Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

The time between spring and summer, where flowers are in full bloom just shout for a lovely afternoon tea out in the gardens, don't you think? Likewise, when the weather is starting to get colder and you're starting to look inside for a nice cosy place, an afternoon tea is just the thing to be having, isn't it?



Exactly who discovered tea is unknown but it is a known fact that the notion of creating this beverage, which is now so widely known and loved around the world, was first introduced in China. It wasn't brought to the West until only about 400 years ago. Since its humble beginnings, tea has had a huge impact on cultures way back when as well as on modern day life. Tea has its own social etiquettes regarding preparation, consumption as well as unique ceremonies in some societies. There are even specific customs associated with how, when, and where to drink it.

High tea tends to be on the heavier side and is served around dinner time, usually involving some form of meal, such as steak and kidney pie, fish dishes and baked goods. Afternoon tea, also known as low tea, is typically served in the mid-afternoon and it was traditionally served on low tables, accompanied by snacks, such as an assortment of pastries and cake, often served on tables set with fancy linen and lace tablecloths and served on fine china - a leftover from when afternoon was fashionable across high society and was a favourite pastime of ladies of leisure.





Duration:
May 1-31, 2021

How It Works:

Option 1:
Read books that:
- have a cup or tray of tea, a tea or garden party, etc displayed on the cover,
- are set in a country or city which is historically associated with tea such as China, Japan, England, Boston, etc,
- have the words tea and/or high and/or low and/or afternoon in the title or series name.

Option 2:
Spell-out one or more of the following kinds of tea.

List of various teas under:
Earl Gray
Oolong
Herbal
Jasmine
Peppermint
Green
Black
White
Yellow
Rooibos
Mate
Blooming
Honeybush
Spearmint
Chamomile
Assam
Nilgiri
Oolong
Masala
Badam
Keemun
Yunnan
Genmaicha
Pu-erh
Chai
Builder's Tea


Spell-it-out rules
Using the first letter in the book’s title, the first letter in the series name, the first letter in the author’s first or last name, or the first letter of a character’s first, last, or nick-name, or the first letter in the audiobook narrators or translators first or last name. As always, if the first word of a title starts with ‘A’, ‘An’, ‘The’, etc., you may use the first letter of the second word in the title to spell out your chosen word.


Levels:
Spot of Tea: read 1 - 3 books
Cup of Tea: read 4 - 6 books
Pot of Tea: read 7 - 9 books
Teatotaler: read 10 + books



For a little something extra:
If you are a tea drinker, feel free to share your favourite kinds or favourite rituals with your fellow players.

Monthly Challenges ~ Spessartite Coin

Earn your Spessartite Coins with the Monthly Challenges.

To Earn a Spessartite Coin:
One Coin upon reaching highest book level (Teatotaler)

Learn about Gem coins here

reserved

reserved

Im English so grew up with Brew

Tea bag first.....

A little milk!!!!

Sugar..... Stir stir Stir An then digestives!!!

Doc brown My proper tea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei46K...
Peter Kay Dipping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuqLq...

☕Read books that:☕
- have a cup or tray of tea, a tea or garden party, etc displayed on the cover,
- are set in a country or city which is historically associated with tea such as China, Japan, England, Boston, etc,
- have the words tea and/or high and/or low and/or afternoon in the title or series name.

Teatotaler: read 10 + books

Tea Time Reading Challenge
May 2021
Will try for a little of option 1, but will be mostly the spell option
Teatotaler: read 10 + books
Books read: 17

Option 1:
Read books that:
- have a cup or tray of tea, a tea or garden party, etc displayed on the cover,
- are set in a country or city which is historically associated with tea such as China, Japan, England, Boston, etc,
- have the words tea and/or high and/or low and/or afternoon in the title or series name.

Option 2:
Spell-out one or more of the following kinds of tea.

Jasmine
Jack Adams char-The Trouble at City Hall Courtney McFarlin 5/12/21
Amy Hueston-Paws for Concern Amy Hueston 5/7/21
Storm FM The Whacked Witch F.M. Storm 5/11/21
M The Magician Vickie Carroll 5/5/21
I Insects, Ivy & Investgations Tonya Kappes 5/4/21
Nick Kolesov char-A Trail of Lies Kylie Logan 5/13/21
E Egg Shooters Laura Childs 5/1/21

Peppermint
P Peril in the Pines Sharyn Bradford Lunn 5/2/21
Emmie Lyn-Claws of Justice Emmie Lyn 5/13/21
Penny Brooke-A Page of Murder Penny Brooke 5/5/21
P Punning with Scissors Becky Clark 5/12/21
Ellery Adams-Murder in the Reading Room Ellery Adams 5/14/21
Rosie A Point-Mint Murder Rosie A. Point 5/8/21
Millar Richardson char-Deadly Ever After Eva Gates 5/14/21
Izzie Loach char-Nothing Like a Pool Party Jennifer M. Baldwin 5/21/21
Nettie TenHuis char-The Chocolate Cat Caper JoAnna Carl 5/16/21
T Three Treats Too Many Debra H. Goldstein 5/6/21

Tea makes the world go round! I'm in.

