The Challenge Factory discussion

2024 The Year of the Dragon
Duration - February 10, 2024 through January 28, 2025



The Dragon is ranked Fifth in the Chinese Zodiac.
According to one of many myths, the Jade Emperor held a race and decreed that the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac would be decided by who crossed the finish line in the first 12 places. It would seem a matter of common sense that the mighty Dragon would be deserving of first place, however he did not achieve this. He came after the Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat. Why was this?...

When Dragon was on his way to the finish line, he found a village suffering from a very serious drought — even its plants and crops did not grow, and a great number of people were in famine. So, he flew across the clouds and opened his mouth to make rain and solved their hardship.

Dragon continued on in the race, but after a while, he saw another village threatened by a flood. He stopped without hesitation and opened his mouth to absorb the water. His efforts and powers moved the flood waters to the sea, and the disaster at the village was averted.

As Dragon hurried on his way towards the race's end, he saw that Rabbit was being chased by a wolf. In order to deal with the wolf and save Rabbit, he let Rabbit go on ahead. So, by generously helping those he met on the way, as is always his nature, Dragon came in after Rabbit in the zodiac race.

Tasks:
1. Read a book published in December.
2. Read a boom where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else.
3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON.
5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)

✔️1. Read a book published in December City of Betrayal published 12/23
✔️2. Read a book where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else.
River's End Olivia's father steps in front of the bullet to protect his daughter.
✔️3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green. Out of the Shadows

✔️4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

✔️5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.
Purgatory Ridge A shipwreck due to a major storm only had one survivor who is seeking revenge.

#4 Does the initials of the first and last name need to be in Dragon or only one name?

Both first and last initials should appear in the word DRAGON.

Erica wrote: "Both first and last initials should appear in the word DRAGON."

Thanks.

Erica wrote:

Erica,

When I look at the library book, Out of the Shadows looks more green than blue, but the ebook looks more blue than green. Will this work, or should I find another book?

No, just go with it as is. These challenges are for fun and to promote the love of reading!

Erica wrote: "No, just go with it as is. These challenges are for fun and to promote the love of reading!"

Thank you!

I'm ready to move forward.

People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.

Set 2 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a confident MC.
2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).
3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure.
4. Read a book published in May.
5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.

Set 2 Tasks:
✔️1. Read a book with a confident MC. Dark of Night All of the characters are confident, but I love Tracy in this book.
✔️2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both). - The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
✔️3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure. Dark Witch Iona goes to Ireland to meet her cousins
✔️4. Read a book published in May.- Mind Games (ARC Netgalley)
✔️5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind. Dark Witch Iona changes from feelings of unlove, and unsure to a very confident woman who found her place.

Erica, I'm ready to move forward. I will decide on my May published book this week.

You got it!


Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER.
2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.
3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career.
4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative.
5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice.

Set 3 Tasks:
✔️1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER. Come Shell or High Water by Molly MacRae
✔️2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered. - Night Smoke
✔️3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career. Vigorous Defense Medical examiner
✔️4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative. - The Flower Sisters Daisy Is a young teen who talks the local paper to giving her a summer internship
✔️5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice. - Silent Prey

Erica, I'm ready for the next set of tasks if it isn't too late.

Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.

Set 4 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.
2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn.
3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue.
4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION.

Set 4 Tasks:
✔️1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.

✔️2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn. Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Intrigue Christoper Osbaldestone is the stubborn MC.
✔️3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue. - Summers at the Saint Traci is emotional trying to implement her husbands (deceased) plans for the hotel
✔️4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).Murder in Rose Hill (Gaslight Mysteries)
✔️5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION Mind Games by Nora Roberts

High Erica, I'm ready for the next step. I'm loving this challenge.

So glad you are enjoying it!!



2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, beginning on February 10th, 2024 (Chinese New Year) and concluding on January 28th, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Eve). The Dragon is also associated with the years 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952. People born in Dragon years usually possess natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence, often displaying enthusiasm and confidence.

Set 5 Tasks:
1. Read a book published in February.
2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC.
3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count.
4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame.
5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title.

Set 5 Tasks:
✔️1. Read a book published in February. Blood Hollow Feb 3, 2004
✔️2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC. - Lady Augusta "Gus" is enthusiastic and confident in her desire to help other women The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
✔️3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count. - First Fight
✔️4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame. A Perfect Blood
✔️5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title. - Almost Surely Dead

Hi Erica,

Is there another group of tasks? If so, I'm ready.

In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. Consequently, 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you're seeking a shift in your current lives, this year might offer a favorable chance.

Set 6 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very talented MC.
2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count.
3. Read a book with nobility in it.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY.
5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something.

Set 6 Tasks: Complete
✔️1. Read a book with a very talented MC. The Face of Deception
✔️2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count. Untraceable
✔️3. Read a book with nobility in it. A Most English Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Daughter
✔️4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY. - Naked in Death
✔️5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something - The Invitation Hudson takes a chance investing in Stella's business

Hi Erica, Will there be anymore tasks for this challenge? I will finish set 6 early next week.

There's just one more set.

Erica, I'm finished. I'll take the last set.

According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is a Wood Dragon Year. Wood indicates calmness, loyalty, and reliability and Dragons endowed with prominent abilities and revolutionary ideas. Such features incline Wood Dragons toward a successful life. Even though stubbornness and a little arrogance are innate with Dragons, these negative traits, sometimes, may be the key to achieving their goals.

Set 7 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very calm MC.
2. Read a book where a character works with wood.
3. Read a book with all the letters LOYALTY in the title and/or series names (can use both).
4. Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal.
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY.

Hello Erica, I don't know if I will get to this challenge. After 2 hurricanes, I am so far behind in reading I don't know how I will catch up.

Hi Sharon - please don't worry. I'm so sorry you have been hit with so many disasters. Take care of yourself and your family. That is what is important! I'm going to post the finished clip since you're on the final set. We'll consider you done with this one. I hope you can get life back on track soon.

CONGRATULATIONS!! You finished the Year of the Dragon!