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2014 Archived Challenges
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2014 Crazy Connection Challenges
Winter 2013/2014 Scavenger Challenge - Winter Festivals/Celebrations
Duration: December 21 – March 20, 2014
READ: 18/18
✔1. December 6, Saint Nicholas' Day
☃ Read a book in which a character has a secret OR a book set in ancient times OR a book in which Santa Claus (or Father Christmas, etc.) appears.
Seaborne - Katherine Irons 12/31
✔2. December 8, Bodhi Day
☃ Read a book that enlightens you in some way (tell us how!) OR a historical fiction book.
The Navigator - Clive Cussler 1/9
✔3. December 21, Soyal
☃ Read a book in which a main character is a Native American or has Native American background OR a book with a wheel or other round object occupying more than 25% of the cover OR a book that leaves you with a peaceful feeling.
- Kathye Quick 1/10✔4. December 21/22, Winter Solstice
☃ Read a book with a pair of opposite words in its title (yes and no, up and down, in and out, off and on) OR a book with a 1 or 2 in the total number of pages.
Finding the Lost - Shannon Butcher 12/29
✔5. December 21-25, Pancha Ganapati
☃ Read a book with a cover that is primarily golden yellow, royal blue, ruby red, emerald green or brilliant orange OR book #5 in a series OR a book in which a character must atone for past mistakes.
How to Drive a Dragon Crazy - G.A. Aiken 1/7
✔6. December 23, Festivus
☃ Read a book that has been made into a movie or a TV series (at least one full season long) OR a book in which a holiday of some sort is celebrated.
The Falcon at the Portal - Elizabeth Peters (Christmas) 2/18
✔7. December 25 – January 6, Twelve Days of Christmas
☃ Read a book with a night scene occupying at least 50% of the cover OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in TWELVEDAYS.
Degrees of Wrong - Anna Scarlett 1/4
✔8. December 26, Boxing Day
☃ Read a book with a box or a wrapped gift on the cover OR a book whose title begins with a letter found in BOXING (disregard A, An and The).
Instant Attraction - Jill Shalvis 1/24
✔9. December 26 – January 1, Kwanzaa
☃ Read a book set in Africa OR book #7 in a series OR a book in which a feast of some sort is held.
Kingdom of the Wicked - Derek Landy (Skulduggery Pleasant #7) 1/20
✔10. December 31, New Year's Eve
☃ Read book #1 in a series OR read the last book of series (a series that has ended, NOT just the most recent book) OR a book set on an island.
Wraith - Phaedra Weldon 12/27
✔11. January 13, Old New Year
☃ Read a book in which music plays an important part or a character is a musician OR a book that has been on your TBR list for more than a year.
No Quarter - Tanya Huff 1/5
✔12. Late January – early February, Chinese New Year
☃ Read a book set in China or with an Asian character OR a book in which family is important to the plot OR a book in which a character needs to make a clean sweep and start over again.
Lizard World - Terry Richard Bazes 1/21
✔13. January/February, the 15th of Shevat, Tu Bishvat
☃ Read a book with a tree occupying more than 25% of the cover OR a book published in the last six months OR a book set in Israel.
Reaver - Larissa Ione 1/5
✔14. February 1, Imbolc
☃ Read a book set in Ireland or Scotland OR the book that is at the halfway point of your TBR list.
Nature Of The Beast - Hannah Howell (Scotland) 1/8
✔15. February 2, Hedgehog Day
☃ Read a book with either clouds, snow, the sun or a shadow occupying at least 25% of the cover OR a book set in Pennsylvania OR book #6 in a series.
- Sarah Rees Brennan 2/13✔16. Last Wednesday or Iranian calendar year, Chahar Shanbeh Suri: Festival of Fire
☃ Read a book with FIRE in the title (compound words WILL be accepted) OR a book with a cover that is primarily red or yellow.
- Sue Grafton 2/8✔17. June, Inti Raymi: Festival of the Sun in Quechua
☃ Read a book with a sun on the cover OR a book set in a location south of the Equator OR a book in which a character’s religion/faith is important to the plot.
Black Hole Sun - David Macinnis Gill 12/22
✔18. late June/July, Yulefest: Midwinter Christmas
☃ Read a book set in Australia or by an Australian author OR a book in which a holiday of some sort is celebrated OR a book with a main character whose FIRST name begins with a letter in YULEFEST
Murder Suicide - Keith Ablow (Frank) 1/3
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Winter 2013/2014 Spell Challenge Duration: December 21, 2013 – March 20, 2014
READ: 23/24
T: The Thief - Megan Whalen Turner 2/10
H: The Hit - David Baldacci 12/23
E: The Ape Who Guards the Balance - Elizabeth Peters 1/22
T: The Quartered Sea - Tanya Huff 2/13
W: Partials - Dan Wells 1/27
E: Deadly Heat - Cynthia Eden 2/22
L: Unplugged - Lois Greiman 1/9
V:
E: Embrace the Night Eternal - Joss Ware 2/23
D: Dreams of a Dark Warrior - Kresley Cole 1/16
A: Swept Away by a Kiss - Katharine Ashe 2/28
Y: You're Next - Gregg Hurwitz 2/20
S: Dark Stranger - Susan Sizemore 2/5
O: One Rainy Night - Kathye Quick 1/10
F: Dark Storm - Christine Feehan 2/2
C: Cold Copper - Devon Monk 1/14
H: Highlander Most Wanted - Maya Banks 2/7
R: Break No Bones - Kathy Reichs 1/22
I: Instant Attraction - Jill Shalvis 1/24
S: Instant Gratification - Jill Shalvis 2/23
T: Ashes to Ashes - Tami Hoag 3/9
M: Never Seduce a Scot - Maya Banks 1/10
A: Steel's Edge - Ilona Andrews 2/25
S: Sleight of Hand - Phillip Margolin 12/27
January 2014 Scavenger Challenge - M.L. King Jr.
READ: 7/7
✔1. Read a book by an author who publishes under more than one name OR read a book set in the South (AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV)
Lizard World - Terry Richard Bazes (Florida) 1/21
✔2. Read a book in which one of the main characters is a clergyman, activist, humanitarian, or leader (Don’t forget to tell us how your character fills that role) OR read a book written by an African American OR read a book where the first letter of each word in the title (exclude a, an, the) can be found in CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE (2 word title minimum, not counting a, an, or the as a word).
Nature Of The Beast - Hannah Howell 1/7
✔3. Read a book with any type of transportation on the cover (bonus for a bus!) OR read a book with a scene that takes place in a court room OR read a book that is older than 385 days on your TBR (~13 months).
The Navigator - Clive Cussler 1/9
✔4. Read a book whose title contains the word “DREAM” OR read a book whose page count contains an intact “17” (i.e. 179, 217) OR read a book that takes place in Washington, D.C.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior - Kresley Cole 1/16
✔5. Read a book that takes place in Tennessee OR read a book in which there is a bomb threat or an explosion OR read book in which a character faces death (i.e. terminal illness, violence).
Kingdom of the Wicked - Derek Landy 1/20
✔6. Read a book in which there is a hotel scene, OR read a book with a “3,” “0,” or “6” in the publication year OR a book which takes place primarily in a hospital.
Cold Copper - Devon Monk (2013)
✔7. Read a book that takes place over a holiday OR read a book with an author or character named Ronald, George, or Martin (reasonable variations okay – i.e. Ron, Marty) OR read the third book in a series.
No Quarter - Tanya Huff [Quarters 03] 1/5
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
January Spell Challenge READ: 9/9
✔J: The Janus Affair - Philippa Ballantine 1/31
✔O: One Rainy Night - Kathye Quick 1/10
✔I: Instant Attraction - Jill Shalvis 1/24
✔N: Never Seduce a Scot - Maya Banks 1/10
✔H: How to Drive a Dragon Crazy - G.A. Aiken 1/7
✔A: Murder Suicide - Keith Ablow 1/3
✔N: No Quarter - Tanya Huff 1/5
✔D: Partials - Dan Wells 1/27
✔S: Degrees of Wrong - Anna Scarlett 1/4
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
January Member of the Month - AnneREAD: 6/6
✔1. Anne lives close to the beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Read a book with water on the cover or in the title OR read a book set in Florida.
Lizard World - Terry Richard Bazes 1/24✔2. Anne tell us that her father named her for St. Anne. Are you named after someone? Who and why?
I was adopted so I have no idea who I was named after, if anyone.
✔3. Anne has seen the movie "Gone with the Wind" 45 times!
Read a book with 4 or 5 in the publication date OR a book with “Historical romance” on the main genre page OR a book that has been made into a movie.
Never Seduce a Scot - Maya Banks 1/10✔4. Her first memory of reading is Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Ugly Duckling," which is of course one of Andersen’s famous collection of fairy tales. What fairy tale is your favorite and why?
I also liked Hans Christian Andersen's stories as they weren't all sweetness and light, even as a youngster I needed something a little "more" to my stories.
✔5. Anne tells us she’s a “news and political junkie.”
Read a book with some reference to politics OR a book set in Washington D.C.
Partials - Dan Wells 1/27✔6. She refers to herself as a night owl.
Read a book with a nighttime scene on the cover OR a book where the first word of the title starts with a letter in the word NIGHT. (Do not count A, A, or The)
Instant Attraction - Jill Shalvis 1/24CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February 2014 Scavenger Challenge
READ: 7/7
✔1. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” - William Shakespeare
♥ Read a book with eyes on the cover or the title -or- read a book considered intellectual (explain how, for example: well researched, complex plot, enlightening, etc) -or- read a book with a main character who is an artist.
Note: For the cover option, post the cover.
Lothaire - Kresley Cole 2/27
✔3. "Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love." - Albert Einstein
♥ Read a book where the main character falls (physically) and injures themselves -or- read a book with the earth (or a body of water), sky & the horizon clearly visible on the cover -or- read a book set in space.
Dark Stranger - Susan Sizemore 2/5
✔4. "The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don't finally meet somewhere,
they're in each other all along." - Rumi
♥ Read a romance novel -or- read a book featuring a journey (physical, point a to point b journey) -or- read a book where something or someone is found.
The Thief - Megan Whalen Turner 2/10
✔5. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
♥ Read a book with an obvious night scene or a day scene on the cover -or- read a book set in the 60s -or- read a book where the plot centers on enemies.
Dark Lycan - Christine Feehan (vampires vs lycans) 2/22
✔6. "Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs;
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes;
Being vex'd a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears:
What is it else? a madness most discreet,
A choking gall and a preserving sweet." - William Shakespeare
♥ Read a book with smoke or fire on the cover or in the title -or- read a book that is a tragedy -or- read a book with a character with a mental illness.
Deadly Heat - Cynthia Eden 2/22
✔7. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - 1 Corinthians 13.
♥ Read a book that has been on your TBR for over a year -or- read a book from an author you like -or- read a book with a character who is considered good.
The Man Must Marry - Janet Chapman (added 7/17/09) 2/9
✔10. "Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no; it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken." - William Shakespeare
♥ Read a book which has had a title change from its original -or- read a book with a weather related word in the title -or- read a book with a star shaped object on the cover.
Dark Storm - Christine Feehan 2/2
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Spell Challenge READ: 6/6
✔C: Dark Lycan - Christine Feehan 2/22
✔A: Steel's Edge - Ilona Andrews 2/25
✔R: Hollow City - Ransom Riggs 2/20
✔I: Instant Gratification - Jill Shalvis 2/23
✔A: Swept Away by a Kiss - Katharine Ashe 2/28
✔D: The Kill Room - Jeffery Deaver 2/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Member of the Month - Ashley Marie 5/5 TASKS
✔1. Ashley told us that her Top Five authors are: Neil Gaiman, Larry Correia, Guy Gavriel Kay, Kristin Cashore, and Jim Butcher. Read any book by one of these authors OR read a book by an author whose initials are the same as any of the Top Five authors (for Guy Gavriel Kay – you will just use GK). For example, for Jim Butcher, you could read a book by Judy Blume.
Lothaire - Kresley Cole (Kristin Cashore) 2/27✔2. Ashley introduced many of us to “Ticket to Ride,” which is her favorite board game. What is your favorite board game?
I've always loved Monopoly with Backgammon as a very close second
✔3. Ashley admits she sometimes gets drawn into a book based on its cover. Read a book with a cover that you really like (influenced your decision to read the book) and tell us why you like the cover.
Hollow City - Ransom Riggs (really creepy) 2/20✔4. Adopting a domesticated fox from Russia is one of Ashley’s desires. If you could adopt an ‘unusual’ or ‘exotic’ animal, which would you choose?
I love black panthers and always wanted one. If only I could afford to feed it. lol
✔5. Do you like to listen to audio books, as Ashley sometimes does? If yes, listen to any audio book – CD, Playaway, Audio download. If no, read any book whose title starts with one of the letters in AUDIO (Exclude A, An, The).
W is for Wasted - Sue Grafton (audiobook) 2/8CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Scavenger Challenge - Dr. Seuss
READ: 8/8
✔1. Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as the beloved Dr. Seuss, was born on March 2, 1904, on Howard Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. Geisel died of throat cancer on September 24, 1991, at his home in La Jolla, California, at the age of 87.
Read a book set in Massachusetts or California OR a book with a character who has a major illness.
