The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Questions and remarks about the mini challenge:

Is there a mini challenge every month, or only in February?

For the Patriot Games book I was also thinking, books that have a movie based on them, but that might be too broad I suppose. (or is it...? Captain Apoorv?)
But then I thought, what about books that have movies with Harrison Ford based on them? Surely there must be a few! Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) comes to mind right away.

When reading the post about the mini challenge am I interpreting it correctly that reading something in the same genre also counts?

What about books that have the title on the cover in red, like this one? Books that have a star on the cover? Books with two-word titles? Books by someone named Tom? How far can we go here? :D
I have now edited this post at least three times to add more ideas :D

Also I am -kind of- jealous of some of the other teams :D they have really good books! Then again this one gives us a lot of options, I think, so it's okay too :)
Oh and is it obvious that I am SUPER excited again - I actually lay awake yesterday evening because I was wondering what the challenge was going to be!! And I also dreamed about it. Silly me :)

Kathryn wrote: "Completion Post

Book: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 432
Date: 12-Feb-2021

UNO Cards it fits:"


Kathryn, you should totally get the prize for covering the most letters with one single book! Great find!

Laura wrote: "Questions and remarks about the mini challenge:

Is there a mini challenge every month, or only in February?
There will be one every month and they get more and more interesting! :D

For the Patriot Games book I was also thinking, books that have a movie based on them, but that might be too broad I suppose. (or is it...? Captain Apoorv?)
It is a legitimate connection, so absolutely works! Plus, it opens up so many more books. They don't have to feature Harrison Ford even, great if they do, but absolutely any book that has a movie/TV show made on it is a bonafide connection.

When reading the post about the mini challenge am I interpreting it correctly that reading something in the same genre also counts?
Most certainly. Just make sure the main pages of both books say the same thing. Spy Thriller -> Spy Thriller, Mystery -> Mystery etc.

What about books that have the title on the cover in red, like this one? Books that have a star on the cover? Books with two-word titles? Books by someone named Tom? How far can we go here? :D
I love where you mind is at. That is the whole point - how creative can you get?! How far can you logically stretch the connection with the main book. Keep them coming! :D

Oh and is it obvious that I am SUPER excited again - I actually lay awake yesterday evening because I was wondering what the challenge was going to be!! And I also dreamed about it. Silly me :)
YAAAAASSSS!! LOVE the spirit. Isn't it fun? We now can explore so much more with this mini challenge.

Alright, awesome! Maybe we should keep a list of ideas somewhere in the first posts of this thread so they don't get lost?

I am, however, going to finish the Inheritance cycle first. Next up is and I think I'm going to struggle to link it to Patriot Games, but we'll see :) BUT it does have a green cover and a character with an S so it can complete our last green card.
And I shall set my creative brain loose to come up with a connection. I'll probably dream about it haha :D

I also received my first subscription box book today and it was The Name of the Wind which is okay, but not great because I really only want to read these when the series is completed. But I am excited and I already have some ideas to connect this one to the mini challenge!

Just out of curiosity, can you tell us what last year's mini challenges were? :) also, do you know in advance what's going to happen? Who makes up all of these challenges anyway? This might be my dream job :D

I'm off to the library this morning to find spy thriller books and movie/TV thrillers which is a genre I do enjoy. Lots of James Patterson books are movies and I haven't read any Jason Bourne books so will try for those too. And keep an eye out for relevant covers! I'll try for 4 books for the fortnight we have left.

If some of us can't come up with anything for this mini we still have to cover our UNO cards so it won't matter. Others can focus on the mini. Most of our mini books will be useful for UNO too of course.

Laura wrote: "Alright, awesome! Maybe we should keep a list of ideas somewhere in the first posts of this thread so they don't get lost?

I am, however, going to finish the Inheritance cycle first. Next up is [b..."

A list is a great idea.

Apoorv will we add out Mini challenge books to the tracking sheet as normal and do a completion post saying how they connect to Patriot Games as well?

