Hooked on Books discussion

212 views
Archive > 2023 Zodiac Year Long Challenge

Comments Showing 301-350 of 371 (371 new)    post a comment »

message 301: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Sammy wrote: "Ohhhhh, it can be a book we're already reading, but will finish tomorrow, yes? My current book is all kinds of perfect 😁"

Of course, divine intervention and all that.


message 302: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Yay!

In case anyone is wondering, the book I'm reading is The Swarm by Frank Schätzing and is all kinds of awesome.

Early on a couple of boats are attacked by whales, and pretty soon all of the oceans and the life in them are trying to wipe out humanity. fun! 😁


message 303: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
How LOVELY! hahaha! Honestly sounds like a great book!


message 304: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments That book does sound great, Sammy, but oh my goodness it's so long for me. If I were to read that, it would be like reading four books. That is why you are my reading hero! Putting it on my TBR for when I'm not feeling stressed to finish so many books. :)


message 305: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments The way I see it, I would be spending that time reading anyway, so there's not really any difference between a long book or a few shorter ones. In fact, if anything I prefer the longer ones because it has more scope for character and plot development.

My top 25 books of all time are almost all 500-1000+ pages 😁


message 306: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Of course, Turf Wars is messing with my mojo at the moment, because lots of shorter books means more points for that one. *sigh*


message 307: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments All so true!


message 308: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments Ashley,
Question about the bonus points. For the optional book each month is that worth one point for any book? In other words, if I read a book worth 4 points for the bonus book, do I put 4 points in the bonus book section, or just 1 point?


message 309: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
The Zodiac "Month" Bonus Task is worth page points, there is no set point value for this task.


message 310: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments Yay! When I saw you and Cat had quite a few I figured that was the case. Made a big difference in my score!


message 311: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Nanci wrote: "Yay! When I saw you and Cat had quite a few I figured that was the case. Made a big difference in my score!"

Oh good!
Next year's challenge has been greatly updated and everyone's SS will be linked and the points will all be figured out automatically, so there will be less confusion! I've learned from my mistakes!!


message 312: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments You've done an awesome job for the past two years! Still, anything that can take out user error, I'm all for!

I haven't repeated any books yet, and that was my goal just like in 2022, but I don't think I'm going to make the timeline this year. I'll wait until mid-December to see, but guessing I'll have to double up on some of the books. It's all fun, either way!


message 313: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
:)


message 314: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod

Special Bonus Opportunity

Team Wheelbarrow was the winner of the Park Place Branch of the Bookopoly Challenge and came up with a special Bonus Reading task for the month of NOVEMBER only.

🐎To play homage to the Centaur... Read a book with a horse on the cover.
This task must be completed between 1-Nov and 30-Nov (your timezone) to receive page points!


To show this BONUS task on your SS, you will need to add a row after Scorpio! Just right-click on the last row of Scorpio and select "+ Insert 1 row below". If you need help doing this, please feel free to send me your SS link and I can add it for you!


message 315: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
🕮 Formal Buddy Read BONUS:
If you match any task to a HOB Formal Buddy Read book, and read and participate in HOB's Formal Buddy Read discussion, you can add 2 bonus points to your score. (to show this bonus on the tracking spreadsheet, add a 2 to the Bonus Points column next to your book)

November's Formal Buddy Read is: Potions, Poisons, and Peril
Discussion Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 316: by Donna, Curator of Challenge Terrors (new)

Donna (dkflynn33) | 7445 comments Mod
Don't forget to fill out the 2023 HOB Survey

https://forms.gle/4EhZoJhKfsZUpgyW6


message 317: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
The SCORPIO Bonus Task ends today (midnight, your time zone)!

SCORPIO BONUS TASK:
Read a book where someone is injured by an animal or insect.

Book must be read between October 23 - November 21 to receive bonus page points.


message 318: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Looking forward to seeing what the final task is... I've only a half dozen or so tasks still to fill 😁


message 319: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments Go, Sammy! You can do it!
Sadly, I'm starting to have to put the same book in for the 2nd time in a number of spots. I really wanted to make it without repeating books, but it just wasn't going to happen.
Next year!


message 320: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Ugh! I'm a terrible mod during holidays! Here's your Bonus Task!


message 321: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod


Sagittarius

In astrology, Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac, considered as governing the period from about November 22 to about December 21. It is represented either by a centaur shooting a bow and arrow or by an arrow drawn across a bow. The identification of Sagittarius as a mounted archer was made by the Babylonians as early as the 11th century BCE.

SAGITTARIUS BONUS TASK:
Read a book where someone is shot or shoots someone else.

