You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Toppler Wrap Up
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I pretty much stuck to nonalcoholic beverages - water, tea, lemonade, and sodas - with a stout on Friday night.No real Topppler Hangover, unless that's why I was awake over 36 hours from Friday morning to Sunday night. I started three books on Saturday afternoon which is very unusual - it usually takes a few days until I can pick up a book. One of them is The Darwin Awards 4: Intelligent Design. I can only take in in small doses as my mind can't handle so much stupidity at once.
I didn't do much tippling. I had coffee, tea, water and soda during my books :) One thing I learned (not from reading) is that not every book that has a cute dog on the cover is going to be a good book :(
Oh well. I still had fun :) plus I read a book that covered a toppler category and worked for Janice's challenge for June, so woohoo!!
I stuck to non-alcoholic beverages. My toppler hangover seems to have arrived this time in the form of a compulsion to read. I read two fluffy romances in two days over the weekend. Each was in excess of 300 pages and I finished after 1 a.m. Usually I have trouble settling down to read anything right after a toppler. I had a great time this toppler.
I didn't tipple either although one of my books would have had me buzzed if I was drinking: The Brutal Telling. I didn't drink bc much of my reading happened at night right before bed and my daughter is usually up with me (my kids are night owls) or while doing chores (audio). I was excited to get to a book I put off bc of the toppler so no book hangover this time either.
Chapter Crushers Total 635 points60 books read with 2 books getting the publication bonus +10
5 movies watched =25
With the Humor Category getting the most books read by team - 8 books in total
A-word Winning Troublemakers Account
9 ~ Almeta
3 ~ Amanda B
6 ~ Berit
4~Jamie
4~Kat
5~Kaylene
12~ Lanelle
7 ~Lara
5 ~ Lisa
4 ~ Liz
2 ~ Mariab
1 ~ Pandora
7 ~ Sam
11 ~ Susan
0 ~Tanita
9 ~Teanka
6 ~Theresa
95 books
5 watchers of A Beautiful Mind
8 watchers of Cool Runnings
1095 points
280 of those points were from Academy Award Winners category, as the most popular.
Troubelmakers from all over the world:
5 United State of America
2 Australia
1 Netherlands
2 United Kingdom
1 Germany
1 Poland and Sweden
5 not in profile
Troublemaker Testimonials!
Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Here are my facts and things learned:
1) If you're recovering from fever, you need your sleep and can't read as many books as you like. Likewise, Tippling is limited to tea and sparkling water.
2) The Road is not my type of book. I shoved it aside the last time I tried to read it, and the second try wasn't any better. Thanks to the Toppler, I did manage to finish, and it's gone from my TBR list forever!
3) All I remembered of Black Beauty was that it was about a beautiful black horse, and that my sister Luella cried every time we watched it. The book was quite good, but far different from what I thought I remembered. I finally realized that Luella cried for My Friend Flicka, and I found out that the 1946 movie version of Black Beauty was only loosely based on the book. I'll need to find a copy of the 1994 movie to watch, since that one is said to truly follow the book.
Sam wrote: "Well I didn't learn much other than the fact that I can read rather quickly when I need to and the the Shining sequel was better than I thought it would be.
Tippler wise, I was mostly on tea but did enjoy a few vodka and disaronno cocktails (equal measures of each over ice), which others may wish to try. I don't add a mixer but you could bung in some soda water or something too.
And this toppler has result in the mild panic relating to the fact that my actual to read pile has now dropped below 50 books...that's not happened since I first joined GR back in 2008!!
Teanka wrote: "Well I learned that I can read 9 books in a week, something I've never done before :) I'm still in the toppler mood, finished The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Live, a bit sorry I can't add it to the spreadsheet anymore. ..."
Lisa wrote: "Things I learnt:
To Kill a Mockingbird is absolutely brilliant.
The Rosie Project was not as good or as funny as I thought it was going to be.
I shouldn't read a Michael Morpurgo book without a tissue handy. They always seem to choke me up.
Sarah Waters might be my all time favourite author.
