Tina ❣’s Comments (group member since Mar 09, 2016)

Tina ❣’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

DQs Day 3: Then - Then 58%
first line "Marcus changes completely..."
last line "...serious chat about your future"

11. "The sound of teeth against a spoon when someone's eating soup, insects that scuttle, people who don't listen, RATS, and when uncle Terry says 'WOMEN!'" - what a random list of pet peeves (Are they even pet peeves? Rats?? And uncle Terry 'all on his own'???),,, What are some of yours?

slow walkers, people who don't get to their point quickly are some of them

12. Dylan's (and Marcus') trip through Europe has become much more than just that, ending up in Asia, trying to figure out what to do with his life when he's already been handed it all on a silver platter. His dad is a douche and clearly wants to dictate Dylan's life while Dylan just keeps running away from his problems. Lucky he has all this money (his dad's I would assume) to just throw away. Can you relate to him in any way? Do you feel bad for him?

No I can't relate at all. I don't feel bad at all

13. "Nowadays we date, we shop around. If we really like someone we spend more time with them. Then we move in with them a few years down the line. Then, maybe, if we've lost the will to live or whatever it is that compells people to settle down we marry them. We don't rearrange our lives because of a good shag."

"Addie, she's not right for you (...) Stop that! Don't you see what you're doing? You're turning her into something she's not. You don't understand her. She's not your beautiful muse, Dylan. She's messy and dark. And raw. She's a disaster waiting to happen. She's got power. And she doesn't even know it yet you know. She's like,,, she's untapped. (...) She's not right for you. Okay?"

Did Marcus already know something we didn't at this point? Did something happen between Marcus and Addie back in France? And then the way Marcus took care of Dylan after getting too high, in the bathroom.... Do you think he (not so?) secretely has feelings for Dylan? Or is he just jealous?

At this point, Marcus had something against Addie. I thought that he liked her and was trapped between being a good friend to Dylan but also wanting Addie and went about hating Addie as it was easier than anything else.

14. Rodney thinking Deb has drowned in the river and actually LOOKING FOR A BODY IN THE WATER!!! had me laugh out loud to be honest, but only because of how frickin ridiculous this book is. Definitely expected something more cutesie and wholesome for some reason. Being almost two thirds into the book now, how do you feel about it so far? Is it meeting your expectations?

I that that was ridiculous as well. Sometimes the way to get through life is to have low expectations, and boy did I. So it was alright

DQs - Day 2 - 17 Oct
Then - Now 38%
first line "Can't the girl find..."
last line "shitshow of a strategy"

6. The author goes for the switching POVs and timelines method. How do you like these in general? And do you think it is a good fit for this book?
After having read a few books with the switching POV and timelines, I find that I don't mind it if I don't care for any of the characters that much. If there's a character that I prefer, I tend to get irritated when I don't hear from their POV. It also depends on how well it's written and if the author keeps the plot moving forward. I think it's fine for the book so far.

7. We get to meet some more characters along the way in the "THEN" section: Dylan's uncle Terry, his brother, the mysterious Grace and other friends whose dynamics to Dylan and Marcus should shed some more light on their characters and motivation. But do they? Do you feel like you are getting to know them better? Or understand them? (Or care?)
I'm getting to know them a bit more. I don't care about Grace but I got to see more of Marcus and see where that plot was going


8. What do you think about Dylan's and Addie's past relationship in France? Do you like it/find it convincing? What about their sudden meeting in the present and the insta-lust after all the emotional baggage they seem to be dragging with them?
I don't think I paid much attention to that bit when listening to the audiobook. It didn't seem like mich


9. I'm not really sure I'd call this book a "romance" though it certainly offers the trope of second-chance. Do you have any favourite romantic trope(s) or one that you especially dislike?
Definitely is a second chance book. When you read a lot of books, all the romance tropes blur into one


10. Any guesses what part Rodney may play in the plot or do you think he's just some kind of "filler" character?
Rodney was weird in this. Not much was happening apart from some comic relief

We've completed 9 spell outs for Mowing Lawn!

We've got 5 hours and 45 minutes until round 2 ends and round 3 starts

Volunteering for back up for Broken Down Car

Volunteer for back up for Broken Down Car

DQs Day 1

Now - Now last line "...reach out and touch her."

