The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Team Dracula's Castle

Team Members:
❅ Kaley - Captain
❅ Camilla - Co-Captain
❅ Jennifer Fox
❅ Carly
❅ Audrey
❅ Keely
❅ Lisa Petiniot
❅ Dima
❅ Jhmingos

♕ Team Spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

R

R

R

Important links

TEAM SHELVES
✓ ❅ Kaley - Captain
✓ ❅ Camilla - Co-Captain
✓ ❅ Jennifer Fox
✓ ❅ Carly
✓ ❅ Audrey
✓ ❅ Keely
✓ ❅ Lisa Petiniot
✓ ❅ Dima
✓ ❅ Jhmingos (Lizzie)

SPREADSHEETS/THREADS
❅ Official team spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
❅ Current status spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
❅ Tracking spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

UNO GUIDELINES
❅ https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


HELPFUL TOOLS
❅ arbookfind.com, for checking the word count on children's books: https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.a...
❅Children's Books That Have Already Been Checked
❅Yellow Covers
❅Blue Covers
❅Green Covers
❅Red Covers
Important note
Some books on the color cover list may not seem like the color cover. This is because GR will show the default version. There may be a specific version that has been shelved that is the actual color. The version you read is what you should shelve, and is what counts, for UNO.

COUNTDOWN
❅Countdown to start: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Important rules to remember

❅ Only books started after the challenge starts can count for this challenge.
❅ All finished books must be marked as read and must be on your Uno shelf.
❅ If you're unsure if a cover falls under a certain color, then ask here and we can talk it over as a group. If we can't come to a decision, I will take it to the captains group.
❅ Books must be more than 100 pages in length and Children's books, Graphic Novels, Manga, Cook Books, Plays and Poetry books can not be used unless by word count they can be verified as more than 25,000 words using arbookfind.com or more than 3 hours of audio using a reputable website (e.g. audible, overdrive). Children's books checked in previous years can be seen on this shelf uno-childrens
❅ You must check in at least once a week so I know you’re still actively participating. You can post a book, or if you haven’t finished one, just stop by here and say hi :)
❅ Have fun!! It's a social challenge, so can get chatty. And while we do want points and want to finish all our cards, this isn't supposed to be a competitive challenge. So enjoy your reading!

Other info
When it comes to cards, I prefer to just read and fill in what is needed rather than "claiming" cards (since sometimes cards need to be shuffled around). However, when it comes to color cards, please do claim those so we know those are covered.

POSTING FORMAT

When you finish a book, please either add it to the planning spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...) OR post it to the team thread following this format.

Book:
Author:
Date Read:
Cards it fits:

So, for example...

Book: Heartless
Author: Marissa Meyer
Date read: Feb. 1, 2020
Cards it fits:
0 - standalone
3 - H title
Skip - character Catherine Pinkerton

Note: Please make to shelve the edition that you actually read, & make sure to link the edition you shelved here!

MONTHLY CARDS


APRIL


Cards: 84 of 119
Hands: 7 of 17

0: 3
1: 1
2: 4
3: 2
4: 3
5: 5
6: 1
7: 1
8: 4
9: 5
Wild: 2
Draw 2: 2


8 Green - Audrey
9 Blue - Audrey

Overload cards (ALL DONE)

MINI CHALLENGES

Each month, in the middle of the month, there is typically a mini challenge that will provide an opportunity for extra points. These challenges will provide new tasks for us outside of our usual UNO hands.

APRIL

ALL CLAIMED

Hi team!

My name is Kaley, and I'll be your captain for Uno this year.

I've been on teams with some of you before (hi Camilla and Audrey!), but for those who don't know me, here's a little about me.

I live in Indiana (in the US) with my husband and our two dogs and one cat.

My favorite genre is romance, but I do enjoy a good mystery/thriller now and again. I'll pretty much give anything a try, though I'm generally not a fan of nonfiction (unless it's an autobiography about someone I like!)

