R8: SS Team Ten Speed (10)

[ShoSho]

Yaay I got internet and I finished my book during the 6 hour trip.

[ShoSho]

selection post
Week 8 spot 58

White cover
209 pages

[ShoSho]

completion post
Week 8 spot 58

White cover
209 pages
2.5 stars

Review
I knew this wouldn't be my next favorite book but I didn't think it would be this lame! It was a secret baby/revenge/misunderstanding trope. The writing wasn't good and there were so many small things that could have made the book for me. It was the perfect book for me to read last night though. It was a light fun read.

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Have to think on book.

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Selection and Completion Post
Week 8 Spot 58
Book: Let It Snow
Criteria: White Cover
Pages: 210
Read: 9/6 - 9/8
rating 4 stars
Review: A cute Christmas read. snowbound love. stylist doing hair for free at the senior living. goes back home but misses his bear and come back to Northern Minnesota.

[Gabriela]

Completion post
Week 8 - Spot 58


Book: Ficciones
Finished: September 8th
Rating: ★★★★
Review(s)
First of all, this book is incredibly smart and well thought-out, but so not light. I feel like I’ve only got a first glance at it and I’d need to read it slowly a couple more times to really grasp its layers. I’m not sure I will though, I like this feeling of a universe undiscovered.

(view spoiler)[Part 1: El jardín de senderos que se bifurcan
1. Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius
Stories within stories. Very smart, in a way mocking the idea of utopias and idealism by creating a utopist dystopia… Also makes reference to how language not only is shaped by our world but also shapes our own minds and perspectives.

2. Pierre Menard, autor del Quijote
At first glance, this story is ridiculous; a note defending Menard and trying to prove his authorship of El Quijote, not the actual book but a fictional retelling of it that in fact is the same word by word. But through that story other issues are somehow raised, such as the possible degrees of originality and authenticity in art and how its meaning is constructed in relation to the current times.

3. Las ruinas circulares
Ponders the power of the mind and veracity of reality. The main character is dreaming a person into being and but never considers the possibility of being a dream. It refers to how self-centered we can be, never to consider our own existence but believing we can create and control.

4. La lotería en Babilonia
It describes a fictional Babilonia where a lottery rules over everyone’s actions, since they glorify the idea of chance, even though at the time of the story no one knows who is running the lottery or how. Interesting and relevant, it makes you wonder about our reality and, although less literal, its own form of lottery.

5. Examen de la obra de Herbert Quain
Comments on the lifework of a fictional author, mentioning and describing quite interesting books that, of course, have never been written.

6. La biblioteca de Babel
In this story the universe y conceived as a library containing every book that has or could ever be written; in any language, coherent or nonsensical, read or left untouched. It also infers to the tiny role of humans in contrast to their actions, trying to control the library by destroying tomes or glorifying them.

7. El jardín de los senderos que se bifurcan
This is the culmination of this first collection of stories and, through its own events, it explains and is explained by the previous stories. You start to see links and paths you hadn’t realized were there before, and as the page in front of you describes a labyrinth of a book, you too discover you had been in a labyrinth all along.

Part 2: Artificios
1. Funes el memorioso
This is an example of taking ‘What if?’ to its extremes. In this case, what if a person had a perfect memory? Perfect. Not good or eidetic, perfect. In this story, the main character can remember his every experience, dream or even thought. He starts categorizing them (in his mind of course, he never writes anything) until he realizes that he will never finish for the same act of categorizing creates memories to be categorized.

2. La forma de la espada
This story has a bit of everything: an unreliable narrator and its witness, a revolution, a wicked scar, treason, regrets and the bad guy winning. Short and… sweet?

3. Tema de traidor y del héroe
In connection to the previous story, it draws on the topics of history and our, maybe misled, ideas of the past. How a hero and a traitor not only can be confused but possibly should be confused, if it serves a purpose.

4. La muerte y la brújula
Three crimes in the form of a riddle and a detective trying to solve it; seems familiar but it’s not. An interesting and original way of twisting the premise.

