Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists discussion
2023 Archived Challenges
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2023 Crazy Challenge Connection
January Scavenger Challenge - Mmm, Mmm, Good
READ: 6/7
✔ 1. BOUILLABAISSE
🍲 Read a book in which a character goes fishing; tell us who OR a book whose title contains at least one of every vowel (A, E, I, O, U)
A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan 1/19
✔ 2. CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
🍲 Read a book with an intact 30 in the total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book whose title has changed for some reason other than translation; post a link to both titles
Murder in the South of France - Susan Kiernan-Lewis 1/8
Murder in the Côte d'Azur
3. CHILI
🍲 Read a book set in Texas (bonus points for San Antonio) OR a book that deals with a controversial subject; briefly explain
✔ 4. CLAM CHOWDER
🍲 Read a book by a Canadian author; post a link to the author's GR page OR a book with a cover that is almost entirely red OR almost entirely white; post the cover
Married by Morning - Lisa Kleypas 1/21
✔ 5. FRENCH ONION SOUP
🍲 Read a book with a main character who is budget-conscious; briefly explain OR a book set in France; tell us where
Left To Die - Blake Pierce (Nice, France) 1/9
✔ 6. TOMATO SOUP
🍲 Read a book set in a European country; tell us where OR a book with a bowl that could (or does) contain food shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn (Norway) 1/30
✔ 7. VEGETABLE (or VEGETABLE-BEEF) SOUP
🍲 Read a book whose title begins with V (disregard A, An and The) OR a book set in December, January or February; tell us when
Blaze - Lisa Carlisle (in December) 1/13
January Spell Challenge - Mmm, Mmm, Good READ: 11/11
✔ C: The Corpse in the Cabana - Shéa MacLeod 1/12
✔ R: Raphael - D.B. Reynolds 1/16
✔ U: The Untangled Cassie Black - Tammie Painter 1/3
✔ S: Shattered Souls - Delilah Devlin 1/13
✔ T: Tortured Dreams - Hadena James 1/31
✔ Y: You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti 1/5
✔ B: The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart 1/9
✔ R: Lavender House - Lev A.C. Rosen 1/21
✔ E: Psychic Dreams - Elizabeth Hunter 1/18
✔ A: The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken 1/15
✔ D: Double Dealer - Barbara McCafferty & Beverly Herald 1/7
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #40 - Curling READ: 5/5
1. Curling is a sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a target area which is segmented into four concentric circles. Two teams, each with four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called rocks, across the ice curling sheet toward the house, a circular target marked on the ice. Each team has eight stones, with each player throwing two. The purpose is to accumulate the highest score for a game; points are scored for the stones resting closest to the center of the house at the conclusion of each end, which is completed when both teams have thrown all of their stones once. A game usually consists of eight or ten ends.🥌Read a book in which a circular object is clearly seen on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book that has at least two contributing authors(anthologies work).
Double Dealer - Barbara McCafferty & Beverly Herald 1/7
2. Curling was included in the program of the inaugural Winter Olympic Games in 1924 in Chamonix although the results of that competition were not considered official by the International Olympic Committee until 2006. Curling was a demonstration sport at the 1932 Games, and then again after a lengthy absence in 1988 and 1992. The sport was finally added to the official program for the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998.🥌Read a book that is a prequel to another series or book (tell us the original series/book) -or- read a book whose author's first or last name has an X in it.
Death by the Finish Line - Alexis Morgan 1/26
3. For indoor tournaments, the artificially created ice has its surface sprinkled with water droplets, which freeze into tiny bumps on the surface. Called "pebbled ice", this surface helps the stone's grip and leads to more consistent curling. Also known as a stone, a curling rock is made of rare, dense granite that is quarried on Scotland's Ailsa Craig. Each rock weighs 19.1kg and is polished. Special curling shoes are common; shoes should grip the ice well. While shooting, extremely slippery surfaces such as Teflon are used on the sliding foot.🥌Read a book with a snow/ice covered landscape on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book set in Scotland.
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn 1/30
4. Since the 1998 Olympics, Canada has generally dominated the sport with their men's teams winning gold in 2006, 2010, and 2014, and silver in 1998 and 2002, and a bronze in 2022. The women's team won gold in 1998 and 2014, a silver in 2010, and a bronze in 2002 and 2006. Their mixed doubles team won gold in 2018.🥌Read a book by a Canadian author -or- read a book whose series has at least 12 published books (tell us the series and the number of published books).
Tortured Dreams - Hadena James (Dreams and Reality, 17 books) 1/31
5. In total, 132 athletes have won a medal in curling, and 11 have won two. In 2010, Anette Norberg, Eva Lund, Cathrine Lindahl and Anna Le Moine of Sweden won the gold medal in the women's tournament, becoming the first curlers to win consecutive gold medals.🥌Read a book by an author who has been nominated for the same award at least two times (tell us the award) -or- read a book written by an Anna, Annette, Eva or Catherine (reasonable variations work).
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone - Diana Gabaldon 1/27
2009 Goodreads Choice Award for Romance for An Echo in the Bone
2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Romance for Written in My Own Heart's Blood
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Scavenger Challenge - THON : For the Kids
READ: 6/7
1. 🎶 Read a book with an intact 78 in its total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book set in Pennsylvania
✔ 2. 🎶 Read a book with a character who conducts research of some sort; tell us who and what
Lies, Damned Lies, and History - Jodi Taylor 2/22
(MC is an historian who does research before their group time travels to see history in person)
✔ 3. 🎶 Read a book originally published in 2022; tell us the date OR a book whose MC is a college student
Hokuloa Road - Elizabeth Hand (pub July 19, 2022) 2/27
✔ 4. 🎶 Read a book where a sport is important to the story; briefly explain OR a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in VOLUNTEERS; post a link to the author’s GR page
Darkness, My Old Friend - Lisa Unger 2/6
✔ 5. 🎶 Read a book whose MC provides emotional support to another character in the book; using spoiler tags, briefly explain OR a book whose MC works for an organization known by an acronym (FBI, etc); tell us the organization
Reckoning - Catherine Coulter (FBI agents) 2/3
✔ 6. 🎶 Read a book in which a traffic accident occurs OR a book featuring a school-aged child (in grades K-12); tell us who
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon (MC is 15) 2/26
✔ 7. 🎶 Read a book where someone waits for something to be revealed; using spoiler tags, briefly explain OR a book with a straight line visible in the cover art; post the cover
The Avid Angler: The Hot Dog Detective - Mathiya Adams (fishing pole) 2/27
February Spell Challenge - THON: For the Kids READ: 10/10
✔ F: Final Lap - Erin McCarthy 2/21
✔ O: Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor 2/28
✔ R: Luck and Last Resorts - Sarah Grunder Ruiz 2/7
✔ T: Three Parts Dead - Max Gladstone 2/8
✔ H: Hokuloa Road - Elizabeth Hand 2/27
✔ E: The Cure for What Ales You - Ellie Alexander 2/23
✔ K: Silver Spells - Kate Moseman 2/8
✔ I: If You Could See the Sun - Ann Liang 2/1
✔ D: Dark Sentinel - Christine Feehan 2/8
✔ S: Sweet Trouble - Susan Mallery 2/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #41 - Wrestling READ: 5/5
1. Olympic wrestling consists of two styles of wrestling: Greco-Roman and Freestyle. While Greco-Roman wrestling featured in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, Freestyle wrestling made it into the Summer Games’ program during the 1904 edition in St Louis, with only local wrestlers from the United States participating. It was also the first time in Olympic history where weight category events were introduced.🟥 🟦 Read a book set in a location beginning with a letter in St. Louis; tell us where OR a heavy book, either a serious non-fiction subject (tell us the subject) or a book with more than 450 pages; tell us how many pages
Upon a Burning Throne - Ashok K. Banker (669 pages) 2/12
2. Freestyle wrestling was removed from the Olympic schedule for the 1912 Games but returned in 1920 in Antwerp. It has been a permanent fixture in the Olympics calendar since then, but it was only at the Athens 2004 Games that women’s freestyle wrestling was introduced. Greco-Roman, meanwhile, is still exclusively a men’s event.🟥 🟦 Read a book with only men or only women shown prominently on the cover (will accept just one man or just one woman); post the cover OR a book originally published in 2004; tell us the publication date
Found in the Lost - Tarina Deaton 2/21
3. In Freestyle wrestling, participants can use their legs as both offensive and defensive weapons, which is not permitted in Greco-Roman wrestling. In addition, Freestyle wrestlers can attempt to take an opponent to the mat with a single or double-leg takedown. However, Greco-Roman wrestlers cannot grab their opponents below the waist at all. Freestyle wrestlers can throw an opponent to the ground and regain contact with him/her afterward to apply a hold. A Greco-Roman wrestler, however, must maintain contact with his opponent throughout the takedown for the hold to count.🟥 🟦 Read a book whose title begins with F or G (ALL words count!) OR a book with human legs shown prominently on the cover (not an entire body, only legs); post the cover
Final Lap - Erin McCarthy 2/21
4. When wrestling in one of these competitions, a wrestler must wear either a red singlet or blue singlet. Wrestlers must either have two separate singlets available, one in each color, or they must have a red/blue reversible singlet.🟥 🟦 Read a book whose cover is almost entirely red or almost entirely blue; post the cover OR a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in SINGLET; post a link to the author’s GR page
Rhapsodic - Laura Thalassa 2/11
5. Two bronze medals are awarded in Olympic wrestling. The International Olympic Committee introduced the repechage rounds at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The repechage round allowed the wrestler to have a shot at a third-place/bronze medal finish in wrestling events included in the Olympics, despite losing in the knockouts. The wrestlers who lost a bout to the eventual finalists in each category in the semi-finals or earlier are allowed another chance to win the bronze medal.🟥 🟦 Read a book with at least two of these numbers in its total page count: 2, 8, 0, 0; tell us how many pages OR a series #3 book; tell us the series
Sweet Trouble - Susan Mallery (Bakery Sisters #3) 2/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March 2023 Scavenger - Bagpipes! Love'm or Hate'm
READ: 7/7
✔1) Although bagpipes are played in some form in countries all over the world, they are most commonly associated with the Scottish Highlands.
Read a book with something plaid on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book set in Scotland.
Moment of Tooth - Lindsay Buroker 3/12
✔2) Bagpipes are sometimes referred to as a "stand of pipes."
Read a book where someone is standing on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book where someone smokes a pipe (tell us who) OR read a book tagged "Steampunk."
XOXO - Axie Oh 3/1
✔6) Despite the fact that many people primarily associate bagpipes with Scotland, many museums known for their bagpipe collections are located elsewhere. Two are in the United States (Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC and the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona), two in England (the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, England and the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum in Northumberland) and one in Spain (International Bagpipe Museum in Gijón). (I'm sure there are others: don't be hurt if yours didn't make this list. :-) )
Read a book that features a visit to a museum (tell us who and which) OR a book set in a museum (tell us which) OR a book set in New York City, Arizona, England, or Spain (tell us which).
Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold - Nancy Atherton (England) 3/7
✔7) For its part, Scotland has the National Piping Center, which promotes the study of the music and the history of the highland bagpipe. Its patron is Prince Charles, who in addition to being Prince of Wales is also the Duke of Rothesay.
Read a book where someone is studying music (tell us who) OR read a book featuring someone from British Royalty (It doesn't have to be the current Royal Family but must be a real person, not a fictional character, although the book itself can be fiction. Tell us who.) OR read a book featuring a duke (can be fictional, tell us who).
If I Stay - Gayle Forman (heroine plays the cello ) 3/29
✔9) Their association with military usages is one reason they are so commonly used in funerals and parades.
Read a book where the main character attends a funeral(tell us who and whose funeral) OR read a book with a parade of some kind (tell us what) OR read a book where some solemn or significant occasion is marked with music (wedding, graduation, etc, tell us what).
Close Your Eyes - Iris & Roy Johansen (Kendra) 3/13
✔10) In modern times, many rock and/or modern musicians have incorporated bagpipes into some of their music. Among them are Paul McCartney, AC/DC, Glen Campbell, Depeche Mode, Don Henley, Van Morrison, Kate Bush, Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Phil Collins, Tears for Fears, Madonna and U2.
Read a book featuring a live band playing somewhere in the story (tell us where) OR a book featuring someone musically or artistically creative (your interpretation, tell us who).
Moment of Tooth - Lindsay Buroker (hero, wood sculptures) 3/12
✔11) Did I mention that bagpipes can be loud?
Read a book where a character finds him or herself in a loud environment (tell us who and where) OR -- "freebie-- just tell us if you're in the "love'm" category or the "hate'm" category.
The Crossing - Kathryn Lasky (love'm) 3/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #42 - Cross-Country Skiing READ: 6/6
1. Cross-country skiing has been an Olympic sport ever since the first Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France in 1924, which featured only two events: men’s 18km and 50km. Women's events were added at the 1952 Olympics in Oslo. Each competition now includes both men’s and women’s events, with women racing on a slightly shorter course. This sport tests the endurance of athletes as they race over long distances on skis, using different techniques to move forward.⛷️ Read a book set in a location that is cold enough to ski (tell us where) - OR - a book with an athlete character (tell us who).
Temptation - T.K. Leigh (hero is a professional baseball player) 3/16
2. Events are broken down into six competition formats:a. Individual - Each skier begins the race at an interval of 30 seconds and the skier with the fastest time wins.
b. Sprint - Sprint requires competitors to finish the race using the freestyle technique. It is the shortest cross-country event at the Winter Games.
c. Team Sprint - Each two-person team completes the six-lap race, with both members doing alternate laps.
d. Skiathlon - Athletes make one lap in classic style then change skis and poles before completing the second lap in skating style.
e. Relay - Each member of a four-person team skis one leg. The first two legs are skied in classic style, the last two legs in freestyle.
f. Mass Start - Equivalent to the marathon, all athletes start together. It is the longest cross-country skiing event and is held in a loop instead of one long route.
⛷️ Read a Series #6 book (tell us the series) - OR - a book with all title words beginning in ONE of the following words (tell us which one; two word minimum): INDIVIDUAL, SPRINT, SKIATHLON, RELAY, or MASSSTART.
Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World - Joan Druett 3/8
3. Events feature two different styles: classic cross-country and skate skiing (also called freestyle). The two styles alternate at the major events (Olympic Games, World Championships). For example, at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, the 15km men’s individual race was a skate skiing event. Therefore, at the 2022 Olympics, this event was skied in classic style. FIS (International Ski Federation) designates which technique will be used for each event.⛷️ Read a book featuring alternating viewpoints - OR - a book with a character who works for an organization known by an acronym (such as FBI, NASA, etc.; tell us who and what organization).
Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part Two - T.M. Frazier 3/8
4. The classical technique requires athletes to move both their skis forward in parallel. Freestyle, which is faster, has skiers moving their feet in a side-to-side motion, much like speed skating or rollerblading. Also, the skis in freestyle are shorter than classical. Athletes use ski poles in both techniques to aid movement.⛷️ Read a book with a cover showing two parallel lines of some sort on the cover (show us the cover) - OR - a book with a word in the title with double repeated L's (like ro-ll-erblade or be-ll).
