Valentine’s Day Quarterly Challenge
Dec. 15, 2023- March 14, 2024
1. Read 5 books- I’m a romantic
2. Read 10 books- I like to receive gifts on Valentine’s Day
3. Read 15-20 books- I want my partner to propose on Valentine’s Day
4. Read 21-30 books- A Valentine’s Day wedding or vow renewal sounds great to me!
Bonus- can be added at any level
Any amount of color for the covers is fine
Audiobooks and rereads are allowed.
You can always add levels as you go.
You may update your original post with your progress or repost; it is your choice. But please repost upon completion**
According to History.com, there are at least two men named Valentine that could've inspired the holiday, including one Valentine who was a priest in third-century Rome.
💘 Read a book written by a duo or a book with a two-word title
River Strong - B.J. Daniels (Canary Street Press - Jan 2024) - Dec 23
2. Valentine's Day has its roots in an ancient Pagan festival.
Though some historians believe that Valentine's Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine on February 14, others believe that the holiday actually has its origins in a Pagan fertility festival called "Lupercalia.”
💘 Read a book with a pregnancy or a character who wants to get pregnant, or read a prequel to a series.
Though some historians believe that Valentine's Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine on February 14, others believe that the holiday actually has its origins in a Pagan fertility festival called "Lupercalia.”
💘 Read a book with a pregnancy or a character who wants to get pregnant, or read a prequel to a series.
Claiming the Drakos Heir - Jennifer Faye (HR #4669 - June 2019) (pregnancy) - Dec 26
3. In the 1300s, it officially became a holiday associated with love.
💘 Read a historical romance or a book with an old-fashioned-looking cover
💘 Read a historical romance or a book with an old-fashioned-looking cover
Accidentally His - Sabrina Jeffries (Kensington - Jan 2024) (historical) - Jan 11
4. Cupid has its roots in Greek mythology.
💘 Read a book with a matchmaker character or, a book with mythology, or a book set in Greece
💘 Read a book with a matchmaker character or, a book with mythology, or a book set in Greece
Lyon's Roar - Tabetha Waite (Dragonblade Pub - Dec 2023) (matchmaker) - Dec 30
5. The first Valentine was sent in the 15th century.
💘 Read the first book in a series or a book that you would choose to read first over others on your TBR
💘 Read the first book in a series or a book that you would choose to read first over others on your TBR
Liaison with the Champagne Count - Bronwyn Scott (HH #1768 - Jan 2024) (first in series) - Dec 18
6. Not until the 1840s did we get the first mass-produced valentines.
💘 Read a book that isn’t only e-book but also has a mass market printing or a book that you think many others would enjoy
💘 Read a book that isn’t only e-book but also has a mass market printing or a book that you think many others would enjoy
Cold Case Kidnapping - Nicole Helm (HI #2187 - Jan 2024) (ebook/mass market) - Dec 19
7. The tradition of giving Valentine's Day flowers dates back to the 17th century.
💘Read a book with the color red on the cover or, a book with flowers on the cover, or a book with a title that has any word that reminds you of a flower (i.e., red, pink, white, rose, bloom, garden)
💘Read a book with the color red on the cover or, a book with flowers on the cover, or a book with a title that has any word that reminds you of a flower (i.e., red, pink, white, rose, bloom, garden)
Part of His Royal World - Nina Singh (HR #4887 - Feb 2024) (flower) - Jan 18
8. Nearly 250 million roses are grown in preparation for Valentine's Day each year.
💘Read a book with 250 or more ratings or a book with a large family in the story
💘Read a book with 250 or more ratings or a book with a large family in the story
The Summer Book Club - Susan Mallery (Canary Street Press - Feb 2024) (1073 ratings) - Feb 28
9. The color of flower given on Valentine's Day holds meaning.
While a red rose has traditionally symbolized love, other colors like deep pink, purple, or white -- which symbolize happiness, royalty, and sympathy, respectively -- may be given on the holiday, too.
