The Challenge Factory discussion

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

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


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

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



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

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

Set 1 Tasks:
1. Read a book where the MC celebrates a birthday.
FINISHED 8/23/2025

L.A. Witch: Birthday by Todd McCaffrey
In the time before and during Holly’s 12th birthday


2. Read a book with a sneaky character.
FINISHED 8/15/2025

The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
MC Daunis witnesses a murder and goes undercover to gather evidence.


3. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word SNAKE.
FINISHED 8/17/2025

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Newvel
S and N are in SNAKE

4. Read a book where a character participates in a race or other kind of competition.
FINISHED 6/14/2025

Finding Gobi: A Little Dog with a Very Big Heart by Dion Leonard
MC and author Dion, an ultramarathon runner, are competing in a race across the Gobi Desert when he finds the dog he names Gobi.


5. Read a book that is the 6th in a series.
Finished 8/12/2025

Demon of Darkness by Edie Montreux
#6 of the Farbonnur Elves series

Finished with this set of tasks. That was fun, what's next?

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

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

Set 2 Tasks:


1. Read a book published in a Snake year.
1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
FINISHED: 8/29/2025

The Shining by Stephen King
Published on January 28, 1977


2. Read a book with a MC who is intelligent and resourceful.
The Cat’s Manifesto: How to Train Your Humans by Nir Nagar

FINISHED: 9/6/2025
Told from the point of view of the cat. They are very intelligent and know they are royalty.


3. Read a book with a very strong character, either in body or mind.
James by Percival Everett

FINISHED: 9/4/2025
Jim is an amazing character with a strong and resilient spirit.

4. Read a book whose title begins with a letter in the word WISDOM.
Shape Shifting Sweets by Poppy Windham
FINISHED: 8/27/2025


5. Read a book whose author's first and last initials match one of the famous Snakes listed above (in either order, so MG or GM for Mahatma Gandhi).
Mahatma Gandhi, Pablo Picasso, Mao Zedong, John F. Kennedy, Anne Frank, Bob Dylan, Xi Jinping, J.K. Rowling and Taylor Swift.
FINISHED: 8/25/2025

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
GM fits Mathatma Gahdhi

Hi M -
I am out of town visiting am older relative who does not know her password to sign in to her Internet service. I may have to wait until Monday to put up your next prompt because on my phone I am incapable of copying the post I need. Sorry!

Erica wrote: "Hi M -
I am out of town visiting am older relative who does not know her password to sign in to her Internet service. I may have to wait until Monday to put up your next prompt because on my phone ..."

No worries. Enjoy your visit.

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

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

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

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a magnetic character.
I, Robot Soldier by Joel R. Dennstedt

COMPLETE: 9/15/2025
I love the voice of the character One Shot. He is engaging when trying to copy human speech and thoughts. They also pick him up with a construction trash magnet, so he is literally magnetic.

2. Read a book whose title or series name begins with a letter in the word CHARM.
The Children of Hamelin by Jannie Ireland

COMPLETE 9/12/2025

3. Read a book with an MC who analyzes a situation carefully before acting.
Wagons & Wyvrens by Z. S. Diamanti
COMPLETE 9/17/2025

Zarikorek is an intelligent goblin who is an amateur map maker. He is very logical and plans everything out.

4. Read a book where a character keeps a secret.
The Safe-Keepers Secret by Sharon Shinn

COMPLETE: 9/22/2025
Damiana is a safe keeper for the village. A keeper of secrets and never telling what the secret is or who told it to her.

5. Read a book that has the surface of a lake or other body of water on it.
The Valley of Lost Children by David Barbur

COMPLETE: 9/14/2025

The Element of Wood in 2025

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

What Wood Brings to the Snake:

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Read a book where a character does something with wood.
The Witch and the Woodcutter by L.S. Walker.
Beorn is a woodcutter

COMPLETE: 10/2/2025

2. Read a book from an expansive series (more than 15 books).
The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
41 books in the main Discworld Series

COMPLETE: 9/30/2025

3. Read a book where the MC improves their communication skills.
Five Gifts for the Blacksmith’s Wife by Lyonne Riley
MC Sia does not know orcish and learns to speak it through the book.

COMPLETE: 10/9/2025

4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word METICULOUS.
Tombyards & Butterflies by Orlando A. Sanchez

COMPLETE: 10/1/2025

5. Read a book with a deeply empathetic and understanding character.
The Honey Thief by Jane Shand
MC Lilya is a Nature Harmoniser; she can sense and communicate with all nature around her.

COMPLETE: 10/4/2025

Themes of the Year of the Wood Snake

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

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