The Challenge Factory discussion

Challenge Duration: January 29, 2025 through February 16, 2026

This challenge will run during the Chinese dates of the Year of the Snake. Books must be started by February 16, 2026 to count.
There are seven prompts, each with five possible tasks. None of the tasks will be spell outs. Books should be at least 140 pages. Choose your level of participation:


Levels:
Snake Scale - a defensive body part that protects the snake. I'll try 1-2 tasks per level (please specify which).
Snake Forked Tongue - allows snakes to detect the "scent" of their prey, as well as navigate and find mates. Sign me up for 3-4 tasks per level (please specify which).
Snake Fangs - some snakes' weapon: most venomous snakes have grooved or hollow fangs for delivering venom. I'll go for all 5 tasks per level.

2025 The Year of the Snake
Duration - January 29, 2025 through February 16, 2026

Remember: Reading starts on January 29!



Long ago in China the Jade Emperor decided there should be a way of measuring time. On his birthday he told the animals that there was to be a swimming race. The first twelve animals across the fast flowing river would be the winners and they would each have a year of the zodiac named after them. After the first five animals (rat, ox,tiger, rabbit and dragon) finished the race the Emperor heard was the sound of the horse’s hooves. He thought the horse would be the next animal to arrive but a sneaky snake wriggled out from around one of the horse’s hooves. The horse was so surprised that he jumped backwards giving the snake a chance to take the sixth place in the race.

Set 1 Tasks:
1. Read a book where the MC celebrates a birthday.
2. Read a book with a sneaky character.
3. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word SNAKE.
4. Read a book where a character participates in a race or other kind of competition.
5. Read a book that is the 6th in a series.

Hey Richard - you signed up at the Snake Fangs level, which is all 5 tasks. I realize series don't work for nonfiction, so let's go with maybe 6th book published by author?
And for sneaky character, how about a book dealing with dishonesty?

Erica wrote: "Hey Richard - you signed up at the Snake Fangs level, which is all 5 tasks."

Eep I forgot. Okay thanks.

Yeah, but those last two are a bit hard to fit into non-fiction. For 6th, maybe an author who has written at least 6 books? Isaac Asimov has a ton of books, but not sure if the 6th one is non-fiction.

✅ Set 1.

Book: Open Book
Author: Jessica Simpson
Date Read: Jan 30th
Task: Plot - MC celebrates a birthday
How it Fits: "Hollywood Boulevard club on my birthday" p.227

Book: Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything
Author: Aly Raisman
Date Read: Jan 30th
Task: Plot - char participates in a competition
How it Fits: Gymnastics at the Olympic Games

Book: Electric Don Quixote: The Definitive Story Of Frank Zappa
Author: Neil Slaven
Date Read: Jan 31st
Task: Author - initials in SNAKE
How it Fits: NS

Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J.K. Rowling
Date Read: Feb 1st
Task: Series - 6th
How it Fits: 6th book in the series

Book: Royal Mysteries of the Tudor Period
Author: Timothy Venning
Date Read: Feb 2nd
Task: Char - sneaky
How it Fits: "he had recently been elected king of Poland so he had to sneak away from Cracow and get home before his subjects found out" p.263

I see you have a Harry Potter exception to your non-fiction rule! *smile*



The Snake is the sixth animal in the zodiac, and is synonymous with wisdom, elegance, and intuition. People born in Snake years (e.g., 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025) are often perceived as intelligent, resourceful, and graceful. They thrive on analyzing situations and making calculated moves, embodying a quiet but potent strength. Some famous people born in Snake years are Mahatma Gandhi, Pablo Picasso, Mao Zedong, John F. Kennedy, Anne Frank, Bob Dylan, Xi Jinping, J.K. Rowling and Taylor Swift.

Set 2 Tasks:
1. Read a book published in a Snake year.
2. Read a book with a MC who is intelligent and resourceful.
3. Read a book with a very strong character, either in body or mind.
4. Read a book whose title begins with a letter in the word WISDOM.
5. Read a book whose author's first and last initials match one of the famous Snakes listed above (in either order, so MG or GM for Mahatma Gandhi).

