Challenge Corner discussion

Yeah, I think this is a rough week for both spellout and detour. By the time my library gets any of the detour books in, the week will be over. I say we just go for as many route info books as possible and hope that next week will work better for the specific stuff

Saige wrote: "I say we just go for as many route info books as posibles..."

Sounds good.

I have filled in the spell out with the ones I have. If anyone else can fill in N, U, I, L, L, and E, we can complete it, and I will finish filling it out and put the books into the review chat. If not, I'll clear it.

I have an E. Have you checked to see if any of the ones already posted for route info can work?

There is an L and N in the route list, so we would just need U, I, and L.

Did we commit to the spell out then??? I don’t think we had all the letters yet.

Still need U & I.

If we don't get them we'll have to move them back up to Route Info, I suppose.

I'm happy to move my CR to route if we can't fill the last couple. I can just save the others for whenever.

I think we’ve committed since someone already posted for it. I know once someone posts we either have to finish the word or we lose points.

I think you can change your mind & take them out of Spell.

This round will cover seven (7) days.

Start: June 10th at 12:00 AM (in your time zone)
End: June 16th at 11:59 PM (in your time zone)

Please check in on June 16th between 4:00 - 6:00 PM Eastern. This doesn’t mean you can stop reading for the round, it’s just the team checking in for bonus points.

Route Info: These will be generally easy tasks to complete for each leg of the race. This portion will have at least 15-20 tasks per leg. All repeatable.

1. Read a book set in Kenya
2. Read a book with a black cover
3. Read a book with a white cover
4. Read a book with a green cover
5. Read a book with a red cover
6. Read a book that has a title ending with a letter in KENYA
7. Read a book from an author that is from or currently lives in Kenya
8. Read a book that has at least two animals on the cover
9. Read a book with the word 'SAFARI' found in text (pg/% & quote)
10. Read a book that where the main character carries a shield and at least two weapons
11. Read a book with the word 'SPEAR' found in text (pg/% & quote)
12. Read a book where the author's first and last initial are in NAIROBI
13. Read a book where the main characters first name starts with a letter in KENYA
14. Read a book where the main character has dry humor
15. Read a book where the series title has the letters M, O, M, B, A, S, A in it (in any order)
16. Read a book with the word 'TEA' found in text (pg/% & quote)
17. Read a book with the word 'COFFEE' found in text (pg/% & quote)
18. Read a book with money on the cover
19. Read a book tagged 'Tourism' at least 10 times
20. Read a book with a title that starts and ends with a letter in NYAMA CHOMA

Detours: This will be a list related task. Teams will have two lists to choose from and will need to read 5 books from one list. This can be completed by at least two people from a team (one person cannot complete this task).

The culture of Kenya comprises multiple traditions. Kenya has no single prominent culture. It instead consists of the various cultures of the country's different communities.

Notable populations include the Swahili on the coast, several other Bantu communities in the central and western regions, and Nilotic communities in the northwest. The Maasai culture is well known to tourism, despite constituting a relatively small part of Kenya's population. They are renowned for their elaborate upper-body adornment and jewellery.

Additionally, Kenya has an extensive music, television, and theatre scene.

Read a book found on the Jewelry Box or 4+ Colors on Cover listopia

Roadblocks begin at line #225 on the spreadsheet tab. There’s about 6 spell-outs available - please let me know if you need more.

Roadblocks: This will be a spell-out task. Each team will get the same word. It can be completed as many times as you can. If you start a spell-out and don't complete it, you will be penalized by 5 bonus points per uncompleted word.

LUPITA NYONG'O: ✤ LUPITA NYONG'O ✤

Lupita Amondi Nyong'o (US: /luːˈpiːtə ˈnjɔːŋoʊ/, Swahili pronunciation: [luˈpita ˈɲoŋo] (listen); Spanish: [luˈpita ˈɲoŋɡo]; born 1 March 1983) is a Kenyan-Mexican actress. The daughter of Kenyan politician Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, she was born in Mexico City, where her father was teaching, and was raised in Kenya from the age of three. She attended college in the United States, earning a bachelor's degree in film and theatre studies from Hampshire College. She is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award, and nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award.

