The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
FALL CHALLENGE 2015
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Fall Challenge 2015: Task Ideas
Finger LakesI live in the Finger Lakes region of New York. They are so called because according to Iroquois legend, the land was deemed good by the Creator and he blessed it by laying his hands on it, leaving imprints of his fingers. Read a book that clearly shows fingers (at least 2) on the cover, or a book with the word lake(s) in the title.
Lacrosse
The Iroquois and nearby Algonquin played a competitive team sport that continues to be played today: lacrosse. Read a book about a team sport.
Apples (two) ApplesRead two books
1) Title/Subtitle contain the letters A-P-P-L-E-S
2) Author's name contains the letters A-P-P-L-E-S
I've always liked the trickster Coyote, you never knew what he was going to do. Read a book off of BEST TWISTS https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...
Modern mysteries of the Americas - Area 51, the Yeti etc. So maybe a book with Paranormal as a genre.Fall down & Spring up. As its Fall in the Northern and Spring in the Southern, what about a cover depicting something that goes both up and down. So stairs, a lift etc.
Daylight Savings Time change - "Fall Back" - read a book with HISTORICAL FICTION on main pageBack to school - The three Rs
Reading - "BOOK ABOUT BOOKS" genre on main page
'Riting - "WRITING" genre on main page
'Rithmetic - Number in title or on cover or "MATH" genre on main page
Mythology of the Americas - written by a Native American author or featuring a Native American character
The world rests on a turtles back - book with a turtle/tortoise on the cover.Glooscap - in the area of the world where I am from (eastern Maine), Glooscap is the creator figure. At one point, he becomes upset that the humans are hunting all the animals and he is worried about extinction. He tries to save them by bundling them all up in a sack. Eventually he realizes that the humans are unable to find enough to eat, and lets some of the animals go to save the humans. Read a non-fiction book with the genre "food and drink" or "nutrition" on the main page (embedded is ok).
Aztec god Quetzalcoatl is the Feathered Serpent - read a book with a bird or a snake/serpent on the cover.Aztec god Tezcatlipoca is "Smoking Mirror" - read a book with a mirror on the cover.
Inti is the Incan sun god - read a book by an author whose name starts and ends with the same letter
Mayan mythology is written in the Popol Vuh - read a book whose author's initials are found in POPOL VUH.
One translation of Popul Vuh is "Book of Counsel" - read a book with main page genre Advice or Self Help.
Totem Poles are a common symbol in Native American mythologies and often depict animals. Read a book that depicts one of the animals from the list bellow on the cover:
North American Totems
I like Lauren's totem idea! Maybe add an option for the animal to be in the title.
One of my friends posted this on FB: http://expandedconsciousness.com/2015...Read a book with your zodiac animal on the cover/in the title.
Nanowrimo!NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth happens every November. Some of us (cough, Fools! cough) aren't content with reading challenges, we like writing challenges, too. Read a book written by a past Nanowrimo pep talk author: http://nanowrimo.org/pep-talks#archive
Jennifer W wrote: "Nanowrimo!NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth happens every November. Some of us (cough, Fools! cough) aren't content with reading challenges, we like writing challenges, too. Read a book written by a p..."
I love NaNoWriMo!
The Mayans predicted the end of the world in December 2012 - so read a book published in December 2012. Alternatively, read a book published since Dec 2012 with a post-apocalyptic or dystopian theme.
In honor of Halloween:Read a non-fiction book of the paranormal: Hauntings, UFO, psychic abilities etc.
Read a book off the Ghost Story listopia: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...
(I recommend Dark Matter)
Read a Stephen King book
I live in Minnesota where there are 3 very large statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. In honor of the mythology of Paul Bunyan, read a book with "Babe" in the title or read a book from the list Popular American Frontier Books
In Oregon we have Wizard Island in Crater Lake. Wizard Islands story is from the Klamath Indians about a battle between Le*w and Mink, where at the end Le*w's head is tossed into Crater Lake to feed the Crawfish (Le*ws children) who recognized it and refused to eat it. Now Wizard Island. (worth noting Lew*s daughter started it by having Minks' heart torn out)There are different versions as to how Crater Lake came to be.
