Wanderlust Challenges discussion

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
4 Months from Start

Let's explore this fascinating country with Patrizia!

Mongolia has only been open to tourism for about thirty years, so it is still a destination that is little known to most tourists. Although many are attracted by its spectacular nature that includes the Asian Steppes (grasslands) and the Gobi Desert, this nation also offers some almost unexpected cultural attractions that complement the large uninhabited spaces of this nation with the lowest population density in the world.

Choose a level:
Daytripper: Complete one task per day for a total of 10 tasks.
Explorer: Complete 15 of the 20 tasks. You must complete at least one task per day.

Link to Participants

Challenge Rules: All forms of books are accepted as long as they are 100 pages or more. When posting updates of completed books, please include a link to the title and author’s name, along with the date you finished reading the book. Please post cover if it is task appropriate. When you have completed the challenge, please copy and paste your entire challenge and repost in a new message, letting us know it is completed.

*Please note: the challenge was translated using Google translate.

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Day 1: Genghis Khan

During your trip to Mongolia, you will be bombarded with references to their national hero: Genghis Khan (1162-1227). After uniting the Mongol and Turkic tribes that inhabited the steppes of present-day Mongolia, he created one of the largest empires in the world. Over the years the Mongol Empire (1206-1368) conquered China, much of Central Asia, Persia, and part of Eastern Europe. It later split into four different khanates, or territories ruled by a khan. His descendants ruled over China, much of Russia, Central Asia, and even as far as India.
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).


In honor of its hero, Mongolia has erected what is considered the world's tallest equestrian statue. Inaugurated in September 2008, it is 98 ft (30 m) tall and rests on a building that is 32.8 ft (10 m) high. It's made of steel and weighs around 250 tons. From inside, visitors can reach the head of the horse, where they can admire the surrounding panorama. The statue is located in Tsonjin Boldog, which is located about 33 miles (54 km) from the Mongolian capital. It is definitely worth a visit, as is the adjacent archaeological museum.
* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar

The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar, though until 1924 it was known as Urga. The city has a curious history, and its location has, in fact, changed several times over the centuries until it was fixed in its current place at the end of the 18th century. It was considered the holy city of the Mongols and the seat of the religious leadership of the Khalkha tribes (the third most important in the Buddhist clergy). It was also a key commercial center, as it was located on the so-called "tea route" between Russia and China. Many of its buildings are influenced by the Soviet Union and were built to replace the typical tent dwellings that the Mongols used until the beginning of the 20th century.
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).


During the socialist regime, many of the Buddhist temples were destroyed, though a few managed to survive and are now museums, such as the Choijin Monastery. Its five temples preserve a rich heritage of Buddhist artifacts. Also worth a visit is the Winter Palace of Bogd Khan, the residence of the Buddhist high priest who was appointed khan of Mongolia in 1911. Not to be missed are the National Museum of Mongolia, whose collections document the history of the country from prehistory to the last century, and if you have children, the Natural History Museum, which houses the numerous dinosaur fossils found in this country.
* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

Day 3: Central Mongolia

In addition to the capital, Central Mongolia hosts some other interesting places to visit, starting with Karakorum. Founded in 1235, it served as the capital of the Mongol Empire until 1264 and then again from 1368 until its destruction twenty years later. Today it is possible to visit its ruins, as well as the nearby temple of Erdene Zuu, the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, dating back to 1585. Both are part of the cultural landscape of the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO site since 2004 for being an example of the evolution of nomadic pastoral traditions over two millennia.
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.


This region gives us a picture of the Mongolian landscape and includes several protected areas. In particular, the Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve protects a very diverse ecosystem: high mountains, steppes, rivers and lakes, and wetlands. It is the home of Mongolian nomads, though their numbers are decreasing due to tourist activity. Tsetserleg is known as the most pleasant of the provincial capitals. In addition to its monastery, dating back to 1642, it is worth a visit for its nearby UNESCO site known as Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites. These stones are the most important surviving structures belonging to the culture of Eurasian Bronze Age nomads that evolved and then slowly disappeared between the 2nd and 1st millennia BCE.
* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia

Located on the border with Russia, Eastern Mongolia is known as the birthplace of Genghis Khan. Here you will find the Landscapes of Dauria, a UNESCO site since 2017. It is a transboundary site shared between Russia and Mongolia. This strictly protected area is reserved for research activities, while a few areas are accessible to local populations for ecologically sustainable activities and sustainable tourism. Among other species protected here is the rare white-naped crane.
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).


Genghis Khan's birthplace is believed to be near Burkhan Khaldun Mountain, and according to tradition, the tomb of the great Mongol is located here. Because of this, it has become the most sacred of the Mongolian mountains. It has been a UNESCO site since 2015, precisely because of the sacredness of the surrounding area. This has helped protect the area, which includes the particular biosphere typical of the steppes of Central Asia. Because of its spiritual nature, the mountain has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, following a specific road that connects three ovoos, or stone cairns.
* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Day 5: Northern Mongolia

Northern Mongolia is an area that is easy to travel to outside of the capital. It includes two other very populous cities: Erdenet and Darkhan. Located between them in the middle of the steppe is the Amarbayasgalant Monastery. It is worth a visit as it is one of the few that survived the socialist purges almost intact. It is, in fact, one of the three largest monasteries in the whole of Mongolia. It was built between 1727 and 1736 to honor one of the first leaders of Tibetan Buddhism in this country. Currently it includes 26 temples (out of the 40 that once composed it), where approximately sixty monks reside.
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).


This is an area rich in forests and lakes; in fact, it is home to the second-largest Asian freshwater lake by volume: Lake Khövsgöl. The nomadic populations who live on the shores of the lake raise livestock, especially reindeer. Thanks to the beautiful landscapes, it is a popular tourist destination where you can take excursions on horseback or by boat to the various islands and beaches. Be careful, though; we are in a climate zone dominated by permafrost, so it is not recommended that you swim in the lake because the waters are freezing. The lake is also the area's main supply of water.
* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

Adventure Continued . . .


Day 6: Western Mongolia

Western Mongolia is also home to several lakes. In prehistoric times, many of them, including Har-Us Lake in Har-Us National Park, formed one large single lake. Today these many lakes are fairly shallow, making them home to a rich bird life (especially geese, ducks, and gulls). During the season of migration, it becomes a paradise for birdwatchers. The largest lake in the area is Uvs Lake. This saline lake is part of a group of lakes known as the Great Lakes Depression. The area is also home to many waterfalls and even glaciers.
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.


The westernmost part of the region that borders China is covered by the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. This is the largest national park in Mongolia and is home to its highest peak, Mount Tavan Bogd. These mountains are considered sacred by both the Mongols and the Kazakhs, as evidenced by the existence of thousands of petroglyphs and numerous megaliths and stone cairns. Aside from these historical remains, this park protects some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Mongolia, so it is definitely worth the effort to venture out there.
* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia

Western Mongolia is home to diverse populations and has always been a crossroads between different peoples. In particular, it is home to the Kazakhs, who are of Muslim origin. The variety of different customs makes a visit here very interesting, especially during the annual Naadam Festival. This event takes place in various towns, usually in the first week of July, and is characterized by the so-called “three manly sports,” namely wrestling, horse racing, and archery.
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).


The most popular event among tourists traveling to the area are the Eagle Festivals, which take place in the Kazakh-inhabited area. Kazakhs have always been known for their skill in taming horses and eagles, and hunting with eagles on horseback has now become an attraction. The Golden Eagle Festival is held in early October in Ölgii with competitions and shows featuring up to 70 of these powerful birds of prey.
*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert

Much of Southern Mongolia is covered by the Gobi Desert. Its name comes from the Mongolian word gobi, meaning “place without water.” The first description of this desert was by Marco Polo, who also mentioned an animal that was once typical of this area, the wild camel, which is now almost extinct. This desert has been a goldmine for paleontologists: the first dinosaur eggs in the world were found here in 1922, and it is still a source of interesting finds. There is a strong temperature range in this area, so take this into account when planning your trip. A visit during the winter is absolutely to be avoided because temperatures drop dramatically - the desert is covered in snow, and its soil is frozen.
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).


