2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Quarterly Challenges
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4th Quarter Challenge: The First World War
Wilhelm and Tsar Nicolas' wife were grandchildren of Queen Victoria. Read a family saga.
The Shadow Lamp****(audio) The series is about a search for the skin map, one part of the book is about the Flenders Peatree family and how they created, hid, searched, and killed for the map. The family goes like this...Arthur begot Bendict, and Bendict begot Charles, and Charles begot Douglas.
11/12 Complete
I'm curious is it cheating to use audio books? I discovered my library has a rich source of audio books and it gives me something to do at work.
Yay! I just finished my 8th (and last) book! It was Six Degrees of Isolation by Craig Emmel. I want to use it for #7 (book with animals). There is a cat, Toby, which plays a major part in this book, by being a sort of friend to the main character, but mostly because it makes becoming friends easier for main character Emma and her neighbour.
Chris wrote: "I'm curious is it cheating to use audio books? I discovered my library has a rich source of audio books and it gives me something to do at work."I've found out that audio books are NOT considered cheating in several challenges. So my guess is: you can use them just as well as paper books or e-books.
Chris wrote: "I'm curious is it cheating to use audio books? I discovered my library has a rich source of audio books and it gives me something to do at work."I listen to audio books as well, and don't think it is cheating.
Only one more to go, Chris
Elsbeth wrote: "Yay! I just finished my 8th (and last) book! It was Six Degrees of Isolation by Craig Emmel. I want to use it for #7 (book with animals). There is a cat, Toby, whic..."Congratulations Elsbeth
Megan wrote: "Finished 6/9! (message 66)"Only 3 more to read, Megan
Danielle wrote: "Elsbeth wrote: "Yay! I just finished my 8th (and last) book! It was Six Degrees of Isolation by Craig Emmel. I want to use it for #7 (book with animals). There is a..."Thanks, Danielle!
6/4 Just completed another. #7 Read a book on animals OR read a book where at least one animal is important to the story. The Mountain Lion in which the animal of the title plays a big part in the surprise ending of the story. The book is perhaps a bit dated particularly in the derogatory terms it uses for people of different races but I gave it 4 stars because the ending was so different from what I expected it to be.
1 more done! 7/9. Only 2 more to go!
Done my third 3/49. Read a novel in which the main protagonist is in fear for his life or health. - The Death Cure
I just finished a book for #9 - Night of the Living Deed by E.J Copperman
Updating post 15: 11/12 books completed. I've just got to find a good Spy/Code Breaker novel to finish before the end of the year. Does anyone have a good suggestion of a quick read? Are we permitted to re-read books(read prior to this quarter) to complete challenges? If so, I've got several Dan Brown novels that would fit.1. Read a book that is 100 days old.
Published 10/14/14 Read 11/24/14
Hi,I've finished my 10th book and updated message 27. Just 2 more to go!
Thanks,
Amanda
Melissa wrote: "Updating post 15: 11/12 books completed. I've just got to find a good Spy/Code Breaker novel to finish before the end of the year. Does anyone have a good suggestion of a quick read? Are we permitt..."John Le Carré: any book in the George Smiley series. The first two are quick reads.
Finished! 6. Book about science Wonders of the Solar System Brian Cox's book from same name tv-show
I've finished my book for number 8 bringing by total to 11/12. I've updated message 27
Reija wrote: "Finished! 6. Book about science Wonders of the Solar System Brian Cox's book from same name tv-show"
Congratulations Reija!
Amanda wrote: "I've finished my book for number 8 bringing by total to 11/12. I've updated message 27"Only one more to read, Amanda
8. The Christmas truce was a series of widespread, unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas 1914, during World War I. Through the week leading up to Christmas, parties of German and British soldiers began to exchange seasonal greetings and songs between their trenches. Troops from both sides were also friendly enough to play games of football with one another. Read either a book set at Christmas OR with the word Christmas in its title. 
A Christmas Carol*** A nice Christmas story that makes your grateful for the ones you love.
12/12 Complete
Kari wrote: "1/3 a Christmas carol."Welcome to the challenge Kari. Enjoy your reads
ChrisP wrote: "8. The Christmas truce was a series of widespread, unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas 1914, during World War I. Through the week leading up to Christmas,..."Congratulations Chris
I've updated msg. 64 with A Victorian Christmas which I finished on 12.10.14. I'm reading Messenger of Truth.4/5
Lorelei wrote: "I've updated msg. 64 with A Victorian Christmas which I finished on 12.10.14. I'm reading Messenger of Truth.4/5"
Updated. Only one more to read, Lorelei
4/4 complete.3. Read a book in which an important person is killed OR read a crime novel.
The Bat - Jo Nesbo
7. Read a book on animals OR read a book where at least one animal is important to the story.
Lord Of The Flies - William Golding
9. Read a novel in which the main protagonist is in fear for his life or health.
The Thirty-Nine Steps - John Buchan
11. Read a book by an author who served in the Great War OR read a novel set in the Great War:
Ashenden - Somerset Maugham.
Finished another! 8/9! I should have this finished by tonight!It took me a couple days to realize that The Likeness had a code that needed to be cracked (and it's pretty obvious... she found the victim's datebook and there were codes in it and she needed to figure out what the codes meant).
