Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

I enjoyed all of the books in the Dublin Murder Squad series, but I think The Likeness and Into the Woods were the best.

Here are some recommendations from me:






and some non-crime ones:

Libraries in New Jersey will be open sometime soon (although no exact date yet) with limited services. I'm lucky I have access to two libraries' ebooks collections and I also have over 10,000 Kindle books (99.9% free ones).

Camilla, MPG is just a mess sometimes. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it! Unlike some other challenges, we're going to be chilled about it and trust that books fit tasks when people say they do (within reason!)

Wow you've all recommended loads! I'll update the list and add mine tomorrow before heading on a Hobbit tour to see what meals are being offered elsewhere

Wow that's a lot of kindle books!

The library's ebook selection is helping me a lot. We have no dates yet for when they might reopen.

maria helena wrote: "Here are some recommendations from me:


[book..."

I love Chris Carter's books! Although maybe not for anyone too squeamish. The Hypnotist is on my to-read list

I’m very lucky living in my area of Massachusetts. We’re a small state but with lots of small “cities” and counties. A couple of years ago my county connected with 6 other county library systems including Boston. I was able to give up my 2 out of state cards I was buying. Boston’s online catalog is huge.

We think I have about 2,000 kindle freebies. They’ve been really good lately if you like cozy’s, which I do.

I always find it a bit odd that you have to pay for a library card. I get it that we pay for it in our taxes, but in Finland all libraries are free. In the Turku area, where I live, we have a, not sure what it would be called in English... coalition maybe? of 18 counties' libraries, so having a library card in one of those counties/towns gives you access to all 18. I also have a library card for the larger Helsinki area solely to have access to their Overdrive, which houses a larger collection that the Turku area Overdrive.

Hello Team Hobbits,

I'm flying around from Harry Potter to wish you all a safe, fun voyage through reading land. My witches and wizards are sharing recommendations for everyone to use during our voyage wanted to invite you all to take a look here and we would love it if you would come over and share your thoughts with us. No matter what if its good or bad we would like to hear your thoughts on the book you picked.

Happy Travels!

The libraries in the US are free to local residents. I was Paying to access one in another state.

I'd love it if our libraries connected to London's system - would have access to loads more stuff, but they've got a good range at the moment.

Our book recommendations should all be linked up now and are about to journey from Middle Earth to explore the realms of other teams.

I honestly couldn't say the last time I was in our town library. I prefer to buy my books. Not good when I constantly run out of space on my shelves though

I found I was spending an awful lot of money on books. One of our local libraries does (did) a lovely kid's club on a Friday afternoon that I took my son to and got him a range of books every week. Hoping that opens up again soon!

Don't even mention spending a lot of money on books. I'm totally blaming lockdown but I recently decided to complete a series I had started reading when I was a kid. Only problem the books are out of print, and some of them are quite expensive to buy used. I don't want to work out how many I've bought over the past month or two, but it's a lot.

Vikki wrote: "I honestly couldn't say the last time I was in our town library. I prefer to buy my books. Not good when I constantly run out of space on my shelves though"

Well, I read between 300 and 350 books each year, so buying them all is simply not feasible.

Hi everyone! I'm Cassie and I am from a small town in Iowa, US. My favorite genres are mystery/thriller, horror, paranormal, with some chick-lit and YA in there. I'm always open to suggestions though!

My favorite vacation so far has been a 10 day trek across Texas and visiting everything we could there. I love travelling to different zoos and aquariums, as those are my favorite!

My shelf for this challenge is https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Vikki wrote: "Don't even mention spending a lot of money on books. I'm totally blaming lockdown but I recently decided to complete a series I had started reading when I was a kid. Only problem the books are out ..."

What series is it?

Mary C wrote: "The libraries in the US are free to local residents. I was Paying to access one in another state."

Here all libraries are free, whether it's your own town/county/state or not (well, we don't have states, but something remotely like it).

Camilla - wow, I'd love to be able to read that many books! I've only managed over 100 one year.
The series is The Chalet School by Elinor M Brent-Dyer. I'd been watching the BBC adaptation of Malory Towers by Enid Blyton, re-read the first book in that series and then got inspired to revisit The Chalet School series.

I read about 200-250/year. I can't afford to buy that many. Also I have dust allergy issues, eye issues and a lack of space. I went into the digital age kicking and screaming but once I embraced it I so much prefer reading on my Kindle now.

