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SUMMER CHALLENGE 2024
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Summer Challenge 2024: Tasks
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10.1 - Summer Reading List
Help Thread
Every year, UC Berkeley faculty, staff, and students recommend some great books for the incoming classes (and everyone else) to read. Read a book from the 2023 or 2024 Berkeley Summer Reading lists
2023: (Re)Writing the Rules: https://web.archive.org/web/202404022...
2024 Defining Moments: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/su...
Required: State which list your book is found on
The book must meet SRC requirements
10.2 - Celebrating Dads
Help Thread
Father's Day is celebrated in June.
Read a book with one of the following "dad" or "child" relationships standalone in the title or subtitle:
Dad, Daddy, Pop, Papa, Father, Husband, Grandfather, Son, Daughter, Baby, Child, Children
Plurals and possessives may be used. Prefixes such as Grand/Great/Step or suffixes such as in-law are also permitted. The commonly used word for father or child in another language is also acceptable.
Required: If the word used is in another language, state the language
10.3 - Sumer is icumen in
Help Thread
"Sumer is icumen in" is the opening phrase of a medieval English song which is also known as the Summer Canon or the Cuckoo Song. The song is written in the Wessex dialect of Middle English and the line translates approximately to "Summer has arrived".
Read a book with a title/subtitle word of at least 4 letters that can be made from "SUMER IS ICUMEN IN"
Required: State the word
10.4 - Summer Songs
Help Thread
Pick one song from this list of
https://www.timeout.com/music/the-50-...
Read a book with title word (not subtitle) of at least 3 letters shared with your chosen song title (excluding The)
Required: State the song.
10.5 - Cricket
Help Thread
In villages across England, there is nothing more summery than the village cricket match!
Read a book that depicts the game of cricket on the cover (bat, cricket ball, stumps, players etc) OR where the author's initials can be found in the word CRICKET
Required: State which option you chose. If the cover option is chosen, include the cover
10.6 - Pride
Help Thread
June is Pride month in many countries.
Read a book with one of the following MPGs: LGBT, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Queer
10.7 - O Canada
Help Thread
July 1st is Canada Day.
Read a book set in Canada
Required: If the setting is not apparent from the description, provide a reference
10.8 - Olympics: Equestrian
Help Thread
Equestrian events originated in Ancient Greece, where it was thought that a perfect partnership was needed if rider and horse were to survive in battle.
Read a book with a horse on the cover.
The image can be a silhouette, a drawing, an illustration or a photograph but must depict a standard horse or pony, not a zebra, pegasus or unicorn. A rocking horse or similar toy horse will not count.
Required:post the cover
10.9 - Olympics: Pentathlon
Help Thread
The modern pentathlon is the successor to the ancient pentathlon, which comprised running, jumping, javelin, discus and wrestling.
Read a book with exactly 5 words in the title (not subtitle).
10.10 - Olympics: Breaking
Help Thread
Breaking will be a new Olympic event in Paris.
Breaking is a style of dance that originated in the Bronx in the 1970s and has evolved into a competitive sport.
Competitors are known as "B-Boys" and "B-Girls"
Read a book where the authors first name begins with B. An author with the first initial B will also count (eg Notes on a Murder)
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15.1 The Long and Short of It
Help Thread
June 20th is simultaneously the Summer Solstice (longest day of the year) in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year) in the Southern Hemisphere.
This is a two-book challenge. Read two books:
Book 1: Has a page count of 400 or more pages.
Book 2: Has a page count of 200 or fewer pages.
15.2 Stars and Stripes Forever
Help Thread
July 4th marks Independence Day in the United States. In honour of this, read two books that meet the following criteria:
A - Stars: Each star on the American flag stands for one of the 50 states in the nation. Read a book that has the name of a U.S. state in the title e.g. Heaven, Texas, Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit. State names should appear in full (e.g. New York) with the exception of Dakota, Carolina and Virginia, which may appear without the related cardinal direction.
B - Stripes: Each of the 13 stripes on the American flag stands for one of the original 13 colonies (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island). Read a book that is set at least 50% in one of these states.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the description or the GR metadata, provide a reference.
15.3 Let The Games Begin
Help Thread
2024 is an Olympic year, and this year Paris is the host city. In honour of this, pick one of the following:
Required State the option.
Option 1 - Read two books, book A and book B.
A: The rings on the Olympic flag are blue, yellow, black, green, and red. Read a book whose cover is at least 75% made up of any combination of these colours according to Tineye. A guide to using Tineye can be found here.
Required: Post the cover.
B: Countries who have previously hosted the Summer Olympics include USA, Great Britain, Greece, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Soviet Union, South Korea, Spain, China or Brazil. Read a book at least 50% set in one of these countries.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the description or the GR metadata, provide a reference.
Option 2 - Read one book which satisfies both requirements of option 1.
15.4 Anyone For Croquet?
Help Thread
Croquet is a lawn game played by using a mallet to hit a ball through a certain number of hoops - usually six (in the US) or nine (in the UK). It's been featured several times in books, with the most notable example perhaps being the nonsensical game in Alice in Wonderland which involved flamingos, hedgehogs and playing cards.
