Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

I'm on a role. I finished both Equal Rites and A Deadly Education over the weekend and hopefully The Colour of Magic next week some time.

I'm struggling to get a hold of July's BOMs that aren't Discworld, but I will use a Audible credit (when I get my next one) on one of them so I will at least be able to participate in 2 of them.

Keely wrote: "I'm on a role. I finished both Equal Rites and A Deadly Education over the weekend and hopefully The Colour of Magic next week some time.

I'm struggli..."

I would recommend House on the Cerulean Sea over Addie LaRue.

Just my opinion though.


I'm glad you like A Deadly Education! I'm always worried when I recommend a book to someone that they won't like it. Though Novak's books tend to be a safe bet.

There was some things I thought was strange about the main character. She annoyed me a bit at times. But overall I found the story enjoyable.


I think I refer the sound of The House in the Cerulean Sea to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue so I will aim for that one, but I still hope to acquire both.

May I make a tasks suggestion? I just added Finding Home: Claimed by the Vampire Alpha (and yes, I'm still reading vampire books - this one was a MMM with a vampire, a werewolf, and a witch and a little BDSM thrown in ) which would work for task 29 (H, author D.J. Heart). Another book I read, The Swap is currently in place for task 29, but would work for task 90, author with initials A M (author Annabella Michaels. It's just a thought.

Also, I really will finish my book for task 30, 8th in a series, fairly soon.

Truitt_T wrote: "May I make a tasks suggestion? I just added Finding Home: Claimed by the Vampire Alpha (and yes, I'm still reading vampire books - this one was a MMM with a vampire, a werewolf, and..."

Nice catch! I'll shift them around. I have a couple AM authors on my tbr but none of them were on my reading radar except to meet this task.

And don't rush too hard to get through books. Points are great, but we still have like half of the challenge to go. So plenty of time :)

I can take task 30 I am currently reading Death Dance which the 8th in the series the book can also be used for theatrical masks as there is a theatrical mask on the cover

Redshirt,

This may of been lost in the thread. But could you put The Midnight Library on your TT shelf?

Thank you!

Just to let you all know that I've been offered work at a retail store I worked in previously. I'll only be contracted two shifts a week but they will be preparing for their big summer sale and my manager assured me there would be plenty of overtime/extra shifts to pick up. I plan to pick us as much extra as I can so that I have more money for when I can finally begin my move to Norway.

This could mean that the amount I read could go up or down. If I am able to get shifts where I work out the back in the stockroom then I can listen to audiobooks, if I end up more on the shopfloor then I will not be able to do that. I will probably be out back more as that is what I did previously.

I doubt it will make my reading go down too much, if anything it is more likely to go up. But just in case, you know why.

Keely wrote: "Just to let you all know that I've been offered work at a retail store I worked in previously. I'll only be contracted two shifts a week but they will be preparing for their big summer sale and my ..."

No worries! And congratulations on the job :)

Judith wrote: "Redshirt,

This may of been lost in the thread. But could you put The Midnight Library on your TT shelf?

Thank you!"

It is on your TT shelf now but it does not have a date read. Thank you

Update on Tasks and I will update BINGO later today
Zombie MPG
Skull on cover
title in format x and y
on Spec-Fic Passing Bechdel Test list (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...)
recommendation from diff team x2 (BOMs count)
mini skirt on cover – Jenn
Turtle on cover

I will do mini skirt now.
I plan to read The House in the Cerulean Sea which was recommended by another team.

Keely wrote: "Just to let you all know that I've been offered work at a retail store I worked in previously. I'll only be contracted two shifts a week but they will be preparing for their big summer sale and my ..."

Congrats, Kelly! I hope you enjoy it and get all the hours you want.

I'm done with The Widow Wears Scarlet! Could someone please toss on 6/14 on the sheet for me, please?

I'll double check those read dates!

On mobile, The Midnight Library shows a read date of the 5th. Let me know if it's showing now or if I need to get to a computer?

Oh! The shelf. I've fixed that just now. Ahaha. Thanks for the notice!

Redshirt wrote: "On mobile, The Midnight Library shows a read date of the 5th. Let me know if it's showing now or if I need to get to a computer?"

Both are on your shelf with a read date so great job and thank you

Truitt, is there a reason you did not include All Fired Up for TTs? No worries either way but was checking your books.

Updated for BINGO. These are not the only choices you could pick but are just to get everyone started.

B1 Rincewind Scream - Horror, book that makes you scream
B2 Eagle - Eagle or MC works for US gov/military
B7 bag of coffee beans - coffee in story
B8 "crivens!" - a surprise, Scottish
C1 "oook!" - 3 'O's, book cover/story with an ape
C4 "anthill inside" - logo Computer, ants important to story
E4 Free Space! - Got book for Free
F1 bee - insect' on cover, 'bees' in story, yellow-black cover
F2 octagon / mirror - mirror on the cover, reflection of some kind on the cover
G1 cabbage - vegetarian in story, 'cabbage' in text, gardening
H2 black rooster - rooster in the story, black bird on cover, Maman Brigitte
H6 theatrical masks – MC is an actor/works in the theater, goes to a play

(some of these ideas were stolen from Team Moist)

Lexi wrote: "Truitt, is there a reason you did not include All Fired Up for TTs? No worries either way but was checking your books."

