2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Hello there, group members!

We rely on your creative minds to help us come up with exciting challenge ideas throughout the year. Have you been thinking about a challenge? We'd love to hear about it!

Our Yearly Theme for 2020 is Myths, Legends, and Fairy Tales.

A monthly challenge doesn't necessarily need to fit the theme, and we will most often have two monthly challenges. We also have two challenges per quarter, so feel free to suggest ideas for those, too.
Monthly Challenges typically have 8-10 prompts or, if an open-prompt challenge, allow for at least that many books. Quarterly Challenges typically have around 15-20 prompts or, if an open-prompt challenge, allow for at least that many books.

-Quarterly Themes
1st Quarter: Myths & Legends
2nd Quarter: Inspiration & Escape
3rd Quarter: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, & Fables
4th Quarter: Culture & Storytelling

Monthly Themes
January: Vision
February: Language
March: Bloom
April: Green
May: Oceans
June: Weather
July: Space
August: Music
September: Wildlife
October: Enchanted
November: Zodiac <-- Seeking ideas
December: Home <-- Seeking ideas

When Challenges Are Posted and Unlocked
* Posting: We will be posting challenges around one month in
advance for viewing to allow you to plan ahead.
* Unlocking: They'll be unlocked about one week prior to their start date, similar to the schedule we followed in 2018 and earlier.

Due to this schedule, we've already planned the January 2020 and Quarter 1 challenges, but look forward to your suggestions for all other months and quarters!

When a Challenge Idea Is Chosen
We can't use every challenge idea that gets posted, but we do use many of them. If we do decide to use your challenge, you will have the opportunity to lead your challenge if you'd like. If you'd rather not, we can ask for volunteer leaders, so there's no pressure there! Please let us know in your post if you would prefer to lead or not lead your challenge if it is selected.

What Does a Challenge Leader Do?
Leading a challenge is a great way to get to know fellow book lovers in this group.
The leader of a quarterly or monthly challenge has three responsibilities.
(1) Compile a list of all the challenge's participants (please alphabetize the list after the "sign-up rush" settles);
(2) Check the participants' comments to update their progress on the List
(3) Encourage and congratulate participants as they strive toward and complete their respective goals.

There's no need to update every time you notice a participant has commented.
Once a week is fine for a monthly challenge. Perhaps at least two or three times a month for a quarterly challenge.

Once the Challenge Period Ends
There will always be a few stragglers who only post their final progress update after the challenge ends.
A week after your monthly or quarterly challenge ends, please check your challenge thread to congratulate the late finishers.
Whether you do a final update of your Participants List is up to you.

Great idea, Sunshine! Thank you for sharing it! :D

February Challenge:
A book translated 10 or more times
A book that takes place in a county with your favorite language
A book that has a made up a language by the author
March Challenge: a book with your month flower on the cover or title

February Challenge:
A Book that is predominantly written in a particular dialect.

I still want to do another spell-out challenge!
Maybe for March: spell out different flower types or other spring words with titles of books.

I could lead if this gets chosen :)

@Janna and Shivani
Thank you both for suggesting great prompts for a challenge regarding February's monthly theme of Language.
We welcome not only challenge concepts (see SarahKat's suggestion) but also individual prompts.

@SarahKat
Thank you for your spell-out suggestion for March!

Hola!
For February languages my proposal is:

TOWER OF BABEL

BASIC: LOST IN TRANSLATION
1. A book originally written in Chinese or English
2. A book originally written in Spanish or Portuguese
3. A book originally written in German or French
4. A book originally written in Arabic or Turkish
5. A book originally written in Hindi or Bengali
6. A book originally written in Russian or a Nordic language
7. A book originally written in Japanese or Indonesian.
8. A book originally written in Italian or Greek
9. A book originally written by an author writing in a language other than their native language
10. A book originally written in a, nowadays, dead language.

ADVANCED: WORDS FAIL ME!
1. A book originally/partially written in a minority language/pidgin/lingua franca/slang
2. A book with a character that uses sign language
3. A book with a made-up language
4. A book with a character that writes music or uses other symbols in their work.

By the way, I love Sunshine's idea

Ooh, Carmen, I love your idea. I was thinking something like this would be a good challenge but you’ve saved me the work of actually coming up with something. I would definitely participate in this one.

I also love Sunshine’s March challenge.

@Carmen

Terrific idea for the Language monthly theme.
For prompt 7, Javanese would be replaced by Indonesia which is the national language.