Pick one of the following options:
Required State the option.
Option 1 - Read two books, book A and book B.
A: Read a book which is either #6 or #9 in a series. The series must be apparent in greyscale on the GR book page.
B: Read a book which features either an animal/bird (real only, no fictional creatures like unicorns or phoenixes) or playing card(s) on the cover.
Required: post the cover.
Option 2 - Read one book which satisfies both requirements of option 1.
15.5 Do You Have A Flag?
Help Thread
Capture The Flag is a team game that often makes an appearance at summer camps. Teams vie to cross the playing field to steal their opponents' flag (or glowstick, for a night-time variant) and make it back safely to their home base - all without being tagged by the opposing defenders.
Read a book whose author's initials are found in CAPTURE THE FLAG. Middle initials can be ignored, and letters can only be used as often as they appear.
15.6 Don't Move
Help Thread
Red Light, Green Light (known elsewhere in the world as Statues, Fairy Footsteps, or Hot Chocolate among a whole host of other names) is a popular game where players must cross a field without being spotted by the player at the finish line - if you're caught moving when the spotter turns around, you're out. A sinister variant of this game appeared in the 2021 dystopian series Squid Game, in which contestants who were unlucky enough to be caught moving faced a rather more literal form of elimination!
Read a book with the MPG Dystopia or Dystopian.
15.7 Jailbreak
Help Thread
Jailbreak is a team game which is a combination of hide and seek and tag. One team hides, while the other team seeks. The seeking team must tag the player they find and bring them to jail. The remaining hidden players will attempt to free their teammates by breaking the jail open (usually just tagging a spot and bellowing "jailbreak!") without being tagged themselves.
Read a book where the main character is jailed or arrested, or is an ex-prisoner.
Required: If the connection is not apparent from the GR description, provide a reference.
15.8 Summer Sweets
Help Thread
Strawberries and cream is a dessert that crops up almost every summer (and invariably makes an appearance at the Wimbledon tennis tournament) - it's a simple but effective combination.
Read a book with two authors either writing under both names (e.g. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman), or using a single name (e.g. Nicci French, the combined pen name of Nicci Gerrard and Sean French).
Required: For two authors writing under a single name, provide a reference if this is not clear on the GR author bio page.
15.9 Summer Blockbusters
Help Thread
Summer is a busy time for cinemas, as movie-makers scramble to draw in the audiences and claim the season's biggest hit. Of course, as we all love to claim, the book is always better than the film... or is it?
Read a book which appears on one of the following lists:
The Book Was Better Than The Movie
The Movie Was Better Than The Book
Required: State which list and which page of the list your book is found on.
15.10 Summer Months
Help Thread
June, July, and August are the 6th, 7th, and 8th months of the year. Read a book that has exactly 6, 7, or 8 words in the title (not subtitle). All words (including a, an, the etc.) count.
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20.1 Most Improved Player: XBM's Task: Enjoy a Summer Road Trip
Help Thread
One of our goals in retirement is to finish up visiting all 50 states (we’re currently at 37). Road trips are one fun way to do that. Even if you can’t physically make the trip, Goodreads came up with a list of 50 books representing each state, so you can read your way around the states. Using their recommendations, I created a list. Your task is to read a book from this Roadtrip Across America list, and identify the state it’s about.
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Laure's Task: Dragons of Summer
Help Thread
This task is inspired by my love for the best game in the world: Dungeon and Dragons.
I only started playing six years ago but since then, I have not stopped. A year ago, I took the plunge and I am also now the Game Master for a campaign I run every Tuesday night.
This is a ONE book task. You have three options.
Required: State which option you chose when you post.
Option 1. The first character I created was a high elf monk called Ilith Fan. She survived the campaign unharmed and is now level 15.
Read a book which has a 1 and a 5 in its page number or year of publication.
Option 2. I have just finished playing a classic Dragonlance campaign. Before I started the campaign, I also caught up with the iconic Dragonlance series by Margaret Weis.
For this option, read a book from the Dragonlance series or a book featuring a dragon as one of the characters.
Required: If the dragon character is not evident from the description or the GR metadata, provide a reference.
Option 3. I listen to many DND podcasts and shows during the week. I have a new favourite podcast: The Wizard, the Witch and the Wild One. Brennan Lee Mulligan is the GM for the show, and he is a great storyteller.
For this option, read a book with either the word: Wizard, Witch, Wild or One in the title. Stand alone word, plurals and possessions are allowed, no other variations
20.3 Review Raffle - Trishhartuk’s Task: Midsomer Murders
Help Thread
Despite being a long-term fan of cozy mysteries and detective stories, both reading and watching on TV, for some reason I’d never watched that British staple of the genre, Midsomer Murders. This summer, my hubby and I have decided to fix that, and have started binge watching it. It’s going to take a while, as there are 24 seasons, each of four of more feature-length episodes.
Set in an analogue of Buckinghamshire, Midsomer is the most dangerous county in England, with an average of over three murders an episode. Since it began in 1997, there have been upwards of 400 murders, of which over 330 have been on screen, and if you include suicides and other forms of death, the total is more than 575!
