2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE: Monthly Challenges
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February: Explorations in Love Challenge
So excited that my first challenge idea was accepted by the group!I am reserving this space for leading the challenge. I look forward to seeing what books everyone chooses!
Participants:
Adriana 2/5
Angela 5/7
Annika 0/4
Audrey 9/3 Finished All Nine!
Bobbie 0/3
Brian 3/3 Completed Goal!
Brianna 4/3 Goal Complete!
Cassandra 2/2 Goal Complete!
Daphne 9/9 Finished All Nine!
Erika 5/5 Completed Goal!
Jaclyn 6/5 Goal Completed +1!
Jill 0/2
Jodi 2/4
Kaitlin 6/? Goal Achieved!
Karena 3/4
Kelsi 9/9 Finished All Nine!
Lauren 4/9
Lilac 5/5 Completed Goal!
Lindy 5/25
Maiko 9/9 Finished all Nine!
Maureen 2/4
Mave 2/3
Megan 3/3 Finished Goal!
Merja 3/3 Completed Goal!
Pat 3/3 Goal Achieved!
Reese 2/3
Rose 5/9
Sara 0/9
ScarlettMi 9/3 Tripled Goal!
Sharon 8/4 Doubled Goal!
Sheryl 0/1
Sibyl 3/2 Goal Achieved!
SilverRaindrops 0/8
Spectacles 1/4
As suggested by Audrey (thank you!) here are some link suggestions to find books that fit into some of the categories. Lots of interesting options for everyone me thinks.
17 Best Bromances in Literature -For #1. Philia
Best Anthropomorphic Animal Books -For #9. Plushophilia
Leonardo DiCaprio Film Adaptations -Thanks Erika! For #7. Star-crossed lovers
Art & Artists in Fiction -For #3. Pygmalionism
Best Time Travel Fiction -For #5. Chronophilia
DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVE Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
COMPLETED 9/9!!
Love comes in all flavors right?
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
Daphne,really excited with this challenge. I think I have at least a book in mind for each nine categories, so count me in for all nine, please.
Movies with Claire Danes1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. How to Make an American Quilt by Whitney Otto
3. Home for the Holidays and Other Calamities by Chris Radant
4. I love you, I love you not by Wendy Ann Kesselman
5. To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday by Michael Brady
6. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
7. Princess Mononoke Film Comic, Vol. 1 by Hayao Miyazaki
8. The Rainmaker by John Grisham
9. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
10. The Hours by Michael Cunningham
11. Compleat Female Stage Beauty - Acting Edition by Jeffrey Hatcher
12. Shopgirl by Steve Martin
13. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
14. Me and Orson Welles by Robert Kaplow
15. Emergence: Labeled Autistic by Temple Grandin
16. As Cool As I Am: A Novel by Pete Fromm
I will try for at least 3. Most of the categories are way out of my wheel house so it might be difficult to get those three.
I'm in for 3.✔ 4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
✔ 7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
✔ 9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
3/3 completed
BONUS (If I have time after finishing those first three books)
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
My status can also follow here.
Maiko wrote: "Daphne,really excited with this challenge. I think I have at least a book in mind for each nine categories, so count me in for all nine, please."
Awesome Maiko. I can't wait to see what books you choose. I tried to come up with a pretty big range of possible books for this challenge.
Added everyone up to here. Thanks for participating Sharon, Maiko, Annika, Erika, Audrey, and Merja.
Audrey, I tried to keep the possible interpretation for most of these challenges lose, so hopefully you can reach your goal! Let us know if we can help with any suggestions. :)
I'll join in for three. Thanks!1. Philia (bromance) - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - completed
4. Mystery/Thriller - Inferno by Dan Brown - completed
6. Biophilia (occurring in nature) - The Lions Of Lucerne by Brad Thor - completed
3/3 - challenge completed!
Can you sign me up for 4? Maybe I'll change it later. Great challenge!! As a Marine Biology student I have to do the Biophilia challenge I think haha.
Welcome to the challenge Megan and Maureen. Added you both. How far into your studies are you now Maureen?
Daphne wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Megan and Maureen. Added you both. How far into your studies are you now Maureen?"
June next year I will be a MSc (Master of science, don't know if you use different titles in the USA) so 'almost' finished!! This year I will finish my masters research part by writing a literature thesis and a thesis about my research and next year I want to do a Teaching Major. After spending to many weeks in a lab by myself, I decided I want to be a teacher haha.
Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Megan and Maureen. Added you both. How far into your studies are you now Maureen?"
June next year I will be a MSc (Master of science, don't know if you us..."
You are so close.
Have you gotten to do any field work yet? That always sounded like the absolute best part about being a marine biologist.
