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FALL CHALLENGE 2026
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Fall Challenge Tasks
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Mod
Help Thread
Forests are grouped into three main categories based on latitude, climate, and tree types: tropical forests near the equator, temperate forests in mid-latitudes with four seasons, and boreal forests in cold northern regions.
Read a book with a single author whose first and last initials can be found in ONE of these words- Tropical, Temperate, or Boreal. Letters may be used as many times as they appear.
Required: State the word used.
10.2 Ten Tree Types
Help Thread
There are 10 types of trees found in the forest. Hickory, Birch, Beech, Maple, Oak, Spruce, Fir, Pine, Cedar and Redwood.
Read a book that has one of these trees name in the title (subtitles excluded). Words must be stand alone, plurals and possessives are accepted.
10.3 Forest Makes Rain
Help Thread
Over three-quarters of the world’s accessible freshwater comes from rivers in or around forests. Forests also move so much water from the soil into the atmosphere that they create rain. Parts of the Amazon actually trigger their own rainy season.
Read a book that is the 3rd or 4th in a series.
Required The series name and number must be present on the Goodreads book main page
10.4 Falling For Fall
Help Thread
National Fall Foliage Week begins annually on the last Sunday of September ( September 27, 2026), celebrating changing autumn leaves. Peak viewing times for falling and colorful leaves vary by region, running from mid-September in western mountain elevations through November in southern states
Read a book with a leaf covered ground or falling leaves (leaves mid-air) on the cover.
EX:
Required: Post the cover.
10.5 Fall Family Fun
Help Thread
Fall is a season for family and for fun with several holidays from September to the end of November.
Read a book with one of these MPGs: Family, Autumn, Holiday. Stand Alone or Embedded.
10.6 Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Help Thread
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 to celebrate autumn harvest and gives thanks for agricultural abundance.
Read a book with a lantern (encased light sourced that is portable) , moon( as long as its recognized as a moon) , or cake (slice or whole) on the cover.
EX:
,
,
Required: Post the Cover
10.7 Indigenous Peoples' Day
Help Thread
Celebrated on the second Monday in October, Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that honors the history, culture, and contributions of Native Americans and Indigenous communities.
Read a book by an Indigenous author.
Required: If the information is not is not evident from the Goodreads book main page or author page, provide a reference.
10.8 Pay it Forward
Help Thread
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13th. It was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement to highlight good deeds and promote global community and compassion.
Read a book where all the letters of KINDNESS can be found in the title/subtitle/authors name.
10.9 Be a Princess
Help Thread
National Princess Day is celebrated annually on November 18th. It was created to honor the release of the animated film The Swan Princess on that date in 1994, while also celebrating kindness, grace, and inner strength in people of all.
Read a a book with the MPG Fairytales. Genre may be standalone or embedded
10.10 Camping is Scary
Help Thread
November 19th is National Camping Day. Camping offers numerous benefits, including stress reduction, increased physical activity, and improved mental well-being.... but it can also be scary when those campfire tales are told.
Read a book with an MPG of Horror or Thriller or Mystery with an active campsite setting. MPG may be stand alone or embedded.
For the purpose of this task a campsite setting is a specific place outdoors where you set up a tent, park an RV, or stay overnight. Camping overnight in a forest or a campground will be accepted.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the Goodreads books main page, provide a reference.
Mod
Help Thread
The forest canopy is made up of a dense layer of interlocking tree branches and leaves, forming a “roof” over the rest of the forest. The understory is the underlying layer of vegetation in a forest or wooded area, especially the trees and shrubs growing between the forest canopy and the forest floor.
A. Read a book with a rating >4
Required: Post the rating
and
B. Read a book with a rating <4
Required: Post the rating
15.2 Covered in Trees
Help Thread
A. Read a book that has more than 1 tree on the cover. There must be enough of the tree to determine that it is a tree, but does not need to be the whole tree.
and
B. Read a book first published in September, October, or November of any year.
15.3 Natural Habitats
Help Thread
Forests are home to 80% of land animals, plants, and insects, They cover about 1/3 of the global surface.
Option 1: Two book option
A. Read a book with an animal on the cover. This is any currently existing animal and does not include mythical animals or dinosaurs.
Required: Post the cover
and
B. Read a book that is part of a trilogy (a trilogy has 3 published books in the series whether or not is it called a trilogy). Whole numbers only. The series name must be listed on the book page.
Option 2: One book option
Read a book that fits both tasks in option 1.
15.4 Help Me Breathe
Help Thread
Forests help regulate Earth’s temperature by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and locking it in trees, roots and soil.
Option 1: Two book option
A. Read a book with a title that starts with the letter C. Articles "a" and "the" may be ignored.
and
B. Read a book where the author’s last name has 2 O’s in it.
Option 2: One book option
Read a book that fits both tasks in option 1.
15.5 Rain Rain Go Away
Help Thread
Tropical forests are common to areas near the equator, they are the warmest and often wettest forests on the planet and are some of the most species-rich ecosystems on earth.
Read a book set at least 50% on a continent that the equator runs through: Africa, Asia, South America
To help you, a list of countries by continent: https://worldpopulationreview.com/cou...
Required: Provide a reference if it is not obvious on the book page
15.6 Seasons Are Important
Help Thread
Temperate forests gather where the temperatures vary throughout the year because of the four distinct seasons at these latitudes. Not very many of these still exist due to human settlement.