Back from the library with my plunder:
Blowback
Link: Covert CIA operative, person with gun on cover

Blood Trust
Link: Global terrorism, Secret Service, National Security adviser Jack McClure

A Soldier's Revenge
Link: Spy thriller, ex intelligence agent

The American Agent
Link: Title because Jack Ryan is an American agent?? Undercover operative. Maybe a flimsy connection but I'll read it because it looked good.

Tina, Melbournites have done a fantastic job shutting the virus spread down each time there's been a quarantine leak. The contact tracing is amazing.

There doesn't seem to be community transmission anywhere else in the country from the latest reports. Aus has 47 active cases which I guess are all linked to quarantined repatriation flight arrivals.

Elisabeth wrote: "A list is a great idea.

Apoorv will we add out Mini challenge books to the tracking sheet as normal and do a completion post saying how they connect to Patriot Games as well?."

I will put up a list of our ideas in my February post at the beginning of the group.

When you post your completed books, please do add a line as to how it connects to the main book. Would be easier to just have it here with the completed post for tracking.

Apoorv wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "The situation in my place is okay and under control for now. Life is almost back to normal. Everything is going smoothly. People are wearing masks and following socia..."

Oh yeah! Those days are unforgettable. I remember people in Mumbai waking up to birds singing, which otherwise is impossible to hear with all that heavy traffic.

Lol! Were you there when the the 'Banging thalis and lighting candles' tasks took place?

Elisabeth wrote: "Back from the library with my plunder:
Blowback
Link: Covert CIA operative, person with gun on cover

[book:Blood Trust|9..."

Wow! These are amazing!

I had a question regarding the mini challenge: Are books that were originally published in 1987 but then subsequently republished, maybe also with a different cover, allowed?

Tina ❣ wrote: "How did you like the book Kathryn?"

"Glad it wasn't just me! :P I had my birthday this week and have been pleasantly surprised that people have wanted to see me but it just means less time for Goodreads!"

The book was excellent. One of the best ones I've read in the last couple of years. Very well done. Great world building and the characters were written extremely well, too.

My birthday is on the 27th, so I get it! I've been trying to plan something, anything, for my big 30th. But, it's hard to do with finances stretched and Covid being such a problem here in California. But I'll figure out something nice to do, even at home!

Apoorv wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Completion Post

Book: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 432
Date: 12-Feb-2021

UNO Cards it fits:"


Kathryn, you should totally get the priz..."

I was totally shocked at how many characters ended up fitting! Some of them were minor, only in the last third of the book, and I was like "woah!". It was nice to fill in so many spaces. :)

Vanessa wrote: "Lol! Were you there when the the 'Banging thalis and lighting candles' tasks took place?"

I sure was! How could I have missed that moment in history?! LOL! :p

Vanessa wrote: "I had a question regarding the mini challenge: Are books that were originally published in 1987 but then subsequently republished, maybe also with a different cover, allowed?"

That is great question! I would say that would be a no, because in general we capture the specific edition we are reading, so if it was republished and we read that, then that is the date we'd go off of. Does that make sense? Sorry if I am being clear as mud.

Ideally, while we are stretching our imaginations to form a connection, I would definitely recommend erring on the side of obviousness. The Mods can totally decline a connection that maybe true but a little too far-fetched.

My boyfriend said I could link Inheritance for the mini challenges because both books have a male main character, but that's too vague, right? I mean I think it's a little lame :D

Laura wrote: "My boyfriend said I could link Inheritance for the mini challenges because both books have a male main character, but that's too vague, right? I mean I think it's a little lame :D"

Lol! I wish Apoorv agrees with ur boyfriend. 😂😂 Then we will ace this challenge.

