Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
Tower Teams 9 - The Muses
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Team Circe
I have had a truly relaxing weekend and day. Yesterday I did some things outside the house but today took it easy, did some reading, watched the rain and played some games on the porch on my tablet, now watching a movie and trying a corned beef brisket roast recipe.
I feel like I am hardly getting any reading done for some reason, I think because have so many series at once and planned more audio that I have not gotten to, but did finish two today - Hide, with a bright yellow cover that I banked for, and Visions (Cainsville 2)
If anything, I may have read slightly under because aiming for page count for some, but am aiming to get my sign-up of 23 per month, which I should hit hopefully. I am surprised how high our read numbers are on the all team spreadsheet compared to other teams. We are the only ones past 300, and we are almost 350. We definitely have some enthusiastic readers who love their books!! :) And if the cap is 630 by August 15 we are actually pretty much on course I think. Some other teams may just not be reading as much this year volume wise, it seems to vary every TT round.
@Robin - I really hope your dog is okay. My friend keeps having hers get sick too. It's rough when our furbabies aren't feeling up to par.
I just finished Sheep Queen - so the cyclops should be finished. Deciding what to listen to next, a mythology based one or a longer sci-fi....I'm reading more right now, but I'll be traveling soon on a trip where I won't be able to keep up. So trying to get things in now.
@Erin - Your reading is just fine! Including what you added to the spreadsheet today you're half a book on the positive side of where you would be based on books expected at sign up.The longer books are definitely good! We're still into that penalty multiplier for being over percentage (we're at 116% and the max is 109%) - but we were almost 30 books over last week, and we're only 20 books over now. So it's evening out with the chunky books slowing down our quantity!
I also know that some teams are keeping a separate tab for low page number books and holding them until the end - so it's possible other teams are closer to 300 books than they "officially" look.
Vicky wrote: "@Erin - Your reading is just fine! Including what you added to the spreadsheet today you're half a book on the positive side of where you would be based on books expected at sign up.The longer bo..."
Thank you, Vicky! Just felt like I'm slacking even though I know I'm not.
You are right, I have seen some teams are reading books they are not adding yet just in case, so they are very likely over 300 as well with the smaller page count books. It will be interesting to see the final scores when we come to the last few weeks. I do think we will still place high.
And you're right on the multiplier right now but that fluctuates. Glad we still have so much of the challenge left, it goes quickly usually and I'm enjoying it.
Hm, just saw the new announcement of the Supergroup mini. Looks fun but intense.
Your Weekly UpdateGot sidetracked yesterday so this is a little late.
May BOM
Wildfire this has now ended.
June BOM
The Book of Cold Cases - still a few days left to claim points for this BOM - ends July 2
The Master and Margarita - started June 8
The Witch’s Heart - started Thursday June 16
July BOM
Ariadne - Starts July 2nd
There is still time to sign up for DQs for
Malibu Rising - Starts July 16th
Monster Mini
We have officially vanquished 14 monsters, will update overnight books and see where we are.
Supergroup Mini
Head on over to our Mythics team to participate in Trojan Warships This will be run at a slower pace than the Maze and is Genre based. Books for this mini cannot be started until July 1st 9pm UK time.
Challenge Stats
We are currently in 8th place overall and are ahead in the number of books read.
Book Points: 10856 (7th place)
BOM Points: 520 (3rd place)
Total Points: 12,601
Books Read: 343
Pages Read: 121,198
We are currently at 116% of our cap, as Vicky pointed out other teams are keeping a separate low scoring book tab. We will keep monitoring this and adjust. With monsters to kill that low scoring book may be the one we need.
Monster AlertNot quite defeated it would seem. 😔
Polyphemus (Cyclops)
Polyphemus has been seen on your lands, searching for a new optometrist. Maybe he can be pacified with a good recommendation for an in-network doctor. Very hard to kill but can be distracted with sheep. He loves his sheep. Also, might distract him by discussing what a complete dink Ulysses really is despite his fame.
To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 500 and 650 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book that takes place on an island.
3.) Read a book where a character engages in some sort of trickery (your interpretation).
4.) Read a book with sheep AND people on the cover.
5.) Read a book whose MC is a farmer.
I just finished my read of Akata Woman for the set in Africa task, I added it to the tracking sheet but I don't want to do the official sheet from my phone. LOLI still have a book that will work for 2,3,4&5 for Polyphemus, but not sure I'll get to it before the end of the week. I'll probably start it since we will almost definitely get another one even if someone else gets to this one first.
