Hooked on Books discussion

Probably tomorrow for me. I'm trying to finish White Snake first. But sounds good! Also, I may not get it quite done by the 19th, but I will try.

Do we have a thread for James? I can request

I absolutely was sure we had a James thread. But we don't. I am so sorry--I'd have requested it ages ago. I'll do that right now.

I thought it was a carry over, but we never started that one.

2 more days to get our friends books finished

Lisa , are we doing Leo or Tanner first

I thought today was last day, I'm glad we have one more

Sure its 18th ..off to check

Yes 18th...😁😁

Jackie and Kirsten, I've started James but probably going to hop to something else for a little since we don't have a thread and if I don't write while I'm reading I end up not saying anything.

I started also and will be switching between it and Orientation. Should finish both by tomorrow.

Janeylou wrote: "Lisa , are we doing Leo or Tanner first"

either one. I had to read leo for spell, so I'll just follow along where you are at. It's a re-read for me.

Taming Tanner then ?

Sounds good. I can start tomorrow.

So sorry about James! I am the same way. I need to read and write or I forget.

I just read the first chapter of James. It’s fantastic! (No BR thread yet). He’s signifyin’ and teaching the enslaved children how to speak… and Tom Sawyer, who I always disliked, is no hero.

I'm going to be reading it for bonus so hopefully we get a thread at some point today! If it's late, I'm sure we can find some discussion questions so that we can talk about it after posted.

I will say I have not read the original since I was probably 13, so I had a very whitewashed memory of it and thought James and Huck were good friends of the same age...lol

Same. That’s why I started. I had to read Huck Finn (which I called Fuckleberry because I was super mature) in 10th grade and I hated it. 2 guys, going down the river. Forever.

But this is really good! I’m hoping we hear more about why Jim cares about Huck.

I’m thinking they’re half brothers.

Oooh yes, I could see that. Especially with the hairline discussion and how much it angered Huck’s father

Amanda wrote: "Oooh yes, I could see that. Especially with the hairline discussion and how much it angered Huck’s father"

Not brothers…

I've started too. Interesting about the widow's peak.

This is a genius book.

Loving it so far. Very creative retelling of Huckleberry Finn.

I don't remember ever reading Huckleberry Finn. :)

Our thread is up.

Yay!!!

I got notification my copy of Slow Horses is available. Will that fit with the theme next month?

Yes, mystery/ thriller is next month’s MPG.

YAY!!!!! I am dying to read this. Also Ann Cleeves. And I think Percival Everett has a thriller?

Kirsten wrote: "YAY!!!!! I am dying to read this. Also Ann Cleeves. And I think Percival Everett has a thriller?"

I think it's the one I recommended!

I've still got to read all those ones I said before next month too but they don't have to be used here since spell will be done so I can fit in more non mm

Dr. No is also an everett thriller.

But yes the trees works!

Kirsten wrote: "Dr. No is also an everett thriller.

But yes the trees works!"

I also requested this one. According to my library website I won't get til mid March.

I was able to get Dr. No so all ready for that one!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

OK. I updated the BR Potential Tab on our spreadsheet. There has been a lot of conversation about books for next month so I thought I get them listed.

Looks like we would all be in for The Long Call by Ann Cleeves. Takes place in England, so we could use that for Theme Week (March 19 to 25).

Hopefully we get our tasks soon so we can start planning. I'll have to request some from the library to do any BRs and not sure when I'll get them.

I can do ann cleeves but cant count as theme week as its where i live 🤬

Going to try and fit the following in as well as well as NR Walker & Val mcDermit

Canada
The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out
Wind and Dark Water

Ireland
Heart to Hart

Thailand
Rarer Than Rubies

Italy
Italian Ice

Belgium
One of Maigret books

I don't really want to reread Tallowood (and have a lot of other ones to read), so removed my yes from there tentatively. I might join in if it fits perfectly

🌟 March Book Quest: Secrets and Lies! 🌟

Welcome to March, adventurers! This month, we’re diving into the shadowy world of Secrets and Lies—where mysteries unravel, truths are hidden, and nothing is as it seems. Get ready for twists, turns, and thrilling revelations as we explore the darker side of storytelling.

📅 Monthly Theme: Secrets and Lies
This month, challenge yourself with books that keep you guessing. Here are your reading tasks:

📖 Read a book that involves a significant secret that changes the course of the story.
📖 Read a book with an unreliable narrator.
📖 Read a book where a character has a hidden identity.
📖 Read a book featuring government conspiracy.
📖 Read a book about keeping family secrets.
📖 Read a book where lies lead to major consequences.
📖 Read a book with plot twists and surprises.
📖 Read a book about uncovering historical secrets.
📖 Read a book featuring espionage or spies.
📖 Read a book where social media secrets are exposed.

🎯 Bonus Genre: Mystery/Thriller
To earn extra points, choose books from the bonus genre of Mystery/Thriller!

