The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
SUMMER CHALLENGE 2010
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Task Ideas
I really liked the recycle and reuse task. Also, 1)if your birthday falls in June, July or August, read a book of your choosing otherwise, read a book that has June, July or August in the title. (I have an August birthday). 2) Read a book that has Summer in the title.
P.S. It is way too soon to be thinking about the summer challenges.
Jayme, It is never too soon to be thinking about the next challenge! :)
I am not even done with the first one though *whines*
- Read a book that takes place on a beach, or has the word "beach" in title- School is out: read a YA novel
- IHO long summer days, read a very long book (750+ pages)
June 1 is the beginning of Hurricane Season so read a book written by an author whose name is also on the 2010 Hurricane Names list. You could have more books to choose by allowing a main character with one of the names and/or one of the names in the title of the book. Or you could make it a multi book task by requiring two of the three (author/title/character).
I'd like to do a Doppleganger task. It would require reading 2 books that have similar (almost exact) covers, or reading 2 books that have the same exact title. (There is a blog---I will find it if we do this task, please ask me!--that has a huge list of books that have the same covers.)
In honor of Canada Day (July 1) � Read a book by an Canadian author, set in Canada, OR about CanadaIn honor of Bastille Day (July 14) - Read a book by a French author, set in France, OR about France
In honor of US Independence Day (July 4) Read a book about gaining freedom or independence
August 2 is Friendship Day � read a book about friendship
To honor our friends in the southern hemisphere where it is winter, and to cool those who are trying to avoid summer’s heat, read a book that takes place in winter or where it is cold.
Read a book whose author’s last name begins with a J(une, uly) or an A(ugust)
Because June, July and August are the 6th, 7th and 8th months, read a book whose author’s last name is 6, 7, or 8 letters in length
Read a mystery
Read a romance
Read a historical novel
In honor of father’s day, - Read a book where the author/main character shares the same FIRST name as your father OR�
- Read a book recommended by/given to you by your father.
Read a book that takes place at either the beach or the mountains
Read a book whose author was born in June, July, or August
Read a book that has a mode of transportation in its title; e.g. car, truck, train, plane, ship, boat, wagon, cart, surrey, buggy, etc., or an animal that is ridden such as horse, camel, elephant, etc.
SQUEEE!!! I love coming up with tasks!!
* Honoring Flag Days -- Read a book that has a cover featuring the colors of the flags from any of the following nations: Sweden (6/6), United States (6/14), Denmark (6/15), Argentina (6/20), Romania (6/26), Abkhazia (7/23) and Pakistan (8/11) See: * Seasonal Opposites -- Read a book published during the winter months (Dec, Jan, Feb) if you live in the Northern Hemisphere and read a book published during the summer months (Jun, Jul, Aug) if you live in the Southern Hemisphere.
* Something Blue -- According to one etymology, June is named after Juno (Hera). Juno was the goddess of marriage and a married couple's household, so some consider it good luck to be married in this month. Read a book featuring a wedding OR has a blue cover.
* Religious Inspiration -- June 13 is Feast of St. Anthony of Padua. Read a book featuring a religious saint, leader or figure.
* Loving Mother -- Read a book recommended by your mother and/or mother figure
* Dotting Father -- Read a book recommended by your father and/or father figure
* International Children's Day (June 1) -- Read an award-winning children's or young adult novel
* Nothing but Repeats -- Summer is when television shows go into repeat season! Re-read a 4/5 star book of yours.
* The Long & Short of It -- June is the month with the longest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. Read a book that's 100 pages or less AND read a book that's 500 pages or more.
* Hail Caesar -- July was renamed for Julius Caesar, who was born in that month. Read a book set in ancient Rome OR is about an emperor (from any timeframe).
* When You Wish Upon a Star -- Tanabata, a Japanese traditional seasonal "make-a-wish" celebration, July 7. Read a book whose title references one of your main wishes.
* Festival! -- August is the month-long Edinburgh Festival. One of those is the West Port Book Festival. Read a book featured at the festival *OR* by an author who attended the festival.
* Bonding Time -- Bon festival - (Obon Festival) is a Japanese traditional buddhist custom, evolved into a family reunion holiday. Many Japanese manufacturers and firms give their employees three to five days off around August 15. Read a book featuring a family reunion (or family saga).