Primal Instincts - Susan Sizemore (California) 3/24✔2. Ted left Springfield as a teenager to attend Dartmouth College, where he became editor-in-chief of Jack-O-Lantern, Dartmouth's humor magazine. His father wanted him to be a college professor, so Ted went on to Oxford University in England after graduation. Academic studies bored him, and he decided to tour Europe instead. He did not graduate, but while at Oxford, he met, Helen Palmer, who later became his wife.
Read a book shelved as “humor” OR a book set in England OR a book in which a wedding takes place.
Unmanned - Lois Greiman 3/26 ✔3. Geisel's first work signed "Dr. Seuss" was published in Judge magazine in 1927. The first book that he both wrote and illustrated, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected 27 times before finally being published by Vanguard Press in 1937. His last book, published the year before his death, was Oh, the Places You'll Go! , which became a popular gift for graduating students.
Read a book by an author who publishes under more than one name OR a book with a 2 and a 7 in its total number of pages OR a book that was published after the author’s death, but still under his/her name.
Instant Temptation - Jill Shalvis (273 pages) 3/26✔4. Geisel's most famous pen name is regularly pronounced /ˈs(j)uːs/, an anglicized pronunciation of his German surname (the standard German pronunciation is [ˈzɔʏ̯s]). He himself noted that it rhymed with "voice" (his own pronunciation being /ˈsɔɪs/). Alexander Liang, one of his collaborators on the Dartmouth Jack-O-Lantern, wrote:
You're wrong as the deuce
And you shouldn't rejoice
If you're calling him Seuss.
He pronounces it Soice
Geisel switched to the anglicized pronunciation because it "evoked a figure advantageous for an author of children's books to be associated with -— Mother Goose" and because most people used this pronunciation.
Read a book with a “foreign” word in its title OR a book where the first letter of EVERY WORD in the title (all words count!) can be found in MOTHERGOOSE. Titles must be at least three words long, and to use a letter more than once, it must appear more than once in the phrase.
The Silent Girl - Tess Gerritsen 3/27✔5. In May 1954, Life magazine published a report on illiteracy among school children, concluding that children were not learning to read because their books were boring. As a result, William Ellsworth Spaulding, the director of the education division at Houghton Mifflin, compiled a list of 348 words he felt were important for first-graders to recognize and asked Geisel to cut the list to 250 words and write a book using only those words. Nine months later, Geisel, using 236 of the words given to him, completed The Cat in the Hat, probably the defining book of his career. It maintained the drawing style, verse rhythms, and all the imagination of Geisel's earlier works, but because of its simplified vocabulary, could be read by beginning readers.
Read a non-fiction book dealing with literacy OR a book with the word CAT or HAT in its title OR a book whose title includes only words that are no more than five letters long. ALL WORDS COUNT, and titles must be at least three words long.
Strawberry Shortcake Murder - Joanne Fluke 3/20✔6. At the time of his death, he had written and illustrated 44 children's books, including such all-time favorites as Green Eggs and Ham, Oh, the Places You'll Go, Fox in Socks, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. His books had been translated into more than 15 languages, and over 200 million copies had found their way into homes and hearts around the world. His works have spawned numerous adaptations, including 11 television specials, four feature films, a Broadway musical and four television series.
Read a book that has been made into a movie, a TV special or a TV series OR a book with two (or more) rhyming words in its title OR a book with a 4 in its original publication date.
Dark Wolf - Christine Feehan (2014) 3/4✔7. Dr. Seuss has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but, although he received numerous awards during his career, he never won the Caldecott Medal or the Newbery Medal. His honors included two Academy awards, two Emmy awards and a Peabody award. In 1984, he won a special Pulitzer Prize citing his "contribution over nearly half a century to the education and enjoyment of America's children and their parents." In 2004, U.S. children's librarians established the annual Theodor Seuss Geisel Award to recognize "the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year." Geisel's birthday, March 2, has been adopted as the annual date for National Read Across America Day, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association.
Read a book that has won an award (be sure to post a link to the award site where the book is listed) OR a book written by or about a celebrity OR a book you got from the library.
Tiger's Voyage - Colleen Houck 3/23✔8. Geisel also wrote a pair of books for adults: The Seven Lady Godivas, a retelling of the Lady Godiva legend that included nude depictions; and You're Only Old Once!, which chronicles an old man's journey through a clinic.
Read a book originally published in the 1980s OR a book that is outside an author’s usual genre
Four Blind Mice - James Patterson(thrillers/children's books) 3/16CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Spell Challenge - Dr. SeussREAD: 13/13
✔D: The Darkest Secret - Gena Showalter 3/11
✔R: Real - Katy Evans 3/29
✔S: Son of the Shadows - Juliet Marillier 3/9
✔E: He Shall Thunder in the Sky - Elizabeth Peters 3/29
✔U: Unmanned - Lois Greiman 3/26
✔S: The Silent Girl - Tess Gerritsen 3/27
✔S: Shadows Before the Sun - Kelly Gay 3/29
✔S: Suited - Jo Anderton 3/8
✔A: All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire - Kerrelyn Sparks 3/14
✔M: MacRieve - Kresley Cole 3/13
✔I: Instant Temptation - Jill Shalvis 3/26
✔A: Ashes to Ashes - Tami Hoag 3/9
✔M: Faceless Killers - Henning Mankell 3/19
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Member of the Month - Mandy 5/5 TASKS
✔1. Mandy lives in North Carolina. Read a book set in North Carolina or one of its bordering states (South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia or Tennessee).
Four Blind Mice - James Patterson (North Carolina) 3/16✔2. Mandy loves reading on a blanket in a park. What's your favorite place to read? On the couch, covered in cats (they keep me warm).
✔3. In honor of Mandy's favorite icecream, Ben & Jerry's Triple Caramel Chunk, read a book with a person name or number in the title.
MacRieve - Kresley Cole (m.c. named MacRieve) 3/13✔4. Mandy has a dark red car she calls Ruby. What's the color of your car and do you have a name for her/him? My car is silver and it doesn't have a name).
✔5. When Mandy was a kid, she wrote dark and dramatic stories w
Tiger's Voyage - Colleen Houck 3/23CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Spring Scavenger: National Book Month
Duration: March 20 - June 20, 2014
READ: 14/15
Author: Gena Showalter
✔1. Read TWO books by the author you’ve chosen for this challenge.
✾ The Darkest Surrender 4/25
✾ The Darkest Seduction 5/31
✔2. Read a book whose total number of pages includes one of the numbers from the year your chosen author’s first book was published. Be sure to tell us when your author's first book was published. (The Stone Prince, published 2004)
✾ The Winter Sea - Susanna Kearsley (544 pages) 4/2
✔3. Read a book whose title begins with one of the letters in your chosen author’s last name. shOwalter
✾ One Hot Mess - Lois Greiman 4/17
✔4. Go to http://www.literature-map.com/ and read one book by each of TWO different authors who are close to your chosen author.
✾ Alexandra Ivy - Darkness Unleashed 6/7
✾ Katie MacAlister - Sparks Fly 6/15
5. Read a book by an author who shares a first or last name with your chosen author.
✾Ember's Curse - Gena Lutz
✔6. Read a book set in the location where your chosen author’s most recent book took place – or the most recent book that you’ve read by your chosen author. Be sure to tell us the location. (Hell)
✾ Wicked Road to Hell - Juliana Stone 5/26
✔7. Read a book whose title shares at least one major word (usual exceptions here) with any title written by your chosen author. Playing with Fire
✾ Chains of Fire - Christina Dodd 4/11
✔8. Read TWO books published the same year as the year your chosen author’s most recent book was published (or is scheduled to be released). Be sure to tell us what year the author's most recent book was published. The Queen of Zombie Hearts (published 2014)
✾ Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop (pub 3/4/14) 4/5
✾ The King- J.R. Ward (pub 4/1/14) 4/8
✔9. Read a book whose title begins with one of the letters in your chosen author’s first name. G-E-N-A
✾ Not One Clue - Lois Greiman 5/10
✔10. Read a book by an author who’s written a blurb for one of your chosen author’s books. (on Black and Blue)
✾ Primal Cravings - Susan Sizemore 5/28
✔11. Read a book with the same number of words in its title as any book by your chosen author. ALL words count! Be sure to tell us the title of the book by your chosen author. (Lord of the Vampires)
✾ Loving A Lost Lord - Mary Jo Putney 5/11
✔12. Read any other book you can somehow relate to your chosen author. Be sure to explain the connection! (Gena was born in Florida)
✾Retribution - Jilliane Hoffman (set in Florida) 4/15
Spring S-p-e-l-l ChallengeDuration: March 20 - June 20, 2014
READ: 31/31
Author: Gena Showalter
G: Forbidden Highlander - Donna Grant 4/16
E: Lord of the Silent - Elizabeth Peters 4/13
N: Never Less Than a Lady - Mary Jo Putney 6/4
A: The Stranger You Know - Andrea Kane 4/10
S: Blood Will Tell - Dana Stabenow 4/19
H: Hounded - Kevin Hearne 4/28
O: Long, Lean and Lethal - Lorie O'Clare 4/27
W: Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here - Christine Warren 4/13
A: At Last - Jill Shalvis 4/29
L: Lethal Legacy - Linda Fairstein 4/20
T: Tiger's Destiny - Colleen Houck 4/14
E: Eat Prey Love - Kerrelyn Sparks 5/16
R: Rapture - Jacquelyn Frank 4/20
Book: Dark Taste of Rapture
D: Dragonflight - Anne McCaffrey 4/27
A: Atlantis Betrayed - Alyssa Day 5/6
R: The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley 5/14
K: The Vampire and the Virgin - Kerrelyn Sparks 4/29
T: The Turtle-Girl from East Pukapuka - Cole Alpaugh 6/3
A: Darkness Unleashed - Alexandra Ivy 6/7
S: Born To Darkness - Suzanne Brockmann 4/24
T: The King of Attolia - Megan Walen Turner 6/10
E: The Golden One - Elizabeth Peters 5/8
O: On the Hunt - anthology 6/26
F: The Firebird - Susanna Kearsley 5/12
R: Don't Tell - Karen Rose 6/6
A: Angel Fire - L.A. Weatherly 6/13
P: Pleasure - Jacquelyn Frank 4/21
T: The 9th Girl - Tami Hoag 5/21
U: Untraceable - S.R. Johannes 5/18
R: Renegade Most Wanted - Carol Arens 5/27
E: Ecstasy in Darkness - Gena Showalter 6/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Scavenger Challenge - Jeopardy
READ: 7/7
✔1. Since its 1964 NBC premiere and its 1984 syndication debut, Jeopardy has been honored with 30 Daytime Emmy Awards, more than any other syndicated game show. Jeopardy also received the 2012 Peabody Award, one of the most prestigious honors in the industry. The awards panel credited Jeopardy for its role in "encouraging, celebrating and rewarding knowledge."
Read a book originally published in 1964 or 1984 or 2012 OR a book with 3 or 0 in the # of pages.
Pleasure - Jacquelyn Frank (330 pages)4/21✔2. The highest cumulative amount won by a single Jeopardy player is $3,455,102, won by Brad Rutter. Ken Jennings set the record for the most consecutive games played by winning 74 games in a row during the 2004-2005 season, resulting in winnings of more than $2.5 million.
Read a book in which a game is played (doesn’t have to be a word game) OR with an author/character named Brad or Ken (any version of those names is acceptable—Bradley, Kenneth, Kenny).
The Darkest Surrender - Gena Showalter (the Harpy Games) 4/25✔3. Since its inception, the daily syndicated version has featured Alex Trebek as host and Johnny Gilbert as announcer. Trebek is expected to retire from the program in summer 2016, at which point his tenure as host will have lasted for 32 years.
Read a book featuring a character who is connected to TV in some way OR a book in which the author’s first OR last initial is found in ALEXTREBEK.
Lord of the Silent - Elizabeth Peters 4/13✔4. The all-time record for single-day winnings on Jeopardy is held by Roger Craig. On 9/14/10, he amassed $47,000 after the first two rounds, then wagered and won $30,000 in the Final Jeopardy Round.
The highest one-day score in a Celebrity Jeopardy tournament was achieved by comedian Andy Richter during the 2009–10 season's "Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational", in which he finished with $68,000 for his selected charity, the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Read a book with a wealthy or celebrity main character OR a book that you consider to be expensive.
The Winter Sea - Susanna Kearsley (m.c. is an author) 4/2✔5. Jeopardy was not the first game show to give contestants the answers and require the questions; that format had previously been used by CBS Television Quiz, which aired from July 1941 until May 1942. The original title for the current show, What's the Question? was changed when skeptical network executive Ed Vane rejected his original concept of the game, claiming, "It doesn't have enough jeopardies."
Read a book whose title is in the form of a question OR a book with any type of punctuation in the title OR a book set in the 1940’s.
Tiger's Destiny - Colleen Houck (apostrophe) 4/14✔6. The most well-known theme song used by Jeopardy is "Think!," originally composed by Merv Griffin under the title "A Time for Tony", as a lullaby for his son. "Think!" has always been used for the 30-second period in the Final Jeopardy round in which the contestants write down their answers, and since the syndicated version debuted in 1984, a rendition of that tune has been used as the main theme song. "Think!" has become so popular that it has been used in many different contexts, from sporting events to weddings. Griffin estimated that the use of "Think!" had earned him royalties of over $70 million throughout his lifetime.
