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!

15.6 Let's Celebrate! - Read a book where the authors initials can be found in FIREWORKS
Foolish Puckboy by Eden Finley
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
author initials E F found in FirEworks
previous points: 195
points this post: 15
total points: 210

15.8 An Extra Day - Read a book first published in a leap year
Broken by Rebecca Zanetti
I listened to audiobook, MMPB here
Published May 26th 2020 - a leap year
previous post: 210
points this post: 15
total points: 225

15.9 Pass the Parcel - gifted to you, obtained second hand, or borrowed from the library
System Collapse by Martha Wells
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
I borrowed this audiobook through Libby
previous points: 225
points this post: 15
total points: 240

15.10 Here be Dragons - b) Read a book with the word Dragon intact in the title or subtitle
Dragon Ever After by Louisa Masters
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
Dragon in title
previous post: 240
points this post: 15
total points: 255

20.1 - Most Improved - TessaVanessa's NYC Adventure - book that has a title of at least 3 words, where the first letter of each word appears in SESAME STREET
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
letters T T S found in Sesame STreeT
previous points: 255
points this post: 20
total points: 275

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Apple's Task: Christmas Special - word of 4 or more letters from one of the television specials
Christmas Wish List by N.R. Walker
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
Word: Christmas
Television Special: Twas the Night Before Christmas
previous post: 275
points this post: 20
total points: 295

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Jenny H's Task
Option 2 - Read a book by an author born in Sweden or Norway.
Don't Look Back by Karin Fossum
author born in Norway according to author page: Karin Fossum
previous post: 295
points this post: 20
total points: 315

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”
Krampus Miracle by Catherine Lievens
approved HERE
initials C L found in “LOVE ACTUALLY IS ALL AROUND”
previous post: 315
points this post: 20
total points: 335

20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate Game
Option 1: Roll a Six - Read a book which is #6 in a series.
Disrupted Engagement by Nicky James
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
#6 Valor and Doyle Mysteries
previous post: 335
points this post: 20
total points: 355

15.10 Here be Dragons
b) Read a book with the word Dragon intact in the title
Daughters of the Dragon: Samurai Bullets by Justin Gray
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 1
Books Read: 1
NF Tickets: 0
Golden Oldies: 0

10.4 - You All Meet In A Tavern...
Book that contains the D&D class "Rogue" in its title
Rogue Sun, Vol. 1: Cataclysm by Ryan Parrott
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 25
Tasks Completed: 2
Books Read: 2
NF Tickets: 0
Golden Oldies: 0

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Apple's Task: Christmas Special
read a book that features a word of 4 or more letters from one of the television specials), from this list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of... Required: State the word and the television special.
First Light Chronicles Freeground by Randolph Lalonde
Word: First
Special: The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow
I read this as part of an ebook omnibus: Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0_Origins, p. 1-113. This omnibus includes First Light Chronicles #1-3; and was originally published (per verso of title page) as The First Light Chronicles Omnibus.
******
Points for this task: 20
Total points : 210
Tasks completed: 12/49
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
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: 2

25.3 Amy FL's task: Best Sister Ever
Option 1: Read a book with SISTER in the title.
The Last Sister by Kendra Elliot
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
Option 2: Read a book with a title that contains at least two rhyming words of three or more letters each.
Bang Gang by Jade West
paperback here
rhyming words bang gang
previous points: 355
points this post: 25
total points: 380

5.5- It's a New Year
Read a book published 2023 by a new to you author/authors (if multiple authors all authors need to be new to you)
Required: State that the author/authors are new to you
The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan
Sarah Morgan is a new-to-me author
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 95/775
Tasks Completed: 9/49
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1

25.4 Robin P’s Task: Children’s Party Games
Book A: Read a book with a four-legged animal’s tail on the cover
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, hard cover

Book B: Read a book whose author’s first and last initials are found in DONKEY TAIL.
Vanished by Kendra Elliot
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback
initial KE found in DonKEy tail
previous points: 380
points this post: 25
total points: 405

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)
Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
Christmas at Holiday House by RaeAnne Thayne
Used the Love Actually quote.
~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 115/775
Tasks Completed: 10/49
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1

20.4 - Golden Oldies - Joop's Task: Golden Oldies
Option A: Read a book where 1 or more main characters is of old age.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
The main characters are all elderly and live in a retirement home.
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 45
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3
NF Tickets: 0
Golden Oldies: 0

