2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Mod Stuff
>
2024 Member Challenge Ideas
FAQsWhen are challenges posted and unlocked?
� Around a month in advance, challenges are posted for viewing only so that members may plan their reading.
� Challenges are unlocked about one week prior to their start date, usually around the 25th of the preceding month.
What happens if my challenge idea is chosen?
� We can't use every idea submitted, but we do use many of them.
� If we choose your challenge, you may lead it if you wish.
� If you'd rather not lead, we can seek a volunteer leader, so no pressure!
� When posting a challenge idea, please let us know whether or not you’d like to lead your challenge, if selected.
May I volunteer to lead a challenge that I didn’t suggest?
� Absolutely! When a new quarterly or monthly challenge is posted, you might see a note at the bottom indicating that we need a volunteer challenge leader.
� Leading a challenge is a great way to get to know fellow book lovers in this group!
� New leaders are welcome.
� If interested, send a message to the moderator who posted the challenge.
What does a challenge leader do?
� A challenge leader has three responsibilities:
( 1.) Make an alphabetized list of participants
( 2.) Check participants' comments to update their progress
( 3.) Encourage and congratulate participants
( 4.) Update weekly for a monthly challenge, and 2-3 time per month for a quarterly challenge.
How do I track and post updates?
� � � New tip for 2024!
Leader volunteers may use an optional challenge spreadsheet to simplify the task. Follow this link to the Google Sheets file, and open the How to Use tab.
What if a participant posts their progress after the challenge ends?
� There may be a few stragglers who post their final progress update after the challenge ends.
� One week after your monthly or quarterly challenge ends, please check your challenge thread to congratulate any late finishers.
� After that week, whether you do further updates of your Participants List is up to you.
- - -
We look forward to hearing your brilliant challenge ideas for 2024!
I would like to suggest the following for Spring (the name could be changed, and this could also work for the other seasons, as each of the Elements stands for one of them). If this is too long, I could also shorten it, or only go with either the prompt based or the open challenge version. Just thought I would leave it like this for now.
Thanks to Lisa, for looking through this for me :)
Balancing it out
In traditional Chinese medicine (and traditional Chinese culture in general), there exist the so-called 'wǔxíng', roughly "Five Phases" (but often translated to Five Elements). These elements are thought to interact with each other � and to form a balance that makes up the universe and influences every aspect of life. The theory of the Five elements describes the interaction between Yin and Yang ☯️.
These Five Elements are Water 🌊, Wood 🌲 , Fire 🔥, Earth 🌱 and Metal 🔧.
Each of those elements not only describes the element itself, but also a dynamic process, and has different characteristics � and each one interacts with the others in a dynamic state, to form a changing whole.
Each element generates one of the others, it enriches, nourishes, and strengthens it (generating cycle, shēng); while controlling, overcoming, or weakening another one of them (controlling/destroying cycle, kè) � hence forming a never ending, though balanced, circle.
Generating: Wood fuels Fire - Fire creates Earth (Ash) - Earth bears/contains Metal - Metal collects/carries Water - Water nourishes Wood.
🌲 � 🔥 � 🌱 � 🔧 � 🌊 � 🌲 � �
Controlling: Wood can break the ground (Earth). Earth can soak up/absorb Water,
Water quenches Fire. Fire melts Metal. Metal can chop/penetrate Wood.
🌲 � 🌱 � 🌊 � 🔥 � 🔧 � 🌲 � �
This challenge, as the wǔxíng, is all about finding balance.
You can choose to do that in one (or both) of the following two ways:
1) Follow the prompt list and help maintain the balance through the generating or controlling cycle (or both).
2) Read books according to the Element associated with your Zodiac Sign (example and list of characteristics are further below).
☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️
Prompt list:
(you can follow either the generating or the controlling cycle - or both)
Generating Cycle:
🌲 � 🔥 � 🌱 � 🔧 � 🌊 � 🌲 � �
1. 🌲Wood🌲: Wood (or ‘Tree�) is the element of spring; It is associated with birth, growth, movement and wind and the color green.
Read a book set in spring, a book about new birth (literally, or of an idea, a movement etc.), or one that has green on the cover or in the title.
2. 🔥Fire🔥: Wood fuels fire, which is the element of heat, summer and enthusiasm, of nature at its peak, of growth and which represents warmth and passion in human relationships (but also hate).
Read a book that takes place in summer, a romance book, a book that is a study of human relationships, or one where characters are subject to the hate or prejudices of other characters.
3. 🌱Earth🌱: Fire creates Earth (Ash), which in turn is connected to harvest time, nourishment, fertility, mother-child-relationships and stability. It is represented by the color yellow (like the sun and ripened crops).
Read a book about cooking, or a fiction or nonfiction book that features relationships between parents and children, or a book with yellow on the cover or in the title.
4. 🔧Metal🔧: Next up is a book featuring the Element Metal. Metal includes the 'air' element. It is connected to the force of gravity, the minerals within the earth, heavenly bodies and electrical conductivity and magnetism. It has a structure - but can adapt new forms by melting.
Read a book that futures wind or gravity, where minerals or heavenly bodies play an important role, or where a character makes scientific discoveries. It could also be a book that futures a character that changes his/her outlook on life or changes paths.
5. 🌊Water🌊: You can now gather some Water! Water is connected to Winter; it is the source of life, it has the capacity to flow, infinitely yielding but also infinitely powerful, silent and still, flexible and ever changing; it is connected to the colors blue and black.
Go read a book where water plays an important role or which is set on water, in winter or which futures coldness / ice; alternatively one with blue or black on the cover or in the title.
Controlling Cycle:
🌲 � 🌱 � 🌊 � 🔥 � 🔧 � 🌲 � �
1. 🌲Wood🌲:
Wood represents the basic bodily functions (self-regulating and without conscious thought, e.g. respiration, heartbeat).
It is asscociated with the East, the planet Jupiter and symbolized by an Azure Dragon. Wood stands for plants and trees.
Read a book where the East is important in some way, one which includes the planet Jupiter or a book where dragons are present. Or one where a character makes rash choices; about nature or climate change.
2. 🌱Earth🌱: Wood ('Trees') can break the Earth, which in turn can absorb Water.
Earth is connected to the change of seasons; it is said to be patient, reliable, logical and governed by duty to others. It is related to the digestive system and the sense of taste, the planet Saturn and birds that prefer the comfort of the earth.
Read a book about change, or where people work to enhance the rights, goals or freedoms of others; or a book about food or cooking. You could also read a book that futures Saturn or birds, or where someone doesn't want to leave their home.
