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Cassandra's 2015 Corner
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YEARLY CHALLENGEFAVOURITE GENRES CHALLENGE
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
For this challenge, pick a book to read for each genre. You get TWO FREE PASSES (for genres you're just not interested in), so you'll read a total of 14 books over the course of the year. We chose the mods' favourite genres for this and hope you enjoy them! This is to try new genres that you may not have picked out on your own. Feel free to post some of your favourites of the different genres in this thread to give others ideas.
Kara's Favourites
Natural History: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies - April 30
Magical Realism: A Discovery of Witches - August 14
Business Nonfiction: Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard - July 19
Post-apocalyptic: The Water Knife - October 21
Zara's Favourites
Religion: The First Muslim: The Story of Muhammad
Fiction: Norwegian Wood - March 17
Young Adult: An Ember in the Ashes - September 15
Chick Lit: Landline - March 3
Craig's Favourites
Heroic Fantasy: Assassin's Apprentice - August 3
Military Science Fiction: Ancillary Justice - December 2
Classics: Atlas Shrugged - March 31
Gaming Fiction: Armada - August 8
Cassandra's Favourites
Social Science Fiction: Foundation - June 6
World History: The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt
Biography-Memoir: Bossypants - July 15
High Fantasy: Clariel - January 3
14/14
YEARLY CHALLENGETHE COMPLETE WORKS CHALLENGE
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Do you have authors you like but haven't had the chance to explore his or her writing fully? Here's your chance! For this challenge, pick an author (or two or three) that you enjoy. Look him or her up on ŷ, and read every book he or she has written (not every version, don't worry, just every unique work). You do NOT need to count short stories or books your author has merely contributed to, introduced, edited or translated.
Neil Gaiman
I'm going to read his novels, short story collections, and finish the Sandman graphic novel series, but I'm not going to read any other graphic novels for this challenge.
Novels
The Graveyard Book - August 22
Anansi Boys
InterWorld
The Silver Dream
Eternity's Wheel (May 2015 release)
Short Stories
Smoke and Mirrors
Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders - March 22
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances - May 2
Graphic Novels
The Sandman, Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections - January 1
The Sandman, Vol. 7: Brief Lives - March 31
The Sandman, Vol. 8: Worlds' End - June 1
The Sandman, Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones - July 22
The Sandman, Vol. 10: The Wake - August 15
8/13
YEARLY CHALLENGE#READWOMEN2015
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Completed
Marissa Meyer - Cinder - January 4
Helen Rappaport - The Romanov Sisters - January 12
Laura Hillenbrand - Seabiscuit - January 24
E. Lockhart - We Were Liars - January 25
Jojo Moyes - Me Before You - February 8
Gabrielle Zevin - The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry - February 11
Emily St. John Mandel - Station Eleven - February 13
Anne Rice - Interview with the Vampire - March 2
Rainbow Rowell - Landline - March 3
Danielle Paige - Dorothy Must Die - March 16
Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged - March 31
Joanne Harris - Chocolat - April 7
Elizabeth Wein - Code Name Verity - April 16
Margaret Atwood - The Handmaid's Tale - April 28
G. Willow Wilson - Ms. Marvel: No Normal - April 28
Veronica Roth - Divergent - May 3
Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice - May 22
Jill Lepore - The Secret History of Wonder Woman - May 24
Sylvia Plath - The Bell Jar - May 28
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird - May 30
Lisa Genova - Still Alice - June 3
Rebecca Skloot - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - June 10
Donna Tartt - The Goldfinch - June 20
Audrey Niffenegger - The Time Traveler's Wife - June 28
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Americanah - July 13
Tina Fey - Bossypants - July 15
Amy Poehler - Yes Please - July 20
Sara Gruen - Water for Elephants - July 26
Maria Semple - Where'd You Go, Bernadette - July 30
Robin Hobb - Assassin's Apprentice - August 3
Marie Kondo - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - August 7
Noelle Stevenson - Nimona - August 13
Deborah Harkness - A Discovery of Witches - August 14
V.E. Schwab - A Darker Shade of Magic
Mindy Kaling - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - August 28
Erika Johansen - The Queen of the Tearling - August 29
Paula Hawkins - The Girl on the Train - August 29
Victoria Aveyard - Red Queen - September 4
Jhumpa Lahiri - Interpreter of Maladies - September 5
Sabaa Tahir - An Ember in the Ashes - September 15
Becky Albertalli - Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - September 16
Banana Yoshimoto - Kitchen - September 20
