The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Team Thorny Devil

Team Members:
❅ Helke - Captain
❅ Gustaf Martinez Amador - Captain
❅ Sarah T
❅ Diane Bayley
❅ Vikki
❅ Janine
❅ Ashley M.
❅ Melissa McMahon
❅ Federica


♕ Team Spreadsheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...


❅ Summer

R

R

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Hi team. I´m Helke from Germany. Half the team are already my friends but I hope at the end we all will be good friends. I live near Berlin with my hubby and my kids. I love to read and if I didn´t need to go to work I would spend whole days reading.
Hope you all enjoy this challenge. As a challenge addict I´ve played quite a few others too but this one is my favorite as you nearly can read every book you like and still make it fit for the challenge.

So please for the sake of the whole team tell us who you are, what you like to do and what books you like to read. Please accept friend requests from each others as we might need to take a look at each others book shelves.

This is the link to our team spread sheet. (The one above from Uno Pixie is only for the captains, sorry.) But our ss is essentially the same as the one for the captains so you are not missing out.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

You can take a look and send me a pm with your email adress. I´ll give you editing rights then. The sheet for February is already set up. So you can look at the cards we will need to fill in. If you need help with working these form of spread sheet please don´t hesitate to ask me or Gustaf. We are glad to help.

At times during this challenge I'll be super busy with work. So please try to go these steps for your books:
1. If you find a book you would like to read go to the ss and find a place for it there. You don't need to fill all informations in at that time. A title with a link and your name will be enough.
2. After you finished your book please make a completion post. Post all possible cards the book could fit with the reason it fits the cards f.e. card 1 because book is #1 in series. For an example look at message 8 please.
3. Go to the ss, find your book and enter the read date in the correct column. If you like to do it also enter the info about the other cards the book fits. Then change the line colour to yellow so Gustaf and I know there was a new book completed. This way we don´t need to search the whole ss for new entries. That helps with working economical with our time.

INFORMATIONS TO HELP
Colour extractor to find out the main colour of a book cover if we can´t decide by vote. You are not required to use it, but it might help.
https://labs.tineye.com/color/

Shelfs with mainly colored covers:
red covers
blue covers
green covers
yellow covers

THE CARDS AND THEIR MEANING
(view spoiler)[

O (Zero)
Read a book that:
- has a 0 or Zero in the title
- has a title starting with Z
- has an author first name or surname starts with Z
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with Z
- is set in a place name starting with Z
- is a "stand-alone" book (i.e. not part of a series)

1 (One)
Read a book that:
- has a 1 or One in the title
- has a title starting with O
- has an author first name or surname starts with O
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with O
- is set in a place name starting with O
- is book 1 in a series

2 (Two)
Read a book that:
- has a 2 or Two in the title
- has a title starting with T
- has an author first name or surname starts with T
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with T
- is set in a place name starting with T
- is book 2 in a series

3 (Three)
Read a book that:
- has a 3 or Three in the title
- has a title starting with H
- has an author first name or surname starts with H
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with H
- is set in a place name starting with H
- is book 3 in a series

4 (Four)
Read a book that:
- has a 4 or Four in the title
- has a title starting with F
- has an author first name or surname starts with F
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with F
- is set in a place name starting with F
- is book 4 in a series

5 (Five)
Read a book that:
- has a 5 or Five in the title
- has a title starting with I
- has an author first name or surname starts with I
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with I
- is set in a place name starting with I
- is book 5 in a series

6 (Six)
Read a book that:
- has a 6 or Six in the title
- has a title starting with S
- has an author first name or surname starts with S
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with S
- is set in a place name starting with S
- is book 6 in a series

7 (Seven)
Read a book that:
- has a 7 or Seven in the title
- has a title starting with V
- has an author first name or surname starts with V
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with V
- is set in a place name starting with V
- is book 7 in a series

