The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

It's that time again! Let's brainstorm some fun ideas for the Fall 2026 Challenge.

The bonus theme is Biomes- Forest

As in past challenges some tasks may revolve around the seasonal theme of Fall. Others may reflect the bonus theme. Other tasks may have nothing to do with either of those themes, they’re just fun or unique ideas to stimulate your reading.

Feel free to post as many ideas as you can come up with. Don’t worry about repeating what someone else has might have already suggested. The more ideas, the better!

The moderators will draw from these ideas as well as their own to create the 5, 10 and 15 point tasks. This thread will be open for ideas until August 14th . Fall tasks will begin to be posted the week of August 17th. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

There are eight varieties of Redwood trees. Read a book with a title word that matches a word in one of their names.
Coast Redwood
Soquel Coast Redwood
Aptos Blue Coast Redwood
Giant Sequoia
Barabits Requiem Sequoia
Dawn Redwood
Amber Glow Redwood
Gold Rush Dawn Redwood

The largest forest in the world is:
Taiga (Boreal Forest): Spanning roughly 17 million square kilometers across Russia, Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia, it is the largest single forest biome and land ecosystem on Earth.

Read a book with trees on the cover that is set in Russia, Canada, Alaska, or Scandinavia (for this task: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark)

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Read a book with an object made from wood on the cover

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Read a book with a forest setting mentioned in the GR book description.

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Amazon Rainforest: Covering about 5.5 to 6.7 million square kilometers across nine South American nations (primarily Brazil), it is the world's largest tropical rainforest.

Read a book with 55 or 67 INTACT in the page count

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Read a book with falling leaves, a pile of leaves, or fall colored leaves (yellow, orange, red, brown) on the cover.

example:

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RAB with a lumberjack MC

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Read a camping horror novel

Book with MPG: Mystery Thriller

Book with a cover featuring a forest dwelling animal

Book with a setting based around a holiday set in fall

Book set in a school setting for Back-to-School

November is Native American Heritage Month read a book by an Indigenous author

Canadian and United States Thanksgiving are in Oct and Nov: Read a book featuring a common Thanksgiving food on the cover

In the Pacific Northwest Fall is known for rain: Read a book with a cover featuring rain

Smokey Bear is the longest running public service announcement campaign in US history. To celebrate Smokey read a book with a bear on the cover or the word “bear” in the title.

Many forests are burning this (and for many recent) years. Read a book where fire or firemen have a main relevance to the story.

I have been waiting on this because Fall is my favorite season! Over the past few weeks I've come up with a ton of ideas just because it's my absolute favorite season! So I will post in batches so it isn't overwhelming!

Silly Celebrations & Worldwide Days
Celebrations during the fall include International Chocolate Day (Sept 13), National Dessert Day (Oct 14), and World Prematurity Day (Nov 17).

Task: Read a book with a title word (excluding subtitles) of at least 4 letters that can be spelled using the letters in CHOCOLATE, DESSERT, or PREMATURITY. (Letters may be used as many times as they appear).
Required: State the word and the holiday phrase used.
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Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day—an annual excuse to break out your best "Ahoy, matey!" and "Shiver me timbers!"

Task: Read a book with the MPG Pirates, Historical Fiction, Nautical, Sea Stories, or Swashbuckling. (MPGs may be standalone or embedded).
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Mid-Autumn / Moon Festival
Celebrated on September 25, 2026, when the harvest moon is at its brightest across East Asia. Families gather to watch the moon, light paper lanterns, and share sweet mooncakes. This is a one book task.

Option 1: Read a book with the word MOON, LIGHT, or LANTERN intact in the title (subtitles excluded). Plurals and possessives are accepted.

OR

Option 2: Read a book set in an Asian country where the Moon Festival is traditionally celebrated (e.g., China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia).
Required: If the setting is not able to be discerned on the Goodreads main page, please provide a reference.

OR

Option 3: Read a book with a full moon, a paper lantern, or a pastry/cake clearly visible on the cover.
Required: Post the cover and state which item is visible.
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Oktoberfest
Running from September 19 to October 4, 2026, Oktoberfest is the world's largest folk and harvest beer festival, held annually in Munich, Germany, and celebrated globally.

This is a two book challenge.

