2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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I Spy Challenge - 2015
I added another book.1. Color -
2. Number -
3. Things That Grow - Appelsinpiken (The Orange Girl) (It's the fruit, not the colour)
4. Seasons -
5. First Name - Odinsbarn (Odin is a Norwegian name for boys. It's also one of the Norse gods.)
6. Places - Dream Country*
7. Body Part - The Bone Season
8. Weapon - A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold
9. Body of Water -
10. Form of Water - Season of Mists*
11. Product of Fire - City of Ashes
12. Celestial Body - I'll Give You the Sun
13. Architecture - City of Bones
14. Senses -
15. Royal Title - A Clash of Kings
16. Family Member - Indias datter (Secret Daughter in English)
17. Elements - Leaves on the Wind*
18. Time of Day - I Shall Wear Midnight
19. Metal - A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
20. Emotion/Feeling - Daredevil: The Man Without Fear!*
21. Animal/Insect - A Feast for Crows
22. Something to Read -
23. Gender Identifier - Fangirl
24. Paranormal Being - A Monster Calls
25. Occupation - The Sheperd's Tale*
*Graphic novel
edited message 300. Royal Title - The Queen's Fool
Welcome to the challenge, Kelly and Amy!Amy, do you have any short story recommendations? I enjoy short stories but I don't read very many of them.
I do! This has been a year of the short story for me, I keep finding good ones. (I will post some suggestions tomorrow when I'm at a proper computer; posting from my phone right now.)
Just finished #8 (weapon) - The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi. This book made me really thirsty! And then it made me really concerned about the environment. Overall, it was a thought-provoking book but not incredibly enjoyable to read. 3.5 stars23/25
OK, short stories. I like them because to me they are like watching ice skating: can an author meet the degree of difficulty, deliver the emotion and the tale, and stay on her feet? Can he stick the landings on all the jumps? So, technical mastery meets the magic of of a tale well told, I guess is what I'm going for. (I'm telling you my thought process on this because, (view spoiler). [Spoiler tag to hide wall of text.] So that is the point of view I am making recommendations from, for what it is worth.)Here are some lovely stories that are stand alone (no series tie ins) and available free online (with the author's blessing, always).
For fantasy, I have been loving the free Tor shorts this year. They are all available at http://www.tor.com/category/all-ficti... (you basically just scroll and read whatever looks good). They can be kind of hit or miss sometimes; here are some of my favorites:
Ambiguity Machines: An Examination (http://www.tor.com/2015/04/29/ambigui...) - probably my favorite so far this year for fantasy/SF
The Language of Knives (http://www.tor.com/2015/02/04/the-lan...) - a little gory (preparation of a corpse for a funeral) and definitely one that makes you wonder if there isn't a longer work out there given the world building that went into it, but for me the relationship between parent and grown daughter is just haunting.
This Chance Planet: A Tor.Com Original (http://www.tor.com/2014/10/22/this-ch...) - Everything Elizabeth Bear writes seems really good. Trigger warning for abortion. (Nothing graphic - I squirmed as I happen to be prolife and I still loved the story, so there's that for what it's worth.)
Thirteen Steps in the Underworld (http://www.tor.com/2013/11/20/thirtee...) This is a retelling of the Orpheus myth (even though the husband says he is not Orpheus). I really loved it; I seem to be in the minority there.
The Museum and the Music Box (http://www.tor.com/2015/03/18/the-mus...) - this is completely vignette; nothing actually happens in the story except the MC's realization of what has actually happened. It's gorgeous and I love it.
Moving away from Tor, John Scalzi has posted a couple of short stories that made me smile on his blog, Whatever:
When the Yogurt Took Over (http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/10/02...) Exactly what the title says.
An Election (http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/11/01...) (Don't worry; no relation to any earthly politics here.)
Some non-fantasy/SF:
Ghosts and Empties (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/201...) This is probably the best separately available short story I have read/will read this year. Beautifully written and really just hit me where I live. (The New Yorker is another great source of free short stories; can be hit or miss. I haven't done much digging in there this year but maybe next year.)
"I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" from Acts of Contrition is available online: (http://www.fiftytwostories.com/?cat=76). I have not read the collection but I definitely will be after this story. (I haven't figured out how the 52 stories site archive works, but when I do I have a feeling there are some other treasures in there.)
