2024 Crazy Challenge Connection

[Barbara ★]

2024 Remembering Them
Duration: February 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025

READ: 30/30

✔️January 7: Russell Banks, 82.
~ Read a book with a blue collar main character (tell us what they do) -or- read a book that deals with a societal issue (your preference, tell us how your book fits).
If You Hear Her - Shiloh Walker (hero, a cop) 2/10

✔️January 12: Lisa Marie Presley, 54.
~ Read a book whose main character has a famous father -or- read a book whose author uses three names.
Murder with Earl Grey Tea - Karen Rose Smith 2/3

✔️January 15: Lloyd Morrisett, 93.
~ Read a book with a child (<12 years old) as a major character -or- read a book marked children's/middle grade on the main GR page.
Murder in the Mystery Suite - Ellery Adams (Hem & Fitz, 6y.o) 3/9

✔️February 15: Raquel Welch, 82.
~ Read a book with a major character described as sexy (tell us who) -or- read a book which shows a bikini (or any swimwear) on the cover (post the cover).
Cream of the Crop - Alice Clayton (heroine) 2/7

✔️March 8: Chaim Topol, 87.
~ Read a book by a Jewish author (link to the author's page on GR) -or- read a book set in the Pale of Settlement (for the purpose of this task, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia work. Tell us where it's set).
Firstlife - Gena Showalter 5/19

✔️March 17: Lance Reddick, 60.
~ Read a book set in Maryland -or- read a book that was made into a movie, tv show or a videogame or set in the world of a movie, tv show or game (tell us which if not obvious.)
A Frame of Murder - Imogen Plimp 5/28

✔️March 21: Willis Reed, 80.
~ Read a book in which someone plays basketball -or- read a book whose title begins with a letter in the word 'KNICKS' (all words count).
If You See Her - Shiloh Walker 2/12

✔️March 28: Ryuichi Sakamoto, 71.
~ Read a book whose title contains a color name -or- read a book set in China.
Iron Widow - Xiran Jay Zhao 2/9

✔️April 7: Ben Ferencz, 103.
~ Read a book set during World War II -or- read a book that features a legal trial.
The Girl in the Empty Dress - Lise McClendon 4/29

✔️April 10: Al Jaffee, 102.
~ Read a book marked 'Humor' on the GR main page -or- read a book that is a spoof or retelling of another book
Love Hard - Nalini Singh 2/22

✔️April 10: Anne Perry, 84.
~ Read a book in which a murder occurs -or- read a bookset in New Zealand.
Rock Addiction - Nalini Singh 2/11

✔️April 25: Harry Belafonte, 96.
~ Read a book whose author's first and last begins with different letters in the word 'CALYPSO' -or- read a book which involves civil rights in its plot.
Devil and the Deep Blue Lake - Amy Cissell 2/4

✔️April 27: Jerry Springer, 79.
~ Read a book about a controversial topic (fiction or non-fiction, topic is your preference. Tell us how your book fits if not obvious) -or- read a book where the MC shouts at someone.
Barbarian Alien - Ruby Dixon 2/15
([heroine to hero] each shorted word is punctuated by flailing arms), p37

✔️May 24: Tina Turner, 83.
~ Read a book whose title contains the word I or WHAT -or- read a bestselling book.
What's a Witch to Do? - Jennifer Harlow 2/27

✔️June 6: Françoise Gilot, 101.
~ Read a book in which a character is a painter (tell us who, and their medium) -or- read a book that features a love story.
Releasing Maladek - Victoria Aveline (romance) 2/5

✔️June 13: Cormac McCarthy, 89.
~ Read a Cormac McCarthy book -or- read a book that has won a major award (tell us which and when. (Pulitzer, Booker, Edgars, Hugo, NOT Goodreads Awards)
Iron Lake - William Kent Krueger 3/28
(Barry Award for Best First Novel (1999), Anthony Award for Best First Novel (1999), Dilys Award Nominee (1999), Minnesota Book Award for Mystery (1999))

✔️June 25: John Goodenough, 100.
~ Read a book on a device that uses a lithium-ion battery (kindle, iphone etc., tell us which device you used) -or- read a nonfiction book about science.
Watch For Ice - Leslie J. Hall (on my Kobo) 2/18

✔️June 29: Alan Arkin, 89.
~ Read a book that has a senior citizen MC -or- read a book whose author's first and last initials are both vowels.
Murder Above the Fold - ReGina Welling & Erin Lynn 2/21
(both MCs are 250 year old witches who appear to be in their sixties)

✔️July 16: Jane Birkin, 76.
~ Read a book with a bag on the cover (post the cover) -or- read a book whose cover shows a woman's face (post the cover).
Echo in Time - Lindsey Fairleigh 2/2


✔️July 21: Tony Bennett, 96.
~ Read a book whose title contains a repeated major word -or- read a book written by two authors (both credited on the cover).
Aurora Rising - Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff 3/2

✔️July 26: Sinéad O'Connor, 56.
~ Read a book whose title has changed since its first publication for whatever reason -or- read a book whose main character either works in a religious institution or struggles against it (tell us how your book fits).
Nettle & Bone - T. Kingfisher (heroine works at a convent) 2/15

✔️August 26: Bob Barker, 99.
~ Read a book in which the main character organizes or participates in a game or competition (tell us which) -or- read a book featuring a Native American character (tell us who).
Buns - Alice Clayton (MCs in Tough Mudder race) 2/16

✔️September 1: Jimmy Buffett, 76.
~ Read a book whose cover shows a bird (post the cover, bonus for a parrot) -or- read a book set on a tropical island (tell us where).
On the Wings of Murder - Danielle Collins 2/28


✔️September 27: Sir Michael Gambon, 82.
~ Read a Shakespearean play (or a modern retelling) -or- read a book featuring magic.
The Hanging City - Charlie N. Holmberg 2/25

✔️September 28: Dianne Feinstein, 90.
~ Read a book set in California -or- read a book written by an older female author who has had a long career (the book needs to be written later in their career, link to the author's GR page).
Dead Witch on a Bridge - Gretchen Galway 3/31

✔️October 28: Matthew Perry, 54.
~ Read a book in which a character struggles with addiction of any kind (tell us who and what they struggle with) -or- read a book set in New York City.
Random in Death - J.D. Robb 4/25

✔️November 7: Frank Borman, 95.
~ Read a book in which space travel occurs -or- read a book whose cover shows the night sky (post the cover).
Using Fejo - Victoria Aveline 2/3
(heroine is on a spaceship trying to convince hero to return her to Earth)