Yield: Each team will have up to 3 yield opportunities (once per month). After the task has been revealed and read for, the team will then decide who to use their 'Yield' against. By yielding, you will be taking away 20 bonus points from that team.

The "Big Five" game animals of Africa, that is the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros, and elephant, can be found in Kenya and in the Masai Mara in particular. A significant population of other wild animals, reptiles, and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves in the country. The annual animal migration occurs between June and September, with millions of animals taking part, attracting valuable foreign tourism. Two million wildebeest migrate a distance of 2,900 kilometres (1,802 mi) from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya, in a constant clockwise fashion, searching for food and water supplies. This Serengeti Migration of the wildebeest is listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

If you want to use your yield this week - please read for the following:

Read a book that contains all of the 'Big Five' game animals and has the words 'WILDEBEEST' and 'MIGRATION' found in text (pg/% & quote)

Intersections: This will be a buddy read related task. Meaning you will have to work with someone new (whether on your team or another) and read a book together. The buddy can also be someone in the group but not participating in the challenge. You will need to have at least 4-5 comments per buddy read.

Read a book with someone new within the group. BOTM can also count for this task. This can be repeatable.

U-Turns: Just like the yield task, each team will have up to 3 U-turn opportunities (once per month). After the task has been revealed and read for, the team will then decide who to use their 'U-turn' against. By forcing another team into a U-turn, you will be taking away 10 bonus points from that team.

Mount Kilimanjaro (/ˌkɪlɪmənˈdʒɑːroʊ/) is a dormant volcano located in Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world: 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level and about 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) above its plateau base. It is the highest volcano in Africa and the Eastern Hemisphere.

If you want to use your U-turn this week - please read for the following:

Read a book that has at least 3 main characters and has a 4.5+ rating on goodreads

Speed Bumps: After check-in day, if your team was randomly selected for last place, you will have this task to complete. It will be a super easy task that one person can complete. For example, 'Red hair on cover (any book edition will count)' or 'Published in January (any year)'.

Read a book tagged 'LGBTQ+' at least 10 times

Switchback: This will also be revealed after check-in days and will be a task related to where the team was previously.

If you're not Finn, you might think of saunas as a luxury. In Finland however, they are a necessity.

Read a book that has the word 'SAUNA' found in text (pg/% & quote)

Not available at this portion of the challenge:
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

I can read and off the 4+ Colors on Cover list next week for detour. Does anyone want to buddy read either or those with me?

I'll post my reviews for the spellout in the morning. I totally forgot ‍!

I definitely have one for the U-turn this week if we want to use that

Looks like we just need an I for the Spell-Out if anyone has one. I just posted mine.

Saige wrote: "I definitely have one for the U-turn this week if we want to use that"

That's good with me. We don't know if the others this month will just be harder.

Ashlyn wrote: "Looks like we just need an I for the Spell-Out if anyone has one. I just posted mine."

I can do an I if no one else has one on the go already.

Catsalive wrote: "Ashlyn wrote: "Looks like we just need an I for the Spell-Out if anyone has one. I just posted mine."

I can do an I if no one else has one on the go already."

No need. Vanessa's I-book moved & spell complete.

Just checked us in. Not sure if anyone else was planning on it or not this week.

Thanks for doing that Ashlyn!

Oops, forgot to send this out yesterday - so sorry everyone!



You all checked in! Here are the results for bonus points -

1. Coast Busters- 30 pts
2. Backroad Bandits - 20 pts
3. Shadow Sprinters - 10 pts


Winners were chosen via list randomizer and bonus points were decided in a wheel decide (other options were - 20,10,0; 30,15,5; 20,10,5).

Bonus points will be added in your next score update. Points are awarded for the whole team - not individually. Also, tasks for Speed Bumps and Switchback will be revealed tomorrow.

See you all in Kenya tomorrow 😊

I'll read for the detour.

I guess we need a speedbump as we're 3rd this week.

I already posted for the speed bump so we are good on that one. Wish list is Book Lovers on?