Boogie Beach - Winnie Winkle 3/6
5. Cross-country skiers race on skis just two inches wide, much thinner than those used for alpine races. The minimum length of cross-country skis is dependent on the height of the athlete. Skis cannot be shorter than the height of the athlete minus about four inches, but they can be as long as an athlete prefers.⛷️ Read a book with either a "2" or "4" in the number of pages (tell us how many) - OR - a book with a character who is described as particularly tall or especially short (tell us who).
Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold - Nancy Atherton (240 pages) 3/7
6. Elite cross-country skiers typically travel with upwards of 50 pairs of skis at their disposal on race day. Each pair, with its own specs, is carefully considered, with some being tested just before a race to see which feels fastest on that day's snow.⛷️ Read a book that you read quickly (must be at least 150 pages) - OR - a book from your TBR that is placed in a spot that ends with 50 (#50, #150, #2050, etc.; tell us the number).
Saber Tooth - Lou Cadle (233 pages) 3/4
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Scavenger Challenge - Earth Day
READ: 7/7
✔1.Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
🌍 Read a book published in April of any year (tell us the year) - or - a book whose title starts with "E" (ALL words count!).
Kingdoms at War - Lindsay Buroker (pub April 22, 2021) 4/21
✔2. The Canopy Project - Planting trees!
🌍 Read a book in which a massive disaster occurs (like a forest fire or an earthquake, not a car accident; tell us what) - or - a book with a word that starts with "CO" in the title.
Salty Cowboy - Elana Johnson 4/4
✔3. End Plastics -
🌍 Read a book whose author's first and last initials are found in PLASTICS - or - a book in which someone litters (give us the page or location and a brief excerpt).
Fall For Me - Ann Lister 4/5
✔4. Youth Leaders Push for Climate Literacy -
🌍 Read a book marked "Young Adult" on the GR main genre page - or - a book set in the future (tell us approximately when).
History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera 4/12
✔5. The Great Global Cleanup -
🌍 Read a book with an outdoor scene on the cover (show us the cover) - or - a book in which someone cleans something (briefly tell us how your book fits).
The Rapids - Carla Neggers 4/15
✔6. Sustainable Fashion -
🌍 Read a book with a piece of unworn clothing on the cover (a clothes closet is OK; show us the cover) - or - a book whose total page number includes an intact "10" or "85" (tell us how many pages).
Zar - Alana Khan (210 pages) 4/12
✔7. The theme for Earth Day 2023 is “Invest in Our Planet.”
🌍 Read a book with a predominantly green cover (show us the cover) - or - a book published in 2022 or 2023 (tell us when)
Berlin - Luke Richardson 4/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Spell Challenge - Earth Day READ: 17/17
✔ I: The Ice House - Minette Walters 4/11
✔ N: The Rapids - Carla Neggers 4/15
✔ V: Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife - Michelle Styles 4/13
✔ E: The Laughing Policeman - Elizabeth J. Brown 4/3
✔ S: Witch Hunt - Sara Bourgeois 4/8
✔ T: Daughter of the Pirate King - Tricia Levenseller 4/7
✔ I: If Looks Could Chill - Nina Bruhns 4/22
✔ N: An Unthinkable Thing - Nicole Lundrigan 4/30
✔ O: Of Claws and Inferno - Kyoko M. 4/10
✔ U: Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo 4/1
✔ R: Rising Darkness - Jen L. Grey 4/9
✔ P: Ghost Ocean - S.M. Peters 4/1
✔ L: Let Me Go - Kate Bold 4/6
✔ A: Fall For Me - Ann Lister 4/5
✔ N: Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore - Nellie H. Steele 4/21
✔ E: Salty Cowboy - Elana Johnson 4/4
✔ T: Touched by Fire - Kel Carpenter 4/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #43 - Alpine Skiing READ: 4/5
1. Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis with fixed-heel bindings, unlike other types of skiing (cross-country, Telemark, or ski jumping), which use skis with free-heel bindings. Alpine skiing has been contested at every Winter Olympics since 1936, when a combined event was held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.⛷️Read a book set in a country that the Alps runs through: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland (let us know which country your book is set in) -or- read a book with a slope on the cover that you can ski on (it may or may not be covered in snow, it just needs to look like it can accommodate skiers, post the cover).
Berlin - Luke Richardson (Germany)4/12
2. From 1948 to 1980, the Winter Olympics also served as the World Championships in Olympic years, with separate competitions held in even-numbered non-Olympic years. During this period, the Olympic medalists received an additional medal of the same metal from the International Ski Federation (FIS).
⛷️Read a book that has won two different awards (tell us the awards and the years) -or- read a book first published between 1948 to 1980 (inclusive, tell us when your book was published).
3. Overall, alpine skiing has five events - downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G and combined. Medals are on offer for both men and women in each event. A mixed team event - a parallel slalom competition - was added for the 2018 Winter Olympics. The event is traditionally dominated by Alpine countries; as of 2022, Austria has a commanding lead in total medals with 128 and in gold medals with 40.⛷️Read a book whose author's first and last initials are in one of the alpine skiing events -or- read a book whose total page number contains two of the following numbers: 1, 2, 8, 4, 0 (tell us the number of pages).
Liar, Liar - Lisa Jackson (480 pages) 4/27
4. Here are the different skiing events:⛷️Roll a 5 sided die. Read for the corresponding task:
2/Slalom - Read a book that has a gate or door on the cover (post the cover)
Kingdoms at War - Lindsay Buroker (portal) 4/21
5. Several age-related records were set in 2014. Among them, Mikaela Shiffrin (18) became the youngest gold medalist in slalom. Mario Matt became the oldest gold medalist in alpine skiing, when he won gold in slalom.⛷️Read a book with something gold on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book first published in 2014.
The Winter King - C.L. Wilson (pub July 29, 2014) 4/23
May Scavenger Challenge - Things My Mom Said
READ: 9/7
✔ 1) "You're cruising for a bruising!" (She very rarely spanked us but I sure remember her saying this!)
Read a book where someone takes a cruise or gets a bruise: tell us who.
Belong to the Night - Shelly Laurenston (Jamie Meachum) 5/31
✔ 2) "You're one of the Indians around here, not one of the chiefs!"
Read a book featuring a Native American character(tell us who) or a book featuring an employer/employee situation (tell us who).
Best Laid Plans - Kristi Rose (hero) 5/27
✔ 3) "That better come to a screeching halt!"
Read a book where someone stops something from happening (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what) or a book where something makes a loud noise (tell us what).
Believe Me - Molly Black (a bunch of cars explode) 5/30
✔ 4) "When you kids were little, you could eat off my floors. Now it just looks like someone did." (Something she said to me on the phone about a year before she passed away that I thought was pretty funny, especially since my mom didn't ordinarily make many jokes.)
Read a book where someone cleans a house (tell us who) or finds themselves in a place that could use some clean-up (tell us where, something situational like a corrupt political office would also be fine).
The Cleaner, the Cat and the Space Station - Fay Abernethy (Hanna) 5/25
✔ 5) "I'm counting to three!"
Read a book with a three-word title (all words count) or a three part author's name (first, middle, last or first, initial, last).
The Butterfly Forest - Tom Lowe 5/7
7) Conversation with her best friend: "Meredith, do you need anything from Hobby Lobby?" Mom: "No, but I'm sure I can think of something by the time we get there."
Read a book where someone goes shopping (tell us who) or a book with any kind of craft or hobby item on the cover (your interpretation, post the cover).
Inferno of Love - Erin Wright (hero) 5/15
✔ 8) (About a year before she died) "I'm tired of housework. Now when the dust gets thick enough to bread a pork chop, I invite my friends over to play bridge. It forces me to clean the house." (I should point out that because our house was always spotless when I was a kid, my sister reacted to this comment as if the Earth had slipped off its axis.)
Read a book where someone goes to a place that is dusty (an attic, an old warehouse etc -- tell us where) or a a book where someone decides they're tired of doing something (tell us what).
Burned by Love: - Erin Wright 5/31
(heroine's mother spends lots of time in her dusty attick)
✔ 9) When I was in high school, I got caught skipping twice in the same day by the same dean, and suspended for one day as a result. The dean called my mother while I was sitting there, and later I had to do the bus-stop-to-home death march and face the music.
Read a book where someone is stuck somewhere (snowed or rained in, stuck in an airport, car breaks down, etc., your interpretation, tell us where and why) or a book where the outdoor ground is visible on the cover (post the cover).
Death Runs Adrift - Karen MacInerney 5/16
✔ 10) "I love you." And she did. None of us ever doubted it.
Read a book where someone is a mother (tell us who) or a book that you found heartwarming (using spoiler tags if necessary tell us why).
Raising a Demon - Amy Cissell (heroine) 5/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Spell Challenge - Things My Mom Said READ: 12/12
✔ H: Hide Me - Molly Black 5/3
✔ E: Flames of Love - Erin Wright 5/5
✔ A: Cursed - Keri Arthur 5/15
✔ R: Raising a Demon - Amy Cissell 5/12
✔ T: The Thunderbird Queen - Jordan Rivet 5/21
✔ W: War Song of the Wild - Rebecca L. Fearnley 5/21
✔ A: All Bets Are Off - Kristi Rose 5/20
✔ R: The Vixen and the Vet - Katy Regnery 5/5
✔ M: Moon Duel - Aimee Easterling 5/26
✔ I: Inferno of Love - Erin Wright 5/15
✔ N: The Priestess and the Dragon - Nicolette Andrews 5/27
✔ G: Deadly Remedy - Gwen Hunter 5/24
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #44 - Soccer READ: 4/5
1. Football (Soccer) at the Summer Olympics has been included in every Summer Olympic Games as a men's competition sport, except 1896 (the first modern Olympics) and 1932 (as they attempted to promote the new FIFA World Cup tournament instead). Women's football was added to the Olympics program at the 1996 Atlanta Games. In order to avoid competition with the World Cup, FIFA have restricted participation of elite players in the men's tournament in various ways: currently, squads for the men's tournament are required to be composed of players under 23 years of age, with three permitted exceptions. The women's tournament, on the other hand, has no such restrictions.⚽Read a book that is set or was first published between the years 1896 and 1932 -or- read a book whose main character is under 23 years of age (tell us how old they are).
War Song of the Wild - Rebecca L. Fearnley (MC is 9) 5/21
2. After the first few football tournaments at the Olympics, FIFA realized that because the Olympics only permitted amateur athletes to participate (according to the rules at the time), it did not represent the true strength of the game. But it also realized that as the number of participating countries grew, fan interest also picked up. In 1928, football was the most popular event at the games. This prompted FIFA to create an international tournament, and FIFA began organizing the World Cup.⚽Read an author's first published book -or- read a book by an author you like but feel like it didn't reach the author's true potential (briefly tell us why you felt this).
Rebel - Claire Delacroix 5/17
(I've really liked her books in the past but found the MCs to be thoroughly unlikable)
3. As professionalism spread around the world, the countries that benefited from the amateurs only rule most were the Soviet Bloc countries of Eastern Europe, where top athletes were state sponsored while retaining their status as amateurs. As a result, young Western amateurs had to face seasoned and veteran Soviet Bloc teams, which put them at a significant disadvantage. All Olympic football tournaments from 1948 to 1980 were dominated by the Soviet Union and its satellites. The Olympics Committee relaxed the rules for the 1984 Los Angeles Games to admit professional players, but FIFA still did not want the Olympics to rival the World Cup. The compromise was to allow teams from outside of UEFA (the European football association) and CONMEBOL (that of South America) to field their strongest sides, while restricting the UEFA and CONMEBOL countries to players who had not played in a World Cup.⚽Read a book set in a country that was once in the Soviet Bloc of countries -or- read a book in which all the words of the title appears in the word "UEFACONMEBOL" (2 words minimum, all words count).
Fire and Love - Erin Wright 5/29
4. Football in the United Kingdom has no single governing body, and there are separate teams for the UK's four Home Nations: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Until 1972, the English Football Association (FA) entered "Great Britain" teams to the Games. But in 1974, the FA abolished the distinction between amateur and professional and ceased to enter the Olympics. When London was selected to host the 2012 games, there was pressure on FA to exercise the host nation's automatic right to field a team. They eventually fielded Welsh players in the men's squad and Scots in the women's squad. After the 2012 games, the FA decided that no team would be entered in subsequent men's tournaments but was open to fielding a women's team again.
⚽Read a book written by a male author that is set in Wales -or- read a book written by a female author that is set in Scotland.
5. For both the men's and women's tournaments, the competition consists of a round-robin group stage followed by a knockout stage. Teams are placed into groups of 4 teams, with each team playing each other team in its group once. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. The top two teams in each group (as well as the top two third-place finishers, in the women's tournament) advance to the knockout rounds. The knockout rounds are a single-elimination tournament consisting of quarterfinals, semifinals, and the gold and bronze medal matches. The qualifying tournament, like that for the World Cup, is organized along continental lines. As per the current rules, teams participating in the preliminary and final competitions must be composed of U-23 players (those under 23 years of age), with up to three players who are at least 23. For the 2024 Paris Games, the number of places allocated to each continent is:Europe - 4 (including host France)
Asia - 3 or 4
Africa - 3 or 4
South America - 2
North America - 2
Oceania - 1
⚽Read a book set in a continent of your choice -and- whose number of pages contains the number of places the continent is allotted (tell us the country/continent your book is set in, and the number of pages. A book set in Antarctica is fine, as long as the number of pages contains a 0).
Unsafe Harbor - Jessica Speart (set in New Jersey, 288 pages) 5/16
June Scavenger Challenge - Remembering Our Fathers
READ: 7/7
✔ 3) Read a book with a character who goes to work every weekday (tell us who) or with a character who is either a stay-at-home parent or who works from their house (tell us who).
Desperation in Death - J.D. Robb (Eve Dallas, a cop) 6/9
✔ 5) Read a book where someone plays a prank (tell us who) or a book where someone comes clean about having done something (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and what).
Dragon Riders of Osnen: Episodes 7-10 - Richard Fierce 6/10
(hero frequently disregards dragon school master's instructions; has to confess in every book)
✔ 7) Read a book where someone watches or plays a sport (tell us who and what) or a book set in Texas.
Backhand - Elise Faber (hero plays professional hockey) 6/3
✔ 8) Read an action/thriller/mystery or read a romance.
Purgatory Chasm - Steve Ulfelder (thriller) 6/4
✔ 9) Read a book where a parent is wise (tell us who), or a book with a male figure on the cover (post the cover).
Impulse Control - Amanda Usen 6/21
✔ 10) Read a book where someone travels (tell us who and where), or a book with a book visible on the cover (post the cover).
Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's - Debbie Young (MC from US to Scotland) 6/16
✔ 11) Read a book with a character who reminds you of your own wonderful dad (tell us who, and why they remind you of him) or read a book with a dad you think is a good father or a father you could admire (tell us who and why).