✔️November 8: Roger Kastel, 92.
~ Read a book whose cover is an illustration (not a photograph, post the cover) -or- read a book with a striking cover that you would use for home decor or screensaver purposes (post the cover).
Death in the Park - London Lovett 2/6


✔️November 19: Rosalynn Carter, 96.
~ Read a book in which the female main character does as much as they can with the limited power they have (tell us how your book fits) -or- read a book whose main character is happily married.
Breakdown - Daniel Pyle 2/19

✔️December 1: Sandra Day O'Connor, 93.
~ Read a book in which a speaking character is a judge in a US court (tell us who and which court, if mentioned) -or- read a book in which a character is wise and doesn't jump to conclusions (tell us who)
Murder at Haven's Rock - Kelley Armstrong (Casey Duncan) 3/7

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

[Barbara ★]

Spring 2023 Seasonal Challenge: Barbie
Duration: March 21 - June 20, 2024

READ: 22/22

The Doll
✔️ 1. *Read a book by an author whose name is Barbie or some variation (such as Barb, Barbara, Babs) - or - a book with some sort of toy on the cover (show us the cover; bonus if it's a doll).
The Collector - K.R. Alexander 4/13


✔️ 2. *Read a book whose title begins with a letter in MATTEL (disregard A, An, The) - or - a book with the original publication year ending in "3." (tell us the year)
What Happens in Scotland - Jennifer McQuiston (2013) 4/12

✔️ 3. *Read a book with a man and a woman (only) on the cover (show us the cover) - or - a book from a New York Times bestseller list (tell us the date of the list).
Rock Courtship - Nalini Singh 4/14


History
✔️4. *Read a book with a MAIN character who is a paren (tell us who) - or - a book by an author with a three-letter first or last name.
Murder in the Secret Garden - Ellery Adams (Jane has twins) 4/17

✔️ 5. *Read a book set in a European country (tell us where) - or a book with a MAIN character whose FIRST name begins with "B" or "L" (tell us the character).
You Can Die - Rebecca Zanetti (Laurel Snow) 4/10

✔️ 6. *Read a book something striped on the cover (show us the cover) - or - a book originally published in March (tell us the year).
A Batter of Life and Death - Ellie Alexander (shop awning) 4/9


✔️ 7. *Read a book that turned out to be better than you expected and that you rated 4- or 5-stars - or - a book with a Japanese or Japanese-American author or character (tell us who).
Gilded - Marissa Meyer (5 stars) 3/22

✔️ 8. *Read a book with a MAIN character who is a high-school student (tell us who) - or - a book by an author who uses three names (like Susan Elizabeth Phillips or Alexander McCall Smith).
Don't Die, Dragonfly - Linda Joy Singleton 4/15

✔️ 9. *Read a book in which a holiday is mentioned (tell us which holiday; bonus if it's Valentine's Day) - or - a book tagged as ROMANCE on the Goodreads main genre page.
The Legend of Sleepy Harlow - Kylie Logan (Halloween) 4/21

✔️ 10. *Read a book featuring friends who are important to the story - or - a book with a scene involving a character's family (such as a dinner, holiday event, etc.; tell us what).
Final Heir - Faith Hunter 3/27
(MC couldn't have defeated the big baddie without the help of all her friends)

✔️ 11. *Read a book with a character who has a pet (tell us the pet's name) - or - a book with a MAIN character who is involved with the aviation profession in some way (pilot, flight attendant, astronaut; tell us who and their job).
The Boy Who Cried Bear - Kelley Armstrong (Storm) 4/28

Special Events
✔️ 12. *Read a book set in New York City or Paris (tell us which) - or - a book in which a character visits a museum (tell us who).
The Last Word - Ellery Adams (MC) 3/29

✔️ 13. *Read a book with a MAIN character who is an artist of some kind (tell us who and their medium) - or - a book whose page count either begins OR ends with "1" (must meet the 150-page minimum rule).
The Butcher of the Forest - Premee Mohamed (160 pages) 3/26

✔️ 14. *Read a book with a MAIN character who is over 50 years old (tell us who) - or - a book in which a real-life celebrity is mentioned (tell us who).
Thistles and Thieves - Molly MacRae (Janet in her 60s) 3/30

✔️ 15. *Read a book from a Listopia list related to food (tell us the name of the list and the placement number of your book on that list) - or - a book set in a location beginning with a letter in TAIWAN (tell us where).
Kill Me If You Can - Marshall Karp & James Patterson (New York) 4/7

✔️ 16. *Read a book with a residential house on the cover (show us the cover) - or - a book whose author's first and last initial are the same.
Dead Witch on a Bridge - Gretchen Galway 3/31

The Movie
✔️ 17. *Read a book that has been made into a movie - or - a book tagged as FANTASY or HUMOR on the main Goodreads genre page.
Plan for the Worst - Jodi Taylor 4/6

✔️18. *Read a book originally published in 2023 - or - a book that has won some sort of award (tell us what award and when).
Ward D - Freida McFadden (pub May 8, 2023) 4/9

✔️ 19. *Read a book whose cover is predominantly hot neon pink (show us the cover) - or - a book with a color word in the title (can be separate or part of another word, like golden).
A Touch of Crimson - Sylvia Day 5/28

Problems
✔️ 20. *Read a book with a lawyer character (tell us who) - or - a book in which at least part of the book is set in the 1960s.
Iron Lake - William Kent Krueger (MCs ex-wife) 3/28

✔️ 21. *Read a book with a pregnant character (tell us who) - or - a book with any character whose FIRST name starts with "M" (tell us the character's name).
Cursed - Marissa Meyer (Serilda) 3/26

✔️ 22. *Read a book that you found to be unrealistic in some way (plot was unbelievable, characters didn't react appropriately, etc.; briefly tell us how your book fits) - or - a book in which a character strives to improve their health (running, exercise, eating healthy; briefly tell us who and what they do).
Ward D - Freida McFadden 4/9
(MC is supposed to be a med student but too naive and immature for the role)

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

[Barbara ★]

Spring 2024 Spell Challenge - Barbie
Duration: March 21 - June 20, 2024

READ: 27/28

✔ A: A Batter of Life and Death - EllieAlexander 4/9
✔ M: Gilded - Marissa Meyer 3/22
✔ E: The Last Word - Ellery Adams 3/29
✔ R: The Rain Watcher - Tatiana de Rosnay 4/25
✔ I: Iron Lake - William Kent Krueger 3/28
✔ C: Cursed - Marissa Meyer 3/26
✔ A: The Collector - K.R. Alexander 4/13
✔ N: Rock Courtship - Nalini Singh 4/14