I think I shall spell out my favourite tea :)

12/12

J The City & the City (N: John Lee) - A cup of Calming Camomile to counteract the bizarreness of the story!
A Misery (Annie Wilkes) - with some Strawberry Mint herbal tea for a sweet touch :)
S Swan Song - Enjoyed with several cups of Chai Fire
M The Wall (Mary) - Perfect with a cup of strong, black Surianalle
I Doctor No by Ian Fleming - Perfect paired with a cup of Carribean Kiss
N Plan for the Worst (Miss North) - Feet up and enjoy with a cup of Lazzzy tea
E The Foundling (Elizabeth/Bess) - Had a lovely cup or two of White Pear while reading this one.

G The Painted Veil (Kitty Garstin) - another lovely cup of Strawberry Mint herbal tea
R High-Rise (Robert Laing) - Another cup of White Pear!
E The Outcasts of Time (N: Barnaby Edwards) - Enjoyed 2 cups of Bai Mudan while reading this.
E The Voyage of the Beagle - (N: Barnaby Edwards) - With a tasty cup of Tangy Peach
N The Noise of Time - A cup of my favourite tea
Terry's Rooibos to finish off this challenge :)

Hi all! 👋
This sounds fun!! I love loose tea.
My fav is creme brulee or dec. black tea.🍵 I also love ice tea and boba (bubble tea).🧋
Im from Florida so we know sweet tea! :)

Im going to do option 1 challenge.
Ill be reading
Sweet Tea Witches Series
(20 books! Dont think ill read all in 1 month)

~Finished 5/6/21
~Finished 5/8/21
~Finished 5/10/21
~Finished 5/12/21
~Finished 5/14/21
~Finished 5/17/21
~Finished 5/17/21
~Finished 5/19/21
~Finished 5/19/21
~Finished 5/20/21

And
Sweet Tea B&B
Series (4 books)

~Finished 5/6/21

🌟FINISHED CHALLENGE!🤗🤗

In! ****Finished 05/25/2021*****

S Crêpe Expectations Sarah Fox
P Pie Hard
E Death by Espresso Alex Erickson
A Hercule Poirot and the Greenshore FollyAgatha Christie
R A Room with a Roux
M Mistletoe and Murder
I Make BelieveEd Ifkovic
N Read on Arrival Nora Page
T That Night

R Under Darkening Skies Ray Kingfisher
O Outfoxed
O Cold Sassy TreeOlive Ann Burns
I Ed Ifkovic Escape Artist
B Better Luck Next Time
O Three TequilasTricia O'Malley
S Bookman Dead StylePaige Shelton

May 2021
Option 2
Teatotaler: read 10 + books
Progress: 7/10+

Earl Gray
Oolong
Herbal
H: Haig, Matt (The Midnight Library) 🍵🍵
E
R: Road Rage 🍵🍵🍵
B
A
L
Jasmine
Peppermint
Green
Black
B
L
A
C: Carrie Ryan (The Forest of Hands and Teeth) 🍵🍵🍵🍵
K: Kill Me Softly 🍵🍵🍵
White
Yellow
Rooibos
Mate
M: Mathew Tekulsky (The Art of Hummingbird Gardening: How to Make Your Backyard into a Beautiful Home for Hummingbirds) 🍵🍵🍵
A: The Accident 🍵🍵
T: The Last Dragonslayer 🍵🍵🍵
E
Blooming
Honeybush
Spearmint
Chamomile
Assam
Nilgiri
Oolong
Masala
Badam
Keemun
Yunnan
Genmaicha
Pu-erh
Chai
Builder's Tea

Tea Time Challenge
May 2021
Goal: 18-20
Completed: 19

Option 1:
Read books that:
- have a cup or tray of tea, a tea or garden party, etc displayed on the cover,
- are set in a country or city which is historically associated with tea such as China, Japan, England, Boston, etc,
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center 5/10 Boston
- have the words tea and/or high and/or low and/or afternoon in the title or series name.

