Helen’s Comments (group member since Oct 13, 2019)

Helen’s comments from the The Lost Challenges group.

My ST book from #832!

Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill 10-12-25

5 stars

This is another excellent part of this series, which should be read in order. A Lao physician functions as a friend, a shaman, and in other ways!

Now I'll take RA.

New pairs: FL and HA

My AL book from #813!

All the Horses of Iceland
Sarah Tolmie
10-7-25 3 stars

This is a fantasy book for adults. It tells the story, from the early 800's, of a trader going to Asia to collect horses to take to Iceland.

I'll take ST!

New pairs: FL and RA

Teacher, Teacher Challenge

Started 9-5-25
Finished
28 out of 30

Do one task for each teacher.

TEACHERS
++1. Mr. Chipping
🍎Read Goodbye Mr. Chips or set in a village or where a character eats chips.
Halloween Moon Kathi Daley 10-22-25 (Takes place in a village in WA)

++2. Miss Jean Brodie
🍎 Read a book set in Scotland or a character who is described as attractive or read The Prime Of Miss Brodie.
Burglars Can't Be Choosers Lawrence Block 10-12-25 (Ellie is said to be attractive, as is Mrs. Sandoval.)

3. Miss Trunchbull
🍎 Read a book with a character who is a headmistress or principal or a book published in 1988 or read Matilda.

++4. Miss Honey
🍎 Read a book where a character adds honey to something (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or where a character is a new student or where the authors initials can be found in WORMWOOD.
Bastard Max de Radiguès 9-5-25 (MDR= woRMwooD)

++5. Mr. Ricky Braithwaite
🍎 Read a book about racism or with a student who isn't motivated or with a character who is a pilot.
The White Lioness Henning Mankell 9-19-25 (About racism & apartheid in South Africa)

++6. Minerva McGonagall
🍎 Read a book with a witch as a character or with a character who is a deputy of something or where the authors initials can be found in MCGONAGALL.
How to Be Popular Meg Cabot 9-5-25 (MC= MCgonagall)

++7. Anne Shirley
🍎 Read a book with a character called Anne or Stacy or where a character is a mentor or set in Canada.
Sidetracked Henning Mankell 10-27-25 (He had a mentor who taught him all he knew.)

++8. Laura Ingalls Wilder
🍎 Read a book with a character who is married or set in South Dakota or a book published in August of any year.
The Inner Circle Mari Jungstedt 9-11-25 (Anders Knutas is married.)

++9. John Keating
🍎 Read a book with a character who is an English teacher or a character who is a poet or with a character called Robin or William.
The Vikings Kenneth W. Harl 9-12-25 (The poets of Iceland--Snorri Surloson)

++10. Glen Holland
🍎 Read a book tagged music or with a character called Richard or Glen or where a character takes a second job.
Nonviolence in Theory and Practice Barry L. Gan 10-23-25 (Richard Taylor wrote one of the essays.)

++11. Jaime A. Escalante
🍎 Read a book set in California or a book that has been made into a film or where the authors initials can be found in ESCALANTE.
Young Pele: Soccer's First Star Lesa Cline-Ransome 10-7-25 (LC= esCaLante)

++12. Mr. Miyagi
🍎 Read a book where a character does karate or with a child as a character or with a character who is wise.
The Man Who Smiled Henning Mankell 10-8-25 (p. 138-- Oscarsson was said to be wise.)

++13. Louanne Johnson
🍎 Read a book set in New York or with a character who is or was in the Navy or with a character who mentors another.
Sue Barton, Visiting Nurse Helen Dore Boylston 9-19-25 (Set in NY)

++14. Dewey Finn
🍎 Read a book where a character is in a band or a character who is a substitute teacher or a book where there is a battle. (Your interpretation).
Curse of the Pogo Stick Colin Cotterill 10-12-25 (There is a battle between a shaman and a demon.)

++15. Ms. Frizzle
🍎 Read a book where a character rides a bus or teaches science or with a character who is beloved.
Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers Amy Sutherland 9-8-25 (The profs teach Animal Sciences)

++16. Ms. Rain
🍎 Read a book with a character who is abused or where a character escapes or published in 2009.
Sue Barton, Student Nurse Helen Dore Boylston 9-12-25 (Abused wife defends husband in Emergency Ward)

++17. Mr. George Feeny
🍎 Read a book where a character gardens or is sixth in a series or with a MC who is a father.
One More Time: The Best of Mike Royko Mike Royko 10-29-25 (The author of these essays had 4 children from 2 marriages.)