Read a book with a title word of 3 or more letters from TEMPERATE. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Required: State the word
15.7 It's Becoming Chilly
Help Thread
Temperatures in boreal forests are, on average, below freezing. Boreal forests cover huge, remote areas which means they are really important carbon stores.
Read a book with a mountain on the cover.
Required: Post the cover
15.8 Stormy Weather May be Coming
Help Thread
Forests help regulate water cycles. Trees pull water from the ground and release it as a vapor. This helps create rainfall bringing water back to the ground.
Read a book where a single authors first and last initial come from WATER CYCLES. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
15.9 Place and Length
Help Thread
September is the only month with the same number of letters in its name as its numerical place on the calendar.
Read a book where the title has the same number of letters as the single author’s full name.
15.10 Creature Comforts
Help Thread
October 4 is World Animal Day to improve the care and habitats of animals.
Read a book with MPG Animals. It may be embedded or stand alone.
Mod
Help Thread
Is it just me or is everything terrible right now? Some people react by leaning in and some by avoiding.
Choose an option from below.
Required: State the option.
Option 1: Lean in
Read a book with a MPG of POLITICS, CLIMATE (climate change and clifi also allowed), DYSTOPIA, or DISASTER.
Or
Option 2: Avoid
Read a book with a MPG containing COZY - embedded genres are allowed (e.g. cozy mystery)
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Sky's Task: Fright Around the World
Help Thread
Halloween may look like costumes, candy, and jack-o’-lanterns in one part of the world, but autumn has long been a season of spirits, remembrance, folklore, bonfires, and celebrations of the changing year across the globe. Pack your imaginary suitcase and get ready for a spooky-season reading tour! From American trick-or-treating to Mexico’s colorful Día de los Muertos, Ireland’s ancient Samhain traditions, and England’s fiery Bonfire Night, there’s more than one way to celebrate the dark side of autumn.
Choose 1 option and read a book for that option.
Required: State the option.
🎃 Option 1: Trick or Treat! (Halloween in America)
Halloween in America is a celebration filled with costumes, candy, carved pumpkins, haunted houses, spooky decorations, and, of course, going door-to-door shouting “trick or treat!” Modern American Halloween combines older traditions with a huge dose of pop culture, turning October 31 into one of the year's most recognizable celebrations.
Read a book where Halloween is essential to the plot or setting. The book does not have to be about Halloween, but the holiday must be more than a passing mention.
Required: If it's not eveident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
Examples: Trick or Treat The Halloween Tree, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Ex Hex, The Graveyard Book
💀🌼 Option 2: Ofrendas and Marigolds (Día de los Muertos)
For Día de los Muertos, families build altars called ofrendas to honor and remember loved ones who have died. Bright orange marigolds, candles, photographs, favorite foods, and colorful sugar skulls are often used to welcome and remember the dead.
Read a book with a Skull, a Sugar Skull, a Candle, or Flowers clearly visible on the cover.
Required: Post the cover
Examples:
🔮🌙 Option 3: Samhain and the Otherworld (Ireland)
Samhain is an ancient Celtic festival traditionally associated with the transition from summer to winter and the beginning of the darker half of the year. In Irish tradition, it was also believed to be a time when the boundary between our world and the supernatural world became thinner, allowing spirits and otherworldly beings to cross over.
A: Ireland Setting
Read a book set at least 50% in Ireland or Northern Island
Required: If it's not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
OR
B: The Supernatural
Read a book that explicitly features supernatural elements, entities, or powers (e.g., ghosts, spirits, witches, necromancy, demons, vampires, or paranormal occurrences) and is essential to the story.
Required: If it's not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
🔥🎆 Option 4: Bonfires and Fireworks (Guy Fawkes Night)
Every November 5, communities across the United Kingdom mark Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night. The celebration grew from the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and is now famous for enormous bonfires, fireworks, and gatherings that light up the November night sky.
Read a book with Fire, Flames, a Bonfire, or Fireworks clearly visible on the cover.
Required: Post the cover
Examples:
🎃📖👻 Option 5: The Halloween Bookshelf (Goodreads List)
Sometimes you don't need a passport to travel around the spooky world—you just need a library card! Halloween has inspired countless books filled with ghosts, monsters, witches, creepy houses, autumn nights, and all things delightfully eerie. For this option, let Goodreads choose your Halloween adventure!
Read a book from the Goodreads Best Halloween Books list. The list includes books that are about Halloween itself and/or take place during Halloween.
Required: State the page.
Bonus: Tell us whether your book is about Halloween, takes place during Halloween, or both! 🎃📖
20.3 Review Raffle - Apple: My Georgia Peach
Help Thread
September 1st is my daughter’s birthday, and this year she turned 20, so no more teenager!
To celebrate, choose one of the below tasks
Required: State the Option
Option 1
The name Georgia has every vowel except “U”, so to make up the shortfall, read a book with a title (subtitles excluded) word that has a “U”.
Option 2
My daughter was born in 2006, in recognition read a book with a page number using any combination of 2, 0 & 6 only- The numbers maybe duplicated as many times as needed. EX 226 pages, 206, and 222 all work.
Option 3
To celebrate we went to TGI Friday’s so she could indulge in her favourite drink – Long Island Iced Tea. Read a book with a title (subtitles excluded) word of 4 or more letters that can be made from LONG ISLAND ICED TEA . Letters may be used as many times as they appear.
Required: State the word.
Option 4
Georgia likes to travel and has been to more states in Australia than I have, and next year has her first overseas trip booked. Read a book with a stand alone MPG TRAVEL.
