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WINTER CHALLENGE 2022
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Winter Challenge 2022: Tasks
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10.1 - BINGO!
Help Thread
The game BINGO! was developed in December 1929 by Edwin S Lowe.
Read a book with ALL the letters of BINGO in the title and/or subtitle.
10.2 - Bee's Knees
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Louise Brook’s short bob was the hairstyle of the decade –she came to symbolize the 1920’s flapper girl.
Read a short book, one less than or equal to 200 pages.
10.3 - Freudian Slip
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The work of Sigmund Freud began to attract international attention in the 20’s with the development of his theories, including The Ego and the Id (1923) and the Oedipus Complex.
Read a book from the first 25 pages of this list of books shelved as Psychology
Required: State the page.
10.4 - Wonder Drug
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Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin (Penicillium notatum) in 1928 revolutionized medicine. Read a book with a word in the title of at least 4 letters that can be made using the letters in Penicillium notatum. Letters may only be used as often as they appear.
Required: State the word.
10.5 - Chanel No. 5
Help Thread
Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume launched by French couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in 1921.
Read a book that is #5 in a series.
The series name and number must be indicated in the GR title listing in grayscale parentheses following the title or grayscale italics above the title.
10.6 - It Girl
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Clara Bow came to personify the Roaring Twenties as one the few actors to successfully transition to ‘talkies' in the 1920s. Her appearance in the 1927 film" It" bought her worldwide fame – she was the original ‘It Girl’.
Read a book with the word IT or GIRL in the title or subtitle. The word must match exactly, no variations.
10.7 - Black Venus
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American-born Josephine Baker travelled to Paris at the age of 19 and became an overnight sensation in 1925, appearing in nothing but a feather skirt for the La Revue Nègre. A flamboyant dancer, actress and singer, she was also the first black woman to star in a major film.
Read a book by an AUTHOR on this list A Book By A Woman of Color
Books are not limited to the book on the list; any book by the author may be used.
Required: State the page where the author is found.
10.8 - Well, I'll Be Dammed!
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The Boulder Canyon Project Act was passed into Congress in 1928 under President Calvin Coolidge and negotiations for the project began the following year by Herbert Hoover. The Boulder Dam, which distributed water from the Colorado river to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, and California, was completed in 1935, and was later renamed the Hoover Dam.
Read a book set at least 50% in one of these U.S. states: Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, California.
Required: REQUIRED: If the setting is not clear from the GR description or the metadata, state the setting and provide a reference.
10.9 - Empress of the Blues
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Bessie Smith was an American blues singer widely renowned during the Jazz Age. Read a book with a word from a Bessie Smith song title listed below in the TITLE. Any word works including I, Do, If, You, The. The word must match exactly.
Downhearted Blues — peaked at #1 in 1923
The St. Louis Blues — peaked at #3 in 1925
Gulf Coast Blues — peaked at #5 in 1923
Careless Love Blues — peaked at #5 in 1925
Lost Your Head Blues — peaked at #5 in 1926
Baby Won’t You Please Come Home — peaked at #6 in 1923
After You’ve Gone — peaked at #7 in 1927
I Ain’t Gonna Play No Second Fiddle — peaked at #8 in 1925
I Ain’t Got Nobody — peaked at #8 in 1926
T’ain’t Nobody’s Biz-Ness if I Do — peaked at #9 in 1923
Required: State the song.
10.10 - The Latin Lover
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Italian-American actor Rudolph Valentino was one of the movie industry’s first sex symbols.
Read a book with a main page genre that includes Romance or Romantic.
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15.1. Pick your century!
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Read 2 books, from 2 different options:
A. A book first published in 1620 -1629
B. A book first published in 1720 - 1729
C. A book first published in 1820 - 1829
D. A book first published in 1920 - 1929
REQUIRED: Specify in your post which options you used.
15.2. Endings and Beginnings
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A. Celebrate the end of the year by reading the most recently published book in a series or a book that includes the word FINAL or LAST in its title. The book must be the last or most recent in the events in the series - no prequels. Words must match exactly.
AND
B. Celebrate the beginning of the year by reading the first whole numbered book in a series or a book that includes the word FIRST or ONE in its title. Words must match exactly.
In each case, a series must have at least 3 published whole numbered books.
15.3. From A to Z
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Option 1:
A. Read a book the title of which begins with the letter A.
AND
B. Read a book the author of which contains the letter Z.
OR
Option 2:
Read one book that satisfies the requirements of both A and B of Option 1.
15.4. "You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet"
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1920s movie goers were predominantly entertained by silent movies, but saw the introduction of "talkies" in 1927 with the production of The Jazz Singer, featuring singer and actor, Al Jolson.