25.5 Dee's Task : I Like A Good Mystery (series) and I Cannot Lie!
Option 1: Historical Series.
The Limehouse Text by Will Thomas
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
MPG mystery
Barker & Llewelyn series with more than 3 books
MPG historical - setting late 1800s, from book description ""turn-of-the-century London" and books 1 and 2 descriptions note 19th century
Option 2. Female Protagonists. Read a book where the main character solving the crime is female.
Bridged by Kendra Elliot
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
MPG mystery
Callahan & McLane series more than 3 books
this is a different series than option 1
female protagonist Ava McLane is an FBI agent investigating a crime
previous points: 405
points this post: 25
total points: 430

30.1 Mazza1's Task - The Life of Solomon
Option 1 Two book option
Book 1: Read a book where the Author’s FIRST and LAST initials appear in the line of verse.
Catered All the Way: An MM Holiday Christmas Romance by Annabeth Albert
Verse: ThAt wAs the end of Solomon Grundy
Book 2: 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
The Gods of Chaos and Chance by John Wiltshire
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
Remaining letters in verse: Th t w s the enD of SOlomon Grundy
word: gods
previous points: 430
points this post: 30
total points: 460

30.3 Cat : Books of the Winter Months
Option 1: TWO book task
Month December
Book 1: ALL the letters of your chosen month can be found in the title of your book (ignore subtitles)
An Unexpected Boyfriend for Christmas by Janette Rallison
no MMPB, paperback here
An UnExpECtED Boyfriend for ChRistMas
Book 2: the author of your book has first and last initials found in your chosen month.
Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton
no MMPB, paperback here
previous points: 460
points this post: 30
total points: 490

30.4 Nick KY’s Task: Murder in the Manor
Opt. B .Read a book with an MPG of “Horror”
Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
MPG Horror
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.
Puzzle for Two by Josh Lanyon
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
word two found in NEWGATE PRISON
previous points: 490
points this post: 30
total points: 520

10.3 - Season of Love
Read a book with the MPG Romance
I read A Court of Frost and Starlight has MPG romance
Points this Post: 10
Points Total: 190

15.1 Long and Short
a) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages)
I read Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir my book was an ebook - PB pages 176
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages)
I read Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity my book was an ebook HC pages 528
Points this Post: 15
Points Total: 205

10.1 - Poetry for Neanderthals
Dog on It
Points this post: 10
Total Points: 50
Books Read: 5
Tasks Done: 5

20.9 Moderator's 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.
Before, After, Alone: A Planetfall Universe short story collection, EMMA Newman
Shares a name with EMMA Thompson, who plays Karen in the movie
Ebook only. Okayed for length in new verification thread message #43: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... Listed at line 484 of the sheet.
Points this Task: 20
Books Read: 1
Total Points: 175
Tasks Completed: 14
Golden Oldie Tickets: 1

Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik

58.7 %#22321fGreen
19.0 %#0a1109Black
6.7 %#dee0ddGrey
4.8 %#39754bGreen
3.3 %#515a4dGrey
3.2 %#888e86Grey
2.1 %#6b5732Brown
1.0 %#535c25Green
0.6 %#848025Green
0.5 %#6b8b73Grey
Total this Post: 20
Season Total: 215

5.9- Secret Santa
Read a book with a Santa or a gift on the cover
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

I read the audiobook edition above, top MMP is Hogfather
--
Points for this task: 5
Total points: 65
BB: 1; GO: 1; IaF: 0

10.7 It’s-a-Me, Mario!
I read The Scourge Between Stars by Ness Brown. Letters in BOWSER in author’s name: “nESs BROWn.”
Points This Post: 10
Total Points So Far: 125

15.1 Long and Short
Book 1. I read We Are All Completely Fine by Daryl Gregory 180 pp
Book 2. I read The Ferryman by Justin Cronin 538 pp
CLAIM ONE BIG BOOK for “The Ferryman
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 140
Big Books So Far: 500+ (1)

15.5 What the Dickens! I read Pie Hard by Kirsten Weiss. The Dickens novel “Hard Times” also has the word “Hard” in the title.
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 155

15.6 Let’s Celebrate! I read Bleeding Tarts by Kirsten Weiss, authors inits in “fireWorKs.”
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 170

20.1 TessaVanessa’s NYC Opt. 2. 50%+ green cover
I read On Living by Kerry Egan.

Tineye Color extraction https://labs.tineye.com/color/aeaca6b... :
45.1 %#acd6a7 Green
35.5 %#5fac4a Green
12.5 %#288f46 Green
7.0 %#deeee4 Grey
= 93.1 % Green.
Points This Post: 20
Total Points So Far: 190