Ashlyn wrote: "I already posted for the speed bump so we are good on that one. Wish list is Book Lovers on?"

the coloured one

Catsalive wrote: "I'll read for the detour."

That one is done.

I can also read for detour.

Sounds good. I’m going to try to get two books read for it this week. I’ve been sick for over a week now so reading has slowed down a lot.

Not sure if anyone has noticed yet but there is something different about this round. Can you find it?

Alaina wrote: "Not sure if anyone has noticed yet but there is something different about this round. Can you find it?"

I'm not seeing it :(

Catsalive wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Not sure if anyone has noticed yet but there is something different about this round. Can you find it?"

I'm not seeing it :("

Fast Forwards: This will be a random secret task that will be available only once throughout the entire challenge. It will also be the hardest to complete. If a team completes it before or by check-in day, they will be awarded 100 bonus points. Again, only one team can win this opportunity.

It's a secret task. Hidden in plain sight. Think about which would be considered a hard task.

Hmm, well, the yield looks very hard to me & the roadblock is very tricky, & maybe 15 & 20

I think it might be route info 20. Usually it’s one or the other. Not both.

I figured it out. This is the first week were we have 20 tasks for route info. Usually we only have 15 tasks.

I think I actually figured out the hard task because there is really only one book that works. I'm going to attempt to get it from my library tomorrow 🤞

Ashlyn wrote: "I think I actually figured out the hard task because there is really only one book that works. I'm going to attempt to get it from my library tomorrow 🤞"

Well done, you. I'm intrigued.

Awesome work Ashlyn!

Does anyone have a book that works for 18. Read a book with money on the cover? I think we should do all of the extra 5 route info tasks just in case and that's the only one we don't have/need. 16 & 17 are done already. I finished 20, but need to post in the review thread still. And I'll work on 19 tomorrow, but we still need a book with money on the cover.

I also finished Thank You for Listening for Detour, but still need to write a review. Will start the audio of The Vanishing Half next.

I'll do #18 money on cover.

I can also read a 3rd book from the detour list if you need a break, Ashlyn. I'll be reading it for tower teams anyway. You'd only need to do 1 detour then.

Catsalive wrote: "I'll do #18 money on cover.

I can also read a 3rd book from the detour list if you need a break, Ashlyn. I'll be reading it for tower teams anyway. You'd only need to do 1 detour then."

That would be perfect! Thank you!

I have some books on the Spell out. I haven't posted them yet and can move them to the banked tab if no one else has the other letters.

I see Vanessa has a U & a Y book. I could squeeze in an I. We'd still need 2 Ns. Any chance?

Also I guess it was the Yield task for the Fast Forward. Another team already got it it. I swore it was going to be the Read a book tagged 'Tourism' at least 10 times task because only which is a textbook and are the only two books on Goodreads that are tagged 'tourism' at least 10 times. That seems like a way harder task than the Yield one was.

Catsalive wrote: "I see Vanessa has a U & a Y book. I could squeeze in an I. We'd still need 2 Ns. Any chance?"

It doesn't look like we need the money one anymore either. But I don't know if we could get 2 N's in by Friday.

I'm doing a short N now my I is done. If someone else can do an N we've got the spell covered.

I have an N I can add :)

Naii wrote: "I have an N I can add :)"

There we go, we've got a tricky spell done :0)

Awesome! I’ll post all of mine tomorrow then.

My bad everyone! For some reason, I didn't realize yesterday was Thursday. Definitely dropped the ball and forgot to post the next adventure for you all. Let me do scores first and then I will post the next leg.

This round will cover seven (7) days.

Start: June 17th at 12:00 AM (in your time zone)
End: June 23rd at 11:59 PM (in your time zone)

Please check in on June 23rd between 4:00 - 6:00 PM Eastern. This doesn’t mean you can stop reading for the round, it’s just the team checking in for bonus points.

Route Info: These will be generally easy tasks to complete for each leg of the race. This portion will have at least 15-20 tasks per leg. All repeatable.

