Apoorv ’s Comments (group member since Nov 23, 2013)

Apoorv ’s comments from the The Perks Of Being A Book Addict group.

Also, also, do we think these covers are yellow enough?



TinEye, as usual, is weird and calls them white.
And I am looking at them and they are the palest shade of yellow to my eyes.

9 more hours to go!!

Are we ready?
What are your first reads going to be?
I am going to start with All Good People Here.

This is going to be so much fun!! :)

Oh, also, add in your challenge shelves here when you get a chance, pretty please! :)

LOL! I mean, what's 5 and what's 11 when it comes to books now, innit? :P

I love some of the books recommended here and I have some that I am literally starting in a few days time (The Husbands and Bury Your Gays ;=)) - I am going to have a jolly good time scavenging through all your shelves! Mwahaha! :D *not even ashamed* :P

Well then, now that you folks have all the information you need I am going to go to the beach (in the middle of the winter! :P) - call me if you need me. ;=)
How you ask? Ah! Ofcourse!

I am Apoorv (he/him) - the captain! (I know! What were the Mods thinking?! :P)
I live in Boston, Massachusetts in The United States and my association with the game goes as far back as 2015, which was I think the first edition of UNO! This is my 10th year doing this - so, yeah - I'm the old horse in the barn! :P

I know a few of you as we have bumped into each other across different challenges - and we have some new friends here. I am so excited. I always leave UNO with a pile of new books to read (because I go snooping through all your 5 star reads *guilty, not guilty!* :P)

I try and read almost everything (genre no bar), so it's always an exciting aspect of this challenge for me to see all the plethora of books my teammates read.
So, as an icebreaker, how about, if you don't mind, each of you share your top 5 books that you read in 2024?!

I'll start:
1. A Little Life | Hanya Yanagihara
2. Evil Eye | Etaf Rum
3. Black River Orchard | Chuck Wendig
4. Lessons in Chemistry | Bonnie Garmus
5. Happiness Falls | Angie Kim
6. Hell of a Book | Jason Mott

Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have.
As I like to say, I promise I'll answer all the easy ones, and make sure our wonderful co-captain, Christine, answers all the difficult ones! :P

SUPER-EXCITED! Let's do this! :D

APRIL AWESOMENESS!

FEBRUARY? DONE AND DUSTED!
BRING ON MARCH, BABY! :)

Woot! Woot!
So, here are our MARCH hands.
------------------------------------------

Required Reads
👉 0 : 4
👉 1 : 8
👉 2 : 8
👉 3 : 9
👉 4 : 8
👉 5 : 10
👉 6 : 6
👉 7 : 7
👉 8 : 8
👉 9 : 10
👉 Skip : 3
👉 Reverse : 4
👉 Draw 2 : 7
👉 Wild : 2
👉 Wild Draw 4 : 4

We also have fourteen (14) colored cards:

Required Reads
👉 0 Blue : 1
👉 0 Yellow : 1
👉 1 Yellow : 2
👉 2 Red : 1
👉 4 Red : 1
👉 5 Green : 1
👉 5 Red : 2
👉 6 Red : 1
👉 Skip Blue : 1
👉 Skip Green : 1
👉 Skip Red : 1
👉 Skip Yellow : 1

