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2025 Book Carnival Circuit: Lazy River Readers
ooo, Ashley's spicing up the carnival games!
Just been through my tbr, but can't find anything I can make work with solar/listopia right now (which was the whole point for signing up to this challenge 😆).I shall look again with fresh eyes in the morning 😁
Does this mean you can start it anytime and just leave the last page until the countdown or must the entire thing be read during that time?
Mod
We shall see if this pep talk/reminder was effective soon 🤣🤣🤣
Edit… found a few books that work. Just need to narrow it down.
Stripes:
(400 pgs/8 pts)
(384 pgs/7.68 pts, so 8?)
(368 pgs/7 pts)Bright lights:
(470 pgs/9 pts)
(583 pgs/11.66 pts, so 12?)
Mod
Not sure. I know for the regular tasks, start dates do not matter but the bonus thingy might be different.
Should I ask on starting books as that has an effect on planning?
Mod
🎡 WILD CARD ROULETTE: OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION! 🎡
To cash in on this bonus (and chase that +10 ticket team prize!), your book must:
✔ Be started AND finished between May 12 (12:01 AM CST) and May 18 (11:59 PM CST).
This bonus is all about carnival spontaneity! We want that "OMG, GO GO GO!" energy—like racing to ring-toss a unicorn or out-scream a rollercoaster.
No pre-game prep, no half-read books sneaking in—just pure, unplanned madness.
P.S. Again, feel free to skip this bonus guilt-free. Remember: Zero pressure! (Those tickets won’t buy you cotton candy anyway.)
Mod
For me, the spontaneity is that I'm squeezing in books I might not have been ready for yet, haha.
Mod
For me, the spontaneity is that I'm squeezing in books I might not have been ready for yet, haha."
SAME Teresa, same!
Need a second opinion. Does this cover look worth pursuing as "stripes"? The wood planks give a striped effect, but not sure if it's too much of a stretch?
Mod
Out of curiosity, I looked up the definition of stripes to see if it might work:
"a long narrow band or strip, typically of the same width throughout its length, differing in color or texture from the surface on either side of it."
ex: a pair of blue shorts with pink stripes"
I think if going by that definition, the stripes need to be "on" some sort of background, such as the case of striped fabric or painted walls. In your picture, it's more like strips than stripes. Going by the spirit of the task, which seems to represent the vibe of a circus tent, it doesn't work.
Lots of thoughts, lol. Maybe defer to Ashley hahaha.
I would say no as well (though a bit shorter comment)
Mod
*insert tongue sticking out emoji* :P
ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Lexi wrote: "I would say no as well (though a bit shorter comment)"*insert tongue sticking out emoji* :P"
(:
Dang. Will keep looking. don't want to spend one of my precious credits just to cover the task, so may have to be a re-read.
Do you think this works for bright lights?
Otherwise, I will read
I would say yes Lexi - headlights are bright and they are on.I'm doing this one for stripes - there are stripes over most of the cover background:
Mod
Well, it's optional so you don't even have to read for it if you don't want to.
Is that even an option? :D
And forego bonus points? Have we met? Hi, I'm Sammy. Challenge junkie and sufferer of the "cannot say no to bonus points" sickness.
🤣🤣🤣
I found
on audible+ just now. There are stripes on the awning.I suspect it won't be my favourite book of the month, but I'm sure I'll live 😆
Mod
Hopefully the book will provide some laughs, at least.
It's a real problem. not sure what the cure is...
Mod
"🍿 Food Vendor Word: uncomplicatedReader: Laila Jane
Book: Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score
Date Completed: 04/27/2025
Page Count: 698
Location: Pg 278
Sentence: ""I'm willing to bet you've had more than your fair share of uncomplicated one-night stands."""
"🍿 Food Vendor Word: core
Reader: Lexi
Book: Once There Were Wolves by McConaghy, Charlotte
Date Completed: 04/25/2025
Page Count: 265
Location: p. 22
Sentence: ""only one in the core team"""
"🍿 Food Vendor Word: central
Reader: Teddie
Book: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Date Completed: 04/21/2025
Page Count: 479
Location: p 288
Sentence: ""...Central Committee warns him."""