💘Read a book with a colorful cover or read a book with at least three different covers
While a red rose has traditionally symbolized love, other colors like deep pink, purple, or white -- which symbolize happiness, royalty, and sympathy, respectively -- may be given on the holiday, too.
💘Read a book with a colorful cover or read a book with at least three different covers
Once Upon a Charming Bookshop - Heatherly Bell (HSE #3022 - Dec 2023) (colorful) - Jan 10
10. Today, Americans spend a lot on love.
According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans spent over $20 billion on Valentine's Day gifts in 2019
💘Read a book with a wealthy character or a book with the color green on the cover
According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans spent over $20 billion on Valentine's Day gifts in 2019
💘Read a book with a wealthy character or a book with the color green on the cover
Hero's Flight - Janie Crouch (Calamitte Jane Pub - Dec 2023) (green)- Dec 16
11. Americans send 145 million Valentine's Day cards each year.
According to Hallmark, a whopping 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged every February 14
💘Read a book written in an epistolary (letter writing) style or a book published in February of any year
According to Hallmark, a whopping 145 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged every February 14
💘Read a book written in an epistolary (letter writing) style or a book published in February of any year
K-9 Security - Nichole Severn (HI #2195 - Feb 2024) - Jan 23
12. Booklets were created to help people write valentines.
If you needed help finding the right words to send to your loved ones in the 19th century, you could purchase a Valentine's Writer. The booklets contained sample text that could be used to express your love.
💘Read a book with a character who helps another or has a job in a helping field (i.e., nurse, doctor, therapist, crossing guard) or a book that you found on a list or someone else’s review, or a recommendation that helped you decide to read it.
If you needed help finding the right words to send to your loved ones in the 19th century, you could purchase a Valentine's Writer. The booklets contained sample text that could be used to express your love.
💘Read a book with a character who helps another or has a job in a helping field (i.e., nurse, doctor, therapist, crossing guard) or a book that you found on a list or someone else’s review, or a recommendation that helped you decide to read it.
A Hideaway Wharf Holiday - Laurel Greer (HSE #3011 - Oct 2023) (delivered baby) - Jan 5
13. And they also spend millions of dollars on gifts for their pets.
💘Read a book with an animal on the cover or in the story or a book with a ‘pet name’ in the title (i.e. love, sweet, honey, baby)
💘Read a book with an animal on the cover or in the story or a book with a ‘pet name’ in the title (i.e. love, sweet, honey, baby)
The Fearless One - Lori Foster (HQN - Jan 2024) (dog in story) - Dec 27
14. The Valentine's Day gift that people spend the most on is jewelry.
💘Read a book with jewelry on the cover or a book written by an author with one of the letters in ‘jewelry’ in their first or last name
💘Read a book with jewelry on the cover or a book written by an author with one of the letters in ‘jewelry’ in their first or last name
Operation Takedown - Justine Davis (HRS #2256 - Dec 2023) (Justine) - Jan 1
15. The first heart-shaped box of chocolates was introduced in 1861.
It was created by Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, who started packaging chocolates in fancy boxes to increase sales.
💘Read a book with a heart on the cover or, a book with fancy clothes on the cover, or a book that is on a best-seller list
It was created by Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury, who started packaging chocolates in fancy boxes to increase sales.