5. El milagro secreto
This story has a perfect title that you only understand by the end. I think it’s mostly about time, how we spend it and waste it, if we understand it and if it exists at all. A man is about to be executed, he asks for more time. Does he get it or not? Could it be both?

6. Tres versiones de Judas
Continuing with the themes of time and betrayal, this story re-imagines Judas’ role in history. It’s daring, creative and, given an open mind, almost persuasive.

7. El fin
I don’t have much to say about this one. The narrator talks about the witness to a longtime rivalry and subsequent murder, except the murderer may not be the lucky one.

8. La secta del Fénix
This story describes a secret society that requires a rite (el Secreto) to be performed to become a member. Later you see how it’s very likely you are a member yourself.

9. El Sur
A sad story about taking chances and choosing the life you want while you are still in time. Here, the main character waited too long, but I do believe he was not afraid. (hide spoiler)]

[Krissy]

WEEK 9

Roll: 3 + 4= 7

New Spot: 65

5th in a series, 6th in a series, 65th in a series
Alt: College

[ShoSho]

Selection post
Week 9 spot 65

Pages 318 (I really hope it's not really this long)
6th in the series

[Krissy]

Amazon says it's even longer. Over 400 pages

[ShoSho]

Krissy wrote: "Amazon says it's even longer. Over 400 pages"

Eeep

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Selection Post
Week 9 spot 65
book: A Volatile Range
Criteria: #6 in Range series
Pages: 200

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥]

I am nowhere near a 5th or a 6th for any of my upcoming reads. Grrr!!! I need to find an alternate stat unless I go re-read something!

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥]

Selection Post

Week 9, Spot 65
Book:
How it fits: 6th in series
Pages:380

[Krissy]

WEEK #9 Reviews

Roll: 7 - New Spot 65

5th in a series, 6th in a series, 65th in a series
Alt: College

(view spoiler)[

Krissy:
Custom Fit by Josephine Myles
(Alt: College)
Completed: 9/15
Review: MSG 326


Roger:
A Volatile Range by Andrew Grey
(Range #6)
Completed: 9/10
Review: MSG 315


ShoSho:
Rough Canvas by Joey W. Hill
(Nature of Desire #6)
Completed: 9/15
Review: MSG 325


Gabriela:
The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L.B. Simmons
(Alt: College)
Completed: 9/14
Review: MSG 319


Mika:
Infected: Lesser Evils by Andrea Speed
(Infected #6)
Completed: 9/13
Review: MSG 318
(hide spoiler)]

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Completion Post
Week 9 spot 65
book: A Volatile Range
Criteria: #6 in Range series
Pages: 200
Read 9/9 - 9/10
rating 5 stars
Review Set in Wyoming where a veterinarian and a rancher has set up a exotic animal shelter. Gordon is a former Marine who was convinced that the shelter was abusing animal and was hired to release the animals without being told that they were big cats. He is mauled before he can release any of the animals and is captured by the foreman of the ranch. He realizes he has been had an tries to make amend helping out at the ranch and building a new enclosure. Mario and Gordon both have their problems but they fall in love and hope and redemption is a major theme.

[Gabriela]

Selection Post
Week 9 - Spot 65

Book: The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller
How it fits: College (Alt)
Page count: 311

[Krissy]

SELECTION POST
Week #9 - Spot 65

My Choice: Custom Fit
Author: Josephine Myles
Alt: College
Page Count: 166

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥]

Completion Post
Week 9 spot 65

Book Read:
Criteria: #6 in Infected Series
Date Read:09.13.16
Rating:4.5 stars

Review: This was the hardest book to process since reading Bloodlines in my opinion. Roan's been self-destructing ever since, but in this one I think he realized he wanted to live, but it was a little to late since the virus is progressing at a rate that no one knows anything about. I was upset at Holden majority of the book, he didn't seem to care about Roan's well being. It was sad to read this, and book 7 seems like it's going to destroy me.

