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!

20.7 Shorter is Sweeter: Karen Michele's Task - I Wonder
Opt 3 - Read a book that has won the Hugo Award for science fiction
I read Saga, Volume 11
It won a Hugo in 2024 listed on P1 of the list
Points this Post: 20
Points Total: 460

30.4 TessaVanessa's Task: A Year of Travels
1-Lakeside Cabin
Read a book that has snow on the cover.

3-Niagara Falls
Read a book with a single author’s first and last initial that can be found in NIAGARA FALLS.
Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
Points this post: 30
Total Points: 65
Books Read: 6
Tasks Done: 5

15.4 Beauty in Words
Opt 1
Book 1: Read a book whose title (subtitles are excluded) contains a 4 or more letter word from one of the poems on the website.
I read A Particular Kind of Black Man
BLACK in Joy Harjo's poem
Book 2: Read a book with an author that shares either a name or initials with one of the poets on this web page
I read My Body by Emily Ratajkowski
EMILY from Emily Dickenson
Points this Post: 15
Points Total: 475

25.5 - Fly's Task - Celebrating Summertime
July 1 - Read a book with a cover containing all the colors red, white, and blue according to Tineye
I read All Quiet on the Western Front

53.2 %#eef1f4White
26.2 %#48545cGrey
8.6 %#88959eGrey
5.8 %#c0d8efBlue
2.3 %#b20c3bRed
1.9 %#a08578Grey
1.0 %#d093a5Pink
0.5 %#bc4365Pink
August 2 - Read a book by an author whose initials (first and last) are in one of the following words: BEER or SMORES or WAFFLE.
I read

BR in BeeR
Points this Post: 25
Points Total: 500

15.3 Quantity or Size?
Option 2: One Book Task
Read a single book that satisfies both criteria for option 1
Read a book set at least 75% in Australia and
read a book with title with 6+ words excluding subtitles OR 12+ more words including the subtitle
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret
1st sentence - "There are quite a few differences between an Australian Christmas and the stereotypical Northern Hemisphere fare" - story takes place in the Blue Mountains
AND 6 words in title
Points this post: 15
Total points: 125
BB:3 GO:0 IAF:0

20.10 Group Reads
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Summer 2025 season. The requirement for this task: you must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
Gutenberg Classic - The Adventures of Sally by P.G. Wodehouse - Posted to the discussion thread on 6/15
This Task: 20 Points
To Date: 20 Points