Read a book where music is important to the story OR with a title that starts with a letter in the word THINK. (Disregard A, An, The in the title)
Backfire - Catherine Coulter (victim is a concert pianist) 4/5✔7. Jeopardy has been granted trademark status as "America's Favorite Quiz Show" by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Jeopardy is the #2 game show series in syndication and averages 25 million viewers each week. (Wheel of Fortune, another Merv Griffin creation, is #1)
Read a book that is #2 in a series OR with one of these letters: Q, U, I, or Z, somewhere in the title.
Forbidden Highlander - Donna Grant (Dark Sword #2) 4/16CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Spell Challenge READ: 7/7
✔H: Hounded - Kevin Hearne 4/28
✔A: At Last - Jill Shalvis 4/29
✔R: Retribution - Jilliane Hoffman 4/15
✔B: Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop 4/5
✔O: One Hot Mess - Lois Greiman 4/17
✔R: Rapture - Jacquelyn Frank 4/20
✔S: The Stranger You Know - Andrea Kane 4/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Member of the Month - Jessie Marie5/5 TASKS
✔1. Jessie’s favorite comfort food is pasta, and it’s her “go-to food” when she’s down or sick. What is yours? I am a lover of junk food.
✔2. When she answered our survey questions, she planned to read Me Before You next, but said she might change her mind and read something different instead.
☀ Read a book that you planned to read last month but didn’t get around to reading.
Rapture - Jacquelyn Frank 4/20✔3. Besides Goodreads, Jessie is a book blogger. What other online book-related groups do you belong to? I joined BookLikes when Amazon purchased GRs but after uploading my TBR, I haven't been back.
✔4. If she was given money to buy a book today, she would buy either A Dance with Dragons, by George R.R. Martin, or Wicked, by Gregory Maguire.
☀ Read a book by an author whose first or last name begins with G or M.
One Hot Mess - Lois Greiman 4/17✔5. Fall is Jessie’s favorite season. She likes the colors of the leaves, sweaters, pumpkin-flavored anything and (American) football.
☀ Read a book whose cover is primarily a fall color (red, orange, gold or brown).
(looks red but my copy is actually brown) - works either way
Pleasure - Jacquelyn Frank 4/21CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Scavenger Challenge - Cinco de Mayo
READ: 7/7
✔1. Cinco de Mayo does not originate as a Mexican holiday. It is mainly an American holiday that was created by Latinos in California in the mid 19th century. It is the anniversary of a battle that took place between the Mexicans and the French in 1862. It is celebrated on May 5th every year. This day is normally confused with Mexican Independence Day (el Dieciseis de Septiembre) which is celebrated on 16th of September.
❖ Read a book with a nationality in the title (such as American/German/English etc.) -or- read a book published in the month of May or September (any year) -or- read a book whose authors first and last initials are in "CINCODEMAYO".
Renegade Most Wanted - Carol Arens 5/27✔2. This day marks the victory of a small, poorly armed force of around 4,500 soldiers over the French invasion of a well-armed, professional army led by Napoleon III that had about 8,000 soldiers. This battle is popularly known as the legendary Battle of Puebla. The battle lasted for 4 hours and ended in the victory of the small Mexican army under Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. So, Cinco de Mayo is hugely celebrated with pomp, gaiety and fiestas in the traditional Mexican style.
❖ Read a book with one of the following numbers in the total number of pages: 0, 4, 5, 8 -or- read a book that has the genre "War" on its main page -or- read a book where a festival or victory is celebrated.
The Darkest Seduction - Gena Showalter (504 pages) 5/31✔3. The battle of Puebla took place on May 5, 1862 . This battle marks a turning point in Mexican national pride. They won the battle over huge French troops. This victory made the Mexican people very happy, and helped create a feeling of national unity. Puebla is 100 miles east of Mexico City. The Mexican forces were made up of untrained commoners. The “Batalla de Puebla” became a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism.
❖ Read a book translated from the French or Spanish -or- read a book with a protagonist described as proud -or- read a book set in a city/town/country more than a hundred miles east of where you live (tell us where you live!) (I live in New Jersey)
The Firebird - Susanna Kearsley (England/Russia) 5/12✔4. The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, started to come into vogue in 1940s America during the rise of the Chicano movement. Chicanos at that time, were looking for a way to represent and celebrate their Mexican heritage. The holiday eventually became more widely celebrated outside of just California and was celebrated all around the United States in the 1950s and 1960s.
❖ Read a book first published in between 1940-1960 (inclusive of those years) -or- read a book where the book's title begins with a letter in the word "CHICANO" -or- read a book that has the genre "Cultural" marked on the main page.
Illusion - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/23✔5. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with festivals and fiestas. Parades usually start moving about 11 o’clock. The parades consist of marchers dressed as French and Mexican generals with soldiers following, armed like the original freedom fighters with machetes and old-fashioned rifles. Paraders wearing skirts and flowery hats represent the women (soldaderos) who traveled with the army to cook and care for the men. Those portraying French soldiers carry knapsacks with wine bottles sticking out of them. At mid-afternoon the “battle” begins in the plaza. Rifles and cannon roar, there is much smoke and shouting, and at nightfall, the Mexican and French generals meet face-to-face for a sword battle. The Mexican general, of course, wins.
❖ Read a book where a parade is described -or- read a book with a weapon on the cover -or- read a book with a flower or an item of clothing in the title.
Blood Past - Samantha Young (katana) 5/15✔6. The reasons for celebrating Cinco de Mayo on such a large scale in United States are, firstly, because if it had not been for the victory, France would have aided the South in the American Civil War and this would have had an impact on the war. Secondly, Chicanos celebrate this day in appreciation of its cultural and historical significance. And lastly, General Ignacio Zaragosa was born in Texas when it was still part of Mexico and is considered to be a Chicano hero. However, today this holiday is more of a celebration of Mexican culture, food, music and beverage unique to Mexico.
❖ Read a book where a war that US has fought has an impact on the plot -or- read a book where all the words of the title are in the word "IGNACIOZARAGOSA" (3 words minimum, ignore A, An, The) -or- read a book about food, drink or music.
Not One Clue - Lois Greiman 5/10✔7. The largest Cinco de Mayo event in the world is held in Los Angeles, California, where more than 600,000 people celebrate with music and food. The whole event is called Festival de Fiesta Broadway. Two other big festivals are held far from Mexico, in Denver, Colorado, and St Paul, Minnesota, but they draw hundreds of thousands of participants.
❖ Read a book with more than 100,000 ratings on GR -or- read a book set in California, Colorado or Minnesota -or- read a big book (>500 pages).
Extreme Exposure - Pamela Clare (Colorado) 5/28CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Spell ChallengeREAD: 7/7
✔C: Black Magic Woman - Christine Warren 5/8
✔H: The Hero and the Crown - Robin McKinley 5/14
✔A: Atlantis Betrayed - Alyssa Day 5/6
✔L: Last Words - Mariah Stewart 5/20
✔U: Untraceable - S.R. Johannes 5/18
✔P: Loving A Lost Lord - Mary Jo Putney 5/11
✔A: Renegade Most Wanted - Carol Arens 5/27
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Member of the Month - Book Concierge5/5 TASKS
✔1. Book Concierge has an eclectic reading taste and is currently reading Chocolates for Breakfast, The Shelters of Stone, and The Black Ice.
Read a book with chocolate or some other sweets on the cover OR a book with two words in the title that start with the same letter OR a book with a predominantly black cover.
The Demon You Know - Christine Warren 5/9
✔2. She participates in 6 face-to-face book discussion groups. Do you belong to any in-person book clubs? No. Just Goodreads.
✔3. Tessa took piano lessons and voice lessons for many years, even being brave enough to sing at her own wedding.
Read a book where music is important to the plot OR a book with a wedding. (I'm assuming this will have a wedding in it, if not I will change it.)
Forever and a Day - Jill Shalvis 5/25
✔4. It’s time to start vacation planning for the summer months. BC says she is seriously considering a trip to Canada this year. Do you have a scheduled vacation coming up? Where to? No real vacation but I will take a weekend trip in August to visit new-found family.
✔5. When in high school, her Latin teacher would sometimes take the class outside into a large wooded area nearby and conduct the class surrounded by nature.
Read a book with a park-like scene on the cover—trees, a walkway, a garden, etc. OR a book whose title starts with a letter in the word “LATIN.”
Last Words - Mariah Stewart 5/20
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
June 2014 Spell challenge - Weddings and Proms
READ: 11/11
✔M: Magic Rises - Ilona Andrews 6/23
✔U: Untamed Highlander - Donna Grant 6/18
✔S: Sex and the Single Earl - Vanessa Kelly 6/20
✔I: It Had to Be You - Jill Shalvis 6/8
✔C: The Crafty Teddy - John Lamb 6/15
✔F: Black Arts - Faith Hunter 6/19
✔O: One More Bite - Jennifer Rardin 6/29
✔R: The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley 6/25
✔M: The King of Attolia - B>Megan Walen Turner 6/10
✔A: Ashfall - Mike Mullen 6/21
✔L: Last Breath - Mariah Stewart 6/16
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
June Member of the Month - Shauna 5/5 TASKS
✔1. Shauna loves to travel! Her last vacation was in New Orleans, where she fell in love with the city’s architecture, food, music etc. Read a book with a predominantly purple, green, or yellow (gold) cover OR read a book with any type of food on the cover OR read a book that takes place in one of your favorite cities. Remember to tell us the city!
The Darkest Craving - Gena Showalter 6/27✔2. Do you like to travel? What are some of your favorite places? No I don't like to travel but if I did I would visit Australia, Alaska, Antarctica and Scotland (in that order too).
✔3. Shauna is currently in graduate school and doesn’t have a lot of time for her hobbies. Read a book that takes place in academia OR a book that is a guilty pleasure -- I love all things Scottish!
Untamed Highlander - Donna Grant 6/18✔4. One of Shauna’s favorite challenges is the A-Z Location Challenge. What is one of your favorite reading challenges (past or present)?
I love all A-Z spell it out challenges, the longer the better. Presently A-Z Cats and Dogs challenge is my favorite.
Here's the link for all those just dying of curiosity https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
✔5. Shauna has a B.A. in History with a minor in French. She adores Paris and would move there in a heartbeat! Read any kind of history book (historical fiction, historical romance, etc. are fine) OR read a book that takes place in France, bonus if you read a book set in Paris.
Never Less Than a Lady - Mary Jo Putney 6/4CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Summer Scavenger: Summer Camp
Duration: June 21 - September 20, 2014
READ: 20/20
✔1. What is summer camp without tents to sleep in and a sleeping bag to keep you warm and protect you from things that go bump in the night? My brother was very excited when Mom found a bright orange sleeping bag for him, as orange is his favorite color. Mine was a more sedate royal blue :)
☀ Read a book with a character who has a protector OR a book whose cover is primarily your favorite color OR a book set in a cold climate. Post the book cover or tell us where the book is set.
Vampire in Atlantis - Alyssa Day 6/28
✔2. A camp counselor’s primary job is to keep his/her campers entertained while also keeping them safe and under control. Counselors are often college kids working at a summer job, but many older adults enjoy being a camp counselor too.
☀ Read a book in which a character knowingly takes on a temporary job OR a book in which the main character is a college student OR a book in which a character acts as an adviser.
Dark Moon Defender - Sharon Shinn 8/23
✔3. Many summer camps open each day with a flag ceremony, followed by announcements and the daily schedule.
☀ Read a book in which a character is a veteran (any branch of service, any era, any country) OR a book with any kind of flag on the cover OR a book whose cover is the colors of your country’s flag – must be ALL of the colors of your country’s flag, with only black and/or white as extra colors. Be sure to post the book cover and tell us in which country you live.
A Grave Denied - Dana Stabenow 7/2
✔4. One of the highlights for most summer campers is the daily swim, be it in a lake or a pool. The really lucky campers get to go for a “midnight swim,” something not many campers have done before.
☀ Read a book in which a character wears a bathing suit OR a book whose cover shows a body of water that you would swim in OR a book with a cover that is at least 50% blue. Be sure to post the book cover.
Back to You - Robin Kaye 7/14
✔5. A trip to the camp store can be a real adventure. Campers can shop for items they forgot to bring from home, pick up inexpensive souvenirs for siblings and friends at home, and the most fun of all, buy snacks or treats not found elsewhere in camp.
☀ Read a book in which a character likes to go shopping OR a book you got cheaply OR a book that’s been on your TBR list so long you’ve almost forgotten about it.
My Soul to Keep - Sharie Kohler (added 2011) 6/29
✔6. Mail call is another highlight of the day for most campers, especially those far from home. Some campers even remember to *send a letter home now and then as well!
☀ Read a book in which a character is far from home OR a book written in journal/diary/letter format OR a book with a rectangle occupying at least 25% of the cover. Be sure to post the book cover.
Bite Marks - Jennifer Rardin (in Australia, lives in Ohio) 7/16
✔7. What is summer camp without arts and crafts projects? Be it something as simple as plastic lanyards or as intricate as wood burning, many campers first get “hooked” on a craft during their time at summer camp.
☀ Read a book in which a character is into your favorite craft (ceramics, knitting, weaving, etc.) OR a book in which a main character is an artist OR a book with a bright, multi-colored cover (at least three BRIGHT colors). Be sure to post the book cover.
