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2016 Archived Challenges
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2016 Crazy Challenge Connection
Winter Seasonal Scavenger Challenge: Ice, Ice, Baby!!
Duration:December 21, 2015 - March 20, 2016
READ: 13/16
✔1. The city of Harbin is nestled in the far reaches of northeast China and was a sleepy backwater until the building of the Chinese Eastern Railway line. Today Harbin is a main port-of-call along the Trans-Manchurian Railway, linking the Chinese capital, Beijing with Chita in Eastern Siberia, where the line joins the Trans-Siberian Railway all the way to Russia's capital, Moscow. ❅ Read a book that takes place in China, Japan, or Russia OR read a book whose cover shows a train and/or train tracks (post the cover).
The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly 1/2✔2. Harbin receives cold winter wind from Siberia. The average winter temperature is 16.8 °C (1.8 °F); lows of -35 °C (–31 °F) are not uncommon. ❅ Read a book that takes place during winter OR read a book whose cover shows a wintry scene (post the cover).
Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh 1/29✔3. Every year since 1985, the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival begins on January 5th. The end date is not so certain as it depends on the temperature. Ultimately, everything will just melt away. ❅ Read a book published in 1985 OR read a book in which something significant (tell us what) is destroyed or vanishes.
Congo - Michael Crichton (the Lost City of Zinj is destroyed by a volcano) 3/6✔4. More than 7,000 workers put the ice city together in nearly two weeks. Using ice from the nearby, frozen Songhua River, swing saws are used to carve ice into blocks. ❅ Read a book with a “7” in the total page count OR read a book that takes place on or along a river.
Odd Interlude - Dean Koontz (279 pages) 2/13✔5. Chisels, ice picks and various types of saws are then used by ice sculptors to carve out large scaled ice sculptures, many of them intricately designed and worked on all day and night prior to the commencement of the festival. ❅ Read a book with some type of hardware tool on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book in which one of the characters is an artist of some kind.
The Penalty Box - Deidre Martin (heroine is a fashion designer) 2/216. Deionized water can also be used, producing ice blocks as transparent as glass to make clear sculptures rather than translucent ones. Multi-colored lights are used to give color to ice, creating variations on sculptured spectacles when lit up, especially at night. ❅ Read a book with a bright cover (post the cover) OR read a book in which a character works with glass (i.e. glass blower, potter, stained-glass artist).
✔7. Some ice sculptures made in previous years include: buildings and monuments of different architectural types and styles; figures including animals, people and mythical creatures; slippery dips (ice slides) and lanterns. ❅ Read a book about architecture or a famous architect (may be historical fiction) OR read a book whose cover shows any type of man-made light – i.e. lantern, candles, etc. (post the cover).
Backlash - D.L. Thomas 1/15✔8. The tallest ice carving in recent years was the Crystal Castle. At 48m (157ft) high, this structure was just shy of the height of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. 2015's festival featured an ice Kremlin. ❅ Read a book that involves royalty and/or politics Or read book #48 on your TBR (sorted any way you choose).
Beauty's Kingdom - A.N. Roquelaure 1/4✔9. The whole city of Harbin celebrates the Ice and Snow Festival. The festival extravaganza covers 750,000 sq m (185 sq acres). The Songhua River, all streets, parks and ski resorts are the venues of the festival. Some famous venues are the west area of Sun Island, Zhaolin Park, Songhua River, and Stalin Park. ❅ Read a book in which some type of festival occurs (tell us what) OR read a book that takes place in a larger city (tell us where).
Push - Sapphire (New York City) 1/8✔10. Sun Island is a recreational area on the opposite side of the Songhua River, which features an expo of enormous snow sculptures. The island, as well as Zhaolin Park offers a less hectic and less expensive experience. ❅ Read a book thattakes place on an island OR read a book with gentle or relaxed pacing.
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4✔11. Ice and Snow World is the biggest – and priciest to attend - area (open only at night) which features illuminated full-size buildings and attractions; it showcases the flashiest and most neck-craning sculptures. ❅ Read a book whose cover depicts a night-time scene (post the cover) OR read a book in which a character pays a high price to purchase something (tell us what).
The Night Sister - Jennifer McMahon 1/13✔12. The ice festival, which originated from the city’s old Ice Lantern Festival offers ice lantern touring activities held in many parks in the city. The ice-lantern exhibition is housed in Zhaolin Garden. ❅ Read a book whose title starts with Z (exclude a,an,the) OR read a book in which a main character takes part in some kind of tour (tell us what).
Sweep in Peace - Ilona Andrews 3/13(heroine runs an intergalactic hotel and gave 3 seperate tours of the facility to vampires and aliens)
✔13. The Songhua River, frozen solid in midwinter, becomes a playground at festival time. Biking, skating, miniature tanks, ponies and almost every conceivable mode of transport set revelers spinning across the Songhua's frozen surface. ❅ Read a book where “ICE” may be found in the title (compound words okay) or read a book whose cover shows any type of transportation (post the cover).
Vixen 03 - Clive Cussler (plane) 1/1414. Down-lined jackets, thick gloves and even balaclavas are recommended if you plan on ogling the ice art or participating in the winter sports. Make sure to occasionally warm yourself in one of the many coffee huts throughout the venues. ❅ Read a book whose cover shows any type of winter clothing – coat, hat, gloves, mittens, boots, etc. (post the cover) OR read a book that involves coffee or hot tea in some manner (i.e. coffee house, tea room etc).
✔15. If you’re looking for more to do during the 2-3 months of the festival, there is winter swimming, ice sailing, speed skating, mountain skiing and cross-field skiing competitions. There’s also the ice and snow film art festival, exhibitions of paintings, calligraphy and photos, performances of folk songs and dances. ❅ Read a book in which a character participates in some type of winter sport or activity (tell us what) OR read a book whose main character is an artist, photographer or dancer.
Possession - J.R. Ward (book illustrator) 3/2016. Other large ice and snow festivals include Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival, Canada's Quebec City Winter Carnival, and Norway's Holmenkollen Ski Festival. ❅ Read a book by an author whose last name contains “SNOW” or “ICE” – i.e. Snowden, Brice, etc. OR read a book that takes place in Japan, Quebec Canada, or Norway.
Winter SPELL Challenge: Ice,Ice Baby Duration:December 21, 2015 - March 20, 2016
READ: 24/24
Crystal Castle
C: Night Probe! - Clive Cussler 1/10
R: Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3
Y: The Young Elites - Marie Lu 1/11
S: Born of Fire - Sherrilyn Kenyon 1/6
T: You Can Run... - Carlene Thompson 1/9
A: All I Want - Jill Shalvis 1/12
L: The Liar - Nora Roberts 1/13
C: The Closer You Come - Gena Showalter 2/9
A: Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4
S: Shards of Hope - Nalini Singh 2/12
T: Tithe - Holly Black 1/7
L: Under a Vampire Moon - Lynsay Sands 2/20
E: Eighth Grave After Dark - Darynda Jones 1/18
Ice Festival
I: Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
C: The Family Trade - Charles Stross 2/25
E: Ecstasy Bound - Ruth Kerce 2/27
F: Forsaken - Jacquelyn Frank 2/14
E: England's Perfect Hero - Suzanne Enoch 3/18
S: Born of Ice - Sherrilyn Kenyon 2/23
T: Terminal City - Linda Fairstein 2/16
I: Into Thin Air - Cindy Miles 2/7
V: Vixen 03 - Clive Cussler 1/14
A: Big Stone Gap - Adriana Trigiani 2/16
L: Dark Emerald - Lisa Jackson 2/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
January Scavenger - A Month of Firsts
READ: 6/6
✔1 - Read the first book in a new-to-you series you've had on your list for over a year; tell us when you added it
Dark Ruby - Lisa Jackson (added September 2011) 1/20
✔2 - Read a book by the first new-to-you author on your GR to-read list, sorted by Random
Lost Highlander - Cassidy Cayman 1/16
✔3 - Read any book that was added to your to-read list on the 1st day of any month in any year; tell us when you added it
The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires - Molly Harper (added Dec 1, 2013) 1/26
✔4 - Read any book from the first genre you developed a serious interest in; tell us the genre
(I used to steal my mother's books and she loved horror)
The Night Sister - Jennifer McMahon 1/13
✔5 - Read a book from any shelf of one of your first GR friends; tell us the friend and the shelf
(Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja. Shelf scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero)
Born of Fire - Sherrilyn Kenyon 1/6
✔6 - Read the first book that popped into your head when you read the theme of this challenge
Backlash - D.L. Thomas 1/15
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
January Spell Challenge READ: 6/6
#2 Cassidy Cayman
✔C: Child of the Prophecy - Juliet Marillier 1/30
✔A: All I Want - Jill Shalvis 1/12
✔Y: You Can Run... - Carlene Thompson 1/9
✔M: The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly 1/2
✔A: Love Me to Death - Allison Brennan 1/25
✔N: The Night Sister - Jennifer McMahon 1/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
January Member of the Month - Claire 5/5 Tasks Done
✔1. Claire lives in Nottingham, England, the home of Robin Hood.
*Read a book that takes place in England OR read a book with a character who wants to right wrongs and fight for justice.
Tarnished Knight - Bec McMasters (London) 1/31
✔2. She prefers to save her photos in print form.
*Which do you prefer? Print or electronic photos? If electronic, do you save your photos to a specific website or just on your own computer?
I prefer hard copies.
✔3. Claire’s car is her favorite color of bright green, or, as she says, the same colour as Kermit the frog.
*Read a book that has a bright green cover OR read a book whose cover is YOUR favorite color (show us the cover you choose and why).
A Potion to Die For - Heather Blake (my favorite color is purple) 1/21
✔4. By her GR name, we can tell that Claire’s favorite genre is Young Adult.
*Which genre do you read the most?
paranormal - love me some vampires and werewolves
✔5. Claire is currently reading A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan, a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
*Read a book that is a retelling of a story OR a book whose title starts with a letter in SLEEP (disregard A, An, The).
Eighth Grave After Dark - Darynda Jones 1/18
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Scavenger - Let's Celebrate
READ: 5/5
✔FEBRUARY 5 IS NATIONAL WEATHERMAN'S DAY
* Read a book in which a character makes a formal prediction of some kind OR a book with a main character who is on TV or radio regularly OR a book with some sort of inclement weather on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover)
An Ice Cold Grave - Charlaine Harris (snow) 2/10
✔FEBRUARY 8 IS CLEAN OUT YOUR COMPUTER DAY
* Read a book with a main character who cleans or organizes for a living OR a book with a character who works with computers OR clean out your physical bookshelves or your ebook "shelves" and read one of the books you'd forgotten about
The Family Trade - Charles Stross (added to TBR in Apr 2011) 2/25
✔FEBRUARY 13 IS GET A DIFFERENT NAME DAY
* Read a book by an author who writes under more than one name OR a book by an author whose first or last name is the same as yours (spelling variations are ok -- Kathy and Cathy, for example -- but otherwise, the name should be an exact match)
Forsaken - Jacquelyn Frank (writes as Jax) 2/14
✔FEBRUARY 22 IS WALKING THE DOG DAY
* Read a book with a dog on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book with the word WALK in its title or in the author's name (compound words and names like WALKer are ok)
Too Hard to Handle - Julie Ann Walker 2/27
✔FEBRUARY 29 IS LEAP DAY
* Read a book with a "29" in its total number of pages (294 or 629 work; 209 or 923 do not) OR a book with the letters L, E, A and P in its title (do NOT have to be consecutive or in order)
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Spell Challenge READ: 10/10
✔W: Go Big or Go Home - Will Hobbs 2/2
✔A: Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
✔L: Terminal City - Linda Fairstein 2/16
✔K: Haunted - Kay Hooper 2/24
✔T: The Girl in 6E - A.R. Torre 2/7
✔H: Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
✔E: Ecstasy Bound - Ruth Kerce 2/27
✔D: The Dirt on Ninth Grave - Darynda Jones 2/12
✔O: Odd Interlude - Dean Koontz 2/13
✔G: Dragon Justice - Laura Ann Gilman 2/21
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Scavenger - The Red Cross
READ: 4/7
✔1. The international Red Cross/Red Crescent network is the largest humanitarian network in the world. All activities have one central purpose: to help those who suffer, without discrimination, whether during conflict, in response to natural or man-made disasters, or due to conditions of chronic poverty.
*Read a book in which one person provides help to another person (tell us how) OR a book with a largely (more than 50%) red cover (show the cover).
England's Perfect Hero - Suzanne Enoch 3/18✔2. The three parts of the global Red Cross network are the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the more than 185 national societies. They are all independent bodies, each with its own individual status and exercising no authority over the others.
*Read a book that is part of a trilogy OR a book whose title starts with a letter in RED (disregard A, An, The).
Guardian - Jo Anderton (trilogy conclusion) 3/63. In 1859, when Jean-Henri Dunant arrived in Italy to meet with Napoleon, he toured the field of the Battle of Solferino. There, in a single day, 40,000 soldiers on both sides died or were left wounded. Dunant was shocked by the terrible aftermath of the battle, the suffering of the wounded soldiers, and the near-total lack of medical attendance and basic care. He abandoned the original intent of his trip and helped with the treatment and care for the wounded, motivating the local villagers to aid without discrimination. At home, he wrote a book of his experiences and explicitly advocated the formation of national voluntary relief organizations to help nurse wounded soldiers in the case of war. In addition, he called for the development of international treaties to guarantee the protection of neutral medics and field hospitals.
*Read a book which war plays a significant part OR read a book with a character who is an author or politician.
✔4. Clarissa Harlowe Barton is one of the most honored women in American history. She taught school at a time when most teachers were men and was among the first women to gain employment in the federal government. Barton risked her life to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field during the Civil War. At age 60, she founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and led it for the next 23 years. By the force of her personal example, she opened paths to the new field of volunteer service.
*Read a book with a strong female main character OR a book with a main character (male or female) who is at least 60 years old.
My Lady Quicksilver - Bec McMaster 3/175. The American Red Cross has a long-standing relationship with the White House. In 1913, President Woodrow Wilson agreed to serve in the largely ceremonial role of leadership. This began a tradition that continues today whereby the president of the United States serves as honorary chairman of the American Red Cross. However, the Red Cross is not a government agency and does not receive a regular appropriation from Congress.
*Read a book with an intact "19" or "13" found in the number of pages (tell us the # of pages) OR a book in which a character is merely a figurehead while someone else is really in charge.
6. The American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families at home and around the world; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills.
*Read a book with a member of the military (any country, any era) as part of the story (tell us who) OR a book with blood on the cover (show us the cover).
