The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
SPRING CHALLENGE 2011: AUSTRALIA
>
Task Ideas-Spring Challenge 2011: Australia
The region is Australia/OceaniaOceania is divided into Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia
Read a book where a word in the title ends in -ia
for example The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland / In Siberia by Colin Thubron
Popular sports in Australia/Oceania are Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cricket and Australian Rules Football. Read a book with one of those words in the titlefor exampleThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1 by Alan Moore / The Cider House Rules by John Irving
Read a book that has an author using the letters in Australia--- AU, ST, RA etc.Read a book fiction/non-fiction featuring animals native to Australia.
Read a book set in Australia or written by an Australian author.
They host the Australian Open --- Read a book about tennis or a main character who plays tennis.
Australia can be called Oz--- read one of the Oz books.
It is surrounded by ocean--- read a book with water, ocean, deep----- etc. in the title.
In the Spring, life picks up on the farm, so The Farmer in the Dell gets busy.1. Farmer In the Dell: Read a book that takes place on a farm or ranch
2. The Farmer Takes a wife: Read a romance or a romantic book
3. Wife takes a child: Read a children's book (no picture books, no beginning readers) If you aren't sure, you can use the Newbery Awards list.
4. Child takes a nurse: Read a book involving a child care worker--nanny, baby-sitter, nursery school teacher. Must be caring for preschool or below age 8 children.
5. Nurse takes a cow: Using the list in Wikipedia, read a book with a title containing a word from the name of a breed of cattle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
6. Cow takes a dog: Because both cow and dog have the vowel O, pick a book title using O as the only vowel. May have more than one O. Or a title that starts with the letter O.
7: dog takes a cat: Read a mystery with a cat or dog in it
8: Cat takes a rat: Read a book about tradition enemies who get together as friends or allies.
9. Rat Takes the cheese: Read a nonfiction book about food.
10. The Cheese Stands Alone: Read a book that is not part of a Series
1, Nursery Rhyme challenge: Pick an adult book with a title from a nursery rhyme.2. Are you an Early Bird or a Night Owl: Morning people Read a book with initials AM (or MA); night people PM or MP. If you prefer the middle of the day, try a combination of NOON.
3. Let's Join forces. Read a book with a hyphen - either in the title or the author's first or last name.
4. Double your Fun: A. Read a book with at least one word in it twice (may not use the words "the", "of", "an", or "A" )
5. Double your Fun: B. Read an author with double letters in either first or last name. Letters need not be adjacent.
6. Consonents and Vowels. If the Author's first name starts with a vowel the last name must start with consonant (or vice versa). If author also uses a middle name(s), ignore it.
7. It's all about Me: A. Title of book must start with the letter I. B. Book written in first person.
8. Wanted: Dead or Alive: Read one author who is still alive and Read one author who is now dead.
Spring brings World Autism Awareness Day (April 2). I'd love to see a task in some way related - people could read some of the wonderful memoirs by people with autism or their siblings or parents like Emergence: Labeled Autistic, Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant, The Siege, or Boy Alone: A Brother's Memoir , or some of the great fiction books like Marcelo In The Real World or The Speed of Dark.
1. Read a book by an Australian Author or a book with a main character who is Australian.2. Spring Time: read a book with flowers on the cover.
3. St David's Day (Wales) Read a book written by someone with the name David or a character called David.
4. World Purple Day (26th March) Read a book with a purple cover.
5. National Share a Story Month (May) Read a book that was recommended to you.
6. Australia is known for dangerous creatures, read a book with a spider on the cover or the name of a spider in the title, eg. black, widow, brown, recluse etc.
7. Australia is surrounded by beaches, read a book with a beach on the cover or beach in the title.
While it's springtime in North America, it's fall (autumn) down under - Read two books that are the opposite of each other in subject, main character, etc. (This thought needs a bit of work... but I like the idea of opposites!)
New Zealand and Australia both are home to unique native cultures - the Maori in NZ and the Aborigines (sp?) in Australia. I'd love to see a task about the native populations (history, culture, fiction/non, relationship to European settlers, modern-day issues, etc.). Books off the top of my head: The Whale Rider, Bryce Courteney's Tommo & Hawk, etc.
New Zealand and Australia both are home to unique native cultures - the Maori in NZ and the Aborigines (sp?) in Australia. I'd love to see a task about the native populations (history, culture, fiction/non, relationship to European settlers, modern-day issues, etc.).
Ooh, I really like this idea.
ABC’s and 123’s:Read one book that starts with A, B or C and a second book with a number in the title.
Spring Cleaning:
Read the oldest book on your TBR list.
Spring Break:
Read a book set in a location you’d like to escape to or read a book that was originally published in a language that is not your native tongue.
Mother’s Day:
If you don't have children, read a book that was published the year your mother was born or a book whose main character or author has the same first or last name as your mother. If you are a mother (or father!), read a book that was published the year your child was born (if you have more than one child you can choose which year to use) or a book whose main character or author has the same first or last name as your child.
Shelf Browser:
Sort the SRC member list by ‘date joined’ and read a book from the shelves of someone who joined the group the same month as you.