8 (Eight)
Read a book that:
- has an 8 or Eight in the title
- has a title starting with E
- has an author first name or surname starts with E
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with E
- is set in a place name starting with E
- is book 8 in a series

9 (Nine)
Read a book that:
- has a 9 or Nine in the title
- has a title starting with N
- has an author first name or surname starts with N
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with N
- is set in a place name starting with N
- is book 9 in a series

Skip
Read a book that:
- has a title starting with K or P
- has an author first name or surname starts with K or P
- has a character with a first name, surname or nickname starting with K or P
- is set in a place name starting with K or P
OR you can choose to "skip" reading a book for this cards (and get no points for this card)

Draw 2
Use the same book for two cards in this hand (and get points for both cards)

Reverse
One member of your team must read a book another team member has already read

Wild
Read a book that can fit for any of the cards in that SAME hand (i.e. you are duplicating one of the cards in that same hand)

Wild draw four
Read a book that can fit for any of the coloured cards you have that month (i.e. you are duplicating one of your coloured cards. Each coloured card can only be duplicated once)

Coloured cards
Special coloured cards will be randomly provided each month. for these cards you need to read for the card number (as above) and the book must also have a coloured cover for the colour specified (blue, red, yellow or green) (hide spoiler)]

How to post books
We don´t need you to post a selection post. Please go to the ss insted and fill your book into a slot where it fits.

But we need you to do a completion post like the following:

Completed
Six Ways from Sunday by Mercy Celeste
227 pages
read: 02/05/20

1: #1 in series
6: title
9: set in New Orleans

This way we can see wich cards your book could also fit if needed. It is a huge stress for us to find out which cards a book could also fit if you don't do it. As you read the book you know best which cards fit.
Please don´t get angry if you don´t find a book where you put it. Sometimes Gustaf and I swap the books around to fill in for more cards. F.e. if you put a book for a 3 and we see it will also work for a 5 and we need a book fitting a 3 and a 5 for a Draw 2 card we will put it there.
Or we will put it in one of the first hands to finish them as we only get points for the finished hands from hand 1 down. F.e. if we have finished the hands 1, 2, 3 and 5 we will only get points for the hands 1, 2 and 3 as we have not finished hand 4.

And last we have a colour code. Please mark your book in your colour as you put it into the ss. After completing the book and posting it here please go back to the ss, add your read date and change the colour to yellow. After Gustaf or I added the book to the captains ss we will finally change the colour to green. This way we can easily see wich books you have newly finished that have to be added to the captains ss and we can see what has been done already. It saves us a lot of trouble and time if you all keep to this colour system. Thank you.

I know it is a lot to take in especially for a newby but don´t worry we will all help each other and over time you will find it easy.

March Mini Challenge
Animal Colour Transformations! A March Mini Challenge

We have given you a list of 9 animals that can change colour. You can read up to 5 books per animal using the descriptions as inspiration.

◈ One book per animal must relate to one of its colours by reading a book with that coloured cover
◈ One book per animal must relate to its location by reading a book based in that location's country or with an author that lives, or was born in, that country.
◈ The remaining three books must relate to a characteristic of the animal in some way as per the description given - get creative!


◈ Each book read can only be used for one task.
◈ For each book read you receive 10 points.
◈ If you complete all 45 tasks, your team will receive 30 bonus points.
◈ Books can be started at any point since the start of the UNO challenge (Feb 1)
◈ Books need to be finished after the start of this mini challenge on March 15, 9am UTC. Countdown is here: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...
and before April 1 at 9am UTC (When the April month of UNO begins)

◈ Books used for this mini challenge do not need to be separate books for what you are claiming for your UNO hands
◈ The usual book length rules apply
◈ Team spreadsheets will be updated with a mini challenge tab so that you can track your books and claim your points
◈ The books you are reading for each animal MUST relate to the description given and not any other sources. (So, for example, reading a green cover for chameleon is not valid as green isn't given as a colour in the description).