"🍿 Food Vendor Word: snack
Reader: Teresa
Book: Come Sundown by Nora Roberts
Date Completed: 05/08/2025
Page Count: 477
Location: pg 28
Sentence: ""Avoiding sweet snacks"""
"🍿 Food Vendor Word: essential
Reader: Sammy
Book: Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson
Date Completed: 04/24/2025
Page Count: 1232
Location: loc 554
Sentence: ""It is essential to calm the spren..."""
I have this for stripes
and this for bright lights
Mod
and this for bright lights
"Noice!
I found another stripes, which would be a re-read for me but I've been wanting to read this again so I guess I'll see what my mood is when the time comes.
Mod
Step right up! The Wheel of Fortune has spoken, and here are your results for your next spin:
🍿 Food Vendors: The Juggler's Juice Bar
Find 5 of the magic words listed below within the pages of your books. Each Team Member must find a unique word, no repeating.
Words: Agile, Nimble, Dexterous, Adroit, Versatile, Blend, Whirl, Toss, Infusion, Refreshment, Zesty, Tangy, Vibrant, Spirited, Dynamic
Mod
I don't know why, but this excites me greatly! :D
I think I'd be more excited if I didn't have 12 other books I'd like to finish before then 🤣None of my challenges are playing nicely with each other this month. I think that's very rude!
Mod
None of my challenges are playing nicely with each other this month. I think that's very rude!"
Oh, I know what you mean! I just renewed a bunch of library books that I have not been able to get to as of yet and I kept thinking, "I want to read you soon... and also you... and then you but where is the time for all of these books??"
I hate when challenges do not play together nicely!!! Definitely so rude.
I limited my team challenges by a strict amount this year and sometimes I miss the fun and excitement of having to find books to fit certain tasks (as well as the multiple teams camaraderie), but I have to say, the lack of pressure and reading books I'm not actually in the mood for has been really nice. I tend to be that person who says, "Oh I'll find a book for this task!" and then I push back all the books I actually wanted to read. I did that a lot last year and I'm a moody reader so it was not really always fun.
Right now, this is my only team challenge, I think. It's been the perfect combo of, "Oh, let me go find something for this task!" to make things adventurous for me, combined with, "I have this book I'm reading right now and it fits this task perfectly, woot!"
Yep, I'm that person too. Part of me is really sad about not playing TT this time, but the other part of me is looking at the mini challenge tasks thinking "yeah, I'd get nowhere with my TBR for the next 3 months" 😆
Mod
Relatable! I have not even looked at TT to see the theme or the tasks. Might mosey on over just to snoop and see, hehe.
Have started my WILD CARD ROULETTE book.It's confusing me. It's set in Ireland, with Irish characters and an Irish author, yet it uses American words for stuff (diapers, vacation, etc.). Very jarring! Also, why? 😆
(It bothers me when it's the other way around too. Maybe I'm just easily annoyed 😂)
Mod
I have no idea. I'd ask if American publishers really think so little of their readers' intelligence they need a "translated" version of UK English, but I know the answer to that already.I used to know someone who worked for a major American publishing house, and he said that, yes, that's pretty much the case. It was the reason they changed Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, because they thought their average reader wouldn't understand Philosopher's stone and be put off picking up the book! 🙄
done and my individual check-in done 😁
Started my 2 for stripes and lights :)
Mod
I used to..."
Yeah, we Americans are dumb and uncultured, so we need our books dumbed down. I remember reading about that H.P. title back in the day. Major eyerolls in their general direction.
Good job finishing your book already, Sammy!
I'm at work and have not started my book but I have been on GR updating my challenges. I do plan to start sneaking in some pages soon!
Mod
I think we just read one book for the wild card bonus.
Wouldn't want you to waste your time if you were only reading one of them for this bonus.