Despite its harsh conditions, the Gobi Desert has never been completely uninhabited. Nomadic populations have settled on its edges, dedicating themselves to livestock breeding. In 1820 the Hamar Monastery was also founded. It was later destroyed by the Russians but then again rebuilt in the 1990s. The ruins of other Tibetan monasteries are found in the Ongi area. The main attraction of the Gobi is, however, Khongoryn Els, or the "singing dunes." These mountains of sand are known for the singing sound that is made as they change shape due to the wind.
* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Day 9: Special experiences

One of the most unique experiences you can have while traveling in Mongolia is staying in a ger. This is the Mongolian version of the yurt used by nomadic populations of the Asian steppes. These circular tents are made by placing felt carpets made from sheep's wool on a wooden frame. The door is always facing south. Inside are various beds that serve as seats during the day, along with a brazier on which cooking is done. In Mongolian yurts you can often find a leather bag containing the typical drink of this population: fermented mare's milk. There is a whole ceremony that must be followed to enter and stay in a yurt, so be sure you are informed.
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).


For those who love train travel, you must try the adventure of traveling on the Trans-Mongolian Railway. This train line connects Russia and China, crossing all of Mongolia, and is connected to the much more famous Trans-Siberian Railway. It was built between 1947 and 1961 and is 1,376 miles (2,215 km) long, including the sections outside of Mongolia itself. Bring some food and something to pass the time while you enjoy the incredible landscapes you are traveling through. It is also very useful to have a phrasebook on hand to communicate with the locals, who are the majority of travelers.
* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine

Being a people who have long been devoted to herding and hunting, Mongolian cuisine is based mainly on meat and dairy products, while the use of vegetables and spices is very limited. It should be noted, however, that the Mongols do not eat birds because they have great respect for them. Geographic proximity and strong historical ties have meant that the local cuisine has been influenced by Russian and Chinese cuisine. Thus, while the most common peasant dish is mutton-based, in the city there are many places that sell buuz, the Mongolian version of steamed Chinese dumplings. They are filled with mutton or beef, flavored with onion and/or garlic. Seasonal herbs are sometimes added, and you can often find a vegetarian version.
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.


Herding provides ample amounts of milk of various types (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and yaks), so cheeses are very popular, as are yogurt and kefir. But the national drink is airag, a fermented mare's milk, which you will surely be offered if you enter a ger. The daily drink is süütei tsai, a salted milk tea, which is often made into a nutritious soup by adding rice, meat, or bansh (a dumpling similar to buuz). The influence of the Soviet Union has made vodka very popular. Today you will find a surprising number of local brands, usually using fermented grains.
* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

Participants

Bev(baglady)
Book Concierge
Brenda ~ Completed
Catsalive ~ Completed
ChrisGA ~ Completed
Ed
Frankie ~ Completed
Jan ~ Completed
Jonquil ~ Completed
Karen ♐ ~ Completed
Meg ~ Completed
Olivermagnus ~ Completed
Patrizia ~ Completed
Richard ~ Completed
Ruth
Sally906 ~ Completed
Tari ~ Completed
Trish ~ Completed

My Spot

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
19/15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link). Listening Woman | Tony Hillerman 8/3/25****


* Read a book published in September of any year (Sep 05, 2023). Mother-Daughter Murder Night | Nina Simon 7/18/25****


Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (1800's/19th century) ALSO set in a capital city (London). The Apothecary's Poison | C.J. Archer 6/6/25***


* Read a series book #5. Ellie Dwyer's Unexpected Ally | Diane Winger 8/17/25****


Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The. Murder in the Village | Faith Martin 7/15/25****


* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover). That Wild Country: An Epic Journey through the Past, Present, and Future of America's Public Lands | Mark Kenyon 8/6/25***


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (US, France & Spain). The Wilder Widows | Katherine Hastings 8/10/25*


* Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min). Lie or Die | Colleen Helme 6/17/25***


Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (261 Pages). Ellie Dwyer's Big Mistake | Diane Winger 7/21/25***


* Read a with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER (Ellie). Ellie Dwyer's Change of Plans | Diane Winger 7/23/25***


Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION. The Lido | Libby Page 6/15/25****


* Read a book that was well worth reading (I read this whole series in the course of a few weeks. I love the friendship between Ellie and Ruth, their travels to all the state and national parks, and in this particular book, Ellie's meeting her long lost daughter). Ellie Dwyer's Startling Discovery | Diane Winger 7/25/25****


Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (both Ellie and Ruth participate in a couple events in the senior olympics). Ellie Dwyer's Olympic Moment | Diane Winger 8/14/25***


*Read a read a book set in entirely in the month of October. Give Em Pumpkin To Talk About | Joyce Lavene 7/2/25***


Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book set in the desert (Arizona). Ellie Dwyer's Great Escape | Diane Winger 6/4/25****


* Read a book where "singing" occurs in the story ((view spoiler)[ Jack began to fill it up again.  I left him there, singing loudly in the steam (hide spoiler)] What about us? | Jacqui Henderson 6/26/25***


Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (Ellie sleeps in a pop-up camper). Ellie Dwyer's Disappearing Act | Diane Winger 8/17/25***


* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (7669 Reviews). The Story of Arthur Truluv | Elizabeth Berg 7/29/25**


Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order). Miss Morgan's Book Brigade | Janet Skeslien Charles 9/5/25***

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

15/15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
Eleonor Roosevelt is one of two MCs- Eleanor and the Cold War by Ellen Yardley 14 June; 5☆


* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).
Cairo, 1924- Murder Among the Pyramids by Sara Rosett 20 July; 4 1/2☆


* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).
Montana Abduction Rescue by Jodie Bailey 26 July; 4 1/2☆


Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.
Undercover Kitty by Sofie Ryan 12 June; 4 1/2☆


* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.
Murder at the Serpentine Bridge by Andrea Penrose 28 July; 5☆


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).
Vancouver Island (Canada) + Missouri (fictional town, I think) and Maui (USA)- Tofino Storm by Edie Claire 19 June; 5☆


* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
Her Bleeding Heart by D.K. Hood 22 June; 5☆


Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).
296 pages- A Scandal in Scarlet by Vicki Delany 4 July; 4 1/2☆


* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
Riggs (male MC)- The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis 18 July; 5☆


Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Watch Her Disappear by Lisa Regan 30 June; 5☆


* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).
529 pages- Buried Too Deep by Karen Rose 27 June; 5☆


Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.
Local Girl Missing by Lisa Regan 13 July; 5☆


Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).
Cold Case Disappearance by Shirley Jump 22 July; 4☆


* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon 7 June; 4☆


Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.
Muffin But the Truth by Ellie Alexander 7 July; 4 1/2☆


* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

Choose a level:
Explorer: Complete 15 of the 20 tasks. You must complete at least one task per day.

15/15 Completed. Finish

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
Rachel Caine-Darkwater Lane 7/18/25

* Read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).
(09/29/14)
Locke-Harper Sloan 6/27/25

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5
(The Wilds of Montana)
She's a Wild One-Kristen Proby 6/07/25

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The)
Rewind It Back-Liz Tomforde 6/04/25

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover)
Bull's Eye-Shannon Baker 6/25/25


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
Unbreak My Heart-Nicole Jacquelyn 6/01/25

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).
(268)
Maui Murder-Jasmine Webb 6/08/25

* Read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
(Nikki)
Little Child Gone-Stacy Green 6/03/25

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Amber Kelly-Love After Duty 6/14/25

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count)
(636)
Lock & Key-Cat Porter 6/09/25

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).
(MMC is a professional Hockey player)
Meet Your Match-Kandi Steiner 6/20/25

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc)
Cold Spite-Toni Anderson 6/13/25

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date)
(01/01/93)
A Fatal Thaw-Dana Stabenow 6/21/25

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
Gina LaManna-Diamond in the Rough 6/03/25

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text)
Pg.34"I took a sip of my tea and told Isabelle and Marigold about the rest of my evening."
Rewriting the Stars-Claire Kingsley 7/23/25

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
Level: Explorer
Duration: 1/6/25 - 30/9/25
20/20

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton 3.5★s 3/7/25 - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).
Ghost Soldier by Clive Cussler/Mike Maden 3★s 27/6/25 September 3rd 2024

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).
Death at a Paris Hotel by Verity Bright 5★s 16/6/25 Paris

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).
Outback Magic by Rhonda Forrest 5★s 5/6/25

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.
Murder Under the Sun by Faith Martin 5★s 8/6/25

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.
The Girl With the Yellow Star by Natalie Meg Evans 5★s 20/6/25

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).
Best Left Buried by Neil A. White 3★s 3/6/25 Nicaragua (1986)/USA (2022)

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
Death and the Librarian by Victoria Gilbert 3★s 2/7/25

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).
Autumn Softly Fell by Dominic Luke 4★s 8/8/25 246 pages

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
The Other Side of Her by B.M. Carroll 4★s 19/6/25 Ryan

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Wandering Wild by Lynette Noni 5★s 24/6/25

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).
Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend 5★s 2/6/25 663 pages

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).
A Body at the Book Fair by Ellie Alexander 5★s 10/6/25 a book fair

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn 4★s 31/7/25

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).
Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson 5★s 2/6/25 Central/Outback Australia

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).
Journey to the Hangman by Arthur W. Upfield 5★s 10/6/25 Jan 1st 1959/Aug 31st 1987

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).
Dolphin Melody by Tui Allen 5★s 9/6/25 camping by the ocean's shores

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
Hidden Dreams by Suzanne Gilchrist 5★s 14/6/25

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.
Daughter of Genoa by Kat Devereaux 4★s 8/9/25 A Jesuit priest/smuggling Jewish citizens from Italy. Based on true story of DELASEM - Delegation for the Assistance of Jewish Emigrants

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order)
Escape From Portaleige by Kerstin Stanford 3★s 13/6/25

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

I'll start at Explorer and see how it goes....


Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order)

I'm in.

1 June to 30 September. Finsihed 31 August.

Daytripper: Complete one task per day for a total of 10 tasks.
Explorer: Complete 15 of the 20 tasks. You must complete at least one task per day.

20/15 Completed

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

Reykjavik, Ragnar Jónasson, Katrín Jakobsdóttir – 11/06/25
Ronald Reagan and Mikail Gorbachev are mentioned, as the denouement of the book is set around the 1986 Reykjavík Summit meeting.
“A black car drove up to Höfdi and out stepped none other than Ronald Reagan… But a moment later a hush fell on the crowd again as another car drew up to the house, carrying Mikhail Gorbachev, of course. Reagan reappeared on the steps and greeted the Soviet General Secretary.” P345-346

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Acceptance, Jeff VanderMeer – 04/08/25
First published 2 September 2014

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

Ignited in Iceland, Victoria Walker – 16/06/25
Set in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

The Brides of High Hill, Nghi Vo – 11/06/25
The Singing Hills Cycle #5

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.

Moonstorm, Yoon Ha Lee – 07/07/25
Title initial: karakoruM.

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

The Castlemaine Murders, Kerry Greenwood – 07/08/25
Both Historical Fiction and Historical are on the GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

The Tusks of Extinction, Ray Nayler - 24/06/25
Part set in Kenya, and mainly set in the Russian Steppes. The book itself is how de-extincting mammoths was a reaction to the extinction in the wild of Elephants, due to poaching.

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Truth or Dare, Kathi Daley – 28/06/25
Title initials: burkhan khalDun mOunTain.

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

Toxic Toffee, Amanda Flower – 19/08/25
Page count: 286pg.
Also, the book is set in a largely Amish community, so there are a number of extremely religious speaking characters, notably the MC’s grandmother and one of the assistants in the candy shop, while the other is considering whether to be baptised into the Amish faith.

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

The Tainted Cup, Robert Jackson Bennett – 06/06/25
reinDeer: the MC is called Dinios Kol. He also rides a horse out to a distant outpost at one point.

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.

Icelandic Folk Tales, Hjörleifur Helgi Stefánsson
Birds: a pair of ravens on the cover.


* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Calypso, Oliver K. Langmead – 09/09/25
Worth reading: A rare 5* book for me, as it was just completely different to anything I’ve read in a long time: a Space Opera/Colony Ship story, told in the style of a Homer-like epic (except in length, which was about 220pg).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

Cover Her Face, P.D. James – 18/8/25
On the day leading up to the murder, the Church Fete is held in the grounds of Martingale House, where the victim and suspects live.

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

The Scapegracers, H.A. Clarke – 30/07/25
Set entirely in October. The first chapter has: “This was the first weekend in October, and the township of Sycamore Gorge doesn’t f**k around where Halloween is concerned." and and roughly a week (maybe two) passes during the course of the book – it certainly doesn’t get all the way to Halloween.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

The Guncle, Steven Rowley – 31/08/25
Set primarily in Palm Springs, California, which is within the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley.

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Tea with the Black Dragon, R.A. MacAvoy – 03/06/25
First published in 1983.

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

Paper Towns, John Green – 14/08/25
During the road trip in the final third of the book, the MC and his friends end up taking turns to sleep in the back of the minivan they’re travelling in.

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In, John Wiswell – 11/06/25
11,792 ratings, 2,847 reviews the day I finished it.
15,627 ratings, 3,622 reviews at the time of posting (1 Sept).

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

Navigational Entanglements, Aliette de Bodard – 13/06/25
Definite Asian influences: “a compelling tale of love, duty, and found-family in an exciting new space opera that brings xianxia-style martial arts to the stars."

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

Cat Got Your Killer, Sofie Ryan – 06/08/25
Milk: “I got a glass of milk to have with the rest of the sandwich because I knew I didn’t have time to make coffee and drink it. I took some consolation in knowing Mac would have a cup waiting for me.”

WC - Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes

✅ Total: 39/39

Day 1: Genghis Khan
Text - important historical figure
1/6 - Royal weddings through time, Janette McCutcheon - ⭐
Lady Diana
Author - not alive anymore
1/6 - In Cold Blood, Truman Capote - ⭐⭐
Title - superlative
19/7 - Our Biggest Experiment: A History of the Climate Crisis, Alice Bell - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Biggest
Published - Sept
31/5 - The Weight of Sand: My 450 Days Held Hostage in the Sahara, Édith Blais - ⭐️⭐️
September 21, 2021

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
Set - 19th century
13/6 - Tasting Freedom: Octavius Catto and the Battle for Equality in Civil War America, Daniel R. Biddle - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
19th century Civil Rights movement
Set - capital city
2/6 - The Damage Done: Twelve Years of Hell in a Bangkok Prison, Warren Fellows - ⭐⭐⭐
Bangkok
Text - 'museum'
31/5 - The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven, Step-by-Step Techniques for Overcoming your Fear, Martin M. Antony - ⭐️⭐️
"a park or a museum" p.230
Text - 'monastery'
1/6 - Sicilian Splendors: Discovering the Secret Places That Speak to the Heart, John Keahey - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"nearby Orthodox monastery" p.104
Text - 'dinosaur'
12/6 - Astonishing Bathroom Reader: Your No.2 Source to All the Flushing Facts, Jamming Trivia, & Gassy Mysteries of the Universe!, Diego Jourdan Pereira - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"prehistoric amphibious dinosaur" p.415
Text - 'fossils'
10/6 - Ocean: A History of the Atlantic Before Columbus, John Haywood - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Fossils of marine creatures" p.312

Day 3: Central Mongolia
Title - starts with letter in KARAKORUM
3/6 - Majapahit: Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia’s Greatest Empire, Herald van der Linde - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover - nature landscape
26/6 - , David Hatcher Childress - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
MPG - historical
1/6 - In Xanadu, William Dalrymple - ⭐️⭐️

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
Set - 2 countries
2/6 - Our Place in the Sun: Canada and Cuba in the Castro Era, Robert Wright - ⭐⭐
Plot - ecology
16/6 - Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, Ben Goldfarb - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - sustainability
10/6 - The Sustainability Class: How to Take Back Our Future from Lifestyle Environmentalists, Vijay Kolinjivadi - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title - all initials in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN
31/5 - Networked David Lynch: Critical Perspectives on Cinematic Transmediality, Marcel Hartwig - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
NDL

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
Plot - MC is very religious
8/6 - Death by Living: Life Is Meant to Be Spent, N.D. Wilson - ⭐⭐
"we Christians want it to be real so badly that we’re willing to fake it" p.97
Pages - 2 & 6
31/5 - Dancing with Elephants: Mindfulness Training For Those Living With Dementia, Chronic Illness or an Aging Brain, Jarem Sawatsky - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
246 pages
Plot - MC rides a horse
8/6 - Cuba Libre!: Che, Fidel, and the Improbable Revolution That Changed World History, Tony Perrottet - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Fidel enjoyed an idyllic, Huck Finn‒like childhood...horseback riding" p.39
Plot - MC takes a boat ride
12/6 - Life Lessons From the Amazon: A Guide to Life From One Epic Jungle Adventure, Pip Stewart - ⭐️⭐️
MC has a kayak adventure
MC - FN initial in REINDEER
2/6 - Unchecked: The Untold Story Behind Congress's Botched Impeachments of Donald Trump, Rachael Bade - ⭐️⭐️
Donald

