2025 Reading Challenge discussion

February's theme is History, and for this months challenge we would like you to explore times gone by:

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world.
about 4.500,000,000 years ago.

2. Read a book that takes place during the time of the dinosaurs.
about 250,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago.

3. Read a book that takes place during the time after homo sapiens existed but B.C.E. (Before Common Era).
about 1,500,000 years ago to 0 A.D.

4. Read a book that takes place between supposed time of Jesus (start of Christianity) and the supposed time of Muhammad (start of Islam). This does not have to be religious, just in that time era.
about 0 A.D. to 700 A.D.

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages.
about 700 A.D. to 1500 A.D.

6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D.

7. Read any book that takes place in the Far East before Communism.
up to about 1950 A.D.

8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars.
1914 to 1945

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000

These books can be works of any genre, fiction or nonfiction. Feel free to interpret these time periods any way you would like, just please enjoy the history of it all.

One suggestion by a member was to read books that give alternative histories (we moderators loved that idea, thanks Stephanie (R-A)!) And because of her great suggestion, we have asked her to lead this challenge, so double thanks Stephanie (R-A)!

Please pick the number of challenges you would like to read and let the challenge leader know.

Happy to try something new. I am excited to see how crazy this makes me :) My OCD tendencies can either help or hurt me here.

As for myself in this challenge, I am going to go for 5 this month. Trying to tame my desire to overly challenge myself. I present this now just in case someone is curious.

#6- The Witches: Salem, 1692 Finished 2/21/2016
#7- The Good Earth Finished 2/29/2016
#8- Schindler's Ark Finished 2/25/2016
#9- The Black Dahlia Finished 2/14/2016
Alternate History- The Man in the High Castle Finished 2/26/2016

5/5- Completed!

Challenge Participants and Stats

Anna (O.M. 25)- 0/2
Ashwise (O.M. 96)- 0/4
Brianna (O.M. 55)- 0/5
Claire (O.M. 62)- 0/4
Cynthia (O.M. 10)- 2/3
Erika (O.M. 27)- 0/3
Jenny (O.M. 42)- 0/1
Katie (O.M. 19)- 0/3
Leah (O.M. 74)- 2/4
Maureen (O.M. 40)- 0/9
Megan (O.M. 50)- 0/4
Nicole (O.M. 72)- 1/3
Ornina (O.M. 64)- 0/2
Sally (O.M. 18)- 0/3
Sam F (O.M. 11)- 2/3
Shannon (O.M. 29)- 1/2
Wanda (O.M. 15)- 0/5

(So you know, the O.M. stands for original message and the number. I am worried about doubles in the names and this way I can refer back to the little picture in the corners as I receive updates. Thanks for bearing with me.)

Completed Challenge Participant Stats

Angelique (O.M. 26)- 4/3
Ariel (O.M. 17)- 2/2
Cassandra (O. M. 6)- 3/3
Cheri (O.M.32)- 3/3
Gabriella (O.M. 7)- 3/3
Gretchen (O.M. 12)- 5/5
Janet (O.M. 16)- 3/3
Janine (O.M. 5)- 7/5
Jessica (O.M. 13)- 3/3
Kelly (O.M. 22)- 2/2
Kiwi (O.M. 21)- 6/5
Megan (O.M. 24)- 3/3
Nik (O.M. 43)- 2/1
Stephanie (0.M. 47)- 2/2
Stephanie (R-A) (O.M. 2)- 5/5
Susan (O.M. 4)- 5/5
Ultrajbk (O.M. 23)- 3/3
Yvonne (O.M. 8)- 3/3

Hmmm.... I'm going to go for 5 on this one.

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world.
about 4.500,000,000 years ago.

2. Read a book that takes place during the time of the dinosaurs.
about 250,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago.

3. Read a book that takes place during the time after homo sapiens existed but B.C.E. (Before Common Era).
about 1,500,000 years ago to 0 A.D.

