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Post your task ideas here at any time during a challenge. Preferred tasks are ones based on seasons, dates, genres, lists, geography/nationality, etc...but don't be afraid to post something creative and outside-of-the-box.

Love the Reading Through Time section. In the future, I would look forward to a Reading Around the World section, where we would need to read at least one book from all 6 continents (yes, I'm leaving out Antartica). I was thinking authors, but perhaps simply the location would suffice.

Elizabeth, maybe you could read authors first time around and location second (or vise versa).

I love the idea of themed challenges. My idea for next year -
2011 is a prime number; take the first 10 prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23 & 29) and read a book connected to that number in some way. It could be -
the number itself in the title
the number of words in the title
the number of letters in the title
the number of chapters in the book
the number of authors of the book
- or any other connection you can think of.
(No, 1 is not a prime number, the definition is carefully worked so as to exclude 1)

I am thinking of some ideas to suggest here.

I was wondering: did you cut and paste previous suggestions from the SRC task suggestions into a Word (or whatever) document? There were a lot of interesting possibilities this time around, plus there are the older folders for past challenges too. It would, at least, give you an archive of tasks to work from going forward.

Jennifer wrote: "I am thinking of some ideas to suggest here.

I was wondering: did you cut and paste previous suggestions from the SRC task suggestions into a Word (or whatever) document? There were a lot of int..."

I've started going through the task suggestion thread and pulling out tasks...plus, I have a couple of tasks in mind that are fall-related. Once I get my list fleshed out a little bit more, Krista and I will begin hashing out the task list.

In the meantime, of course, more suggestions are always good.

I really like the solve the mystery task from the SRC task thread.

Yes Jayme. I thought that was really clever too.

Are you going to take tasks from the SRC challenge even though we're not officially associated with them anymore?

The Mayflower arrived in Massachusetts on November 20, 1620, and this November is the 390th anniversary of that event. Read a book about immigration/emigration.

Run the Numbers: Read a novel where a number is in the title, either as a numeral or spelled out.

Go visit the neighbors � Read a book that takes place in a state or country that borders yours. If you live in an island state or country, you can choose a country that you would get to first if you were to take a boat. You can look in any direction.

Felina wrote: "Are you going to take tasks from the SRC challenge even though we're not officially associated with them anymore?"

After I posted my question about using tasks from the SRC, I discovered the SRC thread with the whole brouhaha going on concerning the other group, not affiliated with SRC, lifting the challenge directly. I felt bad for my question (message 5, above) and just wanted to say my intent certainly wasn't an endorsement of plagiarsm (which is what the other group is being accused).

My thinking was more to do with the people who participate in SRC & RwS and already posted ideas not having to repeat themselves. I really like the twists Sam and Krista come up with and I know we are all more than capable of dishing out great task ideas. I just didn't want us reinventing the wheel and making more work for our moderators than is necessary!

I am sorry if I gave a bad impression!

No no no I didn't mean it like that. All the other RWS challenges took task from SRC and I was just curious if they would do that still or just pick our own tasks. Just curious because I still plan on being involved in SRC and it'd be nice to get a two for one. ;P

Jennifer, I'm sure Sam thought the same as you have expressed. It was hard enough coming up with those ideas in the first place! As you say, Sam and Krista put their own twists on things. And not all of the ideas are chosen - seems there are always more ideas than can be or are used.

Thanks, Felina. I did get your meaning but, because of all of the 'stuff' going on in SRC (and after I read through the posts on the issue), I then had the same question as you. I then felt silly for posing my own question the way I did. As I writer, I am totally sensitive about plagiarism and just wanted to make sure my intent was clear. No worries, Felina!! (But thanks for the response!)

Elizabeth, I do get the sense Krista received (or translated) my intention. I am definitely glad of that.

The Seasonal Reading Challenge up to this point, as we all know, is Cynthia's challenge. When I wanted to do Reading with Style, she initially said "no." Then, she created a "Fun and Games" folder where I originally posted Reading with Style, which I assumed was her intent. The next season, I asked if Reading with Style could have its own folder, which she then created.

My point is that Cynthia tacitly gave me permission to use tasks from the Seasonal Reading Challenge for Reading with Style. Until she says that I don't, I still believe that I have that permission. Now, if SRC moves to a new community under a new name, which I believe is about to happen, that's a different story.

I have done a lot of borrowing from task suggestions and previous challenge tasks and will likely continue to do so for our Fall Challenge. Thereafter, tasks will most likely be ones that are suggested here along with a few classic SRC tasks.

You can always talk with PJ, Sam and see what he/she says.

Another spin on RtT would be to focus on a particular Century and have to read a book published in each decade of that century.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "You can always talk with PJ, Sam and see what he/she says."

Okay, no offense at all intended to you, Sam, but this post (he/she) made me laugh. In my mind Sam, since I have become acquainted with you through RwS, I thought you to be female (I know I should never assume!!). Then, in an earlier post, above, someone wrote "he". Now your post, Jayme.