Day 6: Western Mongolia
Cover - bird
10/7 - , Susan Deacy - ⭐️⭐️
Author - initials in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION
2/6 - Haunted Highways: Spooky Stories, Strange Happenings, And Supernatural Sightings, Tom Ogden - ⭐️
Pages - 451+
1/6 - Lotharingia: A Personal History of Europe's Lost Country, Simon Winder - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
576 pages
Me - I found worth reading
3/6 - All Your Base Are Belong to Us: How Fifty Years of Videogames Conquered Pop Culture, Harold Goldberg - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
Plot - festival
3/6 - Extreme Wine, Mike Veseth - ⭐️⭐️
"Niagara Icewine Festival" p.165
Plot - MC plays sport
8/6 - Make It Count: My Fight to Become the First Transgender Olympic Runner, CeCé Telfer - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - MC watches sport
6/6 - Good Game, No Rematch: A Life Made of Video Games―A Comedian's Memoir of Gaming and Comedy, From Nintendo to The Tonight Show, Mike Drucker - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Watching sports—especially when I was compelled under the fist of an angry dad—felt and still feels like watching someone else have a better time than me." p.36

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
Title - temperature word
18/7 - The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture, Euny Hong - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cool
Set - desert
14/6 - Avatar: The Last Airbender and Philosophy: Wisdom from Aang to Zuko, Johan De Smedt - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"the inhabitants of the Si Wong desert can use earthbending to manipulate the desert sands" p.45
Published - before 1990
31/5 - Lonely Planet Alaska 1, Brendan Sainsbury - ⭐️⭐️
1985
Plot - singing
5/6 - Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration, Rebecca Heisman - ⭐️⭐️
"birds singing from every direction becomes almost overwhelming" p.174

Day 9: Special experiences
Cover - interior view of a house
16/6 - , Nick Rennison - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviews - 1,377+
7/6 - Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
9,000+
Author - initials in TRANS-MONGOLIAN
4/6 - CultureShock! Spain, Marie Louise Graff - ⭐️⭐️

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
MPG - Food
7/6 - Where the Wild Coffee Grows: The Untold Story of Coffee from the Cloud Forests of Ethiopia to Your Cup, Jeff Koehler - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - MC drinks tea
14/6 - Mark Twain, Ron Chernow - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Every day, he joined family and friends for tea on the terrace and drank" p.494
Plot - MC drinks vodka
7/6 - The First 21: How I Became Nikki Sixx, Nikki Sixx - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I had been on a bit of a bender: a bottle of vodka a night." p.212
Title - all letters of AIRAG
3/6 - Singapore Is Not An Island: Views On Singapore Foreign Policy, Bilahari Kausikan - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
10/10

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
Hitler Forever Liesl Charmian Carr 6/12/25


* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).
#5 Ravenwood Cove Mysteries Time, Tide & Trouble Carolyn L. Dean 6/7/25

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.
Kittens and Killers Jinty James 6/4/25

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
How to Decipher a Murder Daisy Belle 6/26/25

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
Roxy A Perk of Trouble Tonya Kappes 6/3/25

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
EL Artful Deception Ellen Le Teace 6/5/25

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).
Christmas in July parade and play Mayhem in Christmas River Meg Muldoon 6/2/25

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc.) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).
At the high school reunion, some of the women were dancing to the music and singing along loc 993 Murder at the High School Reunion Lee Hollis 7/3/25

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
GL Grave Words Gerri Lewis 6/11/25

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).
Tea p 89 “Over mugs of tea at his kitchen table, we reviewed everything…” (MC is the first person narrator) First Edition Fatality Mandy Paige 6/21/25

Thanks for joining everyone!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1 - September 30, 2025

19/15 DONE

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* written by an author who is no longer alive Away with the Fairies Kerry Greenwood 9/10
* published in September - Sep 2000 Safe by His Side Debra Webb 8/27
Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* set in a capital city London A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting Sophie Irwin 9/16
* series #5 (Maya and Sandra Mystery, #5) Murder at the High School Reunion Lee Hollis 9/11
Day 3: Central Mongolia
* title begins with a letter in KARAKORUM Rage Linda Castillo 8/22
* tagged HISTORICAL An Old, Cold Grave Iona Whishaw 8/23
Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* set in two different countries- South Sudan and USA Protecting Wren Susan Stoker 8/1
* 1st letter of every title word in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN Next of Kin Sharon Sala 9/10
Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* 2 AND 6 found in its page count 276 pp A Dubious Mission Gerald J. Kubicki 6/21
* MC takes a boat ride = one gets her into trouble, one gets her out of trouble Protecting Josie Susan Stoker 9/17
Day 6: Western Mongolia
* bird on cover The Redbreast Jo Nesbø 8/1

* author initials in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION Collision Sofia Aves 7/21
Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* festival or similar event takes place = 1904 World's Fair Not They Who Soar Amanda Flower 9/1
Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* title includes a word describing temperature Strong, Hot Winds Iris Johansen 6/26
* published before 1990 First published January 1, 1952 Don't Cry For Me William Campbell Gault 9/15
Day 9: Special experiences
* interior view of house on cover Quilty as Charged Maggie Bailey 9/12

*author initials in TRANS-MONGOLIAN The Inheritance Ilona Andrews 9/9
Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* tagged FOOD Delicious! Ruth Reichl 9/14
* AIRAG in title Murder on the Intergalactic Railway Kate MacLeod 8/3

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
10/15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when)- 1920s- Eye of the Storm by Marcia Muller-7/5/25
OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).- p.24-"...exploring a landscape of pits and fossils..."- Impossible Monsters: Dinosaurs, Darwin, and the Battle Between Science and Religion by Michael Taylor- 6/25/25

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) - Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood-4/6/25
OR read the first published book of an author.

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) -France and Italy- The Red Sphinx: A Sequel to The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas-6/22/25-
OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).- 256p.- Eye of the Storm by Marcia Muller-7/5/25

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.- Nick in Marshall's Gold by Kevin R. Hill-4/1/25

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.- 100 Cities, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do by National Geographic Society-10/24/25 -

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) -752p- Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope-8/16/25
OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what)-Feast of the New Yam- -Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe-10/31/25-
OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).- pub. 1929- The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham-7/14/25

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.- Zeno's Conscience by Italo Svevo- 8/28/25

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
15/15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text - George IV
Harriet by Joan Mellows 1/6 2.5★

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).



Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century - 1815ish
A Valentine Embrace by Valerie King, Meg-Lynn Roberts, Olivia Sumner 3/6 2.5★
* Read a book with a fossils mentioned in the text - they had a few hundred metres of fossil strata under them" p.45
Strata by Terry Pratchett 15/6 4★


Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM OR read the first published book of an author - both
Asylum by Jack Adams 11/6 4★
* Read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.
The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair 4/6 4.5★


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries - Australia & Israel
The Jane Austen Remedy by Ruth Wilson 18/6 4★
* Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris 5/6 3.5★


Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse
The Wedding by Edith Layton 8/6 1★


Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood 9/6 5★
* Read a book that was well worth reading - the setting is magnificent
Wings Above The Diamantina by Arthur W. Upfield 6/6 3.5★


Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event - MCs play cricket
Thoroughly Disenchanted by Alexandra Almond 14/6 3.5★
*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins 21/6 2★


Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book where "singing" occurs in the story - "held her candle and tried to sing along with the Christmas carols" p.302
The Peppercorn Project by Nicki Edwards 16/6 3.5★


Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage - 1664
Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb 13/6 4.5★


Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title
The Lady in Gray by Patricia Oliver 14/6 4★

Welcome Jonquil, Ed & Kylie!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

20 of 15 Complete

Day 1: Genghis Khan
🔹️Read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
Revelation - C.J. Sansom - 5 Stars - 6/18/25

🔹️Read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).
Heartsick - Chelsea Cain - 4 Stars - 7/7/25 - orig pub Sep 04, 2007

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
🔹️Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when).
Who Buries the Dead - C.S. Harris - 4 Stars - 6/23/25 - set in 1813

🔹️Read a series book #5.
I Think I Love You - Lauren Layne - 3.5 Stars - 6/28/25 - #5 Oxford

Day 3: Central Mongolia
🔹️Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The).
Maine Characters - Hannah Orenstein - 3 Stars - 6/29/25

🔹️Read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.
The Queen's Man - Sharon Kay Penman - 4 Stars - 7/9/25

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
🔹️Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where).
The Stolen Queen - Fiona Davis - 4 Stars - 7/24/25 - set in Egypt and New York City

🔹️Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd - Agatha Christie - 4.5 Stars - 7/20/25 - TMORA

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
🔹️Read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).
Perfect Storm - Paige Shelton - 3.5 Stars - 7/6/25 - 256 pages

🔹️Read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
The Girl in the Ice - Robert Bryndza - 4 Stars - 7/12/25 - MC = Erika Foster

Day 6: Western Mongolia
🔹️Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Heaven, Texas - Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 2 Stars - 7/3/25 - SEP

🔹️Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count)
The Invisible Bridge - Julie Orringer - 4 Stars - 7/10/25 - 602 pages

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
🔹️Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).
The Deal - Elle Kennedy - 3 Stars - 6/25/25 - MC is a hockey player and several games are described.

