Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

District 2




Team Members
• Tara Captain
• Ivelisse Co-captain
• Karolyn Co-captain
• Tru
• Raquel S
• Jhmingos
• Angela
• Donna
• Dale
• Alisha
• Bri
• Devann
• Joanna
• Sixty


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

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Hi all! Welcome to District 2! I'm Tara, your not so fearless captain who just finished captaining UNO and decided it was a good idea to captain Book Games too 🤦‍♀️ Luckily, I have 2 co-captains to help!

I'm in sunny San Diego, where I work as a school librarian. Mom to a 7 year old daughter and a cat named Skipper. I love spreadsheets and love to read, so captaining these team challenges has been great for me!

Looking forward to this one with all of you!

Planning Spreadsheet:

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

Countdown to May 15 Start:

https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

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Hi Everyone! I'm Joanna and I'm excited to join my first book challenge!

I'm in New York City where I work with museums and cultural heritage organizations. I love art, books, and music, and try to squeeze in reading as much as I can. I'm also a mom to two + a little sneaky cat named Zelda who's usually swatting at my book as I'm trying to read. Anyway, nice to meet you all, and thank you to Tara for being our not-so-fearless captain!

Ello :) I am Dale:)
Im a sahm to two hellhounds ( aka kids🤣) and I have a st bernard dog :).
I can either go from binge read to not reading anything at all 🤣
I somewhat enjoy book challenges bc it give me a goal to do 🤣
Cant wait to start playing:)

edit: my kids are 12 and 6. both are girls

Hi all! My name is Ivelisse (Ive) and have been in challenges with quite a few of you! Mom of two kids (11 & 8) who are very active in sports.

My daughter is a goalie in soccer (main sport) and is also playing girls flag football as a 'side sport' (which I have to brag but she had 6 touchdowns yesterday, 2 of which were pick 6).

My son plays travel baseball which is his love. All of his games for the past 3 weekends have been rained out! Hoping for good weather this weekend.

Then there's my four legged boy Rio (schnauzer). I live in Texas and am an accountant which allows me to indulge in audiobooks during the day. At night is when I indulge in my darker reads on my kindle ;) I am always on GR during the week but the weekend it's hit or miss. Dale knows and always sends me side messages letting me know if I miss anything.

I'm so excited to play with you all.

Hi All! I'm Raquel.
I have two very active boys (10 and 9) who keep me on my toes as their unpaid uber driver busing them from practices and games almost every day. I also have my two fur babies, 16 week old Olivia Benson and almost 16 year old Diego. Currently, my house is a zoo.

I work in accounting which allows me to listen to audio books all day long with very few interruptions! I do read on my Kindle at night, but not nearly as much as I would like. Eventually, I'll have more time. Lol

Excited for this new challenge to begin! =)

Hello, teammates!

I'm Tru or Truitt - I'm not picky - and I live in the U.S. state of Georgia. I'm in retail management which, alas does not allow me to listen to audiobooks all day. I have a small herd of rescue cats and an older relative living with me, so thank goodness I can listen to audiobooks during domestic chores!

I'll read almost anything, although horror and literary fiction aren't my favorites. Most genre fiction, though - romance (particularly MM), SFF, mystery - makes me happy and I read at least some nonfiction, when it fits in with challenges.

I know a few people on the team; in fact Raquel, Ivelisse, and I are finishing up another Challenge right now. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all!

I signed up as a potential DQ Tribute (Daily Question Author) for Salt & Broom. I can't get The Malevolent Seven through any of my library options, so I may have to pass on that one.

If anyone feels like volunteering to write DQs, it's 40 points if one of us is selected.

I can't wait to get started!

ETA: And I just saw that there's going to be an unofficial buddy read of the original Hunger Games Trilogy - participation will be worth 20 points. The thread for the first book is here.

Hello District 2!
My name is Angela and I am from Illinois in a suburb close to Chicago. I used to be a cat mom, but we had to put her (Chloe) to sleep in November, which was obviously heartbreaking.
I have not read the Hunger Games Trilogy, despite it being on my tbr since 2009. I think because it is out of my comfort zone as far as reading taste goes that I continue to put it off. Being in this challenge may finally give me the push I need. The genres I tend to pick up most often are mystery/thriller and romance/women's fiction. I do also enjoy historical fiction, non-fiction (usually memoirs) and literary fiction. Reading is my main hobby but I also enjoy long walks (usually listening to music or a podcast), cross-stitching and trying out new recipes.
Looking forward to playing this new challenge with all of you!

