You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Challenges: Year Long Main 2026
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Hydra - The water serpenthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_(...
Hydra is the largest, and the longest, constellation in the sky. It was so big that ancient astronomers sometimes broke it into smaller constellations, but today it is officially recognized as one. It is in the southern sky and is best viewed in the spring months from the Northern Hemisphere.
According to one myth, Apollo sent a crow to fetch water for him. The crow returned and served Apollo a water snake instead of water. Apollo angrily cast the crow, cup, and snake into the sky. Another story connects Hydra to the Lernaean Hydra, the many-headed serpent Hercules defeated as part of the twelve labours assigned to him as penance for murdering his family.
Themes associated with the constellation are endurance, perseverance, loneliness, multi-tasking, hidden threats.
Despite its size, Hydra contains only one moderately bright star, Alphard, designated Alpha Hydrae. Its traditional name means "the solitary one".
The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, a beautiful barred spiral galaxy, is situated near Hydra's tail.
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Tasks:
1. Read a book that is a stand-alone book. It may be included in a series that are considered stand-alone within that series. (Example is the Infinite series by Jeremy Robinson.
2. Read a book that has an animal with a distinctive tail on the cover . That animal may be (but not limited to a dog, lion, horse, cat). This is inspired by the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy near the end of Hydra's tail.
3. Read a book set in one of these Scandinavian Countries - Norway, Sweden, or Denmark.
4. Read a book written by an author either born in Mexico or currently living in Mexico.
5. Read a book with the theme of perseverance (the act of continuing to try to achieve something despite difficulties, obstacles, or setbacks).
6. Read a book that is over 500 pages based on the most popular hardcover or paperback editions.
7. Read a book with a snake on the cover.
8. Read a book with a large body of water on the cover.
9. Read a book that has a main page genre of crime.
10. Read a book with "long" in the title.
Virgo - The Maidenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgo_(...
Virgo, the second largest constellation in the sky, lies on the ecliptic and is one of the twelve zodiac constellations. It is most visible in Spring. Its name is Latin for “maiden,” and its stories are tied to goddesses of agriculture, justice, and purity. Virgo has been associated with Demeter and Persephone (cycles of fertility and harvest), as well as Astraea (the virgin goddess of justice who withdrew to the heavens). It embodies themes of purity versus reality, cycles of nature, and the weighing of justice. The bright star Spica marks a sheaf of wheat in her hand, reinforcing the harvest link.
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Tasks:
1. Read a book that is the 2nd book in a series.
2. Read a book that is written by a female author whose first or last name begins with the letter "V". eg: Glendy Vanderah.
3. Read a book with a field of grass, wheat, pasture, etc. on the cover.
4. Read a book about a mythological woman. You may chose from any culture.
5. Read a book with "girl" or "maiden" in the title.
6. Read a book with a main page genre of legal thriller.
7. Read a book set in October. This represents spring in the southern hemisphere and harvest in the north.
8. Read a book published between Aug 23- Sept 22 of any year. This represents the star sign of Virgo in the Zodiac.
9. Read a book with the theme of innocence or of lost innocence. (A common theme of innocence is the state of being free from guilt, sin, or harmful knowledge, which can also describe a lack of worldly experience, naivety, or a childlike simplicity.)
10. Read a book where there is a child under the age of 2 who has a significant presence and not just a mention.
Ursa Major - The Great Bearhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursa_Major
Ursa Major, the third largest constellation, lies in the northern sky, with mythology that is likely prehistoric. Ursa Major is primarily known from the asterism of its main seven stars, which has been called the "Big Dipper", "the Wagon", "Charles's Wain", or "the Plough", among other names. In particular, the Big Dipper's stellar configuration mimics the shape of the "Little Dipper". Two of its stars, named Dubhe and Merak, can be used as the navigational pointer towards the place of the current northern pole star, Polaris in Ursa Minor. It is depicted on the flag of Alaska.
It's mythology is based on Callistro's transformation - after Callistro became pregnant with Zeus' child, she was turned into a bear by his wife Hera. Zeus saved her & his son by throwing them into the sky to form Ursa Major & Ursa Minor. In some accounts, Callistro was a nymph. In others, she was a king's daughter.
The themes for the constellation are protection, motherhood, and guidance.