🔹️Read a popular book that everyone is reading or was talking about.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race - Margot Lee Shetterly - 4 Stars - 6/19/25

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
🔹️Read a book set in the desert (tell us where).
Lion in the Valley - Elizabeth Peters - 3.5 Stars - 9/14/25 - set in Egypt

🔹️Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date)
C is for Corpse - Sue Grafton - 4 Stars - 6/14/25 - first pub Nov 24, 1986

Day 9: Special experiences
🔹️Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details).
An Unforgiving Place - Claire Kells - 4 Stars - 8/1/25 - they sleep in tents when searching for missing persons

🔹️Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
Alone - Lisa Gardner - 4 Stars - 6/15/25 - LG

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
🔹️Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how)
Bochica: A Novel - Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro - 2 Stars - 6/21/25 - This book is set in Colombia and features the deity Bochica and the Muisca (Chibcha) people.

🔹️Read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).
In The Shadow Of The Glacier - Vicki Delany - 3 Stars - 6/22/25 - IntheshAdowoftheGlAcieR

Thanks for joining Lynda!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
10/10

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

* Read a book published in September of any year (share publication date). - Pub 9/22/20-Lies & Lullabies Sarina Bowen - 6/1/25

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) - 1879 - The Awakening of Ivy Leavold Sierra Simone - 7/10/25

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) - Make Me C.D. Reiss - 6/7/25

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) - Christmas in QuincyOR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) - US & England - The Casanova T.L. Swan - 7/5/25

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count). - 226 pgs-Complicated Hearts Ashley Jade - 6/2/25

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION. - Diamond Girl Andrea Smith - 6/5/25

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about - The Seventh Veil of Salome Silvia Moreno-Garcia - 7/22/25

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) - Pub 1951 - The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger - 6/8/25

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors - MCs are looking for a bombmaker who stays in the woods, so they sleep outdoors trying to find her - No More Spies Lexi Blake - 7/9/25

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) - Pg 293-hands around the mug of tea her mother had pressed into them - Sweet Little Spies Lexi Blake - 6/17/25

Welcome Karen!

sign me up please

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

You're all set Bev!

Completed

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
15/15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text - George IV
Harriet by Joan Mellows 1/6 2.5★

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).



Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century - 1815ish
A Valentine Embrace by Valerie King, Meg-Lynn Roberts, Olivia Sumner 3/6 2.5★
* Read a book with a fossils mentioned in the text - they had a few hundred metres of fossil strata under them" p.45
Strata by Terry Pratchett 15/6 4★


Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM OR read the first published book of an author - both
Asylum by Jack Adams 11/6 4★
* Read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.
The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair 4/6 4.5★


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries - Australia & Israel
The Jane Austen Remedy by Ruth Wilson 18/6 4★
* Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris 5/6 3.5★


Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse
The Wedding by Edith Layton 8/6 1★


Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood 9/6 5★
* Read a book that was well worth reading - the setting is magnificent
Wings Above The Diamantina by Arthur W. Upfield 6/6 3.5★


Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event - MCs play cricket
Thoroughly Disenchanted by Alexandra Almond 14/6 3.5★
*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins 21/6 2★


Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book where "singing" occurs in the story - "held her candle and tried to sing along with the Christmas carols" p.302
The Peppercorn Project by Nicki Edwards 16/6 3.5★


Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage - 1664
Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb 13/6 4.5★


Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title
The Lady in Gray by Patricia Oliver 14/6 4★

Impressive work Kylie!

Finished 10 for daytripper

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
10/10

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
Hitler Forever Liesl Charmian Carr 6/12/25


* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).
#5 Ravenwood Cove Mysteries Time, Tide & Trouble Carolyn L. Dean 6/7/25

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.
Kittens and Killers Jinty James 6/4/25

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
How to Decipher a Murder Daisy Belle 6/26/25

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
Roxy A Perk of Trouble Tonya Kappes 6/3/25

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
EL Artful Deception Ellen Le Teace 6/5/25

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).
Christmas in July parade and play Mayhem in Christmas River Meg Muldoon 6/2/25

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc.) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).
At the high school reunion, some of the women were dancing to the music and singing along loc 993 Murder at the High School Reunion Lee Hollis 7/3/25

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
GL Grave Words Gerri Lewis 6/11/25

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).
Tea p 89 “Over mugs of tea at his kitchen table, we reviewed everything…” (MC is the first person narrator) First Edition Fatality Mandy Paige 6/21/25

Great challenge work Tari!

Jan wrote: "Great challenge work Tari!"

Thanks, Jan!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
Begins: 01June25 / Ends: 30Sept25

Explorer: Complete 15 of the 20 tasks. You must complete at least one task per day.

11 / 15 tasks completed
8 / 10 days traveled


✔ Day 1: Genghis Khan

During your trip to Mongolia, you will be bombarded with references to their national hero: Genghis Khan (1162-1227). After uniting the Mongol and Turkic tribes that inhabited the steppes of present-day Mongolia, he created one of the largest empires in the world.
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

Tallest equestrian statue * Read a book published in September of any year - 01Sept2012 - Love Anthony ✔ – 19June25


✔ Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
The capital of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar * Read a book that set in a capital city - London & Washington DC - Red, White & Royal Blue ✔ – 22June25

During the socialist regime, many of the Buddhist temples were destroyed, though a few managed to survive and are now museums, such as the Choijin Monastery. Its five temples preserve a rich heritage of Buddhist artifacts. Also worth a visit is the Winter Palace of Bogd Khandinosaur fossils found in this country.
* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).


✔ Day 3: Central Mongolia
Karakorum * Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM - Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything ✔ – 06June25

Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve * Read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage - The Daisy Children ✔ – 22June25


✔ Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
Birthplace of Genghis Khan * Read a book set in two different countries - Russia and the USA - The Diamond Eye ✔ – 08June25


Genghis Khan's birthplace is believed to be near Burkhan Khaldun Mountain, and according to tradition, the tomb of the great Mongol is located here. Because of this, it has become the most sacred of the Mongolian mountains.
* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).


✔ Day 5: Northern Mongolia
Erdenet and Darkhan * Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious - Dale Hinshaw in Almost Friends ✔ – 29June25

Rich in forests and lakes * Read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER - ISHI is mc in The Memory of an Elephant ✔ – 13June25


✔ Day 6: Western Mongolia

Western Mongolia is also home to several lakes. In prehistoric times, many of them, including Har-Us Lake in Har-Us National Park, formed one large single lake. Today these many lakes are fairly shallow, making them home to a rich bird life (especially geese, ducks, and gulls).
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.


Altai Tavan Bogd National Park * Read a large book (more than 450 pages - 528 pg - The Air You Breathe ✔ – 04June25


Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia

Western Mongolia is home to diverse populations and has always been a crossroads between different peoples. In particular, it is home to the Kazakhs. The variety of different customs makes a visit here very interesting, especially during the annual Naadam Festival.
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).


The most popular event among tourists traveling to the area are the Eagle Festivals, which take place in the Kazakh-inhabited area.
*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.


