Lovers of YA discussion

Duration: You Set the Pace

In Victorian times, certain flowers had specific meanings because the flower selection was limited and people used more symbols and gestures to communicate than words. But today, with so many flower choices, there are no rules - it's the sentiment that gives the gift its meaning.

Rules
- Re-reads are allowed.
- You may use the books you read for other challenges.
- You can read in any order you like.
- Any genres are acceptable, but since we are a young adult group, please try to include as many young adult books as you can.

1. Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian lily, is symbolic of wealth, prosperity and fortune. It is also the flower of friendship. It symbolizes the power of friendship and a mutual bond of support between two people. Even in the more passionate colours, the meanings remain based on friendship instead of romance.
Read a Book in which the main focus is friendship.

2. Legend has it that the Amaryllis - the stunning red flower we've come to associate with the holidays - began as a shy, timid nymph. Amaryllis fell deeply in love with Alteo, a shepherd with Hercules' strength and Apollo's beauty, but her affections were unrequited.
Read a Book about unrequited love.

3. Anthurium symbolizes hospitality. It is also used to indicate happiness and abundance. The anthurium flower is known universally as a symbol of hospitality, as this exotic beauty thrives in nearly any location in the home or office. It requires little care other than watering and occasional fertilizing and tolerates a wide range of light conditions. As a cut flower, the blooms are long-lasting and retain their beauty and form in floral bouquets. The anthurium plant symbolizes abundance and happiness to the home.
Read a Book that is guaranteed to bring you Happiness.

4. Apple Blossom has very distinctive characteristics which can be seen through its inherit symbolism. Apple Blossom has the colours of White, associated with it. Apple Blossom flowers are a symbol of the heart's pleasure's and delights. The magic of this flower is it's ability transform your mood and lift your spirits, to raise your vibrations.
Read a Book that is guaranteed to Lift Your Spirits.

5. Azalea tends to represent good qualities of personalities, but it also symbolizes specific emotions or events. Many people feel this flower means Remembering your home with fondness or wishing to return to it, A death threat – only when sent in a black vase. Despite being an overwhelmingly positive plant, Azaleas still have a dark side due to the association with death threats. The dark meaning of the Azalea is drawn from its toxicity – even honey made from the flowers is life-threatening.
Read a book in which the Main Character is away from home.

6. Aster symbolizes patience. It is also indicative of a love of variety. It also symbolizes elegance and daintiness. In ancient times, it was thought that the perfume from their burning leaves could drive away evil serpents. Today, they're known as a talisman of love and a symbol of patience.
Read a Fantasy Book.

7. Baby's Breath is a flower that is a symbol of everlasting love, pureness, and innocence. These flowers are form delicate white clusters. They are often in wedding bouquets.
Read a book about Everlasting/Eternal Love

8. Bachelor Button is a flower that has many other names. This flower is also known as a Cornflower, Basketflower, Bluebiottle, Hurtsikcle, or even a Boutonniere flower. While single blessedness and celibacy is the main meaning of the bachelor button, it is also taken as a sign that a man’s love is not returned when this flower fades quickly. Many of the meanings that this flower has came off from its dark bluish colour.
Read a book where the character's love is not returned.

9. The Begonia symbolizes Warnings about future misfortunes or challenges, Dark and unpleasant thoughts that distract you from your happiness and joy, Being cautious about new situations, Harmonious communications between friends and family members, Gratitude and giving thanks for a favour from someone else, Individuality and standing out from the crowd, Justice and peace between major world powers and simple people alike.
Read a book with Individuality.

10. Bird of Paradise symbolizes joyfulness. It also symbolizes magnificence. It can also be used to indicate exciting and wonderful anticipation. The Bird of Paradise symbolizes many different meanings because it’s such an exotic and unusual flower. The Bird of Paradise also means a royalty lineage or bearing due to its association with ruling families. The sheer beauty of the contrasting petals makes it an obvious symbol of excellence and success.
Read a book about Royalty.

