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PtP - Plots-a-Percolating (7)
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ForTheLoveofBrishen wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "Thanks for posting the call Em! I was out last night with friends and didn't get home until late!We're in really good shape - I still need to read my book from last week's call bu..."
There are a few Aussie/NZers in the group, including me ;) And we have some great authors so its easy to include!
Week #9 Selection Post
☕️ Option 2
☕️ Task: Flat White - a barista coffee originating from Australia or NZ
☕️ Book: Happy Places by Emily Henry
☕️ Link: Happy Place
☕️ Page numbers: 395
☕️ Team member: LaurLa
☕️ Date team member read book: May 23, 2023
☕️ Team member rating: 4 stars
Week 9 Selection Post Option 1
Week #: 9 - Read a book by an Australian/NZ author
Bookcover/link: Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry
Page numbers: 169
How the book qualifies: Author Sarah Mayberry is Australian
[*book:Her Best Worst Mistake|13633179]
Week 9 Completion Post
Week #: 9 - Read a book by an Australian/NZ author
Bookcover/link: Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry
Page numbers: 169
Date Read: 19 Nov
Rating: 4 stars. A great change of pace with this category contemporary romance. No hidden misogyny and a great enemies-to-lovers romance. I loved how the relationship developed slowly even for a shorter book.
How the book qualifies: Author Sarah Mayberry is Australian
[*book:Her Best Worst Mistake|13633179]
Week 9 Selection Post Option 1
Week #: 9 - Read a book by an Australian/NZ author
Bookcover/link: Satisfaction by Sarah Mayberry
Page numbers: 300
How the book qualifies: Author Sarah Mayberry is Australian
[*book:Satisfaction|20933353]
Completion PostWeek 9: Read a Book by A New Zealand Author set in NZ
Option 1: Flat White - a barista coffee originating from Australia or NZ
Week #: 9
Bookcover/link: Kāwai For Such A Time As This by Monty Soutar
Page numbers: 371
How the book qualifies: Set in New Zealand and Set in New Zealand
Date Read: November 21-23
Rate: 4 stars
Review:
This was one of my highly anticipated reads for 2023 and I am so glad I finally got to fall into the past and "see" this world. It is this sweeping temporal tale and we get to travel through time, through the poignant, heartbreaking and warring stories of a broken Maori tribe. I feel like I've just been back home looking at a gorgeous tapestry of pain and beauty and all the little pieces that make up a culture and deep ancestral roots. It is quite a retelling. Dr Soutar is a historian and the reader is given more than just glimpses in this epic story and at times you're left wondering "Did that really happen?" and even though it's Historical Fiction it almost feels fantastical. I loved this book.
[*book:Kāwai For Such A Time As This|61991706]
Completion Post ➖ Week 9Option 1
Call ➖ 11. Flat White - a barista coffee originating from Australia or NZ
Task ➖ Read a book written by an Australian or New Zealand author or set in Australia or NZ
Book ➖ Just Say Yes
Pages ➖ 384 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ➖ Set in New Zealand oer the series name: Escape to New Zealand; also mentions in the precis that the MC is an All Blacks rugby player
Date Read ➖ 11.24 ★★★★
Review ➖
I've loved this series even though I've been reading it slowly over the years. It's sort of been like a slow savor of something really good! This book is one of my favorites - I love the by-play between Kevin and Chloe, although they got a rocky start. Zavy was adorable too! I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
Week 10Option 1
16. Instant Coffee - for when you are away from civilisation
Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent.
Words in tags such as 'remote', 'wilderness', 'camping', 'woods', 'forest'
Qualification may come from the GR main book page, lists and tags.
Option 2
Key date: 26 May 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Book from your teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Option 3
Pass
Allowed one person per team per week, and once every 4 weeks per person
Selection PostWeek 10: Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location
Option 1: Instant Coffee - for when you are away from civilisation
Week #: 10
Bookcover/link: Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
Page numbers: 384
How the book qualifies: Treasure Hunting in Red Rock Canyons of Utah. Wilderness Survival storyline: isolated and dangerous mazes of the Canyonlands
[*book:Something Wilder|59345253]
Thanks for posting Em!Oy, this one seems a lot harder!