Dire Wants - Stephanie Tyler 8/26
✔8. Almost all summer camps include at least one hike, but the scope of that hike can vary from a 30-minute walk in the woods to a day-long hike geared toward spotting local wildlife to a several-day trek while carrying food and equipment.
☀ Read a book in which a character wears boots of some kind OR a book in which a character goes on a trek of some sort OR a book with a forest on the cover or in the title. Be sure to post the book cover.
Bound to a Warrior - Donna Fletcher 6/30
✔9. Skits are a big part of many summer camps. Some are recycled old favorites, others are unique, created by the campers. Almost all of them are creative, funny and entertaining.
☀ Read a book that you consider funny OR a book with a character who is creative OR a book that has been self-published.
Nowhere Near Respectable - Mary Jo Putney (creates perfumes) 7/31
✔10. Every seasoned camper knows that bugs can be very annoying, and some of them can transmit diseases to anyone unfortunate enough to be bitten or stung. As a result, one of the first things many campers pack is lots of bug spray.
☀ Read a book with an annoying character OR a book in which a main character finds him/herself in a dangerous situation OR a book with an insect on the cover. Be sure to post the book cover.
Children of the Storm - Elizabeth Peters 7/3
✔11. When camping, you’d be lost at night without a flashlight to help you find your way and to avoid obstacles in your path.
☀ Read a book in which a character needs help to stay safe OR a book that is enlightening in some way (tell us how!) OR a book with a light source of some kind on the cover. Be sure to post the book cover.
Shadow Highlander - Donna Grant 7/29
✔12. What’s a night at camp without a campfire? Not only can it provide light and warmth, but it’s a great time for sharing stories – inspirational, fun or spooky!
☀ Read a book that you consider spooky OR a book in which a fire occurs OR a book with a cover that is at least 50% yellow and/or orange. Be sure to post the book cover.
Magic Rises - Ilona Andrews 6/23
✔13. Singing around a campfire was always one of my favorite things about summer camp, and many camps end the day with a rendition of “Taps.”
☀ Read a book in which music plays an important part OR a book of poetry OR a book by an author whose first OR last initial (middle initials do not count) can be found in TAPS.
XO - Jeffrey Deaver 6/26
✔14. S’mores are the quintessential camp snack. Nothing beats a warm, gooey, toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham cracker squares and a slab (or two!) of Hershey’s chocolate :)
☀ Read a book from your favorite genre OR a book with a dessert in the title or on the cover OR a book with a cover that is at least 50% chocolate brown and/or white. Be sure to post the book cover.
Blood Born - Linda Howard (paranormal) 7/27
✔15. Horseback riding:
☀ Read a book in which a character has to wear special clothes in order to do his/her job OR a book in which a character suffers from a common phobia OR a book with a horse on the cover or in the title. Be sure to post the book cover.
The Blue Sword - Robin McKinley 6/25
✔16. Pottery:
☀ Read a book in which a character makes a (physical) mess OR a book in which things really heat up OR a book with a vase, platter or mug on the cover. Be sure to post the book cover.
His Carnal Need - Ruth Kerce (erotica) 7/13
✔17. Sports:
☀ Read a book in which a character is or was an athlete OR a book in which a main character is a judge of some sort OR a book whose title begins with a letter found in SPORT (do NOT count A, An or The).
Spirit and Dust - Rosemary Clement-Moore 6/30
✔20. Tug of war:
☀ Read a book set during a war (past, present or future) OR a book in which team work is important OR a book with a main character whose first initial can be found in ROPE. Tell us the character’s name.
Dire Needs - Stephanie Tyler (Rifter) 7/9
✔21. Archery:
☀ Read a book that you added to your TBR list within the past three months OR a book whose title or author’s first or last name begins with Q OR a book with a weapon of some sort on the cover or in the title. Be sure to post the book cover.
The Deadliest Bite - Jennifer Rardin (crossbow) 9/6
✔22. Astronomy:
☀ Read a book set in space OR a book by an author whose first AND last initial can be found in ASTRONOMY OR a book with the moon and/or stars on the cover. Be sure to post the book cover.
Can't Buy Me Love - Molly O'Keefe (M&O in astrOnoMy) 8/21
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Sumer S-p-e-l-l ChallengeDuration: June 21 - September 20, 2014
READ: 23/23
Canoes and Kayaks
C: Caring Is Creepy - David Zimmerman 7/10
A: Ashfall - Mike Mullen 6/21
N: Night Falls on the Wicked - Sharie Kohler 7/13
O: One More Bite - Jennifer Rardin 6/29
E: The Broken Hearts Club - Ethan Black 7/8
S: The Darkest Craving - Gena Showalter 6/27
A: Always On My Mind - Jill Shalvis 7/5
N: Nowhere Near Respectable - Mary Jo Putney 7/31
D: Drive Me Wild - Christine Warren 7/11
K: Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks 8/2
A: Heart of Atlantis - Alyssa Day 8/11
Y: Shades of Blood - Samantha Young 9/20
A: Are You Scared Yet? - Hunter Morgan 8/19
K: Sexiest Vampire Alive - Kerrelyn Sparks 8/31
S: The Sum of All Kisses - Julia Quinn 6/29
Tug of War
T: Tongue In Chic - Christina Dodd 7/12
U: White Wedding - Ursula Sinclair 8/11
G: A Grave Denied - Dana Stabenow 7/2
O: On the Prowl - Christine Warren 8/4
F: Feel the Heat - Cindy Gerard 8/16
W: Whisper Kiss - Deborah Cooke 7/7
A: And One Last Thing ... - Molly Harper 8/27
R: Chill - Stephanie Rowe 7/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Scavenger Challenge - The Star Spangled Banner
READ: 5/6
1. On September 14, 1814, President James Madison sent Francis Scott Key as an emissary to the British ship H.M.S. Surprise, sitting in the Chesapeake Bay. Key, a 35 year old lawyer and amateur poet, was to request the release of an American prisoner. Once that was accomplished, the British held Key captive until after the Battle of Fort McHenry which the British Royal Navy launched that night.
★Read any book that takes place at sea OR read a book in which a lawyer plays a significant role OR read a book set in Maryland.
TBD
✔2. Throughout the rainy night, Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry and observed that the fort's smaller "storm flag" continued to fly, but he would not know how the battle had turned out until dawn. By then, the storm flag had been lowered and the larger 15-star, 15-stripe US flag (the Star Spangled Banner) had been raised.
★Read a book whose cover shows rainy or stormy weather OR read book #15 on your TBR list OR read a book with stars and/or stripes on its cover.
Dreamveil - Lynn Viehl 7/20✔3. During the bombardment, HMS Erebus provided the "rockets' red glare" from Congreve rockets and the HMS Meteor provided at least some of the "bombs bursting in air.” Aboard the ship the next day, Key wrote a poem on the back of a letter he had kept in his pocket. At twilight on September 16th, he was released in Baltimore. He completed the poem and titled it "Defence of Fort M'Henry.”
★Read a book of poetry (you may discount the 150 pg. rule for this) OR read a book whose author’s first and last initials may be found in FORTMCHENRY OR read a book whose cover shows a letter that is handwritten or in an envelope.
Shaman Rises - C.E. Murphy 7/23✔4. Key’s words inspired a fresh wave of patriotism in a generation too young to remember the American Revolution. By giving the flag a starring role in one of the most celebrated victories of the war, Francis Scott Key’s song established a new prominence for the flag as an expression of national identity, unity, and pride.
★Read a book which you find to be inspirational (tell us how!) OR read a book labeled “war” on GoodReads OR read a book whose cover displays a flag – bonus if the flag is the US flag!
Nowhere Near Respectable - Mary Jo Putney (shows that there IS someone out there for everyone) 7/31✔5. "The Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized for official use by the Navy in 1889. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson commissioned a group of five famous singers to set a single tune to the poem (as it had been sung to several different melodies). However, it was not until March 3, 1931 that President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution to make Francis Scott Key’s poem into the national anthem.
★Read a book whose cover shows any kind of boat and/or a body of water OR read book number five in a series OR read a book in which music plays an important role.
The Seductive Impostor - Janet Chapman 7/20✔6. On September 12, 2001, in the immediate aftermath of the United States September 11 attacks, the Queen of England broke with tradition and allowed the Band of the Coldstream Guards to perform the US national anthem at Buckingham Palace at the ceremonial Changing of the Guard, as a gesture of support for Britain's ally. The following day at a St. Paul's Cathedral memorial service, the Queen joined in the singing of the anthem, an unprecedented occurrence.
★Read a book published in 2001 OR read a book with a castle or cathedral on its cover OR read a book about friendship in which one friend is helping another through some kind of hardship.
Shadow Highlander - Donna Grant 7/29
July Spell ChallengeREAD: 7/7
✔A: Always On My Mind - Jill Shalvis 7/5
✔M: Beauty - Robin McKinley 7/22
✔E: Guardian of the Horizon - Elizabeth Peters 7/31
✔R: Back to You - Robin Kaye 713
✔I: I, Alex Cross - James Patterson 7/8
✔C: Caring Is Creepy - David Zimmerman 7/10
✔A: A Grave Denied - Dana Stabenow 7/2
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Member of the Month - Amy 5/6 TASKS
✔1. Like a lot of readers, Amy usually has several books in progress at once.
✿ Do you focus on just one book at a time, or do you read multiple books at the same time?
I always have one audiobook going and one DTB (or ebook) going - both usually from different genres.
✔2. She loves to read books from series and frequently re-reads her favorites.
✿ Read the next book from any series you’ve already started OR re-read one of your favorite books.
Bite Marks - Jennifer Rardin 7/163. If she won the lottery, Amy would open a winery, and her favorite ice cream flavor is coffee.
✿ Read a book with wine or coffee in the title or on the cover (post the bookcover!) OR a book in which a character opens a new business.
TBD
✔4. Amy has been a Girl Scout leader for 12 years.
✿ Have you ever been involved in scouting or other youth organizations, either as a leader or as a group member?
I was a Brownie for about one year.
✔5. Her favorite board games are Monopoly and Balderdash.
✿ Read a book by an author who first AND last initials AND the first letter of the book’s title (do not count A, An or The) can be found in the name of one of those games. To use a letter more than once, it must appear more than once in the game’s name.
Beauty - Robin McKinley 7/22✔6. Amy lives in Knightdale, NC, a small town outside of Raleigh.
✿ Read a book set in a small town.
Always On My Mind - Jill Shalvis (Lucky Harbor, Washington) 7/5
August Scavenger Challenge - Comedy Movie Quotes
READ: 7/7
✔1. "It must have been hard on your mother, not having any children."
- 42nd Street (1933)
Read a book whose main character is a mother -or- read a book with a pre-teen main protagonist -or- read a book which is set in NYC.
On the Prowl - Christine Warren 8/4✔3. "Well, nobody's perfect!"
- Some Like It Hot (1959)
Read a book with an ending you consider perfect -or- read a book where the main protagonist disguises themselves by altering physical appearance in any form (let us know how) -or- read a book with anything that signifies Hot on the cover (chilis, sun, fire, coffee, etc. all work).
Cross Fire - James Patterson (fire) 8/5✔6. "I was thrown out of NYU my freshman year for cheating on my metaphysics final. I looked within the soul of the boy sitting next to me."
- Annie Hall (1977)
Read a book set in academia -or- read a book with two people on the cover -or- read a book with a paranormal entity in it.
A Warrior's Promise - Donna Fletcher 8/24✔7. "What? Over? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!"
- Animal House (1978)
Read a book with an animal on the cover -or- read a book with a German protagonist or set in Germany -or- read the final book of a finished series.
The Trouble With Witches - Shirley Damsgaard 8/16✔8. "Surely you can't be serious."
"I am serious. And don't call me Shirley."
- Airplane (1980)
Read a book with a mode of transportation on the cover -or- read a book whose plot addresses an issue you consider serious (let us know what) -or- read a book with a female first name in the title.
Dire Wants - Stephanie Tyler (motorcycle) 8/26✔9. "Don't call me stupid."
"Oh, right! To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people! I've known sheep that could outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs. But you think you're an intellectual, don't you, ape?"
"Apes don't read philosophy."
"Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it. Now let me correct you on a couple of things, OK? Aristotle was not Belgian. The central message of Buddhism is not 'Every man for himself.' And the London Underground is not a political movement. Those are all mistakes, Otto. I looked 'em up."
- A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Read a book with a character who is considered a thinker -or- read a book with Religion among its main genres -or- read a book set in England.
No Longer a Gentleman - Mary Jo Putney 8/30✔12. "Where do babies come from?"
"Where do you think they come from?"
"Well, I think a stork he drops it down, and then a hole goes in your body, and there's blood everywhere, coming out of your head, and then you push your belly button, and then your butt falls off, and then you hold your butt and you have to dig, and you find a little baby."
"That's exactly right."
- Knocked Up (2007)
Read a book with a bird on the cover -or- read a book with a lot of blood spilled in the plot -or- read a book with a baby being delivered in the plot.
Bitten in Two - Jennifer Rardin 8/31CHALLENGE COMPLETE
August Spell Challenge READ: 9/9
✔O: Once in a Lifetime - Jill Shalvis 8/24
✔V: Frostfire - Lynn Viehl 8/30
✔E: The Serpent on the Crown - Elizabeth Peters 8/22
✔R: Redemption - Susannah Sandlin 8/24
✔B: The Big Dirt Nap - Rosemary Harris 8/17
✔O: Can't Buy Me Love - Molly O'Keefe 8/21
✔A: And One Last Thing ... - Molly Harper 8/27
✔R: Bitten in Two - Jennifer Rardin 8/31
✔D: Darkest Highlander - Donna Grant 8/20
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
August Member of the Month - Krysta 5/5 tasks done
✔1. Krysta’s favorite hobby is swimming, and she played water polo in school.
