Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

He has quite a few stand alones :)

Which would you recommend? Preferably something relatively recent :) (I could request specific publication dates -- for another challenge LOL -- but I won't be *that picky!)

Hmmmm. My favorite of his stand alones is probably Amazonia. I need to reread Subterranean, Excavation, Ice Hunt, and Deep Fathom as they are all some of the first of his I read and only once a LONG time ago. Deep Fathom is a standalone but ties into the Sigma Force series (the main character ends up merging into that series).

He did just write a good one called Altar of Eden that came out in 2009. He also released a book he co-wrote with Rebecca Cantrell in January of this year. It's the first in a trilogy but the next won't be out for a bit. It was REALLY good. I can't wait for the next one!

Steven wrote: "Hmmmm. My favorite of his stand alones is probably Amazonia. I need to reread Subterranean, Excavation, Ice Hunt, and Deep Fathom as they are all some of the first of his I read and only once a L..."

Amazonia was really good...

Have you read any by Matthew Reilly

I loved his first book Contest that book got me hooked

I have read Seven Deadly Wonders, Six Sacred Stone, Five Greatest Warriors (the Jack West, Jr series which I need to reread), Temple, and Ice Station (the first Scarecrow book). I got Contest and Area 7 (Scarecrow book two) at the used book store recently and need to read them.

Another vote here for Amazonia as a good place to start with Rollins.

Thanks for the recs for Amazonia! I always need book titles that begin with vowels for my spelling challenges, so I'll add that to my list to request .. in June :)

haha Glad we could help. I love James Rollins! :D

*snoops

All this talk about James Rollins and then the mention of Matthew Reilly means I now have two authors to add to my ever-growing TBR Mountain!

Zina wrote: "Have you read any by Matthew Reilly

I loved his first book Contest that book got me hooked "

I don't think I've even *heard of Matthew Reilly -- which is saying something, since I work at our local public library LOL -- but I'm off to check out his stuff right now :)

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "*snoops

All this talk about James Rollins and then the mention of Matthew Reilly means I now have two authors to add to my ever-growing TBR Mountain!"

But not Steve Berry?? He's one of my absolute favorites, and you learn SO much from every one of his books!

Oh yes, him too! I knew I was forgetting someone, Barb! Yes, I need to open his Goodreads page as a reminder.

I am very much a read-in-order person when it comes to series book, but even if I weren't, I think Berry's Cotton Malone series is important to read in order. Later books refer to events and characters from earlier books, which could ruin the earlier books for you.

That said, he does have several stand alones that can be read in any order at all :)

Omg three of my fave authors. Glad people are going to be reading them :))))

Oh, I am very particular about reading a series in order! My brain is CONVINCED that I will read some sort of "spoiler" if I read a more recent book before reading an older one. Some people think it's "no big deal" but to me, it's a very big deal, lol. I don't want to know that Joe Schmoe and Sally Sue got married unless I get to see their relationship progress to the point where they decided to get married!

Unfortunately, my library does not carry every single number of every series I want to read so, if I want to read certain series, I'll suck it up and read stuff without necessarily knowing what happened in the books I didn't get to read. I have the hardest time spending money on books since I've been utilizing my library for so long now. *gasp...the old me is agog at my declaration*

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Oh, I am very particular about reading a series in order! My brain is CONVINCED that I will read some sort of "spoiler" if I read a more recent book before reading an older one. Some people think it's "no big deal" but to me, it's a very big deal, lol. I don't want to know that Joe Schmoe and Sally Sue got married unless I get to see their relationship progress to the point where they decided to get married!

I'm the same way :) My daughter goes so far as to call me anal about reading in order LOL She can't talk *too much, though, as she's the same way, and always has been, even back in the days when she was reading The Boxcar Children books!


Unfortunately, my library does not carry every single number of every series I want to read so, if I want to read certain series, I'll suck it up and read stuff without necessarily knowing what happened in the books I didn't get to read. I have the hardest time spending money on books since I've been utilizing my library for so long now. *gasp...the old me is agog at my declaration* "

I work at our local public library, so it *really grates on my nerves to pay money for a book :) If I do break down and buy one, it's either from the FoL booksales or something used that I can get for a dollar or two. Hubby doesn't understand that at all, but my kids both do.

