Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
Tower Teams 9 - The Muses
>
Team Circe

Team Shelves
• Louise (Captain)
• Vicky (Co-Captain)
• Jenn (Co-Captain)
• Jen S (Co-Captain))
• Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
• Vian
• Kerri
• Stacey
• Kelsi
• Trinia
• Cindy
• Robin
• Jax
• Tati
• Annalisa
• Celia
Team Mythics
Spreadsheets
Team Spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... - for Captains/Co-Captains
Tracking Spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... - Add Books to this sheet
Current Team Status
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
All About Towers
Points
Rules
Useful Resources
Cover colors -You can use tineye, but it is not always reliable
http://labs.tineye.com/color/
Page counts:
http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx (US)
http://www.arbookfind.co.uk/UserType.... (UK)
http://www.arbookfind.com.au/UserType... (Australia)
Countdowns
Start: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...
BOMMay 16
(view spoiler)
May 22 (Backroom)
Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 232
June BOM
June 2
Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 350
June 8
Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 448
June 16
Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 395
July BOM
July 2
Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 400
July 16
Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 400
August BOM
Discussion Thread
Official Page Count: 398["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
MiniMay Mini Rules

Meet The Muses May Mini
Our hosts on Mount Olympus (or TBR) would like to introduce themselves in preparation for the forthcoming festivities. To that end, they have inspired a mini-challenge to get your creativity started.
For this challenge, each muse has a selection of tasks to be completed. These are under the spoiler below.
(view spoiler)
◈ Only books read and finished from the start of the challenge until 9pm GMT+1 on 31st May will count for the Meet the Muses mini challenge.
◈ You will gain 5 points for each task you complete.
◈ For each Muse you complete all the tasks for, you get an additional 10 points.
◈ You may only complete each task once.
How a "spell it out" works
Spell out the word(s) using the first letter in the book's title, the first letter in the author's first or last name, or the first letter of a character's first, last, or nick-name, or the first letter of the series name. As always, if the first letter of a title starts with an indefinite or definite article ('A', 'An', 'The', etc.), you may use the first letter of the second word in the title to spell out your chosen word. If you are listening to an audiobook, the first letter in the narrator's first or last name also can be used. We're also allowing for Translators names, as long as the edition you are reading is a translation version.
Mini Tasks to Claim
• MPG Humour - Jenn
• Mask on cover
• Stars on the cover - Stormie
• Map at the front of the book - Kelsi
• Sword on cover - Kerri
• Tagged Tragedy - Erin
• Letters of HYMN in title - Robin
• Author initials in SACRED - Kelsi
• Poetry quote in the text
• MC is a writer Louise
• Royal title in book title - Erin
• 1st in series - Jax
• MPG History/Historical Fiction - Jax
• A celebration in the book
• Musical instrument on cover - Vian
• Characters attend a musical performance - Stacie
• Dancing in the book - Trinia
• Letters CLD in title of book - Robin["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
Hi and Welcome to team Circe. I’m Louise your Captain and I along with your Co-Captains (Vicki, Jenn and Stormie) will be guiding you through this Mythological adventure. This is my 6th TT and am fully subscribed to challenge addicts anonymous.
I live in a currently sunny South Wales with my 5yr old Daschund/Spaniel cross. I work from home 3 days a week and am office based for the other 2. Since the pandemic I’ve discovered audiobooks which has increased my reading stats quite considerably ( I originally signed up with 12 books/month but quickly changed it when I realised I averaged 22/month over the course of UNO). I have some doorstopper audios ready for TT which I’ve been saving.
I will read pretty much anything and generally have 2 or 3 books on the go at once.
Please introduce yourself with as much or little detail as you wish and post a link to your shelf. If you have any questions please do ask and we will get back to you.
If anyone is interested the first BOM eligible for points is The Travelling Cat Chronicles the discussion thread can be found here.We get 40pts if any of our team is selected to write DQs, I have volunteered for DQs🥴 but more sacrifices are always welcome. We also get 20 pts for reading the book and answering some DQs
Hello, Team Circe!My name is Kerri and I live in Massachusetts. We're in the midst of finally getting and maintaining spring weather and I couldn't be happier! I work as a medical laboratory scientist, specifically in microbiology and molecular. I'm married with two kids and three pets (two cats and a dog) running about to keep me busy.
That being said, I don't read a ton of books in a month, but I usually manage to finish around 6 books. Audiobooks are definitely a life saver when I really need to get a book read but don't have the time to sit and pick up a physical book or e-book! I'll read pretty much anything, though fantasy is 100% my go-to genre.
