The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

It's time to start thinking about fun tasks for the Fall Challenge. The bonus theme is The Azure Dragon of the East representing Spring.

As in past challenges, some tasks may revolve around the seasonal theme of Fall. Others may reflect the bonus theme – and with the new bonus themes, each has several possibilities. Other tasks may have nothing to do with either of these themes (they’re just fun ideas for unique reading challenges).

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

The moderators will draw from these ideas as well as their own to create the 5, 10, and 15 point tasks. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

I love seeing this thread go up, but then an oh crap, so many books still to read ;)

ummm, this past season - Prince George was born...something to do with the royal baby - author's with his name (George Alexander Louis)...or something like that

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

1) PSY 230-Criminal Behaviour: The application of psychological theories to the understanding of criminal behaviour. An overview of assessment and treatment issues as these apply to specific types of criminals (e.g., sexual offenders, psychopathic offenders) will also be provided.

➥ Read a book with the genre Psychological thriller or where a crime has occurred or where a person has been wrongfully accused

2) HIST 484-History of Madness From Enlightenment to Prozac: This seminar examines historical issues in mental health and psychiatry from medical, sociological, cultural, legal and political perspectives, principally in the English-speaking world. Charting a path from the rise of the asylum, to the dark chapter of the lobotomy, through Big Pharma and into Scientology, the History of Madness considers how we have historically found reason through insanity.

➥Read a book where a there is a psychiatrist or about an asylum or a book from this listopia List

3) MUS 101-Fundamentals of Music: Introduction to the basic parameters of music including notation, rhythm, intervals, melody, scales, key signatures; aural and written comprehension of the above rudiments. This course could provide foundational material for the music theory sequence.

➥Read a book with a musical instrument on the cover or music related (musician, opera or the title of songs) or a biography about a musical prodigy

4) DRAM 330-Physical Theatre I Clown: Neutral mask and clown: studies in physical theatre. The first half will consist of the student's discovery of neutral expression and expressiveness through the use of neutral mask. The second half will allow the student to develop the personal clown.

➥ Read a play or a book with the genre "tragedy"( if you need help go HERE) or a book with a clown on the cover

5) MATH 110-Calculus I: Introduction to derivatives, limits, techniques of differentiation, maximum and minimum problems and other applications, implicit differentiation, anti-derivatives.

➥ Read a book with a number in the title (if you need help go HERE) or on the cover or a math related words on the title or a brainy character.

6) POLS 112-Political Ideas and Change in Global Era: An introduction to political ideas and change in a global era. The course explores themes such as nationalism, ideology, development, democratization, globalization, sovereignty, conflict and human rights.

➥ read a book with a political theme (such as nationalism, ideology, development, democratization, globalization, sovereignty, conflict and human rights) or about espionage

7) ENG 226- Fantasy and Speculative Fiction: Examines literary genres that explore alternative worlds, experiment with the bounds of the real, and challenge the norms of reading. The course moves from precursors in legend, folktale, and romance, to Victorian fantasy, science fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, and late 20-Century feminist revisionary narratives.

➥Read a book with any one of the following genres: legend, folktale, and romance, to Victorian fantasy, science fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction or a strong female character or is written by a female author.

8) ENG 288- introduction to Film: A brief introduction to film aesthetics and history.

➥Read a book that was adapted into a movie or a book that takes place in L.A or New York or where the main character is an actress

9) ENG 363.3- Fiction 1900 to 1950: A study of major works and theories of fiction from across national boundaires, with an emphasis on formal and stylistic modes such as realism, naturalism, impressionism, and symbolism. Writers may include Conrad, James, Woolf, Richardson, Hemingway, Dreiser, Faulkner, Ellison, Callaghan.

➥ Read a book with any one of the following genres: realism, naturalism, impressionism, and symbolism Or any one of the following authors: Joseph Conrad, Henry James, Virginia Woolf, Richardson, Ernest Hemingway, Theodore Dreiser, William Faulkner, Ralph Ellison or Morley Callaghan or a book written between 1900-1950.

