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!
Barbara ★15.1 - Long and Short
This is a two book task, read one book for each option:
a) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages)
Breakdown - Daniel Pyle (171 pages) 2/19
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages)
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn - Mark Lawrence 12/9
BIG BOOK: 576 pages
Points this task: 15
Total points: 535
Big Book Tickets: 500 (1) 750 (0) 1000 (0)
LoraTask: 20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking Sanctuary, using Option 1
Book/Author: The Oracle of Stamboul / Michael David Lukas
How it fits: the majority of the story is set in Turkey, listed in GR metadata.
Points for this task: 20
Total points: 740
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 2
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 3
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 8
HanneloreTask 15.8 An Extra Day
Read a book first published in a leap year (2024, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004 etc).
Book: Murmuration
How it fits: This book was first published in 2016.
Points this task: 15
Total points: 100
Tasks completed: 7
BB tickets:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
GO tickets: 1
IAF tickets: 0
Amy B20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking Sanctuary
Please choose one of the following options.
Required: state the option.
Option 1: Read a book that is at least 75% set in one of these countries: Turkey, Iran, Colombia, Germany and Pakistan
Required: state the country the book is set in.
Look Who's Back by Timur Vermes (Germany)
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 625 Points
Readerboard name: Mel S50.1 - Trishhartuk’s Task: The Spirits of the Past, the Present and the Future
Book 1 - Set before 1950: Nathanael Hawthorne is a major character, set in 1829
Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
Book 2 - Published in 2021 and about the present day
The Collective by Alison Gaylin
Book 3 - Read a Sci-Fi MPG book by Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale
Atwood also wrote The Edible Woman about the present day relative to the publication date (books approved on 50.1 Help thread)
This task: 50pts
This season: 495pts
Tasks completed: 27
15.5 - What the Dickens!shares a word of 3+ letters with title of Dickens novel/novella
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
💘 matches Great Expectations 💘
Total points: 230 + 15 = 245
Big Book tickets: 0
Golden Oldies tickets: 0
It's a Fact tickets: 0
Delicious Dee10.8 - Winter Migration
Getting Under Her Skin - set in Australia
Points in Post: 10
Total Points: 655
Its a Fact Tickets: 5
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldies: 1
Andy P.Task # 20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate Game
Option 3.
Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in CHOCOLATE.
Murder on the Lusitania by Conrad Allen
Points this post: 20
Total points: 705
Mod
by Tracey Garvis Graves / at least 70% whiteI have an advance copy of this book.
Tineye: https://labs.tineye.com/color/ad80174...
74.6 %#fafafaWhite
11.0 %#b2b1acGrey
8.7 %#373d41Grey
1.1 %#647857Green
1.1 %#e1a9c1Pink
1.1 %#73143eViolet
1.0 %#ba9d2aYellow
0.5 %#43243cViolet
0.4 %#4c2519Brown
0.4 %#d83d77Pink
Points this post: 5
Total points: 775
Rockynook5.10 - A Holiday Gift For You
Book of your choice
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
Points this Post: 5
Total Points: 260
Rockynook10.2 - Festive Folklore
Found on page 3 of the Folklore shelf:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Points this Post: 10
Total Points: 270
Andy P.Task # 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 about a period before 1950 AND has one of the MPG History or Historical
The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong
Book 2: The Present
Read a book first published in 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024, which is set in the present day
Northwoods by Amy Pease
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
The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells link to other book by HGWells Ann Veronica
Books 1 and 2 were approved in Help thread # 51
Points this post: 50
Total points: 755
Nick KY50.1 Trishhartuk’s: The Spirits of the Past, the Present and the Future
Read three books totaling at least 750 pages.
Like various other people in the SRC, I always try to read Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol during December, as it’s one of my favorite stories. His descriptions are so vivid that I find myself visualizing the scenes, and I see something new in it every time I read it.
This task is not specifically a Christmas task, but it is based on a quote from the beginning of Stave 5. “I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!” Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. “The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.”
Book 1: The Past
Read a book that is set, or is about a period, before 1950, AND has one of the MPGs “History” or “Historical”, stand alone or embedded (e.g. “Historical Fiction”).
I read My Heart Laid Bare by Joyce Carol Oates.
