The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
SPRING CHALLENGE 2012: FIRE
>
Spring Challenge Task Ideas
Pick a task from another group's challenge to read. It must be a task you have not completed. If you have completed all tasks in all groups you are in, find a new group to get a challenge from.Post the task you completed and which group it came from.
Pick a task from WINTER challenge that you completed and find a new book to fill the requirements.Post the task with the original book you read along with the new book.
1. A phoenix is a mythical firebird. Read a book with a bird on the cover.2. A phoenix is a mythical firebird with colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet. Read a book with the name of a color in the title or with gold and scarlet on the cover.
3. In some myths, the phoenix can change into a person. Read a book with a shape changer (werewolf, vampire, etc).
Fires require oxygen and fuel to grow. Read one book that kindles your interest, then read a second book from under the "Readers Also Enjoyed" block on the first book's GR page.Fire is often associated with passion. Read a book that discusses something you feel passionate about (ex. censorship, politics, racism, etc.).
Read a steamy romance novel.
Read a book with "wood," "coal," "paper," "match," "burn," or similar fire-related words in the title.
Read a book where a fire is central to the plot.
Read a book with a hot-tempered main character.
In the years leading to WWII many books were banned and burned for being "anti-Nazi" and so on. Read a book that has been challenged or banned (and possibly burned).
The word "Holocaust" means "burnt whole" in Greek. Read a book about the Holocaust.
There are a number of names that have the meaning "fire." Read a book by an author whose first or last name has that meaning.
Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" describes how he thinks the world might end. Read a book with one of the important (ie. verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs) words in the title.
Similar to hidden gems in the winter challenge- Diamond in the Rough- read a book with fewer than 1000 ratings.
Jayme VA wrote: "Similar to hidden gems in the winter challenge- Diamond in the Rough- read a book with fewer than 1000 ratings."Or read an author with fewer than 1000 fans/followers.
In the US we "spring forward" for daylight savings time - read a book set in the future.
I can't believe it is already time for this... time is flying by!How about:
1. You're Fired! Read a new book by an author you have not enjoyed in the past. Would you still "fire" them as an author?
2. March is Women's History Month. Read a non-fiction book about a notable woman in history OR read a fiction book with a strong female protagonist.
3. The third week in March is American Chocolate Week! Read a "sweet" book - one you know you will enjoy!
4. April Fool's Day: Read a book with a cover you do NOT like. Did the cover fool you - did you enjoy it?
Fun fun fun.
read a book about a famous fire incident - like the triangle shirt-waist factory, the great london fire
Combine fire and spring and get fired up about baseball!Read a book with a ball, a bat, or a diamond on the cover or in the title - or read a book about baseball or a baseball player.
Alternatively - for those who like those "role the die" tasks or a "pick 2":
1 - First Base - You got a walk. Read a book with "walk," "ball" or "run" in the title. Read a book where the protagonist starts out on a journey.
2. - Second Base - Line drive. Read a book whose title has only two words (all words count) or includes the name of any professional baseball team (doesn't have to be plural, e.g., Brave, Royal, Giant).
3. - Third Base - Smokin' hot! Read a steamy romance or read a book that takes place in one of the 30 cities that have a major league team.
4. - Home run! You still gotta run the bases. Read a book at least 400 pages long.
5. - The Umpire - read a courtroom drama or a book about a competition in which something is judged or a non-fiction crime/legal book.
6. - Strikeout - Cross a book of your TBR pile.
Many schools celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday in March: read a book with a made-up word (Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything) or poor grammar (Me Talk Pretty One Day) in the title.
Who-ville: read a book with the letters W-H-O in the title. Read a book that takes place in any city (real or imagined) that ends in -ville.
Dr. Seuss and Theo LeSieg are pen names for Theodor Seuss Geisel and LeSieg is Geisel spelled backwards: read a book with a word in the title that can make another word spelled backwards.
The Cat in the Hat: read a book with two rhyming words in the title. Read a book with a cat or hat on the cover.
The Lorax (a favorite in our house and I see it's being made into a movie): read a book with an ecological theme. Read a book with an X in the title or author's name.
March is Bell Pepper and Brocolli Month, as Berries/cherries month - read a book that has a vegetable/fruit in the title, on the coverthe Iditarod is held from March 3-18 - read a book about dog sledding, dog on the cover, in the title
March 1 is plan a solo vacation day - read a book set in a place that you would love to visit by yourself
SPRING Ideas:1. Spring into Action: Read a book that will help you accomplish a goal.