10) ENG 364- Fiction Since 1950:A study of major works of fiction from across national boundaries, with an emphasis on varieties of postmodernism, such as fabulism, metafiction, magical realism, and the non-fiction novel. Authors may include Kingsley Amis, V.S. Naipaul, Salman Rushdie, Jeanette Winterson, Ian McEwan, John Barth, Thomas Pynchon, Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje

➥Read a book with any one of the following genres: as fabulism, metafiction, magical realism, and non-fiction or any one of the following authors: Kingsley Amis, V.S. Naipaul, Salman Rushdie, Jeanette Winterson, Ian McEwan, John Barth, Thomas Pynchon, Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje or a book written between 1950-present.

11) FREN 252-Culture and Society in France: A study of the cultural evolution in France (history, politics, religion, education, language, song, cinema, culinary arts, etc.) with emphasis on contemporary society.

➥Read a book that takes place in France or a book written by a French author or a book with any French related themes.

12) ENG 992- Project: This is where the student would choose a project to do (obvious by the title)
➥Read whatever book you would like



-->this is a challenge i posted on another group and i like it, so maybe it could be useful for the Fall Challenge. SORRY IF ITS REALLY LONG!

The "Meh" Generation
Read a book a GR friend rated 3 stars.

I'm Feeling Blue
A shade of blue in the title OR a book dealing with depression and/or mental illness

How to Read Your Dragon
Read a book with a dragon on the cover (for a two-book 15pter, a book set in the West and one in the East (because the cultures view dragons very differently))

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Autumn and Spring are all about change. Read a book about an evolution from one thing to the next--a coming-of-age novel, a piece avant-garde literature, or a nonfiction book about someone who changed the world or people around them.

Upstairs/Downstairs
Read two books, one focused on an "upper crust" group or individual and one focused on the "common folk" OR read a 400+ pg book about both groups interacting.

There's not much to any kind of a theme to these, just random thoughts.

1. Author whose first name is in the first half (A-M) of the alphabet and Last name is in the second half (N-Z).

2. It's the Little Things that Count: At least two words only 1 or 2 letters in the title.

3. Author with at least 3 different vowels in name (a,e,i, o, u)

4. To Have a Friend You must Be a Friend: Read a book with Frienship on the main page shelves.

5. Life after death: Some authors have books published posthumously. Some have books written after they've died. Read one. Give author's death date and first pub date of the book.

6. A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: Read the ninth book of a series OR a book first published in a year ending in nine.

7. A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned: Book with picture of money on cover OR a Title word of a monetary unit (cent, Dollar, Quarter, Franc, Euro, etc.)

8. You Can Catch more Flies with Honey: Read a book with a happy or positive ending.

9. Don't Count Your Chickens before They're Hatched: Pictures of farm animals on cover.

10. Early to Bed, Early to Rise... : Read a self-help book

11. If Wishes Were Horses... : Read a book with a horse on the cover.

12. Large Oaks from little Acorns grow: Picture of a tree on the cover OR name of a type of tree in the title.

Fall is associated with the changing of foliage, where it morphs from healthy luscious green to yellows and oranges and reds; Signaling that winter will be upon us soon. This change can bring about an emotional change in us for the better or for the worse.

➥Read a book about a character changing from good to bad or vice versa or Where an extreme life-changing event takes place.

As a child, one of my favorite days of autumn was the mid-autumn moon festival. The kids would line up with their lit paper lanterns and walk around the lake where the festival was usually held. All under a full moon. A hauntingly pretty sight at night. So read a book with moon in the title, author names, or subject.

Fall is called Autumn in the UK.

Read a book with a title that starts with the letters A U T U M N.

Have to have a Halloween task: Read a ghost story, horror novel, supernatural theme.

Book with a fall cover

Book with a spring cover for the Azure dragon

Green and blue primary cover for the Azure dragon

The Azure Dragon represents the planet Jupiter which governs long distance and foreign travel: Read a book set in another country. Or outer space (thanks Ms Anderson)

Nov 1 and 2 Day of the Dead Latin American holiday:
Read a book with a skull/skeleton on the cover
Read a book with a death or birth
Read a book set in Latin America

Assuming the book has been published, read the oldest book on your TBR list.