✔7. For more than a century, American Red Cross nurses have brought care and comfort to people in need. Whether directing Disaster Health Services while checking a client's blood pressure during Hurricane Isaac in Picayune, Mississippi in 2012, or teaching a young mother how to safely bathe her baby in Appalachia in 1914, nurses have been leaders in delivering care throughout the American Red Cross.
*Read a book with a character who is a nurse (no other medical personnel) OR a book in which a natural disaster takes place.
Congo - Michael Crichton (volcano erupts) 3/6
March Spell Challenge READ: 8/8
✔C: Burning Skies - Caris Roane 3/5
✔I: If I Should Die - Allison Brennan 3/8
✔V: Viking in Love - Sandra Hill 3/3
✔I: In Other Worlds - Sherrilyn Kenyon 3/20
✔L: The Lady is a Vamp - Lynsay Sands 3/28
✔W: Wings of Fire - Caris Roane 3/12
✔A: Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie 3/6
✔R: Revived - Cat Patrick 3/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Spring 2016 Seasonal Scavenger Challenge - Cherry Blossoms
Duration:Mar 21, 2016 - Jun 20, 2016
READ: 14/18
✔1. Read a book set in Japan or translated from the Japanese or written by a Japanese author -or- read a book with flowers on the cover (must be visible on the thumbnail; post the cover).
Mother's Day Murder - Leslie Meier 4/30✔2. Read a book whose title begins with a letter in "SAKURA" (a, an and the count!) -or- read a book set in one of the top 11 rice producing countries of the world (mention the country).
Sweet Ruin - Kresley Cole 4/30✔3. Read a book with an outdoor party -or- read a book with a night scene on the cover (post the cover).
Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend - Victoria Laurie 5/22✔4. Read a book with a protagonist at least 60 years of age -or- read a book that you think is gentle and relaxing.
In Too Deep - Tracey Alvarez 4/21✔5. Read a series book written by an author who has abandoned or finished a previous series (mention both series) -or-read a book where a main character is not referred to by their name (that is, they are referred to as she, he or the tenant, etc).
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman 4/7✔6. Read a book set in an ancient civilization -or- read book where some sort of spirit, good or evil, makes an appearance.
If Walls Could Talk - Juliet Blackwell (house is haunted) 4/11✔7. Read a book where royalty plays a prominent role -or- read a book with the word "LIFE" in its title or subtitle (plural is fine, no other variations).
The Shadows - J.R. Ward (m.c. fiance is a princess and the royal family is prominent) 4/1✔8. Read a book in which someone is a groupie -or- read a book set within a period of two weeks (discount the prologue and/or epilogue if there is one).
Nemesis - Catherine Coulter (takes place in one week) 5/26✔9. Read a book set in Washington D. C. -or- read a book where two heads of state meet for reasons of diplomacy.
Silenced - Allison Brennan 4/15✔10. Read a book set in a town or city near a river (mention the town and the river, imaginary locations are fine) -or- read a book by an author who has published works over the period of at least 24 years (mention the period active).
Death Row - William Bernhardt (24 yrs-1st-1991,current-2015) 5/29✔11. Read a book written by an author with the same first and last initial -or- read a book with a character who works with plants.
Seven Years - Dannika Dark 4/20✔12. Read a book where someone is seriously ill -or- read a book first published in a January of any year (mention the year).
Likely To Die - Linda Fairstein (January 1997) 3/23✔13. Read a book with a character who you think has an unfortunate name (mention the name, and why you think it is unfortunate) -or- read a book with a train or tracks on the cover (post the cover).
Immortal Ever After- Lynsay Sands (heroes first name is Semen, enough said) 4/2714. Read a book with the word "American" in the title or subtitle (no variations) -or- read a book written by an author named Helen (reasonable variations of spelling are fine).
✔15. Read a book where someone performs a play or a re-enactment -or- read a book where someone stages or joins a protest.
Wicked After Midnight - Delilah Dawson (m.c. does cabaret skits) 4/2916. Read a book set against the backdrop of World War II -or- read a book whose title has been changed since original publication (mention the original title and reason for the change).
17. Read a book with a beverage of some sort on the cover (must be visible on the thumbnail, post the cover) -or- read a book where the first letter of all the words of the title are present in the word "SAKURAMATSURI" (a, an, the count, three words minimum).
18. Read a book written by an author from a Baltic country (Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, or Sweden); mention the country -or- read a book set in a Mediterranean country (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Monaco, Montenegro, Palestine, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Turkey, or Tunisia); mention the country.
Spring SPELL Challenge Duration: March 21, 2016 - June 20, 2016
READ: 34/34
H: Hallowed Circle - Linda Robertson 3/26
A: Silenced - Allison Brennan 4/15
N: Night Marchers - Rebecca Gober 4/25
A: In Too Deep - Tracey Alvarez 4/21
M: Spirited Away - Cindy Miles 4/24
I: Invisible Sun - David Macinnis Gill 3/28
O: The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman 4/7
K: Cloak and Silence - Sherrilyn Kenyon 6/1
I: If Walls Could Talk - Juliet Blackwell 4/11
N: Nemesis - Catherine Coulter 5/26
A: Pies and Prejudice - Ellery Adams 5/20
W: Wicked After Midnight - Delilah Dawson 4/29
A: Feel the Burn - G.A. Aiken 4/13
S: Seven Years - Dannika Dark 4/20
H: The Library at Mount Char - Scott Hawkins 5/24
I: Invision - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/30
N: League of Dragons - Naomi Novik 6/20
T: The Future Falls - Tanya Huff 5/19
O: One Lucky Vampire - Lynsay Sands 5/31
D: Double Fantasy - Cheryl Holt 5/22
A: Nightwalker - Allyson James 6/26
V: Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend - Victoria Laurie 5/22
I: Immortal - J.R. Ward 6/2
D: Dragon Storm - Katie MacAlister 5/17
F: Forged - Jacquelyn Frank 3/25
A: Stalked - Allison Brennan 6/30
I: Immortal Ever After - Lynsay Sands 4/27
R: Born of Ashes - Caris Roane 5/11
C: The First Sin - Cheyenne McCray 5/12
H: How to Pursue a Princess - Karen Hawkins 5/16
I: The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks 6/6
E: Wicked Charms - Janet Evanovich 3/26
L: Play Dirty - Lorie O'Clare 6/12
D: Devoted in Death - J.D. Robb 6/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Scavenger - April Fool
READ: 7/7
✔10. Read a book with a clock or other timepiece on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR book #4 in a series
Silenced - Allison Brennan 4/15
✔9. Read a book with a fairy in the story OR a book with MAGIC or MAGICAL REALISM on its main GR page
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman 4/7
✔8. Read a book with ICE in the title (NO compound words) or on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book with a 7 or 8 in its year of original publication (tell us the year)
Spirited Away - Cindy Miles (2007) 4/24
✔7. Read a book set in London OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in WHITELION
The Wild Ways - Tanya Huff 4/7
✔4. Read a book set on an island OR a book whose title is a pun
In Too Deep - Tracey Alvarez (set on an island in New Zealand) 4/21
✔3. Read a book with a series of at least three nearly identical objects lined up in a row on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book set in space
Born of Shadows - Sherrilyn Kenyon 4/13
✔1. Read a book whose cover is only black, white and gray (title and/or author’s name can be in a different color; post the cover) OR a book with over 6,200 ratings on GR (tell us how many)
Seven Years - Dannika Dark 4/20 (9479 ratings) 4/20
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Spell Challenge READ: 8/8
✔P: Fire Touched - Patricia Briggs 4/18
✔A: Feel the Burn - G.A. Aiken 4/13
✔N: Night Marchers - Rebecca Gober 4/25
✔O: The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman 4/7
✔R: Fatal Circle - Linda Robertson 4/11
✔A: Silenced - Allison Brennan 4/15
✔M: Mother's Day Murder - Leslie Meier 4/30
✔A: In Too Deep - Tracey Alvarez 4/21
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Scavenger - Tulipomania
READ: 3/5
1. Though often associated with Holland, tulips originated in Central Asia. In 1544, the Ottoman Empire sent a gift of tulip bulbs and seeds to Vienna, who then distributed bulbs to the United Provinces (The Netherlands today). A Flemish botanist cultivated tulips and found they were able to tolerate the harsher climate of the “Low Countries.”
Read a book that takes place in any Asian country OR read a book with a main character who works with flowers or plants OR read a book whose title contains “LOW” – the word does not have to stand alone, but letters should be kept together as a unit.
TBD
2. The tulip was different from every other flower known to Europe at that time, with a saturated intense petal color that no other plant had. The tulip became a status symbol and coincided with the rise of newly independent Holland's trade fortunes.
Read a book featuring a main character who stands out in some way (tell us how) OR read a book with a brightly colored cover (post the cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initial may be found in “STATUS SYMBOL.”
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder - Joanne Fluke ✔3. By 1636 the tulip bulb became the fourth leading export product of the Netherlands, after gin, herrings and cheese. The price of tulips skyrocketed because of speculation in tulip futures among people who never saw the bulbs. That year the Dutch created a type of formal futures market where contracts to buy bulbs at the end of the season were bought and sold.
Read a book dealing with economics or finance OR read a book whose total page count includes a “3” or a “6” OR read a book whose cover shows any type of alcohol, fish, or cheese (post the cover).
Born of Ashes - Caris Roane (436 pages) 5/11✔4. Tulipomania reached its peak during the winter of 1636–37, when some bulbs were reportedly changing hands ten times in a day. Some single tulip bulbs sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman. Many men made and lost fortunes overnight.
Read book #10 from your TBR OR read a book that takes place during the winter months OR read a book in which a character gains or loses a significant amount of money.
White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4✔5. In February 1637, tulip bulb contract prices collapsed abruptly and the trade of tulips ground to a halt. The collapse began in Haarlem, then at the height of an outbreak of bubonic plague. Buyers refused to show up at a routine bulb auction.
Read a book in which disease plays a role (tell us how) OR read a book in which an auction occurs OR read a book whose title starts with a letter in “HAARLEM” – ignore a/an/the.
The Library at Mount Char - Scott Hawkins 5/246. Tulipomania is generally considered the first recorded speculative bubble. The term "tulip mania" is now often used metaphorically to refer to any large economic bubble when asset prices deviate from intrinsic values.
Read a book with bubbles on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book where a main character makes a living by speculating (tell us how – i.e. stock trader, fortune teller, etc.) OR read a book in which the first letter of each title word may be found in TULIPOMANIA – a/an/the DO count; 3 word minimum.
7. To this day, tulips are associated with the Netherlands, and the cultivated forms of the tulip are often called "Dutch tulips." The Netherlands have the world's largest permanent display of tulips at the Keukenhof.
Read a book that takes place in Holland/The Netherlands OR read a book with flowers on its cover (post the cover) OR read a book in which some kind of festival takes place (tell us what).
TBD
May Spell Challenge READ: 7/8
✔B: Born of Silence - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/16
✔O: One Lucky Vampire - Lynsay Sands 5/31
✔T: The Future Falls - Tanya Huff 5/19
✔A: Pies and Prejudice - Ellery Adams 5/20
✔N: Nemesis - Catherine Coulter 5/26
✔I: Invision - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/30
✔S: Shadow Rites - Faith Hunter 5/10
T:
June 2016 Scavenger Challenge - America's Cup
READ: 6/5
1. The America's Cup (affectionately known as the "Auld Mug") is a trophy awarded to the winner of match races between two sailing yachts. One yacht represents the yacht club currently holding the America's Cup while the second yacht represents the club challenging for the cup. The America's Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy.
* Read a book where the first AND last initial in the author's name can be found in "AULDMUG" - or - read a book with a sailboat (no other types of boats) on the cover (show us the cover).
✔2. The trophy was originally awarded in 1851 by the Royal Yacht Squadron for a race around the Isle of Wight in England, won by the schooner America. The trophy was renamed the America's Cup after that yacht, and the surviving members of the America syndicate donated the Cup, specifying that it be held in trust as a perpetual challenge trophy to promote friendly competition among nations.
* Read a book set at least partially on an island - or - a book with 1, 8 or 5 in the original year of publication (tell us the year).
7 Brides for 7 Bodies - Stephanie Bond 6/25✔3. The history and prestige associated with the America's Cup attracts not only the world's top sailors and yacht designers but also the involvement of wealthy entrepreneurs and sponsors. It is a test not only of sailing skill and boat and sail design, but also of fund-raising and management skills.
* Read a book with some sort of contest involved (such as a sporting event or a battle over a job, etc.) - or - read a book where a character must be able to multi-task (tell us how).
Gates of Rapture - Caris Roane (the warrior games, like Olympics) 6/10✔4. The trophy was held by the NYYC from 1857 (when the trophy was donated to the club) until 1983 when the Cup was won by the Royal Perth Yacht Club, represented by the yacht Australia II, ending the longest winning streak in the history of sport.
* Read a book set in Australia or with an Australian character - or - read a book where the first letter of the first word of the title can be found in "PERTH" (disregard A, An, The).
The Prince Who Loved Me - Karin Hawkins 6/25✔5. From 1870-1967, there was always only one challenger. In 1970, for the first time, there were multiple challengers. The NYYC agreed that the challengers could run a selection series with the winner becoming the official challenger and competing against the defender in the America's Cup match. Since 1983, Louis Vuitton has sponsored the Louis Vuitton Cup as a prize for the winner of the challenger selection series.
* Read book #1 of a series- or - read a book originally published in 1983 or earlier (tell us the year).
King - T.M. Frazier 6/21✔6. The Cup is an ornate sterling silver bottomless ewer, one of several off-the-shelf trophies crafted in 1848 by Garrard & Co. Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey donated it for the Royal Yacht Squadron's 1851 Annual Regatta around the Isle of Wight.
* Read a book with something sparkly or shiny on the cover (show us the cover) - or - read a book with a main character's FIRST name that begins with a letter in ANGLESEY (tell us the character's name).
Dragon Soul - Katie MacAlister (Sophea) 6/7✔7. Mark Twain wrote the following words on 9/26/1907 in the third volume of his autobiography: “The race for the America’s Cup is in some small sense an international matter, but in an exceedingly small sense. It interests the 100th fraction of 1 per cent of the population of England and America — these being rich, sporting men — and stops there; it inflammatorily interests nobody else, and is of not the least value in any substantial way to our nation ... it is nothing but a “freak” race, and a quite trifling matter.”
* Read a book with a very wealthy character - or - read a book with a character who is an author - or - read a book by Mark Twain.
