The Challenge Factory discussion

Welcome to Team 4!



How to Play:
* Each team member will need to read one book each week.
* The book must match a task from that week's list.
* Books must be at least 140 pages. Audio book page length is determined by the first paper version that shows up.

How to get points:
1. Read a book for a GISH task. There will be 26 tasks each week.
You may not start reading your book before Monday morning (12:01 am, your time)
and
you must finish reading your book and report it by Sunday night (midnight, your time).

Each task gets points. The points may be higher if the task is trickier. The difficulty of the reading prompt does not reflect the points given to the task. (I did not assign the points to the tasks. That was done by GISH people.)

2. If the book you're reading fits a second GISH task, you can claim those points as well. (The connection must be obvious. If you're unsure if your book fits, check with your teammates. If you're still not confident, ask on the Q&A thread.)

3. Buddy read a book for a GISH task. This is worth 50 points.

***You can add 2 and/or 3 to the mandatory 1 for additional points.***

Team members can read the same task. Points for the previous week's tasks will be announced when everyone's Completion Posts are reported. Tasks will be posted each Friday morning.

If a team member has scheduled an absence, someone else on the team can match their book up to 4 different tasks so as not to miss points.

If your team has fewer than 5 members, someone on the team can read a second book to score points for the missing 5th person.

If someone misses two deadlines, they will be removed from the game.

Details:
*Teams will be posted Wednesday, June 5.
*There will be 8 'Weeks' to the game.
*Week 1's tasks will be posted Friday, June 7.
*The game will begin on Monday, June 10 at 12:01 a.m. (your time)
*The game will conclude Sunday, Aug 4 at 12:59 p.m. (your time)
*If your profile is set to private, you will need to open it for the duration of the game. You may need to be contacted by the head of your team and there are a few tasks where your teammates will need to see your bookshelves.

sample Completion post:
Book and Author:
Date Read:
Pages:
GISH task: #?
2nd GISH task: #?
Buddy Read: (provide link to Buddy Read thread)

Team members:
Stormie - Book Dragon -
Christy
Ira
Olawuyi (Juwon)
Lanelle

Week 1 tasks (June 10 - 16)

(view spoiler)[1. Do you live near some sand dunes or a beach? If so, the time has come to fulfill your destiny. Make a massive portrait of either someone who inspires you, or a message of hope beautifully written in sand. Use a drone to capture footage, if helpful. Make sure you are not working on protected or ecologically sensitive dunes. - read a book where a scene happens at a beach

2. There was a hobby or talent that you used to do when you were younger that you stopped doing for whatever reason. Do it again. Now. - reread a book that you read when you were younger

3. Pancake art has come a long way, and the art form doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Let’s see pancake art of Guernica, Judith Slaying Holofernes, The Weeping Woman, Heronymous Bosch, or another famous work. - read a book with all the letters of ART in the author's name

4. As anyone who reads Cosmopolitan magazine knows, bohemian eco-chic weddings are all the rage. Let’s see a wedding dress made from recycled office paper. - read a book with a wedding in it

5. Nobody likes elevator music in an elevator - unless it’s flute or pan flute music played by a wood nymph. (We must see unsuspecting passengers in the elevator with the wood nymph.) - read a hardback or paperback book

6. Re-enact the experience of your birth, using only shadow puppets. - read a book with 3 Ps in the title

7. You love your grandparents, or your great-grandparents. Get one of them to tell you about the two most transformative experiences of their early life, before they turned 30. These must be experiences that shaped them into the people they are today. They may be difficult situations or lucky ones, but they must be transformative. - read a book where the MC is a grandparent OR under 30 years old

8. Of all the unique and amazing human specimens on Earth, it was hard for the aliens to choose which ones to collect, but your team stood out as being excessively weird and worth “analysis". Your entire team was abducted and put into an alien specimen box. In grid form, show each member of your team along with a card explaining where they got you and a word stating what special characteristic makes you unique. - read a Science Fiction book

9. I can assure you, THAT has never been frozen in Jello before! How did you manage to do that!?! - read a book set during the wintertime

10. Pizza was invented in Italy in 997 A.D. to honor the Queen Consort, Queen Margherita. The next significant event in Italian history was the start of the Renaissance Period in the 14th century, which spawned a revival in art, architecture, science, and learning. Let’s celebrate these two seminal moments in Italian history. Bake a Pizza decorated as a Renaissance painting that would make the Old Masters proud. - read a book set in Italy or with an Italian character in it

11. There are many old ghost towns around the world. I’ve been told, however, that almost all of these are fake. I refuse to believe this. Help me prove them wrong. Let’s see ghosts (at least 6) doing typical small-town activities (shopping, dropping stuff off in the mailbox, porch sitting, walking ghost dogs, as crossing guards, and school kids, etc.). Provide a caption to your picture or video with the name of the ghost town, and the State or Province and Country you’re in. - read a ghost story

12. Many of us have lost pets in our lifetime. As a memorial to a loved pet that is now frolicking in the clouds chasing or sniffing whatever it was that pet liked to chase/sniff, write a poem or haiku about that loved one, or create a small shrine in nature comprised of items the dog loved and a photo of him or her. - read a book with clouds on the cover

13. A child drawing of their idea of happiness. Then, make it happen. - read a book with illustrations or drawings in it

14. Over the years GISHWHES has always been a supporter of first responders (firemen, paramedics, ER medics, nurses, police). Let’s give them one last treatment of a proper GISHWHES “Thank you!” Find your nearest first responders and bring them The Most Epic Cookies or Pastries the World Has Ever Seen (MECOPWHES). - read a book where the MC is a first responder (see list above)

15. Groucho Marx a piece of fruit. No, we don’t know what this means either, but we’re excited to see what you come up with. - read a book with fruit on the cover or in the title

16. Take your parent back to the place where they lived when they were 10 years old. Find someone they knew from then and ask them to recall a shared memory. - read a book first published 10 years ago (2014)

17. Spicy Art! Using the spices you have in your spice cupboard, create a picture of your favorite (1) comic book cover, or (2) cartoon character. Take a picture of it alone, or as a side-by-side image comparison. - read a book that some might consider spicy

18. Create or provide GISHWHES welcome blankets (if it’s cold) or cold water and snacks (if it’s hot) for newly arriving immigrants… anywhere on the planet. Here’s some inspiration for you. - read a book where the MC is an immigrant (has moved to a new country)

19. A photo of your pet and a photo of the portrait of your pet that you have made from their own food and treats. - read a book where the MC has a pet

20. Your family’s toys get into sweet, crazy escapades at night while the kids are sleeping. Let’s see what happened with your family’s toys while you slept last night. - read a book that is tagged 'Adventure'

21. Let’s see the world famous once-every-3000-years “Spectral Olympics”. - read a book with 3 or 0 in the page count

22. We finally have a confirmed sighting of a mythical beast from urban legends (Bigfoot, Nessie, Yeti, etc.) suffering the effects of climate change. - read a book a mythical creature in it

23. This morning, my daughter reported having seen a “moon fairy” while I was sleeping last night. As you know, the rarely seen moon fairies are mischievous, nocturnal creatures who participate in synchronized, representational flight. Using a long exposure and flashlights, photograph these elusive beasts. - read a book tagged "Fairy", "Faery" or "Fairy Tale(s)"

24. She wore a raspberry beret. Wear a beret made of raspberries as you shop in a second-hand store. - read a book with a hat on the cover

25. Wombat poop is shaped like little bricks. Sounds like the perfect building material for a tiny house! Show us! You’ll probably have to go to a local zoo to ask for collections of this building material. Enjoy your visit while you’re there. Your image must contain a caption that shares a little-known fact about wombats. - read a book that is not a WOMBAT (a Waste of Money, Batting and Time), it must be on the BOOKS THAT WON'T WASTE YOUR TIME list

26. A Romeo and Juliet story. Two young unmatched socks meeting, falling in love, being kept apart and finally ending tragically. read a book with a person's first name in the title (hide spoiler)]

