Alaina’s
Comments
(group member since Oct 20, 2024)
Alaina’s
comments
from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
Showing 21-40 of 89
I'm about 25% into Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause. It's a lot more dense than I expected so it's gonna take me a few more days to finish. Please feel free to move it over to Itinerary 2 if anyone else is close to finishing a midlevel book
I finished My Husband today (what a wild time) and I just wanted to make sure I was filling out the spreadsheet correctly. The book works for Mini 1 task to read a book set in France, but it also works for Mini 3 task to read a book by an author born in France (WW74). I know it can only count for one task, but I marked both of them as completed and I assume that our captains will go in and move the book to wherever they feel it fits best. Is this how we should be logging books that fit for multiple tasks, or is there a better way?
Should we be posting a completion post on the thread when we finish a book or is updating the spreadsheet enough?
Vicky wrote: "Hey Team! We're just over 2 days until start time, hooray! If you haven't already requested access to the spreadsheet please do so, the link is: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/......"
I've been trying to read Rouge by Mona Awad since the beginning of May, but I've been battling a brutal sinus infection for nearly three weeks and it's been making it really hard to focus on reading. I finally got some antibiotics the other day and I'm starting to feel better, so I'm determined to get it done before the start of the challenge.
Michelle's Empty Nest wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Here's my shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list..."GR says yours is private, so I can't link to it."
Sorry! I think I fixed it
Hi everyone, checking in! My name is Alaina and I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA with my husband and almost three-year-old daughter, and I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant with a little boy. 😍 I work as a pediatric speech therapist and in my spare time I of course love to read! I read all genres, but my favorites would have to be horror, fantasy, and sci-fi. I've been around Goodreads for quite a while and have heard a ton about the Tower Teams challenge, but this is my first one and I'm super excited to finally participate!
A heartfelt congratulations to Queen Skye on the birth of Her Royal Highness, Princess Lyra Fable Elspeth!
ADVENTURE LOG - May 20255/2/25
Start Game
Hero: LVL 1| HP: 10/10|| Sword: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 0
5/4/25
•Obtained Easter Bunny Egg from Queen Skye for the birth of her daughter Princess Lyra Fable Elspeth
•Gather Berries quest - Gain 1XP
(view spoiler)
Hero: LVL 1| HP: 10/10|| Sword: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 1
5/5/25
•May 2025 Classified answered - Gain 3 gold
(view spoiler)
•Gather Berries quest - Gain 3XP
(view spoiler)
Hero: LVL 1| HP: 10/10|| Sword: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 4
5/11/25
•Upgrade Sword to LVL 1
(view spoiler)
Hero: LVL 1| HP: 10/10|| Sword: LVL 1 (AP: 3) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 4
5/13/25
•Attack Sewer Rat
(view spoiler)
•Sewer Rat defeated - Gain 1XP
Hero: LVL 1| HP: 7/10|| Sword: LVL 1 (AP: 3) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 5
•Hero levels up (LVL: 2)
Hero: LVL 2| HP: 12/12|| Sword: LVL 1 (AP: 3) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 5
5/14/25
•May 2025 Classified answered - Gain 3 gold
(view spoiler)
5/16/25
•COMPLETED Gather Berries quest - Gain 3XP
(view spoiler)
Hero: LVL 2| HP: 12/12|| Sword: LVL 1 (AP: 3) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 8
5/26/25
•Attack Small Pumpkin
(view spoiler)
•Small Pumpkin defeated - Gain 1 gold coin, 1 XP and the Heart of a Baby Pumpkin
Hero: LVL 2| HP: 12/12|| Sword: LVL 1 (AP: 3) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 9
5/27/25
•Attack Mouse
(view spoiler)
•Mouse defeated - Gain 1 Major Heal Potion, 2 XP, and Essence of Mouse
Hero: LVL 2| HP: 5/12|| Sword: LVL 1 (AP: 3) | Magic Staff: LVL 0 (AP: 2) | XP: 11
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Duplication Log - To keep track of books duplicated by using the Duplication Potion (each book can be duplicated only once)-The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina
-Cut & Run
-The Ruins
Current Quests Continued:Sticks and Stones may Build a House
Steps to build house:
1) Clear Spot - Read a book set in the plains. (Any plains.) - The Dry-Jane Harper (7/13/25)
2) Make Foundation - Read a book about someone getting an education to build their foundation.
3) Gather Wood - Read a book mainly set out in the woods.
