Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Yes, hello and welcome!! Glad to have you both! :D

Candace wrote: "I just picked it up from the library, but I am working on a few others at the moment. I hope to start on it soon though.

Is that a good wow or a bad wow? lol."

It was a good wow, though I admit there were times I was just "eh" but it most definitely pulls you in!

Moderators of NBRC wrote: "Please welcome to the team:

• Jennifer
• Megan Harnett"

Welcome Jennifer and Megan H.

Look forward to having you on the team and getting to know you. Please friend Bethany and I and post a link to your TT shelf here. Thanks!

Welcome to our new members!! I didn't realize we had lost two people. I knew Lauriie left, but who else did, out of pure curiousity?


I am looking forward to reading Dark Matter, but I just started this series and one of the BOM, so I want to finish them first. Plus, I am reading Raven Black and I only have it for two more days, before it's gotta go back. Darn library due dates always sneak up on me!

Candace wrote: "Welcome to our new members!! I didn't realize we had lost two people. I knew Lauriie left, but who else did, out of pure curiousity?


I am looking forward to reading Dark Matter, but I just starte..."

We didn't loose anyone else. Mods add new members after bpm. So if we loose someone that reads a lot of books each month that player might be replaced by one or more people as long as the total bpm is roughly the same for the team.
Hope that makes sense?

Candace wrote: "Welcome to our new members!! I didn't realize we had lost two people. I knew Lauriie left, but who else did, out of pure curiousity?


I am looking forward to reading Dark Matter, but I just starte..."

Teams are divided equally (or as equally as possible) based on yearly book count. Lauriie was a pretty big reader, so the 2 replacements equal her yearly book count. ;)

Ah, I see. Thanks for the explanation. Curiosity satisfied.

Hello! I'm here!

I just finished finals, so the past two weeks have been light on reading, but I intend to catch up this weekend. Thanks for having me on your team! And I will get caught up to what the team is working on tonight/tomorrow. Super excited to be doing Tower Teams again (my 2nd time)! I thought I had missed it!

Jennifer wrote: "Hello! I'm here!

I just finished finals, so the past two weeks have been light on reading, but I intend to catch up this weekend. Thanks for having me on your team! And I will get caught up to wha..."

Excited to have you with us as well! Catch up when you can and don't forget to create a shelf so we can add it to the spreadsheet. 8-)

ALex could you just refresh your TT shelf or try adding the finish date for Loving you with teeth and claws? It is a good reads error but it is not picking up your finish date. The mods say this happens sometime. Thanks!

Hi everybody!

Sorry I am getting late to this post today but it has been a hectic day! I will answer the questions that you all answered when you first started.

I usually play Tower Teams but was hesitant to start because my life is busy. I have a 2 year old daughter and most days I am home with her while I work my Lularoe business! But my reading has picked up lately so I thought I would join!

My favorite genre is Romance! Any romance! In fact it is the only thing I read! I try to read other genres but I end up getting bored and since my reading time is limited I decided that I should just stick to what I like!

On average I am reading between 2-4 books a week but probably about 2.

I don't mind a chatty team but don't be surprised if I disappear from time to time. I will be reading and posting books but may not have time to chat!

I love dogs!! Although I have cats! I live in a place that is extrmely cold in the winter so the thought of walking my dog in snow, sleet and/or rain has stopped me from actually having a dog.

I am glad to join the team! Like I said I have a very active 2 year old that takes over my life while trying to run an in home buisness so life gets crazy and sometimes my reading suffers. But I will read at least once a day! LOL! The other night I was reading a really good book and stayed up until midnight just to finish it because it was good! Looking forward to this challenge!

My bookshelf link is here: Tower Teams Shelf

I'm going to check the shelf when I'm back home after my nightshift. It's my work weekend and I'm not doing much more than sleep and work.

Phew... work day is over. I haven't read up yet, but here is my shelf (hopefully that linked right... It should be Tower Teams V.).

Like I said, finals just finished, so... super crazy! I looked and I literally started no books (unless I forgot to update my account, but I don't remember doing anything but sleeping, eating, and studying in the past week), so... time to catch up!

My goal for this evening was to go to the local soaking pool (check), and then crawl into bed with a cup of tea and read (check), and maybe cuddle with the cat while reading said book (she's staring at me while laying on her back with her paws awkwardly curled up against her side, so, opposite of check on that one). I came home with a pile of 7 books from the library (one is a cookbook, so really 6?) so... we'll see what happens this weekend.

