Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP R23 - Dough Go Breaking My Heart (8)

2. Baton (Captain) - reserve a couple of posts in this thread tracking your team's book selection and completion. (Alternatively they could convert a chat comment to the tracking post/s.)
3. Name your team. Using this round's theme, come up with a fun name. Given we are an open/public group with no age limit, so please make sure any chosen name is smart, not smutty ;)
Please PM your name to Jane(PS) by 3 October
4. If you have a private profile, please 'friend' your team-mates. This is really important, because without this, your team-mates can't see your shelves to select a books under option 2. (It will also help with one of the categories in this round!)
5. Please post your book selections/completions in the format provided below. (This format is also posted in both the Q&A and Sign-Up threads.) We need to know the week that each book corresponds to, the page numbers, and how the book qualifies including links to lists/shelves (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough. When in doubt - link it*!
* don't link to your review in your completion post - reviews in your completion posts should be included in full in that post.
You don't want to start reading a book and then find it doesn't meet the requirements because some information (eg page count or theme link) was missing from your original post.
I will be monitoring this and your book will not be considered complete until I am satisfied that your selection and completion posts comply with the format rules of the challenge.
Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called.
6. You MUST check in with your team each week, ideally once the theme is announced. Please let your team know if you expect to have spotty communication or are on holidays or having an operation, etc.
7. When you post the completion of your book, you must post a review; enough for us to know you have actually read the book. Please don't link to a review. You must post the review in this thread.
8. Re-reads are allowed but you can't read the same book twice within this challenge.
9. There is no prize for the winning team - bragging rights only :)
10. Each week, the theme will be announced in the Q&A/Announcement thread. The full list of themes announced during this round will be maintained in msg 1 of that thread.
The Rule on the Pass Option
* Each team can only have ONE member using their pass each week.
* Each member can only use that pass once each 5 weeks.
* This means that one or two team members (dependent upon the size of your team) will miss using a pass in each 5 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.
* In the final week Option 2 has altered and I will be allocating each team another team from which their book selection must be chosen :)

For selection post Option 1 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please note which qualifying bookshelf/list you are using or the tags that justifies that it works.
If the theme is based off the bookcover, post the cover. If there is a letter count in the title, publication date etc, please note these details.
For selection post Option 2 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.
For selection post Option 3 you must have:
Week #
PASS
For the completion post you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review
Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.
If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.
IF YOU NEED TO CORRECT A POST FOR MISSING INFORMATION or because the didn't qualify etc, please REPOST this information in a NEW post, particularly when the request is more than a day old. Its difficult to find older posts when going backwards in the threads.

Did any of you get sucked into the COVID homemade/renovation craze and never stop? Are you still DIYing, crafting and baking? Well, once I started working from home, sourdough bread became my thing. We can't buy it locally and it tastes SO much better - plus its better on our stomachs ;)
So this round is centred around one of my weekly tasks ;)
1. Sourdough originated in Egypt and spread through Europe
* Read a book set in Africa or Europe.
2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.
3. Many took on the challenge of sourdough during the 'COVID years'
* Read a book first published in the year 2020 or 2021.
4. It begins with making/buying a 'starter'
* Read the first book in a series.
5. A sourdough starter is a live fermented culture of fresh flour and water
* Read a book that has been 'fermenting' on your bookshelf for at least 12 months. (Added to your shelves at least 12 months ago.) Please state the date it was added.
If you haven't been tracking books on GR for 12 months yet, then select a book that was added to your shelves in the first month.
You can also reread a book but it must have been originally added at least 12 months ago.
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.
7. Water & Salt
* Read a book set on or near a beach or at sea.
8. Add flour = 'Sour'dough
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Best Grumpy Sunshine Romances
Reversed Grumpy Sunshine Romance
Grumpy Hero in Clean Historical Books
Ultimate Grump x Sunshine
A MM romance tagged with 'grumpy' 'grump' or 'sunshine'
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 in your qualification. You do not need to note how/why they are popular.
10. Patience is required
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Can't Wait Books of 2024
Can't Wait Books of 2023
Can't Wait Books of 2022
Can't Wait Books of 2021
Can't Wait MM Romance 2021
Can't Wait MM Romance 2020
Gay Romance featuring 'Need You Now' Sex
(Sorry MM readers - the lists didn't go up to 2024)
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.
12. Flavor can be added including seeds, cheese, chili or sultanas
Read a book from one of the following lists:
Diverse Genre Romances
Diverse Romance with Famous Leads
Best Diverse Retelling of Classic Tales in Romance
Historical Fiction with a Dash of Magic
13. When shaping, the dough is often referred to as either a 'boule' or 'baton'
Read a romance featuring a sporty MC or a law enforcement MC.
14. Bake at 450F (or 230C)
Read a book with an avg GR rating of at least 4.3 stars.
15. Home cooking at its best
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Romances With Home in the Title
Best Return Home Books
Coming Home to Roost
Prodigal Returns
MM Romance based in Australia ('cos that's my home ;)
16. The finished boule will have a lovely crust
Read a book with a wealthy MC.
Qualification may come from GR blurb, lists or tags.
17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day
Read a book from one of the following lists:
Best Seasonal Romance_Christmas & Winter
Comtemporary Christmas Winter Romance
Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance
***
For location/setting tasks, the book does not have to be solely set in that location; it simply needs at least one scene set there. The usual precise, main page, tag or list will need to be provided to show how the book qualifies.