I look forward to meeting you all! And here's a link to my TT shelf: tower-team-9
Hi team, I’m Annalisa and I’m from North Carolina, though I’m currently traveling I’m South America. I’m visiting Iguazu Falls today in Argentina. I saw the Brazil side two days ago. It is an amazing trip so far. I don’t arrive back in home until the start of the challenge. If I’m not talking as much that is why. I can read up to 12 books a month, but signed up with 4 a month so I can read a few longer books or some of the books that take me longer to get through.
This will be my 5th tower teams and I’m really looking forward to playing with everyone. I’ve got a hold from the library on the first BOM but not sure I’ll get it in time.
Here is my uno shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Good Morning from Texas! As all I'm hooked on reading challenges and this will be my 6th Tower challenge as well. I mostly "read" audiobooks as it allows me to get chores done on my days off from work. I'm an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist and work 2 days a week. Which allows me ample reading time!
I'm married and have 3 boys (YA) , 3 dogs and 2 cats. We live in a small town an hour outside of Dallas, Texas. Originally a Yankee, I grew up in Buffalo , NY.
Can't wait to get started reading for this challenge and getting to know you all better !
My Uno Shelf is: TowerMuse
BOTM question....I was able to borrow The Travelling Cat Chronicles audiobook from my library. The loan ends before the start date. Can I read it before we start and still participate? Or should I try to return and re-borrow?
Hi team!
I'm Kelsi, from Vancouver, Canada. I haven't done tower teams in a few years, stepped away from challenges for a while because life got busy, but super excited to be playing again! I signed up for 8 books a month so I have time to read a few doorstoppers along the way.
I work from home as a web developer and listen to a lot of audiobooks while working, I get through a lot of books that way. I have one cat named Hermione, she is three, has a ton of energy and keeps me on my toes!
My shelf: tower-teams-9
I'm Kelsi, from Vancouver, Canada. I haven't done tower teams in a few years, stepped away from challenges for a while because life got busy, but super excited to be playing again! I signed up for 8 books a month so I have time to read a few doorstoppers along the way.
I work from home as a web developer and listen to a lot of audiobooks while working, I get through a lot of books that way. I have one cat named Hermione, she is three, has a ton of energy and keeps me on my toes!
My shelf: tower-teams-9
Hello! I'm from Ohio. This is my second tower teams but I've done several other group challenges and love them. My goal is to try to read a few longer books than normal for this challenge. I've already signed up for DQs for the book of the month, although at least one of you beat me to it.
My book shelf: tt9
Welcome everyone glad to see some new faces. Kerri spring is my favorite time of year but the UK doesn’t seem to know what season we’re in at the moment. Hopefully we’ll have some good weather for the jubilee weekend.
Annalisa your trip sounds amazing, enjoy the downtime before the challenge starts.
Trinia books cannot be started until the challenge starts, if you can return and reborrow that would be great, The May BOM can read anytime between 15th May and 14th June
Kelsi - love your cat’s name. Door stoppers on audio are definitely the way to go especially at double speed.
Stacey - that would be me, I had to check that my library had it available and signed up for DQs before teams were announced. I only ever do BOMs when there are points available, not that I’m competitive. 😏
Hello everyone,My name is Jenn and I am one of your Co-Captains. I think I've done all TT challenges so far except one. I've been captain or co-captain on almost all of them as well. This is my absolute favorite reading challenge.
I live in Arizona with my husband and our two cats Fiona and Ringo Kidd. I have two stepdaughters, 1 in high school and 1 in college at UofA. I work as an area operations manager for a large urgent care company. For fun I like reading, hiking, yoga and journaling.
I love all types of books and I go through phases of what I like best. Lately it's nonfiction books about paganism, science and business and mysteries.
I'm excited to be on this team with ya'll.
link: my shelf
Louise wrote: "Welcome everyone glad to see some new faces. Kerri spring is my favorite time of year but the UK doesn’t seem to know what season we’re in at the moment. Hopefully we’ll have some good weather for..."
Great, was able to re-borrow! thanks
Hey Team!I'm Vicky and I'm one of your co-captains. I have participated in and captained many a team challenge here at NBRC in the past but it's been somewhere between two and three years since I participated last, because LIFE.
I do woodworking and upholstery for a board game furniture company in Pennsylvania where my boyfriend and I recently (January 31st!) bought our first house. My first project after purchasing was to refinish all our hardwood floors (1900 square feet minus a kitchen and 2 bathrooms), which took me an entire month including three long weekends and most of my weeknights after work. I might have underestimated the time commitment. But now I have really nice floors!