✅ Set 2.

Book: Calamity: The Many Lives of Calamity Jane
Author: Karen R. Jones
Date Read: Feb 3rd
Task: Author - FN matches a famous 'Snake'
How it Fits: John F. Kennedy

Book: Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: The Secret Agent Who Made the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Discovered the Kama Sutra and Brought the Arabian Nights to the West
Author: Edward Rice
Date Read: Feb 3rd
Task: MC - is intelligent & resourceful
How it Fits: Polymath, hyperpolyglot, & adventurer

Book: Is That Thing Diesel?: One Man, One Bike and the First Lap Around Australia on Used Cooking Oil
Author: Paul Carter
Date Read: Feb 4th
Task: Title - starts with a letter in WISDOM
How it Fits: I

Book: Adventurers: The Improbable Rise of the East India Company
Author: David Howarth
Date Read: Feb 4th
Task: Char - strong
How it Fits: "Smythe...a man of strong faith" p.151

Book: AI for Life: 100+ Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence to Make Your Life Easier, More Productive…and More Fun!
Author: Celia Quillian
Date Read: Feb 5th
Task: Published - 'Snake' year
How it Fits: 2025

Snakes are deep thinkers who tend to approach life with a calm and measured demeanor. They possess a natural charm and magnetism, making them both intriguing and attractive to others. With a keen sense of intuition, Snake individuals are adept at understanding people and situations, often seeing beneath the surface to uncover hidden truths.

Snakes are also known for their resourcefulness and ability to navigate complex situations. They prefer to observe and analyze before making decisions, which allows them to move through life with a sense of purpose and direction. However, this introspective nature can sometimes make them appear secretive or distant to others, as they often keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves.

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a magnetic character.
2. Read a book whose title or series name begins with a letter in the word CHARM.
3. Read a book with a MC who analyzes a situation carefully before acting.
4. Read a book where a character keeps a secret.
5. Read a book that has the surface of a lake or other body of water on it.

✅ Set 3.

Book: How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days
Author: Kari Leibowitz
Date Read: Feb 5th
Task: Title - starts with a letter in the word CHARM
How it Fits: H

Book: Tiger's Heart: The Story of a Modern Chinese Woman
Author: Aisling Juanjuan Shen
Date Read: Feb 6th
Task: Cover - body of water
How it Fits: - Yangtze River

Book: Into the Amazon: The Life of Cândido Rondon, Trailblazing Explorer, Scientist, Statesman, and Conservationist
Author: Larry Rohter
Date Read: Feb 6th
Task: Plot - MC analyses a situation carefully before acting
How it Fits: "he took measurements and carefully noted localities and geographic features in his field notebook, to use later." p.72

Book: Lucy & Desi: The Legendary Love Story of Television's Most Famous Couple
Author: Warren G. Harris
Date Read: Feb 7th
Task: Plot - character keeps a secret
How it Fits: "Lucy and Desi kept the separation secret until production was completed" p.10

Book: Stage Directions and Shakespearean Theatre
Author: Sarah Dustagheer
Date Read: Feb 9th
Task: Char - magnetic
How it Fits: "The Magnetic Lady" p.210

The Element of Wood in 2025

Each Chinese Zodiac year is influenced by one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. 2025 is governed by Wood, which softens the Snake’s typically reserved nature, infusing it with creativity, compassion, and a thirst for growth.

What Wood Brings to the Snake:

Flexibility and Adaptability: Wood adds an element of growth and expansion, encouraging adaptability in challenges.

Creative Problem-Solving: This year is ideal for innovation, whether in personal projects, professional goals, or relationships.

Focus on Harmony: Wood Snake years emphasize fostering better relationships and improving communication skills.

Strategic Growth: Success will favor those who plan meticulously and act wisely.

Deepening Connections: Introspection and emotional intelligence will help navigate relationships, promoting empathy and understanding.

Set 4 Tasks:
1. Read a book where a character does something with wood.
2. Read a book from an expansive series (more than 15 books).
3. Read a book where the MC improves their communication skills.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word METICULOUS.
5. Read a book with a deeply empathetic and understanding character.

✅ Set 4.

