Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Official Rankings at the end of Round 2:

Murder on the Orient Express 10082
The Hobbit 9758
Watership Down 9719
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 9323
The Odyssey 9261

Fantastic work everyone!

Sophie wrote: "Well done everyone! And thanks for all the completions today, you've been amazing.

Nicole - enjoy your dinner out! Eating out feels like an alien concept right now.

For the BOM, there is a tab on..."


Thanks Sophie!!

I honestly suck at looking up tags for my books. If anyone is a puzzle-solver and wants to do that, you are welcome to it. I know the points are negligible, but every little bit counts these days!

Thanks for the motivation y'all!

Sophie wrote: "Official Rankings at the end of Round 2:
Murder on the Orient Express 10082
The Hobbit 9758
Watership Down 9719
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 9323
The Odyssey 9261
Fantastic work everyone!"

Yess, we did so well! And only about 300 points to the first team, that's not much.

Victoria - boat trip was fine. Have to wear face coverings on it now, which feels really strange. When we went over last Sunday it was optional. At least we'd booked a cabin so didn't have to wear it for the whole trip as we weren't near other people. I definitely wouldn't fancy travelling by plane, or in the public areas of the boat. It's not that I disagree with the changes to rules, but personally I just find it uncomfortable, even for a short period of time.

Maria Helena - I'm in a band and we continued to meet via Zoom during lockdown. It's really not the same at all. But at least we could keep in touch and do some practicing. We've started to have socially distanced outdoor practices since mid June. Only problem is it depends on the weather.

I don't really like the idea of going for a meal in a restaurant yet. I'd rather give it a while to see if it causes an increase with cases. Anyone who's been to a restaurant so far, what has it been like?

I’m going to try and get over my need to read every series in order. I still have several hundred print books from before I got into ebooks. I’ve been going through them to read some and purge more. Honestly print books usually make me congested but I just can’t bring myself to just get rid of them all.

Anyway, I just found about 10 audio books from the Rogue Angel series that I scored at a used book store years ago. I’m going to just listen to the ones I have. I don’t remember it being a series that had a continuing story line.

Vikki wrote: "Victoria - boat trip was fine. Have to wear face coverings on it now, which feels really strange. When we went over last Sunday it was optional. At least we'd booked a cabin so didn't have to wear ..."

Face coverings are tricky. I find wearing a cloth one less uncomfortable than I used to find wearing a surgical one in the hospital for hours on end. Suspect they will end up becoming more common place before this finishes.

Will keep fingers crossed for you that the weather behaves so that you can have some in person practices at least.

Slightly sadly, I can't remember the last time I went to eat in a restaurant even before all this started... Going to make it even more of a treat when we do eventually go to one again. Think we might have a takeaway this week though which will be a good change from cooking.

Mary C wrote: "I’m going to try and get over my need to read every series in order. I still have several hundred print books from before I got into ebooks. I’ve been going through them to read some and purge more..."

I need to cull my selection really, but I'm still holding out an unrealistic hope that my husband will turn the area around the window in our living room into bookshelves and a reading nook. Have mentioned it a few times, but he's not rising to the bait.

Good luck with the switch to reading series in any order!

We're headed out again tomorrow, will spend a few days in Helsinki (haven't visited since October, really miss it) and then back to the summer cottage. Will update when I'm able to.

Round 2 checked in! In an hour you are able to start finishing things again for round 3.

We're 2nd on the leaderboard which is awesome! 300 point gap to the team in 1st which is almost all BOM points. The next team are 400 back. (I'm relying on no big updating happening by other teams in the next hour...)

We got 8 spell outs completed and were 4 letters off finishing spell out 9! They only give us 9 spell outs on the SS so would have had to ask for more with only a few more books.


Our next word is: CELEBRATION
Tags: Flower, Lavender, France, Battle, Space

C Vikki - The Little Paris Patisserie
E Camilla - Korppikuningas
L Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
E Jenn - Witchy Business
R Vikki - Reflection
A Camilla - The beginner's goodbye
T Camilla - The Complete book of home organisation
I MH - I can see you
O Tonya - Outlander
N Camilla - Nightmare city

C Sophie - The sun down motel
E Rosina - Twilight
L Camilla - Vanished
E
B Mary - Burning Up
R
A
T Sophie - This explains everything
I Tonya - In the Heart of Texas
O
N

Tags
1 Camilla Confessions of expat in Paris
2 Vikki - Reflection
3 Vikki - Little Paris Patisserie
4 Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
5 Mary - Mum's the word
6 Mary - Burning Up
7 Rosina - Twilight
8 Jenn- Wicked like Wildfire
9 Jenn - Astrophysics for people in a hurry
10
Reserve

Camilla wrote: "We're headed out again tomorrow, will spend a few days in Helsinki (haven't visited since October, really miss it) and then back to the summer cottage. Will update when I'm able to."