Get Your Hot Dogs -- Summer is the season of the hot dog. Read a book with a fast food item in the title.
June, July, and August is the time when many families take vacations. Read a book with the word "vacation" or "trip", or "journey" in the title.Fingerprinting was first used for indetification on July 27, 1858. Read a mystery.
Read a book written by an author born in June, July or August.
July is a big month for music. Elvis Presley released his first album in July and Lennon and McCartney met in July. Read a fiction or non-fiction book about a singer, musician, or group.
and my personal favorite...
July 10th is Pina Colada Day. Read a book with a cocktail in the title or on the cover.
I liked the tasks in the past where you had to read a book related to a certain religion. I think we've done Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Hellenistic religion already. There are still Buddhism, Hinduism, Nontheism, Paganism, and many others.I know there are a lot of Nontheist authors with works in English, but I'm not sure about the others. Maybe a task where you have to read a book by an author who isn't Islamic, Christian, Jewish, or a follower of Hellenistic religion.
Here's some holidays that are coming up.
June 21st- Solstice (Pagan)
July 9th- Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá'Ã)
July 13-15- Bon Festival (Buddhist)
July 26- Asanha Puja (Buddhist)
August 1- Lammas (Pagan)
August 24- Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
In summer some people like to soak up the sun but others prefer to hunt out the shade - read a book with sun or shade/shadow in the title.Read a book with your favourite time of day in the title - sunrise, dawn, morning, noon, midday, afternoon, evening, twilight, dusk etc.
I like the idea of reading 2 books with the same title - or all the same main words in the title.
For Bastille day read a book set in a prison.
Read a book that takes place on more than one continent.
I like reread one of your 4 or 5 star books. :) I really like the tasks about Japan.
Summer's all about the beach reads - pick one from NPR's 100 Best Beach Books: Oprah's ten books - Oprah just listed her ten favorite books of the past decade (). Read one of these and let us know if it challenged or inspired you, as well.
Hometown Heroes - read a book written by an author from your hometown (or nearby) or set in your hometown
Supporting Book Bloggers - list your favorite book blog and read a book that blogger suggests during June, July, or August
Comic Books/Summer Movies - many summer blockbusters are based on comic book heroes; read a comic book that has inspired a movie released in summer
Will Smith is known as the "King of 4th of July" at the box office - While he doesn't have a movie coming out this summer, choose a book that relates to one of his blockbuster hits release on that holiday weekend: Wild, Wild West (western); Independence Day (aliens/sci-fi), Hancock (superheroes), or Men in Black (spy/secret agent)
August is National Inventors Month - read a book about inventors or inventions (real or fictional)
July 1st is Princess Diana's Bday - Read a book about the English monarchy
Love the Hurricane task, reading one long and one short book, and the one to cool us down reading about winter! Oh, and the one about repeats/rereads was cute - loved the connection.
I love the book blogger task!IHO of the wedding season, read a book with the word "old", "new", "borrowed", "blue", "wedding", or "married/age" in title.
Summer is the time for lying on the beach with a beach-read book. Read a book you would consider a beach-read.
IHO of international children's day (June 1st), read a children's book
Wow! Jay, I love your idea about Will Smith. It's very creative. (I don't know when I came to like the actor. At first I thought he's crazy in a silly way. :P)* The FIFA World Cup will take place in South Africa from 11 June and 11 July 2010. To celebrate this most widely-viewed sport event in the world, read a book about soccer, and a book that takes place in or by the author from...
a. one of former title winner countries: Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland not included), Argentina and France. (I think this one is the most sensible list I can come up with. All the current qualified countries would be too broad, the list in b. would be too narrow.)
b. the African countries that will be participate in this year event: Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. (This list is in honor of the continent, that will host the World Cup for the first time.)
* Mediocrity kills the cat. (This comes from Gumpisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Forrest Gump, so I don't know what it should mean, but it just stuck.) - read a 3-star books from other people's list.
* A real good book is flashlight worthy. - Go to one of my favorite book site , browse around a bit, then choose 2 lists you like, read one book from each list. (totally 2 books)
16 June is Bloomsday. So read Ulysses... Haha! Certainly I'm kidding! In honor of this one of the greatest novels ever written, read a novel by an author or with a character named James, Joyce, Leopold, Molly, Bloom, Stephen, Dedalus.