The first words ever spoken on film occurred about halfway into The Jazz Singer, when Al Jolson said, "Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain't heard nothin' yet!"
Option 1: Read one Book 1 and one Book 2.
Book 1:
A. Read a book with the word "silent" in the title. OR
B. Read a book with a title word of at least 4 letters that can be made from the letters in the phrase, "Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain't heard nothin' yet!" Letters can only be used as often as they appear in target phrase. REQUIRED: State the word.
Book 2:
Read a book by an author whose first and last initials appear in "The Jazz Singer."
OR
Option 2: Read one book that fulfills the requirements of Book 1 and Book 2 of option 1.
15.5. All That Jazz
Help Thread
The 1920s is often referred to as the Jazz Age, because of the popularity of jazz music and the pleasure-seeking people who made it popular during this period of economic prosperity.
Read a book from this list: Jazz Age Books
REQUIRED: Include in your post the page on which your book is listed.
15.6. King Tut
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In 1922, the tomb of Tutankhamun was found by Howard Carter. Read a book set at least 50% in Egypt, a book about archaeology, or a book featuring an archaeologist. REQUIRED: Specify in your post how your book fits the task.
15.7. Here's Mickey!
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Mickey Mouse was created in 1928. Read a book with a 2 word title, where both words begin with the same letter.
15.8. Can You Feel It?
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Braille was first published in 1829. Read a book from this list:
Blind/Deaf/Mute
15.9. I Resolve to Read Lots of Books
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Read a book whose author's first and last initials can be found sequentially in NEWYEARSRESOLUTION. The letters can appear either forward or backwards, and the final N wraps to the beginning N, so an author with the initials NN can be used.
Examples:
Naomi Novik - N wrapping from last letter to first
Ellen Marie Wiseman - EW from nEW
Amy Engel - AE from yEArs
15.10. They All Look Good to Me
Help Thread
Read a book that was nominated for the group read for Winter 2022-2023, in a different category than the book you used for Task 20.10. You can use any of the 20 nominees in those 2 categories.
The three polls can be found here
REQUIRED: Include in your post the book you used for 20.10 (if you've already posted it) or the book you plan to use for 20.10 (if you haven't already posted it).
If you do not plan to complete task 20.10, or you plan to read the Gutenberg Classic, post in the help thread, and I will randomly assign a category that cannot be used for this task.
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20.1 Most Improved - ForestGardenGal's Task: So Much to Read...So Little Time
Help Thread
I am a recently retired paralegal and have decided to catch up on my reading backlog, though I have come to realize that hobbies, to-do lists, and other obligations always magically expand to fill all allotted time!
Option A - I tend to only give five star ratings to books that are both well written and say something important to me. Since my undergraduate degree was in philosophy, often this means my five star rated books have some philosophical component. Read a book from this list:Best Philosophical Literature
REQUIRED: State the page number of the list on which the book is found.
Option B - You may have noticed I earn a lot of Golden Oldies tickets. This is because I promised myself that when I retired I would put a big dent in that list of classic books that I've always meant to read, but never have. Join me!
Read a book first published in 1950 or earlier (qualifying for a Golden Oldies ticket) that is new to you. REQUIRED: State that the book is new-to-you.
Option C - A couple of months ago, I got a call begging me to return to work. My boss was a solo practitioner and had no attorney partners nor associates; I was his only employee. His family advised me that he had died, my replacement left shortly thereafter with no notice, and they needed someone who was familiar with the computer systems and client files to help contact all the clients and close down the office. So back to work, but temporarily and not doing anything like paralegal work!
Read a book from one of the following lists:
Endearing Lawyers
Law and Lawyers in Fiction
REQUIRED:: State which list was used, and the page on which the book appears.
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Becky's Task: Little Loves
Help Thread
I've been lurking here for at least a couple of years but haven't made the leap, and I think it's appropriate for this challenge to be based on my two adorable little hurdles to joining.
REQUIRED: Indicate in your post which option you chose.
Option 1: For my first grader, read a book whose author's initials (first and last) are found in the name of his self-created superhero, OILMAN. Letters can only be used as frequently as they appear.
Option 2: For my preschooler, read a book whose title includes a word at least 4 letters long made from the letters in GARBAGE TRUCK. Letters can only be used as frequently as they appear.
20.3 - Best Review - Chris MD's Task: The Golden Age of Detective Fiction
Help Thread
The period between the first and second world wars is often called “The Gold Age of Detective Fiction.” Agatha Christie created both Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple; Dorothy L. Sayers gave us Lord Peter Wimsey. Along with Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh, they were the “Queens of Crime.” Murderers lurked among the upper classes in English country houses or skulked around picturesque English villages. In 1929, Ronald Knox even wrote 10 rules for detective fiction that included no supernatural elements, only one secret passage or room per book, and the criminal must be mentioned early in the story. Here's a link to the 10 Rules: https://cozy-mystery.com/blog/knoxs-c...