And of course if you read a lot of short stories, you almost have to read anthologies as that's where most of them are, which is problematic as they are so hit or miss. I have had some luck this year. I read Streets of Shadows, and if you like dark/gritty fantasy that had some nice gems, especially "What I Am," "Shooting Aphrodite," "The Man Who Has Been Killing Kittens," "Hand Fast," and "Relics." The other stories in the collection were for the most part very solid as well, which I find to be rare in an anthology. I also just finished The Knife Thrower and Other Stories and loved it, but it is a little repetitive and very cerebral; half the fun is figuring out his analogy/allegory set ups. Still, there's some very beautiful writing in there. "Flying Carpets" may be my story of the year, with "Claire de Lune" and "Balloon Flight, 1870" also very, very good for sheer beauty.
So that's what I've got so far. Next year might be the year of the short stories for me; I am thinking about reading through all the anthologies I keep tagging as to be read. We'll see. Hope you find something to your liking in this little list!
Also edited post 1393. Short story challenge completed with Forbid the Sea. For full length, finished Weapon with The Knife Thrower and Other Stories.
Thanks for all of the recommendations, Amy! I usually prefer fantasy/sci-fi as well, so I'll definitely make my way through your list. I'm realizing that I should have been keeping track of how many short story collections I've read this year, but that's a task for next year. I might make it a personal challenge to read more short stories (anthologies as well as individuals).Quick Question: For those who see this, would anyone else be interested in a short story challenge in the future? Just gauging interest before I bring it up when we start planning for 2016.
I SPY Challenge 2015
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12. Celestial Body - sun, star, planet
13. Architecture - castle, bridge, house
14. Senses - sight, touch, taste
15. Royal Title - king, duke, emperor
16. Family Member - brother, aunt, parent
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18. Time of Day - morning, dusk, evening
19. Metal - gold, bronze, steel
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18/25
Please update message 288: 14/25 completed.
Updated message #603
2: Number - The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Completed 16/25
Please update 25/2512. Celestial Body - sun, star, planet
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Cassandra wrote: "Quick Question: For those who see this, would anyone else be interested in a short story challenge in the future? Just gauging interest before I bring it up when we start planning for 2016. "Yes! I have a book full of short stories I bought in college for an English class but we've read only a few. So that'd be a great challenge for me to read it!
Updated comment 937Whew. Back in the game! I just hit 21/25 by completing Something to Read with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
This only leaves me with Seasons, Elements, Product of Fire, and Senses. But, I'm excited to say I know what my last 4 books will be! It took me a while to figure that out, but now the finish line is in sight. What a great challenge.
Cassandra wrote: "Quick Question: For those who see this, would anyone else be interested in a short story challenge in the future? Just gauging interest before I bring it up when we start planning for 2016."Maybe it goes without saying, but I definitely would.
Cassandra wrote: "Quick Question: For those who see this, would anyone else be interested in a short story challenge in the future? Just gauging interest before I bring it up when we start planning for 2016."I tend to prefer much longer books and only occasionally pick up a short story collection. Good luck to those who choose a short story challenge, though.
