RRRC's 3rd Reading Tournament: Follow The Leader Edition

[Fran, Moderator]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Hina? What Nicola said :)"

Ditto :)

[Hina]

LOL :) I will def. look into it and update you guys!

[Karla]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Karla wrote: "I'm starting late, but I am in.

Follow the Leader Tournament
April 15-September 15
Points:

Track #1: Holes by Louis Sachar
1. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
2. The Great Gilly Hop..."

Thank you! Even though there is no way I will get as many points as everyone else, this is a fun way to discover new (to me) books!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Don't worry Karla. I think most of us have stalled on this challenge :)

I'm stuck on one book and it's stopping me from progressing, plus I have to admit I tend to focus on the other challenges, and if this one fits in - great!, otherwise it flounders in nowhere-land. I think this is because it is really hard to plan for this challenge - you have to go with the list, buy/find the book if you don't already have it, and then try to 'stuff' that book into your other challenges... I'm enjoying it, but it has been relegated to lower down the ranks :(

[Hina]

Update: So I did see a doc and thanksfully, nothing more than exhaustion/stress. Jane I did ask about the hypothyroid but she said I only fit one of the many symptoms which was tiredness and that could be related to many things. I had gained weight in the past year but I knew that was related to my birth control shot, but I stopped taking them like 6 months ago, but my doctor tells me most of my symptoms could just be hormonal and that it can take up to 9 months or so for the body to adjust after going off the shot and few women do feel lethargic. She told me to eat more fruits in my diet and a bit more of a healthier diet, i.e, more fruits and vegetables and exercise (which I will confess I have been really bad about for the past year). Full time school and full time doesn't help me either since my lack of exercise and poor food choice are related to them. I should stop making excuses. LOL. On another note, she also suggested that I am probably getting Early Onset Osteoarthritis, which I kind of knew was going to happen, my doctor when I was 18 warned me about getting arthritis before I was going to be 30, sure enough he was right (I am 28). Guess what the treatment, eat right and exercise. So that's it for now. I apologize for any TMI.

On a side note, I did get a raised eyebrows when I told her how much I have been reading lately and how I noticed my symptoms because I was slowing down in my readings. I think she really wanted to comment but I don't think it would be medically relevant and we are not that friendly. But I still had a good laugh at the raised eyebrows.

[Nicola]

Yay! So glad it is nothing too serious or unexpected. Take care of yourself!

Now on a selfish note, put down the books and go get some exercise. And no audiobooks!!

[Hina]

Nicola wrote: "Yay! So glad it is nothing too serious or unexpected. Take care of yourself!

Now on a selfish note, put down he books and go get some exercise. And no audiobooks!!"

LOL, I got exams to study, so I am giving myself a couple of hours in the evenings this whole week to study till the tests. So whatever I read during commute. Actually, I was thinking audiobooks too, but then I realized it probably will not help. I will probably need upbeat music when I am out of breath and concentrate on the narrator of the book LOL.

[Jojo]

Hi - I know it's late to start but I've just spotted this challenge and it seems an excellent way to find new books to treat myself (I try to use kindle freebies to fit in with the other challenges).

Track 1: 2 pts

Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
1. Black Ice by Anne Stuart - 29/06/12 ★ ★ ★ ★

Track 2: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
1. Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean

Track 3: It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
1. Body Check by Deidre Martin

[Dee]

I can't listened to music or audiobooks when I work out...my brain doesn't like it...I tend to spend more time figuring out how long I have been running/working out than actually working out...

[Mary X]

I can listen to an audiobook when I'm walking outside. But not if I'm riding a stationary bike or on a treadmill. I think the stationary scenery makes my mind wander.

I've slowed down a bit with this too. But it's more to do with book club books and books to read and mail for paperbackswap. So far I've been able to work books for this into my other challenges.

[Fran, Moderator]

@ Hina, so glad it's not serious and you should be feeling better soon :)

@Jojo, Welcome! Hope you enjoy the challenge. I've found quite a few new books this way- its been fun looking through the new lists generated after each book read :)

[Mandy]

I think I'll join in, too - even if it is late in the game!

Points: 51 pts.
Track 1: 30 pts.
Track 2: 17 pts.
Track 3: 4 pts.

