Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists discussion
2015 Archived Challenges
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2015 Crazy Challenge Connection
January Scavenger Challenge: Elvis
READ: 8/8
✔1. Elvis Aaron Presley, aka “The King of Rock and Roll” or just “The King,” lived from January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and moved to Memphis Tennessee when he was 13 years old. More than an American singer and actor, many regard him as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. ♪Read book #13 on your TBR list OR read a book that takes place in Mississippi or Tennessee OR read a book where a character is considered ‘one of the best’ in his/her field.
Devil Bones - Kathy Reichs 1/21✔2. Elvis was encouraged to enter a singing contest after impressing his schoolteacher with a rendition of Red Foley's country song "Old Shep" during morning prayers. The contest, held at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3, 1945, was his first public performance: dressed as a cowboy, the ten-year-old Presley stood on a chair to reach the microphone and sang "Old Shep". He recalled placing fifth. ♪Read a book featuring a cowboy OR read a book whose title contains “OLD” (OLD does not have to stand by itself, but should be consecutive letters – i.e. cold works) OR read the 5th book in a series.
Restless In The Grave - Dana Stabenow (Liam Campbell #5) 1/28✔3. "I wasn't popular in school ... I failed music—only thing I ever failed” said Presley. He never received formal music training or learned to read music; rather he studied and played by ear. While working for the Crown Electric Company as a truck driver, his friend Ronnie Smith, after playing a few local gigs with him, suggested he contact Eddie Bond, leader of Smith's professional band, which had an opening for a vocalist. Bond rejected him after a tryout, advising Presley to stick to truck driving "because you're never going to make it as a singer.” ♪Read a book in which someone initially fails at something OR a book which has a “blue-collar” worker OR a book whose author’s first name is Ron or Eddie (reasonable variations okay, i.e. Ronald or Edward).
Red Seas Under Red Skies - Scott Lynch 1/11✔4. Undeterred, Elvis kept singing and his music career started taking off in 1954, when he started to work with Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who was to manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, was a number-one hit in the US. ♪Read a book with a sunny scene on the cover OR a book that takes place, at least partially, in a hotel (B&B, inn, etc. are okay as well) OR read a book in which a character suffers some kind of heartbreak.
Clean Sweep - Ilona Andrews (heroine is an innkeeper) 1/6✔5. A combination of Elvis’ strong response to rhythm and nervousness at playing before a large crowd led Presley to shake his legs as he performed: his wide-cut pants emphasized his movements, causing young women in the audience to start screaming. Though wildly popular, Presley was also controversial. After a show in La Crosse, Wisconsin, an urgent message on the letterhead of the local Catholic diocese's newspaper was sent to FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. It warned that "Presley is a definite danger to the security of the United States. ... [His] actions and motions were such as to rouse the sexual passions of teenaged youth.” Ed Sullivan, whose own variety show was the nation's most popular, declared him "unfit for family viewing.” ♪Read a book that covers a topic generally considered controversial OR read a book whose cover prominently features a leg or pair of legs OR read a book with a dangerous character.
Optical Delusions in Deadwood - Ann Charles 1/1✔6. In November 1956, Elvis made his film debut in Love Me Tender and signed a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures. Among the 27 movies he made during the 1960s, almost all were panned; one critic dismissed them as a "pantheon of bad taste". Nonetheless, they were virtually all profitable. ♪Read a book that takes place in the 1950’s or 1960’s OR read book whose total page count contains a “2” or a “7” OR read a book that spans at least 7 years.
A Bone to Pick - Charlaine Harris (262 pages) 1/11✔7. On March 24, 1958 Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army as a private at Fort Chaffee, near Fort Smith, Arkansas. After training, Presley joined the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany. Fellow soldiers have attested to Presley's wish to be seen as an able, ordinary soldier, despite his fame, and to his generosity. He donated his Army pay to charity, purchased TV sets for the base, and bought an extra set of fatigues for everyone in his outfit. Presley returned to the United States on March 2, 1960, and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. ♪Read a book that takes place during a war or features a soldier OR read a book that takes place in Germany OR read a book with a humble and/or generous character.
Blood of Tyrants - Naomi Novik 1/24✔8. After his death in 1977, six posthumously released singles by Presley were top ten country hits. Graceland was opened to the public in 1982, attracting over half a million visitors annually. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006. Presley has been inducted into four music halls of fame: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), the Country Music Hall of Fame (1998), the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2001), and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame (2007). ♪Read a book which has more than 500,000 ratings on GoodReads OR read a book whose original publication year contains a “6,” OR read a book about someone or someplace famous.
Moloka'i - Alan Brennert (famous leper colony) 1/18CHALLENGE COMPLETE
January Spell Challenge: Elvis READ: 5/7
P: The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
✔R: Restless In The Grave - Dana Stabenow 1/28
✔E: Chilled - Kendra Elliot 1/21
✔S: Archer's Voice - Mia Sheridan 1/6
✔L: Light My Fire - G.A. Aiken 1/5
E:
✔Y: The Monstrumologist - Rick Yancey 1/8
January Member of the Month - NancyHelen 5/5 tasks done
✔1. NancyHelen has an amazing 5 collegiate degrees—in Law, Art History, Creative Writing, and Psychology.
❖Read the 5th book of a series OR a book that has #5 in the original publication date OR a book with #5 in the # of pages.
Master of Craving - Karen Tabke (pub 5/2009) 1/29✔2. She remembers her Dad reading The Hobbit, but now her tastes include crime, literary fiction, historical, and non-fiction.
❖ Read a book that includes one of the following genres on the main GR page: fantasy, classics, crime, literary fiction, historical fiction, or non-fiction OR a book whose title starts with “The” OR a book whose author goes by initials instead of a first name.
Blood of Tyrants - Naomi Novik 1/24✔3. NancyHelen is not afraid to set enormous goals for herself, then plan for them. Are you a list maker? Or a more timely question…do you make New Year’s resolutions?
I usually commit to dieting which lasts for about a week. Then I'm done for the year with resolutions!
✔4. Her favorite movie is Amélie. She says it is “just the most wonderful, feel-good film I have ever seen.”
❖ Read a book set in France or with a French-speaking character OR a book with a one-word title OR a romantic comedy book.
Moloka'i - Alan Brennert 1/18✔5. NancyHelen tried playing rugby while at university. Have you participated in any team sports? Which one(s)?
No. I'm not coordinated enough for sports.
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Member of the Month - Kris
5/5 tasks done
✔1. Kris enjoys getting out and walking with her friend in the spring/summer/fall and she is beginning to get into more creative cooking, although her kids are not enthused about it.
Read a book that is about food (fiction or non-fiction) -or- read a book with an outdoors scene on the cover.
Dead Case in Deadwood - Ann Charles 2/8
✔2. Kris cannot stand the popular classic books, Confederacy of Dunces and Pride & Prejudice.
Do you like classics? Who is the one classic author you cannot bear to read?
I can't stand the classics as I find them incredibly boring. I read most of them while in school and remember greatly disliking them. Jane Austin is probably my most hated classics author!
✔3. Kris is slowly creating a library of her own. She loves to be surrounded by books and it makes her happy.
Read a book with an important scene set in a library (no, a book store won't do!) -or- read a book that makes you happy.
Lucky Stiff - Deborah Coonts 2/16
(this series just makes me smile)
✔4. Kris does not sing but she played both the piano and violin through her childhood.
Do you sing? Do you play an instrument?
I couldn't carry a tune if it had a handle. I did play the trombone in grade school pretty well but gave it up when I went to high school.
✔5. Kris says that if she could change her first name, she would be called Eleanor.
Read a book with a one word title that begins with a letter in ELEANOR.
Absolution - Susannah Sandlin 2/5
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Scavenger Challenge: Groundhog Day READ: 7/7
✔1. The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe. For centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in winter, and the weather that day was important.
According to an Old English song:
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Come, Winter, have another flight.
If Candlemas brings cloud and rain,
Go Winter, and come not again.
♦ Read a book with a candle on the cover (show us the cover) OR a book with “Religion” on the Goodreads main genre page OR a book set in ancient times (more than 200 years ago).
A Tale Of Two Dragons - G.A. Aiken (set during the Viking reign) 2/2✔2. Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. The celebration, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore where a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator instead of a groundhog. If the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, they believed, the animal would cast a shadow, thus predicting 6 more weeks of bad weather, which they called "Second Winter." Since groundhogs were plentiful in many parts of the state and resembled the European hedgehog, they determined that it would do the job.
♦ Read the 2nd in a series OR a book with some sort of animal on the cover or in the story (show us the cover) OR a book set in the winter.
Antiques Flee Market - Barbara Allan 2/4✔3. The largest Groundhog Day celebration has been held in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania since at least 1886. Early observances of Phil's predictions were conducted privately in the wooded areas that neighbor the town, but today's celebration sees tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world. It is claimed that Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br'er Groundhog.
♦ Read a book with an author whose first and last initials are found in PUNXSATAWNEY OR a book set in Pennsylvania OR a book with a 4 or 0 in the # of pages (tell us the # of pages).
Heart of the Wolf - Terry Spear (T &S both in Punxsatawney) 2/13✔4. Another February 2nd belief, used by American 19th century farmers, was: “Groundhog Day - Half your hay.” New England farmers knew that they were not close to the end of winter, no matter how cloudy February 2nd was. Indeed, this is often the heart of winter. If the farmer didn't have half his hay remaining, there may have been lean times for the cows before spring and fresh grass arrived.
♦ Read a book with a farmer or set on a farm OR enough half-step series books to reach the 150-page minimum OR a book that you would give a half star rating to (like 3-1/2 stars rather than 4).
Absolution - Susannah Sandlin 2/5✔5. Phil has had numerous noteworthy highlights:
• During Prohibition Phil threatened to impose 60 weeks of winter on the community if he wasn't allowed a drink.
• 1958 – Phil announced that it was a "United States Chucknik," rather than a Soviet Sputnik that became the first man-made satellite to orbit Earth.
• 1981 - Phil wore a yellow ribbon in honor of the American hostages in Iran.
• 1986 - Phil traveled to Washington DC to meet with President Reagan.
• 1993 - Comedy movie Groundhog Day was released. The main character (played by Bill Murray) is forced to relive the day over and over until he can learn to give up his selfishness and become a better person. In popular culture, the phrase "Groundhog Day" has come to represent going through a phenomenon over and over until one spiritually transcends it.
• 1995 - Phil appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show.
• 2001 - Phil's prediction was shown live on the JumboTron at Times Square in New York City.
♦ Read a book with a character or author named “Phil” (can be male or female) OR a book with a yellow cover OR a book made into a movie or TV show.
206 Bones - Kathy Reichs (Bones TV show) 2/14✔6. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge, social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime, or quarter per word spoken, with the money put into a bowl in the center of the table.
♦ Read a book with a celebration scene of some kind OR a book translated from another language into English OR a book with some form of money on the cover (show us the cover).
Festive in Death - J.D. Robb (lavish Christmas party) 2/16✔7. According to Groundhog Day organizers, the rodents' forecasts are accurate 75-90% of the time. However, according to the StormFax Weather Almanac and records kept since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil's weather predictions have been correct 39% of the time. The National Climatic Data Center has described the forecasts as "on average, inaccurate" and stated that "the groundhog has shown no talent for predicting the arrival of spring, especially in recent years."
♦ Read a book with some sort of weather word in the title OR a book with a 3 or 9 in the original publication date OR a book set in the spring.
Hidden Currents - Christine Feehan 2/21CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Spell Challenge: Groundhog Day READ: 7/8
✔C: Candy Cane Murder - Joanna Fluke 2/26
✔H: Hidden Currents - Christine Feehan 2/21
U: Unmade - Sarah Rees Brennan
✔C: Captured by the Pirate Laird - Amy Jareki 2/25
✔K: Much Ado About Vampires - Katie MacAlister 2/15
✔N: Archangel's Consort - Nalini Singh 2/17
✔I: If You Give a Rake a Ruby - Shana Galen 2/22
✔K: You Can't Hide - Karen Rose 2/7
March 2015 Scavenger - Ides of March
READ: 7/7
✔1. The Ides of March is a day on the Roman calendar that corresponds to 15 March. Although March was the third month of the Julian calendar, in the oldest Roman calendar it was the first month of the year. The holidays observed by the Romans from the first through the Ides often reflect their origin as new year celebrations.
★ Read a book that is set, partially or wholly, in Italy -or- read a book whose title starts with a letter in "MARTIUS" -or- read a book where the characters ring in the new year.
Up to Me - M. Leighton 3/12
✔2. The Romans did not number days of a month sequentially from the first through the last day. Instead, they counted back from three fixed points of the month: the Nones (5th or 7th, depending on the length of the month), the Ides (13th or 15th), and the Kalends (1st) of the following month. The Ides occurred near the midpoint, on the 13th for most months, but on the 15th for March, May, July, and October.
★ Read a book that was first published in the March, May, July or October of any year -or- read a book that has a number in its title -or- read a book that is the middle of any completed series (that is, the 4th book of a 7 book series or either #2 or #3 of a 4 book series).
Buried - Kendra Elliot (March 2013) 3/17
✔3. The Ides were supposed to be determined by the full moon, reflecting the lunar origin of the Roman calendar. On the earliest calendar, the Ides of March would have been the first full moon of the new year.
★ Read a book that has a moon on the cover -or- read a new book (published less than six months before) -or- read a book set on or near the sea.
Dr. Franklin's Island - Ann Halam (set on an island) 3/6
✔4. The Ides of each month was sacred to Jupiter, the supreme deity of the Romans. The Flamen Dialis, Jupiter's high priest, led the "Ides sheep" in procession along the Via Sacra to the arx, where it was sacrificed. In addition to the monthly sacrifice, the Ides of March was also the occasion of the Feast of Anna Perenna, a goddess of the year (Latin annus) whose festival originally concluded the ceremonies of the new year. The day was enthusiastically celebrated among the common people with picnics, drinking, and revelry.
★ Read a book with an animal on the cover -or- read a book that has both a (happy) celebration and a funeral -or- read a book where a main character is a priest or a holy person.
Unmade - Sarah Rees Brennan 3/25
✔5. In the later Imperial period, the Ides began a "holy week" of festivals for Cybele and Attis. The Ides was the day of Canna intrat ("The Reed enters"), when Attis was born and exposed as an infant among the reeds of a Phrygian river. He was discovered—depending on the version of the myth—by either shepherds or the goddess Cybele, who was also known as the Magna Mater, "Great Mother".
★ Read a book whose author's initials appear in "CYBELEATTIS" -or- read a book with an orphan child character -or- read a book where someone is lost and then found.
SEAL of Honor - Tonya Burrows 3/10
✔6. In modern times, the Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Caesar was stabbed to death at a meeting of the senate. As many as 60 conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius, were involved. According to Plutarch, a seer had warned that harm would come to Caesar no later than the Ides of March. On his way to the Theatre of Pompey, where he would be assassinated, Caesar passed the seer and joked, "The ides of March have come," meaning to say that the prophecy had not been fulfilled, to which the seer replied "Aye, Caesar; but not gone."
★ Read a book with a prophecy in it -or- read a book that has an eye on the cover or a sight word in the title (EYE, VISION, SIGHT, LOOK, SEE etc) -or- read a book where someone is murdered.
Faithful Place - Tana French 3/4
✔7. Caesar's death was a closing event in the crisis of the Roman Republic, and triggered the civil war that would result in the rise to sole power of his adopted heir Octavian (later known as Augustus). On the fourth anniversary of Caesar's death in 40 BC, after achieving a victory at the siege of Perugia, Octavian executed 300 senators and knights who had fought against him under Lucius Antonius, the brother of Mark Antony. The executions were one of a series of actions taken by Octavian to avenge Caesar's death. Historians characterised the slaughter as a religious sacrifice, noting that it occurred on the Ides of March at the new altar to the deified Julius.
★ Read a book where revenge is a part of the plot -or- read a book with a 4 in the year its author was born -or- read a book with a character called Julian or Antony (any reasonable variation will work).
