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SPRING CHALLENGE 2016
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Spring Challenge 2016: Tasks
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10 point tasks10.1 - Ever So POPular
Help Thread
Pop art emerged in the mid-1950s in Britain and the late 1950s in the United States. Using the Goodread's Popular function, read one of the top 200 books published from 1955 through 1959 (inclusive). Here's the link to the 1955 list: Top 200 books published in 1955 that people have added on ŷ. You can use the Next button in the box on the upper right-hand side of the screen to go to the other years.
Required: State which year the book was popular when you post.
10.2 - Andy Warhol
Help Thread
Andy Warhol was a leading figure in the pop art movement. Read a book written by an author whose initials can be found in ANDY WARHOL. All initials listed on ŷ count (middle names, middle initial(s), etc.). For books with multiple authors, only one needs to match.
10.3 - It's So Surreal
Help Thread
Pop surrealism is a popular subgenre of pop art. Read a book found on the first 5 pages of the Popular Surreal Books list.
Required: State which page the book can be found on when you post.
10.4 - Remembering David Bowie
Help Thread
Sadly, the world lost several of its most influential musicians in January 2016. One of those musicians was David Bowie, who in 2013, shared a list of 100 of his favorite books on his Facebook page. In remembrance of this creative bookworm, read one of David Bowie's Top 100 Must Read Books.
10.5 - Glenn Frey, Too
Help Thread
Another musical talent taken from us in January was Glenn Frey, a founding member of the Eagles. In memory of this accomplished singer, songwriter, and music producer, read a book with a title/subtitle that contains a word of at least 4 letters that can also be found in the lyrics of the band's first single, . Words must match exactly.
Required: Identify the word you used when you post.
10.6 - And Alan Rickman
Help Thread
The artistic world received yet another blow when beloved stage and screen star Alan Rickman passed away. Many of Rickman's most famous roles were based on literary characters. In remembrance of this talented actor, read a book on this list of . The linked site can be slow and buggy. See post #2 in the Help Thread for a list of books.
10.7 - Happy Pi Day
Help Thread
March 14 is Pi Day. Read a book with the letters "PI" found together, in order, and intact in the title/subtitle or author's name.
10.8 - Hey, Einstein!
Help Thread
March 14 is Albert Einstein's birthday. Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics and his work had a large influence on the philosophy of science. In honor of Einstein, read a book with the main page genre "Science" or "Philosophy."
10.9 - March Madness
Help Thread
For college basketball fans, Spring means March Madness! Read a book with a two-word, alliterative title OR written by an author whose first and last initials are the same. If using the title option, the title may contain only TWO words (all words count) and both words must start with the same letter. Authors with middle names or initials may not be used for this task. If a book has more than one author, all contributors must meet the alliterative requirement. Ex: Gone Girl, Nicholas Nickleby, Helene Hanff
10.10 - Tournament of Books
Help Thread
Now for a March Madness of a different kind! Get your brackets ready and read a book found on The 2016 Tournament of Books Longlist.
Mod
15.1. From Soup to ............Breakfast??
Help Thread
Book 1. Read a book the title/subtitle of which contains a word from of Campbell's soup flavors.
This site seems to be very buggy and slow, so I've listed the soup flavors in post 2 of the help thread.
AND
Book 2. Read a book the title/subtitle of which contains a word from of the best 27 pop tart flavors. For convenience, the flavors are listed in post 3 of the help thread.
For both options, the words "and" "with" and "of" cannot be used. Plural/singular forms and possessives may be used, but no other variations of the listed words. Punctuation marks need not be included ("Wild" is fine, it need not be "Wild!")
15.2. I'm Not Answering my Phone until December
In an election year, spring is the time for politics (and constant phone calls)!
Help Thread
Book 1. Read a NONFICTION book with the main page genre politics or government.
AND
Book 2. Since dystopian books are generally about "government gone wrong," read a book with "dystopia" (standalone or embedded) as a main page genre.
15.3. Still Flying.........
Help Thread
Along with the other losses from the arts world in January, Paul Kantner and Signe Toly Anderson, two of the founding members of the Jefferson Airplane, both passed away on January 28.
Option 1.
A. Read a book whose title/subtitle contains a word that matches one of the words from the titles of the songs on the Airplane's first album (when Anderson was with the band) .
Any word except articles (a, an, the) may be used, but the words must match exactly.
AND
B. read a book whose author's initials can be found in JEFFERSON AIRPLANE. Middle initials can be disregarded. There must be at least 2 initials, however - a single name author will not work.
OR
Option 2 Read one book that satisfies both criteria for option 1.
15.4. Towel Day
Help Thread
May 25, Towel Day, celebrates Douglas Adams.
Option 1:
A. Read a book with the main page genre science fiction or fantasy (standalone or embedded)
AND
B. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in DOUGLAS ADAMS. Middle initials can be disregarded.
OR
Option 2
Read one book that satisfies both criteria for option 1.
15.5. No More Snow!
Help Thread
Read a book containing all the letters of SPRING in its title/subtitle.
15.6. Light My Fire
Help Thread
Beltane is a festival held on May 1 to celebrate the beginning of summer. Rituals were performed to protect the crops and the cattle and special protective bonfires were held.
Read a book with the word FIRE in the title/subtitle or fire/flames on the cover. Plurals, possessives, and compound words containing the word "fire" may be used, as long as the meaning of "fire" is preserved - for example, Firestarter.