Book 1: Read a book set in Germany.
Required: If the setting is not obvious from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference.

AND

Book 2:
Option 1: Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in OKTOBERFEST.
OR
Option 2: Read a book with some sort of beer on the cover (mug, bottle, can, keg).
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Ofrendas and Marigolds (Día de los Muertos)
For Día de los Muertos, families build altars (ofrendas) decorated with bright orange marigolds, sugar skulls, and candles.

Task: Read a book with a Skull, a Sugar Skull, a Candle, or Flowers clearly visible on the cover.
Required: Post the cover and state which item is visible.
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Loy Krathong Lantern Festival (Thailand)
The Loy Krathong Lantern Festival takes place in November (Nov 25, 2026). People release decorated floating baskets (krathongs) onto rivers and sky lanterns into the night to let go of bad luck and pay respect to water spirits.

This is a one book task.
Option 1: Read a book set in Thailand.

OR

Option 2: Read a book with a body of water (river, lake, ocean) clearly visible on the cover.
Required: Post cover or provide setting reference.
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Diwali: Festival of Lights
Diwali marks the triumphant victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Millions around the world celebrate by lighting clay lamps (diyas), setting off fireworks, creating beautiful floor patterns (rangoli), and sharing sweets with loved ones. Brighten up your bookshelf!

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option.

Option 1 (Two-Book Option - Setting & Spark):
Book 1: Read a book set at least 50% in India.
Book 2: Read a book with a candle, lamp, or fireworks on the cover. (Post cover).

Option 2 (Two-Book Option - Bright Titles & Authors):
Book 1: Read a book with the word LIGHT, BRIGHT, or GOLD intact in the title/subtitle.
Book 2: Read a book written by an author of Indian descent or identifying as South Asian.

Option 3 (One-Book Option):
Read a single book set in India that also features a candle, lamp, or fireworks on the cover. (Post cover).
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Sukkot: The Jewish Harvest Shelter
Sukkot is a joyful autumn festival of thanksgiving that celebrates both the end of the agricultural harvest and the journey through the wilderness. Families build temporary, open-roofed wooden huts called sukkahs, decorating them with branches, fruit, and flowers to eat meals under the stars!

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option.

Option 1: Read a book with the MPG Judaism or Jewish.
Option 2: Read a book with a small structure, hut, cabin, or shelter in the woods on the cover. (Post cover).
Option 3: Read a book with a house, cabin, or shelter word in the title (e.g., Cabin, House, Hut, Shelter).
Option 4: Read a book where a single author's first and last initials can be found in HARVEST FESTIVAL.

Crisp Air & Turning Leaves
As autumn arrives, leaves turn to brilliant reds, golds, and oranges under crisp morning air. This is a one book challenge.

Option 1:
Task: Read a book whose title (subtitles excluded) includes one of these exact-match standalone words: Crisp, Chill, Air, Leaf, Leaves, Gold, Orange. Plurals and possessives are accepted.

OR

Option 2:
Task: Read a book that has a cover that is 75% red, gold, yellow, and orange on Tineye.
Required: Post the cover and the Tineye results.
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Getting Lost in the Maze
While garden hedge mazes entertained European royalty for centuries, the modern corn maze (or "maize maze") is a beloved autumn staple. The first official commercial corn maze—a 3-acre dinosaur named Cornelius the Cobasaurus—was created in Pennsylvania back in 1993. Today, over 500 family farms across the globe use high-tech GPS-guided tractors to carve sprawling, multi-acre labyrinths into towering cornstalks. Whether you're carefully tracking your steps or hopelessly lost at a dead end, getting turned around in the corn is the ultimate fall adventure!

Task: Read a book with a 3+ word title (subtitles excluded) where the first letter of each word can be found in the phrase CORN MAZE. (Letters may be used as many times as they appear, and do not have to be in order. Excludes a, an, and, the, of, for, or).

Examples: Cold Ocean Rising (C, O, R), Never Miss A Zebra (N, M, A, Z), Moon And Zenith (M, A, Z).A Court of Mist and Rage ( A, C, M, R)
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Into the Forest Biome
Did you know forests cover roughly one-third of the Earth's landmass? From ancient, mossy woods to sprawling evergreen wilderness, trees hold a special kind of magic. This task brings back a fan-favorite author-initial letter-matching twist that I loved so much from the Summer Challenge—because if a trick works, why not branch out with it again?