That said, I still have about 600 paperbacks. I need to go through them again and purge whatever I can get from the library. I keep saying I'm going to read them but I find they often irritate my eyes and make me congested. Plus a lot of them are erotic romances and I find I am just not interested in those anymore. The straight out erotica ones. I need more plot than sex these days.

Vikki wrote: "The series is The Chalet School by Elinor M Brent-Dyer. I'd been watching the BBC adaptation of Mal..."

Oh, that's an old series, the first ones seem to be first published in the 1920's. It looks like it's got 58 books in it, how many have you got already?

Mary C wrote: "I need more plot than sex these days."

ROFL!

Question on the recommendations:
Specifically the Harry Dresden Fool Moon by Jim Butcher
Because of the new release I have been re-reading the series, but am closer to the middle of the series.
Does your recommendation cover the whole series, or just that specific book?

Our libraries have reopened for curbside pick-up and only with stuff from your own branch. But I used mostly the digital catalog.

If you are in the US, find out if your library is connected to Hoopla. Huge extra catalog and I've never had to wait for a book. There's just a 10 per month limit. Also I can't figure out how to get their ebooks into my Kindle Paperwhite. You can only read them through their app. I should put the app on my Kindle fire. I mostly just use them for audio books.

Mary C wrote: " If you are in the US, find out if your library is connected to Hoopla"

I love Hoopla!

I have no idea on how the mods will qualify book recs. I just put the 1st book of some series I love because it's too much to post them all. I guess in this case I forgot that that's book #2.

I can say that I highly recommend the whole Dresden file series.

I think I might reread that series myself since it looks like Peace Talks will finally be coming out. I also see a book in Goodreads after that one. Or maybe just the last couple to remind myself what was happening.

Oooh the new audio version of Storm Front has the Chicago Skyline on the cover. There's a task related to city skylines.

Mary C wrote: "I read about 200-250/year. I can't afford to buy that many. Also I have dust allergy issues, eye issues and a lack of space. I went into the digital age kicking and screaming but once I embraced it..."

So glad I wasn't drinking then!

Camilla wrote: "Vikki wrote: "The series is The Chalet School by Elinor M Brent-Dyer. I'd been watching the BBC adaptation of Mal..."

Oh, that's an old series, the first ones seem to be first published in the 192..."

There are actually up to 62 titles. A few of the books were split into 2 when they were published in paperback. I'm only missing 3 now. Doesn't mean I've bought near 60 books though, I had a decent starting point from when I was a kid.

Welcome Cassie! It's lovely to have you with us as that means the whole team is here now!

Hopefully everyone is getting ready to start in 2-3 days time (10pm BST / 5pm East Coast USA - 12th June). Please don't start any books you want to count before that time as we won't be able to use them.

Mary C wrote: "I have no idea on how the mods will qualify book recs. I just put the 1st book of some series I love because it's too much to post them all. I guess in this case I forgot that that's book #2.

I c..."

We are working on the system of checking with the team who recommended it to make a decision. Some people will be happy with the whole series, others (cough, Cat, cough) will get very grumpy with any deviation (Rincewind being substituted if she makes a discworld recommendation would probably lose us lots of points!)

I remember loving the Chalet school when I was younger! Might see if the library has them on ebook to borrow.

Mary C wrote: "I have no idea on how the mods will qualify book recs. I just put the 1st book of some series I love because it's too much to post them all. I guess in this case I forgot that that's book #2.

I c..."

Ok, thank you Mary.

Sophie wrote: "I remember loving the Chalet school when I was younger! Might see if the library has them on ebook to borrow."

I'd hoped I might find them on Kindle store but no luck with that. So I've a real mismatch of paperbacks now lol

Not sure if any of them would work for this challenge but they're quite quick reads so I can read alongside my wheelathon books anyway

It doesn't look like the library has then online. I'll have to look when they let me in the building again

Mary C wrote: "I think I might reread that series myself since it looks like Peace Talks will finally be coming out. I also see a book in Goodreads after that one. Or maybe just the last couple to remind myself w..."

I love this series, I might start it again it's been a while.

I put two books in the planning sheet for next week.

which works for the racism tag and task#100 (GR choice award)
As for spell out it works for U (title)
by Anne Bishop it doesn't work for a tag, but does cover task#161 two word title
For spell out it works for G (title), B (Author).

I will also start The Order of the Phoenix and I hope I can finish it in two weeks. (Obvious U(mbridge)) Harry Potter is usually a good letter source because there are so many characters.

I requested Storm Front from a couple of my libraries. One looks like it might come soon.

I might pick up Skin Game if I can find it!

