Reading with Style discussion
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Summer 2025
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Completed Tasks
15.39: SU 23 Sub-Challenge Summer - FavouritesRead 10 books that fit your favorite 20-point tasks from prior seasons. You must state the season and the task (number and brief description) when posting your book claim.
Fall 2012 20.9 - Elizabeth (Alaska)'s Task - National Author's Day, November 1st: Read a biography of an author, an author's autobiography, memoir or diary, or a non-fiction book about a group of authors.
To the River: A Journey Beneath the Surface by Olivia Laing
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 725
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9; 15.10
15.11; 15.12; 15.13; 15.14; 15.15; 15.16; 15.17; 15.18; 15.19; 15.20
15.21; 15.22; 15.23; 15.24; 15,25; 15.26; 15.27;
15.31; 15.32; 15.33; 15.34; 15.35; 15.36; 15.37; 15.38; 15.39;
15.31 SU 23 Sub-Challenge SummerWinter 2018/2019 20.10 Over and Under 3.75+ rating/<1001 reviews
A Gentleman's Gentleman by T.J. Alexander
15 task
______
15
Running total: 620
Start of third subchallenge15.21 SU 2023 Favorites
Read 10 books that fit your favorite 20-point tasks from prior seasons. State the season and the task.
SP 2024 20.1 The National Gallery
Read a book about a piece of art, an art collection, or which has a visual artist as a main character.
Four Letters of Love by Niall Williams
A main character, William Coughlan, was a painter.
Task total: 15
Season total:375
15.18 Celebration of StylesRead 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles.
Lost in Translation - 2, Non Western - 1, 1001, Canon, Not a Novel - 2, Aged - 1, Young-2
The Jaguar Smile: A Nicaraguan Journey by Salman Rushdie
+15 Task (Not a Novel)
+ 5 Before 2000 (1987)
Task total = 20
Season Total = 290
Note: This takes place entirely in Nicaragua.
15.16 FA 19 Pick N Mix 2B1 - published 2001 or later
Mean Moms by Emma Rosenblum
+15 Task (pub 2025)
Post total: 15
Grand total: 180
15.17 FA 19 Pick N Mix 2B2 - published 1951-2000
Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout
+15 Task (pub 1998)
+5 Old
Post total: 20
Grand total: 200
15.18 FA 19 Pick N Mix 2C4 - Third person narrator
Snow in August by Pete Hamill
+15 Task
+5 Old
Post total: 20
Grand total: 220
15.19 FA 19 Pick N Mix 2D6 - literary fiction
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
+15 Task
Post total: 15
Grand total: 235
15.7 SU 24 DecathlonTask 10.8 Pole Vault
Winner of certain awards
The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
+15 Task (won the Hugo in 2019)
Post total: 15
Grand total: 250
15.36WI 10-11 How to Play "Backpacking through Europe"
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Air traveler
Honingeter
Tülin Erkan 208 p. 3 julyVisited:
1. Iceland
2. The Nettherlands
3. Uk
4. Italy
5. Greece
6. Turkey
15 points
Total: 670 points
15.32 SU 23 Sub-Challenge SummerWinter 2018/2019 20.10 Over and Under 3.75+ rating/<1001 reviews
Mystery and Malice aboard RMS Ballast by P.J. Fitzsimmons
15 task
______
15
Running total: 635
15.12 – SU 22 BINGOConfusion by Elizabeth Jane Howard
N38 - NICKEL: first letter of title is found of "nickel"
+15 Task
+5 Old (published 1993)
Task total = 20
Points total = 180
FA 23 Celebration of Styles: 9/10
SU 22 BINGO: 2/10
15.13 – SU 22 BINGOCasting Off by Elizabeth Jane Howard
O74 - Title has On, Off, Out, Over, Only
+15 Task
+5 Old (published 1995)
Task total = 20
Points total = 200
FA 23 Celebration of Styles: 9/10
SU 22 BINGO: 3/10
Sub-Challenge # 1. FA 17 Reading Globally. Each book set in a different country. Each country begins w a different letter.15.10 Egypt -- The Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
Task + 15
Oldie (1981) + 5
Completion Bonus + 50
Task Total = 70
Grand Total = 370
Countries so far:
Turks & Caicos
Mexico
United States
Antarctica
French Polynesia
Greece
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Bangladesh
Peru
Egypt
Also: I managed to get a country from each continent -- no extra points, but it was a goal:
North America Turks & Caicos
Mexico
United States
Antarctica Antarctica
Australia/Oceania French Polynesia
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Europe Greece
Asia Bangladesh
South America Peru
Africa Egypt
15.12 SU24 Olympic ScavengerMadam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart
Wrestling - Option B:
Find the word in the text. It must match one of the above words exactly, no variations. In this case, the word does not have to relate to the sport: so "he was wrestling with his emotions" works for "wrestling"; "he gave the horse a carrot" works for "horse or horse-riding"; but "wrestled" or "horses" wouldn't work.