The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters - Gordon Dahlquist 3/7
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Spell Challenge: Ides of MarchREAD: 8/8
✔R: Revenant - Larissa Ione 3/14
✔E: Ritual Magic - Eileen Wilks 3/11
✔P: Playing to Win - Jaci Burton 3/4
✔U: Unmade - Sarah Rees Brennan 3/25
✔B: Buried - Kendra Elliot 3/17
✔L: Last Stand of Dead Men - Derek Landy 3/16
✔I: If He's Sinful - Hannah Howell 3/20
✔C: So Damn Lucky - Deborah Coonts 3/8
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Member of the Month - Sugar Snap 5/5 tasks done
✔1. Sugar Snap's favorite board game is Trivial Pursuit. What is yours?
I've always been a monopoly fan.
✔2. She is a line dance instructor at a local bar here.
Read a book in which a character is a teacher or a dancer OR a book with a character who owns or works in a bar.
Up to Me - M. Leighton (hero owns bar, heroine works there) 3/12✔3. On her last vacation, Sugar Snap went to Corolla, NC.
Read a book set in a place you've never been but would like to visit some day.
Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs (Hawaii) 3/22✔4. She admits to being "obsessed" with Disney movies. Who is your favorite Disney prince or princess?
I'm not a big fan of movies and anyway Disney is so not my thing.
✔5. Her favorite season is summer, thanks to ice cream, beaches, picnics, BBQs, cornhole games, cold beer, long days and more.
Read a book set in the summer (June, July or August) OR a book with ice cream, picnic food or a beach on the cover
Hell on Wheels - Julie Ann Walker 3/19CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Spring Seasonal Scavenger Challenge - Fashion Week Duration: March 21 - June 20, 2015
READ: 16/16
PART 1 - HISTORY & TRIVIA: Complete any 8 of the tasks below.
✔2. The most prominent fashion weeks are held in the four fashion capitals of the world: Milan, Paris, New York and London. Read a book that takes place in any of the four fashion capitals.
The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson (London) 5/8
✔4. Read a book whose title contains the word “HIGH,” OR read a book whose cover shows a prominent pair of hands OR read a book with any type of sewing item on its cover (i.e. needle, thread, buttons).
Baby - J.K. Accinni 5/3
✔9. Read a book that takes place in New York City OR read a book with tea items on the cover OR read a book with “Brother” or “Brothers” in the title.
Archangel's Storm - Nalini Singh 4/30
✔10. Read a book that occurs during WWII OR read a book whose total page count includes a 1, 9, 4, or 3, OR read a book about a journalist.
Dinner with a Vampire - Abigail Gibbs (549 pages) 5/10
✔11. Read a book whose cover shows a room, a house, a gallery or a restaurant OR read a book that has a scene which occurs in a park OR read a book that takes place in the early 1990’s.
An Ex to Grind in Deadwood - Ann Charles 4/3
✔12. Read a book about or written by a celebrity OR read a book whose cover shows a tent OR read a book with a mostly white cover.
A Natural History of Dragons - Marie Brennan 4/15
✔14. Read a book that takes place anywhere in Italy OR read a book with at least three people on the cover (more is better!) OR read a book where the first letter of a book's title (exclude a,an,the) starts with a letter in MILAN.
The Map of Time - Felix Palma 4/18
✔15. Read a book that takes place in London OR a book with an author or main character named John, Betty or Kate (no variations!) OR read a book published in 1984.
If He's Wild - Hannah Howell 3/31
PART 2 - THE TOP TRENDS OF SPRING 2015: Complete any 8 of the tasks below
✔1. Read a romance OR read a book in which a character leads an unconventional lifestyle.
The Mad, Bad Duke - Jennifer Ashley (shape shifting duke) 3/31
✔3. Read a book whose cover shows any item featuring a gingham (checked) pattern OR read a book whose main character’s first name begins with a letter in GINGHAM.
Curtain - Agatha Christie (Hercule Poirot) 4/2
✔5. Read a book in which a wedding takes place OR read a book with any lacy item on the cover.
The Crimson Crown - Cinda Williams Chima (H/h marry at the end) 5/22
✔9. Read a book whose cover shows a female bearing a bare midriff OR read a book whose cover shows a female wearing a formal ball gown.
Shadowglass - Erica Hayes 5/18
✔11. Read a book whose location starts with a letter in SHIRTDRESS OR read a book whose cover shows a woman wearing a shirtdress or slitted skirt or dress.
Bound by Night - Larissa Ione (Seattle) 3/27
✔12. Read a book with a yellow cover (at least 75% of cover should be yellow) OR read a book with the word “YELLOW” in its title or sub-title.
A Shiver of Light - Laurell K. Hamilton 4/19
✔17. Read a book whose cover is almost exclusively white OR read a book with “WHITE” in the title or in the author’s name.
How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back - Diana Rowland 4/29
✔18. Read a book whose cover shows any type belt or scarf OR read a medium-sized book (250 – 350 pages).
Seduce Me in Dreams - Jacquelyn Frank (320 pages) 4/25
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Spring S-p-e-l-l Challenge - Fashion WeekDuration: March 21 - June 20, 2015
READ: 20/20
Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana
D: Death of a Pirate King - Josh Lanyon 4/11
O: Omega - Susannah Sandlin 3/24
L: Fatal Shadows - Josh Lanyon 4/6
C: Charmed by His Love - Janet Chapman 4/21
E: Bled Dry - Erin McCarthy 4/5
*
G: The Gray Wolf Throne - Cinda Williams Chima 3/28
A: Armageddon Outta Here - Derek Landy 4/26
B: Bled Dry - Erin McCarthy 4/5
B: Blue Heaven - C.J. Box 4/14
A: Asylum - Madeleine Roux 5/5
N: Caressed by Ice - Nalini Singh 4/15
A: Armageddon Cometh- J.K. Accinni 5/7
Vera Wang
V: Visions of Heat - Nalini Singh 3/29
E: The Janus Stone - Elly Griffiths 5/10
R: The Recruit - Monica McCarty 3/27
A: Archangel's Blade - Nalini Singh 3/26
*
W: The Woods - Harlan Coben 4/6
A: Echo - J.K. Accinni 5/5
N: Night Broken - Patricia Briggs 3/30
G: Gone - Mo Hayder 4/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April 2015 Scavenger - Cookie Baking 101
READ: 7/7
✔1 - The first step in baking cookies is always deciding which recipe to use. Will you make an old favorite, or try something new?
♥ Read a book by a new-to-you author OR re-read an old favorite OR a book that was recommended by a friend or family member.
The Truth of All Things - Kieran Shields 4/5✔2 - Next, you need to shop for the required ingredients. Using fresh ingredients is always best, and sometimes a recipe calls for something you don't normally keep on hand.
♥ Read a book you've added to your TBR list in the past three months OR a book whose title begins with a letter in SHOP (disregard A, An and The)
South of Surrender - Laura Kaye 4/8✔3 - When you're ready to begin, almost every recipe starts with creaming together butter and sugar, then mixing in any other wet ingredients like eggs and flavorings.
♥ Read a book with a predominantly yellow cover OR a book #5 or lower from a series
The Hell You Say - Josh Lanyon 4/9✔4 - Next is combining the dry ingredients -- flour, leavening and sometimes cocoa powder -- then blending everything together into one smooth dough.
♥ Read a book with a predominantly white or brown cover OR a book that combines two or more genres (paranormal mystery, historical romance, etc.)
Throne of Glass - Sarah Maas (fantasy, historical fiction, young adult) 4/4✔5 - Now for the fun part: shaping your cookies. Depending on the recipe, you can roll the dough into balls, drop it by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets or cut it out with cookie cutters.
♥ Read a book whose cover shows a geometric shape that you would find on a cookie platter OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in CUTTERS
Bled Dry - Erin McCarthy (circle) 4/5✔6 - Most cookies bake at a medium heat for a short time, but it's still hard to wait for them to finish baking.
♥ Read a book between 150-200 pages long OR a new release you've been looking forward to for a long time
Flesh and Blood - Patricia Cornwell 4/10✔7 - To avoid burning yourself, it's best to wait till the cookies cool (at least a little!) before you eat and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
♥ Read a book with cookies on the cover (only cookies, no other desserts!) OR a book with E, A and T in the title, not necessarily in order
The Search - Nora Roberts (The SEArch) 4/9CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Spell ChallengeREAD: 8/11
I: In Rides Trouble - Julie Ann Walker
✔N: A Natural History of Dragons - Marie Brennan 4/15
✔G: Gone - Mo Hayder 4/13
✔R: The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater 4/17
E: Alone - Kendra Elliot
✔D: Death of a Pirate King - Josh Lanyon 4/11
✔I: Iron House - John Hart 4/7
E: Everything for Us - M. Leighton
✔N: Archangel's Storm - Nalini Singh 4/30
✔T: Think of a Number - John Verdon 4/1
✔S: Sunrise at Sunset - Jaz Primo 4/25
April Member of the Month - Candace 5/5 tasks done
✔1. Candace told us that the prelude to Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 was the most commonly played song on her iPod. Read a book whose title starts with one of the letters in CELLO (Ignore a,an,the) OR read the first book in a new series.
Throne of Glass - Sarah Maas (Throne of Glass #1) 4/4
✔2. Eleanor and Park was the last book that had Candace shedding a few tears. How about you - what was the last book that made you cry?
Endsinger - Jay Kristoff 3/18
✔3. Candace states she is a planner when it comes to making reading lists. Read a book with a character who is organized or an event / wedding planner OR read a book whose author's first and last initial may be found in PLANNER.
The Search - Nora Roberts (heroine super organized) 4/9
✔4. Gray is the color of Candace's car. What color is your car? Read a book with a gray cover OR read a book whose cover is the same color as your car.
Archangel's Storm - Nalini Singh (my car is gray as well) 4/30
✔5. Macaroni & Cheese serves as Candace's favorite comfort food. Tell us your favorite comfort food.
I don't really have a comfort food but any kind of snack cake works.
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May 2015 Scavenger - The Indy 500
READ: 7/7
✔1. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race is held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. The event is held over Memorial Day weekend, which is typically the last weekend in May. Read a book that takes place in Indiana OR read a book that features an automobile on the cover OR read a book that mentions a veteran who has died in combat.
In Rides Trouble - Julie Ann Walker (motorcycle) 5/26
✔2. The event, billed as The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, is considered one of the three most prestigious motorsports events in the world. The inaugural running was won by Ray Harroun in 1911. Harroun drove a Marmon Model 32-based Wasp racer — outfitted with his invention, the rear view mirror. Read a book whose title contains the word “GREAT” or “GREATEST” OR read a book with an intact “32” in its total page count OR read a book whose cover shows a car’s rearview mirror.
Bees in the Butterfly Garden - Maureen Lang (432 pages) 5/17
✔3. A total of 200 laps on the 2.5 mile oval track are driven to reach the 500 miles indicated in the race’s name. Thirty-three drivers race counterclockwise around the circuit, which includes 4 turns. Read a book with any oval or curved object on its cover OR read a book with a 4 in its publication year OR read a book in which a character is good at working with numbers.
Asylum - Madeleine Roux (m.c. is a math genius) 5/5
✔4. Prior to the start of the race, the Purdue All-American Marching Band began performing on the track near the finish-line in 1927 and has been the host band of the race ever since. In 1946 American operatic tenor and car enthusiast James Melton started the tradition of singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the race. This tradition has continued through the years, notably by actor and singer Jim Nabors from 1972 until 2014. Read a book that was written between 1927-1946 (inclusive) OR read a book that involves music OR read a book with an author named James (reasonable variations acceptable – i.e. Jim, Jimmy).
Love Irresistibly - Julie James 5/27
✔5. Louis Meyer requested a glass of buttermilk after winning his second Indy 500 race in 1933. A photographer captured him in the act of swigging from the bottle. A local dairy company executive recognized the marketing opportunity in the image and, being unaware Meyer was drinking buttermilk, offered a bottle of milk to the winners of future races. Modern drivers are offered a choice of whole, 2%, or skim. Choose your own “whole milk” book (400+ pages), 2% book (250-399 pages), or skim book (150-249 pages).
The Little Stranger - Sarah Waters (466 pages) 5/6
✔6. Female participation of any sort at Indianapolis was essentially banned throughout the first several decades of competition. Female reporters were not even allowed in the pit area until 1971. There have been nine female drivers to qualify, starting with Janet Guthrie in 1977. Sarah Fisher has competed eight times, the most of any woman and Danica Patrick’s third place finish in 2009 is the best finish for a woman. Read a book in which a woman works or competes in a traditionally “male” domain OR read a book published in 1971, 1977, or 2009 OR read a book with an 8 in its total page count.
The Crimson Crown - Cinda Williams Chima (598 pages) 5/22
✔7. Since 1936, a bas-relief sculpture of the winner's face, along with his name, average speed, and date of victory is added to the Borg-Warner Trophy. A smaller replica of this trophy has been officially presented to the winner after the race since 1988 and team principal since 1997. Prior to that, winners received a replica mounted on a chestnut plaque. Read a book in which a main character receives a blue ribbon, trophy, or award of some kind OR read a book whose author’s last name is hyphenated OR read a book whose cover shows an object made of wood (tree trunks are okay too).
The Fall - Bethany Griffin (tree on cover) 5/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May 2015 Spell - The Indy 500 READ: 13/13
✔D: Dinner with a Vampire - Abigail Gibbs 5/10
✔A: Asylum - Madeleine Roux 5/5
✔N: The Name of the Star - Maureen Johnson 5/8
✔I: In Rides Trouble - Julie Ann Walker
✔C: City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare 5/22
✔A: Beneath a Rising Moon - Keri Arthur 5/22
✔P: Unlucky 13 - James Patterson 5/17
✔A: Armageddon Cometh - J.K. Accinni 5/7
✔T: Texas Gothic - Rosemary Clement-Moore 5/9
✔R: Sanctum - Madeleine Roux 5/7
✔I: Instinct - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/11
✔C: The Crimson Crown - Cinda Williams Chima 5/20
✔K: Beneath a Darkening Moon - Keri Arthur 5/23
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Member of the Month - Jamii1 5/5 tasks done
✔1. Jamii describes herself as “awkward, klutzy and quick-witted.”
-Read a book with a “W,Z,Y, or Q” ANYWHERE in the Title.
Asylum - Madeleine Roux 5/5
✔2. Jamii says the first thing that catches her eye when picking a book is the cover.What is the first thing that catches YOUR eye? Cover, Title, Author, the Plot? Or is it something else?
The first thing would be the cover but if the blurb isn't catchy I'll pass it up regardless.
✔3. Jamii prefers reading Romantic Comdies or YA.
Read a book listed as a “Romance, Comedy, or YA” on the book’s MAIN page.
Instinct - Sherrilyn Kenyon (YA) 5/11
✔4. Jamii says her favourite season is Fall because she can “get her basic on, Uggs, hoodies, and Starbucks” –Share with us your favourite Season and tell us why you like it so much!
I hate the heat so summer kills me. I do like the winter but extreme low temps are becoming too much. And spring can't make up it's darn mind so I love fall and if I could find some place that had fall weather year round, I'd move there tomorrow.
✔5. Jamii says her favourite show of all time is Gilmore Girls. In honour of them making 7 seasons of this awesome show, Read a book with the number ”7” in the total number of pages or in the publication date.
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern - Lilian Jackson Braun (1967) 5/2
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
June Scavenger - Picnics
READ: 7/7
✔1. International Picnic Day, June 18, celebrates the gathering together outdoors to eat and enjoy one another's company. As an informal food holiday, there are few rules and lots of options. The location, the guests, the music, and the conviviality of the event are what really count. Have a picnic. Keep it simple. Take foods that don't require utensils. Prepare food ahead of time so you can relax.
* Read a book that takes place in the summer OR a book that has some sort of large gathering of people OR read a book with a sun on the cover (show us the cover).
Unbinding - Eileen Wilks (a gathering of 20,000 people) 6/14✔2. A picnic is defined as an excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors. A secondary definition of a picnic is something that is a pleasant or carefree experience, or an easy task or feat. A “k” is inserted to preserve the "k" sound before a suffix beginning in -i-, -y-, or -e- (such as picnicking). “A few sandwiches short of a picnic” is a phrase used to describe someone who is not mentally together.
