The Challenge Factory discussion

Team 3 - Chapter Chasers

Captain: Joyce
Co-Captains: Jade aka MrsTosh & Carrie
Leslie Ann
Celia
Christene Paula✨
Maddielucy(Patti)

(view spoiler)[
Used 05 Apr 2024 (hide spoiler)]

Bonus Points:
Earned: 4
Used: 3

Helpful Links:

Dice Roll: https://www.random.org/dice/ (2 dice on Fridays, US Central Time)
R15 SS Post Your Spot
R15 SS Discussion Thread

Time Zone Converter: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...

ALTERNATE LIST:
**titles exclude leading articles (a, an, the)

2. Author 'G'
3. Title 'O'
4. Number in the Title (Third Grave Dead Ahead or Every Fifteen Minutes)
5. Cover Item: Building
6. Asia
7. Author 'Z'
8. LGBTQ+
9. Book with a funeral in it
10. Set on an island
11. Title 'I'
12. Cover: Blue
13. Set in the future
14. Title 'M'
15. Author uses their middle name/initial (e.g. Robert J. Sawyer, Rita Mae Brown)
16. Cover Item: Food/Drink
17. MC has at least one child
18. Three Word Title (excludes articles like A, An, The) Behind Closed Doors or Etched in Bone
19. Cover Item: Jewelry
20. Author uses a pseudonym
21. Europe
22. Title 'S'
23. Cover Item: Book
24. MC is in their 20's
25. Book with a wedding in it
26. Cover: Red
27. Debut Novel or Debut Author
28. Author 'T'
29. Cover Item: Mode of Transportation
30. Title 'F'
31. Set in a Fictional Location/Universe
32. MC has a pet
33. Cover Item: Money or other form of payment
34. Non-Fiction
35. Two Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) Deadly Silence, The Hunger Games
36. Author 'E'
37. Set anytime between 1600-1900
38. Title 'Y'
39. Four or More Words Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
40. Set in the 20th century
41. Author 'L'
42. Cover Item: Hands/Arms/Feet/Legs (no other body parts visible)
43. Cover: Purple
44. Set in a place you've visited
45. Published 2021
46. Cover Item: One person
47. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
48. Cover: Brown
49. Title 'P'
50. Fantasy
51. Book to Movie/TV (must state how book qualifies: listopia, imdb, precis)
52. Published 2023
53. Cover Item: Weapon
54. Young Adult/New Adult
55. Book that a teammate rated 5 stars
56. Author 'G'
57. Published 2016-2020
58. Cover Item: Furniture
59. Originally published in a language other than English
60. GR average rating >4.0
61. Cover: Yellow/Gold
62. Author 'B'
63. Less than 100 ratings
64. Oceania
65. Science Fiction
66. Published the year you were born
67. Africa
68. Set in space
69. Cover Item: Lamp/Candle
70. Published 2022
71. Cover: Orange
72. Title has a subtitle
73. Set sometime before 1600
74. Cover Item: Hat/Helmet/Other Headwear
75. MC is older than 60
76. Title 'W'
77. MC travels by train
78. Title 'D'
79. School/College/University setting
80. Cover Item: Two or more people
81. Mystery/Thriller
82. Author 'J'
83. MC travels by airplane
84. Published 2001-2010
85. South America
86. Cover Item: Water
87. Award Winner (must state which/when)
88. Cover: Green
89. Cover Item: Animal
90. Author 'B'
91. Published 1950-1999
92. Cover: White
93. Re-read
94. Published before 1950
95. Title 'F'
96. Published 2011-2015
97. Cover Item: Sun/Moon
98. Several authors
99. Cover: Black
100. Title 'R'
101. New to You Author
102. Cover Item: Umbrella/Parasol
103. Cover: Pink
104. Favorite Author
105. Author 'C'
106. One Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Witness or Divergent
107. Romance
108. Title 'N'
109. North America
110. Author 'H'
111. Title 'V'
112. Author 'S'

A couple of things to keep in mind:

✸ Communication is key. Please make sure to check in regularly with your team.

✸ Let your team know if it looks like you won't get your review posted by Thursday, 11:59pm. You do have all of Friday to submit your review, but it can be intensely frustrating for your captain if they don't know when or if they can expect your review before the deadline.

