Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Something a little more challenging for you animal lovers out there! Let’s read those pets that appear in our books, both fiction and non-fiction. Some of the names you run across are pretty clever or funny.


This challenge lasts for 1-2 years from the date you start


From A - Z use different pet names for each letter of the alphabet. You may use the names of fictitious breeds, as long as they are pets of any character in the novel (it does not have to be a main character).

Hard to Find Letters and “Wild Cards”: Several letters* are hard to find: like “Q,” “U,” “V,” “X,” “Y,”and “Z”. Therefore, you may use these letters within the name.

Also, we will allow three “wild cards”** consisting of two types.

1) You may read a book that has an animal that is of a breed that has the letter you desire ( “V” - Golden Retriever. Shown for “V” in the example below.)

2) You may read a book with a title, author, or character that you have used (or would like to use) to name your pet. (Shown for “Q” in the example below.)


A. -
B. -
C. -
D. -
E. -
F. -
G. -
H. -
I. -
J. -
K. -
L. -
M. -
N. -
O. -
P. -
*Q. -
R. -
S. -
T. -
*U. -
*V. -
W. -
*X. -
*Y. -
*Z. -

Example:   (Note the two * and two ** indicated.)
A. - Angus, Graham Keith’s muddy-footed spaniel (Graham is a college professor
             and son of Carrie’s landlord)
             The Winter Sea, by Susanna Kearsley
B. - Buster, Tate’s petite, female cat that he adores and spoils.
             Sweet Dreams, by Kristen Ashley
C. - Chet the Jet, sidekick (& dog) of P.I. Bernie.
             Dog on It, by Spencer Quinn
D. - Dewey, the famous library cat!
             Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World,
             by Vicki Myron
E. - Effrijim (A.K.A. Jim), Aisling demon Newfoundland
             You Slay Me, by Katie MacAlister
F. - Fiddat (translates to “Silver”) is Ysabeau’s horse, an Andalusian gray mare.
             A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness
G. - Galahad, Rourke & Eve’s fat grey cat that has one green eye & one gold.
             Naked in Death, by J.D. Robb
H. - Huan, Companion of Valinor, friend and helper of Beren and Lúthien.
             The Silmarillion: The Epic History of the Elves in The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien
I. - Izzy, Jax’s three-year-old brown lab.
             Head Over Heels, by Jill Shalvis
J. -  Jock, Edward’s loyal, lovable mastiff, with terrible timing.
            The Raven Prince, by Elizabeth Hoyt
K. - Kitchener, Brad’s Old English Sheepdog, finds a dead body down by the river.
             The Mournful Teddy, by John J. Lamb 4/10
L. - Laska, Levin's hunting dog.
             Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy
M. - Medea, Mercy’s cat was a stray; has rabbit-like fur; big green-gold eyes;
              most cats don't like werewolves-or walkers, yet Medea likes everyone;
              has done a bit of damage to the back of Mercy's couch.
              Iron Kissed, by Patricia Briggs ★★★★✩ OneClickDigital 2/1
N. - Nellie, a rolpie, which "resembles a seal armed with a long tail and four wide
              half legs framed with flat flippers, and an otter head."
              Bayou Moon, by Ilona Andrews
O. - Oberon, hound in Hounded, by Kevin Hearne
P. - Pudgemuffin, “Madam Pudgemuffin,” the chubby calico, an unflappable
             creature much like her master, Lord Akeldama in the Parasol Protectorate series;
             Timeless, by Gail Carriger
** Q. - Quicksilver - Title is desired name of my pet dog.
            Quicksilver, by Neal Stephenson
R. - Rex, Stephanie’s shy hamster.
             Sizzling Sixteen, by Janet Evanovich
S. - Sorel, Houston’s checker playing horse.
             Texas Destiny, by Lorraine Heath
T. - Toto, Dorothy’s Cairn Terrier.
             The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum
* U. - Lurch, Angus’ deaf horse who has been with him through several wars.
             Colorado Dawn, by Kaki Warner
** V. - Golden Retriever named Einstein titular character in Watchers, by Dean Koontz
W. - White Fang, titular character in the story of a wild wolfdog’s journey to domestication.
             White Fang, by Jack London
* X. - Pugnax, a literate mutt that is the associate of the Chums of Chance.
             Against the Day, by Thomas Pynchon
Y. - Yukon, half dog/half wolf; pet of a client Kara interviews.
             Extreme Exposure, by Pamela Clare
Z. - Zar, - Heroine Lara’s best friend and companion.
            Lara's Gift, by Annemarie O'Brien

*Note :
In 2013 we started this challenge, and we've now decided to start a new thread for the challenge to freshen it up a bit! You can find the old thread HERE

Challenge Themes ~ Amethyst Coin

Earn your Amethyst Coins with the Reading Challenges. Must Join a participating Reading Challenge on or after April 1, 2016.