1. Read a book set in Panama
2. Read a book with a blue cover
3. Read a book with a white cover
4. Read a book with a red cover
5. Read a book with wings on the cover
6. Read a book that has a title ending with a letter in PANAMA
7. Read a book from an author that is from or currently lives in Panama
8. Read a book that is set in a metropolitan area
9. Read a book with the word 'JUNGLE' found in text (pg/% & quote)
10. Read a book where the main character is indigenous
11. Read a book with the word 'POTTERY' found in text (pg/% & quote)
12. Read a book where the author's first and last initial are in BALBOA
13. Read a book where the main characters first name starts with a letter in KUNA
14. Read a book where the main character speaks Spanish
15. Read a book where the series title has the letters P, A, N, A, M, A in it (in any order)

Detours: This will be a list related task. Teams will have two lists to choose from and will need to read 5 books from one list. This can be completed by at least two people from a team (one person cannot complete this task).

Because of incomplete Spanish control, the Panama route was vulnerable to attack from pirates (mostly Dutch and English), and from "new world" Africans called cimarrons who had freed themselves from enslavement and lived in communes or palenques around the Camino Real in Panama's Interior, and on some of the islands off Panama's Pacific coast.

Read a book found on the Pirates Books or New World Books listopia

Roadblocks begin at line #225 on the spreadsheet tab. There’s about 6 spell-outs available - please let me know if you need more.

Roadblocks: This will be a spell-out task. Each team will get the same word. It can be completed as many times as you can. If you start a spell-out and don't complete it, you will be penalized by 5 bonus points per uncompleted word.

PANAMA CANAL: ✤ PANAMA CANAL ✤

The Panama Canal (Spanish: Canal de Panamá) is an artificial 82 km (51 mi) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade.

Yield: Each team will have up to 3 yield opportunities (once per month). After the task has been revealed and read for, the team will then decide who to use their 'Yield' against. By yielding, you will be taking away 20 bonus points from that team.

The only place in the world where you can see this unique phenomenon—watching the sun rise over one ocean, and set over another—is in Panama. From the top of Volcán Barú, the highest point in the country, you can see the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea and set over the Pacific Ocean.

If you want to use your yield this week - please read for the following:

Read a book that has water on cover and has the words 'SUNRISE' and 'SUNSET' found in text (pg/% & quote)

Intersections: This will be a buddy read related task. Meaning you will have to work with someone new (whether on your team or another) and read a book together. The buddy can also be someone in the group but not participating in the challenge. You will need to have at least 4-5 comments per buddy read.

Read a book with someone new within the group. BOTM can also count for this task. This can be repeatable.

U-Turns: Just like the yield task, each team will have up to 3 U-turn opportunities (once per month). After the task has been revealed and read for, the team will then decide who to use their 'U-turn' against. By forcing another team into a U-turn, you will be taking away 10 bonus points from that team.

Yep, those lucky Panamanians get an extra holiday each year, with two independence days! (Of course, that means they had to be liberated from two separate colonizers, so they deserve all the celebration they can get).

Panama gained independence from Spain on November 28, 1821, and joined the Republic of Greater Colombia. Then, on November 3, 1903, Panama (with the aid of the United States, who wanted to build a certain canal) gained independence from Colombia.

Both are national holidays and are celebrated with parades and fireworks in Panama City.

If you want to use your U-turn this week - please read for the following:

Read a book that features at least two holidays and has a title that starts and ends with a letter in FIREWORKS

Speed Bumps: After check-in day, if your team was randomly selected for last place, you will have this task to complete. It will be a super easy task that one person can complete. For example, 'Red hair on cover (any book edition will count)' or 'Published in January (any year)'.

Read a book where the main character works for a job you would consider dangerous

Switchback: This will also be revealed after check-in days and will be a task related to where the team was previously.

Remember America’s 44th president, Barrack Obama? His father, Barrack Obama Snr, was Kenyan. He hailed from Rachuonyo district in what was previously known as Luo Nyanza.

Read a book where the word 'PRESIDENT' is found in text (pg/% & quote)

I have books that work for both detour lists, but I do have two pirate books I was going to read this month anyways, so this would be the perfect week to read them. But it's up to whoever else wants to read from either of the lists.

Is someone able to check in for us today? I don't know if I'll be home and able to.