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!
Kai50.1 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” or “Historical”, stand alone or embedded (e.g. “Historical Fiction”).
The Auburn Conference by Tom Piazza
199 Pages
BOOK TWO: 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.
The Guest by Emma Cline
304 Pages
BOOK THREE: 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.
Fantasy: Menewood by Nicola Griffith
720 Pages
Also wrote: The Blue Place
Total Pages: 1223
New Points: 50
Tasks Competed: 25
Total Points: 320
Kai30.3 Cat : Books of the Winter Months
OPTION 1
February
BOOK 1
ALL the letters of your chosen month can be found in the title of your book (ignore subtitles)
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
(whAtyoUaRelookingFoRisinthEliBrarY)
BOOK TWO
The author of this book has first and last initials found in your chosen month. Letters may only be used as often as they appear.
Above the Waterfall by Ron Rash
febRuaRy
New Points: 30
Tasks Competed: 26
Total Points: 350
Kai30.1 Mazza1's Task - The Life of Solomon
Chosen Line: "That was the end of Solomon Grundy"
OPTION 1
BOOK A
Read a book where the Author’s FIRST and LAST initials appear in the line of verse.
Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso
thatwaStheendofsoloMongrundy
BOOK 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
Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder
"WORLD"
thatWatheendOfsoLoongRunDy
New Points: 30
Tasks Competed: 27
Total Points: 380
Kai20.5 Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task: The Nobel Prize
OPTION 2
Read a book by an author born in Sweden or Norway.
Ti Amo by Hanne Ørstavik
Author born in Norway.
New Points: 20
Tasks Competed: 28
Total Points: 400
FLY Task #30.1 Mazza1's Task - The Life of Solomon
task: Author’s FIRST and LAST initials appear in the line of verse
book: The Prince
how it fits: Niccolò Machiavelli initials NM in That was the end of Solo(m)o(n) Grundy
task: a 4+ letter word in the title made from the remaining letters
book: Outcasts of Earth
(my version is kindle, no MMPB, PB here)
how it fits: "earth" in That w(a)s (the) end of Soloo G(r)undy
other: ***claiming a GO ticket for The Prince First published 1513
Points this post: 30
Total points: 390
Tasks completed: 24/49
BB: 2 / GO: 4 + 1 = 5 / IAF: 2
FLY Task #10.7 - It's-a Me, Mario!
task: Read a book by a single author whose name contains all the letters of a Mario character
book: Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens And Hitler's Olympics
how it fits: author Jeremy Schaap contains all the letters of PEACH
other: **Claiming IAF ticket for nonfiction biography
Points this post: 10
Total points: 400
Tasks completed: 25/49
BB: 2 / GO: 5 / IAF: 2 + 1 = 3
25.2 - JennRenee's Task: Oh What Fun!Option 1: Twelve Days
Book 1: Read a book that is 1-12 of a series
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Montague Siblings #1
Book 2 : authors initials found in TIS THE SEASON
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
Total points: 265 + 25 = 290
Big Book tickets: 0
Golden Oldies tickets: 0
It's a Fact tickets: 0
Bookwrm526Task #25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister Ever
Option 1: Read a book with SISTER in the title. Plural and possessives work, but no other options. I read A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II by Elizabeth Wein.
Option 2: Read a book with a title that contains at least two rhyming words of three or more letters each. I read A Will To Kill by R.V. Raman (WILL and KILL).
Total points so far: 735
Kristen IA5.7- Telephone Pictionary
Read a book with the MPG Art or Manga/comic book/graphic novels/Sequential Art
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 325/775
Tasks Completed: 24/49
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 3
Task 25.4 Children’s Party GamesOption 3. Fruit Basket
Book A: Read a book with a piece of fruit on the cover.
Required: Post the cover
APPLES on cover
The Curse of Penryth Hall (2023) by Jess Armstrong (Goodreads Author) (Hardcover 326 pages)
Book B: Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are found in FRUIT BASKET.
fruit BaskeT
Dream London (The Dream World #1) (2013) by Tony Ballantyne (Paperback 404 pages)
275 + 25 = 300
Tasks Completed: 21
Points for this post: 25
Points thus far: 275 + 25 = 300
Books read: 26
Pages read: 7,419
Read but not claimed: 00
Goodreads Authors: 10
Golden Oldies: 02
It’s a Fact (Non-Fiction): 03
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
Kristen IA15.6 Let's Celebrate!
Read a book where the authors initials can be found in FIREWORKS
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 340/775
Tasks Completed: 25/49
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 3
JenJ IA20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate Game
Option 3: Chocolate Time
Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in CHOCOLATE.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 610/775
Tasks Completed: 36/49
BB: 3
GO: 0
NF: 4
Julia1035.9- Secret Santa
(gift is at bottom left of cover)
This post: 5 points
Total points: 645
BB: 6
GO: 2
NF: 8
Tasks completed: 38
Books read: 53
Jen K5.5- It's a New Year
Glory Be
Published October 2023 and the author is new to me.