✔ I: In a Fix - Linda Grimes 4/24
✔ N: A Matter of Hive and Death - Nancy Coco 5/2
✔ T: Their Fractured Light - Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner 4/6
✔ E: How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse - K. Eason 4/19
✔ R: Random in Death - J.D. Robb 4/25
✔ N: Rock Hard - Nalini Singh 5/10
✔ A: This Shattered World - Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner 4/2
✔ T: True Dead - Faith Hunter 3/23
✔ I: The Iron Locket - Samantha Warren 4/26
✔ O: One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig 5/30
✔ N: Rock Redemption - Nalini Singh 5/22
✔ A: Murder in the Secret Garden - Ellery Adams 4/17
✔ L: Love's Funny That Way - Pamela Burford 4/7

✔ T: Thistles and Thieves - Molly MacRae 3/30
O:
✔ Y: You Can Die - Rebecca Zanetti 4/10

✔ F: Final Heir - Faith Hunter 3/27
✔ A: Wallbanger - Alice Clayton 4/26
✔ I: Ice Tomb - Deborah Jackson 4/27
✔ R: A River of Golden Bones - A.K. Mulford 5/21

[Barbara ★]

No Way! > The Quest to Find Uncle Sam

Start Date: July 1, 2022
End Date: July 4, 2024



READ: 65/65

Let's start! - If you're not from the United States, you might not have heard of Uncle Sam. But since the early 19th century, he has been a popular symbol of the U.S. government in American culture and a personification of patriotism.

✔️► (1, 2, 3) Read THREE books, each showing a patriotic color predominantly (over 50%) on the cover--one should be mainly RED, one should be mainly BLUE, and one should be mainly WHITE (show us the covers). NOTE: You can read these three books in any order before moving on to the next set of tasks.

1. Murder Most Frothy - Cleo Coyle (56.3% blue) 7/2
2. Every Whispered Word - Karyn Monk (55.6%) 7/16
3. Bad Boys In Black Tie - Lori Foster (59.9%) 8/23


Do you know what he looks like? - He's usually depicted as an older man with long white hair and chin whiskers.

✔️► (4, 5, 6) Read THREE books, one with a MAIN character who is at least 60 years old (tell us who) AND one with any character who is described as having a beard (tell us who) AND one written by a male author. NOTE: You can read these three books in any order before moving on to the next set of tasks.
1. [old man] The Doctor of Thessaly - Anne Zouroudi (Hermes Diaktoros) 9/11
2. [beard] The Alpine Uproar - Mary Daheim (Fred Engelman) 9/2
3. [male author] Trial by Sorcery - Richard Fierce 8/26

Our first clue... - Wasn't he sitting right here in his red, white, and blue striped outfit? Now all that's here is an American flag on his chair. We've got to find him soon. He's expected to wave this flag at the 4th of July celebration!

✔️► (7, 8, 9, 10) Read FOUR books, one whose title starts with F, one starting with L, one starting with A, and one starting with G (Disregard A, An, The). NOTE: You can read these four books in any order before moving on to the next task.

7. F - Forgotten in Death - J.D. Robb 10/5
8. L - The Language of Silence - Peggy Webb 9/18
9. A - Cutthroat Cupcakes - Cate Lawley 10/23
10. G - Guarding the Mermaid - Eve Langlais 10/15

And if he's missing - All the children will have to go to school and study instead of coming to the picnic!

✔️► (11, 12) Read TWO books--one in which a character is a child under the age of 18 (tell us the name of the character, doesn't have to be the main character) AND one book in which the MAIN character is a student (of any age--as long as he/she is attending school; tell us the character's name).
1. [child] A Gift of Ghosts - Sarah Wynde (Dillon, 15) 10/28
2. [school] The Body in the Bonfire - Katherine Hall Page (Daryl Martin) 10/27

No one wants to miss the picnic! - They're always so much fun.

✔️► (13, 14) Read TWO books--one where the characters go on a picnic AND one where the characters have some fun (provide the page number or location and a partial sentence containing the word "picnic" and another with the word "fun.")
Picnic - The Path of Thorns - A.G. Slatter 11/30
(as she handed me a picnic basket), p36
Fun - One Good Earl Deserves a Lover - Sarah MacLean 10/30
(you are ruining my fun), p133

Speaking of picnics... - I see a picnic basket by the door. Is that his? Let's check inside...Hmm, it seems pretty full of picnic food.

✔️► (15, 16, 17) Read THREE books--one marked FOOD AND DRINK on the main GR genre page AND one in which the title contains a word with "sandwich"ed letters (like ind-epe-ndence) AND one from any Listopia list that contains the word Food or Culinary (tell us which list and the # of your book on that list).
F&D MGP - Crypt Suzette - Maya Corrigan 12/2
Sandwich'ed - The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Axie Oh (bENEath) 12/3
Listopia - Sweet Trouble - Susan Mallery 2/10
(#12 on Best Culinary Romances)

Oh good... - He also has a tablecloth inside. So he'll be able to lay out his lunch on the ground and have something to sit on.

✔️► (18, 19, 20, 21) Read FOUR books that make four corners of the tablecloth, EACH MATCHING THE LAST LETTER OF PREVIOUS BOOK.
Example: Start with a book of your choice, such as To Kill a Mockingbird - (next title starts with D) - Down River - (next title starts with R) - The Right Stuff - (next title starts with F) - F is for Fugitive (Disregard A, An, The in all cases)
18. Rhapsodic - Laura Thalassa 2/11
19. The Cure for What Ales You - Ellie Alexander 2/23
20. Unwritten - Alicia J. Novo 4/1
21. Never Let You Go - Katy Regnery 6/17

We'd better keeping looking... - Let's go outside and look around. But which way should we go?

✔️► (22, 23) Read TWO books--one with an outdoor scene on the cover (show us the cover) AND one with a direction word in the title (in, out, up, down, north, south, around, etc.).
Outdoor - Lime Kiln Road - S.L. Shelton 6/20
Direction - Death Down Under - Samantha Silver 8/15


Look!... - I see some sticks on the path over there. No, wait, I think they're sparklers. Do you know what those are? They are a type of hand-held firework that burns slowly while emitting bright, intense colored flames and sparks.

✔️► (24, 25) Read TWO books--one with flames on the cover AND one with something sparkly on the cover (your interpretation); show us both covers.
Flames - Frozen Tides - Morgan Rhodes 9/9
Sparkly - Forever Neverland - Heather Killough-Walden (stars) 8/18


And over there... - There's a broken branch there and a bent bough here. He definitely must have come this way.

✔️► (26, 27) Read TWO books--one with two words in the title starting with the same letter AND one with an author whose first and last names begin with the same letter.
Title - Just Haven't Met You Yet - Sophie Cousens 9/9
Author - The Alpha - Dannika Dark 9/10

Hey, I think I see something... - Yes, that's his red, white, and blue hat behind that tree. We'd better grab it. He's going to need it later.

