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SUMMER CHALLENGE 2013
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Summer Challenge 2013: Tasks
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10 point tasks10.1 -- The Black Tortoise and Snake
Help Thread
Although its name in Chinese, Xuánwǔ, is often translated as Black Tortoise in English, it is usually depicted as both a tortoise and a snake, specifically with the snake coiling around the tortoise. � Read a book with any type of reptile (turtle, snake, lizard, alligator, etc) pictured on the cover. Dragons and dinosaurs will work, too. Required: Include the cover in your post.
10.2 -- Live Long and Prosper
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Tortoises generally have lifespans comparable with those of human beings, and some individuals are known to have lived longer than 150 years. Because of this, they symbolize longevity in some cultures, such as China. � Read a book with the genre "Classics" listed on its main page.
10.3 -- The Summer of '69
Help Thread
by Bryan Adams, was released in June 1985. � Read a book that was first published in a year that ends in 6 or 9. (1966, 1969, 1976, 1979, 1986, 1989, etc.)
10.4 -- The Sunshine State
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According to Wikipedia, the nickname "The Sunshine State" may refer to Florida, New Mexico, California, and South Dakota as well as . � Read a book set in any of these locations. To qualify, at least 50% of the book must take place in an appropriate location. Required:If the location is not obvious in the ŷ description of the book, explain the connection when you post.
10.5 -- The Tortoise and the Hare
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� Read a book with the word "fast" or "slow" intact in the title, subtitle, series, or author's name.
10.6 -- Black Flag Day
Help Thread
In the US, Flag Day is celebrated in June. Since our theme is the black tortoise, � read a book set in a country that has the color black on its official flag. For the purposes of this task, we will use . To qualify, at least 50% of the book must take place in an appropriate location. Required:If the location is not obvious in the ŷ description of the book, explain the connection when you post.
10.7 -- Blown Away
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The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1st. � Read a book written by an author who shares one of the . The name can be the author's first, middle, or last name, but the spelling must match exactly. Required: State the name you are using when you post.
10.8 -- Summer Reading
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� Read a book from
10.9 -- Add It Up
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Add numbers in current age until you get a single digit. � Read a book that has that number of words in the title. For example, if you are 55 you would add 5+5 to get 10; you would then add 1+0 to get 1. You would read a book with a one word title.
If your birthday falls within the summer months, Happy Birthday! You may use either age to get your single digit. Subtitles may be used or ignored. Hyphenated words count as one word. Numbers also count as one word.
Required: State the single digit number your age adds up to when you post.
10.10 -- Blister in the Sun
Help Thread
"Blister in the Sun" is a song by the American alternative rock band Violent Femmes, originally released on their 1983 self-titled debut album. � Read a book with a word from the in the title or subtitle. The words must match the spelling of the word in the song title exactly. No variations. The following words are excluded: and, in, the, to, for, do, from
Required: State which word in the title matches a word in the song titles when you post.
Mod
15.1 - A Machiavellian Task
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2013 is the 500th anniversary of Machiavelli's The Prince
Read 2 books from the following options. You MAY do the same option twice.
Option 1: Read a book set in Italy for a significant portion of the book or written by an Italian author (by birth or residence)
Option 2: Read a book with “prince� found intact in the title, subtitle, series title or author’s name
Option 3: Read a book with the genre Politics or Philosophy on its main book page
Option 4: Some believe The Prince was written in "mirrors for princes" style, a form of self-help textbook to instruct kings on how to (or not to) reign. Read a book with the genre Self-Help on its main book page.
Option 5: Read a book with at least 50,000 ratings on its main book page.
Required: Please indicate the options you chose.
15.2 - Good Luck Charms
Help Thread
June is wedding month. The bridal tradition of "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a lucky sixpence for her shoe" dates back to the Victorian Age.
Choose 2 different options and read a book for each.
Option 1- "Something Old" represents the continuity of the past moving to the future. Read a book first published in or before 1963.
Option 2 - "Something New" represents optimism for the future.
Read a book you added to your To-Read shelf or that you purchased between January 1, 2013 and May 17, 2013.
Option 3 - "Something Borrowed" represents borrowed happiness. The object is borrowed from a happily married relative or friend whose good fortune in marriage hopefully will carry over to the Bride.
Borrow a ŷ friend's happiness and read a book that he or she has read and rated 4 or 5 stars.
Required: Please name the ŷ friend when you post.
Option 4 - "Something Blue" represents love and true-blue fidelity.
Read a book with something blue on the cover. Blue titles and text work.
,
,
,
Required: Please include the cover when you post. Please point out the 'something blue' if necessary.
Option 5 - "And a Silver Sixpence for your Shoe" represents good fortune and prosperity.
Read the 6th book in a series. The book must be identified as part of a series on ŷ.
Required: Please state the options when you post.
15.3 - Left and Right
Help Thread
August 13th is
Using the QWERTY keyboard and traditional touch-typing finger placement (it doesn’t matter if you type “hunt-and-peck� or thumb-text)
Option 1, Read TWO books, one A and one B:
Celebrate the power of the left hand
A. Read one book with a word at least FOUR letters long that is composed of letters/characters typed solely with the left hand in the title or subtitle. Letters may be used more than once. ex. great, tree, bread
AND
Since 87% of the population is right-handed
B. Read one book with a word at least FOUR letters long that is composed of letters/characters typed solely with the right hand in the title or subtitle. Letters may be used more than once. ex. pool, lion, Honolulu
OR
Option 2- Read ONE book with a left-hand word (option A) AND a right-hand word (option B) in the title or subtitle. Both words must be at least 4 letters long.
The apostrophe and hyphen are right-hand keys so may only be used for Book/word B.
Required: Please indicate the option you chose and identify the left-hand and right-hand words when you post.
15.4 - Get to the Finish Line
Help Thread
Are you slow and steady like the tortoise or hop-skip-jump like the hare?
Choose an option
Option 1- Hare: Read two or more books whose combined page count totals at least 400 pages.
OR
Option 2 - Tortoise: Read one book with at least 400 pages.
*ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
Required: Please state the option you chose and the page numbers for your book(s) when you post.
15.5 - Tour de France
Help Thread
The June 29- July 21 will be the 100th Tour de France and will be the first to be raced completely on French soil since 1988.
Read a book written by a French author (by birth or residence) or set in France including Corsica or any French overseas territory/region: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, French Polynesia (Tahiti, Bora Bora), Saint-Barthélemy, or Saint-Martin for a significant portion of the book.
15.6 - As Seen On TV
Help Thread
Read a book that has been promoted on a television show. Morning news shows, talk shows, interview shows, etc. all work. These lists may help. Oprah’s Book Club Picks, The Daily Show Reading Club, Colbert Report Book List, You may use a book referenced on a tv show website or list even if you did not see the book promotion yourself. The BOOK must be promoted on the show NOT a movie or other adaptation of a book.
Required: Please include the TV show where your book was seen.
15.7 - 11/11
Help Thread
Many mainland European countries identify Martinmas or St. Martin's Day, November 11, as the first calendar day of winter. To recognize 11/11, read a book with the same consecutive double letter pair found twice in any combination of title, subtitle or series title words or the author's names. A pair of the same double letters (2 sets of 2) found within any one word or name also works. Combos with more than 2 pairs of the same letters are allowed.
The consecutive letter pairs must be the same letter in both pairs
ex. Glasshouse by Charles Stross SS in title and SS in author's name
Little Children by Tom Perrotta TT in title and TT in author's name
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt EE twice in title
Impostor by Susanne Winnacker NN in author's first and last names
After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall - LL in title (3 times)
Required: Please identify the letter when you post
15.8 - The Battle of Gettysburg
Help Thread
July 1-3 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Read a book related the U.S. Civil War. The genre Civil War must appear on the main book page. This list may help Best Civil War Books, Remember to check the genre, not every book on a list works.
15.9 Mountains to Climb
Help Thread
There is a "Tortoise Mountain" and a "Snake Mountain" on the opposite sides of a river in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei. Read a book with the word "mountain" or "river" in the title, subtitle, or series name. Plurals, possessives and compound words (mountaintop, mountainside, riverside etc) work.
15.10 - No More Homework!
School's out! Take a break and read a book of your choice.
20 pointers20.1 - Most Improved Player - Stacy CT's task: All Things Peru!
Help Thread
This summer I'll be celebrating my 30th birthday with a trip to Peru. Help me celebrate by reading a book from ONE of the following options:
1. Read a book set in Peru or written by a Peruvian author (by birth or residence). Required: If the connection is unclear, please explain how your book fits the task when you post.
2. Read a book by an author who turns 30 this year (born in 1983) OR a book that has a 3 AND a 0 in the total number of pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or listen to an audiobook, use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
Required: If using the author option, provide a link to confirm the author's age if their birthdate is not present on GR. If using the page number option with a non-print book edition (i.e., an ebook or audiobook) you must provide a link to the edition that you read as well as the print edition for verification purposes when you post.
3. Going to see Macchu Picchu in Peru is one of the things on my bucket list. Read a book related to one of the items on your personal bucket list. Required: Identify how the book you choose is related to the item on your personal bucket list.
Required: State which option you used and any other required information when you post.
20.2 - Rookie At the Top - Bamaace83's task: Family Vacations
Help Thread
Summer months always bring multiple opportunities for family activities. Growing up, we were shipped off to our grandparents� houses for a few weeks. Family reunions, day trips, and sporting events were also on the family summer calendar. Memories were made that I will cherish for a lifetime. For this challenge, it’s a perfect time to remember our families.
Read one book from one of the options listed below:
Option 1: Read a book with the genre "Family" on the main page. For example: The Last Song, If I Stay, My Sister's Keeper, The Glass Castle, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, The Art of Racing in the Rain
Option 2:Read a book with one of the following words in its title or subtitle: “family�, “vacation�, or “reunion�. Plural versions are acceptable, but no other variations are allowed.
Required: State which option you used when you post.
20.3 - Best Review - Nick KY's task: The Blank Blank
Help Thread
This task is a tribute to Robert Ludlum. Ludlum wrote bestsellers with certain formulas. They were full of confused heroes being chased by sinister forces, there was always time to rest, reflect (and become more confused), and recuperate before the next chase invariably began, and the books had catchy three word titles, the first of which was "The": The Bourne Identity, The Scorpio Illusion, The Tristan Betrayal, The Icarus Agenda, The Scarlatti Inheritance, and many, many more.
For this task read a book (written by any author) that has a three word title, the first word of which is "The." Subtitles should be ignored.
(Note: You may read a book in a language other than English, but the title must translate into English as 3 words, the first word of which is "The." If you choose to do this, please inform the moderators as to the translation.)
