The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
SUMMER CHALLENGE 2025
>
Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD!
PAULA S20.1 - Most Improved – Erica H’s Task: Organized Procrastinator
Option 2: Read a book with a word of 5 or more letters in the title spelled from PROJECT FINISH RESISTANCE. Letters may be used only as often as they appear.
Using the word HEART - H in finisH EART in REsisTAnce
I read the ebook, MMPB for reference:C'est le coeur qui lâche en dernier
Points this task: 20
Tasks Completed: 6
Total points: 110
PAULA S20.2 Rookie at the Top: Coffeegirl's Task - 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. Letters may be used only as often as they appear in the phrase.
Using the word BOILED - BD in BirthDay OILE in cELebratIOns
I read the Kindle edition. MMPB link for reference: Boiled Over
Points this task: 20
Tasks Completed: 7
Total points: 130
Sue T20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Coffeegirl's Task - Favorite things about Books.
Option 2: book with a word of at least four letters in the title/subtitle spelled from the phrase BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Cheddar Late Than Dead by Linda Reilly
Word is Late
Points this post: 20
Total Points: 95/975
Tasks Completed: 6
Books Read: 7
Kristen IA25.4 - Bookworm526's task: Our National Parks
Book 1 -
Option C - Read a book that meets the SRC requirements from the first 25 pages of this list: Road Trip
Required: state the page - Page 1
Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
Book 2 -
Option A - Read a debut work by an author who is new to you.
Required: State that the author is new to you.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
The author is new to me
*****I claim 1 It's A Fact ticket*****
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 25
Total Points: 500/975
Tasks Completed: 29/56
BB: 1
GO: 0
NF: 2
25.5 - Fly's Task - Celebrating SummertimeJune
Option 1 - Read a book where a wedding or a wedding anniversary is essential to the story.
An Honorable Rogue by April Kihlstrom
(MC gets married about a third of the way through the book)
August
Option 2 - Read a book by an author whose initials (first and last) are in the following word: BEER
The Rebels of Irelandby Edward Rutherfurd (863 pages)
Claiming 2 BB tickets for The Rebels of Ireland
Points this post: 25
Total points: 330
IAF: 4
BB: 6
GO: 1
corrected postED
20.5 Bigger is Better: Kathy KS's Task - Light Up My World, Scarlett!
Option 2- Read a book with one of these standalone words in the title/subtitle or author’s name: scarlett, scarlet, red, crimson. Only these spellings count.
The Red Sphinx: A Sequel to The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas-6/22/25-
765p; pub. 1866
"red" in the title
*****I CLAIM 2 BB TICKETS*****
*****I CLAIM 1 GO TICKET*****
Points this post: 20
Total points: 20
Tasks completed: 1
20.5
BB: 2 / GO: 1/ IAF: 0
corrected postED
20.6 It's a Fact: Kristen IA's Task - Let’s Go to the Park!
Option 1- Through the Years - Since my husband and I married in 2006, we have visited a national park or MLB ballpark in these years: 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
-Read a book that was first published in one of these years.
Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood-4/6/25- pub. 2008
Points this post: 20
Total points: 40
Tasks completed: 2
20.5, 20.6
BB: 2 / GO: 1/ IAF: 0
corrected postED
20.9 Moderator's Pet: Trishhartuk's Task - Crater Lake
Option 2- It is the deepest lake in the US, at 1,943 feet. There is one trail which gets you down to water level, and is classed as “strenuous”: the trail is only 1.1 miles long, but it drops 700 feet. Getting down is fine. Getting back up however… It’s worth it, though. The view at lake level is superb, and you can swim (if you’re brave enough) or take a boat trip. Read a book with large, natural body of water (lake, river or sea/ocean) on the cover. Man made places such as swimming pools, or just water with no other features to indicate whether it's natural or not, are not acceptable.
lake or seashore illustrated on cover
Impossible Monsters: Dinosaurs, Darwin, and the Battle Between Science and Religion by Michael Taylor- 6/25/25
*****I CLAIM 1 IAF TICKET*****
Points this post: 20
Total points: 60
Tasks completed: 3
20.5, 20.6; 20.9
BB: 2 / GO: 1/ IAF: 1
JagerREPOST of post #2415
25.5 - Fly's Task - Celebrating Summertime
June - Option 1 - Read a book where a wedding or a wedding anniversary is essential to the story.
