RachelG.’s Comments (group member since Dec 16, 2024)

RachelG.’s comments from the Hooked on Books group.

@Claire- Message 84 in the HOMEBASE thread has January's tasks. I added it myself to my team's thread.

Are we only able to read for a monthly task once for the month? In other words, can I read 3 books with brown covers and count all of them?

Welcome Teresa!

Time Traveler’s Challenge — January 2026
Era: Prehistoric Times

Welcome, adventurers. Dust off your cave tools, shake the mammoth hair off your reading chair, and let’s kick off this challenge properly.

We’re starting at the very beginning — before calendars, before written stories, before Goodreads existed to judge our choices.

January drops us straight into Prehistoric Times, where your priorities are simple: don’t die, find fire, and read good books.

Grab a chair and lock in — this first one will be a long one (just like the era itself).


Main Tasks

Here’s what you’ll be tackling this January — each task ties directly to the raw, dangerous, no-internet reality of early humanity.

1. Read a book with a BROWN cover.
Brown = earth tones, hide, dirt, stone… basically the entire prehistoric aesthetic.

2. Read a book with the word "Prehistoric" or "Times" (no variation) in the Title or Text.
A direct line to the era — we’re anchoring the month with something explicitly referencing it.

3. Read a book that features a large, awe-inspiring animal or creature central to the story.
Mammoths, saber-toothed cats, giant birds — the world back then was full of creatures that could kill you or feed you, sometimes both.

4. Read a book featuring a natural disaster.
Before modern tech or infrastructure, nature was the ultimate threat. Storms, quakes, floods, eruptions — take your pick.

5. Read a book where survival against nature drives the entire story.
This era was literally one long "man vs. nature" arc. No cushions, no conveniences, just grit.

6. Read a book that uses vivid imagery to bring a harsh, natural environment to life.
Prehistoric landscapes were extreme — burning sun, frozen plains, dense forests. This task dives straight into that atmosphere.

7. Read a book that involves caves, underground worlds, or hidden places.
Caves = shelter, mystery, art, danger. They’re one of the most iconic parts of prehistoric living and storytelling.

8. Read a book where fire is featured heavily.
Fire was the game-changing technology of the era: warmth, safety, cooking, community. If fire matters in the story, it fits here.

9. Read a book related to "animism" or reverence for natural elements.
Early spiritual belief systems were rooted in the sun, moon, animals, rivers — nature itself as sacred. This taps directly into that worldview.

10. Read a book where a character invents, discovers, or learns something that changes their way of life.
Prehistoric times were one long innovation runway: tools, hunting strategies, language, fire, art. A discovery that transforms life is right on theme.

📅 Monthly Theme Bonuses (MPG)

For January, the two MPG bonus genres are:

🏕️ Adventure
🧭 Survival

Read any January task in one of these genres for an extra bonus.

🏅 Personal Era Badges
To earn these bonuses, you'll need to personally accomplish one of the following "tasks". This means that whatever book you are trying to gain the bonus for, should not only fit a regular monthly task, but also be related to the badge.

🔥 Firestarter
A book that sparks a group discussion — controversial, emotional, divisive, or just plain chaotic.

🎨 Cave Painter
Create or share something visual inspired by your book: moodboard, sketch, collage, digital art, cave scratchings… whatever your medium, show it off.

🪶 Hunter-Gatherer
A book someone on your team has already finished. Yes, you’re “gathering” from others’ finds. Yes, that’s the point.

📜Recommendation List Pick: This will be an ongoing badge for the entire challenge, so here's a little info to start you off.
Every participant may submit up to 12 recommended books by the end of January. After that, the list locks for the rest of the challenge. You can read anyone else’s rec (not your own!) for a bonus.
How to submit your list: Post your list in your team thread and tag/link to the Homebase thread. I’ll add it to the Index.

🏺 Team Artifacts (Permanent Collective Bonuses)
These require team-wide participation every time you attempt them:

📚 Team Read
Everyone reads the same book + joins the buddy-read discussion thread.

🔍 Thematic Treasure Hunt
As a team, compile a mini-catalog of shared themes/motifs found across your individual reads: fire, moons, wings, mirrors, rebirth, keys — whatever pops up. Include quotes or receipts.
How to submit your list: Post your "catalog" in your team thread and tag/link here.

🌍 Geographic & Temporal Collection Bonuses
New this year! Your team earns bonuses for:

• Unique Country Settings
• Unique Publication Years

These are team-level, not individual — coordinate, so you’re not all reading 2022 USA books and screaming later because you can only claim one bonus.

🌈 Diversity Author Bonus
Back from last year! Earn a bonus for reading a book by an author from an underrepresented group. This is author identity only (not content-based), and includes:
BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent, marginalized religious groups, developing nations, Indigenous authors.

🌀 Temporal Anomaly Bonus (Jan 1–31 Only!)
Start the year easy:

Read a book with a BLACK cover.

Bonus Genres (unchanging all year):
• Speculative
• Epistolary
(Tag 5+ counts — doesn’t need to be MPG.)

🏅 Personal Temporal Anomalties Badges (unchanging all year):
Perspective Shift 🔄 – Highlight a moment in your book where the narrator or POV tricks you, surprises you, or changes your understanding.
Causal Loop 🔁 – A book you discovered because of another member's post or discussion in the challenge.
Time Dilatation ⌛ – Get completely lost in a book, reading for so long you lose track of time.
Recommendation List Pick 📜 – See above!


If you have questions, put them in the Q&A thread (to keep this thread semi-tidy for New Sign Ups and Challenge Updates!

So sharpen your flint, gather your kindling, and let’s light this challenge on fire. Happy January, Travelers!

Thanks! I enjoyed playing with you all as well. Happy Holidays!

I would be okay with being done for this challenge, but fine to go with the majority.

Kat wrote: "My notifications weren’t showing that we had a new tasks so I’m just seeing this"

I have been having issues with notifications again as well.

Team/Player Name: Rachel

Toy/Object finished: ZATHURA
Toy Chest answer: 19
Spreadsheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I should also say that the books I listed are buddy reads for another group and figured I would just throw them out there as I do plan to read them. I started thinking that perhaps we want to wait to see what the monthly tasks are before we settle on one or more. I realized I might be jumping the gun.

I would be interested in Murder at the Vicarage for sure Sarah. It's been several years since I read it. I need to check availability on a couple of the others I have my eye on.

These are some books I am already planning on reading in January:
Witch Slap
Greywalker
The Phoenix Unchained
Dragons of Deceit
God's Junk Drawer

Team/Player Name: Rachel

🚀 ZATHURA: The 3 numbers you pulled: 11, 3, 12

Spreadsheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I tend to read mysteries and fantasy the most. Typically on the cozy side. I will have to look at my December reading list to see if there is anything to suggest.

I hope that we remain GR friends but that has already happened since we are doing several challenges together.

BTW, Kat are you Kat 34 on discord? Will friend you if so.

Team/Player Name: Rachel

Toy/Object finished: Mirror (Oculus)
Toy Chest answer: 12
Spreadsheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I am curious if there are any books you all are looking forward to reading that we may want to do as a team read once the challenge starts.

Kat and Rachel would like to be called Binge Watchers Book Club please.

I honestly like all of those. Let's go with your favorite!

Team/Player Name: Rachel

Toy/Object finished: The Monkey's Paw
Toy Chest answer: 23
Spreadsheet link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Michelle's Empty Nest wrote: "Either option is fine. As long as September is in the date, you're good. 😊"

Thanks!