Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Twice Upon a Title

My twin books are:

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
Dragonsong by Michael Forester

Blue Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Blue Christmas by Diane Moody

Solo by William Boyd
Solo by Kwame Alexander

Cathy M. wrote: "To simplify:

Find Items Potions & Orb of Air can ONLY be used for quests marked as "Find Items Eligible", for ITEMS tasks (ie Collect rat tails, goblin bones, gold, etc). Find Items Potion halves ..."

This is great, Cathy. Thanks. Would you mind if I post it in the FAQ thread?

Check out the Notice Board thread for the latest (and last) June Update.

A new rare monster and two quests. Enjoy!

The Evil Godmother's base stats are 60 AP, 250 HP.

There was a typo in the Notice Board thread. Sorry about that-it was caused by sloppiness on my part when copying various versions of the update.

All should be fixed now. (I hope.)

"The Curse of the Crystal
1. Defeat the Rare Monsters of the Land -
• Kill all the rare monsters that are roaming around the realm at the time the quest is published (6/22/25), that includes The Evil Godmother."

Does this include monsters that are eligible for reanimation as of 6/22?

Only those that you personally reanimated. :-) Those that were not revived are dead and definitely not " roaming around the realm".

Threads of the Rainbow Tapestry

I only read Gideon the Ninth as it was a BOM and I wanted the points for a team challenge, but was happily befuddled by it and have gone on to be equally happily befuddled by the sequels. The writing is so good, even if I have no idea what's going on until the very end. Gideon is a great main character and so fun to read about, and her story arc has a very moving conclusion.

The Theatre of War: A Play in Too Many Acts

My reading list:

1. Read two books by authors from or set in countries or territories that have experienced war in the 21st century (e.g., Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Chechnya (Russia), Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia).
- Disappearing Earth - set in Russia
- Chernobyl 01:23:40: The Incredible True Story of the World's Worst Nuclear Disaster - set in Ukraine

2. Read a book by an author from or set in a country that has recently endured the devastation of civil war (e.g., Myanmar, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, Nigeria, Libya).
- Don't Be Afraid of the Bullets: An Accidental War Correspondent in Yemen - set in Yemen

3. Read two books about or set during a 20th-century war or civil war, where the conflict plays a major role in the story.
- The Women - Vietnam War
- Catch-22: As recommended on BBC2’s Between the Covers - WWII

4. Read three books about or set during different major wars or civil wars from before the 20th century, where the conflict is a central theme.
- One Corpse Too Many - set in 1138, English Civil War between King Stephen and the Empress Maud
- The Black Prince - the Hundred Years' War
- Heartstone - set in 1545, war between England and France

5. Read two fantasy or science fiction books set during a war, where the conflict is a major part of the story.
- The War of the Worlds - Martians invade Earth
- Old Man's War - war between human colony worlds and various alien species

Zuzana wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "To simplify:

Find Items Potions & Orb of Air can ONLY be used for quests marked as "Find Items Eligible", for ITEMS tasks (ie Collect rat tails, goblin bones, gold, etc). Find Ite..."

Sure, go for it!

(sorry for the late response - I wasn't get notifications for this thread again...)

Cheep-Skate

Bargain bin - Illuminae - got it in a 2-for-1 audio sale on Audible (I actually was able to snag the whole series!)

Free as the wind - The Christmas Pact - freebie on Audible. Got it years ago and finally listened to it a couple months ago. I miss the freebies on Audible :(

Great reading lists, everyone!

Dear adventurers, the dreaded cut-off for old books is upon us at last!!!
Tomorrow is the last day to use your pre-2025 books. If you fail to submit them as part of a completed quest, they will dissapear on the 1st of July and you'll get 1 XP for each such book instead!

