The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
WINTER CHALLENGE 2016
>
Winter Challenge 2016: Tasks
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Help Thread
In the fall season, one of the group reads was The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend. One of the features enjoyed by many of the SRC participants was the mention of numerous books. Read a book from The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend listopia.
You may also read a book by one of the authors referenced at the top of that list (and listed in post 2 of the Help Thread).
10.2. Ring, Sing, Bling?
Help Thread
Some ancient wonders such as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon end with the letters “ing,” and that ending also is common during the holiday season – bells “ring,” people “sing” carols.
Read a book with a word in the title/subtitle ending in “ing.” No variations allowed.
10.3.They're Old!
Help Thread
In honor of ancient wonders, read a book with History or Historical Fiction as a main page genre.
10.4. Fire and Ice
Help Thread
Read a book with all letters of FIRE and of ICE found in the book’s title/subtitle/author name. Letters can be used only as many times as they appear in the title/subtitle/author name.
10.5. Noel!
Help Thread
Read a book with NO "L" in the title/subtitle and NO "L" in the author name. Examples: Watership Down by Richard Adams, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
10.6. More Following Through!
Help Thread
Read another book by an author you read for the first time in 2016 (including December). It doesn't matter how many books you read by that author, as long as you read the author for the first time in 2016. It doesn't have to be limited to a new author read for a challenge.
If you have already read all the books published by your new author and don't want to re-read, OR if you did not read any new authors in 2016, OR if you disliked the books you read by new authors, you may instead read a book by an author that I (Sandy) first read and enjoyed this past year:
Douglas Adams
Paolo Bacigalupi
Erin Bow
Joseph Boyden
Rose Connors
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Susan Ee
Elena Ferrante
Angela Flournoy
Paolo Giordano
Ursula Hegi
Adam Hochschild
Jean Kwok
Jenny Lawson
Jane Mayer
Louise Penny
Sabaa Tahir
Gail Tsukiyama
Charlotte Wood
REQUIRED: State in your post that this was a new author for you in 2016, or that you are choosing an author from Sandy's list.
10.7. Rollin on the River
Help Thread
Stories say that the city of Ninevah had a terraced garden system where the majority of its food was grown. The Tigris river ran through the center of the city; a person travelling up the river would see these terraced gardens and the water which was pumped up to them from the river in what was supposed to be a magical system which made it look like the water was flowing uphill!
So -- read a book with "environment," "ecology," "engineering," or "food" as a main page genre . The genre can be embedded as in "Food and Drink>Food."
10.8. On the Coast
Help Thread
Three of the countries where the Ancient Wonders were located border the Mediterranean Sea. Read a book set at least 50% in one of these countries with a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea - Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Monaco, Montenegro, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. In addition, Palestine's Gaza Strip and the British Overseas Territories of Gibraltar and Akrotiri and Dhekelia have coastlines on the sea, and books set in those places may also be used.
10.9. Stories Say..............
Help Thread
Legends and myths feature prominently when reading about the seven ancient wonders. Read a book with a main page genre of mythology.
10.10. Got Your Lottery Ticket?
Help Thread
Shirley Jackson was born on December 14, 1916. Read a book about Shirley Jackson, a book by Shirley Jackson, or a book with the main page genre Horror.
Mod
15.1 - Madly in Love With Me Day
Help Thread
Valentine’s Day may be a time for sharing your love with someone else, but February 13 is all about you. Celebrate self-love and healthy self esteem on Madly in Love with Me Day.
Read two books, one book 1 and one book 2
Book 1 - Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle from this list: me, myself, I, my, mine. Words must match exactly, no variations.
Book 2 - Read an autobiography or memoir- a nonfiction account of the author's own life or experiences. If a book has a co-author the book must be about that author's own life or experiences as well.
15.2 - Celebrity Eye-roll
Help Thread
The Rolling Stones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on January 15, 1967 performing “Let’s Spend The Night Together”. In 1967, the idea spending the night together was apparently too much for the television viewing public to handle. As the story goes, the Sullivan people told Mick Jagger he would have to alter the lyric to the tamer “Let’s spend some time together.”
Read 2 books, one book 1 and one book 2
Book 1: Read a book with “night” found intact in a word in the book’s title, subtitle, series title or author’s name.
Book 2: Read a book with “time” found intact in a word in the book’s title, subtitle, series title or author’s name.
15.3 - Her Declaration of Independence
Help Thread
Mary Wollstonecraft published A Vindication of the Rights of Woman one of the earliest works of feminist philosophy in January 1792.
Option 1, Read TWO books, one book 1 and one book 2.
Book 1: Read a book from this list of Popular Feminism Books
Required: State the page of the list where your book is found.
Book 2: Read a book by a female author whose initials are found in MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT. Letters may only be used as often as they appear. All name part initials must be considered. One qualifying author in a book by multiple contributors fulfills this task.
OR
Option 2, Read ONE book that fulfills both option 1 Book A and Book B.
15.4 - To Tell the Truth
Help Thread
The television game show “To Tell the Truth” premiered on December 18, 1956. A team of celebrity panelists asked questions to determine which of three contestants was the actual person associated with a story.
option 1: Read TWO books, one Book A and one Book B.
Book A: Read a book with a question mark "?" and/or one of these interrogative words: who, whose, whom, what, where, when, why, which, how, whether, whence in the title or subtitle.
Book B: Read a non-fiction book.
OR
option 2: Read ONE book that fulfills both option 1 Book A and Book B.
15.5 - B-I-N-G-O!
Help Thread
December is Bingo’s Birthday Month. The game of Bingo was first manufactured in December 1929 by Edwin S. Lowe. Read a book where the FIRST word of the title begins with a letter in BINGO. All words must be considered including articles.
15.6 - Multilingual
Help Thread
February 21 is International Mother Language Day, a day that promotes awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Read a book that was originally published in a language other than your native language. The edition you read may be in any language, as long as the first published edition of the book was not in your native language.
Required: In your post, state your native language and the original language of the book.
15.7 - Tales of Middle-earth
Help Thread
J.R.R. Tolkien was born January 3, 1892. He is best known as the author of classic high-fantasy including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Read a book with a main page genre that contains “Fantasy”
15.8 - Not-So-Secret (leavening) Agent
Help Thread
Prepare for your holiday baking with National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, or Baking Soda Day. A day that celebrates the many benefits and uses of Bicarbonate of Soda NaHCO3. Read a book where ALL the letters N A H C O O O (3 O’s) are found in any combination of title, subtitle and author’s name.
ex: The Good Liar by Nicholas Searle
15.9 - It's Summer Somewhere
Help Thread
It's summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Read a book from this list: Summer Beach Reads or with the word "Summer" in the title or subtitle. Plurals, possessives and word variations that preserve the meaning of summer work.
Required: If using the list state the page.
15.10 - The Plane! The Plane!
Help Thread
December 7, 1941. 75 years ago, The Pacific Clipper completes the first around-the-world flight by a commercial airliner. Read a book with an aircraft* on the cover.
