Solstice Split

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Posted on behalf of Steph.

Because our group members span the globe and we (in the northern hemisphere) just had our summer solstice, I thought it’d be fun to create a challenge that matched the weather right outside your window. Whether you are currently sweating in the summer sun or bundling up for winter, there’s a reading challenge for you.

Did you know … (🤓 nerd alert) (view spoiler)[

The June Solstice Split

☀️ In the Northern Hemisphere: The North Pole reached its maximum tilt toward the Sun. This brought the summer solstice, resulting in the longest day, the shortest night, and the official start of astronomical summer.

❄️ In the Southern Hemisphere: The South Pole reached its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This brought the winter solstice, resulting in the shortest day, the longest night, and the official start of astronomical winter.

🔃 The exact opposite flip will happen later this year on December 21, 2026, when the Southern Hemisphere celebrates its summer solstice and the Northern Hemisphere enters winter. (hide spoiler)]

Duration: 6 months for one track, 1 year for both

Rules:

1. Choose Your Track: Pick either the ☀️ Summer Track or the ❄️ Winter Track based on your current local hemisphere's weather

2. Choose your books using either the task or sub-genre options list for the five categories

🔃 The Flip Bonus: In 6 months, when the seasons reverse, you can switch tracks to complete the second set

☀️ The Summer Solstice Track

For our members enjoying hot days and short nights.

1️⃣ Scorching Settings & Desert Sands

* The Task: Read a book set in a desert world, sun-drenched city, or oppressive wasteland.

* Sub-genre Match: Sci-fi fantasy with desert planets (like Dune or Ilona Andrews' Innkeeper series) or urban fantasy set in hot cities like Phoenix or Miami

2️⃣ Sun Deities, Fire Mages, & Phoenixes

* The Task: Read a book featuring fire magic, light manipulation, or sun-blessed creatures.

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy with fire-wielding fae or paranormal romance featuring phoenix shifters

3️⃣ High-Stakes Heat & Fast Paces

* The Task: Read an action-packed, fast-paced sequel or series starter where the plot moves fast

* Sub-genre Match: Urban fantasy detective series or sci-fi fantasy space opera with non-stop bounty hunting

4️⃣ Midnight Sun & Night Hunt

* The Task: Read a story where the action takes place during long summer nights featuring vampires, shadows, or nocturnal creatures

* Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance or urban fantasy centered around vampire courts or werewolf packs

5️⃣ Midsummer Festivals & Fae Courts

* The Task: Read a book featuring a grand seasonal ball, magical tournament, or the Summer Fae Court

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy or paranormal romance focusing on political intrigue between Seelie and Unseelie courts

❄️ The Winter Solstice Track

For our members experiencing chilly days, snow, and long nights.

1️⃣ Frostbitten Realms & Frozen Tundras

* The Task: Read a book set in an ice kingdom, snowy mountain range, or an isolated, freezing space station

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy set in a winter court or sci-fi fantasy taking place on an ice planet

2️⃣ Ice Magic, Necromancers, & Vampires

* The Task: Read a book featuring a magic user who controls ice, snow, shadows, or the dead

* Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance with cold-blooded vampires or urban fantasy featuring necromancers

3️⃣ Cozy Hearths & Slow-Burn Romances

* The Task: Read a comforting, character-driven story or a slow-burn romance

* Sub-genre Match: Cozy romantasy or a slow burn urban fantasy where the main couple takes multiple books to finally get together

4️⃣ Long Dark Nights & Ghostly Horrors

* The Task: Read a dark gothic fantasy or a story featuring aliens, ghosts or demons

* Sub-genre Match: Dark urban fantasy or paranormal romance with lovecraftian elements, demons, or gothic castles

5️⃣ Winter Solstice Gatherings & Royal Galas

* The Task: Read a book where characters must survive a winter festival, holiday truce, or dangerous coronation

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy centered on royal families or sci-fi fantasy featuring a high-society galactic gala

Happy reading, y’all!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Looks good, happy reading.

[Victoria]

Ohhh, I like this one! And since Midsummer has just passed, might as well start it now 😁
And since I'm currently sweating my brains out... both tracks and double it is (and cause I just rly love the categories)! 🫠🫠

Solstice Split

Duration: June 23rd 2026 - June 22nd 2027

Rules:

1. Choose Your Track: Pick either the ☀️ Summer Track or the ❄️ Winter Track based on your current local hemisphere's weather
2. Choose your books using either the task or sub-genre options list for the five categories

🔃 The Flip Bonus: In 6 months, when the seasons reverse, you can switch tracks to complete the second set