Jennifer wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "You can always talk with PJ, Sam and see what he/she says."

Okay, no offense at all intended to you, Sam, but this post (he/she) made me laugh. In my mind Sam, sinc..."

When I was applying to grad schools, I had planned a West Coast trip. One of the schools I planned to visit was UCLA. Having a gender neutral name is often awkward, but having minored in Women's Studies occasionally makes it more so. The chair of the English department referred to me as Ms. in his correspondence to me. I didn't know how to go about correcting him, which ended up being a moot point since he wasn't at his office at the time we had scheduled. No big deal, right...I had just driven completely across the country. I didn't end up applying there.

But, you know, I'm pretty sure that every single other person who has played a large part in the SRC since I joined several challenges ago, either as a contributor or winner, has been female.

Thanks for the clarification. I have noticed only a few male participants and have definitely wondered about the low male-count.

Apparently I have gender neutral name as well and people tend to think I am male. It annoys me. However the he/she was referring to PJreads.

Oops I assumed Sam was a she as well. Which is interesting since I plan on naming my son that (if I ever have one). It must be the association with the challenge. Challenges are a womans world.

So off topic, but in high school I had a friend whose legal name was Ricki. Every year she was assigned to Boys PE.

As to more women being in challenges, I think that women are more likely to read fiction, and men have other competitive venues. I'm not sure about the competitive part for women, as many of us do these as personal challenges and are not (or so we profess) competing with the other participants. This latter is true for me as books I might not have otherwise discovered are anxiously awaiting my attention.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "In the future, I would look forward to a Reading Around the World section, where we would need to read at least one book from all 6 continents (yes, I'm leavi..."

Brilliant! Perhaps sort out the world into 10 geographic areas -- Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Us/Canada, Mexico/Central America, South America, Australia, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Russia/former USSR countries? (Or perhaps someone better rested than I can find better groupings). And huge bonus points for a work written by an Antarctican ;)

Where I live, fall is one of two rainy seasons, and we're also an island community. Read a book where water, in one of its many forms or places, is in the title: rain, snow, drizzle, etc., or lake, ocean, creek, etc.

All Soul's Day is November second: read book by a deceased author or a book where a ghost makes an appearance.

Back to School: read a book written by a college/university professor.

Sept. 22 is China's Mid-Autumn or moon festival. Read a book by a Chinese author or that takes place in China.

October 19th is Mother Mother Teresa Day in Albania. Read a book about a religious figure (fiction or non), a book set in Albania, or by an Albanian author.

Elizabeth (Alaska)'s idea in the SRC thread: The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, and October 3 marks the 20th anniversary of the reunification of Germany. The Wall was erected on August 13, 1961.
Read a book that was published during the time of the existence of the Wall.

In honor of Columbus's attempt to sail around the world, read a book that is set in the hemisphere opposite of where you live.

Coralie's idea in the SRC thread: In The Australian Football League (AFL) is made up of 16 teams.
Read a book with one of the 16 team names in the title - crows, blues, magpies, hawks, power, tigers, cats, lions, dogs, magpies, blues, swans, eagles, dockers, demons and saints.

I like the idea of a task about your favourite saying: Example:
Step on a crack break your mothers back
You snooze you lose
That’s the way the cookie crumbles
Takes one to know one
Do you think there is a way to work that into a task? Something like ‘Read a book that’s theme relates to your favourite saying.�

I made a suggestion in the SRC thread which I'm sure you saw, but just in case:

The Uncommon Letter: Read a book by an author whose name contains either the letter Q, X, or Z.

Take Action: Read a book with some sort of action verb in the title.

In honor of Diwali, a festival celebrating the the triumph of good over evil, read a book that encompasses this theme.

Autumn equinox: read two book with the same number of letters in their titles.

Oct 4, 1957: Sputnik launched. Read a book that includes space exploration.

October 24, 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor becomes the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel....read a book where the protagonist "takes the plunge"?

Read a book by an author of a country that no longer exists (U.S.S.R, East Germany, Austria-Hungary, Yugoslavia, etc.). Book must have been published during the existence of said country.

Nov 3, 1964: D.C. residents cast first presidential votes. In honor of the 23rd Amendment which gave citizens of the nation's capital the right to vote for president, read a democratically selected book from the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels:

In honor of the debut of Sesame Street on Nov 10, 1969, read a book by an author whose initials follow each other in the alphabet, such as Aphra Behn, Charles Dickens, Henrik Ibsen, or James Kelman. Or maybe authors with the same first & last initial? Graham Greene

Liz wrote: "Nov 3, 1964: D.C. residents cast first presidential votes. In honor of the 23rd Amendment which gave citizens of the nation's capital the right to vote for president, read the democratically select..."

I love them both!! Very imaginative.

