The Challenge Factory discussion

Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25

Re-reads are allowed; one book per task.
Once you’ve read a book strike through it and rate it.
Update your original post and occasionally post a general update if you want.
No reading until 03/20 but you can reserve your spot and work on your reading lists right away.
This will be a six-part self moderated challenge. Pick your level, then pick your books.
Have fun and happy reading!

Levels:
Raindrop: 1-2 tasks per category
Umbrella: 3 tasks per category
Rainbow: 4+ tasks per category

Category 1 By the Numbers
The first day of spring is March 20, but the spring equinox will be here only for a brief time. At 5:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern time, the sun will be perfectly in line with the equator, resulting in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receiving equal amounts of sunlight throughout the day. After the vernal equinox has passed, days will start to become shorter for the Southern Hemisphere and longer up north.

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


Category 2 Equality
The word equinox literally translates to equal (“equi-”) and night (“nox”) in Latin. The term vernal means “new and fresh,” and comes from the Latin word vernus for “of spring.” The equal night and day split between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres isn’t distributed evenly across all parts of the world. Though every region gets approximately 12 hours of sunlight the day of the vernal equinox, some places get a little more (the day is about 12 hours and 19 minutes in Fairbanks, Alaska), and some get less.

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals
To some people, the spring equinox is more than just the start of spring. Many people around the world celebrate this very important day.
Shunbun no hi is a national holiday in Japan to mark the start of spring. People there spend the week of the vernal equinox visiting their hometowns, spending time with family, eating traditional foods and tending to ancestral graves.

Many ethnicities worldwide - including Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, Turkish, Tajik and Kurdish communities - observe the beginning of the New Year (Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian). Nowruz symbolizes the rebirth of nature and the renewal of life and relationships. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Most importantly for our times, Nowruz celebrates unity, bringing together diverse cultures and ethnicities.

There is an ancient Saxon tale about their lunar (or spring/summer) goddess, Eostre. She found an injured bird and transformed it into a hare to save its life; the transformation was incomplete. In gratitude for saving her, the hare laid eggs (or found them) and decorated them as gifts to Eostre. More likely, it was that rabbits and eggs were both seen as symbols of fertility, and Eostre was the goddess representing spring and fertility. Parts of the myth were eventually absorbed into the more modern Easter celebrations, as both festivals occurred around the same time.

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.


Category 4 Dark and Light
Equinox isn’t just the technical term for a season change. The word derives from the Latin for equal night, which offers a clue about what actually happens during an equinox: daylight hours are roughly equal to darkness hours. Since the Earth rotates on an axis tilted at about 23.5 degrees, the North Pole is usually angled either slightly toward or slightly away from the sun. If it’s angled toward the sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days than nights; if it’s angled away from the sun, nights outlast days. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite occurs. But twice a year, neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun, so they both experience about 12 hours of night and 12 hours of daylight. At this point—the equinox—the sun appears directly overhead along the Equator.

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


Category 5 Oddities
Spring cleaning might seem like simple good sense - you want to purge your house of debris following a lengthy season of indoor loafing. But there is actually some cultural significance to the annual task. Some theories trace modern spring cleaning back to the Persian New Year of Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring.
Climate scientists recognize a different "First Day of Spring": Astronomers define seasons on the basis of Earth's position around the sun. According to the astronomical calendar, spring and autumn both begin with an equinox. Climate scientists base their calendar on the temperature cycle rather than the astronomical position of the sun — it's easier to calculate statistics and forecast trends using full months and the same dates each year.
The Mayan-built El Castillo pyramid does something unusual on the spring and fall equinoxes. As the sun sets on those days, a snake-like shadow appears to crawl down one flank of the structure. The illusion is produced by the smaller triangular shadows that are cast by individual steps on the pyramid. Historians aren't sure, but this display might've been intended as a tribute to the serpent god Kukulan.

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
Like a spinning top, our home planet wobbles slightly on its axis. Gravitational forces exerted by the sun and moon are the main reason why it does this. As Earth wobbles, the sun's relationship with the zodiac calendar changes. During the vernal equinox, the sun crosses in front of the constellation Pisces. Or at least that's true these days. Prior to the year 68 B.C.E., the sun used to line up with Aries — another constellation — on the spring equinox. By 2567, the sun will line up with the constellation Aquarius.
Today, the axis points toward the famous "north star," Polaris. But 12,000 years from now, it will shift away from Polaris and aim itself at a different star: Vega. This whole cycle will then repeat itself over the course of 26,000 years.


Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.

Participants

AliciaJ
Caraina
Catsalive
Charlotte
Claire
Deedee
Denise
Jess
Jessica
LaurLa
Lynnette
Marla
Masoodah
Meg
Mrs W
Richard
Sally906
Shelley
Taya:)

Q & A

Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25

Umbrella 3 tasks per category
18/18

✔️Category 1 By the Numbers


✔️Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year. Bride and Groom Rona Halsall 321 p. 21 march
✔️Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.

Het transgalactische liftershandboek Douglas Adams 27 march 192 p.

Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
✔️Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.

Het restaurant aan het einde van het heelal Douglas Adams 27 march 205 p.

Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.

Category 2 Equality

✔️Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.

Nachtangst Ronald Giphart 182 p. 10 april

‘verse koffie’’fresh coffee’ p.17
‘ over mijn nieuwe liefde’ new love p. 19

✔️Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).

The Mysterious Affair at Styles Agatha Christie 220 p. 28 march 2025

Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)

✔️Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.

Lieg nooit Freida McFadden 271 p. 22 march
Tricia
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina


Category 3 Festivals


Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).

✔️Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.

De Flessentrekker Ilja Gort 247 p. 12 april
Grave father

Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
✔️Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE. Jaag je ploeg over de botten van de doden Olga Tokarczuk 298 p. 23 march
✔️Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.
De dag van de Jakhals Frederick Forsyth 476 p. 25 march

Category 4 Dark and Light


Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
✔️Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.

Met onbekende bestemming Agatha Christie 195 p. 31 march

Read a book with something angular on the cover.
✔️Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)

Nooit, nooit, nooit Linn Strømsborg 5 april 256 p.
MC never wants children - best friend convinced mother as theme of the book
✔️Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.
De kleuren van schaduw Victoria E. Schwab 560 p. 29 march

August 12, 2019 by Boekerij

Category 5 Oddities

✔️Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
‘
Moord op de golflinks Agatha Christie 208 p. 9 april

‘Then when she sold the Villa this spring, ‘

Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
✔️Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.

De Cock en kermis in de hel Peter Römer 144 p. 24 march

Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
✔️Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.

Dageraad boven de boete Suzanne Collins 464 p. 1 april

Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On


✔️Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.

De winter van de profeet Håkan Östlundh442 p. 20 march

‘De’ is the article ‘the’
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.

Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).

✔️Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.

Mathilde Leïla Slimani 3 april 356 p.

✔️Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.
BloedverwantStuart Neville 296 p. 8 april

TCF's Vernal Equinox Challenge

Category 1 By the Numbers

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year. You Should Be So Lucky 26-March ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title. I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc 3-April ⭐⭐
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it. The Hitman's Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes 31-March ⭐⭐⭐
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number. The Barbarian's Tribute 5-April ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs 4-April ⭐⭐⭐⭐
1088

Category 2 Equality

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?) Voyage of the Damned
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX. The Darkling Thrush 6-April ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year Winter Cowboy 10-April ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation. Never Landing 2-April #11088⭐⭐


Category 4 Dark and Light

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT. Liar City by Allie Therin 28-March ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover. Machine Metal Magic 29-March ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it Chosen (alpha/omega) 29-March ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


Category 5 Oddities

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ. The First Step 2-April ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover. Forbidden Mafia Prince 8-April ⭐⭐⭐


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On

Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES. Sunshine and the Vamp 30-March ⭐⭐⭐
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name. The Princess and the Goblin 27-March ⭐⭐⭐
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue The One That Got Away 24-March ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My spot

Vernal Equinox (Autumnal down here)
20/3-19/6/25
Umbrella: 3 tasks per category
18/18

Category 1 By the Numbers
Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year - 1/4/99
A Match For Mother by Mona K. Gedney, Kathryn Kirkwood, Regina Scott 8/4 2.5★
~ Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Interlude in Death by J.D. Robb 20/3 4★
~ Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb 20/3 4.5★
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


Category 2 Equality
~ Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it - "The new hotel opening is delayed" p.19, "a break and some fresh air" p.45
The Northern Lights Lodge by Julie Caplin 21/3 3★
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?) - 496p, usually 350-400
Sunrise Over Mercy Court by Fiona McCallum 13/4 4★
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX - Hannah & Jude
As the River Rises by Fiona McArthur 22/3 5★
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals
Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year - Roland returns after his disappearance a year ago
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett 23/3 5★
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Halloween Magic by Sandra Heath 19/4 2★
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation - through murder, conspiracy & her disappearance, the MC undergoes a massive transformation
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill 26/3 3.5★


