The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

25.5 - Bluemoon's Task: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. So in honor of this special time of year pick two options below and read a book for each.

Required: The page count for both books must total at least 600 pages.

NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook 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.

A. THE DECORATIONS - I love to drive around the neighborhood and see how creative people are with their outdoor decorations. I just love the lights and the snow.

Read a book with a Christmas decoration on the cover (wreath, ornament, etc.) OR a book by an author whose initials are found in any order in DECORATIONS. All author initials count. For books with multiple co-authors or contributors only one author need qualify. Letters may only be used as often as they appear- only the O may be repeated.

NOTE - Christmas trees work for the cover option but they must be lighted and/or decorated, a plain pine tree does not work.

B. THE FOOD - Lets face it not many people lose weight during the holidays because of all the great food.

With this in mind read a book with recipes included or a book with food on the cover.
Required: If it is not clear in the GR record that recipes are included in your book, please explain how your book fits the task

C. THE MOVIES - I love the old black and white classic movies and It's A Wonderful Life is my all time favorite movie starring James Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary Bailey.

Read a book written by an author named James, Stewart, George, Bailey, Donna, Reed or Mary. The name can be found anywhere in the name - i.e. Stewart O'Nan or Mary Stewart, but names must match exactly, no variations

D. THE MUSIC - My favorite christmas carol is O! Holy Night. But I will listen to christmas music until Christmas night.

For this option choose your favorite carol and read a book with a word at least 4 letters long from the Christmas carol title in the book's title or subtitle.

Required: State the name of your carol in your post.

E. THE GIFTS - We can't forget the gifts. I do like to receive gifts but I love to give gifts. I like the hunt for the perfect gift for the person I am shopping for.
So my gift to you is to read a book of your choice as this fits the budget and I know will make you happy!

Required: State the options that you chose. If you chose a cover option post the cover of the book. Make sure you link to the edition you read or used to establish page length to show that the page count totals at least 600 pages.

And even if you do not celebrate Christmas I hope you find the peace of the season and get to read some great books.

Your Christmas wish is granted


A.



B. All of the books in this series have recipes in them so all will work.

Sorry to be a Scrooge

This help thread is open!

Nice task!!

does him holding a piece of mistletoe count as a christmas decoration?

Dee wrote: "does him holding a piece of mistletoe count as a christmas decoration? "



Yes mistletoe counts. Enjoy!!

Dee wrote: "Nice task!!"



Thanks

What a great Christmas task, Bluemoon! Makes me feel even more festive!

Thanks Ann!

"E. THE GIFTS," is truly a gift:)

Deborah wrote: ""E. THE GIFTS," is truly a gift:)"



That was my intent. I like to have some freebies in the challenge.

Is Jingle Bell Romance ok? Jingle Bell Romance

Mollydee wrote: "Is Jingle Bell Romance ok? Jingle Bell Romance"



If you were planning on using it for option A then yes it works as there is a wreath in the upper left corner. It also works if your favorite carol is Jingle Bells as it has Jingle in the title.

Does this work for decorations? Looks like there are Christmas garlands hanging behind the woman.

Sam wrote: "Does this work for decorations? Looks like there are Christmas garlands hanging behind the woman.

"





Yes that works.

No question from me Bluemoon, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your task. It helped put me in the spirit of Christmas!

Sheila wrote: "No question from me Bluemoon, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your task. It helped put me in the spirit of Christmas!"



Glad I could help you Sheila. Hope you enjoy reading the books as much as you did the task.

Great task, Bluemoon! All of your options sound so very like me and my family traditions. We also watch White Christmas and The Sound of Music. I think I know the words to those two besides the words in It's a Wonderful Life. ;}

I'm doing yours next after I finish Sassafrass' task I'm in the middle of. Thank you for the GIFT Option =)

Can't wait to see Carrie Underwood in Sound of Music.

Anne (Booklady) wrote: "Great task, Bluemoon! All of your options sound so very like me and my family traditions. We also watch White Christmas and The Sound of Music. I think I know the words to those two besides the wor..."



You are very welcome!!

Sheila wrote: "Can't wait to see Carrie Underwood in Sound of Music."

Me too, but Maria will always be Julie Andrews to me. =)

I'd like to read

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder for option B

and Silas Marner for option C

Will these work?

Alison wrote: "I'd like to read

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder for option B

and Silas Marner for option C

Will these work?"




Yes both will work. Enjoy!!

I'm just checking to make sure this book works for option B. . If you enlarge the cover you can see, I hope, an oval beneath the dog that says " a novel with recipes". This is my proof the book contains recipes.

Andy wrote: "I'm just checking to make sure this book works for option B. . If you enlarge the cover you can see, I hope, an oval beneath the dog that says " a novel with recipes". T..."



One of the reviews says that there are recipes thrown in so it works. Enjoy!!

A: One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern (C & A from DECORATIONS)

C: The Ghosts Of Sleath by James Herbert (author named James)

Claire wrote: "A: One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern (C & A from DECORATIONS)

C: The Ghosts Of Sleath by James Herbert (author named James)"



Both are fine Claire. Enjoy!!

would this cover be ok for option A ?

Aleksandra wrote: "would this cover be ok for option A ?"


Yes I see ornaments on the garland.

Would a book by Elizabeth George work for option C?

Thanks in advance.

Rhonda wrote: "Would a book by Elizabeth George work for option C?

Thanks in advance."



Absolutely

For option B Food:

Sex & Sourdough

From GR plot description:
Kevin Winters isn’t looking for a hiking partner, let alone a fling with a cute man on the rebound. After learning he has the autoimmune disorder that killed his father, Kevin left his family to wander remote trails. Convinced his future holds only pain and death, Kevin refuses to get close to anyone. The family sourdough recipes he recreates over a campfire are his only solace.

I read this book already -- there are different times during the books where the MC talks to the other MC about how to make sourdough bread starter, different kinds of sourdough bread, the ingredients and how different ingredients effect the dough, how to knead the bread, how to tell when it is ready, and he also makes sourdough bread several times.

At no time, however, did I read something that is written out like it would be in a cookbook.

Does this book work?

Susan A wrote: "For option B Food:

Sex & Sourdough

From GR plot description:
Kevin Winters isn’t looking for a hiking partner, let alone a fling with a cute man on the rebound. After learning he ..."


After reading the book could you go out to your backyard and make sourdough using only this book as a reference?


If the answer is yes then you may use it for Option B. If not you could always use it for Option E.

I suspect that some people would be able to, but as I can't manage a box cake mix, that's a definite NO for me.


This book was originally planned for option E, so it will stay there. Thanks for your fast response!