REQUIRED: If using the cover option, be sure to include the cover in your post.
15.7. Tax time!
Help Thread
April is Financial Literacy Month. Read a book with the main page genre Finance or Finances.
15.8. It's Magic
Help Thread
Spring is a magical time of year, but it is not the spooky reality of autumn. Rather, it is the reality of the renewal of life. So read a book with "Magical Realism" as a GR main page genre.
15.9. Three/Four/Five
Help Thread
March, April, and May are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th months of the year - Read a book whose average rating is made up of the numbers 3, 4, and 5 (i.e. no other number can be found in it - 3.34 is fine while 2.35 is not). Ratings can and do change, so make a note of the rating on the date you select your book.
REQUIRED: If your book's rating no longer fits the criteria at the time you post, include the date and rating at the time of selection.
15.10. Batter up!
Help Thread
Spring - for baseball fans, time for spring training and opening day! Although we think of baseball as an American sport, there are players from all over the world. Players from the following countries are represented on the major league rosters, at least at this point: Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Venezuela.
In recognition of the international aspects of American baseball, read a book set at least 50% in one of the countries listed above.
REQUIRED: if the setting is not obvious from the GR description or metadata, please explain your choice.
Mod
20.1 - Most Improved - MegSCL's task: Pick a card
Help Thread
First, draw a random card. You can use a real shuffled deck or go to (don’t change any of the options on the screen, just hit ‘Draw Cards� at Step 4). Use the first card drawn to define your book.
This is a ONE book task. The book you read must meet the suit AND the face value of your card as described below.
>The suit you draw determines the book genre. One of the listed genres must be present on the book's main page genre list�.
Hearts: Romance or Young Adult or Mystery
Spades: Crime or Science Fiction or Memoir
Diamonds: Fantasy or Non Fiction or Chick Lit
Clubs: Historical Fiction or Contemporary or Horror
>If you draw a number card, this determines the number of letters OR words in the title. Aces are 1.
For example, if you draw a 2, you need a book with a two letter title like Us OR a two word title like Jane Eyre.
You can include subtitles if you wish but don’t have to. Ignore symbols and punctuation when counting letters or words.
>If you draw a court card you need to find the letter: J for Jack, Q for Queen, K for King somewhere in the title or subtitle.
Examples:
Card=King of Spades The Cuckoo's Calling (K in title and Crime genre)
Card=Nine of Diamonds Feverborn (9 letters in title and Fantasy Genre)
Required: State the card you drew, the suit genre you selected and whether your title count is letters or words.
20.2 - Rookie at the Top - Gabriella's Task: Time for Celebration
Help Thread
Choose ONE of the following options.
REQUIRED: State which option you chose when you post.
Option A - April 8 is the birthday of my "one and only" and History is one of her favorite subjects. Read a book with a genre on its main book page that contains "History" or "Historical".
Option B - As Spring is a season of renewal, let's diversify our reading. Read a book set at least 50% in South America, Africa or Asia.
For the purposes of this task, use one of the following countries:
� South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.
� Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic or Republic), Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Erithea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Lybia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwande, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
� Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, North or South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste/East Timor, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.
Required: Identify the country if it is not obvious in the book's description or metadata.
Option C - March 17 is Saint Patrick's Day and the original color associated with it was blue. Read a book set at least 50% in Ireland or with a cover that's at least 50% blue.
Ex:
Required: Include the cover.
20.3 - Best Review: mstan's Task: Returning to My Source of Inspiration...
Help Thread
Since I won the best review contest with a book by Elena Ferrante, and have gotten hooked on the Neapolitan Quartet, I thought it would be nice to pay a little tribute to the work that was the source of my inspiration for last season's review contest.
You can choose any ONE of the options below. Indicate the option when you post.
Option 1: Read a book by Elena Ferrante.
Option 2: Read a book that was originally written in Italian. This should be evident in the book's information page from the "Original title." (I can help double-check this if needed!)
Option 3: Read a book by an author who is new to you this season. You must have claimed at least one other task with a book by this author by the time you post your completion of my task. Each book must be written by a single author; no co-authors or multiple contributors.
Required: LINK to the Completed Task post that uses the previous book you read by the author (see Help Thread post 4) AND state that the author is new to you this season.
Enjoy! Or as the Italians would say, divertitevi!
Mod
20.4 -Golden Oldie: Anne (Booklady)'s Task: Golden Oldie Pop TV Shows
Help Thread
In keeping with the Golden Oldie Ticket and Pop Art, I thought about paying homage to some popular TV Shows of the 1980's. Here are my favorites of that decade.
Read ONE book from the following options. Indicate the option when you post.
Option A: Miami Vice - The adventures of the vice squad detectives of the Miami Police Department. Besides the obvious attributes of Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs, the hit series was dark and gritty for that time. It also inspired some good music.
-->For this option, read a book with a word at least 4 letters long from one of my favorite Miami Vice tunes,. Glenn Frey's "Smuggler's Blues" in the Title. The word must match exactly.
Required: Post the word you select.
Option B: Golden Girls - Four older women share a house in Miami Beach. The spirited Dorothy, the vampy Blanche, the feisty, Sophia, and ditsy Rose could always make me laugh. Who says older women don't have fun?
---> For this option, read a book in which a senior citizen woman, roughly 60 or older, is a very prominent character. Examples: Miss Marple Murder at the Vicarage Lists that may be helpful Amazing Older Heroines , Protagonists Over 60 and Senior Sleuths
Note: Not all books on these list will work, some 60+ Characters are men.
