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!
Reader name: Marie-AnneTask 15.10: Here be dragons: Option A:
Touched by Venom by Janine Cross has a dragon on the cover.
Totals: 15
Books: 1
Summary Totals: 455
Books: 34
Tasks: 19
Big books tickets: 3 (500) 0 (750) 0 (1,000)
MaryPDX15.5 What the Dickens!
Read a book that shares a word of 3 letters or more in the title with one of Dickens novel/novella
***1 GO***
A Christmas Carol First published December 17, 1843
This Task:
BB: 0
IF: 0
GO: 1
Books: 1
Points: 15
Totals:
BB: 2
IF: 5
GO: 3
Points: 445
CelesteR20.4 - Golden Oldies
Option B: Read a book published after the author's 65th birthday.
Book: Black Coffee by Charles Osborne
Charles Osborne was born in 1927. Black Coffee was published in 1998.
1998-1927=71
Post: 20
Total Points: 20
Tasks: 1
FLY Task #25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister Ever
task: Option 1: Read a book with SISTER in the title.
book: The Eighth Sister
(my version is kindle, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits: SISTER in the title
task: Option 3: read a book with a title word of 4+ letters that makes a different word when spelled backwards
book: Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs: A Journey Through the Deep State
(my version is audio, no MMPB, no PB, Hardcover here)
how it fits: DEVIL <--> LIVED
other: **claiming IAF ticket for Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs: A Journey Through the Deep State = nonfiction
Points this post: 25
Total points: 425
Tasks completed: 26/49
BB: 2 / GO: 5 / IAF: 3 + 1 = 4
CelesteR20.6 - It's A Fact
Option 1: Author's Initials - "LOVE ACTUALLY IS ALL AROUND"
Agatha Christie has the initials A and C.
Book: Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
*Claiming a GOLDEN OLDIE*
Peril at End House was published in February 1st, 1932.
Post: 20
GO: 1
Total Points: 40
Tasks: 2
MEGSCL20.5 - Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task: The Nobel Prize
Option 1 - L'Événement by Annie Ernaux (2022 Nobel for literature)
Total
735 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
MaryPDX10.3 - Season of Love
Read a book with the MPG Romance.
Me Before YouA Christmas Carol First published December 17, 1843
This Task:
BB: 0
IF: 0
GO: 0
Books: 1
Points: 10
Totals:
BB: 2
IF: 5
GO: 3
Points: 455
FLY Task #10.10 - The End?
task: Read a book from either this list of Best Endings or this list of Best Beginnings
book: Lolita
how it fits: #10 (page 1) of Best Beginnings list
Points this post: 10
Total points: 435
Tasks completed: 27/49
BB: 2 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
Shelby
10.2 - Festive Folklore
Read a book from the first 25 pages of the Folklore shelf: Silver in the Wood
How Fits: Folklore Shelf - Pg. 2
Points this post: 10
Total points: 480
Big Books: 0
Golden Oldies: 0
Shelby
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: The Shop on Blossom Street
How Fits: Character - Mario / Author - DebbIe MAcOmbeR
Points this post: 10
Total points: 490
Big Books: 0
Golden Oldies: 0
Shelby
15.1 Long and Short
Task A
Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages): Blaze Erupting
How Fits: Page Count - 124pgs
AND
Task B
Read a LONG book (over 500 pages): Golden Trail
How Fits: Page Count - 662pgs
Claiming 1 Big Book Tickets - 662pgs
Points this post: 15
Total points: 505
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 0
Shelby
20.1 - 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.: By a Thread
How Fits: Cover - Green (Tineye: 76.8%)
Points this post: 20
Total points: 525
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 0
Shelby
20.9 - Moderators' Pet - Kathy P's Task: Winter Love... Actually
Read a book by an author who shares a first or last name with one of the actors in the movie.: Rhapsodic
How Fits: Actor - Laura Linney / Author: LAURA Thalassa
Points this post: 20
Total points: 545
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 0
Shelby
20.10 Group Reads
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Winter 2023 season.: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
How Fits: Gutenberg Classic Option / Discussion Post
Claiming 1 Golden Oldies Ticket - Published: January 1, 1904
Points this post: 20
Total points: 565
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
FLY Task #30.4 Nick KY’s Task: Murder in the Manor
task: Opt. B. Read a book with an MPG of “Horror”
book: Home Before Dark
(my version is audio, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits: MPG Horror
task: Opt. C. Read a book with a 3+ letter word in the title that can be made from NEWGATE PRISON
book: Murder Notes
(my version is kindle, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits: NOTES in (N)EWGA(TE) PRI(SO)N
Points this post: 30
Total points: 465
Tasks completed: 28/49
BB: 2 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
Kai15.4 Feed the Birds
OPTION 2
Read one book that fulfills both requirements of option 1:
- Read a book with a bird on the cover
- Read a book where ALL of the author's initials are found in ONE of the most common British garden birds
Big Sky by Kate Atkinson
KA - blAcKbird
New Points: 15
Tasks Competed: 29
Total Points: 415
FLY Task #10.9 - Winners of Winter
task: Read a book that has won or has been nominated for a literary award that begins with one of the letters found in WINTER.