🌍 Themed Reading Week: Books Set in Different Countries
From March 19-25, embark on a literary journey around the world! Read books set in diverse locations to immerse yourself in different cultures and perspectives.

📌 How It Works:
> Read books that fit the Books Set in Different Countries theme.
> Earn 15 points for each book read during the themed week.


Important Announcement for Teams
As I was updating spreadsheets, I noticed a few teams have members who haven’t read anything this month. I’m happy to help find replacement players for missing members, but I can’t keep track of everyone on my own. If your team is missing a member and you’ve tried to contact them without success, please let me know ASAP so I can find you a replacement.

For teams that have a period of time where a replacement can’t be found, I’m allowing MOD books to keep the team afloat. This ensures your team stays active and competitive while we work on filling the gap.


Happy reading, adventurers! Let’s uncover the mysteries and lies hidden within the pages of our books this March. 📖✨

Ashley, I just wanted to let you know that I love this challenge so much. I’ve read so many good books with good friends!

I took most of Kirsten's choices. I did use ChatGPT to help find other books:
Read a book with an unreliable narrator.
The Magpie Lord: Set in Victorian England, this novel features Lucien Vaudrey, who returns from exile to inherit his family's estate. As he confronts supernatural threats and uncovers family secrets, his skepticism and lack of information create an unreliable viewpoint.
This is currently not KU, but 0.00 on both Amazon US and Amazon UK. 271 Pages

Read a book featuring government conspiracy.
Conspiracy Theory: This romantic suspense novel features a brooding introvert and a patient sheriff uncovering hidden truths in their town. KU for US and UK. 247 Pages

The Alpha's Forbidden Omega: An omegaverse romance involving a government mystery surrounding omegas. KU for US and UK. 182 Oages

Ultimate Sanction: Shadow Ops Bravo: A military romance where protagonists delve into a global conspiracy affecting world power dynamics. KU for US and UK. 207 Pages

Read a book where social media secrets are exposed.
Accidental Bonds: This novel features a romance between two men who are thrust into the public eye, with their relationship becoming the subject of intense social media scrutiny. The story explores the challenges they face as their private lives are exposed to the world. KU for US and UK. 474 Pages

From the Ann Cleeves blurb
....The case calls Matthew back into the community he thought he had left behind, as deadly secrets hidden at its heart are revealed, and his past and present collide....

So that may work for # 1 or historical secrets

The Kite..tagged espionage

To remind us all ..for the week read ( different countries) we cant use the country we live in ...so ill fo the team read of Ann Cleeves but read before so i can keep popping in while you all chatting

I put The Lost Story and The Lion Women of Tehran in UNO so will definitely be doing both those. (The second one is also set in Iran so works for bonus).

I also will be reading these ones (that people said they want to maybe read) this month no matter what. So I don't have to use them for this challenge, but before I fill in with something else wanted to see if people were still interested. I also should probably stick to maybe 1/2 of them being for the location bonus so that I don't over commit

Wild Sky-KU (No bonus)--skipping this month
Sleep Tight-MPG Mystery, no location bonus (also red cover if you need one for UNO).
First Lie Wins-MPG Mystery, no location bonus (blue cover)--I see people chose this one already so have added it same as others
Remarkably Bright Creatures-MPG Mystery, No location bonus
Liar City-MPG mystery, No location bonus, blue cover (MM & would be a location bonus for Janine lol)

I would do Wild Sky and Liar City

I have First Lie Wins already listed for Hidden Identity.

@Janine. I know these are longer than you usually read, but I'd buddy read ones that you select to help with the points too.

I only need: Social Media Secrets exposed and government conspiracy because the one I had was not MPG

Looks like Liar City works for social media secrets. His relationship with his sister is exposed through social media (I'm hoping thats how it ends up being because that's how it reads to me from the little snippet search I did).

Will see where we can fit Wild Sky

Hi, friends—

I put stuff in to get started thinking. I forgot we couldn’t use our home country for the bonus.

I can’t do Elemental Bonds or Liar City (read too recently).

I can add in Lion Women of Tehran and use it for Uno, too. I’ll see if I can work in Sleep Tight or Magpie Lord for unreliable narrator. I’m also really interested in Wild Sky and need it for Uno so could do a buddy read, Amanda, even if I don’t use it here.

Actually, I'm going to try to only fit books that are MPG mystery or set in a different country this month, so we can hold off on Wild Sky (the other challenge is just a partner pick so it's not like I'm letting anyone down if I don't finish it)

I did put Dr No and Mask of the Deer Woman on my library request list, but they are not in yet.

I'm picking up on Thursday First Lie Wins, The Lost Story, Slow Horses and Distant Echo

Okay—I’ll wait on Wild Sky, too.

I’m really leaning toward Magpie Lord. It’s such a delight and I need some romance.