Devoted in Death - J.D. Robb (hero is a bazillionaire) 6/13
June Spell - America's Cup READ: 7/7
✔R: Gates of Rapture - Caris Roane 6/10
✔A: Nightwalker - Allyson James 6/26
✔I: Immortal - J.R. Ward 6/2
✔N: League of Dragons - Naomi Novik 6/20
✔B: Small Favor - Jim Butcher 6/14
✔O: Obsidian Flame - Caris Roane 6/9
✔W: The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks 6/6
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Summer 2016 Seasonal Scavenger Challenge - Wimbledon
Duration:June 20 - September 19, 2016
READ: 19/20
✔1. Read a book with some sort of party in the story - or - read book #4 of a series.
Ghouls Gone Wild - Victoria Laurie 7/7
✔2. Read a book set in the 1800's - or - read a book set in England.
What Happens in London - Julia Quinn 7/3
✔3. Read a book with a title containing 8 or more words (including the subtitle, if necessary) - or - read a book by an author who writes under more than one name
Dreamwalker - Allyson James (Jennifer Ashley) 7/9
✔4. Read a book set in the summer (June, July, August) - or - read a book that was inexpensive (library book, ARC, etc.).
The Beast - J.R. Ward (library) 7/17
✔5. Read a book with at least two people on the cover, must be at least one man and one woman (show us the cover) - or - read a book with a day of the week in the title.
Time Salvager - Wesley Chu 7/15
✔6. Read a book with a predominantly white cover (75% should be white, post the cover) - or - read a book with a character who is involved in the fashion world in some way (designer, tailor, etc., tell us how).
Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong 7/8
✔7. Read a book from a long-standing series (more than 15 books, tell us the series) - or - read a book with a clean cover (no extra words, just the title and author's name, minimal artwork, show us the cover).
The Immortal Who Loved Me - Lynsay Sands (#21) 7/11
✔8. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in CENTRE (disregard A, An, The) - or - read a book originally published before 1980.
The Norse King's Daughter - Sandra Hill 7/11
✔9. Read a book written by a female author - or - read a book with a flower/flowers on the cover (show us the cover).
Death Angel - Linda Fairstein 7/26
✔10. Read a book with double letters in the title - or - read a book with "84" or "13" or "22" found intact in the number of pages (tell us how many pages).
The Pirate Bride - Sandra Hill (384 pages) 7/23
✔11. Read a book that has been made into a television series - or - read a book whose author's FIRST or LAST initial can be found in OPENERA.
Known - Kendra Elliot 8/6
✔12. Read a book with a cover that shows some sort of precipitation (show us the cover) - or - read a book with a celebration of some kind as part of the plot (tell us the celebration).
Cold Snap - Allison Brennan (snow) 7/30
✔13. Read a book that is #5 on your TBR (by date added, oldest to newest, NOTE: If this book is not available, choose the next book on your TBR that is a multiple of 5--#10, 15, 20, 25, etc.) - or - read a book with a character who is disabled in some way.
The Second Betrayal - Cheyenne McCray 7/21
✔14. Read a book with 3, 5, or 6 in the original publication YEAR (tell us the year) - or - read a book in which some sort sport is played.
All Wound Up - Jaci Burton 7/1015. Read a book with grass on the cover (show us the cover) - or - read a book originally published in 2001.
✔16. Read a book marked "Young Adult" on the GR main genre page - or - read a book with the letters "BBG" found within the title, in order.
Poison Princess - Kresley Cole 7/31
✔17. Read a book in which a character is a student - or - read a book with some sort of test included in the plot.
Ink and Bone - Rachel Caine (have to pass an entrance exam) 7/25
✔18. Read a book in which a university student has a job - or - read a book with a character who works the grounds in some way (gardener, caretaker, etc., tell us how).
Thirty and a Half Excuses - Denise Grover Swank (m.c. owns garden/landscape center) 8/6
✔19. Read a book with an honorific in the title (Mr., Mrs., Miss, Sir, Dr., etc.) - or - read a book with an author who uses only initials in place of his/her first name.
Seduction's Shift - A.C. Arthur 7/28
✔20. Read a book with a royal character - or - read a book read a book set in a time period or country in which the characters bow or curtsey.
Born of Fury - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/15
Summer SPELL Challenge Duration: June 20 - September 19, 2016
READ: 18/18
1978 - Martina Navratilova
M: Menagerie - Rachel Vincent 7/6
A: Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong 7/8
R: White Trash Zombie Gone Wild - Diana Rowland 7/7
T: Tempt Me If You Can - Janet Chapman 7/4
I: The Immortal Who Loved Me - Lynsay Sands 7/11
N: The Norse King's Daughter - Sandra Hill 7/11
A: All Wound Up - Jaci Burton 7/10
N: No Limits - Alison Kent 7/16
A: Seduction's Shift - A.C. Arthur 7/28
V: Ghouls Gone Wild - Victoria Laurie 7/7
R: Paper and Fire - Rachel Caine 8/14
A: About a Vampire - Lynsay Sands 8/11
T: Tyrant - T.M. Frazier 7/5
I: Ink and Bone - Rachel Caine 7/25
L: Lawless - T.M. Frazier 8/12
O: Stiletto - Daniel O'Malley 7/14
V: Vision in Silver - Anne Bishop 7/19
A: Stolen - Allison Brennan 7/20
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July 2016 Scavenger Challenge - Tour de France
READ: 7/7
✔1. Géo Lefèvre, a journalist with L’Auto magazine, had an inspired plan, envisaging a near-2,500-km-long (1,553m) cycle race across the country (of France). Most thought the idea preposterous; however, his editor, Henri Desgrange, was bold enough to believe in the idea and to throw his backing behind the Tour de France.
ʘRead a book in which a character proposes something that is ridiculed by most OR read a book featuring a journalist OR read a book with an intact “25” in its page count.
White Trash Zombie Gone Wild - Diana Rowland (325 pages) 7/7
✔2. And so it was that, on July 1, 1903, sixty entrants set out on their bicycles from Montgeron, France. After six mammoth stages, only 21 cyclists, led by Maurice Garin, arrived at the end of this first epic race. Not many years passed before the Tour de France won over the sporting public and the roadside crowds swelled. The French people loved their towns, their countryside and, since 1910, even their mountains, in the spotlight.
ʘRead book #60 or book #21 on your TBR OR read the sixth book of a series OR read a book that takes place anywhere in France.
Unbound - Angela Knight 7/9
✔3. With the exception of the two world wars, the race has taken place every year since 1903. The race runs during the month of July, mostly throughout France although small forays into neighboring countries may occur. The course is changed each year yet always passes through the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and the Alps. After a grueling 21-days, the race finishes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
ʘRead a book in which a main character is an athlete (bonus points for a cyclist!) OR read a book that takes place in the mountains (any range is fine) OR read a book whose author’s first and last initials may be found in CHAMPS-ELYSEES.
Tempt Me If You Can - Janet Chapman (mountains in Maine) 7/4
✔4. This year the 103rd Tour de France will take place Saturday, July 2- Sunday, July 24, 2016. The race will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,519 kilometers (2,187 miles). The stages will include the following: 2 individual time trials, 9 flat stages, 1 hilly stage, 9 mountain stages including 4 summit finishes, and 2 rest days.
ʘRead a book that matches the pace of one of this years stages:
---a book that leaves you feeling flat (sad or disappointed),
Heart of Stone - Christine Warren 7/5
✔5. The rider with the lowest aggregate time of the day’s stages is the leader of the race the next day and gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey. This year’s Yellow Jersey will be decorated with blue-white-red piping along the back seams.
ʘRead a book with a bright yellow cover (at least 75% should be yellow) OR read a book with a character you believe is a good leader OR read a book in which some kind of competition occurs (tell us what).
Allegiance of Honor - Nalini Singh (multi POV and has 4 excellent leaders) 7/3
✔6. This year’s Tour de France will provide a start that honors the soldiers of WWII. From the team presentation at Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the stage finish at Utah Beach and the start of stage two at Saint-Lô, the martyr city devastated by bombings, the landmarks of World War II will be highlighted.
ʘRead a book that takes place during WWII OR read a book in which a character has served or is currently serving in the military OR a book in which a main character is honored in some way for their courage (tell us how).
Born of Defiance - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/28
(hero is a fighter pilot of the nation's military)
✔7. The race kick-off mentioned above is in the Manche Department (area) with the official start at the foot of Saint-Michel. The salt meadow sheep of the Baie du Mont Saint-Michel, one of the Manche's emblems, are all ready for the Tour. To mark the symbolic barrier of 100 days before the Grand Depart, 100 ovine were painted (thanks to a certified biodegradable paint) in the colors of the Tour leader jerseys.
ʘRead a book that takes place in a rural area OR read a book with its total page count that is divisible by 100 OR read a book with a castle or with sheep on its cover.
Edge of Darkness - Christine Feehan (400 pages) 7/24
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Spell - Tour de France 1967 (54) Roger Pigeon | France (my birth year)
READ: 6/6
✔F: Tyrant - T.M. Frazier 7/5
✔R: Menagerie - Rachel Vincent 7/6
✔A: Allegiance of Honor - Nalini Singh 7/3
✔N: Coraline - Neil Gaiman 7/6
✔C: Cocaine Blues - Kerry Greenwood 7/10
✔E: Edge of Darkness - Christine Feehan 7/24
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
August 2016 Scavenger Challenge - Rio de Janeiro
READ: 6/7
✔1. Rio de Janeiro, (River of January), is the second most populous municipality in Brazil and the sixth most populous in the Americas. Rio de Janeiro is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's third most populous state. The greater metro area of Rio is inhabited by over 12 million people.
¿? Read a book that is 2nd, 6th, or 12th in a series OR read a book that takes place anywhere in South America (tell us where) OR read a book that takes place in a large, international city outside your home country (tell us where you live and where the book takes place).
Changes - Jim Butcher 8/24
✔2. Founded in 1565 by the Portuguese, the city later (1763) became the capital of the State of Brazil. In 1808, when the Portuguese Royal Court transferred itself from Portugal to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro became the chosen seat of the court of Queen Maria I of Portugal.
¿? Read a book that takes place anywhere between 1500-1810 OR read a book that focuses on royalty OR read a book where a character permanently moves from one country to another (tell us the originating and the new destination).
Dark Passage - M.J. Putney (1803) 8/15
✔3. Rio stayed the capital of the Lusitanian monarchy until 1822, when the War of Brazilian Independence began. This is one of the few instances in history that the capital of a colonizing country officially shifted to a city in one of its colonies. Rio de Janeiro subsequently served as the capital of the independent monarchy, the Empire of Brazil, until 1889, and then the capital of a republican Brazil until 1960 when the capital was transferred to Brasília.
¿? Read a book in which a war of independence is being fought OR read a book in which a main character's first name initial may be found in "REPUBLICAN" (tell us the MC's first name) OR read a book that takes place in Brazil.
Draykon - Charlotte English (heroine is named Llandry) 8/22
4. Rio is headquarters to Brazilian oil, mining, and telecommunications companies, including two of the country's major corporations—Petrobras and Vale—and Latin America's largest telemedia conglomerate, Grupo Globo. The home of many universities and institutes, it is the second-largest center of research and development in Brazil.
¿? Read a book in which a character works for a large corporation OR read a book which has a communication item on its cover (i.e. phone, tv, pen; post the cover) OR read a book by an author whose initials are GG.
✔5. Rio de Janeiro is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere and is known for its natural settings, Carnival (complete with a permanent grandstand-lined parade avenue which is used during Carnival), samba, bossa nova, and beaches such as Barra da Tijuca, Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon.
¿? Read a book that takes place in a popular tourist destination (tell us where) OR read a book in which Carnival, or Mardi Gras, takes place OR read a book where the first letter of each title word may be found in one of the beach names listed above (tell us which beach you chose; 3 word minimum for most, 2 word minimum for Leblon).
Circle of Death - Keri Arthur (Melbourne, Australia) 8/18
✔6. In addition to the beaches, some of the most famous landmarks include the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf Mountain with its cable car; the Sambódromo, and Maracanã Stadium, one of the world's largest football stadiums.
¿? Read a book that takes place in the mountains (tell us the location and the mountain range) OR read a book with any famous landmark on its cover (post the cover) OR read a book that has one or more scenes that take place inside a stadium (a child’s soccer game on a field does not count; must be a bona fide stadium).
Zero Hour - Clive Cussler (Australia) 8/6
✔7. As you already know, Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Summer Olympics —the first time a South American and Portuguese-speaking country will host this event, and the third time the Olympics will be held in a Southern Hemisphere city. The other two Southern Hemisphere Olympics were both in Australia in 1956 and 2000.
¿? Read a book that takes place anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere (tell us where**) OR read a book that takes place in any host city of any prior Olympics – Summer or Winter (tell us the location and the year the Olympics were held there) OR read a book whose cover is predominantly one of the same colors as the 5 Olympic rings (black, blue, red, yellow, green; post the cover).
The Sea of Trolls - Nancy Farmer 8/3
August Spell - Rio de Janeiro READ: 12/12
✔S: Stone Cold Lover - Christine Warren 8/16
✔O: Of Silk and Steam - Bec McMaster 8/20
✔U: The Ultimate Treasure - Heather Graham 8/13
✔T: Thirty and a Half Excuses - Denise Grover Swank 8/6
✔H: Hot Pursuit - Suzanne Brockmann 8/25
✔A: Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong 8/2
✔M: Marked in Flesh - Anne Bishop 8/7
✔E: Known - Kendra Elliot 8/6
✔R: Paper and Fire - Rachel Caine 8/14
✔I: It's a Wonderful Wife - Janet Chapman 8/13
✔C: Zero Hour - Clive Cussler 8/6
✔A: About a Vampire - Lynsay Sands 8/11
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September 2016 Scavenger Challenge - Avast, me hearties!
READ: 7/7
✔1. Sir Francis Drake (English, 1540-1595)
♦ Read a book with the word "MY" in the title - OR - a book with royalty somewhere in the story - OR - a book with any kind of ship on the cover (a ship, not a sailboat or rowboat, but a ship--show us the cover).
The Undead in My Bed - Katie MacAlister 9/18
✔2. Sir Henry Morgan (Welsh, 1635-1688)
♦ Read a book set somewhere in the Caribbean - OR - read a book in which a character works for the government - OR - read a book with the number "30" intact in the number of pages (tell us how many pages).
Alien Tango - Gini Koch (H/h work for the alien division of CIA) 9/4
✔3. William Kidd (Scottish, 1645 - 1701)
♦ Read a book with a character who starts out as a "good guy" but who falls into a life of crime or at least commits an illegal act of some kind - OR - read a book where something valuable is hidden - OR - read a book where someone is executed.
Siren's Call - Devyn Quinn 9/22
(valuable Mer(maid) antiquities are hidden from those who would use them for harm)
✔4. Edward Teach "Blackbeard" (English, 1680- 1718)
♦ Read a book with long hair or a beard on the cover (show us the cover) - or - read a book whose title contains at least 2 B's - OR - read a book where the author's first OR last name starts with B.
