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message 1: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
2 Months from Start

Landmarks give us a sense of place, connect us to a destination and inspire travel. Join us as we explore a new famous landmark.
Big-Ben

Complete 7 tasks.

Challenge Rules: All forms of books are accepted as long as they are 100 pages or more. When posting updates of completed books, please include a link to the title and author’s name, along with the date you finished reading the book. Please post cover if it is task appropriate. When you have completed the challenge, please copy and paste your entire challenge and repost in a new message, letting us know it is completed.

******************************************************************

1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) n the story.

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.


message 2: by Jan, Moderator (last edited Oct 27, 2023 01:38PM) (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Participants

Allie ~ Done
Amanda A
Bev(baglady) ~ Done
Book Concierge ~ Done
Bryony ~ Done
Catsalive ~ Done
Chrystal ~ Done
Dee ~ Done
Ed ~ Done
Frankie ~ Done
Genevieve ~ Done
Hannah
Jan ~ Done
JoAnne ~ Done
Jody
Jonquil ~ Done
Judy ~ Done
Karen ♐ ~ Done
Kari
Marina H ~ Done
Meg ~ Done
Olivermagnus ~ Done
Patrizia ~ Done
Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)
Sarah ~ Done
Shelly
Teri-k ~ Done
Trish ~ Done
Viji


message 3: by Jan, Moderator (last edited Feb 14, 2020 01:53PM) (new)

Jan | 21151 comments My Spot

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
8/8

1.Read a book that takes place in London: One Day in December by Josie Silver 12/21/19**
One Day in December by Josie Silver

2. Read a series book #4: Sleuthing at Sweet Springs | Maggie Pill 12/4/19****
Sleuthing at Sweet Springs (The Sleuth Sisters Mysteries, #4) by Maggie Pill

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover: The Cuckoo Clock of Doom | R.L. Stine 11/9/19***
The Cuckoo Clock of Doom (Goosebumps, #28) by R.L. Stine

4. Read a book a book you found illuminating (it reminded me to not read straight romance no matter how cute it looks). Mooseletoe | Tiffinie Helmer 11/126/19**
Mooseletoe by Tiffinie Helmer

5. Read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (2016). Spiced and Iced | Jenny Kales 12/15/19**
Spiced and Iced (A Callie's Kitchen Mystery #2) by Jenny Kales

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme: The Trouble with Turkeys | Kathi Daley 11/28/19***
The Trouble with Turkeys (Zoe Donovan Mystery #2) by Kathi Daley

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Washington Irving 11/5/19***
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

8. Read a book in a favorite series.
Deadfall | 12/31/19***
Deadfall (Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries, # 12) by Donna Ball


message 4: by Olivermagnus (last edited Dec 24, 2019 05:38AM) (new)

 Olivermagnus (lynda11282) | 1066 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
8
of 8 Complete

📌 1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
What Remains of Heaven- C.S. Harris - 12/3/19

📌 2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.
Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
Unfathomed - Anna Hackett - 12/14/19 - #4 Treasure Hunter Security

📌 3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.
Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
The Nothing Girl - Jodi Taylor - 12/24/19

📌 4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.
Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
A Dangerous Collaboration - Deanna Raybourn - 11/15/19 - set in 1888

📌 5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.
Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore - Matthew J. Sullivan - 11/6/19

📌 6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.
Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) n the story.
Holiday in Death - J.D. Robb - 12/19/19

📌 7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.
Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris - 11/19/19

📌 8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.
Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
A Minute to Midnight - David Baldacci - 12/10/19 - pub November 19, 2019


message 5: by Bryony (last edited Dec 17, 2019 01:31PM) (new)

Bryony (bryony46) | 386 comments Yay, a challenge about a world landmark in my own city! :-)

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Progress: 8/8
Completed: 17 December 2019

✔️ 1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie
Completed: 29 November 2019

✔️ 2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
Completed: 20 November 2019

✔️ 3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
Completed: 17 December 2019

✔️ 4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
Completed: 13 November 2019

✔️ 5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton
First published 1946.
Completed: 6 December 2019

