Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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Excursions (Mini Challenges)
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Oct 05, 2025 02:56PM
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Wheel-a-thon's humble beginnings kept it simple. Genres. Everyone has their favorites and many of us get shoved a bit out of our comfort zone from time to time in order to meet a challenge task.
Genres:
Nonfiction
Romance
Fantasy
Adventure
Urban Fantasy
Epic/High Fantasy
Grimdark
Cozy Mystery
Mystery
Thriller
Crime
Space Opera
Humor
Biography
Memoir
Nature
Animal
Magic / Magical Realism
Science Fiction / Sci-Fi
Young Adult
Middle Grade
Classic
Historical Fiction
Travel
Music
Horror
Art
Literary Fiction
Contemporary
History / Historical
Adult
Suspense
Coming of Age
Chick-Lit
Paranormal
LGBT (and variations) / Queer
Retelling
Time Travel
War
Spiritual
This mini challenge runs the length of the challenge and may be repeated once the list is complete. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Plurals of the genres listed are allowed.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
Mod
The second Wheel-a-thon focused on reading through a kaleidoscope of colors. Red, blue, green, and all of the colors in between. For this mini challenge read books with various cover colors, text color on cover, color word found in text, and an item of that color on the cover.
Colors:
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
Teal
Brown
White
Black
Pink
Grey
This mini challenge runs the length of the challenge and can be repeated once the team has completed all of the tasks. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Plurals of the colors listed are allowed for the in text tasks.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
Mod
Wheel-a-thon 4 was a welcome celebration for Cat joining the Mod Team at NBRC and how she'd been stalked and tortured by the color BROWN during a previous challenge.
To celebrate this wheel, the mods have designed a mini challenge that is a mix of the early wheel point system and an ode to wonderful person that is our Cat by including some of her favorite things.
Tasks:
In early Wheel-a-thons, points were tiered based on page numbers. To honor this teams will need to read the designated number of books for each tier.
◈ Books between 160 and 200 pages = Read 1 books
◈ Books between 201 and 300 pages = Read 1 books
◈ Books between 301 and 400 pages = Read 2 books
◈ Books between 401 and 500 pages = Read 2 books
◈ Books between 501 and 650 pages = Read 1 books
◈ Books between 651 and 800 pages = Read 1 book
◈ Books over 801 pages = Read 1 book
Read a book with a BROWN cover (at least >50% brown)
Read a book with the following words in the text or title (plurals allowed):
1. lobster
2. defenestrate / defenestrated
3. vinegar
4. coffee table
5. turtle
6. hedgehog
7. challenge
8. moderator / moderate (moderated not accepted as Cat is still very much a mod!!)
9. brown
10. vanilla
Teams then need to used book titles to tell a story about travels with Cat as you all do something fun or silly. It can even be a trip through space, be as creative as you'd like (10 books).
You can post your story here if you wish.
This mini challenge runs the length of the challenge and cannot be repeated. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
- A bonus of 30 points is award upon completion of this mini challenge.
Mod
Wheel-a-thon 5 had NBRC members packing their bags and piling into cars, vans, and buses for epic road trips. This mini challenge celebrates that Wheel gone by with a series of travel related tasks.
Task List
1. Read a book where a character gets lost.
2. Read a book tagged "Fun" at least 10x.
3. Read a book tagged "Friendship" at least 10x.
4. Read a book with a title that starts with one of the letters found in TRAVEL. (Articles may not be used.)
5. Read a book with a title that starts with one of the letters found in FLAT TIRE. (Articles may not be used.)
6. Read a book with a title that starts with one of the letters found in OUT OF GAS. (Articles may not be used.)
7. Read a book with a title that starts with one of the letters found in ROAD TRIP. (Articles may not be used.)
8. Read a book with a map. (Usually found at the front of the book.)
9. Read a book where characters go on a road trip (even if it is just a small/short one).
10. Read a book where the cover shows a mode of transportation used on earth, by humans (i.e. no spaceships or flying cars).
11. Read a book where the cover shows a mode of transportation used in space.
12. Read a book where a character takes a boat trip.
13. Read a book with a body of water on the cover.
14. Read a book with a famous landmark on the cover.
15. Read a book with a cityscape on the cover.
16. Read a book with a road sign on the cover.
17. Read a book where a character drinks coffee.
18. Read a book where a character drinks soda.
19. Read a book where a character visits the beach.
20. Read a book with the word car, vehicle, bike, bicycle, truck or lorry in the title. (Plurals are acceptable.)
21. Read a book with the word highway, road, avenue or street in the title. (Plurals are acceptable.)
22. Read a book which has the main location (setting) as a bus, train, or other road based vehicle.
23. Read a book which has the main location (setting) as a space station, space ship or anything along those lines.
24. Read a book which has several locations, none for over 50% of the book.
25. Read a book where a character takes the train.
26. Read a book where a character gets on a plane.
27. Read a book where a character packs a bag (overnight, luggage, suitcase, with the intention of being away for at least one night).
28. Read a book set on a boat or ship.
29. Read a book where a character visits a castle or palace.
30. Read a book where a character visits a museum or gallery.
31. Read a book where a character eats a salty snack (chips, nuts, pretzels, popcorn, etc).
32. Read a book where a character eats candy.
33. Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the African continent.
34. Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the Antarctica continent.
35. Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the Asian continent.
36. Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the Australian continent.
37. Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the European continent.
38. Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the North American continent.
39. Read a book which has the main location (setting) on the South American continent.
40. Read a book set in a completely fictional world.
This mini challenge runs the length of the challenge and cannot be repeated. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
- A bonus of 30 points is award upon completion of this mini challenge.