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding by Lian Dolan
August-Option 2 - Read a book by an author whose initials (first and last) are in one of the following words: BEER or SMORES or WAFFLE.
The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss
***CLAIM 1 IAF ticket
points this post 25
total points 100
IAF 2
Jager20.3 Review Raffle: Kelly L's Task - Celebrating Pride
Option 4
World Pride: Read a book set at least 50% in any of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.
Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce
IL: MG - BL: 5.5 - AR Pts: 11.0
points this post 20
total points 120
IAF 2
Jager20.5 Bigger is Better: Kathy KS's Task - Light Up My World, Scarlett!
Option 1 - Read a book that contains red on the cover, according to Tineye. It doesn’t matter how much, just some.
Required: Post the cover.
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
0.6% RED
points this post 20
total points 140
IAF 2
Jager50.1 - Lisa MD: The Summer My Boys Got Married
Book 1: Greg’s June Wedding - Read a book with a word of 3 or more letters made from the letters of “Pittsburgh Wedding Cookie Table” or “Smith Island Cake.”
Required: State the word and which phrase you used. - Pittsburgh phrase and EDGE is the word
The Edge of Summer by Viola Shipman - 400 pages
Book 2: Eric’s August Wedding - Option B: Read a book set at least 50% in one or combination of: Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, California, North Carolina, New Jersey, Montana, and Germany.
What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown - 368 pages - first pubbed June 3, 2025 - set at least 50% in CA and MT
Book 3: Mother of the Grooms - Option A: Read a book whose author’s first and last initial can be found in “Mother of the Grooms.”
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman - 387 pages
1155 total pages
points this post 50
total points 190
IAF 2
20.5 - Bigger is Better: Kathy KS's Task - Light Up My World, Scarlett!Option 2: Read a book with one of these standalone words in the title/subtitle or author’s name: scarlett, scarlet, red, crimson.
All Systems Red
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 155/975
Tasks Completed: 6/56
Tickets as of this post: BB(1), GO(-), IaF(-)
20.6 It's a Fact: Kristen IA's Task - Let’s Go to the Park!Option 1: Read a book that was first published in 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025.
Exit Strategy, first published Oct 2, 2018
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 175/975
Tasks Completed: 7/56
Tickets as of this post: BB(1), GO(-), IaF(-)
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter: Karen Michele's Task - I WonderOption 3: Read a book that has won the Hugo Award for science fiction
Artificial Condition (Hugo Award for Best Novella (2019))
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 195/975
Tasks Completed: 8/56
Tickets as of this post: BB(1), GO(-), IaF(-)
20.9 - Moderator's Pet: Trishhartuk's Task - Crater LakeOption 3: Read a book first published between May and October (inclusive) of any year from 1996-onwards
Network Effect, first published May 5, 2020
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 215/975
Tasks Completed: 9/56
Tickets as of this post: BB(1), GO(-), IaF(-)
30.7 - Cat's Task: Books of EuropeOption 2: Read one book of at least 500 pages that fits both criteria of Option 1 (written by an author born in a country in Europe and set 70%+ in Europe)
Don Quixote de la Mancha, 1128 pages
** Claiming 3 Big Book Tickets **
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 245/975
Tasks Completed: 10/56
Tickets as of this post: BB(4), GO(-), IaF(-)
5.10 Picnic TimeBook of choice: Bluff: A Noir Crime Thriller by Jane Stanton Hitchcock
Points this post: 5
Total points: 850
That's it for this season. Thank you moderators, task creators, and fellow readers!
Rochelle20.3 Review Raffle: Kelly L's Task - Celebrating Pride
Option 2: Read a book with a title or subtitle that contains a 4+ letter word made from one of two phrases: STONEWALL UPRISING or PRIDE PARADE.
