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.)

Completion:

Task: Read a book published in December
Title: A Death, a Duke and Miss Mifford
Author: Claudia Stone
Date Read: 03/02/2024
How it fits: D.O.P - 12/07/2020

Task: Read a book where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else
Title: The Throne of Fire
Author: Rick Riordan
Date Read: 02/09/2024
How it its: To save Zia, Carter Kane sacrifices himself to combat Valadimir Menshikov’s evil spell and almost dies of serpent venom

Task: Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)
Title: The Valley of the Kings
Author: Cecelia Holland
Date Read: 02/22/2024
How it its: Queen Nefertiti and Pharaoh Tutankhamun lose their popularity due to drought in Egypt caused by low floods of Nile and this leads to their losing their lives

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.

Completion:

Task: Read a book with a confident MC
Title: Lucas's Lady
Author: Josephine West
Date Read: 03/15/2024
How it fits: Verrick, one of the MCs, is a confident man

Task: Read a book published in May
Title: The Swynden Necklace
Author: Mira Stables
Date Read: 03/10/2024
How it fits: D.O.P. - 05/03/2018

Task: Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind
Title: Kleopatra: The Early Years
Author: Karen Essex
Date Read: 03/06/2024
How it fits: From a child and a dutiful daughter, Kleopatra transforms into a queen fighting for her life and kingdom in exile against her brother husband and scheming sister in addition to the might of Julius Caesar

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.

Completion:

Task: Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered
Title: Pharaoh: Book II of Kleopatra
Author: Karen Essex
Date Read: 03/18/2024
How it fits: Both Kleopatra and Marcus Antony are highly respected and revered in Egypt and Rome

Task: Read a book where the MC has a successful career
Title: Revved Up
Author: Willa Brooks
Date Read: 03/22/2024
How it fits: Janine Benson, MC, has a successful career as a NYC cab driver

Task: Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice
Title: Dorothy Must Die
Author: Danielle Paige
Date Read: 03/26/2024
How it fits: Book has a dominant theme of justice - revolutionaries against a tyrant and her evil sidekicks

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.

Completion:

Task: Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn
Title: Mrs Harris Goes to Paris & Mrs Harris Goes to New York
Author: Paul Gallico
Date Read: 04/07/2024
How it fits: Mrs. Harris is very stubborn when she is set on achieving something

Task: Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue
Title: A Cowboy's Halloween
Author: Sierra Gamble
Date Read: 04/05/2024
How it fits: Jack Griffin and Heather Carter struggle with their emotions in culminating their love for each other into marriage

Task: Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION
Title: Iron and Magic
Author: Ilona Andrews
Date Read: 04/14/2024
How it fits: Author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION

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.

Completion:

Task: Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC
Title: Where Love Blossoms: Instant Love in Paradise: A Tropical Tale of Unforeseen Passion and Romance and Mischievous Matchmakers
Author: Rachelle Ayala
Date Read: 04/20/2024
How it fits: Maya Chance, MC, is an enthusiastic and confident person

Task: Read a book without a 3 in the page count
Title: Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Date Read: 04/25/2024
How it fits: Page coount - 306

Task: Read a book with a double vowel in the title
Title: Mr. Bloomsbury
Author: Louise Bay
Date Read: 04/18/2024
How it fits: Double vowel in the title

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.

Completion:

Task: Read a book with a very talented MC
Title: Prom & Prejudice
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Date Read: 04/27/2024
How it fits: Elizabeth Bennet is a highly talented pianist

Task: Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count
Title: Hitler's Secret
Author: Rory Clements
Date Read: 05/10/2024
How it fits: Page Count: 432 (2 and 4 in the page count)

Task: Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY
Title: Strange Sweet Song: A Novel
Author: Adi Rule
Date Read: 05/06/2024
How it fits: Author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY - A and R

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.

Completion:

Task: Read a book with a very calm MC
Title: KNOCK, KNOCK, BANG, BANG YOU'RE DEAD: Book Three: The Blackfriar Cozy Mysteries
Author: M'Lissa Moorecroft
Date Read: 05/20/2024
How it fits: Estelle De Wisner, MC, is an opera singer who is also a very calm and calculative assassin

Task: Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal
Title: Alif the Unseen
Author: G. Willow Wilson
Date Read: 05/24/2024
How it fits: Alif, the indiscriminate superhacker who helps dissidents, outlaws, uses the same hacking skills to free his country and save his people from the villainous Abbas Al Shehab, State Security Chief

Task: Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY
Title: Red Unicorn
Author: Tanith Lee
Date Read: 05/28/2024
How it fits: Author's initials T and L found in the word REVOLUTIONARY

CONGRATULATIONS!! You finished the Year of the Dragon!

Oh! It went very fast. Thanks for a nice challenge.