20.7 Shorter is Sweeter: Karen Michele's Task - I Wonder
Option 1
I wonder if our natural world will thrive?
Read a book where animals or their natural habitats are essential to the story. Required: Please provide a reference if it is not evident in the GR book description.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
approved in post 14 of the Help Thread
~~~~~~~~
Points This Post: 20
Total Points: 40/975
Tasks Completed: 2/56
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0

30.10 Amy FL's Task: Return of a Favorite
Option 1: The Titles
One of the words from a title in the series found in title of book read
Golden Age and Other Stories - Golden is one of the words
Option 2: The Setting - 75% in Minnesota
The Franchise: Minnesota Twins - takes place almost exclusively in MN
**claiming 1 IAF point for nonfiction**
Points this post: 30
Total points: 155
BB:3 GO:0 IAF:1

10.3 500 Reads of Summer
The Priory of the Orange Tree
(This is on page 8 of the list)
I read the Kindle edition. The top MMP El priorato del naranjo has 864 pages so claiming two BB tickets
This post: 10 points, 2 BB
Total points: 70
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 0
Tasks completed: 3
Books read: 5

5.1 Victory Day - Read a book that takes place in one of the States or countries that have a National Park honoring WII.
The Overlook by Michael Connelly
MMPB HERE
set in California, listed on main page
points this task: 5
previous total: 330
new total: 335

20.5- Bigger is Better: Kathy KS's Task
Option 4 - MPG Thriller
Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly
MMPB HERE
MPG Thriller
points this task: 20
previous total: 335
new total: 355

Task #30.7 Cat's Task: Books of Europe
+BB ticket
Option 2: One Book Option, 500+ pages
task 1: set (at least 70%) in Europe, but not UK
task 2: author born in Europe, not UK
book: The Purity of Vengeance
(my version is audio, first MMPB here) = 672 pages
how it fits: set in Copenhagen and Sprogø (not apparent from description of the audio edition, but noted in the MMPB edition linked above), and author Jussi Adler-Olsen born in Copenhagen
other:
**Claiming BB ticket for MMPB = 672 pages
Points this post: 30
Total points: 110
Tasks completed: 5/56
BB: 4 + 1 = 5 / GO: 0 / IAF: 0

25.1 - Ash's Task: Boss Level
Option 1 - Until Dawn, Wendigo List
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
No MMPB. Paperback HERE
on page 1 of Wendigo list
Option 4-Sims 4
For this task read a book where the page number consists of at least two of the numbers 0,1,3, or 5.
Ruthless Tide: The Heroes and Villains of the Johnstown Flood, America's Astonishing Gilded Age Disaster by Al Roker
No MMPB Paperback HERE
320 pages
two numbers: 0 and 3 in page count
points this task: 25
previous total: 355
new total: 380

Option 1: first published in 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025
Așa să crească iarba pe noi by Augustin Cupşa
First published November 1, 2017
Points this post: 20
Total points: 55 / 1000
Big Books: 0
Golden Oldies: 0
It's a Fact: 0
Page count: 552

5.1 Victory Day. I read Feliz Navidead by Ann Myers. Part of the Santa Fe Café Cozy Mystery series, it takes place in New Mexico, home to the Manhattan Project NP.
Points This Post: 5
Total Points So Far: 145

25.1 Ash’s Boss Level.
Opt. 2. Animal Crossing is my all time favorite cozy game. For this option pick one of the 10 villagers I have on my island and read a book with that name in the title, subtitle, or author first or last name: Poppy, Molly, Pecan, Maple, Vivian, Olive, Erik, Chief, Bonbon, Grizzly.
“Poppy” in author’s name -- I read Drawing Blood by Poppy Z. Brite (any excuse to re-read one of this author’s books!)
Opt. 4. SIMS-4. Pagination includes 1 and 5 -- I read The Spiral of Memory: Interviews by Joy Harjo. 152 pp.
Points This Post: 25
Total Points So Far: 170

20.8 Nickels and Dimes: MEGSCL's Task - 2025 Goals
Help Thread
Option 1- Read more new releases and ARCs. For this task, read any book first published in March 2025 or later.
Written on the Dark
First published May 27, 2025
Points this task 20
Season Total 85
I BB

15.10 - I'm Not Scared
MPG: Horror
You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen

🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 15
Total Points: 55/975
Total Books Read: 3
Total Tasks Completed: 3
Big Book Tickets:
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 1

20.4 Golden Oldies: Kai's Task - London Adventure
Option 5 JANE AUSTEN-MPG of Historical, Romance, or Historical Romance
Where the Light Enters
MPG of Historical noted in task help # 10
Claiming 1 BB 672 pages
Points this task 20
BB's this task 1
Season Total 65
1 BB

25.1 Ash's Task: Boss Level
Option 3: Minecraft
Word in title found in CREEPERS HAVE NO RESPECT
I Shall Never Fall in Love - work is NEVER, N in No, EER in CREEpers, V in haVe
Graphic Novel ok for this task
Option 4: Sims 4
Page number has at least 2 of 0, 1, 3, 5
First Degree - 231 p
Points this post: 25
Total points: 180
BB:3 GO:0 IAF:1
25.1 - Ash's Task: Boss Level
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".
WORD is OVER
read- Over My Dead Body
and
Option 4-Sims 4
For this task read a book where the page number consists of at least two of the numbers 0,1,3, or 5. Numbers may be used as many times as they appear.
