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!

25.4 KmarieD's Task: Readerboard Names
Option 1: Single author's initials can be found in EMurphy or KmarieD Intensity by Dean Koontz
Option 3: Word of at least 4 letters in the title that can be made from KMARIED Dear Martin by Nic Stone
*Word is DEAR
This Task:
Points: 25
Books Read: 2
GO Ticket: 0
BB Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 515
Books Read: 37
GO Ticket: 2
BB Ticket +500: 4
BB Ticket +750: 1
IAF Ticket: 2
Tasks Completed: 25

Option 1: Green Leaf on the cover

This Task:
Points: 20
Books Read: 1
GO Ticket: 0
BB Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0

30.7 Typing Challenge
Book 1: read a book with a word in the title that can be made by using only the letters on the left side of the keyboard.
Book: Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
Word: DATES
Book 2: Read a book by a single author whose name can be made using only the right side of the keyboard.
Book: A Reasonable Doubt by Phillip Margolin
Word: Phillip
Points this task: 30
Total points: 485

20.8 The Capital Ring
Option 1 Read a book that is at least 50% set in London
Book: All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman
Book set in London: The book "All the Other Mothers Hate Me" takes place in London, specifically focusing on the world of wealthy mothers at St. Angeles prep school.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Where...
Points this task: 20
Total Points: 505

20.9 - Moderators' Pet - Lois' Task: On the Trail of West Coast Writers
Read a book by an author who was born in or lives/lived in California, Oregon, or Washington.
The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk
(The GR author bio says "She lives on Golden Rabbit Ranch in Western Sonoma County, CA")
This post: 20 points
Total points: 750 points
BB: 10
GO: 3
NF: 2
Total books read: 54
Total tasks completed: 41

20.1 - Most Improved - Rockynook's Task: Be the Match
Option 1: For Jenson
Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials are found in either the word MINECRAFT or COMICS

Author initials are NM, found in MiNecraft
I read the kindle edition. MMPB link for reference: When in Rome
Points this task: 20
Tasks Completed: 5
Total Points: 125
BIG BOOK: 0
GOLDEN OLDIES: 0
IT'S A FACT: 0

20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Masoodah's Task: Mother's Day
Option 1: Read a book with an author whose first and last initials appear in MOTHERING.

Author initials RH found in motHeRing
I read the kindle edition. MMPB link for reference: Pushing Up Daisies
Points this task: 20
Tasks Completed: 7
Total Points: 145
BIG BOOK: 0
GOLDEN OLDIES: 0
IT'S A FACT: 0

15.8 March Means War
Read a book with MARS intact in the title. (excluding subtitles.)

MARS found intact in MARShmallow
I read the kindle edition. PB link for reference (no MMPB): Marshmallow Malice
Points this task: 15
Tasks Completed: 8
Total Points: 160
BIG BOOK: 0
GOLDEN OLDIES: 0
IT'S A FACT: 0

20.5 - Bigger is Better - Christine V's Task: Spring Growth
Option 2: Read a book with the MPG “Self Help.”

This is a non-fiction book. I claim 1 It's a Fact ticket.
Points this task: 20
Tasks Completed: 9
Total Points: 180
BIG BOOK: 0
GOLDEN OLDIES: 0
IT'S A FACT: 1

Task #15.5 I've Been Probed
(and yeah, she totally was...)
task: a book with the MPG Alien or Aliens
book: Ice Planet Barbarians
(my version is kindle, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits: MPG Aliens
Points this post: 15
Total points: 910
Tasks completed: 54/54! Yaaas!
BB: 12 / GO: 2 / IAF: 2

5.8 - International Women's Day
Written by a female author
Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks

***I claim an IAF ticket***
🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺🐦🌻🌷🌺
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 530/910
Total Books Read: 38
Total Tasks Completed: 29
Big Book Tickets:
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 12

15.1 Let's Hike it!
Book 1 Read a book with a title that shares a word from one of the names of the trails on the list.
Book: Sunrise on Half Moon Bay by Robyn Carr
word/trail: BAY area ridge trail
Book 2: Read a book that has all the letters of TRAIL in the title.
Book: The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
The seven yeAR sLIp
Points this task: 15
Total Points: 520

10.9 Three/Four/Five
read a book that is number 3, 4 or 5 in a series
Book: To Die For by David Baldacci
Book #3 in the series The 6:20 Man
Points this task: 10
Total Points: 530

10.4 Strap on you Backpack
Read a book whose first and last initial can be found in BACKPACKER
Book: Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
Initials: CB - BaCkpacker
Points this task: 10
Total Points: 540

