Team Pemberley

[a Contradiction]

Hi everyone!

Just dropping in for my weekly update.

I am currently reading -
The Shaadi Setup and The Devotion of Suspect X.

Happy reading all!

[Jen]

Finished: April 9, 2022

Book: Black Heart
Author: Holly Black

3 Stars

I read this series ages ago, and remembered enjoying it. I always love a book with a clever protagonist and lots twists.

[Mary X]

Leaving on vacation tomorrow until the 19th. I may or may not post during that time. I'll update whatever reading I do when I get back.

I have some updating to do today.

[Mary X]

fixed my read dates for Middlesex

[Lexi]

Mary C wrote: "Leaving on vacation tomorrow until the 19th. I may or may not post during that time. I'll update whatever reading I do when I get back.

I have some updating to do today."

Have a good vacation and only thing that will happen when you are gone is the mini starting on the 15th as normal

[Elisabeth]

Finished: April 11th

4 stars
A good mystery set in Sydney concerning the murder of a lawyer and the effects of that on two young women who were deeply affected by an old case in which he successfully represented their accused rapists.

The last of my listed colour cover books. Red Skip

[Shannon]

Just added three books to the spreadsheet that I have finished in April so far:
-The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
-Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson
-Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth by Wole Soyinka

I'm having a little bit of trouble following what is and isn't needed. I hope what I'm reading is helpful though (I'm a bit slower of a reader than a lot of you, really admire your reading speeds!!)

[Lexi]

Shannon wrote: "Just added three books to the spreadsheet that I have finished in April so far:
-The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
-Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson
-Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest P..."

Reading slower is never the issue. In fact, you fall right about in the middle for this team. Right now just reading and adding books to the spreadsheet is helpful and stopping by every week to update what you are reading. Also the mini challenge will be up very, very soon so that might be interesting to you and will have specific tasks.

[Lexi]

I have updated the SS. We have read 38 book so far in April, and we need another 67. We also need I's (7 total), as right now we have one planned and the others keep occurring in color covers. Good job, everyone

[Lexi]

Hi all, the April mini is up

Planning SS here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Rules here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

As always, books cannot be finished until April 15.
Countdown here: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Two key rules:
1. For food/drink/utensils/party, the items need to be unique. So we cannot use 6 bananas, for example
2. Each Book related to a team name needs to be unique. You can read books within the series if it is a book in a series.
Here is the SS for the permissable books: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
3. Cannot read for own team so NO Pride and Prejudice

[Elisabeth]

This looks good! The two books I'm reading fit nicely into two slots and I have about 40 pages left in the one about a musician so I'll slow down to finish at the right time.

I'm halfway through Mythos the other one, which I was planning to be a reverse for Ella but if we don't need it as a reverse I can speed up and finish it faster. The Greek gods ate and drank and got drunk etc so has plenty of that in it. I've put it down for pomegranate seeds but there are lots of foods mentioned--lentils, honey, chick peas etc

[Mary X]

I’m reading by the pool and beach I’ll check the spreadsheet when I get back and see what any books I’ve got going work.

[Lexi]

Mini challange books are now good to go (and have been for a few hours)

[Ella]

Book review:


The Women of Troy
By: Euripides

Rating: 3/5
I had to read this book for a study I'm doing in English class. I found the book to be enjoyable but I wasn't as intrigued whilst reading it as I was with most other books. The play however does hold some key anti-war messages as well as showcases how poorly the Trojan women were treated after the Trojan War.

[Elisabeth]

Finished April 15

4 stars
Fascinating account of the author’s year teaching cello and viola to musically gifted children in Kabul at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in the period between the previous and current Taliban rule. Harrowing and frightening with bombings and random attacks by the Taliban, the infuriating treatment of girls and the completely different cultural attitude toward life and death. The author also came to terms with his gender identity and took the big decision to make the transition from female to male.

[Ella]

I have finally started reading Mythos. Sorry for the long wait. I've just been in a massive reading slump recently. I will definitely try to read this book as quickly as I can. Elisabeth, if you want, you can finish it before me, I don't mind.

