Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

1316 views
Monthly/Seasonal Challenges > New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball Challenge

Comments Showing 1-50 of 369 (369 new)    post a comment »
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8

message 1: by Lisarenee (last edited Dec 04, 2011 06:59PM) (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments
 

Dear members,

We know that the holidays can be rough on people so we've come up with a fun way to spend the holiday--with a reading challenge.

 

The first item on the agenda is to pick your outfit/costume.


- You may pick one or more books that have a to die for dress, costume, or mask you fell in love with on the cover, or the title has a dress/out fit in the title (example Lady in the red dress) or do a spell-it-out challenge using the color of your dress, name of the character you choose, etc.

Example of a spell-it-out:
R: Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr (Title)
E: Edward from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (Character's Name)
D: Cat with an Emerald Eye - Carole Nelson Douglas (Author's Last Name)

The second item on the agenda to do is find/pick your date. If you hate committing to just one individual, then feel free to fill up your dance card with those individuals you'd like to dance with:

- Read 1 or more books which include your favorite romance hero(es)/heroine(s) or do an optional spell-it-out with the characters name first, last, or full.

- The third item on the agenda is to pick your mode of transportation

- Read 1 or more books which contain some means of transportation on the cover on in the book that you'd like to take to the ball. You may, if you like, do a spell-it-out challenge.


Fourthly, pick what music you'd like to dance to or what dance you'd like to partake in (could be a waltz or polka, etc). You could pick something current, retro, classical, etc At this ball you are the Belle of it so you get to pick.

- You may choose one or more books with couple dancing on the cover, have dancing or a masquerade ball in the book, or opt to do our ever popular spell-it-out challenge of your favorite song or dance.

The fifth item on the agenda is to Pick an entree or, if you are to nervous to eat in front of others, an hor'dearve.

- You may choose one or more books with a feast or dinner item on the cover (pizza, chicken kiev, ham, etc), books with sit down dinners, or do a spell-it-out challenge of your favorite food entree.

Lastly, as the clock strikes midnight pick what drink you'd like to toast the New Year in with.

- You may choose one or more books with your favorite beverage on the cover, with people toasting in the New Year in the book, or do a spell-it-out challenge of your beverage of choice.

Get the picture? Well if not here's one for you:
 


Feel free to add more to this challenge or reduce it to fit your reading comfort zone. This is supposed to be fun and it should be catered to your preferences. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,
Lisarenee, Sashana, & Rachel


Susan (susayq ~) (susayq) | 450 comments This sounds like fun! I'll have to see what I can come up with :)


message 3: by Lina (new)

Lina Very, very clever! I'll have to look through Mt TBR to come up with something worthy of such an auspicious occasion!


message 4: by Jackie (new)

Jackie (wilssearch) | 31 comments this is something I would like to try, but with so many reading challenges going on already (not to mention the writing I need to do), I am not sure I can keep up. So I am a maybe.


message 5: by Jackie (new)

Jackie (wilssearch) | 31 comments I need a worksheet to keep all this stuff straight! LOL


message 6: by Sashana (new)

Sashana Jackie wrote: "I need a worksheet to keep all this stuff straight! LOL"

I use Google Spreadsheet. It's a God send.


message 7: by Dawn (new)

Dawn | 1 comments Very cool!!


message 8: by Samantha (new)

Samantha Mullins (hixxup79) I have to see what I can come up with in my TBR here.


message 9: by Sabrina (new)

Sabrina yeah this is going to be a spread sheet worthy challenge lol


message 10: by ~Leslie~ (new)

~Leslie~ (akareadingmachine) | 2240 comments Since this goes into January, I think I can do this. Will post later with my books.


message 11: by Maureen (new)

Maureen | 7 comments .i think this is fun! im in! :)


message 12: by Dawn (new)

Dawn (dawn_e) | 66 comments Sounds like fun!


message 13: by Sashana (new)

Sashana I'm glad you guys are liking this one. Lisarenee really put her foot in it this time, huh?


message 14: by Aneeqah (new)

Aneeqah | 322 comments This challenge is just too awesome to resist! I'm in! What's the timeline for this challenge?


message 15: by Sashana (new)

Sashana December 4th to January 31st.


message 16: by Gayle (new)

Gayle (gretarahikkainen) | 125 comments I'm a maybe......just so many things to do for Christmas and 12th Night, not to mention work and all the other challenges I find myself trying to complete. We'll see what happens and if I can fit anything in.


message 17: by Diana S (last edited Feb 29, 2012 10:05PM) (new)

Diana S New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball
Duration: 12/4/11 -2/29/12 *
Books Read: 24
Updated: 2/27/12 *(using an Extension Gift Card)

What a Lovely Night!