Mod
Help Thread
Read a book from one of the following options. MPG Graphic Novels may be used for Option 2
Required: State the option
1. Decades
Since I started with SRC, the definition of Golden Oldies has changed from books published up through 1950 to books published up to 1970. That puts me well into the Golden Oldie category.
Read a book published or set from 1950-1970 inclusive. If the setting isn't obvious from the GR description, provide a reference.
2. Genres
In the intervening years, whole new genres have been created. For instance, there was no category of Young Adult. Some libraries had a small section labeled Teen, but most of us went right from Little House on the Prairie to Flowers in the Attic, or in my case David Copperfield. Several other genres have emerged in recent decades.
Read a book with MPG of one of these newer genres: Young Adult, Graphic Novels, LGBTQ, or Romantasy.
3. Media
Movies based on books existed since the dawn of cinema and by the 1950's the 3 networks had some shows based on books. But in the last 20 years, streaming services have needed so much content that almost any book is fair game.
Read a book from this list of TV shows based on books. If the TV production is based on multiple books (for example Game of Thrones, Bridgerton, Outlander) you may read any book from the series.
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls026234806/
Required: If the book title and the name of the show are different, state the name of the show.
4. The Internet!
In the past, if you wanted book recommendations, you needed to read the book section of a newspaper or join the Book of the Month Club. Now there are so many sites and lists that nobody could keep up with them all. Many of us learn about books from Goodreads.
Read a book from this Goodreads list of top books across genres from the past 10 years: 120 of the Past Decade’s Biggest Hits
20.5 - Bigger is Better - Trishhartuk’s Task: Total Eclipse (of the Heart)
Help Thread
On 12th August, I was in Mallorca to see the total eclipse. It was the first time I've successfully seen one. I did attempt to watch the 1999 one in Penzance, Cornwall, but there was 100% cloud cover and we got soaked waiting on the beach to see it, in the hope that the clouds would clear (they didn’t!). This was very different: brilliant blue sky and blazing sun, with a clear view over the sea all the way to the horizon.
Choose either Option 1 or Option 2, and then pick one of its sub-options.
Required: State the option
Option 1: Total Eclipse…
My hubby and I staked out our spot well in advance, on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, at a spot called El Toro. It was hot, and we were glad we’d bought a parasol, otherwise we’d have boiled! By the time the eclipse came around, there were thousands of people all along the cliffs, and hundreds of little boats on the water below us, which had come round the point from Palma to watch the big event.
A. Read a book with one or more of the following elements on the cover: the sea, cliffs, the sun, an eclipse or a small boat (e.g. a yacht, motor boat, rowing boat or launch, but not a larger vessel like a liner, sailing ship, cruise ship or navy vessel). The element must be identifiable.
Required: Post the cover.
EX:
B. Read a book by a single author whose initials (all) can be found in EL TORO, MALLORCA. Letters can be used as often as they appear.
Option 2: . …of the Heart
Bonnie Tyler, one of the voices of my teens, died on 8 July. Sadly, she was the first of many in the last couple of months. One of her most famous songs was Total Eclipse of the Heart, recorded in 1982 and released in 1983. I’ll admit, I was humming it to myself while sitting on the cliffside, waiting for the big moment. Choose one of the following options and read a book for that option:
A. Read a book that was first published in one of the following years: 1951 (when she was born), 1982, 1983 or 2026.
B. Read a book with a word of four or more letters in the title, made up from the letters in TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART. Letters can be used as often as they appear.
Required: State the word
20.6 - It's a Fact - Kathy P's Task: I Love The Fourth Dimension- Time!
Help Thread
I really enjoy books that play with time.
Choose one option and read a book that fits the description.
Required: State the option
Option 1
Read a book with a stand alone MPG TIME TRAVEL
Option 2
One of my all-time favorite books that deals with time is Einstein’s Dreams. This book proposes different ways time could run.
Read a book by a single author whose first and last initial can be found in EINSTEIN'S DREAMS. Letters may be used as often as they appear in the title.
Option 3
Read a book where all the letters from the word TIME can be found in the title (subtibles excluded)
Option 4
In real life we only have time in one direction,, and we never know how much we will have. However as the Roman philosopher Seneca said, "LIFE, IF WELL LIVED, IS LONG ENOUGH."
Read a book with a title (subtitles excluded) word of at least 4 letters that can be made from this phrase. Letters may be used as many times as they appear.
Required: State the word.
Mod
Help Thread
The Jewish High Holy Days Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) both fall in September this year.
This is a one book task. In honor of my Jewish heritage choose one of these options.
Required: State the option.
Option 1
Read a book with MPG Judaism or Jewish
Option 2
Read a biography or autobiography of a Jewish person.
Required: If it it's not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
Option 3
Although it is a minor holiday and comes in January, I wanted to include Tu Bishvat to celebrate the theme for this season. Tu Bishvat is known as the Jewish New Year for Trees or Birthday of the Trees.
Read a book with a title word of 4+ letters that can be made from the letters in TU BISHVAT NEW YEAR FOR TREES or TU BISHVAT BIRTHDAY OF THE TREES.
Letters can be used as often as they appear in the target phrase.
Required: State the phrase and the word.
20.8 - Nickels and Dimes - Heather(Gibby)'s Task: Fall Transitions
Help Thread
Choose one of the options below. Graphic novels are acceptable as long as they meet SRC rules.
Required: State the option.
Option 1
For our family it is always a sad time when it is time to close down the cottage for the winter.
For this task read a book where a 4 letter or longer word in the title (subtitles excluded) can be made from the phrase. "It's sad to close down the cottage."