* Read a book whose author’s first or last name begins with “K” OR a book with a character who has a mental illness.
Darkhouse - Karina Halle 6/6✔3. When the picnic is not also a cookout, the food eaten is rarely hot. Classic picnic foods include sandwiches, potato chips, lemonade, bread, fruit salad, cheese, wine, fresh vegetables, iced tea, cold fried chicken, and cole slaw. Outdoor games or some other form of entertainment are common at large picnics. In established public parks, a picnic area generally includes picnic tables and possibly other items related to eating outdoors, such as built-in grills, water faucets, garbage containers, and restrooms.
* Read a book with “Food and Drink” on the main Goodreads genre page OR a book with some kind of food on the cover (show us the cover).
Dark Tort - Diane Mott Davidson 6/1✔4. Picnics are often family-oriented but can range from an intimate occasion between two people or a large get-together such as company or church picnics. In the U.S., families and groups enjoy picnics to celebrate just about any event, including Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and family reunions. In Italy, the favorite picnic day is Easter Monday. In Romania, May Day is the preferred day for a picnic.
* Read a book where family is important OR a book where a celebration of some sort takes place (tell us the celebration).
Forgotten Sins - Rebecca Zanetti 6/7✔5. The first use of the word in print is traced to the 1692 edition of Tony Willis, Origines de la Langue Française, which mentions pique-nique. The term was used to describe a group of people dining in a restaurant who brought their own wine. The concept of a picnic long retained the connotation of a meal to which everyone contributed something. The word picnic first appeared in English in a letter by Lord Chesterfield in 1748, who associates it with card-playing, drinking and conversation.
* Read a book set in France or England OR read a book in which a group of people works together to solve a problem.
Darker After Midnight - Lara Adrian 6/4✔6. After the French Revolution in 1789, the Royal Gardens were opened to the public for the first time. It was the new common pastime for the French to visit the gardens and take along a meal. Early in the 19th century, a fashionable group of Londoners formed the 'Picnic Society.” Each member was expected to provide a share of the entertainment and of the refreshments with no one particular host. Picnics were ways for people to escape the restrictions of etiquette and formality. They date back to Medieval times when outdoor feasts were held to celebrate a successful hunt. They then grew in popularity during the Victorian Era in England.
* Read a book set in a country other than the United States (tell us the country) OR a book set at least 100 years ago (tell us when).
North of Beautiful - Justina Chen (half the book is set in China) 6/4✔7. In the arts, perhaps the most famous painting of a picnic is The Luncheon on the Grass by Édouard Manet. The most well-known lines of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Edward FitzGerald contain the words:
"A Book of Verse beneath the Bough,
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness—
Oh, wilderness were Paradise enow!”
In music in 1906, British composer John William Bratton wrote a piece originally titled "The Teddy Bear Two Step,” but it became popular in a 1908 instrumental version renamed "Teddy Bears' Picnic", performed by the Arthur Pryor Band, then later regained prominence in 1932 when words were added, and it was recorded by Henry Hall and his BBC Dance Orchestra, which went on to sell a million copies.
* Read a book with a character or author named Edward, John, William, Arthur, or Henry (common abbreviations are OK, such as Ed, Bill, Art, etc.) OR a book with wine, bread, or a musical instrument on the cover (show us the cover).
Dawn's Early Light - Pip Ballantine (William) 6/18CHALLENGE COMPLETE
June Spell - Picnic Foods READ: 12/12
✔F: Forgotten Sins - Rebecca Zanetti 6/7
✔R: Santa's Executive - Carrie Ann Ryan 6/22
✔I: If He's Dangerous - Hannah Howell 6/21
✔E: You Don't Know Jack - Erin McCarthy 6/13
✔D: Deeper Than Midnight - Lara Adrian 6/2
✔C: Tell the Wolves I'm Home - Carol Rifka Brunt 6/11
✔H: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker - Leanna Renee Hieber 6/14
✔I: Invisible Murder- Lene Kaaberbøl 6/15
✔C: Chapter and Hearse - Lorna Barrett 6/18
✔K: Bones Are Forever - Kathy Reichs 6/9
✔E: Unbinding - Eileen Wilks 6/14
✔N: Notorious - Allison Brennan 6/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
June Member of the Month - Taryn ~Griffie4/4 tasks done
✔2. Taryn belongs to a whopping 24 groups on Goodreads. How many do you belong to, and how many are you really active on. Is there a group that you would like to recommend to fellow group junkies (other than CCC, of course)?
21 groups / active in 14
Seasonal Reading Challenge Group has 1 major challenge per quarter.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
✔3. Taryn says that the thing she most likes about herself is that she tries everything once and with the help of her job (she is an archaeologist), she has found a nice balance between adventure and trouble.
Read a book with either a protagonist who is anxiety-prone or a risk taker -or- read a book where a character's job is important to the plot. (Explain how).
You Don't Know Jack - Erin McCarthy 6/13
(heroine is a social worker who rehabilitates criminals by hiring them. One of them is illegally doing stock trading which draws the hero right to her door.)
✔4. Taryn wants to spend her $20 on a coffee table book on the cartoon Adventure Time. Which are your favorite TV cartoons?
I don't watch television but my favorite cartoon from childhood is Tom & Jerry.
✔5. Taryn's favorite woman author is Margaret Atwood. If you have read a book by Margaret Atwood (or more), pick one that you rated 4 stars or more. Then read a book that appears on the Readers Also Enjoyed list for that book. (Mention the date the book appears on the list). If you haven't read a book by Margaret Atwood or you haven't rated her books 4 or more stars, read a book that has been marked Science Fiction or Fantasy on Goodreads.
Starclimber - Kenneth Oppel (fantasy) 6/23
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Summer Seasonal Scavenger Challenge - U.S. National Parks Duration: June 21 - September 20, 2015
READ: 16/20
✔ACADIA - Read a book set in Maine OR a book with a sunrise on its cover (post the cover)
Courting Carolina - Janet Chapman 9/12✔BADLANDS - Read a book with a Native American character OR a book set in ancient times
Chained by Night - Larissa Ione 9/19✔BRYCE CANYON - Read a book with a stacked object of some sort on its cover (at least three layers must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book whose title begins with U
Ubik - Phillip Dick 8/9✔CARLSBAD CAVERNS - Read a book with a character or by an author named Carl OR a book with a mostly-dark nighttime scene on its cover (post the cover)
Dark Hunger - Sarah Reinke 8/15DEATH VALLEY - Read a book with the word DEATH in its title OR a book with a desert on its cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover)
DENALI - Read a book set in the summer (June, July or August; tell us when) OR a book set in Alaska
✔EVERGLADES - Read book #3 in a series OR a book with a tropical flower or plant on its cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover)
Starclimber - Kenneth Oppel 6/23GLACIER - Read a book a book in which the first letter of every word in its title (ALL WORDS COUNT) can be found in GLACIER (three word minimum) OR a book set in Canada or by a Canadian author
✔GRAND CANYON - Read a book with a cover that is predominantly pink (post the cover) OR a book that has been on your TBR list for a long time (#1-100 on your list; tell us the number)
Ecstasy Untamed - Pamela Palmer 7/28✔GRAND TETON - Read a book set in winter (December, January or February; tell us when) OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in GRANDTETON
Twice Tempted by a Rogue - Tessa Dare 8/19✔GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS - Read a book with a field of flowers on its cover (post the cover) OR a book whose title begins with a letter in SMOKY
If He's Dangerous - Hannah Howell 6/21HAWAII VOLCANOES - Read a book published in 1983 OR a book set in Hawaii
✔MAMMOTH CAVE - Read a book by Jules Verne OR a book from a series that has not yet ended
Archangel's Shadows - Nalini Singh 8/2✔OLYMPIC - Read a book over 500 pages long OR a book where an ancient god or goddess plays an important part in the story
The Darkest Touch - Gena Showalter (Cronus/Hades) 7/12✔ROCKY MOUNTAINS - Read a book with a 7 in its original year of publication OR a book with a roof on its cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover)
Dark Witch - Nora Roberts 8/8✔SAGARO- Read a book with an arid-landscape on its cover (post the cover) OR a book with a 4 AND 0, in any order (304, 420) in its total number of pages (tell us how many pages).
Kiss of the Betrayer - Boone Brux (400 pages) 7/8✔SEQUOIA - Read a book with a character who is or was in the military OR a book with one (and only one) LARGE tree on its cover (post the cover)
Thrill Ride - Julie Ann Walker (SEALS) 7/11✔YELLOWSTONE - Read a book with one of the animals listed above on its cover (any bear, deer, sheep or wolf will do; must be visible in the GR thumbnail; post the cover) OR a book with a character who is faithful
Warrior Untamed - Melissa Mayhue 9/7✔YOSEMITE - Read a book with a comparative adjective (tallest, smaller, etc.) in its title OR a book that has fewer than 250 ratings on Goodreads (tell us how many ratings)
Chain of Illusions - Boone Brux (58 ratings) 8/7✔ZION - Read a book with a cover that is predominantly orange OR a book whose title or author’s first or last name begins with Z.
HIDE Omnibus - Jax Spenser 7/6
Summer Spell Challenge-US National Parks Duration: June 21 - September 20, 2015
READ: 45/45
✔Great Smoky Mountains
G: Deadly Offerings - Alexa Grace 8/9
R: Santa's Executive - Carrie Ann Ryan 6/22
E: Exposed - Alex Kava 6/24
A: The Archived - Victoria Schwab 6/21
T: Trail of Kisses - Merry Farmer 7/5
S: Shield of Fire - Boone Brux 6/26
M: Big Sky River - Linda Lael Miller 7/10
O: Can't Hurry Love - Molly O'Keefe 7/27
K: Bones Never Lie - Kathy Reichs 9/3
Y: Zuriel's Fate - Serena Yates 6/22
M: Fifty Shades of Alice Through the Looking Glass - Melinda DuChamp 7/10
O: Obsidian - Jennifer Armentrout 9/2
U: Uprooted - Naomi Novik 7/26
N: The Witness - Nora Roberts 7/25
T: Then Came You - Jill Shalvis 7/29
A: The Assassin's Blade - Sarah Maas 7/18
I: It Happened One Wedding - Julie James 6/27
N: Hostage to Pleasure - Nalini Singh 7/24
S: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers - Mary Roach 7/11
✔Denali
D: The Diamond Conspiracy - Pip Ballantine 7/18
E: Embrace the Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney 7/21
N: Deadtown - Nancy Holzner 8/11
A: Dragon Down Under - Angela Castle 7/7
L: Book Clubbed - Lorna Barrett 8/8
I: If He's Daring - Hannah Howell 8/9
✔Everglades
E: Demon's Curse - Alexa Egan 7/30
V: Voracious - V.K. Forrest 7/19
E: Alone - Kendra Elliot 8/2
R: Savage Chains - Caris Roane 8/30
G: Geist - Phaedra Weldon 8/26
L: Big Sky Summer - Linda Lael Miller 8/4
A: Abandon the Night - Joss Ware 8/21
D: The Devil of Kilmartin - Laurin Wittig 9/10
E: The Escape - David Baldacci 8/21
S: Dead in the Water - Stuart Woods 8/1
✔Grand Teton
G: The Darkest Touch - Gena Showalter 7/12
R: Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley 8/15
A: Heart of a Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney 8/27
N: Nauti Temptress - Lora Leigh 8/12
D: Dark Hunger - Sarah Reinke 8/15
T: Caught Read-Handed - Terrie Farley Moran 8/3
E: Everlasting Desire - Amanda Ashley 8/28
T: The Will of the Empress - Tamora Pierce 8/5
O: Starclimber - Kenneth Oppel 6/23
N: High Noon - Nora Roberts 8/22
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Scavenger - Lady Liberty
READ: 6/7
✔1. Read a book that takes place during the Civil War OR read a book in which someone receives a large or substantial gift (tell us what) OR read a book whose title begins with a letter in FREEDOM (exclude a, an, the).
Daughter of Smoke & Bone - Laini Taylor 7/222. Read a book in which a main character is a designer of any kind, a sculptor, or an architect OR read a book whose author’s first and last initials are FB, RH, or GE (no reversals – i.e. BF is NOT okay).
✔3. Read a book which has won the Pulitzer Prize (Pulitzer List) OR read a book whose setting is in two or more countries (i.e. character travels, friends from different countries correspond, war) OR read a book in which a character needs to raise money for something (tell us what).
Thrill Ride - Julie Ann Walker (Costa Rica & USA) 7/10✔4. Read a book set primarily on an island OR read a book whose cover shows a ship OR read a book by an author whose first or last initial is in GRANT.
Uprooted - Naomi Novik (N in graNt) 7/26✔5. Read a book in which a celebration takes place (tell us what) OR read a book in which a first of some kind happens (tell us what) OR read a book that is set in NYC.
Forbidden - Jacquelyn Frank 7/31✔6. Read a book in which a man-made or natural disaster happens OR read a book published in 2012 OR read a book whose total page count contains a “9” or an “11.”
Kiss of the Betrayer - Boone Brux (Nov 2012) 7/8✔7. Read a book having anything to do with the law (the legal system - a main character should be a lawyer, a judge, or a law student) OR read a book with a green (verdigris) cover OR read a book with flame(s) on its cover – bonus for an actual torch!
Big Sky River - Linda Lael Miller (hero is the sheriff) 7/10
July Spell - Lady Liberty READ: 7/7
✔F: Voracious - V.K. Forrest 7/19
✔R: Revenant - Phaedra Weldon 7/13
✔E: Embrace the Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney 7/21
✔E: Ecstasy Untamed - Pamela Palmer 7/28
✔D: The Darkest Touch - Gena Showalter 7/12
✔O: Can't Hurry Love - Molly O'Keefe 7/27
✔M: Trail of Kisses - Merry Farmer 7/5
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Member of the Month - Keri4/5 tasks done
1. Keri lives in Alaska, Land of the Midnight Sun. Be sure to take a look at the gorgeous photos she included in her responses.
♦ Read a book that is set in Alaska or a country in the Arctic Region (Canada, Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, and Russia) OR a book with snow-covered mountains on the cover (show us the cover).
✔2. Keri has a strong fear of balloons. What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid of falling out of the sky - be it from airplane crash, sky diving, parashuting etc. - and crazy roller coasters.
✔3. Her favorite thing about herself is her waist-length hair.
♦ Read a book where the first letter of the first word in the title is found in HAIR (disregard A, An, The) OR a book whose author’s first OR last name begins with a letter in HAIR.
If He's Tempted - Hannah Howell 7/5✔4. She is, unfortunately, allergic to all seafood, despite the fact that Alaska King Crab is a specialty in her area. Are there any foods that are specific to your local area?
New Jersey is the Garden State and we're famous for Jersey corn which is phenomenal.
✔5. Keri teaches math and special education and has asked for help from her students in choosing words for some of her spell-out challenges.
♦ Read a book with a main character who is a teacher OR read a book with a number in the title (ex. ONE or 1, but not First) OR a book with a special needs child
Voracious - V.K. Forrest (child is autistic) 7/19
August Spell - Jaws
READ: 20/21
✔G: Deadly Offerings - Alexa Grace 8/9
✔R: High Noon - Nora Roberts 8/22
✔E: The Escape- David Baldacci 8/21
✔A: Abandon the Night - Joss Ware 8/21
✔T: Twice Tempted by a Rogue - Tessa Dare 8/19
✔W: Born Wild - Julie Ann Walker 8/30
✔H: Hero - Cheryl Brooks 8/29
✔I: If He's Daring - Hannah Howell 8/9
T: Tall, Dark & Heartless - R.L. Mathewson
✔E: Everlasting Desire - Amanda Ashley 8/28
✔S: Dark Hunger - Sarah Reinke 8/15
✔H: Heart of a Highland Warrior - Anita Clenney 8/27
✔A: Shadow's Curse - Alexa Egan 8/24
✔R: Born in Chains - Caris Roane 8/30
✔K: Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley 8/15
✔A: Archangel's Shadows - Nalini Singh 8/2
✔T: The Will of the Empress - Tamora Pierce 8/5
✔T: Caught Read-Handed - Terrie Farley Moran 8/3
✔A: Beauty and the Bounty Hunter - Lori Austin 8/23
✔C: Chain of Illusions - Boone Brux 8/7
✔K: Alone - Kendra Elliot 8/2
August Member of the Month - Liis5/5 Tasks Done
✔1. Liis tells us she belongs to 11 Goodreads groups.