Week 9 Completion Post Option 1
Week #: 9 - Read a book by an Australian/NZ author
Bookcover/link: Satisfaction by Sarah Mayberry
Page numbers: 300
How the book qualifies: Author Sarah Mayberry is Australian
Date Read: 11/25/23
Rating: 2 Stars
Review:
I really didn't like this book but gave it 2 because the writing was okay. Maggie was a little over the top and dramatic for me. She had to be in control of everything and I mean everything. She owns a bookstore and is in a book club. She meets Rafe at a tattoo parlor in hopes to seduce him but it doesn't go as planned. Rafe has an ex, Lena, that he's still hung up on and can't get over. The whole book is kind of a cat and mouse game to me, with Rafe and Maggie just going back and forth. I think maybe the second book of the series might be better because I'll like the characters more. This one I just didn't like that much.
[*book:Satisfaction|20933353]
LaurLa wrote: "Thanks for posting Em!Oy, this one seems a lot harder!"
Yeah, I might be going for option 2.
LaurLa wrote: "Thanks for posting Em!Oy, this one seems a lot harder!"
Take two (I replied to myself by accident).
Maybe this will help? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
I found a book I wanted to read here but then I posted on reddit and got a better suggestion (Christina Lauren) but the list had a few good one. There's also another listed called Stranded or something, it mentions wilderness but also disasters.
I’m currently reading my book for last week. I haven’t found one for this week yet. It has to be 100 pages, right? I had a novella I thought would work, but it was 97 pages! Ugh. 😩
I can read any book from a series as long as book in the shelf within the date range right?Just for tracking (and I'll do a proper selection post later) - From Laurla's book list, Grin and Beard It, read on July 22. I'll either read this or re-read the first in series.
Vi wrote: "I can read any book from a series as long as book in the shelf within the date range right?Just for tracking (and I'll do a proper selection post later) - From Laurla's book list, [book:Grin and ..."
Yes. As longs as the book on the teammate's shelf is within the date range, you can read any book from that series. Also known as the series substitute rule :-)
Em wrote: "I’m currently reading my book for last week. I haven’t found one for this week yet. It has to be 100 pages, right? I had a novella I thought would work, but it was 97 pages! Ugh. 😩"Same boat! Working on Week 8's book and was struggling with a book for this week. I finally found some options and asked for Jane's approval. I haven't done my selection post yet but I'll probably read Winning Back His Wife - it's very short 107 pp. For some reason that one isn't available on Amazon any more but most of the rest of the series is - they are all short and most will probably work since it's about an 'adult summer camp'. But if you want that first one, I can probably get you the ebook - send me an PM if so.
And yes, must be 100 pp
ForTheLoveofBrishen wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "Thanks for posting Em!Oy, this one seems a lot harder!"
Take two (I replied to myself by accident).
Maybe this will help? https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3......"
That's a good list and lot's on it I've read! I found another option but thanks for sharing! Maybe it will help Em!!
Selection Post ➖ Week 10Option 1
Call ➖ 16. Instant Coffee - for when you are away from civilisation
Task ➖ Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent
Book ➖ Winning Back His Wife
Pages ➖ 107 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ➖ tagged camp / campers 2 times
[*book:Winning Back His Wife|30752437]
LaurLa wrote: "Vi wrote: "I can read any book from a series as long as book in the shelf within the date range right?Just for tracking (and I'll do a proper selection post later) - From Laurla's book list, [boo..."
Oh thanks! I'll post my selection post tomorrow.
Is this right? I have no selection posts (week 10) for Vi, Em and Anna?
Jane (PS) wrote: "Is this right? I have no selection posts (week 10) for Vi, Em and Anna?"Looks that way. I've sent them a message :-)
Completion Post ➖ Week 10Option 1
Call ➖ 16. Instant Coffee - for when you are away from civilisation
Task ➖ Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent
Book ➖ Winning Back His Wife
Pages ➖ 107 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ➖ tagged camp / campers 2 times
Date Read ➖ 11.30 ★★★
Review ➖
Short and sweet is what I can say about this one. It started off with a nice bit of tension between the estranged husband and wife but was almost too easily resolved. Not that I enjoy long drawn out angsty romances but I felt like there could have been just a few more sparks before they turned lovey-dovey! It was fun to see how this camp got started though, as I've read other books in the series before this one.
Completion Post ➖ Week 8Option 1
Call ➖ 3. Earliest credible evidence of coffee-drinking as the modern beverage appears in 15th Century
Task ➖ Read an historical romance
Book ➖ Rescued by a Rogue
Pages ➖ 347 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ➖ mpg historical romance
Date Read ➖ 12.01 ★★★
Review ➖
I've put off reading this for a long time! It's been on my TBR for years and years. The issue is that I don't really like 'old skool' historical romances (this was originally written in the late 70s). They are usually way too long and have way too much angst for me - I like my reading to mostly be fun and easy because escapism. I had read the first in the series and I enjoyed it okay so decided to stick with it... but there this one languished on my TBR... Anyway, I did enjoy this - not loved but it was okay. I had a problem with the heroine being sometimes TSTL and sometimes super strong and resilient. So I can't decide if I really liked her or not. Same with the hero. Also, it did bring in an old school trope of forced seduction which would not fly in a book written today - at least not in the way this book is intended. I own the whole series, so I'll keep them on my TBR but again, they'll probably languish there until I need them for a challenge task - probably tasks having to do with when written as I have way more fun books to read for anything historical romance!