Octavia E. Butler - Kindred - September 21
Kristin Hannah - The Nightingale - September 27
Nicola Yoon - Everything, Everything -October 2
Marjane Satrapi - The Complete Persepolis - October 10
Felicia Day - You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) - October 14
Naomi Novik - Uprooted - November 22
Sydney Padua - The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage - November 25
Ann Leckie - Ancillary Justice - December 2
Hilary Mantel - The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher - December 5
Patrice Fitzgerald - Dark Beyond the Stars - December 12
Emily Nagoski - Come As Your Are - December 16
Amy Stewart - Girl Waits With Gun - December 19
Allie Brosh - Hyperbole and a Half - December 23
55/25
FIRST QUARTER CHALLENGERETELLINGS
January 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015
Cinderella - January 3
Cinder - January 4
Peter Pan - February 15
Peter and the Starcatchers - February 17
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - March 13
Dorothy Must Die - March 16
6/6
SECOND QUARTER CHALLENGESPRING CHALLENGE
April 1, 2015 - June 30, 2015
1. Spring Ahead! The phrase "Spring forward, Fall back" helps people remember how Daylight Saving Time affects their clocks. At 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March, we set our clocks forward one hour ahead of Standard Time. Read a book about time travel.
2. Spring into action - to suddenly begin moving or doing something. Read a book where a character makes an impetuous decision.
The Girl You Left Behind - April 13
3. Spring is a Season! Spring is one of the four conventional temperate seasons following winter and preceding summer. There are various technical definitions of spring, but local usage of the term varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. When it is spring in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Read a book that takes place in the Spring.
Chocolat - April 7
4. A spring is a natural source of water � read a book with water on the cover or that takes place on the water.
5. Spring, a mechanical device that stores energy. Read a steampunk book - Steampunk is a subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history setting. It could be described by the slogan "What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner." It includes fiction with science fiction, fantasy or horror themes. Most steampunk books have mechanical devices in them.
6. Spring Cleaning. Spring cleaning is the practice of thoroughly cleaning a house in the springtime. The practice of spring cleaning is especially prevalent in climates with a cold winter. The most common usage of spring cleaning refers to the yearly act of cleaning a house from top to bottom which would take place in the first warm days of the year typically in spring, hence the name. However it has also come to be synonymous with any kind of heavy duty cleaning or organizing enterprise. A person who gets their affairs in order before an audit or inspection could be said to be doing some spring cleaning. Read a book that has been on your TBR list the longest.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies - April 30
7. Spring Break is a vacation period in early spring at universities and schools in various countries in the northern hemisphere. Read a book that takes place at a college or during spring break.
8. Spring goes in like a lion and out like a lamb. With March being such a changeable month, in which we can see warm spring-like temperatures or late-season snowstorms, you can understand how this saying might hold true in some instances. We can only hope that if March starts off cold and stormy it will end warm and sunny, but the key word is hope. Read a book where weather plays an important part to the plot.
The Shining - May 11
9. She’s/He’s no Spring Chicken. New England chicken farmers discovered that chickens born in the Spring bought better prices, rather than old birds that had gone through the winter etc. Sometimes farmers tried to sell the old birds as a new spring born chicken. Smart buyers often complained that a tough fowl was "no spring chicken" and so the term now is used to represent birds (and even people) past their plump and tender years. Read an old favorite or a book you have been putting off reading.
Pride and Prejudice - May 22
10. Hope Springs Eternal is from a poem An Essay on Man by Alexander Pope � people always hope for the best, even in the face of adversity. Will continue to hope even though they have evidence that things cannot possible turn out the way they want. Read a book of poetry or a book about a poet.
11. Spring to mind - to appear suddenly or immediately in your thoughts. Read a book that was released in 2015 or the newest book on your TBR list.
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances - May 2
12. Spring in his step If you walk with or have a spring in your step, you walk energetically in a way that shows you are feeling happy and confident. Read a book that has a character who exhibits these characteristics or an action genre book.
