You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
Challenges: Year Long Main 2023
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Amanda(Lily)'s 2023 Puzzling Reads
Puzzle 2The 21st Century began on 1 January 2001 and will end on 31 December 2100.
Read a book that is set in the 21st century. Yes, it may be set in the future, if it takes places prior to December 2100. The Only Survivors
2. Four letters: Julius Caesar garment
By the second century AD the territory of the Roman Empire covered the area occupied by the following modern-day countries: England, Wales, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Rumania, Turkey, Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia, Israel, Lebanon, Tunisia and parts of Germany, the Soviet Union, Morocco, Algeria, Syria and Egypt. It has been estimated that in the second century AD about 54 million people lived in the Roman Empire.
Read book about the Roman Empire. It may be set in any of the aforementioned countries. For example it could be set in England when they occupied England. but it must be about the Roman Empire, not just the setting. The Skystone is a good example. SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome
3. Four letters; Jacket Sleeves
Read a book with one person on the cover. Both arms must be showing. Queen of Thieves
4. Two words, total 4 letters: Top Rated
Read a book with a higher than 4.1 average rating on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... The Lost Metal
5. Four letters: Agent 007's last name
James Bond always introduced himself "Bond, James Bond"
Read a book with duplicated (or more) words in the title. Articles such as 'the', and conjoiners like 'and' are not included. eg - Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
6. Five letters: Santa _____ is coming to town
Read a book with a Christmas theme. A Very Merry Bromance
The best (and least expensive) beef stew meat comes from the front shoulder, also known as the chuck. The rear muscle (also called the round) would definitely make a great stew, but we like chuck better because it has more connective tissue.
Read a book with shoulder or round in the title. Shoulder Bags and Shootings
8. Five letters: Part of a Lincoln costume
Most notable things required for a Lincoln's costume is a fake beard or Top hat.
Read a book with a beard or top hat on the cover. Truth or Beard
9. Two words, 9 letters total: Short hiking shoe
Read a book with an ankle clearly showing on the cover. The Three Mrs. Wrights
Read a book from the first 5 pages of this list https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/.... It must be tagged as "adult" on the main book page. The Midnight Library
Puzzle 31. Two words, total 10 letters: Coal or natural gas
In 2019, 84% of primary energy consumption in the world and 64% of its electricity was from fossil fuels. The large-scale burning of fossil fuels causes serious environmental damage.
Read a book about the environment. A Wild Idea: The True Story of Douglas Tompkins—The Greatest Conservationist
2. Six letters: Dictator
When I googled "which countries are dictatorships", Russia was the first on the list.
Read a book set in Russia. City of Thieves, The Eighth Life
3. Three words, total 15 letters: Crack up after a joke
Read a book with a main page genre of humour. I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend
Read a book with the name of a tree in the title from this site - http://bhort.bh.cornell.edu/tree/list... Note, you may only use the name of a tree; You may not use any descriptors (like black, white, American, slippery, etc. Cherry Cheesecake Murder
5. Five letters: Atmospheric layer
The ozone layer sits in the stratosphere between 15 km and 30 km above the earth and shields us and other living things from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ozone layer depletion could have serious effects on human health and the environment.
Read a book where someone is protecting someone else. Explain how they are protecting someone else. The Neighbor's Secret
6. Four letters: 50%
Read a book that is number 50 on your TBR or other personal shelf. Specify which shelf it's on. If you don't have a shelf that big, obtain permission from another member to use theirs. According to Plan
7. Two words, total 8 letters: Begin a journey
Read a book where the main character sets forth on a major journey. To Calais, in Ordinary Time, In the Lives of Puppets
8. Four letters: Three hours before noon
Read a book that is the third or ninth book in a series. Murder in the Secret Garden
9. Five letters: Cairo's country
Read a book set in ancient Egypt. Child of the Morning, Death Comes as the End
10. Four letters: Entryway
Read a book with a large door on the cover. Must be the focus of the cover. The Forgotten Garden
Puzzle 41. Five letters: Artist Picasso
Read a book with a significant character who is a painter. Still Life, Little Fires Everywhere
2. Nine letters: To be ironed
Read a book with a character who is a maid servant whose responsibilities would include ironing clothing.
