R13: SS Team 13 - 13 Going To 1st

[Bouchra]

I’m sad to hear that we have to sit out. I’m still reading anyway, but it will be for other challenges. We can roll next week even if the missing review isn’t posted, right?

[Meg]

Bouchra wrote: "I’m sad to hear that we have to sit out. I’m still reading anyway, but it will be for other challenges. We can roll next week even if the missing review isn’t posted, right?"

Yep, we can roll next week. It's sad but we'll catch up! 😆

[Jeanne]

Meg wrote: "Bouchra wrote: "I’m sad to hear that we have to sit out. I’m still reading anyway, but it will be for other challenges. We can roll next week even if the missing review isn’t posted, right?"

Yep, ..."

Meg, have you been able to reach Jammin Jenny? If yes, is she continuing on with us?

[Meg]

My message through Goodreads won't go through. Some of us think it only works if both are friends on GR. I'm hoping she's okay and that we'll hear from her.

I believe we can roll this coming Friday, though, regardless. At least that's how I'm interpreting the rules. I'll let you guys know if that's not right.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Yes, you can definitely roll on Friday. I can try to get a message to Jenny if yours won't go through. Hopefully she can let us know what's going on and whether she'll be back for next week.

[Meg]

Great! And we appreciate your contacting Jenny and solving this mystery.

[Jammin Jenny]

Hi all! I'm sorry I missed last week. I got sick again, and then had to catch up with work. What do I need to do for the team?? Should I read for both last week and this week? Let me know! Sorry again...

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Hi all! I'm sorry I missed last week. I got sick again, and then had to catch up with work. What do I need to do for the team?? Should I read for both last week and this week? Let me know! Sorry ag..."

Hope you're feeling better!

[Jammin Jenny]

Thanks Jamie. Yes, finally although I woke up today with a sore throat...feels good now though.

ETA: Okay I looked through the thread, and I am currently reading a book that is #7 in a series. I'll finish this by Wednesday and post it so we can definitely roll on Friday this week.

Pick for Week 2 - Dark Horse, #7 in Orphan X series.

[Meg]

So good to know that you're feeling better...its so awful to be sick!

We are sitting out Week 2, so you don't need to worry about #7. We will get to roll on Friday regardless.

[Jammin Jenny]

Okay, thanks Meg!

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Good to see you back, Jenny!
As Meg said, no need to worry about getting anything read this week. Just stand ready to jump back in on Friday. :)

[Bouchra]

Glad to see you’re back, Jenny! Sorry to hear about your illness, I hope you and your family are doing better now.

Looking forward to our next roll!

[Jeanne]

Glad to hear you are on the mend or mended Jenny!

[Jammin Jenny]

Do we get our next roll today??

[Meg]

Yesss!!! I was just going to post that it's getting close. Can't wait to get back into it. 😊

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Meg, you can roll any time now! It's been Friday Central Time for quite some time already. ;)

[Meg]

😄

I had 'after 11:59 PM Friday' as the time to watch out for.

Sorry, guys!

[Meg]

Got our next roll!

3 + 6=9 + 7 = 16

Read #1, #6, or #16, or alternate, #1 can also work for a standalone.

[Bouchra]

Yay! Can't wait to get back into the game. Now to go find the book to fit this spot :)

[Bouchra]

I think I'm going to read A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle, which is #1 in the Sherlock Holmes series. I read the fourth book a long time ago and loved it, but only discovered that it was the fourth in a series after I finished reading the book. I believe I've put off finishing the series for a long time, and this is the perfect opportunity to start with the missed books.

[Meg]

I plan to read Night at the Vulcan, #16 in the series, 236 pages.

[Meg]

Week 4, Master List
Roll 3 + 6=9; +7 =16

Meg - Night at the Vulcan review 4*
Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) - The Girl with All the Gifts review 4*
Bouchra - A Study in Scarlet review 4*
Darkness - XOXO review 5*
Jeanne - Executive Power review 4*
Jammin Jenny - A Spell for Trouble n/a

Bonus points to date = 2
Bonus points earned - 1 (a romance read on 02/11)
Total points - 3

[Meg]

Bouchra wrote: "I think I'm going to read A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle, which is #1 in the Sherlock Holmes series. I read the fourth book a long time ago and loved it, but o..."

Well, shoot, your book will be too short. It seems to have 123 pages and the minimum for the challenge is 140p. Do you have another one to read?

[Jammin Jenny]

I will probably read , #1 in series, 336 pages

[Meg]

Jammin Jenny wrote: "I will probably read , #1 in series, 336 pages"

I've been curious about this one. Can't wait to hear what you think.

[Bouchra]

Meg, I’m on my phone now so I’m not sure which edition you’re seeing, the edition I’m reading has 277 pages on Goodreads… this is the link, I’m not sure if it is showing properly… https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Meg wrote: "Bouchra wrote: "I think I'm going to read A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle, which is #1 in the Sherlock Holmes series. I read the fourth book a long time ago and..."

There's always the good old "You can use any edition of the book you read" rule... and there seem to be plenty of editions of A Study in Scarlet with more than 140 pages, so just use one of those. ;)

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Bouchra wrote: "Meg, I’m on my phone now so I’m not sure which edition you’re seeing, the edition I’m reading has 277 pages on Goodreads… this is the link, I’m not sure if it is showing properly… https://www.goodr..."

That will work just fine!

[Bouchra]

Thank you, Denise!