11. Bluebells have long been symbolic of humility and gratitude. They are associated with constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. Bluebells are also closely linked to the realm of fairies and are sometimes referred to as "fairy thimbles." To call fairies to a convention, the bluebells would be rung.
Read a book about Faeries.

12. Camillia flowers speaks to the heart and expresses positive feelings. It’s most common meanings are Desire or Passion, Refinement, Perfection & Excellence, Faithfulness & Longevity.
Read a book in which the Main Character Desires Something.

13. Carnation symbolizes pride and beauty. A red carnation symbolizes love, pride and admiration; a pink carnation symbolizes the love of a woman or a mother; a purple carnation symbolizes capriciousness; a yellow carnation symbolizes disdain, rejection or disappointment; while a white carnation symbolizes innocence and pure love. A striped carnation conveys refusal.
Read a Book with a Beautiful Cover.

14. Chrysanthemum, also known as the mum, symbolizes fidelity, optimism, joy and long life. A red chrysanthemum conveys love; a white chrysanthemum symbolizes truth and loyal love while a yellow chrysanthemum symbolizes slighted love.
Read a book about One-Sided Love.

15. Cosmos often used to illustrate one's deepest feelings of love. When sent to one's love on Valentine's Day it can be said to mean 'walk with me hand in hand' and 'see, life is indeed beautiful'. The typical meaning of this flower is 'love flower'.
Read a Romance Book

16. Crocus flowers symbolize of Cheerfulness, Gladness, Youthfulness, Mirthfulness and Glee. The crocus flower is primarily associated with the mirthfulness and glee associated with youth. This flower has an uplifting and cheerful affect.
Read a Middle Grade or Young Adult Book.

17. Daffodil symbolizes regard and chivalry. It is indicative of rebirth, new beginnings and eternal life. It also symbolizes unrequited love. A single daffodil foretells a misfortune while a bunch of daffodils indicate joy and happiness. It also Symbolizes Clarity, Vitality, Memory, Renewal, Creativity, Inspiration, Awareness, Forgiveness, Inner-Reflection.
Read a book in which the Character Forgives someone.

18. Daisy symbolizes innocence and purity. It conveys loyal love, Innocence, especially with white daisies with yellow or pale centres. Purity – also shown by daisies that are as white as possible. New beginnings, which is why they are often found in bouquets for new mothers or as gifts for children. True love – because each daisy flower is really two flowers blended together in harmony.
Read a Book about True Love.

19. Delphinium, Hybrid symbolizes big-heartedness, fun, lightness and levity. It also indicates ardent attachment. This member of the buttercup family doesn’t sport the same cheery yellow colour, but it’s still important in mythology and modern symbolism alike. The delphinium means Reaching for your goals and striving achieve it all, Expanding your options and attracting new opportunities, Protection against dangers, specifically scorpions in ancient lore, Openness to new emotions and feelings, in a romantic sense, Enjoying the lighter side of life, even when troubles get you down, Celebrating practically anything positive.
Read a Humour/Comedy Book

20. Freesia symbolizes innocence and thoughtfulness. The beautiful freesia has several related meanings. Freesia blooms typically mean Innocence, Thoughtfulness, Trust, Friendship, Sweetness.
Read a book in which the character is very thoughtful or Trusting.

21. Forget-Me-Not is a flower that is petite and Beautiful. There are all kinds of legends that surround the forget me not. This is a flower of remembrance that actually is used by nations as a symbol of those that they have lost at war. The flowers of forget-me-nots almost always have a story that relates to love. Mainly, if couples wore the forget-me-not as a garland, they would never be forgotten by their lovers. Just as the name implies, forget-me-nots mean remembrance. It can mean the remembrance of good memories like when two people are together as a couple. It also signifies true love.
Read a book that Deals with Remembrance or remembering.