Category 4 Dark and Light
Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Knave's Gambit by Margaret Summerville 11/4 2★
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it - Eve, female cop, Roarke, male skirting the law
Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb 4/4 4★
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date - 1/1/2012
Missing in Death by J.D. Robb 7/4 3★


Category 5 Oddities
Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it - "so many comments spring to mind" p.70
The Folklore of Discworld by Terry Pratchett, Jacqueline Simpson 28/3 5★
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ - Raymond
Mr. Jeffries and the Jilt by Joy Reed 9/4 3★
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Ritual in Death by J.D. Robb 6/4 3.5★
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews 1/4 2.5★
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number - 156p
Rake's Honour by Beverley Oakley 23/3 2★
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.
A Pressing Engagement by Anne Barbour 10/4 3★

Vernal Equinox Challenge - COMPLETED

Duration: March 20 to June 19
Level: Raindrop: 1-2 tasks per category

Tasks
Category 1 - By the numbers ✔️

1st task: Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title
Book: Mushing is Murder by Patti Benning - 23/03/25 - 3★s
How it fits: Mushing is a 7-letter word

2nd task: Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it
Book: Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik by Jennifer S. Alderson - 22/03/25 - 5★s
How it fits: there are 10 books in the series

Category 2 - Equality✔️
1st Task: Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX
Book: Death by Oxcart: An Independence Day Murder in Costa Rica by Jennifer S. Alderson - 28/03/25 - 5★s
How it fit: L does not appear in equinox (MC is Lana)

2nd Task: Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it
Book: A Cream of Passion by Nancy Warren - 29/03/25 - 5★s
How it fits: both words in text
NEW - pg 1 “…I was flying solo in my shiny new role as the Inn’s pastry chef…”
FRESH - pg 12 “…Fresh pasta was such a great…”

Category 3 - Festivals✔️
1st Task: Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation
Book: Right Way Up by Fiona McCallum - 21/03/25 - 4★s
How it fit: The male MC, Colin, makes massive changes to transform his attitudes and actions to try and save his marriage, but once the changes are made, he realises he is happy with the new him even though his marriage is not saved

2nd Task: Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year
Book: The Stranger at the Table by Cassie Hamer - 03/04/25 - 4★s
How it fits: The MC, Maz Antonio, has returned home after spending 2 years in prison

Category 4 - Dark and Light✔️
1st Task: Read a book with something angular on the cover
Book: Cakes and Pains by Nancy Warren - 01/04/25 - 5★s
How it fits: A row of triangular flags on cover

2nd Task: Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it
Book: The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor by Enid Blyton - 04/04/25 - 4★s
How it fits: Elizabeth has a quick temper but her best friend Mary Sue is placid and calm


Category 5 - Oddities ✔️
1st Task: Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it
Book: Merry Mischief by Bella Falls - 02/04/25 - 3★s
How it fits: Page 77 “…Mistletoe said her crew will be in charge of cleaning up…”

2nd Task: Read a book with a MC who is a scientist
Book: Five and the Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith - 22/03/25 - 5★s
How it fits: Professor George Kirrin is a scientist


Category 6 - The Earth Wobbles On
1st Task:Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES
Book: The Lupin Fields by Heather Reyburn - 09/04/25 - 4★s
How it fits: Title starts with L

2nd Task: Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue
Book: Home To Turtle Bay by Marion Lennox - 07/04/25 - 3★s
How it fits: Both Jenny and her grandmother Muriel come to understand they must change direction and leave Manhattan permanently to start a new life on a small Australian island

I will join as a raindrop:
✔️Category 1 By the Numbers
🔹Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Wow, No Thank You.: Essays Samantha Irby 24 Mar
🔹Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
How to Age Disgracefully Clare Pooley 29 Mar
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
🔹Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
The Garden Party and Other Stories Katherine Mansfield 23 May
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


✔️Category 2 Equality
Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
🔹Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
The Wedding People Alison Espach 26 Apr
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
🔹Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Tehrangeles Porochista Khakpour 19 Apr ROXANNA
🔹Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.
Daughter of Fire Sofia Robleda 5 Jun


✔️Category 3 Festivals
🔹Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown):
The Book of Lost Names Kristin Harmel 4 May
🔹Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard:
Five Winters Kitty Johnson 18 May
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
🔹Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation:
Anne of Avonlea L.M. Montgomery 24 May


✔️Category 4 Dark and Light
Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
🔹Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue:
Death of the Author Nnedi Okorafor 10 Jun
🔹Read a book with something angular on the cover.
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy Jamie Ford 16 May
🔹Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
A Separate Peace John Knowles 3 May (OPPOSING INTERESTS, PERSONALITIES, WORLD VIEWS)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


✔️Category 5 Oddities
🔹Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
The Complete Poems William Blake 17 Apr SPRING
🔹Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Wandering Stars Tommy Orange 11 Apr Opal and Orvil
🔹Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
The Wangs vs. the World Jade Chang 6 Jun
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


✔️Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
🔹Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Walden, or Life in the Woods and On the Duty of Civil Disobedience Henry David Thoreau 22 Mar
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
🔹Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Reasons to Stay Alive Matt Haig 29 Mar 261
🔹Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.:
The Frozen River Ariel Lawhon 15 Jun

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TCF's Vernal Equinox Challenge
Umbrella: 3 tasks per category
Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25

√ Category 1 By the Numbers

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Truth in the Dark - Amy Lane 4/7 ★★★½
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
The Secrets in My Scowl - A.E. Via 4/29 ★★★☆
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
The Sunshine Court - Nora Sakavic 5/20 ★★★½
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Strengthened By Fire - Andrew Grey 5/2 ★★★☆
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


√ Category 2 Equality

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
The King's Men - Nora Sakavic 5/14 ★★★★☆
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
'Til Death Do Us Part-Addison Albright 4/24 ★★★★☆
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.
Call the Coroner - Avril Ashton 5/11 ★★★★☆


Category 3 Festivals

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
The Beauty and His Beast - Layla Moran 4/4 ★★★☆
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.
The Omega's Secret Pregnancy - Anna Wineheart 5/28 ★★☆


√ Category 4 Dark and Light

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Zero Pucks - E.M. Lindsey 6/9 ★★★★☆
Truth in the Dark - Amy Lane 4/7 ★★★½
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Mystery Magnet - Gregory Ashe 6/12 ★★★☆
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.
Cinder - Marie Sexton 4/11 ★★★½


Category 5 Oddities
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Shift Change - Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood 6/2 ★★★½
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


√ Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
With Caution - J.L. Langley 5/18 ★★★★☆

Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
The Foxhole Court - Nora Sakavic 5/11 ★★★★☆

Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue
Behind Iron Lace - Mercy Celeste 6/2 ★★★½

TCF - Vernal Equinox Challenge

✅ Total: 24/24

1 - By the Numbers
Published - between Mar 19th - Jun 19th
20/3 - 50 Children: One Ordinary American Couple's Extraordinary Rescue Mission into the Heart of Nazi Germany, Steven Pressman - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 22
Title - 7-letter word
22/3 - Journey of the Mind: How Thinking Emerged from Chaos, Ogi Ogas - ⭐️⭐️
Journey
Series - 5+ books
20/3 - Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey, Gary Chapman - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
11 in the series
Pages - 2 of 501
22/3 - Zhuangzi: A New Translation of the Sayings of Master Zhuang as Interpreted by Guo Xiang, Richard John Lynn - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
810 pages

2 - Equality
Text - 'new' & 'fresh'
20/3 - Memories, Dreams, Reflections: An Autobiography, C.G. Jung - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"this new development" p.5; "imposes fresh defeats" p.237
Cover - line across the middle
20/3 - , William J. Knaus - ⭐️⭐️
Pages - longer than my usual read
21/3 - Mexico, Lonely Planet - ⭐️⭐️
1,028 pages
MC - FN initial NOT in EQUINOX
20/3 - Memories, Dreams and Reflections, Marianne Faithfull - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Marianne

3 - Festivals
Plot - char returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year
23/3 - American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World, Joe Berkowitz - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"she made her living as a policy advisor in Washington, D.C., for many years before returning back home to start a family." p.77
Plot - 2 cultures collide peacefully
2/4 - Making China Modern: From the Great Qing to Xi Jinping, Klaus Mühlhahn - ⭐️⭐️
"the Qing also established and maintained good relations with his neighbors in East and Southeast Asia" p.94
Author - initials in EOSTRE
22/3 - Third Ear: Reflections on the Art and Science of Listening, Elizabeth Rosner - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - MC goes through transformation
"I started sharing a house with people – mostly strangers – who knew nothing of the inner turmoil with which I was living. After a few weeks I noticed it was having a profound, transformational effect. Simply having other people around with whom I could decompress at the end of the day, or perhaps watch a TV show or movie with, helped me to recalibrate my nervous system." p.173

