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.)

1. Read a book published in December. - pub. 20 Dec. 1817
Persuasion Jane Austen narrator: Moira Fogarty 3-22-24, 3*

2. Read a book where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else. - Takes place in the 16th Century. One of the MCs, Ned, has to forego claiming his son to protect the child and his mother.
A Column of Fire Ken Follett, #3 Kingsbridge, 6 Mar 2024, 3*

3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.
The Pirate Jayne Ann Krentz, #1 Ladies and Legends, 1 Mar 2024, 3*

4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON.
Survivor's Guilt Robyn Gigl #2 Erin McCabe Mysteries, 3-11-24, 3-1/2*

5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)
Escaping the Giant Wave Peg Kehret 4-7-24, 5*

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.

1. Read a book with a confident MC. - The author is a conceited blowhard.
Serve No Master: How to Escape the 9-5, Start Up an Online Business, Fire Your Boss and Become a Lifestyle Entrepreneur or Digital Nomad Jonathan Green 4-7-24, 2-1/2*

3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure. - MC, Diana Mayo, hires a guide and plans on spending a month in the desert in Northern Africa (Algeria) in 1919. Her guide gets a better offer and Diana is captured by a wealthy sheik who takes her (by force) as his mistress.
The Sheik E.M. Hull #1 The Sheik Saga 4-9-24, 3*

Hey Dawn - I'm confused. I had you down under Dragon Fire, which means you do all 5 tasks before I send your next prompt. Do you want me to move you to Dragon Scale?

I want to do Dragon Fire. I think I got confused by the words "set 2 tasks" above. I'll finish the other tasks first. Thanks for clarifying.

No problem!

1. Read a book with a confident MC. - The author is a conceited blowhard.
Serve No Master: How to Escape the 9-5, Start Up an Online Business, Fire Your Boss and Become a Lifestyle Entrepreneur or Digital Nomad Jonathan Green 4-7-24, 2-1/2*

2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).
Home Fire Inferno Suzanne Brockmann #16.7 Troubleshooters, #2 Troubleshooters Izzy Novellas, 4-9-24, 3*

3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure.
- MC, Diana Mayo, hires a guide and plans on spending a month in the desert in Northern Africa (Algeria) in 1919. Her guide gets a better offer and Diana is captured by a wealthy sheik who takes her (by force) as his mistress.
The Sheik E.M. Hull #1 The Sheik Saga 4-9-24, 3*

4. Read a book published in May.
Published 18 May 2021
An Occasionally Happy Family Cliff Burke 4-14-24, 3*

5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.
All three MCs go through a sort of transformation as they heal from previous hurts from their past. They either find or renew their friendships and later find love as they learn to try again. Two romance stories in this book.
The Backup Plan Jill Shalvis #3 Sunrise Cove, 4-14-24, 3*

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.

1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPEROR.
Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake Mazey Eddings #2 A Brush With Love, 26 May 2024, 4*

2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.
Bridesmaid for Hire Meghan Quinn #1 Bridesmaid for Hire, 5-6-24, 2-1/2*
Side character is a billionaire who uses his power to blackmail and push people around.

3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career.
The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up Andy Cohen (3rd published diary) 5-3-24, 2-1/2*
Andy is a TV personality.

4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative.
Ciao For Now Kate Bromley 4-25-24, 3*
MCs are a fashion designer and a writer.

5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice.
The Boyfriend Candidate Ashley Winstead 4-23-24, 4*
MC is running for governor of Texas as a democrat.

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.

1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.
Ready Player One Ernest Cline #1 Ready Player One, 6-8-24, 4*


2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn.
Not Like the Movies Kerry Winfrey #2 Waiting for Tom Hanks, 6-17-24, 3*


3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue. - topic: rape
Speak Laurie Halse Anderson 6-1-24, 4*


4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).
Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution Bernie Sanders 6-9-24, 4-1/2*


5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION.
Looking for a Cowboy Tamie Dearen #4 Underground Granny Matchmakers, 6-19-24, 2-1/2*

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.

1. Read a book published in February. - pub. 8 Feb 2023
My Phony Valentine Courtney Walsh #1 Holidays With Hart, 6-21-24, 4*


2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC.
Tell Me You Want Me Willow Winters 6-30-24, 3-1/2*


3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count. - 254 pgs.
Summer at Blue Sands Cove C.P. Ward #1 Glorious Summer, 6-24-24, 2*


4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame.
New Year's with the Single Dad Whitley Cox #6 The Single Dads of Seattle, 7-4-24, 3*


5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title.
Too Beautiful to Break Tessa Bailey #4 Romancing the Clarksons, 6-23-24, 2*

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.

1. Read a book with a very talented MC. - chess grandmaster & world champion
Check & Mate Ali Hazelwood 7-6-24, 4*


2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count. - 422 pgs.
Mind Games Nora Roberts 7-9-24, 3-1/2*


3. Read a book with nobility in it.
Ch.17, p.277, 67% "Wow. The baroness was your grandmother."
Vampire Kisses Ellen Schreiber #1 Vampire Kisses, 7-6-24, 4*


4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY.
Excite Me Emilia Rose #1 Addicted to Him, 7-10-24, 3*


5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something.
After an abusive and controlling marriage, the h is establishing her career and has to take a chance on love again. H proves to her that he'll support her so she can have both--a career and a relationship.
Swift and Saddled Lyla Sage #2 Rebel Blue Ranch, 7-7-24, 4*

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.