[Gabriela]

COMPLETION POST
Week #9 - Spot 65

Book:
Finished: September 14th
Rating: ★★
Review:
This book was the epitome of ‘Don’t believe everything you think’. The main character convinces herself that she brings death to everyone around her so she should make herself as nasty to be around as possible. This works well until she goes to college and becomes friends with the two people who would change her life forever (her words, not mine).
Honestly, the whole book felt quite adolescent to me, which is not always bad, I do like YA books, but this one clearly intends to be more mature, so at times it made me roll my eyes and get super annoyed. Other than that, or maybe because of it, I didn’t connect with the characters, so many things they did felt random to me, like their only purpose was to get to the plot planned.

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

My Kindle fire battery won't recharge I have a new one on order and I won't receive it until the 20th. but I am good here.

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥]

That sucks!! But yay for getting another kindle. What kind are you getting?

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Same as I have all I can afford.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Roger, you could get a refurbished one

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

ThatEzi wrote: "Roger, you could get a refurbished one"

Basic fire is all I can afford and even if I went refurbished I would have the learning curve with the same model I have no learning curve can just jump right in.

[ShoSho]

Completion post
Week 9 spot 65

6th in the series
Pages:318

Review:This was great as it was but with a little bit of editing this have been a fantastic read. There was bits and pieces of this story in the previous books in the series and I was looking forward to it and it didn't disappoint. I loved the characters and their story. One of the best in the series.
BTW it was really long :D

[Krissy]

COMPLETION POST
Week #9 - Spot 65


Custom Fit
My Rating: ★★★
Date Finished: 9/15
Final Thoughts:
Good but not as good as the first book. I loved Felix in lacy things though. And Andrew finally allowed him to top so yay for that. I just love them as a couple. I could eat them up!

[Krissy]

Great job, team! I'll be back in a few hours to roll :)

[ShoSho]

Is it time yet? :D

[Krissy]

In about 40 more minutes

[Krissy]

WEEK 10

Roll: 5 + 4= 9

New Spot: 74

4th in a series, 7th in a series, 74th in a series
Alt: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥]

Selection Post
Week 10
Spot - 74
Book:
Pages: 384
How it fits: 3 Different Colors

[ShoSho]

Selection post
Week 10
Spot 74

Multicolor
Pages372

[Krissy]

WEEK #10 Reviews

Roll: 9 - New Spot 74

4th in a series, 7th in a series, 74th in a series
Alt: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)

(view spoiler)[

Krissy:
Never Go Back by Lee Child
(Alt: Multi-Colored Cover)
Completed: 9/17
Review: MSG 340


Roger:
You're Always in the Last Place You Look by T.N. Gates
(Alt: Multi-Colored Cover)
Completed: 9/21
Review: MSG 346


ShoSho:
Scandal Wears Satin by Loretta Chase
(Alt: Multi-Colored Cover)
Completed: 9/18
Review: MSG 341


Gabriela:
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
(Alt: Multi-Colored Cover)
Completed: 9/21
Review: MSG 343


Mika:
Apprentice in Death by J.D. Robb
(Alt: Multi-Colored Cover)
Completed: 9/17
Review: MSG 335
(hide spoiler)]

[Krissy]

SELECTION POST
Week #10 - Spot 74

My Choice: Never Go Back
Author: Lee Child
Alt: Multi-Colored
Page Count: 400

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥]

Completion Post
Week 10 - Spot 74.
Book Read:
Date Read:09.17
Rating: 4 stars

Review: For this to be #43 in the series, it still amazes me that Robb can produce the quality of work with this many in it. I enjoyed this. It felt like coming home to your comfort zone. That's what this is to me. I miss seeing the actions of Eve and Peabody. These cast of characters are awesome and I'm always floored by murders as well. Things get more and more creative!!

[ShoSho]

Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥ wrote: "Completion Post
Week 10 - Spot 74.
Book Read:
Date Read:09.17
Rating: 4 stars

Review: For this to be #43 in the series, it still amazes me that Robb can pr..."