15.1 Let's Hike It!
Book 1: Read a book with a title (subtitles are excluded) that shares a word from one of the names of the trails on the list.
Required: State the name of the trail - North Country Trail
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
and
Book 2: Read a book that has all the letters of TRAIL in the title. (subtitles are excluded)
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 695/910
Tasks Completed: 39/54
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 16

20.9 - Moderators' Pet - Lois' Task: On the Trail of West Coast Writers
Read a book by an author who was born in or lives/lived in California, Oregon, or Washington.
Required: Name the state that your author represents. If the author's place of birth/residence is not obvious from the GR author bio, provide a reference.
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
Google search confirms they were born in California in 1989. (sorry, to cut and paste the link took up a crazy amount of space.)
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 365 Points

15.4 The Big Three
Choose an option
Required: State the option
Option 1: Two Book Task
Book 1: Read a book with a three word title. All words count.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
and
Book 2: Read a book that is first published in March of any year that ends in a 3.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano - published March 14th, 2023
This Task: 15 Points
To Date: 380 Points

20.6 - It's A Fact - Jen B's Task: Travels for Dad
Choose one of the options below and read a book for that option.
Required: State the option. If using a setting option, if the location is not evident from the GR blurb or metadata, provide a reference.
Option 2: Florida Keys
Read a book set at least 50% in Florida, USA
Second Chance Christmas by Jahquel J.
Book was mostly set in fictional town of Sageport, FL. The GR description only confirms the Sageport setting. The link below is to a book review that confirms it is FL. You have to scroll down to the second review on the page - "An AA Christmas 2nd Chance Romance," which has the setting as "Atlanta to Sageport, FL."
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seco...
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 400 Points

20.4 - Golden Oldies - Ritika's Task: Dopamine for Winter
Required: State the option
C. For this task, read a book which is set at least 50% in the country of Mexico.
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 420 Points

20.3 - Review Raffle - Jayne's Task: Trails of Wales
Choose an option and read a book for that option.
Required: state the option you chose.
Option 4: Offa’s Dyke Path
Read a book that was first published between April and October of a year since 1971 (inclusive).
Required: State the date of first publication.
The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton (Sept 2018)
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 440 Points

20.1 - Most Improved - Rockynook's Task: Be the Match
Select an option and read one book that satisfies the requirements for that option.
Required: state your option.
Option 2: For his donor
For this option, read a book with a word of four or more letters in its title that can be made from the letters in BE THE MATCH or NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM. Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
Required: State the word and the phrase you made it from.
Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins ("gold" is in National Marrow Donor Program)
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 460 Points

50.1 - Angela IL's Task: Task Complete!
We are going to be using the Spring Challenge Completed Task Thread in this group for this task. You must choose a post claimed by another player. (not your own)
Books must total at least 750 pages.
Required: State the option
Option 1: Choose a task from below: A, B, OR C
Required: State the option
B. Choose an author of a book claimed on the Spring Challenge Completed Task Thread.
Enter the authors name into this website: https://www.literature-map.com/
Read one book each for 3 different authors listed.
Required: State the author and the message# of post.
Author chosen: Jean Hanff Korelitz - in message #91, posted by Lois on March 7, 2025
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub (353 pages)
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (355 pages)
Foster by Claire Keegan (128 pages)
This Task: 50 Points
To Date: 510 Points

20.6 - It's A Fact - Jen B's Task: Travels for Dad
Option 3: The Alps
Read a book with mountains on the cover.
The Giver of Stars

Total Points: 260
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 13
Total books: 23
Total tasks: 22

20.9 - Moderators' Pet - Lois' Task: On the Trail of West Coast Writers
Read a book by an author who was born in or lives/lived in California, Oregon, or Washington.

Author: Dacher Keltner
He lives in California per https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dacher_...
Claiming 1 It's a Fact Ticket
Total Points: 280
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 14
Total books: 24
Total tasks: 23

25.3 XBM's Task - So Many Names!
Read two books, from the options below. You may do a single option twice, but you must choose different authors for each book.
Required:State the option.
Option 1: Read a book by an author that EXACTLY shares one of these names:
Adam, Andrew, Anuenue, Blair, Corwyn, Damian, Douglas, Elaric, Floyd, George, Gloria, Huakai, Kuuipo, Laura, Luna, Nicole, Patrick, Rowan, Skelly, Therese, Thomas
Required: State the name - ROWAN
The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman
Option 3: Read a book with these name’s translation in the title or subtitle:
Anuenue - rainbow
Huaka’i – journey or voyage
Kuuipo – sweetheart or beloved
For this option, possessives or plurals are allowed, no other variations allowed.
Required: State the translated word - JOURNEY
Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail by Barney Scout Mann
*****I claim 1 It's a Fact ticket*****
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 715/910
Tasks Completed: 40/54
BB: 1
GO: 0
NF: 15

