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.)

Book: Mister Magic

Author: Kiersten White
Date Read: 2/11/2024
Pages: 295
Task 2: Read a book where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else
How it Fits: Both Val and Isaac make selfless sacrifices to help someone else (to save them from Mister Magic)

Are you doing 1 or 2 for this set of tasks?

Erica wrote: "Are you doing 1 or 2 for this set of tasks?"

I’ll go ahead and do 2. Thanks!

Book:Gothikana
Author: RuNyx
Date Read: 2/26/2024
Pages: 399
Task 4: Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON
How it fits: R is the author's only initial and found in DRAGON

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.

Book: The Wolf Den
Author: Elodie Harper
Pages: 464
Date Read: 2/29/2024
Task 5: Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind
How it Fits: Amara goes from being a daughter of a prominent Greek physician to that of a slave prostitute.

Book: A Venom Dark and Sweet
Author: Judy I. Lin
Pages: 352
Date Read: 3/7/2024
Task 1: Read a book with a confident MC
How it Fits: Both Kang and Ning are confident MC's

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.

Book: The Secret, Book & Scone Society
Author: Ellery Adams
Pages: 307
Date Read: 3/13/2024
Task 3 - Read a book where a MC has a successful career.
How it fits: Nora owns a thriving bookstore.

Book: The Warm Hands of Ghosts
Author: Katherine Arden
Pages: 325
Date Read: 3/14/2024
Task 2: Read a book where a character is highly respected of revered
How it fits: Laura is a WWI nurse who has been awarded the Croix de Guerre

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.

Book: A Light Most Hateful

Author: Hailey Piper
Pages: 272
Date Read: 3/20/2024
Task 1: Read a book whose cover is at least 50%
How it Fits: Cover is more than 50% red

Book:
Author: Adele Abbott
Pages: 212
Date Read: 3/20/2024
Task 3: Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue.
How it fits: MC struggles because her adopted mother didn't want her and then she dies and the family members want her to be part of the family then

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.

Book: Shady Hollow
Author: Juneau Black
Pages: 222
Date Read: 4/8/2024
Task 2: Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC
How it Fits: Vera the Fox is a reporter who loves her job and isn't afraid to chase leads and ask dangerous questions

Book: Gods of Jade and Shadow
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Pages: 338
Task 3: Read a book with a 3 in the page count
How it fits: Page count is 338

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.

Book: Lilith
Author: Eric Rickstad
Date Read: 5/22/2024
Pages: 245
Task 2: Read a book with 2 and 4 in page count
How it fits: Page count 245

Book: The Last Murder at the End of the World
Author: Stuart Turton
Date Read: 6/3/2024
Pages: 400
Task 5: Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something
How it fits: MC tries to save humanity

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.

Book: Black Cake
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Date Read: 8/10/2024
Pages: 385
Task #1: Read a book with a very calm MC
How it fits: Covey has a lot of thing happen to her that could ruin her life and yet she remains calm and manages to work towards the goals she set for herself

Book: The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
Author: Alison Goodman
Date Read: 8/14/2024
Pages: 464
Task #4: Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal.
How it Fits: Lady Augusta rebels against societal rules (considered negative in 1812 London) and saves several people in need as a result.