Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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Red Pandas
Karin wrote: "Not sure if anything is still need, but I've completed Sex and the City, 23-Aug-2016"Yeaa, keep those completion posts coming! We have a nice bank to help us start the next card with a bang. :)
Tammie wrote: "I'm going to start From This Moment OnSquare: pub 2011 or tree on cover or bank"
What an awesome flex pick - we'll be able to use it somewhere, I'm sure!
I know we've already applied some "extra" (i.e. non-pattern) books to this card, but in the future would it be better strategy-wise to hang on to extra books after we've gotten all the bonuses on a card? And then apply them to the next card instead for more chance of bonuses? Or... maybe they won't fit anywhere on the next card. Hm. Bingo is more complicated than I anticipated....
Ray (user2637) wrote: "I know we've already applied some "extra" (i.e. non-pattern) books to this card, but in the future would it be better strategy-wise to hang on to extra books after we've gotten all the bonuses on a..."Yeah, it's complicated. :/
One thing to keep in mind - there's no huge (point) bonus for turning over a card. You get the neat reward associated with the pattern, of course, but pattern squares and non-pattern squares garner basically the same number of points. We can also hunt down the x2 and x3 powersquares by hunting all over the board.
And, as you say, there's no guarantee they'll fit on the next card. The picture tasks are easier to fill but the text ones are all over the place - we'd need a title starting with every letter of the alphabet, with every kind of animal on the cover, as well as words like Ring, Touch, and who knows what else to cover all our bases. Annnnd that's probably not going to happen. ;)
Right now we're trying to shove every possible book on the board and we still have five in reserve, so we are banking some stuff. And if I understand the rules correctly we won't be able to carry books over to the next match, so we may as well fit them in where we can now, you know?
It is a really weird calculus, that's for sure, so let's keep our eyes on it going forward and see how things turn out. :)
Morning all! Since I am off today and have time to read, I decided to take on
by Edgar Allen Poe. Have not read any of his stories in years.Its only 109 pages so it will count but I can read it in a day. We can bank it and maybe by tomorrow we will have a new card.8-)
I got a question - probably a dumb one - but... once we turn in a pattern we get a new card.. does this mean we cant continue to work on the previous card's non pattern square?
Caly wrote: "Morning all! Since I am off today and have time to read, I decided to take on
by Edgar Allen Poe. Have not read any of his stories in years."Oooo, that looks good!
Ella wrote: "I got a question - probably a dumb one - but... once we turn in a pattern we get a new card.. does this mean we cant continue to work on the previous card's non pattern square?"Not a dumb question! You're right - once we have a new card we can't work on previous pattern squares. But don't worry if you're in the middle of a book when we change, as we can always bank or use it on a picture square or what have you. :)
OMGG DID YOU LIKE IT? IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS EVERRRRRR.Rose wrote: "Finished
Becky Albertalli
8-23-16
Spot: Bank"
Pragya wrote: "OMGG DID YOU LIKE IT? IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS EVERRRRRR."
It was adorable. I'm considering moving it up to five starts. Damn goodreads and its 5 point scale.
Put it on my list to read. Sounds great
I have it on my on-my-radar. I reserve to-read for books that I am absolutely, almost definitely going to read in the foreseeable future.I find it so hard to rate books on a five-point scale. Like, there are some books that are definitely good but I didn't enjoy reading them, and there are books that aren't great to the general populace but there's one itty bitty thing about them I loved. Not to mention how do I distinguish one rating from the one right next to it? I'm so often on the border between it was okay and liked it, or it was okay and didn't like it, and really liked it and loved it, and OMG it's just so hard.
And I find it really, really difficult to rate something 1-star if I know for a fact that someone I'm friends with liked it. Like, I read Brave New World and didn't feel like I could give it only one or two stars purely because a friend of mine liked my status when I started reading it. And as far as books go, like, it was good, it obviously had a point, but I just... ugh. Didn't like it.
I'm feeling kind of chatty today but I'm physically alone, so sorry if it seems like I'm spamming... just ignore me if so.There seem to be a lot of us who like the same books. If we weren't in a challenge that currently encourages diversity, I would say we should do a mini-BOM type challenge with the team.
I'm currently in a weird place with my reading where I'm reading like four books and none of them really qualify for anything on the board and none of them are really things I'm super excited about reading, and I don't know how that happened since I've got a bunch of stuff on my shelf that is like I REALLY WANT TO READ THIS LIKE NOW.
I guess I have reasons for reading everything I'm reading...
1) I'm reading Summer Knight by Jim Butcher, because I've been reading The Dresden Files and I'm trying to finish up the dozens of series I'm in the middle of. It's actually pretty good, but wasn't what I had in mind to read... I'm also borrowing this from the library and can't renew it due to holds after me, so there's that.
2) I'm reading Brasyl by Ian McDonald because it was recommended to me and it had soccer in it, so I thought I would read it in case we didn't get that square covered, so now obviously I have to finish it.