30.5 - TessaVanessa’s Task: Compound Words
Required: State the compound word and what 2 words make it up - Wildcat - WILD + CAT
Read 2 books.
Book 1:
Read a book with the first part of the compound word in the title/subtitle.
So Long as It's Wild by Barbara Jenkins
*****I claim 1 It's a Fact ticket*****
Book 2:
Read a book with the second part of the compound word found intact in the author’s name.
Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 745/910
Tasks Completed: 41/54
BB: 1
GO: 0
NF: 16

10.4 - Strap on your backpack
author first and last initials in BACKPACKER
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston
backPAcker
Points this Post: 10
Total Points: 685

25.6 - JenJ IA's task - Triple Crowns
This task requires that you choose TWO books, one from option 1 and one from option 2. Additionally, each book must either have a three word title (ignore subtitles), a page count including a 3, publication year ending in 3, OR a series # ending in 3 (whole numbers only, no 1.3, etc.).
Required: State the options you chose.
Option 1: Thoroughbred Racing
A) Read a book with the author’s first initial in “SIR BARTON” and the author’s last initial in “JUSTIFY.”
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez - 368 pages (3 in page number)
Option 2: Hiking
C) Read a book with a mountain or mountain range on the cover.
Required: Post the cover
Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws - 3 word title

~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 720/910
Tasks Completed: 40/54
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 16

Book 1, a title word shared with a trail name: The Brightest Star by Gail Tsukiyama
The trail name is Lone Star Hiking Trail.
Book 2, TRAIL letters in the title: The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin
Points this post: 15
Total points: 815

Book 1, set in Mexico: Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr
Book 2, set in Canada: The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Points this post: 15
Total points: 830

25.2 Robin P's Task: The NATO Alphabet
Option 1: Read a book with one of the code words as a stand-alone word in the title or author's name.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami-5/26
Code Word: Hotel
Option 2: Read a book with one of the code words as a stand-alone word in the title or author's name.
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker-5/31
Code Word: Baker
Points this Task: 25
Total Points: 440
Books Read: 29
Tasks Completed: 18
It's A Fact: 3
That's a wrap for me! Thanks to all the mods who keep this challenge going with all your hard work.

50.1 - Angela IL's Task: Task Complete!
Books must total at least 750 pages.
Option 2: Read one book from each task: A, B, AND C. Required: State the books, author, and message# of the post.
A. Claimed in the Spring Challenge Completed Task Thread, and I read: The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini (Message #775)
I listened to an audiobook; mmpb-303 p.
B. Choose an author of a book claimed on the Spring Challenge Completed Task Thread: The Duke’s Children, by Anthony Trollope (Message #870)
Similar author from Literature Map: Barbara Pym
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym
I read this as part of an omnibus: Excellent Women; Jane and Prudence; An Unsuitable Attachment (p. 1-256 of 734 pages.
C. Choose a book from the Spring Challenge Completed Task Thread: Geekerella, by Ashley Poston (Message #193)
Different book from the “Readers Also Enjoyed” section of above:
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
Pages: 292
Total pages: 303+256+292=851 (>750)
*******
Points for this task: 50
Total points : 440
Tasks completed: 22/54
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 5
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: 7
I believe that's it for Spring! See you in the Summer challeng...

Option 1
Read two books from a single series that have consecutive whole number series numbers.
Book 1:Night Broken Mercy Thompson #8
Book 2: Fire Touched Mercy Thompson #9
New Points: 30
Total Points: 370
BB: 2
GO: 1
IaF: 6

5.4 - Star Wars Day
Read a book with a word in the title of at least 4 letters that can be made from the phrase MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU.
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
"What" can be found in the phrase - WHT in With and A in May.
Link to MMP edition: What Lies in the Woods
This post: 5 points
Total points to date: 5 points
Tasks completed: 1

Option 2: One Book Task
Read a book whose page count or first published year with at least 2 numbers from 6800.
Read a book that is book is number 1-15 in series of at least 3 published books.
Book: Winterkill
Published in 2003
#3 in Joe Pickett series
Points this task: 15
Total points: 810

5.5 - New Life
Read a book whose cover has flowers on it.
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
The person on the cover is wearing a crown made of flowers.