★ Read a book with “11” intact in the number of pages or in the original publication year (year only, not month or day). Tell us how many pages or the year.
Deadly Offerings - Alexa Grace (December 2011) 8/9✔2. Besides reading, Liis enjoys doing cross-stitch. What other hobbies do you participate in when you’re not reading?
I'm a cross-stitcher too but honestly haven't picked it up in a while since reading and challenges have taken over my life.
✔3. Liis is originally from Estonia and visited there on her most recent vacation.
★ Read a book set in Estonia or a bordering country (Russia, Latvia, Sweden, or Finland) OR read a book in which the first letter of the first word of the title begins in ESTONIA (disregard A, An, The).
Everlasting Desire - Amanda Ashley 8/28✔4. She doesn’t listen to audio books because she can’t concentrate on them. Do you enjoy audio books? If so, tell us one (or more) of your favorite narrators.
I listen to audiobooks in the car only and the only narrator that comes to mind if Barbara Rosenblatt who does a wonderful job on the Amelia Peabody series but a not so good one on the Temperance Brennan series.
✔5. Liis’s dog, Diesel, loves car rides and walks in the park.
★ Read a book with a dog on the cover or one who is an important part of the story OR read a book with some sort of road trip in the plot or from a Listopia list that appears when you search for "Road Trip." (Tell us the Listopia list.)
Still the One - Jill Shalvis 8/13CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Scavenger - Classical Music
READ: 7/7
✔1. Johann Sebastian Bach –
♫ Read a book where the first letter of the first word in the title begins in the word FUGUE (disregard A, An, The) OR read a book with more than 100,000 ratings by Goodreads readers.
The Forgotten Room - Lincoln Child 9/25✔2. Ludwig van Beethoven -
♫ Read a book marked “Romance” on the main Goodreads genre page OR a book with a character who is hard of hearing or has some other physical handicap.
The Devil of Kilmartin - Laurin Wittig 9/10✔4. George Frederick Handel –
♫ Read a book set in Germany or England OR a book with water or fireworks on the cover (show us the cover).
Crossfire - Joann Ross 9/4✔5. Franz Joseph Haydn -
♫ Read a book with 340 or more pages (tell us how many pages) OR book #4 on your TBR list.
The Raider - Monica McCarty (400 pages) 9/3✔6. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -
♫ Read a book whose author uses 3 names OR a book with a Z somewhere in the title.
Hell for Leather - Julie Ann Walker 9/11✔8. Sergei Rachmaninov -
♫ Read a book showing hands on the cover (show us the cover) OR a book whose title begins with C (disregard A, An, The).
Chained by Night - Larissa Ione 9/19✔11. Giuseppe Verdi -
♫ Read a book with an Italian character OR read a book that contains AT LEAST 2 (or more) of the letter “F” anywhere in the title.
Lust for Life - Jeri Smith-Ready 9/9CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Spell - Classical Composers READ: 9/9
✔O: Obsidian - Jennifer Armentrout 9/2
✔F: Savage Nature - Christine Feehan 9/5
✔F: Forever - Jacquelyn Frank 9/23
✔E: Warrior's Curse - Alexa Egan 9/15
✔N: Night Betrayed - Joss Ware 9/16
✔B: Buffalo Valley - Debbie Macomber 9/15
✔A: Archangel's Enigma - Nalini Singh 9/8
✔C: Courting Carolina - Janet Chapman 9/12
✔H: Hell for Leather - Julie Ann Walker 9/11
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Member of the Month - Amanda K5/5 Tasks Done
✔1. Her favorite class in high school was AP Chemistry, because she "loved the teacher and the topic."
Where was your favorite class in school. And why did you like it so much?
I loved math because I was good at it and the teacher made learning easy.
✔2. A book's cover/title are what catch her eye first, but she says she "will buy anything by my favorite authors."
Read a book you added to your to-read list mainly because of its cover. Be sure to post the cover!
Hope Flames - Jaci Burton 9/4✔3. Amanda is "a purchaser" when it comes to the books she reads.
Read a book that you paid for (no, library fines do NOT count!).
Warrior's Curse - Alexa Egan 9/15✔4. When she answered our survey questions, Amanda told us that she was currently reading "about 12-15 books".
Do you focus on just one book at a time, or do you usually have more than one book going at the same time?
I usually have 2 going at any time, one audio book and one other book. In order to keep them straight, I usually read two different genres.
✔5. Amanda lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Read a book with a word in the title that starts and ends with the same letter (OhiO, TonighT, etc.).
Trouble in Spades - Heather Webber (SpadeS) 9/6CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Fall Scavenger Challenge * The Colors of Autumn Duration: September 21 - December 20, 2015
READ: 14/16
✔1. During a few weeks during the Autumn season, the normally green leaves of many deciduous trees and shrubs take on new colors – vibrant reds, yellows, purples, oranges, pinks, and browns. Deciduous literally means ‘falling off at maturity.’ This phenomenon is commonly referred to as Fall Foliage. ✾ Read a book that takes place during Autumn (September, October, November) OR a book with a main character who is mature (age 65 years or older).
Tangle of Need - Nalini Singh 12/12✔2. A leaf is green because of the presence of a pigment known as chlorophyll. During a tree’s growing season, the chlorophylls’ green color dominates the leaf and masks the colors of any other pigments which might be present in the leaf. Hence, leaves are green during the spring and summer seasons. ✾ Read a book with a leaf green cover OR a book whose cover shows a green tree or green plant.
The Heart of a Hero - Janet Chapman 10/25✔3. Chlorophyll performs the vital function of capturing solar rays and utilizing the resulting energy to manufacture the plant's nourishment needed for growth and development. In process, the chlorophylls themselves break down and are being continually "used up". During the growing season, however, the plant replenishes the chlorophyll so that the supply remains high and the leaves stay green. ✾ Read a book whose cover shows the sun or a bright, daytime scene OR read a book that nourishes your heart and soul.
The Highlander Next Door - Janet Chapman 12/2✔4. In late summer, as daylight hours shorten and temperatures cool, water and mineral intake into the leaf is reduced, slowly at first, and then more rapidly, causing chlorophyll to begin decreasing. As the chlorophylls degrade, the hidden pigments, which have been present throughout the year, are revealed. ✾ Read a book in which a main character or a universe goes through a major metamorphosis OR read a book in which a long-hidden secret is revealed.
The Ghost Hunter - Lori Brighton 10/19✔5. Beautiful orange and yellow leaves are caused by carotenoid pigments showing their presence once the green chlorophylls have disappeared. Carotenoids’ brilliant hues tint the leaves of such hardwood species as hickories, ash, maple, yellow poplar, aspen, birch, black cherry, sycamore, cottonwood, sassafras, and alder. Carotenoids are the dominant pigment in coloration of about 15-30% of tree species. ✾ Read a book whose cover is a bright yellow or orange color OR read a book within the first 15-30% of your TBR (Tell us the position number and the total number of books on your TBR).
Fade to Black - Morgan Kearns (TBR 6246 books, position 39) 12/7✔6. The autumnal reds, purples, and their blended combinations come from another group of pigments called anthocyanins. Unlike the carotenoids, these pigments are not present in the leaf throughout the growing season, but are actively produced towards the end of summer. The greater the production of anthocyanins, the more brilliant the resulting color display. ✾ Read a book whose cover is red or purple OR a book whose author’s first and last initials may be found in ANTHOCYANINS.
Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews 10/9✔7. Anthocyanins are present in about 10% of tree species in temperate regions, although in certain areas — most famously New England — up to 70% of tree species may produce the pigment. In autumn forests they appear vivid in the maples, oaks, sourwood, sweetgums, dogwoods, tupelos, cherry trees and persimmons. These same pigments often combine with the carotenoids' colors to create the deeper orange, fiery reds, and bronzes typical of many hardwood species. ✾ Read a book that combines two or more genres OR read a book that takes place in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont).
Dead Head - Rosemary Harris 11/6✔8. Although some autumn coloration occurs wherever deciduous trees are found, the most brightly colored autumn foliage is found in four or five regions of the world: 1) most of southern mainland Canada; 2) most of the eastern part of the United States as well as smaller areas of forest further west; 3) Scandinavia, Northern, and Western Europe north of the Alps; 4) the Caucasus region near the Black Sea, Russia and Eastern Asia, including much of northern and eastern China, Korea, and Japan; 5) as well as Argentina, Chile, southern Brazil, and New Zealand's South Island. ✾ Read a book with a “4” or a “5” in the total number of its pages OR read a book that takes place in one of the areas/countries listed above that is outside your own country (tell us where the book takes place and where you live).
Butterfly - Kathryn Harvey (544 pages) 10/17✔9. Though rare, some trees develop bold fall colors in subtropical or tropical areas. For example, American sweetgum trees growing on Maui (HI) turn a brilliant magenta red. ✾ Read a book that takes place in a tropical setting OR read a book where the first letter of each title word (a, an, the DO count; 3 word minimum) may be found in AMERICAN SWEETGUM.
Sealed with a Curse - Cecy Robson 10/22✔10. In some areas of Canada and the United States, "leaf peeping" tourism is a major contribution to economic activity. This tourist activity occurs between the beginning of color changes and the onset of leaf fall, usually around October in the Northern Hemisphere and April to May in the Southern Hemisphere. ✾ Read a book that features a character who works in the tourism field OR read a book whose title contains double consecutive letters (i.e. pEEper).
Night Forbidden - Joss Ware 10/14✔11. Eastern Canada and the New England region of the United States are famous for the brilliance of their "fall foliage," and a seasonal tourist industry has grown up around the few weeks in autumn when the leaves are at their peak. Fall colors are typically at their peaks in early to mid October for much of the northern and interior parts of the area, late October for areas further south. Some television and web-based weather forecasts even report on the status of the fall foliage throughout the season as a service to tourists. ✾ Read a book whose setting takes place in a popular tourist destination (tell us where) OR read a book that was published in October of any year.
Play of Passion - Nalini Singh (San Francisco) 10/2812. Fall foliage tourists are often referred to as "leaf peepers.” The term "Leaf Peeper" is used both with appreciation (for those businesses that benefit from the millions that pour into New England each fall) and with disdain (from those who have to use the roads that are popular with leaf peepers). Hobbyists who get together for leaf peeping commonly refer to their gatherings as Leaf Peepshows. ✾ Read a book that features a group of people who share a common interest OR read a book in which some kind of show is put on (i.e. a play, a musical - must be a live show; not a film).
✔13. Ideally, the best foliage occurs when autumn days are mild and the evenings are cool and crisp, but not below freezing. The temperature during the Spring can also have an impact on the fall foliage - a late Spring may delay the color change by a week or two. ✾ Read a book whose cover depicts a typical Spring or Autumn scene OR read a book whose title contains a "color" word.
The Red Hotel - Graham Masterton 12/514. Annual precipitation, which provides moisture for soil and plant life, also plays a role in the foliage. A late spring, which delays the release of moisture through snow melt, may push back the color change. Severe drought often causes the leaves of young and distressed trees to turn brown and drop early. ✾ Read a book whose cover shows some type of precipitation (rain or snow) OR read a book that takes place in an arid setting.
✔15. The third parameter, wind, has a rather obvious impact on the fall foliage. Very windy conditions, like those observed during and after storms, cause the leaves to drop, sometimes before full color has been reached. Therefore, calm winds are best during the foliage season. ✾ Read a book in which a storm is of significance to the plot OR read a book whose title contains the word “WIND,” “STORM,” or “CALM.” (Reasonable variations okay – i.e. windy, stormy, or calming).
East of Ecstasy - Laura Kaye (hurricane) 12/19✔16. Basically, the weather has a strong impact on the foliage season. It can dictate the timing of the foliage, the intensity and type of colors seen, and the duration of time the leaves will remain on the tree. Ideal foliage is produced by a warm and wet spring, typical summer conditions, and mild, sunny autumn days with cool evenings (which stay above 32° Fahrenheit). ✾ Read a book with an intact “32” in its page count (i.e. 326 or 432) OR read a book in which several factors combine to create something ideal (i.e. a beautiful wedding, a bumper crop, a successful graduate).
Luscious - Amanda Usen (320 pages) 10/2
Fall SPELL Challenge: The Colors of Autumn Duration: September 21 - December 20, 2015
READ: 24/25
BRONZE
B: Bad Blood - Dana Stabenow 11/24
R: Rock Chick Redemption - Kristen Ashley 10/1
O: Obsession in Death - J.D. Robb 10/8
N: Bonds of Justice - Nalini Singh 9/28
Z: A Taste of the Nightlife - Sarah Zettel 10/29
E: The Prince of Frogs - Annaliese Evans 9/21
GOLD
G: The Ghost Hunter - Lori Brighton 10/19
O: Pleasure Island - Lorie O'Clare 11/29
L: Lifelines - C.J. Lyons 11/26
D: Dexter in the Dark - Jeff Lindsay 10/23
ORANGE
O: One in a Million - Jill Shalvis 12/18
R: X Marks the Scot - Victoria Roberts 10/23
A: The Arrow - Monica McCarty 9/21
N: Night Resurrected - Joss Ware 11/30
G: The Grove - Jean Johnson 12/8
E: Envy - J.R. Ward 10/31
RED
R: The Red Hotel - Graham Masterton 12/5
E: Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell 11/22
D: Don't Cry, Tai Lake - Xiaolong Qui 11/28
YELLOW
Y: Temping Is Hell - CathyYardley 11/21
E: The Emperor's Tomb - Steve Berry 11/23
L: Six of Crows -Leigh Bardugo 11/27
L: Big Bad Beast - Shelly Laurenston 12/6
O:
W: Waking the Dead - Kylie Brant 11/17
October Scavenger - Salem Witch Trials
READ: 7/7
✔1. Colonists in 17th century America believed that Satan was ever present amongst the population and some peasants routinely practiced ‘white magic,’ using charms or spells to ensure a good harvest. Over time, the transformation of white magic being converted into black magic became associated with demons and evil spirits.
*Read a book that takes place in colonial America OR read a book with a mostly white and/or mostly black cover OR read a book with a friendly witch.
SEVEN-X - Mike Wech 10/24✔2. The infamous “Salem Witch Trials” took place from February 1692 to May 1693, starting when Reverend Samuel Paris’ 9 year old daughter Betty, and her 11 year old cousin Abigail Williams complained of being pinched and pricked by pins. The girls would also fall into “fits” that resembled epilepsy, but were proclaimed by the village doctor to originate from non-medical cause.
*Read a book in which a young girl (<16 years of age) has a central role to the story OR read a book with a “9” or “11” in the total page count (the “11” must be intact – 411 works, 171 does not) OR read a book in which a character does suffer from epilepsy.
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma - Trenton Lee Stewart (m.c. is 12) 10/24✔3. Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba (a black slave) were the first women accused of witchcraft. Tituba, in particular, was accused of telling stories of enchantment from Malleus Maleficarum. These tales about sexual encounters with demons, swaying the minds of men, and fortune-telling were said to stimulate the imaginations of girls.
*Read a book with a main character named Sarah/Sara OR read a book involving demons, black magic, or witchcraft of any kind OR read a book involving a slave / slaves.
Dexter in the Dark - Jeff Lindsay (demonic possession) 10/23✔4. Bridget Bishop was the first woman to be hanged from Gallows Hill for practicing witchcraft. Before the hysteria-induced trials were over, another 18 persons would also be hanged. Seven additional women died in jail and one man was “pressed” to death with stones when he wouldn’t confess.
*Read a book in which a character is hanged or executed in any manner OR read a book #7 or book #19 on your TBR OR read a book where the first letter of each title word may be found in GALLOWSHILL (exclude, a/an/the; 2 word minimum).
Fingersmith - Sarah Waters 10/8✔5. Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne initially presided over the trials and were later joined by several others as the hysteria spread and more people were accused of witchcraft. Two special courts were appointed to handle the trials – The Oyer, to hear cases and The Terminer to decide on the cases.
