The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

20.3 - Best Review - Chris MD's Task: Deck the Halls

It's that time of year when holiday songs run through my head almost non-stop. So, to get them out of my head and into yours, my task will involve lines from Deck the Halls.

REQUIRED: In your post, state which option you chose. For any option requiring a cover image, you must include the cover in your post.

1. Boughs of Holly – Read a book with any form of Christmas decoration on the cover. Some examples: Christmas tree, wreath, holly, mistletoe, Christmas stocking, ornaments, wrapped packages, Christmas lights. Note that this must be a decoration -- so any kind of Santa Claus decoration works, even someone in a Santa suit, but the "real" Santa and his sleigh flying through the sky doesn’t (for example, Catching Santa would NOT work, but Skipping Christmas would); a model nativity scene works but a “Star of Bethlehem” in the sky or an image of the nativity or the wise men wouldn’t (for example, Seth Grahame-Smith’s Unholy Night would NOT work).

2. Gay Apparel – Read a book with a cover that shows someone dressed in something you would wear to a fancy holiday party: cocktail dress, gown, tuxedo. The gown must be one that could have been worn to a formal holiday party, now or at the time in which the book is set, but a gown will not work for this task simply because it is from an earlier time and would work for a costume party.

3. Blazing Yule – Read a book with a cover that shows flames. Any type of flame will work.

4. Strike the Harp - Read a book with a cover that shows a musical instrument.

5. The Old Year Passes – Read a book published in 2012.

6. Don't forget the Fa-la-la-la-las -- Read a book with two or more "LA" letter sequences found within the title/subtitle/author's name.
Examples: Alice in La-La Land, His Larkville Cinderella, Laila Lalami

Works for Option 1



Works for Option 2



Works for Option 3

Works for Option 4

Works for Option 5

Works for Option 6

Won't work

This thread is now open!

I think this is supposed to be 20.3, not 25.3, isn't it?

Bea wrote: "I think this is supposed to be 20.3, not 25.3, isn't it?"

Thanks, Bea, it's already fixed.

Yay, A Christmas carol task! I was hoping we'd have one!

would this work work for number 1?

Does any "fancy" dress do? This is old fashioned, but it looks great for a costume party.

Midu wrote: "would this work work for number 1?"

Absolutely!

thank you,Chris!

1 book only?

Kathy G. wrote: "Does any "fancy" dress do? This is old fashioned, but it looks great for a costume party.

"

Kathy - I'm checking with the mods. Originally I had not meant to include period dress just because it's period dress. I will get back to you ASAP

I have:

Option 1: The Happiest Season - Rosemarie Naramore

OR

Option 2: Holiday Spice - Abbie Duncan

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "I have:

Option 1: The Happiest Season - Rosemarie Naramore

OR

Option 2: Holiday Spice - Abbie Duncan"

Those both work. Please make sure to get them approved for length in the ebook approval thread.

And yes, you just have to read one book.

Enough of instrument for #4?

Will this work for #4, a musical instrument?

Cindy wrote: "Enough of instrument for #4? "

Definitely

Meghanly wrote: "Will this work for #4, a musical instrument? "

You betcha!

Can I have for option 1 (it does have a paperback copy as well).

Is this a one or two part task?

1 book Jayme x

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Can I have for option 1 (it does have a paperback copy as well)."

Looks good to me

For option 2, does it have to be an actual tux or does a regular suit work? I'm thinking something like this...

is the candy cane/santa hat showing enough?

Dee wrote: "is the candy cane/santa hat showing enough? "

Yup, I'll take it. LOL

For Kathy G. and Riona

The task description has been changed to explain what kind of "gay apparel" we're looking for. Simply showing a gown worn in the time setting of the book won't work. Same with a regular men's suit. It has to be something that would be worn to a special event. (A totally made up example of what wouldn't work would be a cover of Pride and Prejudice showing women dressed in standard Regency fashion, but a different cover of the same book obviously showing women dressed for a ball or other gathering would work.)

So - Riona, I'm going to have to say no to the Invisible Man . . .

but Kathy G., I'm going to say yes to yours because she's holding a mask which makes me think she's at a ball or some other special occasion.

Thanks Chris. I know this is tricky. Since I haven't read the book, I'm not sure-- but I thought it was a party, too, because of the mask.

What would you say on this one?
They are playing up the Cinderella idea-- and the cover is supposed to indicate her going to the ball.
That's the way I take it.

Would this dress be appropriate? It looks like the kind of dress I would wear to a formal dance

Kathy G. wrote: "What would you say on this one?
They are playing up the Cinderella idea-- and the cover is supposed to indicate her going to the ball.
That's the way I take it.

[bookcover:If the Slipper Fits|1269..."

Yes, I agree with the "going to the ball" angle.

Katrina wrote: "Would this dress be appropriate? It looks like the kind of dress I would wear to a formal dance"

Yes, that works.

Chris wrote: "Katrina wrote: "Would this dress be appropriate? It looks like the kind of dress I would wear to a formal dance"

Yes, that works."

Thanks! I was trying to find a place to put it so I'm very pleased :)

Thanks!!! :-)

This book is a collection of Christmas stories. Will it work?

Would work for option 3? It's really tiny, but the woman appears to be holding a lit candlestick.

Wanda wrote: "This book is a collection of Christmas stories. Will it work?
"

Since--we can only hope--that is someone in a Santa Claus suit and not the real Big Guy himself, that makes it fit in the decoration category. Enjoy!

Ms Anderson wrote: "Would work for option 3? It's really tiny, but the woman appears to be holding a lit candlestick."

Looks like a lit candle to me!

Chris wrote: "Ms Anderson wrote: "Would work for option 3? It's really tiny, but the woman appears to be holding a lit candlestick."

Looks like a lit candle to me!"

Yay! Thanks!

For Option 6, would a LA in the title and a LA in the author's name work? I am looking at The Last Theorem by Arthur C. Clarke.

Coralie wrote: "For Option 6, would a LA in the title and a LA in the author's name work? I am looking at The Last Theorem by Arthur C. Clarke."

Definitely works!

For option 2, would this flamenco dress be acceptable? To be worn, of course, if I ever get to a dance in Spain ;)

Sorry, I've got to say no. It needs to be a "dressy dress" that you might wear to a holiday party. I don't think this quite fits that.

Tien wrote: "For option 2, would this flamenco dress be acceptable? To be worn, of course, if I ever get to a dance in Spain ;)

"

Would this work for option two?

Kristine - So sorry I didn't see this. There hasn't been much activity in this thread, so I haven't visited as much as I should.

Yes, that cover is fine. It's clear they're dressed for a special event.

Quick question for option 3, , it looks like a flame to me in his left hand. Would you accept it?

I really can't tell from the picture what he's holding other than it's something that sheds light. Is this image part of a sequence in the book? If it is, and it's clear from the story line that he's holding a flame, I'll accept it.

Chris wrote: "I really can't tell from the picture what he's holding other than it's something that sheds light. Is this image part of a sequence in the book? If it is, and it's clear from the story line that he..."

Thanks Chris! I'll keep that in mind as I read it. If it doesn't work I have another that I can use for another option.