The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet Grames
LOST is in STOnewalL
Points this post: 20
Total points: 140
Total IAF: 1
Total BB: 2
Elizabeth PTask 25.3 - Celebrating the end of WW2
Option 1: Book that is set 50%+ in Japan
What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
304 pages
Option 2: Book with MPG WWII
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
MMPB: Sol u moru: 368 pages
304+368 = 672>500
Points this Post: 25
Total Points: 610
Total Tasks: 32
GO: 0
BB: 4
IAF: 0
Total Books: 43
This finishes out summer 2025 for me - thank you SO MUCH mods for all your hard work
Angela IL30.9 Nick KY’s Task: Uluru – National Parks of Australia
Opt. 2. Read a book with a word of at least four letters in the title/subtitle/author’s name from the phrase ULURU KATA TJUTA NICK KY.
Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain-7/20
Word: Cain
Claiming It's a Fact Ticket
Opt. 4. Read a book that takes place at least 50% in Australia or is by an author born in or currently living in Australia.
The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty-8/31
Author lives in Australia (GR Meta Data)
PB Link: The Last Anniversary
Points this Task: 30
Total Points: 455
Books Read: 28
Tasks Completed: 18
It's a Fact: 5
That's a wrap for me! Thanks to the Mods for all their hard work and to all the task creators.
Readerboard Name - Rebecca NJ50.1 - Lisa MD: The Summer My Boys Got Married
Book 1: Greg’s June Wedding, Option A
Hold On to Me by Karen Grey
"Hold" is found in the phrase "Pittsburgh Wedding Cookie Table" (H in pittsburgH, O in cOokie, L in tabLe, D in weDding)
Link to PB (no MMP edition) - Hold On to Me, 268 pages
Book 2: Eric’s August Wedding, Option B
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
From the meta data and the description, set in Baltimore, Maryland, 430 pages AND published in 2025
Book 3: Mother of the Grooms, Option B
The Flames of Lilly Pilly Creek: Book 4 by Abbie L. Martin
Title contains a plural word (flames), 259 pages
268+420+259 = 947 pages
This post: 50 points
Total points to date: 50 points
Tasks completed: 1
JUKKA20.7 Shorter is Sweeter: Karen Michele's Task - I Wonder
Option 3: A Hugo winner.
Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh. Best Novel 1982. I read an ebook but the top mass market paperback seems to clock in at over 500 pages, so claiming Big Book.
Total Points: 495/975
Total Books Read: 42
Tasks Completed: 35/56
Big Books Total: 5
Golden Oldies Total: 0
It's a Fact Total: 7
JenJ IA5.6 Summer Song
Read a book with a word of 4 or more letters found in the title (subtitles excluded) from the lyrics of "Hot Fun In The Summertime" by Sly & The Family Stone.
Required: State the word - SUMMER
That Last Carolina Summer by Karen White
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 565/975
Tasks Completed: 31/56
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 7
JenJ IA5.10 Picnic Time
Read a book of your choice that meets SRC rules.
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 5
Total Points: 570/975
Tasks Completed: 32/56
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 7
Kristen IA15.2 Here or There?
Required: State the country and park name for each book
Book 1: Using the North American parks, read a book whose title contains a word from the name one of the parks.
Camino Island by John Grisham
(Canada - Prince Edward Island National Park)
and
Book 2: Using the Europe parks, read a book whose title contains all the letters of the complete name of one parks.
Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
(Sweden - Sarek National Park)
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 515/975
Tasks Completed: 30/56
BB: 1
GO: 0
NF: 2
SHEMAC 30.7 Cat's Task: Books of Europe
This is a two book task, Choose two different options and read one book for each option
Required: state the option - 1
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 Europe.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference - Finland (MPG precis)
Off and On Again
Book 2: Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in Europe, excluding UK - Italy
Required: If the birthplace is not evident from the Goodreads author information, provide a reference.
