Hooked on Books discussion

Vicki wrote: "Last question for August (I think). lol Does Time Travel work for MPG Travel?"

This was answered here. No, only MPG Travel

Amanda wrote: "For, "Read a book with a character who is from a different ethnic background than you." would you accept "a nearly eight-foot-tall purple half-giant"?

(LOL)"

If the nearly eight-foot-tall purple half-giant mentions his different culture/ethnicity in the text, yes. If the half-giant is just nearly eight-foot-tall and purple, that doesn't immediately mean he has a different ethnic background. Perhaps he was born in the same place and just so happens to be purple.

Okay thanks!

Are we getting the September categories today? 🤞

Jessica wrote: "Are we getting the September categories today? 🤞"

Yes, I should have them up before the end of the day!

🌿 September Challenge: Nature and Environment 🌿
Bonus Genre: Science Fiction

This month we’re turning our attention to the natural world and the many ways it weaves into storytelling. Here are your prompts to guide your reading:

• Read a book where nature takes the center stage.
• Read a book exploring the relationship between people and the environment.
• Read a book that deals with environmental challenges or changes.
• Read a book featuring a character deeply connected to the natural world.
• Read a book where nature influences the story or the characters’ choices.
• Read a book that touches on sustainability or alternative ways of living.
• Read a book with characters advocating for or protecting the environment.
• Read a book imagining a future shaped by ecological or environmental shifts.
• Read a book with outdoor adventure or exploration at its heart.
• Read a book where wildlife, landscapes, or ecosystems play a role.

🌎 But here’s the fun part: books don’t have to look like they fit at first glance. If you frame your reading through the lens of “how nature or the environment matters,” so many genres can work. For example:

✨ Contemporary Romance (Beach Read by Emily Henry)
Even in an urban or beachy romance, if the natural setting influences the characters’ growth or serves as a symbolic escape, it fits!
Prompt match: #1, #5, #9

✨ Dystopian Sci-Fi (Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel)
Post-apocalyptic survival stories are inherently about humans reconnecting with or adapting to the natural world.
Prompt match: #3, #5, #8

✨ Magical Realism (The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern)
The circus may be magical, but its ties to seasons, plants, and landscapes let nature subtly shape the story.
Prompt match: #1, #5, #10

✨ Cozy Mystery (The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith)
Set in Botswana, the environment—the landscape, climate, and wildlife—becomes inseparable from the story’s tone and culture.
Prompt match: #1, #2, #10

🌱 Basically, if the environment plays a role in character choices, plot, or theme, it counts. From romance to mystery to sci-fi, nature finds its way in everywhere—you just have to look for it.

Woohoo!!!!! Science Fiction at last!!!!!!

For the bonus book title, does the book have to begin with my first name (Vicki) or will our last initial work (E) which is much easier than a V.

Love that it's sci-fi, hate that it's teamed with environmentalism. those are my least favourite sci-fi books generally, and I don't have much in my tbr.

shall have to be... creative... 😆

Jenny wrote: "Woohoo!!!!! Science Fiction at last!!!!!!"

Nooooo!!!! Not Science Fiction 😫😫😫

Vickie, you can choose your letter, but you have to keep it consistent for the quarter. I'll allow you to fix back to change to E if that's what you want, but let me know, bc I may need to unlock a sheet for you.

Ashley wrote: "Vickie, you can choose your letter, but you have to keep it consistent for the quarter. I'll allow you to fix back to change to E if that's what you want, but let me know, bc I may need to unlock a..."

I am leaving for FL tomorrow for a month so I went ahead and chose my books for September last night. I only have one E book so it's not a big deal. But if possible for the last quarter, October through December, I would like to change to the letter E for my last name (Evans) if possible; however, if it causes you extra work I don't want to inconvenience you. So for September I have no V's and 1 E so don't worry about unless it's easier for you to make a change now. Thanks, Ashley. :)

Would you consider L. Ron Hubbard as an author of a religious minority?

From Google: "Yes, Scientology is widely considered a religious minority, with a small number of adherents globally compared to mainstream religions."
So, yes!

Thanks so much!

I read a lot of thrillers. So could the environment their in (relationship) been toxic work?

There's a "quarterly milestone bonus" listed for September on the spreadsheet but I wasn't sure what it was for. . .do we have another bonus to complete this month? I'm sorry if I missed it, just hoping for info!

Trisha wrote: "There's a "quarterly milestone bonus" listed for September on the spreadsheet but I wasn't sure what it was for. . .do we have another bonus to complete this month? I'm sorry if I missed it, just h..."

This is an ongoing Bonus (it's in the bonus section of your thread)

Quarterly Milestone Bonuses
25 points if the team maintains an 80% or higher completion rate of their reading goals for the entire quarter

It will figure automatically, so you don't have to do the percentages.

oooh great! Thank you!