Tuesday, December 18, 2018

24 Festive Tasks | Update #5



I do believe that since my last update (which feels like a very, very long time ago), I've completed A LOT of new tasks!

I finally finished reading Jurassic Park and Midnight Sacrifice, (for Dia de los Muertos and Thanksgiving, respectively) thus adding to my completed Book Tasks.  On top of that, I decided to go ahead and claim two other books for two more doors--I kind of have a feeling that, at the rate I'm reading, I will probably not get to all of the books I very much want to read for this game.  So, the books I've already read since November, I'm going to go ahead and insert them into whatever Book Task they will fit.

 Dim Sum of All Fears has been claimed for Human Rights Day Book Task, and The Woman Left Behind has been claimed for Armistice Day.

Meanwhile, I discovered that I'd been counting all of my Melbourne Cup Day Non-book Tasks as complete, when I had yet to complete all of them.  I had the task marked complete on my tracking board, but in fact, I never actually updated the original post to reflect that--this has been rectified, and a new update has been posted to the main door post.  Task 3 is officially completed.

I've updated the Thanksgiving post to also reflect another completed non-book task, Task 3.

New door completions include:  Sinterklass (Tasks 1 & 4); Human Rights Day (Tasks 1, 2, 3, as well as book task mentioned above); St. Lucia's Day (Task 4); and Yuletide (Tasks 1, 2, 3).

With the revealing of the last seven door's non-book tasks, I will probably have a lot more posts rolling out this week, and possibly one last update before wrapping up as the end of the month draws near!


The Festive Card:




 Peek-a-Boo Penni Claus = Completed Book Task
Magnetic "Elfin" Monkey = Completed Non-Book Tasks


My Progress:


Overall Total Points Earned:  55
Books Read:  7
Tasks Completed:  48

Previous Update Posts:
24 Festive Tasks | Ani's Tracking Post Randomness
24 Festive Tasks | Update #1
24 Festive Tasks | It's Monday! Style - Random Book Update #1
24 Festive Tasks | Update #2
24 Festive Tasks | Update #3
24 Festive Tasks | It's Monday! Style - Random Book Update #2
24 Festive Tasks | Update #4


 Current Tasks:
  • Door 14 | Hanukkah Task 2 -- Looking for more candles...
  • Door 23 | Hogswatch Book Task -- Reading The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
  • Door 12 | St. Andrew's Day Book Task -- Reading Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming

**For my own sanity purposes, I will link the main post for each door at the top of each table.  All tasks listed under 'My Activity' will more than likely be found at the main post; otherwise, the link will be included for that particular task if a separate post is published outside of the main post, such as book reviews.  Thanks!**



Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Re-read an old favorite from a now-deceased author, a book from a finished (dead) series, or a book set in Mexico. Read:
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton		 12/10/2018
Task 1 Write a silly poem or limerick poking fun at the fiction character of your choice. -- SKIP-- I don't poem... XX
Task 2 Share your favorite gravestone epitaph (you know you have one). Posted Activity:
Two epitaphs found - one with Kay's fudge recipe		 11/04/2018
Task 3 Create an altar (either digital or physical) for your favorite book, series, or book character, and post a picture of it. Inclusion of book cover encouraged. -- SKIP -- No ideas for this one XX
Task 4 If you like Mexican food, treat yourself to your favorite dish and share a photo of it. Posted Activity:
Tamales at home for lunch!		 11/10/2018



Door 2:  Guy Fawkes Night (November 5)
Total Points Earned:  3

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Set in the UK, political thrillers, involving any monarchy or revolution; books about arson or related to burning. Possible Reads:
-- The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
-- Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts		 TBA
Task 1 Burn a book in effigy. Not that anyone of us would do such a thing, but if you HAD to, which book would be the one you’d sacrifice to the flames (gleefully or not)? Posted:
Chose book: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa		 11/05/2018
Task 2 List your top 3 treasonous crimes against books. Not ones you’ve committed, but the ones you think are the worst. Posted:
1) Burning; 2) Defacing; 3) Borrowing and not returning, or returning damaged		 11/05/2018
Task 3 Share your favorite / most memorable BBQ recollections or recipe, or your favorite recipe for food “flambé” (i.e., doused with alcohol which is then set aflame and allowed to burn off). Posted:
Korean BBQ for the wins!		 11/05/2018
Task 4 Find 5 uses of the word “gunpowder” in book titles in contexts other than for blowing up things or shooting people (e.g., Gunpowder Green by Laura Childs = tea). -- Will probably SKIP this one -- XX