1.) Is this your first book by O'Leary? Only reading for points and that lovely 'O' letter for Wheel-a-thon or was it already on your tbr list?
- Yes, it's my first time reading O'Leary. The 'O' will be useful for the teams spell out

2.) Road trips. Love them, hate them? If you've gone on a road trip before what are some must have for the journey?
- Road trips are okay. I get car sick so it's not completely enjoyable. I'd say good company, a sense of direction, car snacks and not rushing everywhere are some must haves for the journey

3.) Deb's comment about never having a baby obviously proved untrue. Do we think the baby daddy is going to make an appearance in the story? Or do you think it's a no name person who isn't relevant to the book
- I think the baby daddy will make an appearance to give some drama to the book but we'll see

4.) The flagrant unconcern about money by half the characters is a bit gross. Do you think that's at the root of Dylan and Addie's split? Or do you think it's the mysterious Grace? Marcus especially seems to not know the whole breakup story. Any guesses to why Dylan didn't seem to tell him the truth?
- I think Grace impacts the break up slightly but I think it's something else or a few other things. I think Dylan didn't understand the full reason why they broke up hence the therapy lessons. He was probably trying to get over the break up and didn't see a point in telling the full truth to Marcus

5.) Initial impressions of the cast of characters?
I like Deb the most so far. The other characters are okay... They're a bit empty to me so far

Megan wrote: "Tina ❣ wrote: "lorii (Loriidae) wrote: "I am locked out as well."

Megan wrote: "Tara wrote: "Here is the link for the tracking sheet - we will also put it up in the initial info posts for ease of ..."

that's great.

and no dramas with the edition link. As long as the edition you read is in your Wheel shelf, we can check the edition and add it to your book on the spreadsheet

lorii (Loriidae) wrote: "I am locked out as well."

Megan wrote: "Tara wrote: "Here is the link for the tracking sheet - we will also put it up in the initial info posts for ease of access!

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

hmm... can you edit the sheet now?
Columns A and B should be locked for the captains to use only. But column c onwards should be fine now. Let me know if it works

Just under 6 hours to go before we start!
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

I'm having a look at what books I've got that will fit this challenge and other challenges. It can get a bit tricky to handle when you're trying to fit a book in a few challenges

Megan wrote: "Hi team! I've played a few Wheels before, but it's been a few years (kept missing the sign-ups) - so I'm excited to be participating again! :)

I'm from the US (Central time) and enjoy reading most..."

I've changed it in our official spreadsheet and let the mods know. If there are any issues, we'll let you know. Thanks for pointing that out Megan

Michelle wrote: "Checking in and saying hello to everyone."

Welcome Michelle!

Triathlete_Reads wrote: "Hi everyone! (also not sure if it's okay to check-in, waited a couple hours and no movements)

Excited to start this challenge, I haven't played for a couple years, kept missing the sign-ups. Can't..."

This group introduced me to GR challenges as well. There's so many to do as well and they keep growing! I'm doing Turf Wars as well, and I think it's one of my favourites on GRs

Navi wrote: "Hi everyone! I hope it's okay to check in - Mods, let me know if you would like me to delete this post you need to reserve more slots :)

I am excited to get started with this challenge. I'm trying..."

Your post is fine Navi! Good luck with the 1,000 page book! hopefully, you can finish it and that it's a good read. Long books can get tiring after a bit

Welcome everyone!

I'm Tina, one of your co-captains alongside Jenn and Tara, our captain. I live in Melbourne, Australia, which is still cold despite the fact it's supposed to be spring.

I've been a captain and co-captain on a few Tower Team and Wheel challenges in this group. I don't think I've met anyone on this team before, so a big hello to all and I'm looking forward to meeting you all

I have a habit of starting books and not finishing them, which is why I have 10 on my 'currently reading' shelf. A few of these are audiobooks that I can't listen to at the moment at work or when I'm on transport as I've lost my earbuds. Hopefully, I find them soon. Otherwise, I'll have to buy another pair, which can be tricky.
I'm into most genres but have a few go-to genres like fantasy, comedies, romance, biographies, psychology, and self-help.

