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2020 Archived Challenges
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2020 Wacky Reading Challenges
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2020 Bucket ListDuration: January - December 31, 2020
READ: 8/12
Alternates: 1/2
✔ January ~ Kyoko M. - Of Dawn and Embers 10/24
✔ February ~ Dana Stabenow - No Fixed Line 2/14
✔ March ~ Faith Hunter - Dark Queen - Faith Hunter 3/29
April ~ Erik Axl Sund
May ~ Sarah J. Maas
✔June ~ Robin LaFevers - Courting Darkness - Robin LaFevers 6/2
✔ July ~ Abigail Roux - Fish & Chips - Madeline Urban & Abigail Roux 3/31
✔ August ~ Jean Lowe Carlson - Blackmark 10/17
✔ September ~ Gini Koch - Alien Diplomacy 2/22
October ~ Haruki Murakami
✔ November ~ Donna Grant - Burning Desire 1/29
December ~ Georgia Carter Mathers
Alternates
✔ 1 ~ Amie Kaufman - Illuminae 2/7
2 ~ Maxym M. Martineau
Famous Quote: The Seven SamuraiStart Date: January 1, 2020
End Date: April 28, 2020
QUOTE:
"What's the use of worrying about your beard when your head's about to be taken?"
- Gisaku
READ: 62/62
W: Wickedly Unraveled - Deborah Blake 1/10
H: Hotel South Dakota - Kathleen Taylor 1/21
A: The Anubis Gates - Tim Powers 1/12
T: Just One Damned Thing After Another - Jodi Taylor 1/9
S: The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro & Daniel Kraus 1/13
T: Through the Grinder - Cleo Coyle 1/12
H: Gladiator - Anna Hackett 1/17
E: Enigma - Catherine Coulter 2/7
U: Sticks & Stones - Madeline Urban & Abigail Roux 1/3
S: The Sleep of Stone - Louise Cooper 1/19
E: Easy - Tammara Webber 1/25
O: Ómorphi - Cody Kennedy 3/24
F: Flirting Under a Full Moon - Ashlyn Chase 2/16
W: Wickedly Charming - Kristine Grayson 1/24
O: One Potion in the Grave - Heather Blake 3/22
R: The Romanov Cross - Robert Masello 2/2
R: The Brothers Cro-Magnon - Roger Thomas Pepper 2/17
Y: A Welcome Murder - Robin Yocum 1/4
I: I Am Watching You - Teresa Driscoll 1/3
N: The Rise of Magicks - Nora Roberts 1/17
G: The Ghost Walker - Margaret Coel 1/15
A: Claimed in Shadows - Lara Adrian 1/14
B: Break the Day - Lara Adrian 2/11
O: The Outcast - Taran Matharu 3/30
U: Until the Debt is Paid - Alexander Hartung 1/6
T: To Helvetica and Back - Paige Shelton 1/20
Y: You Belong with Me - Tari Faris 2/22
O: Terrified - Kevin O'Brien 4/4
U: Unlit - Keri Arthur 1/11
R: Consequences - Aleatha Romig 1/7
B: Burning Desire - Donna Grant 1/29
E: Freshwater - Akwaeke Emezi 1/30
A: My Fair Traitor - C.J. Anaya 1/16
R: Running into Love - Aurora Rose Reynolds 2/29
D: Don't Close Your Eyes - Christie Craig 1/5
W: The Whispering Hollows - Lisa Unger 1/27
H: Poppet - Mo Hayder 1/23
E: Endless Heart - Emma Lang 2/28
N: A Madness of Sunshine - Nalini Singh 1/31
Y: The Day is Dark - Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 2/26
O: Blood & Water - Katie O'Rourke 4/4
U: The Unleashing - Shelly Laurenston 1/18
R: Provoked - Rebecca Zanetti 3/6
H: Murder on the Yukon Quest - Sue Henry 1/28
E: Full Bloom - Janet Evanovich & Charlotte Hughes 2/25
A: Alien Diplomacy - Gini Koch 2/22
D: A Case of Bier - Mary Daheim 1/2
S: Chasing Perfect - Susan Mallery 1/18
A: My Fair Assassin - C.J. Anaya 1/4
B: Bryant & May on the Loose - Christopher Fowler 1/30
O: The Overlook - Michael Connelly 4/14
U: Undermajordomo Minor - Patrick deWitt 2/27
T: Thirteen Rising - Romina Russell 1/26
T: Trick or Treat - Kerry Greenwood 2/14
O: A Killer's Mind - Mike Omer 4/28
B: The Bookman - Lavie Tidhar 2/13
E: The Train to Warsaw - Gwen Edelman 1/19
T: Die Again - Tess Gerritsen 2/19
A: The Hunchback Assignments - Arthur Slade 2/28
K: The Dragon Business - Kevin J. Anderson 2/11
E: Under the Snow - Kerstin Ekman 2/9
N: Night of the Highland Dragon - Isabel Cooper 1/31
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
January Monthly Challenge - Franz Kafka
READ: 7/7
✔ A: My Fair Assassin - C.J. Anaya 1/4
✔ U: Until the Debt is Paid - Alexander Hartung 1/6
✔ S: The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro & Daniel Kraus 1/13
✔ T: Through the Grinder - Cleo Coyle 1/12
✔ R: Sticks & Stones - Madeline Urban & Abigail Roux 1/3
✔ I: I Am Watching You - Teresa Driscoll 1/3
✔ A: Consequences - Aleatha Romig 1/7
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Favorite Album - The Beach Boys TodayDuration: January 1 - March 31, 2020
READ: 26/26
✔1. THE BEACH BOYS TODAY!
☀Read a series book #8
The Day of the Dead - Nicci French 2/3
✔ 2. RELEASE DATE:
☀Read a book published in March.
Wickedly Charming - Kristine Grayson (pub March 2011) 1/24
✔ 3. PRODUCER:
☀Read a book in which the author's first and last initial can be found in BRIANWILSON
Consequences - Aleatha Romig 1/7
✔ 4. LABEL:
☀Read a book whose title ends with "L".
Redwall - Brian Jacques 1/27
✔ 5. ROLLING STONE
☀Read a book in which the number 2, 7 or 1 appears in the total
Murder on the Yukon Quest - Sue Henry (291 pages) 1/28
✔ 6. GENRE:
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in ORCHESTRATEDROCK. No word count limit, but all words count.
Hotel South Dakota - Kathleen Taylor 1/21
✔ 7. COVER:
☀Read a book with a Green, Orange, Brown or Yellow cover.
A Madness of Sunshine - Nalini Singh 1/31
✔ 8. STUDIO:
☀Read a book set in Hollywood or in California.