Happy Friday, my Percolating ladies!! Here's a status check - I also sent PMs just as another type of reminder. Sorry if I come off naggy 😌Week 10 - need selection AND completions
- Vi
- Em
- bamaace83
Week 9 - need completion
- Em
Please let me know if I've missed your post somewhere!
As we head into week 11 - if we want to try for the win, we have to be all caught up and then also be the first to finish reading for the call, including having both selection and completions post for the call.
I am okay either way with trying for the win. It's fun to win but I just enjoy this challenge regardless so don't feel the need to kill myself or push teammates to read faster than they like. Just chime in with what you'd like to do!
Week #10 Selection Post
☕️ Option 1
☕️ Task: Instant Coffee - for when you are away from civilization. Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location, or where at least one MC sleeps in a tent.
☕️ Book: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
☕️ Link: [book*:Book Lovers|58690308]
☕️ Page numbers: 377
☕️ How the book qualifies: Setting (Sunshine Falls) is a remote location. (MC also sleeps in a tent.)
Tagged Small-town by 442 people
Tagged Trope-small-town by 13 people
Tagged Setting-Small-Town by 5 people
Tagged Small-Town-Life by 5 people
Tagged Travel-Romance by 3 people
Tagged Roadtrips by 3 people
Tagged Summer-Camp-tbr by 1 person
Setting- “Sunshine Falls” per précis; small town per précis
Per Author’s website- Sunshine Falls is based on several little mountain towns
Week #9 Completion Post
☕️ Book: Happy Places by Emily Henry
☕️ Link: [book*:Happy Place|61718053]
☕️ Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☕️ Review: I have avoided Emily Henry’s books because I didn’t want to be disappointed by the hype. I shouldn’t have waited so long! I love her style of writing- witty banter, random hilarious lines that come out of nowhere, good character development, and mental health themes. For this book, I LOVED the MC learning how to “fight fair” and how to talk honestly about conflict instead of avoiding it to avoid discomfort. Also, I totally sobbed (at 3am) reading the conversation about why they broke up. I really enjoyed the book, then immediately read Book Lovers and loved it, too.
Thanks for posting Em!! I'm concerned about your week 10 book. Jane said she ruled out small towns https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Can you ask her to approve your book in the Q&A?
Week 10 Selection Post Option 1
Week #: 10 - Read a book set in the wilderness or in a remote location
Bookcover/link: City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong
Page numbers: 471
How the book qualifies: Tagged 'Wildnerness' x10 here
[* book:City of the Lost|25362841]
Sorry! I was waffling too long and trying to check which book I can get from the library.
LaurLa wrote: "Thanks for posting Em!! I'm concerned about your week 10 book. Jane said she ruled out small towns https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"
I posted this in Q & A, but will post it here, too.
Jane, can you look at my selection post for week 10. I selected Book Lovers by Emily Henry. I thought I could use it as option 2, but didn’t realize that teammate wasn’t still active. The book is set in a remote location- there is plenty of evidence in the book, also the MC does sleep in a tent, but it wasn’t easy to find evidence. I looked through all 100 pages of tags. Do I need to pick a new book?
Hi Em - yes I ruled out small towns. The only option from your tags is 'summer camp' that could work, and these types of camps seem to set away from town in more remote locations on lakes and mountains. So for that reason I will allow 'summer camp'.
I'm trying to find a book for week 10. I have resorted to option 2. I'll get it posted asap because I think I'm late!
Week 10 Selection Post Option 2
Week #: 10 - Option 2
Key date: 26 May 2023
State date your teammate read the book and their rating
Bookcover/link: Roomies by Christina Lauren
Page numbers: 366
How the book qualifies: Teammate is Vi, read this book on 10-24-23 and gave it 3 stars
[*book:Roomies|34466910]
Week #10 Completion Post
☕️ Book: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
☕️ Link: [book*:Book Lovers|58690308]
☕️ Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
☕️ Review: Why did I wait so long to read Emily Henry’s books?! My thoughts about this book: 1) I adored Charlie and the sweet things he said to her. 2) Henry addresses mental health themes so well. The look at how Nora and Libby dealt with grief was beautifully done. 3) I loved the storyline included not only love interest, but also her relationship with her sister. 4) Another beautiful part of this story is reflecting on how quick judgements are often assumptions based on our interpretation of a person, and often in a negative light. It is worth getting to know someone on a deeper level before passing judgment on a person’s character.
