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Dear RMFAO-ites,

We have the 2nd instalment of the new challenge that was introduced last year - Theme-Link Challenge. Suggested by Cheryl and fine-tuned by Cheryl, Dagny and I, we bring to you the RMFAO 2023 Theme-Link Challenge again!
It is a quarterly chain reading challenge and can be done with any number of books or as many times as you wish.

For this challenge, you can start with reading ANY book by ANY author. It will be counted as your first book in a chain. Then your next book must have a common theme that links it with the previous book. When linking books, Book 1 and Book 2 must have ONE theme in common. Then Book 2 and Book 3 must have another theme in common and so on. So only 2 books share a single "link" of theme in common.

For example: If your first book is The Goddess then you can read The Only Good Indians linking these two books with the theme of ‘cultural taboo violation.�� Then The Only Good Indians can be linked to Beasts through the link of ‘disturbing hybrid animals�� theme. Then Beasts can be linked to Bel Ria with ‘animal on their own�� theme.

You can try to continue this pattern for as long as you can. This one unbroken chain will be one RUN. The point of Runs is that whenever you come across a book that you can't link with the next one, you can simply abandon that Run and start a fresh Run with a new book. But remember, the Runs will reset every quarter. Read below to understand the rules as this si a quarterly challenge and not a yearly one.

RULES:
1) This is a quarterly challenge. The 'runs' will be reset every 3 months (quarterly) throughout the year. All the books read in each quarter are eligible for runs in that particular quarter only. You can begin fresh every 3 months. If you are in the middle of a run when a quarter ends, then you will have to abandon that run and begin a new run for the new quarter.
2) You can have as many 'runs' as you wish in each quarter. The minimum number of books in a run is 4. We don't have a limit for the maximum number of books in a run (so you can read a total of 4, 5, 6, 10, 12 books - totally up to you!)
3) Books can be repeated in multiple runs in the same quarter provided the themes linking the same book are different in each run.
4) Authors can be repeated in multiple runs as well as over different quarters.

Quaterly Levels:
Level 1: Frequent Reader: 1 Run (moderate)
Level 2: Bookworm: 2 Runs (strenuous)
Level 3: Bibliophile: 3+ Runs (challenging)
You can announce the level you'd be aiming for every quarter at the start of the quarter.

You can download this image here:

We understand that this is a new challenge and there are bound to be some confusion in the initial months, but that is okay. It is part of the fun, it is, after all, a challenge!
If you have any doubts or want to discuss anything with us, then simply drop a comment here and one of us will definitely get back to you regarding your query. Please remember even we, the moderators, are figuring it out as we go along.

Please share your progress on this thread, just like we do on the other challenge threads.

Other challenges that you can participate in:
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Genre Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Classics Catchup
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Audiobook Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 A-Z Author Alphabet Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 A-Z Title Alphabet Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Title Link Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Series Challenge

Happy Reading!

PS: This challenge was suggested by Cheryl who participates in Six Degrees Of Separation Challenge. This challenge is a variation of that challenge.

Helena you need to rename your first challenge link in your post. You have Classic listed twice but the first link is the 2022 Genre page.

Beth,

Heena has listed the 2023 folders, located AFTER the 2022 folders. If you tap on Reading Challenges, you'll see the entire list - the 2022 ones (with an asterisk) are listed first, then the 2023 ones come after that.

〰️����ٳ�〰️ wrote: "Helena you need to rename your first challenge link in your post. You have Classic listed twice but the first link is the 2022 Genre page."

Hey Beth, I guess you meant in the description. I just noticed it and correct it. Thanks for pointing it out.
And as Cheryl said, the threads were all scattered helter-skelter, but I've taken care of that too, so they all are in order now and should be easier to find.

Please go ahead and start sharing your book-lists. Can't wait to see what are you planning to read next year!!