Animals
Alaskan hare
In the summer, Alaskan hares have a brown fur coat with white under parts. In the winter, they have a white fur coat with black-tipped ears. They also shed their grey-brown summer topcoat, becoming all white during the winter. Also known as the tundra hare, the Alaskan is one of the largest species of hares and are basically solitary except during late winter. Their ears are short compare to most hares and their hind feet are large and fur covered to aid in movement over snowy terrain.

Arctic hare
In the Canadian regions of Newfoundland and southern Labrador, the Arctic hare changes its coat color, moulting and growing new fur, from brown or grey in the summer to white in the winter, like some other Arctic animals including ermine and ptarmigan, enabling it to remain camouflaged as the environment changes. The Arctic hare has large claws on all four feet, but the ones on its hind legs are unusually long, allowing it to dig into packed ice and snow and build a hole for protection as it flees danger and predators. It can also hop on its back legs like a kangaroo. In the winter, Arctic hares mostly live in groups, and in the worst cold temperatures, living in groups allows Arctic hares to huddle for warmth. This union also allows them to see predators coming up on them and elude them.

Chameleons
Mostly live in the rain forests and deserts of Africa and come in many colours such as pink, blue, orange and turquoise. Colour change signals a chameleon's physiological condition and intentions to other chameleons. Because chameleons are ectothermic, they change colour also to regulate their body temperatures, either to a darker colour to absorb light and heat to raise their temperature, or to a lighter colour to reflect light and heat, thereby either stabilizing or lowering their body temperature. Chameleons can move their eyes separatelywhich means they can see predators coming from behind them, giving them a chance to scarper if they’re about to get caught. Excluding their tail, some chameleons’ tongues can be twice the length of their body. Their tongues consist of both muscles and bones, and can bend round to grab their pray. The majority of chameleons survive by eating insects, and some complement this diet by feeding on foliage and fruits. Some larger species eat up to 50 large crickets every day. Others may be a little more carnivorous, and feast on small birds and even other, smaller chameleons.

Anoles
Native to the Americas, the majority of anoles (Dactyloidae) can change their colour depending on things like emotions (for example, aggression or stress), activity level, levels of light and as a social signal (for example, displaying dominance) from bright green to various shades of brown. They are tree dwelling lizards and most have enlarged finger and toe pads that are covered with microscopic hooks. These clinging pads, together with sharp claws, enable them to climb, even over a smooth surface, with great speed and agility. Anoles have venom glands that manufacture a very weak, harmless venom.

Peron's Tree Frog
Also known as the emerald-spotted tree frog, emerald-speckled tree frog, laughing tree frog, and maniacal cackle frog, is species of tree frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. Peron's tree frog is one of the most variably coloured frogs in Australia, with the ability to change colour in less than one hour. They don't like to be handled for long periods of time. They also vary in shades of grey and brown, where their lightest is almost white. The frog has mottled yellow and black thighs, armpits, and groin. Occasionally, emerald spots are found on the back, which increase in number with age.

Cephalopods
Can change their colours and patterns in milliseconds, whether for signalling (both within the species and for warning) or active camouflage, as their chromatophores are expanded or contracted. Although colour changes appear to rely primarily on vision input, there is evidence that skin cells, specifically chromatophores, can detect light and adjust to light conditions independently of the eyes. They camouflage themselves by creating colour patterns that closely match the underlying seafloor (hint: this means your book needs to have some kind of pattern as the cover colour). Cephalopods live everywhere in the oceans: near the shore in shallow water; far from land in the open ocean; in the ocean's dark middle depths (the planet's largest habitat); and in the deep sea. (hint: your location needs to be on water, unless you can find an author born at, or living at, sea) Cephalopods get their name from the Greek word “kephalópoda” meaning “head-feet”, because their arms encircle their heads. Both squid and cuttlefish are known as ten-armed cephalopods because they have eight short arms and two long tentacles.