*Read a book with a trial scene OR read a legal thriller OR read a book by an author named John or Jonathan (reasonable variations are fine).
Sealed with a Curse - Cecy Robson (vampire tribunal) 10/22✔6. In May 1693, under social pressure and waning interest, Governor Phips dissolved the courts and released all remaining prisoners. The Massachusetts state court later (in 1697) declared that the trials had been unlawful, and Judge Samuel Sewall apologized for his role in trials.
*Read a book in which a character is falsely accused of committing a crime OR read a book in which a character regrets his/her actions (about something significant) OR read a book whose original publication year includes a "3," "6," "7," or "9."
Waking Evil - Kylie Brant (pub 2009) 10/16✔7. Though years later, all those accused of witchcraft were exonerated and restitution was made to the families in 1711, the Salem Witch Trials have left a shameful and painful legacy to the area. Arthur Miller wrote “The Crucible” as a warning allegory during the 1950’s when the anti-communist “witch hunt” was being crusaded by Senator Joseph McCarthy.
*Read a book that takes place in Massachusetts OR read a book that takes place in the 1950’s OR read a play (150+ pages).
Butterfly - Kathryn Harvey 10/17CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Spell - Salem Witch Trials READ: 13/13
✔T: The Tower - Jean Johnson 10/21
✔I: Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews 10/9
✔T: A Taste of the Nightlife - Sarah Zettel 10/29
✔U: Luscious - Amanda Usen 10/2
✔B: Butterfly - Kathryn Harvey 10/17
✔A: Meanwhile, Back in Deadwood - Ann Charles 10/18
✔G: The Ghost Hunter - Lori Brighton 10/19
✔A: Rock Chick Redemption - Kristen Ashley 10/1
✔L: Dexter in the Dark - Jeff Lindsay 10/23
✔L: Days of Blood & Starlight - Laini Taylor 10/13
✔O: Obsession in Death - J.D. Robb 10/8
✔W: Waking Evil - Kylie Brant 10/16
✔S: Queen of Shadows - Sarah J. Maas 10/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Member of the Month - Zee 5/5 Tasks Done
✔1. Zee told us that she particularly likes to read historical, romance, and mystery books. Read a book that fits at least one of those categories (but could fit more, i.e. historical romance).
Fingersmith - Sarah Waters (historical) 10/8
✔2. Chocolate ice cream tops the list of ice cream flavors for Zee. What is your favorite flavor?
Pistachio
✔3. Zee said she loves summer. Read a book that takes place during the summer (June, July, August) or read a book whose author's first and last initial may be found in SUMMER.
Queen of Shadows - Sarah J. Maas 10/27
✔4. Desperate Housewives keeps Zee's attention when she's in a t.v. mood. What is your favorite tv show?
I don't watch TV anymore though I do still watch a few via Netflix - Grey's Anatomy and Criminal Minds are my favorites.
✔5. Zee is an accomplished formation skydiver and has won gold and silver medals at various competitions. Read a book with a gold or silver cover (75%) OR read a book with someone who excels in their field.
Wulfe Untamed - Pamela Palmer 10/4
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Spell - Thanksgiving
READ: 7/7
✔F: Flames of Arousal - Ruth Kerce 11/1
✔R: The Reawakened - Jeri Smith-Ready 11/8
✔I: It's in His Kiss - Jill Shalvis 11/10
✔E: Edge of Dawn - Lara Adrian 11/3
✔N: Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh 11/13
✔D: Dead Head - Rosemary Harris 11/6
✔S: Stuck on You - Patti Berg 11/1
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Member of the Month - Kara5/5 Tasks Done
✔1. Kara often has dreams about books she’s read just before she falls asleep.
♦ Read a book in which a dream is important to the plot OR a book where the first letter of the title is found in the word DREAM (disregard A, An, The).
Edge of Dawn - Lara Adrian 11/3
✔2. She gets most of her books from the library. Are you a library user too? Where do you obtain most of the books you’ve read lately?
Like Kara, I'm a huge library borrower.
✔3. ♦ Read a book set in Kara’s home state of California (U.S.).
Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh (San Francisco) 11/13
✔4. She has always wanted to be an author but hasn’t decided on her genre yet. If you were to write a bestseller, what genre would you be known for?
If I could write even a little bit, I'd write paranormal romance - cat shifters not werewolves.
✔5. Kara likes to listen to music while she’s reading, particularly alternative music.
♦ Read a book with a musician or singer character (secondary character OK) OR a book whose author's first AND last initial are found in the word ALTERNATIVE (disregard middle initial).
Aunt Dimity Goes West - Nancy Atherton 11/3
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Scavenger - Charlie Brown
READ: 7/7
✔1. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a musical animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. The special was commissioned and sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and made its debut on CBS on December 9, 1965 at 7:30pm EST. ❆ Read a book with an author or main character named Charles (reasonable variations accepted) or read a book with a “9” in the original publication date or read a book with a beverage shown on its cover.
Eve of Darkness - S.J. Day (2009) 12/22✔2. The special was written and animated on a shoestring budget in only six months. In casting the characters, the producers went an unconventional route, hiring child actors. The program's soundtrack was similarly unorthodox: it features a jazz score by pianist Vince Guaraldi. ❆ Read the 6th book in a series or read a book in which children play a significant role or read a book with a cover you consider ‘jazzy.’
The Highlander Next Door - Janet Chapman 12/2✔3. In the story, Charlie Brown finds himself depressed despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a school Christmas play, but he is both ignored and mocked by his peers. The story touches on the over-commercialization and secularism of Christmas, and serves to remind viewers of the true meaning of Christmas. ❆ Read a book in which a character is feeling blue or depressed OR read a book in which a play occurs OR read a book set during the Christmas season.
Beg for Mercy - Jami Alden 12/24✔4. The producers and network wrongly envisioned the project as a disaster preceding its broadcast since Schulz was adamant about Linus's reading of the Bible, despite concerns that religion was a controversial topic, especially on television. The director first saw the completed animation at a showing in the days before its premiere, turning to his crew of animators and remarking, "My golly, we've killed it." ❆ Read a book covering a controversial subject (remember to tell us what the subject is) OR read a book in which religion is important OR read a book in which a character makes an inaccurate prediction.
The Grove - Jean Johnson 12/8✔5. Executives believed that if the show weren’t due to air within the week of its viewing, it would have been scrapped. Luckily the special did premier and met with wide critical acclaim. Lawrence Laurent of The Washington Post declared that "natural-born loser Charlie Brown finally turned up a real winner last night." Harriet Van Horne of the New York World-Telegram hailed the scene in which Linus recites scripture, commenting, "Linus' reading of the story of the Nativity was, quite simply, the dramatic highlight of the season." ❆ Read a book that has received great acclaim (i.e. NYT Bestseller, Goodreads Choice) OR read a book whose main setting is a news agency (print or tv) OR read a book where a character turns a previous failure into a success.
Fade to Black - Morgan Kearns (takes place at a TV station) 12/7✔6. A Charlie Brown Christmas has since been honored with both an Emmy and Peabody Award. Its jazz soundtrack also achieved commercial success, going triple platinum in the US. The show has been added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry list of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important" American sound recordings in 2012. ❆ Read a book that has won an award of some kind (tell us what) OR read a book you consider culturally or historically important (tell us why) OR read a book published in 2012.
Bad Wolf - Nele Neuhaus (Oct 1, 2012) 12/20✔7. An interesting side-note: The popularity of the special practically eliminated the popularity of the aluminum Christmas tree, which was a fad from 1958 to 1965, when the special portrayed it negatively. By 1967, just two years after the special first aired, they were no longer being regularly manufactured. ❆ Read a book with something shiny on its cover OR read a book published anywhere between 1958 to 1965 (inclusive) OR read a book in which any fad is mentioned (tell us what).
Frozen - Kate Watterson (cover has glitter on it) 12/28CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Spell Challenge - A Charlie Brown Christmas READ: 9/9
✔S: Big Bad Beast - Shelly Laurenston 12/6
✔C: Circle of Fire - Keri Arthur 12/3
✔H: Heart of Obsidian - Nalini Singh 12/24
✔R: The Red Hotel - Graham Masterton 12/5
✔O: One in a Million - Jill Shalvis 12/18
✔E: East of Ecstasy - Laura Kaye 12/19
✔D: Dreams of Gods & Monsters - Laini Taylor 12/26
✔E: East - Edith Pattou 12/19
✔R: Snow In April - Rosamunde Pilcher 12/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Member of the Month - Colleen 5/5 Tasks Done
✔2. Colleen found it scary when the number of books on her e-reader dropped below 100. Do you use an e-reader? How many books are on it on an average?
I use a Nook but I only load what I'm going to read each month so at most 30 books at a time.
✔3. Colleen says that a title of the book interests her first, and then the cover.
Read a book whose title strikes you as unique and/or interesting.
In a Sunburned Country - Bill Bryson 12/29
✔4. Colleen has a family dog called Sparkle, and an old rat called Specks. Do you have pets? If so, what are they and their names?
I have six cats: Minnie Mouse, Cuddles, Shadow, Smokey, Chippy and Girlie.
✔5. Colleen says that she has a loud laugh and finds things funny that other people don't. Read a book that is marked "Humor" on the main GR page -or- read a book that makes you laugh out loud.
Big Bad Beast - Shelly Laurenston 12/6
✔6. Colleen doesn't watch any TV and is committed to watch only two movies a year with her family. Read a book that has NOT been made into a movie or TV show. Please exclude books that seem like they have some prospect of being made into a movie.
East of Ecstasy - Laura Kaye 12/19
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Winter Seasonal Scavenger Challenge - HibernationDuration: December 21, 2014 - March 19, 2015
READ: 30/20
✔1. Different animal species hibernate at different times, and each species has a different way of knowing when the time is right.
❄ If you live somewhere that typically has long winters, read a book with a nighttime or a winter scene on the cover.
Ritual Magic - Eileen Wilks (I live in NE USA, long winters) 3/11✔2. To prepare for hibernation, many animals eat to gain weight in the summer and fall.
❄ Read a book over 400 pages long; tell us how many pages.
Blood of Tyrants - Naomi Novik (432 pages) 1/24✔3. Body fat, stored during the summer, is slowly consumed as the animal sleeps. The animal loses as much as 40 per cent of its body weight before spring when it rouses from hibernation.
❄ Read a book that makes you shiver OR a book with an overweight character.
You Can't Hide - Karen Rose (creepy serial killer) 2/7✔4. There are two types of fat – regular white fat and brown fat. The brown fat forms patches near the animal’s brain, heart and lungs. It sends a quick burst of energy to warm these organs first when it is time to wake up.
❄ Read a book you would describe as intelligent (brain), emotional (heart) or necessary (lungs).
Her Sky Cowboy - Beth Ciotta (Steampunk is pure genius) 2/13✔5. During the fall, hibernating animals prepare nests for their winter sleep. Some store extra food in their nests.
❄ Read a book in which a main character makes a living in some sort of food-related business OR a book with some kind of food in the title or on the cover; post the cover.
Love Is All You Need - Lori Devoti 12/22✔6. Hibernation occurs when an animal becomes inactive or "sleeps," during the short, cold days of winter.
❄ Read a short book, 150-200 pages; tell us how many pages.
Taken by the Cowboy - Julianne MacLean (200 pages) 12/28✔7. Hibernating and dormant mammals include bears, squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons, skunks, opossums, dormice, and bats.
❄ Read a book with a mammal of some kind on the cover; post the cover.
Heart of the Wolf - Terry Spear (wolf on cover) 2/13✔8. A hibernating animal has internal controls that prevent its body temperature from falling too low. The animal will wake up if its temperature is too near the freezing point.
❄ Read a book by an author whose books you haven't read for at least a year.
Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber (last read in 2011) 12/24✔9. Some hibernating animals will wake up for short spurts during the winter months to eat and relieve themselves. Other animals sleep through the entire winter without doing either.
❄ Read a book set during the winter months (November, December or January).
Trick of the Light - Rob Thurman (November) 12/21✔10. During hibernation, the heart rate for many animals slows to less than 10 beats per minute. Breathing also slows.
❄ Read a series book lower than #10; tell us where it falls in the series.
Maiden Rock - Mary Logue (#6) 12/28✔11. Every living animal on Earth is burning energy all the time. Physical activities like walking and breathing burn energy. Pumping blood and digesting food burns energy. Even thinking burns energy.
❄ Read a book that gets your blood pumping OR a book in which a character works out regularly.
Festive in Death - J.D. Robb 2/16(Roarke gets my blood pumping and Eve and Roarke work out daily)
✔12. Whether an animal hibernates or migrates to a warmer area is generally a quirk of evolution.
❄ Read a book in which a character travels to a different location for a period of at least three months.
The Horse Goddess - Morgan Llywelyn 1/4✔13. Toads, lizards, snakes, snails, shrimp, and even some insects hibernate or are dormant during the winter. Because cold-blooded animals do not generate their own body heat, their arousal can occur only when the outside temperature is relatively high.
❄ Read a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in REPTILES.
Lie With Me - Stephanie Tyler 12/27✔14. Some of the hibernating animals include fish, frogs and turtles, which have no way to keep warm during winter. They shelter under logs, rocks and fallen leaves in the water. When the weather gets cold, they move down to the bottom of lakes and ponds and some even burrow into the mud.
❄ Read a book with a lake or pond on the cover (no oceans, rivers)
206 Bones - Kathy Reichs (bones were found in a lake) 2/14✔15. A black bear can gain up to 30 pounds a week during its pre-hibernation eating binge.
❄ Read book #30 on your TBR list, sorted in whatever way you choose.
Love You More - Lisa Gardner 12/24✔16. Some female bears have babies during hibernation.
❄ Read a book with a character who is a mother.
Spellbound Falls - Janet Chapman 3/1✔17. European hedgehogs are deep winter sleepers and usually go through the entire winter without waking. By all outward appearances you would think a hibernating hedgie was dead — their feet, ears, and skin are all cold to the touch and their breathing is almost undetectable.
❄ Read a book in which someone who was thought to be dead turns out to be alive OR a book set in Europe; tell us where.
Written in My Own Heart's Blood - Diana Gabaldon 12/23✔18. Sleep, by contrast, is a mostly mental change. There are physiological aspects of sleep that are similar to hibernation, such as a reduced heart and breathing rate and lowered body temperature, but these changes are very slight compared to hibernation. Sleep is also pretty easy to break out of – if you're awakened from even your deepest sleep, you can be fully awake within several minutes.
❄ Read a book in which a character has trouble sleeping.
Hidden Currents - Christine Feehan (nightmares) 2/21✔19. Hibernation in reptiles is sometimes called brumation. It differs from mammalian hibernation because reptiles are cold-blooded -- they can't control their own body temperature, so they need to spend the winter in a place that will stay warm enough.
❄ Read a book in which the first letter of every word in the title (ALL WORDS COUNT!) can be found in BRUMATION.
About That Night - Julie James 3/3✔20. Estivation is the seasonal opposite of hibernation. It takes place in summer, when heat and drought threaten the lives of animals. Certain tropical fish and many reptiles and amphibians estivate. Some animals, such as ground squirrels, both hibernate and estivate.
❄ Read a book set during the summer months (June, July or August).
Archer's Voice - Mia Sheridan (August) 1/6✔21. ALPINE MARMOT: Marmots hibernate for up to eight months! They spend the four months they are awake having babies and preparing for the next hibernation.
❄ Read a book with an 8 in its original year of publication; tell us the year of publication.
A Trouble of Fools - Linda Barnes (pub 1987) 12/26✔22. COMMON POORWILL: There is only one known bird species that hibernates – the Common Poorwill.
❄ Read a book with a bird in the title or on the cover; post the cover.
Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (bird on cover) 1/19✔23. BEARS: Only four species of bear are hibernators – American Black Bear, Asiatic Black bear, Brown bear and Polar bear – and they do not hibernate as deeply as other animals, as their temperature only drops a little and they can fully wake up very quickly.
❄ Read a book with a cover that is predominantly black, brown or white; post the cover.
