2025: (Impossible) Solar System Challenge

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

no problem, I never mind trying to get to the same page and understanding!

[Kaley]

So, I was checking to make sure that this cover was more than 50% green to use it . . . and supposedly it's gray.



This is green, right? Or is it gray? (I have both tasks open so I can use it either way, but now I'm seriously second-guessing where I need to put it.)

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Definitely looks green!

[Jenny]

TinEye seems to have a prejudice against any green that looks vaguely like khaki. It always calls it grey.
I agree on the green thing.

[Kaley]

Ok, thank you both! I hadn't even been questioning that it was green and just wanted to check the percentage to be extra safe -- then that really threw me off lol.

[Lexi]

I only ever use TinEye for percent and not color labeling if that is any help.

[Jenny]

That is very helpful. I often discard a book idea if TinEye says a book is a different color from what I am seeing with my own two eyes. I may change that practice.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

I feel pretty much the same Lexi - I tend to only check tineye if I'm feeling unsure if something is ENOUGH of a color. If I look at a cover and it's green, then it's green. If I am that unsure, I just usually won't even use it, let alone check tineye.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Yeah I always found Tineye unrealiable and wish so many groups didn't still use it. I'm sure there are better websites out there now that are more accurate.

[Sammy]

Yep, that's exactly what I do too. That site is colourblind 😆

[Claire]

Sammy wrote: "Yep, that's exactly what I do too. That site is colourblind 😆"

Indeed, they live in a very grey world on that site:-)

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

For the "Title" tasks, like "Read a book with "MERCURY" in the book OR series title", does that mean the word Mercury intact, or can we spell out MERCURY by using letters in the title (with subtitle?)

Example: Can I use this book for that task: Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You, which has all the letters MERCURY in the title and subtitle?

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

If the task doesn't say all the letters of the word, then it means the word intact. But you can include the subtitle in your search for the word.

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

Read a book with "MERCURY
I understood this at the word Mercury in the text of the book and now I'm second guessing. Should I have understood this as MERCURY in the Book Title or Series Title, to include Subtitle?

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Yes, this is a "Title Task", not a "Word in Text Task", check the heading in column B if you're ever unsure.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Ashley wrote: "If the task doesn't say all the letters of the word, then it means the word intact. But you can include the subtitle in your search for the word."

Okay, thanks! After I asked that I looked at the other task groupings and noticed that distinction for some of them. Makes sense now.

[Maria (a)]

Can I change things around? Say I used a book I read in January for a Mercury task, but I have now read a book that fits both that task and the February bonus challenge, can I reorder the books to slot that first one into a different task?

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Maria wrote: "Can I change things around? Say I used a book I read in January for a Mercury task, but I have now read a book that fits both that task and the February bonus challenge, can I reorder the books to ..."

Of course!

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

Can you Hide "The Sun" on my spreadsheet? I'm done with those and won't be changing. The only way I can do this is if I'm strict and do one section each month....Thanks!
*I would but I don't have permission

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Sure, I'll try and remember to do it tomorrow!

[Maria (a)]

Ashley wrote: "Maria wrote: "Can I change things around? Say I used a book I read in January for a Mercury task, but I have now read a book that fits both that task and the February bonus challenge, can I reorder..."

Awesome, thanks!

[Teddie]

Looking forward to finding out what March's challenge of the month is - right now I feel like


lol

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

haha! I'm just waiting on the threads to get up and running, I should have it for you tomorrow!

[Teddie]

:) thanks!

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

🌺 Venus: March Timed Task 🌺
Greetings, Solar System Dreamers! As we drift into March, it's time to bask in the lush, enchanting beauty of Venus with our next timed task.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
📚 Read a book with a lush, descriptive writing style 📚
⏰ Timeframe: March 1, 2025 - March 31, 2025 ⏰

Here's how to embrace this Venus-inspired challenge:
🌿 Choose a book known for its rich, vivid prose and detailed descriptions.
🌿 Read the book between March 1st and 31st, 2025.
🌿 As you read, immerse yourself in the author's elaborate descriptions – much like Venus's thick, swirling atmosphere!

This task is all about capturing the essence of Venus – a planet often associated with beauty and richness. Look for books that paint vibrant word pictures, creating atmospheres you can almost touch and scenes you can vividly imagine.

Don't forget to share your chosen book in the comments and tell us what makes its writing style particularly lush or descriptive.

P.S. Don’t forget!
🌿 The 1st Quarter Bonus Task (ABC Challenge) is still active through the end of March! Keep working through the alphabet with your reads.

🌿 This month’s Monthly Bonus Challenge is "TBR Busters"! Dive into your TBR pile and compete against other members to earn points for each book you read. You’ll earn 2 bonus points per book completed in BOTH "Venus" AND "TBR Busters"!

🌿 Join us for the March Formal Buddy Reads, inspired by Holi, the festival of Colors! This month, we’ll explore themes of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. Dive into:

📖 Main Book: The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
📖 KU/LC Read: The Secret of Elephants by Vasundra Tailor
📖 Continue the 1st Quarter 2025 Series Buddy Read (SBR) with Book 3: Any Witch Way in the A Witch in Wolf Wood series by Lindsay Buroker.

Match any of the 3 Formal Buddy Read books to a task, read along, and participate in the discussion to earn 10 bonus points!

Happy reading, and may your month be as radiant as Venus herself! 🌸📚

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

What did everyone read for their Mercury Timed Task?

"Read a book with fast-paced action or a protagonist who is quick-witted. Complete between 2/1/25 -2/28/25"

I picked In the Lives of Puppets
There was escaping (from crazy Authoritarian Robots!) and clever plans!

