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)

SCOREBOARD
Updated: post# 43
Scoreboard will not closed until Jan 1st at 11:59 pm due to Read-a-thon.
📚 Read-a-thon points
MOST POINTS
🎄🎄📚 Pat - 17+15 = 32
🎁📚 The Adventures - 15 +12 = 27
📚 Linda C - 9+14 = 23
📚Diana S - 10+14 = 24
🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄📚Amber - 16 + 20 = 36
📚Tessa - 7+4 =11

MOST PAGES
🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄Pat - 4661
🎁The Adventures - 3063
Linda C - 2394
Diana S - 1829
🎄🎄Amber - 3717
Tessa - 2071

1.2 Christmas (12/25)
Read a book whose author's initials (first &last) are in the word CHRISTMAS.

The Hitchhikers
by Chevy Stevens

Finished Reading ~ Dec 1, 2025
Prompt ~ (C)hri(S)tmas
Pages ~ 384
Points ~ 1

Total Points ~ 1
Total Pages ~ 384

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

La Chienne - Pilar Quintana - 12/05 - 3/5 - 128 p.

Point this task: 1
Pages this task: 128

1.8 (Linda C’s task) Favorite Holiday Food
Tell us what you look forward to eating around the Holidays.
Then read a book which starts with a letter in that word/words
e.g. I look forward to FRUITCAKE so I would read a book that starts with one of those letters

At Christmas, what I look forward to eating is FOIE GRAS.
Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America by a collective of authors (it's a short story collection) - 336 p. - 3.5/5 - 12/03

Point this task: 1
Pages this task: 336

TOTAL points: 2
TOTAL pages: 464

2.3 B (Amber's Task) Milestone Birthday


1. Read a book published in December or with a page total that includes a 5 or 0.
The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford

Finished Reading ~ 1.5.23
Prompt ~ page total includes a 5
Pages ~ 353


2. Read a book where someone celebrates a Birthday or Christmas in the story.
The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace by Megan Okonsky

Finished Reading ~ 1.7.25
Prompt ~ Pinky Swear celebrates her birthday. Her new friends, a group of barefoot traveling hippies throw her a party, with a big rainbow flag to celebrate her coming out of the closet.
Pages ~ 280


Points This Task ~ 2
Pages This Task ~ 633

Total Points ~ 3
Total Pages ~ 1017

1.1 Santa's List Day (12/4)
Read a book that you think is "Nice".

The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly

Finished Reading ~ 12.8.25
Prompt ~ 5☆
Pages ~ 400

Points This Task ~ 1
Pages This Task ~ 400

Total Points ~ 4
Total Pages ~ 1417

1.10 (Linda C’s task) Holiday Party
Read a book where someone goes to one of these events. If you can’t find a book with a Holiday connection, use any kind of party. Tell us what it is.
BONUS: if it is specific to the season.

Who Slayed The Santas? by Leighann Dobbs
Finished Reading ~ 12.14.25
Prompt ~ Juniper hosts a Christmas party and invites the entire neighborhood
Pages ~ 178
Bonus ~ Christmas MPG, Christmas party

Points This Task ~ 2
Pages This Task ~178

Total Points ~ 6
Total Pages ~ 1595

1.6 New Year's Eve (12/31)
2026 is almost here! Read a book with the page count that has 2 out of the 4 numbers in 2026; such as 122, 420, 326, etc....

224 pages : Final Cut - Charles Burns - 3/5 - 12/14

Point this task: 1
Pages this task: 224

TOTAL points: 3
TOTAL pages: 688

1.8 (Linda C’s task) Favorite Holiday Food
Tell us what you look forward to eating around the Holidays.
Then read a book which starts with a letter in that word/words

EGG NOG

Good Grief by Sara Goodman Confino

Finished Reading ~ 12.15.25
Prompt ~ e(G)g nog
Pages ~ 284


Points This Task ~ 1
Pages This Task ~ 284

Total Points ~ 7
Total Pages ~ 1879

1.4 HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Choose one of the following:

a. Whoville
Read a book with the MPG:CHRISTMAS

The 19th Christmas by James Patterson
Finished Reading ~ 12.16.25
Prompt ~ Christmas as MPG
Pages ~ 368


Points This Task ~ 1
Pages This Task ~ 368

Total Points ~ 8
Total Pages ~ 2247

2.4 Nonfiction
Read 2 nonfiction books.
Bonus point if one of them is related to Christmas or other religious/folkloric traditions happening in December.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins
Finished Reading ~ 12.17.25
Prompt ~ NonFiction as MPG
Pages ~ 224
BONUS ~ Christmas on Main Page

The True Saint Nicholas: Why He Matters to Christmas by William J. Bennett
Finished Reading ~ 12.18.25
Prompt ~ NonFiction as MPG
Pages ~ 128


