2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
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November - Togetherness in Holidays
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So happy to be leading the challenge! Can't wait to see what everyone reads in November!Participants:
- Amanda: 3/2
- Ashley: 0/4
- Chalmation: 3/3
- Consuelo: 1/2
- Elina: 1/2
- Emma: 3/10
- Greg: 2/2
- Kristin: 2/2
- Megan: 7/5
- Mie: 3/3
- Rachel: 4/3
- Sam F: 1/5
- Sharon: 0/5
- Sherry: 3/3
I'll join in for 5!1. All Saints Day, November 1 - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - completed
2. Culture Day of Bunka no Hi, Japan, November 3
3. Guy Fawkes Day, United Kingdom, November 5 - Commonwealth by Ann Patchett - completed
4. Martinmas, St. Martin and Germany, November 11
5. Armistice Day, Western Europe and the United States, November 11
6. Revolution Day, Mexico, November 20 - Ordinary Injustice: How America Holds Court by Amy Bach - completed
7. Teacher's Day, Costa Rica, November 22 - Into the Water by Paula Hawkins - completed
8. Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day, Sikh and India, November 24 - The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan - completed
9. Orange Day: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25 - Come Sundown by Nora Roberts - completed
10. And there is Thanksgiving in the United States, the Third Thursday in November. - The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand - completed
7/5 - challenge completed!
I would like to join in with 3 books :-)COMPLETE ✔️
Togetherness in holidays:
✅ 3. Guy Fawkes day - N or M? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 7. Teachers day - Betrayed ⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 9. Orange day - Dumb Witness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Looks like a tough one considering the books I have in mind for next month. I'll aim for 3.
It looks kinda difficult... I'm in for 3.
I'd Luke to try for all ten please1. All Saints Day, November 1 - - Pillars of Light by Jane Johnson
2. Culture Day of Bunka no Hi, Japan, November 3 - Bonus points if you finish it on November 3!
3. Guy Fawkes Day, United Kingdom, November 5 - The Haunting of Stonegate Workhouse by Tabatha Cross
4. Martinmas, St. Martin and Germany, November 11 -
5. Armistice Day, Western Europe and the United States, November 11 -
6. Revolution Day, Mexico, November 20 -
7. Teacher's Day, Costa Rica, November 22 -
8. Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day, Sikh and India, November 24 -
9. Orange Day: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25 - The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
10. And there is Thanksgiving in the United States, the Third Thursday in November. -
Welcome to the challenge, Mie, Rachel, Sherry, and Emma!
This looks like an interesting challange :) I'm in for 2 books.2/2 :D
1)Teacher's Day, Costa Rica, November 22 - Read a book featuring a teacher Hands Free mamma. Brīvroku mamma 2/5* 11/05/17
2) Martinmas, St. Martin and Germany, November 11 - Read a book set in Germany - Tavs ideālais gads 4/5* 11/11/2017
I'll try to read for 5. Thanks!3. Guy Fawkes Day, United Kingdom, November 5 - This is a holiday to celebrate the botched assassination of King James I by, you guessed it, Guy Fawkes. Bonfires are routinely part of the celebration. Read a book that is set in the United Kingdom or features a fire. Bonus points if you finish it on November 5! - Finished on 11/05/17! Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindqvist features 2 fires
Good timing for finishing the first 2 books of the month and of this challenge :-)Update msg 4: 2/3
✅ 3. Guy Fawkes day - N or M? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 7. Teachers day - Betrayed ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'll go for 2.3/2
✔3. Guy Fawkes Day, United Kingdom, November 5 - Read a book that is set in the United Kingdom or features a fire. Fahrenheit 451
✔7. Teacher's Day, Costa Rica, November 22 - Read a book set in Costa Rica or featuring a teacher. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated
✔9. Orange Day: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25 - Read a book written by a female author or someone fighting to end violence against women. Big Little Lies
(one comment: Thanksgiving is actually on the fourth Thursday, not the third.)
I'm in for 3.Guy Fawkes Day, Nov 5 - Remix - Finished 11/5/17
Teachers Day, Nov 22 - Night Flight - Finished 11/22/17
Orange Day, Nov 25 - Wuthering Heights - Finished 11/25/17
Welcome to all the new participants! Congrats, Mie, on being the first to complete your first books!
