The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2019
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Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD

5.4. That's a Strange Title!
The Honor of the Queen (Five words in title)
This post: 5 points
Total points: 875
BB: 11
GO: 2
Tasks completed: 41
Books read: 63

Option 3: What's in a name?
Read a book written by a single author whose first and last name initials can be found in either SPECTRE or MELTDOWN.
MeltDown
How to Read the Air (2010) by Dinaw Mengestu (male) (Hardcover, 305 pages)
380 + 20 = 400
Tasks Completed: 22
Points for this post: 20
Points thus far: 380 + 20 = 400
Books read: 32
Pages read: 8,001
Read but not claimed: 01
Goodreads Authors: 17
Golden Oldies: 00
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

25.1 - Andy P.’s Task: Learning the Alphabet
Book 1 - Lyrics Alley
Book 2, option 2 - Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
Points this post - 25
Total points - 450
BB Tickets - 5
GO Tickets - 3

25.14 - Cat's Task: Celebrating Trafalgar Square
option a - Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
R and H found in CHARITY CAROLS
**This book has 528 pages and I am claiming one big book ticket
option c - Come Back for Me
Found on page one of the list
Points this post - 25
Total points - 475
BB Tickets - 6
GO Tickets - 3

15.10 - Get 'Em While They're Hot
Read a book FIRST published in 2019 or 2020.
The Clause in Christmas: A Poppy Creek Novel by Rachael Bloome
I read the ebook and linked to the PB edition.
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 190/1165
Tasks Completed: 13/64
BB: 1
GO: 0

25.8 - Bookwrm526's Task: Celebrate Every Day!
This is a two book task. Choose two of the following options and read one book for each option. ONE book may have the genre Childrens or Kids.
Required: Identify the options.
Option 3: National Bird Day (January 5) - Read a book with "bird" or a specific type of bird in the title or subtitle. Plurals and possessives work.
Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce
Option 4: Cuddle Up Day (January 6) – Read a book with the MPG Romance (standalone or embedded).
About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis
I listened to the audiobook and linked to the MMPB edition.
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 215/1165
Tasks Completed: 14/64
BB: 1
GO: 0

5.4 That's a Strange Title
Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
Points this post: 5
Points total: 330
BB this post: 0
BB total: 1
GO this post: 0
GO total: 1

30.7 - Tien's task: Sesame Street 50th - Read a book first published in 1969 to 2019 inclusive.
Odd Partners: An Anthology first printed May 7, 2019
Read a book that has been shelved as Anthropomorphism
The Golden Compass - link p. 1
Points this task: 30
Total points: 770
Golden Oldies ticket requests: 3
Big Book ticket requests: 3
Books read: 61
Tasks completed: 44

Read a book that has won or been nominated for at least three literary awards. The awards must be listed in the GR metadata.
Sleeping Giants-Sylvain Neuvel
Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis Nominee for Bestes ausländisches Werk (2017)
Sunburst Award Nominee for Adult (2017)
Compton Crook Award Nominee (2017)
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Science Fiction (2016)
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 140
Books Read: 11
Tasks Completed: 10
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets: 0

Read a book with a main page genre of science fiction, fantasy, or speculative fiction, standalone or embedded.
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
Main Page Genre = Fantasy
Points: 5
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets:
Total Season Points: 50

Read a book with a title consisting of at least 3 words where each initial letter can be found in the phrase WINTER WONDERLAND.
Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb
R and I found in Winter
D found in Wonderland
Points: 10
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets:
Total Season Points: 60

Read a book in which the digits in the page count decrease sequentially (ex: 210, 321, 432, 543, 1098, etc.).
Extraordinary People by Peter May
Page count = 321
Points: 10
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets:
Total Season Points: 70

Read a book first published in a year that contains double consecutive digits (ex: 1944, 1995, 2008, 2011).
The September Society by Charles Finch
First published 2008
Points: 10
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets:
Total Season Points: 80

Read a popular book (over 10,000 ratings) that has never won or been nominated for a literary award (according to Goodreads).
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
First published in 1935 (GO Ticket, please)
Points: 10
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 90

5.2. The Maple Leaf Rag.
Read a book set at least 50% in Canada.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
IL: MG - BL: 5.7 - AR Pts: 7.0
Set entirely in Canada, as the synopsis and metadata says.
Points Earned This Post: 5
Total Points Earned: 945
Golden Oldie Tickets: 2
Big Book Tickets Total: 1
Big Books Read By Page Count: 1 (500) / 0 (750) / 0 (1000)