💘Read a book with a heart on the cover or, a book with fancy clothes on the cover, or a book that is on a best-seller list
A Viscount for the Egyptian Princess - Heba Helmy (HH #1794 - May 2024) (fancy clothes_ - Jan 27
16. Conversation hearts got their start as medical lozenges.
💘Read a book with a character in the medical field or a character with an illness, or a book with a phone or mouth on the cover
💘Read a book with a character in the medical field or a character with an illness, or a book with a phone or mouth on the cover
Her Secret Valentine's Baby - J.C. Harroway (HMED #1370 - Feb 2024) (doctors) - Jan 22
17. But it wasn't until 1866 that we first got sweet printed messages on conversation hearts.
💘Read a friends-to-lovers story or a book with a 1, 8, or 6 in the page count
💘Read a friends-to-lovers story or a book with a 1, 8, or 6 in the page count
Falling for Dr. Maverick - Kathy Douglass (HSE #3007 - Oct 2023) (288 pg) - Dec 20
18. More than 8 billion conversation hearts are manufactured each year.
💘Read a book published in the eighth month of any year (August) or a book with an 8 in the published year (i.e., 2008, 2018, 1988, 1981)
💘Read a book published in the eighth month of any year (August) or a book with an 8 in the published year (i.e., 2008, 2018, 1988, 1981)
The Masqueraders - Georgette Heyer (William Heinemann - 1928) - Mar 7
19. No one could get their hands on conversation hearts in 2019.
Necco went out of business in 2018 and sold Necco Wafers and Sweethearts to Spangler Candy, the creators of Dum Dum lollipops. Due to the new manufacturing needs, Spangler Candy was unable to produce 8 billion of the candy hearts for 2019.
💘Read a book with a hand on the cover or, a second chance romance, or a book with editions in at least two different years
Necco went out of business in 2018 and sold Necco Wafers and Sweethearts to Spangler Candy, the creators of Dum Dum lollipops. Due to the new manufacturing needs, Spangler Candy was unable to produce 8 billion of the candy hearts for 2019.
💘Read a book with a hand on the cover or, a second chance romance, or a book with editions in at least two different years
Her New York Minute - Darby Baham (HSE #3032 - Feb 2024) (hand) - Jan 16
20. Words of encouragement were added to Sweethearts in 2022.
💘Read a book with a happy ending (HEA) or a book with a genre you need some encouragement to try (not your usual read)
💘Read a book with a happy ending (HEA) or a book with a genre you need some encouragement to try (not your usual read)
The Pierogi Peril - Geri Krotow (Severn House - Jan 2024) (cozy mystery) - Jan 4
21. Nearly 6 million couples get engaged on Valentine's Day.
💘Read a book with an engagement or wedding in the story or a book with a character you could imagine as your book boy/girlfriend
💘Read a book with an engagement or wedding in the story or a book with a character you could imagine as your book boy/girlfriend
The Duke's Saber - C.H. Admirand (Dragonblade Publ - Dec 2023) (wedding) - Dec 15
22. It's celebrated differently around the world.
💘Read a book set in a country other than your own or a book published in more than one language
💘Read a book set in a country other than your own or a book published in more than one language
Watchers of the Night - Charlene Parris (HRS #2262 - Jan 2024) (Canada) - Dec 21
23. Valentine's Day horror movies are a thing.
💘Read a suspenseful or scary story or a book with a dark cover
💘Read a suspenseful or scary story or a book with a dark cover
Riding Shotgun - Barb Han (HI #2139 - May 2023) (suspense) - Dec 27
24. Galentine's Day has risen in popularity.
The holiday, which is celebrated on February 13, was introduced by Amy Poehler's Parks and Recreation character Leslie Knope in 2010. According to Knope, Galentine's Day is all about “Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas.”
💘Read an lgbt story or a book with a strong female friendship or a book with a woman on the cover
The holiday, which is celebrated on February 13, was introduced by Amy Poehler's Parks and Recreation character Leslie Knope in 2010. According to Knope, Galentine's Day is all about “Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas.”
💘Read an lgbt story or a book with a strong female friendship or a book with a woman on the cover
Claiming His Convenient Princess - Susan Meier (HR #4867 - Sept 2023) (woman on cover) - Jan 2
25. “XOXO” didn't always mean hugs and kisses.
