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FALL CHALLENGE 2017
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Fall Challenge 2017: Tasks
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10 point tasks
10.1 - Rice is Nice
Help Thread
September is National Rice Month. Read a book set at least 50% in ONE of these top ten rice producing countries: China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Brazil, Japan or top rice-producing US states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas.
Required: If the setting is not evident on the book's main page include a reference or quote from the book when you post.
10.2 - The Bodyguard
Help Thread
The soundtrack to the film The Bodyguard was released 25 years ago on November 17, 1992. It is the best-selling soundtrack of all time. Read a book with a word from this list of track titles in the title or subtitle.
The words the, to, of, a, and, in may not be used. Words must match exactly.
Required: State the song title.
10.3 - No Blindfold
Help Thread
Mata Hari was convicted of being a spy for Germany during World War I and executed by firing squad in France on October 15, 1917. Read a book with the word "spy" in the title, subtitle, or series name or with the genre “spy thriller” on its main book page. Plural, possessive and other forms of the word spy that preserve its meaning work such as spied, spying, or spyness.
10.4 - It's a Fan Thing
Help Thread
The SYFY channel an American basic cable and satellite television channel debuted 25 years ago on September 24, 1992. Read a book with a main page genre that contains "Science Fiction". The genre may be stand alone or embedded.
10.5 - I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together
Help Thread
The Carol Burnett Show, an American variety/sketch comedy television show premiered 50 years ago on September 11, 1967. Read a book written by an author who shares a name with one of the show's stars: Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, or season 1 guest stars. The name must match exactly, but may be found in any name position- first, middle, other, last. One qualifying author in a work with multiple contributors works.
Required: State the star's name.
10.6 - Highway Patrol
Help Thread
The tv show CHiPs about the adventures of two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers premiered on September 15, 1977. Read a book with a motorcycle (a two-wheeled vehicle that is powered by a motor and has no pedals) on the cover.
Required: Include the cover.
ex.
10.7 - Mosi-oa-Tunya
Help Thread
Victoria Falls is also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya— The Smoke That Thunders. Read a book with a hyphenated word in the title or subtitle.
10.8 - Best Original Novel
Help Thread
The winner of Booker prize is announced at a ceremony that takes place in London in October. Read a book that has made the list for the Booker prize from this list: Man Booker Prize Winners and Nominees
The award listing must appear on the Goodreads book page.
10.9 - Members Only
Help Thread
October is National Reading Group Month. Read a book that is a Group Read during September thru November for any of your OTHER Goodreads groups or your "Real Life" reading groups. Books shelved as "Currently Reading" or identified as a Group Read on the group's homepage work. You MUST be a member of the reading group. If you are NOT a member of any other reading group, read one of the 3 SRC Group Reads selections not used for task 20.10.
Required: State the group.
10.10 - Countdown
Help Thread
September 1 is the 244th day of the year and November 30 is the 334th. Read a book with a number of pages on Goodreads that falls between 244 and 334 inclusive.
Mod
15 point tasks
15.1 - Climbing Everest
Help Thread
The Seven Summits (highest mountain peaks on each continent/major tectonic plate) are:
Everest
Aconcagua
Denali
Kilimanjaro
Elbrus
Puncak Jaya
Vinson
Conquer two of the seven summits by reading TWO books by two different authors. The author initials for each book must be found in ONE peak, and you must "summit" two different peaks. Middle initials may be ignored. Books with multiple authors work as long as at least one author meets the requirement.
Required: Indicate which two peaks you summited when you post.
15.2 - Opposites Attract
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Read TWO books in which the authors' first and last initials are swapped. Middle initials should be ignored. The authors' names must use two different initial letters.
EX: Book 1 by Sarah Waters and Book 2 by William Shakespeare; Book 1 by Katie Fforde and Book 2 by Franz Kafka; Book 1 by Liane Moriarty and Book 2 by Mary Lawson
15.3 - Victoria Falls
Help Thread
Choose one of the following options.
Required: Indicate which option you chose when you post.
Option 1: Read one Book 1 AND one Book 2
Book 1: Read a book with the word "water" or "fall" intact in the title/subtitle/series name.
Book 2: Read a book written by an author named “Victoria” or any of the related names found at Behind the Name - Victoria such as Vicky, Tori, Victor. 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.
Option 2: Read ONE book that fulfills both Book 1 and Book 2 requirements.
15.4 - Stranger Things
Help Thread
The TV series Stranger Things returns to Netflix for a second season in October.
Choose one of the following options.
Required: Indicate which option you chose when you post.
Option 1: Read one Book 1 AND one Book 2
Book 1: Read a book where the beginning letter of each word in the title can be found in STRANGER THINGS. Minimum 2 word title. All words count. Subtitles may be ignored. Letters can be used only as often as they appear in the words STRANGER THINGS.
AND
Book 2: A book first published in the 1980s (1980-1989, inclusive)
Option 2: Read ONE book that fulfills both Book 1 and Book 2 requirements.
15.5 - Northern Lights
Help Thread
In Viking mythology, the Northern Lights were explained as Valkyries galloping across the sky wearing shimmering helmets, spears and armor. Read a book from the first 10 pages of Popular Norse Mythology Books.
Required: State which page the book is on when you post.
15.6 - Rio's Harbor
Help Thread
The inlet at Rio de Janeiro isn't the beginning of a great river but a huge balloon-shaped bay that stretches 20 miles inland. Read a book with the name of a natural water body found on The Glossary of Bodies of Water list in the title/subtitle. Words do not have to mean a body of water in the title, but they DO have to appear on the list. Plurals and possessives will work, but no other variations.