✿ Read a book whose cover shows water that you could swim in OR a book where a game or sport is played.
And One Last Thing ... - Molly Harper 8/27✔2. Krista’s bucket list includes publishing a novel.
✿ What’s one of the items on your bucket list?
I don't have a bucket list but if I did, visiting the Australian Outback would be first on the very short list.
✔3. She absolutely hates mowing the yard! Or anything out in the heat.
✿ Read a book set in the summer months or in a hot climate.
The Trouble With Witches - Shirley Damsgaard (set in August) 8/16✔4. Krista says she has a love/hate relationship with her passionate nature.
✿ Tell us one thing you’re passionate about.
Reading (and my cats) are really the only things I'm passionate about.
✔5. Krista and her husband will be celebrating their third year of marriage in September. Congratulations!
✿ Read a book that is #3 in a series OR a book that was originally published in September (of any year).
Frostfire - Lynn Viehl 8/30CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Monthly Scavenger Challenge: Simply September
READ: 7/7
✔1. September (from Latin septem, "seven") was originally the seventh of ten months on the oldest known Roman calendar. After the calendar reform that added January and February to the beginning of the year, September became the ninth month, but retained its name.
Read the 7th or 9th book in a series OR read a book which contains a 7 or 9 in its total page count OR read a book that takes place during the Roman Empire.
Flashfire - Deborah Cooke (Dragonfire #7) 9/9✔2. Several cultures called September the “harvest month” – i.e. The Anglo-Saxons called the month
Gerstmonath (barley month) since that is when barley crops were harvested. The Swiss name for September is Herbstmonat which translates literally to harvest month.
Read a book that takes place on a farm, vineyard, or orchard OR read a book whose title begins with a letter in HARVEST (Discount a, an, the) OR read a book that takes place in Switzerland.
Animal Magnetism - Jill Shalvis 9/25✔3. The Chinese and Vietnamese celebrate Moon Festival during September. The festival is a celebration of Gathering, such as family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops, Thanksgiving, to give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions and Praying (asking for conceptual or material satisfaction), such as for babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or for a good future.
Read a book that takes place in China or Vietnam OR read a book with a full moon on the cover OR read a book that fits any of the festival themes (Gathering, Thanksgiving, Praying). Remember to tell us how your book fits a particular theme.
Double Shot - Diane Mott Davidson (2 funerals, not exactly happy event) 9/22✔4. September is the sixth month of the astrological calendar and its zodiac signs are Virgo (until September 21) and Libra (from September 22 onwards).
Read the sixth book in a series OR read a brand new-to-you author OR read a book featuring a lawyer or someone going through some kind of legal process.
Charmed Spirits - Carrie Ann Ryan 9/10✔5. September's birthstone is the sapphire and September’s birth flowers are the forget-me-not, morning glory and aster.
Read a book with a blue and/or purple cover OR read a book with any gem or jewel on its cover OR read a book that takes place in a flower store or has to do with growing or arranging flowers.
Styxx - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/12✔6. September 6th is “Fight Procrastination Day." Read a book you’ve been putting off OR a book with “day” in the title (could be part of a word or a word itself) OR read book #6 on your TBR list.
Sunshine - Robin McKinley 9/3✔7. While you’re procrastinating on the task above, have something to eat. There are MANY food celebration days in September: September is National Honey Month; 9/5 – Cheese pizza day;
9/8 – National Date Nut bread day; 9/12 – Chocolate Milkshake Day; 9/13 – Fortune Cookie Day
and National Peanut Day; 9/14 – National Cream-Filled Donut Day; 9/17 – National Apple Dumpling Day; 18 – National Cheeseburger Day; 9/19 – National Butterscotch Pudding Day; and 9/24 – National Cherries Jubilee Day.
Read a book with any type of food on the cover OR read a book with a cream/tan/gold/brown cover OR read a book in which a special occasion is celebrated.
Never Kiss a Stranger - Heather Grothaus 9/22CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Spell Challenge - Simply SeptemberREAD: 7/7
✔S: Shades of Blood - Samantha Young 9/20
✔E: Wife for Hire - Janet Evanovich 9/24
✔V: Nightshine - Lynn Viehl 9/16
✔E: Tomb of the Golden Bird - Elizabeth Peters 9/28
✔N: Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death - Denise Swanson 9/15
✔T: Dire Desires - Stephanie Tyler 9/8
✔H: Hallowed - Cynthia Hand 9/25
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
September Member of the Month - Beverly 6/6 tasks done
✔1. Beverly loves country music.
✿ Read a book set in Tennessee or any of the Southwestern states (including Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah) OR read a book with a cowboy hat on the cover OR a book with a musical theme.
Fifth Grave Past the Light - Darynda Jones (New Mexico) 9/23✔2. It was interesting to learn that Beverly has been a volunteer firefighter/EMT for 20 years.
✿ Are you involved in any volunteer organization? Tell us about it.
No
✔3. She says her favorite class in high school was history.
✿ Read a book with “History (of any type)” or “Historical Fiction” on the main genre page OR read a book with a teacher or in a school setting.
If you choose the History option, tell us which history-related genre you read.
Sometimes a Rogue - Mary Jo Putney 9/17✔4. Her favorite type of challenge is the spell-out.
✿ What kind of challenge would you want to create?
I like scavenger challenges as it is fun trying to find books that fit.
✔5. Beverly says she would purchase Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein if she had an extra $20 to spend.
✿ Read a book with a flower in the title or on the cover OR a book with fire in the title or on the cover OR by an author whose first OR last name starts with either “E” or “W”.
Angel Fever - L.A. Weatherly 9/9✔6. Her favorite board game is Monopoly.
✿ Read a book with a one-word title OR a book where a game is played (sports are OK) OR a book set in a business environment.
Hallowed - Cynthia Hand 9/25CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Fall Seasonal Scavenger Challenge - Oktoberfest
Duration: September 20 - December 20, 2014
READ: 15/16
✔1. The Oktoberfest tradition started in 1810 to celebrate the October 12th marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Louis to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities which were held over five days on the fields in front of the city gates. These famous public fields were named Theresienwiese—"Therese's fields"—in honor of the crown princess; although locals have since abbreviated the name simply to the "Wies'n."
❅Read a book that was published in October (any year) OR read a book in which a wedding takes place OR read a book whose cover shows a field / meadow / orchard / vineyard.
Animal Attraction - Jill Shalvis (pub Oct 2011) 10/4✔2. Horse races in the presence of the royal family concluded the popular event. The decision to repeat the festivities and the horse races in the subsequent year gave rise to the tradition of the annual Oktoberfest, which now begins in late September and lasts until the first Sunday in October. The horse races were last held in 1960, but the festival still takes place on the "Theresienwiese."
❅ Read a book featuring a horse or horse racing, or with a horse on the cover OR read a book with a royal character or royal family OR read a book where the first letter of each title word may be found in THERESIEWIESE (Discount a, an, the – 2 word minimum).
One Heart to Win - Johanna Lindsey 12/16✔3. Today, Oktoberfest has become the world's largest beer festival, and is still held annually in Munich, Germany. The 16-day party attracts over 6 million people every year who consume 1.5 million gallons of beer, 200,000 pounds of pork sausage, and 480,000 spit-roasted chickens during the two-week extravaganza.
❅ Read a book that takes place in Germany OR read a book featuring any kind of festival, fair, or circus OR read a book with a “6” in its total page count.
Wicked as They Come - Delilah Dawson (traveling freak show) 10/54. While the event reinforces stereotypical images of beer-loving, meat-loving Germans dressed in dirndls and lederhosen, visitors to the annual event come from all over the world. Oktoberfest is in fact one of Munich's largest and most profitable tourist attractions bringing over 450 million euros to the city's coffers each year.
❅ Read a book where someone on the cover is wearing a costume or uniform of any kind OR read a book that takes place in a traditional tourist city/area (tell us where) OR read a book with any form of money shown on the cover or included in the title.
✔5. The largest Oktoberfest held outside of Germany takes place each year in the twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo in Canada, where a large ethnic German population resides. The largest such event in the United States is Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati in Ohio, which boasts half a million visitors each year.
❅ Read a book that takes place anywhere in Canada OR read a book that takes place in Ohio OR read a book whose title contains the letter “z.” (Z may be anywhere in the title; it does not have to start a word)
Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick - Mandi Casey 10/19✔6. The Costume and Riflemen's Procession takes place on the first Sunday of the festival, in which some 7000 performers -- groups in traditional costumes and historical uniforms, marching bands, riflemen, thoroughbred horses and other livestock, old-fashioned carriages, and numerous floats -- parade through the streets of Munich's city center showcasing the diversity of local, regional, and national customs.
❅ Read a book in which a parade takes place OR read a book that takes place in a large international city (Those participants living in the USA, cannot use a US city) OR read a book where a character belongs to an organized group of some kind (i.e. professional group, religious group, recreational group).
What Angels Fear - C.S. Harris (London) 10/15✔7. When the city began allowing beer on the fairgrounds, makeshift beer stands began cropping up, and their number increased steadily until they were eventually replaced by beer halls in 1896. The beer halls, like the beer tents of today, were sponsored by the local breweries. The mayor of Munich opens Oktoberfest at noon on the first day of the fair when he drives the wooden tap into a barrel of beer and proclaims: O'zapft is! ("It's tapped!").
❅ Read a book with any kind of beverage on the cover OR read a book whose publication year includes one of the numbers 1,8,9, or 6 OR read a book whose title ends with an exclamation mark.
Finders-Seekers - Gayle Greeno (Pub 1993) 10/17✔8. Oktoberfest beer is a variety called Märzen (March), which is darker and stronger than traditional beer, and contains up to 6% alcohol. Before the advent of modern refrigeration techniques, this type of beer was brewed in March (as its name suggests) and allowed to age through the summer, so that it was ready to drink by late summer or early fall.
❅ Read a book that takes place over the summer OR read a "dark" book - either a dark cover or dark content OR read a book with a character whose first name starts with any of the letters in MARCH.
The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart - Jesse Bullington 10/1✔9. Like all German beer, the Oktoberfest beer is brewed according to strict German standards (called the Reinheitsgebot which have been in effect since 1516) that precisely define the four ingredients allowed in the brewing of beer: barley, hops, malt, and yeast.
❅ Read a book with a strict character OR read a book with a four word title OR read a book with any type of ingredient / spice / herb is listed in the title or shown on the cover (this could be anything from a picture of an apple to make apple pie to nutmeg to basil).
The Six Sacred Stones - Matthew Reilly 10/21✔10. Just 6 Munich breweries - Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten - are permitted to serve beer at the festival. 14 larger and several smaller beer tents and beer gardens provide enough seating for 98,000 visitors at a time. Beer is served by the Maß, a one-liter mug, and costs between 9 and 10 euros. Beer maids and waiters must be able to carry 10 of these beer-filled mugs at a time.
❅ Read the 6th book in a series OR choose one of the breweries and read a book where the first letter in each title word may be found in the brewery name (a,an, the DO count – 3 word minimum) OR read a book in which one of the major characters is a waiter /waitress / bartender.
Whiskey Beach - Nora Roberts 10/8✔11. Oktoberfest is known as much for its traditional folk music as it is for its beer drinking. Folk music, marches, and polkas make up the typical oompah music for which Germany is famous. As the evening wears on, the music becomes louder and more and more people begin to sing, linking arms and swinging beer mugs from side to side, some standing and swaying and dancing on benches or tables. Before each break, the band will offer up "ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit", a toast to contentment, congeniality, and relaxation.
❅ Read a book where music is a major theme OR read a book whose title or author name contains a double “oo” OR read a book that makes you feel content, congenial, and relaxed.
Who Do, Voodoo? - Rochelle Staab 10/13✔12. German folk music is not the only sound you will hear emanating from the massive beer tents. International hits like "New York, New York", "Country Road", "YMCA" and even disco- and rock-inspired tunes come from the beer tents.
❅ Read a book whose title is also the title or famous line from a song OR read a book outside your “traditional” genre OR read a book whose author’s last name starts with Y,M,C, or A.
The Hawk - Monica McCarty 10/26✔13. Oktoberfest visitors won’t lack for a good meal. Readily available all over the fairgrounds are Hendl, whole chickens grilled on a spit, roasted meats, especially pork, and potato dumplings are served up with the traditional red cabbage and apple dish (Blaukohl). Sauerkraut and soft pretzels are found on just about every menu.
❅ Read a book whose cover shows a meal, picnic or buffet OR read a book with a red cover OR read a book that almost everyone seems to be reading (a best seller).
Red - Jordan Summers 10/10✔14. For those with a sweet tooth, typical dessert dishes include Dampfnudel, a steamed honey-dumpling served with vanilla sauce, apple strudel, and Kaiserschmarrn, a sugared pancake with raisins. Also available is a variety of sweet snacks scattered across the Wies’n. From pan-roasted, sugar-glazed almonds (gebrannte Mandeln) to cotton candy (Zuckerwatte), from glazed fruits to ice cream.
