Monthly Challenges discussion

POST the Tasks you have COMPLETED to this thread.



• SCOREBOARD Name (if different from GR Name)
• TASK Number &Name (short description, if needed)
• BOOK Title (LINK)
• AUTHOR'S Name (LINK)
• DATE Book was finished
• POINTS for the Task (Points Earned: )
• PAGES for the Task ( Pages Read: )
• TOTAL POINTS (not required for 1st Completed Task)
• TOTAL PAGES (not required for 1st Completed Task)

1.1 BLACK FRIDAY
I have a great Deal. Read any book you want to read this month.

She and Her Cat by Tsubasa Yamaguchi - 180 p - 11/03 - 3.5/5
Task point: 1
Task pages: 180

1.3 TURKEY TIME
46 millions turkeys are consumed during Thanksgiving time.
Read a book with a 4 or 6 in it's page count.

Les Yeux de Mona by Thomas Schlesser - 496 p - 11/12 - 3.5/5
Task point: 1
Task pages: 496

1.5 Chia Pet Day (11/29)
Read a book that has the letters C•H•I•A in the title (any order) -OR- the MC has a pet (tell us about their pet).

Wildflower Emily: A Story About Young Emily Dickinson by Lydia Corry - 112 p. - 11/08 - 4/5 - pet name: Carlo
Task point: 1
Task pages: 112

1.7 (The Adventures's Task) We Need More Beauty in this World
Read an art book (coffee table book with beautiful paintings, photographs, or sculptures).

David Hockney edited by Norman Rosenthal - 328 p - 11/07 - 3/5
Task point: 1
Task pages: 328

TOTAL task points: 4
TOTAL task pages: 1117

SCOREBOARD
Updated: post #22

MOST POINTS:

The Adventures - 18
Linda C - 14
Bethany - 2
Amber - 14
Tessa - 6
Marilyn - 5


MOST PAGES

The Adventures - 4223
Linda C - 4029
Bethany - 648
Amber - 4241
Tessa - 2444
Marilyn - 2325

1.2 (11/5) National Chinese Takeout Day
Read a book whose Author's initials (FIRST & LAST) are in the words CHINESE TAKEOUT.

A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute (4 stars) 11/11/25 [351] – N and S in CHINESE
BONUS POINT: Tell us your favorite Chinese Takeout – Happy Family

1.5 Chia Pet Day (11/29)
Read a book that has the letters C•H•I•A in the title (any order)

The Martian Chronicles – Ray Bradbury (3 stars) 11/1/25 [182] – ch in Chronicles, ia in Martian

1.8 (Marilyn's Task) November Birthday
Read a book that is set at the beach or in California.

My Favorite Half-Night Stand – Christina Lauren (3 stars) 11/9/25 [384] – set in Santa Barbara

1.9 (Tessa's Task) Birthday Celebrations
Read a book with a main character whose FIRST name begins with a letter in BIANCA.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens – Ina Garten (4 stars) 11/5/25 [307] – memoir – Ina is MC

Points these tasks - 4 + 1 (Bonus 1.2) = 5
Pages these tasks - 1224

Total points - 5
Total pages - 1224

1.4 Read the Alphabet: Letter P
Read a book that starts with the P (exclude A, An, or The) -OR- the Author's FIRST/LAST name begins with the Letter P.

Contes de ma mère l'Oye by Charles Perrault - 132 p. 3/5 - 11/15

Point this task: 1
Pages this task: 132 p.

2.4 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Reading Challenge - Part 2
Share where you are in your Goodreads Reading Goal for the year.
*Read another 2 books of your choice that gets your Goodreads Challenge Goal.
If you already made your goal before or after Task 2.3 read 2 more books of your choosing, but also share with us your 2 favorite books you read this year for a bonus point.

I'm currently at 127 books read on a 75-books goal, so yeah! I reached my goal ;)
I recently discovered a new manga series that would enchant any book lover, so I read vol 2 et 3 for this challenge:
- Magus of the Library, Vol. 2 - Mitsu Izumi - 272 p. - 11/13 - 4/5
- Magus of the Library, Vol. 3 - Mitsu Izumi - 304 p. - 11/14 - 4/5

Bonus: Here are two books I would highly recommend among the books I read this year:
-
-

Points this task: 3
Pages this task: 576 p.

TOTAL points: 8
TOTAL pages: 1825

3.2 (Linda C's Task) Foreign Author
Read 3 books written by authors from a country not your own. Tell us where the author is from for each title. Where the book is set does not matter for this task.

