The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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WINTER CHALLENGE 2024
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Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD!
Kristen IA10.2 - Crossing Borders
Read a book which is set in at least two countries.
England to Scotland
The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan
Approved for length - line 3431 of ebook verification spreadsheet
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 25/995
Tasks Completed: 3/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
Kristen IA10.5 - A Gateway to the Past
Read a book set prior to 1903
The Mesmerist by Caroline Woods
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 35/995
Tasks Completed: 4/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
Kristen IA10.6 - Inspiration Strikes
Read a biography, autobiography or memoir about an artist, musician, poet or writer.
Whiskey Tender: A Memoir by Deborah Jackson Taffa
*****I claim 1 It's A Fact ticket*****
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 45/995
Tasks Completed: 5/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Susan A5.6 Meanwhile, Back in the Southern Hemisphere
Read a book set in the Southern Hemisphere AND first published in December or January.
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
MMPB HERE
First published January 1, 2000
setting listed on GR main page: Botswana & Zimbabwe
previous total: 780
points this post: 5
new total: 785
Kristen IA15.7 We Three Kings
Read a book from a series that only has 3 books published as of February 28, 2025 or read a book that is number 12 in a series. The series must be apparent in greyscale on the GR book page.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
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Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 60/995
Tasks Completed: 6/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Kim O15.5 Old Saint Nick
Read a book with a single author who has these initials: SC, CS, KK, FC, CF, SN, NS.
The Beagle Has Landed Charles Schulz
Points this task: 15
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Totals:
Points: 85
Big Book - 500+: 0
Big Book - 750+: 0
Golden Oldie: 0
It's a Fact: 2
Kristen IA20.4 Golden Oldies- Robin P’s Task: Christmas Carols
1.Read a book with a word of 4 or more letters in the title that matches a word in the name of a carol from this list:
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2016/12/22/...
Required: State the song name - 12 Days of Christmas
Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
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Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 80/995
Tasks Completed: 7/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Kristen IA30.6 - XBM’s Task – A Partridge in a Pear Tree
This is a two-book task. Pick one option and read two books.
Required: State the option
Option D:
Pick one holiday MPG, and read two books which share that MPG but which also have different MPGs. For example, if you picked Christmas, Book 1 might have a combination of MPG Christmas and Mystery, and Book 2 a combination of MPG Christmas and Romance.
Christmas Romance - The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy
Christmas Mystery - Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
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Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 110/995
Tasks Completed: 8/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Kristen IA15.6 Why, to the North Pole, of course! This is the Polar Express!
Read a book with a word in the title of 4 or more letters found in these lyrics: https://genius.com/Matthew-hall-and-m...
Required: State the word - Christmas
The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler
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Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 125/995
Tasks Completed: 9/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
5.3 Cupid is ComingKidnapping The Mafia Boss
Points this post: 5
Total points: 45
Books Read: 3
Tasks Completed: 3
Lys5.10 Comfort zone
The Wee Free Men
Points this post: 5
Total points: 50
Books Read: 4
Tasks Completed: 4
FLY Task #5.6 Meanwhile, Back in the Southern Hemisphere
task: set in the Southern Hemisphere AND first published in December or January
book: Cocaine Blues
(my version is kindle, first MMPB here)
how it fits: set in Australia, First published January 1, 1989
Points this post: 5
Total points: 125
Tasks completed: 9/57
BB: 1 / GO: 1 / IAF: 2
Lys10.9 - Making the National International
Sharks in the Rivers
RIVERS is the plural of RIVER found in "Columbia River Gorge"
Points this post: 10
Total points: 70
Books Read: 7
Tasks Completed: 7
JenJ IA5.1- It's All Natural
Read a book with a cover depicting a natural landscape scene.
Brightly Shining by Ingvild H. Rishøi
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Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 5/995
Tasks Completed: 1/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
JenJ IA5.2- Circle of Dark
Read a book set at least 50% in one of the countries or US state that have territory within the Arctic Circle - Canada
No Good Asking by Fran Kimmel
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Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 10/995
Tasks Completed: 2/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
JenJ IA5.3 Cupid is Coming
Read a book with MPG Romance.