Then rest, reflect, and recuperate before your next read inevitably begins.
20.4 - Author! Author! - Ann A's task: Initial Fun
Most of us enjoy trying new authors, so for this task choose one of the options below and read ONE book by an author that is NEW TO YOU:
Option 1. The author's initials must be found in any order in your Readerboard name. Only author's first and last names will be used (ignore middle names). For example, since my Readerboard name is Ann A, my book's author would have to have the initials AN, NA, AA, or NN. If a letter appears only once in your Readerboard name, it should appear only once in the author's initials.
Option 2. If you find your own name to be too limiting, you may "borrow" one of our moderators' Readerboard names:
Dlmrose
Sandy
Kristi Passion for the Page
If the book has two or more authors, only one is required to have initials in the Readerboard name, but all authors should be "new to you".
Required: State the option chosen when you post and confirm that the author(s) is/are new to you.
20.5 - Bigger is Better - CathyG's task: Motorcycles and Pontoon Boats
Help Thread
There are two things I love doing in the summer. Read 1 book that fits either A or B.
Option A. Motorcycle riding: Read a book with a picture of a motorcycle on the cover or the word motorcyle in the title, subtitle, or series name. Plural and possessive are acceptable, but no other variations. This list might help: Best Motorcycle Books
Option B. Spending time on the pontoon boat: Read a book with a word from the lyrics of
in the title or subtitle. The word from the song lyrics must be at least 4 letters and must be found intact. Several words have the end dropped, but you may use the full word. (floatin� � floating). Required: State the word used when you post.
Required: State the option you used and any other required information when you post. If using the cover option, include the cover in your post.
Here’s the video if you’d like to get the full experience:
20.6 - Seasoned Reader - CASSELM's task: They’re Creepy and They’re Kooky�Help Thread
I absolutely love the Addams Family. As a child, my cousin sat me down to watch the TV series from the 1960s and since then I have always loved this unique family who has moved through various kinds of media, from the original drawings and books by Charles Addams to the live action TV series of the 1960s and late 1990s to the cartoon incarnations of the 1970s and the early 1990s as well as two brilliant major films and books related to all of these mediums.
In honor of my favorite fictional family, pick ONE option from the choices below:
1) Gomez Addams, patriarch of the family and man’s man, has been portrayed most famously by John Astin. In honor of this character and his many interests read a book with the words "sword" or "hunt" somewhere in the title or subtitle. The word you choose must be complete but can be part of another word such as A Storm of Swords, The Swordsman or Snow White & the Huntsman.
OR read a book with the genre History on its main page.
2) Morticia Addams was one of my idols as a child. Her dedication to her family and her marriage, as well as her talents at gardening made her fascinating. In honor of Morticia and Gomez’s undying love, read a book with the genre of Romance or Erotica on its page. Any subgenre of Romance or Erotica is acceptable as long as one of those two genres appears on the book’s main page.
Or read a book with a flower somewhere in the cover. Size doesn’t matter, just so there is at least one flower in the cover somewhere.
3) The children, Pugsley and Wednesday, were rambunctious to say the least but never lost the affection of their parents. In honor of Pugsley, read a book with the genre Mystery or Crime or True Crime on its main page.
OR
In honor of Wednesday, whose portrayal has changed with every reincarnation, you can read almost anything—the only requirement is that the cover must be mostly black and white.
Acceptable examples for this option include:
Required: State which options you used when you post. If using a cover option, include the cover in your post.
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter - Ana's task: Something New
Help Thread
I joined SRC this spring and really enjoyed the tasks set out for me. So in the spirit of trying something new, choose one of the following options and read ONE book.
NOTE: The book you choose must have 250+ pages.
Option 1. Read a book first published in 2013.
Option 2. Read a book with the word "new" or "spring" found intact in the title or subtitle. The word "sprung" will also work. Ex: Blog!: How the Newest Media Revolution Is Changing Politics, Business, and Culture; Life As We Knew It; Deadline Artists: America's Greatest Newspaper Columns; The Doctor's Newfound Family; Sprung; All Woman and Springtime; Springing: New and Selected Poems; Springboard
Option 3. Read a book written by an author who is new to you.
Required: State which option you used when you post.
NOTE: Books with genre "Children's" or "Kids" that conform to all other SRC rules and meet the requirements of this task may be used.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or listen to an audiobook, use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
20.8 � It’s My Birthday! - Sue Q's task: Beginnings and Endings
Help Thread
Read 1 book from one of the following options:
Option 1: Beginnings
Summer in Canada means longer daylight hours! There is something so uplifting about waking up in the morning to sunshine! Read a book that has one of the following words in the title/subtitle: “light�, “daylight�, “morning�, “sunshine�, “sun� � no variations of these words allowed.
Option 2: Endings
Some of my favourite things in summer end with the letter “k�: kayak, drink, hammock, book! Read a book with any word in the title/subtitle that ends with the letter “k�.
Required: State which option you chose when posting.
20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Pigletto's task: Whedonite
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I love all things Joss Whedon. Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, Cabin in the Woods - I've seen them all. So I'm very excited that this year there are 3 new Joss projects due to be released: , , and . Read a book from ONE of the Joss inspired options below.
Note: In celebration of his new projects, no rereads are allowed for this task.
1. Joss frequently uses references or is inspired by pop culture and classic stories. He even had Dracula starring in an episode of Buffy. I love trying to spot them all!
� Read a book that has been inspired by another author's fictional story (this includes myths and fairy tales as well as novels/plays) or one that features another author's fictional character(s). Examples: The Snow Child, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Dodger, The Madman's Daughter. Required: Please state in your post the book/story that is the inspiration or the name of the character and the book they were orginally in.
2. Joss has his favourite actors that he loves to work with and he frequently casts them in his various productions, such as: Nathan Fillion (Firefly/Serenity, Buffy, Dr Horrible and Much Ado About Nothing) and Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse and Much Ado About Nothing).
� In honour of favourites read a book by one of your favourite authors. Remember no rereads allowed!
3. Joss has kept many of his creations alive through graphic novels - Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home, Dollhouse: Epitaphs, Serenity - Omnibus
� Read a graphic novel of one of Joss's series or a spin off book/graphic novel of another movie or tv series. Required: Please include in your post the name of the movie or tv series.
Required: State which option you used and include any other required information when you post.
NOTE: Books with genre "Children's" or "Kids" that are at least 100+ pages and conform to all other SRC rules may be used for this task.
NOTE: Books with genres “Graphic Novel,� “Sequential Art,� “Comics,� and “Manga� that conform to all other SRC rules may be used for this task.
20.10 Group Reads
Read one of the Group Reads selections, and make at least one post in the discussion thread for the book.
For the category "Alternate History" The Eyre Affair
The Eyre Affair Discussion Thread
For the category "Books set in Asia" The Orphan Master's Son
The Orphan Master's Son Discussion Thread
For the category "Mysteries set in the Western US" The Big Sleep
The Big Sleep Discussion Thread
25 point tasks25.1 - Coralie's task: Winter in Melbourne
Help Thread
It’s winter in Melbourne, Australia which is a time when almost everyone wears black and talks about the football � that is the . Not all Melbournians are quite the same and I have identified four distinct types.
Read 2 books BY DIFFERENT AUTHORS from the following options. You MAY do the same option twice.
Option 1 � THE TEAMS
For some people, it is all about the team. Because there are 18 teams in the competition and 18 players in a team read a book with 18 letters in the title (NOT including subtitle or series name) or 18 letters in the author’s name (as shown on ŷ). Symbols, such as hyphens and apostrophes, do not count -- only letters.
Option 2 THE GAME
Some people really enjoy analysing every game. As much of the play involves ‘marks� read a book by an author with MARK, MARC or MARQ intact somewhere in the author’s ŷ name.
Option 3 THE CODE
For some people, one football code is not enough. They also follow a Melbourne team in one of the other football codes. They include STORM for Rugby League, REBELS for Rugby Union and HEART and VICTORY for Soccer. Read a book with ‘storm�, ‘rebel�, ‘heart� or ‘victory� in the title or subtitle. I will accept variations as long as the meaning remains intact (Victoria is acceptable as a variation of Victory as the state’s name is the origin of the team name). Other examples of words that will work include: rebellion, rebellious, victorious, heartstrings, sweetheart, stormy, etc. The word "hearth," however, would NOT work.
Option 4 THE ALTERNATIVE
As everywhere, there are exceptions to the rule and some Melbournians would rather be seen as weird than talk about sport. Read a book with WEIRD as part of the genres on the main ŷ page. Any subgenre is acceptable as long as ‘weird� is one of the words.
Required: State which options you chose when you post.
25.2 - JenBent's task: Trivial Pursuit - Summer of '94 Edition
Help Thread
Choose two of the following options as we revisit my favourite summer, 1994, and remember what made it so great!
Option 1: Geography
Staycations can be fun! Read a book that is set in the city, state, province, region, or whatever defines where you live. In most cases, this should be more specific than a country, unless you live in a really small country.
Option 2: Entertainment
In June, The Lion King debuted in theatres and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was released on VHS. Read a book with "lion", "king", "ace", or "pet" found intact in the title, subtitle, series title, or author's name.
Option 3: History
OJ Simpson's famous car chase has gone down in history. Read a book with the genre "legal thriller" on its main page.
Option 4: Arts & Literature
I read as many Nancy Drew books as I could get my hands on. Read a book with the genre "mystery" on its main page.
Option 5: Science & Nature
My family spent a lot of time camping in the woods - no electricity! Read a book with a picture of the outdoors on the cover. For example:
Option 6: Sports & Leisure
On summer vacation, you'd find me swimming at the town pool or chasing the ice cream truck. Read a book with a body of water or a sweet & delicious food item on the cover. For example:
Required: State which options you used when you post. If using a cover option, include the cover in your post.
25.3 - JennRenee's task: Summer Road Trip
Help Thread
I love to take road trips in the summer. I don’t mind if they are across country or across town, have a destination or just driving. I love to be in the car on the road, music blasting, and windows open. There seems to be such a sense of freedom associated with taking a road trip. For this task, we are going to take a road trip.
Pick 2 different options and (1) read a book for each, OR (2) read one book that satisfies both options. For the one book option, the book must be at least 400 pages long.
1. Decide to take a road trip: Read a book with the genre "Road Trip" listed on its main page. This list might help: Popular Road Trip books
2. Plan a date: Since this is the summer, read a book with the the numbers 6, 7, or 8 in the title or subtitle. Series titles are excluded. Numbers may be in numerical form or spelled out. Cardinal and ordinal numbers work. For example, any of the following in the title/subtitle will work: 6, Six, 6th, or Sixth; as will 36 or Thirty-Six. OR read a book that was first published in June, July, or August of any year.