Progression: 0 out of 20


☀️ The Summer Solstice Track June 23rd 2026 - December 22nd 2026

1️⃣ Scorching Settings & Desert Sands

⬜ The Task: Read a book set in a desert world, sun-drenched city, or oppressive wasteland.
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Sci-fi fantasy with desert planets (like Dune or Ilona Andrews' Innkeeper series) or urban fantasy set in hot cities like Phoenix or Miami

2️⃣ Sun Deities, Fire Mages, & Phoenixes

⬜ The Task: Read a book featuring fire magic, light manipulation, or sun-blessed creatures.
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy with fire-wielding fae or paranormal romance featuring phoenix shifters

3️⃣ High-Stakes Heat & Fast Paces

⬜ The Task: Read an action-packed, fast-paced sequel or series starter where the plot moves fast
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Urban fantasy detective series or sci-fi fantasy space opera with non-stop bounty hunting

4️⃣ Midnight Sun & Night Hunt

⬜ The Task: Read a story where the action takes place during long summer nights featuring vampires, shadows, or nocturnal creatures
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance or urban fantasy centered around vampire courts or werewolf packs

5️⃣ Midsummer Festivals & Fae Courts

⬜ The Task: Read a book featuring a grand seasonal ball, magical tournament, or the Summer Fae Court
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy or paranormal romance focusing on political intrigue between Seelie and Unseelie courts


❄️ The Winter Solstice Track December 23rd 2026 - June 22nd 2026

1️⃣ Frostbitten Realms & Frozen Tundras

⬜ The Task: Read a book set in an ice kingdom, snowy mountain range, or an isolated, freezing space station
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy set in a winter court or sci-fi fantasy taking place on an ice planet

2️⃣ Ice Magic, Necromancers, & Vampires

⬜ The Task: Read a book featuring a magic user who controls ice, snow, shadows, or the dead
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance with cold-blooded vampires or urban fantasy featuring necromancers

3️⃣ Cozy Hearths & Slow-Burn Romances

⬜ The Task: Read a comforting, character-driven story or a slow-burn romance
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Cozy romantasy or a slow burn urban fantasy where the main couple takes multiple books to finally get together

4️⃣ Long Dark Nights & Ghostly Horrors

⬜ The Task: Read a dark gothic fantasy or a story featuring aliens, ghosts or demons
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Dark urban fantasy or paranormal romance with lovecraftian elements, demons, or gothic castles

5️⃣ Winter Solstice Gatherings & Royal Galas

⬜ The Task: Read a book where characters must survive a winter festival, holiday truce, or dangerous coronation
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy centered on royal families or sci-fi fantasy featuring a high-society galactic gala

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Welcome Victoria :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Nice! You reading for both task and sub genres for each? Very welcome to but not required if it becomes too much. Happy reading!

[Victoria]

Yeeeeeeep! To be honest, these categories are in line with things I read anyway, and I still have a lot of books to read to reach my goal this year 😁😁
Thanks for always making such awesome challenges, love them!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

👍🏼😁 glad ya like it. Happy reading!

[Heather]

I am currently in summer
Solstice Split

Duration: June 23rd 2026 - June 22nd 2027

Rules:

1. Choose Your Track: Pick either the ☀️ Summer Track or the ❄️ Winter Track based on your current local hemisphere's weather
2. Choose your books using either the task or sub-genre options list for the five categories

🔃 The Flip Bonus: In 6 months, when the seasons reverse, you can switch tracks to complete the second set

Progression: 0 out of 20


☀️ The Summer Solstice Track June 23rd 2026 - December 22nd 2026

1️⃣ Scorching Settings & Desert Sands

⬜ The Task: Read a book set in a desert world, sun-drenched city, or oppressive wasteland.
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Sci-fi fantasy with desert planets (like Dune or Ilona Andrews' Innkeeper series) or urban fantasy set in hot cities like Phoenix or Miami

2️⃣ Sun Deities, Fire Mages, & Phoenixes

⬜ The Task: Read a book featuring fire magic, light manipulation, or sun-blessed creatures.
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy with fire-wielding fae or paranormal romance featuring phoenix shifters

3️⃣ High-Stakes Heat & Fast Paces

⬜ The Task: Read an action-packed, fast-paced sequel or series starter where the plot moves fast
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Urban fantasy detective series or sci-fi fantasy space opera with non-stop bounty hunting

4️⃣ Midnight Sun & Night Hunt

⬜ The Task: Read a story where the action takes place during long summer nights featuring vampires, shadows, or nocturnal creatures
✅Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance or urban fantasy centered around vampire courts or werewolf packs-The War of Two Queens-6/25/26



5️⃣ Midsummer Festivals & Fae Courts

⬜ The Task: Read a book featuring a grand seasonal ball, magical tournament, or the Summer Fae Court
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy or paranormal romance focusing on political intrigue between Seelie and Unseelie courts


