The Challenge Factory discussion

The winter reindeer racing season in Finnish Lapland culminates in the King of Reindeer race event held at Lake Inari, 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.

This is not a sport for the faint of heart - racing along on skis, pulled by a semi-wild reindeer galloping at more than 50 kilometers per hour over a frozen lake. Helmets are strongly recommended.



For this challenge you can race your reindeer alone or team up your reindeer in twos, threes or more to combine tasks. Each book needs to be 200 pages in length, unless noted.

Duration: March 1 - 31, 2015

All reindeer available to run in this race are taken from the 1823 poem by Clement Clarke Moore "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (using the original Germanic spelling).

Dasher - read a short story

Dancer - read a book where dancing happens

Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse

Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman

Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover

Cupid - read a romance (see post 2)

Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Listopia example of books

Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story


a sample reading list:
A Bride for Tom a short story (Dasher)

Lady Elizabeth's Comet a romance (Cupid) with a celestial object in the title (Comet)

Mr. Darcy's Refuge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Lady Catherine de Bourgh is shrewish (Vixen), a severe storm causes flooding (Blixem), Darcy and Elizabeth dance (Dancer) and ride horses (Prancer)

Moon Clock Ticks noise in the title (Dunder)

By the way, does anyone recognize Lake Inari? Philip Pullman chose this lake to be the home of the witch, Serafina Pekkala, from the His Dark Materials series.

If anyone has a question, feel free to ask.
Please remember, this is not a race against other readers.
Making to the finish line is the goal.

For those who do not care to read the modern version of a romance, I suggest the old version. According to Wikipedia, "other works are still, occasionally, referred to as romances because of their uses of other elements descended from the medieval romance, or from the Romantic movement: larger-than-life heroes and heroines, drama and adventure, marvels that may become fantastic, themes of honor and loyality, or fairy-tale-like stories and story settings."

Wikipedia notes that Nathaniel Hawthorne called his works romances instead of novels. H G Wells's books are accepted as "scientic romances", the beginning of science fiction. Don't forget the Gothic novels as an early type of romance: Dracula, A Sicilian Romance and the parody, Northanger Abbey.

I hope this helps.

I'm in.
Dasher -Always Have, Always Will 3/5 | ★★★★
Dancer - read a book where dancing happens
Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse
Vixen - I'll Always Miss You 3/14 ★★★★
Comet - Here For You 3/3 ★★★
Cupid Losing Control 3/7 ★★★ 1/2
Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Listopia example of books
Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story

So creative, Lanelle! :)

Question...

Let me see if I got this right.

I want to read How to Howl at the Moon. So it's a romance, noise in the title (howl), and celestial object in the title (moon), correct? This book will count for Cupid, Comet, and Dunder?

I hope I can finish this month! I was ONE AWAY in February but just can't fit in the last book I need :/ Overbooked myself, as usual.

Duration: March 1, 2015- March 31, 2015

Dasher: Read a short story
- The Devouring by Simon Holt 3/1/2015

Prancer and Vixen: Read a book with someone who rides a horse and read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman.
- Whodunnit? Murder in Mystery Manor by Anthony E. Zuiker 3/4/2015

Dancer and Cupid: Read a book where dancing happens and read a romance
- Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy 3/5/2015

Comet: Read a book with something celestial on the cover.
- The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum 3/12/2015

Blixem: Read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story.
- The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker 3/21/2015

Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Listopia example of books

For the short story, does it need to be a singular story or can we read an anthology?

TayaJay and Rissa -- the shrew is throwing me. How do you work in a shrewish female MC if you only read M/M?

Oh wait....does it have to be the MC?

Any MM suggestions?

Susan A wrote: "TayaJay and Rissa -- the shrew is throwing me. How do you work in a shrewish female MC if you only read M/M?

Oh wait....does it have to be the MC?

Any MM suggestions?"

Susan, I definitely don't think it has to be the MC. Just in the book...

And that's a tough one, I would have to think about this.

Here's the definition in Google:
shrew·ish
ˈSHro͞oiSH/
adjective
(of a woman) bad-tempered or aggressively assertive.
"his shrewish wife"
synonyms: bad-tempered, quarrelsome, spiteful, sharp-tongued, scolding, nagging;

I think Aftermath has this. I think when you read it, it will make sense.

Oh I love you! That's perfect!

Rissa wrote: "So creative, Lanelle! :)

Question...

Let me see if I got this right.

I want to read How to Howl at the Moon. So it's a romance, noise in the title (howl), and celestial object i..."

Exactly.

Cait wrote: "I hope I can finish this month! I was ONE AWAY in February but just can't fit in the last book I need :/ Overbooked myself, as usual.