Read a book that has an island on the cover or two people in battle with each other.
I was thinking at a series of task about the main events of the fall. So, here are some examples:1. September is Cancer Awareness Month, so read a book with a character that is struggling to fight cancer.
2. September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, so read a book by a Hispanic author
3. 19 September is International Talk Like A Pirate Day so read a book about pirates.
4. 23 September is Celebrate Bisexuality Day, so read a book with the main page genre LGBT.
5. In United States and Canada in September is celebrated National Grandparents' Day so read a book were the main character is a grandparent or his grandparents would play a major role in his life.
6. In China, in September takes place the August Moon festival, so read a book with a moon on cover.
7. September is Harvest Month in a lot of countries, so read a book with a fruit or vegetable or cereal that is harvested in autumn.
8. 5 September is Teachers' Day in India. Read a book where the main character is a teacher.
9. On the first Sunday of September in Venice takes place the regata storica parade, so read a book set in this city.
10. 9 September is California Admission Day, so read a book set in California.
11. German American Heritage Month starts in 15 September, so read a book by a German Author or set in Germany.
12. Read a book about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon or read a book about terrorism.
13. First Monday of October is World Architecture Day, so read a book with the main page genre Architecture.
14. In 7 October in United States and Canada starts National Fire Prevention Week, so read a book where the main character is a firefighter.
15. In Nepal takes place Dashain Festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. Read a book with the main page genre Good Vs Evil.
16. October 4 is World Animal Day, so read a book with the main page genre Animals.
17. October 6 is Armed Forces Day in Egypt, so read a book with the main page genre War or Military.
18. In October in Japan is Health and Sports Day, so read a book with the main page genre Health or Sport.
19. October 16 is World Food Day, so read a book with the main page genre Food.
20. October 21 is Apple Day, so read a book with an apple on cover
21. Last Friday of October is Nevada Day, so read a book set it Nevada
22. October 31 is Halloween, so read a book with the main page genre Horror or Paranormal.
23. October is National Arts & Humanities Month, so read a book with the main page genre Art.
24. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so read a book about a character that is confronting with domestic violence.
25. In United Kingdom October is Black History Month, so read a book by a black author.
26. October is the National Day of Pizza, Popcorn, Pork, Sausage and Cheese in United States, so read a book with any of this food items on cover.
27. In November 11 is commemorated the World War I in Europe. Read a book with the main page genre War.
28. November 19 is International Men's Day, so read a book written by a male author, or where the main character is male.
29. November 21 is National Adoption Day, so read a book where the main character is adopted or adopted a child.
30. November is Native American Heritage Month, so read a book by an author who is Native American.
31. November is National Novel Writing Month, so read a book with the main page genre Books about books.
32. November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month so read a book about homeless people.
33. November is national Pomegranate Month in the United States, so read a book with a pomegranate on cover.
34. In November takes place No Shave November, so read a book with a beard on cover.
35. GIS Day is held the third Wednesday of November during Geography Awareness Week, so read a book with the main page genre Geography, or a book about GIS.
36. Third Thursday of November is International Philosophy Day, so read a book with the main page genre Philosophy.
37. Thanksgiving is also celebrated on November, so read a book with a turkey on cover.
38. Since the colors of the fall months are blue, yellow and brown, read a book with a blue, yellow or brown cover.
Teodora wrote: "3. 19 September is International Talk Like A Pirate Day so read a book about pirates."You beat me to it!
Although there could also be a task based around the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster - who, of course are the main proponents of TLAPD.
Pam wrote: "I like Lauren's totem idea! Maybe add an option for the animal to be in the title."
I don't know if there are any totems that are more significant than others - but maybe if there are, they could be the 5pt tasks? Or major characters from Native American mythology like Coyote, Raven, etc. Although I guess that might be tricky as there are so many different First Nations and they all have their own myths.
