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SUMMER CHALLENGE 2021
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Summer Challenge 2021: Tasks
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10.1 - Eventful Eighties
Help Thread
Read a book first published in the 1980s (1980 - 1989, inclusive).
10.2 -O'kay
Help Thread
In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated as the first female Supreme Court Justice. Read a book written by an author with a name part that begins with O'. Works with multiple authors must have at least one qualifying author.
Ex: Lisa O'Donnell; Tim O'Brien; Kelly O'Connor McNees
10.3 - Never Bring a Knife to A Gun Fight
Help Thread
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American action-adventure film starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, a globe-trotting archaeologist, attempting to recover the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. Read a book that features an archaeologist as a main character. The archaeologist's involvement can be established through the book's description, reviews, series page, or outside reference. A description/review from another edition or a previous book in the same series may also be used to establish the character's profession, if necessary.
Ex: The Shadowy Horses; The Crossing Places; The Mummy Case; The Third Gate
Required: If the presence of an archaeologist main character is not obvious on the book's main page, provide a link to establish how the book fits the task when you post.
10.4 - E.T. Phone Home
Help Thread
1982 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is released. Tells the story of Elliott, a boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, dubbed E.T., who is stranded on Earth. Read a book on the Aliens Books list. All SRC rules, including those regarding children's books and art books, apply to books on a list.
Required: State the page your book can be found on when you post.
10.5 - She Blinded Me With Science
Help Thread
"She Blinded Me with Science" is a song by the English musician Thomas Dolby, released in 1982. Choose ONE:
a. Read a nonfiction book with the MPG Science OR
b. Read a book by a single author whose initials can be found in SCIENCE. Letters may only be used as many times as they appear in the target word.
Required: Indicate your choice when you post.
10.6 - Let's Get Physical
Help Thread
Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. Read a book written by an author with a hyphenated name. Works with multiple authors must have at least one qualifying author.
Ex: Jussi Adler-Olsen; Amal El-Mohtar; Ta-Nehisi Coates
10.7 - Sweet Sixteen
Help Thread
Sixteen Candles is a 1984 American coming-of-age comedy film starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. Read a book with a number in the TITLE that is in word form. The number may be a cardinal number or an ordinal number, but it must be in word form, not numerical form.
Ex: Twenty-one Truths About Love; The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History; Daisy Jones & The Six
10.8 - Travelin' Man
Help Thread
Set in 1985, Back to the Future follows Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a teenager accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean built by his eccentric scientist friend Doctor Emmett "Doc" Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Read a book with the MPG "Time Travel."
10.9 - Rain Man
Help Thread
Rain Man was a 1988 film starring Dustin Hoffman, who played an autistic savant. Read a book with a title that has at least 2 words AND none of the words in the title have more than 4 characters in them. Subtitles should be ignored.
10.10 - Soviet Bloc Crumbles
Help Thread
1989 saw the end of the Cold War as the old Soviet Bloc crumbled. Read a book set in at least 50% in one or more Soviet Bloc countries or other aligned states: Eastern Bloc Countries. A list of qualifying countries can also be found in post 2 of the Help Thread.
Required: If the setting is not evident on the GR main book page include a reference when you post.
Mod
15.1 - Tsundoku
Help Thread
Tsundoku - a Japanese word for acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them.
Read one book 1 and one book 2.
Book 1: Read a book written by a single author whose initials (all) can be found in TSUNDOKU.
Book 2: Read a book that was added to your TBR before June 1, 2020 (last year).
Your To-Be-Read list may be your GR shelf, a custom GR shelf, or an off-GR list.
Required: Identify your TBR list and state the date the book was added to your list.
15.2 - On Repeat
Help Thread
Repeat Day is June 2, an opportunity to do things over and over again.
Read one book 1 and one book 2.
Book 1: Read a book that meets SRC rules.
Book 2: Read another book written by the same author or co-authors (all must match) as Book 1.
15.3 - Video Killed the Radio Star
Help Thread
Select an option. Required: Indicate the option when you post.
Option 1: Read one book 1 and one book 2
Book 1: Read a book written by a single author whose initials can be found in the name of one of the artists/groups from this list of Greatest 1980s Music Videos The list is in post 2 of the help thread.
Required: Indicate the artist/group.
Book 2: Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle that matches exactly a word in the title of one of these Best 80s songs "A" and "The" cannot be used. 9 and 5 must be used as numerals, not written out. The list is in post 2 of the help thread.
Required: Indicate the song.
OR
Option 2: Read one book that fulfills both book 1 and book 2 requirements.
ex. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Book 1- initials CH in Michael Jackson
Book 2 - Love in Love Shack
15.4 - Sweet Tea
Help Thread
Select an option. Required: Indicate the option when you post.
Option 1: Read one book 1 and one book 2.
Book 1: August is Read a Romance Month. Read a book with a main page genre that includes Romance or Romantic. The genre may be standalone or embedded.
Book 2. Read a book set at least 50% in a southern US state: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
Required: If the setting is not evident on the GR main book page include a reference when you post.
OR
Option 2: Read one book that fulfills both book 1 and book 2 requirements.
15.5 - On Faery Wings
Help Thread
June 24 is International Faery Day. Read a book with at least one fae character. A fae (also faery, faerie, fay, fey, fairy) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural. For this task, these creatures are also included as fae: pixies, elves, banshees, brownies, goblins, dryads, leprechauns, satyrs, nymphs, valkyries, gnomes, sylphs, dwarves, merfolk, selkies, kelpies.
Required: State the character and if the fae connection is not identified on the book's main page, include a reference.
15.6 - Don't You Forget About Me
Help Thread
"The Brat Pack" was coined to identify a group of young actors who frequently appeared together in teen-oriented coming-of-age films in the 1980s. Read a book that has been shelved on this list as Coming of Age
Required: State the page where the book appears.
15.7 - The 80s Mix Tape
Help Thread
With origins in the 1980s, a mix tape is a homemade compilation of music on a cassette tape, CD, or digital playlist.
Read an anthology or collection of short stories, essays and/or novellas (at least 3 works)
15.8 - Found in Translation
Help Thread
August is Women in Translation Month. Read a book by a female author originally written in a language other than your primary language.
Required: In your post, state your primary language and the language in which your book was originally written.
15.9 - I Want My MTV
Help Thread
The MTV (Music Television) cable tv channel launched August 1, 1981 originally airing music videos and related programming.
Read a book with a TITLE that contains all the letters MTV. Subtitles are excluded.
15.10 - Stuck in the Middle
Help Thread
The 2nd Saturday of August is Middle Child's Day. Read a whole number book in a series that is NOT the first or the last/most recently published book in the series. The series name and number must be indicated in the GR title listing in grayscale parentheses following the title.
