Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Duration: December 1st- December 31st

Levels:
Entry Level Elf: 1-5 books
Apprentice Toy Painter: 6-12 books
Toy Maker: 13-20 books
Head Elf Designer: 21+ books

Option 1: Cover hunt! Find and read books with December holiday images on the cover or in the title.
For example: Santa, santa hat, star, Christmas tree, Star of David, Menorah, Yule log, snow, sled, etc.

Option 2: Write a letter to Santa using book titles. For example, here is a letter that Kelly wrote:
(view spoiler)[
Dear Santa,

If you've talked to The Tooth Fairy lately just ignore whatever she said. There were some Necessary Lies but I Swear (Pinky Swear!) that they were only White Lies.

Also, the Easter Bunny tends to look at Little Things and blow them up into giant issues. I just want to tell you the Plain Truth.

The truth is: I'm Watching You. And if you so much as think of not giving me presents, The Simple Truth and Nothing But the Truth is that you're going down. Because I'm Worth It.

A Very Vampy Christmas to you.

Love,
Me

P.S. Seriously... I'm Kidding but I still want the presents.
(hide spoiler)]

Option 3: Spell out holiday terms using the first letter of a book's title, the first letter of the author's first or last name, the first letter of a series name, or a character's first, last, or nick name.

Option 4: Read books based on the below:

Popcorn wreaths: Read a book that has been made into a movie
Family dinners: Read a book where there is a gathering of family or friends, or read a book with characters that you would like to invite to your holiday celebration
Gifts: Read a book with items on the cover that you would love to receive as a gift or a book where the main character receives a gift
Carols and singing: Read a book about musicians or where a main character can sing well.
Snowman: Read a book about creating or inventing things or where a non-person character can talk.

List of December holidays
(view spoiler)[

Mikulás - December 6
Hanukkah - December 16-24 (2014)
Yule - December 21st
Christmas Eve - December 24th
Christmas - December 25th
Kwanzaa - December 26th -January 1st
St Stephen's Day - December 26th
Boxing Day - December 26th 27th
New Year's Eve – 31 December
New Year's Day - January 1st
(hide spoiler)]

Reserved

Reserved

Option 3

S Spirit Keeper 12-23-14
A Adam Gidwitz-In a Glass Grimmly 12-19-14
N Nancy LeSourd-Liberty Letters 12-9-14
T This Star Wont go Out by Esther Earl 12-5-14
A All Four Stars 12-20-14

I Object! I know that the rest of the world doesn't care but in Hungary, the country where I live, there is an another winter holiday on the 6th of December which we call "Mikulás".
If I would want to translate it I would have to go with "Santa day" or something as in my country Santa Claus brings sweets on the 6th of December to the good kids and (laugh if you want) "baby Jesus" brings the Christmas gifts to everyone on the eve of the 24th.
So for that reason I'm going with
M
I
K
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Á
S

Regina wrote: " I Object! I know that the rest of the world doesn't care but in Hungary, the country where I live, there is an another winter holiday on the 6th of December which we call "Mikulás".
If I would ..."

Thanks for the info, Regina! I'll add it to the list of holidays :).

I like that, Regina! And I've learned something new. :)

I'm in!
December Holiday Challenge
Option # 3: Spell it Out
Level: Apprentice Toy Painter: 9/9 Completed 12/20/14

✔C--Captivated by You by Sylvia Day--12/15/2014
✔H--You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz ( character Henry)--12/7/14
✔R--A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths--12/20/14
✔I--In the Woods by Tana French--12/18/14
✔S--The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffith ( character Shona)--12/13/14
✔T--Faithful Place by Tana French--12/10/14
✔M--The Eliteby Kiera Cass( character Maxon)--12/14/14
✔A--Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor (character Akiva)--12/07/14
✔S--Scarlet by Marissa Meyer--12/13/14

I'm in! I pick option #2.

Dear Santa

It's me, Stacie. I know that using I'm The Good Girl and get you my letter super early but this year I was Thoughtless and it completely slipped my mind. The fact of the matter is that you are Sorta Like a Rock Star and I was so Captivated by You that here it is right before Christmas and I'm just know sitting down to talk to you.

I'll Give You the Sun, some Edible Delectables and tell you all about The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl if you will forgive me.

As you know, there's been some Tension between The Prince and the Golden Son but I think I've done a good job at keeping their fighting under Control. For Christmas this year, I'd really like a cat named Belzhar who knows how to Play Dead. I'd also like a Menage on 34th Street as I think it would help me to Unwind. No Rush on the gifts as I'm late with my letter and I don't just want a Fling: A BDSM Erotica Anthology.

