Team Zaphod's Pangalactic Gargle Blaster

[Kelly]

Not yet - another day and a half by the looks

[Ansel]

Hi guys, finially get the outside network. I come back to check in and with a few books finished.Completion posts would follow in one or two days.

[Becky]

Hey team :)
Sorry it's hard for me to log my reads outside of the weekend but I should have a relatively easy couple of weeks coming up so hoping to help you guys close out strong 💪

I finished a book on Friday :) Spreadsheet updated!

[Kelly]

It feels so hard in the final stretch to get everything done and dusted and sorted!

I have just started school holidays so no work for the next two weeks! My older child is off school (the younger is in daycare still) so I both have loads of time to read and no time to read - it’s the perfect time to catch up on big chores and do all the things I need to do but can’t since I’m usually working.

Tonight I’m updating everything I’ve finished like I promised I would so that there’s no confusion over the mini haha.

[Maddy]

Can Pirate be a synonym for villain?

[Kelly]

The powers that be have recommended Miriam-Webster definitions for villain synonyms https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesa... - unfortunately pirate doesn’t appear to be on the list.

[JoJo_theDodo]

**Completed the book Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree and updated the spreadsheet.

[JoJo_theDodo]

**Completed the book by Patrick Süskind and updated the spreadsheet. I thought this cover would count as red by looking at it, but when I ran it through Tineye it was not enough red unfortunately.

Maddy, I noticed you have read this book. What did you think about it?

I had a hard time getting into the book initially and found out it had a movie version. So I paused on reading the book and watched the movie. I went back to finish reading the book after that. It's definitely a disturbing story. Good actors in the movie though including, Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman. So if you like disturbing you might want to check out the movie too.

[Maddy]

It has been a while since I read it, but from what I can remember I actually liked it. Disturbing, sure, but it is well done. The obsession was described well, if I remember right. I have seen the movie too. Don't remember if that was before or after the book, but it was also good :)

[JoJo_theDodo]

Is anyone currently reading a book to complete the Yellow 9?
I am looking for my next read and found one I can read to fill this card. Just want to check before I start it.

[Apoorv]

JoJo_theDoDo wrote: "Is anyone currently reading a book to complete the Yellow 9?
I am looking for my next read and found one I can read to fill this card. Just want to check before I start it."

Go ahead, Jo!
Maddy seems to have a yellow book going, but it doesn't seem to have a 9.

[Apoorv]

Alrighty!
All we need is a couple of Reverses to wrap up all our hands.

I have got one covered - if anyone else has read any of the books currently being read or those that have already been read and not acknowledged for Reverses, please drop in a word.

If not, then it's time to read each other's read shelves :P

EDIT: Oh, and also, at this very moment, we are at the No. 1 position in the challenge!
I haven't mentioned it in a little bit - but you folks are AWESOME!! :D

[JoJo_theDodo]

Apoorv wrote: "JoJo_theDoDo wrote: "Is anyone currently reading a book to complete the Yellow 9?
I am looking for my next read and found one I can read to fill this card. Just want to check before I start it."

..."
Okay, I added it to the spreadsheet. Thank you!

[Maddy]

Didn't my previous book fit 9 yellow?

[Apoorv]

Maddy wrote: "Didn't my previous book fit 9 yellow?"

It was apparently orange per TinEye! Go figure! :P

[Kelly]

I’ll get the two mini challenge books out of the way, then if no one has the last reverse covered I can pick it up.

[Kelly]

Scratch that - I found a reverse! It’s a book I need to read for another challenge anyway, and Maddy and Jo have read it (All Systems Red by Martha Wells). It’s a reread, but that series is QUALITY sci fi.

[Maddy]

Apoorv wrote: "Maddy wrote: "Didn't my previous book fit 9 yellow?"

It was apparently orange per TinEye! Go figure! :P"

Huh. Tineye is so weird :D

[Apoorv]

So, these are the mini tasks that still need to be claimed.

-Read a book with the word VILLAIN in title or series title or in text.
- Read a book shelved as Dark Fantasy or Erotica
- Read a book with a Good vs Evil trope
- Read a book with a plot (trope/plot device/action/occurrence) that can be connected with your team villain
- Read a book with a plot (trope/plot device/action/occurrence) that can be connected with another team's villain (must be different from 46)
- Read a book with a character sharing some trait with another team's villain (must be different from 48)
- Read a book that was turned into (or was the inspiration for) a movie/tv series*
- Read a book where a character works or worked in the film industry

Please look through any of your current reads that aren't added to any mini tasks, and see if anything fits in any of these tasks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
These are the ones that are currently claimed.
- Read book a with a synonym for the word "wicked" in title or series title or in text - Apoorv
- Read a book shelved as Noir or Hard Boiled - Maddy
- Read a book shelved as Romantic Suspense or Gothic Romance - Kelly
- Read a book shelved as Monster(s) or Anti-Hero - Kelly
- Read a book from the Shelf CULT CLASSICS* - Jax
- Read a book from this Shelf REVENGE* - Apoorv

Drop in a word if you wont be don't think you'll get to your book in the next 6 days.
We are sooooooo close!!
We are doing so well.
This is getting exciting! :)

[Jax]

Apoorv wrote: "

So, these are the mini tasks that still need to be claimed.

-Read a book with the word VILLAIN in title or series title or in text.
- Read a book shelved as Dark Fantasy or Erotica
- Read a bo..."