I finished 15% of the book so far.... Some of my observations are:

~John Patrick Ryan
~Irish American, father was a cop
~left the military with a physical disability but after treatment by neurosurgery fit as new (mostly back injury, used to wear a back brace)
~has a daughter who is 4 years old
~Wife's name is Cathy; hobby photography and is a John Hopkins surgeon
~Helped to prevent a terrorist attack ( but suspected kidnapping too)
~Targets of the attack: Prince and princess of Wales with baby
~instructor in history at U.S. naval academy in Annapolis
~ULA behind the attack; They are Maoists
~Knight commander to the Victorian order: reward for personal service to the crown .... sir Ryan
~left merrill lynch (was a stock broker)


Sorry they are not in order... next time will draft it properly

Vanessa wrote: "Laura wrote: "My boyfriend said I could link Inheritance for the mini challenges because both books have a male main character, but that's too vague, right? I mean I think it's a little lame :D"

Lol! I wish Apoorv agrees with ur boyfriend. 😂😂 Then we will ace this challenge."


LOL! I admit it is vague, but I think it is a decent enough connection. I mean, afterall they are protagonists of the book, it literally is about them and that is a major part of the book. So, while I don't think we should have all our books with that one connection, but I don't see why we can't have a couple! :P

Vanessa wrote: "I finished 15% of the book so far.... Some of my observations are:

~John Patrick Ryan
~Irish American, father was a cop
~left the military with a physical disability but after treatment by neuro..."


This is fantastic, Vanessa! Great job with listing these down. If you don't mind continuing with this as you go through the book, we can have a great repository of things to pull from.

Thank you for the effort.

Also, please remember you will have to complete the book AFTER this time on the 14th!
I know you are a fast reader, so do pace yourself accordingly.

Apoorv wrote: "Also, please remember you will have to complete the book AFTER this time on the 14th!
I know you are a fast reader, so do pace yourself accordingly."

Aye aye Captain!

The print is really small in this old copy! So it's going a bit slow...I'll be reading this full day today. I'll post more updates by tomorrow.

Completion Post

Book: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia Owens
Pages: 384
Date: 14-Feb-2021

UNO Cards it fits:

0: Standalone
1: Author O - Delia Owens
2: Character T - Tate
9: Location N - North Carolina
Skip: Character K - Kya
Reverse: read by all Vicki, Paris, Apoorv, Vanessa, Laura

Vanessa wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "My home state just announced that we are going into lockdown for 5 days because of a cluster outbreak. Hopefully I can get more reading done! We can only leave our home for essential..."

Thanks Vanessa! I sure did :P

Glad it's under control and that you're staying well. I'm happy that mask are becoming normal and a safe way to go about life now

Apoorv wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: Glad it wasn't just me! :P I had my birthday this week and have been pleasantly surprised that people have wanted to see me but it just means less time for Goodreads"

HAPPPY BIRTHDAA..."

Aww thanks Apoorv! :P

Definitely is a big ask for India! and I agree with you - it's been interesting to see everyone uniting to contain covid in their areas. 100 days not leaving home would be hard! Luckily I worked in a medical practice so had to work but I know it was challenging for most of the population

Laura wrote: "Happy (late) birthday, Tina!

Here in Belgium COVID is more or less under control, we have rather strict measures but we can still go out, we can go shopping alone, we have to wear masks obviously...."

Thank you Laura ;P


It's interesting to read about what Belgium is doing as it's similar to what Melbourne did after we defeated the second wave. We were able to go shopping with others and not just on our own and wearing masks are a constant although some people are getting annoyed. Our primary and secondary schools were open to student to go to as well and having the windows open is a great idea! Either that or air-conditioning.

It's definitely hard not seeing family and friends. And at least your boyfriend has you so I'm sure he's grateful for that. I do hope it gets better soon for you two and Belgium!

Elisabeth wrote: "Back from the library with my plunder:
Blowback
Link: Covert CIA operative, person with gun on cover

[book:Blood Trust|9..."

Love your book selections!

Thanks Elizabeth! It's been tiring, honestly. I honestly was just getting used to a 'covid normal' and now lockdown again. I'm not complaining but it's just a lot of adapting to do.