✓ 4. Read a book that takes place between supposed time of Jesus (start of Christianity) and the supposed time of Muhammad (start of Islam). This does not have to be religious, just in that time era.
about 0 A.D. to 700 A.D. Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth read 2/13/2016

✓ 5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages.
about 700 A.D. to 1500 A.D. World Without End read 2/2/2016

✓ 6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D. Burial Rites read 2/10/2016

7. Read any book that takes place in the Far East before Communism.
up to about 1950 A.D.

✓ 8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars.
1914 to 1945 Corelli's Mandolin read 2/17/2016

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000 Necessary Lies read 2/25/2016

5/5
Challenge completed!

I'm going to shoot for 5!

7/5

✔ 3. Read a book that takes place during the time after homo sapiens existed but B.C.E. (Before Common Era). The Penelopiad

✔ 4. Read a book that takes place between supposed time of Jesus (start of Christianity) and the supposed time of Muhammad (start of Islam). - Pompeii

✔ 5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages. - The Palace Library

✔ 6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world. - The Witches: Salem, 1692

✔ 7. Read any book that takes place in the Far East before Communism. - Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale

✔ 8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars. Water for Elephants

✔ 9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century. - The Bell Jar

Thanks for leading, Stephanie! I'm planning a lot of books for February already, but this sounds fun.

I'll go in for three.

I'll start with... IDK. Maybe 4?
But this may change, as I'll read a book about creation of the world by God and I'm not sure if it's either 1 or 3.
My list so far:

5. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
6. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
8. O Barão by Branquinho da Fonseca
9. Convincing Alex by Nora Roberts

I don't want to over commit as February is a short month. I'll try for three and come up with the list as I read them.

CHALLENGE COMPLETED
3/3 read

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000

1. Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith - 1953 Soviet Union Cold War era mystery thriller - 2/2/2016 - 5 Stars

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages

2. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco - 2/26/2016 3 Stars
Setting is Medieval Italy --1327

6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D.

3. The Alienist by Caleb Carr 4.0 Stars
Setting is 1896 New York

Welcome everyone! I am excited to see what everyone reads this month.

Only able to read 2/3 this month

Read:

* Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars. 1914 to 1945

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

* Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century. 1945 to 2000

Four Past Midnight by Stephen King

I get an extra day to read in February so maybe I can get five books read for this challenge.
5/5 (DONE!)

3.) After homosapiens but before A.D.
King and Goddess (1400s B.C during the reign of Hatshepsut) 2/2-2/6
4.) 0 A.D. to 700 A.D.
The Corpus Conundrum: A Third Case from the Notebooks of Pliny the Younger (Pliny's political career occurred between the years of 79 A.D. and 112 A.D.) 2/18-2/19
5.) 700 A.D. to 1500 A.D.
The Winter Mantle (takes place after William I takes the English throne) 2/7-2/9
6.) 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D. (Colonization)
Médicis Daughter: A Novel of Marguerite de Valois (takes place from 1564-1572) 2/9-2/11
8.) During the World Wars (1914-1945)
A Lesson in Secrets (1932) 2/26

I'm in for 3 :)

6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D:

The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers

8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars.
1914 to 1945:

The Auschwitz Escape

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000:

11/22/63

0/3

I love this challenge idea as a history fan. However, I'm all-or-nothing, and one month is not feasible. I will keep this one in mind as a personal challenge for a later time. Thanks, as I think this is awesome!

I am going to read 5 books for this challenge.

#6 - The Witches : Salem 1692 by Stacy Schiff
#5 - Elizabeth the Virgin Queen by Philippa Jones
#8 - Ludwika by Christopher Fischer
#4 - Did Jesus Exist? By Bart D. Ehrman
#9 - The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

I will start with 3 books for this challenge but may increase it.

# 8 World Wars A Farewell to Arms 2/11/16

I'm echoing here but I don't want to overcommit either. I think I'll go with 2 and see what else I end up reading this month.

[2 of 2 read]; Finished.

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages.
  >> A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (read from 02.01.16 to 02.09.16)
6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
  >> The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff

I'm in for 3 books and see how I go with them.

Awesome! Welcome everyone! I love historical fiction so I am really interested to see what everyone's books are at the end of February.

I'd like to join in, put me down for 5 please

I'll sign up for two please!