Week 2 tasks (June 17 - 23)

(view spoiler)[27. The Internet has brought us all closer together, so this should be easy: find someone from one of the 10 smallest countries in the world. Have them send you a forced perspective photo of something very small that makes that object look huge in front of a famous public landmark or historical site in that country. Caption the photo with “Big things happen in the tiny nation of [insert country name].” - read a book where the MC uses the Internet

28. Finger-painting is often thought of as unsophisticated and associated with preschool. But we know it can be deployed for much loftier purposes. Prove the art historians and elitists wrong by finger painting a sophisticated mural with complex messaging about an important global issue on the wall of a classroom. You may want to get a preschooler or two to help just to make sure you’re doing it right! - read a book set at a boarding school

29. It is either winter or summer where you are. (If it is not, please contact us so we can send NASA to find you.) There’s something you love to do outdoors in the winter or summer where you live. Do the activity you love in the opposite season that you are in. - read a book set in a hemisphere opposite than where you live

30. Shelter pets rarely get any attention, and millions are put down each year. Many times this can be avoided if people were to see how cute, available, lonely and cuddly they are. Let’s save a pet or two (or thousands). Grab a friend or two and visit a shelter. Spend some time with one or more of the pets there. - read a book with a lonely MC (your definition)

31. You’ll find all you need to complete this item here: https://yung.cloud/index.php?a=track&... I have no idea where this link will take you nor do I require you to go there. For all I know it's not safe! - read a book that is tagged 'Mystery'

32. Visit a local bakery or food market. Get them to donate still-edible items to a women’s shelter. Speak to the women’s shelter first to make sure they will accept donations like this. - read a book written by a woman

33. Everyone knows the most ticklish parts of planes are on the undersides of the wings (or “wing pits”, to use proper aircraft terminology). Let’s see the wing pits on a full-sized airplane. You can go true bohemian, decorative, or high and tight groomer - but it must really look like (or be) hair to count. - read a book where the MC flies on an airplane

34. A lot of folks have been saying, “Save GISHWHES” But we say, “Shave GISHWHES”…into the back of your head.” Try to match our amazing logo. The same design shaved into chest hair would be an acceptable substitute. - read a book with all the letters of LOGO in the title (there must be two Os)

35. Give flowers to a person leaving a house of worship that is not your religion. With the flowers, attach a note saying something in your own words, but to the effect of: “I may not worship in the same building as you, and I may not pray to the same prophets, but I am grateful to be sharing this planet with you in peace.” - read a book with flowers on the cover

36. The Dewey Decimal System has long been responsible for keeping good books apart— books that clearly deserve to spend a life together on library shelves. For that matter, it seems so many libraries go out of their way to keep perfectly good literary companions apart as they separate fact from fiction, biography from archaeology, science fiction from politics. Be the matchmaker literature needs and get creative at your local library or bookstore. Show the spines of at least six books together in a library. The titles must create a phrase or sentence. - read a non-fiction book

37. No one talks about the fact that the destruction of the Death Star put thousands of Stormtroopers out of work. Luckily the Empire has a pretty robust social safety net and most of them have been retrained and placed in new jobs, the majority of which have been in the transportation sector. Let’s see a stormtrooper driving or flying a large passenger vehicle. - read a book with any type of vehicle on the cover

38. Pick a celebrity social media image post (or an advertisement) and recreate it with a subtle twist. Tweet, Instagram or FB post your image side-by-side with the original image. - read a book that has more than one cover

39. You’ve heard of Cabbage Patch Kids, Garbage Pail Kids, and the Pacific Garbage patch. Let’s see a Great Pacific Garbage Patch Kid, (a cabbage-patch kid made from garbage you pick up from your local beach or lakefront), complete with adoption certificate. - read a book written by an author whose first, middle or last name begins with C, P, or K

40. Have a full church choir sing Carry on My Wayward Son while wearing dental cheek retractors. Please make sure that the video shows some of the singers’ faces up close. Then, share the video via twitter.” - read a book from the Books with a Song Name as the Title list

41. Show us your own personal “Stairway to Heaven”. - read a book from your own personal TBR list

42. You ever heard of “pond dipping”? “River bugging”? Neither have we - but let’s not let that stop us. Invent and show off your own *SAFE* summer wet, wild, and messy activity and caption it with a clever name. - read a book set during the summertime

43. Never judge a book by its cover… or bread by its shape. Bake bread or cookies into the shape of something you would DEFINITELY not want to eat. - read a book where the MC bakes bread or cookies

44. Make a video of a snail (or similarly VERY slow insect or worm) crossing a path or going up a wall. Put objects in its path so it must change directions multiple times. Then have it go through some “winner” gates at the end of its arduous trek. To make it a gripping adventure, you’ve dropped frames and turned this into a fast-paced adventure and set it to 1980s video game music, complete with a grand finale sound at the end when it makes it through the gates. - read a book first published in the 1980s

45. You may not be aware, but leather-clad, tattoo-covered biker gangs love to hang out and play in those inflatable bouncy castles. Catch them in the act! - read a book where the MC has a tattoo

46. Per Commandment #4 of the 2017 Hunt, kale as a Hunt item is not permitted. We are aware of this. We do not care. You still may not use the word “kale”. Henceforth, it shall be called [REDACTED] BUT you may use it as a material for this item.) Therefore, take a SINGLE glorious piece of [REDACTED] and, using whatever adornments or other decoratives, clipping patterns, etc., create a stunning, museum worthy piece of art that shall then be showcased as an ornamental headpiece on you. - read a 4th book of a series

47. Your strict neighborhood HOA (Homeowners’ Association) got replaced by a better HOA: the Hopeful Optimist’s Association. They’ve decided that your lawn isn’t quite up to regulations. Get your front yard up to snuff by building a large-scale, jaw-dropping sculpture or structure dedicated to Hope. Make it so magnificent that motorists back up and park to gaze at its beauty. (Conversely, it could be that your neighborhood HOA got replaced by the Horrible Organization for Awfulness… You get where we’re going with this, right?) - read a book with a title that begins with H, O or A (you may NOT use a title that begins with "The")

48. As most people know, roosters enjoy a good sunrise. But other farm animals enjoy sunrises and sunsets, too. Let’s see a photo of you, some friends, or companions (such as your dog), and a sheep, horse, cow, or other non-rooster barnyard animal, watching the sun rise or set together. - read a book with a non-rooster farm animal in the book (The animal must have a name. It can be just a mention.)

49. There’s something important that your local or national politicians are not attending to properly. Stand in front of something that represents the issue/right/minority group/etc. that you care about and that your politicians are not adequately protecting and hold a large, hand-written sign with a message to the powers that be. - read a book that is on the Girl Power list

50. Have too much of a good thing, by which we mean a cream-filled balloon the size of a volleyball. Volley, volley, spike! Play a game of volleyball with it in the middle of a busy plaza. - read a book where the MC is or was a professional athlete

51. Anyone who serves in the military is risking their life to serve their nation. Being respectful to not trespass on military grounds, stand in front of a large military craft, ship, tank, or plane with an inclusive sign of thanks to every service member of every kind. - read a book where the MC is or was in the military

52. Paint a dignified portrait of a President, Prime Minister, King, or Queen. But we don’t want you to waste canvas or paper! Paint this on a loved one’s bare back or abdomen. - read a book where a president, prime minister, king, or queen is a significant character (hide spoiler)]

Week 3 tasks (June 24 - 30)

(view spoiler)[53. Write something in frosting on a cake that you’ve always wanted to say to someone and deliver it to them. - read a book with an author as a significant character

54. Listen to this and be scared: http://www.radiolab.org/story/nukes/. Again, I don't anything about this link. There is no need to go there. - listen to an audio book

55. Make a homemade Castiel kite with a child. We must see the kite in flight. - read a book written by a Mary or Poppins, or the MC's name is Mary or Poppins