4 - Dark & Light
Author - initials in EQUAL NIGHT
22/3 - This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More, Uma Naidoo - ⭐️⭐️
Plot - equality is an issue
23/3 - Trans and Disabled: An Anthology of Identities and Experiences, Alex Iantaffi - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover - something angular
20/3 - , Africa Brooke - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Published - '12'
21/3 - Stop Stealing Dreams, Seth Godin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2012

5 - Oddities
Text - 'cleaning'
21/3 - Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik, Brian R. Solomon - ⭐️⭐️
"the cleaning product mascot" p.384
MC - FN initial in NOWRUZ
23/3 - Source Code: My Beginnings, Bill Gates - ⭐️⭐️
William
MC - scientist
22/3 - Thread of the Silkworm, Iris Chang - ⭐️⭐️
Tsien Hsue-Shen, a rocket scientist
Cover - pyramid
30/3 - , Philip Coppens - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

6 - The Earth Wobbles On
Title - starts with letter in WOBBLES
21/3 - Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work, Steven Kotler - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - char believes in astrology
23/3 - The Stories Behind Astrology: Discover the mythology of the zodiac & stars, Alison Davies - ⭐️⭐️
Title - letters of PISCES
23/3 - Autism and Buddhist Practice: How Buddhism Can Help Autistic Adults Cultivate Wellbeing, Chris Jarrell - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages - 2 of 2567
20/3 - Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal, Liane Holliday Willey - ⭐️⭐️
176

Vernal Equinox Challenge
March 20 - June 19, 2025
☂️ ==> 3 tasks per category

Category 1 By the Numbers

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year. ==> 04/30 🎈
Four Leaf Felony 03/25

Read a book that has a 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Appointment with Death 03/31

Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Aunt Bessie Questions 03/28

Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.

Category 2 Equality

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.

Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
The Wedding People 03/02

Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)

Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX. ==> Georgia
The Skeleton Makes a Friend 03/29

Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina
Mango, Mambo, and Murder 04/01

Category 3 Festivals

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Dead Man Talking 03/18

Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
The Plot Thickets 04/02

Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.

Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE ==> Sara Rosett
Murder Among the Pyramids 03/07

Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.

Category 4 Dark and Light

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT ==> Helen Golden
For Richer, For Deader 03/09

Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.

Read a book with something angular on the cover.

Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Book Scavenger 03/21

Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date. ==> 2012
Bonefire of the Vanities 03/22

Category 5 Oddities

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it. ==> "My lovely spring outfit clashed with..."
High Treason at the Grand Hotel 04/15

Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ ==> Rebecca
Two O'Clock Heist 03/15

Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.

Read a book with an MC who is a scientist.

Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.
Appointment with Death 03/31

Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On

Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Borrowed Crime 03/11

Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.

Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Secrets, Lies, and Sneaky Spies 04/08

Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number ==> 268p
A Gentleman Fallen on Hard Times 03/27

Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.

Vernal Equinox Challenge
🌸Duration: March 20, 2025 - June 19, 2025🌸

Umbrella: 3 tasks per category

✅🐰Category 1 By the Numbers (3/3)COMPLETE
(view spoiler)[
✅Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
by Izzy Bromley- Published May 13, 2023 (Read 15/04/25)

✅Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Read 21/04/2025

Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.

✅Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez- Read 08/05

Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.
(hide spoiler)]

🐰Category 2 Equality (2/3)

✅Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping On a Dead Man by Jesse Q. Sutanto- Read 26/04

Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)

✅Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry- Read 16/05

Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


🐰Category 3 Festivals (2/3)

✅Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter- Read 30/04

✅Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
by Carla Kovach - Read 17/04

Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.


✅🐰Category 4 Dark and Light (3/3) COMPLETED
(view spoiler)[
✅Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
by Emily Henry- Read 10/04/25

Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.

✅Read a book with something angular on the cover.
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- Read 13/05/2025

Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)

✅Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.
Happily Never After by Lynn Painter - Published March 12, 2024 - Read 11/05
(hide spoiler)]

✅🐰Category 5 Oddities (3/3) COMPLETE
(view spoiler)[
✅Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
- Chapter 15- pg 260 - "We spent the following spring teaching six sections.."

✅Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
-Female MC is called Nora
- Read 07/04

Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.

✅Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.
by Sara Hashem- Read 02/05
(hide spoiler)]

🐰Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On (2/3)

Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).

✅Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros - 623 pages - Read 23/04

✅Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson - Female MC is a solving a murder case/missing person case and they change their route to finding the killer. - Read 19/05

Vernal Equinox Challenge - COMPLETED 5/11 with 12 books
🌸Duration: March 20, 2025 - June 19, 2025🌸

Description : Raindrop: 1-2 tasks per category💧

Re-reads are allowed; one book per task.
Once you’ve read a book strike through it and rate it.
Update your original post and occasionally post a general update if you want.
No reading until 03/20 but you can reserve your spot and work on your reading lists right away.
This will be a six-part self moderated challenge. Pick your level, then pick your books.
Have fun and happy reading!

Levels:
Raindrop: 1-2 tasks per category 💧 12/12
Umbrella: 3 tasks per category
Rainbow: 4+ tasks per category

✅🐰Category 1 By the Numbers

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.

💧Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover
Pages: 176
Finished: 3/26/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Cinderella has 10 letters - 10 is greater than 7

💧Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
Pages: 320
Finished: 4/8/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: There will be 5 books in the series Big Shots . This was book #3, #4 is scheduled to be released 2025, #5 in 2026


Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.



✅🐰Category 2 Equality

💧Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
Pages: 310
Finished: 4/13/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Has NEW and FRESH in the text
"Don't worry--this isn't your fault. It happens sometimes with new students. But the ESL office is actually down the --" p4
Everyone assumed I was fresh off the boat from a foreign land. p4

Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)

💧Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Pages: 648 Large Print Edition
Finished 4/21/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fit: MC full name is France McGrath these initials do not occur in EQUINOX.
Twenty-year old Frances Grace McGrath ... p 9

Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.



✅🐰Category 3 Festivals

💧Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Pages: 383
Finished: 3/30/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Julia returns to her hometown after being away for 25 years. "He hadn't seen her for twenty-five years, and although she looked familiar, Julia no longer resembled his memory of the woman he'd married. "p364

Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.

💧Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.
The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey
Pages: 479
Finished 3/23/25 ⭐⭐⭐
Fits: 2 transformations MC Elena went from a peasant girl to a Fairy Godmother and Prince Alexander was turned into an ass by Madame Elena after almost running her over. "You are as stubborn as an ass! So BE one!" p489




✅🐰Category 4 Dark and Light

💧Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Pages: 352
Finished 5/11/25 ⭐⭐⭐
Fits: The authors initials AT can be found in EQUAL NIGHT

Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.

💧Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
Pages; 323
Finished 4/30/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Opposite: Male -Atlas ---Female - Lily

Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.



✅🐰Category 5 Oddities

💧Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
You Say It First by Susan Mallery
Pages: 345/1045 ebook version
Finished 5/8/25⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Cleaning in the text - "The roof was new, and the structure sturdy, but it needed a coat of paint, not to mention a good window cleaning. p710

Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.

💧Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Pages: 385
Finished 4/4/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: "Don't forget Lyla is a scientist, so unless your're into viruses..." p91

Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.




✅🐰Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On

💧Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Bad Tourists by Caro Carver
Pages: 336
Finished 4/27/25 ⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Title begins with a letter in WOBBLES - Bad Tourist

Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.

💧Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Pages: 385/779 ebook
Finished 4/15/25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fits: Lily was in an abusive relationship - she loved him but she grew up in an abusive relationship with her father abusing her mother. She wanted better for their daughter Emerson. Ryle had hit her 3x and each time said he was sorry and would not do it again. She grew up hating her father so did not want the same for her daughter so they parted ways by divorcing.
Divorce or reconciliation are really the only two options we have, but neither is a choice I want to make. p 739 ebook
"I want a divorce." p 761 ebook

Vernal Equinox Challenge
🌸Duration: March 20, 2025 - June 19, 2025🌸


Category 1 By the Numbers

The first day of spring is March 20, but the spring equinox will be here only for a brief time. At 5:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern time, the sun will be perfectly in line with the equator, resulting in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receiving equal amounts of sunlight throughout the day. After the vernal equinox has passed, days will start to become shorter for the Southern Hemisphere and longer up north.

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Read a book that has a 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


Category 2 Equality

The word equinox literally translates to equal (“equi-”) and night (“nox”) in Latin. The term vernal means “new and fresh,” and comes from the Latin word vernus for “of spring.” The equal night and day split between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres isn’t distributed evenly across all parts of the world. Though every region gets approximately 12 hours of sunlight the day of the vernal equinox, some places get a little more (the day is about 12 hours and 19 minutes in Fairbanks, Alaska), and some get less.