Soulless - T.M. Frazier 9/4
✔5. Bartholomew Roberts "Black Bart" (Welsh, 1682 - 1722)
♦ Read a book that has more than 400 pages (tell us how many pages) - OR - read a book with a color word in the title - OR - read a book where a character has a nickname (tell us the name).
The Isle of Blood - Rick Yancey (538 pages) 9/13
✔6. Anne Bonny (Irish, 1700-1782)
♦ Read a book with a female character who holds a job normally held by a male - OR read a book with a pregnancy in the story somewhere - OR - read a book whose title starts with a letter in RACKHAM (exclude A, A, The).
Born of Legend - Sherrilyn Kenyon (heroine is pregnant)
✔7. Cheung Po Tsai (Chinese, early 1800s - mid 1800s)
♦ Read a book with a Chinese character - OR - read a book where a main character is in the military (any country, but he or she must be active) - OR - read a book with a 5 in the original year of publication (tell us the year).
Shadow Play - Iris Johansen (pub 2015) 9/11
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Spell - Avast, Me Hearties READ: 11/11
Bartholomew Roberts
✔B: Bound by Light - Anne Windsor 9/7
✔A: Alien Tango - Gini Koch 9/4
✔R: The Curse of the Wendigo - Rick Yancey 9/5
✔T: Thirty-One and a Half Regrets - Denise Grover Swank 9/23
✔H: Hard as a Rock - Christine Warren 9/21
✔O: If the Slipper Fits - Olivia Drake 9/5
✔L: Silent Mercy - Linda Fairstein 9/24
✔O: The Wicked Game - Olivia Fuller 9/4
✔M: Matthew - Emma Lang 9/15
✔E: Edge of Sight - Roxanne St. Claire 9/9
✔W: Waking the Witch - Kelley Armstrong 9/26
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Fall 2016 Seasonal Scavenger Challenge - Make Your Own Apple Cider
Duration:September 21 - December 20, 2016
READ: 15/15
✔1. Read a book with a fruit or vegetable in the title or on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book that boosts your mood in some way.
Anyone But You - Jennifer Crusie (totally hysterical) 10/29
✔2. Read a book that seems to fit a standard formula (tell us how) OR a book with a X somewhere in the title or author's name (if you use the author option, tell us his/her name).
Mister X - John Lutz 10/3
✔3. Read a book that someone else discarded OR a book that you previously abandoned.
A Dance With Dragons - George R.R. Martin (started in Feb and abandoned) 10/10
✔4. Read a book that you got for free OR a book with an unattractive cover (tell us why you think it's unattractive; post the cover).
Stolen: A Letter to My Captor - Lucy Christopher (ugly cover that has nothing to do with story) 10/23
✔5. Read a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in one of the apple varieties named (Red and Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Northern Spy, and Rome Beauty) OR a boooriginally published in October of any year (tell us the year).
Burn for Me - Ilona Andrews (pub Oct 2016) 10/30
✔6. Read a book with some sort of wild animal on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book by an author who has published at least 10 books (tell us how many books).
14th Deadly Sin - James Patterson ( 485 distinct works) 10/7
✔7. Read a book with an intact "23" in its total number of pages (tell us how many pages) OR a book with a container of some sort on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover).
Town in a Lobster Stew - B.B. Haywood (lobster pot) 11/6
✔8. Read a book with a cluttered cover (post the cover) OR a book that takes place before the advent of telephones, cars, etc. (tell us when).
The Hunter - Theresa Meyers (takes place 1883) 10/31
✔9. Read a book with at least two different genres on its main GR page (for example, mystery and historical; tell us the genres) OR a book written by two or more authors.
Sweet Revenge - Rebecca Zanetti (romance, war/military, paranormal) 11/20
✔10. Read a book in which a business closes (permanently, not a temporary shutdown) OR a book set in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan or Washington (state); tell us the state.
Hangman - Michael Slade (Washington) 12/9
✔11. Read a book set in a location that is cold more often than not (tell us the location) OR a short book (150-200 pages, tell us how many).
North Pole Reform School - Jaimie Admans (set at the north pole) 11/23
✔12. Read a book with a character who works in/owns a bar OR a book with a sweet character who turns hard/bitter by the end of the book.
Fighting to Forget - J.D. Salisbury (heroine is a waitress in a bar) 10/12
✔13. Read a book from a series that has not yet ended OR a book with a beverage of some sort on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover).
What a Ghoul Wants - Victoria Laurie 10/8
✔14. Read a book that was originally published at least a decade ago (tell us when it was published) OR a enough half-step books to equal 150+ pages.
Total Control - David Baldacci (pub 1996) 10/29
✔15. Read a book with a glass object of some sort (not a window, but something like a jar, vase, wine glass) on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book with a night scene on the cover (post the cover).
Rainshadow Road - Lisa Kleypas (glass jar) 11/20
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Fall 2016 Seasonal Spell Challenge - Apple Cider Duration:September 21 - December 20, 2016
READ: 22/22
Natural sweetener
N: No Ghouls Allowed - Victoria Laurie 11/13
A: The Aeronaut's Windlass - Jim Butcher 10/1
T: Thirty-Two and a Half Complications - Denise Grover Swank 10/16
U: Die for You - Lisa Unger 11/29
R: Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
A: Captive Soul - Anne Windsor 11/25
L: Bear Meets Girl - Shelly Laurenston 10/5
S: Shadow on the Sun - David Macinnis Gill 10/20
W: Captive Spirit - Anne Windsor 10/7
E: The Devil Wears Kilts - Suzanne Enoch 10/17
E: Edge of Midnight - Charlene Weir 10/19
T: Tall, Dark & Dead - Tate Hallaway 10/18
E: Spider's Bite - Jennifer Estep 10/25
N: Crash - Nicole Williams 11/11
E: Mine - Katy Evans 11/30
R: Rocked by Love - Christine Warren 10/16
Gallon
G: Ghost Story - Jim Butcher 10/15
A: The Art of Duke Hunting - Sophia Nash 10/13
L: Love in the Light - Laura Kaye 10/16
L: The Lazarus Gate - Mark A. Latham 11/9
O: One Snowy Knight - Deborah MacGillivray 11/25
N: Not Quite a Wife - Mary Jo Putney 10/28
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October 2016 Scavenger Challenge - Diwali
READ: 7/7
✔1. Read a book with an artificial light source on the cover (must be visible on the GR thumbnail, post the cover) -or- read a book first published in October or November (mention the date first published) -or- read a book whose title begins with a letter in "KARTIKA".
The Devil Wears Kilts - Suzanne Enoch (Nov 26, 2013) 10/17
✔2. Read a book with a main character who is rich -or- read a book with a dessert on the cover (must be visible on the GR thumbnail, post the cover) -or- read a book which you got free (a gift, ARC, from the library all count).
The Twelfth Card - Jeffery Deaver (library book) 10/24
✔3. Read a book in which a character is sent away from their house for whatever reason -or- read a book in which a royal character plays an important part -or- read book #13 or #14 in a series.
Ghost Story - Jim Butcher 10/15
✔4. Read a book with a gold or silver colored item on the cover (author name, award seals all count, post the cover) -or- read a book by an author who has died -or- read a book in which a character mistreats women in any way.
A Dance With Dragons - George R.R. Martin (gold shield) 10/10
✔5. Read a book with a window or door on the cover (must be visible on the GR thumbnail, post the cover) -or- read a book with a character who is good, but also arrogant -or- read a book with siblings as main characters.
Thirty-Two and a Half Complications - Denise Grover Swank 10/16
✔6. Read a book that is a spinoff or retelling of another story (mention the original story or book) -or- read a book in which animals play an important role in the plot -or- read a book where a new year is rung in.
The Sleeping Beauty - Mercedes Lackey 10/11
✔7. Read a book in which religion or philosophy is important -or- read a book whose main character's first initial starts with a letter in UPANISHAD -or- read a book with verse in it (it could be a novel in verse, or could just include some lines of poetry within the prose).
Fighting to Forget - J.D. Salisbury (song lyrics at start of each chapter) 10/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Spell - Diwali READ: 9/9
✔D: The Twelfth Card - Jeffery Deaver 10/24
✔E: The Devil Wears Kilts - Suzanne Enoch 10/17
✔E: Edge of Midnight - Charlene Weir 10/19
✔P: Prince of Magic - Linda Winstead-Jones 10/24
✔A: The Aeronaut's Windlass - Jim Butcher 10/1
✔V: What a Ghoul Wants - Victoria Laurie 10/8
✔A: Anyone But You - Jennifer Crusie 10/29
✔L: Bear Meets Girl - Shelly Laurenston 10/5
✔I: Quicksand - Iris Johansen 10/26
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November 2016 Scavenger Challenge - All Aboard
READ: 7/7
✔1. In the US and Canada, it is called model railroading; in the UK, Australia and Ireland, it is known as railway modelling. Electric trains appeared around the start of the 20th century, but they were crude likenesses. Model trains today are more realistic.
⋙ Read a book set between 1880 and 1920 (inclusive; tell us when) OR a book with a verb ending in -ing in its title.
The Lazarus Gate - Mark A. Latham (set in 1890) 11/9
✔2. Before the 1930s, there were no common standards pertaining to model railroad equipment. One manufacturer's equipment would not necessarily work with another manufacturer's or even run on someone else's track. The NMRA (National Model Railroad Association) came into being in 1935 with a gathering of model railroaders, manufacturer's, and publishers, in response to the need to bring some sort of order to the hobby. The NMRA Standards were developed as a way to help insure that equipment could be interchanged between one model railroad and another.
⋙ Read a book with an unexpected twist in the plot OR a book whose title includes the letters N, M, R and A (not necessarily in order).
The Keeper of Lost Causes - Jussi Adler-Olsen 11/19
✔3. Model railroaders' involvement ranges from owning a train set that you set up under the Christmas tree every year to spending hours and large sums of money on a large and precise model of a railroad and the scenery through which it passes, called a "layout". Layouts vary from a circle or oval of track to realistic reproductions of real places modeled to scale.
⋙ Read a book with a circle or oval on the cover; award circles do NOT count (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book from a genre that you only read occasionally.
Thirteen - Kelley Armstrong 11/10
✔4. The words scale and gauge seem interchangeable but in this hobby, their meanings are different. Scale is the model's measurement as a proportion to the original, while gauge is the measurement between the rails. The size of the engine and other cars depends on the scale. The most popular scales are G scale (1:24), O scale (1:48), S scale (1:64), HO scale (roughly 1:87) and N (1:160) scale.
⋙ Read a book whose title begins with G, O, S, HO or N (disregard A, An and The) OR a book whose title contains two words that are similar but mean different things.
Not Always a Saint - Mary Jo Putney 11/24
✔5. Scale models include locomotives, rolling stock, tracks, signaling and landscapes, which includes countryside, roads, buildings, vehicles, model figures, lights and features such as rivers, hills and canyons. Landscapes can create a fantasy world or model an actual location, often historic.
⋙ Read a book with a river or canyon on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a fiction book that is based on real-life events or a non-fiction book.
Rainshadow Road - Lisa Kleypas 11/20
Common "rolling stock" includes the following types of cars:
* Locomotive
* Coach
* Container car
* Dining car
* Express car (a baggage or box car assigned to an express company service)
* Flat car
* Freight car
* Gondola
* Tank car
* Caboose
✔⋙ 6. Choose one of the above and read a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in the name of the car. PICK ONE!!
Beauty and the Werewolf - Mercedes Lackey (LocoMotive) 11/18
✔⋙ 7. Choose a different name from the list above and read a book where the first letter of EVERY word in the title (ALL WORDS COUNT!) can be found in that name (2-word minimum).
No Ghouls Allowed - Victoria Laurie (GoNdolA) 11/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Spell - Model Railroading READ: 9/9
✔C: Cold Days - Jim Butcher 11/22
✔O: One Snowy Knight - Deborah MacGillivray 11/25
✔N: North Pole Reform School - Jaimie Admans 11/23
✔T: Town in a Lobster Stew - B.B. Haywood 11/6
✔A: Captive Soul - Anne Windsor 11/25
✔I: Insidious - Catherine Coulter 11/7
✔N: Crash - Nicole Williams 11/11
✔E: Rogue with a Brogue - Suzanne Enoch 11/17
✔R: Rogues - George R.R. Martin et al 11/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December 2016 Scavenger Challenge - Top 10 Resolutions
READ: 8/8
✔Stay fit and healthy - 37%
* Read a book with a character who works out or stays fit in some other way - OR - a book with "37" intact in the number of pages (tell us how many).
Bite Me - Shelly Laurenston (375 pages) 12/24
✔Lose weight - 32%
* Read a book that is slim, meaning between 150 and 200 pages (tell how many) - OR - a book with the first word of the title starting in the word WEIGHT
The Girl from Everywhere - Heidi Heilig 12/25
✔Enjoy life to the fullest - 28%
* Read a book that is popular, meaning it has more than 10,000 ratings on GoodReads - OR - read a book with a "2" or "8" in the number of pages
Magic Binds - Ilona Andrews (328 pages) 12/28
✔Spend less, save more - 25%
* Read a book that was free (library book, Kindle freebie, ARC) - OR - a book with some sort of money on the cover
Tutu Deadly - Natalie Roberts 12/12
✔Get organized - 18%
* Read a book that has a clean, uncluttered cover (show us the cover) - OR - with 1 or 8 in the original publication year
Cold Cold Heart - Tami Hoag 12/3
✔Will not make any resolutions - 16%
* Read a book with a negative word in the title (no, not, don't, won't, etc.) - OR - a book that is #16 or higher in a series
Night and Day - Iris Johansen (Eve Duncan #21) 12/4
✔Learn something new/new hobby - 14%
* Read a book from a new-to-you author - OR - read a book where a character does some type of craft or hobby.
The Current Between Us - Kindle Alexander 12/26
✔Read more - 12%
* Read a book that is more than 400 pages (tell us how many pages) - OR - read a book originally published in 2012.
Priceless - Shannon Mayer (pub Nov 2012) 12/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Spell - Resolutions READ: 9/9
✔S: Skin Game - Jim Butcher 12/8
✔P: Maximum Ride Forever - James Patterson 12/4
✔E: Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
✔N: Normal - Graeme Cameron 12/18
✔D: Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans - Denise Grover Swank 12/28
✔L: Restless Heart - Emma Lang 12/5
✔E: Web of Lies - Jennifer Estep 12/21
✔S: Someone to Watch Over Me - Lisa Kleypas 12/11
✔S: The Apple Orchard - Susan Wiggs 12/19
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
From Sea to Shining Sea - VirginiaDuration: Jan 01, 2016 - Feb 29, 2016
READ: 10/10
1. The 10th state of the United States is Virginia, having ratified the constitution on June 25, 1788. Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen. Its capital city is Richmond. It goes by the nickname of Old Dominion, earned by the loyalty the colony showed to the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.