56. Sometimes things are just too comfy to leave! Let’s see you in your “Hammock Self-Containment Unit”. This, of course, would be you in a hammock with everything you need to live for one week, including all life preserving items, sanitation supplies and, of course, entertainment (live or otherwise). - read a book that is your favorite genre

57. Show us a beautiful mermaid or sea creature performing a politically defiant modern dance solo to the beautiful music of the Sea Organ at Zadar. (Can’t make it to Zadar? The wave organ in San Francisco or the high tide organ in Blackpool may be substituted.) - read a book set in Croatia, California, or England

58. It’s time to recreate the epic historic Great Zombie vs. Vampire World War II. As you recall, this particular battle took place with Nerf guns in an arena, forest or field, and was wild, gruesome, and featured multiple soldiers. - read a book set during a war, battle, or conflict

59. Stand in front of your state or province’s legislative building (the building where your laws are enacted) and with your friends, hold up a large sign showing an excerpt or summary of a law that protects civil rights. - read a book from the Best Friendship Books list

60. Using only air-moving devices or machines, successfully navigate a balloon through a strange series of obstacles. It must be suspended in the air, without anyone or anything other than moving air touching it. It must travel at least 10 yards and culminate with your friend popping it with a needle sticking out from a hat they’re wearing. - read a book where the series name begins with a letter in STRANGE

61. James Corden hosts Carpool Karaoke, a viral show that has celebrities singing songs with him in a car. We want to upgrade carpool karaoke and make it more high-brow. Create your own carpool karaoke with a political or intellectual powerhouse. Your co-singer must be either a nobel laureate, MacArthur Fellow, a national elected official, Bill Nye, Jane Goodall, Neil deGrasse Tyson, or any past or present member of the Harlem Globetrotters. Oh, and your karaoke song must have sufficient gravitas and must be an 80s pop song. - read a book that was nominated for or won an award

62. Honeybees are a “keystone” species, just like sharks. If they’re gone, we’re in big trouble. Plant something in your garden (or plant a garden if you don’t have one) that is bee friendly (even if it’s just one plant in a pot on a patio). - read the first book in a series

63. Loo goes to space! A person named Loo won our NASA email contest last Fall, and Loo’s prize is out of this world. Write “Loo” on a paper airplane and launch it. We must see you writing the name on the paper airplane and folding it, and the paper airplane’s journey through the air. - read a book where the MC's first name begins with 'L'

64. Quilt a GISHWHES onesie out of underwear and/or gloves. Strike a pose in the lobby of a financial institution or bank. Bonus points if it’s on the floor of a stock exchange. - read a book with "lobby" in the text of the book

65. You know SuperWhoLock? The amalgamation of Supernatural, Doctor Who and Sherlock? Well, that’s been done to death and everyone has moved on to the next big mashup. Let’s see 3D street art on a pavement or wall (in chalk!) that’s of a scene or setting from SuperWhoWatch (an amalgamation of Supernatural, Doctor Who and BayWatch). - read a book with 3 Ds in the title

66. Personify your favorite movie title. Include a caption on your image of the title of the movie in quotes. - read a book that has been made into a movie

67. This year’s summer fashion elitists are all wearing the latest rage: Banana Bikini or Banana Briefs. Join them! - read a book with two Bs in the author's full name

68. You finally have a use for all the bananas you now have sitting around! Bake as much banana bread as you can with GISHWHES spelled out in bananas on the top and distribute it to your local nursing home. - read a book with a lot of yellow on the cover

69. You’ve been putting this off for far too long. Tell your parents something bad that you did as a child that they still don’t know about. Capture their reaction. This must not be staged. We have an Academy Award Winning Judge on staff that will determine if your parent has already heard this story and you will be docked points. - read a book tagged "MidGrade", "Middle Grade" or "Childrens"

70. Sidewalk cafes are all the rage, but most “sidewalk cafes” are total posers. Set up a “sidewalk cafe” the way it was meant to be - on an actual sidewalk. Cook a delicious omelet using just a magnifying glass, a hot sidewalk, and the sun. Share your feast with a friend! - read a book with a "hot" person on the cover (your definition)

71. Rapper B. o. B. seems to think that the world is flat. Perform a highly scientific experiment that proves that it is not. - read a book that someone on your team considered 'flat' (rated 1 or 2 stars)

72. I hate to say it, but this financial company is underwater. Let’s see the board meeting— with professionally dressed people at the table with chairs, paper, pens etc… all fully submerged at the bottom of a swimming pool. - read a book where the MC might attend a board meeting

73. Visit a local laundromat. Place decorated envelopes with enough money (in coins or bills, depending on the machines) for one load of washing and one load of drying on at least one machine with the note: “We swim together, we tumble together. Love, GISHWHES.” - read a book that you purchased

74. Modify a grocery store shopping cart to be space-worthy. Put an alien being in the pilot’s seat and help them navigate the terrain of the “Earth produce” department to collect specimens. - read a book with "alien" in the text of the book and set on Earth

75. They told me I couldn’t, so I did. Pose in front of a sign declaring a rule. Break that rule. A few notes: It must be safe (what you are doing), and it MUST NOT be a law or illegal where you are. It must only be a “rule”. For example, you might find a sign that says, “collared shirts only.” You would pose in front of that sign wearing a tank top. - read a book where all the letters of LAW are not in the title

76. Have a caveperson demonstrate glass-blowing. - read a book tagged "Historical"

77. Being in the hospital can be scary and lonely for kids! Visit your local hospital to play a two-player video game with a pediatric patient. Be sure to dress thematically to match your game(s)! - read an anthology

78. Personify or embody your team name. Caption your image with your team name. - read a book with a caption or blurb on the cover
examples: or (hide spoiler)]

Week 4 tasks (July 1 - 7)

(view spoiler)[79. Why would you move from the couch during a Supernatural binge-watching session? Build a complex SPN-themed Rube-Goldberg machine to fill your empty glass, catapult you a snack, or to serve some other couch potato need. - read a book tagged "Supernatural" or "Paranormal"

80. You’ve all seen “dog shaming memes” on the Internet. You know that crowd that lines up at the plaza of The Today Show and shows up on air? Let’s take it over with gisher-self-shaming signs. Hold up a large, colorful sign that details something you did that you probably shouldn’t have done (for example, “I drank milk straight of the carton and put it back in the fridge without telling my roommates”). Make it a light-hearted trivial violation, not a deep-seated personality flaw, actual violation of the law, or other serious offense. - read a book with a cover that you might find embarrassing

81. Sometimes it feels like your boss expects you to be in more than one place at more than one time, but you’re a gisher so you know how to deliver. Using the panoramic photo function on your phone, insert yourself at least three times in the same picture in different positions and/or wardrobe to show yourself as you “multitask”. - read a time travel book

82. In honour of Canada’s 150th birthday, cover yourself in maple syrup and go roll in some maple leaves. - read a book set in Canada

83. Let’s see your interpretation of fireworks using vegetables and spaghetti as mixed media. - read a book that comes in at least three different forms (paperback, hardback, ebook, audiobook)

84. Take two pictures. The first image is of an illustrated page from a children’s book. The second image is your reenactment of that illustration in 3 dimensions. - read the 2nd or 3rd book in a series

85. Let’s see LABSWHES. The Largest Awesome Balloon Sculpture the World Has Ever Seen. The themes this year are “insect” or “space”—or both. You must be in the middle of this structure. - read a book with “insect” or “space” in the text of the book

86. Everyone thinks unicorns are beautiful, magical, gentle creatures. You know better. Prove it to the world! - read a book on the Magical Creatures list

87. Tweet a picture of you or your child dressed as a bear. - read a book where the MC wears a costume

88. Three words: 10 Mannequin-pin Bowling. - read a book with a three-word title

89. Apply lipstick while jumping on a trampoline. - read a book that is on the Lips and Lipstick list

90. “Why did the chicken cross the road?” There’s no better crossing guard than a mother hen! Dressed as a chicken, offer to help people cross a busy street. - read a book where the MC is a mother

