Snow Globes: Reads
Bells: Activities
Task the First: The Winter Wonderland:
– Read a book that is set in a snowy place.
=> Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales
– If you are lucky enough to live in a snowy place, or even if you aren’t, take a walk outside and post a picture of something pretty you encountered on your way.
=> A Visit to the Christmas Market
Task the Second: The Silent Nights:
– Read a book set in one of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and/or Denmark), where winter nights are long!
=> Tania (Karen) Blixen: Babette’s Feast
– Get your hygge on! Hygge is a Danish concept that relates to being content and cozy. Put on your fuzziest socks, light a candle, and spend some time (reading) in front of the fireplace or your coziest nook. Post a picture if you want!
Task the Third: The Holiday Party:
– Read a book where a celebration is a big part of the action. Examples would include holiday parties, country house hunting/weekend parties, weddings, etc.
=> Rex Stout: And Four to Go
– Make something that is considered party food where you are from, and post a picture of it on booklikes.
Task the Fourth: The Gift Card:
– Read a book that you either received as a gift or have given as a gift.
=> Ian Rankin: Even Dogs in the Wild
– Give a book to a friend and post a picture of the wrapped present.
Task the Fifth: The Kwanzaa:
– Read a book written by an African-American author or set in an African country.
– Make a small donation to a charitable organization that operates in Africa.
Task the Sixth: The Hanukkah:
– Let the dreidel choose a book for you: create a list of four books, and assign a dreidel symbol to each one (Nun = miracle; Gimel = great; He = happened; Shin = there, i.e. Israel). Google “spin the dreidel,” and a dreidel comes up for you to spin. Give it a spin and read the book that the dreidel chooses!
=> Arthur Conan Doyle: The Valley of Fear
– Make a traditional Hanukkah food like doughnuts or potato latkes. Post a picture, or tell us how they turned out!
Latkes (Kartoffelpuffer / Reibekuchen / “Riefkooche”), courtesy of Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market (see also Task the First)
Task the Seventh: The Christmas:
– Read a book set during the Christmas holiday season.
=> Donna Andrews: The Nightingale Before Christmas
– Grab your camera (or your phone) and set up a Christmas bookstagram-style scene with favorite holiday reads, objects or decorations. Possibly also a cat. Post it for everyone to enjoy!
Task the Eighth: The Movie Ticket
– Read a book that has been adapted to a holiday movie.
=> Frances Hodgson Burnett: Little Lord Fauntleroy
– Go see a new theater release this holiday season (during November/December. This does not have to be a holiday movie, so yes, Fantastic Beasts will qualify).
Task the Ninth: The Happy New Year
– Every year you get a little bit older! Read a coming of age novel or any old favorite comfort read to start the new year right.
=> Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol (audio version read by Patrick Stewart)
– If you’re feeling brave, post a holiday picture of yourself from your childhood or misspent youth.
=> Task the NInth: The Happy New Year (Part 2)
Task the Tenth: The Holiday Down Under
– Read a book set in Australia or by an Australian author, or read a book you would consider a “beach read”.
=> Kerry Greenwood: Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates
– Christmas crackers are a traditional part of an Australian Christmas. Buy some (or make your own) to add to your festivities and share some pictures!
Task the Eleventh: The Polar Express
– Read a book that involves train travel (such as Murder on the Orient Express).
=> Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express
– Read a classic holiday book from your childhood (to a child if you have one handy) or tell us a story about a childhood Christmas you’d like to share.
=> Hans Christian Andersen: The Snow Queen
Task the Twelfth: The Wassail Bowl
– Read a book set in the UK, preferably during the medieval or Victorian periods (for those of us doing the Merlin read-along, the Crystal Cave works for this task).
=> Mary Stewart: The Crystal Cave
– Drink a festive, holiday beverage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Take a picture of your drink, and post it to share – make it as festive as possible!
Mulled wine (Glühwein), courtesy of Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market (see also Task the First)
Lioness at Large 