✔️ 6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) in the story.
Made In Scotland: My Grand Adventures in a Wee Country by Billy Connolly
Completed: 27 November 2019

✔️ 7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
The Dressmaker by Beryl Bainbridge
Completed: 1 November 2019

✔️ 8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
Completed: 6 November 2019


message 6: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Welcome Lynda & Bryony! Glad I made you feel at home Bryony :)


message 7: by Marina (last edited Feb 26, 2020 01:44AM) (new)

Marina | 327 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
Date: November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Completed: 8/8

1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
The Cherry Tree Café by Heidi Swain 26/02/20

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
Mærket for livet by Emelie Schepp 377 pages, 01/11/19

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY
Pigen under jorden by Elly Griffiths 26/11/19

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating: I learned quit a lot about the marsh from the descriptions of the nature and animals
Hvor flodkrebsene synger by Delia Owens 15/11/19

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year = 2016
All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda 06/11/19

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) n the story.
Doktor Proktor redder julen...? by Jo Nesbø 06/12/19

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
HOMO sapienne by Niviaq Korneliussen by Niviaq Korneliussen 05/11/19

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny 04/11/19


message 8: by Patrizia, Contributor (last edited Dec 05, 2019 01:47AM) (new)

Patrizia | 1360 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
8/8

1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
Deadly Evidence by Elizabeth Goddard 24 November; 4★
Deadly Evidence (Mount Shasta Secrets #1) by Elizabeth Goddard

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
Died in the Wool by Melinda Mullet 13 November; 5★
Died in the Wool (Whisky Business Mystery #4) by Melinda Mullet

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott 17 November; 4★
Prologue to Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, #2) by Lauren Elliott

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
1871- A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott 4 December; 5★
A Distance Too Grand (American Wonders Collection, #1) by Regina Scott

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
Be Still My Bleating Heart by Hannah Reed 2 December; 4 1/2★
Be Still My Bleating Heart (Scottish Highlands #4) by Hannah Reed

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch (real or fictional) in the story.
Un cuore di ghiaccio (=A Nordic King) by Karina Halle 6 November; 5★
Un cuore di ghiaccio by Karina Halle

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
Bring Me Flowers by D.K. Hood 29 November; 5★
Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton, #2) by D.K. Hood

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
Murder in an Irish Churchyard by Carlene O'Connor 3 November; 5★
Murder in an Irish Churchyard (Irish Village Mystery #3) by Carlene O'Connor


message 9: by Bev(baglady) (last edited Sep 29, 2020 12:02PM) (new)

Bev(baglady) (blbaglady) | 604 comments completed 09/29/2020

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
11/01/19 - 12/31/19


1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
One Day in December by Josie Silver One Day in December Josie Silver 11/07/19 Takes place in London

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
The Prophet (Graveyard Queen, #3) by Amanda Stevens The Prophet Amanda Stevens 11/03/19 347 Pages

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty Nine Perfect Strangers Liane Moriarty 11/12/19

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #1) by Kerri Maniscalco Kerri Maniscalco 08/27/2020

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
Kids of Appetite by David Arnold Kids of Appetite David Arnold 11/19/19

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) n the story.
An Amish Christmas Love by Joseph Hersh An Amish Christmas Love Joseph Hersh 12/16/19

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
The Go-Between by Veronica Chambers The Go-Between Veronica Chambers 11/19/19

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
Double Take (FBI Thriller, #11) by Catherine Coulter Double Take Catherine Coulter 11/20/19


message 10: by Allison (last edited Mar 29, 2020 10:23AM) (new)

Allison | 1005 comments Even though I’m not even close to finishing the other landmark challenges, I have to do a challenge set in London! ❤️

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
11/1/19 - 12/31/19

1.) Takes place in London: Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel 3/26/20

2.) Book #4 in Series: The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) by Rick Riordan 11/16/19

3.) Title start season with letter in PENNY: Now You See Me (Lacey Flint, #1) by Sharon J. Bolton 1/11/20

4.) Set in Victorian Times: Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare 11/26/19

5.) Published in 2016: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick 2/20/20

6.) Holiday Theme: The Gingerbread Bump-Off (A Fresh-Baked Mystery, #6) by Livia J. Washburn (Christmas) 12/22/19

7.) Centered Around War: The Monuments Men Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel 12/5/19

8.) Favorite Series: Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum, #16) by Janet Evanovich 1/6/20


message 11: by Ed (last edited Jan 17, 2020 11:41AM) (new)

Ed Lehman | 736 comments *****COMPLETED 1/1/20*****

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
11/01/19 - 12/31/19

8/8

*****1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book that takes place in London - The Drowned World by J.G. Ballard-11/26/19
or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.

