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Sarah's 2020 Challenges
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Progress: 11/11 AA: 6/6
Part 1:
1. Read a book with a title starting with the letter J:
2. Read a book where one of the author's initials can be found in the word "January":
3. Read a book published in January (any year):
4. Read a book with a new to you author:
5. Read any book of your choice:
Part 2. Spell-it-Out: BRAWLS (sorry - not a very celebratory word, but were always a feature of the Hobart docks on NYE in years gone by!)
B:
R:
A:
W:
L:
S:












Level: Hard
Progress: 11/11 AA: 3/3
TASKS
1. February is our second month on the calendar - Read a book which is #2 in a series OR the 2nd on your TBR:
2. 2020 is a leap year, which gives February 29 days - Read a book which contains all the letters L E A P in the title
3. February has Valentine's Day on 14th Feb, so is a month of romance - Read a book where BOTH the author's initials are found in VALENTINE
4. February has 8 letters; the month has 29 days - Read a book with either an 8, 2 or 9 in the page count




SPELL-IT-OUT: REGATTA (The Hobart Regatta festival is a February fixture in Hobart)
R:
E:
G:
A:
T:
T:
A:
(If I'm running short of time, I have a "B-plan" based on "HEAT")








Level: Hard Progress: 15/15 AA: 7/7
Book #1:

My choices:
a) Exact Match -
b) Title starts with "C" -
c) Historical fiction -
d) Reference to space in title -
e) Female on cover -





Book #2:

My choices:
a) Exact Match -
b) Author who writes under more than one name -
c) Author's first name begins with "G" -
d) Female author -
e) Australian Author -





Book #3:

My choices:
a) Exact Match -
b) Title begins with "S" -
c) Set in USA -
d) Male author -
e) Australian author -






Progress: 16/16; Australian Authors: 5/5
1. Down
1. Death in title:
2. Weapon on cover:
3. Thriller:
4. Set in Australia:




2 Down
1. Historical Mystery:
2. Romantic Suspense:
3. Cosy Mystery:
4. Female author:




3 Down
1. From a series:
2. Crime (I'm interpreting this as true crime):
3. Police procedural:
4. Set in America:




4 Down
1. Mystery:
2. Published in 2019:
3. Stand alone:
4. Male author:





Level: Harder
Progress: 5/5 AA: 2/2
M/1. Make reading fun. Read a book which is light and entertaining:
A/2. Add to your reading list. Read a book a friend has enjoyed which is not on your TBR yet:
R/3. Reduce your TBR list by at least one book. Read the next book in a series you are already reading:
C/4. Count down and read the third book on your TBR list:
H/5. Help yourself to a nice cup (or glass) of your favourite beverage and read a book you have been looking forward to:





Now the titles / names of the authors spell "MARCH"!

Final Total: 1121 pages
Another great kickstart to the month's reading - thanks Brenda!
Friday:
Finished Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo - 113 pages
Started The Yield by Tara June Winch - 20 pages (then decided I need to take more time over it - not a readathon book!)
Started Flesh House by Stuart Macbride - 264 pages
Sub-total: 397 pages
Saturday:
Read The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths - 327 pages
Finished Flesh House by Stuart Macbride - 216
Sub-total: 543 pages
Sunday: slowed down a bit...
Started The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza - 181 pages
Sub-total: 181 pages






Progress: 18/18 AA: 7/7
Male Author:
Female Author:
Fiction:
Non-Fiction:
Historical Fiction:
Contemporary Fiction:
Set in the country:
Set in (and around) a city:
Set in Australia:
Set in another country (USA):
Part of a series:
A standalone:
Long title:
Short title:
Australian Author:
Non-Australian Author (Scottish):
Female MC:
Male MC:



















Level: Hard
Progress: 10/10 Australian Authors: 2/2
Part one: Find the Missing Books.
1. Read a book with a blue cover by a male author.
2. Read a book set in the U.K. and written by a female author.
3. Read a book with 300- 350 pages.
4. Read a book written by an Australian author.
5. Read a book published in 2020.





Part two: Now Find the Thief.
1. Check for fingerprints. Read a book where both of someone's hands show clearly on the cover.
2. Screen your suspects for alibis - where were they at the time of the theft? Read a book with a place name in the title. (this can be a name or a location e.g. river, street, house etc)
3. Follow your suspect. Read the next book in a series you are reading.
4. Catch your suspect in the act of stealing another book! Read a book from the library.
5. The thief turns out to be a famous author of mysteries and thrillers. Hand him - or her - over to the police. Read a book of your choice.