The Language of Love Valentines Candy Challenge

Find these words that are common on sweetheart candy hearts in books put the page or location where you find the words.

1. Love Bug
2. Kiss Me
3. Marry Me
4. Puppy Love
5. Soul Mate
6. Forever
7. Miss You
8. True Love
9. First Kiss
10. I Do

Bonus:
Sugar Pie

This can be flexible finding the words in the book or on a cover if that would be easier.

oshizu wrote: "@Carmen

Terrific idea for the Language monthly theme.
For prompt 7, Javanese would be replaced by Indonesia which is the national language."

As you wish, my dear oshizu!
You're right, I used a list of the languages with more native speakers and I remembered to change Mandarin for Chinese, but I forgot to change Javanese for Indonesian.
Also, in the basic prompts I forgot to include:
10. A book originally written in a, nowadays, dead language .

Hola!
My proposal for Q2: Inspiration & Escape, is:

INSPIRATION & ESCAPE

BASIC: QUOTES*
1. Your limitation – it’s only your imagination: Read a fantasy/science fiction book
2. Push yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you: Read a dynamic character development book.
3. Sometimes later becomes never. Do it now: Read the book that has been in your TBR pile the longest.
4. Great things never come from comfort zones: Read a book out of your comfort zone (a new genre, set, theme, author/…)
5. Dream it. Wish it. Do it: Read a book set in a place you dream to go to.
6. Success doesn’t just find you. You have to go out and get it: Read a zero to hero book.
7. The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it: Read a women in STEM book
8. Dream bigger. Do bigger: Read a book (fictional or nonfictional) about a famous activist.
9. Don’t stop when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done: Read a travelogue
10. Do something today that your future self will thank you for: Read a book on sustainable living.
11. Little things make big days: Read a book that involves any occasion considered as a “Big Day”.
12. It’s going to be hard, but hard does not mean impossible: read a book about an impossible love/relationship (if possible with happy ending.)
13. Sometimes we’re tested not to show our weakness, but to discover our strengths: Read a book with a character with visual/speech impairment or another disability.
14. The key to success is to focus on goals, not obstacles. Read a book that features any type of race (cycle/car/horse/boat/space/…)
15. To escape fear, you have to go through it, not around it: Read a horror/thriller book.
16. Music is my escape. It silences the world and my worries: Read a book that involves music or written by a musician.
17. Just wanna get away from everything for a while. Need a break: Read a book that involves a hobby/pastime
18. The hardest prison to escape is your mind: Read a book that helps you to overcome your mental barriers.
19. We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us: Read a book set in, al least, two different continents.
20. Not all who wander are lost: Read a translated book originally written in a new language to you or with "wander", "lost" or any related word in the title.
21. You can escape into a character: Read a book (fictional or nonfictional) with a character you admire.
22. Of all escape mechanisms, death is the most efficient: Read a book that involves death.
23. No one can escape life’s pain. That’s life: Read a book with “life” in the title.
24. It is always fair sailing, when you escape evil: Read a book with something relating to sailing or something evil on the cover.
25. Every time you think of escaping mentally of physically, grab the book that lies inches away from your heart: Just go and read it!

*(found surfing the net)

ADVANCED: PLAYING WITH WORDS*

INSPIRATION:
26. Afflatus: a strong creative impulse; divine inspiration. Read a book that involves some paranormal activity or some kind of divine intervention.
27. Euphoria: a strong feeling of happiness, sometimes leading to overconfidence. Read a book which involves some euphoric moment/event.
28. Brainstorm: a sudden inspiration or idea. Read a book that involves brainstorming.
29. Genius: an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, esp. as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, et.: Read a book that involves some kind of genius.
30. Inhalation: the act of breathing in. Read a book with “air”, “breath” or any related word in the title.

ESCAPE:
31. Drapetomania: a mania for running away. Read a book that involves a runaway (person or animal).
32. Enatation: swimming away, especially escaping by swimming. Read a book wich involves swimming or any aquatics.
33. Escapism: the art or technique of escaping from chains, locked trunks, etc. Especially when exhibited as a form of entertainment. Read a book featuring escapism/escapology.
34. Fugitation: fleeing from justice, as by a criminal. Read a book that involves a fugitive criminal.
35. Hegira: a flight or escape to safety. Read a book that involves any kind of refugee or asylum seeker.

*(found looking the primary word up in https://www.thefreedictionary.com/)

Carmen wrote: "Hola!
My proposal for Q2: Inspiration & Escape, is:

INSPIRATION & ESCAPE

BASIC: QUOTES*
1. Your limitation – it’s only your imagination: Read a fantasy/science fiction book
2. Push yourself, bec..."