Option C: Fantasy Island - Accounts of visitors to a unique resort island in the Pacific Ocean that can fulfill literally any fantasy requested, but rarely turn out as expected. Tattoo had probably one of the most recognizable lines in TV history, "Boss, the plane. The plane." But Mr. Roarke was mysterious with supernatural powers.
-->For this option, read a book with "Fantasy" or "Supernatural" genre on the book's main GR page.
Option D: Love Boat - The romantic and comic tales of the passengers and crew of the cruise ship, Pacific Princess. I loved watching this sappy and funny show. The crew: Captain Stuebing, Gopher, Doc, Issac, and Julie all have a warm place in my heart and I loved their antics on the High Seas as well as those episodes in a particular port of call.
-->For this option, read a book from Cruises List , Nautical Novels List. Or if you get seasick, read a book from Vacations from Hell List.
Required: Post which List your book can be found on along with it's page and number.
20.5 - Bigger is Better- Catherine T's Task: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Book
Help Thread
Sir Peter Blake is great artist, producing many iconic art works, and in particular album covers. Most notably he did the cover for The Beatles album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. This task is exploring and celebrating that work.
Choose one option. Indicate the option when you post.
Books with the genre Sequential Art, Graphic novels, or Manga MAY be used.
Books with the genre Childrens or Kids may NOT be used.
1: Read a book whose title (excluding sub-title) can be made up of ONLY the letters found in "Peter Blake Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" Letters can only be used as many times as they appear in the phrase. Punctuation in the book title may be ignored; only the letters should be considered..
2: The artwork is a collage with many different people and items. Read a book written by an author who shares at least one name with someone who appears on the album cover. You must use someone on the cover with a name in a blue hyperlink and not one of the props or excluded people/items listed. If your book has multiple authors only one needs to match.
Required: State the person you are matching. e.g. Oscar Wilde - matching himself; Joyce Carol Oates - matching James Joyce
3: Have you every looked at the cover and wished you could add someone in or take someone out? Now's your chance!
Read a non-fiction book by or about a person you would add to or remove from the album cover.
Required: briefly explain why you'd make the change.
20.6 Seasoned Reader: Val TX's Task: Eurovision Calling!
Help Thread
While also reading ferociously, during the Spring 2016 challenge, I will be gearing up for and watching the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. It takes place in Stockholm, Sweden on May 10th, 12th and 14th.
To celebrate the 61st edition of the world’s longest-running song competition, read ONE book from the option of your choice:
Indicate the option when you post.
Option 1: 43 countries will be participating this year, including Australia whose invitation to compete last year was met with some controversy, purely because it’s not a European country. A Eurovision tradition is that the winning country gets to host the next year. However, if Australia were ever to win, their broadcaster will have to choose a European country/city to “co-host� with them.
To make it up to the Aussies, read a book set at least 50% in Australia and/or by an author who was born in Australia. If using the author option, and your book has multiple authors, ALL authors must have been born in Australia.
REQUIRED: If your author’s GR page doesn’t include their country of birth, please include an external link with the information when you post.
Option 2: Stockholm will be the host city this year, following Sweden’s victory in 2015 with the song “Heroes� by Måns Zelmerlöw. Read a book with a title/subtitle that contains a word of at least 4 letters that can also be found in the Words must match exactly.
REQUIRED: State the word.
Option 3: The slogan for this year’s contest is “Come Together�, a simple message that Swedish broadcaster SVT hopes will bring and unite people together. Read a book found in the Best Friendship Books list. Be careful, because some of the books on the list might not fit AR Bookfinder requirements.
REQUIRED: Please post the page and number your book can be found on when you post.
Option 4: Each country that broadcasts Eurovision usually has a commentator guiding the viewers along at home. Perhaps the commentator best known throughout the world is chat show host Graham Norton, who commentates for the BBC in the UK. To acknowledge his 8th year involved with the contest, read a book by an author who shares a first, middle or last name with either Graham Norton himself or a guest from the past series of his show. You may use a member from a band that has appeared.
REQUIRED: State the name you chose. If you are using a band member include a reference link to the band.
Optional: Watch Eurovision this year. You’ll laugh, cry, and have a great time. For non-Europeans/Australians, you may learn more about the contest and watch it .
Mod
20.7 - Shorter is Sweeter: Pamela3265's Task: When Books Went to War
Help Thread
The last book I finished for the Winter Challenge was When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II. During World War II Hitler’s regime destroyed an estimated 100 miilion books in an effort to destroy ideas that were different than their own. In an effort to combat this war on ideas, the military formed a Council on Books in Wartime. The council published and distributed free books to American servicemen from 1943 � 1946. More than 123 million copies of 1,322 books were published and distributed. I found it ironic that more books were published than destroyed in this war on ideas.
For this challenge read ONE book. Indicate the option when you post.
A. Read When Books Went to War: The Stories that Helped Us Win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning
OR
B. Read ONE of the books that was published by the Council on Books in Wartime:
Books with the notation "Made book" cannot be used since there are no equivalent editions of those books.
Some of the titles are not widely available. To make it easier, I’ve put together a list of the more readily available books on my book list Armed Service shelf. Remember to check ARBookFinder for books with the genre childrens.
20.8 - Nickels & Dimes: SpiderMac's task: Making It Worth Watching
Help Thread
"One day your life will pass before your eyes.
Make it worth watching."