++18. Mr. Kotter
🍎 Read a book with a character called Gabe or set in the 1970s or where the authors initials can be found in SWEATHOGS.
All the Horses of Iceland Sarah Tolmie 10-7-25 (authors initials ST= SweaThogs)

19. Tom Clarkson
🍎 Read a book with a road on the cover or set in England or where the first letter of each title word can be found in WATERLOO. (Three word minimum).


++20. Mr. Hand
🍎 Read a book with a hand on the cover or set in the United States or with a book that is a fast read. (Your interpretation).
What's the Matter with Henry? The True Tale of a Three-legged Cat Cathy Conheim 9-11-25 (A preschool book, so a fast read.)

++21. Mr. Medina
🍎 Read a book where a wedding is called off or where the MC has a love interest or with a character called Max.
Sue Barton, Senior Nurse Helen Dore Boylston 9-13-25 (MC has love affair with doctor.)

++22. Joe Clark
🍎 Read a book set in New Jersey or published in the 1980s or with a character who leans on someone. (Your interpretation).
The Keeper of Lost CausesJussi Adler-Olsen 10-15-25 (The detective is depressed so he depends heavily on his Arab assistant for motivation.)

++23. Yoda
🍎 Read a book with a character that has an accent or a character who is small in height or where the authors initials can be found in JEDI ORDER.
Icelandic Ponies Tomáš Míček 9-19-25 (All the ponies are small in height)

++24. Edna Krabappel
🍎 Read a book with a character who smokes or called Edna or Bart or is fourth in a series.
Soccer Star Robinho Martin "Marty" Gitlin 10-7-25 ("Goal: Latin Stars of Soccer" series #4)

++25. Will Schuester
🍎 Read a book with a character who speaks Spanish or where a character gets a promotion or tagged drama.
Lost on a Mountain Meish Goldish 11-9-25 (Andean crash survivor talked to Chilean ranch hand in Spanish.)

++26. Grantly Budgen
🍎 Read a book with a character who is sarcastic or published in either 2006 or 2013 or where a character eats lunch.
It's Halloween, I'm Turning GreenDan Gutman 10-9-25 (Published 1-1-2013)


++27. Severus Snape
🍎 Read a book about unrequited love or where the word snake is found in the text (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or where a character works for the Dark side (Your interpretation).
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory Caitlin Doughty 11-2-25
(unrequited love by author to male friend.)

++28. Miss Marigold
🍎 Read a book with a blue cover or a character who is friendly or where the authors initials can be found in HIPPO MARIGOLDS.
Let's Play Doctor: The Instant Guide To Walking, Talking, and Probing Like a Real M.D. Mark Leyner 11-2-25 (Author's initials hippo MarigoLds)

29. Anne Sullivan
🍎 Read a book with a character who is blind or a book that is fifth in a series or with a character called Helen or Anne.

++30. Lydia Grant
🍎 Read a book where a character dances or where a character sweats or where the first letter of the location can be found in FAME.
Firefighters to the Rescue Meish Goldish 11-11-25 (All firefighters sweat while working.)

My LI book from #812:

Listography: One List a Day: A Three-Year Journal

Lisa Nola

A fun way to keep a diary, for anyone eight or older! I enjoy looking back over the years to see how I used to think!

Now I'll take AL!

New Pairs: BR and SE

My MA book from #809:
Telling the Truth: Why Our Culture and Our Country Have Stopped Making Sense--and What We Can Do About It

Lynne Cheney

5-18-25

4 stars

A book describing the process from the French philosophers to our current P.C. culture. Well written!

I'll take LI.

New pairs: AL and BR!

Baby Got Book
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books 450 pages +
(Challenge #273)