Applause for the amount of work that obviously went into this, Carmen! Love it!

Carmen wrote: "Hola!
My proposal for Q2: Inspiration & Escape, is:

INSPIRATION & ESCAPE

BASIC: QUOTES*
1. Your limitation – it’s only your imagination: Read a fantasy/science fiction book
2. Push yourself, bec..."

Wow!

Wow, I'm quite speechless!
This thread was only posted 3 days ago and it's already filled with so many great suggestions for future challenges!

@Marythios
Thank you for your creative idea.

@Carmen
It seems like you got inspired while seeking inspiration for your challenge idea! So many great prompts!

oshizu wrote: "@Carmen
It seems like you got inspired while seeking inspiration for your challenge idea! So many great prompts!..."

I'm afraid I'm easily carried away, LOL. (With all the books I have to read still...)

Thank you, girls!

I went with things or expressions that contain the word “bloom” to create a few challenge ideas.

Bloom of Youth: read a YA or coming-of-age novel
The Bloom is Off the Rose (something that is no longer new & fresh): read a book written or set in the decade of your birth or a book with the theme of aging
Your Year to Bloom: read a self-improvement book or a book you predict will make you feel inspired
Bloom Where You’re Planted: read a book where a character moves/relocates or read a fish-out-of-water story
Blood-Bloom: Blood-bloom plants have appeared in Game of Thrones, Superman, and fantasy card games, so read a fantasy, superhero, or vampire book
Algae Bloom (rapid growth of algae that causes discoloration in the water): read a story about the sea, a lake, the beach, or a book about the health of our aquatic and coastal regions
Bloomin’ ‘eck: read a story in which characters speak a different language, dialect, or slang than your own
“Ignorance is like a delicate fruit; touch it, and the bloom is gone.” —Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest: read a play, a book set in school or university, or a book about education

@Allie

Thanks for sharing your prompts!
The variety of books they suggest is nice.
Bloomin' 'eck made me laugh.

Allie wrote: "I went with things or expressions that contain the word “bloom” to create a few challenge ideas.

Bloom of Youth: read a YA or coming-of-age novel
The Bloom is Off the Rose (something that is no lo..."

Great choices!

Allie wrote: "I went with things or expressions that contain the word “bloom” to create a few challenge ideas.

Bloom of Youth: read a YA or coming-of-age novel
The Bloom is Off the Rose (something that is no lo..."

I like this one. Well thought out. Bravo!

I like this one too

Are we going to be doing Author works Next year ?

Rachel wrote: "Are we going to be doing Author works Next year ?"

Rachel
This thread is for members to suggest monthly or quarterly challenges for 2020.
If you'd like more info about the 2020 yearlies, look here.

Here's a February idea, but I'm not comfortable leading. The leader can feel free to add to or modify this any way they see fit. :)

The 5 Love Languages. They are:
1. Gifts
-Read a book about a holiday where gifts are exchanged.
-Read a book set in the "present."
-Read a book you received as a gift.

2. Words of Affirmation
-Read a book with a lot of words (500+ pages).
-Read a book recommended to you by someone else.
-Read a self-help book or something that lifts your mood.

3. Acts of Service
-Read a book on the topic of slavery, or where one or more characters is living as a slave.
-Read a book about someone in a service trade, such as restaurant waitstaff, beauticians, store clerks, customer service, etc.
-Read a book where someone does something nice for someone else.

4. Quality Time
-Read a book with a group or buddy.
-Read a book with the word "time" in the title or a clock/watch on the cover.
-Read a book where the main character(s) go on a vacation.

5. Physical Touch
-Read a book that includes a romance (any genre).
-Read a book that has two people touching on the cover.
-Read any physical book that you can hold in your hand.

Dalynn wrote: "Here's a February idea, but I'm not comfortable leading. The leader can feel free to add to or modify this any way they see fit. :)

The 5 Love Languages. They are:
1. Gifts
-Read a book about a ho..."

@Dalynn
Thank you for sharing your challenge idea!
The prompts give challenge participants a lot of options,. which is always a plus.

Dalynn wrote: "Here's a February idea, but I'm not comfortable leading. The leader can feel free to add to or modify this any way they see fit. :)

The 5 Love Languages. They are:
1. Gifts
-Read a book about a ho..."

I really like this idea for February! :D

April marks the first month of 2020's second quarter.
The Q2 theme is Inspiration & Escape.