My Gown Royal Blue Gown (2/4 Books)
Benioff,David - City of Thieves 1/13/12
Laura Kasischke's Space,in Chain 12/24/11
U-
E-

My Date Hoyt Mac Cionaoith (4/4 Books)
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta 1/21/12
One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity by Debbie Macomber 1/20/12
You Don't Sweat Much for a fat girl by Celia Rivenbark 2/25/12
'Tis The Season by Lorna Landvik 12/4/11

Transportation Horse-Drawn Carriage (3/5 Books)
Hale, Marian - The Truth About Sparrows 2/20/12
O-
Robinson, Barbara - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 12/25/11
Shirley,Goodness and Mercy by Debbie Macomber 12/31/11
E-

The Dance Blue Danube Waltz (4/5 Books)
White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter 12/28/11
Ann Pearlman's The Christmas Cookie Club 12/29/11
Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (The) by Sherman Alexie 12/26/11
Tom Angleberger's Darth Paper Strikes Back 2/4/12
Z-

Entree Roasted Chicken with Mushroom Sauce and Potatoes (4/7 Books)
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol 12/9/11
H-
I-
Christmas Basket (The) by Debbie Macomber (12/25/11)
Karen Robards' Ghost Moon 12/27/11
E-
Night Road by Kristin Hannah 1/25/12

The Toast Pink Champagne (7/9 Books)
Cindy Woodsmall's The Sound of Sleigh Bells (12/16/11)
H-
Ariel/Juliet in Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay (1/29/12)
Mercy Thompson in Blood Bound 1/15/12
Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore 1/31/12
Anna in Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs 1/6/12
George Selden's The Cricket in Times Square 12/24/11
Nadezhda in A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka
E-

At the Stroke of Midnight . . . . .

My Date
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula #1) by Marta Acosta One Simple Act Discovering the Power of Generosity by Debbie Macomber You Don't Sweat Much for a Fat Girl Observations on Life from the Shallow End of the Pool by Celia Rivenbark 'Tis The Season A novel by Lorna Landvik
My Gown
City of Thieves by David Benioff Space, In Chains by Laura Kasischke
Transportation
The Truth About Sparrows  by Marian Hale The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson Shirley, Goodness and Mercy by Debbie Macomber
The Dance
White Christmas Pie by Wanda E. Brunstetter The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie Darth Paper Strikes Back (Origami Yoda #2) by Tom Angleberger
The Entree
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens The Christmas Basket by Debbie Macomber Ghost Moon by Karen Robards Night Road by Kristin Hannah
The Toast
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall Juliet Immortal (Juliet Immortal #1) by Stacey Jay Blood Bound (Mercedes Thompson, #2) by Patricia Briggs Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1) by Patricia Briggs
The Cricket In Times Square by George Selden A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka


message 18: by Emily (new)

Emily | 1 comments Im in. This sounds like a lot of fun.


message 19: by Lisa Kay (last edited Dec 15, 2011 09:34AM) (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments I'm in! Love it! ☺

NBRC: Monthly/Seasonal Challenges >> New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball Challenge

Duration:
December 4th through January 31st.

