2025: (Impossible) Solar System Challenge

[Sammy]

Jessica wrote: "MN Lisa wrote: "I read Remarkably Bright Creatures for Lit Fic and it was great."

That's so weird you said that. It was in the 'readers also enjoyed' section under [book:The Women|..."

Not a bad read that one!

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

There are some historical fiction that are also literary fiction. In fact, The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is MPG both.

This page https://www.goodreads.com/genres/lite... has assorted books that fit the Literary Fiction category. Just click the “more” links to see more than the books posted on the main page. And of course, double check the book’s MPG’s to be sure they are actually MPG LitFic.

[Bernadette]

I used This Is a Love Story for MPG Literary Fiction but I can't recommend it. One star book. I simply found the continuous repetition of “You remember…” every single sentence for pages and pages exhausting and it made me tired.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"? I recall doing a search for titles or series with Mercury in them but don't recall finding anything that appealed to me.

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

I read Mercury on Fire by April Kelley for Mercury in Title

I gave it 4 stars. It's #5 in a series, but I read it as a standalone. Dragon and Vampire Fated Mates.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"? I recall doing a search for titles or series with Mercury in them but don't recall finding anything that appealed to me."

For that one I did the non-fiction audiobook, The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist: A True Story of Injustice in the American South

[Richard]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"?"

I read this one, but I didn't like it. I gave it 1 star.
The Mercury Retrograde Book: Turn Chaos into Creativity to Repair, Renew and Revamp Your Life

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

MN Lisa wrote: "I read Mercury on Fire by April Kelley for Mercury in Title

I gave it 4 stars. It's #5 in a series, but I read it as a standalone. Dragon and Vampire Fated Mates."

Thanks! I might read that one. I did find another one that I may read. It's about werewolves.

So, dragons and vampires vs werewolves, lol.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"? I recall doing a search for titles or series with Mercury in them but don't recall finding anyt..."

Oh, Erin, that sounds good.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Oh, Erin, that sounds good.
."

It was! I did the find the letters in the title obviously, so much injustice. It has a foreward from John Grisham too which is interesting.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Richard wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"?"

I read this one, but I didn't like it. I gave it 1 star.
[book:The Mercury Retrograde Book: T..."

Thanks, Richard. Sounds like a hard pass for me.

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "For that one I did the non-fiction audiobook, The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist: A True Story of Injustice in the American South"

Um..how does this one count? Mercury isn't in the title and there is no series? I wouldn't want you to lose those points if this ultimately doesn't work....

I think it has to be the word, not just the letters....

[Sammy]

Yes, I think Mercury is one of the ones that needs the word, not just the letters.

I was thinking of re-reading Mercury, but I can't find my copy anywhere, so would have to buy a new one. will have to wait until later in the year, methinks!

[Richard]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Sounds like a hard pass for me."

😆

[Bernadette]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"? I recall doing a search for titles or series with Mercury in them but don't recall finding anything that appealed to me."

Teresa, I'm not using this because I recently read it before this challenge started. It was good. 3 stars⭐⭐⭐

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Sammy wrote: "Yes, I think Mercury is one of the ones that needs the word, not just the letters.

I was thinking of re-reading Mercury, but I can't find my copy anywhere, so would have to buy a new..."

How fitting!

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Bernadette wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"? I recall doing a search for titles or series with Mercury in them but don't recall finding anyt..."

Thanks, Bernadette. That sounds pretty good, too.

[Lisa]

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"? I recall doing a search for titles or series with Mercury in them but don't recall finding anything that appealed to me."

I'm planning on reading Mercury as it was recommended a while back on one of the podcasts I listen to (Sarah's Bookshelves Live).

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge and this was a perfect find!

[Richard]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time"?"

I read The Little Prince

[Jessica]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge an..."

I had to read A Princess of Mars for the Seasonal Reading challenge. Had no idea it was so old! I hated the John Carter movie but the book was excellent.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

MN Lisa wrote: "Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "For that one I did the non-fiction audiobook, The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist: A True Story of Injustice in the American South"

Um..how does this one cou..."

