2026 Reading Challenge discussion

SWEET HARMONIES
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2022

In music, harmony is defined as a pleasant musical sound made by different notes being played or sung at the same time. This challenge focuses on musical harmony terms. If you're ready to face the music, post a message here to let the challenge leader know how many books you plan to read.

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

This melodious challenge was created by Kristina, who will also be its leader. Many thanks, Kristina!

When posting your progress, please include your original message number plus the current progress.

For example: Update to msg 7: 3/5 books read.

If you decide to drop out, please don't delete your original message! You can just send me a message to let me know instead.

I will update on Mondays! 🎶

PARTICIPANTS

🎼 Signed Up [6]
Caraina - Message 30 - 0/5
Jenn - Message 19 - 0/10
Nicole - Message 31 - 0/5
Rachael - Message 25 - 0/6
Rebecca - Message 17 - 0/10
Suzanne - Message 36 - 0/10

🎵 In Progress [3]
Allie - Message 12 - 4/5
eatsleepreadreview - Message 15 - 3/7
Jaida - Message 47 - 1/5

🎶 Completed [17]
Amy - Message 14 - 8/5
Ana - Message 10 - 3/3
Ariail - Message 4 - 10/10
Ashleigh - Message 23 - 2/2
Chloe - Message 16 - 5/5
Frankie - Message 6 - 5/5
Janine - Message 26 - 5/4
Karin - Message 11 - 5/5
Kristina - Message 3 - 10/10
Lucy-bookworm - Message 27 - 5/5
Megan - Message 20 - 7/3
Sayonee - Message 5 - 3/3
Sarah - Message 7 - 10/10
Shari - Message 9 - 5/5
Sheila - Message 8 - 10/10
Sherri - Message 18 - 10/10
TerryJane - Message 13 - 10/10

Updated Dec. 31 to message 66

Sweet Harmonies
December 01 - 31
Progress: 10/10

✅ 1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around: A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
✅ 2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something: Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
✅ 3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs: The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu
✅ 4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters: Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
✅ 5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love: Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman
✅ 6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other: Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch
✅ 7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
✅ 8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you: Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
✅ 9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
✅ 10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I'd like to sign up for all 10! I'll update as I make progress :)

I'd like sign up for 3 books!

Progress: 3/3

COMPLETED

🎶 Consonance :
~ Read a book where a character makes a new friend/ falls in love: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

🎶 Close Harmonies :
~ Read a book set close to where you live: The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

🎶 Open Harmonies :
~ Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you: Other Birds

SWEET HARMONIES
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2022

I'll sign up for 5 books

5/5 Completed. Finished

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
White Knuckles-Autumn Jones Lake 12/01/22
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
Winter's Return-Mary Stone 12/08/22
4. Triad: Read a book with a trio of main characters.
The Secret She Kept-Elle Gray 12/17/22
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend and falls in love.
Gage-Sawyer Bennett 12/02/22
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book.
Unforgiven-Rebecca Zanetti 12/07/22
10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

Sign me up for 10 books

10/10-COMPLETED

✅1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn't take place in chronological order or where time skips around-The Alice Network(12/12/22)
✅2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something-Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library(3/12/22)
✅3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs-Wonder (1/12/22)
✅4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters-First Season / Bride to Be(7/12/22)
✅5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love-The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain(4/12/22)
✅6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other-The Ghost and the Goth(5/12/22)
✅7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live-Small Island(8/12/22)
✅8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you-Owls Do Cry(2/12/22)
✅9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about-New Kids on the Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters(11/12/22)
✅10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga-Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China(6/12/22)

Sheila from eastern North Carolina signing up. I’ll try for all ten, although some of them look a bit tricky!

I would like to join for 5.

SWEET HARMONIES
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2022

Progress: 5 / 5 COMPLETED!! 12-12-22

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
🎵 2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something. Soldier's Christmas Secrets
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
🎵 5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love. Christmas Witness Protection
🎵 6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other. The Christmas Thief
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
🎵 9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about. The Recovery Agent
🎵 10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga The Gift of Christmas Present

I would like to sign up for 3 books, thanks 😃

Progress 3/3


1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.

✅️2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

✅️3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.

✅️5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love. Dukes, Actually by Erica Ridley

6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.

7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.

8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.

9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.

10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

This is a yes for me, coming from a musical family. I will start with a small goal and perhaps work up depending on how busy December ends up being!