Nom de Plume:
Read two books that were written by the same person under two different names.
Going Green:
Listen to an audiobook, read an ebook or borrow a book from the library.
Garden Season:
Read a book with a fruit or vegetable in the title
GR Authors:
Read a book written by a GR author you’ve never read before.
Judging books by their covers:
Read a book with a cover that appeals to you.
Rainbows & Unicorns:
Read one book that has more than five distinguishable colors on the cover and a second book from the fantasy genre.
Chubby Chunkster:
Read a book that has more than 750 pages.
Showers & Flowers
Read one book that has a stormy word in the title (wind, rain, lightning, tornado, gust, cloud, shower) and a second book with a flower in the title.
Roll the dice: Dice. Read a book for each dice (there are 2 dice)1. Read a book between 100-199 pages.
2. Read a book between 200-299 pages
3. Read a book between 300-399 pages
4. Read a book between 400-499 pages
5. Read a book between 500-599 pages
6. Read a book between 600-699 pages
REQUIRED: Must note the number of pages in each book.
I really like some of these ideas so far.
LOVE all of these ideas so far....you lot are so darned creative! :)
Australia is known for the Great Barrier Reef. Read a book that contains one of those three words in it's title.For example The Great Gatsby or The Santaroga Barrier
March 17th is St. Patrick's Day. Read a book with a green cover.
Springtime is when all the flowers start to bloom. Read a book that has the word "flower" or the name of a specific flower, ex. "rose", "orchid" in the title.
Mod
Spring Days are Park Days filled with picnics, kites, and laughter
read a book with the word park in the title or in the authors name.
Spring is the season for Birds
Read a book with the word bird or a type of bird in the title or a bird on the cover.
Opals are a beautiful Stone
95 percent of the worlds opals come from Australia..
read a book with a gem in the title or on the cover.
Australia is so dry.
Read a book that takes place in a dry area or a desert.
Convicts in Australia..
part of Australia's known history is that Britain used to drop their convicts off on this island.
read a book that has to do with the character in hiding, on the run, or held captive.
March is Women's History month. Read a book about women's history, or a biography of a woman.March 14 is Pi Day. Read a work of fiction or non-fiction that involves math or mathematicians.
In honor of the fateful Ides of March when Caesar was assassinated, read a book (fiction or non-fiction) about ancient Rome.
Earth Day falls during March. Read a book about the environment or environmentalism.
Australia is known as the Land Down Under. Read a book with the word "down" or "under" in the title.St. Patrick's day - read a book with a green cover or has the word "saint" or "luck" in the title.
Spring break usually occurs in March or April - Take a break and read a book of your choice.
Australia is the smallest continent. Read a book with a small amount of ratings - say 5000 or less.
read a book by an author whose first, middle, or last name is March, April, or May
There are four main codes of football played in Australia: Australian rules – played with 18 players, Rugby League – played with 13 players, Rugby Union – played with 15 players (I might have them around the wrong way)and Soccer – played with 11 players. Read a book with 11, 13, 15 or 18 letters in the title.
Most of Australia is considered outback – read a book with 'out' or 'back' in the title.
Most Australians live on the East Coast – read a book set on the east coast (of any landmass).
Australia is part of the British Commonwealth – read a book set in another Commonwealth country (eg Canada, India).
australia is the only continent that is a country (or so I was always taught in school) - read a book that is the only one by an author - To Kill A Mockingbird - its the only book Harper Lee ever wroteAustralia is a constitutional monarchy - read a book featuring a member of royalty, a royalty in the title (queen, king, prince)
April 23 is the anniversary of Shakespeare's death: read one of his plays, or a book based on one of his plays (such as The Story of Edgar Sawtelle or A Thousand Acres).
Arbor Day and Earth Day are normally celebrated in April. Read a book with a tree on the cover. Or save a tree and read a book that is either an eBook, audiobook, library book, or borrowed from a friend!
This year, May 13th falls on a Friday. In honor of Friday the 13th, read a book with the word "Thirteen" in the title OR the thirteenth book in a series.
March April and May are the 3rd, 4th and 5th months in the year - read a book that is the 3rd, 4th or 5th book in a series.Love is in the air in Spring read a book that has the word love in the title or read a romance novel.
April 16th is the anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting and April 20th is the anniversary of Columbine. In order to remember these events and keep an eye out for troubled youth, read a book with a troubled/mentally disturbed youth. If we realize how to recognize these people and help them, we may be able to prevent these things from happening again.Ex. Go Ask Alice, Catcher In the Rye, A Clockwork Orange
Chris wrote: "April 16th is the anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting and April 20th is the anniversary of Columbine. In order to remember these events and keep an eye out for troubled youth, read a book wit..."Ooh I really like that one.
Australia is often referred to as the land "Down Under". "Down" and "Under" are both prepositions. Read a book with a prepositional phrase in the title. (example: Down a Dark Hall, Under the Tuscan Sun, Across the Nightingale Floor).
There are 9 letters in the word "Australia". Read a book with only 9 letters in the title or author's name. For example Real World or Libba Bray.
Australians are known for saying, "G'day mate". Read a book where the letters G D A Y all appear in the title (in any order). Or where the word day or mate are in the title. (Can be part of another word).