Have a lovely time!

I was meant to be visiting Stockholm and the surrounding area (staying in a family friend's house by the sea) next week, but with everything that's going on we've cancelled the flights and are staying at home instead. Fingers crossed we'll make it out there next year.

Stockholm and the surrounding archipelago is beautiful, hopefully you'll be able to visit it later. Finland isn't yet allowing free travel between Finland and Sweden due to their much worse covid situation.

Thanks Camilla, I'm sure we'll get there eventually.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend and is ready for the week ahead.

Tags: Flower, Lavender, France, Battle, Space

C Vikki - The Little Paris Patisserie
E Camilla - Korppikuningas
L Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
E Jenn - Witchy Business
R Vikki - Reflection
O Tonya - Outlander
N Camilla - Nightmare city

C
E Rosina - Twilight
L Camilla - Vanished
E Camilla - Silkkeja, safiireja ja salaisuuksia
B Mary - Burning Up
R
A Camilla - The beginner's goodbye
T Sophie - This explains everything
O Sophie - Thief's Magic
N

C
E Camilla - Aina on Toivoa
L Camilla - Confessions of an Expat in Paris
E
B
R
A
T
O Mary C - Warrior Spirit
N

C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
I Tonya - In the Heart of Texas
O Sophie - The sun down motel
N

C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
I MH - I can see you
O
N

Tags
1 Camilla Confessions of expat in Paris
2 Vikki - Reflection
3 Vikki - Little Paris Patisserie
4 Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
5 Mary - Mum's the word
6 Mary - Burning Up
7 Rosina - Twilight
8 Jenn- Wicked like Wildfire
9 Jenn - Astrophysics for people in a hurry
10
Reserve

You don't have the whole word showing for the 1st spelling.

I went kayaking for the 1st time this year. I probably shouldn't have because of my shoulder issue but I enjoy it so much and it's free. I'm paying for it now but to the point where the pain is unbearable. We only did a leisurely paddle for about a hour. I'll see how long it affects me before I go again.

Mary C wrote: "You don't have the whole word showing for the 1st spelling."

That's because I've filled those letters in on the official SS. If everyone is happier for me to keep them on the update list marked DONE I can do that too.

Glad you enjoyed the kayaking while you went. Real shame that it's affected you so badly. Hopefully it'll recover quickly so you can get on the water again.

Ah gotcha. The pain is already better. Going to have hubby run me down with icy hot before bed. Contemplating a shot of pot infused rum. It’s nasty but it knocks me out.

Sophie wrote: "Vikki wrote: "Victoria - boat trip was fine. Have to wear face coverings on it now, which feels really strange. When we went over last Sunday it was optional. At least we'd booked a cabin so didn't..."

The last time I ate out in a restaurant was the weekend of 14th March. I was in Glasgow for a meeting (which ended up being cancelled) and needed food somewhere. On the Saturday night we ate in a Wetherspoons, food was nice but I felt uncomfortable as it was very busy and the bar was pretty crowded when I went to order the food. I'd normally eat out in a restaurant at least once a month I guess.

Sophie/Victoria: I just updated a book on the SS as done using my phone, can you please check that it shows correctly? I'm not used to working with spreadsheets on my phone.

Mary - fingers crossed it's doing better today.

Vikki - oh the joys of a spoons meal on a Saturday!

Camilla - SS looks good. Doing them on your phone is a skill it takes time to develop. I've got more comfortable doing it than I ever thought I would!

Hey tricksy Hobbitses. Stacie from Team Odyssey with a request. Can anyone recommend a romance with a Midsummer ball in it that isn't ? I love that book but looking for something new if possible. Thanks!!

Sophie wrote: "Vikki wrote: "Victoria - boat trip was fine. Have to wear face coverings on it now, which feels really strange. When we went over last Sunday it was optional. At least we'd booked a cabin so didn't..."

I have a couple of cloth face masks that my friend's mom made me but I found the disposable ones you see at the doctor office a lot more comfortable this weekend in LA. I guess there was a bit of a heatwave and the temperatures were in the low 100s (Fahrenheit).

When this started, I got a couple of pretty, infinity scarves that I used. But once it started getting hot, I switched to the white and blue medical ones. Our company bought them so I just use them now. They're much more comfortable in the heat.

We're still mostly staying home. We go to the lodge but there's never more than a few people there unless there's party which we aren't doing now.

I actually only had pain in that shoulder while working on the computer. I slept great last night. So I think I am good to kayak if I don't do it too often and for too long. We would normally have paddled for 4-5 hours at a faster pace.

I still really miss going to see a live band and go dancing. Some places with outside areas are bringing the bands back but no dancing is allowed. Plus who wants to dance in a face mask?