I've actually been okay with how the authorities have handled covid contract tracing, restrictions and other situations. Though there's been some major errors in transparency and ownership with errors by authorities - but they're learning. I definitely agree that the active cases are from those travelling here from over seas. We've done really well with hardly any community transmissions. Surprised with the rulings they've done with the tennis. I only know because my partner is an avid fan and I am not haha

Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "How did you like the book Kathryn?"

"Glad it wasn't just me! :P I had my birthday this week and have been pleasantly surprised that people have wanted to see me but it just means le..."

Kathryn wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "How did you like the book Kathryn?"

"Glad it wasn't just me! :P I had my birthday this week and have been pleasantly surprised that people have wanted to see me but it just means le..."

Oh that's great! I personally liked the second one better. It definitely set the tone for other books with the same plot :P

I find planning for birthdays (or at least my birthday) gets more taxing every year. I used to hate people planning it for me but now I like it haha.

Maybe a nice garden party at a house or a park, or hire a venue? I guess they're the most common ways to celebrate birthdays as we get older? I'm pretty lucky as there's always a huge festival on the weekend of my birthday in the area I live so I just ask my friends to meet me there which we all enjoy

Tina ❣ wrote: "Surprised with the rulings they've done with the tennis. I only know because my partner is an avid fan and I am not haha."

Props to your partner! I know whose side I am on now. Haha! :D

I was so bummed to see the Australian Open without people, that was likely going to be the only one close to being a regular pre-CoViD environment presently, given that Paris, London, and New York are still battling the pandemic. But, I'm glad the Victorian government took the necessary steps to get the public back in their homes in time. Also glad that the matches are continuing!

UPDATE

Note that every book finished from now on is eligible for the February Mini Challenge. So don't forget to write a sentence or two connecting it to the main book, Patriot Games, in your completion posts.

The connection is upto your creativity, but just make sure you err on the side of obviousness. But, go wild! :D

Completion Post
The Woman in the Green Dress
Author: Tea Cooper
Pages: 330
Date: Feb15
Cards
2: A: first name Tea
4: C: Fleur
6: C: Stefan
7: C: Vera
Skip: C: Kip

Mini Challenge: Same author initials as Tom Clancy

Elisabeth wrote: "Completion Post
The Woman in the Green Dress
Author: Tea Cooper"

Elisabeth, do you have a connection in mind for this book?
I actually can see one right here. :P

Can you??? What is it? I didn't even think of it as a Mini relevant book.

You don't mean author's initials do you Apoorv? In that case--the link is same initials as Tom Clancy. hahaha

Elisabeth wrote: "You don't mean author's initials do you Apoorv? In that case--the link is same initials as Tom Clancy. hahaha"

YAAAAASSS!! There you go!
Great catch! :D

Slow? Moi?

Hey! at least you figured it out in the end! Lol

Completion Post

Book: Red Queen
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Pages: 383
Date: 14-Feb-2021

UNO Cards it fits:

1) #1 in series
2) Character -- Tramy
3) Character -- Haven
4) Character -- Farley
5) Character -- Iral
6) Character -- Shade
7) Author -- Victoria
8) Character -- Elara
9) Character -- Nora
Skip Character -- Kilorn

Mini Challenge:
--I'm not sure if these will fit, so I'm throwing out a bunch of ideas to see what happens!

1) The target in our mini challenge book is a Princess. Our main character is also a princess and the target of our "antagonists".
2) The title is 2 worded, just like our mini challenge book.
3) Father was a soldier. Different from a cop, but meh?

Let me know if any of these fits? If not, I'll try to find something else by the end of the month!

The princess link sounds good to me!

Elisabeth wrote: "The princess link sounds good to me!"

Awesome, then I'd definitely like to go with that one! :)

Apoorv will have to decide but if I can have author initials then I think your link is pretty good.