Read a Non-fiction work in a sequential art/graphic format.
How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less by Sarah Glidden
MPG = Sequential Art > Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Travel, History
Points: 15
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 105

Read a book FIRST published in 2019 or 2020.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
First published in 2019.
Points: 15
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 120

Option 1: Read a book by an author who has an award named for them.
The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
The Agatha Award is named for Agatha Christie, page 1
Points: 20
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 140

Book 1. Read a book which does NOT contain an M or an N in the title or subtitle.
The Beast by Faye Kellerman
371 pages
AND
Book 2. Option 1: Read a book in which the author’s name contains both an M and an N.
Unlucky 13 by James Patterson
James contains M, Patterson contains N
384 pages
371 + 384 = 755 pages
Points: 25
BB Tickets: 1
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 165

Option 1: The Academy, er, SRC!
Read a book written by a single author whose initials can be found in SPREADSHEET TRACKER.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
TA found in TRACKER
544 pages (BIG BOOK TICKET, please)
AND
Option 2: Harry Potter and JKR
Read a book that features at least one witch or wizard as a character, or witchcraft or magic as a central plot point.
Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
319 pages
From GR description "Just as Nell starts to wonder if she'll ever be able to break free of her fear, she realizes that the island suffers under a terrible curse--one that can only be broken by the descendants of the Three Sisters, the witches who settled the island back in 1692. And now, with the help of two other strong, gifted women--and with the nightmares of the past haunting her every step--she must find the power to save her home, her love...and herself..."
Approved in thread message #2.
544 + 319 = 863 pages
Points: 25
BB Tickets: 2
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 190

Option A. Read a book by an author whose first and last name initials are found in CHARITY CAROLS.
Last Will by Ron Schwab
RS found in CAROLS
I read a Kindle book. For page count, I used the paperback edition of 284 pages.
AND
Option B. Read a book from the list Jewish Fiction and Literature.
Joy Comes In The Morning by Jonathan Rosen
Found on list on page 1, #65.
389 pages
284 + 389 = 673
Points: 25
BB Tickets: 2
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 215

Option 3: Read a book with a title of at least three words where the first letter of each word in the title can be found in GANDHI PEACE PRIZE.
A Honeybun and Coffee by Sam Cheever
A and H found in Gandhi
A and C found in Peach
I read the Kindle edition. For page count, I used the paperback edition of 298 pages.
AND
Option 4. Read a book with at least two sets of double letters in the title and/or author name (single authors only.)
Skull Duggery by Aaron Elkins
LL found in skull
GG found in duggery
281 pages
298 + 281 = 579 pages
Points: 30
BB Tickets: 2
GO Tickets: 1
Total Season Points: 245

Option 2: A book where the author's first and last name initials can be found in BARTENDERS : 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
Option 4: A book with the MPG Romance (standalone or embedded): Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
IL: MG; BL: 7.9; AR Pts: 33.0
504 pages: 1 big book ticket
Published 1868: 1 golden oldies ticket
Task Points: 25
Total Points: 300
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldie Tickets: 2

Option 1: A book by a single author whose initials can be found in SPREADSHEET TRACKER: Verity by Colleen Hoover
333 pages
Option 3: A book borrowed from the library: Redshirts by John Scalzi
Borrowed from: Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville, KY
320 pages
Total Pages: 650
Task Points: 25
Total Points 325
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldie Tickets: 2

30.7 - Tien's task: Sesame Street 50th
Option 1: Read a book first published in 1969 to 2019 inclusive.
Hat Trick by Eden Finley
published in 2019
Option 3: Read a book written by a single author whose first or last name matches a human Sesame Street character's name.
Let Me In by Luna David
character name used: David
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 355
BB tickets claimed: 2
GO tickets claimed: 0

Task # 20.4 - Golden Oldies - Perletwo's Task: Everything Old is New Again, and Again and Again
Read a book from this list: Mythologies and Retellings of Fairy Tales and Classics.
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley found on page 1 # 57 of list
Points this post: 20
Total points: 980

Option 1, a book by an author whose initials can be found in CORETTA SCOTT KING: The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine
paperback edition expected Sept 2020 The Grammarians 272 p.
hardcover edition The Grammarians 272 p.
Option 4, a book with at least two sets of double letters in the title and/or author name: 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith
mass market paperback 44 Scotland street 413 p.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 1000