From American colonial times to the 1930s (according to the GR blurb).
531 pp.
CLAIM ONE BIG BOOK
Book 2: The Present
Read a book written since 2020 (i.e. 2021-onwards), with a contemporary setting or about contemporary issues. I read Valley of Refuge by John Teschner, 1st pub’d 2023.
368 pp.
Book 3: The Future
You can use either a contemporary or SF/fantasy book, which can be written either under the author’s usual name, or a pseudonym, as long as a link is included to establish that they are writing in both genres. Required: as well as the book you choose to read, include a link to a book written in the other genre(s), and state the MPGs used for both.
I read Fool's War by Sarah Zettel with a GR genre of “Science Fiction.”
Although Zettel mainly writes in the science fiction/fantasy genre, she has written at least two contemporary mystery/thrillers. One is The Other Sister, MPGs of “Mystery” and “Fiction.” https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
457 pp.
Total pp. for 3 books = 1356 pp.
Points This Post: 50
Total Points So Far: 750
Big Books So Far: 500+ (3)
Kathy KS5.10 A Holiday Gift For You
Read a book of your choice that meets SRC rules.
Camelback Falls by Jon Talton
I listened to an audiobook; pb-208 p. (no mmpb)
******
Points for this task: 5
Total points : 670
Tasks completed: 39/49
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 7
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 9
JenJ IA20.1 - Most Improved - TessaVanessa's Task: TessaVanessa's NYC Adventure
Option 2: Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green according to TinEye.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano - 61.1 % green
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 510/775
Tasks Completed: 32/49
BB: 3
GO: 0
NF: 2
JenJ IA25.2 JennRenee's Task: Oh What Fun!
Option 1: Twelve Days:
Book 1: Read a book that is 1-12 of a series.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
Book 2 : Read a book where all authors initials can be found in Tis the Season
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 535/775
Tasks Completed: 33/49
BB: 3
GO: 0
NF: 2
JenJ IA30.4 Nick KY’s Task: Murder in the Manor
Opt. B. Read a book with an MPG of “Horror”
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
Opt. C. Read a book which has a three-letter-or-longer word in the title or subtitle that can be made from the letters in the phrase: NEWGATE PRISON.
Required: state the word - WAGER
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann
*****I claim 1 "It's A Fact" ticket*****
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 565/775
Tasks Completed: 34/49
BB: 3
GO: 0
NF: 3
20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking SanctuaryOption 3: Chocolate Time - Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in CHOCOLATE.
Good Sugar Bad Sugar by Allen Carr
Total points - 80
Books read - 5
25.4 Robin P’s Task: Children’s Party GamesOption 1: Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Book #1 - Book A: Read a book with a four-legged animal’s tail on the cover - Life After Life
Book #2 - Book B: Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are found in DONKEY TAIL. - Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
Total points - 105
Books read - 7
15.9 Pass the ParcelUtopia by Thomas More
I borrowed the ebook from my local library through Libby.
Claiming a Golden Oldie
Orignal Pub 1516
Total points - 120
Books read - 8
GO - 1
Mod
Option 1: Read a book with SISTER in the title. Plural and possessives work
Sisters Under the Rising Sun
I partly listed to the audiobook & partly read the e-book of this - the top pb is:
Option 3: read a book with a title word of four or more letters that makes a different word when spelled backwards.
Keep Her Close
The word KEEP is PEEK backwards
I listened to the audiobook, the top pb is:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 170 + 25 = 195
Total Tasks Completed: 12
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 0
It's a Fact: 5
15.8 An Extra DayRead a book first published in a leap year (2024, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004 etc)
Heartless by Marissa Meyer - originally published in 2016
Total points- 135
Books read - 9
GO - 1
Mod
Read a book that features ghosts or spirits.
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
This book was first published in 1904 so I claim a Golden Oldie ticket
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 195 + 10 = 205
Total Tasks Completed: 13
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 0 + 1 = 1
It's a Fact: 5
15.5 What the Dickens!Read a book that shares a word of 3 letters or more in the title with one of Dickens novel/novella - BLEAK HOUSE
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Total points - 150
Books read - 10
GO - 1
Julia1035.5- It's a New Year
The Kingdom of Dragons by Cara E. Ruegg
Published in 2023. This author is new to me.