You made me laugh, Lexi - you are on top of all this! All Fired Up was my tenth vampire book of the month (the things I do for Scavenger Hunt) and I had reached my limit. I read/listened to no stress books as a bit of a palate cleanser and was busy enough over the weekend that I didn't add them to GR or to my other yearly list. When I went back and added books, I must have blocked All Fired Up out (vampire overload). I didn't realize the omission until after I'd added the others to Tracking. I'll go add it, and another short one I just finished that will take care of Cabbage. :)

ETA: My currect audio book will work for B2, with both MCs being U.S. Marshalls, one of whom is also an Individual Ready Reserve Green Beret Captain.

Keely wrote: "Just to let you all know that I've been offered work at a retail store I worked in previously. I'll only be contracted two shifts a week but they will be preparing for their big summer sale and my ..."

Awesome Keely!

Could someone please explain a bit more about Jackanory? Is it just one story?

I'm sorry if this was already discussed and I missed it.

You didn't miss anything Truitt!

It's one story. We will use books we read to pull out themes, characters, plot points, etc and write our own (usually funny) little story. It's not as straight forward as the tasks or Bingo because there is a lot of flexibility and creativity allowed.

Here's a story I wrote for a different team challenge a couple years ago. This one we could only use the book titles, but it may give you an idea. The book titles (or parts of anyway) are in all caps. The theme of that challenge was space inspired desserts. Maybe it will help, or it may convince you we are crazy and send you running for the hills.

(view spoiler)[
Members of Teams Cosmic Affogato and Astronaut Pie finally were able to meet for High Tea on the Affogato Space Station. Due to current planetary alignment, it was A BAD DAY FOR SUNSHINE, but the ladies (and poor outnumbered Michael) were up for making the best of it. Beautiful HARD WOOD tables were set up and covered with all types of delightful treats. And of course, all types of “tea”. “Tea” meaning booze, because why pass on a perfectly good opportunity for day drinking?
Jenny was regaling the group with stories about her latest BLIND DATE DISASTERS. A tipsy analysis of her last date’s twitchy behavior began in earnest. He never seemed to want Jenny too close. Judith suggested he was scared Jenny was only AFTER HIS BANANA and didn’t want her to think he was a SURE THING. Then Judith waggled her eyebrows which started a round of laughing. Jenny mock glared saying “Judith, your laugh sounds like a BANSHEE scream.” To this Judith just snickered and took a bite of SCONE.
The conversation drifted to other topics including the best milk to use in making ice cream. While getting milk from Terran cows may be seen as the HARD WAY, it is preferred to getting milk from the more friendly Affogato Space Station cows.
A while later, everyone was happily into their cups when AN UNEXPECTED GUEST sauntered into the room. A beautiful BLACK CAT with a flooffy tail made her rounds rubbing legs and purring loudly. A group vote was taken, and it was decided that cats were A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND. Then Jenny randomly asked, “If I die alone and go undiscovered, WILL MY CAT EAT MY EYEBALLS?”.
Judith slurred, “GIRL, WASH YOUR FACE, I think you’re drunk.” Jenny, PIVOTs in her direction and indignantly said, “no more than you!” As Judith had given up sitting in a chair and was laying half under a table, she didn’t argue with Jenny’s assessment.
Booze was soon swapped for coffee as Team Astronaut Pie needed to leave soon. The High Tea was deemed a fun success and plans were made for the next get together, a group trip to THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA. Team members bid farewell to each other and Astronaut Pie left the space station for their next destination. (hide spoiler)]

Judith wrote: "You didn't miss anything Truitt!

It's one story. We will use books we read to pull out themes, characters, plot points, etc and write our own (usually funny) little story. It's not as straight for..."

Omg, that is hysterical! I love it. I can't wait to see what we end up with. :)

Lexi wrote: "Update on Tasks and I will update BINGO later today
Zombie MPG
Skull on cover
title in format x and y
on Spec-Fic Passing Bechdel Test list (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1......"

I have books I can read for skull on cover and turtle on cover

What does "title in format x and y" mean?

SandyL wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Update on Tasks and I will update BINGO later today
Zombie MPG
Skull on cover
title in format x and y
on Spec-Fic Passing Bechdel Test list (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1......."

Great! I'd found a turtle on cover but it wasn't one I really wanted to read. I'm glad you can save me from what I think will be a stupid book.

I have one for the x and y format I put on the spreadsheet last night but forgot to post here I have it covered.

There have been a fair few people questioning what that task means across the teams. It means a title that is formatted like Lords and Ladies (the book inspiring this particular set of tasks). Lords = x; Ladies = y. I'm using the book Storm and Fury.

And Jen is reading for Zombie MPG.

Lexi is working on sketching out the Jackanory a bit.

But I know we need 3 books involving different activities you can do with a new puppy. DEATH is adopting a puppy (because why not) and needs some activities to do with it.

A book with MPG Mystery is also needed.

