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Thanksgiving FoodsDuration November 1, 2025 - October 31, 2026
Level 1: 10 - 20 Tasks
Progress: 11/20
Each task can be done as often as needed. Please show the cover if doing that task.
TASKS
1. Turkey
Turkey is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, to the point that Thanksgiving is often called "Turkey Day"
🦃 Read a book with a character called Alexander, Hamilton, Benjamin or Franklin or with a character who is described as wild or with a turkey on the cover.
2. Stuffing
The word "stuffing" comes from the practice of filling a bird or other food with a mixture of ingredients before cooking it... [I]ts origins can be traced back to ancient Roman cookbook dating back to the 1st or 2nd century AD,
🦃 Read a book where a character eats stuffing or where a character reads or cooks from a cookbook or where the authors initials can be found in DRESSING.
Yours for the Season by Uzma Jalaluddin 12/22/25
3. Gravy
Rich, velvety and full of flavor, it's the absolute best way to enhance turkey, mashed potatoes and more. ...
🦃Read a book with a character who is rich or where a family sits down to a feast (Your interpretation) or where the authors initials can be found in HOMEMADE.
Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin 11/04/25
4. Cranberry Sauce
The tart fruit became popularly used to create cranberry sauce for turkey and other types of meat in the late 17th century.
🦃 Read a book with a red cover or where a character opens a can of something or that is 17th or 19th in a series.
5. Mashed Potatoes
This holiday staple may have roots in 17th century English cooking. A perfect complement to any main course and a creamy indulgence.
🦃Read a book set in England or that genre is tagged as holiday<\ or where the first letter of each title word can be found in SIDE DISHES. (Three word minimum).
6. Macaroni & Cheese
Records show this popular Thanksgiving side dish can be traced back to James Hemmings, an enslaved African and Jefferson's son , who prepared mac and cheese for his father, Thomas Jefferson, after Jefferson encountered it in Paris in the 1780 and fell in love with it.
🦃 Read a book set in Paris or where a character eats mac and cheese or with a character called James or Thomas.
Paris - A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder by Dianne Freeman
7. Green Bean Casserole
Green Bean Casserole is a recipe created in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly at the Campbell Soup Company. 40% of the company's cream of mushroom soup sales go into a version of this dish.
🦃 Read a book with a green cover or where the page count has a 2 and 0 or where a character or authors last name is Campbell.
Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen 11/28/25
8. Sweet Potato Casserole
A Thanksgiving favorite, sweet potato casserole is made by baking sweet potatoes with marshmallows and brown sugar. The recipe for this dish became popular during the Prohibition Era, when Angelus Marshmallows created a cookbook that included it in 1917.
🦃 Read a book where a character eats marshmallows or a book that you think is sweet or that is set during Prohibition Era (1920 to 1933).
9. Brussels sprouts
This is a side dish that can be done many ways. plain, roasted or add something tasty to them like bacon, chestnuts or cranberries. Try adding balsamic, maple, garlic or parmesan for a tasty dish.
🦃 Read a book where a character roasts something or where a character eats bacon (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or where the first letter of each title word can be found in BRUSSLES SPROUTS. (Three word minimum).
"I ordered the bacon-and-egg pasty, which I devoured on my way to... pg 124
All's Faire in Love and Murder by Cindy Sample 2/15/26
10. Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is corn kernels lightly cooked in butter, stirred with cream and then heated gently. Some recipes call for cayenne pepper to spice it up a little.
🦃 Read a book where a character cooks in butter or a book you think is spicy or where the authors initials can be found in CREAMED.
The Naughty or Nice Deal by Callie Rose 12/26/25
11. Cornbread
Cornbread is a European take on a traditional Native American food. Corn was new and unusual to the early European immigrants, who were used to wheat. This cultural difference made it difficult for the colonists to follow recipes that used corn meal to make cake and bread. Cornmeal is cooked differently than wheat, which led to what we know today as cornbread.
🦃 Read a book with a Native American character or set in Europe or where the authors initials can be found in CORNBREAD.
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
12 Rolls/ biscuits
Hot crispy rolls or butter slathered biscuits are a must for Thanksgiving.
🦃 Read a book where the first letter of the location can be found in ROLLS.
Santa Barbara: The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols 2/4/26
13 Butternut squash
A delicious side for Thanksgiving that can be prepared in many different ways. It can be roasted with something like maple or brown sugar, done as a soup for a starter, or simply mashed.
🦃 Read a book where a character eats soup (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or puts sugar in something or where the first letter of each title word can be found in BUTTERNUT( 3 word minimum).