✔️► (28, 29) Read TWO books--one with any kind of hat on the cover AND one with a single tree on the cover (show us both covers).
Hat - Forced to Flee - Terri Reed 9/17
Tree - Unfortunate Elements of My Anatomy - Hailey Piper 9/24


There's no time to waste... - This is a favorite festival every summer. Everyone in town wants to share in the fun.

✔️► (30, 31) Read TWO books--one that is set in the summer months (June, July, August) AND one with a small-town setting.
Summer - No Good Tea Goes Unpunished - Bree Baker 9/29
Small Town - You Say It First - Susan Mallery 9/28

[Barbara ★]

continued...

Another clue... - There's a scrap of paper attached to that branch. It looks like part of the flyer for the picnic, but some of the letters are missing. I can only see P..N.C.

✔️► (32, 33, 34) Read THREE books--one whose author's first or last name starts with P, another book whose main character's first or last name starts with N, and a third whose location starts with C.
32. Author P - 23rd Midnight - James Patterson 10/8
33. MC N - You Deserve Each Other - Sarah Hogle (Naomi) 10/19
34. Location C - Birder, She Wrote - Donna Andrews (Caerphilly, VA) 9/30

Here's another scrap... - Can you reach it? It's hanging crooked on this branch. It might be a note with a signature...

✔️► (35, 36) Read TWO books--one whose title is non-horizontal AND one whose title is in cursive (show us both covers).
Non-horizontal - Herc - Phoenicia Rogerson (vertical) 10/20
Cursive - Uncharted - Erin Cashman 10/22


Yes, it's clearly signed "U.S." - It must stand for Uncle Sam. What else could it be?

✔️► (37, 38, 39, 40) Read FOUR books--one with a family designation in the title (like uncle, daughter, mother, etc.) AND one with a family featured in the plot (your interpretation) AND one with an author's name that is unisex (like Sam or Terry) AND one with a character or author named Sam (reasonable variations acceptable, including Samuel, Samantha).
37. family designation - The Bone Shard Daughter - Andrea Stewart 10/28
38. family featured - Imaginary Numbers - Seanan McGuire 10/25
39. author name unisex - Made in the U.S.A. - Billie Letts 11/16
40. char/author named Sam - Down & Out Witch - Sami Valentine 10/26

Wait! - U.S. could also stand for the United States, right?

✔️► (41, 42) Read TWO books--both set in the United States but in different states (tell us the states).
Louisiana - Dreadful - Jana Deleon 11/18
New York - A Catered Thanksgiving - Isis Crawford 11/20

Uh oh! - We're really running out of time. The festivities begin at 2:30 so we'd better hurry.

✔️► (43, 44, 45) Read THREE books--one with at least two of these numbers in the page count: 2, 3, 0 (tell us how many) AND one in a spot on your TBR that contains one or more of these numbers (#2, #23, #203, #230, etc. [you may arrange your TBR in whatever way you wish]; tell us how you arranged your TBR and the placement on your list) AND one with any type of number in the title (can be cardinal like "two" or ordinal like "second.")
2,3,0 in pages - Abounding Might - Melissa McShane (328 pages) 11/22
TBR spot - Intimate Enemies: A Novel - Shana Abe (#322) 11/23
Number in title - Six Months - Dannika Dark 12/24

Time is getting short! - Let's get going.

✔️► (46, 47) Read TWO books, one short book--between 150-200 pages (tell us how many pages) AND one book published in 2022 (tell us the publication date).
150-200 pages - Come One Come All - Marilynn Harper (171 pages) 1/14
Pub in 2022 - The Nursery - Sue Watson (pub Oct 20, 2022) 12/29

I'm getting so tired of walking... - Just a few more steps, I hope. I'm counting them down...

✔️► (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) Read SIX books--one with a one-word title, one with a two-word title, one with a three-word title, one with a four-word title, one with a five-word title, and one with a six (or more)-word title. (You can read these 6 books in any order you wish, but ALL words count!).
1 Word - Buns - Alice Clayton 2/16
2 Word - Mulberry Mischief - Sharon Farrow 1/19
3 Word - Guardian of Chaos - Michelle Manus 1/17
4 Word - After She Wrote Him - Sulari Gentill 1/18
5 Word - And There He Kept Her - Joshua Moehling 2/9
6 Word - Home Is Where the Body Is - Jody Holford 1/15

Finally!... - I think we're getting close. It's a good thing, too, since Uncle Sam is supposed to judge the annual pie-eating contest, not to mention the pet parade!

✔️► (54, 55) Read TWO books, one with a baker as a MAIN character (tell us who) and one with a pet as a MAIN part of the plot.
Baker - A Batter of Life and Death - Ellie Alexander 4/9
Pet - Avenging Adam - Jodi Burnett (FBI K9 dog) 2/18
No more stress! - Soon we'll be able to relax and enjoy the day.

✔️► (56, 57, 58) Read THREE books, one that is your favorite genre (tell us what genre) AND one that you rated either 4 or 5 stars (tell us the rating) AND one by a favorite author.
Fave Genre (fantasy): A Fate Inked in Blood - Danielle L. Jensen 4/13
Rated 4 or 5: What Happens in Scotland - Jennifer McQuiston 4/12
Fave Author: You Can Die - Rebecca Zanetti 4/10

Just in time... - What a relief to find Uncle Sam since he's such an important part of our holiday.

✔️► (59, 60) Read TWO books, one featuring any other holiday besides the 4th of July (tell us the holiday) AND one published in July (any year, tell us when).
Holiday: The Legend of Sleepy Harlow - Kylie Logan (Halloween) 4/21
Pub July: Murder in the Secret Garden - Ellery Adams (pub July 19, 2017) 4/17

Here he is! - We'd just like to confirm, sir, that you're the man we're looking for. You were a businessman from Troy, New York, called Samuel Wilson, right?

✔️► (61, 62) Read TWO books--one published in 2018 AND one published in 2012.
2018: Death by Dumpling - Vivien Chien (pub Mar 27, 2018) 5/15
2012: In a Fix - Linda Grimes (pub Sep 4, 2012) 4/24

It's him! - And the barrels of beef that you supplied the army during the War of 1812 were stamped “U.S.” to indicate government property. So, therefore, we hear that you became known affectionately as “Uncle Sam” Wilson.

✔️► (63) Read ONE book with the letters S-A-M found in the title, in that order but not necessarily in the same word.
Silver Charms - Kate Moseman 6/13

Hip-hip-hooray - All the townsfolk are cheering!