Task: Read a book by a single author whose first and last name initials can be found adjacent (in either direction) in the word FOREST: FO, OF, OR, RO, RE, ER, ES, SE, ST, TS.

Examples: Sarah Tippett (ST), Eric Roberts (ER), Rachel Oneill (RO).
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World National Forests & Reserves
From the massive Tongass National Forest in Alaska and the Black Forest in Germany to the protected reserves of the Amazon Basin and Tarkine in Tasmania, countries across the globe set aside vast public woodlands to protect biodiversity, historical watersheds, and wild ecosystems.

Task: Read a book with the MPG (Main Page Genre) Environment, Nature, or Gardening. (Genres may be standalone or embedded).
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Forest Layers
Forests are structured into distinct vertical layers: the Canopy, Understory, Forest Floor, and Emergent Layer.

Task: Read a book with a title word (excluding subtitles) of 4 or more letters that can be spelled using the letters from CANOPY, UNDERSTORY, or EMERGENT. (Letters may be used as many times as they appear).
Required: State the word and the forest layer used.
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Forest Animals
From white-tailed deer to wild boars, forest floors are teeming with life.

Task: Read a book with one of these native forest animals clearly visible on the cover: Deer, Bear, Owl, Fox, Squirrel, Rabbit, Wild Pig/Boar.

Required: Post the cover.
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Highly Forested States

Many US states boast at least 50% forest cover, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, and North Carolina.

You can find a list of forest cover by state here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_...
Task: Read a book set at least 50% in a US State that has at least 50% forest coverage.

Required: State which state you chose. If the setting is not evident from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference.
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Trees of the Forest
Forests feature evergreen conifers and hardwoods like Oak, Maple, Beech, and Hickory.

Task: Read a book with a standalone word in the title or subtitle that is an exact match to one of these forest tree types: Pine, Spruce, Fir, Oak, Maple, Beech, Hickory, or Cypress. Plurals/possessives allowed.
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Global Greenery: Dense Forest Nations
From the towering pines of the Canadian boreal to the dense canopy of the Amazon basin, half of the world's breath of fresh air comes from its most deeply wooded regions. Celebrate the world’s wildest, greenest corners where trees rule the landscape!

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option and provide setting/author references.
Note: Reference the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of... to verify the 50%+ threshold (e.g., Finland, Japan, Sweden, Brazil, Suriname, Gabon, Guyana, Laos).

Option 1 (Two-Book Option):
Book 1: Read a book set at least 50% in a country with at least 50% forest cover.
Book 2: Read a book written by an author born in, residing in, or identifying with one of those same 50%+ forested nations.

Option 2 (Two-Book Option - Canopy Spells):
Book 1: Read a book with a word of at least 4 letters in the title/subtitle that can be spelled from the phrase FOREST CANOPY.
Book 2: Read a book set at least 50% in a country with at least 50% forest cover.

Option 3 (One-Book Option):
Read a single book set in a 50%+ forested nation AND written by an author from one of those nations.
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Bonfire Sparks
Description: Long before modern heating, ancient autumn festivals like Samhain (the origins of Halloween) featured massive community blazes called bone fires—fires fed by animal bones to ward off dark winter spirits and give thanks for the harvest. Today, whether it's a backyard fire pit, a beach bonfire, or a cozy campsite flame, gathering with friends to roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and watch the dancing embers is one of autumn's most iconic traditions.

Task: Read a book whose title (subtitles excluded) includes one of these exact-match standalone words: Fire, Flame, Spark, Smoke, Ash, Ember. Plurals and possessives are accepted.
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*** Y'all please don't think I'm crazy! I have more ideas. Lol. In my defense, I've been working on these since the beginning of Summer SRC and have been keeping a running document of ideas and working on developing them as I had time. ****

The Great Fire of London (Sept 2, 1666)
On September 2, 1666, a small spark in a bakery on Pudding Lane grew into a four-day inferno that consumed 85% of London, destroying over 13,000 homes, 87 churches, and St. Paul's Cathedral. This is a 2 book task.

