Marissa's Fall Reading Challenge

[Marissa]

2020 Fall Reading Challenge

Duration: September 1 - November 30, 2020
Progress: 12/12; (25/36)

SEPTEMBER

✔️1. First Day of Fall

September 22nd marks the first official day of the fall season! This is marked by the autumnal equinox. After the autumnal equinox, the sun is rising later and nightfall comes sooner, and it stays this way until winter begins.

a. Read a book that contains a 2 in the page number.
Winter by Marissa Meyer (09/05)
b. Read a book published in September, October, or November.
Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer (09/21)
c. Read a book in which a significant even takes place at night.
Hunted by Darcy Coates (11/08)

✔️2. National Read a Book Day

Our favorite holiday!

a. Read a book by a new-to-you author.
Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix (10/18)
b. Read a book that is the next in a series you've already started.
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard (09/07)
c. Read a book that can be read in one day.

✔️3. Fall or Autumn?

Do you call this season fall or autumn? According to Merriam-Webster, the word autumn is the older of the two, but many poets used the term "the fall of the leaves", which was eventually shortened to "fall". Whatever you call it, it is upon us! (You can read more about the differences between fall and autumn here.)

a. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in FALL or AUTUMN.
LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff (09/13)
b. Read a book by an author whose first or last name starts with A or F.
Where She Went by Gayle Forman (09/27)
c. Read a book that shows leaves on the cover.
Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin (11/21)

✔️4. September Birthday: Shel Silverstein

Famous poet Shel Silverstein was born on September 25, 1930. While most know him for his silly poetry in Where the Sidewalk Ends, few people know that he is also a Grammy winner. He wrote Johnny Cash's famous hit song "A Boy Named Sue", and earned a Grammy for this songwriting.

a. Read a humorous book.
b. Read a book written between 1930 and 1999.
c. Read a book with a character named Sue (Susannah)
How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather (09/17)

[Marissa]

OCTOBER

✔️1. Pumpkin Spice Everything

Pumpkin Spice is an American spice blend that is used in baking pumpkin pie. It is generally a blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. When Starbucks introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the use of pumpkin spice in fall drinks and food rose to popularity.

a. Read a book that has orange on the cover.
Atonement by Ian McEwan (09/25)
b. Read a book whose title starts with a letter in SPICE.
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer (10/17)
c. Read a book in which food plays a role in the book.

✔️2. October Birthday: R.L. Stine

R.L. Stine was born on October 8, 1943 in Ohio. He's best known for his Goosebumps series, which have frightened and delighted kids since 1992. He's also written for TV shows and has published humorous books, and his favorite thriller is Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.

a. Read a children's or YA book.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (09/19)
b. Read a book in which the title starts with a letter in GOOSEBUMPS.
Only Ashes Remain by Rebecca Schaeffer (10/08)
c. Read a book by R.L. Stine or Ray Bradbury.

✔️3. World Mental Health Day

In 1992, the World Federation of Mental Health created World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10 each year. The primary objective of this day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

a. Read a book where one of the author's initials is found in MENTAL HEALTH.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (10/30)
b. Read a book featuring a healthcare worker.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman (09/09)
c. Read a book featuring a character who struggles with their mental health.

✔️4. Halloween

Halloween, or All Hallow's Eve, is celebrated the night before the Christian holiday of All Souls Day. Traditions for Halloween vary, but often include a mixture of fall and fantastical activities.

a. Read a horror book.
Pitch Dark by Courtney Almeda (10/15)
b. Read a book in which the main character has a disguise.
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (10/11)
c. Read a book that won or was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award or the Shirley Jackson Award.
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (10/13)

[Marissa]

NOVEMBER

✔️1. National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

Why is this a holiday? We aren't sure. But we will celebrate with a bar of our favorite chocolate, if only because now we have a great excuse.

a. Read a book that has brown on the cover.
b. Read a book featuring a main character whose name starts with a letter in HERSEYS.
War Storm by Victoria Aveyard (10/07)
c. Read a book featuring an eccentric ("nutty") character.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (10/03)

✔️2. November for Beginners

In her poem "November for Beginners", Rita Dove describes the gloominess and in-between feeling of the month of November, and looks forward to spring. To read more about Rita Dove, click here.

a. Read a book whose title features at least one word that is mentioned in the poem (word must be 4 letters or longer).
b. Read a collection of poetry or a book written in verse.
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (10/08)
c. Read a book by an author who won or was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Award, NAACP Image Award, or a National Book Award.
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (11/24)

✔️3. But it's spring?

It's only autumn in the northern hemisphere. While we descend into the cold winter days, our southern friends are welcoming the sunshine and springtime. "In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." - Margaret Atwood

a. Read a book with a green or yellow cover.
b. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the phrase SMELL LIKE DIRT.
These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch (09/07)
c. Read a book found on one of these lists:
- Goodread's 2020 Big Books of Spring
- Modern Mrs. Darcy's Springtime Reading List
- InspireMe's Books to Read in the Spring
- Quartz's Perfect Books for the Season

✔️4. November Birthday: C.S. Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle

Two novelists most well known for their ability to transport children to new worlds were born on the same day - November 29! Lewis, born in 1898, is best known for his Narnia series and Christian writings. L'Engle, born in 1918, is best known for her Time Quintet series, which many believe have Christian underpinnings.

a. Read a fantasy novel.
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness (09/30)
b. Read a book with religious themes.
DEV1AT3 by Jay Kristoff (10/24)
c. Read a book written by either C.S. Lewis or Madeleine L'Engle.