3. Four letters: Barnyard Bellows
Read a book with one or more of the following barnyard animals on the cover - Chickens, Cattle, Sheep, Ducks, Goats, or Pigs.
4. Seven letters: Environmental removal
Tourism puts enormous stress on local land use and can lead to soil erosion.
Read a book with the theme of tourism.
5. Four letters: Letters after Q
Read a book where all the initials of the author are included in RSTU in any order. You may not duplicate letters as in Ron Rash. A good acceptable answer would be Sarah Rayne. Tony Reinke, City of a Thousand Gates, Thomas Schreiner, The Girls I've Been, All My Rage, Siri, Who Am I?
6. Seven letters: Materializes
Read a book that is a coming-of-age story.
7. Five letters: Ribs, for example
Read a book with Bone(s) in the title. Bone Gap
8. Five letters: Alphabet intro
Read a book where the first letter of the title (not including articles) starts with ABCDE. https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Read a book set in Nevada. Paradise, Nevada
10. Four letters: Aussie Hoppers
Roos is a word with multiple origins. In Dutch, Low German, Swiss German and Estonian “Roos” means “Rose. Climbing roses are commonly grown in South Australia.
Read a book with a wreath of flowers or a hedge of flowers on it. There may also be a flower bed full of flowers.
Puzzle 5Read a book that is set in at least 3 different countries across the globe. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
2. Three words, total 13 letters: Degree of uncertainty
Read a book that contains the word error, mistake, or perfect in the title. A Perfect Bind
3. Four letters: Any of 52 in a deck
Read a book that has at least one playing card on the cover. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...
4. Four letters: Partner at a prom
Read a book that is main page genre of young adult.
5. Four letters: Copenhagen citizen
Read a book set in Denmark, or written by a Danish author. Ophelia, The Keeper of Lost Causes
6. Four letters: Volcano flow
Read a book where there is a volcano in the story, or there is a volcano on the cover.
7. Five letters: Mountain chain
By nearly any measure, Bhutan is the world's most mountainous country. Bhutan’s average elevation is 10,760 feet and mountains cover 98.8% of its total area. The Northern parts of Bhutan are dominated by the Greater Himalayas, with the highest point being Gangkhar Puensum at 24,840 feet above sea level.
Read a book that is set in the Himalayans ( India, Pakistan, China, Bhutan, Nepal) Buried in the Sky: The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2's Deadliest Day
8. Five letters: Adorable child
Read a book with Child in the title or author's name is Child. The Moonlight Child
9. Seven letters: Meeting Schedule
Read a book where the main character is a businessman or businesswoman.
10. Four letters: Highway part
Read a book with a road on the cover where the lanes can clearly be identified.
Puzzle 61. Four letters: Sound of a dog's bark
Read a book with a dog as a significant character. First Degree
2. Five letters: Jeans Fabric
Read a book with someone wearing jeans on the cover.
3. Five letters: Gem Surface
Read a book with the name of a gem in the title Use this list: https://www.britannica.com/list/9-gem...
4. Four letters: Castle's watery ring
The country with the most castles is Germany! It's thought that Germany has around 25,000 castles within its borders.
Read a book set in Germany.
5. Five letters: Mile-a-second speed
Read a book that was set in the 60's of any century (1960's, 1860's, 1760's etc.) Future 60's will be allowed (2060's)
6. Four letters: Great Lake
The largest city on Lake Erie is Cleveland, Ohio.
Read a book set in Ohio. Blessed Is The Busybody
7. Four letters: School room furniture
Read a book where there is a character that is a teacher. Physics can be Fatal
8. Two words, total 10 letters: Small rug at the entryway's floor
Read a book where the initials of the author are W and M (in any order
Read a book where the title is in a script font on the cover. Cannot be fonts that are italics. It must look like handwriting. We Are the Brennans
10. Five letters: Flower stalk
Read a book where the cover has flowers WITH stems
Puzzle 71. Two words, total 15 letters: Plugged in bedding
The first crude electric blankets were introduced in the early 1900s and the first electric blanket was sold in the US in 1946.
Read a book set between 1901 and 1946.
2. Five letters: Fire Department Leader
Read a book where a main character is a fireman.
One of the first references to toast in print is in a recipe for Oyle Soppys (flavoured onions stewed in a gallon of stale beer and a pint of oil) from 1430. In the 1400s and 1500s, toast was discarded or eaten after it was used as a flavoring for drinks.