Seraphina - Rachel Hartman 2/28✔24. BAT: When bats are left alone, they can be some of the longest hibernators. In the wild, big brown bats have spent 64-66 days in hibernation while in captivity one lasted an incredible 344 days!
❄ Read a book with a "25" or “64” in its total number of pages; must be together and in order; tell us how many pages.
Though Not Dead - Dana Stabenow (464 pages) 12/31✔25. FAT-TAILED DWARF LEMURS: Fat-Tailed Dwarf Lemurs live in Madagascar where temperatures in June and July usually stay about 30°C. That might seem pretty warm to you, but this is actually the coldest time of the year for these lemurs.
❄ Read a book set in a location that begins with a letter in LEMUR; tell us the location.
Broken Soul - Faith Hunter (Louisiana) 1/3✔26. BOX TURTLE: Hibernating box turtles are found in well hidden spots around southern North America (USA and Mexico). The length of their winter sleep depends on the location and turtle subspecies: some can last as short as 77 days or as long as 154 days. Their heart beat drops to just one every 5-10 minutes and they don’t have to breathe in air at all.
❄ Read a book that has been "hidden" on your TBR list for over 18 months; tell us when you added it.
One Dance with a Duke - Tessa Dare (added 2010) 12/27✔27. BUMBLEBEE: When the temperature drops, males and worker bees die off but the queen survives by hibernating. She hibernates in a hole in the soil, in rotten tree stumps or under leaf litter.
❄ Read a book with a striped object of some kind on its cover; must be visible in the Goodreads thumbnail; post the cover.
A Bone to Pick - Charlaine Harris (windows striped) 1/11✔28. GARTER SNAKE: Unlike the bumblebee queen, who hibernates alone, garter snakes hibernate in groups. In Canada, where winters are exceptionally cold, there can be hundreds and sometime thousands of snakes grouped together for warmth.
❄ Read a book set in Canada, with a Canadian character or by a Canadian author.
Bones to Ashes - Kathy Reichs 12/31✔29. HEDGEHOG: Hedgehogs are some of the deepest hibernators around. Some can sleep through the whole winter! Their body temperature drops and they breathe so little that it can hardly be seen.
❄ Read a book that starts out slow but picks up by the end of the book.
77 Shadow Street - Dean Koontz 1/9✔30. SNAIL: Snails are built for self-contained hibernating. They burrow underground and withdraw into their shell. But before falling into a deep winter sleep, they seal their door with a chalky, slimy excretion that hardens and locks in essential moisture.
❄ Read a book with a character who is a recluse OR a book that requires very little energy to read (an “easy” read for you).
Better Off Dead in DeadwoodBetter Off Dead in Deadwood - Ann Charles 3/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Winter S-p-e-l-l Challenge - HibernationDuration: December 21, 2014 - March 19, 2015
READ: 27/27
DORMANT
D: The Dragon Legion Collection - Deborah Cooke 12/29
O: Optical Delusions in Deadwood - Ann Charles 1/1
R: Red Seas Under Red Skies - Scott Lynch 1/11
M: Moloka'i - Alan Brennert 1/18
A: Archer's Voice - Mia Sheridan 1/6
N: Wild Things - Chloe Neill 12/31
T: Master of Craving - Karen Tabke 1/29
FAT-TAILED DWARF LEMURS
F: Festive in Death - J.D. Robb 2/16
A: Antiques Flee Market - Barbara Allan 2/4
T: A Tale Of Two Dragons - G.A. Aiken 2/2
T: 206 Bones - Kathy Reichs 2/14
A: Absolution - Susannah Sandlin 2/5
I: Clean Sweep - Ilona Andrews 1/6
L: Light My Fire - G.A. Aiken 1/5
E: The Duke Is Mine - Eloisa James 12/26
D: Devil Bones - Kathy Reichs 1/21
D: Dead Case in Deadwood - Ann Charles 2/8
W: Wicked as She Wants - Delilah Dawson 2/6
A: Archangel's Consort - Nalini Singh 2/17
R: Restless In The Grave - Dana Stabenow 1/28
F: Water Bound - Christine Feehan 2/16
L: Lucky Stiff - Deborah Coonts 2/16
E: Chilled - Kendra Elliot 1/21
M: The Viper - Monica McCarty 12/29
U: Up to Me - M. Leighton 3/12
R: Daylighters - Rachel Caine 2/11
S: Still Waters - Tami Hoag 12/23
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Who Are The People In Your Neighborhood?Duration: November 1, 2014 - May 31, 2015
READ: 22/22
✔1. The Grocer: Read a book whose cover shows something one might buy in a grocery store (i.e. fruit, canned goods, carton of milk) OR a book in which one of the main character’s first initial may be found in GROCER.
Rapture Untamed - Pamela Palmer (Olivia) 11/4✔2. The Mailman: Read a book with a light blue or gray cover OR read a book with a letter on the cover (an epistle, not a single letter from the alphabet) OR read a book that is told through a letter format.
Lost - Gary Devon 11/15✔3. The Police Chief: Read a book involving a policeman, security guard, or detective OR read a book with a dark (navy) blue cover OR read a book with a badge on the cover.
Alex Cross, Run - James Patterson 11/14✔4. The Librarian: Read a book featuring a librarian or taking place mainly in a library OR read a book with books on the cover OR read the most recent book you checked out from the library.
Contest - Matthew Reilly 11/13✔5. The Fireman: Read a book involving a fire or with a fire on the cover OR read a book where one of the characters is a fireman OR read a book with a red cover OR read a book whose cover shows a dalmatian.
Trick of the Light - Rob Thurman 12/21✔6. The Baker: Read a book involving a baker and/or bakery OR a book with recipes included (recipe should be for something baked) OR read a book with any type of dessert on the cover.
Just Desserts - Mary Daheim 12/7✔7. The Teacher: Read a book that takes place in a school or university OR read a book that makes you feel smarter (tell us what you learned!) OR read a book that shows anything associated with a teacher on the cover (i.e. apple, ruler, desk).
The Exiled Queen - Cinda Williams Chima 11/28✔8. The Mayor: Read a book with a character who holds a position of power (i.e. Director, Congressman, CEO, Manager, etc.) OR read a book whose title begins with one of the letters in MAYOR(exclude a,an,the) OR read a book in which a character is very concerned about their looks, status, or behavior.
Reader and Raelynx - Sharon Shinn 11/1✔9. The Newspaper Boy: Read a book with a black and/or white cover OR read a book featuring a journalist, photographer, or editor OR read a book about a topic that might make news (tell us the topic).
The Butterfly Farm - Diane Noble 11/25✔10. The Beautician: Read a book featuring any type of beautician (hair stylist, manicurist, massage therapist) OR read a book with a pink cover OR read a book with a beautiful cover.
Moloka'i - Alan Brennert 1/18✔11. The Funeral Director: Read a book with a somber or serious character OR read a book in which one of the important characters dies OR read a book involving anyone who works with the dead (i.e. funeral director, medical examiner, forensic beautician, etc.)
Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues - Diana Rowland (morgue assistant) 11/24✔12. The Judge: Read a book with a legal theme or featuring a lawyer OR read a book featuring any kind of judge (contest judge, legal judge) OR read a book with a black cover.
The Monstrumologist - Rick Yancey 1/8✔13. The Doctor: Read a book with a main character who works in any type of medical field (doctor, nurse, pathologist, therapist, etc.) OR read a book where a main character has some type of illness OR read a book with a white cover.
Everywhere She Turns - Debra Webb 11/3✔14. The Florist: Read a book featuring a main character who works with flowers or growing things OR read a book with any type of flower, plant, or tree on the cover OR read a book whose cover is the color of one of your favorite flowers (i.e. purple for violets, red for poppies). Remember to tell us what your favorite flower is.
Waking Up with a Rake - Connie Mason (raises orchids) 11/10✔15. The Pharmacist: Read a book featuring someone who works in any kind of scientific field OR read a book with a first-aid cross or any type of first-aid paraphernalia on the cover (i.e. bandages, pills) OR read a book that heals your spirit.
Written in My Own Heart's Blood - Diana Gabaldon 12/23✔16. The Travel Agent: Read a book with any type of vehicle on the cover (car, bus, ship, plane, horse) OR read a book that takes place somewhere you would like to visit (tell us where) OR read a book with a title that contains a city, country, or region (i.e. Savannah Breeze, Ireland, or Bella Tuscany).
Twisted Things - Madge Swindells 11/9✔17. The Pastor: Read a book marked “religion” on its goodreads page OR read a book involving a minister, priest, rabbi, nun, deacon, etc. OR read a book with any of the following words in its title: FAITH, COMPASSION, CHURCH, MONASTERY, HOPE, LOVE
A Lot Like Love - Julie James 11/15✔18. The Dog Catcher: Read a book featuring a dog or showing a dog on the cover OR read a book with a character holding any kind of unenviable position or unpopular job.
Rescue My Heart - Jill Shalvis 11/30✔19. The Ice Cream Man: Ding! Ding! Read a book whose cover shows any type of van or delivery truck OR a book with a pastel-colored cover OR read a book with any type of ice cream or frozen dessert on the cover.
Love Is All You Need - Lori Devoti 12/22✔20. The Handyman: Read a book featuring any type of handyman, repair man, or construction worker OR read a book with a main character whose name rhymes with “handy” (Andy, Brandy, Sandy etc.) OR read a book whose cover shows any type of tool.
Antiques Flee Market - Barbara Allan (Brandy) 2/4✔21. The Garbage Man: Read a book you plan to give away or otherwise dispose of once you’ve finished it OR read a book that you thought stunk OR read a book with a cluttered cover.
The Host - Stephanie Meyer 11/30✔22. The Waiter: Read a book featuring a bistro, café, restaurant, or bar OR read a book where one character takes care of or “waits on” another character OR read a book whose cover shows an apron or serving tray.
One Heart to Win - Johanna Lindsey (housekeeper) 12/16CHALLENGE COMPLETE
From Sea to Shining Sea - Georgia Duration: January 1 - February 28, 2015
READ: 9/10
✔1. Georgia is state number 4 of the United States, having entered the union on Jan 2, 1788. It was settled in 1733, the last of the original 13 colonies and was named Georgia for King George II of England. It is nicknamed the Peach State, for the fruit that grows in abundance. It's also called the Empire State of the South.
✒ Read a book set in a royal court -or- read a book with a fruit in the title -or- read the latest book one of your favorite authors has published.
Festive in Death - J.D. Robb 2/16
✔2. Georgia's capital city is Atlanta. It is bordered by Florida on the South, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina, on the west by Alabama, and on the north by Tennessee and North Carolina. Georgia's motto is "Wisdom, justice and moderation".
✒ Read a book with the first letters of all words in the title in "ATLANTA" (A, An, The count, 2 words minimum) -or- read a book whose author's initials are FL, LF, SC, CS, NC, CN, TN or NT -or- read a book with a character you would describe as wise or just.
Devil Bones - Kathy Reichs 1/21
✔3. Georgia is ranked 8th in terms of population and 24th in terms of area. It's the 33rd richest state in the US, with a median household income of $46,007.
✒ Read book #8 or #24 of a series -or- read a book with the same number twice (and only twice) in the total number of pages (288 or 343 works, but not 333) -or- read a book with any two numbers from the following set in the year it was first published: 0, 4, 6, 7.
Red Seas Under Red Skies - Scott Lynch (2007) 1/11
✔4. The state bird of Georgia is the brown thrasher, the state tree is live oak and the flower is Cherokee rose. It's official song is "Georgia on my mind".
✒ Read a book with a brown cover -or- read a book with a main character named after a flower -or- read a book with any word with 5 letters or more from the lyrics of Georgia on my Mind in the title. (It should be the exact word, no variations).
Optical Delusions in Deadwood - Ann Charles (Violet) 1/1
✔5. James (Jimmy) Carter, the 39th president of the United States was born in Plains, Georgia. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. hails from Atlanta. Other famous Georgians include actors Laurence Fishburne and Joanne Woodward, and authors Margaret Mitchell and Alice Walker.
✒ Read a book set in Russia or the US -or- read a book dealing with racism, slavery or civil rights -or- read a book with a synonym of scarlet in the title (red, carmine, maroon, crimson, cherry, ruby all work).
Blood of Tyrants - Naomi Novik 1/24
6. A Confederate stronghold, Georgia was the scene of extensive military action during the Civil War. Union general William T. Sherman burned Atlanta and destroyed a 60-mile-wide path to the coast, where he captured Savannah in 1864.
✒ Read a book set during the Civil War -or- read a book with a road on the cover -or- read a book where a main character's age is 60 years or older.
Note: If you choose the cover option, please post the cover
✔7. Coca-Cola was invented in May 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. The name "Coca-Cola" was suggested by Dr. Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Robinson. He penned the name Coca-Cola in the flowing script that is famous today. Coca-Cola was first sold at a soda fountain in Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta by Willis Venable.
✒ Read a book with a beverage on the cover -or- read a book centered around a rivalry of some kind -or- read a book with a secret important to the plot. Note: If you choose the cover option, please post the cover
Seraphina - Rachel Hartman (dragons/humans fighting for supremacy) 2/28
✔8. Atlanta, Georgia played host to the 1996 Summer Olympics. 197 nations took part in the Games, comprising 10,318 athletes. Atlanta became the 5th American city to host the Olympics and the 3rd to host the Summer Olympics.
✒ Read a book first published in 1996 -or- read a book that is set in a country you have never visited -or- read a book with a summer scene on the cover.
Hidden Currents - Christine Feehan (Greece) 2/21
✔9. The figures of Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee make up the world's largest sculpture. It is located on the face of Stone Mountain. Additionally Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveler, is also carved at the same place. The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is located at Springer Mountain, Georgia.
✒ Read a book with a stone structure on the cover -or- read a book with an animal important to the plot -or- read a book where the main character spends some time in a wilderness (camping in the woods, hiking, climbing a mountain etc).
Chilled - Kendra Elliot 1/21
✔10. In Georgia, it is illegal to carry an ice cream cone in one's back pocket, if it is Sunday. It is also illegal to keep donkeys in bathtubs. In Athens, it is illegal to read your favorite book to your friends after 2:45 AM.
✒ Read a book whose cover is the color of your favorite ice cream (mention the favorite ice cream) -or- read a book marked "Books About Books" -or- read a book with a late night party in the plot.
Wicked as She Wants - Delilah Dawson (cherry vanilla) 2/6
OPI Muppets Challenge READ: 205/205
GONE GONZO - COMPLETE!
G: Grimm End - S.T. Cameron 12/9/13
O: One Hot Mess - Lois Greiman 4/17/14
N: Starfire Angels - Melanie Nilles 12/15/13
E: Seeing a Large Cat - Elizabeth Peters 11/23/13
G: Black Hole Sun - David Macinnis Gill 12/22/13
O: Long, Lean and Lethal - Lorie O'Clare 4/27/14
Z: Caring Is Creepy - David Zimmerman 7/10/14
O: On the Hunt - anthology 6/26/14
✔Suited - Jo Anderton (blue cover) 3/8/14
✔The Line Between Here and Gone - Andrea Kane (techno-geek) 12/6/13
✔Affliction - Laurell K. Hamilton (unconventional relationship) 11/9/13
DIVINE SWINE - COMPLETE!
D: Dead Beat - Jim Butcher 11/30/13
I: Seaborne - Katherine Irons 12/31/13
V: With All My Soul - Rachel Vincent 12/4/13
I: Reaver - Larissa Ione 1/5/14
N: Nature Of The Beast - Hannah Howell 1/8/14
E: The Ape Who Guards the Balance - Elizabeth Peters 1/22/14
S: Finding the Lost - Shannon Butcher 12/29/13
W: Beyond the Night - Joss Ware 12/20/13
I: Instant Attraction - Jill Shalvis 1/24/14
N: Never Seduce a Scot - Maya Banks 1/10/14
E: The Falcon at the Portal - Elizabeth Peters 2/18/14
✔Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes - Denise Grover Swank (pink cover) 12/14/13
✔Thankless in Death - J.D Robb (hero super wealthy) 12/12/13
✔Head Over Heels - Jill Shalvis (romance) 11/7/13
RAINBOW CONNECTION - COMPLETE!