3. 🌊Water🌊: Water is the fluid that maintains the health of every cell. Water is the ultimate yin energy; quiet, cold, representing the resting time of winter. It is also considered the most feminine of the elements and to be very powerful, for it can move around any obstacles in its path without losing its essential nature (and in time dissolve the hardest mountains). It can nourish and cleanse, but is also at times very dangerous.
Read a medical book, or one with health advice; a book about feminism or one that takes place in the North. Or you could read a book that futures a catastrophe (can be on a big scale or personal).
4. 🔥Fire🔥: Fire can be quenched by water, but can melt metal. To achieve a balance, read a book connected to the element of fire.
Read a book that includes the South or Southern Countries, the planet Mars, or one that has a red cover / red in the title, or which includes the taste 'bitter' or bitter experiences made by a character.
5. 🔧Metal🔧: Metal can control wood and can be melted by fire. Its color is white, and it is determined, forceful, unyielding, and reserved. It is associated with Autumn (and harvest) and represents the West and the planet Venus.
You could read a book with a white cover/title, or one where a character is determined to achieve a certain goal / set on a specific path; or one that is about Autumn/harvest, or food. If you prefer you could read a book where the West (or sunsets) or the Venus plays a role .
☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️
Read books according to the element (and its characteristics, see below) that corresponds to your Zodiac Sign:
Birthday � Zodiac Sign � corresponding Element:
Dec 6 to Jan 5 � 🐀 Rat 🐀 � Water 🌊
Jan 6 to Feb 3 � 🐂 Ox (or Cow) 🐂 � Earth 🌱
Feb 4 to Mar 5 � 🐅 Tiger 🐅 � Wood 🌲
Mar 6 to Apr 5 � 🐇 Rabbit 🐇 � Wood 🌲
Apr 6 to May 5 � 🐉 Dragon 🐉 � Earth 🌱
May 6 to June 5 � 🐍 Snake 🐍 � Fire 🔥
June 6 to July 5 � 🐎 Horse 🐎 � Fire 🔥
July 6 to Aug 5 � 🐏 Ram (Goat/Sheep) 🐏 � Earth 🌱
Aug 6 to Sept 5 � 🐒 Monkey 🐒 � Metal 🔧
Sept 6 to Oct 5 � 🐓 Rooster 🐓 � Metal 🔧
Oct 6 to Nov 5 � 🐕 Dog 🐕 � Earth 🌱
Nov 6 to Dec 5 � 🐖 Pig (or Boar) 🐖 � Water 🌊
(There are multiple sources for these, some of which have slightly different elements.)
Example:
🐅Tiger🐅: Your lucky element is Wood 🌲. Wood energy is connected to the East, so you could read books that include that direction, or have something to do with spring or the birth of new things/ideas. The color associated with the Element is green, so you could read a book with green on the cover or in the title, or with plants / trees. It also represents the planet Jupiter, so maybe you can read a book that includes that planet; or one that includes dragons (honoring the Azure Dragon) - or Tigers, if you prefer. According to the generating cycle, Water 🌊 generates wood, so you should add some Water to nourish your good luck; or read a book that includes water or winter. Metal 🔧 can control wood, so in order to keep the balance, you could read a book with a white cover, or one where the force of gravity plays an important role. �
☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️
Characteristics of the Elements (for the Zodiac sign based Challenge):
These are (by far) not all - if you can not find what you are looking for, you can always look up some more characteristics!
🌲Wood 🌲:
- Season: Spring
- Associated with: birth, growth, flexibility, movement and wind
- Color: Green
- Body: basic body functions (self-regulating, without conscious thought, e.g. respiration, heartbeat)
- Direction: East
- Planet: Jupiter
- Taste: Sour
- Symbol: Azure Dragon
🔥 Fire🔥:
- Season: Summer
- Associated with: heat, enthusiasm, warmth/passion in human relationships, hate
- Color: Red
- Body: functions with maximum activity (decline is inevitable, e.g. the heart, the circulation system)
- Direction: South
- Planet: Mars
- Taste: Bitter
- Symbol: Vermillion Bird
🌱 Earth🌱:
- Season: Change of Seasons (Transformation)
- Associated with: harvest time, abundance, nourishment, fertility, mother-child-relationships, stability/reliability, logic, goverened by duty to others
- Color: Yellow (like the sun and ripened crops)
- Body: digestive system, sense of taste
- Direction: 'Center'
- Planet: Saturn
- Taste: Sweet
- Symbol: Yellow Dragon (or birds that prefer the comfort of the earth)
🔧Metal🔧: (includes the western 'air' element)
- Season: Autumn
- Associated with: Gravity, minerals, heavenly bodies, electrical conductivity and magnetism; has a structure but can adapt new forms by melting, reforming; determined, forceful, unyielding, self-reliant, reserved
- Color: White
- Body: Lungs, respiratory system, nose
- Direction: West
- Planet: Venus
- Taste: Spicy
- Symbol: White Tiger
🌊 Water 🌊:
- Season: Winter
- Associated with: quiet, cold, the resting time of winter; source of life, silent and still, flexible, can nourish and cleanse, but also destroy
- Color: Blue/Black
- Body: fluid that maintains the health of every cell (skeletal and excretory system, kidney and bodily fluids)
- Direction: North
- Planet: Mercury
- Taste: Salty
- Symbol: Black Tortoise (and a Deer)
☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️☯️
I could lead this challenge if it is chosen.
Admittedly, I am 100% biased here, but I love that challenge. I think it could be such a fun quarterly.
Since February is a good month for me to be involved (I lead a monthly challenge last February) I have something for Dragons.1. Dragons have appeared in legends and stories around the world for centuries. Read a book written by an author born on a different continent than where you live or read a book about one or more dragons.
2. Dragons frequently breathe fire Read a book about a fire OR a book about a firefighter.
3. Dragons are usually seen as hoarding treasure Read a book about someone who amasses a fortune or a book about treasure hunting of any kind
4. Several Asian calendars have a year of the dragon Read a book set in Asia or by an Asian author
5. In China, dragons are powerful and benevolent symbols with power over watery phenomena Read a book with a picture of water (ice or liquid, including rain) on the cover or a book about a significant event involving water (such as a flood, a sea voyage, a tsunami, etc.)
6. The Japanese dragon is a snake-like creature with no wings and is a symbol of strength and power. They are also known as one of the guardians of Buddhism and in Japanese mythology they are said to reign over the oceans and fight to defend the gods. It takes thousands of years for this dragon to develop into its final size and form. Read a book with an ocean battle or a book where one or more people have either extended their lives or found a way to stay youthful.