Duration: March 1, 2015- March 31, 2015

Dasher - read a short..."

Overbooked? Were you trying to be punny? :)

Susan A wrote: "Oh I love you! That's perfect!"

It's like you are meant to read that book! ;)

Cait wrote: "For the short story, does it need to be a singular story or can we read an anthology?"

A single story is for Dasher. You can read the whole anthology for fun, or maybe you can get it to fit one of the other reindeer.

Lanelle wrote: "Rissa wrote: "So creative, Lanelle! :)

Question...

Let me see if I got this right.

I want to read How to Howl at the Moon. So it's a romance, noise in the title (howl), and cele..."

Yay! :)

I'm in.
Duration: March 1 - 31, 2015
I've crossed the finish line!

Dasher - Silver Bells 3/8/15 *** (this story is VERY apropos!)
Dancer - Mr. Darcy's Refuge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation 3/3/15 ***
Prancer - Mr. Darcy's Refuge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation 3/3/15 ***
Vixen - Mr. Darcy's Refuge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation 3/3/15 ***
Comet - Lady Elizabeth's Comet 3/6/15 ****
Cupid - Lady Elizabeth's Comet 3/6/15 ****
Dunder - Streetlights Like Fireworks 3/8/15 ****
Blixem - Mr. Darcy's Refuge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation 3/3/15 ***

BOOK it to the finish line! March 2015
Duration: 1st March - 31st March
0/8

Dasher - read a short story
Dancer - read a book where dancing happens
Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse
Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman
Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover
Cupid - read a romance (see post 2)
Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Listopia example of books
Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story

BOOK it to the finish line! March 2015
Duration: March 1 - 31, 2015
Completed: 6/8


✔Dasher - read a short story - #1 Learn Pole Dancing 3/22/15
✔Dancer - The Great Gatsby 3/30/15
✔Prancer - Toys 3/25/15
Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman
✔Comet - Aces Wild 3/11/15
✔Cupid - Kissed by a Dark Prince 3/20/15
✔Dunder (Thunder) - Bound by Flames 3/1/15
Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story

Would "shatter" work as a noise? It's more of an action but I can't really think of anything that would shatter that would do it silently haha

Edit: And would clouds work for celestial? Or is that strictly stars, moon, that sort of thing?

Cait wrote: "Would "shatter" work as a noise? It's more of an action but I can't really think of anything that would shatter that would do it silently haha

Edit: And would clouds work for celestial? Or is that..."

If something shatters, it's definitely loud. So yes for that.
I'm going to say no to clouds. Celestial relates to something in the heavens, such as stars, sun or moon.

BOOK it to the finish line! March 2015
Duration: 1st March - 31st March
8/8 Complete

Dasher - short story The Duke's Plaything: Book V & VI Mar 1 ★★
Dancer & Blixem: Unconditional Surrender - An M/M Military Bundle Mar 5 ★★★
Prancer - This Other Country Mar 15 ★★★★★
Vixen - Aftermath Mar 11 ★★★★★
Comet - Secrets Mar 7 ★★★
Cupid & Dunder: The Shearing Gun Mar 1 ★★★★★

I think I'll also try for Aftermath next month.

Lanelle,

Is it ok if I pair off Dasher with another reindeer?

One of the books I'm thinking of is a short story and a storm plays a major part in the story...

I know that it's mentioned that each book has to be 200 pages so Dasher can only be solo? Can't be paired with anyone else, if I'm understanding that correctly?

Yes, Dasher can only be a solo.

Lanelle wrote: "Yes, Dasher can only be a solo."

Thought so, but just wanted to make sure! :)

Thanks Lanelle!

TCF Book It Challenge – Lake Inari King of Reindeer race
March 2015

Dasher: read a short story
-- Double Booked (Double the Heat Anthology) – Elizabeth Bevarly
Dancer: read a book where dancing happens AND
Dunder (Thunder): read a book with something that makes a noise in the title
-- Breaking Free – Cherise Sinclair
Prancer: read a book with someone who rides a horse AND
Vixen: read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman
-- Rescue My Heart – Jill SHalvis
Comet: read a book with something celestial on the cover AND
Cupid: read a romance
-- Indian Moon – Carolyn McCray
Blixem (Lightning): read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story
-- Eyewall – H.W. Buzz Bernard

King of Reindeer Race


***COMPLETE***

Goal: 8/8 reindeer
March 1 - 31, 2015
200 page limit

✓Dasher - read a short story
   Insanity by Lauren Hammond (03/11/15)

✓Dancer - read a book where dancing happens
✓Cupid - read a romance
   Hero by Samantha Young (03/08/15)