The Emperor’s New Nonsense

I would've filled the remaining optional tasks but time was against me, there's this deadline approaching ... ;)

My reading list:

1.
• Read a book that explores themes of race, gender, or sexuality
--- Between the World and Me - race - non-fiction - 3 XP
• Read a book where language, words, or books are banned, erased, rewritten, or destroyed
--- Fahrenheit 451 - fiction - 2 XP
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about censorship, book banning, or propaganda.)
--- Propaganda - non-fiction - 3 XP

2.
• Read a book set in a school, university, or place of learning
--- Up the Down Staircase - fiction - 2 XP
• Read a book that teaches you something meaningful - be sure to share what you learned (+1 XP if it’s about critical thinking or fact-checking).
--- Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know - non-fiction about rethinking, in which I learned the benefits of doubt - 4 XP
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about education, teaching, learning, intellectual freedom, or even a practical skill.)
--- The Low Maintenance Garden - non-fiction about the practical skill of gardening - 3 XP

3.
• Read a book where deception or self-deception plays a central role.
--- The Lie - fiction - 2 XP
• Read a book where a leader (king, CEO, general, etc.) makes disastrously bad decisions.
--- The Cruel Prince - fiction - 2 XP
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about leadership, politics, the psychology of crowds, or how to avoid walking naked into a crisis.)
--- N/A

4.
• Read a book where a character is punished by someone in power (judge, teacher, parent, etc.) for speaking the truth.
--- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Umbridge punishes Harry - fiction - 2 XP
• Read a book that includes a courtroom scene or legal battle for justice
--- The Woman They Could Not Silence - non-fiction - 3 XP
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about whistleblowers, free speech, justice, or judicial system.)
--- The Secret Barrister: Stories of the Law and How It's Broken - judicial system - non-fiction - 3 XP

5.
• Read a book where somebody goes bankrupt.
--- Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick’s Day Murder in Dublin - Devon's business went bankrupt, giving him a motive for murder - fiction - 2 XP
• Read a book featuring a con artist, narcissist, or fraudster.
--- Yellowface - fiction - 2 XP
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about economic crises, corruption, grift, or other crime.)
--- N/A

6.
• Share your reading list in the Local Tavern thread once you’re done.
--- This post

Your reward for exposing nonsense: 2 XP per fiction book read and 3 XP per non-fiction book read.

For a bonus 1 XP read Hans Christian Andersen's story The Emperor's New Clothes
--- The Emperor's New Clothes - 1 XP

Total of 34 XP

Cheep-skate: a Budget-Friendly Bounty

• Bargain Bliss: Devolution - 99p in a kindle sale
• Free as the Wind: Killer Cruise - kindle freebie

Hi! I'm Elizabeth and I'm 28. I live in northern wisconsin. I'm married and have 2 littles and a cat. I've been eyeing up this challenge for a couple months but it's always seemed pretty daunting (still does) but I'm looking forward to giving it a try. I'm still figuring out what everything means/formatting since I'm on mobile and do everything from the web browser, but yeah super exciting.

Zuzana wrote: "Great reading lists, everyone!

Dear adventurers, the dreaded cut-off for old books is upon us at last!!!
Tomorrow is the last day to use your pre-2025 books. If you fail to submit them as part of..."

What about books I have allocated for the magic staff? Do those still stay?

Natasha, not unless you claimed the weapon upgrade. Upgrading your staff/sword is defacto a quest.

Thanks!

Zuzana wrote: "Great reading lists, everyone!

Dear adventurers, the dreaded cut-off for old books is upon us at last!!!
Tomorrow is the last day to use your pre-2025 books. If you fail to submit them as part of..."

I have some pre-cut-off books that are under 100 pages that I had saved for the Pipsqueak quest and didn't get them used.

Can I trade them for XP or not since they normally wouldn't qualify but I did have a plan for them?

I'm sorry but not books under 100 pages. They need to be specifically mentioned to be elligible in quests. So no compensation for those I'm afraid.

Elizabeth wrote: "Hi! I'm Elizabeth and I'm 28. I live in northern wisconsin. I'm married and have 2 littles and a cat. I've been eyeing up this challenge for a couple months but it's always seemed pretty daunting (..."

Welcome, Elizabeth! I hope you'll enjoy the game. If you have any questions, ask here in the Tavern. Fellow adventurers are cool folks always ready to help.

What's in the Name

Hamnet, Carl, James, Piranesi, Cora

Questions about nook squirrel attack

Is the whirlwind just used for summoning or does it injure the nook squirrel?

Does the summoning act as an attack turn?

If it injures, does it injure both when used with the horse blanket on the summoning turn?

Is the nook squirrel weak to air spell or is whirlwind only going to effect it for 10 attack?

Cathy wrote: "Is the nook squirrel weak to air spell or is whirlwind only going to effect it for 10 attack?"