To Earn an Amethyst Coin:
One Coin upon completion of this challenge

Learn about Gem coins here

Participants

Allegra

Celia

Deanie

Emily

Gabi

Jillypenny

Tari

Reserved

Reserved

I thought I'd signed up but I'm guessing it was an older version. Hadn't started anyway. So C'mon, Kitty and Let's Go, Good Boy

B: Buff (a faithful dog who has passed into a pillar) / Standing Woman
Biddy (teetotaling dog) / Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Longing
Roche (the working warehouse cat) / The Diary of a Young Girl
C: Captain Jack (just the cat you need after a rough day of solving crimes and baking cupcakes) / Dark Chocolate Demise
Clara and Ceasar (cat and dog of the crime-fighting museum exec) / The Laughter of Dead Kings
F: Florrie (a fastidious cat) / At the Bay
H: Hachi (a faithful dog who has passed into a pillar) / Standing Woman
J: Jack (prison pigeon) / Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption: A Story from Different Seasons
Jocko aka Sky (a parakeet) / Oreo
K: Kish (the canine companion to a god, and quite powerful in his own right) / Miss Garnet's Angel
Kubrick (a cactus, but...) / Sourdough
L: Lucifer2 (a sexy[?] rat) / Bite Me
M: Marco (Monsignore would be lost without his pug) / Miss Garnet's Angel
Moorage (a public house cat) and Mouschi (hidden house cat) / The Diary of a Young Girl
O: Otto aka Fleck (a not-so-German shepherd) / Oreo
S: Stella (Harriet's cat, yet Julia missed her) / Miss Garnet's Angel
Stanley (a sleek black cat who's in love with Bob) / Aunt Dimity and the Widow's Curse
T: Tua (a long-living tuatara) / Turtles All the Way Down
W: Wag (a happy sheep dog) / At the Bay

Alfred =Arrogant Devil by RS Grey 3.17
Beethoven - Triplets Make Five by Nicole Elliot 2.7
Camel Toe-Booze O'Clock by Bijou Hunter 5.13
Duckie-Smokey and Bandit by Liberty Parker 5.7
E. -
Fido-Stephan by Hazel Gower 6.19
Gretl-Lucky Stars by Kristen Ashely 5.24
Han Solo-I dare you by Isla Madden Mills 5.1
I. -
Jeb-How to Marry a Cowboy by Carolyn Brown 10.14
Kozmo- Ruthless Mountain Man by Jenika Snow 8.10
Lobo - Bitch Slap by Bijou Hunter 2.11
Mika=Torch by Leann Asher 2.5
Nico -Venus in Blue Jeans by Meg Benjamin 6.5
Otto Suddenly Engaged by Julia London 11.29
Puss It - Making sense by Lila Rose 3.8
*Q. -
Redbird My Bad by Lani Lynn Vale 1.11
Sassy - Blank Canvas by Liberty Parker 4.26
Toto - Wonderful World of Oz by L Frank Baum 5.23
Urchin-Oxygen Deprived by Lani Lynn Vale 2.5
*V. -
Wesley -The Hookup by Kristen Ashley 5.21
*X. -
*Y. -
*Z. -

Welcome to the challenge Allegra & Emily!

Challenge posts are linked above

Welcome Gabi!!

Your challenge post is HERE

Start date: 6/24/2018
13/26 books

A. - Abu the monkey - A Whole New World by Liz Braswell
B. - Bieber the dog - Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
C. - Camden the cougar familiar - Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
D. -
E. -
F. - Flounce the Dog - Never Sorry Ever Jolly by Autumn Cornwell
G. - Gus the dog - Nanaville by Anna Quindlen
H. - Honey the Horse - Roar by Cora Carmack
I. - Itchy the Cat - Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
J. - Justice the Dog - A Healing Justice by Kristin von Kreisler
K. -
L. - Loco the Dog - Lady Be Good by Amber Brock
M. - Mary Magdalene the Cat - The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
N. - Nailah the Lionaire - Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
O. - Mrs. O'Leary the Hellhound - The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
P. - Pan the Dog - Oliver Crum and the Briarwood Witch by Chris Cooper
*Q. -
R. - Rascal the Dog - The Hope Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter
S. - Stan the Bearded Dragon - One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus
T. -
*U. -
*V. -
W. -
*X. -
*Y. -
*Z. -

Welcome Celia! Your challenge post is HERE

I would like to join, please
Start: January 29, 2019 End: ??? Okay, It's now March 21, 2021 and I seem to be stuck. I'm surprised at how few books I read have animals in them! I'm going to start again.