A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole
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Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 15/995
Tasks Completed: 3/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
JenJ IA10.1 - Look to the Skies
Read a book whose cover depicts stars, the moon, or a night sky.
Required: Post the cover
Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 25/995
Tasks Completed: 4/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
JenJ IA10.6 - Inspiration Strikes
Read a biography, autobiography or memoir about an artist, musician, poet or writer.
Whiskey Tender: A Memoir by Deborah Jackson Taffa
*****I claim 1 It's A Fact ticket*****
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 35/995
Tasks Completed: 5/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
JenJ IA10.7 - I Want To Believe
Read a book with an MPG of Paranormal.
A Kilt for Christmas by Tricia O'Malley
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 45/995
Tasks Completed: 6/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
JenJ IA10.9 - Making the National International
Read a book with a word in its title that matches one of the current or proposed National Scenic Areas from this list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...
Required: State the word and the National Scenic Area it matches. - Big Sur Coast
One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 55/995
Tasks Completed: 7/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
JenJ IA15.4 It's Starting to Look A Lot Like Christmas
Option A: Two-book task
Book 1: Read a book with an ornament, garland, wreath, Christmas lights, Santa, or deer on the cover.
Required: Post the cover
Love, Holly by Emily Stone
Book 2: Read a book where the author's first and last initials (middle initial may be ignored) are found in MERRY AND BRIGHT.
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
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Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 70/995
Tasks Completed: 8/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Nick KY15.1 Groundhog, Groundhog, Groundhog
Book 1. I read After Dark, My Sweet by Jim Thompson, the title word “SWEET” has letters in “Six more WEEks of winTer.”
Book 2. Title word is repeated consecutively ("Wide"), I read The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook by Hampton Sides, a nonfiction book about Captain Cook’s third and final expedition.
CLAIM ONE IT’s A FACT for The Wide, Wide Sea
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 185
It’s a Fact This Post: 1
It’s a Fact So Far: 4
JenJ IA15.5 Old Saint Nick
Read a book with a single author who shares initials with one of these names. The initials may be reversed in order but must match a single name. Middle initials may be ignored.
Initials are SC, CS, KK, FC, CF, SN, NS
Required: State the name. - Father Christmas
The Summer I Found Myself by Colleen French
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Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 85/995
Tasks Completed: 9/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
JenJ IA15.7 We Three Kings
Read a book from a series that only has 3 books published as of February 28, 2025 or read a book that is number 12 in a series. The series must be apparent in greyscale on the GR book page.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
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Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 100/995
Tasks Completed: 10/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Nick KY15.4 Look Like Christmas Opt. 2. One Book with both criteria. I read A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander, a) wreath on the cover --
, and b) authors inits in “mErry And bright.”Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 200
JenJ IA15.10 Winter Retreat
Read a book with a cover that shows a secluded house or cabin (no other buildings visible on the cover) in a snowy landscape.
Required: Post the Cover
The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler
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Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 115/995
Tasks Completed: 11/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Nick KY10.9 National International
I read
The Stolen Coast by Dwyer Murphy, the title word "Coast" is also in the name of the proposed site "Big Sur Coast."Points This Post: 10
Total Points So Far: 210
Mod
15.10 Winter Retreat
Task: Read a book with a cover that shows a secluded house or cabin (no other buildings visible on the cover) in a snowy landscape. The house/cabin must show at least 1 full side and the roof of the house.
Slashing Through the Snow. Jacqueline Frost
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 285 / 995
Tasks Completed 19
Mod
20.5 Bigger is Better- Elizabeth P's Task: Celebrating the SRC
Task: Option 3 - Read a book with a word of 4 or more letters in the title that can be made from the letters in READING CHALLENGES BRING ME JOY. (Both sleigh and ring)
Sleigh Bells Ring. RaeAnne Thayne
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 305 / 995
Tasks Completed 20
Joanne Mi20.2 Rookie at the Top - SheMac's Task: Into 2025
Option 2 - a book that is at least 50% set in one or more of these countries that were part of the Roman Empire
The book is set more then 50% in Eygpt
Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain's Secret
Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War
https://www.britannica.com/place/West...