My partner and I recently moved back to the states after working in northern Thailand for two years. Moving to a country half way around the world with three huge dogs, besides being somewhat of a circus, was in itself something to be checked off our bucket lists. Since Spring is about growth, this task celebrates new experiences and attacking our bucket lists.
This is a one book task. Choose one book that fits one of the options below.
Required: State which option you used when you post.
Option 1: As a nature and animal lover, I was in heaven in Thailand. From close encounters with gibbons, snakes, and incredibly cool insects to wild orchids and banana trees growing in our front yard, I had bucket list checks right and left. One stand out check off my bucket list was volunteering and working with elephants at an amazing elephant rescue park.
---> To honor these magnificent creatures, please read a book with an elephant on the cover or with “nature� or “animals� as a main page genre (stand alone or embedded).
Required: Include the cover if that is the option you selected.
Option 2: Another check off my bucket list was going to a wat for a Buddhist monk blessing and getting a traditional bamboo Sak Yant tattoo from him.
---> In honor of the Buddhist monks of southeast Asia and the bright orange robes they wear, read a book from the Orange Prize list or Women's Prize list - Orange Prize post 2013(winners or nominees) at
Required: State on which page your book is found.
Option 3: Another bucket list check was full-on participation in Songkran. This is the celebration of the Thai New Year from April 13-15. Songkran starts out traditionally by visiting a temple or wat and pouring water on Buddha statues to wash away bad luck. Families pay reverence to ancestors and show respect by pouring water on their elders� palms. And then there’s the water festival portion! Major streets close for city wide water fights. Everyone gets in the spirit and it lasts for three days. Old and young alike throw water balloons, shoot huge water guns, and throw buckets of ice water on parades of people. It is crazy and fun.
---> In honor of the fun loving Thai people, read a book that has “Buddha�, “festival", “balloon�, or “New Year� in the title or subtitle. “New Year� must be intact and plurals and possessives are ok. No other variations.
Option 4: What’s on your bucket list? Do you want to live on the moon or cook with Cat Cora? Maybe your dream is to learn to play the bagpipes, run a marathon, or visit Ireland. Go crazy and have fun with this one!
---> In honor of your dreams, select something from your bucket list and read a book about it. Nonfiction and fiction are both ok but your bucket list item must play a major role in or be the main theme of your book.
Required: State when posting your task what your bucket list item is and how it ties in with the book you read.
Example 1 � Before I die I want to learn to play the bagpipes and visit Scotland. I read Mary Queen of Scotland and The Isles This book is historical fiction and ties to my bucket list goal because it has the main page genre of Cultural>Scotland.
Example 2 � Before I die, I want to learn how to scuba dive. I want to see seahorses, turtles, sharks, and other sea creatures in their natural environment. I read Song for the Blue Ocean: Encounters Along the World's Coasts and Beneath the Seas It ties to my bucket list goal because it is a nonfiction book with adventure, politics, and ocean science.
20.9 - Moderator's Pet: Seakbee's Task: Give Yourself Permission�
Help Thread
It’s kind of a mixed bag, but these are things in my reading life and my personal life that I think about often.
Choose one of the following options that fit into your reading or personal life and read ONE book. Indicate the option when you post.
1) Genres: One of my favorite genres is biography and/or autobiography. Read a book that lists the genre Biography or Autobiography on the main page.
2) Big Books: I really like to dig deeper into books, so for this task, kick back and Read a book that is at least 500 pages.
*NOTE: ebooks without a print edition cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook, listen to an audiobook or read a Large Print edition use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition. See the rules for the complete method.
3) Re-reads: I never allow myself the opportunity to re-read a book. For this task, I give you permission to re-read any book you enjoyed several years ago.
Optional:Let us know if you enjoyed it as much the second time around.
4) Travel and entertainment: My family likes to go to Disney properties, but we live more than 1,000 miles away from the closest park. For this task, put on your Mickey ears and read a book where at least 50% of the story takes place in: California, Florida, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Hawaii or on a cruiseship.
REQUIRED: indicate where the story takes place if it is not obvious in the book's description of metadata.
5) Sports: Both of my daughters played basketball from the age of 10 until their senior year in high school. As this final season comes to an end and with a top 5 finish in the state as well as being among the top 100 teams in the country, I would like to honor their athletics efforts.
Read a book with a character that is a competitive female athlete (general exercise like going to the gym or going for a jog does not count as being a competitive athlete).
REQUIRED: indicate the sport that the athlete participated in if it is not obvious in the book's description.
6) Pets: I have two dogs, one is black, one is white. Read a book with the complete TITLE in white OR in black on the cover. Outlines and drop shadows in a secondary color are not allowed. Subtitles may be ignored.
Ex. white title
black title
REQUIRED: include the cover in your post.
20.10 - Group Reads
Read ONE of the books selected as the Group Reads choices for the season:
Ancient History: The Buried Giant by The Buried Giant
Discussion Thread
Pop Art: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe
Discussion Thread
Travel Non-fiction: Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
Discussion Thread
REQUIRED: You must participate in the book's discussion thread with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book.
Mod
25.1 - Sandy's task as suggested by Katy: Fact and Fiction
Help Thread
Read 2 books:
Book 1: Read a book with the genre "Historical Fiction" on its main page.
Book 2: Read a nonfiction book that is about the same era (same general time and place) as Book 1.