Completion post
Blood Trust
Author: Eric Van Lustbader
Pages: 413
Date: Feb 15
Cards
1 C: O'Banion
2 C: Thate
3 C: Henry
4 C: Fellows
6 C: Saunderson
7 C: Vera
8 A: first name Eric
9 C: Naomi
Skip : Paull

Mini challenge: Main character Jack, US special ops action thriller

A quick read even though it was 400 pages. Fast paced and action packed.

Some more random observations:

~were in London on vacation
~daughter is taking riding lessons
~ Wife's name Caroline Ryan.. known as Cathy
~Daughter's name is Olivia, but is called Sally at home
~ wife's pregnant, drives a Porsche, plays piano , has a customized license plate
~wife is ophthalmic surgeon
~trial for the caught terrorist, crown vs Miller, Jack is called as a witness
~ One suspect is arrested, while transporting his friends break him out
~US marines
~Jack's parents killed in air accident?
~ Jack has a sister who lives in Seattle
~Jack hates to fly
~ One entire chapter includes Christmas celebration, assembling gifts from their daughter, Barbie doll house
~FBI
~Guns, training
~Helicopters
~CIA, headquarters overlooking Potomac valley
~code words, top secret, code used for the investigation: fidelity
~wife and daughter attacked, car accident, daughter critical but slowly recovering
~Jack is out for revenge for attacking his family

Kathryn wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "The princess link sounds good to me!"

Awesome, then I'd definitely like to go with that one! :)"

Yeah! Even I think it will work.

I think the princess connection totally works. It is the main plot of the book afterall. Good link, Kathryn!

I hope you liked the book and will continue with the series.

I did enjoy it very much and look forward to seeing what happens next! It'll be a bit before I grab book 2, but I'm sure I'll clearly remember book 1. it's very memorable, after all

Kathryn wrote: "I did enjoy it very much and look forward to seeing what happens next! It'll be a bit before I grab book 2, but I'm sure I'll clearly remember book 1. it's very memorable, after all"

Oh, I'm glad to hear that.
For me, that was the best book of the series and then it somewhat faded over the next three books. The second one was my least favourite (as most second ones tend to be for some reason). But, I do hope you continue to enjoy the world and the craziness in it.

Book: Little Fires Everywhere
Author: Celeste Ng
Pages: 388
Date: 14-Feb-2021

UNO Cards it fits:

0 - Standalone
1 - Place: Ohio
2 - Character: Trip Richardson, Tim Michaels
5 - Character: Isabelle Richardson
6 - Character: Serena Wong
8 - Character: Elena Richardson, Ed Lim
9 - Author: Ng
Skip - Character: Pearl Warren, Pauline Hawthorne
Reverse - Read by Aproov, Danah, Laura

EDIT: Mini Challenge Link - Also made into an Amazon Prime TV series

Completion post

Book: Inheritance
Author: Christopher Paolini
Pages: 860
Date: 15-Feb-2021
UNO Cards it fits:
1: Character O - Orrin
2: Character T - Thorn
4: Series #4
5: Title I
6: Character S - Saphira
8: Character E - Eragon
9: Character N - Nasuada
Skip: Author P - Paolini
Reverse: read by Kathryn

Cover: green!


Mini challenge: the main character is male, he is also an orphan which should fit according to message 392; I really can't come up with anything else! Except for both books have more than 4 stars on goodreads, does that count too?

Also, if we have any fantasy readers here who haven't read this series yet, it's really good! The second book is my least favourite, sort of like the fifth Harry Potter with lots of teenage angst and not much happens but the last two are amazing. Especially if you consider that Christopher Paolini wrote the first book when he was only 15.

Laura wrote: "Completion post

Book: Inheritance
Author: Christopher Paolini
Pages: 860
Cover: green!"

LOL! TinEye says this is 91% Grey and 4.7% Green.
I mean, c'mon! :O

Well, tineye is a fool. Just like with the red book, this dragon is really green :) so I hope it counts!
Edit: also, I posted the wrong cover! Mine is actually also green according to tineye :D