Team Ajax

[Karolyn]

Thanks Saar and Emma! I didn't even think to cross check with the Battleship thread.

[Karolyn]

Team Update

We've got about 3 weeks to go! We're doing great and I hope everyone is staying motivated to read. I wanted to share a few status updates on the current mini that might be helpful. For the competitive among us, we are currently sitting in 3rd but still within reach of the leaders!

Thalia and Melpomene (write a comedy and tragedy)
These seem to be two of the easier tasks and good places to put books that do not fit anywhere else. We still have plenty of spaces.

Urania and Polyhymnia (series and the boxes)
These are two of the hard ones, but we have all the spots claimed (yay)! If anyone is worried they won't get to a book we're using for one of these or has to DNF one... please let the team know so we can find replacements.

Erato (Pairs of book covers)
We need 6 more pairs, but can also be really creative... so be on the lookout and the captains will keep trying to match covers too.

Calliope (Read by another team member during the challenge)
We need 6 more here. They need to be read by another team member after the challenge stated and BEFORE this mini started (before 7/15).

Clio (on TBR shelf for over a year)
Personally, I think this one is hard. We need 11 more... so please take a look deep in your TBR shelves to see if there is something you're still excited to read!

Euterpe and Terpichore (Music and a Party)
We still have lots of spots to fill, but they are also relatively easy ones. What's tricky for the captains is we can't read your books - so if there is an instrument, song lyrics or poem, or food or drink mentioned in your book... please note that on the spreadsheet (pretty please).

[Deanna]

I finished 1 for Calliope today and added another to the tracking spreadsheet - so 4 remaining there.

[Elisabeth]

In regard to pairs, I'm reading Matthew McConaughey's autobiography (very good btw) so if someone has a book with an actor on the cover it could work.

[Karolyn]

Elisabeth wrote: "In regard to pairs, I'm reading Matthew McConaughey's autobiography (very good btw) so if someone has a book with an actor on the cover it could work."

I have it slated for poetry/song lyrics right now… but we can change it if we need to.

I also added it to my TBR list. These challenges always make my TBR lists longer (sigh).

[Elisabeth]

Just a thought--do we have to have two different people reading for the pairs? I have Mel Brooks, John Cleese and Stanley Tucci waiting for me. hahaha

And yes I had a quick look through a couple of team members TT reads in case there was something I have on hand that I could read, and listed at least half a dozen books that looked good for the TBR pile.

Ooh and my husband put a book about the filming of Casablanca on the pile by the bed so that might pair with something movie related perhaps. Has Elsa and Rick on the cover in the fog.

[Karolyn]

Elisabeth wrote: "Just a thought--do we have to have two different people reading for the pairs? I have Mel Brooks, John Cleese and Stanley Tucci waiting for me. hahaha

And yes I had a quick look through a couple o..."

Nothing says we can’t have the same person read both books in a pair… so that’s definitely an option.

[Elisabeth]

Karolyn wrote: "Elisabeth wrote: "Just a thought--do we have to have two different people reading for the pairs? I have Mel Brooks, John Cleese and Stanley Tucci waiting for me. hahaha

And yes I had a quick look ..."

Okay. I'll put down and as a pair and leave Matt McC as poetry.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Another week of Battleship will start soon. I’ve read for two weeks so I’ll sit out this round. Anyone who hasn’t read and wants a turn head over to the thread. 😀

[Deanna]

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. It's hot as blazes here, so I'm planning to stay inside in the AC as much as possible.
One announcement:

We need 5 volunteers for Battleship - go here to see what we need

[Shannon]

I finished a horror book yesterday. The Book of Cold Cases Im not sure if this is useable though since I finished it yesterday? Like would that be considered banked?

[Deanna]

We can use it if you finished it after 4pm EST.

[Silje]

Sanatorium is tagged horror, I can try and finish it in the upcoming week.

[Shannon]

I finished at 12:24 am on the 23rd so i dont think itll be usable

[Elisabeth]

Finished

[Deedee]

Finished two mysteries:

A Murder for the Books (Blue Ridge Library Mysteries #1) (2017) by Victoria Gilbert
Page Count: 325 pages
Letters: G, M, V

Wobble to Death (Sergeant Cribb #1) (1970) by Peter Lovesey
Page Count: 234 pages
Letters: L, P, W
Added to my TBR on: May 06, 2019

[Bee]

Finished the BOM Ariadne by Jennifer Saint.
DQ Answers: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Emma (M)]

I’ve finished the BOM Ariadne, but didn’t know how to provide links in the spreadsheet to my DQ responses see so I’ve listed the post numbers so they are easy to find.

