Duration: 1st April – 30th April
Number of books: 11
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

Duration: 1st April – 30th April
Number of books: 6
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

The brat prince Lestat is looking for a new guitarist for his band. Do you have what it takes?

Audition for the coveted position by completing at least 2 of the following tasks.

1. Read a book with a musical character.
2. Read a book by Anne Rice or with a vampire. – Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh
3. Read a book set during or published in April. – Tough Mothers by Jason Porath
4. Read a book with fangs on the cover.
5. Read a book that is part of a series. – Dragon’s Breath by E.D. Baker
6. Read a book with a male main character or by a male author. – Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Duration: 1st April – 30th April
Number of books: 6
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

Check out these gorgeous dolls!! Get one each month by completing at least 2 tasks out of a set of 6.

The dolls you collect will be in your Vampire Heart thread. Don’t have a thread? You can still do the challenge if you want 🙂

April

1. Read a book with a cover you think is pretty. – Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
2. Read a book that is 4th or higher in a series. – Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs
3. Read a book with 2 or more people on the cover.
4. Read a book you’ve recently bought or borrowed. – Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
5. Read a book with a male main character. – The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
6. Read a book that was made into a movie/tv show or that you think should be. – Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

Duration: 21st March – 20th June
Number of books: 20
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

Winnie-the-Pooh: Christopher Robin! I think it would help with this deception if you would just kind of open your umbrella and say, “Tut-tut, it looks like rain.”
Christopher Robin: Tut-tut, it looks like rain. Tut-tut, it looks like rain.

1. Scientists speculate that “sun protecting umbrellas” have been used since the dawn of human civilization. The first use of simply-made palm leaf parasols comes from three to four thousand year old Egypt and Assyria.
☂ Read a book that takes place in any ancient civilization (before 1200 AD; tell us when) or in modern day Assyria or Egypt OR read a book with a palm tree or palm fronds on its cover; remember to post the cover. – Tough Mothers by Jason Porath

2. As mentioned above, the umbrella’s original purpose was to shade a person from the sun (umbra is Latin for “shade”), a function that is still reflected in the word “parasol,” (derived from the French parare, “to shield” and sol, “sun”) a smaller-sized umbrella used primarily by women.
☂ Read a book written by a female author OR read a book with a bright, sunny scene on its cover; post the cover. – Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

3. During their first thousand years of life, parasols were viewed as a symbol of wealth and power. Many civilizations practiced a tradition of showcasing exotic and complexly made parasols of their rulers. From around 1000 BC to 400 AD, small and foldable parasols represented one of the fashion accessories of females in Greece and Rome.
☂ Read a book in any position from 400 – 1,000 (inclusive) on your TBR; tell us the position OR read a book with a wealthy female character (tell us who). – Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker

4. History accords two sources for what we consider a water-repelling umbrella. Some sources note that Roman women oiled their paper sunshades, intentionally creating umbrellas for use in the rain. Other sources report the first waterproofed umbrellas were created in ancient China, over 3,000 years ago.
☂ Read a book with a rainy or stormy scene on its cover (post the cover) OR read a book with an intact “20” in its total page count (tell us how many pages). – Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

5. Modern day widespread acceptance of umbrellas started to spread across Europe in the middle of the 18th century. Up until that point, umbrellas were viewed as a female fashion accessory. The first man who publicly carried an umbrella was Englishman Jonas Hanway. His influence finally introduced the umbrella to the male population of England, and soon after the entire world.
☂ Read a book that takes place in the 1700’s OR read a book that takes place in England. – Stardust by Neil Gaiman

6. Jonas Hanway endured laughter and scorn, before he popularized the umbrella. The largest detractors were English coachmen who saw umbrellas as a threat since they derived a good portion of their income from gentlemen who took cabs in order to keep dry on rainy days. (In the late 1700s and early 1800s, another name for an umbrella was a “Hanway.”)
☂ Read a book by an author whose last name ENDS in “Y” or read a book where a character is scorned or ridiculed for an idea (briefly tell us what). – Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

7. The umbrella eventually became so popular that by the mid-twentieth century, etiquette demanded that the uniform of the English gentleman include hat, gloves, and umbrella. European fashion demanded that umbrellas must be held in the middle of their shaft, with handle pointing toward the ground. English nobility preferred umbrellas made from blue or green silk.
☂ Read a book that is in the middle of a series (anything but first or last; tell us the book’s position in the series) OR read a book with a blue and/or green cover; post the cover. – Dragon’s Breath by E.D. Baker