3 DAYS AND 6 HOURS TO THE READ-A-THON START!!!!

Are you ready??? I know I am excited :o)

Any question I let it pass unanswered? I was away for a week, a lot to catch up!

For team captains
Only 3 more days to submit your team's mini-challenge ideas.

Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges wrote: "3 DAYS AND 6 HOURS TO THE READ-A-THON START!!!!

Are you ready??? I know I am excited :o)

Any question I let it pass unanswered? I was away for a week, a lot to catch up!"

As ready as I ever will be :) The only thing I want to clarify: Each reader only gets ONE point for reading a book with a team-colored cover, no matter how many books of that color they read, right? If, for example, I read four mango-colored books, I still only earn one point for the team, correct?

I will update the spreadsheet tonight if I can or first thing at work tomorrow. Got a tidbit of reading done. Overall a very unproductive weekend in all aspects, including reading. And it wasn't very much relaxing either. Not bad, just not restful OR productive. Blah, another work week begins.


At least I have a fancy dinner and a play tonight :)

I haven't read as much this weekend as I'd hoped, but I'm plowing through the books I "need" to read before the end of April. Yes, I am VERY aware that that's only a little over 48 hours hours from now. Yikes!!

Hope you enjoyed your dinner and show tonight, Steven :) Wish I had a sound clip or two to post here for your enjoyment LOL

The newest teams standings have been posted and we've dropped to sixth place -- behind the leading team by 19 books. Let's get reading team, we need to catch up!

Come on, everybody! WE CAN DO IT! Use this read-a-thon to seriously put a dent in the competition!

Sorry guys. I just haven't been much in a reading mood lately. My depression has been coming out lately and when that comes out, I don't want to do anything. So sorry.

I had a rough weekend for reading and my last three books (counting the current one) are all in the 600 page range. I'm trying to finish Mistborn before the readathon starts on Wednesday.

I'm trying to finish by Wednesday because I'm using as my orange colored Mango for the Read-A-Thon.

I've also outdone myself in cleverness and found a Mango-titled book to read for the challenge haha ... AND it's green like the early stages of mangoes before they're ripe (like the picture Sonia showed us) :)

I've got my mango-colored book lined up *and my book that's been on my TBR list for over a year. I'll start on those as soon as I finish these last couple of books I need to finish my April challenges :)

I've got a few options for my "book that's been in my TBR pile for over a year" set up, and I've got my Mango book with the Green cover and a book with a Mango Tango orangey color too. That should push me over my goal... but I might have to up my goal, as it's a what, 10 day challenge? I've been doing pretty good over that time period and reading quite a bit more than 750 pages.

I got a question: if you don't have a book that been on your shelf for year cause you started adding books late, could you do a book that's been there for a while?

Nancy, it doesn't necessarily have to be marked on the to-read shelf on Goodreads for over a year. Just any book that you've had sitting around or had your eye on for at least a year.

I'm planning one I've had a paperback copy of for like 6 years and just have never picked it up!

Steven wrote: "Nancy, it doesn't necessarily have to be marked on the to-read shelf on Goodreads for over a year. Just any book that you've had sitting around or had your eye on for at least a year.

I'm plannin..."

alright then

Steven wrote: "I'm trying to finish by Wednesday because I'm using as my orange colored Mango for the Read-A-Thon.

I've also outdone myself in ..."

Great book choice for mango-cover and I love that you found one with "mango" in the title! I have a book planned with the word "blue" in the title, hehe. It may even cover our theme but I need to do some research to make sure.

Thanks, Teresa! There was a different book with Mango in the title that had a much more interesting synopsis than this one, but it was only available in paperback (not instantly downloadable Kindle form) and wasn't printed in years. SIGH.

But this was the next best one, and the description still sounds entertaining!