TIMES GONE BY CHALLENGE
Duration: February 1st - February 29th 2016

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world. about 4.500,000,000 years ago
2. Read a book that takes place during the time of the dinosaurs.about 250,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago.
3. Read a book that takes place during the time after homo sapiens existed but B.C.E. (Before Common Era). about 1,500,000 years ago to 0 A.D.
4. Read a book that takes place between supposed time of Jesus (start of Christianity) and the supposed time of Muhammad (start of Islam). This does not have to be religious, just in that time era.about 0 A.D. to 700 A.D.
5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages.about 700 A.D. to 1500 A.D.
6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world. about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D.
7. Read any book that takes place in the Far East before Communism. up to about 1950 A.D.
8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars.1914 to 1945 - The Nightingale ✔
9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century. 1945 to 2000 - Child 44 ✔

COMPLETE: 2/2

I am aiming for three...

#5 - Ivanhoe by Walter Scott
#6 - The Witches - Salem 1692 by Stacey Schiff
#8 - The Sun also Rises by Hemmingway

It's a great challenge for me....as I wouldn't usually turn to these. Am liking other people's choices too...if only I could give up my day job to read....

I'll join in with three books.

6. 1500-1900 - Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs - completed

8. World Wars - Hollow City by Ransom Riggs - completed

9. Cold War-2000 - The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma - completed

3/3 - completed!!!

I'm going to try for two books.

1. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars.
Cocaine Blues: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries 2/3/16
2. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
Girl With a Pearl Earring 2/22/16

*complete*

I'm going to try for 3 books

I'll sign up for 3 as well, please :)

Welcome everyone! I am excited to be exposed to some books about history this month. I wish everyone happy reading!

I'll go for it. Let's start with two.

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world.
about 4.500,000,000 years ago.

2. Read a book that takes place during the time of the dinosaurs.
about 250,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago.

3. Read a book that takes place during the time after homo sapiens existed but B.C.E. (Before Common Era).
about 1,500,000 years ago to 0 A.D.

4. Read a book that takes place between supposed time of Jesus (start of Christianity) and the supposed time of Muhammad (start of Islam). This does not have to be religious, just in that time era.
about 0 A.D. to 700 A.D.

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages.
about 700 A.D. to 1500 A.D.

6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D. - The Witches: Salem, 1692

7. Read any book that takes place in the Far East before Communism.
up to about 1950 A.D.

8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars.
1914 to 1945 - Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000

Shannon wrote: "I'll go for it. Let's start with two.

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world.
about 4.500,000,000 years ago.

2. Read a book that takes place during the time of the dinosaurs.
..."

Shannon, I frickin' loved "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children." You will have to let me know what you think. I am super stoked for you to read it!

Ariel wrote: "I'm echoing here but I don't want to overcommit either. I think I'll go with 2 and see what else I end up reading this month.

[0 of 2 read]

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Mid..."

"Game of Thrones" is an awesome book, but it is so long. I think you were smart to go for 2 :) Good luck! I hope you enjoy your books!

Challenge complete!

Sounds fun! I'm going to try for 3. Haven't decided exactly what yet (and I don't know what I can get right away from the library), but I'll probably choose among these (those with a check mark are now completed):

✔ 6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D. - A Young People's History of the United States, Volume 1: Columbus to the Spanish-American War by Howard Zinn (5 stars)

✔ 8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars
1914 to 1945. - Euphoria by Lily King (5 stars)

✔ 9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century, 1945 to 2000 - China in Ten Words by Yu Hua (5 stars)

I've read my first book for this challenge! Updated message 5: 1/5

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages. - The Palace Library ★★★

Perhaps a bit of a cheat as it's not really historical fiction but children's / early teen fantasy in which the three main characters travel back in time to England in 1164. But I think it counts!

Janine wrote: "I've read my first book for this challenge! Updated message 5: 1/5

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages. - The Palace Library ★★★

Perhaps a bit of a chea..."

Good enough for me. I think you are meant to interpret the challenge in whatever way you see fit. We aren't book Nazis here. :) Congratulations on finishing your first book of the challenge.

I have read my first two books for this challenge:

3. Read a book that takes place ... about 1,500,000 years ago to 0 A.D.
Julius Caesar by Philip Freeman

9. Read a book takes place ... 1945 to 2000
This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash

This second one does not explicitly include dates, but I assume it set before 2000 from a number of clues: the use of payphones not mobiles, the kids playing a game called Oregon Trail (released in 1971), etc.