Level: Hard
Progress: 12/12 AA: 6/6
TASKS: Each title must contain the following:
1. A Colour:
2. A Number:
3. A First Name:
4. A Place:
5. A Form of Water:
6. A Day, Month or Season:






SPELL-IT-OUT: AUTUMN
A:
U:
T:
U:
M:
N:







May Challenge - All about the GENRES 1st - 31st May 2020
Level: Hard
Progress: 10/10 AA: 4/4
Historical Fiction:
Mystery-Thriller:
Humour:
Contemporary Fiction:
Bildungsroman:
Spell it out.
G:
E:
N:
R:
E:











Friday: 385 pages
The Gown by Jennifer Robson: Completed (p254 - p.379) = 125 pages
The Scoop by Terence J. Quinn: Started = 112 pages
The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones by Daven McQueen: Continued reading = 28 pages
The Lost Man by Jane Harper: Started = 120 pages
Saturday: 551 pages
The Lost Man by Jane Harper (p120-340) Completed (p120-340) = 220 pages
The Scoop by Terence J. Quinn Continued reading (p.112-220) = 108 pages
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Started and Completed = 223 pages
Sunday: 640 pages
The Scoop by Terence J. Quinn Completed (p.220 - p.400) = 180 pages
Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie Started and completed = 416 pages
You by Caroline Kepnes Continued reading (p16 - p.60) = 44 pages
GRAND TOTAL: 1576

June TBR Challenge
Duration: 1/6/20 - 30/6/20
Level: Hard
Progress: 18/18 AA: 5/5
PART 1: TASKS
1. On your TBR the longest:
2. A new to you author:
3. A favourite author:
4. Favourite genre (Crime/Mystery):




PART 2: SPELL-IT-OUT
Q:
U:
E:
E:
N':
S:
B:
I:
R:
T:
H:
D:
A:
Y:















July Challenge: Freedom at last!
Duration: 1/7/20 - 31/7/20
Level: Hard
Progress: 8/8 AA: 3/3
L:
O:
C:
K:
D:
O:
W:
N:









Winter Challenge (First Lap)
Duration: 1/6/20 - 31/8/20
Level: Hard
Progress: 12/12 AA: 5/5
PART 1: Series
1. 1st in a series:
2. 2nd in a series:
3. 3rd in a series:
4. 4th in a series:
5. 5th in a series:
6. 6th in a series:






PART 2: Tasks
1. Read a book by an author you have never read before:
2. Read a book which has a two word title (and yes -" a", "an" and "the" do count!):
3. Read the third book on your TBR:
4. Read a book which was published in April (any year):
5. Read a book which a Goodreads friend gave five stars:
6. Read a book which is set in winter:







Winter Challenge (Second Lap)
Duration: 1/6/20 - 31/8/20
Level: Hard (2)
Progress: 12/12 AA: 6/6
PART 1: Series
1. 1st in a series:
2. 2nd in a series:
3. 3rd in a series:
4. 4th in a series:
5. 5th in a series:
6. 6th in a series:






PART 2: Tasks
1. Read a book by an author you have never read before:
2. Read a book which has a two word title (and yes -" a", "an" and "the" do count!):
3. Read the third book on your TBR:
4. Read a book which was published in April (any year):
5. Read a book which a Goodreads friend gave five stars:
6. Read a book which is set in winter:







August Challenge - Let's Travel!
Duration: 1/8/20 - 31/8/20
Level: Hard
Progress: 11/11 AA: 3/3
PART 1: TASKS
1. Geographical Setting: Read a book set in a different country to your own:
2. Travel to a Different Genre: Read a book from a genre you haven't explored for a long time:
3. Cover Hunt: Read a book with a mode of transport on the cover:
4. Title: Read a book with a PLACE NAME in the title:
5. Author: Read a book by an author who lives in a country other than your own:






PART 2: SPELL-IT-OUT
T:
R:
A:
V:
E:
L:







Winter Challenge - Hide & Seek
Duration: 1st June to 31st August 2020
Level: Amazing
Progress: 15/15
1. Michael:
2. Kate:
3. Amy:
4. Jack:
5. Will:
6. Daniel:
7. David:
8. Jane:
9. Harry:
10. Joe:
11. Helen:
12. Eve:
13. Peter:
14. James:
15. Ruth:
















Friday total: 313 pages
Inspired by Murder by Audrey J. Cole - Loc. 29/328 (7%) - Loc. 167/328 (50%) = 43% = 146 pages
In the Cold Dark Ground by Stuart MacBride - pp. 76 - 243 = 167 pages
Saturday total: 342 pages
Inspired by Murder by Audrey J. Cole - Loc. 167/328 (50%) - Loc. 328/328 (100%) = 50% = 170 pages
In the Cold Dark Ground by Stuart MacBride - pp. 243 - 415 = 172 pages
Sunday Total: 195 pages
In the Cold Dark Ground by Stuart MacBride - pp. 415 - 544 = 129 pages
The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean - pp. 20 - 86 = 66 pages



Grand Total = Friday 313 + Saturday 342 + Sunday 195 = 850 pages.
Thanks mods and well done everyone!