1) Magus of the Library, Vol. 1 - Mitsu Izumi (Japanese author) - 240 p. - 11/10 - 4/5

2) Mes contes de Perrault - Tahar Ben Jelloun (Morrocan author) - 218 p. - 11/15 - 3/5

3) We're All Just Fine - Ana Penyas (Spanish author) - 112 p. - 11/15 - 3/5

Points this task: 3
Pages this task: 570

TOTAL points: 11
TOTAL pages: 2395

2.2 (11/3) National Sandwich Day
Read 2 Books
Building a BLT - Choose Two
c. Lettuce - Read a book with a GREEN (50%+) cover.
by Emilia Hart 392 pgs 11/2
e. Mayo - Read a book with a WHITE (50%+) cover.
by Héctor Tobar 256 pgs 11/2

Points: 2
Pages: 648

1.9 (Tessa's Task) Birthday Celebrations
Both my brother and his youngest child, my niece, are celebrating birthdays this month.
Read a book with a main character who FIRST name begins with a letter in PAUL or BIANCA.

The Housekeeper's Secret by Sandra Schnakenburg - 304 p. - 4/5 - 11/18 - Main character: Lee Metoyer

Task point: 1
Task pages: 304

TOTAL points: 12
TOTAL pages: 2699

2.3 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Reading Challenge
Read any 2 books that gets you closer to your Goodreads Challenge Goal.

1. Blown Away (Cyborg Force, #1) – Cara Bristol (4 stars) 11/19/25 [268]
2. Gale Force (Cyborg Force, #2) – Cara Bristol (4 stars) 11/20/25 [281]

Points this task - 2
Pages this task - 549

Total points - 7
Total pages - 1773

3.1 (Linda C's Task) Foreign Setting - I am from NY, USA
Read 3 books that are set in a country other than your own. Tell us which country for each title. Does not matter what country the author is from. It is setting that counts.

1. The Outlander (The Boultons, #1) – Gil Adamson (5 stars) 11/7/25 [404] – set in Alberta, Canada
2. Fearless (Scarlet Suffragette, #1) – Nicola Claire (4 stars) 11/21/25 [298] - set in New Zealand
3. Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo – Lawrence Anthony (4 stars) 11/13/25 [256] - set in South Africa and Iraq

Points this task - 3
Pages this task - 958

Total points - 10
Total pages - 2731

1.10 1.10 Clear your shelves !
Read any book from your own library, a book which collects dust for a while, this challenge is the perfect excuse to make time to read it ;)

Céleste « Bien sûr, monsieur Proust. » - Première partie - Chloé Cruchaudet - 116 p - 11/24 - 4/5

Point this task: 1
Pages this task: 116

Total points: 13
Total pages: 2815

1.2 (11/5) National Chinese Takeout Day
Read a book whose Author's initials (FIRST & LAST) are in the words CHINESE TAKEOUT.
BONUS POINT: Tell us your favorite Chinese Takeout

A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle 11.17.25
Bonus: Big Wok II

Task points 2
Task pages 213

1.3 TURKEY TIME
46 millions turkeys are consumed during Thanksgiving time.
Read a book with a 6 in it's page count.
The Christmas Train by David Baldacci 11.07.25

Task points 1
Task pages 260

Total points 3
Total pages 473

1.5 Chia Pet Day (11/29)
Read a book that has the letters C•H•I•A in the title (any order)
The Anatomy of Magic by J.C. Cervantes 11.10.25

Task points 1
Task pages 304

Total points 4
Total pages 777

1.9 (Tessa's Task) Birthday Celebrations
Both my brother and his youngest child, my niece, are celebrating birthdays this month.

Read a book with a main character who FIRST name begins with a letter in PAUL
Cutthroat Cupcakes by Cate Lawley 11.22.25 (Lina)

Task points 1
Task pages 262

Total points 5
Total pages 1039

3.1 (Linda C's Task) Foreign Setting
Read 3 books that are set in a country other than your own. (United States) Tell us which country for each title. Does not matter what country the author is from. It is setting that counts.

When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips 11.18.25 (Ireland)

pages 320

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez 11.13.25 (Egypt)

pages 416

The Dead Come to Stay by Brandy Schillace 11.20.25 (England)

pages 368

Task points 3
Task pages 1104

Total points 8
Total pages 2143

2.3 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Reading Challenge
I don't know about you, but I am very behind on my reading challenge goal for this year. Let's see if we can get caught up
* Read any 2 books that gets you closer to your Goodreads Challenge Goal.
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden 11.10.25

pages 383

Margaritas, Marzipan, and Murder by Harper Lin 11.18.25

pages 289

Task points 2
Task pages 672

Total points 10
Total pages 2815

2.4 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Reading Challenge - Part 2
Still behind after the last two books in 2.3?
I know I am. I need a total of 36 more books between November and December.
😯 Still not sure how I am going to pull that off. But let's try.
Share where you are in your Goodreads Reading Goal for the year. (as of today 122/144 getting closer LOL)
*Read another 2 books of your choice that gets your Goodreads Challenge Goal.
Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews 11.21.25