I added another book1. Color -
2. Number -
3. Things That Grow - Appelsinpiken (The Orange Girl) (It's the fruit, not the colour)
4. Seasons -
5. First Name - Odinsbarn (Odin is a Norwegian name for boys. It's also one of the Norse gods.)
6. Places - Dream Country*
7. Body Part - The Bone Season
8. Weapon - A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold
9. Body of Water - Deadpool: Dead Presidents*
10. Form of Water - Season of Mists*
11. Product of Fire - City of Ashes
12. Celestial Body - I'll Give You the Sun
13. Architecture - City of Bones
14. Senses -
15. Royal Title - A Clash of Kings
16. Family Member - Indias datter (Secret Daughter in English)
17. Elements - Leaves on the Wind*
18. Time of Day - I Shall Wear Midnight
19. Metal - A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
20. Emotion/Feeling - Daredevil: The Man Without Fear!*
21. Animal/Insect - A Feast for Crows
22. Something to Read -
23. Gender Identifier - Fangirl
24. Paranormal Being - A Monster Calls
25. Occupation - The Sheperd's Tale*
*Graphic novel
I added another book1. Color - Black Widow: The Finely Woven Thread*
2. Number -
3. Things That Grow - Appelsinpiken (The Orange Girl) (It's the fruit, not the colour)
4. Seasons -
5. First Name - Odinsbarn (Odin is a Norwegian name for boys. It's also one of the Norse gods.)
6. Places - Dream Country*
7. Body Part - The Bone Season
8. Weapon - A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold
9. Body of Water - Deadpool: Dead Presidents*
10. Form of Water - Season of Mists*
11. Product of Fire - City of Ashes
12. Celestial Body - I'll Give You the Sun
13. Architecture - City of Bones
14. Senses -
15. Royal Title - A Clash of Kings
16. Family Member - Indias datter (Secret Daughter in English)
17. Elements - Leaves on the Wind*
18. Time of Day - I Shall Wear Midnight
19. Metal - A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
20. Emotion/Feeling - Daredevil: The Man Without Fear!*
21. Animal/Insect - A Feast for Crows
22. Something to Read -
23. Gender Identifier - Fangirl
24. Paranormal Being - A Monster Calls
25. Occupation - The Sheperd's Tale*
*Graphic novel
Congratulations to Maria for finishing this challenge!
Joanne wrote: "Does Twilight count for Time of Day?"Yes I think so Joanne
Victoria wrote: "Joanne wrote: "Does Twilight count for Time of Day?"Yes I think so Joanne"
Thank you Victoria :)
Updated message #603
18: Time of Day - Twilight Children: Three Voices No One Heard Until a Therapist Listened by Torey Hayden
Completed 17/25
I think it is finished.I SPY CHALLENGE
Duration: January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
1. Color - red, crimson, indigo - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, 3 Apr 15
2. Number - one, twice, third - EIGHTY Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman, 13 Feb 15
3. Things That Grow - tree, rose, garden - The People in the TREES by Hanya Yanagihara, 16 Feb 15
4. Seasons - spring, fall, autumn - New SPRING by Robert Jordan, 27 Apr 2015
5. First Name - Jacqueline, Robert, Ajax - ETHAN Frome by Edith Wharton, 27 Feb 15
6. Places - country, empire, London - Discovering the City of SODOM: The Fascinating, True Account of the Discovery of the Old Testament's Most Infamous City by Steven Collins and Latayne C. Scott, 24 Jan 15
7. Body Part - hand, bone, mind - Saint Brigid's BONES: A Celtic Adventure by Philip Freeman, 1 Mar 15
8. Weapon - knife, poison, arrow - Secret of the Samurai SWORD by Phyllis A. Whitney, 13 Sep 2015
9. Body of Water - sea, river, pond - A RIVER in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters, 8 Jan 15
10. Form of Water - ice, mist, rain - CLOUDS of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers, 16 Mar 15
11. Product of Fire - heat, ash, flames - The SCORCH Trials by James Dashner, 17 Jan 15
12. Celestial Body - sun, star, planet - The MOON Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein, 23 Jan 15
13. Architecture - castle, bridge, house - CASTLE Waiting, Vol. 1 by Linda Medley, 26 Jun 15
14. Senses - sight, touch, taste - All the Light We Cannot SEE by Anthony Doerr, 29 Apr 2015
15. Royal Title - king, duke, emperor - Nine PRINCES in Amber by Roger Zelazny, 20 Aug 2015
16. Family Member - brother, aunt, parent - The BROTHERS of Glastonbury by Kate Sedley, 22 Apr 2015
17. Elements - fire, wind, air - Black WIND by Clive Cussler, 10 Jul 2015
18. Time of Day - morning, dusk, evening - I Shall Wear MIDNIGHT by Terry Pratchett, 31 Mar 15
19. Metal - gold, bronze, steel - Streams of SILVER by R.A. Salvatore, 4 Mar 15
20. Emotion/Feeling - love, fear, pride - Secretly SMITTEN by Colleen Coble, et. al., 12 Mar 15
21. Animal/Insect - dog, tiger, unicorn - Night Comes to the Cretaceous: DINOSAUR Extinction and the Transformation of Modern Geology by James Lawrence Powell, 17 May 15
22. Something to Read - book, story, newspaper - Invincible Louisa: The STORY of the Author of Little Women by Cornelia Meigs, 8 Sep 2015
23. Gender Identifier - wife, man, lady - Death of a Greedy WOMAN by M.C. Beaton, 2 Feb 15
24. Paranormal Being - vampire, angel, ghost - Plague of DEMONS by Keith Laumer, 15 Jan 15
25. Occupation - doctor, assassin, detective - DR. Texas by Debbie Macomber, 21 Jan 15
Diane, congratulations on finishing your challenge!