22. Gardenia leaves are shiny, and waxy. This is symbolic of clarity. In addition, it’s symbolic of self-reflection. Gardenia flowers also symbolize protection. While any type of flowering plant will do, if you want to express your love and devotion to someone but don’t want your identity to be known, the gardenia is the flower to give as a present. It signifies a secret love or an untold love.
Read a book in which the Main Character is Loyal.

23. Geranium flowers appears to have some conflicting meanings, which means you must rely on both the circumstances and their color to refine their meaning. Some of the most common meanings are Folly or Stupidity, Gentility, Ingenuity, Melancholy, Bridal Favor, Unexpected Meeting, Expected Meeting, True Friendship
Read a book with an Intelligent Character.

24. Gladiolus flowers symbolizes honor and remembrance, but it has other meanings too. It can also symbolize the following Strength of character, Faithfulness, sincerity and integrity, Infatuation, Never giving up. The gladiolus flower’s message may vary, but it will never be ignored. This bold beauty captures the heart and soul like no others with its impressive spire of flowers.
Read a book with a Strong Main Character.

25. Heather flowers are an evergreen flowering shrub with hundreds of bell shaped flowers up and down it’s spike like stems. Not surprisingly this hardy little flower has come to symbolize independence. From the rocky hills and moors that it grown on, it has developed into a self sufficient flower worthy of all of it’s accolades. The heather flower’s meanings goes as far back as Celtic and pre-Celtic times. But, it has always had a few straightforward meanings including Independence, Good fortune, and Good luck.
Read a book with an Independent Character

26. Hibiscus flowers represent delicate beauty, unity and peace. Although specific meanings for the hibiscus differ depending on the culture of the beholder, there are some generalities about what the hibiscus symbolizes. This is considered a very feminine flower and so is usually given or worn by women. In North America especially, a hibiscus means a perfect wife or woman. In Victorian times, giving a hibiscus meant that the giver was acknowledging the receiver’s delicate beauty. Hibiscus flowers are delicate and very beautiful just as young women appear to be, so hibiscuses often symbolize young women.
Read a book with a Female Main Character

27. The Holly flower is usually the color white but there are times when the flower has a greenish tinge to it. People in the olden times planted holly around their homes so they have protection from lightning and thunder. It also protects people from evil spirits and witchcraft.
Read a book about Witchcraft

28. Hyacinths are highly fragrant flowers that bloom in dense clusters. Hyacinths have more myths about it than superstitions. For the most part, it’s thought that hyacinth flowers can provoke sleep and thus it can work as a cure for people suffering with insomnia. In general, the hyacinth flower is the flower dedicated to Apollo. It also is seen to mean rashness. It signifies games and sports as well.
Read a book about sports.

29. Hydrangea shrub symbolizes diverse meanings including Heartfelt and honest emotions of any kind Gratitude to someone else, Developing a deeper understanding between two people, Heartlessness and acting without thinking about the feelings of another, Frigidity and disinterest in a romantic proposal, Boasting and bragging about false accomplishments, Abundance and prosperity, Grace and beauty, sometimes taken to an extreme of vanity and narcissism.
Read a book in Which a Character is Wealthy.

30. Iris symbolizes eloquence. Purple iris is symbolic of wisdom and compliments. Blue iris symbolizes faith and hope. Yellow iris symbolizes passion.
Read an Eloquent Book.

31. Ivy, being an evergreen plant, represents eternity, fidelity, and strong affectionate attachment, such as wedded love and friendship. The ivy plant is also a strong plant which can grow in the hardest enviroment. Another association of Ivy as an evergreen, is perennial life and immortality.
Read a book in which the Main Character is Immortal

32. Jasmine represents appreciation and good luck. When used in religious ceremonies jasmine represents purity. Jasmine's meanings varies depending on the culture and setting.
Read a book in which a Character is Modest.

33. Lavender most commonly symbolizes love, devotion and purity. It is a commonly used color for weddings, and, when given as a gift, lavender represents opportunity and promises new adventure. The color purple has a history of association with royalty, so lavender suggests splendor and regal majesty.
Read an Adventure Book.

