Plotline Pathfinders Book Quest

[Shan ~A~]

Wishbear wrote: "Whew 🥴, I was reading Ashley's March post and thought I was an MIA player. I didn't do very well this month, but at least I posted my two little books. I'll get my reviews added right away.

I don..."

I'm not very talkative either. It's all in good fun, so I hope you're enjoying what you're reading.

[Shan ~A~]

Anastasia wrote: "That's fine Richard. Everyone should just do what works for them. I think I need to cut down on challenges as well. I probably would have given this one a miss if I knew what was involved but will ..."

I tend to jump in before I realize what's required. Need to learn to turn some down. Hi, I'm Shan and I'm a challenge joining addict. 🤣

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Hi Shan!

[Shan ~A~]

Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "Hi Shan!"

Hi!

[Richard]

Hey team, just letting you know I've finished my 10 books for this month.

[Anastasia]

Richard wrote: "Hey team, just letting you know I've finished my 10 books for this month."
Well done Richard

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I have 2 of my 4

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Hi Team! When updating your sheet, I noticed that while Shan has added books, there hasn't been anything marked finished, so I'm just checking in about that (I know some players do this at the end of the month, instead of throughout), let me know if there is a need to contact anyone.

Also, I see that there was some discussion about reviews, bonuses, etc. That is of course all extra, you are more than welcome to just read a book for a task. :)


🌟 Welcome to Quarter 2 of Book Quest Adventures! 🌟

📅 Monthly Theme: Adventure Awaits
This month, pack your bags, grab your compass, and prepare to get lost in the wild unknown—because the greatest stories are found off the beaten path!

Here are your reading tasks:
📖 Read a book set in an unexplored or remote location on Earth, such as a dense jungle, desert, or hidden island.
📖 Read a book about space exploration.
📖 Read a book featuring time travel.
📖 Read a book where someone climbs a mountain.
📖 Read a book set on an epic road trip.
📖 Read a book about exploring ancient ruins.
📖 Read a book featuring ocean voyages or sailing adventures.
📖 Read a survival story set in the wilderness.
📖 Read a quest-based story with clear missions or goals.
📖 Read an adventure involving extreme sports.

🎯 Bonus Genre: Fantasy
To earn extra points, choose books from the bonus genre of Fantasy! The following sub-genres are eligible: Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fantasy Romance or Romantasy, YA or Young Adult Fantasy.

📚 Q2 Mini Challenge: Genre Swap
It’s time to step out of your comfort zone! For Q2, we challenge you to try something new. Pick a book from a genre you typically avoid or have never tried before. Just remember, it can’t be the same as the BONUS genre for that month.
Points: Earn 30 points for completing the book and sharing insights about your experience with the genre! (max 1 book per month, 3 per quarter)


Happy reading, adventurers! Let’s embrace the spirit of adventure together! 📚✨

[Anastasia]

I'm going to be struggling with the April topics. They are not very appealing to me.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Anastasia wrote: "I'm going to be struggling with the April topics. They are not very appealing to me."

Be creative!

"Read a book set in an unexplored or remote location": This could include fictional worlds (e.g., a fantasy realm) or even a remote small town if it feels "unexplored" to the reader.

"Read a book featuring time travel": This could include time loops or alternate timelines.

"Read a book where someone climbs a mountain": This could be a literal mountain or a metaphorical one (e.g., overcoming a major challenge).

[Shan ~A~]

Anastasia wrote: "I'm going to be struggling with the April topics. They are not very appealing to me."

Same!

[Richard]

We'll make it work.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I found one task that would work for an upcoming book

[Anastasia]

Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "I found one task that would work for an upcoming book"

You're lucky. I can find books but nothing that I really want to read and don't really want to read them just for the challenge. I want to get back to enjoying reading.

[Richard]

Anastasia wrote: "I want to get back to enjoying reading."