Maybe novels which have a Native American who's a major character, like Henry in the Longmire books, Vicky Holden in the Wind River Reservation books or the Tony Hillerman books. Or a significant part of the story takes place on a Reservation.
Books with a petroglyph on the front cover.
Further south, how about books either set in the Mayan or Incan eras. Or perhaps in fantasy or alternative worlds which have elements of those cultures.
Books set in one of the seven countries of Central America: http://latinamericanhistory.about.com...
Did you know there were a number of jaguar gods and goddesses? Neither did I, but apparently there are: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_ja.... Although sadly not quite ten of them. Still, might be some options there.
Read a book with a leaf on the cover.Read a book whose author's initials or title and/or subtitle is in FALLING LEAVES.
To go along with a back-to-school theme, read a book from a list of classics (older than 1950 or 1965 if you must--how can it be a classic if it still smells like printers ink).Math time: Take your age and add the two digits together (I'm 73 so I add 7 + 3 = 10) If the result is two digits, add them together (1 + 0 = 1 ) Use that number to read a book with corresponding number in the title. Or to read that book number in a series.
Art: Explore color http://www.crayola.com/explore-colors/ Scroll down to Find Your Favorite Color. Pick a color from the chart and read a book with a word from color name in it. Post which row and column the color is in (For example: Row 3, Column 3 is Blue violet. I could use either Blue or Violet as the word in a title.)
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is in October. Read a book with a balloon on the cover or in the title or with Adventure as a main page genre.
The district where I work is part of a "No Place for Hate" initiative, where we work to combat bullying through education and tolerance-based activities.Read a book with a theme of bullying or where bullying is a major conflict.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and people are encouraged to wear pink ... read a book with pink cover
Fall makes me think of harvest so maybe a book with a farm/ranch/barn/field/livestock on the cover. Something to suggest FARMING. like:
Maybe something with Pecos Bill, John Henry, Paul Bunyon, etc?
Back to school.
Halloween.
Third Saturday in October is always Bridge Day where I grew up. Largest single day extreme sports festival. People come to BASE jump off the New River Gorge Bridge or rappel down.
- Letters for BRIDGE DAY found in title/subtitle/author name.
- http://www.876ft.com/ is one of the official sites/URLs and the height of the bridge to the bottom of the gorge. Number of pages ending in 6, 7, or 8.
- Book set in WV or author from/living in WV.
Thanksgiving in Canada/America. Book title could be descriptive of food or has food in it (can create set list based on thanksgiving foods: Turkey, Ham, Cake, Pie, Sweet, Potato, Green, Bean, etc) plurals allowed: Sweet, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, Ham on Rye, The Cat Who Talked Turkey
Good weather for camping: Title begins with letter found in SMORES. (Articles can be ignored)
Trish wrote: "Teodora wrote: "3. 19 September is International Talk Like A Pirate Day so read a book about pirates."You beat me to it!
Although there could also be a task based around the Church of the Flying..."
I like the Native American character/taking place on a Reservation. Sherman Alexie would be another suggestion author-wise.
And I lol'ed. Yes, seconded and thirded to TLAPD and FSM.
* The first Tuesday in November is the Melbourne Cup, which is a huge horse race in Australia (Melbourne even gets a public holiday for it). So maybe a horse on the cover.* November 11th is Remembrance Day for all Commonwealth Countries (UK, Canada, NZ, Australia etc) and its symbol is the red poppy so perhaps a book with a red flower.
* October 20th is the 60th Anniversary of J.R.R. Tolkien finishing The Lord of the Rings so read a book from a trilogy.
Hmm...The Pope is coming to Philadelphia in September, which I guess is supposed to be a big deal (it just means a big headache for us residents lol). Read a book set in a country where Catholicism is the major religion.
Diwali is in the fall, and we used to celebrate that in college. Read a book with lots of lights on the cover (could be candles, stars, streetlamps, etc.)
Halloween is full of scary things--read a book about something you fear, or where something you fear is part of the plot or on the cover (ex. I'm pyrophobic, so I could read a book with a lit match on the cover or where a wildfire is one of the conflicts).