✸ If you know beforehand that you won't be able to read and review a book during a certain week, you can request a pre-arranged absence from me, either by posting the request in the discussion thread or by sending me a pm. The request has to be submitted before the team rolls for the week in question, can only be approved by me as the mod in charge of running the game, and has to state a reason for the absence. (Reasons for pre-arranged absences can include e.g. going on vacation or work trips, planned hospital stays, exam period, etc.)

✸ If you do not have a pre-arranged absence and won't be able to finish your book in time for an unforeseen reason, please let your team know as soon as possible. If the team has earned the free pass, it can be used to cover the missing review. Without a free pass, the team has to sit out the next roll.

✸ We all know that real life gets in the way sometimes, be it through family emergencies, work emergencies, natural disasters, technical problems making it impossible to get online, or in other ways. That being said, please do keep in mind that this is a team challenge and your team relies on you to do your part unless an emergency occurs.

✸ If you find that the pressure of keeping up with the pace of the game gets too much for you or you wish to stop playing for any other reason, you can drop out of the challenge at any time. In that case, please let your team captain and/or me know that you wish to drop out rather than just disappearing without a word so your team won't be penalized when you fail to turn in your review. Thank you!


Captain's Handbook

✸ The team's captain is its chief organizer. This includes rolling the dice, posting the team's new spot to the team thread and the Post Your Spot thread, collecting links to team members' review posts in a single post to be linked in the Post Your Spot thread, doublechecking that books and review posts comply with requirements, reminding team members to post their reviews in time if necessary, etc.

✸ The captain may delegate some tasks, such as rolling and posting the new spot to the team thread, to another team member if they so choose. (Either a designated roller who fulfills this role every week, or whichever team member is online first once rolling is possible.) Collecting reviews into a single post and posting to the Post Your Spot thread should always be handled by the captain.

✸ Instead of having everything handled by a single team captain, teams can also choose two co-captains to handle the workload.

✸ Selection posts are not strictly required by the game's rules and I won't be checking for them. It's up to the team captain to decide whether they want them.

✸ If the team captain requests a pre-arranged absence, it's their responsibility to arrange for another team member to step in as temporary captain.

✸ The team captain is my primary point of contact for the team and should allow receiving private messages.

Hi all!! Checking in. I’ve not played before but am looking forward to it!

Does anyone want to be team captain?

Thoughts on team name?

Hi everyone checking in. I'm excited to start another interesting challenge

Checking in! I have to much going on in real life so no captain for me

Hi all. Checking in. I'd prefer not to be captain.

Checking in, seems I checked in to team 4 instead of team 3 by accident! LOL ;)

Checking in.

As for team names I have


The Bookworm Brigade
The Chapter Chasers
Threes company readers

I can be team captain. I might need a co captain to help a few weeks.

thanks Joyce for being captain.

I like the Chapter Chasers , but open…. : )

I like Bookworm Brigade. Do we have a spin yet for this round?

I like The Chapter Chaser.

I also like The Chapter Chasers

Thanks Joyce for being captain! What does being a co-captain involve doing?

Joyce wrote: "I can be team captain. I might need a co captain to help a few weeks."

Happy to co-captain if needed :)

I am also good with Chapter Chasers

Celia wrote: "I like Bookworm Brigade. Do we have a spin yet for this round?"

I believe it starts tomorrow - Friday 16th

by popular demand it is going to be Chapter Chasers I actually used AI to help chose some names then narrowed it down to a couple.

Thank you Carrie and Jade I will probably not need it but just in case.

Carrie wrote: "I also like The Chapter Chasers

Thanks Joyce for being captain! What does being a co-captain involve doing?"

checking that every one has done their books and posted then colleting those posts into one post to submit. Rolling for the next spot and letting everyone know what that is.

I am going to roll for us tonight so we can start picking out our books for Friday. Everyone has checked in so that is great.

Joyce wrote: "I am going to roll for us tonight so we can start picking out our books for Friday. Everyone has checked in so that is great."

Yes, I finally made it here. I originally checked in to team 4 by accident.

Team #3 Chapter Chasers
Week #1
Dice Rolled: 10
Alternate choice- Set on an island
Standalone book
#1 in Series
#10 in series

Letting it slide this time because it's the first week, but for the future: No rolling early, please. You'll have to wait until midnight.

