I don’t know about you, but this year is probably going to be spent hunkering down and trying to power through until the vaccine gets rolled out across the country. So unlike most years where I sign up to a dozen reading challenges and only finish 2, this year I’m only going to sign up for 2 of my favourites and not get frustrated if I don’t complete them both (or indeed either of them).
This a post about one that I’ve been doing for a few years now. Originally I was not going to take part in it this year, but as we have had so much snow over the last week I am feeling quite excited about taking part in such a wonderful, atmospheric challenge.
So what’s this atmospheric click-baity sounding reading challenge that I think you won’t have heard of before?
Cold Winter Challenge 2020
Created by one of my favourite Booktubers, Margaud Liseuse, who has decided to hand the torch on to L’Enluminée this year. This winter themed reading challenge runs from 1st December 2020 to 28th February 2021 which gives you enough time to stay curled up in your cosiest reading spot immersed in the festive spirit until spring is just within view.
The challenge has 3 levels:
- “Une vie de lutin” which translates as “An elf’s life“. For this challenge, you read a book based on one prompt from one of the 5 reading menus on offer. Just one book, and you are a winner, my friend!
- “Flocon de neige” / “Snowflake” is the next level. For this you need to read books based on two prompts from two different menus.
- “Mordu.e de l’hiver” / “Winterholic” is for the hard-core winter reading lover. To gain this lofty title you need to read books based on all the prompts from 4 menus (or 5 if you’re going for glory and reading the bonus menu as well).
The 5 menus each contain 3 prompts. I feel that translating them to English here will spoil the flow, so if anyone wants a translation of any of the prompts then feel free to ask! Here they are:
Menu 1: “Magie de Noel” / “Christmas magic“.
The prompts are:
“Under the mistletoe” choose to read a romance or a feel-good novel set at Christmas or New Year.
“Raclette” for which you read a book based on family, friends, or secrets.
“Danse de la fée Dragée” choose a book based on a dream, set in a dreamlike universe, or choose a fantasy novel.
Menu 2: “Hiver Mystérieux” / “Mysterious Winter“
The prompts are:
“Yule” read a book based on mythology, legends, or deities.
“Reine des Neiges” choose a book with a powerful female character, one containing magic, or one containing feminism.
“New Year, new me” read a book containing a metamorphosis, transformation, or evolution.
Menu 3: “Marcher Ensemble Dans la Neige” / “Walking Together in The Snow“
The prompts are:
“Rennes du Pere Noel” read a book about or including animals, nature or ecology.
“Aurore Boréale” choose a book with a journey, or adventure in, or a travel book.
“Carol of the Bell” for which you choose a choral novel, or one with different narrators, or one where many different characters share the same experience.
Menu 4: “Hiver Obscur” / “Dark Winter“
The prompts are:
“Fantomes des Noel passés” read a book containing ghosts or spirits, a journey through time, or even a book that takes place in several different times.
“Frissonner sous un plaid” choose a horror, thriller, mystery, or suspense novel.
“Nuit de solstice” read a book that’s under 300 pages.
Bonus Menu: “Au Chaud Devant La Cheminée” / “Warm In Front Of The Fire“
The prompts are:
“Grands Enfants” read a children’s book.
“Vitrine de Noel” read a graphic novel, or an illustrated novel that’s set during the winter season. It can be a Christmas one, but doesn’t have to be.
“Chocolat Chaud” a book that makes you feel good. From any genre.
Most of my reading friends haven’t heard of this challenge because it’s run by French-speaking Booktubers. I think it deserves some extra recognition because it is so incredibly festive, and the community is incredibly supportive and friendly.
Are you inspired to take part? If you do and you post about it on social media, feel free to use the hashtags: #coldwinterchallenge or #cwc
Happy reading to you all!
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