September Challenge- It's a party!
1st September - 30th September 2020
Level: Hard
Progress: 9/9 AA: 3/3
Part 1: Tasks
1. Choose a venue.
2. Select a theme for your party. Exotic Garden Party -
3. Invite your guests. (Brenda, Phrynne, Paromjit)
4. PARTY!




Part 2: Spell it out.
G:
A:
M:
E:
S:






1st April - 30 September 2020
Progress: 84/84 AA: 21/21
PART 1:
P:
P:
E:



P:
A:
N:
D:
E:
M:
I:
C:







C:
O:
R:
O:
N:
A:






I:
S:
O:
L:
A:
T:
I:
O:
N:









Q:
U:
A:
R:
A:
N:
T:
I:
N:
E:










S:
A:
N:
I:
T:
I:
S:
E:
R:










1st April - 30 September 2020
Progress: 84/84 AA: 21/21
PART 2:
V:
A:
C:
C:
I:
N:
E:







V:
I:
R:
U:
S:





P:
A:
N:
I:
C:





H:
O:
M:
E:




M:
A:
S:
K:
E:
D:






C:
O:
V:
I:
D:





T:
R:
A:
C:
I:
N:
G:








1st April - 30 September 2020
Progress: 84/84 AA: 21/21
PART 1
PART 2


Duration: 1/10/20 - 31/10/20
Level: Hard
Progress: 10/10 AA: 4/4
TASKS
1. October is the 10th month - read a book which is 10th on your TBR:
2. Read a book where you can spell the word TEN in the title (and in the author's name!):
3. Read a book where the title or author (first or last name) starts with "O":
4. October has both LIBRA (22/9-22/10) and SCORPIO (23/10-21/11) star signs. Read a book which spells either LIBRA or SCORPIO in the title:
5. Read a book of your choice:





SPELL-IT-OUT
C:
A:
N:
D:
Y:






A-Z With a Difference
1/1/20 - 31/12/20
Progress: 26/26
A: Read a book set in Australia:
B: Read a book with a blue cover:
C: Read a Crime book of your choice: (I'm interpreting this as true crime)
D: Read a Debut Novel:
E: Read a book set in England:
F: Read a book with a four-word title:
G: Read a book where you can find the letters G-U-N in the title:
H: Read a book where the title starts with H:
I: Read a book where both the author's initials can be found in the word "Mystery":
J: Read a book published in January of any year:
K: Read a book where the author's first or last initial is K:
L: Read a book you borrowed from the library:
M: Read a Mystery of your choice:
N: Read a new book (published in 2020):
O: Read an old book (published before 1999):
P: Read a book with more than 400 pages:
Q: Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Q in it:
R: Read a book with a red cover:
S: Read a book which is part of a series:
T: Read a Thriller of your own choice:
U: Read a book set in the USA:
V: Read a book with a variety of colours on the cover (at least four):
W: Read a book with a weapon on the cover:
X: Read a book which is EXTRA good (lots of five star reviews):
Y: Read a book with a yellow cover:
Z: Read a book where the title (including a series title) has a Z in it:



























Duration: 1/1/20 - 31/12/20
Level: 3
Progress: 40/40
Female Authors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Male Authors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
2020 New Releases
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Favourite Genre - Mystery/Crime/Thriller
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.









































Duration: 1st Sept - 30th Nov 2020
Level: Hard
Progress: 20/20 AA: 6/6
LIST OF ITEMS:
1. Allergies (author's name)
2. Blooms (author's name)
3. Breeze (text)
4. Bulbs (title)
5. Butterflies (author's name)
6. Daffodils (author's name)
7. Green Grass (title)
8. Melbourne Cup (author's name)
9. Spring Flowers (author's name)
10. Puddles (cover)
11. Rabbit (title)
12. Rain (text)
13. Rainbow (author's name)
14. Raincoat (author's name)
15. Springtime (title)
16. Spring Break (author's name)
17. Spring Showers (author's name)
18. Sunshine (cover)
19. Umbrella (author's name)
20. Worms (text)





