A. - Ali (dog from "By Chance Alone" by Max Eisen 02/27/19)
B. - Butterscotch (guinea pig in "If at Birth you Don't Succeed..." by Zach Anner)
C. - Chumleigh (cat in "Replay" by Ken Grimwood 01/31/19)
D. - Dog (pet/hell hound from Good Omens by T. Prachett and N. Gaiman (June 2019)
E. -
F. - Fern (chimp from "We are all completely beside ourselves" by Karen Joy Fowler 02/13/19)
G. - God (pet dog from Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
H. - Hodge (pet cat from the Agatha Raisin series of mysteries)
*I. - Ginger, cat from "One Second After" by William Forstchen
J. - Jasmine, pretty chestnut horse in "Kabul", short story by Michael Moorcock (Sept 2020)
K. - Kat Mandu, missing cat from "Son of a Trickster" by Eden Robinson
L. - Luna - golden lab in "From the Ashes" by Jesse Thistle
M. - Matilda (brindled boxer from "The Rhythm Section" by Mark Burnell (Jan '20)
N. -
O. -
P. - Panther (dog from "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah 02/03/19)
**Q. - I once had a dog named "Q" after the James Bond character. I read James Bond: VARGR in Dec 2019.
R. - Rembrandt, pet cat in "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova
S. - Shiro (dog from Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka 02/10/19)
T. - Tall Time (elephant bull in "The White Bone" by Barbara Gowdy; June '19)
U. - Huginn (Odin's raven from "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman)
*V. - Victor (dog from "Bird Box" by Josh Malerman (May '19)
W. -
*X. - Jynx, Aunty's cat from Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead (Aug 2020)
Y. - Yorkie the Wonder Dog, pet from "From the Ashes" by Jesse Thistle
*Z. - Rezeki (a very unfortunate dog in "The Miniaturist" by Jessie Burton (06/23/19)

Alphabet Pet Names Challenge
Start - January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020

A. - Aggie, the tiny poodle named after Agatha Christie, in In the Dog House by V.M. Burns
B. -
C. - Chrissy the Shih Tzu, the psychic emotional support dog of Autumn Clarke in Attorney-at-Paw by Diane Wing
D. - Denali, the overprotective wolf hybrid of search and rescue team member Harmony Carson in Finding Christmas by Kathi Daley
E. -
F. - Flotsam, supporting character Paulie's kidnapped corgi in Wicked Wildlife by Mildred Abbott
G. - Galahad, Eve Dallas's faithful cat
H. - Holly, the Christmas kitten in Santa Claws Calamity by Addison Moore and Bellamy Bloom
I. -
J. - Jasper, the big orange cat of witchy jeweler Willa Icove in The Gargoyle Gets His Girl by Kristen Painter
K. -
L. - Liba (grey in Navajo), the pet of part-Navajo firefighter Roman "Chief" Proudfit in Shelter for Sophie by Susan Stoker
M- Madeline, Aurora Teagarden's veterinary-staff terrorizing cat in Real Murders by Charlaine Harris
N. -
O. - Oscar, the rescued wiener dog from Case of the Hot Dog by Erik Schubach
P. - Puddles, the elderly spaniel of MC Finnegan May's mom in Case of the Great Danish by Erik Schubach
*Q. -
R. - Ruff, the golden retriever in Case of the Gold Retriever by Erik Schubach
S. - Spider, the talking cat of elf princess Jayne Frost in Miss Frost Ices The Imp : A Nocturne Falls Mystery by Kristen Painter
T. -
*U. -
*V. -
W. - Watson, the clue-eating corgi and namesake of the Cozy Corgi bookshop in Savage Sourdough by Mildred Abbott
*X. -
*Y. -
*Z. -

Since I saw this late, I just want to start it Feb. 20 for a year or however long it takes. Love pets in books!
Alphabet Pet Names Challenge
Start - Feb 20, 2020 to December 31, 2020
26/26-finished 7/9/20

