The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2023
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Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD!
Delicious Dee20.5 - Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task: The Nobel Prize
Option 1 - A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution - Jennifer A. Doudna - Doudna won the Noble Prize for Chemistry in 2020 for "“for the development of a method for genome editing”; claiming 1 its a fact ticket for non-fiction
Points in Post: 20
Total Points: 360
Its a Fact Tickets: 3
Big Book Tickets: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
ROBIN P30.3 Cat's Task: Books of the Winter Months
I chose DECEMBER
Book 1 - The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard - contains letters of DECEMBER -B & D in Bonnard, C, R , M & E in Crime, 2 more E's in Sylvestre
** Claiming 1 GO point, orig pub in 1881
Book 2 - A Curious Beginning - Deanna Raybourn - initials DR in December
Points this post: 30
Total points: 450
BB:2 GO:4 IAF:4
Christine V20.10 Group Reads
The Lost City of the Monkey God
I posted in the group discussion thread in message 16 here.
This book is Nonfiction. ***Claiming 1 It's a Fact Ticket***
Points this post: 20
NF tickets this post: 1
Total points: 65
Tasks completed: 5
Books read: 5
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Books: 500=2, 750=0, 1000=0 (Total BB tickets=2)
It's A Fact: 2
Amy B25.1 Susan A's Task: Long, Longer, Longest
Choose an option.
Required: State the option.
Option 1: This is a two book task. Read one book from each option.
Book 1:
Read a book with a title of 3 or more words. Each word in the title must contain more letters than the preceding word. Ignore subtitles.
No Way Home: Enduring in a Cruel and Darkened World - Book One by Jack Hance
Ebook approved for length by moderator Jan 14, 2024, message 159
Book 2:
Read a book in which every number in the page count is greater than the number preceding it. (Page counts containing the number zero do not work for this task.)
Required: State the page count
The Colour Of Lightning by Paulette Jiles (349 pgs)
This Task: 25 Points
To Date: 245 Points
Mod
50.1 - Trishhartuk’s Task: The Spirits of the Past, the Present and the Future
Book 1: The Past
Read a book that is set in, or is about a period, before 1950, AND has one of the MPGs “History”
Set in 1892 - 269 pages
The Last Outlaws: The Desperate Final Days of the Dalton Gang. Tom Clavin. 1.15.2024
Book 2: The Present
Read a book first published in 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024, which is set in the present day
Published in 2021 - 310 pages - MPG Contemporary
The Christmas Bookshop. Jenny Colgan. 1.13.2024
Book 3: The Future
Read a novel by an author who has published one or more novels with a "present day" setting relative to its publishing date, defined as within the same decade (for example, one published in 1985 that was set in the 1980s, or one published in 1928 that was set in the 1920s), and also one or more novels in the science fiction and/or fantasy genres.
MPG - Fantasy, also the author of The Land: Founding - MPG of Science Fiction, 650 pages
God's Eye: Awakening: A Labyrinth World Novel. Aleron Kong. 1.19.2024
Task total: 50
Season total: 75
Mod
30.1 Mazza1's Task - The Life of Solomon
Option 1 Two book option
That was the end of Solomon Grundy
a) Read a book where the Author’s FIRST and LAST initials appear in the line of verse. Only books with a single author are allowed. NS
At First Sight. Nicholas Sparks. 1.7.24
b) Read a book with a word of 4 OR MORE letters in the title made from the remaining letters in your chosen line of verse last
The Last Girls. Lee Smith. 12.29.23
Task total: 30
Season total: 105
HanneloreTask 20.4 - Golden Oldies - Joop's Task: Golden Oldies
Option A: Read a book where 1 or more main characters is of old age. This should be clear from the book description or otherwise be made clear.
Book: Crossings
How it fits: In description: "Finally, there are the fantastical memoirs of a woman-turned-monarch whose singular life has spanned seven generations."
