The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.3 - Bryony's Task: Enjoy the Journey

Spring was my first time participating in the SRC. I was so determined to finish the challenge that I ended up not reading some of the longer or more challenging books that I'd originally shortlisted as I knew I'd struggle to finish them in time. I don't regret this as I discovered some great new authors and really enjoyed the books I read. However, my goal for the summer challenge will be to slow down and enjoy the journey rather than racing full steam ahead to the finish line.

So in this task I invite you to join me in reading some books that put the challenge into the SRC.

Please choose one of the following options and read book 1 and book 2 from that option. You must read two books with a total page count of at least 500 pages. REQUIRED: Include in your post the option you chose.

Option 1: The long and winding road
Book one: Read any book that is at least 500 pages long.

Book two: Read any book from Buzzfeed's list of the 25 most challenging books you will ever read.

Option 2: I am the walrus
Did you know that this Beatles song refers to a poem titled 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' which appears in the classic book Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll?

Book one: How often do you hear someone mention a classic book and think to yourself "I really should have read that"? Read a book that has been shelved as 'classics' at least 2,000 times on this Goodreads list.
REQUIRED: Include the page of the list on which your book is found in your post.

Book two: We all have books we mean to read but keep putting off because they're long, or a bit intimidating. Read a book that has been on your TBR for at least a year. If you don't have a TBR then read a book you've been planning to read for at least a year.

Option 3: Paperback writer
It's summer! Who has time for long books and complicated plots? What about a good old page turner to read on your summer holiday?

Book one: Airport novels are usually defined as fast-paced, easy to read, intriguing books that a traveller buys to keep them entertained on a long journey. They are published in paperback and sold at airport news stands. Read a book by a single author who appears on Wikipedia's list of writers of airport novels.

Book two: Once you've finished your airport novel you'll need a book to enjoy while you sit on the beach sipping your favourite drink. Read a book with any of the following items on the cover: the sun
a swimming pool
a beach
a hotel - identified by a sign or name on the building
ice cream
a sun lounger or beach chair
a parasol - for sun protection, not a rain umbrella
a sandal or pair of sandals.
REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.

Approved

Option 3, book 2
Beach on cover:


Parasol on cover:


Sandal(s) on cover:

Not approved

Option 3, book 1:
Homeroom Diaries (not by a single author)
3rd Degree (not by a single author)

Option 3, book 1:

This thread is now open.

just a note, the classics list is defaulting to pg 5, not pg 1

Dee wrote: "just a note, the classics list is defaulting to pg 5, not pg 1"

Thanks, Dee.

For option 3 book 1. Does it need to be a book written soley by the author on the list or can it be two as long as one is in the list. For example. This book Homeroom Diaries is written by James Patterson but another author is noted too.

Please confirm for sandals on the cover. As they are high heeled sandals, I'm not sure if they qualify.

Thanks.

JennRenee wrote: "For option 3 book 1. Does it need to be a book written soley by the author on the list or can it be two as long as one is in the list. For example. This book Homeroom Diaries is wri..."

Ditto ... I was thinking of
Which has Patterson's name prominently on the cover, but also notes "and Andrew Gross" in little letters beneath Patterson's BIG name.

"Please choose one of the following options and read book 1 and book 2 from that option. You must read two books with a total page count of at least 500 pages."

Just to clarify, does each book have to be 500 pages or both books combined equals 500 pages? I'm pretty sure the answer is the latter, but I just want to be sure.

Thanks!

Parasol she's holding? The series is part of Parasol Protectorate sooo, but I just wanted to make sure!

Hi,

For beach on cover?


Thanks!

JennRenee wrote: "For option 3 book 1. Does it need to be a book written soley by the author on the list or can it be two as long as one is in the list. For example. This book Homeroom Diaries is wri..."

Hi Jenn, it needs to be a book by a single author on the list so that doesn't work unfortunately. The task description has been updated to make that clear now. Sorry!

Lauren wrote: "Please confirm for sandals on the cover. As they are high heeled sandals, I'm not sure if they qualify.

Thanks."

That's fine Lauren, enjoy the book!

Book Concierge wrote: "Which has Patterson's name prominently on the cover, but also notes "and Andrew Gross" in little letters beneath Patterson's BIG name. "

Sorry, it needs to be a book by a single author on the list so this one doesn't work.

Shree wrote: "

Parasol she's holding? The series is part of Parasol Protectorate sooo, but I just wanted to make sure!"

Yes, definitely a parasol. I don't think that would be much use as a rain umbrella! :-)

Pia wrote: "Hi,

For beach on cover?


Thanks!"

That's approved. Happy reading!

Kristen wrote: ""Please choose one of the following options and read book 1 and book 2 from that option. You must read two books with a total page count of at least 500 pages."

Just to clarify, does each book hav..."