ONGOING
50 out of 50

Books over 450 pages!
Starting January 1, 2022
Finished April 27, 2025

Level: - Catch 22
++1. Cross Examined: Exploring the Case for Christianity John W Campbell 1-28-22 (600 pages)
++2. The Way We Live Now Anthony Trollope 3-13-22 (844 pages)
++3. Orley Farm Anthony Trollope 3-18-22 (736 pages)
✦ Three cheers
++4. Deadfall Robert Liparulo 4-24-22 (460 pages)
++5. 11/22/63Stephen King 4-30-22 (864 pages)
✦Take 5
++6. The Small House at Allington Anthony Trollope 4-30-22 (674 pages)
++7. At Home: A Short History of Private Life Bill Bryson 6-23-22 (497 pages)
++8. Happy Days Were Here Again: Reflections of a Libertarian Journalist William F. Buckley Jr. 6-23-22 (473 pages)
✦Behind the 8 ball
++9. The Quotable Jefferson Thomas Jefferson 6-23-22 (624 pages)
++10. The Eustace Diamonds Anthony Trollope 7-19-22 (830 pages)
++11. The Right Word William F. Buckley Jr. 10-9-22 (526 pages)
++12. Can You Forgive Her? Anthony Trollope 11-15-22 (861 pages)
++13. The Pillars of the Earth Ken Follett 11-29-22 (976 pages)
✦ Bakers dozen
++14. Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital Sheri Fink 12-27-22 (558 pages)
++15. The General's Daughter Nelson DeMille 1-29-23 (454 pages)
++16. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle David Wroblewski 2-26-23 (566 pages)
++17. The President Is Missing Bill Clinton 2-28-23 (513 pages)
++18. The Book of Virtues William J. Bennett 5-8-23 (831 pages)
++19. Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us Michael Moss 7-17-22 (480 pages)
++20. Miles Gone By: A Literary Autobiography William F. Buckley Jr. 7-22-23 (594 pages)
++21. Presumed Innocent Scott Turow 8-21-23 (461 pages)
++22. Apples Never Fall Liane Moriarty 9-6-23 (467 pages)
✦Catch 22

++23. Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes Clifton Fadiman 10-5-23 (767 pages)
++24. Surfaces and Essences: Analogy as the Fuel and Fire of Thinking Douglas R. Hofstadter 10-18-23 (578 pages)
++25. Lonesome Dove Larry McMurtry 11-17-23 (853 pages)
++26. The January 6th Report The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol 3-1-24 (724 pages)
++27. To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing Simon Garfield 3-8-24 (464 pages)
++28. Treasury of Wit and Humor Reader's Digest Association 4-25-24 (576 pages)
++29. The Fireside Book of Christmas Stories Edward Wagenknecht 4-28-24 (659 pages)
++30. America Fantastica Tim O'Brien 4-30-24 (464 pages)
++31. The ChamberJohn Grisham 5-20-24 (632 pages)
++32. Word of Honor Nelson DeMille 5-21-24 (880 pages)
++33. Wrongful Death Robert Dugoni 5-22-24 (450 pages)
++34. A Man in Full Tom Wolfe 7-1-24 (742 pages)
++35. The Fire Is upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate over Race in America by Nicholas Buccola 7-2-24 (482 pages)
++36. In Search of the Castaways; or the Children of Captain Grant Jules Verne 7-23-24 (645 pages)
++37. The Confession by John Grisham 7-30-24 (517 pages)
++38. Skeleton Crew Stephen King 8-31-24 (573 pages)
++39. The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2023 Otto Penzler 9-24-24 (525 pages)
++40. Threat Vector Tom Clancy 10-7-24 (835 pages)
✦Forty winks

++41. The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 Lee Child 10-27-24 (451 pages)
++42. The Client John Grisham 11-3-24 (483 pages)
++43. Project Hail Mary Andy Weir 12-7-24 (476 pages)
++44. Here One Moment Liane Moriarty 12-27-24 (512 pages)
++45. The Runaway Jury John Grisham 1-24-25 (464 pages)
++46. Killing Floor Lee Child 2-27-25 (474 pages)
++47. The Hypnotist Lars Kepler 3-5-25 (503 pages)
++48. One of Us: The Story of Anders Breivik and the Massacre in Norway Åsne Seierstad 3-18-25 (530 pages)
++49. Plum Island Nelson DeMille 4-19-25 (511 pages)
++50. The Gifted School Bruce Holsinger 4-27-25 (452 pages)
✦Fifty-fifty

My PR book from #793:

Your Fathers, Where Are They? And the Prophets, Do They Live Forever?

Dave Eggers 4-25-25 --5 stars

A fascinating book about a man trying to get his questions about society answered.

I'll take MA!

New pairs: AL and MO!

CHALLENGE #373

FLOAB

The Sound of Music

Still Ongoing

Helen-- Third Time!