Book: Idea Makers: Personal Perspectives on the Lives & Ideas of Some Notable People
Author: Stephen Wolfram
Date Read: Feb 10th
Task: Plot - character does something with wood
How it Fits: "Leibniz at first had a wooden prototype of his machine built" p.195

Book: Dungeons and Dragons and Philosophy: Read and Gain Advantage on All Wisdom Checks
Author: Christopher Robichaud
Date Read: Feb 10th
Task: Series - 15+
How it Fits: In. a series of 133 primary works - https://www.goodreads.com/series/6482...

Book: Unnatural Causes: The Life and Many Deaths of Britain's Top Forensic Pathologist
Author: Richard Shepherd
Date Read: Feb 14th
Task: Char - deeply empathetic & understanding
How it Fits: "I hope she understood how much I sympathized and empathized with her." p.274

Book: Beyond Beliefs: A Guide to Improving Relationships and Communication for Vegans, Vegetarians, and Meat Eaters
Author: Melanie Joy
Date Read: Feb 15th
Task: Plot - MC improves their communication skills
How it Fits: It's in the title

Book: Think Better: Unlocking the Power of Reason
Author: Ulrich L. Lehner
Date Read: Feb 15th
Task: Author - initials in METICULOUS
How it Fits: UL

Themes of the Year of the Wood Snake

2025 is a year of reflection, recalibration, and renewal, offering a mix of calm energy and intellectual challenges. The Snake’s intuitive wisdom, paired with the nurturing Wood element, creates a time to refine your long-term goals and strengthen personal and professional relationships. It is a year for letting go of what no longer serves you and embracing meaningful change.

Set 5 Tasks:
1. Read a book where the MC makes a long-term goal.
2. Read a book whose cover is calming (your interpretation).
3. Read a book where a character nurtures someone or something.
4. Read a book where the MC makes a meaningful change.
5. Read a book with two of the numbers from 2025 in the page count or publication date.

✅ Set 5.

Book: When Giants Walked the Earth: A Biography of Led Zeppelin
Author: Mick Wall
Date Read: Feb 16th
Task: Published - 2 of 2025
How it Fits: 2008

Book: The Ozempic Revolution: A Doctor's Proven Plan for Success to Help You Reverse Obesity, End Yo-Yo Dieting, and Protect Yourself from Disease
Author: Alexandra Sowa
Date Read: Feb 16th
Task: Cover - calming
How it Fits: - Nice calm colours

Book: Misfire: The Sarajevo Assassination and the Winding Road to World War I
Author: Paul Miller-Melamed
Date Read: Feb 17th
Task: Plot - MC makes a meaningful change
How it Fits: "Franz Ferdinand’s happy marriage can be hyped as the romance that changed the world" p.27

Book: Encyclopedia of Goddesses and Heroines
Author: Patricia Monaghan
Date Read: Feb 19th
Task: Plot - char nurtures something
How it Fits: "when (Mielikki) found orphaned cubs, she nurtured them into adulthood." p.392

Book: Born to Manage: The Autobiography
Author: Terry Venables
Date Read: Feb 21st
Task: Plot - MC makes a long-term goal
How it Fits: After a playing career that spanned more than 15 years, the MC became the manager, with the goal of leading the failing team to victory

There are many proverbs and idioms related to the snake in the Chinese language. Yan Yan Wang, a lecturer in modern Chinese at the ANU School of Culture, History and Language says 画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú) which literally means, ‘to draw a snake and add legs’, is one of the most famous.

“It is believed this idiom originated from an ancient Chinese story about a man who tried to improve a drawing of a snake by adding some legs, but this only ruined the artwork,” Wang says.

“The moral of the story? Don’t overdo something or make unnecessary additions that can lead to negative consequences!”

Set 6 Tasks:
1. Read a book where the MC goes too far and ruins something as a result.
2. Read a book where a character draws.
3. Read a book with an image of a snake on the cover.
4. Read a book that contains some kind of moral.
5. Read a book that has a proverb or an idiom in it (idiom examples: it's raining cats and dogs, to be under the weather, piece of cake, spill the beans, bite the bullet, etc....).