You can choose to opt out of this challenge if you want. No-one is forcing you to stay in it. Be kind to yourself. It'd be fine with me; I totally understand. There's always other challenges. 😊

[Anastasia]

Richard wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "I want to get back to enjoying reading."

You can choose to opt out of this challenge if you want. No-one is forcing you to stay in it. Be kind to yourself. It'd be fine with me; ..."
I know, but when I commit to something, I want to see it through. Otherwise I feel like I'm letting the team down. I wish I had known more about it before signing up. I just may not complete all the tasks this month. I'll see. I may be able to slot in some of my mysteries somewhere there. A lot of the time you don't know if a book will fit until you read it.

[Richard]

Anastasia wrote: "I feel like I'm letting the team down. I wish I had known more about it before signing up. I just may not complete all the tasks this month."

I don't know the opinions of the rest of the team...but you wouldn't be letting me down. Just do what you can do. You'll get no pressure or judgement from me.

[Anastasia]

Sorry about the rant. It's all fine. I'm the one putting pressure on myself. Just have to learn to slow down .

[Shan ~A~]

Anastasia I completely agree with what Richard said. You will not be letting anyone down. Heck, I've been all over the place lately because it seems like tasks for several challenges have been more challenging than usual.

I say only read what you like and if that means not reading for each task, so be it. This is all supposed to be fun anyway. And if you want to tell this challenge to kick rocks, we'll support that as well.

[Richard]

Shan ~A~ wrote: "kick rocks"

Reminds me of a line from Buffy...

Willow: "KISS rocks? Why would anyone want to kiss rocks?" 😆

[Shan ~A~]

🤣🤪

[Wishbear]

@ Anastasia = I'm with the rest of the team. This is supposed to be fun. Please, only participate in as much or as little as you want too. If the tasks aren't doing it for you this month, don't worry about it. If one of your books happens to fit, put it in, and if it doesn't, no worries. And if you want to let the challenge go, you have my full support.

There are too many books in the world that we WANT to read. I don't agree with forcing ourselves to read books that don't sparkle/bring joy/speak to us....however you want to frame it.

I also understand the internal pressure though. I've done that to myself too. And it's hard to give up. Do what's best for you. 💗

[Richard]

I'm done with my April books

[Anastasia]

Finished my April books

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I have one more.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Does your team need a check-in with the following members?
✓ Wishbear

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.
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🌟 May Book Quest: Courage & Resilience 🌟

📅 Monthly Theme: Stories of Strength
This month, we’re diving into tales of bravery—whether in the face of war, illness, injustice, or personal demons. Real or fictional, these stories remind us how resilience lights the darkest paths.

Reading Tasks:
📖 Read a book about overcoming disability or illness OR a character adapting to a major life change.
📖 Read a book set during wartime that highlights courage.
📖 Read about standing up to bullies/oppression OR a workplace/community rebellion (e.g., The Radium Girls).
📖 Read a book where a character overcomes great odds (e.g., poverty, discrimination, trauma).
📖 Read about a natural disaster/crisis OR a "rebuilding after tragedy" story.
📖 Read an underdog story (sports, career, or personal struggle).
📖 Read about social justice movements OR a courtroom/legal battle for change.
📖 Read a book addressing mental health challenges OR a character’s emotional recovery journey.
📖 Read about immigrant experiences (fiction or non-fiction) OR a diaspora cultural reconnection.
📖 Read a book where characters confront their biggest fears OR train for an impossible mission.

🎯 Bonus Genre: True Stories of Grit
Earn extra points for memoirs, biographies, or narrative non-fiction (e.g., Educated, Born a Crime, Hidden Figures).

📚 Q2 Mini Challenge: Genre Swap
Don't forget! Step outside your comfort zone! Pick a genre you typically avoid (excluding memoirs/biographies this month).

