All Through the Year Quarterly Challenge - Q&A/Suggestion Thread

[MountainKat, Moderator]

All Through the Year Quarterly Challenge
December 15, 2014 through March 14, 2015

As we approach the beginning of another year and start a new quarterly challenge, we are going to explore the different months of the year. There is no minimum page limit for this challenge, rereads and audiobooks are acceptable. Please list your book(s) and date you completed reading it for each month. If using the cover to qualify the book, please post the cover otherwise a link is sufficient. You may update your original post, but please repost upon completion for ease in updating.

Level 1: Read six books published in any different six months, regardless of the year. (6 Books)

Level 2 Read one book published in each of the twelve months. (12 Books)

Level 3: Read one book published in each of the twelve months and one book for each month's birthstone. (24 Books)

Level 4: Read one book published in each month of the year, one book for each month's birthstone and one book for each month's birth flower. (36 Books)


Birthstones: Read a book with a cover matching the birthstone color. Alternately, you may read a book that relates to the meaning of the birthstone.

January: Garnet (deep red color) - A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming. So you may also read a book involving a journey of some sort.
February: Amethyst (purple) - The gift of Amethyst is symbolic of protection and the power to overcome difficulty. You may also read a book where a main character had to overcome a difficulty.
March: Aquamarine (pale blue) - A gift of Aquamarine symbolizes both safety and security, especially within long standing relationships. So you can also read a book involving an already married/mated couple.
April: Diamond (white, clear) - A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love. You could also read a book featuring an immortal character.
May: Emerald (deep green) - Some people believe that wearing an Emerald brings wisdom, growth, and patience. So you may also pick a book where a MC experiences growth of character or gains wisdom. Or one character teaches another.
June: Pearl (white) - Only those with royal status once wore pearl jewelry. You can also choose a book that involves royalty.
July: Ruby (red) - It has been said that the Ruby's red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished. You may also read a steamy book or one with a hot guy on the cover.
August: Peridot (yellow green; yellow and/or green on cover) - It signifies strength, both individual and within a relationship, as well as the promise of new growth in years ahead. So you may also read a book that includes family, children or pregnancy.
September: Sapphire (deep blue) - Sapphires have long been a favorite among priests and kings, who considered them symbolic of wisdom and purity. You can read a book with a virginal character.
October: Opal (multi-colored, a cover with at least 4 distinct colors) - A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence. As friendship should include both faithfulness and confidence, you can read a book that involves good friends.
November: Citrine (yellow gold) - A gift of Citrine is symbolic for hope and strength. You may also choose a book that features a character whose strength is tested, either physically or emotionally.
December: Blue Topaz (blue) - A gift of Blue Topaz is symbolic of love and fidelity. So you could read a book where a character pledges their love and fidelity with either a proposal or marriage, or the equivalent of those.

Birth Month Flowers: Read a book that has the specific flower for each month on the cover, is set during that month or that matches the meaning of the birth month flower.

January: Carnation - Love, Pride, Beauty, Purity, Distinction, Fascination, and Loyal. You can read a book with a prideful character.
February: Violet - Faithfulness, Wisdom and Hope. You may select a book with a wise character.
March: Daffodil - Spring, Rebirth, Domestic Happiness, Respect, Regard and Friendship. You could pick a book with a happy character.
April: Daisy - Love, Youth, Purity. So you can read a book that features an innocent character.
May: Lily of the Valley - Humility, Chastity, and Sweetness. You may choose a book that has a sweet character.
June: Rose - Love and Appreciation. You can select a book with a romantic character.
July: Larkspur - Levity and Lightness. You could read a book with a funny character.
August: Gladiolus - Strength, Moral Integrity, Remembrance, Infatuation. You may select a book that has a character who demonstrates moral integrity by doing the right thing.
September: Aster - Love, Faith, Wisdom and symbolizes Valor. You can read a book that has a brave character.
October: Marigold - Warm, Fierce. They exemplify elegance and devotion. You may pick a book with an elegant character.
November: Chrysanthemum - Compassion, Friendship, Joy. You can choose a book that has a compassionate character.
December: Poinsettia - Good Cheer, Success. You can read a book with a successful character.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

All Through the Year Quarterly Challenge
December 15, 2014 through March 14, 2015

Please post any questions for the challenge in this thread. Suggestions for any categories are welcome too!

