The Challenge Factory discussion

Save the Bees!
Challenge Starts July 1, 2024

There are over 20,000 bee species found in the world. This diversity encompasses some of the most important insects for agriculture, wild plants, and home gardens.
Many plants rely on pollinators, including bees, for pollination. Some plants are fully dependent on bees, while others are only partially dependent.
Fully dependent plants include brazil nuts, cocoa beans, kiwi and melons. Partially dependent plants include avocados, coffee and nuts. Other plants that rely on bees are almonds, apples, apricots, blueberries, cotton, papaya, passionfruit, and strawberries.

Take seven steps to help protect the bees! Each step requires 3 books.

There is an optional spell out for each level as well. For spell outs, you may use the first letter of the first word of the title (using or omitting an opening A/An/The), or the first letter of the author's first or last name.

Post your completions in your own thread. You may take as long as you need to complete this challenge.

Sample completion post:

TASK:
BOOK/AUTHOR:
PAGES:
DATE READ:
HOW IT FITS:

Plant a Bee Garden
Keeping a tidy garden may actually backfire for bees. This is because it removes items and sites that are usually used by the insects. Only honeybees form hives, while 70% of the rest of bees nest in the ground and 30% use cracks and crevices as their bee home.

One of the largest threats to bees is a lack of safe habitat where they can build homes and find a variety of nutritious food sources. You can create a safe haven for bees with pollen- and nectar-rich flowers by planting a range of shapes, sizes, colors, and bloom times. You don’t need a ton of space to grow bee-friendly plants — gardens can be established across yards and in window boxes, flower pots, and mixed into vegetable gardens. Seek out locally native plants as often as possible as many bee species have coevolved to feed exclusively on native flowers and need them to survive.

Tasks:
1. Read a book where the MC is not tidy.
2. Read a book with a flower pot, window box or other small garden on the cover.
3. Read a book with the word "crack" in the text.

Optional Spell Out: SAFE HAVEN

REMEMBER: Books completed before July 1st will not count for this challenge.

Tasks: Completed

🐝1.
TASK: Read a book where the MC is not tidy.
BOOK/AUTHOR: Stacy Willingham
PAGES:384
DATE READ: 7/10/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: Hers was cluttered with clothes and makeup and mismatched shoes; it wasn't dirty, but messy, like she had a habit of simply flinging off her outfits and letting it live wherever it landed. ---messy is another word for untidy p43

🐝2.
TASK: Read a book with a flower pot, window box or other small garden on the cover.
BOOK/AUTHOR: Nora Roberts
PAGES: p243
DATE READ: 8/6/24 ⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: There is a small garden in the background and also flowers on the table in a terra pot if you look closely at the cover.

🐝3. TASK:Read a book with the word "crack" in the text.
BOOK/AUTHOR: Tahereh Mafi
PAGES:177
DATE READ:7/4/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: There's a seismic CRACK---And sound comes back online. p 41

Optional Spell Out: SAFE HAVEN

S - The Surrogate by Louise Jensen --Finished 7/15/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A
F - For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt --Finished 7/19/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
E

H - The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand -- Finished 7/28/24 ⭐⭐⭐
A
V
E
N - Nora Roberts author of Lessons Learned Finished 8/6/24 ⭐⭐⭐

Tasks: Completed

🐝1.
TASK: Read a book where the MC is not tidy.
BOOK/AUTHOR: Stacy Willingham
PAGES:384
DATE READ: 7/10/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: Hers was cluttered with clothes and makeup and mismatched shoes; it wasn't dirty, but messy, like she had a habit of simply flinging off her outfits and letting it live wherever it landed. ---messy is another word for untidy p43

🐝2.
TASK: Read a book with a flower pot, window box or other small garden on the cover.
BOOK/AUTHOR: Nora Roberts
PAGES: p243
DATE READ: 8/6/24 ⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: There is a small garden in the background and also flowers on the table in a terra pot if you look closely at the cover.

