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!
Chris MD 25.4 Children's Party Games
I chose Option 2: Musical Chairs
Book A: Read a book with a chair on the cover.
by Anne PerryBook B: Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are found in MUSICAL CHAIRS.
A Mirror Mended by Alix E. Harrow
AH in cHAirs
Total points: 725
Chris MD 50.0 Spirits of the Past, Present, and 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”, stand alone or embedded
The Limehouse Text by Will Thomas
The story takes place completely in 1895 and has MPGs of Historical Fiction and Historical Mystery.
I listened to the audio version of this book. There is no MMP. The top paperback has 337 pages.
Book 2: Read a book first published in 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024, which is set in the present day
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
This book was first published in 2023 and is set in modern times.
I listened to the audio version of this book. There is no MMP. The top paperback has 320 pages.
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.
Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts
This book is set in modern days and has MPGs of Romance and Contemporary Romance. It has 372 pages. Nora Roberts is also well-known for her fantasy boooks, such as the one listed below.
Year One
Fantasy is the top MPG for Year One.
337 + 320 + 372 = 1,029 pages
Total points: 775
Assuming I got these posted correctly, I'm done!
trishhartuk10.4 You All Meet In A Tavern...
Read a book that contains one of the following D&D classes in its title or subtitle...Paladin
Paladin's Grace, T. Kingfisher
Read the kindle edition. Top MMPB: here (416pg)
The class is Paladin.
Points this Task: 10
Books Read: 1
Total Points: 575
Tasks Completed: 37
It’s a Fact Tickets: 1
Golden Oldie Tickets: 1
Big Book Tickets: 1
20.4 - Golden Oldies - Joop's Task: Golden OldiesOption 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.
Moll Flanders - character age 69 - states her age on the last page. "We are grown old; I am come back to England, being almost seventy years of age, husband sixty-eight..."
GO claim - Original pub date 1722
Total points- 285
Books read - 21
GO - 2
Christine V20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate Game
Option 2: Falls the Shadow
I read the above Kindle edition. The top MMPB, Falls the Shadow, has 560 pages.
***Claiming 1 Big Book Ticket***
Points this post: 20
Big Book tickets this post: 1
Total points: 130
Tasks completed: 9
Books read: 9
Golden Oldies: 0
Big Books: 500=3, 750=0, 1000=0 (Total BB tickets=3)
It's A Fact: 4
CathyG25.4 Robin P’s Task: Children’s Party Games
Option 1: Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Book A: Read a book with a four-legged animal’s tail on the cover
Required: Post the cover
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Book B: Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are found in DONKEY TAIL.
Mesmerized by Lauren Dane
Points this post : 25
Books read: 22
Total: 300
CathyG10.8 - Winter Migration
Read a book set in one of these countries listed as being in the Southern Hemisphere: https://www.worldatlas.com/countries-...
The Rosie Result by Graeme Simsion
set in Australia
Points this post : 10
Books read: 23
Total: 310
CathyGrepost
20.6 - It's A Fact - MaryPDX's Task: Say It's Carol Singers
Required: Specify the option
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)
Required: State which phrase you're using.
Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison
IL: UG - BL: 4.4 - AR Pts: 4.0
Points this post : 10
Books read: 24
Total: 330
Angela IL15.9 Pass the Parcel
Read a book that has been "passed on".
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams-2/23
Borrowed from library
Points this Task: 15
Total Points: 600
Books Read: 44
Tasks Completed: 32
It's A Fact Ticket: 1
ED20.6 - It's A Fact - MaryPDX's Task: Say It's Carol Singers
Option 1-“I KNOW HIM!”
The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch-
528p.
*****I CLAIM 1 BB*****
This post: 20 points
Total points: 50
BB: 1
GO: 1
NF: 1
Books read: 4
Tasks completed=4
5.3
10.6
15.9
20.6
Angela IL25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister Ever
Option 1: Read a book with SISTER in the title.
