TART Challenge - Round 5 - Easier Said Than Run (3)

[Gustaf]

I'm off to watch the Eurovision final but will pick up a book asap.

[Emeli]

Selection

210 pages

[AnnMarie]

Emeli wrote: "Selection

210 pages"

Hey Emeli, the book has to be on this list to count:

Gustaf wrote: "here's the list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3..."

[Starstruck]

Humming give that wolf...

I'll read Enemy Within - need to get it done for SH and I've realised Bauer isn't the author for me.

[Emeli]

AnnMarie wrote: "Emeli wrote: "Selection

210 pages"

Hey Emeli, the book has to be on this list to count:

Gustaf wrote: "here's the list: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3..."
Its spot 620

[AnnMarie]

Emeli wrote: "AnnMarie wrote: "Emeli wrote: "Selection

210 pages"

Hey Emeli, the book has to be on this list to count:

Gustaf wrote: "here's the list: https://www.goodread..."

Yeah sorry about that, disregard because clearly I cannot read.

[Starstruck]

Gustaf wrote: "I'm off to watch the Eurovision final but will pick up a book asap."

I don't know how to cope with the UK getting points 🤣

[Gustaf]

Starstruck wrote: "Gustaf wrote: "I'm off to watch the Eurovision final but will pick up a book asap."

I don't know how to cope with the UK getting points 🤣"

Me neither lol. That's huge for the UK.

[Liz (Hiatus)]

It was def. huge for the UK. So I'm trying to wake up and will start with my book soon.
Also what did you all think about Spain? i personaly was not a huge fan but i apparently missed something because it came in 3 Place.
i kind of wish San Marino had made it into the final.

[Starstruck]

I'm very pleased Ukraine won.

Still shocked that Britain did so well. I'm used to nul points 🤣

Spain was ok. I'm not as keen on ballads or the very mainstream pop songs. I did like San Marino and loved Norway.

[Emeli]

I liked THE winning song but My favourite was australia

[Starstruck]

task 15 - #56 as a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list Best MM with an actual story

Enemy Within by Tal Bauer
485p GR
How it qualifies: #375 on list
Read 15/05/22 2*
Nope. Not for me. The plot was OTT with too many coincidences and the good guys acting like unprofessional idiots. If your MCs face overwhelming odds and certain death but somehow miraculously escape every single chapter it becomes boring.

[Gustaf]

Starstruck wrote: "I'm very pleased Ukraine won.

Still shocked that Britain did so well. I'm used to nul points 🤣

Spain was ok. I'm not as keen on ballads or the very mainstream pop songs. I did like San Marino and..."

I'm all about the ballads lol. Sweden was my favorite. Not because it's my country but because it's such a beautiful song.

[Gustaf]

Gustaf wrote: "Starstruck wrote: "I'm very pleased Ukraine won.

Still shocked that Britain did so well. I'm used to nul points 🤣

Spain was ok. I'm not as keen on ballads or the very mainstream pop songs. I did ..."

But since I can't vote for Sweden from Sweden I voted for Serbia

[Starstruck]

Grouping ballads together was unfortunate, I think it's harder for an individual song to stand out when you listen to one after another.

[Starstruck]

Oh, we are on task 15 now, aren't we?

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Completion post
task 15 - #56 as a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list Best M/M With An Actual Story


Tied Up in Knots by Mary Calmes
How it fits: #950 on the list
313 pages/GR
read: 15 May 2022
Rating: 4⭐

[AnnMarie]

Task #15 : Read a book from the same list - Best M/M With An Actual Story

Madison Square Murders by C.S. Poe
299 pages (GR)
#864 on Best M/M With An Actual Story
Date Completed: 5/15
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I really enjoyed this book, the beginning to a new series by CS Poe. The main characters were interesting, especially Larkin with his medical diagnosis (Hyperthymesia, or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM), is a condition that leads people to be able to remember an abnormally large number of their life experiences in vivid detail. ) and how he deals with it in his everyday life and how it impacts his relationshios. While this was a super slow burn I am looking forward to seeing where these two go in the next book. The mystery was solid and the lead in to the next book is a baby cliffhanger but it didn't bother me so much, probably because I know I won't have to wait too long for book 2.

From the precis for book 2: "When a postmortem photograph, akin to those taken during the Victorian Era, is located at the scene…" makes me wonder if a certain antiques store owner will make an appearance?