91. Leave a Yelp review of GISHWHES after you deliver food to the homeless or to a homeless shelter. - re-read a book that you didn't leave a review of the first time, but write a review this time

92. Let’s see video documentation of “Human NASCAR” complete with the speeding, lane changes, a pit-stop, crashes, etc. You and at least 5 friends must be drivers of “vehicles” of your own design, complete with corporate sponsorship logos. All vehicles must be motor-free and foot-propelled (a la Flintstones) and all engine sounds must be vocalized by you and your friends. All vehicles must be propelled on foot. - read a book that a friend has rated 5 stars

93. Get an elected official’s signature on a statement (written on official letterhead paper) declaring GISHWHES an act of lawful resistance or civil disobedience. (Inspired by U of C Scav, 1987) "U of C Scav" is University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt, an annual four-day team-based scavenger hunt held at the University of Chicago. - read a book that is required for a different team or partner challenge you are currently participating in

94. Camouflage yourself in a pet store. - read a book with no humans or animals on the cover

95. The Silicon Gourmet has been teaching a neural network to generate recipes. In the interest of encouraging budding AI chefs everywhere, create a Food Network-worthy video preparing one of the recipes as described in the network’s cookbook. Make sure to sample the results on camera. Oh, and you must look and behave as if you were a droid, of course. - read a book with a recipe in it (but is not a cookbook :)

96. (Try to take a very close-up photo - a.k.a. “Macro” photo.) Nice grill! Combine the “tiny food” trend with urban fashion. Show someone cooking tiny hamburgers & hot dogs on a friend’s “grill” (the dental kind.) - read a book that has between 140-199 pages

97. Do something fitting in front of the Gereja Ayam (the abandoned Chicken Church of Indonesia). For example, you could play a game of Duck, Duck, Chicken! Or you could ponder the question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Or you could host an easter egg hunt… You get the picture. - read a book with a type of bird in the title or on the cover

98. A marionette show featuring this year's mascot, Porcupanda. - read a book published this year (2024)

99. Letterboxing is a game where people hide small weatherproof boxes in publicly accessible spaces with a logbook and a stamp. They share clues to find their box on the web or via word of mouth. Create a letterbox for your team and share clues so other teams can find it. Leave a logbook with your team stamp on it in the box. Then, find another teams’ box and leave them a message of encouragement along with your team’s stamp in their log book. - read an Epistolary book

100. Calliope. Clio. Euterpe. Erato. Melpomene. Polyhymnia. Terpischore. Thalia. Urania. Inspirational goddesses of literature, the arts and science in Greek mythology. On the steps of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, provide a visual representation of the muse that guides you in your art and/or life. - read a book that is tagged "Mythology"

101. As I’m sure you’ve seen, over the years we have marketed GISHWHES relentlessly and shamelessly. Now it’s your turn to go ahead and show us how we should’ve marketed it. Create a GISHWHESs ad that no one would be able to resist. - read a book that might have merchandise based on it

102. During the First Annual and Last Ever GISHWHES Tea Party, we identified gishers based on their right-brush or left-brush toothbrushing statuses. Conduct a massive poll on your social networks for the GISHWHES Institute of Vital Statistics to prove conclusively whether people brush their teeth starting on the same side of their mouth as their dominant hand or the opposite side. Because this is solid science, your sample size must have a minimum of 400 respondents. a visually compelling graph of your poll data, and the number of votes and the winner. - read a book with 400+ pages

103. Play hopscotch at one of the marker sites of Víddaflakk. (BONUS: Play Interdimensional Hopscotch.) - read a book set in Iceland or a similarly sized island

104. A far-right Republican senator and a far-left Democrat Senator (or two similarly “diametrically party-opposed” legislative makers in your country) co-wearing a very large (fits two people) “This is Our ‘Get-Along’ Shirt.” Caption the image with the names of the politicians - read a book with two people on the cover (hide spoiler)]

Week 5 tasks (July 8 - 14)

(view spoiler)[105. We know a little girl that makes a different kind of Advent Calendar. As she marks off each day on the calendar, she gives something away. Make your own version of a reverse Advent calendar. On the first day of GISHWHES, create a decorated Advent calendar whereby, for each day on the calendar, you depict something you’re going to give away. Then, each day of the Hunt, take a picture of you fulfilling your calendar item.- read a book centered around a holiday in December

106. The Lumbasumba region is being protected this year by GISHWHES. We gishers managed to purchase for permanent preservation more than 60 square miles of the Lumbasumba forest during the final weeks of registration in July! But the Lumbasumba area is more than just a forest. It’s also the hottest new dance craze. Show us how it’s done. - read a book with a 6 and 0 in the publication date

107. Let's virtually graffiti the world with kindness! Using a GPS tracking app, walk, jog, or run as large a path as you can to spell out a message of love, hope, or kindness. As you go, stop and perform acts of kindness and document them. You must show us the map with coordinates at the end of your path as well as the minimum of three documented act of kindness. - Read a book with three of these words in the text of the book: walk, jog, run, love, hope, or kindness

108. The chickens have come home to Proust. - read a book that has been translated from or into French

109. Wonder Woman being “Superman-splained” to. - read a book where the MC does something heroic

110. The return of the Three-ingredient Challenge! Show us: Triptych, Transylvanian, takin. - read a book with three words in the title that begins with T

111. A street vendor handing out toilet paper roses at the toilet fountain in Foshan, China. - read a book set in a place that begins with F or C

112. A ballet troupe in tutus, engaged in a bar brawl - freeze framed at its most climactic moment. - read a book where the first and second words in the title are found in CLIFFHANGER ((edited for clarification: There needs to be at least two words in the title of the book. The first letter of the first word and the first letter of the second word both need to be found in CLIFFHANGER.)

113. Set up a maximum-security birdhouse in a beautiful public park. - read a book where the MC does or has spent time in jail or prison

114. Let’s see a TripAdvisor or Airbnb review of your mother’s womb as an “extended stay hotel”. Keep it suitable for work and any child’s prying eyes! - read a book set while the MC is on holiday or vacation

115. Make A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Le Grande Jatte by Seraut into an elaborate dot-to-dot image. Wikipedia says that the island of Le Grande Jatte currently has about 4000 residents. - read a book that has 4,000 to 4,999 reviews

116. Not many people know this, but the Kessel Run was actually a foot race. Let’s see at least 5 Star Wars characters competing in the Kessel Run in a shopping mall. - read the 5th book in a series

117. Let’s see Dean Winchester driving a pedi-cab or quadricycle with Castiel and Sam as passengers. - read a book where the MC takes a cab or rides a bicycle

118. Rumor has it that Amazon is teaming up with the Vatican for a bold new service: On Demand Drone Deliverance services. Show us a drone administering a wedding service, confession, last rites, communion, or baptism. - read a book with at least three Ds in the series name

119. Trump l’oeil. (This is not a typo.) - read a book with an apostrophe in the title (could be in a contraction like don't, or a possessive word like dog's or Charlotte's)

120. You’ve heard of a soap box derby, but the sofa bed derby is where it’s at. Let’s see two “race car” sofa beds, each with pajama-clad “drivers”, racing down an actual street. Be safe and complete this where there is no traffic! - read a book while wearing your pajamas, for an hour at least

121. The people of Iceland believe in Huldufólk, which are invisible elves. They build tiny houses and churches for them. But the Huldufólk deserve to have a nightlife, too! Let’s see a tiny Huldufólk nightclub in a busy urban area. - read a book with a house or church on the cover

122. They say a rolling stone gathers no moss, but can moss gather a Rolling Stone? Make a portrait of one of The Rolling Stones out of moss. - read a book where the MC is British

123. As all gishers know, Saturday, August 12 is “Meet Another Gisher Day.” Meet up in front of the largest art museum in your town at 10:00 A.M.. It’s a pot-luck coleslaw brunch this year, so bring your favorite family recipe of coleslaw… and as much sidewalk chalk as you can. After brunch, decorate the pavement with a collaborative message to the world. - read a book published in August of any year