Nook Squirrel is Air element per the Monsters page, and Earth is strong to Air, so Tremor will do double damage. :) :)

ETA: I read that wrong lol. Air is only weak to Earth, so only Earth magic will do double damage. Air is also only strong against Water, so water will do half damage. Everything else (including air itself) will do normal damage. :)

@charlotte hello! I saw you were buying potions at Jack & Jill’s. Since I’ve had my kitchen for ages, I have a ton of minor heal potions and, as a veteran player, I try to give gifts to newer players. So. If you want them, I’ve set aside 5 Minor Heal Potions for you! Happy questing!

Ray (user2637) wrote: "@charlotte hello! I saw you were buying potions at Jack & Jill’s. Since I’ve had my kitchen for ages, I have a ton of minor heal potions and, as a veteran player, I try to give gifts to newer playe..."

Wow! Thanks so much! Hope to see you around ;D

Charlotte wrote: "Wow! Thanks so much! Hope to see you around ;D"

You're welcome!~ :)

Threads of the Rainbow Tapestry: At the Local Tavern, share the title of one book that moved you and why.

The book I chose isn't on GoodReads, but the author, pepperlandgirl, is. It's called Puppy Love and is a fanfic involving Ted Lasso characters Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt.

They're both bisexual in the story but don't know it at first, as they are both professional footballers (soccer for the Americans) and in the closet. This is a tale of them finding each other and a shared kink. I love how 'hard man Roy Kent' is so caring toward Jamie, who has never really been 100% accepted for who he is. They complement each other so very well and their relationship is very uplifting.

Thanks, Ray, for being so sweet and welcoming to newcomers.

BTW August update is in the works. I'll post it next week.

Cathy wrote: "Questions about nook squirrel attack

Is the whirlwind just used for summoning or does it injure the nook squirrel?

Does the summoning act as an attack turn?

If it injures, does it injure both when used with the horse blanket on the summoning turn?”

I think a Mod still needs to chime in here, but my take is the Whirlwind attack is a turn and summons the 2nd squirrel, AND damages 1 squirrel OR both if you use the horse blanket.

This is based on this from the Nook Squirrel area of the Monsters thread:
“…casting Earth magik on one will cause it to freeze to the ground in fear of the spell causing an additional Nook squirrel to come and join his companion to investigate. The companion will join before the spell damage hits.”

So, Tremor (earth magic) does double damage against Squirrel (air element), which means 1 casting will do at least 20 damage and knock out the squirrel in one go! Or 2 squirrels if you use the horse blanket too!

That’s my take anyway. Should still be verified by mods 🤪😁

Zuzana wrote: "BTW August update is in the works. I'll post it next week."
Yay!

Zuzana wrote: "Thanks, Ray, for being so sweet and welcoming to newcomers."

😁👍🏻

I have a question about strategy for The Evil Godmother. In theory, if I duplicate a book, would it be the newest book in my tote? Or would it have a "place" next to the original in the timeline?

Rebecca wrote: "I have a question about strategy for The Evil Godmother. In theory, if I duplicate a book, would it be the newest book in my tote? Or would it have a "place" next to the original in the timeline?"

Hi Rebecca, when you duplicate the book, it keeps its read date. So it's not your newest book. The best strategy is to read books you want to read but you know they don't fit the challenges you're working on.

EDIT: You might have missed this in the Evil Godmother's description. "She’s picky, though—books under 50 pages, bought from other heroes, or duplicated are beneath her notice—she'll skip them to steal the first next elligible read of yours."

So even if you try to duplicate your latest read, it won't work.

Zuzana wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I have a question about strategy for The Evil Godmother. In theory, if I duplicate a book, would it be the newest book in my tote? Or would it have a "place" next to the original in..."

I did see that and I was thinking, in case there was a book I really wanted to use for a challenge, I could duplicated it and then use it and let her take the "original".

I'm not quite sure yet when I want to tackle her, just want to get all the facts before I strategize hehe

Yeah, I get it, Rebecca, it gets a bit of preparation and careful planning.

I keyed in on the fact that she doesn't like books under 50 pages.
That implies that she will use books between 50-100 and I have some of those that can't be used anywhere else.

Hello, fellow adventurers! Check out new quests on the Notice Board.

I tried to come up with something for everyone. I hope you'll be able to find a quest in the mix that you'll enjoy. :)

Ray (user2637) wrote: "I think a Mod still needs to chime in here, but my take is the Whirlwind attack is a turn and summons the 2nd squirrel, AND damages 1 squirrel OR both if you use the horse blanket."