✓Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse
   Finders Keepers by Nicole Williams (03/22/15)

✓Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover
   Ink by Holly Hood (03/27/15)

✓Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman
✓Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title
   The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (03/15/15)

✓Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story
   The Scorch Trials by James Dashner (03/08/15)

BOOK it to the finish line! March 2015
Duration: March 1 - 15, 2015
Completed: 8/8

✓Sawkill Stories: The Silver Tower, 01/03/2015
       ✓Dasher - read a short story
✓Fortune's Daughter, 01/03/2015
       ✓Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman
       ✓Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story
✓Rook and Raven, 07/03/2015
       ✓Cupid - read a romance
       ✓Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse
       ✓Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title
✓The Body Electric, 09/03/2015
       ✓Dancer - read a book where dancing happens
✓Chasing the Star Garden, 15/03/2015
       ✓Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover

Duration: March 1 - 31, 2015

Dasher - Better To Wish 3-3-15
Dancer - If You Stay 3-8-15
Prancer - Rush Revere and the American Revolution 3-2-15
Vixen - The Ever After Bird 3-9-15
Comet - The War That Saved My Life 3-19-15
Cupid - Beast 3-5-15
Dunder (Thunder) - Girls That Rocked the World Vol1 3-16-15
Blixen (Lightning) - The Raft 3-7-15

Book it to the Finish Line - March 2015
Begins: 01March15 / Ends: 31March15

Race your reindeer - can team up multiples with one book.

8/8 tasks complete

Dasher - read a short story - The 13 Clocks ✔ – 18March 15

Dancer - read a book where dancing happens - The Book of Unknown Americans ✔ – 16Mar15

Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse - Burial Rites ✔ – 18Mar15

Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman - The Twelve Tribes of Hattie ✔ – 07March15

Comet - Something celestial on cover - ✔ – 22March15 (four stars, center bottom)

Cupid - read a romance - The Matchmaker of Périgord ✔ – 13March15

Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title - "under fire" = artillery / gunfire - Rose Under Fire ✔ – 11Mar15

Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story - His Majesty's Dragon ✔ – 05Mar15

The Challenge Factory
BOOK it to the finish line! March 2015

Dasher - read a short story Pink Lace and a Stolen Proposal: A Sequel finished 3/1/2015

Dancer - read a book where dancing happens Red Dirt Heart 4 finished 3/10/2015

Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse Red Dirt Heart 4 finished 3/10/2015

Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman When One Door Opens finished 3/20/2015

Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover How to Howl at the Moon finished 3/19/2015

Cupid - read a romance (see post 2) How to Howl at the Moon finished 3/19/2015

Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Listopia example of books How to Howl at the Moon finished 3/19/2015

Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story Long Time Gone finished 3/24/2015

TOTAL = 8 reindeers FINISHED - 3/24/2015!

Duration: March 1 - 31, 2015

1) Dasher - read a short story

2) Dancer - read a book where dancing happens

3) Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse

4) Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman

5) Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover

6) Cupid - read a romance (see post 2)

7) Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Listopia example of books

8) Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story

0/8

All reindeer available to run in this race are taken from the 1823 poem by Clement Clarke Moore "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (using the original Germanic spelling).

Dasher - read a short story(Sail, Calypso!)

Dancer - read a book where dancing happens:(The Blue Castle)

Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse(מחנה הקיץ של אדון הוא)

Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman(Zel)

Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover(Mother Night)

Cupid - read a romance (see post 2)(The Blue Castle)

Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Listopia example of books(Fyre)

Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story(Sail, Calypso!)

8/8 Read:

Dasher - read a short story The Benson
Dancer - read a book where dancing happens A Brush of Darkness
Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse Satan's Sword
Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman Reckoning
Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover The Darkest Passion
Cupid - read a romance (see post 2) Dirty Deeds
Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors
Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story Maplecroft

Would "storm" work for a word that causes noise?

Cait wrote: "Would "storm" work for a word that causes noise?"

Sure.

Lanelle wrote: "Cait wrote: "Would "storm" work for a word that causes noise?"

Sure."

Awesome! Thanks :D Think I'm officially done bugging you now!.....................For this month :P

Sounds like fun. :)

Dasher - read a short story

Dancer - read a book where dancing happens

Prancer - read a book with someone who rides a horse

Vixen - read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman

Comet - read a book with something celestial on the cover

Cupid - read a romance

Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title

Blixem (Lightning) - read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story
3/5/15

Question re: # 7 DUNDER

Rose Under Fire "under fire" implies gunshots or artillery - both of which make a lot of noise.
Is this acceptable?

Book Concierge wrote: "Question re: # 7 DUNDER

Rose Under Fire "under fire" implies gunshots or artillery - both of which make a lot of noise.
Is this acceptable?"