Book 1: Read a book set at least 50% in London, England.
Required: If the setting is not obvious from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference.

AND

Book 2: Read a book first published date that includes the numbers 1 and 6. (Can be Month: January, June, October, November, December; Day: 1, 6, 16; or year). The numbers can appear once in the entire date or multiple times.
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The Fall of the Berlin Wall (Nov 9, 1989)
On November 9, 1989, the world watched in awe as the Berlin Wall famously fell, tearing down a barrier that had physically and ideologically divided a city for 28 years. Just as that legendary collapse changed history overnight, literature is filled with dramatic "falls"—whether a character is falling in love, falling from grace, falling down the social or corporate ranks, or falling into an alternate dimension!
This is a one book challenge.

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option used.

Option 1 (Author Initials):
Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in the phrase BERLIN WALL. (Letters may be used as many times as they appear).

Examples: Beth Wrighter (BW), Alice Lawrence (AL), Liam Ross (LR), Robert Nelson (RN).

Option 2 (A Creative "Fall"):
Read a book where a core plot point involves a character "falling" in a narrative sense (e.g., falling in love, falling from power/rank, falling into poverty, falling through time or a portal).

Required: Briefly state how the concept of "falling" applies to your chosen book's plot.
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Friday the 13th: Autumn Edition
A common year that begins on a Thursday (like 2026) treats us to a rare calendar phenomenon: a Friday the 13th trilogy! The third and final Friday the 13th occurs on November 13th.

Task: Read a book first published on the 13th day of any month.
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Unearthing King Tut (Nov 4, 1922)
On November 4, 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the entrance to King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, launching global "Egyptomania."

Task: Read a book with a Skull, Skeletons, Grave/Tomb, or Gold Artifact clearly visible on the cover.
Required: Post the cover and state which item is visible.
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The War of the Worlds Panic (Oct 30, 1938)
On the eve of Halloween in 1938, Orson Welles broadcasted a radio drama adaptation of The War of the Worlds, convincing thousands of listeners across America that actual Martians were invading Earth.

Task: Read a book with the MPG Science Fiction, Aliens, or Space. (MPG may be standalone or embedded).
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Patriot Day & 9/11 Remembrance
Observed annually in the U.S. on September 11th, Patriot Day honors the victims, first responders, and community resilience following the historic events of September 11, 2001. We reflect on the profound bravery shown during one of the nation's most challenging days and remember the three sites—New York City, Somerset County (PA), and Arlington (VA/DC)—that were forever marked by history.

This is a 2 book task. Choose 2 of the options below and read a book from each option.

Required: State the options used and provide a reference if the setting/focus is not evident from the main page.

Option 1: Stories of Resilience
Task: Read a book set at least 50% in New York, Pennsylvania, or Washington, D.C.

Option 2:
Task: Read a book with the MPG History, Historical Fiction, or Memoir that focuses on the aftermath of a major historical event.

Option 3: Heroes & Everyday Hope
Task: Read a book with one of these exact standalone words in the title or subtitle: Hero, Heroes, Hope, Honor, Peace, Unity

Option 4:
Task: Read a non-fiction book or memoir centered on first responders, military personnel, or emergency services.
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Mental Health Awareness
September is Suicide Prevention Month, and October is World Mental Health Month. Having lost my brother and a couple of close friends to suicide, this hits home. In addition, mental health awareness is so important and my personal goal is to break the stigmas associated with these.

Task: Read a book from the first 25 pages of this Goodreads list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Required: State the page your book is found on.
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Autumn Awareness Ribbons (Pink & Purple)
Fall isn't just about changing leaves—it's also a powerful season of advocacy! October brings a sea of pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, while purple ribbons fly for Domestic Violence Awareness, Lupus, and Pancreatic Cancer. Wear your colors proudly on your bookshelf!

Choose an Option:
Required: State option; post covers and TinEye color results.

Option 1 (Two-Book Option):
Book 1: Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% Purple on TinEye.
Book 2: Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% Pink on TinEye.

Option 2 (One-Book Option):
Read a single book whose cover combines both colors for at least 75% total composition of Pink and Purple combined on TinEye.
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Tailgate & Grill
Fall sports bring backyard BBQs, smokers, and tailgate cooking. This is a 2 book challenge.