Some of my favorites this year and I can recommend for this challenge


(the other books in this series I also like but the first two I liked best)

Looking at the other team threads, one of them has been v organised and sorted the tasks into categories. I've 'borrowed' it for below.

[Rainbow
4 Read a book with a yellow cover
22 Read a book with a black cover
41 Read a book with a green cover
105 Read a book with a red cover
111 Read a book with a white cover
184 Read a book with a brown cover
190 Read a book with a purple cover
191 Read a book with an orange cover
199 Read a book with a blue cover

Series
33 Read #6 in a series
67 Read #1 in a series
86 Read #4 in a series
90 Read #8 in a series
92 Read #3 in a series
93 Read #10 in a series
101 Read #11-20 in a series
116 Read #7 in a series
148 Read #21-30 in a series
163 Read #2 in a series
168 Read #5 in a series
46 Read #9 in a series
47 Read #31+ in a series

Country
1 Read a book set in Canada
3 Read a book set in Japan
5 Read a book set in Africa
9 Read a book set in New Zealand
17 Read a book set in South America
31 Read a book set in Scandinavia (inc Iceland & Greenland)
35 Read a book set on a Pacific Island
38 Read a book set in the Middle East
50 Read a book set in North Africa
55 Read a book set in China
60 Read a book set in a different world
61 Read a book set in Greece
70 Read a book set in sub-Saharan Africa
76 Read a book set in India
79 Read a book set in Oceania
83 Read a book set in mainland Europe
97 Read a book set in Eastern Europe
107 Read a book set in Italy
144 Read a book set in Russia
154 Read a book set in Asia
171 Read a book set in Brazil
172 Read a book set in the British Isles
175 Read a book set in the United States
176 Read a book set on an Atlantic Island

MPG
2 Read a book with MPG Adventure
6 Read a book with MPG Thriller
14 Read a book with MPG Food and Drink
23 Read a book with MPG Paranormal
24 Read a book with MPG Sports
28 Read a book with MPG Suspense
29 Read a book with MPG Health
30 Read a book with MPG Holidays
36 Read a book with MPG Epic
37 Read a book with MPG Family
48 Read a book with MPG Contemporary
56 Read a book with MPG Romance
62 Read a book with MPG Young Adult
65 Read a book with MPG Travel
69 Read a book with MPG Memoir
71 Read a book with MPG Urban Fantasy
73 Read a book with MPG Zombies
74 Read a book with MPG LGBT
75 Read a book with MPG Steam Punk
81 Read a book with MPG Retellings
82 Read a book with MPG New Adult
94 Read a book with MPG Science
96 Read a book with MPG Horror
103 Read a book with MPG Time Travel
131 Read a book with MPG Historical Fiction
136 Read a book with MPG Mystery
138 Read a book with MPG Western
141 Read a book with MPG Science Fiction
156 Read a book with MPG Chick Lit
164 Read a book with MPG Fantasy
167 Read a book with MPG Music
170 Read a book with MPG History
174 Read a book with MPG Classics
177 Read a book with MPG Espionage
192 Read a book with MPG Space Opera
195 Read a book with MPG Dystopia

Recommendation
20 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team
44 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team
99 Read a book recommended by someone in your team
119 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team
120 Read a book recommended by someone in your team
142 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team
169 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team
188 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team
193 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team
200 Read a book recommended by someone in a different team

Specific Setting
8 Read a book set on a boat / ship
10 Read a book set in the future
11 Read a book set in a hotel
18 Read a book set on a road trip
114 Read a book set in the past
129 Read a book set in a cafe
137 Read a book that takes place in two places
140 Read a book set on a train
151 Read a book set on a plane
166 Read a book set on a space ship

MC
13 Read a book with a doctor as the main character
88 Read a book with a nurse as the main character

Writing Style
7 Read a book that takes place in two timelines
95 Read a book written from an unusual point of view (e.g. animal / mineral)
109 Read a book written in espistolary style (e.g. diary / letters / emails)
118 Read a book with multiple points of view
133 Read a book written in an oral history style
149 Read a book written in first person point of view
158 Read a book written in third person point of view

Plot Feature
25 Read a book featuring a hobby (e.g. knitting / baking / hiking)
27 Read a book featuring robots
63 Read a book featuring a celebration
132 Read a book featuring a proposal
145 Read a book featuring a graduation
160 Read a book featuring a wedding
183 Read a book featuring a honeymoon
189 Read a book featuring aliens