I found a site with lots of weird holidays.June-
National Bathroom Reading Month
16th- Bloomsday (As mentioned)
19th- Garfield the Cat Day
29th- Library Advocacy Day
July-
10th- Clerihew Day
August-
Audio Book Appreciation Month
18th- Bad Poetry Day
21st- Poet's Day
Summer is a time for weddings.Read a book in which a wedding takes place.
Nancy wrote: "June 1 is the beginning of Hurricane Season so read a book written by an author whose name is also on the 2010 Hurricane Names list. You could have more books to choose by allowing a main character..."Loving this task idea!! =)
I'm so excited to find out what the summer challenge will be - I'm really loving a bunch of these ideas!
Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back --- Read a book that has drawn your attention more than once but that you have not read before. Tell us what kept drawing your attention to the book and whether you liked the book.June is The Great Outdoors Month. Read a book with something nature-related on the cover or in the title.
June is National Adopt-a-Cat Month. Read a book with the word cat, kitten, kitty, meow, purr, whisker, tail, fluffy, domestic, claw, litter, or mouse in the title. Or read a book with a picture of a cat on the cover (be sure to show us the cover).
June is Zoo and Aquarium Month. Read a book with the name of an animal you would find at the zoo or the aquarium in the title.
On June 12, 1929, Anne Frank was born. In honor of her life, read a book about Anne Frank, Judaism, the Holocaust, Nazi Germany, World War II, or concentration camps.
On June 27, 1880, Helen Keller was born. In honor of her life, read a book (fiction or nonfiction) with a main character who is deaf, is blind, or who uses sign language. Or read a book written by Helen Keller.
On July 3, the Dog Days of Summer begin. Read a book with the word dog, puppy, tail, play, ball, woof, bark, paw, wag, leash, or collar in the title. Or read a book with a picture of a dog on the cover (be sure to show us the cover).
---Or, August 26 is National Dog Day for the same task.---
July 21 is National Junk Food Day. Read a book with a kind of junk food in the title or on the cover.
The second week of August is National Smile Week. Read a book whose cover makes you smile. When you post, tell us what about the cover makes you smile.
The third week of August is American Dance Week. Read a book with a picture of someone dancing on the cover or read a book with the word dance, dancing, dancer, or a type of dance (e.g., jazz, ballet, salsa) in the title.
On August 2, 1909, the first Lincoln penny was issued. Read a book about an American president.
August 13 is International Left-handers Day. The left side of the body is controlled by the right hemisphere of the brain, which is better with spatial abilities and imagery (versus the left hemisphere, which is better with logic and reasoning). Read a book with a main character who is a "creative professional" (e.g., artist, painter, photographer, model, actor, graphic designer, advertiser, event planner, writer, ). [Wikipedia gives a fair description of creative professionals, if needed.:]
August 15 is National Relaxation Day. Read a book in your favorite relaxation spot (e.g., curled up on the couch on a rainy day) or while relaxing in your favorite way (e.g., laying out in the sun). Tell us where you read or how you relaxed.
On August 16, 1898, the roller coaster was patented. Read a thriller!
On August 27, 1910, Mother Theresa was born. In honor of her life, read a book (fiction or nonfiction) with a main character who is devoted to helping people in some way.
Potjy -- Sure give us all a heartattack! But I adore how you honored the author. Tres cute!Flashlight task is adorable. SQUEE on the blogger and hurricane tasks! But mucho OMZG on the Doppleganger! LOVE IT!
I do like American Dance Week since it differs from last summer's tasks. And OooOooh about Left-Handers Day! Loving that one!
Author Recommended -- Check out a favorite author's website and read a book that he/she recommends.
There are many flags days in the summer months. Pick a book that takes place or is about one of the countries that celebrate flag day during June, July or August Junteenth is celebrated on June 19th (emancipation day, mostly in TX) read a book about freedom or other civil rights.
major League baseball all star game is played in July-read a book about, inspired, or written by a sports figure/event
August has a lot of month long events (ex. national panini month) if you go to wikipedia it says them all. Pick one of those and read a book related to it.