Most of my reading these days is done via audiobook while I'm working or doing chores and I'm averaging about 4 a week. Fantasy and romance are my go-to genres but I'll read almost anything that comes with a good recommendation. My current reading goal is to try and get through my backlist of kindle books and book subscription books.
My shelf is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Louise - I totally get the points thing. I'll read the back room BOM for points. I'm really hoping they switch from the dino series, but I will read it.
Vicky wrote: "Hey Team!I'm Vicky and I'm one of your co-captains. I have participated in and captained many a team challenge here at NBRC in the past but it's been somewhere between two and three years since I..."
Board game furniture company?? You've piqued my interest! My family and I love to play board games! My husband and I play D&D, as well, but since our group is scattered across the US, we play online. Still a ton of fun!
Kerri wrote: "Board game furniture company?? You've piqued my interest! My family and I love to play board games! My husband and I play D&D, as well, but since our group is scattered across the US, we play online. Still a ton of fun!"Yes!! Have you heard of Wyrmwood? They started out making deck boxes and dice towers, smaller scale stuff. But now we make a very expensive "premium" table and a flat pack hardwood table that fits more budgets. It's super fun stuff!
Hi my name is Jax and I'm outside of the Seattle area in the upper left corner of the USA. My partner and I have six dogs and two cats, not intentionally but sometimes they choose us.
I like non-fiction especially memoir and microhistory (I just learned that term). One of my goals of this challenge will be to read Churchhill's Second World War series. I signed up for 12 books, I'm trying to decide if that's too many depending on how many really big books I decide to tackle. This is my first time doing TT so I'm not sure how to gauge it.
The Traveling Cat Chronicles is waiting for me at the library. I haven't done a buddy read in this group yet so I'm holding off on doing any DQs until I get a better feel for things.
My shelf can be found at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Vicky wrote: "Kerri wrote: "Board game furniture company?? You've piqued my interest! My family and I love to play board games! My husband and I play D&D, as well, but since our group is scattered across the US,..."Oh, yes! I watch Critical Role and they used to give away Wyrmwood stuff during their live streams all the time! The things I've seen are absolutely beautiful. I'll have to check out the tables, perhaps for an anniversary buy so I can save up. That's so awesome that you work for them!
Hey everyone!I'm Tati and I'm in Brazil :)
I'm very much a mood reader, but usually am nudged in the right direction by a challenge prompt. I used to read much more, but have slowed down a bit lately, mostly because I don't have a commute anymore (those 2 hours a day were spent reading, obviously).
My shelf link is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Hello everyone! I live is Colorado with my husband and 5 month old daughter! I tend to listen to audiobooks more now than I use to but I usually have a different book and audiobook going at the same time. I read anything and everything but I think I read more romance than all the other genres. I’ve never done a tower team challenge before so I am excited for it. I will link my shelf when I can get onto my computer
Hi Team! My name is Robin and live in the Nashville, TN area. I'm currently unemployed, seeking my disability. I live with my elderly parents and help them on a daily basis as much as I can. I have 2 grown sons, 2 grandsons, and 2 step granddaughters. I also have an 11 yo bull mastiff that thinks he is a little dog.
I haven't done a lot of challenges in the last few years, life was just too hectic. I participated in TT when it was first created so excited to be playing again. I'm a member of challenge addicts anonymous lol I keep telling myself NO MORE, but I'm addicted. I want to sign up for them all but it can get very time consuming updating them all.
I do read a lot. Depending on what life throws at me, I might read 20-30 books/month or 50-60 books/month. So for this challenge I went right down the middle with 40 books/month. I read across all genres with my favorites being YA, LGBTQ+, Historical Fiction. At one time, all I read was Romance, but that is one of my least favorites now along with Non-fiction and Horror.
I'm a mood reader so it isn't uncommon for me to have 5+ books on the go all the time. I listen to a lot of audiobooks for the simplicity of being able to multi-task. I do read physical books as well.
I look forward to reading and chatting with all of you.
Tower Teams 2022
Ahhh! Of course they're both books I would read and they both have ridiculous long wait times at all three of my Libby options! I'll have to check to see if I can get physical copies of them.
I'm definitely on-board for The Book of Cold Cases! I've been wanting to read a Simone St. James book for a minute. Hopefully my library has it as I'm trying to avoid buying books at the moment. Because I have a ridiculous amount of unread books already, lol.
I love Simone St. James. Unfortunately that means I already read this one and it came out less than 6 months ago. So, I guess I'll just read the other.
Vicky and Kerri hopefully you can get copies for June BOM. Stacey that is a shame, there's always the back room BOM.

Meet The Muses May Mini
Our hosts on Mount Olympus (or TBR) would like to introduce themselves in preparation for the forthcoming festivities. To that end, they have inspired a mini-challenge to get your creativity started.