Flower spiders
Also called crab spiders change their colour, usually to hide from their prey. Consequently, the spiders change colour to resemble the flower surface on which they sit through the reflection of light. Some spiders release a yellow pigment that enhances their color changing process. An example of a species of spider with such color changing features is Misumenoides formosipes and Misumena vatia. The color change from white to yellow takes 10-25 days. Hence, the flower spiders patiently wait for the completion of the process before they can attack their prey. They are small to medium size with colours of green, yellow, white, brown and grey. Most of them are not hairy except a few species. Their legs held in crab-like position and can move forward, backward or sideways. They are common in Australia and also found throughout New Zealand.

Golden Tortoise Beetle
Is a species of beetle in the leaf beetle family, native to the Americas. Adults can turn from shiny gold through reddish-brown. The color changes through its development, during mating, and during times of disturbance, such as when it is touched by a human researcher. This beetle consumes foliage of plants in the family Convolvulaceae, including bindweeds, morning glory and sweet potato. Both adults and larvae feed on foliage. These beetles play dead when disturbed.

Chrysso spiders
A genus of comb-footed spiders. has been introduced to Europe, and occurs both in North America and in Asia from Hungary to Mongolia. Many species are strikingly colored, but the coloration is variable. C. compressahas a striking black sternum and abdomen, but the venter of Brazilian species is black, while those of Peru are yellow. C. venusta has been observed to rapidly change its color when disturbed. Females are about 9 millimetres (0.35 in) long, and have blade-like hairs on the tip of the abdomen.

FAQ

1Q. For the "Get Creative" If we used the task "read a book where the seasons are changing" for one animal, this would mean that the same task may not be used for another animal, right? Even if this refers to a characteristic shared by e.g. both the Alaskan and Arctic Hare. (?)
1A. It is ok to use the task across animals if you find a creative task that works for more than one like in your example

==

2Q. Can we use a book whose author is from the US for Alaskan Hare?
2A. No, you need to use Alaska

===

3Q. If I have a colour and location ; and then for the 3 creative tasks I want to use another colour, and another location, can I?
3A: No, you can only use another colour OR location. So it would be:
Task 1 - colour cover
Task 2 - location
Task 3 - Characteristic - EITHER another colour cover or another location
Task 4 - Characteristic -
Task 5 - Characteristic -

==

4Q: Just to clarify the color cover portion! In the following description, I see the colors "White, Brown, Black, Grey-Brown" listed for various attributes. All of those colors are usable, even though "Black" is only talking about the tips of the ears?
4A: Yes, all the colours listed in the description for each animal can be used for that animal

==

5Q: Would one option be to find 'word in text' like CAMOUFLAGE/D or ARCTIC or all letters in title, series or authors name?
5A: The problem I see with "word in text/title" is which words? The descriptions contain lots of words and it makes it a hard one to put guidelines around.
I would be ok with the name of the animal being in the text or title, though

==

6Q: If we were working off of "black-tipped ears", could we look for something about hair having a colored tip? Like, silver hair tipped with pink? Or would it perhaps need to only follow the ascribed colors?
6A: Yes you could make the characteristic hair with a coloured tip, and not necessarily the same colours. As you are being creative and going with the idea that the hair has a different coloured tip :)

==

7Q: The two animal prompts - Golden Tortoise Beetle and Anoles both refer to - "The Americas"
Location: There can we use North, South and Central America for the locations/author heritage?
7A: yes, that is right

==

8Q: are we ok with just 'spider' or 'hare' in text or title or does it need to be 'crab spider' or 'arctic hare', etc
Cephalopods have subsets - species of octopus and squid...is just octopus or squid ok...again this is for in text or title.
8A:You will need the actual name as listed.. which yes will be challenging and probably not possible for many of them... but that is because the tasks are really designed to have you get much more creative. It wasn't designed as a word in title/text challenge

==

9Q: For Cephalopods can the colour cover be something like the ocean where it shows the water/waves?
9A: Yes if it is obviously the ocean/water as the main feature and not just a cover that happens to include a small piece of ocean/lake etc. in the background.