The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green-2/27
Read via Kindle/ No MMPB/ PB link: The Sunshine Sisters
Option 3: Read a book with a title word of four or more letters that makes a different word when spelled backwards.
The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg-2/26
Read via Kindle/ No MMPB/ PB link: The Last Time I Saw You
Identify the words in your post: EMIT/ TIME
Points this Task: 25
Total Points: 625
Books Read: 46
Tasks Completed: 33
It's A Fact Ticket: 1
Mod
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:
Little from Little Drummer Boy
read Little Monsters
points this post 20
total points 690
Mod
read The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise
added to the discussion thread
points this post 20
total points 710
Mod
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.
read The Only Survivors
book 2
Read a book in which every number in the page count is greater than the number preceding it.
read Bloodline
page count 348
points this post 25
total points 735
ED20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate Game
Option 3-
The Crow Trap by Cleeves, Ann -1/23/24
560p *****I CLAIM 1 BB*****
"AC" found in "ChocolAte"
This post: 20 points
Total points: 70
BB: 2
GO: 1
NF: 1
Books read: 5
Tasks completed=5
5.3
10.6
15.9
20.6; 20.7
ED10.8 - Winter Migration
-Death by Water by Kerry Greenwood-
set in Australia and New Zealand and on a cruise in between the two.
This post: 10 points
Total points: 80
BB: 2
GO: 1
NF: 1
Books read: 6
Tasks completed=6
5.3
10.6; 10.8
15.9
20.6; 20.7
Amy O.Task 30.3 Cat : Books of the Winter Months
Option 1: TWO book task
Month: December
Book 1: ALL the letters of DECEMBER can be found in the title of your book: Tenth of December: Stories
Book 2: the author of your book has first and last initials found in DECEMBER: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
**Claiming one Golden Oldies ticket for A Christmas Carol, first published 1843**
Total points: 265
Big Books: 0
Golden Oldies: 5
It's a Fact: 2
Tasks Completed: 10
Books read: 17
EMurphy25.2 JennRenee's Task: Oh What Fun!
Option 1a: 1-12 in a series How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole
*#2 in Runaway Royals series
Option 1b: Authors initials can be found in "Tis the Season" The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart
This Task:
Points: 25
Books Read: 2
BB Ticket: 0
GO Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 195
Books Read: 14
BB Ticket: 0
GO Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 2
Tasks Completed: 7
EMurphy15.1 Here be Dragons
Option 1: Dragon on the cover
by Christopher Paolini*Big Book Ticket (748 pages)
This Task:
Points: 15
Books Read: 1
BB Ticket: 1
GO Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 210
Books Read: 15
BB Ticket: 1
GO Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 2
Tasks Completed: 8
Amy O.Task 25.5 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) - Death on the Nile
MPG Mystery
Series: Hercule Poirot #18
Published in 1937, also set in 1937
Option 2. Female Protagonists - main character solving the crime is female. - Murder on the White Cliffs
MPG Mystery
Series: Posie Parker Mystery #8
**Claiming 1 Golden Oldies ticket for Death on the Nile, first published 1937**
Total points: 290
Big Books: 0
Golden Oldies: 6
It's a Fact: 2
Tasks Completed: 11
Books read: 19
Readerboard Name: Kathy P5.10 A Holiday Gift For You
Living Joy: 9 Rules to Help You Rediscover and Live Joy Every Day
Claiming 1 It's a fact ticket.
Totals
Points: 160
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 6
Total Tasks Completed: 20
Total Books Completed: 20
20.10 - Group Reads
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Winter 2023 season.
The Lost City of the Monkey God (post 5 in the discussion thread)
**Claiming 1 It's A Fact Ticket**
New Points: 20
Total Points: 55
Tickets as of this post: BB(1), GO(1), IaF(2)
ED5.10 A Holiday Gift For You
The Fugitive by Marcel Proust-1/30/24
pub. 1925 *****I CLAIM 1 GO TICKET*****
This post: 5 points
Total points: 85
BB: 2
GO: 2
NF: 1
Books read: 7
Tasks completed=7
5.3; 5.10
10.6; 10.8
15.9
20.6; 20.7
Kathy KS5.3- Better in a sweater
Read a book with a 4 or more letter word found in betterinasweater in the title.