2. Spring Break: Read a beach book!
Dee wrote: "read a book about a famous fire incident - like the triangle shirt-waist factory, the great london fire"I like this one!
On a Hot Streak - Read a book by an author with at least two other books having an average rating of 4.00 or better.
April ShowersRead a book with "rain" or "water" in the title; or a book about rain, weather, or being on a ship
... Bring May Flowers
Read a book with a spring color on the front (yellow, robin's egg blue, pink, green) or that has flowers on the cover.
I'd like to throw it out there that I love the grammar/english language ones we've had recently!! please another one
Spring brings about growth so read a Coming of Age book.Spring also brings new life so read a debut novel.
Jessica wrote: "On a Hot Streak - Read a book by an author with at least two other books having an average rating of 4.00 or better."Love this one!
Read a book with either March, April or May in the title or as part of the Author's Name - Louisa May Alcott, Middlemarch : a study of provincial life, April Fool Dead, April & Oliver, The March
Several challenges ago there was a task where you picked an author that was twice removed from another author or book -------------- something like that----Twice removed---
Example---
Garth Nix wrote Mister Monday
and he listed on his web site that Susan Cooper
was one of his favorite authors.
Susan Cooper wrote The Dark is Rising
and she was a reporter for the London's Sunday Times
In the book The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
the main character is a reporter.
Thus---- Twice Removed-----
Does that make sense???
It was fun trying to find the connections.
Fire is destructive, but it also essential for preparing the land for rebirth and renewal. Therefore, read a book featuring reincarnation or set in a place where you'd like to live if you returned again.Fires require the efforts of many brave emergency workers that remain calm in the most dire circumstances. Let's see if we can learn from them. Read a nonfiction book written by a fire fighter, EMT, ER doctor, 911 dispatcher, police officer, search and rescue worker, etc..
Kathy G. wrote: "Several challenges ago there was a task where you picked an author that was twice removed from another author or book -------------- something like that----Twice removed---
Example---
Garth..."
Was that the one that was inspired by the Kevin Bacon, six degrees of separation? The help thread on that one was crazy long because it became like a game. That one was fun.
"only you can prevent forest fires" - read a book with a tree on the cover or where a forest plays a role (i.e. the forbidden forest in Harry Potter 1-6), if you choose the 2nd option be sure to post how a forest relates to your choice
Here are several ideas regarding dates and holidays in the spring:St Patrick's Day is celebrated internationally on March 17th. Read a book that takes place in Ireland, or is about a saint, or a book whose author or title contains the word ‘saint,’’patrick,’ or ‘day.’
The Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was killed in 44 BC. Read a book that takes place in Rome or Italy, or a book with a political theme, or a book by an Italian author.
Arbor Day is celebrated in the United States on the last Friday of April to encourage tree planting and care. Read a book with a tree on the cover or a type of tree in the title.
Daylight Savings Time begins on March 11. Read a book that involves time travel or takes place in the future.
Several fiery historical events have occurred in the US on April 19th—the Revolutionary War began, the end of the Waco Siege, and the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City. Read a book about terrorism or war.
May 1st an international holiday known as International Worker’s Day. Read a book where the main character does a job similar to your career or does a job that you’d like to do.
Yes--- that was the one.It was fun!!!
Several fiery historical events have occurred in the US on April 19th—the Revolutionary War began, the end of the Waco Siege, and the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City. Read a book about terrorism or war. The Columbine shooting was planned for April 19th, but happened instead on the 20th, read a book about school violence.
Fun with Tulips---Author's name has to be initials in the word TULIP
Book with "Two Lips" on it--- Two people with mouths!
Tulips in the title
Tulips come from bulbs--- lightbulb on cover
Color of tulips on cover: orange, yellow--- whatever colors they are
Find a poem with the word Tulip in it and a line from the poem must relate to a book you choose
Two letters from Tulip must be in the title of a book or the author's name-- Like "Li" for Lisa or A Swiftly Tilting Planet using the PL.
FIRERead a book with a red or orange cover.
Read a book whose cover shows some kind of flame.
Read a book with FIRE in the title.
Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are found in FIRE.
Read a book shelved as Romance or Erotica (hot sex).
