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R10: Team Reading FOUR the Win (4)
How about the other team members? Is everyone on track to get their books read and reviews in by tonight? Karen can't roll until all reviews are posted ... and M .. what a bummer that you have to review each of 31 stories!
Week 1 ReviewsAmanda A - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book Concierge - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bouchra - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Brenna - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
M - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vickie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I have finished my first book and updated my post :)
I want a little nuts trying to write 31 reviews so I found a second T book on my shelf and finished it tonight on my way home from work.
Book title: Tarkin
Author: James Luceno
How it qualifies: Starts with T
Date finished: 20 September 2018
Rating ****
Review:
Wilhuff Tarkin. He (in my opinion) is one of the most memorable villains in the Star Wars universe. Peter Cushing played the role perfectly. While I was reading this book I often heard Cushing's voice telling the tale.
Merciless, ruthless, and cold-blooded are the best way to describe Tarkin. From his beginning as a governor of a planet on the outer rim he quickly rises through the ranks of the Imperial elite. Before taking his position as commander of the Empire's new battle station he is tasked to find the remaining groups of the separatist rebellion. The rebellion is larger then expected he is join by the Emperor's Sith enforcer to end it once and for all.
I know everyone knows Star Wars and how the story goes, I love reading the backgrounds of the characters and learning what made them that way. The is one of the books released post Disney and the official Disney cannon novels.
I can only imagine how hard it would be to write 31 reviews!
Vickie, please post your review as soon as possible.
It is difficult since a few of the stories are 5 pages or less.
Mod
Victorian Vickie wrote: "Book:TricksAuthor: Ellen Hopkins
Date Read: 9-21-18
How it fits: Ellen Hopkins is one of those authors who just grips at your soul as she tackles teen issues. As yo..."
Hi, Vicky .... you need to add a rating, how your book fits and a review
Here's the sample Ezi posted ...
Week 2
Spot: 13
by Charlie CochetBook: Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet
Qualification: THIRDS #1
Finished: 11 Jun 2017
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Testifying against his partner and getting him locked up for murder leaves Detective Dex Daley deserted by his ....(etc)
Week 1 - Rolled a 6 - On Spot 15Can read the 1st or 5th book in a series or Alternate: Cover: Brown
❀ Colors: The cover has to be at least 50%
Mod
(I'm not gonna stress myself or anyone else out hounding everyone to include covers otherwise, but for those cases they're mandatory.)
Week 2:The Cruel Prince
Author: Holly Black
How it Qualifies: First In Series
Date Finished: 9/27
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I enjoyed this book but certain parts just seemed too shallow to me. Some of the twists and turns were pretty unexpected, such as how Oak is actually one of the King's sons or when Jude ends up crowning Cardan king, but I felt like I was just along for the ride, rather than attached to the characters. The lush scenery, eye-catching characters, and interesting story were fun to follow along with, but it didn't really feel like any of the characters grew or developed. Jude is angry and contrary from the start and always turns to scheming behind other's backs and overall, I didn't really feel a connection to her plight.
Denise wrote: "Since you're on a spot with a cover colour alternate and I noticed that several completion posts from the previous roll didn't include the book cover, I'll just drop this here as a reminder: If you..."Thanks, Denise.
Week 2 - Spot 15
Office Intrigue Nicole Edwards
How It Qualifies: #1 in the series
Date Finished: 9/23/18
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I loved this book. Luci goes to work for 4 gorgeous bosses who introduce her to BDSM. This author always makes her books so good with some angst and a lot of hot sex. Although I must admit, any office I worked in wasn't like this one!
Denise posted another update...✸Standalone books can be used for a 1 or a 0
Week 2 Spot 15
The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café by Alexander McCall Smith
Qualification: Series # 15 (No. 1 Ladies Detective Series # 15)
Finished: 26Sep18
Rating: 3***
Review:
I love this series featuring the Ladies of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency in Gabarone Botswana. This time Precious and Grace are tasked with determining the identity of a woman with amnesia. Meanwhile, Mma Makutsi is working to open a new up-scale restaurant (hence, the book's title). I love how these characters interact with one another, and how Mma Ramotswe manages to keep everyone happy or at least mollified. Her good sense and kind disposition helps her smooth ruffled feathers and ferret out liars and cheats.
I’m going to be reading Origin by Dan Brown, which is #5 in the Robert Langdon series. Again, I still haven’t figured out how to link to books when posting from the phone 🙈I already started the book last and I’m almost done with the first 25% of it... love how intriguing it is!
To answer my previous question, I usually read on the Scribd app, but sometimes use Kindle and listen to audiobooks both on Scribd and Audible as well. We have very few libraries here, unfortunately.
I also have some physical books but not much. Planning on buying some when I travel, as it’s rare to find English books here. I live in a francophone country, Algeria. What about you guys, how often do you buy physical books :)
Bouchra wrote: " I still haven’t figured out how to link to books when posting from the phone 🙈..."