(For other languages see the end of the next post in this thread)
Please quote the sentence containing the word when you post.
+15 Task "She smiled at me again, and hurried towards Junior, who was wrestling with his Kodak at a cafe table." (Ch. 6)
+05 Old (1955)
Task total: 20
Season total: 235+20=255
15.37WI 10-11 How to Play "Backpacking through Europe"
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Air traveler
De doden van de Pont Neuf
Alex LépicVisited:
1. Iceland
2. The Nettherlands
3. Uk
4. Italy
5. Greece
6. Turkey
7. France
15 points
Total: 685 points
15.27 - FA 21 How to Play Counting on AuthorsRead 10 books by 10 different authors* where the letters (no spaces or punctuation counted) in the entire published name are:
9 or fewer letters
10 letters
11 letters
12 letters
13 letters
14 letters
15 letters
16-17 letters
18-19 letters
20 or more letters
Free From Sin by Karen Ann Hopkins
+15 - 15 letters
Task total: 15
Grand total: 515
15.28 - FA 21 How to Play Counting on AuthorsRead 10 books by 10 different authors* where the letters (no spaces or punctuation counted) in the entire published name are:
9 or fewer letters
10 letters
11 letters
12 letters
13 letters
14 letters
15 letters
16-17 letters
18-19 letters
20 or more letters
The Girl Who Lied by Shannon Hollinger
+15 task - 16-17 letters
Task total: 15
Grand total: 530
15.25 - FA 21 How to Play Counting on AuthorsRead 10 books by 10 different authors* where the letters (no spaces or punctuation counted) in the entire published name are:
9 or fewer letters
10 letters
11 letters
12 letters
13 letters
14 letters
15 letters
16-17 letters
18-19 letters
20 or more letters
The Harlech Beach Killings by Simon McCleave
+15 task - 13 letters
Task total: 15
Grand total: 545
15.26 - FA 21 How to Play Counting on AuthorsRead 10 books by 10 different authors* where the letters (no spaces or punctuation counted) in the entire published name are:
9 or fewer letters
10 letters
11 letters
12 letters
13 letters
14 letters
15 letters
16-17 letters
18-19 letters
20 or more letters
None the Wiser by Rachel Amphlett
+15 task - 14 letters
Task total: 15
Grand total: 560
15.38WI 10-11 How to Play "Backpacking through Europe"
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Air traveler
Dromenvanger Unni Lindell
Visited:
1. Iceland
2. The Nettherlands
3. Uk
4. Italy
5. Greece
6. Turkey
7. France
8. Norway
15 points + 5 old
Total: 705 points
15.20 BINGO Summer 2022The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland by Michelle Young
15 pts 15.20 BINGO B5 Biography, Autobiography or Memoir
50 pts Subchallenge finish
Total Task: 65 pts
Total Season: 250 pts
O75 15.11
O68 15.12
O65 15.13
O69 15.14
O63 15.15. BINGO 5 Os
B3 15.16
I21 15.17
B4 15.18
I30 15.19
B5 15.20
15.22 FA 19 Pick 'n Mix 2The goal is to read 10 books that fit in 10 different sub-categories. No letter can be used more than twice and no number can be used more than twice.