The Iroquois interpreted the stars Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid as three hunters pursuing the Great Bear. According to one version of their myth, the first hunter (Alioth) is carrying a bow and arrow to strike down the bear. The second hunter (Mizar) carries a large pot – the star Alcor – on his shoulder in which to cook the bear while the third hunter (Alkaid) hauls a pile of firewood to light a fire beneath the pot.
The Wasco-Wishram Native Americans interpreted the constellation as five wolves and two bears that were left in the sky by Coyote.
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Tasks:
1. Read a book that is the third book in a series, or any book in a trilogy.
2. Read a book set in Alaska.
3. Read a book with a bear or wolf on the cover.
4. Read a book with "coyote" in the title.
5. Read a book with shapeshifters. Don't worry, I'm not looking specifically for paranormal romance. You may choose PR, but there are lots of cultures with shapeshifters that don't involve romance. For example, Skinwalkers
6 Read a book with a theme of motherhood. (We're looking for the depth of what a mother provides to her child: nurturing, sacrifice, protection, etc. The converse is also accepted - the lack of those attributes.)
7. Read a book that is set in prehistoric times.
8. Read a book that has a main page genre of nature.
9. Read a book that was written by a Native American or First Nations author.
10. Read a book that involves navigation - for example travel by sea, or space travel.
Cetus - The Sea Monsterhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetus
Cetus is the fourth largest constellation. It sprawls across the sky’s “watery” region, near Pisces, Aquarius, and Eridanus. Though it lies close to the zodiac constellations, Cetus itself is not one of the twelve.
In Greek mythology, it represents the sea monster sent by Poseidon to devour Andromeda after her mother Cassiopeia boasted of her beauty. Andromeda was chained to a rock as sacrifice, but Perseus rescued her by slaying Cetus.
Themes associated with Cetus include danger from the depths, punishment and redemption, cycles of disappearance and return (mirroring Mira’s fading), and the tension between human pride and divine retribution.
There are 3 main stars:
- Mira, meaning "wonderful". it was discovered by David Fabricius in 1596.
- Menkar - meaning "nose".
- Deneb Kaitos, meaning "whale's tail".
It is best viewed late fall to early winter (October through January). And is visible from both hemispheres because it stretches across the equator.
Fun fact: USS Cetus (AK-77) was a United States Navy Crater class cargo ship named after the constellation.
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Tasks:
1. Read a book that is the 4th in a series, or is any book in a 4- book series. (Cetus is the 4th largest constellation).
2.. Read a book that is set in Colombia, Ecuador, or Brazil. These countries straddle the equator.
3. Read a book with a sea monster - suggestions: kraken, whale, giant squid. Or, read a book with a mythical creature (excluding a dragon).
4. Read a book with a nose prominently displayed on the cover. Yes, faces have noses, but we want a proboscis that leaves no doubt there's a nose on the cover. Only human noses will be accepted.
5. Read a book with the word "Wonderful" in the title.
6. Read a book about artistic paintings. (The connection is that Mira was discovered in the 16th century. The Mona Lisa was painted in the 16th century.)
7. Read a book set in the 16th century (1501-1600).
8. Read a book that is written by an African author.
9. Read a book with the theme of redemption. (Redemption stories showcase characters who have failed in the past addressing their prior mistake or failure.)
10. Read a book with a ship on the cover. Smaller vessels like boats & yachts do not qualify as a ship.
Hercules - The Herohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercule...
Hercules is the largest of the northern sky constellations (though overall it ranks 5th in size). It is viewed in late spring through summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The constellation’s abbreviation is Her. It is 27.4 light years from earth.
It contains M13 (Great Hercules Cluster) which is a spectacular globular cluster, one of the brightest in the sky. It contains hundreds of thousands of stars and is visible with binoculars. Its brightest star is Kornephoros (Beta Herculis), whose name means “Club-bearer.” Ancient Greeks called the constellation Engonasin (“The Kneeler”), because it looks like a man on one knee, club in hand.
In Greek myth, Hercules (Herakles) was immortalized for his great strength and his Twelve Labours — penance for a tragic fit of madness in which he murdered his family. He too, was a bad boy. These 12 labours were seemingly impossible tasks.
The constellation has been depicted since ancient times as a kneeling man. Sometimes he’s holding a club or a branch, emphasizing strength and combat. His torso is depicted as being a bit lopsided.
Themes associated with Hercules are Strength, Perseverance, Redemption. and Hubris.