Mod
20.1 - Most Improved - Louise's Task: Picking Up The Pieces
Help Thread
During this Summer challenge it will be a year since I lost my partner to cancer following a very brief illness. Not only was he my partner but also my best friend and soul mate. Learning to live alone after spending 18 years has been, and continues to be difficult. Being able to work from home has been a help to get through this last year.
Apart from reading to escape into a different world I have found other ways to pick up the pieces.
This is a one-book task. Select one option.
No books with MPG children or kids may be used.
Required: Identify the option.
Option 1: Friends and Family
The biggest help I’ve had is a surprisingly strong support network of friends and family. I am fiercely independent, but know that if I need any help or emotional support I can always to turn to my support system.
* Read a book with the word FRIENDS or FAMILY found intact in the title/subtitle.
ex. The Family Upstairs, When Girlfriends Step Up, The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship
Option 2: Grow Your Own
At the beginning of lockdown we begun a project of converting some of our garden to grow vegetables. This led to a bountiful crop of home grown vegetables. I have continued with this project and am looking forward to more fresh vegetables this Summer.
* Read a book with all the letters in one of the words GROW, YOUR, or OWN in the title only. Subtitles are excluded.
ex. OWN:How I Live Now
Option 3: A Sweet Tooth
As a way of thanking the support friends and family have given, I gave rediscovered my love of baking. I have a sweet tooth and give away three-quarters of what I make, although lately I’ve had birthday cake requests, having made 5 in the last 6 months.
* Read a book set in a bakery. The bakery setting must be evident on the book's main page.
ex. Little Beach Street Bakery, Sprinkle with Murder
Option 4: A Girl’s Best Friend
The biggest help has been my soon to be 5 year old Springer Daschund cross. She ensures that I keep a routine of morning and evening walks and is quite happy to curl up and watch TV or playing fetch.
* Read a book with a domestic dog on the cover. No silhouettes. The dog must be clearly visible.
Required: Post the cover.
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - XBM's Task: SUNY Brockport Writers Forum
Help Thread
In my former life I was an academic librarian at SUNY Brockport, and while there created an open access repository called Digital Commons at Brockport. One of my favorite collections was the Writers Forum, which featured interviews of authors, poets, essayists, etc. recorded over the 50 years. We have everything from Poet Laureates, Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, to faculty authors, including a 45 year old recorded interview of Isaac Asimov. In all, more than 500 authors have visited Brockport.
In my retirement, I want to read as many of those authors as possible, and I have created a list on Listopia with a good sampling of these authors.
Read a book by one of the AUTHORS on this list: Authors From the Brockport Writers Forum. It does NOT need to be the book on the list. Caution: All SRC rules apply: some entries on the list do not meet the length requirements. 2 books of poetry or plays by the same single author may be combined to reach the page threshold.
Optional: Visit the Writers Forum on Digital Commons and see if your author has a recorded video. One of my favorites is the video of Isaac Asimov from 1976.
20.3 - Best Review: Bucket's Task: Literary Tourist
Help Thread
For this task, you will explore the amazing Literature-Map site to have an adventure with a NEW-TO-YOU author.
Go to the Literature-Map site and search for an author you have read and enjoyed any time since June 1, 2020.
Choose any NEW-TO-YOU author that appears on the lit-map for the author you searched and read a book by them.
REQUIRED: Include a link to the lit-map (copy the url), the date you read the starting author, and state that the resulting author is NEW TO YOU when you post.
20.4 - Golden Oldies - Ed's Task: Summer Play
Help Thread
Read one book from the following options.
Required: Identify the option.
1. Read a book that has a Main Page Genre (MPG) of either "Plays" or "Drama".
or
2. Read a book (does not need to be a play) by an AUTHOR on this list of the Best Playwrights of All Time
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Robin P's Task: Introducing Myself
Task Help
I am delighted to be chosen to propose a task, since I only joined the group 6 weeks ago, but jumped right in. I've finally found people who read more than I do! My task will tell you a few things about me.
Read one book. Choose one of the following 3 options, which have a connection to the Bigger is Better theme.
Required: Identify the option.
1. My husband and I love to play Scrabble. We have been doing this since even before we were married (47 years ago this month!) In Scrabble, there are 4 "big tiles" which have the most points, Q and Z at 10 points each, and J and X at 8 points each.
Read a book whose title OR author contains at least one J, Q, X, or Z. Subtitles are excluded.
2. I read and speak French pretty fluently, though I'm not a native speaker. I studied French for many years and even used it on the job for part of my career. French is one of the big world languages and is the official language of 29 countries.
Read a book where at least 50% takes place in one of the following countries: Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France, Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo and Vanuatu.
(French is spoken in additional countries but you must use one of these.)
NOTE: In Canada, French is mostly spoken in Quebec, but you can read a book set anywhere in Canada.
Required: State the name of the country in your post. If the main page description doesn't make the country clear, include verifying information.
3. My book reading increased when I discovered audiobooks some years ago. I have gone through the cassette era, CD's, mp3 players and now streaming. It's a great way to get books into time spent driving, doing housework, exercising, etc. In my opinion, a great narrator actually can improve a book. Two of my favorite "big" narrators are Jim Dale (who narrates the Harry Potter series with dozens of voices) and Jim Frangione (who narrates the Chet and Bernie mystery series from the point of view of a dog.)
Read a book by an author with a name on the list Behind the Name - Jim. The name can be in any position, such as Eloisa James, Jimmy Carter, etc. A book with 2 authors would work if both authors fulfill the requirement.
Mod
20.6 - Seasoned Reader - Inge's Task: Queen Beatrix
Help Thread
The 80’s, a decade in which I wasn’t even born. However it was a really important decade with a lot of things going on. Technology wise, like the first computer, CD player, Internet and go on. But also with the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was really asking around what kind of events people still remember from the 80’s and I got a lot of feedback, ranging all ways. One of those events was the coronation of our late queen, Beatrix.
As I really found her graceful as a queen and even more so through the tragedy of losing one of her sons to a skiing accident this task will be about Queen Beatrix.
This is a 1 book task. Select one option.
Required: State the option.
Option 1. Although officially she is not a queen anymore, she is now a princess, in my head she will remain a queen. Read a book with the word Queen in the title. Plurals and possessives work, no other variations. Subtitles should be ignored.
Option 2: I have always known her as Beatrix, however that was not her full name. Read a book with a title of at least 3 words in which the first letter letter of every word can be found in BEATRIX WILHELMINA ARMGARD. Letters can only be used as often as they appear. Subtitels should be ignored.