15.7 - Sea Life
Help Thread
The Great Barrier Reef is home to a wide variety of sea life. Read a book with a sea creature featured on the cover or one in which a sea creature features prominently in the plot. To qualify as a sea creature, the creature must spend at least part of its life underwater. Though the Great Barrier Reef lies in saltwater, for the purposes of this task, freshwater creatures will work. Mythical sea creatures work, too.
EX:
Required: If choosing the cover options, include the cover when you post. If the sea creature's role in the book is not obvious from the book's description, explain the connection when you post.
15.8 - NaNoWriMo
Help Thread
November is National Novel Writing Month. Read a book about a writer from the list: Fiction Books About Writers OR read a book about writing from the list: Books for Writers
Required: Indicate which list you chose when you post.
15.9 - Ghouls and Goblins
Help Thread
The last day of October, all the ghouls and goblins come out to play. Read a book with a title that begins with the letter "G." Articles (A, An, The) can be ignored.
15.10 - Thrills and Chills
Help Thread
Halloween is for monsters! Read a book with the main page genre "Horror" and/or "Thriller."
Mod
20.1 - Most Improved Player - Frugalitymom's task: Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
Help Thread
I love autumn and when September 1st rolls around I get a skip in my steps and can smell the changing season coming. Growing up cooler weather came quicker for me growing up in Ohio but now that I am living in Arkansas it sometimes takes a little longer to show up. We are looking forward to a move to Oregon next May and I am hoping I can experience a proper autumn again.
For me autumn means changing leaves, my birthday in October, Halloween, crisp air, pumpkins, and back to school. I homeschool my kids but I am also a graduate student and work part time as a graduate assistant in the history department at the local university so for me the end of August sees the return of students on campus and less time for reading for fun for me.
When I do get a chance to wrap a blanket around me on a cold night and curl up with a good book I love reading historical fiction, Amish fiction, or my most favorite mystery novels especially cozy mysteries.
This is a one book task. Choose one option, and state which option you chose when you post.
Option 1: Fall is all about the pumpkin! Read a book with at least one pumpkin on the cover. Ex:
Required: Include the cover when posting
Option 2: I love cozy mysteries especially discovering new series. Read a book from a series (any number in the series is ok) that you've never read before that can be found on this list of cozy mysteries, Cozy Mystery Series.
Required: List the page number of where you found the book AND state that the series is new to you.
Option 3: Read a book by an author whose initials can be found in the word AUTUMN. Middle initials can be ignored. If a book has multiple authors, you only need to use one of the author's initials.
Option 4: One of my favorite holidays is Halloween or Samhain depending on your beliefs and culture. For this option, read a book where all the letters of SAMHAIN can be found in the title. Letters in subtitles cannot be used.
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Siobhan's task: It's a Love Story
Help Thread
My favourite genre by far is Romance. I only really started reading it last year, but I've already discovered that I love pretty much everything about it. The heightened emotions! The spark of humour! The satisfaction of knowing that everything is going to work out in the end! Every single part is wonderful to me, and I'd love to share some of the joy I've gotten out of romance books with all of you.
The genres "Sequential Art", "Comics", "Comic Book", and "Manga" are allowed for this task.
This is a one book task. Choose one option, and state which option you chose when you post.
Option 1: Historical Romance
My favourite sub-genre of romance is definitely Historical Romance. Give me something set before 1900, and I'm incredibly likely to devour it as quickly as possible.
For this option read a book that is set entirely before 1900.
Required: If the time period is not evident on the book's main page provide a reference for verification when you post.
Option 2: Inclusivity
One of the things I love best about romance books is that they often seem to be actively striving for inclusivity. They portray a world where all types of different people exist, and are allowed to find their happy endings.
For this option read a book from the first 5 pages of one of the lists below:
The Best of Gay Romance
Non-Caucasian Protagonists in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Paranormal Romance
Books with Disabled Heroes
REQUIRED: State which list, and what page of the list your book is found on when you post!
Option 3: Happy Endings
The very best part of a romance book, for me, is the happy ending. No matter what goes on in the novel, no matter what barriers the main characters have to face, you know that they're going to end up happy in the end. It's a truly inspiring message, and always leaves me feeling better.
For this option read a book where the author's first and last initials can be found in HAPPILY EVER AFTER. Middle initials should be ignored. If the book has multiple authors, only one author's initials must be found in the phrase for the book to qualify for the task.
20.3 - Best Review - Sam M's task: The Secret History
Help Thread
I won this task in reading and reviewing Donna Tartt's The Secret History, which despite requiring suspension of belief and centering around fairly repugnant characters, I was completely captivated by. Donna Tartt's debut is in my mind a perfect fall read, with its New England university setting and intelligent (and feral) students evoking autumn leaves, cozy sweaters, lectures, and a creeping sense of doom and evil.
Inspired by this book, choose from one of the following options, and read ONE book.
Option 1: The Secret History is thought of as a contemporary literary mystery; read it or any book found on the Best Literary Mysteries Listopia.
Required: Cite the page number where your book can be found when you post.
Option 2: The main characters in The Secret History are drawn together as classics students. Read a fictional work set in Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome, or a nonfiction book covering some topic related to Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome.
Option 3: The word I felt best describes The Secret History is "wicked": read a book that has all the letters of WICKED in the title and/or author's name. Subtitle letters cannot be used to spell out WICKED, but books with subtitles can be used.
Ex: What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained -- W in What, IE in Einstein, D in Told, CK in Cook
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss -- WIED in title, CK in author
Required: Point out the letters when you post.
20.4 – Golden Oldies – Loafer's task: Golden Oldies
Help Thread
I try to read nearly as many "Golden Oldies" as contemporary books. I enjoy the different perspectives of the past and want to appreciate the classics.
Choose ONE of the following options.
Required: Indicate which option you used when posting.
No books with the genres "childrens" or "kids" are allowed for this task.