7. There are large, outdoor statues of dragons, including one in Ljubljana, Slovenia, as well as smaller ones, and there are also paintings, music and dances about them. Read a book about a visual or performing art or artist or read a book with a title that includes at least one of the following words, artist, painter/painting, sculpture/sculptor, dance/dancer, choreography/choreographer or illustrator (not illustrated).
8. The name Dracula comes from the Wallachiain name for dragon which was " Drac" or "Dracul." Vlad II of Wallachia joined a semi-secret order known as The Order of the Dragon and took the name Vlad Dracul. Read a book about a secret order or society or read a book either set in Romania or written by a Romanian author.
9. The surnames Drago and Drake both have a dragon element to their origins. Drago is from an Italian nickname meaning dragon, and Drake comes from the Old Norse byname Draki or the Old English byname Draca, both of which mean dragon Read a book by either an Italian or a British author.
10. Dragons are big in fanfiction and on other online sites as well as in many online games. Read a fan fiction book or read a book that is about online gaming
Quote a simple idea for March: read any books with numbers in the title.
Lina wrote: "I would like to suggest the following for Spring (the name could be changed, and this could also work for the other seasons, as each of the Elements stands for one of them). If this is too long, I..."
Wow!!!!
I love it! 😍
Hola!Here we go again, time flies when in good company.
My idea for February: Dragon
An open challenge where we have to spell the name of our favorite dragon/dragons in litereture or in mythology.
btw: great themes!
Carmen wrote: "Hola!Here we go again, time flies when in good company.
My idea for February: Dragon
An open challenge where we have to spell the name of our favorite dragon/dragons in litereture or in mytholo..."
Cool--wish I'd thought of it, but it would be fun if both of ours were used (but who knows what other ideas will come up!)
..
Idea for March: Numbers
The Numbers Racket
1. Also known as the Italian lottery or Mafia lottery.
- Read a book set in Italy or read a book featuring the Mafia.
2. The winning three-number number combinations typically were determined by daily horse race or stock market results.
- Read a book that features three friends or read a book that features a horse.
3. Popular in New York in 1920's.
- Read a book set in New York or read a book published/or set in 1920.
4. Illegal
- Read book that has illegal actvity/a criminal in it or read a book that features law/lawyers.
5. Money
- Read a book where money is featured or read a book with something worth a lot of money on the cover/in the title.
6. Bookie ... Gamblers place bets with a bookmaker ("bookie") at a tavern, barber shop, or social club. Benifits include tax evasion, bet on credit, better payoffs.
- Read a book that features a tavern, barber shop, social club or read a book that features tax evasion.
7. Gamblers
- Read a book where a character takes a chance on something or read a book with a gambling item on the cover (cards, dice, roulette wheel, etc.).
8. Numbers
- Read a book with a number in the title or read a book that involves a timeframe/A set numbers of days.
If chosen, I do not want to lead. Thanks.
Idea for February: DragonsFamous Dragons
1. Saphira from Eargon - A female dragon. Eragon first encountered her as an egg (believing her to be a rare stone) while hunting in the wilderness of the Spine Mountains early in the first book. Her name is a play on the word "sapphire", due in part to her deep blue coloration.
- Read a book with mountains on the cover or read a book with a blue color on the cover.
2. Norberta from Harry Potter - Previously named Norbert, she is a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon that Hagrid acquired as an egg. Hagrid later learns that the dragon is female and renamed Norberta.
- Read a book that is set in a Norwegian country or read a book written under a pseudo name.
3. Remoth from Dragonriders of Pern - Ramoth is a queen dragon who establishes a telepathic bond with Lessa.
- Read a book with a queen in it or read a book with paranormal activity in it.
4. Smaug from The Hobbit - A greedy and wicked golden-red dragon who slaughtered Thrór's dwarf clan along with the town of Dale and took the dwarves' treasure.
- Read a book that features a wicked character or read a book that features any type of treasure.
5. Toothless Daydream from How to Train Your Dragon - A very small, young, bright green toothless dragon. Who pretends to be a violent species called the Toothless Daydream, distant relations of the Monstrous Nightmare.
- Read a coming-of-age book or read a book where the main character disguises themselves as someone else.
6. Mushu from Mulan - Fa Mulan's closest companion throughout the Mulan series and comic relief. He is a disgraced former family guardian who is demoted to the role of awakening the spirits of the ancestors and family guardians for failing to protect a family member.
- Read a book that features close friends or read a book that has spirits/ghosts in it.
7. Drogon from A Song of Fire and Ice - A black-red dragon, hatched by Daenerys Targaryen. The largest and most vicious of her three dragons.
- Read a book with more than 400 pages or read a book with a dragon(s) in it.
8. Draco from Dragonheart (the movie) - The last remaining dragon. Voiced by Sean Connery.
- Read a book that is the last in a series or read a book where the author's name (or main character) stars with "S" or "C".
If chosen, I do not want to lead. Thanks.
Oh, you guys! So many amazing challenge ideas already. Wow!Lina, I'm glad we get to re-visit the idea that you and Lisa developed. We tried to figure out a way to use it for Fate (January), but it felt too big for a monthly unless we eliminated one of the options. How nice that it fits Seasons/Spring!
Great Dragon and Numbers ideas, too, y'all. We put Dragons in February because of Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon) and Numbers in March because of Pi Day. What fun! 😁
I am very much looking forward to working with your ideas in 2024! Thank you!
I love this place, you're awesome! 😍Another idea for 2nd Quarter: Spring
With the arrival of spring we all feel the urge to declutter our homes, especially our bookshelves... 😅
In this challenge you have to spring clean your TBR shelf picking up books following the list, you can read one book per category or as many as you choose, or you can play it like a bingo card or in whichever form you prefer.
As always, I'm open to lead if chosen but if anyone else wants to volunteer it's fine with me too.
Numbers idea:When your number's up- Read a book where the main character dies. Looking at the others, this may not be big enough, though.
Carmen wrote: "...Another idea for 2nd Quarter: SpringWith the arrival of the spring we all need the urge to declutter our homes, especially our bookshelves... 😅
In this ch..."
Carmen, this is brilliant! Love it!
Idea for 2nd Quarter: SpringGardening
1. Weeds
Read a book set in the sixties or read a book that makes you feel relaxed and good.
2. Rain
Read a book with rain on the cover or read a book where weather is a factor.
3. Sun
Read a book set in a sunny location or read a book that mostly takes place in the summer.
4. Warm
Read a book set in a warm location or with anything warm on the cover (sun, blanket, fire, etc.).