[Jojobean]

All Through the Year Quarterly Challenge
December 15, 2014 through March 14, 2015
Level 1: Read six books published in any different six months, regardless of the year. (6 Books)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Joanne - this is the thread for questions. You should post this in the participant thread HERE.

[Susan]

Can we pick book that go with other meanings of the gem? For example:

January: Garnet (deep red color) - A gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming. So you may also read a book involving a journey of some sort.

Instead of a book involving a journey, can we choose one that deals with a homecoming, such as a military person returning home after serving?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Sounds like he was on a journey to me - at least the trip home! I will accept that. =)

[Katherine]

I am tired of waiting to start this challenge. I want to start it like yesterday!!!! I hate to wait!!!! I am dying here people!!!

Maybe I am a little emotional. :D

[MountainKat, Moderator]

The waiting is always the hardest part!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Hi Kat - If we don't go for level 4 we just completely ignore the flowers don't we? Likewise, the birthstones only kick in from level 3?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Correct, you only do the flowers if you do level 4 and birthstones if you do level 3 or higher.

[Katherine]

I want to ask. Could flowers or gems be in the title. For example Owning Violet?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I was going to include that but didn't think it would help much. So I will be easy and say yes, if the specific item is in the title you can use the book.

[Bookchaser]

I found a few books that have some of the appropriate birthstones or flowers in the titles...

***edited to add more titles***

Birthstones:
April: Diamond
Dangerous in Diamonds by Madeline Hunter
Diamond Bay by Linda Howard
Diamond by Ruth Langan

June: Pearl
Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter
The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh
Pearl by Ruth Langan

July: Ruby
Ruby by Ruth Langan

Flowers:
February: Violet
Violet by Leigh Greenwood

April: Daisy
Daisy by Leigh Greenwood
Daisy's Back In Town by Rachel Gibson
Marrying Daisy Bellamy by Susan Wiggs

June: Rose
Rose by Leigh Greenwood
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
For the Roses by Julie Garwood
The Rose of Blacksword by Rexanne Becnel
Wild Highland Rose by Dee Davis
Thunder & Roses by Mary Jo Putney
The Rose and the Warrior by Karyn Monk
A Rose in Winter by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
My Wild Irish Rose by Rachel Wilson
Roselynde by Roberta Gellis
Rose Among Thorns by Catherine Archer
Once Upon a Rose by Nora Roberts
A Whisper of Roses by Teresa Medeiros

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

I have a question regarding level 4: If a storyline in a book crosses multiple months, can we use it for any month that is specifically mentioned in the book, or does the whole book have to take place in one month?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

You can use it for any month that the book is set in if it is mentioned in the book. Ideally more than just in passing.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Yay, thanks!

[Susan]

In a requirement like this one:
February: Violet - Faithfulness, Wisdom and Hope. You may select a book with a wise character.

You say you may select a book with a wise character. Is it okay to use a hopeful character instead, as that is also one of the meanings?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I'm going to say no to that one Susan, but wise doesn't have to mean intelligent. I bet you could use your hopeful character for happy or sweet character though.

[Susan]

Oh well, thanks.

The hopeful was because the main characters are hopeful that they can find a cure for the virus that is ravaging their town. Happy or sweet they definitely weren't :-P

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Well, without knowing the book I would say that if they were searching for a cure they could have been brave or compassionate, demonstrating moral integrity or wise even if they were researchers searching for the cure. Just some thoughts.

[Susan]

MountainKat wrote: "Well, without knowing the book I would say that if they were searching for a cure they could have been brave or compassionate, demonstrating moral integrity or wise even if they were researchers se..."

Okay - I can work with that :D