*An aircraft is a machine that is able to fly by gaining support from the air that has the ability to carry a person. This includes hot air balloons, dirigibles (blimps), airplanes, biplanes, helicopters, gliders, hang gliders, seaplanes, jets, space shuttles, manned rockets. It does NOT include paper airplanes, kites, party balloons or parachutes.
ex.
Required: Include the cover.
Mod
20.1. Most Improved Player - CynBaxter's Task: Christmas in the Caribbean
Help Thread
My husband and I moved to Puerto Rico earlier this year and are having fun learning about living a tropical life amongst a rich and diverse culture. With 12 hours of sun and stable temperatures in the mid-80’s year ‘round, we frequently forget that it's winter time.
This is a ONE book task. Please choose from the options below. REQUIRED: Indicate in your post the option you chose.
Option 1 - Read a book whose author's* initials can be found in the word CARIBBEAN. Letters may be used as often as they appear in the phrase. Middle initials may be used or ignored.
*Only authors that are identified as authors (or a default blank in the author role field), co-authors, or contributors may be used for tasks involving author information. Other roles or functions such as editor, illustrator, artist, translator, introduction, designed by, foreword, preface, assistant or afterword may not be used for author-sourced tasks. Ask about other roles identified in a Goodreads record in the season's General Questions help thread.
Option 2 - Read a book set in one of the Caribbean countries or written by an author who was born or currently lives in one of the Caribbean countries. For purposes of this task, we will use the list of Caribbean countries found in post 2 of the help thread.
REQUIRED: Please indicate the country in your post. If the country/author's birthplace or residence is not indicated on the Goodreads main page or author biography, include a reference link or quotation from the book to establish the country.
20.2. Rookie at the Top - Justme's Task: Fun & Games
Help Thread
Winter is a great time to relax with family & play games. I thought it would be fun to design a challenge around my all time favorite games.
Please select ONE task from the following:
REQUIRED: Identify in your post the option you chose.
1. Cards
In honor of my mother, who taught me so much about having fun & thinking for myself. No matter where you are, cards are a great way to pass the time. There are so many games, whether alone or with friends, I'll never run out of something new or an old favorite to play. I played Hearts & Crazy Crazy 8s (before there was a dedicated deck) with my mom, growing up. I played Eucre in Peace Corps. I played Cribbage & Rummy with DH &, much later, with my son. Just to name a few. And I cannot even begin to imagine the countless hours I played solitaire before having a PC. What a wonderful invention.
Read a book that includes one of these words in the title/subtitle or series title: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades, Card, or Cards. No variations permitted.
2. Dungeons & Dragons
The original, sitting around a table with a bunch of other geeks & nerds; the ultimate opportunity for a fantasy lover to be social! I joined a group & game in progress, Fridays after work in the conference room. Never played the online game...pretty sure it can't compare with an outstanding Dungeon Master.
Read a book with either a two word title in which both words begin with the same letter, or by an author with the same beginning letter for first & last name. Middle names/initials should be ignored. No books with multiple authors can be used.
3. Myst
In honor of a lost soul, DH, father of my son...I met him right after I played Myst, and while I worked overtime, he played at my desk in the office at night. After our wedding, we played Riven together, taking turns...then Exile, while one of us entertained our toddler & helped solve the puzzles. I still haven't finished the series, waiting for my son to grow to an age to enjoy it with me...
Read a book that is # 1, 2 or 3 of a series, and with a title beginning with the letters M, R, or E. If the book is #1 in a series, the title must begin with the letter M; #2, the letter R; #3, the letter E.
4. Volleyball
I played a lot of sports with my son, especially when he was younger. I chose volleyball, because of the variety & possibilities, it was always something we could do, even when he was little or I was injured...balloon volleyball!
Read a book with a balloon or a ball on the cover.
REQUIRED: include the cover when you post.
5. Chocolatier
My son loves to play computer games & we keep trying to find games we both enjoy playing now that he's nearly grown... Well, one game we played quite a bit when he was younger (& I still enjoy) was Chocolatier 3: Decadence...low stress, wander the world, mini-games & design your own chocolates to sell (I always end up craving chocolate & we've even tried our hand and making some). I have some new games keeping my attention right now, but I'm sure I'll be back to making chocolates in the new year.
Read a book about someone who makes chocolates or the chocolate industry. By "industry" I mean to include everything from growing cacao beans, to selling the final product. Not included are consumers of chocolate.
REQUIRED: If not clear in the GR description, include a reference or link explaining how your book fits.
I can't mention chocolates without reminding everyone to buy Fair Trade; you don't want your holiday treats to come from Enslaved Children! I've been educating my community for nearly a decade...and my son is a great advocate, too; an 8 year-old in the candy aisle, he told me, "Mom, you don't want that; that could have been me." 2016 ARTICLE: Big Chocolate Child Labor 2 better chocolate lists: Slave Free Chocolate
Food Empowerment Project Chocolate List
20.3. Best Review - Lorraine's Task: It Was The Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
Help Thread
This quote from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities perfectly sums up my Fall 2016 SRC. It was the best of times because I won the opportunity to create this task for you. It was the worst of times because for the first time in several seasons I ended up in the problem thread. I also ended the season with the lowest point total on the Readerboard since I began participating in the challenge.
This is a one book challenge. Your book must have at least 300 pages.
Books with Children on their GR main page may NOT be used.
REQUIRED: Indicate in your post the option you chose.
Option A: Dickens
In homage to the quote I chose to name this task, read a book by Charles Dickens
Bonus: If you track Golden Oldies, all of his books qualify.
Optional Activity: Read or watch A Christmas Carol, one of Dickens' most well-known works and so fitting for this time of year.
Option B: Commonwealth
I reviewed Commonwealth by Ann Patchett, which gave me the opportunity to create this task. For this option, read a book set in one of these U.S. states, which uses the designation Commonwealth in its official state name: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Virginia. While a character may travel to another place for part of the story, at least 80% of the action must take place in ONE of the states listed above.
Required: If the setting is not apparent from the Goodreads description of the book, provide a link to an outside source confirming this information.
Option C: Lucky Seven
The Fall 2016 season was my 7th participating in the challenge and the first one where I've won an opportunity to create a task. Lucky seven indeed! For this option, read a book first published in a year ending with the number 7.
Bonus: This is a great place to slot those new books you can't wait to read published in 2017!
Option D: If at First You Don't Succeed
Fall 2016 was not the first time I submitted a review for the contest thread; it took several tries before I won. For this task, read a work from one of the authors on this list. It does not have to be the work featured in the piece, but the book you choose must fit the SRC requirements.
Rejected Authors Who Found Success See post 2 in the help thread for a list of the authors.
20.4. Golden Oldies - Mhairi's Task: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Help Thread
I love Christmas movies and one of my all time favourites is Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Inspired by Jack Skellington, the task is as follows:
Choose one of the following options. REQUIRED: State in your post the option that you chose.
Option 1: Read a book with a skeleton, skull, or bones on the cover or one of these words in the title or subtitle. If you choose the "word in title/subtitle" option, plural/singular forms and possessives are allowed - no other variations. REQUIRED: If you choose the cover option, include the cover in your post.
