The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
WINTER CHALLENGE 2012
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WINTER 2012-2013: Task Ideas
its time for the GR choice awards again - read a book that has been nominated for an award
The seven positions or stations of the Vermilion Bird are known as "mansions" and they represent groupings or asterisms of stars. These are called Well, Ghost, Willow, Star, Extended Net, Wings and Chariot.Read a book with one of these words in the title:Well,Ghost,Willow, Star, Net, Wings or Chariot
I saved a Christmas themed book for December so I request,Christmas in Summer!
A Christmas book set in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. Could be a memoire about Christmas in July or Christmas in Australia
Read a book by an author whose initials spell a two letter word. Examples: Anthony Trollope (AT), A.S. Byatt (AS), Adriana Trigiani (AT), Isak Dinesen (ID), Anne Morrow Lindbergh (AM)
♥Robin ♥ wrote: "The seven positions or stations of the Vermilion Bird are known as "mansions" and they represent groupings or asterisms of stars. These are called Well, Ghost, Willow, Star, Extended Net, Wings and..."if they are called mansions - how about a book with a house - "mansion" on the cover
Goodreads provides a lot of resources for discovering new books. Use Goodreads' Popular tool to find and read a book from the year you were born that is popular on Goodreads. Use the drop-down menu on the right to select the year.
Mixing mythologies here, the Vermillion bird is supposed to represent the planet Mars. And Mars, in Roman myth, is the god of war. Read a book set on a planet other than Earth or read a book with the genre War in the main page. The bird in Vermillion bird is sometimes (mistakenly, I think) referred to as a Dragon or a Phoenix. Read a book with either a dragon or a fantastical/extinct bird.
My favorite part of winter, are the winter clothes - Sweaters, and pea coats, and warm woolly socks! Read a book with a primarily winter item of clothing or accessory on the cover - jackets/sweaters/socks/boots/cap/mitt/scarves/ski gear would all count.
This is the first time we have a bonus theme that's the opposite of the main theme. Read two books, with a word from the title of one book being the opposite of a word from the title of the second book. For example: The Long Song and A Short History of Nearly Everything. For the one book option, any title with opposite words in the title would work. Example: War and Peace, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus etc.
February is when Oscars are handed out. Read a book that's been made into an Oscar winning or nominated movie.
Winter is the time for skiing. Read a book that is set in a ski resort.
A fun one from last winter: a word in the book title has to be in the title of a Christmas song.
Dee wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "The seven positions or stations of the Vermilion Bird are known as "mansions" and they represent groupings or asterisms of stars. These are called Well, Ghost, Willow, Star, Extend..."That's a good idea too Dee ☺ It didn't even cross my mind lol
Vermilion is the name of a shade of red. Read a book with an unusual color name in the title, such as chartreuse, cerulean, turquoise, etc.Vermillion with two l's is the name of towns in Kansas, Minnesota, and South Dakota, and it's also the name of a county in Indiana. Read a book set in one of those states.
Winter always puts me in the mood for mysteries. Read a book by Agatha Christie or a book that was an Agatha Award winner or nominee.
Read a book with a winter or summer scene on the cover.Read a book with a winter related term in the title/subtitle: snow,sleet,ice,cold,freeze,winter OR read a book with a summer related term in the title: summer,heat,hot,dry,arid,humid,burn.
Adding to Chaitra's winter attire, since the vermilion bird represents summer:Read a book with a primarily summer item of clothing or accessory on the cover: bathing suit,shorts,tank top, sun visor/straw hat, flip flops, sandals, capris, halter top, sun glasses.
The vermilion bird is red: Read a book with a "red" bird on the cover; the cover of the book is primarily red; the word RED is found in the title or subtitle.
The cover has a picture of one of these "mansions" on the cover-Well,Ghost,Willow, Star, Net, Wings or Chariot.
Read a book that the author's initials can be found in NEWYEARSRESOLUTION.
For New Year's day- read a book that is the FIRST book of a series, has the word ONE in the title/subtitle, or the total number of pages has a one in it.
It's the end of the world! The Mayan calendar ends on Dec 21, 2012. Read a book that has apocalyptic or post apocalyptic as a genre. And, if you think that we'll turn into zombies/vampires/other undead instead of dying ordinarily, read a book about zombie/vampire/other undead apocalypse.Christmas songs are on repeat wherever you go, and all networks play classic Christmas movies as you get nearer the holiday. Reread a classic book.