14 Carrots
Simple but tasty as a side for Thanksgiving. You can jazz them up by glazing them with a brown sugar butter or a honey garlic butter. Also good roasted with honey maple.
🦃 Read a book with an orange cover or where a character listens to jazz music or where a character gets called honey.( Tell us whom).
15. Candied Yams
Candied yams are a classic Southern dish and quintessential Thanksgiving side. Candied yams are made by par-cooking sweet potatoes in boiling water, placing them in a baking dish, and topping with a mixture of butter, sugar, and spice. Then baked until tender and the sweet sauce mixture has thickened and is rich in color. A lot of recipes add marshmallows.
🦃 Read a book set in the South USA. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souther... or read a book by a favorite author or where the authors initials can be found in CANDIED YAMS.
D, C: Deborah Crombie, Mourn Not Your Dead
16. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is made with pecans mixed with a filling of eggs, butter and sugar. Variations may include white or brown sugar, cane syrup, sugar syrup, molasses, maple syrup, or honey. It is commonly served at Thanksgiving and is considered a specialty of Southern U.S.
🦃 Read a book with a pie on the cover or where a character puts syrup on something (Tell us what) or where the authors initials can be found in PECAN.
17. Pumpkin Pie
The pumpkin is a symbol of harvest time, and pumpkin pie is generally eaten during the fall and early winter. Pumpkin pie is ...spiced with a blend that includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves or allspice.
🦃 Read a book set in fall or where cinnamon is added to a dish (tell us what) or where the authors initials can be found in SYMBOL.
November: Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie
18. Cranberry Pie
Yes pumpkin pie is traditional but for us who love cranberries this is the pie for us. Different types of crust can be used: a traditional pie crust, a gingersnap crust or a graham cracker crust. The filling can be cranberries plain or mixed with apples or nuts. Some have cream and gelatin others just lemon juice.
🦃 Read a book where a character eats pie (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or where a character follows tradition or where the first letter of each title word can be found in CRANBERRY PIE (Three word minimum).
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny 12/28/25
19. Apple Pie
Noted first in the 14th century, apple pie recipes are a standard part of cuisines in many countries. Apple pies are an unofficial symbol of the United States and one of its signature comfort foods. Apple pie is often served with whipped cream, ice cream, custard or cheddar cheese. It is generally double-crusted, and the upper crust may be solid or latticed.
🦃 Read a book set in the USA or that is 14th in a series or where a character serves comfort food.
Birthdays Are Murder by Cindy Sample
20, Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie first appeared in the southern United States from the early colonial days. Recipes for sweet potato pie first appeared in printed cookbooks in the 18th century, where it was included with savory vegetable dishes. By the 19th century, sweet potato pie was more commonly classified as a dessert.
🦃 Read a book set during colonial times (the early 1600s to 1783) or with vegetables on the cover or where the authors initials can be found in SWEET POTATO.
TLC Waffles ChallengeInternational Waffle Day is celebrated every year on March 25th ... different kind of waffles from around the world.
Waffles
Duration: March 1, 2026 - August 31, 2026
Level 1: 1-10 tasks
Level 2: 11-20 tasks
Progress: 2/10
TASKS
1. American
American waffles are characterized by a denser, cake-like texture. Traditionally leavened with baking powder or baking soda rather than yeast, they can be prepared quickly without the need for the batter to sit overnight. Maple syrup is the most popular topping in the U.S but other toppings are fruit, cream, icecream, chocolate chips or butter.
🧇 Read a book set in America or where the word syrup can be found in text (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or a character who is traditional (Your opinion).
2. Chicken & Waffles
This unique combination comes from American soul food. The waffle is served with normal toppings like butter or maple syrup but it also comes with fried chicken. The earliest known American version of the dish traces back to the 1600s in Pennsylvania Dutch country.
🧇 Read a book where a character eats fried chicken or read a book set in Pennsylvania or where the authors initials can be found in SOUL FOOD.
3. Belgian Waffles
Belgian waffles present a tasty combination of light batter and large squares. They are typically topped with confectioner's sugar, chocolate spread and whipped cream.
🧇 Read a book that is large over 300 pages or where a character adds sugar to something or set in Belgium.
899 pp - Bleak House by Charles Dickens
4. Brussels
Common at carnivals they are rectangle, light and airy with a firm crisp crust. The batter contains little to no sugar, resulting in a neutral or slightly tangy profile that is traditionally finished with a dusting of icing sugar or chocolate.
🧇 Read a book where the word chocolate can be found in the text (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or a book that is light reading (Your opinion) or where the first letter of the location can be found in BRUSSELS.