Oooh I got my audiobook but I still haven't had the chance to start it yet. I'm so behind with my reading schedule

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Selection Post
Week 10 Spot 74
Book: Chase in Shadow
Criteria: Multi-colored
Pages: 320 pages
CHanged still reading but not going to finish in a reasonable time to get a roll in so found another book that I finished and fits the category.

[Gabriela]

SELECTION POST
Week #10 - Spot 74

Book: Attachments
Author: Rainbow Rowell
How it fits: Multi-colored (Alt)
Page count: 357

[Krissy]

I'm loving everybody's choice this week!

[Krissy]

COMPLETION POST
Week #10 - Spot 74


Never Go Back
My Rating: ★★
Date Finished: 9/17
Final Thoughts:
The only reason I read this book is because the movie is coming out. I am one of those people that has to read the book first. I've only read one other Jack Reacher book and it was just meh for me as well. This one could have been slightly better but I tend to get bored with the mystery/thriller books with a military theme. Where something happens overseas and it's covered up for some reason or another. Then you have to slowly go through the chain of command and find out who was in charge of what when and how. Just not my thing when it comes to my reading material. But I do enjoy military thriller movies so maybe I'll like the movie better. Even if I think Tom Cruise is gross.

[ShoSho]

Completion post
Week 10
Spot 74
I'm switching to this cover as this is the cover of the edition that I read.
Multicolor
Pages 372
4 stars

Review: Oooh this was even better than the first one (the first one was great too ) , it had its own problems but it was a tidy little fun book to read. I really liked the hero, he appeared to be a big daft lug! He was so refreshing. I hadn't enjoyed a HR hero this much in a really long time.

[ShoSho]

Krissy wrote: "I'm loving everybody's choice this week!"

Me too! I can gladly read any of them.

[Gabriela]

COMPLETION POST
Week #10 - Spot 74

Book:
Finished: September 21st
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This was an enjoyable read for me. I particularly liked how well you get to know Beth and Jennifer from almost nothing but their e-mails, which makes the way Lincoln’s feelings develop more believable. However, the book did feel slow at times and I would have liked to see more of the process of getting to know each other in person and how their relationship changed.

[ShoSho]

Gabriela wrote: "COMPLETION POST
Week #10 - Spot 74

Book:
Finished: September 21st
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This was an enjoyable read for me. I particularly liked how well you get to k..."

I loved that book. I'm a huge fan of books written in format of emails or text messages.

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

***Changing Selection Post***
Selection Post
Week 10 Spot 74
Book: You're Always in the Last Place You Look
Criteria: Alt Multicolored Cover
Pages: 347

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Completion Post
Week 10 Spot 74
Book: You're Always in the Last Place You Look
Criteria: Alt Multicolored Cover
Pages: 347
Read: 9/19 - 9/21
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is an young adult book set in Idaho that has the city mouse/country mouse dichotomy. Zane is a city boy from Chicago who lost not only his entire family but also his boy friend in the van accident that he was the sole survivor of. Gabriel (Gabe) is a small town PK. the love start when Gabe finds Zane in the wood and Zane was stung by a bee, which he is allergic to. Gabe isn't really aware that he is gay and in the closet but he cannot deny the feeling he has for Zane. but when he come out he come out big, At church. Know everybody know and he has more people rooting for him then he can believe as this is a staunchly red state and rural communities tend to take to the more conservative side of a state anyways. I wish that it had an epilogue showing us what came of the plans they made that ended the story.

[Krissy]

WEEK 11

Roll: 2 + 3= 5

New Spot: 79

7th in a series, 9th in a series, 79th in a series(if one exists!)
Alt: Author - A

[ShoSho]

Selection post
WEEK 11
New Spot: 79


A author
156 pages

[Krissy]

SELECTION POST
Week #11 - Spot 79

My Choice: Crash & Burn
Author: Abigail Roux
Series: Cut & Run #9
Page Count: 419

[Tamika♥RBF MOOD♥]

Selection post
Week 11
Spot: 79
Book:
How it fits: 9th in the series
Pages:384