❄️ The Winter Solstice Track December 23rd 2026 - June 22nd 2026

1️⃣ Frostbitten Realms & Frozen Tundras

⬜ The Task: Read a book set in an ice kingdom, snowy mountain range, or an isolated, freezing space station
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy set in a winter court or sci-fi fantasy taking place on an ice planet

2️⃣ Ice Magic, Necromancers, & Vampires

⬜ The Task: Read a book featuring a magic user who controls ice, snow, shadows, or the dead
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance with cold-blooded vampires or urban fantasy featuring necromancers

3️⃣ Cozy Hearths & Slow-Burn Romances

⬜ The Task: Read a comforting, character-driven story or a slow-burn romance
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Cozy romantasy or a slow burn urban fantasy where the main couple takes multiple books to finally get together

4️⃣ Long Dark Nights & Ghostly Horrors

⬜ The Task: Read a dark gothic fantasy or a story featuring aliens, ghosts or demons
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Dark urban fantasy or paranormal romance with lovecraftian elements, demons, or gothic castles

5️⃣ Winter Solstice Gatherings & Royal Galas

⬜ The Task: Read a book where characters must survive a winter festival, holiday truce, or dangerous coronation
⬜ Sub-genre Match: Romantasy centered on royal families or sci-fi fantasy featuring a high-society galactic gala

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Happy reading … indoors, where it’s nice and cool 😎

[Suzanne]

SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Solstice Split
Duration: 7/16/2026 - 7/15/2027

Progress: 0 out of 20

Because our group members span the globe and we (in the northern hemisphere) just had our summer solstice, I thought it’d be fun to create a challenge that matched the weather right outside your window. Whether you are currently sweating in the summer sun or bundling up for winter, there’s a reading challenge for you.

Duration: 6 months for one track, 1 year for both

Rules:

1. Choose Your Track: Pick either the ☀️ Summer Track or the ❄️ Winter Track based on your current local hemisphere's weather

2. Choose your books using either the task or sub-genre options list for the five categories

🔃 The Flip Bonus: In 6 months, when the seasons reverse, you can switch tracks to complete the second set

☀️ The Summer Solstice Track

For our members enjoying hot days and short nights.

1️⃣ Scorching Settings & Desert Sands

* The Task: Read a book set in a desert world, sun-drenched city, or oppressive wasteland.

* Sub-genre Match: Sci-fi fantasy with desert planets (like Dune or Ilona Andrews' Innkeeper series) or urban fantasy set in hot cities like Phoenix or Miami

2️⃣ Sun Deities, Fire Mages, & Phoenixes

* The Task: Read a book featuring fire magic, light manipulation, or sun-blessed creatures.

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy with fire-wielding fae or paranormal romance featuring phoenix shifters

3️⃣ High-Stakes Heat & Fast Paces

* The Task: Read an action-packed, fast-paced sequel or series starter where the plot moves fast

* Sub-genre Match: Urban fantasy detective series or sci-fi fantasy space opera with non-stop bounty hunting

4️⃣ Midnight Sun & Night Hunt

* The Task: Read a story where the action takes place during long summer nights featuring vampires, shadows, or nocturnal creatures

* Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance or urban fantasy centered around vampire courts or werewolf packs

5️⃣ Midsummer Festivals & Fae Courts

* The Task: Read a book featuring a grand seasonal ball, magical tournament, or the Summer Fae Court

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy or paranormal romance focusing on political intrigue between Seelie and Unseelie courts

❄️ The Winter Solstice Track

For our members experiencing chilly days, snow, and long nights.

1️⃣ Frostbitten Realms & Frozen Tundras

* The Task: Read a book set in an ice kingdom, snowy mountain range, or an isolated, freezing space station

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy set in a winter court or sci-fi fantasy taking place on an ice planet

2️⃣ Ice Magic, Necromancers, & Vampires

* The Task: Read a book featuring a magic user who controls ice, snow, shadows, or the dead

* Sub-genre Match: Paranormal romance with cold-blooded vampires or urban fantasy featuring necromancers

3️⃣ Cozy Hearths & Slow-Burn Romances

* The Task: Read a comforting, character-driven story or a slow-burn romance

* Sub-genre Match: Cozy romantasy or a slow burn urban fantasy where the main couple takes multiple books to finally get together

4️⃣ Long Dark Nights & Ghostly Horrors

* The Task: Read a dark gothic fantasy or a story featuring aliens, ghosts or demons

* Sub-genre Match: Dark urban fantasy or paranormal romance with lovecraftian elements, demons, or gothic castles

5️⃣ Winter Solstice Gatherings & Royal Galas

* The Task: Read a book where characters must survive a winter festival, holiday truce, or dangerous coronation

* Sub-genre Match: Romantasy centered on royal families or sci-fi fantasy featuring a high-society galactic gala