Read a book with a type of liquor in the title. The Moonshine Shack Murder
4. Seven letters: Thick-fabric sleepwear
The origins of flannel fabric can be traced back to late seventeenth-century Wales.
Read a book set in Wales or written by a Welsh author.
5. Four letters: With no decoration
6. Four letters: Frisbee shape
A company designer, Ed Headrick, patented the design for the modern Frisbee in December 1967.
Read a book with Ed or Edward as a main character or author.
7. Four letters: Small mountain
Read a book with Hill in the title or is the author's name. Praying Together: The Priority and Privilege of Prayer in Our Homes, Communities, and Churches
8. 11-down, 5 letters: Verse writers
Read a book with mpg of poetry.
9. Three letters: Rustic Hotel
Read a book with Inn in the title or subtitle. Snowed Inn at the Who-Dun-Him Inn
10. Three letters: Initial meaning "alias"
Read a book where the author writes under a pseudonym. State the author's name and pseudonym.
Puzzle 81. Five letters Old West pursuit party
Read a book with mpg of Western.
2. Three words, total 6 letters|: Be Right with you
Read a book with a measure of time in the title - ex. Sec, second, minute, etc. Little Hours: A Novel, Hour of the Witch, Three Hours: Sermons for Good Friday
Read a book where a flight attendant is a character - doesn't need to be a main character, but not just a mention. Coffee, Tea or Me?
4. Two words, total 11 letters: Letter deliverer
Read a book where a letter has a significant role. IE letters back and forth, found letters are significant to story.
5. Five letters: Accused's Excuse
Read a book that is a legal thriller Both words must be on the MBP.
6. Six letters: Store's customer
Read a book with a store front on the cover.
7. Four letters: Minneapolis or Miami
Read a book set in a city that beings with the letter M.
8. Five letters: Not in a million years
Read a book where the author's last name starts with an n, and whom you've never read before.
9. Six letters: Horror movie menace
Read a book with genre dystopia and tagged zombies. Both words must be on the MBP.
10. Five letters: Gown for example
Read a book with someone wearing a gown on the cover.
Puzzle 91. Two words, total 7 letters: Stayed out of sight
Best way to say out of sight it to be invisible
Read a book with Invisible in the title. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
2. Seven letters: Wild West Bars
Read a book that has a bar or saloon featured in it.
3. Two words, total 7 letters: Ruby or Crimson
Read a book whose cover is 75% dark red.
4. Six letters: Rosebush stickers
Read a book with thorns on the cover or in the title.
5. Five letters: Untrue
Read a book with an unreliable narrator. https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6... Sometimes I Lie
6. Four letters: Fence opening
Read a book with a gate on the cover or in the title.
7. Five letters: Londoners informally
Read a book written by a British author.
8. Five letters: Pacific or Atlantic
Read a book that is set in the ocean on a ship or submarine.
9. Six letters: Smooched
Read a book where a word in the title contains kiss - may be imbedded.
Read a cozy mystery with food as the main theme. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Puzzle 101. Five letters: Of the moon
Read a book with the moon on the cover or in the title. Everything and the Moon, The Half Moon
2. Five letters: Courage in battle
Read a book that is about the Civil War in the US. March, I Shall Be Near to You
3. Two words, total 15 letters: Fluffy footwear worn with robes
Slippers in China date from 4700 BCE. They were made of cotton or woven rush, had leather linings, and featured symbols of power, such as dragons.
Read a book that has dragons in it. His Majesty's Dragon
4. Five letters: Wild guesses
The word "stabs" makes me think of knives.
Read a book with has a knife on the cover. Tableware not included. It must be a weapon. Graceling
5. Four letters: Leave the pier in a ship
Read a book with a ship on the cover that is flying its sails. The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
Read a book where a significant character is a bachelor or bachelorette. The character must remain unmarried through the entire book. The Writing Retreat
7. Four letters: Inhales quickly in surprise
Read a book where there are significant plot twists, as explained in the book blurb. Daisy Darker
8. Four letters: Birds that hoot
People generally consider owl as symbols of wisdom and knowledge, thanks to the endless owl mythology and folklore references.