Theme: 15. Home cooking at its best
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Romances With Home in the Title
Best Return Home Books
Coming Home to Roost
Prodigal Returns
MM Romance based in Australia
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #42
✅Shelby: Msg #59
✅Liza: Msg #46
✅Heather: Msg #44
✅Chiara: Msg #47
✅jewelee: Msg #43
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #64
✅Shelby: Msg #70
✅Liza: Msg #56
✅Heather: Msg #55
✅Chiara: Msg #65
✅jewelee: Msg #91
🥨Week 2🥨
Theme: 1 Sourdough originated in Egypt and spread through Europe
* Read a book set in Africa or Europe.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #76
✅Shelby: Msg #74
✅Liza: Msg #72
✅Heather: Msg #75
✅Chiara: Msg #79
✅jewelee: Msg #90
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #92
✅Shelby: Msg #86
✅Liza: Msg #87
✅Heather: Msg #83
✅Chiara: Msg #84
✅jewelee: Msg #113

Theme: 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.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #102
✅Shelby: Msg #97
✅Liza: Msg #95
✅Heather: Msg #107
✅Chiara: Msg #100
✅jewelee: Msg #111
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #104
✅Shelby: Msg #115
✅Liza: Msg #112
✅Heather: Msg #108
✅Chiara: Msg #117
✅jewelee: Msg #122
🥨Week 4🥨
Theme:
17. Eat it straight away or freeze for another day
Read a book from one of the following lists:
Best Seasonal Romance_Christmas & Winter
Comtemporary Christmas Winter Romance
Best Gay Winter'ish Holiday Romance
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #127
✅Shelby: Msg #123
✅Liza: Msg #119
✅Heather: Msg #118
✅Chiara: Msg #126
✅jewelee: Msg #120
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #135
✅Shelby: Msg #125
✅Liza: Msg #129
✅Heather: Msg #121
✅Chiara: Msg #132
✅jewelee: Msg #150

Theme:
2. The use of sourdough in bread leavening developed in approximately 3000 BC
* Read a book with MPG historical.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #136
✅Shelby: Msg #134
✅Liza: Msg #131
✅Heather: Msg #133
✅Chiara: Msg #137
✅jewelee: Msg #140
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #152
✅Shelby: Msg #165
✅Liza: Msg #156
✅Heather: Msg #141
✅Chiara: Msg #177
✅jewelee: Msg #172
🥨Week 6🥨
Theme:
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'.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #153
✅Shelby: Msg #157
✅Liza: Msg #149
✅Heather: Msg #145
✅Chiara: Msg #146
✅jewelee: Msg #147
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #154
✅Shelby: Msg #158
✅Liza: Msg #159
✅Heather: Msg #155
✅Chiara: Msg #160
✅jewelee: Msg #148

Theme:
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.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #175
✅Shelby: Msg #182
✅Liza: Msg #166
✅Heather: Msg #167
✅Chiara: Msg #171
✅jewelee: Msg #174
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #194
✅Shelby: Msg #187
✅Liza: Msg #178
✅Heather: Msg #170
✅Chiara: Msg #173
✅jewelee: Msg #193
🥨Week 8🥨
Theme:
13. When shaping, the dough is often referred to as either a 'boule' or 'baton'
Read a romance featuring a sporty MC or a law enforcement MC.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #192
✅Shelby: Msg #188
✅Liza: Msg #180
✅Heather: Msg #185
✅Chiara: Msg #184
✅jewelee: Msg #190
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #207
✅Shelby: Msg #189
✅Liza: Msg #191
✅Heather: Msg #200
✅Chiara: Msg #202
✅jewelee: Msg #241