Option 3: Princess Beatrix has resigned in contrast to the English queen, they are 12 years apart in age. Princess Beatrix January 31,1938 was born on and queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926. Read a book with a number of pages that can be found in their birth years and ages: 83, 95, 1926, 1938. Numbers may only be used as often as they appear in the list. For example a page number of 283 or 195 would be allowed, 226 would not.
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Lois's Task: Group Reads Rejects
Help Thread
I enjoy nominating for the Group Reads polls when I qualify, and I vote each season. I am rarely able to predict which books will be the winners! I usually read one of the winners, but sometimes I would really rather read one of the books that didn’t win.
Go to the Group Reads polls for the current challenge and read one of the nominees in any of the three categories that did not win.
20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Coralie's Task: The View from Lockdown
Help Thread
After having spent nearly half the last year in lockdown, I have been most thankful for the extensive view we have from our home.
To the south we have water views of river and bay; to the east the city buildings can look beautiful in the evening twilight; to the north past the suburbs we can see the distant mountains; but most of all we watch the ever-changing sky.
Read a book that has one of the words WATER, CITY, MOUNTAIN or SKY in the title (not subtitle). Plurals and possessives are acceptable but no other variations.
Task 20.9 -Moderator's Pet: Elizabeth P's Task: Big Moves
Help Thread
I am currently finishing up my residency in pediatric optometry and vision therapy, and getting ready to take my first “big girl job” this August. This task is based on that big career and location move!
This is a one book task. Choose one option and read a book for it; The book must be 250+ pages.
Required: Identify the option.
Option One: Over the past ten years, I’ve done my best to take opportunities to live in different areas that I hadn’t experienced before. This has led me to spend time all over the United States, and I’m about to move to the one area I haven’t gotten to yet - the Northeast! This option celebrates all the places I’ve lived these past ten years.
Read a book set in Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, Arizona, Washington state, Florida, Tennessee, or Massachusetts. Must be set 50%+ in that location.
Required: If the location is not evident from GR description, include a link for evidence.
Option Two: I decided to stay in academics (for now) and will be starting a clinical instructor role at an optometry school this fall. Somehow I’m getting to combine two things I love - teaching people and taking care of them!
Read a book where the main character is either a doctor or a teacher. This job must be evident from the Goodreads Description.
Option Three: Writing this task made me realize that the last time I got an opportunity to be a task writer, it was the summer before I started optometry school. This made me realize I’ve been participating in the SRC for over 7 years, which is crazy! Time sure does go by quickly.
Read a book first published between 2014-2021, inclusive.
Option Four: This latest move, from Tennessee to Massachusetts, is about 19 hours. It’s not my longest move/drive, but it’s enough to be getting on with! I’ve made a playlist to jam out to on the road, which has an embarrassingly large number of Broadway songs.
Read a book by an author whose first and last name initials can be found in BROADWAY, letters used as often as they appear.
20.10 - Group Reads
Read ONE of the books selected as the Group Reads choices for the season:
Continuation Novel - Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy
Discussion
Young Adult Science Fiction - Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Discussion
Nonfiction > Food: Eat a Peach by David Chang
Discussion
Project Gutenberg - O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
Discussion
REQUIRED: You must participate in the book's discussion thread with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
Mod
25.1 - Nick KY’s Task: Shirley Jacksoniana
Help Thread
Known especially for her short story ”The Lottery” and her novels The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson has had a resurgence in recent years with the publication of some uncollected works and a wonderful biography (and a popular TV miniseries).
This summer, I plan on reading Hangsaman for the first time. It has gotten some notoriety lately as an especially important novel to her, dealing with the disappearance of a young woman, a disappearance with which Jackson developed a peculiar fascination.
For this task, read two books, one from each of two of the following options.
One book marked with the genres "Sequential Art", "Comics", "Comic Book", and/or "Manga" may be used for the task.
No Children’s Books may be used for this task.
Required: State which options you choose.
Opt. 1. Read any book by Shirley Jackson, or any anthology which contains at least one short story by her. (“The Lottery” is anthologized a lot!)
Required: If the content is not explained in the description, indicate the included story/stories by Jackson.
Opt. 2. Read any book which is a nonfiction biography of anyone who has ever lived. It does not have to have a main page GR genre, but it should be clear in the GR info that it is a biography; if not provide a link to show the mods that it is a biography. Limit to nonfiction, so no novelizations of someone’s life. A biography is an examination of the life of a single person or a small group of clearly identified people. Memoirs, autobiographies, or other works about an author's own life do not work.
Required: Provide a link if the biography is not evident.
Opt. 3. As Jackson also wrote two nonfiction humorous books concerning family life in the 1950s, read any book, fiction or nonfiction, with a GR main page genre of “Humor.”
Opt. 4. Read a book with a word of 4 or more letters in the title or subtitle which can be made from the letters in “THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE.” Letters may be used only as often as they appear in the target phrase.
Required: State the word.
Optional: See if you can find a copy of Robert Wise’s 1963 film “The Haunting” which is adapted from The Haunting of Hill House – probably the most successful and suspenseful of any of Jackson’s adaptations. If you are brave enough, watch it with the lights off!
25.2 - Andy P’s Task: Living with Dogs
Help Thread
Covid has changed many lives including those of my family. Since the humans other than my husband have long ago left the nest, the Canines in the form of two Miniature Poodles have carved out their place in our home. The older is a rescue of sorts (his breeder wanted to sell him when he was deemed unfit for the Conformation Show ring, and he has deemed himself unfit for the obedience ring). His younger housemate teaches him the ways of the world and he is happy following his lead. Said housemate thinks he needs a job apart from his responsibilities as: Companion Animal, so he is learning Competition Obedience which he seems to enjoy. This is fun for me except he thinks I should devote the majority of my time working with him which cuts into my reading time and anything else I need or want to do unless he can participate.
So for my task this season:
First the overall conditions for this task,
No books with Children or Kids as a main page Genre may be used.
The sum of the pages of both books must be 500 pages or more.
Read two books, one book 1 and one book 2.
Book 1. Read a book, fiction or nonfiction, with a domestic animal central to the plot or subject. The domestic animal can be a farm animal or house pet, but no wild animals such as lions, tigers, elephants etc. Fantasy animals, such as pet/trained dragons, hellhounds, animals with magical powers, etc. do NOT work. The domestic animal connection must be present in the Goodreads book description.
ex. Killing Trail " Officer Mattie Cobb and her partner, K-9 police dog Robo, are assigned..."
Framed in Cherry Hills " And if she can cajole her cat Matty into lending another helping paw, the amateur detective might just succeed.."
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World "the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa."