read Three Mothers
351 pages in Paperback version
points this post 25
total points 535
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".
WORD is OVER
read- Over My Dead Body
and
Option 4-Sims 4
For this task read a book where the page number consists of at least two of the numbers 0,1,3, or 5. Numbers may be used as many times as they appear.
read Three Mothers
351 pages in Paperback version
points this post 25
total points 535
25.5 - Fly's Task - Celebrating Summertime
Month used : June
option 1 Read a book where a wedding or a wedding anniversary is essential to the story.
read by A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage
wedding dress on cover
Used July
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.
read by Smile for the Cameras Miranda Smith
SM in SMORES
points this post 25
total points 560
Month used : June
option 1 Read a book where a wedding or a wedding anniversary is essential to the story.
read by A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage
wedding dress on cover
Used July
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.
read by Smile for the Cameras Miranda Smith
SM in SMORES
points this post 25
total points 560

10.1 Walking On Sunshine
Read a book whose title (subtitles are excluded) includes a word of 4 or letters made from the phrase
"Walking On Sunshine"
But Enough About You: Essays

The word in ENOUGH
walkinG ON sUnsHinE
TOTALS
Points: 10
BB: 0
GO: 0
NF: 0
Total books: 1
Total tasks: 1

Option 4
World Pride: Since 2000, World Pride has been celebrated in various cities and countries around the world - this year, Washington, D.C. hosts, and next year it is the Netherlands’ turn.
Read a book set at least 50%in any of the following past, current, or future host countries of World Pride: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.
Required: State the country. Provide a reference if the setting is not obvious on the GR book page
I read Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism which takes place more than 50% in the US.
This book is non-fiction and so I would like a ******It's a Fact ***** tix.
Points: 60
Books read: 3
tasks completed: 3
It's a fact: 2
pages read: 1114
flag

30.3 - Susan A's Task: Exploring MPGs
Required: 501 pgs total / MPG: Survival, Maritime, Geology, Medieval, Adventure or Post Apocalyptic
The River by Peter Heller

272 pgs
MPG: Survival
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery

288 pgs
MPG: Adventure
***I claim an IAF ticket***
🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀🐬🦀🐟🦀
COMPLETED TASKS:
Points This Post: 30
Total Points: 85/975
Total Books Read: 5
Total Tasks Completed: 4
Big Book Tickets:
Golden Oldies Tickets:
IAF Tickets: 2

20.9 option 4
Read a book with MPG Fantasy
Intriguesby Mercedes Lackey
MPG Fantasy
Task +20
Grand total: 40

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
I read The Island of Dr. Moreau the main character ends up on an island after a shipwreck
Points this Post: 15
Points Total: 515

15.9 Let's Go Camping
Read a book with a camper, tent, or RV on the cover.
I read Mother Nature Is Not Trying to Kill You: A Bushcraft Survival Guide

Points this Post: 15
Points Total: 530

15.10 I'm Not Scared
Read a book with MPG Horror- Stand alone or embedded
I read The War of the Worlds
Points this Post: 15
Points Total: 545

Book with a person wearing sunglasses on the cover

Post Total: 10
Grand Total: 50

5.8 Name Game
Read a book with an author who shares a first name initial with any letter in your Readerboard name.
Memories of Ash by Intisar Khanani
Author first name initial found in my readerboard name CHANDNI
Points this post: 5
Total points: 140

10.9 Fly Me To The Moon
Read a book MPG Space, stand alone or embedded
Rendezvous with Corsair
(MPG Space Opera)
This post: 10 points
Total points: 80
BB: 2
GO: 0
NF: 0
Tasks completed: 4
Books read: 6

Deadly Rivalry in Tonga by Kerry James

67.2 %#ab493fRed
17.1 %#c54730Red
4.7 %#cf6d36Orange
3.8 %#ebba34Yellow
2.1 %#e19537Orange
2.0 %#e7ccc8Pink
1.2 %#f2cc6bYellow
1.0 %#f2cc92Yellow
0.5 %#f7e5c3Pink
0.4 %#e6ae68Orange
Task total: 15
Season total: 55

Death Comes to Marlow (The Marlow Murder Club #2) by Robert Thorogood
word in title found in lyrics : COMES
Task total: 5
Season total: 60

5.2 Civil War. MPG War. I read Armageddon in Retrospect by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Points This Post: 5
Total Points So Far: 175

30.1 JennRenee’s Yellowstone
Opt. 2. MPG “Romance” – I read The Demon Lover by Victoria Holt.
Opt. 3. 5+ colors on cover – I read Water of an Undetermined Depth by Richard Chiappone. 6 colors according to TinEye: Black, Grey, Brown, Green, Orange, Yellow. https://labs.tineye.com/color/8017608...
This is Richard Chiappone’s debut book.

Points This Post: 30
Total Points So Far: 205

5.7 Summer Vacations
1 adult & 2 or more children on cover
Life Among the Savages

**Claiming 1 IAF point, nonfiction memoir
Points this post: 5
Total points: 185
BB:3 GO:0 IAF:2

30.8 MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games
Two book task
Option 2: Read a book where the name of the Month (June, July OR August ) is found intact in the title
A Million Junes