[Elisabeth]

Okay, thanks Ella. The first part is quite complicated with all the relationships and Gods—-they’re all each others mothers, fathers or brothers. I just read and immediately forgot but now I’m into the stories and it’s really good.

[Lexi]

Ella wrote: "Book review:


The Women of Troy
By: Euripides

Rating: 3/5
I had to read this book for a study I'm doing in English class. I found the book to b..."

I know you had to read this for class but books under 100 pages cannot be used for UNO.

[Mary X]

Just an FYI that I have finished I Am Half-Sick of Shadows. I’ll update when I get home. Also started The Cat Who book. Nothing like a beach chair or balcony by the ocean to encourage reading.

[Jax]

Been having computer problems and don't really like posting off my phone. Finished Station Eleven and Arsenic and Adobo. Neither of which were great but weren't terrible either. I'm listening to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone while running errands today for the mini. Also started The Devotion of Suspect X

[Lexi]

Thank you, Jax and Mary

For Grinch retellings, we are allowed books like this one - How the Grinch Stole My Heart (I think most of these are Romances)

[Ella]

Lexi wrote: "Ella wrote: "Book review:


The Women of Troy
By: Euripides

Rating: 3/5
I had to read this book for a study I'm doing in English class. I found ..."

Please let this one count! I haven't finished any other books this month and this will help me feel like I'm helping out and doing my part for this challenge. I believe that it should count.

[Lexi]

Ella wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Ella wrote: "Book review:


The Women of Troy
By: Euripides

Rating: 3/5
I had to read this book for a study I'm doing in English cl..."

Ella,
I am sorry, but it is not my rule but a standard rule for the challenge to make it fair for all teams
5. Books must be more than 100 pages in length

[Jen]

Just doing a quick check in, I ended going on a road trip this weekend and should be back on Monday. I've been reading still but nobody wanted to listen to my audiobooks (sad).
I'll update on Monday when I'm back home.

[Elisabeth]

Finished April 16

4 stars
Really enjoyable explanation of the Greek Gods and associated myths. I particularly liked the references to the derivations of words and phrases that have become part of our language and contribute to its richness.

[Ella]

Elisabeth wrote: "Finished April 16

4 stars
Really enjoyable explanation of the Greek Gods and associated myths. I particularly liked the references to the derivat..."

Hey, Elisabeth can my read of Mythos still count towards the grey colour card, please? This would really mean a lot to me especially as my last read doesn't count (which sucks) and it would really help me to feel that I am helping the team. Thank you!

[Ella]

Lexi wrote: "Ella wrote: "Lexi wrote: "Ella wrote: "Book review:


The Women of Troy
By: Euripides

Rating: 3/5
I had to read this book for a study I'm doing ..."

I understand that but I just don't believe that it is fair. This is just as complicated of a read as any other book I have read and even if it is under 100 pages, how is it fair to judge a book on the number of pages it has. Some really tricky books are under 100 pages and shouldn't be discounted due to their short length.

Women of Troy will and should count. I will be adding it to the spreadsheet.

[Elisabeth]

Ella wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "Finished April 16

4 stars
Really enjoyable explanation of the Greek Gods and associated myths. I particularly liked the referen..."

Ella, my edition has a blue cover so won’t interfere with your grey cover pick. Lexi can use my read for a regular number card and also in the mini for a food reference. I put it down for pomegranate seeds. Yours will work there too for a food or drink. They drink a lot of nectar, those Gods! And eat honey and figs

[Tina ❣]

I finished which I do not recommend. It's just unhealthy behaviour which I don't agree with

I've added it onto the mini challenge as well as another book

[Elisabeth]

Finished April 17th
3 stars
The musical member of Monty Python and writer of that song. It was interesting but it's filled with anecdotes about all the famous people he met and became friends with which becomes a bit tiresome after a while.

[Elisabeth]

Do you think this qualifies as children on the cover? It's about 2 missing boys.


And this? One child or more than one person maybe?

[Lexi]

Busy weekend here but catching up on the questions.

I hope everyone who celebrates had a wonderful Easter or Passover.

Ella, still holding the grey space for you. Still can’t use the 80-page book but I understand that you find this frustrating.

Elisabeth, I used yours as a Blue 2, as I can use my Blue 2 as just a 2. I have not started it so good to get a color cover covered.