Denise wrote: "Letting it slide this time because it's the first week, but for the future: No rolling early, please. You'll have to wait until midnight."

Apologies Denise, noted for next time :)

Anyone decided what they are going to read this week?

I think I will go for series 1 so we can gain some extra points if nobody else wants to do that?

I was going to read The Bluest Eye as a stand alone but it won't have any bonus points. I will look to see if I can find any books set on an island in a bit.

A Wizard of Earthsea - I may read this. It would count as a 2 in 1 I believe - set on an island and first in series.

I should have my book finished tomorrow

I will also read for series #1. Do we have to post selection and completion? Or it's okay if completion post only?

Christene Paula✨ wrote: "I will also read for series #1. Do we have to post selection and completion? Or it's okay if completion post only?"

Don't think anything is specified in the rules. I have been on teams who have done both.

Jade aka MrsTosh wrote: "Christene Paula✨ wrote: "I will also read for series #1. Do we have to post selection and completion? Or it's okay if completion post only?"

Don't think anything is specified in the rules. I have ..."

It's up to the captain whether they want selection posts.

Book: The Bluest Eye
Author: Toni Morrison
Pages: 212
Date Read: 2/20/2024
Stand alone

Review:

I went into this book with a blind eye and an open mind. I left it with a heavy heart and a swirling brain.

The material in this book is heartbreaking to say the least. Child abuse, rape, incest, psychological, mental and physical abuse, race discrimination, animal cruelty, the exploitation of women and more fill the pages of this short novel. Unfortunately, all the ongoings in this book have been someone's reality. It's a lot to process and contains a great deal to think about.

Completion post
Week 1 - Standalone spot 10
book:Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake
Author: Frank W. Abagnale
Pages:224
Read: 2/4/20204

Review:
I had seen this movie and have been wanting to read the book. This was a fun book to read. I am amazed how Frank got away with fooling so many people. His check scams would not work today, but at the time it seems there were not many checks and balances. I recommend this book , very entertaining.

Completion Post

Week 1 - Spot 10
Book: by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Date read: 2/16/24
Pages: 341
How it fits: Alternate choice- Set on an island - set in Manhattan

Review: This one was even more powerful than the first one. There was something special about reading them at the same time that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I definitely need to continue with the series ASAP.

Completion Post
Week 1 - spot 10 - #1 in series

Book: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
Date Read: 2/19
Pages: 384
Fits: #1 in series Naked Werewolf
Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Review: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf begins with our female lead Mo making a break from her extremely over-involved parents at nearly 30 years old. With a little money saved she decides to head as far away as possible without changing continents and winds up in Grundy, Alaska. It’s where Mo begins to find herself, make new friends, begin a new career . . . It was a fun read but probably I was not in the mood to read it. Will reread this one soon.

Completion post
Week 1 - #1 in series - Hercule Poirot
Book: The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Author: Agatha Christie
Pages: 174
Read: 2/21/20204

Review:

This story actually centres around Col Hastings who introduces us to his mysterious little friend Poirot. As we all know now, Poirot is a detective extraordinaire. To me personally this isn't the best story in the collection but it is nice to find out more about how the two are acquainted.

After the war, Poirot is living in England and has left his homeland on Belgium. When Emily Inglethorp is poisoned he steps in to put his sleuthing skills to work with the help of his friend. I grew up watching the TV series with David Suchet and can't help but hear his voice in my head as I am reading the book. Nobody quite sums everything up like Hercule Poirot.

Denise wrote: "Jade aka MrsTosh wrote: "Christene Paula✨ wrote: "I will also read for series #1. Do we have to post selection and completion? Or it's okay if completion post only?"

Don't think anything is specif..."

it is up to you if you know what you want to read that's always helpful to set up ahead of time. Also if you pick something and change your mind that is fine as well.

Week #1
Team #3- Chapter Chasers
Spot #10
Joyce- Standalone Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Review
Jade aka MrsTosh - #1 in series -The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Review
Carrie- Standalone - The Bluest Eye - Review
Leslie Ann- Standalone Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake - Review
Celia- Alternate -Set on an island - The Dead and the Gone - Review
Christene Paula- #1 in series How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf - Review

It seems I am the only slow poke here. LOL I should be done by tomorrow

Jade aka MrsTosh wrote: "Completion post
Week 1 - #1 in series - Hercule Poirot
Book: The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Author: Agatha Christie
Pages: 174
..."