Bettie Page, Volume 1: Bettie in Hollywood by David Avallone.
Word: BETTIE=BETTErInasweater
I read as an ebook; pb-104 p. (no mmpb)
******
Points for this task: 5
Total points : 750
Tasks completed: 46/49
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
MEGSCL10.5 - A Ghost Story For Christmas
Swamplandia!
Ghost mentioned in GR blurb
Total
745 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
Mod
MEGSCL30.2 Katrisa's Task : Winter Zodiac
Option 3: Aquarius - January 20- February 19
Book 1 - Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth
Book 2 -
Total
775 points
Tickets - 8 It’s a Fact - 4 Big Books
Mod
Mod
Mod
FLY Task #25.2 JennRenee's Task: Oh What Fun!
Option 1: Twelve Days
task: Book 1: Read a book that is 1-12 of a series
book: Hollis and Ivy
(my version is kindle, no MMPB, PB here)
how it fits: (North Pole Unlimited #2)
task: Book 2 : Read a book where all authors initials are in Tis the Season
book: Burned
how it fits: author Ellen Hopkins initials EH in Tis (th)e Season
other: **claiming BB ticket for Burned = 544 pages
Points this post: 25
Total points: 525
Tasks completed: 32/49
BB: 3 + 1 = 4 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
FLY Task #20.6 - It's A Fact - MaryPDX's Task: Say It's Carol Singers
task: Option 1: author first and last initials in one of these famous quotes
book: Atonement
how it fits: author Ian McEwan initials IM in “I KNOW H(IM)!”
Points this post: 20
Total points: 545
Tasks completed: 33/49
BB: 4 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
FLY Task #15.9 Pass the Parcel
task: Read a book that has been "passed on"
book: The Scorpio Races
how it fits: borrowed from library
Points this post: 15
Total points: 560
Tasks completed: 34/49
BB: 4 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
FLY Task #15.6 Let's Celebrate!
task: Read a book where the authors initials can be found in FIREWORKS
book: Decker and Joy
(my version is kindle, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits: author Elle Rush initials ER in FI(RE)WORKS
Points this post: 15
Total points: 575
Tasks completed: 35/49
BB: 4 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
FLY Task #10.6 - Roll the Bones
task: Read a book whose page count consists solely of numbers found on a traditional six-sided die
book: Blameless
(my version is audio, first MMPB here)
how it fits: 355 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Points this post: 10
Total points: 585
Tasks completed: 36/49
BB: 4 / GO: 5 / IAF: 4
Julia1035.10 A Holiday Gift For You
Mission of Honor
I read the ebook. The top MMP edition Mission of Honor is 880 pages so claiming 2 BB tickets.
This post: 5 points, 2 BB
Total points: 670
BB: 8
GO: 2
NF: 8
Tasks completed: 41
Books read: 56
Readerboard Name - Rebecca NJ5.6 - Christmas Murder Mystery Night
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
This book has a MPG of Mystery
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): The Marlow Murder Club
This post: 5 points
Total points to date: 315 points
Tasks completed: 20
Readerboard Name - Rebecca NJ15.4 - Feed the Birds
How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior
Option 2 - This book has birds on the cover (penguins) and the author's initials (HP) can be found in House sParrow.
This post: 15 points
Total points to date: 330 points
Tasks completed: 21
Mod
Option 1: TWO book task - DECEMBER
Book 1: ALL the letters of your chosen month can be found in the title of your book (ignore subtitles)
One Day in December
This has the word December in the title
Book 2: the author of your book has first and last initials found in your chosen month
Western Lane
The author Chetna Maroo has the initial CM which are found in DeCeMber
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 330 + 30= 360
Total Tasks Completed: 22
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 8
Mod
Option 1
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 Poppy Sisters
(3, 5, 7)
Book 2:Read a book in which every number in the page count is greater than the number preceding it.