3) I'm reading My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland because I read the sample and it made me laugh, but now for some reason whenever I open up the ebook to read it I'm like "meh, I don't feel like it." It's also the first in a series and I said I wasn't going to start any more series until I finished the ones I was partway through. *sigh*
4) I'm reading Maze Runner, largely because it was an audiobook that was available immediately through overdrive. I like always having an audiobook for when I'm driving, shopping, doing mindless work tasks... It's pretty popular, and pretty good so far, but also kind of predictable. I also tend to generally end up with a lower opinion of audiobooks than paper and ink books in general, so take that with a grain of salt.
So, yeah, there are definitely REASONS for each of the things I'm reading. I just have a lot of series that I want to start, but they are in a series, so... I don't know. I wish more of the books I wanted to read were one-offs, but I'm a fantasy junkie, and there's so little in fantasy that isn't part of a series, much of the time a long, LONG series. Like, Wheel of Time is I think 14 books of which most are like 500 pages or more? And Terry Pratchett wrote what, like 30some Discworld novels? I don't have the attention span for that!!!
Finished! 8/24
From This Moment On, Bella Andre
384 pages
Bingo: pub 2011 or tree
FYI...no time to start anything else until tomorrow...some solid reading time...but now I have to clean the house, wash...check in tomorrow ;)
My rating system when confined to Goodreads-5 stars- Not only is this a very good book, but I have an emotional attachment/connection to this book. It lasted in my mind for days (and half the time I give this retroactively) and I may agree to have the authors babies if it will help them get me another hit faster.
4 stars- This is a very good book. It was probably just what I wanted at the time.
3 stars- This is probably a good book. However, something/s either annoyed me enough to keep it from four stars, or I read it at the wrong time.
2 stars- Well they made a book. That deserves at least 2 stars. Someone must like it I guess, maybe. At this point I am probably actively annoyed through a fair amount of the book.
1 star- I refuse to believe this is a book. How do people think this is a book? Someone pranked the world, and I don't know why I finished this.
DNF- Two very different types
1) I read 100 pages and wasn't feeling it. Either wrong time, or I just don't think it's well written/for me.
2) OMG! It's been five pages and I want to murder this book. This is NOT a book. I refuse to believe it. I might look up this author and STARE at their books authored page to make sure nothing else from them has corrupted the Earth's libraries.
Rose wrote: "Finished (OMG so good)
Robin Sloan
8.23.16
Place- Bank"
I loved this book! I thought the whole concept was so cool.
Bethany wrote: "I'm feeling kind of chatty today but I'm physically alone, so sorry if it seems like I'm spamming... just ignore me if so.There seem to be a lot of us who like the same books. If we weren't in a ..."
You need to keep on reading Dresden so you can get to the new awesome ones. The books just keep on getting better, and Changes just about broke my poor brain. The first ones I thought were entertaining, but nothing like the last ones.
I've heard many people say that Maze Runner is okay/good, but the rest of the series is horrible. Anyone else read them?
DiscWorld really isn't one massive series. It's lots of little stand alone books and small series, none of which really have much to do with the others. I would start with the Night Watch books. They are awesome. Also, each book is pretty small. Not nearly as intimidating an obligation as they look (and don't start with the first published!)
Wheel of Time totally scares me though!
Rose wrote: "Bethany wrote: "I'm feeling kind of chatty today but I'm physically alone, so sorry if it seems like I'm spamming... just ignore me if so.There seem to be a lot of us who like the same books. If ..."
I'm totally planning on finishing Dresden, I just don't have the books with me (I own them, so not worth buying them again, they're just at my parents house) so I have to read them at the whims of the library hold schedule. And I just get annoyed when I have to read something at a specific time, rather than just on my own schedule.
Also, I love so many of the same books as you that I feel like I could really fill out my reading list with stuff from your faves!
Bethany wrote: "I'm currently in a weird place with my reading where I'm reading like four books and none of them really qualify for anything on the board and none of them are really things I'm super excited about reading, and I don't know how that happened since I've got a bunch of stuff on my shelf that is like I REALLY WANT TO READ THIS LIKE NOW."I'm in the same place! I love the non-fiction I'm reading but it's about involuntary hospitalization for mental illness, which kind of limits when I can read it. (When I want to relax? Nope. Before bed? Nope. When I wake up? Nope. :P) So it's taking a little longer than I'd like. :P My fiction book has gone way downhill so it's just slogging to the finish now. But we'll get there! :)
Maze Runner falls into my "entertaining fluff" category -- quick, easy reads that don't require many neurons. I did, however, quite like the ending to the trilogy (4 stars), and I'll keep reading the prequels until Dashner goes off the rails with them.Rose wrote: "I've heard many people say that Maze Runner is okay/good, but the rest of the series is horrible. Anyone else read them?"