Theme:
5. A sourdough starter is a live fermented culture of fresh flour and water
* Read a book that has been 'fermenting' on your bookshelf for at least 12 months. (Added to your shelves at least 12 months ago.)
Please state the date you added it to your shelf.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #208
✅Shelby: Msg #204
✅Liza: Msg #197
✅Heather: Msg #206
✅Chiara: Msg #203
✅jewelee: Msg #198
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #237
✅Shelby: Msg #211
✅Liza: Msg #210
✅Heather: Msg #218
✅Chiara: Msg #219
jewelee: Msg #
Week
Theme:
10. Patience is required
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Can't Wait Books of 2024
Can't Wait Books of 2023
Can't Wait Books of 2022
Can't Wait Books of 2021
Can't Wait MM Romance 2021
Can't Wait MM Romance 2020
Gay Romance featuring 'Need You Now' Sex
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #229
✅Shelby: Msg #232
✅Liza: Msg #226
✅Heather: Msg #231
✅Chiara: Msg #233
✅jewelee: Msg #236 PASS
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #238
✅Shelby: Msg #254
✅Liza: Msg #259
✅Heather: Msg #234
✅Chiara: Msg #247
✅jewelee: Msg #236 PASS

Theme:
14. Bake at 450F (or 230C)
Read a book with an avg GR rating of at least 4.3 stars.
Selection post
✅Hazel: Msg #250
✅Shelby: Msg #255
✅Liza: Msg #253
✅Heather: Msg #249
✅Chiara: Msg #256
jewelee: Msg #
Completion post
✅Hazel: Msg #262
✅Shelby: Msg #260
Liza: Msg #
✅Heather: Msg #257
Chiara: Msg #
jewelee: Msg #

I’m Hazel from Glasgow, Scotland. I work in Human Resources and live with my husband, nearly 16 year old sports mad son and my 2 fur babies Loki (cat) and Maia (dog). I love romance books and will read any sub genre except horror.
I’m looking forward to playing this round with you all. Please let me know if you have any questions and I will try to help.
Please remember to tick the box so that you get notifications for this thread.
If you have any team name suggestions please add them to your intro post. To get us started here are a few (I may or may not have googled).
Dough go breaking my heart
Knead for speed
Rolling pins
Whisk Takers
Rise to the occasion
Bake it till you make it

I have been an avid reader my entire life and read primarily MM Romance, but will read pretty much anything. Thankfully my kid has inherited my love for reading, so we have that to share around the teen angst.
As for names, I like Whisk Takers or Rise to the Occasion, but I'm up for anything lol

I read pretty much anything and am looking forward to having a few challenges going in the next couple months as I've been in a bit of a reading slump. As far as names go I'm down for anything that appeals to people.


Heather I hope you feel better soon, the vaccines can knock it out of you for a few days. Lisa I hope your kiddo is doing better now they are out of the bully situation and life starts to improve. Shelby my furies are both nearly 3 and love snuggling with me and each other although they both still run mad at times and play with each other.
I’m on GMT time zone so I’m 5 hours ahead of Eastern time (I think that’s right). I normally check GR in the morning and at night although try to get on during the day when I can as well. I’m usually awake until the theme call then go to bed.

Heather I hope you feel better soon, the vaccines can knock it out of you for a few days. Lisa I hope your kiddo is doing better now they are out of the b..."
Thanks, Hazel. The effects on my kiddo's mental health has been amazing since I pulled them out of public school. Grades are still a work in progress, but we're only 4 weeks into school and getting used to the new process of virtual school. Plus not having to sit in a classroom for 6+ hours a day is wonderful. They have severe ADHD and shorter class times make it so much easier for them to take the info in.

I mainly read romance, but I also enjoy mystery, thrillers, literary fiction and other genres. I've decided to join the challenge because lately I've not been reading much and I feel this challenge could be the perfect way to overcome my reading slump!
I'm terrible with names but I really liked the ones Hazel suggested, especially Knead for speed and Dough go breaking my heart!

This is my first PtP, so I'm excited to play with you all and cross a few books off my to-read list!
I'm kind of liking Whisk Takers or Dough go breaking my heart!