Claiming 1 IAF
Points this task 20
IAF this task 1
Season total 90
IAF 1
Mod
Read a book with a word from this list of Top 100 Remarkable Birds in the title (excluding "of" and "the"). https://www.birderslibrary.com/review...
American Terrorist by Tyler Chin-Tanner / AMERICAN from in 'American Robin' on list
Points this post: 5
Total points: 250
Mod
Read a biography, autobiography or memoir about an artist, musician, poet or writer.
California Dreamin' by Penelope Bagieu / biography of a musician; nonfiction
claiming an IAF ticket
Points this post: 10
Total points: 260
IAF this post: 1
Total IAF tickets: 3
Mod
Read a book from a series that only has 3 books published as of February 28, 2025 or read a book that is number 12 in a series.
Kalliopee : A Princess's Sacrifice by Koko Nhan / #1 of a series with only 3 books
Points this post: 15
Total points: 275
Mod
Read a book with a cover that shows a secluded house or cabin (no other buildings visible on the cover) in a snowy landscape.
by Samantha Tonge / secluded building in snowy landscapePoints this post: 15
Total points: 290
Mod
Option 1: read a book with a MPG of mystery, standalone or embedded, AND whose title and/or subtitle contains ALL the letters of FATHER.
A Breath of Fresh Air by Jessica Redland / FATHER spelled from title, MPG Mystery
Option 2: For this option, read a book from the first 25 pages of Goodreads "Weddings Books" Shelf: Wedding Books
The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton / mid pg 4 on shelf
Points this post: 25
Total points: 315
Mod
Option 1: Read a book with a variant of the number 12, 1 or 2 in the TITLE ONLY.
It may appear as words or numbers; whole numbers or ordinals so 12 : 1: 2 : Twelve, One or Two; Twelfth; First and Second and 12th, 1st and 2nd all work.
The One That Got Away with Murder by Trish Lundy / ONE in title; 384 pg PB > 250 pg
Option 4: Read a book that is # 12, 1 or 2 in a series.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez / #2 in series; 416 pg PB > 250 pg
Points this post: 30
Total points: 345
Mod
Book 1: Read a book in which the first word in the title starts with two consecutive letters.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood / title begins with NO
Book 2: Read a book with a title ending in two consecutive letters.
Hunt on Dark Waters by Katee Robert / title ends in RS
Points this post: 30
Total points: 375
Mod
Option D: Pick one holiday MPG, and read two books which share that MPG but which also have different MPGs.
Book 1: Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café by Jessica Redland / MPG Christmas and MPG Romance
Book 2: Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews / MPG Christmas and MPG Mystery
Points this post: 30
Total points: 405
trishhartuk5.8 Birdwatching Month
Includes an IAF claim.
Read a book with a word from this list of Top 100 Remarkable Birds in the title.
The Secret Life of the Owl, John Lewis-Stempel
Read the kindle edition. Top PB (German): here (112pg)
Top HB (English): here (88pg)
Owl matches Snowy Owl and Eurasian Eagle Owl
It's a Fact: MPGs include Nonfiction, Nature, Natural History and Science.
Please let me know if it needs to be used under the “One book between 80 -99 pages may be used for ONE 5 point task” exception, as while the German PB is 112pg, the English versions are 88pg and 90pg for HB and Kindle.
Points this Task: 5
Books Read: 1
It’s a Fact: 1 – The Secret Life of the Owl is Nonfiction
Total Points: 225
Tasks Completed: 13
It’s a Fact Tickets: 3
Golden Oldie Tickets: 4
JenJ IA20.2 - Rookie at the Top - SheMac's Task: Into 2025
Choose an option and read one book. Your chosen book should be at least 225 pages.