*****2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) - The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie 12/3/19-315p.
or read a series book #4.

*****3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
-The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark 1/1/20

*****4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why). In Stranger in the Forest: On Foot Across Borneo by Eric Hansen-11/4/19 , the author treks across Borneo in the 1980s...and the reader learns many things...and we witness the beginnings of the corporate rape of the forests.

*****5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.). - Atomic Number Sixty by Dave Johnston -11/5/19- Pub. 2016

*****6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) n the story. -Tsar Nicholas I is a character in Hadji Murat by Leo Tolstoy 12/8/19

*****7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war. - All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque-12/1/19

*****8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.- Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley 12/11/19


message 12: by JoAnne (last edited Jan 03, 2020 12:18PM) (new)

JoAnne | 498 comments I finished a book last night that would have been perfect for #8!! Oh well - another will come along... :)

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
8/8

1. Read a book that takes place in London.

The Other Woman Sandie Jones 11/21/19

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long.
390 pages Bound by Flames Jeaniene Frost 11/3/19

3. Read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
No Mercy Joanna Schaffhausen 11/7/19

4. Read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
Polar Bear Dawn Lyle Nicholson 11/16/19 The motive for murder is not always straight forward.

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B.
Burn Bright Patricia Briggs 11/21/19

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme.
Eggnog Makes Her Easy Erin Nicholas 12/6/19

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover.
Behold the Stars (Signal Bend, #2) by Susan Fanetti Behold the Stars Susan Fanetti 11/9/19

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating.
Sunset Beach Mary Kay Andrews 11/14/19


message 13: by Amanda A (last edited Dec 15, 2019 07:25PM) (new)

Amanda A | 264 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
Completed: 8/8


1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
A Tale of Two Lovers by Maya Rodale 11/15

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
Ghostly Tours by Wendy Meadows 11/11

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott 11/3

4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman 11/17

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
The Witch and the Dead by Heather Blake 11/5
2016

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) in the story.
Boxes in the Basement by Kathi Daley 11/6

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
Let's Get Textual by Teagan Hunter 11/4
Let's Get Textual by Teagan Hunter

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich 12/6


message 14: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Welcome all! I think I have everyone linked up. Let me know if I missed someone.


message 15: by Karen ♐ (last edited Dec 01, 2019 02:50PM) (new)

Karen ♐ (kmk1214) | 1355 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
8/8


1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book with a MC with the first name ELIZABETH. - Fifty Shades of Mr Darcy: A Parody William Codpiece Thwackery - 11/5

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) - 335 pgs - Hot as Sin Bella Andre - 11/9

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The). - Either Side of Midnight Tori de Clare - 11/18

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) - 1875 - Texas Blue Jodi Thomas - 11/17

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.). - 2016 - Wanted Kaylea Cross - 11/2

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme - Christmas Lights Liberty Blake - 11/23

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover - Target on Our Backs (Monster in His Eyes, #3) by J.M. Darhower J.M. Darhower - 11/7

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating - Wait: The Brazen Bulls Beginning Susan Fanetti - 11/10


message 16: by Hannah (new)

Hannah (bookwormhannah) | 74 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Progress: 0/8

1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).

4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) in the story.