I've taken up cross-stitching again. When hubby isn't home or is doing something else, I'll listen to an audio book while I stitch.

Mary C wrote: "When this started, I got a couple of pretty, infinity scarves that I used. But once it started getting hot, I switched to the white and blue medical ones. Our company bought them so I just use them..."

Nice! It's great finding activities that you can still enjoy during the pandemic. I wouldn't want to be 6ft close to another kayak anyways.. haha

I used to salsa/bachata and the instructor started doing outdoor socials but it's BYOP -- bring your own partner. It is a bit hot dancing in a mask but sometimes it's better than nothing if you really love it! :)

Mary C wrote: "I still really miss going to see a live band and go dancing. Some places with outside areas are bringing the bands back but no dancing is allowed. Plus who wants to dance in a face mask?

I've take..."

I've also been cross stitching a bit since lockdown started

Quick pop in from me tonight - Joe took forever to get to sleep. Nothing much has changed from the update yesterday. Will do one tomorrow lunchtime.

Just finished my first book and updated the spreadsheet :)

Vikki - Glad the boat trip was still good despite needing to wear a facemask, definitely not ideal. Overall I don't mind the facemasks, but they fog up my glasses which is endlessly irritating.

Mary - I also need to read and purge some of my physical books. I will likely be moving back to the states in a few months and need to start sorting through things
And hope you enjoyed kayaking despite the pain!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I turned 30 on Sunday *sigh* and was out "celebrating" if you can call it that... It feels strange hitting a milestone during the pandemic, the year has not been at all as I had planned/hoped it be.

But I still had a good weekend, hiking in the Cotswolds with some friends, even braving Wetherspoons afterward. And then a picnic and cocktails on my actual bday.

I turned 50 right before the shut down. So I was still able to have a 50th b-day party. I was under a lot of stress at the time so I probably didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. But I was still really happy that they did that for me. No one's done anything special for my B-day since I was a little kid.

Mary C wrote: "I turned 50 right before the shut down. So I was still able to have a 50th b-day party. I was under a lot of stress at the time so I probably didn't enjoy it as much as I should have. But I was sti..."

Mary, my birthday was right before the shut-down as well!! I was able to go out with my friends the night of Friday the 13th (March) and then a good friend took me out to eat on my actual birthday (15th) and then we were locked in for the duration!

Glad you got to celebrate such a milestone!

My b-day was Feb 25th. Hubby turned 47 on 3/29 but he says it didn't count because of Covid so he's still 46. I made him a key lime cheesecake for his bday so I told him it counts.

Mary C wrote: "My b-day was Feb 25th. Hubby turned 47 on 3/29 but he says it didn't count because of Covid so he's still 46. I made him a key lime cheesecake for his bday so I told him it counts."

Haha awwh, that was sweet. Let him stay young just a little while longer! :P

My birthday was 4/29 so right smack dab in the middle of covid. I was supposed to go to LA/Disneyland but that obviously didn't happen. I ended up just having hot pot at my house with my bf (we are quarantined together) and one of our friends that we adopted during covid.

He really likes to remind me that I'm 3 years older than him. I told him he's not young enough to be a boy toy and the difference is not enough to make me a cougar. I also look younger than him but really only because I am blonde and he's rapidly going bald and gray.

Mary C wrote: "He really likes to remind me that I'm 3 years older than him. I told him he's not young enough to be a boy toy and the difference is not enough to make me a cougar. I also look younger than him but..."

Haha men do seem to age so much faster than women! Maybe it's because they don't believe in proper skin care regimen...

Also you're so lucky you're blonde! My boyfriend has light blond hair and a bunch of greys but you can't even tell because his hair is so light.

Yes but the flip side of that is that I look like I have no eyelashes or eyebrows. I do they are just so pale they look non existent. I do like not having to worry about leg hair. My mother is 74 and not a gray hair in site.

My daughter inherited her father's Italian genes. She loves the olive complexion, long eyelashes and how easy she tans. But not the Mediterranean body hair that comes with that.

When my husband turned 30 he refused to acknowledge it and said he was staying 29 forever. He's 18 months younger than me and likes to make the same sort of comments. I just remind him that he'll probably still die first...

Happy birthday Victoria! Glad you got to celebrate even if it was all a bit odd. And the same to all of you who have had birthdays in the last few months.

I turned 35 this month. So far I don't mind getting older. Maybe I'll feel different when I hit my fifties.

Added two books I plan on reading to the spreadsheet.