+++++ C DONE
1) Corsage All Dressed in White Mary Higgins Clark 10-27-24
2) Chalice Death in Ecstasy Ngaio Marsh 11-22-24
3) Corpse The Night Awakens: A Mystery Writers of America Anthology Mary Higgins Clark 11-26-24
4) CIA agent Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA Amaryllis Fox 12-7-24
5) Cream in bottle (Like Vaseline) I Feel Bad About My Neck, And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman Nora Ephron 12-14-24

+++++ H DONE
1) Hose (fishnet) Dying for a Dude Cindy Sample 12-26-24
2) Heart Dying for a Deal Cindy Sample 1-15-25
3) Handle (of fork) The Far Side® Gallery 5 Gary Larson 1-22-25
4) Horse Reflex Dick Francis 2-7-25
5) Hedgehog MudsharkGary Paulsen 2-11-25 ( bottom left by bottom book)


+++++ A DONE
1) Apple The Teacher Freida McFadden 11-13-24
2) Alarm clock Saturday Ian McEwan 11-30-24
3) Astronaut Project Hail Mary Andy Weir 12-7-24
4) Arms Keep It Up, Harry Potbelly!: A Doctor's Lighthearted Guide to Robust Health Don Linker 12-11-24
5) Antennae Here One Moment Liane Moriarty 12-27-24

+++++ L DONE
1) Lipstick The Mystery of Mrs. Christie Marie Benedict 1-2-25
2) Lincoln Shameless: Republicans' Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy Brian Tyler Cohen 1-8-25
3) Logo (on the vehicle) The Silence of the Flans Laura Bradford 1-9-25
4) Lights (connected for Christmas) Santa Paws on Christmas Island Kris Edwards 1-10-25
5) Lounge chair Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced LivingLinnea Dunne 1-10-25



+++++ L DONE
1) Ladies Puzzle in Patchwork Roberta Updegraff 1-10-25
2) Lace Fiona's Lace Patricia Polacco 1-31-25
3) Lamp Cat by B. Kliban B. Kliban 2-7-25
4) Leather (on pants) Die drei ??? Kids 37. Der Fluch der Indianer Ben Nevis 2-7-25
5) Lamb James Herriot's Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Tales by the Author of All Creatures Great and Small James Herriot 2-11-25


+++++ E DONE
1) Eyes-- I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom Jason Pargin 10-29-24
2) Earring-- The Client John Grisham 11-3-24
3) Earth (meaning: dirt) The Healer Antti Tuomainen 1-13-25
4) Egg The Everyday Gourmet: Baking Pastries and Desserts Chef Stephen L. Durfee 1-15-25
5) Equipment Veterinarians in Our Community Michelle Ames 1-31-25

+++++ N DONE
1) Narwhal Narwhal's Otter Friend Ben Clanton 2-13-25
2) Newspaper (page) Murder and the First Lady Elliott Roosevelt 12-29-24
3) Nose The Dog Who Saved Christmas and Other True Animal Tales Allan Zullo 1-6-25
4) Neck The Wit & Wisdom of Jack London Jack London 1-9-25
5) Necklace Stealing America: What My Experience with Criminal Gangs Taught Me about Obama, Hillary, and the Democratic Party Dinesh D'Souza 1-27-25

+++++ G DONE
1) Grass Scags at 7 Deborah Emin 11-22-24
2) Garland of gold: Dying for a Decoration Cindy Sample 12-4-24
3) Glasses What This Comedian Said Will Shock You Bill Maher 12-10-24
4) Ghost Learn German with A Christmas Carol: German - English Bilingual Edition Side By Side Translation Parallel Text Novel For Advanced Language Learning Charles Dickens 12-27-24
5) Giftwrap Santa Paws, Our Hero Nicholas Edwards 1-2-25




+++++ E DONE
1) Envelope Valentine's Day Julie Murray 2-4-25
2) Eye shadow What I Learned in Medical School: Personal Stories of Young Doctors Kevin M. Takakuwa 2-18-25
3) Elephants Babar and His Children Jean de Brunhoff 2-27-25
4) Elevator Bird Sarah Williamson 3-18-25
5) Escalators Kelli Hicks 3-18-25




+++++ S DONE
1) Squid Danny Dunn on the Ocean Floor Jay Williams 11-14-24
2) Silhouette Don't Let Go Harlan Coben 11-22-24
3) Snow 1222 Anne Holt 11-27-24
4) Santa Claus Visions of Sugar Plums Janet Evanovich 11-30-24
5) Spoke (on wheel) Service Dogs Jessica Rudolph 12-4-24

TIME #3 FINISHED!

Starting Challenge the Third Time!

Twisted Challenge

Oct. 27, 2024 to Oct. 27, 2025

5 words/covers each letter!