124. Be someone’s “rock” to get them through the hard times. Hand-paint small rocks with a message of kindness & leave them in areas that need a pick-me-up. (On the underside, please write “Pass it on.”) You must paint and hide at least one rock for each member of your team. - read a book where the MC goes through hard times

125. Create a “sand” mandala featuring images that symbolize the hunt to you… all using pixie sticks as your chakpur and sand. When it’s done, show us your masterwork and then, just like the Buddhist monks, sweep it away and get ready for what’s next. - read a best seller (your definition)

126. Reward! I won’t say that Jensen and Jared are missing their golf balls, but they were last seen being sent into this quarry at Britannia Beach. Find them, take a photo, and put them back exactly where you found them for other teams to find. - read a book where the author's name begins with a 'J'

127. These Kung-Fu Nuns (dare we say “Nunjas?”) are biking through the Himalayas to stop human trafficking. (No, really.) In their honor, let’s see some tricks on a BMX bike. Rider must be dressed in a nun’s habit. - read a book where the author's name is in black letters on the cover

128. Get a Porcupanda or other GISHWHES mascot included as an emoji on an official iPhone emoji list. - read a book on a small device, such as a cell phone, tablet, or ereader

129. Pope St. Francis set up a laundromat to help the homeless get access to clean clothes. Follow his lead by setting up a service station to benefit the homeless or impoverished in your area (a “take what you need” public pantry, toiletries cabinet, water station, public shower, public toilet, laundry facility, open library, etc.). - read a book that is in the public domain

130. A tactometer used to measure tact. - read a book with all the letters of TACT in the title (hide spoiler)]

Week 6 tasks (July 15 - 21)

(view spoiler)[131. Make a collage that features things only locals from your town would know about. Display it prominently in a public space in your town. - read a book that you got from a public space (read a library book :)

132. Couch Surfing 2: The Revenge. Last year, in our infinite wisdom, we suggested “couch surfing: real surfing, real couch.” We quickly came to our senses and pulled the item for safety reasons, but it’s been a year, and we don’t hold onto the past. Couch surfing: Let’s see it in the real surf with a BUOYANT (e.g.,inflatable) couch. You may not use a real couch as it’s too dangerous and bad for the ecosystem. Make it happen. - read a book published a year ago (in 2023)

133. Waste not, want not. Save every piece of non-biodegradable refuse that you would have normally thrown away from Days 1-5 of the Hunt and on day 6, use this material to create a sculpture of an endangered animal. - read a book where one of these endangered animals is mentioned: gorilla, rhinoceros, sea otter, tiger, Tasmanian devil, orangutan

134. My wife is so trend-forward, she recently took a goat yoga class. (It’s real; you can google it.) Without hurting, upsetting, or endangering ANY animal, show us the next trend in animal-infused yoga that she should get on board with. - read a book that is NOT trendy (has 100 or fewer ratings)

135. Freeze frame on a picture of you and then roll a credit sequence for your own life. Include a “here’s what happens to you in the future” sentence or two and then a listing of the people that have helped you get where you are now or where you are going and what their “titles” are. - read an autobiography

136. Often misunderstood and rarely properly pronounced, chupacabras just need a good home. Adopt one and show us your favorite bonding moment. - read a book from the Mythology/Folklore list

137. Take an elderly person (at least 70 years old) on a joyride in their favorite car (same make and model and vintage) from their youth. You and the senior must be dressed in period attire that reflects the era when the car was manufactured. - Read a book with a 7 or 0 in the page count

138. Prejudice is something we can easily see and call out in others. However, we all have biases and prejudices of our own that we are often blind to. You’re going to have to dig deep here - but you’re a gisher, so we know you can do it. Show us you taking a step to overcome one of your own prejudices. - read Pride and Prejudice or any book tagged 'Jane', 'Austen', 'JAFF', or "Fanfic'

139. Each member of your team must knit or crochet one piece of a quilted throw that, when combined, showcases your team emblem or symbol. - read a book that somehow reflects your team's name

140. Everyone talks about drum circles, but they grossly underestimate the power of other shapes. Create a complex shape with as many sides, angles, or curves as you can, and demonstrate the power of percussion geometry - with as many drummers as you can drum up. - read a book with all the letters of DRUM in the title

141. At least 8 people walking in twos, on the Tiger and Turtle in Duisburg, Germany as if it were an actual roller coaster. They must keep their hands up as they walk the track, except for one of the front “riders” who is clenching an invisible lap bar, terrified. It’s okay to be nauseous. - read a horror or thriller story

142. As all gishers know, a Gish Gallop can only be performed by a Fortune 2000 CEO in the lobby of his company’s headquarters on a hobby horse or a live pony. Caption your video with the name of the company and CEO that we are watching as they Gish Gallop. - read a book where the MC rides a horse

143. Sure, most Stormtroopers toed the line, but back in the 1960s there were a few draft-dodging peacenik Stormtroopers. Find a photo of a peace sit-in or Woodstock-level love-in and flawlessly photoshop in one or more Stormtroopers. We must think it’s the real thing. As an alternative, you can stage your own “peace” picture and an “aged” stormtrooper sit-in image. - read a book set or published in the 1960s

144. An impromptu concert consisting of a chocalho, an apito, a reco-reco, and a pandeiro. (Bonus points if you perform in front of, or in, the Teatro Amazonas.) Oh, and of course the musicians are playing Carry On my Wayward Son. - read a book that is NOT on your TBR list or have scheduled for a different reading challenge

145. Oversized board games are a trend, with oversized Jenga and such. Let’s see a game of tiddlywinks being played— scaled up to giant-sized. - read a book for Week 1 of the 2024 Jenga Bingo Reading Challenge
YouTube link: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview...

146. Two nice suburban monster moms out for a day of shopping at Hoxton’s Monster Supplies in England. - listen to at least part of a book while running errands

147. Paint an extraordinary portrait of your favorite GISHWHES mascot with the brand “D2N” (with the 2 backwards) on the Werregarenstraat. - read a book where the author's first or last name begins with a D or N

148. Dress up as a superhero and perform acts of “kindness” heroism at Hosök tere (Hero’s Square). - read a book where the MC dresses up for a formal occasion

149. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gets a lot of attention for being super hot. Frankly, it’s starting to detract from his ability to govern. Cool things down by making a sculpture of Trudeau out of Canada’s most ample resource: ice. A couple of caveats: the frozen water you use must have something added to it to make it opaque, and inside the ice must be something emblematic of Canada that doesn’t melt. The timelapse must be of the sculpture melting revealing the object hidden inside. - read a book where a significant character holds an elected position

150. Ireland has the lowest reports of UFO sightings in Europe each year. Something must be done about this! Make and display a convincing UFO in a public place in Ireland to increase the number. - read a book set in Ireland

151. Visit Cat Island (Tashirojima, Japan) dressed as a dog. You must have at least 10 cats in the photo. - read a book first published in 2010

152. Decorate the exterior of your home like the Pan House, using whatever object speaks to you. - read a book a type of dwelling on the cover

153. Not to be quixotic, but wind power and automation are the future of personal grooming. Create a wind-powered device to automate a self-care process. Could be a wind-powered shoeshining machine, a wind-powered, toothbrush, etc. - read a book from the Windy Titles list

154. There’s a UFO Observation Deck in Slovakia. On Sunday, August 6 at 3 P.M., grab your friends and dress up as your interpretation of extraterrestrials and go there. Bring luggage and queue up outside of it as though you’re boarding to go back home (you don’t have to enter). - read a book with a 6 or 3 in the page count