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal - April 28
7/7
THIRD QUARTER CHALLENGECLEAR THE SHELVES
July 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015
Sharp Objects - July 2
Americanah - July 13
The Cuckoo's Calling - July 18
Assassin's Apprentice - August 3
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing - August 7
The Silkworm - August 14
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared - August 20
Interpreter of Maladies - September 5
The Lies of Locke Lamora - September 8
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - September 19
Kitchen - September 20
A Spell for Chameleon - September 23
12/15
THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTER CHALLENGEGOODREADS CHOICE AWARDS
July 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Set a goal to read books published in 2015. The idea is that we, as a group, want to have read as many books in each category as we can! We'll track which books we've read in each category, so please identify which category (or categories) the book falls in.
Science Fiction
Armada - August 8
Time Salvager - October 7
The Water Knife - October 21
Dark Beyond the Stars - December 12
Golden Son - December 13
Graphic Novels & Comics
Nimona - August 13
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 3: Crushed - September 17
The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer - November 25
Fantasy
A Darker Shade of Magic - August 23
Mystery & Thriller
The Girl on the Train - August 29
Young Adult Fantasy
Red Queen - September 4
An Ember in the Ashes - September 15
Uprooted - November 22
The Rest of Us Just Live Here - November 23
Young Adult Fiction
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - September 16
Everything, Everything - October 2
Historical Fiction
The Nightingale - September 27
Girl Waits with Gun - December 19
Memoir & Autobiography
You're Never Weird on the Internet - October 14
Elon Musk: Inventing the Future - November 17
Nonfiction
Modern Romance - November 20
21/10
FOURTH QUARTER CHALLENGEBANNED BOOKS
October 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
This year, banned books week runs September 27 until October 3rd and "celebrates the freedom to read" by encouraging readers to focus on books that have been challenged or banned in schools, libraries, or bookstores in the United States.
It is important to read controversial books to decide for ourselves what we think about them, and that's exactly what banned books week hopes to accomplish. There are so many great books on the list - many are classics - that one week is just not enough.
For this challenge, simply set a goal for the number of banned (or challenged) books to read this quarter.
If you need inspiration, the American Library Association has compiled lists of the most frequently challenged books:
Complete
Saga, Volume 4 - October 3
The Complete Persepolis - October 10
The Complete Maus - October 12
Saga, Volume 5 - November 29
4/5
JANUARY CHALLENGE2014 GOODREADS CHOICE AWARDS
January 1, 2015 - January 31, 2015
Completed
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra - January 12
Mr. Mercedes - January 16
We Were Liars - January 25
The Martian - January 27
4/3
FEBRUARY CHALLENGETHE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN
Feburary 1, 2015 - February 28, 2015
1. St. Dominic Savio: Dominic is the patron saint of choir boys and of the falsely accused. The latter title was given to Dominic after two boys filled the school stove full of garbage and snow and falsely blamed Dominic. Dominic was punished in front of the entire class but he did not tell on the two boys. Read a book about music, or someone who is falsely accused of something.
Station Eleven - February 13
3. St. Michael the Archangel: In the New Testament Michael leads God's armies against Statan's forces, where during the war in heaven, he defeats Satan. Read a book about a fierce battle or war.
1776 - February 4
5. St. Therese of Lisieux: Therese had always wanted to be a saint but when she compared herself to all of the other saints, she felt the differences between them were so great. She believed that God wouldn't make her wish for something impossible, so she decided to accept herself and all of her faults. Read a story where the main character struggles with and overcomes his or her own faults, whether they be physical, emotional, personality or other faults.
Me Before You - February 8
6. St. Cecilia: She was a virgin given in marriage to a youth named Valerian. She wore sackcloth, fasted and invoked the saints and angels to protect her virginity. Four hundred people, including her husband were baptized because they wanted to see the angel protecting her. Cecilia was sentenced to death for preaching and converting people. Read a book where there is an angel or other paranormal being or read a book where someone is sentenced to death.
8. St. Lucy: Lucy's mother tried to arrange a marriage for her to a pagan. Lucy rejected her mother's choice and thought Christ was a better partner for life. The rejected bridegroom betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. The governor tried to send Lucy into prostitution. Read a book about an arranged marriage or read a book about prostitution.