34. Lilac symbolizes youthful innocence and confidence. White lilac symbolizes humility and innocence, field lilac symbolizes charity while purple lilac symbolizes first love.
Read a book about First Love.

35. Lily symbolizes purity and refined beauty. White lillies symbolizes modesty and virginity, orange lily symbolizes passion, yellow lily symbolizes gaiety while Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness and purity of heart.
Read a book in which a Character is shy.

36. Marigold is likewise associated with the sun - being vibrant yellow and gold in color. The flowers are open when the sun is out. The marigold is also called the “herb of the sun”, representing passion and even creativity. It is also said that marigolds symbolize cruelty, grief and jealousy.
Read a book with a Vibrant Cover.

37. Oleander is an ornamental plant that is used throughout the world as a great flower for decorations and such. However, this is a poisonous flower, so it is very important to understand how this flower works, what it looks like, and how you should handle it, this way you are prepare with the toxic poison that it can put forward. This is probably way the oleander has a floral meaning of caution; it is very suited for how dangerous that this flower can be even in small amounts. It was said that an Oleander should never be kept in the bedroom as it will bring sickness to the room.
Read a book that involves Poison in some way.

38. Orchid is a symbol of the exotic beauty. It symbolizes refinement, thoughtfulness and mature charm. It also symbolizes proud and glorious femininity.
Read a book in which the character shows kindness.

39. Peonies symbolizes bashfulness and compassion. It can also be used to express indignation or shame. It symbolizes a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity.
Read a Book in which the Character is Bashful or Timid.

40. Protea stands for change and transformation. It signifies daring and resourcefulness. It is symbolic of diversity and courage.
Read a Book with Diversity.

41. Poppy have long been used as a symbol of sleep, peace, and death: Sleep because the opium extracted from them is a sedative, and death because of the common blood-red color of the red poppy in particular. In Greek and Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead.
Read a book about Death or in which a Character Dies.

42. Sunflower signifies pure thoughts. It symbolizes adoration and dedication. It is symbolic of dedicated love. It is however also symbolic of haughtiness.
Read a book in which a Character is Haughty.

43. Tulip signifies a declaration of love. It also symbolizes fame and perfect love. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. The meaning of yellow tulips has evolved somewhat, from once representing hopeless love to now being a common expression for cheerful thoughts and sunshine.
Read a book in which a character Declares their love for someone.

How To Participate:

1. Post here telling the challenge leader that you'd like to join the challenge. You can choose your books for the challenge at the beginning, or add them as you go. You can join a challenge at any time, as long as the challenge is still active.

2. Whenever you finish a book for the challenge, post here and let the challenge leader know so they can update your progress.

Some members choose to update their original post with their progress to keep track of their challenge more easily, but make sure to also post a new message so the challenge leader knows to go look at your original post.

Participants


Elsbeth (16/43)
Mal (0/43)
Ruth (7/43)
Hayley (3/43)
Ashley (8/43)
Sarah (7/43)
Stephanie (4/43)

I'd like to give this a try - I love flowers :D

1.Dragon's Danger: Book One of the Blood Bound by Edward Branley (6-10-2016) - the friendship between the 3 teenagers, the Blood Bound and the dragon
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4.Phoebe and the Rock of Ages by Becky Doughty (16-10-2016)
5. Euforie by Lily King (20-9-2016) - MC's come from the UK, Australia and the U.S.A. and the story takes place in Papua New Gunea
6.ZIA, The Teenage Zombie & The Undead Diaries by Angela Scott (13-9-2016)
7.Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper (24-9-2016) - love that survives death is part of this story
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10.The Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault by Charles Perrault (17-10-2016) - lots of princes, princesses, kings and queens in this book
11.The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (21-10-2016)
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15.Hope in Every Raindrop by Wesley Banks (8-9-2016)
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18.Keeper vs. Reaper by Jennifer Malone Wright (27-9-2016)
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21.I Found My Heart in Prague by Colleen Michaels (12-10-2016) - this book is a journal, to remember the main charcter
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23.The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle (1-10-2016) - Sherlock Holmes is very intelligent
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26.Dancing with Mr. Darcy: Stories Inspired by Jane Austen and Chawton House by Sarah Waters (15-10-2016) - several female MC's, like Elinor, Marianne, Jane, Hannah (famous characters of Jane Austen's stories, or based on them)
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33.Unwanted: Dead or Alive by Gene Shelton (29-10-2016)
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41.Sushi King by Bavo Dhooge (12-9-2016) - several characters die
42.Murder in White Lace by Karen Sue Walker (19-9-2016) - Jennifer is haughty
43.The Love Makers by Y.L. Cantrell (22-9-2016) - several characters declare their love