+++++ T DONE
1) Tuxedo Dying for a Date Cindy Sample 12-12-24
2) Tie Andrew's Brain E.L. Doctorow 12-26-24
3) Tape (at a Crime scene) Dying for a Donut Cindy Sample 1-1-25
4) Trees Dying for a Diamond Cindy Sample 1-4-25
5) Trousers Dying for a Double Cindy Sample 1-17-25


+++++ H DONE
1) Hallway The Litigators John Grisham 2-13-25
2) Hill Yukon Poems of Robert W. Service Robert W. Service 11-19-24
3) Hair I Feel Bad: All Day. Every Day. About Everything. Orli Auslander 11-19-24
4) Hat The Rocks Will Echo Our Sorrow: The Forced Displacement of the Northern Sámi Elin Anna Labba 11-30-24
5) Hand Dying for a Daiquiri Cindy Sample 12-14-24

+++++ E DONE
1) Eyebrows Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America John McWhorter 11-5-24
2) Elbow Here Comes the Flower Girl! Julie Andrews Edwards 11-6-24
3) Ear Where Roses Never Die Gunnar Staalesen 12-17-24
4) Eaves (on the houses) Skipping Christmas John Grisham 12-24-24
5) Eyelids The Christmas Ghost Francine Pascal 12-27-24


+++++ L DONE
1) Light (on porch) Chill Factor Sandra Brown 11-5-24
2) Leaves The Very Fairy Princess: Attitude of Gratitude Julie Andrews Edwards 11-6-24
3) Lips The Buddha's Wish for the World Monshu Koshin Ohtani 12-10-24
4) Lava Eruption Michael Crichton 12-12-24
5) Line Invisible Lines: Boundaries and Belts That Define the World Maxim Samson 12-15-24


+++++ O DONE
1) Ornaments The Christmas RiddleSusan Sleeman 1-6-25
2) Oar The Vanishing Lake Paddy Donnelly 1-31-25
3) Opossum Opossums Mari Schuh 3-18-25
4) Owl Owl Babies by Martin Waddell Martin Waddell 3-20-25
5) Ogre The Big Book for Peace Ann Durell 3-20-25


+++++ S DONE
1) Scarf The Very Fairy Princess Sparkles in the Snow Julie Andrews Edwards 11-6-24
2) Stage Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews Julie Hedlund
11-6-24
3) Spider The Very Fairy Princess: A Spooky, Sparkly Halloween Julie Andrews Edwards 11-6-24
4) Scars The Rough-Face Girl Rafe Martin 11-6-24
5) Spear (Trump has on belt) The Daily Show Presidential Twitter Library Trevor Noah 11-6-24



+++++ T
1) Tongue Jingle All the Way Tom Shay-Zapien 1-20-25
2) Tooth (on snowman) Disney Frozen - A New Reindeer FriendJessica Julius 1-30-25
3) Tire The Santa Trap Jonathan Emmett 1-30-25
4) Tail Max's New Suit Rosemary Wells 1-3-25
5) Tiles Let's See Ireland Sarah Bowie 1-31-25

My MI book from #791:

Miss Agnes and the Ginger Tom by Kirkpatrick Hill

3-8-25

5 stars

This is a sweet book, good for boys or girls! It tells how the Athabascan village community in Alaska liked their teacher, in 1948.


I'll take PR!

New letters: DE and MA

I finished my BL book from #784:

A Return to Common Sense: How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It

Leigh McGowan

2-27-25

4 stars

Now I'll take the letters MI!

New letter pairs: DE and RO

Sadie Hawkins Day Finished!
Duration: Six Months - Eighteen Months, depending on your level of choice.

One book per task.

Levels:

Level Two: 16-34 Tasks - November 1, 2024 - October 31, 2025

34 out of 16-34

Sadie Hawkins Day is an American folk event and pseudo-holiday originated by Al Capp's hillbilly comic strip Li'l Abner (1934–1977).
👩🏻 1. Read a book with a female main character.
Dying for a Diamond Cindy Sample 1-4-25
👩🏻 2. Read a book set in America.
Shameless: Republicans' Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy Brian Tyler Cohen 1-8-25
👩🏻 3. Read a book published between 1934 and 1977 (share pub date).
Cat by B. Kliban B. Kliban 2-7-25 (Published 1-1-75)
👩🏻 4. Read a book where the first letter of each title word is found in SADIE HAWKINS DAY (three word minimum - all words count).
👩🏻 5. Read a book where the main character's first name begins with a letter in AL CAPP (share name).
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie Marie Benedict 1-2-25 (Agatha= A)
👩🏻 6. Read a book where the author's initials are found in SADIE HAWKINS DAY.
Santa Paws, Our Hero Nicholas Edwards 1-2-25 (sadiE hawkiNs day)
👩🏻 7. Read a book where the main character's last name begins with a letter in L'IL ABNER (share name).
The Wit & Wisdom of Jack London Jack London 1-9-25 (The MC is J. London, starting with an L.)