Kushiel's Scion - February 25
9. St. Clare: Clare was a beautiful Italian woman of nobility. After hearing St Francis preach, Clare wanted to imitate Francis. She ran away from home and gave herself to God. She cut off her hair and wore a rough brown habit, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Read a book about a character who runs away, or read a book where someone drastically changes his or her appearance.
10. St. Rose of Lima: St. Rose of Lima is the patroness of Latin America and the Philippines. Rose had many temptations from the devil and there were times she suffered terrible feelings of loneliness, sadness and in the end a painful sickness. Many miracles followed her death. Read a book about some kind of suffering or read a book that contains a miracle.
4/5
MARCH CHALLENGETHE OSCARS
March 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015
1. The three movies that won the most Oscars were Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Titanic and Ben-Hur with 11 statuettes each.
Read a book that has won multiple literary awards or a book in which a competition plays an important part.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - March 5
2. The individual who was awarded the most total Oscars in their lifetime was Walt Disney, who walked away with 22 wins and 4 honorary ones.
Read a book spanning a character's lifetime or read a book that has inspired a Walt Disney film.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - March 13
3. There are three Best Picture winners with running times longer than three and a half hours - Gone With the Wind, Lawrence of Arabia and Ben-Hur
Read a book over 500 pages or read a classic.
Atlas Shrugged - March 31
5. There are only two sequels that have won best picture - The Godfather Part 2 and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Read a book that is part of a series or read a book by an author you've read before.
Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders - March 22
7. The most Oscar-nominated family is the Newmans with 88 nominations between them.
Read a book about family or read a book whose author is related to another writer.
The Sandman, Vol. 7: Brief Lives - March 31
5/5
APRIL CHALLENGECHOCOLATE
April 1, 2015 - April 30, 2015
1. Cacao: This is the healthiest form of chocolate but it can be very bitter. Read a book with a character who is bitter or resentful.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe - April 9
2. Chocolate Liquor: This is the basis for all chocolate and it does not contain any alcohol. Read a book that explores a misconception. This could include a character fighting a stereotype or a bad reputation or even a non fiction book setting the record straight on some topic.
Chocolat - April 7
3. Cocoa Butter: This is what makes chocolate taste like we expect it to taste - sweet and smooth. If you like chocolate, read a book by an author you like or something you enjoy. If you dislike chocolate, read a book you wouldn't normally read.
The Handmaid's Tale - April 28
4. Unsweetened Chocolate: Bakers often prefer this type of chocolate because they can control the flavor. Read a book with a controlling character.
Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol. 1: Legacy - April 21
5. Bittersweet Chocolate: Dark chocolate and Bittersweet chocolate are the same thing. Read a book where a character goes by different names or has multiple personalities.
Code Name Verity - April 16
6. White Chocolate: White chocolate isn't really chocolate because it doesn't contain chocolate liquor. Read a book about fraud or stolen identity.
7. Cocoa: Cocoa is made by removing fat from chocolate liquor and is often used in low-fat recipes. Read a short story or book with less than 100 pages.
8. Chocolate Coating: Chocolate Coating has a vegetable fat base so it's not real chocolate even though it is often used to make chocolate decorations. Read a book about things that are not quite as they seem.
The Eyre Affair - April 20
9. Couverture: Couverture is dark chocolate with extra cocoa butter. It's great for chocolate fountains. Read a book with a celebration or party.
10. Gianduja: This is chocolate made with toasted hazelnuts. Both the Swiss and the Italians claim to have invented it. Read a book set in Europe or that contains a conflict.
Fall of Giants - April 3
11. Single Bean Chocolate: Selectivity makes this type of chocolate high quality. Read with a character who is rich or extremely picky.
12. Chocolate Oil: There is no such thing as chocolate oil. Read a book with a ghost or mythological creature.
7/5
MAY CHALLENGECLASSICS
May 1, 2015 - May 31, 2015
Most of us have plenty of classic books on our to-read lists for longer than we'd like to admit. May's theme is "classics," so it's the perfect time to check some of those books off of our lists! If you're interested, simply sign up with the number of classic books you plan to read this month.
