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!

20.3 Review Raffle- Trishhartuk's Task: Wordplay
3a) Read a book with a title of at least two words where the total number of letters in the title can be averaged by the number of words, to get a whole number.
House of Gucci: A True Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed This has 12 letters in it's title of 3 words
12/3 = 4 fitting criteria
Points this post = 20
Points to date = 410

10. 3 - A Mountain of Books
Read a book whose page count is comprised of the numbers 9, 1, 4, 4 in any order. Numbers may only be used as often as they appear.
Target: Alex Cross by James Patterson (414 pages)
This Task: 10 Points
To Date: 80 Points

20.4 Golden Oldies- Robin P’s Task: Christmas Carols
Option 2. Read a book set at least 50% in Germany. France, England, Wales, Ukraine, or Italy. USING ENGLAND
Hercule Poirot's Silent Night GR data states set in England
points this post = 20
points to date = 430

Task 20.5 Bigger is Better- Elizabeth P's Task: Celebrating the SRC
Option 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.
Undertaking Irene IRENE is in target phrase
Points this post = 20
points to date = 450

20.7- Shorter is Sweeter - Kristen IA's Task: Holidays and Hiking
Required: State the option
Option A: For this option, read a book that meets the requirements for any TWO holidays.
Required: State which two holidays you chose.
1) HANUKKAH (Dec. 25-Jan. 2) - “Festival of Lights” - Author’s first and last initials appear in LIGHTS.
2) CHRISTMAS (Dec. 25) - Both red and green appear on the cover, any percentage, according to TinEye
Required: Post the cover and the percentages.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey (Red - 21.9%, green 0.3%)

This Task: 20 Point
To Date: 100 Points

Task 20.6 It's A Fact - Julia103's Task" Getting Older
Option 1: Read a book where a main character is a senior citizen.
The Vintage Shop of Second Chances
Maggy is described as 70 in GR data
Points this post = 20
Points to date = 470

20.7- Shorter is Sweeter - Kristen IA's Task: Holidays and Hiking
Option A: HOLIDAYS Read a book that meets the requirements for any TWO holidays.
Required: State which two holidays you chose. USING
CHRISTMAS (Dec. 25) - Both red and green appear on the cover, POST tineye percentages
40.9 % #9c0a10 Red
22.0 % #963832 Red
8.3 % #eeddd9 Pink
7.1 % #030f0d Black
6.7 % #c88f81 Pink
4.7 % #4b7142 Green
4.6 % #57605e Grey
4.2 % #f1dfb7 Pink
1.3 % #322508 Brown
AND
VALENTINE’S DAY (Feb. 14) - All of the letters L-O-V-E appear in the title (ignore subtitles).

Points this post = 20
Points to date = 490

30.2 - MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games
This is a two-book task, pick one book for two different options. No children's books, manga or graphic novels are permitted for this task, and each book must be a minimum of 250 pages.
Required: Specify the options.
Option 2
Read a book with a word in the TITLE ONLY that ends with "ARY"
The Adversary by Michael Crummey (336 pages)
Option 4
Read a book that is # 12, 1 or 2 in a series. The number must be shown in greyscale on the GR record.
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin (472 pages) - series #1
This Task: 30 Points
To Date: 130 Points

20.8 Nickels & Dimes- Apple's Task: The Wonders of Home
Option 4:
Read a book with a word of at least 4 letters in the title that can be made from CALIFORNIA REDWOOD FOREST.
The Paris Affair Using the word AFFAIR all letters appear in target phrase
Points this post = 20
Points to date = 510

20.9 Moderator's Pet -Jen B's Task: 90s Nostalgia
Option 1 - Music
A: Read a book with EXACTLY 5 words in the title
Saving Jesus from the Church: How to Stop Worshiping Christ and Start Following Jesus
Points this post = 20
Points to date = 530

20.10 Group read
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Winter 2024 season
Weyward
my comment in Discussion thread is here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Points this post = 20
points to date = 550