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book About horses or a horse on the cover. Books with roses on the cover or about gardening; anything set in Australia. Possible Reads:
The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley		 TBA
Task 1 Pick your ponies! MbD will post the horses scheduled to race as soon as they’re released; everyone picks the three they think will finish (in any order). Finished Activity:
Horses chosen / Winners announced / no bonus points		 11/06/2018
Task 2 Cup day is all about the hats. Post a picture of your favorite hat, whether it’s one you own or not. Posted:
My cadet hat and my 'This is my happy face' hat!		 11/06/2018
Task 3 The coloring of the “horse of a different color” in the movie version of The Wizard of Oz was created by rubbing the horse’s fur with jello. What’s the weirdest use of jello you’ve ever come across? Posted:
Jello as hair dye.  A short memory from high school		 12/17/2018
Task 4 Have you ever been to or participated in a competition involving horses (racing, jumping, dressage, whatever)? Tell us about it. Photos welcome, too! Posted Activity:
My first horse track racing experience in Dallas!		 11/06/2018



Door 4:  Diwali (November 7)
Total Points Earned:  2

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read a book with candles on the cover or the word “candle” or “light” in the title; OR a book that is the latest in a series; OR set in India; OR any non-fiction book that is ‘illuminating’ (Diwali is Sanskrit for light/knowledge and row, line or series) Possible Read:
The Governess Game by Tessa Dare		 TBA
Task 1 Share a picture of your favorite light display. -- Gonna just SKIP -- XX
Task 2 Cleaning is a big part of this holiday; choose one of your shelves, real or virtual, and tidy / organise it.  Give us the before and after photos. OR Tidy up 5 of the books on your BookLikes shelves by adding the CORRECT cover, and/or any other missing information.  (If in doubt, see here: State of the Database: BookLikes database, Halloween Bingo, and a mini-rant - with pictures.). -- Probably going to SKIP this one -- XX
Task 3 Eating sweets is also a big part of Diwali. Either select a recipe for a traditional sweet, or make a family favorite and share a picture with us. Posted Activity:
So many sweet soups!		 11/25/2018
Task 4 During Diwali, people pray to the goddess Lakhshmi, who is typically depicted as a beautiful young woman holding a lotus flower.  Find 5 books on your shelves (either physical or virtual) whose covers show a young woman holding a flower and share their cover images. Posted Activity:
Five books with young women holding flower; found with some difficulty, but successful!		 11/08/2018




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any book involving wars, battles, where characters are active military or veterans, or with poppies on the cover. Read on 11/11/18 / retroactively claimed:
The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard		 12/17/2018
Task 1 Using book covers (real or virtual), create a close approximation of your country’s flag (either of residence or birth), OR a close approximation of a poppy. Take a pic of your efforts and post. Posted Activitiy:
The Penni Book Cover Poppy!!  With Monkey, too!		 11/13/2018
Task 2 Make an offer of peace (letter, gift, whatever) to a book character who has particularly annoyed you this year. -- SKIPPING this one -- XX
Task 3 Tell us: What author’s books would you consider yourself a veteran of (i.e., by which author have you read particularly many books – or maybe even all of them)? Posted:
Jayne Ann Krentz / Honorable Mention goes to Jill Shalvis		 11/13/2018
Task 4 Treat yourself to a slice of poppy seedcake and post a photo. If you want to make it yourself, try out this recipe:
Poppy Seed Cake @ tastesbetterfromscratch.com
… or this one:
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake @ bbcgoodfood.com		 -- SKIPPING this one too -- XX