5. Galettes
Galettes Campinoises (Kempense galetten) are characterized by a hard, crunchy, and brittle texture. They are made with a stiff dough containing high amounts of butter and brown sugar, becoming crumbly and "melting" in the mouth upon eating.
🧇 Read a book where a character drinks tea or where a character raises money at a fundraiser or where the authors initials can be found in GALETTES.
Moving is Murder by Sara Rosett 3/01/26 - garage sale fundraiser
6. Bubble
Bubble waffles, also known as gai daan jai or eggettes, are a legendary Hong Kong street food characterized by their unique honeycomb shape and "egg-like" bubbles. Unlike traditional Belgian waffles, they are sweeter, eggier, and designed to be crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy interior.
🧇 Read a book set in Hong Kong or where a character eats eggs or where the authors initials can be found in HONEYCOMB.
The Falcon Always Wings Twice by Donna Andrews 3/06/26 "...piling his plate with bacon and eggs" pp. 18
7. Croffle
The croffle's origin is a mix of Irish innovation and South Korean obsession. A croffle is a viral food hybrid that combines a croissant and a waffle. It is made by pressing raw croissant dough—either homemade or store-bought into a waffle iron until it becomes golden and crispy.
🧇 Read a book set in South Korea or where a character irons something or where the first letter of the location of the book can be found in CROFFLE.
8. Dunkirk
A Dunkirk waffle (or Gaufre Dunkerquoise) is not a soft breakfast waffle but rather a thin, dry, and crispy waffle cookie original to Dunkirk, France. They are hard, crunchy, and crumbly often compared to a crisp shortbread or a thin stroopwafel without the filling.
🧇 Read a book set in France or where a character eats a cookie or where the first letter of each title word can be found in DUNKIRK WAFFLE. (Three word minimum).
9. Flemish
The Flemish Waffle (known as Gaufre à la flamande in French or Vlaamse wafel in Dutch) is a traditional treat primarily associated with the Flanders region of Belgium and northern France. These waffles are typically made from a yeasted batter and are known for their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Historically, they were often flavored with orange blossom water or rum. Flemish waffles are often eaten plain and can be enjoyed cold.
🧇 Read a book set in the Netherlands or where a character drinks rum (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) of where the authors initials can be found in FLEMISH.
10. Hot Dog Waffles
"Hot dog waffles" are a creative twist on classic corn dogs where the hot dog and a corn or pancake batter are cooked together in a waffle iron instead of being deep-fried. This makes for a fun, less greasy snack or meal that can be easily made at home.
🧇 Read a book where a character eat a hot dog or tagged classic or where the first letter of each title word can be found in GREASY SNACK (Three word minimum).
11. Kanom Rung
Kanom Rung is a traditional Thai coconut waffle. Its name literally translates to "Bee Hive Snack" due to the honeycomb pattern created by the waffle iron. Kanom Rung are soft, chewy, and rich in coconut flavor. They are naturally sweet and usually eaten plain as a street snack rather than a breakfast meal with syrup.
🧇 Read a book set in Thailand or with a street on the cover or where a character eats a coconut.
12. Kempen
Kempen Waffles refers to a specific regional style of Belgian waffle known for being buttery, crunchy, and crumbly with numerous small pockets. Unlike the soft Brussels waffle or the chewy Liege waffle, the Kempen variety is typically enjoyed as a crunchy snack.
🧇Read a book where a character enjoys a crunchy snack or where the word pocket can be found in the text (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or where the authors initials can be found in KEMPEN.
13. Kue Grapit
Kue gapit is a traditional Indonesian dry snack originating from Cirebon, West Java. It is a thin, crunchy wafer-like cookie that shares several characteristics with the Kempen waffle particularly its thinness and the way it is grilled between two iron plates. While the traditional version is slightly sweet or savory (often flavored with onion or shrimp), modern versions include cheese, chocolate, sesame, and ginger.
🧇 Read a book set in Indonesia or where a character cooks with ginger or onion or where a character grills.
14. LacquemantA lacquemant is a culinary specialty from the region of Liège, although it was created by Désiré Smidts at the Antwerp Fair, called Sinksenfoor (“Sinksen” is Pentecost in the Antwerpian dialect) where it is still eaten a lot. It is commonly eaten during the October fair in Liège. It is a thin wafer, made from wheat, cut in two horizontally, filled and coated with sugar candy syrup flavoured with orange blossom.
🧇Read a book with an orange cover or published in October of any year or where the authors initials can be found in LACQUEMANT.