🐝3. TASK:Read a book with the word "crack" in the text.
BOOK/AUTHOR: Tahereh Mafi
PAGES:177
DATE READ:7/4/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: There's a seismic CRACK---And sound comes back online. p 41

Optional Spell Out: SAFE HAVEN

S - The Surrogate by Louise Jensen --Finished 7/15/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A -Ali Brady author of Until Next Summer Finished 9/30/24 ⭐⭐⭐
F - For Better and Worse by Margot Hunt --Finished 7/19/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
E

H - The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand -- Finished 7/28/24 ⭐⭐⭐
A - Alafair Burke author of The Ex - -Finished 11/15/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
V- The Vacation by T.M. Logan Finished 8/16/24
E
N - Nora Roberts author of Lessons Learned Finished 8/6/24 ⭐⭐⭐

Go Chemical-Free for Bees
Regardless of which flowers you plant, avoid using pesticides and herbicides. Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and neonicotinoids are harmful to bees, wreaking havoc on their sensitive systems. A garden can thrive without these harmful chemicals — in fact, one goal of a bee-friendly garden is to build a sustainable ecosystem that keeps itself in check by fostering beneficial populations. If you must use a pesticide, choose a targeted organic product, and always avoid applying pesticides directly to the soil or when flowers are blooming.

Tasks:
1. Read a book by an author whose initials are NOT found in the word PESTICIDE.
2. Read a book where the MC is very sensitive (your interpretation).
3. Read a book with the word "organic" in the text.

Optional Spell Out: SUSTAINABLE

COMPLETED TASK

Tasks: 3/3


🐝1.
TASK:Read a book by an author whose initials are NOT found in the word PESTICIDE.
BOOK/AUTHOR: by Brenda Novak
PAGES: 448
DATE READ: 8/14/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: The authors initials B N cannot be found in the word pesticide

🐝2.
TASK: Read a book where the MC is very sensitive (your interpretation).
BOOK/AUTHOR: by Gary Gulman
PAGES: 289
DATE READ: 8/22/24 ⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS:Gary is an awkward boy/man through his growing up years. Bullied, only had one girl friend whom he only kissed, wanted to spend most of his time when young with his mom or older brothers. In first grade always complained he was sick to get out of going to school or to go home early. "My lip quivering. Where was the tough guy?" p65
I hung around with my mother a lot. I was sensitive and had a lot of stuffed animals and a blanky. p91


🐝3.
TASK: Read a book with the word "organic" in the text.
BOOK/AUTHOR: by Brenda Novak
PAGES: 368 (Hard Cover)
DATE READ: 1/2/25 ⭐⭐⭐
HOW IT FITS: Uses the word organic in text He had bigger things to worry about than whether his water had been filtered, whether his vegetables were non-GMO and organic and whether the hamburger he'd had for dinner supported and industry that significantly contributed to global warming.


Spell Out: SUSTAINABLE

S --Cora Seton author of The Marine's E-Mail Order Bride
U --Until Next Summer by Ali Brady
S--Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery
T --T.M. Logan author of The Vacation
A --Abby Jimenez author of Part of Your World
I --Impulse by Nora Roberts
N--Brenda Novak author of The Bookstore on the Beach
A --Alafair Burke author of The Ex
B --Valerie Burns author of Murder is a Piece of Cake
L -- Liv Constantine author of The Next Mrs. Parrish
E

Completed 3 Task

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Provide Trees for Bees
Did you know that bees get most of their nectar from trees? When a tree blooms, it provides thousands of blossoms to feed from. Trees are not only a great food source for bees, but also an essential habitat. Tree leaves and resin provide nesting material for bees, while natural wood cavities make excellent shelters. Native trees such as maples, redbuds, and black cherry all attract and support bees. You can help bolster bee food sources and habitat by caring for and planting trees. Trees are also great at sequestering carbon, managing our watersheds, and cooling air temperatures.

Tasks:
1. Read a book with the word "essential" in the text.
2. Read a book where a character is a good cook (food source) for other characters.
3. Read a book with a shelter of some kind on the cover (tent, lean-to, etc.)