I also liked the reduce, reuse, recycle task from this task
July 8, 1947 - Roswell, New Mexico UFO sighting incident. The US Army Air Forces allegedly capture a flying saucer. There have been many reports of UFO sightings, often taking place in the summer months in places like Mexico, Russia, the US, Portugal, France, Spain.
Read a book about aliens, space, or a conspiracy theory. Could also include a book involving an invasion of some kind - "aliens" - both foreign(from space) or domestic (on Earth b/w two countries).
Jennifer wrote: "I'd like to do a Doppleganger task. It would require reading 2 books that have similar (almost exact) covers, or reading 2 books that have the same exact title. (There is a blog---I will find it ..."
Oh, I like this one! I've noticed when looking up books for previous challenges that alot of books have the exact same title.
Deirdre wrote: "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back --- Read a book that has drawn your attention more than once but that you have not read before. Tell us what kept drawing your attention t..."I really like the Curiosity Killed the Cat idea. That would give people alot of choices...if their anything like me. :0
Ever since I was a kid, I've loved asking people about their favorite books. I have read so many awesome books due to others' enthusiastic answers. Maybe, we could have a thread, each challenge, where all the members vote for their #1 favorite book of a certain genre, topic, or theme. Then, during the following challenge, we could choose a book from the list of any of the participating members' favorites. There are so many possibilities: biographies, war stories, fairy tales, guilty pleasures, thrillers, etc.
--Emotional Reading: Read a book that has an emotion in the title (anger, sad, happy, joy, pride, fear etc.) AND read a book that is known for eliciting a strong emotion (a “tear-jerker, a “feel good� book, a book that angers, etc.)-- Read a book by an author who has only written one book (at the time you are reading the book) AND read a book by an author who has written 10 or more books.
-- Philosopher John Locke’s birthday (August 29th) : Read a book with strong philosophical undercurrents, such as, The Fountainhead or The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
--African Liberation Day( May 25th): In honor of the many countries in Africa with tumultuous pasts who have been liberated & those who still are in that process, read a fiction or non-fiction book that primarily takes place in Africa.
-- Read a book that takes place primarily on an island.
According to space.com, the best time of the year to see a shooting star shower is on August 12th. Read a book that a.) features a starry night on the cover, b.) has a strong theme of characters wishing on stars, or c.) has "starry night", "star", "star gazer", or both "wish" and "star" in the title.For the second half of this task, do your own star gazing. It doesn't have to be done on August 12th, but find a shooting star and make your own wish. You don't have to tell us what you wished for (because then it wouldn't come true!), but post the date and the time for when you see your shooting star.
Be Amused: Amusement park, carnivals, zoos, and circuses are popular spring/summertime attractions. Read a book that is (mostly) set at an amusement park, zoo, carnival, or circus OR read a book with an amusement park ride in the title (rollercoaster, swings, Tilt-A Whirl, Carousel, Merry Go Round, Ferris Wheel, etc.) or has a ride on the cover.
July is Blueberry Month = read a book with a blue coverJuly 15th is Gummi Worm Day = read a book with the name of a well-known candy or candy bar in the title
July 26th is One Voice Day = read a book told in the first person OR read a book told from one person's point of view
August is Audio Book Appreciation Month = listen to an audio book at least 5 discs long
Psychic Week is Aug 2-6 = read a book which features a ghost
Hobo Week is Aug 6-9 = read a book featuring a trip
August features:
Watermelon Day (Aug. 3) - read a book with a summer fruit commonly grown in household gardens in the title (ie: blueberry, strawberry, watermelon, rhubarb)
Eleanor Roosevelt Day (Aug. 8-10) - read a book (fiction or non-fiction) featuring and/or told from the perspective of a First Lady
According To Hoyle Day (Aug 29) = read a book with a card game in its title
I do like the First Lady task and awesome for GUMMI BEARS!!
Jennifer wrote: "According to space.com, the best time of the year to see a shooting star shower is on August 12th. Read a book that a.) features a starry night on the cover, b.) has a strong theme of characters wi..."I have NEVER been able to find a shooting star!! I don't know what is wrong with me, but I just can't do it.