---------------------------------------------
Quick peek at what can be used for each of the cards:
(view spoiler)[
O (Zero)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 0 or Zero in the title
- has a title starting with Z
- has an author first name or surname starts with Z
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with Z
- is set in a place name starting with Z
- is a "stand-alone" book (i.e. not part of a series)
(hide spoiler)]
1 (One)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 1 or One in the title
- has a title starting with O
- has an author first name or surname starts with O
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with O
- is set in a place name starting with O
- is book 1 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
2 (Two)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 2 or Two in the title
- has a title starting with T
- has an author first name or surname starts with T
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with T
- is set in a place name starting with T
- is book 2 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
3 (Three)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 3 or Three in the title
- has a title starting with H
- has an author first name or surname starts with H
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with H
- is set in a place name starting with H
- is book 3 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
4 (Four)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 4 or Four in the title
- has a title starting with F
- has an author first name or surname starts with F
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with F
- is set in a place name starting with F
- is book 4 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
5 (Five)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 5 or Five in the title
- has a title starting with I
- has an author first name or surname starts with I
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with I
- is set in a place name starting with I
- is book 5 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
6 (Six)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 6 or Six in the title
- has a title starting with S
- has an author first name or surname starts with S
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with S
- is set in a place name starting with S
- is book 6 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
7 (Seven)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 7 or Seven in the title
- has a title starting with V
- has an author first name or surname starts with V
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with V
- is set in a place name starting with V
- is book 7 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
8 (Eight)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has an 8 or Eight in the title
- has a title starting with E
- has an author first name or surname starts with E
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with E
- is set in a place name starting with E
- is book 8 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
9 (Nine)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 9 or Nine in the title
- has a title starting with N
- has an author first name or surname starts with N
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with N
- is set in a place name starting with N
- is book 9 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
Skip
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a title starting with K or P
- has an author first name or surname starts with K or P
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with K or P
- is set in a place name starting with K or P
OR you can choose to "skip" reading a book for this cards (and get no points for this card)
(hide spoiler)]
Draw 2
(view spoiler)[Use the same book for two cards in this hand (and get points for both cards)
(hide spoiler)]
Reverse
(view spoiler)[One member of your team must read a book another team member has already read
(hide spoiler)]
Wild
(view spoiler)[Read a book that can fit for any of the cards in that SAME hand (i.e. you are duplicating one of the cards in that same hand)
(hide spoiler)]
Wild draw four
(view spoiler)[Read a book that can fit for any of the coloured cards you have that month (i.e. you are duplicating one of your coloured cards. Each coloured card can only be duplicated once)
(hide spoiler)]
Coloured cards
(view spoiler)[Special coloured cards will be randomly provided each month. for these cards you need to read for the card number (as above) and the book must also have a coloured cover for the colour specified (blue, red, yellow or green) (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

APOORV, SERIOUSLY SHUT UP!
YOU'RE YAPPING AROUND WAY TOO MUCH. GET TO THE POINT! :P

Eeks! Sorry!
So, here are our FEBRUARY hands.
------------------------------------------

Required Reads
👉 0 : 3
👉 1 : 8
👉 2 : 6
👉 3 : 8
👉 4 : 7
👉 5 : 6
👉 6 : 9
👉 7 : 5
👉 8 : 9
👉 9 : 3
👉 Skip : 8
👉 Reverse : 9
👉 Draw 2 : 8
👉 Wild : 6
👉 Wild Draw 4 : 2

We also have eight (8) colored cards:

Required Reads
👉 2 Blue : 1
👉 2 Green : 1
👉 2 Red : 1
👉 3 Green : 1
👉 5 Yellow : 1
👉 7 Red : 1
👉 8 Yellow : 1
👉 9 Blue : 1

---------------------------------------------
Quick peek at what can be used for each of the cards:
(view spoiler)[
O (Zero)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 0 or Zero in the title
- has a title starting with Z
- has an author first name or surname starts with Z
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with Z
- is set in a place name starting with Z
- is a "stand-alone" book (i.e. not part of a series)
(hide spoiler)]
1 (One)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 1 or One in the title
- has a title starting with O
- has an author first name or surname starts with O
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with O
- is set in a place name starting with O
- is book 1 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
2 (Two)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 2 or Two in the title
- has a title starting with T
- has an author first name or surname starts with T
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with T
- is set in a place name starting with T
- is book 2 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
3 (Three)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 3 or Three in the title
- has a title starting with H
- has an author first name or surname starts with H
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with H
- is set in a place name starting with H
- is book 3 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
4 (Four)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 4 or Four in the title
- has a title starting with F
- has an author first name or surname starts with F
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with F
- is set in a place name starting with F
- is book 4 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
5 (Five)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 5 or Five in the title
- has a title starting with I
- has an author first name or surname starts with I
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with I
- is set in a place name starting with I
- is book 5 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
6 (Six)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 6 or Six in the title
- has a title starting with S
- has an author first name or surname starts with S
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with S
- is set in a place name starting with S
- is book 6 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
7 (Seven)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 7 or Seven in the title
- has a title starting with V
- has an author first name or surname starts with V
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with V
- is set in a place name starting with V
- is book 7 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
8 (Eight)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has an 8 or Eight in the title
- has a title starting with E
- has an author first name or surname starts with E
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with E
- is set in a place name starting with E
- is book 8 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
9 (Nine)
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a 9 or Nine in the title
- has a title starting with N
- has an author first name or surname starts with N
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with N
- is set in a place name starting with N
- is book 9 in a series
(hide spoiler)]
Skip
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
- has a title starting with K or P
- has an author first name or surname starts with K or P
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with K or P
- is set in a place name starting with K or P
OR you can choose to "skip" reading a book for this cards (and get no points for this card)
(hide spoiler)]
Draw 2
(view spoiler)[Use the same book for two cards in this hand (and get points for both cards)
(hide spoiler)]
Reverse
(view spoiler)[One member of your team must read a book another team member has already read
(hide spoiler)]
Wild
(view spoiler)[Read a book that can fit for any of the cards in that SAME hand (i.e. you are duplicating one of the cards in that same hand)
(hide spoiler)]
Wild draw four
(view spoiler)[Read a book that can fit for any of the coloured cards you have that month (i.e. you are duplicating one of your coloured cards. Each coloured card can only be duplicated once)
(hide spoiler)]
Coloured cards
(view spoiler)[Special coloured cards will be randomly provided each month. for these cards you need to read for the card number (as above) and the book must also have a coloured cover for the colour specified (blue, red, yellow or green) (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