1. Alaska Hare -- colours brown/white/black from Alaska/solitary/mammal
2. Arctic Hare -- colors brown/grey/white from Canada/mammal/omnivore
3. Chameleon -- colors pink/blue/orange/turquoise from Africa/scales/going back to cretaceous
4. Anoles -- colors green/brown from Americas/tree-dwelling/clingingpats and sharp claws/venom glands
5. Tree frog -- colors green/grey/brown from Australia/one claw/small
6. Cephalopod -- patterned cover -- on the sea/can fly up to 50m/large brains/
7. Flower Spider -- colors yellow/white/green/brown/grey from Australia or New Zealand/short legs/venomous/
8. Beetle -- colors gold/reddish brown from Americas/ black spots/foliage eater/
9. Chrysso Spider -- colors black/yellow from Europe, North America or Asia/blade like hairs

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Hi all,
I'm Gustaf. I'm 27 and I live in Stockholm with my husband and our dog Toby.
When I'm not reading I work in eye fashion or write songs and poetry.

This is my third time doing this challenge and you usually find me in the SS. I've been quite obsessed with it in previous years lol. Can't wait to get to know those of you I don't already know.

Hi everyone, 👋👋
Im Janine from England, i work part time at a coffee shop so plenty of time for reading ( MM romance), im addicted to team challenges
Im also interested in music, birds, photography
Icant remember if this is my 3/4th time playing but looking forward to it .
Looking forward to meeting you all

My UNO Shelf UNO 23

Hi all, I am Diane from Toronto, Canada.
I work at home to keep my husband and 4 adult children (2 of whom are still living at home and are special needs) organized and clean and fed. This will be my third UNO Challenge, and I have to say it is one of my favourite challenges. I read only M/M romance books (like Janine). Along with reading, I am obsessed with plants and gardening and love cooking and wine

Helke, I am so sorry, but I totally forgot when I sent you my email address that I have a second one which I use for anything google related (which my access to Google docs is!!). Can you give access to me at mlst.mgr@gmail.com ??
Thanks!

Hi Diane ...how could i forget, i love gardening as well...im on a succulents phase at the moment 😄

Looks like we have several greens to get first month, which is a bit of a bugger as i need to read green covers at moment for another challenge😡

Diane wrote: "Helke, I am so sorry, but I totally forgot when I sent you my email address that I have a second one which I use for anything google related (which my access to Google docs is!!). Can you give acce..."

Done.

Janeylou wrote: "Hi Diane ...how could i forget, i love gardening as well...im on a succulents phase at the moment 😄"

Lol maybe you could both visit and help whipping my garden back in shape.

Hi everyone!

I'm Ashley and this is my third time playing UNO. I live in Ontario, Canada, pretty close to Toronto as well since I'm in the GTA. I'm excited to play but have considerably less time to read due to my job, but will try my best to read as much as I can.

I'm not too picky of a reader, liking to delve into SFF, horror, mystery, and manga/manhwa as well even though those sadly don't count for this challenge.

Hi Ashley , good to meet you

Im off to bed in a bit so catch up soon 😄

Hi Ashley. Nice to meet you. Thanks for your email address. I'll give you access tomorrow as it is nearly midnight here and I'm off to bed now.

*waves* Hi everyone!
I'm Vikki from Northern Ireland.
Lifelong bookworm, my favourite genres are crime & thriller but I also read historical fiction, fantasy/paranormal, chick lit, classics, or anything that sounds appealing.
This is my first time playing UNO after hearing it mentioned & recommended in a team challenge in another. Read through all the rules and it seems to make sense (so far!). I'm looking forward to it :)
Apart from reading other interests include music, penpalling, photography and I'm an animal lover. My 2 dogs make sure life is never dull!