Deborah wrote: "The Azure Dragon represents the planet Jupiter which governs long distance and foreign travel: Read a book set in another country."

Or in space! :D

Absolutly:) Even better! Editing post

The word autumn comes from the Old French word autompne (automne in modern French).

Read a book by a French author or set in France.

Azure is a shade of blue. Read a book with a shade of blue in the title or author's name: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shades_o...

The list in the middle of the page and also the chart at the very bottom work for words. Words like "Medium" or "Dark" count.

Fall Sports
Around here, soccer, tennis, and girl's lacrosse are all fall sports. Read a book about a female athlete.

Don't Knock It 'Til You've Tried It!
Read a book you don't think you'll like. Tell us if you were surprised.

It's All Been Done Before
Reread a book that you haven't read in ten years (or on a list of canon high school books, if you can't remember if it's been ten years or not).

While autumn comes to the northern hemisphere, people in the southern hemisphere are celebrating the coming of spring! Let's celebrate with them by reading a book (fiction or non-fiction) about Australia, South America, South Africa, or Antarctica.

Oooo! Y'know how we have the 100 years of music for the 5pt tasks? What if we had the top 10 homemade Halloween costumes? Like...

Bedsheet Ghost: Read a story with a ghost in it
Toilet-Paper Mummy: Read a book set in Egypt
Dad's Closet Hobo: Read a book set during the Great Depression
Balaclava Ninja: Read a book with a stealthy character

...Something like that could be fun :D

I really do love the themed 5pt idea, though. That was fun this season, and, regardless of the theme, it would be cool to see again.

New England is famous for its dramatic autumn colors. Therefore, read a drama, fiction or non-fiction, set in New England.

In honor of the harvest season, read a book set on a farm or ranch.

Nights are getting shorter and colder. It's time to get cozy and settle in with a comfort read.

Arrange your TBR list by average rating, then read one of the top 25-50 highest rated books on your list.

The term 'fall' came to denote the season in 16th century England, a contraction of Middle English expressions like "fall of the leaf" and "fall of the year".

Read a book with a leaf on the cover.

its almost time for school to start and bullying in schools has been in the news a lot recently - read a book that is mentioned on this website or that features a school bully in some way - http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/list...

Dee wrote: "I love seeing this thread go up, but then an oh crap, so many books still to read ;)
..."

I totally agree Dee.

I loved the homemade Halloween costume idea Ms. Anderson.

Ms Anderson wrote: "Oooo! Y'know how we have the 100 years of music for the 5pt tasks? What if we had the top 10 homemade Halloween costumes? Like...

Bedsheet Ghost: Read a story with a ghost in it
Toilet-Paper Mummy..."

Another favorite homemade costume is a pj top, towel diaper and pacifier- so read a book with a baby or baby items on the cover or a bo.ok with a baby as a main character

Ms Anderson wrote: "Oooo! Y'know how we have the 100 years of music for the 5pt tasks? What if we had the top 10 homemade Halloween costumes? Like...

Bedsheet Ghost: Read a story with a ghost in it
Toilet-Paper Mummy..."

Reminds me of the year my daughter was in 1st or 2nd grade and wanted to go as Betsy Ross. So we cobbled together an outfit and, of course, nobody could identify who her character was (even with her little half-sewn flag in her fat little fist). Some people just do not pay attention in history class!

Ms Anderson wrote: "Oooo! Y'know how we have the 100 years of music for the 5pt tasks? What if we had the top 10 homemade Halloween costumes? Like...

Bedsheet Ghost: Read a story with a ghost in it
Toilet-Paper Mummy..."

I like this, too!

Princesses are common costumes, read a book with a royal character.

Pirates, too- read a book set mostly at sea.