WELP! I FINISHED A BOOK.
WHAT DO I DO NOW?

YAAY! Well done, you smart cookies!
Now we make sure that we count that book.
Every book is precious and we do not want to miss tracking it.

So, three things:

1. Stop by here and make a quick post about the completed book with as much information you can provide.

Here is an example how:
--------------------------------------------
Completion Post

Book: This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! |
Author: Jonathan Evison
Pages: 296
Date: 01-Feb-2021
UNO Cards it fits:

0: Standalone
1: Character O - Osier, Terrance
2: Title T
3: Character H - Harriet Chance
4: Character F - Fitsimmons, Charlie
6: Character S - Skip
8: Author E
9: Character N - Nathan, Harriet
Skip: Character K - Kurt Pikins

Cover Color : Blue (73.3%) (https://labs.tineye.com/color/50aeebd...)


-------------------------------------------

2. Hop over to your profile and make sure you have logged in that book in your respective UNO folder as "read".

This is important because at the end of the month, only books logged into the respective shelves can be counted. And these mods are pesky (shhh!), they like to sneak, I tell you! Oh, you'll see! :P
------------------------------------------

3. Take a minute to go to our planning/tracking spreadsheet (yes, the same one!) (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...) and put in the relevant information of your next read.

I mean, we can't stop at 1, or 2, or errm 6!

OMG! I AM SOOOO EXCITED NOW!
I CAN'T WAIT!! LET'S GO ALREADY! :D

I know! I know! Your excitement is palpable. I totally get it! :D
So, let's get started, shall we?

A couple of things:

1. You can read absolutely ANYTHING you want! The only request is you track every little thing that the book offers you! Names, locations - the works!

The best way, of course, is Team Galaxy Quest Tracking Spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...). You can start filling in information as you come across it in the "February" (and later "March", and "April" folders). The reason for having all that information is that we can then move things around to complete our hands without waiting on someone to finish a certain book.

2. Color Cards: This is a fun one! We can have folks claim certain color cards if they want, but irrespective of that, I would request you to note any cover color-related information from your book that would fit the bill.

Always better to have multiple books that may fit multiple options. Again, you don't have to read for a particular color, but you can if you so choose.

I AM LOOKING AT YOU! :P


Well, I mean that the cap and the co-cap see you. You are seen!
(Uff, this is turning into therapy. Eh, well! :P Two at the price of one!)

Team Spreadsheet
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...)

You don't have to worry about this one!
I got this (till I don't - but then we have an awesome co-cap, so we are totally fiiiiiiine!)

Team Galaxy Quest Tracking Spreadsheet
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...)

Now, THIS is your playground! Bookmark this baby because you will be needing this one a lot over the next three months!

PSSST! KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THOSE MODS? THEY LIKE TO TEST US ON THIS! :P
Rules - UNO 2025

➦ Only books STARTED after the challenge begins can count.
The challenge starts on Monday 1 Feb, 2025 at 9am UTC

➦ Books must be more than 100 pages in length.
If it is a Children's book or a graphic novel, we need to verify it is more than 25,000 words on arbookfind.com (https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.a...)

➦ Your finished books need to be on your Uno shelf
AND marked as "read" for them to count.

➦ Please make notes of how your book may count.
The more options we have the better!
(Letters used in UNO are Z, O, T, H, F, I, V, E, S, N, K, P and of course if another team member has read the book before. Please friend our team members!)