I figured it had to be in the title or series letter wise, but if I'm wrong on this will have to swap this one out later lol

Ashley, can you verify?

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge an..."

I did a re-read for The Haunting of Hill House

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge an..."

I'm going to listen to The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. It's a continuation of Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy and MPG Classics.

[Bernadette]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge an..."

I needed an easy pleasant read after I finished tax season and re-read Little Women

[Sammy]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge an..."

Yep, I read The Way We Live Now a couple of weeks ago (I'm pretty sure I already dropped a comment in the thread about it), which I really enjoyed.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "MN Lisa wrote: "Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "For that one I did the non-fiction audiobook, The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist: A True Story of Injustice in the American South"

Um..how d..."

Yes, we discussed this earlier in the challenge, but as a refresher for everyone, there is a difference:

Read a book with "MERCURY" in the book OR series title.
vs.
Read a book with all the letters of "VENUS" in the book OR series title.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

I probably wasn't paying enough attention, I'll swap it elsewhere. Thanks for the clarification.

It got a bit confusing as so many is words in title and a few are actual words. I went through and double-checked the rest for me.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Lisa wrote: "ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Has anyone found anything for "Mercury in the book or series title"? I recall doing a search for titles or series with Mercury in them but don't recall finding anyt..."

Cool! I like that podcast. I actually just saw this book today when I did another search for "Mercury" titles and it looked interesting.

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge an..."

That's one of my favorite movies and I had no idea it was a book!! Adding to my list!

My planned read for the prompt is Alice in Wonderland.

[Maria]

Ashley wrote: "Has anyone finished their "Classic novel that has stood the test of time."? I decided to go with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I was looking for a "Jazz era book" for the ABC challenge an..."

I am reading Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. It has been on my to read list for a couple of years so I thought it would be a perfect choice. And I am loving it so far! (It is also a children's novel so an easy read)

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

Did I miss the announcement of the Monthly Bonus Category? Like for April we could use in the Theme Challenge for Dobby vs Smaug?

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

It's Listopia, but Donna hasn't made the thread yet, so, you all can plan for that one, but I'll announce with a link once it's up...

[Sammy]

Yay! 😁

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Oooo I'm mad! I just found ultraviolet in a book I was going to use for the 2nd quarter challenge bonus, or the Timed one (time loopy)... ugh. I think I'm still going to switch it, because ultraviolet is definitely more difficult to find.

[bamaace83]

What book was it? I still have that task glaring at me as well. I also am about to power read the shortest classic book that I can find so that I don't lose out on the bonus this month. It's been a month....as I mumble my way over to choose Dobby vs Smaug for all these April books. How is it already the end of the month when the beginning of the year moved so slow?

[ilovebakedgoods (Teresa), Bibliotherapist]

bamaace83 wrote: "What book was it? I still have that task glaring at me as well. I also am about to power read the shortest classic book that I can find so that I don't lose out on the bonus this month. It's been a..."

I was just wondering the same thing about how fast this month has flown by!

I was going to spend today updating all of my challenges for April, but I had actual work to do, ugh.

I listened to Alice in Wonderland this morning while I ate breakfast and started on my work day! It was a fast classic.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Ashley wrote: "It's Listopia, but Donna hasn't made the thread yet, so, you all can plan for that one, but I'll announce with a link once it's up..."

This one is up today but for bonus challenges does not list Solar Challenge under "Challenges Accepted for Bonus points
", so making sure this thread?

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

I'm getting there! Was super busy at work today, updating momentarily!

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

🌙 The Moon: May Timed Task 🌙
Greetings, Lunar Literati! As we enter May, it's time to embrace the mysterious allure of the Moon with our next timed task.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
📚 Read a book involving mysteries or secrets 📚
⏰ Timeframe: May 1, 2025 - May 31, 2025 ⏰

Here's how to tackle this Moon-inspired challenge:
1. Choose a book that centers around a mystery or contains significant secrets.
2. Read the book between May 1st and 31st, 2025.