First Quarter, Run #1:

1. The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
2. Strange Bodies by Marcel Theroux
(How it relates to Book 1: Features a psychologist)
3. To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer
(How it relates to Book 2: Resurrection theme)
4. The Merchants of Venus by Frederik Pohl
How it relates to Book 3: Exploration of a new territory)
5. The Jewels of Aptor by Samuel R. Delany
(How it relates to Book 4: Adventure story)

1st. Quarter, Run 2:

1. Unknown Man no. 89 by Elmore Leonard
2. Heat by Ed McBain
(How it relates to Book 1: big city setting)
3. Destination Unknown by Trent Zelazny
(How it relates to Book 2: adultery theme)
4.Maigret's Dead Man by Georges Simenon
(How it relates to Book 3: wrong place, wrong time theme)
5. Dead Heat by Dick Francis
(How it relates to Book 4: restaurant business theme)

1st. Quarter, Run 3:

1. Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
2. Standing in Another Man’s Grave by Ian Rankin (How it relates to Book 1: Missing persons theme)
3. The Righteous Revenge of Lucy Moon by Bill Brooks (How it relates to Book 2: Making allies of criminals)
4. Eve’s Ransom by George Gissing (How it relates to Book 3: Strong female characters)
5. King’s Ransom by Ed McBain (How it relates to Book 4: Money theme)

1st. Quarter, Run 4:

1. I'd Give Anything by Marisa De Los Santos
2. My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix (How it relates to Book 1: a friendship faces obstacles)
3. Force of Nature by Jane Harper (How it relates to Book 2: elite prep school is featured in story)
4. Maigret and the Bum by Georges Simenon (How it relates to Book 3: blunt force trauma)
5. Verity by Colleen Hoover (How it relates to Book 4: wife becomes wealthy)
6. Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert how it relates to Book 5: the mother is not what she seems to be)

1st. Quarter, Run 5:

1. Dress Her in Indigo by John D. MacDonald
2. Ghosts by Ed McBain (How it relates to Book 1: mystery genre)
3. Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen (How it relates to Book 2: set in a big city)
4. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty (How it relates to Book 3: large cast of characters)
5. Stranger With My Face by Lois Duncan (How it relates to Book 4: twins as characters)
6. The Indigo Ghosts by Alys Clare (How it relates to Book 5: paranormal-themed )

Dagny wrote: "Wow, Cheryl! You did a great job working on both Theme and Title at the same time."

It’s pure luck, as always. I’m having alot of fun doing the Title and Theme challenges lately. Who would have thought I’d find two books with the word “indigo�� in them?

1st Quarter, Run #1:

1. Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young
2. The House At The End Of The World by Dean Koontz
(How it relates to Book 1: a protagonist starting over after a tragedy)
3. Leech by Hiron Ennes - currently reading
(How it relates to Book 2: devious alien being possessing human body)

1st Quarter, Run #2:
1. Mother's Who Can't Love by Susan Forward - still reading
2. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
(How it relates to Book 1: both are about unloving mothers and both are non-fic)
3. Do Epic Shit by Ankur Warikoo
(How it relates to Book 2: taking control of your life)
4. Get Organized: Do More in Less Time by Ciara Conlon
(How it relates to Book 3: organising and prioritising important tasks in life - though Book 3 was bad, this one is great!)

I need to finish the two books I'm currently reading as part of these quarterly runs before March, right?
God, I'm so anxious as this would be my first time participating in these runs properly!! I'm so excited!

Thanks, Dagny. I hope I'll be able to finish the two books I'm still reading in these runs by March-end.

First Quarter, Run 6:

1. The Forsaken Inn by Anna Katherine Green
2. The Neighbors by Ania Alborn (How it relates to Book 1: secret passage)
3. Death is a Red Rose by Dorothy Eden (How it relates to Book 2: mother figure)
4. Hokuloa Road by Elizabeth Hand (How it relates to Book 3: strange landlord)
5. Crisis by Felix Francis (How it relates to Book 4: missing person)
6. The Lone Inn by Fergus Hume (How it relates to Book 5: family secrets)

Just a reminder:

First Quarter ends on March 31, so those working on a Run will need to complete it by then.