For example, The Skeleton Road or
Option 2. Read a book by an author called Jack or who has a name related to Jack. You can check this list at Behind the Name - Jack
Optional: tell us your favourite festive film!
Mod
Help Thread
This is a one book task. Choose one of the following options. REQUIRED: Specify which option you are using.
Option 1: I love the feeling of accomplishment after I finish reading a "Big Book". It's especially satisfying to close the cover and make room on my shelves when I've read the physical book. Read a book from the first 5 pages of this Goodreads list:
Big Fat Books Worth the Effort
REQUIRED: State the list page on which your selection was found.
Option 2: I also love a well-written short story. How some authors are able to accomplish so much in so few pages is impressive. They are also fun to sneak in on busier days.
Read a book that is a collection of short stories or essays.
Task 20.6. Seasoned Reader – Nicola T's Task: Repos Production’s 7Wonders
Help Thread
I’m a big fan of playing games (whether its role-playing, card, board or video). One of my favourite deck card games is 7Wonders based on the 7 original ancient wonders of the world.
The game is played out in three “ages” using cards that represent different resources or structures. Some cards can only be used in just one or two of the three ages so the player has to be strategic in their planning.
Choose one option from the three below and read one book for that option. Required when you post: State which option you chose .
Option 1: “The first age”
Cards that give you raw resources to build are available in this age.
The resources are : wood, ore, brick and stone
Requirements: Read a book with at least one of these 4 resources found intact in the title/subtitle or featured on the cover.
REQUIRED: If you use the cover option, include the cover in your post and point out the item.
Examples:
The Woods
The Moonstone
Dimestore: A Writer's Life
Option 2: “The second age”
Cards that give you manufactured resources to use are available in this age.
The resources are: glass, paper and cloth
Requirements: Read a book with at least one of these 3 resources found intact in the title/subtitle or featured on the cover.
REQUIRED: If you use the cover option, include the cover in your post and point out the item.
Examples:
The Clothes On Their Backs
A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper
Option 3: “The third age”
Cards that give you guilds are available in this age.
Requirements: Read a book where the title/subtitle contains the word guild or one of the following synonyms for guild: association, society, union, league, alliance, coalition, federation, consortium, syndicate, combine, trust, organization, company, cooperative, partnership, fellowship, club, order, lodge, sisterhood, sorority, brotherhood, fraternity.
For this option, Plurals are allowed but no other variations.
Examples:
Trust Me, I'm Lying
The Fellowship of the Ring
20.7. Shorter is Sweeter - Elizabeth P's Task: One or Two?
Help Thread
I started optometry school in Arizona this past August, and it has pretty much taken over my life. I think most of us know the feeling of going to the eye doctor, being blinded by bright lights and asked the most dreaded of all questions – one or two? Now, as I am learning how to be the doctor who asks that question about 100 times a day, I’m practicing by asking you to choose one or two in this task.
REQUIRED: Specify your option when you post.
Option One: I or Eye?
This might just be me, but every time I hear the word eye I think about the letter “I”, but eye is spelled with two “E”s. It’s especially prevalent when I watch Lord of the Rings for the 45th time and the Eye of Sauron says “I SEE YOU…”. Am I the only one who imagines it as “EYE SEE YOU” instead?
Read a book that has 2 “I”s AND 2 “E”s in the title/subtitle - more than 2 of both/either are okay
Examples: The Girl You Left Behind Works: (I in gIrl, behInd, E in lEft, bEhind)
All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation(I in sIngle, ladIes, e in thE, singlE, more in title/subtitle which is okay)
This Does Not Work: The Midnight Star (two Is, both in mIdnIght, but only one E)
Option Two: To study or not to study?
As a graduate student trying to become a doctor, I am expected to put down my books and study from time to time. Sometimes this is fun, sometimes it’s the worst, but regardless, I’m learning something.
Read a non-fiction book with the main page genre science or health.
20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - no task, because no participant qualified.
20.9 Moderator's pet - Heather (Gibby)'s Task: Celebrating Proofreading
Help Thread
I finally made it through a Challenge without a posting error! I did it through careful proofreading. I am celebrating. proofreading!
This is a one book task, so choose one book from one of the following options. REQUIRED: State in your post the option that you chose.
Option 1: Read a book where the author's initials can be found in the word PROOFREADING. Middle initials may be ignored, and letters may be used as often as they appear in the target word.
For books with two authors only one needs to meet this requirement. Books with more than two authors are not eligible.
Option 2: A Homonym is a word that is pronounced the same but has a different meaning. A heterograph is a type of homonym that has same pronunciation and a different spelling and meaning.
Read a book with a heterograph in the title/subtitle, from one of the following lists:
Heterographs I
Heterographs II
NOTE: Words must match exactly with no variations.
REQUIRED: Identify the heterograph in your title/subtitle and the list and number on the list on which you found the heterography.
Option 3: Because I am celebrating, read a book with a main page genre holiday or Christmas. Genre may be stand alone or imbedded
20.10 - Group Reads.
Help Thread
For Nonfiction - History of Science: The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York
For 2016 Debut Author Fiction: Homegoing
For Opposites Attract: The Prince and the Pauper. NOTE: for this book and this option only, you need not include the ARBF information in your post.
The requirement for task 20.10: You must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
Mod
25.1 - Andy P.'s task: Bookends
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Read one book that satisfies the requirements for Book 1 and another that works for Book 2.
No book with the genre "Children's" or "Kid's" on the book's Good Reads main page may be used for this task.
The combined page count for both books should be at least 500 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
Book 1. Read a book written by a single author in which the First letter of the author's First name is the same as the Last letter of his/her Last name.
examples : Michael Cunningham (M) or Alex Kava (A)
Book 2. Read a book in which the First letter of the First word is the same as the Last letter of the Last word in the title. Titles may contain any number of words including one. Subtitles may not be used.
Examples: The Longest Night (T)] or Escape (E)
25.2 - Perletwo's Task: Timeless: Leonard & Leon
Help Thread
2016 continues to be brutal with the reaping of distinguished artists. In November, in one week, we lost two influential singer/songwriters with 40-plus year careers: Leonard Cohen and Leon Russell.
This is a two-book task. Read one book from each of the following options.
Book 1. Leonard Cohen's best-known and much-covered composition, made famous by the use of John Cale's version in Shrek, is Hallelujah. There's a striking line in the second verse: "Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you."
Read a book with one of these words in the title/subtitle: Beauty, Moonlight, Moon, or Light. Words must match exactly - no variations.
Book 2. Leon Russell's best-known and much-covered composition, made famous by the Carpenters' version, is called A Song for You. It has a line in it that tends to get stuck in people's heads: "I love you in a place where there's no space or time."
Read a book about space travel (set at least 50% on a spaceship or involving the mechanics of space travel) or time travel. The space travel element or the time travel element must show on the book's GR main page, either in the summary or the main page genre listings.
25.3 - Karen Michele's Task: I Wonder…
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Read one book from each of two different options.
REQUIRED: Identify which options you select when you post.