00/13

Outfit/Costume:
Mine Till Midnight, by Lisa Kleypas (audiobook via audible.com)
or
Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue, by Stephanie Laurens (OD audio)
Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue (Cynster #16) by Stephanie Laurens

My Date: Jack Travis
Smooth Talking Stranger, by Lisa Kleypas audible.com
Smooth Talking Stranger (Travises, #3) by Lisa Kleypas

Mode of Transportation
L. - Loyalty in Death, by J.D. Robb (OD audio)
I.  - In Death, #8 Conspiracy in Death, by Robb, J.D. (OD audio)
M. - Maiden Lane, #3 Scandalous Desires, Elizabeth Hoyt (PB) "buddy read"
O. - The Other Guy's Bride, by Connie Brockway (undecided media/need to order; available via audio)
Loyalty in Death (In Death, #9) by J.D. Robb Conspiracy in Death (In Death, #8) by J.D. Robb Scandalous Desires (Maiden Lane, #3) by Elizabeth Hoyt The Other Guy's Bride (Braxton, #2) by Connie Brockway

Music to Dance to:
W. - Warner, Kaki = Colorado Dawn (won a copy)
A. - After Dark, by Beverly Barton (PB)
L. - Lisa Kleypas = Mine Till Midnight audible.com
T. - Travises, #2 Blue-Eyed Devil, by Lisa Kleypas "buddy read" (PB)
Z. - Zoe Archer = Scoundrel (PB)
Colorado Dawn (A Runaway Brides, #2) by Kaki Warner After Dark by Beverly Barton Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas Blue-Eyed Devil (Travises, #2) by Lisa Kleypas Scoundrel (The Blades of the Rose, #2) by Zoe Archer

Entrée or Hors d'oeuvre: bird pie, hopefully not poisoned
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley (OD audio)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (A Flavia de Luce Mystery, #1) by Alan Bradley

Drink for a Toast: Cranberry Tini
Southern Fried Divorce, by Judy Conner (OneClick audio)
Southern Fried Divorce by Judy Conner

Cranberry Tini - recipe from Wiki
Ingredients
• 2 shots De Kuyper cranberry liqueur
• 1 shot Stolichnaya vodka
• 3 shots apple juice (clear)
• garnish: a wedge of lime and/or fresh cranberries
• glass: martini

Directions
1. Shake all the ingredients together in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a martini glass.
3. Add a wedge of lime and/or fresh cranberries if desired.



message 20: by Lina (last edited Dec 30, 2011 05:13PM) (new)

Lina NYE Masquerade Ball Challenge
4th Dec 2011 to 31st Jan 2012

6/6 Read

OUTFIT
Her Christmas Pleasure by Karen Erickson 22-12-11 ★★

DATE
Iain MacKinnon- Surrender by Pamela Clare 11-12-11 ★★★★★

TRANSPORT
Horseback- Remember Summer by Elizabeth Lowell 29-12-11 **

DANCE
Modern Music - The Hot Girl's Friend by Lisa Scott 21-12-11 ★★

FOOD
Bacon and Egg burgers (I'm classy like that) - Hot Flash by Kathy Carmichael 10-12-11 ★★★

DRINK
Martinis - The Golden Chance by Jayne Ann Krentz
31-12-11 ****

Read: Hot Flash by Kathy Carmichael Surrender (MacKinnon’s Rangers, #1) by Pamela Clare The Hot Girl's Friend by Lisa Scott Her Christmas Pleasure (The Merry Widows, #2) by Karen Erickson The Golden Chance by Jayne Ann Krentz Remember Summer (Thorndike Press Large Print Famous Authors Series) by Elizabeth Lowell


message 21: by Midu (new)

Midu Hadi | 2744 comments Me too and Me too!


Lizz (Beer, Books and Boos) | 705 comments So going to be in


message 23: by Lisa Kay (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments CaroB wrote: "(I'm classy like that)"

**hee hee** Love that you're going via horseback, CaroB. ☺


message 24: by Midu (new)

Midu Hadi | 2744 comments and the dress,Lisa Kay...backless:-)


message 25: by Lisa Kay (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments She's a trollope. I know, Anomander, but I wasn't going to say anything, LOL!


message 26: by Lina (last edited Dec 04, 2011 11:16PM) (new)

Lina LOL, thanks Lisa Kay and Anomander! Thankfully this is all imaginary and I don't have to worry about "support" in my backless dress while I'm riding :-)


message 27: by Lina (new)

