The Challenge Factory discussion

2024 The Year of the Dragon
Duration - February 10, 2024 through January 28, 2025



The Dragon is ranked Fifth in the Chinese Zodiac.
According to one of many myths, the Jade Emperor held a race and decreed that the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac would be decided by who crossed the finish line in the first 12 places. It would seem a matter of common sense that the mighty Dragon would be deserving of first place, however he did not achieve this. He came after the Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat. Why was this?...

When Dragon was on his way to the finish line, he found a village suffering from a very serious drought — even its plants and crops did not grow, and a great number of people were in famine. So, he flew across the clouds and opened his mouth to make rain and solved their hardship.

Dragon continued on in the race, but after a while, he saw another village threatened by a flood. He stopped without hesitation and opened his mouth to absorb the water. His efforts and powers moved the flood waters to the sea, and the disaster at the village was averted.

As Dragon hurried on his way towards the race's end, he saw that Rabbit was being chased by a wolf. In order to deal with the wolf and save Rabbit, he let Rabbit go on ahead. So, by generously helping those he met on the way, as is always his nature, Dragon came in after Rabbit in the zodiac race.

Tasks:
1. Read a book published in December.
2. Read a boom where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else.
3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON.
5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)

I had forgotten about this. Please change me to Dragon Fire, I'm going to try for all of them.

Set One

Task: 1
Book: Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Date: 24/3 5★
Fit: pub. December 12, 1988

Task: 2
Book: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Date: 26/2 3.5★
Fit: MC sacrifices herself to save Chad

Task: 3
Book: Shade's Children by Garth Nix
Date: 12/2 3★
Fit:

Task: 4
Book: Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams
Date: 25/2 5★
Fit: author initials in DRAGON

Task: 5
Book: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Date: 23/2 4.5★
Fit: the characters are all trapped on the rain because of an avalanche

Okay, I moved you! I don't see Task 1 in your list... ??

Erica wrote: "Okay, I moved you! I don't see Task 1 in your list... ??"

Yep, it's not done yet :0)

Got it. Just making sure I wasn't missing anything.

Finally finished the first set of tasks.

People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.

Set 2 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a confident MC.
2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).
3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure.
4. Read a book published in May.
5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.

Set Two

Task: 1
Book: The Secret by Lee Child,Andrew Child
Date: 25/3 2.5★
Fit: confident MC - Reacher is always confident

Task: 2
Book: I'm a Fool to Kill You by Robert J. Randisi
Date: 28/3 1.5★
Fit: FIRE in the title and/or series name - I'm a Fool to kill you, Rat pack mystEries 5

Task: 3
Book: The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas
Date: 4/4 3.5★
Fit: the MC goes on an adventure without intending to

Task: 4
Book: Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb
Date: 9/4 3.5★
Fit: published in May

Task: 5
Book: Cousin Nancy by Alberta Sinclair
Date: 29/3 3.5★
Fit: MC has a personal transformation - thanks to Francis' Whisper Balm

Set Two completed.

Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER.
2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.
3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career.
4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative.
5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice.

Set Three

Task: 1
Book: Temple by Matthew Reilly
Date: 2/5 4★
Fit: author's initials can be found in the word EMPEROR

Task: 2
Book: Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett
Date: 13/4 5★
Fit: a character is highly respected or revered - Sam Vimes is highly respected by his men

Task: 3
Book: Murder is a Piece of Cake by Elaine Viets
Date: 10/4 3★
Fit: MC has a successful career

Task: 4
Book: Written in Dead Wax by Andrew Cartmel
Date: 17/4 3.5★
Fit: MC is highly imaginative

Task: 5
Book: Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon
Date: 20/4 4★
Fit: has a dominant theme of justice

Set Three completed.

Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.

Set 4 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.
2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn.
3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue.
4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION.

Set Four

Task: 1
Book: Call Waiting by Dianne Blacklock
Date: 12/5 3.5★
Fit: red cover (70+% according to tineye)


Task: 2
Book: The Wiregrass by Adrian Hyland
Date: 8/5 5★
Fit: MC is very stubborn

Task: 3
Book: A Compromising Situation by Shannon Donnelly
Date: 7/5 3★
Fit: MC struggles with their emotions over some issue

Task: 4
Book: Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha by Dorothy Gilman
Date: 28/5 3★
Fit: all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle

Task: 5
Book: Daisy and Kate by Meredith Appleyard
Date: 11/5 5★
Fit: author's initials in DETERMINATION

Set Four completed.

2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, beginning on February 10th, 2024 (Chinese New Year) and concluding on January 28th, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Eve). The Dragon is also associated with the years 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952. People born in Dragon years usually possess natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence, often displaying enthusiasm and confidence.

Set 5 Tasks:
1. Read a book published in February.
2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC.
3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count.
4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame.
5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title.

Set Five

Task: 1
Book: The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie
Date: 13/6 4★
Fit: published in February

Task: 2
Book: Mayo Street by Peter Fitzpatrick
Date: 4/6 4.5★
Fit: with an enthusiastic and confident MC - Abby

Task: 3
Book: Shakespeare's Champion by Charlaine Harris
Date: 31/5 3★
Fit: without a 3 in the page count - 214p

Task: 4
Book: The Women in Black by Madeleine St. John
Date: 18/6 4★
Fit: takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame

Task: 5
Book: The Copper Beech by Maeve Binchy
Date: 5/6 3★
Fit: double vowel in the title

Set Five completed.

In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. Consequently, 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you're seeking a shift in your current lives, this year might offer a favorable chance.

Set 6 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very talented MC.
2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count.
3. Read a book with nobility in it.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY.
5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something.

Set Six

Task: 1
Book: Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman by Alan Rickman, Alan Taylor
Date: 21/6 2★
Fit: with a very talented MC - Alan Rickman was very talented

Task: 2
Book: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Date: 27/6 3★
Fit: 2 and 4 in the page count - 472p

Task: 3
Book: Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
Date: 24/6 3★
Fit: with nobility in it - an Earl

Task: 4
Book: N'Tsuk by Yves Thériault
Date: 23/6 3★
Fit: author initials in EXTRAORDINARY

Task: 5
Book: The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick
Date: 20/6 2.5★
Fit: MC takes a chance on something - Mitchell takes a chance on a new relationship

Set Six completed.

According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is a Wood Dragon Year. Wood indicates calmness, loyalty, and reliability and Dragons endowed with prominent abilities and revolutionary ideas. Such features incline Wood Dragons toward a successful life. Even though stubbornness and a little arrogance are innate with Dragons, these negative traits, sometimes, may be the key to achieving their goals.

Set 7 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very calm MC.
2. Read a book where a character works with wood.
3. Read a book with all the letters LOYALTY in the title and/or series names (can use both).
4. Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal.
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY.

Set Seven

Task: 1
Book: Paris Time Capsule by Ella Carey
Date: 29/6 3★
Fit: with a very calm MC - unnaturally calm even under provocation

Task: 2
Book: The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
Date: 21/7 4★
Fit: where a character works with wood - Joe Ellis is a carpenter

Task: 3
Book: The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson
Date: 27/8 4.5★
Fit: with all the letters LOYALTY in the title

Task: 4
Book: K is for Killer by Sue Grafton
Date: 29/6 4★
Fit: MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal - being a loner helps in her line of work

Task: 5
Book: The Sands Of Windee by Arthur W. Upfield
Date: 9/7 3.5★
Fit: author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY

Set Seven completed

CONGRATULATIONS!! You finished the Year of the Dragon!