Pages 288

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix 11.25.25

Pages 482

Task points 2
Task pages 770

Total points 12
Total pages 3585

2.1 THE LOTTERY

#3 The Jamie Drake Equation - Christopher Edge - 208 p. - 11/24 - 2/5

#6 Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness - Kristen Radke - 352 p. - 2/5 - 11/27

Points this task: 2
Pages this task: 560

TOTAL points: 15
TOTAL pages: 3375

TESSA

Task 1.9 Reading Jar - Tessa - BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Main character's first name begins with a letter in BIANCA -
Charlie is mc in Six Cats a Slayin' ✔ – 09Nov25 - 307 p

THIS TASK
points earned - 1
pages read - 307 pg

Total points to date - 1
Total pages read to date - 307 pg

TESSA

Task 5.1 - THE FEAST Find the words in the text of the book I am reading

pg 3 - "…made casseroles when new babies…" - The Kennedy Detail ✔ – 10Nov25 - 448 pg

pg 165 - "And a pecan pie, all the…" - The Women ✔ – 11Nov25 - 471 pg

pg 197 - "…unbroken packet of spinach lasagne." - Amanda's Wedding ✔ – 11Nov25 - 386 p

pg 239 - "…and baby carrots on the…" - My Lovely Wife ✔ – 21Nov25 - 448 p

pg 9 - "There's mushroom tea, if…" - These Summer Storms ✔ – 22Nov25 - 384 p

THIS TASK
Points earned - 5
Pages read - 2137 pg


Total points to date - 6
Total pages read to date - 2444 pg

1.8 (Marilyn's Task) November Birthday
Read a book that is set at the beach or in California.

Home After Dark - David Small - 11/30 - 4/5 - 416 p

Point this task: 1
Pages this task: 416

TOTAL points: 16
TOTAL pages: 3791

Task 5.1 - THE FEAST

1. BUTTER--Bel Canto by Ann Patchett--11/8/25--318 pages

loc. 1570--"...bars of chocolate, sticks of butter,..."

2. CORN-- Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout--11/17/24--326 pages

loc. 3212--"...out at the vegetable stand selling corn."

3. HAM--The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez--11/30/25--321 pages

loc. 3018--"...dish towel to fan a huge pink ham..."

4. CARROTS--Mark Twain by Ron Chernow--11/19/25--1200 pages

p. 1209--"ten bales of hay and twenty bushels of carrots and fruit."

5. POTATOES--The White Darkness by David Grann--11/11/25--160 pages

p. 8--"...chips, smoked salmon, baked potato,..."

Total points: 5
Total pages: 2,325

1.4 Read the Alphabet: Letter P
Read a book where the Author's FIRST/LAST name begins with the Letter P.
Fateful Words by Paige Shelton 11.29.25

Task points 1
Task pages 304

Total points 13
Total pages 3889

1.6 MACY'S THANKSGIVING PARADE
Celebrating the 99th year

Read a book that is 9th in a series (name series).
Gingerbread Danger by Amanda Flower 11.28.25 (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery)

Task points 1
Task pages 352

Total points 14
Total pages 4241

1.1 BLACK FRIDAY
I have a great Deal. Read any book you want to read this month.

A Gambler's Magic (Land of Enchantment, #3) - Emma Craig (3 stars) 11/23/25 [368]

1.10 Clear your shelves !
Read any book from your own library, a book which collects dust for a while, this challenge is the perfect excuse to make time to read it ;)

Row for Freedom: Crossing an Ocean in Search of Hope – Julia Immonen (4 stars) 11/2/25 [210] – added to TBR 2017

2.4 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Reading Challenge - Part 2
Share where you are in your Goodreads Reading Goal for the year.
*Read another 2 books of your choice that gets your Goodreads Challenge Goal. - Finished Nov with 168 of 200 goal

1. The Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers – Terri-Lynne DeFino (3 stars) 11/16/25 [336]
2. Letter Perfect(California Historical, #1) – Cathy Marie Hake (4 stars) 11/22/25 2006 CA [384]

Points these tasks - 4
Pages these tasks - 1298

Total points - 14
Total pages - 4029

2.3 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Reading Challenge
I don't know about you, but I am very behind on my reading challenge goal for this year. Let's see if we can get caught up
* Read any 2 books that gets you closer to your Goodreads Challenge Goal.

Thoreau at Walden by John Porcellino - 112 p. - 11/23 - 3/5

Chats sur ordonnance by Syou Ishida - 320 p. - 11/07 - 3/5

Points this task: 2
Pages this task: 432

TOTAL points: 18
TOTAL pages: 4223