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any fiction/non-fiction about tolerance or a book that’s outside your normal comfort zone. (Tolerance can encompass anything you generally struggle with, be it sentient or not.) OR Read a book set in Paris. Possible Reads:
TBA		 TBA
Task 1 Find some redeeming quality in the book you liked least this year and post about it. Posted Activity:
Chose book, This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan		 11/19/2018
Task 2 Tell us: What are the tropes (up to 5) that you are not willing to live with in any book (i.e., which are absolutely beyond your capacity for tolerance) and which make that book an automatic DNF for you? (Insta-love? Love triangles? First person present narrative voice? Talking animals? The dog dies? What else?) Posted Activity:
Long-winded talk about 5 tropes -- see main post		 11/19/2018
Task 3 The International Day for Tolerance is a holiday declared by an international organization (UNESCO). Create a charter (humorous, serious, whatever strikes your fancy) for an international organization of readers. -- Going to SKIP this one -- XX
Task 4 UNESCO is based in Paris. Paris is known for its pastries and its breads: Either find a baker that specializes in pastries and bring home an assortment for your family, or make your own pastries using real butter and share a photo with us. Posted Activity:
French Macaroons!!		 11/19/2018



Door 7:  Mawlid (November 20)
Total Points Earned:  4

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book If you can find a copy, read Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. Or read any book about a leader of a movement, nation, religion or large group, OR read a book with a green cover OR with a half moon on the cover. Possible Reads:
Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier		 TBA
Task 1 Make two “prophesies” you think will come to fruition in 2019 in your personal or reading life. Posted:
Prophesies for cleaning and purging!		 11/20/2018
Task 2 The Five Pillars of Islam include almsgiving and the pilgrimage to Mekka. Tell us: Have you ever donated books or rescued them from (horror of horrors) being trashed? Alternatively: Is there a book-related place that is a place of pilgrimage to you? Posted:
I have donated books to the library and Goodwill!		 11/20/2018
Task 3 Prophets are messengers. Tell us: Which book characters are your favorite messengers (no matter whether humans, angels, (demi)gods, etc.)? Posted:
Messengers chosen: 1) Hedwig / 2) Ponies / 3) GLaDOS... Oh My!		 11/20/2018
Task 4 Muhammad was a merchant before becoming a religious leader. List 5 books on your shelves in which a key character makes / undergoes a radical career change. Posted:
5 characters listed -- see main door post above		 11/20/2018



Door 8:  Penance Day (November 21)
Total Points Earned:  3

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any book concerning a man / woman of the cloth, a book about a character hiding a guilty secret or searching for absolution. Possible Reads:
TBA		 TBA
Task 1 “Confess” your book habits. Dog-earring? Laying books face down? Bending back the spines? Skimming? OR: Confess your guilty reading pleasure, or comfort reads. Posted:
Habits confessed!  And also, comfort reads are obviously Romantic Suspense, right?		 11/24/2018
Task 2 It’s “Pennants” day according to MbD’s husband: post a picture of your favorite team’s logo / mascot and the last time they’ve won a championship (or not). -- SKIPPING -- COMPLETED
I don't sports... but...
Per our lovely game host, I get to count my 'Team Book Nerd' pennant!		 11/24/2018
Task 3 In centuries gone by, penance would often end up in what might be described as a very extended bad hair day (complete with sackcloth and ashes). Tell us: What’s a bad hair day to you – and what (if anything) do you do about it? Posted:
Everyday is a bad hair day.		 11/24/2018
Task 4 Early Christian spiritualists would sometimes do penance by spending time in the desert. If you’ve ever visited a desert region (or even live there), post a picture and tell us about it. Alternatively, post a picture of sand dunes (NOT with water in the background!). -- Probably SKIP -- XX



Door 9:  Thanksgiving (November 22)
Total Points Earned:  5

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Autumnal covers, set in New England, or a turkey shows up in the story. Read:
Midnight Sacrifice by Melinda Leigh		 12/09/2018
Task 1 List the 3 books you’ve read this year you’re most “thankful” for (your favs) or the one book you’ve ever read that changed your life for the better. Posted:
Listed books!  Four total instead of three.		 11/25/2018
Task 2 Describe your perfect meal. What would you cook for the perfect celebration, or, what would you have your imaginary personal chef cook for you? Posted:
Chinese seafood banquet feast!		 11/25/2018
Task 3 Name a book you’ve read this year that you thought was full of “stuffing”. Posted:
Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright // Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts		 12/13/2018
Task 4 Show us your 2018 book “harvest” – the books you newly acquired this year, regardless whether bought, received as gift or in whichever other way. Posted:
About 20+ books listed		 11/25/2018




