The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Kathryn, I applaud your decision to stick with the traditional publishing route. It can take years to get a contract though so not for the faint hearted. Just keep writing while you send work off. You learn more the more you write.

I've no desire to self publish--way too hard for lazy, non tech savvy me. I'm hopeless at marketing myself. I'd rather write --and read--and let my publisher do all the other things!

Elisabeth wrote: "Kathryn, I applaud your decision to stick with the traditional publishing route. It can take years to get a contract though so not for the faint hearted. Just keep writing while you send work off. ..."

I'm definitely willing to stick in there. I expect to find tons of people who don't love my voice, but then find that one who finally does. I have a list of agents I'm slowly making my way through, trying to find one that speaks to me. And then hopefully I speak to them. I'm crossing my fingers.

I've been writing for 18 years and I still find I learn something new about myself, when it comes to writing, all the time. And getting a degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment gave me a lot of tools as well. It has helped me to write for things outside of novels. Screenplays were something I didn't expect to love, but I really do. Writing short films has been very rewarding for me.

I really like short films. Do you know of Tropfest? It was a big short film festival held in Sydney each year but it seems to have had some funding issues over the years. Some of the finalists from previous years are on YouTube though.

Hi guys :)

How are everyones weekend going? I feel a bit lost without having a novel to get stuck into!!

I have a couple of questions about the challenge too, sorry if they are answered elsewhere - I have looked around but I'm still left wondering..

Do we each have a certain number of books each to read per month or do we just keep reading until we complete the hand?

Also, if there is a book that I want to read but looks rubbish for the challenge (I'm talking about The Betrayals in particular but this probably applies to many others, none of the characters or setting that I've seen match any of the uno letters!), would it be best to leave it towards the end of the month where we might of completed our hand and then I can squeeze it in before we are dealt the March hand and not count it towards the challenge?

I have lots of other books that I can read to count towards the challenge instead anyway.

Very much looking forward to tomorrow!

I've actually never heard of Tropfest. I'll have to check it out. I have a dream of eventually writing an indie film that gets picked up by Sundance. It's not easy, though.

Paris wrote: "Hi guys :)

How are everyones weekend going? I feel a bit lost without having a novel to get stuck into!!

I have a couple of questions about the challenge too, sorry if they are answered elsewher..."

Hi Paris, I'm sure Apoorv will answer all your questions but for starters we don't have to read a set number of books each. It depends how fast we read and what books we have that fit the hand for the month. In other years we've also had a two week mini challenge that starts mid month and has different things to look for in our books eg special words in the text or something on the cover, so different books can work for that.

Paris wrote: "Hi guys :)

How are everyones weekend going? I feel a bit lost without having a novel to get stuck into!!

Yeah same here! But I'm also excited to start tomorrow. Finally Feb is here!

I too had a question...With regard to 'Location', do we consider the city or the country? For eg if a book is based in Punjab which is in India, which one do we have to consider?

Paris - as a team we have a certain number of tasks to read for therefore a certain number of books to read. As an individual, try and stick close to the amount of books you signed up to read per month. If you go over, awesome. If you read less, that’s ok too. We know life is demanding . Our goal is to read book to fill all the hands and cards.

Yes you’re right about reading The Betrayal. Read when you want in February but before finish it before March !

Elisabeth is right about the mini challenges

Vanessa wrote: "Paris wrote: "Hi guys :)

How are everyones weekend going? I feel a bit lost without having a novel to get stuck into!!

Yeah same here! But I'm also excited to start tomorrow. Finally Feb is here..."

From what I remember (it’s 1am and I should be asleep for work 🤦🏽‍♀️), it’s the city. So it would be Punjab. Sometimes the location is mention on the book’s page on Goodreads, but but often enough. As long as characters actually spend time in the city and it’s not just mentioned

18 HOURS GUYS!!

The countdown is here again - https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...