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.


message 17: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Hope you enjoy the challenge Karen & Hannah!


message 18: by Book Concierge (last edited Feb 02, 2020 04:59PM) (new)

Book Concierge (tessabookconcierge) | 1816 comments Landmarks of the World - BIG BEN
Begins: 01Nov19 / Ends: 31Dec19



8 / 8 completed

1. British cultural icon - Read a book that takes place in London - Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows ✔ - 30Dec19


2. Architect Charles Barry - Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long - 319 pg - Hannah's Dream ✔ – 08Dec19


3. The Great Clock - Clock on the cover - The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff ✔ - 19Dec19


4. Each of the four clock faces Read a book you found illuminating (tell us why) - Exploration of what gives meaning to our lives and can inspire / encourage one to survive the horrific - Man's Search for Meaning ✔ - 07Nov19


5. The namesake bell is the largest - Read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 - 2016 - Lab Girl ✔ - 25Jan20


6. Big Ben chimes every hour - Read a book that has a holiday theme - Halloween - The Diva Haunts the House ✔ - 17Nov19

7. In times of war - A dark colored cover - Around the World in Eighty Days (Extraordinary Voyages, #11) by Jules Verne ✔ - 02Nov19


8. Four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021 - Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating- Would Like to Meet ✔ - 21Jan20


message 19: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Have fun BC!


message 20: by Sallie(GeorgiaGirl) (last edited Nov 02, 2019 06:44PM) (new)

Sallie(GeorgiaGirl) (shuga) | 238 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
2 Months from Start

1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) n the story.

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.


message 21: by Viji (new)

Viji | 43 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 3, 2019 - January 2, 2020
0/8

1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).

4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) in the story.

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.


message 22: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Glad you are joining us Sallie & Viji!


message 23: by Meg, Contributor (last edited Nov 26, 2019 10:11AM) (new)

Meg (makeli2) | 966 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
Nov - Dec 2019
Love London!

1. Read a book that takes place in London
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary The Flatshare 11/16

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (pages = 339)
Wanna Get Lucky? (Lucky O'Toole, #1) by Deborah Coonts Wanna Get Lucky? 11/07

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover
Bombing in Belgravia (Cassie Coburn Mystery #2) by Samantha Silver Bombing in Belgravia 11/18

4. Read a book that you found illuminating (I learned quite a bit about one of my favorite singers, starting with her family connections)
Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon Boys in the Trees 11/05

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B
Of Blood and Bone (Chronicles of The One, #2) by Nora Roberts Of Blood and Bone 11/25

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme.
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella Christmas Shopaholic 11/25

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover
Grim Tidings (Aisling Grimlock, #1) by Amanda M. Lee Grim Tidings 11/14

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating/a book in a favorite series.
Jealous in Paradise (Florida Keys Mystery Series Book 18) by Deborah Brown Jealous in Paradise 11/22


message 24: by Kari (new)

Kari Stidger | 5 comments My favorite city in the world! I can't wait to do this one. :)


message 25: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Enjoy your visit Meg & Kari :)


message 26: by Kari (new)

Kari Stidger | 5 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
2 Months from Start

1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).

4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) in the story.

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.


message 27: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments You are all linked up Kari! Have fun :)


message 28: by August (last edited Jan 02, 2020 05:41PM) (new)

August (sarath595) | 311 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Finished!


Progress: 8/8

1. Read a book that takes place in London
Suffragette by Carol Drinkwater 11/15/19

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total)
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale 1/2/20 (383 pages)

3. Read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
No Safe Harbour: The Halifax Explosion Diary of Charlotte Blackburn by Julie Lawson 11/27/19

4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901)
One Night with the Major by Bronwyn Scott 12/22/19

5. Read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
A Very English Scandal: Sex, Lies, and a Murder Plot at the Heart of the Establishment by John Preston 12/17/19

6. Read a book that has a monarch (real or fictional) in the story.
Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914 by Carolyn Meyer 11/28/19

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite 11/14/19
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

8. Read a book in a favorite series.
Hear My Sorrow: The Diary of Angela Denoto, a Shirtwaist Worker, New York City 1909 by Deborah Hopkinson 11/7/19


message 29: by Patrizia, Contributor (new)

Patrizia | 1360 comments Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901)

So, do I have to read a book set in England or can I read a book set in the USA between 1837 and 1901?


message 30: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Good question Patrizia! Since I didn't clarify it in the task let's go with the years. As long as it's set in that time period I'll except it.