✒ Read the 10th book of a series -or- read a book with an author whose name is either Virginia or related to Virginia -or- read a book with a character you consider loyal.
Born of Ice - Sherrilyn Kenyon 2/23✔2. After the island of Roanoke and the surrounding area were discovered, Queen Elizabeth I declared in 1584 that much of what we now consider the United States was free range for Sir Walter Raleigh to colonize. This meant new British territory - essentially everything north of Spanish territory in Florida and south of French territories in modern day Canada - was named "Virginia". Eventually, the English would name separate colonies for this region, but for a short time, much of the land we now call the United States was simply "Virginia." Even later, parts of Virginia were carved out into what are now West Virginia and Kentucky.
✒ Read a book set during the life and times of Elizabeth I (1533-1603); mention when it is set -or- read a book set in Florida or Canada -or- read a book that is a spin-off of another book or series.
The Reluctant Vampire - Lynsay Sands (Canada) 1/24✔3. Virginia is bordered by Maryland and Washington, D.C. to the north and east; by the Atlantic Ocean to the east; by North Carolina and Tennessee to the south; by Kentucky to the west; and by West Virginia to the north and west. Its motto is "sic semper tyrannis", a Latin phrase that means "thus always to tyrants". The motto goes along with the seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which shows Virtue, spear in hand, with her foot on the prostrate form of Tyranny, whose crown lies nearby.
✒ Read a book where every word in the title begins with a letter in "sicsempertyrannis"; 3 word minimum; A, An and The count -or- read a book where someone gets beaten up by another person (shot doesn't count, they have to be physically kicked or pushed) -or- read a book which has a crown on the cover; post the cover.
Born of Fire - Sherrilyn Kenyon (H/h have some wicked fights- one is an assassin, one a criminal) 1/6✔4. The cardinal is the state bird of Virginia, the flowering dogwood its state tree, and the dogwood the state flower. Its official song was "Carry Me Back Old Virginia", by James Bland, which was retired in 1997 for racist lyrics. After 20 years without a state song, in 2015, the state found two official replacements: "Our Great Virginia" by Mike Greenly and "Sweet Virginia Breeze" by Robbin Thompson and Steve Bassett.
✒ Read a book that has at least 50% cardinal red on the cover -or- read a book with a book that has words that can be called racist -or- read a book first published in 1997.
Push - Sapphire (m.c. uses "N" word and disparages white people) 1/8✔5. Virginia has also earned the nickname "Mother of Presidents", because of an unparalleled eight presidents of the United States who called Virginia their home. The first president of the United States, George Washington; the third, Thomas Jefferson; the fourth president, James Madison; the fifth, James Monroe; the ninth, William Henry Harrison; the tenth president, John Tyler; the twelfth, Zachary Taylor and the twenty-eighth president Woodrow Wilson, were all born in Virginia. Some of their houses, notably, Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's house) and Mount Vernon (the home of George Washington) are also among the most visited homes in America.
✒ Read a book with a character who is the president of the US (the person must be a real character in the story contributing significantly to the plot; characters watching Barack Obama on the TV or admiring John F. Kennedy will not work); mention the relevance -or- read a book set in a town or city that has a famous historical home; mention the house and the town or city -or- read a book with a main character called George, Thomas, James, William, John, Zachary or Woodrow (no variations).
Full Throttle - Julie Ann Walker 1/31(heroine is the USA president's daughter. hero is her bodyguard. President appears at the end to bestow his blessing on the relationship)
✔6. Virginia was birthplace (sort of) to the American Hercules. Peter Francisco was found abandoned as a small child on a wharf in Hopewell, Virginia. Francisco ended up being raised in Virginia, where he eventually witnessed Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech and grew into a Revolutionary War legend who would ultimately be remembered as the 6' 6", 260 pound "American Hercules." By the war's end, Francisco reportedly sustained many wounds, killed many more British soldiers and escaped capture by killing his way out of a group of British soldiers' makeshift jail, prompting George Washington to remark, "Without him we would have lost two crucial battles, perhaps the War, and with it our freedom. He was truly a One-Man Army."
✒ Read a book in which mythology is relevant in some fashion; tell us how -or- read a book with a protagonist you would call badass -or- read a book in which a child is abandoned.
Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh 1/29✔7. Virginia claims to have held the first Thanksgiving in the United States, almost two years before the famous Plymouth one. The Thanksgiving in Berkeley, Virginia took place on the 4th of December in 1621. It was quite different from Thanksgiving as we know it today. It was more a day of prayer without a feast, and no Native Americans were invited. The group consisted of 38 men and was led by Captain John Woodlief, who prayed at the site.
✒ Read a book which features a Thanksgiving party -or- read a book which does not have a single Native American character -or- read a book with 38 intact in its number of pages; tell us how many pages.
The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly (Chinese and a few Americans) 1/2✔8. Virginia is the 35th largest state in the United States by area. It stands 12th in terms of population and 7th in median income. With its proximity to the nation's capital, about a quarter of the population of Virginia work for the government. Its largest private employer is the largest ship building yard in the United States, Newport News Shipbuilding. Virginia employs the most shipyard workers in the United States.
✒ Read a book that is 7th, 12th or the 35th of a series -or- read a book in which the protagonist either works for the government of any country or with ships -or- read a book that has a ship on its cover; object must be large enough to be seen on the thumbnail, post the cover.
Saint Odd - Dean Koontz 1/17✔9. Virginia is also dubbed the Internet Capital of the World (and has a special vanity license plate to prove it). It houses data centers that occupy millions of square feet in the upper area of the state, and an estimated 50-70% of all Internet traffic flows through these data centers. The state also has the world's largest office building, the Pentagon, in Arlington, which has nearly 68,000 miles of internal telephone lines.
✒ Read a book in which the internet is important to the plot -or- read a book which you used the internet to buy or hold (if a physical book) and/or downloaded from the internet (if an e-book) -or- read a book with a shape in its title.
Kiss Me, Kill Me - Allison Brennan 2/18(internet sex club provides killer with feeding grounds)
✔10. In Virginia, it is illegal to tickle women. No animal may be hunted on Sundays with the exception of raccoons, which may be hunted until 2 a.m. Speaking of animals, no person may keep a skunk as a pet in Frederick, Va. It is illegal to use profanity over the telephone (which includes obscene text messages). It is also illegal to have sex with the lights on.
✒ Read a book with a raccoon or skunk in the story (the animal needn't be important) -or- read a book where characters use profane language regularly -or- read a book which has an artificial light source on the cover; post the cover.
Backlash - D.L. Thomas (flashlight) 1/15CHALLENGE COMPLETE
In Other WordsStart Date: June 1, 2015
Language: Irish
✔the month in which you were born - January
E: You Don't Know Jack - Erin McCarthy 6/13/15
A: Deeper Than Midnight - Lara Adrian 6/2/15
N: North of Beautiful - Justina Chen 6/4/15
A: Darker After Midnight - Lara Adrian 6/4/15
I: Invisible Murder- Lene Kaaberbøl 6/15/15
R: Forgotten Sins - Rebecca Zanetti 6/7/15
✔the day of the week on which you were born - Monday
D: Dark Tort - Diane Mott Davidson 6/1/15
E: Exposed - Alex Kava 6/24/15
L: Big Sky Summer - Linda Lael Miller 8/4/15
U: Unbinding - Eileen Wilks 6/14/15
A: Dragon Down Under - Angela Castle 7/7/15
I: If He's Dangerous - Hannah Howell 6/21/15
N: Never Love a Highlander - Maya Banks 6/6/15
✔the name of the country in which you currently live - The United States of America
S: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker - Leanna Renee Hieber 6/14/15
T: Thrown by a Curve - Jaci Burton 6/3/15
A: The Archived - Victoria Schwab 6/21/15
I: It Happened One Wedding - Julie James 6/27/15
T: Trail of Kisses - Merry Farmer 7/5/15
A: Archangel's Legion - Nalini Singh 6/19/15
O: One Sweet Ride - Jaci Burton 6/6/15
N: Notorious - Allison Brennan 6/9/15
T: Tell the Wolves I'm Home - Carol Rifka Brunt 6/11/15
A: The Assassin's Blade - Sarah Maas 7/18/15
I: If He's Tempted - Hannah Howell 7/5/15
T: Thrill Ride - Julie Ann Walker 7/11/15
H: Hungry for You - Lynsay Sands 6/7/15
E: Embrace the Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney 7/21/15
M: The Mists of Time - Susan Squires 6/9/15
H: He's So Fine - Jill Shalvis 6/20/15
E: Ecstasy Untamed - Pamela Palmer 7/28/15
I: If He's Daring - Hannah Howell 8/9/15
R: Revenant - Phaedra Weldon 7/13/15
I: If He's Noble - Hannah Howell 9/17/15
C: Chapter and Hearse - Lorna Barrett 6/18/15
E: Demon's Curse - Alexa Egan 7/30/15
A: Dragonquest - Anne McCaffrey 7/17/15
✔ the title of the leader of your country - president
U: Uprooted - Naomi Novik 7/26/15
A: Archangel's Shadows - Nalini Singh 8/2/15
C: Courting Disaster - Joanne Pence 6/19/15
H: HIDE Omnibus - Jax Spenser 7/6/15
T: Daughter of Smoke & Bone - Laini Taylor 7/22/15
A: Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley 8/15/15
R: Santa's Executive - Carrie Ann Ryan 6/22/15
A: Beauty and the Bounty Hunter - Lori Austin 8/23/15
N: Hostage to Pleasure - Nalini Singh 7/24/15
✔ your career - Shipping Clerk
C: Chain of Illusions - Boone Brux 8/7/15
L: Book Clubbed - Lorna Barrett 8/8/15
E: Alone - Kendra Elliot 8/2/15
I: Chained by Night - Larissa Ione 9/19/15
R: Bones of the Lost - Kathy Reichs 7/23/15
E: The Escape - David Baldacci 8/21/15
A: Abandon the Night - Joss Ware 8/21/15
C: Caught Read-Handed - Terrie Farley Moran 8/3/15
H: Hard Evidence - Pamela Clare 7/23/15
L: Better Read Than Dead - Victoria Laurie 8/29/15
O: Starclimber - Kenneth Oppel 6/23/15
I: Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews 10/9/15
N: The Witness - Nora Roberts 7/25/15
G: The Darkest Touch - Gena Showalter 7/12/15
S: Shield of Fire - Boone Brux 6/26/15
E: Shadow's Curse - Alexa Egan 8/24/15
O: Can't Hurry Love - Molly O'Keefe 7/27/15
I: It's in His Kiss - Jill Shalvis 11/10/15
R: Rev It Up - Julie Ann Walker 6/16/15
E: Everlasting Desire - Amanda Ashley 8/28/15
A: Heart of a Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney 8/27/15
C: Crown of Midnight - Sarah Maas 8/16/15
H: Dark Heir - Faith Hunter 7/4/15
T: Then Came You - Jill Shalvis 7/29/15
✔ your birthstone - Garnet
G: Deadly Offerings - Alexa Grace 8/9/15
A: The White Dragon - Anne McCaffrey 9/7/15
R: Dark Witch - Nora Roberts 8/8/15
N: Nauti Temptress - Lora Leigh 8/12/15
E: Warrior's Curse - Alexa Egan 9/15/15
T: The Will of the Empress - Tamora Pierce 8/5/15
✔ your hobby - Cross Stitch
T: Twice Tempted by a Rogue - Tessa Dare 8/19/15
R: Born in Chains - Caris Roane 8/30/15
A: The Dairy Queen - Allison Rushby 9/22/15
S: Still the One - Jill Shalvis 8/13/15
S: Bring on the Night - Jeri Smith-Ready 8/21/15
T: Trouble in Spades - Heather Webber 9/6/15
I: In the Air Tonight - Stephanie Tyler 11/5/15
T: Touched by an Alien - Gini Koch 9/19/15
C: Grave Secret - Charlaine Harris 8/24/15
H: Hero - Cheryl Brooks 8/29/15
✔ your favorite color - Purple
C: Blood Games - Chloe Neill 8/17/15
O: Obsidian - Jennifer Armentrout 9/2/15
R: Bones Are Forever - Kathy Reichs 6/9/15
C: Crossfire - Joann Ross 9/4/15
R: Savage Chains - Caris Roane 8/30/15
A: Archangel's Enigma - Nalini Singh 9/8/15
✔ your favorite flower - Birds of Paradise
E: The Prince of Frogs - Annaliese Evans 9/21/15
I: Waterborne - Katherine Irons 12/5/15
N: Deadtown - Nancy Holzner 8/11/15
N: High Noon - Nora Roberts 8/22/15
A: Rock Chick Redemption - Kristen Ashley 10/1/15
P: Hunger Untamed - Pamela Palmer 7/9/15
A: Aunt Dimity Goes West - Nancy Atherton 11/3/15
R: Dark Hunger - Sarah Reinke 8/15/15
A: Circle of Fire - Keri Arthur 12/3/15
D: Dead in the Water - Stuart Woods 8/1/15
I: In a Sunburned Country - Bill Bryson 12/29/15
S: Savage Nature - Christine Feehan 9/5/15
E: Envy - J.R. Ward 10/31/15
In Other Words continued✔ your favorite book - Outlander
O: Obsession in Death - J.D. Robb 10/8/15
U: Ubik - Phillip Dick 8/9/15
T: Three Nights with a Scoundrel - Tessa Dare 9/21/15
L: Lust for Life - Jeri Smith-Ready 9/9/15
A: The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie - Jennifer Ashley 12/17/15
N: Blaze of Memory - Nalini Singh 8/31/15
D: The Devil of Kilmartin - Laurin Wittig 9/10/15
E: Edge of Dawn - Lara Adrian 11/3/15
R: The Raider - Monica McCarty 9/3/15
✔ your favorite book genre - Romance
G: Geist - Phaedra Weldon 8/26/15
R: Bones Never Lie - Kathy Reichs 9/3/15
A: Beg for Mercy - Jami Alden 12/24/15
✔ your favorite holiday - Halloween
O: Pleasure Island - Lorie O'Clare 11/29/15
