February Challenge - Twister Reading Challenge

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

How many of you remember playing Twister with your friends at sleepovers? This month we will play a Twister themed game...

A traditional Twister mat has sixteen dots arranged in four rows of four and are coloured red, yellow, green, and blue. Then, you spin to see which hand or foot you place where. So, if "Right Hand Red" is called, you must get your right hand to that colour without your butt hitting the floor. (of course if you get entwined with that cute boy from geography class so much the better)



Since we can't play the real version, we have assigned categories/tasks to each option and we will use a randomizer to see how they fit together. Clear as mud? Stay with me...

Each colour will represent a genre.

1. Red - Young Adult (YA)
2. Blue - Mystery
3. Green - Historical Fiction
4. Yellow - Contemporary

Then, in Twister we would be told to use our Right or Left Hand, or our Right or Left Foot. So now we need to assign something to our hands and feet. So here are the hand/foot options:

1. Right Hand - Read a book with an author whose First or Last name begins with "B"
2. Left Hand - Read a book with an author whose First or Last name begins with "M"
3. Right Foot – Read a book with an author whose First or Last name begins with "P"
4. Left Foot - Read a book with an author whose First or Last name begins with "S"

Now for the fun part!

Using the Random Number Generator, FOUND HERE set your max number to 4 and generate two numbers. These will tell you which choices to read from. The first number tells us which genre, the second which task.
For example, if we get a 1 and then a 3, we will need to read a YA book with a P author.

This is one set, four of these sets equals one game. Easy, right?

The goal is to play at least one game in a month (4 books) - so we will need to spin 4 sets of numbers to get our 4 books (please make sure at least one is by an Aussie author) – of course the over achievers can do more.



Rules:
#1. List (and LINK) your choice of books for the challenge.
#2. Upon completion of a book, rate it and update your progress...
#3. Don't forget our guidelines HERE


What a fun month of reading February will be! (Thanks Sally!)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Here's mine:

First Set
#2 Mystery
#1 Author "S"
Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon 4.5★s

Second Set
#4 Contemporary
#2 Author "M"
Outback Promise by Maggie Bolitho 5★s

Third Set
#3 Historical
#3 Author "P"
The Soldier's Wife by Pamela Hart 5★s

Fourth Set
#1 YA
#3 Author "S"
Stolen Sanctuary (Oxley College) by Stacey Nash 4★s

[Jess]

First set
#2 Mystery
#4 Author "S"
Mean Streak by Sandra Brown

Second set
#4 Contemporary
#4 Author "S"
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Third set
#1 Young Adult
#3 Author "P"
School's Out—Forever by James Patterson

Fourth Set
#1 Young Adult
#2 Author "M"
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

[Mell]

I will give this a go but will spin and select books once I am home later this week :)

[Tien]

COMPLETED on 29/02

First Set
#4 Contemporary
#3 Author "P"
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Read 02/29

Second Set
#1 Young Adult
#4 Author "S"
Firstlife (Everlife #1) by Gena Showalter
Read 02/24

Third Set
#3 Historical
#2 Author "M"
The Great World by David Malouf
Read 17/02

Fourth Set
#2 Mystery
#4 Author "S"
The Man in the Picture by Susan Hill
Read 02/24

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice lists coming through guys! Well done:)

[Meg]

Looks like I will be reading a lot of YA!


First Set
#1 Young Adult
#3 Author "P"
Laurinda by Alice Pung. AUSSIE!

Second Set
#4 Contemporary
#4 Author "S"
Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson

Third Set
#1 Young Adult
#2 Author "M"
Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot

Fourth Set
#1 Young Adult
#3 Author "P"
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Hope you like YA Meg;)

[MichelleG]

Hi,
Sounds great... Book twister - love it! :)

I'm in with:
1st set
#4 - Contemporary and #2 - Author "M": Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

2nd set
#3 - Historical and #1 - Author "B": Rush Oh! by Shirley Barrett

3rd set
#2 - Mystery and #3 - Author "P": The Bird's Child by Sandra Leigh Price

4th set
#1 - YA and #2 - Author "M": I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

First set
#1 YA
#4 Author S
The Heir by Lynne Stringer 4 stars

Second set
# 1 YA
# 1 Author B
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo 4 stars

Third set
#2 Mystery
#2 Author M
Dying Light by Stuart MacBride 4 stars

Fourth set
#4 Contemporary
#1 Author B
Eucalyptus by Murray Bail 4 stars

[Jenn]

I am going to give it a go it sounds like a fun challenge...I may not get to read all 4 books though as I am moving into my new house and have loads of unpacking to do. I will post my list soon.

[Chloe]

Ohhh this sounds like super fun!! I'm just on my way out the door so will choose books later, but I can't wait :D
(is it just me or is choosing books for these challenges nearly the best part?!?!)