A few more suggestions:June
June 29th is Library Advocacy Day � read a book borrowed from the library.
June 21st is Baby Boomer’s Recognition Day � read a book published in the 50s or early 60s OR read a book written by an author born in the Baby Boomer years.
Fish are Friends, Not Food Week (June 28-July 4) � read a book with the word “fish� in the title or that has the name of a specific fish in the title (eg. Salmon, Cod, etc)
June is Great Outdoors Month � read a book in which the story takes place mainly outdoors (eg. Farley Mowat books, Treasure Island, etc)
July
Sandwich Generation Month � read 3 books to form a sandwich. Two books with brown/tan covers (bread), minimum length 200 pages & one book with a cover that represents a sandwich filling (minimum length 100 pages) (eg: yellow cover = egg sandwich, red cover = tomato sandwich, pink cover = bologna/deli meat sandwich).
Tell us which sandwich your books represent and what your favourite sandwich is.
Tell The Truth Day (July 7) � read a book with a courtroom setting/scene.
August
Smithsonian Day (Aug10) �
Museums include African American History & Culture, Natural History, American Indian, Postal Museum, various Art Museums.
Research facilities include Environmental research, Earth & Planetary studies, migratory bird center, tropical research.
Read a book who’s theme is related to one of the above Museum or Research facilities.
Aug 13 is the only Friday the 13th in 2010 � read a horror/scary book.
National Thrift Shop day (Aug 17) � read a book bought from a Thrift Shop
Ashley wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "According to space.com, the best time of the year to see a shooting star shower is on August 12th. Read a book that a.) features a starry night on the cover, b.) has a strong theme..."Ashley, I went on a family vacation to Baja, Mexico several years ago and one night my friend and I were on top of our villa watching phantom waves roll in and watching shooting stars. It was breathtaking! I wish I could see that again.
For several years, an elderly friend of mine held a party on August 12 to watch the annual meteor shower. We would lie out on her deck and watch the show for hours.
Oh, how cool is that, Elizabeth!! That would be so much fun.
Petra - Those are some awesome ideas! I really like the sandwich idea. Very cute!Course Fish are Friends and Not Food made me giggle. Awww DORY from Finding Nemo!
Celebrating U.S. Independence Day:Read one book by an American Author AND one by an author from Great Britain OR one book set in the U.S. and one set in Great Britain.
Princess Diana was born July 1 & died August 31 (both dates in the Summer Challenge) - Read a fiction or nonfiction book about any British royal.
Vacation All I Ever Wanted, Vacation Had To Get Away: Read a book where someone takes a roadtrip or vacation.
I was just discussing with a friend when the summer farmer's market would start. It gave me an idea for the summer challenge. Read a book with a fruit or vegetable in the title or on the cover.
Splash into Summer -- Read a book that has a wet n' wild book cover OR the title begins with a S, P, L, A, or H. Barbeque Nation -- Read a southern lit book.
Are We There Yet? -- Tis the season to be traveling, falalalalaaaaa la la la! Read a travel book!
A suggestion: Read a book with a "The {_______} Who " Title. (Examples: The Spy Who Came In from the Cold , The Man Who Would Be King , The Girl Who Played with Fire ) There exists a listopia list with numerous examples (I don't know how to link to the listopia list, sorry.)
Stubborn is as Stubborn Does - read a book that you THINK should have been allowed in a previous challenge tasks but did not quite fit the rules or was denied by the task creator. What Should I read Next? Go to and input one of your favorite books, read one of the recommendations.
The Living is Easy - perhaps the most famous summer lyrics, sung by countless artists:
" summertime
and the living is easy
The Fish are jumping
and cotton is high
You'r daddy's rich and your mama good-looking
so hush, little baby, don't you cry
Read a book that has a phrase, at least two words, from these lyrics in its title.
Ex:
Murder is Easy
Do They Hear You When You Cry
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster (other topics)A Christmas Blizzard (other topics)
Storm of the Century (other topics)
The Jane Austen Book Club (other topics)
The Last Dickens (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen King (other topics)Anita Shreve (other topics)
Francis Ray (other topics)
Susan Richards Shreve (other topics)
Dick Francis (other topics)
More...
Thanks,
Cynthia