elder scrolls game, that's exciting :)
That makes me quite happy to hear this challenge got you to read outside your normal genres. *cheers*
5/9
4. Autassassinophilia...."
Thanks Daphne, and I forgot to mention kudos on the gaming weekend! I am a little jealous I haven't spent that long gaming in a really long time, especially when you still got to spend time reading!
Also didn't know there was a new elder scrolls game, that's exciting :)
I'm in! Just going to do as many as I can.
Kelsi wrote: "Daphne wrote: "I finished one more and updated Kelsi. Over half way done now. :)That makes me quite happy to hear this challenge got you to read outside your normal genres. *cheers*
5/9
4. Auta..."
It's Elder Scrolls Online! You should check it out. Maybe we could play together. :) http://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en
Daphne wrote: "Kelsi wrote: "Daphne wrote: "I finished one more and updated Kelsi. Over half way done now. :)
That makes me quite happy to hear this challenge got you to read outside your normal genres. *cheers*..."
Awesome I will check it out this weekend! :)
That makes me quite happy to hear this challenge got you to read outside your normal genres. *cheers*..."
Awesome I will check it out this weekend! :)
I have edited message #30. This completes my challenge 3/3
I'd like to try this challenge. I'm going to start with only one on the list at this point. I'm a newbie here and don't read as fast as I used to ,so I think I'll just do one to get a start ,then maybe next month I can try to up my game a bit !
Will look through the list and choose which one to try.
Thanks for allowing me to jump in late !
Will look through the list and choose which one to try.
Thanks for allowing me to jump in late !
Updated to here.Welcome Kaitlin and good luck!
*cheers* Pat. You are the sixth to finish their goal!
Kelsi wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Kelsi wrote: "Daphne wrote: "I finished one more and updated Kelsi. Over half way done now. :)That makes me quite happy to hear this challenge got you to read outside your normal g..."
Let me know if you decide to give it a try, so we could connect in game! The game goes live April 4th, but pre-order release is March 29th.
Daphne wrote: "Wow! So I updated to here. Everyone has been doing awesome this month so far. My apologies for not updating earlier. Guess who played beta weekend for Elder Scrolls Online until her eyes nearly ble..."Zomg what, you were invited to play ESO beta???! HOW IS IT?!!! I am so so jealous! One of my good friends has been playing it and it looks freaking amazing (he puts me on skype to watch him play lol) I am legit buying a new computer for when that game comes out
Brian wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Wow! So I updated to here. Everyone has been doing awesome this month so far. My apologies for not updating earlier. Guess who played beta weekend for Elder Scrolls Online until her ..."I did. Found an invite for last beta weekend through Facebook. Rumor has is this coming weekend might be next closed beta. :)
If you pick Aldmeri Dominion, I hope we can group up together. Already have my guild and we are posting and researching like mad now that NDA has been lifted.
Got my build and everything too. Hetaira Thais - Templar Build I'm such a geek.
Daphne wrote: "Brian wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Wow! So I updated to here. Everyone has been doing awesome this month so far. My apologies for not updating earlier. Guess who played beta weekend for Elder Scrolls Onl..."Ahh no do not worry about being a geek, i just had a nerdgasm. so excited for this game and hope I get picked and will be looking for a guild - i will definitely select aldmeri!
Brian wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Brian wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Wow! So I updated to here. Everyone has been doing awesome this month so far. My apologies for not updating earlier. Guess who played beta weekend for El..."
Yay!! We will all be playing together! I am so excited for this game!
And ya Daphne being a geek is so not something you need to apologize for! Clearly this thread is highly populated with people like us :D
Yay!! We will all be playing together! I am so excited for this game!
And ya Daphne being a geek is so not something you need to apologize for! Clearly this thread is highly populated with people like us :D
Brian wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Brian wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Wow! So I updated to here. Everyone has been doing awesome this month so far. My apologies for not updating earlier. Guess who played beta weekend for El..."ElderBlade <- That's my guild.
Let me know if you are interested, and I will message you if I can find an open invite for next beta. :)
Kelsi wrote: "Just finished my fifth book of nine.4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
[book:Perfume: The Story of a Murderer|..."
Did you see the movie? I loved it. I'll have to read the book.
And definitely very exciting to know I'll have friends to play with! I just messaged my friend Malcolm to ask if he is in a guild yet.
The last mmo I was really into was gw2 (guild wars 2 for the uninitiated). I had so so so much fun playing that game and belonged to multiple guilds and made friends from Bulgaria to Panama (I learned a bit of Spanish from playing lol) and I still keep in touch with them.