Please list your shelves for this challenge when you can. The captains will need to double-check the details of the book you've read to add it to the official spreadsheet. My shelf is here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

We would love to hear a bit about everyone including where you live (for timezone purposes), favourite books/genres and if you've participated in any Wheel challenges before :)

Res

The Administrative Mini Challenge

This is an optional mini challenge for Boring Life Wheel, which will run from 26th October 9pm UK time until the end of the challenge.

A lot of people do not like paperwork. Of any kind. Yet needs must. So in order to get your office space, and the boxes you hid away in the attic, and the folders that are gathering mold on the shelves, and all those other hidey-holes you found for the paperwork you do not want to do, organised, we have a little something for you to do.

Find books that fits one of the following criteria:
- the main character works in an office
- the plot revolves around an office romance
- typical administrative material on the cover
- tagged non-fiction / nonfiction (at least 10x)
- tagged office (at least 10x)
- the main character works in taxes
- the main character works in finance
- the clue to solving a murder is found in paperwork
- cover colour is at least 50% grey
- cover colour is at least 50% orange
- someone is murdered in an office
- the plot revolves around white-collar crime
- the main character needs to know how to handle a budget
- letters GREY in title
- letters TAXES in title
- letters ADMIN in title
- author first & last initials in FILING
- author first & last initials in PAPERWORK
- author first & last initials in SHREDDING
- tagged DNF (or direct equivalent) (at least 10x)


◈ Each task will earn 5 points.
◈ 5 bonus points if a book used for this mini ALSO contains either of the words COFFEE-TABLE or QUILT (note: coffee-table doesn't need to by hyphenated, but does need to be the pair of words).
◈ Captains are to use their discretion whether a book fits a task or not.
◈ Standard rules apply.
◈ Books used for this mini must also be used for the spell-out.
◈ Books can be started at any point since the beginning of the Boring Life Wheel challenge, but only books finished after 26th October 9pm UK time will count for this mini.
◈ Spreadsheets will be updated for the Captains to update and track the teams points.
◈ You can repeat this mini as many times as you want, but can't bank books. i.e. books for the second run through must all be finished AFTER all the tasks for the first run through have been completed.

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The Gardening Mini Challenge

This is an optional mini challenge for Boring Life Wheel, which will run from 26th October 9pm UK time until the end of the challenge.

When juggling the demands of family, work, and society in general; a relaxing hobby is in order. And of course that hobby should be productive and improve the household. What are we talking about? Gardening of course! Build and maintain your garden to be the envy of the neighbourhood.

Prep:
Get the garden areas ready, building climbing trellises and the like.
Read two sets of 5 books that are consecutive numbers in series (eg 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- do not need to start at 1
- do need to be in a continuous sequence (i.e. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 does NOT work)
- do not need to be from the same series
- do not need to be read in order

Tend:
Find books with words in their title (or subtitle) that meet the following.
Germinate: is 6 or more letters long
Plant: is exactly 5 letters
Mulch: contains one of the following digraphs: CH, PH, SH, TH, WH
Weed: contains a double vowel
Water: contains and H and 2 Os
Pest Control: contains two letters consecutive in the alphabet (e.g AB in alphabet)
Feed: contains a double letter
Prune: can be cut to reveal a different word of at least 2 letters (e.g PRUNE - RUNE / AFFAIR - FAIR)
Harvest: that could be a noun or verb (e.g TRAIN)
Deadhead: contains a repeat set of at least two letters (e.g BEGINNING repeats IN)

Bloom:
Read 10 books with colour covers (50%+) to reflect the colours in your flowers.
MUST include 1 brown and 1 green colour.

◈ Each task will earn 5 points.
◈ 5 bonus points if a book used for this mini ALSO contains either of the words PIANO or VIOLIN (plants respond well to music. not sure about our readers!)
◈ Captains are to use their discretion whether a book fits a task or not.
◈ Standard rules apply.
◈ Books used for this mini must also be used for the spell-out.
◈ Books can be started at any point since the beginning of the Boring Life Wheel challenge, but only books finished after 26th October 9pm UK time will count for this mini.
◈ Spreadsheets will be updated for the Captains to update and track the teams points.
◈ You can repeat this mini as many times as you want, but can't bank books. i.e. books for the second run through must all be finished AFTER all the tasks for the first run through have been completed.

