The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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SUMMER CHALLENGE 2025
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Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD!
Elizabeth PTask 5.9 - Sand Time
Word of 4+ letters in title can be made from GREAT SAND DUNES
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Word: Great
GREAT sand dunes
Points this Post: 5
Total Points: 90
Total Tasks: 7
GO: 0
BB: 0
IAF: 0
Total Books: 7
ROBIN P20.3 Shorter is Sweeter: Karen Michele's Task - I Wonder
Option 1: Book focuses on animals
Call of the Penguins
Points this post: 20
Total points: 480
BB:3 GO:0 IAF:5
FLY Task #15.6 Animals, Animals, Animals!
+IAF ticket
task: one of the listed words in the title
book: James Herriot's Animal Stories
(my version is audio, no MMPB or PB, first HC here)
how it fits: "Animal" in the title
other:
**Claiming IAF ticket for nonfiction memoir
Points this post: 15
Total points: 375
Tasks completed: 21/56
BB: 9 / GO: 5 / IAF: 1 + 1 = 2
FLY Task #15.7 Bright and Beautiful
task: cover at least 50% blue OR green OR Red
book: In an Absent Dream
(my version is audio, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits:
TinEye:
58.5 % #1c2f3a Blue
19.8 % #1a5b79 Blue
5.2 % #698695 Grey
4.2 % #695955 Grey
3.8 % #dde0e1 Grey
3.1 % #a49d9c Grey
2.8 % #542418 Brown
1.5 % #a04617 Brown
0.8 % #793415 Brown
0.4 % #169fba Blue
Points this post: 15
Total points: 390
Tasks completed: 22/56
BB: 9 / GO: 5 / IAF: 2
FLY Task #15.5 Land of Dragons
task: author initials in Komodo OR Dragon OR Lizard
book: Faceless
(my version is audio, no MMPB, first PB here)
how it fits: author Rob Ashman initials RA in d(RA)gon
Points this post: 15
Total points: 405
Tasks completed: 23/56
BB: 9 / GO: 5 / IAF: 2
Julia10330.5 Delicious Dee 's Task: Classic Science-Fiction: HG Wells
Option 2: Read a book by a single author where ALL the authors initials can be found in H.G. Wells.
The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer
Option 3: - H.G. Wells was born 21 September 1866 and died 13 August 1946. Read a book that was first published between those dates.
The Penguin Pool Murder
(first published January 1931)
The Convenient Marriage was first published in 1934.
The Penguin Pool Murder was first published in 1931.
Claiming two Golden Oldie tickets.
This post: 30 points, 2 GO
Total points: 460
BB: 4
GO: 3
NF: 1
Tasks completed: 22
Books read: 32
FLY Task #10.3 500 Reads of Summer
task: from the first 25 pages of the Summer Books shelf
book: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
(my version is audio, first MMPB here)
how it fits: on page 15 of the list
Points this post: 10
Total points: 415
Tasks completed: 24/56
BB: 9 / GO: 5 / IAF: 2
Erica H.15.7 Bright and Beautiful
Read a book that is at least 50% blue OR 50% green OR 50% Red according to Tineye.
Required: Post the cover
The Midnight Library is 82.6% blue per Tineye
Points: 15
Total points: 210
BB: 1
GO: 1
NF: 1
LoraTask: 5.5 Summer Solstice
Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title from the phrase "Summer Solstice".
Book/Author: The Mistletoe Mystery / Nita Prose
How it fits: using TMM from suMMer solsTice
Points for this task: 5
Total points: 420
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 3
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 2
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 1
LoraTask: 20.4 Golden Oldies: Kai's Task - London Adventure, using Option 5: Read a book with an MPG of Historical, Romance, or Historical Romance.
Book/Author: A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic / J. Penner
How it fits: MPG Romance
Points for this task: 20
Total points: 440
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 3
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 0
Golden Oldies tickets total: 2
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 1
TessaVanessaChallenge 5.7 Summer Vacations
Read a book with at least one adult and two or more children on the book cover.
by Tom KizziaPoints this post: 5
Total points: 655/975
Task completed: 42/56
TessaVanessaChallenge 30.1 JennRenee's Task: The Great Yellowstone
Option 2: read a book with MPG Romance
Submerged by Dani Pettrey
This is Dani's debut book.
Option 3: Read a book with a cover featuring at least 5 different colors according to Tineye.