Books with the main page genres of Graphic Novels/Manga/Comics are allowed for this task as long as they meet SRC requirements.
When I look at the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, I can’t help but wonder:
1. How on earth did they built that?
To find out more about the building process, read a book about architecture or an architect from the following list that has been shelved as “architecture” at least 10 times.
Popular Architecture Books
REQUIRED: In your post, specify the page on which your book is found.
2. What secrets lie under the water?
Read a book about anything found under the surface of the water. Fantasy creatures (mermaids, sea monsters, etc) are fine for this task. The book can be set on land as long as something under the water is involved in the story (Loch Ness monster, shipwreck, sunken treasure, etc).
REQUIRED: If the connection is not clear on the Goodreads main page, include a reference link or quote from the book to show that it works.
These lists may give you some ideas. Please remember that just because a book is on the list does not mean that it works for the task or that it meets SRC requirements.
Sea Creatures
Diving the Depths
Loch Ness Monster
3. How can a sculptor envision a finished work when the scales the sculptor is working on are so different?
Read a book about a sculptor or sculpture.
REQUIRED: If the connection is not clear on the Goodreads main page, include a reference link or quote from the book to show that it works.
This list may give you some ideas. Please remember that just because a book is on the list does not mean that it works for the task or that it meets SRC requirements.
Books About Sculpture
4. Will the natural wonders I see around me still be here for my grandchildren and great grandchildren?
To find out more about the joys of the natural world or environmental issues facing our world read a book from the following list that has been shelved as “nature” at least 10 times.
Popular Nature Books
REQUIRED: In your post, specify the page on which your book is found.
25.4 - MegSCL's Task: World AIDS Day
Help Thread
December 1st is World AIDS Day so this task relates to the theme of HIV. Read 2 books. There are three options and you can use two different options or do the same option twice (with conditions noted under each option).
In addition, because World AIDS Day is marked through the wearing of a red ribbon, one of your books must have something red on the cover. It can be any object, big or small, including any titles, text, or backgrounds. REQUIRED: Post the cover and point out the object in your post.
Option 1: The three countries with the highest number of people living with HIV are South Africa, Nigeria, and India. Taking population size into account, the highest rates of HIV are seen in Botswana, Swaziland, and Lesotho.
Read a book set (at least 50%) in one of these six countries, or by an author born in one of these countries. If you choose this option twice you must use two different countries. REQUIRED: If the setting or author's birthplace is not clear from the book's main page or his/her Goodreads biographical information, include a reference or a quote from the book to establish the setting/birthplace.
Option 2: HIV can be transmitted through sex, blood, or (rarely) childbirth.
Read a book with a main page genre of erotica, vampires, or pregnancy. Variations such as ‘erotic fiction’ and embedded genres such as paranormal>vampires are allowed. If you choose this option twice you must use two different genres.
Option 3: Did you know that TB is the biggest cause of death in people with HIV? Many famous writers also suffered from TB, particularly in the 19th century.
Read a book written by or about (must be mentioned in the goodreads description) one of the authors listed on this page: List of Tuberculosis Cases under the Writers and Poets category. If you choose this option twice you must use two different writers.
25.5 - Sarah BR's Task: A Return to Stars Hollow
Help Thread
Choose two options from the 4 listed below and read 1 book for each option. REQUIRED: State in your post the options you chose.
The total page count for both books MUST be at least 500 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
2016 marks the return of beloved television series Gilmore Girls. So this task will center around this fact.
Option 1: Rory's reading list
Rory was known for always carrying a book in the earlier seasons so read a book off of the listopia for Rory's reading list.
The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge Complete List.
REQUIRED: List the number on the list of the book you chose.
Option 2: Please, Luke. Please, please, please!
This line both opened the pilot episode and as the opening voice over in the recent remake. This was said between main characters Lorelai and Luke about getting a cup of coffee.
For this option read a book with a cup of coffee or coffee beans on the cover. REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.
Examples:
Option 3: Where you lead
Carole King's song "Where you lead" was known for being the theme song for the series. For this option read a book with at least a 4 letter word from the song within the title/subtitle. Where You Lead lyrics Plural/singular versions of the words work, no other variations.
REQUIRED: Specify the song word in your post.
Option 4: Running gag
One character Kirk is known throughout the series for holding an odd job for one episode.
For this option choose a job from Kirk's Odd Jobs list and
read a book in which a main character performs a similar job. Some jobs are more straight forward than others.
REQUIRED: State the character and the job that s/he performs. If the job is not clear from the Goodreads description, provide a quotation from the book demonstrating the job.
Mod
Help Thread
As a born and bred Londoner, while I acknowledge that my hometown may not be an Ancient Wonder, at two millennia old, it’s no spring chicken, and in my (possibly biased!) view, it’s definitely wonderful. So this task celebrates the City of London.
Read two books, from two different options below. REQUIRED: State in your post the options you chose.
Option 1. Domine Dirige Nos: The Latin motto of the City of London is Domine Dirige Nos, which roughly translates as Lord, Guide Us or Lord, Defend Us.
Read a book where the initial letters of the author’s name can be found in DOMINE DIRIGE NOS. All of the author's initials, as listed on Goodreads, must be found in the phrase. If the book has multiple authors, then only one author’s initials need to be found in the phrase.
Examples: Diane Mott Davidson works - target phrase has 2 Ds and 1 M. Suzette Haden Elgin does NOT work - target phrase contains S and E, but no H.
Option 2. History: One of the cool things about the City is that you can walk down a street and see modern skyscrapers juxtaposed with Roman and Medieval ruins and buildings. The unique rights of the City of London as a city within a city, were even laid out in the Magna Carta.
Read a book with the main page genre of History or Historical Fiction The book must be about or set at least 75% in either London or England. REQUIRED: If the setting is not clear from the book's main page, include a reference or quote from the book establishing the setting.
Option 3. Livery Companies: A lot of surnames originally came from jobs and professions, eg Carpenter, Gardener, Weaver, etc. The City Livery Companies are the successors of the original Medieval Guilds.
Read a book by an author whose surname matches one of the 110 Livery professions (without the s on the end). If the Livery has multiple words (eg Wax Chandlers, Tallow Chandlers, Tylers and Bricklayers) then you only need to match one of the words. “Smith” and “Wright” are acceptable alternatives for Blacksmiths and Shipwrights, but there are no other exceptions. The list can be found here: Livery Companies of London
If the book has multiple authors, then only one author’s name need match.
Examples: Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers - Raymond Chandler; Worshipful Company of Turners - Steve Turner
Option 4. Mythology: London has developed its own mythology during the 2000+ years of its existence, and recently this has been picked up on by various speculative fiction authors.
Read a book from the following list of speculative fiction set in London: Fantasy/SF Set in London. REQUIRED: state the page and number of your book on the list.
Option 5. And finally…Postman’s Park: Near St Paul’s Cathedral is a little park which is most notable for the “Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice”, which commemorates ordinary people who died saving the lives of others.
Read a book by an author who shares a name with one of those commemorated. The name must match exactly, but can be in any position. You can find the list here: Tablets on the Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice
If the book has multiple authors, then only one author’s name need match.