Vicky wrote: "I just finished my read of Akata Woman for the set in Africa task, I added it to the tracking sheet but I don't want to do the official sheet from my phone. LOLI still have a book that will work ..."
Is this one you found on KU
Stacey wrote: "Just noticed that for the newest monster you put down one of my books for sorceress (Q4). It doesn't have that. I removed that one and you may want to consider moving the other if there is a book t..."Can you let me know how The Witch's Heart fits for sacrifice
Just finished the Red Pyramid if we are still looking for a book where the MC gets lost while being chased.
Monster AlertSirens
The Sirens have been spotted on your shores endangering ships heading for the harbor. Easy enough to defeat if you know how, don't recommend calling them one hit wonders though.
To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 100 and 125 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book that takes place on a boat or ship.
3.) Read a book with a character who is deaf (any degree acceptable)
4.) Read a book with a rope on the cover.
5.) Read a book with "Mermaid" in the text.
Monster AlertTyphon
Typhon aka the Father of Monsters has been spotted on your lands. Very hard to kill and not known for showing mercy.
To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 500 and 650 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book that mentions a volcano
3.) Read a book with lightning on the cover
4.) Read a book where the title contains all the letters in ZEUS
5.) Read a book where a MC is a father
I have to do some hunting (sheep hunting included)I started the fourth Mickey Haller book last night that would fit the MC being a father and fits the page count of 500-650, but won't reserve on spreadsheet in case someone finishes first. However, I aim to be done this week with the book so we shall see.
Looking for fits with other monsters also. My two banked books do not fit the brand new monsters, so they are saved for now.
Well, Skeleton Crew was banked, not sure if it was used anywhere by mods. I think that would fit in large page count
Looking at what we have banked we just need a book with a rope on the cover for sirens and a book where the title contains all the letters in Zeus for Typhon.
I have a rope book I'm reading this week. Can prioritize it, if don't finish tonight can have done by tomorrow.
I did have the rolling in the deep banked for four for Siren, you are right, don't think that's been used yet. I had read in case Siren came up again
Louise wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Just noticed that for the newest monster you put down one of my books for sorceress (Q4). It doesn't have that. I removed that one and you may want to consider moving the other if th..."updated the spreadsheet.
I've got Rolling in the Deep on my TBR list and will read it quickly if sirens comes up again.
I finally found a sheep/human/farmer I can cover this time around.
New Monster AlertYes we have 2
Typhon
Typhon aka the Father of Monsters has been spotted on your lands. Very hard to kill and not known for showing mercy.
To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 500 and 650 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book that mentions a volcano
3.) Read a book with lightning on the cover
4.) Read a book where the title contains all the letters in ZEUS
5.) Read a book where a MC is a father
Hey guys, I've been a little MIA for a while. I didn't realized how tired I was until the end of the school year arrived. After sleeping and catching up on everything I had been putting off, I feel like a person again.
Jen wrote: "Hey guys, I've been a little MIA for a while. I didn't realized how tired I was until the end of the school year arrived. After sleeping and catching up on everything I had been putting off, I feel..."Glad you're feeling more rested, Jen!
Jen wrote: "Hey guys, I've been a little MIA for a while. I didn't realized how tired I was until the end of the school year arrived. After sleeping and catching up on everything I had been putting off, I feel..."End of the school year is rough. This is my second year dating someone with kids and I forgot what this time of year is like. It's....interesting. I'm surprised we weren't all day drinking through May.
This was my first year working in the school system and I gained so much respect for teachers and support staff.
I penciled a few things in for the twin Typhons - we're going to need 1 more 500-650 page book, two lightning on the cover books and two zeus books.Zeus is available on KU and would cover lightning, zeus AND the father tasks that I currently have other books assigned to. If anyone is interested, we could save the father books for another task!
Finished the sheep / farmer - updating now
@Jax Can you add to the monster mini how Red Pyramid works for Read a book where a character engages in some sort of trickery (your interpretation)
New Monster AlertCerberus
Cerberus has decided to take a jaunty run through your lands before returning to the underworld. He's very hard to defeat, don't let those 6 puppy dog eyes fool you. May want to bring some milk bones and tennis balls.
To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 500 and 650 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book where a funerary celebration/service takes place.
3.) Read a book with MPG Music.