3. Plan the route: Read a book with a map or a road sign on the cover OR one with a name of a from this list in the title or subtitle. The city or state name must be exact (exact spelling, full name). No variations. Required: Name the city or state when you post.
4. Fill the car up with gas: Read a book with a gas tank, gas can, or gas station on the cover OR one in which the author's initials can be found in any order the word GAS. Middle initials/names should be ignored.
5. Fill up on snacks and load the playlist: My favorites are�. Twizzlers, pretzels, and beef jerky. Read a book with a cover that is predominately (at least 50 percent) red, orange, or brown. OR one that has a tape player, cassette tape, mp3 player, compact disc, radio, music notes, jukebox, record player, vinyl record, or a musical instrument on the cover.
Snacks:
Playlist:
6. Get in your car and go! Read a book in which the author's or a main character's first, middle, or last name exactly matches one of the following car names: Nova, Ford, Lincoln, Cooper, Ranger, Cherokee, Mercedes, Dodge, Shelby, or Chevy OR a book with a road vehicle on the cover - Motorcycle, Truck, RV, Truck, Bus etc. As long as it travels on the road, it'll work. Required: If using the character name option, identify the character when you post.
NOTE: Children’s book 100+ pages will be accepted for this task.
Required: State which options you used when you post. If using a cover option, include the cover in your post.
25.4 - Janet F's task: Bookin' Around the Bases
Help Thread
My son is playing travel baseball so that will preoccupy part of my summer. Here are some baseball and sporting concepts to help you make book selections for my task.
Pick 2 different options and read a book for each.
Option 1. RULES - Baseball has plenty of rules but Rule #1 is "have fun"! Have fun by reading a book of your choice that meets the standard SRC guidelines. Optional: While reading your book for this option, attend a baseball game of any level from Peewees to the Majors or, if you can't get there in person, watch a baseball game on TV (you can read during commercials!). Mention at least one of the teams that played during the game when you post.
Option 2. SPORTSMANSHIP - One big word that should be important to all baseball participants, at all levels. Read a book with a one word title. Subtitles may be excluded.
Option 3. TEAMWORK - is vital to success. You can see teamwork at play on the SRC Scavenger Hunt thread. Read a book mentioned in the Scavenger hunt thread. A handy way to list the books is by clicking on "More..." under the "Books mentioned in this topic" to the right hand side of the thread.
Required: Include a direct link to the post that mentions the book you read or to page of the "Books mentioned in this topic" list when you post.
Option 4. POOL PLAY - can help decide who plays who in the bracket. Sometimes a team ranked higher plays one ranked lower. Even though every team is a 'winner' in my mind, for the purpose of this task we will use the idea of winner vs. loser to pick your book.
Find a book you previously read that you thought was either a winner (4 or 5 stars) or loser (1 or 2 stars). On that book's GRs homepage, look through the 'readers also enjoyed' section & read the highlights. If you think the book you've started with is a winner, pick one you think might be a loser, even though it's recommended, and read that book. If you think the book you've started with is a loser, pick one from the 'readers also enjoyed' list that you think might be a winner. Don't worry if the book ends up being a loser when you expected a winner and vice versa. Not all books have 'readers also enjoyed' so find a different starting book that does.
Required: Mention the book that you started with and whether you thought you were picking a winner or a loser when you post.
Option 5. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE - a necessary component to perfect the sport. Read a book that shows a person or part of a person doing an activity that might be improved with practice. For example:
(playing the piano)
(football placekicker)
(dancing) Required: Include the cover & mention the activity when you post.
Option 6. HOMERUN DERBY - This is a fun contest that major leaguers participate in to see who can hit the most homeruns. Youth contests may have different rules to suit the time constraint. One way to set it up is to let each kid have 10 hits and then track the number of homeruns and/or the farthest hit. At any rate the rules need to be set up clearly in advance so there is no dispute.
Your book selection for this option requires some preplanning.
Make a stack or a list of 10 books you really want to read. Either write the book names on pieces of paper and draw one out of a hat or assign each of the 10 books a number and use the Random Number Generator on the right-hand side of the page (change the max number to 10) to pick your "home run" book.
Here's the catch: No matter how you randomly choose your book, you have to stick with that book to use this option.
Required: State which options you used and include any required information when you post.
25.5 - Bluemoon's task: In the GardensHelp Thread
Last year my husband and I went to a wedding in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. We decided to make a weekend of it and on Sunday we went to Sonnenberg Gardens Historical State Park. It is an old estate that has been turned into an Historical Site. The gardens are beautiful.
Please chose two gardens to visit and read a book for each.
A. The Japanese Garden - In 1906, Mrs. Thompson had this garden, with its detailed landscape, reminiscent of mountainous Japan, fashioned from a smooth lawn by a Japanese landscape designer and his team of workers. Water flows from a large cascade, passing the Tea House, and underneath 5 bridges. A 12th-century bronze Buddha sits nearby.
For this garden read a book set in Japan. At least 50% of the book must be set in Japan to count for this task. OR read a book with the author's initial found in any order in TEA HOUSE. Middle initials may be ignored. Each letter in TEA HOUSE may only be used once. Therefore, the author Sidney Sheldon would NOT work because there is only one S, while the author Esi Edugyan would work because TEA HOUSE includes 2 Es.
B. The Blue and White Garden - Only blue and white blossoms are used in the beds of this intimate garden, which lies off the northwest corner of the Mansion Veranda, and was said to have been Mrs. Thompson's favorite. A 2007 restoration of this garden included replacing the metal entrance gates which have been missing since World War II.
For this garden read a book that has a predominatly blue AND white cover OR a book with WWII listed as one of the genres on the main page.
Cover examples:
C. The Rose Garden - The main beds of the Rose Garden feature the red, white and pink blooms of Mrs. Thompson’s original color scheme. Typically, they bloom in mid-June and carry peak color through July. Graced by a tall, iron tower at the north and the classic, columned Belvedere (Italian for "beautiful view") at the south.
For this garden read a book with at least one rose on the cover or with the word "ROSE" found intact in the title, subtitle, or author's name.
D. The Sub Rosa Garden - Past the Roman Bath-style swimming pool lies the Sub-Rosa Garden. Enclosed by boxwood hedges, this “secret garden� features an intricate marble fountain and bench on a raised platform above a deep pool. Restored in 2006, when Sonnenberg became a state historic park, this garden can also be utilized for small wedding ceremonies or family memorials.
For this garden read a book with water on the cover. Any water will work but it must be in liquid form. OR read a book with the genre ROMANCE listed on the book's homepage. All romance subgenera (Paranormal, Christian, etc.) will work for this task as long as it is labeled "romance."
Fiction and Nonfiction both work for all options.
Required: State which options you used when you post. If using a cover option, include the cover in your post.
25.6 - Elizabeth B's task: Off to the Mediterranean Sea
Help Thread
The is bordered by three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. Several ancient civilizations were located around its shores; thus it has had a major influence on those cultures. It has also been called the incubator of the Western civilization.
Twenty-one countries have coastline along the Mediterranean Sea:
For this task, choose one of the following options:
Option A: Read a book with at least 500 pages, set in a any of the countries on the .
Option B: Read two books with a total page count of at least 500 pages, set in a any of the countries on the . The two books may be set in the same Mediterranean Coastal Country or they may be set in different Mediterranean Coastal Countries.
To qualify, at least 50% of the book must take place in an appropriate location.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or listen to an audiobook, use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
Required: State the page numbers for your book(s) and, if the location(s) are not obvious in the ŷ description of the book, please explain the connection when you post.
25.7 - Jessica PDX's task: Author or Title?
Help Thread
When browsing the bookstore, which do you notice first on a new book - the title or the author? Let's take a closer look at some covers and see just what those crafty cover designers want us to notice:
Choose 1 book for each of the following options:
Book A: The font size for the author's name on the cover should be BIGGER than the smallest font size used in the title on the cover. For example:
Book B: The font size for the author's name on the cover should be SMALLER than the biggest font size used in the title on the cover. For example:
To assist our lovely moderators, please only choose books where the size difference is substantial (i.e., you can easily tell which is bigger from the thumbnail image of the cover). When considering title font size, ignore subtitles or series titles.
Required: Post the cover of both books, clearly indicating which one is used for A and B.
25.8 - Karen GHHS's task: Big Sky Country
Help Thread
Every summer for two weeks I travel with my husband and my dog and any other family that can make it to a cabin in Montana. I’d like to invite you to join in some of the joy this trip brings to me.
For this task, you will pick two of the following options and read 1 book for each option.
1. Big Sky Country: Montana is really beautiful country and the sky lives up to the nickname.
For this option, read a book that is set in Montana or is by an author who was born in Montana. Examples: Hattie Big Sky, This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind, The Book of Yaak. This list might help, too: Best Montana Books Required: If the ŷ author page does not identify the author's birthplace, provide a link for verification when you post.
2. A River Runs Through It: The cabin we rent is “up The Yaak� and sits right on the Yaak River. Fishing is a favorite pastime as is reading!
For this option, read a book with one of the following words in the title or subtitle: river, stream, creek, fish. Plurals, possessives, and variations that preserve the meaning of the words (i.e., fishing) will also work. For example: A River Runs Through It, Frenchman's Creek, Trout Fishing In America, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
3. Night Sky: It is amazing how many constellations you can see in the night sky from The Yaak! Sometimes you can even catch a view of the Northern Lights.
For this option, read a book with one of the following words or group of words found in the title or subtitle: star, moon, constellation, northern light(s). The phrase "northern light(s)" must be found together. The words may not be used individually. Plurals, possessives, and variations that preserve the meaning of the other words (i.e., starry, moonlight, etc.) may be used.
Examples: Night Star, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Constellation Games, Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name, A Northern Light
4. Roughing It: Did I mention the cabin has no power or running water?
For this option, read:
A. A book with the word “wild� in the title or subtitle. Plurals, possessives, and variations that preserve the meaning of the word (i.e., wilderness, wildlife, wildness, wildly, etc.) may also be used. For example: Wilderness: A Novel or Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
OR
B. It’s pretty easy to get to civilization in the summer from The Yaak, but winter is a different matter. For B, read a book with the word "snow" or "blizzard" in the title or subtitle. Plurals, possessives, and variations that preserve the meaning of the words (i.e., snowy, snowbank, etc.) may be used. For example: The Snow Child or Blizzard
5. Furry Friends: Our dog, Tolliver, enjoys this vacation, too, and we love having him with us. We also like looking for unusual wildlife.