► (64, 65) Read TWO books, one with double repeated vowels in the title (like h-oo-ray) AND one with some sort of punctuation in the title.
Double Vowels: Murder in the Reading Room - Ellery Adams 6/22
Punctuation: The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands - Sarah Brooks 7/4

Congratulations! It was him! You've helped find Uncle Sam and saved the day!

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

[Barbara ★]

Places to Visit in South America
Duration: June 1 - November 30, 2024

READ: 29/25+

✔️1. Baños, Ecuador.
* Read a book with a tree on the cover (post the cover) OR Read a book whose author's first and last initials are in "Casa del Árbol". (post a link to the author's GR page)
The Life We Bury - Allen Eskens 6/20

✔️2. Bogotá, Colombia
* Read a book first published more than a century ago (Before 1924, tell us the publication date) OR Read a book with a beautiful cover (post the cover)
Sprinkles and Sea Serpents - Danielle Garrett 7/30


✔️3. Buenos Aires, Argentina
* Read a book with architecture on the cover (post the cover) OR Read a book with an European author (post a link to the author's GR page, Where is the author from?)
Poisoned Prose - Ellery Adams 8/6


✔️4. Cabo Polonio, Uruguay
* Read a book with horses in the story or on the cover (post the cover) OR Read a book with a "4" in the original publication YEAR (tell us the year)
Archangel's Lineage - Nalini Singh (pub April 23, 2024) 6/2

✔️5. Cartagena, Colombia
* Read a book whose genre is "History" or "Historical fiction" (tells us the genre) OR Read a book with pirates.
Marked by Fire - Mia West 8/22

✔️6. Colca Canyon, Peru
* Read a book with a two-word title (all words count) OR Read a book with a cardinal number in the title (such as one or two, NOT first or second)
Wild Love - Alisa Woods 6/13

✔️7. Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
* Read a book where the first letter of every title word is found in "COLONIA DEL SACRAMENTO" (three-word minimum, all words count) OR Read a book with a GR rating of 4.0 or higher (tell us the rating).
Ripple of Doubt - Jenifer Ruff 6/9

✔️8. Cotopaxi, Ecuador
* Read a book with a "X" or a "Q" in the title or author's name (Post a link to the author if this option is used) OR Read a book with an intrepid character. (Please tell us who)
Quadehar the Sorcerer - Erik L'Homme 8/7

✔️9. Easter Island, Chile
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter in EASTER ISLAND (ignore a, an and the) OR Read a book with a "0" at the END of the original publication year (such as 1990, 2010, 2020, etc.).
Death by Baguette - Jennifer S. Alderson (pub Feb 7, 2020) 6/12

✔️10. Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
* Read a book with a beach on the cover (post the cover) OR Read a book whose title has a "Z " in it.
Murder in an Italian Village - Michael Falco 6/8


✔️11. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
* Read a book set on island (tell us where) OR Read a book with an animal mentioned above on the cover (post the cover).
Galápagos - Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Galapagos) 6/10

✔️12. Guatapé, Colombia
* Read a book that has less than 200 pages (tell us the number of pages and please remember the "more than 150 pages" general rule) OR Read a book with a brightly colored cover (post the cover).
Her Dakota Man - Lisa Mondello (188 pages)6/20

✔️13, Iguazú Falls, Argentina and Brazil
* Read a book in which the main character's FIRST name begins with a letter in IGUAZU FALLS, (tell us who) OR Read a book greater than 500 pages (tell us the number of pages).
Dragons of Wild - Ava Richardson (Saffron) 6/16

✔️14. Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
* Read a book first published from December to April (Remember to add the publishing date) OR Read a book whose cover is 75% red (post the cover).
Kill Without Mercy - Alexandra Ivy (pub December 29, 2015) 6/18

✔️15. Lake Titicaca, Bolivia and Peru
* Read a short story collection or anthology OR Read a book set at ancient times (Sometime before 500 AD, Tell us when).

✔️16. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
* Read a Sci-Fi book OR Read a book you really liked. (ell us why, using spoiler tags if necessary)
La Belle Sauvage - Philip Pullman 7/6

✔️17. Machu Picchu, Perú
* Read a book with two of these numbers on the number of pages: 2, 4, 3, 0, 7, 9, 7, 0 (tell us how many pages) OR Read a book with a sunrise on the cover (Post the cover)
Murder in the Reading Room - Ellery Adams (320 pages) 6/22

✔️18. Malpelo Island, Colombia
* Read a book with more than 300 pages (Tell us the number of pages) OR Read a book with a character who lives or visit South America (Tell us who)
Everlife - Gena Showalter (492 pages) 6/5

✔️19. Montevideo, Uruguay
* Read a book where music is important to the plot (Tell us how) OR Read a book set where you live, try to be more specific than posting a book set anywhere in the US. (Tell us where)
Rock Wedding - Nalini Singh (hero a rock star) 6/16

✔️20. Pantanal
* Read a book which follows more than one POV OR Read a book that you could not put down. (tell us why, using spoiler tags if necessary)
East of the Sun - A.E. Becker (has 4 POVs) 6/4

✔️22. Province of Mendoza, Argentina
* Read a romance OR Read a book with a scenic view on the cover (post the cover)
Love at the Fall Festival - Belle Willows 6/11

✔️23. Punta del Este, Uruguay
* Read a book with a celebrity in it as a character or author (Tell us who) OR Read a book set in summer.
Cowboys Can't Lie - Rachel Branton 8/31

✔️24. Quito, Ecuador
* Read a book with a one-word title (all words count) OR Read a book that has stories from at least two different timelines, (tell me the different timelines)
Brew -Tracy Ewens 6/11

✔️25. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
* Read a book with the name of a city/town in the title OR Read a book with a white cover (Post the cover).
New York Cheesecake Chaos - Addison Moore 8/15

✔️26. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
* Read a book with chocolate in the story, on the cover or title OR Read a book set at a country with mountains. (Tell us where)
Cruising Through Midlife - Addison Moore 7/6
(lots of chocolate desserts are eaten by MC)

✔️27. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
* Read a book with a photograph on the cover (post the cover) OR Read a book whose title begins with a letter in UYUNI (ignore A, An and The
Until We're Home - Lina Langley 8/18

✔️28. The Amazon
* Read a book set in any of the South American countries (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana or Suriname, Tell us where) OR Read a book with a green cover (Post the cover)
The Cautious Traveller's Guide to the Wastelands - Sarah Brooks 7/4


✔️29. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
* Read a book in which the main character’s first or last name begins with a letter in CHILE (Tell us the name) OR Read a book set in the Southern Hemisphere. (Tell us where)
Fae of the North - E. Hall (Ineke Stowe) 6/20