4.) Read a book with a musical instrument on the cover.
5.) Read a book that is #3 in a series.
Cerberus is covered by the bank - I updated the planning sheet if someone is around to move it to the official sheet and get us a new monster. :)
Vicky wrote: "Cerberus is covered by the bank - I updated the planning sheet if someone is around to move it to the official sheet and get us a new monster. :)"On it 👍
New Monster Sphinx
The Greek Sphinx has been spotted on your lands and befuddling your citizens left and right. Requires some planning and moderate effort to defeat, send your smartest warriors and for the love of all the gods, don't confuse her with her good-for-nothing Egyptian cousin.
To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 200 and 299 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book where the characters go on a journey.
3.) Read a book where the MC must solve a riddle.
4.) Read a book with a mountain on cover.
5.) Read a book with a brown cover (at least 50%).
I'll probably start Zeus today to help with one of the Typhons.FYI, one of the Charbdis isn't slain yet; the read date wasn't added for the book I read on that line (but it is read). T95, read date is a few lines up since it was used for 2 tasks.
Stacey wrote: "I'll probably start Zeus today to help with one of the Typhons.FYI, one of the Charbdis isn't slain yet; the read date wasn't added for the book I read on that line (but it is read). T95, read da..."
It was there when I checked it in, fixed now.
I finished The Mountains Are Calling: Year-Round Adventures in the Olympics and West Cascades but it's so new that the page count isn't in the details. My book shows 228 pages. Does that need to be addressed and if so how? (Also assuming this book counts I think we have enough books banked plus this to finish Cerberus)
Goodreads Librarian to the rescue! I updated the listing for you.I think we killed Cerberus earlier, but I'm just getting back from work so I'm going to pop over to the spreadsheet and see what mischief I can manage.
It's amazing what some days off and some sleep will accomplish. I'm about done with
which is an 800+ book but also has lightning on the cover, which I think we still need right now.I finished a book with sheep on the cover, if we get that prompt again. I'm also about to start the Book of Cold Cases.
It feels good to get some real reading time in.
Awesome, Vian! We might keep The Witching Hour in the bank for those 800 pages, depending on how many people end up reading Zeus - either way it's a good fit! And those sheep are always a bonus, LOL
Louise snuck a book she finished onto the planning sheet, so I snuck it off her Tower shelf and made it official - and the Sphinx is defeated! Unfortunately it looks like Typhon is actually a hydra and he keeps duplicating...
Typhon
Typhon aka the Father of Monsters has been spotted on your lands. Very hard to kill and not known for showing mercy.
To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 500 and 650 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book that mentions a volcano
3.) Read a book with lightning on the cover
4.) Read a book where the title contains all the letters in ZEUS
5.) Read a book where a MC is a father
Per the mod group the "volcanic eruption of need and desire" from Zeus will count for the volcano task... so Zeus is now a 4 task book!If two more people pick that up (I know Stacey is reading it!) we'll have that covered and we'll just need two 500-650 page books to fill in the page number task.
In other mini related news, I'm at 69% of The Eye of the World. I have about 6 hours of listening time left, so barring an extenuating circumstances that keeps me away from my own department where I can zone out and listen all day - I'll have it done tomorrow!
I haven't had much reading time past few days, sorry. Working right now and listening to audio. My son's car we are selling is finally being picked up today. Hope to get some reading done with ghouls book when everything else is done for the day
I'll add Zeus to my reading roster to fit in as soon as I can for either this monster or a future one since this lasts till the 15th
Vicky wrote: "Per the mod group the "volcanic eruption of need and desire" from Zeus will count for the volcano task... so Zeus is now a 4 task book!If two more people pick that up (I know Stacey is reading it..."
I am still trickling through The Good House but I am near the end so this should hopefully be done as Friday and can count as one of these if no one else reads the other two first. I'll try to aim for today but no promises on this one just yet!
Of courseeeeeeeeee we ran out of work in my department today so I had to go to another one where I couldn't listen to my book. I have about 4 hours listening time left so it will definitely be done tomorrow. Darn these chunky books!
Finished Zeus. That should take care of one Typhon.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
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)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Simone St. James (other topics)Heather Gudenkauf (other topics)
Eleanor Catton (other topics)
Eleanor Catton (other topics)
Not sure what ebook I'll pick up next. Hopefully one of the other BOMs comes in soon but it is looking like I won't get The Book of Cold Cases in time.