This post: 5 points
Total points to date: 10 points
Tasks completed: 2

Sue T
UNCLAIMING
30.2 - MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games
Option 1: book with a variant of the number 3, 4, or 5 in the TITLE
Four Months To Live: A Caregiver's StoryONLY. by David Henderson. I read the Kindle edition, the paperback edition Four Months To Live: A CAREGIVER'S STORY has 121 pages.
Option 4: Book that is 3, 4 or 5 in a series
Murder Is Easy by Agatha Christie
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 45/910
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 4

5.7 - Spring Fever
Read a book with a single author whose first and last initials appear in the phrase SPRING HAS SPRUNG.
Neighborhood Watch by Sarah Reida
Author's initials are in the phrase - SR in Spring.
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): Neighborhood Watch
This post: 5 points
Total points to date: 15 points
Tasks completed: 3

Option 3 Book A: Read a book that shares the first word with your chosen edition.
Book: Witness 8 - -Witness in Death (#10 in series)
Book B: Read a book in a series, where the series number entry can be found in your chosen In Death book.
Book: Black Girls Must Die Exhausted - #1 in Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series
This author (Jayne Allen) is new to me.
Points this task: 30
Total points: 840

5.8 - International Women's Day
book by single female author
Murder Is Easy by Agatha Christie
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 20/910
Tasks Completed: 3
Books Read: 3

50 - Angela IL's Task: Task Complete!
Option 1A - Read three different books that have been claimed in the Spring Challenge Completed Task Thread.
Book 1 - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Kathy KS read this book Message #115
Link to MMP edition: Los Juegos del Hambre 4 - Balada de pájaros cantores y serpientes (592 pages)
Book 2 - Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Lisa MD read this book Message #2028
306 pages
Book 3 - Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
XBM read this book Message #772
303 pages
592 + 306 + 303 = 1201 pages
This post: 50 points
Total points to date: 65 points
Tasks completed: 4

30.7 - Amy FL's Task: Typing Challenge
Option 1 - Two-book task; Book 1: Read a book with a word in the title that can be made by using only the letters on the left side of the keyboard. Book 2: Read a book by a single author whose name (first or last) can be made using only the right hand on the keyboard.
Book 1 - Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Starter can be made by using only the letters on the left side of the keyboard.
Book 2 - Girl One: Murder by Molly Black
Molly can be made using only the letters on the right side of the keyboard.
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): Girl One: Murder
This post: 30 points
Total points to date: 95 points
Tasks completed: 5

30.4 - Susan A's Task: Consecutive Numbers
Option 1 - Read two books from a single series that have consecutive whole number series numbers.
Book 1 - By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
This is Book #2 in the Meant to Be Series
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): By the Book
Book 2 - Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
This is Book #3 in the Meant to Be Series
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): Kiss the Girl
This post: 30 points
Total points to date: 125 points
Tasks completed: 6

5.10 - World Book Day
book of choice that meets SRC requirements
Four Months To Live: A Caregiver's Story by David Henderson
Points this post: 5
Total Points: 25/910
Tasks Completed: 4
Books Read: 4

20.3 - Review Raffle - Jayne's Task: Trails of Wales
Option 4 - Read a book that was first published between April and October of a year since 1971 (inclusive).
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller
This book was first published June 18, 2024.
This post: 20 points
Total points to date: 145 points
Tasks completed: 7

10.4 Strap on the backpack
Read a book with author's initials in Backpack
Bone Crossedby Patricia
Briggs
BackPack
Task Points: 10
Grand total:130

20.1 - Most Improved - Rockynook's Task: Be the Match
Option 1 - Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials are found in either the word MINECRAFT or COMICS
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Author's initials (SC) can be found in COMICS
Link to PB edition (no MMP edition): Amanecer en la cosecha
This post: 20 points
Total points to date: 165 points
Tasks completed: 8

15.9 - April is Love
book where all the letters of APHRODITE can be found in in any combination of the title/subtitle/authors name.
Murder at Blue Falls by Maggie Bishop
Points this post: 15
Total Points: 40/910
Tasks Completed: 5
Books Read: 5
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations (other topics)It Lasts Forever and Then It's Over (other topics)
We Could Be Rats (other topics)
Messy: The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives (other topics)
Every Shot Counts: A Memoir of Resilience (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jean Hanff Korelitz (other topics)Clara Parkes (other topics)
Chester Brown (other topics)
Elizabeth Gilbert (other topics)
Allie Esiri (other topics)
More...
Option B: Forests - Do you prefer a tree-lined walk in the wild, then read a book from the 1st 25 pages of the "Forests Books" shelf:
Forests Books
Required: State the page of the list your book is found on.
Page 2
Black Woods Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 460