Task # 20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - MEGSCL's Task: Title Tropes
Option 1. Read a book with mystery or thriller as a main page genre and the word 'girl" 'wife' or 'woman' in the title.
Good Girl, Bad Girl by Michael Robotham
Mystery and Thriller both MPG
Points this post: 20
Total points: 1000

Book read: Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend by Sarra Manning
Required: FRIEND intact in title (ex-boyFRIEND)
Claiming 1 big book ticket as this has 524 pages.
Points this task: 10
Total points: 625
Total Golden Oldies: 12
Total Big Books: 2
Books read: 45
Tasks completed: 33

5.2. The Maple Leaf Rag.
Read a book set at least 50% in Canada.
The Robber Bride
The story is based in Toronto
Claiming one Big Book - 528 pages
Points this post: 5
Total points: 520
Golden Oldies: 4
Big Book: 9
Total Tasks: 29

20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Sarah Ruth's Task: Can You Keep A Secret?
Option 3: Author initials in MELTDOWN
Shadow of the Rock by Thomas Mogford
Total points: 240

30.5 - Sandy's Task: As Easy as 1 and 2 (not even 3!)
Option 1: 1 and 2 in the number of pages
Illuminae: The Illuminae Files_01 - 612 pages
I read an ebook but have linked to the MMP
Big Book - 612 pages. I claim 1 BB ticket.
Option 2: Series number consisting only of 1 and/or 2
Tides, Trails and Trouble (Dune House Cozy Mystery) - Dune House Mystery #12
I read the kindle edition but have linked to the paperback (no MMP)
Total points: 270
Total BBs: 2

5.4. That's a Strange Title!
Read a book with an odd number of words in its title
The Cosmic Puppets by Philip K. Dick
Task=5
Season total=320

5.5. Try to Count Them.
Read a book with a main page genre of science fiction,...
Hazards of Time Travel by Joyce Carol Oates
Task=5
Season total=325

Option 2

The title is black text.
Option 3
The Book WomAn of TROublesome CReek by Kim Michele Richardson
Carrot found in title
Points this post: 25
Total points: 175
Total GO tickets: 1
Total BB tickets: 1
Tasks completed: 16
Books read: 17

10.1 - Home for the Holidays
Read a book with HOME, HOLIDAY, FAMILY, or FRIEND found intact in title, subtitle, or series title.
Half Way Home by Hugh Howey
HOME appears in the Title
Points Earned This Post: 10
Total Points Earned: 955
Golden Oldie Tickets: 2
Big Book Tickets Total: 1
Big Books Read By Page Count: 1 (500) / 0 (750) / 0 (1000)

Option 1: Read a book first published in 1969 to 2019 inclusive.
Beach Bags and Burglaries by Dorothy Howell
First published in 2014
Option 2: Read a book that has been shelved as Anthropomorphism
Girls with Sharp Sticks by Suzanne Young
The book is on page 9 of the list.
Total points: 165

Option 1: A book first published in 2019: Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen
Option 5: A book which has at least 2 of the following numbers in the number of pages: 2, 0, 1, 9: I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank the Irishman Sheeran & Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa by Charles Brandt
320 pages
Task Points: 25
Total Points: 350
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldie Tickets: 2

25.1 - Andy P.’s Task: Learning the Alphabet
Help Thread
Both books must be written by a single author.
No books with the main page genre Childrens or Kids may be used.
The total page count for both books must exceed 500 pages. (501+)
Book 1. Read a book which does NOT contain an M or an N in the title or subtitle.
The Savior by J.R. Ward
479pp
Book 2.
Option 1: Read a book in which the author’s name contains both M and N.
Her Every Wish by Courtney Milan
150pp
Points this post: 25
Total points: 25
Tasks completed: 1
Books read: 2

30.5 - Sandy's Task: As Easy as 1 and 2 (not even 3!)
Choose 2 options Your total pages must equal at least 600.
Option 2. Read a book that has a series number consisting only of 1 and/or 2 - i.e. 1, 2, 11, 12, and so on. REQUIRED: Specify in your post the series name and number.
Slow Hand by Victoria Vane
Hot Cowboy Nights #1
288 pp
Option 3. Go to the individual page for the last book you gave a 5 star rating to: The Girl Who Chased the Moon. REQUIRED: State in your post your 5 star book, the person's name you selected and that this book is new to you.
Kate- Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich
352 pp
This book is new to me
Points this post: 30
Total points: 55
Tasks completed: 2
Books read: 4

