The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SPRING CHALLENGE 2025
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Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD!

Book 1: Read a book set at least 50% in Mexico
BooK: Still Born
at 9%: "I returned to Mexico in early February" (and then rest of the book takes place there)
Book 2: Read a book set at least 50% in Canada
Book: A Blizzard of Polar Bears
Description in GR book page - set in Canada
Points this task: 15
Total points: 610

Task #25.6 - Triple Crowns
Option 1B - Read a book that has all of the letters of LOUISVILLE or BALTIMORE or ELMONT in the combined title/subtitle, series name, and author’s name. I chose BALTIMORE and read Buried in the Stacks (book #3 in the Haunted Library Mysteries series) by Allison Brook (BALI in library, TME in mysteries, OR in brook) (series # ends in 3).
Option 2B: Read a book set at least 50% in one or more of the states that these trails pass through: California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. I chose OREGON and read The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (setting is stated in the GR description, and the page number has a 3 in it).
Total points so far: 795

Task #10.5 Good company
task: written by 2 or more authors
book: Ghost Roast: A Graphic Novel
how it fits: written by sisters Shawnelle & Shawnee Gibbs
Points this post: 10
Total points: 760
Tasks completed: 46/54
BB: 11 / GO: 2 / IAF: 1

5.8 International Women's Day
Single female author
Born Criminal: Matilda Joslyn Gage, Radical Suffragist - Angelica Shirley Carpenter
**Claiming 1 IAF pt, nonfiction
Points this post: 5
Total points: 880
BB:2 GO:14 IAF:6

Task: 30.1 - JennRenee's Task: Spring Up and Grow
Book 1:
Book/Author: Submarine Rendezvous / Joseph Bryan Icenhower
How it fits: the two words in the title start with S and R, which are both letters in SPRING
Book 2:
Book/Author: The Rose Bargain / Sasha Peyton Smith
How it fits: three word title, where the word lengths are 3 letters, 4 letters, and 7 letters, respectively, so that each word is longer than the preceding word
Points for this task: 30
Total points: 535
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
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: 4

Lora
Task: 25.4 - KmarieD's Task: Readerboard Names, using options 1 and 2
Book 1:
Book/Author: Return to the DallerGut Dream Department Store / Miye Lee
How it fits: author's initials ML are contained in readernames LORA and KMARIED
Book 2:
Book/Author: Mistress of All Evil / Serena Valentino
How it fits: four word title where all words starts with letters in LORA and KMARIED (MOAE)
IL: MG - BL: 5.3 - AR Pts: 8.0
Points for this task: 25
Total points: 535
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
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: 4

Angela IL
50.1 Task Complete!
Books must total at least 750 pages.
2. Find any author that in the thread and enter their name on this website: https://www.literature-map.com/
Christina Lauren p1 post # 14
Read from three different authors on the map, which could include the author you originally entered.
Beautiful Bossby Christina Lauren 118p
Bride by Ali Hazelwood416,
The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams336
Points This Post: 50
Total Points: 250 /910
Tasks Completed: 9/54
NF

15.7 Happy Fairytale Birthday
Read a book from the first 25 pages of this list
Fairy Tale Retellings Books
Required: State the page.
p7 Wires and Nerve by Marissa Meyer
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 265 /910
Tasks Completed: 10/54
NF

15.5 I've Been Probed
Read a book with the MPG Alien or Aliens
Emergence by Kim Harrison
approved for length line 1177
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 280 /910
Tasks Completed: 11/54
NF

15.10 May For Growth
Read the most recent published book ( as of March 1, 2024) in a series of at least 3 published books.
Now or Never by Janet Evanovich
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 300 /910
Tasks Completed: 12 /54
NF

5.1 Spring Cleaning
Book on TBR the longest
Ruined City - on TBR since 4/14/2015
**Claiming 1 GO pt, orig pub 1938
Points this post: 5
Total points: 885
BB:2 GO:15 IAF:6

25.1 Cats Task: Books of North America
We will be reading books associated with the continent North America, and using the information on this link for reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Pick an option.
Required: state the option.
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 North America, but is NOT United States of America. It can be minority set in USA, but 70% MUST be in other North American countries
Required: state the country(/ies), and provide supporting evidence if it's not obvious from the GR metadata or blurb.
Mood Swings by Frankie Barnet (Canada, book set in Montreal, Quebec - Canada is in main page genres and below is a link to a book review saying it is set in Quebec.)
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Book 2: Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in North America. The author(s) need not be from the country used for book 1.
Required: provide a link to prove place of birth if it's not obvious from the GR metadata.
In Search of Snow: A Novel by Luis Alberto Urrea (author born in Mexico, stated in author bio in Goodreads)
This Task: 25 Points
To Date: 285 Points