✔ Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert

Much of Southern Mongolia is covered by the Gobi Desert. Its name comes from the Mongolian word gobi, meaning “place without water.” The first description of this desert was by Marco Polo, who also mentioned an animal that was once typical of this area, the wild camel, which is now almost extinct.
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

Nomadic populations * Read a book where "singing" occurs in the story - They are putting on a musical, so much singing involved. - Drama ✔ – 25June25


✔ Day 9: Special experiences
Staying in a ger * Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors - Max and his crew sleep outdoors when they are traveling between cities in Fluff Dragon ✔ – 19June25

Trans-Mongolian Railway * Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage - 7,250 reviews for Jaws ✔ – 23June25


Day 10: Mongolian cuisine

Being a people who have long been devoted to herding and hunting, Mongolian cuisine is based mainly on meat and dairy products, while the use of vegetables and spices is very limited.
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

Herding provides ample amounts of milk of various types (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and yaks), so cheeses are very popular, as are yogurt and kefir. But the national drink is airag, a fermented mare's milk.
* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

.

Welcome to the challenge BC!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
❎* Read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).This Present DarknessFrank E. Peretti 9/4/25

❎ Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title The Worst Reunion EverCharlotte Moore 7/16/25

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
❎ Read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).London. Leveled in LondonScarlett Moss7/25/25

*❎ Read a series book #5. The Cassidy ProjectChristopher Cartwright8/23/25

Day 3: Central Mongolia
❎* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author. Into the FallTamara L. Miller 7/12/25


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
❎* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) Netherlands and Tibet andUK. Atlantis StolenChristopher Cartwright8/12/25

❎ Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min). A Dagger Before MeJeanne M. Dams7/23/25

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
*❎ Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count). 296 pp. Mystery on Hidden LaneClare Chase8/5/25

*❎ Read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.Dorothy The Missing MasterpieceJeanne M. Dams7/7/25

Day 6: Western Mongolia
❎ Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.Exposed in EdinburghScarlett Moss 7/25/25

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
❎ Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) Antique Fair. Antique TragedyVictoria Tait9/8/24

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
❎* Read a book set in the desert (tell us where). Sahara The Nostradamus EquationChristopher Cartwright8/25/25

❎* Read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).ZENOBIA is opera singer who sings for her guests at her open house. Valued for MurderVictoria Tait8/27/25

Day 9: Special experiences
❎* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room. (view spoiler)[ Sam is trapped in cave when exit exploded. (hide spoiler)] The Mahogany ShipChristopher Cartwright8/10/24

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
*❎ Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) plot revolves around Iraqi family terrorism, and prejudice.
Crisis at the CathedralJeanne M. Dams 7/20/25


❎* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) ....take some deep breaths while I made you a cup of tea. P. 57. Death in the Garden CityJeanne M. Dams7/31/25

Enjoy the challenge Chris!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes - COMPLETED

4 months from start: 14 July

Day-tripper: Complete one task per day for a total of 10 tasks

Day 1: Genghis Khan✔️
Task: Read a book published in September of any year (share publication date)
Book read: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - 17/07/25
How it fits: Published September 12, 2007

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar✔️
Task: Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when)
Book read: Heart of the Country by Tricia Stringer - 02/08/25
How it fits: Is set on 1846 - the 19th century

Day 3: Central Mongolia✔️
Task: Read the first published book of an author
Book read: Eva Reddy's Trip of a Lifetime by Fiona McKenzie Kekic - 16/07/25
How it fits: This is the author’s debut novel

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book set in two different countries
Book read: Fire & Flood by Demitria Lunetta - 15/07/25
How it fits: Takes place in Florida, USA and Mount Olympus, Greece

Day 5: Northern Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER
Book read: Scared Witchless by Amy Boyles - 19/07/25
How it fits: MC is Dylan

Day 6: Western Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover)
Book read: Ruffled Feathers by Zoe Chant - 22/07/25
How it fits: Bird (hawk) on the cover

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event
Book read: Gone With The Ghost by Erin McCarthy - 28/07/25
How it fits: Ryan the ghost gets Bailey to turn the World Series final on the TV for him to watch.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert✔️
Task: Read a book where "singing" occurs in the story
Book read: Me and My Ghoulfriends by Rose Pressey - 26/07/25
How it fits: Mrs Williams (a ghost) sings every morning - Page 100 “…The next morning, I woke up to Mrs. Williams singing as loud as she could in my ear. Her song of choice was I Will Survive...”

Day 9: Special experiences ✔️
Task: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN
Book read: The Doctor’s Mail Order Bride by Amelia Rose - 08/08/25
How it fits: Author initials are A & R

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine ✔️
Task: Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka
Book read: Clouds over Featherwood Falls by Heather Reyburn - 09/08/25
How it fits: On page 70 the MCs Emma and Zoe drink a cup of tea “…After enjoying Lola’s cinnamon scrolls washed down with a cup of tea, they visited a cheese-making factory…”

Welcome Sally!

Finished

✅ Total: 39/39

Day 1: Genghis Khan
Text - important historical figure
1/6 - Royal weddings through time, Janette McCutcheon - ⭐
Lady Diana
Author - not alive anymore
1/6 - In Cold Blood, Truman Capote - ⭐⭐
Title - superlative
19/7 - Our Biggest Experiment: A History of the Climate Crisis, Alice Bell - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Biggest
Published - Sept
31/5 - The Weight of Sand: My 450 Days Held Hostage in the Sahara, Édith Blais - ⭐️⭐️
September 21, 2021

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
Set - 19th century
13/6 - Tasting Freedom: Octavius Catto and the Battle for Equality in Civil War America, Daniel R. Biddle - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
19th century Civil Rights movement
Set - capital city
2/6 - The Damage Done: Twelve Years of Hell in a Bangkok Prison, Warren Fellows - ⭐⭐⭐
Bangkok
Text - 'museum'
31/5 - The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven, Step-by-Step Techniques for Overcoming your Fear, Martin M. Antony - ⭐️⭐️
"a park or a museum" p.230
Text - 'monastery'
1/6 - Sicilian Splendors: Discovering the Secret Places That Speak to the Heart, John Keahey - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"nearby Orthodox monastery" p.104
Text - 'dinosaur'
12/6 - Astonishing Bathroom Reader: Your No.2 Source to All the Flushing Facts, Jamming Trivia, & Gassy Mysteries of the Universe!, Diego Jourdan Pereira - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"prehistoric amphibious dinosaur" p.415
Text - 'fossils'
10/6 - Ocean: A History of the Atlantic Before Columbus, John Haywood - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Fossils of marine creatures" p.312

Day 3: Central Mongolia
Title - starts with letter in KARAKORUM
3/6 - Majapahit: Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia’s Greatest Empire, Herald van der Linde - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover - nature landscape
26/6 - , David Hatcher Childress - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
MPG - historical
1/6 - In Xanadu, William Dalrymple - ⭐️⭐️

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
Set - 2 countries
2/6 - Our Place in the Sun: Canada and Cuba in the Castro Era, Robert Wright - ⭐⭐
Plot - ecology
16/6 - Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, Ben Goldfarb - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - sustainability
10/6 - The Sustainability Class: How to Take Back Our Future from Lifestyle Environmentalists, Vijay Kolinjivadi - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title - all initials in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN
31/5 - Networked David Lynch: Critical Perspectives on Cinematic Transmediality, Marcel Hartwig - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
NDL

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
Plot - MC is very religious
8/6 - Death by Living: Life Is Meant to Be Spent, N.D. Wilson - ⭐⭐
"we Christians want it to be real so badly that we’re willing to fake it" p.97
Pages - 2 & 6
31/5 - Dancing with Elephants: Mindfulness Training For Those Living With Dementia, Chronic Illness or an Aging Brain, Jarem Sawatsky - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
246 pages
Plot - MC rides a horse
8/6 - Cuba Libre!: Che, Fidel, and the Improbable Revolution That Changed World History, Tony Perrottet - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Fidel enjoyed an idyllic, Huck Finn‒like childhood...horseback riding" p.39
Plot - MC takes a boat ride
12/6 - Life Lessons From the Amazon: A Guide to Life From One Epic Jungle Adventure, Pip Stewart - ⭐️⭐️
MC has a kayak adventure
MC - FN initial in REINDEER
2/6 - Unchecked: The Untold Story Behind Congress's Botched Impeachments of Donald Trump, Rachael Bade - ⭐️⭐️
Donald