Book 1: Read a book by a single author whose first and last initials can be found in the phrase SMOKER AND GRILL. (Letters may be used as many times as they appear).

AND

Book 2: Read a book (fiction or non-fiction) where American Football is a central theme to the story.
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Deep in the Woods
Whether it's a dark fairy tale, a wilderness survival story, or an environmental mystery, the forest has provided the ultimate setting for storytelling across centuries.
Task: Read a book from the first 25 pages of the Goodreads list:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Required: State the page number where your chosen book is found.
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Wooded Dark Academia
When autumn rolls around, there is nothing quite like high-stakes academic mysteries set on secluded, fog-covered campuses tucked deep in the trees.
Task: Read a book from the first 10 pages of the Goodreads list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Required: State the page number where your chosen book is found.
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Spooky Season: Witches & Magical Realism
When autumn crispness hits the air, there's nothing better than diving headfirst into spooky season! If you're like me and obsess over Halloween, mysterious magic, spellcasting witches, and that enchanting blend of everyday life mixing with the impossible in magical realism, this task is your personal playground. Let's embrace the cozy, spellbinding vibes of fall!

Option 1 (Two-Book Option):
Book 1: Read a fiction book with the MPG Witches or Occult.
Book 2: Read a fiction book with the MPG Magical Realism.

Option 2 (One-Book Option): Read a single book that carries both the Witches/Occult MPG and Magical Realism MPG.

Required: State the option.
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Thanksgiving: Harvest & Home
Before the turkey hits the table, Thanksgiving is all about coming together, reflecting on what brings us joy, and honoring centuries of harvest traditions. Whether you love the historical roots, the wild floats at the Macy's Parade, or just an excuse to eat your weight in stuffing, there's a seat at this table for every reader!
This is a 2 book task.

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option used.

Option 1 - Historic Roots & Heart:
Book 1: Read a book set at least 50% in Massachusetts (site of the historic 1621 harvest feast).
Book 2: Read a book with an exact match of Grateful, Thankful, or Harvest in the title or subtitle.

Option 2 - Parade & Feast:
Book 1: Read a book with a balloon, float, or marching band on the cover.
Book 2: Read a book with a dining table or family feast visible on the cover.
Required: Post both covers.

Option 3 - Farm & Gratitude:
Book 1: Read a book with a word of at least 4 letters in the title/subtitle spelled from THANKSGIVING FEAST.
Book 2: Read a book set on a farm, orchard, or rural agricultural setting.
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Classic Costumes & Halloween Mood
Break out the fake cobwebs, stock up on fun-sized candy, and turn off the lights! From iconic monsters haunting the dark to the colorful, candlelit altars of Día de los Muertos, October invites us to flirt with the eerie, the supernatural, and the fantastical. Pick your favorite spook factor!

Choose 2 Choices for a Two-Book Combo, OR choose Option 5 for a Single-Book read:
Required: State the option/choices used.

Choice 1 (Classic Monsters): Read a book with the word Monster, Haunted, or Spooky intact in the title/subtitle.

Choice 2 (Nightmare Fuel): Read a fiction book with the MPG Horror or Paranormal.

Choice 3 (Halloween Vibe List): Read a book from the first 25 pages of the Goodreads list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7... (State page number).

Choice 4 (Sugar Skulls & Spirits): Read a book set at least 50% in Mexico OR written by a Mexican author. (Provide reference).

Option 5 (One-Book Combo Option): Read a single book that satisfies any two of the choices above simultaneously!
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Cozy Indoor Reading
When autumn rains rattle the windowpanes or cold winds howl through the trees, there is no better feeling than pulling up a heavy blanket, pouring a hot cup of tea, and curling up with a lighthearted whodunit. Let's head inside where it's safe... or is it?

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option.

Option 1 (Two-Book Option - The Cozy Standard):
Book 1: Read a book with the MPG Cozy Mystery.
Book 2: Read a book from the first 10 pages ofhttps://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... (State list page).

Option 2 (Two-Book Option - Stormy Nights):
Book 1: Read a book with a fireplace, blanket, or armchair on the cover. (Post cover).
Book 2: Read a book set during autumn or winter where a snowstorm, rainstorm, or bad weather forces characters indoors.

