The Challenge Factory discussion

This will be an ongoing reading challenge that anyone can play.
Jump in at any time to request your definitions from a dictionary.

Here's how it works:
Step 1: pick a number between 7 - 360
Step 2: pick three numbers between 1 - 25

I will then post the three definitions you chose in Step 2, found on the page number you picked in Step 1. Then you will use one of those definitions to find a book.

The book can have the definition in the title, be found on the cover, or suggested somehow by the definition.

Here's an example of a post:
Lanelle, I pick # 91
and
#s 2, 12 and 23

I will then reply to your request to tell you what I found on page 91:
#2 irreversible - incapable of being reversed
#12 jack o'lantern - a lantern made of a pumpkin, or the like, so as to show features of a human face
#23 jaw - one of the structures that border the mouth and serve to open and close it

The participant then posts that s/he decides to go with #12, and chooses to read Something Wicked This Way Comes since it is set at Halloween time.

There are no page or time limits.
Re-reads are okay.
Be sure to let us know if you liked your book.

Is there a time limit for reading the book?

I choose page 15, definitions 2, 4 and 9.

Rosa wrote: "Is there a time limit for reading the book?"

Good question. Ummm, you have 1 year. *grin*

Rosa wrote: "I choose page 15, definitions 2, 4 and 9."

#2 ash - 1) the mineral part of a combustible substance left after combustion 2) fine lava thrown out in a volcanic eruption
#4 ashore - to, or toward, the shore; on the shore
#9 asphalt - a brown to black bitumen used in paving

Good luck!

62
3 5 20

Delitealex wrote: "62
3 5 20"

Delitealex, here are your definitions from page 62:
#3 evasion - act of evading; also, a means of evading; a subterfuge
#5 ever - at all times; always
#20 except - to take or leave out; exclude; omit

Some interesting options here!

Another interesting challenge. I'm in.

I'm going to try page 147, definitions 3, 17 and 24.

I'll give it a go!

37

2, 6, 9

Barbara ★ wrote: "Another interesting challenge. I'm in.

I'm really glad you think so.

I'm going to try page 147, definitions 3, 17 and 24."

#3 sacrament - one of the solemn religious ceremonies, as baptism, the Eucharist, etc.
#17 salable - capable of being sold; marketable
#24 salvage - act of saving a vessel or goods from peril

Can't wait to see what you pick, Barbara.

Judy wrote: "This looks like fun!"

I guess it would depend on what kind of definitions you ended up with :)

"50
5,10,15"

#5 detergent - a cleansing substance
#10 detract - to withdraw; subtract
#15 devise - to form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, etc.; contrive; invent

⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "I'll give it a go! That's the spirit!

⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "37

2, 6, 9"

#2 conclude - to bring to an end; close; finish; to terminate
#6 concurrent - running together; existing or happening at the same time
#9 condescend - to stoop or descend; waive the privilege of rank or dignity

I've got ideas for all three of your definitions.

Lanelle wrote: "#2 conclude - to bring to an end; close; finish; to terminate
#6 concurrent - running together; existing or happen..."

I have ideas for a couple of them too...but I'm going to go with "#2 conclude - to bring to an end; close; finish; to terminate", and read Safe Haven: Love in Juniper Ridge by Heather Tullis, as it is the final book in the Carver Ranch series.

Looks interesting - I'll give it a go!

I think I'll go with 77: #1, 12, 25

#1 gravy - a liquid dressing for meat
#12 groan - to utter a deep, moaning sound - an extremely well (written) book or character I really love / erotica
#25 grumble - to murmur with discontent; to growl; mutter - an extremely bad book or unlikely character
7/16: I just finished = by Angela Marsons 5* great book (even better than the first one in series) and I like Kim more than I thought possible after the first book. The antagonist on the other hand was a real nasty piece of evil and it's fitting #12 & #25 :-)

The next set: 167: #20, 2 & 17
#2 sunburn - inflammation of the skin, from exposure to the sun's rays -> book set in summer or on the beach; cover with sun; character with sunburn
#17 supposition - opinion or belief without sufficient evidence; hypothesis -> academic non-fiction; legal thrillers or crime with circumstancial evidence
#20 surety - 1) state of being sure 2) one liable for the debt or default of another 3) a sponsor -> book I'm sure I'll love; character dealing with debt or economics
7/17: I'll go with by Janet Evanovich - I know I won't love it, but it will be fun and enjoyable enough. Additionally she's always struggling with her finances - not really in debt but on the brink of.
7/18: Just finished the book and it was as predictable as I expected. 3*

