Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

So our current minster situation:

3 monsters are waiting on claimed books.



Stymphalian Birds P
#6 in series

Minotaur R
1.) Read a book 800 pages or longer.
3.) Read a book with a map in it.
4.) character described as "bull-headed" or "hard-headed".

yesterday I finished "vengeance in death" which is the 6th in a series. (sorry, I can't put the link right now. I am not on my laptop)

With Vengeance in Death the stymphalian birds are gone.


Nemean Lion



Nemean Lion has been seen lounging in the sun on your land after feasting on man. He's hard to defeat, don't underestimate him because he sleeps more than he's awake. Also, don't send Kate Daniels, "here kitty kitty kitty" probably won't turn out as well for her this time.

To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 350 and 450 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book that takes place in Africa.
3.) Read a book where both hands (of one person) are visible on the cover.
4.) Read a book with an open plain landscape on the cover.
5.) Read a book that features a cat (cat shifter accepted).


We could do with books for 2 and 4.


If anyone has 800+ pages books that they are happy to start, we have 2 claimed at the moment, but more would be v welcome.

I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately. It's taking me so long to get through Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and it's annoying me so much but I just can't seem to focus :(

Hope you have a great and relaxing holiday, Sophie !

Will finish my current book today and then start a 500-650 pages bracket book. I think I will go for Company of Liars on paperback and An Artificial Night on kindle since I need that one for another challenge and want to finish it before the weekend.

@ Insiyah: I can relate. Basically my reader's heart biggest fear! Once I was in one that took me 2 years to get out. Maybe it's the book ?
I have days/weeks where I don't read (during challenges as well) and just focus on something else. It works for me at least as I never get tired of reading that way.

My Final Heir ARC can cover:
1.) Read a book between 350 and 450 pages (inclusive).
3.) Read a book where both hands (of one person) are visible on the cover.
5.) Read a book that features a cat (cat shifter accepted).

Carrie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I just finished The Hot Zone, It was really interesting on the science/history part, however it was a little scary coming out of a pandemic...."

I read The Hot Zone a long time ago...."

I added this book to my TBR pile because I started watching the series and I thought it was pretty interesting. I think they wanted to portray more drama in the series, for ratings sake.
The book itself was pretty good, I learned quite a bit about ebola. I looked for info on the caves where some people got infected, and from what I gathered it is not prohibited to go into the caves, and it is up to the tourists to decide if they go in.... I wonder if people are aware of the danger.

Insiyah wrote: "I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately. It's taking me so long to get through Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and it's annoying me so much but I just can't seem to focus :("

Bleurgh, I hope it lifts soon. All I can suggest is switching to something different, but it doesn’t always work.

Lamia



The Lamia has been spotted on your lands and the disappearances of children are on the rise. Requires some planning and moderate effort to defeat, look to the stars for the answers and to the shadows for the monster.


To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 200 and 299 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book with the night sky on the cover.
3.) Read a book where someone is kidnapped.
4.) Read a book that features a prophecy.
5.) Read a book where a child (under age 18) is an important part of the plot.




Minotaur R
1.) Read a book 800 pages or longer.
3.) Read a book with a map in it.
4.) character described as "bull-headed" or "hard-headed".


Nemean Lion (O)
Set in Africa
Open plains on cover

I need to double check but I think we've got everything for Lamia.

Hi everyone—sorry I’ve been quiet lately. Real life has been burying me. Work has been killing is all with mandatory overtime which has been exhausting. I also was in a full weekend pool tournament (my team came in one round out of being sent to Vegas—both exciting to get that far and a bummer to be so close but not make it). Then due to being rundown from all that I got sick and have just come back from that. And we’re now having more overtime 😩

On the plus side I did finish some books while I was sick so I’ll work on getting the spreadsheet updated to reflect that. I’ve continued to add everything to my shelf. Hoping the next few weeks can just be boring!! Haha

Audrey, you've been selected for DQs for Ariadne.

Thank you, Insiyah, I will put a reminder in my phone before I forget. Hope it's a good one *crosses fingers*

Keri wrote: "Hi everyone—sorry I’ve been quiet lately. Real life has been burying me. Work has been killing is all with mandatory overtime which has been exhausting. I also was in a full weekend pool tournament..."

Mandatory overtime sounds horrible, really hope that stops soon for you. Fingers crossed you've recovered enough for more to not make you sick again.

V exciting about the pool tournament. Sounds like you did amazingly.

Andrea wrote: "Carrie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I just finished The Hot Zone, It was really interesting on the science/history part, however it was a little scary coming out of a pandemic...."

I read The Hot Zone a..."

It is crazy and I agree. I wonder how many people are aware. Probably not many. I think it's interesting that Preston called Kitum the equivalent of the Times Square Subway station and the perfect setup for viruses to hop from species to species.

I watched the series on television last year during the pandemic. It was rather unsettling.