Duration: 1/1/20 - 31/12/20
Progress: 26/26 AA: 26/26
A: Addison Lake (Death at the Dog Show by Grace York AA (23/1) 2.5*)
B: Clare Bowditch (Your Own Kind of Girl by Clare Bowditch AA (11/3) 5*)
C: Callie Jones (Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie AA (13/1) 2.5*)
D: Donny Salter (Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko AA (17/1) 5*)
E: Emlyn Rees (Undara by Annie Seaton AA (29/4) 4*)
F: Garda Peter Fisher (The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan AA (11/4) 4*)
G: August Gondiwindi, Albert Gondiwindi and Reverend Greenleaf (The Yield by Tara June Winch AA (6/4) 5*)
H: Constable Paul Hirschhausen (Bitter Wash Road AA (4/4) 4* and Peace AA (16/4) 4*, both by Garry Disher)
I: Jack Irish (Bad Debts by Peter Temple AA (27/11) 5*)
J: Jessica Sanchez (Gathering Dark by Candice Fox AA (20/4) 4*)
K: Cilka Klein (Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris AA (30/5) 5*)
L: Lucy (The Octopus and I by Erin Hortle AA (17/5) 4*)
M: Claire Montgomery (The Cinema at Starlight Creek by Alli Sinclair AA (6/1) 3.5*)
N: Princess Natalie of Rolandia (A Royal Abduction by Arthur W. Upfield AA (26/5) 4.5*)
O: Joe O'Loughlin (Lost by Michael Robotham AA (6/8) 4*)
P: Pufferfish (A.K.A. D.I Franz Heineken) (13-Point Plan for a Perfect Murder by David Owen AA (7/2) 4*)
Q: Joe CinQue (Joe Cinque's Consolation, A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law by Helen Garner AA (24/1) 5*)
R: Cormac Reilly (The Ruin by Dervla McTiernan AA (17/3) 4*)
S: Brendan Sokaluk (The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire by Chloe Hooper AA (19/1) 4*)
T: Tess Atherton (Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie AA (7/6) 4*)
U: Uncle Pike (The Nancys by R.W.R. Mcdonald AA (27/11) 5*)
V: Vanessa Bell (Charlotte Pass by Lee Christine AA (18/9) 4*)
W: Willa Waters (A Lifetime of Impossible Days by Tabitha Bird AA (25/3) 5*)
X: Xander Bright (The Lost Man by Jane Harper AA (6/6) 5*)
Y: SkYe Rogers (The Secret Runners of New York by Matthew Reilly AA (19/1) 4*)
Z: Zoe Harker (The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott AA (28/5) 5*)


























Duration: 1/1/20 - 31/12/20
Aussie Authors ONLY
Level: To infinity and beyond (25 books - 5 rows)
Progress: 25/25
1 Across
1. Published 2020:
2. 400+ pages:
3. Female author:
4. Set in AU:
5. Female MC:





2 Across
1. Bright vibrant cover:
2. Part of a series:
3. Favourite genre:
4. Historical fiction:
5. Male MC:





3 Across
1. Rated 4+ by friend:
2. New author to me:
3. On TBR 2+ years:
4. Crime/Mystery:
5. Male author:





4 Across
1. One word title:
2. Water on cover:
3. Cosy mystery:
4. Child on cover:
5. Speculative fiction:





5 Across
1. Young adult:
2. From the library:
3. Sky on cover:
4. Non fiction:
5. Set in another country:






Duration: 1/9/20 - 30/11/20
Level: Distinction
Progress: 12/12
1.English. Read a book set in England.
2.Maths. Read a book with a number in the title.
3. History. Read a book set in the past.
4. Geography. Read a book set in a country other than your own.
5. Science. Do an experiment - read a book from a new to you author.
6. Art. Read a book with an artistic or very colourful cover.
7. Languages. Read a book set in a country whose first language is not English.
8. Computer science. Read an ebook or listen to an audiobook.
9. Music. Read a book where the letters of 'music' can be found in the title or one where someone sings in the story.
10. Home Economics. Read a book with food on the cover or cooking is mentioned in the story. (both)
11. Physical Education. Read a book by an author with the letters P and E somewhere in their name.
12. Religious Instruction. Read a book where a main character has a name you could find in the Bible.