I loved Freeman's Julius Caesar and would highly recommend !

progress: 2/5

Nice going, Kiwi!

Thank you, Cassandra, historical fiction is one of my favourite genres :)

Updated message 4

1/5

Stephanie (R-A) wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I'll go for it. Let's start with two.

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world.
about 4.500,000,000 years ago.

2. Read a book that takes place during the time of..."

I finished it. I'm on Hollow City now. It's fantastic. I can't wait for the movie to come out this year.

I want to try for all 9.

February Challenge
TIMES GONE BY
Duration: February 1, 2016 - February 29, 2016


Books: 0/9

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world.
about 4.500,000,000 years ago.

2. Read a book that takes place during the time of the dinosaurs.
about 250,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago.

3. Read a book that takes place during the time after homo sapiens existed but B.C.E. (Before Common Era).
about 1,500,000 years ago to 0 A.D.

4. Read a book that takes place between supposed time of Jesus (start of Christianity) and the supposed time of Muhammad (start of Islam). This does not have to be religious, just in that time era.
about 0 A.D. to 700 A.D.

5. Read a book that takes place during the Dark or Middle Ages.
about 700 A.D. to 1500 A.D.

6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D.

7. Read any book that takes place in the Far East before Communism.
up to about 1950 A.D.

8. Read a book that takes place during the times of the World Wars.
1914 to 1945

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000

These books can be works of any genre, fiction or nonfiction. Feel free to interpret these time periods any way you would like, just please enjoy the history of it all.

One suggestion by a member was to read books that give alternative histories (we moderators loved that idea, thanks Stephanie (R-A)!) And because of her great suggestion, we have asked her to lead this challenge, so double thanks Stephanie (R-A)!

Please pick the number of challenges you would like to read and let the challenge leader know.

I am so impressed with everyone who has finished a book so far for this month! Nice going guys! I feel like I am slacking. :)

And, Shannon, I am super stoked you liked "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children." I loved that series so much. I just think it is so creative and clever that the entire story is inspired by old pictures.

This is such a cool challenge I am going to have to review my reading plans for February and see what I can fit in. (1/6)

Update 19 Feb 2016 - I overestimated what I could get done! I'm going to try for 4 (1/4)

1. Read a book that takes place at beginning of the world.
about 4.500,000,000 years ago. - New World Genesis: Adam and Eve

2. Read a book that takes place during the time of the dinosaurs.
about 250,000,000 to 65,000,000 years ago. - A Survival Guide: Living with Dinosaurs in the Jurassic Period

6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world.
about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D. - The Witches: Salem, 1692

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000 - A Walking Tour of Milwaukee, Wisconsin done!

In for…er, 1, for now. =)

Welcome to the challenge!

Update to message # 8

1/3 read

9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
1945 to 2000

Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith - 1953 Soviet Union


This was a mystery thriller & part historical fiction that takes place during 1953 in the Soviet Union under the final year of Stalin's rule. The main character is a member of the Secret Police who gets exiled as he's attempting to solve a series of brutal child killings.

[1/1]

6. Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world. (about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D.) The Witches: Salem, 1692 (★★)

/NN

I'm going to try for 2 but may increase it (hopefully) :-)

Yvonne wrote: "Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith - 1953 Soviet Union..."

I really liked that book, did you like it Yvonne?

I finished my first:
9. Read a book takes place during the time of the Cold War until the turn of the century.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
The main story is well after the war, but within the story they look back at things happening during the war. It was interesting to read about the war from a Japanese point of view. As a European I tend to forget that the war was not just a northern hemisphere thing.

1/3

I'll go for 4!

3. The Red Tent
6. The Hangman's Daughter
8. Slaughterhouse-Five sort of counts, right?
9. TBD

0/4

Update: 1/3
Task 6) Read a book that takes place during rise of colonization around the world. (about 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D.)

A Young People's History of the United States, Volume 1: Columbus to the Spanish-American War by Howard Zinn (5 stars)

6. Read a book that takes place 1500 A.D. to 1900 A.D.
True Grit (1870s)

progress 3/5