Examples -
Book 1 - Child 44 (set in Soviet Russia during Stalin years)
Book 2 - Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar
Would NOT work
Book 1 - The Pillars of the Earth (set in medieval Europe)
Book 2 - Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan (same general time but NOT the same place)
25.2 - Brooke TX's Task: #ReadingGoals
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Choose two different options from the
following choices, and read one book for each.
The two books combined must have a total of at least 600 pages, and both books must be new to you.
REQUIRED: State which options you chose when posting and that both books are new to you.
1. #MoreGenre: One of my goals for this year is to read more genre fiction, especially science fiction/fantasy. Choose a book from one of these lists:
2015 Locus SF Novels Recommended Reading List,
2015 Locus First Novels Recommended Reading List, or
2015 Locus Fantasy Novels Recommended Reading List.
REQUIRED: Include which list your book is found on in your post.
2. #TooLong: I'm also trying to clear out some of the books that have been clogging up my TBR.
Using your ŷ to-read shelf, another personal ŷ shelf or a non-ŷ list, such as "books I own":
Read either:
A: one of the 10 books that have been on your to-read list the longest.
B: one of the 10 longest* books on your to-read list.
REQUIRED: If you chose option A, identify your to-read list and include the date you added the book to your TBR. If you chose option B, identify your to-read list and include the book's page count.
*NOTE: ebooks without a print edition cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook, listen to an audiobook or read a Large Print edition use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition. See the rules for the complete method.
3. #OldFavorites: Another goal: get caught up on new releases from some of my favorite authors. Go to your ŷ Most Read Authors (under the "Tools" sidebar on the My Books page). Choose a new to you book by one of the authors on this list.
REQUIRED: Include a link to the author's page, the author's ranking on your list, and the number of their books you have read in your post. For example: William Shakespeare, #5, 10 books.
4. #NewBooks: There's always room for discovering new authors. Read a book first published in 2016 by a new to you author.
REQUIRED: State that the author is new to you.
25.3 - Whitnie I's Task: Celebrate Spring
Help Thread
March 20 is the Vernal Equinox which marks the beginning of spring. It is also known as Ostara. This is a time of rebirth, celebration and fertility.
This is a two book challenge, read 1 book for each option.
Option 1: Read a book written by an author whose first and last name initials appear in the word OSTARA. If there are co-authors or multiple contributors all of the authors' initials must fit.
Option 2: Since spring is a time of change and renewal. Read a NONFICTION book found on the Best Self Help Books list.
Required: State which page your book can be found on when you post.
Mod
25.4 - Nick KY’s Task: Pop Voices
Help Thread
This is a two book task. Read one Book 1 and one Book 2.
Note: The genres "Sequential Art", "Comics", "Comic Book", and "Manga" are allowed for either or both books. All books must meet SRC requirements.
Book 1. ŷ Voices are Good Minds. Under the link “Explore� or "Browse" dropdown arrow at the top of the ŷ page, click on “ŷ� Voice”or "News & Interviews*." Then click on “Good Minds Suggest.� Read any book (not necessarily the highlighted one) written by any of the Good Minds authors. There are 7 pages of them reaching back to July 2008. When you click on your chosen author, the date of their interview appears at the top of their page.
*ŷ is redesigning the navigation bar
REQUIRED: Give the date (month and year) your author was interviewed and the page on which they can be found in the Good Minds section.
Book 2. For your second book, you have 2 options. Indicate the option when you post.
Option A. Good Choices. Read any of the five choices (or sometimes there are 6) recommended by the author of your first book. You may read any book from a series if the author recommends a series.
Option B. Good Voices. What date was your first book first published? Read a nonfiction book about any musician (singer, instrumentalist, composer, or for purposes of this task a dancer) who was alive on the date of Book 1’s first publication. Books about musical groups are acceptable as long as one member of the group was/is alive during the year of the first publication of Book 1.
example
Book 1: Garrison Keillor- Lake Wobegon Days first published in 1985
OK for Book 2: Sinatra: The Chairman Sinatra 1915- 1998,
Who I Am Pete Townshend 1945-present,
Boys in the Trees: A Memoir Carly Simon 1945-present ,
Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and America Paul McCartney 1942-present
REQUIRED: Give the date of the Book 1’s first publication and the birth and death dates of your chosen musician.
25.5 - Andy P's Task: Symmetry
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Ground rules
1. This is a two book task, one for book 1 and 1 for book two.
2. Books with the genre Childrens or Kids may NOT be used for this task.
3. Books must be written by a single author, no co-authors or multiple contributors.
Book 1.
Read a book written by an author who has the same number of letters in his/her first and last names (and middle name if the author uses one). Authors who use initials are excluded from this task unless they meet the above criteria. For SRC purposes, spaces determine names. Apostrophes are the only punctation allowed; no other punctuation, symbols or abbreviations.
Example: John Saul Each name is 4 letters: John = 4, Saul = 4.
Patty Chang Anker (5/5/5)
Andrew O'Hagan ( 6/6)
Book 2.
Read a book whose TITLE consists of words of the same number of letters. Book titles must be at least two words long. Titles may be more than two words, but each word in the title must contain the same number of letters. Spaces determine words. Titles with digits and/or symbols such as "&" may NOT be used. Subtitles should be ignored. Apostrophes are the only punctation allowed; no other punctuation, symbols or abbreviations.
For example Raven Black. Each word is five letters long: raven = 5, black = 5.