25.1 - KmarieD's Task: It's My Birthday
Your total page count should be at least 500 pages.
Option 1
Read a book with a title that has at least 5 words
The City and Its Uncertain Walls 464 pages
Option 2
Read a book where all the letters from either BOOKS or GAMES can be found in the title and/or subtitle. USING GAMES
Unmasking Lucy Letby: The Untold Story of the Killer Nurse 426 pages
464 + 426 pages = 900 pages and exceeds requirements
Points this post = 25
Points to date = 575

25.2 - Nick KY’s Task: Rivers
Option 1
Read a book first published in 1968 or in a year after 1968 that ends in the digit 8 (1978, 1988, 1998, 2008, or 2018).
The Hermitage published 2018
Option 4:
Read a book with either the words “The End” or “The Mouth” found consecutively in the title, subtitle, or series title.
The Last Murder at the End of the World
Points this post = 25
Points to Date = 600

25.3: Beth NC's Task- Winter Solstice
Option 2: Read a book from this cozy mystery list: If a whole series is listed you may read any book from the series.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entert...
The Mystery Guest Series Molly the Maid is listed
Option 4: Read a book that has all 4 letters in YULE in the title/subtitle OR in author's name.
Guilty by Definition
Points this post = 25
Points to date = 625

25.4 JennRenee's Task: Cold Nights With Winter Reads
USING MPG Mystery
Book 1: Read a book with a word in the title of 4 or more letters made from this quote:
"Winter was made for warm blankets and large books. "
Aunt Bessie Believes
WORD USED = BESSIE BES in BlankEts; S in bookS IE in wIntEr
Book 2: Read a book by a single author whose first and last initial can be found in COLD NIGHTS
The Secret History Donna Tartt
Points this post = 25
Points to date = 650

25.5 Jessica S’s Task: The Music of Christmas
Option 2:
Read a book that has an eight word title.
The House at the End of the World
Option 3: Let It Snow -
Read a book where the author’s initials (you may ignore middle initials) can be found in LET IT SNOW.
The Artist I read an ARC of this book
This is the HB (no MMP) The Artist
Lucy Steeds
Points this post= 25
Points to date = 675

25.6: Lisa MD's Task-New Year Reflections
Option 1
For this option, read a book with a MPG of mystery, standalone or embedded, AND whose title and/or subtitle contains ALL the letters of FATHER.
Bedfordshire Clanger Calamity
F HER in bEdFoRsHire AT in cAlamiTy
Option 2:
read a book from the first 25 pages of Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Vision in White page 1
points this post = 25
Points to date = 700

Option 1
Car on Cover

Option 3
Read a book with fewer than 180 pages
Wide Sargasso Sea 176 pages
Points this Post = 25
Points to date = 725

30.1 - Truitt_T’s Task: She Blinded Me With Science
Required: Must be combined 500+pgs and 1 book must be NF
Book A: Periodic element in title
Bury the Lead by David Rosenfelt

320 pgs
Periodic Element in Title: "Lead"
Book B: Option 3 - MPG: Birds, Ecology, Nature, and/or Conservation
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

300 pgs
MPG: Nature and Birds
***I claim an IAF ticket***
🎀🎄🎅🏻❄️🎀🎄🎅🏻❄️🎀🎄🎅🏻❄️🎀🎄🎅🏻❄️🎀🎄🎅🏻❄️🎀🎄🎅🏻❄️
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 525 / 995
Total Books Read: 38
Total Tasks Completed: 29 / 57
Big Book Tickets: 1
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 6

30.1 - Truitt_T’s Task: She Blinded Me With Science
ONE book must be NON FICTION combined 500 page minimum
A. Read a book with an element from the Periodic Table in the title and/or subtitle
The Silver Locomotive Mystery Element = SILVeR 313 pages
B. Option 2:
Read a book with an MPG of Evolution, Natural History, Geology, Biology, and/or Travel.
Genome: The Autobiography of Species in 23 Chapters MPG Biology This Book is Non Fiction
Points this post = 30
Points to date = 755