Encore in Death - J.D. Robb 6/30
(Leonardo, he obviously loves his daughter and takes time from his busy life to spend time with her)
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
June Spell Challenge - Remembering our Fathers READ: 6/6
✔ F: Dragon Riders of Osnen: Episodes 11-13 - Richard Fierce 6/14
✔ A: Burn - Keri Arthur 6/3
✔ T: Trouble in High Heels - Christina Dodd 6/26
✔ H: Hidden Pictures - Jason Rekulak 6/9
✔ E: Backhand - Elise Faber 6/3
✔ R: Desperation in Death - J.D. Robb 6/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Scavenger Challenge - Sevens
READ: 5/7
✔7️⃣ SEVEN DEADLY SINS
Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, sloth
* Read a book with at least one of these words found in its text (will accept glutton for gluttony, but no other exceptions); post the page/location number and a partial sentence containing the word
The Chosen of the Manifold - Kyle West 7/7
(would these men's greed overwhelm their sense?), p145
7️⃣ SEVEN DAYS OF THE WEEK
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
* Read a book with a day of the week in its title
✔7️⃣ SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy
* Read a book with a major character whose personality fits one of these names; tell us the character and how the name fits
Freefall - Tess Oliver 7/31
(happy - hero finally found someone to love him the way he is)
✔7️⃣ SEVEN COLORS IN THE RAINBOW
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
* Read a book whose cover is almost entirely one of these colors; post the cover
The Dragon Republic - R.F. Kuang 7/16
✔7️⃣ SEVEN CONTINENTS
Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, South America
* Read a book set in a city/town whose name begins with a letter in one of these names; tell us where
NOTE : If no city or town name is provided, that book will not work for this task
Unnatural Causes - Leah Ruth Robinson (Manhattan in North America) 7/29
7️⃣ SEVEN SEAS
Arctic, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, Southern oceans
* Read a book with an ocean on the cover (no other body of water accepted); post the cover
✔7️⃣ SEVEN ANGELS IN EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY
Gabriel, Jophiel, Uriel, Michael, Chamuel, Zadkiel, Raphael
* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in one of these names; tell us which name you chose and post a link to the author's GR page
Charmed and Dangerous - Lindsay Buroker (Gabriel) 7/9
July Spell Challenge - Sevens READ: 6/6
✔ C: The Chosen of the Manifold - Kyle West 7/7
✔ O: The Orb of Binding - Kyle West 7/2
✔ L: Lethal Licorice - Amanda Flower 7/3
✔ O: Freefall - Tess Oliver 7/31
✔ R: Too Late - Rylie Dark 7/21
✔ S: Suppression - Laramie Briscoe 7/30
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #45 - Sliding Sports Duration: June 1 - July 31, 2023
READ: 9/10
1. All of bobsleigh, skeleton and luge events involve hurtling down ice tracks, reaching extremely high speeds, using a strong start, gravity and deft steering to clock the quickest times possible. They also all use the same tracks, but with different start points and different types of sled.🛷 Read a book with winter ice shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book by an author who writes more than one series under the same name; post a link to the author’s GR page and tell us the names of their series
Girl Two: Taken - Molly Black 6/28
(series - Katie Winter; Maya Gray; Rylie Wolf; Taylor Sage; Ruby Hunter)
2. While skeleton and luge involve lying on a sled, mostly exposed to the elements, bobsleigh sees competitors sit together in a specially engineered, mechanically steered and braked sleigh with a protective nose and sides.🛷 Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in SLIDING SPORTS (two-word minimum; all words count, and a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the phrase) OR a book in which a character is sheltered in some way; using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and briefly explain
A Lady Can Never Be Too Curious - Mary Wine 6/12
(heroine is a young Lady (18ish); she gets involved with a secret group that is shunned by Society)
3. The only discipline in which the athlete starts in the sled is LUGE, first contested at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. The racer lies on his or her back on a flat sled, feet first, and then pulls him/herself forward to begin the run. The racer then angles their body to steer down the course on the sled, which can reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. Luge is mainly an individual sport, although there is a two-man luge event.🛷 Read a book originally published in the 1990s; tell us the year OR a book with a character you would call a self-starter; briefly explain, using spoiler tags if necessary
Dastardly Deeds at St Bride's - Debbie Young 6/16
(MC is a teacher who takes her first job at a boarding school and has to make like she knows what's she's doing; she is intelligent and quick enough to teach herself what to do)
4. The luge mixed team relay made its Olympic debut at Sochi 2014 but has featured at the world championships since 1989. The event consists of three disciplines: women’s singles, men’s singles and doubles. The relay starts with the women's singles sled. When the athlete reaches the end of the track, she hits an overhead touchpad to open the start gate for the men's singles sled, who begin their run before striking the touchpad to release the doubles sled that makes the final run down the course.🛷 Read a book in which a woman must do something to “get the ball rolling” (your interpretation, but be sure to explain, using spoiler tags if necessary) OR book #3 from a series; tell us the series
The Dragonfly Oath - Jordan Rivet (Fire Queen's Apprentice #3) 6/15
5. SKELETON is so-named because the first metal sleds introduced in 1892 were said to resemble a human skeleton. After the 1948 Games in St. Moritz, skeleton was discontinued as an Olympic sport until it returned in Salt Lake City in 2002. Men’s and women’s events have been contested ever since.
🛷 Read a book with bones or a full skeleton shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book from a series that has had at least one five-year gap between books; tell us the relevant years
6. A skeleton mixed team event has been added to the program for the 2026 Games in Italy. A team is composed of one female and one male athlete, each running the skeleton course once. The fastest combined time wins the event, which saw great success at the last edition of the World Championships.🛷 Read a book you completed quickly (150-200 pages); tell us how many pages OR a book that has was published less than six months before you read it (yes, ARCs will work); tell us when it was published
Magic Tides - Ilona Andrews (156 pages) 6/5
7. Skeleton is very similar to luge, the key difference being that riders lay front-down, face-first on the sled. The racer does not begin in the sled, but runs for about 40 meters (about 125 feet) before jumping face-first on the sled for the remainder of the ride. The sleds are heavier and riders reach slightly lower top speeds though skeleton is widely considered the more dangerous due to competitors hurtling down the track head-first. Like luge, athletes have to use body angles to guide the sled because there is no steering mechanism.🛷 Read a book with an intact 25 in the total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book that feels nearly identical to another book you read within the past month; briefly explain, using spoiler tags if necessary
Here and Then - Linda Lael Miller (has 256 pages) 7/23
8. BOBSLEIGH earned its name from the bobbing back-and-forth motion competitors started using to build speed back in the 19th century in Switzerland, where the first races were held. The organizing committee of the 1960 Winter Games in Squaw Valley decided to save money by not building a bobsled track. With that exception, the four-man competition has been held at every Winter Games since 1924. (In 1928, it was a five-man competition.) The two-man event was introduced at the 1932 Lake Placid Games, and a two-woman event was first contested in 2002 at Salt Lake City.🛷 Read a book with a major character or by an author named Bob (no variations); post a link to the author’s GR page if using that option OR a book set in the 19th century; tell us when
A Captain and a Corset - Mary Wine (set 1843) 6/13
9. The bobsleigh, which comes in the two-man and four-man variety, has to be pushed for up to 50 meters (about 55 yards) before the crew jumps in for the rest of the ride down the course. Unlike skeleton and luge, it also has a mechanism that steers the sled that can be controlled by the driver. Bobsled is much more of a team discipline than luge or skeleton.🛷 Read a book where a major character works on a team of some sort; tell us who and briefly explain OR a book set in winter (December, January or February); tell us when
Every Body on Deck - G.A. McKevett 6/30
(MC is a PI and has an entire team of people who all work together to solve cases)
10. In 2022, the new monobob event for women debuted in Beijing. The idea behind the new monobob is accessibility. Where other bobsleighs are customizable within certain restrictions, all monobobs have to be exactly the same. In the monobob, it all comes down to an individual rider’s skill and power and nothing else. A single rider event also means countries only need to train and fund one athlete, making it much more accessible.🛷 Read a book with at least three identical objects shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book with a word containing “sandwiched” letters in the title (like mONObob)
A Curious Beginning - Deanna Raybourn (beginNINg) 6/6
August Spell Challenge - Trademarks READ: 7/7
✔ A: Angels Falling - Harriet Carlton 8/11
✔ S: Strawberry Sin - Rosie A. Point 8/19
✔ P: The Sanatorium - Sarah Pearse 8/8
✔ I: Invisible Born - Lucia Ashta 8/23
✔ R: Resonance Surge - Nalini Singh 8/25
✔ I: Sweep of the Heart - Ilona Andrews 8/27
✔ N: The Choice - Nora Roberts 8/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #46 - Basketball READ: 4/6
1. Men's basketball at the Summer Olympics was introduced in 1936, although it originally began as a demonstration event in 1904. Women's basketball made its debut in 1976.
🏀 Read an author's debut book (tell us the year it was published) - OR - a book with any kind of round ball on the cover (show us the cover).
2. The United States is by far the most successful country in Olympic basketball, with U.S. men's teams having won 16 of 19 tournaments in which they participated, including 7 consecutive titles from 1936 through 1968. U.S. women's teams have won 8 titles out of the 10 tournaments in which they competed, including 7 in a row from 1996 to 2020.⛹️ Read a book published in a year between 1936 and 1968 inclusively (tell us the year) - OR - a book with a main character who is considered very successful (tell us who and, briefly, how).
Incendiary in a Kilt - Anna Durand (successful treasure hunter) 8/17
3. Besides the United States, Argentina is the only nation still in existence that has won either the men's or women's tournament. The Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and the Unified Team are the countries no longer in existence who have won the tournament. The United States are currently the defending champions in both men's and women's tournaments.🏀 Read a book by an author who is no longer living - OR - a book where the author's initials (first and last) can be found in ONE of these countries: ARGENTINA, SOVIETUNION, or YUGOSLAVIA.
The Becoming - Nora Roberts (aRgentiNa) 8/6
4. On 6/9/17, the International Olympic Committee announced that 3x3 basketball would become an official Olympic sport at the 2020 games in Tokyo, for both men and women.⛹️ Read a book that is #3 in a series (tell us the series) - OR - a book set in Japan.
Cocoa Conviction - Rosie A. Point (Mission Inn-possible #3) 8/20
5. A total of 12 teams each (in both men’s and women’s competition), qualify for the Olympic Games. While 7 teams can gain entry through the FIBA World Cup (sponsored by the Fédération Internationale de Basket-ball), 4 slots are determined through the international Olympic qualifying tournament. The last remaining slot is reserved for the hosts.🏀 Read a book with two of these numbers (1, 2, 4, 7) in the number of pages (tell us how many pages) - OR - a book where the first word of the title begins with a letter in FIBA (disregard A, An, The).
Fractured Oak - Dannie Boyd 8/12
6. For a number of years, some countries took advantage of loopholes in the amateur player rule to field top talents at the Olympics. However, this changed in 1992 after FIBA ruled to include professionals for the games in Barcelona. This allowed the U.S. to select what was later dubbed as the greatest sports team ever assembled, featuring Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone among others, and coached by Chuck Daly.
⛹️ Read a book where a real-life celebrity is mentioned (tell us who) - OR - a book in which a professional sports event is played (tell us what kind of event).
.September Scavenger Challenge - National Piano Month
READ: 6/7
✔ 1. 🎹 Read a book with a musical instrument shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book where the first letter of every title word can be found in STRINGANDPERCUSSION, 3 word-minimum; all words count
Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi 9/16
✔ 2. 🎹 Read a book with an intact 88 in the total page count; tell us how many pages OR a book that falls in the middle third of a series (if a series has 9 books, books #4, 5 and 6 would work); tell us the series, the position of the book you read and how many books are in the series
Earth Bound - Christine Feehan (#4 of 6 books) 9/15
✔ 3. 🎹 Read a book whose title begins with a letter in IVORY; all words count OR a book with a character whose personality exhibits a “veneer” of some kind; using spoiler tags, briefly explain
You Are Not Alone - Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen 9/4
✔ 4. 🎹 Read a book whose cover is almost entirely black and white (title and author name can be different colors); post the cover OR a book set in the 18th century; tell us when
Cherish Hard - Nalini Singh 9/5
✔ 5. 🎹 Read a book with at least two of these in the original year of publication: 2, 3, 0; tell us the year OR a book whose plot contains a lot of significant tension (not just tension between friends who are bickering); using spoiler tags, briefly explain
Cold Blooded Liar - Karen Rose (pub Feb 28, 2023) 9/13
✔ 6. 🎹 Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in DAMPER, SOSTENUTO *or* UNACORDA; post a link to the author’s GR page OR a book in which a significant situation is prolonged in some way; using spoiler tags, briefly explain
Murder in the Book Lover's Loft - Ellery Adams (EA in damper) 9/8
7. 🎹 Read a book by an author who publishes books in more than one genre (i.e., mystery and romance); tell us the genres and post a link to the author’s GR page OR one of the 20 longest books (by page count) on your to-read list/shelf; tell us how many pages
September Spell Challenge - National Piano Month READ: 6/6
✔ S: Just Haven't Met You Yet - Sophie Cousens 9/9
✔ P: Pumpkin Spice Peril - Jenn McKinlay 9/3
✔ R: Hell House - Richard Matheson 9/20
✔ U: Unseen - Jana Deleon 9/20
✔ C: Cold Blooded Liar - Karen Rose 9/13
✔ E: The Last Remains - Elly Griffiths 9/3
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #47: Martial Arts Duration: September 1 - October 31, 2023
READ: 10/10
1. There are actually six martial arts that are official Olympics sports: boxing, fencing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling. Over the years, other martial arts like budo (Japanese martial arts), savate (French version of kickboxing), glima (Icelandic folk wrestling), sambo, (Russian wrestling form), and wushu (Chinese martial arts) have also appeared at the Olympics as demonstration sports.🥋 Read a book with a "6" in the original publication YEAR (tell us the year) - or - a book in which a character performs in some way in front of an audience (briefly tell us how your book fits).
Cold Blooded Liar - Karen Rose 9/13
(police chief gives press conferences)
2. Judo was included as an Olympic event for the first time at the 1964 Tokyo Games, and, after disappearing from the program in 1968, it returned in 1972 and has been a fixture at every Summer Games since. Women’s events were first held at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Athletes that participate in Judo events are called Judoka.🥋 Read a book with a MAIN character whose first name begins with "J" - or - a book set in the summer (June, July, August).
For Whom the Book Tolls - Laura Gail Black (Jenna Quinn) 9/10
3. The main goal of Judo is to throw/takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize an opponent with a pin, or submit an opponent with a choke or a joint lock. There are 100 techniques available: 68 throwing techniques (called nagewaza) and 32 grappling techniques (called katamewaza). Points are awarded for techniques being used successfully.🥋 Read a book whose title starts with a letter in JUDO (disregard A, An, The) - or - a book that has been translated from another language (tell us the original and translated language).
Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi 9/16
4. Japan is the country with the most Olympic medals in judo (84 total, of which 39 are gold). The second is France with 49 medals (14 gold), and the third is South Korea with 43 medals (11 gold).🥋 Read a book set in Japan, France, or South Korea (tell us where) - or - a book with a gold item of some kind on the cover (show us the cover).
Forced to Flee - Terri Reed (gold badge bottom right) 9/17
5. Karate is a Japanese martial art that uses striking techniques with hands, feet, elbows, and knees, as well as blocking and grappling, to develop physical and mental discipline. The roots of its current form originated on the Japanese island of Okinawa during the Ryukyu Dynasty, which was established in the 15th century. It became popular across Japan in the 1920s and expanded internationally following World War II.🥋 Read a book with a one-word title (all words count) - or - a book with at least one scene set on an island (tell us where).
Fragile - Lisa Unger 9/19
6. Karate made its debut at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, with both men’s and women’s events in Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) competitions. Kata is a demonstration of different offensive and defensive maneuvers targeting the virtual opponent. Competitors choose which Kata they will demonstrate to the judges. The points-based system is used for determining the winner. Kumite is a sparring form of karate with two practitioners facing each other. The goal is to land a series of blows to the target area of the opponent’s body. A fighter who first collects eight points more than the opponent within the duration of the bout is the winner. Points are scored according to correctly executed techniques of controlled punches, strikes and kicks.🥋 Read a book in which a fight of some sort occurs (briefly tell us what) - or - a book with at least one person on the cover, but no more than two people on the cover (show us the cover).
Bound Together - Christine Feehan 9/22
(rival motor cycle clubs have a knock down drag out fight)
7. Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art that teaches more than physical fighting skills. Taekwondo is a Korean word composed of three parts - 'Tae' meaning foot or to step on, 'Kwon' means fist or to fight and 'Do' refers to the way or discipline. In taekwondo, hands and feet can be used to overcome an opponent, but the trademark of the sport is its combination of kick movements.🥋 Read a book with a compound word in the title - or - a book with an author whose FIRST name begins with T, K, or D.
Southern Sass and Killer Cravings - Kate Young 9/6
8. Taekwondo made its Olympic debut as a demonstration event in Seoul in 1988. In Sydney in 2000, taekwondo made its appearance as a full medal sport and has maintained this status since then.🥋 Read a book originally published in 2000 or earlier (tell us when) - or - a book with an author whose LAST name begins with T, K, or D.
Hell House - Richard Matheson (pub 1971) 9/20
9. Taekwondo matches are scored via PSS (Protector and Scoring System). The PSS uses electronic sensors built into the protective gear of the athlete, which is wirelessly linked to the electronic scoreboard. When impact (with the correct part of the foot) is made with the protective gear on the opponent’s head or trunk, points are scored. Judges also score points manually and add technical points scored by turning/spinning kicks (they earn extra points).🥋 Read a book with the letters P-S-S somewhere in the title (be sure that there are two S's) - or - a book with a character who must wear some sort of protective clothing for their job (tell us what job).
Unseen - Jana Deleon (exterminator) 9/20
10. South Korea has the most Olympics medals in Taekwondo (19 total, of which 12 are gold), with China being second with 10 medals (7 gold) and the United States being third with 9 medals (2 gold).🥋 Read a book with an intact "19" or "12" in the total number of pages (tell us how many pages) - or - a book that is a Series #1, #2 OR #3 (tell us the series and its placement).
Benyu Born of Ash - Katie Feavel (The Ischyró Chronicles #1) 9/23
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Scavenger Challenge - Jane Eyre Retellings
READ: 7/7
✔ 1. Jane Steele, Lyndsay Faye: In which Jane is a Victorian murderess.
- Read a book in which a murder occurs -or- a book with a knife or sword on the cover.
Never Lie - Freida McFadden 10/2
✔ 2. The Wife Upstairs, Rachel Hawkins: In which Jane walks dogs.
- Read a book with a dog on the cover or is a prominent part of the plot -or- read a book set in Alabama.
Swamp Spirits - Jana Deleon 10/19
✔ 3. Re Jane, Patricia Park: In which Jane is half-Korean and deals with an identity crisis when she has to go back to Korea.
- Read a book with prominent scenes set in at least two different countries -or- read a book whose author's first and last name begin with the same letter.
The Toybox - Charly Cox 10/12
✔ 4. My Plain Jane, Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows: In which Jane can see dead people (and Charlotte Bronte is her friend).
- Read a book with ghosts in it -or- read a book that is marked "Humor" on its GR page.
Death, Taxes, and Hot-Pink Leg Warmers - Diane Kelly 10/6
✔ 5. Within These Wicked Walls, Lauren Blackwood: In which Jane is called Andromeda and she can exorcize demons (a very handy skill, considering where she's going).
- Read a book marked "Fantasy" on its main GR page -or- read a book whose author or main character shares a name with a celestial body.
The Burning Sky - Sherry Thomas 10/15
✔ 6. Jane, Aline Brosh McKenna and Ramon Perez: In which there are pictures.
- Read a graphic novel -or- read a book whose author uses three names.
Other Birds - Sarah Addison Allen 10/12
✔ 7. Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys: In which it's all Bertha, all the way.
- Read a book set on an island or by a sea -or- read a book in which mental illness forms a significant portion of the plot
Malice House - Megan Shepherd 10/5
(set on an island on the coast of Washington)
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Spell Challenge - Jane Eyre Retellings READ: 12/12
G: The Girl the Sea Gave Back - Adrienne Young 10/4
H: Herc - Phoenicia Rogerson 10/20
O: Other Birds - Sarah Addison Allen 10/12
S: Sweep with Me - Ilona Andrews 10/10
T: The Taken Ones - Jess Lourey 10/17
S: Swamp Spirits - Jana Deleon 10/19
B: The Book of Fire - Marjorie Kellogg 10/1
E: Death Knells and Wedding Bells - Eva Gates 10/22
R: Night of the Witch - Sara Raasch & Beth Revis 10/14
T: The Burning Sky - Sherry Thomas 10/15
H: You Deserve Each Other - Sarah Hogle 10/19
A: Choosing Theo - Victoria Aveline 10/18
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Graham Crackers Duration: September 1 - November 31, 2023
READ: 11/11
✔ 1) Graham Crackers were inspired by Sylvester Graham, who neither invented them nor profited from them.
Read a book with an author who has a three-syllable first nameor a two-syllable last name: post a link to the author OR a book where someone has a good idea but isn't the person who profits most by it (using spoiler tags if necessary tell us who and how).
Spells for Forgetting - Adrienne Young 9/2
✔ 2) Sylvester Graham was a Presbyterian minister who believed strongly in temperance and vegetarianism.
Read a book with a vegetable on the cover or a vegetarian/vegan character (post the cover or tell us who) OR a book where someone is offered an alcoholic beverage and turns it down (tell us who).
The Alpha - Dannika Dark (Tak a recovering alcoholic) 9/10
✔ 3) Graham was one of (gulp!) 17 children, and his father was 72 when he was born.
Read a book with a 1, 7 or 2 in the page count (post the count) OR a book with a prominent character who is elderly OR a book with a prominent character who has a large family (more than three children), tell us who and the age or how many children.
Pumpkin Spice Peril - Jenn McKinlay 9/3
(MCs BFF and business partner has 6 siblings, all men)
✔ 4) Graham crackers, made with graham flour (a coarse whole wheat flour) started being mass produced in the late 1800s and are still a popular snack today, more than 120 years later.
Read a book set in the late 1800s (tell us when) OR a book set in present day (specify that) OR a book where a character eats a packaged snack of some kind (i.e. not a piece of fruit but rather something mass-produced), tell us who and what.
The Burning Sky - Sherry Thomas (1883) 10/15
✔ 5) I don't know about you, but I like graham cracker crusts with cheesecake so much that I deliberately make the crust thicker than the recipe calls for!
Read a book with a dessert on the cover (post the cover) OR a book where someone makes a dessert (tell us who and what) OR a book where someone eats a favorite food (tell us who and what).
A Queen of Thieves & Chaos - K.A. Tucker (King Atticus, apple fritters) 9/26
SPELL
✔ G: You Are Not Alone - Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen 9/4
✔ R: Frozen Tides - Morgan Rhodes 9/9
✔ A: The Girl the Sea Gave Back - Adrienne Young 10/4
✔ H: Herc - Phoenicia Rogerson 10/20
✔ A: Sweep with Me - Ilona Andrews 10/10
✔ M: Malice House - Megan Shepherd 10/5
✔ C: The Witch Collector - Charissa Weaks 9/1
✔ R: Forced to Flee - Terri Reed 9/17
✔ A: The Alpha - Dannika Dark 9/10
✔ C: Hell House - Richard Matheson 9/20
✔ K: Benyu Born of Ash - Katie Feavel 9/23
✔ E: The Last Remains - Elly Griffiths 9/3
✔ R: Under the Never Sky - Veronica Rossi 9/16
✔ S: Southern Sass and Killer Cravings - Kate Young 9/6
✔ N: Cherish Hard - Nalini Singh 9/5
✔ A: Murder in the Book Lover's Loft - Ellery Adams 9/8
✔ C: Just Haven't Met You Yet - Sophie Cousens 9/9
✔ K: Cold Blooded Liar - Karen Rose 9/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Scavenger Challenge - November Is...
READ: 9/7
✔ 2. CHILD SAFETY PROTECTION MONTH
📆 Read a book whose MC is a parent or grandparent of a child under 12 years old; tell us the child’s name OR a book with a character who works in a career that could be considered protective (law enforcement, firefighter, etc.);
Force of Nature - Jane Harper (Aaron Faulk, police) 11/4
✔ 3. INTERNATIONAL DRUM MONTH
📆 Read a book with the letters D-R-U-M in the title, in any order OR a book set in a country across an ocean from where you live;
House of Correction - Nicci French (set in England, I live in Ohio) 11/11
✔ 4. NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH
📆 Read a book in which a character is adopted or adopts something (a child, a pet, a new culture); briefly explain OR a book where the first letter of every title word can be found in ADOPTIONAWARENESS, 2-word minimum
Death Overdue - Allison Brook 11/9
✔ 5. NATIONAL CAREGIVERS APPRECIATION MONTH
📆 Read a book with a character who is a caregiver; tell us who OR a book set in a location beginning with a letter in CAREGIVER (be as specific as possible)
Belle Manor Haunting - Cheryl Bradshaw (Rhinebeck, NY) 11/30
✔ 6. NATIONAL MODEL RAILROAD MONTH
📆 Read a book with a train shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book with a MC whose first name begins with a letter in MODEL;
Viking Warrior Rising - Asa Maria Bradley (Leif) 11/17
✔ 7. NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH
📆 Read a book with a major character who is an author; tell us who OR a book with something pertaining to writing (paper, typewriter, pen, desk) shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
The Peacock's Poison - Ruby Loren (MC writes comic books) 11/18
✔ 8. NATIONAL SLEEP COMFORT MONTH
📆 Read a book with double Es in its title OR book that kept you reading past your bedtime; tell us why
Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix - C.B. Lee 11/25
✔ 9. NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
📆 Read a book with an indigenous major character; tell us who OR a book set in the American Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Utah);
The Little Black Dress - Piper James (Nevada) 11/15
✔ 10. PEANUT BUTTER LOVERS MONTH
📆 Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in PEANUTBUTTER OR a book you would consider a comfort read; tell us why
Spells & Shelves - Elle Adams 11/29
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Spell Challenge - November is... READ: 8/8
✔ R: Yes & I Love You - Roni Loren 11/1
✔ A:Viking Warrior Rising - Asa Maria Bradley 11/17
✔ I: A Catered Thanksgiving - Isis Crawford 11/20
✔ L: The Little Black Dress - Piper James 11/15
✔ R: The Peacock's Poison - Ruby Loren 11/18
✔ O: The September House - Carissa Orlando 11/6
✔ A: All the Crooked Saints - Maggie Stiefvater 11/5
✔ D: Death Overdue - Allison Brook 11/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Olympics #48: Cycling Duration: November 1 - December 31, 2023
READ: 9/10
✔1. 🚲 Read a book set in the 1800s; OR book #5 from a series
The Peacock's Poison - Ruby Loren (Madison Amos Zoo Mystery #5) 11/18
2. 🚲 Read a book with any type of paved road/path shown prominently on the cover; post the cover (sidewalks, driveways and parking lots do NOT work) OR a book set in Germany
✔3. 🚲 Read a book whose title words all begin with a letter in MOUNTAIN BIKE; all words count, 3-word minimum OR a book with a wheel of some kind shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
Made in the U.S.A. - Billie Letts 11/16
✔4. 🚲 Read a book with a X somewhere in the title OR a book you added to your to-read shelf/list in 2023;
Midnight Showing - Megan Shepherd (added October 5, 2023) 11/8
✔5. 🚲 Read a book with an Asian character or a character of Asian descent; tell us who OR a book whose title begins with K; disregard An, An and The
Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix - C.B. Lee (all chars are Asian) 11/25
✔6. 🚲 Read a book set in New York City OR a book whose total page count is evenly divisible by 10;
Payback in Death - J.D. Robb (400 pages) 12/5
✔7. 🚲 Read a book originally published in a year containing a 4; tell us the year OR a book with an MC whose first name begins with a letter in OMNIUM;
The September House - Carissa Orlando (Margaret) 11/6
✔8. 🚲 Read a book in which a team of at least four people works together to accomplish a goal; OR a book in which a character is in danger and being chased;
City of Ruin - Charissa Weaks 11/15
(8 people are trying to stop the villain from killing everyone and taking over the country)
✔9. 🚲 Read a book with one (and only one) person shown prominently on the cover; OR a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in INDIVIDUAL SPRINT; post a link to the author’s GR page
Grave Witch - Kalayna Price 11/3
✔10. 🚲 Read a book in which multiple murders/abductions occur; using spoiler tags, OR a book set in a location beginning with a letter in TEAM SPRINT;
Force of Nature - Jane Harper (Melbourne, Australia) 11/4
December Scavenger Challenge - My Mother's Sugared Pecans
READ: 6/7
✔ 1) Read a book where the main character's best friend is important to the story (tell us who and why) OR a book where someone uses information they obtained from someone else to good purpose (tell us who and what, using spoiler tags if necessary).
The Best of Friends - Susan Mallery 12/27
(the two best friends are the entire premise of the story)
✔ 2) Read a book with something soft on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book with something hard on the cover (post the cover).
The Nursery - Sue Watson (teddy bear)12/29
✔ 3) Read a book with two different sizes of the same thing visible on the cover (post the cover) OR a book where having the right kind of implement to accomplish something is important (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what).