Option 2: Read a book that is at least 50% set in one or more of these countries that were part of the Roman Empire at that time: England
A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss - 416 pages
REQUIRED: If the setting is not evident from the Goodreads page, provide a reference. - From a review on Goodreads, "Augustus Balthazar North (what a great name) is the owner of North’s Novelties and Curios in Rowan Thorp village in Kent, a shop that has been handed down from one generation to the other since 1740."
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Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 135/995
Tasks Completed: 12/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
JenJ IA20.5 Bigger is Better- Elizabeth P's Task: Celebrating the SRC
3: Reflection
Read a book with a word of 4 or more letters in the title (subtitles do not count) that can be made from the letters in READING CHALLENGES BRING ME JOY. Letters can be used as often as they appear in the phrase.
Required: State the word - DECEMBER
A Wedding in December: A Christmas Romance by Sarah Morgan
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Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 155/995
Tasks Completed: 13/59
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 1
Bookwrm526Task #15.10 Winter Retreat
Read a book with a cover that shows a secluded house or cabin (no other buildings visible on the cover) in a snowy landscape. The house/cabin must show at least 1 full side and the roof of the house. I read The Mist by Ragnar Jónasson.
Total points so far: 245
Susan A30.1 - Truitt_T’s Task: She Blinded Me With Science
Book A Read a book with an element from the Periodic Table in the title and/or subtitle
The Pretenders of Copper County by May Archer
No MMPB. Paperback HERE
Copper, element from the Periodic Table, found in title
346 pages
Book B;
Option 2: Read a book with an MPG of Evolution, Natural History, Geology, Biology, and/or Travel.
The Dinosaur Artist: Obsession, Betrayal, and the Quest for Earth's Ultimate Trophy by Paige Williams
No MMPB. Paperback HERE
MPG nonfiction
MPG Natural History
432 pages
Total pages: 778
previous total: 785
points this post: 30
new total: 815
25.3: Beth NC's Task- Winter SolsticeThis is a two book task, from two different options.
Book One, Option 2: From Cozy Fantasy List
Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
Paperback: Light from Uncommon Stars
It's on the Cozy Fantasy List.
Book Two, Option 4: YULE in title
Say Yule Be Mine by Louisa Mae
Paperback: Say Yule Be Mine
YULE: say YULE be mine
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 700/ 995
Tasks Completed: 41/57
JEN B10.4 - Wonderful Wetlands
Read a book with a word of four or more letters in its title that can be made from WORLD WETLANDS DAY. Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
Word = STORY
ST in weTlandS
OR in wORld
Y in daY
TOTAL POINTS: 205
15.2 Holiday who-be what-ee?This is a two book task.
Book One, Task 1: Cover 75%+ green per Tineye
The Christmas Switch by Briar Prescott
Paperback: The Christmas Switch
61.3 %#5fb713Green
12.8 %#67b02bGreen
8.0 %#2f3b4bGrey
7.9 %#9eb690Grey
4.5 %#cd3109Red
3.0 %#a47536Brown
1.5 %#8b9020Green
0.6 %#361b0cBrown
0.2 %#2b4895Blue
0.1 %#222eb2Blue
Total green: 75.6%
Book Two, Task 2: MPG Christmas
Cold Winter Nights by A.E. Via
Ebook edition only, page count approved here.
MPG Christmas
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 715/ 995
Tasks Completed: 42/57
Katrisa20.6 It's A Fact - Julia103's Task" Getting Older
Option 1: Read a book where a main character is a senior citizen.
I read An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good
MC is referred to as elderly in the title
Points this Post: 20
Points Total: 695
Katrisa20.9 Moderator's Pet -Jen B's Task: 90s Nostalgia
Opt 2A - Read a book with the MPG Retellings
I read The Voyage Home
It has MPG Retellings
Points this Post: 20
Points Total: 715
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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10.1 - Look to the Skies
Read a book whose cover depicts stars, the moon, or a night sky.
Required: Post the cover
Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot
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Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 15/995
Tasks Completed: 2/57
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0