30.2 - MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games
Each book must be a minimum of 250 pages.
Option 2
Read a book with a word in the TITLE ONLY that ends with "ARY"
The Infirmary: A DCI Ryan Mystery
289 pages
Option 4
Read a book that is # 12, 1 or 2 in a series.
The Moor #12 in series 276 pages
Points this post = 30
points to date = 785

30.3 - Katrisa's Task: Reunion - Go Norsemen!
This is a 2 book task. Choose an option and read a book A and a book B for your chosen option
Option 2: The Reunion
A - My Friends - Read a book whose author shares a first name with one of my high school friends: Using ADAM
A Quiet Teacher Adam Oyebanji
B - The venue - Read a book that is set in either the 1970s or the Victorian age (1837-1901).
The Underground Railroad set around 1850 approved in help thread https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Points this post = 30
Points to date = 815

30.4 - Susan A's Task: Consecutive Letters
Book 1: Read a book in which the first word in the title starts with two consecutive letters.
Death of a Yorkshire Pudding
The consecutive letters are the first two letters of the title DE
Book 2: Read a book with a title ending in two consecutive letters.
No Place to Hide the last two letters in the title are the consecutive letters D and E
Points this post = 30
Points to date = 845

30.5 Cat's Task: Books of South America
Option 1: Two Book Option (no page count requirement)
Book 1: Read a book that is set (at least 70%) in one or more countries in South America,
Things We Lost in the Fire
Setting stated as Argentina and Paraguay takes place entirely in these South American Countries
Book 2: Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in South America.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed Mariana Enríquez born in Argentina
points this post = 30
Points to date = 875

30.6 - XBM’s Task – A Partridge in a Pear Tree
This is a two-book task. Pick one option and read two books.
Option A:
Book 1: Read a book where an author's first and last initials are found in PARTRIDGE.
Murder in the Locked Library Ellery Adams
Book 2: Read a book where both a tree and a bird appear on the cover. I will accept either a branch or a full tree.
Required: Post the cover

Points this post = 30
Points to date 905

30.7 - Amy FL’s Task: The Headaches of Home Ownership
Option 2: Read a book with a title word (ignore subtitles) of four or more letters that can be made from MOLD REMEDIATION.
Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love
Required: State the word EDDIE
Option 3: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in MARISSA.
An Early Grave
Robert McCracken
Points this post = 30
Points to date = 935

Delicious Dee's Task: Codex Alera
For this task, you will pick one option (A, B or C) and read book A and book B from that option.
Your page count needs to be more than 500 pages (so 501+)
and at least one of the authors must be NEW TO YOU.
Option C – The Furies
USING AIR / AERIS
Book A - Using AIR– read a book where all the letters of the fury can be found in the title (excluding subtitle).
I read an ARC of this book Life Hacks for a Little Alienthere is no PB this is HB edition Life Hacks for a Little Alien 304 pages
This Author is NEW TO ME
Book B - Using the same fury than the book you used for Book A and read a book where all the letters of the alternate name can be - AERIS- found in the authors name.
I read an ARC of this book Broken Country
This is the PB edition Broken Country
Clare Leslie Hall This Author is also NEW TO ME 320 pages
304+320 pages = 624 pages exceeds requirements
Points this post = 30
Points to date = 965

30.9 - TessaVanessa's Task: Ringing in the New Year
Option 1: Goodbye 2024! Hello 2025!
Read a book with a page count with only the numbers in 2024 and 2025 (00222245). Numbers may be used only as often as they appear.
Two Times Murder 224 pages
Option 2 : Read a book with food on the cover. The food should be visible

Cheese on Cover
Points this post = 30
Points to date = 995

Task # 20.7- Shorter is Sweeter - Kristen IA's Task: Holidays and Hiking
Option B..
Read a book with NATURE, HIKE, WALK, TRAIL, or EXPLORE in the title/subtitle.
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery
Both Walk and Trail are in the title/subtitle
Points this post: 20
Total points: 565

Task: 25.7- FLY's Task-FLY Finally Finishes!, using options 1 and 4
Book 1:
Book/Author: For Letter or Worse / Margaret Welch
How it fits: car on the cover