I don't use a phone to access the internet but I have heard many people say that you can't - if you are using the mobile app. However ... if you go to the website on your phone, (i.e. NOT the app), you should be able to link.
Hope that helps.
I will be using Color Altrrnate, BrownBook:
Author: Karin Slaughter
Date read: 8/26/18
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: background is 82% coffee brown
ReviewI did not see this ending coming! Such a great read!! Karin Slaughter weaves such an intricate tale that you are left speechless at the end!! This is a prequel to her Good Daughter book. Charlie is lawyer who takes a probono case for a young girl who wants to be emmacipated from her family. There are so many twists and turns!
Week 2 - Spot 15Book: Origin
Author: Dan Brown
How it fits: #5 in the Robert Langdon series
Date Read: 23 September 2018
Rating: ***
Review: Predictable, unlike what I remember of the other Robert Langdon books, which were interesting. Aside from learning about a few interesting symbols and the Palmarian Church, nothing in this book was new to me.
While I am a Muslim, I do love how Islam meshes well with science - the creation story we are told in the Quran boils down to, basically, God ordering things to simply “Be”. Yes, there’s a number of days for the creation of the Universe, but then at the same time it says that God-time isn’t the same as human-time. The idea of a Big Bang type explosion is also mentioned in the Quran.
I don’t want to spoil the book, but if you know even just a bit about current scientific theories about the creation of the Universe and the direction humanity is going in, then you’ll predict exactly what the huge “reveal” in the book is all about.
What I did not see coming, though, was the person behind the chaos that disrupted the original announcement in the museum. But it was a mild surprise, considering its very nature.
It was a good read, but I wish that the plot involved more... interesting science.
Book Concierge wrote: "Bouchra wrote: " I still haven’t figured out how to link to books when posting from the phone 🙈..."
I don't use a phone to access the internet but I have heard many people say that you can't - if..."
I don’t like navigating Goodreads from the browser on my phone, because it simply makes the text too small for me to read. I just tried from my husband’s iPad and it seems to be better!
I don't like it from my phone either. The IPad is pretty good though I still the computer best.
Week 2 ReviewsAmanda A - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book Concierge - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bouchra - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Brenna - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
M - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vickie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Spot 15Purity in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death #15)
Date Read: 9/25
Rating: ★★★★
Eve and her team investigate a terrorist that is infecting people with a computer virus. The mystery kept me interested and the futuristic elements in this series are always intriguing to me. I love Eve and Roarke, and McNab and Peabody had some sweet moments as well in this one. I liked that Eve realizes the people she cares about are her real family. I hope the series keeps up the momentum and gets better with each book as it has so far.
Book: Battle for Cilicia
Author: Michael G. Thomas
How it fits: 1st book in a series (note: original series title was Black Legion, was changed to Star Legion)
Rating: ****
Review:
Xenophon is an exile from the Alliance planet of Attica. He, along with a group of mis-matched companions become mercenaries. The Ten Thousand are thieves, criminals, and other exiles that serve aboard a Titan ship under their commander Cyrus. They hold off and invasion at the Gates of Cilicia, the entrance to the Median Empire ruled by the tyrant Artaxerxes.
The is a space opera based on the historical Ten Thousand of ancient Greece. This is what made me love this series even more.
-historical note-
The Ten Thousand was a force of mercenary units employed by Cyrus the Younger to attempt to wrest the throne of the Persian Empire from his brother, Artaxerxes II. Their march to the Battle of Cunaxa and back to Greece (401–399 BC) was recorded by Xenophon (one of their leaders) in his work The Anabasis.
Brenna & Vickie, need your reviews so I can roll for Week 3.
I have edited my review into post 65, sorry for being a bit later than last time
Brenna wrote: "I have edited my review into post 65, sorry for being a bit later than last time"Thanks, Brenna.
Week 3 - Rolled a 6 - On Spot 21Can read the 1st, 2nd or 21st book in a series or Alternate: Title: K
❀ Titles: Only the first word of the title. A, An, and The do not count.
Mod
Week 3 Spot 21
50% Off Murder by Josie Belle
How it fits: Good Buy Girls # 1
Date finished: 01Oct18
Rating: 3***
Review:
A decent cozy mystery featuring a group of friends - The Good Buy Girls - who coupon together and hit the sales racks with a mission. When one of their friends is arrested for murder, "club" leader Maggie just has to investigate on her own. Of course, there's a new sheriff in town - Sam Collins - the former high school football player who broke Maggie's heart in high school. You'd think her subsequent marriage to a man she adored (now deceased) and the intervening 20+ years would cool her temper, but she's still holding a grudge. If we land on a "2" spot with our next roll, I'll read the next in this series.