*****
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 775
25.1 Susan A's Task: Long, Longer, LongestOption 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.
The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie
Book 2:
Read a book in which every number in the page count is greater than the number preceding it.
A Whole Life by Robert Seethaler
149 pages
Point this Post: 25
Total Points: 585
Total IAFs to date: 4
Total GOs to date: 2
Total BB to date : 1
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; ...; 10.8; 10.9; 10.10
15.1; 15.2; ...; 15.4; 15.5; ...; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9; 15.10
20.1; 20.2; 20.4; 20.5, 20.6; 20.7; 20.8; .20.9; 20.10
25.1; 25.2; ...; 25.4; ...
30.1; ...; 30.3; 30.4
Readerboard name: Mel S25.4 - Children's Party Games
Option 2
Book A: Chair on the cover
The View from Alameda Island
Book B: Author's initials in "MuSical chairs"
by Mary ShellyThis post: 25pts
This season: 55pts
Task completed: 29
10.1 - Poetry for NeanderthalsRead a book where all the words in the title consist of a single syllable:
Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 505
20.1 - Most Improved - TessaVanessa's Task: TessaVanessa's NYC AdventureOption 4: Read a book by an author that shares a first or last name with one of the four final members: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer, Eric Singer. Names must match exactly, but can be in any place.
Required: State the band member: Paul Stanley
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 525
20.4 - Golden Oldies - Joop's Task: Golden OldiesOption B: Read a book published after the author's 65th birthday.
Requirement: State the author's year of birth and the book's original year of publication.
Published 2021 Born 1954: 67 years old
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Cle...
The Heron's Cry by Ann Cleeves
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 545
25.1 Susan A's Task: Long, Longer, LongestBook 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. 3-5-6
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
Book 2:
Read a book in which every number in the page count is greater than the number preceding it. 2-5-6
Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy
Task Total: 25
Season Total: 570
25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister EverOption 1: Read a book with SISTER in the title.
The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman
Option 3: For this task, read a book with a title word of four or more letters that makes a different word when spelled backwards. Identify the words in your post.
evil is live spelled backwards
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala
Task Total: 25
Season Total: 595
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 (excluding "The" and "And")The Stationery Shop - matches Dickens work The Old Curiosity Shop - using Shop
Points: 15
Total/challenge: 220
Kristina Marie20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking Sanctuary
For this task, themed around refugees, please choose one of the following options. Required: state the option.
Option 1: According to the UNHCR, the top five "source countries" (countries that refugees have fled) are Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, South Sudan and Myanmar. The top five host countries are Turkey, Iran, Colombia, Germany and Pakistan. Read a book that is at least 75% set in one of these countries. Required: state the country the book is set in.
Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey by Ozge Samanci
This book takes place in Turkey.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 665
20.5 The Nobel PrizeOpt 2 - Read a book by an author born in Sweden or Norway
The Winners by Fredrik Backman - born in Sweden
Claiming BB ticket - 673 pgs
Points: 20
Total/challenge: 255
BB ticket: 1
20.6 Carol SingersOption 1: Read a book written by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in one of these famous quotes:
“LOVE ACTUALLY IS ALL AROUND” (Love Actually)
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
A , N in ArouNd
Points: 20
Total/challenge: 275
Kristina Marie15.4 Feed the Birds
OPTION 1: read one book A & one Book B
a) Read a book with a bird on the cover. Required: Post the cover
Death of a Ghost by M.C. Beaton
Audiobook. The MMPB has 320 pages.
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: House sparrow
Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman
Alice Oseman's initials can be found in House Sparrow.
Points this post: 15
Total points: 680
20.8 Seeking SanctuaryOption 2: Read a book where the main character is a refugee or asylum seeker.
They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan refugees
* Claiming It's a Fact Ticket
Points: 20
Total/challenge: 295
It's a Fact Ticket: 1
20.10 Group ReadThe Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise
Post #21 Feb 9, 2024
Points: 20
Total/challenge: 315
Delicious Dee15.10 Here be Dragons
Points in Post: 15
Total Points: 735
Its a Fact Tickets: 6
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldies: 1
Delicious Dee20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Apple's Task: Christmas Special
Croc's Return - for Return to Oz
Points in Post: 20
Total Points: 755
Its a Fact Tickets: 6
Big Book Tickets: 3
Golden Oldies: 1
25.3 Best Sister EverOpt 1 sister in title
Vanessa and Her Sister
Opt 3 - read a book with a title word of four or more letters that makes a different word when spelled backwards.
A Devil in Scotland
Devil backwards is LIVED
Points: 25
Total/challenge: 340
50.1 The Spirits of the Past, the Present and the Future, >750 pgsBk 1 - HF set before 1950
Two Wars and a Wedding - 435 pgs
Set in 1896-1904
Bk 2 - 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.
Someone Else's Shoes - 438 pgs
Published 2/2/23, Contemporary
Bk 3 -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.