Scot Under the Covers - Suzanne Enoch 12/11
(heroine is being blackmailed and she finds the perfect "implement" to combat it, the hero who is a gambler and a multi-faceted Scot with connections)
4) Read a book where someone combines tasks to accomplish something more efficiently (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what) OR read a book where someone is doing something repetitive (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what).
✔ 5) Read a book where someone finally cottons on to an idea that seems like it should have been obvious (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and what) OR read a book where someone has a deadline in which to accomplish some task (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and what).
Wed, Read & Dead - V.M. Burns 12/18
(MC has to work with wedding planner to get her mother married in one month)
✔ 6) Read a book set in a cold climate (tell us where) OR a book where someone or something needs to be watched (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and what).
Just the Sexiest Man Alive - Julie James 12/26
(hero is a movie star and is watched constantly by media; his agent watches religiously for negative news or to prevent news from getting out)
✔ 7) Read a book where someone ruins something unintentionally (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and what) OR a book where someone contends with an unpleasant odor (tell us what).
Snowed in with Grumpy - Olivia Noble 12/20
(heroine is accident prone and nervous, she ruins quite a few things just by being her)
December 2023 Spell Challenge - Sugared Pecans READ: 11/11
✔ P: Pastrami Murder - Patti Benning 12/16
✔ E: It's Getting Scot in Here - Suzanne Enoch 12/7
✔ C: My Lady Judge - Cora Harrison 12/24
✔ A: Saving Verakko - Victoria Aveline 12/23
✔ N: The Nursery - Sue Watson 12/29
✔ S: Scot Under the Covers - Suzanne Enoch 12/11
✔ S: Statue of Limitations - Kate Collins 12/17
✔ U: Undraland - Mary E. Twomey 12/28
✔ G: The Game Bird - Aidan R. Walsh 12/19
✔ A: Tempting Auzed - Victoria Aveline 12/30
✔ R: Rock Paper Scissors - Alice Feeney 12/16
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Jell-ODuration: November 1 - December 31, 2023
READ: 12/12
✔1) Read a book that has a hyphen or a capital O in the title OR read a book where a character is forced to reexamine his/her assumptions (tell us who, and using spoiler tags if necessary, describe how).
I.O.U. - Nancy Pickard 12/10
✔2) Read a book set in the 1800s (tell us when) OR read a book where the word "powder" (variations "powders" or "powdered" are fine) appears (tell us the page number or location) OR read a book with a sheet of some kind on the cover (bed, paper, foil, sheetrock, etc., post the cover)
When All the Girls Have Gone - Jayne Ann Krentz 12/26
(I've got a powder room you can use), p217
✔3) Read a book where a character comes up with a good idea (using spoiler tags if necessary tell us who and what) OR read a book where someone cooks or bakes for a living (tell us who and which) OR read a book with fruit on the cover (post the cover).
Murder at the Snowed Inn - Imogen Plimp (Claire, both) 12/15
✔4) Read a book with vegetables on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book where someone eats something that you personally find unappetizing (tell us who and what) OR read a book set or published in the 1920s, the 1930s, or the 1950s, tell us which (set or published) and when..
Pastrami Murder - Patti Benning (lettuce and tomato in sandwich) 12/16
✔5) Read a book with a character named Ethel, Jack, Lucy, Hogan or Bill (William is fine) (tell us which and the character's role) OR read a book where someone acts as a spokesperson of some kind (tell us who and how), OR a book where someone eats gelatin or pudding, or has a Jell-O shot (tell us which and who).
Undraland - Mary E. Twomey (Lucy Kincaid, MC) 12/28
Spell-Out
✔G: The Game Bird - Aidan R. Walsh 12/19
✔E: Scot Under the Covers - Suzanne Enoch 12/11
✔L: Better Off Thread - Amanda Lee 12/29
✔A: Saving Verakko - Victoria Aveline 12/23
✔T: Hope for the Best - Jodi Taylor 12/13
✔I: It's Getting Scot in Here - Suzanne Enoch 12/7
✔N: The Nursery - Sue Watson 12/29
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Books to Screen 2023 Edition Duration: Dec 01, 2022 - May 31, 2023
READ: 23/23
✔️1. All the Light We Cannot See
🍿 Read a book in which a character has a disability (tell us the character and the disability) -or- read a book set either in France or in Germany (tell us where it is set) -or- read a book which has won an award (tell us the award and the year the book won).
Moon Craving - Lucy Monroe (heroine is deaf) 2/18
✔️2. American Prometheus/Oppenheimer
🍿 Read a book set during World War II -or- read a non-fiction book marked Science -or- read a book with a last name in the title (last name must be of a character in the book).
The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter (MC) 12/31
✔️3. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
🍿 Read a coming-of-age book -or- read a book that deals with religion in some fashion -or- read a book whose title contains a question mark.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Jodi Taylor 1/29
✔️4. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Set in the universe of The Hunger Games)
🍿 Read a book with a bird prominently shown on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a prequel to a series (tell us the series) -or- read a book whose main character is named after a Shakespearean name
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins - Erin Johnson (Imogen) 1/1
✔️5. The Cabin at the End of the World/Knock at the Cabin:
🍿 Read a book with a title containing at least 8 words (all words count, subtitles don't count) -or- read a book whose characters take a vacation -or- read a book in which a character has a prophetic vision (tell us how your book fits, use spoiler tags if needed)
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone - Diana Gabaldon 1/27
✔️6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory/Wonka
🍿 Read a book with a one-word title -or- read a book with something made of chocolate on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book whose author's first and last name begin with the same letter.
Gingerbread - Kate Morris 12/4
✔️7. The Color Purple
🍿 Read a book marked Southern on the main GR page -or- read a book whose author is African American -or- read a book with a predominantly purple cover (post the cover).
Sweet Trouble - Susan Mallery 2/10
✔️8. Daisy Jones & The Six
🍿 Read a book whose author or main character has a name of a flower -or- read a book in which music plays a big part (tell us how your book fits) -or- read a book whose title contains a >4 letter word from the lyrics of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide"
Blaze - Lisa Carlisle (hero is a rock star) 1/13
✔️9. Dracula/The Last Voyage of the Demeter
🍿 Read a book whose cover shows a large ship (post the cover) -or- read a book with a vampire in it -or- read a book whose plot has significant events set during an ocean voyage.
Shattered at Sea - Cheryl Hollon (set on a cruise ship) 2/4
✔️10. Dune/Dune Part 2
🍿 Read a book with a cover you consider beautiful (post the cover) -or- read a series book that contains a cliffhanger -or- read a book that is set in a fantasy/science fictional world (not fantastic Earth, has to be a new world entirely).
Heart of the Sun Warrior - Sue Lynn Tan 12/18
✔️11. The Exorcist/Untitled
🍿 Read a spin-off book (tell us the original book or series) -or- read a book marked Horror on the main GR page -or- read a book in which a child is in some kind of danger (tell us how your book fits, use spoiler tags if needed).
Circus of the Dead, Book One - Kimberly Loth 12/10
✔️12. The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales
🍿 Read a short story collection or anthology -or- read a book whose main character has a sister who is also important to the plot -or- read a book whose cover shows a large manor house prominently (post the cover).
Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross 12/22
✔️13. Hallowe'en Party/A Haunting in Venice
🍿 Read a book written by Agatha Christie -or- read a book whose cover shows a Halloween setting (post the cover) -or- read a book whose plot contains a séance.
Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan 12/2
✔️14. Harold and the Purple Crayon
🍿 Read a book in which a child under 10 years old plays a major role (tell us the age of the child) -or- read a book whose title or author's name contains a color -or- read a book in which someone has a vivid imagination.
The Last Beekeeper - Rebecca L. Fearnley (Warren, 7) 2/17
✔️15. Killers of the Flower Moon
🍿 Read a book whose author or main character is Native American -or- read a book whose main character belongs to one of the American alphabet agencies (identify which, see note below) -or- read a book in which more than one murder occurs.
Buffalo Jump Blues - Keith McCafferty 2/16
✔️16. The Last Thing He Told Me
🍿 Read a book in which a character goes missing -or- read a book in which the main character is a mother (or stepmother) to a teenager -or- read a book whose title contains the word LAST.
The Ladies of the Secret Circus - Constance Sayers 2/15
✔️17. A Man Called Ove/A Man Called Otto
🍿 Read a book set in a Scandinavian country (for the purpose of this task: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland - tell us where your book is set) -or- read a book in which the main character is over 60 years old -or- read a book in which a character deals with grief.
The Crow Girl - Erik Axl Sund (Sweden) 12/30
✔️18. The Pale Blue Eye
🍿 Read a book featuring a main character who has served/is serving in any branch of any military (tell us which branch, country, time period) -or- read a fictional book in which a famous real-life person is a character (tell us who) -or- read a book whose cover prominently shows an eye (post the cover).
The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart 1/9
✔️19. Red, White & Royal Blue
🍿 Read a book in which one of the characters is a politician -or- read a book with royalty in it -or- read a romance between two characters who thoroughly detest one another at first.
The Heretic Royal - G.A. Aiken 1/25
✔️20. 'Salem's Lot :
🍿 Read a book whose main character is an author -or- read a book written by Stephen King -or- reread a favorite book.
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery 2/19
✔️21. The Screaming Staircase/Lockwood & Co.
🍿 Read a book whose cover shows a staircase (post the cover) -or- read a book marked Middle Grade on its main GR page -or- read a book that has a ghost in it.
Murder at St Margaret - Lynn Morrison 2/15
✔️22. Text for You/Love Again:
🍿 Read a book whose cover shows a communication device (post the cover) -or- read a book whose title contains the word LOVE intact -or- read a book whose title has changed (translated titles wouldn't work, tell us the original title).
Murder in the South of France - Susan Kiernan-Lewis 1/8
Murder on the Côte d'Azur
✔️23. The Trench/Meg 2
🍿 Read a book whose cover shows a sea creature (either real or mythical, post the cover) -or- read a book in which a predator (non-human) plays an important role (tell us what the predator is) -or- read a book marked Adventure on its main GR page.
The Dragon's Promise - Elizabeth Lim 1/14
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Leftovers Again? Duration: October 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023
READ: 25/25
✔️1. 🔷 Read a book with an apostrophe in its title OR a book with winter ice (NOT ice cubes or snow!) shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
A Night's Tail - Sofie Kelly 10/15
✔️2. 🔷 Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in FROSTWORK; 2-word minimum (a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the word) OR a book that is a retelling of a fairy tale; tell us the fairy tale
From the Shadows - McKenzie Burns 10/25
✔️3. 🔷 Read a book with opposite words in the title (up/down, in/out) OR a book where a character changes occupations
The Forgotten House on the Moor - Jane Lovering 11/26
(heroine moves from an 18 year old job in administration to a personal assistant)
✔️4. 🔷 Read a book with a character aged 65 years or older (tell us who) OR a book that mentions a real-life celebrity (tell us who)
Murder Most Grave - G.A. McKevett (Granny Reid) 10/31
✔️5. 🔷 Read a book about finance; briefly explain OR a book with a character who is an architect (tell us who) OR a book whose title starts with V; disregard A, An, The
Victim 2117 - Jussi Adler-Olsen 10/8
✔️6. 🔷 Read a book originally published in 2014; tell us when OR a book with a ship (not a small boat) shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
Where Darkness Lies - Bella Jewel 11/7
✔️7. 🔷 Read a book told from two different points of view OR a book in which someone must assemble a physical object; using spoiler tags, briefly explain
Ravenfall - Kalyn Josephson 10/13
✔️8. 🔷 Read a book with a lawyer character; tell us who OR a book whose author's LAST name begins with V or P; post a link to the author’s GR page
The Shadow in the North - Philip Pullman 10/29
✔️9. 🔷 Read a book set in Egypt OR a book with an actively serving military officer; tell us who OR read a book whose publisher's name starts with a letter in MILE; tell us the publisher's name
Generation 18 - Keri Arthur (publisher Imajinn Books) 10/20
✔️10. 🔷 Read a book in which a lot of explosions occur; briefly explain OR a book with less than 1500 GR ratings; tell us how many ratings
Deep Sea Dead - Lori Avocato (339 ratings) 10/30
✔️11. 🔷 Read a book set in England or Scotland; tell us where OR a book whose total pages end in 00; tell us how many pages)
The Midnight Library - Matt Haig (England) 10/1
✔️12. 🔷 Read a book in which a character watches over another character in a protective manner; using spoiler tags, briefly explain OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in either BRIDESMAID or USHER; post a link to the author’s GR page
Sweet Spot - Susan Mallery 10/7
✔️13. 🔷 Read a book with a predominantly yellow cover; post the cover OR book #75 from your TBR list, sorted in whatever method you choose; tell us how you sorted your list
A Rumor Of Bones - Beverly Connor (books to read in 2022) 10/11
✔️14. 🔷 Read a book with at least 300 pages; tell us how many pages OR a book that you found difficult to read for some reason; briefly tell us why
Annabel Lee - Mike Nappa (boring and repetitive) 10/24
✔️15. 🔷 Read a book with an outspoken character; tell us who OR a book with an author whose name begins with the prefix Mc or Mac; post a link to the author’s GR page
Green Eyed Envy - Kasey MacKenzie 10/17
✔️16. 🔷 Read a book by an author named Richard/Richards/Richardson (no other variations); post a link to the author’s GR page OR a book whose chapters all begin with a quotation or hint/tip of some kind
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone - Diana Gabaldon 1/27
✔️17. 🔷 Read a book with a bird shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book whose title starts with O; disregard A, An, The
Owls Well That Ends Well - Donna Andrews 10/26
✔️18. 🔷 Read a book with a character who is a farmer; tell us who OR a book with the letters N-U-T in the title, in that order OR a book that shows someone eating on the cover; post the cover
Digging Up the Remains - Julia Henry 10/7
✔️19. 🔷 Read a book with a woman's name in the title OR a book by an author with the letters G-L-O-R-I-A in his/her name (first, last or combined), not necessarily in order; post a link to the author’s GR page
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. Chakraborty 3/5
✔️20. 🔷 Read a book with a marsh or bog shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book whose title contains all of the letters in POLES
The Guilty Couple - C.L. Taylor 10/19
✔️21. 🔷 Read book #10, 11 or 12 of a series; tell us the series name and the book's position OR a book whose cover is almost entirely an 'electric' color or colors; post the cover
The Body in the Bonfire - Katherine Hall Page (Faith Fairchild #12) 10/27
✔️22. 🔷 Read a book with a kitchen scene featured prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book with the word NO in its title
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly 1/21
✔️23. 🔷 Read a book set in the fall (September, October, November); tell us when OR a book whose cover is mostly one or more autumnal colors (gold, orange, yellow, red, brown); post the cover
Bad Boys Do - Victoria Dahl 10/28
✔️24. 🔷 Read a book with music an important part of the story; briefly explain how OR a book originally published in December of any year; tell us the publication date
City of Dark Magic - Magnus Flyte 11/7
(MC is a Beethoven expert; whole story revolves around Beethoven)
✔️25. 🔷 Read a book with an African-American main character; tell us their name OR a book in which someone receives a prize or a medal; using spoiler tags, briefly tell us who and what
The Lionman Kidnapping - Eve Langlais (Jayda Cerberus) 10/22
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Rivers of the World Duration: September 1 - February 28, 2023
READ: 25/25
✔️1. Syr Darya - Naryn. 1,913 miles.