For this option, read a book with one of the following words found in the title or subtitle: dog, deer, badger, grizzly bear, moose, mountain goat. "Grizzly" and "bear" may be used separately or together. "Goat" may also be used separately from “mountain goat�, however, but "mountain" cannot be used alone. Plurals and possessives may also be used. The wild animals are ones that I have actually seen on trips to Montana. Luckily, the grizzly bear was a baby on a hillside and I was in the car!
Examples: A Dog's Purpose, Mark of the Grizzly: True Stories of Recent Bear Attacks and the Hard Lessons Learned, Hunting Badger, A Beast the Color of Winter: The Mountain Goat Observed
6. Washington, My Home: There’s still “no place like home� at the end of the trip.
For this option, read a book set in Washington State, my home. This list might help: . Other examples include: Truth Like the Sun, Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Required: Specify the two options you used and any other required information when you post. If using a setting (options 1 and 6), explain how your books fit the requirements if the GRs description does not make it obvious.
NOTE: Books with genre "Children's" or "Kids" with 100-300 pages may be used for this task.
NOTE: Genres “Graphic Novel,� “Sequential Art,� “Comics,� and “Manga� may be used for this task.
25.9 -- Chaitra's task: Summer Movies...The Low Profile VersionHelp Thread
You know how summer movies are blockbuster heavy? The end of thisman or the beginning of thatman, the sequel to this franchise or the prequel to that, and several hopefully new franchises? Even kiddie cartoons are now battling evil and saving the world for the second/third/nth time. By the time it's end of June, my husband and I get this thing I call blockbuster fatigue. I know no one's forcing us to watch them, but we love movies, so, we keep an eye out for smaller films, and watch those for a change. For this task, I've picked this year's lot of anti-blockbusters. Happy reading!
Rules: Choose two movies and read a book each. All the tasks can be completed with either fiction or non-fiction books as long as they fit the requirements. Standard SRC rules apply as to genre/page count. Optional! Watch one (or all) of these movies and let me know what you thought of it! :)
1. The Bling Ring: A bunch of rich teenagers rob even richer Hollywood apartments because they are crazy about fame and fashion. Based on true events.
Read a book featuring a piece of jewelry on the cover (necklaces/rings/earrings/bracelets all work, as long as it's identifiable) -OR- read a book with the genre "True Crime" on its main page. Required: If using the cover option, include the cover when you post.
2. Byzantium: An artsy horror movie about two women in a deserted guesthouse with a deadly secret, i.e., they're (view spoiler).
Read a book tagged "Horror" on the main page -OR- read a book with two (and only two) female protagonists. For example: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Amy and Isabelle, Sense and Sensibility, The Bonesetter's Daughter. Books with more than 2 equally important female characters will not work. There may be other women, but in minor roles only. There may be any number of men. Required: If using the female protagonists option, mention the protagonists if the GR description isn't clear when you post.
3. The Way, Way Back: Coming of age story, which features a vacation, a water park and an unlikely friendship.
Read a book with a repeating word (excluding a, an, the) in the title (subtitle/series title does not count) -OR- read a book from this: List of best books to travel vicariously. If using the repeating word option, the words must be exact. Examples: How Late It Was, How Late; What Is the What; Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned; What We Talk About When We Talk About Love; Mother, Mother: A Novel Required: If using the list option, state the position of the book on the list when you post.
4. Blue Jasmine: Unknown plot, but considering this is a Woody Allen movie, it's bound to have a large number of characters, and an equally large amount of dialogue.
Read a book with a color and a flower name in the title (Eg: White Oleander, The Black Dahlia, Roses are Red, Purple Hibiscus) -OR- read a book from this list: Books With Multiple Perspectives. Required: If using the list option, state the position of the book on the list when you post.
5. The Spectacular Now: Nice girl and a bad boy meetcute, that has some bumps on the way. Based on a novel.
Read a book that has been made into a movie -OR- read a book tagged both "Young Adult" and "Romance" on the main page.
6. The Grandmaster: Directed by one of my favorite directors, Wong Kar Wai, this movie is a Chinese action adventure based on Ip Man.
Read a book that is written by one of your favorite authors -OR- read a book set in China (at least half the book needs to be set there).
Required: State the options you used and any other required information when you post.
25.10 -- Laurie ME's task: My Summer Vacation
Help Thread
As with many of the summers of my life, I’ll be taking two weeks off from work and going to our family’s house on the island of Vinalhaven. I’ll be there with my folks and other members of my family, sisters and their families. This place on Vinalhaven has turned out to be one of the family’s most favorite destinations for a group vacation.
For this task, think about your own vacation, past, present or future and read two books from two different options:
1. Vinalhaven is an island. The State of Maine provides a ferry service to travel from the mainland to the island, so planning is a major part of getting to Vinalhaven.
Read a book set in a location that is not close to where you live, a place you’d need to travel to get to. You may travel by car, train, boat, or airplane. Required: State the setting of the book and where you live when you post.
2. I know that traveling someplace can be very expensive; so many folks take stay-cations. If you're lucky, your stay-cation involves taking in the local sights.
Read a book that is at least partially set in a museum, aquarium, zoo, national park, carnival, circus, or fair. One of these locations should play a significant role in the story. For example: The Da Vinci Code, Relic, Zoo Story: Life in the Garden of Captives, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Track of the Cat. These lists might help: Behind the Scenes at the Museums, Books about Zoos, Circus/Carnival Books
3. Some families are able to send their children to summer camps or stay at a resort type camp as a group. Read a book in which a family, a group of friends (more than 2), or a group of strangers (more than 2) come together in a beach house, a mountain cabin, a hotel, or some other temporary living arrangement. For example: The Beach House, Ten Beach Road, The Accidental Bestseller, Second Time Around, Beach Trip. These lists may help: Hotels, Motels, B'n'Bs and Guest houses, B&B Fiction
4. Yet others take a cruise someplace in the world. Read a book that’s primarily set on a boat or ship of some sort. These lists might help: Cruises, Boat Books
5. Finally, there are times that I just like to stay at home and do nothing special. Read a book of your own choice, just to please yourself.
Required: State which options you used and any other required information when you post. If the GRs description does not make it clear, explain how your book fits the task.
25.11 -- Vi/Midu 's task: Explore Listopias
Help Thread
Towards the end of the Spring Challenge, I *almost* went into the dreaded book slump. I was not into any book I read and I still had to complete the challenge. I used to while away time on GR trying to find something that caught my eye and yet not be a re-read. That was when I stumbled across a little-used aspect of Listopias.
Note: Re-reads are not allowed for this task. Books must meet all the other SRC guidelines.
Select a recently-read or a favorite book. This will be your starting book.
Go to your starting book's main GR page. Between your friends' reviews and community reviews, there will be a section titled "Lists With This Book". Click on the "Lists With This Book" and it will expand and show more lists. If your starting book has not been added to any lists, you will need to choose a different starting book. However, there is sometimes a difference in book editions. If the edition of the book you have does not have a section titled "Lists With This Book" but there are other edition that do, you may pick from those lists even if the edition you read does not show the lists.
Read any TWO books from TWO different lists shown.
For example, if you start out with the book Elantris, choose two lists from Elantris Lists and read a book from each one.
Note: As per SRC general rules, you must not have voted/added the book that you read into the list.
Required: Please post a link to your starting book and links to the two lists you used when you post. If the book edition you read does not show the lists you picked from, provide a link to the edition that shows the lists as well as a link to the edition that you read.
25.12 -- Chris MD's task: What Comes Next?Help Thread
I thought when I finished the Spring challenge that I’d take a few days off and relax. Instead I couldn’t wait to get started on a new batch of books. Which got me thinking how there’s always something just around the corner. I’m going to use a variation on that theme for my task.
Choose ONE option and read TWO books that will satisfy that option.
1. Series by the Numbers: Read books from two different series that are one number apart. For example, I could read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2) and Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #3). Note: The books must come from different series and must be identified as a series (series name, #) on ŷ.
2. Author A-B-C’s: Read a book of your choice, then using the author’s last name, read a book by an author whose last name starts with the next letter in the alphabet. For example, if I read Delirium by Lauren Oliver, the second book would have to be by somebody whose last name starts with a “P.� You cannot go from Z to A.
3. A 1 and a 2: Read a book with a number in the title, then read a book with the next number in its title. For example, Twelve Sharp and Thirteen Moons. As an alternative, you can use ordinals, but both must be in that form. For example, The Sixth Man and On the Night of the Seventh Moon, but not The Sixth Man and Seven Up. It doesn’t matter if the number is in numerical form or written out.
4. Sun Up to Sundown: Read a book with “morning� in the title, then read a book with “afternoon� in the title. Or read a book with “afternoon� and then one with “night� or “evening� in the title. You may not combine “morning� and “night/evening.� Plurals and possessives may be used, but the words must have the same variation. For example: A Thousand Afternoons could be paired with Bollywood Nights because they are both plurals. No other variations are allowed.
5. Time to Eat: Three square meals a day—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—pick two in order and read a book with each meal in the title. For example, I could read Breakfast at Tiffany's and Naked Lunch or Naked Lunch and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, but I couldn't combine a "breakfast" title with a "dinner" title. Plurals and possessives may be used, but the words must have the same variation. For example: My Lunches with Orson: Conversations between Henry Jaglom and Orson Welles and Dinners and Nightmares would work because they are both plurals. No other variations are allowed.
6. A Seasonal Challenge: Read a book with one of the seasons in its title (winter, spring, summer, fall/autumn), then read a book with the next season in its title. In this one, you may do a fall/autumn-winter combination. Plurals and possessives may be used, but the words must have the same variation. For example: Spring's Renewal and Summer's Child can be used together because they are both possessives. No other variations are allowed.
Required: State which options you used when you post.
25.13 -- Deanna's task: Dirty Dancing
Help Thread
One of my all-time favorite summer movies is Dirty Dancing. It was released in 1987 and I fell in love with the music and the story of shy Baby falling for the bad boy dancer, Johnny. I have it on DVD and have watched it so many times that I have memorized the dialogue, but I still watch it whenever I find it showing on cable. It was the first film to sell over a million copies on video and its soundtrack has gone multiple platinum.
For this task, read 2 books from 2 different options below.
Option A � The Music: I love both the classics from the 50’s and 60’s and the original songs in this film.
Read a book with a word from one of the soundtrack's song titles in the book's title or subtitle (series titles are excluded): . The words "the", "in", "of", and "to" are excluded. Plurals, possessives, and singular variations are OK (such as eye for eyes or girl for girls, etc.), but no other variations are allowed. Required: Please identify the song title when you post.
Option B � The Cast: Since this was a low budget film, most of the cast members were relative unknowns before this movie. Like many others, I fell for Patrick Swayze when I saw him dancing and followed his career after. And which young girl didn’t wish that she were Jennifer Grey?