[Karolyn]

Abir and Emma - I found your DQ posts and got them added. Thanks for letting me know where to look!

[Karolyn]

@Abir - have you finished نتيخريستوس 2 by أحمد خالد مصطفى? I see it on your shelf, but it doesn't have a finished reading date.

@Deanna - Can you please add Witch of the Federation to your TT shelf?

Otherwise updates to the spreadsheet are done for now and I'll post an update on where we are with the mini tasks between meetings later today.

[Bee]

Karolyn wrote: "@Abir - have you finished نتيخريستوس 2 by أحمد خالد مصطفى? I see it on your shelf, but it doesn't have a finished reading date.

@Deanna - Can you please add Witch of the Federation to your TT she..."

I haven't read it yet but it's planned next

[Deanna]

Karolyn wrote: "@Abir - have you finished نتيخريستوس 2 by أحمد خالد مصطفى? I see it on your shelf, but it doesn't have a finished reading date.

@Deanna - Can you please add Witch of the Federation to your TT she..."

Added.

[Karolyn]

Midweek Mini Update

So… meant to post this Monday but that didn’t happen. And I live in St. Louis and we have been dealing with some serious flooding this week - meaning it’s now a midweek update!

Thalia (comedy)
🎭 We need 15 more books, but can be creative and make most any titles work.

Melpomene (tragedy)
🎭 We need 17 more and can be pretty open and creative with titles here too.

Urania (series)
All slots claimed 🎉

Polyhymnia (3 squares)
All slots claimed 🎉

Erato (pair book covers)
All slots claimed 🎉

Calliope (books read by another team member during challenge)
📚 We only need two more books for this one.

Clio (books on tbr for over a year)
📜 Great progress here too! Only 6 slots left

Euterpe
🎺 We need two more books with instruments on the cover or in the text
🎶 And then four more with song lyrics or poetry in the text

Terpichore
👗🤵‍♂️ We need 10 more with ball outfits on the cover - think dresses, tuxedos or even a masquerade mask
🍰🥂 And then five books with food or drink items in the text
⛲️🪩🌇And finally five books with the setting for a ball on the cover. To clarify, the settings do NOT all need to match… so ballrooms, gardens, a fancy hotel or mansion - anything is fair game

Everyone is doing great and keeping the momentum (and reading) going. We’re a fantastic team!!

[Saar The Book owl]

I'll add another book with food and drink items. Then we need 4.

[Elisabeth]

Finished

[Elisabeth]

I'm going to substitute for in the pair for actors on the cover. Taste will have lots of food references for the other task.

[Karolyn]

Elisabeth wrote: "I'm going to substitute for in ..."

Made the update, thanks!!!

[Karolyn]

Weekend (Mini) Update

I was going to wait till medweek to post another update… but we’ve made a bunch of progress, so here’s the weekend update (cue the SNL theme music).
Can everyone please check in on the thread this weekend? How are you doing, any favorite books to recommend, are you excited or a little sad the challenge is almost over?

Thalia (comedy)
🎭 We need 12 more books, but can be creative and make most any titles work.

Melpomene (tragedy)
🎭 We need 16 more and can be pretty open and creative with titles here too.

✅Urania (series) All slots claimed
✅Polyhymnia (3 squares) All slots claimed
✅Erato (pair book covers) All slots claimed
✅ Calliope (books read by another team member during challenge) All slots claimed

Clio (books on tbr for over a year)
📜 Only 1 slots left!!!!

Euterpe
🎶 Only four more with song lyrics or poetry in the text

Terpichore
👗🤵‍♂️ We need 9 more with ball outfits on the cover - think dresses, tuxedos or even a masquerade mask
⛲️🪩🌇And finally 4 books with the setting for a ball on the cover. To clarify, the settings do NOT all need to match… so ballrooms, gardens, a fancy hotel or mansion - anything is fair game

We’ve got just more than 2 weeks to go! If you have anything on the spreadsheet you think you may not finish - let us know. No shame, life happens!!

