Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

สิบ (Sip)



• Louise (Captain)
• Melissa (Co-Captain)
• Karen ⊰✿ (Co-Captain)
• beth
• Vicki
• heli
• geri
• delitealex
• catsalive
• emma-m
• nikki-the-sapphired-book-dragon-aka-nixienut
• jessica
• skye-blue
• cindy
• nistha
• maritza
• tati
• saar-the-book-owl
• amy-the-book-bat
• amy
• jo-young


Challenge Status Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Team Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

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All About Tower Teams - the rules

Countdown
Start: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...
June Start: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Tracking Sheet Use This
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

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

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

Useful Links
ARBookfind - verifying word counts for books tagged Children/ Middle Grade etc
UK: https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/UserType...
US: https://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.a...
Australia: https://www.arbookfind.com.au/UserTyp...

TinEye - checking cover colours - I have a love/hate relationship with this tool. Use at your peril.
https://labs.tineye.com/color/

BOMs

May

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames
Starts: May 2
Discussion



The Dangerous Harem by J.R. Hogan
Starts: May 10th
Back Room Dicussion Thread



The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Starts: May 16th
Discussion

June

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
Starts - 2nd Jun
Discussion


11/22/63 by Stephen King
Starts - 16th Jun
Discussion

TTX mini

There are 4 elements:

Rainbow Towers
We have to build towers of coloured books (18 colours to choose from) to make a rainbow.
Cover needs to be at least 50% of the relevant colors
Each tower is complete when we have a tower of 10 books netting us 100 points
We can build 1 super rainbow with 18 books for a total of 300 points.

Crayola Towers
This is a spellout with each letter being worth 10points and each complete word worth 20 points.
Spellout options are:
Title
Series
Author - First/Last Name
Character - First Last Name/ Nickname
Audiobooks: Narrator - First/Last Name - only if you read the audiobook
Translated Books: Translator - First/ Last Name - only if the edition you read was translated.

Mod Towers - Tasks from this section can be claimed
Read a book shelved on previous Mods shelves. Only 1 book per mod for 20 points a book.

Past Winners - Tasks from this section can be claimed
Get creative link your book to the name of a past TT winner (max 5 books per team winner), 10 points a book.

Res

SPELL-IT-OUT RULES
Spell out the word(s) using the first letter in the book's title, the first letter in the author's first or last name, or the first letter of a character's first, last, or nick-name, or the first letter of the series name.
As always, if the first letter of a title starts with an indefinite or definite article ('A', 'An', 'The', etc.), you may use the first letter of the second word in the title to spell out your chosen word.
If the first letter of a title is a numerical digit, then you use the first letter of that digit for your spell out (i.e. 1984 is N; 2046 is T; 1Q84 is O)
If you are listening to an audiobook, the first letter in the narrator's first or last name also can be used.
We're also allowing for Translators names, as long as the edition you are reading is a translation version.

Res

Team Info
❅ Louise ttx Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Melissa tower-teams-2023 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Beth towerx Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Karen towerteams_x Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Vicki tower-teams-x Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Heli tt23 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Geri towers-x Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Delitealex TTX Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ catsalive tower Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Emma TT-2023 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Nikki tt2023 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Jessica tower2023 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Skye 2023-tt Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Cindy ttx Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Nistha 2023-ttx-challenge‎ Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Maritza tt10 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Tati tower-2023 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Saar tower-23 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Amy the book bat tower-teams-10 Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Amy ttx Read Currently Reading Comments
❅ Jo tower-teams Read Currently Reading Comments

r

Hi all, welcome to the 10th edition of tower teams and welcome to Team Sip which is Thai for the number 10.

I am Louise your captain and alongside your co-Caps Melissa and Karen, we will guide you on this epic journey.
For those that don’t know me a little bit about myself. I am a bit of a team challenge addict and off in often have a number of challenges on the go at once.
I live alone in south Wales, with my 6 year old Springer/dachshund, my other half of 18 years passed away during Covid.
I enjoy a wide range of reading genres, team challenges, allowing me to read outside my comfort zone. My go to Genres are mysteries and thrillers; PNR and urban fantasy; romance and chick-lit. Recently I have been reading a lot of modern historical fiction set in the past 70 years.
Since the Covid pandemic and the introduction of hybrid working, but I work two days a week in the office and three at home, I have leaned more towards audiobooks.