[Meg]

Denise wrote: "Bouchra wrote: "Meg, I’m on my phone now so I’m not sure which edition you’re seeing, the edition I’m reading has 277 pages on Goodreads… this is the link, I’m not sure if it is showing properly… h..."

Great! I had clicked the link you had and saw the page count of that edition. I really hated pointing out the page thing. I'll plug in this edition!

[Jeanne]

Well, I wanted to finally read The Lions of Lucerne, but I don't think it meets any of the criteria. So instead I plan to read The Black Widow by Daniel Silva, which is book number 16 in the series and has 528 pages.

[Meg]

Jeanne wrote: "Well, I wanted to finally read The Lions of Lucerne, but I don't think it meets any of the criteria. So instead I plan to read The Black Widow by Daniel Silva, which is book number 16 in the series..."

A nice hefty read! I'll add it to our list!

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)]

I'm going to read . It's book one in a series.

[Meg]

Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) wrote: "I'm going to read . It's book one in a series."

Got it!

[Darkness]

What can work for Asia? Like can we have book with asian mc or is it located in asia?
I do have book who have both which is XOXO Idk if this work

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Darkness wrote: "What can work for Asia? Like can we have book with asian mc or is it located in asia?
I do have book who have both which is XOXO Idk if this work"

It needs to be a book set (at least partially) somewhere in Asia, so the one you have definitely works.

[Bouchra]

Week 4, Spot 16

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
Date Read: 02/12
How it fits: #1 in series
Pages: 277
Rating: ****
Review: It has been a long time since I first read my first Sherlock Holmes book, and I’ve been meaning to read the rest of the series for a while, but never got around to it. So many books to read, such a short lifetime, eh?

I’m glad I read this one now, though. It was a quick read, compared to most of the contemporary mysteries, but it was fascinating. The backstory behind the murders made it even more fascinating, and I sympathized with the murderer to the very end.

[Jeanne]

Meg, I'm changing my book. I find that I have read The Black Widow (although it was about 5 years ago), so I am changing to Executive Power by Vince Flynn. I needed to get back to this series, anyway. It is the 6th of his Mitch Rapp series, is 512 pages, and is set in Asia. Not sure how many bonus points are possible here, but I hope more than one.

[Meg]

Jeanne wrote: "Meg, I'm changing my book. I find that I have read The Black Widow (although it was about 5 years ago), so I am changing to Executive Power by Vince Flynn. I needed to get back to this series, anyw..."

This great, Jeanne; we should hopefully get at least one bonus point from it! I'll double check. I'll change your book on our list.

I read the synopsis for your book and, while it's not my usual genre, I'm tempted to read it. I'm originally from that part of Asia and it's always fun to find books set there. It's not very common.

[Meg]

Bouchra wrote: "Week 3, Spot 16

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
Date Read: 02/12
How it fits: #1 in series
Pages: 277
Rating: ****
Rev..."

You were so quick and I'm jealous! lol. I've added your review.

[Meg]

Darkness wrote: "What can work for Asia? Like can we have book with asian mc or is it located in asia?
I do have book who have both which is XOXO Idk if this work"

I added the book to the list; just let me know if you decide not to use it. I also added it to my YA wish list; both the story and the setting sounded so good.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)]

Week 4, Spot 16

The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
Date Read: 2/12/22
How It Fits: #1 in the The Girl With All the Gifts series
Pages: 461
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I remember watching the film adaptation to this years ago and not being particularly impressed by it so I never picked up the book. Well, I’m glad that I finally did because this was really good. As interesting and unique as the story was it was the ending that really sold this for me. I loved that ending. It’s bleak as hell but also kind of hopeful. The writing was great and I had no trouble getting into the story. I definitely plan on going back and giving the movie another watch now that I know the source material. I definitely will pick up the second book once my hold comes in at the library because I’m curious to know where the story goes from here.

[Meg]

You've just about sold me on this book!

[Meg]

Is anyone getting GR notifications? I haven't gotten any for 2 days now. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone...

[Meg]

Week 4, Spot 16:
Night at the Vulcan
Date read: 02/13/2022
How it Fits: series book #16
Pages: 236
Rating: ****
Review: I've been enjoying reading mysteries written (or set in) the early 1900's, and this series is one of them. Written by a New Zealand author in 1951 but set in a theater in England, it's almost reads like a play within a play. The action takes place just over four days, and the vast majority of that action is confined to the theater dressing rooms and stage.

New Zealander Martyn Tarne is in London trying desperately to find an acting job at a theater, living as she was on her last bit of money. She lucks into a position as dresser to the star of a play at the Vulcan, as well as the job of understudy to one of the play's characters. She quickly gets exposed to the sometimes toxic players and their affairs, jealousies, and vanities. When a supposed suicide occurs on opening night Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. DCI Rodney Alleyn (star of the series) leads the charge.

The conclusion was that the suicide was indeed a homicide. The consequent unmasking of the killer leads to a second surprise in this fast-paced, delightful read.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader)]

Meg wrote: "Is anyone getting GR notifications? I haven't gotten any for 2 days now. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone..."

I thought it was just me! I'm not receiving notifications either. Weird.

[Darkness]

Meg wrote: "Is anyone getting GR notifications? I haven't gotten any for 2 days now. I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone..."

Same, it's annoying how they don't work.

[Meg]

I wish they'd respect their users enough to either send out a mass email about the downtime, or even plaster a notice across the top of the GR homepage.

[Bouchra]

I'm not getting notifications either, but on Thursday/Friday I was getting notifications delayed... hours after I'd seen a comment, I'd get a notification. *smh*