Anil's Ghost (5/5)
25.6- Robin �'s Task: Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hands
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One of the world's most favorite candy is celebrating 75 years!!! M&M's originated in 1941 and is still going strong. Over the years we have seen a wide variety of M&Ms from cherry cordial, peanut butter, pretzel, mint, crispy and the faithful originals of peanut and plain. Let's help the M&M guys celebrate a wonderful 75 years.
This is a cute video I found on their website:
***All books must be fiction.
***Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga MAY be used provided the general SRC guidelines are met for these books.
Is your favorite Plain or Peanut?
Read TWO books
If you are Plain: choose two different options from Plan A.
If you are Peanut: choose two different options from Plan B.
Required: When posting state which Plan you are and what options for that plan you selected
Plan A Plain
Option A-1:Who is your favorite M&M character? Red,Blue, or Ms.Brown.
Choose your color and read a book from the first 5 pages of that color list.
Red
Blue
Brown
Reminder: Non-fiction books may appear on the lists but WILL NOT work for this task.
Required: State which list and the page your book can be found on when you post
Option A-2: Wow!!! 75 years and still a favorite candy.
**Read a book by a single author (NO HYPHENATED NAMES) with 7 letters in the first OR last name.
Option A-3: On the M&M website you can meet the characters. Of the males, Red and Yellow are probably the most memorable.
**Read a book with a male on the cover. You must be able to see at least from the head to the waist or the full body. Obvious facial or body features must be seen to determine it is a male. No silhouettes,shadows etc.
Required: Must include cover when posting
Plan B Peanut
Option B-1 Who is your favorite M&M character? Yellow, Green or Orange.
Choose your color and read a book from the first 5 pages of that color list.
Yellow
Green
Orange
Reminder:Non-fiction books may appear on the lists but WILL NOT work for this task.
Required: State which list and the page your book can be found on when you post
Option B-2: Wow!!! 75 years and still a favorite candy.
**Read a book by a single author (NO HYPHENATED NAMES) with 5 letters in the first OR last name.
Option B-3:On the M&M website you can meet the characters.There are only two females,Ms Brown and Green.
**Read a book with a female on the cover. You must be able to see at least from the head to the waist or the full body. Obvious facial or body features must be seen to determine it is a female. No silhouettes,shadows etc.
Required: Must include cover when posting
Optional Enjoy a bag of M&Ms while reading your books for this task :)
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25.7 - Dakimel's Task: Sibling and Niece Season
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The Spring SRC coincides with my brother’s and my sister’s birthdays, so this task celebrates them and their daughters.
This is a 2-book task. Pick two different options and read one book for each.
Required: Specify which options you picked when you claim your task.
A: My big brother is a vegetarian actuary. Read a book written by an author whose initials all appear in VEGETARIANACTUARY.
Spaces determine names and all name initials count. If a book is written by co-authors or multiple contributors all authors' initials must fit.
B. His older daughter studies urban gardening. Read a book with the genre “Urban,� “Urban Fantasy,� or “Gardening� on its main book page.
C. His younger daughter studies math. Read a book with a digit (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) on the cover. The number may appear as part of the title, artwork, series name, etc., so long as it is not spelled out, a Roman numeral or anything other than a digit 0-9.
Required: post the cover when claiming this option, and point out the number if it isn’t obvious.
D: My sister likes snorkeling and diving. Read a book with a body of water large enough to snorkel in and/or with a fish or sea creature (whale, octopus, goldfish, tadpole - anything that lives primarily beneath the water) on the cover.
Required: post the cover when claiming this option.
E: Her daughter is crazy about all her stuffed animals, but she has one she’s never without. Read a book whose title (including subtitle) contains ALL the letters of WHITE BUNNY. They can appear in any order, but all ten letters must be present.
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30.1 - Schatzie’s Task: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
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I wanted to celebrate his contribution to the reading world. My kids loved these books.
This is a two book task. Pick 2 different options and read one book for each option. Identify the options when you post.
Option A: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Read a book with all the letters “R-E-D-B-L-U- E� in the TITLE. These letters can appear in any order. Subtitles will NOT be used for this option.
Option B: The Cat in the Hat
My girls loved Thing 1 and Thing 2. For this option, read a book with at least 2 items on the cover that are identical. It could be identical twins (dressed alike) or objects like 2 pencils, 2 shoes, 3+ sheep in a flock, etc. that are the same color and could be interchanged.
REQUIRED: Include the cover when posting and state what your identical items are.
Option C: Go, Dog, Go
My boys loved this book. It is one of the first books they learned to read from. For this option, read a book that is identified on ŷ as #1 in a series that is new to you AND the TITLE can only have exactly 3 words. Every word counts, even the little ones. Spaces determine words. Subtitles will NOT be used for this option.
REQUIRED: State that the series is new to you when posting.
Option D: Oh the Places you will go!
Read a book with “Travel� as a main page genre.
30.2 - Daphne's task: Peering really close at the world.
Help Thread
Sometimes reading can give you a chance to explore the big picture or big ideas. This can sometimes happens when one looks really closely at small things. For this task, we are going to take a look at the world by focusing on one particular topic or learning about the littlest things in life
.
Please read 2 books from 2 different options. Identify the options when you post.
This is a non-fiction book task.