5. Flowers
Read a book with a colorful cover or read a book featuring any type of painter or painting.
6. Vegetables
Read a book with 5 to 9 chapters (recommended consuming 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables daily) or read a book with a positive character (good for you).
7. Herbs
Read a book set in China (Chinese herbal medicine) or read a book that has a spiritual component.
8. Tools
Read a book where any type of tool is used or read a book where wood or metal is part of the story.
9. Fertilizer
Read a book were a character is telling lies or read a book where a character grows up.
10. Planning
Read a mystery or read a book where something is planned.
11. Farmers Almanac
Read a book where the characters are self-sufficient or read a book that has something to do with the moon.
12. Seeds
Read a book where a character or author has the name Johnny (Johnny Appleseed) or read a small book; less than 200 pages.
13. Greenhouse
Read a book where most of the story takes place inside or read a post-apocalyptic or dystopian book (greenhouse gases).
14. Transplant
Read a book that features a medical treatment or read a book where a character moves from one place to another.
15. Store/Garden Center
Read a book that involves running a business or read a book where money plays a part.
16. Water/Irrigation
Read a book with any type of water on the cover or read a book that has something to do with farming.
17. Gnomes
Read a book about someone who works or plays in a garden or read a book where a character's or author's name starts with a "G".
18. Butterfly Garden
Read a book with an insect on the cover or read a book with the name of an insect in the title.
If chosen, I do not want to lead. Thanks.
I was thinking for the numbers theme, how about a lottery style challenge? There are online lottery ticket generators that can help randomize, and each number can be the number on the GR shelves ( I hope that makes sense)It could also be a numbers bingo challenge, I guess. I juts thought a lottery ticket would be a good alternative to that.
Another idea for numbers is "Lucky and Unlucky numbers around the world" I'm happy to write up some prompts tomorrow when I get home from work (instead of at past midnight), but basically I got the idea from the graphic below.
Hola!Another idea for March: Numbers
I KNOW YOUR NUMBER
1. Natural numbers (N): Read a book with a word starting with "N" in the title/author's name.
2. Integers (Z): Read a book with a word starting with "Z" in the title/author's name.
3. Rational numbers (Q): Read a book with a word starting with "Q" in the title/author's name.
4. Real numbers (R): Read a book with a word starting with "R" in the title/author's name.
5. Complex numbers (C): Read a book with a word starting with "C" in the title/author's name.
6. Odd numbers: Read a book in a series with an odd ordinal
7. Even numbers: Read a book in a series with an even ordinal
8. Prime numbers: Read a book in a series with a prime ordinal (different than the numbers of prompts #6 and #7, for example you can read the 1st, 2nd and 3rd or other combinations that fit the prompts but without repeating number)
9. Roman numerals (I, V, X, L, C, D, M): Read a book with at least 5 of these letters in the title or the author's name.
10. Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9): Read a book with a numeral/number in the title or on the cover.
I love numbers but March isn't a great time for me to lead a challenge, but there are already some great ideas here :)
Laura wrote: "Numbers idea:When your number's up- Read a book where the main character dies. Looking at the others, this may not be big enough, though."
For a monthly challenge, we require 8-10 prompts if it is a prompt-based challenge. If you'd like to extend this, feel free :D
I'm absolutely adoring these challenges!
I am really loving these PROMPTS for the upcoming 2024 year!! It is going to be so much fun!! I am so going to start planning NOW!!Happy Reading!!
Alo, I would be very interested in getting more involved and volunteer to lead a challenge. (However, I didn't give any ideas, etc towards this) So, how exactly do I do this? I think I read to reach out to the moderator of a challenge once it is posted? Or should I reach out now? Just wondering!! Thank you in advance!!
Lisa Marie wrote: "I would be very interested in getting more involved and volunteer to lead a challenge..." Hi, Lisa Marie! Thanks for checking in about volunteering. You can read through the first post in this thread to get a feel for what's involved, and you absolutely may lead a challenge that you didn't create.
The only open spot we need to fill at the moment is for the open-ended Winter Words quarterly, and we'd rather have a new leader start with a monthly challenge rather than jump in with a 3-month one.
We'll keep you in mind for a monthly sometime. And you can keep an eye on new challenges as they are posted to see if/when we need somebody for a monthly.
I'm so glad you're excited for the new themes. Me, too! 😊
Idea for a Spring Challenge:All About Spring. This challenge is all about words, phrases, and celebrations associated with Spring. Enjoy!
1. Goodbye winter-
Read a book with “spring� in the title, that is set in Spring, or that has a happy ending.
2. “In your Easter bonnet�- Read a book with a rabbit or an article of clothing on the cover, or that is about fashion or a fashionable character.
3. April showers bring May flowers-Read a book that features a garden, that has a weather-related word in the title, or that has flowers or an umbrella on the cover.
4. Spring is a time of renewal- Read a book about a new beginning or starting over, that has the word “new� in the title, or that is related to birth or growth in some way.
5. Daylight Saving Time begins in Spring-Read a book with ‘day� or “time� in the title, with a sun on the cover, or a book where someone or something is saved or rescued.
6. Tulips and daffodils are among the first flowers to bloom in Spring-Read a book with pink or yellow on the cover, a book set in the Netherlands, or the first book in a series.
7. Love is in the Air-Read a romance novel, a book that has the words love or heart in the title, or any novel in which two characters are in love.
8. Passover-Read a book with a Jewish author or main character, that has a door or doorway on the cover, or a book about family.
9. March, April, and May are the months of spring-read any book that contains March, April, or May anywhere (title, author’s name, set in March, character name, with a parade or “march,� etc.)
10. Farmer’s Market-Read a book set on a farm, that has something you would find at a farmer’s market on the cover, or a book that you got second hand.
11. Cherry blossoms- read a book set in Japan, that has some type of fruit or flower in the title, or that has something associated with tea on the cover.
12. Spring break-read a book set in a school or university, with a character who is a teacher, professor, or student, or any book you think of as a beach read.
13. Earth Day-read a book related to environmentalism (fiction or nonfiction), an e-book or audiobook, or read a book with a green spine or cover.
14. Mardi Gras-read a book with a character who is in disguise or is hiding something, a book with gold, green, or purple on the cover, or a book set in New Orleans.
15. Spring cleaning-read a book in which a character is a housekeeper, butler, maid or gardener, or a book where something is “cleaned up,� “swept under the rug,� or otherwise hidden or cleared away (a family secret, a mystery, superheroes or police who are cleaning up crime, etc.).