Letters and an apostrophe can be used as often as they appear.
Required: State the word.
Option 2
Fall is traditionally a time when we go back to school.
For this task read a book where the main character or characters are students attending school. (All levels of school work, secondary, college, trade, and University)
Required: If it's not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
Option 3
In the fall, I love nothing more than cuddling up under a blanket in front of the fireplace with a good book. For this task read a book with a blanket or quilt (just a sheet does not work) , an indoor fireplace or woodstove with the fire visible, or a book on the cover.
Required: Post the cover.
EX:
Blanket on cover.
Fireplace on cover.
Book on cover.
20.9 - Moderator's Pet - Lora's Task: Remembering Dolly Parton
Help Thread
Read a book from one of the following options. MPG Children's may only be used for option 5.
Required: State the option
We recently lost Dolly Parton, a recognizable icon of American country music, and a great philanthropist. These tasks will examine aspects of her life and greatest hits. RIP Dolly, you will be missed!
Option 1:
Dolly's song "I Will Always Love You" was beautiful in its own right, but saw great success after Whitney Houston sang it.
Read a book where a single author initials (all initials) can be found in the phrase I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU." Letters can be used as often as they appear.
Option 2:
"Jolene" was released in 1973.
Read a book with at least two unique numbers of 1973 in the page count, in any order.
Option 3:
"9 To 5" is a classic workplace anthem.
Read a book published in September, or on the 25th of any month, of any year.
Option 4:
"Coat of Many Colors" is a poignant glimpse into Dolly's younger life, and puts real life into perspective. Her original coat primarily features the colors yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and Violet.
Read a book with any three of those colors present on the cover, according to Tineye, and in any percentages.
Tineye Instruction
Required: Post cover and Tineye percentages.
Option 5:
Choose an option from below
Required: State the option
A. Celebrate Dollywood.
Read a book set at least 50% on the grounds of an amusement or theme park.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference
B. Celebrate Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly sends books to children aged 0-5, around the world, free of charge.
Read a book with MPG Books About Books or Book Club. For this option only, books that include the children's MPG may be used.
20.10 Group Reads
Read one of the books selected as a group read for the Fall 2026 season. The requirement for this task: you must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
Fiction: Adventure - Dungeon Crawler Carl
Discussion Thread
Fiction: Haunted House- The Haunting of Hill House
Discussion Thread
Non-Fiction: Non-Fiction - Serial Killers - The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
Discussion Thread
Gutenberg Classic - The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Discussion Thread
Mod
Help Thread
I like to call myself the Chaos Goblin, which is probably why most of my usernames contain some variation of “Chaos Goblin Mama.” At this point, I have enough evidence to support the title. So here are a few fun facts about your resident Mod Goblin.
This is a 2 book task. Pick two options and read one book for each.
Required: State your options
Graphic novels and manga are allowed for one book (And encouraged)
1. The Ancient Goblin
When I tell people I was born in 1993, they usually make me feel old because apparently I was born in the “19 hundreds.” Rude. I’m not ancient—I’m vintage. I simply predate the 21st century and apparently that’s enough to qualify me as a historical artifact.
Read a book originally published in the 1990s or set in the 1990s (1990-1999)
Required: if the setting is not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
2. The Garden Goblin
I recently discovered that I really love gardening, which is unfortunate for everyone because I now have opinions about plants. Vegetables? Yes. Flowers? Absolutely. Dirt under my fingernails? Apparently also yes. Vegetables, flowers, dirt, containers—if you put it in the ground, I’m interested. I have officially found my natural habitat and entered my Garden Goblin era.
Read a book with a garden on the cover. This can be a flower garden or vegetable garden. Must be more than one flower/vegetable planted in the ground or planter.
Required: Post the cover
3. The Pumpkin Goblin
Fall is when Texas finally stops trying to kill me with heat, so naturally I become insufferable about it. I love the cooler weather, the smells, the colors, the cozy atmosphere, and basically anything remotely associated with fall. Give me pumpkins, crunchy leaves, spooky decorations, and temperatures below 90° and I’m happy. Summer can go away now.
Read a book set in fall. The whole book must be set during fall.
Required: If the setting is not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
4. The Shipwreck Goblin
I absolutely LOVE horror movies, yet somehow my all-time favorite movie is Titanic. I maintain that this makes perfect sense. It’s a movie about a doomed group of people trapped on a giant ship with an unstoppable threat, followed by screaming, death, and general chaos. That’s basically a horror movie. It just has Leonardo DiCaprio and a really aggressive soundtrack.
Read a book set at least 50% on a boat in the water/at sea. It can be any boat, pirate, yacht, cruise, etc. Shipwrecked does not count
Required: if the setting is not evident from the Goodreads book main page, provide a reference.
5. The Caffeinated Goblin
I won't admit to how much caffeine I drink during the day because you will be worried about my health, and frankly, I don't need that kind of negativity. Just know that I cannot function without at least one Red Bull. And before you ask, yes, “at least” is intentional.
Read a book where the author's first and last initial can be found in I NEED CAFFEINE TO SURVIVE. Letters can be used as many times as they appear and multiple authors allowed as long as one's initials fit.
6. The Song Goblin
I listen to a pretty ridiculous variety of music. My taste ranges from this is completely normal to how did we get here?, sometimes within the same five songs. Here are some of my favorites. Not required, but kind of fun, I hope you listen to the song you pick! Maybe you'll discover new music you like.
Read a book where a title word (Of at least three letters not including "AND" or "THE") match a title word in any song on my playlist of favorite songs
Required: State the song and word used.