Lina LMAO Lisa Kay! You know it! I think the term here is "more ass than class" *giggles* or in this case, more horse, heehee!


message 28: by Midu (new)

Midu Hadi | 2744 comments But there's always Iain to protect and support.:-D


message 29: by Lina (new)

Lina ;-) I like the way you think Anomander.


message 30: by Lisa Kay (last edited Dec 04, 2011 11:33PM) (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments LOL! You go, girls! ☺


message 31: by Midu (new)

Midu Hadi | 2744 comments Lisa Kay, when are you introducing us to your smooth talking date?


message 32: by Lisa Kay (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments NEVER! He is mine. All mine! ☺


Gabrielle Blaque/~Bhlack Benehvolence~ (werewolfgrl1) | 417 comments I'm probably over extending myself again, but I don't think I can say no to this intriguing challenge!


message 34: by Midu (new)

Midu Hadi | 2744 comments @ Lisa Kay:
hehehe

@ Gabrielle:
Tell me about it!


Gabrielle Blaque/~Bhlack Benehvolence~ (werewolfgrl1) | 417 comments Lisa Kay wrote: "NEVER! He is mine. All mine! ☺"

Now, now, children we must learn to share. Just kidding Lisa Kay! ;)


message 36: by Lisa Kay (new)

Lisa Kay (lisakayalicemaria) | 15159 comments LOL!


message 37: by A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (last edited Jan 10, 2012 06:27AM) (new)

A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) Oh, boy! So much going on, but I'll reserve this spot and give it a try.

DRESS/MASK
When a Duke Says I Do by Jane Goodger Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #1) by Laini Taylor


DATE
Why settle for one guy when I go with all of Anita's harem. lol
Bullet (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #19) by Laurell K. Hamilton


TRANSPORT
The Hunter (The Legend Chronicles, #1) by Theresa Meyers In case of mechanical malfunction I'll go by:
Fire Me Up (Aisling Grey Guardian, #2) by Katie MacAlister


MUSIC/DANCE
Kiss Me, I'm Irish (Time For Love #1) by Bella Street


ENTREE/FOOD
Feed (Newsflesh Trilogy #1) by Mira Grant
Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, #1) by Jennifer Estep The Pork Pit looks like it might serve BBQ. I hope.
Sugar Rush by Donna Kauffman Dessert


DRINK
Blood of Eden (Sloane Skye, #1) by Tami Dane


message 38: by Aleksandra (new)

Aleksandra (spalkiry) You girls are amazing! It sounds a wonderful challenge! I'll try out, although I'm not sure I can make it.

A question about the dancing point:
I'm reading Dance, Dance, Dance some time the second half of the month. Can I use this one instead of a particular dance :)?


message 39: by Lisarenee (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments Aleksandra asked: "A question about the dancing point:
I'm reading Dance, Dance, Dance some time the second half of the month. Can I use this one instead of a particular dance :)? "

Yes, that's totally acceptable. :)


message 40: by Midu (new)

Midu Hadi | 2744 comments Hey Lisarenee, really cool challenge! Thanks for all the hard work.


message 41: by Barbara ★ (last edited Dec 12, 2011 09:38AM) (new)

Barbara ★ Cool challenge.
Duration: December 4, 2011 - January 31, 2012

READ: 2/9

1. Costume - pink satin dress
P: Patricia Wrede - Thirteenth Child 12/8
I: The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney 12/6
N: Nina Bangs - Eternal Prey
K: Kagawa, Julie - The Iron Knight

Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede The Iron Witch (The Iron Witch, #1) by Karen Mahoney Eternal Prey (Gods of the Night, #3) by Nina Bangs The Iron Knight (Iron Fey, #4) by Julie Kagawa

2. Pick your date: Jamie Fraser
Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner (Lord John Grey, #3) by Diana Gabaldon
3. Transpo: I'm arriving by air which aught to be interesting with my pink satin dress!
The Griffin's Flight (The Fallen Moon, #2) by K.J. Taylor
4. Music/Dance: I can't dance at all but maybe a waltz is doable.
Waltz in Time (An Avon Romantic Treasure) by Eugenia Riley
5. Entree: dessert of course!
Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #5) by Nancy Martin
6. Drink: I think I'll try a martini.
The Kept Woman by Susan Donovan


message 42: by Aleksandra (last edited Mar 02, 2012 08:38AM) (new)

Aleksandra (spalkiry) Thanks, Lisarenee!