Book must be read between November 22 - December 21 to receive bonus page points.


💥Want another Bonus Opportunity?💥
If you match any task to a HOB Formal Buddy Read book, and read and participate in HOB's Formal Buddy Read discussion, you can add 2 bonus points to your score. (to show this bonus on the tracking spreadsheet, add a 2 to the Bonus Points column next to your book)

🕮 Formal Buddy Read BONUS:
November's Formal Buddy Read is: Potions, Poisons, and Peril by Shéa MacLeod
Potions, Poisons, and Peril (Deepwood Witches Mysteries #1) by Shéa MacLeod
December's Formal Buddy Read is: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens


message 322: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
On a personal note, I have 5 books left to read!

*U book
*"disorganized" in text (pg/%) - I plan to FINALLY finish "Ship of Magic" next month
*Author Zodiac Sign: Aquarius - I plan to use the December BR (A Christmas Carol)
*Horse on cover
*Shot or Shoots someone


message 323: by Nanci (last edited Jan 01, 2024 08:15AM) (new)

Nanci | 256 comments Part 3- This is continued from message 25:

♎ Libra
September 23 - October 22

✔L- Look Closer- Read 10/16- 448pgs- 3pts
🚩I
✔B- Breath, Eyes, Memory- Title starts with B- Read 7/14- 236pgs- 1pt
✔R- The Reader- Read 12/31- 216pgs - 1pt
✔A- Arsenic and Old Lace- Read 12/24- 104pgs- 1pt
✔Power Color: Pink ➖ Read a book with a pink cover (>50%)- Intimacies- Cover more than 50% pink- Read 7/5- 224pgs- 1 pt
✔Symbol: The Scales ➖ Read a book with "justice" in text (pg/%)- The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid- pg 130 "criminal justice system"- Read 7/2- 288pgs- 1pt
✔Famous Artist: Caravaggio ➖ Read a book with 3 A's in the title- Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue Animals- Read 12/24- 256pgs- 1pt
✔Archetype: The Diplomat/Lover ➖ Read a book with a character that is a lawyer Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life-The MC is a lawyer- Read 7/12- 288pgs- 1pt
✔Ruler: Venus ➖ Read a book that is tagged love-Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition- Read 15/8- 290pgs- 2pts
✔House: 7th ➖ Read a book with a character whose first name has exactly 7 letters- The Family Game- MC's name "Harriet"- Read 9/16- 336pgs- 3pts
✔Strength: Charming ➖ Read a book with "charm" in text (pg/%)- Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet- Pg 112 "...but with a certain charm..."- Read 8/15- 290 pgs- 1pt
✔Weakness: Gullible ➖ Read a book where a character is taken advantage of- Horse- Jarret is taken advantage of because he's a slave- Read 10/16- 40lpgs- 4pts
✔Author Zodiac Sign: ➖ Read a book by an author who is a Libra- The Known World by Edward P. Jones- Jones is a Libra, born Oct 5- Read 1/29- 381pgs- 3pts
✔🔒 BONUS TASK - book where justice is served- The BFG- Justice was served when the giants who were eating the humans were jailed for life- Read 9/27- 199pgs- 1pt

♏ Scorpio - COMPLETE
October 23 - November 21

✔ S- Waiting for Godot- SamuelBeckett- AFN- Read 11/22- 109pgs- 1pt
✔C- Every Summer After- AFB- Read 11/23- 320pgs- 3pts
✔O- Kindred- AFN-Octavio- Read 4/19- 288pgs- 1pt
✔R- The Reader- Read 12/31- 216pgs- 1pt
✔ P-Yes Please- Amy Poehler-ALN Poehler-Read 11/4- 329pgs- 3pts
✔I- A Wind in the Door-Madeleine L'EngleAuthor has apostrophe in LN- Read 11/15- 236pgs- 1pt
✔O- On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous-AFN Ocean- Read 8/27- 246pgs- 1pt
✔Power Color: Black ➖ Read a book with a black cover (>50%)- Pretty Little Wife- Cover is black- Read 8/12- 403pgs- 3pts
✔Symbol: Scorpion ➖ Read a book with something venomous on the cover -A Wind in the Door- snake on cover- Read 11/15-236pgs- 1pt
✔Famous Artist: Georgia O'Keeffe ➖ Read a book with an apostrophe in the authors name-A Wind in the Door-Author L'Engle- Read 11/15- 236pgs 1pt
✔Archetype: The Alchemist ➖ Read a book with a gold item on cover- Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator- Tip of Willy Wonka's can is gold- Read 2/4- 159pgs- 1pt
✔Ruler: Pluto ➖ Read a book that deals with the afterlife-Undead and Unwed- MC comes back from dead- Read 2/14-288pgs- 1pt
✔House: 8th ➖ Read a book with a character whose age includes an 8- Mad Honey- MC is 18- Read 11/25- 464- 3pts
✔Strength: Passionate ➖ Read a book with "passion" in text (pg/%)- A Beginner's Guide to Free Fall- P36 "played up her passion"-Read 12/13- 397pgs- 3pts
✔Weakness: Vindictive ➖ Read a book with "revenge" in text (pg/%)- The Martian- Pg 275 "revenge"- Read 9/25- 384pgs- 3pts
✔Author Zodiac Sign: ➖ Read a book by an author who is a Scorpio- The Magnolia Story by Chip Gaines- Chip's bday is Nov 14- Read 1/5- 184pgs- 1pt
✔🔒 BONUS TASK - book where someone is injured by an animal or insect- Fourth Wing- people are injured by the dragons- Read 7/4- 528pgs- 5pts