I agree I read it I think last year. It certainly wasn't her best but I did enjoy it.

Completion Post
Spot #10 Week # 1
Book; Behind the Scenes at the Museum
pages: 332
Rating: 3 stars
Finished: 2/22/24
Review:
This is the story of three generations of women. The stories of each generation are woven around each other. The main story being that of Ruby Lennox from the time of conception to the end of her life. It gets a little confusing sometimes trying to remember all the characters and which generation they belong to and how they are all related. Since I did an audiobook I don't know if the paper book has a timeline of this. It starts in the 50's and rambles around to the turn of the century and the 20's and 30's, 60's and 70's. It has many cultural references to help ground you a bit as to where you are.

Week 2
Team #3 Chapter Chasers
Review Post
Dice Roll = 5+2=7
Previous Space: 10
New Space: 17
#1 in Series
#7 in series
#17 in series
Alternate Choice- MC has at least one child

Just to let you guys know. I am away for a few days up to the Lake District, so probably won't be back online until Tuesday as I am not sure if I will have any signal.

I am going to go with another #1 in Series
- 1st book in the Highland Myths Trilogy

Completion Post
Spot #17 Week # 2
Book: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore / Robin Sloan
pages: 288
How it fits: #1 in the Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore series
Rating: 3
Finished: 2/25/2024
Review:
I love computers and book, I am a computer nerd so I thought this book was for me. At first I really liked it, but I got confused towards the end. I feel that the author tried to cram too much in. I also got tired of all the mentions of Google. If you like books and computers you should give it a try.

Completion Post
Week 2 - spot 17 - #1 in series

Dirty Billionaire by Meghan March
Date Read: 2/26
Pages: 205
Fits: #1 in series Dirty Billionaire
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Review: This story moved along at a fast-pace, with characters that held my attention from start to finish. I listened to Audiobook and I could not turn it off until I had finished the entire book. I was utterly captivated with this story!

As far as the storyline goes, it isn't that much different than a million others out there. Sweet, beautiful and naive heroine catches the eye of an older, uber-rich, sexy Alpha. She is struggling, but determined, to make her own way. He wants to possess and dominate her, while remaining emotionally distant. You can change a few minor details, but we've all read a million different variations of this classic theme.

Completion Post
Week 2 - spot 17 - #1 in series
Book: In the Arms of a Highland Warrior by Donna Fletcher

Date Read: 27/02/2024
Pages: 372
Fits: #1 in series Highland Myths Trilogy #1
Rating: ★★★★

Review:

Lord Donald granted his only child and daughter permission to wed a Northman she had lost her heart to, but it came with a stipulation. Their first-born son would return and rule the Clan MacShane upon the old lord’s death.

When the bargain has to be for filled, Lord Bhric returns to his neighbouring lands to meet his betrothed. Tavia MacShane is small, quiet, and has a pronounced limp after an accident and Bhric is very disappointed in his bride. He fears she will just not do or be able to do justice as the Clan Chiefs wife. Not wanting to disappoint her father or let down the Clan, Tavia tricks Bhric into marrying her. Although the marriage might be what neither of them wanted they soon find they can't bear to be apart and fighting or disagreeing with each other might be better than be with anyone else.

I really enjoyed this book. It ticks all the boxes for me, in what I like in a historical romance. I don't know if it's because I am married to a highlander that I like them even more. The humour between the two main characters is great. Bhric is a brute of a man and he sees his new wife as to fragile and petite, but she is soon to become the one who wears the trousers in the relationship. I am definitely going to look forwards to reading the other books in the series.

Week #2
Team #3- Chapter Chasers
Old Spot #24
Dice Roll: 6 +1=7
New Spot: 31
#3 in series
#1 in series
#31 in series
Alternate choice: Set in a Fictional Location/Universe

Reviews from Spot #24
Joyce- #1 in series & Alternate -The Soprano Sorceress - Review
Jade aka MrsTosh - #1 in series -In the Arms of a Highland Warrior - Review
Carrie- #1 in series- The Wolf Den- Review
Leslie Ann- #1 in series- Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - Review
Celia-Alternate character with a child -Half Finished - Review
Christene Paula- #1 in series Dirty Billionaire - Review