I: Your Next Breath - Iris Johansen 12/10/15
C: Wild Fire - Christine Feehan 7/15/15
H: Darkhouse - Karina Halle 6/6/15
E: Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell 11/22/15
S: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers - Mary Roach 7/11/15
H: Hope Flames - Jaci Burton 9/4/15
A: Crave The Night - Lara Adrian 12/25/15
M: Without Regret - R.L. Mathewson 6/5/15
H: Hell for Leather - Julie Ann Walker 9/11/15
N: Bonds of Justice - Nalini Singh 9/28/15
A: The Source of Magic - Piers Anthony 12/30/15
✔ your favorite sport - Baseball
B: Dawn's Early Light - Pip Ballantine 6/18/15
A: All I Want - Jill Shalvis 1/12/16
S: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy - Julia Quinn 10/11/15
E: The Emperor's Tomb - Steve Berry 11/23/15
B: Quarterback Draw - Jaci Burton 8/25/15
A: Love Me to Death -Allison Brennan 1/25/16
L: Big Sky Wedding - Linda Lael Miller 11/8/15
L: Lifelines - C.J. Lyons 11/26/15
✔ your favorite drink - Green Tea
T: Beauty and the Blacksmith - Tessa Dare 7/6/15
A: Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2/16
E: The Enchantment Emporium - Tanya Huff 12/12/15
G: The Grove - Jean Johnson 12/8/15
L: Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo 11/27/15
A: Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4/16
S: Stuck on You - Patti Berg 11/1/15
✔ your favorite breakfast food - Scrambled Eggs
U: Luscious - Amanda Usen 10/2/15
I: Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5/16
B: Big Sky River - Linda Lael Miller 7/10/15
H: Heir of Fire - Sarah Maas 9/13/15
E: East of Ecstasy - Laura Kaye 12/19/15
A: Big Stone Gap - Adriana Trigiani 2/16/16
C: Courting Carolina - Janet Chapman 9/12/15
H: Dead Head - Rosemary Harris 11/6/15
A: Kiss Me, Kill Me - Allison Brennan 2/18/16
S: Simply Magic - Mary Balogh 11/12/15
C: Crave - J.R. Ward 9/27/15
R: The Reawakened - Jeri Smith-Ready 11/8/15
O: One in a Million - Jill Shalvis 12/18/15
F: Forbidden - Jacquelyn Frank 7/31/15
A: Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie 3/6/16
✔ your favorite entree - Prime Rib and Baked Potato
P: The Diamond Conspiracy - Pip Ballantine 7/18/15
R: Flames of Arousal - Ruth Kerce 11/1/15
I: Into Thin Air - Cindy Miles 2/7/16
O: Odd Interlude - Dean Koontz 2/13/16
M: The Knight - Monica McCarty 6/20/15
H: How to Run with a Naked Werewolf - Molly Harper 11/27/15
R: The Red Hotel - Graham Masterton 12/5/15
I: If I Should Die - Allison Brennan 3/8/16
B: Kiss of the Betrayer - Boone Brux 7/8/15
A: Guardian - Jo Anderton 3/6/16
G: The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly 1/2/16
U: Under the Boardwalk - Carly Phillips 1/8/16
S: Street Game - Christine Feehan 9/14/15
B: Born Wild - Julie Ann Walker 8/30/15
A: Feel the Burn - G.A. Aiken 4/13/16
C: The Forgotten Room - Lincoln Child 9/25/15
A: Silenced - Allison Brennan 4/15/16
I: Sweep in Peace - Ilona Andrews 3/13/16
L: Leopard's Prey - Christine Feehan 9/26/15
T: Tempted At Midnight - Jacquie D'Alessandro 11/19/15
E: East - Edith Pattou 12/19/15
P: A Love Untamed - Pamela Palmer 9/12/15
R: Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3/16
A: In Too Deep - Tracey Alvarez 4/21/16
T: Tall, Dark & Heartless - R.L. Mathewson 9/29/15
A: Nightwalker - Allyson James 6/26/16
I: In Other Worlds - Sherrilyn Kenyon 3/20/16
✔ your favorite dessert - Cherry Pie
C: For the Love of Magic - Janet Chapman 11/22/15
H: Boundless - Cynthia Hand 11/29/15
E: Full Blast - Janet Evanovich 12/22/15
R: Beauty's Kingdom - A.N. Roquelaure 1/4/16
R: The Liar - NoraRoberts 1/13/16
Y: Zuriel's Fate - Serena Yates 6/22/15
P: Wulfe Untamed - Pamela Palmer 10/4/15
I: Invisible Sun - David Macinnis Gill 3/28/16
E: Eve of Darkness - S.J. Day 12/22/15
✔ your favorite animal - Black Jaguar
B: Bad Blood - Dana Stabenow 11/24/15
L: Lost Highlander - Cassidy Cayman 1/16/16
A: Stalked - Allison Brennan 6/30/16
C: Samurai Game - Christine Feehan 11/21/15
K: Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh 11/13/15
J: Forever - Jacquelyn Frank 9/23/15
A: Allegiance of Honor - Nalini Singh 7/3/16
G: Go Big or Go Home - Will Hobbs 2/2/16
U: Unbound - Angela Knight 7/9/169
A: Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong 7/8/16
R: The Reluctant Vampire - Lynsay Sands 1/24/16
✔ your favorite genre of music - Country
T: Temping Is Hell - Cathy Yardley 11/21/15
I: If Walls Could Talk - Juliet Blackwell 4/11/16
R: Ecstasy Bound - Ruth Kerce 2/27/16
✔ your favorite vacation destination - Australia
A: Dreamwalker - Allyson James 7/9/16
S: Butterfly - Sharon Sala 11/1/15
T: Night of Cake & Puppets - Laini Taylor 11/8/15
R: Rapture - J.R. Ward 2/28/16
A: No Limits - Alison Kent 7/16/16
I: Immortal Ever After - Lynsay Sands 4/27/16
L: Under a Vampire Moon - Lynsay Sands 2/20/16
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
The Florida KeysDuration: January 1 - March 31, 2016
READ: 15/16
✔1. The Florida Keys are an ancient coral archipelago that forms the southernmost portion of the continental United States. They begin at the southeastern coast of the Florida peninsula, about 15 miles (24 km) south of Miami, and extend south-westward to Key West (inhabited), and finally to the uninhabited Dry Tortugas. ☀ Read a book that takes place in Miami or any of the Florida Keys OR read a book with a coral-colored cover (post the cover) OR read a book with an intact "15" or "24" in its total page count.
Sweep in Peace - Ilona Andrews 3/13✔2. The keys (islands) lie along the Florida Straits, dividing the Atlantic Ocean to the east from the Gulf of Mexico to the northwest. At the nearest point, the southern part of Key West is just 90 miles (140 km) from Cuba. ☀ Read a book whose cover shows a beach (post the cover) OR read a book whose title contains a directional word (North, South, East, West) OR read a book that takes place in Cuba.
All I Want - Jill Shalvis 1/12✔3. The northernmost island arising from the ancient reef formation is Elliott Key, in Biscayne National Park. North of Elliott Key are several small transitional keys – i.e. Sands Key, Boca Chita Key, Ragged Keys, and Soldier Key. These keys are composed of sand built up around small areas of the exposed ancient reef. ☀ Read a book whose author's first, middle, or last name is ELLIOT (reasonable variations accepted) OR read a book which has at least one scene taking place in a US National Park OR read a book in which a character makes a decision based on "sandy, transitional" evidence.
The Highway - C.J. Box (cop shoots someone dead from purely circumstantial evidence) 3/16✔4. The Keys were originally inhabited by Calusa and Tequesta Native Americans. They were later “discovered” and charted by Juan Ponce de León in 1513. "Key" is derived from the Spanish Cayo, meaning small island. ☀ Read a book featuring a Native American character OR read a book featuring any type of explorer OR read a book whose title contains the word "KEY" or "ISLAND."
Backlash - D.L. Thomas (Indiana Jones/Macgyver type treasure hunter) 1/15✔5. The climate of the Keys is defined as tropical savanna. The total land area is 137.3 square miles (356 km2). As of the 2000 census the population was 79,535 with much of the population concentrated in a few areas of much higher density, such as the city of Key West. ☀ Read a book that takes place in a tropical climate OR read a book that takes place on an island OR read a book published in 2000.
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4✔6. The Keys were long accessible only by water. This changed with the completion of Henry Flagler's Overseas Railway in the early 1910s. Flagler, a major developer of Florida's Atlantic coast, extended his Florida East Coast Railway down to Key West with an ambitious series of over-sea railroad trestles. Three hurricanes disrupted the project in 1906, 1909, and 1910. ☀ Read a book with a train or train tracks on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book that takes place along the Atlantic coast of the USA (the city/area must be on the coast, not just in a state that is on the coast) OR read a book that takes place in the early 1900's (1900 - 1915).
Night Probe! - Clive Cussler 1/10✔7. One of the worst hurricanes to strike the U.S. was near Islamorada in the Upper Keys on Labor Day, September 2, 1935. Winds were estimated to have gusted up to 200 mph (320 km/h). More than 400 people were killed, including 200 WWI veterans who were working on constructing new bridges. ☀ Read book #200 on your TBR, sorted in any manner you choose* OR read a book that takes place during WWI or the Great Depression OR read a book in which a lot (100+) of people die as the result of a natural or man-made tragedy. *Note, if you do not have 200+ books on your TBR, use the highest / last book on the list.
The Penalty Box - Deidre Martin 2/21✔8. The Labor Day Hurricane is one of only three hurricanes to make landfall at Category 5 strength on the U.S. coast since reliable weather records began (about 1850). The other storms were Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Andrew (1992). ☀ Read a book that takes place over a summer holiday OR read the 5th book in a series OR read a book with a character named Camille or Andrew (reasonable variations acceptable; Andrews as a last name is okay too).
Possession - J.R. Ward (#5 Fallen Angels) 3/20✔9. After Flagler’s Overseas Railroad was damaged by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, the line was sold to the United States government, who replaced the railroad with the Overseas Highway (U.S. Highway 1). Dismantled tracks were recycled, painted white, and used as guardrails. ☀ Read a book in which something significant is destroyed (tell us what) OR read a book that involves a national government (does not have to be US) OR read a book with a predominantly white cover (post the cover).
The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly (entire zoo is destroyed by dragons) 1/2✔10. U.S. Highway 1 runs over most of the inhabited islands of the Florida Keys. Going southwest to north is a partial listing of some of the islands at 5 mile increments on the highway: Key West (Mile Marker (MM) 0-4), Stock Island (MM 5), Big Coppitt Key (MM 10), Sugarloaf Key (MM 19-20), Summerland Key (MM 24-25), Big Pine Key (MM 30-32), Scout Key (MM 34-35) and Little Duck Key (MM 39¾). ☀ Read a book whose total page count is a multiple of 5 (tell us how many pages) OR choose any one of the listed islands in this task and read a book where the first letter of every title word (include a,an,the - 3 word minimum) can be found in the island's name.
Born of Fire - Sherrilyn Kenyon (540 pages) 1/6✔11. Probably the best known bridge is the Seven Mile Bridge which connects Knight's Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. Among the longest bridges in existence when it was built, it is just one of the bridges on US 1 in the Keys. ☀ Read a book with a "7" in its original publication year OR read a book in which at least one character is a knight OR read a book whose title contains one (or more) word that rhymes with "LITTLE," "DUCK," or "KEY" - (Note: I'm looking for rhyming words only, not exact matches to "LITTLE," "DUCK," and "KEY.")
Vixen 03 - Clive Cussler (pub 1978) 1/1412. The Seven Mile Bridge was engineered by Figg & Muller Engineers. The structure was completed six months ahead of schedule and has earned eight awards, including an Exceptional Award for Cost Savings Innovation from the Federal Highway Administration. ☀ Read a book whose cover shows a bridge (remember to show the cover) OR read a book in which something significant is finished early (tell us what) OR read a book whose author's initials are FM or MF (ignore middle initials).
✔13. The Bridge has been featured in the films and television series License to Kill, True Lies, The Haunted Mansion, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Mission Impossible III, I Am Number Four and Leverage. ☀ Read a book which has been made into a movie or tv series OR read a book whose title contains a cardinal number (i.e. 2, 13 - Not 2nd, 13th) OR read a book whose cover shows any well-known landmark (post the cover).
Push - Sapphire 1/8✔14. As mentioned, the Seven Mile Bridge (MM 40-46¾) separates the Lower Keys from the Middle Keys. Continuing north on the Overseas Highway, some of the Middle Keys islands are as follows: Pigeon Key (MM45), Vaca Key (MM 48-53), Fat Deer Key (MM 531/4-55), and Grassy Key (MM 58-60). ☀ Read a book that is in the middle of your TBR (10 books away on either side of the middle book; i.e. if your midpoint book is #350, you would use the range 340-360) OR choose one of the Middle Keys listed in this task and read a book whose author's first and last initial may be found in the island's name.
The Closer You Come - Gena Showalter 2/9✔15. The Long Key Bridge (MM 63¼-65¼) separates the Middle Keys from the Upper Keys. Continuing north, some of the islands are Long Key (MM 66-70), Fiesta Key (MM 70), Lower Matecumbe Key (MM 74-77), Upper Matecumbe Key (MM 80-83), Windley Key (MM 85) and Plantation Key (MM 85-90), Key Largo (MM 91-107) and Cross Key (MM 109-112). ☀ Read a book that contains an upper class or a lower class character (or both!) OR sort your TBR on "random" and read a book that is anywhere between the 63rd to 112th book OR read a book whose title contains "LONG," "WIND(Y)," "PLANTATION," or "CROSS."
Beauty's Kingdom - A.N. Roquelaure (kings, queens and slaves) 1/4✔16. The only thing you really need to know about the Keys is that they are sunny, warm, and beautiful! So, relax, pull up a spot on the beach and read whatever book you choose.