Pop-Culture reference:
In the 1960s cartoon The Mighty Hercules, the hero’s sidekick was a small satyr named Tewt. Instead of speaking, Tewt communicated with a pan flute (syrinx) — a playful nod to the Greek god Pan, who invented the instrument. His cheerful piping often lightened the mood and connected the series back to classical mythology.
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Tasks:
1. Read a book that is the first book in a 5-book series, or any book in a 5-book series. Hercules is the largest in the northern hemisphere, but 5th overall.
2. Read a book with the theme of Strength - (physical and mental fortitude, such as perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity; inner strength, emphasizing emotional and psychological power; and the transformative nature of power, which can be used for good or evil, and how it shapes individuals and society).
3. Read a book set in the 1960's.
4. Read a book with a main page genre of epic or high fantasy.
5. Read a book where the protagonist who is explicitly framed in the story as a hero (or antihero) — through their actions, their quest, or how the narrative identifies them. This does not include romantic leads described only as someone’s ‘hero’ in a love story.
Suggestions:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
6. Read a book with a musical instrument on the cover.
7. Read a book with "club" in the title or sub-title, including series names.
8. Read a book whose author's name (first or last) starts with HER. While trying to see how hard/easy this task was, I put "HER" and specified Author. A whole list came up including James Herriot. When we cleaned out my father's house, I brought home two boxed sets of his books.
9. Read a book whose pages are between 250 - 300 pages, according to the issue you read, to represent that Hercules is 27.4 light years away. If reading an audiobook, refer to the most popular print edition.
10. Read a book featuring a large community, gathering, or crowd — inspired by the Great Hercules Cluster (M13).
Eridanus - The Riverhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eridanu...
Eridanus is the sixth largest constellation in the night sky. It gets its name, "The River" because it winds across the heavens like a great celestial river. Its abbreviation is Eri. It is best seen in the Southern Hemisphere, much of its length flows southward, terminating at Achernar (“the End of the River”), one of the brightest stars in the sky.
In Greek mythology, the river is often linked with the tragic tale of Phaethon, the son of Helios, who lost control of the sun chariot. As he fell blazing from the sky, he plunged into the waters of Eridanus. Some traditions also associate the river with the Underworld, giving it an ominous depth.
In Chinese astronomy, parts of Eridanus formed different asterisms such as the Celestial Orchard.
The constellation carries themes of: Journey (following a winding, unpredictable course), Danger beneath the surface (hidden perils, unseen strength). and Uncontrollable force (wild & overwhelming, like floodwaters.)
Eridanus Supervoid is a deep-sky object and is an enormous “cold spot” in the cosmic microwave background, one of the largest structures ever found in the universe. It was identified in the 21st century with WMAP and Planck satellite surveys (cosmology in the 2000s–2010s)
The Eridanus constellation has been used as a naming source in science fiction, e.g. the Eridanus system in the Halo video game universe.
Eridanus has also lent its name to ships: The USS Eridanus (AK-92), a U.S. Navy Crater-class cargo ship, and Éridan, a French cargo liner.
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Tasks:
1. Read any book in a 6-book series.
2. Read a book with fire on the cover.
3. Read a book with the word "River" in the title.
4. Read a book with a main page genre of science fiction.
5. Read a book whose author's first or last name starts with the letters "ERI".
6. Read a book that is set in the furthest reaches of the Southern Hemisphere - Antarctica.
7. Read a book where there is a perilous journey undertaken.
8. Read a book set during a war. You may include epic or high fantasy wars.
9. Read a book that is contemporary, set between 2000 & 2026.
10. Read a book featuring a cold-weather sport (examples: skiing, skating, bobsledding, hockey, etc.)
Pegasus - The Winged Horsehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus...
Pegasus is the 7th largest constellation in the night sky. Its abbreviation is Peg. It is most visible in the Northern Hemisphere in October. (I'll be watching for it.)
One of its most recognized features is the Great Square of Pegasus. The brightest star is Enif (Epsilon Pegasi), an orange supergiant whose name means “the nose.” It is not to be confused by Menkar in Cetus which is also called "the nose". The nose of Enif is that of a horse. The constellation also hosts M15, one of the most densely packed globular clusters in the Milky Way.
In Greek mythology, Pegasus was the winged horse born from the blood of Medusa when Perseus slew her. Later, he was tamed by Bellerophon, who rode him in the battle against the Chimera. Pegasus symbolized divine inspiration, freedom, and poetry. But when Bellerophon tried to ride him up to Mount Olympus, Zeus punished his overreaching pride. Pegasus, however, continued the journey alone and was set among the stars.