Steven wrote: "I might have to up my goal, as it's a what, 10 day challenge? I've been doing pretty good over that time period and reading quite a bit more than 750 pages. "

It's about 12 days now. Remember, though, if you increase your goal and don't meet it, we won't get as many points as we will if you DO meet your goal.

I got wrapped up in watching the NFL draft over the weekend -- mostly waiting to see if anyone was going to draft one of my favorite players from my alma mater -- and didn't get nearly as much reading done as I'd hoped *sigh* The good news, I guess, is that he *did get drafted, despite his injury at the end of the season :) I'm glad someone is willing to give him a chance!

Yeah, I won't up it until we get closer to the 8th, which is the last day to change it. If I get a good chunk before that and I pass it, then I might up it! Or just stick with what I said and guarantee passing it!!! X)

That's a good thing!

Tebow on the other hand got quietly dropped like a fumbled pigskin! X)

Steven wrote: "Tebow on the other hand got quietly dropped like a fumbled pigskin! X)"

I just saw that :( I hope he finds a team somewhere that will give him more of a chance to prove himself that he had before.

Steven, have you checked your Kindle today? The Tudor Plot: A Cotton Malone Novella showed up on mine this morning :) Odd as it sounds, I'm going to finish The King's Deception before reading the novella, just to ensure I finish Deception before my review copy "expires"! I'm about halfway through now, it's getting harder to put it down!

I am planning on reading for the color challenge. I just hope it comes in at the library before the challenge starts.

Yes, Barb I saw that it was there and started it today. I read King's Deception first too! The novellas are filler an not necessary to the main story even though they are entertaining and have good stories, so my OCD isn't bothered too much haha!

;)

Thanks to the 2 Read-a-Thons I have taken part in the last week (+ being on holiday) I managed to read 9 books. 7 of these were long enough to qualify for this challenge as well.

Now to be ready for our own Read-a-Thon starting Wednesday I just want to be sure I am clear on what to do.

1. Read my chosen number of pages (1000)
2. Read a book that has been on my TBR list for over a year
3. Read a mango coloured book

Is that it? Or was there something about a non-reading part for this challenge as well?

Just realised I am not allowed to start till 5 pm Wednesday because of the time difference.

Jane, that's all you have to do! And remember... Anything you post as FINISHED after that start time counts, so keep reading but save your theme book and your mango colors book to finish after the deadline!

Karla wrote: "I am planning on reading for the color challenge. I just hope it comes in at the library before the challenge starts."

That sounds really interesting and the best part is, my library carries it. I may not be a mango but I'm going to read that book sometime!

And this is how stalking pays off, LOL!

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "And this is how stalking pays off, LOL!"

LMBO!

Karla I saw that book and almost got it! :)

Karla wrote: "I am planning on reading for the color challenge. I just hope it comes in at the library before the challenge starts."

That's the book I found with mango in the title! LOL Unfortunately, because of a challenge I'm doing with another group, I can't read it, as it wasn't on my library list before the Double Dare challenge started.

Is there someplace I need to go to post my challenge info or do I post here...I'm sorry have been in football mode all weekend....

We've already got you on the list with a goal of 750 pages for the 12 days of the RaT, Sallie. You can change that up until May 8, but if you increase your goal then don't meet it, the team won't get as many points :)

We also get points for each participant who reads a book that fits our team's theme, and for each who reads a book with our team's color on the cover. Those are explained in message #3 at the thread below.

We'll be posting books read, etc. for the RaT in th Moderator's Mailbox May Read-a-Thon! thread.

Barb wrote: "Karla wrote: "I am planning on reading for the color challenge. I just hope it comes in at the library before the challenge starts."

That's the book I found..."

I've had this book on my list for awhile. I was trying to find a few books to complete a different challenge, and would fit with the challenge for this group. When I saw the name(and the color of the cover) I knew I had to read it now!

Sallie(Shuga) wrote: "I'm sorry have been in football mode all weekend.... "

Were you watching the draft too, Sallie? Or did you go to a spring game?