I half read/half listened to this and while the narration was good I felt there wasn't enough differentiation between Larkin & Doyle most of the parts I listened to which I didn't love.

[AnnMarie]

Starstruck wrote: "task 15 - #56 as a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list Best MM with an actual story

Enemy Within by [author:Tal Bauer|1493..."

I read the first 2 in this series for review purposes and was not a fan but I needed to see the resolution and ended up hate reading this book. I am fine with suspending belief in books but this was so OTT that I just can't with it. When a book is this out there it takes me out of the story which I hate.

From my review: "Honestly I wish Ethan, Faisal and Sasha had left Jack, Adam and Sergey and decided to go have a poly relationship in the middle of nowhere. That would have been the best ending in my opinion, and I definitely would have read further in the series if the author continues." lol

[Gustaf]

Completion Post Task 15 - 56. As a team, pick a list with over 100 romance books on it, each member reads a book from that list. No pass for this task.

List: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...


Aced by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine
373 pages /GR
How it fits: 257 on the list
Read: May 16th
Rating 2 stars

[Gustaf]

All set, just waiting for Emeli

[Emeli]

Completion

⭐⭐⭐⭐
210 pages
Finished 16/5
Numbers 620 on the list

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I’m not checking your completions, I’m on my phone. I’ll hopefully get that done tomorrow.

Here is your next task!

Task 16 - 107. Read 8 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Team selects teammate.

Select one teammate and read 8 books initially published in the month of their birth, this is a team decision. Make sure to use the initial publication date for this task. If there is a date listed at the top of the editions page use it, otherwise I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format for the qualification. Please include the selected teammate and their birth month in your completion posts.

[AnnMarie]

I was born in November, any month is good with me though so again once 2 people decide on a month I am the 3rd vote for majority :)

[Starstruck]

The choice is

March
June
August
October
November

I can do any month.

[Gustaf]

I would like March

[AnnMarie]

March is it!

[Liz (Hiatus)]

March is good

[Gustaf]

Tracking Post - Task 16
107. Read 8 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate.
Teammate: Gustaf - March

Liz:
Completion Post
Completion Post

Gustaf:
Completion Post

AnnMarie:
Completion Post
Completion Post

Starstruck:
Completion Post
Completion Post

Emeli:
Completion Post

[AnnMarie]

I have a bit left in an audio that I will finish in the morning and I have a few books in mind for a second, not sure which depending on my mood tomorrow but I'll have a second done by tomorrow evening I imagine.

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Completion Post
Task 16 - 107. Read 8 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate.
Teammate: Gustaf - March Book 1


Rabbit Wars by Whitley Gray
How it fits: first Published March 17th 2014
153 pages/GR
Rating: 3⭐
Read: 17 May 2022

[AnnMarie]

Task #16 : Read 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate. (Gustaf/March)

Tough Luck by Annabeth Albert
286 pages (GR)
Published March 24th 2022
Date Completed: 5/17
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review: This was a quick, sweet read with likable main characters and a predictable plot about a former child star being stalked and his brother's friend who is an ex-Navy SEAL protecting him. This would have been a 3/3.5 star but the narration was great and I really enjoyed that performance which bumped it up to 4 stars so I definitely recommend listening!

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Completion Post
Task 16 - 107. Read 8 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate.
Teammate: Gustaf - March Book 2


Livingston by J.M. Dabney
How it fits: first Published March 6th 2018
190 pages/GR
Rating: 3⭐
Read: 17 May 2022

[AnnMarie]

Task #16 : Read 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate. (Gustaf/March)

Upside Down by N.R. Walker
251 pages (GR)
Published March 19th 2019
Date Completed: 5/17
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: My original review: Can I give this book 10 stars? I just adored it so much. I loved the main characters, I loved the secondary characters, I loved the story, I just loved all the things. Highly recommend this book to everyone!

This is one of my favorite books, so much so that I paid a decent amount to have a special, foil accent cover autographed and mailed to the US from Australia. I hadn't listened to the audio though and one of my favorite author/narrator combos is definitely NR Walker and Glen Lloyd.