Week 3 - Spot 21
Sins & Needles Karina Halle
How It Qualifies: #1 in the series
Date Finished: 10/2
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I found this book to be a 3 star until about the last 20%. It didn't grab me during most of the story but that last 20% was non stop action. Ellie is a con woman and comes back to town to make one more score. She meets up with Camden, who owns the local tattoo shop. There is a lot of back and forth between past and present and we find out this couple's backstory. I gave it 4 stars because I couldn't put this book down as I was getting close to the end. I'll definitely be reading the 2nd book as this one ended in a cliffhanger.
Spot 21
Tattered by Devney Perry (Lark Cove #1)
Date Read: 9/28
Rating: ★★★★
This book is a sweet second chance romance. Logan and Thea reconnect six years later after a one night stand. I loved how Logan jumped right in to get to know Charlie and be a hands-on father. Charlie is a very cute little girl and I liked how she was always the priority for Logan and Thea. The stalker situation added a little bit of suspense but I don't think it was really necessary, other than to bring Jackson and Logan together in a truce because of their concern for Thea. I have read a couple of books by Devney Perry and I really like her small town romances. I will be reading more of her books.
Way to go, Amanda!I just started mine ... mostly consumed by the Kavanaugh hearings the last two days.
I've been watching too, Book Concierge! Hope to start mine tomorrow.
Week 3:Let it Snow
Author: John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
How it Qualifies: Standalone
Date Finished: 10/4
This book had 3 stories so I'll review each individually to make sure c:
Story 1: The Jubilee Express
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Overall, this story was pretty good. It was cute and nice to read except for a few weird points. I couldn't really get over how she couldn't get over her name (Jubilee really isn't that strange of a name) and her whole situation in the first place where her parents get arrested for trying to buy Christmas trinkets so they ship her off to her grandparent's house onto a train going into a horrible winter storm. While it was definitely different and not cliche, it was just a bit too random.
Story 2: A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
While I love John Green, this wasn't my favorite story of his. The characters are lovable and relatable but Tobin was just so dense with the Duke even after she hinted that she liked him like hundreds of times. I was definitely rooting for him and his friends and happy that they finally got together in the end but I didn't really get why they had to trek all the way to the Waffle House, wrecking a car in the process, in many feet of snow for this to happen.
Story #3: The Patron Saint of Pigs
Rating: ★★★
Review:
While I still enjoyed reading it, this was definitely my least favorite of the three. Addie was so whiny the whole time, and when I found out that she had broken up with Jeb for basically no reason I wanted to just stop reading. I was very glad when she finally grew in the end and went out of her way to help out her friend Tegan and that she was able to fix all of her mistakes. I did like how all of the stories came together in the end though, and that all of the characters were able to meet and connect everything that occurred throughout the three.
Just letting everyone know I am not going to be getting my review in this week. My Grandmother had a massive stroke and I am getting ready to hop a plane to be with the family. My apologies.
M wrote: "Just letting everyone know I am not going to be getting my review in this week. My Grandmother had a massive stroke and I am getting ready to hop a plane to be with the family. My apologies."I'm so sorry to hear that M...Prayers and good thoughts to your grandmother, you and your family...
M wrote: "Just letting everyone know I am not going to be getting my review in this week. My Grandmother had a massive stroke and I am getting ready to hop a plane to be with the family. My apologies."I'm so sorry you're going through this. Prayers for you and your family. May God grant you the grace, courage and dignity to see you through this difficult time.
Karen - I think Denise will give us M a pass for this week due to extenuating circumstances.
Spot 21:Book:
How It Qualifies: #1 in the series
Date Finished: 10/3
Rating: 3 stars
Review:Poor Cori, she is not only sheriff of a small town but it is a town of supernaturals mixed in with a human crowd. Her best friends are a vampire and a witch. Her town is in upheaval due to a series o murders being committed.
I was surprised on how much I enjoyed this book. It was full of werewolves, vampires, witches and other supernatural creatures. It really kept me guessing until then end. Who knew how hard it was to keep all supernatural creatures happy and content!!!
Mod
Karen's already been in touch. Since you have a free pass to use in case a team member is unable to post their review for any reason - such as a medical emergency in the family - you're fine to go ahead with this roll. If M needs more time away we'll call it a pre-arranged absence next week so the team can continue without any penalties.
Week 3 ReviewsAmanda A - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book Concierge - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bouchra -
Brenna - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vickie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I have edited my review into post #92. I'm so sorry to hear that M, I hope that she can recover soon.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Bohemian Gospel (other topics)Among the Wicked (other topics)
Sweet Revenge (other topics)
A Deal to Die For (other topics)
Heir of Fire (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Dana Chamblee Carpenter (other topics)Christy Reece (other topics)
Josie Belle (other topics)
Christy Reece (other topics)
Lorelei James (other topics)
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LINK to post # 30