The Unleashing - Shelly Laurenston 1/18
✔ 9. THE BEACH BOYS:
☀Read a book set in California,
Chasing Perfect - Susan Mallery 1/18
**************************************
Title / Author / MC / Series
**************************************
T: To Helvetica and Back - Paige Shelton 1/20
H: Until the Debt is Paid - Alexander Hartung 1/6
E: Easy - Tammara Webber 1/25
B: Wickedly Unraveled - Deborah Blake 1/10
E: The Train to Warsaw - Gwen Edelman 1/19
A: The Anubis Gates - Tim Powers 1/12
C: Claimed in Shadows - Lara Adrian 1/14
H: Poppet - Mo Hayder 1/23
B: Dangerously Charming - Deborah Blake 1/27
O: One Potion in the Grave - Heather Blake 3/22
Y: A Welcome Murder - Robin Yocum 1/4
S: Sticks & Stones - Madeline Urban & Abigail Roux 1/3
T: Through the Grinder - Cleo Coyle 1/12
O: Ómorphi - Cody Kennedy 3/24
D: Don't Close Your Eyes - Christie Craig 1/5
A: Freshwater - Akwaeke Emezi 1/30
Y: You Belong with Me - Tari Faris 2/22
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
First Quarter - Historical Landmarks of California Duration: January 1 - March 30, 2020
READ: 25/25
✔️1. BIG FOUR HOUSE:
Built in 1852, this is where Collis Huntington, Mark Hopkins, Leland Stanford and Charles Crocker organized the Central Pacific Railroad and founded the Southern Pacific Railroad.
❂Read a book with a character named Collis, Mark, Leland or Charles
Don't Close Your Eyes - Christie Craig (Mark Sutton) 1/5
✔️2. BODIE HISTORIC DISTRICT:
Established in 1859, it became a Gold Rush boomtown in 1876.
❂Read a book in which the first letter of each title word (no limit, but all words count) can be found in BODIE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
Trick or Treat - Kerry Greenwood 2/14
✔️3. LITTLE TOKYO HISTORIC DISTRICT:
Located in downtown LA, this ethnic Japanese American district is one of only three official Japantowns (official Japanese community in a city or town that outside of Japan) in the US.
❂Read a book in which the first letter of each title word (no limit, but all words count) can be found in LITTLE TOKYO HISTORIC DISTRICT.
Running into Love - Aurora Rose Reynolds 2/29
✔️4. MISSION BEACH ROLLER COASTER:
The Mission Beach Roller Coaster was built in 1925 and is one of only two remaining wooden coasters on the West coast. It is still operating today.
❂Read a book in which the words "roller coaster" can be found in the text The Romanov Cross - Robert Masello 2/2
(right now the roller coaster car was hurtling him along towards one destination), p63
✔️5. PIONEER DEEP SPACE STATION:
NASA's Deep Space Network which tracks unmanned spacecraft in deep space, this radio telescope became operational in 1958.
❂Read a book originally published between 1958 and 2020 (inclusive)
Under the Snow - Kerstin Ekman (pub 1961) 2/9
✔️6. SANTA BARBARA MISSION:
Founded in 1786 by Father Fermin Lasuen, it is the only Spanish mission in California to remain under the leadership of the Franciscan Friars since the day of its founding.
❂Read a book with one of the following numbers found in the total page count - 1, 7, 8 or 6
Whom the Gods Fear - M.M. Perry (278 pages) 2/15
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
✔️SPELL OUT:
✔ S: To Helvetica and Back - Paige Shelton 1/20
✔ A: Unlit - Keri Arthur 1/11
✔ N: No Fixed Line - Dana Stabenow 2/14
✔ T: Through the Grinder - Cleo Coyle 1/12
✔ A: Until the Debt is Paid - Alexander Hartung 1/6
✔ B: Break the Day - Lara Adrian 2/11
✔ A: Freshwater - Akwaeke Emezi 1/30
✔ R: A Welcome Murder - Robin Yocum 1/4
✔ B: The Bookman - Lavie Tidhar 2/13
✔ A: Flirting Under a Full Moon - Ashlyn Chase 2/16
✔ R: Thirteen Rising - Romina Russell 1/26
✔ A: The Hunchback Assignments - Arthur Slade 2/28
✔ M: Murder on the Yukon Quest - Sue Henry 1/28
✔ I: Night of the Highland Dragon - Isabel Cooper 1/31
✔ S: Sticks & Stones - Madeline Urban & Abigail Roux 1/3
✔ S: The Shape of Water - Guillermo del Toro & Daniel Kraus 1/13
✔ I: I Am Watching You - Teresa Driscoll 1/3
✔ O: One Potion in the Grave - Heather Blake 3/22
✔ N: The Rise of Magicks - Nora Roberts 1/17
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Featured Author - Rachel Amplhett
READ: 11/11
✔ 1. RACHEL AMPHLETT:
Before becoming a writer, Rachel Amphlett did many things, one of which was to play guitar in bands.
☀Read a book by an author whose first name begins with R or whose last name begins with A.
The Romanov Cross - Robert Masello 2/2
✔ 2. USA TODAY BEST SELLER:
Her books can often be found on the USA Today Best Seller list.
☀Read a book that has won an award.
Illuminae - Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff 2/7
✔ 3. GENRES:
Genres for Rachel Amphlett include: Crime, Thriller and Mystery.
☀Read a book that is tagged as Crime, Thriller or Mystery
The Day of the Dead - Nicci French 2/3
✔ 4. GOODREADS:
Ms. Amphlett has been a member of Goodreads since June 2011.
☀Read a book published in June (any year) or a book published in 2011.
Fuzzy Navel - J.A. Konrath (pub June 2008) 2/24
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
✔M: Murder of Crows - Annie Bellet 2/8
✔ Y: The Day is Dark - Yrsa Sigurðardóttir 2/26
✔ S: No Fixed Line - Dana Stabenow 2/14
✔ T: The Bookman - Lavie Tidhar 2/13
✔ E: Enigma - Catherine Coulter 2/7
✔ R: The Brothers Cro-Magnon - Roger Thomas Pepper 2/17
✔ Y: You Belong with Me - Tari Faris 2/22
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Featured Author - Catherine Coulter
READ: 20/20
✔ 1. CATHERINE COULTER:
Catherine Coulter was born December 26th in Texas; she currently resides in California.
☀Read a book set in Texas of California
A Cosmology of Monsters - Shaun Hamill (Texas) 3/1
✔ 2. FAMILY HISTORY:
Coulter's grandmother was also a writer. Her father was a painter and singer, while her mother was a concert pianist.
☀Read a book in which a character is involved in writing, painting, or music
Hot Blooded - Donna Grant 3/2
(heroine is a photo journalist)
✔ 3. GENRES:
Ms. Coulter writes in the genres of Suspense, Thriller, and Romance.
☀Read a book tagged on the book's main page with Suspense, Thriller or Romance.
Cari Mora - Thomas Harris 3/15
✔ 4. FIRST NOVEL:
Coulter's first published novel - The Countess, originally titled The Autumn Countess, was published in 1979.