My love for you will Never Fade.
Stacie

PS Oh one more thing. Please Ignore Vera Dietz. She got a little toasty at the Christmas party and can't stop talking about The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror. I'm trying to convince her it was just Archer's Voice she heard. She really is Why Girls Are Weird

Thanks again Santa.

Option 1: Cover hunt! Find and read books with December holiday images on the cover or in the title.
For example: Santa, santa hat, star, Christmas tree, Star of David, Menorah, Yule log, snow, sled, etc.

Head Elf Designer: 21+ books

1. 12-1-14 How the In-Laws Wrecked Christmas
2. 12-1-14 A Sprig of Holly
3. 12-8-14 A Family for Christmas
4. 12-8-14 The Christmas Angel
5. 12-13-14 The Brands Who Came for Christmas

December Holiday Challenge: Option 3 "Spell it Out"
Progress: 9/9 **COMPLETED**


C- The Collector Read 12/2
H-Laurie Halse Anderson(Wintergirls) Read 12/17
R- Raising Innocence (A Rylee Adamson Novel) #3 Read 12/9
I- In The Afterlight Read 12/7
S- Shadowed Threads (A Rylee Adamson Novel) #4 Read 12/11
T- Throne of Glass Read 12/5
M- Maybe Not Read 12/5
A- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Read 12/1
S- Sleepless Read 12/3

December Holiday Challenge
Option #3: Spell it Out
Level: Apprentice Toy Painter (6-12 books)

Completed: 6/9



C - Christopher Ellis in Blood of the Rose
H -
R - Romancing Mister Bridgerton
I -
S - Station Eleven
T - The Tudors: The Complete Story of England's Most Notorious Dynasty
M - My Mother's Secret: A Novel Based on a True Holocaust Story
A - Awakened by a Kiss
S - Sophie Beckett in An Offer From a Gentleman

Happy Holidays
Duration: December 1/14 - December 31/14

Levels: Toy Maker: 13-20 books

Option 3: Spell out holiday terms using the first letter of a book's title, the first letter of the author's first or last name, the first letter of a series name, or a character's first, last, or nick name.

C Crave the Night by Lara Adrian 12/03/14 ****
H Forbidden Ground by Karen Harper 12/06/14 ****
R Had the Queen Lived by Raven Nuckols 12/13/14 ***
I In the Shadow of Lady Jane by Edward Charles 12/10/14 ****
S Princess by Jean Sasson 12/01/14 **
T Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston 12/09/14 ****
M the Swan House by Elizabeth Musser 12/07/14 ****

A Elizabeth of York by Amy Licence 12/08/14 ****
S Nocturne by Syrie James 12/03/14 ***

T Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson 12/28/14 ***
R Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh 12/22/14 ****
E Ephemeral by Addison Moore 12/02/14 ****
E The Empty Throne by Bernard Cornwell 12/05/14 ****

December Holiday Challenge
Going to collect books for a bit before I try to start crafting my letter.

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

On The Darkest Night Before I Fall asleep, In Your Corner under the Wolfsbane and Mistletoe complete The Job. I know you have to work by Firelight and don't like to play Holiday Games. We are Among Thieves and the Christmas Jars have been Stolen during the White Night. Eleanor & Park have been studying well at Vampire Academy even though they are Rowdy sometimes. We believe and that keeps you Immortal so you will Never Fade in our minds. Keep The Notebook of good and bad children safe and protect the reindeer Against the Ropes of the sleigh. You sir are Ruby Red and I see the glory of Red Rising up in the sky.

Love,
The family at The House on Hope Street

P.S. That sleigh is One Sweet Ride.


✔Never Fade Alexandra Bracken 12/01/14
✔Firelight Kristen Callihan 12/01/14
✔Stolen Kelley Armstrong 12/03/14
✔Against the Ropes Sarah Castille 12/07/14
✔The Notebook Nicholas Sparks 12/07/14
✔Immortal J.R. Ward 12/07/14
✔Before I Fall Lauren Oliver 12/08/14
✔The House on Hope Street Danielle Steel 12/08/14
✔Ruby Red Kerstin Gier 12/08/14
✔In Your Corner Sarah Castille 12/13/14
✔The Darkest Night Gena Showalter 12/16/14
✔Red Rising Pierce Brown 12/17/14
✔Rowdy Jay Crownover 12/19/14
✔The Job Janet Evanovich 12/22/14
✔Among Thieves Douglas Hulick 12/22/14
✔Eleanor & Park Rainbow Rowell 12/28/14
✔One Sweet Ride Jaci Burton 12/28/14
✔Vampire Academy Richelle Mead 12/28/14
✔Christmas Jars Jason F. Wright 12/29/14
✔White Night Jim Butcher 12/29/14
✔Wolfsbane and Mistletoe Various 12/31/14
✔Holiday Games Jaci Burton 12/31/14