This post: 5 points
Total points: 545
BB: 6
GO: 1
NF: 8
Tasks completed: 33
Books read: 45
Julia10330.3 Cat : Books of the Winter Months
Option 1
Book 1: January Fifteenth
Book 2: Moon Mirror by Andre Norton (initials AN are in JANuary)
This post: 30 points
Total points: 575
BB: 6
GO: 1
NF: 8
Tasks completed: 34
Books read: 47
Julia1035.6- Christmas Murder Mystery Night
Still Kicking
(MPG Mystery)
This post: 5 points
Total points: 580
BB: 6
GO: 1
NF: 8
Tasks completed: 35
Books read: 48
Julia10310.3 - Season of Love
The Black Moth
(MPG Romance)
This was first published in 1921 so claiming one Golden Oldie ticket.
This post: 10 points, 1 GO
Total points: 590
BB: 6
GO: 2
NF: 8
Tasks completed: 36
Books read: 49
Mod
I am using the line: Christened on Tuesday
a) Read a book where the Author’s FIRST and LAST initials appear in the line of verse.
The Cursed Girls
The author is Caro Ramsay & the initials CR are in ChRistened
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
Five Tuesdays in Winter
The word TUESDAYS can be made from chriStened on TUESDAY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 205 + 30 = 235
Total Tasks Completed: 14
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 5
Lisa MD30.1 - Mazza1's Task - The Life of Solomon
Option 1:
Line of Verse - "That was the end of Solomon Grundy"
Book A - Author Initials in line of verse - TL
The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
288 pgs
Book B - Title word in remaining letters of line of verse - "guest"
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
293 pgs
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 385
Total Books Read: 29
Total Tasks Completed: 22 / 49
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 7
MaryPDX10.7 - 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.
The Bridges of Madison County Robert James Waller
Required: State the character--BOWSER
This Task:
BB: 0
IF: 0
GO: 0
Books: 1
Points: 10
Totals:
BB: 2
IF: 5
GO: 2
Points: 405
Readerboard Name: Kathy P10.9 - Winners of Winter
Long Way Down
Award -
Newbery Medal Nominee (2018)
Totals
Points: 130
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 4
Total Tasks Completed: 17
Total Books Completed: 17
trishhartuk5.3 Better in a sweater
Read a book with a 4 or more letter word found in BETTERINASWEATER
To Brew or Not to Brew, Joyce Tremel
Read the kindle edition. Top MMPB: here (278pg)
BREW: BEtteRinasWeater
Points this Task: 5
Books Read: 1
Total Points: 540
Tasks Completed: 33
It’s a Fact Tickets: 1
Golden Oldie Tickets: 1
Big Book Tickets: 1
Task:20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Apple's Task: Christmas Special( a word of 4 or more letters from one of the television specials)
Book read:A Bramble House Christmas by C.J. Carmichael
Required:word CHRISTMAS matches 'Twas the night before Christmas.
Points this task:20
Total points:40
Total Golden Oldies:0
Total Big Books:0
Total It’s A Fact:0
Books read:2
Tasks completed:2
Task:20.6 - It's A Fact - MaryPDX's Task: Say It's Carol SingersOption:1-initials can be found in one of these famous quotes:
“LOVE ACTUALLY IS ALL AROUND” (Love Actually) or
“I KNOW HIM!” (Elf)
Book read:The End by Lemony Snicket
Required:LS in Love iS
Children’s:IL: MG - BL: 7.3 - AR Pts: 9.0
Points this task:20
Total points:60
Total Golden Oldies:0
Total Big Books:0
Total It’s A Fact:0
Books read:3
Tasks completed:3
Task:20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate GameOption:3-a single author whose first and last initials can be found in CHOCOLATE.
Book read:It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
Required:CH in CHocolate
Points this task:20
Total points:80
Total Golden Oldies:0
Total Big Books:0
Total It’s A Fact:0
Books read:4
Tasks completed:4
Task:20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking SanctuaryOption:1 at least 75% set in Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, South Sudan, Myanmar, Turkey, Iran, Colombia, Germany or Pakistan.