Songs:
Your Idol- Saja Boys
A Work of Art- Ice Nine Kills
Beautiful Things- Benson Boone
Brand New Numb- Motionless in White
Lost Boy- Ruth B
What It Sounds Like- Huntrix
Zombie- Bad Wolves
Necessary Evil- Motionless in White
Hip To Be Scared- Ice Nine Kills
Masterpiece- Motionless in White
A Million Dreams- Pink
Hot Over You- Bonavega
Beautiful Trauma- Pink
Walk Me Home- Pink
25.2 - Rebekah's Task: All Saints Day
Help Thread
Halloween came from the phrase All Hallows’ Eve. hallow’s Eve is day the devil, witches ghosts and other creepy things can come out for a last hurrah before All Hallows’ Day. November 1, also named All Saints’ Day is a holy day dedicated to all the saints.
Read 2 books, 1 each from 2 different options.
Required: State the options
Option 1
Read a book by an author with one of these words for “Saint” in their name, stand alone or the beginning of the name. Saint, St., Ste, San, Sin, Sant, Santa.
Examples of authors:
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Jennifer Saint
Emily St. John Mandel
Santana Knox
Esmeralda Santiago
Upton Sinclair
Saint Augustine
Option 2
Read a book with the word SAINT in the title/subtitle. St. and other languages are acceptable. Word must be standalone, plural and possessive allowed.
Required: If the word saint is in another language other than English, state the language.
Examples
The Patron Saint of Liars
Miracle at St Anna’s
Meet me in St Louis
Saint Theresa of Avila
When Christ and His Saints Slept
Secret Santa
Option 3
Read a book set at least 50% in a real or fictional place that has a saint for a name.
Required: If the setting is not obvious from the book page, provide a reference
Examples
Saint Peter’s Basilica
St Paul, Minnesota
San Francisco, California
St Kitts,Virgin Islands
Republic of San Marino
This can also include a school, hospital, camp, institution, etc named for a saint, ie
Murder 101 takes place in Saint Thomas College
Option 4
Read a book on pages 1-9 of this shelf of "Spiritual" books:
Spiritual
Required: State the page
Mod
Help Thread
Rather than deal with the overwhelming complexity of forests, I'm focusing on remarkable trees, all within UK for patriotic reasons.
Choose two different trees and read the task associated with them.
One book MUST BE NONFICTION
Required: State the tasks picked and which is your non-fiction
Tree 1: The Flower of Kent Apple Tree
Reputedly the tree that prompted Isaac Newton's understanding of gravity, when he was conked on the head by a falling fruit.
Read a book with MPG containing Science (i.e. Science Fiction will work)
Tree 2: Llangernyw Yew
A truly ancient specimen, thought to be over 4,000 years old.
Read a book first published before 1900 (i.e. latest year acceptable is 1899)
Tree 3: Tolpuddle Martyrs' Tree
A meeting place where workers gathered to discuss the poor working practices they were suffering under - now claimed as the birth place of trade unionism.
Read a book with MPG Politics
Tree 4: Sycamore Gap & Major Oak
Sadly two of UKs most famous trees have died recently.
The Sycamore Gap tree was illegally felled, whilst the Major Oak died of natural causes.
In honour of these, we'll read a book focused around death and crime, from the much celebrated Golden Age of Crime.
Read a book from the first 25 pages of this list: Golden Age Mystery Books
Required: State the page the book can be found on
25.4 Lois's Task: Forestry and Two Fun Forest-related Facts
Help Thread
This is a two-book task. Choose a book from two of the options below or read two books from the same option.
Required: State the option(s).
Option 1 — Forestry
Forestry is a big deal in Oregon. We are the largest producer of soft-wood lumber in the US (also Christmas trees). The timber industry has always been an important part of our economy. While appreciating that the timber industry provides jobs and wood products that we need, we also value protecting our old-growth forests, which, among other benefits, provide habitat for forest creatures, such as the endangered spotted owl whose preservation has been a challenge to the industry for decades now.
Read a book with OWL intact in a title/subtitle word.
Option 2 — Forestry
In the Oregon Coast Range, Oregon's state tree, the Douglas Fir, dominates. Douglas Firs (or "Doug" Firs, as they are also known) were named for David Douglas, a Scottish botanist who explored the Pacific Northwest in the 1820s and introduced Douglas Firs to Europe.
Read a book whose single author's name includes David or Doug, either standalone or intact (for example: Davidson, Douglas, McDougall or Doughty would work).
But enough about trees. Here are two fun forest-related facts:
Option 3 — Fun Fact 1
Despite having lived over four decades in Oregon, I only recently learned that the Siskiyou National Forest in Southern Oregon, a hotspot for Sasquatch lore, contains the world's only known dedicated Bigfoot trap. It's a wooden structure built in 1974. Since 1980, it has no longer been a functioning trap due to having caught bears instead of Bigfoot, but the trap still does exist and is a fun attraction for hikers in the Rogue River Valley.
Read a book whose cover prominently features a foot or feet.
The feet need to be FEATURED on the cover, not just there because they are attached to a person pictured. Sasquatch feet, if featured on a cover, will count, but otherwise, human feet only. No paws.
Required: Post the cover.
Some examples:
Option 4 — Fun Fact 2
Oregon's version of California's Silicon Valley? The Silicon Forest, a concentration of high-tech companies in the Portland metro area.
Read a book with MPG Technology.