Second Quarter begins on April 1, and Runs will include only books read from April 1 through June 30.

2nd. Quarter, Run 1:

1. Ice by Ed McBain
2. You and Me and Him by Kris Dinnison (How it relates to Book 1: friendship turns into romance)
3. Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour (How it relates to Book 2: making new friends)
4. H. P. Lovecraft's The Dunwich Horror by Joe R. Lansdale (How it relates to Book 3: fantasy elements)
5. Plunge by Joe Hill (How it relates to Book 4: monsters)
6. Over the Polar Ice by Eustace L. Adams (How it relates to Book 5: set in a cold place)

2nd. Quarter, Run 2:

1. The Last Days by Adam Nevill
2. Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney (How it relates to Book 1: supernatural theme)
3. A Curse as Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Barge (How it relates to Book 2: a curse)
4. Revelator by Daryl Gregory (How it relates to Book 3: a family has ties to an entity)
5. My Darkest Prayer by S. A. Cosby (How it relates to Book 4: set in the South)

2nd. Quarter, Run 3:

1. The Farmer’s Son by John Connell
2. Love Among the Chickens by P. G. Wodehouse (How it relates to Book 1: raising farm animals)
3. The Line That Held Us by David Joy (How it relates to Book 2: rural setting)
4. Swamp Story by Dave Barry (How it relates to Book 3: illegal activities)
5. The Lonely Silver Rain by John D. MacDonald (How it relates to Book 4: set in Florida)

A quick reminder:

The Second Quarter ends on June 30, so those who are working on a Run will have to finish it by that date.

The Third Quarter will begin July 1 and end September 30.

Third Quarter, Run #1:

1. Minority Report by Philip K. Dick
2. Mona Lisa Overdrive by William Gibson (How it relates to Book 1: science fiction genre)
3. Fractured by Karin Slaughter (How it relates to Book 2: has a character named Angie)
4. One Fatal Mistake by Tom Hunt (How it relates to Book 3: a parent is associated with a person's violent death)
5. What Happened to Ruthy Ramierez by Claire Jimenez (How it relates to Book 4: plot's focus is on members of a family)

Dagny wrote: "Third Quarter, Run #1:
1. Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock
Set in winter
2. Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber (set in winter)
Finding love with a neighbor
3. A Light in the Window b..."

What a great run, Dagny!

Third Quarter, Run 2:

1. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
About a household worker
2. A Judgement in Stone by Ruth Rendell (About a household worker)
Death by gunshot
3. A Dead Reckoning by T. W. Speight (Death by gunshot)
An "ex" plays a prominent role
4. One Last Thing Before I Go by Jonathan Troppet (An "ex" plays a prominent role)
An unexpected pregnancy
5. The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel (An unexpected pregnancy)

Third Quarter, Run 3:

1. Spiral by Koji Suzuki
Death of a former classmate
2. The Witch Elm by Tana French (Death of a former classmate)
Return to a place visited in childhood
3. The Wife of the Gods (Return to a place visited in childhood)
A murder in the past is uncovered
4. Reincarnation of Peter Proud by Max Erlich (A murder in the past is uncovered)
Water plays a major part in story.
5. Drowning by T. S. Newnan (Water plays a major part in the story)

Just a reminder:

The last day for the 3rd. Quarter Theme Link Challenge will be Sept. 30.

4th. Quarter begins Oct. 1 and lasts through the end of December.

Fourth Quarter, Run#1:

1.Company of Liars by Karen Maitland - medieval setting
2. Illuminations by Mary Sharratt (medieval setting)
strong female character
3. Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik (strong female character)
pregnancy
4. Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal (pregnancy)
mother-daughter drama
5. Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison (mother-daughter drama)
supernatural creature
6. Below by Laurel Hightower (supernatural creature)