As of the last episode broadcast, on Christmas Day 2023, there have been 140 episodes, so your book should have a minimum of 140pg.
Option 1. The TV series, Midsomer Murders, is based on the Chief Inspector Barnaby novels, by Caroline Graham: Read a book with the MPG of Mystery and/or Crime, stand-alone or as part of an MPG such as Cozy Mystery or Mystery Thriller, AND written by a Female author.
Option 2. The most dangerous village in Midsomer County is Badger’s Drift, which has had the highest death toll over the 24 seasons. Read a book by a single author whose initials (all of them) can be found in BADGER’S DRIFT.
Option 3. Even if an episode has been filmed in driving rain, when it comes to the edit, the technicians can lay on ‘sunshine’ to ensure that it will always be Midsomer and that the villages, churches and village greens remain bathed in the appropriate season. Read a book with the sun on the cover, or the stand-alone word "sun" in the title. If using the cover option, it can be a photo or drawing, but the whole disc of the sun must be visible, and must be recognisable as such.
Required, if using the cover option, post the cover.
Examples:
20.4 Golden Oldies - FLY's Task- Kids’ Games Through the Ages
Help Thread
Keeping with the themes of summer, golden oldies, and games, let’s look at some old-fashioned outdoor games kids play in the summertime. This is a one-book task, so pick one of the following game options and enjoy! Children’s books and graphic novels are allowed and encouraged, as long as they meet SRC guidelines.
Required: state your option
a) Jump rope – kids have been jumping rope for centuries now. Some historians say it was originally played in ancient China. If jump rope is your game, please pick a book from this list of rope books: Covers for Old Rope
b) Hopscotch – this is another game that has been around for ages, perhaps since the early Roman Empire! For this task, read a book by an author whose initials (all of them, as they appear on Goodreads) are found in the word HOPSCOTCH. If your book has more than one author, all the authors’ initials must be found in the word. Letters can only be used as often as they appear.
c) Hot Potato – this was originally played with an actual hot potato. These days we try to play games without burning the skin off our children’s hands, which makes this one a fun game to play at camp. For this task, read a book off this list of books set in Idaho: Books Set in Idaho
Required state the page
d) Red Light, Green Light – another game that originated in ancient China, it has been known by many names, but I learned it as Red light, Green light. If you want to choose this game, read a book with a cover that is at least 75% red and/or green, according to TinEye.
Required: post the cover
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20.5 - Bigger is Better: Lisa MD's Summer Scavenger Hunt
Help Thread
It only seems appropriate that we play a little game for our summer reading challenge.
Scan your bookshelves or TBR to find any of these items associated with summer on the cover and read that book.
Required: post the cover and identify your object
Swimsuits: any kind one piece, bikini, board shorts, swim trunks, speedo
Pool floaties: arm floaties, tubes, pool rafts
Starfish, Sandcastles, Surfboards, Seashells
Fireflies, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Bicycle: with pedals no motorbikes.
Sun Hat- a broad-brimmed hat that protects the head and neck from the sun
Fireworks, Lightning
Watermelon, Hamburgers, Hotdogs
FYI: Although many items on the list are written in plural form, a singular item located counts. Items of clothing may be found on a person
Examples:
20.6- It's A Fact- KathyP's Task-Summertime Dreaming
Help Thread
Summer is a time for games but it is also a time for relaxing. There is something particularly relaxing about laying back and looking at the clouds.
Since I am the winner of the It's a Fact task read a NON-FICTION book that fits on these options.
Required: State the option
Option 1: Read a book with clouds on the cover. These can be drawings or photos but you must be able to identify them as clouds.
Examples:
Required: post the cover
Option 2: It is especially nice to lay back on the grass while looking at clouds. Read a book with all the letters of GRASS in the title. Subtitles are excluded.
Option 3: After staring at clouds for a while it is time to jump in the pool. Read a book with a single author, whose first and last initials can be found in SWIMMING POOL.
20.7- Shorter is Sweeter : Barbara ★' s Task - Scotland or Bust
Help Thread
I've always been fascinated by Scotland (and Scots, of course). And oh, that accent! Even if I can hardly understand it, they are lovely to listen to. I am unable to travel at this time but if I could, I would head to Scotland in August to attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which sounds absolutely amazing. I would also spend some time in the highlands. I've read so many books set in Scotland involving castles and Scots that I am more than intrigued by it all. So join me in celebrating from afar by completing one of the following tasks.
This is a one book task. Please choose an option and read a book that meets the requirements.
Required: State the Option
Option 1 - The 2024 Festival program includes dance, theater, music and much more.
Read a book with a main character who is an artist. For this task the definition of artist is a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination. So any form of artist is acceptable and can be their main job or a hobby.
Required: If the artistic form is not evident from the description or the GR metadata, provide a reference.
Option 2 - Scotland contains more than 790 islands. Read a book that takes place at any time on an island.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the description or the GR metadata, provide a reference.
Option 3 - Scotland has been a contested land for centuries. Read a book with MPG war, stand alone or embedded IE: World War I and World War II or Civil War would also work.