The annual comic strip storyline inspired real-world Sadie Hawkins events, the premise of which is that women ask men for a date or dancing. "Sadie Hawkins Day" was introduced in the comic strip on November 15, 1937; the storyline ran until the beginning of December.
👩🏻 8. Read a book published in November.
The Secrets of Great Mystery and Suspense Fiction David Schmid 1-5-25 (Published 11-11-2016.)
👩🏻 9. Read a book where a woman asks a man for a date.
Roseanna Maj Sjöwall 1-20-25 (p. 77)
👩🏻 10. Read a book with a page count with one of these numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 (share page count).
I Feel Bad About My Neck, And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman Nora Ephron 12-14-24 (Page count: 139)

The storyline was revisited the following October/November and inspired a fad on college campuses.
👩🏻 11. Read a book with a scene on a college campus.
The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time Yascha Mounk 1-4-25 (Universities who cancel speakers because of controversial opinions.)

By 1939, Life reported that 201 colleges in 188 cities held a Sadie Hawkins Day event.
👩🏻 12. Read a book where a Sadie Hawkins event occurs.
👩🏻 13. Read a book whose rating has one of these numbers: 0, 1, 2, or 8 (share rating).
Learn German with A Christmas Carol: German - English Bilingual Edition Side By Side Translation Parallel Text Novel For Advanced Language Learning Charles Dickens 12-27-24 (Rating is 4.00)

In Li'l Abner, Sadie Hawkins was the daughter of Mayor Hekzebiah Hawkins, one of Dogpatch's earliest settlers and the "homeliest gal in all them hills".
👩🏻 14. Read a book where the main character is a daughter.
The Christmas Ghost Francine Pascal 12-27-24 (Jessica is the MC)
👩🏻 15. Read a book where there is a mayor in the story.
The Silence of the Flans Laura Bradford 1-9-25 (The Mayor is mentioned on pages 67 and 205)
👩🏻 16. Read a book with a character whose first and last names begin with the same letter.
The Dog Who Saved Christmas and Other True Animal Tales Allan Zullo 1-6-25 (p. 19: Simone Sudier)

👩🏻 17. Read a book whose location has an unusual name.
Invisible Lines: Boundaries and Belts That Define the World Maxim Samson 12-15-24 (Several places in this book have unusual names, such as: Sulawesi, Vazrozhdeniya Island, Eyam, and Bir Tawil.)

👩🏻 18. Read a book with a woman in the story that is not the most attractive person in town.
Murder and the First Lady Elliott Roosevelt 12-29-24 (Although on the book cover she looks nice, Eleanor Roosevelt was considered not-too-attractive.)

She grew frantic waiting for suitors until she reached age 35 and was still a spinster, and her father was worried about her living at home for the rest of her life. In desperation, he called together all the unmarried men of Dogpatch and declared it "Sadie Hawkins Day".
👩🏻 19. Read a book where a character becomes frantic.
Skipping Christmas John Grisham 12-24-24 (The parents are frantic with decorating on the 24th.)
👩🏻 20. Read a book with a never been married woman age 35 or older.
👩🏻 21. Read a book where a woman is called a spinster.
The Summons John Grisham 1-21-25 (p.39)
👩🏻 22. Read a book where a single adult person lives with their parent.
👩🏻 23. Read a book where a parent tries to get their adult child married off.
Limoncello Yellow Traci Andrighetti 1-25-25 (Nonna bugs her about being single)

A foot race was decreed with Sadie pursuing the town's eligible bachelors. If Sadie caught one of them, he would be forced to marry her. She was specifically interested in a handsome boy named Adam who was already in a courtship with Theresa, whose father was the area's largest potato farmer. Unlike Sadie, Theresa had a number of courtship offers.
👩🏻 24. Read a book where someone runs.
The Christmas Riddle Susan Sleeman 1-6-25 (p. 192: two people run from bad guy)
👩🏻 25. Read a book where a character likes someone in a relationship.
The Healer Antti Tuomainen 1-13-25 (The male liked the girl with another guy.)
👩🏻 26. Read a book with a character named Sadie, Adam or Theresa.
👩🏻 27. Read a book where a character is a farmer.
The Night of the Living Bed Denys Cazet 1-30-25

As the event became a tradition in the comic strip, Capp added more story elements. Each year, the Sadie Hawkins storyline begins with a prophecy by Old Man Mose, who gives Li'l Abner a cryptic clue about the end of the storyline, which always comes true in a roundabout, surprising way.
👩🏻 28. Read a book with any kind of tradition in the story.
Methodical Illusion Rebekah Roth 12-15-24 (The tradition of the two men: Mike gave the President a bowl of ice cream and a fistful of red licorice.)