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read a book that takes place at sea or on a river OR with water on the cover OR where the plot involves a festival or the moon plays a pivotal role in the plot. Possible Reads:
TBA		 TBA
Task 1 Make a paper boat and post a picture of it. Instructions, if needed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiAWx8odStA Posted Activity:
Fleet of ships!
And a Supplementary Post!		 11/26/2018
Task 2 If you’ve ever attended a procession or an event involving festively decked out boats, post a picture and tell us about it. -- SKIP! --
I've never attended one of these.		 XX
Task 3 Bon Om Touk celebrates the end of the rainy season. Tell us: What’s your favorite type of rainy day book – and do you have a favorite drink or snack to go with your rainy day reading? Photos welcome! Posted:
Any books! But especially Rom-Suspense. With hot tea and sweets.		 11/26/2018
Task 4 Which are your 3 favorite books where a key character is “moonlighting”? Posted:
Characters/books chosen - see main post.		 11/26/2018




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read a book set in Russia, or involving a story within a story / play within a play (like the Russian matryoshka dolls stuck inside each other), or where a key character (not necessarily the protagonist) is a mother. Possible Reads:
TBA		 TBA
Task 1 Tell us: What is the mother of all writerly sins in your book (tropes, grammar mistakes, telling instead of showing, etc.)? Posted:
The sin: Not respecting the craft.		 12/01/2018
Task 2 Do you have a favorite Mothers’ Day memory that you are happy to share? Photos welcome but optional. Posted:
A random Mothers' Day memory.		 12/01/2018
Task 3 Perhaps the best-known scene in the James Bond novel and film From Russia With Love is 007 being poisoned by Russian agent Rosa Klebb with a venom-laced blade hidden in her shoe. Tell us: Have you ever owned any particular / outrageous / funny / best-beloved or otherwise special pair of shoes?  Post a photo if you should still own them. Posted:
Oh my, shoes!  I love shoes!  I have a lot of shoes!		 12/01/2018
Task 4 Make a traditional Russian dish like borscht, blintzes, pirogi or solyanka soup, and share a picture with us. Find recipe suggestions here: https://www.expatica.com/ru/about/Top-10-Russian-foods-and-recipes_108678.html In Progress:
Going to try this one.		 TBA




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Andrew was the first apostle; read the first book in a series.  OR: Andrew and Peter were brothers; read a book about brothers.  OR: Read books about or set in Scotland or by a Scottish author, or set in Charleston, South Carolina (which is where the celebrations as we know them today began – by a group of Scottish expats – according to scotland.org). Current Read:
Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming		 TBA
Task 1 Nominate someone for sainthood.  Who?  Why? -- SKIP -- XX
Task 2 St Andrew is revered in many countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, where he worked as a Christian missionary, long before his relics were brought to Scotland centuries later. – Tell us: Is there a book (regardless whether fiction or nonfiction) for which you would basically walk up to strangers and tell them: “Read this!”? What would you say and do to get people to read that particular book? Posted Thoughts:
I'm not likely to recommend books, to be honest.		 12/06/2018
Task 3 Legend has it that the saltire or St. Andrew’s cross (white on an azure background) – which constitutes the national flag of Scotland – originated as a cloud formation, symbolizing St. Andrew’s being crucified on an X-shaped cross rather than an upright one.  Do you have any pictures of unusual cloud formations?  If so, share them with us! -- Gonna SKIP -- XX
Task 4 The town of St. Andrews, where the saint’s bones ended up in the course of the spread of Christianity to Scotland, is also famous for its golf course and tournament.  List your 3 favorite books where golf is key to the plot. -- SKIP, most likely -- XX