For those that I wasn’t already friends with I have sent friends requests so do you keep an eye out.
When you drop by to introduce yourself, don’t forget to link your TT shelf.
Here’s mine TTX

I will be back later with some helpful information for now need my morning coffee.

Hi Louise! Thanks for steering the team!
And very sorry to hear about your partner.

Hello team,
I have sent you all friend requests and hopefully we will see you all soon.

As an intro, I live in Sydney, Aus with my husband and 2 boys and run a HR consulting business. I read almost everything except Horror, and I'm not a massive Romance reader.

I chose this team name as about 15 years ago I lived in Thailand as an English teacher. I am going back for the first time with the kids in July this year (so I won't be around as much at the end of this challenge) and can't wait to visit and see how it has changed and (hopefully) see my kids enjoy the jungle and the animals as well as the beaches.

I look forward to playing with you all!

Hi all,

I am Nistha, and will flood you all with my friend request soon, if not done already.

I am originally from India but have changed my location a lot since growing up. Currently, I am living alone in London. My fiancé is currently in Germany and we have been in a long-distance relationship for quite a while. I work in finance so I have very long hours, but I try to read whenever possible (during lunch, before bed, in transport etc).

I used to read a lot till high school and then I started binging series and forgot my love for books. Since the past few years, I realized how much I missed reading and have been catching up ever since.

My favourite genres are historical fiction, thriller, and romance but I pretty much read anything. These days, I am quite liking horror (more mystery/psychological than ghost aspect) as well. However, I find it hard to read classics (a few I love!).

This is my first year in TT or any group challenge on Goodreads, but I like to think I am a good team player haha. I love getting to know people and making new friends, so think this challenge will be perfect for that.

My shelf is Nistha's TTX shelf

Off to work now, will check in later!

A good week to all.

@Louise, nice to meet you so sorry to hear about your partner.

@Karen, I had googled our team name with auto-detect language and realized it was Thai. I have never been there but always heard great things. Hope you and the kids have a good summer (think July is when the temp gets a bit better there?)

Hello team,

My name is Kylie, but if you forget then catsalive or cats is fine 😊

This is my first Tower Team adventure.

I'm in Sydney with Karen, well, not that far away. I see you already have a link to my tower shelf.

I read most things but I don't generally care for Horror & I hate being forced to read Comics for challenges - I loved them as a kid but not any more.

Nistha wrote: "@Louise, nice to meet you so sorry to hear about your partner.

@Karen, I had googled our team name with auto-detect language and realized it was Thai. I have never been there but always heard gre..."


Thanks! July there is getting into the wet season but it is always hot and humid. Will be winter at home and I hate the cold so we always travel around July/August to another climate! Is our ten year wedding anniversary this year too

Hi Team

I'm in the US. I read mostly science fiction, fantasy and romance. I don't read much non fiction. I haven't participated in TT in a while but am looking forward to it.

Hi Team!

I live in the U.S., near Chicago. I live with my husband and 2 spoiled cats. I’m a challenge addict too. I’ve got a few going now. I’m hoping to read 1-2 longer books a month to help us reach our goal. I’ve been slacking and need a push! LOL

I read pretty much all fiction. Not much (almost none) nonfiction. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Louise - So sorry about your partner!

Karen - What a wonderful trip you and your family have planned!

Nice to meet you Nistha, Cats and Delitealex!

Hi Team,

Here’s my TT shelf TT-2023

I’m in Canberra, Australia and live with my other half and our son.

I will pretty much read any genre, but my faves are sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. I also don’t mind giving classics a go, but definitely find them hit and miss.

Louise, I’m so sorry to hear about your partner, I’m sure your pup has been a great source of comfort for you.
Living in Wales, have you been following all the excitement around Wrexham’s promotion to League 2?

Hello all!
I am one of the co-captains. I live in Vermont, US, with my husband, 2 somewhat spoiled cats, and one very attached blue-heeler. I'm a middle school teacher. (phew) One of my daughters is in college, and the other is off adventuring in the world!

I love reading challenges. They boosted my reading from 25 books a year to over 100 - and I have my eye on 200 :) I read and also listen to audio when I have to do the dreaded housework..