👩🏻 29. Read a book with more pictures than words.
Jingle All the Way Tom Shay-Zapien 1-30-25
👩🏻 30. Read a comic or Manga book.
The Far Side® Gallery 5 Gary Larson 1-22-25
👩🏻 31. Read a book with a first and last name in the title.
👩🏻 32. Read a book with an old man in the story.
Here One Moment Liane Moriarty 12-27-24 (The married old man supposed to die pretty soon.)
👩🏻 33. Read a book where someone finds a clue.
Dying for a Date by Cindy Sample Cindy Sample 12-12-24 (A mystery with lots of clues found.)
👩🏻 34. Read a book with a surprising ending.
Methodical Deception Rebekah Roth 12-27-24 (Surprise about the Israelis)

The storyline sometimes also includes the Sadie Hawkins Eve Dance which is held on the previous evening, when the young women wear hobnailed boots and stomp on their partners' feet, to make the bachelors run slower during the event.
👩🏻 35. Read a book where a woman wears boots.
Dying for a Donut Cindy Sample 1-1-25 (p. 222--high-heeled boots)
👩🏻 36. Read a book where you find the word STOMP in the text (share page/loc).
Dying for a Dude Cindy Sample 12-26-24 (p. 22: "I pushed him away and stomped off the floor.")

👩🏻 37. Read a book with a dance in the story.
Where Roses Never Die Gunnar Staalesen 12-17-24 (After a dance is when Jesper is accused of a sex crime.)

Inspired by Capp's satiric race in which eligible women chase down terrified bachelors for the purposes of wedlock, the event reverses the cultural norms of men as the romantic pursuers. Arthur Berger says that the day "represents a fertility rite and awakens an awareness of the relationship between the American courtship and more 'primitive' rites."
👩🏻 38. Read a book where characters get married.
Andrew's Brain E.L. Doctorow 12-26-24 (Andrew marries twice in the book.)
👩🏻 39. Read a book where there is a courtship.
Dying for a Daiquiri Cindy Sample 12-14-24 (Laurel & Tom)
👩🏻 40. Read a book whose title begins with a letter in PRIMITIVE (all words count).
Eruption Michael Crichton 12-12-24 (E= Eruption)

Hard Level --One Year from Start Date FINISHED!
Started Oct 1, 2024
Finished January 31, 2025

The A to Z of Me: Questions
31 out of 31

++A - Favourite author?--Dave Barry
Read a book that looks like it'll be funny.
I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom Jason Pargin 10-29-24 (It was funny!)

++B - Favourite band or music?-- 60's classic rock & folk
Read a book that took place in the '60's or it was published in the '60's.
Danny Dunn on the Ocean Floor Jay Williams 11-14-24 (published 1-1-60)

++C - Favourite character?-- Meg Langslow
Read a book about someone who lives on a farm with animals.
The Dog Who Saved Christmas and Other True Animal Tales Allan Zullo 1-6-25 (p. 89)

++D - Favourite drink?--Irish cream
Read three children's books that take place in Ireland.
1) Let's See Ireland Sarah Bowie 1-31-25
2) Fiona's Lace Patricia Polacco 1-31-25
3) The Vanishing Lake Paddy Donnelly 1-31-25

++E - Earliest reading memory?-- Reading to high school girl next door.
Read a book that has a high-school student as the main character.
If I Stay Gayle Forman 11-19-24 (Mia is in high school.)

++F - Favourite food?-- Macaroni & cheese
Read a book in which the people eat comfort food together.
The Mysterious Bookshop Presents the Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 Lee Child 10-27-24 (page 259--muffins & new cake recipe)

++G - Favourite book genre?-- Nonfiction
Read a nonfiction book.
Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio Derf Backderf 10-3-24

++H - Favourite historical era?-- the 1800's
Read a book by someone born in the 1800's.
The Wit & Wisdom of Jack London Jack London 1-9-25 (Jack London was born in 1876.)

++I - Favourite ice-cream flavour?-- Banana
Read a book that takes place on a tropical island
Eruption Michael Crichton 12-12-24 (Mauna Loa, Hawaii)

++J - Dream job?-- Vet
Read three children's books about vets.
1) Veterinarians Quinn M. Arnold 1-31-25
2) Veterinarians Christina Leaf 1-31-25
3) Veterinarians in Our Community Michelle Ames 1-31-25

++K - How many kids do you have?-- Four
Read four books by one author.-- Cindy Sample
1) Dying for a Decoration Cindy Sample 12-4-24
2) Dying for a Date by Cindy Sample Cindy Sample 12-12-24
3) Dying for a Daiquiri Cindy Sample 12-14-24
4) Dying for a Dude Cindy Sample 12-26-24

++L - Favourite love story?-- Smiley: A Journey of Love (rescuing a blind dog)
Read a book about a person or animal being rescued, with a long-term happy ending.
Project Hail Mary Andy Weir 12-7-24 (The Earth astronaut is rescued, with a long-term happy ending.)