I will be in for 2 books and have finished the first. Lavinia by Ursula K. Leguin for a book written by a woman.1/2
Welcome, Greg, and congrats on finishing your first book!
Welcome to the challenge, Consuelo! Great progress, Chalmation and Kristin!
1. All Saints Day, November 1 - Read a book that features a saint or a dispute among the faiths. Bonus points if you finish it on November 1!2. Culture Day of Bunka no Hi, Japan, November 3 - Read a book that has to do with Japanese culture or has something to do with prosperity. Bonus points if you finish it on November 3!
3. Guy Fawkes Day, United Kingdom, November 5 -Read a book that is set in the United Kingdom or features a fire. Bonus points if you finish it on November 5! - Forbidden
4. Martinmas, St. Martin and Germany, November 11 - Read a book set in either St. Martin or in Germany or set during the harvest. Bonus points if you finish on November 11!
5. Armistice Day, Western Europe and the United States, November 11 - Read a book about World War I or about a soldier returning home from war. Bonus points if you finish on November 11!
6. Revolution Day, Mexico, November 20 - Read a book set in Mexico or featuring a struggle for independence. Bonus points if you finish on November 20! - When Dimple Met Rishi. May be a bit of a stretch, but both characters face a bit of a struggle to gain independence over their lives and what they want to do in their futures.
7. Teacher's Day, Costa Rica, November 22 - Read a book set in Costa Rica or featuring a teacher. Bonus points if you finish on November 22! - The Raven Boys. A teacher has an important role in the story.
8. Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day, Sikh and India, November 24 - Read a book featuring a Sikh or about someone who stands for his or her faith. Bonus points if you finish it on November 24!
9. Orange Day: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25 - Read a book written by a female author or someone fighting to end violence against women. Bonus points if you finish it on November 25! - Seven Ways We Lie is written by a female author, and has characters that directly challenge slut-shaming and attitudes toward women (not violence necessarily, but it's definitely a step toward it).
10. Thanksgiving in the United States, the Third Thursday in November. - Read a book written about the indigenous people on North America or about materialism. Bonus points if you finish it on Black Friday!
Just finished #3 (fire) - Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. I really like Patchett's writing. I just wish I liked her characters or plots better. I couldn't connect with any of the main characters. The chapters were not in sync chronologically, and it took me a few paragraphs to figure out where in the history of these families the chapter was placed. For me, this detracted from the actual story. 3.5 stars for the writing2/5
Just finished #8 (standing for faith) - The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan. This would have gotten a higher rating from me but for the haikus at the beginning of each chapter. I get it, it's about the god of poetry, but it's annoying. Other than that, the book is entertaining, and I'm glad someone else is as horrified of Indiana as I am;) Worth reading. 3.5 stars3/5
Congrats on being the first to complete the challenge, Greg!
Congrats on completing your challenge, Kristin!
updated message 141/2
✔9. Orange Day: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25 - Read a book written by a female author or someone fighting to end violence against women. Big Little Lies
Great progress and a great book, Amanda!
updated message 142/2
✔3. Guy Fawkes Day, United Kingdom, November 5 - Read a book that is set in the United Kingdom or features a fire. Fahrenheit 451
Congrats on completing your challenges, Amanda and Mie!
Just finished #7 (teacher) - Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. I appreciate Hawkins' character development! Similar to Girl on a Train, in this book, she presents the multiple characters in one way, then develops them over the course of the story until suddenly I'm feeling sympathy for a character I originally disliked, and vice versa. For me, this book had a faster pace than Girl on a Train. Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars4/5
Updated message 143/2
✔7. Teacher's Day, Costa Rica, November 22 - Read a book set in Costa Rica or featuring a teacher. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Illustrated Many teachers in Harry Potter!
Just finished #6 (struggle for independence) - Ordinary Injustice: How America Holds Court by Amy Bach. While I appreciate the undertaking from the author, as a public defender, I have serious concerns with some of the issues and conclusions in the book. I completely agree with the chapter on judges. The chapter regarding defense attorneys is valid, however, the author failed to fully show the other side - that there are amazing public defender offices that do better work than most private lawyers. The chapters regarding prosecutions assumes that every "victim" who reports a crime is correct and without motive. She fails to show what the merest hint of an allegation on a falsely accused person can do to their lives. Instead she focuses on the lack of prosecution on "victims". There are definitely crimes that are reported and not prosecuted for many reasons. But in my experience, it is the overzealous prosecutors and police who tend to cause the most harm and havoc to our society. Interesting information and worth reading. 3 stars5/5 - challenge completed!