Book 2:
Book/Author: Red Winter / Marc Cameron
How it fits: started the Jack Ryan series in 2022, and also last read a book in the series in 2022
Points for this task: 25
Total points: 405
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 0
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 2

20.9 Moderator's Pet -Jen B's Task: 90s Nostalgia
Option 2 A: Read a book with the MPG Retellings
I read What Moves the Dead
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 80

Book 1, title word from letters in SPRING WILL ARRIVE EARLY: The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
The word is Paris.
paperback edition The Paris Novel
Book 2, a repeated word consecutively in the title: Lies Lies Lies by Adele Parks
mass market paperback Lies, Lies, Lies: A Novel
Points this post: 15
Total points: 420

Read a book set in the Southern Hemisphere AND first published in December or January.
Book: The Curse of the Flores Women
Set in Brazil and first published January 1, 2019
Points this task: 5
Total points: 580

Task #10.5 - A Gateway to the Past
Read a book set prior to 1903 (or if non-fiction, about events prior to 1903). I read A Measure of Menace by Jennifer Ashley (Goodreads description says its set October 1883).
Total points so far: 460

Task #10.10 - Cold As Ice
Read a book from one of the following lists. I chose the 52 Book Club 2023: #24 Nordic Noir list and read The Lost Village by Camilla Sten (p. 1).
Total points so far: 470

Read a book where an author's first and last initials are found in HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Why Don't You Love Me? by Paul B. Rainey
Points this post: 5
Total points: 140
BB:0 GO:6 IAF:0

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
A Merry Little Murder Plot (Library Lover's Mystery #15) (2024) by Jenn McKinlay (Hardback 308 pages)
Wreath on the door (center-left of cover), Christmas lights on the house and on the Christmas tree (center-right of cover)

Book 2: Read a book where the author's first and last initials (middle initial may be ignored) are found in MERRY AND BRIGHT. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Hearts of Oak (2020) by Eddie Robson (Paperback 261 pages)
mERry and bright
90 + 15 = 105
Tasks Completed: 06
Points for this post: 15
Points thus far: 90 + 15 = 105
Books read: 08
Pages read: 2,294
Read but not claimed: 06
Goodreads Authors: 02
Golden Oldies: 00
It’s a Fact (Non-Fiction): 00
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

on p3 of Mythology list
Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth
======
705 points

Task # 25.3: Beth NC's Task- Winter Solstice
Option 1: Read during day light hours means you have very little daylight so read a book from this list:
Beast In View by Margaret Millar
160 p.
Option 4. Read a book that has all 4 letters in YULE in the title/subtitle
Until I Say Goodbye: A Book about Living by Susan Spencer-Wendel 384 p.
Y in Goodbye
U in about
L in living
E in Goodbye
Points this post: 25
Total points: 590

Task #15.9 My Bloody Valentine
Read a book with MPG Romance as well as MPG of War, Thriller or Mythology. I read Hidden by Laura Griffin, which has stand alone genres Romance, and Thriller.
Total points so far: 485

Book A, element from the Periodic Table in the title: Christmas in Silver Springs by Brenda Novak
432 pages
The word is Silver.
Book B Option 2, MPG Travel: Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World by Anthony Doerr
224 pages
This book is Nonfiction.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 450
15.2 Holiday who-be what-ee? + IAF entry
Book 1- Read a book that is at least 75% green according to Tineye.
by Katriona Chapman / 86% > 75% green; Nonfiction claiming an It's a Fact entry
73.2 %#365940Green
10.0 %#637e42Green
3.9 %#6c6642Brown
2.9 %#96a44fGreen
2.4 %#cba24dBrown
1.9 %#b13f3bRed
1.8 %#e9d0abPink
1.7 %#906a32Brown
1.3 %#a4c6bfGrey
1.0 %#6f4129Brown
Book 2- Read a book with the MPG Christmas
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy / MPG Christmas
Points this post: 15
Total points: 595
IAF this post: 1
Total IAF: 6
Book 1- Read a book that is at least 75% green according to Tineye.