☀Read a book published sometime between 1979 and 2020.
Mismatch - Tami Hoag (pub 1989) 3/13
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT: Title / Author
✔ C: Crown of Death - Keary Taylor 3/4
✔ A: Case Histories - Kate Atkinson 3/14
✔ T: My Lord Raven - Tamela Quijas 3/3
✔ H: Heartbreak and Honor - Collette Cameron 3/15
✔ E: Shifting Dreams - Elizabeth Hunter 3/13
✔ R: Provoked - Rebecca Zanetti 3/6
✔ I: Inferno - Dan Brown 3/15
✔ N: Night Diver - Elizabeth Lowell 3/25
✔ E: Echo North - Joanna Ruth Meyer 3/16
✔ C: The Pumpkin Patch - Darien Cox & Kade Boehme 3/21
✔ O: One Potion in the Grave - Heather Blake 3/22
✔ U: The Unforgiven - Patricia MacDonald 3/23
✔ L: Wake of Vultures - Lila Bowen 3/12
✔ T: Tell Me Lies - Jennifer Crusie 3/8
✔ E: Bone Driven - Hailey Edwards 3/18
✔ R: You're Gonna Love Me - Robin Lee Hatcher 3/20
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Featured Author - Amanda Stevens
READ: 10/10
✔ 1. AMANDA STEVENS:
Amanda Stevens grew up in the southern part of the US. She now resides in Houston, Texas.
☀Read a book set in the southern part of the US, or one set in Texas,
Brody - Emma Lang 4/11
✔ 2. GENRES:
Ms. Stevens writes mysteries, thrillers, romance and young adult books.
☀Read a book tagged as: Mystery, Thriller, Romance, or Young Adult.
When Beauty Tamed the Beast - Eloisa James (romance) 4/10
✔ 3. GOODREADS:
Ms. Stevens has been a member of Goodreads October 2010.
☀Read a book published in October (any year) or one published in 2010.
The Last Suppers - Diane Mott Davidson (pub Oct 1994) 4/5
✔ 4. FIFTY NOVELS:
Amanda Stevens has written over fifty novels.
☀Read a book in which the number 5 or 0 can be found in the total page count.
Terrified - Kevin O'Brien (550 pages) 4/4
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
✔ G: Gabe - Susan Fisher-Davis 4/5
✔ O: Blood & Water - Katie O'Rourke 4/4
✔ T: Time Windows - Kathryn Reiss 4/3
✔ H: Hotshot - Julie Garwood 4/10
✔ I: I Stop Somewhere - T.E. Carter 4/21
✔ C: Where Demons Fear to Tread - Stephanie Chong 4/8
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Second Quarter - Historical Landmarks of New York Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2020
READ: 36/37
✔️1. ADAMS POWER PLANT TRANSFORMER HOUSE:
Constructed in 1895, it was the first large-scale alternating current electric generating plant in the world.
❂Read the first book of a series or the first book on your WTR
Sacrificed to the Dragon - Jessie Donovan 4/7
✔️2. SUSAN B. ANTHONY HOUSE:
Located in Rochester, New York, this was the home of women's rights activist, Susan B. Anthony. She was arrested in the front parlor after attempting to vote in the 1872 Presidential Election.
❂Read a book in which someone is arrested,
The Law of Moses - Amy Harmon (hero's best friend) 5/2
✔️3. JOHN BROWN FARM AND GRAVESITE:
This 270 acre farm is located near Lake Placid, New York, it includes the home and final resting place of abolitionist, John Brown.
❂Read a book in which the total page count contains the number 2, 7 or 0
Time Windows - Kathryn Reiss (272 pages) 4/3
✔️4. CROTON AQUEDUCT:
The Croton Aqueduct was a large complex water distribution system constructed for New York City. The great aqueducts carried water by gravity 41 miles from the Croton River to reservoirs in Manhattan.
❂Read a book with water shown on the cover
A Tale of Two Biddies - Kylie Logan 4/23
✔️5. DAVIS-FERRIS ORGAN:
The Davis-Ferris Organ was built in 1847, and is located in the Round Lake Auditorium in the village of Round Lake, New York.
❂Read a book with a musical instrument mentioned in the text
Jumping Jude - Lucy Lennox 4/26
(you didn't bring your guitar), p21
✔️6. ELEPHANT HOTEL:
Built between 1820-1825, this former hotel now serves as the town hall of Somers, Westchester County, New York. Hachaliah Bailey built the hotel after buying an African elephant which he named Old Bet.
❂Read a book with an elephant or large building shown on the cover
Dorchadas House - Emmanuelle de Maupassant 4/22
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to the New York to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. I've provided a list of options below, but feel free to use something of your own.
A: Betrayals - Kelley Armstrong 4/3
D: book:Your Blue Eyed Boy|1238791] - Helen Dunmore 4/13
A: Any Witch Way You Can - Amanda M. Lee 4/10
M: Song of the Sea Spirit - K.C. May 4/18
S: Spindle's End - Robin McKinley 4/11
P: Verses for the Dead - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child 4/1
O: Blood & Water - Katie O'Rourke 4/4
W: Where Demons Fear to Tread - Stephanie Chong 4/8
E: When Beauty Tamed the Beast - Eloisa James 4/10
R: The Cat's Meow - Robert Wright Campbell 4/9
P: 180 Seconds - Jessica Park 4/29
L: The Girl Who Lived Twice - David Lagercrantz 4/6
A: Along Came a Cowboy - Christine Lynxwiler 4/12
N: Night's Blaze - Donna Grant 5/9
T: Terrified - Kevin O'Brien 4/4
T: They Had Goat Heads - D. Harlan Wilson 4/5
R: Lure of Song and Magic - Patricia Rice 4/15
A: At Death's Door - Sherrilyn Kenyon 4/17
N:
S: Snow White Red-Handed - Maia Chance 4/12
F: Gabe - Susan Fisher-Davis 4/5
O: The Overlook - Michael Connelly 4/14
R: Rebel Wolf - Amy Green 4/28
M: Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter - Katie MacAlister 4/4
E: Brody - Emma Lang 4/11
R: Sandman Slim - Richard Kadrey 4/18
H: Houston, We Have A Problem - Erin McCarthy 4/2
O: Angel of Mercy - Lisa Olsen 4/21
U: Unleashed - Cherrie Lynn 4/25
S: Fighting Fate - J.B. Salsbury 4/19
E: A Hidden Fire - Elizabeth Hunter 4/24
May Featured Author - John Steinbeck
READ: 10/11
✔ 1. JOHN STEINBECK:
John Steinbeck was born February 27, 1902 in Salinas, California. He was of German, English and Irish descent.
☀Read a book set in California
Seeing Red - Jill Shalvis 5/7
✔ 2. FAMILY:
Mr. Steinbeck's father was a county treasurer, while his mother was a school teacher. His mother shared Steinbeck's love for reading and writing.