I am at 20/25! 1. Color - The Scarlet Gospels
2. Number - Day Four Read June 14th
3. Things That Grow - Some Prefer Nettles Read Jan 13th
4. Seasons - Winterkill
5. First Name - Rebecca Read Jan 7th
6. Places - The Republic of Thieves Read Jan 29th
7. Body Part - The Bone Clocks Read August 7th
8. Weapon - The Water Knife Read June 4th
9. Body of Water - The Deep Read Jan 31st
10. Form of Water - Boy, Snow, Bird Read Feb 5th
11. Product of Fire - Amber to Ashes Read June 28th
12. Celestial Body - Black Moon Read March 9th
13. Architecture - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Read June 25th
14. Sense
15. Royal Title - Summer Knight Read May 16th
16. Family Member - The Taxidermist's Daughter
17. Elements - The Ice Twins Read March 28th
18. Time of Day - Night Shift Read April 10th
19. Metal
20. Emotion/Feeling - Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain Read April 2nd
21. Animal/Insect - The Magpies Read Jan 29th
22. Something to Read - The Book of Speculation Read August 2nd
23. Gender Identifier - The Girl on the Train Read Jan 17th
24. Paranormal Being - A Head Full of Ghosts: A Novel Read June 9th
25. Occupation - Geisha, a Life Read April 4th
I Spy Book ChallengeRead a book that contains a word in the title that fits each of the 25 categories below. If you're having trouble with a particular category, ask other members what they are reading for it. You may also use the name of the series for up to three categories
(9/25)
1.Color - red, crimson, indigo
2. Number – Six Months in Montana – Pamela Kelley
3. Things That Grow - tree, rose, garden
4. Seasons --
5. First Name - Jacqueline, Robert, Ajax
6. Places - country, empire, London
7. Body Part –
8. Weapon - knife, poison, arrow
9. Body of Water – The Girls of Mischief Bay – Susan Mallery
10. Form of Water - ice, mist, rain
11. Product of Fire - heat, ash, flames
12. Celestial Body – Texas Star – Jean Brashear
13. Architecture – The Christmas Cabin – Emma Cane
14. Senses - sight, touch, taste
15. Royal Title - king, duke, emperor
16. Family Member – Bedding the Wrong Brother – Virna Depaul
17. Elements – Treading Water – Marie Force
18. Time of Day - One Night with her Boss – Noelle Adams)
19. Metal – True Love at Silver Creek Ranch – Emma Cane
20. Emotion/Feeling - love, fear, pride
21. Animal/Insect –)
22. Something to Read - book, story, newspaper
23. Gender Identifier - wife, man, lady –
24. Paranormal Being - vampire, angel, ghost – Dark Witch – Nora Roberts
25. Occupation - doctor, assassin, detective--
Just completed #18 (time of day) - Night Music by Jojo Moyes. This book was a touch slow getting started (particularly in audiobook format) but it became interesting about 1/4 of the way in and riveting about halfway through. I loved the complex characters and description of English country life. Ending was a bit less romantic than I would have liked but overall, well done. 4 stars24/25
I Spy Book ChallengeRead a book that contains a word in the title that fits each of the 25 categories below. If you're having trouble with a particular category, ask other members what they are reading for it. You may also use the name of the series for up to three categories
(10/25)
1. Color - red, crimson, indigo
2. Number – Six Months in Montana – Pamela Kelley
3. Things That Grow - tree, rose, garden
4. Seasons – Winter in Sweetwater County – Ciara Knight
5. First Name - Jacqueline, Robert, Ajax
6. Places - country, empire, London
7. Body Part –
8. Weapon - knife, poison, arrow
9. Body of Water – The Girls of Mischief Bay – Susan Mallery
10. Form of Water - ice, mist, rain
11. Product of Fire - heat, ash, flames
12. Celestial Body – Texas Star – Jean Brashear
13. Architecture – The Christmas Cabin – Emma Cane
14. Senses - sight, touch, taste
15. Royal Title - king, duke, emperor
16. Family Member – Bedding the Wrong Brother – Virna Depaul
17. Elements – Treading Water – Marie Force
18. Time of Day - One Night with her Boss – Noelle Adams)
19. Metal – True Love at Silver Creek Ranch – Emma Cane
20. Emotion/Feeling - love, fear, pride
21. Animal/Insect –)
22. Something to Read - book, story, newspaper
23. Gender Identifier - wife, man, lady –
24. Paranormal Being - vampire, angel, ghost – Dark Witch – Nora Roberts
25. Occupation - doctor, assassin, detective--
I spy with my two big eyes..Things that grow The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Something to read The Single Girl's To-Do List
8/25
Just finished #11 (Product of fire) - An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. I really enjoyed this world that Tahir created. Her characters were interesting, and the pacing was good. My only complaint was that the end seemed a bit frayed, but I will definitely read the next book when it comes out. Definitely worth reading! 4 stars25/25 - Challenge completed!!!