Daphne wrote: "Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Megan and Maureen. Added you both. How far into your studies are you now Maureen?"
June next year I will be a MSc (Master of science, don'..."
Yeah, I had an internship at a Marine Biology Research Centre in Curacao, 1 of the islands in the Dutch Caribean (or Netherlands Antillies).
That was the best part of my entire collegelife, no, best half year of my life. I had to scubadive everyday, most of the days twice. And I managed to get my Divemaster. So I spend a lot of my time underwater. Unfortunately didn't spot dolphins or any sharks.
I can talk about Curacao and diving for hours, I still miss it. Especially since a collegefriend is in Curacao atm and I see all his pictures.
Maybe for those of us who have gotten ourselves into a reading hole, we should try to create more or link to listopias that could fit some of the categories. I don't even know what steampunk or cyperpunk is. I usually read inspirational fiction, historical fiction, biographies or memoirs, children's books, clean YA books and Christian nonfiction. Is it possible to find something from those three genres that would fit most of the categories?
Updated my challenge post with books I'm reading. Also added two bonus books if I happen to have enough time left after I have finished the three books I signed up for.
Audrey wrote: "Would The Time Machine by H.G. Wells work for the Steampunk challenge?"Absolutely. One of the original steampunk books actually. Steampunk is a re-imagining of Victorian and post-Victorian periods. The idea is that it's the same world as ours, but technology and society went a different route. It's called steampunk because one of the big tropes in the genre is that steam power never went out of style, and coal/oil/gas did not take over.
The Golden Compass series is also a well known steampunk book. :)
I like your idea of adding links/listopias. There are so many genres that people don't even know how much they will love until they happen to stumble upon them.
Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Megan and Maureen. Added you both. How far into your studies are you now Maureen?"
June next year I will be a MSc (Master o..."
That sounds incredible Maureen! I hope that when you achieve your goal of teaching that you can still go on research and/or teaching trips.
Brianna wrote: "I'm going to try for three :)"Added you Lilac and Brianna. Welcome to the challenge. :)
Please add me in for 3. ccompleted 3/3Autassassinophilia: Crisis by Robin Cook complete
3. Pygmalionism: Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art: Strapless by Deborah Davis Complete
Biophilia. A love of nature The Last Gentleman Adventurer: Coming of Age in the ArcticEdward Beauclerk Maurice complete
Welcome to the challenge Jaclyn and Pat. Added you both and your goals.Also, I started to add some links to listopias and what not at the suggestion of Audrey to help some of us find books that would fit different categories.
I will try for 5:
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
I may add more as I go along but this is what I will start with.
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
I may add more as I go along but this is what I will start with.
Kelsi wrote: "I will try for 5:2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
4. Autassa..."
Added you Kelsi. Welcome to the challenge. Excited to see the books you choose.
I'm going to go for 5! Good luck everyone ^__^Thanks for creating and leading this challenge Daphne (:
Adriana wrote: "I'm going to go for 5! Good luck everyone ^__^Thanks for creating and leading this challenge Daphne (:"
Got you on the list Adriana. Thank you (and all the moderators) for choosing my challenge and letting me lead it. I'm quite excited.
Hi Daphne,This is a great challenge idea. I noticed that the books I have planned out for February will fit your categories. I will try for 4 books. Thanks for leading it. I love leading challenges. It is fun to see what books everyone reads and see how they interpret the different categories. Have fun!
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
2/4
I'll try for 3!DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVE
Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
0/3
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
I'm going to try for three (3) for this challenge.COMPLETED: February 24
(9/3)
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters. [Much more than just a 'bromance'.]
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
How long is long enough for the Chronophilia task. I am thinking of doing A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. Which details the life of a boy soldier during the revolutionary war in Sierra Leone. Would this work?
Jodi wrote: "Hi Daphne,This is a great challenge idea. I noticed that the books I have planned out for February will fit your categories. I will try for 4 books. Thanks for leading it. I love leading challeng..."
Welcome Jodi, Mave and Scarlett to the challenge! I almost can't wait for February to see what books people choose.
Audrey wrote: "How long is long enough for the Chronophilia task. I am thinking of doing A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. Which details the life of a boy soldier during the revolutionary wa..."I was thinking Chronophilia would be more in the lines of a multi-generational story, a time travel book, or one that covers eons of geological time (like a book on evolution, paleontology, or geology).
Reading through the blurb about the book and some of the reviews, I think that the book would fit well in #8 Mechanophilia (because of the AK-47s that play a big part of the story) or #9 Plushophiia (because the child soldiers of Leon are horrendous type of sub-culture). But honestly, the beauty of these challenges, to me at least, is seeing how people interpret the tasks, so put it where you feel it fits and let us know why. :)
Wherever you decide to put it, that looks like a heart-wrenching, but incredibly important story that needed to be told.