I enjoy nonfiction, sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, and genre mash-ups. I've read some horror / historical fiction books that were really interesting. I love anything with nature - or people fighting for nature. I'll read just about anything though - and throw in a romance every now and then - although I prefer them to have a historical bent.

Louise - so sorry about your partner. What a stressful time that must have been.
Karen- I hope you tell us a bit about your trip! It sounds amazing. I love all things animals, and even love insects :) I bet there are some really cool ones there.
Emma - my family all loves soccer, so I'll have to ask about this. What does this excitement look like in Wales?

I'm really looking forward to hearing about you all and checking out what you read :)
My TTX shelf is linked above.

Hello Team Sip!

I live in sunny California but I am currently visiting my siblings and some nieces and nephews in Florida...both in the USA. I will be here until May 11 so not sure how my reading will go those first days in May.

I am a retired high school teacher as of May 2017. I taught English to freshmen for 25 years, yearbook 18 years, multicultural literature to seniors for 5 years, and some random summer school classes.

I am married to a wonderful man, I have 5 grown children (2 sons, 3 daughters), 22 grandchildren (12 boys, 10 girls) and 6 great grandchildren (3 boys/3 girls) so our gender numbers are pretty even. We also have 2 dogs, Jazzy and Rocky and our dog in heaven, Buddy.

I love reading historical fiction (hadn't heard of modern historical but I'm interested, Louise), psychological thrillers, mysteries with good twists and turns, romance/sports romance and some nonfiction, classics and fantasy (think Sarah J. Maas), but I'm not so much into what I call hard-core sci-fi or horror but will read them for a challenge.

I, too, am a team challenge addict and TT is probably my 5th or 6th? I have done a few is all I can say with certainty.

Louise ~ I am so very sorry you lost your other half! I'm a dog-lover so I know how much comfort they can bring. I hope your little one brings you comfort at this time.

Karen, Catsalive and Emma ~ I have always wanted to go to Australia and one of my daughters and I might be planning a trip in December of 2024 or possibly 2025.

Karen ~ Thailand sounds amazing and like a wonderful educational/cultural experience for your children!

Looks like a very diverse team we have! I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you that I don't know yet and to those of you I'm already friends with, I hope to build deeper friendships with you.

My TT shelf is listed above.

BTW, thank you to the captain and co-caps for taking on that responsibility!

Hi everyone!

I live in the US/Midwest with my husband, our 1-year-old baby girl, 2 cats, and a rambunctious sheltie!

While I haven't been able to read as much since becoming a mom, I still try to take advantage of every minute I have to myself to sit down with a good book and some coffee. Lately I've been gravitating towards mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, some contemporary romance, and a little science fiction here and there. I don't read much nonfiction, but I'll always take suggestions of ones to check out!

It's been a while since I've done a challenge here, so I may be a little slow in figuring things out, but I'm really excited to read with you all and take on this challenge!!

Here's the link to my shelf (let me know if it doesn't work) - ttx

Hello!

I live in the northwest US, in the state of Washington. I read a lot of science fiction, romance, mystery, and a bit of nonfiction.

I named my shelf towerx

Welcome everyone, we are certainly a diverse team. Thank you all for your kind words it has been tough but I have a strong support network which has helped a lot. My OH always said if you're not happy stop doing it, I live each day with the mantra of "Do what makes you happy".

@Karen I am very envious, it's one of the places I would love to visit in the future. I absolutely love Thai food and would love to sample it at source.

@Nistha I also work in finance and am glad that April is coming to an end.

@Emma - although I live in South Wales I grew up in North Wales roughly half hour drive from Wrexham, having completed my teacher training there. The media have gone absolutely crazy over non-league Wrexham reaching league 2. I just hope that when all the media hype dies down that the current influx of money and opportunity that has arisen doesn't disappear just as quickly as it appeared. North Wales is very impoverished and loses out to business opportunities to South Wales and the neighboring cities of Liverpool and Chester.

For those of you that are new to TT or returning after a period of absence I find this challenge really easy to get in as practically every book counts.

If you like to plan feel free to add books to the tracking sheet.