Book 2. Read a nonfiction book in which an animal or animals are major characters or subjects. The animal(s) need not be domesticated. That is, that they need not work for humans for a living. They may be studied by animal behaviorists in the wild.
ex. Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide
25.3 - CYNBAXTER's Task - My Time has Come!
Help Thread
Hurray!! I finally finished my first SRC Challenge after all this time since joining in Fall 2014. I absolutely love this group and the challenge is something that I look forward to and continue to enjoy. So for my task - I used the SRC as my inspiration.
For this task you will read 2 books; choose TWO of the options and read a book for each.
**Each book must be new-to-you.
**No books shelved as children's or kids allowed.
**The books must total more than 500 pages (501+).
Required: State which option you are using for each book. State that the books are new-to-you.
Option 1: I joined the SRC for Fall 2014 and have participated in every season since then!
- Read a book first published between the years 2014-2021 (inclusive).
Option 2: It's all about those Tasks! Aside from the challenge of tackling such a large reading list - what makes this so much fun are the tasks and how they help you discover new and exciting reads! Out of all the many, many wonderful and creative tasks - two Task Creators have consistently submitted some of the more memorable tasks: Andy P and our own dear, DLMRose.
- Read a book where all the letters of either ANDYP or DLMROSE are used in the TITLE only. Subtitles are excluded.
Required: Indicate which Task Creator you have chosen
Option 3: Tasks have introduced us to some very cool website apps such as Tin Eye, Earth Roulette and RANDOM.org, so I wanted to share one that I use whenever we need to have a word in our title that is made from another word -
- Read a book that has in the title/subtitle, a different word (of at least 4 characters) formed from this word: PERSEVERANCE by using Wordtips - Word Scramble website. Chosen word must stand alone
Required: State the word
Option 4: And Finally....a shout out to our hard-working moderators!
- Read a book written by an author whose initials can be found in the phrase: SUPER MODS. ALL Initials Apply.
Mod
25.4 - MEGSCL's Task: Lucky Number
Help Thread
Read two books.
Roll one die. Set roll virtual dice to 1.
You need to use this single number to meet ALL four different criteria. You can spread these criteria across two books. So you can use one book for two criteria and one book for the other two criteria, or you can use one book for three criteria and one book for the remaining one. If you can find a book that works for all four, your second book is a free choice.
a. Number of words in the title (ignore subtitle)
b. Number in a series. The series # must be present in the GR metadata.
c. Number included in page number
d. Year FIRST published ends in number (must be the last number in the year, e.g. 2021 equals a "1" book)
For example;
Rolled 5
book 1: In the Language of Miracles
a. 5 words in title
d. First Published 2015
book 2: City of Lost Souls
b. #5 in a series
c. 535 pages
or
Rolled 3
book 1: Mad About the Boy
b. #3 in a series
c. 336 pages
d. First Published 2013
book 2: The Kite Runner
a. 3 words in title
Required: State the number rolled and indicate the options that apply to each book.
25.5 - Sarah E's Task: The Mysterious Cities of Gold
Help Thread
The Mysterious Cities of Gold was a children's cartoon in the 80s and a fond childhood memory of mine, although reading the wikipedia page I don't seem to recall very much of the plot, even if the theme tune is still with me!
This is a two book task. Read two books from two different options.
Required: Identify the options.
Option 1: Read a book set in the 16th century (1500-1599).
Required: if the setting is not evident on the book's main page, provide a reference indicating the setting.
Option 2: Read a book with the MPGs of both Historical Fiction AND Science Fiction - embedded MPGs are fine.
Option 3: Read a book with the word MYSTERIOUS found in the title or subtitle. MYSTERY or MYSTERIES are also acceptable, but no other variations.
Option 4: Read a book set at least 50% in a capital city. For the purposes of this task, the city must be found on this List of national capitals.
Required: State the setting and if the setting is not present on the book's main page, provide a reference indicating the setting.
Option 5: Read a book found on the Gold list.
Required: State the page of the list your book can be found on.
25.6 - Delicious Dee's Task: My New Favorite Comedian
Help Thread
I think its fair to say that for the vast majority of us, the last year dealing with COVID restrictions just sucked. However, I managed to, in one of my nights of useless Facebook scrolling, discover a new comedian who has kept me laughing over the past year – Ben Brainard. So here is a task dedicated to him.
No books with the genre Childrens may be used.
Choose 2 different options and read a book that fits each OR you may read 1 book that fits 2 options that exceeds 500pgs.
Required: State the options.
1. Ben Brainard – Read a book by a single author names Ben or one of the related names: Behind the Name - Ben – the name can be found in any position, but must match exactly.
2. Florida Man – Ben’s stage name is Florida Man and he truly embodies that spirit – Read a book where at least 80% of the book is set in Florida.
Required: If not obvious from the book description, provide supporting evidence.
3. The Table – I discovered Ben through his weekly sketch called The Table – where he portrays the various states in the US and highlights current news. My favorite states that he portrays are (no surprise) Florida (and his bro-mance with Louisiana), California and the rarely sighted Nevada. Read a book where the author's first and last name initials appear in ONE of states: FLORIDA, CALIFORNIA, LOUISIANA or NEVADA.
Required: State the STATE you used.
4. CHAOS KNOWS NO SIDES – is probably my favorite catch-phrase used by Ben during his “The Table” sketches. Read a book with a title of at least three words, where ALL the first letters of the title words can be found in CHAOS KNOWS NO SIDES. Subtitles should be ignored.
5. Guests – Over time, Ben has featured multiple guests as other characters – to include Drew Lynch (CDC), Charlie Berens (Wisconsin), Liz/Mama Loz (Mother Nature). Read a book by a single author whose name is DREW, LYNCH, CHARLIE, LIZ, or ELIZABETH. The name can be found in any position, but must match exactly.
Optional: take a break and catch up on some of his videos - Ben Brainard - YouTube (but be careful, you might fall into a rabbit hole)
25.7 - Amy FL's Task: Right Up My Alley
Help Thread
My life completely changed on a trip to a bowling alley with my brother, Peter, in 1984. He was an avid bowler who participated in the Amateur Bowlers Tour, a competition that took place in different bowling alleys throughout the New York metropolitan area. When we arrived at Mill Basin Lanes in Brooklyn on that fateful day, Peter was assigned to a lane with this really nice guy, Charlie, who kept talking to me and forgetting to bowl. We were married a year later. Who’d have thought you could find love in a bowling alley!
Choose two of the following options and read one book for each. Required: Identify the options you’ve selected in your post.