Read a book written by an author who has a first or last name that matches the name of a cast member or character. Cast member or character first names may be author's last name or vise versa. For example, Kelly or Charles could be an author's last name, Bishop could be a first name, etc. List of cast members and characters: . Slight spelling variations (Gray/Grey, John/Jon/Johnny, etc.) are OK. Required: Please identify the cast member or character when you post.
Option C � The Dancing: *sigh* I wished that I could dance like that, but alas, I have two left feet.
Read a book that features dancing or dancers in it. It can be fiction or non-fiction and either focus mainly on dancing or feature a major scene that involves dance, such as a prom, a ball, the first dance or father/daughter dance at a wedding, attending the ballet, etc. The scene should actually take place at the dance with the characters engaged in the dance in some manner, it cannot simply be mentioned in passing. Some of these lists might help you find appropriate books (all regular SRC guidelines still apply): Best Books About Dance, Dancing, Dancers In Romance
Required: If the ŷ description does not make it obvious, please explain how your book fits the task when you post.
Option D � The Setting: The film is set at a resort in the Catskill Mountains. The Catskill’s are in the SE part of New York State and is part of the same mountain ridge that extends into parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Read a book set in New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania. More than 50% of the book must be set in those states. Required: If the ŷ description does not make it obvious, please identify the state when you post.
Option E � The Time Period: The film is set in the summer of 1963, which is not exactly before my time but I was only 4 years old then.
Read a book originally published or set in the 1960’s. Some of these lists might help you find appropriate books (all regular SRC guidelines still apply): Best Books of the Decade: 1960's, Best Novels about the 1960s, Classic Science Fiction 1960-1969
Required: State the options you used and any other required information when you post.
25.14 -- Amy C's task: The America's Cup
Help Thread
The 2013 America's Cup is being held in San Francisco with the Louis Vuitton challenge beginning in July. This will be the first time that San Francisco has hosted this international competition.
For this task, select two (2) different options and read one book for each option or read one book satisfying one (1) option that is over 500 pages.
Required: Please identify which option(s) you used and any other required information when you post. If using the cover option, include the cover in your post.
Option 1 - Read a book where sailing is the main subject of the book. The book may be fiction or nonfiction, but a voyage on a sailboat must be involved. Required: If the ŷ description of the book does not specifically refer to sailing, explain how your choice fits the task when you post.
Sail, Maiden Voyage, An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude, Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy, A Voyage for MadmenMaster and CommanderDoveBoat Girl: A Memoir of Youth, Love & FiberglassRed Sky in Mourning: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Survival at Sea
Option 2 - Read a book that has a sail on the cover. The book may be about anything, but it must have a sail on the cover.
Option 3 - To commemorate the first race for the America's Cup, which took place in 1851, read a book that was first published in or before 1851.
25.15 -- Stacie MI's task: It's Barbeque Time!Help Thread
It's time to crank up those barbeques! It is summer after all! For this task, you will read books related to foods that can be cooked on a grill. You can either read two books from different options, or one book with 400+ pages that fulfills two options.
Required: Please state the options you chose and provide any other required information when you post. If you chose a cover option, please include the cover in your post.
A. Steak: Whenever I think of steak, I think of eating a fancy dinner in a steakhouse. Read a book with a cover picturing someone in fancy clothing - i.e. suit and tie, ball gown
Examples:
B. Hamburger: Seeing as hamburgers are generally eaten sandwiched in a bun, read a book that is "sandwiched" in a series. This means a book must come before it and at least one published book needs to come after it. The book must be identified as part of a series (series name, #) on ŷ.
C. Hot Dogs: Read a book where the word "hot" or "dog" appears intact in a word in the title/subtitle. Plurals, possessives, and variations all work as long as the selected word is intact.
Examples: Investigating the Hottie, Cold Shot to the Heart, The Dust of 100 Dogs
D. Chicken: Read a book that you've been too "chicken" to read. Maybe the page length intimidates you. Maybe you worry that it won't live up to the hype it's received. Maybe you're afraid that it'll be a disappointment. Required: Let us know why you've been chicken.
E. Corn on the Cob: Due to it's vivid yellow color, read a book with a predominately yellow cover. Keep in mind that at least 50% of the cover must be yellow! Examples:
F. Pizza: I know what you're thinking! Grilled Pizza? True, it's unconventional and not the norm, but it is delicious! Read a book that would be unconventional for you to read - a genre that you don't normally reach for. Personally, I don't read a whole lot of nonfiction, so I could read a nonfiction book to fulfill this option.
Note: Children's books 100+ pages may be used for this task.
Note: Genres “Graphic Novel,� “Sequential Art,� “Comics,� and “Manga� may be used for this task.
25.16 -- Lois's task: Summer Shakespeare
Help Thread
Outdoor Shakespeare performances are a summer tradition throughout the English-speaking world and beyond. My actress daughter will be performing Merchant of Venice with the Portland Actors Ensemble outdoors in downtown Portland in June, and we also plan to see King Lear at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland in July.
To celebrate summer Shakespeare, read two books from the options below. Both books can be from the same option or each can be from a different option. Please be sure your book meets SRC basic requirements for a task at this level.
Optional non-reading activity: If you have the opportunity where you live, attend a theater performance, Shakespeare or other, indoors or outdoors. Go early with a picnic (and your book) and have a fun afternoon or evening!
Option 1: Read a play written by Shakespeare.
For suggestions:
Best of William Shakespeare (careful, not all of these are plays)
Option 2: Read a book about William Shakespeare.
For suggestions: Best Books About Shakespeare
Option 3: Read an adaptation: such as a novel using one of Shakespeare’s works or his life as a basis for the story. The ŷ page for the book should clearly indicate that it is a book based on a Shakespeare story or character, or something about his life.
For suggestions: Rewriting Shakespeare, Shakespeare Retellings, Willsphernalia
Option 4: Some of the characters in Shakespeare's plays have names that are still commonly found today. Others are rarely, if ever, used nowadays. Using this list: , read a book written by an author whose name (first, middle, or last) is Shakespearian OR a book in which a character has a Shakespearian name. The chosen name must appear on the ŷ page for the book. In the case of a two-part name, such as Mark Antony (or Aemilius Lepidus), one of the names may be used. The spelling of all names should match exactly the name on the list. Required: State which name you are using when you post.
Required: State which options you used and any other required information when you post. If the GRs description does not make it clear, explain how your book fits the task.
25.17 -- Lindsey IL’s Task: Metal!Help Thread
With the century of music we are reading through with the 5 point tasks, I figured it would be a great time to introduce you to one of my favorite music genres - metal! Read more about metal: (view spoiler)
Please read two books from two different options, OR read one book from one option that is 750+ pages.
1. Power - Power metal is characterized by upbeat, high-energy, over-the-topness. It can be quite uplifting; it makes you feel like you can conquer the world, which is why it often is paired with the questing hero/ine of traditional fantasy. More about power metal: (view spoiler)
� Read a book with the genre High Fantasy, Epic, or Epic Fantasy on its main page -OR- read a book with a word from one of my favorite band names in the title or subtitle: Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Seven Kingdoms, Wuthering Heights, Secret Sphere. Band names may be split apart (i.e., you may use "Blind" or "Guardian"). Plurals/singulars and possessives will work, but no other variations. Seven my be spelled out or it may be in numerical form (7) but it must be seven, not 7th or part of a larger number (i.e., 17). Required: If using the word option, state the word used when you post.
2. Folk - Folk metal is a broad genre that draws on elements of folk music. The lyrics are often based on mythology and ancient religions, most popularly those of the Norse and Celtic varieties. But some folk metal has more of a Middle Eastern flavor to it, drawing from Arabic and Jewish folk music. More about Folk metal: (view spoiler)
� Read a nonfiction book with the genre mythology, folklore, or religion on its main page -OR- read a fiction or nonfiction book set in Israel or an Arabic country. For the purposes of this task, we'll use these:
3. Gothic - Typically has a haunting, dark, and mysterious atmosphere and almost always has keyboards and/or strings and usually melodic female vocals (sometimes paired with harsh male vocals to create what is called "beauty and the beast" vocals). One of my favorite gothic metal bands was inspired by Shakespeare. More about gothic metal: (view spoiler)
� Read a book by Shakespeare or based on one of his works (must be obvious from GR description; otherwise provide proof) -OR- read a book with the genre gothic, horror, or fairy tales on the book’s main page.
4. Melodic death - Melodic death has the typical fast, aggressive, driving guitars that define most metal but has - you guessed it - much more melody in the guitars (and keyboards in some bands) during the entire song instead of just a constant, rhythmic in-your-face blast. This particular genre was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. More about melodic death metal: (view spoiler)
� Read a book by a Swedish author (native or someone who now lives there) -OR- read a book set in a Nordic country. For the purposes of this task, we will use these:
5. Symphonic - Standard metal instruments with symphonic orchestrations on top, sometimes very elaborate like classical music and often including operatic vocals. Symphonic metal bands usually have album covers that are visually appealing. More about symphonic metal: (view spoiler)
� Using this list of several of my favorite albums - - read a book with a word in the title or subtitle that matches a word of 5 or more letters in an album title or band name on the list -OR- read a book with a cover that you find visually appealing. If using the word in the title option, the word must match exactly. Required: State the word used when you post.
6. Doom - Last but not least, my favorite sub-genre. It has many variations which I won’t go into here. My favorite sub-sub-genres are usually very atmospheric and have a lot of overlap with gothic metal. More about doom metal: (view spoiler)
� Read a book with poetry AND romance, dark, or death listed as genres on its main page -OR- read a book whose title or subtitle contains a word from the name of one of my favorite bands: My Dying Bride, Funeral, While Heaven Wept, Virgin Black, Lonesome October. Plurals and possessives will work, but no other variations. Required: If using the word option, state the word used when you post.
REQUIRED: Post which option(s) you chose, include any required information, and explain how your book fits the task if it is not obvious from the ŷ description. If using a cover option, include the cover when you post.
OPTIONAL: Listen to the examples provided for your options while reading (click on "view spoiler" for access to the links).
25.18 -- Bekka's task: Adventures @ Your Library!Help Thread
I’m a librarian at the in Rexburg, Eastern Idaho. Our Summer Reading program starts on the 3rd of June this year. In commemoration of summer reading programs and libraries throughout the country, please pick TWO DIFFERENT options and read one book for each:
Option 1. At the Madison Library District, we’re using the CLSP (Colaborative Summer Reading Program) themes. The Children’s is “Dig Into Reading, the Teens is “Beneath the Surface� and the Adults is “Groundbreaking Reads.�
� Read a book that has to do with anything underground or underwater, digging into the ground or coming up through the ground or water, i.e., gardening, zombies, submarines, mining, etc.