Axel--James Matthews' German Shepherd-The Long Island Iced Tea Goodbye Emily Selby 3/30/20
Belle--Mac's African Gray parrot--Murder on Cape Cod Maddie Day 3/18/20
Chewy, Ella Mae's adorable Jack Russell terrier--Peach Pies and Alibis Ellery Adams 2/27/20
Doorstop, Mia's cuddly Abyssinian cat--Here Comes the Body Maria DiRico 2/26/20
--The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop J.A. Whiting 3/3/20Euclid, the intuitive cat that Angie inherited
Fifi Mae's poodle-Canyons, Caravans & Cadavers Tonya Kappes 5/17/20
Ghost--Tabby's cat--Until Jam Do Us Part Donna Walo Clancy 3/22/20
Hero, Dalmatian puppy that the fire brigade adopted and is training to assist with firefighting.-- That Old Flame of Mine J.J. Cook 2/20/20
Indy-Ruby's cat-A Cold Spell Stacey Alabaster 4/19/20
Jasper, Tilly's lovable family dog--Farmer in the Dead CeeCee James 2/29/20
Kenny Rogers-Winnie's adopted cat-Pulp Friction Julie Anne Lindsey 4/11/20
Leroy, Hayley's dog she named after Leroy Jethro Gibbs on her favorite show--Death of a Blueberry Tart Lee Hollis 3/27/20
Major, tea house cat belonging to Hana's parents--Death in a Budapest Butterfly Julia Buckley 2/24/20
Nigel, Maine coon black and white cat technically Cole's, but Tally loves having him there--Revenge Is Sweet Kaye George 3/12/20
Oliver--MC Angie's French bulldog who's scared of just about everything except cats--Murder, Plain and Simple Isabella Alan 3/21/20
Pepper, Roxy's sweet Schnauzer who's her constant companion--Dead to the Last Drop Tonya Kappes 2/22/20
Quibbles-Trudy's cantankerous cat who ends up a hero-Some Like It Shot Zara Keane 4/18/20
Roscoe--Hawk's adorable basset hound--Rest in Peach Susan Furlong 3/24/20
Sweetums--Judith's very unlovable cat--Just Desserts Mary Daheim 3/23/20
Tinker, Stella's candle shop cat--Murder Makes Scents Christin Brecher 3/2/20
*U. -CalpUrnia--Mikki's cat-A Fatal Fiction Kaitlyn Dunnett 6/26/20
*V. -SteVe Austin-Red's rescue dog Paw and Order V.M. Burns 7/9/20
Wally, Jazz's pup she's training to be an HRD dog-The Secrets of Bones Kylie Logan 5/5/20
*X. -ReX, a seizure detecting dog who was able to find his owner when she went missing-Murder in the Wine Country Janet Finsilver 5/4/20
*Y. -ZippY, James' newly adopted Greyhound-Secrets of the Past Shelly West 5/20/20
Zinfandel aka Zin, Parker's cat-Killer Chardonnay Kate Lansing 5/24/20

Welcome Deanie, Tari & Jillypenny!

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Welcome Deanie, Tari & Jillypenny!" Thanks!

Msg. 15 updated, finished, that was a fun challenge!

NBRC: Pet Names A-Z
0/26 Completed

A. -
B. -
C. -
D. -
E. -
F. -
G. -
H. -
I. -
J. -
K. -
L. -
M. -
N. -
O. -
P. -
*Q. -
R. -
S. -
T. -
*U. -
*V. -
W. -
*X. -
*Y. -
*Z. -

A-Z Pets
Jan 1 - Dec 31 2021
*For Q, U, X, Y and Z, the title only needs to have that letter somewhere in it.
Also, we will allow three “wild cards”** consisting of two types.

1) You may read a book that has an animal that is of a breed that has the letter you desire ( “V” - Golden Retriever. Shown for “V” in the example below.)

2) You may read a book with a title, author, or character that you have used (or would like to use) to name your pet. (Shown for “Q” in the example below.)