November 2, 1947: American industrialist and aviator Howard Hughes flew the Spruce Goose, the largest flying boat, on its maiden flight from the coast of Long Beach, California. Read a book that has to do with flying, boating, or amphibians. (Amphibians intentionally made ambiguous � so this would include frogs or other animal amphibians)

Several anniversaries occur September � November of rocket launching and space exploration, including Sputnik, which was launched on October 4, 1957. Read a book that includes in some way the study of outer space.

Read a book written by an author who lived in a country that was at one time part of the British Empire.

September 28, 1928, Scottish biologistst and pharmacologist Alexander Fleming noticed a bacteria-killing mold growing in his laboratory, discovering what became known as penicillin. Read a book about a medical triumph � could be the medicine itself, a surgical procedure, or a person triumphing over a medical setback.

Read book that another RWS member used for a task, but you can get more style points for. Compare them before adding any combo points from this task.

For example, in the current challenge Coralie read I, Claudius and got 25 style points for it (plus the 20 task points). Since Robert Graves is a 6 like me, I can get 30 style points.

Founder's Day. Since Sam is partial to classics, read a book from before 1950 that DOESN'T appear in the Canon, but you think should. (I'm sorry, but if the book is less than 50 years old, it's too soon for it to be a classic in my book.)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Another spin on RtT would be to focus on a particular Century and have to read a book published in each decade of that century."

I've been thinking that we often have a 19th Century task or a Victorian task, so a "Traveling through the 19th Century a Decade at a Time" might not be particularly new. I offer the alternative, pick your own Century, which could also span two Centuries. Yes, you could do 1800-1900, but you could just as easily choose the 100 years of 1750-1850 (or any other 100 year time span).

Sam, can you tell I love the whole concept? Thank you again!

Read a novel with multiple narrators detailing the same event(s) such as The Sound and the Fury, Small Island, Miramar

how many suggestions can we post for winter 2010-2011?

Rebekah wrote: "how many suggestions can we post for winter 2010-2011?"

As many as you can!

Around 11/1, I'll be sending out a request for task ideas, but I've already started building the winter challenge, so suggestions are welcome now.

January 27 is Mozart's Birthday (born 1756) � read a book with something relating to music in the title. Perhaps something like the words symphony, sonata, rhapsody, etc., or a musical instrument: piano, drum, banjo, fiddle, etc.

Home for the Holidays- Winter has holidays for almost anyone. A lot of us visit family during this time. Because of that, I would suggest to read a book (fic or NF)set in a state/province/city you have lived in. for example this might be my list of all the places I have lived;
Texas �Lonesome Dove
Idaho � Tiger on the Road
Missouri � Tom Sawyer
Kentucky � Clay’s Quilt
Arizona � Skeleton Man
New Jersey � American Pastoral
Delhi, India � City of Djiinns
Tennessee � Nashville Chrome
(For simplicity, you only need to pick one of the places you have lived)

If you were born and never left some place that no one has ever written about, please post and alternatives will be accepted on a case by case basis.

Chinese New Year � This holiday usually occurs in Feb. In honor of that, read a book with one of the astrological signs in the Chinese horoscope in the title.
Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Pig, Dog, Rooster, Monkey, Rat, Ox.

Southern Hemisphere-While snow, ice and cold are associated with this season, half of the world is actually enjoying their summer. Because of this, read a book by an author from a country in the Southern Hemisphere or with a picture of a beach on the cover.

A Decade of 2000’s � We have just completed our first 10 years that start with 2000 something
Read a book published between 2000 - 2010

The Shortest � Winter contains our shortest month, Feb. For that read a book with only ONE word in the title. As an example the book March by Geraldine Brooks would be acceptable but not The March by E L Doctorow.

President’s Day � The USA has a holiday that is celebrated on a Monday between Feb 12 & the 22nd in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s and George Washington’s birthdays. It is known as President’s Day. In honor of this read a book about or written by a former or current Head of State. This can also be fiction such as an Alternative History Novel.

The New Year Begins � The new year is often depicted as a new baby bringing in the new year. Read a book with the word Baby in the title or with a picture of a baby on the cover.

National Holidays � India and Australia both share January 26 as a national holiday. India Republic Day and Australia Day. Read a book by an author of either country, or a book set in either country

Birds � Most of the birds have flown south for the winter. But birdlovers will feed the ones that remain to help them through this tough season. Read a book that either has a bird in the title or the author has a bird in their name. Only variations can be with the author. You can use authors whose names aren’t actually a bird but has a bird’s name spelled CORRECTLY in the name. Edwin Arlington ROBINson would be acceptable but Tom ROBBINs would not. The word Bird may also be used. Byrd is acceptable in this case as well. The bird’s name in the title doesn’t actually have to be a bird such as The Cardinal of Woolsey. Some more examples in this challenge
would be To Kill a Mockingbird, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Coma by Robin Cook, John Crowe Ransome, Rita Dove, The Witch of Blackbird Pond
(this challenge also works for Spring)