Option 1: Read a book with a title word of four of more letters that can be made from the letters in AMATEUR BOWLERS TOUR. Letters can be used only as often as they appear. Subtitles are excluded.
e.g., More, Water
Required: State the word.
Option 2: Read a book where ALL of the letters in CHARLIE appear in the title. Subtitles are excluded.
e.g., All the Children Are Home
Option 3: In 1987, we moved from New York to Florida. Read a book that is set at least 50% in either of these states.
Required: If the location is not apparent from the GR description or metadata, please provide a link to confirm the New York or Florida setting.
Option 4: In 1989, we celebrated the birth of our first child, our daughter Laura. Read a book by a FEMALE author that is the first (#1) in a series. The series name and number must be indicated in grayscale parentheses following the title on the GR page.
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25.8 – Shelby’s Task: Things to Look Forward To!!!
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It’s been a long year for all of us and I for one and looking forward to this summer for all the things it’s going to let me FINALLY do. I’ve already got a few things planned for this summer that I haven’t been able to do with all the restrictions of the pandemic. Each of these tasks is modeled after one of the things I’m most looking forward to this summer…
For this task you will need to read two books using two different options.
REQUIRED: State the options you chose.
1. TRAVEL – For most of us this last year has seen us stuck at home, and I don’t know about you all, but I’ve been getting a little twitchy and feel the need to get out of town for a little bit. Since it is my 40th birthday this summer I figured that was the perfect excuse to give myself a little joy and have some fun with my girlfriends so we’re planning a trip up to Monterey, CA for a little R&R. I’ve never been and it’s a place I’ve always wanted to check out.
Read a book that is set somewhere you’ve always wanted to go (real, not imagined), but never been. The only caveat: it CANNOT be somewhere in your home country. For United States residents this will only apply to your state. So if you’re a resident of California, you could read a book set in New York if that’s your dream location. 50% of the book must take place in that location and be clear from either the description or the book's home page.
REQUIRED: State your home location, the location you’ve chosen, and that you've never been there.
Optional: For a little fun bonus, tell us why this is the dream spot you’ve always wanted to check out. ☺
2. FAMILY – The hardest part of this year for me was not getting to see my family. I don’t get to see them very often as it is and I’ve got a whole bunch of nieces and nephews that I just adore getting to spend time with. This year was made even more frustrating because for once I had the free time to be able to go visit but traveling from the big city to the middle of nowhere where they all were wasn’t worth the risk. Because of this I have two nephews I haven’t even got to meet yet. I can’t wait for the end of the month when my whole family's getting together and I get to spend some time with them.
I have 6 nieces and nephews, aged 6, 6, 4, 3, 2, and 2 months. Read any book from a series that matches one or a combination of their ages. For my littlest nephew as he’s not quite a whole number yet, any series book designated as #.1-#.9 will work when paired with one of the other kids ages as long as it meets all other SRC rules. The series number may not contain any number other than those listed (no to #5.5, #1.5, #0.1, etc.)
For Example:
Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries #6), Dragon's Time (Pern, #23), The Slow Regard of Silent Things (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #2.5)
3. FILM – This year saw my industry pretty much shut down and it’s wonderful to see production starting to really pick back up. I’ve got a couple of projects hopefully lined up for this summer and can’t wait to be back on set more often.
Read a book with ALL the author's initials in either INDUSTRIAL or INDEPENDENT FILM for the two projects I hope to have going.
25.9 - Brooke TX's Task: Notes From an Elder Millennial
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For this challenge, you must choose an option and read a book 1 and a book 2 for that option.
One of your books may have a main page genre of Comics/Sequential Art/Graphic Novel/Manga.
Required: State the option.
OPTION A: The Era
Book 1: Read a book first published between 1981 and 1996, inclusive.
Book 2: Read a book by an author born between 1981 and 1996 inclusive.
Required: If this information is not included on the author's GR page, please include a link to establish their year of birth.
OPTION B: Generation Y/Generation Me
Book 1: Read a book where a word in the title or the author's first or last name begins with a Y. Subtitles are excluded.
Book 2: Read a book with the word "ME" found intact in the title or subtitle.
Option C: Digital Natives & Chronically Single
Book 1: Read a book from this list of Computers in Literature.
Required: Include which page your book can be found on when posting.
Book 2: Read a book from one of the following lists: The Bonafide Spinster List or The Bonafide Bachelor List.
Required: Include the name of the list and which page your book can be found on when posting.
25.10 - Bookwrm526's Task: Bingewatching
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I’ve become obsessed with a few new (to me) television shows during the lockdown from COVID, and they have inspired this task.
For this task you will need to read two books using two different options.
REQUIRED: State the options you chose.
Option 1: Taskmaster – in this absolutely ridiculous but hilarious, and difficult to describe, British show, a panel of comedians are set ridiculous tasks to complete, and then they review the results in front of a live studio audience.
For this option, read a book with the main page genre humor. The genre may be stand-alone or embedded.
Option 2: Shakespeare and Hathaway – another British show, this one features private investigators in Stratford-on-Avon.
For this option, read a book with the main page genre mystery (stand-alone or embedded) AND where the author’s first and last initials can be found in STRATFORD UPON AVON. Letters may only be used as many times as they appear in the phrase.
Option 3: WandaVision – I had no idea what to expect from this series, and I was very confused by the first episode, but I ended up loving every bit of it.
For this option, read a book with a title of at least three words where the first letter of each word can be found in the phrase WANDAVISION. Letters may only be used as many times as they appear in the phrase.
Option 4: Scorpion – this show was on a while ago, but I didn’t watch it when it aired. We started binging it during the lockdown and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
For this option, read a book where ALL the letters in SCORPION can be found in the title and/or subtitle.
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30.1 - Teri-K's Task: Celebrate the Great Outdoors.
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This summer, with COVID greatly reduced in my state, quarantine restrictions loosening, and having been immunized, I'm looking forward to going camping often, and hiking trails I haven't seen in over a year. What a relief after 14 months of just walking around the neighborhood every day! Join me in enjoying nature again with a salute to the great outdoors.
Read 2 books using 2 different options.
Required: State the options you are using.
Required: The books must total at least 550 pages.
Option 1:
Read a book from this list of 50 of the Best Nonfiction Nature Books.
Option 2:
Are you a dendrophile, (lover of trees and forests), or a thalassophile, (lover of oceans)?
Read a book whose author's first and last initials are found in DENDROPHILE or THALASSOPHILE. If your book has more than one author, each author's first and last initials must be found in the word you choose. Letters may only be used as often as they appear in the target word.
Required: State which word you are using.
Option 3:
All the letters for either the word CAMP or HIKE must be found in the title, including subtitles.
Required: State which word you are using.