message 31: by Patrizia, Contributor (new)

Patrizia | 1360 comments Perfect. I just bought a book set in the Grand Canyon area in 1871 that I'm very curious to read it. And I need it for another challenge for next month ;-)


message 32: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Patrizia wrote: "Perfect. I just bought a book set in the Grand Canyon area in 1871 that I'm very curious to read it. And I need it for another challenge for next month ;-)"

Perfect!!


message 33: by Meg, Contributor (last edited Nov 26, 2019 10:15AM) (new)

Meg (makeli2) | 966 comments I'm done! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and please be safe!

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
Love London!

1. Read a book that takes place in London
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary The Flatshare 11/16

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (pages = 339)
Wanna Get Lucky? (Lucky O'Toole, #1) by Deborah Coonts Wanna Get Lucky? 11/07

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover
Bombing in Belgravia (Cassie Coburn Mystery #2) by Samantha Silver Bombing in Belgravia 11/18

4. Read a book that you found illuminating (Learned a lot about one of my favorite singers, starting with her family connections)
Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon Boys in the Trees 11/05

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B
Of Blood and Bone (Chronicles of The One, #2) by Nora Roberts Of Blood and Bone 11/25

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme.
Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella Christmas Shopaholic 11/25

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover
Grim Tidings (Aisling Grimlock, #1) by Amanda M. Lee Grim Tidings 11/14

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating/a book in a favorite series.
Jealous in Paradise (Florida Keys Mystery Series Book 18) by Deborah Brown Jealous in Paradise 11/22


message 34: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Happy Thanksgiving to you too Meg! Nice challenge work :)


message 35: by Jonquil (last edited Nov 28, 2019 04:18PM) (new)

Jonquil | 661 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben

8/8 DONE

1. author with name ELIZABETH Cool in Tucson Elizabeth Gunn 11/19
2. series book #4 Risk Everything Janie Crouch 11/3
3. title that starts with a letter in PENNY Penne Dreadful Catherine Bruns 11/5
4. takes place during the Victorian time period Murder on Union Square Victoria Thompson 11/8
5. two words in the title that start with B Back Bay William Martin 11/20
6. holiday theme A Noël Killing M.L. Longworth 11/18
7. dark colored cover Steven Henry 11/14
Black Magic (The Erin O'Reilly Mysteries #6) by Steven Henry
8. newly published book you have been highly anticipating AND book in a favorite series --they require me to suspend disbelief, but they are akin to visiting with old friends Stealth Stuart Woods 11/22


message 36: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Terrific job Jonquil!!


message 37: by Karen ♐ (new)

Karen ♐ (kmk1214) | 1355 comments Finished!

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
8/8


1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book with a MC with the first name ELIZABETH. - Fifty Shades of Mr Darcy: A Parody William Codpiece Thwackery - 11/5

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) - 335 pgs - Hot as Sin Bella Andre - 11/9

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The). - Either Side of Midnight Tori de Clare - 11/18

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) - 1875 - Texas Blue Jodi Thomas - 11/17

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.). - 2016 - Wanted Kaylea Cross - 11/2

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a holiday theme - Christmas Lights Liberty Blake - 11/23

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover - Target on Our Backs (Monster in His Eyes, #3) by J.M. Darhower J.M. Darhower - 11/7

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating - Wait: The Brazen Bulls Beginning Susan Fanetti - 11/10


message 38: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Nicely done Karen!!


message 39: by Patrizia, Contributor (new)

Patrizia | 1360 comments Done!