Option 3: The Alps
Read a book set at least 50% in Germany, Austria, or ITALY.
All the short stories are set in Italy.
MPG for the book include “Italy” and “Italian Literature”
The book was written in Italian, by an author who was born in Italy and lived his entire life in Italy. (I read the English translation.)
Catastrophe: And Other Stories (1965) by Dino Buzzati; translated from the Italian by Judith Landry (Paperback 240 pages)
205 + 20 = 225
Tasks Completed: 12
Points for this post: 20
Points thus far: 205 + 20 = 225
Books read: 16
Pages read: 4,489
Read but not claimed: 03
Goodreads Authors: 11
Golden Oldies: 00
It’s a Fact (Non-Fiction): 02
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

25.6 - JenJ IA's task - Triple Crowns
Req: Each book - 3 word title OR #3 in pg count OR pub yr ending in 3 OR series # ending in 3
Option 1B: All letters of Louisville, Baltimore or Elmont in Title/Subtitle/Series Name/Author Name
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall

Elmont: whaT LiEs iN the wOods by kate alice Marshall
#3 in pg. count and pub year ends in 3
336 pgs
Published on January 17, 2023
Option 2A: Title/Subtitle Word of 4 or more letters from SPRINGER and KATAHDIN
When We Meet Again by Kristin Harmel

Title Word: "Again" in sprINGer kAtAhdin
#3 in pg count
384 pgs
🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 410/910
Total Books Read: 29
Total Tasks Completed: 22
Big Book Tickets:
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 8

Option 1: Two Book Task
Book 1: Read a book whose page count or first published year with at least 2 numbers from 6800. Numbers can be used as many times as they appear and they can be in any order.
Pagecount: 406
The Company You Keep (2003) by Neil Gordon (Paperback 406 pages)
Book 2: Read a book that is book is number 1-15 in series of at least 3 published books. Whole numbers only.
#1 of Series: Detective Kosuke Kindaichi
The Honjin Murders (Detective Kosuke Kindaichi #1) (1946) by Seishi Yokomizo; translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai (Paperback 189 pages)
225 + 15 = 240
Tasks Completed: 13
Points for this post: 15
Points thus far: 225 + 15 = 240
Books read: 18
Pages read: 5,084
Read but not claimed: 02
Goodreads Authors: 11
Golden Oldies: 00
It’s a Fact (Non-Fiction): 02
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+
ASH
30.5 - TessaVanessa’s Task: Compound Words
Choose a compound word. - Chose Wildcat
Book 1:
Read a book with the first part of the compound word in the title/subtitle
Wild and Crooked -WILD
Book 2:
Read a book with the second part of the compound word found intact in the author’s name.
Looking Glass Sound - CATriona Ward - CAT
Points this post: 30
Total points: 680
30.5 - TessaVanessa’s Task: Compound Words
Choose a compound word. - Chose Wildcat
Book 1:
Read a book with the first part of the compound word in the title/subtitle
Wild and Crooked -WILD
Book 2:
Read a book with the second part of the compound word found intact in the author’s name.
Looking Glass Sound - CATriona Ward - CAT
Points this post: 30
Total points: 680
ASH
10.1 It's going to be long ...
Read a book that is 500 pages or more
Here One Moment - 512 Pages
Points this post: 10
Total points: 690
10.1 It's going to be long ...
Read a book that is 500 pages or more
Here One Moment - 512 Pages
Points this post: 10
Total points: 690
ASH
30.3 - Katrisa's Task: Nashfest 2024
Option 2 - Family
Read a book from the first 20 pages of one of these Family Saga lists
Used Family Saga Books list
Where the Crawdads Sing - Pg 6
Option 4 - The Venue
Read a book where the single author’s first and last initials can be found in STAR PLUNGE
Fly on the Wall: How One Girl Saw Everything - E Lockhard (star pLungE)
Points this post: 30
Total points: 720
30.3 - Katrisa's Task: Nashfest 2024
Option 2 - Family
Read a book from the first 20 pages of one of these Family Saga lists
Used Family Saga Books list
Where the Crawdads Sing - Pg 6
Option 4 - The Venue
Read a book where the single author’s first and last initials can be found in STAR PLUNGE
Fly on the Wall: How One Girl Saw Everything - E Lockhard (star pLungE)
Points this post: 30
Total points: 720