R: Labyrinth - Kat Richardson 11/29/13
A: Murder Suicide - Keith Ablow 1/3/14
I: Instant Gratification - Jill Shalvis 2/23/14
N: A Noble Sacrifice - Ciara Gold 3/28/14
B: The Hit - David Baldacci 12/23/13
O: On the Prowl - Christine Warren 8/4/14
W: Wraith - Phaedra Weldon 12/27/13
C: Curfew - Phil Rickman 11/6/13
O: Can't Buy Me Love - Molly O'Keefe 8/21/14
N: The 9th Girl - Tami Hoag 5/21/14
N: Unwind - Neal Shusterman 5/21/14
E: Deadly Heat - Cynthia Eden 2/22/14
C: Cream Puff Murder - Joanne Fluke 11/29/13
T: Time Untime - Sherrilyn Kenyon 11/10/13
I: Instant Temptation - Jill Shalvis 3/26/14
O: Once in a Lifetime - Jill Shalvis 8/24/14
N: Never Less Than a Lady - Mary Jo Putney 6/4/14
✔One Rainy Night - Kathye Quick (lightning on cover) 1/10/14
✔Fifth Quarter - Tanya Huff (musical bards) 12/11/13
✔Breakup - Dana Stabenow (published 1997) 12/18/13
PEPE PURPLE PASSION - COMPLETE!
P: Whitechapel Gods - S.M. Peters 11/11/13
E: He Shall Thunder in the Sky - Elizabeth Peters 3/29/14
P: Sleight of Hand - Phillip Margolin 12/27/13
E: Real - Katy Evans 3/29/14
P: The Janus Affair - Philippa Ballantine 1/31/14
U: Untold - Sarah Rees Brennan 2/13/14
R: Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs 1/22/14
P: Four Blind Mice - James Patterson 3/16/14
L: Kingdom of the Wicked - Derek Landy 1/20/14
E: The Golden One - Elizabeth Peters 5/8/14
P: Primal Instincts - Susan Sizemore 3/24/14
A: Swept Away by a Kiss - Katharine Ashe 2/28/14
S: Dark Stranger - Susan Sizemore 2/5/14
S: Son of the Shadows - Juliet Marillier 3/2/14
I: Illusion - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/23/14
O: One More Bite - Jennifer Rardin 6/29/14
N: Not Your Ordinary Faerie Tale - Christine Warren 6/9/14
✔Unplugged - Lois Greiman (purple cover) 1/9/14
✔The Hour of Dust and Ashes - Kelly Gay (hero living on different planet) 2/16/14
✔My Life As a White Trash Zombie - Diana Rowland (set in Louisiana) 12/6/13
WOCKA WOCKA - COMPLETE!
W: Spectre - Phaedra Weldon 3/30/14
O: On the Way to the Wedding - Julia Quinn 9/25/14
C: Cold Copper - Devon Monk 1/14/14
K: Dreams of a Dark Warrior - Kresley Cole 1/16/14
A: Ashes to Ashes - Tami Hoag 3/9/14
W: The Winter Sea - Susanna Kearsley 4/2/14
O: Oceanborne - Katherine Irons 10/22/14
C: Dark Storm - Christine Feehan 2/2/14
K: The Kill Room - Jeffery Deaver 2/27/14
A: Atlantis Found - Clive Cussler 3/11/14
✔Pleasure - Jacquelyn Frank (deep red cover) 4/21/14
✔Death Bringer - Derek Landy (two word title) 12/12/13
✔White Heat - Cherry Adair (author F/L in woCkA) 11/2/13
ANIMAL-ISTIC - COMPLETE!
A: All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire - Kerrelyn Sparks 3/14/14
N: Night Falls on the Wicked - Sharie Kohler 7/13/14
I: It Had to Be You - Jill Shalvis 6/8/14
M: The Man Must Marry - Janet Chapman 2/9/14
A: The Stranger You Know - Andrea Kane 4/10/14
L: Lothaire - Kresley Cole 2/27/14
I: Darkness Unleashed - Alexandra Ivy 6/7/14
S: The Darkest Secret - Gena Showalter 3/11/14
T: The Thief - Megan Whalen Turner 2/10/14
I: Magic Rises - Ilona Andrews 6/23/14
C: Dark Lycan - Christine Feehan 2/22/14
✔The Silent Girl - Tess Gerritsen (red cover) 3/27
✔The Far West - Patricia Wrede (medusa lizard pivotal role) 11/9/13
✔Eternity Base - Bob Mayer (military base is nuked) 11/21/13
PART IIMEEP MEEP MEEP - COMPLETE!
M: MacRieve - Kresley Cole 3/13/14
E: Lord of the Silent - Elizabeth Peters 4/13/14
E: Eat Prey Love - Kerrelyn Sparks 5/16/14
P: Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here - Christine Warren 4/13/14
M: Faceless Killers - Henning Mankell 3/19/14
E: Extreme Exposure - Pamela Clare 5/28/14
E: Ecstasy in Darkness - Gena Showalter 6/12/14
P: Cross Country - James Patterson 4/29/14
M: The Queen of Attolia - Megan Whalen Turner 3/31/14
E: Children of the Storm - Elizabeth Peters 7/3/14
E: The Broken Hearts Club - Ethan Black 7/8/14
P: Primal Cravings - Susan Sizemore 5/28/14
✔Unmanned - Lois Greiman (electric green cover) 3/26
✔Degrees of Wrong - Anna Scarlett (research scientist) 1/4/14
✔Mountain Echoes - C.E. Murphy (begins with M) 11/18/13
EXCUSE MOIL - COMPLETE!
E: Guardian of the Horizon - Elizabeth Peters 7/31/14
X: XO - Jeffrey Deaver 6/26/14
C: Chains of Ice - Christina Dodd 3/5/14
U: Unscrewed - Lois Greiman 2/17/14
S: Strawberry Shortcake Murder - Joanne Fluke 3/20/14
E: The Serpent on the Crown - Elizabeth Peters 8/22/14
M: Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop 4/5/14
O: Crazy Thing Called Love - Molly O'Keefe 11/26/14
I: I, Alex Cross - James Patterson 7/8/14
L: Lucky in Love - Jill Shalvis 3/23/14
✔A Year and a Day - Virginia Henley (white cover) 11/3/13
✔The Navigator - Clive Cussler (Turkey) 1/9/14
✔Silencing Eve - Iris Johansen (a few strong female characters) 11/16/13
GETTIN' MISS PIGGY WITH IT - COMPLETE!
G: Shadows Before the Sun - Kelly Gay 3/29/14
E: Wife for Hire - Janet Evanovich 9/24/14
T: The Quartered Sea - Tanya Huff 2/13/14
T: Tiger's Voyage - Colleen Houck 3/23/14
I: The Ice Princess - Camilla Läckberg 7/17/14
N: Nowhere Near Respectable - Mary Jo Putney 7/31/14
M: Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey 4/27/14
I: The Devil's Punchbowl - Greg Iles 8/3/14
S: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke 4/13/14
S: Blood Will Tell - Dana Stabenow 4/19/14
P: Proven Guilty - Jim Butcher 6/1/14
I: Deadlock - Iris Johansen 10/30/14
G: Forbidden Highlander - Donna Grant 4/16/14
G: The Darkest Surrender - Gena Showalter 4/25/14
Y: You're Next - Gregg Hurwitz 2/20/14
W: The King- J.R. Ward 4/8/14
I: Live to See Tomorrow - Iris Johansen 12/4/14
T: Tiger's Destiny - Colleen Houck 4/14/14
H: Hour Game - David Baldacci 1/30/14
I: If There Be Dragons - Kay Hooper 12/18/14
T: The Turtle-Girl from East Pukapuka - Cole Alpaugh 6/3/14
✔Steel's Edge - Ilona Andrews (magic sparkles on cover) 2/25/14
✔W is for Wasted - Sue Grafton (S&G in MISSPIGGY) 2/8/14
✔Cross My Heart - James Patterson (killer was a pig farmer) 12/19/14
DESIGNERS DE-BETTER - COMPLETE!
D: Dark Wolf - Christine Feehan 3/4/14
E: Tomb of the Golden Bird - Elizabeth Peters 9/28/14
S: The Vampire and the Virgin - Kerrelyn Sparks 4/29/14
I: Clean Sweep - Ilona Andrews 1/6/15
G: Seduce the Darkness - Gena Showalter 5/19/14
N: No Longer a Gentleman - Mary Jo Putney 8/30/14
E: Evertrue - Brodi Ashton 9/29/14
R: Hollow City - Ransom Riggs 2/20/14
S: Born To Darkness - Suzanne Brockmann 4/24/14
D: Death's Rival - Faith Hunter 3/18/14
E: Hidden - Kendra Elliot 10/23/14
B: Big Bad Wolf - Christine Warren 3/16/14
E: Everywhere She Turns - Debra Webb 11/3/14
T: The King of Attolia - Megan Walen Turner 6/10/14
T: Tongue In Chic - Christina Dodd 7/12/14
E: The Grand Finale - Janet Evanovich 11/8/14
R: Yours for the Taking - Robin Kaye 2/28/14
✔How to Drive a Dragon Crazy - G.A. Aiken (gold cover) 1/7/14
✔No Quarter - Tanya Huff (musical bards) 1/5/14
✔Embrace the Night Eternal - Joss Ware (DESIGNERSDEBETTER) 2/23
WARM AND FOZZIE - COMPLETE!
W: Black Magic Woman - Christine Warren 5/8/14
A: At Last - Jill Shalvis 4/29/14
R: Concealed in Death - J.D. Robb 3/19/14
M: The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley 5/14/14
A: Atlantis Betrayed - Alyssa Day 5/6/14
N: Never Kiss a Stranger - Heather Grothaus 9/22/14
D: Chains of Fire - Christina Dodd 4/11/14
F: The Firebird - Susanna Kearsley 5/12/14
O: One Heart to Win - Johanna Lindsey 12/16/14
Z: Zuri's Zargonnii Warrior - C.L. Scholey 7/26/14
Z: Zoo - James Patterson 3/5/15
I: Magic Breaks - Ilona Andrews 1/15/15
E: Billionaires Prefer Blondes - Suzanne Enoch 11/10/14
✔Partials - Dan Wells (brown cover) 1/27/14
✔Not One Clue - Lois Greiman (funny book) 5/10/14
✔Stranger - Zoe Archer (secondary character is a bear shifter) 11/24/13
THE FRESH FROG OF BEL-AIR
T: Dire Needs - Stephanie Tyler 7/9/14
H: Highlander Most Wanted - Maya Banks 2/7/14
E: Street of the Five Moons - Elizabeth Peters 12/12/14
F: Forever and a Day - Jill Shalvis 5/25/14
R: You Belong to Me - Karen Rose 3/22/14
E: Ember's Kiss - Deborah Cooke 12/12/14
S: Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins 5/4/14
H: Hounded - Kevin Hearne 4/28/14
F: Fugitive - Cheryl Brooks 6/8/14
R: Retribution - Jilliane Hoffman 4/15/14
O: One Dance with a Duke - Tessa Dare 12/27/14
G: Wicked Highlander - Donna Grant 5/30/14
O: Optical Delusions in Deadwood - Ann Charles 1/1/15
F: The False-Hearted Teddy - John J. Lamb 5/25/14
B: Backfire - Catherine Coulter 4/5/14
E: The Crossing Places - Elly Griffiths 12/13/14
L: Lethal Legacy - Linda Fairstein 4/20/14
A: Renegade Most Wanted - Carol Arens 5/27/14
I: If You Give a Rake a Ruby - Shana Galen 2/22/15
R: Rapture - Jacquelyn Frank 4/20/14
✔Kinslayer - Jay Kristoff (green cover) 11/13/13
✔Initiation - Ruth Kerce (set in California) 12/5/13
✔Lizard World - Terry Richard Bazes (mc is eccentric) 1/21/14
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Lord of the Rings Challenge
Duration: November 1, 2014 - March 31, 2015
READ: 22/22
✔1. Frodo Baggins - a well-to-do hobbit from the Shire, who inherits the One Ring from Bilbo. The ring has corrupting influences. Frodo is responsible for destroying the Ring in the fire of Mount Doom.
Read a book with a ring or mountain on the cover or in the title OR has a "little person" as a main character OR a book with a magical item that emanates "bad vibes" OR a book with a character who has something that someone else wants.
Contest - Matthew Reilly 11/13✔2. Samwise Gamgee - gardener for the Bagginses, and Frodo's friend who accompanies Frodo on the quest to destroy the Ring.
Read a book with a garden on the cover OR a character who is a gardener OR a wise character OR a character/author named Sam.
Billionaires Prefer Blondes - Suzanne Enoch 11/10✔3. Meriadoc Brandybuck - Nickname Merry, Frodo's cousin and companion in the Fellowship.
Read a book with a character who is a good-hearted troublemaker OR a book where a cousin plays a primary role in the story OR a character/author named Merry (any spelling). (A LOTR book can replace any task)
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien 2/26✔4. Peregrin Took - Nickname Pip or Pippin, Frodo's cousin and companion in the Fellowship.
Read a book with a bird on the cover or in the title OR where a character gets taken (kidnapped, raped, etc) OR has someone named Pip or Pippin.
The Pyramid Of Doom - Andy McDermott 11/7✔5. Gandalf - A wizard, who aids Frodo in his quest.
Read a book about a wizard/witch/mage/sorcerer OR a fantasy novel involving a quest OR a book with a character known simply by one name.
House Rules - Chloe Neill (heroine is just Merit) 11/13✔6. Eragorn - A descendant of Isildur and rightful heir to the thrones of Arnor and Gondor and a human ranger.
Read a book where a character is fighting to regain the throne for the rightful heir OR a with a cop/bounty hunter/ranger character OR a character who has been exiled/disowned/banished.
Waking Up with a Rake - Connie Mason 11/10✔7. Legolas Greenleaf - An elf prince, who aids Frodo and the Fellowship. Son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood and friend of the dwarf Gimli.
Read a book about a prince OR a book with an elfen character OR a book with a leaf on the cover or in the title OR a book with a green cover.
The Grand Finale - Janet Evanovich 11/8✔8. Gimli - Son of Glóin, a dwarf included in the Fellowship.
Read a book about a dwarf OR a book whose title or author’s first or last name starts with "G" OR a book with a character who is easily provoked.
The Darkest Facts - Gena Showalter 11/24✔9. Denethor - Ruling Steward of Gondor and Lord of Minas Tirith.
Read a book where the main character has servants/slaves OR a book whose title or author’s first or last name starts with "D" OR a fantasy novel.
Reader and Raelynx - Sharon Shinn 11/1✔10. Boromir and Faramir - The eldest and youngest sons of Denethor. They try to take the ring from Frodo by force.
Read a book featuring brothers OR a book with what you consider to be a bad father OR a book by an author whose initials can be found in BOROMIRANDFARAMIR. NOTE: If the author uses a middle name/initial, that initial must be found in the phrase too.
Down to You - M. Leighton 11/3✔11. Elrond - Lord of Rivendell and father to Arwen Undomiel.
Read a book with a Lordly character (Duke, Earl, Viscount, etc) OR a book set in England OR a book with a strong female character.
Much Ado About Marriage - Karen Hawkins 11/7✔12. Bilbo Baggins - Frodo's adoptive uncle.
Read a book with an orphaned character OR a book where an uncle is an important part of the story OR a book whose title or character name contains at least two words that begin with the same letter (ex: Hard to Handle).
Twisted Things - Madge Swindells 11/9✔13. Théoden - King of Rohan. Théoden leads an army to the ancient fortress of Helm's Deep along with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, while Gandalf rides off to gather more of the Rohirrim.
Read a book with a royal character (king, prince, queen, etc) OR a book about war OR a book with a castle/fortress on the cover or in the title.
The Exiled Queen - Cinda Williams Chima 11/28✔14. Éomer - The 3rd Marshal of the Mark, Théoden's nephew. Later King of Rohan after Theoden's death. Read a book with a 3 word title or an author with three names OR a book with a character who is a marshal/sheriff/cop, etc. OR a book that is 3rd in a series.