Option 4 - The Loch Ness Monster is famous in Scotland even though Nessie is a Scottish folktale that has, as of now, been proven a hoax. Even so, read a book with the word monster in the title. The word monster must be stand alone, plural is acceptable but no other variation.
Option 5 - And of course, we can't forget to immerse ourselves in the culture of Scotland. Read a book set at least 50% in Scotland.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the description or the GR metadata, provide a reference.
20.8 NICKELS & DIMES – Bookwrm526's Task- June Celebrations
Help Thread
This is a one book task. Please choose and option and read a book that satisfies the option.
Required: state the option
Option 1: June is LGBT Pride Month. For this option, read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in the phrase PRIDE MONTH. Middle initials can be ignored. Letters can only be used as often as they appear in the phrase.
Option 2: My birthday is also in June! For this option, read a book with a cake on the cover. It doesn't have to be a birthday cake, but must be a whole cake. Slices missing are okay but a piece of cake is not okay.
Required; Post the cover
For example:
This would work:
This wouldn't work:
Option 3: June is also national Adopt A Cat Month in the US, and we just adopted two sweet and beautiful orange cats. In honor of both of these things, for this option read a book with a domestic cat on the cover.
Required: post the cover
Examples:
20.9-Moderators Pet: Babbling C's Task-Nephews
Help Thread
This is a one book task. MPG Childrens, found in ARBF may be used.
Required: State the option
I have three nephews -- Andrew, Alexander , and Ethan.
Option 1. Read a book by an author whose first name begins with an A or an E.
Option 2. Andrew is twenty-one. Read a book with '21' intact in the page total.
Option 3. Alexander is studying mechanical engineering at Emery-Riddle Aeronautical University. Read a book with a title word of at least 4 letters that can be made from mechanical engineering.
Required State your word
Option 4. Alexander and Ethan are bothers. Read a book that meets the SRC requirements fom the following list.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
Required: State the page
20.10 Group Reads
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Summer 2024 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: Cryptids - Into the Drowning Deep
Discussion Thread
Fiction: Victorian - A Curious Beginning
Discussion Thread
Non-Fiction: True Crime - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Discussion Thread
Gutenberg Classic - A Tale of Two Cities
Discussion Thread
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25.1 - Amy FL’s task: Farewell to a Legend
Help Thread
I have been an avid tennis fan for decades, enjoying players like Borg, McEnroe, Connors, Agassi, Sampras, Serena Williams and many others. The competition between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic over the past 20 years has been incredible to watch with them all setting records nobody thought could be achieved. Of those three legends, my favorite has always been Rafael (Rafa) Nadal.
After enduring countless injuries and making numerous comebacks, Rafa has declared that this will be his final year on tour. Let’s honor this humble, gracious champion by choosing two options and reading one book for each.
Option 1: Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials appear in RAFAEL NADAL. Letters may only be used as often as they appear.
Option 2: Rafa is from Spain and has won a record 14 French Open titles. Read a book set at least 50% in either Spain or France.
Required: If the location isn’t clear from the description or metadata, please provide a reference.
Option 3: Rafa’s best surface has earned him the nickname “The King of Clay” which he deserves. His record is 479 wins and only 48 losses on that surface. Read a book with a title word of four or more letters that can be made from THE KING OF CLAY.
Required: State the Word
Option 4: Some people think Rafa suffers from OCD because he has a routine he does before each point. He also lines his water bottles up in an exact way. He claims it’s superstition. Read a book with a MPG of Mental Health or Mental Illness.
25.2 - Mazza1's Task: Title Pairs
Help Thread
This is a two-book task. Choose either option 1 or option 2
No children's, manga or graphic novels
All tasks refer to titles only, ignore subtitles
All titles must consist of at least TWO words
The combined page total for both books must exceed 600 pages, i.e. 601 pages.
Required: State your option
OPTION 1
Read 2 books where the last word of the first book's title is the first word of the second book's title (all words count).
e.g. Doctor Sleep & Sleep Donation
House of Shades & Shades of Gray
OR
Option 2
Read 2 books with the same titles
This list might help Seeing Double: Same Title, Different Books by Different Authors
BUT your book does not need to be on this list.
The titles MUST match exactly. For example, Fire and Ice match Fire and Ice, But NOT Fire & Ice.
25.3 -JennRenee's Task - Summer English Lesson
Help Thread
A noun is defined as a word that names or identifies a person, place, thing, idea, or animal.
A verb is a word that describes an action
Link to help with nouns and verbs
https://www.dictionary.com/
An Antonym is a word opposite in meaning of another word
A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word
Option A: A noun is plural when it represents two or more people, places, things, or ideas.
Book 1: Read a book with a noun of 4 or more letters in the title.
Book 2: Read a book with a plural noun of that same noun in the title.
The Echo of Old Books and
The Summer Book Club
Option B: The simple past tense is used to describe an action or series of actions that were completed in the past .
Book 1: Read a book with your verb of 4 or more letters in the title.