20.4 - Golden Oldies - Joop's Task: Golden Oldies
Option 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.
I read Armageddon in Retrospect by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., b. 1922
Book 1st pub’d 2008, would have been author’s 86th birthday year (He died at age 85).
Points this Post: 20
Total Points So Far: 210

20.4 - Golden Oldies - Joop's Task: Golden Oldies
Option A: Read a book where 1 or more main characters is of old age.
The Windsor Knot
Features an 89 year old Queen Elizabeth II and an even older Prince Phillip
Points this post = 20
Points to date = 255

10.3 Season of Love
Read a book with the MPG Romance.
The Christmas Bookshop, Jenny Colgan
Read the kindle edition. Top MMPB: here (400pg)
Romance is the second MPG
Points this Task: 10
Books Read: 1
Total Points: 185
Tasks Completed: 15
Golden Oldie Tickets: 1

5.3- Better in a sweater
Have You Eaten Yet? Stories from Chinese Restaurants Around the World by Cheuk Kwan
"EATEN" found in "bETtEriNsweAter"
*****I CLAIM 1 IT'S A FACT TICKET*****
This post: 5 points
Total points: 30
BB: 0
GO: 1
NF: 1
Books read: 3
Tasks completed=3
5.3
10.6
15.9

15.10 Here be Dragons
Option b) Read a book with the word Dragon intact in the title or subtitle
The Black Dragon by Chris Claremont
******
Points for this task: 15
Total points : 225
Tasks completed: 13/49
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
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: 2

Task # 15.1 Long and Short
a) Read a SHORT book (under 200 pages
The House with the Lilac Shutters: And Other Stories by Gabrielle Barnby 184 p.
b) Read a LONG book (over 500 pages)
The Enigma of Room 622 by Joël Dicker 592 p
Points this post: 15
Total points: 120

Challenge 15.4 Feed the Birds
Option 1:
Book A:

Book B: Ode to My First Car by Robin Gow
RG found in staRlinG
Points this post: 15
Total points: 200
Task completed: 17

10.10 - The End? -
#502 Best Ending, page 6
Under the Dome by Stephen King
I listened to audiobook, MMPB here
previous post: 520
points this post: 10
new total: 530
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Apple's Task: Christmas Special
A Little Luck by Tia Louise / LITTLE is in 'The Little Drummer Boy'
Points this post: 20
Total points: 435
A Little Luck by Tia Louise / LITTLE is in 'The Little Drummer Boy'
Points this post: 20
Total points: 435

15.8 An Extra Day
bk published in a Leap Year
American Sweethearts - pub 2020
listened to audio, linked mmpb
Points this post: 15
Total points: 170
BB:1 GO:2 IAF:1

10.2 - Festive Folklore
Spinning Silver

Found on page 1.
Totals
Points: 20
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Total Tasks Completed: 2
Total Books Completed: 2

5.5- It's a New Year
The House Is on Fire

The author is new to me.
First published April 4, 2023
Totals
Points: 25
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Total Tasks Completed: 3
Total Books Completed: 3

20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Aimee G's Task: Seeking Sanctuary
Option 1 - Read a book that is at least 75% set in one of these countries.
Dear Child by Romy Hausmann
I listened to audiobook, MMPB here
setting is 100% Germany
approved Here
The setting is not evident on the book's main page.
From this website, which I used to find books set in Germany:
https://crimereads.com/romy-hausmanns...
The beginning of the 3rd paragraph notes the setting.
"A large part of my thriller is set in the Bavarian Forest near the Czech border,"
Previous post: 530
points this post: 20
new total: 550

Task: 20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Sarah E's Task: The Chocolate Game, using Option 2
Book/Author: A Bride for Keeps / Melissa Jaegers
How it fits: person on cover is wearing a hat

Points for this task: 20
Total points: 230
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 1
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 1
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 3

Task 15.8 - An extra day
Read a book first published in a leap year
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym
Published January 1, 1952, a leap year
Points for this task: 15
Total points: 100
Tasks completed: 5
BB tickets: 1
GO tickets: 0
NF tickets: 1

Task 20.10 Group Reads
I read Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
my feelings are posted here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I am claiming a GO ticket published 1904
Points this post = 20
Points to date 275
GO this post = 1
To date = 2
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15.5 What the Dickens! - shares a word of 3 letters or more in the title with one of Dickens novel/novella
Faking Christmas by Cindy Steel
I listened to audiobook, no MMPB, paperback here
Word: Christmas
Novel: A Christmas Carol
Previous post: 180
points this post: 15
total points: 195