Points this task: 20
Total points: 20
Tasks completed: 1
BB tickets:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
GO tickets: 0
IAF tickets: 0
MAZZA110.5 - A Ghost Story For Christmas
Read a book that features ghosts or spirits.
First Grave on the Right ghosts is MPG
points this post = 10
Points to date = 515
JP10.6 - Roll the Bones
Read a book whose page count consists solely the numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Digits may appear multiple times.
Kant: An Answer to the Question: What Is Enlightenment?
121 pages
Points this post: 10
Total points: 105
Mod
25.4 Robin P’s Task: Children’s Party Games
Option 2: Musical Chairs
Book A: Read a book with a chair on the cover. For this task a chair is defined as a seat for one person that has a seat & a back
Required: Post the cover
. Robyn Carr. 1.3.24Book B: Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are found in MUSICAL CHAIRS. Letters may only be used as often as they appear in the phrase.
Just a Regular Boy. Catherine Ryan Hyde. 1.5.24
Task total: 25
Season total: 130
Bookwrm526Task #15.8 An Extra Day
Read a book first published in a leap year (2024, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004 etc). I read Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Mythsby Natalie Haynes, first published in 2020.
Total points so far: 350
5.1- No "L" DayRead a book with no "L" In the title/subtitle/authors name
The Understory by Saneh Sangsuk
Task Total: 5
Season Total: 165
5.4- A Werewolf in the MafiaRead a book that is first published in or is set in the 1980's.
Published 1985
Walk Me to the Distance by Percival Everett
Task Total: 5
Season Total: 170
5.5- It's a New YearRead a book published 2023 by a new to you author (August 2023)
This author is new to me:
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
Task Total: 5
Season Total: 175
5.10 A Holiday Gift For YouRead a book of your choice that meets SRC rules.
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
Task Total: 5
Season Total: 180
10.5 - A Ghost Story For ChristmasRead a book that features ghosts or spirits.
From GR description:
Due takes us to Gracetown, a small Florida town that has both literal and figurative ghost; into future scenarios that seem all too real; and provides empathetic portraits of those whose lives are touched by Otherness.
Ghost Summer by Tananarive Due
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 190
10.7 - It's-a Me, Mario!Read a book by a single author whose name contains all the letters of one of the following Mario characters: MARIO, LUIGI, PEACH, YOSHI, WARIO or BOWSER.
Required: State the character.
Mario: MontserrAt ROIg
The Song of Youth by Montserrat Roig
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 200
15.4 Feed the BirdsOPTION 2: Read ONE book that fulfills both requirements
a) Read a book with a bird on the cover
b) Read a book where ALL of the author's initials are found in ONE of the following most common British garden birds, according to the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020:
MagPie
Fire Bird by Perumal MuruganTask Total: 15
Season Total: 215
15.6 Let's Celebrate! Read a book where the authors initials can be found in FiREwORKS
Cold New Climate by Isobel Wohl
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 230
15.9 Pass the Parcel Read a book that has been "passed on". For the purposes of this task, your book may have been gifted to you, obtained second hand, or borrowed from the library
Required: State where you obtained the book
I obtained this book from the Pierce County Library
The Parade by Dave Eggers
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 245
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Apple's Task: Christmas Special For this task, read a book that features a word of 4 or more letters from one of the television specials (not necessarily Christmas), from this list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Required: State the word and the television special:
Bear - The Ballad of Smokey the Bear
The Way of the Bear by Anne Hillerman
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 265
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task: The Nobel PrizeOption 1: Read a book written by a Nobel Prize laureate from this list: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/lis...
111 pages combined poetry by Nobel Winner Louise Glück
The Wild Iris and Winter Recipes from the Collective
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 285
25.5 Dee's Task : I Like A Good Mystery (series) and I Cannot Lie! Option 1. Historical Series. Most of my comfort read mysteries are also set in the 1920’s and 1930’s – but really any non-contemporary time will do.
Read a mystery that is set at least 50 years ago (before 1973).