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
Deadly Evidence by Elizabeth Goddard 24 November; 4★
Deadly Evidence (Mount Shasta Secrets #1) by Elizabeth Goddard

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
Died in the Wool by Melinda Mullet 13 November; 5★
Died in the Wool (Whisky Business Mystery #4) by Melinda Mullet

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott 17 November; 4★
Prologue to Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery, #2) by Lauren Elliott

4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
1871- A Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott 4 December; 5★
A Distance Too Grand (American Wonders Collection, #1) by Regina Scott

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
Be Still My Bleating Heart by Hannah Reed 2 December; 4 1/2★
Be Still My Bleating Heart (Scottish Highlands #4) by Hannah Reed

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch (real or fictional) in the story.
Un cuore di ghiaccio (=A Nordic King) by Karina Halle 6 November; 5★
Un cuore di ghiaccio by Karina Halle

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
Bring Me Flowers by D.K. Hood 29 November; 5★
Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton, #2) by D.K. Hood

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
Murder in an Irish Churchyard by Carlene O'Connor 3 November; 5★
Murder in an Irish Churchyard (Irish Village Mystery #3) by Carlene O'Connor


message 40: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Way to go Patrizia!


message 41: by Amanda A (new)

Amanda A | 264 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
Completed: 8/8


1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
A Tale of Two Lovers by Maya Rodale 11/15

2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
Ghostly Tours by Wendy Meadows 11/11

3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
Prologue to Murder by Lauren Elliott 11/3

4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman 11/17

5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
The Witch and the Dead by Heather Blake 11/5
2016

6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) in the story.
Boxes in the Basement by Kathi Daley 11/6

7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
Let's Get Textual by Teagan Hunter 11/4
Let's Get Textual by Teagan Hunter

8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich 12/6


message 42: by Chrystal (last edited Jul 05, 2021 01:15PM) (new)

Chrystal (chrystal0830) | 157 comments Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
January 1st 2020-February 29th 2020

1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Read a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.Paper Wife by Laila Ibrahim finished 11/1/20

2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.

Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) Oolong Dead by Laura Childs finished 2/27/20 (337 pages).

3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY Niccolò Rising by Dorothy Dunnett finished 4/20/20

4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.

Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy finished 8/14/20 (set 1874)

5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.

Read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication yearDevonshire Scream by Laura Childs finished 12/21/20 (2016)

6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.

Read a book that has a monarch in the story. Rival to the Queen by Carolly Erickson finished 5/27/21

7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.

Read a book with a dark colored cover Extreme Ownership How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink finished 5/30/21

8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.

Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson finished 3/18/21 (published in January of 2021. Read in excerpt around Christmas and couldnt wait for it to come out)


message 43: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Great job Amanda!!


message 44: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Welcome to the fun Chrystal :)


message 45: by Bryony (new)

Bryony (bryony46) | 386 comments Done! And I even learned a thing or two about a landmark I see often!

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Progress: 8/8
Completed: 17 December 2019

✔️ 1. Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie
Completed: 29 November 2019

✔️ 2. Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
Completed: 20 November 2019

✔️ 3. Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
Completed: 17 December 2019

✔️ 4. Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
Completed: 13 November 2019

✔️ 5. Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton
First published 1946.
Completed: 6 December 2019

✔️ 6. Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) in the story.
Made In Scotland: My Grand Adventures in a Wee Country by Billy Connolly
Completed: 27 November 2019

✔️ 7. Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
The Dressmaker by Beryl Bainbridge
Completed: 1 November 2019

✔️ 8. Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
Completed: 6 November 2019


message 46: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Love learning new things Bryony!! Great challenge work :)


message 47: by Olivermagnus (new)

 Olivermagnus (lynda11282) | 1066 comments ~~~ Completed ~~~

Landmarks of the World - Big Ben
November 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
8
of 8 Complete

📌 1. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of London, there's a good chance you've seen this British cultural icon. Located at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, this famous clock tower is known to the world as Big Ben but the name actually belongs to the largest of the clock’s five bell inside. The structure itself was originally named “The Clock Tower and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Read a book that takes place in London or a book by an author or MC with the first name ELIZABETH.
What Remains of Heaven- C.S. Harris - 12/3/19

📌 2. The tower was designed by architect Charles Barry and built in a Gothic Revival style. It stands 315 feet tall and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps with another 65 steps to reach the lantern or Ayrton Light above it. At the time of completion in 1859, the four-sided chiming clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking clock in the world.
Read a book between 315 and 399 pages long (share page total) or read a series book #4.
Unfathomed - Anna Hackett - 12/14/19 - #4 Treasure Hunter Security