155. Over the years, we’ve had menstrual-hygiene supply sculptures of everything from dinosaurs to seagulls to puppies. We’ve also gotten a lot of flak for encouraging waste, and in protest gishers have donated thousands of menstrual pads to shelters, (which actually proves that in fact we at GUSHWHES can do no wrong). This final year’s list wouldn’t be complete without a menstrual-hygiene sculpture, so we’re ending this by splitting the difference: Create a tiny, perfectly sculpted statue of Michelangelo’s David or another famous historic sculpture of your choosing out of a SINGLE tampon, and then donate at least 1 box of menstrual hygiene supplies to your local shelter. - read a standalone book

156. Sure, Misha and HRH Queen Elizabeth II had a rocky year in 2016 with their “Brexit Breakup”, but despite a brief conscious uncoupling, theirs is a love that stands the test of time. Prove it by showing us Egyptian hieroglyphics, Greek urns, or other recently unearthed archaeological finds that prove theirs is a love that has lasted through the ages. If you’re choosing to do a hieroglyphic, you may NOT permanently deface any stone - use chalk! - read a book with 'Romance' as an MPG (hide spoiler)]

Week 7 tasks (July 22 - 28)

(view spoiler)[157. NASA is soliciting tweets to send to Voyager 1. Tweet your suggestion with #gishwhes. I suggest it be the following theme: Voyager 1 ran to the store, and you are texting to remind it to pick something up at the store. But we will permit messages of any type so let your imaginations run wild. - read a book published in 2021

158. Thanks to “reactions” we can now communicate our feelings more clearly to one another! But Facebook limits us to just 6 reactions and we at GISHWHES HQ believe that this limitation constraints our ability to express nuanced emotions to one another. Let’s see an updated version of the Facebook “reactions” with feelings like “silently judging you”, “reacting positively to your face but planning to gossip about this later”, and “I’m just not sure how to feel about this” and other more subtle emotions. - read the 6th book in a series

159. Who said you couldn’t Hunt while in hospital? Certainly not any of us! Show off your large-scale cartoon skills by writing the longest poem (or drawing the largest mural) you can, all about the adventures of a virus caught in a hospital, on a scroll made from a roll of exam table paper. - read a book tagged "Poetry" or with some poetry in it

160. My grandmother lives at Roland Park Place in Baltimore, MD. It’s a senior assisted-living home. She’s been hesitant to have the shenanigans of GISHWHES descend, so let’s legitimize that fear… from Tuesday to Thursday 10AM to 4PM ONLY PLEASE! Let’s invade Roland Park Place literally! Show up dressed as an extraterrestrial on an interplanetary goodwill mission. Bring an offering of your home planet’s favorite treats or creature comforts (games, large print books, slippers, slip-proof socks, soft blankets, etc.) and specimens of natural beauty from this planet (humans like that). - read a book starting on Tuesday and finishing on Thursday

161. David LaChapelle is a renowned experimental photographer known for his kitsch-pop surrealist style. Recreate a well-known painting as a photograph in the style of David LaChappelle. Somewhere in your image there must be a banana, and you may not depict The Last Supper. - read a book written by a David, Dave, Davy, Davida, or even Davis

162. Lube luge. That’s it. That’s the item. - read a book with two words in the title that begin with 'L'

163. This Hunt’s must-have fashion trend: an aquarium hat with live fish. The aquarium hat must not endanger the live fish in any way. - read a book from the Must Have shelf

164. Get a bonafide zillow listing for property on Mars. - read a book that has a cover that is at least 50% red

165. https://twitter.com/zenxv/status/8454... *sigh* Another link to somewhere dubious. Go there at your own risk! - read a book with three of the letters of ZENXV in the title

166. Follow a tomato back in time from the local co-op to where the farmer grew it. Thank them for their service by sharing a sandwich with them… one that has slices of that tomato in it. - read a book written by two or more authors (it could be a co-operative work or an anthology) Don't confuse two authors who regularly work as a team (such as Ilona Andrews and her husband) with two authors that collaborate once or twice.

167. There are two things that science has proven unequivocally: 1) global warming is happening and 2) sucking the melting ice cream from a tiny hole in the bottom of a sugar cone is the greatest possible pleasure in life. (Minimum 5 rounded scoops on top and you must suck all the ice cream through the tiny hole.) - read a book with 1, 2, and 5 in the publication date

168. When the apocalypse comes and the power goes out, you are going to be sorry you are so digitally dependent! Have your social media page printed on microfiche… just in case. - read a book where the MC uses a candle or oil lamp

169. Write “Ass butt” (in non-toxic kids’ finger paint or chalk!) on the hindquarters of an Ass. - read a book from the Popular Books that Annoy You list

170. Angels may be all-powerful, but they’re luddites (technologically behind the times) and it affects their productivity in the office. Let’s see an angel writing something on an old-school mechanical typewriter (not electric) featuring a working Enochian keyboard. (The keys and keystrokes must correspond to actual Enochian typeface.) - read a book with a significant character who is angelic (your definition)

171. A stump grinder with a unicorn decal, with a child no more than 7 years old wearing a pink princess costume in the driver’s seat. - read a book published in 2017 and is tagged 'Fantasy'

172. It’s time to reflect on missed opportunities. Let’s see the Item List Misha SHOULD have made all these years. Give us your team’s ideal GISHWHES Item List with a minimum of 10 Items. If the majority of the items you create look like no thought was put into them (and you were just quickly writing down items to get the points), you will receive zero points. - read a book from a Listopia list that you have voted on. If you haven't voted on any lists, read a book from a list that a teammate has voted on

173. Complete one of the more challenging items on your team’s homemade GISHWHES Item List. - read a book that is self-published

174. An Airbnb listing for the gishbus. - read a book where the MC stays at an inn, motel, hotel, hostel, or an Airbnb

175. Everyone knows “high noon” means “high tea”. Bring a little bit of civilization to the frontier with Wild West teacup and saucer holsters. - read a book that is tagged 'Western'

176. For our GISH cousins in the antipodes where the days are short and the nights are cold: Establish a TLC station under the iconic clocks at Flinders Street Station in Melbourne or on the steps of the Opera House in Sydney, and provide a little warmth – be it a coffee, a heat pack, or simply a smile – for those making their journey to work on the cold winter mornings. - read a book where the MC drinks coffee

177. A Scottish terrier in a Scottish kilt eating a scotch egg in front of an Irish monument. - read a book set in Scotland

178. The Prague Astronomical Clock – or Prague orloj – is the third oldest astronomical clock in the world, and the oldest one still operating. But imagine if this feat of mechanical engineering did more than mark the passage of time. Imagine it could take you back in time! Gather your teammates, friends, and family members together and show us the time period you would travel back to. - read the third oldest book on your TBR list (It could be the 3rd book you added, or the 3rd oldest published.)

179. Share an audio dream diary of your first thoughts as you wake up every morning of the Hunt. It must be the first thing you do before you get out of bed. - read a book with "dream" or "diary" in the text of the book

180. Cinema has evolved, but some actors don’t. Let’s see a silent film actor against a 1920’s style black-and-white set. The actor must have exaggerated facial expressions, and the score must be nickelodeon-style piano music. Suddenly, the music changes. It’s hip hop and modern technology comes in with color and sync sound, but she’s still black and white and still mouthing words with title card. - read a book with a cover that is 50% black or white

181. Let’s see a 2,000-word essay published on twitter in 140-character bursts about the best way to get pregnant for the 10th time. (I’m sorry, but I promised someone this would be an item.) - read a book with a pregnant character in it

182. Using photoshop (or other digital altering software), seamlessly modify a well-known oil painting by adding in an anachronistic element. For example, if it were a Monet, you might put one of the ladies under a parasol holding an iPad. - read a book from the Does This Dress Make Me Look Anachronistic? list (hide spoiler)]

Week 8 tasks (July 29 - Aug. 4)

183. Soon you are all going to be a part of a sinister plot to take over the world… in a unique way. - read a book with a sinister character in it (your definition)

184. Last year, we helped people around the world get access to clean water. But it’s been a year, and the problem certainly hasn’t gone away. Work with your team to create a realistic prototype of a portable personal AWG (atmospheric water generator) system that could be used anywhere in the world. - read a book from the Clean Romance list

