TART Challenge2 - Bookin' It (17)

[J]

4 is perfect. Can we start then?

[J]

Busy Right Meow wrote: "I know! it hit me that we were on our last week when I was updating the completion post. Since we have to read 6 books, I think it will probably take us through the end of the week.

We have to en..."

Why am I not happy? I want this to go long....

[Busy Right Meow]

I know! I feel like this challenge went by too fast. 🥺

Yup we can start! Think we are all good with task 4. We can do the same as last time and just see who finishes first if they can pick up another book.

[J]

Task 13 Completion Post:
Task: Pick a category from the current RRRC Monthly Challenge and read 6 books for that category. Reader's Choice is exempt from this task. The team chose, "Read a book by a new to you author"
Book/cover link: The Fault in Our Stars
Page numbers with source: Kindle Edition, 322 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: John Green
Date Completed: Nov 8th, 2020
Rating/Review: 3 stars

I actually enjoyed this book. There were pretty good dialogues and thought process that was brilliant, in some way. Like, "Pain demands to be felt!" It was quite deep, in fact.
So, why I didn't actually give 5 stars? Because the book didn't speak to me. The author just wrote what he had felt in a book with dialogues of his own mind. The parents, the MCs, the friends, the extra characters, everyone is just the author's own mind in papers. I couldn't differentiate anyone, and it felt very unreal. Besides, I'd never known a single 16- and 17-year-olds with such a profound mind.
Maybe there are a few who exist that way, but to butt in cleverly, for every single line??? Oh, that was simply pretentious.
But the writing was flawless. And at certain places, I felt the depth of what the author tried to tell. I understand why it is a hit, but I'd have preferred if he'd edited it to be relatable

[Busy Right Meow]

Task 13 Completion Post:
Task: Pick a category from the current RRRC Monthly Challenge and read 6 books for that category. Reader's Choice is exempt from this task. The team chose, "November 1 - National Author's Day: Read a book by a new to you author, or a book by one of your absolute favorite authors."
Book/cover link: Irresistibly Yours
Page numbers with source: Kindle Edition, 265 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Lauren Layne
Date Completed: Nov 7th, 2020
Rating/Review: 4.5 stars

In the beginning of the year, I think I binged about 8-9 Lauren Layne books in a row. Just nonstop, one after the other and I was addicted. After I finished the Stiletto series, I told myself I had to branch out and forced myself to read different authors. Safe to say, Lauren Layne is one my favorite authors.

There is something about her writing and stories that just really charm me. In no way is this a literary masterpiece but I can always count on her books when I just want a book to feel like it's giving me a warm hug. It's light, fluffy and just so sweet.

Irresistibly Yours is the first book in Lauren Layne's Oxford series which is a spinoff of her Stiletto Series. Oxford is the top men's magazine while Stiletto is the top women's magazine. The four heroines from the Stiletto series are the top writers in Stiletto and we were introduced to some of the Oxford men by extension from the Stiletto girls. The series starts off with Cole (H) who is a freelance sports writer for Oxford that made multiple appearances throughout the Stiletto series.

Cole comes off as such a chill guy and nothing really phases him. He was fully content being a freelancer but the rising cost of his brother's healthcare causes him to rethink his temporary job position. He has been a freelancer at Oxford for so long that obviously the job was his....right? Except there is this petite, perky female sports writer named Penelope (h) that is standing in his way for the same position.

Given the premise of the book and because they're fighting for the same job, I would have thought it was more an enemies to lovers book but it was surprisingly not. Cole and Penelope are just two mature adults that have enough respect for each other's talents and are both so deserving of the position. Cole has always been one of my favorite side characters from the Stiletto series but hearing more about his story is so endearing. Cole and Penelope bring out the best in each other.

Honestly, I fully admit I feel this rating is inflated by the nostalgia I felt being reunited with all the characters from the previous series. I forgot how much I loved those characters and it's just such a great representation of powerful female and male friendship. I might just have to finish binging this series and then force myself to go back on a self imposed Lauren Layne ban.

[Busy Right Meow]

Happy last day of the challenge! I feel like time flew by. Hope everyone's reading is going well! I don't want this challenge to end. :(

[Katelyn]

I think they may do the bachelor challenge again. What I have seen/heard the sign up may be coming up soon. We could always do that even though it is a little different I think.

[Katelyn]

This week has been crazy and of course I am sure you guys can guess why. I have not gotten as much reading done as I would have liked. I have spent a lot of time watching the news, which I never do.

[Busy Right Meow]

I would love to do another challenge together! Hopefully something comes up soon even though I feel like they might wait for after the holidays but who knows? I think I am going to continue with that November challenge after this since I mean we already knocked out one right? Haha

Totally get it! It's been a crazy week with everything going on.

[Katelyn]

I am doing it as well!

[Hayde]

Ooo good idea, I‘ll do the November challenge as well.

[Hayde]

Task 13 Completion Post:
Task: Pick a category from the current RRRC Monthly Challenge and read 6 books for that category. Reader's Choice is exempt from this task. The team chose, "November 1 - National Author's Day: Read a book by a new to you author, or a book by one of your absolute favorite authors."
Book/cover link:Magic Burns
Page numbers with source: Kindle Edition, 272 pages
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary: Ilona Andrews, fave author.
Date Completed: Nov 8, 2020
Rating/Review: 5 stars

I will give this book 5 stars just for the last paragraph. Swooning. Curran oh Curran. 😍😍

This sequel was way better. I am officially hooked on the series. It will make completing the November challenge a breeze.

[Hayde]

Just like you gals, all I read since Tuesday was news. I started to read a few books and not even old favorites would stick. Finally reached a reading mindset today.

What’s the Bachelor challenge?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hayde wrote: "Just like you gals, all I read since Tuesday was news. I started to read a few books and not even old favorites would stick. Finally reached a reading mindset today.

What’s the Bachelor challenge?"

It is another team challenge. I should be opening signups early December, maybe late November if I can get it ready by then. It has its own folder, you can look there to see how it goes. It lasts 9 weeks.

[J]

It's amazing that the amazing race went really well.
Thank you all for making it so special.
This was really a good experience with you all. :)