Memoirs of a Geisha - May 1
Pride and Prejudice - May 22
The Bell Jar - May 28
To Kill a Mockingbird - May 30
4/5
JUNE CHALLENGEMIDSUMMER FESTIVALS
June 1, 2015 - June 30, 2015
The theme for June is the longest day, and this is also right around the time that midsummer festivals occur.
Midsummer festivals have different names in different countries. For this challenge, you have two options:
(1) Either pick a name to spell out (using one letter from each book by picking the first letter of a word in the title or one of the author's initials)
(2) Choose a number of countries and read a book that takes place in that country
Denmark - sankthans
S: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot) - June 10
A: Still Alice - June 3
N: Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference
K: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (Philip K. Dick) - June 1
T: The Time Traveler's Wife - June 28
H: Catch-22 (Joseph Heller) - June 15
A: Foundation (Isaac Asimov) - June 6
N: No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam
S: Sharp Objects
6/9
AUGUST CHALLENGETHE TRAVEL CHALLENGE
August 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
August's theme is holidays abroad, so let's travel through books! Set a goal for the number of miles or kilometers you plan to travel. With every book you read, choose the setting (or settings) and calculate how many miles there are between that point and the previous point using this calculator.
Rules:
- Only books based on this world count--sorry, no traveling to different galaxies. :)
- Use each setting in each book once; even if the characters travel back and forth, you can only count the setting for that book one time
- You may revisit the same setting in different books (for example, you may read two books that both take place in New York City)
- Use your best judgment on which settings in each book should be included; you should only be using primary settings
Starting Point: Seattle, WA
Armada - August 8
- Portland, OR (140 mi)
Starting Point: Portland, OR
A Discovery of Witches - August 14
- Oxford, England (4759.8 mi)
- Lyon, France (619.5 mi)
- Madison, NY (3805.1 mi)
Starting Point: Madison, NY
The Silkworm - August 14
- London, England (3432.6 mi)
Starting Point: London, England
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared - August 20
- Flen, Sweden (836.8 mi)
- Aragon, Spain (1424.0 mi)
- Lisbon, Portugal (478.6 mi)
- Los Alamos, NM (5069.1 mi)
- Shanghai, China (6869.5 mi)
- Tehran, Iran (3966.6 mi)
- London, England (2736.1 mi)
- St. Petersburg, Russia (1306.7 mi)
- Vladivostok, Russia (4065.5 mi)
- Pyongyang, North Korea (428.6 mi)
- Kuta, Bali, Indonesia (3371.7 mi)
- Paris, France (7712.7 mi)
- Falköping, Sweden (790.1 mi)
Starting Point: Falköping, Sweden
A Darker Shade of Magic - August 23
- London, England (711.0 mi)
52,524.9/20,000 miles
SEPTEMBER CHALLENGEBACK TO SCHOOL CHALLENGE
September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015
Fall means that it is time for children and some of us to go back to school. It's time to open up books and learn something new.
1. Get supplies: before we start school we need to buy our notebooks and pencils, and stores love to offer us deals to get our business. Read a book about economics or a book written about running a business.
The Lies of Locke Lamora - September 8
2. Find out your schedule: one of the first things we get when we start back at school is our daily schedules. Read a book about time management or a book about someone who is learning how to get control over their busy schedule.
3. Time to study: it is always important to be prepared to learn and work hard when we go to school. Read a book about American education or about a character starting school.
4. Reading: becoming literate is why we go to school. Read a book about your favorite subject in school or from your favorite genre.
Neuromancer - September 13
5. Writing: Learning how to write starts from Kindergarten and goes till the 12th grade. Read a memoir or a book about an author.
6. Arithmetic: adding, subtracting, multiplication and division are all about numbers, so why did they add so many letters? Read a book about mathematics or a book with a number in the title.
7. Time for homework: the best days are the ones when you don’t have any, but that almost never happens. Read a book about subject you did not enjoy in school or a book you should have read in school.
8. So did we learn anything? there are many reasons why people go to school: to get a job, to become smarter, or to make our parents happy. Read a book about psychology or a book about someone trying to achieve something.
Red Queen - September 4
There are several opportunities in this challenge to increase the number of non-fiction books you read (and that is on purpose). Enjoy!