The Trickster is a prominent archetype in Native American folklore and mythology. Read a book featuring a character from this list of "tricksters": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
During the fall I tend to get a lot of critters moving into my apartment building to escape cold weather. Read a book in which a character moves to a new place.
In Missouri are the remains of Cahokia, a huge trading hub city built by the Native Americans. At its peak, it was the largest city in North America until Philadelphia in the late 18th century, boasting a population of more than 35000 people. Read a book with more than 35000 ratings.
I grew up in SW Ohio, home of many different Native American tribes (my district was actually named after one of them, as were many of the surrounding school districts). In fourth grade we took a trip to see some of the mound complexes built by the Native Americans. Read a book set in a state with mounds from this list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Many Native American tribes have the idea of the sacred "two-spirit" people, who are of a third (or fourth) gender and historically fulfilled many of the mystical, spiritual duties within the tribe. Read a book with the genre "Intersex" on the main page.
National Coming Out Day is October 11! Read a book with GLBT on the main page.
The Statue of Liberty's inscription reads in part, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." Read a book with a character that is living the immigrant experience.
1. Fall is a great time to hike in the mountains. Read a book with a) nature as a main page genre or b) mountain in the title or on the cover or c) hiking is part of the story. 2. Read a book set in one of the Americas but NOT the country you live in.
November is the month for giving thanks (Thanksgiving), and for shopping for Christmas presents (Black Friday). Two book task:
Options:
A) Read a book with the word BLACK in the title or subtitle;
B) Read a non-fiction book about Thanksgiving;
C) Read a book with the exact title BLACK THURSDAY;
d) Read a chick lit book about girls or women shopping.
The Jewish High Holy Days (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) are in September. Read a book with main page genre Jewish or Judaism (can be embedded)
Book Concierge wrote: "October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and people are encouraged to wear pink ... read a book with pink cover"Or a pink ribbon maybe?
What about either a book title containing the letters of HARVEST, or an author who's initials are in it.
What about Autumn Colour (or Fall Color for those across the Pond). Either a title/author with those letters in, or a picture with Autumn colour on the cover.
World Mental Health Day is on October 10. Read a book with a mental health theme or genre, or use one of the many many mental health or mental illness listopias, e.g.https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
With luck, fall will bring the rain (nicely spread out, not all at once), we need some over here.Read a book with a type of rain in the title: rain, shower, drizzle, mist.
Or read a book with a cover featuring rain.
I personally enjoyed this challenges task on catching up with a series and would love to see it repeated.
From all mythologies of the Americas I think Inca mythology is the most interesting. There could be chaleges based on the Inca Deities. Here are some examples:1. Apu is god or spirit of mountains. Read a book where the action is set somewhere in the mountains or read a book from this list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
2. Inti is the sun god. Read a book with a picture of the sun on cover.
3. Kon was god of rain and wind. Read a book where on of the words in title is an atmopheric phenomen (thunderstorm, hurricane, tornado).
4. Mama Qucha was the godess of sea and fishes. Read a book with a fish on the cover.
5. Mama Pacha was a fertility deity who presided over planting and harvesting. She caused earthquakes. Read a book from this list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...
6. Mama Killa was a marriage, festival and moon goddess. Read a book with a wedding taking place.
7. Pacha Kamaq was the creator of the Earth. Read a book with the main page genre Environment.
8. Supay was god of death and ruller of demons. Read a book with the main page genre Horror or a book in which demons and angels are presents.
9. Urquchillay was a deity that watched over animals. Read a book with an animal on cover.
I pulled out my old Mythology book to come up with some tasks about the gods of the AztecsCHALCHIUHTLICUE - goddess of rivers and lakes, known as Jade Skirt. Read a book that includes a precious stone (like Jade) in its title - e.g. diamond, ruby, amber
CHICOMECOATL - goddess of sustenance and fertility. Was most importantly in charge of the corn harvest, read a book with the letters C O R N in the title.
COATLICUE - Earth goddess, known as Snake Skirt. Read a book from this list https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
HUEHUETEOTL - Oldest God, God of Fire. Read an old book (more than 50 years old).