Do you have any fun ideas for an April challenge matching its monthly theme of Green?
When you suggest a challenge, please also let us know if you'd be interested in leading it!

Happy New Year!
My suggestion for Green April:

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN!

1. Green is the color of the Heart chakra, also known as Anahata. The Heart Chakra bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds. Opening the Heart chakra allows a person to love more, empathize, and feel compassion. Read a book that makes your heart sing, or with a character who is a healer (of the physical or the spiritual body.)

2. A "Green Man" is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. For many modern Pagans, the Green Man is used as a symbol of seasonal renewal and ecological awareness. Read a book that makes you feel more connected with Mother Nature.

3. There are more shades of green than any other color. The inability to distinguish between red and green is the most common form of colorblindness. Read a book with green on the cover, or if you have problems distinguishing colors, choose one with green in the title, or in the author's name. Or if you are feeling adventurous, choose a book that fulfills at least two or the aforementioned conditions. Or you can read a book which involves any kind of blindness

4. Green is often associated with jealousy and envy. The expression "green-eyed monster" was first used by William Shakespeare in Othello: "it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." Shakespeare also used it in the Merchant of Venice, speaking of "green-eyed jealousy." Read a book with a character affected by this "monster", or just read some book by Shakespeare (being April and all) or a retelling of one of his works.

5. For the troubadours, in Medieval Europe, green was the color of growing love, and light green clothing was reserved for young women who were not yet married. Read a book which involves "courtly love", or any kind of knight in shining armor and a damsel in distress (ironic mode on 😁)

6. In legends, folk tales and films, fairies, dragons, monsters, aliens, and the devil are often shown as green. Read a book which features any of these green characters.

7. Green is the traditional color of Islam, today, green is also used in several national flags as a symbol of Islam. Read a book written by a Muslim author, set in a Muslim country, or with a Muslim character. Or you can read a book set in a country with green in its flag, without taking into account religion.

8. The color of money. Green is sometimes associated with status and prosperity. It was the color worn by bankers, merchants, country gentlemen, and wealthy people (but not by nobility who wore red.) Read a book where money plays a relevant role (its presence or absence.)

(I don't feel confident enough to lead, ☺)

Thank you again for sharing your ideas, Carmen.
Honestly, I think you'd be a terrific challenge leader. Members who participate in lots of challenge usually have a clear idea in their minds about how they like to see a challenge run. 😄

And if you'd rather read than lead a challenge, that's understandable, too.

oshizu wrote: "Thank you again for sharing your ideas, Carmen.
Honestly, I think you'd be a terrific challenge leader. Members who participate in lots of challenge usually have a clear idea in their minds about h..."

A lot of thanks to you, oshizu 😀
The problem is that I don't think I can cope with so much multitasking 🤹‍♀️

April monthly challenge suggestion.

1. Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle. Read a book by an Irish author or that has the name of a gemstone in its title.
2. Many nations use the color green in their flags. Read a book set in a country with green on its flag.
3. Getting the “green light” indicates permission to proceed in safety. Read a book with the words “light” or “go” in the title or a book in which a character’s safety is threatened.
4. Greenland is one of earth’s largest islands. Read a book set on an island, that has the word “land” in the title, or is set in a cold climate.
5. Greenpeace is an organization dedicated to protecting the environment. Read a book about environmentalism, nature, or that involves the ocean in some way.
6. An evergreen is a symbol of strength and survival. Read a book with a strong protagonist or a book about overcoming adversity.
7. Green can denote youth or inexperience. Read a YA or middle grade book or a book that features a young or naive person as a major character.
8. “G” is for green. Read a book by an author whose first or last name starts with the letter “G.”
9. Green is a secondary color made up of blue and yellow. Read a book with blue, yellow, or green on the cover, or that has the words “blue,” “yellow,” or “green” in the title.
10. Animals typically use the color green as camouflage. Read a book with an unreliable narrator, that has a character who is hiding something, or that has a character who is or has been in the military.

If this challenge is chosen, I will lead it myself.

Q2: Pinterest Board--Inspiration

*edited to remove my example pin because that format wouldn’t work with all of the prompts.

People use Pinterest to “pin” things that inspire them. You can find boards devoted to food, crafts, art, photography, pets...really, just about anything. For this challenge, participants will “pin” books to inspirational boards. How you connect the book to the board is up to you. You can try to pin something on each board or you can focus on a select few. You can pin multiple books to each board, but each individual book can only be used once.