On my TBR & my housemate is reading right now...which makes me want to pick it up. Hm...Rose wrote: "Finished (OMG so good)
"
I'm supposedly readind Dresden Files #2 (i.e. I haven't opened it in weeks) and, I dunno, they just aren't doing it for me. I REALLY liked the show; so happy when Paul Blackthorne (Harry-actor) showed up on Arrow! He's really good. But, if ya';; say the later books get better...perhaps I'll stick with them.I spent zero hours sleeping last night and about 8 hours watching ALL of Stranger Things today. So good! I guess I was kinda waiting for a new card, but I should probably just get back to my book, which is only okay so far. :/
Tammie wrote: "Finished! 8/24From This Moment On, Bella Andre
384 pages
Bingo: pub 2011 or tree
FYI...no time to start anything else until tomorrow...som..."
Hehe, I just cleaned the house and did some laundry myself! Nice work :)
Ray (user2637) wrote: "I'm supposedly readind Dresden Files #2 (i.e. I haven't opened it in weeks) and, I dunno, they just aren't doing it for me. I REALLY liked the show; so happy when Paul Blackthorne (Harry-actor) sho..."I liked the first Dresden book well enough to try #2 but like you I wasn't a fan. My review was full of irks, never a good sign, hehe. Oh well, there are other series out there for us :)
Finished-
by Edgar Allen Poe
109 pages
"bank"
That man may have been crazy but he had an incredible mind as well. Besides scary there was deep thought and some truly accurate depictions of the human condition. Good Read!
So has anyone heard from Margaret? only her book left to complete the pattern. Would be awesome if we could get a new card today. Or we could all see if we can find books to fit those last 4 squares and just go for the coverall bonus. Going to put off starting something new till later today and see what happens. If we get a new card can we slot in all the banked books that fit before we choose a pattern? We might get lucky that way.
Caly wrote: "Finished- by Edgar Allen Poe
109 pages"
I'm so glad to hear that it held up!
Margaret's work has been crazy lately so she hasn't had the time to check in during the day. Here's hoping that she can give us an update tonight (in the next few hours) or tomorrow morning. :)
Caly wrote: "If we get a new card can we slot in all the banked books that fit before we choose a pattern? We might get lucky that way. "Patterns aren't locked in until you submit the card, so we're free to change it as many times as we like.
I've just heard back from Margaret and she said we can go ahead and use an omni-bonus for a new board, yea! We can make that square into a free square and pop in one of our banked books :) Off to do that now!
Mod
Current pattern (an idea to start!): Airplane (add an additional power square to your board)
Bold goals are unclaimed goals.
Non-pattern squares are to be filled with finished books, first come first serve :)
Book with over 50k reviews
Book title contains Been
Picture - inkblot
Picture - O
Picture - mittens
Book genre is suspense
Book title starts with V
Book is current BOM - banked book?
Picture - raccoon
Book has been borrowed
Book made into TV
Ink blots?!~cracks up laughing~
eta: Oh my gosh, that's perfect for my current book! It's non-fiction about involuntary admission for mental issues... ink blots are a perfect fit. Wow.
Alright ladies, do we see any whammies (=really hard squares) on this board? I was going to say BOM, but we can use Rose's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda! Woo! If you'd like to chime in with what squares your banked book is good for, this is what we have:In the Bank (possible squares)
Kazen - In Our Own Hands - I3 (hands, mittens)
Bethany - Brave New World
Tori - The Marriage Bargain
Karin - Sex and the City
Rose - Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda - O3 (BOM)
Rose - Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - N4 (0:00 = 24:00 in military time)
Lory - The Infinite Sea - O2 (Poseidon)
Caly, I used your Poe book to finish off the first board. ~thumbs up~
eta: What do you guys think about airplane for the pattern this time? The reward is to add an extra power square, and we could double that up with the tree bonus (make all x2→x3) on a future board, bwahahaha.
eta2: 50k reviews is harder to find than I thought. Not 50k ratings, but reviews.
Ella wrote: "Wat is 1i 2g?"They look like ink blots from a Rorschach test. The whole point of the test is to figure out what you see in the shapes, and everyone sees something different. :)
well i see pandas, animal ears in 1i and 2 goats opposing each other and something from biology in g2
I thought G2 was a pelvic CT scan slice, so I'm with you there! ;)
can we use rose's 24hr book for n4 because 24hrs is also 0 (zero) hours?
Kazen wrote: "I thought G2 was a pelvic CT scan slice, so I'm with you there! ;)"then we can use sex and the city LOL
Ella wrote: "can we use rose's 24hr book for n4 because 24hrs is also 0 (zero) hours?"Oooo, that's a great idea - it's even backed up by a wikipedia article!
we can use one of the animals for marriage bargain because the heroine loves animals ( i think she even has a dog but dont remembr the specifics) and the animals r a big deal
Nothing But Reading Challenges
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Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon
Tree in the Title for Tree Square
Not as good as I had hoped. The first part was intere..."
Woo-hoo, excellent work! Sorry it wasn't better, though.
Only one square left in the pattern so I think we'll be getting a new card soon-ish. I'll be away for most of the day (close hospital, but involved patient) so sleep tight :)