4) Gather Nails - Read a book with something pointy on the cover (knife, nail, stiletto, etc.)
5) Create Frame - Read a book where someone is framed for a crime.
6) Create Walls - Read a book where someone is closed off from the world either mentally or physically.
7) Add a Door - Read a book where someone moves houses.
8) Add Windows - Read a book with Glass, Window, Clear or See in the title.
9) Paint - Read a book where the cover is mainly (<70%) one color.
10) Garden - Read a book with flowers on the front. - The Bromance Book Club-Lyssa Kay Adams (6/12/25)
You get 2 XP for 4 steps completed, another 2 when 7 steps are completed and another 3 when all 10 are completed. Houses give you an excellent place to store things.
Current Quests - Part 1:The Easter Bilby - The Easter Bilby gifts you with a captured bunny that will lay an egg that heals 3 hp every Sunday. The egg must be eaten that week or it will rot.
Capture the Rabbits:
1) Read a book where someone has a pet rabbit.
2) Read a book with a rabbit on the cover.
3) Spell out the word RABBIT using spell-it-out rules.
R-
A- The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness-Jonathan Haidt (2/3/25)
B- Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause-Tom Gjelten (6/3/25)
B- But Not Too Bold-Hache Pueyo (6/10/25)
I-
T- Tender Is the Flesh-Agustina Bazterrica (2/21/25)
4) Read a book with the word rabbit in the title or series.
5) Read a book featuring chocolate or where the main character is a pastry chef.
6) Read a book set during Spring.
7) Read a book with an invasion in it. - Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West-Cormac McCarthy (12/1/24)
8) Read a book where the main character is a doctor or vet.
9) Read a book where there is an Easter celebration.
10) Read a book with grass on the cover.
---
What's in a name?
• Read five books with a first name in the title. Each name must be unique—no trying to sneak in two books about someone called "John," even if one of them is wearing a magical hat.
• Post your name list in the Tavern thread so that the patrons can guess at which one our queen will pick for her baby.
For suplementing the Queen’s baby name list with 5 bookish names, you earn 8 XP.
Bonus Reward: Should you discover books whose titles consist solely of the first name (e.g., Emma by Jane Austen or Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott), you’ll earn 1 extra XP per each such book.
1. James-Percival Everett (1/12/25) - **+1 extra XP
2. **DUPLICATED** The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina-Zoraida Córdova (4/18/25)
3.
4.
5.
---
The Emperor’s New Nonsense
Complete the following tasks in pursuit of truth and clarity::
1. The Invisible Fabric Test - The Emperor insists that certain topics are “too controversial” for polite conversation. How convenient!
• Read a book that explores themes of race, gender, or sexuality - subjects the Emperor has conveniently chosen not to see.
• Read a book where language, words, or books are banned, erased, rewritten, or destroyed - because ignorance is so on trend this season.
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about censorship, book banning, or propaganda - just don’t tell His Highness.)
2. The Academy of Illusions - All schools now teach embroidery, flattery, and royal genealogy. Critical thinking? Banned.
• Read a book set in a school, university, or place of learning - preferably one that teaches more than how to compliment a crown.
• Read a book that teaches you something meaningful - be sure to share what you learned (+1 XP if it’s about critical thinking or fact-checking).
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about education, teaching, learning, intellectual freedom, or even a practical skill.)
3. The Parade of Delusion - Lexomere erupts in applause for the Emperor’s invisible wardrobe. No one dares call it what it is.
• Read a book where deception or self-deception plays a central role.
• Read a book where a leader (king, CEO, general, etc.) makes disastrously bad decisions.
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about leadership, politics, the psychology of crowds, or how to avoid walking naked into a crisis.)
4. The Silenced Child - The one who speaks the truth is often ridiculed, punished, or ignored.
• Read a book where a character is punished by someone in power (judge, teacher, parent, etc.) for speaking the truth.
• Read a book that includes a courtroom scene or legal battle for justice - because sometimes truth needs a really good lawyer..
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about whistleblowers, free speech, justice, or judicial system.)
5. The Emperor’s Purse - After spending a fortune on imaginary robes, the Empire’s economy is, "shockingly", not thriving.
• Read a book where somebody goes bankrupt.
• Read a book featuring a con artist, narcissist, or fraudster. - Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup-John Carreyrou (1/24/25) - NF
• (Optional: Read a nonfiction book about economic crises, corruption, grift, or other crime.)