3/2
OCTOBER CHALLENGEFALL BACK CHALLENGE
October 1, 2015 - October 31, 2015
“Fall Back� is not simply a saying for daylight savings time! We start many sentences with those two words and each has a different meaning.
1. Fall Back in Time � Like to reminisce about the past or get lost in your memories? Read a book about travelling back in time, a historical fiction novel or a non-fiction history book.
2. Fall Back to Sleep � Is there anything better than falling back to sleep when you are still tired? Read a book where a character realizes big dreams or where a character’s dreams haunt or otherwise affect their waking hours.
You're Never Weird on the Internet - October 14
3. Fall Back in Love � There is nothing like having love return after a dry spell! Read a love story where the characters are taking a second chance on love � successfully or unsuccessfully!
Everything, Everything - October 2
4. Fall Back on Family � No matter what your definition of family is, there is nothing like being able to count on them! Read a book about a family’s togetherness or a family’s dysfunctionality.
Wonder Woman, Vol. 2: Guts - October 8
5. Fall Back on Good Friends � Many are the experiences we share with good friends! Read a book about an amazing or difficult experience shared by friends.
6. Fall Back on Strength � Sometimes we have to reach deep within ourselves or rely on the strength of others to overcome obstacles. Read a book where the main character finds the strength (internal or external) to overcome difficulties they face.
The Complete Persepolis - October 10
7. Fall Back � Sometimes we must retreat or give ground in order to achieve our goals and/or find peace. Read a book where the character(s) must go back before they can move forward.
One Plus One - October 26
8. Fall Back! –Sometimes you just need to let someone know they need to calm down and back off. Read a book where the main character is able to overcome another character who tries to block their success.
The Water Knife - October 21
9. Fall Back on Old Habits � Our routines can help us or keep us from growing. Read a book where the main character struggles to change his/her ways or where his/her habits help to solve problems for him/her or for others.
The Complete Maus - October 12
10. Fall Back, Spring Ahead � This daylight savings time adage helps us to remember which direction to set our clocks. Read a book about time travel, that takes place in the fall or spring, or that has fall or spring in the title.
Time Salvager - October 7
8/3
NOVEMBER CHALLENGEREMEMBRANCE
November 1, 2015 - November 30, 2015
Many societies, cultures, and countries take time out of their year for remembrance holidays. This November, let us remember these important moments with them:
1. Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent (Christian faiths): This holiday celebrates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert, where he resisted temptation by Satan. Read a book about giving up something, or about resisting temptation.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here - November 23
2. March 9th, Baron Bliss Day (Belize): A day to remember the fourth Barron Bliss of Portugal, who died off the coast of Belize and left the country 2 million dollars in a trust fund. His money established libraries, museums, health clinics, and the water supply system, making him the greatest benefactor of the country. Read a book about the establishment of a charity or public works project, or a book which features a great benefactor.
Uprooted - November 22
3. 15th day after the Spring Equinox, Qingming Festival (China/Taiwan): A celebration for the equivalent of "spring cleaning" for the columbarium, graves, and burial grounds of ancestors while honoring their ancestors. Read a book which takes place at a gravesite, or which features paying homage.
4. 27th of Nisan, Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day (Israel/Jewish faith): An observation of Israel's day of commemoration for the ~6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Read a book about the Holocaust, or which features World War II.
All the Light We Cannot See - November 8
5. May 4th, Remembrance of the Dead (Netherlands): This national holiday is immediately followed by Liberation Day on May 5th, constituting one remembrance for both victims and liberation. Read a book about a liberation, or a book prominently featuring holidays.
6. May 9th, Europe Day (European Union): A celebration of the commemoration of the Schuman Declaration, proposing the principle founding ideas of the European Union. Read a book featuring the unification of groups of people, or which features a council working to defend democracy or the rule of law.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
7. Last Monday in May, Memorial Day (USA): A day to remember the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. Read a book which remembers a war hero, or tells a story of a group of people surviving against all odds.
In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette - November 29
8. 15th day of the 7th lunar month, Obon Festival (Japan/Buddhist faith): The origin of this festival from a story in which a disciple of Buddha uses supernatural powers to see his deceased mother suffering in her after-life. Buddha encourages his disciple to make offerings and witness his mother's release. The disciple danced with joy, making dancing and offerings central to this family reunion holiday. Read a book about a family reunion or a book which highlights a form of dancing.