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals

To some people, the spring equinox is more than just the start of spring. Many people around the world celebrate this very important day.
Shunbun no hi is a national holiday in Japan to mark the start of spring. People there spend the week of the vernal equinox visiting their hometowns, spending time with family, eating traditional foods and tending to ancestral graves.

Many ethnicities worldwide - including Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, Turkish, Tajik and Kurdish communities - observe the beginning of the New Year (Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian). Nowruz symbolizes the rebirth of nature and the renewal of life and relationships. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Most importantly for our times, Nowruz celebrates unity, bringing together diverse cultures and ethnicities.

There is an ancient Saxon tale about their lunar (or spring/summer) goddess, Eostre. She found an injured bird and transformed it into a hare to save its life; the transformation was incomplete. In gratitude for saving her, the hare laid eggs (or found them) and decorated them as gifts to Eostre. More likely, it was that rabbits and eggs were both seen as symbols of fertility, and Eostre was the goddess representing spring and fertility. Parts of the myth were eventually absorbed into the more modern Easter celebrations, as both festivals occurred around the same time.

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.


Category 4 Dark and Light

Equinox isn’t just the technical term for a season change. The word derives from the Latin for equal night, which offers a clue about what actually happens during an equinox: daylight hours are roughly equal to darkness hours. Since the Earth rotates on an axis tilted at about 23.5 degrees, the North Pole is usually angled either slightly toward or slightly away from the sun. If it’s angled toward the sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days than nights; if it’s angled away from the sun, nights outlast days. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite occurs. But twice a year, neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun, so they both experience about 12 hours of night and 12 hours of daylight. At this point—the equinox—the sun appears directly overhead along the Equator.

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


Category 5 Oddities

Spring cleaning might seem like simple good sense - you want to purge your house of debris following a lengthy season of indoor loafing. But there is actually some cultural significance to the annual task. Some theories trace modern spring cleaning back to the Persian New Year of Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring.
Climate scientists recognize a different "First Day of Spring": Astronomers define seasons on the basis of Earth's position around the sun. According to the astronomical calendar, spring and autumn both begin with an equinox. Climate scientists base their calendar on the temperature cycle rather than the astronomical position of the sun — it's easier to calculate statistics and forecast trends using full months and the same dates each year.
The Mayan-built El Castillo pyramid does something unusual on the spring and fall equinoxes. As the sun sets on those days, a snake-like shadow appears to crawl down one flank of the structure. The illusion is produced by the smaller triangular shadows that are cast by individual steps on the pyramid. Historians aren't sure, but this display might've been intended as a tribute to the serpent god Kukulan.

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On

Like a spinning top, our home planet wobbles slightly on its axis. Gravitational forces exerted by the sun and moon are the main reason why it does this. As Earth wobbles, the sun's relationship with the zodiac calendar changes. During the vernal equinox, the sun crosses in front of the constellation Pisces. Or at least that's true these days. Prior to the year 68 B.C.E., the sun used to line up with Aries — another constellation — on the spring equinox. By 2567, the sun will line up with the constellation Aquarius.
Today, the axis points toward the famous "north star," Polaris. But 12,000 years from now, it will shift away from Polaris and aim itself at a different star: Vega. This whole cycle will then repeat itself over the course of 26,000 years.


Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.

Vernal Equinox Challenge
🌷Duration: March 20, 2025 - June 19, 2025🌷


🌷Category 1 By the Numbers

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


🌷Category 2 Equality

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


🌷Category 3 Festivals

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.


🌷Category 4 Dark and Light

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


🌷Category 5 Oddities

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


🌷Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On

Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.

TCF's Vernal Equinox Challenge
March 20 - June 19

My Vernal Equinox Challenge (msg 18)

Level ❱❱ Rainbow ❱❱ 4+ tasks per section
Books read ❱❱ 30

Category 1 By the Numbers



☑️Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year
🔺What Lies Behind ❱❱ 03.27 ★★★★

☑️Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title
🔺Adverse Possession ❱❱ 04.09 ★★★★

☑️Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it
🔺Breaking Badger ❱❱ 03.22 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number
🔺Devil's Gate ❱❱ 05.01 ★★★★

☑️Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year
🔺Strong, Silent Cowboy ❱❱ 06.08 ★★★★

Category 2 Equality



☑️Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it
🔺when my new computer arrived. [loc 110.1]
🔺the ingredients were clearly fresh [loc 40.4]
🔺Strangers on This Road ❱❱ 05.14 ★★★

☑️Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover
🔺The Simple Wild ❱❱ 05.06 ★★★★

☑️Read a book that is longer than your usual read
🔺Bounty ❱❱ 06.08 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX
🔺Hello Stranger ❱❱ 05.29 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina
🔺Gideon ❱❱ 06.14 ★★★★

Category 3 Festivals



☑️Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after a year
🔺Burning Up ❱❱ 04.04 ★★★★

☑️Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard
🔺Blood Brothers ❱❱ 04.19 ★★★★

☑️Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably
🔺Hour of the Lion ❱❱ 03.31 ★★★★

☑️Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE
🔺Gage ❱❱ 05.28 ★★★★

☑️Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation
🔺Hidden in Smoke ❱❱ 05.18 ★★★

Category 4 Dark and Light



☑️Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT
🔺Whiskey, You're The Devil ❱❱ 04.20 ★★★

☑️Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue
🔺Into the Night ❱❱ 04.16 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with something angular on the cover
🔺Fix Her Up ❱❱ 04.22 ★★★★

☑️Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it
🔺Mercenary Abduction ❱❱ 05.20 ★★★

☑️Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date
🔺Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors ❱❱ 04.06 ★★★★

Category 5 Oddities



☑️Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it
🔺be ready for spring planting. [loc 201.4]
🔺Trudy ❱❱ 04.07 ★★★

☑️Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ
🔺The Unexpected Wedding Guest ❱❱ 03.24 ★★★

☑️Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something
🔺Friction ❱❱ 05.09 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with a MC who is a scientist
🔺Beautiful Player ❱❱ 06.10 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover
🔺The Hippopotamus Pool ❱❱ 06.19 ★★★★

Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On



☑️Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES
🔺Wicked Fall ❱❱ 04.02 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with a character who believes in astrology
🔺No Kissing under the Boardwalk ❱❱ 03.23 ★★★★

☑️Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name
🔺Tennessee Touch ❱❱ 03.28 ★★★

☑️Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number
🔺Fueled ❱❱ 04.13 ★★★★

☑️Read a book where the MC realizes that they must change direction on some path or issue
🔺Breathless In Love ❱❱ 05.08 ★★★★

TCF's Vernal Equinox Challenge
Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25
Level: Raindrop (1-2 tasks per category)

Category 1 By the Numbers

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


Category 2 Equality

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.


Category 4 Dark and Light

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


Category 5 Oddities

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On

Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue

TCF's Vernal Equinox Challenge
Duration: March 20, 2025 - June 19, 2025

Level: Rainbow: 4+ tasks per category
Completed: 12/12

Category 1: By the Numbers
Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title. The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton 6/17/25
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it. Top Secret Twenty-One - Janet Evanovich 6/14/25
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.

Category 2: Equality
Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it. Hide - Tracy Clark 6/3/25 (pg. 35 – Had he chosen a new name?; pg. 17 – Fresh start and all that.)
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX. Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews 6/12/25 (Kate)
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.

Category 3: Festivals
Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE. Middle of the Night - Riley Sager 4/13/25
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation. The Education of Dixie Dupree - Donna Everhart 3/22/25

Category 4: Dark and Light
Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT. Mousse and Murder - Elizabeth Logan 5/22/25
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date. Undead and Unstable - MaryJanice Davidson 4/22/25 (Published on June 5, 2012)

Category 5: Oddities
Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ. Mama Ruby - Mary Monroe 5/25/25 (Ruby)
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover. Spring Flowers, Spring Frost - Ismail Kadare 5/8/25

Category 6: The Earth Wobbles On
Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES. When Mimi Went Missing - Suja Sukumar 6/9/25
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number. Sister, Sister - Eric Jerome Dickey 6/11/25 (256 pgs.)
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue

TCF's Vernal Equinox Challenge
Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25
Level: Raindrop (1-2 tasks per category)

Category 1 By the Numbers
The first day of spring is March 20, but the spring equinox will be here only for a brief time. At 5:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern time, the sun will be perfectly in line with the equator, resulting in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receiving equal amounts of sunlight throughout the day. After the vernal equinox has passed, days will start to become shorter for the Southern Hemisphere and longer up north.