I can't wait to get to know all of you! I've sent all of you a friend request -- please make sure to accept so I can see your shelves for the challenge. I'd also encourage you to add your fellow teammates as friends as well, especially since it'll make finding books for Reverse cards much easier, but that is not required!

Please post a link to your Uno shelf when you check in. And another quick question for everyone -- would you prefer to post your read books here (using the format listed a few comments above this one), or would you prefer to put them into a spreadsheet?

Thanks!

Res

Hi everybody!
I'll be your co-captain during this round of UNO, so looking forward to playing with you. My name is Camilla and I live in Finland with hubby, our two daughters have thankfully already flown from the nest. I've played UNO since, hmmm, 2016 I think; this is my second time as a co-captain.

My favorite genres are fantasy, horror, scifi, and nonfiction. Besides reading I like travelling and baking. I work full-time as a school psychologist.

As Kaley did, I've sent all of you a friend request.

My UNO shelf is https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Hello all!

I am Keely and I am from the UK although I am hoping to move to Norway to live with my boyfriend later this year.
This will be my third or fourth UNO (I lost track) and if my memory is correct, I don't think I've been on a team with any of you before. I'm sorry if I wrong about that.

I generally read a bit everything, but prefer books with a bit of adventure and/or mystery. This year I am trying to read as many book as I can that I added in 2012, which are mostly classics. But I am happy to find other books to fit certain cards or challenges.

I just started a new full time job which is temporary, but I should be there for the duration of the challenge. I am able to listen to audiobooks while I work, so it is likely that I will be able to read more than what I said but I won't be upset if we don't use all my books. I intend to read some longer books so I dont read too much more than what I said.

I'm currently on my phone so I will send friend requests when I get on my laptop, unless you beat me to it, and I will also post my shelf then too. I just couldn't wait to post!

Welcome Keely!

Wow, moving to Norway would be a big change! Have you lived there earlier? I've never visited Norway, although it's very close to Finland, but it looks beautiful, would love to do some hiking there some day.

Having a job where you're able to listen to audiobooks seems great. I'm able to listen to audiobooks - most often CDs - in my car during my commute to and from work, which takes about 25 minutes.

I'm on my laptop now. I've sent everyone a friend request now and my shelf is UNO-2022

I'm currently comparing all your books with mine for the Reverse cards. I've got quite a list now of books at least one of you have read and that I want to read. I won't have any problem covering some reverse cards during the challenge!

Camilla wrote: "Welcome Keely!

Wow, moving to Norway would be a big change! Have you lived there earlier? I've never visited Norway, although it's very close to Finland, but it looks beautiful, would love to do ..."

I've not lived there, but I've been for a couple of 3 months visits. That's as long as I can stay without a visa. Once I'm more settled getting used to full time work again, I'm going to focus on learning Norwegian more which will help me get work to make the move.

I would love to visit Finland one day as it also looks beautiful!

I was very happy to learn that they don't mind us listening to stuff at work. They seem pretty relaxed as long as you get the work done. I wasn't sure if I would be able to listen to audiobooks while working when I signed up for this so that is why I kept my number lower.

Welcome Keely!

You both are giving me wanderlust!! I've only ever been to different places within the US and Canada -- but even Canada was when I was pretty young, so I don't remember much of it. I don't even have a passport! I have been meaning to get one because I do want to travel . . . but with everything going on that hasn't been a priority.

Hey team ! My name is Audrey, I'm a belgian living in France. Favourite genres are historical fiction, Victorian/gothic mysteries and fairy tale retellings. I also like to read history books.

This is my first time playing UNO, I've been recruited during Wheels. I've read the rules and think I understand but will most likely figure it out once the challenge starts. I like our team name btw, visited Bran Castle years ago during a team building event for work.

I'm ok with posting read books here since I like to see what other people read but whatever is easier for you, captains.

Glad to be on the same team again, Kaley :D
Nice to meet you, Keely and Camilla. I've been to Finland once and loved it!

My shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Well, I think the US and Canada both have an amazing number of places to visit and things to see. I really love to travel, so the past two years have been quite uncomfortable (of course on top of all the covid restrictions). We just returned from our first trip since Jan 2020, we spent a week in Gran Canaria, did some hiking and enjoyed the sun. I'm currently training for a longish pilgrimage that I sincerely hope I can do next June-July (had it all planned, flights bought etc. for June-July 2020, but, well, we all know how that went), so I need to walk a fair bit, preferably with my backpack. The area of Finland where I live is quite flat, so going up and down the mountains in Gran Canaria was a welcome change.

Hello Audrey and welcome! I see you live in Normandy, right? We visited that part of France in the mid-90's (sheesh, is it that long time ago already?) on a roadtrip, went to see some of the coast and e.g. Omaha Beach; very moving. And I seem to remember they produce very nice ciders there as well :-)

Kaley wrote: "I've only ever been to different places within the US and Canada -- but even Canada was when I was pretty young, so I don't remember much of it. ..."

Canada and US are huge and have beautiful/breath taking locations ! I presume crossing states would be like visiting another country :p

Oh yes, I personally prefer to just add my read books to a spreadsheet, but I'm happy to go with what the group wants. Thank you for reminding me to answer that question, Audrey!

It's nice to meet everyone!

I've been to the US once. I went to Florida for Disneyworld and the other places around there. I would like to visit more places in the US one day and I would like to visit Canada one day too.

I also forgot to mention that I work strange hours. I work 2pm-10pm which means I will be online more late at night for the Europeans, but more in the afternoon/evening for those of you in the US.

Camilla wrote: "Hello Audrey and welcome! I see you live in Normandy, right? We visited that part of France in the mid-90's (sheesh, is it that long time ago already?) on a roadtrip, went to see some of the coast ..."

Thanks, Camilla! Correct :) I'm excited you visited the region. I'm one hour's drive from the Omaha Beach (Colleville-Sur-Mer) as well as the Mont-Saint-Michel (if you go towards Brittany). I live in a part of Normandy where they produce pear cider.

(Actually if you look at the history of the world, the 90's is pretty recent *wink wink* :D)

Camilla wrote: "Well, I think the US and Canada both have an amazing number of places to visit and things to see. I really love to travel, so the past two years have been quite uncomfortable (of course on top of a..."

Hope you will be able to enjoy your pilgrimage this summer :) May I ask where you're planning to go?

Keely wrote: "Oh yes, I personally prefer to just add my read books to a spreadsheet, but I'm happy to go with what the group wants. "

I'm fine with that too :)

We visited Mont-Saint-Michel as well, what a magnificent place!
I know we had cider and crepes somewhere near the beach, methinks Deauville? Is that somewhere near you? We had some friends living in Boulogne-sur-Mer, so we toured the area bit.

Going to Spain to walk the Camino Frances, from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela.

Audrey Jane wrote: "Canada and US are huge and have beautiful/breath taking locations ! I presume crossing states would be like visiting another country :p "

It can be!! My sister lives in Arizona (about 1,465 miles / 2,357 km from me) and it is DEFINITELY way different there than where I live!

Good evening! This is my second UNO event but haven’t played in a few years. My wife and herd of animals live in Alabama (USA), yes I’ma huge animal lover!! I’ma retired high school teacher and now I’m a counselor at a private practice working on getting my license. I love reading mysteries!! I’m getting back into reading after taking several years off. Just let me know what I can do to help the time and I’m your girl!!
I can’t wait to get to know all of you better!!!
My shelf is :
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I hope I did that correctly!!

Hello,
I'm Lisa. This is my first time playing UNO. I live in Ohio with my two cats. I work nightshift, so my sleep schedule is quite random, and therefore I might be awake and reading at any time of the day. I often can read some at work which is nice too. My favorite genres are fantasy and historical/contemporary fiction. I have an UNO shelf (I think it is just uno-2022 or https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...). I will log books either here or on spreadsheet - I don't have a preference - whatever the group decides is fine. I'm looking forward to having fun reading the next few months!