8. In nineteenth-century England, specially designed handles that concealed flasks for liquors, daggers and knives, small pads and pencils, or other items were in high demand by wealthy gentlemen.
☂ Read a book with any of the following items on its cover: liquor, dagger, knife, paper, or pencil; remember to post the cover OR read a book in which a character hides something significant (physical objects only; tell us what). – The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

9. Umbrellas can be used as offensive and defensive weapons. French President Nicolas Sarkozy was the first to start using a Kevlar coated umbrella as a part of his security measures. The shaft can effectively hide a secret blade or any substance. For example, Bulgarian president Georgi Markov was assassinated in 1978 by a KGB agent who carried deadly poison in his modified umbrella.
☂ Read a book involving a spy or secret agent of some type OR read a book whose location starts with a letter in WEAPON; tell us where. – Adventures of a Young Naturalist: The Zoo Quest Expeditions by David Attenborough

10. One of the most important innovations for the umbrella came in the early 1850s, when Samuel Fox conceived the idea of using “U” shaped steel rods for the ribs and stretchers to make a lighter, stronger frame. Previously, English umbrellas had been made from either cane or whalebone; whalebone umbrellas especially were bulky and awkward.
☂ Read a book whose title starts with “U” (disregard a|an|the) OR read a book by an author whose first or last name is Samuel (reasonable variations accepted – i.e. Sam, Samantha, Samuels). – The Romantic Poets by William Blake, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, George Gordon Byron, William Wordsworth & Samuel Taylor Coleridge

11. The first working “folding umbrella” was introduced in 1969 by Bradford Philips. Modern day umbrellas are made with fabrics (nylon, most commonly) that can withstand a drenching rain, dry quickly, fold easily. Umbrellas are coated with Teflon, which makes their canopy waterproof.
☂ Read a book by an author whose first or last name is Bradford or Philips (reasonable variations accepted – i.e. Brad, Bradley, Phillipa) OR read a book in which something is invented; tell us what. – The Alchemist’s Key by Traci Harding (a time / immortality machine)

12. Umbrellas continue to represent an important part of modern fashion. There are many types of umbrellas on the market – traditional, automatic, compact, bubble, storm and crutch umbrellas (they can serve as a walking stick or cane).
☂ Read a book in which a character uses a cane or walking stick OR read a book whose author’s first and last initial may be found in one of the types of umbrellas (tell us which one). – Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed

13. Umbrellas found their way into many new areas of modern life, such as a decoration of many exotic cocktails and drinks. The famous hat that serves as a big parasol is the Mexican sombrero (which can be translated as “shade maker”).
☂ Read a book with an alcoholic beverage on its cover; post the cover OR read a book that takes place in Mexico. – Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

14. The majority of modern umbrellas are made in China. One city in China (Shangyu) has over a thousand umbrella factories. Umbrellas are made by a hand-assembly process that, except for a few critical areas, can be done by semi-skilled workers.
☂ Read a book that takes place in China OR read a book with a character who is a blue-collar worker; tell us the occupation. – Wicked by Gregory Maguire

15. Slightly more than 33 million umbrellas are sold in the United States each year, for an annual market of 350 million dollars.
☂ Read a book whose author’s name or any title word contain double L’s (LL) OR read a book in which someone owns a successful business (tell us who). – Kisses and Curses edited by Lauren Burniac

16. “Stick” umbrellas’ shafts may be wood, steel, or aluminum. Fiberglass and other plastics are occasionally used; they are common in the larger golf umbrella. Wood from various types of ash trees, including Rowan wood from Asia, is among the popular choices for a sturdy wood shaft.
☂ Read a book in which a character plays golf (tell us who) OR read a book whose title begins with a letter in “ROWAN” (disregard a|an|the). – The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

17. In assembling an umbrella, the ribs and stretchers are first. Ribs run underneath the top (or canopy) of the umbrella; stretchers connect the ribs with the shaft of the umbrella. The stretchers are connected to the shaft of the umbrella with a plastic or metal runner, the piece that moves along the shaft of the umbrella when it is opened or closed.
☂ Read a book whose title contains a noun that ends in “ER” or read a book whose cover shows an open umbrella (table umbrellas are fine); post the cover. – Shutter by Courtney Alameda