Example: Thomas Griffin - Thomas Perry, Sherry Thomas, Kate Griffin.
25.7 - Dakimel’s task: Podcast Recommendations
Help Thread
I am single-minded. I love writing, reading, and talking about books. I branch out by listening to podcasts about books. Some of my favorite book podcasts have Goodreads groups.
This is a 1 or 2 book task, but you must read a total of at least 500 pages.
Books with the genres "Sequential Art", "Comics", "Comic Book", and "Manga" are approved for this task. All other SRC rules apply, including the printed page rule (only books with a print version on GR work for page length required tasks.)
For this task, read a book or books found on any of these bookshelves. If reading two books, they may appear on the same bookshelf, or different bookshelves.
Overdue Podcast bookshelf
I Don’t Even Own A Television Podcast bookshelf (warning: this podcast’s goal is to discuss less-than-stellar books)
So Many Damn Books Podcast bookshelf
Reading Women Podcast bookshelf
Books & Boba Podcast bookshelf
REQUIRED: State on which bookshelf and which page of that bookshelf your found your book(s).
OPTIONAL: Check out any of these podcasts that are new to you – your ears will thank you!
25.8 - Beth F's Task: Backwards Alphabet Code
Help Thread
The Backwards Alphabet Code is very simple. All you have to do is make a list of all the letters in the alphabet, and then make another list right next to it, of all the letters in backwards order. Kind of like this...
A = Z
B = Y
C = X
D = W
...and so on. Please refer to the help thread for a complete listing.
NOTE: Books with the genres "Sequential Art", "Comics", "Comic Book", and "Manga" may be used.
The total combined page count for both books MUST be at least 500 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
For this task only, ignore the articles that begin a title: a, an, the.
Book 1 - Ignoring the articles "the", "a" and "an", read a book whose title begins with a letter in the left-hand column.
Book 2 - Ignoring the articles "the", "a" and "an", read a book whose title begins with the letter in the right-hand column that corresponds to the letter you selected from the left-hand.
For example:
(1) D = Dad Is Fat
(2) W = Wintergirls
(1) P = The Pact
(2) K = The Knitting Circle
(1) H = Heart of the Matter
(2) S = The Shining
Mod
25.9 - Brooke TX's Task: Is It Ancient, or Just a Classic?
Help Thread
When the challenge theme for this season was announced, my mind immediately went not to actual wonders of the ancient world, but to a wonder from my ancient history: high school Latin Club, also known as the Junior Classical League. So, here's a task inspired by that nerdiest of school extracurriculars!
This is a two book task. You may choose two different options from the choices below, or read two books that satisfy the same option. REQUIRED: In your post, specify the option(s) you chose.
Option 1: My high school's Latin club had a mascot, Fluffus (a giant rabbit, sometimes emperor, sometimes legionnaire), who was featured on our yearly club T-shirts with a variety of catch phrases. Read a book whose title/subtitle contains a word of at least 4 letters that can be made from the letters found in "QUIS EST CAESAR TIBI NUNC?" Letters may only be used as many times as they appear. REQUIRED: State the word you are using in your post.
Option 2: The main occupation of JCL, other than making awesome T-shirts, was competing in various academic tests of your Latin and Greek knowledge at various local and state conventions. There were tests on grammar, vocabulary, mythology, and history, but if you were really good, you competed in the decathlon or pentathlon, which included a little bit of everything. Read a book that is #5 or #10 in a series. The book must be identified as (Series #5) or (Series#10)
on Goodreads.
Option 3: In addition to these written tests, there's also the Certamen, which combines two nerdtastic pastimes - Latin Club and Quiz Team (for the record, I was an unashamed member of both) - into one epic nerdfest. Read a book whose author's first and last name initials can be found in CERTAMEN. If more than one author is listed, all authors' initials must be found in CERTAMEN.
Option 4: For some reason, despite the fact that it is entirely unrelated to Latin, Greek, or anything else involved in the JCL, every convention that I remember attending involved at least one viewing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Read a book with the main page genre Humor or Funny.
25.10 – Pamela3265's Task: Tis the Season
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Choose two different options below and read a book for each option.
I look forward to the months of December, January, and February. There is a lot of time spent with family and friends during this time celebrating holidays and special events. This task is designed around some of the events I enjoy during this time.
Option 1: The Christmas Season
One of my favorite activities during the Christmas season is exchanging Christmas cards and letters with family and friends. I love reflecting on the impact these individuals have had on my life.
For this option read a book by an author whose first and last initals can be found in CHRISTMAS CARDS.
Option 2: New Years Eve
New Years Eve is usually a quiet gathering with friends. We each bring a couple of snacks to share and enjoy reminiscing about the year and watch a movie. Many of our favorite movies are based on British literature.
For this option read a book that appears on this list: British Literature at the Movies
Required: Identify what page of the list the book appears on.
Option 3: January Birthdays
Three of my favorite people have birthdays in January: my grandmother will turn 86, my oldest niece will turn 17, and my second niece will turn 14. My grandmother and I often discuss the past or watch a Hallmark movie (most frequently a romance). My nieces and I share a love of reading young adult, fantasy, and science fiction books.
For this option read a book with a main page genre of history, historical fiction, romance, young adult, fantasy or science fiction. Genres can be embedded.
Option 4: February 1st – My birthday
Instead of making New Years resolutions, I set goals each year on my birthday for the coming year. I usually set goals in four areas: Physical Growth, Emotional Health, Educational Growth, and Spiritual Growth.
For this option read a nonfiction book with a main page genre of self-improvement, fitness, nutrition, mental health, education, spiritual, or religion. Genres may be embedded.
Option 5: Presidents Day
When I attended Idaho State University, my roommates and I lived about 30 minutes away from a natural hot spring with pools that were open year round. We started the tradition of going to the hot spring each year on President’s Day since classes were cancelled. It’s a mad dash through the snow from the dressing rooms to the hot pools. Your hair often freezes while you relax from the rising steam that then freezes in the cold.
For this option read a book with snow on the cover.
REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post
Task 25.11 - Wayne's Task: A Festivus for the Rest of Us!
Help Thread
There are a number of holidays that take place in December: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, just to name a few. However, my favorite holiday doesn't get the attention it deserves: Festivus. For my task, we will celebrate this wonderful holiday, Goodreads style!
This is a two-book task. Read one book from each of two different options.
The total page count for both books MUST be at least 500 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
REQUIRED: Identify which options you select when you post.
Option 1 - The Characters: Festivus first came to public attention due to a 1987 Seinfeld episode called "The Strike." All of the main characters, Jerry Seinfeld, George Costanza, Elaine Benes, and Cosmo Kramer, attended the celebration, and George's father, Frank Costanza, was very important as the Festivus founder.
Read a book whose author's initials are JS, GC, EB, CK, or FC. The initials must be in this order. Middle names or initials are to be ignored. If the book has two authors, only one need have the required initials. Books with more than two authors cannot be used for this option.