[Tien]

Chloe wrote: "Ohhh this sounds like super fun!! I'm just on my way out the door so will choose books later, but I can't wait :D
(is it just me or is choosing books for these challenges nearly the best part?!?!)"

Nope, I LOVE planning ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Chloe wrote: "Ohhh this sounds like super fun!! I'm just on my way out the door so will choose books later, but I can't wait :D
(is it just me or is choosing books for these challenges nearly the best part?!?!)"

It most certainly is the best part Chloe!

[MichelleG]

Chloe I love the planning too :)

[Natty]

This sounds so cool.. will definitely give this a go..I will spin for books once I'm back later this arvo..

[Zoey]

I'm in


1st Set
4 = Contemporary & 1 = Author B
Rush by Maya Banks

2nd Set
3 = Historical & 1 = Author B
Sapphire Skies by Belinda Alexandra

3rd Set
3 = Historical & 2 = Author M
Mademoiselle Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

4th Set
4 = Contemporary & 4 = Author S
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm loving looking at everyone's choices here:)

[Anna]

1st set
#1 - YA and #3 - Author "P":
Twelve OR Eleven by James Phelan (depends which one I am up to by then)

2nd set
#4 - Contemporary and #2 - Author "M":
Pants on Fire by Maggie Alderson

3rd set
#3 - Historical and #1 - Author "B":
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

4th set
#1 - YA and #2 - Author "M":
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

[MaryG2E]

Hmm, a very challenging challenge, trying to find books on my TBR list that meet both criteria. Here goes:

First Set
#1 YA and #2 Author "M"
Two Weeks with the Queen by Morris Gleitzman

Second Set
#4 Contemporary and #4 Author "S"
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Third Set
#2 Mystery and #1 Author "B"
Being Jade by Kate Belle

Fourth Set
#4 Contemporary and #2 Author "M"
Those Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney

[Sally906]

Here's my list:

First spin – 1 and 2
YA and M
Space Hostages by Sophia McDougall

Second spin – 4 and 1
Contemporary and B
Memory House by Bette Lee Crosby

Third spin – 3 and 1
Historical and B
Amazing Grace by Faith Blum

Fourth spin - TBA

[Chloe]

Ok, I'm ready to spin!!

First set
#2 MYSTERY
#4 "S"
Always Watching

Second set
#4 CONTEMPORARY
#4 "S"
Living Dead Girl

Third set
#2 MYSTERY
#2 "M"
Garnethill

Fourth Set
#3 HISTORICAL
#3 "P"
Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate



I might have to rethink this list ... I don't have any Aussie authors :/

[Elaine]

I love the random number generator...I use it to choose my books sometimes and what a fun and clever way to use it to play a game of book twister!!! You guys never cease to surprise me with your creativeness or should that be creativity? Either way it's still a novel idea!! I said "maybe" to this challenge but I might see what I come up with and if it fits into my TBR I'll join in gladly. :)

[Janine]

Great Fun
1. #3 #4 Historical 'S' Author
The Other Side of the World by Stephanie Bishop

2. #2 #3 Mystery 'P' Author
Body Count by P.D. Martin

3. #4 #3 Contemporary 'P' Author
Hold On To Me by Victoria Purman

4. #2 #1 Mystery 'B' Author
Back Of Beyond by C.J. Box

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Chloe wrote: "Ok, I'm ready to spin!!

First set
#2 MYSTERY
#4 "S"
Always Watching

Second set
#4 CONTEMPORARY
#4 "S"
Living Dead Girl

Third set
#2 MYSTERY
#2 "M"
[book:Garnethill..."

A great list Chloe:) Can you make your last one Historical Fiction? The one you've chosen is non fiction:) (Maybe an Aussie there!)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "I love the random number generator...I use it to choose my books sometimes and what a fun and clever way to use it to play a game of book twister!!! You guys never cease to surprise me with your cr..."

Yes it's a fun challenge Elaine...we're all looking forward to it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent lists!

[Chloe]

Brenda - OK, no worries! I tried to see if non-fiction was acceptable, but couldn't see :D

I'll have another look ... might have to do a total shuffle ...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good luck!

[Carolyn]

Here are mine:

3,4 Historical, S Rush Oh! by Shirley Barrett

2,1 Mystery, B The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

2,2 Mystery, M Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham

3,1 Historical, B City of Thieves by David Benioff

[Chloe]

OK, here we go ... I've changed my contemporary book to an Aussie author...