Girl Fifteen: Deceived by Molly Black
46.8 %#ad9979Brown
28.5 %#c2c9ceGrey
7.3 %#1f1149Violet
6.2 %#4e453dGrey
4.3 %#f61916Red
3.0 %#5c526fViolet
1.7 %#e86b59Red
1.4 %#db9478Pink
0.5 %#efcf80Yellow
0.4 %#dd979cPink
Points this post: 30
Total points: 685/975
Task completed: 43/56
TessaVanessaChallenge 30.7 Cat's Task: Books of Europe
Option 1:
Book 1: Read a book that is set (at least 70%) in one or more countries in Europe, or is about one or more countries in Europe (if Non-Fiction), but is NOT United Kingdom (i.e. England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland).
A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City: A Diary by Anonymous
Set in Germany.
Book 2: Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in Europe, excluding UK.
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
Elena was born in Italy.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 715/975
Task completed: 44/56
Nick KY15.4 Beauty in Words
National parks are all about Nature and preserving the beauty in our world.
For this task, use the website https://www.readpoetry.com/poems-that...
Option 2: One Book Task. Read a single book that satisfies both criteria:
1: Read a book whose title (subtitles are excluded) contains a 4 or more letter word from one of the poems on the website. Words must be stand alone and match exact.
2: Read a book with an author that shares either a name or initials with one of the poets on this website.
I read Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy.
Title word “Thought” is in the poem by Emily Dickenson:
He glanced with rapid eyes,
That hurried all abroad –
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,
He stirred his Velvet Head. (lines 9-12),
and the author shares the name “Joy” with poet Joy Harjo.
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 585
Nick KY10.7 Camp Rock.
Main character is a performance artist, in this case an actor.
I read The Parasites by Daphne du Maurier.
From Wiki. “ The novel follows the three children of the Delaney family - Maria, Niall, and Celia….Maria becomes a beautiful, successful actress.”
Points This Post: 10
Total Points So Far: 595
Kai15.3 Quantity or Size?
OPTION 2: Read a book set at least 75% in Australia AND read a book with title with 6+ words excluding subtitles
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus W. Hume
Setting = Melbourne, Australia
**Claiming 1 Golden Oldie Ticket - First Published 1886**
New Points: 15
Tasks Completed: 18
Total Points: 295
BIG BOOK: 0
GOLDEN OLDIES: 2
IT'S A FACT: 1
5.5 Summer SolsticeBook: Rogue
Task: Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title (subtitle words excluded) from the phrase "Summer Solstice"
How it fits: title word starts with R, in summeR
I read the kindle edition. The paperback edition has 312 pages.
Points this post: 5
Total points: 50
20.6 It's a Fact: Kristen IA's Task - Let’s Go to the Park!Option 1, a book published in 2025: The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff
hard cover edition The Bright Years
Points this post: 20
Total points: 205
ROBIN P5.4 World Environment
Author initials in WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
Poseidon's Gold - Lindsey Davis
Points this post: 5
Total points: 485
BB:3 GO:0 IAF:5
5.2 Civil WarRead a book with MPG War , Civil War, or Military Fiction.
MPG may be stand alone or embedded.
When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 435
Total Tasks Completed: 20
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies:
It's a Fact: 1
World War II is the 3rd genre
10.2 I Know What You Read Last SummerRead a book that was claimed in the Summer 2024 Challenge Completed Task Thread
Post #64
Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 10
Total Points: 445
Total Tasks Completed: 21
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies:
It's a Fact: 1
15.1 More or Less?Book 1: Read the book with the most ratings on your TBR
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
1,767,211 ratings
Claiming Golden Oldies - this was first published in 1818
Book 2: Read the book with the least ratings on your TBR
Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff
15,321 ratings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 460
Total Tasks Completed: 22
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 1
15.9 Let's Go CampingRead a book with a camper, tent, or RV on the cover.
by Catherine CowlesThis was approved on the help thread.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 475
Total Tasks Completed: 23
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 1
Mod
25.1 - Ash's Task: Boss Level
Option 2-Animal Crossing
Read a book with Olive in the title.
Olive, Again. Elizabeth Strout
Option 3-Minecraft
For this option read a book with a 4 or more letter word in the title that can be made up of letters in "creepers have no respect". OVER
Glory Over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House. Kathleen Grissom
Required: State the word.
Points this post: 25
Total Points: 285 /1000
Tasks Completed 21/57
25.3 - Shemac's task: Celebrating the end of WW2Option 1 - Read a book that is set (at least 50%) in any combination of Japan
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
From the synopsis "In a small back alley in Tokyo"
213 pages
Option 2 - Read a book that has MPG World War II
Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon
451 pages
World War II is the 3rd genre
Total 664 pages
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 500
Total Tasks Completed: 24
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 2
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 1
25.2 - Robin P's Task: Enjoying Summer - Not!Option 1 - read a book whose title (Subtitles may be ignored) does not contain any of the letters SWEAT.