The next set: 120: #10, 15 & 18
#10 papa - father; - a child's word -> Chesapeake Bay Saga #1: Shortly before his death Cam's adoptive father took in a child and asked him and his brother's to take over.
#15 paprika - the dried ripened fruit of various peppers; also, the mildly pungent red condiment prepared from it -> a spicy book
#18 paradise - a place of bliss; a state of happiness -> a book making blissfully happy: Miss Fortune series
7/24: Finished today book 3 of - 5* Again it was a fun, light and very entertaining read. I love so much Fortune, Ida Belle & Gertie and like Carter more and more with each book. I loved all the unexpected twists and turns and look already forward to the next book in series :-)

My next picks: 102 - 4, 21 & 24
#4 mark - 1) a thing aimed at; a goal or target 2) a significant token; symptom; a trait => anything sniper or military (incl. PMC): Miss Fortune #4, Black Knights Inc. #6
#21 mate - 1) a companion; comrade 2) a match, an equal 3) a husband or wife; also one of a pair of animals => romance: The Firm
#24 maternal - of or pertaining to a mother; motherly => with a mother or motherly type as significant character - Rose sisters from the Bluegrass series - The Keeneston Roses
7/25: I read today and loved it as much as the other books in the series. The Rose sisters are motherly types and this book tells their story. 5*

7/26: My next picks: 172 - 3, 4 & 22
#3 tempestuous - stormy, violent => stormy looking cover or set during a storm / extensive graphic violence / tempestuous relationship
#4 temple - 1) the flattened space on either side of the forehead 2) an edifice for worship => Christian fiction / head only or main focus on cover - prefarably in profile
#22 terra cota - 1) hard-baked pottery, especially that of a brownish red or yellowish red color 2) a color like that of terra cotta => anything related to pottery or terra cota colored cover
7/28: I read = and liked it pretty much. 4* (view spoiler)[Cal is called back home because his father is in hospital. Shortly before his accident the father took in another boy and started the adoption process. With his last breath he asked his adult sons to make sure Seth can stay with them. After the funeral they learn there are some nasty rumors about his father that leads to issues with the insurance company and have also impact on the new relationship between Cal and Anna. Both survived violent pasts and their tempers are pretty explosive :-) (hide spoiler)]

Next picks: 17 - 2, 8 & 18
#2 aurora borealis - an atmospheric phenomenon consisting, usually, of streams of light radiating upward and outward toward the east and west from the north polar region => books set in Alaska or any nordic country or cover with colors or forms similar to those lights Twilight's Serenade?
#8 autocracy - 1) absolute supremacy 2) supreme governing power in an individual; authority of an autocrat => strong mother
#18 aviary - a place, as a house, for keeping birds confined => books about birds or bird in the center of story
7/29: Last night I started = and was reminded once again that Dr. Mira became Eve's surrogate mother. She's a strong mother for her children as well. I love the way their relationship developed within the series.
7/31: Finished today = 4*

My next set: 20 - 7, 13 & 19
#7 bed - that upon or within which one sleeps or rests => erotica or hot romance/RS
#13 befuddle - to becloud and confuse, as with liquor => drunk or alcoholic character or someone very confused
#19 beholder - a spectator; looker-on
8/6: Finally I started and love this books as much as the previous in the Miss Fortune series :-)))))))))) - Gertie 'old as dirt' :-) acts always confused (major spoiler: Book 1) (view spoiler)[to hide her true training and skills as former undercover intelligence officer during the Vietnam War (hide spoiler)]; in this book Fortune (burned CIA assassin in hiding and trying more or less successfull to pull off school librarian & beauty pageant queen) decided to try this trick as well - and it worked - kind of :-)
8/7: Finished 5* - another hilarious book in the series!

My next picks: 87 - 8, 16 & 22
8/8:
#8 indeed - in reality; truly; to be sure
#16 indict - to charge with an offense; find an indictment against
#22 indirection - indirect course or means; unfair or dishonest practices

#8: the word appears 4 times in the book (Pos. 1145, 1930, 2471 & 2473 - the last two even on the same page) and all of them within the 76 percent I read after I got up. Since I started the book after midnight read the entire book today :-) It was really hard to decide which of the four sentences I like most and I just go for the first one: ...God was working indeed.