++M - Favourite movie?--Shawshank Redemption
Read a book about prison or prisoners
The Child Who Simon Lelic 10-11-24 (boy in child prison)

++N - Favourite novel?-- A Wrinkle in Time
Read a science book
Facing Reality: Two Truths about Race in America Charles Murray 11-3-24 (statistics in psychology and social science)

++O - Otherwise known as?-- Helen the Watermelon
Read a book from the US South or Texas
The Client John Grisham 11-3-24 (Tennessee and Louisiana)

++P - Biggest phobia?-- Insects
Read a book about someone really afraid of something.
Sky Full of Elephants Cebo Campbell 10-3-24 (Daughter at first is afraid of everyone!)

++Q - Favourite quote?--
"It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."
Read a book about someone who was helpful to the oppressed.
Out of My Mind Sharon M. Draper 10-2-24 (Mrs. V next door helped with teaching her, a disabled girl.)

++R - Favourite reading spot?-- On the rocking chair with reindeer fur.
Read a book that takes place in northern Scandinavia.
The Rocks Will Echo Our Sorrow: The Forced Displacement of the Northern Sámi Elin Anna Labba 11-30-24 (Northern Norway & Sweden)

++S - Favourite school subject-- English
Read a book written by an English person.
Strong Poison Dorothy L. Sayers 10-8-24 (She's English.)

++T - Favourite TV show?-- House, M.D.
Read a book about a doctor.
Letters To A Young Doctor Richard Selzer 10-12-24

++U - What makes you unique? (Tell us an interesting fact about you)
I love islands the best!
Read 3 books that take place on islands: one tropical, one moderate, one polar
1) Invisible Lines: Boundaries and Belts That Define the World Maxim Samson 12-15-24 (North Sentinel Island off India-- tropical)
2) Hiss and Hers M.C. Beaton 10-11-24 (England--moderate) OR Here One Moment Liane Moriarty 12-27-24 (Australia-- some tropical, some polar, but moderate in most parts)
3) Where Roses Never Die Gunnar Staalesen 12-17-24 (He interviews people on islands off the coast of Norway.--cold/polar)

++V - Favourite / dream vacation destination?--New Zealand
Read a book by a New Zealander, or that takes place there
Death in Ecstasy Ngaio Marsh 11-22-24 (New Zealand author)

++W - Worst habit?-- eating sweets
Read a book in which someone eats a healthy diet.
The Night Awakens: A Mystery Writers of America Anthology Mary Higgins Clark 11-26-24 (African-American PI eats a balanced diet.)

++X - Favourite thing about Xmas?-- The Lebkuchen cookies!
Read a book in which cookies are eaten or sold.
Visions of Sugar Plums Janet Evanovich 11-30-24 (p. 148-- cookies eaten)

++Y - Year you were born?--1954
Read a book written between 1949 and 1959, or the story took place then.
Scags at 7 Deborah Emin 11-22-24 (Story took place in 1958)

++Z - Zodiac sign?-- Aries
Read a book with a strong and wise leader in it.
Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA Amaryllis Fox 12-7-24 (After leaving the CIA she runs communication groups, and in them she is strong and wise.)

CHALLENGE # 372

NBRC

New Year's Resolutions

0 out of 47

STILL ONGOING

CHALLENGE #371

MONTHLY

NBRC

January Hat Challenge

0 out of 6

STILL ONGOING

Finished my LO book from #780:

The Wit & Wisdom of Jack London by Jack London

1-9-25

Good info about his many opinions on life, writing, male-female relationships and Socialism.

Next I'll take BL!

New pairs: MI and FE

Thanks for your Challenges and Awards this year!

Happy New Year to all of you!

Helen

CHALLENGE #370

NBRC

Slice of Pi
starting 12-29-24

ONGOING

3 out of 21+ books

STILL ONGOING

I finished my MO book from #772:

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

12-27-24

3 stars

Note: The chapters about the plane and the predictions were good; I'd recommend skipping the chapters on the backstory of the "psychic."

Next I'll take LO!

New letter pairs: MI and BL.