Cold Blood (Aidan Snow #1) by Alex Shaw
Option 4 - Read a book from the first 25 pages of one of these lists: Winter Books (page 7)
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Task total: 25
Season total: 460
25.5 - Fly's Task - Celebrating SummertimeJune - Option 2
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Claiming a Big Book for 624 pages
August Option 2
Read a book by an author whose initials (first and last) are in one of the following words: SmORes
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 525
Total Tasks Completed: 25
* * * * * * *
Big Books: 3
Golden Oldies: 1
It's a Fact: 1
CHANDNI30.1 JennRenee's Task: The Great Yellowstone
Option 1: Water Water and More Water
Read a book with a title/subtitle that contains one of these words.
waterfall, lake, river, stream, pond, wetlands
Crow Lake by Mary Lawson
Option 2: Read a book with MPG Romance.
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Both of these books are debut novels.
Points this post: 30
Total points: 290
Kelly L20.10 Group Reads
Fiction: Modern Classics - The Poisonwood Bible
I just posted in the Group Discussion thread - what a great read!!
**Claiming a Big Book ticket -- 546 pages**
-----------------------------
This post: 20 points
Tickets: 1 BB
-----------------------------
Season total: 115 points
Season Tickets: 1 IAF, 1 BB
Mod
30.1 JennRenee's Task: The Great Yellowstone
Option 1: Water Water and More Water
Read a book with a title/subtitle that contains one of these words. Plurals/Possessives accepted, no other variations
waterfall, lake, river, stream, pond, wetlands
The River Has Roots
Option 2
Get hot and steamy and read a book with MPG Romance, may be standalone or embedded
Voice of the Ocean- Debut novel
Points this Post: 30
Total Points: 525
20.8 Shorter is Sweeter: MEGSCL's TaskOption 1- read any book first published in March 2025 or later.
Daughters of Flood and Fury (Stormbringer #2) by Gabriella Buba
published 7/22/25 - I read eARC gifted by author
Task total: 20
Season total: 480
20.5 Bigger is Better: Kathy KS's Task - Light Up My World, Scarlett!Option 3 - Read a book with an author born or living in one of these states: Mississippi
Sartoris by William Faulkner
author born in Mississippi as per GR profile
Task total: 20
Season total: 500
Mod
15.8 - Shipwrecked and Stranded
Read a book where a shipwreck or someone who stranded in the ocean or on an island is essential to the story.
The Island of Doctor Moreau
MC is stranded on the titular island following a shipwreck.
This book was first published in 1896. One Golden Oldies ticket please!
Points this task: 15
Season total: 135
BB Tickets: 5
GO Tickets: 1
IAF Tickets: 2
10.6 Theater Camp - Read a book first published either in July of any year or any month for the year 2022.They Called Us Enemy
Pub. July 16, 2019
*Claiming It's a Fact Ticket for NF
Points: 10
Total/challenge: 10
IAF ticket: 1
15.5 Land of DragonsRead a book with a single author with all initials found in Komodo OR Dragon OR Lizard.
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke
A,L in LizArd
*Claiming It's a Fact Ticket for NF
Points: 15
Total/challenge: 25
IAF: 1/2
15.9 Let's Go Camping - camper, RV or tent on cover
Points: 15
Total: 40
20.5 Light Up my World, ScarlettOpt 4 Suspense: standalone or embedded, Thriller(s): standalone, or Fantasy: standalone MPG
The Tenant - Thriller
Points: 20
Total/challenge: 60
20.6 Let's Go to the ParkPub in 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The First Ladies
Pub June 27, 2023
Points: 20
Total/challenge: 80
20.8 2025 GoalsOption 2- Read award shortlists. Read a book that has been longlisted, shortlisted, or won any of these prizes in any year.
Required: The award must be listed on the GR book page
Stella Prize
Women's Prize for Fiction
Miles Franklin
Booker Prize
James
Booker Prize shortlist 2024
Points: 20
Total/challenge: 100
25.1 Boss LevelOpt 1 Pick a book from list
Oona Out of Order
Time Loops list - page 1
Opt 3 - For this option read a book with a 4 or more letter word in the title that can be made up of letters in "creepers have no respect".
The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team
RACE
R,C,E - CREepers
A - hAve
*Claiming IAF ticket for NF
Points: 25
Total: 125
IAF: 1/3
Nick KY15.7 Bright and Beautiful 50+% Blue -- I read The Deluge by Stephen Markley. 81.4% blue
I listened to the audiobook. No Mass Market Paperback. The most popular paperback is The Deluge.