Canyons of Night by Jayne Castle - 325 pgs, , Science Fiction and Fantasy MPG
Also writes as Jayne Ann Krentz-Contemporary Eclipse Bay, Contemporary MPG
435+438+325=1198 pgs
Points: 50
Total/challenge: 390
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate GameOption 1
Book: Ruby Fever
How it fits: #6 in the Hidden Legacy series
I listened to the audio book. The mass market paperback edition has 370 pages.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 405
Mod
20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking Sanctuary
Option 1: Read a book set at least 75% in one of the countriesPrisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison―Solitary Confinement, a Sham Trial, High-Stakes Diplomacy, and the Extraordinary Efforts It Took to Get Me Out
As the subtitle suggests, this book is set in Iran
This book in non-fiction so I claim an "It's a Fact" ticket
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 240 + 20= 260
Total Tasks Completed: 16
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 5 + 1 = 6
Task 15.8 An Extra DayRead a book first published in a leap year (2024, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004 etc)
Published in 2004
Cereal Killer: A Savannah Reid Mystery (A Savannah Reid Mystery #9) (2004) by G.A. McKevett (female) (Goodreads Author) (Hardcover 304 pages)
300 + 15 = 315
Tasks Completed: 22
Points for this post: 15
Points thus far: 300 + 15 = 315
Books read: 27
Pages read: 7,723
Read but not claimed: 00
Goodreads Authors: 12
Golden Oldies: 02
It’s a Fact (Non-Fiction): 03
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
5.2 - Unique Like a Snowflaketitle contains no repeat letters
Chemistry by Weike Wang
Total points: 290 + 5 = 295
Big Book tickets: 0
Golden Oldies tickets: 0
It's a Fact tickets: 0
Mod
Period. It's About Bloody Time
The author is EMMA Barnett who shares a name with EMMA Thompson
This book in non-fiction so I claim an "It's a Fact" ticket
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 260 + 20= 280
Total Tasks Completed: 17
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 6 + 1 = 7
Mod
Read a book whose page count consists solely of numbers found on a traditional six-sided die: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Digits may appear multiple times.
The Sinister Booksellers of Bath
I listened to the audiobook, but the top pb
is listed as 335 pages. The digits 335 are all found on a standard die.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 280 + 10= 290
Total Tasks Completed: 18
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 7
Readerboard Name: Kathy P10.10 - The End?
The Shadow of the Wind
List is Best Beginning and it is on page 1.
Totals
Points: 140
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 4
Total Tasks Completed: 18
Total Books Completed: 18
Readerboard Name: Kathy P15.9 Pass the Parcel
Beautiful EucharistReceived the book as a gift from our church.
Claiming 1 It's a fact ticket.
Totals
Points: 155
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 5
Total Tasks Completed: 19
Total Books Completed: 19
Kathy KS20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking Sanctuary
Books with an MPG of Manga/Graphic Novels etc. are allowed for this task.
Option 1: The top five host countries are Turkey, Iran, Colombia, Germany and Pakistan. Read a book that is at least 75% set in one of these countries.
Drawn to Berlin: Comic Workshops in Refugee Shelters and Other Stories from a New Europe by Ali Fitzgerald
Country: entire book deals with her experiences in Germany working with refugees
**Claiming 1 (one) It’s A Fact ticket** : NONFICTION
******
Points for this task: 20
Total points : 725
Tasks completed: 42/49
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 1
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 8
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 1
It's a Fact tickets total: 11
MEGSCL15.3 Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All
UDHR in title - The Mermaid's Voice Returns in This One
*non fiction ticket
Freedom p7 - The Cost of Living: A Working Autobiography
*non fiction ticket
Total
590 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
MEGSCL15.8 An Extra Day
A Rule Against Murder - 2008 publication
Total
605 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
MEGSCL20.9 - Moderators' Pet - Kathy P's Task: Winter Love... Actually
Claudia Schiffer - Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro
Total
625 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
MEGSCL10.6 - Roll the Bones
Tales from the Folly - 224 pp
Total
625 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
MEGSCL25.1 Susan A's Task: Long, Longer, Longest
Book 1 - Rock Paper Scissors (4,5,8)
Book 2 - Brief Answers to the Big Questions (2,5,6)
Total
650 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
MEGSCL50.1 - Trishhartuk’s Task: The Spirits of the Past, the Present and the Future
The past: The Vaster Wilds
The present: Unforgiven
The future: Sputnik Sweetheart (contemporary, Marukami also writes SFF e.g. 1Q84 - this was approved in task help thread)
Total
700 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
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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...
book 1
Read a book that is set in, or is about a period, before 1950, AND has one of the MPGs “History” or “Historical”
read The Village Healer’s Book of Cures
book 2
Read a book first published in 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024, which is set in the present day
read One of the Good Guys
book 3
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.
read contemporary Four Letter Word
who also wrote fantasy Possess
points this post 50
total points 670