I’ll reply to your comments tomorrow when I can! Had a busy weekend

Thanks Elisabeth and Tina for accurately answering all the questions. You guys got this, I am just going to go lay down at a beach. LOL! :P

To add to Vanessa's question, this is from something more related to the question, directly from the horses moderators' mouth.
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For location, is it just the city, state, country or are locations such as "Snowberry Manor" or maybe a specific lake or mountain name counted?
It needs to be the main setting for the book. So if the book is set in "Snowberry Manor" then that is ok. Whereas if that is just the name of the house, but not the main setting (which may be the city of London, for example) then I wouldn't count it.

-----------------------
Another helpful resource is this "General Questions" tab where in the Mods' have answered some commonly asked questions. It is also linked in Message 6 at the top of this thread, incase anyone needs to quickly check up on something.
FAQs

Tina ❣ wrote: "18 HOURS GUYS!!

The countdown is here again - https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown..."

These should be all our timezones for the start of the challenge, so keep an eye out for the one that applies to you.

- Victoria/NSW (Australia) - 8:00 PM on Feb 1, 2021
- India - 2:30 PM on Feb 1, 2021
- Belgium - 10:00 AM on Feb 1, 2021
- Germany - 10:00 AM on Feb 1, 2021
- London - 9:00 AM on Feb 1, 2021
- USA (EST) - 4:00 AM on Feb 1, 2021
- USA (PST) - 1:00 AM on Feb 1, 2021

Tina ❣ wrote: "Paris - as a team we have a certain number of tasks to read for therefore a certain number of books to read. As an individual, try and stick close to the amount of books you signed up to read per m..."

Is there a penalty for going over or under what we said we'd read? Also, where can we find the number of books we signed up for?

Tina ❣ wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes! I had a great day but no family or visits due to the rain and flooding in my city and surrounding cities. Trees downed, electricity down i..."

One of my colleagues had said, "Oh, my gosh! You have to read Harry Potter, Vicki. It's a must!" Then when I joined GR it seemed a good time to step outside my comfort zone and I LOVED the series! I think I still have the last book to read so I should get to that one soon. :)

Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: Oh! I see. That must have been hard on him and I hope he's coping well. I'm sure he's grateful to your understanding and support to him in his new chapt..."

I can't even tell you how many of those types of shows my hubby DVR's! Oh. My. Gosh. There are all the house renovation shows, flip house shows, Gold Rush, Gold Mining, Storage Wars, Rehab Addict Rescue, First Time Flippers, Christina on the Coast, Flip or Flop, Yard Crashers, Renovation Island, Unsellable Houses, Flipping Across America, Wicked Tuna, Deadliest Catch, and who knows what else! LOL Thank God for DVR's!

Vicki wrote: "Is there a penalty for going over or under what we said we'd read? Also, where can we find the number of books we signed up for?"

The penalty is that you have to treat the rest of the teammates with lots of chocolates or icecream! Haha!

No, there is no penalty as such. The idea is that the Mods have created teams based on that estimate that we provided, thereby creating all teams more or less equal.

All teams will roughly have to read 105 books for this month to complete all the hands, and the sign ups account for roughly 90ish - thereby some of us will end up reading a bit more to cover up the total.

The simple idea of this challenge is to just keep reading. Because thankfully most books can be used in some way shape or form.

The details of how much we signed up for can be found in "Members Info" tab on the planning spreadsheet.

I found shorter books are best for these challenges. I knocked over some Agatha Christie's one year which I loved reading but are quick--a day or two to whip through. Dad has the whole collection so I scoured the shelf for the right title or character names we needed. And for the mini challenge something like a gun on the cover or someone in a hat.

Doubt I'll be embarking on Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light which is brick sized.

Vicki wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: Oh! I see. That must have been hard on him and I hope he's coping well. I'm sure he's grateful to your understanding and support to him ..."

I enjoy a lot of the same shows, so it really works out. LOL. I had him watching Hallmark Christmas Movies throughout half of November and through December. He actually loved them, cheesiness and all, which made me pretty happy.

I got to take him to the beach for the first time back in the first few days we knew each other. And he's hooked. We drive along it a lot, just looking out at the ocean. It was one of his dreams growing up, to see it. I'm glad I could do that for him. He loves tide pools. We found some pretty awesome crabs that he was fascinated with. We also look for agates. That's one of his favorite things to do.