❅ Read a book with a character known for their sweet tooth OR read a book whose cover features a dessert or candy OR read a book featuring a baker or candy maker (not a cook).
The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo - Kerrelyn Sparks (hero is addicted to donuts) 10/18✔15. Between events and beer tents, guests can traverse the 103 acre Oktoberfest grounds to ride a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, or water slide, navigate their way through a labyrinth, visit a haunted house, be entertained by numerous types of performers, take a look at the flea circus, stop off at one of dozens of game booths, or take a festival tour, among other things.
❅ Read a book takes place in an amusement park OR read a book featuring a performer of some kind (does not have to be professional) OR read a book in which some kind of game is played (real games, not mind games).
Just In Time - Addison Fox (hockey) 12/8✔16. The last day of Oktoberfest is the first Sunday in October. Over the past 200 years, Oktoberfest has been canceled 24 times due to cholera epidemics and war.
❅ Read a book that is first or last in a series OR read a book whose publication date contains a “2” and a “4” OR read a book with a war or disease epidemic as part of the plot.
The Highlander's Forbidden Bride - Donna Fletcher (conclusion) 10/19
Fall S-p-e-l-l Challenge Duration: September 20 - December 20, 2014
READ: 24/24
B: The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart - Jesse Bullington 10/1
A: Animal Attraction - Jill Shalvis 10/4
V: The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo - Kerrelyn Sparks 10/18
A: The Alexandria Link - Steve Berry 10/25
R: Who Do, Voodoo? - Rochelle Staab 10/13
I: Deadlock - Iris Johansen 10/30
A: The Ghost and Mrs. McClure - Alice Kimberly 10/29
G: When You Give a Duke a Diamond - Shana Galen 10/12
E: Hidden - Kendra Elliot 10/23
R: The Six Sacred Stones - Matthew Reilly 10/21
M: Merry Christmas, Alex Cross - James Patterson 10/30
A: Just In Time - Addison Fox 12/8
N: Whiskey Beach - Nora Roberts 10/8
Y: You're The One - Robin Kaye 10/7
L: Letters from Skye: A Novel - Jessica Brockmole 10/30
E: Street of the Five Moons - Elizabeth Peters 12/12
D: Dark Blood - Christine Feehan 10/8
E: Ember's Kiss - Deborah Cooke 12/12
R: Red - Jordan Summers 10/10
H: Highlander for the Holidays - Janet Chapman 10/4
O: Oceanborne - Katherine Irons 10/22
S: Silver-Tongued Devil - Jaye Wells 10/11
E: The Crossing Places - Elly Griffiths 12/13
N: North of Need - Laura Kaye 10/24
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Scavenger Challenge - Edgar Allan Poe
READ: 6/7
✔1. Edgar Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston to parents who were both actors. His father abandoned the family in 1810 and Poe’s mother died the following year. John and Frances Allan took the boy in, and though they never formally adopted him, their family name became part of Poe’s, thus the more familiar moniker, Edgar Allan Poe. ►Read a book that takes place in Boston OR read a book where a child is being raised by someone other than his natural parents OR read a book whose page total contains an 8, 9, or 10.
The Six Sacred Stones - Matthew Reilly (m.c. adopted an orphan) 10/21✔2. Poe published his first book anonymously in 1827. Tamerlane and Other Poems was a slim, 40 page volume which sold only 50 copies and received no critical attention. ►Read a book of poetry OR read a book whose author’s first or last initial may be found in TAMERLANE.
Whiskey Beach - Nora Roberts 10/8✔3. 1827 saw Edgar quarreling bitterly with his “stepfather” over debts. His “stepmother” died that year and Mr. Poe enlisted in the army using a pseudonym. In 1829 after failing as an officer’s cadet, Poe left West Point and cut off his relationship with John Allan. ►Read a book by an author who uses a pseudonym OR read a book having anything to do with the military or war OR read a book where a character purposely ends a relationship.
What Angels Fear - C.S. Harris 10/15✔4. Poe was the first well-known American writer to try to make a living by writing alone. He was an author, poet, editor, and literary critic. He is best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre. Poe was one of the first American writers to publish short stories and is credited with the invention of detective fiction. In spite of all this, Edgar Allen Poe struggled financially all his life. ►Read a book about an author (fiction or biography) OR read a mystery featuring a detective (P.I. or police) OR read a collection of short stories.
Fallen - Karin Slaughter 10/6✔5. Virginia Clemm, Poe’s 13 year old cousin, and Edgar Allan were married in 1835. Virginia died just a few years later in 1847 from tuberculosis. Biographers often suggest that Poe's frequent theme of the "death of a beautiful woman" stems from the repeated loss of women throughout his life, including his mother and his wife. ►Read a book in which either a wedding or a funeral occurs OR read a book whose publication year contains a 1, 8, 3, or 5 OR read a book with a beautiful woman on the cover.
Finders-Seekers - Gayle Greeno (pub 1993) 10/176. On January 29, 1845, the poem "The Raven" appeared in the Evening Mirror and it made Poe a household name almost instantly. In spite of the poem’s success, he was paid only $9 for its publication. ►Read a book with a raven or any other bird on the cover OR read a book about someone famous OR read the 9th book in a series. Bonus: Read “The Raven.”
TBD
✔7. Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849, in Baltimore. He was only 40 years old and the cause of his death is unknown. Alcoholism, drug use, cholera, tuberculosis, brain congestion, heart disease, rabies, and suicide have been attributed at one time or another as the cause of death. ►Read a book that takes place in Baltimore OR read a book in which a character dies young (<65 years old) OR read a book in which one of the main characters suffers from any mental or chronic physical disease.
North of Need - Laura Kaye (heroines husband died at 30ish) 10/24
October SPELL Challenge - Edgar Allan Poe READ: 12/12
The Raven (RAVEN)
✔R: Red - Jordan Summers 10/10
✔A: The Alexandria Link - Steve Berry 10/25
✔V: The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo - Kerrelyn Sparks 10/18
✔E: Hidden - Kendra Elliot 10/23
✔N: North of Need - Laura Kaye 10/24
William Wilson (WILLIAM OR WILSON)
✔W: When You Give a Duke a Diamond - Shana Galen 10/12
✔I: Deadlock - Iris Johansen 10/30
✔L: Daddy's Girl - Lisa Scottoline 10/16
✔L: Nightborn - Lynn Viehl 10/31
✔I: Oceanborne - Katherine Irons 10/22
✔A: Animal Attraction - Jill Shalvis 10/4
✔M: The Hawk - Monica McCarty 10/26
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Member of the Month - Mike 5/5 tasks done
✔1. Overall, what grabbed me about Mike's answers is how hysterically funny some of them are. Read a book marked "humor" or any book that makes you laugh out loud.
Animal Attraction - Jill Shalvis 10/4✔2. Mike told us he purchases most of his books. How do you obtain the majority of your books? Library, free downloads, purchase?
I purchased a boatload years ago but now I get most from the library
✔3. Some of Mike's favorite authors are the following: Faulkner, O'Connor, Wodehouse, McCarthy, & Beckett. Read a book whose title starts with F, O, W, M, or B or read a book written by any of these authors.
Bizarre Life of Sydney Sedrick - Mandi Casey 10/19✔4. Calculus, Abnormal Psychology, and History of the French Revolution were some of Mike's favorite academic subjects. Tell us about your favorites!
My favorites were always math related - Calculus and Trigonometry
✔5. If Mike were given $20, he would purchase Impressions of Africa. Read a book that takes place in Africa or read a book whose author's last name begins with one of the letters in AFRICA.
Dark Blood - Christine Feehan 10/8CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Scavenger Challenge - PIES
READ: 7/7
✔1. The word "pie" may be derived from the magpie bird, most likely because the magpie collects miscellaneous objects in its nest.
Read a book with the letters P-I-E in the title, in that order but not necessarily together OR a book showing lots of little items on the cover. (Show us the cover.)
Nearly Departed in Deadwood - Ann Charles (deParted In dEadwood) 11/9✔2. Pie as a dessert is a relatively recent development. In the 19th century, fruit pies were more commonly a breakfast food. Fruit pie was considered part of a good hearty meal before a hard day’s work.
Read a book with a scene where a meal is eaten OR a book with “Historical fiction” on the main Goodreads page.
A River in the Sky - Elizabeth Peters 11/23✔3. The first print mention of fruit pie is from Robert Green's Arcadia (1590): "Thy breath is like the steam of apple-pyes."
Read a book whose author is named Robert or Green or has the initials RG or GR OR a book where the first letter of the title is found in ARCADIA. (Do NOT include A, An, The)
The Ranger - Monica McCarty 11/30✔4. According to a survey conducted by Crisco, the most popular dessert pie in America is apple, followed by pumpkin and pecan.
Read a book with something sweet on the cover (does not have to be food-related, could be a puppy or a baby, etc.) OR a book set in the United States.
Mine to Possess - Nalini Singh (California) 11/6✔5. Cold game pies became popular during the Roman Empire, using game or even birds. During the Victorian era, birds were often placed on top of game pies as ornaments. Wealthy English in the 1600’s favored "surprise pies" in which live creatures would pop out when the pie was cut open.
Read a book set in Europe OR a book with any animal or bird on the cover or in the story.
Rescue My Heart - Jill Shalvis 11/30✔6. In Australia, meat pies are more popular than hamburgers, pizzas and hot dogs.
Read a book set in Australia OR a book by an Australian author OR a book where something unexpected happens (it should be a major event that impacts the story).
The Pyramid Of Doom - Andy McDermott 11/7✔7. Boston Cream Pie is actually a cake; cheesecake is actually a pie (a tart, technically). Raisin pie is sometimes called funeral pie because it became a tradition to serve raisin pie with the meal that was served to family and friends at a wake or funeral. This was probably because it could be made in any season and preserved well when made days before the funeral. Shoo-fly pie, a wet-bottom molasses pie, was used to attract flies from the kitchen.
Read a book where something is not actually what it appears to be at first OR a book where a death occurs OR a book with an insect on the cover.
The Butterfly Farm - Diane Noble 11/25CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November SPELL Challenge - Pie FillingsREAD: 10/10
✔P: The Pyramid Of Doom - Andy McDermott 11/7
✔E: Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues - Diana Rowland 11/24
✔C: Contest - Matthew Reilly 11/13
✔A: Alex Cross, Run - James Patterson 11/14
✔N: Nearly Departed in Deadwood - Ann Charles 11/9
✔H: The Host - Stephanie Meyer 11/30
✔E: Everywhere She Turns - Debra Webb 11/3
✔R: Rescue My Heart - Jill Shalvis 11/30
✔O: Crazy Thing Called Love - Molly O'Keefe 11/26
✔N: House Rules - Chloe Neill 11/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Member of the Month - Suzanne6/6 tasks done
✔1. Suzanne says she's fortunate to live in Cincinnati as it's the home of Graeter's Ice Cream and ice cream is her favorite food. Is your town or state famous for anything you're fond of? If so, what is it?
New Jersey is famous for "the shore" which I am definitely NOT fond of. Too hot and too many tourists. :)
✔2. Suzanne was reading The Fracking King, I'll Be Seeing You and The Long Way Home when she answered the questionnaire.
✫ Read a book with the words "Fracking", "King", "I'll", "Be", "Seeing", "You", "Long", "Way" or "Home" in the title (no variations) -or- read a book that is part of a series.
Down to You - M. Leighton 11/3✔3. Suzanne's favorite thing about herself is her ability to organize.
✫ Read the next book in a series you have ignored for a while -or- read a book with a main character who is efficient and organized.
Blue Dragon - Kylie Chan (read book #2 in Sept 2013) 11/19✔4. Suzanne's book to buy if she had $20 is "The Art of US National Parks".
✫ Read a book set in one of the states or territories with a US National Park in it -or- read a book where art of some form or other is important.
Big Sky Country - Linda Lael Miller (Glacier National Park, Montana) 11/23✔5. Suzanne's favorite genres are mysteries and historical fiction.
✫ Read a mystery or a historical fiction book or combine the two and read a historical mystery.
A River in the Sky - Elizabeth Peters 11/23✔6. Suzanne's favorite type of music is classical music and broadway soundtracks. Which is yours?
I love most 80's music but also country music.
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Scavenger Challenge - Rudolph
READ: 7/8
✔1. The Rankin/Bass “stop animation” production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first aired on Sunday, December 6, 1964 on the NBC network. It has aired every year since, making this the longest running television Christmas special in history. ❅ Read a book with an intact “50” in the total page count OR read a book with a 1,9,6 or 4 in its publication year OR read a book with a bright red cover.
Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber 12/24✔2. General Electric sponsored the show. All the original commercials were made exclusively for GE small appliances with some of the show’s animated elves introducing the products. ❅ Read a book by an author whose initials are G.E. OR read a book whose cover shows any kind of light source OR read a book whose cover shows any type of appliance.
Lie With Me - Stephanie Tyler 12/27✔3. The TV special was based on the Johnny Marks song, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” which in turn was based on the 1939 poem of the same name and written by Marks’ brother-in-law Robert L. May. All of the music in the show was written by Marks, including “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,” “There’s Always Tomorrow” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” ❅ Read a book with music as a significant theme OR read a book whose author or main character is named John, Mark, or Robert (reasonable variations are okay) OR a book that takes place over Christmas.
