Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

One thing we need to pay special attention to -- that non-RPGers might not know -- is using up as much of our HP ("health points" or "hit points") as we can before we level up, since HP fills all the way up when we level.

As with the other events, I assume we get to choose when we "turn in" a particular task?

For example, we might finish a quest that gets us 5 XP (experience points), but maybe that would push us into the next level, so we could hold that quest until we've fought a monster; thus using up some HP before they reset. Make sense?

I've got a bunch of series read too. :)

And, yes, 7 books seems like a lot for 1 more point of damage, but it also matters a little who we are up against in weeks 2,3,4. If their weapon is much stronger, we might want to scramble to boost ours.

Or we might want to level up in order to get more HP and then be harder to knock out. So many variables!

I hope we get a nice medley of quests and monsters on our first draw.

*counting the hours* I might have to stay up until 3am on Monday morning to see our cards.....

Bethany wrote: "I've also got another #5 and a #6 on my high-priority to-reads, but after that it's gonna be tricky to find things for all of the numbers."

Kazen wrote: "We'll have to see how things pan out - level seven is seven books for one point of attack. At that time it may be better to put those books towards quests and get experience, etc. We'll see! :)"

I'm traveling this week out of the country. Work conference, so I am not sure how much reading I will get done. I will try to get the first in the series done, but I don't want to hold anything up.

Ray (user2637) wrote: "One thing we need to pay special attention to -- that non-RPGers might not know -- is using up as much of our HP ("health points" or "hit points") as we can before we level up, since HP fills all t..."

We'll be keeping an eye on it - thanks for the reminder! I'm RPG-naive but Margaret has played the single player game and is all savvy ^^b

Lory wrote: "I'm traveling this week out of the country. Work conference, so I am not sure how much reading I will get done. I will try to get the first in the series done, but I don't want to hold anything up."

No worries! The great thing is that we can use whatever book is finished first, no need to wait for a particular person. And we'll need a #1 for every level, so it will always come in handy ;)

I hope your trip goes as smoothly as possible, and that you have some time for fun stuff besides work!

I just finished Crooked Kingdom which is #2 in series.

Finished:

Never Never part 2 & 3 by Coleen Hoover
158&154 pages
09Oct

Ray (user2637) wrote: "Finished:

Never Never part 2 & 3 by Coleen Hoover
158&154 pages
09Oct"

What did you think of the reason it all happened?

Ray (user2637) wrote: "I found a couple more dudes for us to choose from for our Hero."

Hi! just popping over from the Dholes, to check out the warriors. I love your options - this one looks ready for anything, not to mention a quiet read in his den when the smiting is over!

To start we can level our weapon! To get to level 4 6 we need:

First book in a series
#1 - Bethany
#1 - Bethany
#1 - Ray
(#1- Tammie)
#1 - Lory
#1 - Caly
#1 - Bethany
(#1 - Pragya)

Second book in a series
#2 - Tammie
#2 - Ray
(#2 - Pragya)
#2 - Ella
#2 - Lory
#2 - Bethany

Third book in a series
#3 - Tammie
#3 - Ray
#3 - Bethany
#3 - Ella

Fourth book in a series
#4 - Ray
#4 - Bethany
#4 -

Fifth book in a series
#5 - Bethany
#5 - Pragya

Sixth book in a series
#6 -

If you finish other series books that's great too - we can bank them for future use. :)

And if you don't like series fear not - we'll be getting all kinds of quest and monster cards once the event starts!

Pragya wrote: "I just finished Crooked Kingdom which is #2 in series."

Nice one! :)

Ray (user2637) wrote: "Finished:

Never Never part 2 & 3 by Coleen Hoover
158&154 pages
09Oct"

It sounds like you guys have a lot to talk about! Feel free to use spoiler tags if you want to get into details :)

Catherine wrote: "Ray (user2637) wrote: "I found a couple more dudes for us to choose from for our Hero."

Hi! just popping over from the Dholes, to check out the warriors. I love your options - this one looks ready..."

Hi Catherine! A quiet read in the den sounds perfect, hehehe.

especially if it gets those weapon levels up!

speaking of.... I should probably get back to my book. ENjoy your sunday reading!

Ray (user2637) wrote: "I've got a bunch of series read too. :)

And, yes, 7 books seems like a lot for 1 more point of damage, but it also matters a little who we are up against in weeks 2,3,4. If their weapon is much s..."

I have a few points on this:

The series thing is the only sure thing until we actually see what cards we get, and it's a perfect pre-challenge pursuit.