Points This Task ~ 3
Pages This Task ~ 352

Total Points ~ 11
Total Pages ~ 2599

2.1 THE LOTTERY
Read 2 Books
#2 A Good Yarn (Blossom Street, #2) – Debbie Macomber (3 stars) 12/20/25 [380]
#4 The Patchwork Bride – Sandra Dallas (3 stars) 12/15/25 [304]

Points This Task - 2
Pages This Task - 684

Total Points - 2
Total Pages - 684

2.4 Nonfiction
1. Nature’s Pharmacy The top 200 Natural remedies by Charlotte Haig, Anne McIntyre & Sarah Merson (12/9/2025) 288 pp 5⭐

2. The Farm Chicks Christmas: Merry Ideas for the Holidays by Serena Thompson (12/13/25) 128 pp 3.5 ⭐
Bonus point: Christmas

Point Earned: 3
Pages Read: 416

2.3 B (Amber's) Milestone Birthday

1. Page Count with 0
320 pp
The Ultimate Tea Diet: How Tea Can Boost Your Metabolism, Shrink Your Appetite, and Kick-Start Remarkable Weight Loss by Mark Ukra (12/6/25) 320 pp 3⭐

2. Christmas
The Shoe Box by Francine Rivers (12/17/25) 128 pp 4.5 ⭐

Point Earned: 2
Pages Read: 448 pp

Total Points: 5
Total Pages: 864

Happy Birthday Amber!

2.2 T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Read 2 Books
▪ PICK 2 REINDEER - Read a book with a title that has all the letters of your reindeer.he SpAnisH DaughtER)

The Book Club for Troublesome Women
by Marie Bostwick

Finished Reading ~ 12.12.25
Prompt ~ COMET
the b(O)ok (C)lub for (T)roubleso(M)e wom(E)n
Pages ~ 372



Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries by Kim M. Watt

Finished Reading ~ 12.22.25
Prompt ~ PRANCER
gobb(E)lino london & a s(C)ou(R)ge of (P)le(A)sa(N)t(R)ies
Pages ~ 324


Points This Task ~ 2
Pages This Task ~ 696

Total Points ~ 13
Total Pages ~ 3295

3.1 (The Adventures 's Task) Read the World
Read 3 books, each by a different foreign author, each set in the respective country of the author. Each book must be from a different country.

#1 Russia: Stories of a Life - Nataliya Meshchaninova - 184 p. - 4.5/5 - 12/06

#2 Japan: Strange Pictures - Uketsu - 236 p. - 4/5 - 12/22

#3 Norway: Brightly Shining - Ingvild H. Rishoi - 192 p. - 5/5 - 12/23

Points this task: 3
Pages this task: 612

Total Points: 6
Total Pages: 1300

2.1 THE LOTTERY
Read 2 Books

#2 The First Witch of Boston
by Andrea Catalano

Finished Reading ~ 12.25.25
Pages ~ 326
Prompt ~ #2 in book array


#4 Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng
by Kylie Lee Baker

Finished Reading ~ 12.20.25
Pages ~ 304
Prompt ~ #4 in book array


Points This Task ~ 2
Pages This Task ~ 630

Total Points ~ 15
Total Pages ~ 3925

1.4 HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Choose one of the following:
b. Max the dog
Read a book whose MC has a pet dog.

Joe's Wife – Cheryl St. John (3 stars) 12/25/25 [299] – MC has pet Newfoundland

Points This Task - 1
Pages This Task - 299

Total Points - 3
Total Pages - 983

3.2 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Goal Finale
Still pushing to make my GR Reading Goal for this year. I have 20 books to read in December. 😯

Read 3 books that are between 100 pages (Group Rules Minimum) and 200 pages to make that Reading Goal faster.

Un Grand Bourgogne Oublié - Emmanuel Guillot - 104 p - 12/03 - 4/5

Déneiger le ciel - André Bucher - 160 p. - 12/20 - 3.5/5

The Many Worlds of Albie Bright - Christopher Edge - 162 p. - 12/26 - 3/5

Task points: 3
Task pages: 426

Total points: 9
Total pages: 1726

1.2 Christmas (12/25)
Read a book whose author's initials (first &last) are in the word CHRISTMAS.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid 12.04.25

Task Points 1
Task Pages 352

1.3 Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day (12/27)
Read a book with snow on the cover
by Christina Romeril 12.11.25

Task points 1
Task pages 320

Total points 2
Total pages 672

1.4 HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Read a book that start with a letter in the word MEAN
Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis 12.08.25

Task points 1
Task pages 228

Total points 3
Total pages 900

1.2 Christmas
Author's initials in CHRISTMAS

Susan Mallery's One Big Happy Family (12/27/25) 320 pp 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Points Earned: 1
Pages Read: 320