Yep.

Book it to the Finish Line
Duration: 3/1-15-3/31/15
Completed: 8/8

Dasher: Lucky Break by Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires) - ♥♥♥♥♥ - 3/2/15
Dancer: The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher (Love Me With Lies) - ♥♥♥♥ - 3/9/15
Prancer: Rising Assets by Rebecca Zanetti (Maverick Montana) - ♥♥♥♥♥ - 3/26/15
Vixen: The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher (Love Me With Lies) - ♥♥♥♥ - 3/9/15
Comet: Fisher’s Light by Tara Sivec - ♥♥♥♥♥ - 3/28/15
Cupid: Easy Love by Kristen Proby (Beaudroux) - ♥♥♥♥♥ - 3/7/15
Dunder (Thunder): Falling for the Groomsman by Diane Alberts (Wedding Dare) - ♥♥♥♥ - 3/18/15
Blixem (Lightning): Immune by Shannon Mayer (Rylee Adamson) - ♥♥♥♥ - 3/26/15

Would dragon work for noise?

Laila Jane wrote: "Would dragon work for noise?"

Assuming it doesn't sleep all the time, yes :)

Would the word ghost work for Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title? in the book Catch a Ghost the ghost of his friend talks to him.

❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Rehvengeღ♥ღ wrote: "Would the word ghost work for Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title? in the book Catch a Ghost the ghost of his friend talks to him."

Talking doesn't seem particularly noisy. Now if this ghost was like Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol, with chains, padlocks, keys, cashboxes, moaning and groaning, that would be noisy.

I'll let you decide though.

Complete is post 20. Looking forward to next month. Thanks for hosting!

Lanelle wrote: "❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Rehvengeღ♥ღ wrote: "Would the word ghost work for Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title? in the book Catch a Ghost the ghos..."

I will only use that book if at the end of the month I can't find anything else, is that okay?

❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Rehvengeღ♥ღ wrote: "Lanelle wrote: "❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Rehvengeღ♥ღ wrote: "Would the word ghost work for Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the title? in the book [book:Catch a Ghost|18..."

Sure.

Lanelle wrote: "❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Rehvengeღ♥ღ wrote: "Lanelle wrote: "❤Stephanie ღ♥ღMrs Rehvengeღ♥ღ wrote: "Would the word ghost work for Dunder (Thunder) - read a book with something that makes a noise in the tit..."

Thanks

The Challenge Factory
BOOK it to the finish line! March 2015
Duration: 3/1/2015 - 3/31/2015

Progress: 8 out of 8

For this challenge you can race your reindeer alone or team up your reindeer in twos, threes or more to combine tasks. Each book needs to be 200 pages in length, unless noted.

Duration: March 1 - 31, 2015

All reindeer available to run in this race are taken from the 1823 poem by Clement Clarke Moore "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (using the original Germanic spelling).

Dasher - Read a short story
Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor - ***** - 3/27/2015

Dancer - Read a book where dancing happens
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan - ***** - 3/28/2015

Prancer - Read a book with someone who rides a horse
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews - ***** - 4/1/2015 - Rides a horse

Vixen - Read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman
Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti - **** - 3/29/2015 - 384 Pages - Shrewish woman

Comet - Read a book with something celestial on the cover
Hunted by P.C. Cast - ***** - 3/30/2015 - Moon on Cover

Cupid - Read a Romance
The Next Always by Nora Roberts - **** - 3/26/2015

Dunder (Thunder) - Read a book with something that makes a noise in the title
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton - **** - 3/10/2015

Blixem (Lightning) - Read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story
White Night by Jim Butcher - **** - 3/3/2015

TCF Book It Challenge – Lake Inari King of Reindeer race
March 2015

COMPLETE!!!

Dasher: read a short story
✔Double Booked (Double the Heat Anthology) – Elizabeth Bevarly - 03.08 ★★★
Dancer: read a book where dancing happens
✔A Night of Misbehaving – Carmen Falcone - 03.15 ★★★
Dunder (Thunder): read a book with something that makes a noise in the title
✔Breaking Free – Cherise Sinclair - 03.22 ★★★★
Prancer: read a book with someone who rides a horse AND
Vixen: read a book about a shrewish, ill-tempered woman
✔Rescue My Heart – Jill Shalvis - 03.20 ★★★★
Comet: read a book with something celestial on the cover AND
Cupid: read a romance
✔Indian Moon – Carolyn McCray - 03.16 ★★
Blixem (Lightning): read a book where a severe storm plays a major part of the story
✔Eyewall – H.W. Buzz Bernard - 03.21 ★★★★