20.6 - It's A Fact - Jen B's Task: Travels for Dad
Option 3: The Alps
Read a book set at least 50% in Germany, Austria, or Italy.
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 580/910
Tasks Completed: 33/54
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 14

20.8 - Nickels and Dimes - TrishhartUK's Task: The Capital Ring
3. Read a book with the MPG of Nature and/or Environment, either stand-alone or embedded.
Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden by Camille T. Dungy
*****I claim 1 It's a Fact ticket*****
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 600/910
Tasks Completed: 34/54
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 15

5.1 Spring Cleaning!
Read the book that has been on your current "To Be Read" list the longest. The TBR list does not have to be on Goodreads.
Required: State how long it has been on the list. It does not have to be exact, it can be an approximation. - 4 years
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 560/910
Tasks Completed: 30/54
BB: 1
GO: 0
NF: 11

25.3 XBM's Task: So Many Names!
1. Author shares name - I used THOMAS
Anatomy of Evil - Will Thomas
3. Translation of name in title - I used BELOVED
The Dearly Beloved
Points this post: 25
Total points: 910
**Challenge Completed**
BB:2 GO:15 IAF:6

Read a book with a tombstone or cemetery on the cover.
The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni

Points this post: 5
Total points: 315

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Christine V's Task: Spring Growth
Option 1: Read a book with a green leaf on the cover.
Required: Post the cover.
The Names by Florence Knapp

~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 580/910
Tasks Completed: 31/54
BB: 1
GO: 0
NF: 11

10.2 It's a Wonderful World - let's explore it!
Read a book with MPG Travel
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes : Classic Edition With Original Illustrations
(MMP Voyage avec un âne dans les Cévennes)
This task points: 10
Total season points: 845

Book: Big Chief
Task: Read a book by an author who was born in or lives/lived in California, Oregon, or Washington.
How it fits: written by Jon Hickey who lives in San Francisco
I read the kindle edition. The paperback edition has 416 pages.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 150
ASH
30.4 - Susan A's Task: Consecutive Numbers
Read two books from a single series that have consecutive whole number series numbers.
Butcher & Blackbird - Book 1
Leather & Lark - Book 2
Points this post: 30
Total points: 750
30.4 - Susan A's Task: Consecutive Numbers
Read two books from a single series that have consecutive whole number series numbers.
Butcher & Blackbird - Book 1
Leather & Lark - Book 2
Points this post: 30
Total points: 750
ASH
15.7 Happy Fairytale Birthday
Read a book from the first 25 pages of this list
Straight On Till Morning - Page 6
Points this post: 15
Total points: 765
15.7 Happy Fairytale Birthday
Read a book from the first 25 pages of this list
Straight On Till Morning - Page 6
Points this post: 15
Total points: 765
ASH
25.5 Jessica S’s Task: Signs of the Zodiac - Pisces, Aries and Taurus
Option 1: Dreamy Pisces (February 19th - March 20th)
Book A: Read a book that was published between February 19th and March 20th of 2024 or 2025
Serial Killer Support Group - Published Mar 18, 2025
Book B: Read a book with MPG High Fantasy
Poison Study
Points this post: 25
Total points: 790
25.5 Jessica S’s Task: Signs of the Zodiac - Pisces, Aries and Taurus
Option 1: Dreamy Pisces (February 19th - March 20th)
Book A: Read a book that was published between February 19th and March 20th of 2024 or 2025
Serial Killer Support Group - Published Mar 18, 2025
Book B: Read a book with MPG High Fantasy
Poison Study
Points this post: 25
Total points: 790

20.6 - It's A Fact - Jen B's Task: Travels for Dad
Option 3: Read a book set at least 50% in Germany, Austria, or Italy.
I read The Siren: A Selection from Dino Buzzati
While the setting is not in GR greyscale, It is noted in Genre as Italy and Italian Literature. The short stories are individually based in Italy.
Points this post: 20
Total points: 290
IAF: 11
GO: 0
BB: 0