WEEK 11Option 1
17. Per capita, Europe has the highest coffee drinking nations
Read a book set in Europe (mainland plus British Isles). British Isles includes UK and Ireland.
Option 2
Key date: 2 June 2023
If you use this option, this week you must select your book from the team shelves immediately below your team in this list. The last team picks from the first team.
9 Got a Latte to Read
1 Brew HaHa!
2 Caffeinated Chapter Chasers
3 Livin' La Vida Mocha
8 Lattes & Lovers
6 Bean There, Read That
7 Plots-a-Percolating
5 Patronum Espresso
10 Books & Brews
4 Brewed Awakening
Book from this teammate's shelf must have been read on or after this date, and rated at least 3 stars. Please note all three pieces of information on your post - teamie, date & rating.
Please make sure the teammate you select your book from is CURRENTLY still playing the game. Players' shelves who have left at not available for this option.
Option 3
Not available this week
Selection Post ➖ Week 11Option 1
Call ➖ 17. Per capita, Europe has the highest coffee drinking nations
Task ➖ Read a book set in Europe
Book ➖ Return to Monte Carlo
Pages ➖ 207 pp (GR kindle, linked edition)
How it fits ➖ setting Monte Carlo per main book page
[*book:Return to Monte Carlo|199213567]
Em wrote: "I have avoided Emily Henry’s books because I didn’t want to be disappointed by the hype. I shouldn’t have waited so long! I love her style of writing"Em wrote: "Why did I wait so long to read Emily Henry’s books?!"
I really love her books too. I ran across something a little older by her when I was searching for a magical realism book. It's a little different than her contemporary books and definitely YA but thought I'd share. The Love That Split the World. It's one of my favorite reads this year.
LaurLa wrote: "Happy Friday, my Percolating ladies!! Here's a status check - I also sent PMs just as another type of reminder. Sorry if I come off naggy 😌Week 10 - need selection AND completions
- Vi
- Em
- bam..."
Hi Laurla, when is the latest I can post my Week 10 completion post? I'm 200 pages behind. My Frenchies (Bilbo and Pippin) were neutered on Thursday and I've been focused on their after care which is another level of exhaustion trying to keep them from playing or nibbling their stitches and keeping my border collie away from them. Anyway, I will set aside a few hours later tonight to get through the last 200 hundred pages. Is that too late? I'd post the completion post Saturday late afternoon or early evening PST time.
Is that okay?
Team 3 has won! Congrats to them!Thank you all for being a great team. This is my favorite challenge and I’m always excited for it and the only one I actually raise my hand to captain because I love it! I hope you all had fun reading this time too 😍
As for finishing your books, that is entirely up to you. I’m not sure I will. I fell asleep (sigh) reading and may just put aside for later.
Oh Wow, is the challenge over for this year?
Thanks for being a great captain and team. I always like this challenge.
ForTheLoveofBrishen wrote: "Oh Wow, is the challenge over for this year?"Yes. a winner has been announced. But you can finish reading for the calls if you want. Like I said, I may put mine aside but usually I hate leaving the last call 'unfinished' so it's totally up to you.
LaurLa wrote: "ForTheLoveofBrishen wrote: "Oh Wow, is the challenge over for this year?"Yes. a winner has been announced. But you can finish reading for the calls if you want. Like I said, I may put mine aside ..."
Thanks Laurla and Everyone on Team 7! It was a wonderful first GR group challenge for me.
Have a great festive season!
Ohh congrats to Team 3. Great job everyone!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Love That Split the World (other topics)Return to Monte Carlo (other topics)
Return to Monte Carlo (other topics)
Book Lovers (other topics)
City of the Lost (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Christina Lauren (other topics)Sarah Mayberry (other topics)
Sarah Mayberry (other topics)
Sarah Mayberry (other topics)
Sarah Mayberry (other topics)
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We're in really good shape - I still need to read my book from last week's call but I'll get to t..."
Thank you Em and Laurla! Also I am having such a blast with this group being my first active challenge on GR. And this week is the best so far (hehe - I might be biased)- I did not expect to see my home country up there.
Have a great reading week everyone!