Sorry, I missed this post. Ray is right. You can kill both squirrels in one blow if you cast Whirlwind provided you have a horse and a horse blanket. The additional squirrel is summoned before the spell does damage - hence you can kill both at once.

Thanks!

Hello, fellow adventurers! Check out the Notice Board for a new summer-related scrounger quest.

Fellow Adventurers, I need your help. :)
Question: How do you duplicate glued or covered books?

I'm asking to decide whether to add any rules pertaining that or not.

My view is that duplicating the glued or covered book is fine, but the elements have to be original (not duplicated) books. It means that you cannot duplicate glued or covered books if any part/element of them has already been duplicated.

Example:
Book 1 + Book 2 = Glued Book 1 ---> 1 Duplication Potion: Duplicated Glued Book 1
If both Book 1 and Book 2 are original, you then can duplicate Glued Book 1 by using Duplication Potion.


If, for instance, Book 1 is Duplicated, it cannot be duplicated again, hence Glued Book 1 cannot be duplicated either.
You can still duplicate Book 2, glue it together with another book to obtain Glued Book 2 (but it will be a different Glued Book then, and you wouldn't be able to duplicate it further).

Honestly, I never thought to duplicated glued or covered books! Man, I feel like I missed out on it!!

But what you say makes a lot of sense - only being about to duplicate glued/covered books if they are "originals" and had not already been duplicated.

For Evil Godmother, is this correct (only taking into account my attacks to start)?

60 HP 250 Health
Staff = 28 + 2 mod + 1 horse + 2 puppy + 3 orb + 1 hat = 37 + bauble

Cat (lucky 13 collar) = 250-3 = 247
Falcon = 247-1 = 246
Staff = 246-38 = 208

Staff = 208-39 = 169

Falcon = 169-1 = 168
Staff = 168-40 = 128

Staff = 128-41 = 87

Falcon = 87-1 = 86
Staff = 86-42 = 44

Staff = 44-43 = 1

Next turn - throw personal development book to kill her?

Want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding: "To defeat her, you must reduce her health to exactly 1 HP. Overshoot it, and she vanishes in a puff of glitter, only to return next turn 10 HP stronger than before your ill-fated last attack." (that 10HP isn't added each round)

Cathy M. wrote: "Honestly, I never thought to duplicated glued or covered books! Man, I feel like I missed out on it!!

But what you say makes a lot of sense - only being about to duplicate glued/covered books if t..."

Dang I also did not even think of that.

Cathy M. wrote: "For Evil Godmother, is this correct (only taking into account my attacks to start)?

60 HP 250 Health
Staff = 28 + 2 mod + 1 horse + 2 puppy + 3 orb + 1 hat = 37 + bauble

Cat (lucky 13 collar) = 2..."

This is a monster I'll never defeat hahahaha personal development books are my nemesis.

Cathy M. wrote: "Want to make sure I'm not misunderstanding: "To defeat her, you must reduce her health to exactly 1 HP. Overshoot it, and she vanishes in a puff of glitter, only to return next turn 10 HP stronger than before your ill-fated last attack." (that 10HP isn't added each round)"

The +10 HP is for every turn your attack leads to Godmother's health getting below 0. If you calculate your attacks right, it won't happen.

Cathy, I didn't re-calculate your attack points (I trust as one of the veteran players you know what you're doing), but at first glance everything looks fine. Once you get Godmother's health to 1 HP, you have to wait til next round and toss 1 personal development book at her to banish her from the kingdom. :)

Rebecca wrote: "This is a monster I'll never defeat hahahaha personal development books are my nemesis."

Rebecca, that's what the Open Market is for, or if you're desperate you can sacrifice one of your Santa's Coupons.

Zuzana wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "This is a monster I'll never defeat hahahaha personal development books are my nemesis."

Rebecca, that's what the Open Market is for, or if you're desperate you can sacrifice one o..."

Ack I forgot about the Santa Coupons!! You are a genius thank you.

I never thought to duplicate glued books either! I will definitely be taking advantage of that now.

September update incoming *dun, dun, dun*

Minor spoiler: The Prince and his Date-scapades is the first part (or second if you count the birthday quest from last month) of a multi-part quest - so keep it in mind when selecting which quests to tackle.