💧 Read a book whose title contains an x somewhere -or- read a book whose plot contains a battle.
The Kraken King - Meljean Brook 9/6
✔️2. Sao Francisco. 1,976 miles.
💧 Read a book whose author's name has an intact Francis or Frances -or-read a book in which a diverse group of people unite for a common goal (tell us how the book fits).
The Starless Crown - James Rollins 10/14
(outcast prince, thief, blind student and an exiled knight band together to stop the apocalypse from happening and destroying their country)
✔️3. Yukon. 1,980 miles.
💧 Read a book with a golden object or title on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book with a boat on the cover (post the cover).
A Night's Tail - Sofie Kelly (golden cat charm) 10/15
✔️4. Purus. 1,995 miles.
💧 Read a book with something crooked prominently shown on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book with a twisty plot.
Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo (snake) 11/12
✔️5. Madeira - Mamore - Grande - Caine - Rocha. 2,100 miles.
💧 Read a book whose cover shows food prominently (post the cover) -or- read a book whose title begins with a letter in CUYARI (all words count).
I Want Candy - Susan Donovan 9/11
✔️6. Shatt al-Arab - Euphrates - Murat. 2,236 miles.
💧 Read a book with a metal name in the title -or- read a book whose cover shows something between two of the same things (post the cover).
Bronze Gods - A.A. Aguirre 11/24
✔️7. Indus-Sengge Zangbo. 2,236 miles.
💧 Read a book whose title contains the name of a country (not a nationality) -or- read a book set in ancient times (anything older than the 9th century works).
Murder in the South of France - Susan Kiernan-Lewis 1/8
✔️8. Volga. 2,250 miles.
💧 Read a book whose main character is a mother -or- read a book set in Russia.
A Merry Life - Sarah Branson 9/2
✔️9. Tocantins - Araguaia. 2,270 miles.
💧 Read a book whose cover shows a bird predominantly (post the cover) -or- rB>read a book which alternates between two POVs.
Relentless in a Kilt - Anna Durand 10/14
✔️10. Murray - Darling - Culgoa - Balonne - Condamine. 2,282 miles.
💧 Read a book set in Australia -or- read a book whose cover has a landscape without water in it (post the cover).
Generation 18 - Keri Arthur 10/20
✔️11. Brahmaputra - Yarlung Tsangpo. 2,466 miles.
💧 Read a book whose title contains a male name -or- read a book whose author's parent is also an author
The Black Phone - Joe Hill 10/8
✔️12. Niger. 2,611 miles.
💧 Read a book with a boomerang or crescent shaped item on the cover (post the cover) -or- read an omnibus edition that contains at least two novels/novellas
Of Claws and Fangs - Faith Hunter 9/16
✔️13. Mackenzie - Slave - Peace - Finlay. 2,637 miles.
💧 Read a book with a researcher character (tell us who and what they research) -or- read a book in which a main character moves between countries for whatever reason (tell us how your book fits).
Whiteout - Adriana Anders (hero, glaciers) 9/10
✔️14. Mekong. 2,637 miles.
💧 Read a book that was difficult to follow for whatever reason (tell us how that fits) -or- read a book in which characters have a falling out (tell us who).
Nathaniel - John Saul (Michael and Ryan) 11/20
✔️15. Lena. 2,736 miles.
💧 Read a book with a pillar on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book first published in 2012.
Written in Stone - Ellery Adams (pub Nov 1, 2012) 9/25
✔️16. Amur - Argun - Kherlen. 2,736 miles.
💧 Read a book with a flower on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book with a dragon in the plot.
Blood of an Exile - Brian Naslund (MC is a dragon slayer) 11/20
✔️17. Congo-Chambeshi. 2,763 miles.
💧 Read a book that is set near where you live (state or province will do, not country unless you live in a tiny one, and you don't have to tell us where if you don't wish to) -or- read a book that you felt was deep.
Gone with the Twins - Kylie Logan (Ohio) 11/5
✔️18. Rio de la Plata-Parana-Rio Grande. 3,030 miles.
💧 Read a book with something powered by electricity on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book in which something beautiful is destroyed for whatever reason (tell us how your book fits, use spoiler tags if needed).
Cursed - Lynn C. Ricci 10/15
✔️19. Ob-Irtysh. 3,364 miles.
💧 Read a book whose author's first or last name has 2 letters -or- read a book in which something planned doesn't happen (tell us what, use spoilers if needed).
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh 12/3
✔️20. Yellow River. 3,395 miles.
💧 Read a book set in imperial China -or- read a book with a predominantly yellow cover (post the cover).
The Taint of Midas - Anne Zouroudi 9/29
✔️21. Yenisei - Angara - Selenga - Ider. 3,445 miles.
💧 Read at least 20% of a finished series (tell us the number of books in the series and how many you read. That is, if a series has 9 books, you'd need to read at least 2 books after the start of the challenge to count. But if it's a trilogy, you must finish one book, unfinished books don't count).
Dance with the Devil - Kit Rocha (trilogy conclusion) 9/8
✔️22. Mississippi - Missouri - Jefferson - Beaverhead - Red Rock - Hell Roaring. 3,902 miles.
💧 Read a lesser-known book of an author (tell us the more popular book, if you have read both, did you like this one better?) -or- read a book set in Missouri or Mississippi (tell us where you book is set).
Killer, Paper, Cut - Joanna Campbell Slan (Missouri) 11/22
✔️23. Yangtze-Jinsha-Tongtian-Dangqu. 3,917 miles.
💧 Read a book with at least one Y and one Z in the title and/or author's name -or- read a book with a cardinal number in the title (1 or one, not first).
The Doctor of Thessaly - Anne Zouroudi 9/11
✔️24. Amazon - Ucayali - Tambo - Ene - Mantaro. 3,976 miles.
💧 Read a book in which something believed to be true turns out not to be
Sign Here - Claudia Lux 12/12
(view spoiler)
✔️25. Nile - White Nile - Kagera - Nyabarongo - Mwogo - Rukarara. 4,130 miles.
💧 Read a book set in any of the eleven countries that the Nile's drainage basin covers (tell us where your book is set) -or- read one of the ten longest books in your TBR (tell us the number of pages).
The Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon (848 pages) 9/21
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
National Cookie Day Duration: December 1, 2022 - February 28, 2023
READ: 12/12
✅1. 🍪 Read a book marked CHILDREN on the main genre page - or - a book with a CEO or other businessperson as a MAIN character (tell us who).
Lies, Damned Lies, and History - Jodi Taylor (Max) 2/22
✅2. 🍪 Read a book that you consider to be sweet (briefly, tell us how) - or -a book with a 7 in the total number of pages (tell us how many).
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn (279 pages) 1/30
✅3. 🍪 Read a book whose title starts with a letter in JUMBLE (disregard A, An, The) - or - a book with a character who takes a trip (tell us who and where).
Buried in a Good Book - Tamara Berry 12/6
✅4. 🍪 Read a book set in Europe (tell us where) - or - a book whose title contains all the letters of any spice name, in order (such as basil, pepper, salt, etc.; tell us the spice).
By Their Cold Fingers - Timothy Brian (Greenland) 12/1
✅5. 🍪 Read a book with a scene that takes place in a kitchen (briefly, tell us what) - or - a book set in a location that begins with a letter in PERSIA (tell us where the book is set).
Alaskan Holiday - Debbie Macomber 12/3
(MCs clean up kitchen after Thanksgiving holiday)
✅6. 🍪 Read a book with a baker character (tell us who) - or - a book in which recipes are included.
Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan 12/2
✅7. 🍪 Read a book set in England, Australia, Spain, Germany, or The Netherlands - or - a book with a hyphen in the title.
Half-Blood - Jennifer Armentrout 2/25
✅8. 🍪 Read a book with a MAIN character who owns his/her own business (tell us who and what) - or - a book whose author's first OR last name begins OR ends with "O."
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh 12/3
✅9. 🍪 Read the first book in a series (tell us the series) - or - a book set in Massachusetts.
The One You Love - Paul Pilkington (Emma Holden #1) 1/29
✅10. 🍪 Read a book with a page count higher than 348 pages(tell us how many) - or - a book that you purchased.
The Gates of Evangeline - Hester Young (416 pages) 12/7
✅11. 🍪 Read a book with some sort of dessert/sweets on the cover (show us the cover) - or - a book with a man's name in the title.
Candy Corn Murder - Leslie Meier 2/9
✅12. 🍪 Read a book published in December of any year (tell us when) - or - a book with a situation in which strict rules must be followed (be creative, briefly tell us what the situation is, using spoiler tags, if necessary).
Death by the Finish Line - Alexis Morgan (pub Dec 28, 2021) 1/26
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Winter 2022 Scavenger Challenge - Proverbs Duration: December 21, 2022 - March 20, 2023
Read: 24/20
✔ 2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
💬 Read a romance book.
Blaze - Lisa Carlisle 1/13
✔ 3. A watched pot never boils
💬 Read a book with the letters P-O-T in the title (in that order but not necessarily in the same word).
Upon a Burning Throne - Ashok K. Banker 2/12
✔ 4. A fool and his money are soon parted
💬 Read a book with a character who doesn't have much money (tell us who).
The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter (Cassie Black) 12/31
✔ 5. A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step
💬 Read the first book in a new-to-you series.
Opening Gambit - Tilly Wallace 12/28
✔ 8. A rolling stone gathers no moss
💬 Read a book with an outdoor scene on the cover (show us the cover).
Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor 2/28
✔ 9. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
💬 Read a book where the author's LAST name begins with B or I.
The Pearl Savage - Tamara Rose Blodgett 2/13
✔ 10. Blood is thicker than water
💬 Read a book with a serial killer.
The Crow Girl - Erik Axl Sund 12/30
✔ 11. Cleanliness is next to Godliness
💬 Read a book with a "clean" cover (showing few items on the cover, only one or two colors, etc.; show us the cover).
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon 2/26
✔ 13. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
💬 Read a book with a negative word in the title (such as Don't, No, Not, Never, etc.).
Never Fade - Alexandra Bracken 2/2
✔ 14. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
💬 Read a book with a contraction in the title.
It Ain't Me, Babe - Tillie Cole 12/25
✔ 15. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
💬 Read a book with double repeated consonants in the author's first or last name
Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross 12/22
✔ 16. Early bird catches the worm
💬 Read a book that has been published within the last 3 months before you read it (tell us the publication date).
You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti (pub Nov 29, 2022) 1/5
✔ 17. Every cloud has a silver lining
💬 Read a book with a color word in the title or author's name.
Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim 12/30
✔ 18. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
💬 Read a book with some sort of supernatural being involved
Any Witch Way - Lindsay Buroker (werewolf) 12/21
✔ 19. Good things come to those who wait
💬 Read a book that you thought was just good with a middle-of-the-road rating for you (tell us what you rated it).
The Sunken City - Emma V.R. Noyes (3 stars) 12/27
✔ 20. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
💬 Read a book with intentionally incorrect grammar and/or spelling in the title.
That Ain’t Witchcraft - Seanan McGuire 2/4
✔ 22. Laughter is the best medicine
💬 Read a book tagged HUMOR on its main genre page (tell us how many people shelved it).
What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Jodi Taylor 1/29
✔ 23. No news is good news
💬 Read a book with a repeated word in the title.
Lies, Damned Lies, and History - Jodi Taylor 2/22
✔ 24. The pen is mightier than the sword
💬 Read a book with a MAIN character who is a writer of some kind (tell us who).
Sweet Wild of Mine - Laurel Kerr (hero is an author) 3/9
✔ 25. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
💬 Read a book with a rating that is 3.5 or less (tell us the rating at the time you read it).
The One You Love - Paul Pilkington (3.45) 1/29
✔ 26. The grass is greener on the other side of the fence
💬 Read a book with a predominantly grass green cover (show us the cover)
Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold - Nancy Atherton 3/7
✔ 27. Time and tide wait for no man
💬 Read a book with water of some kind on the cover (show us the cover).
Murder in the South of France - Susan Kiernan-Lewis 1/8
✔ 28. When in Rome, do as the Romans do
💬 Read a book set in another country than your own (tell us where you live and where the book is set.
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn (Norway, I live in US) 1/30
✔ 29. Where one door shuts, another opens
💬 Read a book with double repeated vowels in the title
My Heart Stood Still - Lynn Kurland 12/26
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Winter 2022 Spell Challenge - Proverbs Duration: December 21, 2022 - March 20, 2023
READ: 21/21
✔ C: The Crow Girl - Erik Axl Sund 12/30
✔ U: The Uncanny Raven Winston - Tammie Painter 12/31
✔ R: Sisters of Sword and Song - Rebecca Ross 12/22
✔ I: It Ain't Me, Babe - Tillie Cole 12/25
✔ O: Opening Gambit - Tilly Wallace 12/28
✔ S: The Sunken City - Emma V.R. Noyes 12/27
✔ I: If You Could See the Sun - Ann Liang 2/1
✔ T: Tinker - Wen Spencer 12/23
✔ Y: You Can Hide - Rebecca Zanetti 1/5
✔ K: My Heart Stood Still - Lynn Kurland 12/26
✔ I: Island of the Lost - Joan Druett 3/8
✔ L: Nightingale's Gate - Linda Francis Lee 12/24
✔ L: Heat - Lisa Carlisle 12/30
✔ E: Six Crimson Cranes - Elizabeth Lim 12/30
✔ D: Double Dealer - Barbara McCafferty & Beverly Herald 1/7
✔ T: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - Jodi Taylor 1/29
✔ H: The Heretic Royal - G.A. Aiken 1/25
✔ E: The Dragon's Promise - Elizabeth Lim 1/14
✔ C: The Corpse in the Cabana - Shéa MacLeod 1/12
✔ A: Any Witch Way - Lindsay Buroker 12/21
✔ T: Tortured Dreams - Hadena James 1/31
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Wordle Strategy Challenge Duration: January 1 - June 30, 2023
READ: 22/22
✔ 1) Read a book where at least one title word contains three different vowels OR read a book where at least two title words begin or end with vowels (A, An, The don't count).
Mermaid Fins, Winds & Rolling Pins - Erin Johnson (mErmAId) 1/1
✔ 2) Read a book with a "2" or a "3" in the page count (tell us how many pages your book has) OR a book with something on the cover that's in its proper place (books on a shelf, food in a pantry, pillow on a bed or on a couch, use your own interpretation but post the cover and explain your choice).
Up to No Gouda - Linda Reilly (312 pages) 1/21
✔ 3) Read a book whose title contains only vowels NOT found in the title of the book you read for task 1 OR read a book where someone tries something new for the first time (tell us what).