The Safety Net by Andrea Camilleri
This task points: 30
Total season points: 800
Jager15.10 I'm Not Scared
Read a book with MPG Horror- Stand alone or embedded
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
points this post 15
total points 205
IAF 2
30.2 Katrisa's Task: Wrapped in PlasticOption 3 - The Black Lodge and White Lodge
Read a book from the first 20 pages of the Good Vs Evil list.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia
☀️ found on page 1
Option 5 - Fire Walk with Me
Read a book with a word of at least four letters from the poem in the title.
What Lies Between Us by John Marrs
☀️ BETWEEN - line 3: One chants out between two worlds
Points this Post: 30
Total Points: 385
Kelly L 5.5 Summer Solstice
Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title (subtitle words excluded) from the phrase "Summer Solstice".
The Singer Sisters = TSS
Summer SolSTice --> SST --> TSS --> The Singer Sisters
-----------------------------
This post: 5 points
Tickets: ---
-----------------------------
Season total: 415 points
Season Tickets: 5 IAF, 1 BB
Jager5.5 Summer Solstice
Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title from the phrase "Summer Solstice".
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
IL: MG - BL: 5.1 - AR Pts: 11.0
points this post 5
total points 210
IAF 2
Readerboard name: List_Addict10.2:I Know What You Read Last Summer
A book read in the Summer 2024 Challenge
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
Post 366
Final Total for this challenge: 130
(Thanks so much!!!!!)
EMurphy30.8 MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games
Option 3: Author's initials are in one of the months The Good Son by You-jeong Jeong
*Found in July
**309 pages
Option 4: #6, 7, or 8 in a series A Death in the Small Hours by Charles Finch
*Charles Lenox Mysteries #6
**320 pages
This Post:
Points: 30
Books Read: 2
GO Ticket: 0
BB Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 475
Books Read: 33
GO Ticket: 2
BB Ticket +500: 1
IAF Ticket: 6
Tasks Completed: 21
EMurphy20.8 Nickels & Dimes - MEGSCL's Task: 2025 Goals
Option 1: First published March 2025 or later Lady Like by Mackenzi Lee
*Published September 2025
This Task:
Points: 20
Books Read: 1
GO Ticket: 0
BB Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 495
Books Read: 34
GO Ticket: 2
BB Ticket +500: 1
IAF Ticket: 6
Tasks Completed: 22
EMurphy5.8 Name Game - Author who shares a first name initial with any letter in your Readerboard name Feed by M.T. Anderson
This Task:
Points: 5
Books Read: 1
GO Ticket: 0
BB Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 500
Books Read: 35
GO Ticket: 2
BB Ticket +500: 1
IAF Ticket: 6
Tasks Completed: 23
All done! Thank you for a great challenge :)
30.8 MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian GamesOption 2:Read a book where the name of the Month (June, July OR August ) is found intact in the title
The Dry Grass of August
Option 3: Read a book whose SINGLE author's first and last initials (middle can be ignored) in June OR July OR August.
Away by Jane Urquhart
J U found in JUNE
New Points: 30
Total Points: 540
BB: 1
GO: 7
IaF: 6
20.6 It's a Fact: Kristen IA's Task - Let’s Go to the Park!Option 1: Through the Years - Since my husband and I married in 2006, we have visited a national park or MLB ballpark in these years: 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
-Read a book that was first published in one of these years.
Denali's Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America's Wildest Peak first published May 15. 2014
***Claiming an It's a Fact ticket for non-fiction ***
New Points: 20
Total Points: 560
BB: 1
GO: 7
IaF: 7
15.1 More or Less?For this task organize your TBR by number of ratings.
I Used my TBR-owned list for this task
Book 1: Read the book with the most ratings on your TBR
City of Ashes
This book had 984, 219 ratings
Book 2: Read the book with the least ratings on your TBR
Heart of A Stranger
This book had 62 ratings
***Claiming an It's a Fact ticket for non-fiction***
New Points: 15
Total Points: 575
BB: 1
GO: 7
IaF: 8
Erica H.5.10 Picnic Time
Read a book of your choice that meets SRC rules.