Read a book from this list: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... The Scarlet Letter
9. Two words, total 8 letters: Where a hotel's lifeguard is stationed
Read a book from a this list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer, Swim for the Little One First, The Night Swim, Swimming Lessons
10. Five letters: A Person from Stockholm
Read a book set in Sweden or written by a Swedish author. Us Against You
Puzzle 11Read a book that is numbered 7th in a series. A Death Long Overdue
2. Six letters: Playful Pranks
Read a book from this list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3... Heartless
3. Three words, total 15 letters: 21, by adding
Read a book set in the 16th century (1501-1600) At the King's Command
4. Four letters: January to December
Read a book that was/is a new release in 2023. All the Dangerous Things
5. Five letters: Martian, for example
Read a book where a significant character is an alien (may be angels/demons too). May not be a fantasy world. The Humans
6. Two words, total 6 letters: Start of a play
Read a book that is tagged as "play".
7. Six letters: Big city in Massachusetts
Read a book set in Boston. Murder by the Book
8. Five letters: Young dog
Read a book with a puppy or a dog on the cover. First Degree
Read a book with "Cave" or "Bat" in the title. Cave of Secrets
10. Four letters: Auto's Wheel Bar
Read a book with a car on the cover. At least one wheel must be pictured. Just Last Night
The challenge has been amended to 7 badges.
Janice wrote: "The challenge has been amended to 7 badges."Thanks for the update. Rules post edited to reflect change.
1. Badge 1, Book 12. Puzzle 8, Task 3
3. Coffee, Tea or Me?
4. I read the Kindle book, paperback is 320 pages.
5. Read a book where a flight attendant is a character - doesn't need to be a main character, but not just a mention.
6. Book is about two flight attendants in the '60's.
🔅The task numbers are reset with each puzzle, so that should read Puzzle 8, task 3.
Janice wrote: "🔅The task numbers are reset with each puzzle, so that should read Puzzle 8, task 3."
Sorry, I think I hit both numbers at once on that one. I'll edit the post to change it to the correct task.
It occurred to me that might have been the case, It happens to me far too often.
1. Badge 1, Book 22. Puzzle 3, Task 4
3. Cherry Cheesecake Murder
4. I read the Kindle book, paperback is 382 pages.
5. Read a book with the name of a tree in the title from this site
6. "Cherry" is in the title, like in "Pin Cherry".
1. Badge 1, Book 32. Puzzle 6, Task 9
3. We Are the Brennans
4. I read the hardcover, 274 pages.
5. Read a book where the title is in a script font on the cover.
6. Title is in script on the cover.
1. Badge 1, Book 42. Puzzle 1, Task 2
3. The Christie Affair
4. I read the Kindle book, hardcover is 320 pages.
5. Read a book that is MPG Historical Fiction and set in England.
6. "Historical fiction" is a genre on the main page and it is set in England.
1. Badge 1, Book 52. Puzzle 2, Task 5
3. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
4. I read the hardcover, 416 pages.
5. Read a book with duplicated (or more) words in the title.
6. "Tomorrow" is in the title 3 times.
Badge 1 Books1. The Christie Affair
2. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
3. Cherry Cheesecake Murder
4. Paradise, Nevada
5. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
6. We Are the Brennans
7. The Moonshine Shack Murder
8. Coffee, Tea or Me?
9. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
10. The Writing Retreat
11. All the Dangerous Things
12. Booked 4 Murder
1. Badge 1, Book 62. Puzzle 4, Task 9
3. Paradise, Nevada
4. I read the Kindle version, hardcover is 512 pages.
5. Read a book set in Nevada.
6. Book is set in Las Vegas, Nevada.
1. Badge 1, Book 72. Puzzle 5, Task 1
3. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
4. I read the hardcover, 448 pages.
5. Read a book that is set in at least 3 different countries across the globe.
6. Book is set in France, USA, England, and Italy.
I just finished the book as well but for a different task :)
1. Badge 1, Book 82. Puzzle 12, Task 9
3. Booked 4 Murder
4. I read the Kindle version, paperback is 314 pages.
5. Read a book set in Arizona.
6. Book is set in Sun City West, Arizona.
1. Badge 1, Book 92. Puzzle 11, Task 4
3. All the Dangerous Things
4. I read the hardcover, 326 pages.
5. Read a book that was/is a new release in 2023.
6. Book was a new release in January 2023.
1. Badge 1, Book 102. Puzzle 10, Task 6
3. The Writing Retreat
4. I read the hardcover, 320 pages.
5. Read a book where a significant character is a bachelor or bachelorette.
6. Main character is unmarried for the whole book.
1. Badge 1, Book 112. Puzzle 7, Task 3
3. The Moonshine Shack Murder
4. I read the Kindle version, paperback is 304 pages.
5. Read a book with a type of liquor in the title.
6. "Moonshine" is a type of liquor.