Option 2 - The Festivus Pole: Traditionally, the Festivus pole is made of aluminum because of its high strength to weight ratio. However, for our celebration, the pole does not have to be made of metal.
Read a book that has a pole on the cover. The "pole" can be somewhat tapered, such as a baseball bat or pool cue. The pole can also have some kind of head or attachment which, if removed, would make a good pole. I'm thinking here of things such as golf clubs or gardening tools such as rakes or shovels.
Examples:
REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post. Point out the object on the cover and explain how it fits the task.
Option 3 - The Airing of Grievances: This very important part of the Festivus celebration involves telling your friends and family everything they have done over the past year that disappointed you, and usually begins with a statement such as "I got a lot of problems with you people!"
Read a book that so disappointed one of your GR friends that they only gave it a 1 or 2 star rating.
REQUIRED: Include the name of your GR friend in your post.
Option 4 - The Feats of Strength: This is the final Festivus ritual, and requires that the head of the household is wrestled to the floor and pinned. In fact, Festivus does not end until this is accomplished! This task also upset George so much that the mere mention of it would cause him to run from the room in tears. Of course, we SRC members are of a more cerebral type, and are more interested in feats of emotional, intellectual, or psychic strength.
Read a book from one of these two lists:
Books with Strong Women Characters
Strong Male Characters
REQUIRED: Include which list you used and which page your book is on when you post
Option 5 - The Big Day: Some people consider Festivus to be a floating holiday that can be held on any day and even more than once a year if they like. However, most people hold Festivus on December 23.
Read a book that is 2nd, 3rd, or 23rd in a series. This must be indicated by the book's metadata on Goodreads, and must be marked as either #2, #3, or #23 in the series.
Happy Festivus everyone!
Mod
30.1 - Maya's Task : Good Things Come in Pairs
Help Thread
Some of the best things come in pairs! Peanut butter and jelly, forks and spoons, milk and Oreos... the combinations are endless!
Books with the main page genres of Graphic Novels/Manga/Comics are allowed for this task as long as they meet SRC requirements!
Choose one pair of the following and read the two books for that pair. You CANNOT mix and match pairs!
One:
A: Read a book that is 1st in a series. This must be indicated by the book's metadata on Goodreads, and must be marked as #1 in the series (no .5 prequels).
AND
B: Read the 2nd book in the same series as book A. This must be indicated by the book's metadata on Goodreads, and must be marked as #2 in the series.
Two:
A: Read a book written by a new-to-you author.
REQUIRED: You must indicate this is a new-to-you author!
AND
B: Read another book by the same author, but it cannot be in the same series!
Three:
A: Read a book with only black text on the cover.
REQUIRED: You must post the cover when you claim this task! Examples:
AND
B: Read a book with only white text on the cover.
REQUIRED:You must post the cover when you claim this task! Examples:
30.2: SCHATZIE’S TASK: Pros & Cons
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Read one book from each option.
Within the next 2 months, I’ll be changing jobs at work, which like most things, has its pros and cons.
Option One: The PROs
The PROs are: better hours and more time with family.
Read a book from one of these two lists:
Best Happiness Books
OR
Best Books About Family Relationships
Required: State which list you used and what page number your book can be found on.
Option Two: CONs
The biggest CON with this change is that I won’t be able to listen to AUDIOBOOKS all day long like I do now. Read a book that contains at least 3 of these 4 vowels in the title and subtitle (A-I-O-U). They need to appear at least once (and it's ok if they appear more than once), but there can be NO “e” used in either the title or subtitle.
Examples:
Aquarium - vowels, a, i, u
Plainsong - vowels a, i, o
Turn Coat - a, o, u
Faithful - a, i, u
A Night Too Dark - a i, o
Anansi Boys- a, i, o
30.3 - Daphne's Task: Atlas Obscura
Help Thread
I'm a TOTAL fan of traveling, and especially the site Atlas Obscura that explores and celebrate those obscure, interesting, and totally awesome places in the world that you never knew you wanted to visit. My mother, brother, and I make sure to travel at least once a year together to share the world and those experiences inherent in travel that we can enjoy together.
My mom's motto is, "I am going to leave you kids with memories - not things."
For this task, I've hit random place six times on the site to discover six new places, and have built the tasks around them.
Read 1 book from each of 2 different options. REQUIRED: Indicate in your post which options you are using.
Minimum page count for the two books combined is 600 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
1. The Thompson Ice House Harvesting Museum - Thompson Ice House Harvesting Museum
In 1826, Asa Thompson dammed a small brook from natural springs on his property and created Thompson Pond. Initially, he cut ice for his farm, but soon his neighbors wanted some, so he began a commercial ice business. Soon after, he built an ice house for storage of this sought-after commodity. Thompson Pond ice was sought after by local fishermen, yachtsmen, refrigerated trucks transporting shellfish, local and summer residents and even people who just wanted to make ice cream. Five generations of the Thompson family and two private contractors ran the ice business until 1985.
For this option, read a book with one of 55 words for snow in the title or subtitle. This list is from FIFTY-FIVE ENGLISH WORDS FOR SNOW.
The title/subtitle word must match exactly. No variations work. If the list includes a phrase (i.e. "snow bank"), the entire phrase must be found in the title/subtitle of the book.
2. Kravice Waterfalls - Kravice Waterfalls- Plunging from cliffs as high as 83 feet into a natural, watery amphitheater that is almost 500 feet across, the series of waterfalls at Kravice are nestled in a natural reserve southwest of the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For this task, read a book with a waterfall on the cover. This must be a waterfall found in nature, but it need not be as massive as Kravice Waterfalls! REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.
3. Kakira Imigongo Cooperative - Kakira Imigongo Cooperative- For generations, cow dung has been used to create a striking and truly unique art form found only in Rwanda, called imigongo. Despite the rather unconventional medium, the characteristic colorful geometric patterns of traditional imigongo paintings would fit right in with most modern decor.
For this task, read a book set completely in Africa or written by an author born in Africa. If the African connection isn't clear on the book's main page or author's Goodreads profile, please provide a link or reference from the book that establishes the setting or author's birthplace.
4. Calistoga Pioneer Cemetery - Calistoga Pioneer Cemetary- This historic California cemetery holds the bodies of veterans of both the Civil War and the Donner Party
For this task, read a book with a single grave or cemetery on the cover. REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.
5. Territorio de Zaguates (Land of Strays) - Land of Strays - One rescue is different—up in the mountains, Territorio de Zaguates celebrates the unique mix of each dog it takes in. Veterinarians at the free-range shelter did their best to analyze the mutts’ physical traits to take a guess at the breeds they might contain. They then gave each dog their own unique pedigree, with names like the “Furry Pinscher Spaniel” and the “Freckled Terrierhuahua.” An inspired artist painted beautiful portraits of the pedigreed mutts.
For this task, read a book with the main page genre of Dogs, Animals, or Wolves. Can be embedded or standalone.
6. Green Island Human Rights Culture Park - Green Island Human Rights Cultural Park- A memorial to the thousands of political dissidents imprisoned during the 38-year period of martial law in Taiwan.