8/9: My next picks: 169: 8, 17 & 20
#8 sword - 1) a weapon having a long, and usually pointed blade with a cutting edge 2) an emblem of authority and power
#17 synagogue - a Jewish congregation; also, a place primarily used for the congregation's place of worship
#20 synonymous - having the character of a synonym; equivalent in meaning; expressing or implying the same idea

Got sidetracked again - I read and still didn't continue my current O-book and beta read I planned for today ;-)

My next picks 43: 8, 9 & 19
#8 cue - 1) a rod used to impel the balls in billiards, etc. 2) hint 3) line immediately preceding the actor's line, serving as a prompt
#9 cuff - 1) a blow made with the flat of the hand 2) an ornamental band covering the wrist
#19 cumulate - to heap together; accumulate: Flash Crash, Lingerie Wars, Nemesis in Spain or The Actuary

8/15: I'm so glad I didn't check the main genre of and just started it - chick-lit's not my most favorite :-) First things first: I picked it because the blurb said: ... Luke Benson leaned his life savings to his dippy sister so that she could buy a shop. It was a big mistake ... So he steps in to make the shop profitable, sell it and get his money back. (#19) I was able to find the other two definitions in the book as well: #9: there's a big fight with fists and a knife; #8: major spoiler (view spoiler)[Kirsty invited Lake to distracted him from the break-in into his shop her mother (and her knitting friends) planned. Unfortunatelly the old ladies weren't up to it and Kirsty went to her bedroom to give them some hints how to do it, while Lake watched it :-) (hide spoiler)]
That was such a great book - I hope to get my hands soon on the next one in series. It's fun, intelligent, has wonderful characters and great character development, and there's enough drama and some suspense to spice it up.

My next picks: 170: 6, 15 & 17
#6 tactics - 1) act of handing or using troops or ships in battle 2) method of procedure => anything military, PMC, ops of all kind or (team) sports
#15 tame - 1) reduced from native wildness; domesticated 2) subdued;, also, gentle; as, tame behavior 3) deficient in spirrit, interest, etc; dull; insipid => anything pets; plain romance (tame reagarding sexual tension); cosy-mysteries - Blade in the Water
#17 tangible - 1) capable of being touched; palpable 2) real; substantial; evident

8/18: I read today this tame cozy-mystery (#15) was set around a regatta and there were even some soldiers there (view spoiler)[ helping to save the day :-) (hide spoiler)] (#8)

8/19: My next picks: 124: 7, 18 & 20
#7 percale - a fine, smooth-finished cotton fabric, often printed => historical fiction / anything patchwork/quilting/sewing - The Vigilante's Bride
#18 perfidious - deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful => anything serial killer, affair or conspiracy
#20 perforate - to pierce through; to make a hole through => anything with a gun wound or covers with holes

8/21: I started last night and I'm already hooked! Emily was sent from the Orphanage she grew up to a rich rancher in the west as a mail-order-bride. For that reason she had to get a new set of finer clothes before she left Chicago. (view spoiler)[Later in the book she changed from buying clothes for the new orphanage to sewing those to make additional funds free. (hide spoiler)] (#7) Her intended 'husband' is a really nasty man - I'm sure his picture was next to the definition is your dictionary ;-) (#18) When Luke (male MC and a former victim of the rancher) finds it out in a chance meeting, he abducts her for her own good :-)
8/23: As I expected there were some holes in bodies and not only from guns :-) (#18) - I was able to place all three definitions :-))))))))))))
I'm just amazed, what a great book - why did I wait that long to read this it ;-)

My next picks: 123: 5, 17 & 23
#5 peculiar - 1) strange or odd; unusual 2) belonging exclusively to
#17 penance - action performed to show penitence and as reparation for sin
#23 peninsula - a piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water

both MCs behave rather odd. With the blurb and the first three chapters I imagine we'll get to penance as well. And even if the story isn't set on a peninsula it's set on a lake and a waterfall is central to the story so with a stretch this one could be stretched to fit ;-)
8/27: Oops I forgot to post my completion post :-) I finished the book two days ago and with a very biiiiiiiiiiiiiig stretch I'd be able to place #17 as well, but that wouldn't really fit so I let it be ;-)

My next picks: 72: 7, 11 & 14

⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "the final book in the Carver Ranch series. ."

That's what I was thinking.

Lanelle wrote: "⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "the final book in the Carver Ranch series. ."

That's what I was thinking."

The end of a series, or that particular book? I've got a review copy of it that I have to read by the end of the month, so it works out!

Agnieszka wrote: "Looks interesting - I'll give it a go!"

"I think I'll go with 77 - 1, 12, 25"

#1 gravy - a liquid dressing for meat
#12 groan - to utter a deep, moaning sound
#25 grumble - to murmur with discontent; to growl; mutter

I really like #12. Have fun!

⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "The end of a series, or that particular book? "

The end of a series.

This sounds great! What a clever idea!!

