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R13: *** WINNING TEAM *** SS Team 12 - Librarians of the Galaxy
Mod
Dice Roll: https://www.random.org/dice/ (2 dice on Fridays, US Central Time)
R13 SS Post Your Spot
R13 SS Discussion Thread
Time Zone Converter: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...
Mod
**titles exclude leading articles (a, an, the)
2. Male Author
3. Cover: Red
4. MC has a pet
5. Mystery/Thriller
6. Set in space
7. Cover: Orange
8. Cover Item: One person
9. Several authors
10. Cover: Pink
11. Author 'N'
12. Cover Item: Book
13. Title 'B'
14. Two Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) Deadly Silence, The Hunger Games
15. Cover Item: Sun/Moon
16. Asia
17. Title 'D'
18. Set in a place you've visited
19. Less than 100 ratings
20. Set in a Fictional Location/Universe
21. Favorite Author
22. Set anytime between 1837-1901
23. South America
24. Book to Movie/TV (must state how book qualifies: listopia, imdb, precis)
25. Published 2011-2015
26. Four or More Words Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
27. Title 'Y'
28. Europe
29. MC is older than 60
30. Author 'E'
31. Set on an island
32. Title 'L'
33. Cover Item: Hat/Helmet/Other Headwear
34. MC travels by airplane
35. New to You Author
36. Author uses their middle name/initial (e.g. Robert J. Sawyer, Rita Mae Brown)
37. Title 'M'
38. Book that a teammate rated 5 stars
39. Three Word Title (excludes articles like A, An, The) Behind Closed Doors or Etched in Bone
40. Cover Item: Building
41. Author 'V'
42. MC travels by train
43. Set anytime between 1600-1837
44. Book with a funeral in it
45. Title has a subtitle
46. Cover: Yellow/Gold
47. Science Fiction
48. Cover Item: Lamp/Candle
49. Author 'Z'
50. MC has at least one child
51. Title 'O'
52. Originally published in a language other than English
53. Cover: Purple
54. Australia
55. Cover Item: Umbrella/Parasol
56. Author uses a pseudonym
57. Young Adult/New Adult
58. Cover Item: Jewelry
59. Non-Fiction
60. Cover: Brown
61. Title 'H'
62. North America
63. Set in the future
64. Published 2021
65. Author 'G'
66. Fantasy
67. Cover Item: Food/Drink
68. LGBTQ+
69. One Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Witness or Divergent
70. Published 2016-2019
71. Author 'F'
72. Romance
73. Africa
74. Title 'S'
75. Published 2001-2010
76. Cover Item: Animal
77. Author 'L'
78. MC is in their 20's
79. Number in the Title (Third Grave Dead Ahead or Every Fifteen Minutes)
80. Published before 1950
81. Title 'P'
82. Author 'B'
83. Published between 1950 and 1999
84. Title 'W'
85. Cover Item: Hands/Arms/Feet/Legs (no other body parts visible)
86. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
87. Title 'R'
88. Cover Item: Mode of Transportation
89. Set sometime before 1600 AD
90. Author 'G'
91. GR average rating >4.0
92. Cover: Blue
93. Award Winner (must state which/when)
94. Cover Item: Weapon
95. Author 'T'
96. Published 2020
97. Title 'I'
98. Book with a wedding in it
99. Cover: Black
100. Author 'J'
101. Cover: White
102. Female Author
103. Title 'F'
104. Cover Item: Water
105. Cover Item: Two or more people
106. Published the year you were born
107. Cover Item: Furniture
108. Author 'C'
109. Debut Novel or Debut Author
110. Cover Item: Dress
111. Cover: Green
112. School/College/University
Mod
✸ Communication is key. Please make sure to check in regularly with your team.
✸ Let your team know if it looks like you won't get your review posted by Thursday, 11:59pm. You do have all of Friday to submit your review, but it can be intensely frustrating for your captain if they don't know when or if they can expect your review before the deadline.
✸ If you know beforehand that you won't be able to read and review a book during a certain week, you can request a pre-arranged absence from me, either by posting the request in the discussion thread or by sending me a pm. The request has to be submitted before the team rolls for the week in question, can only be approved by me as the mod in charge of running the game, and has to state a reason for the absence. (Reasons for pre-arranged absences can include e.g. going on vacation or work trips, planned hospital stays, exam period, etc.)
✸ If you do not have a pre-arranged absence and won't be able to finish your book in time for an unforeseen reason, please let your team know as soon as possible. If the team has earned the free pass, it can be used to cover the missing review. Without a free pass, the team has to sit out the next roll.