Door 13:  Advent (December 1)
Total Points Earned:  2

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Advent also means “second coming”: Read a pastiche, or a book written by an “authorised author” by the deceased author’s estate. OR: There are four Sundays in Advent. Read the fourth book of a series or a book with the word “four” in the title. Possible Reads:
Devil in the Deadline by LynDee Walker		 TBA
Task 1 Post a picture of your advent calendar - store bought or homemade. Posted:
It's Wine O'Clock Somewhere!		 12/06/2018
Task 2 The holidays season is in full swing – tell us: What’s your favorite tradition? Posted:
No real traditions...		 12/06/2018
Task 3 The tradition of carol singing in the Advent / holiday season is linked to the old Anglo-Saxon (and medieval) custom of wassailing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassailing). Prepare an apple cider wassail bowl or a wassail bowl containing your favorite drink or fruit. Post a picture and enjoy! Possible Activities:
I might try this one at some point.  =D		 TBA
Task 4 Make your own Advent wreath and share a picture of it. Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWw83CCa2cg -- SKIP, SKIP, SKIP! --
Nope, nope, nope...		 XX



Door 14:  Hanukkah (December 2 - 10)
Total Points Earned:  4

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read a book about light, miracles, characters who are Jewish or books set in Israel. OR: Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the second temple in the second century; read the second book in a series or a book with the word “second” or “two” in the title. Read on 11/10/18 / retroactively claimed:
Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire		 12/01/2018
Task 1 Have you had any miracles in your life?  (Kids are a given.)  Just enough change for tolls?  Just enough gas to get you to the station?  Been tragically late for a flight only to find the flight was even more tragically delayed?  Nothing is too small - share your miracles with us! Posted:
Lots of miracles.		 12/07/2018
Task 2 Light 9 candles each representing something you’re thankful for (share a picture with us; sharing anything else is optional). In Progress:
Need more candles...		 TBA
Task 3 Have a donut – and let us share it via a photo. Homemade donuts and shared recipes encouraged … but any donut will do just fine. Posted:
Had a donut!  It was chocolate!		 12/07/2018
Task 4 A miracle crucial to Hanukkah is the Miracle of the cruse of oil, which concerns a jug of oil that (ostensibly) only contained enough oil for a single day, but miraculously turned out to last all of eight days. – Miracles aside, tell us: Have you ever experienced that something you had bought or you owned lasted a lot longer than anticipated … or where you expected a shortage which then fortuitously didn’t occur after all? Posted:
Work place supplies... and at home everlasting conditioner.		 12/07/2018




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any book with an orange or red cover or with nuts, chocolate or coins on the cover, set in The Netherlands or Germany, by a Dutch or German author, or with canals or beer on the cover. Possible Reads:
TBA		 TBA
Task 1 Write a book wish list to St. Nick. Posted:
One big list, coming right up!		 12/11/2018
Task 2 You are King / Queen for the day and can have 3 ‘wishes’: one for yourself, one for your community (however you define it), and one for the world: What are they? -- Possible SKIP -- XX
Task 3 If your holiday family traditions should include bowls or plates filled with gingerbread, cookies, oranges / tangerines, chocolate, nuts and the like, share a photo with us! -- Possible SKIP -- XX
Task 4 List your 3 favorite books involving children being rescued from serious peril. Posted:
Including: 'The Graveyard Book', 'Ghost Bride' & 'Seraphina'		 12/11/2018