Task #25.1 Cats Task: Books of North America
+BB ticket
Option 2: One Book Option - book of 500+ pages that fits both criteria
tasks: set in North America / North American author (not U.S.)
book: The Robber Bride
(my version is audio, first MMPB here) = 528 pages
how it fits: set 100% in Canada, author Margaret Atwood born & lives in Canada, book exceeds 500 page minimum
other:
**Claiming BB ticket for MMPB = 528 pages
Points this post: 25
Total points: 785
Tasks completed: 47/54
BB: 11 + 1 = 12 / GO: 2 / IAF: 1
ASH
30.1 - JennRenee's Task: Spring Up and Grow
Book 1
Read a book with at least 2 words in the title, each word beginning with a letter in SPRING. Letters can be used multiple times
Perilous Pottery- PP (sPring)
Book 2
Read a book with a title of at least 3 words, each word longer than its preceding word.
What Never Happened (First word is 4, second is 5, third is 8)
Points this post: 30
Total points: 820
30.1 - JennRenee's Task: Spring Up and Grow
Book 1
Read a book with at least 2 words in the title, each word beginning with a letter in SPRING. Letters can be used multiple times
Perilous Pottery- PP (sPring)
Book 2
Read a book with a title of at least 3 words, each word longer than its preceding word.
What Never Happened (First word is 4, second is 5, third is 8)
Points this post: 30
Total points: 820
ASH
10.5 Good company
Read a book that is written by 2 or more authors.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan
Points this post: 10
Total points: 830
10.5 Good company
Read a book that is written by 2 or more authors.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan
Points this post: 10
Total points: 830
ASH
30.2 - MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games
Read a book whose SINGLE author's first and last (middle can be ignored) initials use only the letters in the name of ONE of the months of the Spring Challenge -
So Thirsty - Rachel Harrison (maRcH)
Read a book that is # 3, 4 or 5 in a series
As Good As Dead - #3 in Good Girl's Guide series
Points this post: 30
Total points: 860
30.2 - MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games
Read a book whose SINGLE author's first and last (middle can be ignored) initials use only the letters in the name of ONE of the months of the Spring Challenge -
So Thirsty - Rachel Harrison (maRcH)
Read a book that is # 3, 4 or 5 in a series
As Good As Dead - #3 in Good Girl's Guide series
Points this post: 30
Total points: 860

Option 2 Book A: Read a book that was published between March 21st and April 20th of 2024 or 2025.
Book: This Book Will Bury Me
Published March 25, 2025
Option 2 Book B: Read a book with MPG Adventure or MPG Autobiography;
Book: The River
Points this task: 25
Total points: 635

Option 2: Growth can also refer to personal growth. Read a book with the MPG “SELF HELP”.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (2019) by David Epstein (Goodreads Author) (Paperback 355 pages) [153.9]
** Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World is an It’s a Fact (Non-Fiction) Book**
240 + 20 = 260
Tasks Completed: 14
Points for this post: 20
Points thus far: 240 + 20 = 260
Books read: 19
Pages read: 5,439
Read but not claimed: 02
Goodreads Authors: 12
Golden Oldies: 00
It’s a Fact (Non-Fiction): 03
Big Books:
(0) 500+
(0) 750+
(0) 1,000+

10.9 Three/Four/Five
Read a book that is number 3, 4 or 5 in a series
Before We Forget Kindness

The book is number 5 in the series.
Total Points: 225
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 14
Total books: 21
Total tasks: 20

15.8 March Means War
Read a book with MARS intact in the title.
The Marsh King's Daughter MARS(h)
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 370
Books Read: 30
Tasks Done: 24

20.1: Most Improved - Rockynook’s Task: Be The Match
Option 1: First and last initials found in MINECRAFT or COMICS
One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole
Word: minecraft
Total this challenge: 80

5.9 Memorial Day
Read a book with a tombstone or cemetery on the cover.
Required: Post the cover

Touch Not the Cat
(MMP Touch Not the Cat)
This task points: 5
Total season points: 850

Read a book whose cover has flowers on it.
Book:

Points this task: 5
Total points: 640

10.8 Pi Day
Includes a claim for a Golden Oldie ticket
Read a book with a page count consisting of consecutive numbers found in this portion of Pi: 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375.
A Shilling for Candles, Josephine Tey
Read the kindle edition. Top MMPB: here (238pg)
3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375
Golden Oldie: first published in 1936
Points this Task: 10
Books Read: 1
Golden Oldie: 1 – A Shilling for Candles was first published in 1936
Total Points: 425
Tasks Completed: 28
It’s a Fact Tickets: 3
Golden Oldie Tickets: 3
Big Book Tickets: 1