1. Read a book that has all the letters O L D in the title. The letters need not be consecutive, rather just need to each be present somewhere in the title. Subtitles are excluded.
2. Read a book with a cover that has either the TITLE lettering in yellow or a yellow OBJECT. And object can be an article of clothing or a identifiable thing but not just a band of coloring as decoration/graphic. Ex:
Required: Include the cover when you post.
Mod
Help Thread
Every year in August/September I get distracted from reading by my love for genre films. In this time we have the Fantasy Filmfest in Germany, and I normally spend quite some time in the cinema to watch (mostly) great films.
This year we have the 31. Fantasy Filmfest and as always we get a good mixture of horror/science fiction/fantasy/thriller films from all over the world. Here is the link for all who want to have a look at the featured films this year:
31. Fantasy Filmfest
Books whose main page lists any of these genres: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used for this task. But, as you have to be over 18 to watch the films, NO books with a Main Page Genre of children or kids will be allowed.
Choose one option and read a book that fits the requirements.
Required: State which option you chose when you post.
Option 1: The opening film this year is the new film version of the Stephen King book IT.
I love the book and I really liked the old version with Tim Curry as the monster, but I'm curious about the new adaption and will definitly watch this.
For this task, read a book by Stephen King or a book with the main page genre Horror.
Option 2: The centerpiece this year is Sicilian Ghost Story
This is a Italian/French/Swiss Co-Production. The fact that you get to see films from all over the world is one of the things I really love about the Fantasy Filmfest, as this is often the only possibility to see this films on a big screen (or at all).
For this option read a book that is set at least 50% in one of the three countries Italy/France/Switzerland that produced this film.
Required: If the setting is not evident on the book's main page include a reference when you post.
Option 3: The Director's Spotlight this year is the film Jungle.
This seems to be the ever favourite story of man versus nature. As usual in these films, the search for adventure brings disaster over our protagonists.
For this option read a book from one of the following lists:
Tales of Adventure
Non-fiction Disaster Books
Best Books about the Great Outdoors
Required: State which list you chose for your book and indicate which page the book appears on when you post.
Option 4: Part of the filmfest is always the screening of some short films called Get Shorty: GET SHORTY
I saw some of the scariest, but also funniest short films over the years. As the short film gives film makers the chance to experiment with formats and story structures, there are always some really unusual films as part of this selection.
The same is true for authors and short stories.
For this option read a book of short stories. As the Get Shorty film are all from different film makers, all the short stories in the book must also be from different authors and, as we have this year 9 short films in the Get Shorty selection, the book should include at least 9 different stories. If the amount of stories is not mentioned in the Goodreads description, provide a link that shows how many stories are in the book.
Ex: An Apple for the Creature, Brave New Worlds, The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance
Option 5: The closing night film this year is The Villainess
This is a Korean film, and, as usual for the filmfest, will be shown in the original language with English subtitles. In the time I visit the Fantasy Filmfest I have seen a lot of film with subtitles and while you get really used to this, some have been really exhausting (I remember a Chinese film in Kantonese with Mandarin and English subtitle that I saw at midnight and nearly made my brain give up).
For this option read a book that has at least two edition on Goodreads, that are in another language than your mother language. These have to be two different languages, so for example two Spanish edition besides the English one will not work.
Required: Post links to the two foreign language editions in your post.
Examples:
has editions in Polish and Greek:
has editions in Portugese and Spanish:
has editions in German and Czech:
20.6 - Seasoned Reader - SweetMelissa's task: In Memoriam
Help Thread
Last fall my world was rocked when my father passed away and exactly one week later my paternal grandfather passed away. This has been a year of incredible sadness, but also a year of remembering all of the wonderful times we had together and feeling so grateful to have had these two amazing men in my life.
One of my favorite memories of Dad and Grandpa was when after a particularly rainy week Dad got his tractor stuck in his garden (really more of a small field than a garden -- it was huge!) so he called Grandpa to help pull him out. Grandpa got his truck stuck and then Dad got another truck stuck trying to pull Grandpa out! They had to call a tow truck to help them get the three vehicles unstuck -- it was hilarious!
This is a ONE book task. Choose one of the options below and read a book that fits the requirements.
Required: State which option you used when you post.
A) In honor of my father and grandfather, read a book written by an author named Thomas, Tom or Dennis, Denny. The name can be either the first or last name of the author. Spelling must be exact. If the book has multiple authors, only one author's name must fit the requirement.
B) My siblings and I have had to realize that everyone grieves differently and at their own pace. In recognition of this, read a book from the Memoirs About Grief list.
C) To remember Dad and Grandpa's many garden adventures, read a book with a garden goodie on the cover. The item should be either a flower or a fruit/vegetable (uncooked - an apple in a pie won't work) since those were the things they planted. Ex:
Required: Include the cover when you post
D) Finally, whenever anyone would ask Dad how he was doing, he would always reply "Life is good!" It is the phrase my siblings and I remember Dad by so we had it engraved on his grave marker. For this option, read a book with either the word LIFE or GOOD in the title. The word must match exactly. Subtitles are excluded.
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Book Concierge's task: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Help Thread
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 each year. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. All declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively.
Choose ONE option below and read a book with a minimum of 250 pages.
NO books with the main page genre of “childrens” or “kids” can be used for this task.
Required: State which option you used when you post.
A) Read a book set at least 50% in one of these Spanish-speaking countries. The country should be evident on the book’s main page metadata, description or genres.
Required: Specify the country when you post.
B) Read a book by a single author whose First and Last initials are in HISPANIC HERITAGE. Ignore middle initials. Letters may be used only as often as they appear in the phrase.
C) The U.S. states with the highest concentrations of Hispanic residents are: Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and New York. Read a book set at least 50% in one of these states. The location should be evident on the book’s main page metadata, description or genres.
Required: Specify the state when you post.