Almeta wrote: Was able to use this Toppler to complete some other tasks. So very successful for me.
Promoted my Serial Killer urges with :
Bank Shot (Dortmunder, #2), Donald E. Westlake (AND continued a tradition!)
Tangled, Emma Chase
Monsieur Pamplemousse, Michael Bond
The Map of Time, Félix J. Palma
The Sound and the Furry, Spencer Quinn
Satisfied my June You'll Love This One! Group Challenge with The Wheel Spins, Ethel Lina White (takes place on a train.)
Read recommendations left over from May’s challenge that I could not pass up:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
The Invention of Curried Sausage
I leaarned that it is difficult to pull emotions out of stick figures. AND why stick figures are extinct.(view spoiler)
Drank cola, Rooibos Tea, Kumbucha Tea, Iced Coffees spiked with Irish Cream, glass of wine, many Cuba Libres! Found I needed no prompting from books to cause me to Tipple! Toppler Tippling does however lead to Toppler Tinkling.
Here are The Distinguished Team D results:Team participants - 12
Toppler virgins - 2
Total books read - 55
Total films watched - 4
Total points - 585
Most popular award - Academy Award (Oscars)
Most read book - Gilead, The Giver , Pines (2 each)
Country Participants - UK, Canada, USA, Japan
Of those who have checked in since the toppler, I'd say about 50% of our team tippled. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages were consumed. I know of at least one hangover due to the tippling ;-) Toppling led to tippling which led to tinkling.
Over a quarter of the books read also satisfied criteria for the Group Reads, Monthly Challenge and/or Yearly Challenge.
A great toppler! Thanks J'mom.
I'm reading a lot of books lately that take place during or after WWI. The one I read during the Toppler, Toby's Room, was fascinating. I found out that the hospital for soldiers with facial wounds was real, as well as several characters who worked there. Henry Tonks drew patients' faces during the stages of their surgeries, the drawings helped the surgeons track their progress. The following link is eye-opening, but can be very disturbing.http://gilliesarchives.org.uk/
I also learned not to judge a book by it's blurb. They lure you in, and then let you down with a bang.I happily learned that Almeta continues to come up with amusing pics to give us all a laugh. Extinction is hysterical!
Most importantly of all, I learned to be sure I was stocke up on toilet paper if I was goint to do a lot of tippling. ☺
jaxnsmom wrote: ",,,Most importantly of all, I learned to be sure I was stocke up on toilet paper if I was goint to do a lot of tippling. ☺ ..."
Hmm. Ism't that part of "How to Win a Toppler"? Do you need a refresher course?
I think I do. Other than that I was prepared, but I missed that one.
Team B - Can you report your total points here, please?
Sorry you had to wait so long for Team B - Bring on the Toppler! - 's results. Since we didn't have 1 person to keep track of our reads, it was not exactly clear who would do the reporting. Well, since no one else did, I just made a list:
Rusalka: 4 books + 1 movie
Kristie: 2 books
Connie: 22 books + 2 movies
Rebecca: 22 books
Bella: 19 books
Elsbeth: 3 books + 1 movie
ThingTwo: 1 book
Ann: 2 books + 1 movie
EstaAmeliaR: 3 books
Kerri: 8 books
Esther: 2 books
Lynn: 6 books + 1 movie
Poongothai: 5 books
Saumitra: 3 books + 2 movies
Kandice: 2 books
Total: 104 books read
3 watchers of A Beautiful Mind
5 watchers of Cool Runnings
Total points: 1155!
Our team exists of readers from: U.S.A, India, Australia, Canada, U.K. and the Netherlands (and a few with a 'secret identity'...).
We didn't have a spreatsheet, so I'm just getting all this from our reporting threat.
jaxnsmom wrote: "Team B - Can you report your total points here, please?"Lol, while you posted this, I was working on my post... :D
I hope this is the right way to do it?
It's a good thing you reported. Team B is the Winner!!
We are? Wow, that is great! :DWith a special thank you - and a toast to Connie, Rebecca and Bella, our Top-Topplers!!