The Young Elites - Marie Lu 1/11
Bridges of North America Duration: December 1, 2015 - March 31, 2016
READ: 15/16
✔AMBASSADOR BRIDGE, DETROIT, MICHIGAN
§ Read a book with NORTH, SOUTH, EAST or WEST in its title or author’s name (compound words are ok) OR a book in which a main character owns his/her own business
East of Ecstasy - Laura Kaye 12/19✔BROOKLYN BRIDGE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
§ Read a book set in New York (state) OR a bridge with a person walking or cycling on its cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail); post the cover
Big Bad Beast - Shelly Laurenston 12/6✔CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE, STEVENSVILLE, MARYLAND
§ Read a book in which a main character suffers from some kind of phobia (not just being uncomfortable in a situation); tell us the phobia OR a book with some sort of inclement weather on its cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail); post the cover
Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh (snow on cover) 1/29✔THE CONFEDERATION BRIDGE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND CANADA
§ Read a book with the word "ICE" in its title (no compound words!) or with ice on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail); post the cover OR a book in which the first letter of every word in its title (ALL WORDS COUNT!) can be found in CONFEDERATION
Tangle of Need - Nalini Singh 12/12✔CORONADO BRIDGE, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
§ Read a book with a character who is or was in the military (any era, any service, any branch) OR a book set in California
Parasite - Mira Grant 12/16DELAWARE MEMORIAL BRIDGE, connects Delaware and New Jersey
§ Read a book with a bridge or river on its cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail); post the cover OR a book originally published between 1951 and 1968; tell us when it was published
✔GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
§ Read book #1 AND #2 from the same series OR TWO books in which a character travels to a different state/country; tell us where s/he started and where s/he went
✔1. Dark Ruby - Lisa Jackson #1 1/20
✔2. Dark Emerald - Lisa Jackson #2 2/27
✔GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
§ Read a book whose cover is predominantly orange; post the cover OR a book that is very popular (on one of GR’s most-popular list or the NY Times best-seller list); post a link to the list and the book’s position on the list
You Can Run... - Carlene Thompson 1/9✔HOOVER DAM BYPASS, NEVADA
§ Read a book originally published in October of any year; tell us the year OR a book with what you consider a beautiful cover; post the cover and tell us why you like it
Bad Wolf - Nele Neuhaus (Oct 1, 2012) 12/20✔MACKINAC BRIDGE, MICHIGAN
§ Read a book set in Michigan OR a book by an author whose last name begins with the prefix Mc or Mac (MacDonald would work; Macomber would not)
The Night Sister - Jennifer McMahon 1/13✔NEW BRUNSWICK HARTLAND BRIDGE, NEW BRUNSWICK CANADA
§ Read a book set in Canada or with a Canadian character or author OR a book with “romance” on its main GR page
The Enchantment Emporium - Tanya Huff (Calgary) 12/12✔PEACE BRIDGE, connects Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario
§ Read a book set in a country other than where you live; tell us where you live and where the book is set OR a book you had to pay for
The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie - Jennifer Ashley (set in France, I live in USA) 12/17✔RAINBOW BRIDGE, NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK
§ Read a book with a "30" (intact) in its total number of pages; tell us how many pages OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in RAINBOW
The Liar - Nora Roberts 1/13✔ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE, COLORADO
§ Read a book whose title begins with a letter in ROYAL OR a book with more than 500,000 ratings on GR; tell us how many ratings
Your Next Breath - Iris Johansen 12/10✔SEVEN MILE BRIDGE, FLORIDA
§ Read a book set in Florida OR book #7 in a series
All I Want- Jill Shalvis 1/12✔TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE, TACOMA, WASHINGTON
§ Read a book set in Washington (state) OR a book added to your TBR list in the past four months; tell us when you added it
One in a Million - Jill Shalvis 12/18
Choose Your PoisonDuration: October 1, 2015- March 31, 2016
Level: SUPERFAN: 30+ books
Favorite Genre: Romance
My Poison: Paranormal Romance
READ: 54/30+
1. Wulfe Untamed - Pamela Palmer 10/4
2. Night Forbidden - Joss Ware 10/14
3. Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood - Ann Charles 10/18
4. The Ghost Hunter - Lori Brighton 10/19
5. Sealed with a Curse - Cecy Robson 10/22
6. Play of Passion - Nalini Singh 10/28
7. Envy - J.R. Ward 10/31
8. Edge of Dawn - Lara Adrian 11/3
9. Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh 11/13
10. Waking the Dead - Kylie Brant 11/17
11. Samurai Game - Christine Feehan 11/21
12. Temping Is Hell - Cathy Yardley 11/21
13. For the Love of Magic - Janet Chapman 11/22
14. How to Run with a Naked Werewolf - Molly Harper 11/27
15. Boundless - Cynthia Hand 11/29
16. Night Resurrected - Joss Ware 11/30
17. The Highlander Next Door - Janet Chapman 12/2
18. Circle of Fire - Keri Arthur 12/3
19. Waterborne - Katherine Irons 12/5
20. Big Bad Beast - Shelly Laurenston 12/6
21. Tangle of Need - Nalini Singh 12/12
22. The Enchantment Emporium - Tanya Huff 12/12
23. Dragonbane - Sherrilyn Kenyon 12/15
24. East of Ecstasy - Laura Kaye 12/19
25. Heart of Obsidian - Nalini Singh 12/24
26. Crave The Night - Lara Adrian12/25
27. Dreams of Gods & Monsters - Laini Taylor 12/26
28. Viper Game - Christine Feehan 12/28
29. Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3
30. Tithe - Holly Black 1/7
31. Saint Odd - Dean Koontz 1/17
32. Eighth Grave After Dark - Darynda Jones 1/18
33. A Potion to Die For - Heather Blake 1/21
34. The Dragon Keeper- Robin Hobb 1/23
35. The Reluctant Vampire - Lynsay Sands 1/24
36. The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires - Molly Harper 1/26
37. Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh 1/29
38. Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
39. Shards of Hope - Nalini Singh 2/12
40. The Dirt on Ninth Grave - Darynda Jones 2/12
41. Odd Interlude - Dean Koontz 2/13
42. Forsaken - Jacquelyn Frank 2/14
43. Under a Vampire Moon - Lynsay Sands 2/20
44. Dragon Justice - Laura Ann Gilman 2/21
45. Haunted - Kay Hooper 2/24
46. Rapture - J.R. Ward 2/28
47. Burning Skies - Caris Roane 3/5
48. Brink of Eternity - Caris Roane 3/5
49. Dragon Fall - Katie MacAlister 3/11
50. Wings of Fire - Caris Roane 3/12
51. Drowning Mermaids - Nadia Scrieva 3/12
52. Possession - J.R. Ward 3/20
53. Forged - Jacquelyn Frank 3/25
54. The Lady is a Vamp - Lynsay Sands 3/28
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Read Your AgeDuration: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2015 (self imposed)
READ: 48.5/49
✔2016 - Fire Touched - Patricia Briggs 4/18/16
✔2015 - Archangel's Enigma - Nalini Singh 9/8/15
✔2014 - Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop 4/5/14
✔2013 - Should've Known Better - Cassandra Carr 11/29/14
✔2012 - Caring Is Creepy - David Zimmerman 7/10/14
✔2011 - The Viper - Monica McCarty 12/29/14
✔2010 - My Soul to Keep - Sharie Kohler 6/29/14
✔2009 - One Hot Mess - Lois Greiman 2/17/14
✔2008 - The Man Must Marry - Janet Chapman 2/9/14
✔2007 - Last Words - Mariah Stewart 5/20/14
✔2006 - A Thief In A Kilt - Sandy Blair 8/9/14
✔2005 - Dearly Devoted Dexter - Jeff Lindsay 6/13/14
✔2004 - Murder Suicide - Keith Ablow 1/3/14
✔2003 - Twisted Things - Madge Swindells 11/9/14
✔2002 - Four Blind Mice - James Patterson 3/16/14
✔2001 - Strawberry Shortcake Murder - Joanne Fluke 3/20/14
✔2000 - Middle of Nowhere - Ridley Pearson 9/11/14
✔1999 - Atlantis Found - Clive Cussler 3/11/14
✔1998 - A Grave Denied - Dana Stabenow 7/1/14
✔1997 - Blood Debt - Tanya Huff 11/11/14
✔1996 - No Quarter - Tanya Huff 1/5/14
✔1995 - On the Way to the Wedding - Julia Quinn 9/25/14
✔1994 - Deadlock - Iris Johansen 10/30/14
✔1993 - Finders-Seekers - Gayne Greeno 10/17/14
✔1992 - Still Waters - Tami Hoag 12/23/14
✔1991 - Faceless Killers - Henning Mankell 3/19/14
✔1990 - Wife for Hire - Janet Evanovich 9/24/14
✔1989 - The Girl Next Door - Jack Ketchum 6/2/14
✔1988 - The Grand Finale - Janet Evanovich 11/8/14
✔1987 - A Trouble of Fools - Linda Barnes 12/26/14
✔1986 - Lost - Gary Devon 11/15/14
✔1985 - Witchcraft - Jayne Ann Krentz 9/15/14
✔1984 - The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley 5/14/14
✔1983 - Forbidden Love - Karen Robards 4/22/16 DNF
✔1982 - The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley 6/25/14
✔1981 - Night Probe! - Clive Cussler 1/10/16
✔1980 - Congo - Michael Crichton 3/6/16
✔1979 - The Source of Magic - Piers Anthony 12/30/15
✔1978 - Vixen 03 - Clive Cussler 1/14/16
✔1977 - The White Dragon - Anne McCaffrey 9/7/15
✔1976 - Night Chills - Dean Koontz 11/10/15
✔1975 - Mortal Stakes - Robert Parker 12/26/15
✔1974 - Butterfly - Kathryn Harvey 10/17/15
✔1973 - The Hollow Hills - Mary Stewart 4/2/15
✔1972 - Snow In April - Rosamunde Pilcher 12/27/15
✔1971 - Dragonquest - Anne McCaffrey 7/17/15
✔1970 - 84, Charing Cross Road - Helena Hanff 3/23/16
]
]
✔1969 - Ubik - Phillip Dick 8/9/15
✔1968 - Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey 4/27/15
✔1967 - The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern - Lillian Jackson Braun 5/2/15
Super Superhero ChallengeDuration: May 1, 2015 - April 30, 2016
READ: 41/45
✔1. Superman:
Day job: Journalist for the Daily Planet; goes by Clark Kent.
★ Read a book with glasses on the cover.
Sixth Grave on the Edge - Darynda Jones 5/13
★ Read a long book (450+ pages) that tests your stamina.
The Collector - Nora Roberts (752 pages)
★ Read book #1 of a series.
Shield of Fire - Boone Brux 6/26
✔2. Batman:
Day job: Playboy philanthropist Bruce Wayne.
★ Read a book with a philanthropic character.
Steam & Sorcery - Cindy Spencer Pape 12/31
★ Read a book with a black cover.
Baby - J.K. Accinni 5/3
★ Read a book in which a murder is central to the plot.
Burial Rites - Hannah Kent 5/20
3. Spiderman:
Day job: Photographer Peter Parker.
★ Read a book with two words in the title that begin with the same letter.
The Crimson Crown - Cinda Williams Chima 5/22
★ Read a book with a spider on the cover or in the title.
★ Read a book with a geeky or nerdy character.
Without Regret - R.L. Mathewson 6/5
✔4. Captain America:
Day job: Super military man Steve Rogers.
★ Read a book that is set in the United States.
Dark Tort - Diane Mott Davidson (Colorado) 6/1
★ Read a book with a character who is or was in the military.
Forgotten Sins - Rebecca Zanetti 6/7
★ Read a book with a 1, 9 or 4 in the publication date.
Courting Disaster - Joanne Pence (pub 2004) 6/19
5. Iron Man:
Day job: Billionaire physicist, engineer and business mogul Tony Stark.
★ Read a book with “science” or “technology” on the main page.
★ Read a book with a red or gold cover.
Thrill Ride - Julie Ann Walker 7/11
★ Read a book set in Massachussets.
Deadtown - Nancy Holzner 8/11
✔6. Thor:
Day job: A god of Norse mythology.
★ Read a book marked “mythology”.
Instinct - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/11
★ Read a book with an author whose first and last initials can be found in HAMMER.
Asylum - Madeleine Roux 5/5
★ Read a book set on another planet or in space.
Dragonquest - Anne McCaffrey 7/17
7. The Incredible Hulk:
Day Job: Physicist Bruce Banner, who has to regulate his temper and other emotional stresses.
★ Read a book with an angry character.
Forsaken - Jacquelyn Frank 2/14
★ Read a book with a green cover.
Tell the Wolves I'm Home - Carol Rifka Brunt 6/11
★ Read a book set in the 1960s.
✔8. Hawkeye:
Day job: Master marksman and traveling carnie Clint Barton.
★ Read a book with a carnival, circus or fair in the story.
Sanctum - Madeleine Roux 5/7
★ Read a book with an eye on the cover or in the title.
Texas Gothic - Rosemary Clement-Moore 5/9
★ Read a book in which a character is mentored or taught something.
Bees in the Butterfly Garden - Maureen Lang (how to be a con man) 5/17
✔9. The Flash:
Day Job: Barry Allen is a police scientist who has a reputation for being very slow, deliberate, and frequently late.
★ Read a book with an author that has double letters in their first or last name. (Steve BaRRy, DeBBie Macomber)
The Janus Stone - eLLy griFFths 5/10
★ Read a book that goes extremely fast.(You sped through it)
Rev It Up - Julie Ann Walker 6/16
★ Read a book with lightning on the cover or in the title.
Games Creatures Play - Charlaine Harris 5/2
✔10. Wonder Woman:
Day Job: An Amazonian Princess by the name of Princess Diana of Themyscira.
★ Read a book with royalty integral to the story.
Dinner with a Vampire - Abigail Gibbs 5/10
★ Read a book with jewelry on the cover or in the title.
The Assassin's Blade - Sarah Maas
★ Read a book with a strong female character.
Unbinding - Eileen Wilks 6/14
11. Black Widow:
Day Job: Natalia Alianovna "Natasha" Romanova was initially introduced as a Russian spy; an antagonist to Iron Man. She later defected to the U.S. becoming an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
★ Read a book set in Russia or with a Russian character.
Heart of Obsidian - Nalini Singh (set in Moscow) 12/24
★ Read a book marked “psychological” on the GR main page.
★ Read a book that is part of a series.
Unlucky 13 - James Patterson 5/17
✔12. The Green Lantern:
Day Job: The Green Lantern Corps are actually a group of people who fight evil with the aid of a magic ring. They are also known as space police.
★ Read a book with a detective/policeman as the main character.
Exposed - Alex Kava (heroine is FBI) 6/24
★ Read a book with any sort of light source on the cover.
Shadowglass - Erica Hayes 5/18
★ Read a book with poetry or verse somewhere in the story.
Fifty Shades of Alice Through the Looking Glass - Melinda DuChamp 7/10
✔13. Wolverine:
Day Job: Logan is a broody, darker character, with a cynical view on life. He was kidnapped by the Weapon X program, and experimented on.
★ Read a book in which the first letter of all words in the title can be found in ADAMANTIUM (3 word minimum, include A, An, The).
Abandon the Night - Joss Ware 8/21
★ Read a book with something sharp on the cover.
Kiss of the Betrayer - Boone Brux 7/8
★ Read a book that is 4th in a series.
Chapter and Hearse - Lorna Barrett 6/18
✔14. Aquaman:
Day Job: Arthur Curry is an orphan who grew up in the wilds of the ocean. He eventually makes his way to the surface world and becomes a superhero in public view.
★ Read a book with water on the cover.
The Witness - Nora Roberts 7/25
★ Read a book that takes place in a city or town that is on the coast (any country).