Option 2:
H Heyer Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer 5/2
E Ericson Run, Hide by Carol Ericson 5/8
R Roderick Alleyn Photo Finish by Ngaio Marsh 5/3
B Briggs Night Broken by Patricia Briggs 5/8
A The Alington Inheritance by Patricia Wentworth 5/1
L Lone Defender by Shirlee McCoy 5/9

C Center Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center 5/9
H How to Walk Away by Katherine Center 5/15
A Aimee Undercover Warrior by Aimée Thurlo 5/18
I Identical Threat by Tyler Anne Snell 5/5

E Ella Siren's Call by Jayne Castle 5/15
A Amanda The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick 5/19
R Reavis The Older Woman by Cheryl Reavis 5/4
L Lovestruck, VT series The Trouble with Picket Fences by Teri Wilson 5/11

G Graves Two Souls Hollow by Paula Graves 5/12
R Rushdan Innocent Hostage by Juno Rushdan 5/4
E Ericson The Decoy by Carol Ericson 5/17
Y York Jordan by Rebecca York 5/17

Tea Time Challenge
May 2021
Option 2: Spell-out one or more of the following kinds of tea.
Cup of Tea: 4 - 6 books

“Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage.”~ Catherine Douzel
My favorite afternoon tea is Harney and Sons, Paris.
I fell in love with it while on vacation in Omaha, NE. Oddly, it was a piece of chocolate I had tried in a chocolate shop. They had infused Paris with the chocolate. I loved the combination and returned the next day and bought my first tin of the tea and all the tea infused chocolate she had in her case.
I enjoy the tea in the afternoon and a chocolate after supper each night.
https://www.harney.com/products/paris...
http://chocolatabeille.com/index.html

O- Other People's Children by R.J. Hoffmann
O
✅L- Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs 5/14/2021
O
✅N- New Spring by Robert Jordan 5/4/2021
✅G- Gone With the Wind: the Definitive Illustrated History of the Book, the Movie, and the Legend by Herb Bridges 5/14/2021

Tea Time Challenge
Duration: 1 - 31 May 2021
Option 2
Cup of Tea: read 4 - 6 books

My reading this past year has been atrocious, but my tea drinking is always on point. I have a cup of Assam every morning and drink all kinds of other teas the rest of the day.

A Andrew Lane Dawn of Spies
S Nikki Sloane The Doctor
S Some Like It Scandalous
A Alice Clayton Wallbanger
M Mary Jo Putney Once a Scoundrel

If I finish the above, I'll do a bit of Option 1.

Tea Time Challenge
Duration: 1 - 31 May 2021
Option 2
Teatotaler: read 10 + books
Completed

Herbal
H Half the World 30/5
E Eleven on Top 23/5
R Rick Riordan - Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes 17/5
B Bloodlust 1/5
A Ilona Andrews - Magic Breaks 6/5
L The Lost Hero 29/5

Pu-erh
P Pyramids 12/5
U Unchained 18/5
-
E Equal Rites 28/5
R Rick Riordan-Percy Jackson: The Demigod Files 20/5
H Elizabeth Hoyt - Duke of Sin 3/5

I may try this challenge.

I am participating in another NBRC challenge.. Can the books of both challenges overlap?

Tea Time Reading Challenge
May 1-31, 2021

Option 2: Spell-out one or more of the following kinds of tea.
Using the first letter in the book’s title, the first letter in the series name, the first letter in the author’s first or last name, or the first letter of a character’s first, last, or nick-name, or the first letter in the audiobook narrators or translators first or last name.

Level: Cup of Tea, 4 - 6 books

Mate:

M -Brandon Massey - The Quiet Ones 5/16/21
A -Annie Ward - Beautiful Bad: A Novel 5/22/21
T - Tommy Trip - You Let Me in 5/30/21
E- David Ellis and James Patterson - The Red Book 5/8/21

U can overlap books with different challenges. Im doing a few challenges and Im using some of the same books.