And a book with mountains (on cover, in title, setting, etc)

I could probably find a book with MPG Mystery, but I feel like I should finish some of my books before commiting to anything else.

Snowtulip,

When you get a chance could you put Save Me on your TT shelf?

Thank you!

I am currently reading a mystery Nine Perfect Strangers

I am also reading Enchanted, Inc. which has the wizard Merlin in it. could that be used for Rincewind scream? or even for coffee beans as they drink coffee in the book quite often

Judith wrote: "Snowtulip,

When you get a chance could you put Save Me on your TT shelf?

Thank you!"

Done!

Could someone put 6/18 for me by The Spitfire Girls?

Redshirt wrote: "Could someone put 6/18 for me by The Spitfire Girls?"

Done!

Took a bit but I figured out where I think it would be fun for our story to go. I have worked with what we mostly read and there are a few very specific ideas we might need to go find.

Our MC is an older women (think 70+/Miss. Marple) who is also a detective. She is very competent. Any book where someone is competent or good at detecting can be used here. I also need one with an older women as a detective if anyone wants to read Miss Marple.

First, a lot of us seem to enjoy romance books so all the secondary characters are romance heroes at a house party. I can use both MM and FM romance books here so no worries there.

Our antagonist is not so competent. He is hiding as a guest at the house party. More romance books work great here. Also, power hungry or greedy characters can go here.


I tried to make the story more normal but that failed. Our antagonist’s goal is to summon the Elder Gods (i.e., Cthulhu). He fails though as a storm happens and he gets hit in the head with a tree causing memory loss. I need a book with Elder Gods (I can read one if no one else is planning one) and a book with a tree on the cover.

DEATH is still getting a puppy. We need things like go on a walk, feed an animal. It does not have to be puppy specific.

There is a twist which I will leave as a surprise for now. I do need an unreliable narrator is someone has one. Feel free to ask questions on specifics or suggest changes. I am slightly making it up as I go.

Thanks for working on this, Lexi - it sounds like it's going to be a great story!!!

I can read the Miss Marple book which will be a great palate cleanser after The Four Winds which I can recommend. Safe place for confession: I loved East of Eden so much that I couldn't finish Grapes of Wrath. So this book covers much the same territory, focusing on the life of women in the Dust Bowl and the migration to California. It is not 'literary fiction' in style but the story is so affecting and the plot well presented that it is hard to put down.

ALL tasks are claimed. Good job everyone

The remaining unclaimed BINGO are:

B8 "crivens!" - a surprise, Scottish
E4 Free Space! - Got book for Free
F2 octagon / mirror - mirror on the cover, reflection of some kind on the cover
H6 theatrical masks – MC is an actor/works in the theater, goes to a play

Sounds like a great story so far Lexi!

I have some Scottish romance, so I'll see what sounds good.

Thanks Jen!

Awesome story, Lexi. I'm a Call of Cthulhu fan, so I'm very interested in the twist!

Let me know if I need to ditch any of my books to focus on the tasks? Presently, I'm working on Otaku, Redwall, the next book after The Way of Kings, and Mort.

Technically I got Firekeeper's Daughter for free as I used a free trial on Audiobooks.com for it. Would that be enough to count as free?

Keely, it is and the book also works in a couple Jackanory spots.

Redshirt, keep your plans as is. We can work with whatever people read

Judith wrote: "Keely, it is and the book also works in a couple Jackanory spots.

Redshirt, keep your plans as is. We can work with whatever people read"

Okay, I'll let you decide where it's best to use it. I should finish it sometime in the week.
I have other books I could read for the free option if needed.

Truitt, I moved your books over from your shelf that we could use (not a reread within 6 months).

Also, wonderful job, everyone. We are within 155 of being back in 2nd, good job everyone.

All BINGO spots are claimed if Snowtulip finds a Scottish one.

Just a reminder to everyone since we are getting low on spots overall because we are awesome.

Even if there are no tasks, Bingo, spaces, or Story spots your books work for, please keep reading and logging those books. We can still collect the book points. There is no rule saying the books have to be used for tasks, etc to count.

BOM Mort starts today! Is anyone else aside from Judith, Lexi and I reading it? I'd love to chat more about it. I've only managed a few pages (snuck in while I'm at work) right now. Lol.

I will be reading it but probably won't start for a day or two yet.

I'm hoping to catch up on my reading over the next few days as I've fallen behind due to some health problems and starting work.

Keely wrote: "I will be reading it but probably won't start for a day or two yet.

I'm hoping to catch up on my reading over the next few days as I've fallen behind due to some health problems and starting work."

I hope everything is okay (or will be) Keely. Take care of yourself

Thank you, it's nothing major just some pain that sometimes wakes me up or keeps me awake which is making me very tired which in turn makes reading a lot harder.
But after visiting the doctor, it hasn't been as much of a problem so hopefully I'm back on track to getting back to normal.

Also, I will be away this weekend on a trip that was planned for this time last year, but for obvious reasons got pushed back. I don't know if I will get much reading done. It is meant to be a relaxing trip but that may end up being more TV/movies than books :P