Book 2: Read a book with the simple past tense of that same verb
Before I Disappearand The Night She Disappeared
Option C: Both nouns and verbs can have antonyms and synonyms
Book 1: Read a book with a noun or a verb of 4 or more letters in the title.
Book 2: Read a book with a different word that is a synonym or antonym of that word in the title
The word must be found on this website: https://www.thesaurus.com/
Don't Forget Me and I Remember You Forget and Remember- Verb antonyms
Night Road and Pineapple Street
Road and street noun synonyms
Required: State if an antonym or synonym
Option D: Some words are both a noun and a verb
Book 1: Read a book with a noun of 4 or more letters
Book 2: Read a book with that same word used a verb in the title.
A Walk to Remember and For Girls Who Walk Through Fire
The Lies We Tell and What Lies Between Us
Required: State the words used for every option
25.4 Truitt_T’s Task: It’s a Riot!
Help Thread
June 28 of this year will mark the 55th anniversary of what came to be known as the Stonewall Riots. NYC police raided a gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, on Christopher Street. Raiding a gay bar and hassling members of the gay and lesbian community was not unusual, but the riots and protests lasting until July 3 were. What began as the annual commemoration of Stonewall has evolved into a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride in the U.S. and other countries around the world.
This is a gross oversimplification of the impact of Stonewall and the evolution of Pride Month, but there are plenty of resources out there for anyone interested in learning more.
This is a two book task, with a combined 500 page minimum. While children’s and middle grades books are NOT allowed, a book with MPG Graphic Novel(s) MAY be used for one book. One book MUST be nonfiction.
Choose two options and read one book from each.
Required:: state which options
Option 1: Read a book that is MPG LGBT and/or Queer AND one of the following:
Biography
Fantasy
Graphic Novel(s)
Historical/Historical Fiction
History
Humor
Memoir
Mystery/Cozy Mystery/Mystery Thriller
Nonfiction
Science Fiction
Required: state the qualifying MPGs.
Examples:
The Guncle Abroad MPG LGBT & Queer AND MPG Humor
The Hands of the Emperor: MPG MPG LGBT & Queer AND MPG Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Cozy Mystery
Gay Bar: Why We Went Out: MPG LGBT & Queer AND MPG Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Biography, Historical
The Third Person: MPG LGBT & Queer AND MPG Graphic Novels, Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography
A Lady for a Duke: MPG LGBT & Queer AND MPG Historical, Historical Fiction
Option 2: Read a book for which the author’s initials may be found in STONEWALL RIOTS. Letters may only be used as often as they appear in the phrase. Middle names and/or initials may be ignored. For books with multiple authors, all author first and last initials must be found.
Option 3: Read a book from one of the following lists.
60 LGBTQ+ Books That Reaaally Deserve a Spot on Your Shelf: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertai...
111 Queer Books Recommended by Librarians, Booksellers, and Authors: https://lithub.com/111-queer-books-re...
The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Pride Book List by PRH Editors: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/th...
The 2024 Goodreads Pride Reading List: https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...
Required: state the list
25.5 - Cat's Task - Books of Asia
Help Thread
I am moving on to Asia!
Books of Asia
We will be reading books associated with the continent Asia (with a couple of changes), and using the information on this link for reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
However, for the purposes of this task Russia and Egypt are NOT considered to be part of Asia, and books set in either of those countries will NOT work for this task.
Pick an option.
Required: state the option.
Option 1: Two Book Option
Book 1: Read a book that is set (at least 70%) in one or more countries in Asia, or is about one or more countries in Asia (if Non-Fiction).
Required: state the country(/ies), and provide supporting evidence if it's not obvious from the GR metadata or blurb.
Book 2: Read a book that is written by an author born in a country in Asia. Multiple authors are allowed, provided that ALL are born within Asia. The author(s) need not be from the country used for book 1.
Required:provide a link to prove place of birth if it's not obvious from the GR metadata.
Option 2: One Book Option
Read one book of at least 500 pages that fits both criteria of Option 1.
Mod
25.6 - Delicious Dee's Task - Chronicles of St Mary’s and the Time Police
Help Thread
Chronicles of St Mary’s and the Time Police
To celebrate, the newest release by Jodi Taylor in her Time Police series, I thought I would base my task on these two book series that I love and always eagerly await new releases of. For this task, you will read TWO books from DIFFERENT options. No graphic novels/children’s books allowed. Your total pages must EXCEED 500pgs (so 501)
Required: state your option
1. The Book Series.
Read a book (that is a whole number) from either the Chronicles of St Mary’s series or the spin-off The Time Police
2. The Cast of Characters
Both St Mary’s and the Time Police feature a colorful cast of characters. Read a book, where the author shares a first or last name with one of the characters on the fan page https://the-chronicles-of-st-marys.fa...
Spelling AND Position must match. For the purpose of this task, you must pick a character that has either two names listed (i.e. Elizabeth Sykes) or a name and a title (Dr Pinkerton). Individuals with single names and organizations are excluded from this option.