☀Read a book by a favorite author.
Rendezvous With Yesterday - Dianne Duvall 5/5
✔ 3. GENRES:
John Steinbeck's writing is classified as literature and fiction.
☀Read a book that is tagged literature or fiction on the book's main page.
The Heart's Invisible Furies - John Boyne 5/9
4. PULITZER & NOBEL PRIZE:
In 1940, Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He later won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.
☀Read a book whose title begins with the letter "P" or "N".
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
✔ SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
S: Getting Wilde - Jenn Stark 5/4
A: The Law of Moses - Amy Harmon 5/2
L: Darker Than Night - Kim Lenox 5/6
I: Three Bedrooms In Chelsea - Liz Ireland 5/4
N: Night's Blaze - Donna Grant 5/9
A: Divide & Conquer - Madeline Urban & Abigail Roux 5/2
S: A Beginner's Guide to Paradise - Alex Sheshunoff 5/7
June Featured Author - Margaret Atwood
READ: 8/10
1. MARGARET ATWOOD:
Ms. Atwood was born November 18, 1939 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
☀Read a book set in Canada, OR
☀Read a book written by a Canadian author.
✔ 2. Double Persephone, Atwood's first book of poetry was published in 1961.
☀Read a book tagged mythology or fairy tale on the book's main page,
The Vicious Deep - Zoraida Córdova 6/8
✔ 3. GENRES:
Following are just a few of the genres associated with Atwood's work: Literature, Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Speculative Fiction.
☀Read a book with one of the above tags shown on the book's main page.
Courting Darkness - Robin LaFevers (historical fiction) 6/2
✔ 4. THE HANDMAID'S TALE:
Published in 1985, The Handmaid's Tale is one of Atwood's best known works. The book was adapted into a 1990 film, a 2000 opera and a 2017 television series.
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in THE HANDMAID'S TALE (no word count limit, but all words count).
Smoke and Iron - Rachel Caine 6/13
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
✔ O: Boundary Crossed - Melissa F. Olson 6/2
✔ T: Talon/Xavier - Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright 6/27
T:
✔ A: Stars & Stripes - Abigail Roux 6/9
✔ W: Witches' Brew - Morgana Best 6/25
✔ A: Sweep of the Blade - Ilona Andrews 6/11
July Featured Author - Dorothea Benton Frank
READ: 11/11
✔ 1. DOROTHEA BENTON FRANK:
Dorothea Benton Frank was born September 12, 1951 in South Carolina.
☀Read a book published in September (any year).
Stalked - Brian Freeman (pub Sep 6, 2007) 7/14
✔ 2. GENRES:
Her genres were Literature and Fiction.
☀Read a book with a tag of Literature or Fiction shown on the book's main page.
The Vanishing of Katharina Linden - Helen Grant (fiction) 7/7
✔ 3. PREVIOUS WORK:
Ms. Frank worked in the apparel industry and was also did volunteer work prior to becoming a novelist.
☀Read a book with a cover showing a piece of clothing,
Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between - J.A. Saare 7/6
✔ 4. SULLIVAN'S ISLAND:
Her first novel - Sullivan's Island was originally published in 1999.
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in SULLIVANSISLAND (no word count limit, but all words count).
Avenger's Angel - Heather Killough-Walden 7/19
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
✔ F: The Fallen Vampire - Beata Blitz 7/18
✔ I: Itsy Bitsy Spider - Willow Rose 7/9
✔ C: Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook - Christina Henry 7/22
✔ T: Traggedy Ann - Sinclair Browning 7/19
✔ I: Bayon/Jean-Baptiste - Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright 7/25
✔ O: Chinook, Wine and Sink Her - Morgan Q. O'Reilly 7/29
✔ N: New Uses for Old Boyfriends - Beth Kendrick 7/17
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Third Quarter - Historical Landmarks of Arizona Duration: July 1 - September 30, 2020
READ: 24/24
✔️1. DESERT LABORATORY:
Founded in 1903 by the Carnegie Institution, the Desert Laboratory was set up to study how plants survive and thrive in the heat and aridity of deserts.
❂Read a book set in a desert or a hot location
Dark Warrior - Rebecca York (set in the Arizona desert) 8/14
✔️2. GRAND CANYON DEPOT:
The Grand Canyon Depot was constructed in 1909 for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It is one of three remaining railroad depots in the US built with logs as the primary structure material.
❂Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in GRAND CANYON DEPOT
Rules of Contact - Jaci Burton 7/13
✔️3. HUBBELL TRADING POST:
Established in 1878, the Hubbell Trading Post was considered a meeting ground of two cultures between the Navajo and the settlers who came to the area to trade.
❂Read a book set during the 1800's
Jackaby - William Ritter (1892) 8/23
✔️4. SAN XAVIER DEL BAC MISSION:
The San Xasvier del Bac Mission is a Spanish Catholic mission located in Tucson, Arizona. Originally built in 1692, the current sturcture dates to 1783 - 1797.
❂Read a book with the letter "X" found somewhere in the title.
Hooked on a Phoenix - Ashlyn Chase 9/21
✔️5. TOMBSTONE HISTORIC DISTRICT:
Associated with the struggle between lawlessness and civility in the frontier towns of the wild west, the Tombstone Historic District is also home to the legendary O.K. Corral.
❂Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in OK CORRAL.
Kato - D.B. Reynolds 8/28
✔️6. WINONA SITE:
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964, the Winona Site is an archaeological site located in Coconino County, Arizona, and is part of the Coconino National Forest. It is located near Sunset Crater which erupted in 1066.
❂Read a book in which an eruption or explosion takes place
Gabriel - D.B. Reynolds (villain blows buildings up) 9/5
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to Arizona to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. I've provided a list of options below, but feel free to use something of your own.
✔️Hubbell Trading Post
H: Highfire - Eoin Colfer 7/24
U: UNSUB - Meg Gardiner 7/27
B: A Bad Day for Sunshine - Darynda Jones 7/23
B: Before Evil - Alex Kava 7/25
E: Cursed - Alexa Egan 7/24
L: Say No To Joe? - Lori Foster 7/12
L: Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook - Christina Henry 7/22
T: Traggedy Ann - Sinclair Browning 7/19
R: Ral's Woman - Laurann Dohner 7/15
A: Agatha H and the Clockwork Princess - Phil & Kaja Foglio 7/17
D: Drink of Me - Jacquelyn Frank 7/19
I: Itsy Bitsy Spider - Willow Rose 7/9
N: New Uses for Old Boyfriends - Beth Kendrick 7/17
G: Golden in Death - J.D. Robb 7/8
P: Painter For Hire - D.K. Holmberg 7/28
O: Chinook, Wine and Sink Her - Morgan Q. O'Reilly 7/29
S: Stalked - Brian Freeman 7/14
T: Trick or Treat Murder - Leslie Meier 8/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
August Featured Author - Jake Needham
READ: 15/15
✔ 1. JAKE NEEDHAM:
Jake Needham is an American novelist and screenwriter.