Was there a secret bonus and I missed it? And a big congrats to team B!
Congratulations Team B. That's an accomplishment well worth and award.
Way to Go Team B! That's a lot of books knocked off your shelves!
ACCOLADES AND APPLAUSE FROM A-WORD WINNING TROUBLEMAKERS
Bring on the Toppler!'s first round is on us!
Wowza Connie, Rebecca and Bella knocking down a serious number of books right there
There are no bonus points this time because I can't find where I wrote down the requirements. I didn't think it would be fair to make more up now as it would be too easy to slant them towards my team :)
Cute badges! Thank you, J-mom!
I've started posting badges, but have only done participant and newbies so far.
Thanks for all the congratulations! And Jmom, thanks for the badge!
Congrats Team B! Amazing number of books read, seriously impressive!
I believe all awards are posted now. Let me know if I've messed up. Besides the participant, newbie, and winner badges, there's a new one starting with this team Toppler. ☺The wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition.
And while he lives, he wields the boasted prize
Whose value all can feel, the weak, the wise;
Displays in triumph his distinguish'd boon,
The solid honours of the Wooden Spoon
—"The Wooden Spoon" from The Cambridge Tart
Thanks, Jmom, for 2 wonderful badges!
Who is The Cambridge Tart? Should I know that?
Love the Wooden Spoon award. When I was in Scouts we had The Boot Award which was an old hiking boot mounted on a piece of wood. it was awarded at the end of each camping trip to the person who had done something stupid that weekend. I won it once for forgetting to take my sleeping bag (and I was a leader at the time). It was also in February which is pretty cold here. I had to borrow The spare ones but they were rubbish and I had to use two to keep warm. Doh!
Congrats Team B! Wow!Better late than never, here's what I have to say about what I learned from the books I read (didn't do much tippling this time):
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened: Learned how to pronounce hyperbole and reminded myself how much fun it is to LOL while reading a book.
Murder on the Orient Express: Learn that Hercule actually has a heart!
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail: Had some good laughs, but was sad to learn how man has caused the extinction of many flora and fauna with logging, over-hunting, pollution, etc.
The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-wise Cat: Reminded me of how important our little friends are to our mental health and joy in life.
Tangled: Told from a man's POV. Can't believe ALL men think like this, especially about sex. At least my hubby doesn't. But interesting to hear a tale like this from a man's POV, even if he is a cad!
Mr. Mercedes: Stephen King is always even better on a reread.
The Giver: Hmmmmm, don't know what I learned, except I'd never want to live in a society like the one described in this book. And hope springs eternal.
Cherie wrote: "Who is The Cambridge Tart? Should I know that?"The wooden spoon was presented originally at the University of Cambridge as a kind of booby prize awarded by the students to the man who achieved the lowest exam marks but still earned a third-class degree (a junior optime) in the Mathematical Tripos. The term "wooden spoon" or simply "the spoon" was also applied to the recipient, and the prize became quite notorious.
ROFL, Jmom! A personal best toppler and a Wooden Spoon Award too. I love it!
I didn't get a first time toppler badge. I got the participant and wooden spoon awards. Thanks!
Amanda wrote: "I didn't get a first time toppler badge. I got the participant and wooden spoon awards. Thanks!"I'll take care of it when I get home tonight.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened (other topics)The Giver (other topics)
Tangled (other topics)
Murder on the Orient Express (other topics)
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail (other topics)
More...
I know some of you love statistics and such, so maybe you could do some calculating, like how many books were read (total and by team), a list of what countries participants are from (I'm curious. Just the countries, not each each participant, unless you want to.), and any other interesting things you come up with.
What were the tippling beverages during the Toppler? If it was a cocktail, coffee drink, or some strange concoction - what was in it? Others may want to try it. Any hangovers? Any actions you'd like to require tippling in future Topplers? I think bad sex will become a permanent one.
Are you experiencing any Toppler Hangover symptoms? It may take a few days to recognize some of them :)
Did you learn anything new? Not as in how weird some of our members are, but facts, trivia, etc.