And for those of us who really like series, the easiest task without looking too hard, and there are practically infinite potential "claims", as long as we can find long series.

And at least in the regular RPG, while 7 books is a lot for 1 extra damage, quite a lot of books can be required in a quest for just one level... or less. We'll just have to wait and see what the cards look like.

I've found in the RPG, pursuing a higher weapon level is super useful, at least early on. I can kill things in fewer hits, which means that they hit me less, which means I don't have to spend as much time on quests for trying to get healing potions and can focus on more permanent bonuses.

Finished:

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce
10/9
416 Pages
For #4 in series.

This was a nice, cozy reread. Well, as cozy as something can be while so many people brutally die. :D :(

I'm going to start on a #1 in a series. Haven't decided what yet, but it will either be useful for our weapon upgrade or whatever else. A lot less difficult to find additional #1s than like, #10 or whatever.

Never, Never spoiler under there --> (view spoiler)[ Meh. I knew it had to be something bizarre or supernatural, so I didn't mind that. There was really no other way out of it. But I didn't like all the unanswered questions! Unless I missed the answers due to reading it in the wee hours while having insomnia. For example, where did the blood on Silas' sheets come from!? (hide spoiler)]

Pragya wrote: "What did you think of the reason it all happened?"

I'm Ray and I approve this message. ;)

(Ray on 2 hours of sleep is weird...er.) Anywayyyy... yes to all the points you've made. I LOVED -- in Novel RPG and D&D -- when I got to the point where I could 1-shot kill a foe. So awesome.

Bethany wrote: "We'll just have to wait and see what the cards look like.

I've found in the RPG, pursuing a higher weapon level is super useful, at least early on. I can kill things in fewer hits, which means that they hit me less, which means I don't have to spend as much time on quests for trying to get healing potions and can focus on more permanent bonuses."

I have started a #1 in series. :) >14 hours!

Ray (user2637) wrote: "Never, Never spoiler under there --> [spoilers removed]Pragya wrote: "What did you think of the reason it all happened?""

(view spoiler)[I hated it. All of that building up, and the best they could come up with.... is fate? That's so ridiculous: in their world are people not supposed to break up?

The blood on his sheets was from the fight in the bar with Brian's dad, from what I recall. (hide spoiler)]

Bethany wrote: "I'm going to start on a #1 in a series. Haven't decided what yet, but it will either be useful for our weapon upgrade or whatever else. A lot less difficult to find additional #1s than like, #10 or..."

I'll do a 5 or 6 tomorrow (from the hundred oaks series which are basically stand alones in the same world, but whatever) whichever we need.

Finished! 10/9

Alex
224 pgs
#1 in series

There are 7 in this series...I'm fine with reading them all if it would be beneficial
I'm also going to read #5-9 in the Sullivan series I've been reading...those are fairly quick reads

Pragya wrote: "Ray (user2637) wrote: "Never, Never spoiler under there --> [spoilers removed]Pragya wrote: "What did you think of the reason it all happened?""

I hated it. All of that building up, and the best t..."

I was disappointed with the ending as well...chalked it up to YA category.

Finished:

Never Never Part Three by Colleen Hoover
10/9
My edition was 154 pages
3rd in a series or bank

I mean, the ending was underwhelming, but I didn't hate it. Some of it was kind of cute.

More Never Never spoilers (view spoiler)[
Ah, the fight = the blood. I guess that makes sense. Re: fate -- I had the feeling that not _everyone_ in their world must stay together, but rather just these two people... and I guess their kid..? Could've done without the epilogue. (hide spoiler)]

Pragya wrote: "I hated it."

Ray (user2637) wrote: "More Never Never spoilers (view spoiler)[
Ah, the fight = the blood. I guess that makes sense. Re: fate -- I had the feeling that not _everyone_ in their world must stay together, but rather just these two people..." (hide spoiler)]

I didn't hate...overall good I thought...I totally agree (view spoiler)[on the epilogue...would have been better without it! (hide spoiler)]

Reading a 600+ pg #3 next.

Bethany wrote: "I've found in the RPG, pursuing a higher weapon level is super useful, at least early on. I can kill things in fewer hits, which means that they hit me less, which means I don't have to spend as much time on quests for trying to get healing potions and can focus on more permanent bonuses. "

This paragraph clicked with me - it makes total sense. :)

Bethany wrote: "Finished:

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce
10/9
416 Pages
For #4 in series.

This was a nice, cozy reread. Well, as cozy as something can be while so many people brutally..."