♐ Sagittarius
November 22 - December 21

✔S- How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America- ALN- Smith- Read 12/19- 336pgs- 3pts
✔A- Blessings- Anna Quindlen- Read 11/29- 304pgs- 3pts
✔G- How to Sell a Haunted House- Grady Hendrix- Read 10/24- 419pgs- 3pts
🚩I
🚩T
🚩T
✔A- All the Broken Places- Title- Read 12/7- 400pgs- 3pts
🚩R
🚩I
🚩U
🚩S
✔Power Color: Purple ➖ Read a book with a purple cover (>50%)- Dead to the World- cover is dark purple- read 5/28- 291pgs- 1pt
✔Symbol: The Archer ➖ Read a book with "arrow" in text (pg/%)- Blessings- pg 93 "arrow"- Read 11/29- 304pgs- 3pts
✔Famous Artist: Georges Seurat ➖ Read a book with a setting in France- All the Light We Cannot See- book set in France- Read 11/11- 531pgs- 5pts
✔Archetype: The Philosopher ➖ Read a book with "philosphy" in text (pg/%)- All the Broken Places- "philosophy" pg 95- Read 12/7- 400pgs- 3pts
🚩Ruler: Jupiter ➖ Read a book with a rich character
✔House: 9th ➖ Read a book with a title that has exactly 9 words- Funny Farm: My Unexpected Life with 600 Rescue - Read 12/24- 256pgs- 1pt Animals
✔Strength: Ambitious ➖ Read a book with an ambitious character- A Beginner's Guide to Free Fall- MC is ambitious- Read 12/13- 397pgs- 3pts
🚩Weakness: Irresponsible ➖ Read a book with "careless" in text (pg/%)
✔Author Zodiac Sign: ➖ Read a book by an author who is a Sagittarius- The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post-Allison Pataki- Allison was born Nov 25- Read 5/14- 400pgs- 3pts
✔🔒 BONUS TASK (will be announced 11/22/2023, must complete by 12/21/2023) Read a book where a person is shot, or shoots someone else. Pretty Little Wife-The women are hunted and shot- Read 8/12- 403pgs- 3pts.


message 324: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments Ashley wrote: "On a personal note, I have 5 books left to read!

*U book
*"disorganized" in text (pg/%) - I plan to FINALLY finish "Ship of Magic" next month
*Author Zodiac Sign: Aquarius - I plan to use the Dece..."


Doing fabulous, Ashley! You've got this!!!


message 325: by Catsalive (new)

Catsalive | 1475 comments Oh! I think I've just realised that it's only the bonuses that have to be read at a specific time, all the others can be read at any time. Does this mean I can read a January book in December, & vice versa?


message 326: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
oh yes Cat! the only time the date matters is for the bonuses


message 327: by Bernadette (new)

Bernadette (bernadettedaniel) | 1501 comments Ashley - I have six books left:

*U book
* cover has a man's bare torso
* Read a book from the Surreal Books list
* lion on cover
* title has exactly 9 words
*Shot or Shoots someone


message 328: by Bernadette (new)

Bernadette (bernadettedaniel) | 1501 comments Ashley wrote: "oh yes Cat! the only time the date matters is for the bonuses"

Cat - I am impressed with the 53 bonus points on 111 books read.😲


message 329: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (last edited Nov 23, 2023 04:46PM) (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
The 2024 (Impossible) Year-Long Challenge will be announced Dec 1st. While you wait... here are some clues for guessing the theme of next years challenge:














message 330: by ❡MaRisa (last edited Nov 24, 2023 02:04AM) (new)

❡MaRisa (risamareads) | 690 comments Ashley wrote: "The 2024 (Impossible) Year-Long Challenge will be announced Dec 1st. While you wait... here are some clues for guessing the theme of next years challenge:"

Oh, that looks like Disney or Fairy Tales?


message 331: by Nanci (new)

Nanci | 256 comments I agree with Disney!
I see: Frozen, ?? not sure...could be Frozen again, kiss a toad to find your prince- Frog Prince, Nemo, Pocohontas, Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book or Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan (in China), and the poisoned apple from Snow White


message 332: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Ashley wrote: "

Sagittarius

In astrology, Sagittarius is the ninth sign of the zodiac, considered as governing the period from about November 22 to about December 21. It is represented either by a centaur shoot..."