16. St. Patrick’s Day-read a book set in Ireland, about Irish immigrants, or with an author or character whose name is any variation of Patrick (Pat, Patricia, Patty, Paddy, etc.).
17. “In like a lion, out like a lamb�-Read a book with a character that is like a lion (strong, fierce, intimidating, etc.) or like a lamb (gentle, quiet, playful, etc.), with a lion or lamb on the cover, or a book set in either Africa or New Zealand.
18. Memorial Day-Read a book about memory, is set during wartime, or a book that you've read before but don't really remember.
19. Spring forward-read a book set in the future, with a fast-paced plot, or a book that jumps back and forth in time.
20. Maypole-read a book that is set in a wood or forest, a YA novel, or that has trees on the cover.
Regina wrote: "Idea for a Spring Challenge:All About Spring. This challenge is all about words, phrases, and celebrations associated with Spring. Enjoy!
1. Goodbye winter-
Read a book with “spring� in the titl..."
Love this!
Idea for April: EclipseEclipse - Pink Floyd
1. Eclipse by Pink Floyd
Read book featuring astronomy or read a book featuring a band.
2. Rock band formed in London in 1965.
Read a book set in London or read a book published or set in 1965.
3. Eclipse, is the tenth and final track from on The Dark Side of the Moon album.
Read a book with 10 chapters or read a book that is the final book in a series.
4. Eclipse
Read a book with at least one of the following words "eclipse", "moon", "sun" in the title or read a book featuring an eclipse, moon or sun.
5. Publication date 1973, on album The Dark Side of the Moon (one of Pink Floyd's most successful albums).
Read a book published or set in 1973 or read a book that was a best seller.
6. A Pink Floyd song.
Read a book with pink on the cover or read a book featuring music.
7. Eclipse is often paired with Brain Damage.
Read a book with two authors or read a book featuring mental health.
8. Written and sung by Roger Waters.
Read a book with an author or character named Roger or Waters or read a book with any form of water on the cover.
If chosen, I do not want to lead. Thanks.
Challenge Idea For EclipseLunar Eclipse
1. Color Transformation: During a lunar eclipse, the moon can take on a reddish hue, commonly referred to as a "blood moon." Read a book with the word 'red' in the title or a book with blood on the cover.
2. Frequency: Lunar eclipses are more common than solar eclipses, with at least two visible from some location on Earth every year. Read a book about two or more characters who live in different places or a book with a character who has a supernatural connection to the moon
3. Duration: Lunar eclipses can last for several hours, unlike solar eclipses, which are relatively brief. Read a book that takes place within 24 hours or less or a book shorter than your average read.
4. Penumbral Shadow: Besides the darker umbral shadow during a lunar eclipse, there is also a fainter penumbral shadow. This is a more subtle shading on the moon's surface. Read a book with a shadow on the cover or a book where one of the characters has a power related to shadows.
5. Color Variations: The moon's color during a lunar eclipse can vary based on atmospheric conditions on Earth. Read a book set in extreme weather conditions or a book with red, black, white or silver on the cover.
6. Tetrad Phenomenon: Occasionally, a series of four total lunar eclipses occurs in a row with no partial eclipses in between. Each eclipse is separated by six lunar months. Read a book that is part of a four book series or a book that takes place over the course of six months.
7. Mars and Lunar Eclipses: Occasionally, the red planet Mars aligns with a lunar eclipse, creating a visually stunning celestial event. Read a book that is set on another planet or a book featuring a celestial event.
8. Temperature Drop: During a lunar eclipse, temperatures on the moon's surface can drop significantly. Read a book set in winter or a cold environment or read a book with a temperature related word in the title.
9. Ancient Beliefs: Throughout history, lunar eclipses have been the subject of various myths and beliefs. Read a book based on Mythology or a book where the main character follows a different religion than you.
10. Impact on Animal Behavior: Some anecdotal evidence suggests that certain animals may exhibit changes in behavior during a lunar eclipse. Read a book featuring animals or a book with a picture of an animal on the cover.
If chosen, I do not wish to lead the challenge.
Hola!My idea for April: Eclipse
2024 TOTAL ECLIPSE
The Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
To celebrate this spectacular phenomenon I propose an open challenge where we have to read books set in the countries/states following the path of the sun eclipse: Mexico (Sinaloa, Durango, Coahuilia), USA (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine,) Canada (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, Newfoundland)
Or if you want to be more precise you can read books set in the 10 most populous cities in the path of the eclipse:
1. Montréal
2. San Antonio
3. Dallas
4. Austin
5. Forth Worth
6. Indianapolis
7. Durango
8. Hamilton
9. Torreón
10. Mazatlán
Or if you want to be more thorough you cand add other locations around the world: Marquesas Islands, Svalbard (Norway), Iceland, Ireland, western parts of Great Britain, north-west parts of Spain and Portugal, the Azores and Canary Islands.
Happy New Year!
The Masthead and Logo contest winner, Diane, selected the theme of Change for June. We will begin seeking challenge ideas for this newly added theme in a couple of months. 😊
No idea what is this!!! somebody could make a short description. Thank you
Gabriel wrote: "No idea what is this!!! somebody could make a short description. Thank you"Gabriel, I don't know what you are referring to. If you don't understand the purpose of the Member Challenge Ideas thread, it's where group members can submit their challenge ideas for various themes throughout the year. It is explained in the first two posts of the thread. Scroll up to read it, but know that it's not necessarily a short description.
If you are referring to my recent post about Diane winning the Masthead and Logo contest, that was held in December from designs submitted by members. Diane's winning Masthead and her matching Logo are at the top of our group's home page.
If you don't understand one of the challenge ideas that a member has submitted, you'll have to give us a little more info. If we select one of them for a challenge, it will appear in the monthly or quarterly challenge folders, with a description and instructions for that particular challenge.
If I guessed one of the correct subjects that was confusing for you, maybe this this helps.
Carmen wrote: "Hola!My idea for April: Eclipse
2024 TOTAL ECLIPSE
The Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
To celebrate this..."
Is it going to skip Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island? Not that any of them have the most populous city, of course.
We missed out on the 2023 one which would have been just a slight one because it was overcast and the light didn't change enough here.
Just starting small, I hope this help. About the monthly theme�January, the winter fate, mainly it is the snow. The idea is to do some sport in the mountains, for example skying. Also reading a philosophical book about the stoicism.
February to April� there are 5 literature books what I will be happy to share.
And by November, well it is a language conference in Philadelphia.
Thanks for the clarifications!!
Karin wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Hola!My idea for April: Eclipse
2024 TOTAL ECLIPSE
The Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
To..."