[Sara]

Hi! Checking in! Sorry I've been so quiet. Work is really exhausting me. Well, less work and more my insane commute. I love my new job, but ugh, I could use less time on the road. Hm, favorite books to recommend. That's a tough one. If none of you read anything by Kali Wallace, I'd absolute recommend Salvation Day and Dead Space. Also, really enjoyed Black Sun which is a recent read. The audiobooks for The Wishing Spell and Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery were both really good. I very much enjoyed listening to them. Anyways, a little sad the challenge is ending. Love these group challenges. But, I definitely need some time to regroup and reconsider how much I read in a month, haha. Working full time is definitely cutting into my reading schedule.

[Shannon]

Ive been reading. Just at a lot slower pace. My life has become a bit hectic. Had to move out of my apartment the other day, working long hours, volunteering at an animal rescue. Im hoping to finish the book im reading within max of 2 days

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I'm always sad when a a group challenge ends and we've been such a terrific team. Fingers cross we finish in the top 3!

I've got four on the spreadsheet which I'll definitely finish plus possibly one for the battleship. I'll see if I can find a couple of short ones which fit the missing categories and that's me done. Happy reading all.

[Elisabeth]

I'm reading books about movies and actor bios atm. My main reading genre is crime but this is an entertaining diversion shaped partly by our challenge but also because my husband has read and recommended them and two have been by my bed for ages. Unfortunately I never add those TBR books to my GR shelf.

My current book is about the making of that wonderful movie Casablanca. I never knew it was a play first called Everybody Goes to Rick's.

I may be able to get in an extra one after the three I've listed, to cover something we need.

[Karolyn]

Elizabeth- when you have a minute, can you please add Naked in Death to your TT shelf? Thanks!!

[Elisabeth]

Done. Sorry!

[Sixty]

I've been laid up in bed most of the summer, so this challenge has kept me entertained! I will also be sad when it ends!

[Elisabeth]

Sixty wrote: "I've been laid up in bed most of the summer, so this challenge has kept me entertained! I will also be sad when it ends!"

That's a miserable way to spend summer, Sixty. Hope you're on the mend.

[Elisabeth]

Karolyn, I’ve just come across poetry in the text of . Not sure if that helps or not 😀

[Karolyn]

Elisabeth wrote: "Karolyn, I’ve just come across poetry in the text of . Not sure if that helps or ..."

Thanks!!! Not sure if it will help or not, but options are good.

[Karolyn]

In case you missed it (because I did), Book Lovers is the August BOM. I added it to our tracking spreadsheet, and of course if you want to use it for the challenge you'll need to finish by the 15th.

[Karolyn]

Sixty wrote: "I've been laid up in bed most of the summer, so this challenge has kept me entertained! I will also be sad when it ends!"

I was wondering how you were getting so much reading done! I hope you're on the mend!

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Get well soon, Sixty. At least it's been a silver lining with being able to read and contribute so many great books.

[Sixty]

Karolyn wrote: "Sixty wrote: "I've been laid up in bed most of the summer, so this challenge has kept me entertained! I will also be sad when it ends!"

I was wondering how you were getting so much reading done! I..."

It's pretty much all I have been doing, haha. Either reading, or doing puzzles or puzzle games while listening to audiobooks.

[Deedee]

Finished: Frames (Valentino #1) (2008) by Loren D. Estleman
Page count: 272 pages
Letters: E, F, L

[Silje]

I'm in the middle of my summer vacation, but the weather is lousy, so I've been able to read a few books=)

[Sixty]

In Book Lovers there is a part where the MC's sister is singing and the lyrics are included: "...singing an off-key rendition of "My Favorite Things," but replacing all of the listed things with her own preferences: Books with no dog ears and shiny new covers, cleaning and shelving and reading 'bout lovers!"

Would that count as quoted song lyrics?

[Bee]

finished Potion Problem by Linnea West
Page count: 146

[Deanna]

Sixty wrote: "In Book Lovers there is a part where the MC's sister is singing and the lyrics are included: "...singing an off-key rendition of "My Favorite Things," but replacing all of the liste..."

Yes, I think that works.

[Bee]

I have a day off and I want to catch up on my reading. So I need help figuring out:

- Can I read the previous BOM like The Book of Cold Cases ????
- Is there any MINI Challenges I can cover???

[Bee]

I read some books that can work for the "Read a book set in Persia (Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan)."

- قهوة باليورانيوم set in Egypt
- منزل أبو خطوة Set in Egypt
- A Thousand Splendid Suns set in Afghanistan

Can one of the Capts use them to fill the gap, I don't want to mess with the spreadsheet

[Silje]

How are we doing on the total amount of books for the challenge? Are we on schedule, lagging behind, or reading too much?=)