1. In 1995, Oxford University Press decided to try a new kind of book aimed at introducing readers to big subjects in very few words. Classics: A Very Short Introduction by Mary Beard was their first foray into trying this medium. They are still publishing many books a year and there are nearly 450 A Very Short Introductions published now. Pick a book from the collection Very Short Introductions
2. Another interesting way to learn about a particular subject and how it fits into the bigger picture is through the increasingly popular "microhistory". Mark Kurlansky's incredibly interesting and insightful Salt: A World History in 2002 was one of the first and it triggered thousands of historians, science writers, and popular authors to try their hand at a microhistory. One of my favorite Listopia's ever is all about the mircohistories, and it's been a constant source of new books and subjects that I didn't even realize I might be interested in. For this task, read a book from the first 2 pages of Microhistory: Social Histories of Just One Thing
3. Here is a fact that may be hard to swallow for some: There is a very good chance that humans may have more bacterial cells in their bodies than 'human' ones. This from Scientific American explains how we are more bacteria than human. Read a book shelved at least 4 times under Microbiology from this list Popular Microbiology Books OR read a book from this listopia: Microbiology
30.3 - Ava Catherine's task: No task at the finisher's request.
30.4 - Jonquil's Task: Every Letter Counts
Help Thread
It's grant proposal writing time here in Tennessee. Throughout the Spring Challenge, my brain will be filled with nutrition, longevity, obesity, screening, driving, sleeping--anything that keeps Tennessee in the bottom 10 of good health practices. Almost all proposals limit the space available for telling your tale, so I find myself counting letters in words, seeking shorter
This is a two book challenge, one Book 1 and one Book 2.
For both books:
> Only the TITLE will be considered. Subtitles are excluded.
> Titles must be at least 2 words long.
> Spaces determine words.
> Titles with: symbols (& # @), numerals (250, 1001), punctuation (? !), apostrophes (can't, Mary's) or hyphenated-words may NOT be used.
> Single letter words MAY be used.
Count the letters in each word of the title: all words count.
Book 1 This book title has longer and longer words. Each word in the title is exactly one letter longer than the previous word.
Examples:
Ice Cold 3 letters in Ice, 4 letters in Cold
An Ice Cold Grave 2 letters in An, 3 letters in Ice, 4 letters in Cold, 5 letters in Grave
H is for Hawk 1 letter in H, 2 letters in Is, 3 letters in For, 4 letters in Hawk
Book 2 This book title has shorter and shorter words. Each word in the title is exactly one letter shorter than the previous word.
Examples:
Dragon Bones 6 letters in Dragon, 5 letters in Bones
Missing Pieces 7 letters in Missing, 6 letters in Pieces
Mod
Help Thread
March 4th is National Grammar Day as established by the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.
Read 2 books from 2 different options. Indicate the options when you post.
Option 1. Brush up on your grammar: Read a non-fiction book with the genre Language on its main book page.
Option 2. Commonly confused: Read a book with one of these most commonly confused words in the TITLE: They’re, Their, There, Your, You’re, Its, It’s. Subtitles are excluded. Words must match exactly.
Option 3. March 8 is National Proofreading Day. Break out the red pen! Read a book with the entire TITLE in Red on the cover.
Required: Include the cover
30.6 - Donna Jo's Task--Making a Name for Yourself
Help Thread
You may do this as a two book task (Parts A and B) or a one book task (Part C). When you post be sure you specify which you are doing.
Part A: You will use the last letter of your SRC Readerboard Name for this task. You will use the page numbers of your Part A book to determine Part B.
If the last letter of your Readerboard Name is A-M, do option 1
If the last letter of your Readerboard Name is N-Z, do option 2
If the last letter of your Readerboard Name is a number or non-alphabetic character, please use the last alphabetic character of your Readerboard name as your starting point.
Example:
Reader: Dlmrose, last letter E, would do option 1.
Reader: Donna Jo, last letter O, would do option 2.
Reader: Amanda1975, last letter A, would do option 1.
Option 1. Read a book by an author whose first and last name start with the same letter. It need not be the same letter as your name. The book must be written by a single author, no co-authors or multiple contributors.
Example: Margaret Maron (MM) or Sophie van der Stap (SS - remember spaces determine names and a "last name" is the name in the last position).
Record the number of pages for Part B.
Option 2. Read a book by an author whose first and last initials are adjacent letters in the alphabet, in either order. The book must be written by a single author, no co-authors or multiple contributors.
Example: Scott Turow (ST), Ann Barry (AB), Bridgett Artise (BA).
Record the number of pages for Part B.
Part B: You will use the number of pages in your book for part A to determine which option you must use in part B.
If your Part A book had 100-300 pages do option 3.
If your Part A book had 301-500 pages do option 4.
If your Part A book had 501 or more pages, do option 5.
Option 3. Read a book with a one, two or three word TITLE. All words count. Do NOT use subtitles or series names.
Option 4. Read a book with a TITLE that contains TWO or more of the following words: A, An, The, And, If, But.
Do NOT use subtitles or series names. The same word may be used more than once. Example: The Cat Who Went Into the Closet the/the; The Cat Who Moved a Mountain the/a
Option 5. Read a book with a TITLE that contains a person's name. It may be just a first or last name, or both, but it must be clear that the name refers to a person relevant to the book. Do NOT use subtitles or series names. Possessives and plurals may be used. Ex. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, My Name is Mary Sutter, Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet
Part C. Want to make it easier on yourself? One Book option.
6. Pick ANY one of the above 5 options and read a book of at least 650 pages that fits. When posting, indicate not only that you are using Part C, but which number of Part A or B you chose your book from and include the number of pages in your book.