#192

#3 #6 #18

Kris Mongo wrote: "This sounds great! What a clever idea!!"

Thank you, Kris :)

#192

#3 #6 #18"

#3 yield - 1) to give in return for labor; pay 2) to produce; give forth 3) to give; grant; afford 4) to give way; submit; surrender; give precedence
#6 young - being in the first or early period of life
#18 zest - 1) something that gives a pleasant taste 2) gusto

Wow. Lots of options with #3.

Lets see......150
Then, 2, 14 and 21

Leslie wrote: "Lets see......150
Then, 2, 14 and 21"

Here ya go, Leslie.

#2 scrupulous - full of or having scruples
#14 seasickness - nausea caused by the pitching or rolling of a vessel
#21 second - 1) immediately after the first in place or value 2) one who attends another to support and aid him

#21 is rather easy :)
Leslie, I'm feeling kind of left out. Could you pick a set of numbers for me so I can play along?

Lanelle wrote: "Delitealex wrote: "62
3 5 20"

Delitealex, here are your definitions from page 62:
#3 evasion - act of evading; also, a means of evading; a subterfuge
#5 ever - at all times; always
#20 except - to..."

I'm reading for #20 except all shapeshifters seem to be welcome except the MC since shes a snakeshifter.

Delitealex wrote: "all shapeshifters seem to be welcome except the MC since shes a snakeshifter."

That makes sense. I hope you enjoy the book.

i'll give this a try.

i'm going with 2 with 10, 5, and 7

Nancy85 wrote: "i'll give this a try.

"i'm going with 2 with 10, 5, and 7"

Nancy, the first number needs to be between 6 - 192. Page 2 is the copyright page :)

Lanelle, can I use a book I started before I joined this challenge and will finish most likely today or rather one I started afterwards?

Lanelle wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Lets see......150
Then, 2, 14 and 21"

Here ya go, Leslie.

#2 scrupulous - full of or having scruples
#14 seasickness - nausea caused by the pitching or rolling of a vessel
#21 seco..." that in a is pretty easy. I have been reading some dragon shifter books that are all about seconding mates and friends. I just started Ruby Dragon
My dictionary has a lot more pages in it.... But I can do that. What numbers?

ok. how bout 7 with 10, 5, and 9?

Agnieszka wrote: "Lanelle, can I use a book I started before I joined this challenge and will finish most likely today or rather one I started afterwards?"

Started afterwards, please.

Leslie wrote: "My dictionary has a lot more pages in it.... But I can do that. What numbers? "

I wanted a simpler dictionary that didn't have weird or unusual words in it.

You pick the numbers, please.

Lanelle wrote: "Agnieszka wrote: "Lanelle, can I use a book I started before I joined this challenge and will finish most likely today or rather one I started afterwards?"

Started afterwards, please."

Thank you!

Lanelle (your grandson picked the words, and I picked the page....so that explains potatoe):

Portal - an entrance, a large doorway, a gate

Possession - that which one owns, property

Potatoe - an underground starch vegetable

Nancy85 wrote: "ok. how bout 7 with 10, 5, and 9?"

Great.

Nancy, your definitions are:
#5 accusation - act of being accused
#9 acquaint - 1) to give knowledge by trial or experience 2) to notify; inform
#10 acquire - to gain; usually by one's own exertion; get as one's own

#5 has possibilities. Good luck.

I'll give this a try!

Page 188

#8, #18, #24

Thanks
Denise

Leslie wrote: "Lanelle (your grandson picked the words, and I picked the page....so that explains potatoe):"

Well, Luke doesn't like potatoes, so it must have been Eric. Thanks all around :)

I'm going with the first definiton - portal, which is an entrance, a large doorway, a gate. I picked up Portal Through the Pond free on Amazon about three years ago. Now's a good time to finally read it. Changed my mind. I'm going to read The Secret Garden. Mary Lennox searchs and searchs for the entrance into the locked garden.

Denise wrote: "I'll give this a try!" Welcome, Denise!

"Page 188

#8, #18, #24"

#5 watermark - 1) a mark indicating the height of water 2) a mark produced in paper during manufacture
#18 weep - to show grief or other passion by shedding tears
#24 well-bred - having good breeding; refined

I just finished reading a book where a watermark helped solve the crime :)

I just finished a book about grief and don't want to read another one for a while!

What was the book you read with the watermark?

In the mean time, I'll be thinking of a book.

Denise wrote: "I just finished a book about grief and don't want to read another one for a while!'

I tend to avoid those kinds :)

"What was the book you read with the watermark?"