book: Parable of the Sower
how it fits: Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel (1994)
Points this post: 10
Total points: 475
Tasks completed: 29/49
BB: 2 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
Shelby
UNCLAIMING THIS TASK
Option 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) or
“I KNOW HIM!” (Elf): Some Kind of Magic
How Fits: Quote - Love ACtually is All ARound / Author: R. Cooper
Points this post: 20
Total points: 310
Big Books: 0
Golden Oldies: 0
FLY Task #5.6- Christmas Murder Mystery Night
task: Read a MPG Mystery or Christmas.
book: Never Lie
(my version is kindle, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits: MPG Mystery
Points this post: 5
Total points: 480
Tasks completed: 30/49
BB: 2 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
Shelby
UNCLAIMING THIS TASK
Read a book where each word in title contains no repeat letters.: Rock Hard
How Fits: Title - No repeat letters in each word
Points this post: 5
Total points: 10
Big Books: 0
Golden Oldies: 0
Shelby
5.2- Unique Like a Snowflake
Read a book where each word in title contains no repeat letters.: Seduction Game
How Fits: Title - No repeat letters in each word
Points this post: 5
Total points: 545
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
Shelby
20.6 - It's A Fact - MaryPDX's Task: Say It's Carol Singers
Option 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) or
“I KNOW HIM!” (Elf): Rock Hard
How Fits: Quote - Love Actually iS All ArouNd / Author: Nalini Singh
Points this post: 20
Total points: 565
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
Shelby
25.1 Susan A's Task: Long, Longer, Longest
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: The Rebel Candidate
How Fits: Title - The Rebel Candidate / Letters - 3, 5, 9
AND
Book 2
Read a book in which every number in the page count is greater than the number preceding it. : Some Kind of Magic (Being
How Fits: Page Count - 139
Points this post: 25
Total points: 590
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
Shelby
25.5 Dee's Task : I Like A Good Mystery (series) and I Cannot Lie
Option 1
Read a mystery set at least 50 years ago (before 1973).: Unknown
How Fits: Book Quote - Invitation sent in plot "Sir, Your company is desired for Dinner at the Endicott Estate. Friday, June 17, 1910 at 8pm."
AND
Option 2
Read a book where the main character solving the crime is female.: Survivor In Death
How Fits: MC is Eve Dallas, a female cop
Points this post: 25
Total points: 615
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
FLY Task #20.4 - Golden Oldies - Joop's Task: Golden Oldies
task: Option B: Read a book published after the author's 65th birthday.
book: Mr. Mercedes
(my version is audio, first MMPB here)
how it fits: First published June 3, 2014. Author Stephen King was born September 21, 1947 according to wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen...