Optional Spell Out: BLOSSOMS

Tasks:
✅1. Read a book with the word "essential" in the text.
Adam & Evie's Matchmaking Tour
Nora Nguyen
Pages: 301/824 (Libby ebook)
Fits: Uses the word essential in the text
It's simpler and, somehow, more ESSENTIAL to drive by instinct. p406

✅2. Read a book where a character is a good cook (food source) for other characters.
A Few Drops of Bitters by G.A. McKevett
Pages: 304
Date Read: 1/18/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Close friends Ryan and John owned a fancy restaurant ReJuvene and were catering Alama's wedding.
Ryan and John were not only gorgeous, but they were amazing cooks. ...the food at ReJevene lured the most discriminating palates from as far away as San Francisco, Las Vegans and Phoenix, not to mention the locals from Los Angeles. p182/183

✅3. Read a book with a shelter of some kind on the cover (tent, lean-to, etc.)
Suspects by Danielle Steel
Pages: 272
Date Read: 2/17/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: On the cover it appears to be a building of some sort. In the book she used buildings in NYC to host pop up stores of her French clothing business.
Optional Spell Out: BLOSSOMS

B - Burns, Valerie author A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death (1/26/25)
L - Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover (2/6/25)
O
S - Swanson, Peter author of Before She Knew Him (2/1/25)
S - Seton, Cora author of The Airman's E-Mail Order Bride (2/4/25)
O
M - Mcomber, Debbie author Dashing Through the Snow (1/6/25)
S - Steel, Danielle author of Suspects (2/17/25)

Completed the 3 Tasks

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Create a Bee Bath
Bees work up quite a thirst foraging and collecting nectar. Fill a shallow bird bath or bowl with clean water, and arrange pebbles and stones inside so that they break the water’s surface. Bees will land on the stones and pebbles to take a long, refreshing drink.

Tasks:
1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word WATER.
2. Read a book where a character becomes very thirsty.
3. Read a book where the MC is very shallow.

Optional Spell Out: REFRESHING

COMPLETED


Tasks:
✅1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word WATER.
One Perfect Couple
Ruth Ware
Pages: 385
Date Read: 4/4/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Author initials RW can be found in WATER

✅2. Read a book where a character becomes very thirsty.
The Fairy Godmother
Mercedes Lackey
Pages: 479
Date Read: 3/23/25 ⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Prince Alexander of Kohlstania was hot, thirsty, and exasperated. p455 (ebook via Libby)

✅3. Read a book where the MC is very shallow.
The Nature of Fragile Things
Susan Meissner
Pages: 367
Date Read: 2/28/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Martin (MC with other character) married multiple women not for love but for money.

Optional Spell Out: REFRESHING

R - Rachel Hauck author of A March Bride (3/2/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
E
F - The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey (3/23/25 ⭐⭐⭐)
R - Ruth Ware author of One Perfect Couple (4/4/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
E
S - Susan Meissner author of The Nature of Fragile Things (2/28/25)
H - Hoover, Colleen author of Finding Cinderella (3/26/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I
N - Never Never by Colleen Hoover (2/21/25)
G

Completed Create a Bee Bath - 3 Task

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Protect Ground Nesting Bees
Did you know that 70% of the world’s 20,000 bees — including bumblebees — live underground. There, they build nests and house their young, who overwinter and emerge each spring. Ground nesting bees need bare, mulch-free, well-drained, protected soil in a sunny area to create and access their nests. Leave an untouched section for ground nesting bees in your garden!

Tasks:
1. Read a book that has a bare yard in at least one scene.
2. Read a book whose author's initials are in the word UNTOUCHED.
3. Read a book with a character who builds a nest (can be a figurative nest if the character is a human).

Optional Spell Out: UNDERGROUND

Completed Protect Ground Nesting Bees

3/3

Tasks:

✅1. Read a book that has a bare yard in at least one scene.


Book: The Women
Author: Kristin Hannah
Page: 648 Large Print Edition
Date Read: 4/21/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: "...all set on mostly treeless patch of rich red earth." p67
"There wasn't a blade of grass or tree to be seen, nothing green, no patch of shade..." p112
"The backyard, like her life was empty." p462

✅2. Read a book whose author's initials are in the word UNTOUCHED.


Book: It Ends with Us
Author: Colleen Hoover
Pages: 385
Date Read: 4/15/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Author initials CH can be found in UNTOUCHED

✅3. Read a book with a character who builds a nest (can be a figurative nest if the character is a human).