Option 2. Every year, the Madison Library has some type of presence in our town 4th of July Parade, which happens right in the middle of our summer reading. A few years ago, to promote our upcoming autumn Community Reading program, we created a papier-mache ham, and one of our librarians wore it while riding in the back of a convertible. What was our community reads book? To Kill a Mockingbird of course!
� In honor of this, read “The Great American Novel� - For the purposes of this task, "The Great American Novel" will be defined as any book that has won or been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize or the National Book Award. These lists might help: Pulitzer Prize Winners and Nominees and National Book Award Winners and Nominees. Required: State the award the book won or was nominated for when you post.
, etc. Option 3. At the Madison Library District, we shelve our fiction books based on the author’s last name. Purely by coincidence, in our Adult Fiction section, we ended up with an aisle which goes from ROT to SIN.
� In honor of our ROT to SIN aisle, please read a book by an author with a last name who would be shelved on that aisle. For us, that would be any book written by anyone from Philip Roth to Philip Singerman. Alternately, read a book with the genre “Mystery,� “Thriller� or “Horror� on its main ŷ page.
Option 4. All of the librarians at my library are great animal lovers, and most of us have pets of some kind. While the cat people seem to outnumber the dog people, we are all understanding and tolerant of each other.
� Read a book wherein a pet plays a major role in the plot in some way.
Option 5. I am the Audio/Visual Librarian at the Madison Library District, which means I get to purchase all DVDs and Blu-rays for our library.
� While there have been tons of books made into films, for this task, read a GOOD book or play which has been made into a GOOD movie. That means that the book needs to have at least a 3.5 rating on its ŷ page AND the corresponding film needs to have at least a 75% on the website (the all critics number on the left). The gives information on which book a movie is based on if you’re having problems. Required: Please include both the ŷ and the Tomatometer ratings with your post.
- GR: 3.90 and : 88%; 
- GR: 3.77 and : 90%; 
- GR: 3.84 and : 88%;
- GR: 4.03 and Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 93%; 
- GR: 4.31 and : 100%)Option 6. At the library, not only in the summer but throughout the year, reading is vitally important. Getting people to read more is one of our main goals. Someone once said that we go to school to learn how to read, but we read so that we can learn everything else.
� For this option, read a book about the importance of reading, or where reading and books have a central role in the plot.
;
OR you may read a book that has a book, books or people reading on the cover.
Required: State which options you used and any other required information when you post. If the GRs description does not make it clear, explain how your book fits the task. If you using a cover option, please include the cover of your book in your post.
NOTE: Books with genre "Children's" or "Kids" that are at least 100+ pages and conform to all other SRC rules may be used for this task.
NOTE: Books with genres “Graphic Novel,� “Sequential Art,� “Comics,� and “Manga� that conform to all other SRC rules may be used for this task.
25.19 -- Oma1229's task: School is Out Forever! Help Thread
In 2012 I retired from a 35 year career in education. I was fortunate to serve as either a teacher or administrator at all three levels (elementary, middle, and secondary) during this time. To celebrate my recent retirement, I am choosing aspects of my career as the theme to this task.
Required: Please state the options you chose and provide any other required information when you post. If you chose a cover option, please include the cover in your post.
For this task, think back to your school days, and choose two books from two different options.
1. Option A- Where in the World?
The subject that I most enjoyed teaching was World History with an occasional class of European History. For this option choose a book that is set outside of the U.S. and has "historical fiction" as a genre on its GR main page. The book must be set in a real country (no fantasy countries). If you are not a fan of fiction then a non-fiction book about European or World history that has "history" listed as one of its genres will work. Examples:
Books about U.S. history or historical fiction set in the U.S. will NOT be accepted.
Required: If the GRs description does not make it clear, explain how your book fits the task.
2. Option B-Show Me The Money
Economics was another subject that I taught. The sujbect itself was not a favorite but I did so enjoy my Seniors and being able to share this last year with them. For this option please read a book that has a cover that is either green, gold, and/or silver. The cover should be at least 50% one or more of these colors.
3.Option C-Woo-Hoo! Field Trip!
Student love taking field trips but they can be quite an undertaking for the teachers and administrators. However, I planned and led many field trips during my career. As I tried to squeeze Humanities into the History curriculum,the two places that I preferred taking my students were to museums (art, natural, etc.) and symphonic concerts.
For this option read a book with a musical instrument or one of the following things you'd find in a museum on the cover: wall art (i.e., a painting or photo - at least a partial frame must be shown), a mummy and/or sarcophagus, an extinct animal or its skeleton/fossil.
4. Teacher's Pet
I would be the last person to admit to the existence of a 'Teacher's Pet' However, for this option you can be the Teacher's Pet. Choose any book to read that meets the SRC guidelines.
Hopefully, during the completion of this task you will remember some special teacher, administrator, aide, cafeteria worker, janitor, bus driver, etc. If you get a chance, drop them a note to let them know you remember them fondly. It will be appreciated, guaranteed!
NOTE: Books with genre "Children's" or "Kids" that are at least 100+ pages and conform to all other SRC rules may be used for this task.
25.20 -- Sarah the Librarian's task: Reading Goals
Help Thread
The start of the Summer SRC marks halfway through the year - a good time to revisit personal goals. For this task, I took inspiration from my own reading goals - both those I've managed to stick to and those I hope to do better with in the remaining half of the year.
Roll . If you roll doubles, do the same option twice. Read a book that corresponds to the option(s) that you roll.
REQUIRED: State which numbers you rolled and supply any additional required information when you post.
1: Nonfiction - non-fiction is a genre I tend to overlook, which is a shame because I usually enjoy it immensely when I take the time to read it. I'm really trying to be better about balancing fiction and non-fiction reading, so for this option, read any non-fiction book. Pick something that interests you and dive in! Note: The genre "Fiction" CANNOT appear on the book's main page.
2: Mount TBR - I know y'all are like me - out of control TBR piles, even if you don't have physical piles. I personally have two bookcases full of books to read, plus stacks next to my bed, lists in my purse and at work, and my ŷ "to-read" shelf - and there is very little overlap among these piles.
One of my goals every month is to try to make a bigger dent in the piles, so for this option, sort your ŷ "to-read" shelf by date added and read one of the 25 titles that's been on there the longest. If you have less than 25 titles on your GRs "to-read" shelf (really??) pick from the titles you have. If you do not keep a list of "to-read" books on GRs use whichever list (library list, computer list, mental list, stack of physical books, etc.) and choose one of the oldest 25. REQUIRED: State the date you added the book to your to-read shelf when you post. If using one of the other list methods, approximate the date you added to that list.
3: Recommendations - I'm a reader, and most of the people I know are readers. They are constantly recommending books to me and I am always wanting to read their recommendations - it's just a matter of finding the time to do so.
For this option, read a book that someone has recommended to you recently. Don't know any other readers? Go to your local library and ask a librarian for a recommendation! You can also use the Recommendation feature here on ŷ. REQUIRED: Tell us who recommended the book to you and whether or not you'd recommend it, too.
4: Piles of books - slightly different than Mount TBR, these are all those books you own but haven't read it - for me, it's two 6-ft. bookshelves full. For this option, read any book you owned prior to June 1, 2013. The book may be in any format (physical book, ebook, audiobook, etc) as long as you owned it prior to June 1, 2013.
5: New and hot - this is probably the goal I am best at actually meeting - keeping up with current releases. Part of my job as a librarian is knowing what is new and talked-about for certain age groups. I am constantly reading the newest titles, and am lucky enough to read ARCs of some titles before the books are even published.
In order for you to keep up with the hot new releases, read any book with a publication date that falls during the summer challenge - that is, June 1 - August 31, 2013. This does not need to be a first publication date. As long as the edition you are reading was published between those dates and shown on GRs as such, it will work.
6: Series-ly - I keep a separate list of series I've started and haven't finished, updating it as I read further into the series and, occasionally, as I finish one. I'd never be able to keep track of all the series I'm currently reading otherwise. For this option, read a book in a series you have started but haven't yet finished. The book must be identified as part of a series on ŷ and you MAY NOT read the first book in a series.
NOTE: Books with genre "Children's" or "Kids" that are at least 100+ pages and conform to all other SRC rules may be used for this task.
NOTE: Books with genres “Graphic Novel,� “Sequential Art,� “Comics,� and “Manga� that conform to all other SRC rules may be used for this task.
30 point tasks30.1 - Ms Anderson's task: Name Dropping
Help Thread
Since January 2012 I have had the opportunity to meet many people whose work I admire. These singers, actors, authors, and performers are just as amazing in real life as the works they create, so I'd like to celebrate them with my task!
…And it's not just to make you all jealous, I promise!
and read a book that corresponds to the options that come up. If you roll the same number twice, do the same option twice.
Graphic novels and children's books 100+ pages that are not excluded by SRC rule #4 (under Book Formats and Page Numbers Explained) are welcome! But no rereads allowed.
Required: Post the numbers you rolled and any relevant information if it's not obvious in the book's description.
1. Adam Baldwin and Jewel Staite: Both played my two favorite characters on Firefly, a great SF show that really needs to come back (please, Mr. Whedon?). � Read the next book in a series you like. The book must be identified as part of a series on ŷ (series title, book #) and be at least book #2 in the series.
2. Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell: These actors worked on Quantum Leap, one of my all-time favorite shows‒I even got to ask them a question at their panel last year (and made an idiot of myself doing so). � Read a book with the genre Time Travel on its main page.
3. Stan Lee and Salvador Larroca: The comics these guys create are amazing! Stan Lee has created many, many iconic Marvel characters, and Larocca's art is gorgeous. � Read a graphic novel (preferred: one published by Marvel).
4. Ellen Hopkins and David Levithan: I got to meet these two authors right after my birthday last year, and I got my favorite books they've written signed (Burned and Boy Meets Boy, respectively). � Read a book by an author (living or dead) that you'd love to meet.
5. Andrea Gibson and Weird Al Yankovic: I was blown away by their performances when I got to see these two last year. They're great in video and on CD, but they're even better live. � Read a book with the genre Poetry on its main page.
6. John Barrowman and Patrick Stewart: Both of these actors come from "across the pond," and I'd probably marry them if I could. � Read a book by an author (living or dead) who is English or Scottish by birth.
30.2 - DLMRose's task: Behind the Name
Help Thread
Let's explore the meanings and origins of names. Using , select a name and enter it into “Search for Names.� On the name page click on “Show Family Tree� (on the RIGHT in the Related Names section).