Polyphemus (Cyclops)



Polyphemus has been seen on your lands, searching for a new optometrist. Maybe he can be pacified with a good recommendation for an in-network doctor. Very hard to kill but can be distracted with sheep. He loves his sheep. Also, might distract him by discussing what a complete dink Ulysses really is despite his fame.

To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 500 and 650 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book that takes place on an island.
3.) Read a book where a character engages in some sort of trickery (your interpretation).
4.) Read a book with sheep AND people on the cover.
5.) Read a book whose MC is a farmer.

The only one of those we've got is 3.

All the monsters we have need either 500-650 or 800+ pages

I am about to start darkdawn by Jay kristoff that is 512

I am about to start darkdawn by Jay kristoff that is 512

just came in from mowing (yuck!) and have dinner on the stove (just ramen noodles, so it won't take too long) then after dinner, a well-earned shower and reading Camp Murderface #2: Doom in the Deep. Will probably make a YouTube video about the two Camp Murderface books if I like this one as much as the first (reviews are saying it is even better, so we shall see). Right now, my son is outside with his machete trying to clear out some of the bushes/trees/weeds that have cropped up in the fence. I just said "machete the hell out of it" and he seems to be having a good time doing it. The wisteria he cleared out of the other fence has come back with a vengeance, so that will likely be a weekend project for him. I need to find out what I can spray on it to either kill it or slow it down. Can't even tell he did anything to it and it has only been a couple weeks.

Amy the book-bat wrote: "just came in from mowing (yuck!) and have dinner on the stove (just ramen noodles, so it won't take too long) then after dinner, a well-earned shower and reading [book:Camp Murderface #2: Doom in t..."

Or, I can wait until the weekend to redownload the Camp Murderface 2 audiobook. It got returned before I could listen to it today (and I am out of Hoopla downloads until the 1st). I do have something else to listen to for a challenge in another group, so maybe it will work for something here as well

Just finished 15th Affair and Cackle and added them to the spreadsheet. Not a lot of help with the Cyclops, I'm afraid. Cackle involved some trickery, but I think that's the one Sophie said we have covered. :(

Managed to finish Rock Redemption this morning so hopefully that covers off the music MPG, instrument on cover and #3 in series tasks for Cerberus.

I also finally marked Razorblade Tears as read. Something strange has happened with the spreadsheet though as all of the options for monsters had disappeared. The same thing seems to have happened on Witch's Heart so I've added them back in.

Sophie wrote: "Polyphemus (Cyclops)

Polyphemus has been seen on your lands, searching for a new optometrist. Maybe he can be pacified with a good recommendation for an in-network doctor. Very hard to kill but ..."

I can cover task 1, 3, and 4 with The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London (set in England (island)). You don't see it very well because the beige paper thingy is covering the lower half but there's a man holding a sheep in his arm at the left bottom of the cover. I checked my hardcover. (see here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorian-Ci...). I will start it tomorrow - it's very readable for a non-fiction.

Fyi, The Wee Free Men would also cover task 4 if we need it in the future (I already read it though).

Missy wrote: "I am about to start darkdawn by Jay kristoff that is 512"

Wonderful, that page count will definitely be useful.

Amy the book-bat wrote: "just came in from mowing (yuck!) and have dinner on the stove (just ramen noodles, so it won't take too long) then after dinner, a well-earned shower and reading [book:Camp Murderface #2: Doom in t..."

Males and machetes... they always seem fascinated with them even if it is for a job they'd normally avoid.

I keep wondering about planting a wisteria - you are making me rethink.

Denise wrote: "Just finished 15th Affair and Cackle and added them to the spreadsheet. Not a lot of help with the Cyclops, I'm afraid. Cackle involved some trickery, but I think th..."

They will probably turn out to be useful somewhere else in time, or just for the pages.

Alison wrote: "Managed to finish Rock Redemption this morning so hopefully that covers off the music MPG, instrument on cover and #3 in series tasks for Cerberus.

I also finally marked [book:Razo..."

V odd, thanks for putting them back in. I'll keep trying to find time for the wolf's hour to complete the other 2. Reading time is at a premium this week.

Audrey Jane wrote: "Sophie wrote: "Polyphemus (Cyclops)

Polyphemus has been seen on your lands, searching for a new optometrist. Maybe he can be pacified with a good recommendation for an in-network doctor. Very hard..."

Excellent news! I wasn't looking forward to hunting a sheep and person down

Finally was able to finish Order of the Phoenix! Works for:

Minotaur
2.) Read a book where the MC gets lost. (Harry gets lost in the Department of Mysteries)
5.) Read a book with a Goodreads rating of 4.0 or higher (4.50 rating)

Lamia:
3.) Read a book where someone is kidnapped. (Grawp gets kidnapped)
4.) Read a book that features a prophecy. (Prophecy is present)
5.) Read a book where a child (under age 18) is an important part of the plot (Harry is 15.)

Is there any task in particular we need something for or is it really just long books?