Option 1: Read a book by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, or Ngaio Marsh that was published BEFORE 1939.
Option 2: Read a whole-numbered book from a mystery series and that takes place between 1919 and 1939. The book must have an MPG of Mystery, and the series name and number must be indicated in the GR title listing in grayscale parentheses following the title or grayscale italics above the title. REQUIRED: If the time period of the book isn’t clear in the GR description, please provide other evidence.
There are many excellent series to choose from, but be careful about the years. Most of the Bess Crawford series by Charles Todd takes place during WWI, so only books 10-14 take place after the Armistice and can be used for this task (#14 is set to be published during this SRC). Likewise, the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear has now moved into WWII, so only books 1-12 will work. Also, while some readers tend to think of this period in detective fiction as uniquely British, there are a growing number of excellent series set in other countries and among diverse populations during this time period. As long as it’s clear it’s the 1920s or 30s, you can use it. One list that might provide some inspiration is Mysteries Between the Wars.
20.4 - Golden Oldies - XBM's Task: Remembering my parents
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Although my parents have been gone for a few decades, they live on daily in my heart. My dad was born in 1922, in a small town called Salmon, Idaho, in the Rocky Mountains. While he was in the Navy during World War II, he acquired the nickname Rocky, which stuck with him the rest of his life. My mother, was a city girl, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of Scandinavian immigrants, and loved to play BINGO.
Choose one book from the following options. REQUIRED: Specify the option you used.
Option 1: Read a book with ALL of the letters in SALMON found in any combination of the title and/or subtitle.
Option 2: Read a book set at least 50% in a Scandinavian country. For this task, we will accept Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
REQUIRED: Specify the country. If the setting is not clear from the book's main page, provide a reference.
Option 3: Read a book with ALL of the letters in BINGO found in the author’s name.
20.5 - Bigger is Better- Lauren Jodi's task: Public Enemy
Help Thread
The 18th Amendment prohibiting the production, transportation and sale of alcohol went into effect in January 1920. This nationwide ban provided criminal gangs with the impetus to shift their activities to bootlegging and led to the advent of organized crime in the United States. Some of the most famous gangsters of the Prohibition Era included Al "Scarface" Capone and his rival George "Bugs" Moran, Charles "Lucky" Luciano and Meyer Lansky.
For this task, read ONE book from the following options.
REQUIRED: State the option you chose when posting.
Option 1: AL CAPONE
As the boss of the Chicago Outfit, Al Capone made a fortune in bootlegging, gambling and prostitution. Capone was eventually arrested and convicted of tax evasion. He was sentenced to 11 years at the notorious Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Capone was diagnosed with neuro-syphilis while in prison and ultimately died of cardiac arrest in 1947.
Read a book set at least 50% in or around a prison. The prison must be an official, governmental prison, not a private, unofficial captivity. A concentration or internment camp does not work for a prison.
REQUIRED: If the prison is not mentioned in the GR description, provide a reference when posting.
Option 2: BUGS MORAN
Born Adelard Leo Cunin, Bugs Moran was the leader of the North Side gang, and is infamous for his violent turf war with Al Capone, which culminated in the murder of 7 members of Moran's gang in an attack known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre on 14 February 1929. The gang never regained its status, and Moran was eventually arrested for robbery and imprisoned in Leavenworth Federal Prison where he died of lung cancer in 1957.
To commemorate the date of the massacre (14/2/1929), read a book with a page count consisting of 3 of the following digits in any configuration 1, 4, 2, or 9. The numbers 1, 2, and 9 can be used twice.
For example: 142, 242, 299, 411
Option 3: LUCKY LUCIANO
Salvatore Luciano, an Italian-born mobster, is accredited with establishing the modern mafia in America in the form of a syndicate known as the Commission. The origin of his nickname "Lucky" lies in his miraculous survival of numerous assassination attempts. However, his luck ran out in 1936 when he was convicted of running a prostitution ring. During WWII, Luciano provided significant assistance to the allies, and his 50-year sentence was commuted. He was deported to Italy where he died in 1962.
Read a book with the word "luck" or "lucky" in the title. The word must match exactly, no variations.
Option 4: MEYER LANSKY
Known as the "Mob's Accountant", Meyer Lansky was a member of the Jewish mafia and instrumental in developing the Commission with Lucky Luciano. Although arrested and charged with tax evasion, Lansky was never convicted, and it is rumored that he possessed compromising photographs of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Lansky eventually retired to Miami Beach, Florida, and died in 1983 at the age of 80.
Read a book with a beach on the cover. The sand and water must be clearly visible.