One of my favorites of Halloween is watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown". Read a book with the word "Great" in the title, or find a listopia with the word "great" in title and read a book in the top 20 of the list.

a couple I was thinking of - I know Sheila (I think) did a task a few seasons ago with something inside/outside the house - how about a take on that with inside/outside the body - i.e. heart (inside); legs outside - or something like that - could work as a 15 point with a 1 or 2 book option...

also motivation (since I'm training for a huge race) - how about a book about someone/thing that motivates you - could be fiction/non-fiction (like a transplantee who finishes a huge race; someone who overcomes huge odds to succeed - like homeless to harvard)...etc

Dee wrote: "a couple I was thinking of - I know Sheila (I think) did a task a few seasons ago with something inside/outside the house - how about a take on that with inside/outside the body - i.e. heart (insid..."

That was my task. How do you remember that Dee when I can't even remember my OWN tasks?

I dunno...annoying memory - i'm really good at jeopardy for that reason ;)

Dee wrote: "also motivation (since I'm training for a huge race) - how about a book about someone/thing that motivates you"

Being chased by a Tyrannosaurus rex...

*GRIN*

just remember, when you are having a bad day, think about a t-rex trying to make a bed...http://dailypicksandflicks.com/2013/0...

but no more in case the mods slapped my hands ;)

If we have few finishers this season, you could cobble together some of the "best of" or "little done" tasks from past seasons to fill in for points.

Since Halloween will soon be here...

1) Season of the Witch
~> read a book with witches or with magic

2) Werewolves of London
~> read a book with werewolves or a horror story that takes place in London

3)Don't Fear the Reaper
~> read a book with vampires or ghosts or zombies

Spine Tinglers and Things that go bump in the night

~> read a book from Nightmare Magazine's Top 100 Horror Books

Spine Tinglers and Things that go bump in the night

~> read a book from Nightmare Magazine's Top 100 Horror Books

I like this:)

Read a book with blood somewhere on the cover!

Read a book that was nominated or won an Edgar Allen Award http://www.theedgars.com/edgarsDB/ << that's the database and if you used the dropdown you just have to search which categories are books. There are a few.

Uni Spirit
Read a book with a word from the name of a university or college in the title (ex. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde or All Quiet on the Western Front for Case Western Reserve University)

Actually, I don't think we've really done any that have to do with colleges, except maybe once in someone's winner-task. Maybe set in a college or college-student main character or something instead?

Being from the south, fall means Football! Any challenge reading about a football team would be fun.

Also, Halloween and thanksgiving will fall in this time frame. Reading books about witches or family gatherings would be a good idea.

If the moderators think there will not be enough 25 and 30 point tasks to make a good challenge (and I have no idea of what that might be), would they consider doing 25 pointer as the original 2 book task, but bump up the 30 pointers to 3 book tasks, and the 50 pointer to 4 book task for this season only?
Of course, if we're going to have ten 30 pointers and twenty 25 pointers again, it would be insane.

Donna Jo wrote: "If the moderators think there will not be enough 25 and 30 point tasks to make a good challenge (and I have no idea of what that might be), would they consider doing 25 pointer as the original 2 bo..."

Oh, I like this idea :D

me too ;)

In India we celebrate some major festivals during the fall. Perhaps a task could be designed around those.
By the way, all these are Hindu festivals.


Ganesh Chaturthi (Festival of Ganesha): The festival is the celebration of the birth of the Hindu God, Ganesha.

1. Ganesha is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity or good fortune - Read a book where the characters gain some fortune/prosperity OR a book about sprituality
e.g. The Good Earth

2. Ganesha and his parents, Shiva and Parvati, have interesting legends to them - Read a book that falls under the genre of mythology or is a legend
e.g. The Lightning Thief (elements of Greek mythology)

3. Ganesh Festival was revived on a mass scale in the 19th century with the aim to unite the higher and the lower sections of society - Read a book where people from the higher and the lower classes come together for a cause
e.g. The Help


Dussehra: Dusshera is celebrated to commemorate Lord Ram's victory over the evil king Ravana.

1. Read a book that is essentially a war between two (or more) kingdoms/empires (real or fictional)
e.g. A Game of Thrones

2. In the epic, Ramayana, that is the story of Lord Ram, Ram had to travel from India (my native country) to Lanka (Sri Lanka) to rescue his wife from the clutches of Ravana - Read a book in which a character travels from your native country to some other part of the world.
e.g. The Translator: A Novel (From America to Japan)

3. On the day that Dussehra is celebrated, figures of the ten-headed Ravana are set alight to fire, to mark the triumph of good over the evil - Read a book featuring an arsonist or a firefighter
e.g. Fahrenheit 451


Diwali: One of the most popular festivals, Diwali is celebrated across India with much pomp and splendour.

