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PtP R23 - Night of the Living Bread (7)
message 151:
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MountainKat, Moderator
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Oct 28, 2024 10:53AM
Tracking updated through here. 😊
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Week 3: - Completion: - Option 1: 9. After mixing, let it rise.* Read a book from a popular new author. Their first published book must be from the year 2020 or later.
Please note their first published book , along with its date of publication, in your qualification. You do not need to note how/why they are popular.
Book: Saint X
Author: Alexis Schaitkin
Page Count: 1st edition, Kindle Edition, 389 pages
Qualification: From Listopia Debuts of 2020 #10 on the list. The book was first published in February 4, 2020
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.25
Date Read: 10/26/2024
Review: I heard so many good things about the debut novel of Alexis Schaitkin, while I was reading I felt a little bit like reading Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, but this time the family of the victim has a kind of redemption.
Saint X is complex, character-driven stories that explore the intricate and often devastating consequences of grief, obsession, and the unbreakable bonds between family members, particularly sisters. There are themes in this book that had a big potential for my enjoyment, but for some reason the execution was a little flat. I didn't connect with any of the characters I had the same feelings when I was reading Of Mice and Men. It is one of the times I am glad that I didn't buy the beautiful cover and I managed to borrow both the ebook and the audiobook through the library with the Libby app.
Week 4: - Completion: - Option 1: 17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day Read a book from one of the following lists: Best Seasonal Romance_Christmas & Winter, Contemporary Christmas Winter Romance, Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance, Best Gay Winter Themed Romancen. You do not need to note how/why they are popular.Book: Savor the Moment
Author: Nora Roberts
Page Count: 1st edition, Kindle Edition, 353 pages
Qualification: : Best Seasonal Romance {Christmas, Winter} #21 on the first page
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read 10/28/2024
Review: It has been a couple years since I read the first and second instalment of the Bride Quatret series. It calms when you are revisiting characters you know but the protagonists are Laurel, the magic worker of the Wedding cakes and Del, Parker's over protective brother of the four heads of the Vows wedding planning company.
Yes, the story is very predicable, but at the same time very entertaining. Savor the Moment is a story that has strong focus on friends-to-lovers tropes, it is a book who shows how relationships blossom between best friends and their charming, intelligent brothers, set against the backdrop of a wedding planning company.
Vows wedding planning company is a found family with romance and friendship, and Mrs. G is the responsible adult that knows what to say and what to do at the difficult moments.
If you have a sweet tooth take with you something to munch because there is a lot of food talk both savory and salty.
I got the tracking updated this evening before I pack the computer away for the trip. Weeks 1 through 3 - Complete!
Week 4 - All selections made and only two completions outstanding!
Doing great everyone!
I should be done and post my review by tomorrow 🙃
MountainKat wrote: "Week 4: 17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day.Selection Posts
MountainKat: My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr; message #143
Avigail: Savor the Moment b..."
Completion post: Week #4
Option 1: PTP 17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day
Book title: Bring Me Home For Christmas by Robyn Carr
Bring Me Home for Christmas
Star Rating: 4.5
Review:
Becca and Denny were a couple for three years, then Denny broke up with her. It has been a few years and Becca is in a new relationship, but she still has Denny on her mind. Before agreeing to become engaged to her new beau, Becca decides that she needs to get Denny off her mind, so she crashed Denny’s men-only hunting trip. It is bad enough that she invites herself on the trip, but then her stubbornness leads to an injury. What a complete mess, or is it? Denny and Becca had a lot of hurt, half-truths, and misunderstandings to overcome. Navigating through these things, while working on improving their communication, forced the two of them to grow, come out of their comfort zones, and form a deeper bond. Overall, this was a cute and humorous second chance romance. Aside from the incorrect biblical reference about Ruth, I enjoyed the story. I was surprised to learn that Virgin River is a series on Netflix. I will have to look into obtaining the rest of the books or watching the series.
Week 4 - Completion PostOption One
Task: Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance
Book: Sweater Weather by Lorelei M. Hart
Pages: 174
Date Read: 10/29
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: So I'm not crazy about omegaverse books - it's just not my thing and this book didn't change my mind. Meeting to completely in love in days; never really felt like I got to know the characters that well. A strange epilogue (view spoiler)It had some cute moments but I won't remember it for long and I don't have any grand desire to read more in the series.
NEW THEME!Week 5
Option 1
2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.
MPG = main page genre.