REQUIRED: Post the cover
Examples:
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Help Thread
During the 1920s, first-wave feminism made advances, with women gaining the right to vote in the United States (1920), Albania (1920), Ireland (1921), and with suffrage being expanded in Britain to all women over 21 years old (1928) [source: Wikipedia].
For the purpose of this task - your choice must be a Non-Fiction book.
Please choose one of the following options - state which option you are using
Option 1: Choose a non-fiction book from this list: Women's Suffrage NOTE: This list contains a number of fiction books, as well as nonfiction. The book you use must be NON FICTION
REQUIRED: Indicate the page on which your book is found.
Option 2: Choose a non-fiction book with an MPG of one of the following: History, Feminism, Politics, Womens, Social Movements
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Julia103's Task: Marching for Women's Suffrage!
Help Thread
After decades of fighting for women's suffrage, women won the right to vote throughout the United States in 1920 with the passage of the 19th amendment.
To celebrate this victory do one of the following options:
A book with MPG "Sequential Art", "Comics", "Comic Book", or "Manga" may be used.
Option A: Read a book with MPG Feminism, Womens, Social Movements, or Social Justice. These can be stand-alone or embedded. Variations on these MPGs cannot be used.
Option B: Read a book with the word SUFFRAGE or VOTE in the title or subtitle. Variations that maintain the meaning of the word can be used, including plurals and possessives.
Examples: The Voting Booth, Voter Suppression in U.S. Elections, Stories from Suffragette City, Richmond in Ragtime: Socialists, Suffragists, Sex & Murder.
Option C: The first state to allow women to vote was Wyoming, which allowed women to vote before becoming a state in 1890. The last state to ratify the amendment was Tennessee in August 1920.
Read a book set at least 50% in Wyoming or Tennessee. REQUIRED: If the setting is not clear from the book's main page, include a reference to establish the setting
Optional:
Watch these music videos remembering the suffragettes/suffragists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcC0h...
https://vimeo.com/109623197
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L13b0...
20.8 - Nickels & Dimes - Paul's Task: Woolworth's Great Five Cent Store
Help Thread
Frank Winfield Woolworth is credited by many with creating the first store using the "five and dime" business model. His initial store was a "nickel" store that failed, but he persisted and made the model successful.
Read a non-fiction book of 200 or more pages with a word of four or more letters in the title / subtitle that can be made from the letters in Frank Winfield Woolworth. Letters can be used only as often as they appear in the target phrase.
REQUIRED: Specify the word.
A graphic novel or sequential art book can be used for this task. Children's books may not be used for this task.
20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Lucy- Bookworm's Task: FOXLEASE
Help Thread
In 1922, the Foxlease estate in Hampshire, England was gifted to the Girl Guides, for use as a Training Centre. The Girl Guides initially rejected the gift as they did not have sufficient resources for the upkeep, but the King’s daughter, Princess Mary, was the president of the Girl Guides and gave money from her wedding gifts to furnish and equip Foxlease, and the main house was renamed The Princess Mary House in her honour. Girl Guide/Girl Scout leaders came from all over the world to be trained at Foxlease and 100 years later Girl Guides & Girl Scouts still come to Foxlease for adventure, training friendship and fun.
I have been a Girl Guide for over 40 years now, and it is a huge part of my life - I am a leader with girls aged 10-14 and 14-18. Foxlease remains one of my favourite places to visit.
Select one of the following options:
1) Read a book where the author’s first and last initials can be found in “FOXLEASE”.
2) The motto of Foxlease is: PEACE, VISION, POWER. Read a book with one of the words Peace, Vision or Power intact in the title or subtitle. examples: The Peaceful Season, Vision in White.
3) Read a book about a prominent person in the history of Scouting/Guiding, or relating to scouting/guiding's place in history. This can be anywhere in the world & may include fiction where scouting/guiding is central to the story.
eg: How the Girl Guides Won the War, The First Girl Guide: The Story of Agnes Baden-Powell, Window on My Heart, Lady from Savannah: The Life of Juliette Low, Baden-Powell: Founder of the Boy Scouts.
You might find this list useful: Guides and Scouts NOTE - the book doesn’t have to be on the list - this is to give you some ideas.
REQUIRED: If the Scouting/Guiding link is not clear from the GR description, provide a reference
20.10 - Group Reads
Help Thread
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Winter 2022- 2023 season. The requirement for this task: you must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
Fiction - Historical Fiction 1900-1939
Shrines of Gaiety
Fiction - Animals
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Nonfiction - A Comedian's Memoir/Biography
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood
Gutenberg Classic
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Mod
25.1 - TessaVanessa’s Task: Book Style Challenge
Help Thread
I took a Children’s Literature class in college and loved discovering the different ways picture books were written and presented. There were lift-the-flap books, pop-up books, books that had pockets with extra materials, books with cut-outs, etc. I have never forgotten how much I enjoyed the different forms. This has carried over into my adult reading.