✸ We all know that real life gets in the way sometimes, be it through family emergencies, work emergencies, natural disasters, technical problems making it impossible to get online, or in other ways. That being said, please do keep in mind that this is a team challenge and your team relies on you to do your part unless an emergency occurs.
✸ If you find that the pressure of keeping up with the pace of the game gets too much for you or you wish to stop playing for any other reason, you can drop out of the challenge at any time. In that case, please let your team captain and/or me know that you wish to drop out rather than just disappearing without a word so your team won't be penalized when you fail to turn in your review. Thank you!
Captain's Handbook
✸ The team's captain is its chief organizer. This includes rolling the dice, posting the team's new spot to the team thread and the Post Your Spot thread, collecting links to team members' review posts in a single post to be linked in the Post Your Spot thread, doublechecking that books and review posts comply with requirements, reminding team members to post their reviews in time if necessary, etc.
✸ The captain may delegate some tasks, such as rolling and posting the new spot to the team thread, to another team member if they so choose. (Either a designated roller who fulfills this role every week, or whichever team member is online first once rolling is possible.) Collecting reviews into a single post and posting to the Post Your Spot thread should always be handled by the captain.
✸ Instead of having everything handled by a single team captain, teams can also choose two co-captains to handle the workload.
✸ Selection posts are not strictly required by the game's rules and I won't be checking for them. It's up to the team captain to decide whether they want them.
✸ If the team captain requests a pre-arranged absence, it's their responsibility to arrange for another team member to step in as temporary captain.
✸ The team captain is my primary point of contact for the team and should allow receiving private messages.
Mod
You've obviously seen me around seeing as how I run this thing, but for a quick introduction: I'm Denise, 34, located in Finland (i.e. buried in snow), when not at work generally to be found somewhere under a cat or two and with a book in hand.
Looking forward to playing another round! :D
I'd prefer not to be captain as I'll probably be pretty busy with general admin for this challenge.
Hi, everyone! I'm Karen from Chicago, Illinois (so far not buried in snow) Lol Hubby and I are both retired. I have 3 grown sons, 2 DILs and 3 grandpuppies...I love this challenge as I find books on my TBR that I forgot about.
I've been the captain a few previous times so if no one else wants to captain, I can. I'm always up late so that midnight roll is no problem.
Hi team! I'm Rebecca from New York (snow is finally melting) and mom of a very rambunctious 1.5 year old .This is my first time playing this challenge and I'm excited! I would prefer not to be captain as a newbie.
Hey team. I Shy and this one of my fav challenges as I clear out my TBR some. Im a mom of 3 and when I not reading I normally at one of the kids tournaments.
Hi, Linda C here. Retired librarian from Upstate New York. Married, 1 daughter, 1 son-in-law and 1 grandson. I like this because I get to read some of my started series.
Prefer not to be Captain.
Mod
Anyone got any brilliant ideas for team names?
My brain spit out "Librarians of the Galaxy" as a suggestion, because I've clearly seen too many Marvel movies.
I agree with Karen as Captain and as a former librarian I think your name suggestion is brilliant.
I really love the name suggestion too.
I’m cool with the captain choice and love the name suggestion.
Looks like laayss28 hasn't posted here yet. I tried unsuccessfully to send a message but it must be set to private.
Mod
Mod
Week 1 Roll: 2 + 4 = 6Spot: 6
Series #6 or Alternate: 6. Set in space
Karen, do you want selection posts? Rules say it's your option.