185. Hug a national forest! Go to your favorite national forest or park and be tree huggers. Set the camera up so we can see all the tree hugging action clearly. - read a book with trees on the cover

186. One of the biggest problems astronauts will face when they travel to Mars will be figuring out how to bring enough food for the three-year journey. Porcupanda has offered the idea of making their spacecraft out of food. Show them how. Build an edible spacecraft using anything except “space ice cream”. - reread a book that you first read over three years ago

187. Every year, the scientists at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab make spectacular pumpkin carvings that put our humble Halloween jack-o-lanterns to shame. Whatever. What’s a rocket scientist got that you don’t have? Let’s see you out-do them! Show us your best and most outlandish WATERMELON-O-LANTERN carving. - read a book from the Book Titles with Hyphens list

188. For many years, military aircraft sported spectacular “nose art". As aesthetically appealing as aircraft nose art may have been, we think they botched it on the choice of canvas. Show us your best nose art - but this time, get it right! All art must be on, around, or incorporate, your nose. - get your nose in a book! (read any book you want)

189. The World’s Worst Lawyer. - read a book with a 4-word title

190. Oranges are the new black! Let’s see your most a-peeling cocktail dress all made from - you guessed it - orange peels. Pose in a crowded urban bar. - read a book where the MC spends time in a bar, saloon, pub, or tavern

191. You didn’t think we were going to let all those oranges go to waste, did you? Place signs along 5 miles of road leading up to an orange juice stand that speaks of the life-changing rejuvenation of the coming refreshment with a countdown of the miles. - read a book with 5 in the page count

192. In our busy world, people sometimes forget to slow down and see the beauty around them. Perform a task at work extremely slowly while everyone around you carries on at normal speed. When this is played back in in time lapse, you’re performing at normal speed and it’s the world around you that’s going too fast. - listen to an audio book at a slower setting for at least 5 minutes (longer than 5 minutes will drive you crazy, and I don't want that :)

193. The Reimann hypothesis of mathematics includes the Reimann zeta function, which categorizes some zeros as “non-trivial zeros" and others as “trivial zeros.” We think this unequal treatment of zeros, which are clearly all equal, is just wrong! Hold a protest in front of a university mathematics or computer science building with a sign that says something to the effect of "ALL ZEROS ARE EQUAL" or “NO ZEROS ARE TRIVIAL!” - read a book with a 0 in the publication date

194. Do you spend too much time indoors while you GISH? It’s time to get outside! Dust off your bicycle, grab a friend or two and go out and ride a 50-mile bike ride. You must track your progress on a GPS drawing app. Oh, by the way, you need to be wearing part of a pineapple or banana while you ride. - read a book written 50+ years ago

195. Using a steel shredder, shred a decommissioned bus. It must be a full-sized bus. Oh, and paint the windows of the bus to show its passengers. Although you should upload a video as your submission, be sure to take pictures of the event in case we need those for the coffee table book. - read a book where the MC rides in a bus or some other public transportation

196. On Friday, August 11th, at EXACTLY 9am PDT, we are going to give Giles Dudley a “thunderclap” of thanks. Because Giles thinks EVERYONE can make a difference no matter their circumstances, we’re going to prove it. Here’s your job: before the 11th, go out and do an act of kindness. But not just any act of kindness… Giles works hard to help refugee families and landmine victims, so your act of kindness should focus on expanding his work exponentially through the power of GISHWHES. - read a book with 'thunder' in the text

197. Play a few bars of a well-known tune on a well-known musical instrument—but not in the well-known manner. Play a cello tucked under your chin, a saxophone with mallets, or piano as a string instrument with a bow, that sort of thing. - read a book where a real well-known person is mentioned

198. Last year GISHWHES worked with the charities Random Acts and Giles Duley’s Legacy of War to forever change the lives of three refugee families by raising over $250,000 in just a few days.

This year, we are teaming up with those charities again. Here’s your assignment: get at least 10 donations from people or businesses NOT on your team. You and your team members are welcome to donate to your campaign, but that is not a requirement for points. - read a book that has over 250,000 ratings

199. Breaker, breaker! Tune in for details: CB Channel 27 (Frequency 27.27500) broadcasting near Lacy Park, San Marino, CA. (Latitude: 34.1204167 Longitude: -118.1201348) DATE & TIME: 8/7 12 PM PDT & 4:30PM PDT or 8/9 9 AM PDT. Listen on Broadcast CB CHANNEL 32 (Frequency 27.32500) broadcasting near Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston TX (Latitude: 29.7160286 Longitude: -95.3886413) DATE & TIME: 8/11 NOON CT - read a book with a number in the title

200. Research upcoming local, state, and federal elections in your area. Nominate a citizen you think should run for specific elected offices in those upcoming elections based on their qualifications and/or passion. Make a post on a social media, tag them (so they see it!), and explain why you want them to run. - read any book, but you must post a review of it on social media

201. Outside US: 00-1-323-645-0703 Within US: (323) 645-0703
Transcription:
“Hi, this is Misha and you’ve reached GISHWHES Exotic Do-It-Yourself Getaways. We would like you to set up a banquet or spa for hikers along a remote stretch of a major hiking trail. You must be at least one mile from a major road but not off the trail. And you must take lots of pictures and upload them showing you either giving a spa treatment for a passing hiker or a banquet experience for a passing hiker. Um, and, um (West or Maison talking in the background, Misha breaks up, beep)” - if you live in the USA, read a book set outside the USA; if you outside the USA, read a book set in the USA

202. Find a local hospital or cancer center and coordinate with them to deliver a comfort bag(s) to a patient. Fill a canvas bag with items to provide relief and comfort to a cancer patient: soft eye masks, scarves, a soft blanket, socks, ginger tea or candy, unscented natural lip balm, sudoku or coloring books, puzzles, poems, etc. Include a note of support or encouragement, if you wish. - read a book where a significant character spends time at a hospital (either as a patient, visitor, or as a job)

203. Bearby Von Bearamucci has an interview for a position as White House Communications Director on Saturday, August 12th at 8pm ET sharp! He was all set to drive the Gishbus across the country, but its engine wouldn’t start. He’s counting on gishers to help get him from Redding, California to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC. - read a book with 1 and 8 in the publication date

204. Escape GISHWHES! https://www.gishwhes.com/escape-room/ I actually tried this link. It didn't work :( - read a book where the MC has to escape from somewhere

205. We’ve received a bit of criticism that the hunt is “not really a scavenger hunt, it’s just Misha getting people to help him with his chores.” I’m honestly shocked anyone would say that! So, I’m adding the following item: Help me help you help me help myself. Show up at 10 AM PDT sharp on August 11 at this location in Bellingham, WA. Wear pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and bring a small bucket. Pick at least a quart of blackberries and DEPOSIT them into my big vessel so I can make lots of jam. - read a book with a title that begins with a letter in DEPOSIT

206. Sweden is a beautiful country and it’s time we stopped overlooking it as possible GISH locations. With that in mind, take a picture of yourself in front of the biggest landmark or point of interest in your town while holding a beautiful hand-lettered sign that reads, “We Are Sorry, Sweden”. - read a book in a genre you overlook or hardly ever read

207. Nothing says “good life choices” like a last-minute rush job tattoo. Get inked with a tattoo that includes “We create; therefore, we live.” or another gishy quote written in any language other than English. Feel free to adorn it with mascots or other hunt-inspired iconography. - don't begin reading a book until Friday

208. As you know, no one was able to successfully find Jared Padalecki or Jensen Ackles’ golf balls in Canada. Misha’s balls are a lot easier to find… maybe because they really get around. Find Misha’s balls in any of the following locations and take a picture with them. Then put them back EXACTLY where you found them so another team can have a chance to get their hands on Misha’s balls, too. LOCATIONS: near the Cathedral Basilica, Newark, New Jersey; outside Gatorland, Orlando, Florida; and near Rothko Chapel, Houston, Texas. - read a book with no one (1) in the page count (any number but 1)

209. GISHWHES is over! The crumbs of the great hunt, wild and weird global feast are soon to be all that’s left. Let’s see you work magic on these crumbs, (real breadcrumbs or whatever other crumbs you wish to use) and turn them into a portrait of actor Misha Collins. - read a book tagged 'Magic'

reserved just in case

one more

Hey everyone! My name is Lanelle. I live in hot Arizona. (And it is very hot right now!) I enjoy quilting, gentle walks in the woods or along beaches (doesn't happen very often), and reading. (That one is probably obvious.)