☀Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are found in JAKE NEEDHAM.
Driven - Eve Kenin 8/5
✔ 2. TEXAS...AND OTHER PLACES:
Mr. Needham was born in Houston, Texas. In addition to Texas, he has lived in New York, Washington, D.C., California, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.
☀Read a book set in one of these locations.
Death's Angel - Heather Killough-Walden 8/4
✔ 3. GENRES:
Mr. Needham writes mysteries and thrillers.
☀Read a book tagged as Mystery or Thriller on the book's main page, OR
☀Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in MYSTERY or THRILLER.
Murder is a Monkey's Game - Ruby Loren 8/11
✔ 4. THE WRITER'S ROOM:
Much of Mr. Needham's work is done at The Writer's Room on Greenwich Village.
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in THE WRITER'S ROOM, OR
☀Read a book published sometime between 1978 and 2020.
Trick or Treat Murder - Leslie Meier (pub 1996) 8/12
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
Jake Needham
J: Jackaby - William Ritter 8/23
A: Alien vs. Alien - Gini Koch 8/2
K: Warrior's Angel - Heather Killough-Walden 8/8
E: Fallen Angel - Eden Bradley 8/19
N: Night of the Dragon - Julie Kagawa 8/8
E: Murder in the Storybook Cottage - Ellery Adams 8/7
E: Suddenly Psychic - Elizabeth Hunter 8/1
D: Death of a Trophy Wife - Laura Levine 8/6
H: Death of a Bacon Heiress - Lee Hollis 8/9
A: Alpha Night - Nalini Singh 8/1
M: A Memory for Murder - Ruby Loren 8/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Featured Author - Paula McLain
READ: 14/14
✔ 1. PAULA MCLAIN:
☀Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are found in PAULA MCLAIN.
Hooked on a Phoenix - Ashlyn Chase 9/21
✔ 2. A TICKET TO RIDE:
Paula McLain's first novel is A Ticket to Ride.
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in A TICKET TO RIDE. No word count limit, but all words count.
Crooked River - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child 9/20
✔ 3. GENRES:
Ms. McLain writes Historical Fiction, Memoirs and Poetry.
☀Read a book tagged as Historical Fiction, Memoir or Poetry on the book's main page.
Dark Voyage - Helen Susan Swift 9/7
✔ 4. FRESNO TO CLEVELAND:
Paula McLain was born in Fresno, California. She currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.
☀Read a book set in California
Gabriel - D.B. Reynolds 9/5
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
✔C : Claim The Leopard Princess - Meg Xuemei X. 9/14
✔A: Touch & Geaux - Abigail Roux 9/5
✔L: The Magicians - Lev Grossman 9/3
✔I: The Persuasion - Iris Johansen 9/11
✔F: Firestorm Forever - Deborah Cooke 9/24
✔O: The Faithless Hawk - Margaret Owen 9/9
✔R: Gabriel - D.B. Reynolds 9/5
✔N: Nine Lives - Sharon Sala 9/30
✔I: Igniting Darkness - Robin LaFevers 9/25
✔A: The Werewolf Upstairs - Ashlyn Chase 9/29
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Featured Author - Robin Cook
READ: 12/12
✔1. ROBIN COOK:
Author, Robin Cook was book May 4, 1940 in New York City, New York, but moved to Leonia, New Jersey when he was young.
☀Read a book set in New York or New Jersey.
Nuts - Alice Clayton (set in New York) 10/14
✔2. GENRES:
His books are in the genres of: Mystery, Thriller, Medical Thriller.
☀Read a book with one of these tags shown on the book's main page.
Deadly Fate - Heather Graham (mystery) 10/7
✔3. MEDICAL THRILLER:
He is best known for combining medical writing with the thriller genre.
☀Read a book in which the main character works in the medical field, OR
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in MEDICAL THRILLER (no word count limit, but all words count).
The Masked City - Genevieve Cogman 10/30
✔4. FIRST NOVEL:
His first novel was The Year of the Intern, which was published in 1973.
☀Read a book published sometime between 1973 and 2020 (inclusive).
Charlie All Night - Jennifer Crusie (pub 1995) 10/12
bookcover:Charlie All Night|33745]☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
✔T: The Tempering of Men - Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear 10/3
✔H: The Stepsister Scheme - Jim C. Hines 10/22
✔R: Unbreakable - Violetta Rand 10/25
✔I: Intimate Beings - Jessica Barksdale Inclan 10/23
✔L: A Tapestry of Spells - Lynn Kurland 10/15
✔L: The Second Deadly Sin - Åsa Larsson 10/19
✔E: An Apprentice to Elves - Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear 10/10
✔R: The Sign - Raymond Khoury 10/5
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Fourth Quarter - Historical Landmarks of Minnesota Duration: October 1 - December 31, 2020
READ: 21/21
✔️1. F. SCOTT FITZGERALD HOUSE:
Also known as Summit Terrace, the F. Scott Fitzgerald house is located in Saint Paul. It is of the Late Victorian style and was built in 1889.
❂Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in SUMMIT TERRACE.
The Tempering of Men - Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear 10/3
✔️2. SINCLAIR LEWIS BOYHOOD HOME:
From 1889 to 1902, this was the home of author, Sinclair Lewis.
❂Read a book in which the title begins with a letter found in SINCLAIR LEWIS.
The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks 10/3
✔️3. MOUNTAIN IRON MINE:
High-grade iron ore was discovered in 1887 by Leonidas Merritt. Merritt and his brothers established the Mountain Iron Mine in 1892, and it operated until 1956.
❂Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in LEONIDAS MERRITT.
Deadly Fate - Heather Graham 10/7
✔️4. SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE:
The Split Rock Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in on the North Shore of Lake Superior just southwest of Silver Bay, MN. It was built in 1910 at a cost of $75,000.
❂Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in SPLIT ROCK.
A Tapestry of Spells - Lynn Kurland 10/15
✔️5. SOO LINE HIGH BRIDGE:
The Soo Line High Bridge (also known as the Arcola High Bridge) is a steel deck arch bridge that built over the St. Croix River between Stillwater, MN and Somerset, WI. It was built in 1910-11 by the American Bridge Company.
❂Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in ST. CROIX RIVER.
Of Dawn and Embers - Kyoko M. 10/24
✔️6. TAYLORS FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY:
The Taylors Falls Public Library started out as a tailor shop in 1854. In 1887, it was converted to a library, which is still in operation.
❂Read a book in which a library or tailor shop is mentioned
The Masked City - Genevieve Cogman 10/30
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to Minnesota to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. I've provided a list of options below, but feel free to use something of your own.