24/26 completed

A: Athena Idog) - A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison - 4/9/21
B: Burgess (squirrel) - Spellcasting with a Chance of Spirits by Mandy M. Roth - 4/30/21
C: Callis (dog) - Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews - 9/1721
D: Donna (dog) - It's A Wonderful Midlife Crisis by Robyn Peterman - 10/31/21
E: Eggy (dog) - A Glimpse of Evil by Victoria Laurie - 2/8/21
F: Frederick (cat) - The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss - 3/26/21
G: Gingersnap (dog) - Big Little Spies by Krista Davis - 4/11/21
H: Hoppy (dog) - Freezer I'll Shoot by Victoria Hamilton - 4/28/21
I: Inky (cat) - The Body from the Past by Judi Lynn - 2/26/21
J:
K: Kenny Rogers (cat) - Pulp Friction by Julie Ann Lindsey - 10/11/21
L: Ling (racoon) - Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews - 9/15/21
M: Meri (cat) - Black Magic Kitten by Sara Bourgeois - 7/17/21
N: Nutmeg (cat) - Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower - 7/19/21
O: Olasard (cat) - One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews - 6/28/21
P: Philby (cat) - Mean Girl Murder by Leslie Langtry - 7/15/21
Q:
R: Randy (rooster) - Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams - 12/4/21
S: Storm (dog) - Alone in the Wild by Kelley Armstrong - 3/5/21
T: Tulip (horse) - Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews - 1/3/21
U: Tucker (dog) - The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimez - 9/21/21
V: Vestris (scorpion hawk) - The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - 8/31/21
W: Winston (dog) - Any Witch Way But Goode by Michelle M. Pillow - 11/6/21
X: Rex (dog) - Close Up by Amanda Quick - 6/13/21
Y: Lucky (cat) - Sucks To Be Me by Kristen Painter - 5/17/21
Z: Hazey (dog) - South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber

Okay I'm starting again.
Start: March 21, 2021 End:???

A. -
B. - Bruja, witch dog from All the Lives we Never Lived by Anuradha Roy (08/05/21)
C. - Cupcake, cat from Bring Her On by Chelsea M Cameron (23/03/21)
D. - Dostoyevsky aka Donut, pet dog from Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'neill (15/04/21)
E. -
F. - Finn, a Skye terrier from A Double Life by Flynn Berry (05/04/21)
G. -
H. - Hamlet, cat from A Serial Killer's Daughter by Kerri Rawson
I. -
J. - Jasper, a pet dog from A Double Life by Flynn Berry
K. - Koda, cat from Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda
L. - Lakshmi, dog from All the Lives we Never Lived by Anuradha Roy (08/05/21)
M. - Meatball, pet cat from Bring Her On by Chelsea M Cameron (23/03/21)
N. - Nadia and Nastia, Gwen's terriers in You Will Know me by Megan Abbott
O. -
P. - Patches, Dennis Rader's (BTK) spaniel A Serial Killer's Daughter by Kerri Rawson
*Q. -
R. - Riki, dog from All the Lives we Never Lived by Anuradha Roy (08/05/21)
S. - Speedbump, bassett hound from The Vanishing Season by Joanna Schaffhausen
T. - Taiwo, ghost dog/guardian from New Suns, edited by Nisi Shawl
*U. - Rufus, dog that saves the day in Hazards of Time Travel by Joyce Carol Oates
*V. -
W. - Wilbur, Alex Trebek's dog - The Answer Is...
*X. -
*Y. - Stormy, cat from The Vanishing Season by Joanna Schaffhausen
*Z. -

Nothing But Reading Challenges
NBRC 26 Alphabet 15: Pet Names Alphabet
Duration: 1/11/2024 - This challenge lasts for 1-2 years from the date you start

Progress: 4 out of 26

Something a little more challenging for you animal lovers out there! Let’s read those pets that appear in our books, both fiction and non-fiction. Some of the names you run across are pretty clever or funny.

From A - Z use different pet names for each letter of the alphabet. You may use the names of fictitious breeds, as long as they are pets of any character in the novel (it does not have to be a main character).

Hard to Find Letters and “Wild Cards”: Several letters* are hard to find: like “Q,” “U,” “V,” “X,” “Y,”and “Z”. Therefore, you may use these letters within the name.

Also, we will allow three “wild cards”** consisting of two types.

1) You may read a book that has an animal that is of a breed that has the letter you desire ( “V” - Golden Retriever. Shown for “V” in the example below.)

2) You may read a book with a title, author, or character that you have used (or would like to use) to name your pet. (Shown for “Q” in the example below.)


A: Anton: The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu - *** - 2/20/2024 - 423 Pages
B. -
C: Casper: The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore - ***** - 1/11/2024 - 267 Pages
D. -
E. -
F. -
G: Gallahad: Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb - ***** - 3/10/2024 - 347 Pages
H: Hedgie: Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood - ***** - 2/19/2024 - 389 Pages
I. -
J. -
K. -
L. -
M. -
N. -
O. -
P. -
*Q. -
R. -
S: Snuffles: We need to talk about Kevin
T. -
*U. -
*V. -
W. -
*X. -
*Y. -
*Z. -