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

For extra points there are BOM's running through TT. The May BOM's are linked here

Completions - when you have completed your book you can either post a completion post in this thread or add a read date on the tracking sheet.
Points to remember:
- make sure the edition you link and the one on your shelf is the edition you have read
- if you read the audiobook version this is the one that needs to be linked, the page count will be the page count of the default edition.
- If your book has an MPG of childrens or middle-grade don't forget to link the verified word count.
- Make sure that your book is on your TT shelf and marked with a date read.

hey everyone!

checking in just to post my shelf link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

*waves* Hi catsalive! I don't know that we ever played together before and now two challenges in a row xD

Welcome Delitealex! I just finished an interesting sci-fi, although it was more on the fi side. What kind of sci-fi do you enjoy?

Hi Geri! We are currently fostering a cat. He is only about 6 months old and super playful. He keeps attacking me while I am on the computer ;)

Hey Emma! Oh yeah I saw that about Wrexham. We started to watch that doco show when Ted Lasso s2 ended. Must get back to it!

@Melissa. When we booked the accomodation at the jungle resort they actually sent me an email to ask me to confirm that we understood it was a jungle and geckos and other bugs will be in the rooms and monkeys in the trees lol. I've been to that particular place twice before so I knew the deal but they must have other tourists complaining :o

Hi Vicki! That's a huge family! My husband is one of 5 kids and there are currently 13 granchildren and I don't think we will get any more. The eldest grandchild is ours and is only 10, so no great grandkids for a while!!

Hi Emma - nice to meet you! Would be interested in some mystery or thriller recommendations. I always find it hard to know which ones are the "good" ones and I don't like lots of gore/violence.

Welcome Beth and Tati!

Hi everyone!
I am from NY..upstate, not NYC! I live with my amazing husband and our 2 cats. We are unable to have kids due to cancer treatment, but spend as much time as we can with my nephew.

I have worked in the birthing center at our local hospital for just about 8 years now.

I have always been an avid reader...over the years it ebbs and flows how much I read, but since finding these challenges I have been reading the most ever! I also love to crochet!

My most read genres are romantic suspense, mystery, thriller, romance and chic lit, but have been branching out a bit!

I have played UNO 2 years in a row and a friend recommended this challenge..I honestly don't know how it works, but my friend said just read haha. So bare with me as I learn how to play!

Sending you lots of hugs Louise!

I look forward to playing with you all!
My shelf https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Hi Guys, I live in NYC. I love this challenge but don't think i've been on teams with anyone here. I will read pretty much anything for this challenge.
I used to read so much more but lately I don't find myself reading as much.
Here is my shelf link https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I was able to get a copy of the BOM. It doesn't loom like sonething I would normally read. But i'll do it for the extra points. No worries that is my competetive side coming out.

Hi Jessica! Welcome to TT. !
Uno was designed to be a bit more relaxed and social , but in saying that, Tower Teams is probably our most relaxed/social challenge at NBRC. We still get some hard core competitors though 😆

Welcome Maritza! I’m also doing the BOM for points although it sounds kind of interesting!

Now that I have more time, let me do a proper introduction LOL

I'm Tati, I live in Brazil (I see someone from NYC, just got back from there). I've slowed down in my reading a bit, as adulting has been taking a lot of time, but I still read whenever I can.

I tend to read more fantasy and romance, with the occasional historical fiction and non-fiction book. I avoid horror books and will not touch a zombie book.

@Karen What was the interesting Scifi you read? I'm trying to get caught up on a few older series by David Weber, Elizabeth Moon and Tanya Huff to name a few. Also I'm about to start the Foundation series.

Tati wrote: "Now that I have more time, let me do a proper introduction LOL

I'm Tati, I live in Brazil (I see someone from NYC, just got back from there). I've slowed down in my reading a bit, as adulting has ..."

Haha I understand. Adulting is time consuming!

Delitealex wrote: "@Karen What was the interesting Scifi you read? I'm trying to get caught up on a few older series by David Weber, Elizabeth Moon and Tanya Huff to name a few. Also I'm about to start the Foundation..."