Sweet Wild of Mine - Laurel Kerr 3/9
(hero is a stutterer and tries to vlog for the first time)
✔ 4) Read a book whose author's initials (first and last, middle names don't count) are either vowels or R, T, N, S or L, OR a book whose main character's first or last name starts with any letter OTHER than a vowel or R, T, N, S, or L. (Tell us the name.)
The Dragon's Promise - Elizabeth Lim 1/14
✔ 5) Read a book with a character who is given to repeating him- or herself (tell us who) OR a book with more than one of the same event (two murders, two meetings, two weddings, two holidays, etc., tell us how your book fits).
And the Rest is History - Jodi Taylor (2 funerals) 3/24
✔ 6) Read a book with a double letter (consecutive) in a title word OR a book with two prominent characters whose names start with the same letter (tell us the names).
XOXO - Axie Oh (Jenny and Jaewoo) 3/1
✔ 7) Read a book where a character is in the wrong place at the wrong time but it turns out to be a fortunate thing in the end (your interpretation, tell us how your book fits) OR a book with something on the cover that looks out of place (post the cover, if not obvious tell us what).
The Corpse in the Cabana - Shéa MacLeod (typewriter on the windowsill) 1/12
✔ 8) Read a book where someone occupies an unusual position, either because of historical forces or rarity of job or some other factor (for example, a female doctor in the 1700s, or a king/queen/president, your interpretation, tell us who/why they're unusual) OR a book where someone has an unusual interest or hobby (your interpretation, tell us who and what).
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. Chakraborty (female pirate in Muslim community) 3/5
✔ 9) Read a book with a title that has a word in it with the letters "ED" appearing consecutively OR a book with a character named Ed (first or last name, any variation male or female - Ed, Edgar, Edwin, Edward, Eddie, Edie, Edith, Eduardo, Edwina etc., tell us your character's name).
Shattered Souls - Delilah Devlin 1/13
✔ 10) Read a book with a two-consonant cluster you consider to be common in the title OR read a book where you were misled by a wrong clue of some kind (your interpretation and it can be any genre, using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what misled you).
Fatal Catch - Pauline Rowson (CH is rather common) 1/6
✔ 11) Read a book where someone makes an incorrect assumption (tell us who) OR a book where a character misleads another (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and how).
Still Alive - Ava Strong 3/12
(MCs (FBI) make incorrect assumptions with every single person they interview, very amateurish)
✔ 12) Read a book where something is eliminated (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what) OR a book where a character narrows down a choice to make a selection (romantic partner, new job, new house, etc., your interpretation, tell us who and what).
Tortured Dreams - Hadena James 1/31
(MCs are FBI agents who eliminate suspects in a serial killer case)
✔ 13) Read a book with a word that has three consonants in a row in the title, OR a book where someone is faced with a dizzying array of choices and picks wrongly (example, a sleuth has a list of six murder suspects and rules out the wrong one, your interpretation as to situation, using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and what).
The Butcher and the Wren - Alaina Urquhart (buTCHer) 1/9
✔ 14) Read a book where two characters are very similar to each other or are mistaken for one another (tell us who) OR a book with two of the same item (just two of the same thing: they don't have to look exactly alike) on the cover (post the cover).
Final Lap - Erin McCarthy (twins Harley and Charity) 2/21
✔ 15) Read a book with an author whose first name you think is pretty common (i.e. Meg, yes: Aloysius, no) OR a book from a series with a lot of entries (i.e. a series with 15 or more books in it, tell us the series name).
Candy Corn Murder - Leslie Meier (#22 in series) 2/9
✔ 16) Read a book with a singular, five-letter noun in the title OR read a book with an item on the cover that has a four-letter name which would be made plural by adding "S" (not "es" or any other letter combo) - specify the item.
The Cure for What Ales You - Ellie Alexander (beer(s)) 2/23
✔ 17) Read a book with a character you think of as the strong silent type (tell us who) OR a book with a "silent" letter in the main character's name, the series name, or the title (tell us what and which if it's not obvious).
Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor (Siobhan) 2/28
✔ 18) Read a book with a British character who visits or lives in the U.S., or an American character who visits or lives in the United Kingdom (tell us who) OR a book set in neither the U.S. nor the U. K. (tell us where it is set).
Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold - Nancy Atherton (Lori Shepherd) 3/7
✔ 19) Read a book with a main character whose name ends in a vowel other than E (Y counts, tell us the name) OR a book set in a place whose name ends in a non-E vowel (Y counts, tell us where).
The Watermight Thief - Jordan Rivet (Tamri) 2/27
✔ 20) Read a book with at least two of the least-used five consonants in the title (one letter can be used twice, doesn't have to be two separate letters) OR a book whose title has one of the least-used five and three or more of the most-used five, any combination.
A Dark Queen Rises - Ashok K. Banker (Q and K) 3/3
✔ 21) Read a book with a word in the title that ends in Y, OR a book set in a major citY, tell us where.
A Death in Door County - Annelise Ryan 1/19
✔ 22) Read a book with at least two "TH" combinations in the title (and yes, for this one task, "The" can count) OR a book where someone wins some kind of popularity contest (election, prom queen, pageant, show of hands) tell us who and what
Love at the Northern Lights - Darcie Boleyn 1/30
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Spring 2023 Spell Challenge - Oddball Museums Duration: March 21 – June 20, 2023
READ: 20/20
✔ I: A Sudden Crush - Camilla Isley 3/23
✔ C: Spooky Business - Addison Creek 3/28
✔ E: A Spell for Trouble - Esme Addison 3/22
✔ L: The Laughing Policeman - Elizabeth J. Brown 4/3
✔ A: Fall For Me - Ann Lister 4/5
✔ N: Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo 4/1
✔ D: Dearly - Margaret Atwood 3/27
✔ P: The Perfect Block - Blake Pierce 3/21
✔ H: Hades - Candice Fox 4/8
✔ A: Dead and Gondola - Ann Claire 3/25
✔ L: Liar, Liar - Lisa Jackson 4/27
✔ L: Let Me Go - Kate Bold 4/6
✔ O: Of Claws and Inferno - Kyoko M. 4/10
✔ L: book:Daughter of the Pirate King|33643994] - Tricia Levenseller 4/7
✔ O: Once Tempted - Laura Moore 4/26
✔ G: Grumpy Cowboy - Elana Johnson 3/29
✔ I: If I Stay - Gayle Forman 3/29
✔ C: Devil of a Chance - Ciara Graves 4/5
✔ A: And the Rest is History - Jodi Taylor 3/24
✔ L: A Dirty Shame - Liliana Hart 4/14
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Spring 2023 Scavenger Challenge - Oddball Museums Duration: March 21 – June 20, 2023
Read: 20/20
✔ 1. INTERNATIONAL CRYPTOZOOLOGY MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book featuring an “unreal” being (vampire, ghost, mermaid, shifter, etc.) OR a book by an author who has only published one book; post a link to the author’s GR page
Siren's Surrender - Devyn Quinn (mermaids) 5/1
✔ 2. ICELAND PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book with an explicit sex scene; tell us the page number/location OR a book with a main character over the age of 60; tell us who and how old
Fall For Me - Ann Lister (pg 210) 4/5
✔ 5. BEIJING TAP WATER MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book set in a large city; tell us where OR a book originally published in a year ending in 0; tell us the year
Hidden Blade - Pippa DaCosta (New York City) 4/18
✔ 6. THE BREAD MUSEUM
🔹Read a book whose main character is a baker OR a book by an author whose name contains at least one set of ‘sandwiched’ letters (like AGAtha, CleEVEs); post a link to the author’s GR page
History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera 4/12
✔ 8. BUNNY MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book with a household pet other than a cat or dog shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book whose title contains at least one word with double consonants (like buNNy, meSSage)
Rising Darkness - Jen L. Grey 4/9
✔ 9. BURLINGAME MUSEUM OF PEZ MEMORABILIA
🔹 Read a book with some sort of candy shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book with a Z in the title or author’s name; post a link to the author’s GR page if using that option
Zar - Alana Khan 4/12
✔ 10. CIA MUSEUM INTERNATIONAL SPY MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book with ESPIONAGE on its main GR page OR a book title ends with Y
Grumpy Cowboy - Elana Johnson 3/29
✔ 11. DEVIL'S ROPE MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book with a significant character who is a cowboy or rancher; tell us who OR a book set in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas or Wyoming; tell us where
Surly Cowboy - Elana Johnson 3/30
✔ 12. THE DOG COLLAR MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book with a dog shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book with a castle shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
Lady Helena Investigates - Jane Steen 5/1
✔ 14. INTERNATIONAL UFO MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER
🔹 Read a book marked SCI-FI on its main GR page OR a book set in space or on a planet other than Earth; tell us where
Midnight Crystal - Jayne Castle (planet named Harmony) 4/16
✔ 16. MERRY CEMETERY
🔹 Read a book in which a cemetery/graveyard is somehow important to the plot; briefly explain OR a book set in or near a capital city; tell us where
Witch Hunt - Sara Bourgeois 4/8
(murder in the graveyard behind the MCs inn disrupts her business)
✔ 17. MOMOFUKU ANDO INSTANT RAMEN MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book whose main character is a college student (can be an older person taking college classes) OR a book with two of these in the total page count: 5, 4, 6, 0; tell us how many pages
Ghost Ocean - S.M. Peters (496 pages) 4/1
✔ 18. MUSEO SUBACUÁTICO DE ARTE (MUSA)
🔹 Read a book with water shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book in which at least one character goes SCUBA diving; tell us who
Burning Bright - Melissa McShane 4/18
✔ 19. MUSEUM OF BAD ART
🔹 Read a book whose title contains the letters B-A-D, in order, but not necessarily in the same word OR a book with a major character who works in an art-related field; tell us who and the career
Bad Luck - Brad Younie 5/12
✔ 20. MUSEUM OF BRANDS, PACKAGING & ADVERTISING
🔹 Read a book in which a well-known brand name is mentioned ; quote an excerpt and give us the page number/location OR a book with over 1200 GR ratings; tell us how many
Hades - Candice Fox 4/8
(I ordered a scotch and coke), p40
✔ 22. MUSEUM OF MINIATURE BOOKS
🔹 Read a book with at least one book shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book between 100-150 pages; tell us the page count
Raising a Demon - Amy Cissell 5/12
✔ 23. PARIS SEWER MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book set in France; tell us where OR a book set in the 1800s; tell us when
Blackbird Fly - Lise McClendon (Malcouziac, France) 5/29
✔ 24. SIRIRAJ MEDICAL MUSEUM (MUSEUM OF DEATH)
🔹 Read a book whose main character works in a medical field (doctor, EMT, veterinarian); tell us the career OR a book with at least one scene that made you squirm in discomfort; using spoiler tags, briefly explain
A Dirty Shame - Liliana Hart 4/14
(heroine is a mortician but is also the county coroner)
✔ 26. VENT HAVEN VENTRILOQUIST MUSEUM
🔹 Read a book you find intriguing or terrifying; tell us why, using spoiler tags if necessary OR a book set in Kentucky
The Cleaner, the Cat and the Space Station - Fay Abernethy 5/2
(it would be really cool and yet scary to interact with aliens)
✔ 27. THE TORTURE MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM
🔹 Read a book set in medieval times (between 500AD and 1500AD) tell us when OR a book that was torture to finish; briefly explain
Warrior's Moon - Lucy Monroe (set in 1150) 4/16
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Funny Street Sign Challenge Duration: February 13, 2023 - February 12, 2024
Level 3 - All 32 signs and 12 months from your start date
READ: 32/32
✔ 1. Read a book where someone takes a flight somewhere (tell us where) OR where every word of the title starts with a letter in "Airplane Crossing," ALL words count, three-word minimum, and a letter can only be used as often as it appears in the phrase.
The Book Supremacy - Kate Carlisle (flies from France to California) 3/11
✔ 2. Read a book featuring senior citizens OR read a book featuring children. Tell us who in both cases.
Surly Cowboy - Elana Johnson (Ford and Autumn) 3/30
✔ 3. Read a book where a body is buried OR read a book where a body is discovered in a rural, outdoor, or remote area.
Still Alive - Ava Strong (found floating in the ocean) 3/12
✔ 4. Read a book with an "unstoppable" character (your interpretation, tell us who) OR read a book where someone's vehicle is tampered with in some way (tell us how).
Close Your Eyes - Iris & Roy Johansen (cut brake lines) 3/13
✔ 5. Read a book with a law enforcement officer as a character (tell us who) OR read a book where the word "ticket" appears, quote the passage briefly.
It takes an Oni - Scott Rhine 3/16
(he discovered the tickets), p17
✔ 6. Read a book set in Florida, Michigan, Mexico or the Caribbean (the distribution/habitat of the American Crocodile) (tell us where) OR read a book with a situation that leaves you scratching your head.
Preppy: The Life & Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part Two - T.M. Frazier 3/8
✔ 7. Read a book with an imperious character (tell us who) OR read a book where someone tells someone else to do something silly or nonsensical (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what).
The Pearl Savage - Tamara Rose Blodgett (Queen Ada) 2/13
✔ 8. Read a book where someone unexpectedly gets a day off (tell us why), OR where someone has difficulty accomplishing a task because of a rule, law, or regulation (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what).
River of Darkness - Rennie Airth 2/20
(MC, the investigation is temporarily on hold so they get the day off)
✔ 9. Read a book where something takes longer than it seems like it should (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what) OR a book where someone has a good customer service ethic (your interpretation, tell us who).
A Sudden Crush - Camilla Isley 3/23
(it takes several months for the rescue crew to find MCs after plane crash)
✔ 10. Read a book with a literal or figurative monster in it (your interpretation, tell us who or what) OR read a book about or featuring dinosaurs in some fashion.
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. Chakraborty 3/5
(giant transformed (by demons) sea monster)
✔ 11. Read a book where bare shoulders are visible on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book where someone drives on a curvy or dangerous road (tell us who).
Hokuloa Road - Elizabeth Hand 2/27
(hero drives super narrow, curvy road up in the mountains of Hawaii)
✔ 12. Read a book where a character encounters an unexpected roadblock (your interpretation: using spoiler tags if necessary, briefly describe it) OR read a book set during the winter.
The Avid Angler: The Hot Dog Detective - Mathiya Adams 2/27
✔ 13. Read a book where someone participates in a sport (tell us which), OR read a book where someone goes to the hospital (tell us why).
Music Man - K.L. Montgomery (heroine's son in an accident) 2/19
✔ 14. Read a book with an animal on the cover (post the cover) OR read a book where someone has a farm (tell us who).
Saber Tooth - Lou Cadle 3/4
✔ 15. Read a book tagged “fantasy” OR read a book where someone seems to have a hard time accepting reality, or is otherwise disconnected from reality (in a coma, has dementia, in denial) (- your interpretation; using spoiler tags if necessary tell us who and how).