For this challenge, each muse has a selection of tasks to be completed. These are under the spoiler below.
(view spoiler)
◈ Only books read and finished from the start of the challenge until 9pm GMT+1 on 31st May will count for the Meet the Muses mini challenge.
◈ You will gain 5 points for each task you complete.
◈ For each Muse you complete all the tasks for, you get an additional 10 points.
◈ You may only complete each task once.
Please take a look at the May mini and let us know if you can cover any of the tasks - Spellout Tasks do not need to be claimed. We have 2 weeks to complete the May mini.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
I'll read The Witch's Heart, my hold says it's available soon. Looks like someone beat me to signing up for discussion questions!
A Little HousekeepingBefore the challenge starts just a couple of reminders.
- Books cannot be started until 9pm (UK time)
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...
- Make sure that books are marked as read and on your Tower Shelf
- Books can be posted either here in the thread or on the spreadsheet, whichever you prefer.
- Please check into the thread at least weekly to let us know how you are getting.
- If you are going to be away or have any RL issues crop up let myself or one of the Co-Caps know
Above all - Enjoy
Hi everyone I'm Vian!I currently live in Marietta, Ga which is a suburb a bit north of Atlanta. I'm a theatrical stage manager professionally, but I'm in between shows right now.
This is my third tower team challenge. I tend to be a mood reader so I tend to have a physical book, ebook, and audiobook going at the same time.
Shelf link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
It looks like my library has
. I already own
and it's been sitting in my tbr stack waiting for me. Finally, getting behind in reading has paid off!
Hello all! Happy to be here and back for another round of Team Towers =)I'm not sure how many I have taken part in, but it's been at least six. I have captained and co-captained several. It's definitely my favorite reading challenge that is team-based.
I typically read several books at once and am a mood and series reader - almost all genres. I am addicted to my Oasis, enjoy select audiobooks on certain genres, and still love physical books. I signed up for 23 per month as an average, hope to get my reading kicked back in gear this year and I'm very competitive with these.
I have an adult son, Gage, and three adorable cats - Malz, Raven, and Oscar. I live across the street from my parents, which is a delight. I belong to an offline book club going three years strong with my closest friends, The Grim Readers.
Looking forward to playing with you all!
My Shelf Link -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I placed a hold with my library on all 3 BOM's. Not sure which will come in with waitlist in time, hopefully all three.Unfortunately the library's license has expired for two of them so not looking good for those two :/ Maybe they'll go on sale as ebooks sometime.
Trinia wrote: "Good Morning from Texas! As all I'm hooked on reading challenges and this will be my 6th Tower challenge as well. I mostly "read" audiobooks as it allows me to get chores done on my days off from ..."
Yay, Trinia, we're paired up again!!
Louise wrote: "Please take a look at the May mini and let us know if you can cover any of the tasks - Spellout Tasks do not need to be claimed. We have 2 weeks to complete the May mini.."
I can cover several, will put books on spreadsheet when done but in the thread will put all the spots the books cover so it can be used wherever in case someone covers a task first. If you need us each to claim a spot other than spell it out spot, let me know. I can cover Tragedy with Great Gatsby I know for sure.
Just placed a hold for all the upcoming BOMs! I've heard interesting things about The Travelling Cat Chronicles, so I'm excited to give it a read.
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Louise wrote: "Please take a look at the May mini and let us know if you can cover any of the tasks - Spellout Tasks do not need to be claimed. We have 2 weeks to complete the May mini.."
I can c..."
There's a section on the tracking sheet for this to save swapping between the sheet and the thread.
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Trinia wrote: "Good Morning from Texas! As all I'm hooked on reading challenges and this will be my 6th Tower challenge as well. I mostly "read" audiobooks as it allows me to get chores done on my..."
Happy to see familiar faces :D
Books mentioned in this topic
Book Lovers (other topics)Loveless (other topics)
The Obelisk Gate (other topics)
Empire of Storms (other topics)
Malibu Rising (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Simone St. James (other topics)Heather Gudenkauf (other topics)
Eleanor Catton (other topics)
Eleanor Catton (other topics)













• Louise (Captain)
• Vicky (Co-Captain)
• Jennifer Cunning (Co-Captain)
• Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
• vian
• Kerri
• Stacey
• Kelsi
• Trinia
• Cindy
• Robin
• Jax N
• Tati
• Annalisa
• Jen Sabo (Co-captain)
• Celia Buell
Previous Members
• Stormie Reid (Co-Captain)
Official Team Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Challenge Status Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...