I like reading romantic suspense, and if it's set in the early 1800's, that's even better.

Selection post:
Book and Author: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
Pages: 347
GISH task: #13 - illustrations or drawings in it
2nd GISH task: #21 - 3 or 0 in the page count
Buddy Read: N/A

Hello everyone. I'm Ira and I live in Norway. I enjoy dancing, sports and reading. My most read genres are fantasy and mysteries. I will try most books as long as they sound interesting. My least favorite genre is romance.

Hey, Ira. Nice to 'meet' you. Any thoughts about a name for our team? What book are you reading for this week, and which task(s) does it fit?

Week 2's tasks have been posted in the GISH II info, rules, and tasks thread.

I've put the list in Message 4.

Hello Everyone! Stormie here! I am in SoCal (Southern California) and I currently live in the High Desert area it is really hot here, too! I am a bibliophile, but currently, I am packing and moving, so while I am still able to read a lot, I am not online as much as I normally am. My favorite genres are History Fiction, History Non-Fiction, Fiction, and Mystery.

I am currently reading for task #10, One Italian Summer, Set in Italy and Italian characters

Hey, Ira and Stormie! I'm glad you found the thread. Any ideas for a team name?

Which task for next week caught your fancy? Would you be interested in a buddy read?

Hi All! I'm Christy and I live in Georgetown, TX (suburban Austin), where it is also very hot, though it's been stormy the past couple of days. I work from home and have 2 small dogs that I spoil.

I mainly read romance and am working on multiple challenges right now. I will post my selection for this week later today as I'm hoping to do a combo with one of my other challenges.

As for team name given the rocky start for this group, what about the Rocking Readers?

Christy wrote: "As for team name given the rocky start for this group, what about the Rocking Readers?"

Sounds good to me!

Christy wrote: "As for team name given the rocky start for this group, what about the Rocking Readers?"

I like it!

I like the name suggestion.

Lanelle wrote: "Hey, Ira and Stormie! I'm glad you found the thread. Any ideas for a team name?

Which task for next week caught your fancy? Would you be interested in a buddy read?"

I'm always interested in buddy reads. As for the prompts, there are too many that look interesting. If you are interested I have Keeper of Enchanted Rooms on my TBR, so I could jump on that. If not I was thinking read a book where the MC has a pet, read a book a mythical creature in it, read a Science Fiction book or read a book that is tagged 'Adventure'

Ira wrote: "If you are interested I have Keeper of Enchanted Rooms on my TBR, so I could jump on that."

Charlie N. Holmberg is one of my favorite authors. I'm definitely up for a buddy read of Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. It's Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Unlimited Audio if anyone wants to join in.

Edited to Add: This book will work for
#30 - a lonely MC (your definition)
#31 - a mystery
#32 - written by a woman
#39 - written by an author whose first, middle or last name begins with C, P, or K
#41 - TBR list

Perfect. Then I will start reading Keeper of Enchanted Rooms. I have read one other book of this author Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet and I am interested in more. Do we have to do anything else for the buddyread to count?

Selection post - Week 1
Book and Author: From This Moment On by Bella Andre
Pages: 384
GISH tasks this fits:
1. read a book where a scene happens at a beach
21. read a book with 3 or 0 in the page count

Ira wrote: "Perfect. Then I will start reading Keeper of Enchanted Rooms."

Not 'til Monday morning, right? :)

Ira wrote: "I have read one other book of this author Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet and I am interested in more..."

I've read all of the Paper Magician series, The Fifth Doll twice, and Veins of Gold.

Do you want to request a buddy read thread for us, or shall I?

I have Keeper of Enchanted Rooms on hold at the library and will pick it up today.

Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ wrote: "I have Keeper of Enchanted Rooms on hold at the library and will pick it up today."

That's great, Stormie. I'm glad you'll be joining us.

Lanelle wrote: "Ira wrote: "Perfect. Then I will start reading Keeper of Enchanted Rooms."

Not 'til Monday morning, right? :)

Ira wrote: "I have read one other book of this author [book:Magic Bit..."

Can you do it? I'm out of the house right now and it is difficult doing those things on mobile. I' doing nice progress on the book.

Ira wrote: "Can you do it? I'm out of the house right now and it is difficult doing those things on mobile."

I can do it. I really don't like doing Goodreads stuff on my tablet. It's frustrating. I haven't even tried on my phone. Yuck!

Ira wrote: "I'm doing nice progress on the book."

I assume you're talking about Week 1's book. You can't begin reading for Week 2 until Monday morning.

Juwon, what do you think of Rocking Readers for a team name?

Week 1 - Team 4's Completion Post

team member: Christy
task #1 = 66 points
2nd task #21 = 41 points
buddy read: no
total= 107
team member: Ira
task #8= 82 points
2nd task #21 = 41 points
buddy read: no
total= 123
team member: Juwon
task #3 = 52 points
buddy read: no
total= 52
team member: Lanelle
task #1 = 66 points
2nd task #7: 44 points
buddy read: no
total= 110
team member: Stormie
task #10 = 51 points
2nd task #26 = 101 points
buddy read: no
total= 152

Week 1's team total: 544

Wait a minute... Ira and Stormie, are we reading Keeper of Enchanted Rooms for Week 1 or Week 2?

Week 2, I am picking it up later today. I don't think I would finish it for this week.

I can do both weeks, maybe week 2 would be better...

Okay, Week 2 it is. Sorry for the confusion.

Completion Post

Book and Author: Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
Date Read: 6/15/24
Pages: 225
GISH task: #1 - beach scene
2nd GISH task: #7 - MC is under 30 years old
Buddy Read: no

How is everyone doing on their books?

Almost done.

Book and Author: One Italian Summer/Rebecca Serle
Date Read: June 16,2024
Pages: 255
GISH task: #10 Read a book set in Italy
2nd GISH task: #36 a person's first name in the title: Summer.
Buddy Read: no

I did have #7 at first, but I miscalculated she is exactly 30 and not under. So I changed it. I know Summer is a season, but I know some people with that as their name.

Completion Post

Book: The Psychology of Time Travel
Author: Kate Mascarenhas
Date read: 16/06/2024
Pages: 336
Gish task: #8 read a Science Fiction book
2nd GISH task: # 21 read a book with 3 or 0 in the page count
Buddy read: no

Completion Post
Book and Author: The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Date Read: 16/06/2024
Pages: 473
GISH task: #3 read a book with all the letters of ART in the author's name
Buddy Read: No

Juwon, does your book happen to match another GISH task? We could use more points.

Maybe:
#5 - a hardback or paperback book
#13 - illustrations or drawings in it
#21 - 3 or 0 in the page count

Completion post - Week 1
Book and Author: From This Moment On by Bella Andre
Pages: 384
Date read: 6/15
GISH tasks this fits:
1. read a book where a scene happens at a beach
21. read a book with 3 or 0 in the page count
7. read a book where the MC is a grandparent OR under 30 years old

oh, I forgot my book was a hardback. or is it only 2 tasks?

Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ wrote: "oh, I forgot my book was a hardback. or is it only 2 tasks?"

Just two. You get to decide :)

Lanelle wrote: "Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ wrote: "oh, I forgot my book was a hardback. or is it only 2 tasks?"

Just two. You get to decide :)"

okay, I'll just leave it as is. :)