Required: State the name of the character
3. The Titles.
The titles in the St Mary’s series always make me chuckle – because they typically describe what is going to happen in the book very very well. Read a book that shares a word of AT LEAST four letters with one of the books in the series. For the purpose of this option, you can use all available books (including the in-between entries). The Chronicles of St Mary's Series
Required: State the name of the book that shares your title word
4. Its Not Time Travel
St Mary’s will VERY quickly tell you that they observe significant historical events in contemporary time – we don’t call it time travel. But since there isn’t a goodreads listopia called “significant historical events in contemporary time,” we’ll have to use a time travel one. Read a book that is found on the first 10 pages of the following shelf: Time Travel Books required, state the page you found on the book on.
Required: State the page
5. And the world went white
Whenever St Mary’s or the Time Police do a jump in time, the phrase “and the world went white” shows up in the book. Read a book where the cover is AT LEAST 75% white according to Tineye.
Required: post the cover
6. Where Would You Jump?
If you were a member of St Mary’s, you could potentially jump to a place of interest to you. However, there are a few rules (according to St Mary’s) –
1: you can’t jump to any sites of religious significance or biblical events:
Such as -
Christianity: Moses and the ten commandments; David and Goliath; birth/events leading up and the death of Jesus; sermon on the mount; last supper
Islam: Birth/death of Muhammed; conquest of Mecca
2: you can’t jump to a location within 100 years of your birth and
3: you can’t jump to South or North America.
Read a NONFICTION book about a time you would jump to if you worked at St Mary’s that fits within the three requirements. Required: State the year/location you would jump that and that its more than 100years before your birth (if you don’t want to state your birth year, you can use mine for this element – 1982).
Mod
30.1 - Susan A's Task: The Stanley Cup Playoffs
Help Thread
The Stanley Cup playoffs is the annual elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, and the league champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL's regular season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season points totals. The final round held in June is commonly known as the Stanley Cup Finals, which matches the two conference champions.
Choose two options and read one book for each. A total of 500 or more pages is required.
Option 1: Read a book with MPG Hockey
Examples:
Option 2: Read a book with the letters N H L in the title. Ignore subtitles. Order doesn't matter.
Examples: The New Couple in 5B, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
Option 3: Read a book with a cup on the cover. (The edition you read.) For this task a cup is defined as an item whose main function is to hold liquid for consumption by one person.
This includes but is not limited to: a tea cup, disposable cup with or without a straw, a soda can, beer mug or bottle, any cocktail glass, a baby bottle or water bottle.
It does not include a tea pot, a bowl, a bucket, an animal's water bowl, etc.
Required: Include the cover in your post.
Examples:
- beer mug
- coffee cup
- champagne glassesNOT OKAY:
- a beaker's main function is for a laboratory, not consumable liquid for a personOption 4: Read a book originally published in June.
Required: Include the original publication date in your post.
30.2 - Katrisa's Task - Summer Zodiac
Help Thread
This is a 2 book task. Please pick one option and read a book 1 and a book 2 for your chosen option. Total page count must be at least 500 pages. One children’s/middle grade book may be used.
Option 1 - Gemini May 21- June 21
Book 1 - The symbol for gemini are the twins, Castor and Pollux. Read a book from one of these lists featuring books with twins
Best Books about Twins
Twins
Book 2 - The tarot card associated with Gemini is The Lovers. Read a book with Romance listed on the main page genres. Embedded genres (eg Historical Romance) are allowed.
Option 2 - Cancer June 22- July 22
Book 1 - The symbol for Cancer is a crab who was placed in the heavens by Hera for pinching Heracles during his fight with the Hydra as he completed his 12 labors. Read a book that is numbered 1-12 of a series. The series can have any number of books in it, your book just has to be numbered between 1 and 12 of the series. Whole numbers only and series must appear in grayscale on the main page.
Book 2 - The tarot card associated with Cancer is The Chariot which features a chariot being drawn by black and white sphinxes. Read a book with one of these mythological creatures on the cover: Sphinx, Dragon, Mermaid (with visible tail), Yeti or Bigfoot, Medusa, Fairy (with visible wings), Unicorn/Pegasus
Option 3 - Leo July 23 - August 22
Book 1 - The symbol for Leo is a lion - another reference to the 12 labors of Heracles which he was sentenced to perform because he killed his wife. Read a book from one of these domestic thriller lists
Domestic Suspense Novels
Domestic Thrillers
Adult Thrillers Domestic
Book 2 - The tarot card associated with Leo is Strength which traditionally pictures a woman taming a lion - you go GRRRRL! Read a book with an MPG of Feminism.
30.3 - TessaVaness'S TASK Feeding the Children
Help Thread
Hunger is around us every day. In fact, food insecurity is so widespread that it affects 1 in 8 children nationwide.
During the summer months, the problem can affect even more kids. Almost 30 million students in U.S. public schools qualify for the federally assisted meal program. Students who receive a free or reduced-price school lunch during the school year are especially at risk in the summer. That’s because when the school year ends, so do school meals for millions of children.
Choose 2 options.
You may use one book with MPG “Sequential Art”, “Comics”, “Comic Book” and/or “Manga” for this task.