✔️Leonidas Merritt
L: Leaving Normal - Stef Ann Holm 11/5
E: Shocking Pink - Erica Spindler 10/30
O: Of Fury and Fangs - Kyoko M. 10/31
N: Nuts - Alice Clayton 10/14
I: Intimate Beings - Jessica Barksdale Inclan 10/23
D: Doctor Rat - William Kotzwinkle 11/27
A: An Almond for a Parrot - Wray Delaney 10/24
S: Shadows of the Short Days - Alexander Dan Vilhjálmsson 11/7
M: Manhunting - Jennifer Crusie 10/23
E: An Apprentice to Elves - Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear 10/10
R: Unbreakable - Violetta Rand 10/25
R: Claimed - Rebecca Zanetti 11/17
I: It's All Greek to Me - Katie MacAlister 10/24
T: Taken by Tuesday - Catherine Bybee 10/9
T: Officer off Limits - Tessa Bailey 11/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Featured Author - Jasper Fforde
READ: 11/11
✔1. JASPER FFORDE:
Jasper Fforde was born in London, England.
☀Read a book set in London or England,
Bryant & May and the Burning Man - Christopher Fowler 11/11
✔2. GENRES:
Mr. Fforde writes Science Fiction, Fantasy, Literature & Fiction.
☀Read a book with one of these tags shown on the book's main page.
Shadows of the Short Days - Alexander Dan Vilhjálmsson 11/7
✔3. FIRST NOVEL:
Jasper Fforde's first novel, The Eyre Affair was published in 2001.
☀Read a book in which the title begins with a letter found in THE EYRE AFFAIR,
Adam and Evil - Gillian Roberts 11/6
✔4. FILM INDUSTRY:
Mr. Fforde began his career in the film industry, and work with movies such as Goldeneye, The Mask of Zorro, and more.
☀Read a book by a favorite author.
Shadows in Death - J.D. Robb 11/13
✔5. BONUS:
Read a book written by Jasper Fforde.
The Song of the Quarkbeast - Jasper Fforde 11/29
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
Jasper Fforde (first, last or both)
✔ J: The Drowning - J.P. Smith 11/28
✔ A: The Witch Squad - M.Z. Andrews 11/9
✔ S: Burn Marks - Sara Paretsky 11/2
✔ P: The Phantom of the Opera - Gaston Leroux 11/4
✔ E: Eleven - Carolyn Arnold 11/26
✔ R: Claimed - Rebecca Zanetti 11/17
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Featured Author - Fredrik Backman
READ: 17/18
✔ 1. FREDRICK BACKMAN:
Fredrik Backman was born in Stockholm, Sweden on June 2, 1981. He has been a Goodreads member since 2013.
☀Read a book published sometime between 1981 and 2013 (inclusive).
The Good Fairies of New York - Martin Millar (pub 1992) 12/4
✔ 2. GENRE:
His work is classified as Fiction.
☀Read a book which is tagged as Fiction on the book's main page.
The River - Cheryl Kaye Tardif 12/15
3. DEBUT NOVEL:
Mr. Backman's debut novel was A Man Called Ove.
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in A MAN CALLED OVE; no word count limit, but all words count (sub-titles may be ignored).
✔ 4. COLUMNIST/BLOGGER:
Fredrik Backman is also a columnist and a blogger.
☀Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are found in COLUMNIST BLOGGER.
One Grave Too Many - Beverly Connor 12/8
☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀☀♡☀♡☀♡☀
SPELL OUT:
Choose something related to this author to spell out by using the following: (1) first letter of the book's title, or (2) first letter of the author's first or last name. Below is a list to choose from, but you are welcome to use something of your own.
✔ F: Possession - Tracey M. Frazier 12/9
✔ R: Falling Kingdoms - Morgan Rhodes 12/5
✔ E: Man at Work - Elaine Fox 12/19
✔ D: Deadlock - Catherine Coulter 12/18
✔ R: Rosemary and Crime - Gail Oust 12/11
✔ I: Illumination - Susannah Sandlin 12/24
✔ K: The Phantom King - Heather Killough-Walden 12/2
✔ B: Back on Blossom Street - Debbie Macomber 12/17
✔ A: When We Meet Again - Victoria Alexander 12/6
✔ C: Consigned to Death - Jane K. Cleland 12/15
✔ K: A Curse So Dark and Lonely - Brigid Kemmerer 12/16
✔ M: Tracker's Sin - Sarah McCarty 12/9
✔ A: Quicksilver - Rebecca J. Anderson 12/12
✔ N: Archangel's Sun - Nalini Singh 12/2
The Year 1920Duration: June 1, 2020 - May 31, 2021
READ: 12/12
✔ 1. THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES:
The Treaty of Versailles takes effect January 10, 1920.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in VERSAILLES.
The Vicious Deep - Zoraida Córdova 6/8
✔ 2. CONFERENCE OF LONDON:
Leaders of the United Kingdom, France and Italy meet to discuss the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire, February 12th - 24th.
✤Read a book set in the UK, France or Italy,
Courting Darkness - Robin LaFevers (France) 6/2
✔ 3. PALM SUNDAY TORNADO OUTBREAK:
On March 28, 1920, an outbreak of tornadoes hits the Great Lakes region and the Deep South of the United States.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in TORNADO OUTBREAK.
Boundary Crossed - Melissa F. Olson 6/2
✔ 4. JACK WEBB:
April 2, 1920 - American TV actor, Jack Webb was born. He is best known for starring as Sergeant Joe Friday in Dragnet.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in JOE FRIDAY.
The Final Fight - JD Salsbury 6/3
✔ 5. KLM:
The first flight of Dutch air company KLM from Amsterdam to London takes place.
✤Read a book whose title begins with K, L or M.
Lions and Tigers and Murder, Oh My - Denise Swanson 6/16
✔ 6. US POST OFFICE DEPT:
June 13 - The US Post Office rules that children may not be sent via parcel post.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found inf POST OFFICE.
Plaid and Plagiarism - Molly MacRae 6/6
✔ 7. ARTHUR MEIGHEN:
July 7, 1920, Arthur Meighen becomes Canada's ninth Prime Minister.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in ARTHUR MEIGHEN.
UNSUB - Meg Gardiner 7/27
✔ 8. 1920 SUMMER OLYMPICS:
August 14, 1920, he 1920 Summer Olympics open in Antwerp, Belgium.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in SUMMER OLYMPICS.
Sharks in the Time of Saviors - Kawai Strong Washburn 7/7
✔ 9. NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE:
September 17, 1920 - The National Football League is established in the US.
✤Read a book in which football plays a part
Rules of Contact - Jaci Burton (professional football player) 7/13
✔ 10. LEAGUE OF NATIONS:
October 27, 1920 - The League of Nations moves it headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
Itsy Bitsy Spider - Willow Rose 7/9
✔ 11. UNKNOWN WARRIOR:
November 11, 1920 - The Unknown Warrior is buried in Westminster Abbey.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in UNKNOWN WARRIOR.