Read 2 books, from 2 different options. REQUIRED: Specify in your post the options you used. One book with the genres sequential art, graphic novel, comic books, manga, etc. may be used.
Option 1: Books in Verse: Ellen Hopkins was the first author I discovered who wrote fiction books in verse. I was hooked. Read a book from one of these lists (caution: not all titles will meet SRC requirements):
Verse Novels Read by Tess
Teen Novels in Verse from Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/book...
Novels in Verse
REQUIRED: State which list and page number it came from.
Option 2: Epistolary Fiction: The term "epistolary novel" refers to the works of fiction that are written in the form of letters or other documents.
Read a book from this list: Epistolary_Fiction
REQUIRED: State the page number of the list on which your book was found.
Option 3: Graphic Novels: Who knew that I would enjoy reading graphic novels. I certainly didn’t think they were for me, but this challenge has expanded my reading into genres I’d never read before.
Read a book with a MPG of sequential art, manga or graphic novel.
Option 4: Plays: The first play I remember reading as an adult was Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. It was my first year of leading a book discussion group and I was learning the likes and dislikes of my members. They weren’t as keen on trying different writing styles as I was.
Read a book with a MPG of Plays.
25.2 - Nick KY's Task: Playing Doubles
Help Thread
Read two books, one Book 1 and one Book 2.
One Book with the genre “Sequential Art”, “Comics”, “Comic Book”, and/or “Manga may be used for one task. But No Book with a genre of “Children’s”, "Kids," etc. may be used.
Each book must be 220 pages in length or longer.
Book 1. Read a book with a title of two words. Each word must begin with a letter from the phrase “TWO DOUBLES.”
You may use the same letter twice, as in Daniel Deronda , or you may use two different letters, as in Oliver Twist.
The book may have an additional subtitle, such as The Universe: The Big Bang, Black Holes, and Blue Whales.
Book 2. Read a book first published in a year from this list of years with exactly two twos:
1922, 2002, 2012, 2020.
REQUIRED: State the year in which the book was first published.
25.3 - Cat's Task: In the Twenties
Help Thread
This is a two book task. One graphic novel is allowed. No books with the genres children, kids, etc. can be used.
Both books must be new to you. REQUIRED: In your post state that the books are new to you.
Pick from two different options. REQUIRED: State the options you used.
Option 1: read a book from one of these lists of books you "should" read in your twenties:
https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/20...
https://theculturetrip.com/north-amer...
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th....
https://www.vogue.com/article/30-book...
Required: state which list you used
Option 2: read a book set at least 90% in the 1920s (1920 - 1929). If the time setting is not obvious in the blurb provide a reference to support it.
Option 3: read a book that is in the 20s of a series (#20 - #29). The series number must be listed in the grayscale series information above the title.
Mod
Help Thread
When I think about the 1920's, I think about my grandparents, who were married in June 1920. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with them when I was young, and listen to the stories they told.
Choose two different options and read one book for each option. No books with the main page genres childrens, kids, middle grade, etc. can be used. The two books must have a combined page total of at least 500 pages.
REQUIRED: Specify in your post the options you used.
Option 1 - Prohibition
Prohibition was established by the 18th Amendment to the Constitution and took effect in January 1920 (just in time for them to have a "dry" wedding).
Read a book with a title (not subtitle) containing a word of at least 4 letters that can be made from the letters in EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT. Letters may be used only as often as they appear in the target phrase.
Option 2. Bathtub Gin.
Prohibition didn't spoil their fun, as far as I could tell! I was completely entranced by their stories of partying with "bathtub gin." (I tried to convince them that we should make some sort of drink in their bathtub, but didn't have much luck with that!)
Read a book with a single author, whose initials (all of them) appear in the phrase BATHTUB GIN. Letters may be used only as often as they appear in the target phrase.
Option 3. Location
During their married life, my grandparents lived in New York State, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Read a book set at least 50% in one of these states. REQUIRED: Specify the location. If the location isn't clear from the book's main page, provide a reference.
25.5 - Tien’s Task: Bubble Tea
Help Thread
I loved my bubble tea! These days there are so many varieties but originally, it is a cold black milk tea with tapioca balls (aka bubbles/pearls/boba).
One graphic novel is allowed. Books with multiple authors may be used.
Choose two different options and read one book for each option.
REQUIRED: Specify in your post the options you used.
These days, I always buy 3 different drinks (for me and my boys):
1. Pearl Milk Tea with extra topping (pudding)
For this option, read a book with “pearl” found intact in title (exclude subtitle) or author’s name.
For example: The Pearl Thief, Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter, Matthew Pearl.