F2. Author name begins E-H
Period Piece by Gwen Raverat
+15 Task
+ 5 Old (1952)
Task total = 20
Season total = 595
15.23 FA 19 Pick 'n Mix 2The goal is to read 10 books that fit in 10 different sub-categories. No letter can be used more than twice and no number can be used more than twice.
A3. Set in Europe
Rumpole of the Bailey by John Mortimer
+15 Task (100% in UK)
+ 5 Old (1978)
Task total = 20
Season total = 615
15.40: SU 23 Sub-Challenge Summer - FavouritesRead 10 books that fit your favorite 20-point tasks from prior seasons. You must state the season and the task (number and brief description) when posting your book claim.
Fall 2013 20.1 - In honor of the 100th anniversary of the publication of Swann's Way, read a book originally written in French by an author born in France.
The Moustache by Emmanuel Carrère
+15 task
+5 oldies
+ 150 for 3rd completion
Post Total: 170
Season Total: 895
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9; 15.10
15.11; 15.12; 15.13; 15.14; 15.15; 15.16; 15.17; 15.18; 15.19; 15.20
15.21; 15.22; 15.23; 15.24; 15,25; 15.26; 15.27;
15.31; 15.32; 15.33; 15.34; 15.35; 15.36; 15.37; 15.38; 15.39; 15.40
15.28: WI 13/14 Travel the Pacific RimRead 10 books, from 10 different countries according to the list in post 2.
Human Acts by Han Kang
South Korea
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 910
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9; 15.10
15.11; 15.12; 15.13; 15.14; 15.15; 15.16; 15.17; 15.18; 15.19; 15.20
15.21; 15.22; 15.23; 15.24; 15,25; 15.26; 15.27; 15.28;
15.31; 15.32; 15.33; 15.34; 15.35; 15.36; 15.37; 15.38; 15.39; 15.40
15.41: FA23 Celebration of Styles (2)Read 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles. ... Your books will fit at least four of the styles, with no more than 5 of any one style.
On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle
LiT
LiT 1
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 925
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9; 15.10
15.11; 15.12; 15.13; 15.14; 15.15; 15.16; 15.17; 15.18; 15.19; 15.20
15.21; 15.22; 15.23; 15.24; 15,25; 15.26; 15.27; 15.28;
15.31; 15.32; 15.33; 15.34; 15.35; 15.36; 15.37; 15.38; 15.39; 15.40
15.41
15.37 SP20 BlackjackTo make a "hand" combine two to five cards so that the sum for any book totals 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21. Careful! You can use a card only once.
The Witch’s Lens by Luanne G. Smith
10 of hearts: historical fic set at least 100 years before first pub. date: set during WWI and while it didn't have exact setting dates it was definitely before the end of the war, in 1918; first published in 2023
A of spades: first in a series: first in The Order of the Seven Stars series =
20 point hand
Task total: 15
Season total: 730
15.32 SU 23 FavoritesRead 10 books that fit your favorite 20-point tasks from prior seasons. State the season and the task (number and brief description).
FA 22 20.9 ABCs
Read a book in which the author's initials appear in alphabetical order.
A Rare Interest in Corpses by Ann Granger
+15 Task
Task total = 15
Season total = 630
15.6 SU 18 Listopia TagRead 10 books found on 10 different Listopia lists using different list 'tags' for selection.
A Grave in the Woods by Martin Walker
List: Trees Woods Forests
Tag: woods
+15 task
Season total: 140
15.19 WI 11-12 "Christmas in Vegas"The Draining Lake (Inspector Erlendur #6) by Arnaldur Indriðason
Author's last initial: I-J-K
Page length: 381-420/781-820 (400)
Published date: 2001-2012 (2004)
+15 Task
Post total: 15
Season total: 530
15.22 SU 2023 FavoritesRead 10 books that fit your favorite 20-point tasks from prior seasons.
The World of Apples by John Cheever
WI 2022-23 20.8 Short
Read a book of short stories.
+15 task
+ 5 oldie (pub 1973)
Task total: 20
Season total: 395
Sub Challenge #4Growing Genres from SP 23 by Kate
Pick your favorite genre and spend some time seeing how it has grown over the years.