December 21 is the longest period of night (in the northern hemisphere). Read a book with a night scene on the cover.
Giving and Receiving is a major part of the holidays. Read a book that you've given away as a present (in the past or are planning to), or a book that you've received as a present.
December 18 is National Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day! To celebrate, read a book with an item on the cover that could be worn as a "hat". Hats count as do plungers, buckets, bags, pots, etc.In honor of Hanukkah, read a book about Jewish history, has Jewish characters, or is written by a Jewish author.
As Father Time makes way for Baby New Year, read a book that has one of these words (FATHER, NEW, YEAR, BABY, TIME) in the title or has a father or baby as a significant character.
Since the Winter challenge coinsides with the last of 2012 and the first of 2013, Read a book who's title contains the same number of syllables as your first and last names combined.
January 3rd is Humiliation Day. Read a book you are embarrassed you have NOT read yet (like a well loved classic) OR a book you are embarrassed you WANT to read (maybe a guilty pleasure book).
Lahni wrote: "December 18 is National Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day! To celebrate, read a book with an item on the cover that could be worn as a "hat". Hats count as do plungers, buckets, bags, pots, etc.I..."
Oh, I like this one! LOL
I like the one we've had this past year with author birtdays. Maybe we can continue it over the next year?
I liked the author birthdays one, too, but what if we changed it up? There are several countries in Asia that have names for the four gods: China (of course), but also Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. What if read a book by an author from one of those countries each season? We could start with Vietnam (since it's the southern-most and the Vermillion Bird represents the south) and move around the compass for each of the other gods.
Four ClassicsChina also has Four Great Classics of Literature that people reference and quote from and study all the time. Each one can be (completely unofficially) be associated with one of the Four Gods.
Vermillion Bird: Dream of the Red Chamber (vermillion = red)
White Tiger: Journey to the West (White Tiger represents the west)
Black Tortoise: The Water Margin (Black Tortoise is associated with water)
Azure Dragon: Romance of the Three Kingdoms (also known as Green Dragon and Avalon Dragon, so three names) (obviously the most tenuous connection)
Anyway, if we went with The Dream of the Red Chamber for the Vermillion Bird, it's a family saga, so we could read a book that follows a family through multiple generations; it uses a lot of poetry, so we could have to read poetry; and it's written in the vernacular, so we could have to read a book that is also written in the vernacular.
We did a title train where the last word of one title was the first word in the next title. How about an author train where the last name of the first books author is whole or part of next authors first name. eg: Williamson....William
Richardson....Richard
Edwards.....Edward
Gregory.....Greg
and there are lots more people may come up with!!!
Lahni wrote: "January 3rd is Humiliation Day. Read a book you are embarrassed you have NOT read yet (like a well loved classic) OR a book you are embarrassed you WANT to read (maybe a guilty pleasure book)."I adore this idea! I just don't know which option I'd choose since I have so many in mind for both.
A couple more....
Winter gives many people cabin fever, and they feel trapped - Read a book that features someone who would be considered a captive in some way. This could include being in jail, kidnapped, hospitalized, in a bad marriage, or stranded on a island, just to name a few.
Astrology books often state that people find kindred spirits in the sign and gender opposite of them. For example, a female Capricorn would feel a natural affinity for a male Cancer. Therefore, read a book written by a person who is your opposite in both ways, and see if you find this to be true from his/her writing.
Winter gives many people cabin fever, and they feel trappedYou could also have people read books about an exotic getaway - a sort of vacation through books.
Because colors are being used in the theme, how about looking at Crayola Crayon colors and choosing a crayon color that is used in the title of a book. There are the standard colors and the specialty colors, with some very creative names. Here's a link to Wikipedia that lists them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
Read a book by an author whose name is also a bird's name. List of birds' common names: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...For example, Jay Asher- Blue Jay, Robin McKinley- Robin, Stephen King- King Penguin.
Required: name the bird used.
THINK TWICE - We have twins in our family and I've been noticing lately that there are hundreds of fiction books about twins. Read a book about twins.