Trick of the Light - Rob Thurman 12/21✔4. Though written by Marks, Burl Ives immortalized “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,” with his recording of the song on an LP released in 1965. Ives is the narrator of the show, providing the voice for Sam the Snowman. ❅ Read a book with a “holly green” cover OR read a book with any kind of snow scene on the cover (bonus for a snowman!) OR read a book where the first letter of the first word in the title can be found in BURL IVES (Exclude a, an, the).
Just In Time - Addison Fox 12/8✔5. The Island of Misfit Toys was not in the original production of Rudolph. The addition allowed another Johnny Marks song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Day of the Year” to be included. Scenes of Yukon Cornelius (the prospector) discovering a peppermint mine were edited out to allow the Island of Misfit Toys scenes. ❅ Read a book that takes place on an island OR a book whose title includes any of the words, “MOST,” “WONDERFUL,” “DAY,” or “YEAR” OR a book with any kind of candy on the cover.
Ember's Kiss - Deborah Cooke (in Hawaii) 12/12✔6. Did you ever wonder why “Dolly” was on the Island of Misfit Toys, since she appeared perfectly normal? Though never revealed on the show, in NPR's “Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me!” quiz show (broadcast December 8, 2007), Arthur Rankin Jr. says Dolly's problem was psychological, caused by being abandoned by her mistress and suffering depression from feeling unloved. ❅ Read a book published in 2007 OR read a book where a main character suffers from depression, grief or a broken heart OR a book whose main character’s first name starts with one of the letters in “DOLLY.”
Bones to Ashes - Kathy Reichs (pub August 2007) 12/317. When Rudolph runs away from home, he meets several other characters. There’s Hermey the elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius the prospector. There are several characters on the Island of Misfit Toys including King Moonracer the Griffin, Charlie-in-the Box, the Spotted Elephant, and Dolly. And who could forget The Abominable Snow Monster of the North, aka The Bumble?! ❅ Read a book about friendship OR read a book with any type of toy on the cover OR read a book with a cover showing prominent teeth.
✔8. The show ends with Rudolph saving the day and leading Santa’s sleigh through the foggy blizzard. Hermey is allowed to practice dentistry and Yukon Cornelius tames the Abominable Snow Monster, making him a “Humble Bumble.” ❅ As the show ends happily, so too ends your challenge. Read any book you choose!
Flirting with Forever - Gwyn Cready 12/13
December SPELL Challenge - READ: 13/13
✔S: Still Waters - Tami Hoag 12/23
✔A: Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber 12/24
✔M: Maiden Rock - Mary Logue 12/28
✔T: Taken by the Cowboy - Julianne MacLean 12/28
✔H: Hungry Like a Wolf - Christine Warren 12/17
✔E: Ember's Kiss - Deborah Cooke 12/12
✔S: Street of the Five Moons - Elizabeth Peters 12/12
✔N: Nightbound - Lynn Viehl 12/6
✔O: One Dance with a Duke - Tessa Dare 12/27
✔W: Wild Things - Chloe Neill 12/31
✔M: The Viper - Monica McCarty 12/29
✔A: Just In Time - Addison Fox 12/8
✔N: A Night Too Dark - Dana Stabenow 12/9
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Member of the Month - ILoveBakedGoods (Teresa) 6/6 tasks done
✔1. Other than reading, Teresa lists baking, board games, card games, and cross-stitch as her hobbies. She'd like to learn to sew and quilt and make some jewelry someday.
☀ Read a book in which a character bakes something, plays a game or is into crafts of some sort OR a book with jewelry on the cover.
Nightbred - Lynn Viehl 12/2✔2. Although she subscribes to newsletters and reads lots of blogs about books, Goodreads is her only book group. Do you belong to any other book-related groups?
I belong to a couple of book groups but Goodreads is the only one I'm active in.
✔3. If she could meet anyone, living or dead, Teresa would like to meet Tori Amos or Nora Roberts
☀ Read a book by an author whose first or last name begins with T, A, N or R.
Still Waters - Tami Hoag 12/24✔4. When she answered our survey questions, her next reads included three buddy reads: Isla and the Happily Ever After, Whiskey Beach and The Cold Dish.
☀ Read a book marked YA romance, a romantic suspense, or a book from a mystery series on its Goodreads main page.
Just Desserts - Mary Daheim (cozy mystery) 12/8✔5. If she was given $20 to spend on a book today, Teresa would put it toward Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales. Which book would you buy?
Silence That Speaks, The - Andrea Kane AND
Saint Odd - Dean Koontz
✔6. Teresa tries to plan her reading list, but sometimes her reading mood "say phooey to the list."
☀ Read a book that you planned to read earlier this year but didn't get around to reading.
Uncorked - Lois Greiman 12/5CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Game NightDuration: September 1, 2013 - February 28, 2014
READ: 56/50
✔1. Aggravation – Starfire Angels - Melanie Nilles (m.c. is incredibly irritating) 12/15
✔2. Apples-to-Apples – Eternally Yours - Cate Tiernan (takes place on a farm) 10/18
✔3. Backgammon - Head Over Heels - Jill Shalvis (added to TBR July 2011) 11/7
✔4. Bananagrams – Grave Secrets - Kathy Reichs (set in Guatemala) 10/8
✔5. Battleship – The Terror - Dan Simmons (ship on cover) 10/23
✔6. B-I-N-G-O – No Way Back - Andrew Gross (starts with N) 10/19
✔7. Blokus – Fall of Night - Rachel Caine (takes place on the MIT campus/main character is a genius) 10/5
✔8. Boggle - Eternity Base - Bob Mayer (m.c. is a reporter) 11/21
✔9. Bunco – Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes - Denise Grover Swank (pink cover) 12/14
✔10. Candy Land - Little Shop of Homicide - Denise Swanson (set in an ice cream shop) 10/22
✔11. Careers - Thankless in Death - J.D Robb (hero is a gazillionaire) 12/12
✔12. Checkers – Ugly Beautiful - Seanpaul Thomas (title lying on a slant) 10/1
✔13. Chess - Highlander's Curse - Melissa Mayhue (medieval set in 1306) 10/16
14. Chinese Checkers - Read a book with a star or star-shaped item on its cover OR read a book with a bright, multi-colored cover.
✔15. Chutes & Ladders - Time Untime - Sherrilyn Kenyon (#23 in series) 11/10
✔16. Clue - What Doesn't Kill You - Iris Johansen (weapon on cover) 10/17
✔17. Connect Four – Once Upon a Tower - Eloisa James (4 word title) 10/8
✔18. Cranium - Hearts of Smoke and Steam - Andrew Mayer (m.c. super smart/inventor) 10/18
✔19. Cribbage - Split Second - Catherine Coulter (FBI series #15) 10/25
20. Dominoes – Read a book with a black and/or white cover. The cover should ONLY be black and/or white (shades of gray are okay). Remember to post the cover!
✔21. Don’t Break the Ice – Healing the Highlander - Melissa Mayhue (relationship in danger due to secrets) 10/7
✔22. Farkle – Blood Rites - Jim Butcher (M.c. has a death wish, well not really but he does put himself in unnecessary danger) 10/29
✔23. The Game of Life – Never Seduce a Scot - Maya Banks (wedding) 1/10
✔24. Gnip Gnop - A Hoe Lot of Trouble - Heather Webber (green cover) 10/30
✔25. Go to the Head of the Class – With All My Soul - Rachel Vincent (takes place in a high school) 12/4
✔26. Go Fish - Seaborne - Katherine Irons (takes place on the coast of Maine and in the water) 12/31
✔27. Headache - Hunted - P.C. Cast (torturous to read) 10/5
✔28. Hi Ho Cherry-O – Such Wicked Intent - Kenneth Oppel (310 pages) 10/26
✔29. Hungry Hungry Hippos – The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters (hippo on cover) 10/17
30. Ker-Plunk! – Read a book with any onomatopoeia in its title OR read a book with a straw on its cover OR read a book whose author’s first and last initials are KP or PK.
✔31. Left, Right, Center – The Far West - Patricia Wrede (#3 in series) 11/9
✔32. Mahjongg - Mortal Ties - Eileen Wilks (Asian character/Lily Yu) 10/15
✔33. Mancala - Aunt Dimity and the Duke - Nancy Atherton (m.c. is a gardener/set in England) 10/6
✔34. Mastermind – Grave Surprise - Charlaine Harris (Harper Connelly #2) 10/30
✔35. Masterpiece – Too Hot to Handle - Robin Kaye (m.c. runs art gallery and is a painter) 10/9
36. Mille Bornes - Read a really big book (1000+ pages) OR a book in which a road trip occurs OR a book that takes place in France.
✔37. Monopoly - Temptation Rising - A.C. Arthur (hero is stupid rich) 10/31
✔38. Mousetrap – Kinslayer - Jay Kristoff (building a seige engine) 11/13
✔39. Operation - Blood Lies - Daniel Kalla (m.c. ER doc) 10/3
✔40. Othello/Reversi – Whitechapel Gods - S.M. Peters (dark cover) 11/11
✔41. Oujia – Grimm End - S.T. Cameron (get fortune read at carnival) 12/9
✔42. Parchisi - Fifth Quarter - Tanya Huff (about protecting royalty) 12/11
✔43. Pictionary - Silencing Eve - Iris Johansen (m.c. is an artist) 11/16
✔44. Pit – Secondhand Spirits - Juliet Blackwell (m.c. owns second hand store and bargains for product) 10/10
✔45. Qwirkle – Gunmetal Magic - Ilona Andrews (2 authors) 10/25
✔46. Rack-O - My Life As a White Trash Zombie - Diana Rowland (has to get her life in order after becoming a zombie) 12/6
✔47. Risk - A Year and a Day - Virginia Henley (war between England/Scotland) 11/3
✔48. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots – Raven Cursed - Faith Hunter (love triangle/square) 10/12
✔49. Rummikub – Firewalker - Allyson James (red/orange cover) 10/27
✔50. Scattergories – The Bone Bed - Patricia Cornwell (random=2=B) 10/28
✔51. Scrabble - White Heat - Cherry Adair (F/L inits in "SCRABBLE") 11/2
✔52. Simon - Curfew - Phil Rickman (title begins with C) 11/6
✔53. Sorry! – Death Bringer - Derek Landy (m.c. apologizes to boyfriend) 12/12
✔54. Taboo - Guilty as Sin - Tami Hoag (ADA and detective have to work together) 10/13
✔55. Trivial Pursuit – Raven Calls - C.E. Murphy (geography/history - time travel with lots of medieval elements & set in Ireland) 10/6
✔56. Trouble - How to Drive a Dragon Crazy - G.A. Aiken (Dragon Kin #6) 1/7
✔57. Twister - Affliction - Laurell K. Hamilton (blue cover) 11/9
✔58. Uncle Wiggly – Initiation - Ruth Kerce (journey from California to outer space) 12/5
✔59. Upwards – Mountain Echoes - C.E. Murphy (set in mountains in N.C.) 11/18
✔60. Yahtzee – R is for Ricochet - Sue Grafton (#18 in series) 10/4
Winter OlympicsDuration: January 15 - April 30, 2014
READ: 21/21
✔1. Read a book set in Russia or the former Soviet Union OR a book in which the first letter of EVERY WORD in the title can be found in KRASNODAR (minimum two-word title).
Dark Wolf - Christine Feehan 3/4✔2.Read a book with fire on the cover OR a book in which a road trip involving at least four different stops is an important part of the plot OR a book with 1-2 or 2-3 intact in the total number of pages (example: 129, 235, 412). Remember to post the book cover OR tell us the stops on the road trip OR tell us the number of pages in the book.
Deadly Heat - Cynthia Eden 2/22✔3. Read book #9 or 8 in a series OR a non-fiction book about one specific athlete or coach or a specific sports team OR a book which has won an award of some sort and has a “medal” on the cover. Remember to post the book cover!
Dark Stranger - Susan Sizemore (Primes #8) 2/5✔4. Read a book published for the first time in 2014 OR a book in which a “first” of some sort happens.
Hollow City - Ransom Riggs (pub 1/14/14) 2/20✔5. Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in FISCHT (do NOT count A, An or The) OR a book in which a formal ceremony occurs OR a book whose plot spans a time period of less than one month.
Dark Storm - Christine Feehan 2/2✔6. Read a book in which things go downhill for one of the main characters OR book #4 in a series.
The Quartered Sea - Tanya Huff (Quarters #4) 2/13✔7. Read a book in which a main character is or has been in the military (any country, any service branch, any era) OR a book in which a character is learning a new skill OR a book with a gun/rifle on the cover. Remember to post the book cover!
The Hour of Dust and Ashes - Kelly Gay 2/16✔8. Read a book with at least two main MALE characters OR a book by an author whose first AND last initials can be found in BOBSLEIGH.
The Thief - Megan Whalen Turner 2/10✔9. Read a book set in Canada, Alaska or Northern Europe (Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, or the United Kingdom) OR a book with a snow-covered field/road on the cover OR a book that exercises your brain somehow. Remember to post the book cover OR tell us how the book exercised your brain.
Atlantis Found - Clive Cussler 3/11(Atlantis, Hitler, lost cities, neo-nazis, wild technological advances)
✔10. Read a book with a residential house (not apartment/condo, etc.) on the cover OR a book with a circle occupying at least 50% of the cover OR a book that will complete a series that has ended. Remember to post the book cover or the name of the series.