1. Badge 1, Book 122. Puzzle 9, Task 10
3. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
4. I read the Kindle version, paperback is 304 pages.
5. Read a cozy mystery with food as the main theme.
6. Book is a cozy mystery about a baker with cookie recipes.
Badge 2Puzzle 1
1. Velvet Was the Night
2. The Christie Affair
3. I Have Some Questions for You
4. Isn't It Bromantic?
5. Murder Once Removed
6. Everything is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love and Loss
7. Al Dente's Inferno
8. Toughest Cowboy in Texas
9. Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith
10. Our Wives Under the Sea
Puzzle 12
1. The Cartographers
2. Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt Is Not the Enemy of Faith
3. Lessons in Chemistry
4. Wild Women and the Blues
5. The Villa
6. Hour of the Witch
7. A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
8. How Beautiful We Were
9. Booked 4 Murder
10. Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better
1. Badge 2, Book 12. Puzzle 1, Task 10
3. Our Wives Under the Sea
4. I read the Kindle version, paperback is 240 pages.
5. Read a book with "sea" in the title.
6. "Sea" is in the title.
🔆Congrats on finishing the first badge.
1. Badge 2, Book 22. Puzzle 1, Task 4
3. Isn't It Bromantic?
4. I read the Kindle version, paperback is 343 pages.
5. Read a book that is included in a series of 5 primary works series
6. Book is part of the 5-book Bromance Book Club series.
Janice wrote: "🔆Congrats on finishing the first badge."
Thanks!
1. Badge 2, Book 32. Puzzle 1, Task 6
3. Everything is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love and Loss
4. I read the Kindle version, hardcover is 265 pages.
5. Read a book with a photograph on the cover.
6. There is a stack of photographs on the cover.
1. Badge 2, Book 42. Puzzle 1, Task 8
3. Toughest Cowboy in Texas
4. I read the Kindle version, paperback is 352 pages.
5. Read a book with a significant character that is a cowboy.
6. Male main character is a cowboy.
1. Badge 2, Book 52. Puzzle 1, Task 1
3. Velvet Was the Night
4. I read the Kindle version, hardcover is 289 pages.
5. Read a book set in Mexico.
6. Book is set in Mexico.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome (other topics)The Midnight Library (other topics)
Queen of Thieves (other topics)
Heartless (other topics)
Queen of Thieves (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Tony Reinke (other topics)Thomas R. Schreiner (other topics)
To complete this challenge and earn a badge, you must read 12 books. You will select one task from each puzzle.
Subsequent Challenges:
If you complete the challenge, there are subsequent challenges you may attempt.
There will be 7 badges this year.
Badge 2 - read all the remaining tasks for 2 puzzles (18 books).
Badge 3 - read all the remaining tasks for 2 more puzzles (18 books).
Badge 4 - read all the remaining tasks for 2 more puzzles (18 books).
Badge 5 - read all the remaining tasks for 2 more puzzles (18 books).
Badge 6 - read all the remaining tasks for 2 more puzzles (18 books).
Badge 7 - read all the remaining tasks for the last 2 puzzles (18 books).
If you finish all 7 badges, you will have read 120 books.
Report each book as follows:
1. Challenge Progress: Identify where you are in the challenge – Badge 1, book 1 (2, 3, 4, etc.)
2. List the Puzzle number and Task number
3. Link to book read. Link to the title and not to the cover.
4. List the number of pages of the edition you read. If an ebook or audiobook also give the number of pages of the paper edition (refer general rules on page numbers).
5. Give a very brief summary of the task.
6. State how the book fits the criteria. Any requirements must be included in this section (cover link if cover task, picture link if interactive task, etc.)