Read 10 books by 10 different authors. All 10 books should be from the same genre. Books must be published no fewer than 5 years apart and must cover an overall spread of at least 50 years.
I selected Mystery:
Shadow of the Solstice by Anne Hillerman 2025
The Scarred Woman by Jussi Adler-Olsen 2017
Death in Brittany by Jean-Luc Bannalec 2012
To Darkness and to Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming 2005
Shadow Prey by John Sandford 1990
A Pocketful of Rye by Agatha Christie 1953
A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey 1936
The Red House Mystery by A A Milne 1922
15.32 - 1967
Those Who Walk Away by Patricia Highsmith
+15 Task
+ 5 Old
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 530
Sub Challenge #4Growing Genres from SP 23 by Kate
Pick your favorite genre and spend some time seeing how it has grown over the years.
Read 10 books by 10 different authors. All 10 books should be from the same genre. Books must be published no fewer than 5 years apart and must cover an overall spread of at least 50 years.
I selected Mystery:
The Scarred Woman by Jussi Adler-Olsen 2017
Death in Brittany by Jean-Luc Bannalec 2012
To Darkness and to Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming 2005
Shadow Prey by John Sandford 1990
A Pocketful of Rye by Agatha Christie 1953
A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey 1936
The Red House Mystery by A A Milne 1922
15.33 - 2025
Shadow of the Solstice: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel by Anne Hillerman
+15 Task
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 545
Sub Challenge #4Growing Genres from SP 23 by Kate
Pick your favorite genre and spend some time seeing how it has grown over the years.
Read 10 books by 10 different authors. All 10 books should be from the same genre. Books must be published no fewer than 5 years apart and must cover an overall spread of at least 50 years.
I selected Mystery:
The Scarred Woman by Jussi Adler-Olsen 2017
Death in Brittany by Jean-Luc Bannalec 2012
To Darkness and to Death by Julia Spencer-Fleming 2005
Shadow Prey by John Sandford 1990
A Pocketful of Rye by Agatha Christie 1953
A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey 1936
15.34 - 1922
The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne
+15 Task
+ 5 Old
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 565
15.5 FA23 - A Celebration of StylesRead 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles.
Trust Her by Flynn Berry
+15 Task (Young style - born in 1986 - https://www.booknotification.com/auth...)
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 140
15.6 FA23 - A Celebration of StylesRead 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
+15 Task (Young style - born in 1977 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Ware)
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 155
15.15 FA15 Travel the USRead 10 books, each set in a different US State or Washington, DC. The setting will be more than 50% in the designated state.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
+15 Task (set 100% in Vermont)
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 170
15.16 FA15 Travel the USRead 10 books, each set in a different US State or Washington, DC. The setting will be more than 50% in the designated state.
The Rivals by Jane Pek
+15 Task (set 100% in New York)
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 185
Sub Challenge #3Celebration of Styles from Fall 2023 by Elizabeth
Read 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles.
Styles for this sub-challenge:
Lost in Translation
Non Western
1001
Canon
Not a Novel
Aged / 70 or older
Young / 50 or younger
15.22 - Lost in Translation
Supporting Act by Agnes Lidbeck
+15 Task
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 580
Sub Challenge #3Celebration of Styles from Fall 2023 by Elizabeth
Read 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles.
Styles for this sub-challenge:
Lost in Translation
Non Western
1001
Canon
Not a Novel
Aged / 70 or older
Young / 50 or younger
15.23 - Lost in Translation
Un amor by Sara Mesa
+15 Task
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 595
Sub Challenge #3Celebration of Styles from Fall 2023 by Elizabeth
Read 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles.
Styles for this sub-challenge:
Lost in Translation
Non Western
1001
Canon
Not a Novel
Aged / 70 or older
Young / 50 or younger
15.24 - Lost in Translation
The Love of Singular Men by Victor Heringer
+15 Task
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 610
Sub Challenge #3Celebration of Styles from Fall 2023 by Elizabeth
Read 10 books by 10 different authors where each would qualify for one of the below RwS styles.