BooK: It Starts with Us
Author: Colleen Hoover
Pages: 323
Date Read: 4/30/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Lily has moved in with Atlas, she is setting up a home (nest) with Atlas, Josh, and Emerson.
"I spend my alone time walking through rooms, looking in cabinet, familiarizing myself with my new house. " p311


Optional Spell Out: UNDERGROUND


U
N
D - Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey (4/8/25)
E
R
G
R
O
U
N
D

Completed Protect Ground Nesting Bees

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Leave Stems Behind
30% of bees live in holes inside of trees, logs, or hollow plant stems. Don’t cut those hollow stems, which are valuable bee habitats. A hollow stem may not seem like prime real estate to us, but to the mason and other bees, it’s a cozy home in which they may overwinter. Wait until the spring to cut back dead flower stalks, leaving stems 8 to 24 inches high to provide homes for cavity-nesting bees.

Tasks:
1. Read a book about a character who waits to do something until later.
2. Read a book with an author whose initials can be found in the word CAVITY.
3. Read a book where a character stalks something.

Optional Spell Out: PLANT STEM

Bees Leave Stems Behind

3/3

Tasks:

✅1. Read a book about a character who waits to do something until later.



BooK: Dear Edward
Author: Ann Napolitano
Pages: 340
Date Read: 6/11/25 ⭐⭐
Fits: The uncle waits until Edward is older to begin to share the letters received from families of the deceased passengers.

✅2. Read a book with an author whose initials can be found in the word CAVITY.



BooK: Listen for the Lie
Author: Amy Tintera
Pages: 352
Date Read: 5/11/25 ⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Authors initial are AT and can be found in CAVITY

✅3. Read a book where a character stalks something.


Book: Invisible Girl
Author: Lisa Jewell
Pages: 404
Fits: Saffyre watches her therapist, from 3 years ago, each night. She finds out he is treating on his wife.

Optional Spell Out: PLANT STEM

P - The Plot is Murder by V.M. Burns (5/30/25)
L - Lisa Jewell author of Invisible Girl (5/19/25)
A - Amy Tintera author of Listen for the Lie (5/11/25)
N - Naked in Death by J.D. Robb (5/4/25)
T - Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (6/4/25)

S - Second Chance Girl by Susan Mallery (5/25/25)
T - Tessa Bailey author of The Au Pair Affair (5/27/25)
E - The Escape Room bybMegan Goldin (6/3/25)
M - Susan Mallery author of You Say It First (5/8/25)

COMPLETED THE TASK OF BEES LEAVE BEHIND STEMS

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Support Local Beekeepers and Organizations
Local beekeepers work hard to nurture their bees and the local community. The easiest way to show your appreciation is to buy locally-made honey and beeswax products. Many beekeepers use products from their hives to create soaps, lotions, and beeswax candles. Plus, local honey is not only delicious — it is made from local flora and may help with seasonal allergies! You can also give time, resources, and monetary donations to local beekeeping societies and environmental groups to help their programs grow.

Tasks:
1. Read a book where the MC sells or buys a locally grown product.
2. Read a book with the word "honey" in the text.
3. Read a book with a character who suffers from allergies.

Optional Spell Out: APPRECIATION

Support Beekeepers and Organizations



3/3


Tasks:

✅1. Read a book where the MC sells or buys a locally grown product.
Book: Dreamland
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Pages: 367
Read: 7/21/25 ⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Ran a farm selling produce - As I described our seasonal crops and who we sold them to... p29

✅2. Read a book with the word "honey" in the text.
Book: One of Us Is Dead
Author: Jeneva Rose
Pages: 354/983 via online Libby
Read: 6/24/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Honey in the text - "Oh, honey but they will." p64

✅3. Read a book with a character who suffers from allergies.
Book:The Friendship Club
Author: Robyn Carr
Pages: 336
Read: 7/10/25 ⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Bella is allergic to daisies - "Yesterday I brought home flowers for her and of course I brought the ones she's allergic to. Have you ever heard of someone being allergic to daisies?" p142


Optional Spell Out: APPRECIATION

A
P - The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden (6/30/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
P
R - Robyn Carr author of The Friendship Club
E
C - Cabin Fever: The Harrowing Journey of a Cruise Ship at the Dawn of a Pandemic by Michael Smith (7/6/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I
A
T - The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr (6/21/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)
I
O - One of Us Is Dead
N - Nicholas Sparks author of Dreamland

Completed 3 tasks of Supporting Beekeepers Organizations

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

CONGRATULATIONS!! You saved the bees!