This means the genre must show up on the book's main page on GR. You can click on 'more' but you can't go to the full page of tags (once you click on 'show all')
Option 2
Key date: 3 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
Week 5: 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC.Selection Post
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger, 320 p. per GRMPG Historical Fiction and Historical
Week 5: Selection PostOption 1
Book: Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas
Author: Joanna Chambers
Pages: 108
How it Fits: MPG Historical and Historical Fiction
[*book:Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas|42625934]
Kat & Danielle, I believe you have a typo in your selection posts. We are on week 5 :)
Aiswrya wrote: "Kat & Danielle, I believe you have a typo in your selection posts. We are on week 5 :)"Thank you! I've been all over the place - literally as well as figuratively so the help is really appreciated!!
And it wasn't even a copy and paste error... 🙄
MountainKat wrote: "NEW THEME!Week 5
Option 1
2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.
MPG = main page genre.
This means the genre must show u..."
Selection Post Week # 5
Option 1: PTP 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approx. 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.
Vivid by Beverly Jenkins
Vivid
Number of pages: 400 per GR
How the book qualifies:
From precis on GR:
It's 1786 and Dr.Viveca Lancaster is frustrated by the limits placed upon female physicians of color.
MPG: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical
MountainKat wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Kat & Danielle, I believe you have a typo in your selection posts. We are on week 5 :)"Thank you! I've been all over the place - literally as well as figuratively so the help is r..."
Haha I can relate with those weeks! Has the baby arrived?
Aiswrya wrote: "Haha I can relate with those weeks! Has the baby arrived?"Not yet! I beat him here. 😊 I don't think she is going to a whole lot longer, but it is up to him at this point. Nice to have a little time to decompress and get adjusted to the different time zone and schedule.
What a beautiful blessing 🙌🏾 Congratulations on the anticipated arrival of the addition to your family 🎊
PurpleLadi wrote: "MountainKat wrote: "Week 4: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
Avigail:
PurpleLadi:
Danielle Gypsy Soul:
Aiswrya:
Selection Post Week # 4
Option 1: PTP 17. Eat it straight away or freeze for anoth..."
Hi PL - your week 4 selection post is confusing... If you could at least keep a few lines between your reply to MKat's post and your selection (eg your week 5 selection) that would be appreciated.
Even better would be to just type in your selection per the second part of your posts.
Thanks!!
(Anything that makes it easier to track, the better for everyone ;)
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Week 4: Selection PostOption 1
Book: Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas
Author: Joanna Chambers
Pages: 108
How it Fits: MPG Historical and Historical Fiction
[*book:Mr..."
Please update to week 5 :)
Week 5: - Selection: - Option 1: - 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC* Read a book with MPG historical.
MPG = main page genre.
This means the genre must show up on the book's main page on GR. You can click on 'more' but you can't go to the full page of tags (once you click on 'show all')
Book: The Summer Before the War
Author: Helen Simonson
Page Count: 1st edition, Kindle Edition, 472 pages
Qualification: MPG : Historical and Historical Fiction
Jane (PS) wrote: "Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Week 4: Selection PostOption 1
Book: Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas
Author: Joanna Chambers
Pages: 108
How it Fits: MPG Historical and H..."
Done - time flies! ;)
Jane (PS) wrote: "PurpleLadi wrote: "MountainKat wrote: "Week 4: Selection Posts
MountainKat:
Avigail:
PurpleLadi:
Danielle Gypsy Soul:
Aiswrya:
Selection Post Week # 4
Option 1: PTP 17. Eat it straight away ..."
Okay, Sorry.
MountainKat wrote: "Week 5: 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC.Selection Posts
MountainKat: Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger; message #159
Avigail: ..."
Completion post: Week #5
PTP 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approx. 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.
Vivid by Beverly Jenkins
Vivid
Book cover/link
Star Rating: 5
Review:
This is a wonderful romance, but it is not a fluffy feel-good love story. It actually tackles real issues and has some substance. At the start of the book, the reader is thrown into 1876, during the early stages of Jim Crow Law, following the aftermath of the civil war. Blacks are increasingly becoming fed up with a government that once solicited votes are secured, forgets all campaign promises, while turning a blind eye to the atrocities perpetrated on its Colored constituents. In many states, women are still viewed as second class citizens and were not taken seriously or respected in several male dominated professions. Also, many medical treatments, despite being found unhelpful and dangerous, continue to be widely practiced on patients.
Dr. Vivica Lancaster, a beautiful, black, highly educated, well breed, wealthy, gun toting, poker and billiards playing, single lady just does not fit the 1876 female mold. In this male dominated society, she had to convince Mayor Nate Grayson, that his preconceived notions of her character and abilities, which is based on his ex-wife, is incorrect and grossly unfair so he would allow her to keep her job and be given the opportunity to prove her competence. Dr. Vivica must also fight prejudice, outdated medical practices, and abuse to be taken seriously.
Ms. Jenkins has a beautiful way of interweaving historical events with fictional characters to entertain while educating the reader. It is unfortunate how so much Black American history has been buried, so not taught in schools. I appreciate the bibliography Ms. Jenkins includes at the back of her books, so readers can delve deeper into little-known historical facts.