Spring rouses the wanderlust in all of us. Read a book about a traditionally nomadic group of people. For example: gypsies, hobos, sailors, or circus performers. Read a book that has a character who bends gender roles or a male or female author who writes from the perspective of the opposite sex.
Everyone is so creative!How about something off of the saying:
April showers bring May flowers. June is gloom.
1. read a book with a picture of rain on the cover or the word in the title.
2. read a book with flowers on the cover or a flower in the title.
3. read a book with clouds on the cover or the word "gloom" or "cloud" in the title.
The show "Lost" was about a group of people flying from Australia to LA, but the plane crashed somewhere in the South Pacific. Books were a big part of the TV series as well. Read a book that was featured in the series. Lists of these books can be found at http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Liter... or http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/23....Since Easter is in spring, read a book about religion, a religious person, or that takes place in a religious setting.
Heather KS wrote: "The show "Lost" was about a group of people flying from Australia to LA, but the plane crashed somewhere in the South Pacific. Books were a big part of the TV series as well. Read a book that was..."Ohhhh, awesome idea!!!
Heather KS wrote: "The show "Lost" was about a group of people flying from Australia to LA, but the plane crashed somewhere in the South Pacific. Books were a big part of the TV series as well. Read a book that was..."I agree a great idea :)
Heather KS wrote: "The show "Lost" was about a group of people flying from Australia to LA, but the plane crashed somewhere in the South Pacific. Books were a big part of the TV series as well. Read a book that was..."I remember this "Lost" task in a past challenge. I'm not sure which one at the moment.
Australia has the highest number of varieties poisonous animals and insects in the world. It is full of hidden dangers. Read a book in which poison plays a role.Australia is full of empty spaces. Read a book that has one of the following words in the title: empty, sparse, blank, none, nothing, void
from wiki: "Walkabout refers to a rite of passage during which male Australian Aborigines would undergo a journey during adolescence and live in the wilderness for a period as long as six months." Read a novel wherein the main character does a "walkabout". I'm thinking of someone who takes an extended sabbatical from their usual life, for example, a year in the Peace Corps, as well as the traditional Australian walkabout.
Oh, the walkabout task could be interesting.
Springtime represents a time of new birth. Read a book with a main character who is somehow involved in the birth process (trying to conceive a child, pregnant with child, raising a child, or delivering babies). Examples: a midwife, pregnant teenager, or a couple struggling with infertility.
In most places, it's still cold in the spring and can be quite rainy. Read a book where the weather is a central theme of the story. Or, read a book with the word "rain" in its title or part of a word in the title, such as "train", "sprain", etc.Australia is a continent that is surrounded by water. Read a book where water is a central theme or has the word "water" in its title.
I'm so excited! Here are some ideas:*Australia is a multicultural country so:
A. Read a book about migration / migrants - can be non-fiction or fiction, for example Above the Starry Frame, White Gardenia, etc
B. Glorious Food: read an international cuisine book (that is read a cookbook which is different from your nationality / race, for example I'm Chinese so I can read a Greek cooking book)
*Australians value 'a fair go' - read a book with following word in title: 'fair', 'chance', 'good', 'honest', 'equal', 'decent',
Chris wrote: "April 16th is the anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting and April 20th is the anniversary of Columbine. In order to remember these events and keep an eye out for troubled youth, read a book wit..."YES!!!!!
I remember this "Lost" task in a past challenge. I'm not sure which one at the moment. .."Yeah I remember it, too. I thought I'd throw it back out there due to the Australia theme. Oh how I miss watching Sawyer read Judy Blume! :)
personally for me - having lost some people I knew at the VT shooting and others being severly injuried - I think I would have trouble with this one - i'm sure I could find a book, but its not something I like to rememberBarbara VA wrote: "Chris wrote: "April 16th is the anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting and April 20th is the anniversary of Columbine. In order to remember these events and keep an eye out for troubled youth, r..."
Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "personally for me - having lost some people I knew at the VT shooting and others being severly injuried - I think I would have trouble with this one - i'm sure I could find a book, but its not some..."As another VT alumnae, I agree with Dee. It's a raw feeling to have to continually answer questions "oh were you there? did you know people there?", and it's now 5 years later. Personally, I'd rather not use it as a focus of a task on a "game". I get that you were trying to be offer a thought about a serious issue...but I'd rather if the task just focused on Troubled youths, rather than using the shooting as the "example".
March "comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb" (or vice versa). Read a book with a title that either starts or ends with the letter "L".
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (other topics)The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (other topics)
The Canterbury Tales (other topics)
The Canterbury Tales (other topics)
The Canterbury Tales (other topics)
More...
As in past challenges, some tasks may revolve around the seasonal theme of SPRING. Others may reflect the bonus theme of AUSTRALIA. While other tasks may have nothing to do with either of these themes (they’re just fun ideas for unique reading challenges).
Feel free to post as many ideas as you can come up with. Don't worry about repeating what another player might have already suggested. The more ideas, the better!
The moderators will draw from these ideas as well as their own to create the 5,10, and 15 point tasks. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!