✅ Set 6.

Book: Ancient Magic: A Practitioner's Guide to the Supernatural in Greece and Rome
Author: Philip Matyszak
Date Read: Feb 22nd
Task: Cover - snake
How it Fits:

Book: Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul
Author: Sarah Mae
Date Read: Feb 22nd
Task: Text - proverb or idiom
How it Fits: "the immediate gratification of a well-kept home is like the frosting on the cake." p.129

Book: A History of Europe in 12 Cafés
Author: Monica Porter
Date Read: Feb 22nd
Task: Plot - a character draws
How it Fits: "they sat and chatted...drawing little caricatures on scraps of paper or even directly on to the marble tabletops." p.160

Book: CRISPR People: The Science and Ethics of Editing Humans
Author: Henry T. Greely
Date Read: Feb 25th
Task: Plot - some kind of moral
How it Fits: "Different people assign different moral values to human embryos" p.29

Book: Cleopatra and Antony: Power, Love, and Politics in the Ancient World
Author: Diana Preston
Date Read: Mar 7th
Task: Plot - MC goes too far & ruins something as a result
How it Fits: "Antony was...amazed at her wit as well as her good looks, and became her captive as though he were a young man...It is said that he was always very susceptible in this way....this passion brought ruin upon them and upon all Egypt" p.163

Last one!



2025 is the year of the Wood Snake. The Wood Snake is a charming, intelligent and creative sign, but also secretive, cunning and sometimes ruthless. Mythology recognises the Snake as a creature of healing, which influences the physical body to shift to a more spiritual outlook.
The Year of the Wood Snake is a time for calculated growth, deep connections, and introspection. By aligning with its energy, Snakes can make 2025 a transformative and prosperous year. Whether seeking success, stability, or self-discovery, the wisdom of the Wood Snake will guide it.

Set 7 Tasks:
1. Read a book where a character makes a calculation (does not need to be mathematical).
2. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word INTROSPECTION.
3. Read a book where the MC makes a deep connection with someone else.
4. Read a book where a character goes through a transformation.
5. Read a book where the MC is seeking success in an endeavor.

✅ Set 7

Book: Daughter of Daring: The Trick-Riding, Train-Leaping, Road-Racing Life of Helen Gibson, Hollywood’s First Stuntwoman
Author: Mallory O'Meara
Date Read: Mar 8th
Task: Plot - char makes a calculation
How it Fits: "Instead of landing in the ocean, the young lady miscalculated the distance and fell on a pile of rocks. While bruised and battered, she escaped serious injury." p.136

Book: Superior: Creating a Superior Culture of Excellence
Author: Rusty Komori
Date Read: Mar 8th
Task: Plot - char goes through transformation
How it Fits: "(Helen Keller's) determination and perseverance in the face of adversity transformed her disabilities into opportunities to create lasting change." p.31

Book: Another Side of Bob Dylan: A Personal History on the Road and off the Tracks
Author: Victor Maymudes
Date Read: Mar 9th
Task: Plot - MC makes a deep connection with someone else
How it Fits: MC makes a deep connection with Bob Dylan

Book: The Everything Solar Power For Beginners: 2 Books in 1 A Detailed Guide on How to Design & install Solar Energy and Off grid Solar System for Vans, Cabins, Boats, and Homes.
Author: Tashi Tsenkyap
Date Read: Mar 9th
Task: Author - initials in INTROSPECTION
How it Fits: TT

Book: After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice
Author: Erling Kagge
Date Read: Mar 13th
Task: Plot - MC is seeking success in an endeavour
How it Fits: "Parry does not say so explicitly in his account, but it seems that he gave up all hope of getting to the North Pole fairly early on. Instead, the goal became managing to get farther north than Scoresby." p.107

Congratulations!! You completed the Year of the Snake!

Thanks!

I hope your autistic burnout is getting better. That must be really tough.

I know you're not big on fiction but you might like House Rules by Jodi Picoult. The MC is an autistic teenager who gets into a serious situation without understanding at all because of how his brain works. The author had an autistic teen proof the book for veracity. It's really good and quite funny in several places.