9. August 15th, India Independence Day (India): The celebration of independence from the British Empire. Read a book set in India, or read a book about a country achieving independence.
10. September 11th, Anniversary of the Twin Towers Collapsing (USA): A day to remember a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the terrorist group al-Qaeda on the United States. Read a book involving a terrorist plot, or a book set during the collapse of the Twin Towers.
11. October 31-November 2, Dia de Muertos, Day of the Dead (Mexico): A gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember family members who have died, and support their spiritual journey. Read a book about a spiritual journey, or a book which celebrates the deceased.
The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Computer - November 25
12. November 11th, Poppy Day/Armistice Day (Commonwealth of Nations): The First World War remembrance day celebrated by the Commonwealth of Nations. Read a book set during the First World War, or a book which features the fall of an empire.
6/4
DECEMBER CHALLENGEADVENT CALENDAR CHALLENGE
December 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Starting on Dec. 1 and ending on Dec. 24, read a short story (or a poem!) every day. Use stories or poems from collections, magazines, or the internet - there's lot of good short fiction available for free from many publishers.
December 1
Some Gods of El Paso - Maria Dahvana Headley
December 2
Sorry to Disturb - Hilary Mantel
Comma - Hilary Mantel
December 3
The Long QT - Hilary Mantel
Winter Break - Hilary Mantel
December 4
Harley Street - Hilary Mantel
December 5
Offenses Against the Person - Hilary Mantel
How Shall I Know You? - Hilary Mantel
The Heart Fails Without Warning - Hilary Mantel
Terminus - Hilary Mantel
The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher - Hilary Mantel
December 6
Beyond Lies the Wub - Philip K. Dick
Containment - Susan Kaye Quinn
December 7
Tear Tracks - Malka Older
Nos Morituri Te Salutamus - Annie Bellet
Protocol A235 - Teresa Kay
December 8
Roog - Philip K. Dick
December 9
Winner Takes All - Elle Casey
Carindi - Jennifer Foehner Wells
Animal Planet - Patrice Fitzgerald
December 10
Paycheck - Philip K. Dick
December 11
The Event - Autumn Kalquist
Dragonet - Sara Reine
Lulu Ad Infinitum - Ann Christy
December 12
To Catch An Actor - Blair C. Babylon
2092 - Rysa Walker
December 13
Second Variety - Philip K. Dick
Imposter - Philip K. Dick
December 14
The King of the Elves - Philip K. Dick
Adjustment Team - Philip K. Dick
December 15
Foster, You're Dead - Philip K. Dick
Upon the Dull Earth - Philip K. Dick
Autofac - Philip K. Dick
The Minority Report - Philip K. Dick
The Days of Perky Pat - Philip K. Dick
Precious Artifacts - Philip K. Dick
A Game of Unchance - Philip K. Dick
We Can Remember It For You Wholesale - Philip K. Dick
December 16
Faith of Our Fathers - Philip K. Dick
The Electric Ant - Philip K. Dick
A Little Something For Us Tempunauts - Philip K. Dick
The Exit Door Leads In - Philip K. Dick
Rautavaara's Case - Philip K. Dick
I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon - Philip K. Dick
December 17
Three Moments of an Explosion - China Miéville
Polynia - China Miéville
December 18
The Condition of New Death - China Miéville
Dowager of Bees - China Miéville
In the Slopes - China Miéville
December 19
The Crawl - China Miéville
December 20
Watching God - China Miéville
December 21
The 9th Technique - China Miéville
December 22
The Rope is the World - China Miéville
December 23
The Buzzard's Egg - China Miéville
Säcken - China Miéville
Syllabus - China Miéville
December 24
Dreaded Outcome - China Miéville
After the Festival - China Miéville
The Dusty Hat - China Miéville
Escapee - China Miéville
The Bastard Prompt - China Miéville
December 25
Rules - China Miéville
Estate - China Miéville
Keep - China Miéville
A Second Slice Manifesto - China Miéville
Covehithe - China Miéville
The Junket - China Miéville
Four Final Orpheuses - China Miéville
The Rabbet - China Miéville
Listen the Birds - China Miéville
A Mount - China Miéville
The Design - China Miéville
December 26
Alphinland - Margaret Atwood
December 27
Revenant - Margaret Atwood
December 28
Dark Lady - Margaret Atwood
December 29
Lusus Naturae - Margaret Atwood
December 30
The Freeze-Dried Groom - Margaret Atwood
December 31
I Dream of Zenia with the Bright Red Teeth - Margaret Atwood
31/31
Cassandra wrote: "FIRST QUARTER CHALLENGERETELLINGS
January 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015
Cinderella - January 3
Cinder - January 4
Peter Pan
[book:Peter and the Starcatchers..."