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The Feeding the Family Mini Challenge

This is an optional mini challenge for Boring Life Wheel, which will run from 26th October 9pm UK time until the end of the challenge.

Keeping the family fed is a thankless task, with fussy toddlers who only eat beige, teens flirting with vegan food and hulking men who want mounds of meat! And no sooner has one meal been cleared away then it seems like it's time to open the fridge again. Sometimes picking up the phone and calling for take-away is the best option!


A: Cooking from Scratch
Find the listed food items in the text of a book; plural variants are ok, and the word found doesn't have to mean the food (e.g "it's a bit of a squash to get everyone in")
- potato
- rice
- pasta
- bread
- beef
- lamb
- chicken
- fish
- lentil
- broccoli
- carrot
- pumpkin
- squash
- yam
- bean
- corn
- okra
- tomato
- onion
- lettuce
- cucumber
- apple
- peach
- fig
- grape
- banana
- salt
- pepper
- sugar
- spice

B: Let's Just Get a Takeaway!
Read books with country tags (at least 5) (yes, we know Hawai'i isn't a country anymore):
- China
- Mexico
- Italy
- France
- India
- Greece
- Japan
- Thailand
- Korea (South Korea and North Korea will also work)
- Turkey
- Nigeria
- Jamaica
- Bangladesh
- Hawaii
- Fried Chicken - needs "Southern Gothic" tag

◈ Each task will earn 5 points.
◈ 5 bonus points if a book used for this mini ALSO contains either of the words VINEGAR or LOBSTER.
◈ Captains are to use their discretion whether a book fits a task or not.
◈ Standard rules apply.
◈ Books used for this mini must also be used for the spell-out.
◈ Books can be started at any point since the beginning of the Boring Life Wheel challenge, but only books finished after 26th October 9pm UK time will count for this mini.
◈ Spreadsheets will be updated for the Captains to update and track the teams points.
◈ You can work on both parts simultaneously.
◈ You can complete this mini as many times as you like, but you cannot bank books (i.e. books for a repeat task must be finished after all the tasks have been completed once).

Book of the Month Discussion

By participating in BOMs, you can earn the team extra points.
- Writing a day's worth of discussion questions = 40 points
- Participating in a current BOM discussion (3 sets min.) = 20 points

October
Title: The Road Trip
Page count: 400 pages
Start Date: 16 October
Discussion thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Discussion answers by 16 November

November

Title: The Spellshop
Page count: 384
Start Date: 2 Nov
Discussion thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Discussion answers by 2 December

Title: The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Page count: 174
Start Date: 16 November
Discussion thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Discussion answers by the end of the challenge (7 December)

The Secret History
Page count: 629
Start Date: 22 Nov
Discussion thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Discussion answers by the end of the challenge (7 December)

December
Title: The God of the Woods
Page count: 490
Start Date: 2 Dec
Discussion thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Discussion answers by the end of the challenge (7 December)

Welcome to Team Broken Down Car!

Here are a few things to keep in mind and resources to look back on.

Important Links
Team tracking spreadsheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Rules and Regulations
Water Cooler
Books of the Month

Other Links
Cover colour - https://labs.tineye.com/color/
Word count:
- AR Book Find (US) - https://www.arbookfind.com
- AR Book Find (UK) - https://www.arbookfind.co.uk
- AR Book Find (AU) - https://www.arbookfind.com.au


Round Schedule
Get ready to tackle those chores while having fun! Here’s the schedule for each round:

🚗 Round 1
- Word Assigned: Clogged Shower Drain
- Start Date: 12 October
- End Date: 26 October

🚗 Round 2
- Word Assigned: Mowing Lawn
- Start Date: 27 October
- End Date: 10 November

🚗 Round 3
- Word Assigned: Fixing Appliance
- Start Date: 11 November
- End Date: 25 November

🚗 Round 4
- Word Assigned: Powerwash Patio Furniture
- Start Date: 26 November
- End Date: 7 December

Sounds like a fun read. I’m happy to write DQs

Edit: Team Broken Down Car