In Chinese astronomy, the modern constellation of Pegasus lies in The Black Tortoise of the north
In Hindu astronomy, Pegasus is contained within the 25th nakshatra lunar mansion Purva Bhadrapada. More specifically, it represented a bedstead that was a resting place for the Moon.
Pegasus carried associations of artistic brilliance, the wild spirit, and the taming of ego. He was also said to possess magical powers.
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Tasks:
1. Read any book that is in a 7-book series, or has the word "seven" in the title.
2. Read a book that is set in India, which is entirely in the Northern Hemisphere. (I was surprised to learn this.)
3. Read a book where night plays an important role in the story. Night must appear in multiple scenes that matter to the plot. Night scenes could include investigations done after dark, crimes done after dark, characters who work night shift, taking nightly strolls. The book needs to clearly indicate night time activity.
Examples: All the Light We Cannot See, The Lies of Locke Lamora, ’Salem’s Lot
4. Read a book with "Moon" in the title.
5. Read a book with a theme of pride. (In literature, pride can be a central theme that symbolizes a character's excessive self-esteem, leading to negative consequences like falling from grace or committing rash mistakes, as exemplified in Pride and Prejudice where excessive pride blinds characters to their true feelings. Alternatively, pride can represent a positive attribute, like self-respect and dignity, especially in themes of social uplift or national identity, or in the context of the LGBTQIA+ community celebrating self-affirmation. )
6. Read a book with a main page genre of "Magic".
7. Read a book where a character or author is named Peg.
8. Read a book with a horse's nose prominently on the cover.
9. Read a book where a horse plays an important role — this could be a horse on a ranch, a primary form of transportation, or a story where a character has a strong bond with their horse.
10. Read a book with a significant character who is a musician.
Draco - The Dragonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draco_(...
Draco, Latin for “dragon,” is the 8th largest constellation in the night sky. It winds between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, curling protectively around the Little Dipper. Because of its position, Draco is circumpolar in the Northern Hemisphere, meaning it never sets below the horizon and is visible year-round. Its abbreviation is Dra.
Although Draco contains no exceptionally bright stars, it is known for its distinctive serpentine shape. Three notable objects in the constellation are:
- Thuban (Alpha Draconis): once the pole star around 2700 BCE, when the pyramids of Egypt were being built. Its name comes from the Arabic for “dragon.”--
- Rastaban (Beta Draconis): meaning “the dragon’s eye.”
- The Cat’s Eye Nebula (NGC 6543): a striking planetary nebula about 3,000 light-years away, discovered by William Herschel in 1786.
In Greek mythology, Draco is usually identified as Ladon, the dragon who guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides. He was slain by Heracles (Hercules) during one of his Twelve Labors.
Other traditions offer different origins. For example, the goddess Athena is said to have hurled a dragon into the sky during the Gigantomachy, where it became Draco. In Egypt, Thuban’s role as the pole star gave Draco powerful associations with eternity and the afterlife. There are even Norse stories linked to Drago.
Draco’s legacy endures in modern culture as well — for example, Draco Malfoy, the antagonist in the Harry Potter series, takes his name from this constellation.
Themes associated with Draco are protection, power, and watchfulness.
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1. Read a book that is included in an 8-book series or has the word "eight" in the title.
2, Read a book set in Iceland.
3. Read a book about Norse mythology or the Vikings.
4. Read a book with an eye (or more) predominantly on the cover.
5. Read a book with "cat" in the title.
6. Read a book with Young Adult as a main page genre.
7. Read a book with a mpg of archeology.
8. Read a book whose author's first or last name is William.
9. Read a book with a theme of protection. (A theme of protection includes a literal guardian such as a parent, bodyguard, mentor. If also includes a charactor protecting knowledge, treasure, or secrets. It could be even be someone protecting something like a dragon.)
10. Read a book that features a dragon.
Centaurus - The Centaurhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurus
Centaurus is the 9th largest constellation in the night sky. Its abbreviation is Cen. Prominent in the Southern Hemisphere, it is best viewed in May and is one of the most ancient constellations recorded.
In mythology, Centaurus is associated with Chiron, the wise and benevolent centaur — half man, half horse — renowned as a teacher and healer. Unlike his wilder kin, Chiron embodied the tension between instinct and intellect, a duality mirrored in the constellation’s form.