As an example, you might pin the Mona Lisa to your “Art” board. For that pin, you might read a book about Leonardo da Vinci, one set in Italy, a book on painting, The Da Vinci Code, or a book about a mysterious woman..On the “Science” board, you might read a book by or about a famous scientist, or a sci-fi book, etc. Feel free to get creative with it!

The challenge can be tracked by number of books and /or number of boards.

Boards:

1. Art
2. Historical Events
3. Music
4. Film and theater
5. Food and Cooking
6. Nature
7. Science
8. Technology
9. Faith—religious or otherwise; “faith in humanity,” for example.
10. Courage
11. Humanitarianism/Philanthropy/Charity
12. Friendship
13. Home and Family
14. Travel
15. Award Winners (any kind of award)

If chosen, I can lead this one myself.

Two awesome challenge ideas, Regina. Thank you?

Do you envision Pinterest Board as a quarterly? I do!

Regina wrote: "Pinterest Board--Inspiration

People use Pinterest to “pin” things that inspire them. You can find boards devoted to food, crafts, art, photography, pets...really, just about anything. For this cha..."

Regina, a Pinterest challenge is such a creative idea! Either quarterly or monthly challenge would be fun.

oshizu wrote: "Two awesome challenge ideas, Regina. Thank you?

Do you envision Pinterest Board as a quarterly? I do!"

Yes, I intended it as a Quarterly Challenge. :)

For Inspiration & Escape, maybe an escape room type challenge

You could either have clues to 'solve' and by doing that read a book based on the clue. Or prompts can be linked to the type of clues found in an escape room.

For example:

HIDDEN OBJECTS: Read a book that has someone finding something they lost

COMMUNICATION: Read a book where characters have to work together to achieve something

MATHEMATICS: Read a book that involves mathematics in some way

RIDDLES: Read a book where a character has to solve a riddle

That's a general idea. If someone wants to expand would be much appreciated haha

oshizu wrote: "Two awesome challenge ideas, Regina. Thank you?

Do you envision Pinterest Board as a quarterly? I do!"

Me too! ;-)

I like the months where we have a prompt-heavy challenge and a simple, easy-to-research one. So perhaps for April, alongside Carmen and/or Regina's ideas (which I love), just simply read as many books as you can with a green cover (like February's "Shades of Blue" last year).

SarahKat wrote: "I like the months where we have a prompt-heavy challenge and a simple, easy-to-research one. So perhaps for April, alongside Carmen and/or Regina's ideas (which I love), just simply read as many bo..."

I'm pretty sure Kristin was remembering the 2019 Shades of Blue challenge when she proposed the monthly theme of "Green." *adds "mindreading" to SarahKat's personal resume 😄

how about some fun games that deals with books

Tammie wrote: "how about some fun games that deals with books"

Thank you for sharing, Tammie. Would you please expand on your idea?
Do you mean like SarahKat's suggestion for a spell-out? Or....?

i mean board games like wheel of F or Jeopardy!

Ashleigh wrote: "For Inspiration & Escape, maybe an escape room type challenge

You could either have clues to 'solve' and by doing that read a book based on the clue. Or prompts can be linked to the type of clues ..."

A belated thank you for sharing your idea, Ashleigh! (The first day of the year was hectic, to say the least.)
I love locked-room mysteries! Well, any kind of mystery, really.

Tammie wrote: "i mean board games like wheel of F or Jeopardy!"

Thank you for elaborating. :)

This might be a bit of a morbid challenge, but at the same time I think a lot of books could be found haha!

From the April Challenge:

When I see green, the first thing I think of is the phrase 'green with envy' and therefore led me to think of how green is often associated with a lot of negative emotions.

So, I am thinking of a simple prompt based challenge of negative emotions:

1. A book about envy OR a book you are envious about someone else owning.

2. A book about jealousy OR a book that made you jealous of the character's lives (cue Harry Potter for me 😅)

3. A book where the main character is afraid OR a book in the horror genre

4. A book about frustration OR a book that is frustrating to read

5. A book with doubt or uncertainty OR a book you're uncertain whether you will enjoy (and hopefully enjoy)

6. A book that addresses shame or embarassment OR a book that you're embarrassed to be seen reading

7. A book about grief OR a the final book of a loved series (because you sometimes grieve the end)

8. A book where a character is guilty of something or feels guilt OR a guilty pleasure book

9. A book where a character becomes stressed OR a stressful book to read

10. A book that addresses depression OR a book that induces a negative mood in the reader

Thank you for sharing your creative idea, Ashleigh!