30.2 - Amanda A & Amy FL's Task: Two Women Honoring a Remarkable Woman
Choose two different options The combined total of both books must be at least 500 pages.
Option 1:
Read a book by a single author whose initials can be found in CORETTA SCOTT KING.
In the Shadow of Vesuvius by Tasha Alexander
304 pp
Option 4:
Read a book with two sets of double letters in the title and/or author name.
Midnight's Kiss by Thea Harrison
290pp
Points this post: 30
Total points: 85
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 6

30.4 - Dlmrose's Task: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Read one book 1 and select an option for Book 2.
Book 1: Here and There
Read a book with ALL these letters E, I, E, I, O (2 Es, 2Is) in the title, subtitle, and/or author's name.
The Bodyguard’s Breeder by Miranda Bridges
approved for length post #7767
Book 2 On That Farm
Option 1
Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle that matches an animal from this list of Animal Sounds.
Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh
Points this post: 30
Total points: 115
Tasks completed: 4
Books read: 8

25.15 - Sarah E's Task: Do You Want to Build a Snowman?
This is a two book task. Pick two different options and read one book for each option.
Option 2: Coal for the eyes and buttons
To find the coal, read a book with black text anywhere on the cover. The text may be part of the title, subtitle, author name, or any other text.
Smoke Road by Toby Neal
approved for length post #7767

Option 3: Carrot for the nose
Hunt out a carrot by reading a book with all the letters of CARROT found in the title (subtitles are excluded).
The Cowbear's Secret Christmas Baby by Liv Brywood
Points this post: 25
Total points: 140
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 10

25.5 - Kaora's Task: All Work and Some Play...
Pick two places and complete the task for each.
Option 1: Palm Springs, CA
Read a book with at least two of these numbers in the page total: 0, 1, 3, 4, 8.
Crash by Drew Jordan
240 pp
Option 4: Albaquerque, NM
Read a book by a single author whose initials are in ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FESTIVAL.
Styx's Storm by Lora Leigh
Points this post: 25
Total points: 165
Tasks completed: 6
Books read: 12

20.3 Joanne MI’s ‘90’s
Opt. 3. I read The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang, # 97, bottom of p. 1 of the list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... 290 pp > required 190.
Points This Post: 20
Total Points So Far: 1090

20.4 PerleTwo’s Everything Old is New Again and Again
I read The Sky Throne by Chris Ledbetter, # 241, p. 3 of the list. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Points This Post: 20
Total Points So Far: 1110

REPOST to replace Option 1 book. No change to totals
25.5 - Kaora's Task: All Work and Some Play...
Option 1: Read a book with at least two of these numbers in the page total: 0, 1, 3, 4, 8.
Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler's Germany, by Andrew Maraniss
I listened to the audio; hb=240 p. (no mmpb or pb)
Option 2: Read a book that is the second in a series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...#
Death spoke, by Leonard Krishtalka
(A Harry Przewalski Novel #2)
******
Points for this task: 25
Total points : 430
Tasks completed: 18
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 2
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 0

25.3 - TraceyL's Task: Crime Writers Awards
Option 1: The Scarlet Stiletto
Read a book with a color word in the TITLE
The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard, by Kristin Schell
Option 2: The Gold Dagger
Read a book with a knife, sword, or other blade on the cover. Include the cover when you post.
Semn că te am, by Ioana Chicet-Macoveiciuc

Points this post: 25
Total points: 380
Golden Oldies to Present: 1

Task 25.9 Diana K's Task: 2020 Number Fun.
Option 3: Tenth of December, by George Saunders, GS in VIGESIMAL
Option 4: Read a book that has a pair of glasses on the cover.
Portocalele verzi, by Vitali Cipileaga

Points this post: 25
Total Points: 405
Golden Oldies to present: 1
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Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Read a book with a person's first name in its title/subtitle/series title. The first name must be used as a first name in the title/subtitle/series title. Initials do not work - it must be a name.
Name: Jane Austen
Camp Austen: My Life as an Accidental Jane Austen Superfan (2018) by Ted Scheinman (Paperback, 160 pages) [823.7]
375 + 05 = 380
Tasks Completed: 21
Points for this post: 05
Points thus far: 375 + 05 = 380
Books read: 31
Pages read: 7,696
Read but not claimed: 02
Goodreads Authors: 17
Golden Oldies: 00
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+