Example: Option 5, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, 1006 pages
Option 2, Bleak House by Charles Dickens, 1017 pages
Option 1, Banner of the Damned by Sherwood Smith, 695 pages
NOTE: ebooks without a print edition cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages or to determine page numbers. If you read an ebook, listen to an audiobook or read a Large Print edition use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition. See the current rules for the full method.
Required: Clearly state your Part A and B or C choices. Include your book(s)'s page numbers.
Mod
Help Thread
In the U.S., it's an election year, and campaign ads for electoral primaries are everywhere this spring. Just as the painters of the pop art movement made great use of primary colors, for the last several years political pundits have used the primary colors Red and Blue to denote the two general voting trends of the country: Red for conservative/Republican territories, Blue for liberal/Democrat territories, as seen in of the 2012 presidential election.
This is a three-book task. Do one of each of the options below.
Books with the genre Children's or Kids may NOT be used for this task.
Book 1-Red: Either read a book set at least 50 percent in a "red" U.S. state as per the map linked above (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WY)
OR
Read a book with a cover that has a red background. The red must be primary color red as close to the red on the map as possible. The background needs to be at least half the cover.
REQUIRED: If using the first option, state the setting of the book. If using the second option, include the cover in your post.
Book 2-Blue: Either read a book set at least 50 percent in a "blue" U.S. state as per the map linked above (CA, CT, DC, DE, HI, IA, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA, WI)
OR
Read a book with a cover that has a blue background. The blue must be primary color blue as close to the blue on the map as possible. The background needs to be at least half the cover.
REQUIRED: If using the first option, state the setting of the book. If using the second option, include the cover in your post.
Book 3-Green: It's not easy being a third-party alternative to the two majors, but the gives its best every election year. Either read a book from Popular Social Justice Books,
OR
Read a book with a cover that has a green background. The green must be as close to the signature green of the Green Party logos/website as possible. The background needs to be at least half the cover.
REQUIRED: If using the Popular Social Justice list identify the page. If using the second option, include the cover in your post.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Mycroft Holmes (other topics)Micro (other topics)
The Natural (other topics)
Once a Crooked Man (other topics)
Angel's Tip (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Molly Guptill Manning (other topics)Patty Chang Anker (other topics)
John Saul (other topics)
Andrew O'Hagan (other topics)
Elena Ferrante (other topics)
More...
5.1 - Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol
Help Thread
Marilyn Monroe died in August 1962. In the following weeks, Warhol made this masterpiece which contains fifty images of Marilyn, all based on the same publicity photograph from the 1953 film "Niagara".
Read a book by an author who, at the time you select your book, is deceased.
Required: If the author's death is not noted on his/her ŷ page include a reference LINK that establishes the death.
5.2 - Whaam! by Roy Lichtenstein
Help Thread
"Whaam!" is one of Lichtenstein's series of war images and its title is integral to the image displaying the onomatopoeia in the right panel
Whaam! is a loud sound produced by an explosion or sharp impact. Read a book with a word from this list of in the title or subtitle. You may use any word from the 25 pages (no x page) Plurals, possessives and variations that preserve the meaning of the word work. Ex. Knocking on Heaven's Door: The Path to a Better Way of Death
5.3 - Campbell’s Soup Cans by Andy Warhol
Help Thread
"Campbell's Soup Cans" has become an iconic image of pop art. The Campbell Soup slogan: "Mmm Mmm Good!".
Read a book with a "good" rating of 3.5 or above. As ratings can change, note the book's rating at the time you select your book.
Required: If your book's rating falls below 3.5 at the time you post include the date and rating at the time of selection.
5.4 -A Bigger Splash by David Hockney
Help Thread
Hockney made three "Splash" paintings: "The Splash", "A Little Splash" and "A Bigger Splash". "A Bigger Splash" is the largest and most celebrated.
Read a book with a word in the title or subtitle that ends in -ER. NO plurals, possessives or other forms; the word must terminate in -ER.
5.5 - Drowning Girl by Roy Lichtenstein
Help Thread
Roy Lichtenstein appropriated imagery from a Tony Abruzzo panel from “Run For Love� in Secret Hearts, a DC Comic series produced in the 1960’s.
Read a book with the genre Sequential Art, comics or manga on the GR main page.
5.6 - Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? by Richard Hamilton
Help Thread
The title of this work was taken from copy in a magazine ad.
Read a book with a TITLE of six or more words. Subtitles are excluded. Spaces determine words. Digits should be counted as words.
5.7 - Flag by Jasper Johns
Help Thread
Johns made over 40 works based on the US flag , reworking the traditional colors as a monochrome in 1955. Read a book with a genre that contains "Retellings" on its main book page.
5.8 - I was a Rich Man’s Plaything by Eduardo Paolozzi
Help Thread
This work is a collage that includes a cover of the magazine “Intimate Confessions�.
Read an autobiography or memoir- a non-fiction account of the author’s own life or experiences.
5.9 Triple Elvis 1963 by Andy Warhol
Help Thread
The 1963 work that depicts the music icon as a gun-toting cowboy in triplicate sold for $81.9 million in 2014.
Read a book that is identified on ŷ as #3 in a series. Whole numbers only.
5.10 Self-portrait
Help Thread
Choose your own masterpiece. Read a book of your choice. Note: Books with the genre "children" or "kids" NOT found in AR Bookfinder MAY be used for this task. REQUIRED: If using this exemption, state that the book is not found in ARBookFinder.