Book read:Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi
Required:set entirely in Iran [setting listed on Goodreads]
I claim one It's a fact! ticket as this is listed as non fiction.
Points this task:20
Total points:100
Total Golden Oldies:0
Total Big Books:0
Total It’s A Fact:1
Books read:5
Tasks completed:5
MaryPDX25.4 Robin P’s Task: Children’s Party Games
Option 3. Fruit Basket
Book A: Read a book with a piece of fruit on the cover.
Required: Post the cover
Book B: Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are found in FRUIT BASKET. Letters may only be used as often as they appear in the phrase.
by Fredrik BackmanThis Task:
BB: 0
IF: 0
GO: 0
Books: 2
Points: 25
Totals:
BB: 2
IF: 5
GO: 2
Points: 430
Lisa MD25.5 - Dee's Task : I Like A Good Mystery (series) and I Cannot Lie!
Option 2 - MC crime solver female
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
304 pgs
Series: Finlay Donovan (#3)
Option 3 - Set 80% in country never been - Set in Scotland
The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
247 pgs
Series: Isabel Dalhousie (#1) - 14 primary works in series
I've never been to Scotland
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 410
Total Books Read: 31
Total Tasks Completed: 23 / 49
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 7
Joanne MI5.10 A holiday Gift
The Hello Girls: America's First Women Soldiers
Claiming 1 IAF
Points this task 5
IAF this post 1
Season Total 290
3 BB
6 IAF
1GO
Jen K25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister Ever
Option 1: The Sisters Brothers
Option 2: Single and Ready to Jingle
Single rhymes with Jingle
*****
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 775
Kristen IA15.1 Long and Short
This is a two book task, read one book for each option:
a) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages)
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells - 159 pages
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages)
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver - 560 pages
*****I Claim 1 Big Book ticket*****
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 320/775
Tasks Completed: 23/49
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 3
Readerboard Name - Rebecca NJ15.1 - Long and Short
Book 1 -
The Snowman Killer by Wendy Meadows
This book is a SHORT book (under 200 pages) - PB is 122 pages.
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): The Snowman Killer
Book 2
Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
This book is a LONG book (over 500 pages) - PB is 592 pages.
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): Things We Left Behind
This post: 15 points
Total points to date: 280 points
Tasks completed: 18
Readerboard Name - Rebecca NJ30.3 - Books of the Winter Months
Option 1 - Used December
Book 1 -
A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss
ALL the letters of DECEMBER can be found in the title of your book (December)
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): A December to Remember
Book 2
Small Deaths: A Novel by Rijula Das
The author of your book has first and last initials found in December (R/D)
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): Small Deaths: A Novel
This post: 30 points
Total points to date: 310 points
Tasks completed: 19
Amy B15.1 Long and Short
This is a two book task, read one book for each option:
a) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages)
The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne (156 pgs)
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages)
Required: State the page numbers for both books
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee (571 pages)
This Task: 15 Points
To Date: 640 Points
Delicious Dee5.10 A Holiday Gift For You
D is for Deadbeat
Points in Post: 5
Total Points: 660
Its a Fact Tickets: 5
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldies: 1
Amy B20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate Game
Read one book for one of the following options.
Required: State the option
Option 3: Chocolate Time
Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in CHOCOLATE.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 660 Points
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task: The Nobel PrizeOption 2, an author born in Sweden or Norway: Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten
Helene Tursten was born in Sweden.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 730
LoraTask: 25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister Ever, using Options 2 and 3
Book 1:
Book/Author: Monterey Bay Mystery / Seren Star Goode
How it fits: Monterey and Bay rhyme, and are each 3+ letters long
Book 2:
Book/Author: Grandma and the Buck Deer: And Other Tales of Youthful Disaster / Joel M. Vance
How it fits: Deer in the title, which spelled backwards is Reed
Points for this task: 25
Total points: 765
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 2
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 3
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 8
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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...
20.6 - It's A Fact - MaryPDX's Task: Say It's Carol Singers
Option 1:
“LOVE ACTUALLY IS ALL AROUND” (Love Actually)
Points this post: 15
ND from Around for Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Díaz
I would like to claim an NF ticket for this book.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 235
NF tix: 13
BB tix: 2
Tasks Completed: 21