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.)

Completed: 5/5

Tasks:
1. Read a book published in December. Glory in Death - J.D. Robb 3/18/24 (published on December 1, 1995)
2. Read a boom where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins 3/11/24
3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green. Big Stone Gap - Adriana Trigiani 3/11/24
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON. Until Friday Night - Abbi Glines 3/19/24
5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.) The Sandcastle Hurricane - Carolyn Brown 3/14/24

Set #1 Complete

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.

Set 2 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a confident MC. The Cinderella Deal - Jennifer Crusie 3/22/24
2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both). A Familiar Sight - Brianna Labuskes 3/23/24
3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure. Moonraker - Ian Fleming 3/22/24
4. Read a book published in May. How to Walk Away - Katherine Center (published on May 15, 2018)
5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind. The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks 3/27/24

Set #2 Complete

Awesome!


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.

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER. You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain - Phoebe Robinson 3/19/24
2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered. Diamonds and Pearl - K'wan 3/31/24
3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career. Identity - Nora Roberts 4/6/24
4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative. Ender’s Game - Orson Scott Card 4/4/24
5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins 4/11/24

Set #3 Complete

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.

Set 4 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red. Sword Catcher - Cassandra Clare 4/20/24
2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn. The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller 4/1/24
3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue. Once Upon a Dream - Liz Braswell 4/17/24
4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both). Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers - Jesse Q. Sutanto 4/18/24
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION. Inheritance - Nora Roberts 4/15/24

Set #4 Complete

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.

Set 5 Tasks:
1. Read a book published in February. Almost Surely Dead - Amina Akhtar 4/22/24
2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC. With the Band - Jean Haus 4/28/24
3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count. Daughter of the Moon Goddess - Sue Lynn Tan 4/23/24 (503 pgs.)
4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame. Before I Let Go - Kennedy Ryan 5/4/24
5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title. Keep Me - J.L. Beck 4/24/24

Set #5 Complete

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.

Set 6 Tasks:

1. Read a book with a very talented MC. The Woman in Me - Britney Spears 5/8/24
2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count. The Christmas Spirit - Debbie Macomber 5/5/24 (240 pgs.)
3. Read a book with nobility in it. The Wish Granter - C.J. Redwine 5/24/24
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY. Hideaway - Nora Roberts 5/13/24
5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something. All the Colors of Night - Jayne Ann Krentz 5/11/24 (the MC takes a chance on love).

Set #6 Complete

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.

Set 7 Tasks:

1. Read a book with a very calm MC. The Blue Bistro - Elin Hilderbrand 5/25/24
2. Read a book where a character works with wood. Light on Snow - Anita Shreve 6/17/24
3. Read a book with all the letters LOYALTY in the title and/or series names (can use both). Cookies and Clairvoyance - Bailey Cates 6/10/24
4. Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal. Inside Threat - Matthew Quirk 6/15/24
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY. Little Night - Luanne Rice 6/18/24

Set #7 Complete

CONGRATULATIONS!! You finished the Year of the Dragon!

Erica wrote: "CONGRATULATIONS!! You finished the Year of the Dragon!

"

Thanks. I enjoyed the challenge :-)