I started reading this book tonight: , and after a couple chapters in, I'm impressed. I don't normally read nonfiction, but I absolutely love Maynard James Keenan (I just saw A Perfect Circle down in LA).

Other than that... my normal genre is science fiction or fantasy, leaning heavily towards fantasy. But I also appreciate mystery and thrillers. If anyone is looking for a randomly good sci fi/mystery genre blend, I highly recommend .

Otherwise, one question for the mods since I don't know if it was asked on the main forum: can I use books that have yet to be published? I have a backlog of stuff to read from Netgalley, so I'm wondering if that counts... Thanks!

Yes you can use books that aren't published yet, as long as they meet the requirements and are on the site you're good.
(And if the book isn't on GR someone can add it for you) :)

Annika wrote: "Yes you can use books that aren't published yet, as long as they meet the requirements and are on the site you're good.
(And if the book isn't on GR someone can add it for you) :)"

Awesome! Most of these are TOR/Macmillan publishers, so... they should be on there. (And I'm technically a Goodreads librarian from way back when so I could probably figure that out too...)

Awesome Jennifer! I'm a big sci-fi/fantasy/mystery thriller junkie myself, so I just may have to take some recommendations from you!

Hey Bethany! I have answered some of the DQs for A Gentleman in Moscow. My post is #74 if you would add it to the BoM sheet that would great! Thanks

And is anyone else reading this? It is really good so far!

Caly ☯ wrote: "Hey Bethany! I have answered some of the DQs for A Gentleman in Moscow. My post is #74 if you would add it to the BoM sheet that would great! Thanks

And is anyone else reading this? It is really g..."

I want to read it, but I'm still pretty far on the holds list at the library and it's still an expensive book. Any idea how late we can contribute to the discussion and still have it count?

Currently trying to remember how to link to a specific post, but will incorporate that soon.

Bethany wrote: "Caly ☯ wrote: "Hey Bethany! I have answered some of the DQs for A Gentleman in Moscow. My post is #74 if you would add it to the BoM sheet that would great! Thanks

And is anyone else reading this?..."

Don't remember if it has to be the same month or if they are open the whole challenge. Might want to check with the mods to be sure.

And as for the link, right click on the time stamp on the msg you want, far t the right of the post, copy the link there, and use as in the html code :)

Random Question of the Day

How do you react when a friend recommends you a book, and either you read it and don't like it or are hesitant to read it because you have different taste in books?


I will eventually read almost anything recommended, and say nice things about it to whoever recommended it. I'm a people pleaser. But I definitely enjoy them on average less than books I pick out myself, and I'm really bad about telling people I didn't like the thing they liked or won't try the thing they liked. Pushover is my middle name.

Annika wrote: "Bethany wrote: "Caly ☯ wrote: "Hey Bethany! I have answered some of the DQs for A Gentleman in Moscow. My post is #74 if you would add it to the BoM sheet that would great! Thanks

And is anyone el..."
Thanks Annika!

Bethany wrote: "Random Question of the Day

How do you react when a friend recommends you a book, and either you read it and don't like it or are hesitant to read it because you have different taste in books?.."

Hmm, that depends on the book. I have a few people that tends to recommend books to be that is far from what I like to read. Now if it is a friend I know and trust the reading habits of I might pick up it anyway - but it will most likely be on that list for a while. Now if it is someone I have nothing in common with and usually read books I wouldn't go near - I won't read the book.
I'm also honest with why the book didn't work for me or why I loved it.

Follow-up Question:
Do you usually recommend books?

I recommend books when people ask for them, but also when I've read a book I really loved. But then I only recommend it to people I know would like it too.

Annika wrote: "Bethany wrote: "Caly ☯ wrote: "Hey Bethany! I have answered some of the DQs for A Gentleman in Moscow. My post is #74 if you would add it to the BoM sheet that would great! Thanks

And is anyone el..."

It's 1 month. On the BOM tab in the spreadsheet the last dates for participation points are highlighted in red. So for the Gentlemen BOM, you've got until June 12.

Thanks Shannon! :)

Bethany wrote: "Random Question of the Day

How do you react when a friend recommends you a book, and either you read it and don't like it or are hesitant to read it because you have different taste in books?


I ..."