Tea Time Challenge
Duration: 1 - 31 May 2021
Option 2: Spell it out
Level: Teatotaler-10+ books
Books Completed: 3/11

H - Heartstopper: Volume Three 5/6/21
E -
R - Ranger 5/12/21
B - Borel, Stacy , Heavy Hitter 5/18/21
A - Arizona Vengeance (series) , Kane 5/5/21
L -

Done! (post 8)

A fun challenge, and I enjoyed many delicious cups of tea doing it :)

Teatime Reading Challenge
May 1-31, 2021
Option 2
Teatotaler: read 10 + books

Chai
C - Panther's Passion by Zoe Chant - 5/14/2021
H - Hard Hand by Sierra Cartwright - 5/10/2021
A - Avery Nelson in Securing Avery by Susan Stoker - 5/10/2021
I - Imperfect Justice by Olivia Jaymes - 5/14/2021

Oolong
O - Justice Reborn by Olivia Jaymes - 5/14/2021
O - Cowboy Command by Olivia Jaymes - 5/4/2021
L - Lion's Lynx by Zoe Chant - 5/13/2021
O - Justice Healed by Olivia Jaymes - 5/7/2021
N - Not Negotiable by Samantha A. Cole - 5/7/2021
G - Go the Distance by Jen Calonita - 5/21/2021

Sammy wrote: "Done! (post 8)

A fun challenge, and I enjoyed many delicious cups of tea doing it :)"

Congratulations Sammy! 😊📚

Updated message #9

🌟FINISHED CHALLENGE 🌟

This was a fun and cute challenge! Thanks:)

Msg. 7 update: Completed

Kimber~☆♡Love of Books♡☆ wrote: "Updated message #9

🌟FINISHED CHALLENGE 🌟

This was a fun and cute challenge! Thanks:)"

Congratulations, Kimber! 😊 📚

Sammy wrote: "Done! (post 8)

A fun challenge, and I enjoyed many delicious cups of tea doing it :)"

Congrats!! ✌😊

Shellii wrote: "Kimber~☆♡Love of Books♡☆ wrote: "Updated message #9

🌟FINISHED CHALLENGE 🌟

This was a fun and cute challenge! Thanks:)"

Congratulations, Kimber! 😊 📚"

Thank you 😊!

Updated post #15
Challenge completed

Finished! Now that summer has arrived I make iced tea using green tea and Bengal spice herbal tea together. It's a tasy, cool summer treat. :)

Tea Time Challenge
May 2021
Goal: 18-20
Completed: 19

Option 1:
Read books that:
- have a cup or tray of tea, a tea or garden party, etc displayed on the cover,
- are set in a country or city which is historically associated with tea such as China, Japan, England, Boston, etc,
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center 5/10 Boston
- have the words tea and/or high and/or low and/or afternoon in the title or series name.

Option 2:
H Heyer Bath Tangle by Georgette Heyer 5/2
E Ericson Run, Hide by Carol Ericson 5/8
R Roderick Alleyn Photo Finish by Ngaio Marsh 5/3
B Briggs Night Broken by Patricia Briggs 5/8
A The Alington Inheritance by Patricia Wentworth 5/1
L Lone Defender by Shirlee McCoy 5/9

C Center Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center 5/9
H How to Walk Away by Katherine Center 5/15
A Aimee Undercover Warrior by Aimée Thurlo 5/18
I Identical Threat by Tyler Anne Snell 5/5

E Ella Siren's Call by Jayne Castle 5/15
A Amanda The Paid Companion by Amanda Quick 5/19
R Reavis The Older Woman by Cheryl Reavis 5/4
L Lovestruck, VT series The Trouble with Picket Fences by Teri Wilson 5/11

G Graves Two Souls Hollow by Paula Graves 5/12
R Rushdan Innocent Hostage by Juno Rushdan 5/4
E Ericson The Decoy by Carol Ericson 5/17
Y York Jordan by Rebecca York 5/17

I finished up in Message 14. :D I love all the tea related challenges.

A Andrew Lane Dawn of Spies
S Nikki Sloane The Doctor
S Some Like It Scandalous
A Alice Clayton Wallbanger
M Mary Jo Putney Once a Scoundrel

May 1-31, 2021
13/10+

Levels:
Teatotaler: read 10 + books

Option 1:
Read books that:
- have a cup or tray of tea, a tea or garden party, etc displayed on the cover,
★- are set in a country or city which is historically associated with tea such as China, Japan, England, Boston, etc,
Good Night, Mr. Tom 5/5 (England)
- have the words tea and/or high and/or low and/or afternoon in the title or series name.

Option 2:
Spell-out one or more of the following kinds of tea.