Styles for this sub-challenge:
Lost in Translation
Non Western
1001
Canon
Not a Novel
Aged / 70 or older
Young / 50 or younger
15.25 - Young
Born: 1977 (age 48 years)
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
+15 Task
Task Total: 15
Season Total: 625
15.38 SP20 BlackjackTo make a "hand" combine two to five cards so that the sum for any book totals 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21. Careful! You can use a card only once.
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
7 of clubs: original published date '70s of any century: 1976
10 of diamonds: series has 10+ titles: this was the 12th installment of Miss Marple =
17 point hand
+15 Task
+5 Old
Task total: 20
Season total: 750
15.20 Fall 2013 Pick ‘n’ MixFor this challenge, there are 6 categories (A-F) each divided into 6 sub-categories (1-6). For each task, read a book that fits a sub-category. No letter and no number can be used more than twice. Used so far, including this task: A A B C C D D E E F 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 so these remain: B F 2 6.
E6 (E=Genre, 6=non-fiction, Dewey decimal 500-999)
Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon
+15 Task (biography with Dewey decimal 828.6: English misc writings 1745-1799)
+5 Big (649 pages)
+50 Sub-challenge completion
Post total: 70
Season total: 325
15.21 Spring 2024 How Does Your Garden Grow?For this challenge, each book plants one or more flowers, veggies or herbs from a specific list, without repeats. Flowers: all letters of the flower in the book title. Veggies: setting (city, state, country, planet) starts with the same letter as the veggie. Herbs: page count contains the number of letters in that herb.
Planted so far, including this post: rue, dill
The Comfort of Ghosts by Jacqueline Winspear
Planting herbs rue (3) and dill (4)
+15 Task (page count 342)
Post total: 15
Season total: 340
15.22 Spring 2024 How Does Your Garden Grow?For this challenge, each book plants one or more flowers, veggies or herbs from a specific list, without repeats. Flowers: all letters of the flower in the book title. Veggies: setting (city, state, country, planet) starts with the same letter as the veggie. Herbs: page count contains the number of letters in that herb.
Planted so far, including this post: rue, dill, potato, fennel
Missing Person by Patrick Modiano
Planting veggies potato and fennel
+15 Task (set 95% in Paris, France)
+5 Old (pub’d 1978)
Post total: 20
Season total: 360
15.23 Spring 2024 How Does Your Garden Grow?For this challenge, each book plants one or more flowers, veggies or herbs from a specific list, without repeats. Flowers: all letters of the flower in the book title. Veggies: setting (city, state, country, planet) starts with the same letter as the veggie. Herbs: page count contains the number of letters in that herb.
Planted so far, including this post: rue, dill, potato, fennel, leek, endive
Girls in Their Married Bliss by Edna O'Brien
Planting veggies leek and endive
+15 Task (set ~90% in London, England)
+5 Old (pub’d 1964)
Post total: 20
Season total: 380
15.24 Spring 2024 How Does Your Garden Grow?For this challenge, each book plants one or more flowers, veggies or herbs from a specific list, without repeats. Flowers: all letters of the flower in the book title. Veggies: setting (city, state, country, planet) starts with the same letter as the veggie. Herbs: page count contains the number of letters in that herb.
Planted so far, including this post: rue, dill, potato, fennel, leek, endive, lily
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Planting a flower lily
+15 Task (Tell Me Everything)
Post total: 15
Season total: 395
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Reading with Style
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Read 10 books that fit your favorite 20-point tasks from prior seasons. You must state the season and the task (number and brief description) when posting your book claim.
Winter 2010-11 20.3 – Shortest Day/Month of the Year:
Winter contains the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, as well as February, the shortest month of the year. Read a book with a short title...so short that it only consists of one word.
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 710
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9; 15.10
15.11; 15.12; 15.13; 15.14; 15.15; 15.16; 15.17; 15.18; 15.19; 15.20
15.21; 15.22; 15.23; 15.24; 15,25; 15.26; 15.27;
15.31; 15.32; 15.33; 15.34; 15.35; 15.36; 15.37; 15.38