Murder Two Doors Down by Chuck Storla - pub Oct '25
15. Liege
Liège waffles are a variety of waffle developed in the Wallonia region of Belgium. The waffle is smaller, the dough is a dense and heavy brioche, it contains pearl sugar, and unlike the Brussels waffle, which is traditionally served with toppings, the Liège waffle is traditionally eaten plain. The pearl sugar caramelizes during the grilling process, which gives the Liège waffle a crunchier, chewier, stickier bite.
🧇 Read a smaller book under 150 pages or with a character who puts sugar in something or where the first letter of the location can be found in LEIGE.
16. Num Poun
"Nam poun" (often spelled Nom Poum) refers to traditional Cambodian coconut waffles, which are a popular street food snack in Cambodia. These waffles are known for being rich, coconutty, and having a denser, chewier texture compared to Western-style waffles.
🧇 Read a book set in Cambodia or tagged as the genre Western or where the authors initials can be found in NUM POUN.
17. Pandan
Pandan waffles (Bánh Kẹp Lá Dứa) are a popular Vietnamese street food known for their vibrant green color, sweet coconu ot aroma, and unique chewy-yet-crispy texture. They are crispy on the outside, while the inside is soft and chewy (often compared to mochi.
🧇 Read a book set in Vietnam or with a green cover or where they first letter of the location can be found in MOCHI.
18. Pizzelle
Pizzelle are traditional Italian waffle cookies that are paper-thin, crisp, and characterized by their intricate, snowflake-like embossed patterns. Often referred to as "the world's oldest cookie," they originated in the Abruzzo region of south-central Italy and remain a staple at weddings, Christmas, and Easter celebrations. The most traditional flavor is anise (licorice-like), though vanilla, lemon, and almond are also highly popular.
🧇Read a book set in Italy or a book where a wedding takes place or tagged Holidays.
19. Potatoe Waffles
Potato waffles are a savory, waffle-shaped dish made primarily from potatoes. The potatos can be mashed, shedded or grated. Popular as a versatile side dish or snack in the UK and Ireland, they offer a crispy, golden exterior with a soft, fluffy center.
🧇 Read a book set in Ireland or where a character eats potatoes (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or where the authors can be found in SIDE DISH.
Quentins by Maeve Binchy
20. Rosettes
Rosette waffles, also known simply as Rosettes, are delicate, paper-thin Scandinavian cookies made by dipping a decorative iron into a thin batter and deep-frying it until crisp. Unlike standard thick waffles, these are airy, lace-like treats traditionally served during the holidays with a dusting of powdered sugar.
🧇 Read a book in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden or Denmark) or a genre tagged holiday or where the first letter of each title word can be found in POWDERED SUGAR.
21. Sandwafflen
"Sandwaffeln" (literally "sand waffles") are a traditional German waffle variety known for their delicate, slightly crumbly, and "short" texture—reminiscent of shortbread or sand cake. They are typically baked in heart-shaped waffle irons. : They are most commonly enjoyed with a light dusting of powdered sugar during Kaffeetrinken (afternoon coffee and cake).
🧇 Read a book with a heart on the cover or a short book (under 200 pages) or where a character irons something.
22 Scandavian
Scandinavian waffles (often called vafler or våfflor) are traditional heart-shaped treats characterized by a soft, thin texture and a signature hint of cardamom. They are baked in a special iron that produces a round waffle made of five joined hearts. Almost all traditional recipes feature ground cardamom, which provides a warm, floral aroma.
🧇 Read a book with flowers on the cover or that is fifth in a series or where the authors initials can be found in CARDAMOM.
23. Stroopwafels
Stroopwafels are a traditional Dutch treat consisting of two thin, crisp waffle layers joined by a sweet, sticky caramel-like syrup (stroop). Originating in the city of Gouda in the late 18th century, they were initially created by bakers using leftover crumbs and spices. They offer a unique combination of a crispy exterior and a chewy, gooey interior. The waffles are enriched with butter, eggs, and cinnamon, while the traditional filling is made from sugar syrup (often molasses or treacle), butter, and brown sugar.
🧇 Read a book with the word caramel in the text (Give a partial sentence and page/loc #) or a book set in a city or where the first letter of the location can be found in GOUDA.
Bad News Travels Fast by Gar Anthony Haywood - Washington, D.C.
24. Taiyaki
Taiyaki (literally "baked sea bream") is a Japanese fish-shaped cake or waffle, traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste (anko). Originating in Tokyo in the early 1900s, it was created as a more affordable way for common people to enjoy the "lucky" sea bream fish, which was once an expensive luxury. Made from a pancake or waffle-like batter poured into fish-shaped molds.