Let's see.... I'm in the Eastern Time Zone. My husband is a semi-invalid so I care for him 24/7 and I have an Etsy shop that keeps me busy part time (and full time during some times of the year). We have two dogs, a 2-year-old and a 7-year-old.
I read a lot, but almost everything is on audio -- that way I can work or knit or spin at the same time. Yay @jewelee -- I'm a knitter as well!
Oh, and I read a lot of romance, but also mystery, historical fiction, fantasy/PNR, and a little bit of scifi and horror.

I haven't quite warmed up to audio books yet, so I've sort of trained myself to read an e-book and knit at the same time. But nothing beyond basic knitting or purling. Takes between 5-10 minutes to read a single page, though, haha!

I haven't quite warmed up to audio books yet, so I've sort of trained myself to read an e-b..."
Sadly, I don't have that skill. :(

This was my 5am this morning when an epic case of the zoomies ensued. Pretty sure it was instigated by my 3yr old too not the 5month old menace. But it was chasing each other in and out of the bedroom and mom makes a great launch pad.

@Shelby The zoomies at night are the worst!!!

@Shelby The zoomies at ..."
There are some great YouTube videos that teach. Accepting that it's going to be clunky to start and not getting frustrated is key. Best teaching videos I've seen is a YouTuber "VeryPink Knits"...
https://www.youtube.com/@verypinkknits

I love cross stitch when I have the time which is hardly ever.

@Shelby The zoomies at ..."
I completely agree with Shelby - Very Pink Knits is a great teacher. YouTube is great for knitters -- I look up different techniques all the time.
Another idea is to go to a class if you have a yarn shop nearby. Most have beginner knitting classes and that way you've got a RL teacher to help you.

Have you tried crochet? Sometimes crocheters don't 'click' with knitting and vice versa.

@Shelby ..."
Yes, Very Pink Knits is great. Sheep & Stitch is also a good one for tutorials.


Any thoughts on team names?
The ones people have said they like so far are:
Whisk takers
Dough go breaking my heart
Knead for speed
Rise to the occasion
Happy for other suggestions if anyone has one or if we could all say which one we prefer to get that sorted.

I’ll message Jane and get that confirmed.

What are you all reading at the moment? I’ve been listening to an audio book of






Make sure you’ve ticked the notify me box on this page and on the QA page so you know when anyone has posted.

Option 1
15. Home cooking at its best
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Romances With Home in the Title
Best Return Home Books
Coming Home to Roost
Prodigal Returns
MM Romance based in Australia
Books must be selected from one of the lists above. Please state the list in your selection post.
Option 2
Key date: 5. April 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

Selection post: Option 1
Book:

Pages: 322 kindle edition
How it Qualifies: #151 on the list
Prodigal Returns

🥨SELECTION POST Option 1🥨

[*book:Unlawful Contact|2771105]
Page count: 375 paperback edition
How the book qualifies:
🥨 ~ #39 on Coming Home to Roost

Selection post: Option 1
Book: Big Lies in a Small Town, Diane Chamberlin

Pages: 411
How it Qualifies: #87 on the Best Return Home list

Unexpected Mate by Toni Griffin

Pages: 176 pgs
How it Qualifies: #32 on the MM Romance Based in Australia list

Book: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Pages: 379
How the book qualifies: #51 on the Best Return Home Books

Thanks so much @Shelby for the YouTube suggestion, I'll definitely watch Very Pink Knits videos hoping to learn!! I'm sure at first I'll be terrible but I won't give up this time!!
@Heather unfortunately there are no class in my area for these things and I don't have friends who share this interest :(
@Jewelee I'll definitely check Sheep & Stitch out as well!! I'm very determined to learn this winter..I think knitting could be a calming hobby (I'm a very anxious person)
@Liza what a great idea to do your kids and family's presents by yourself!! What are you making them?


This book has been on my tbr for quite some time..how was it?

Thanks so much..."
Knitting can definitely be relaxing. Just don't let it stress you out if you make mistakes. Everyone makes them.
Books mentioned in this topic
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Dead By Midnight: An I-Team Christmas (other topics)
Finding Forgiveness (other topics)
Coyote (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Sloane Kennedy (other topics)Lila Rose (other topics)
A.J. Sherwood (other topics)
T.J. Klune (other topics)
Lila Rose (other topics)
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Baton (Captain)
🍞Hazel
Starters
🥨Shelby
🥨Liza
🥨Heather
🥨Chiara
🥨jewelee