5/5
🎶

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
🎶2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something. The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
🎶5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love. I've Got Your Number
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
🎶 7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live. Mistletoe Cottage
🎶 8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you. Shanghai Faithful: Betrayal and Forgiveness in a Chinese Christian Family
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
🎶10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga. A Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson

Signing up for 5
Progress 4/5
✔️1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around. A World of Curiosities
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
✔️4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters. The Raven Spell
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
✔️7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live. Last Call at the Nightingale
✔️8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you. Girls of Riyadh
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

🎼 SWEET HARMONIES - Monthly Challenge
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2022
Progress: 10/10 -- COMPLETE

🎼 1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
Sea of Tranquility
🎼 2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
Micro
🎼 3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
Lessons in Chemistry
🎼 4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
You Are Not Alone
🎼 5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
The Surgeon's Daughter
🎼 6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
🎼 7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
Someone Else's Love Story
🎼 8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
The Girl in the Spider's Web
🎼 9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains: A Tale of Travel and Darkness with Pictures of All Kinds
🎼 10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.
Gallant

Please sign me up for 5!
8/5-- Challenge Complete!

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around: The Huntress
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something: Condemned
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs: The Night Watchman
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters: Across the Winding River
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love: All I Want from Santa
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other: Whisked Away at Christmas
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live: The Philosopher's Flight (Boston)
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about: Mad Honey
10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

Hi All,

3/7 for me please

2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.

The Last Battle

3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.

Skeleton Crew

4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.

Thinner

6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.

Six of Crows

7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.

The Christmas Killer

8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.

Devil Bones

9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

Happy Holidays!

Please sign me up for 5 books!

PROGRESS: 5/5

✔ 2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

✔ 3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
The Best of Junji Ito: Short Story Collection by Junji Ito

✔ 4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami

✔ 7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
World War II @ Bukit Brown by Claire Leow

✔ 10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.
What We Inherit: Growing Up Indian by Shailey Hingorani

Please sign me up for ten!

Progress: 0/10

SWEET HARMONIES
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2022

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

Completed 10/10

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon, 4/5*, 12/8/22

2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
Snow Blind by P.J. Tracy, 4/5*, 12/9/22

3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
Lockdown by Laurie R. King, 4/5*, 12/18/22

4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews, 4/5*, 12/23/22

5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small, 3/5*, 12/5/22

6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss, 3/5*, 12/3/22

7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson, 4/5*, 12/15/22

8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty, 3/5*, 12/11/22

9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, 4/5*, 12/20/22

10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.
The Hiding Place by Trezza Azzopardi, 3/5*, 12/6/22

I would like to sign up for 10 - thanks 🙂

I’m in for 3!

2. People working together - The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson - completed
3. More than four povs - The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich - completed
4. Love triangle - Verity by Colleen Hoover - completed
5. New friend/love - A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine - completed
6. Arguing - Last Train to Istanbul by Ayse Kulin, translated by John W. Baker - completed

8. Opposite side of world - The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman - completed

10. Back to roots - Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrison - completed

7/3 - challenge completed!

Updated msg 20

Just completed #4 (love triangle) - Verity by Colleen Hoover. I have issues with how she characterized fetish as perverted - that’s incredibly judgmental with no purpose to the plot. The author’s anxieties and impostor syndrome are showing in the plot. I had figured out the twist by the end. There were some sexy bits, and I actually like how she described things. Fun and entertaining but with the above caveats. 3.5 stars

1/3

Updated msg 20

Just completed #10 (back to roots) - Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrison. I really appreciated the thoughtful way this book is organized and presented. Nothing is a mandate, just suggestions for how to make the season special to each person. That said, the history at the beginning is rather Eurocentric and not acknowledged as such. But other traditions and holidays that are more global are included toward the end of the book. Good reference and will be buying a copy for my bookshelf. 4 stars

2/3

Sign me up for 2 please!

---

Tracking

2/2 COMPLETE

1. Four POVS - While the Baby Sleeps
2. Where time jumps around - Drums of Autumn

sign me up for 6 for now please:)

Updated message 14-- 1/5

Please sign me up for 4 books.

Can I sign up for 5 please - I might manage more, we'll see!

5/10 - DONE!