N
★I I Did NOT Give That Spider Superhuman Intelligence! 5/5
★L Lady Grace Mysteries Betrayal 7/5
★G Ghost in the Blood 4/5
I
★R Richard Roberts: Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Supervillain 7/5
I

★E Exile 11/5
★A Assassin 6/5
★R Richard Roberts: Please Don't Tell My Parents I've Got Henchmen 14/5
★L Lady Grace Mysteries: Conspiracy 8/5

★G Ghost in the Flames 2/5
★R Richard Roberts: Please Don't Tell My Parents I Blew Up The Moon 10/5
★E Exile 11/5
★Y Satoshi Yagisawa: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop 14/5

★G Ghost Dagger 2/5
★R Richard Roberts: Please Don't Tell My Parents I Have A Nemesis 18/5
E
E
N

★H The House at the Edge of Magic 15/5
E
★R Ruthless 17/5
B
★A Assassin 20/5
L

**COMPLETED LATE 12/27/24
Duration:
May 1-31, 2021

Levels:
Spot of Tea: read 1 - 3 books
Cup of Tea: read 4 - 6 books
Pot of Tea: read 7 - 9 books
Teatotaler: read 10 + books

Books read: 64/64
Words completed: 8/8


**EARL GRAY**
E:Ethan Thomas (MC)-The Unhoneymooners-6/5/24
A:Anne Bishop-Vision in Silver-5/29/24
R:Rowenna Cavenaugh (MC)-Deadly Harvest-8/1/24
L:Lynnette Tarkington (MC)-The Final Girl Support Group-5/25/24

G:Group Therapy-6/16/24
R:Rachel Chavez (MC)-The Mary Shelley Club8/23/24
A:Armstrong, Kelley (Author)-The Unquiet Past-9/15/24
Y:Young, Tessa (MC)-After-6/27/24



**OOLONG:
O:The One-9/14/24
O:Orion (MC)-The Awakening-7/13/24
L:Lafayette, Willow (MC)-You Won't Believe Me-8/22/24
O:One of Us Is Dead-12/27/24
N:Natalie D. Richards-Five Total Strangers-8/19/24
G:Graham, Heather (author)-Deadly Gift-9/5/24



**HERBAL:
H:Haung, Ana (Author)-Twisted Love-8/17/24
E:The Elite-9/7/24
R:Riva, Nina (MC)-Malibu Rising-8/30/24
B:Break Me-5/7/24
A:America Singer (MC)-The Selection-9/1/24
L:Larsen, Rhys (MC)-Twisted Games-10/3/24



**JASMINE
J:Jason (MC)-The Happy Ever After Playlist-6/11/24
A:The Alchemist-5/14/24
S:Sookie Stackhouse (MC)-Dead Until Dark-10/11/24
M:Maybe Someday-6/21/24
I:The Invited-5/28/24
N:The Night Island-7/1/24
E:Elsie Hannaway (MC)-Love, Theoretically-9/30/24



**PEPPERMINT**
P:Persephone (MC)-A Touch of Malice-5/17/24
E:Eve Dallas (MC)-Holiday in Death-9/29/24
P:Pax Blanchard (MC)-Tinderbox-5/31/24
P:Pennhallow, Bowen (MC)_The Wedding Witch-11/3/24
E:Evonavich, Janet (Author)-Sizzling Sixteen-6/14/24
R:Rokesbys, George (MC)-Because of Miss Bridgerton-5/22/24
M:Murder of Crows-5/19/24
I:India Glass (MC)-The Kidnapper's Accomplice-6/9/24
N:Natalie Farrell (MC)-The Coworker-5/20/24
T:Tempt Me-5/6/24



**GREEN
G:Glass Houses-11/9/24
R;Rowling, J.K. (Author)-Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone-11/11/24
E;Eva Campbell (MC)-Fake Flame-10/17/24
E:Elizabeth Zott (MC)-Lessons in Chemistry-10/25/24
N:Nick Anthony (MC)-Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice-11/11/24



**CHAMOMILE**
C:Corbyn, Meg (MC)-Marked in Flesh-8/11/24
H:The Honeymoon Crashers-7/16/24
A:The Assassin and the Empire-8/16/24
M:Morgan, Kass (author)-The 100-6/16/24
O:The Other Mrs.-7/25/24
M:Maybe Not-7/10/24
I:Isabella Swan (MC)-Twilight-10/13/24
L:Lincoln Fitzroy (MC)-Veiled in Moonlight-10/24/24
E:Emily Henry-Funny Story-9/15/24



**CHAI
C:Crown of Midnight-6/2/24
H:Henry Wolf (MC)-Teach Me-5/9/24
A:Abby (MC)-Surrender to Me-8/12/24
I:Iris (MC)-Terms and Conditions-5/2/24