Option 3 (One-Book Option):
Read a single book that carries the Cozy Mystery MPG AND has a fireplace, blanket, or armchair on the cover. (Post cover).
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Wilderness Critters
As the days shorten, the forest turns into a busy highway of animals getting ready for the cold months ahead! Squirrels bury acorns, foxes dart through fallen leaves, and bears get ready for the long winter sleep. Grab your binoculars and head into the woods for some critter spotting! This is a one book task.

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option.

Option 1: Read a book with a native forest animal clearly visible on the cover (Deer, Bear, Owl, Fox, Squirrel, Rabbit). (Post cover).

Option 2: Read a book where a single author's first and last initials can be found in the word WILDLIFE.

Option 3: Read a fiction book with the MPG Animals or Nature.

Option 4: Read a book set at least 50% deep in a forest, jungle, or wilderness environment.
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Enchanted Woodlands & Forest Folklore
Step past the tree line into a world where roots whisper, trees walk, and old magic lingers in the deep shade. Fairy tales and folklore have always treated the forest as a realm of enchantment and mystery—so let's wander off the beaten path!

Choose an Option:
Required: State the option.

Option 1 (Two-Book Option):
Book 1: Read a book from the first 25 pages of the Goodreads list:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... list page).
Book 2: Read a book with the MPG Fantasy, Fairy Tales, or Folklore.

Option 2 (One-Book Option):
Read a single book that carries the Fantasy, Fairy Tales, or Folklore MPG AND is found on the first 25 pages of the https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... list. (State list page).
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Fractured Fairy Tales & Twisted Trope
Once upon a time, we were told storybook endings were all about glass slippers and white knights. But who wants the traditional version when you can have a sci-fi spin, a villain's perspective, or a wicked twist on classic folklore? Time to shatter the original story and piece together something brand new!

Required: State the option and list page number used.
Task: Read a single book from the first 25 pages of the Goodreads list:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
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Roots & Branches: State and National Trees
From the iconic Bald Cypress of the southern bayous to the towering Douglas Fir of the Pacific Northwest and the ancient Banyan trees across Asia, trees carry deep cultural and natural heritage! Whether it’s the place you currently call home, your birthplace, or a dream travel destination, put down some roots with a tree-inspired read. This is a one book task.

Task: Read a book with an exact-match standalone word in the title or subtitle that matches your state or nation's official tree (or a state/country you've always wanted to travel to). Plurals and possessives are allowed.
State Tree Examples: Oak, Maple, Pine, Cypress, Magnolia, Spruce, Birch, Redwood, Palm, Dogwood, Elm, Pecan, Aspen, Cottonwood, Hemlock.
National Tree Examples: Banyan, Olive, Cedar, Baobab, Birch, Maple, Oak, Ginkgo, Cherry.
Required: State the tree name, the corresponding US State or Country, and post a photo of the tree!

Reference Lists:
List of U.S. State Trees (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
List of National Trees of the World (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
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Ashes & Algorithms: The Fractured World Dystopian Challenge
From the totalitarian gaze of Big Brother to the rain-slicked neon alleys of corporate cyberpunk and the scorching silence of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, dystopian fiction holds up a dark, exhilarating mirror to where humanity might be heading! Whether you are drawn to oppressive regimes, rogue artificial intelligence, or nature reclaiming what's left, steel your nerves and dive into the bleak unknown.

Choose Two Options:
Task: Select two different tasks from the options below and complete a dystopian read for each.

Option 1: The Canonical Collapse (Top 100 / Acclaimed)
Read a dystopian novel featured on an official top-100 sci-fi list or a major award-winner list. https://thebookstop.wordpress.com/201...
Examples: 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, The Handmaid's Tale, The Road, Neuromancer, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.
Required: Must state where on the list the book you read is located. If you choose a different list, must post link to the list along with where the book you read is located on the list.

Option 2: Grown-Up Grim (Goodreads Adult Dystopia)
Read a dystopian novel specifically crafted for adult readers—skip the high school arena games and teen love triangles in favor of pure, gritty existential dread.

Examples: Station Eleven, Never Let Me Go, Wool, Severance, The Memory Police, Tender Is the Flesh, The Children of Men. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... (Goodreads)
Required: Must state where on the list your book is located.