1. Intervals: - the book involves time-travel, so time definitely skips around between modern day & the 1520s!
2. Chords: Queen Elizabeth and her trusty advisers work together to solve a murder
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
5. Consonance: The main character Lady Julia makes new friends with Euan McEwen & his sister Ellen from the traveller community
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: - I hope the antarctic works for "opposite side of the world!!"
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
10. Root Chords: I think a book about an adoptee finding their brith mother counts as returning to your roots

Update to message #16: 3/5

Update!

Message #15

3/7

Signing up for 5 or more

SWEET HARMONIES
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2022

Completed: 0/5

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

I'm in for 5!

Hi, I've updated message 11 with how many read plus a new goal of 4 instead of 3.


3/4

Updated msg 20

Just completed #2 (people working together) - The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson. Overall, I enjoyed this book. There were a few things, like the frontier nursing service and moonlight schools, that I had not previously known. There is repetition in the language and the writing is a bit simplistic for my taste, but balanced with the history and message, I would still recommend it. 3.5 stars

3/3 - challenge completed!

Update #23

2/2 COMPLETE

Intervals - a book where time jumps around - Drums of Autumn

updated #27
(I think the antarctic should count as "other side of the world!)

2022 & 2023 Reading Challenge
December - Sweet Harmonies
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2022

Progress: 0 out of 10

In music, harmony is defined as a pleasant musical sound made by different notes being played or sung at the same time. This challenge focuses on musical harmony terms. If you're ready to face the music, post a message here to let the challenge leader know how many books you plan to read.

1. Intervals: Read a book that doesn’t take place in chronological order or where time skips around.
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
6. Dissonance: Read a book with characters who argue, hate each other, or are otherwise opposed to each other.
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
10. Root Chords: Read a book about returning to your roots or a family saga.

Updated message 14-- 2/5

Updated msg 20

Just completed #5 (new friend/love) - A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. One of the most brilliant space operas I’ve read! I loved the integration of an Aztec-like tradition into the overall empire. Every image felt revolutionary as it all unfolded. The writing and character development is next level! I cannot wait to see what this author does next! I received this book as a free giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Definitely recommend! 5 stars

4/3

Update to message 3 - updating my progress to 4 books completed and upping my goal to 7 books.

Updated message 11--finished!

5/5

Update msg #9:

Progress: 5 / 5 COMPLETED!!

Message 7 Updated

10/10-COMPLETED

Updated msg 20

Just completed #8 (opposite side of world - India) - The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman. This book is full of truths that are hard to face but necessary. The writing is good and easy enough for middle grade, but the author does not dumb down the harsh realities of the world - homelessness, hunger, poverty, domestic violence. Realities that kids too often live with, but adults still at times pretend they need to be shielded from the stories in books. Sad story but really well done! Definitely worth reading! 4.5 stars

5/3

Sheila from eastern North Carolina , #8. 5/10.

1.non chronological- Beloved, Toni Morrison
2.chords-Count Me In-Varsa Bajaj
3. Four part- Multiple pov’s- the Girl Who Drank the Moon, Kelly Barnhill
4. Triad-- Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Dusti Bowling
5. Consonance- Lady Fortescue Steps Out, M. C. Beaton

Update to Message #13: 7/10

Update Message #6

4/5 Completed

hi, I'd like to sign up for 5 books!

Progress: 3 / 5

1. Intervals: Vow of Deception, Rina Kent
2. Chords: Read a book where a group of people has to work together to accomplish something.
3. Four-Part: Read a book with at least four different POVs.
4. Triad: Read a book with a love triangle or a trio of main characters.
5. Consonance: Read a book where a character makes a new friend or falls in love.
6. Dissonance: Take Me With You, Nina Jones
7. Close Harmonies: Read a book set where you live or close to where you live.
8. Open Harmonies: Read a book set on the opposite side of the world from you.
9. Tonal and Dominant: Read a comfort book or read a book you know nothing about.
10. Root Chords: Fallen Crest High, Tijan

Updated message 14-- 4/5

Updated message 14-- 5/5 Challenge Complete!

Updated msg 20

Just completed #6 (people who argue) - Last Train to Istanbul by Ayse Kulin, translated by John W. Baker. I learned a lot about the Turks’ role in saving Jewish people during WW2 and about Turkey in general in this book. I really appreciated the stories related. However, the writing was stilted and a bit repetitive. Not sure if that was a translation issue or not. The beginning was rather long and uneventful, and then I really enjoyed the book once the action picked up a bit. And the ending was then abrupt. Overall, I always love learning new things and appreciate the story told. 3.5 stars

6/3