Hi, Karin!
Following this link you can see the map of the path across North America:
Carmen wrote: "Karin wrote: "Carmen wrote: "Hola!My idea for April: Eclipse
2024 TOTAL ECLIPSE
The Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, ..."
Thanks--this confirms my suspicions--it will bypass MA and RI. I have rarely been able to see eclipses thanks to scarcity and weather, although I saw a full lunar one one clear night here more than 17 years ago.
March's challenges are posted, and May's theme of Lily is open for your ideas.The prompt-based March challenge draws on several of your ideas. We need a leader for that one, so please send me a message if you're interested.
Lastly, in case any of you missed it in the FAQ (post #2), there's a spreadsheet available this year for our monthly and quarterly volunteer leaders. It should make it easier to track participants and post updates. I copied that one FAQ below:
How do I track and post updates?
� � � New tip for 2024!
Leader volunteers may use an optional challenge spreadsheet to simplify the task. Follow this link to the Google Sheets file, and open the How to Use tab.
Idea for May: LilyLily Quotes
1. "The rose does best as a rose. Lilies make the best lilies. And look! You - the best you around!" by Rumi: a poet, very popular in Turkey, Azerbaijan, South Asia, and the United States.
- Read a best seller or read a book set in Turkey, Azerbaijan, South Asia or the United States.
2. "Look to the lilies how they grow!" by David Macbeth Moir: Scottish physician and writer.
- Read a coming-of-age book or read a book featuring a doctor.
3. "The older I get the more I trust in the law according to which the rose and the lily bloom." by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe the: widely regarded as the greatest and most influential writer in the German language
- Read a book featuring legal matters or read a book by a German author.
4. "I would far rather have two or three lilies of the valley gathered for me by a person I like, than the most expensive bouquet that could be bought!" by Elizabeth Gaskell: English novelist, biographer, and short story writer.
- Read a book with a number in the title or read a book with a title that is a complete sentence.
5. "Time is jealous of you, and wars against your lilies and your roses." by Oscar Wilde: a playwrite.
- Read a book where time is a factor or read a play.
6. "O lovely lily clean, O lily springing green, O lily bursting white, Dear lily of delight, Spring in my heart agen That I may flower to men." by John Masefield: among his best known works are the children's novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights.
- Read a book that takes place in the spring or read a children's or young adult book.
7. "It took me time to understand my water lilies. I had planted them for the pleasure of it; I grew them without ever thinking of painting them." by Claude Monet: French painter.
- Read a book featuring a garden or gardener or read a book with any type of artist.
8. "As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters." by Solomon Ibn Gabirol: a poet who's parents died while he was a child, leaving him an orphan with no siblings or close relatives.
- Read a book with the word "daughter(s)" in the title or read a book with an orphan in the story.
9. "Consider The lilies of the field whose bloom is brief:-- We are as they; Like them we fade away As doth a leaf." by Christina Rossetti: among other works, she also wrote the words of two, well known British Christmas carols "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Love Came Down at Christmas".
- Read a book where someone dies or read a book set at Christmas time.
10. "The calla lilies are in bloom again. Such a strange flower—suitable to any occasion. I carried them on my wedding day, and now I place them here in memory of something that has died." by Katharine Hepburn: American actress whose career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned six decades.
- Read a book on the strange side or read a book made into a tv show or a movie.
If chosen, I do not want to lead. Thanks.
I can´t remember if I´m too late for the Q2 suggestions, but I´m currently reading about the mythology of flowers so my idea is to do a prompt-based challenge with Spring flowers, such as Anemone, Rhododedron, Tulip, Daffofil, Hyacinth, Bluebell, Peony. For instance, anemones are associated with forsaken or forgotten love.
Tulips are linked to true love or renewal/rebirth. etc.
Okay so... Here's what I came up with: Floral Folklore
1. Anemone
Anemones come in a multitude of colours including white, pink, red, blue, purple, and yellow, and they often represent a forsaken love or anticipation. According to Greek Mythology, the anemone flower sprang from Aphrodite's tears as she mourned the death of Adonis after he was gored by a wild boar.
- Read a book set in Greece or by a Greek author
- A book featuring a forsaken love
- Read an anticipated 2024 release
2. Rhododendron
Native to eastern Asia and the Himalayan region, the Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal, where it is considered edible and enjoyed for its sour taste. Like many medicinal plants, some rhododendrons are poisonous, and not to be consumed by the unwary. It is often associated with beauty, strength, resilience, and marriage.
- Read a book that takes place in Nepal
- Read a book featuring a wedding, or with the word marriage in the title.
- Read a book featuring an independent female character.
3. Tulip
According to a 6th century Persian legend, the first tulip is said to have bloomed from the blood of star crossed lovers, Farhad and Shirin. The most common meaning of tulips is eternal love.
- Read a book set in Ancient Persia / Modern Iran, or the Middle East.
- Read a tragedy, or about star crossed lovers
- Read a book featuring royalty
4. Red Clover
Associated with prosperity, success and good fortune, the Trifolium pratense, also known as red clover, is the national flower of Denmark. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a protective charm against evil spirits and witches. Greeks and Romans associated it with the triad goddesses, while the clover reminded Celtic priests of their three-lobed symbol of the sun. The plant was also associated with the Christian Holy Trinity.
- Read a book set in Denmark or by a Danish author
- Read a book where luck plays a part, or with any variation of "luck" or "fortune" in the title.
- Read a book with the words "three" or "four" in the title.
5. Solomon's Seal
According to folklore, the flower bore markings resembling the signet ring of King Solomon, which was believed to have granted him power and control over supernatural forces. It is associated with wisdom, deep knowledge, supernatural power and peace.
- Read a book set in Israel or by an Israeli author
- Read a book with supernatural elements.
- Read a book with a green or white cover
6. Daffodil
Daffodils, are among the first flowers to appear as spring approaches, and are usually yellow and therefore associated with joy and happiness. They are a symbol of rebirth, transformation and new beginnings. They are also known as narcissus, after the Greek myth, in which Narcissus who rejected all romantic advances, eventually fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Unable to tear himself away, he died and a narcissus flower sprouted in his place.
- Read a book set in spring
- Read a book with a yellow cover or that represents joy.
- Read a book unrequited love
7. Hyacinth
Hyacinths are often associated to spring, passion, jealousy and rebirth. According to Greek mythology, Hyacinthus was a Spartan Prince of remarkable beauty, and a lover of the sun god Apollo. Apollo accidentally killed him while teaching him to throw the discus and then created a flower from Hyacinth's spilled blood. According to classical interpretations, his myth is a metaphor of the death and rebirth of nature.