HUITZILOPOCHTLI - Hummingbird, god of war and sun. Read a book that's quick like a hummingbird from the list https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
MICHLANTECUHTLI - Lord of the Dead. Read a book with the genre Horror
QUETZALCOATL - Feathered serpent, god of the morning and evening. Read a book with a time of day in the title e.g. day night morning evening afternoon
TEZCATLIPOCA - 'Smoking mirror', night sky, moon, evil. Read a book that shows a night sky (or moon or stars) on the cover
TLALOC - God of water and rain. He was also responsible for disease so read a book with health or medical as a genre
XIPE TOTEC - God of planting, spring, and jewellers. Read a book with an X in the title
All those suggestions based on mythology are great! Love them!~ tasks based on culture names in the Americas, i.e., Maya, Inca, Aztec, Toltec, Moche, etc., either with the word in the title, or the letters in the word in the title or author name.
~ same using Native American cultures, i.e. Anasazi, Hopi, Navajo, Sioux, Apache, Cherokee, Cheyenne, etc. (See http://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-tr... for a complete list.)
A. French-Canadian folktale La Chasse-Galerie (or The Flying Canoe). Options: 1. author's initials found in either the French title OR the English title. 2. set at least 50% in Quebec. 3. originally published in French. B. Collection of short stories, non-fiction articles, or myths
C. Myth Synonyms. Title includes one of the following words: tale, story, myth, fable, folk, fairy, or legend.
D. Fall is football season! Using the NFL team names, select one option & state the team. Plurals can be used or not. 1. Set in the state. 2. Title includes one of the words in a team's name (e.g. Arizona, Cardinal). 3. Football is a main genre, in the title or on the cover. 4. The letters N, F, & L can be found in the title and/or author's name. 5. Title includes the word football, foot, or ball or cover includes one of them.
E. The Western Music Association holds its annual international festival every November. Read a book with 1.a cowboy, horse, or guitar on the cover or in the title. 2. Main genre of music, American West, or Western. 3. Setting 50% in a western state. 4. Main character is a musician.
Diez y Seis de Septiembre - Mexico celebrates its Independence day on 9/16 - Read a book with a red, white or green cover (colors of the Mexican flag)
The Berlin Wall came down on November 9, 1989. Read a book set behind the Iron Curtain or during the reign of a communist regime in any qualifying country. In celebration of Labor Day, read a non-fiction book in which the author or main character has the job you dreamed of having as a kid.
In Southern California, fall means the Santa Ana winds and they can fuel fires. Read a book with earth, wind, or fire in the title.
November 5th is Guy Fawkes day in the UK, so read a book with fireworks on the cover.
Fall is football seasonBeing football season, pick your favorite football team and read a book that has your team's mascot on the cover.
Read a book about your favorite football team.
Since fantasy football is so big, read a book about fantasy football.
Read a book with Fantasy or Football in the title.
^ Kind of building off the fantasy football thing but making it a little more accessible to more people.Read a book with either Fantasy or Sports as a main page genre.
Edit: And also maybe set in the location your favorite sports team is from (sports in general, not just NFL, since we aren't all from the US/not all versed in football). Mascot on the cover would be difficult because... Packer fan over here :P
Cait wrote: "^ Kind of building off the fantasy football thing but making it a little more accessible to more people.Read a book with either Fantasy or Sports as a main page genre.
Edit: And also maybe set i..."
LOL! I was trying to figure out what I could use for GB Packer on the cover as well! Great minds...
November 11th is Veterans DayRead a biography of a war hero ranked at least a general or higher.
Read a book about a specific battle in a war.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lord of the Rings (other topics)The Miseducation of Cameron Post (other topics)
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (other topics)
Sweet (other topics)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.R.R. Tolkien (other topics)Sherman Alexie (other topics)
Stephen King (other topics)
As in past challenges, some tasks may revolve around the seasonal theme of fall/autumn. Others may reflect the bonus theme. 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. This thread will be open for ideas until August 13. Fall tasks will begin to be posted on August 15. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!