Here's hoping the dead were mostly bad guys ;)

Bethany wrote: "I'm going to start on a #1 in a series. Haven't decided what yet, but it will either be useful for our weapon upgrade or whatever else. A lot less difficult to find additional #1s than like, #10 or..."

Got it! Yeah, the upper number ones are going to be hard... maybe (non-paranormal) romance series? Some can be read out of order.

Ray (user2637) wrote: "I have started a #1 in series. :) >14 hours!"

Yay! :D

eta: Expanding out the goal post to level six because I can, bwhahaha.

Pragya wrote: "I'll do a 5 or 6 tomorrow (from the hundred oaks series which are basically stand alones in the same world, but whatever) whichever we need."

At this moment we need both, hehehe. I'll keep the Goal post updated as well as I can to help you decide :)

Tammie wrote: "Finished! 10/9

Alex
224 pgs
#1 in series

There are 7 in this series...I'm fine with reading them all if it would be beneficial
I'm also going to read #5-9..."

Huzzah series!

Getting higher numbered books is going to be harder, so it may be good to start with that 5-9 set, if the mood strikes. :)

Bethany wrote: "Finished:

Never Never Part Three by Colleen Hoover
10/9
My edition was 154 pages
3rd in a series or bank

I mean, the ending was underwhelming, but I di..."

I'm enjoying watching you guys talk about this one ^^

Tammie wrote: "Reading a 600+ pg #3 next.
"

Ooo, looks good!

What!? Are you reading the spoilers??? But... they're SPOILERS!! I'm a huge spoiler-hater. I guess not so much for books that I know I will never read, but definitely for books/movies I want to experience. I'm the gal who closes her eyes, covers her ears, and hums during film previews in the theater (if I know I want to see the film and not get spoilered).

Kazen wrote: "I'm enjoying watching you guys talk about this one ^^"

Regarding the epilogue:
(view spoiler)[I choose to interpret this as "these particular pairs of people must be together in order to genetically produce the chosen one" and that's why both them and their daughter were affected, but not everyone in the world is. Not explicitly stated, but that was the justification I came up with. (hide spoiler)]

Ray (user2637) wrote: "What!? Are you reading the spoilers??? But... they're SPOILERS!!"

I don't see myself reading the book (not my genre, and not available at my library) so I do peek a little. Not always, but a little. :)

Nice! I like that interpretation. :)

Bethany wrote: "Regarding the epilogue:
[spoilers removed]"

Finished:

15 Minutes by Jill Cooper
236 pgs
09Oct
#1 in series

ETA: I just noticed we've got enough for Level 4 weapon upgrade already! Yay! :D :D

Ray (user2637) wrote: "Finished:

15 Minutes by Jill Cooper
236 pgs
09Oct
#1 in series

ETA: I just noticed we've got enough for Level 4 weapon upgrade already! Yay! :D :D"

~does a happy dance~

Gonna finish off Lemonade War series next, with #5. Also reading a non-series book which is lovely gay teenage angst. :)

7 hours!!!!

Ray (user2637) wrote: "Gonna finish off Lemonade War series next, with #5. Also reading a non-series book which is lovely gay teenage angst. :)

7 hours!!!!"

*debates the merits of staying up to 3am my time *

Bethany wrote: "Ray (user2637) wrote: "*debates the merits of staying up to 3am my time * "

Sleep now - a rested warrior is a victorious warrior! Get up early if you must ;)

Ray (user2637) wrote: "Nice! I like that interpretation. :)

Bethany wrote: "Regarding the epilogue:
[spoilers removed]""

I'm thinking in 'part 4' we find out it's all just a dream...better not be a part 4!

Wait, it's 3am *my* time... isn't that 2am your time? I didn't think you were on Pacific time... Or do I have my times wrong. I will go check.

Anyway, I'm going to try to stay up, or at least wake up around that time to see our cards and then go back to sleep, haha. Don't want to wait the 7 more hours until my usual wake up time!

Bethany wrote: "*debates the merits of staying up to 3am my time *"

NO PART 4!!! Haha.

Tammie wrote: "I'm thinking in 'part 4' we find out it's all just a dream...better not be..."

Ray (user2637) wrote: "Wait, it's 3am *my* time... isn't that 2am your time? I didn't think you were on Pacific time... Or do I have my times wrong. I will go check.

Anyway, I'm going to try to stay up, or at least wake..."
I dunno, I'm bad at simple math.

Cute. You don't have to be good at math. *hug*

Well, if it's ~9:45 pm there now, then we should get our cards at 2am your time. At least, if they are on time. :)

Bethany wrote: "I dunno, I'm bad at simple math."