I’ll have to compare shelves and see what you’ve enjoyed that I can try 😉
I read which was great but the sci-fi element was a small part. I also read a few of the Murderbot series and really enjoyed them

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Hi Jessica! Welcome to TT. !
Uno was designed to be a bit more relaxed and social , but in saying that, Tower Teams is probably our most relaxed/social challenge at NBRC. We still get some hard cor..."

Thank you! I am looking forward to playing another team challenge!

I read the "all about" but not really sure how it works if anyone can explain it to me in a nutshell..i see page count=points.

At this point Jess, just read 😀
We have to make a tower of 223 books each month using a certain number of page counts for that tower. As the month goes on, we will provide updates as to if there are certain page sizes we need to cover.

Otherwise there is a mini running over the whole challenge which was posted today. It is optional but is good for points.

Also if you read for the BOMs and participate in the read that also gets us more points

I’m sure it will make sense as we get started!

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Delitealex wrote: "@Karen What was the interesting Scifi you read? I'm trying to get caught up on a few older series by David Weber, Elizabeth Moon and Tanya Huff to name a few. Also I'm about to s..."

I love the murderbot series I'm looking forward to

Delitealex wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Delitealex wrote: "@Karen What was the interesting Scifi you read? I'm trying to get caught up on a few older series by David Weber, Elizabeth Moon and Tanya Huff to name a few. Al..."

I’m up to number 5 in murderbot. Could be a good series to get caught up on for TT!

Hi all, I'm Skye.

This is my first Tower Team adventure.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in Northern California. I love that our teammates are from all over.

I am also a challenge addict.
I have cut back drastically lately, due to work demands.

I used to read a ton, but time constraints have me cutting back.

I read across the board, but primarily with m-m romance, as most of the challenges I partisipate in are in that genre.

I've always gone through frazes. Currently I'm loving P.I.s, police, and urban fantasy the best. But that could change at any moment.

I have 3 boys, and a live in nefew. The oldest son is 30 and on his own with a family of his own. Giving me a grandson, and 2 grandaughters.

At home I have one at 21, and my youngest and nefew are 19.

I have no idea how this challenge works, but I'll figure it out.

Hello everyone! My name is Cindy and I live in Colorado with my husband and 16 month old daughter. I work in a hospital pharmacy and get a lot of my reading done there through audiobooks. I try to read e-books and actual books whenever I get a chance. I like to read pretty much anything and everything but I read more romance than any other genre. Not a huge fan of horror but I do read some here and there.

Here is my shelf: TTX

Good Morning everyone

Hi Jessica like UNO this is a fairly relaxed challenge, basically read whatever you want as the month progresses we will provide updates if we need anything specific to meet our 223 books.

Hi Maritza I’ve managed to get hold of a copy of 2 of the BOMs. I never thought I was competitive but turns out these challenges brings out my competitive side. I will read anything for points and this is the only time I read BOMs and volunteer for DQs.

Tati I agree with Karen adulting is so time consuming. I’m not a lover of horror or zombie books. I will read them if it means points for the team but not a fan.

Welcome Skye, at this point just read what you like, every book read gets us points.
For additional team points there is the BOMs which can be interesting, although I wouldn’t call the back-room BOM that. There is a mini running alongside TT which has been announced.

Hi Cindy, welcome to TT, I think this is the second time we’ve been on a TT team together. For the next week I just need to remember which thread I’m in while we finish UNO 😂

TTX mini has been posted.

There are 4 elements:

Rainbow Towers
We have to build towers of coloured books (18 colours to choose from) to make a rainbow.
Cover needs to be at least 50% of the relevant colors
Each tower is complete when we have a tower of 10 books netting us 100 points
We can build 1 super rainbow with 18 books for a total of 300 points.

Crayola Towers
This is a spellout with each letter being worth 10points and each complete word worth 20 points.
Spellout options are:
Title
Series
Author - First/Last Name
Character - First Last Name/ Nickname
Audiobooks: Narrator - First/Last Name - only if you read the audiobook
Translated Books: Translator - First/ Last Name - only if the edition you read was translated.

Mod Towers - Tasks from this section can be claimed
Read a book shelved on previous Mods shelves. Only 1 book per mod for 20 points a book.

Past Winners - Tasks from this section can be claimed
Get creative link your book to the name of a past TT winner (max 5 books per team winner), 10 points a book.