✨ Accommodations for Omnilegent Readers (For those who read widely!)
If you don’t "avoid" genres, use a workaround:
1️⃣ Genre Frequency: Pick a genre you rarely read (e.g., romance once a year).
2️⃣ Subgenre Exploration: Try a subgenre you’ve never touched (e.g., cozy mystery → noir).
3️⃣ Reader’s Choice + Justification: Any book that’s a stretch for you—just explain why! (Example: “I usually read thrillers, so this slow literary fiction is a change!”)

Points: 30 pts for completing + sharing insights (max 1 book/month).

🌠 FORMAL BUDDY READS WITH TASK PAIRINGS
I thought I would add some information on what tasks the May FBRs work for. These are always optional, but they count toward the buddy read bonus!

📔 The Bone Shard Daughter (Andrea Stewart)
✓ Revolution against oppression (Task #3)
✓ Overcoming political trauma (Task #4)
✓ Confronting legacy of parental abuse (Task #10)

📚 The Light Pirate (Lily Brooks-Dalton)
✓ Climate disaster survival (Task #5)
✓ Disability adaptation (Task #1)
✓ Rebuilding community (Task #9 immigrant/diaspora angle)

🔮 Shadow and Bone Trilogy (Leigh Bardugo)
✓ Wartime courage (Task #2)
✓ Underdog Grisha vs. Darkling (Task #6)
✓ Mental health allegories (Task #8)

🌙 A Witch in Wolf Wood (Lindsay Buroker) - Extended 1Q
✓ Small-town oppression (Task #3)
✓ Midlife career restart (Task #4)
✓ Magical fear-confronting (Task #10)

Happy reading, questers! May your TBRs be brave and your takeaways inspiring. 📚💪

[Shan ~A~]

I'm going to buckle down and try to get the remainder of my tasks done or at least most of them. This set was a bit more difficult, but not impossible, so we'll see.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

How do you get rid of the strike through line in the team spreadsheet?

[Shan ~A~]

Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "How do you get rid of the strike through line in the team spreadsheet?"

Select the cells or range of cells where you want to apply the strikethrough formatting.
Click on the Format option in the menu
In the options that appear, click on the Strikethrough option.

or select the cells, then ALT + SHIFT + 5

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Thanks 😊

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

It worked.

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Does your team need a check-in with the following members?
✓ Wishbear

[Anastasia]

Does anyone know if Wishbear is okay? Is anyone friends with her? I tried messaging but she is not accepting messages. It doesn't look as if she has posted anything since March.

[Shan ~A~]

Anastasia wrote: "Does anyone know if Wishbear is okay? Is anyone friends with her? I tried messaging but she is not accepting messages. It doesn't look as if she has posted anything since March."

I checked to see if we were GR friends and we aren't. Hopefully, she's okay and just haven't been able to log on.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I am not GR friends wo
Ith her.

[Richard]

I've finished my 10 books for May

[Shan ~A~]

Richard wrote: "I've finished my 10 books for May"

I'm jealous and actually need to sort the rest of mine out. At some point I'll stop waiting until I have just days left to figure it out.

[Anastasia]

I am nearly done with my last book

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

📣 June Reading Update: Who Am I, Really?
Focus: Identity, Self-Expression, and Truth
Bonus Genre: Young Adult (YA)

Dear Book Questers,

June is approaching, and with it comes a powerful theme that’s as personal as it is universal: Identity. For this month, we’re diving deep into stories that explore self-expression, truth, reinvention, and the journey to becoming who we truly are (or think we are).

Whether your character is discovering a new passion, grappling with mental health, living a double life, or leaving behind a world that no longer fits, each book you read in June helps you explore the question: Who am I, really?

📝 June Tasks
• Read a coming-of-age story.
• Read a book with a character living a double life.
• Read a book where a name (or nickname) carries deep significance.
• Read a story told in an unconventional format (e.g., diary, podcast, letters, dual timelines).
• Read a book with an unreliable narrator grappling with personal truth.
• Read a book about someone joining or leaving a community, cult, or belief system.
• Read a book about someone exploring or embracing their gender or sexual identity.
• Read a book where someone finds a new talent or passion.
• Read a book that deals with a character's journey through depression or anxiety.
• Read a book where a character reinvents themselves—for better or worse.