This looks fun. I'm in

I'm in too I like the sound of this challenge....

Is there any way that I could be in for this challenge for the year of 2017? I really love it, but I have signed up for so many already this year that I need to focus on those...

Stephanie (R-A) wrote: "Is there any way that I could be in for this challenge for the year of 2017? I really love it, but I have signed up for so many already this year that I need to focus on those..."

As this Is a Open Ended Challenge, you can sign up anytime.

Jade wrote: "Stephanie (R-A) wrote: "Is there any way that I could be in for this challenge for the year of 2017? I really love it, but I have signed up for so many already this year that I need to focus on tho..."

Cool! Thanks. I will for sure do it for 2017.

I'm going for all 43
1. Alstromeria:
2. Amaryllis:
3. Anthurium
4. Apple Blossom
5. Azalea:
6. Aster:
7. Baby's Breath:
8. Bachelor Button:
9. Begonia:
10. Bird of Paradise:
11. Bluebells:
12. Camilla:
13. Carnation:
14. Chrysanthemum:
15. Cosmos:
16. Crocus:
17. Daffodill:
18. Daisy:
19. Delphinium
20. Freesia
21. Forget-Me-Not:
22. Gardenia
23. Geranium
24. Gladiolus:
25. Heather:
26. Hibiscus:
27. Holly:
28. Hyacinths
29. Hydrangea:
30. Iris
31. Ivy
32. Jasmine
33. Lavender:
34. Lilac:
35. Lily:
36. Marigold
37. Oleander:
38. Orchid
39. Peonies
40. Protea
41. Poppy
42. Sunflower
43. Tulip:

1. Alstromeria - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
2. Amaryllis - The Woman in Black
3. Anthurium
4. Apple Blossom
5. Azalea - Running
6. Aster - A Tale Dark & Grimm
7. Baby's Breath - The Time of My Life
8. Bachelor Button
9. Begonia - Split
10. Bird of Paradise - The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
11. Bluebells - The Darkest Part of the Forest
12. Camilla
13. Carnation
14. Chrysanthemum
15. Cosmos
16. Crocus - The Kill Order
17. Daffodill
18. Daisy
19. Delphinium - The Last Straw
20. Freesia
21. Forget-Me-Not - After You
22. Gardenia
23. Geranium - iBoy
24. Gladiolus - The Maze Runner
25. Heather
26. Hibiscus - Cinder
27. Holly
28. Hyacinths
29. Hydrangea - Aladdin
30. Iris
31. Ivy
32. Jasmine
33. Lavender - Goldstrike
34. Lilac
35. Lily - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay
36. Marigold - The Scorch Trials
37. Oleander - Romeo and Juliet
38. Orchid
39. Peonies
40. Protea
41. Poppy - Fahrenheit 451
42. Sunflower
43. Tulip - Twelfth Night