Option 3:Read a book whose SINGLE author's first and last initials (middle can be ignored) in June OR July OR August.
Sam by Allegra Goodman (initials in AUGUST)
Points this post: 30
Total points: 70
Books read: 4

20.6 It's a Fact-Kristen IA's Task: Let's Got to the Park!
Option 1: Published in one of the listed years Later by Stephen King
*Published in 2021
This Task:
Points: 20
Books Read: 1
GO Ticket: 0
BB Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 0
Total:
Points: 40
Books Read: 2
GO Ticket: 0
BB Ticket: 0
IAF Ticket: 1
Tasks Completed: 2

20.5 Bigger is Better: Kathy KS's Task - Light Up My World, Scarlett!
Option 1: Book with any red on the cover.

The Hunger and the Dusk, Vol. 1 by G. Willow Wilson.
TinEye says:
48.0 % #f7f5f4 White
25.4 % #50363d Violet
8.8 % #8f604d Brown
6.4 % #bf6f4e Brown
6.4 % #a49c9e Grey
1.9 % #b2566d Violet
1.8 % #dbb676 Brown
0.6 % #e1c1a3 Pink
0.4 % #d87735 Orange
0.3 % #b12122 Red
Total Points: 50/1000
Total Books Read: 4
Tasks Completed: 3/57
Big Books Total: 0
Golden Oldies Total: 0
It's a Fact Total: 1

10.10 Radioactive, Radioactive
Book with main page genre Post Apocalyptic.
We Called Them Giants by Kieron Gillen
Total Points: 60/1000
Total Books Read: 5
Tasks Completed: 4/57
Big Books Total: 0
Golden Oldies Total: 0
It's a Fact Total: 1

5.6 Summer Song Word from song lyric in title. I read The Lady in the Silver Cloud by David Handler. Song lyric “I Cloud Nine when I want to” has title word “Cloud.”
Points This Post: 5
Total Points So Far: 210

Read a book that is at least 50% blue
Sapphire Blue

42.2 %#11345fBlue
21.9 %#455d7aBlue
13.8 %#7f91a4Grey
New PointsL 15
Total Points; 65
GO: 1

20.9 Moderator's Pet: Trishhartuk's Task - Crater Lake
Choose one option and read a book for that option. A single author. (no writing teams using a single name!).
Required: State the option chosen - 3
Option 3- Read a book first published between May and October (inclusive) of any year from 1996-onwards. (July 29th 2008)
Cry Wolf
This task points: 20
Total season points: 205
(I would be grateful if you could have a moderator check the Not Really for Kids thread. I have had books waiting to be checked since the end of March)

Option 1 - Read a book by H.G. Wells
I listened to an audio version of The War of the Worlds-200 pages
**** Claiming a Golden Oldie Ticket as published in 1898****
Option 5: Read a book that is set at least 75% in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) or in New Jersey, USA.
Twisted Twenty-Six 305 pages
From the Series description "Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter with attitude. In Stephanie's opinion, toxic waste, rabid drivers, armed schizophrenics, and August heat, humidity, and hydrocarbons are all part of the great adventure of living in Jersey
New Points: 30
Total Points: 95
GO: 2

Task: 20.9 Moderator's Pet: Trishhartuk's Task - Crater Lake, using Option 4
Read a book with the MPG of Fantasy, Gothic or Ghosts (stand-alone or embedded).
Book/Author: The Canterville Ghost / Oscar Wilde
How it fits: MPG Ghosts
Claiming a Golden Oldies for published in 1887.
Points for this task: 20
Total points: 75
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
Golden Oldies tickets for this task: 1
Golden Oldies tickets total: 1
It's a Fact tickets for this task: 0
It's a Fact tickets total: 0

Lora
Task: 25.1 - Ash's Task: Boss Level, using options 3 and 4
Book 1: 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".
Book/Author: Crocodile Tears / Mercedes Rosende
How it fits: word TEARS found in phrase
Book 2: read a book where the page number consists of at least two of the numbers 0,1,3, or 5.
Book/Author: When Red is Black / Qiu Xiaolong
How it fits: has 320 pages, using the 3 and 0
Points for this task: 25
Total points: 75
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
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: 0

Lora
Task: 30.8 MAZZA1's Task: Gregorian Games, using options 3 and 4
Book 1: Read a book whose SINGLE author's first and last initials (middle can be ignored) in June OR July OR August.
Book/Author: Miracle in a Dry Season/Sarah Loudin Thomas
How it fits: using AUGUST, initials are ST; 300 pages
Book 2: Read a book that is # 6,7 or 8 in a series.
Book/Author: Murder in the Bayou Boneyard/Ellen Byron
How it fits: #6 in the Cajun Country Mystery series; 304 pages
Points for this task: 30
Total points: 75
Big Book tickets for this task: 0
Big Book tickets total: 0
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: 0

30.2 Katrisa's Task: Wrapped in Plastic
Opt 2 - Read a book with one or more conifer trees or a sword on the cover
I read Hemlock Island

Opt 5 - Read a book with a word of at least four letters from the poem in the title
"Through the darkness of future past,
The magician longs to see.
One chants out between two worlds.
Fire walk with me."
I read Fire Exit
FIRE in poem
Points this Post: 30
Points Total: 575
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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...
5.9 Sand Time!
Read a book with a stand alone word of at least four letters in the title (subtitles excluded), that can be made from the phrase GREAT SAND DUNES.
I read Tears of a Tiger
TEARS in gREAT Sand dunes
Points this Post: 5
Points Total: 440