Day 6: Western Mongolia
Cover - bird
10/7 - , Susan Deacy - ⭐️⭐️
Author - initials in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION
2/6 - Haunted Highways: Spooky Stories, Strange Happenings, And Supernatural Sightings, Tom Ogden - ⭐️
Pages - 451+
1/6 - Lotharingia: A Personal History of Europe's Lost Country, Simon Winder - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
576 pages
Me - I found worth reading
3/6 - All Your Base Are Belong to Us: How Fifty Years of Videogames Conquered Pop Culture, Harold Goldberg - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
Plot - festival
3/6 - Extreme Wine, Mike Veseth - ⭐️⭐️
"Niagara Icewine Festival" p.165
Plot - MC plays sport
8/6 - Make It Count: My Fight to Become the First Transgender Olympic Runner, CeCé Telfer - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - MC watches sport
6/6 - Good Game, No Rematch: A Life Made of Video Games―A Comedian's Memoir of Gaming and Comedy, From Nintendo to The Tonight Show, Mike Drucker - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Watching sports—especially when I was compelled under the fist of an angry dad—felt and still feels like watching someone else have a better time than me." p.36

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
Title - temperature word
18/7 - The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture, Euny Hong - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cool
Set - desert
14/6 - Avatar: The Last Airbender and Philosophy: Wisdom from Aang to Zuko, Johan De Smedt - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"the inhabitants of the Si Wong desert can use earthbending to manipulate the desert sands" p.45
Published - before 1990
31/5 - Lonely Planet Alaska 1, Brendan Sainsbury - ⭐️⭐️
1985
Plot - singing
5/6 - Flight Paths: How a Passionate and Quirky Group of Pioneering Scientists Solved the Mystery of Bird Migration, Rebecca Heisman - ⭐️⭐️
"birds singing from every direction becomes almost overwhelming" p.174

Day 9: Special experiences
Cover - interior view of a house
16/6 - , Nick Rennison - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reviews - 1,377+
7/6 - Braving the Wilderness, Brené Brown - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
9,000+
Author - initials in TRANS-MONGOLIAN
4/6 - CultureShock! Spain, Marie Louise Graff - ⭐️⭐️

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
MPG - Food
7/6 - Where the Wild Coffee Grows: The Untold Story of Coffee from the Cloud Forests of Ethiopia to Your Cup, Jeff Koehler - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - MC drinks tea
14/6 - Mark Twain, Ron Chernow - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Every day, he joined family and friends for tea on the terrace and drank" p.494
Plot - MC drinks vodka
7/6 - The First 21: How I Became Nikki Sixx, Nikki Sixx - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I had been on a bit of a bender: a bottle of vodka a night." p.212
Title - all letters of AIRAG
3/6 - Singapore Is Not An Island: Views On Singapore Foreign Policy, Bilahari Kausikan - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Way to go Richard!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

Choose a level:
Explorer: Complete 15 of the 20 tasks. You must complete at least one task per day.

15/15 Completed. Finish

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
Rachel Caine-Darkwater Lane 7/18/25

* Read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).
(09/29/14)
Locke-Harper Sloan 6/27/25

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5
(The Wilds of Montana)
She's a Wild One-Kristen Proby 6/07/25

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The)
Rewind It Back-Liz Tomforde 6/04/25

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover)
Bull's Eye-Shannon Baker 6/25/25


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
Unbreak My Heart-Nicole Jacquelyn 6/01/25

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).
(268)
Maui Murder-Jasmine Webb 6/08/25

* Read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
(Nikki)
Little Child Gone-Stacy Green 6/03/25

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Amber Kelly-Love After Duty 6/14/25

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count)
(636)
Lock & Key-Cat Porter 6/09/25

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).
(MMC is a professional Hockey player)
Meet Your Match-Kandi Steiner 6/20/25

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc)
Cold Spite-Toni Anderson 6/13/25

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date)
(01/01/93)
A Fatal Thaw-Dana Stabenow 6/21/25

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
Gina LaManna-Diamond in the Rough 6/03/25

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text)
Pg.34"I took a sip of my tea and told Isabelle and Marigold about the rest of my evening."
Rewriting the Stars-Claire Kingsley 7/23/25

FINISHED!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
10/10

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

* Read a book published in September of any year (share publication date). - Pub 9/22/20-Lies & Lullabies Sarina Bowen - 6/1/25

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) - 1879 - The Awakening of Ivy Leavold Sierra Simone - 7/10/25

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) - Make Me C.D. Reiss - 6/7/25

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) - Christmas in QuincyOR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) - US & England - The Casanova T.L. Swan - 7/5/25

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count). - 226 pgs-Complicated Hearts Ashley Jade - 6/2/25

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION. - Diamond Girl Andrea Smith - 6/5/25

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about - The Seventh Veil of Salome Silvia Moreno-Garcia - 7/22/25

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) - Pub 1951 - The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger - 6/8/25

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors - MCs are looking for a bombmaker who stays in the woods, so they sleep outdoors trying to find her - No More Spies Lexi Blake - 7/9/25

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) - Pg 293-hands around the mug of tea her mother had pressed into them - Sweet Little Spies Lexi Blake - 6/17/25

Way to go Frankie & Karen!!

Thanks, Jan!

Finished!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

15/15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).
Eleonor Roosevelt is one of two MCs- Eleanor and the Cold War by Ellen Yardley 14 June; 5☆


* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).
Cairo, 1924- Murder Among the Pyramids by Sara Rosett 20 July; 4 1/2☆


* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).
Montana Abduction Rescue by Jodie Bailey 26 July; 4 1/2☆


Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.
Undercover Kitty by Sofie Ryan 12 June; 4 1/2☆


* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.
Murder at the Serpentine Bridge by Andrea Penrose 28 July; 5☆


Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).
Vancouver Island (Canada) + Missouri (fictional town, I think) and Maui (USA)- Tofino Storm by Edie Claire 19 June; 5☆


* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
Her Bleeding Heart by D.K. Hood 22 June; 5☆


Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).
296 pages- A Scandal in Scarlet by Vicki Delany 4 July; 4 1/2☆


* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.
Riggs (male MC)- The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis 18 July; 5☆


Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.
Watch Her Disappear by Lisa Regan 30 June; 5☆


* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).
529 pages- Buried Too Deep by Karen Rose 27 June; 5☆


Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.
Local Girl Missing by Lisa Regan 13 July; 5☆


Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).
Cold Case Disappearance by Shirley Jump 22 July; 4☆


* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.
A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon 7 June; 4☆


Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.
Muffin But the Truth by Ellie Alexander 7 July; 4 1/2☆


* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

Great challenge work Patrizia!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes - COMPLETED

4 months from start: 14 July

Day-tripper: Complete one task per day for a total of 10 tasks

Day 1: Genghis Khan✔️
Task: Read a book published in September of any year (share publication date)
Book read: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - 17/07/25
How it fits: Published September 12, 2007

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar✔️
Task: Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when)
Book read: Heart of the Country by Tricia Stringer - 02/08/25
How it fits: Is set on 1846 - the 19th century

Day 3: Central Mongolia✔️
Task: Read the first published book of an author
Book read: Eva Reddy's Trip of a Lifetime by Fiona McKenzie Kekic - 16/07/25
How it fits: This is the author’s debut novel

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book set in two different countries
Book read: Fire & Flood by Demitria Lunetta - 15/07/25
How it fits: Takes place in Florida, USA and Mount Olympus, Greece

Day 5: Northern Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER
Book read: Scared Witchless by Amy Boyles - 19/07/25
How it fits: MC is Dylan

Day 6: Western Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover)
Book read: Ruffled Feathers by Zoe Chant - 22/07/25
How it fits: Bird (hawk) on the cover

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia✔️
Task: Read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event
Book read: Gone With The Ghost by Erin McCarthy - 28/07/25
How it fits: Ryan the ghost gets Bailey to turn the World Series final on the TV for him to watch.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert✔️
Task: Read a book where "singing" occurs in the story
Book read: Me and My Ghoulfriends by Rose Pressey - 26/07/25
How it fits: Mrs Williams (a ghost) sings every morning - Page 100 “…The next morning, I woke up to Mrs. Williams singing as loud as she could in my ear. Her song of choice was I Will Survive...”

Day 9: Special experiences ✔️
Task: Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN
Book read: The Doctor’s Mail Order Bride by Amelia Rose - 08/08/25
How it fits: Author initials are A & R

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine ✔️
Task: Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka
Book read: Clouds over Featherwood Falls by Heather Reyburn - 09/08/25
How it fits: On page 70 the MCs Emma and Zoe drink a cup of tea “…After enjoying Lola’s cinnamon scrolls washed down with a cup of tea, they visited a cheese-making factory…”

Fantastic job Sally!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025
0/15

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

Welcome Ruth!

Done!