Update message #5:
16/43

I will try and update as I read other books for other challenges and see if they fit in :)
1. Alstromeria
2. Amaryllis
3. Anthurium
4. Apple Blossom
5. Azalea- Ho-Ho-Homicide
6. Aster- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
7. Baby's Breath
8. Bachelor Button- The Making of Gabriel Davenport
9. Begonia
10. Bird of Paradise
11. Bluebells
12. Camilla
13. Carnation
14. Chrysanthemum
15. Cosmos
16. Crocus
17. Daffodill
18. Daisy
19. Delphinium
20. Freesia
21. Forget-Me-Not
22. Gardenia
23. Geranium
24. Gladiolus
25. Heather
26. Hibiscus
27. Holly
28. Hyacinths
29. Hydrangea- Metaltown
30. Iris
31. Ivy- The Lesser Dead
32. Jasmine
33. Lavender- Six of Crows
34. Lilac
35. Lily
36. Marigold
37. Oleander- Three Dark Crowns
38. Orchid
39. Peonies
40. Protea
41. Poppy- The Murder House
42. Sunflower
43. Tulip

Update - read 4 books - Goldstrike, Running, Long way to a small and angry planet and The lion the witch and the wardrobe since last update. :)

I am doing this one now. Some of them will be more adult genre, but I am going to try to make as many as I can young adult or middle grade. Cross my fingers I will get them all :) I already have 2:

Lily- Words in the Dust
Anthurium- A Torch Against the Night
Bluebells- Late Eclipses
Protea- Parable of the Sower
Geranium- Dune
Baby's Breath- Mistress Shakespeare
Gladiolus- Gathering Blue

Total Books Read: 7/43

Read 8/43

Update: I have read my Bluebells book Late Eclipses, which I feel is borderline Young Adult/Adult. Probably intended for adults, but I think young adults would enjoy it too. Well, the October Daye series, this is the 4th book. I have 3/43 now.

1. Alstromeria-Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda 5 stars 3/10/17
2. Amaryllis- Matched 3 stars 3/16/17
3. Anthurium- Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea 5 stars 1/23/17
4. Apple Blossom- Ruby Red 5 stars 2/19/17
5. Azalea: Blood Red Road 3 stars 2/6/17
6. Aster- Reckless 3 stars 1/31/17
7. Baby's Breath-Evermore 4 stars 2/9/17
8. Bachelor Button
9. Begonia
10. Bird of Paradise- The Greyfriar 2 stars 2/15/17
11. Bluebells
12. Camilla-Bittersweet 4 stars 2/13/17
13. Carnation- Illusionarium 4 stars 1/31/17
14. Chrysanthemum
15. Cosmos- Breathe 4 stars 1/27/17
16. Crocus
17. Daffodill-The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight 4 stars 2/21/17
18. Daisy
19. Delphinium
20. Freesia
21. Forget-Me-Not-Legend 5 stars 3/7/17
22. Gardenia
23. Geranium
24. Gladiolus-Everything, Everything 5 stars 3/21/17
25. Heather
26. Hibiscus- Halfway to the Grave 4 stars 1/10/17
27. Holly-Anna Dressed in Blood 4 stars 3/6/17
28. Hyacinths-Catching Jordan 4 stars 1/26/17
29. Hydrangea- Teen Idol 4 stars 1/25/17
30. Iris
31. Ivy
32. Jasmine-The Princess Diarist 4 stars 2/7/17
33. Lavender
34. Lilac-Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda 5 stars 3/10/17
35. Lily
36. Marigold-The Selection 5 stars 3/8/17
37. Oleander-Across the Universe 4 stars 2/17/17
38. Orchid
39. Peonies-If I Stay 3 stars 2/22/17
40. Protea- I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban 4 Stars 2/5/17
41. Poppy-Thirteen Reasons Why 4 stars 2/23/17
42. Sunflower
43. Tulip-Ugly Love 3 stars 2/12/17

Update: I just finished my Protea- diversity is the point, I think in this book- Parable of the Sower. If you have not read this book, read this book! Amazing! I am up to 4/43

Update: Finished my Geranium book- Dune. This is considered a classic sci-fi book but I could see it being Young Adult. It is all about a teenage boy fulfilling his destiny. I now have 5/43