Week 5 Completion A Kiss for Midwinter
Read - 11/5
Rating - 2.5
Review: I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first two books in the series. The whole idea of 11th prettiest girl, the dude trying to hard to be candid because he was a doctor, and the repetitive conversations about the pregnancy and the girl’s “ruination” grated on my nerves. Wouldn’t have finished the book if I weren’t reading for a challenge 😕
Week 6Option 1
11. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the dough
* Read a book with the title or series name starting with the letter 'B'.
You can ignore The, A and An if they are the first word in the title.
Option 2
Key date: 10 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
Week 6 - Selection PostOption 1
Book: The Beast by J.R. Ward
Pages: 508
How it Fits: Title starts with B (Dropping "the")
[*book:The Beast|25293695]
Selection Post Week #6Option 1:
PTP 11. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the dough
* Read a book with the title or series name starting with the letter 'B'.
An Offer From a Gentleman
An offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Number of pages: 390 per GR
How the book qualifies:
This book is part of a series whose name starts with the letter ‘B’: Bridgertons #3
Thanks Danielle for posting the new theme. I remembered in the middle of the night. 🙄Yesterday was crammed packed. Baby was born on Thursday and they all came home on Friday. I was home with the big brother because he, and my son, both got sick earlier in the week so no school. I haven't even been able to do much reading, which is so unlike me! (Stress watching/reading election coverage didn't help with that either.)
I have a couple of options for this week, I will post me selection, and hopefully get the tracking updated, in a little bit.
Congratulations on the birth of your grandchild.🎊 I pray your son and grandson recover from their illness soon.🙏🏾 Take care of yourself 🙂
Congrats Kat 🎉 hope everyone makes a speedy recovery!
Week 5: 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC.Completion Post
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger, 320 p. per GRMPG Historical Fiction and Historical
Completed 11.9.2024 *4 Stars*
Real life really interfered with my reading this last week (note to self - just check the calendar and you will remember...) and it too me MUCH longer to read this than it usually would. But I still enjoyed it! Sophronia really grew into her own in this book and several new characters were introduced. I am really looking forward to more!
Well narrated by Moira Quirk.
Week 6: 11. It's not ready until there are bubbles through the dough.Selection Post
The Beloved by J.R. Ward, 428 p. per GRTitle begins with B, ignoring the article 'the'.
Thanks everyone! Things are going well. Baby is healthy and the other boys are improving. Mom is recovering well. I would be doing better myself if I could actually get to sleep in East Coast time instead of West Coast time... Especially since I am getting up on East Coast time!I got the tracking updated, please let me know if I missed something!
Weeks 1 through 4 - Complete!
Week 5 - Missing Avigail's and Danielle's Completion Posts
Week 6 - Missing Avigail's Selection Post and all completions.
Week 5: Completion PostOption 1
Book: Mr. Winterbourne's Christmas
Author: Joanna Chambers
Pages: 108
Read: 11/9
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This was a fun Christmas story; not sure how much you'd enjoy it without reading book #1 but I enjoyed getting back to these characters. Still can't stand Winterbourne's dad and I liked the way that situation resolved.
Week 6 Completionhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Read: 11/10
Rating: 5 stars
Review: loved this book even more than the first one in the series! I could tell right away how the book was going to end, but the journey was very engaging with twists and turns. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good legal thriller.
Week 5: - Completion: - Option 1: - 2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC* Read a book with MPG historical.
MPG = main page genre.
This means the genre must show up on the book's main page on GR. You can click on 'more', but you can't go to the full page of tags (once you click on 'show all')
Book: The Summer Before the War
Author: Helen Simonson
Page Count: 1st edition, Kindle Edition, 472 pages
Qualification: MPG : Historical and Historical Fiction
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Date Read: 11/09/2024
Review: Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres because you can learn about different times and cultures even through a fictional novel. The premise of The Summer Before the War is something that I will enjoy, but the story's execution felt flat, in my opinion. The author had too many storylines and characters, which made the story drag. Yes, The Summer Before the War is a novel that whisks you away to the idyllic English town of Rye on the eve of World War I. At the same time, it manages to explore the complexities of small-town life and how the arrival of outsiders can disrupt the status quo while also delving into the themes of love, loss, and the human cost of war. (For animal lovers, there is a trigger warning for a scene with the execution of an animal. I know people want to know about that kind of information).
Sorry for the delay in posting my completion. We had a crazy week here. I am going to see what book I will read for this week's prompt.
Week 6: - Selection: - Option 1: - 11. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the doughRead a book with the title or series name starting with the letter 'B'.
You can ignore The, A and An if they are the first word in the title.