1. According to legend, Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram back to his kingdom, marking the end of his exile - Read a book where the rightful king or a leader of an empire or country RETURNS to the throne.
e.g. The Return of the King

2. Diwali is also known as the festival of lights. It is celebrated on a new moon day, amidst colorful lights and traditional fire lamps (called diyas) - Read a book with a moon or light on the cover or title.
e.g. New Moon

3. Firecrackers are one of the trademarks of Diwali. They are traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits - Read a book that features a superstition OR a horror book
e.g. The Historian

Donna Jo wrote: "If the moderators think there will not be enough 25 and 30 point tasks to make a good challenge (and I have no idea of what that might be), would they consider doing 25 pointer as the original 2 bo..."

I would vote against this idea. While I'm sure it'd be fun for those of you creating the tasks, I have a hard enough time completing just a few 2 book tasks per season as it is.


Night and Day. In the northern hemisphere the days are getting shorter, while in the southern, days are getting longer. If you live in the north, read a book with a night scene on the cover, if you live in the south, select a daytime scene. Required: include which hemisphere you live in.

I also liked the task we did in the fall for Labor Day a few seasons back. The one with author surnames that were professions eg Miller, Fisher, etc.

@Jennifer - I think we are thinking out loud in case there aren't a lot of finishers this season...so that we don't end up with a really small task list (like the 800 point one that resulted in this huge one)...

Jennifer, in the normal course of things I wouldn't suggest tampering with the number of books per task, but if we only get 15 or so finishers, then the winter challenge will be another monster--And Ms Anderson and Sheila will finish within the first 30 days.

Anyway, it is just a suggestion and I have absolutely no pull with the moderators, so it's probably nothing to worry about.

much as I love the idea of a balanced challenge, the thought of a 4-book, 50-point task makes me want to crawl into a corner and weep.

Dee wrote: "@Jennifer - I think we are thinking out loud in case there aren't a lot of finishers this season...so that we don't end up with a really small task list (like the 800 point one that resulted in thi..."

Donna Jo Atwood | 2540 comments Jennifer, in the normal course of things I wouldn't suggest tampering with the number of books per task, but if we only get 15 or so finishers, then the winter challenge will be another monster--And Ms Anderson and Sheila will finish within the first 30 days.

much as I love the idea of a balanced challenge, the thought of a 4-book, 50-point task makes me want to crawl into a corner and weep.

I do feel bad to Ms Anderson and Sheila, they do fly right through these things... ;)

I get the theory, but like Ty, finding task related links between the limited books I read each season starts getting scary pretty quickly. (as much as I love the challenge, the weekend *just* the 5, 10, and 15 pointers go up makes me giddy and nervous all at once. :)

It's all about strategy *_~ Not being afraid to change books, finding ones you know you can read quickly but that you'll actually enjoy, watching the page count...it's part of what makes the challenge fun, at least for me.

There's a task! Read a book that'll help with your "strategy" for the challenge: GR author, <150 page count (or >500, if you go for big book tickets), something like that.

bamaace83 wrote: "Being from the south, fall means Football! Any challenge reading about a football team would be fun.

Also, Halloween and thanksgiving will fall in this time frame. Reading books about witches ..."

Or you could read a book whose cover depicts one of the mascots of the SEC!

The Thanksgiving holiday takes place in Fall. Read a book related to something you are thankful for.

Wanda wrote: "bamaace83 wrote: "Being from the south, fall means Football! Any challenge reading about a football team would be fun.

Also, Halloween and thanksgiving will fall in this time frame. Reading bo..."


Ohhh, that's a great idea! I would have to find an elephant book. ;)

Autumn is associated with the Halloween season. Read a book listed as horror.

The fall challenge runs throughout September, October, and November. Read an author whose last name ends in "son". For example, Harrison, Richardson, Patterson, etc...