[Starstruck]

Task 16 - #107 read 9 books published in the month of a teammate's birth' Gustaf - March

The Dragon Hunter's Son by Hanna Dare
184p GR
How it qualifies: pub 30/03/20
Read 18/05/22 3.5*

~~~~~

Faked To Death by Dean A. James
172p GR
How it qualifies: first pub 01/03/04
Read 18/05/22 1.5*

[Gustaf]

So AnnMarie, I finally read The House in the Cerulean Sea and it was brilliant.

[Gustaf]

Completion Post - Task 16
107. Read 8 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate.
Teammate: Gustaf - March


The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
394 pages/GR
Read: May 18th
How it fits: Published March 16
Rating; 5 stars

[Gustaf]

I'm going to read Jon's Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case as my second book. Should be done tomorrow.

I might not be around much these coming days due to a family emergency.

[AnnMarie]

Gustaf wrote: "So AnnMarie, I finally read The House in the Cerulean Sea and it was brilliant."

It's the first book I have recommended to people in real life in years and it is universally beloved by all. It is a beautiful book, so glad you enjoyed it!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

AnnMarie wrote: "Gustaf wrote: "So AnnMarie, I finally read The House in the Cerulean Sea and it was brilliant."

It's the first book I have recommended to people in real life in years and it is uni..."

I'm just here to update the tracking and I have to add my two cents - it was an absolutely fabulous book, one of the best I've ever read!! ❤️

[Emeli]

Completion Post - Task 16
107. Read 8 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate
Teammate: Gustaf - March

196 pages
Finished 17/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐
First published March 19, 2022

[AnnMarie]

Task #16 : Read 9 books published in the month (not year) of a teammate's birth. Teams select teammate. (Gustaf/March)

Floodgates by Mary Calmes
Published March 2nd 2014
Date Completed: 5/19
234 pages (GR)
★★★★☆
This one is kind of adjacent to Mary’s Chicago Land universe and as such I have read this book more than a few times. If you are a fan of the author then this is right in your wheelhouse, all the snarky banter! I think I will re-read the universe when the next Marshall’s book is released….soon…..hopefully?

[AnnMarie]

Gustaf wrote: "I'm going to read Jon's Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case as my second book. Should be done tomorrow.

I might not be around much these coming days due to a family emergency."

No need to stress finishing, I found an old favorite :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 17 - 61. Read 4 5 books rated over 4.5 on GR.

Books selected for this task need to have an average rating of 4.5 or higher on GR. You can find this information on the main book page under the title or add it to the settings on your shelves. Please include the average rating in your completion posts. If the average rating may drop below 4.5 during this task, for example if it is a new book with very few ratings, a screen shot might be advisable.

The pass is available for this task if needed.

[AnnMarie]

Very mad at myself for not waiting to read The Hourglass Throne as I am currently struggling with the book I picked for this task. I should have gone with an easy re-read but nooooo, I wanted to read a new book.

I am face-palming myself!

[Gustaf]

Tracking Post - Task 17
61. Read 4 5 books rated over 4.5 on GR

Liz:
Completion Post

Gustaf:
Completion Post

AnnMarie:
Completion Post

Starstruck:
Completion Post

Emeli:
Completion Post

[Gustaf]

AnnMarie wrote: "Very mad at myself for not waiting to read The Hourglass Throne as I am currently struggling with the book I picked for this task. I should have gone with an easy re-read but nooooo..."

I hate when that happens. I'm reading The Magnolia Murders for this task and I'm loving it.

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Gustaf wrote: "AnnMarie wrote: "Very mad at myself for not waiting to read The Hourglass Throne as I am currently struggling with the book I picked for this task. I should have gone with an easy r..."

Me too just finished it and loved it

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Completion Post
Task 17 - 61. Read 5 books rated over 4.5 on GR.


The Magnolia Murders by Aimee Nicole Walker
How it fits: average rating 4,62 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Read: 20 May 2022
Rating 5⭐
329 pages/GR

[AnnMarie]

Task #17 : Read 5 books rated over 4.5 on GR.

The Bridge of Silver Wings by John Wiltshire
262 pages (GR)
4.53 rating on GR currently
Date Completed: 5/20
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review: This is me tapping out on this series for real this time. It was like 2 different stories in 1 book neither of which I found very engaging. Will I ever revisit to finish the series? Maybe, time will tell. I just really don't like the main characters and I most definitely do not like them together. I love Gary Furlong so this is getting 3 stars, I could listen to that man read the phone book.