Book: The Bordeaux Book Club
Author: Gillian Harvey
Page Count: 314 pages, Kindle Edition
Qualification: The book's title starts with the letter 'B'. The Bordeaux Book Club
Week 6 - Completion PostOption 1
Book: The Beast by J.R. Ward
Pages: 508
Date Read: 11/10
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Review: I think I'm tapping out after this one - I just can't anymore with this series. The last book pissed me off SO MUCH but I figured I'd try one more. This one didn't piss me off overall although some characters (Cough, Cough Layla) did. Such stupid, selfish decisions. Plus does everyone have to turn out to be related to someone in the brotherhood - I mean really. We got introduced to MORE new characters and there are so many open threads still out there. Finally I was actually a little bored through parts of this. I don't usually quit series once I'm this far in but I started this SO MANY years ago and my reading tastes have changed and I feel like the books are just different from the first ones in the series.
Completion post: Week #6Option 1
PTP 11. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the dough
An Offer From a Gentleman
An offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Book: Star Rating: 4
Review:
Julia Quinn’s book, An Offer From A Gentleman, did not disappoint but followed the typical Bridgerton format. I knew that Sophie Beckett and Benedict Bridgerton would wound up together in the end but was interested in what obstacles they would encounter before their happily ever after. Whenever grossly unjust actions occurred or disparaging remarks were made towards females, I had to remind myself that this was a regency novel. Regency England was heavily male and social class dominated. Unless you were the King, Queen Charlotte, or Lady Danbury, your life and actions were dictated by the Ton. The entire time I was listening to the book, I was hoping Sophie would get angry enough to finally deliver a bit of retribution to her very evil step-guardian and I was not disappointed.
** Please note, though Benedict is depicted as bisexual and single on season 3 of the Netflix series, he gets married before Colin and there is no mention of his sexual preferences in this book and the identity of Lady Whistledown is still a secret. **
Week 6: 11. It's not ready until there are bubbles through the dough.Completion Post
The Beloved by J.R. Ward, 428 p. per GRTitle begins with B, ignoring the article 'the'.
Completed 11.14.2024 *4+ Stars*
I will admit before I got too far into this book, I had to go back and reread the last few chapters of the previous book. And I'm glad I did. I think it really helped me to move forward without spending time trying to remember exactly how things had been handled. That said, and despite the time jump, I really enjoyed this story! It was interesting to see how the personalities of next generation developed. And I loved Nate and Nalla together too! And as enjoyable as their relationship was to watch develop, I enjoyed seeing Nalla's relationship with her parents grow too.
Week 6: - Completion: - Option 1: - 11. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the doughRead a book with the title or series name starting with the letter 'B'.
You can ignore The, A and An if they are the first word in the title.
Book: The Bordeaux Book Club
Author: Gillian Harvey
Page Count: 314 pages, Kindle Edition
Qualification: The book's title starts with the letter 'B'. The Bordeaux Book Club
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read: 11/12/2024
Review: I love books with found families, and what better book with a book club? The members became the founding family in Bordeaux, France The Bordeaux Book Club, a book club of English-speaking people living in Bordeaux or its suburbs. Each member comes to the book club to escape their troubled life. Yes, during the novel, they read four classic books: Jane Eyre, Wuthering Hights, Pride and Prejudice, and Madame Bovary. My suggestion is not to read The Bordeaux Book Club if you don't want spoilers of the above classics if you haven't read them.
The Bordeaux Book Club whisks you away to a picturesque setting - in this case, the rolling hills of France - where the characters' stories unfold amidst the beauty of nature. At the same time, the novel explores themes of identity, relationships, and finding one's place in the world, all with a lighthearted and humorous tone.
I believe readers who are lovers of founding family, and books about books will enjoy The Bordeaux Book Club
💰 Wow - completely up to date!
Avigail wrote: " Week 6: - Completion: - Option 1: - 11. Its not ready until there are bubbles through the doughRead a book with the title or series name starting with the letter 'B'.
You can ignore The, A and A..."
Sounds like a good book! I think I’ll give it a try thank you for the detailed review :)
Jane (PS) wrote: "💰 Wow - completely up to date!"Yay!!!
NEW THEME!Week 7
Option 1
6. Including the starter, sourdough is made of only 3 ingredients - flour, water & salt
* Read a book with a title comprised of 3 words.
You must include A, An or The in the count if they are in the title.
Option 2
Key date: 17 May 2024
Team mate read on or after this date and rated at least 3 stars
Option 3
Pass
A selection post must be made for whichever option you choose - INCLUDING A PASS
Refer msg 3 in your team thread for formatting of all 3 options.
And of course, I started one that works a couple of hours before Jane posted the new theme. Fortunately, I several more that work. I will see what I am in the mood for when I finish my current book.
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