I think it goes in both directions. I read the first chapter of a book where it was supposed to be set in Alaska and the men were all running around in jumpers and other terms.I won't start until after work today so likely won't be done until tomorrow.
ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Teddie wrote: "Started my 2 for stripes and lights :)"I think we just read one book for the wild card bonus.
Wouldn't want you to waste your time if you were only reading one of them for this b..."
lol - thanks Teresa
For some reason I was thinking that we could do 1 book per task :D
Mod
I think we just read one book for the wild card bonus.
Wouldn't want you to waste your time if you were on..."
I wish we could do one per task! I actually was hoping it would be a "read as many as you can within the five days" when it was first posted, but I re-read the details and saw that it's just one book.
Lexi wrote: "I think it goes in both directions. I read the first chapter of a book where it was supposed to be set in Alaska and the men were all running around in jumpers and other terms.I won't start until..."
It definitely does, and it annoys me both ways 😆
Sammy wrote: "Lexi wrote: "I think it goes in both directions. I read the first chapter of a book where it was supposed to be set in Alaska and the men were all running around in jumpers and other terms.I won'..."
It is a special mental picture for the US meaning of the word.
Mod
"Sweaters are made of wool. Wool comes from sheep. Sheep jump"
I guess that's cuter than naming it for how our bodies react to the warm material?? lol.
Many of our funniest conversations involve our language and its many quirks and differences, especially when it comes to local phrases.
I like that explanation. I am pretty sure it comes from the french for outerwear/ coat which came from the Arabic.
Mod
Ha! I will not tell her that.
I looked up the word origin and this is what I found:
The word "jumper" has an uncertain origin. It is possibly derived from the Scottish English term "jupe," meaning a man's loose jacket or tunic, which itself came from the Old French "jupe" or "juppe," ultimately from the Arabic "jubba" (a loose outer garment). It is not related to the verb "to jump".
I'm checked in for the Wild Card Roulette :)
Mod
Hooked on Books
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Attention, thrill-seekers! The Carnival Master just WHIPPED OUT A MYSTERY CHALLENGE!
📜 YOUR TEAM’S SECRET PROMPT:
Read a book with a cover that features bright lights, stripes, or tents.
Complete it May 12th (12:01am CST) May 18th (11:59pm CST) to CASH IN!
🕰️ Countdown to Start: https://countingdownto.com/?c=6222007
🕰️ Countdown to Finish: https://countingdownto.com/?c=6222009
🎟️ REWARDS:
• 1 TICKET per 50 pages (cha-ching!).
• TEAM BONUS: First 3 teams with FOUR MEMBERS FINISHED get +10 TICKETS!
💡 REMINDER: For this bonus, your book does not need to be part of the main challenge. You’re free to read any book that fits your bonus prompt—whether or not you’re using it for a task in the main event. Total freedom, baby!
⚡ HOW TO CLAIM YOUR BOUNTY:
• Individual completions: Each player should post their own completion in the Check-In Thread.
Be sure to include:
📚 Book title
📝 Justification (how it fits your prompt)
🔢 Page count
👤 Your Name and Team Name
• 🏆 Team Bonus (+10 tickets):
ONE player must post a “Victory!” declaration when four team members have completed the bonus prompt in the Check-In Thread by before the countdown ends!
👉 Tip: Pick someone ahead of time who can post at a moment’s notice.
💨 FIRST COME, FIRST GLORY!
Will your squad speed-read to the top 3? Or will fate leave you in the dust? Gamble with your pages—and may the odds be EVER in your favor!
🧠 A Friendly Reminder from the Carnival Master:
Yes, this is a competitive challenge—and yes, the tickets are shiny! But this is just a bonus, and it's meant to be FUN, not exhausting. There’s no requirement to participate, and we’d much rather you enjoy your reading than stress yourself out.
🎠 Read what you can, do your best, and don’t forget: we’re all here for the joy of the ride. ❤️
🎪 The wheel has spoken… NOW RUN WITH IT!