For this task, read a book from this list: Popular Social Justice Books. The book must have been shelved as "social justice" at least 10 times.
REQUIRED: Include in your post the page # of the list on which your book is found.
Mod
Task 30.4 - Mazza1's Task - Readers Recommend
Help Thread
I am really excited to be setting a task for only my second SRC. This task is inspired by the group read in Fall 2016 – The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
A minimum of 600 pages is required for this task.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
You may satisfy this requirement by reading either 1 or 2 books.
If you choose the 1 book option, it must have at least 600 pages, and must satisfy 2 of the listed criteria.
Example: The Best and the Brightest has an average rating of 4.25, satisfying the first criterion. It is #55 on the list linked in Option 6, satisfying that criterion.
It has 720 pages.
If you choose the 2 book option, the 2 books must be selected from different options and the two books must have a combined page total of at least 600.
REQUIRED: In your post, specify whether you are using the 1 or 2 book option. In either case, you must specify which 2 options are satisfied by your choice(s).
OPTION 1 - Reader ratings
Read a book with an average GR rating above 4.24 (that is, at least 4.25).
NOTE: – you may want to get your choice approved in the help thread as ratings can change frequently.
OPTION 2 – Awards Season
Read a book that features as a winner or nominee on the GR choice awards for 2016 (winners announced end of November) Goodreads Choice Awards
REQUIRED – identify the category in which the book is nominated
OPTION 3 Birthday Bests
Read a book that features on the best books for the decade in which you were born
Best Books by Decades
REQUIRED: Provide a link to the list that you used, and identify the decade of your birth and the page number of the list on which your book is found.
OPTION 4 - Hidden gems
Read a book from the following list of 21 Brilliant Books you never heard of
21 Brilliant Books You've Never Heard Of
NOTE: A list of these books is posted in Post 2 of the help thread.
OPTION 5 Reading Through Your Ears
Audio books are a new find for me I love them, I listen when walking or driving the car and they are often a much slower delight for my reading mind. Read a book from the following list of the 20 best Audio books of all time
20 Best Audiobooks
A list of the books is included in Post 3 of the help thread.
Of course you don’t HAVE to read it on Audio but they are all available at http://www.audible.co.uk or the US equivalent and you can get a free month’s trial of Audible at most times. Perhaps it will open a whole new “reading” option
OPTION 6 – Reading to Broaden your mind
I don’t think non-fiction plays a high enough role on many TBR shelves so your final option is to pick a book from Time Magazines 100 best non-fiction books of all time
100 Best Non-Fiction Books
Task 30.5 - Dlmrose's Task: This and that, then this or that
Help Thread
Read 2 books, one book 1 and one book 2
Book 1: Read a book with a title or subtitle that contains an “and” coordinating conjunction phrase: “[word] and [word]”. Ampersands “&” are considered “and” for this task.
Book 2: Using the “and” phrase from Book 1, read a book whose title begins with one of the words joined by the “and” as described below. Words must match exactly.
Use the word immediately preceding the “and”
OR
Use the word following the “and”. If the word is an article (the, a, an) you must also use the word that follows the article.
Example
Book 1: A Court of Thorns and Roses.
Book 2’s title must begin with “Thorns” or “Roses”
Book 1: The Rose and the Thorn.
Book 2’s title must begin with “Rose” or “The Thorn”
Book 1: An Officer and a Spy.
Book 2’s title must begin with “Officer” or “A Spy”
30.6 - Ava Catherine’s Task: Travels
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Read one book from each of two different options.
Required: Identify which options you select when you post.
No book with the main page genre Children or Kids may be used, and your books must have a combined total of 500 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
Since my family has always traveled during December, I thought it would be interesting to associate books with areas of travel.
Book 1: Nags Head, North Carolina
When I was a child my family had a vacation home on Nags Head, North Carolina, USA. We spent almost all of our vacation days there, and I have such fond memories of it that my family goes there often, too. It is very close to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright Brothers flew their first airplane.
>>Read a book with an airplane on the cover. This refers to a real airplane, which is a means of transportation. It includes airplanes, biplanes, helicopters, gliders, seaplanes, and jets, but it does not include hot air balloons, blimps, space shuttles, rockets, toy airplanes, paper airplanes, kites, or parachutes.
Required: You must include the cover when posting.
Book 2: Jackson Hole, Wyoming
>>Read a book with the main page genre western. The genre may be stand alone or embedded.
Book 3: Key West, Florida
Since this is the home of Ernest Hemingway, I tend to think of classics.
>>Read a book with the main page genre classic(s).
Book 4: Kyoto, Japan
Fishing is a main industry for the Japanese and a primary food source.
>>Read a book with a picture of a fish on the cover. This could be a live fish or a fish that has been caught and is being shown as a fisherman’s catch. A fish being served on a platter is acceptable as long as it is recognizable as a fish. Dolphins and whales are acceptable although they are actually mammals.
Required: You must include the cover when posting.
Book 5: London, England
>>Read a book with the main page genre historical fiction or history. These may be stand alone or embedded.
Task 30.7 - Jonquil’s Task: Dreams are made of this
Help Thread
We didn’t have much money when I was a kid, so my Mom created family traditions that were virtually free. Each December, for the cost of a subway token (twenty cents), we would head into Manhattan to look at the department store windows decorated for the holidays. The themes would vary, but most revolved around cozy home scenes: bears hibernating in quilt-covered beds, Mrs. Claus baking pies, family dinners, a young couple decorating their first Christmas tree, menorahs on mantles, animated puppies pulling on gift box ribbons. Riding home, I would fantasize what it would feel like to live in one of those gorgeous rooms.
Many cities have or had department stores known for their holiday-themed windows, but we will focus on just five cities. Your book’s location must be within the city (not a suburb or the county, etc.).
THIS IS A TWO BOOK TASK.
Book 1: Read a book that takes place (80%) in one of these cities: Chicago, USA; Toronto, Canada; Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; or London, England.
Book 2: Read a second book that takes place (80%) in one of the remaining four cities. The city for book 2 cannot be the same as the city for book 1.
REQUIRED: If the settings are not evident on the books' main pages include a reference or quote from the book that establishes the setting when you post.
Mod
30.8 - Sandy's Task: Old and Awesome
Help Thread
This is a 2 book task. No book with the main page genre Childen or Kids may be used, and your books must have a combined total of at least 500 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
Book 1: Read a book that has the word “ancient” or one of these synonyms for various meanings of “ancient” in its title/subtitle: old, past, early, antique, archaic, bygone.
Book 2: Read a book that has the word “wonder” or one of these synonyms for various meanings of “wonder” in its title/subtitle: surprise, awe, sight, marvel, question, ponder.
Plurals and possessives are allowed – no other variations.
30.9 - Catherine T's Task: Construction Wonders
Help Thread
I have spent the last 6 months looking out of my office window onto a construction site, watching in fascination at all the work going into digging a large hole in the middle of tourist London. The machines, the logistics, and it still takes forever to make progress - I can only imagine the effort required to build the Ancient Wonders!
Read two books, one from each of the following options. One of the books must be new to you, the other a re-read. In your completed task post, you must indicate which book is new and which is a re-read.