Mod
Spot: 6
Book: An Echo in the Sorrow by Hailey Turner
Qualification: Soulbound #6
Pages: 426
Week 1: Selection PostSpot:6
Book:The Desolations of Devil's Acre by Ransom Riggs
Qualification: Miss Peregrine #6
Pages: 528
Linda C wrote: "Karen, do you want selection posts? Rules say it's your option."A selection post would be great just to make sure that we are following the rules. Especially for people that haven’t played before. Denise makes a good point. It always helped me remember which book I was reading for which challenge. Lol
Week 1: Selection PostSpot: 6
Their Naughty Student Nicole Edwards
Qualification: Office Intrigue #6
Pages: 485
Week 1 Review PostDenise (mod) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
laayss28__ - Didn't Check In
Linda C - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rebecca - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Week 1: Selection PostSpot:6
Real Vampires Have More to Love
Qualification: Real Vampires #6
Pages: 356
Week 1: Selection PostSpot:6
Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding - Lea Wait
Qualification: Antique Print #6
Pages: 230
COMPLETION POSTSpot: 6
Their Naughty Student Nicole Edwards
Qualification: Office Intrigue #6
Pages: 485
Finished: Jan 24
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: I really love this series. Jamie is Zeke's (from the previous book) sister and he is very protective. She is writing her dissertation on the BDSM lifestyle so Zeke asks his friend, Edge, to give her a tour of their club, which he does. They have a connection and shortly thereafter, Jamie meets Cav, Edge's best friend. Of course, there is a lot of back and forth, misunderstandings, etc. but I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Mod
Spot: 6
Book: An Echo in the Sorrow by Hailey Turner
Qualification: Soulbound #6
Pages: 426
Finished: 25 Jan 2022
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I read the first five books in this series in fairly quick succession back in 2020 and was eagerly awaiting the release of the next installment, but somehow didn't get around to picking it up until now despite it having been out for almost a year. Oh well, at least that means I can move straight on to the final part after this!
Getting back into the story took me no time at all, which is a good thing given that it's just action non-stop and a bunch of things going on at once between Ethan and the Dominion Sect hatching further evil plans, the escalating rivalry between the two god packs laying claim to New York City causing ever more mayhem and casualties, gods from all manner of pantheons converging on the city and, as ever, inserting themselves into Patrick and Jono's lives, and the tiny little matter of Patrick being arrested for murder. While it does occasionally feel like things are getting a bit too convoluted and less might be more in the amount of gods shoved into these books, this was another hard to put down read that (finally!) closes out one of the longrunning plot threads that was due for a conclusion for quite some time and sets things up for what promises to be an epic finale.
Completion PostWeek 1 - Spot: 6
Book: Shadows on a Cape Cod Wedding - Lea Wait
Qualification: Antique Prints #6
Pages: 230
Finished: 1/25/22
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Antique print dealer, Maggie Summers, is in MA to attend her friend Gussie's wedding and help her move both her home and and business to new locations in the week just before the wedding. When she arrives she takes a walk on the beach and finds body. The body is of a man who was living under a false name. Maggie gets involved to a greater extent when she assists the man's daughter and meets his cousin, who is deaf. She knows ASL and is helpful in translating. Then a second murder is committed and a storm threatens. Lots going on as well as wedding issues involving Gussie's mother-in-law to be and Maggie's worries about wanting to adopt and a boyfriend who doesn't want children. I'm really enjoying this complicated cozy series.
Week 1: Completion PostSpot:6
Book:The Desolations of Devil's Acre by Ransom Riggs
Qualification: Miss Peregrine #6
Pages: 528
Finished: 1/26/22
4 stars
Review: What a satisfying ending to a horror and action filled series. I liked the ending to the first trilogy, but I think this ending felt more like closure and like I could really believe it was the ending. I feel like Jacob has grown so much in these last 3 books and it really shows in his willingness to let others help when he would rather do something alone. How he knew what sacrifices to make and when to let others lead and where others' skill sets are better (though he does still like to dive headlong into trouble without telling anyone). This book started out in a dangerous, terrifying place and did not let up for one second. I don't think the characters even sat down or rested once until near the end. I love how everyone's gift was important and showcased, even if just a little, to fight this last huge battle. Caul was absolutely terrifying, even more so somehow than before, and the Hollows may give me nightmares. This was a race to the end and I finished it in almost dizzying fashion. I love this unique series and recommend it to any YA fantasy lovers.
Week 1: Completion PostSpot:6
Real Vampires Have More to Love
Qualification: Real Vampires #6
Pages: 356
Finished: 1/27/22
3 Stars
Review:
So I couldn't score this one as high as I normally did the others in the series as I felt like this wasn't the Glory I was used to. She was way too wishy-washy for me and didn't seem like what was used to from her. I think the only reason I didn't give it lower is that overall the plot was still good and enough plot twists happened to have me invested in continuing the series out.