CLAIM TWO BIG BOOKS for The Deluge at 836 pp.
https://labs.tineye.com/color/9d06d2a...
Points This Post: 15
Total Points So Far: 610
Big Books So Far: 750+ (2) = 4 BB Tickets
25.3 Celebrating the End of WWII >500 pgsOpt 1 - set in Japan
The Travelling Cat Chronicles - 277 pgs
Opt 2 - MPG World War II
Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante- 337 pgs
277+337=614 pgs
Points: 25
Total/challenge: 150
30.2 Wrapped in PlasticOpt 2 - sword or conifer on cover
- swordOpt 3 Read a book from the first 20 pages of this
Good Vs Evil list
Witch & Wizard
Page 1 of list
Points: 30
Total/challenge: 180
30.6 Catching up on SeriesOpt B Choose a book from my Series-SRCSummer shelf. Read that book or one in the same series.
State of the Onion
Opt 3 - Read a book that is #3 or above but not the last published book in the series
Once a Spy - Rogues Redeemed #4
Points: 30
Total/challenge: 210
Bookwrm526Task #20.2 - Favorite things about Books
Option 2: Read a book with a word of at least four letters in the title/subtitle spelled from the phrase BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS. I made the word BONES (b in birthday, ONES in celebrations) and read Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab.
Total points so far: 330
30.7 Books of Europe - 1 book option >500 pgsRead a book that is set (at least 70%) in one or more countries in Europe, or is about one or more countries in Europe (if Non-Fiction), but is NOT United Kingdom and
Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in Europe, excluding UK. Multiple authors are allowed, provided that ALL are born within Europe.
The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - 503 pages
Book set in Sweden and author is Lars Kepler writing duo of Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril who were both born in Sweden
Points: 30
Total/challenge: 240
30.8 Gregorian Games - each book >250 pgsOpt 1 Read a book with a variant of the number 6,7, or 8 in the TITLE ONLY.
The Power of Six 406 pgs
Opt 2 Read a book where the name of the Month (June, July OR August ) is found intact in the title
The Unmaking of June Farrow 320 pgs
Points: 30
Total/challenge: 270
30.10 Return of a FavoriteOpt 1: Read a book with one of these words from the series in the title (subtitle excluded). Rules, Shadow, Eyes, Silent, Winter, Night, Mind, Sudden, Secret, Certain, Easy, Chosen, Mortal, Naked, Hidden, Broken, Invisible, Phantom, Wicked, Storm, Buried, Stolen, Silken, Field, Gathering, Extreme, Golden, Twisted, Neon, Masked, Ocean, Righteous, Judgment, Toxic, Lethal
The Secret History - 559 pages
Secret is the word used from the list
Opt 4 Read a book by an author who shares a first or last name with one of the recurring characters. Lucas Davenport, Jennifer Carey, Weather Karkinnen, Virgil Flowers, Del Capslock, Harrison Sloan, Letty Davenport, Rose Marie Roux (Rose or Marie work), Marcy Sherrill, Elle Kruger
Champion by Marie Lu
Marie matches Rose Marie Roux (Rose or Marie work)
Points: 30
Total/challenge: 300
10.7 Camp Rock Read a book where the MC is a performance artist or performing arts is central to the story.
For the purpose of this task performance artist is someone who performs in front of an audience for entertainment.
From GR description:
"students at a highly competitive performing arts high school struggle and thrive in a rarified bubble, ambitiously pursuing music, movement, Shakespeare, and, particularly, their acting classes. "
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 155
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Happiness for Beginners (other topics)Problematic Summer Romance (other topics)
The Adventures of Sally (other topics)
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 (other topics)
The Queen's Accomplice (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Katherine Center (other topics)Beth Brower (other topics)
Susan Elia MacNeal (other topics)
Mazen Kerbaj (other topics)
Dorothy Gilman (other topics)
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25.2 - Robin P's Task: Enjoying Summer - Not!
This is a two book task, choose two different options and read one book for each option.
Required: state the options - Option 3 and 4
Option 3 - Read a book whose author has first and last initials made up of these letters. That is, the author initials are AA, AB, AO, BA, BB, BO, OA, OB, or OO - BB
Omega's Teacher by Bella Bennet
Option 4 - Read a book from the first 25 pages of one of these lists.
Winter Books
Christmas Books
Required: State the list and the page - Christmas Books; page 5
The Geek Who Saved Christmas
This task points: 25
Total season points: 480