Book 1: Read a book by a male author with a first name on that tree. The name should be in a blue box.
Book 2: From the same Name Family Tree as book 1, read a book by a female author with a first name on that tree. The name should be in a pink box.
Example - to
Book 1 could be by a male author with the first name James, Jacob, Jake, Jacques, Hamish ...
Book 2 could be by a female author with the first name Jacqueline, Jaye, Jamie, Mina....
The name you select must have male and female variations- not every name does. The authors' names must match the name tree name exactly- no spelling variations
Required: Please state the starting point name you used when you post.
30.3 - Sheila/Kathy G's task: Kickin' Back with the Girls from R.E.L.A.X.
Help Thread
Sheila and Kathy plan to do lots of RELAXING this summer with good books. Read two books from two different options from the acronym - R.E.L.A.X. Enjoy!!!
Required: State which options you chose when posting.
R - Read a book that has been RECOMMENDED to you.
Required: Tell us how this book was "recommended"--- could be from a person, book list, blog, web site or other.
E - Evil Genius- Read a book with an evil main character.
Required: State who the character is and why they are evil to you.
L - Luscious Lemonade- Read a book with a beverage on the cover.
Required: Post the Cover
A - Acquire a book to read from a friend or from the library.
Required: Tell us where you got your book.
X-- X marks the spot. Read a book that shows a place where you would like to be to sit and read a book.
Required: Tell us why you chose that place AND Post the Cover.
Above all else have a great summer!
30.4 - Cindy AL's task: All Things Wedding
Help Thread
This has been a big year for weddings in our family, one in late 2012, one already in 2013 and one coming up in 2014. June is a traditional month for brides, so lets do a task about weddings.
Read two books, using two of the following options:
A) Destination Wedding: Read a book set in a place that you would think would make for a beautiful wedding. Examples beach, mountains, palace, Napa Valley, Italy. Required: Identify the "beautiful" setting in your post.
B) White Wedding: Read a book with a cover that is predominantly (more than 50%) white. Required: Include the cover when you post.
Ex:
C) Say Yes To The Dress: Read a book with a dress on the cover. It does not have to be a wedding dress or any particular color, but it must be identifiable as a dress. Required: Include the cover when you post.
D) Something Old, Something New...: My nephew's wedding was in 2012 and he was born in 1988, so read a book that was first published in 1987 or earlier or from January 1, 2012 until the end of the challenge (August 31, 2013).
E) With This Ring: Exchanging rings is one of the most common wedding customs that is now followed in many parts of the world. Read a book with the word "ring" found intact in the title/subtitle or author's name.
Required: State the options you used when you post.
30.5 - Sandy's task: History with DialogueHelp Thread
Some say that good historical fiction is “history with dialogue.� Let’s take a look!
For this task you will read 2 books. Each book must contain at least 300 pages. No book with the genre “children� (or variations, such as “middle grade,� “juvenile,� “chapter books,� etc.) listed on its main page can be used for this task, no matter how many pages it has. Books with the genre YA can be used, unless “children� also appears in the genre list.
Book 1 � Read a book with the genre “historical fiction� on its main page.
Book 2 � Read a nonfiction book that relates to book 1.
Examples: If you read Code Name Verity for book 1, you could read The Women Who Lived for Danger: The Agents of the Special Operations Executive for book 2. If you read Memoirs of a Geisha for book 1, you could read Geisha for your second book.
REQUIRED: Include the number of pages of each book in your post. Briefly explain the connection between the two books in your post.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
30.6 - Ty's task: Reading Your 123s
Help Thread
Mathematics is fun! So is reading! So, let's have some good ol' fashioned fun with reading and 'rithmetic.
Read 2 books from any ONE option below. Required: post the option you chose.
1. Fibonacci Sequence - the sequence of numbers that begin with 0 and 1 where each subsequent number is the sum of the previous 2 numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5...). Using the last digit of your birth year, read 2 books whose numeral placement in any series adds up to the last digit of your birth year. Books must be identified as a series on GRs (Series name, #). Each book may be from the same or different series. If you were born on year 0 (1970, 1980, etc) or year 1 (1971, 1981), use 10 as your total.
For example, for those born in 1984, you can read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1) and Mockingjay (Hunger Games #3). 1 + 3 = 4, the last digit of 1984.
Required: State the last digit of your birth year.
2. Prime Number - Book 1: Read a book whose page number is made up of digits that are only prime numbers. Specifically: 2, 3, 5, or 7.
Book 2: Read a book whose page number is made up of digits that are non-prime. Specifically: 0, 1, 4, 6, 8, 9)
Numbers can be repeated in a page number sequence (e.g. 225, 199, 400).
Readers of alternative formats (ebooks, audiobooks, and large print books) must link to the mass market paperback or other edition used to establish number of pages. ebooks without print versions cannot be used for this option. See Book Formats and Page Numbers Explained in Rules of the Challenge.
Required: State the number of pages of each book in your post.
3. Imaginary Number - any number that is expressed by multiplying a real number and the imaginary unit i - generally used to denote a zero or negative square (which doesn't exist in real mathematics, but that's neither here nor there). Read 2 books, the first by an author under a REAL name and the 2nd under his or her IMAGINARY name, aka nom de plume or pseudonym.
Required: If the pseudonym is not widely recognized (this is arbitrary, I know) or mentioned via either GR author profile, provide an external link as evidence.
30.7 - Delicious Dee's task: Scattergories SRC Style
Help Thread
When I’m not reading, I love to play boxed games like Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly and Scattergories. While the first two would be hard to tweak into a challenge, Scattergories seemed like one that could � so here we have Scattergories SRC Style.
HOW TO PLAY:
Step 1: Draw a random letter using the following link:
The letter chosen will be the one you use to fulfill your categories. For the purpose of this task, if you draw a Q, X or Z � you may draw again.
Step 2: Roll two dice - -- If you get two of the same number, roll again until you get two different numbers
The dice numbers will be used to determine which categories the books you read fit into:
Categories (your random letter should match the first letter of the following):
1. Male Author (first, middle, or last name; no initials)
2. Female Character Name
3. Word in Title or Subtitle (excluding the, is, a, an, was)
4. Female Author (first, middle, or last name; no initials)
5. Male Character Name
6. Word in Series Name
*For Character Name � the character should appear in at least 50% of the book in order to be used. The name should be the one they are referred to primarily during the book � for example, if their name is William, but they go by Bill for the book, then Bill is the name to be used. A character named Mary Lou could be used for M, but not for L (unless other characters routinely call her Lou).
You may fulfill the task requirements with 1 or 2 books.
For the 2 book option � one requirement must be met by each book, no minimum page count is required (other than standard SRC rules) for the 2 books.
For the 1 book option � both requirements must be met by the book, minimum of 450 pages for the book.
Required: State the letter you draw, the numbers you rolled, and explain how your book fits very clearly in your post.
Example posting:
30.7 - Scattergories SRC Style
Lover At Last by J.R. Ward
I drew a B with the random letter generator
I rolled a 5: one of the main characters is Blaylock (Blay)
and a 6: the series is the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
I chose the one book option- the book is more than 450 pages at 591 pages
NOTE: Books with genre "Children's" or "Kids" with 100+ pages may be used for this task.
NOTE: Genres “Graphic Novel,� “Sequential Art,� “Comics,� and “Manga� may be used for this task.
30.8 - Peebee’s Task: A Summer Visit to the National ZooHelp Thread
One of my very favorite places in the Washington, DC area is the . For the last several years, I have been a volunteer interpreter for the Zoo’s , talking to visitors from around the world about the wonderful animals that are part of this exhibit, including the world-famous giant pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. Each of my task selections are related in some way to the species featured on the Asia Trail.
Select two (2) different options and read one book for each for this task. In homage to the Asia Trail and this year’s SRC themes, each book selected must be directly related to the . For the purposes of this task, this means:
1) One or more major character(s) and/or an author was born in Asia; or
2) At least half of the book’s action takes place in Asia; or
3) The book clearly relates in some way to a war or armed conflict of the region (i.e., Japanese involvement in WWII, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, Japanese-American internment camps, etc.)
4) The Asian setting must be an actual place on a map (see link above). Fictional or unnamed lands (Eon, for example) would NOT work.
OVERALL REQUIREMENTS:
� State the options you've selected when you post.
� For each book you choose, explain how the book fits the "directly related to Asia" requirement. This may involve any of the following: Identifying the character or characters that were born in Asia, identifying the author's birthplace, identifying the book's setting, and/or identifying the Asian conflict the book is about. If the author was born in Asia but their GRs profile does not identify their birthplace, you must state where they were born and provide a link to an outside resource for confirmation. If your book is set in an Asian country but the GRs description does not identify the setting, explain the connection when you post.
� If using cover options, please post the book’s cover.
Option 1:
In December 2012, our sloth bear female Hana, gave birth to a cub, recently named Hank in an internet poll. While Hank is young, Hana will carry him � the only bear species to carry their young this way. � For this option, read a book published between June 1, 2012 (the beginning of Hana’s gestation) and the present, OR one where a person or animal is carrying something on its back on the cover. (Examples: Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China's Past and Present � man carrying packages; Lawrence of Arabia -- camel carrying man.)
Option 2:
One of the reasons that the elusive and beautiful clouded leopards are endangered is that it has historically been difficult to enforce the laws against poaching in the war-torn regions with complicated political situations in which they live. � For this option, read a book about the politics or a war or armed conflict in the region. Ex: The Things They Carried, Between Shades of Gray, Pearl Harbor: FDR Leads the Nation Into War, Farewell to Manzanar, Vietnam: A History, Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea. Here's a list of that might help, though pre-WW II conflicts in Asia will work, too. If the book is not shelved under “politics� or “war,� please describe the subject of the book when claiming this task.
Option 3:
Fishing cats “fish� by tapping the water until fish rise to the top, then they dive into the water to catch the fish. � For this option, read a book whose cover features a person or animal in or near water (natural or man-made and either a photograph or graphic depiction counts.) (Example: most of the covers of Life of Pi qualify for this task; as does this edition: The Orphan Master's Son (graphic depiction of birds + water); and this book River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (people + water).
A body of water without a living creature pictured is insufficient. (Example: The Kashmir Shawl).
Option 4:
Our otter family will make you hungry � they are all (well, mostly) named after food. Parents Chowder and Clementine share the exhibit with nine offspring: Olive, Pickles, Peaches, Pork Chop, Radish, Rutabaga, Saffron, Turnip, and...Kevin. � For this option, select a book which depicts food on the cover, or which mentions a specific food item, “eating,� or “food� in the title. (Examples: Kosher Chinese: Living, Teaching, and Eating with China's Other Billion, Kitchen Chinese: A Novel About Food, Family, and Finding Yourself)
Option 5:
The red panda is considered "vulnerable," and is native to mountainous regions in China, Nepal, Tibet, India, Bhutan and Burma. � For this option, read a book that is specifically set in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan or Burma OR which features mountains on the cover.