Would you take Villianous in lieu of villain? If so I'll be done with that book this weekend (along with the Runaway Jury)

[Kelly]

I’ve just finished my reverse card. I’ll have my other two books done by the end of the weekend, and should be able to find a short book to pick up one of the last mini tasks left after everyone else has a go at them!

[Maddy]

If you move my "And then there were none" to the movie category, I have another one to fit the noir

[Maddy]

Removed one of my books. Haven't gotten to it, probably won't later either. But I will finish the meditation one, probably.

[Maddy]

Can you also give examples for these
- Read a book with a plot (trope/plot device/action/occurrence) that can be connected with another team's villain (must be different from 46)
- Read a book with a character sharing some trait with another team's villain (must be different from 48)

So I know what to look for?

[Ansel]

Hi fellows!

I am back , I can claim - Read a book that was turned into (or was the inspiration for) a movie/tv series* （oh I saw Maddy had claimed that)

The Wall

It‘s an old book but its Chinese translation was published last month if I remember correctly. It was turned into a film with the same name in 2012 and was directed by Julian Pölsler.

Completion Post: The Wall by Marlen Haushofer
the cards it fits: 0,,2

Completion Post: Under the Wheel by Herman
the cards it fits: 0,3

[Apoorv]

Jax wrote: "Would you take Villianous in lieu of villain?"

Sadly, no. Because we are looking specifically for that word in that particular task.
But, I was able to move a couple of books around and complete this task - so we should all set! :)

[Apoorv]

Maddy wrote: "Can you also give examples for these
- Read a book with a plot (trope/plot device/action/occurrence) that can be connected with another team's villain (must be different from 46)"

This is basically going to be one of the other 31 villains we have. So, for example, if we take Miranda Priestley - we could use any book where a character undermines another character or is the boss of a big empire or where an underdog ends up as the winner ultimately etc. - basically more plot-oriented.

EDIT: This one is covered. Now we need to look for our own villain and his plot!

- Read a book with a character sharing some trait with another team's villain (must be different from 48)

For this, we are more concerned about the villain themselves, so a book where we have a bossy person, or someone with white hair or someone who works in fashion etc.

[JoJo_theDodo]

Completed The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley and updated the spreadsheet. That should help with the yellow 9. It could also be used as the villain from our team, as one of the characters, Miranda has a huge ego and doesn't seem to care how she treats her friends around her. Which would be similar to Zaphod and his huge ego.

The other book I'm reading, The Lilac Girls is a very long book and I don't think I'll have it completed by the time we finish the challenge. I'm not sure if it was needed for our regular tasks at this point anyway.

by Martha Hall Kelly

[Kelly]

We’ve almost done it! So close now to the end. I should have my book finished by tomorrow, so I can pick up that final book if needed.

[Kelly]

(I’m halfway through an autobiography of Misty Copeland, a ballerina who has featuring in several films including a documentary about her and she’s danced in some Disney films)

[Apoorv]

Kelly wrote: "(I’m halfway through an autobiography of Misty Copeland, a ballerina who has featuring in several films including a documentary about her and she’s danced in some Disney films)"

This should work perfectly for that last task! Thanks, Kelly! :)

[Kelly]

No worries! I’m well on track to finish them both in the next 48 hours.

[Apoorv]

We have the laaaaaaast two books to go.
Kelly (Life in Motion) and Maddy (Voices) - let's goooo!
Take us to the finish line! :)

[Kelly]

Finishing tonight!

[Maddy]

Lol. All done :D

[Kelly]

All done here too!!

[JoJo_theDodo]

I'm not sure if the book I was reading is needed to fulfill any tasks at this point, but I did complete it and update the spreadsheet. It's been so nice to meet new bookish friends and read along side you all for this challenge. It's the only challenge I typically do each year and I always look forward to it. There is another challenge I happen to come across through another goodreads friend and even though I got a late start I decided to join it.

Just in case you want to check it out here is the goodreads group for it:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

They also have a Facebook group under the name, The 52 Book Club: 2024 Reading Challenge

Just sharing in case you want another challenge after this one ; )

[Maddy]

Oh boo. Doesn't look like we won. Oh well.
I still had fun, so thanks teamies :)

[Lilly]

Is the challenge finished already? oops, j didn't even realize, I was finishing a book today! thank you for a great time, it was fun and I enjoyed connecting with everyone here. :)

[Apoorv]

We have officially made it to the end!
And WE SCORED EVERY POSSIBLE POINT WE COULD!! :D
And boy, what a fantastic journey it was - and that is all thanks to YOU AMAZING HUMANS who made the challenge go by in a jiffy and with a lot of fun!!

I am so delighted that I could share this challenge with each and every one of you.
Thank you for being truly awesome team players.
It was a pleasure to be part of this team.

I am sure we will bump into each other in these GoodReads aisles - but till then remember to continue being as cool as you folks are! :)

[Kelly]

Wow every point available! That’s a massive accomplishment. Thanks everyone for a great three months, and thank you Apoorv for being a wonderful team leader - I’ve had loads of fun!

[Ansel]

Thank You! Time flied! Though I didn't contribute much to the team, still enjoy the time with you fellows! Thank every teammate, especially our captain Aproov and deputy Kelly! We could still exchange our thoughts in GR and keep in touch! looking forward to seeing all your books and reviews!