Rest and Be Thankful
I listened to the audiobook but the paperback
is listed as 138 pages(138)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 360 + 25= 385
Total Tasks Completed: 23
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 8
Mod
Read three books totalling at least 750 pages.
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
The Magician
This has the MPG Historical and Historical Fiction and is set from the turn of the century to immediately after WW2
I listened to the audiobook, the top pb The Magician has 438 pages
Book 2: The PresentRead a book first published in 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024, which is set in the present day or (for non-fiction) discusses current affairs.
Edie Richter Is Not Alone
This was published in 2021 and is set in the same period
208 pages
Book 3: The FutureRead 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.
Gentlemen and Players
Joanne Harris also wrote Chocolat which is listed as Fantasy - the books are referenced in message 18 of the Help Thread as an acceptable combination
I listened to the audiobook but the top mmpb Gentlemen and Players is listed as 507 pages (therefore I also claim a big book ticket)
438 + 208 + 507 = 1153 which is more than the required 750pgs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 50
Total Points: 385 + 50= 435
Total Tasks Completed: 24
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 1 + 1 = 2
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 8
Mod
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)
The Night of the Sleepover
The initials KW can be found in I KnoW him
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 435 + 20 = 455
Total Tasks Completed: 25
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 8
Mod
Read a book where the authors initials can be found in FIREWORKS
The initials KW can be found in FireWorKs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 455 + 15= 470
Total Tasks Completed: 26
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 8
Mod
Read a book that has won or has been nominated for a literary award that begins with one of the letters found in WINTER.
Exit West
This book was nominated for lots of awards, the ones that meet the criteria are:
National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Fiction (2017) & Rathbones Folio Prize Nominee (2018)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 470 + 10 = 480
Total Tasks Completed: 27
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 8
Kristina Marie25.1 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.
The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim
Audiobook. There is no MMPB. The paperback has 400 pages.
The (3) Love (4) Match (5)
Book 2:
Read a book in which every number in the page count is greater than the number preceding it. Required: State the page count
The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel
This book has 246 Pages.
Points this post: 25
Total points: 760
Kristina Marie15.1 Long and Short
This is a two book task, read one book for each option. Required: State the page numbers for both books.
a) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages).
On Her Way Rejoicing: Keturah Belknap's Chronicles
This book has 110 pages.
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages).
Cherish by Tracy Wolff
Audibook. There is no MMPB. The paperback has 768 pages.
This should be my last post. Thank you!
Points this post: 15
Total points: 775
trishhartuk5.8 Polar Bear Plunge
Read book with a cover of at least 70% White
Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates (152pg)
It’s a Fact: MPGs include Nonfiction, Memoir, Race, Biography, Social Justice
75.7% white according to TinEye
75.7% #f0ede2 White
14.8% #21201f Black
4.7% #656361 Grey
3.8% #918f89 Grey
0.5% #e68891 Pink
0.5% #edb7b7 Pink
Points this Task: 5
Books Read: 1
It’s a Fact: 1 – Between the World and Me is Nonfiction
Total Points: 580
Tasks Completed: 38
It’s a Fact Tickets: 2
Golden Oldie Tickets: 1
Big Book Tickets: 1
trishhartuk10.8 Winter Migration
Read a book set in he Southern Hemisphere.
The Joy and Light Bus Company, Alexander McCall Smith
Read the kindle edition. Top PB: here (230pg)
Set in Botswana, Africa
Points this Task: 10
Books Read: 1
Total Points: 590
Tasks Completed: 39
It’s a Fact Tickets: 2
Golden Oldie Tickets: 1
Big Book Tickets: 1
Sarah E5.4- A Werewolf in the Mafia
B Is For Burglar - first published 1985
I read a kindle edition, top MMP is B is for Burglar
Total Points: 205
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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...
20.8 Seeking Sanctuary
Option 2: Read a book where the main character is a refugee or asylum seeker.
Threads: From the Refugee Crisis by Kate Evans
This book is on the "Approved" list in the help thread.
Total points: 700