Hi everyone!

My name is Alisha and I'm from Ohio. I've done a few of these challenges now and they are usually a lot of fun. I'm drastically behind on my reading so this will be a good catch up for me. I love the Hunger Games and I'm really looking forward to this challenge!

Is anyone going to join the BR for Hunger Games?

Dale wrote: "Is anyone going to join the BR for Hunger Games?"

Yes! Just joined up

Goodness, I didn't realize that District 2 was open so I'm glad I checked this thread :)

I'm Jhmingos or Lizzie, either name is fine. I'm also from San Diego, Tara! And I can confirm the weather is beautiful--it's my favorite city I've lived in. I work in research and am a big fan of team reading challenges. Very excited to join. I read various genres because it helps me avoid a slump. However, I think classics and mystery/thrillers are my most-read.

Dale wrote: "Is anyone going to join the BR for Hunger Games?"

I wanna join the BR for Hunger Games too, but can I participate if I read the series less than 6 months ago? I read the first one in January, so it's been about 5 months.

Jhmingos wrote: "Dale wrote: "Is anyone going to join the BR for Hunger Games?"

I wanna join the BR for Hunger Games too, but can I participate if I read the series less than 6 months ago? I read the first one in ..."

i think so, i dont see any official rules stating its need to be X months since reading it

From the rules on the All About Book Games page:

🏹 "Re-reads" will be allowed, if it has been six months since you have read the book. This includes listening to the audio version, if you've already read the book.

Dale wrote: "Is anyone going to join the BR for Hunger Games?"

I'm in, for the first book, at least.

Truitt_T wrote: "From the rules on the All About Book Games page:

🏹 "Re-reads" will be allowed, if it has been six months since you have read the book. This includes listening to the audio version, if you've alrea..."

Thank you:)

hey i'm devann. i think i've sat out the last few team challenges here but hoping to get back into it with this one. i'll definitely be trying to do the hunger games buddy reads since it's been over a decade i think since i read them.

Dale wrote: "Truitt_T wrote: "From the rules on the All About Book Games page:

🏹 "Re-reads" will be allowed, if it has been six months since you have read the book. This includes listening to the audio version..."

I remembered this very specifically because I reread something slightly too soon for another challenge earlier this year, lol. Fortunately, I caught it before I posted it, but I felt as though I'd wasted a book.

Nice to meet everyone in the District! Angela, sorry to hear about your furry friend passing in November. I know how painful that is. And Ive - congrats to your daughter for the 6 touchdowns! Very impressive.

Since this is my first challenge, I want to thank you all ahead of time for baring with me as I learn what to do. Are there any guidelines on how we use the spreadsheets and what fields we're supposed to update? When do we choose which books we are reading for the 4 categories - weapons, defense, food, and shelter? I’d be happy to do food since I just started reading which has a main character who works in the kitchens as a cook’s assistant.

Thanks for the help!

Hi all! I’ve been enjoying everyone’s intros without thinking to do my own 🤦‍♀️ I’m Karolyn and very excited to play with you all and to help out as a co-captain.

I live in Missouri in the USA (the boring middle part), about an hour outside of St. Louis We’ve lived here about 10 years and quite like it. It has been one week 0 days since our last tornado warning. I work in agriculture and am fortunate to travel a fair bit for work. I love traveling (more when it’s not for work), like to hike, listen to too many true crime podcasts and of course am a reader. I enjoy non-fiction as well as historical fiction, thrillers/mysteries, horror and am slowly getting into science fiction and fantasy.

I live with my hubby who loves to cook and 3 cats. The cats run the house, us humans are just staff.

Welcome Joanna! Excited that this is your first team challenge. Feel free to ask any questions. This is a brand-new challenge but I think you can pick any of the 4 categories for your book. Hopefully, with some creative reasoning, any books you're reading will fit any of the categories.

I just put a hold for The Familiar at my library and was planning to read that too. So it looks like we'll have two books that work for food.

Good day, District 2!