18. There are two catch springs in the shaft of each umbrella; these are small pieces of metal that need to be pressed when the umbrella is slid up the shaft to open, and again when the umbrella is slid down the shaft for closing. Metal shafts are usually hollow, and the catch spring can be inserted, while a wood shaft requires that a space for the catch spring be hollowed out.
☂ Read a book with a 2 in the total number of pages; tell us how many pages OR read a book with any of the following words in its title: OPEN, CLOSE, PIN, SPRING, or HOLLOW. – Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (328 pages)

19. The cover or canopy of the umbrella is hand sewn in individual panels to the ribs. Because each panel has to be shaped to the curve of the canopy, the cover cannot be cut in one piece. The typical rain umbrella has eight panels, although some umbrellas have only six panels (children’s umbrellas and parasols) and some have as many as twelve panels. At one point, the number of panels in an umbrella may have been an indication of quality (or at least of the amount of attention the umbrella maker paid to his product).
☂ Read a book that is an even number in a series (tell us the series and the book’s position) OR read a children’s book (must still meet the 150 pp. minimum requirement). – Hans Christian Andersen Tales by Hans Christian Andersen

20. The umbrella handle is connected to the shaft at the end of the process, and can be wood, plastic, metal, or any combination of desired materials. Though handles can be screwed on, better-quality umbrellas use glue to secure the handle more tightly.
☂ Read a book that may be classified in at least two different genres; tell us the genres OR read a book in which a character ‘handles’ a situation in a quality manner (briefly tell us why). – Dangerously Fierce by Deborah Blake

Duration: 1st April – 30th April
Number of books: 8
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

Have some fun while eating all those Easter Eggs – learn some eggcellent expressions about the humble, little egg.

1. To egg someone on makes a verb out of egg and means “to incite or urge; encourage.” Of course, this has no relation to the eggs we eat for breakfast. It comes from the Old Norse term eggja with a similar verbal meaning.
ʘ Read a book where one character encourages another character to do something; tell us the ‘egger’ and ‘eggee’ OR read a book whose primary setting is Norway. – Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs

2. The term “Egghead” entered English with the sense of “a bald person.” But it gained notoriety in the presidential campaign of 1952 when it was used in reference to democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson-along with his followers-with a pejorative sense of “an intellectual.” Stevenson offered the following cheeky Latinism in response to criticisms that intellectualism cost him the campaign: Via ovum cranium difficilis est, roughly translated as “the way of the egghead is hard.”
ʘ Read a book in which a main character is bald OR read a book having anything to do with politics. – Tough Mothers by Jason Porath

3. The expression “to lay an egg” means to fare wretchedly, especially to be unsuccessful in front of an audience. Its origins are obscure, but its association with failure had been firmly established in the lexicon by the early to mid-1900s as evidenced by Variety magazine’s famous headline from October 30, 1929, the day after the stock market crash: “Wall St. Lays an Egg.”
ʘ Read a book in which a character embarrasses themselves in front of others; briefly tell us about the incident OR read a book about a topic that might make news headlines; tell us the topic. – Dragon’s Breath by E.D. Baker (Emma’s constant mistakes with magic and turning into a frog)

4. Teach your grandmother to suck eggs: this curious expression emerged in the 1700s with the meaning of “to presume to teach someone something that he or she knows already.” The expression was most likely conceived as a comical way to drive the message home that elders know more than their juniors imagine.
ʘ Read a book whose main character is an older person (65+ years) OR read a book whose author’s first and last initials may be found in “SUCK EGGS.” – Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

5. The expression “Egg on one’s face” conveys humiliation or embarrassment resulting from having said or done something foolish or unwise. It came into usage in the mid-1900s, and its origins are obscure. One theory is that it evolved out of teenage slang, and that it referenced a messy manner of eating that might leave food around one’s mouth.
ʘ Read a book whose cover shows a human face – the face must occupy at least half of the cover* OR read a book where a character is known for their sloppiness or messiness.
*Examples:
 

6. To walk on eggs: this expression may sound like an ill-conceived circus act, but the saying “to walk on eggs” means to walk or act very cautiously, especially so as not to offend or upset anybody. The expression first appeared in the 1740s as “trod upon Eggs.” Around 1990 this changed, and the expressions “walking on eggshells” and “walk on eggshells” both skyrocketed in use, while “walking on eggs” and “walk on eggs” waned in popularity.
ʘ Read a book published originally in the 1990’s (1990-1999); tell us when OR read a book where a character likes to walk or hike; tell us who. – The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