Tags: Flower, Lavender, France, Battle, Space

C Vikki - The Little Paris Patisserie
E Camilla - Korppikuningas
E Jenn - Witchy Business
R Vikki - Reflection
N Camilla - Nightmare city

C
E Rosina - Twilight
L Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
E Camilla - Silkkeja, safiireja ja salaisuuksia
B Mary - Burning Up
R
A Camilla - The beginner's goodbye
T Sophie - This explains everything
O Sophie - Thief's Magic
N

C
E Camilla - Aina on Toivoa
L Camilla - Confessions of an Expat in Paris
E
B
R
A
T
O Mary C - Warrior Spirit
N

C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
I Tonya - In the Heart of Texas
O Sophie - The sun down motel
N

C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
I MH - I can see you
O Tonya - Outlander
N

Tags
1 Camilla Confessions of expat in Paris
2 Vikki - Reflection
3 Vikki - Little Paris Patisserie
4 Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
5 Mary - Mum's the word
6 Mary - Burning Up
7 Rosina - Twilight
8 Jenn- Wicked like Wildfire
9 Jenn - Astrophysics for people in a hurry
10 Mary - Warrior Spirit
Reserve

How is everyone doing this week? Seems to be much slower on the reading front so far.

Victoria wrote: "Hope everyone had a great weekend. I turned 30 on Sunday *sigh* and was out "celebrating" if you can call it that... It feels strange hitting a milestone during the pandemic, the year has not been ..."

Happy Birthday!!!!

I too had a milestone birthday during the pandemic. I hit 40 in March. It is definitely weird. I'm glad you were able to do something fun.

Tonya wrote: "Mary C wrote: "I turned 50 right before the shut down. So I was still able to have a 50th b-day party. I was under a lot of stress at the time so I probably didn't enjoy it as much as I should have..."

Tonya my birthday is March 15th too! do you get the Ides of March jokes every year?

Victoria wrote: "Hope everyone had a great weekend. I turned 30 on Sunday *sigh* and was out "celebrating" if you can call it that... It feels strange hitting a milestone during the pandemic, the year has not been ..."

Also, just want to say don't stress about being in your 30s. The 30s are way better than the 20s.

Sophie wrote: "Camilla wrote: "We're headed out again tomorrow, will spend a few days in Helsinki (haven't visited since October, really miss it) and then back to the summer cottage. Will update when I'm able to...."

We were supposed to go to Italy last month....Was very sad to have to postpone it. It was supposed to be our 40th birthday present and my husbands best friend (college roommate) was supposed to go too.

I'm definitely feeling cooped up. I work in Urgent Care so I'm avoiding all my friends and family because of the risk. I can't wait until I can see my friends again...maybe take a road trip to Vegas to hang out by the pool.

I finished Hunting November.

Finished Korppikuningas yesterday, will update in the evening when I have access to a laptop. But in general this will be a slower week for me because of us staying at the summer cottage. Headed there today after three lovely days in Helsinki.

Tags: Flower, Lavender, France, Battle, Space

E Camilla - Korppikuningas (awaiting laptop access later)
E Jenn - Witchy Business

C Vikki - The Little Paris Patisserie
E Rosina - Twilight
L Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
E Camilla - Silkkeja, safiireja ja salaisuuksia
B Mary - Burning Up
R Vikki - Reflection
A Camilla - The beginner's goodbye
T Sophie - This explains everything
O Sophie - Thief's Magic
N Camilla - Nightmare city

C
E Camilla - Aina on Toivoa
L Camilla - Confessions of an Expat in Paris
E
B
R
A
T Sophie - Dear Martin
O Mary C - Warrior Spirit
N

C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
I Tonya In the Heart of Texas
O Tonya - Outlander
N

C
E
L
E
B
R
A
T
I MH - I can see you
O
N

Tags
1 Camilla Confessions of expat in Paris
2 Vikki - Reflection
3 Vikki - Little Paris Patisserie
4 Mary - Lost Carousel of Provence
5 Mary - Mum's the word
6 Mary - Burning Up
7 Rosina - Twilight
8 Jenn- Wicked like Wildfire
9 Jenn - Astrophysics for people in a hurry
10 Mary - Warrior Spirit
Reserve

I'd agree - only a couple of years into my 30s but so far much better than my 20s. Fingers crossed that carries on!

I'm sorry you had to postpone the trip to Italy, would have been incredible. Hopefully you'll be able to rearrange before long.

Working in urgent care would make you extra careful! We've been quite cautious because I work in healthcare, even if I'm not seeing patients face to face, I'm still going into the surgery to work.


Camilla - glad to hear Helsinki was good and hopefully you get a chance to relax at the cottage without dealing with family too much!

Sophie wrote: "
How is everyone doing this week? Seems to be much slower on the reading front so far.
.."

I am back at work this past week so my reading has slowed down to the one book a week.
On the weekend we did go out to a restaurant and we did feel safe with lots of precautions taken by the staff.