2. Earl Gray Milk Tea with 3Js (pearls, herbal jelly, and pudding jelly)
This is my option as I adore Earl Gray tea – read a book with 3 Js in title, subtitle, and/or author's name (any combination of these).
Examples: Judge & Jury by James Patterson, The House On Jindalee Lane by Jennie Jones, Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell.
3. Strawberry flavoured tea with strawberry jelly
My youngest's obsession is strawberries! For this option, read a book with one or more strawberries or identifiable pieces of strawberry on cover. REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.
This list may help: Strawberry Fields Forever
Note that you don’t have to read a book from the list, it is just an assist, if you need it.
Mod
Help Thread
In 2019 I saw an ad for a local gym that was conducting a weight loss challenge. I was fed up with being an overweight couch potato, so I drove over and enrolled. What I discovered over the next year was that I wasn’t a warrior capable of doing untold kettle bell swings and pushups. I did, however, develop a love of Zumba, but it was only given once or sometimes twice a week.
I have since joined a different gym that has Zumba daily and I love it. To honor my favorite exercise, select two different options and read a book for each one. The combined total pages must be greater than 500.
Specify the options you’ve chosen in your post.
Option 1: Read a book with ALL of the letters in ZUMBA found in any combination of the title, subtitle and/or author’s name.
Example: Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz.
Option 2: There’s no Zumba without music, and once the music starts, you can’t help but dance. Read a book with a MPG of Music or a book from this list: Best Books About Dance.
REQUIRED: If you use the list option, specify the page on which your book is found.
Option 3: Zumba class is only as good as the instructor who leads it, and I’ve been fortunate to have some excellent ones:
Robin Davies, Johanna Llanos, Catherine (Cathy) Castro, Johana O’Neill and Susan Ortiz
Read a book by a single female author who shares a name with one of my instructors. The name can be in any position and must match exactly. Both Catherine and Cathy are acceptable.
25.7 - Delicious Dee's Task: Where in the World Am I?
Help Thread
I scraped in under the wire finishing the challenge for this past season, in part because during the last 2 weeks of November, I was jet-setting around Europe for work (just kidding!) - but I found myself in 3 different countries over a 6 day period; then returned home and immediately headed out of town for Thanksgiving - so needless to say, at one stage, I wasn't quite sure where I was in the world. So I thought we could have a bit of fun with my confusion as I write my task.
For this task you will read 2 books, 1 from Book A options and 1 from Book B options. Combined your pages must exceed 600 (so 601).
REQUIRED: In your post, state the options you used.
Book A
During my whirlwind trip to Europe, I got the opportunity to visit Estonia, Latvia and Belgium (all of which were places on my wishlist and quite frankly, where I could easily move to).
Option 1 - Read a book that is set at least 70% in, or the author is born/lives in Estonia, Latvia or Belgium
Option 2 - Read a book where the letters of ESTONIA, or LATVIA or BELGIUM can be found in the title (no subtitle)
Option 3 - Read a book where the author's initials (all of them) can be found in ESTONIA, or LATVIA or BELGIUM
Book B
My little sister lives in Chicago, so every year I make the drive from DC to Chicago to see her for Thanksgiving.
Option 1 Read a book that is set at least 70% in Chicago
Option 2 Read a book where the letters CHICAGO can be found in the title (not subtitle)
Option 3 Read a book where the author's initials (all of them) can be found in CHICAGO
REQUIRED: for option 1 for book 1 and book2, if the setting is not clear from the GR main page, provide a source for the setting.
Optional: Tell me what country is on your dream list to visit :)
25.8 - MegSCL's Task: The Chinese Zodiac
Help Thread
According to the Chinese zodiac, we are about to leave behind the Year of the Tiger to enter the Year of the Rabbit. There are 12 different animal signs in the zodiac, you can read about them here https://www.chinahighlights.com/trave...
For this task choose one animal and complete two of the following tasks using the same animal.
REQUIRED: State the animal and the options that you are using.
Option 1
Read a book published in your animal's year. (Note that the lunar years don't align perfectly with calendar years, but ignore the month a book was published and read any book published in the animal's year according to the link above.)
Option 2
Read a book with your animal on the cover. A few variations are allowed:
Rat or mouse is fine (I can't tell the difference)
Ox (includes cows or buffalos)
Goat (sheep is also acceptable)
Rooster (a female chicken is OK too)
REQUIRED: post the cover
Option 3
In the link above, 3-4 words are used to describe each animals personality. These descriptive words are listed in the help thread. Read a book with a character described in the goodreads blurb using one of those words. Variations that preserve the meaning are allowed (e.g. a snake can be wise or show wisdom, but they can't be "clever").
REQUIRED: specify the animal's characteristic and the quote from the goodreads description.