✔️30. Valle de la Luna, Chile
* Read a book with a moon on the cover (post the cover) OR Read a book set in an exotic locale (Tell us where)
Silver and Shadow - Melissa McShane 6/19


CHALLENGE COMPLETE

[Barbara ★]

Tango!
Duration: June 1 - August 31, 2024

READ: 14/12

✔️2. ♬ Read a book with the word MUSIC in the title or music in the story (anything that implies music, like sing, singing, song, or a musical instrument name, or a reference to a band or a glee club/chorus or record,, Tell us what) OR Read a #2 or #4 series book (tell us the series, and the position of your book)
Rock Wedding - Nalini Singh (hero a pianist) 6/16

✔️3. ♬Read a book with double consonants in the title (like chiLLed or meSSage) OR Read a book set in a location beginning with a letter in MONTEVIDEO.; tell us where (be as specific as possible)
Love at the Fall Festival - Belle Willows 6/11

✔️4. ♬Read a book with a musical instrument on the cover (post the cover) OR read the shortest book on your TBR that’s over 150 pages; tell us how many pages
Her Dakota Man - Lisa Mondello (188 pages) 6/20

✔️5. ♬Read a book whose cover is predominantly blue or white; (post the cover) OR read a book where fashion is important to the story. (Please explain, use spoilers tags if necessary)
La Belle Sauvage - Philip Pullman 7/6


✔️6. ♬Read a book where two characters hug (Tell us who and please quote an excerpt from the book) OR Read a book set somewhere other than North America; (tell us where)
Galápagos - Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Ecuador) 6/10

✔️7. ♬Read a book with more than 400 pages, (Tell us how many pages) OR Read a book that is set in the 1940s (tell us when the book is set)
Everlife - Gena Showalter (492 pages) 6/5

✔️8. ♬Read a book with more than 4 of average rating (Tell us the rating) OR Read a book with a character whose name starts with a letter in GOYENECHE, (Tell us the character’s name)
Inheriting Murder - Jamie Rutland Gillespie (4.39 avg rating) 6/29

✔️9. ♬Read a book where someone dies (Tell us who, use spoilers tags if necessary) OR Read the last book in a series that you wish hadn't ended (tell us the series)
The Lost Girls - Allison Brennan (the bad guys) 6/27

✔️10. “♬Read a series #1 book; (tell us the series) OR Read a book with the title on the cover in all caps (post the cover).
Old Fashioned - J.A. Konrath 6/27


✔️11. ♬Read a book with at least 1500 ratings on GR; (tell us how many) OR read a book with a Z in the title.
Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini - Sue Ann Jaffarian (1535 ratings) 6/30

✔️12. ♬Read a book tagged as ROMANCE on the Goodreads main genre page OR Read a book that mentions a real-life product that is hugely popular (doesn't have to be candy -- it could be a real life make of car, like a Toyota, or shoes, like Nike, or perfume, like Chanel No. 5, or anything with a popular brand name that exists in the real world. Cannot be a fictional product. Tell us the product name).
Complicated - Kristen Ashley 6/16

✔️13. ♬Read a book set in one of the countries mentioned above (Argentina, Germany or France, tell us which country your book is set in) OR Read a book where someone practices a sport, goes to or watches a sporting event (tell us who and what sport)
Death by Baguette - Jennifer S. Alderson (Paris, France) 6/12

✔️14. ♬Read a book that has been made into a movie (Tell us the name of the movie) OR Read a book with the author's first or last initial in BERNARDO BERTOLUCCI. (post a link to the author's page)
West of the Moon - A.E. Becker 6/7

✔️15. ♬Read a book first published in 2009 (Please tell us the publication date) OR Read a book whose title begins with a letter in UNESCO (disregard A, An and The)
East of the Sun - A.E. Becker 6/4

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

[Barbara ★]

Wild Animals in US National Parks
Duration: May 1 - October 31, 2024

READ: 30/25+

✔ 1. AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
❋ Read a book with at least two significant words in the title that begin with the same letter OR a book with teeth shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
Wolf Winter - Cecilia Ekbäck 5/4

✔ 2. AMERICAN BISON
❋ Read a book set in Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota or South Dakota; tell us where OR a book originally published in 2016; tell us the date
The Crêpes of Wrath - Sarah Fox (pub August 16, 2016) 5/15

✔ 3. AMERICAN PIKA
❋ Read a book with something cute on the cover (your interpretation); post the cover OR a book that focuses on an environmental issue; tell us which issue
East of the Sun - A.E. Becker (polar bear and fox) 6/4


✔ 4. ANHINGA
❋ Read a book set in Florida; tell us where OR a book with a large expanse of sky shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
The Boardwalk Bookshop - Susan Mallery 5/11


✔ 5. BALD EAGLE
❋ Read a book with a bird in flight shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book set in the 1970s; tell us when
Silver Silence - Joy Nash 8/10


✔ 6. BARRED OWL
❋ Read a book with a forest shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book with at least one important scene set in a bar or pub; using spoiler tags, briefly explain
Scandal in Skibbereen - Sheila Connolly 5/7
(75% takes place in a pub)

✔ 7. BEAVER
❋ Read a book with a natural body of water shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book with a character who earns a living in a science-related career; tell us who and the career
Tide and Punishment - Bree Baker 5/2


✔ 8. BIGHORN SHEEP
❋ Read a book set in Colorado; tell us where OR a book with a compound word in the title
Killing Trail - Margaret Mizushima 5/17

✔ 9. BLACK BEAR
❋ Read a book with a character who is described as tall (over 6 feet); tell us who and quote the page/location number and an excerpt OR a book with a color name in the title; standing alone
Rock Hard - Nalini Singh 5/10
(the penetrating gaze of the six foot five, broad-shouldered and dangerously gorgeous man), p8

✔ 10. BROWN BEAR
❋ Read a book whose cover is predominantly chocolate brown; post the cover OR a book with a character who frequently loses their temper; using spoiler tags, tell us who
Beasts of the Frozen Sun - Jill Criswell (Torin) 5/11

✔ 11. CALIFORNIA CONDOR
❋ Read a book set in California; tell us where OR a book from a series with at least 10 published books; tell us the series, how many books and the position of your book
Rock Redemption - Nalini Singh 5/22

✔ 12. CARIBOU
❋ Read a book set in Canada; tell us where OR a book with at least 1760 ratings on GR; tell us how many
A River of Golden Bones - A.K. Mulford (2657 ratins) 5/21

✔ 13. COYOTE
❋ Read a book with a character who you think is tricky; using spoiler tags, briefly explain OR a book with sandwiched letters in the title (cOYOte, clEVEr, prOTOcol)
Photo, Snap, Shot - Joanna Campbell Slan 5/3