Forgot to post this but thought it would help us remember...BONUS POINTS:
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series. - Denise
✸ One point can be earned for reading a book with >500 pages. - Rebecca
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series. Series + spin-off totalling ≥4 books also counts. For series with >9 books, point will be awarded for reading books 1-9. For still ongoing series, all books published to date (OR up to #9 in longer series) must be read.~ No re-reads on this one. - Linda
✸ 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on. - Denise
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate lists. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90. - Denise
✸ Valentine's Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Romance book for the roll on 02/11. - Linda
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Valentine's/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Week 2 Roll: 6 + 4 = 10New Spot: 16
Can read Series #1, 6 or 16 --Alternate: 16. Asia
Mod
Mod
Spot: 16
Book: Death at the Crossroads by Dale Furutani
Qualification: Matsuyama Kaze #1
Pages: 170
* qualifies for 2-in-1 bonus: Alternate: Asia / set in Japan
Week 2: Selection PostSpot:16
Book:The Murder at the Vicarage
Qualification: Miss Marple #1
Pages: 288
Also just a heads up, I will be away From Feb 2-6 (I will finish this week's book this week so no worries there), but I won't pick my next book until probably Monday - in case you don't hear from me until then.
Denise wrote: "Anyone planning to go for the full series bonus? If so, I can get us the 2-in-1 this week, otherwise I'll start a series I should be able to finish for the series bonus."I'm not going for it.
Week 2: Selection PostSpot:16
Book: Off Kilter - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #1
Pages: 304
My selection above is the first of a 4 volume series that I am going to try to start and finish for the bonus point
Mod
Week 2 Selection Post:
Qualification: Book 1 in Witches of Hollow Cove series
357 pages
Week 2: Completion post PostSpot:16
Book:The Murder at the Vicarage
Qualification: Miss Marple #1
Pages: 288
Read 1/29/22
4 stars
Review:
Update: Another reread in 2022 and it's still as surprising as before. It's amazing how many of the small details you forget after so many years and I feel like every time I read I pick up on tiny clues that I didn't see before. I love the calm way the reveal happens at the end and Miss Marple's style overall.
This is pure Miss Marple at her finest. It has been many years since I first read this book, and 7 years since my last re-read. And yet I enjoyed this book so much again. Even though I knew the killer and some of the important red-herrings I am still able to really enjoy watching the Vicar try and solve the case, and Miss Marple's watchfulness on the events. They way her house is described as perfectly situated for watching the comings and goings and how she always seems to be in the right place at the right time without people noticing her. She is so sure of herself yet not at all vain or pompous and I love her character even more with each book.
Mod
Spot: 16
Book: Death at the Crossroads by Dale Furutani
Qualification: Matsuyama Kaze #1 & Alternate: Asia (set in Japan)
Pages: 170
Finished: 30 Jan 2022
Rating: ★★★
Review:
In the wake of the Battle of Sekigahara, samurai Matsuyama Kaze made a promise to the Lady whose husband he was sworn to shortly before she died: To find her daughter, who was taken captive to be sold into slavery by enemy forces. This series opener finds him wandering Japan as a ronin in 1603, still on his quest to track down the missing girl which has now lasted several years. On his journey, he comes across the body of a man murdered with an arrow at a crossroads leading to a village and becomes embroiled in the lives of an assortment of locals, from a charcoal seller to the magistrate, the local lord, the village prostitute, and a bunch of bandits.
It's fascinating setting which the author does a good job bringing to life. At times the pace was a little too slow and some of the lengthy flashback scenes weren't really necessary. Furutani also clearly wrote this with an audience that knows nothing whatsoever about the time and place the book is set in in mind, providing a lot of explanations of very basic terms, customs and the like that bogged the whole thing down further. Nevertheless, it was quite an entertaining read and I will likely pick up the next one.
* Bonus Point earned: 2-in-1 Bonus
Selection Post - Week 2
Book: The Navy SEAL's E-Mail Order Bride Cora Seton
Qualification: #1 in Series
Pages: 179
Week 2 Review PostDenise (mod) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Linda C - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rebecca - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Denise - 2 in 1 bonus
Selection Post - Week 2
The Navy SEAL's E-Mail Order BrideCora SetonQualification: #1 in Series
Pages: 181
Finished: Feb 3
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: This is a cute story. Mason and his brothers have to get married and one of them has to produce an heir within a year to get their family's ranch back from their aging aunt. Mason puts an ad and Regan answers. They meet and he convinces her to give it a try in Montana. The rest of the book is them getting to know each other and of course, falling in love.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
A Killer Plot (other topics)Knocked Up by the Dom (other topics)
Formula for Murder (other topics)
A Killer Plot (other topics)
Knocked Up by the Dom (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ellery Adams (other topics)Penelope Bloom (other topics)
Ellery Adams (other topics)
Penelope Bloom (other topics)
Darynda Jones (other topics)
More...
Captain: Karen ♐
laayss28__Linda C
Rebecca
Denise (mod)
Shy The WidowMaker
Bonus Points:
Earned: 6
Used: 6