Wind Daughter - Joanna Ruth Meyer 2/19
✔ 16. Read a book where someone does math of some kind (tell us who) OR read a book where someone deliberately makes something simple into something obscure (tell us who and how, using spoiler tags if necessary).
Buffalo Jump Blues - Keith McCafferty 2/16
(Theodore does math, his job is to keep track of the buffalo so he is constantly counting them to see if the herds are growing or shrinking)
✔ 17. Read a book with a character who is full of himself or herself (tell us who) OR a book where someone runs late (tell us who).
Aunt Dimity and the Heart of Gold - Nancy Atherton (heroine) 3/7
✔ 18. Read a book with a bird on the cover (post the cover) OR a book set in a cold climate (tell us where).
Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife - Michelle Styles (Norway) 4/13
✔ 19. Read a book where someone is pretentious (tell us who) OR a book where a prominent character is in his/her thirties (tell us who).
Found in the Lost - Tarina Deaton (heroine) 2/21
✔ 20. Read a book where someone procrastinates (tell us who) OR where a character’s situation heads in an unexpected direction (your interpretation, tell us who).
And the Rest is History - Jodi Taylor 3/24
(view spoiler)
✔ 21. Read a book with a character who makes sarcastic, cutting or sharp remarks (sorry, I couldn’t help myself, your interpretation, tell us who) OR a book with a cover that is prominently yellow, black, or both (more than 50 percent, post the cover).
Just in Time for a Highlander - Gwyn Cready (heroine) 2/24
✔ 22. Read a book with a missing person (tell us who) OR a book with a motorized vehicle on the cover (post the cover).
Final Lap - Erin McCarthy 2/21
✔ 23. Read a book where a character sings (tell us who), OR with a character who falls in love (tell us who) OR a book set in Detroit.
The Lost and Found Bookshop - Susan Wiggs (heroine) 3/3
✔ 24. Read a book with a sarcastic or rude character (tell us who) or a book with a cover that is at least 50 percent blue (post the cover).
History Is All You Left Me - Adam Silvera 4/12
✔ 25. Read a book where a character takes a roundabout way to solve a problem (your interpretation, using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us how) OR a book with three identical or nearly identical objects on the cover (post the cover).
Partners in Lime - Bree Baker (surfboards) 3/23
✔ 26. Read a book where a character gets trapped in a confined space (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us where) OR a book where someone walks backwards (tell us who) OR a book where a character back-pedals (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us who and how).
The Ladies of the Secret Circus - Constance Sayers 2/15
(Todd had begun to walk backward), p11
✔ 27. Read a book where someone tells someone else to do (or not do) something that seems really obvious (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us what) OR a book where someone is TSTL (too stupid to live) in your opinion (tell us who).
Half-Blood - Jennifer Armentrout (MC Alexandria) 2/25
✔ 28. Read a book where a character receives a warning (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us how) OR a book where a bridge plays a part in the story (using spoiler tags if necessary, tell us how).
Murder in an Irish Churchyard - Carlene O'Connor 2/28
(detective Brandon is warned by his supervisor regarding personal interactions with a female cop)
✔ 29. Read a book with water visible on the cover (post the cover) OR a book where someone gets caught in the rain (tell us who).
Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World - Joan Druett 3/8
✔ 30. Read a book where someone has difficulty making up their mind (tell us who) or a book with an 8 or a 5 in the page count (tell us the page count).
Saved by a Dragon - Lauren Lively (208 pages) 2/24
✔ 31. Read a book with zombies in it OR read a book with a character who is completely obsessed with his or her electronic device (tell us who).
A Dark Queen Rises - Ashok K. Banker (heroine) 3/3
✔ 32. Read a book set in Oklahoma OR read a book with a blizzard, an earthquake, a flood, or a tornado as part of the plot (and yes, the flooding can be caused by a hurricane) (tell us which)
Dead and Gondola - Ann Claire (blizzard) 3/25
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Duration: March 1 - April 30, 2023
READ: 15/15
✔ B: Boogie Beach - Winnie Winkle 3/6
✔ A: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. Chakraborty 3/5
✔ R: It takes an Oni - Scott Rhine 3/16
✔ E: Earth Spells Are Easy - Renee George 3/19
✔ N: Nine Lives Last Forever - Rebecca M. Hale 3/15
✔ A: And the Rest is History - Jodi Taylor 3/24
✔ K: The Crossing - Kathryn Lasky 3/10
✔ E: Cross Cowboy - Elana Johnson 3/20
✔ D: Dead and Gondola - Ann Claire 3/25
✔ L: Dragon's Moon - Lucy Monroe 3/19
✔ A: Spooky Business - Addison Creek 3/28
✔ D: No Way Out - Rylie Dark 3/18
✔ I: A Sudden Crush - Camilla Isley 3/23
✔ E: A Spell for Trouble - Esme Addison 3/22
✔ S: Sweet Wild of Mine - Laurel Kerr 3/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
2023 Treasure Hunt #1Duration: February 1 - May 31, 2023
Level: SERIOUS : 75 words
READ: 95/100
The Book Supremacy - Kate Carlisle 3/11
accent - even the best French accent couldn't fool a French person, p8
attitude - with a non-nonsense attitude, p12
chaos - she thrives on chaos, p93
neighbor - our down-the-hall neighbor, p28
Moment of Tooth - Lindsay Buroker 3/12
belt - Franklin stuck a thumb in his belt, p146
camp - whatever she'd had in her orangutan study camp, p249
collar - clipped his leash to the collar, p56
freckle - with her freckles and brunette hair in pigtails, p6
species - for her to determine species, p199
Close Your Eyes - Iris & Roy Johansen 3/13
attention - when someone pays attention to us, p198
convince - and try to convince herself at the same time, p120
corpse - in her examination of the corpse, p80
crime - you were making an association of the crime scene, p90
daughter - had left to pick up her daughter, p81
direction - why this direction, p200
doctor - I'd be on the phone with your doctors, p151
dynamic - we try different rhythms, different dynamics, p146
history - Sienna had a history with him, p91
regard - could only regard as popeye-esque, p132
shock - is she in shock, p109
Wanted by the Werewolf Prince - Kara Lockharte 3/14
generation - the next generation of starbolt-class fighters, p32
monarch - a planet of werewolves and absolute monarchs, p9
shatter - I felt myself shatter, p136
It takes an Oni - Scott Rhine 3/16
bloody - I'm a bloody unicorn, p6
fountain - we drove past the musical fountains, p81
mature - well that was real mature, p19
original - we can't use the original plan, p247
stake - put a wooden stake through her black heart, p55
Dragon's Moon - Lucy Monroe 3/19
denial - he did not think it was in denial, p32
Basket Bear - Amy Star 3/20
fossil - you still insist on wearing that fossil, p15
A Spell for Trouble - Esme Addison 3/22
arrest - I'm here to arrest you for murder,p51
garbage - while it sounds like garbage to me, p123
rugby - he got injured playing rugby, p224
style - Celeste's effortless understated style, p75
Partners in Lime - Bree Baker 3/23
article - if the articles revelation was accurate, p130
burst - then it burst, p209
And the Rest is History - Jodi Taylor 3/24
comfortable - would be more comfortable, p314
culture - a way of life, a culture, a language, p217
deter - to deter the cavalry, p218
genuine - his offer had been genuine, p41
interference - your unsuccessful and disastrous interference, p45
meeting - he's in a meeting said Mrs. Partridge, p13
protest - he made a faint sound of protest, p161
quarter - quarter is neither expected or given, p263
useful - they were doing something useful, p42
Dead and Gondola - Ann Claire 3/25
publicity - the gossip and publicity, p117
route - most likely took the scenic route, p7
Turkey Trot Murder - Leslie Meier 3/26
clear - it was a clear violation of family rules, p79
governor - take down that one of the governor, p201
inhabitant - could protect its inhabitants, p14
offspring - her numerous offspring, p76
period - opening up the usual period for comment, p28
Spooky Business - Addison Creek 3/28
circulation - got to keep our circulation healthy, p115
strength - Kip was the talent and strength, p22
If I Stay - Gayle Forman 3/29
ferry - ride the ferry to Alcatraz, p54
musical - once the musical selections have been made, p16
tasty - tasty rats is what Gramps calls them, p90
The Protector - Elin Peer 3/30
rare - old-fashioned books were a rare sight, p2
Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo 4/1
brink - bringing folks from the brink of death, p71
clinic - as she entered clinics and grocery stores, p59
harsh - here in the harsh light of day, p140
Ghost Ocean - S.M. Peters 4/1
border - crossed the line of shadow at the border, p26
variable - this was randomness without source variables, p14
The Laughing Policeman - Elizabeth J. Brown 4/3
apathy - his apathy didn't fool her for a moment, p230
build - the walls we build, p199
satisfied - satisfied that they were not being watched, p37
systematic - a well-ordered and systematic hatred, p257
yard -walking in the exercise yard, p147
Fall For Me - Ann Lister 4/5
parachute - feels like free falling without a parachute, p254
stall - in the heavy steam of the glass stall, p66
Daughter of the Pirate King - Tricia Levenseller 4/7
exploration - a vessel used for maritime exploration, p26
Hades - Candice Fox 4/8
workshop - he led the girl down to his workshop, p152
Of Claws and Inferno - Kyoko M. 4/10
hunter - not as dragon hunters, p63
responsibility - nor accepting responsibility for her actions, p157
spend - I didn't spend enough time with her, p103
The Ice House - Minette Walters 4/11
endorse - we endorse Phoebe's view, p48
Berlin - Luke Richardson 4/12
subway - it's almost suspicious how empty the subway car is, p23
Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife - Michelle Styles 4/13
remark - a remark made, p20
Burning Bright - Melissa McShane 4/18
exposure - because of their exposure to wind and wave, p54
promote - an excuse to promote Crawford's interests, p165
summit - how would it feel to stand at the summit, p80
Hidden Blade - Pippa DaCosta 4/18
litigation - perfectly suited to a life of litigation, p58
Hellbound in Vegas - Boone Brux 4/19
bless - more of a blessing than a curse, p24
Consumed - J.R. Ward 4/20
acceptable - not on the list of acceptable guy talk, p282
density - density was trouble as well, p230
equinox - parking between a chevy equinox and a truck, p172
Kingdoms at War - Lindsay Buroker 4/21
compliance - it was worth threatening them into compliance p318
reliable - they're made from reliable chemical ingredients, p358
update - the king wants an update, p307
The Winter King - C.L. Wilson 4/23
wheat - where the husks of wheat, corn and oats, p65
The Cabinet of Dr. Leng - Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child 4/28
ignorance - in your ignorance, you label yourself a guinea pig, p98
operational - your business i9s to get this machine operational again, p209
reproduction - reproductions left in their place p245
An Unthinkable Thing - Nicole Lundrigan 4/30
allowance - my aunt had never given me an allowance p89
Come Get Me - Molly Black 5/10
reduction - there would be a reduction i the crime stats, ch11
*****************
abolish -
acquaintance -
ballot -
orthodox -
refund -
The Characters of Mel Blanc Duration: July 1 - September 30, 2023
Level One: Task 1 for each character only.
READ: 12/12
✔️Bugs Bunny
1) Read a book with a character who outwits another (tell us both characters and using spoiler tags if necessary, how the one was outwitted by the other) OR a book with a character who is sarcastic (tell us who) OR a book with a vegetarian character (tell us who).
Charmed and Dangerous - Lindsay Buroker (Morgan) 7/9
✔️Daffy Duck
Read a book with a greedy or immoral character (tell us who) OR read a book with a character who is down on his luck (tell us who) OR read a book with a character who never realizes that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually the oncoming train (your interpretation, tell us who).
The Dragon Republic - R.F. Kuang (Yin Vaisra) 7/16
✔️Porky Pig
Read a book with a character who is elderly (tell us who), OR a book with a character who is a sidekick (tell us who) OR a book with a character who has a speech impediment (tell us who).
The Psion of Darkness - Kyle West (Sarah) 7/19
✔️Yosemite Sam
Read a book by an author who uses a pseudonym (tell us the author's name and the pseudonym) OR a book with a mean-spirited or aggressive character (tell us who) OR a book set in the American West (tell us where).
Eerie - Blake Crouch (Washington) 7/22
✔️Sylvester and Tweety Bird
Read a book with a cat on the cover (post the cover) OR a book with a bird on the cover (post the cover) OR a book where a "cat and mouse" game is part of the plot (your interpretation, identify the "cat" and the "mouse")..
Angels Soaring - Harriet Carlton 8/5
(demons play an actual cat and mouse game with MC when he is captured)
✔️Woody Woodpecker
Read a fiction book with a real-life famous person as a character (tell us who) OR a book where someone lives in California (tell us who and where) OR a book where a character appears in a movie (tell us who).
Freefall - Tess Oliver (Scotlyn James, Los Angeles) 7/31
✔️Foghorn Leghorn
Read a book set in the American South (tell us where) OR a book where someone sings or hums (tell us who) OR a book where two characters have an ongoing feud (tell us who).
Suppression - Laramie Briscoe (Alabama) 7/30
✔️Elmer Fudd
Read a book by an author who uses a middle initial OR a book with a title that has a double letter in it.
Fool's Moon - Diane A.S. Stuckart 7/2
✔️Pepe Le Pew
Read a book with a character who has difficulty getting rid of an ex or a would-be suitor (tell us both names) OR a book set in France OR a romance.
Here and Then - Linda Lael Miller 7/23
✔️Taz
Read a book with a character who eats a lot (tell us who), OR a character who moves very quickly (tell us who and why) OR a character who loves music or works in a music-related profession (tell us who and what).
Life in the Dead Lane - Lucy Quinn (Hailey Holloway, pop star) 7/20
✔️Cosmo Spacely
Read a book with a "difficult boss" character (tell us who) OR a book with a short character (tell us who) or a book where a character gets fired from a job (tell us who and why).
Vanishing Edge - Claire Kells (MC is short) 7/23
✔️Barney Rubble and Dino
Read a book where the main character has a housepet (tell us what), OR a book set in prehistoric times or featuring dinosaurs OR a book with a prominent male character who is blond (tell us who).
Blood Trinity - Sherrilyn Kenyon/Diana Love 7/26
(MC has a gargoyle as a house pet)
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn (other topics)It's Getting Scot in Here (other topics)
Six Months (other topics)
Hollyberry Homicide (other topics)
Voices in the Snow (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nora Roberts (other topics)Molly Black (other topics)
Philip Pullman (other topics)
Susan Mallery (other topics)
Kasey MacKenzie (other topics)
More...
Monthly Challenges
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About Time
Autumn 2023 Scavenger Challenge - Fun Facts About...BOOKS!
Autumn 2023 Spell Challenge - Fun Facts about Books
Books to Screen 2023 Edition
The Characters of Mel Blanc
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Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
Leftovers Again?
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Rivers of the World
Spring 2023 Scavenger Challenge - Oddball Museums
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2023 Treasure Hunt #1
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Winter 2022 Scavenger Challenge - Proverbs
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Wordle Strategy Challenge
The Year in Astrology