2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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February Challenge: The Saints Go Marching In
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3. St. Michael the Archangel: In the New Testament Michael leads God's armies against Statan's forces, where during the war in heaven, he defeats Satan. Read a book about a fierce battle or war. 
Starship Troopers****If they weren't preparing for battle they were battling.
5/7 Complete
9. St. Clare: Clare was a beautiful Italian woman of nobility. After hearing St Francis preach, Clare wanted to imitate Francis. She ran away from home and gave herself to God. She cut off her hair and wore a rough brown habit, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance. 
The Haunting of Hill House****Eleanor left her quiet life where she never lived and ran away to hill house to find a new life.
6/7 Complete
10. St. Rose of Lima: St. Rose of Lima is the patroness of Latin America and the Philippines. Rose had many temptations from the devil and there were times she suffered terrible feelings of loneliness, sadness and in the end a painful sickness. Many miracles followed her death. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle.
1984****Winston was suffering from living in an oppressive regime and suffered later when went into the ministry of love.
7/7 Complete
Please update message 710. Read a book about suffering - Before I Go To Sleep Christine suffers with her memory loss.
5\5 challenge complete
Message 39 updated. I changed it up a bit, thanks for your patience.
Just completed #5 St. Therese (overcoming faults) - The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman. Beautiful story with lovely prose. Really interesting characters. My only criticism was that at times the story got lost in the language. Definitely worth reading. 4 stars8/5
Updated message 137. Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.
✓ The Amish Bride read 2/20/2015
8. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution.
✓ Snow Flower and the Secret Fan read 2/19/2015
10. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle.
✓ Son of a Gun: A Memoir read 2/19/2015
5/4 completed
Challenge complete!
Finished!2. Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil...
The Invisible Man - 2/20
I decided to put Storm of Swords here...
6. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death.
A Storm of Swords - 2/16
I moved Island of the Blue Dolphins...
7. Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.
Island of the Blue Dolphins - 2/18
Just completed #7 St. Joseph (simple life) - Messenger by Lois Lowry. Much better than the second book in the series. This book seemed to bring the first two books together. Loved the simple message of the outward world reflecting the evil or good within. Definitely worth reading. 4 stars9/5
I have 3 books to add, bringing me up to 5/5!I may be able to fit in another 1 or 2 before the end of the month.
6. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death. Servant of the Bones Works both ways - the main character is sentenced to death and then becomes a powerful spirit.
8. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution. Frog Music Main character is a sex worker.
10. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle. The Satanic Verses Book opens with two men miraculously surviving a plane crash, a bunch of other miracles follow.
Well, I was originally aiming for four but I had time so I completed eight! Message 58 updated.
Challenge complete 3/3#2 a book where main characters give into their vices or evil The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
#3 a book about a fierce battle or war This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War
#4 a book that takes place in Ireland A Week in Winter
I finished A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin# 7. St. Joseph: Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.
(3/2)
Coming into this challenge a little late but I will try for 7. 7/7
1. St. Dominic Savio: Read a book about music, or someone who is falsely accused of something. Zero 2/22/15
2. St. Francis of Assisi: Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil or read a book where nature or animals is an important part of the story. The Golden Compass 2/10/15
3. St. Michael the Archangel: Read a book about a fierce battle or war. The Amber Spyglass 2/18/15
4. St. Patrick of Ireland: Read a book about slavery or read a book that takes place in Ireland.
5. St. Therese of Lisieux: Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults. My Sister's Keeper 2/3/15
6. St. Cecilia: Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death. Daughter of Smoke & Bone 2/25/15
7. St. Joseph: Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty.
8. St. Lucy: Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution.
9. St. Clare: Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance. The Subtle Knife 2/12/15
10. St. Rose of Lima: Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter 2/8/15
Finished another one! 5/48. ... read a book about prostitution.
Mr. Kiss and Tell - 2/22
I thought about using this for the first one (someone falsely accused of something) but prostitution is a bigger part of the book.
I've read 2/?, and hoooolyyy quacamole, February is ending soon! I'm trying to get at least one more book read!
Hi, Adrianna! I may have posted in the wrong place when I originally signed up for this monthly challenge as didn't see my name in the list. Since I came to it late, I decided to do only two but I have completed them. Goal: 2 - Progress: 2 complete; 0 to go
Read a book about a fierce battle.
Inheritance
Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Challenge completed!1. Read a book about music Station Eleven
7. Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle Notes from Underground
8. Read a book about an arranged marriage My Brilliant Friend
Please update 3/42. Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil or read a book where nature or animals is an important part of the story.
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
Nature and animals specifically Elephants are an important part of this particular story.
I have completed 4/5. I will post list of titles at completion.
What a great challenge! I can still complete 3, but not the original 3 book since I have so far to go in War & Peace for #3 and/or #7. #6: Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being
Percy Jackson, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.
What a fun read!If this inspired middle school boys everywhere to read Greek Mythology, it's gotta be good.
#5: Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
Let Me Wear Your Coat..."
A freshman overcomes self-doubt and a school bully while navigating the treacherous waters of mid-70s race & class relations to make the JV baseball team.
#7: Read a book about people who lead a simple life: Ethan Fromme by Edith Wharton. Ethan Fromme leads a hardscrabble life unassasisted by & caring for his wife Zeena. The heartwrenching end to his brief moments of joy with a Zeena's cousin leads all three of them to a lifetime of misery.
Please update: I finished 4/4. Thanks, and I hope everyone else is doing well.