20.3 - Review Raffle - Jayne's Task: Trails of Wales
Option 4: Published April - Oct 1971 - 2025
One Dog Night by David Rosenfelt

Published July 5, 2011
🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 430/910
Total Books Read: 30
Total Tasks Completed: 23
Big Book Tickets:
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 8
ASH
30.4 - Susan A's Task: Consecutive Numbers
Option 1
Read two books from a single series that have consecutive whole number series numbers.
Butcher & Blackbird #1
Leather & Lark #2
Points this post: 30
Total points: 890
30.4 - Susan A's Task: Consecutive Numbers
Option 1
Read two books from a single series that have consecutive whole number series numbers.
Butcher & Blackbird #1
Leather & Lark #2
Points this post: 30
Total points: 890
ASH
25.4 - KmarieD's Task: Readerboard Names
Option 1
Read a book where the single author's first and last initials can be found in my Readerboard name, KMARIED
My Dark Vanessa - Kate Elizabeth Russell - KmaRiEd)
Option 3
Read a book with a stand alone word of at least four letters in the title, subtitles excluded , that can be made from my Readerboard name, KMARIED
Dear Evan Hansen - DEAR - kmARiED
Points this post: 20
Total points: 910
25.4 - KmarieD's Task: Readerboard Names
Option 1
Read a book where the single author's first and last initials can be found in my Readerboard name, KMARIED
My Dark Vanessa - Kate Elizabeth Russell - KmaRiEd)
Option 3
Read a book with a stand alone word of at least four letters in the title, subtitles excluded , that can be made from my Readerboard name, KMARIED
Dear Evan Hansen - DEAR - kmARiED
Points this post: 20
Total points: 910
ASH
25.6 - JenJ IA's task - Triple Crowns
Option 1 A
Read a book with the author’s first initial in “SIR BARTON” and the author’s last initial in “JUSTIFY."
Ask for Andrea - Noelle W. Ihli - sir bartoN and justIfy
Option 2 A
Read a book with a 4+ letter word in the title/subtitle that can be made out of the letters in SPRINGER and KATAHDIN
This Delicious Death - DEATH springE kaTAHD
Both books have 3 word titles.
Points this post: 25
Total points: 910
25.6 - JenJ IA's task - Triple Crowns
Option 1 A
Read a book with the author’s first initial in “SIR BARTON” and the author’s last initial in “JUSTIFY."
Ask for Andrea - Noelle W. Ihli - sir bartoN and justIfy
Option 2 A
Read a book with a 4+ letter word in the title/subtitle that can be made out of the letters in SPRINGER and KATAHDIN
This Delicious Death - DEATH springE kaTAHD
Both books have 3 word titles.
Points this post: 25
Total points: 910

Option B. KNITTING: read a book with a cover which shows someone wearing a hat/cap.
La promesse de l'apiculteur by Fiona Valpy

Points this post: 20
Total points: 335

Read a book by a single author whose first and last initial can be found in BACKPACKER
At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie
Task Toal: 10
Season Total: 360
Total IAF: 13
5.2; ...; 5.4; 5.5; 5.6; ...; 5.8; 5.9;
10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; ...; ...; 10.7; 10.8; 10.9; 10.10
15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7;
20.1; ...; ...; ...; 20.5; 20.6
25.3
30.3; 30.4; ...; ...; 30.7

Read a book that is written by 2 or more authors.
Death Deserved by Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger
Task Toal: 10
Season Total: 370
Total IAF: 13
5.2; ...; 5.4; 5.5; 5.6; ...; 5.8; 5.9;
10.1; 10.2; 10.3; 10.4; 10.5; ...; 10.7; 10.8; 10.9; 10.10
15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7;
20.1; ...; ...; ...; 20.5; 20.6
25.3
30.3; 30.4; ...; ...; 30.7
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20.7 Shorter is Sweeter - LisaMD's Task: Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Book from 1 of 3 lists
A. Mountains - The Shepherd of the Hills - p 8 of list
Points this post: 20
Total points: 875
BB:2 GO:14 IAF:5