Option 4:
Read a book with at least one word in the title that is also in the name of a U.S. National Park. The words must match exactly. You cannot use "of" or "the".
(Wrangell - St. Elias is treated as three words.)
Required: State which National Park you are using.
For example, Death in St. Petersburg matches Wrangell - St. Elias, Saint Maybe does NOT match.
Rebel of the Sands matches White Sands, House of Sand and Fog does NOT match.
30.2 - TessaVanessa's Task: The Joys of Home Ownership
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We live in a house built in 1920 and with that comes a lot of unexpected repairs and surprises. This is the saga of our year so far.
Read two books from 2 different options.
Required: Identify the options.
Option 1. Uh-Oh the pipe broke! We spent January, February and March welcoming the plumber to our house. It felt like he was there on a weekly basis and was fast becoming a fixture around our house. I joked with him that I really thought he was a very nice man but hoped that I wouldn’t see him for a long time.
Read a book with the author’s first and last name initials in the word: PLUMBER.
Option 2. Seriously, now the washer? And wouldn’t you know it, as soon as we got the pipe fixed, the washer broke. By now I’m asking myself what is going on. So we are off to get a new washer. As we were shopping the one thing I noticed was the creakiness of the lids as they were being lifted. That annoyed me and became one of the factors in deciding which one to purchase.
Read a book with one of these creaking sound words found intact in the title/subtitle: groan, screech, squeak, chirr, rasp, scrape, scratch, sound, squeal and creak. ex. The Groaning Board, Grasp: The Science Transforming How We Learn
Option 3. You’ve got to be kidding me! After all this, my husband gets the notion to renovate the kitchen. We are in the midst of this now and won’t have it completed until late July because of how busy the floor installers are. I’ve painted, sanded, drywalled a 2 foot hole I found when removing paneling and been crazy with all the dust and upheaval. I am very pleased with the new décor and new appliances.
Since the kitchen is the first room we’ve tackled, read a fiction book that has a recipe included within the book. State the name of the recipe when you post. This list may help you find a book: Books That Cook (but skip the memoirs; fiction only)
Option 4. Am I crazy? Loving how the kitchen has turned out I can’t stop thinking of what to take on next. Should it be the living room, dining room, opening a staircase up, or making a reading room just for me?
Help me decide which or what kind of room I should do next. In looking for titles that contained the word ROOM I have found some that made me chuckle. Ex: The Zombie Room, The Escape Room and The Burning Room (I certainly hope this isn’t the case.) I’m looking forward to the ones you come up with.
Read a book that has the word ROOM in the title only. The word must match exactly. Subtitles are excluded.
30.3 - Bluemoon's Task: My Memories of the 1980's
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I was born in the 60’s, my childhood in the 70’s and my coming of age in the 80’s. I have so many memories of the 1980’s I could probably write 100 tasks. These are some of the first things that come to my mind when I think about the 80’s.
Please chose two options and read a book for each.
Required: State the options.
A. THE OLYMPICS
With the Olympic Games coming up this year I find myself thinking back to the games of the 80’s. This was a time when the Summer and Winter Olympic games were contested in the same year. There were 6 Olympics during the 1980’s set in 5 different countries on 3 different continents.
1. WINTER OLYMPICS – The Miracle on Ice happened in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The US team made up of mostly collegiate players upset the veteran professional players of the Soviet Union in the Semifinals even though they were not expected to even advance beyond group play. They then went on to win the Gold Medal. The morning of the game Coach Herb Brooks is quoted as saying “This is your moment and it’s going to happen.”
Read a book with a word in the TITLE of at least five letters that can be made from the letters in the phrase THIS IS YOUR MOMENT AND IT’S GOING TO HAPPEN. Subtitles are excluded.
Ex, PARIS - PA in happen, R in your, IS in is, The Paris Wife
Required: State the word.
2. SUMMER OLYMPICS – In 1980 the US boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In retaliation the Soviets and most of the Soviet block nations boycotted the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Sadly this marked the death of a dream for Olympic competition for many atheletes.
Read a book where all of the Author’s initials can be found in DEATH OF A DREAM. Letters can only be used as many times as they appear.
B. SPACE EXPLORATION
1. CHALLENGER – On January 28, 1986 the space shuttle Challenger was set to make history by launching Christa McAuliffe the first teacher and 6 others into space. Sadly 73 seconds into the flight the shuttle broke apart killing all 7 people on board making history of a different sort. I was a senior in high school at the time and remember gathering in the few classrooms that had television access at the time to watch news broadcasts all afternoon.
Read a book with at least 2 digits from 773 in its page count. Digits may only be used as often as they appear. ex, 177 pages, 237 pages, 370 pages.
2. HALLEY’S COMET – In early 1986 Halley’s comet made an appearance as well. This comet is only visible from Earth every 75-76 years. In 1986 several probes were launched to study the comet. Two Space Shuttle missions were scheduled but were later scrapped due to the Challenger disaster.
Read a book that has an MPG of Space. Genre may be stand alone or embedded.
C. JOHN HUGHES
1. THE BREAKFAST CLUB – This is a coming of age film about five high school students from different cliques spending a Saturday in detention. As the day progresses we see how the students bond all the while knowing that those bonds will end when the day comes to end. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Anthony Michael Hall.
Read a book by an author who shares a name with one of these actors. The name may be in any position but must match exactly.
Example: Anthony Michael Hall - Piers Anthony or Anthony Horowitz
2. PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES – This is my favorite John Hughes film. I try to watch it each year when it is on TV for the holidays. Starring Steve Martin and John Candy as a high-strung executive and a goodhearted but annoying salesman respectively. They share an ill-fated journey trying to make it home for Thanksgiving.
Read a book with the MPG of travel. The genre may be stand alone or embedded.
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30.4 - Sandy's Task: Opposites Attract.
Help Thread
Pick a pair of antonyms from the following list:
Michigan Proficiency Exams Antonym List.
Read 2 books, the titles (NOT subtitles) of which each contain one of the words in the pair you've chosen. Words must match exactly. REQUIRED: Specify your word pair in your post.
No books with the main page genres children or kids can be used for this task. Your combined total pages for the two books must be at least 600 pages.
Examples:
East-West
East of Eden
and
Exit West
Bitter-Sweet
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
and
Bitter Greens or The Sweet Gum Tree
30.5 - Dlmrose's Task: Ready to Plan
Help Thread
Are you feeling lucky? Try your hand at Earth Roulette and start planning travel again!
Read two books
Book 1: Go to Earth Roulette Click "generate my destination". At the top left under "Filters" select a continent other than your home continent. You may apply any other filters of interest.