7. Putting all of your eggs in the refrigerator or the frying pan is one thing; putting all of them in one basket is another thing entirely. This idiomatic expression means “to venture all of something that one possesses in a single enterprise.” It is often used in negative constructions, such as “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” to caution against the risk of such behavior. English speakers have been using this turn of phrase, if not heeding its wisdom, since the mid-1600s.
ʘ Read a book with a basket on its cover; post the cover OR read a book in which a character gets involved in risky behavior; briefly tell us who and what. – Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

8. The phrase nest egg has been around since the late 1500s. When it entered English, it meant “an egg placed in a nest to induce a hen to continue laying eggs,” although it was often used in figurative contexts to refer to an object used as a decoy or an inducement. Nowadays, it is widely used to mean “money saved and held in reserve for emergencies, retirement, etc.”
ʘ Read a book involving finances (be as creative as you want, just be sure to explain how your book fits) OR read a book with either a bird or a nest on its cover; post the cover.

Duration: 1st April – 30th April
Number of books: 4
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

Taco Salad
from Teenia, Barb’s sister-in-law

1 to 2 lb. ground beef
2 pkg. taco seasoning mix
2 cups grated cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
1 head lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
Read a book with both 1 and 2 in the page count (tell us number of pages) OR both 1 and 2 in the original publication year (tell us the year)
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer (2013)

3 to 4 pints cherry tomatoes, halved (or other tomatoes, diced)
16 oz. bottle Catalina dressing
Read a book with the author’s initials in CATALINA OR with vegetables on the cover (post the cover) 
large bag nacho cheese Doritos, coarsely crushed
salsa, sour cream, olives, etc. as desired

Brown ground beef till no longer pink; drain well.
Read a book with a brown or pink cover OR which has both brown and pink on objects on the cover (post cover)
Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker

Stir in taco seasoning mix, adding a bit of water if needed. Place in very large bowl; top with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Just before serving, pour dressing over all and stir well. Let everyone add their own crushed Doritos, salsa, sour cream, olives and any other ingredients your family must have in tacos.
Read a book with a title that starts with a letter in TACO, excluding A, An and The OR Read a book set in Mexico 
Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

This recipe serves a lot of people, so it’s great for potlucks, family reunions, etc.

Duration: 1st April – 30th June
Number of books: 25
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Welcome to the realm of the Fae Queens.
Each Queen as a set of Royal Reading Tasks for you to complete.

Levels 
Pixie – 5 – 10 books
Fairy – 11 – 25 books

The Midwife
1. Read a book that starts with M. – Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs
2. Read a book with a doctor, nurse or hospital. – The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
3. Read a book with a wife. – Tough Mothers by Jason Porath
4. Read a book with a child. – The Heart is a Burial Ground by Tamara Colchester
5. Read a book where someone labors. – Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed
6. Read a book with a kick ass chick. – Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

The Queen of the Fae
1. Read a book that starts with F. – Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
2. Read a book with royalty. – Dragon’s Breath by E.D. Baker
3. Read a book with the Fae. – Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
4. Read a book with a forest. – Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
5. Read a book where someone is a boss. – The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
6. Read a book with a kick ass chick. – Kisses and Curses edited by Lauren Burniac

The High Queen
1. Read a book that starts with H. – Hans Christian Andersen Tales by Hans Christian Andersen
2. Read a set in England. – Stardust by Neil Gaiman
3. Read a book with a castle or mansion. – Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker
4. Read a book with a formal garden or maze. – The Alchemist’s Key by Traci Harding
5. Read a book with a church. – Shutter by Courtney Alameda
6. Read a book with a kick ass chick. – Awakening by Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda

The Huntress
1. Read a book that starts with D. – Dangerously Fierce by Deborah Blake
2. Read a book with a weapon on the cover. – White Tiger by Kylie Chan
3. Read a book with a battle. – Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
4. Read a book with a natural wild animal, i.e. werewolves, etc. – Adventures of a Young Naturalist: The Zoo Quest Expeditions by David Attenborough
5. Read a book with a hunter. – Skin Deep by Karen Chance
6. Read a book with a kick ass chick. – The Blood by Marjorie Liu & Sana Takeda

The Elfin Queen
1. Read a book that starts with E. – Etched in Silver by Yasmine Galenorn
2. Read a book where they go to another dimension or world or realm. – Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
3. Read a book where they dress up. – Small Shen by Kylie Chan & Queenie Chan
4. Read a book with a mythical beast on the cover. – Dragon’s Nest by Emily Rodda
5. Read a book from the Fantasy genre. – Cavern of the Fear by Emily Rodda
6. Read a book with a kick ass chick. – Veiled Menace by Deborah Blake