My own progress: 4 out of 4✓ 1. Since it is 100 years ago that the First World War broke out, read a book that is at least 100 years old or at the most 100 days young.
The Professor by Charlotte Brontë
✓ 2. Before World War II began in 1939, World War I was called the Great War, the World War, or the War to End all Wars. 135 countries took part in World War I, and more than 15 000 000 people died in the war. Read a story set in at least two countries.
Zorro by Isabel Allende;
✓ 3. The main causes of World War I included many factors, such as the conflicts and hostility between the great European powers over the four decades leading up to the war. The immediate origins of the war, however, lay in the decisions taken by statesmen and generals during the July Crisis of 1914 caused by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo. Read a book in which an important person is killed OR read a crime novel.
Maigret and the Enigmatic Lett by Georges Simenon
✓ 5. The sinking of the RMS Lusitania on 7 May 1915 contributed to the American entry into World War I and became an iconic symbol in military recruiting campaigns of why the war was being fought. The RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by the Germans. On top of this, Germany had suggested to Mexico to work together to attack the United States. The note making this suggestion however was intercepted by British spies and the American government was warned. Read a book where a code needs to be cracked OR read a spy novel.
Quite a lot of spying in An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris. Not quite a spy novel, but a mix of different genres. Nevertheless I'm going to use it to meet this criteria.
Freya wrote: "4/4 complete.3. Read a book in which an important person is killed OR read a crime novel.
The Bat - Jo Nesbo
7. Read a book on animals OR read a book where at least one animal ..."
Congratulations Freya!
Megan wrote: "Finished another! 8/9! I should have this finished by tonight!It took me a couple days to realize that The Likeness had a code that needed to be cracked (and it's pretty obvious... she found the ..."
It's always nice to read a book you didn't intend to read for a challenge, and it turns out it fits.
Done with 9! I'm determined to finish A Clash of Kings by the end of the month, so increase my goal to 10.
Megan wrote: "Done with 9! I'm determined to finish A Clash of Kings by the end of the month, so increase my goal to 10."Go for it, Megan!
Updating post 15 12/12 books completed!
5. Read a spy novel.
A James Bond book.Read 12/21/14
I completed this challenge and updated msg #64. I love the Maise Dobbs books. Thanks for moderating Danielle!
Finished this challenge! Thanks for leading it Danielle. :) It was fun!Completed 6/6
1. Read a book that is at least 100 years old or at the most 100 days young. 'Tis Pity She's a WhorebyJohn Ford A play written in the 17th century.
2. Before World War II began in 1939, World War I was called the Great War, the World War, or the War to End all Wars. 135 countries took part in World War I, and more than 15 000 000 people died in the war. Read a story set in at least two countries. World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
6. Read either a book where something new is introduced OR read a book about technology or science. The Idiot by John Kendrick Bangs The Idiot is bound and determined to constantly try to introduce new technology, and he enjoys immensely sharing those ideas with everyone around him. Even when they don't want to hear it.
7. Read a book on animals OR read a book where at least one animal is important to the story. The Hidden Life of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas - this book is all about several decades worth of observations by Thomas of her canine companions. I Loved this one.
9. Read a novel in which the main protagonist is in fear for his life or health. The End of the Story: The Collected Fantasies, Vol. 1 by Clark Ashton Smith - this collection of stories has several main characters in fear for their life.
10. Read a book where one of the characters is mad or traumatized. Alice in Blunderland: An Iridescent Dream by John Kendrick Bangs Pretty sure everyone in this book is mad - other than Alice - who just ends up traumatized.
Daphne wrote: "Finished this challenge! Thanks for leading it Danielle. :) It was fun!Completed 6/6
1. Read a book that is at least 100 years old or at the most 100 days young. [book:'Tis Pity She's a Whore|104..."
Congratulations Daphne. Thank you for participating.
Lorelei wrote: "I completed this challenge and updated msg #64. I love the Maise Dobbs books. Thanks for moderating Danielle!"
Congratulations Lorelei. You're welcome
Melissa wrote: "Updating post 15 12/12 books completed!
5. Read a spy novel.
A James Bond book.Read 12/21/14 "
Congratulations Melissa.
I've completed my 12th book to complete the challenge - Bridget Jones Diary is set in London. I've updated message 27.Thanks Danielle for leading this
Amanda wrote: "I've completed my 12th book to complete the challenge - Bridget Jones Diary is set in London. I've updated message 27.Thanks Danielle for leading this"
Congratulations Amanda. You are welcome
I finished A Clash of Kings! I was really tempted to wait until Thursday so I could start the New Year off with a 1000 page book. ;-)I'm done! 10/10! The books I'm planning on reading the next 3 days won't fit into the other 2, so I'm stopping at 10.
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination (other topics)Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination (other topics)
The Story of Holly & Ivy (other topics)
The Story of Holly & Ivy (other topics)
A Christmas Carol and Other Short Stories (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Clark Ashton Smith (other topics)John Ford (other topics)
Max Brooks (other topics)
John Kendrick Bangs (other topics)
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas (other topics)
More...
All Quiet on the Western Front**** This took place during WWI and was from an author who fought in it. A very eye opening book that should be read by all.
10/12 Complete