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Help Thread
Six of the ten highest-grossing horror films worldwide are directly adapted from novels. They are:
1. It (2017): Grossed $719.7 million, based on the 1986 novel It by Stephen King.
3. I Am Legend (2007): Grossed $585.5 million, based on the 1954 novel I Am Legend by Richard Matheson.
4. World War Z (2013): Grossed $540.0 million, based on the 2006 novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks.
6. Jaws (1975): Grossed $495.2 million, based on the 1974 novel Jaws by Peter Benchley.
7. It Chapter Two (2019): Grossed $473.1 million, adapting the second half of Stephen King's book It.
10. The Exorcist (1973): Grossed $430.8 million, based on the 1971 novel The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Read 2 books from the following options. Option 1 may be used twice. All MPGs must be stand alone.
Required: State the options.
Option 1:
Read a book from the list above. You may choose this option twice.
Option 2:
Read any book (within SRC Guidelines) published by the King of Horror, Stephen King. Books with other authors allowed as long as Stephen King is listed on the book page.
Option 3:
Read a book with MPG Horror.
Option 4:
Read a book with MPG Zombies.
Option 5:
Read a book with a natural body of water on the cover.
Required: Post the cover.
Option 6:
Read a book with MPG Classics.
30.2 - JennRenee's Task: Falling For Magical Reads
Help Thread
Fall is a great season to get cozy with for magical reads and another favorite genre of mine. One of my newly discovered favorite genre is Magical Realism. Magical realism is just a little bit of fantasy in a a real world story. I'm not the biggest contemporay reader but Magical Realism just hits the spot for me.
This is a two-book task. Choose 1 A and 1 B (from the same option or from each option) and because I am always chasing down the new releases, one book must be released in the last 6 months. For the ease of this task… this will be March 2026 or later.
Required:State the options
Option 1: My Cozy Genres
Genres may be embedded or Stand Alone.
A: Read a book with the MPG Magical Realism
B: Read a book with Contemporary MPG. May be embedded or stand alone.
Option 2: Favorite Authors
A: Read a book by one of my loved or newly discovered authors.
Ashley Poston, Rebecca Serle, Laura Marie Meyers, Kirsty Greenwood, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Holly Gramazio
B: Read a book with a single author with the same last and first name initials as one of my loved authors. Initials must be shared with one author but maybe be in reverse.
AP, PA, RS, SR, LM, ML, KG, GK, TK, KT, HG, GH
Required: State the author used.
30.3 Amy FL's Task: My Book Club
Help Thread
I had never been involved in a book club outside of Goodreads until October 2025. One of the ladies in my Aqua Fitness class invited me to join the group she has been in for over ten years. I gladly accepted and have enjoyed some good conversations and excellent lunches ever since.
This is a two-book task. Read one book for two different options.
Required: State the options
Option 1: The Members
The book club participants are Barbara (the organizer), Sandy (who invited me), Anita, Bobbie, Candy, Fran, Jennifer, Luanne, Marlene, Renee, Rooney and Amy (me)
Read a book by an author who shares a name with one of the club members. The name can be in any position (Sally Rooney works) but must match exactly, so Fran, not Francine and Bobbie, not Bobby.
Required: state the name of the club member who shares that name
Option 2: The Books
We have read one book for each of the months I've been a member except last month when life got in the way for most of the group. Those books and the ones slated for the next few months are
The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau
The Lost Bookshop
The River Is Waiting
Red Clay
North Woods
Culpability
Theo of Golden
More Than Enough
The Correspondent
How to Read a Book
Good People
The Calamity Club
Read one of the books that the group has read or will read soon. In the unlikely event that you have read all of the listed books, read another book by any of the authors from the list.
Required: if you have to read outside of the list, state the name of the author you used and the book from the list that he or she wrote
Option 3: Location
We have had the majority of our meetings at a local Italian restaurant that has delicious food and great lunch specials. They start us off with two baskets of rolls, one garlic and one plain. The ladies attack the garlic rolls like vultures (myself included), while the plain rolls are ignored. Somehow they end up disappearing when we pack our leftovers, however ;-)
Read a book with a title word (ignore subtitles) of four or more letters that can be made from the phrase: SKIP THE PLAIN ROLLS. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Required: State the word
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Help Thread
As I get ready to head back into the classroom this Fall, I would like to take a minute to appreciate some of the hardworking paraprofessionals who have blessed my life over the years. Seriously, I do not know how people teach kindergarten without an aide!
This is a two book task. Choose two different options and read a book for each.
Required: State the options
Option 1 - All My Aides:
It is hard to find people who want to spend their day in kindergarten because it is really its own little world and is often a little crazy. Many of the best aides I have had ended up leaving my classroom to become teachers or even administrators (sad for me but good for the world!) Here is a list of aides I have had: Allison, Cila, Ashley, Amy, Virginia, Ellie, Tanya, Lindy, Francine, Shannon.
Choose one of my aides:
Required:Post the name of the aide chosen
A. Read a book where the single author shares the name (spelling must match exactly, but may be in any position)
OR
B. Read a book where all the single author’s initials are present in the name (letters can be used as often as they appear).
Option 2 - Appreciation:
Paraprofessional Appreciation day is the third Wednesday in April.
Read a book that was published in April between 2014 and 2026 inclusive (the years I have been teaching).
Option 3 - Francine:
One of my favorite aides has been Francine. She was so good at just reading my mind. But I did have to give her up for a lot of days during dance competition season as she was a dance mom.
