Duration: 1st December – 31st December 2019
Number of books: 7
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection
To help us get in the holiday spirit, we’ve got a monthly challenge sure to please. First, click here to get some ambiance started as you read through the tasks and sign up!
6/7 Complete
1. Exactly where is up for debate, but somewhere in Asia Minor, the “Sardis acorn” began to spread across Asia and Europe. The Old French term “chastain” is derived from the Latin “Castanea” which is also the scientific name for the chestnut tree. The English called chastains “chesen nuts,” which eventually became the term we are familiar with – “chestnuts.” No matter what you call them, chestnuts can be a yummy and healthy treat if roasted properly.
🍂 Read a book that has a different title from when it was originally published; tell us the original title OR read a book that takes place anywhere in Asia or Europe; tell us where. – Red Phoenix by Kylie Chan (Hong Kong, Paris & London)
2. Chestnut trees flower in the late spring or early summer. The “female” flowers tend to grow closer together by the tree’s trunk and two to three flowers (each of which produces a fruit) will eventually grow together and form a brown husk or hull. Within the husk, the fruit is contained in a spiny pod called a bur or burr. Eventually, the burrs will turn yellow-brown and open in two to four sections. Each burr contains one to seven nuts.
🍂 Read a book with a cardinal number in its title (one, two, three – not first, second, third) OR read a book with a single tree on its cover; remember to post the cover. – The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance edited by Trisha Telep
3. Unlike most nuts, chestnuts are rich in carbohydrates. Many populations, especially those where wheat flour was scarce, survived on chestnuts as their sole starch. Eventually the potato came into existence in Europe and Asia and supplemented chestnuts. There are still regions in Italy where chestnut “cakes” are used in place of potatoes.
🍂 Read a book in which the first letter of all title words (a,an,the DO count) may be found in CARBOHYDRATE; 3 word minimum OR read a book that is set in Italy or has an Italian character; tell us who if using the character option. – The Young Elites by Marie Lu
4. Chestnuts are always on the menu for New Year’s in Japan; they represent both success and hard-times – mastery and strength. Early Christians thought the chestnut represented chastity. Thanks to The Christmas Song, many people associate chestnuts with the holidays.
🍂 Read a book in which Christmas is celebrated OR read a book in which the author’s first and last initial may be found in any of the following words: “SUCCESS,” “HARD-TIMES,” “MASTERY,” “STRENGTH,” or “CHASTITY;” tell us which word you chose. – The Hunt by Susan Sizemore
5. As mentioned above, chestnuts are mostly carbohydrate with very little fat or protein. Also unlike other nuts, chestnuts are a viable source of Vitamin C. A 3.5 oz. portion of chestnuts supplies 65% of the US recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C, giving this nut a valid reputation for helping to boost immunity.
🍂 Read a book by an author whose first and/or last name starts with “C;” be sure to use the author link in addition to the book title link OR read a book with two of the following page numbers in its total page count – 3, 5, 6; tell us how many pages. – Among the Pigeons by John L. Read (366 pp.)
6. You can chop, crumble, sauté or crush roasted chestnuts into almost any dish, including salads, muffins, pies and puddings, or simply enjoy fresh chestnuts raw for a nutritious snack similar in texture to a carrot.
🍂 Read a book marked “FOOD” or “FOODIE FICTION” on its main GoodReads page OR read a book with any type of food on its cover; remember to post the cover. – The Isle of the Lost by Melissa De La Cruz
7. The Christmas Song, the one that made chestnuts so famous, was written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé. It was written during a blistering hot summer as an effort to cool off by thinking cool. The Nat King Cole Trio originally sang and recorded the song in 1946. NKC went on to re-record the song later in 1946 and in 1961, both versions accompanied by full orchestra. Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) reports The Christmas Song as being the most recorded holiday song and the original 1946 version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1974.
🍂 Read a book with a fireplace on its cover; post the cover OR read a book that takes place between 1946 and 1974 (inclusive); tell us when.
🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂
Earth and Skye 