Option 1: Salvation Army: I’ve volunteered the last few summers with our local corps in providing children ages 0-18 with a free hot meal each weekday as well as take-home food for the weekends. Read a book that has a word of at least 4 letters that can be found in SALVATION ARMY. Letters can only be used as often as they appear.
Option 2: Cooking: I am not a cook and do not love being in the kitchen. That being said, I have learned a few tricks and easy meals for at home from the awesome woman who prepares this food daily. Read a book by an author who shares the same name or a variation of the name of the cook, Suzanne, which can be found on this page: https://www.behindthename.com/name/su...
Option 3: Numbers: Each year I volunteer the numbers seem to increase each year. Last year we were serving on average 200 children a day. Read a book with 200 - 250 pages (inclusive - so 200 & 250 count, 199 & 251 do not)
Option 4: Volunteerism: I have found that volunteering is good for my heart. Read a book from this list: Volunteerism
Required: State the page the book is found on.
30.4 Nick KY’s Task: Lots of Books
Help Thread
Read two books from two different options. All options relate to “Lots of Books”!
Your two books must total lots of pages – that is, at least 500 pages.
Option 1. Summer Means Reading Lots of Books! Read a book whose author's initials can be found sequentially in SUMMERMEANSREADINGLOTSOFBOOKS. The letters can appear either forward or backwards (KS can be either Ken Scholes or Stephen King), and the final “S” wraps to the initial “S,” so an author with the initials SS would work. Ignore middle names and middle initials.
Option 2. Lots of Fun. When you look under the “genres” list, then on the GR “more genres” page, the first category that comes up with over 900,000 entries is “Comedy.” (If I’m wrong about this, don’t worry about it – pretend I’m right.) Read a book from the first 25 pages of the “Comedy” list
As long as the book is on the list and meets SRC requirements, it counts. Required: State the page.
Option 3. They All Look Good to Me Read a book that was nominated for the group read for Summer 2024 that you do not use for 20.10. You can use any of the 29 other winners or nominees, or , if you did not use it, the Gutenberg choice.
Required: When you post for this option, either indicate what book you used for 20.10 (if you've already posted it) or what book you plan to use for 20.10 (if you haven't already posted it)
Option 4. Rest Easy Auster. Read any book by Paul Auster (solo or collaborator). This American author passed on April 30 leaving behind a treasure trove of soul-searching American paranoia tinged with a little bit of dark comedy. I will miss looking out for the new Auster book.
Paul Auster author page
30.5 - RedSycamore's Task: The Sound of Silence
Help Thread
I was able to drive into the path of totality for the eclipse earlier this year. It was my second total eclipse, and I'm definitely hooked. This one may have been in April, but if you want to make a game out of eclipse chasing, statistically, summer is your season!
Anyone can enjoy an eclipse, so for this task one book is allowed with MPG Childrens or Middle Grade, and one book is allowed with MPG Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga.
Option 1: Two Book Option
Book 1: One of the most striking things from experiencing both eclipses with a crowd was the awed silence that fell over hundreds of watchers as the light faded. Sometimes, there are just no words. Read a book with no words in the title.
For the sake of the task, any word found in The Official Scrabble Dictionary (https://scrabble.merriam.com) is considered a word except A, An, or The. A word is separated by a space - words that are hyphenated or contain another punctuation mark with no space are considered one word for the purpose of this task.
Examples: Slaughterhouse-Five (hyphenated word, counts as one word), Anathem, Circe, Written/Unwritten: Diversity and the Hidden Truths of Tenure (the / means that this is considered one word not two separate words), The Vorrh, K: A History of Baseball in Ten Pitches, J R; 1Q84, 2666
Book 2: Even if you have no words in the moment, you can always post or write about an amazing experience afterward. Read a book with at least one letter or number that's part of the cover art.
The letters/numbers must be from the same language in which your edition of the book is written and can *not* be part of: titles, subtitles, series names, author's/translator's/editor's names, publishing house, blurbs, reviews, awards etc.
Books that work:
Books that don't work:
Required: Post the cover and state the element in the cover art that satisfies the requirement.
Option 2: One Book Option
Read one book of at least 500 pages that satisfies both requirements of option 1.
Mod
Help Thread
I have four kids in total, two that are living and two that are unfortunately in Heaven.
They're all Summer babies in one way or another and I thought making a task to honor them would be fun.
This is a 3 book task, pick one book for each option. Total pages of 750 or more. For the purpose of this task when using author initials
Middle initials may be ignored and if multiple authors are present only one of the authors need to meet the requirement. For the Title Word options, all words must be exact, no other variations allowed.
Required: if choosing the cover option, post the cover.
Book 1- Finn is what is called our Sunshine baby, he is a baby born before a miscarriage or loss.
Option 1- Read a book with the word SUNSHINE, SUNRISE, or SUN in the title.
or
Option 2- Read a book where an authors first and last initial can be found in FINNLAN JAMES.
Book 2- Greyson and Henry are my angel babies, they are the storm.
Option 1- Read a book with STORM, THUNDER, RAIN, or LIGHTNING in the title or a storm on the cover
For this task a storm is signified by at least one of these options: dark (gray or black) clouds, lightning or rain
examples:
or
Option 2- Read a book by an author who's first and last initial can be found in GREYSON NATHANIEL or HENRY OLIVER
Required: State the name.