I had read many a good book that was recommended to me so I always love when someone recommends something, especially if I have never heard of it before. However I do not blindly read it just because it is recommended. I check out the synopsis and the genre and if it seems interesting I will give it a go. If not I just pass.

Welcome Megan and Jennifer :-)!!!

Bethany wrote: "Random Question of the Day

How do you react when a friend recommends you a book, and either you read it and don't like it or are hesitant to read it because you have different taste in books?."

If it's a genre I don't like, I'm honest and tell the person that I generally don't care for books in that genre.

If I do read it, and don't like it, I try to point out a few things I did like about the book before breaking the news that it just wasn't for me;-).

Q: How do you react when a friend recommends you a book, and either you read it and don't like it or are hesitant to read it because you have different taste in books?

I'm generally pretty honest because books take a big chunk of time to read and if they recommend something that I don't want to read, then I'm probably not going to read it. Sorry! Go ahead and tell me about it and I'll say good for you but 4-8 hours of my life? Eh, I don't know about that. Maybe I'd consider borrowing their copy and giving the first few dozen pages a shot. If I already read it and didn't like it, then let's have a good discussion about it. I think that's fun and as friends we should be able to do that.

Q: Do you usually recommend books?

I recommend books to my friends who I know like to read, and I recommend books that I think they will like. I know my friends and family and their tastes pretty well so if I recommend a book it is probably a genre and author that I really think they will like.

When a friend recommends a crappy book i flat out tell them "Ew" but they know my taste in books and that I'm blunt. :oP

megan wrote: "When a friend recommends a crappy book i flat out tell them "Ew" but they know my taste in books and that I'm blunt. :oP"

Ha. "Recommend at your own risk." Sounds like me. ;) :P

How do I react?

This happens all the time at the library (I work at a library). I usually smile and nod and maybe ask a question, and then say that I'll have to check it out. (Spoiler: I very rarely do, but I do use the recommendations to recommend books to other people who are looking for similar genres, so it's not all bad.)

Do I recommend books?

All the time! Probably too much... but people seem to enjoy listening to my recommendations, and it helps me get better at "selling" books on the job! (Note: By "selling" I mean trying to get someone interested enough to take me up on my book recommendation.)

Another question about the rules: how do I tell if something is 25,000 words in order for it to count?

Context: I am taking a multicultural children's literature class, and so lots of books for the next couple weeks will be juvenile books. How do I figure out if they meet the length requirement? Or should I assume most chapter-book length books of at least 100-200 pages should fit?

Thanks!

Jennifer wrote: "Another question about the rules: how do I tell if something is 25,000 words in order for it to count?

Context: I am taking a multicultural children's literature class, and so lots of books for th..."

Usually we'll try to look up the word count online, but multicultural children's lit sounds like something that would be hard to find for. I would hesitate to say that you can just assume that 100-200 page books would fit, because I've read adult, picture-less books that due to formatting, short chapters, and blank space at the end of chapters don't meet the word count requirement.

Caly or I will see if we can investigate or ask the mods though.

Jennifer wrote: "Another question about the rules: how do I tell if something is 25,000 words in order for it to count?"

Try looking the book up on AR Bookfinder. It lists word counts for children's books.

Random Question of the Day: Are there any things in particular that put you in the mood for one type of book or the other? i.e.,
weather, having a good day, having a bad day, being tired, being busy?

I'm sick today, which apparently puts me in the mood for audiobooks! Keeps me entertained, and I don't have to put in much effort or keep my eyes open, and it leaves my hands free to blow my nose. :P

When I'm in a really good mood, I often like to by contrast read grittier or darker stuff, thrillers and stuff. And then when I'm sad I like reading fluffier comfort books, like happy fantasies.

Amanda A wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Another question about the rules: how do I tell if something is 25,000 words in order for it to count?"

Try looking the book up on AR Bookfinder. It lists word counts for children..."

Awesome, thanks! Some of the books I looked up are apparently much higher word count than I thought, so woo! Incoming reads this week... well, except for that one. Not that one.

Jennifer wrote: "Another question about the rules: how do I tell if something is 25,000 words in order for it to count?

Context: I am taking a multicultural children's literature class, and so lots of books for th..."

As Bethany has said, if it is over 100 pages pages it would count but in the case of Children's book it needs to be over 25,000 words and you can check that at AR Bookfinder as Amanda said.