Option 3: Big Brother & The Machine (Surveillance & Cyberpunk)
Read a book centered around all-seeing government surveillance, panoptic technology, or megacorporate rule.
Examples: Vox, QualityLand, Snow Crash, The Circle, We, Feed.

Option 4: Eco-Pocalypse Now (Cli-Fi & Nature's Revenge)
Read a climate-fiction ("cli-fi") or ecological dystopian book where environmental collapse, bio-engineering gone wrong, or extreme weather shapes human survival.
Examples: Parable of the Sower, Oryx and Crake, How High We Go in the Dark, The Water Knife, The Drowned World.

Required: State the two options you selected and share a brief description of the dystopian threat facing each world!

Reference Lists:
NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books https://thebookstop.wordpress.com/201...
Best Dystopian Novels for Adults (Goodreads) https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Sky -- I am so thoroughly impressed! We could do the whole season with your ideas.

Susan A wrote: "Sky -- I am so thoroughly impressed! We could do the whole season with your ideas."

I've literally been working on them ALL summer....only because I'm obsessed with fall :) This summer SRC is the first one I've done and I absolutely love it! It's gotten me to read more. But thank you!

Sky wrote: "Susan A wrote: "Sky -- I am so thoroughly impressed! We could do the whole season with your ideas."

I've literally been working on them ALL summer....only because I'm obsessed with fall :) This su..."

These are great! If any of them don't get chosen by the Mods, you may be able to use one if you are selected for a 20-point task or higher.

or someone who has a higher point task might ask if they can use- I know i've done that in the past if i've been stumped on ideas

Wow Sky! That is a truly impressive list you've come up with!

Here's my little offering:
Since the forests are the lungs of planet Earth, read a book with the word BREATH intact in title/subtitle

Absolutely...anyone is more than welcome to use any of those they would like to use :)

Leaves are falling, Fires are Burning, Stories are told in the Glow

Option 1:
Read a book with fall leaves on the cover

Option 2:
Read a book that is Burning up the Charts, one that has over 500,000 or higher ratings with an avg rating of 4.75 or higher.

Option 3:
Read a book of short stories or an anthology

Fall Means Campfires and Smores
Smores are made from Chocolate, Marshmallows and Graham Crackers

Option 1: My family uses dark chocolate in our smores.
Read a book that has a MPG that includes the word Dark
examples: Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance, Dark Humor, Dark Mystery

Option 2: Marshmallows are light and fluffy
Read a book that has a MPG that includes the word LIGHT
examples: Light Romance, Light Mystery, Light Novel, Light Reading

Option 3: Graham Crackers are the base that holds everything together.
Read a book that has a 4 letter word in title that can be made from letters in GRAHAM CRACKER

Fall Holidays

Option 1: Labor Day
This holiday marks end of summer vacations.
Read a book from one of these vacation book lists. State list and page #

Vacations
Vacation Reads
Best Vacation Books

Option 2: Halloween
The most popular classic costumes for Halloween are
A Witches
B Ghosts
C Vampires
D Pirates
E Clowns
F Skeletons (can also use Zombies)
Pick one of the above and read a book featuring that character. State the character.

Option 3: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is about family and friends gathering around the dinner table and giving thanks
Read a book that has FAMILY or FRIENDS intact in title or subtitle

Foxy Grandma wrote: "Fall Holidays

Option 1: Labor Day
This holiday marks end of summer vacations.
Read a book from one of these vacation book lists. State list and page #

Vacations
Vacation Reads
Best Vacation Books..."

You have some awesome ideas! I like all of them :)

Sky wrote: "Foxy Grandma wrote: "Fall Holidays

Option 1: Labor Day
This holiday marks end of summer vacations.
Read a book from one of these vacation book lists. State list and page #

Vacations
Vacation Read..."

Thank You

For the Black Forest of Germany, a re-telling of a Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale or any fairy tale?

For Halloween a body part
The Lovely Bones
In Cold Blood
A Head Full of Ghosts
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness
Skeletons at the Feast
Heart the Lover
Girl Wash your Face
Muscle Man: A Novel
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Finger Lickin' Fifteen
Feet of Clay

Back to school:
Read a book with a MC that is a teacher or is still in school.

Or perhaps something with school supplies in the cover.