🧇 Read a book where a character eats fish or set in Japan or where the authors initials can be found in RED BEAN PASTE.
25. Pao de Queyo
Pão de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) is a gluten-free snack made with tapioca flour (cassava starch), eggs, milk, and cheese. While traditionally baked into small, puffy balls, it has become a popular "waffle" variation known as Waffle de Pão de.
🧇 Read a book set in Brazil or where a character eats cheese or where the author initials can be found in PAO DE QUEYO.
🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇
2026 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat (other topics)Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (other topics)
The Falcon Always Wings Twice (other topics)
Murder Two Doors Down (other topics)
Bad News Travels Fast (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
John Ortberg (other topics)Sandra Jackson-Opoku (other topics)
Donna Andrews (other topics)
Chuck Storla (other topics)
Gar Anthony Haywood (other topics)
More...
Duration: December 21, 2025 - March 20, 2026
Level: Super Seasonal: 5-15 points
Points: 21
TASKS:
1. Winter Fun
❄️ Read a book with the word WINTER in the title.
-->BONUS: Winter on the cover (show cover)
2. Enjoy the snow falling.
❄️ Read a book where you find the letters SNOW in any order in the author's name.
3. Build a snowman.
❄️ Read a book where characters build a snowman.
-->BONUS: Snowman on the cover (show cover).
4. Sit by the fireplace.
❄️ Read a book with a fireplace on the cover (show cover).
5. Hit the slopes. = 2
❄️ Read a book where a character goes skiing or enjoys another outdoor winter sport.
Sledding - Yours for the Season by Uzma Jalaluddin 12/22/25 (& movies & wrapping)
Curling - A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny 12/28/25
6. Decorate Your Home
❄️ Read a book where a home is decorated for the holidays.
7. Christmas
❄️ Read a book with the word CHRISTMAS in the title.
-->BONUS: A Christmas tree or wreath on the cover.
8. Have a wrapping party.
❄️ Read a book where characters wrap gifts.
-->BONUS: With a gift box on the cover.
9. New Year's Day = 4 x 3 = 12
❄️ Read a book that is first in a series. Tell us the series name.
-->BONUS: Also by an author you have not read before.
Marigold Cottage Murder #1: The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols 2/4/26
Spindrift Cove #1: Birthdays Are Murder by Cindy Sample 2/13/26
Joe & Lottie Loudermilk #1: Going Nowhere Fast by Gar Anthony Haywood 2/15/26
Mom Zone #1: Moving is Murder by Sara Rosett 3/01/26
Savvy Summers #1: Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku
10. Go to a hockey game.
❄️ Read a book where a character goes to a hockey game.
-->BONUS: The title begins with a letter in HOCKEY.
11. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
❄️ Read a book by a black author or from the Christian genre.
Gar Anthony Haywood, Bad News Travels Fast
If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg
12. Make snow ice cream. = 1
❄️ Read a book where a character eats ice cream.
Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron 1/31/26
13. Chinese New Year = 2
❄️ Read a book set in China OR by a Chinese author OR with a horse on the cover (show cover) or in the story. - Set at Renaissance Faire with knights jousting on horseback.
All's Faire in Love and Murder by Cindy Sample 2/15/26
The Falcon Always Wings Twice by Donna Andrews 3/6/26
14. Groundhog's Day
❄️ Read a book set in Pennsylvania.
15. Host an Oscar viewing party.
❄️ Read a book where a character watches movies.
-->BONUS: The title begins with a letter in OSCAR (all words count).
16. Valentine's Day
❄️ Read a Romance.
17. WINTER = 1
❄️ Read a book with a genre or tag that begins with a letter in WINTER.
Romance: The Naughty or Nice Deal by Callie Rose 12/26/25
18. WINTER
❄️ Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WINTER.
T: The Third Door: The Wild Quest to Uncover How the World's Most Successful People Launched Their Careers by Alex Banayan
T: Trust: Mastering the 4 Essential Trusts: by Iyanla Vanzant
19. Winter Books = 3
❄️ Read a book published between December 21st and March 20th of any year. Tell us the publication date.
-->BONUS: Published between 12/21/25 and 3/20/26.
Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie 1/18/26 pub 1 Jan 95
Mourn Not Your Dead by Deborah Crombie 1/20/26 - pub 1 Jan 96
Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie 2/1/26 - pub 1 Jan 97
20. Read Across America Day =
❄️ Read a book you borrowed from the library.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️