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris 25/03 - Published 05/05/22
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery 05/05 - 170 pages
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


Category 2 Equality
The word equinox literally translates to equal (“equi-”) and night (“nox”) in Latin. The term vernal means “new and fresh,” and comes from the Latin word vernus for “of spring.” The equal night and day split between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres isn’t distributed evenly across all parts of the world. Though every region gets approximately 12 hours of sunlight the day of the vernal equinox, some places get a little more (the day is about 12 hours and 19 minutes in Fairbanks, Alaska), and some get less.

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle 05/04/25
Soon a new catch of spectators began to come sauntering up to see the show loc 457
I feel like a some country butcher who had brought his lass a nice chunk of fresh meat as a token of his love loc 1926
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Happiness by Aminatta Forna 21/07 - Atilla and Jean
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals
To some people, the spring equinox is more than just the start of spring. Many people around the world celebrate this very important day.
Shunbun no hi is a national holiday in Japan to mark the start of spring. People there spend the week of the vernal equinox visiting their hometowns, spending time with family, eating traditional foods and tending to ancestral graves.

Many ethnicities worldwide - including Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, Turkish, Tajik and Kurdish communities - observe the beginning of the New Year (Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian). Nowruz symbolizes the rebirth of nature and the renewal of life and relationships. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Most importantly for our times, Nowruz celebrates unity, bringing together diverse cultures and ethnicities.

There is an ancient Saxon tale about their lunar (or spring/summer) goddess, Eostre. She found an injured bird and transformed it into a hare to save its life; the transformation was incomplete. In gratitude for saving her, the hare laid eggs (or found them) and decorated them as gifts to Eostre. More likely, it was that rabbits and eggs were both seen as symbols of fertility, and Eostre was the goddess representing spring and fertility. Parts of the myth were eventually absorbed into the more modern Easter celebrations, as both festivals occurred around the same time.

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
A Mouth Full of Salt by Reem Gaafar 17/04/25
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Abroad in Japan: Ten Years in the Land of the Rising Sun by Chris Broad 04/06
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri 17/06


Category 4 Dark and Light
Equinox isn’t just the technical term for a season change. The word derives from the Latin for equal night, which offers a clue about what actually happens during an equinox: daylight hours are roughly equal to darkness hours. Since the Earth rotates on an axis tilted at about 23.5 degrees, the North Pole is usually angled either slightly toward or slightly away from the sun. If it’s angled toward the sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days than nights; if it’s angled away from the sun, nights outlast days. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite occurs. But twice a year, neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun, so they both experience about 12 hours of night and 12 hours of daylight. At this point—the equinox—the sun appears directly overhead along the Equator.

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


Category 5 Oddities
Spring cleaning might seem like simple good sense - you want to purge your house of debris following a lengthy season of indoor loafing. But there is actually some cultural significance to the annual task. Some theories trace modern spring cleaning back to the Persian New Year of Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring.
Climate scientists recognize a different "First Day of Spring": Astronomers define seasons on the basis of Earth's position around the sun. According to the astronomical calendar, spring and autumn both begin with an equinox. Climate scientists base their calendar on the temperature cycle rather than the astronomical position of the sun — it's easier to calculate statistics and forecast trends using full months and the same dates each year.
The Mayan-built El Castillo pyramid does something unusual on the spring and fall equinoxes. As the sun sets on those days, a snake-like shadow appears to crawl down one flank of the structure. The illusion is produced by the smaller triangular shadows that are cast by individual steps on the pyramid. Historians aren't sure, but this display might've been intended as a tribute to the serpent god Kukulan.

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis - Nadia - 22/04
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
Like a spinning top, our home planet wobbles slightly on its axis. Gravitational forces exerted by the sun and moon are the main reason why it does this. As Earth wobbles, the sun's relationship with the zodiac calendar changes. During the vernal equinox, the sun crosses in front of the constellation Pisces. Or at least that's true these days. Prior to the year 68 B.C.E., the sun used to line up with Aries — another constellation — on the spring equinox. By 2567, the sun will line up with the constellation Aquarius.
Today, the axis points toward the famous "north star," Polaris. But 12,000 years from now, it will shift away from Polaris and aim itself at a different star: Vega. This whole cycle will then repeat itself over the course of 26,000 years.


Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach 27/04
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.

Finished

✅ Total: 24/24

1 - By the Numbers
Published - between Mar 19th - Jun 19th
20/3 - 50 Children: One Ordinary American Couple's Extraordinary Rescue Mission into the Heart of Nazi Germany, Steven Pressman - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 22
Title - 7-letter word
22/3 - Journey of the Mind: How Thinking Emerged from Chaos, Ogi Ogas - ⭐️⭐️
Journey
Series - 5+ books
20/3 - Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey, Gary Chapman - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
11 in the series
Pages - 2 of 501
22/3 - Zhuangzi: A New Translation of the Sayings of Master Zhuang as Interpreted by Guo Xiang, Richard John Lynn - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
810 pages

2 - Equality
Text - 'new' & 'fresh'
20/3 - Memories, Dreams, Reflections: An Autobiography, C.G. Jung - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"this new development" p.5; "imposes fresh defeats" p.237
Cover - line across the middle
20/3 - , William J. Knaus - ⭐️⭐️
Pages - longer than my usual read
21/3 - Mexico, Lonely Planet - ⭐️⭐️
1,028 pages
MC - FN initial NOT in EQUINOX
20/3 - Memories, Dreams and Reflections, Marianne Faithfull - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Marianne

3 - Festivals
Plot - char returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year
23/3 - American Cheese: An Indulgent Odyssey Through the Artisan Cheese World, Joe Berkowitz - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
"she made her living as a policy advisor in Washington, D.C., for many years before returning back home to start a family." p.77
Plot - 2 cultures collide peacefully
2/4 - Making China Modern: From the Great Qing to Xi Jinping, Klaus Mühlhahn - ⭐️⭐️
"the Qing also established and maintained good relations with his neighbors in East and Southeast Asia" p.94
Author - initials in EOSTRE
22/3 - Third Ear: Reflections on the Art and Science of Listening, Elizabeth Rosner - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - MC goes through transformation
"I started sharing a house with people – mostly strangers – who knew nothing of the inner turmoil with which I was living. After a few weeks I noticed it was having a profound, transformational effect. Simply having other people around with whom I could decompress at the end of the day, or perhaps watch a TV show or movie with, helped me to recalibrate my nervous system." p.173

4 - Dark & Light
Author - initials in EQUAL NIGHT
22/3 - This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More, Uma Naidoo - ⭐️⭐️
Plot - equality is an issue
23/3 - Trans and Disabled: An Anthology of Identities and Experiences, Alex Iantaffi - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover - something angular
20/3 - , Africa Brooke - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Published - '12'
21/3 - Stop Stealing Dreams, Seth Godin - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
2012

5 - Oddities
Text - 'cleaning'
21/3 - Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik, Brian R. Solomon - ⭐️⭐️
"the cleaning product mascot" p.384
MC - FN initial in NOWRUZ
23/3 - Source Code: My Beginnings, Bill Gates - ⭐️⭐️
William
MC - scientist
22/3 - Thread of the Silkworm, Iris Chang - ⭐️⭐️
Tsien Hsue-Shen, a rocket scientist
Cover - pyramid
30/3 - , Philip Coppens - ⭐️⭐️⭐️

6 - The Earth Wobbles On
Title - starts with letter in WOBBLES
21/3 - Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work, Steven Kotler - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - char believes in astrology
23/3 - The Stories Behind Astrology: Discover the mythology of the zodiac & stars, Alison Davies - ⭐️⭐️
Title - letters of PISCES
23/3 - Autism and Buddhist Practice: How Buddhism Can Help Autistic Adults Cultivate Wellbeing, Chris Jarrell - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages - 2 of 2567
20/3 - Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal, Liane Holliday Willey - ⭐️⭐️
176

Fabulous work Richard!!