Examples using Monkey
Option 1 - I'm Thinking of Ending Things published 2016
Option 2 -
- monkey on coverOption 3 - Common Ground - Charlie’s curiosity is infectious (curious)
Mod
30.1 - Katrisa's Task: The Sandman
Help Thread
This task is based on the classic graphic novel series by Neil Gaiman. This is a two book task. Choose 2 different options. Since this task is based on graphic novels, you may use one graphic novel/comic. The combined page total should be at least 500 pages.
REQUIRED: State the options you used when you post.
1. The Author - Read a book by Neil Gaiman. For this task co-authored books or anthologies are acceptable as long as Neil Gaiman is listed
2, The Endless - The Sandman series centers around Dream, but there are 7 of the Endless, anthropomorphic beings that embody natural forces. The 7 Endless are: Destiny, Death, Dream, Destruction, Desire, Despair, and Delirium/Delight. Delirium and Delight are considered separately for this task, so there are eight choices.
Read a book with one of the names of the Endless found in the TITLE. Plurals or possessives are acceptable, but no other variations.
3. Adaptations - In the last few years The Sandman has seen some really great adaptations. Audible has done a fantastic job making an audiobook series and I loved the Netflix series that came out this year.
Read a book with an MPG of retellings.
4. Enter Sandman - I can’t think of Sandman without recalling the 1991 Metallica song “Enter Sandman” Read a book with a word of at least 4 letters from the lyrics of “Enter Sandman” in the TITLE. Word must match exactly.
https://genius.com/Metallica-enter-sa...
REQUIRED: State the word used.
5. Better to Rule in Hell - One of my favorite scenes is when Dream travels to Hell to get back his stolen Helm from a demon. Spend some time with either Angels or Demons and read a book from one of these lists:
Books with Angels, Gods, or Demons
Angels & Demons
REQUIRED: In your post, specify the list and the page number on which your book is found.
6. By the Gods! - Many of Neil Gaiman’s books explore different mythologies and their gods and goddesses. Read a book with an MPG of Mythology.
30.2 - Teri-k's Task: Happy Birthday, Grandkids!
Help Thread
I have two grandchildren and another I've practically adopted. Each of them will have a birthday during this challenge, but in different months. These tasks celebrate their interests.
Chose two different options and read a book for each.
There is a minimum of 600 pages total for this task.
Option 1. December
Read a book where all the letters in ANIME are found in the title only, not including subtitle.
Option 2. January
Read a book with MPG Math, Mathematics, or Science.
The word must stand alone but can be embedded.
It may not be part of a phrase, so "Science Fiction" or "Social Science" will NOT work.
(An example of an embedded MPG is Nonfiction > Science.)
Option 3. February
Read a book that is part of a series AND has an MPG Humor.
The series name must be indicated in the GR main page listing.
30.3 - Robin (Saturndoo)'s Task: The Importance of December 7th
Help Thread
December 7th is known for several significant reasons. On December 7, 1941 the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked US forces at Pearl Harbor and other locations in Hawaii. This attack immediately brought the US into WWII by declaring war on Japan. On this day, please remember to fly your US flag(s) at half mast in honor and remembrance of the service members and civilians that were killed in this unprovoked attack. December 7th is also National Letter Writing day. With today's technology, I do miss going to the mailbox and finding a letter from a loved one. This day has another important meaning to me, in that, it is my oldest son's birthday. Happy Birthday Jason!
Read two books, one each from 2 different options. REQUIRED: State the options you used. ONE graphic novel may be used.
Option 1: Ultrasounds verified I was having a boy. My doctor was adamant that if the baby was a girl it would be named Pearl. He loved joking me about this because he knew I was dead set on a boy that would be named "Jason."
Read a book by an author whose first, middle or last name is Pearl. Hyphenated names are permissible, but no other variations.
e.g: Pearl S. Buck, Matthew Pearl, Pearl Cleage, Nancy Pearl, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Option 2: Have a sweet tooth? December 7th is National Cotton Candy Day! Dig in and enjoy!
Read a book with the word "COTTON" or "CANDY" in the title or subtitle. EXACT match only -no plurals or possessives.
e.g: A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton, The Candy House, The Summer of Cotton Candy.
Option 3: Jessie James became well known on December 7,1869 when he robbed the Daviess County Savings Bank in Gallatin Missouri.
Read a book with the MPG of True Crime. Genre may be embedded.
Option 4: December 7th is National Letter Writing Day. If you can't celebrate by writing a letter, enjoy reading an epistolary novel : )
Read a book from the following list: Epistolary Novels Books
REQUIRED: State the page on which your book is found
Option 5: This year is the 81st Commemoration of Pearl Harbor and Jason's 32nd birthday. A "49" year difference. Those two numbers are also in the year,1941, that the attack occurred.