A Great Deliverance
Points: 5
Total points: 470
BB: 2
GO: 2
NF: 4
KRISTA KY10.2 I Know What You Read Last Summer
Read a book that was claimed in the Summer 2024 Challenge Completed Task Thread
The Nightingale (Claimed on message 849 last summer)
**Also claiming a big book ticket - 593 pages**
Points this task: 10
Total points: 420
Books read: 29
Big Book: 1
Amy B25.2 - 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 1 - No Sweat
I hate to sweat, so read a book whose title (Subtitles may be ignored) does not contain any of the letters SWEAT.
Ubik by Philip K. Dick
Option 2 - Hot Weather Clothes
Read a book with a person wearing shorts or a swimsuit on the cover.
Required: Post the cover.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
This Task: 25 Points
To Date: 560 Points
Amy B50.1 - Lisa MD: The Summer My Boys Got Married
This is a 3 book task:
1. Read one book for each of the 3 options.
2. One book must be published in 2025.
3. Total combined pages must equal 750 or greater.
4. No graphic novels or manga allowed.
Book 1: Greg’s June Wedding
Option A: Read a book with a word of 3 or more letters made from the letters of “Pittsburgh Wedding Cookie Table” or “Smith Island Cake.” The words “and” and “the” may not be used.
Required: State the word and which phrase you used.
Punks: New & Selected Poems by John Keene (Punks in Pittsburgh Wedding Cookie Table) - 222 pages
Book 2: Eric’s August Wedding
Option B: Guests will be traveling to the wedding from: Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, California, North Carolina, New Jersey, Montana, and Germany.
Read a book set at least 50% in one or combination of the places listed above.
Required: If not obvious from the GR description, then provide a reference.
Godwin by Joseph O'Neill (PA) - 288 pages
Book 3: Mother of the Grooms
Option B: Read a book whose title contains a plural word.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman (2025) - 436 pages
This Task: 50 Points
To Date: 610 Ppoints
Theresa30.5 - 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. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand
Option 4 - Read a book that can be found on the first 5 pages of the following shelves:
Technology Books
Futuristic Books
Required: state the list and the page
Immortal in Death by JD Robb
List Futuristic Books
Pg 1
Points this post - 30
Total points - 220
Readerboard name: Michelle in Alaska20.1 - Most Improved – Erica H’s Task: Organized Procrastinator.
Option 2. Read a book with a word of 5+ letters in the title that can be found in PROJECT FINISH RESISTANCE.
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake (288 p.) *
*The word is ETHER.
➸ Total Points: 140
➸ Total Pages: 2,653
Julia1035.10 Picnic Time
Read a book of your choice that meets SRC rules.
The Double Image
This post: 5 points
Total points: 945
BB: 3
GO: 7
NF: 5
Tasks completed: 55
Books read: 76
(one task short of completing the challenge)
KRISTA KY5.1 Victory Day
Read a book that takes place in one of the States or countries that have a National Park honoring WII.
The Return of Ellie Black
Park: Mount Ranier NP (Washington)
Points this task: 5
Total points: 425
Books read: 30
Big Book: 1
15.10 - I'm Not Scared MPG Horror
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Points this Post: 15
Total Points: 400
Readerboard name: Michelle in Alaska20.6 - It's a Fact: Kristen IA's Task - Let’s Go to the Park!
Option 1. Read a book that was published in 2019.
Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer (352 p.)
➸ Total Points: 160
➸ Total Pages: 3,005
Stephanie12710.4 Future's So Bright: Read a book with a person wearing sunglasses on the cover. Required: post the cover
Points this post: 10
Total points: 10/975
Tasks completed: 1/56
Books read: 1
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
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)
More...
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)
More...
10.10 Radioactive, Radioactive
Read a book with MPG Post-Apocalyptic
The High King of Montival
This post: 10 points
Total points: 940
BB: 3
GO: 7
NF: 5
Tasks completed: 54
Books read: 75