Mod
Wheel-a-thon 7 was an ode to the Book Mobile, what is more appropriate for Wheel-a-thon than a library on actual wheels? This Wheel, we also honored our long history of Books of the Month, which served as the words on the spelling wheel.
Teams need to build 2 squares by reading previous NBRC BOM titles, connecting titles by the first and last letter of the titles. Articles cannot be ignored when building the squares so choose your titles wisely. Previous NBRC BOMs can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Teams then need to construct 2 ladders of six books each from previous NBRC BOM titles connecting the last letter of the title with the first letter of the next title.
Finally, teams need to construct 1 ladder of ten books based on series numbers. Books need to be whole numbers in series (meaning no 0.5, 4.5, etc allowed). The next book up on the ladder rung needs to be of a higher series number but does not need to be consecutive. Meaning you can have a ladder that goes 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 15, and so forth. But not 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 6, etc.
This mini challenge runs the length of the challenge and cannot be repeated once the team has completed all of the tasks. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
- A bonus of 30 points is award on completion of this mini challenge.
Mod
NBRC's third spinning of the Wheel was a celebration of holidays. While this Wheel focused on Halloween, US Thanksgiving, and Christmas we are going to broaden our celebratory horizons for this mini.
Teams can choose any holiday they'd like. Christmas, Diwali, Lunar New Year, the options are wide open!
Once teams select their holiday, teams use a series of tasks to plan a celebratory party in honor of the holiday.
Tasks:
Setting
- Book set in a country where your holiday of choice is a public holiday
- Book with "holiday" in title or text
- Book published in the month the holiday takes place, if the holiday moves (like Ramadan or Easter) use the month it occurred in 2025
- Book where the holiday is mentioned or celebrated
- Book that mentions a venue for the celebration (dance hall, home, park, wherever you plan to host the event!)
Decorations
- Read 5 books that mention specific decorations in the text or show them on the cover your team needs to decoration the venue for the celebration
Food
- Read 5 books that mention specific food items in text or show them on the cover your team needs for the celebration menu.
Drinks
-Read 5 books that mention specific drink items in text or show them on the cover your team needs for the celebration menu.
Entertainment
- Read 5 books that mentions different entertainment options or types of music your team plans to have at the event.
You can post a report / invite to your holiday event here if you wish.
This mini challenge runs during Round 2 of the challenge, 25 October to 8 November. This mini challenge can only be completed once. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
- A bonus of 30 points will be awarded if all tasks are completed.
Mod
Wheel-a-thon 6 was a spin through time. This mini challenge therefore focuses on different time periods and aspects of telling time through a series of different tasks.
Task List
1. First published between 1950 and 1900 (inclusive).
2. First published between 1800 and 1899 (inclusive).
3. First published between 1951 and 2000 (inclusive).
4. First published 2001 or later.
5. First published before 1800.
6. Tagged "time travel" 10x.
7. Tagged "steampunk" 10x
8. Clock on the cover.
9. Any type of watch on the cover.
10. Mentions any kind of time piece in the text.
11. Indication of time in the title (ex. hour, minute, year, etc).
12. Time of day in the title (ex. morning, midnight, noon, etc).
13. Set in period BCE
14. Set in period 0CE to 1500s (inclusive).
15. Set in 1600s
16. Set in 1700s
17. Set in 1800s
18. Set in 1900s
19. Set in 2000s
20. Author initials in TIME PIECE.
21. Starts with a letter in CLOCKWORK.
22. Book with flashbacks.
23. Told during multiple time periods.
24. Written in diary / epistolary format.
25. Involves a countdown or deadline.
This mini challenge runs during Round 3 of the challenge, 8 November to 22 November. This mini challenge can only be completed once. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
- A bonus of 30 points will be awarded if all tasks are completed.
- Setting must be at least 50% of the book
- Fantasy equivalents work for settings (so fantasy Rome would be assumed to be the same time as real Rome and fantasy Victorian etc. if no year is used in the book)
Mod
Wheel-a-Thon 8 was all about the hills are alive with the sound of music. NBRC formed a band, was looking for musicians, travelled to known musical locations, and in general, it celebrated the joy of music as well as the many instruments used to create it. This mini challenge will try to recapture the musical fun that was had.
Task List
For each of these tasks, you can use one book per requirement. Exact words need to be found. Please always provided the phrase and location. Books can only be used for one of these categories. (This does not exclude several team members reading the same book.)
Instrument
- Find 5 of the following musical instruments in the text of your books. One book per instrument. 5 different instruments.
Instrument List:
(view spoiler)
Location
- Read 5 books set at least 50% in one of the following musical locations. One book per location. 5 different locations.
Location List:
(view spoiler)
Cover
- Read 5 books which depict an instrument on cover. Any instrument, they just have to be clearly an instrument. You can find the same instrument multiple times.
Genre
- Find 5 of the following music genres in the text of your books. One book per genre. 5 different genres.
Genre List
(view spoiler)
Musician
- Read 5 books written by or about musicians. This could be non-fiction about a musician or band; or it could be fiction - in which case the main character(s) should be a professional musician (or aspiring). Someone who plays an instrument for personal pleasure only doesn't count.
This mini challenge runs during Round 4 of the challenge, 22 November to 6 December. This mini challenge can only be completed once. You cannot bank books for this mini challenge.
- Books must be used in a spell out to be used for this mini challenge.
- Books can only be used for one mini challenge.
- Each task completed is worth 10 bonus points.
- A bonus of 30 points will be awarded if all tasks are completed.
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