6. Chronicle The Truth - so that others may benefit from your hard-won wisdom.
• Share your reading list in the Local Tavern thread once you’re done. Once submitted, your list is locked in and the quest is complete — even if you skipped an optional task. Calculate your reward according to the guidelines below.
Your reward for exposing nonsense: 2 XP per fiction book read and 3 XP per non-fiction book read.
---
Practice Makes Perfect
Collect the following parts to acquire a "Growth Weapon Enhancement" Bauble.
• Gear - Read a book with something gear driven on the cover. - Full Throttle-Joe Hill (6/30/25)
• Cog - Read a book with a 3 letter word in the title.
• Spring - Read a book where someone bounces back from a setback. - **DUPLICATED**Cut & Run-Madeleine Urban (5/30/25)
• Wire - Read a book with something metallic on the cover.
• Energy - Read a book with a light or sun on the cover.
• Anti-Matter - Read a book where something exists that no one believes in.
• Matter - Read a book with an inventor.
• Screw - Read a book where someone builds something physical.
• Circuit - Read a book where someone is a geek.
• Conductor - Read a book where someone travels by train.
Receive 5 XP and a Growth Weapon Enhancement bauble. The growth weapon enhancement bauble will increase damage each turn in battle by 1 for a single weapon. (First Turn +1, Second Turn +2, Third Turn +3). Quest may be repeated once for a bauble for your other weapon. When calculating values based on attack power of weapon, each round it must be re-evaluated.
-----
A Royal Flush
Thus begins your most noble and revolting quest yet!
The Steps to Sanitation:
1. Prepare yourself – No hero should enter this "battle" unaware of what awaits them.
Spell out the word STENCH using standard spell-it-out rules.
S- Old Man's War-John Scalzi (6/25/25)
T-
E-
N- The Deep-Nick Cutter (6/27/25)
C-
H- Great Big Beautiful Life-Emily Henry (6/10/25)
2. Brave the Depths – The kingdom’s sewers await. Abandon hope, all ye who sniff.
Read a book where the main character must navigate an underground location.
3. The Rat King’s Dominion – The sewers have a ruler of their own, and he’s not pleased to see you.
Read a book featuring a crime lord (or a mafia boss) to help drive the Rat King out of his smelly domain.
4. The Source of the Problem – Ah, the blockage. A horrifying combination of waste, lost treasures, and things best left unmentioned.
Read a book where a treasure is discovered (hopefully, it's worth the smell).
5. Clear the Pipes – With heroic determination (and probably a very long stick), you set things right.
Read a book with a shovel, a bucket or a spoon on the cover.
6. A Cleaner Kingdom (Mostly) – The filth is flowing freely again! Er... to the river. That’s future-you’s problem.
Read a book that contains the word “ecology” in the text.
Success! While you haven't solved all of the kingdom’s sanitation problems, you've tackled the worst of them—the blocked sewers. The noblemen still grumble about stepping in dung on the streets, but honestly, you're not a magician. Let everyone clean up after their own pets.
Queen Skye, now able to walk through her city without pinching her royal nose shut, bestows upon you a well-earned reward.
Your Reward for Services Rendered:
15 XP + 3 Minor Poison Potions (because let’s be real, you definitely came across some nasty concoctions down there).
Finished Quests:Gather Berries (5/18/25)
Cheep-skate: a Budget-Friendly Bounty (7/22/25)
Tote of Infinite Books (Books that haven't been assigned to specific quests yet)---------------------------------------------------------------------
Books in Welcome Basket (15 books read in the 12 months prior to starting on 5/2/25) - COMPLETED
(view spoiler)
Killed MonstersCommon Monsters
•Sewer Rat defeated (5/12/25)
•Sewer Rat defeated (6/11/25)
•Brown Bat defeated (6/27/25)
•Sewer Rat defeated (7/2/25)
•Goblin defeated (7/2/25)
•Brown Bat defeated (7/6/25)
Timed Monsters
Uncommon Monsters
•x3 Rock defeated (7/7/25)
Rare Monsters
Magical Monsters
Halloween Monsters
•Small Pumpkin defeated (5/26/25)
•Mouse defeated (5/27/25)
WeaponsSword - LVL: 2 | AP: 4
For Level 3:
(view spoiler)
Magical Staff - LVL: 1 | AP: 3
For Level 1:
(view spoiler)
Additional Weapons
(view spoiler)