✔ 14. ELEPHANT SEAL
❋ Read a book with at least one character who regularly moves between at least two different places for some reason (snowbirds, for example); tell us who and the locations OR a book set in a location beginning with a letter in POINT REYES; tell us where (be as specific as possible; Houston, for example, not Texas)
Buying Time - Kelly Cochran (St. Louis) 5/23

✔ 15. ELK
❋ Read a book with the letters E-L-K in the title, in any order OR a book in which a character is being chased/hunted; using spoiler tags, briefly explain
Thin Ice - Paige Shelton (MC running from stalker) 5/5

✔ 16. FLORIDA PANTHER
❋ Read a book with a cat shown prominently on the cover; post the cover OR a book whose page count ends in 00; tell us how many pages
Silver Charms - Kate Moseman 6/13


✔ 17. GOLDEN-MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL
❋ Read a book with a Q somewhere in the author’s name; post a link to the author’s GR page OR a book with some sort of punctuation in the title
Another Time, Another Place - Jodi Taylor 5/19

✔ 18. HAWKSBILL TURTLE
❋ Read a book set in Hawaii; tell us where OR a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in HAWKSBILL (a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the word); post a link to the author’s GR page
Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen 5/4

✔ 19. HUMPBACK WHALE
❋ Read a book in which a distinctive sound is important to the story; using spoiler tags, briefly explain OR a book set in Hawaii, Alaska, Washington (state) or Massachusetts; tell us where
Wild Love - Alisa Woods (Washington) 6/13

✔ 20. MOOSE
❋ Read a book whose title contains a word with double Os, like mOOse OR a book set in Wyoming, Michigan or Alaska; tell us where
Crime Seen - Victoria Laurie (Michigan) 5/24

✔ 21. MULE DEER
❋ Read a book whose title contains no words more than four letters long; two-word minimum OR a book with an especially curious character; tell us who
Murder in an English Village - Jessica Ellicott (Beryl) 5/31

✔ 22. OLYMPIC MARMOT
❋ Read a book whose title begins with O; disregard A, An and The OR a series #7 or #8 book; tell us the series and its position
Old Fashioned - J.A. Konrath 6/27

✔ 23. ORCA
❋ Read a book whose cover is almost entirely black and white (both colors must be present); post the cover OR a book in which a character is killed; using spoiler tags, tell us who
A Matter of Hive and Death - Nancy Coco (Elias) 5/2

✔ 24. POLAR BEAR
❋ Read a book that surprised you in some way; briefly explain OR a book whose cover is almost entirely white; post the cover
The Alpine Xanadu - Mary Daheim 5/12
(all characters are unlikeable, no idea how this series got to 24 books)

✔ 25. PRONGHORN
❋ Read a book set somewhere other than North America; tell us where OR a book by an author who writes under more than one name; post a link to the author’s GR pages (at least two)
A Matter of Time - Terri Brisbin (Scotland) 5/22

✔ 26. SALAMANDER
❋ Read a book with a one-word title OR the shortest book on your TBR that’s over 150 pages; tell us how many pages
Galápagos - Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 6/10

✔ 27. SNOWSHOE HARE
❋ Read a book with a word in the title that has a common homonym (hare/hair, break/brake, prey/pray) OR a book with snow shown prominently on the cover; post the cover
The Life We Bury - Allen Eskens 6/20


✔ 28. STELLER SEA LION
❋ Read a book set in a National Park (any country); tell us where OR a book with a major character who must defend their territory (your interpretation); using spoiler tags, briefly explain
Where He Can't Find You - Darcy Coates 5/5
(Vickers must defend his territory to protect his family)

✔ 29. SWIFT FOX
❋ Read a book with a word in its title that is a synonym for swift (this might help --> https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/ano...) OR a book with at least one indigenous character; tell us who
Run Run as Fast as You Can - Willow Rose 9/5

✔ 30. WEST INDIAN MANATEE
❋ Read a book whose main character goes by a nickname; tell us the given name and the nickname OR a book whose title words all begin with a letter in WEST INDIAN MANATEE; all words count; three-word minimum (a letter can only be used as many times as it appears in the phrase)
Firstlife - Gena Showalter (MC Tenley goes by Ten) 5/19

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

[Barbara ★]

2023 Connections

Duration: October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024
Level 2: 3 books

READ: 36/36

✔️⇒October
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- Dylan Thomas

Matching Words: Do, Not, Go, Gentle, Into, That, Good, Night, Old, Age, Should, Burn, Rave, Close, Day, Rage, Against, Dying, Light, Dylan, Thomas

✔ 1. [Night] Never Whistle at Night - Shane Hawk 10/2
✔ 2. [Night] Night of the Witch - Sara Raasch 10/14
✔ 3. [Witch] Down & Out Witch - Sami Valentine 10/26

✔️⇒ November
I would like to be the air
that inhabits you for a moment
only. I would like to be that unnoticed
& that necessary.
- Margaret Atwood

Matching Words: I, Would, Like, Be, Air, That, Inhabits, You, Moment, Only, Unnoticed, Necessary, Margaret, Atwood

✔ 1. [You] Yes & I Love You - Roni Loren 11/1
✔ 2. [Loren] Whales and a Watery Grave - Ruby Loren 11/2
✔ 3. [Grave] Grave Witch - Kalayna Price 11/3

✔️⇒ December
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
- Emily Dickinson

Matching Words: Hope, Thing, Feathers, That, Perches, Soul, Sings, Tune, Without, Words, Never, Stops, All, Emily, Dickinson

✔ 1. [Hope] Hope for the Best - Jodi Taylor 12/13
✔ 2. [Best] The Best of Friends - Susan Mallery 12/27
✔ 3. [Friends] The Society of Imaginary Friends - Kristen Pham 12/28

✔️⇒ January
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes
- Lord Byron

Matching Words: She, Walks, Beauty, Like, Night, Cloudless, Climes, Starry, Skies, All, That's, Best, Dark, Bright, MEET, Her, Aspect, Eyes, Lord, Byron.