I just started reading the first few chapters of the book. It looks like it might take me several weeks to finish it because it is the type of book you can only read a chapter or two at a time because of the gruesome details. I will switch it with The Time Machine then. I had The Time Machine for Mechanophilia but it would fit just as well in the chronophilia task. I have something else in mind for Plushophilia that I really want to read. Thanks for your help.
Daphne wrote: "Jodi wrote: "Hi Daphne,This is a great challenge idea. I noticed that the books I have planned out for February will fit your categories. I will try for 4 books. Thanks for leading it. I love lea..."
I can't wait either Daphne. I am going to one of the biggest fleamarket in Europe (or so they say on their site), in Amsterdam right now. I printed the challenge so I hope to find some books that will fit some of these qualifications. I can't wait till February arrives :). I already love this challenge.
Okay, just so I'm clear can books I'm reading for the quarterly challenge also be used and counted for this challenge?
Angela wrote: "Okay, just so I'm clear can books I'm reading for the quarterly challenge also be used and counted for this challenge?"Yes Angela! Any book you read can count towards all of your challenges as long as you can find a category that fits your book. That is the great thing about all of our challenges. It is neat to see where one book would fit in for the various challenges.
I'm going to try doing all 9!1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
Maureen wrote: "Daphne wrote: "Jodi wrote: "Hi Daphne,This is a great challenge idea. I noticed that the books I have planned out for February will fit your categories. I will try for 4 books. Thanks for leading..."
That sounds amazing Maureen!How did it go? Find any great deals? Come home with a huge pile, or did you happen across that one edition or that one book that you might have wanted to ages?
:)
Audrey wrote: "I just started reading the first few chapters of the book. It looks like it might take me several weeks to finish it because it is the type of book you can only read a chapter or two at a time beca..."I can understand why it would Audrey. I think I'd need to decompress after a book like that.
For me, reading ecology books about our modern pillage of resources and the subsequent loss of species does that for me.
Sara wrote: "I'm going to try doing all 9!1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
[bookcover:The Fello..."
Your list looks awesome Sara. I've read a couple, and am interested in hearing what you think of the rest, so you can help me decide if they should go on my tbr list.
Welcome to the challenge, and thanks for joining.
DAPHNE'S CHALLENGE: EXPLORATIONS IN LOVEDuration: February 1 - 28, 2014
I'm in for 3 but will try to get more.
Completed: 2/3
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel. Jack & the Beanstock: The World Above 2/3
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time. Gerard is Immortal, Betty is twenty something: Gerard's Beauty 2/8
Books mentioned in this topic
Legends (other topics)The Plot Against America (other topics)
The Rosie Project (other topics)
Watchmen (other topics)
Einstein’s Dreams (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert Littell (other topics)Alan Lightman (other topics)
C.S. Lewis (other topics)
Andrea Cheng (other topics)
Arthur Conan Doyle (other topics)
More...








Duration: February 1 - 28, 2014
Love comes in all flavors right?
1. Philia. Translated from the ancient Greek as brotherly love. Read a book that features some sort of ‘bromance’ or two strong male characters.
2. Love triangle. There are some pretty famous ones. In honor of Aphrodite, Hephaistos, and Ares, read a book about ancient myths or fables OR a mythic fantasy novel.
3. Pygmalionism. From the Greek myth of Pygmalion. Read a book that features an artist, a great work of art or architecture, or an inanimate object having some sort of consciousness.
4. Autassassinophilia. Another way to say you love death, destruction, or mayhem. Read a mystery, horror, or thriller.
5. Chronophilia. When you only date people of a certain age group, derived from the God Chronos (father time). Read a book where the main characters are vastly different age ranges OR read a book that spans a large amount of time.
6. Biophilia. A love of nature. Coined by the great E. O. Wilson. Read a book whose setting takes place in nature or wild and untamed lands OR read a book about ecology. Bonus if you read a book by Edward O. Wilson!
7. Star-crossed lovers. In honor of the original star-crossed lovers, read a book that takes place in Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, or was book to movie that had Claire Danes or Leonardo DiCaprio in them. (There are a lot, seriously. Check out IMDb if you don’t believe me.)
8. Mechanophilia. Who doesn't love cool machines? Read a Steampunk/Cyberpunk book OR read a book that machines (like a spaceship) play a big role.
9. Plushophilia. A love of stuffed animals. They even call themselves plushies. Read a book about a sub-culture OR read a book involving anthropomorphism.
-----
Thank you, Daphne, for creating this great challenge and for being willing to lead it!