Witches' Brew - Morgana Best 6/25
✔ 12. HAIYUAN EARTHQUAKE:
December 16, 1920 - An 8.6 Richter Scale earthquake causes a massive landslide in Gansu Province, China.
✤Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in HAIYUAN EARTHQUAKE
Necessary Magic - Val St. Crowe 7/3
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
POI: Sydney Opera HouseDuration: July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021
READ: 37/37
✔️1. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE:
The beautiful Sydney Opera House is a performing arts centre located at Sydney Harbor in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
❂Read a book set in Australia,
A Ghost of a Chance - Morgana Best 10/31
✔️2. CONSTRUCTION:
Construction of the Sydney Opera House began March 1, 1959 and was completed October 20, 1973.
❂Read a book published in March or October (any year).
Agatha H and the Clockwork Princess - Phil & Kaja Foglio (pub March 2012) 7/17
✔️3. DESIGN:
It is of the expressionist design and has a series of concrete "shells", each with a radius of 246 ft, 8.6 inches.
❂Read a book with a shell or a building shown on the cover
Castle Perilous - John DeChancie 8/27
✔️4. ARCHITECT:
The original architect was Jørn Oberg Utzon. Born in Denmark, he became interested in ships and a possible naval career.
❂Read a book set in Denmark,
The House of Dolls - David Hewson 7/11
✔️5. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE:
The Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 28, 2007. It was also a finalist in the New7Wonders of the World campaign list.
❂Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
Night of the Dragon - Julie Kagawa 8/8
✔️6. COST:
Cost of construction at the time was A$102 million, equivalent to A$297 million in 2016.
❂Read a book in which finances plays a part in the story
Death of a Rug Lord - Tamar Myers (money laundering) 8/18
✔️7. VISITORS:
As one of the most popular attractions in Australia, it is visited by more than 8 million people each year. Approximately 350,000 visitors take a guided tour each year.
❂Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in VISITORS.
The Vanishing of Katharina Linden - Helen Grant 7/7
✔️8. OPENING:
The Sydney Opera House was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October 20, 1973. It was televised and included a fireworks display and a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
❂Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in QUEEN ELIZABETH II.
Trouble in Bloom - Heather Webber 8/31
**********************************************
SPELL OUT: title/author
✔️1. Sydney Opera House
✔ S: The Song of David - Amy Harmon 7/2
✔ Y: Dark Warrior - Rebecca York 8/14
✔ D: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between - J.A. Saare 7/6
✔ N: Necessary Magic - Val St. Crowe 7/3
✔ E: Cursed - Alexa Egan 7/24
✔ Y: Private Affair - Rebecca York 8/16
✔ O: Chinook, Wine and Sink Her - Morgan Q. O'Reilly 7/29
✔ P: Painter For Hire - D.K. Holmberg 7/28
✔ E: Highfire - Eoin Colfer 7/24
✔ R: Archer's Lady - Moira Rogers 7/24
✔ A: Ball & Chain - Abigail Roux 9/13
✔ H: A Scone to Die For - H.Y. Hanna 8/24
✔ O: Of Dawn and Embers - Kyoko M. 10/24
✔ U: Undertow - Dixie Browning 9/28
✔ S: Samael - Heather Killough-Walden 8/13
✔ E: Driven - Eve Kenin 8/5
✔️10. New South Wales
✔ N: New Year's Eve Murder - Leslie Meier 7/28
✔ E: Suddenly Psychic - Elizabeth Hunter 8/1
✔ W: The Willow - Stacey Kennedy 8/3
✔ S: Scottish Ecstasy - Rebecca Sinclair 8/16
✔ O: The Faithless Hawk - Margaret Owen 9/9
✔ U: UNSUB - Meg Gardiner 7/27
✔ T: Thou Shalt Not Grill - Tamar Myers 8/17
✔ H: Death's Angel - Heather Killough-Walden 8/4
✔ W: Warrior's Angel - Heather Killough-Walden 8/8
✔ A: Before Evil - Alex Kava 7/25
✔ L: Murder is a Monkey's Game - Ruby Loren 8/1
✔ E: Murder in the Storybook Cottage - Ellery Adams 8/7
✔ S: Solomon vs. Lord - Paul Levine 8/15
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Ghost Towns of Alabama DURATION: October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021
READ: 10/10
✔1. AIGLEVILLE:
Aigleville (translated as Eagle Town) was a town located on the Black Warrior River in Marengo County, Alabama. It was established in 1818 and was part of the Vine and Olive Colony. It was disestablished in the 1830s and is considered barren.
💀Read a book in which the title begins with a letter in AIGLEVILLE.
An Apprentice to Elves - Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear 10/10
✔2. ARCOLA:
Arcola is a ghost town in what is now known as Hale County. It was named in honor of the French victory during the battle of Arcola. It was established in the 1820s and disestablished in the 1850s. The current status of Arcola is listed as Historic.
💀Read a book in which a battle of some sort takes place,
The Tempering of Men - Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear 10/3
(battle between humans, elves and trolls)
✔3. BARNESVILLE:
Barnesville is a ghost town located in Marion County, Alabama. There are two churches that still remain in Barnesville, along with a scattered populace. A post office was in operation from 1855 until 1907.
💀Read a book in which the title begins with a letter found in BARNESVILLE.
The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks 10/3
✔4. BEAVER MILLS:
Beaver Mills (also known as Beaver Meadow) is a ghost town located in Mobile County, Alabama. It was the site of a paper mill that was also used as a uniform depot during the American Civil War. A post office was in operation there from 1890 until 1906.
💀Read a book in which the title starts with a letter found in BEAVER MILLS.
Murder Most Maine - Karen MacInerney 11/3
✔5. BELLEFONTE:
Bellefonte is a ghost town located in Jackson County, Alabama. It was established in 1821. It was abandoned by the 1920s. All that remains today are the cemetery, the chimney of the local inn, and piles of scattered bricks.
💀Read a book in which the title begins with a letter found in BELLEFONTE.
The Last Colossus - Michael Hodges 11/7
✔6. BLAKELEY:
Blakeley is a ghost town in Baldwin County, Alabama. It was established in 1813. One of the last battles of the American Civil War was fought here in April 1865. It was disestablished in 1865, and is now historic state park known as Historic Blakeley State Park.
💀Read a book in which the author's initials are found in BALDWIN COUNTY.
Taken by Tuesday - Catherine Bybee 10/9
✔7. BLUFFTON:
Founded in 1888 as a mining town, by 1890 it was home to 8,000 residents. The Signal Hotel once hosted the author Rudyard Kipling. It was disestablished in 1934.
💀Read a book in which the title begins with a letter found in BLUFFTON.