Vernal Equinox Challenge - COMPLETED

Duration: March 20 to June 19
Level: Raindrop: 1-2 tasks per category

Tasks
Category 1 - By the numbers ✔️

1st task: Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title
Book: Mushing is Murder by Patti Benning - 23/03/25 - 3★s
How it fits: Mushing is a 7-letter word

2nd task: Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it
Book: Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik by Jennifer S. Alderson - 22/03/25 - 5★s
How it fits: there are 10 books in the series

Category 2 - Equality✔️
1st Task: Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX
Book: Death by Oxcart: An Independence Day Murder in Costa Rica by Jennifer S. Alderson - 28/03/25 - 5★s
How it fit: L does not appear in equinox (MC is Lana)

2nd Task: Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it
Book: A Cream of Passion by Nancy Warren - 29/03/25 - 5★s
How it fits: both words in text
NEW - pg 1 “…I was flying solo in my shiny new role as the Inn’s pastry chef…”
FRESH - pg 12 “…Fresh pasta was such a great…”

Category 3 - Festivals✔️
1st Task: Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation
Book: Right Way Up by Fiona McCallum - 21/03/25 - 4★s
How it fit: The male MC, Colin, makes massive changes to transform his attitudes and actions to try and save his marriage, but once the changes are made, he realises he is happy with the new him even though his marriage is not saved

2nd Task: Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year
Book: The Stranger at the Table by Cassie Hamer - 03/04/25 - 4★s
How it fits: The MC, Maz Antonio, has returned home after spending 2 years in prison

Category 4 - Dark and Light✔️
1st Task: Read a book with something angular on the cover
Book: Cakes and Pains by Nancy Warren - 01/04/25 - 5★s
How it fits: A row of triangular flags on cover

2nd Task: Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it
Book: The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor by Enid Blyton - 04/04/25 - 4★s
How it fits: Elizabeth has a quick temper but her best friend Mary Sue is placid and calm


Category 5 - Oddities ✔️
1st Task: Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it
Book: Merry Mischief by Bella Falls - 02/04/25 - 3★s
How it fits: Page 77 “…Mistletoe said her crew will be in charge of cleaning up…”

2nd Task: Read a book with a MC who is a scientist
Book: Five and the Forgotten Treasure by Chris Smith - 22/03/25 - 5★s
How it fits: Professor George Kirrin is a scientist


Category 6 - The Earth Wobbles On
1st Task:Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES
Book: The Lupin Fields by Heather Reyburn - 09/04/25 - 4★s
How it fits: Title starts with L

2nd Task: Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue
Book: Home To Turtle Bay by Marion Lennox - 07/04/25 - 3★s
How it fits: Both Jenny and her grandmother Muriel come to understand they must change direction and leave Manhattan permanently to start a new life on a small Australian island

Great job Sally!!

FINISHED

Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25

Umbrella 3 tasks per category
18/18

✔️Category 1 By the Numbers


✔️Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year. Bride and Groom Rona Halsall 321 p. 21 march
✔️Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.

Het transgalactische liftershandboek Douglas Adams 27 march 192 p.

Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
✔️Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.

Het restaurant aan het einde van het heelal Douglas Adams 27 march 205 p.

Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.

Category 2 Equality

✔️Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.

Nachtangst Ronald Giphart 182 p. 10 april

‘verse koffie’’fresh coffee’ p.17
‘ over mijn nieuwe liefde’ new love p. 19

✔️Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).

The Mysterious Affair at Styles Agatha Christie 220 p. 28 march 2025

Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)

✔️Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.

Lieg nooit Freida McFadden 271 p. 22 march
Tricia
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina


Category 3 Festivals


Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).

✔️Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.

De Flessentrekker Ilja Gort 247 p. 12 april
Grave father

Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
✔️Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE. Jaag je ploeg over de botten van de doden Olga Tokarczuk 298 p. 23 march
✔️Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.
De dag van de Jakhals Frederick Forsyth 476 p. 25 march

Category 4 Dark and Light


Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
✔️Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.

Met onbekende bestemming Agatha Christie 195 p. 31 march

Read a book with something angular on the cover.
✔️Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)

Nooit, nooit, nooit Linn Strømsborg 5 april 256 p.
MC never wants children - best friend convinced mother as theme of the book
✔️Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.
De kleuren van schaduw Victoria E. Schwab 560 p. 29 march

August 12, 2019 by Boekerij

Category 5 Oddities

✔️Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
‘
Moord op de golflinks Agatha Christie 208 p. 9 april

‘Then when she sold the Villa this spring, ‘

Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
✔️Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.

De Cock en kermis in de hel Peter Römer 144 p. 24 march

Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
✔️Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.

Dageraad boven de boete Suzanne Collins 464 p. 1 april

Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On


✔️Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.

De winter van de profeet Håkan Östlundh442 p. 20 march

‘De’ is the article ‘the’
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.

Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).

✔️Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.

Mathilde Leïla Slimani 3 april 356 p.

✔️Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.
BloedverwantStuart Neville 296 p. 8 april

Fabulous work Claire!!

I'm finished! Thanks for another fun one!

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

Fabulous work Meg!!

Completed at msg8 https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Awesome work Catsalive!!

Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25
Level: Rainbow (4+ tasks per category) [💧1-2, 🌂3, 🌈4, ⭐5]

🌈 Category 1 (4/4)
✔️ Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 4/3 (first published 6/13/17)
✔️ ...that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title. The Wedding People 4/27
☐ ...from a series with at least 5 books in it.
✔️ ...with two of the numbers from 501 in page number. Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis 5/3 (185 pages)
✔️ ...by an author who was born in March of any year. No One Writes to the Colonel and Other Stories 5/4 (Gabriel García Márquez was born March 6, 1927)

⭐ Category 2 (5/4)
✔️ Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it. The Devil Amongst the Lawyers 4/27 (page 217: "when for him the world was new" & page 60: "he has access to farm-fresh meat")
✔️ ...with a line across the middle of the cover. The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength 5/13
✔️ ...longer than your usual read. Duma Key 3/23 (771 pages is on the long side for me)
✔️ ...with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX. The Favorites 3/29 (MC is Katarina Shaw)
✔️ ...with a character who is Latino/Latina. American Dirt 4/19 (MC is Latina)

⭐ Category 3 (5/4)
✔️ Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year. Joan Is Okay 4/30 (MC's mother lives in China and visits her children in America after their father's funeral, it's meant as a short trip but her return home is significantly delayed by a certain worldwide event in 2020, you know the one)
✔️ ...where a scene occurs in a graveyard. Keeper of Enchanted Rooms 5/25 (name of the spirit enchanting the titular enchanted house is found in a graveyard)
✔️ ...where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably. The Narrows: A Novel 6/16 (golem and human cultures collide peacefully [for the most part])
✔️ ...whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE. American Radical: Inside the World of an Undercover Muslim FBI Agent 6/3 (author is Tamer Elnoury)
✔️ ...where the MC goes through some kind of transformation. Night 4/22 (the author's experience in a concentration camp was certainly... transformative)

⭐ Category 4 (5/4)
✔️ Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books 3/25 (author is Azar Nafisi)
✔️ ...where equality of some kind is an issue. The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement 4/28 (discusses segregation, suffrage & other issues in American history)
✔️ ...with something angular on the cover. Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection 4/2 (the green triangular polygon doodad at the top of the orange circle should count)
✔️ ...that has two characters who are opposites. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West 4/21 (Elphaba and Galinda/Glinda are opposite in personality, upbringing, outlook, fashion, public perception... the list goes on)
✔️ ...with the number 12 in the publication date. The Fifth Season 4/29 (published 12/1/2000)

🌈 Category 5 (4/4)
✔️ Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it. 11/22/63 5/29 (page 283: "there is spring in Florida; the natives told me it sometimes lasts as long as a week")
☐ Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
✔️ ...where two characters disagree on how to interpret something. The Green Mile 4/18 (prison guards disagree on how to interpret a new inmate's behavior)
✔️ ...with a MC who is a scientist. Here One Moment 5/27 (actuarial scientist)
✔️ ...with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover. Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime 6/17 (snake on cover)

⭐ Category 6 (5/4)
✔️ Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES. Eileen 4/7
✔️ ...with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls 5/7 (several girls in the home for "wayward" girls bond over astrology)
✔️ ...with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name. Alibaba's World: How a Remarkable Chinese Company is Changing the Face of Global Business 5/13
✔️ ...with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number. The Third Gilmore Girl 4/21 (256 pages)
✔️ ...where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some issue. The Outsider 4/8 (MC is a detective who makes an arrest based on evidence that appears rock-solid; he must adjust his perspective to find out what actually happened)

(view spoiler)[unused books: Mirage
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
All the Worst Humans: How I Made News for Dictators, Tycoons, and Politicians
Such Quiet Girls
God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer
Famous Last Words (hide spoiler)]

Great progress Laura!!

Vernal Equinox Challenge
Duration: 03/20/25 - 06/19/25

Re-reads are allowed; one book per task.
Once you’ve read a book strike through it and rate it.
Update your original post and occasionally post a general update if you want.
No reading until 03/20 but you can reserve your spot and work on your reading lists right away.
Pick your level, then pick your books.

Levels:
Raindrop: 1-2 tasks per category
Umbrella: 3 tasks per category
Rainbow: 4+ tasks per category
(Who am I kidding? We know I'll be lucky to be a real raindrop! And remember to come back and post)

Category 1 By the Numbers:
✔️ RAB published between March 19 and June 19 of any year. You Like It Darker - published May 21, 2024
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
✔️Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year. Lies He Told Me by James Patterson birthdate March 22, 1947



Category 2 Equality
Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
✔️ Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX. - Holmes, Marple & Poe - MC Brendon Holmes, Margaret Marple and Auguste Poe
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.