First set
#2 MYSTERY
#4 "S"
Always Watching

Second set
#4 CONTEMPORARY
#4 "S"
Shallow Breath {Aussie Author} READ 4 ★

Third set
#2 MYSTERY
#2 "M"
Garnethill

Fourth Set
#3 HISTORICAL
#3 "P"
Wild Wood {Aussie Author} READ 4 stars

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Ok here are my numbers ;)


1. 2. YA/B: Blood by Tony Birch (Aussie author)

3. 4. Hist/S: A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman

2. 2. Myst/M: Silent Scream by Angela Marsons 4★s

3. 3. Hist/P: The Soldier's Wife by Pamela Hart (Aussie author) 4★s

[Elaine]

So I've changed my response to Yes and here are my books:

First Set: #1 YA and #3 P
Wonder

Second Set: #1 YA and #1 B
Fahrenheit 451

Third Set: #2 Mystery and #1 B
Rebecca's Tale

Fourth Set: #3 Historical and #4 S
Rush Oh! and Aussie author.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Chloe wrote: "OK, here we go ... I've changed my contemporary book to an Aussie author, but cannot yet find an historical fiction book with "P" ... (I've found just about every other letter!! Thanks, random numb..."

After Darkness by Christine Piper (Aussie as well)
Spirit of Lost Angels by Liza Perrat (also Aussie)
The Soldier's Wife by Pamela Hart (also Aussie)
Lessons in Loving by Peter McAra (Aussie)
Wild Wood by Posie Graeme-Evans (ditto!)

Here's a few and they are from my own Historical Fiction shelf Chloe:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fantastic guys! Great you've changed your mind and you're joining in Elaine :)

[MaryG2E]

Carolyn wrote: "Here are mine:

3,4 Historical, S Rush Oh! by Shirley Barrett

2,1 Mystery, B The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley..."

Carolyn, I was interested to see your fourth choice, as I didn't know David Benioff wrote books. I know him as the screen writer for Game of Thrones TV series.

[Chloe]

Brenda wrote: "Chloe wrote: "OK, here we go ... I've changed my contemporary book to an Aussie author, but cannot yet find an historical fiction book with "P" ... (I've found just about every other letter!! Thank..."

Thanks SO much, Brenda! I had actually found Wild Wood and added it to my list, but I didn't realise it was an Aussie author! Bonus! Plus, I'm really loving the sound of the others, After Darkness, The Soldier's Wife and Lessons in Loving have been sent to my TBR list - thank you :) :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're most welcome Chloe:)

[Valerie]

Here are mine, all P authors, but at least I got all the categories!

First round 4,3 contemporary P
Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman


Second round 2,3 mystery P
Travail soigné by Pierre Lemaitre


Third round 3,3 historical fiction P
The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory



Fourth round 1,3 young adult P
Past the Shallows by Favel Parrett

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice choices Valerie:) You've switched your first and last around though...#1 is YA, #4 is Contemporary:)

[Valerie]

Brenda wrote: "Nice choices Valerie:) You've switched your first and last around though...#1 is YA, #4 is Contemporary:)"

Thanks Brenda, fixed I hope !

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Valerie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Nice choices Valerie:) You've switched your first and last around though...#1 is YA, #4 is Contemporary:)"

Thanks Brenda, fixed I hope !"

Perfect:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Fantastic guys! Great you've changed your mind and you're joining in Elaine :)"

Too good to pass on Brenda and it fits in pretty well with my TBR and owned books. So you got me again. :)

[Carolyn]

MaryG2E wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Here are mine:

3,4 Historical, S Rush Oh! by Shirley Barrett

2,1 Mystery, B The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by ..."

Yes, it is the same David Benioff of Game of Thrones and Wolverine fame - and The Kite Runner ( loved that movie!). The novel was written in 2008 and has some great reviews on GR so I'm looking forward to it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Fantastic guys! Great you've changed your mind and you're joining in Elaine :)"

Too good to pass on Brenda and it fits in pretty well with my TBR and owned books. So you got me agai..."

I took mine all from my TBR too:) It's great when that works isn't it!

[Renee V]

Here are mine,

2: Mystery, 3: P
The Broken Shore, Peter Temple

4: Contemporary, 1: B
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, Fredrik Backman

3: Historical, 4: S
Girl at War, Sara Nović

3: Historical, 2: M
Remembering Babylon, David Malouf

[Kerri]

Great challenge!


First set
2,2 Mystery, M The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood

Second set
3,4 Hist. Fict., S The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

Third set
2,3 Mystery, P The Mistake I Made by Paula Daly

Fourth set
3,2 Hist. Fict., M Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes

[Jeanette]

Too late in the day for me to untwist my thinking. Will check it again over w/end.
Have a couple of books to list finished from another challenge but must wake up my computer. So spoilt with instant tablets

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL!!! You've tangled yourself well and truly Jeanette! ;)

[Kathryn]

Here's my list - still a bit undecided on my mystery "S" author - and whether I actually read any of these in February is another matter!!!

1. 1,2 - YA, author name "M..." - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

2. 2,1 - Mystery, author name "B..." - As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry

3. 2,4 - Mystery, author name "S" -
Dominion by C.J. Sansom or Finders Keepers by Stephen King

4. 3,3 - Historical - author name "P..." - Mary Bennet by Jennifer Paynter

or