8. St. Lucy: Lucy's mother tried to arrange a marriage for her to a pagan. Lucy rejected her mother's choice and thought Christ was a better partner for life. The rejected bridegroom betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. The governor tried to send Lucy into prostitution. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution.
Finished February 25
4 stars
4/5
Almost there! I'm hoping I can get at least one more in before the end of the month.
Finished Revival to complete my goal of 5 books for this challenge.1. Read a book about music, or someone who is falsely accused of something - House Rules
2. Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil or read a book where nature or animals is an important part of the story - Revival
5. Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults - Landline
7. Read a book where people live a simple life and do not have a luxurious lifestyle or read a book about royalty - Station Eleven
10. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle - The Martian
Looks like I'll finish the monthly challenge with an 8/10. See message #105 for my book details. 8/10 isn't so bad for my first monthly challenge.
I have completed the challenge2. St. Francis(vices)-Madame Bovary2/12/15
4. St. Patrick(slavery)-Beloved2/3/15
6. St. Cecelia(death sentence)-Things Fall Apart2/5/15
7. St. Joseph(royalty)-Katherine2/23/15
10.St. Rose(suffering-teenage angst)-Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging2/26/15
5/5
Wow, I managed to read a 4th book for this challenge!5. St. Therese of Lisieux: Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
(4/2)
Finished!!! Ready Player One for number 9 and Examined Lives: From Socrates to Nietzsche for number 5. This bring my total to 4 for this challenge with my goal of 3 so I was an over achiever this month lol
Please update 4/49. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.
Memoirs of a Geisha
*UPDATE*
6. St. Cecilia: She was a virgin given in marriage to a youth named Valerian. She wore sackcloth, fasted and invoked the saints and angels to protect her virginity. Four hundred people, including her husband were baptized because they wanted to see the angel protecting her. Cecilia was sentenced to death for preaching and converting people. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death.=
9. St. Clare: Clare was a beautiful Italian woman of nobility. After hearing St Francis preach, Clare wanted to imitate Francis. She ran away from HOME and gave herself to God. She cut off her hair and wore a rough brown habit, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.=
Goal Met So Far: 3/2
I was able to read 9/10 (message 48). I'm only missing the arranged marriage/prostitution. That's a difficult one to fill without selecting a book specifically to meet the goal. I tried to fill them out of books I had already planned to read.
Done with mine!2. Read a book where the main characters give into their vices or evil or read a book where nature or animals is an important part of the story.
A Matter of Breeding: A Biting History of Pedigree Dogs and How the Quest for Status Has Harmed Man's Best Friend
5. Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
City of Women
8. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution.
Playing the Whore: The Work of Sex Work
10. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle.
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
I won't be able to read anymore for this challenge. Thanks so much Adriana for leading this challenge for us. I loved seeing what books people were able to match for the different saints.
Claire of the Sea Light Completed. I initially took this book as a suggestion from another member of the group, as I was familiar with Edwidge Danticat's style....I am so glad I saw the recommendation. However to me, the novel falls in more than one Saint category.
Just completed my selection for #4 St. Patrick (slaves) - Golden Son by Pierce Brown. I really enjoyed 3/4 of this book. The pacing was good, the plot kept me guessing, and the twists are worthy of Game of Thrones. The negatives are that it took about 100 pages for the book to get going. It also irritated me that the author occasionally referred to the fictional gap between books without explaining what happened in that gap. Overall, though, really good sequel! 4 stars10/5
AMAZING JOB EVERYONE! I hope you enjoyed the challenge.
Congrats on all 22 of you who completed the challenge and everyone who participated (:
Jodi wrote: "I won't be able to read anymore for this challenge. Thanks so much Adriana for leading this challenge for us. I loved seeing what books people were able to match for the different saints."Thanks Jodi! it's been interesting seeing the different books match up with saints too.
Adriana wrote: "Congrats on all 22 of you who completed the challenge and everyone who participated (:"I completed this too which I posted on message 165, but it isn't updated by my name. Could you revise my total?
FEBRUARY CHALLENGE: THE SAINTS GO MARCHING INDuration: February 1 - February 28, 2015
try for 3 - done
1. St. Dominic Savio: Dominic is the patron saint of choir boys and of the falsely accused. The latter title was given to Dominic after two boys filled the school stove full of garbage and snow and falsely blamed Dominic. Dominic was punished in front of the entire class but he did not tell on the two boys. Read a book about music, or someone who is falsely accused of something.
6. St. Cecilia: She was a virgin given in marriage to a youth named Valerian. She wore sackcloth, fasted and invoked the saints and angels to protect her virginity. Four hundred people, including her husband were baptized because they wanted to see the angel protecting her. Cecilia was sentenced to death for preaching and converting people. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being
9. St. Clare: Clare was a beautiful Italian woman of nobility. After hearing St Francis preach, Clare wanted to imitate Francis. She ran away from home and gave herself to God. She cut off her hair and wore a rough brown habit, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.
Completed 2 of 10. I will keep working at it.
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Lonely Souls (other topics)Eleanor & Park (other topics)
Open Season (other topics)
Golden Son (other topics)
Golden Son (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen King (other topics)Juan Villoro (other topics)
Graeme Simsion (other topics)
George R.R. Martin (other topics)
Robert Louis Stevenson (other topics)
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A Morbid Taste for Bones**A mystery where an outlander is framed for the murder of a good man who is standing up to the monks in the abbey.
4/7 Complete