P.S. I plan on reading Kingdom of Ash next month (just finished books 5 and 6 for that series yesterday and can't wait!) and I think it will fill our Yellow 7 card as it is seventh book in the series.

Hi everyone, I'm Lizzie. My Goodreads name is Jhmingos, but you can call me either. I live in beautiful Southern California and I work in research. This is my 3rd year doing Uno and it was the gateway to my addiction to team challenges. Happy to be here and excited to meet you all.

I read a lot of mysteries/thrillers and classics. I'm also a longtime fan of regency romances so if you're looking for any Bridgerton-esque recommendations, I got em 😀.

I also prefer having a spreadsheet because it's easier for me to track which cards work for the books I'm currently reading. But I can do either.
Uno shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Welcome Jennifer! What kind of animals do you have? I'd so like to have a cat, but hubby objects, he's a bit scared of them.

Welcome Lisa! What kind of cats do you have? If I would get a cat, I'd like a British shorthair.

The Throne of Glass series is one I've always sort of looked at, but it's never made it to my TBR list. I take it that you would recommend it?

And welcome Lizzie! Yes, UNO can be considered a gateway to team challenges, LOL! I'm actually not sure what my first team challenge here in GR was, should dig it up sometime.

Southern California sounds lovely, especially right now, as it snowing heavily here! Luckily I'll be working from home today, mainly because I have a slight lingering flu (not covid) and don't want to be at the school coughing away.

Hi, new friends! I’m delighted by how international our team is.

I’m Carly. I live in the middle of the United States (Kansas City, MO) with my husband and two cats Joe Piano and Walter Neff. I’m into video games, crafting, Peloton, and bad action films.

This is my second year playing UNO; I had a lot of fun last time. I read pretty much anything (as you can see my my absolutely-stuffed-full “Want to Read” shelf), and the parameters of the UNO cards help me decide what’s next, and oftentimes make me choose something I wouldn’t have otherwise.

This is my UNO shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Happy to be here!

Oop, forgot to mention that we used a spreadsheet to track books read on my team last year, but I’m down for whatever.

Hi Carly, welcome! We seem to have several teamies with cats. How did your cats get their names?
I've never heard of Peloton, had to google; do you mean streaming fitness classes?

Camilla wrote: "Welcome Lisa! What kind of cats do you have? If I would get a cat, I'd like a British shorthair.

The Throne of Glass series is one I've always sort of looked at, but it's never made it to my TBR l..."

My cats are both females - one is a ginger tabby (Calypso) and the other is a dilute tortoise shell (Maisie). They will be three years old soon. And both love to read with me.

I do recommend Throne of Glass series, although I admit I was not impressed by the first book. I had several friends tell me how good the series was and that book just didn't live up to my expectation. But they told me to stick with it and every book has gotten better. Tips they have given me, that I 100% agree with are to read the book of novellas (The Assassin's Blade) between book #3 and #4. And to do a tandem read of books #5 and #6 (https://tellereads.wordpress.com/tog-...).

That's awesome, Camilla ! I met some pilgrims going to Santiago on my path in 2019 when I was hiking in the Cevennes area with a donkey called Romeo (yes, it's as awesome as it sounds haha :p and donkeys are amazing companions). I remember doing around 20km per day back then and it was hot but they did more than that with their gear on their back ! Just before the pandemic I started to get invested in GR hiking paths. I only did a part of the GR20 so far but would like to do a part of the GR10 (either French or Spanish side) at some point in the future.

Welcome Lizzie, Lisa, Jennifer, and Carly ! Nice to meet you, looking forward to play with you all :)

Camilla wrote: "We visited Mont-Saint-Michel as well, what a magnificent place!
I know we had cider and crepes somewhere near the beach, methinks Deauville? Is that somewhere near you? We had some friends living i..."