Brian wrote: "Kelsi wrote: "Just finished my fifth book of nine.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
[book:Perfume: The Story ..."
I haven't seen the movie no, I might enjoy it a bit more then I enjoyed the book...I found it hard to stay connected to the character which made it feel like a drag to read. I might still give the movie a shot though.
I'm really excited to have people to play with, I was telling Daphne I have tried playing MMOs without people and it loses something. My most recent experience is with FFXIV and I haven't figured out how to chat on the ps3 which makes it tough to make friends in game haha
Never played GW2 but I played the original and it was really fun :) I love that games (and this site for that matter!) open up the ability to meet people from different cultures that you would never have the opportunity to talk to otherwise. I have met some pretty cool people that way.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
[book:Perfume: The Story ..."
I haven't seen the movie no, I might enjoy it a bit more then I enjoyed the book...I found it hard to stay connected to the character which made it feel like a drag to read. I might still give the movie a shot though.
I'm really excited to have people to play with, I was telling Daphne I have tried playing MMOs without people and it loses something. My most recent experience is with FFXIV and I haven't figured out how to chat on the ps3 which makes it tough to make friends in game haha
Never played GW2 but I played the original and it was really fun :) I love that games (and this site for that matter!) open up the ability to meet people from different cultures that you would never have the opportunity to talk to otherwise. I have met some pretty cool people that way.
Finished 6/9
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.
The Birth of Venus
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.
The Birth of Venus
Updated to here! 12 days to go everyone!
1 / 34. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
So I know this is the second time I have asked about the sub-culture challenge (#9) but this book finally came into my local library (I placed a hold on it ages ago) so I want to know if I can apply it.
Annabel
Annabel
3/5
7/9 complete
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 Call of the Wild
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 Call of the Wild
Kelsi wrote: "So I know this is the second time I have asked about the sub-culture challenge (#9) but this book finally came into my local library (I placed a hold on it ages ago) so I want to know if I can appl..."Definitely. Looks very interesting.
Daphne wrote: "Kelsi wrote: "So I know this is the second time I have asked about the sub-culture challenge (#9) but this book finally came into my local library (I placed a hold on it ages ago) so I want to know..."
I started it last night so far it's good :)
I started it last night so far it's good :)
Updated my post. I've read six (6) titles.
DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVE Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
COMPLETED 9/9!!
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.
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.
Updated to here!Grats Scarlett for finishes double your original goal!
Finished the second book for this challenge:Max Brooks - World War Z
4/5
Updated to here. Almost there Jaclyn.
Completed my goal of 5 and did an extra 1! :)
Finished 8/9
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.
Annabel
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.
Annabel
Updated to here. Congrats Jaclyn on going over your goal!
Updated message #38.All nine (9) books completed.
2/35. 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. Hollow City
I finished! Thank you, Daphne for creating and leading this incredibly fun challenge!3/3
COMPLETED!
Fall of Giants
by
Ken Follett
***** This book has two brothers Grigori and Lev Peshkov - maybe not a bromance in the modern sense of the term, but Grigori sacrifices so much for his brother. Also, I thought Grigori Peshkov and Walter von Kessel were both two strong male characters.
Tears of the Giraffe
by
Alexander McCall Smith
While the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series spend way more time on the characters' daily lives and relationships than they do on the actual mysteries themselves, this book was cataloged as a mystery and I discovered it in the Mystery section of my library :] so I count it. 
Stardust
by
Neil Gaiman
There were many instances of anthropomorphism in this book! Some of the trees in the land of Faerie are predatory. Another tree talks to the main character Tristran Thorn and gives him important information to help him find his fallen star. Also, witches turn people into animals.
Completed 9/9
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
Pride and Prejudice Mr Darcy and Bingham are both very strong male characters and influence one another throughout the novel.
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
Pride and Prejudice Mr Darcy and Bingham are both very strong male characters and influence one another throughout the novel.
Here is what i Have only 5, but a short month1. 2 strong: Patterson, James Private LA
2. Triange: Woods, Sherryl Welcome to Serenity
4. mystery: Clark, Mary Jane That Old Black Magic
5. Different ages: Parker, Robert B. Ceremony
9. Stuffed Animal: DiCamillo, Kate Because of Winn-Dixie
3/4 Don't think I'm going to make the last one. :(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.The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
So not even close to finishing this one. It's too bad because the books I planned to read fit well. I just got so far behind in my reading. Thanks for leading Daphne.
Completed my two, plus a bonus read! It wasn't very ambitious of me, but February is a short month and I knew it would be a busy one at work.1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
Strain
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.
Gilded
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.
The Art of Racing in the Rain
2025 Reading Challenge
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2/3 Completed
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.