Finished today!25/25 completed
1. Color - Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet (audio book, 7/28) ★★★★
2. Number - Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2/22) ★★★
3. Things That Grow - Uprooted by Naomi Novik (7/7) ★★★
4. Seasons - All Fall Down by James Leo Herlihy (5/17) ★★★★
5. First Name - Elegy for April by Benjamin Black (1/8) ★★★
6. Places - The Russian Debutante's Handbook by Gary Shteyngart (6/29) ★★★★
7. Body Part - How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis (1/17) ★★★
8. Weapon - Hammered by Kevin Hearne (7/4) ★★★★
9. Body of Water - A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (5/9) ★★★
10. Form of Water - The Black Ice by Michael Connelly (3/10) ★★★
11. Product of Fire - Incendiary by Chris Cleave (4/18) ★★★★
12. Celestial Body - Shopaholic to the Stars by Sophie Kinsella (6/2) ★★★★
13. Architecture - Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut (9/28) ★★★★
14. Senses - Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop (4/13) ★★★★
15. Royal Title - Rogue Queen by L. Sprague de Camp (3/9) ★★
16. Family Member - Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives by Sarah Weinman (2/3) ★★★★
17. Elements - When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris (audio book, 1/28) ★★★★
18. Time of Day - Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (audio book, 7/16) ★★★★
19. Metal - Nothing Gold Can Stay by Ron Rash (audio book, 5/19) ★★★★
20. Emotion/Feeling - Crushed by Eliza Crewe (1/8) ★★★
21. Animal/Insect - Unleashed: Poems by Writers' Dogs (6/24) ★★★★
22. Something to Read - The Sleep of Baby Filbertson and Other Stories by James Leo Herlihy (4/28) ★★★
23. Gender Identifier - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2/28) ★★★★
24. Paranormal Being - Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh (1/13) ★★★★
25. Occupation - The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons by Sam Kean (6/30) ★★★
Congratulations Beth and Megan! What did you think of the challenge?
Cassandra wrote: "Congratulations Beth and Megan! What did you think of the challenge?"I loved it! It was such a great way to read books I might not otherwise have grabbed from by TBR.
I read another book1. Color - Black Widow: The Finely Woven Thread*
2. Number -
3. Things That Grow - Appelsinpiken (The Orange Girl) (It's the fruit, not the colour)
4. Seasons -
5. First Name - Odinsbarn (Odin is a Norwegian name for boys. It's also one of the Norse gods.)
6. Places - Dream Country*
7. Body Part - The Bone Season
8. Weapon - A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold
9. Body of Water - Deadpool: Dead Presidents*
10. Form of Water - Season of Mists*
11. Product of Fire - City of Ashes
12. Celestial Body - I'll Give You the Sun
13. Architecture - City of Bones
14. Senses - Touch of Power
15. Royal Title - A Clash of Kings
16. Family Member - Indias datter (Secret Daughter in English)
17. Elements - Leaves on the Wind*
18. Time of Day - I Shall Wear Midnight
19. Metal - A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
20. Emotion/Feeling - Daredevil: The Man Without Fear!*
21. Animal/Insect - A Feast for Crows
22. Something to Read -
23. Gender Identifier - Fangirl
24. Paranormal Being - A Monster Calls
25. Occupation - The Sheperd's Tale*
*Graphic novel
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Thorn Queen (other topics)Unbroken: A Memoir of a Tennis Star Who Survived as a Japanese Prisoner of War (other topics)
The Fall (other topics)
The Emperor's Soul (other topics)
Fool Moon (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert J. Duperre (other topics)Richelle Mead (other topics)
Phillip Harman (other topics)
Brandon Sanderson (other topics)
Jim Butcher (other topics)
More...
I SPY CHALLENGE
Duration: January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Last updated: 12/17/15
Completed: 25 of 25 full length and 25 of 25 short stories
Full length: going for 22 of 25 as I haven't found a metal, family member, or product of fire that fits in my reading by December (but I'll happily add it if I do!).