Alex Cross, Run - James Patterson 11/14✔15. Éowyn - Sister of Éomer, who disguises herself as a male warrior named Dernhelm to fight beside Théoden.
Read a book where a female character disguises herself as a male OR has a 5-letter title (no more, no less) OR a book with a female warrior OR a book with a female character who challenges her expected role/behavior.
Blue-Blooded Vamp - Jaye Wells 11/29✔16. Treebeard An Ent, who rescues Merry and Pippin from Orcs and who helps to turn the tide of battle.
Read a book with a tree or forest on the cover OR the word TREE in the title OR a character who has an impressive beard OR a book where a character is rescued from some sort of serious danger.
The Butterfly Farm - Diane Noble 11/25✔17. Sauron - The Dark Lord and titular Lord of the Rings, a fallen maia who helped the Elves forge the Rings of Power long ago. He forged the One Ring in secret to control all the other Rings of Power.
Read a book with an evil sorcerer OR a book in which someone is betrayed OR a book with a character who is secretive.
Blue Dragon - Kylie Chan 11/19✔18. The Nazgûl or Ringwraiths Nine servants of Sauron. Kings of old, they were enslaved to the One Ring through nine of the Rings of Power.
Read a book about slaves or slavery OR a book where the antagonist has minions OR a book #9 in a series.
Nightbred - Lynn Viehl 12/2✔19. The Witch-king of Angmar - The Lord of the Nazgûl and Sauron's most powerful servant, who commands Sauron's army.
Read a book in which the main antagonist is defeated by an unlikely/unexpected character OR a book with a character who leads/commands a group OR a book with a black cover.
Hungry Like a Wolf - Christine Warren (runs W/W pack) 12/17✔20. Saruman - A corrupted wizard who seeks the One Ring for himself. Brainwashed by Sauron through over use of the Palantir. A Maia sent by the Valar to contest Sauron.
Read a book with a character who has been corrupted OR a book where a character is brainwashed OR a book with a machine or industrial setting on the cover (he prefers man-made things to natural things)
The City and the City - China Miéville 11/21✔21. Gríma Wormtongue - A servant of Saruman, a go-between from Saruman to Théoden who poisons Théoden's perceptions with well placed "advice".
Read a book with a liaison OR a book with a character who is a secret agent or a double agent OR a book with a character who lies.
Live to See Tomorrow - Iris Johansen 12/4✔22. Gollum - Named Sméagol in earlier life, who formerly possessed the One Ring, which turned him to evil and gave him unnaturally long life. Throughout the story, Gollum was torn between his lust for the Ring and his desire to be free of it.
Read a book with a character who is over 100 years old OR with a character who is severely conflicted about something OR a character who commits murder for personal gain.
Biting Bad - Chloe Neill (hero is 400 y.o. vampire) 12/5CHALLENGE COMPLETE
We're Celebrating...WHAT??Duration: November 1, 2014 - October 31, 2015
November: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,22
✔Nov 2 - Look for Circles Day: Read a book with a circular object on the cover or in the title
The Pyramid Of Doom - Andy McDermott 11/7
✔Nov 4 - Waiting For The Barbarians Day: Read a book set prior to the 1700s OR a new release that you’ve been waiting for
The Ranger - Monica McCarty (set in 1308) 11/30
✔Nov 8 - Dunce Day: Read a book with a character who is stupid or does stupid things OR a book by an author whose first OR last initial can be found in DUNCE
The Grand Finale - Janet Evanovich 11/8
✔Nov 10 - Forget-Me-Not Day: Read a book from a series that you haven’t read for at least three months
Blood Debt - Tanya Huff (read previous book in 2012) 11/11
✔Nov 14 - Operating Room Nurse Day: Read a book in which a character is recovering from a serious illness or injury OR a book in which a character works in a medical field
Everywhere She Turns - Debra Webb (heroine is a doctor) 11/3
✔Nov 16 - Have a Party With Your Bear Day: Read a book in which a party or celebration occurs OR a book with a large animal on the cover
Rapture Untamed - Pamela Palmer (panther) 11/4
December: 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,22
✔Dec 2 - National Fritters Day: Read a book by an author with consecutive double letters in his/her first or last name
Just In Time - Addison Fox (aDDison) 12/8
✔Dec 6 - Mitten Tree Day: Read a book with a tree on the cover
A Night Too Dark - Dana Stabenow 12/9
✔Dec 8 - National Brownie Day: Read a book with a dessert on the cover or in the title
Just Desserts - Mary Daheim (dessert in title and cake bite on cover) 12/7
✔Dec 12 - Poinsettia Day: Read a book set in a tropical location
Ember's Kiss - Deborah Cooke (Hawaii) 12/12
✔Dec 14 - National Bouillabaisse Day: Read a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in BOUILLABAISSE
Carnal Sin - Allison Brennan 12/11
✔Dec 22 - National Date Nut Bread Day: Read a book in which two of the main characters are dating
The Crossing Places - Elly Griffiths 12/13
January = 1,3,5,7,9,11,21,23,25,27,29,31
✔Jan 5 - National Bird Day: Read a book with a bird on the cover or in the title
Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins 1/19
✔Jan 7 - Old Rock Day: Read a book published before 1985 OR a book in which a character digs something (a grave, an archeological dig, etc.)
Devil Bones - Kathy Reichs (forensic anthropologist - digs grave) 1/21
✔Jan 11 - National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend Day: Read a book with water in the title or on the cover OR a book in which a weather event is a major part of the story
Red Seas Under Red Skies - Scott Lynch 1/11
✔Jan 23 - National Pie Day: Read a book with a dessert on the cover or in the title OR a book with a 3, 1 or 4 in the total number of pages
77 Shadow Street - Dean Koontz (451 pages) 1/9
✔Jan 27 - Punch the Clock Day: Read a book in which a (physical) fight of some sort occurs OR a book with a clock or other timepiece on the cover or in the title
Magic Breaks - Ilona Andrews 1/15
✔Jan 29 - National Puzzle Day: Read a book featuring a puzzle of some sort
Bombshell - Catherine Coulter (mystery) 1/16
February - 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 21, 23, 25, 27
✔Feb 1 - National Freedom Day Read a book in which a character is a veteran or in the military (any country, any time, any service)
The Saint - Monica McCarty (Scottish military) 2/28
✔Feb 3 - The Day the Music Died: Read a book in which music plays a major part in the story OR a book with a flying machine on the cover or in the title (Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash in 1959)
Seraphina - Rachel Hartman 2/28
✔Feb 7 - Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor Day: Read a book set in a small town
Dead Case in Deadwood - Ann Charles 2/8
✔Feb 9 - Toothache Day: Read a book in which a character works in a medical field OR a book with sweets/candy on the cover or in the title
Candy Cane Murder - Joanna Fluke 2/26
✔Feb 23 - International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day: Read a book with a dog on the cover, in the title or in the story
Antiques Flee Market - Barbara Allan 2/4
✔Feb 25 - Pistol Patent Day: Read a book with a gun in the title or on the cover OR a book in which a gun is used in the story
Captured by the Pirate Laird - Amy Jarecki 2/25
March -- 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 13, 20, 25, 26, 30
✔Mar 1 - Peanut Butter Lovers' Day: Read a book in which a “sandwich” of letters occurs in the title (example: State of the Onion – the A in State is “sandwiched” between two Ts). There must be only ONE letter in the filling of the sandwich
Sunrise with a Notorious Lord - Alexandria Hawkins (n-O-T-O-rious) 3/8
✔Mar 2 - Read Across America Day: Read a book set anywhere in the United States
Better Off Dead in Deadwood - Ann Charles (South Dakota) 3/9
✔Mar 8 - Be Nasty Day: Read a book with a super nasty character
Dr. Franklin's Island - Ann Halam (evil scientist) 3/6
✔Mar 20 - Proposal Day: Read a romance book OR a book in which a wedding occurs
SEAL of Honor - Tonya Burrows (romance & a wedding) 3/10
✔Mar 25 - Waffle Day: Read a book in which a character "waffles" about an important decision
Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend - Shana Galen 3/1
✔Mar 30 - Take a Walk in the Park Day: Read a book with a park-like setting on the cover
Spider Bones - Kathy Reichs 3/22
April - 3,5,6,9,13,14,17,21,26,30
✔Apr 3 - Don't Go to Work Unless it's Fun Day: Read a book from your favorite genre (PARANORMAL)
Caressed by Ice - Nalini Singh 4/15
✔Apr 5 - Go for Broke Day: Read a book you’ve been avoiding
The Tale of Raw Head and Bloody Bones - Jack Wolf 4/28
✔Apr 13 - Scrabble Day: Read a book with a 7-word title (ALL words count!) or by an author whose first name, last name, or first and last names combined are 7 letters long
How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back - Diana Rowland (Rowland = 7 letters) 4/29
✔Apr 14 - International Moment of Laughter Day: Read a book with “humor” on its main Goodreads page
An Ex to Grind in Deadwood - Ann Charles 4/3
✔Apr 17 - National Cheeseball Day: Read a book with a cover that is more than 50% orange or yellow; post the cover OR a book with at least three circles or balls on the cover (must be visible in the GR thumbnail); post the cover
A Shiver of Light - Laurell K. Hamilton 4/19
✔Apr 26 - Richter Scale Day: Read a book set in California, Alaska or Japan; tell us where it's set
Fire And Ice - Dana Stabenow 4/3
May ~ 2,5,8,9,12,14,19,24,26,31
✔May 2 - Brothers and Sisters Day: Read a book in which the relationship between siblings is an important part of the story
City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare 5/17
✔May 9 - Lost Sock Memorial Day: Read the book that’s been on your TBR list the longest
Beneath a Rising Moon - Keri Arthur (added April 2009) 5/22
✔May 12 - Limerick Day: Read a book of poetry OR a book set in Ireland
The Dying of the Light - Derek Landy 5/25
✔May 24 - National Escargot Day: Read a book over 450 pages long
The Collector - Nora Roberts (483 pages) 5/13
✔May 26 - Sally Ride Day: Read a book with a strong main female character
Dinner with a Vampire - Abigail Gibbs 5/10
✔May 31 - Save Your Hearing Day: Listen to an audiobook OR read a book in which a main character is a teenager
Games Creatures Play - Charlaine Harris etal 5/2
We're Celebrating What? continuedJune ~ 3,5,7,9,11,15,20,21,25,30
✔Jun 5 - Festival Of Popular Delusions Day: Read a book with a character who is delusional
Archangel's Legion - Nalini Singh 6/19
✔Jun 7 - National Chocolate Ice Cream Day: Read a book with something cold on the cover OR a book with a cover that is more than 50% brown
Forgotten Sins - Rebecca Zanetti 6/7
✔Jun 11 - King Kamehameha Day: Read a book set in Hawaii OR a book with royalty in the story
Unbinding - Eileen Wilks (Fae royalty) 6/14
✔Jun 15 - Smile Power Day: Read a book that makes you smile
If He's Dangerous - Hannah Howell 6/21
✔Jun 21 - Cuckoo Warning Day: Read a book in which a character ignores a warning OR a book with rain or an umbrella on the cover or in the story
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker - Leanna Renee Hieber 6/14
✔Jun 25 - Log Cabin Day: Read a historical fiction book
Dawn's Early Light - Pip Ballantine 6/18
July ~ 2,5,10,11,16,21,22,24,27,31
✔Jul 2 - I Forgot Day: Read a book that’s been on your TBR list for so long you’ve forgotten about it
Dragonquest - Anne McCaffrey (added 2009) 7/17
✔Jul 5 - Workaholics Day: Read a book with a character who spends too much time at work OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in WORKAHOLICS
Dragon Down Under - Angela Castle 7/7
✔Jul 11 - National Cheer Up The Lonely Day: Read a book that cheers you up OR a book by one of your favorite author
The Darkest Touch - Gena Showalter 7/12
✔Jul 21 - National Junk Food Day: Read a book that is one of your guilty pleasures
Fifty Shades of Alice Through the Looking Glass - Melinda DuChamp 7/10
✔Jul 22 - Hammock Day: Read a “fluff” book OR a book with an outdoor scene occupying more than half of the cover
Big Sky River - Linda Lael Miller 7/10
✔Jul 31 - Mutt's Day: Read a book with a dog on the cover or in the story OR a book with a 4-word title
Kiss of the Betrayer - Boone Brux 7/8
August dates - 1,4,8,11,13,17,20,23,26,30
✔Aug 4 - Twins Day Festival: Read a book with twins in it OR read *two books by the same author
Dark Hunger - Sarah Reinke (heroine & her brother are twins) 8/15
✔Aug 8 - Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night: Read a book that you plan to give away when you finish OR a book in which a significant event happens in the middle of the night
Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley (heroine is kidnapped from her bed by the bad guys) 8/15
✔Aug 13 - Left Hander's Day: Read a book with at least one word in its title that can only be typed using the left-handed letters on a keyboard (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, Q, R, S, T, W, X, V and Z; minimum 3 letters)
Dead in the Water - Stuart Woods (DEAD) 8/1
✔Aug 23 - National Spongecake Day: Read a “light” book OR a book with the word “AIR” in one of the words of the title (letters MUST be intact – hAIR would count, sAIloR or Af IRe would not)
Still the One - Jill Shalvis 8/13
✔Aug 26 - Women's Equality Day: Read a historical fiction book
Beauty and the Bounty Hunter - Lori Austin 8/23
✔Aug 30 - National Toasted Marshmallow Day: Read a book with fire on the cover or in the title; no compound words! OR a book whose cover is more than 50% tan
Deadtown - Nancy Holzner 8/11
September - 2,5,8,11,12,19,22,25,27,29
✔Sep 2 - National Beheading Day: Read a book set in the 1700s OR a book in which a criminal is brought to justice
If He's Noble - Hannah Howell (1791) 9/17
✔Sep 5 - Be Late for Something Day: Read a book that you just can’t put down
Heir of Fire - Sarah Maas (read in one six hour sitting) 9/13
✔Sep 11 - Make Your Bed Day: Do you make your bed every day? Then read a book from your favorite genre. If not, read a book from a genre you don’t usually read.
The White Dragon - Anne McCaffrey (sci-fi) 9/7
✔Sep 19 - International Talk Like A Pirate Day: Read a book with a character who is a pirate OR a book whose title begins with R (A, An and The DO count!)
Virgin - Cheryl Brooks (sky pirates) 9/25
✔Sep 27 - Crush A Can Day: Read a book that has been recycled in some way; tell us how
Buffalo Valley - Debbie Macomber (bought in a used bookstore) 9/16
✔Sep 29 - Confucius Day: Read a book set in China or with a character who is Chinese OR a book with a good "lesson"; tell us the lesson
Archangel's Enigma - Nalini Singh 9/8
October - 4,5,7,12,15,20,22,26,29,31
✔Oct 12 - International Moment Of Frustration Scream Day: Read a book in which a character’s actions – or lack of actions – frustrate you OR a book in which every word in the title (all words count) begins with a letter found in MOMENTOFFRUSTRATION (minimum three-word title)
The Ghost Hunter - Lori Brighton (heroine very annoying) 10/19
✔Oct 20 - International Newspaper Carrier Day: Read a book in which at least one main character is a teenager OR a book by an author who is a syndicated columnist
Days of Blood & Starlight - Laini Taylor 10/13
✔Oct 22 - National Nut Day: Read a book with a character who is nuts (crazy or silly) OR a book with a three-word title
Obsession in Death - J.D. Robb (villain is insane) 10/8
✔Oct 26 - Mule Day: Read a book with a (real) animal on the cover or in the title
Butterfly - Kathryn Harvey 10/17
✔Oct 29 - National Frankenstein Day: Read a book with a monster of some kind in it OR an anthology
Fever-Hot Dreams - Jaci Burton/Sherri King/Samantha Winston 10/10
✔Oct 31 - National Magic Day: Read a book in which magic plays a part
Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews 10/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists
Books mentioned in this topic
One in a Million (other topics)Pleasure Island (other topics)
Obsession in Death (other topics)
Envy (other topics)
Odd Interlude (other topics)
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PEOPLE Magazine's 40th Anniversary
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Shrink That TBR - 2014
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What's My Line?
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