D) Read a book where the first letter of each word in the title is found in LATINO LITERATURE. Minimum of 3-word title. All words count. Ignore subtitles / series names. Letters may be used only as often as they appear in the phrase.
Mod
Help Thread
I'm currently experiencing a personal natural wonder - being pregnant with my first baby. So I thought I'd frame a task around this wonderful experience and some of the most common things I get asked about.
The task has three options, choose ONE book from one option. The genres "Sequential Art", "Comics", "Comic Book", and "Manga" are allowed for this task.
Required: Indicate which option you used when you post.
1. When are you due?
January 2018 - to celebrate January babies read a book first published in January of any year.
2. Boy or girl?
I do know the answer to this, but I'm not telling. So I'm always careful to use gender neutral pronouns. Read a book with one of the following gender neutral pronouns in the title/subtitle: It, Its, Itself, They, Them, Their, Theirs, Themselves. The word must match exactly, no variations.
3. How will you manage?
This is a good question! I'm going to be a solo parent so some things are going to be tough. To inspire me, read a book from this listopia of novels featuring single parents: Novels Featuring Single Parents
20.9 - Moderator’s Pet – Lauren Jodi's task: Morbid Nursery Rhymes
Help Thread
While sitting around the other night, we were discussing the dark and morbid origins of some classic nursery rhymes. Read a book from ONE of the following options.
REQUIRED: State the option you chose when posting.
Books whose main page lists any of these genres: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used for this task.
Option 1: LONDON BRIDGE
The rhyme London Bridge is Falling Down may be an ode to the alleged destruction of the bridge by Vikings in the early 1000s.
Read a book with bridge on the cover. As London Bridge spans the River Thames, for the purposes of this task the definition of a bridge is "a structure spanning and providing passage over a river or other body of water." Ex:
REQUIRED: Include the cover when posting.
Option 2: BLOODY MARY
The rhyme Mary, Mary Quite Contary recounts the homicidal nature of Queen Mary I, aka Bloody Mary, whose reign was marked by the torture and execution of hundreds of Protestants.
Read a book with the word "blood" or "bloody" in the title. The word must match exactly, no variations.
Option 3: ASHES, ASHES
The most popular explanation for the rhyme Ring Around the Rosie is that it refers to the great plague of London in 1665. “The rosie” is the rash that covered the afflicted, the smell of disease and death were covered by “a pocket full of posies” and the bodies of almost 15% of the population were cremated.
Read a fiction book in which a plague or disease plays a significant role in the story. As the rhyme refers to an epidemic, the disease must be widespread and cannot refer to a single individual who is ill. Ex: The Stand, World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, Blindness, Year of Wonders
REQUIRED: If the relevance of the book is not clear from the GR description, explain the connection when you post.
20.10 - Group Reads
Help Thread
Read ONE of the books selected as the Group Reads choices for the season:
Fiction Set in a Member State of the Arab League - Death on the Nile
Fiction - Poetry - The Aeneid
Non-Fiction - Climate and Weather - The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
REQUIRED: You must participate in the book's discussion thread 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 - Coralie's task: Melbourne’s Spring Holidays
Help Thread
It is Spring in Melbourne, Australia and in Spring we have two public holidays, one for a football game and one for a horse race.
Read two books with a total over 500 pages, one for each holiday, OR read one book over 500 pages, satisfying both holidays.
Holiday 1: Grand Final Parade Day
This is our newest holiday. It was first introduced in 2015.
Enjoy this holiday by reading a book first published in 2015.
Holiday 2: Melbourne Cup Day
This is our biggest horse race in Australia.
Enjoy this holiday by reading a book with a word in the title, NOT SUBTITLE, of at least four letters that is also a word in the name of a horse that has won the Melbourne Cup. It does not have to be the complete name but the word must match exactly, no variations.
Required: Name the horse you used when you post.
25.2 - Nick KY's task: Schmoop the Dude
Help Thread
As I was lucky enough to get a 20-point task in the summer, and I made it a “Dark” one, I will make this 25 point task a little “lighter” to reflect my happy autumn mood – because autumn is my favorite season.
This task requires two books. Choose books from 2 different options below.
Your two books combined must TOTAL 500 or more pages.
No book with the main page genre Children or Kids may be used.
Books whose main page lists any of these genres: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used for this task.
Required: Indicate which options you used when you post.
Option 1. Schmoop the Dude…like, for real. "Although there are only two prominent female characters (and one deceased one) in The Big Lebowski, their roles in the plot are absolutely pivotal. " Read more at Shmoop- Women and Femininity in The Big Lebowski
To “Schmoop the Dude,” read a book written by one woman that was first published since 1998 (inclusive), the original release date of the film.
Option 2. Color Me Cool. Read a book that fits SRC guidelines from one of these listopias:
Graphic Novels that are Quality
Best Manga Art
You may use any book from a series which has one book listed.
Required: Indicate which Listopia you used and the page number where your choice is located on the list when you post.
Option 3. Happy Harvest. The 2015 winner of the International Dublin Literary Award was “Harvest” – let’s say that makes the list Autumnal. (It’s a stretch.) Read a book which won or was shortlisted for the award in any year.
Required: Indicate the year of your choice when you post.
Option 4. The Luck o’ the Irish. Since the Dublin Literary Award figures into this Task, for this option read a book with “Ireland” or “Irish” as a GR main page genre. The genre may be embedded.
Option 5. Laugh Out Loud Read any of the books on one of these “Laugh Out Loud” lists:
46 Hilarious Books Guaranteed To Make You Laugh Out Loud
32 Books Guaranteed To Make You Laugh Out Loud
The 20 Funniest Books Ever Written
Required Indicate which list you used when you post.