Also cool that we have a librarian in our midst. I will definitely hope for a recommendation or 2 ;-D

Caly ☯ wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Another question about the rules: how do I tell if something is 25,000 words in order for it to count?

Context: I am taking a multicultural children's literature class, and so lot..."

Well, almost true. The books needs to be 25k words and >100 pages. But most books that aren't childrens books don't have an issue with the 25k word count - just to keep it in mind that some might be shorter.

Bethany wrote: "Random Question of the Day: Are there any things in particular that put you in the mood for one type of book or the other? i.e.,
weather, having a good day, having a bad day, being tired, being bu..."

Since I am not a fast reader (mostly because I don't have the time) my mood and the weather can change several times during the course of the book. Heck I live in TN and the weather often changes 3 times during the day! LOL. So as far as choosing a book goes, if I am doing a team challenge (which I love to do) sometimes those prompts help me pick out something, otherwise it is just what strikes my fancy. I will say though that if I have read something heavy or intense, I usually like to read a fantasy next just for a change of pace.

Annika wrote: "Caly ☯ wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Another question about the rules: how do I tell if something is 25,000 words in order for it to count?

Context: I am taking a multicultural children's literature cl..."

Thanks Annika!

Caly ☯ wrote: "Heck I live in TN and the weather often changes 3 times during the day! "

I know that feeling! I'm in a city known for having all four seasons in a day. Seriously, snow in the morning, rain at noon, 80 degree heat in the evening, and a chilly breeze at night.

Bethany wrote: "Random Question of the Day: Are there any things in particular that put you in the mood for one type of book or the other? i.e.,
weather, having a good day, having a bad day, being tired, being bu..."

The seasons can influence what I want to read. I tend to go for more horror than usual in the fall. I like to dedicate October to horror reads only ;-). During the winter, I like to read long books, especially historical fiction. Summer, I like to read shorter books, and books set in hot climates. I already have Jaws picked out for the end of the month, before we go to the beach;-).

Bethany wrote: "Random Question of the Day: Are there any things in particular that put you in the mood for one type of book or the other? i.e.,
weather, having a good day, having a bad day, being tired, being bu..."

I tend to read "beach reads" during the spring and summer and it is also because more of those type of books are released at that time of the year. Other than that, challenges or library due dates usually determine when I read a book.

It's been raining here all day, and now we've got thunderstorms moving into the area. I just finished a book set in rural Ireland, complete with cold, damp weather and lots of rain:-). The weather here certainly set the mood for the book.

OMG, I FINALLY FINISHED . That took me WAYYYYY longer than I anticipated to finish! I am shocked. So to answer the QOTD, usually the end of the last book I read sets me up for the next book I read. At this point I want something that is SO unlike The Circle...i.e. maybe something light and fluffy or funny or YA. NOTHING to do with technology or stubborn girls who don't listen to other people or who smile or frown at things or...or....I think I need a bottle of wine! ;P

A glass of wine for you while you browse the book selection



Something light and fluffy you say?

Here is the menu selection for you :)

hilarious and sweet (and free)
super cute and fun. Love the entire series
Sweet, fun YA
Another good YA
Love these boys
more sweet and fluffy
Non-stop humour. (note: Klune has a particular, wonderful, way of writing and it might not be for everyone's tastes)
, this was a fun ride

And I'm going to stop myself there.... ;)

Oh man, you had me at hilarious, sweet, and free!!! haha! Thanks for the list! I will check into it all! It's 2:30am and I am so hyped up over how that book ended so that's about the best thing I can do! (plus I slept most of the day because I wasn't feeling well so I'm all messed up here)

haha, It's one of my go-to books when I need something quick and fun. :)
Obviously I love recommending books, so let me know if you need more - I'm always happy to help ;)

Hope you feel better soon!
Not sure if I should hope for you to sleep or find a good book to read ;)

Are people not liking The Circle? I picked it up from the library, but most reviews I've read about it are not great. I'm dreading reading it a little.

Augh! I'm so annoyed. I've had a guest staying in our guest room while they find a job and a place to work for over a month now, and between the extra cooking, cleaning, and entertaining, I'm worn out, frustrated, and behind on my reading! Gwar. I'm super bad about setting boundaries (see previous comments about my doormat tendencies) but I'm just so done. But I don't want to kick them out when they currently have nowhere to live.

Also, it SNOWED today. Blargh.