Hooked on Books discussion

Ridiculously Random Reading Challenge
Individual, Open-Ended
(New) Duration: March 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027
New Sign-ups: Open Through April 30, 2026


You know how most reading challenges you join have some type of theme or main idea, kind of like the books themselves? Well, this one...not so much! We'll look at Crown Jewels, Greasy Pole Climbing, Model Ts, Zorbing, and anything and everything in between. So buckle up for the ride and enjoy!

This challenge originally started in March 2025 but is being re-opened for NEW sign-ups.


Each time you satisfy a task, make a post here IN YOUR OWN THREAD. Please use the following example for your Completion Post.


Prompt # / Name: {For example: #1: Octothorpe}
Book:
Author:
Date Read:
Pages:
Task:
How it Fits:


If you have any questions about this challenge, please post them in the Ridiculously Random Q&A Thread.


Challenge Rules:
📘 Standard Rules Apply
📘 I will create an individual thread for you after you sign-up.
📘 Your first prompt will be posted after you respond to the question in your thread's second message.
📘 Books must be completed after the task has been posted. For example, if your task is posted on April 15, you can't use a book you completed on April 14.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


If a set of tasks is too difficult or just out of your comfort zone, you have 4 SKIPS to use in this challenge. In order to use a SKIP, read any book that meets the Standard Book Qualifications for Hooked on Books. The link is in the Challenge Rules above. Simply list SKIP on the Task line.

Just to shake things up a bit more and keep them really random, I'm throwing caution to the wind for this challenge. Your prompts will be given to you in random order, with everyone following a different path. I'll be tracking your prompts on a separate spreadsheet to make sure we don't miss one.


If you would like to pick your starting place, tell me your favorite number between 1 and 72 before, or tell me to choose for you!

3

Ridiculously Random Prompt #3: Axe Throwing





Popular at lumberjack competitions, Axe Throwing is a sport in which players throw an axe at a target, attempting to reach the bulls-eye.


On the target, the outside ring is worth 1 point, the second ring is worth 2 points, and so on with the bulls-eye worth 5 points. In a game, each player is allowed 5 throws with a maximum of 25 points possible.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🪓 1. Read a book with all the letters of AXE in the title.
🪓 2. Read a book with a 25 intact in the page count or publication date.
🪓 3. Read a book a round object, like a target, on the cover.
🪓 4. Read a book where the MC's first initial is found in LUMBERJACK.

Prompt # / Name: 3: Axe Throwing
Book:
Author: Tom Larcombe
Date Read: 3/3
Pages: 627
Task: 🪓 4. Read a book where the MC's first initial is found in LUMBERJACK.
How it Fits: MC Max

Ridiculously Random Prompt #35: Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds...Oh My!





Pumpkins, squash, and gourds are all technically the same species.


That's right, your zucchini and Jack o' lanterns are one and the same: Cucurbita pepo, a species that originated in Mexico more than 10,000 years ago. Farmers have since developed the many cultivars we know and use today.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

👩🏽‍🌾 1. Read a book with some type of vegetable on the cover.
👩🏽‍🌾 2. Read a book with at least 10,000 ratings.
👩🏽‍🌾 3. Read a book set in Mexico.
👩🏽‍🌾 4. Read a book where the author's first AND last initials are found in CUCURBITA PEPO.

Prompt # / Name: #35: Pumpkins, Squash, and Gourds...Oh My!
Book:
Author: Ilona Andrews
Date Read: 3/25
Pages: 225
Task: 👩🏽‍🌾 4. Read a book where the author's first AND last initials are found in CUCURBITA PEPO.
How it Fits: initials I. A.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #59: A Fruit?





Chocolate is (kinda) a fruit.


In more great chocolate news, the cocoa powder that goes into our fave best dark chocolate bars comes from the "beans" — or fruit of the cacao tree.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

❓1. Read a book with a brown cover. {Your discretion.}
❓2. Read a book with all the letters of CACAO found in the title.
❓3. Read a book with the word BEANS found in the text.
❓4. Read a book where a character gets great news.