- Read a book with a sun on the cover or "sun" in the title
- Read a reimagining of a greek myth of your choice
- Read a book with a blue or purple cover.
8. Bluebell
Bluebells flower at the same time as Hyacinths, Narcissus and Tulips, and are sometimes referred to as “fairy thimbles.�
In traditional lore, many tales surrounding bluebells, involve dark fairy magic. It is said that fairies used bluebells to lure and trap people passing by in the woods. It is also said that if you wear a wreath of bluebells you will be compelled to tell the truth. They are often associated with humility, virtue and magic.
- Read a book set in Scotland or that depicts creatures of Scottish folklore
- Read a fantasy book or a book that features magic
- Read a book where the main character is dishonest or mischievous
9. Peony
In China and Japan, Peonies stand for strong and positive virtues, such as honor, respect, nobility, wealth and prosperity. Peonies were also known as the floral symbol of China.
The etymology of the name Peony can be traced back to Paeon, who was a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. According to the myth, Paeon, angered Asclepius after he extracted a milky liquid from the root of a peony that cured Pluto. In order to protect Paeon from the wrath of his teacher, Zeus transformed him into the peony.
- Read a book set in China or by a Chinese author
- Read a medicine book (either fiction or non-fiction)
- Read a book with a flower on the cover
10. Cowslip
Cowslips have also been called 'St. Peter's keys' or 'keys of heaven' because the one-sided flower heads looked like a set of keys, and it was said that cowslips grew where St. Peter dropped the Key of Earth.
The common name cowslip may derive from the old English for cow dung, probably because the plant was often found growing amongst the manure in cow pastures. They are often associated with faith, gratitude and adventure.
- Read a book with key in the title or on the cover
- Read a book with a brown cover.
- Read a book about a religion different than your own, or by and author of another religion
11. Columbine
The columbine flower meanings include courage, fertility, allure and love.
In Norse mythology, columbine is associated with the goddess Freya. It is said that, Freya sought a bloom which could represent everything she stood for. She needed a flower that was showy and could command attention. Freya took to the skies and it was then that she noticed a strong elegant stem and a flowerhead of a vibrant violet and blue combination, with petals, and how they looked like an eagle's claw. And so the columbine became known as 'aquilegia', meaning eagle in Latin.
- Read a book that features Norse mythology
- Read a romance
- Read a book based solely on the cover
11. Columbine
The columbine flower meanings include courage, fertility, allure and love.
In Norse mythology, columbine is associated with the goddess Freya. It is said that, Freya sought a bloom which could represent everything she stood for. She needed a flower that was showy and could command attention. Freya took to the skies and it was then that she noticed a strong elegant stem and a flowerhead of a vibrant violet and blue combination, with petals, and how they looked like an eagle's claw. And so the columbine became known as 'aquilegia', meaning eagle in Latin.
- Read a book that features Norse mythology or set an Scandinavian country
- Read a romance
- Read a book based solely on the cover
12. Yellow Archangel
Yellow Archangel is one of the classic woodland wildflowers. In Celtic folklore, it was thought to be a guardian against evil spirits and the disease known as elf-shot which affected cattle. It was believed that elves acting on behalf of witches would fire arrows with Neolithic like flint heads at the cattle which would then cause paralysis. The yellow archangel is therefore often associated with protection, healing and energy.
- Read a book featuring witches or witchcraft
- Read a book that features fairies or other creatures of Celtic folklore
- Read a book set in a European country
Lisa wrote: "I can´t remember if I´m too late for the Q2 suggestions, but I´m currently reading about the mythology of flowers so my idea is to do a prompt-based challenge with Spring flowers, such as Anemone, ..."Hi, Lisa. In the theme list in post #1, you'll find that Q2, April, and May are currently open for ideas. The only ones that it's too late for, are the ones that have been posted already and are now marked out. I look forward to seeing your idea fleshed out. 🌷
Hola!My idea for May: Lily
PAINTING THE LILY
1. The flowers of the lilies are large, often fragrant, and come in a wide range of colors including whites, yellows, oranges, pinks, reds and purples. Markings include spots and brush strokes. The plants are late spring- or summer-flowering.
� Read a book with the cover with the color/markings of the lily you prefer or a book published in late spring or summer.
2. In the Victorian language of flowers, lilies portray love, ardor, and affection for your loved ones, while orange lilies stand for happiness, love, and warmth.
� Read a romantic comedy or a book that makes you feel happy
3. Lilies are the flowers most commonly used at funerals, where they symbolically signify that the soul of the deceased has been restored to the state of innocence.
� Read a book involving a funeral or a book involving a birth
4. Lilium formosanum, or Taiwanese lily, is called "the flower of broken bowl" by the elderly members of the Hakka ethnic group. They believe that because this lily grows near bodies of clean water, harming the lily may damage the environment, just like breaking the bowls that people rely on.
� Read a book involving any danger to the environment or a book where water is involved.
5. In Western Christianity, Madonna lily or Lilium candidum has been associated with the Virgin Mary since at least the Medieval Era.
� Read a book set in a religious building (convent/cathedral/mosque/synagogue/temple, etc) or with a protagonist who made a chastity vow
6. The fleur-de-lis, associated primarily with French royalty, is a stylized lily flower.
� Read a book with a royal/blue-blooded character or a book originally written in French
7. Lily is a feminine given name usually derived from lily, the flower. Some equivalents for the name Lily from other cultures include: Kielo (Finnish), Đurđica (Croatian), Azucena (Spanish), Crina (Romanian), Nari (Korean), Yuri (Japanese)
� Read a book with a character/author with any variation of the name Lily or a book set in one of the aforementioned countries.
8. Idyllwild, California, hosts the Lemon Lily Festival, which celebrates Lilium parryi, a rare species of lily.
� Read a book where a flower contest/festival takes place or a book with a garden or a flowershop in the plot
9. Lily of the valley, flame lilies, daylilies, and water lilies are symbolically important flowers commonly referred to as lilies, but they are not in the genus Lilium
� Read a book with a doppelganger or a book with any flower on the cover but a lily.
10. Cats are extremely sensitive to lily toxicity and ingestion is often fatal.
� Read a book with a cat on the cover/plot or a book where some intoxication/poisoning occurs.