✔ 1. [Meet] Meet Your Baker - Ellie Alexander 1/11
✔ 2. [Your] Forever Your Earl - Eva Leigh 1/22
✔ 3. [Forever] The Forever Girl - Jill Shalvis 1/28

✔️⇒ February
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
- Langston Hughes

Matching Words: Let, America, Be, Again, Dream, Used, Pioneer, Plain, Seeking, Home, Where, HE, Himself, Free, Never, Me, Langston, Hughes

✔ 1. [HE] And There He Kept Her - Joshua Moehling 2/9
✔ 2. [HER] If You Hear Her - Shiloh Walker 2/10
✔ 3. [YOU] If You Know Her - Shiloh Walker 2/17

✔️⇒ March
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Matching Words: How, Do, I, Love, Thee, Let, Me, Count, Ways, Depth, Breadth, Height, My, Soul, Can, Reach, When, Feeling, Out, Sight, Ends, Being, Ideal, Grace, ELIZABETH, Barrett, Browning

✔ 1. [Elizabeth] The Force of Wind - Elizabeth Hunter 3/16
✔ 2. [Hunter] Final Heir - Faith Hunter 3/27
✔ 3. [Final] The Final Score - Jaci Burton 3/31

✔️⇒ April
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
- Maya Angelou

Matching Words: You, May, Shoot, Me, With, Your, Words, Cut, Eyes, KILL, Hatefulness, But, Still, Like, Air, I'll, Rise, Maya, Angelou

✔ 1. [KILL] Kill Me If You Can - Marshall Karp & James Patterson 4/7
✔ 2. [YOU CAN] You Can Die - Rebecca Zanetti 4/10
✔ 3. [DIE] Don't Die, Dragonfly - Linda Joy Singleton 4/15


✔️⇒ May
My song will sit in the pupils of your eyes, and will carry your sight into the heart of things.
And when my voice is silenced in death, my song will speak in your living heart.
- Rabindranath Tagore

Matching Words: My, Song, Will, Sit, Pupils, Your, Eyes, Carry, Sight, Into, Heart, Things, When, Voice, Silenced, DEATH, Speak, Living, Heart, Rabindranath, Tagore

✔ 1. [DEATH] A Matter of Hive and Death - Nancy Coco 5/2
✔ 2. [MATTER] A Matter of Time - Terri Brisbin 5/22
✔ 3. [TIME] Buying Time - Kelly Cochran 5/23

✔️⇒ June
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
- William Butler Yeats

Matching Words: Things, FALL, Apart, Centre (Center), Cannot, Hold, Mere, Anarchy, Loosed, Upon, World, Blood, Dimmed, Tide, Everywhere, Ceremony, Innocence, Drowned, Best, Lack, All, Conviction, While, Worst, Full, Passionate, Intensity, William, Butler, Yeats.

1. [FALL] Love at the Fall Festival - Belle Willows 6/11
2. [LOVE] Wild Love - Alisa Woods 6/13
3. [WILD] Dragons of Wild - Ava Richardson 6/16

✔️⇒ July
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
Write, for example, 'The night is starry and the stars are blue and shiver in the distance.'
The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.
- Pablo Neruda

Matching Words: Tonight, I, CAN, Write, Saddest, Lines, Example, Night, Starry, Stars, Blue, Shiver, Distance, Wind, Revolves, Sky, Sings, Pablo, Neruda

1. [CAN] - Some Can See - J.R. Erickson 7/9
2. [SEE] - The More I See You - Lynn Kurland 7/21
3. [YOU] - Wonderful You - Mariah Stewart 7/23

✔️⇒ August
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley

Matching Words: My, Name, Ozymandias, King, Kings, Look, Works, Mighty, Despair, Nothing, Beside, Remains, Round, Decay, THAT, Colossal, Wreck, Boundless, Bare, Lone, Level, Sands, Stretch, Far, Away, Percy, Bysshe, Shelley

1. [THAT] Been There Dragon That - Krystal Shannan 8/4
2. [DRAGON] Don't Feed the Dragon - S.W. Clarke & Ramy Vance 8/9
3. [CLARKE] Little Girl Lost - Alexandria Clarke 8/14

✔️⇒ September
And I will show you something different from either
Your shadow at morning striding behind you
Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you;
I will show you fear in a handful of dust
- T. S. Eliot

Matching Words: I, Will, Show, You, Something, Different, From, Either, Your, Shadow, Morning, Striding, Behind, Evening, Rising, Meet, FEAR, Handful, Dust, Eliot

1. [FEAR] Fear the Silence - Robert Bryndza 9/2
2. [ROBERT] Alone - Robert J. Crane 9/4
3. [ALONE] Girl, Alone -Blake Pierce 9/7

CHALLENGE COMPLETE

[Barbara ★]

Countries of the World #2 - Sri Lanka
Duration: September 2024

READ: 10/6+

SRI LANKA
✔ Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is also sometimes called 'the Teardrop of India', based on its shape and location with respect to India.
🚩Read a book whose title starts with a letter in SRILANKA (ignore A, An and The or equivalent if not English).


Stats

✔ - Capital: Colombo
🚩Read a book whose author's first and last initials are in the word COLOMBO (letters can only be used as many times as they appear in the word).
Stone Song - Tricia O'Malley 9/10

✔ - Population: 22,037,000 (2022 estimate)
🚩Read a book whose total number of pages contain at least 2 of the numbers in the population (tell us the page count).
Moving is Murder - Nellie H. Steele (326 pages)9/2

✔ - Area: 25,332.2 sq mi
🚩Read a book whose year it was first published has at least 2 of the numbers in the area (tell us the year published).
Flight from Death - Yasmine Galenorn (pub 2015) 9/11

Trivia

✔ 1. 🚩Read a book in which religion is an important part of the plot -or- read a book with human feet on the cover (post the cover).
$10,000 in Small, Unmarked Puzzles - Parnell Hall 9/22


✔ 2. 🚩Read a book whose title contains the word LION or LIONS or the cover and/or plot features a lion (if using cover option, show us the cover; if using plot option tell us how the book fits) -or- read a book with a staircase prominently shown on the cover (post the cover).
The Arrangement - Joan Wolf 9/23


✔ 3. 🚩Read a book in which someone survives a major accident (tell us who and what they survived) -or- read a book first published in 2015.
The Barbarian King's Assassin - Eve Langlais 9/3
(MC fell off a really high cliff into water and survived)

✔ 4. 🚩Read a book in which all the words of the title begin with a letter in CINNAMON (letters can only be used as many times as are in the word; 2 words minimum, all words count) -or- read a book whose cover shows tree bark (the bark must be seen; post the cover).
Love, Aubrey - Suzanne LaFleur 9/24


✔ 5. 🚩Read a book set during the dry season months of May through September (tell us when your book is set) -or- read a book with rain on the cover or the plot (show us the cover if using the cover option).
Whispering Twilight - Melissa McShane 9/6
(the rain beating down on her), p40

✔ 6. 🚩Read a book in which the main character owns a small business (tell us what it is) -or- read a book with a water body on the cover (post the cover).
The Fear Hunter - Elise Sax 9/8
(MC owns a soup restaurant which also has a book store attached)

CHALLENGE COMPLETE