“XOXO” is a popular signature this time of year. The origins of the signature, however, stem from the Middle Ages. The Washington Post reported that during those times, the “X” symbolized the Christian cross, and letters ended with the sign of the cross and a kiss to symbolize an oath. As the gesture became more popular in literature, letters, and paperwork, it came to mean something had been “sealed with a kiss.”
💘Read a book with an embrace on the cover or a book set in Middle Ages/Medieval times
“XOXO” is a popular signature this time of year. The origins of the signature, however, stem from the Middle Ages. The Washington Post reported that during those times, the “X” symbolized the Christian cross, and letters ended with the sign of the cross and a kiss to symbolize an oath. As the gesture became more popular in literature, letters, and paperwork, it came to mean something had been “sealed with a kiss.”
💘Read a book with an embrace on the cover or a book set in Middle Ages/Medieval times
Claimed by the Viking Chief - Sarah Rodi (HH #1730 - June 2023) (9th century) - Dec 29
26. Kids can be the real Valentine's Day
According to a Today show survey that polled 1,500 people, only 59% of spouses planned on giving their partners a gift, while 85% of parents planned to give their children something on February 14.
💘Read a book with a child in the story or a YA book or a story you hope will feel like a gift when you’re finished with it
According to a Today show survey that polled 1,500 people, only 59% of spouses planned on giving their partners a gift, while 85% of parents planned to give their children something on February 14.
💘Read a book with a child in the story or a YA book or a story you hope will feel like a gift when you’re finished with it
Agent Colton's Secret Investigation - Dana Nussio (HRS #2231 - June 2023) (child) - Jan 13
27. Lovebirds are actual birds.
The animals typically travel in pairs, which is why many couples are referred to as lovebirds.
💘Read a road trip romance or a book where a couple travels together, or read a book with something on the cover that is airborne
The animals typically travel in pairs, which is why many couples are referred to as lovebirds.
💘Read a road trip romance or a book where a couple travels together, or read a book with something on the cover that is airborne
The Return of His Caribbean Heiress - Lydia San Andreas (HH #1776 - Feb 2024) (travels) - Jan 24
28. There is an official Valentine's Day alternative for singles.
International Quirkyalone Day is a holiday for single people on the same date.
💘Read a stand-alone story or read a book with one person on the cover or a book with a one-word title
International Quirkyalone Day is a holiday for single people on the same date.
💘Read a stand-alone story or read a book with one person on the cover or a book with a one-word title
Meadow Falls - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - Jan 2024) (one person/stand alone) - Jan 7
29. William Shakespeare inspired a tradition.
Writing “Letters to Juliet” has become a Valentine's Day tradition for many and even inspired the 2010 film Letters to Juliet. Around Valentine's Day, thousands of letters are sent to Verona, Italy, addressed to the Romeo and Juliet character Juliet Capulet.
💘Read a book set in Europe or a book you think would make a good movie or a book that has already been adapted for the screen or TV
Writing “Letters to Juliet” has become a Valentine's Day tradition for many and even inspired the 2010 film Letters to Juliet. Around Valentine's Day, thousands of letters are sent to Verona, Italy, addressed to the Romeo and Juliet character Juliet Capulet.
💘Read a book set in Europe or a book you think would make a good movie or a book that has already been adapted for the screen or TV
Ballerina and the Greek Billionaire - Suzanne Merchant (HR #4874 - Oct 2023) (Greece) - Feb 8
30. Four states have a city named Valentine.
Arizona, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia each have cities with the name, although Virginia adds an "s" on the end.
💘Read a book set in the U.S. or a book with a character whose name sounds like it would make a cute name for a town
Arizona, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia each have cities with the name, although Virginia adds an "s" on the end.
💘Read a book set in the U.S. or a book with a character whose name sounds like it would make a cute name for a town
Colton Threat Unleashed - Tara Taylor Quinn (HRS #2263 - Feb 2024) - Jan 17
Bonus-
💘Read as many books as you like that you think have a romantic cover or romantic title
1.
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