Some of its most notable features include:
Alpha Centauri: the closest star system to our own, only 4.37 light years away. It is a triple star system, including Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to our Sun.
Beta Centauri (Hadar): a brilliant blue-white giant whose name means “ground” or “settled land.”
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139): the brightest globular cluster in the Milky Way, visible even to the naked eye. It holds millions of stars and may be the remnant core of a galaxy once devoured by the Milky Way.
Together, Alpha and Beta Centauri are known as the Pointers, guiding the eye to the Southern Cross (Crux).
Themes: duality, instinct vs. intellect, wisdom, closeness to home.
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Tasks:
1. Read any book in a nine-book series, or with “Nine” in the title.
2. Centauri was a character in The Last Starfighter played by Robert Preston, his final film role. Read a book whose author's first or last name is either "Robert" or "Preston".
3. Read a book with a mpg of Historical Fiction. It needs to be specific to settlers or homesteaders and clearly identified as such.
4. Read a book with a space ship on the cover.
5. Read a book where healer plays a key role. We're looking for traditional roles like nurses & doctors as well as non-traditional roles like midwives, medicine men/women, shaman, etc.
6. Read a book where the main character is a twin (or was one). A biography of Elvis Presley would be an example.
7. Read a book set in Australia.
8. Read a book that is between 175 & 200 pages based on the most popular print (hardcover or paperback).
9. Read a book with the word "Way" in the title.
10. The movie "Hidalgo" was about a horse race set in the 1880's. Read a book set between 1880 & 1899.
Aquarius – The Water Bearerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquariu...
I can't think about Aquarius without hearing the song Age of Aquarius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjxSC...
Aquarius is the 10th largest constellation in the night sky. Its abbreviation is Aqr. Though not especially bright, it is easily recognized for its long stream of faint stars said to represent water pouring from a vessel. It is found in a region often called the Sea due to its profusion of constellations with watery associations.
It is one of the oldest recorded constellations, found in Babylonian star charts where it was associated with the god Ea, bringer of knowledge and protector of humanity. In Greek mythology, Aquarius is linked to Ganymede, a beautiful youth carried off by Zeus to serve as cupbearer of the gods. Ganymede is also Jupiter's largest moon.
Aquarius has long been associated with floods and water myths. The Babylonians saw it as a figure pouring water that brought seasonal rains. In Egyptian mythology, the rising of Aquarius coincided with the flooding of the Nile, which nourished the land. Across cultures, it was linked with life-giving waters, cleansing, healing, and renewal. Themes associated with Aquarius are truth, rebellion, & renewal.
Notable features include:
- Sadalsuud (Beta Aquarii) – its brightest star, name meaning “the luck of lucks.”
- Sadalmelik (Alpha Aquarii) – “the lucky one of the king.”
- Skat (Delta Aquarii) – meaning “the shin.”
- Messier 2 (M2) – a rich globular cluster visible with binoculars.
- Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) – sometimes called the “Eye of God,” one of the largest and closest planetary nebulae.
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Tasks:
1. Read any book in a series of 10 or more books. This will allow those 40 book series a chance to shine.
2. Read a book first published before 1950.
3. Read a book set in a city located on a major river (e.g., London on the Thames, Cairo on the Nile, Manaus on the Amazon, Paris on the Seine, Budapest on the Danube, Quebec City on the St, Lawrence River, Rome on the Tiber, etc).
The river must be well-established and the city must sit directly on it.
4. Read a book with a moon on the cover.
5. Read a book with "King" in the title.
6. Read a book set between 1960 & 1979.
7. Read a book whose main character is an unreliable narrator.
8. Read a book that has memoir or autobiography on the mpg.
9. Read a book who's author's first or last name starts with sea.
10. Read a book detailing a pilgrimage such as the Camino de Santiago. It doesn't need to be specific to an actual pilgrimage, but it must be clear that the characters are on a pilgrimage.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
All the Light We Cannot See (other topics)The Lies of Locke Lamora (other topics)
’Salem’s Lot (other topics)
Skinwalkers (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
James Herriot (other topics)Glendy Vanderah (other topics)
Jeremy Robinson (other topics)
- https://www.centreofexcellence.com/fa...
The top 10 biggest constellations by area are Hydra, Virgo, Ursa Major, Cetus, Hercules, Eridanus, Pegasus, Draco, Centaurus, and Aquarius. These constellations cover large portions of the sky and contain numerous stars and deep-sky objects.