Prompt # / Name: Ridiculously Random Prompt #59: A Fruit?
Book:
Author: Oleg Sapphire
Date Read: 4/8
Pages: 401
Task: ❓4. Read a book where a character gets great news.
How it Fits: MC able to get copies of missing paperwork to claim land

Ridiculously Random Prompt #4: Girl Crush





The most streamed Spotify single is Harry Styles' "Girl Crush."


The solo star's Spotify single has the most streams at 154 million. Such a win for the One Direction alum.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🎤 1. Read a book where the author or MC is named Harry.
🎤 2. Read a book where a character has a crush on someone.
🎤 3. Read a book where the title starts with a letter in SPOTIFY.
🎤 4. Read a book where at least 2 of these digits are found in the total number of ratings: 1, 5, 4.

Prompt # / Name: Ridiculously Random Prompt #4: Girl Crush
Book:
Author: Seth Ring
Date Read: 4/11
Pages: 406
Task: 2. Read a book where a character has a crush on someone.
How it Fits: Jora has a crush on Thomas.

Ridiculously Random Prompt #63: Wife Carrying





Originally invented in Finland, Wife Carrying is a sport that involves a male competitor racing through 2 dry obstacles and 1 water obstacle approximately 1 meter deep all while carrying a female teammate.


The female must weigh at least 108 lb (49 kg) or additional weight will be added to her. Teams who complete the course in the shortest time win with additional prizes for best costume, etc.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

💍 1. Read a book with a married MC.
💍 2. Read a book set at least partially in Finland.
💍 3. Read a book where a character feels weighted down in some way.
💍 4. Read a book where a character carries something or someone.

Prompt # / Name: Ridiculously Random Prompt #63: Wife Carrying
Book:
Author: Dmitry Dornichev
Date Read: 4/18
Pages: 531
Task: 💍 3. Read a book where a character feels weighted down in some way.
How it Fits: MC feels weighed down by responsibilities as shelter leader

Ridiculously Random Prompt #67: Baby Elephants





Baby elephants suck their trunks for comfort.


They're just like human newborns making funny faces, except a tad bigger.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🐘 1. Read a book you found comforting.
🐘 2. Read a book with an animal on the cover.
🐘 3. Read a book tagged FUNNY any number of times.
🐘 4. Read a book where the title starts with a letter in NEWBORNS.

Prompt # / Name: Ridiculously Random Prompt #67: Baby Elephants
Book:
Author: Dmitry Dornichev
Date Read: 4/23
Pages: 236
Task: 🐘 2. Read a book with an animal on the cover.
How it Fits: cat on cover

Ridiculously Random Prompt #56: Largest Sand Castle





The largest sand castle in the world measured 54 feet high.


It took 168 trucks over a week to deliver enough sand for this carefully sculpted masterpiece.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🏝 1. Read a book with sand visible on the cover.
🏝 2. Read a book with a 5 OR a 4 in the page count.
🏝 3. Read a book with a 1, 6, AND 8 in the publication date.
🏝 4. Read a book that took place over more than a week's time.

Prompt # / Name: Ridiculously Random Prompt #56: Largest Sand Castle
Book:
Author: Sam Winton
Date Read: 4/27
Pages: 550
Task: 🏝 2. Read a book with a 5 OR a 4 in the page count.
How it Fits: 5 in pages count

Ridiculously Random Prompt #42: Running of the Bulls





The Running of the Bulls takes place in the summer in Pamplona, Spain.


The event involves patrons running in front of 6 bulls that have been let loose in the town’s streets. Every year between 50-100 injuries are reported with 15 deaths reported since 1910.


Complete ONE of the following tasks:

🐂 1. Read a book with an animal on the cover.
🐂 2. Read a book where multiple characters die.
🐂 3. Read a book with between 50,000 and 100,000 Goodreads ratings.
🐂 4. Read a book set mostly in the summer.