25.3 - Catherine T's task: Seasonal Poems
Help Thread
I try to read a poem a day, and there are two that come to mind strongly during the Autumn months - Keat's "To Autumn" - mellow mists indeed! and, more hauntingly, the Ode of Remembrance read out during Remembrance Day services. So, this challenge is linked to those poems.
Books whose main page lists any of these genres: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used for this task.
Read a Book 1 and a Book 2. Each book must have a word in the title/subtitle that can be found in the text of the poems linked AND be written by an author whose initials (first & last, ignore middle names/initials) can be found in the poet's name. If the book you choose to read has multiple authors, at least one author's initials must be found in the poet's name.
Words must be at least three letters long (excluding the words: AND, THE) and must be exact matches ("England," for instance, cannot be used for Book 1).
Book 1: Remembrance Day
Use the stanzas of the Ode of Remembrance found at this wiki link: Ode of Remembrance (Stanzas 3,4 and 5 only)
Poet: Laurence Binyon
Example: Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
Young in line 1, AC in Laurence
Book 2: As we are a global group, you can chose either Autumn or Spring. Note that you must use the appropriate poet for your poem!
To Autumn
Poet: John Keats
Example: Blood Vines by Erica Spindler
Vines in line 4, ES in Keats
OR
Spring
Poet: William Blake
Example: Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott
Birds in line 3, AL in William
Required: Indicate which poem you used when you post.
Mod
Help Thread
This is a TWO book task. Chose a book which fulfills the requirements for Book 1 and another which fulfills the requirements for Book 2.
No books with the main page genre of “children’s” or “kid’s” may be used for this task.
The total number of pages in Book 1 plus Book 2 must exceed 500 pages (501+).
Book 1. The Summer Challenge was a challenge in the truest sense of the word. There were more tasks to be done, and, for me, many long books which fit the tasks that I wanted to read, which took more time. I didn't really think I would be able to do them all.
Read a book whose title contains the following letters IDRETF, which stands for I Didn't Really Expect To Finish. Books with subtitles may NOT be used for this task.
Book 2. One word which adequately describes the Summer Challenge is ARDUOUS.
Read a book written by a single author whose complete initials are found in ARDUOUS. If an author uses a middle initial, it must also be found in ARDUOUS. Letters may be used only as many times as they appear in the target word.
Mod
Help Thread
In my family, fall means birthdays - we have three in three consecutive weeks at the end of September and the beginning of October, including *drumroll please* my own!
This task has two options:
Option 1: Read two books for two of the options offered, with a total length of no less than 500 pages.
Option 2: Read one book which fulfils two of the options offered, with a length of no less than 500 pages.
Required: State which option(s) you chose and include any required information when you post.
1. Mine is a September birthday. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in SEPTEMBER TWENTY-FIVE. All initials count, including middle ones. Letters may be used only as many times as they appear in the phrase. If the book has multiple authors, only one author with initials must be found in the phrase.
Required: If the book you choose has more than one author, a link to the qualifying author must be included when you post.
2. I will be turning 47 this fall! Read a book with a page count that includes a 4 or a 7.
3. The word September comes from the Latin root septem-, or seven, and originated in the old ten-month Roman calendar. Read a book set in or about ancient Rome. For the purposes of this task, ancient Rome will be defined as the time of the Roman empire [27 BC to 1000 AD]. This must be clear from the GR book description.
4. My birthday also happens to fall within the annual observance of Banned Books Week, Sept. 24-29. Read a book from one of these two lists: Best Banned, Censored, and Challenged Books or The Most Frequently Challenged Books. Note that many of the books on these lists are children's books; if your choice has the genre "childrens" or "kids" on it's main page, make sure it's in compliance with all the Seasonal Reading Challenge rules.
REQUIRED: State which list you used and the page your book is found on.
25.6 - M1nks's task: Natural Wonders
Help Thread
For this task I am acknowledging the Fall Season challenge of 'Natural Wonders'.
You may read either TWO books from 2 different options or ONE book of at least 500 pages that fulfills one option.
Required: State which option(s) you used when you post.
1. In the 18th and 19th centuries 'civilised' Europe began to take a greater interest in the wider world, not just in the colonies of North America but in the exotic lands of South America, India, Asia and the islands. These places held great fascination and goods and art showcasing the natural beauties and wonders of these places started to appear in the houses of Western Europe.
Read a book which is set at least 75% in the lands of South America, India, Asia or the South Sea islands.
2. England is a small country with a population of over 53 million but it is still possible to find isolated places where you can live in relative privacy (more so if you leave England and travel up north to Scotland).
For this task, read a book which is set over 75% in an isolated area and apart from people. You can read a book set in a community so long as the community itself is small (no more than 50 families) and, of course, set in an isolated spot.
Examples:
,
,
Required: Include a reference or quote that proves the setting fits the task when you post.
3. Read a non-fiction book with a main page genre of: Nature, Natural History, Biology or Animals. Genres may be embedded.
25.7 - Sandy's task: More is Better
Help Thread
This is a two book task. The books must have a combined total of at least 500 pages. No book with the main page genre childrens or kids may be used for this task.
The English language has many peculiarities, including the ways in which we make nouns plural. For this task, we’ll look at regular and irregular plural nouns.
Book 1 – Read a book whose title/subtitle contains a regular plural noun. A regular plural noun is one where the plural form is made by adding s, es, or changing a y to an i and adding es. Examples: The Girls, Parties & Potions.
Book 2 – Read a book whose title/subtitle contains an irregular plural noun – basically, one that is both singular and plural in one form (e.g. deer), one that is made by changing another end letter (elf>elves, memorandum>memoranda), or one that is just different (woman>women, foot>feet, mouse>mice).
The following link gives a number of examples: Singular and Plural Nouns
Examples: Tell the Wolves I'm Home, Men Without Women, Feet of Clay.