Specific Title
19 Read a book with an animal word in the title (e.g. cat / chicken / egg / etc)
34 Read a book with a job word in the title (e.g. nurse / teacher / writer / etc)
53 Read a book with dragon in the the title
57 Read a book with a five word title
59 Read a book with a plant word in the title (e.g. tree / flower / rose / etc)
77 Read a book with a city name in the title
78 Read a book with a geological feature in the title (e.g. cliff / bay / island / etc)
85 Read a book with a family relation word (e.g. sister / brother / son) in the title
122 Read a book with a building word in the title (e.g. house / library / castle / etc)
125 Read a book with fun in the title
135 Read a book with a one word title
143 Read a book with a four word title
155 Read a book recommended by someone in your team
161 Read a book with a two word title
179 Read a book with a three word title
181 Read a book with a six word title
196 Read a book with a title word in the title (e.g. queen / mister / president / etc)

On Cover
12 Read a book with a chipmunk on the cover
15 Read a book with a fish on the cover
16 Read a book with a Spring scene on the cover
21 Read a book with a lizard on the cover
26 Read a book with a cityscape on the cover
39 Read a book with a country scene on the cover
40 Read a book with a deckchair on the cover
43 Read a book with a mouse / rat on the cover
45 Read a book with vegetables on the cover
49 Read a book with someone doing a hobby activity on the cover
51 Read a book with a dessert food on the cover
52 Read a book with text only cover
54 Read a book with a hot drink on the cover
58 Read a book with a Winter scene on the cover
64 Read a book with a hammock on the cover
66 Read a book with a bird and a cat on the cover
72 Read a book with five or more people on the cover
80 Read a book with a forest on the cover
84 Read a book with three people on the cover
87 Read a book with a barbeque food on the cover
89 Read a book with a car on the cover
91 Read a book with a river on the cover
98 Read a book with a cat on the cover
102 Read a book with a mountain on the cover
104 Read a book with a picnic food on the cover
106 Read a book with a space ship on the cover
108 Read a book with a book on the cover
110 Read a book with a swimming pool on the cover
112 Read a book with a musical instrument on the cover
113 Read a book with a phone (landline or mobile) on the cover
115 Read a book with circles on the cover
117 Read a book with a plane on the cover
121 Read a book with a body of water (e.g. sea / lake / pond / etc) on the cover
123 Read a book with a boat / ship on the cover
126 Read a book with stripes on the cover
127 Read a book with four people on the cover
128 Read a book with a bird on the cover
130 Read a book with two people on the cover
134 Read a book with a tent on the cover
139 Read a book with a townhouse on the cover
146 Read a book with a lampshade on the cover
147 Read a book with someone doing exercise on the cover
150 Read a book with a Summer scene on the cover
152 Read a book with a computer on the cover
153 Read a book with a snake on the cover
157 Read a book with an insect on the cover
162 Read a book with a single person on the cover
165 Read a book with a coffee table on the cover
178 Read a book with a spider on the cover
180 Read a book with a shellfish on the cover
182 Read a book with a beach on the cover
186 Read a book with a train on the cover
187 Read a book with a cold drink on the cover
194 Read a book with a dog on the cover
197 Read a book with an Autumn scene on the cover

Misc
32 Read a book with "morris dancing" (variants like dance / dancers OK) in the text
42 Read a book with a map
68 Read a book that won a major literary prize (e.g. Pulitzer / Booker / Nebula. NOT GR Choice)
100 Read a book that as nominated/won GR Choice award
124 Read a book that you got for free
159 Read a book that you already own
173 Read a book by a Nobel Prize Winner

I've added it to the spreadsheet as well so that you can find it easily

Imke wrote: "Some of my favorites this year and I can recommend for this challenge


(the other b..."

Ooh The Seven Sisters is in audibles 2 for 1 sale and I thought about getting it. Will add that now!

They work great for travelling tasks as they are set in different countries. The first book in Brasil, France and Switzerland,, the second book in Norway, UK, Switzerland. They are easy to read (listen).

In case you missed the promotion on the GR main page, KU is currently free for two months https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/pro...

*Does not apply to existing users

If you don't have KU and it's available to you with this offer, it can come in v useful for letters and weird things on covers

Unfortunately, I've never been able to find something I enjoy reading on KU! :(

But I haven't had it since they split prime reading and KU.

There have definitely been some stinkers on KU, but also some pleasant surprises. I've enjoyed Imposter (crime) and Karina Halle (romance) on there recently.

On the other hand, Interstellar super explorer and Elements Combine should both be avoided like the plague! For those of you who haven't been on a team with me, I will end up reading pretty much anything to complete a set of tasks for the team! It's unhealthy sometimes.