73.2 %#365940Green
10.0 %#637e42Green
3.9 %#6c6642Brown
2.9 %#96a44fGreen
2.4 %#cba24dBrown
1.9 %#b13f3bRed
1.8 %#e9d0abPink
1.7 %#906a32Brown
1.3 %#a4c6bfGrey
1.0 %#6f4129Brown
Book 2- Read a book with the MPG Christmas
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy / MPG Christmas
Points this post: 15
Total points: 595
IAF this post: 1
Total IAF: 6
25.4 JennRenee's Task: Cold Nights With Winter Reads
For this task you will choose a genre from my list of favorite genres for winter and use that genre for two books.
Choose the MPG: Christmas, Thriller, Chick Lit, Mystery, or Romance
I chose MPG Christmas
Book 1-Read a book with a word int he title of 4 or more letters made from this quote:
Winter was made for warm blankets and large books
The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne / MARKET in phrase; MPG Christmas
Book 2-Read a book by a single author whose first and last initial can be found in either COLD NIGHTS or WINTER READS
Christmas at the Shelter Inn by RaeAnne Thayne / RT in WINTER READS; MPG Christmas
Points this post: 25
Total points: 620
For this task you will choose a genre from my list of favorite genres for winter and use that genre for two books.
Choose the MPG: Christmas, Thriller, Chick Lit, Mystery, or Romance
I chose MPG Christmas
Book 1-Read a book with a word int he title of 4 or more letters made from this quote:
Winter was made for warm blankets and large books
The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne / MARKET in phrase; MPG Christmas
Book 2-Read a book by a single author whose first and last initial can be found in either COLD NIGHTS or WINTER READS
Christmas at the Shelter Inn by RaeAnne Thayne / RT in WINTER READS; MPG Christmas
Points this post: 25
Total points: 620
30.5 - Cat's Task: Books of South America
Option 1: Two Book Option (no page count requirement)
Book 1-Read a book that is set (at least 70%) in one or more countries in South America,
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder / set in Peru
Book 2-Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in South America.
By Night in Chile by Roberto Bolaño / author born in Chile
Points this post: 30
Total points: 650
Option 1: Two Book Option (no page count requirement)
Book 1-Read a book that is set (at least 70%) in one or more countries in South America,
The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder / set in Peru
Book 2-Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in South America.
By Night in Chile by Roberto Bolaño / author born in Chile
Points this post: 30
Total points: 650

Read a book with MPG Romance.
Book: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave
Points this task: 5
Total points: 585

50.1 Meg's Task: The best of 2024
Book 1: Choose your favorite book read during 2024. Read a book by the same author or a book from the "Readers also enjoyed" section of your favorite book's page.
My favorite book in 2024 was From Every Storm.
Penric and the Bandit is in the "Readers also enjoyed" section.
E-book was approved for length on line 2552 of the ebook verification spreadsheet
Book 2: Read a book that won or was nominated/short-listed/long-listed for any prize in 2024.
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord
Agatha Award Nominee for Best Historical Mystery Novel (2024)
Book 3: Read a book by an author who is releasing a new book in 2025.
Ribbon Dance by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Diviner's Bow by the same authors has expected publication date April 2025.
(approved in task help thread, post #7)
(304 + 464 = 768 pages without including Penric and the Bandit which does not have a paper edition for page count)
This post: 50 points
Total points: 525
BB: 5
GO: 3
NF: 4
Completed tasks: 25
Books read: 37

15.6 Why, to the North Pole, of course! This is the Polar Express!
Hard Exit - HARD in the lyrics (With all this Christmas cheer, it's HARD to be alone)
Points this post: 15
Total points: 625

15.8 New Year, New Beginnings
The Silent Wife - WIFE in nEW year brIngs Fresh beginnings
Points this post: 15
Total points: 640
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20.2 - Rookie at the Top - SheMac's Task: Into 2025
Your chosen book should be at least 225 pages.
Option 1:
Read a book with either a key (not electronic) or a door or a gate on the cover.
approved in help thread https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Points this post = 20
Points to date = 390