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30 point tasks
30.1 - Ava Catherine’s task: Wonders of 7
Help Thread
This is a TWO book task. Read one book from two different options.
Required: Identify which options you select when you post.
Page total must equal 500 pages or more.
No books with the main page genre of “children’s” or “kid’s” may be used.
Extraordinary things have been counted in sevens since ancient times: continents, oceans, days of the week, and wonders of the world. ‘The Seven Seas’ was an ancient idiom used to identify the oceans of the world. Also, seven has long been associated with good luck.
Option 1: Read a book written by an author whose first and last name initials can be found in the word SEVEN. Middle name initials may be ignored. Letters may only be used as often as they appear. Spaces determine name.
Option 2: Read a book with 7 letters in one of the words in the title. Subtitles may not be used for the selected title word and should be ignored. Only letters count. Hyphens, apostrophes, diacritical marks, and other punctuation should be ignored.
Option 3: Read a book by a single author who has 7 letters in his/her last name. Spaces determine name, meaning the author’s last name is the final word in the name that is preceded by a space. Only letters count. Hyphens, apostrophes, diacritical marks, and other punctuation should be ignored.
30.2 - MAZZA1’S Task: Six Degrees of Separation
Help Thread
I don’t know why but I am always amazed at how I can read several books, one after the other, with connecting storylines or character names. This got me thinking about the idea that everything in the world is connected by six degrees of separation.
The task requirements include the following:
• This is a TWO book task. Read one Book 1 AND one Book 2.
• The total page count of the two books must be at least 666 pages.
• No books with the main page genre of “children’s” or “kid’s” may be used.
• All requirements that mention "Title" excludes subtitles.
Book 1: Read a book with one of the words of this task’s title (excluding “of”)--SIX, DEGREES, SEPARATION--in the title of the book. No variations are allowed. Six must be written out as a word and the word "Degrees" must be plural. Subtitles are excluded. Ex: Six Encounters with Lincoln: A President Confronts Democracy and Its Demons by Elizabeth Brown Pryor
Book 2: Read a book related to Book 1 by one of the following degrees of separation. Book 2 may NOT be by the same author or about the same character or person as Book 1.
NOTE: Examples for Book 2 are based on the example Book 1: Six Encounters with Lincoln: A President Confronts Democracy and Its Demons by Elizabeth Brown Pryor
A) Read a book written by an author with the same first or last name as Book 1's author. Middle names should be ignored. Book 2 may NOT be by the same author as Book 1. If the book(s) have multiple authors, only one author must meet the requirement. Ex: The author of Book 1 is Elizabeth Brown Pryor. Book 2 could be a book by Elizabeth Gilbert or Karen Pryor.
B) Read a book with a Main Character of the same name, first or last, as the Main Character in Book 1. Book 2 may NOT be about the same character as Book 1. The character MUST be listed in the Goodreads metadata as a character, listed in the title of the book, or mentioned in the book's description. Ex: The Main Character of Book 1 was Abraham Lincoln. Book 2 could be Wake Of The Werewolf with the main character Abraham Stroud or Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker with Mary Todd Lincoln as the main character.
C) Read a book with a rating separated by no more than 0.3 in either direction from Book 1's rating. Ex: Book 1 has a rating of 3.65. The rating for book 2 must fall between 3.35 and 3.95. Tales From The Crib would work. Its rating is 3.41.
NOTE: Ratings can change quickly. You may want to get rating verified in the Help Thread and include a link to the verification message when you post, just to be safe.
D) Read a book of the same genre as Book 1. (ONLY main page genres count and the genres must be EXACT). Ex: Book 1 has the genre Military History > Civil War on its main page. Book 2 could be Confederates in the Attic: Dispatches from the Unfinished Civil War because it also has the genre Military History > Civil War on its main page. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks would also work because both books have History listed as main page genres.
E) Read a book in which the page numbers consist ENTIRELY of the numbers seen in the date of FIRST publication for Book 1. Ex: Book 1 was first publish on 07/02/2017. Book 2's page count may only contain the numbers 0, 1, 2, 7. The Solitude of Prime Numbers would work. Numbers may only be used as often as they appear in the date.
F) Read a book with a title that includes all of the initial letters of the TITLE for Book 1. Subtitles may not be used. Ex: The first letters of all the words in Book 1's title are SEWL. Book 2 could be Songs of the Humpback Whale
Required: State which option Book 2 fits and provide any required information when you post.
30.3 - ElaineL's task: Time Flies
Help Thread
This fall, I began my sixteenth year as an elementary teacher. I am officially closer to retirement than I am the beginning of my career. I enjoy teaching immensely, but I wonder...how did I get to this point so fast? It wasn’t that long ago I was a wide-eyed first year teacher. How time flies! And rumor is time will continue to get faster...How is that possible? Here are some tasks based on various times in my life…
Choose two tasks from the choices below and: (A) Read two books with a total of over 500 pages that fit two different tasks OR (B) Read one book over 500 pages that fulfills the requirements of two different tasks.
Required: State which options you chose when you post.
Option 1: Happy Birthday to Me! I love celebrating my birthday. In 2007, I got a particularly wonderful “gift”-- a phone call hiring me to work at my current school. Eleven years later, I am still wonderfully happy having had the opportunity to work with many amazing students and their families as well as some amazing colleagues!
➜ Read a book with ALL of the letters from the month of APRIL found in the title (subtitles are excluded). The letters CANNOT be used to form the word APRIL itself (as a month, character’s name, etc.). For example: The Enchanted April and Snow in April would NOT work, but Burning Lamp (buRnIg LAmP), I Need a Lifeguard Everywhere But the Pool (I need a LifeguARd everywhere but the Pool) or American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World (AmRIcan ecLiPse) would work.