As you read, immerse yourself in the enigmatic atmosphere – much like the Moon's hidden far side! This task is all about capturing the essence of the Moon – our celestial companion that has inspired countless tales of mystery and hidden truths. Look for books that keep you guessing, unraveling secrets page by page, or exploring the unknown.

Don't forget to share your chosen book in the comments and tell us what intriguing mysteries or secrets it holds.

This month’s Monthly Bonus Challenge is "Listopia Madness" ! 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 "The Moon" AND "Listopia Madness"!

Happy reading, and may your month be as captivating as the Moon's ever-changing phases! 🕵️‍♀️📖🔍

[Sammy]

Yay for Listopia!

A Mystery... I'm about to read the final book of the Dark Tower series, and the Dark Tower has been this whole mysterious thing they've been trying to make their way to and they're finally going to (I'm assuming) discover in this book.

This will work, yes?

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Sammy wrote: "Yay for Listopia!

A Mystery... I'm about to read the final book of the Dark Tower series, and the Dark Tower has been this whole mysterious thing they've been trying to make their way to and they'..."

I'm also re-reading that series - very slowly! - to me the entire series is about mysteries lol

For my mystery spot with keeping secrets, I'm going with the newer release Tell Me What You Did

[Sammy]

I've been buddy reading them with Jenny and we're both pretty eager to charge ahead at this point, so we're making it fit, lol.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Yes Sammy!!

[Sammy]

Woohoo!

This was definitely an easier fit than BQ. No matter how I twist it, I can't seem to get it to fit the "true story" part 😆

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

😜🤣 yeah, I think that might be just too big of a stretch lol

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

🚀 JUNE BONUS TASKS: MARS & A SPECIAL COSMIC MYSTERY! 🌌

Summer is heating up, and so are the June bonus tasks! This month, we’ve got two stellar opportunities to earn extra PAGE POINTS. Let’s break it down:

🔴 MARS: JUNE TIMED TASK

📖 Read a book about overcoming challenges
📅 June 1 - 30, 2025
Whether it’s a memoir, self-help, or fiction featuring resilient characters, show Mars how you face obstacles head-on!

✨ SPECIAL BONUS: ANASTASIA’S COSMIC MYSTERY (DESIGNED BY OUR 2024 WINNER!)

📖 Read an MPG mystery book with a title starting with O, T, I, or S
📅 June 1 - 30, 2025 | PAGE POINTS AWARDED
This task is a love letter to Anastasia’s grandson Otis and her passion for cosmic mysteries. Crack the case with a mystery that fits the O/T/I/S title initials!

🌈 BONUS POINTS OPPORTUNITY

🌟 Complete books in BOTH the Fairy Tale Detective Agency: PRIDE Files Challenge AND the Mars Tasks!
Double the tasks, double the fun—and extra points for your cosmic mission!

What's the Fairy Tale Detective Agency? Here’s the vibe:

"Fairy tales in June? With this much glitter? You better believe it. This month, we’re cracking enchanted cold cases, dodging cursed apples, and investigating magical nonsense—all while being fabulous, fierce, and slightly feral. It's PRIDE month, baby! Solve 8 twisted fairy tale prompts to unlock your chaotic Sidekick Files. LGBTQ+ books aren’t required, but the energy is fabulous, inclusive, and a little unhinged. Now grab your wand and a dramatic cloak—you’re on the case. 🕵️‍♀️✨"

🔎 QUESTIONS? Drop them below!
📚 PLANNING? Tag your TBRs or buddy-reads!
🚀 READY? Let’s blast through June with books, bonuses, and a whole lot of cosmic chaos!

[Sammy]

The timed task should be pretty straightforward, and I shall go peruse my mystery TBR for the cosmic mystery task! 😁

[Bernadette]

@Catherine, are you participating in the May Listopia challenge?

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Elspeth]

Can someone explain the Winner bonus to me? I feel like something is missing but I can't see it in the spreadsheet:

"Read a book with an MPG Mystery AND a book ... "

What is missing? Thanks!