➦ For colored cards, the cover needs to be 50% or more of the color.
You can ask us in this thread for our opinion, or use https://labs.tineye.com/color/ to get an idea. If in doubt, ask me or our co-captain as we can check it and/or take it to the captains group for another opinion.

➦ This is a social challenge, not a competitive one.
We'd love to get points, but the main aim of the game is to have fun, read lots and get to know each other :)
---------------------------------------------------------

Team Information (alphabetical)

✔ Apoorv | Challenge-PBBS-UNO2025
✔ Christina | z-Uno2025
✔ Christine | perks-uno-2025
✔ Jammin Jenny | 2025-uno-shelf
✔ Jill | uno-2025
✔ Judy | uno2025
✔ Raquel | Uno-2025

---------------------------------------------------------

COUNTDOWN!
(https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...)

We start February 1, 2025 at 9AM UTC.
---------------------------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------------------

We have officially made it to the end!
And WE SCORED EVERY POSSIBLE POINT WE COULD!! :D
And boy, what a fantastic journey it was - and that is all thanks to YOU AMAZING HUMANS who made the challenge go by in a jiffy and with a lot of fun!!

I am so delighted that I could share this challenge with each and every one of you.
Thank you for being truly awesome team players.
It was a pleasure to be part of this team.

I am sure we will bump into each other in these GoodReads aisles - but till then remember to continue being as cool as you folks are! :)

We have the laaaaaaast two books to go.
Kelly (Life in Motion) and Maddy (Voices) - let's goooo!
Take us to the finish line! :)

Kelly wrote: "(I’m halfway through an autobiography of Misty Copeland, a ballerina who has featuring in several films including a documentary about her and she’s danced in some Disney films)"

This should work perfectly for that last task! Thanks, Kelly! :)

Maddy wrote: "Can you also give examples for these
- Read a book with a plot (trope/plot device/action/occurrence) that can be connected with another team's villain (must be different from 46)"

This is basically going to be one of the other 31 villains we have. So, for example, if we take Miranda Priestley - we could use any book where a character undermines another character or is the boss of a big empire or where an underdog ends up as the winner ultimately etc. - basically more plot-oriented.

EDIT: This one is covered. Now we need to look for our own villain and his plot!

- Read a book with a character sharing some trait with another team's villain (must be different from 48)

For this, we are more concerned about the villain themselves, so a book where we have a bossy person, or someone with white hair or someone who works in fashion etc.

Jax wrote: "Would you take Villianous in lieu of villain?"

Sadly, no. Because we are looking specifically for that word in that particular task.
But, I was able to move a couple of books around and complete this task - so we should all set! :)

So, these are the mini tasks that still need to be claimed.

-Read a book with the word VILLAIN in title or series title or in text.
- Read a book shelved as Dark Fantasy or Erotica
- Read a book with a Good vs Evil trope
- Read a book with a plot (trope/plot device/action/occurrence) that can be connected with your team villain
- Read a book with a plot (trope/plot device/action/occurrence) that can be connected with another team's villain (must be different from 46)
- Read a book with a character sharing some trait with another team's villain (must be different from 48)
- Read a book that was turned into (or was the inspiration for) a movie/tv series*
- Read a book where a character works or worked in the film industry

Please look through any of your current reads that aren't added to any mini tasks, and see if anything fits in any of these tasks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
These are the ones that are currently claimed.
- Read book a with a synonym for the word "wicked" in title or series title or in text - Apoorv
- Read a book shelved as Noir or Hard Boiled - Maddy
- Read a book shelved as Romantic Suspense or Gothic Romance - Kelly
- Read a book shelved as Monster(s) or Anti-Hero - Kelly
- Read a book from the Shelf CULT CLASSICS* - Jax
- Read a book from this Shelf REVENGE* - Apoorv

Drop in a word if you wont be don't think you'll get to your book in the next 6 days.
We are sooooooo close!!
We are doing so well.
This is getting exciting! :)

Maddy wrote: "Didn't my previous book fit 9 yellow?"

It was apparently orange per TinEye! Go figure! :P

Alrighty!
All we need is a couple of Reverses to wrap up all our hands.

I have got one covered - if anyone else has read any of the books currently being read or those that have already been read and not acknowledged for Reverses, please drop in a word.

If not, then it's time to read each other's read shelves :P

EDIT: Oh, and also, at this very moment, we are at the No. 1 position in the challenge!
I haven't mentioned it in a little bit - but you folks are AWESOME!! :D