SNOW white and the seven dwarves - Read a book that has a word or form of the word in the title from the names Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Sneezy, or Bashful.
or maybe a title of a book where one of the dwarves names are spelt out - you can pick which one
another twist on the bookends - read a book that is first in a series, and one that is last (either most recent published or final book in the series)
The Little Ice Age chilled Europe from the mid 14th century through the 19th century - read a book set in any European country during this time period.
Those of us who get cabin fever during the winter like to plan for something that will happen once we thaw. Read a nonfiction book that helps you plan or prepare for something - gardening, wedding, baby, big family meal, vacation, etc.
Lorna wrote: "THINK TWICE - We have twins in our family and I've been noticing lately that there are hundreds of fiction books about twins. Read a book about twins."Or you could read twin books -- boks with the same title.
many goodreads authors profiles (and others) have author influences listedread an author who does, and then one of the authors that they list - for example: Allison Brennan lists - Stephen King, Lisa Gardner and Keith Ablow - so you could read one of their books
There are 7 common myths about Old Man Winter:1. You can "catch cold” from going outside in winter.
Read a book with someone catching something on the cover or catch in the title.
2. Days get shorter in winter.
read a book with days or shorter in the title.
3. Plants stop growing in winter.
read a book with plants on the cover.
4. Winter is the time for extra sleep, comfort foods, and inside play.
Reread a favorite book. read an erotic book. read a book with food on the cover.
5. Most birds fly south.
read a book with a bird on the cover or South in the title.
6. Bears sleep all winter.
Read a book with a bear on the cover or Sleep in the title.
7. Every snowflake is unique.
Read a book with a snowflake on the cover or Unique in the title.
myths and legends around winterWindigo - A brave warrior fights an evil creature of the snow and ice to save his starving family.
Babe the Blue Ox - Paul Bunyan finds a little blue ox the Winter of the Blue Snow.
Presumed Drowned - The souls of five drowned men rejoin their ship from the Ice.
Davy Crockett and the Frozen Dawn - Davy Crockett must unfreeze the dawn.
The First Tears - Eskimo tale about the origins of tears.
The Trapper's Ghost - The phantom of an evil trapper is doomed to roam the wilds of Labrador, helping lost travelers to atone for his sins
Pick one and read a book that connects via title, cover or author.
source: http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/...
Mythology in various culturesIn Persian culture the winter solstice is called Yaldā (meaning: birth) and it has been celebrated for thousands of years. It is referred to as the eve of the birth of Mithra, who symbolized light, goodness and strength on earth. could read a book starting with "Y". a book with birth in the title or where a birth happens. a book with a source of light on the cover.
In Greek mythology, Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his wife. Zeus ordered Hades to return her to Demeter, the goddess of the Earth and her mother. However, Hades tricked Persephone into eating the food of the dead, so Zeus decreed that Persephone would spend six months with Demeter and six months with Hades. During the time her daughter is with Hades, Demeter became depressed and caused winter. read a book connected to Greek mythology, Hades, Persephone or Zeus. a book with gods/goddesses. read a book where a character has two residences.
In Welsh mythology, Gwyn ap Nudd abducted a maiden named Creiddylad. On May Day, her lover, Gwythr ap Greidawl, fought Gwyn to win her back. The battle between them represented the contest between summer and winter. read a book set in Wales. a book with an epic struggle/battle. a book with a love triangle.
Good Morning all - Everytime we have a new Seasonal Challenge I am always awed and inspired by all the ideas you all have. Guess what you have now inspired me to really thinking about challenges and stick to doing them this time. So a few Ideas that might be cool so here I am giving it a try :DWalt Disney was born on 5 December 1901 -
Disney always was always creative and take you to the far away places of the world. So read a book that takes you to that place? anyone can add on to this one.
Novelist Jane Austen born December 16, 1775 -
Read one of her books I know I have a few on my shelf
Of course Christmas one of my favorite holidays
Read a Christmas type book
January -
New Years 1st - New years for most is the beginning of a new year and to start over. Read beginning of a series
MLK Birthday 15th ? Anyone can help here
Flagmaker Betsy Ross born January 1, 1752 - read a book with a flag on it or spell flag out?
Gold discovered in California, January 24, 1848 - Interesting fact - Read a book with a gold cover?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer, born January 27, 1756 - Read a book about music or have music on the cover a note or piano (thoughts)
February -
Ground Hog day 2nd -
Valentines Day 14th -
Presidents Day -
Home run king "Babe" Ruth born February 6, 1895
British novelist Charles Dickens born February 7, 1812
I have run out of Ideas but anyone is more than happy to add on or give feedback.
