The Twelve Tasks of the Festive Season — At the Halfway Point

 Snow Globes: Reads
Bells: Activities

 

Task the First: The Winter Wonderland:

– Reading: A book that is set in a snowy place.

– Activity: Take a walk outside and post a picture of something pretty you encountered on your way.
=> A Visit to Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

 

Task the Second: The Silent Nights:

– Reading: A book set in one of the Nordic countries.

– Activity: Hygge: 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.
=> Hygge!

 

Task the Third: The Holiday Party:

– Reading: A book where a celebration is a big part of the action.
=> Rex Stout: And Four to Go

– Activity: 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:

– Reading: A book that you either received as a gift or have given as a gift.

– Activity: Give a book to a friend and post a picture of the wrapped present.

 

Task the Fifth: The Kwanzaa:

– Reading: A book written by an African-American author or set in an African country.

– Activity: Make a donation to a charitable organization that operates in Africa.

 

Task the Sixth: The Hanukkah:

– Reading: Let the dreidel choose a book for you.

נ  Nun (miracle): Christopher Paolini – Eldest (audio version read by Kerry Shale)
ג Gimel (great): Arthur Conan Doyle – The Valley of Fear (audio version read by Simon Vance)
ה He (happened): Ian Rankin – Even Dogs in the Wild
ש Shin (there, i.e. Israel): J.R.R. Tolkien – Letters From Father Christmas
=> Arthur Conan Doyle: The Valley of Fear (audio version read by Simon Vance)

– Activity: Make a traditional Hanukkah food like doughnuts or potato latkes. Post a picture, or tell us how they turned out.
=> Latkes (Kartoffelpuffer / Reibekuchen), courtesy of Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

 

Task the Seventh: The Christmas:

– Reading: A book set during the Christmas holiday season.

– Activity: Set up a Christmas bookstagram-style scene with favorite holiday reads, objects or decorations. Possibly also a cat.

 

Task the Eighth: The Movie Ticket:

– Reading: A book that has been adapted to a holiday movie.

– Activity: Go see a new theater release this holiday season (this does not have to be a holiday movie).

 

Task the Ninth: The Happy New Year:

– Reading: (A coming of age novel or) any old favorite comfort read
=> Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol (audio version performed by Patrick Stewart)

– Activity: Post a holiday picture of yourself from your childhood or youth.
=> Task the Ninth, Part 2

 

Task the Tenth: The Holiday Down Under:

– Reading: A book set in Australia or by an Australian author (or a book you would consider a “beach read”).
=> Kerry Greenwood: Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates

– Activity: Buy some Christmas crackers (or make your own) to add to your festivities and share some pictures.

 

Task the Eleventh: The Polar Express:

– Reading: A book that involves train travel.
=> Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express

– Activity: Read a classic holiday book from your childhood, or tell a story about a childhood Christmas you’d like to share.
=> Hans Christian Andersen: The Snow Queen

 

Task the Twelfth: The Wassail Bowl:

– Reading: A book set in the UK, preferably during the medieval or Victorian periods.
=> Mary Stewart: The Crystal Cave

– Activity: Drink a festive, holiday beverage; 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