other: **Claiming BB ticket for 560 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Points this post: 20
Total points: 500
Tasks completed: 31/49
BB: 2 + 1 = 3 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
Shelby
30.2 Katrisa's Task : Winter Zodiac
Option 1 / Book 1
Read a book from this Archery list.: The Target
How Fits: #113 on Pg.2 of Achery & Page Count: 381pgs
AND
Book 2
Read a book with a single author or multiple authors where all the author’s initials can be found in the word TEMPERANCE.: His Last Christmas in London
How Fits: Author - Con Riley & Page Count: 198
Total Pages: 579pgs
Points this post: 30
Total points: 645
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
Kathy KS5.5- It's a New Year
Read a book published 2023 by a new to you author
Enlightened Transsexual Comix by Sam Szabo
1st published: 2023, author is new to me
I read as an ebook; hb-128 p. (no mmpb or pb)
******
Points for this task: 5
Total points : 745
Tasks completed: 45/49
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: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 11
Shelby
50.1 - Trishhartuk’s Task: The Spirits of the Past, the Present and the Future
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”: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
How Fits: Set in the 1920's-1936 / MPG: History / Page Count: 404pgs
AND
Book 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.: The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year
How Fits: Published - October 24, 2023 / Current Affairs - "Margaret Renkl presents a literary fifty-two chapters that follow the creatures and plants in her backyard over the course of a year." / Page Count: 270
AND
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.: In the Lives of Puppets
How Fits: MPG: Science Fiction / Page Count: 432 / T.J. Klune also published Bear, Otter, and the Kid with MPG: Contemporary with a setting contemporaneous to its publishing
Total Pages: 1106pgs
Points this post: 50
Total points: 695
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
PAULA S25.5 Dee's Task : I Like A Good Mystery (series) and I Cannot Lie!
Option 1. Historical Series. Read a mystery set at least 50 years ago (before 1973). This book may be published during this time as long as its set in or before 1973.
This book was first published in 1940 and has a contemporary setting to when it was first published, i.e. it is set before 1973.
I read the kindle edition, MMPB link for reference: Death at the Bar
This book is a golden oldie, I claim 1 GO ticket.
Option 2. Female Protagonists. Read a book where the main character solving the crime is female.
Main crime solving character is Miss Marple.
Points this task: 25
Total points: 55
BB: 1
GO: 1
NF:
PAULA S20.1 - Most Improved - TessaVanessa's Task: TessaVanessa's NYC Adventure
Option 1: Read a book that has a title of at least 3 words, where the first letter of each word appears in SESAME STREET. Ignore subtitles.
The Miracle Equation: The Two Decisions That Move Your Biggest Goals from Possible, to Probable, to Inevitable
Ignoring subtitle gives a three word title with first letters TME
T in sTreet
M in sesaMe
E in sEsame
This is a non-fiction book. I claim 1 NF ticket.
Points this task: 25
Total points: 80
BB: 1
GO: 1
NF: 1
PAULA S20.7 - 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
Author initials AC found in choColAte
Points this task: 25
Total points: 105
BB: 1
GO: 1
NF: 1
HanneloreTask 30.3 Cat : Books of the Winter Months
Option 1: TWO book task : December
Book 1: ALL the letters of your chosen month can be found in the title of your book
Book: De Cock en het sombere naakt
How it fits: "DE Cock En het soMBERe naakt"
Book 2: the author of your book has first and last initials found in your chosen month.
Book: De botanist
How it fits: The author is M.W. Craven. MC can be found in "deCeMber"
Points this task: 30
Total points: 130
Tasks completed: 8
BB tickets:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
GO tickets: 1
IAF tickets: 0
HanneloreTask 30.4 Nick KY’s Task: Murder in the Manor
Read two books from two different options.
Book 1: Opt. A.
For this option read a book from one of the following “Manor House” lists.
Book: Dood van een danseres
How it fits: Book is #2 (page 1) on the list with "Whodunit Mansions" under the english title "The Body in the Library". This is the dutch translation.
Book 2: Opt. B.
Read a book with an MPG of “Horror”.
Book: Later
How it fits: Book has MPG Horror.
** Book 1 is published in 1942. Requesting a GO ticket for this read. **
Points this task: 30
Total points: 160
Tasks completed: 9
BB tickets:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
GO tickets: 2
IAF tickets: 0
HanneloreTask 5.1- No "L" Day
Read a book with no "L" In the title/subtitle/authors name.
Book: Brandoffer
How it fits: No L in title, book has no subtitle, no L in authors name either. Author is M.W. Craven.
Points this task: 5
Total points: 165
Tasks completed: 10
BB tickets:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
GO tickets: 2
IAF tickets: 0
Laurah305.5- It's a New Year
Read a book published 2023 by a new to you author/authors
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
This author is new to me.
