I am so excited for another Pondathon readathon, and the focus for this year’s Pondathon is on gardening! Here’s are links to the information post and sign-up post to learn more and to sign up if you’re interested in joining us and building a garden of your own! Basically, the gist is this is a year-long readathon that’s divided into 4 quarters, with several rounds in each quarter. Each round has some quests and companion quests, and the goal is to read books, fulfill the quest prompts, and grow a beautiful garden! Here’s a useful portal that rounds up the most important links.

My Character

My Garden

First Quarter

First quarter runs from 1/10-4/3 and includes 4 rounds! Below is my progress for the entire first quarter, which I’ll be updating periodically throughout January through April. I can’t wait to grow my garden!

Round 1

Available rewards: asters, bluebells, lavenders, hedge plants. (1/10-1/29)
Books read:

• Walk on the Wilder Side by Serena Bell (read 1/12/22)
• Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire (read 1/13/22)
• My Idol Sits the Next Desk Over Vol. 1 by Tetsu Tsutsui and Koyubi Sugawara (read 1/14/22)
• Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long (read 1/15/22)
• How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by KM Jackson (read 1/16/22)
• Noor by Nnedi Okorafor (read 1/17/22)
• Lovesick Ellie Vol. 1 by Fujimomo (read 1/17/22)
• Alice in Bishounen-Land Vol. 1 by Yushi Kawata; Yukito (read 1/17/22)
• I’m Looking for Serious Love! by Shoko Rakuta (read 1/17/22)
• Half-Off Ragnarok by Seanan McGuire (read 1/19/22)
• Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy (read 1/21/22)
• Iris by Eden Finley (read 1/22/22)
• Egotistical Puckboy by Eden Finley and Saxon James (read 1/23/22)
• Peach Girl Vol. 1 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/23/33)
• Count Your Lucky u by Alexandria Bellefleur (read 1/24/22)
• Peach Girl Vol. 2 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/24/22)
• Peach Girl Vol. 3 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/24/22)
• Imbolc: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Brigid’s Day by Carl F. Neal (read 1/26/22)
• Out of the Blue by Alison Bliss (read 1/26)
• Peach Girl Vol. 4 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/26)
• Peach Girl Vol. 5 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/26)
• Peach Girl Vol. 6 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/26)
• Peach Girl Vol. 7 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/28)
• Peach Girl Vol. 8 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/28)
• Peach Girl Vol. 9 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/28)
• Peach Girl Vol. 10 by Miwa Ueda (read 1/28)

Side Quest!

Encourage Xialong’s flowers to grow. Read at least one diverse book. Read 3 diverse books for a special badge, and read 5 diverse books for a sticker pack! (1/10-1/29)
Available rewards: planting boxes, garden beds

• My Idol Sits the Next Desk Over Vol. 1 by Tetsu Tsutsui and Koyubi Sugawara (read 1/14/22)
• How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by KM Jackson (read 1/16/22)
• Noor by Nnedi Okorafor (read 1/17/22)

Companion Quest!

Let’s grow roses with Racquel Marie. Design a rose that represents your favourite book. (1/17-1/29)
Available rewards: pride rose tree, prom accessory set (bonus achievement).

Round 2

Available rewards: baby’s breath, grass flowers, daisy fields, and shrubs. (1/30-2/19)
Books read:

• Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire (read 1/30)
• Mall You Need is Love by Sarah Robinson (read 1/30)
• Influenced Love by Shellee Marie (read 2/3)
• Cattle Stop by Kit Oliver (read 2/5)
• Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor (read 2/6)
• Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor (currently reading)
• Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott (currently reading)
• Influenced Love by Shellee Marie (read 2/3)
• Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor (read 2/6)
• Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor (read 2/8/22)
• Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson (read 2/9/22)
• I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson (currently reading)
• Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott (currently reading)
• While the Sun Shines by Kit Oliver (currently reading)

Side Quest!

Let’s plant saplings with Gen (1/31-2/19) Read a book by a Black author for Black History Month.This quest is repeatable. Bonus: Read at least three books by Black authors during the quest period to earn the Sleepy Sapling badge for your character card! Secret Achievement: Read a book by a Black author with one of the following themes: friendship, family, community, nature.
Available rewards: Park bench, deck table

• Influenced Love by Shellee Marie (read 2/3)
• Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor (read 2/6)
• Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor (read 2/8)
• I’m So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson (currently reading)
• Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott (currently reading)

Companion Quest!

Finding Your Food Soulmate with Alechia Dow (2/6-2/19)
Available rewards: ‘The Kindred Bloom’, star and moon planter.

Here’s a link to my tweet. I had a hard time deciding between tteokbokki and tacos! I finally decided on tteokbokki because it’s spicy but not TOO spicy, and some people (especially here in Minnesota where people think ketchup is spicy and salt is the only seasoning!) may not like it or think it’s “weird,” but if you love it you LOVE it. 🙂

Round 3

Available rewards: TBD (2/20-3/12)
Books read:

Side Quest!

Start a vegetable garden with Cuddle (2/20-3/12)

Round 4

Available rewards: TBD (3/13-4/2)
Books read:

Side Quest!

Plant some new trees with Sprout (3/13-4/2)

Companion Quest!

Companion quest with Judy Lin (3/20-4/2)

My other Pondathon posts:

• Pondathon! Sign-up and Q1/Round 1 Progress