You're Next - Gregg Hurwitz 2/20✔11. Read a book with a character who is graceful OR a book in which at least two characters must work together to solve a problem OR book with a beautiful cover. Remember to post the book cover.
The Man Must Marry - Janet Chapman 2/9✔12. Read a book in which a character has a bumpy ride OR a book whose cover shows a person in the air (NOT touching the ground or any other object), i.e., jumping, diving, etc. OR a book with a flying object (plane, angel, etc.) on the cover. Remember to post the book cover.
Lothaire - Kresley Cole 2/27✔13. Read a book with a number in the title (1, 2, 3, etc., NOT First, Second, Third) OR a book with a character who tries to stop something from happening OR a book with a lot of physical fights in the story.
Untold - Sarah Rees Brennan 2/13✔14. Read a book with a fast-paced plot OR book #1 or #2 in a series OR a book in which a character jumps into a risky situation “feet first.”
Highlander Most Wanted - Maya Banks (Montgomery & Armstrong #2) 2/7✔15. Read a book in which a character holds at least two different jobs OR a novel (NOT an anthology or collection of short stories!) that is a collaborative effort by two or more authors OR a book whose title begins with a letter in NORDIC (do NOT count A, An or The). Be sure to tell us the authors involved in the collaboration.
Steel's Edge - Ilona Andrews 2/25✔16. Read a short book (between 150-200 pages) OR a book published between 1992 and 2002 OR book #4 or #6 in a series. Remember to tell us how many pages or the year of publication.
The Falcon at the Portal - Elizabeth Peters (1999) 2/18✔17. Read a book with some form of ice occupying at least 50% of the cover OR a book in which a main character is a single parent OR a book with a human skeleton on the cover. Remember to post the book cover.
Chains of Ice - Christina Dodd 3/5✔18. Read a book by a female author published in 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014 OR a book that you started once before and never finished OR a book over 450 pages long. Remember to tell us the year of publication or the number of pages in the book.
W is for Wasted - Sue Grafton (published 9/2013) 2/8✔19. Read a book in which a character must have special skills or equipment in order to do his/her job OR book in which a competition of some sort is held OR a book with an 8, 2 or 3 in its original publication date. Remember to tell us the publication date.
Dark Lycan - Christine Feehan (pub 9/2013) 2/22✔20. Read a book in which a character changes direction in some way midway through the story OR a book over 800 pages long OR book #2 in a series.
Embrace the Night Eternal - Joss Ware 2/23✔21. Read a book in which a character has a permanent disability of some sort OR a book that focuses on some type of social awareness OR a book by an author who published his/her first book in the 1980s. Remember to tell us the year the book was published.
The Kill Room - Jeffery Deaver (paraplegic) 2/27CHALLENGE COMPLETE
By Bread Alone ChallengeDuration: November 1, 2013 - March 31, 2014
READ: 17/18
✔1. Read a book containing one of the four ingredients in its title or book that has a 4 word title (count A, An, and The) OR a book that is fourth in a series.
Stranger - Zoe Archer (Blades of the Rose #4) 11/24
✔2. Read a book with a yellow or white cover OR a book that is longer than 400 pages.
Curfew - Phil Rickman (625 pages) 11/6
✔3. Read a book that takes place in Italy OR a book that takes place over any holiday.
White Heat - Cherry Adair 11/2
4. Read a book that takes place in France OR a book that is written by a French author OR a book whose author initials (first and last name – ignore middle name) are BB, CC, BC, or CB.
✔5. Read a book set in Ireland OR a book whose main character’s last name initial can be found in BAKING SODA.
Death Bringer - Derek Landy 12/12
✔6. Read a book with any “starting” word in its title (i.e. start, begin, discovery, new, commence) OR read any book that has a “sour” or bad-tempered character OR a book that starts a new series.
Beyond the Night - Joss Ware 12/20
✔7. Read a book whose author or main character contain the name Sam in some form (first or last name is okay – i.e. Samuels, Samuelson, Sammy, Samantha, etc) OR read a book set in San Francisco OR a book with a primarily (more than 50%) gold cover.
Time Untime - Sherrilyn Kenyon 11/10
✔8. Read a book with a primarily brown (more than 50%) cover OR a book whose title contains a conjunction (and, or, nor, but, etc.) OR an anthology or book of short stories.
A Year and a Day - Virginia Henley 11/3
✔9. Read a book with a “seedy” character OR a book with multiple small items on the cover (i.e. seeds, rain drops, snowflakes, flower petals, pebbles, polka dots).
Whitechapel Gods - S.M. Peters 11/11
✔10. Read a "quick" book (less than 250 pages) OR a book written by a Jewish author OR a book where one of the main characters is Jewish (doesn’t have to be a practicing Jew).
Starfire Angels - Melanie Nilles (190 pages) 12/15
✔11. Read a book about friendship OR read a book that is the last (to date) in a series.
The Far West - Patricia Wrede 11/9
✔12. Read a book that is part of a series OR a book whose title contains an action verb ending in “ing.”
Affliction - Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake #22) 11/9
✔13. Read a book with any type of bread on the cover or in the title (in addition to loaves or slices, I’ll accept rolls, biscuits, popovers, and muffins) OR a book that has a major character who bakes (doesn’t have to bread).
Cream Puff Murder - Joanne Fluke (m.c. bakes cookies for a living) 11/29
✔14. Read a book that takes place in any mid-western state (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) OR takes place on a farm.
Dead Beat - Jim Butcher (Chicago, Illinois) 11/30
✔15. You may also read a book with a red, white, or green cover OR read a book with a “hottie” character.
Kinslayer - Jay Kristoff 11/13
✔16. Read a book whose cover is mostly the same color as your favorite sandwich filling (i.e. pink for ham, light brown for turkey, caramel for peanut butter, red or purple for jam) OR read a book with a “sandwich title.”
Head Over Heels - Jill Shalvis 11/7
✔17. Read any book about royalty OR any book focusing on a large company OR a book whose title contains A-R-T intact (A-R-T may be contained within a title word; it does not have to stand alone – i.e. parting, heart)
Fifth Quarter - Tanya Huff 12/11
✔18. Alternately, if you don’t want to write your own task, read a book where the first letter of every word in title (exclude A, An, and The) can be found in BREAD (2 word title minimum).
Eternity Base - Bob Mayer (E & B in BrEad) 11/21
Crazy Spell -it-out-Genre Challenge Duration: July 1, 2013 - April 30, 2014
ROUND ONE:
READ: 160/160
GENRE: ROMANCE COMPLETE! (view spoiler)
Contemporary COMPLETE (view spoiler)
Chick-Lit COMPLETE (view spoiler)
Historical COMPLETE (view spoiler)
Romantic COMPLETE (view spoiler)
Paranormal COMPLETE! (view spoiler)
Young Adult COMPLETE! (view spoiler)
Science Fiction COMPLETE! (view spoiler)
Suspense COMPLETE! (view spoiler)
Regency COMPLETE! (view spoiler)
Fantasy COMPLETE (view spoiler)
(continued)Time- Travel COMPLETE (view spoiler)
Inspirational COMPLETE! (view spoiler)
Multicultural COMPLETE (view spoiler)
Erotic COMPLETE (view spoiler)
Western Historical COMPLETE (view spoiler)
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
On Broadway / Musicals ChallengeDuration: August 1, 2013 - April 30, 2014
READ: 84/84
☀Part One: Spell It Out using TITLE ONLY
G: Grave Secrets - Kathy Reichs 10/8
R: River of Eden - Glenna McReynolds 8/29
E: Eyes Wide Open - Andrew Gross 8/26
A: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Seth Grahame-Smith 8/4
S: Sandstorm - James Rollins 8/26
E: Emissary - Fiona McIntosh 9/11
☀Part II: Roles - using only the first name of a main character from your book
★Danny Zuko - Danice - Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here - Christine Warren 4/13
★Sandy Dumbrowski - Stephanie - Last Man Standing - Cindy Gerard 8/5
★Kenickie - Kinsey - P is for Peril - Sue Grafton 8/2
★Doody - Delaney - Winter Kiss - Deborah Cooke 8/14
★Sonny - Sarah - Scarlet Nights - Jude Deveraux 9/20
★Roger - Riley - Dark Storm - Christine Feehan 2/2
★Betty Rizzo - Bennett - Scoundrel - Zoe Archer 8/18
★Frenchy - Fredrika - Unwanted - Kristina Ohlsson 8/21
★Marty - Maggie - The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf - Molly Harper 8/3
★Jan - Jem - Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare 8/2
★Patty Simcox - Philip - The Big Sleep - Raymond Chandler 8/16
★Eugene - Emma - Barely Breathing - Rebecca Donovan 8/12
★Miss Lynch - Maximillian - The Temptation of Your Touch - Teresa Medeiros 8/11
★Pink Ladies - Paul - Finding the Lost - Shannon Butcher 12/29
★Burger Palace Boys - Bridget - A Hoe Lot of Trouble - Heather Webber 10/30
☀Part III: Alone at a Drive-in Movie - using ONLY authors first or last initials.
A: Forced to Kill - Andrew Peterson 9/4
L: Unzipped - Lois Greiman 9/2
O: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology - Kevin Osborn 9/17
N: Fruits Basket, Volume 01 - Natsuki Takaya 8/11
E: The Ugly Duchess - Eloisa James 8/13
A: Master of Darkness - Angela Knight 9/5
T: Ugly Beautiful - Seanpaul Thomas 10/1
A: Murder of Crows - Anne Bishop 4/5
D: A Brisket, a Casket - Delia Rosen 8/13
R: The Last Boyfriend - Nora Roberts 8/31
I: Taking Eve - Iris Johansen 8/10
V: A Year and a Day - Virginia Henley 11/3
E: The Snake, the Crocodile & the Dog - Elizabeth Peters 8/13
I: Gunmetal Magic - Ilona Andrews 10/25
N: Starfire Angels - Melanie Nilles 12/15
M: A Taste of Sin - Connie Mason 8/9
O: Such Wicked Intent - Kenneth Oppel 10/26
V: With All My Soul - Rachel Vincent 12/4
I: Magic Gifts - Ilona Andrews 10/26
E: Death Magic - Eileen Wilks 9/30
☀Part One: Spell It Out using TITLE ONLY
R: Red Phoenix - Kylie Chan 9/26
O: Out of Breath - Rebecca Donovan 9/14
C: The Crystal Cave - Mary Stewart 9/4
K: Kill Me Again - Maggie Shayne 8/16
O: Once Upon a Tower - Eloisa James 10/8
F: Faerie Tales - Martin Greenberg 9/19
A: Affliction - Laurell K. Hamilton 11/9
G: Guilty as Sin - Tami Hoag 10/13
E: Eternally Yours - Cate Tiernan 10/18
S: Spirit Dances - C.E. Murphy 9/29
☀Part II: Roles - using only the first name of a main character from your book
★Drew Boley - Dirk - Deep Six - Clive Cussler 8/23
★Sherrie Christian - Serad - Capture My Heart - Bobbi Smith 8/30
★Mother - Mrs. Pollifax - Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled - Dorothy Gilman (goes by Mrs. not her first name) 9/2
★Father - Faolan - The Well of Shades - Juliet Marillier 8/7
★Lonny - Lyra - Sizzle - Julie Garwood 9/29
★Stacee Jaxx - Shane - Bitter Blood - Rachel Caine 9/23
★Dennis - Dean - The Red Heart of Jade - Marjorie Liu 8/31
★Franz - Ford - The Sweetest Thing - Jill Shalvis 8/28
★Regina - Ryder - The Perfect Hope - Nora Roberts 9/21
★Justice - Jared - Unspoken - Sarah Rees Brennan 8/8
★Hertz - Harry - Frog King, The: A Love Story - Adam Davies 8/11
☀Part III: I Wanna Rock & Here I Go Again - using ONLY authors first or last initials.
I: Hunting Eve - Iris Johansen 9/14
W: Mortal Ties - Eileen Wilks 10/15
A: Rebel - Zoe Archer 9/8
N: Aunt Dimity's Death - Nancy Atherton 9/8
N: Chasing Fire - Nora Roberts 8/21
A: Written in Red - Anne Bishop 9/16
R: The Woman Who Swallowed a Toothbrush: And Other Weird Medical Case Histories - Rob Myers 9/4
O: Z for Zachariah - Robert O'Brien 9/9
C: Naked Edge - Pamela Clare 8/3
K: Too Hot to Handle - Robin Kaye 10/9
H: Raven Cursed - Faith Hunter 10/12
E: The Seventh Sinner - Elizabeth Peters 8/28
R: When Is A Pig A Hog?: A Guide To Confoundingly Related English Words - Bernice Randall 9/6
E: The Hippopotamus Pool - Elizabeth Peters 10/17
I: What Doesn't Kill You - Iris Johansen 10/17
G: R is for Ricochet - Sue Grafton 10/4
O: Ink Flamingos - Karen Olson 9/17
A: Hearts of Smoke and Steam - Andrew Mayer 10/18
G: Utterly Charming - Kristina Grayson 8/30
A: Temptation Rising - A.C. Arthur 10/31
I: Silencing Eve - Iris Johansen 11/16
N: Aunt Dimity and the Duke - Nancy Atherton 10/6
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists
Books mentioned in this topic
Cross My Heart (other topics)Up to Me (other topics)
Love Is All You Need (other topics)
Bones to Ashes (other topics)
The Monstrumologist (other topics)
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