I'm using an Extension Card:
description

6/6 COMPLETED

That's my list (will be updated while reading):

READ 05/02/12 - 1. Outfit/Costume - A Clash of Kings - Melisandre's red dress. I'm reading this edition:

description
Larger image here.

READ 16/12/11 - 2. My Date - Jon Snow from A Game of Thrones

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin

READ 19/02/12 - 3. Mode of Transportation - A Storm of Swords - a boat:

description

Larger image here.

READ 24/02/11 - 4. Music to Dance to - A Dance With Dragons

A Dance With Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5) by George R.R. Martin

READ 22/01/12 - 5. Entrée or Hors d'oeuvre - Shōgun

Shōgun by James Clavell

READ 24/02/12 - 6. Drink for a Toast - A Feast for Crows Arbor golden wine, please!

description
Larger image here.

NB! I'm using Shogun for the Entree for a few reasons:
I did not read anything with food on it, so I can't use a cover for the challenge. And I'm not going to, so I don't want to use another extension card. At the same time, Shogun is about the first encounters between the Japanese and English cultures. As Anjin-san first lands in Japan, he is absolutely disgusted by their food (which happens in 1600). However, with the progression of the story, he becomes one of the closest to the man who will some day become the shogun of Japan. Meetings at dinners, tea ceremonies and sake are very often and common to come across in the book, and their importance - quite emphasized.


message 43: by Susan (susayq ~) (last edited Jan 15, 2012 05:59AM) (new)

Susan (susayq ~) (susayq) | 450 comments Alright, I figured out all my details...

NBRC - New Year Eve Masquerade Ball 12/4 - 1/31

4/6


Dress

Legacy (Legacy, #1) by Cayla Kluver

Date - Roarke

Naked in Death (In Death, #1) by J.D. Robb

Transportaion - motorcycle

Covet (The Fallen Angels, #1) by J.R. Ward


Dance - ball
At the Bride Hunt Ball (Devine & Friends, #1) by Olivia Parker

Hors d'oeuvre

I Scream, You Scream (A Mystery A La Mode, #1) by Wendy Lyn Watson

Drink - coffee (especially if I'm staying up till Midnight to ring in the new year LOL)

Miss Match (Lauren Holbrook, #1) by Erynn Mangum


message 44: by Aleksandra (new)

Aleksandra (spalkiry) Another question - does my date have to be from a romance?


message 45: by Sashana (new)

Sashana Aleksandra wrote: "Another question - does my date have to be from a romance?"

No, just someone you find appealing.


message 46: by Aleksandra (new)

Aleksandra (spalkiry) Great! Thanks, Sashana :)!


message 47: by Lisarenee (last edited Dec 05, 2011 04:45AM) (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments Anomander said,"Hey Lisarenee, really cool challenge! Thanks for all the hard work."

Thanks, I first proposed the idea to Sashana and Rachel a couple months or so ago and it took awhile to figure out just how to do it. My partners in crime kept me from going overboard and helped me pick which pictures to use and let me know if I was being too ambitious or too crazy. I just wanted to come up with something a little different. I'm glad everyone seems to like it. Rachel proposed we do more invitational event reading challenges in the future, so expect more of the same, yet different throughout the year.


message 48: by Midu (new)

Midu Hadi | 2744 comments Totally! And I loved the picture that came with the mail.


message 49: by SandyC (new)

SandyC (sandyc88) | 1193 comments Looks fun! I need to figure this out....


message 50: by Lisarenee (last edited Dec 05, 2011 06:38AM) (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments Anomander said, Totally! And I loved the picture that came with the mail.

Thank you. I got the idea for doing that from the awesome newsletter Sashana sent out recently. So thanks Sashana for being the inspiration behind that one. :)


« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8
back to top