Ah, I'm way lower, closer to the Mont-Saint-Michel, I'm almost on the same horizontal line with it and a 1h30 drive below Bayeux (the one with the tapestry). I like touring along the coastline with its turn of the century houses (compared to the modern flats for example) and beautiful shades of blue. Some of my favourite places around here are Saint-Malo and Dinan which is basically what I imagine Diagon Alley to be, it has all those little shops as well :)
I love crêpes ! When I don't know what to cook that's my go to meal. You had the true Normandy experience ;)

Camilla wrote: "Hi Carly, welcome! We seem to have several teamies with cats. How did your cats get their names?
I've never heard of Peloton, had to google; do you mean streaming fitness classes?"

Cats are the best! Mine are named after film noir characters, because they’re black and white—Joe Piano is from Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing, and Walter Neff is from Double Indemnity. Would totally recommend both if you’ve never seen!

Peloton does all sorts of different classes now, but they started with spinning/cycling classes. Great music and fun instructors. It’s one part dance party, one part exercise, one part therapy—which is apparently the magic solution for me to actually exercise! :D

Great cat names, Carly, I haven't seen the movies yet, will have to look into it. And indeed cats are the best!

I wasn't familiar with Peloton either, thanks for explaining, sounds like a fun way to excercise :)

Lisa wrote: "I do recommend Throne of Glass series, although I admit I was not impressed by the first book."

Thank you for the tips, I added it to my TBR. The Helsinki area library seems to have the first four books plus the novella collection on Overdrive.

Your cats sounds lovely! And reading cats, even better.

Audrey Jane wrote: "That's awesome, Camilla ! I met some pilgrims going to Santiago on my path in 2019 when I was hiking in the Cevennes area with a donkey called Romeo (yes, it's as awesome as it sounds haha :p and d..."

A donkey, wow! How on earth did you travel with a donkey? Following Robert Louis Stevenson? Yes, Le Puy in the area is a starting point for the so called Le Puy route to Camino de Santiago.

20 km is a normal and not even very long day walk for pilgrims and yes, most carry their own pack, but if needed, there are services like the Spanish Correos (Post) that can deliver your pack to your next destination.

Audrey Jane wrote: "Camilla wrote: "We visited Mont-Saint-Michel as well, what a magnificent place!
I know we had cider and crepes somewhere near the beach, methinks Deauville? Is that somewhere near you? We had some ..."

Okay, now I'm on the map. We did visit Bayeux, hubby still refers to the tapestry as a rag, LOL! And we did indeed visit both Saint-Malo (had some nice moules there) and Dinant; I think we overnighted in the latter.

Carly wrote: "Cats are the best! Mine are named after film noir characters, because they’re black and white—Joe Piano is from Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing, and Walter Neff is from Double Indemnity. Would totally recommend both if you’ve never seen!"

I'd never heard of those movies, need to google. Is the Kubrick movie very scary? I don't do horror movies (although I like reading horror novels, go figure).

Oh, forgot to mention that Peloton is actually a word in Finnish, it means "fearless".

I’m loving these conversations around travel, cats, and books!

I always thought I’d have literary names for my animals, but my dogs kept their shelter/rescue names. The only pet I actually got to name is my cat, Pippa — which is just short for Pipsqueak, not because of her size (she is a chunk as an adult) but because when she was a kitten, she meowed every single time you tried to hold her and was just a little loudmouth. I didn’t know I’d be keeping her when I actually named her. She was in a litter of five, and all the other ones got pop culture names except for her. (She was born to a stray cat that lived in my mother-in-law’s neighborhood. She trapped the mom with the intention of keeping her safe in the garage so she could give birth and get kittens to adoptable age, then planned to give the kittens to a shelter and get the mom spayed and release her. That didn’t go as planned because we realized the mom was not feral so she kept the mom and I kept one of the kittens, but oh well…. Lol.)