Woohoo! that fits the book I just finished!

I have left:

-Gemini author (my current book works for that)
-Set in Mexico (I have 2 to choose from but won't get to them until December)
-Lion on cover (will need to find something for this)
-Deals with afterlife (have one, though page #s not great. another for december)
-Man's bare torso (have read a few already, but rubbish page #s)
-an N book. should be able to find something for this if I actually look for it, lol.


message 333: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Definitely looks like Disney. And I spy Beast's library 😁😍


message 334: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Ya'll guessed, so I'm releasing early!



https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 335: by ❡MaRisa (new)

❡MaRisa (risamareads) | 690 comments Nanci wrote: "I agree with Disney!
I see: Frozen, ?? not sure...could be Frozen again, kiss a toad to find your prince- Frog Prince, Nemo, Pocohontas, Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book or Lion King, Aladdin, Mula..."


I think the glass is cinderella ^^


message 336: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Only 2 books to go! But they're going to have to wait until after wheels 😁

I've resorted to using books under 300 pages for the lion on cover task and to fill the final N. The N was only a couple of pages short of 300. Grrrrr.
I will probably have to do the same for my remaining tasks - bare male torso on the cover & book that deals with the afterlife (I was thinking The Five People You Meet in Heaven for the latter).


message 337: by Bernadette (new)

Bernadette (bernadettedaniel) | 1501 comments Lion on the cover has been trouble for me. I can't really find anything I want to read.😭


message 338: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments I ended up reading a quite dreadful freebie for that one. I can't recommend it, lol.

Afterlife done. Just one left to go!

I need a book with a bare male torso. Anyone have any recs for 300+ page books for someone who isn't really a romance fan?


message 339: by Sammy (last edited Dec 12, 2023 01:06PM) (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Ohhh, I have one! But it's under 300 pages, so if anyone knows of something good with a better page count, I'm listening... 😁


message 340: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Ashley, if all tasks are completed without using a book twice, the total bonus points is 29, yes?

(2x12 for monthly + 5 for full challenge?)


message 341: by Bernadette (new)

Bernadette (bernadettedaniel) | 1501 comments Sammy wrote: "Ohhh, I have one! But The Dancerit's under 300 pages, so if anyone knows of something good with a better page count, I'm listening... 😁"

Sammy - I listened to The Dancer by Elin Peer because it worked for two challenges - 348 pages. I think it was free on Audible. It wasn't horrible. 🤣


message 342: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Sammy wrote: "Ashley, if all tasks are completed without using a book twice, the total bonus points is 29, yes?

(2x12 for monthly + 5 for full challenge?)"


Yes!


message 343: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Sammy wrote: "Ohhh, I have one! But it's under 300 pages, so if anyone knows of something good with a better page count, I'm listening... 😁"

I read a book from this series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/9516...


message 344: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (last edited Dec 12, 2023 01:23PM) (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Have you read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series???? 🤣🤣

Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #1) by J.R. Ward


message 345: by Catsalive (last edited Dec 12, 2023 02:49PM) (new)

Catsalive | 1475 comments I just have ten in the title to go. Any recommendations?

Next year I'll work on one book per task, no way could I manage it this year.


message 346: by Bernadette (new)

Bernadette (bernadettedaniel) | 1501 comments Catsalive wrote: "I just have ten in the title to go. Any recommendations?

Next year I'll work on one book per task, no way could I manage it this year."


I read 10th Anniversary by James Patterson - easy read - 395 pages


message 349: by Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger (new)

Ashley Basile (smashreads) | 5627 comments Mod
Subtitles are fine, but stay away from Series Title


message 350: by Sammy (new)

Sammy (sammystarbuck) | 3765 comments Thanks guys!

Looks like Dark Lover is only on audible in Spanish (!?!) - in the UK anyway - but The Dancer is available.

Note to those of us planning to write books to make people's challenge lives easier: A few books with bare male torsos that aren't romance please! (just don't forget the Y title, X and Q characters, yellow cover and other assorted stuff we also need 😂)


back to top