📚 Why June Matters (More Than You Think)
Not only is this a beautifully introspective reading month, but it’s also a foundational month for something exciting that’s coming in July. 👀 I won’t spoil the surprise (yet), but let’s just say… it’s collaborative, it’s meaningful, and it’s something we can’t do without everyone onboard.

So, if your team’s had a quiet season, this is the moment to rally. Message your squad, check in with missing teammates, and make sure no one’s left behind. Because next month? We’ll need everyone’s voice to make it work—and trust me, you won’t want to miss what’s coming. If you need me to check in with a team member, now is the time to ask!

Get ready to read, reflect, and reconnect with who you are—and who you’re becoming. 💫

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

I've sent Wishbear a 48hr check-in message. Will let you know how that plays out!

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

I have added Teresa to your team!

[Anastasia]

Finished my May books

[Ashley, The Tipsy Challenger]

Teresa let me know she's on vacation until Monday, so she will check-in and update once she settled in back home.

[Teresa]

Checking in all - As Ashley mentioned - I am not home - I am actually on vacation in Maine due to a death in the family. I have not read much this month and I have not read anything so far this month that fills a hole.

I did go in and populate a few books - I will try to get a few read if I can in the next 9 or so days. Hopefully I can help fill a few small gaps. I did use the books recommended by Ashley - I haven't had a lot of time to hunt for something else to fill them! If there are issues with anything I populated - please let me know - I will continue to work updates when I get home next week.

Thanks for welcoming me!

[Shan ~A~]

Welcome Teresa, and sorry for your loss.

[Anastasia]

Welcome Teresa

[Richard]

Welcome Teresa

[Jessica]

Hello everyone!

Glad to see some familiar names here :)

In case you missed it, you've been paired with our Team for the buddy read mega points grab.

I'm hoping some of you and some of us can find and agree on a book to read together.

🎯 Goal: Team up with another squad to read one shared book and earn mega points!

📚 HOW IT WORKS
• Pick 1 book that fits at least one July task for BOTH teams and submit to me for approval by June 25th
• Double-Dip Bonus: Get +20pts if it fits two different tasks (e.g., The House in the Cerulean Sea = "close-knit community" + "immigrant journey").
• I CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH - If a book loosely fits one (or two) tasks, make your case, I am flexible! Please don’t worry about perfection!
📈 Buddy Read Bonuses:
• 30pts per reader (counts toward personal totals).
• 75pts per team if 100% of your team participates.
• +10pts for creative posts (memes, fanart, playlists, etc.) awarded to each reader who posts something (max 1 each)
💬 DISCUSSION TIME!
Each team pair gets a dedicated thread. Chat, connect, and answer fun prompts like:
• “How does this book reflect belonging?”
• “Which character would you invite to your book club?”
• “Did any moment in the book make you feel unexpectedly connected to the story, a character, or even each other?”
• “If this book were a community event (festival, support group, secret society, etc.), what would it be and who would attend?”
• “Which character would struggle the most (or thrive the most) in your real-life friend group or team?”
• “What quote or scene best captured the theme of connection for you?”

Or make up your own prompts! Be creative, have fun, and really dig into your shared story.

5. Saga Scouts + Plotline Pathfinders
Link to our thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'll keep checking in for book suggestions and put them all in the top post in our joint thread. We can then have a vote

[Anastasia]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I wasn't planning to take part in this part of the challenge. We have such a wide range of reading preferences that I don't think we would be able to come up with a book that we all would like. I had a bad experience with the buddy reads last year as I thought they were awful and decided this year to mainly read what I enjoy which are mainly mysteries and thrillers.

[Shan ~A~]

I'll have to see what kind of books people like, but I won't participate if it's absolutely something I wouldn't usually consider reading.