The Challenge Factory discussion

2024 The Year of the Dragon
Duration - February 10, 2024 through January 28, 2025



The Dragon is ranked Fifth in the Chinese Zodiac.
According to one of many myths, the Jade Emperor held a race and decreed that the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac would be decided by who crossed the finish line in the first 12 places. It would seem a matter of common sense that the mighty Dragon would be deserving of first place, however he did not achieve this. He came after the Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat. Why was this?...

When Dragon was on his way to the finish line, he found a village suffering from a very serious drought — even its plants and crops did not grow, and a great number of people were in famine. So, he flew across the clouds and opened his mouth to make rain and solved their hardship.

Dragon continued on in the race, but after a while, he saw another village threatened by a flood. He stopped without hesitation and opened his mouth to absorb the water. His efforts and powers moved the flood waters to the sea, and the disaster at the village was averted.

As Dragon hurried on his way towards the race's end, he saw that Rabbit was being chased by a wolf. In order to deal with the wolf and save Rabbit, he let Rabbit go on ahead. So, by generously helping those he met on the way, as is always his nature, Dragon came in after Rabbit in the zodiac race.

Tasks:
1. Read a book published in December.
2. Read a boom where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else.
3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON.
5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)

140 pages minimum
Dragon Wing: 3-4 tasks

Tasks:
1. Read a book published in December.
Staatsgeheim by Colin Forbes - 16 Mar 2024 - First Published in December 1975.
2. Read a book where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else.
Opmerkelijke schepsels by Tracy Chevalier - 22 Apr 2024.
The MC's make multiple sacrifices in this book:
- Mary Anning donates her fossil finds to various people, though she needs these fossils herself (to sell for money)
- Elisabeth Philpot travels to London to defend Mary Anning's reputation -risking shipwreck and illnes (she gets pneumonia due to the cold weather)
3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.
by Ellis Peters - 29 Mar 2024
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON.
5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)

Three tasks done... What's up next?

People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.

Set 2 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a confident MC.
2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).
3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure.
4. Read a book published in May.
5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.

Dragon Wing: 3-4 tasks

Set 2 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a confident MC.
Een olifant vergeet niet gauw by Agatha Christie - 4 May 2024
If ever there was a confident MC... Hercule Poirot is the main investigator in this thriller.
2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).
3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure.
D: A Tale of Two Worlds by Michel Faber - 27 Apr 2024
4. Read a book published in May.
5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune - 10 May 2024
Arthur transforms into a phoenix, Sal transforms into a Pomeranian and Linus transforms from being a scared, dull, emotionally detached, follower of rules into an courageous, empathetic, generous adventurer.

Three tasks done... What's up next?

Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER.
2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.
3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career.
4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative.
5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice.

Dragon Wing: 3-4 tasks

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER.
The Au Pair by Emma Rous - 29 May 2024
2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.
Een lied voor Achilles by Madeline Miller - 8 June 2024
Achilles is without a doubt a highly respected character
3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career.
Goudhaantje: Beethovens jonge jaren by Mikaël Ross - 29 May 2024
It's a book about the young Beethoven, who makes it from poor sickly boy to known and respected composer.
4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative.
5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice

Three tasks done... I'm ready for the next set of tasks...

Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.

Set 4 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.
2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn.
3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue.
4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION.

Dragon Wing: 3-4 tasks

Set 4 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.
2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn.
De Outsider by Erin Hunter - 16 Jun 2024
Fier is a very stubborn young lion, not likely to take advice from his friends...
3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue.
Morisaki's boekwinkel by Satoshi Yagisawa - 19 Jun 2024
Takako struggles with her emotions when her boyfriend reveals he's marrying someone else.
4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION.
Dossier gesloten by Danielle Thiéry - 29 July 2024

Three tasks done... I'm ready for the next set of tasks...

2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, beginning on February 10th, 2024 (Chinese New Year) and concluding on January 28th, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Eve). The Dragon is also associated with the years 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952. People born in Dragon years usually possess natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence, often displaying enthusiasm and confidence.

Set 5 Tasks:
1. Read a book published in February.
2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC.
3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count.
4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame.
5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title.

Dragon Wing: 3-4 tasks

Set 5 Tasks:
1. Read a book published in February.
2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC.
All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban - 17 Sep 2024
3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count.
De grote angst in de bergen by Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz - 31 July 2024 - 200 pages
4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame.
5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title
De Spaanse belofte by Karen Swan - 12 Sep 2024

Three tasks done... I'm ready for the next set of tasks...

In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. Consequently, 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you're seeking a shift in your current lives, this year might offer a favorable chance.

Set 6 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very talented MC.
2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count.
3. Read a book with nobility in it.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY.
5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something.

Dragon Wing: 3-4 tasks

Set 6 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very talented MC.
Geniaal geheim by David Baldacci - 29 Oct 2024
See description: "an autistic girl's extraordinary genius"
2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint - 25 Sep 2024 - 432 pages
3. Read a book with nobility in it.
In de schaduw van de banyan by Vaddey Ratner - 11 Oct 2024
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY.
5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something

Three tasks done... I'm ready for the next set of tasks...

According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is a Wood Dragon Year. Wood indicates calmness, loyalty, and reliability and Dragons endowed with prominent abilities and revolutionary ideas. Such features incline Wood Dragons toward a successful life. Even though stubbornness and a little arrogance are innate with Dragons, these negative traits, sometimes, may be the key to achieving their goals.

Set 7 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very calm MC.
2. Read a book where a character works with wood.
3. Read a book with all the letters LOYALTY in the title and/or series names (can use both).
4. Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal.
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY.

Dragon Wing: 3-4 tasks

Set 7 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very calm MC..
Het boek der deuren by Gareth Brown - 22 nov 2024
2. Read a book where a character works with wood.
3. Read a book with all the letters LOYALTY in the title and/or series names (can use both).
4. Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal.
Absint by Guido Eekhaut - 4 Nov 2024 --> the MC is a police inspector who is known as an 'einselgänger' who has problems with authority. These characteristics lead him to solve and collect evidence in a crime mystery.
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY.
Je bent prachtig by Ann Napolitano - 14 Jan 2025

Three tasks done

CONGRATULATIONS!! You finished the Year of the Dragon!

Woohoo! Thanks for the fun challenge!

You're welcome!!