Option 2: A Sad Goodbye… Two major institutions in my life ended on the same day. May 14, 1998 saw the ending of both my senior year of high school and Seinfeld. I had four teachers in high school who had a particularly strong influence on my education - Mr. Smith (science), Mr. Adams (math), Mrs. Straight (English) and Sperry (my band instructor). I also loved the four core characters on Seinfeld - Elaine (whose name and dancing ability I share), Jerry, George and Kramer.
➜ Read a book by an author whose initials (in any order) come from these letters: S, A, S, S, E, J, G and/or K. If the book has more than one author, only one author’s initials need to be used. All author initials must be included. Spaces determine names.
Option 3: Hello Seasonal Reading Challenge! The Winter 2016-2017 Challenge was the first I participated in.
➜ Choose any of the 10 point challenges from The Winter 2016-2017 Challenge and read a book that fits that task.
Required: State which task you chose and any info required by that task when you post.
Option 4: Where Has the Year Gone? I read one of my favorite books of 2017 on January 1 (for those of you who are curious it was The Lightning-Struck Heart by T.J. Klune). I read another favorite on January 3 (A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman). Reading two 5 star books almost back-to-back made me feel very hopeful that 2017 would be an amazing reading year...and it has been. With only four months left, I wonder how many 5 star reads I have left to discover before the calendar flips to a new year.
➜ Choose a book that has been a 5 star read for you this year and read another book by that same author. For example: I could read another book by T.J. Klune or Fredrik Backman.
Required: Provide a link to your original 5 star read when you post.
30.4 - Dlmrose's task: Vowel Power
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Read one Book 1 and one Book 2.
Book 1 - Read a book with a word that contains three consecutive vowels (ONLY a, e, i, o, u; NOT Y) in the title or subtitle. A vowel may be used more than once as in qUEEn.
Book 2 - Read a book with a word of at least 3 letters that contains the letter Y as the ONLY vowel, such as crypt, tryst, spry, rhythm, in the title or subtitle.
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30.5 - Diane's Task: Listamania/Lisztomania
Help Thread
For this task you will need to read two books from one of the following two options. Both books must come from the same option. Books must have a minimum combined total of 500 pages.
Required: State the chosen task number and include the requirements in your post.
Option 1: Listamania. A lot of my reading is driven by various book lists. Some I am very serious about while others I follow more haphazardly. Read two books found on one of the following book lists. Both books must come from the same list.
Required: State which list you chose for your books and, if the list has multiple pages, indicate which page(s) the books appear on when you post.
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Rory Gilmore Reading List
Time Magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels
Option 2. Lisztomania. I love classical music. One of the composers I listen to is the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. During his time (1800’s) he was quite the celebrity and had some very devoted fans. The hysteria and frenzy that accompanied his concerts was referred to as “Lisztomania”.
Read two books relating to any combination of the following music topics. Both books may come from the same topic, if desired.
A) Memoir or biography of a composer, musician, or band
B) Book with music as a main page genre
C) Book with the name of a musical instrument in the title or subtitle
Required: Indicate which option(s) your books fit when you post.
30.6 - Diana K's task: Fall Baking
Help Thread
I am always sorry to see summer go but the cooler temperatures of fall also mean the start of fall baking: cookies for bake sales, pies and strudels to use the apples we picked, yummy breads, Thanksgiving pies, and the first treats for the coming holiday season.
This is a TWO book task. The page total of your two books must be at least 500 pages.
First, pick a baked good - that is an item where flour or a flour substitute are combined with other ingredients into a dough or batter and then baked in an oven to create an edible treat and find a recipe for it. Think of the items you would find in a bakery or at a bake sale. Examples include cakes, breads, cookies, pies, pastries and scones. It does NOT include roasted meats or casseroles. The recipe must be online so you can link it in your completed task post. If you're prefer, you can use a fall recipe I like to make: Pumpkin Chocolate Bread. [Text version of this recipe can be found in the Task Help Thread.]
Next, choose two different options from the list below and read a book that fits the requirements. You must use the same baked good for both options.
REQUIRED: State which options you chose and provide a link to your recipe or indicate you've used the recipe linked in the task when you post.
Optional: If you're feeling inspired and end up making your recipe, tell us how it turned out when you post!
Option A: Read a book which has an ingredient from your baked good in the title/subtitle. For example, the linked recipe includes flour, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, and chocolate. Plurals and singulars are allowed but no other variations.
Option B: Read a book which has a verb from the recipe in the title/subtitle. Examples include stir, combine, beat, mix, chop. No variations.
Option C: Read a book that has a unit of measure from the recipe in the title/subtitle such as cup, teaspoon, ounce, pound. Plurals and singulars are allowed but no other variations.
Option D: Read a book whose number of pages includes the digits in the number of servings that your recipe says it makes. The order must be the same. For example, the linked recipe makes 12 servings so a book with 126 pages or 312 would both work.
Option E: Read a book that has a picture of your baked good on the cover.
Required: Include the cover when you post.
30.7 - TessaVanessa's task: Class is in session
Help Thread
Choose two different subjects and read 1 book for each.
1. Reading: Read a book with the word BOOK found intact in the title/subtitle.
2. Writing: Read a book that has at least 2 words written in cursive on the cover. Cursive will be defined as at least 2 consecutive letters joined together written in a single stroke. This should occur in at least 2 separate words. Author's name or title works. Ex:
Required: Include the cover of the book when you post.
3. Math: 2+2=4 Read a book with 4-word title. At least one of the words in the title must be a 4-letter word. All words count. Books with subtitles cannot be used. Ex: The Girl Who Lied; In the Night Room
4. History: Read a book with "History" or "Historical" as MPG. Genres may be stand alone or embedded. Examples include:
Romance > Historical Romance
Mystery > Historical Mystery
Historical > Historical Fiction
Historical > Regency
Military > Military History
History > Ancient History
5. Science: Read a book by a single author whose initials can be found in SCIENTIFIC METHOD. Letters can only be used as many times as they appear in "scientific method." If the author uses middle name(s) or initial(s), all initials must be found in the word "scientific method."