Category 3 Festivals
Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.


Category 4 Dark and Light
Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.

Category 5 Oddities
Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.

Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.

I'm In!

I'll try for umbrella... so 3 tasks per category

Progress: 18/18

Category 1 By the Numbers
The first day of spring is March 20, but the spring equinox will be here only for a brief time. At 5:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern time, the sun will be perfectly in line with the equator, resulting in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receiving equal amounts of sunlight throughout the day. After the vernal equinox has passed, days will start to become shorter for the Southern Hemisphere and longer up north.

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
The One Kiera Cass 3/25/25 5/5 - Published May 6. 2014
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text Mary Shelley 4/4/25 4/5 - Frankenstein has 12 letters
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
The Battle for Skandia John Flanagan 3/22/25 5/5 stars - 11 books in series
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


Category 2 Equality
The word equinox literally translates to equal (“equi-”) and night (“nox”) in Latin. The term vernal means “new and fresh,” and comes from the Latin word vernus for “of spring.” The equal night and day split between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres isn’t distributed evenly across all parts of the world. Though every region gets approximately 12 hours of sunlight the day of the vernal equinox, some places get a little more (the day is about 12 hours and 19 minutes in Fairbanks, Alaska), and some get less.

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
The Siege of Macindaw John Flanagan 4/11/25 5/5 - line between black and blue on cover
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja John Flanagan 4/26/25 5/5 - 489 pages, I normally read 200-350 pages
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
The Sorcerer in the North John Flanagan 4/7/25 5/5 - The MC's name is Will
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals
To some people, the spring equinox is more than just the start of spring. Many people around the world celebrate this very important day.
Shunbun no hi is a national holiday in Japan to mark the start of spring. People there spend the week of the vernal equinox visiting their hometowns, spending time with family, eating traditional foods and tending to ancestral graves.

Many ethnicities worldwide - including Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, Turkish, Tajik and Kurdish communities - observe the beginning of the New Year (Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian). Nowruz symbolizes the rebirth of nature and the renewal of life and relationships. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Most importantly for our times, Nowruz celebrates unity, bringing together diverse cultures and ethnicities.

There is an ancient Saxon tale about their lunar (or spring/summer) goddess, Eostre. She found an injured bird and transformed it into a hare to save its life; the transformation was incomplete. In gratitude for saving her, the hare laid eggs (or found them) and decorated them as gifts to Eostre. More likely, it was that rabbits and eggs were both seen as symbols of fertility, and Eostre was the goddess representing spring and fertility. Parts of the myth were eventually absorbed into the more modern Easter celebrations, as both festivals occurred around the same time.

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
The Red Fox Clan John Flanagan 5/13/25 - Maddie (MC) goes back to her hometown after being gone as an apprentice for over a year.
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Erak's Ransom John Flanagan 4/16/25 5/5 - Between the Auraulens (Medieval European culture) and the Arridians (Medieval Middle Eastern culture)
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.
The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning John Flanagan 5/8/25 - Maddie (MC) goes from being disobedient and energetic to mature and responsible


Category 4 Dark and Light
Equinox isn’t just the technical term for a season change. The word derives from the Latin for equal night, which offers a clue about what actually happens during an equinox: daylight hours are roughly equal to darkness hours. Since the Earth rotates on an axis tilted at about 23.5 degrees, the North Pole is usually angled either slightly toward or slightly away from the sun. If it’s angled toward the sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days than nights; if it’s angled away from the sun, nights outlast days. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite occurs. But twice a year, neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun, so they both experience about 12 hours of night and 12 hours of daylight. At this point—the equinox—the sun appears directly overhead along the Equator.

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
The Kings of Clonmel John Flanagan 4/18/25 5/5 - the sword
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Halt's Peril John Flanagan 4/22/25 5/5 - One character is small, and agile, while another is big, muscular, and lumbering.
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.
Duel at Araluen John Flanagan 5/17/25 - Published 12/3/2018 - 3. December 2018


Category 5 Oddities
Spring cleaning might seem like simple good sense - you want to purge your house of debris following a lengthy season of indoor loafing. But there is actually some cultural significance to the annual task. Some theories trace modern spring cleaning back to the Persian New Year of Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring.
Climate scientists recognize a different "First Day of Spring": Astronomers define seasons on the basis of Earth's position around the sun. According to the astronomical calendar, spring and autumn both begin with an equinox. Climate scientists base their calendar on the temperature cycle rather than the astronomical position of the sun — it's easier to calculate statistics and forecast trends using full months and the same dates each year.
The Mayan-built El Castillo pyramid does something unusual on the spring and fall equinoxes. As the sun sets on those days, a snake-like shadow appears to crawl down one flank of the structure. The illusion is produced by the smaller triangular shadows that are cast by individual steps on the pyramid. Historians aren't sure, but this display might've been intended as a tribute to the serpent god Kukulan.

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
The Missing Prince John Flanagan 5/21/25 - Cleaning p38
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
The Lost Stories John Flanagan 5/4/25 - Will (W)
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
The Green Ember S.D. Smith 6/6/25 - One of the MC's, Heather, is learning to be a scientist and a doctor, so she does research and helps people.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
Like a spinning top, our home planet wobbles slightly on its axis. Gravitational forces exerted by the sun and moon are the main reason why it does this. As Earth wobbles, the sun's relationship with the zodiac calendar changes. During the vernal equinox, the sun crosses in front of the constellation Pisces. Or at least that's true these days. Prior to the year 68 B.C.E., the sun used to line up with Aries — another constellation — on the spring equinox. By 2567, the sun will line up with the constellation Aquarius.
Today, the axis points toward the famous "north star," Polaris. But 12,000 years from now, it will shift away from Polaris and aim itself at a different star: Vega. This whole cycle will then repeat itself over the course of 26,000 years.


Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Escape from Falaise John Flanagan 5/24/25 - 6/6 letters
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
The Crown Kiera Cass 5/20/25 - p286, has numbers 2 and 6
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.
The Heir Kiera Cass 4/28/25 5/5 - The main character realizes that she needs to help her father by going through with the selection even though she didn't want to to start with.

COMPLETED THE VERNAL EQUINOX

Opted to read 2 in each category and I accomplished my task.

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

Awesome work Mrs W!!

Completed

I'll try for umbrella... so 3 tasks per category

Progress: 18/18

Category 1 By the Numbers
The first day of spring is March 20, but the spring equinox will be here only for a brief time. At 5:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern time, the sun will be perfectly in line with the equator, resulting in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres receiving equal amounts of sunlight throughout the day. After the vernal equinox has passed, days will start to become shorter for the Southern Hemisphere and longer up north.

Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
The One Kiera Cass 3/25/25 5/5 - Published May 6. 2014
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text Mary Shelley 4/4/25 4/5 - Frankenstein has 12 letters
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
The Battle for Skandia John Flanagan 3/22/25 5/5 stars - 11 books in series
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


Category 2 Equality
The word equinox literally translates to equal (“equi-”) and night (“nox”) in Latin. The term vernal means “new and fresh,” and comes from the Latin word vernus for “of spring.” The equal night and day split between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres isn’t distributed evenly across all parts of the world. Though every region gets approximately 12 hours of sunlight the day of the vernal equinox, some places get a little more (the day is about 12 hours and 19 minutes in Fairbanks, Alaska), and some get less.

Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
The Siege of Macindaw John Flanagan 4/11/25 5/5 - line between black and blue on cover
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja John Flanagan 4/26/25 5/5 - 489 pages, I normally read 200-350 pages
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
The Sorcerer in the North John Flanagan 4/7/25 5/5 - The MC's name is Will
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.


Category 3 Festivals
To some people, the spring equinox is more than just the start of spring. Many people around the world celebrate this very important day.
Shunbun no hi is a national holiday in Japan to mark the start of spring. People there spend the week of the vernal equinox visiting their hometowns, spending time with family, eating traditional foods and tending to ancestral graves.

Many ethnicities worldwide - including Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, Turkish, Tajik and Kurdish communities - observe the beginning of the New Year (Nowruz, which means “new day” in Persian). Nowruz symbolizes the rebirth of nature and the renewal of life and relationships. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Most importantly for our times, Nowruz celebrates unity, bringing together diverse cultures and ethnicities.

There is an ancient Saxon tale about their lunar (or spring/summer) goddess, Eostre. She found an injured bird and transformed it into a hare to save its life; the transformation was incomplete. In gratitude for saving her, the hare laid eggs (or found them) and decorated them as gifts to Eostre. More likely, it was that rabbits and eggs were both seen as symbols of fertility, and Eostre was the goddess representing spring and fertility. Parts of the myth were eventually absorbed into the more modern Easter celebrations, as both festivals occurred around the same time.

Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
The Red Fox Clan John Flanagan 5/13/25 - Maddie (MC) goes back to her hometown after being gone as an apprentice for over a year.
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Erak's Ransom John Flanagan 4/16/25 5/5 - Between the Auraulens (Medieval European culture) and the Arridians (Medieval Middle Eastern culture)
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation.
The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning John Flanagan 5/8/25 - Maddie (MC) goes from being disobedient and energetic to mature and responsible


Category 4 Dark and Light
Equinox isn’t just the technical term for a season change. The word derives from the Latin for equal night, which offers a clue about what actually happens during an equinox: daylight hours are roughly equal to darkness hours. Since the Earth rotates on an axis tilted at about 23.5 degrees, the North Pole is usually angled either slightly toward or slightly away from the sun. If it’s angled toward the sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences longer days than nights; if it’s angled away from the sun, nights outlast days. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite occurs. But twice a year, neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun, so they both experience about 12 hours of night and 12 hours of daylight. At this point—the equinox—the sun appears directly overhead along the Equator.

Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
The Kings of Clonmel John Flanagan 4/18/25 5/5 - the sword
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Halt's Peril John Flanagan 4/22/25 5/5 - One character is small, and agile, while another is big, muscular, and lumbering.
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.
Duel at Araluen John Flanagan 5/17/25 - Published 12/3/2018 - 3. December 2018


Category 5 Oddities
Spring cleaning might seem like simple good sense - you want to purge your house of debris following a lengthy season of indoor loafing. But there is actually some cultural significance to the annual task. Some theories trace modern spring cleaning back to the Persian New Year of Nowruz, which coincides with the first day of spring.
Climate scientists recognize a different "First Day of Spring": Astronomers define seasons on the basis of Earth's position around the sun. According to the astronomical calendar, spring and autumn both begin with an equinox. Climate scientists base their calendar on the temperature cycle rather than the astronomical position of the sun — it's easier to calculate statistics and forecast trends using full months and the same dates each year.
The Mayan-built El Castillo pyramid does something unusual on the spring and fall equinoxes. As the sun sets on those days, a snake-like shadow appears to crawl down one flank of the structure. The illusion is produced by the smaller triangular shadows that are cast by individual steps on the pyramid. Historians aren't sure, but this display might've been intended as a tribute to the serpent god Kukulan.

Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
The Missing Prince John Flanagan 5/21/25 - Cleaning p38
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
The Lost Stories John Flanagan 5/4/25 - Will (W)
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
The Green Ember S.D. Smith 6/6/25 - One of the MC's, Heather, is learning to be a scientist and a doctor, so she does research and helps people.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
Like a spinning top, our home planet wobbles slightly on its axis. Gravitational forces exerted by the sun and moon are the main reason why it does this. As Earth wobbles, the sun's relationship with the zodiac calendar changes. During the vernal equinox, the sun crosses in front of the constellation Pisces. Or at least that's true these days. Prior to the year 68 B.C.E., the sun used to line up with Aries — another constellation — on the spring equinox. By 2567, the sun will line up with the constellation Aquarius.
Today, the axis points toward the famous "north star," Polaris. But 12,000 years from now, it will shift away from Polaris and aim itself at a different star: Vega. This whole cycle will then repeat itself over the course of 26,000 years.


Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Escape from Falaise John Flanagan 5/24/25 - 6/6 letters
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
The Crown Kiera Cass 5/20/25 - p286, has numbers 2 and 6
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.
The Heir Kiera Cass 4/28/25 5/5 - The main character realizes that she needs to help her father by going through with the selection even though she didn't want to to start with.

Awesome work Charlotte!!

Completed as an umbrella instead of a raindrop!

I will join as a raindrop:
✔️Category 1 By the Numbers
🔹Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Wow, No Thank You.: Essays Samantha Irby 24 Mar
🔹Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title.
How to Age Disgracefully Clare Pooley 29 Mar
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it.
🔹Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
The Garden Party and Other Stories Katherine Mansfield 23 May
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.


✔️Category 2 Equality
Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it.
🔹Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
The Wedding People Alison Espach 26 Apr
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
🔹Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX.
Tehrangeles Porochista Khakpour 19 Apr ROXANNA
🔹Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.
Daughter of Fire Sofia Robleda 5 Jun


✔️Category 3 Festivals
🔹Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown):
The Book of Lost Names Kristin Harmel 4 May
🔹Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard:
Five Winters Kitty Johnson 18 May
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE.
🔹Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation:
Anne of Avonlea L.M. Montgomery 24 May


✔️Category 4 Dark and Light
Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT.
🔹Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue:
Death of the Author Nnedi Okorafor 10 Jun
🔹Read a book with something angular on the cover.
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy Jamie Ford 16 May
🔹Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
A Separate Peace John Knowles 3 May (OPPOSING INTERESTS, PERSONALITIES, WORLD VIEWS)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date.


✔️Category 5 Oddities
🔹Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
The Complete Poems William Blake 17 Apr SPRING
🔹Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ.
Wandering Stars Tommy Orange 11 Apr Opal and Orvil
🔹Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
The Wangs vs. the World Jade Chang 6 Jun
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover.


✔️Category 6 The Earth Wobbles On
🔹Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES.
Walden, or Life in the Woods and On the Duty of Civil Disobedience Henry David Thoreau 22 Mar
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
🔹Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number.
Reasons to Stay Alive Matt Haig 29 Mar 261
🔹Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue.:
The Frozen River Ariel Lawhon 15 Jun

Fantastic work Denise!!

Challenge complete - thank-you!
Updated post: My Vernal Equinox Challenge (msg 18)

Level ❱❱ Rainbow ❱❱ 4+ tasks per section
Books read ❱❱ 30

Amazing work LaurLa!!

COMPLETED

TCF's Vernal Equinox Challenge
Duration: March 20, 2025 - June 19, 2025

Level: Rainbow: 4+ tasks per category
Completed: 12/12

Category 1: By the Numbers
Read a book published between March 19 and June 19 of any year.
Read a book that has an 7 letter or longer word in the title. The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton 6/17/25
Read a book from a series with at least 5 books in it. Top Secret Twenty-One - Janet Evanovich 6/14/25
Read a book with two of the numbers from 501 in page number.
Read a book by an author who was born in March of any year.

Category 2: Equality
Read a book that has the words NEW and FRESH in it. Hide - Tracy Clark 6/3/25 (pg. 35 – Had he chosen a new name?; pg. 17 – Fresh start and all that.)
Read a book with a line across the middle of the cover (can be a demarcation between two colors on the cover - does not have to be a line in a separate color).
Read a book that is longer than your usual read (your discretion on interpretation but make an effort, huh?)
Read a book with a MC whose first initial does NOT occur in the word EQUINOX. Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews 6/12/25 (Kate)
Read a book with a character who is a Latino/Latina.

Category 3: Festivals
Read a book where a character returns to their hometown after an absence of more than a year (you can interpret this as someone's childhood hometown or as their current hometown).
Read a book where a scene occurs in a graveyard.
Read a book where two cultures collide - preferably peaceably.
Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EOSTRE. Middle of the Night - Riley Sager 4/13/25
Read a book where the MC goes through some kind of transformation. The Education of Dixie Dupree - Donna Everhart 3/22/25

Category 4: Dark and Light
Read a book whose author's initials are found in the words EQUAL NIGHT. Mousse and Murder - Elizabeth Logan 5/22/25
Read a book where equality of some kind is an issue.
Read a book with something angular on the cover.
Read a book that has two characters who are opposites in it (male/female would work, but maybe try for something a bit more original)
Read a book with the number 12 in the publication date. Undead and Unstable - MaryJanice Davidson 4/22/25 (Published on June 5, 2012)

Category 5: Oddities
Read a book that has either the word SPRING or CLEANING in it.
Read a book whose MC's name begins with a letter in NOWRUZ. Mama Ruby - Mary Monroe 5/25/25 (Ruby)
Read a book where two characters disagree on how to interpret something.
Read a book with a MC who is a scientist.
Read a book with either a snake or a pyramid on the cover. Spring Flowers, Spring Frost - Ismail Kadare 5/8/25

Category 6: The Earth Wobbles On
Read a book whose title begins with a letter in WOBBLES. When Mimi Went Missing - Suja Sukumar 6/9/25
Read a book with a character who believes in astrology - using the zodiac calendar and/or horoscopes.
Read a book with the letters PISCES in the title and/or series name (yes, you need 2 S's).
Read a book with at least 2 of the numbers 2567 in the page number. Sister, Sister - Eric Jerome Dickey 6/11/25 (256 pgs.)
Read a book where the MC comes to understand that they must change direction on some path or issue

Awesome work Caraina!!