Also, I've been trying to get better at reviews, so here's is my shameless review plug... haha!
In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a whimsical and heartfelt story, and it was entertaining and imaginative, but I have mixed feelings. The bond between Vic, Gio, and their quirky companions - Nurse Ratched and Rambo - is both endearing and humorous. The characters felt authentic and loveable. The journey to rescue Gio is filled with adventure, danger, and moments of genuine emotion, which kept me invested in the outcome.

However, I found myself struggling during certain parts of the book - maybe just uneven pacing? The dynamic between Vic and HAP was confusing - was it romantic, platonic, or something more complex? This left me disconnected from their "relationship", even though HAP's internal conflict and growth were intriguing.


View all my reviews

[C]

I saved that task for a while, since practically any mystery or thriller has a quick-witted protagonist or fast action. I used Brew Unto Others since the female sleuth is really good at putting clues together, and this was the next book in an ongoing series I got hooked on lol.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

C wrote: "I saved that task for a while, since practically any mystery or thriller has a quick-witted protagonist or fast action. I used Brew Unto Others since the female sleuth is really go..."

That's a cute cover too!

[Anastasia]

I went with The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
Had been wanting to start this series for a while

[C]

Thanks Ashley! Really good series! It's like British author vibes, unless it's just edited and published in Britain, but set in Wisconsin USA. Modern, small-town murder mysteries. I started the series like 1.5 years ago thinking it wouldn't be that addictive (like caffeine, I should have known better lol), but I've caught up to her writing already.

Ooh, Bourne!! I've been wanting to start that, but I'm making myself finish Clancy first, so it could be decades lol.

[Sammy]

Ashley wrote: "What did everyone read for their Mercury Timed Task?

"Read a book with fast-paced action or a protagonist who is quick-witted. Complete between 2/1/25 -2/28/25"

I picked [book:In the Lives of Pup..."

I'm reading that one this month, because UNO 😆

not quite sure where to put it yet though!


Also, I used to do reviews for every book I read, but it became a chore, sucking the fun out of reading for me, and I stopped doing so unless I felt very strongly about something, or just wanted to leave myself a reminder for the future.
Or unless you're making me for Book Quest! 😆

[Sammy]

Anastasia wrote: "I went with The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
Had been wanting to start this series for a while"

Also on my list of book to read in March! Needed a spy thriller for BQ 😆

[Sammy]

I read , because Phedre defeats all who oppose her with her quick thinking and general being-smartness 😁

[Bernadette]

I read Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown



This is a fast-paced read that’ll keep you glued to the pages.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Ashley wrote: "What did everyone read for their Mercury Timed Task?

"Read a book with fast-paced action or a protagonist who is quick-witted. Complete between 2/1/25 -2/28/25"


I chose because it's a fast-paced read with a lot of action going on. I can knock one of these out in a day or less, usually rolling with laughter in the process because of Stephanie and Luna's antics and all the food they consume. They make me hungry lol.

[Layne]

For Mercury timed task, I ended up using Sargassa , which was unexpected for me if I'm honest. I expected to use this for Mercury in some way, with it being vaguely Roman, or for a character that travels. But one of the main characters is so especially quick witted that I had to go with it. [rating 3.5/5, rounded up to 4]

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

For the fun bonus for Mercury I did The Guest List by Lucy Foley, 3 star rating

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

If anyone needs a book for "All the letters VENUS in title", these two work
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

[Bernadette]

I found one for "All the letters VENUS in title" as well - The Girls in Navy Blue

[Sammy]

More VENUS books:

The Gustav Sonata
Julia: A Novel
In the Lives of Puppets
The Pavilion in the Clouds
The Time Traveller's Guide to Restoration Britain

I'll be reading the Klune, as I need it for 2 other challenges!

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

I've been very frustrated with myself for the Venus task because most of the books I've found I've already read or can't get. ((sigh)) I will just have to keep looking.... how awful

[Teddie]

My Venus book is Our Wives Under the Sea

[bamaace83]

I bombed and I mean bombed the February bonus points for monthly challenge so I'm going to focus on getting some for March. I can't even begin to tell you what happened in February. For the Mercury task, I read Avenging Angel because it was a fast read for me and she was quick-witted.

[Sammy]

I did ok in feb, but then Listopia is one of my favourite challenges 😁

I've got a fair few re-reads lined up this month, so not sure how well I'll do with bonus points.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

bamaace83 wrote: "I bombed and I mean bombed the February bonus points for monthly challenge so I'm going to focus on getting some for March. I can't even begin to tell you what happened in February. For the Mercury..."

I did okay-ish for just filling in the tasks, but I opted out of the monthly bonuses. I started to look over all the Listopias to see if I could get some monthly bonus points but that took longer than reading my books did so it just wasn't worth the hassle.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Ashley wrote: "I've been very frustrated with myself for the Venus task because most of the books I've found I've already read or can't get. ((sigh)) I will just have to keep looking.... how awful"

Maybe you'll catch one of the recent recommendations here that works for you!

[Lexi]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I did okay-ish for just filling in the tasks, but I opted out of the monthly bonuses. I started to look over all the Listopias to see if I could get some monthly bonus points but that took longer than reading my books did so it just wasn't worth the hassle.."

I also skipped it. I wish you could filter or search lists.

[C]

Agreed, Lexi. At least being able to compare to our shelves would be helpful. I could have had books I could swap in that I simply didn't know were on a list.

[Sammy]

A bit late to help with that now, but there is a way to make it easier...

If you vote on a book already on the list, when you then go to the main page of the book you've read and look at the "lists with this book" section, you only have to look for the lists that have a green tick mark next to them.
I find I can find stuff pretty quickly that way.

I do also spend about an hour at the beginning of the month scanning through the lists for books on my TBR, so I know which ones to aim to read, but a lot of the others don't, and still tend to get a lot of books that fit at least one list.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Filtering and/or searching lists would be awesome.