Total Points: 6
Total Pages: 1184

1.2 Christmas (12/25)
Read a book whose author's initials (first &last) are in the word CHRISTMAS.
Mission for the Maharajah (Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries, #7) – Steve Higgs (3 stars) 12/26/25 2019 [167] – S & H in CHRISTMAS

Points This Task - 1
Pages This Task - 167

Total Points - 4
Total Pages - 1150

1.7 Richard ❤️ Gardening
(the word garden in text)
pg. 68 "There was a high garden wall by the kitchen door. ...."

Another Breath of Border Air by Lavinia Derwent (12/28/25) 160 pp. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Points Earned: 1
Pages Read: 160

Total Points: 7
Total Pages: 1344

2.2 T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Read 2 Books

▪ PICK 2 REINDEER - Read a book with a title that has all the letters of your reindeer.

1. DONNER - When Books Went to War: The Stories That Helped Us Win World War II – Molly Guptill Manning (4 Stars) 12/3/25 [299] - wheN bOoks wENt to waR: the stories that helpeD us win world war ii
2. DASHER - The London Bookshop Affair – Louise Fein ( stars) 12/31/25 [416] - ThE lonDon bookSHop AffaiR

Points This Task - 2
Pages This Task - 715

Total Points - 6
Total Pages - 1865

2.3-A (Linda C’s task) Repeat Task
Already made your goal, * Read any two books you want to celebrate.

Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser
Finished Reading ~ 12.28.25
Prompt ~ (pushed from task 3.1)
Pages ~ 368
**This book wasn't at all what I expected, but I found it fascinating. It was like taking an art history class, which I never have had before! I enjoyed the book, and I learned some stuff!**


Scrublands by Chris Hammer
Finished Reading ~ 12.31.25
Prompt ~ (pushed from task 3.1)
Pages ~ 368
**This one has been on my TBR for a long time, so I'm really glad that I got it read, and I'm more glad that it was good!**


Points This Task ~ 2
Pages This Task ~ 736

Total Points ~ 17
Total Pages ~ 4661

That's all from me this month. I'm spending the rest of today unpacking from Houston and catching up around the house for company tomorrow.

Have a SAFE and HAPPY New Year, everyone!

TESSA

Task 1.3 - Cut Out Snowflakes Day White Cover
✔ – 04Dec25 - 304 pg

THIS TASK
Points earned - 1
Pages read - 304 pg


Total points to date - 1
Total pages read to date - 304 pg

TESSA

Task 1.1 - Santa's List day
Read a book I think is "nice"
Be Ready When the Luck Happens ✔ – 05Dec25 - 307 pg

THIS TASK
Points earned - 1
pages read - 307 pg

==============================================


Task 1.2 - Christmas
Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are in CHRISTMAS - M H C
Mary Higgins Clark / Deck the Halls ✔ – 05Dec25 - 320 pg

THIS TASK
Points earned - 1
Pages read - 320 pg



Total points earned to date - 3
Total pages read to date - 931 pg

TESSA

Task 1.8 - Linda C - HOLIDAY FOOD
A favorite holiday food was the cookies and candy I used to make with my mother each year. In particular, I loved to make DIVINITY candy. It was the only time of year we made this, so I thought it was a real treat.

Book title begins with a letter in DIVINITY
Dead in Their Vaulted Arches ✔ – 15Dec25 - 352 p

THIS TASK
Points earned - 1
Pages read - 352 p


Total points earned to date - 4
Total pages read to date - 1283

TESSA

Task 1.10 - Reading Jar - Linda C - HOLIDAY PARTY
Read a book in which the characters attend a holiday party / event. BONUS if it's related to the season.

Obviously, they attend the Matzah Ball in celebration of Hanukkah! (BONUS POINT)

The Matzah Ball ✔ – 26Dec25 - 416 pg


THIS TASK
Points earned - 2 (1 plus 1 bonus )
Pages read - 416 pg


=======================================


Task 1.4 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
b)Max the dog - read a book where the MC has a pet dog.
Morelli has "Bob" a large dog
Fearless Fourteen ✔ – 26Dec25 - 372 pg


THIS TASK
Points earned - 1
Pages read - 372 pg


Total points earned to date - 7
Total pages read to date - 2071 pg

1.1 Santa's List Day (12/4)
(We hope you are on the "Nice" List)
Read a book that you think is "Nice".
Apples, Actors & Axes by Paula Lester 12.31.25

Task points 1
Task pages 155

Total points 4
Total pages 1055

1.8 (Linda C's Task) Favorite Holiday Food
Tell us what you look forward to eating around the Holidays. Then Read a book what starts with a letter in that word/words.
Spinach Casserole
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett 12.24.25