This post: 5 points
Total points: 250
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
EMurphy30.1 Mazza1's Task: The Life of Solomon
Option 1: Author's first and last initials appear in the line of verse Scorched Grace by Margaret Douaihy
*"That was the end of Solomon Grundy"
Option 2: Word of 4 or more letters in the title made from the remaining letters in your chosen line of verse This Is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
*Word is HURT
**It's a Fact Ticket
This Task:
Points: 30
Books Read: 2
BB Ticket: 0
GO Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 1
Total:
Points: 170
Books Read: 12
BB Ticket: 0
GO Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 2
Tasks Completed: 6
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
The Golem and the Djinni - Historical Fiction mpg and set in 1899
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.
Black Hat, White Witch - First published in 2021
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
The White Road - "present day" novel. There is a reference on page 204 of my edition a reference to something occurring in 2000, the book was first published in 2003
John Connolly also write ya fantasy see The Book of Lost Things mpg fantasy
Total page count- 1096
Total points - 265
Books read - 20
GO - 1
Joanne MI20.8 Nickels & Dimes -
Option 1 -
The Mapmaker's Daughter
The main location of the story is Istanbul, Turkey
Points this task 20
Total Points 335
2 BB 6 IAF 1 GO
Amy B25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister Ever
This is a two-book task. Please select one book from two different options. No children’s books or sequential art may be used.
Option 1: Read a book with SISTER in the title. Plural and possessives work, but no other options.
Sisters by Daisy Johnson
Option 3: 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
Ordinary Notes by Christina Sharpe (notes backwards = seton - "a thread or the like inserted beneath the skin to provide drainage or to guide subsequent passage of a tube")
This Task: 25 Points
To Date: 725 Points
Mod
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 Best Man to Die
The word "MAN" is shared with the Dickens novella "The Haunted Man"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 290 + 15= 305
Total Tasks Completed: 19
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 7
Mod
Read a book with no "L" In the title/subtitle/authors name
The Woman in Me
This is non-fiction so I claim an "It's a Fact" ticket
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 305 + 5= 310
Total Tasks Completed: 20
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 7 + 1 = 8
Mod
read a book that features a word of 4 or more letters from one of the television specials from this list:
The Christmas Murder Game
The word CHRISTMAS appears in several of the specials including
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July & 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 310 + 20= 330
Total Tasks Completed: 21
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 8
Chris MD 5.5 It's a New Year
Read a book published 2023 by a new to you author/authors
The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor by Patricia Rice
The book was published July 2023, and Rice is a new-to-me author.
I read the Kindle edition. There is no MMP. The top paperback has 250 pages.
Total points: 605
Chris MD 5.8 Polar Bear Plunge
Read book with a cover of at least 70% White according to Tineye.
by G.A. McKevettAccording to Tineye, this bookcover is 70.3% white.
Total points: 610
Chris MD 10.10 The End?
Read a book from either this list of Best Endings or this list of Best Beginnings.
The Murders in the Rue Morgue: The Dupin Tales by Edgar Allan Poe
Currently #170 on the page 2 of Best Beginnings list.
This book was first published in 1844. Claiming 1 Golden Oldie ticket.
Total points: 620
Chris MD 15.5 When the Music Stops
Read a book with MPG Music
The Holy or the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, and the Unlikely Ascent of "Hallelujah" by Alan Light
"Music" is the first MPG listed.
Total points: 635
Chris MD 15.8 An Extra Day
Published in a leap year
Paper Girls, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
This book was first published in 2016, which was a leap year.
Total points: 650
Chris MD 15.9 Pass the Parcel
Read a book that has been gifted to you, obtained second hand, or borrowed from the library.
Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn
Borrowed from the library.
Total points: 665
Chris MD 15.10 Here Be Dragons
Option B: Read a book with the word Dragon intact in the title or subtitle
by Donna GrantI read the Kindle edition. There is no MMP. The top paperback has 125 pages.
In case there's any confusion looking at the book cover. The book is part of a book series called 1001 Dark Nights, but the book title is Dragon Revealed. (There are also dragons on cover.)
Total points: 680
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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...
Task 5.10: Easy breezy
In the Forests of Serre by Patricia A. McKillip
Totals: 5
Books: 1
Summary Totals: 440
Books: 33
Tasks: 18
Big books tickets: 3 (500) 0 (750) 0 (1,000)