Track 1: Based on Primal Passions
1. With Abandon 6/27-6/28 4 stars
2. Relentless 6/28-6/28 4 stars
3. The Love of a Mate 6/28-6/28 4 stars
4. Reckless 6/28-6/29 4 stars
5. A Very Shaney Valentine's Day (instead of An Assassin's Touch) 6/29-6/29 4 stars
6. Unexpected Demands 6/29-6/29 5 stars
7. Midnight in Berlin 7/11-7/12 4 stars
8. Honored Vow 7/12-7/12 5 stars
9. Natural Instincts 7/12-7/13 4 stars
10. Vigil 7/13-7/13 4 stars
11. Sacrifice (instead of Book 4) 7/17 4 stars
12. Twilight (instead of Book 7) 8/17 4 stars
13. Demon Moon (instead of Book 5) 8/17-8/18 3 stars
14. Closer (instead of Book 5) 9/11 4 stars
15. Thaw 9/11 3.5 stars
16. An Inner Darkness (instead of book 2) 9/12 4 stars
17. Falling 9/11 4 stars
18. Where The Heart Is (instead of book 5) 9/14 4 stars
19. Criss Cross (instead of Book 5 9/14 4 stars

Track 2: Based on Nicholas
1. Beyond Eden 6/30-7/1 5 stars
2. Safe Harbor 7/1-7/2 5 stars
3. Desire for Three (in place of book 3 in series) 7/2-7/2 4 stars
4. Deception 7/2-7/4 3 stars
5. Triple Play 7/9-7/9 3 stars
6. Saddled 7/11-7/11 3 stars
7. Texas Tangle 7/11-7/11 4 stars
8. Their One and Only 7/22-7/23 4 stars
9. Blackmailed 7/25-7/26 5 stars
10. Siren in the City (Texas Sirens, #2) (instead of Book 1)

Track 3: Based on The Luckiest
1. Frog 7/19-7/20 4 stars
2. Stronger in Your Hands 7/22 4 stars

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Hina - I'm so pleased it wasn't anything serious :) And it looks like we'll be talking to a 'new and improved' Hina in a few months ;) Good luck with the lifestyle shift! (I've had to do that in the past as well...)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Welcome Jojo and Mandy :) I have set up your links to the above posts in msg 7. Enjoy!

[Karla]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Don't worry Karla. I think most of us have stalled on this challenge :)

I'm stuck on one book and it's stopping me from progressing, plus I have to admit I tend to focus on the other challenges, a..."

Thanks. I have to focus on another challenge right now, too. I am doing the decade challenge for another group and the books I chose for this challenge do not fit in with that one. But, it is a new way to find books!

[Fran, Moderator]

Here is the link to message #2, which has the top ten points earners so far....but it's still early in the challenge :)


http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...

[Amy ~Lover of Books~]

I'm dropping out of this tournament. Have fun guys!

[Rebecca]

I had to stop doing this one too. I was having to buy all the books, and I just can't afford that.

[Fran, Moderator]

Sorry to see you ladies go but totally understand :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I completely understand as well... The tracks can get pretty specific, and I've nearly run out of books that I haven't read on one of my tracks.

[Dee]

one of my previous books, only have 5 books in the readers also enjoyed, and i'm starting to see the same books/series over and over again

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Yeah - the track just spouts up the same books over and over, but seems to limit them to around the years of publication or something. It can be hard to upgrade to the next round of books in a series...

[Dee]

I think that is where the books in a series rule might help...if you are recommended book 1, but you are up to book 6...then theoretically you should get newer ones...

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I have been using that rule, but still... I wish it would just expand the suggested books to include them :)

[Hina]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Yeah - the track just spouts up the same books over and over, but seems to limit them to around the years of publication or something. It can be hard to upgrade to the next round of books in a ser..."

It keeps happening to me in my historical track, now I keep seeing the same books I have already read or books I am not interested in starting, so far I have been able to read something in the series started here and just take the 1 pointer over reading something I dont want to. But I am coming up with that problem mostly with the series which are all in the historical track for me, the other two are not based heavily on series and I see less problem with those two track.

[Dee]

and all of us are too stubbon to want to kill the track and start over!!!