📌 3. The Great Clock is accurate to within one second and is operated by a custom-built Victorian mechanism that relies on gravity and a stack of coins. Ten discontinued British pennies were stacked atop its swinging pendulum. The weight of the coins balances the pendulum’s center of mass, ensuring a steady swing rate and consistent timekeeping. Removing or adding a coin alters the clock’s projection by 0.4 seconds per day. In 2009, three of the 10 pennies lost their spot to a five-pound coin celebrating London’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics.
Read a book with a clock or timepiece on the cover or read a book with a title that starts with a letter in PENNY (ignore A, An or The).
The Nothing Girl - Jodi Taylor - 12/24/19

📌 4. Each of the four clock faces is set in an iron frame 23 feet in diameter, supporting 312 pieces of opal glass, much like a stained-glass window. Each clock dial is illuminated by 28 energy-efficient bulbs that have a lifetime of 60,000 hours. The surround of the dials is gilded and at the base of each dial is a Latin inscription meaning: O Lord, keep safe our Queen Victoria the First. You can tell when parliament is in session by looking at the clock face. Set above it, the Ayrton Light is illuminated during that time.
Read a book that takes place during the Victorian time period (1837-1901) or read a book you found illuminating (tell us why).
A Dangerous Collaboration - Deanna Raybourn - 11/15/19 - set in 1888

📌 5. The namesake bell is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 16 tons. It held the title of being the largest bell in the UK for 23 years. A great sense of ceremony surrounded the bell’s arrival - it was brought down the Thames by barge and taken across Westminster Bridge by a carriage drawn by 16 white horses. It then needed to be winch up to the top of the tower – a job that took 30 hours. Unfortunately, the original bell cracked during testing and a replacement bell needed to be cast.
Read a book with a title that has two words in the title that start with B or read a book that was published in a year with 1 and 6 found in the publication year (i.e. 2016, 1961, etc.).
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore - Matthew J. Sullivan - 11/6/19

📌 6. Big Ben chimes every hour, and the four smaller bells chime every 15 minutes. They have been serenading London for over 150 years and have rung through the reigns of six monarchs. Londoners can hear the chiming up to 5 miles away! The BBC first broadcast Big Ben’s chimes to the country during a New Year’s Eve radio broadcast in 1923 and the chiming has now become a focal point on New Years, Remembrance Day and other important events in the monarchy.
Read a book that has a holiday theme or read a book that has a monarch ((real or fictional) n the story.
Holiday in Death - J.D. Robb - 12/19/19

📌 7. Ordinarily, Big Ben is a beacon of English pride with its bright glow and vociferous ring. But in times of war the tower goes incognito. Its lights were dimmed and bells were silenced to keep from inviting enemy assault on the House of Parliament. Big Ben’s face was dark and silent for two years during World War I but during World War II, they darkened the clock but kept the bells ringing for moral.
Read a book with a dark colored cover or read a book whose plot is centered around war.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris - 11/19/19

📌 8. In late August 2017, the clock and bells went silent again for a four-year renovation project due to be completed in 2021. The aim is to repair and conserve the tower, upgrading facilities as necessary, and ensuring the tower's integrity for future generations. The four dials will be cleaned, the hands will be refurbished, the glass will be repaired and the cast iron framework will be renewed. While the clock mechanism is out of action, a modern electric motor will drive the clock hands. Big Ben's face will be covered but to ensure the public can set their watches during the refurbishment, one working clock face will always remain visible.
Read a newly published book you have been highly anticipating or read a book in a favorite series.
A Minute to Midnight - David Baldacci - 12/10/19 - pub November 19, 2019


message 48: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Way to go Lynda!!


message 49: by Jan, Moderator (new)

Jan | 21151 comments Great finish Dee!!


message 50: by Kari (new)

Kari Stidger | 5 comments Jan wrote: "You are all linked up Kari! Have fun :)"

I'm so glad the completion dates are subjective. LOL. I've been looking forward to this one but with the holidays and end of year rush at work my 2 months got away from me. New Year's resolution is to read more and downsize the TBR pile. I will get this one done!


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