It's fun having someone to chat about all this with. :)

Elisabeth wrote: "I found shorter books are best for these challenges. I knocked over some Agatha Christie's one year which I loved reading but are quick--a day or two to whip through. Dad has the whole collection s..."

It's good to know that short books might be best. I might just dive into a lot of these cheesy cozy mysteries I've been wanting to read.

Kathryn, I didn't restrict myself, of course. I also read my favourite authors and books I'd been wanting to read but saved the really long ones till after UNO.

It never ceases to amaze me the way some groups in society deem certain activities, usually the most enjoyable, entertaining and/or artistic, as taboo. Why? What's wrong with laughing, dancing, reading and making music and singing, and finding out about new places and people and things? It makes us all who we are and makes us better for it.

WE ARE JUST HOURS AWAY FROM THE START OF THE CHALLENGE!!

Thank you all of being so excited.
This excitement is definitely communicable and I can wait for the clock to turn over.

Do take a quick peak at the initial posts incase you need a refresher as to what you would need to do before and after you finish a book.

Also, quick request, if something comes up and you have to attend to that in real life, please if possible drop in a line here or send me a message, so that you are accounted for.

But more importantly, ENJOY every bit of this fun challenge. I'm sure we will end up with a lot of happy moments and some new cool new books added to our TBRs.

LET'S DO THIS!! :D

You know what is most difficult for us here in Aus, Apoorv? It's been Feb 1st for hours and hours already and we have to wait until 8pm!

On top of that I have orchestra rehearsals starting again for 2021 from 7.30 tonight (looking forward to that as well) but won't be home till later. :)

I knoooooww!! It so bizarre and cool. It will be 8PM for you guys, and 1AM for the folks on our team who are on the West Coast in The US (The two ends in our team). Our team is truly global and I love that. Its going to be crazy timezone-wise, but I am excited. :D

I hope the orchestra rehearsals start off with a bang (pun intended! :P). So glad you guys are doing that.

We started playing again last year in about October. Covid safe, shorter rehearsals with no moving about and no break, with players distanced and numbers limited. Everyone has to register for each rehearsal in case contact tracing is needed but that hasn't happened yet. We're tentatively planning our first concert in over a year for May.

Elisabeth wrote: "You know what is most difficult for us here in Aus, Apoorv? It's been Feb 1st for hours and hours already and we have to wait until 8pm!

On top of that I have orchestra rehearsals starting again ..."

Same here in India! It's like so annoying... And for some reason, I feel the clock is ticking even slower today!

well, we've been a go for half an hour! So excited. =D

Morning guys :)

THE CHALLENGE HAS OFFICALLY STARTED!!

Thank you to everyone for answering my questions - I understand more now. I think I signed up with 6 as my monthly average, however I have ended up reading 10 in January (and probably could of finished a couple more if I wasn't holding off for the challenge), still in lockdown here and I've been on my own for most of the month so books have been the only thing keeping me company & keeping me sane!

So I'm happy to pitch in and read lots more for the challenge if needed :)

Okay I'm going to be quiet now and start my first book of the challenge, was going to start with Swing Time but swapping things round a bit as Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men is due back at the library soon!

Happy reading everyone
xox

Yaaay it's started!!!
I've started reading Eragon right away, such a good book.
I will probably read more books this month than I signed up for because I will have 1,5s week off work in February but I do read a lot of pretty big books so I might be a bit slower, we'll see.
I haven't been on here in a few days so I will read through all of the messages to see if I missed anything... Kathryn, I am absolutely intrigued by your boyfriend's situation in any case, what a strange way to grow up in this modern world.

Paris wrote: "Morning guys :)

THE CHALLENGE HAS OFFICALLY STARTED!!..".


Yayyy!🎉 I am starting my first book now! But yeah... my reading list is going to be all jumbled up depending on due dates of borrowed and NetGalley books!

Elisabeth wrote: "Tina, I did play in the Opera House when I was in the Australian Youth Orchestra about 100 years go!"

Ooh that's amazing! What's it like backstage? I unfortunately haven't been to the Opera House for a viewing yet. I have been in it to look around and it's absolutely beautiful. I would have loved to perform there in high school as well

All the best with rehearsals!

Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: Oh! I see. That must have been hard on him and I hope he's coping well. I'm sure he's grateful to your understanding and support to him in his new chapt..."

Yes good idea with the sizes! I sometimes do that here as well when my appetite isn't as big or I order a pizza at a restaurant. As a tiny person meaning thin, I get full quickly but hungry often haha.
Churros are DELICIOUS! Mmm especially with melted chocolate or caramel.

I love your method to the movies! It's great as you can see the quality increase as well as the inclusiveness too. It's great that he mhas an idea of what he wants to do. I think it's especially great that he can watch that on TV as well. i for one, can't watch someone being a medical receptionist or a health promoter on TV as there aren't any main characters that do that! Ah well.

I think it's also great that you have a website and are posting book reviews. I love seeing my favourite authors reading other author's work and their thoughts on it. I find it comforting for some reason

I love that he loves the beach! It's such a cathartic experience and can often be like a mini trip as well with all the nature you find there

Vicki wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes! I had a great day but no family or visits due to the rain and flooding in my city and surrounding cities. Trees downed, ele..."

Ooh I'm glad! Will you read the Cursed Child? I have mixed opinions about the book.

Has anyone read the play or watched it? I'd love your opinions on it

Vicki wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: Oh! I see. That must have been hard on him and I hope he's coping well. I'm sure he's grateful to your understanding and support to him ..."

I have not heard of half of them! All I know is Antiques Roadshow and a restoration one which I've forgotten the title of. I am definitely going to show my boyfriend that list as he loves those shows as well. I honestly don't have the attention span to watch them or the patience because of the production. I think the only documentaries I can handle are animal and nature or ancient Rome/Greece/Egypt documentaries.

Elisabeth wrote: "We started playing again last year in about October. Covid safe, shorter rehearsals with no moving about and no break, with players distanced and numbers limited. Everyone has to register for each ..."

If I ever get to Canberra Elisabeth, I will do my best to come and watch you play!

Paris wrote: "Morning guys :)

THE CHALLENGE HAS OFFICALLY STARTED!!

Thank you to everyone for answering my questions - I understand more now. I think I signed up with 6 as my monthly average, however I have en..."

Sounds like a plan Paris! You've got this! 💪

Vanessa wrote: "Paris wrote: "Morning guys :)

THE CHALLENGE HAS OFFICALLY STARTED!!..".

Ahhh Netgalley. I need to go on it more. I've only read and reviewed one book so far which I'm not proud of as I have others I got and need to review

Yayyy!🎉 I am starting my first book now! But yeah... my reading list is going to be all jumbled up depending on due dates..."

Laura wrote: "Yaaay it's started!!!
I've started reading Eragon right away, such a good book.
I will probably read more books this month than I signed up for because I will have 1,5s week off work in February bu..."

Yay for Eragon! And that's absolutely fine Laura. Read what you like!

We'll send an update later in the month with what we're needing for the cards

Tina wrote: "Has anyone read the play or watched it?"

Yes, I've seen it and it's SO SO good!
We went to London especially to see the play when it was only just out, I think it started in July and we went in August. We were super nervous about getting tickets, it was with a virtual queue and you just had to be lucky, it wasn't first come first serve, so my boyfriend, my friend and I all joined the virtual queue and the first one who got there booked the tickets. I think I was in place 10598 or something :D but my friend was lucky.
The tickets were also really, really expensive because the play is in two parts, one before and one after dinner (in our case) so you basically paid for two plays.
But I really loved it, as a huge Harry Potter fan it was just amazing. we also did the Studios tour in Leavesden on that trip and it was awesome, that week was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me!
However, I would never read the play as a book without seeing it, because the atmosphere in the theater was really amazing and quite essential to the storytelling if you ask me. On the other hand I dislike reading plays anyway so maybe it's just me, but I feel like reading the book without seeing it first would be disappointing. I did read the book a year or two afterwards when I reread all the Harry Potter books and I enjoyed it because I could visualise it all.