Click "Apply and spin"
Record your result. You may spin up to 3 TIMES by returning to Filters and clicking "Apply and spin", recording the result each time. If the generator results in a duplicate country or US state you MAY spin again until you get 3 unique countries/states (state that when you post)
Read a book set at least 50% in the country of one of the resulting destinations. If your selected continent is North America and the destination results in a US city, read a book set at least 50% in that state.
ex. Europe
results = Calvià, Spain; Cassis, France; Bradford, England, United Kingdom
North America
results = Lowell, Massachusetts; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Book 2 : Select a continent other than the continent used for book 1 or your home continent and repeat the process. Read a book set at least 50% in the country of one of the resulting destinations. If your selected continent is North America and the destination results in a US city, read a book set at least 50% in that state.
If you cannot access the website, ask in the help thread and your destinations will be generated for you.
Required: State your home continent, the 3(+) results: continent and the countries/states for each book.
30.6 - Aprilleigh’s Task: Calling All Ailurophiles
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This can be either a two-book task or a one-book task. No books with MPG Childrens.
I’ve been a cat lover my whole life, and have shared my life with at least six of the inscrutable furballs since college: Amanda, Cashmere, Fluffy, Gypsy, Moxie, and Pepper.
Required: Post the option chosen and the names used for each book.
Two-book option:
No minimum page requirement for this option, and one of your two books can be a graphic novel.
Book 1: Using the above image, select any two intersecting names and read a book that contains all of those letters (the shared letter only counts once) in the title (no subtitles) and author’s name. Multiple authors are acceptable, but only one author name may be used.
For example, CASHMERE and PEPPER require only one R because they share that letter, but still require three Ps and four Es.
Ex. CASHMERE and PEPPER: The Disappearance of Billy Moore by Aaron Paul Lazar
Book 2: Select another two intersecting names. You can re-use one name but not both. Read a book that contains all of those letters (the shared letter only counts once) in the title (no subtitles) and author’s name. Multiple authors are acceptable, but only one author name may be used.
For example, if you chose CASHMERE and PEPPER you may still choose GYPSY and PEPPER.
Ex. GYPSY and PEPPER: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
One-book option:
No graphic novels for this option, and your book must be at least 500 pages.
Choose any three intersecting names and read a book that includes all of those letters (as above, shared letters count once) in any combination of title, subtitle, and author’s name. Multiple authors are acceptable, but only one author name may be used.
Note: This means one of your names must cross both of the other two names.
Ex. AMANDA, CASHMERE, and PEPPER: Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects by Stephen James O'Meara
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30.7 - MAZZA1's Task: A Little Of What You Fancy
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In the 1980’s I had 3 small children, I worked nights and coordinated with friends to care for each others children I spent a lot of time walking to nursery or the school bus. (my small children travelled 5 miles to school) . I could only find time to read the books I really wanted to . My task is based on what you really want to read.
This is a 2 book task
You may use the same OR different options BUT your books MUST be by different authors (this includes authors who write under different names) so for instance you cannot read books by J.D. Robb AND Nora Roberts OR by J.K. Rowling AND Robert Galbraith
You may use books with the genre Children’s or the genre Manga /Comic books for one option.
State the options.
Option 1
Read the next new-to-you book in a series that you have previously rated 4 or 5 stars
Required: You MUST state that the book is new-to-you, that you have read an earlier book(s) in the series BEFORE 15/05/2021, and that you rated that book at least 4 stars.
Option 2
Read a NEW to you book by a favourite author - for this challenge a favourite author is one you have read at least TWICE before and RATED 4 or 5 stars
Required: State that you have read the author at least twice before and that you rated more than one of their books 4 or 5 stars and this this book is NEW-to-you.
Option 3
Read a much loved book that you have read AT LEAST TWICE before. This book should be MORE than 10 years old (First published before June 2011)
Required: State that you have read this book at least TWICE before.
30.8 - Lauren Jodi's task: 80s Dynamic Duos
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Growing up in the 80s, there was an abundance of action-oriented TV shows. Some of my favorites included two partners solving crimes together.
This is a TWO book task. Choose ONE book from TWO different options below.
REQUIRED: State the options you chose when posting.
Option 1: SIMON & SIMON
Staring Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker, this show focused on two brothers with very different personalities running a private detective agency.
Read a book with exactly two men on the cover; no other human forms may be present. Faces must be clearly observable and identifiable as adult/teen male. No children, cartoons or silhouettes.
REQUIRED: Include the cover when posting.
Option 2: REMINGTON STEELE
Female private detective, Laura Holt, portrayed by Stephanie Zimbalist, invents a male figurehead for her business. All goes well until a man claiming to be Remington Steele, played by Pierce Brosnan, appears out of the blue and insists on taking an active role in Holt’s investigations.
Read a book with an imposter – the character must be impersonating someone else OR have assumed a fictitious identity. Occupation-related impersonators, including spies, undercover agents, and actors, do NOT work.
Required: Explain how the book fits the task
The Princeton Impostor "Greg Pierre, actually is assuming-a false name,"
Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake "Frank W Abagnale, alias Frank Williams, Robert Conrad, Frank Adams and Ringo Monjo, was one of the most daring con men, forgers, imposters and escape artists in history."
Stranger in My Arms From a page 1 review (view spoiler)
Option 3: CAGNEY & LACEY
In this show, two New York City police detectives, single mother, Christine Cagney (Sharon Gless), and working wife and mother, Mary Beth Lacey (Tyne Daly) work out of the 14th Precinct.
Read a book with a female protagonist who is a police officer in a city or town.
No federal agents of any kind (FBI, DEA, ATF, NCIS, US Marshals, Tribal Police)
No country sheriffs, state police (Texas rangers), military police
No arson investigators, CSIs, medical investigators like coroners, DA or prosecutor investigators or special legal investigators.
Ex. Naked in Death
The Apprentice
Silent Scream
Option 4: KNIGHTRIDER
David Hasselhoff starred as Michael Knight, a former police detective working for the Foundation for Law and Government alongside his partner, KITT, an artificially intelligent and self-aware car that is nearly indestructible.
Read any book that meets the SRC rules from one of the following Listopias:
Robots with Feelings
AI/Androids/Robot Main Characters
REQUIRED: State the list and page number on which your book is found.
Option 5: SPENSER FOR HIRE
Based on a series of books by Robert B. Parker, Spenser (Robert Urich), a former police officer, and his partner, Hawk (Avery Brooks), a former enforcer, work together to solve crimes.
Read a book with a character who has changed their occupation or profession.
Required: Explain how the book fits the task.
For example, a former police officer turned private investigator or a former military officer turned security expert. Of course, any of the Spenser books would also work for this task.