Set in 1911
The Falcon at the Portal by Elizabeth Peters
Option 2. Female Protagonists.
Read a book where the main character solving the crime is female: Mma Ramotswe
I have never been to Botswana
From a Far and Lovely Country by Alexander McCall Smith
Task Total: 25
Season Total: 310
Laurah3010.1 - Poetry for Neanderthals
Read a book where all the words in the title consist of a single syllable
The Witch Elm
This post: 10 points
Total points: 160
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
Laurah3020.2 - Rookie at the Top - Apple's Task: Christmas Special
For this task, read a book that features a word of 4 or more letters from one of the television specials (not necessarily Christmas), from this list:
The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow
word is first
First Lie Wins
This post: 20 points
Total points: 180
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
5.8 - Polar Bear Plunge
Read a book with a 70% white cover
The Present Age: On the Death of Rebellion
Originally published 1846
**Claiming 1 Golden Oldies Ticket**
**Claiming 1 It's a Fact Ticket**
New Points: 5
Total Points: 5
Tickets as of this post: BB(0), GO(1), IaF(1)
10.2 - Festive FolkloreRead a book from the first 25 pages of the Folklore shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Circe by Madeline Miller
Page 1 of list
Point this Post: 10
Total Points: 280
Total IAFs to date: 2
5.1; 5,2; 5.3; 5.4; ...; 5.6; 5.7; 5.8; ...; 5.10
10.1; 10.2; 10.3; ...; 10.5; 10.6; ...; ...; ...; 10.10
15.9; 15.10
...; 20.2; 20.4; ..., 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; ...; 20.10
30.1
15.1 Long and Shorta) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages)
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages)
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
149 pages
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
528 pages
Point this Post: 15
Total Points: 295
Total IAFs to date: 2
5.1; 5,2; 5.3; 5.4; ...; 5.6; 5.7; 5.8; ...; 5.10
10.1; 10.2; 10.3; ...; 10.5; 10.6; ...; ...; ...; 10.10
15.1; ...; ...; ...; ...; ...; ....; ....; 15.9; 15.10
...; 20.2; 20.4; ..., 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; ...; 20.10
30.1
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task: The Nobel PrizeOption 2: Read a book by an author born in Sweden or Norway.
The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz
Born in Sweden
Point this Post: 20
Total Points: 315
Total IAFs to date: 2
5.1; 5,2; 5.3; 5.4; ...; 5.6; 5.7; 5.8; ...; 5.10
10.1; 10.2; 10.3; ...; 10.5; 10.6; ...; ...; ...; 10.10
15.1; ...; ...; ...; ...; ...; ....; ....; 15.9; 15.10
...; 20.2; 20.4; 20.5, 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; ...; 20.10
30.1
Apple wrote: "15.1 Long and Shorta) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages)
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages)
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
149 pages
[book:The M..."
Apologies, could I please claim 1 x Big Book ticket for post #1329
Mod
Mod
Read a book by a single author whose name contains all the letters of one of the following Mario characters: MARIO
read Oona Out of Order
points this post 10
total points 225
Mod
Read a book from either this list of Best Endings or this list of Best Beginnings.
read None of This Is True
found on best endings list on page 3
points this post 10
total points 235
Mod
Option A: Read a book where 1 or more main characters is of old age
read The Marlow Murder Club
points this post 20
total points 255
Mod
Read a book where each word in title contains no repeat letters.
read Bright Young Women
points this post 5
total points 260
Katrisa 50.1 - Trishhartuk’s Task: The Spirits of the Past, the Present and the FutureBook 1: The Past
Read a book that is set in, or is about a period, before 1950, AND has one of the MPGs “History” or “Historical”, stand alone or embedded
I read By Their Cold Fingers
It is set in 1408 and is tagged historical fiction. My book was audio PB pages 292 (no MMPB)
Book 2: The Present
Read a book first published in 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024, which is set in the present day or (for non-fiction) discusses current affairs.