Hola!
Here's my May - Oceans idea:
As oceans can be a huge subject I focused this challenge on the part related to our yearly theme Myths, Legends, and Fairy Tales

1. Symbolically, the sea has long been perceived as a hostile and dangerous environment populated by fantastic creatures: the gigantic Leviathan of the Bible, the shark-like Isonade in Japanese mythology, and the ship-swallowing Kraken of late Norse mythology.
Read a book with a fantastic creature or a real sea monster.

2. The Greek mythology of the sea includes a complex pantheon of gods and other supernatural creatures. The god of the sea, Poseidon, who himself had something of the shifting character of the sea, presides not only over the sea, but also earthquakes, storms and horses.
Read a book that involves a storm, tsunami, and/or waves/surfing, .

3. In Southeast Asia, the importance of the sea gave rise to many myths of epic ocean voyages, princesses on distant islands, monsters and magical fish lurking in the deep.
Read a book with voyages, princesses, islands, and/or magic.

4. In Northern Europe, kings were sometimes given ship burials when the body was laid in a vessel surrounded by treasure and costly cargo and set adrift on the sea.
Read a book with treasures, burials at sea, and/or pirates/Vikings.

5. In North America, various creation stories have a duck or other creature dive to the bottom of the sea and bring up some mud out of which the dry land was formed.
Read a book involving migrations, any kind of creation, diving/pearls.

6. Atargatis was a Syrian deity known as the mermaid-goddess.
Read a book which features merfolk, sirens, or underwater worlds.

7. Sedna was the goddess of the sea and marine animals in Inuit mythology.
Read a book about Inuits, marine animals, and/or fishers/a fisher town.

8. In Norse mythology Ægir was the sea god and Rán, his wife, was the sea goddess while Njörðr was the god of sea travel. It was best to propitiate the gods before setting out on a voyage.
Read a book which involves a shipwreck/castaway, and/or any kind of sea trade (passengers, spices/goods, slaves/convicts etc.)

9. In the works of the psychiatrist Carl Jung, the sea symbolizes the personal and the collective unconscious in dream interpretation.
Read a book set in a paradise island/beach, or about something related to your secret dreams or the book that you uncounsciously prefer.

And for June - Weather, I made up this:

1. Dog days: The most oppressively hot, uncomfortable, and unhealthy time of the year; the height of summer. These are supposedly the days when Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun. The name dog days (Latin dies caniculares) derives from the ancient belief that the customary sultriness and un-wholesomeness of this season were due to the influence of the Dog Star.
Read a book set during the summer, in a extremely hot place, or about the stars.

2.Rain cats and dogs: To pour, to come down in torrents, to teem. The most repeated explanation relates it to the storm god Odin, often pictured with cat and dog who according to Norse mythology influenced the weather.
Read a book set during the spring, in the rain forest/jungle, or featuring a feline.

3.Three-dog night: A bitterly cold night. This expression is derived from the Inuits, who purportedly measure the cold by determining how many dogs are necessary to keep them warm during the night. Thus, a night which requires the warmth of three dogs is a frigid night indeed.
Read a book set during the winter or in a extremely cold place, or featuring a dog.

4.Indian summer: A brief respite in the late autumn of North America, characterized by hazy, balmy weather. This expression is thought to have originated in New England, where the Indians took advantage of the unseasonably warm spell to make their final winter preparations. Like other terms denoting time of year or day, Indian summer is often analogously applied to one’s life, indicating a period of renewed vigor or health amidst a stage of general decline.
Read a book set during the autumn/fall, in a place with warm climate, or with a character living their Indian summer.

5.Hulda is making her bed: An expression denoting a snowfall. In ancient German mythology Hulda is the goddess of marriage and fertility. Although this expression is of unknown origin, it is reasonable to conjecture that Hulda had a feather bed which she prepared for the delights of newlyweds and from which some plumes periodically escaped to fall to the earth as snow.
Read a book which involves a snowfall, a honeymoon, or something related to fertility.

6.Queen’s weather: Ideal weather conditions; magnificent weather occurring on a day set aside for a festival, picnic, or other outdoor activity. This expression originated from the disproportionate number of fine days which coincided with Queen Victoria’s public appearances.
Read a book with any kind of outdoor activity, a queen or set during the Victorian Era.

Here I go again, 😁

For Oceans another idea could be:
1. Choose your favorite photo of the sea
2. Make a palette


3. Read books with covers that suit your palette

For the weather challenge we can use the rainbow for inspiration, or the seasonal photo of our preference.

Now it's your turn to share more ideas!