👸monthly: Could we do a challenge for women’s history month in March? Do books with women as the central characters, about historical women, women’s rights, women in history etc? 💛monthly: It’s also endometriosis awareness month so I was thinking the women’s month or books with yellow covers or yellow themed titles (yellow, sunshine, lemons, bees, sunrise, etc)
☀️For a quarterly I like the word challenges so a spring word challenge would be fun (bloom, spring, sunshine, wind, gardening, frost, planting, flower names, etc)
🐣 monthly: I think Easter is 3/31 this year but maybe for April do an Easter theme challenge with words, items, titles, objects on cover
Word Queen wrote: "👸monthly: Could we do a challenge for women’s history month in March? Do books with women as the central characters, about historical women, women’s rights, women in history etc? "Word Queen, thanks for checking in with your ideas. We have already posted our March challenges for the group, both of which focus on the theme of Numbers. We do accept and run off-theme ideas, but it's too late now to submit women's history or endometriosis awareness for this March. (Read through post #1 and #2 in this thread for more info.)
You are welcome to create an unofficial challenge of your own in the Blogs/Vlogs, Events & Challenges folder, if you wish.
We are still accepting ideas for the Spring quarterly and April's monthly, if you'd like to write up an idea for either or both. Several spring challenge ideas were submitted earlier in the thread. As I recall the April suggestions we've received are on-theme challenges for Eclipse, so Easter could be an off-theme challenge. :)
In case you missed it in the newsletter and discussion board, we have an individual readathon coming up at from the end of February to beginning of March that will celebrate Black & Women's History. That might be the perfect time to focus on the types of books you mentioned.
June monthly challenge:Change, in other words�
This challenge focuses on synonyms for change.
1. Accomodate: provide a service; to provide suitably.
Read a book in which a character accommodates guests, with a character who works in a service-related role, or with a main character who has a disability.
2. Adapt: to adjust oneself to different conditions; to transfer a work or story to film.
Read a book in which a character must adapt to a new environment or circumstances, or read a book that has been adapted for the stage or screen.
3. Alternate: to change back and forth between conditions, states, actions, etc.
Read a book with alternate timelines, in which the POV shifts between characters, or in which a character changes form (vampire, werewolf, shape-shifter, etc.)
4. Development: growth; maturity; improvement.
Read a book in which a character ages from childhood to maturity or matures in some way over the course of the novel, with a child or teen main character, or a book with strong character development.
5. Diversify: spread out; branch out, expand.
Read a book from a genre you don’t usually read, that challenges you in some way, or that has a main character that is a different race or nationality from your own.
6. Naturalize: confer citizenship upon; accustom; familiarize.
Read a book about immigrants or immigration, or read a book from a favorite author or genre.
7. Translate: to turn from one language into another; to change the form, condition, nature.
Read a book in translation, or read a book in which a character or environment undergoes a major transformation.
8. Variation: the act, process, or accident of varying in condition, character, or degree.
Read a book with non-human characters, a retelling of a classic novel or fairy tale, or a book with a diverse cast of characters.
My input for June's theme of change, is a two-pronged open-challenge: - read books that have impacted or changed your worldview
OR
- read books that have somehow shaped and changed the world.
P.S. Available to lead should it be chosen :)
May Monthly Challenge: LilyA Bouquet of Lilies
For this challenge, you will choose a variety of lily (listed below) and choose your books based on their covers. You can compose your bouquet based on colors, title words, themes, and/or cover images.
Lily Varieties
1. Stargazer - blue
2. Gold Band - gold
3. Exotic Sun - yellow
4. Enchantment - pink
5. Purple Eye - purple
6. Tiny Ghost - red
7. African Queen - green
8. Tiger Woods - orange
9. Casa Blanca - white
10. Night Flyer - black
Example:
Lily variety: Stargazer
Idea for June - Change.Encouraging members to mix up their reading a little bit.
* Read a book in a format you don't normally read (e.g. if you're mainly a physical book reader, why not pick up an audiobook instead?)
* Read a book by a new to you author
* Read a book in a genre you don't normally read
* Read a book set somewhere you have not visited in real life
* Reread a book to see if your opinions about it have changed since last time you picked it up
* Let someone else choose you a book to read
My idea for June - ChangeI propose an open challenge where we have to read books with covers, titles, plots, or characters inspired by the myth of Vertumnus and Pomona.
Vertumnus was the Roman god of seasons, change, gardens, fruit trees, and plant growth. He is mostly remembered for his shape-shifting power and his seduction of Pomona, a dryad skilled in garden-culture and the care of fruit-trees (according to Ovid's Metamorphoses (book XIV)). Their story is one of love, persistence, and the power of transformation.
Seasonal changes, trees, plants, flowers, fruits, gardens, orchards, any kind of metarmorphosis, shapeshifting, transformation, seduction, love, perseverance,...anything goes!
🌼For a spring challenge can we do spring words or holidays in title/setting/obj like we did for winter? Or the same for summer?
Camping, sun, tent, rv, hot, pool, graduation, vacation, travel, swimsuit
🔥For summer also heat themed in title/setting/obj on cover such as sun, heat, scorch, blazing, sweat, cool off, pool, burn, hot, swimsuits, fans, etc
❓📚May challenge
It’s mystery month
Do a mystery book challenge, all mystery books
📝📖Nov challenge
National author day nov 1
Do an author focused challenge
authors from each continent or different countries
New/debut authors
Indie authors
British or Irish authors
Women authors
Author whose book has been translated
Ancient author
Authors from certain time periods
Local to your state
Local to you
An author from each state
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
East (other topics)Logan (other topics)
Emerald (other topics)
Bambi's Woodland Adventure (other topics)
The Name of the Rose (other topics)
More...
Do you have a fun idea for a challenge? Please tell us about it! We count on our members� creativity to help us bring dozens of challenges to the group each year!
❄️🌷🌞🍁 Our Yearly Theme for 2024 is Seasons! ❄️🌷🌞🍁
Generally, we offer a pair of challenges for each month and quarter.
� One theme based; one either on- or off-theme
� One with prompts; one open ended
� 8-10 prompts per monthly; 18-20 prompts per quarterly
Post your challenge idea when you see that we are Seeking ideas for a particular theme. Kindly refrain from submitting ideas outside the 2-3 themes (4-6 challenges) on which the challenge mods are currently focused. Thank you!
Quarterly Themes
1st Quarter: Winter2nd Quarter: Spring3rd Quarter: Summer4th Quarter: AutumnMonthly Themes
January: FateFebruary: DragonMarch: NumbersApril: EclipseMay: LilyJune: ChangeJuly: Road TripAugust: SilkSeptember: MountainsOctober: OrangeNovember: VoiceDecember: KindnessImportant: Please make sure that your ŷ privacy settings allow you to receive messages from anyone, so that we can contact you if your challenge idea is selected.