Book 3- Juniper is our rainbow baby, she is a baby who came after a loss.
Option 1- Read a book with a rainbow on the cover or RAINBOW in the title. For this taks a rainbow does not need to be an arch but must consist of the the colors of red. orange, yellow, green, blue, purple in order.
examples:
or
Option 2- Read a book by an author who's first and last initial can be found in JUNIPER HENSLEY GRACE
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Into the Storm: Two Ships, a Deadly Hurricane, and an Epic Battle for Survival (other topics)Dirt Creek (other topics)
An Inquiry Into Love and Death (other topics)
The Dark (other topics)
Texas Winds (other topics)
More...
5.1 Dodge the Ball
Help Thread
Dodgeball is a favorite playground activity for schoolchildren. One team forms a circle, then the team inside the circle must dodge the balls being thrown at them. The winner is the last person inside the circle to remain unhit. For this task, your book must dodge the hit.
Read a book whose title does not contain the letters HIT. Subtitles may be ignored.
5.2 Hop Hop Jump
Help Thread
Hopscotch is a popular playground game in which players toss a small object, called a lagger, into numbered triangles or a pattern of rectangles outlined on the ground and then hop or jump through the spaces and retrieve the object. It is a children's game that can be played with several players or alone. Designs vary, but the court is usually composed of a series of linear squares interspersed with blocks of two lateral squares. Traditionally the court ends with a "safe" or "home" base in which the player may turn before completing the reverse trip.
Read a book with the one of these words in the title (not subtitle): One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Safe, Home
Words must be exact, no variations allowed.
5.3 TAG You're It!
Help Thread
Tag (also called Chase, Tig, It, Tiggy, Tips, Tick, and Tip) is a playground game involving one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to "tag" and mark them out of play, typically by touching with a hand. There are many variations; most forms have no teams, scores, or equipment. Usually when a person is tagged, the tagger says, "It!" or "Tag, you're 'It'!" The last one tagged during tag is "It" for the next round. The game is known by other names in various parts of the world, including "running and catching" in India and "catch and cook" in the Middle East.
Read a book with a 3 word only title or read a book with a 1 word title that consists of only 3 letters.
5.4 Game of HORSE
Help Thread
The most classic of all the driveway hoops games, H-O-R-S-E is a fun, low-intensity way to brush up on your shooting skills. The object of the game is to match baskets. The game starts with player one shooting the ball from anywhere on the court. If he misses the shot, it’s player two’s turn. If he makes the shot, every other player must make the exact same shot, or they earn a letter. If a player accumulates five letters (which spells horse), he’s out. The last player standing wins.
Read a book that has all the letters of HORSE in the title/subtitle.
5.5 The Great Cornholio
Help Thread
Cornhole is a lawn game popular in North America in which players or teams take turns throwing fabric bean bags at a raised, angled board with a hole in its far end. The goal of the game is to score points by either landing a bag on the board (one point) or putting a bag through the hole (three points). The adult foul lines are defined as an imaginary line 27 feet between the front of each board.
Read a book that is #2 or #7 or #27 in a series
The series name and number must be noted in grayscale above the book title.
5.6 Outside We Go!
Help Thread
National Play Outside Day is celebrated on the first Saturday of every month, National Play Outside Day is a monthly reminder to step away from the screens and spend some time engaging our brains and bodies in the great outdoors.
Read a book that features an outside activity e.g. camping, skiing, swimming, hiking, etc.
The outdoor activity does not need to be present in the entire book but must be essential to the story, for example a book about ski trip.
Required: If the outdoor activity is not evident from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference.
5.7 We All Scream
Help Thread
This July is National Ice Cream Month, and you have Kentucky to thank! In 1984, Senator Walter Dee Huddleston of Kentucky introduced a resolution to proclaim the month of July 1984 National Ice Cream Month and the 15th of that month National Ice Cream Day.
Read a book by an author born in the 1980's.
Required: State the year of birth. If the birth year is not present on the Goodreads author page, provide a reference.
5.8 Sand Made Castles
Help Thread
Sandcastle Day is observed on the first Saturday in August every year. This year, it falls on August 3. Sandcastle Day was created to remind us of the pleasure that a bit of sand, water, and sunlight can provide us in the summertime. Everyone’s childhood sandcastle experiences should be treasured for the rest of their lives. Sandcastle Day is an excellent opportunity to take a few hours out of your day to recall how much fun it can be to build sandcastles at the beach with your children.
Read a book with a castle on the cover. For this task a castle, a castle is a building that includes at least one of the following: moat, tower, or drawbridge
Required: post the cover.
5.9 Hot Summer Months
Help Thread
Summer is the warmest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from June to August and in the southern hemisphere from December to February.
Read a book that was first published in one of the 3 Summer months of the hemisphere where you reside.
Required: State if you reside in the southern or northern hemisphere.
5.10 Easy Breezy Summertime
Summer means happy times and good sunshine. If you're not barefoot, you're overdressed. Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.
Read a book of your choice 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