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any book with strong female characters, or written by an author from any minority group; any story about a minority overcoming their oppressors either individually or as a group. OR: A book set in New York City. Read on 11/27/18 / retroactively claimed:
Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien		 12/17/2018
Task 1 Book hunt for human rights: Search your shelves for books with titles containing human rights words such as (but not limited to): hope, friendship, equality, justice, love, liberty, etc. Put them in a stack and take a picture for posting. (5 book minimum). Posted:
The shelf of 'Love' posted!		 12/18/2018
Task 2 This year is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Find 3 books on your shelves with protagonists or other key characters who are -- or can reasonably be assumed to be -- 70 years or older. Posted:
Books include: 'Jurassic Park', 'Harry Potter', and 'The Shadowy Horses'		 12/12/2018
Task 3 The symbol of Human Rights Day is the dove, which in its incarnation as a homing pigeon is also renowned for its navigational skills. – Tell us: Did you ever get so thoroughly lost (either in the days before GPS or because GPS, for whatever reason, was of no use to you) that you wished you had a homing pigeon to guide you? Posted:
Lost in Kansas City... but not really... in which the GPS gets us lost.		 12/12/2018
Task 4 Human Rights Day was declared by the U.N. General Assembly, whose seat is in New York City. Treat yourself to a Manhattan (classic recipe: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/manhattan-2/; virgin [non-alcoholic] recipes: https://www.anallievent.com/virgin-manhattan/, http://www.1001cocktails.com/recipes/mixed-drinks/800238/cocktail-virgin-manhattan.html, and https://www.liquor.com/recipes/not-manhattan/) or to a bagel or pastrami sandwich and share a photo with us. Planned Activity:
Maybe a bagel or a non-alcoholic Manhattan.		 TBA




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Set in Scandinavia / Northern Europe, or by a Northern European / Nordic author, or a book newly released in November or December of this year. Planned Read:
Cold Dark Places by Kylie Brant		 TBA
Task 1 In honor of the Icelandic Jólabókaflóðið / Yule Book Flood tradition, create a (virtual or physical) “book flood” and post a picture of it. Possible Activities:
Work in progress		 TBA
Task 2 Bake a Swedish lussebulle (saffron bun – instructions and recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWSs-vQX0AI) or prepare some other dish containing saffron. -- Possible SKIP -- XX
Task 3 Create a “crown of light” from book covers prominently featuring a lighted candle. Possible Activities:
Work in progress		 TBA
Task 4 Guess (scout’s honor, NO GOOGLING!): Did the Gävle Goat survive this year?  For background: The Gävle Goat is a straw effigy erected in Gävle, Sweden, every year at the beginning of Advent.  It is infamous for being burned down ahead of time, which as of Advent 2017 has happened in 37 of the 51 years of the tradition’s existence. – The Yule goat lore in turn goes back all the way to the Norse myths, where the god Thor rode a chariot drawn by two goats, and to ancient Indo-European and proto-Slavic beliefs according to which the harvest god appeared in the shape of a goat.  Possibly, it is also linked with Santa Claus and his reindeer-driven sled. Posted:
My guess is that it did not survive (I didn't Google anything!), based on the odds that it seems to have been burned down more times than not.		 TBA




Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any book that takes place in December; OR with ice or snow on the cover; OR that revolves around the (summer or winter) equinox; OR a collection of poetry by Hafez Read:
Midnight Exposure by Melinda Leigh		 11/17/2018
Task 1 Bibliomancy: Grab one of your larger books and flip to the indicated page and line number to answer the following questions - then post those answers for us:
(See the questions in the main post linked above.)		 Posted:
See Main Door Post for questions and answers.
Used The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.		 12/17/2018
Task 2 Tell us: What book did you read this year that felt like it was never going to end? Posted:
The book I thought would never end: The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte		 12/17/2018
Task 3 Round up a herd of reindeer on book covers and in book illustrations. Posted:
Reindeer herded!		 12/17/2018
Task 4 Treat yourself to a bûche de Noel (French Yule log cake) – if you want to try and make it yourself, see recipe here: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/buche-de-noel-recipe. -- SKIP -- XX



Door 19:  Festivus (December 23)
Total Points Earned:  0

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any comedy, parody, or satire Possible Reads:
TBA		 TBA
Task 1 It’s the annual airing of grievances! Time to list the top 5 books that disappointed you the most this year and let us know why! Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 2 Take a picture of your Festivus Pole (and remember this is a family site). Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 3 Have your household scales perform a feat of strength: Place 10 of your heaviest books in a stack on your scales and tell us what their total weight comes to. Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 4 Google the word “Festivus” and tell us or take a screenshot of what you see at the left border of the results page. Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA



Door 20:  Christmas (December 25)
Total Points Earned:  0

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read any Christmas book. Planned Read:
'How the Dukes Stole Christmas' anthology		 TBA
Task 1 Post a picture of your Christmas decorations. Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 2 Tell us: If you could share Christmas dinner with any author (dead or alive), who would it be? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 3 Watch a favorite Christmas movie. Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 4 Create or recreate a short text relating to Christmas (poem, carol, wish list, season’s greetings, etc.) from the titles of books on your bookshelves. Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA



Door 21:  Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1)
Total Points Earned:  0

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read a book set in Africa or the Caribbean; OR by an African, Caribbean, or African-American author; OR a book with a green, red, or black cover. Possible Reads:
-- 'Tower of Thorns' by Juliet Marillier
-- 'Den of Wolves' by Juliet Marillier		 TBA
Task 1 “Africa” was originally the name of the Roman province originating from the North African empire of Carthage, which was mythologically founded by Queen Dido and blossomed into Ancient Rome’s only lasting opponent and nemesis (until it was finally conquered by Rome in the Punic Wars). So: who are your five favorite book heroes and their respective nemeses? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 2 In Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose, the “Finis Africae” is the hidden center of the labyrinth which constitutes the monastery’s library, protected by a number of intricate, misdirecting devices. Tell us: Where have you recently encountered clever misdirection or a labyrinthine plot in a book? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 3 Tell us: If you could travel to Africa (for those living on the African continent: to a part of Africa that you don’t know yet): Where would you want to go? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 4 Have a meal involving vegetables (= crops) and / or corn, or another form of traditional Kwanzaa dinner. Recipe suggestions here: https://kwanzaaculinarians.com/ Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA



Door 22:  New Year's Eve (December 31)
Total Points Earned:  1

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read a book about endings, new starts, or books where things go BOOM! Read:
'The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs' by Steve Brusatte		 11/06/2018
Task 1 Your 2019 Book Goals: what are they? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 2 2018 Reading Year in Review. Tell us about your year in books: happy? disappointed? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 3 New Year’s Book Lottery: Write the names of the first 5 books you’re planning to read in 2019 onto identical pieces of paper, fold them, place them in a bowl (or bucket, jar, box, etc.), and draw one to determine the very first book you’re going to start in the new year. Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 4 Find a bakery that sells Krapfen (German deep-fried sweet dough dumplings) or make them yourself (recipe here: https://germangirlinamerica.com/rheinische-ol-krapfen-new-year/) and enjoy with a glass of champagne or non-alcoholic bubbly drink – but first, take and post a photo of them! Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA



Door 23:  Hogswatch (December 32)
Total Points Earned:  0

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read anything by Terry Pratchett Planned Read:
'The Light Fantastic' by Terry Pratchett		 TBA
Task 1 glingleglingleglingle – if you could wish any kind of god(dess) into existence, what would they be in charge of? Dusting? Weeding? We’re not aiming high here… tell us! Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 2 Tell us: Did you or any kids you know ever have a funny or weird (the good sort of weird) encounter with a department store Santa, um, Hogfather? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 3 Which children’s myth / mythical character (Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, etc.) did you never believe in even when you were little? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 4 Discworld features a number of inventions that mirror our world’s technology but work according to Discworld’s very own specifications; e.g., Hex, the ant-powered sapient thinking machine (computer) and a demon-powered picture box (camera). What other invention from our world would you have liked to see appearing in Discworld and how might it have worked there? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA



Door 24:  Epiphany (January 6)
Total Points Earned:  0

Task My Activity /
Link to Post		 Date
Completed
Book Read a book with three main characters; OR a book about traveling on a journey to a faraway place; OR a book that's part of a trilogy; OR with a star on the cover; OR with the word "twelve" or "night" in the title; OR concerning kings or spices Possible Read:
'Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier		 TBA
Task 1 Tell us: What’s your favorite trilogy? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 2 Chalking the door is an Epiphany tradition in some places, to bless a home for the coming year. Different patterns exist, with different meanings. If you could create your own pattern to bless your house next year, what would it look like? Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 3 Compile a post containing one image for every gift mentioned / added in each new verse of The Twelve Days of Christmas (lyrics here: https://www.41051.com/xmaslyrics/twelvedays.html). Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA
Task 4 Prepare your favorite spicy dish or holiday drink containing spices and share a photo. Also sharing the recipe is optional but welcome! Possible Activities:
TBA		 TBA


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