An old book by L. Frank Baum (famous for The Wizard of Oz) called The Daring Twins.

Lanelle wrote: "Barbara ★ wrote: "Another interesting challenge. I'm in.

I'm really glad you think so.

I'm going to try page 147, definitions 3, 17 and 24."

#3 sacrament - one of the solemn religious ceremonies, as baptism, the Eucharist, etc.
#17 salable - capable of being sold; marketable
#24 salvage - act of saving a vessel or goods from peril

Can't wait to see what you pick, Barbara. "

Can I use a book I started last night (at 10:30) after I posted my intention to join the challenge? It just so happens to have religious undertones and so far most of the disagreements are about sacrificing animals during religious ceremonies. Would that work for sacrament?

Finished my Pick! I gave Safe Haven: Love in Juniper Ridgeby Heather Tullis 3 stars, which was an improvement on the series as a whole!

For my next set:
Step 1: 40

Step 2: 3, 8, 20

yikes Trea wtg I haven't even chosen my first pick lol

Denise wrote: "yikes Trea wtg I haven't even chosen my first pick lol"

LOL, this one was a shorter book, but with the definitions I was given, it was a no brainer!

I'm not sure if you want us to repost the original message after we finished - so just in case:

#1 gravy - a liquid dressing for meat
#12 groan - to utter a deep, moaning sound - an extremely well (written) book or character I really love / erotica
#25 grumble - to murmur with discontent; to growl; mutter - an extremely bad book or unlikely character

I just finished = by Angela Marsons 5* - great book (even better than the first one in series) and I like Kim more than I thought possible after the first book. The antagonist on the other hand was a real nasty piece of evil and it's fitting #12 & #25 :-) The only good thing about audiobooks I'm somehow faster finished and was able to continue with the wedding preparations :-)

The next set: 167 - #20, 2 & 17

Lanelle wrote: "#2 ash - 1) the mineral part of a combustible substance left after combustion 2) fine lava thrown out in a volcanic eruption
#4 ashore - to, or toward, the shore; on the shore
#9 asphalt - a brown to black bitumen used in paving "

Rosa wrote: "I'll choose #2 and will read: A Zen for Murder by Leighann Dobbs because there is a shore on the cover:



Finished 7/30/17

Barbara ★ wrote: "Can I use a book I started last night (at 10:30) after I posted my intention to join the challenge? Would that work for sacrament?"

Yes, and yes! (Sometimes the stars align perfectly :)

Trea, your next definitions are:

#3 convenient - suited to or affording ease; comfort; saving trouble
#8 converse - to talk
#20 cordial - 1) tending to revive, cheer or invigorate 2) hearty; sincere

Agnieszka wrote: "I'm not sure if you want us to repost the original message after we finished - so just in case:

Whatever works :)

Your new definitions from page 167 are:
#2 sunburn - inflammation of the skin, from exposure to the sun's rays
#17 supposition - opinion or belief without sufficient evidence; hypothesis
#20 surety - 1) state of being sure 2) one liable for the debt or default of another 3) a sponsor

Rosa wrote: "I'll choose #2 and will read: A Zen for Murder by Leighann Dobbs because there is a shore on the cover:

A Zen for Murder (Moosamuck Island #1) by Leighann Dobbs

(I hope I've done this right)"

Looks great.

Judy wrote: "Page 50- #15 devise

I read Adam today and the heroine Meg devised several plans to deal with the aftermath of dealing with her cheating fiance. It was a kindle freebie, and I really liked it- so the author devised a plan to get me to read more books in the series :)"

Scheming all around!

Here are your definitions:
#2 foresight 1) act or power of foreseeing 2) care or provision for the future
#12 forsake - to desert; abandon
#22 fountain 1) a spring of water 2) an artificial jet of water or the structure from which it flows 3) a reservoir for a liquid, as ink

#5 watermark - 1) a mark indicating the height of water 2) a mark produced in paper during manufacture
#18 weep - to show grief or other passion by shedding tears
#24 well-bred - having good breeding; refined

Lanelle -
The only thing I've been able to come up with is Blood on the Water by Anne Perry (#20 in the William Monk series) which is mostly about the commander of the Thames River Police and they use all kinds of information about currents and watermarks, etc. as I've learned from other books in the series.
What do you think?

Lanelle wrote: "Trea, your next definitions are:

#3 convenient - suited to or affording ease; comfort; saving trouble
#8 converse - to talk
#20 cordial - 1) tending to revive, cheer or invigorate 2) hearty; sincere"

I think I'll go with #8 and read Talk This Way by Dakota Cassidy.