This is an awesome challenge! Pairing classics with modern re-imaginings.
I thought it was a great idea, especially since I've never really read any of the original fairy tales (at least not that I can remember). Are you participating in any quarterly challenges this quarter?
I am just now realizing how many different challenges there are in this group and I'm absolutely loving it! I set up my corner and jumped in an official yearly challenge, a quarterly challenge, and started voicing opinions on the monthly read :) So much fun!! I just moved somewhere new and don't know a lot of people so it's great for me to interact even though it's through the internet. I've had some wonderful interactions with you and Kara as I learn my way around more than just my profile page. Thanks!
Awesome! I'm glad that you've been able to find a community and get involved with challenges. I look forward to getting to know you better this year. :)
Where is the popsugar challenge? I don't see it under the yearly challenges or anywhere else.
Scott wrote: "Where is the popsugar challenge? I don't see it under the yearly challenges or anywhere else."It is in the "Let's Chat" section. It wasn't put under our yearly challenges because it isn't our challenge.
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Girl Waits with Gun (other topics)Golden Son (other topics)
Dark Beyond the Stars: A Space Opera Anthology (other topics)
A Death in Sweden (other topics)
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Allie Brosh (other topics)Amy Stewart (other topics)
Emily Nagoski (other topics)
Patrice Fitzgerald (other topics)
Hilary Mantel (other topics)
More...
Like last year, my goal is to read 105+ books and try to clear out my TBR shelf on my bookcase at home.
Books Owned: 79
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present
The Shadow Rising
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
War and Peace
Word of Honor
The Bourne Identity
A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America
Black Hawk Down
The Book of Atrus
Total Control
House of Sand and Fog
Pathfinder
Sarah
Rachel & Leah
Rebekah
Songmaster
Homebody
Much Ado About Nothing
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Camel Club
Zero Day
Tricky Business
The Woman in White
Inferno
The Corrections
Portrait in Sepia
Schindler's List
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963
The First Muslim: The Story of Muhammad
Cryptonomicon
The Mists of Avalon
Reamde
The Girl Who Played with Fire
Without Fail
A Scandal in Bohemia
Prodigal Summer
First Family
The Friday Night Knitting Club
Mountain of Black Glass
Love in the Time of Cholera
The Marriage Plot
Rebecca
The Green Mile
Doctor Sleep
The Vampire Lestat
Moloka'i
Kushiel's Justice
The Odyssey
The Jane Austen Book Club
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
The Maze Runner
Anna Karenina
Insurgent
The Fortune Hunter
The Years of Rice and Salt
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Foundation and Empire
S.
Arrows of the Queen
The Fairy Godmother
Heretics of Dune
The Bone Season
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
The Outsorcerer's Apprentice
Old Man's War
The Phoenix Endangered
The Winner
Doomsday Book
The Paris Wife
Little Bee
The Poisonwood Bible
The Heist
Leviathan Wakes
The Drawing of the Three
Cat's Eye
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
eBooks Owned: 27
Timebound
The Line
Gooseberry Bluff Community College of Magic: The Thirteenth Rib
Drowning Guard, The: A Novel of the Ottoman Empire
The Moonlight Palace
Sense and Sensibility
The Way of Kings
The Glassblower
Ticker
Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference
Miramont's Ghost
Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings
The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend
The Lives of Tao
Big Little Lies
Maude
The Gemini Effect
Younger
Brilliance
The Diviners
Trail of Broken Wings
The Perfect Son
Crooked Little Lies
The Good Neighbor
Daughter of Sand and Stone
Off to Be the Wizard
Future Visions: Original Science Fiction Inspired by Microsoft
A Death in Sweden