30.8 - Brooke TX's task: Stacks on Stacks on Stacks
Help Thread
With all the time I spend on Goodreads (and my job in collection development at a library) I occasionally feel as if I spend all of time either reading books or reading about books. Here's a task dedicated to all the time I spend reading... and reading about reading.
This is a two book task. Choose ONE of the options below and read a Book 1 and Book 2 from that option. Books whose main page lists any of these genres: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may be used for this task.
Books must have a combined total of at least 600 pages.
Required: Indicate which option you chose and include any required information when you post.
Option A: Tor.com
Since I do collection development for our Science Fiction/Fantasy collection, I spend a lot of time reading SF/F related blogs, but Tor.com is my favorite. (For a quick study in why, check out their SFF Geology series.)
Book 1: Read a book published by Tor, Tor.com, or Tor Teen.
Required: Include a link to an edition that shows Tor as publisher when you post.
Book 2: Tor.com's mascot is a cute cartoon spaceship called Stubby the Rocket. Read a book with a spaceship on the cover. The cover must show enough of the craft to tell that it is obviously intended to travel in outer space. Ex:
Required: Include the cover in your post.
Option B: BookRiot
BookRiot is another favorite for more general book and reading related news, covering new books all kinds of genres, as well as mid- and back-list titles.
Book 1: Read a book found on this list of BookRiot's Best Books of 2017 (so far).
Book 2: Read a book from this list of BookRiot's 100 Must-Read Strange and Unusual Novels.
Option C: Goodreads
The SRC is the group I'm most active in, but I'm also a lurking member in a few other groups, mostly to keep tabs on what books other readers are enjoying.
Book 1: The Sword and Laser group reads all kinds of science fiction and fantasy. Read a book from The Sword and Laser bookshelf.
Book 2: The Vaginal Fantasy Book Club reads "female-centric genre fiction, usually with romantic, historical, science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, or supernatural element." Read a book from the Vaginal Fantasy Book Club bookshelf.
Mod
Help Thread
This challenge has pushed me (several times) outside my comfy little reading box. I’ve read things that would have never been on my radar otherwise and to my surprise, I’ve liked it. I love when that happens.
This is a three book task. Choose three different options and read one book for each. REQUIRED: State which options you chose when you post.
Option 1: Read a book that does NOT contain the letters B - O - X in the title or subtitle.
Option 2: I’ve never read so much fantasy…ever. I’ve always shied away from that genre, but now I love it, especially Urban Fantasy and High Fantasy. I’ve completely fallen in love with the books of Jim Butcher and Brandon Sanderson.
So read a book with a main page genre of Fantasy. The genre can be standalone or embedded.
Option 3: Read a book with an inanimate, non-living, object on the cover that does NOT come in a box. It must be something that cannot be put in a box. Examples:
(a mansion),
(the ocean),
(a road).REQUIRED: Include the cover and identify the object when you post.
Option 4: Non-fiction is tucked safely inside my box, but it is mostly autobiographies. But the ‘Science’ genre within the Non-fiction genre, has taken me by surprise. I’ve never cared for science in school, but now I can’t get enough of it in books.
For this option, read a book with Science as a main page genre, and it can be embedded.
Option 5: Science Fiction is also a genre I have never gravitated towards before joining the SRC. But I’ve been able to find a love for this genre, especially dystopian novels, zombies, and Star Wars.
Read a book where all of the author’s initials (including any middle initials) can be found in SCIENCE FICTION.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Heaven and Earth (other topics)The Road (other topics)
Mansfield Park (other topics)
Drop City (other topics)
Wuthering Heights (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Anne Lamott (other topics)Erica Spindler (other topics)
Ally Carter (other topics)
Karen Pryor (other topics)
Elizabeth Brown Pryor (other topics)
More...
5 point tasks
5.1 - Only Natural
Help Thread
Read a book written by an author whose first and last name initials can be found in NATURAL. 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 ONE location of a natural wonder: Alaska, USA; Arizona, USA; Australia; Brazil; Canada; China; Denmark; Finland; Greenland; Iceland; Mexico; Nepal; Norway; Russia; Scotland; Sweden; Zambia; Zimbabwe.
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 - Oh... Craps
Help Thread
In gambling dice games throwing an 11 on the first cast is a "natural". Read a book that was FIRST published in a year that contains two 1’s such as 1981 or 2011.
5.4 - Best Laid Plans
Help Thread
Didn't quite finish last time? Read a book that fits one of the Summer 2017 5, 10 or 15 point tasks. You may not use Task 5.4 or 5.10. You may use a single book A or B option from tasks 15.1-15.4.
Required: When you post, indicate which Summer 2017 task you are using and include any information required by the task.
5.5 - September, October, November
Help Thread
Read a book with the number of pages as listed on Goodreads that includes the number 0, 1 or 9.
*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 - Michaelmas
Help Thread
September 29 is Michaelmas or the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels. Read a book written by an author named “Michael” or any of the related names found at Behind the Name - Michael such as Mike, Miguel, Michelle, Lina, 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.
5.7 - A Breath of Fresh Air
Help Thread
Read a book that has been shelved as "nature" at least 3 times from this list Popular Nature Books
Required: State the page.
5.8 - Under the Fall 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 fall season’s moons:corn, barley, harvest, hunter, travel, dying, beaver, blood, frost. Plurals, possessives, verb forms (as in harvested or dead), hyphenated words (blood-red) and forms that preserve the meaning of the word work.
5.9 - Help Yourself
Help Thread
September is Self-Improvement Month. Read a book with a main page genre that includes “Self Help”.
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.