A. Read a book from the first 20 pages of this list of books about dance - https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Required: State the page your book can be found on
OR
B. Read a book that has the word DANCE(S), DANCER, or DANCING in the title/subtitle.
Option 4 - Shannon:
Shannon is my current aide and is amazing! She was a gymnastics coach before coming to my classroom and loves sparkles/glitter.
For this task read a book that has a title word (subtitles excluded) of at least 4 letters that can be made from one of the following phrases (choose one phrase) “GYMNASTIC FANTASTIC” OR “LIFE ALWAYS NEEDS SPARKLES”. Letters can be used as often as they appear.
Required: State your word and which phrase you used
30.5 - TessaVanessa's Task: Title Wave
Help Thread
You may use one book with a MPG Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga.
Pick 2 different options.
Required: State the options
Option 1:
Read a book with a title that is a complete sentence (Subject and verb) that also has the single author's first and last initials in the title only. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Required: State the subject and verb. ( I used ChapGpt to diagram the sentence. )
Example:
I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Mariama Lockington
Option 2:
Read a book with a title/subtitle that asks a question and has all of the letters of the single author's first or last name. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Example:
What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? A Memoir and a Murder Investigation by Kate Crane
Did She Kill Him?: A Victorian Tale of Deception, Adultery, and Arsenic by Kate Colquhoun
Option 3:
Read a book with a title (ignore subtitle) and single author (all name parts count) that has the same number of letters(characters).
Example:
Barely Seen by Molly Black (10 each)
What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom (17 each)
Option 4: Read a book with a series title that has the same number of words as the title you are reading in the series.
Example:
Ambush by Colleen Coble; Series title is Sanctuary
Nearly Next by Molly Black; Series title is Grace Ford
Required: state the series title
30.6 - Delicious Dee's Task: Reading In and Through Time: 1915-1939
Help Thread
For this task, you will read two books: one from Option A and one from Option B.
Your books must have a combined total page count of 501 or more.
The titles of the two books must contain all the letters of MOTORCAR (O and R must each be present twice).
Subtitles do not count
Each title must contribute at least two letters
MPG Children's allowed only with Young Adult or Adult additional shelving
Option A:
Read a book first published between 1915 and 1939 (inclusive).
Option B:
Read a book primarily set (at least ~60%) between 1915 and 1939, and the setting is at least 15 years prior to the book's first publication date. (i.e., a book set in 1930 must have been published no earlier than 1945).
Required: If the setting is not evident from the book's main page, provide a reference.
Mod
Help Thread
I’ve been participating in the SRC since 2009, so I have hit many milestones in my life during this time. Fifteen years ago, in October of 2011, I celebrated turning 50 with a “Big 5-O” task in the Fall challenge. I figured why not celebrate my entry into the Medicare era with a task about turning 65. Put on your party hats and please join in my celebration of “Stayin’ Alive at Sixty-Five” by completing 2 tasks from the options below.
This is a two book task. One book MUST be published in October of any year. Choose 2 options and read a book for each.
Required: State the options used and which book was published in October.
Option 1: Happy Birthday #65 –
Read a book with an original publication date OR page count that contain the numbers of “6” and “5.” Use numerals for months, i.e.- May (5) and June (6).
Required: state where the numbers are
Option 2: Time to Enroll in Medicare –
Read a book whose single author's first and last initials can be found in “MEDICARE.” Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Option 3: “Stayin’ Alive” –
As a throwback to one of the songs of my youth and as a mantra to my life moving forward, read a book with a title word of 3 or more letters found in the lyrics of the Bee Gee’s song, “Stayin’ Alive.” The words, “the” and “and” may not be used. Lyric words with an apostrophe (‘) used for omitted letters may be matched with title words containing the omitted letter, i.e. – staying for stayin’, going for goin’, shaking for shakin’, etc…
Lyrics: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/beege...
Required: State the word
Option 4: Everyday is a Gift –
At this age, I view every day on this Earth as a gift, and I don’t really need birthday gifts. That being said, I’m always happy to receive books. For this task, read a book with a main page genre, standalone or embedded, starting with any letter of the word “GIFT.” i.e. – Thriller MPG or Mystery Thriller MPG – Letter “T” or Indigenous MPG – Letter “I”
30.8 - Nick KY’s Task: Amazonia
Help Thread
As noted in Task 5.2: Covering about 5.5 to 6.7 million square kilometers across nine South American nations (primarily Brazil), the Amazon Rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest.
Read two books, one from two different options -- or you may use the same option twice. But…the books must have different authors.
Required: State the options
Option 1
Read a book set at least 50% in Brazil.
Required: Provide a reference if it is not obvious from the book page
Option 2
Amazonia is one of the “wombs” of the earth, vital to its biological existence. “Ecofeminism” is the recognition that sexism and environmental ruin come from the same harmful socioeconomic systems.
Read a book from the following “Ecofeminism” list: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Required: State the page
Option 3
Anything South American reminds me of Magical Realism. I have never been to South America, but from my far off vantage point, it appears as a land both strange and mystical, and at the same time full of intense hardships and natural dangers.
Read a book with one of these Magical Realism words in the title or subtitle:
Double, Eerie, Enchanted,
Magic, Miracle, Mystic,
Other, Solitude, Spirits,
Uncanny, Water, Wings.
(Words taken from Roget’s Thesaurus and some common MR titles.) Words must match exactly. Note that this means that “Spirits” and “Wings” must be plural.
Required: State the word.
30.9 Beth_NC's Task: Fall with Family
Help Thread
Leaves are falling, fires are burning, S'mores are eaten and stories are told in the glow.