I read Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America published 2023 "Democracy Awakening explains how we got to this perilous point, what our history really tells us about ourselves, and what the future of democracy can be."
My book was audio HC pages 286 (no MMPB and top PB was large print)
Book 3: The Future
Read a novel by an author who has published one or more novels which have the Science Fiction or Fantasy MPGs; and has also published one or more novels with a "present day" setting relative to its publishing date.
I read Sea of Tranquility Sci Fi genre other book by author in contemporary is The Lola Quartet set in 2009 published in 2012
My book was audio MMPB pages 275
Points this Post: 50
Points Total: 775
Jen K20.6 - It's A Fact - MaryPDX's Task: Say It's Carol Singers
Option 1: A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn
Phrase: “LOVE ACTUALLY IS ALL AROUND” aRounD
*****
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 320
IAF: 1
Jen K15.10 Here be Dragons
a) Read a book with a dragon on the cover
Black Powder War
*****
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 335
IAF: 1
Jen K15.8 An Extra Day
Published 2020
*****
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 350
IAF: 1
15.7 When the music stops …Adventures in Modern Recording: From ABC to ZTT by Trevor Horn
Total this Post: 15
Season Total: 625
30.1 Mazza1's Task - The Life of SolomonUsing the line "That was the end of Solomon Grundy"
Option 1
a. Read a book where the Author’s FIRST and LAST initials appear in the line of verse.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
b. Read a book with a word of 4 OR MORE letters in the title made from the remaining letters in your chosen line of verse
Some Desperate Glory - GLORY
Total Points: 65
Deborah20.5 - Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task: The Nobel Prize
Option 2: The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
Born in Oslo, Norway
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 210
Books Read: 17
Tasks Done: 13
MAZZA115.9 Pass the Parcel
Read a book that has been "passed on". For the purposes of this task, your book may have been gifted to you, obtained second hand, or borrowed from the library
The Burning Soul
This book was borrowed from the library
points this post = 15
Points to date = 530
MAZZA115.6 Let's Celebrate!
Read a book where the authors initials can be found in FIREWORKS
Yellowface R.F. Kuang R F and K in target phrase
Points this post = 15
Points to date = 545
Mod
Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy / #489 on pg 5 of Best Beginnings list
Points this post: 10
Total points: 685
Mod
Book 1-
The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann Cox / set in 1800's, MPG Historical Fiction; 320 pg HC
Book 2-
Sable Peak by Devney Perry / pub 2023, MPG Contemporary, set in present day; 352 pg PB
Book 3-
Sharing the Miracle by Kristen Ashley / MPG Contemporary; 140 pg PB
Kristen Ashley also writes Wildest Dreams which has MPG Fantasy
Total pages: 812 > 750
Points this post: 50
Total points: 735
Nick KY15.9 Pass the Parcel I read Trouble Is What I Do by Walter Mosley, borrowed from the library.
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 465
Nick KY30.4 Murder in the Manor
Opt. 1. I read The Observations by Jane Harris, on p. 1 of the Best Victorian Historical Fiction set in Britain list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Opt. 2. I read The Green Man by Kingsley Amis, MPG of “Horror.”
Points This Post: 30
Total Points So Far: 495
Mary P15.10 Here be Dragons
I chose option B: Read a book with the word Dragon intact in the title or subtitle.
Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley
Points this post: 15
Total points: 140
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
All Systems Red (other topics)Murder on the Orient Express (other topics)
The Splendour Falls (other topics)
The Will of the Many (other topics)
Exit Strategy (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Susanna Kearsley (other topics)Neal Stephenson (other topics)
Tom Rob Smith (other topics)
Nora Roberts (other topics)
Agatha Christie (other topics)
More...
Option B: Read a book published after the author's 65th birthday.
Dearly: New Poems by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood was born in 1939
Dearly was published in 2020 when Ms. Atwood was 81
New Points: 20
Total Challenge Points: 225
BB: 1
GO: 1
IaF: 4