Update: 3/3 Completed
1. All Saints Day, November 1
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden [Read 11/19/2017]
2. Culture Day of Bunka no Hi, Japan, November 3
Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen by Abby Denson [11/3/2017]
9. Orange Day: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25
Crossed (Matched #2) by Ally Condie [Read 11/6/2017]
Congrats on completing the challenge, Sherry!
Just completed #10 (materialism) - The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand. Really solid, good book! The beginning was a bit slow to start, and the chapters in the point of view of the respective islands are a bit odd. Other than that, I really enjoyed it. Nice storyline and interesting characters. They are bratty and annoying at the start, but really grew on me towards the end. Worth reading! 4 stars7/5
Congrats on completing your challenge, Chalmation!
2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Tavs ideālais gads (other topics)The Identicals (other topics)
The Identicals (other topics)
Crossed (other topics)
Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
John Ajvide Lindqvist (other topics)Tabatha Cross (other topics)
Jane Johnson (other topics)
Laura Purcell (other topics)
Duration November 1, 2017 to November 30, 2017
In America, November generally means Thanksgiving. However, there are many countries that celebrate other important holidays during this month. This month’s challenge is to read a book that meets goes with each of the holidays below:
1. All Saints Day, November 1 - Mostly associated with Christian belief, this holiday celebrates the lives of those who died for the faith. Each Christian denomination defines saint a bit differently. Read a book that features a saint or a dispute among the faiths. Bonus points if you finish it on November 1!
2. Culture Day of Bunka no Hi, Japan, November 3 - This event celebrates the Japanese Constitution and Culture. It is a day to celebrate peace, freedom, and prosperity. Read a book that has to do with Japanese culture or has something to do with prosperity. Bonus points if you finish it on November 3!
3. Guy Fawkes Day, United Kingdom, November 5 - This is a holiday to celebrate the botched assassination of King James I by, you guessed it, Guy Fawkes. Bonfires are routinely part of the celebration. Read a book that is set in the United Kingdom or features a fire. Bonus points if you finish it on November 5!
4. Martinmas, St. Martin and Germany, November 11 - This holiday is named for St. Martin of Tours. The celebration includes many ancient pagan customs that celebrated the harvest, such as the slaughtering of cattle and the harvesting of the crops. Read a book set in either St. Martin or in Germany or set during the harvest. Bonus points if you finish on November 11!
5. Armistice Day, Western Europe and the United States, November 11 - This holiday marks the end of World War I on the western front with the signing of the armistice by the Allies and Germany at Compiegne, France “on the 11th hour of the 11 day on the 11th month.” It is also called Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Day. Read a book about World War I or about a soldier returning home from war. Bonus points if you finish on November 11!
6. Revolution Day, Mexico, November 20 - This holiday celebrates the beginning of Mexico's decade-long struggle for independence. There are numerous parades throughout Mexico on their Dia de la Revolucion. Read a book set in Mexico or featuring a struggle for independence. Bonus points if you finish on November 20!
7. Teacher's Day, Costa Rica, November 22 - This holiday celebrates teachers and the education system in Costa Rica. Students often stage plays to celebrate their studies. Read a book set in Costa Rica or featuring a teacher. Bonus points if you finish on November 22!
8. Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day, Sikh and India, November 24 - This day of remembrance celebrates the life and death of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikh religion. He was beheaded in 1675 when he refused to convert. Read a book featuring a Sikh or about someone who stands for his or her faith. Bonus points if you finish it on November 24!
9. Orange Day: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25 - Declared by the UN, this day begins a 16 day campaign to bring awareness to and end gender-based violence. Read a book written by a female author or someone fighting to end violence against women. Bonus points if you finish it on November 25!
10. And there is Thanksgiving in the United States, the Third Thursday in November. - This is the holiday in the United States that celebrates the Pilgrims coming together with the Natives (this is contested, so no debates please). It is also the holiday that officially kicks of the holiday shopping season around the world. Read a book written about the indigenous people on North America or about materialism. Bonus points if you finish it on Black Friday!
This challenge was created and will be lead by Megan.