Completion Post

Book: Eight Perfect Murders
Author: Peter Swanson
Pages: 304
Date: 01-Feb-2021
UNO Cards it fits:
0: Standalone (for now)
8: Title - Eight
9: Character N - Nero
Reverse: Vanessa
Skip: Character K - Malcolm Kershaw

Cover Color : Blue (78.5%)

Completion Post

Book: The Heavenly Ice Cream Shop: 'Possibly the best book I have ever read' Amazon reviewer
Author: Abby Clements
Pages: 255
Date: 01-Feb-2021
UNO Cards it fits:
1: Series #1
2: Character T - Tom
3: Title H
4: Character F - Finn
5: Character I - Imogen
6: Character S - Sue
7: Character V - Vivien
8: Character E - Evie

Cover Colour : Blue (68.4%)

Wow good work, Paris and Danah. You were quick off the mark! I'm only up to p50 of The Ex. All I could manage before I went to sleep last night.

Tina ❣ wrote: "Yes good idea with the sizes! I sometimes do that here as well when my appetite isn't as big or I order a pizza at a restaurant. As a tiny person meaning thin, I get full quickly but hungry often haha.
Churros are DELICIOUS! Mmm especially with melted chocolate or caramel. ..."

He was definitely excited to see the animation change so much between one movie and its sequel. The same thing with Pokemon and the different seasons. It was one of my favorite shows as a preteen and its been fun introducing him to it (especially with Pokemon Go being such a huge thing in my hometown). We just watched Toy Story last night and I'm excited for him to get to see the sequels.

And yes, running a book review blog has been very fun and cathartic for me. Plus, I like the community. Talking with other book reviewers can be so fun and can also be a good way to discover new books!

Laura wrote: "Kathryn, I am absolutely intrigued by your boyfriend's situation in any case, what a strange way to grow up in this modern world"

It was definitely strange to learn about his situation as we got to know each other. I know that some people have grown up in sheltered communities (such as the Amish) or even in cults (such as Rose McGowan the actress). But I've only ever seen those sorts of things on TV. I'm just glad he turned out to be such an amazing human, regardless.

Completion Post

Book: The Summer House
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 448
Date: 01-Feb-2021

UNO Cards it fits:
0: Standalone
2: Character T - Tyler, Venny
3: Character H - Huang, John
4: Character F - Frank
6: Character S - Sanchez, Manuel
7: Character V - Vinny Tyler
8: Character E - Emma Williams
Skip: Author: Patterson, James

Apoorv wrote: "

WE ARE JUST HOURS AWAY FROM THE START OF THE CHALLENGE!!

Thank you all of being so excited.
This excitement is definitely communicable and I can wait for the clock to turn over.

Do take a qui..."

Apoor, I don't recognize you anymore! lol

Apoor, would you mind if, in the future, I put these:

A: for author
C: for character
P: for place
T: for title

Or would that make it too ambiguous or create any problems for you?

Vicki wrote: "Apoor, I don't recognize you anymore! lol."

LOL! What can I see, I am such a chameleon! :P
Put on a hat and bam! I'm a new person! :D

Vicki wrote: "Apoor, would you mind if, in the future, I put these:

A: for author
C: for character
P: for place
T: for title

Or would that make it too ambiguous or create any problems for you?"


Works for me! I can always nag you with more questions if my lil' brain doesn't work! So, basically, go ahead at your risk! Mwahahaha! :P

Quick Reminder

As we continue to finish our reads, please don't forget to add your finished books to your respective UNO shelves.

Apoorv wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Apoor, I don't recognize you anymore! lol."

LOL! What can I see, I am such a chameleon! :P
Put on a hat and bam! I'm a new person! :D"

I love it! I have to admit that I am not one to make many changes. But I admire people such as yourself who do. :)

Apoorv wrote: "Quick Reminder

As we continue to finish our reads, please don't forget to add your finished books to your respective UNO shelves."

Thanks for that gentle reminder! LOL

Completion Post


Book: The Shadow Man
Author: Helen Fields
Pages: 400
Date: 01-Feb-2021

UNO Cards it fits:

0: Standalone
3: Author H - Helen Fields
4: Character F - Fergus Ariss
6: Title S - Shadow
8: Character E - Elspeth Dunwoody; Location E - Edinburgh