December Holiday Challenge


READ: 7/7

✔S: Street of the Five Moons - Elizabeth Peters 12/12
✔N: Nightbound - Lynn Viehl 12/6
✔O: One Dance with a Duke - Tessa Dare 12/27
✔W: Wild Things - Chloe Neill 12/31
✔M: The Viper - Monica McCarty 12/29
✔A: Just In Time - Addison Fox 12/8
✔N: A Night Too Dark - Dana Stabenow 12/9



CHALLENGE COMPLETE

Novel Books & Reading Challenges
December Holiday Challenge
Duration: 12/1/2014 - 12/31/2014

Progress: 9 out of 9

C: Cameron Jace; Ladle Rat Rotten Hut - **** - 12/19/2014
H: A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole - **** - 12/2/2014 - 356 Pages
R: Richelle Mead; Bloodlines - **** - 12/17/2014 - 421 Pages
I: Larissa Ione; Desire Unchained - **** - 12/29/2014
S: Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs - ***** - 12/15/2014 - 450 Pages
T: Tangled by Emma Chase - **** - 12/22/2014
M: Mary Mary Quite Contrary by Cameron Jace - **** - 12/19/2014
A: Ashes to Ashes and Cinder to Cinder by Cameron Jace - **** - 12/19/2014
S: Snow White Blood Red by Cameron Jace - **** - 12/18/2014

NBRC December Holiday Challenge
Apprentice Toy Painter: 6-12 books
Option 3: Spell it out
Read: 1/9

C
H
R
I
S: Sweet Talk 02/12 ★★
T: Sweet Trouble
M
A
S: Sweet Spot

Regina wrote: " I Object! I know that the rest of the world doesn't care but in Hungary, the country where I live, there is an another winter holiday on the 6th of December which we call "Mikulás".
If I would ..."

I did not realize that this is a Hungarian tradition..my ex-family in Wisconsin celebrated that day but they called it St Nick's day. So I am going to read Mikulas too

M
I
K
U
L
A
S

Happy Holidays
Duration: December 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Entry Level Elf: 1-5 books

Option 3: Spell out holiday terms using the first letter of a book's title, the first letter of the author's first or last name, the first letter of a series name, or a character's first, last, or nick name.


S – Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
A – The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
N – Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
T – Talon by Julie Kagawa
A – Written in Red by Anne Bishop

I loved learning about your holidays, Regina! Thanks for sharing and informing us. :)

I'm going to do a combination of Options 1 and 4.
Duration: December 1st- December 31st


Levels:
Entry Level Elf: 1-5 books
Apprentice Toy Painter: 6-12 books
Toy Maker: 13-20 books
Head Elf Designer: 21+ books

Option 1: Cover hunt! Find and read books with December holiday images on the cover or in the title.
For example: Santa, santa hat, star, Christmas tree, Star of David, Menorah, Yule log, snow, sled, etc.

Option 4: Read books based on the below:

Popcorn wreaths: Read a book that has been made into a movie
Family dinners: Read a book where there is a gathering of family or friends, or read a book with characters that you would like to invite to your holiday celebration
Gifts: Read a book with items on the cover that you would love to receive as a gift or a book where the main character receives a gift
Carols and singing: Read a book about musicians or where a main character can sing well.
Snowman: Read a book about creating or inventing things or where a non-person character can talk.

NBRC: December Holiday Challenge


Entry Level Elf: 1-5 books
Option 1: Cover Hunt

Books Read: 3/3

✔1. Snow | Snow Like Ashes | Sara Raasch- Dec 9 - ★★★☆☆
✔2. Star | The Star Thief | Jamie Grey - Dec 18 - ★★★☆☆
✔3. Christmas Eve | Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor | Lisa Kleypas - Dec 24 - ★★★★☆

Duration: December 1st- December 31st


Levels:
Entry Level Elf: 1-5 books
Apprentice Toy Painter: 6-12 books
Toy Maker: 13-20 books
Head Elf Designer: 21+ books

Option 1: Cover hunt! Find and read books with December holiday images on the cover or in the title.
For example: Santa, santa hat, star, Christmas tree, Star of David, Menorah, Yule log, snow, sled, etc.