Option 6:
Our Zoo’s most famous and popular residents are giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. � For this option, read a book that appears on the following page:
Genres > Cultural > Asia
NOTE: Since the contents of this page will change throughout the challenge, please list the section in which the book appears (New Releases; Giveaways; Most Read this Week; Popular Asia Books) and the date upon which it appears. You may use this page at any time between the time the task is posted and the end of the challenge.
OR on page one of one of these following lists:
Best books on Asia
Most Read This Week> Asia
Popular Asia Books
NOTE: Since the contents of the lists may change throughout the challenge, please state the name of the list and the number of the book on the list. You can use the lists at any time between the time the task is posted and the end of the challenge.
30.9 - Andy P's task: Let's Be Sensible
Help Thread
Watching my young grandchildren, I am struck by how they are learning to use their senses to understand this new (to them) world they live in.
In their honor, choose two different options from the list below. Read a book for each that has one of the listed words in its title or subtitle.
1. "Sense"
2. "Sight" or "eye"
3. "Sound" or "ear"
4. "Smell" or "nose"
5. "Taste" or "tongue"
6. "Touch" or "skin"
Plurals and possessives work, but no other variations.
For example: You could read Grave Sight and Skin Tight (options 1 and 5), but NOT Grave Sight and The Bluest Eye (both option 1). Books that have two or more of the listed words may be claimed for any option that works. For example, Nose Down, Eyes Up, could be claimed or option 3 (nose) or 1 (eyes). You may pair books with more than one listed word with any option you have not already claimed. So, if you claim Nose Down, Eyes Up for option 3 (nose) you could pair it with The Bluest Eye (option 1).
Required: State the options you used when you post.
30.10 - Jayme VA's task: Book News FeedHelp Thread
My Facebook news feed has recently filled up with book news. I’ve been following a bunch of really great groups and authors, and decided to build my task around a few of them.
� . If you roll the same number, roll again until you get two different numbers. For each number you roll, read a book from the corresponding option below and enjoy! There’s only one catch: Both authors of the books you choose must be new to you.
Overall requirements: State which numbers your rolled and confirm that both authors are new-to-you when you post.
Option 1: I’ve been following for a long time and it’s still one of my favorite places to learn about new books. For this option, choose any book mentioned in BookPage’s blog, . Required: Please include a direct link to the specific blog post that mentions the book you have chosen when you post your task.
Option 2: I’ve always enjoyed the winners of the Orange Prize for Fiction. This year, that prize has been renamed and is now the . Read any book from the .
Option 3: For the last challenge, we followed the with Kate S’s task. Now we know the winner and have heard the judge’s opinions on all the selections. Read any book from the link posted above (scroll down the page). You can use a book from the pre-tournament play off round if you’d like.
Option 4: I just started following a site called She Reads and am so excited to read their reviews and participate in their book club. For this option, choose a book from their . If you want to wait and use one of the summer selection, you can do that, too!
Option 5: How could we forget ŷ? They don’t post on Facebook often, but it’s fun to see it pop up when they do. Choose any books from Good Minds Suggest. You can choose the author's own book, featured at the top of the page, or one of the books he or she suggests. Required: Tell us the author you started with when you post your task.
Option 6: Dlmrose’s task introduced us to World Book Night, who loves to post on Facebook leading up to their chosen date every year. Like the Tournament of Books, this too has passed, but they still have a great selection of books from which to choose. To make this task a little different from Dlmrose’s task, choose a book from the Or the book lists. Required: Specify which list you used when you post.
I hope you enjoy this task and find some great new authors!
50.1 - Beth NC's task: Seven Mansions of the Black TortoiseHelp thread
The Black Tortoise Warrior of the North has seven “mansions� or positions of the moon. For this task you will read three books. Each book must be from a different mansion.
The books must be a minimum of 250 pages each.
Mansion 8: The Dipper � This mansion represents a temple in the sky. For this mansion read a book where a religious leader (i.e., a member of the clergy or a monastic or religious order) is one of the MAIN characters in the book. Examples of religious leaders include: ministers, monks, nuns, rabbis, priests, priestesses, shamans, imams, lamas. Required: Explain how your books fit the requirements if the GRs description does not make it obvious.
Mansion 9: The Ox - This mansion represents the ox being hanged by the rope. For this mansion read a book with the genres “Murder Mystery� or “True Crime� on its main page OR read a book found on this list: Best Murder Mysteries of All Time. Required:State which option you chose when you post and, if using the list option, state the position of the book chosen.
Mansion 10: The Girl - This mansion represents the feminine. For this mansion read a biography/autobiography of an influential or strong willed female. Required: This must be a non-fiction book.
Mansion 11: Emptiness - This mansion represents empty ruins. For this mansion read a book set in ancient history (up to 500A.D.) The book must be set in this time period in its entirety. Time travel to and from ancient times will not work. Required: State the time period used.
Mansion 12: Rooftop � This mansion represents the top stores and tomb hills. For this mansion read a book with a rooftop (ex:
) or a cemetery (ex:
) on the cover . Required: Include cover in your post, and point out the rooftop or cemetery if it is not immediately noticed. Mansion 13: Encampment � This mansion represents the imperial palace For this mansion read a book with one of these words “royal, imperial, king, queen, prince, princess, emperor, empress, duke, or duchess� in the title or subtitle. Plurals and possessives will work, but no other variations.
Mansion 14: Wall � This mansion represents the library. For this mansion read a book you borrowed from a library (this can be a public library or someone else’s personal library) Required: Post where you borrowed the book from.
Required: State the options you used and any other required information when you post.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or listen to an audiobook, use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Currant Creek Valley (other topics)A Touch of Dead (other topics)
A Storm of Swords (other topics)
Snow White & the Huntsman (other topics)
The Stranger (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Philip Singerman (other topics)Philip Roth (other topics)
J.R. Ward (other topics)
Sidney Sheldon (other topics)
Esi Edugyan (other topics)
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5.1 � 10 years ago.
Help Thread
In 2003, one of the top summer hits was “Crazy in Love� recorded by Beyonce with Jay Z. .
Read a book by an author who uses an initial as part of his or her ŷ name. If a book has more than one author, only one needs to use an initial.
5.2 � 20 years ago.
Help Thread
In 1993, one of the top summer hits was “Can’t Help Falling in Love� recorded by UB40. . Just for fun, here's a link to the original Elvis version - .
Read a book with a number in its title/subtitle. The number can be in numeral form or spelled out, and ordinal numbers will work � so, for example, a title containing �37,� “Three,� or “Third� would work. The number may be contained within a word, such as Boy21.
5.3 � 30 years ago.
Help Thread
In 1983, Duran Duran had 2 songs on the BillBoard Top 100 Songs of 1983 - and
A number of other recording artists also had 2 or more songs on the Top 100, including Michael Jackson, Men At Work, Hall & Oates, Laura Branigan, Culture Club, Prince, Billy Joel, and David Bowie.
In honor of doubles, both in music and in the “June, July� sequence of the summer months, read a book that has consecutive words beginning with the same letter in its title, or that has an author whose first and last names begin with the same initial. Hyphenated words and names count as one word. Middle names/initials should be ignored in the author name option.
Examples: S.M. Stirlingworks, since middle names/initials are to be ignored. Janice Woods Windle does not work, since it's the middle and last names that have the same initial letter.
5.4 � 40 years ago.
Help Thread
In 1973, one of the top summer hits was “Will It Go Round in Circles,� recorded by Billy Preston.
Read a book that goes round in circles � a round/oval hoop or ring (a circle without a center) on the cover of the book. Letters and numbers cannot be used for this.
Examples:
Does not work:
REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post and specify what the circle is.
5.5 � 50 years ago.
Help Thread
In 1963, one of the top summer hits was “Blue on Blue� recorded by Bobby Vinton. .
Read a book with one of the color words from Microsofts's in the title/subtitle of the book. NOTE: Adjectives, "light," "dark," "bright," "medium," and "sky", do not count as color words, even if they are a part of the color designation such as "light blue." Plural and possessive forms of the color word work, no other variations.
5.6 � 60 years ago.
Help Thread
In July 1953, Elvis Presley recorded his first songs at Sun Studios, one of which was “I Love You Because.� .
“Because� is a subordinating conjunction - read a book with “because� or another subordinating conjunction in the title/subtitle. For a list of subordinating conjunctions, see post 2 in the Help Thread.
If the word in question only appears in the list as part of a phrase, the entire phrase must appear in the title - for instance, one of the subordinating conjunctions is "as long as" - the word "as" appears separately on the list, so a title with "as" in it works. However, the word "long" only appears as part of the phrase, so The Long Goodbye would not work, but Holding Still for as Long as Possible would work.
5.7 � 70 years ago.
Help Thread
In August 1943, a #1 hit was “Sunday, Monday, or Always� by Bing Crosby. .
Read a book with a day of the week in the title/subtitle. Plural and possessive forms of the word works, no other variations.
5.8 � 80 years ago.
Help Thread
In 1933, a top song was “Stormy Weather,� written by co-authors Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, and recorded by at least five different artists that year - Ethel Waters, Leo Reisman, Duke Ellington, Frances Langford and Guy Lombardo (and possibly others). .
Read a book with more than one author - co-authors, collection of stories by different authors, etc. GR must list more than one author - 2 people writing under one pseudonym will not work for this task. An "author" is the writer of a book, an editor of a collection of articles or stories, or a contributing writer in a collection. An illustrator, translator, artist, etc. is not considered an "author."
5.9 � 90 years ago.
Help Thread
In 1923, a hit song was “Yes! We Have No Bananas!� .
Read a book with the name of a fruit or vegetable in the title/subtitle, or a picture of a fruit or vegetable on the cover. Plurals and possessives are fine for the word in title/subtitle option, but no other variations. REQUIRED: If you choose the cover option, you must include the cover in your post.
5.10 � 100 years ago
Help Thread
In August 1913, the musical “Adele� opened on Broadway. .
This year’s Tony Awards will be televised on June 9. Read a book with an author whose first or last name is the same as the first or last name of one of the individual nominees for a Tony Award. . The nomination need not be for an acting role � it could be for directing, choreography, etc., as long as it is for an individual person (look in the left hand column). The names must match exactly, but you can mix and match first and last names - for instance, Holland Taylor is a nominee, but you could use a book by Tom Holland or Taylor Caldwell.
Required: Include in your post the name of nominee