Ridiculously Random Reading Challenge: Elli

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Ridiculously Random Reading Challenge
Individual, Open-Ended
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2027


You know how most reading challenges you join have some type of theme or main idea, kind of like the books themselves? Well, this one...not so much! We'll look at Crown Jewels, Greasy Pole Climbing, Model Ts, Zorbing, and anything and everything in between. So buckle up for the ride and enjoy!


Each time you satisfy a task, make a post here IN YOUR OWN THREAD. Please use the following example for your Completion Post.


Prompt # / Name: {For example: #1: Octothorpe}
Book:
Author:
Date Read:
Pages:
Task:
How it Fits:


If you have any questions about this challenge, please post them in the Ridiculously Random Q&A Thread.


Challenge Rules:
📘 Standard Rules Apply
📘 I will create an individual thread for you prior to the start date.
📘 Your first prompt will be posted on April 1, 2025.
📘 Books must be completed after the task has been posted. For example, if your task is posted on 4-15, you can't use a book you completed on 4-14.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


If a set of tasks is too difficult or just out of your comfort zone, you have 4 SKIPS to use in this challenge. In order to use a SKIP, read any book that meets the Standard Book Qualifications for Hooked on Books. The link is in the Challenge Rules above. Simply list SKIP on the Task line.

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Just to shake things up a bit more and keep them really random, I'm throwing caution...and my OCD...to the wind for this challenge. Your prompts will be given to you in random orders, with everyone following a different path. I'll be tracking your prompts on a separate spreadsheet to make sure we don't miss one.


If you would like to pick your starting place, tell me your favorite number between 1 and 72 before March 31st.

[Elli]

I'll start at 57~

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Ridiculously Random Prompt #57: Underwater Hockey





Underwater Hockey, also known as ‘Octopush,' is essentially a game of hockey at the bottom of a swimming pool.


The aim of the game is to push the puck into the opposing team’s goal using a small pusher. The game involves 2 teams of up to 10 players with players using diving masks, fins, and snorkel gear.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🏊🏻‍♀️ 1. Read a book with a body of water on the cover.
🏊🏻‍♀️ 2. Read a book with between 2 and 20 MAJOR characters.
🏊🏻‍♀️ 3. Read a book with all the letters of HOCKEY found in the title.
🏊🏻‍♀️ 4. Read a book with the words SMALL and PUSH found in the text.

[Elli]

Prompt # / Name: #57: Underwater Hockey

Book: The Mountain in the Sea
Author: Ray Nayler
Date Read: 04 Apr 25
Pages: 464

Task: 🏊🏻‍♀️ 4. Read a book with the words SMALL and PUSH found in the text
How it Fits:
SMALL - ch4 "...into a small paper bag..."
PUSH - ch4 "...to push back the scent..."

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Ridiculously Random Prompt #72: Zorbing





Zorbing is considered a recreational sport that involves rolling down a hill in a transparent plastic orb – essentially a “hamster ball."


It is generally used on hills, but can also be used on water, as well as flat surfaces. Orbs with no harnesses can carry up to three people, whereas a harnessed orb can only carry 1 or 2.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🐹 1. Read a book with a Z in the title.
🐹 2. Read a book with something made of plastic on the cover.
🐹 3. Read a book with the word TRANSPARENT found in the text.
🐹 4. Read a book where the author's last name ENDS with a letter in HAMSTER.

[Elli]

Prompt #72: Zorbing

BOOK READ: Throne of Jade
AUTHOR: Naomi Novik
DATE READ: 05 Apr 2025
PAGE COUNT: 400

🐹 3. Read a book with the word TRANSPARENT found in the text.
HOW IT FITS TASK: 35% "...irritation at these transparent attempts at enticement..."

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Ridiculously Random Prompt #11: Crown Jewels





The Crown Jewels contain the two biggest cut diamonds on Earth.


They both came from the Cullinan Diamond, a 3,106-carat gem found in South Africa in 1905. The largest stone, called the Great Star of Africa, is in the Sovereign's Sceptre, while the second largest is mounted in the Imperial State Crown (pictured).


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

👑 1. Read a book with a crown on the cover.
👑 2. Read a book set at least partially in Africa.
👑 3. Read a book with a royal character.
👑 4. Read a book with at least two of these numbers in the page count: 3, 1, 0, 6.

[Elli]

Prompt #11: Crown Jewels

BOOK READ: Conspiracy in Death
AUTHOR: J.D. Robb
DATE READ: 12 Apr 25
PAGE COUNT: 363

👑 4. Read a book with at least two of these numbers in the page count: 3, 1, 0, 6.
HOW IT FITS TASK: 363 pages

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Ridiculously Random Prompt #30: Mud-Pit Belly Flop





The Mud-Pit Belly Flop is one of the biggest events that takes place during the ‘Redneck Games.'


The event, of course, takes place in a giant mud pit and the crowd gathered to watch chooses the winner by judging who can make the biggest, muddiest splash. The winner receives a trophy – always featuring a smashed beer can.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

👀 1. Read a book where the MC drinks a beer.
👀 2. Read a book with a crowd, more than 4 people, on the cover.
👀 3. Read a book where someone wins a trophy.
👀 4. Read a book where the title ENDS with a letter in REDNECK.

[Elli]

Prompt #30: Mud-Pit Belly Flop

BOOK READ: The Shark That Walks on Land: And Other Strange But True Tales of Mysterious Sea Creatures
AUTHOR: Michael Bright
DATE READ: 19 Apr 25
PAGE COUNT: 304

👑 👀 4. Read a book where the title ENDS with a letter in REDNECK.
HOW IT FITS TASK: Book title ends with a "D"

[Michelle's Empty Nest, The Challenge Whisperer]

Ridiculously Random Prompt #16: M&Ms





M&M stands for Mars and Murrie.


Forrest Mars (son of the Mars Company founder) first spotted the British confection Smarties during the Spanish Civil War and noticed the candy shell prevented the chocolate from melting. He teamed up with Bruce Murrie (son of Hershey Chocolate's president) and the company later trademarked the "Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand" slogan.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🔴 1. Read a book with an alliterative title.
🔴 2. Read a book with at least two men on the cover.
🔴 3. Read a book tagged SPACE any number of times.
🔴 4. Read a book where the MC's first initial is found in HERSHEY.