Duration: 1/11/20 - 30/11/20
Level: Pulled Up Short
Progress: 10/11 AA: 5/6
2020 - Twilight Payment: (Author's Name)
2019 - Vow and Declare: (Author's Name)
2018 - Cross Counter: (Title)
2017 - Rekindling: (Author's Name)
2016 - Almandin: (Author's Name)
2015 - Prince of Penzance: (Title) Zambezi by Tony Park AA currently reading
2014 - Protectionist: (Author's Name)
2013 - Fiorente: (Title)
2012 - Green Moon: (Author's Name)
2011 - Dunaden: (Author's Name)
2010 - Americain: (Author's Name)












Starting Points:
The Open House: 69% (p.265)
The Lost Love Song: 24%
My Grandmother Sends Her Regards: 25% (p.91)
Zambezi: 4% (p.15)
Friday Totals:
The Open House: Finished (p. 265 - p.384) = 119 pages
Hold Your Tongue: 67% = 277 pages
Total = 396 pages
Saturday Totals:
Hold Your Tongue: Finished (p.277 - p.414) = 137 pages
The Lost Love Song: 24% - 38% = 54 pages
Out for Blood: Started: 50% = 200 pages
Total: 391 pages (running total = 787 pages)
Sunday Totals:
Out for Blood: Finished: 50% -100% = 200 pages
The Midnight Library: Started = 114 pages
Total: 314 pages
GRAND TOTAL = 1,101 pages

Duration: 1/12/20 - 31/12/20
Level: Medium+ (not enough Aussie Authors!)
Progress: 12/12 AA: 3/3
PART 1: TASKS
1. Merry Christmas: Read a book of your choice.
2. Twelve Days of Christmas: Read a series book.
3. Friends & Family: Choose a book from a Goodreads friend's bookshelf to read.
4. Stocking Fillers: Read a book from one of your favourite authors.
5. Presents: Read a book with an inanimate object on the cover.





PART 2: SPELL-IT-OUT:
F:
R:
I:
E:
N:
D:
S:








M:
E:
R:
R:
Y:
C:
H:
R:
I:
S:
T:
M:
A:
S:














Books mentioned in this topic
A Pale Horse (other topics)The Night Swim (other topics)
Reasonable Doubt (other topics)
Silent Ridge (other topics)
The Midnight Library (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Gregg Olsen (other topics)Charles Todd (other topics)
Xanthé Mallett (other topics)
Caroline Criado Pérez (other topics)
Megan Goldin (other topics)
More...
Aussie Readers' Annual A-Z Characters Challenge 2020 ✔
Aussie Readers' Annual A-Z Authors Challenge 2020 ✔
Aussie Readers' Annual Aussie Author Bingo Challenge 2020 ✔
Aussie Readers' Annual Aussie Author Challenge ✔
Annual Crime Group Challenge 2020 - A-Z Titles ✔
Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense A-Z with a difference! ✔
Popsugar Annual Reading Challenge; See prompts here ✔
Booklist Queen (formerly Pingel Sisters') 2020 Reading Challenge; See prompts here (fill in as I go) ✔
Seasonal Challenges:
Aussie Readers' Summer Challenge 1/12/19 - 28/2/20 ✔
Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Summer Challenge 2019-20 Bingo! ✔
Aussie Readers' Autumn Challenge 1/3/20 - 31/5/20 ✔
Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Autumn Challenge 2020 - Mystery at Booktown Library ✔
Aussie Readers' Extra Special Challenge 1 April - 30 September 2020 Part 1 ✔ Part 2 ✔
Aussie Readers' Winter Challenge 1/6/20 - 31/8/20 First Round ✔ Second Round ✔
Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Winter Challenge 2020 - Hide and Seek ✔
Aussie Readers' Spring Challenge 1/9/20 - 30/11/20 ✔
Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Spring Challenge 2020 - Exam Time! ✔
Aussie Readers' We have Wanderlust! Challenge - 1st October 2020 - 31 March 2021
Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Summer Challenge 20-21 - Booktown Christmas Fayre
Aussie Readers' Summer 2020-21 Challenge 1/12/20 - 28/2/21
Monthly Challenges:
Aussie Readers' January Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' February Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' March Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' April Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' May Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' June Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' July Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' August Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' September Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' October Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' November Challenge ✔
Aussie Readers' December Challenge ✔
Readathons
Aussie Readers' Quarterly Readathon - April 2020 ✔
Aussie Readers' Quarterly Readathon - June 2020 ✔
Aussie Readers' Quarterly Readathon - September 2020 ✔
Aussie Readers' Quarterly Readathon - December 2020 ✔
LOTS-A-SPELL Challenges
Lots-a-Spell December Challenge ✔