Vikki wrote: "*waves* Hi everyone!
I'm Vikki from Northern Ireland.
Lifelong bookworm, my favourite genres are crime & thriller but I also read historical fiction, fantasy/paranormal, chick lit, classics, or an..."

Oh, what kind of dogs do you have?

Hi Ashley, fellow GTAer!!! I'm rarely in a team with someone from Canada. So fun.

Janine, I got kind of crazy while cooped up with Covid and attempted to grow weird things from seeds or scraps like avocados, oranges, lemons and pineapples. Have some plants, but no fruit at all. I do best with orchids and african violets I think.

Helke, if I am ever over in Germany, would love to dig in to your garden! So much fun.

Hi Vikki, ive not been to N ireland but been to the South lots of times and its gorgeous . Hubby comes from Dublin and my family Cork & Galway

Diane ..i bought some lychees the other day, so going to plant stones and see how i get on

Gustaf wrote: "Oh, what kind of dogs do you have?"

I have an Alaskan Malamute & Siberian Husky

Janeylou wrote: "Hi Vikki, ive not been to N ireland but been to the South lots of times and its gorgeous . Hubby comes from Dublin and my family Cork & Galway"

I'm only about 20 minutes drive from the border, but not actually over in the south very often.

Oh I love Ireland, all parts of it. Think it is time for another visit soon :).

Ashley, Summer link for ss send.
@all
Please let me know if you can´t access the ss. Thanks.

So we are waiting for Melissa, Sarah and Frederica. But they still have 10 days to check in. So no worries.

Vikki wrote: "Gustaf wrote: "Oh, what kind of dogs do you have?"

I have an Alaskan Malamute & Siberian Husky"

Aw that's so nice. I've always wanted a Malamute but since I'm living in an apartment... you do the math lol.

I'm currently obsessed with Sight hounds and have a whippet.

Hi Team!

Sorry for the delay! I was traveling for work since last Wednesday, and just am finally catching up on life!

I requested access to the SS - but let me know if I need to follow up with a PM.

This is one of my favorite challenges :-)

Hi Sarah, good to meet you ....im sure ive been in a team with you before 🤔

Janeylou wrote: "Hi Sarah, good to meet you ....im sure ive been in a team with you before 🤔"

I think so too! I think it was either last year, maybe the year before? My memory is terrible. I can barely remember what I did last week 😂

Hi everyone!
I'm Melissa from Canada. I have played Uno before but didn't play last year, so I'm excited to participate again. I mostly read thrillers, fantasy, and romance. Besides reading, I am kept busy with my human kiddo and 3 fur babies. I also enjoy plants, wine, puzzles and board/video games.

Hello Melissa ..another Canadian , Diane's going to be so excited 😁

Oh you know it!! You in Ontario Melissa?

How was your morning Janine, did you get enough sleep? I sure did not lol.

I did thanks , i was really miffed i couldnt stay on longer .
What time did it finish?

Melissa wrote: "Hi everyone!
I'm Melissa from Canada. I have played Uno before but didn't play last year, so I'm excited to participate again. I mostly read thrillers, fantasy, and romance. Besides reading, I am ..."

Hi Melissa. Can you please pm me your email address? Thanks.

I think we will have lots of fun.

Sarah wrote: "Hi Team!

Sorry for the delay! I was traveling for work since last Wednesday, and just am finally catching up on life!

I requested access to the SS - but let me know if I need to follow up with ..."

No worries Sarah. It is early days and no need to stress out about missing anything. Send you the link to the ss.

What are you all thinking about our mascot animal in the photo? I´m not sure if it is cute or yuk but at least it is bizarre and unique.

Helke wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hi Team!

Sorry for the delay! I was traveling for work since last Wednesday, and just am finally catching up on life!

I requested access to the SS - but let me know if I need to f..."

Got it - thank you!