Read a book with a page count that contains a "4" AND a "9"
Option 6: The attack on Pearl Harbor is an important historic event. It was the catalyst that brought the US into WWII and helped the Allies achieve victory. A favorite genre of Jason's is WWII historical fiction.
Read a book from this list: WWII Historic Fiction
REQUIRED: State the page on which your book is found.
Mod
50.1 - Lisa MD's Task: Out With the Old, In With the New
Help Thread
2022 is coming to a close and it's time to usher in 2023. A new year offers the possibility of a clean slate. It's the opportunity to discard old things and shed old ways, and create new habits and set new goals. While the rest of the world focuses on exercise, losing weight and healthy eating at the start of the new year, let us in the SRC focus in on our reading habits and bookshelf.
Read three books, one from each of the following options. The three books must total at least 750 pages.
No books with children, kids or related genres on the main book page may be used.
Book 1: Old Ways vs. New Habits
Read a book with either the word "old" or "new" found intact in a word in the title or subtitle.
Book 2: Old Year vs. New Year
Read a book first published in either 2022 or 2023.
Book 3: Clean Slate: You Are the Author of Your Own Story
A. Read a book with a title and/or subtitle that contains all the letters in "clean slate." Letters may only be used as often as they appear in the title/subtitle - i.e. the letters l, e, a must appear at least twice in the title/subtitle.
OR
B. Read a book whose author's first and last initials are found in "clean slate." Letters may be used only as often as they appear in the target phrase. Multiple authors are acceptable if all their initials meet the requirements.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Baden-Powell: Founder of the Boy Scouts (other topics)How the Girl Guides Won the War (other topics)
Window on My Heart (other topics)
The Peaceful Season: a novel (Book 3) (other topics)
The First Girl Guide: The Story of Agnes Baden-Powell (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jacqueline Bublitz (other topics)Matthew Pearl (other topics)
James Patterson (other topics)
Jennie Jones (other topics)
Julie Powell (other topics)
More...
5.1 - Votes For Women
Help Thread
1920 - The 19th amendment was ratified legally guaranteeing American women the right to vote. Read a book by a female author.
5.2 - Guilty
Help Thread
1921 - Margaret Caroline Anderson and Jane Heap, publishers of The Little Review, are convicted of obscenity in a New York court for publishing the "Nausicaa" episode of James Joyce's Ulysses. Read a book from this banned book list: Best Banned, Censored, and Challenged Books
REQUIRED: State the page.
5.3 - April Showers
Help Thread
1922 - The most popular song in 1922 was Al Jolson's "April Showers".
Though April showers may come your way
They bring the flowers that bloom in May
Read a book FIRST published in April or May of any year.
5.4 - Hooray For Hollywood
Help Thread
1923 - The Hollywood Sign, originally reading Hollywoodland, is inaugurated in California promoting the real estate development that grew around the film studio and production company industries.
Read a book or book series that was made into a TV show or movie.
REQUIRED: If the TV show/movie is not mentioned on the book's main page, provide a reference to indicate how the book fits the task when you post.
Ex: Last to Die IMDB.com https://tinyurl.com/5n7pnfh2
5.5 - Herald Square
Help Thread
1924 - Macy's had its first Thanksgiving Day parade, marking the beginning of the holiday season.
Read a book with a main page genre of Holiday or an individual seasonal holiday genre that occurs from December to January, such as "Christmas"
5.6 - Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes
Help Thread
1925 - The Scopes Trial, also known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, was the prosecution of science teacher John Scopes for teaching evolution in a Tennessee public school. John Scopes was found guilty and fined $100.
Read a book with a monkey or ape on the cover.
REQUIRED: Post the cover.
5.7 - The Everest of Swimming
Help Thread
1926 - Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel. Read a book set 50% or more in either the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) or France.
REQUIRED: If the setting is not clear from the GR description or the metadata, provide a reference.
5.8 - And The Winner Is...
Help Thread
1927 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which will create the Academy Awards, is founded in the United States.
Read a book that has WON an award. The award must be listed in the GR metadata.
5.9 - WGY TV
Help Thread
1928 - WRGB (then W2XB) was started as the world's first television station. It broadcast from the General Electric facility in Schenectady, New York. It was popularly known as "WGY Television". Read a book with a word of at least 4 letters in the title that can be made from the letters in SCHENECTADY. You may use letters as often as they appear.
REQUIRED: State the word.
5.10 - The Best Things in Life Are Free
1929 - The Great Depression began. However, the best things in life are free, so they say, so free choice. Read any book that meets SRC rules. For this task, a book with the MPG Childrens, Kids, Middle Grade or Juvenile that is NOT found in ARBF may be used.