The Godwulf Manuscript from the series description "Spenser, an ex-boxer, ex-state cop turned private eye, in Boston, Massachusetts"
Lost Light from the description "now retired from the L.A.P.D."
Hard Target from the description" A former Green Beret"
30.9 - Cat's Task: The Perks of UNO
Help Thread
I just finished the UNO team challenge in the GR group Perks.., which this year was 1980s themed. We had a lot of fun with the great films, books, music and fashion of the decade, but it means I'm kinda over the 80s now!
The UNO challenge involves looking for colour covers that meet certain criteria. Inevitably as soon as UNO is over all the impossible to find combinations start springing up everywhere!
Option 1: (Two book option) pick two different tasks and read one book for each
Option 2: (One book option) pick two tasks and read one book that meets the requirements of both
Required: State the options.
For both options, your combined page total must be at least 500 pages
Task A: The biggest "fun" in the game is finding books with the right colour cover.
Read a book that is at least 50% (as per TinEye) Red, Yellow, Green or Blue. Complete directions for using Tineye can be found here: How Do I Use Tineye?
required: Post the cover and TinEye scores.
Task B: Each book must meet a criteria (title or author initial) associated with the card numbers, the most challenging being the cards 5, 7 and 8 (the letters I, V and E respectively)
Read a book written by a single author who has a name part that starts with the initial (any name part will work) I, V or E. ex. Isaac Asimov, Maria V. Snyder
Task C: Whilst the putative aim of the game is to talk books and reduce our TBRs, inevitably we all end up adding more based on recommendations. This is aided and abetted by the Reverse card, where we have to read a book read by one of our team mates.
Read a book from my 80s shelf
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Help Thread
3–2–1 was a UK game show, that ran for ten years on ITV, between 29 July 1978 and 24 December 1988. Ted Rogers was the host and “Dusty Bin” was the mascot -- yes, he was a dustbin with a smiley face, and even has a Facebook page, despite the show going off the air long before Facebook started!
Read 3 books, one from each of the 3 prompts outlined below.
The three books must total at least 750 pages.
No books with the genres children or kids on the main book page may be used.
As it was a UK game show based on a Spanish format, at least one of the books you choose must be at least 50% set in either the UK (England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland - but not Eire) or Spain .
Required: State which book (3, 2, 1) fulfills the setting requirement. If the setting is not clearly indicated in the GR description or metadata, include a reference.
3: Read a book by an author with exactly three name parts – these can be initials, full names, etc. Remember, a hyphenated name only counts as one part, not two. Ex. Mary Anna Evans, Alexander McCall Smith, T.J. Klune or P. Djèlí Clark work, but Peter Godfrey-Smith would not.
2: Read a book that is part of a series AND includes a 2 in its series number in grayscale parenthesis after the title (#0.2, #2, #12, #21, #22, #3.2, etc).
1: Read a book with a one-word title, where the initial of the title word can be found in either TED ROGERS or DUSTY BIN. Subtitles should be ignored.
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Slow Regard of Silent Things (other topics)Fugitive Telemetry (other topics)
Dragon's Time (other topics)
The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship (other topics)
Little Beach Street Bakery (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
P. Djèlí Clark (other topics)T.J. Klune (other topics)
Alexander McCall Smith (other topics)
Peter Godfrey-Smith (other topics)
Mary Anna Evans (other topics)
More...
5.1. Excuse the Interruption!
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Max Headroom originated on British television in 1985 and then became a short-lived television series in the U.S. in 1987. In November, 1987, a signal hijacking took place in Chicago, in which a person wearing a Max Headroom mask interrupted a sports show, then 2 hours later on a different station, interrupted a Doctor Who showing.
Read a book in which all the letters of SIGNAL or HIJACK can be found in the title/subtitle.
5.2. Cowabunga!
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles debuted in the 1980s, a somewhat tongue in cheek cartoon show involving large crime fighting turtles and their rat sensei Splinter. The main characters were named after Italian artists living from 1386 to 1564: Michelangelo (1475-1564), Leonardo (1452-1519), Donatello (1386-1466), Raphael (1483-1520).
Read a book set in Italy, or in the 14th-16th centuries (1300 - 1599). REQUIRED: If the place or date of the setting is not clearly indicated in the GR description or metadata, include a reference to establish this.
5.3. Mr. Conductor
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Shining Time Station was an American childrens show that debuted in 1989, as a spinoff of a British childrens show, Thomas & Friends.
Ringo Starr provided the voice of the storyteller in the British series, and then played the part of Mr. Conductor in the American series for its first season, after which he was replaced by George Carlin.
Read a book where the author's initials are found in Ringo Starr OR George Carlin. ALL initials must be included.
5.4. Barkis is Willing
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In the 1980s, British TV had a number of series based on classic novels, such as David Copperfield, and Bleak House.
Read a book with a title of at least three words, where the initial letters of each word of the title are found in CHARLES DICKENS. The initials may only be used as often as they appear in the target words.
5.5. Working Together
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Fraggle Rock was a Jim Henson production and was an international co-production of Canada, the UK, and the US in 1983. From its inception, it was intended to be a show with international appeal, rather than a show in one country that could then be adapted for another country.
Read a book with 3 or more listed authors, either writing together, or in separate short stories/essays.
5.6. Let's Be Careful Out There!
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Hill Street Blues, The A-Team, Magnum, P.I., and Miami Vice were all hit crime dramas from the 80s.
Read a book with the main page genre Action or Adventure.
5.7. The Bechdel test
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The Golden Girls and Cagney & Lacey were two hit shows of the 80s, featuring women as the leads.
Read a book with at least 2 women and no adult men on the cover. They must be clearly adult/teen women, and not children. REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.
Examples:
These work:
These don't:
5.8. Who Dun It?
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During the 80s, British TV ran series based on the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot novels of Agatha Christie and the novels of Dorothy Sayers. On U.S. television, we had Murder She Wrote.
Read a book with the main page genre mystery, standalone, embedded, or as part of a related phrase (such as historical mystery).
5.9. All in Good Fun
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Pitfall was a Canadian game show that ran from 1981-1982, hosted by Alex Trebek. He then became the host of Jeopardy! in 1984.
Read a book with a single author named Alex or one of its related names.Behind the Names - Alex. The name can be in any position, but must match exactly.
5.10. Cheers!
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Cheers was another popular tv show that debuted in the 80s. Celebrate, by reading a book of your choice that meets SRC rules. For this task only, you may choose a book with the genre Childrens or Kids that is not found in AR Bookfinder - this does NOT allow the use of childrens books that are found in ARBF but do not meet SRC requirements.