NBRC December Holiday Challenge
Apprentice Toy Painter: 6-12 books
Option 3: Spell it out
Read: 9/9

C: Cinder 12/2 ★★★★
H: Have Yourself a Sexy Little Christmas 12/24 4 stars
R: Ruby Red 12/14 ★★★★
I: Iron Raiders series, Blind Spot 12/30 3 stars
S: Scarlet 12/25 4 stars
T: Todd Brown, Dear Santa ... 12/23 5 stars
M: Montana Sky 12/2 ★★★★★
A: Eva's nick name Angel, Captivated by You 12/31 3.5 stars
S: Sheri Whitefeather, Beautiful Musician 12/12 ★★★★

Sallie(GeorgiaGirl) wrote: "Regina wrote: " I Object! I know that the rest of the world doesn't care but in Hungary, the country where I live, there is an another winter holiday on the 6th of December which we call "Mikulás"..."

In all actuality, it's a holiday that exists in many countries in Europe, but in my country (and its surroundings) we celebrate it differently than many others do. Like in some places they don't exchange gifts or the gifts are different or Santa doesn't have a companion or his companion is different.
(Oh and a tip: don't believe the thing about the boots. No sweets are being put into well-worn shoes where I live.)

December Holiday Challenge
Toy Maker: 13-20 books

Books Read: 14/14

Option 1: Cover Hunt
12/6/14 12/7/14

Option 3: Spell it Out

M-Marcus "Horse" McDonnell,Marie Jensen Characters Reaper's Property12/12/14
I-It's a Wonderful Fireman12/9/14
S-Second Chance Holiday12/8/14
T-Tangled 12/21/14
L-London Armstrong Character Reaper's Stand 12/26/14
E-Ella Lewis Character While Snowbound12/11/14
T-Tucker Creed Character Creed 12/28/13
O- One Week Girlfriend 12/29/14
E-Easy 12/30/14

Option 4:Read books based on the below:

*Popcorn wreaths: Read a book that has been made into a movie
*Family dinners: Read a book where there is a gathering of family or friends, or read a book with characters that you would like to invite to your holiday celebration
*Gifts: Read a book with items on the cover that you would love to receive as a gift or a book where the main character receives a gift
*Carols and singing: Read a book about musicians or where a main character can sing well.
*Snowman: Read a book about creating or inventing things or where a non-person character can talk.

I like the letter option. I would like to try that option but I have to see what I can come up with :)

Welcome to the challenge everyone. ☺

December Holiday Challenge
Apprentice Toy Painter: 6-12 books

Option 2: Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I understand how busy you are, however I want to take the time to clear the air between us, a Clean Sweep if you will. There have been some Vicious rumours going around about me and my sister Lolita. People have been saying that we have been Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close this past year. But those are just The Lies of Locke Lamora, so please just ignore her.

So if you would be so kind, I would like a Ruby Red jewelry case that I would be able to take on The Road. If you could have it here by the 24th, I would be forever thankful.

Sincerely,
Emily

I like it Emily :)

Emily wrote: "December Holiday Challenge
Apprentice Toy Painter: 6-12 books

Option 2: Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I understand how busy you are, however I want to take the time to clear the air between us, a ..."

That's great, Emily. :D

Thanks

Hopefully I will be able to fit in all that reading during the holidays

Happy Holidays
Duration: December 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Entry Level : Toy Maker: 13-20 books
Progression : 16/16

☃ Option 1: Cover hunt! Find and read books with December holiday images on the cover or in the title.

✓ 1.Screw Santa
✓ 2.Hell's Bells



☃ Option 3: Spell-it-Out: Christmas

✓ C: Contes Russes D'afanassiev. L'oiseau De Feu
✓ H: Hecht, Stephani (author) Primal Passions
✓ R: Red Seas Under Red Skies
✓ I: Iain Sinclair (author) London Orbital
✓ S: Silver Bullet (series) Big, Bad Vampire
✓ T: True Blood Mates (series) Heart Song
✓ M: Maya Banks (author) In Bed with a Highlander
✓ A: Anna Banks (author) Girls Day Out
✓ S: Serena Yates (author) Rescuing the Librarian



☃ Option 4: Read books based on the below:

✓ ❄ Popcorn wreaths: Read a book that has been made into a movie Ruby Red
✓ ❄ Family dinners: Read a book where there is a gathering of family or friends, or read a book with characters that you would like to invite to your holiday celebrationThe Independence of Miss Mary Bennet
✓ ❄ Gifts: Read a book with items on the cover that you would love to receive as a gift or a book where the main character receives a gift Austenland
✓ ❄ Carols and singing: Read a book about musicians or where a main character can sing well. Sapphire Blue
✓ ❄ Snowman: Read a book about creating or inventing things or where a non-person character can talk. Scarlet



COMPLETED

I'm in!