Task points 1
Task pages 335

Total points 5
Total pages 1390

1.9 (Marilyn's Task) Book Clubs
I know that Marilyn belongs to at less 4 or 5 (face to face) book clubs.
Read a book that has a page count with a 4 or 5.
A Tiny Dash of Death by Carolyn L. Dean 12.29.25

Task points 1
Task pages 143

Total points 6
Total pages 1533

2.2 T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Read 2 Books
..... but a miniature sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer .....
DANCER • PRANCER
▪ PICK 2 REINDEER - Read a book with a title that has all the letters of your reindeer.
1. DANCER- The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter 12.28.25

Pages 293

2. PRANCER- Caramel Pecan Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke 12.29.25

Pages 288

Task points 2
Task pages 581

Total points 8
Total pages 2114

2.3 A (Linda C's Task) Repeat Task
Read 2 Books

I am still behind on reaching my GR Reading goal, so I am going to repeat Amber's Task from last month
* Read any 2 books that gets you closer to your Goodreads Challenge Goal. Already made your goal
Holes by Louis Sachar 12.30.25

Pages 233

Mary Poppins in the Park by P.L. Travers 12.31.25

Pages 282

Task points 2
Task pages 515

Total points 10
Total pages 2629

Woo Hoo! I made it. Lots of small books and up to the 11th hour but I made it. 😀

2.3 B (Amber's Task) Milestone Birthday
Read 2 Books

I turned 50 on December 1. I tell you I don't feel any different than I did a year ago or two years ago. LOL I am very thankful to still be on this Earth after 50 years. Most December Birthday Babies wish their birthdays were a different month because of all the Christmas Celebrations the Birthday may be an afterthought. I love that my Birthday kicks off the Christmas season. It makes for a whole month of fun and excitement.

1. Read a book published in December or with a page total that includes a 5 or 0.
The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead 12.30.25

Pages 215

2. Read a book where someone celebrates Christmas in the story.
Mall Santa Murder by Willow Monroe 12.27.25

Pages 106

Task points 2
Task pages 321

Total points 12
Total pages 2950

3.2 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Goal Finale
Still pushing to make my GR Reading Goal for this year. I have 20 books to read in December. 😯

Read 3 books that are between 100 pages (Group Rules Minimum) and 200 pages to make that Reading Goal faster.
Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas by Lynn Cahoon 12.10.25

Pages 102

Murder on Wheels by Lynn Cahoon 12.12.25

Pages 196

Austenland by Shannon Hale 12.15.25

Pages 197

Task points 3
Task pages 495

Total points 15
Total pages 3445

1.6 New Year's Eve (12/31)
2026 is almost here! Read a book with the page count that has 2 out of the 4 numbers in 2026; such as 122, 426, 320, etc....

Broken Fields by Marcie R. Rendon 12.08.25

Task points 1
Task pages 272

Total points 16
Total pages 3717

3.2 Goodreads Goal Finale
100 - 200 pp

🎄 1. Love Came Down at Christmas: Daily Readings for Advent by Sinclair B. Ferguson (12/23/25) 160 pp ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎄 2. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven (12/29/25) 144 pp ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎄 3. Old Yeller byFred Gipson (12/31/25) 181 pp ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Points Earned: 3
Pages Read: 485

Total Points: 10
Total Pages: 1829

3.2 (Amber's Task) Goodreads Goal Finale
Read 3 books that are between 100 pages

1. A Sleuth and her Dachshund in Athens (Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries, #8) – Steve Higgs (3 stars) 12/28/25 2019 [162]
2. The Maltese Parrot (Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries, #9) – Steve Higgs (3 stars) 12/30/25 [168]
3. No Place Like Home (Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries, #10) – Steve Higgs (3 stars) 12/31/25 [199]

Points This Task - 3
Pages This Task - 529

Total Points - 9
Total Pages - 2394

Finished
Points and Pages already added

1.9 (Marilyn's Task) Book Clubs
I know that Marilyn belongs to at less 4 or 5 (face to face) book clubs.
Read a book that has a page count with a 4 or 5.

A Witch's Guide to Burning by Aminder Dhaliwah - 400 p. - 12/13 - 2.5/5

Task Point: 1
Task pages: 400

__________________

5 Merry & Bright
I chose to spell ANGEL

A: Amang Raised by Wolves - 152 p. - 2/5 - 12/09

N: Nagabe Siúil, a Rún: The Girl From the Other Side, Vol. 1 - 177 p. - 12/29 - 4/5

G: Gemma Padley From Above: The Story of Aerial Photography - 256 p. 4/5 - 12/19

E: Erni Vales 3D Street Art: Off the Walls - 128 p. - 12/31 - 4/5

L: Larrea, Maria Les gens de Bilbao naissent où ils veulent - 3/5 - 12/01 - 224 p.

Task points: 5
Task pages: 937

TOTAL POINTS: 15
TOTAL PAGES: 3063