Voracious - V.K. Forrest (Rehobeth Beach, DE) 7/19
★ Read a book that has been made into a movie.
High Noon - Nora Roberts 8/22
✔15. Daredevil:
Day Job: Matt Murdock is a skilled and respected attorney with an encyclopedic knowledge of law. He is also blind.
★ Read a book with a lawyer main character.
Deadly Offerings - Alexa Grace 8/9
★ Read a book with a sensory word in the title: touch, feel, taste, etc.
Touched by an Alien - Gini Koch 9/19
★ Read a book marked “Romance” on the GR main page.
It Happened One Wedding - Julie James 6/27
A Little RomanceDuration: February 1 - July 31, 2016
READ: 25/25
✔1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): Read a book that takes place in NYC OR read a book with a nice piece of jewelry on the cover OR read a book where the main character has a cat.
Terminal City - Linda Fairstein 2/16
✔2. Annie Hall (1977): Read a book with a man’s tie on the cover OR read a book marked HUMOR OR read a book whose author’s last name is Hall.
Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
✔3. Pretty in Pink (1986): Read a book with a pink cover (at least 50%) OR read a book involving a love triangle OR read a book written in 1986.
Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
✔4. The Princess Bride (1987): Read a book featuring a princess OR read a book with any of the following words in the title “AS,” “YOU,” or “WISH” (word must stand alone and match exactly) OR read a book in which a sword fight occurs.
The Closer YOU Come - Gena Showalter 2/9
✔5. When Harry Met Sally (1989): Read a book with a character named “HARRY” or “SALLY” (exact match) or read a book featuring friendship OR read a book where part of the plot occurs in a deli.
Revived - Cat Patrick 3/13
✔6. Steel Magnolias (1989): Read a book that takes place in the south OR read a book that makes you laugh and cry OR read a book where a character dies from a physical illness or condition.
Haunted - Kay Hooper (Georgia) 2/24
✔7. Pretty Woman (1990): Read a book with a significant bathtub scene OR a book that takes place in Hollywood OR read a book that ends happily ever after.
Melting the Ice - Jaci Burton 2/13
✔8. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994): Read a book in which a wedding or a funeral occurs OR read a book in which someone considered a committed bachelor falls in love OR read book #5 in a series.
Possession - J.R. Ward 3/20
✔9. Jerry Maguire (1996): Read a book featuring an athlete OR read a book with an author or character named Jerry (reasonable variations okay but note that Gary is not Jerry!) OR read a book with “HELLO” or “MONEY” in the title (exact match).
The Penalty Box - Deidre Martin 2/21
✔10. As Good As It Gets (1997):Read a book with a main character who is a single parent OR read a book featuring an author or artist OR read a book whose author’s initials (first and last) are J.N., H.H., or G.K.
84, Charing Cross Road - Helena Hanff 3/22
✔11. Life is Beautiful (1997): Read a book that takes place during WWII OR read a book with an Italian character OR read a book whose cover you consider beautiful.
Big Stone Gap - Adriana Trigiani 2/16
✔12. The Parent Trap (1998): Read a book that features twins OR read a book in which part of the plot is in a camp OR read a book whose main character is named Lindsay or Hayley.
The Shadows - J.R. Ward (iAm and Trez) 4/1
✔13. Something About Mary (1998): Read a book where a character runs into a former love OR read a book that occurs mainly in a high school setting OR read a book with a character named MARY.
Got Your Number - Stephanie Bond 4/5
✔14. Shakespeare in Love (1998): Read any Shakespearen play OR read a book featuring actors or taking place on the stage OR read a book that takes place in London.
Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
✔15. Notting Hill (1999): Read a romance OR read a book that takes place around a bookstore OR read a book about someone famous (real or fictional).
Into Thin Air - Cindy Miles 2/7
✔16. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001): Read any book told through a diary format OR read a book in which a character is trying to improve herself in some manner OR read a book whose title begins (ignore a, an, the) with a letter in BRIDGET.
The Dirt on Ninth Grave - Darynda Jones 2/12
✔17. Amelie (2001): Read a book that takes place in Paris OR read a book about young love OR read a book where a character takes justice into their own hands.
Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie 3/6
✔18. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003): Read a book whose total page count includes an intact “10” (i.e. 210, 310, 1023) OR read a book in which at least two characters make a significant bet OR read a book in which something important is lost.
How to Capture a Countess - Karen Hawkins (a house party places many bets against each other) 3/20
✔19. Love Actually (2003): Read a book that takes place over Christmas OR read a book that focuses on two or more couples OR read a book whose original publication year contains an “8.”
Go Big or Go Home - Will Hobbs (Feb 2008) 2/2
✔20. Wedding Crashers (2005): Read a book where at least one character crashes a party or event OR read a book where the first letter of each title word (exclude a, an, the, 3 word minimum) is in WEDDINGCRASHERS OR read a book in which there is some kind of rivalry.
The Girl in the Spider's Web - David Lagercrantz 3/27
✔21. Mamma Mia! (2008): Read a book that takes place in Greece OR read a book whose setting is in the 1970’s OR read a book where at least one word in its title matches at least one word from an ABBA song title in the movie - exclude a, an, the, on. (List of ABBA songs sung in the movie)
Viking in Love - Sandra Hill 3/3
(song: Lay All Your Love On Me)
✔22. He’s Just Not That Into You (2009): Read a book set in Baltimore OR read a book whose author’s first name is Jennifer OR read a book where a character is not sure how another character feels romantically about her/him.
Dark Emerald - Lisa Jackson 2/27
✔23. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011): Read a book whose title contains the word “CRAZY,” “STUPID,” or “LOVE,” OR read a book in which a couple is in the process of divorce or separated OR read a book that has at least a few bar scenes.
Under a Vampire Moon - Lynsay Sands 2/20
✔24. Midnight in Paris (2011): Read any book that shifts between time frames OR read a book in which a couple is engaged for most of the book OR read a book whose setting is the 1920’s.
The Family Trade - Charles Stross 2/25
✔25. The Silver Linings Playbook (2012): Read a book in which a main character has some type of mental illness OR read a book featuring a psychotherapist or psychiatrist OR read a book in which an unlikely pair of characters become involved (tell us why the pair is unlikely).
Feel the Burn - G.A. Aiken (a king and an assassin) 4/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Hello KittyDuration: February 1 - April 30, 2016
READ: 11/12
✔1. Initially known only as "the white kitten with no name," the official character profile for Hello Kitty now lists her full name as Kitty White born in the suburbs of London, England on November 1, 1974. Her height is described as five apples and her weight as three apples. ♥Read a book that takes place in London OR read a book in which a baby is born OR read a book with an apple or apples on the cover.
Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
✔2. This fictional character is produced by the Japanese company Sanrio and was created by Yuko Shimizu. Hello Kitty is an anthropomorphic (personified) white Japanese bobtail cat with a red bow. The character's first appearance on an item, a vinyl coin purse, was introduced in Japan in 1974 and brought to the United States in 1976. ♥Read a book featuring a cat who has some human qualities (i.e. narrating the story, solving the mystery) OR read a book with a white and/or red cover OR read a book first published in 1974 or 1976.
An Ice Cold Grave - Charlaine Harris 2/10
✔3. Sanrio decided to make Hello Kitty British because at the time when she was created, foreign countries, in particular Britain, were trendy in Japan. Shimizu got the name Kitty from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, where in a scene early in the book Alice plays with a cat she calls Kitty. ♥Read a book written by a British author OR read a classic book OR read a book with a character named Alice or Kitty (reasonable variations okay - Allison, Kit).
Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
✔4. Kitty is portrayed as a bright and kind-hearted girl, very close to her twin sister Mimmy. She is good at baking cookies and loves Mama's homemade apple pie. She likes to collect cute things and her favorite subjects in school are English, music, and art. ♥Read a book featuring twins OR read a book with a sweet treat on the cover OR read a book featuring a musician or an artist.
Under a Vampire Moon - Lynsay Sands 2/20
✔5. Hello Kitty is portrayed with a large family. Her twin sister Mimmy is described as "shy and very girly," interested in sewing and dreaming of marriage. While Hello Kitty wears a red bow on her left ear, Mimmy wears a yellow one on the right. Their father George is described as dependable and humorous but also absent-minded. Their mother Mary is portrayed as a good cook who loves doing housework. Grandpa Anthony likes to tell stories and Grandma Margaret likes sewing. ♥Read a book with a cooking or sewing theme OR read a book marked “humor” OR read a book with a bow or ribbon on the cover.
Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie 3/6
✔6. Dear Daniel is Hello Kitty's childhood friend. He is portrayed as fashionable and sensitive, good at dancing and playing the piano, with an interest in photography, and dreams of being a celebrity. Charmmy Kitty is Hello Kitty's pet, a white Persian. She is described as docile, obedient and fond of shiny things. Her necklace holds the key to Hello Kitty's jewelry box. Hello Kitty also has a pet hamster named Sugar, who was a gift from Dear Daniel. ♥Read a book where a character has a cat or a hamster as a pet OR read a book about friendship OR read a book with a piece of jewelry or a key on the cover.
Dark Sapphire - Lisa Jackson (ring) 3/9
✔7. Spokespeople for Sanrio have said that Hello Kitty does not have a mouth because they want people to "project their feelings onto the character" and "be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty." Another explanation Sanrio has given for her lack of a mouth is that she "speaks from the heart.” She's Sanrio's ambassador to the world and isn't bound to any particular language.” ♥Read a book whose cover has a heart on it OR read a book that has been translated from one language to another OR read a book whose cover shows a face that is clearly happy.
The Girl in the Spider's Web - David Lagercrantz (Swedish?) 3/27
✔8. Hello Kitty sold well immediately after the 1974 launch, and Sanrio's sales increased seven times up until they slumped temporarily in 1978. New series with Hello Kitty in different themed designs are released regularly, following current trends. Yuko Yamaguchi, the main designer for most of Hello Kitty's history, has said that she is inspired by fashion, movies and TV in creating new designs. ♥Read book #7 in a series OR read a book that features someone in fashion or design OR read a book which has been made into a movie or TV show.
Melting the Ice - Jaci Burton 2/13
9. Hello Kitty was originally marketed only to young girls. In the 1990s the target market for Hello Kitty was broadened to include teens and grown-ups as a retro brand. Marketed to those who could not get Hello Kitty merchandise as children, or who fondly remember items they had, Sanrio began selling Hello Kitty branded products like purses and laptops. ♥Read a book with a main character who is a young girl (<12 yo) OR re-read one of your favorite books from your adolescent years (must still be 150+ pages) OR read a book with a purse or backpack on the cover.
✔10. According to Sanrio, in 1999 Hello Kitty appeared on 12,000 different products yearly. By 2008, Hello Kitty was responsible for half of Sanrio's $1 billion revenue and there were over 50,000 different Hello Kitty branded products in more than 60 countries. Beginning in 2007, following trends in Japan, Sanrio began using darker designs for Hello Kitty with more black and less pink. ♥Read a book that has between 12,000 – 50,000 ratings on GoodReads OR read book #60 on your TBR OR read a book with a mostly black cover.
Big Stone Gap - Adriana Trigiani (32,833 ratings) 2/16
✔11. Hello Kitty is the main character at the two Japanese Sanrio theme parks, Harmonyland and the indoor Sanrio Puroland. Hello Kitty and Mimmy celebrated their 40th Anniversary on November 1, 2014. The Birthday Celebration took place in Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo for several days. ♥Read a book in which a party of some kind is held OR read a book that takes place in Japan OR read a book whose protagonist is in his or her 40’s.
Drowning Mermaids - Nadia Scrieva (hero is 50) 3/12
✔12. By 2010, Sanrio had groomed Hello Kitty into a global marketing phenomenon worth $5 billion a year. By 2014, when Hello Kitty was 40 years old, she was worth about $7 billion a year, all without any advertising. ♥Read a book with a very rich character OR read a book in which a character owns his or her own business OR read a book with a 5 or a 7 in the publication year.
Into Thin Air - Cindy Miles (Jan 2007) 2/7
*
From Sea to Shining Sea - New YorkDuration: March 1 - April 30, 2016
READ: 8/10
1. Read a book with a 26 of 11 intact in its number of pages; state the number of pages -or- read a book set in the Netherlands, or with a Dutch character -or- read a book whose title has changed from initial publication for whatever reason; mention both titles.
✔2. Read the 4th book of a series -or- read a book with a sea or ocean on its cover; must be visible on the thumbnail, post the cover -or- read a book set in a location that is naturally advantageous (for example, it has a water body suited for business or mountains rich in minerals); mention how the book fits.
Dark Sapphire - Lisa Jackson 3/9
✔3. Read a book with a mostly blue cover; post the cover -or- read a book with the word sugar, rose or apple in the title or the author name -or- read a book where a character declares "I love you" (exact words only; they could be saying it to anything, not necessarily a person); mention how the book fits.
Forged - Jacquelyn Frank 3/25
(I love you with all my heart, p313
✔4. Read a book with a Jewish protagonist -or- read a book by Edith Wharton, Washington Irving or Henry James -or- read a book with an inventor of some sort.
Likely To Die - Linda Fairstein (heroine is Jewish) 3/23
5. Read a book set in the current capital city of any country of the world; mention the city and the country -or- read a book with an inauguration ceremony of some sort; mention what -or- read a book set in the business world.
✔6. Read a book with a scene set at a waterfall -or- read a book with one of the numbers - 1, 8 or 5 in the original publication date -or- read a book with the starting letter of all words in the title in "TAUGHANNOCK". Ignore A, An and The. 2 words minimum.
Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie (A,A,T,H) 3/6
✔7. Read a book marked Steampunk on the main GR page -or- read a book with a train or tracks on the cover; must be visible on the thumbnail, post the cover -or- read a book written by an author named Robert; common variations are fine, as long as the author is male.
My Lady Quicksilver - Bec McMaster 3/17
✔8. Read a book that references 9/11 in a some way; mention how the book fits -or- read a book where some event results in property or infrastructure damage -or- read a book with a first responder protagonist.
The Highway - C.J. Box (villian burns down his mom's house) 3/16
✔9. Read a book with a street on the cover; must be visible on the thumbnail, post the cover -or- read a book with a sun related word in the title (sun, sunrise, sunset, eclipse, solar all work) -or- read a bookfirst published in May, June or July of any year; mention the publication date.
Brink of Eternity - Caris Roane (pub May 11, 2011) 3/5
✔10. Read a book with a circular item on the cover; post the cover -or- read a book in which a scene is set in the elevator -or- read a book with a greeting word in the title or subtitle; might be in any language.
England's Perfect Hero - Suzanne Enoch (round mirror) 3/18
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