How about linking Vermillion bird of the south to Southern. southern hospitality, southern hemisphere, southern accent/drawl, southern slang/sayings, southern belle, southern comfort (an alcohol task), southern food (down-home cooking) and southern rock. Zodiac:
Sagittarius - November 22 - December 21
Capricorn - December 22 - January 19
Aquarius - January 20 - February 18
Pisces - February 19 - March 20
Birthstones:
December - turquoise, lapis lazuli
January - garnet
February - amethyst
celebrity birthdays
http://www.famousbirthdays.com/dec.html
monthly worldwide festivals
http://www.2camels.com/festivals/janu...
lots of authors maintain blogs - read a book by an author who has a blog, as well as a book by an author that they mention on their blog
not sure if we've done this yet: read any book previously nominated for group read but did not win the poll. Group reads polls go back to Fall 2009 challenge under the "polls" link.
Read a book by an author with the same two initials as you though they can be in any order. For example my initials are CB but I could read a book by Christine Blevins or Breena Clarke
I get cabin fever in February. Perhaps a psychological thriller would fit this or a book that has a picture of a cabin or house on the cover.
It's Chinese New Year on Feb 10th, The Year of the Snake. Read a book with a snake on the cover or in the title or Initials of book title can be found in SNAKE
Read an author who was born during a previous year of the snake
New Year - read the first book in a new series, or a book by a new to you author.Read a book where the main character has a new beginning.
Valentine's Day - read a book with romance listed as a genre
Christmas - read a book set at Christmas
2013 - 13 is considered an unlucky number. Read a book where the main character is unlucky.
With the movie Wreck It Ralph reminding us of video games - An Ode to the Arcade: Read a book whose author has your initials (putting your initials in the high scores list of an arcade game).Magic, Magic Everywhere - Read an urban fantasy/paranormal romance OR has a cloaked figure on the cover OR author shares first or last name with a famous magician such as David Copperfield, Harry Houdini, David Blaine, Penn & Teller, or Lance Burton.
Royalty Night Out - Read a book with a title in the title such as Lord, Duke, Princess, Queen, King etc OR has a crown on the cover OR is set in a European capital city.
Read a book with a shade of red in the title - Vermilion, Crimson, Maroon, Scarlet, etc.
Just Another Day in Paradise - southern hemisphere style - Read a book set on a South Seas island such as Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa.
Or maybe anagram a title word from an islands name list.
Christmas idea - Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
1. Jolly! Ho Ho Ho! Read a book with humor as a genre
2. Old - Read a book written before you were born or set approximately during the life of Saint Nicholas (est. 270-343) - say 100-500 AD so most Roman era historical fiction would work.
3. Saint Nicholas - Read a book all of whose author's initials can be found in Saint Nicholas, Sarah Addison Allen works since there are an S and 2 A's but Clive Cussler does not since there is only 1 C.
4. Geographers say there is no landmass at the North Pole but all of those letters to Santa go somewhere, so read a book set in the closest (known) lands to the North Pole - Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland or Russia.
Presidents Day- read a biography about an United States President.
the National Book Awards are going to be annouced next week - how about a book that has been nominated or won - either this year or a previous year - http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2012.h...
Wow! Winter tasks will be posted before I know it. Is it the end of 2012 already?
Wreck It Ralph celebrated 30 years of their video game. Read a book with an anniversary in it, or a book that spans over years ex. One Day, or is set at least 30 years in the past or written 30 years ago.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
One Day (other topics)Night (other topics)
One Day (other topics)
The Long Song (other topics)
A Short History of Nearly Everything (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Walter Lord (other topics)Frank Beddor (other topics)
Katherine Applegate (other topics)
Lauren Oliver (other topics)
Breena Clarke (other topics)
More...
As in past challenges, some tasks may revolve around the seasonal theme of Winter. Others may reflect the bonus theme – and with the new bonus themes, each has several possibilities. Other tasks may have nothing to do with either of these themes (they’re just fun ideas for unique reading challenges).
Feel free to post as many ideas as you can come up with. Don't worry about repeating what another player might have already suggested. The more ideas, the better!
The moderators will draw from these ideas as well as their own to create the 5, 10, and 15 point tasks. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!