Choose 2 options and read 1 book for each.
Required: State the options
Option 1: Leaves Falling
Read a book with fall leaves on the cover. Fall leaves are any leaves that are red, yellow, purple, orange, or brown
Required: Post the cover
Option 2: Fires Burning
Read a book that is burning up the charts, one that has over 500,000 ratings OR an avg rating of 4.5 or higher.
Required: Post the rating or number of ratings
Option 3: S'mores - Choose one ingredient
A: Dark Chocolate
Read a book that has a MPG that includes the word Dark
examples: Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance, Dark Humor, Dark Mystery
B: Marshmallows
Read a book from the first 25 pages of one of the following lists:
Light Reading
Light Mystery
Light Romance
Required: State the list and page
C: Graham Crackers
Read a book that has a 4 letter word in title that can be made from letters in GRAHAM CRACKER. Letters may be used as often as they appear.
Required: State the word
Option 4: Stories Told
Read a book of short stories or an anthology
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Help Thread
Fall is an exciting time and has a rhythm all its own. September brings the excitement and uncertainty of a new school year. October invites us to stay up late with a story that gives us a little shiver. By November, our thoughts turn to food, family, and the people who gather around the table. Follow those three moments through three books.
Read one book for each month, choosing A or B for that month. Your three books must total at least 750 pages.
Required: state your options
September: Back to School
A. Read a book in which a main character is currenting attending school, college, university, or conservatory, and is essential to the story.
Required: If the information is not included on the main page, provide a reference.
B. Read a book in which a main character is a teacher or professor and is essential to the story.
Required: If the information is not included on the main page, provide a reference.
October: Halloween
A. Read a book with DARK or NIGHT as a standalone word in its title (subtitles excluded). Word must be exact match.
B. Read a book whose Goodreads main page lists Thriller or Horror among its genres. Genre may be stand alone or embedded.
November: Thanksgiving
A. Read a book with a food or drink as a standalone word in its title (subtitles excluded).
examples: Old Ham, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe The Pumpkin Spice Café, Legends & Lattes, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
B. Read a book whose Goodreads main page lists Family
(stand alone or embedded) among its genres and whose story involves at least two generations of the same family.
Required: If the information is not included on the main page, provide a reference.
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The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Old Ham (other topics)The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane (other topics)
The Pumpkin Spice Café (other topics)
Legends & Lattes (other topics)
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (other topics)
More...
Help Thread
The first national forest was established, Yellowstone Park Timber and Land Reserve, on March 30, 1891. There are now 154 National forests in the U.S.A.
Read a book set 75% in a state that houses a national forest.
You can find a list of the parks here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Required Include the name of the forest and the state. Provide a reference if the location is not obvious from the book page.
5.2 Amazon Size Forest
Help Thread
The largest tropical rainforest is the 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.
Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska covers 17 million acres, making it the largest single intact temperate rainforest on Earth
The Russian taiga is the world's largest continuous boreal forest. Stretching across approximately 12 million square kilometers
Read a book with 55 or 67 or 17 or 12 INTACT in the page count
5.3 Spread Like Wildfire
Help Thread
Wildfires are a natural part of many forest ecosystems, clearing dead brush and returning nutrients to the soil. However, severe, fast-moving fires driven by climate change can burn hot enough to prevent forests from growing back, changing the landscape permanently.
Read a Book with fire on the cover.
Required: Post the Cover
5.4 Smokey the Bear
Help Thread
In 1944, the USDA Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters, and Ad Council launched the first poster featuring Smokey Bear, asking Americans to recognize their personal responsibility in preventing unwanted wildfires.
Read a book with the word bear intact in the title/subtitle or series name.
5.5 Forest or Forrest
Help Thread
Forrest is a traditional masculine given name and surname of English and French origin, meaning "dweller near the woods" or "forest".
Read a book by a single author whose name includes Forrest OR a book with the title word forest. Word must be stand alone, plurals and possessives are acceptable.
5.6 Colors of Fall
Help Thread
The fall season brings a burst of color to the world. Shorter days and cooler temperatures signal trees to stop making chlorophyll which is the green pigment. As the green fades the hidden pigments of yellow and orange appear and the trapped sugars create bright red and purple.
Read a book with 50% of at least 2 of the fall colors (yellow, orange, red, violet) on the cover according to Tineye.
Tineye Instruction
Required: Post the cover and the Tineye percentages.
5.7 The Daily Ladle
Help Thread
Fall is the perfect time of the year to get the pots, ladles, bowls, and spoons read for the cozy meals of soups, stews, Chili's and pastas.
Read a book with a bowl or plate of prepared food for a meal, such as lunch or dinner.
Ex:
Required: Post the cover.
5.8 Fall means football
Help Thread
American football and the Fall season run together in the United States. Training camps start in August, and games take over TV and stadiums starting in September. Schools and universities align their academic terms with the start of the sport and events like tailgating, homecoming games, and family gatherings have made watching football a core part of autumn traditions.
Read a book featuring American football. Football must play a part of the story but does not need to be the entire focus. This means main characters are or related to football players, coaches, cheerleaders, or a football fan and its essential to the story.
Required: If its not evident from the Goodreads main page, provide a reference.
5.9 Arrgh Matey Ahoy
Help Thread
Get your eyepatches, ships, and flags ready. September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Read a book with one of these MPGs: Pirates, Historical Fiction or Nautical. Standalone or embedded.
5.10 Quiet Autumn Days
Reading is the best way to spend your time on quiet autumn days. Read a book of your choice