I've been reading too many romances and contemporaries lately. I think I need something darker and more murdery. Unfortunately thrillers and crime fiction books don't tend to be very long either.

I have a couple of Riley Sagers lurking on my kindle and Chris Brookmyre's latest (which is set on an island) so will maybe try one of them as a reading palate cleanser.

I think this is what hasn't been claimed. We've got 2 500-650 and 2 800+ currently which i think are in progress, but more on the go wouldn’t hurt.

Minotaur R
1.) Read a book 800 pages or longer.
3.) Read a book with a map in it.
4.) character described as "bull-headed" or "hard-headed".


Nemean Lion (O)
Set in Africa
Open plains on cover


Cyclops (U)
2.) Read a book that takes place on an island.
5.) Read a book whose MC is a farmer.

Thanks Sophie, I'm sure I can find something for island but I'll have a hunt and see if there's anything else

Sophie wrote: "Amy the book-bat wrote: "just came in from mowing (yuck!) and have dinner on the stove (just ramen noodles, so it won't take too long) then after dinner, a well-earned shower and reading [book:Camp..."

Wisteria is lovely when it is in bloom, but it takes a lot of effort to keep it under control. It doesn't seem to take much for it to grow. It will take over and suffocate other plants around it, so you have to be sure before addint it to your landscape. Ours was already here before we moved in. My parents bought this house 20 years ago and it was well established by then. I'm not a gardener or outdoor person, so I really don't like having to put in the work for it.

Hi Team. I am here just checking in. I have been reading but at a slower pace then normal. Life is getting busy and now that summer is here it is even busier. I hope everyone is having a good summer.

I think all of you have access to the Trojans group where we're discussing our moves for the Supergroup challenges (if you don't, please let us know here).

Genres have been picked out, and members are choosing genres to read. If you're interested, head on over here to pick out your genre.

Please don't post anything about the challenge here - we don't want any Aegeans or Mythics picking up information they shouldn't!

OMG! I am literally speechless right now!!

I just read A Thousand Boy Kisses/Tillie Cole and I am blown away. A YA romance that was so sweet but also heartbreaking at the same time. I cried for the last 20% of the book!! 5 Stars from me!

Would this be considered as open plains on cover?

Two questions regarding BOMs:

1. If we've already read the current BOM (before this challenge), are we able to earn participation points for answering questions? I'm guessing no, but wanted to check.

2. I just got my hold for The Book of Cold Cases. Too late to jump in for that one, right?

Denise wrote: "Two questions regarding BOMs:

1. If we've already read the current BOM (before this challenge), are we able to earn participation points for answering questions? I'm guessing no, but wanted to che..."

1) No, you need to read the book as well

2) Yes - it ended on 2nd July so it won't count for BOM, but it does still count for TT books!

The Trojan supergroup are still looking for readers to keep ourselves safe! If you're curious and want to know where to read, please go here and find out what you can read!

Elli wrote: "
Would this be considered as open plains on cover?"

Hi Elli, I checked it on my phone and would say yes but now seeing it on my computer it's a bit borderline. Might need a second opinion ?

Audrey Jane wrote: "Elli wrote: "
Would this be considered as open plains on cover?"

Hi Elli, I checked it on my phone and would say yes but now seeing it on my computer it's a bit bor..."

I wasn't sure either. Might need a mod to decide.

Sorry I’ve been so absent this week. Am back from holiday now, and that should mean I'm around daily at least!


When in doubt I resort to google for definitions to help me decide. A plain is a large flat area, normally treeless, so I'd say that book works for it.


I'm currently half way through both my chunksters, so hopefully will finish one in the next few days and we'll get new monsters with shorter page counts needed.

Finished my Toby book. I’ll enter it on the spreadsheet and mark what monsters it works for in a bit :)

It was devastating. Yeesh. I need the next one now and it’s a year away :(

Steven wrote: "Finished my Toby book. I’ll enter it on the spreadsheet and mark what monsters it works for in a bit :)

It was devastating. Yeesh. I need the next one now and it’s a year away :("

Don't tell me that! Makes me both want to get it now, and to put it off so I can read a couple in a go. Ended up reading about 6 in quick succession last year.

It’s one of my favorite series. And this definitely shook the foundations of the world. And the novella at the end was good too.

And I’m back on it now! If you have something that works please say.

Charybdis F
1. 800+ pages - claimed not read Sophie

Minotaur R
1.) Read a book 800 pages or longer.
3.) Read a book with a map in it.
4.) character described as "bull-headed" or "hard-headed".

Cerberus N
1. 500-650 pages. Claimed Sophie


Nemean Lion (O)
Set in Africa


Cyclops (U)
1,2,4 claimed not read Audrey
5.) Read a book whose MC is a farmer.




Thank you to everyone who is taking part in Warships as well. The Trojan group have come together wonderfully on it with a plan.

My 880+ also contains hardheadedness so will probably move that to the Minotaur. Annoyingly no map hat I have spotted yet.