No books with the genre childrens or kids may be used for this task - this is NOT child's play!
So, in honour of the construction process:
1. Read a book where at least 7 of the letters in CONSTRUCTION can be found in the title/subtitle. You do not need to find 7 different letters - that is, your title/subtitle will work for "7 letters" if it contains C, O, N, T twice, since those letters appear twice in the word CONSTRUCTION.
CONSTRUCTION:
2 C
2 O
2 N
1 S
2 T
1 R
1 U
1 I
Examples:
1. Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream -
2 C
1 O
2 N
2 T
2. The Post-American World -
1 C
2 O
1 N
2 T
1 R
3. Revolutionary Road -
2 O
1 N
1 T
1 R
1 U
1 I
REQUIRED: In your completed task post, indicate the letters used and their number, as in the examples above.
2. Read a non-fiction book with the main page genre engineering or history.
Mod
50.1 - Allison Ann's Task: Celebrating Birthdays
Help Thread
For this task, you will read three books, one from each option below. No books with the main page genre childrens or kids may be used for this task.
The offer to write the 50 point task came right after my birthday, so I thought, why not celebrate birthdays, or mine anyway. You will need to state your birthday for this task - if you don't want to disclose it online feel free to generate a random one. If someone wants to steal my identity, I will probably just fake my death and run away from home, but I realise not everyone is as blase as I.
Here's a random date generator. Please use dates within 5 years of your actual birthday.
When you click on the random date generator, first choose "1" as the number of dates to be generated. Then put in the starting and ending dates for your search. If your real birthday is January 1, 1950, you would enter January 1, 1945 as the starting date, and December 31, 1955 as the ending date.
In Step 2, check off all the days of the week.
In Step 3, select a date format. For SRC posting purposes, choose one of the "month first" options.
Click "get dates" and you'll have a brand new birthdate for purposes of this task.
REQUIRED: You must include in your post the birthdate you are using (actual or randomly generated), and you must use the same date for all options.
Alrighty, on we go. My birthday is January 14, 1970. Amazon gift certificates are always welcome, thank you. :D
Book 1 – Month: Read a book that meets at least two of the three criteria:
a) First published in the month you were born, of any year. The month MUST be present in the Goodreads record.
b) Title starts with the first letter of the month in which you were born (include all articles). January = J, February = F, etc.
c) Cover is at least 50% the colour of your birthstone. This is the list I'm going with.
January - red
February - purple
March - blue
April - white
May - green
June - purple
July - red
August - green
September - blue
October - pink
November - yellow
December - blue-green
Example: If you were born in September, you might choose
by Darynda Jones because it starts with an S and has a blue cover.REQUIRED: State in your post how your book fits the criteria of this option. Include the cover if using option c.
Book 2 – Day: Read a book with your birth date (day) intact in the GR book rating, if you were born on a single digit day you must use a leading zero in your rating.
Examples: if your birthdate is the 5th of the month, you will use a book with an average rating containing "05." The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction currently has a rating of 4.05. If you were born on the 27th, Gone with the Wind currently has a rating of 4.27.
Since ratings can change, you might want to get your rating noted in the help thread.
Book 3 – Year: Take your year of birth and subtract your age. Read a book first published in that new year.
If you have made up your birthday, you now have to figure out how old you would be if that was your real birthday.
So, if you were (air quotes) born on December 31, 1999 (air quotes) you would be 17 years old and have a Prince song written about you. 1999 - 17 = 1982. Here's a list of popular books published in 1982. You could read A is for Alibi (it's good, you'll like it - there's no internet or cell phones, it's like historical fiction for 17 year olds).
You can change the year on the Popular Books list to the year you come up with after subtracting your age from your birth year. The popular book lists only go back as far as 1917, so if you were born before 1967, you can read any book first published before 1917.
No I am not punishing you with math, I just avoid the seedy underbelly of the internet. It is all acapella singing competitions and puppy videos where I live. I don't want to think about hackers hanging out in book chats. So strange.
REQUIRED: Please show your math! Example: 1999 - 17 = 1982.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
A Is for Alibi (other topics)Second Grave on the Left (other topics)
Gone with the Wind (other topics)
The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction (other topics)
A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Darynda Jones (other topics)Ann Patchett (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
Steve Turner (other topics)
Suzette Haden Elgin (other topics)
More...
5.1 - The Ancients
Help Thread
Read a book written by an author whose first and last name initials can be found in ANCIENT. Letters may only be used as often as they appear. A last name is a name in the final position preceded by a space. One qualifying author in a work by multiple contributors works.
5.2 - Location, Location, Location
Help Thread
Read a book set at least 50% in a location of an ancient wonder: Egypt, Iraq, Greece, Turkey.
Required: If the setting is not evident on the book's main page include a reference or quote from the book when you post.
5.3 - Sole Survivor
Help Thread
Of the ancient seven wonders, only one, the Great Pyramid, exists today. Read a book that is number 1 in a series. It must be identified as #1 in a series in the Goodreads metadata (series #1).
5.4 - Best Laid Plans
Help Thread
Didn't quite finish last time? Read a book that fits one of the Fall 2016 5, 10 or 15 point tasks. You may not use Task 5.10 or 15.2 option A. You may use a single book A or B option from tasks 15.1, 15.2B, 15.3, 15.4.
Required: When you post, indicate which Fall 2016 task you are using, and include any information required by the task.
5.5 - December, January, February
Help Thread
December is the 12th month, January is the 1st and February is the 2nd. Read a book with the number of pages as listed on Goodreads that includes the number 1 or 2.
*NOTE: ebooks without a print edition cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook, listen to an audiobook or read a Large Print edition use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition. See the rules for the complete method.
5.6 - Jolly Old St Nicholas
Help Thread
St. Nicholas had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, a practice celebrated on his feast day, 6 December. Read a book written by an author named “Nicholas” or any of the related names found at Behind the Name- Nicholas such as Nick, Colin, Nils, Nicole, Colette. The related names are listed in post 2 of the Help Thread. The name may be found in any name position. Name variations are limited to those found at the link- NO other variations. Diacritical marks may be ignored. One qualifying author in a work with multiple contributors works.
5.7 - Long, Long Ago
Help Thread
Read a book from this list of Popular Ancient Books
Required: State the page.
5.8 - Full Moon
Help Thread
Native American tribes kept track of time by observing the lunar months. Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle from the names used by various tribes to describe the winter season’s moons: long, night, cold, wolf, old, snow, hunger. Plurals, possessives and word variations that preserve the meaning of the word such as hungry work.
5.9 - Listmaker
Help Thread
The Seven Wonders were first defined by Philo of Byzantium in 225 BCE. Read a book that was FIRST published in a year that contains the numbers 2 AND 5 such as 1952, 2005 or 2015.
5.10- Your Own 8th Wonder
Help Thread
Read a book of your choice. Note: Books with the genre "children" or "kids" NOT found in AR Bookfinder MAY be used for this task. Required: If using this exemption, state that the book is not found in ARBookFinder.