✔1. Color: A Red-Rose Chain ★★★★★
✔2. Number: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History ★★★★★
✔3. Things That Grow: Wild Children ★★★★★
✔4. Seasons: The Winter Long ★★★★☆
✔5. First Name: Alice ★★★★★
✔6. Places: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Other Stories ★★★★★
✔7. Body Part: Lips Touch: Three Times ★★★★★
✔8. Weapon: The Knife Thrower and Other Stories ★★★★☆
✔9. Body of Water: River Notes: A Natural and Human History of the Colorado ★★☆☆☆
✔10. Form of Water: Rolling in the Deep ★★★★☆
✔11. Product of Fire: Shriek: An Afterword ★★★★☆
✔12. Celestial Body: The Martian ★★★★☆
✔13. Architecture: Wylding Hall ★★★★☆
✔14. Senses: sight Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, ★★★★★
✔15. Royal Title: Captive Prince: Volume One ★★★★☆
✔16. Family Member: Letters from Father Christmas ★★★☆☆
✔17. Elements: Doorways in the Sand, ★★★★★
✔18. Time of Day: The Sea Came in at Midnight ★★★★★
✔19. Metal: The Hunting of the Snark: An Agony in Eight Fits ★★★☆☆ (Hunting)
✔20. Emotion/Feeling: Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things ★★★★★
✔21. Animal/Insect: Penguins with People Problems ★★★★☆
✔22. Something to Read: So Long a Letter ★★★★☆
✔23. Gender Identifier: The Seventh Bride ★★★★☆
✔24. Paranormal Being: Personal Demons ★★★★☆
✔25. Occupation: Pavement Chalk Artist: The Three-Dimensional Drawings of Julian Beever ★★★☆☆
(Update 12/17/15: I ended up doing all 25, although I had to finagle a bit for the metal; I hope what I did is OK. If not, please just up my challenge to 24. I'm calling this one done. Thanks again for a great challenge.)
Short stories: all 25
✔1. Color: "Pink Pills" from Punktown ★★★☆☆
✔2. Number: Thirteen Steps in the Underworld ★★★★★
✔3. Things That Grow: "Goblin Fruit" from Lips Touch: Three Times ★★★★★
✔4. Seasons: "The Flaying Season" from Punktown ★★★★☆
✔5. First Name: "Driving Jenny Home" from Out of Tune, ★★★★★
✔6. Places: The Museum and the Music Box ★★★★★
✔7. Body Part: The Horrid Glory of Its Wings ★★★★☆
✔8. Weapon: The Language of Knives★★★★☆
✔9. Body of Water: Forbid the Sea ★★★★★
✔10. Form of Water: "The Myth of Rain" from Lightspeed Magazine, May 2015 ★☆☆☆☆
✔11. Product of Fire: Burnt Sugar ★★★★☆
✔12. Celestial Body: "The Fixed Stars" from Shattered Shields ★★★☆☆
✔13. Architecture: Ballroom Blitz: A Tor.Com Original ★★★☆☆
✔14. Senses: "Spicy Little Curses" from Lips Touch: Three Times (taste) ★★★★★
✔15. Royal Title: Brother. Prince. Snake. ★★☆☆☆
✔16. Family Member: HELP ME FOLLOW MY SISTER INTO THE LAND OF THE DEAD from HELP FUND MY ROBOT ARMY!!! & Other Improbable Crowdfunding Projects ★★★★★
✔17. Elements: Cold Wind ★★★☆☆
✔18. Time of Day: "Sisterhood of Night" from The Knife Thrower and Other Stories ★★★★★
✔19. Metal: Silver Linings ★★★☆☆
✔20. Emotion/Feeling: "There is No Room For Sorrow in the Kingdom of the Cold" from The Doll Collection: Seventeen Brand-New Tales of Dolls ★★★★☆
✔21. Animal/Insect: I WANT TO BE A LIONESS from HELP FUND MY ROBOT ARMY!!! & Other Improbable Crowdfunding Projects ★★★★☆
✔22. Something to Read: Ambiguity Machines: An Examination ★★★★★
✔23. Gender Identifier: Men Who Wish to Drown ★★★★☆
✔24. Paranormal Being: "The Reflections of Ghosts" from Punktown ★★★★☆
✔25. Occupation: FINDER OF LOST THINGS from HELP FUND MY ROBOT ARMY!!! & Other Improbable Crowdfunding Projects ★★★★★
(★Ratings are for the short story itself in this case)
Thanks for hosting such a great challenge. I'm having a lot of fun with this.