Burn Marks - Sara Paretsky 11/2
✔8. BROWNVILLE:
Brownsville....had many names. It started off as Sulpher Springs, then it was known as Hog Eye due to its small size. Then the name was changed to Red Valley, due to the fact that most houses in the town were painted red. The final name of the town was Brownville in honor of W.P. Brown. It was established in 1925, but was considered abandoned by 1989. It was located in Tuscaloosa County.
💀Read a book with an eye shown on the cover, OR
Dreams in the Key of Blue - John Philpin 10/7
✔9. CAHABA:
Cahaba is a ghost town located in Dallas County, Alabama. Established in 1819, by 1865 it was abandoned. Cahaba suffered regular seasonal flooding.
💀Read a book with a body of water shown on the cover
Deadly Fate - Heather Graham 10/7
✔10. WASHINGTON:
Washington is a ghost town located in Autauga County, Alabama.
It was established in 1819 but was deserted by 1879.
💀Read a book in which the title begins with a letter found in WASHINGTON.
Whiskey, Vamps, and Thieves - Selene Charles 10/11
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Favorite Album - The Long Run DURATION: October 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
READ: 10/10
✔1. THE LONG RUN:
The Long Run is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Eagles.
☀Read a book whose title begins with "T" or ends with "N".
The Tempering of Men - Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear 10/3
✔2. EAGLES:
We've visited the Eagles before, but just in case we've forgotten...
This American rock band was formed in 1971 in Los Angeles, California.
☀Read a book set in California
Taken by Tuesday - Catherine Bybee 10/9
✔3. RELEASE DATE:
The Long Run was released September 24, 1979.
☀Read a book published sometime between 1979 and 2020 (inclusive)
Charlie All Night - Jennifer Crusie (pub 1995) 10/12
✔4. LENGTH:
This album is 42 minutes, 50 seconds in length.
☀Read a series book #4, #2 or #5.
The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks (Embraced by Magic #2) 10/3
✔5. LABEL:
The Long Run was released on the Asylum label. Asylum was founded in 1971 by David Geffen and Elliot Roberts.
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in ASYLUM RECORDS
Company of Liars - Karen Maitland 11/17
✔6. PRODUCER:
The producer for The Long Run was Bill Szymczyk.
☀Read a book by an author in which the first or last name contains the letter "Y" or "Z".
Walking in Fire - Catheryn Cade 10/3
✔7. GENRE:
The Long Run is in the genre of Rock.
☀Read a book whose title begins with "R" or ends with "K".
Blackmark - Jean Lowe Carlson 10/17
✔8. HEARTACHE TONIGHT:
The first single released from The Long Run - "Heartache Tonight" went on to win a Grammy in 1980.
☀Read a book whose title begins with "H" or ends with "T".
The 17th Suspect - James Patterson & Maxine Paetro 10/20
✔9. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHY:
"I Can't Tell You Why" was the third single released from the album, The Long Run, and was the first Eagles album to feature Timothy B. Schmit on lead vocals.
☀Read a book whose title begins with "I"
Identical - Scott Turow 10/16
✔10. SPELL:
Spell something related to this album or band using the following options: (1) first letter of the book's title, (2) first letter of the author's first or last name, (3) first letter of a main character's first or last name, or (4) first letter of a series title.
R: The Sign - Raymond Khoury 10/5
O: Officer off Limits - Tessa Bailey 11/27
C: Whiskey, Vamps, and Thieves - Selene Charles 10/11
K: A Tapestry of Spells - Lynn Kurland 10/15
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Tripeaks Series - Level 1Start Date: April 27, 2020
End Date: December 6, 2020
READ: 28/28
CARDS:
✔1. 6 of Spades - Soul Scorched - Donna Grant (#6) 8/20
✔2. 5 of Diamonds - Rituals - Kelley Armstrong (#5) 5/5
✔3. 3 of Diamonds - Darker Than Night - Kim Lenox (#3) 5/6
✔4. 2 of Hearts - Twice as Hot - Gena Showalter (#2) 4/27
✔5. Ace of Hearts (1) - A Killer's Mind - Mike Omer (#1) 4/28
✔6. 3 of Hearts - Seeing Red - Jill Shalvis (#3) 5/7
✔7. King of Diamonds (3) - Straight from the Hip - Susan Mallery (#3) 5/14
✔8. Queen of Diamonds (2) - Desert Bound - Elizabeth Hunter (#2) 4/30
✔9. Jack of Clubs (1) - Rebel Wolf - Amy Green (#1) 4/28
✔10. 8 of Hearts - Nightmare in Shining Armor - Tamar Myers (#8) 8/17
✔11. 7 of Diamonds - Touch & Geaux - Abigail Roux (#7) 9/5
✔12. Jack of Diamonds (11) - The Rock - Monica McCarty (#11) 5/25
✔13. 4 of Hearts -Divide & Conquer - Madeline Urban & Abigail Roux (#4) 5/2
✔14. Ace of Spades (1) - The Five Deaths of Roxanne Love - Erin Quinn (#1) 4/30
✔15. 7 of Clubs - All Knight Long - John G. Hartness (#7) 7/9
✔16. Ace of Diamonds (1) - The Law of Moses - Amy Harmon (#1) 5/2
✔17. Queen of Clubs (12) - The Ghost - Monica McCarty (#12) 9/3
✔18. King of Clubs (13) - Shattered Bonds - Faith Hunter (#13) 5/24
✔19. 8 of Clubs - Ball & Chain - Abigail Roux (#8) 9/13
✔20. Ace of Clubs (1) - Getting Wilde - Jenn Stark (#1) 5/4
✔21. 9 of Clubs - Death of a Trophy Wife - Laura Levine (#9) 8/6
✔22. 5 of Hearts - Night's Blaze - Donna Grant (#5) 5/9
✔23. King of Hearts (13) - Archangel's Sun - Nalini Singh (#13) 12/2
✔24. Queen of Spades (12) - Thou Shalt Not Grill - Tamar Myers (#12) 8/17
✔25. 8 of Diamonds - Cherry Cheesecake Murder - Joanne Fluke (#8) 8/6
✔26. 7 of Spades - The Final Fight - JD Salsbury (#7) 6/3
✔27. 6 of Hearts - War of the Sons - Rebecca Dessertine (#6) 8/13
✔28. 10 of Hearts - When We Meet Again - Victoria Alexander (#10) 12/6
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists
Books mentioned in this topic
Darker Than Night (other topics)Twice as Hot (other topics)
Soul Scorched (other topics)
Rituals (other topics)
A Killer's Mind (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Kyoko M. (other topics)Dana Stabenow (other topics)
Faith Hunter (other topics)
Erik Axl Sund (other topics)
Sarah J. Maas (other topics)
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Famous Quote: The Seven Samurai
Ghost Towns of Alabama
Favorite Album - The Long Run
POI: Sydney Opera House
Tripeaks Series - Level 1
The Year 1920