Mongolia: Journey to the Asian Steppes
June 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text ==> J P Morgan
The Personal Librarian, Marie Benedict 06/09

* Read a book published in September of any year ==> 09/2016.
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd, Alan Bradley 06/13

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century ==> 1830
The Anatomist's Wife, Anna Lee Huber 06/24

* Read a series book #5
The Silence of the Library, Miranda James 06/17

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read the first published book of an author.
Instruments of Darkness, Imogen Robertson 06/20

* Read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.
Murder at Hartigan House, Lee Strauss 06/23

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries ==> though it starts in England most of the story happens in Spain and Mexico
Chasing the Sun, Judy Leigh 06/20

* Read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).
A House in Hana, Birgitt Van Wormer 06/30

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count ==> 286p
Murder Most Finicky, Liz Mugavero 07/09

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (view spoiler)[ MC is the detective's wife in this episode, and she takes a river cruise (hide spoiler)]
Clutch of Constables, Ngaio Marsh 07/18

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover
The Tell-Tale Tarte, Maya Corrigan 08/19

* Read a large book (more than 450 pages ==> 540p
Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door, Lucy Score 06/05

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place ==> Mardi Gras
Tuaca Tan, Traci Andrighetti 06/14

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about
The Travelling Cat Chronicles, Hiro Arikawa 07/14

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book set in the desert ==> outside Cairo at Giza
He Shall Thunder in the Sky, Elizabeth Peters 07/23

* Read a book published before 1990 ==> 1925
The Secret of Chimneys, Agatha Christie 06/12

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room ==> MC and rescuers camp out
Finding Hope, Kathi Daley 06/01

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage ==> 2,842
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping On a Dead Man , Jesse Q. Sutanto 06/04

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line ==> mainland-raised Hawaiian/haole mix MC gets immersed into small town life in Hawaii
A House in Hana, Birgitt Van Wormer 06/30

* Read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order)
How to Age Disgracefully, Clare Pooley 06/08

Way to go Meg!

Thanks, Jan! Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks Meg!

Made it
1 June to 30 September. Finsihed 31 August.

Daytripper: Complete one task per day for a total of 10 tasks.
Explorer: Complete 15 of the 20 tasks. You must complete at least one task per day.

20/15 Completed

Day 1: Genghis Khan
* Read a book where an important historical figure is mentioned in the text (tell us who) OR read a book written by an author who is no longer alive (include author link).

Reykjavik, Ragnar Jónasson, Katrín Jakobsdóttir – 11/06/25
Ronald Reagan and Mikail Gorbachev are mentioned, as the denouement of the book is set around the 1986 Reykjavík Summit meeting.
“A black car drove up to Höfdi and out stepped none other than Ronald Reagan… But a moment later a hush fell on the crowd again as another car drew up to the house, carrying Mikhail Gorbachev, of course. Reagan reappeared on the steps and greeted the Soviet General Secretary.” P345-346

* Read a book with a superlative (tallest, largest) found in the title OR read a book published in September of any year (share publication date).

Acceptance, Jeff VanderMeer – 04/08/25
First published 2 September 2014

Day 2: Ulaanbaatar
* Read a book that takes place between the 18th and 20th century (tell us when) OR read a book set in a capital city (tell us where).

Ignited in Iceland, Victoria Walker – 16/06/25
Set in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland

* Read a series book #5 OR read a book with a museum, monastery, dinosaur, or fossils mentioned in the text (share text).

The Brides of High Hill, Nghi Vo – 11/06/25
The Singing Hills Cycle #5

Day 3: Central Mongolia
* Read a book whose title begins with a letter found in KARAKORUM (ignore A, An or The) OR read the first published book of an author.

Moonstorm, Yoon Ha Lee – 07/07/25
Title initial: karakoruM.

* Read a book with a nature landscape on the cover (post cover) OR read a book tagged HISTORICAL on its GR homepage.

The Castlemaine Murders, Kerry Greenwood – 07/08/25
Both Historical Fiction and Historical are on the GR homepage.

Day 4: Eastern Mongolia
* Read a book set in two different countries (tell us where) OR read a book that features ecology or sustainability in some way (briefly share how).

The Tusks of Extinction, Ray Nayler - 24/06/25
Part set in Kenya, and mainly set in the Russian Steppes. The book itself is how de-extincting mammoths was a reaction to the extinction in the wild of Elephants, due to poaching.

* Read a book where a key character's birthplace is important to the plot (tell us how) OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in BURKHAN KHALDUN MOUNTAIN (3 word min).

Truth or Dare, Kathi Daley – 28/06/25
Title initials: burkhan khalDun mOunTain.

Day 5: Northern Mongolia
* Read a book with a speaking character who is extremely religious (tell us who) OR read a book with 2 AND 6 found in its page count (share page count).

Toxic Toffee, Amanda Flower – 19/08/25
Page count: 286pg.
Also, the book is set in a largely Amish community, so there are a number of extremely religious speaking characters, notably the MC’s grandmother and one of the assistants in the candy shop, while the other is considering whether to be baptised into the Amish faith.

* Read a book where the MC rides a horse or takes a boat ride (briefly share details) OR read a book with an MC whose first name starts with a letter in REINDEER.

The Tainted Cup, Robert Jackson Bennett – 06/06/25
reinDeer: the MC is called Dinios Kol. He also rides a horse out to a distant outpost at one point.

Day 6: Western Mongolia
* Read a book with a bird(s) on the cover (post cover) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in GREAT LAKES DEPRESSION.

Icelandic Folk Tales, Hjörleifur Helgi Stefánsson
Birds: a pair of ravens on the cover.


* Read a large book (more than 450 pages; share page count) OR read a book that was well worth reading (tell us why).

Calypso, Oliver K. Langmead – 09/09/25
Worth reading: A rare 5* book for me, as it was just completely different to anything I’ve read in a long time: a Space Opera/Colony Ship story, told in the style of a Homer-like epic (except in length, which was about 220pg).

Day 7: Festivals in Western Mongolia
* Read a book where a festival or similar event takes place (tell us what) OR read a book where the MC participates or watches a sports event (briefly share details).

Cover Her Face, P.D. James – 18/8/25
On the day leading up to the murder, the Church Fete is held in the grounds of Martingale House, where the victim and suspects live.

*Read a popular book that everyone is reading or talking about OR read a book set in entirely in the month of October.

The Scapegracers, H.A. Clarke – 30/07/25
Set entirely in October. The first chapter has: “This was the first weekend in October, and the township of Sycamore Gorge doesn’t f**k around where Halloween is concerned." and and roughly a week (maybe two) passes during the course of the book – it certainly doesn’t get all the way to Halloween.

Day 8: Southern Mongolia: The Gobi Desert
* Read a book whose title includes a word describing temperature (i.e. hot, cold, warm, etc) OR read a book set in the desert (tell us where).

The Guncle, Steven Rowley – 31/08/25
Set primarily in Palm Springs, California, which is within the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley.

* Read a book published before 1990 (share publication date) OR read a book where "singing" occurs in the story (briefly share details).

Tea with the Black Dragon, R.A. MacAvoy – 03/06/25
First published in 1983.

Day 9: Special experiences
* Read a book where the MC sleeps outdoors or in something other than a home or hotel room (briefly share details) OR read a book with an interior view of a house on the cover (post cover).

Paper Towns, John Green – 14/08/25
During the road trip in the final third of the book, the MC and his friends end up taking turns to sleep in the back of the minivan they’re travelling in.

* Read a book with over 1,376 reviews listed on it GR Homepage (share number) OR read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in TRANS-MONGOLIAN.

Someone You Can Build a Nest In, John Wiswell – 11/06/25
11,792 ratings, 2,847 reviews the day I finished it.
15,627 ratings, 3,622 reviews at the time of posting (1 Sept).

Day 10: Mongolian cuisine
* Read a book with an ethnic-influenced story line (briefly explain how) OR read a book tagged FOOD on its GR Homepage.

Navigational Entanglements, Aliette de Bodard – 13/06/25
Definite Asian influences: “a compelling tale of love, duty, and found-family in an exciting new space opera that brings xianxia-style martial arts to the stars."

* Read a book where the MC drinks milk, tea, or vodka (share text) OR read a book where all the letters in AIRAG are present in its title (in any order).

Cat Got Your Killer, Sofie Ryan – 06/08/25
Milk: “I got a glass of milk to have with the rest of the sandwich because I knew I didn’t have time to make coffee and drink it. I took some consolation in knowing Mac would have a cup waiting for me.”