Read a book set in a hot climate (country must be near the equator).
Read a book shelved as apocalyptic or post-apocolyptic (There are other shelves that might be appropriate also - idea is to read a book about the world after it is destroyed).
Read a book about the Holocaust.
Read a book about fiery destruction - could be a fire, bomb, volcano, etc.
Read a book about guns or about police (who use guns).
Read a book about someone who lost a job or has a bad boss.
Read a book whose main subject is a source of fire - oil, gas, wood (forest).
I liked the challenge this winter that involved the Earth signs and author's birthdays. I think that should definitely go through all 4 challenges. The variety it provides is wide, and you are guaranteed never to be forced into reading the same author twice:)
Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most famous books where fire is pretty important. Two possible options: read a book with a number in the title and/or read a book where things are turned on their heads or people do something unexpected (Guy is a fireman, but in the book, firemen burn books, not save people from burning houses).
My suggestion: The Neverending Story.Begin with a 5pt task using the title words: flame, fire, kindle, smolder, conflagration, holacaust, burn, melt, explode, smoke.
Then keep reading books with these words in title and with every additional book, add a task point:
2nd book-6pts
3rd book-7pts
4th book-8pts
Go on with this as long as you want to or can find books to fit. That would mean there would be no predetermined total challenge points, but I think it would be lots of fun.
that could be a fun sub-challenge...the normal points and then if you want to make it interesting...run that in conjunction with
Read a book about a person with a burning passion for something, or written by a person with a passion for something (provided the contents are about that thing).
Spring Awakening is a popular yet controversial play. So read a book in play form or a book about a people putting on a play.
SPRINGRead a book with a flower(s) on the cover.
Read a book with psstel cover colors - light blue, pink, yellow, light green.
Read a book with a spring-themed cover (could be baseball, bees, flowers - anything that happens first in springtime).
Read a book with author initials in the word SPRING.
Read a book about where the primary character is undergoing a new change (could be about a new vampire or about a change in jobs or a move to a new place or marriage).
Read a coming-of-age book (determined by shelf).
Read a book set in springtime.
Read a book where a spring celebration is part of the story (St Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Easter, Passover, or any spring holiday in your country).
Read a book with a paranormal theme (life beyond this one).
Read an action adventure book ("spring into action").
Sping sayingsRain rain go away,
it's raining it's pouring the old man is snoring
Fly a kite
April showers bring May flowers
A book that is set in a country that has volcanos
You're fired! Book that is set on the job. (police, teacher, politician, cook, store owner...
Cabin Fever
Mardi Gras
Lent
March 9th = Middle Name Pride Day - read a book by an author who uses a full middle name, i.e. Orson Scott Card & Linda Lael Miller.
Phoenix Rising...Read a book about a real-life person who has been dead for at least 20?40?50? years.
or
Read a book that was published only after the author's death (see this article for tips).
Pyrophobia is the fear of fire. Read a book about something you're afraid of or where a main character has a phobia.
Fire and Ice---Read books that have an antonym in the title or subtitle.
Fire and Ice
Up the Down Staircase
Give and Take
I really liked the antonym one we did a few seasons ago - it was a 1 or 2 book 15 pointer
kindle- to ignite and amazon uses it in the way of igniting a love of reading - re-read an old favorite, or read a book in a non-traditional form (ebook, audiobook etc)
Read a book with a baby animal on the cover.
Kathy G. wrote: "Several challenges ago there was a task where you picked an author that was twice removed from another author or book -------------- something like that----Twice removed---
Example---
Garth..."
really like this!
Kathy G. wrote: "Fun with Tulips---Author's name has to be initials in the word TULIP
Book with "Two Lips" on it--- Two people with mouths!
Tulips in the title
Tulips come from bulbs--- lightbulb on cover
C..."
sounds very enjoyable.
Christine US wrote: "I liked the challenge this winter that involved the Earth signs and author's birthdays. I think that should definitely go through all 4 challenges. The variety it provides is wide, and you are gu..."i agree.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution (other topics)Steve Jobs (other topics)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (other topics)
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers (other topics)
The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
John Derbyshire (other topics)Orson Scott Card (other topics)
Linda Lael Miller (other topics)
Louisa May Alcott (other topics)
As in past challenges, some tasks may revolve around the seasonal theme of SPRING. Others may reflect the bonus theme of FIRE. 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!