Everyone, can you please add a page number, percent, or chapter for all food and utensils, no quote needed.

[Lexi]

Elisabeth wrote: "Do you think this qualifies as children on the cover? It's about 2 missing boys.

And this? One child or more than one person maybe?"

Both would work for Read a book with one or more children on the cover or Read a book with one or more people on the cover

[Jen]

17 April 2022


Book: Scavenge the Stars
Author: Tara Sim

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Basically a gender bent version of the Count of Monte Cristo. Characters and story was overall interesting and a good read.

[Elisabeth]

Thanks Lexi. I added page numbers for Mythos pomegranate seeds and the orange soda pop ( never liked fizzy orange drinks) in Abandoned In Death. I guess children on the cover is harder than people so I’ll put my books in there and you can do a switcheroo if needed.

[a Contradiction]

Hi
Here again for my weekly update -
Hardly could get any reading done last week due to work commitments.
Got back into reading yesterday and finsihed - The Shaadi Set-up.

Will be needing a couple days for another book I'm currently reading.

Happy reading!

[Lexi]

a Contradiction wrote: "Hi
Here again for my weekly update -
Hardly could get any reading done last week due to work commitments.
Got back into reading yesterday and finsihed - The Shaadi Set-up.

Will be needing a cou..."

Thank you, I think a lot of people had a busy week. Can you please add it to your UNO shelf and mark it with a read date?

[Elisabeth]

Finished April 19

3 stars
I haven't read one of the Eve Dallas series books for yonks and this is number 54. Quite a lot of repetition of information and dialogue that was totally irrelevant made it a bit ordinary for me--but the basic plot was good.

[Mary X]

I own all the Gertrude Hunt books and can reread Clean Sweep for one of the team name challenges if needed. I've been meaning to reread the series anyway. Actually Hoopla and Scribd have a multi-cast audio version of Clean Sweep that I want to try out. Going to be in my car a lot this weekend in relation to my 2nd job. Lots of audio book time.

[Mary X]

How needed is What Happens at Christmas? I was going to read it for bookshelf bingo but the game ended. It's a blue cover book but it looks like all the blue cards are covered.

[Lexi]

Mary C wrote: "How needed is What Happens at Christmas? I was going to read it for bookshelf bingo but the game ended. It's a blue cover book but it looks like all the blue cards are covered."

Not that needed. Feel free to skip it and find something else you want to read

[Mary X]

Good to know, thanks!

[Lexi]

I have your Speaking from Among the Bones as a Blue 6 for the last Blue card

[Mary X]

I still plan to read that one.

[Elisabeth]

When I look through the planning sheet for reverses I come across books I've forgotten I read back in the last century which aren't on my Goodreads page. eg Hitchhikers Guide (everyone read that back then), The Picture of Dorian Grey, the Lilian Braun Cat books (mum loved those), Sense and Sensibility and lots more. I have to make up a read date because there's no way I can remember exactly when in 1970's or whatever I read them. Which is also why some of the books I post here are so old. It takes me ages to scroll through and find the right edition, bought back in the 60's or 70's.

[Lexi]

Elisabeth wrote: "When I look through the planning sheet for reverses I come across books I've forgotten I read back in the last century which aren't on my Goodreads page. eg Hitchhikers Guide (everyone read that ba..."

That's great. Thank you and we should be good on reverse's now

[Elisabeth]

Finished April 20th
Angel Rock

4 stars

Atmospheric, gripping mystery thriller set in a small Australian mountain town in the heat of summer. Two boys go missing and only one reappears. A character study of the people and the town. Terrific book.

[a Contradiction]

Hi Lexi,

I've now added.

[Mary X]

Someone had Lost City of Monkey God on the sheet and I've read that. So that's another reverse possibility. I added my name to it yesterday.

[Elisabeth]

Finished April 21st

4 stars

Set in Spain in about 1949. The author returns with his wife to visit the places he stayed in just pre the Spanish Civil War 1934/35. It's a beautifully written memoir of an exotic and entrancing Spain and its people that probably doesn't exist anymore and would now be overrun with tourists and all the trappings of modern life.