The two books combined need to be at least 500 pages. If you choose option one then your book one must be at least 500 pages alone, but for options two and three you just need a combined page count of 500 or more.

Bryony wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Which has Patterson's name prominently on the cover, but also notes "and Andrew Gross" in little letters beneath Patterson's BIG name. "

Sorry, it needs to be a book by a si..."

Most of Patterson's books won't work then, because almost all of them have a second author.

Book Concierge wrote: "Most of Patterson's books won't work then, because almost all of them have a second author.
"

He does seem to collaborate a lot, I'm sure I saw a news story about him writing a book with Bill Clinton recently! I think quite a few of the Alex Cross series are listed on GR as only by Patterson, as are some of the books in his other series. Hopefully that allows a bit of choice for anyone particularly wanting to read one of his books, and there are plenty of other popular authors on the list so I hope it won't be too tricky for people to find a book they'll enjoy.

Hi Bryony, I joined GR on 14th June last year. At the time of the start of the GR challenge my GR TBR will not be a year old therefore. Is it okay to pick a book from my TBR as long as it has a date of the day i joined then, since you mentioned a "read a book you've been planning to read for at least a year" and the books i put on my list on day one will have been books i've been wanting to read for a while?

Nicola wrote: "Hi Bryony, I joined GR on 14th June last year. At the time of the start of the GR challenge my GR TBR will not be a year old therefore. Is it okay to pick a book from my TBR as long as it has a dat..."

Yes, that's totally fine. Any book you've planned to read for at least a year works, even if you didn't have a GR TBR a year ago.

Bryony wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Hi Bryony, I joined GR on 14th June last year. At the time of the start of the GR challenge my GR TBR will not be a year old therefore. Is it okay to pick a book from my TBR as long ..."


Thanks and congrats on completing in record time on your first season!

Thank you! It was a lot of fun, hopefully I'll also enjoy the slower approach I'm planning for Summer.

Does this work for option 3, swimming pool?
The author is one awesome swimmer, (

Andy wrote: "Does this work for option 3, swimming pool?
The author is one awesome swimmer, ( [bookcover:Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Lon..."

Sorry Andy, that looks like it's a sink with a person swimming in it, so I don't think it can count as a swimming pool. Looks like a fascinating book though.

Bryony wrote: "Andy wrote: "Does this work for option 3, swimming pool?
The author is one awesome swimmer, ( [bookcover:Swimming to Antarctica: T..."

Thanks,

Is this enough of a beach to qualify or are you looking for a waterline as well as sand:



Thanks!

Would qualify for either beach or sandal for option 3 book 2? I consider flip-flops sandals, but not everyone does, and they are definitely at the beach, but only a small strip of sand is showing at the bottom.

Sandi wrote: "Is this enough of a beach to qualify or are you looking for a waterline as well as sand:



Thanks!"

I think that's recognisably a beach so it works fine for this task. Happy reading!

Brooke wrote: "Would qualify for either beach or sandal for option 3 book 2? I consider flip-flops sandals, but not everyone do..."

Flip flops definitely count as sandals if you ask me, so that cover works. Enjoy the book!

Hey there. Could I get ok'd for "beach" please? Can't see a ton of it but hope it's cool. Thanks!

Cindy wrote: "Hey there. Could I get ok'd for "beach" please? Can't see a ton of it but hope it's cool. Thanks!"

That's definitely a beach. Happy reading!

Bryony wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Hey there. Could I get ok'd for "beach" please? Can't see a ton of it but hope it's cool. Thanks!"

That's definitely a beach. Happy reading!"

Sweet. Thanks so much!

Would this work for Option 3, book 2: showing the beach? There's a little sliver visible on the right side of the cover:

Alycia wrote: "Would this work for Option 3, book 2: showing the beach? There's a little sliver visible on the right side of the cover:
"

I can just about make out the beach when I look at a bigger image of the cover, so that's fine. Happy reading!

Option 3: Book 2

appears to me a lady laying in a hammock on the beach.

What say you, Bryony?

Sorry Anne, although I can see the image is intended to be a person in a hammock on the beach, I can't actually see any of the beach in the image, only the sea and possibly some rocks under the hammock?

Bryony wrote: "Sorry Anne, although I can see the image is intended to be a person in a hammock on the beach, I can't actually see any of the beach in the image, only the sea and possibly some rocks under the ham..."

It's ok Bryony. I'll find another book or Option :) Thanks for getting back to me.

Hi, would this cover work for Option 3, book 2, parasol on cover?



Thanks!

Pia wrote: "Hi, would this cover work for Option 3, book 2, parasol on cover?



Thanks!"

Looks like a parasol to me so all good. Enjoy the book!

Bryony wrote: "Pia wrote: "Hi, would this cover work for Option 3, book 2, parasol on cover?



Thanks!"

Looks like a parasol to me so all good. Enjoy the book!"

Thanks!