December Holiday Challenge
Option # 3: Spell it Out
Level: Apprentice Toy Painter: 0/9

C -
H -
R -
I -
S -
T -
M -
A -
S -

December Holiday Challenge
Option # 3: Spell it Out
Level: Toymaker
13/13


Christmas:

C: Caribou's Gift 12/6 ****
H: Hunted Holiday: A Vampire Romance 12/7 ***
R: Renegade Lady 12/24 ***
I: I Could Just Eat You Up 12/14 **
S: Skin 12/4 ***
T: How to Catch a Wild Viscount by:Tessa Dare 12/25 ***
M: Scent of a Mate by:Milly Taiden 12/9 ***
A: Affliction 12/24 ****
S: Owned by the Outlaw by:Jenika Snow 12/1 ***

Snow:

S: The Cougar's Timid Little Lynx by:Jenika Snow 12/27 ***
N: Babysitting the Billionaire by:Nicky Penttila 12/25 ***
O: An Outlaw Wedding 12/14 ***
W: Wolf in Her Bed 12/25 ***

To Read:

Finished:

I will go for option 1. My family reads A Christmas Carol aloud every Christmas Eve (it takes about 3 hours and a pot of coffee to finish).

When Santa Fell To Earth-Cornelia Funke (12/6/14)
Yuletide Tales A Festive Collective-Peter John (12/7/14)
A Very Klingon Khristmas-Paul Ruditis (12/7/14)
How Far to Bethlehem?-Norah Lofts (12/23/14)
A Christmas Carol-Charles Dickens (12/25/14)

Welcome to the challenge everyone ☺

My first challenge! Super excited!

December Holiday Challenge
Level: Entry Level Elf
Option #3: Spell it out challenge
0/5

S- Sylvester by Georgette Heyer
A- What A Lady Wants by Victoria Alexander
N- The Prince by Nicholo Machiavelli
T- The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St.James
A- Lucky by Alice Sebold

Glad to have you join us Janet :) I'm sure Santa will bring you lots more presents for your beautiful spelling of his name.

Thank You Kelly! Happy Holidays!! :-)

Love this challenge idea! It's helping me feel more festive. I'm going with option three.

3/9

C
H
R
I
S
They Who Fell (Kevin Kneupper)
Maybe Someday (Colleen Hoover)
A Night to Forget (Jessica Wood)
S

Welcome to the challenge Erin ☺

December Holiday Challenge
Option # 3: Spell it Out
Level: Apprentice Toy Painter: 1/9

C -
H -
R -
I -
S -
T -
M -
A - Akiva, Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor: Completed: 12/12/2014 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2
S -

Welcome to the challenge Ronyell ☺

❀Tea❀ wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Ronyell ☺"

Thanks Tea!

Ronyell wrote: "December Holiday Challenge
Option # 3: Spell it Out
Level: Apprentice Toy Painter: 1/9

C -
H -
R -
I -
S -
T -
M -
A - Akiva, Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor: Complet..."

I just finished this book the other day and liked it!! Looking forward to the next book!

Laura wrote: "Ronyell wrote: "December Holiday Challenge
Option # 3: Spell it Out
Level: Apprentice Toy Painter: 1/9

C -
H -
R -
I -
S -
T -
M -
A - Akiva, Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini..."

Yeah, me too!

December Holiday Challenge
Duration: 12/1/2014 - 12/31/2014
Option # 3: Spell it Out
Level: Apprentice Toy Painter: 8/8 COMPLETE

H: Hina Rahman (character) Zombiestan by Mainak Dhar * - 12/7/2014
A: Armentrout, Jennifer Obsidian (Lux, #1) *** - 12/11/2014
N: Natalie (character) - Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead *** - 12/18/2014
U: Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture: A Novel of Mathematical Obsession by Apostolos Doxiadis *** - 12/19/2014
K: Kathryn Dance (series) - The Sleeping Doll (Kathryn Dance, #1) by Jeffery Deaver *** - 12/23/2014
K: Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig ***** - 12/28/2014
A: Adam Roberts Yellow Blue Tibia *** - 12/20/2014
H: Hinsley, Francis (character) The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh **** - 12/20/2014

completed challenge post #8