[Nicola]

Good to know I am no the only stubborn one. I WON'T take that deduction- however would probably be better off if I did!

[Mandy]

I'm about to run into that problem, too - I don't have any two pointers left on any track without buying a new book - guess I'll be taking more one-pointers for a while. :)

[Dee]

every little point counts ;)

[Hina]

That's so true Dee! I won't kill a track out of sheer stubbornness! One of them has become into all Harlequin Presents!! Good thing is I can get the book from the library if I have to and save some money but so many HPs....I might not pick up an HP for a while after this challenge. At least most of them are decent.

[Mary X]

I have a lot of 1 point books on my tracks because of this. It rarely gives me the one I'm up to in a series as an option. It's always one I've already read or too many ahead to read next.

I way behind on this. I haven't updated any of my tracks in weeks. I keep reading for other challenges and for paperbackswap.

[Dee]

don't worry Mary - i'm the same...lol!

[Mary X]

So I just went to check my tracks to see if any have books I wnat to read soon on them. I had to redo my proposed track 2. The next book on my list is no longer an off shoot. Oh well.

[Fran, Moderator]

I read one book (non-bdsm related), it offered me a BDSM themed choice, which is fine by me, I read that one and then I only got BDSM books after that. I stalled on that track after about 5 books or so. I am so over the spanking and controlling for now, LOL!

[Wan]

totally forgot about this challenge. I'm going to withdraw. One too many challenge. :(

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Fran wrote: "I am so over the spanking and controlling for now, LOL!..."

LOL! (I want to make a smart comment, but they are come out smutty!!)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Wan ~DragonsWan~ wrote: "totally forgot about this challenge. I'm going to withdraw. One too many challenge. :("

We're all struggling - I don't think I've looked at my list in a month :(

[Dee]

I only have 1 book oging out of my 3 right now...i'm hoping to get at least a couple more books in

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

By accident, I'm actually reading a book from one of my threads! Happy coincidence - unfortunately it is only a 1 pointer :(

[Mandy]

I finally restarted on one of my lines (one-pointers only, though) and have books I can read for the other two again (thanks to last week's sale code at fictionwise)!

[Lynne]

It's hard to keep fitting these books into the other challenges. So far I still have books on my lines, but I'm definitely taking a lot of 1 pointers.

[Mary X]

I didn't realize that this was ending so soon. I finally read a couple more. I thought I'd do a lot better with this but with other challenges, library holds coming and trading on paperbackswap: I just haven't been able to keep my tracks moving along.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Good news! We have a new Tournament lined up behind this one Mary ;)

[Hina]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Good news! We have a new Tournament lined up behind this one Mary ;)"

I can't decide to cheer or groan at this!! :)

[Nicola]

Hina wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Good news! We have a new Tournament lined up behind this one Mary ;)"

I can't decide to cheer or groan at this!! :)"

Go ahead and cheer! We know you will attack any challenge with relish! Judging by your totals here you are feeling better - hope that is accurate :-)

[Dragana]

Hina wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Good news! We have a new Tournament lined up behind this one Mary ;)"

I can't decide to cheer or groan at this!! :)"

Ditto. :D

I really neglected this tournament, I should try to read a couple more until it ends...

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

The next Tournament is entirely different - but no more news on that until closer to kick-off :)

[Mary X]

tease.

I was tempted to just give up on this one. But I decided to give it a last ditch effort. I actually added 3 books to one track this week and have a book started for another track.

[Hina]

Jane (PS) wrote: "The next Tournament is entirely different - but no more news on that until closer to kick-off :)"

Mary is right....You are teasing us, and now I am curious...

Nicola, I do feel better. I'm trying to be more active and trying to eat better. Also, it helps that my summer classes are over, 4 weeks per class were intense and I had two back to back on a Saturday from 9-4, its a brutal schedule and another evening class. Its a good way to finish up classes fast but its a killer schedule. But thankfully its over and I think I am going to take the next quarter off or at least not a full load. I got lectured by my fiancee about stretching myself too much with everything and something's gotta give.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Good move to slow down Hina. Life is too short to attack it at a run and miss out on the fun :)

(Yes - I am a tease, but my sister is worse! Be glad she doesn't read romance ;)