I always find the stretch just before a new challenge begins a little frustrating, lol. I find myself scrutinizing every book, wondering if I should save it.....

How exciting, Joanna, that this is your first GR challenge. I remember mine very clearly, and there is still someone from that team with whom I regularly sign up for challenge teams (alas, she's sitting this one out.)

Since this is a new challenge, Joanna, I think there will be many things we'll figure out once we get going. I wouldn't worry too much about sorting books for Weapons/Shelter/Food/Defense quite yet - I'm guessing there's going to be some strategy as to how we want pages divided among them. Does anyone have any info?

Since this challenge favors longer books, I've just been adding to a list of higher page count books I'm planning to read with some notes about where they might fit. I generally don't add books to my challenge shelf until I actually finish them. Is that how everyone else does it?

And the one rule I've run afoul of (in addition to the 6 month reread rule) is the start date. Per the rules, we can only count books that are started on or after May 15. I'll be restricting myself to books under 300 pages for the next six days.....

i do the same thing, once i finish them i will put them on my challenge shelf. :)

Karolyn wrote: "Hi all! I’ve been enjoying everyone’s intros without thinking to do my own 🤦‍♀️ I’m Karolyn and very excited to play with you all and to help out as a co-captain.

I live in Missouri in the USA (t..."

Good glory, Karolyn! I just looked at my phone, and we're under a tornado watch in middle Georgia. Sheesh. We don't get them all that often, but the warning sirens scare the metaphorical socks off the cats.....

I can't imagine living somewhere as many tornado watches and warnings as the mid-US. Of course, you get fewer hurricanes....

Dale wrote: "i do the same thing, once i finish them i will put them on my challenge shelf. :)"

Good to know I'm not the only one doing it that way. :)

Truitt_T wrote: "Dale wrote: "i do the same thing, once i finish them i will put them on my challenge shelf. :)"

Good to know I'm not the only one doing it that way. :)"

:) i do that for all the challenges i do i find it easier :)

Me too. Usually I just put the books I plan or want to read in the team spreadsheets. It's easier for me to make edits or switch things around there, and then I add it to my shelf when I finish the book.

Jhmingos wrote: "Me too. Usually I just put the books I plan or want to read in the team spreadsheets. It's easier for me to make edits or switch things around there, and then I add it to my shelf when I finish the..."

Sometimes i do the same😅🥲

Captain and Co-Captains Tara, Ivelisse, and Karolyn -

Now that my other challenge has ended and I'm trying to plan ahead, do you have any info you can share about the four Resources (Weapons, Shelter, Food Defense) and how we'll be dividing our books between them? Or anything else you'd like to share?

Alisha wrote: "Hi everyone!

My name is Alisha and I'm from Ohio. I've done a few of these challenges now and they are usually a lot of fun. I'm drastically behind on my reading so this will be a good catch up fo..."

I saw that you signed up as back-up Tribute for Salt & Broom - thanks!

I have to admit that I don't always love reading the BOM or wtiting the DQs, but I sure do love the points!

And other question - I read somewhere that there's no over reading penalty for this challenge. Is that correct?

If it is, then I don't have to worry so much about sticking to strictly longer books.....

Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a needy border collie/german shepherd.

This is my fourth team challenge and I think I've been on teams with a couple of you in the past so hello again. I'm looking forward to reading with all of you over the next few months. I'm trying to convince myself to start Project Hail Mary since I've been meaning to read it for a couple of years now and for those bonus entries for DQs on later BOMs in the challenge.

Other than that I'm planning a reread of Only a Monster so I can finally read its sequel Never a Hero as I fell in love with book 1 when it came out.

Also, a quick question I started The Shadow Rising about a year ago but I never made it more than 100 pages in before putting it down and just never touching it again. If I were to start over after the 15th would it count since I've never actually finished it and would need to restart it anyway to finish it or would the initial start date be the one I would go by?

Briana wrote: "Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a needy border colli..."

Hi Bri - call me Tru. I don't think we/ve ever been on a team together before, so it's nice to meet you.

I'm also trying to convince myself to start Project Hail Mary. I really liked The Martian (although it fell a bit flat as a reread), but Artemis was a dnf for me.

I do want that entra entry for the BOMs, though, so I'll try to tackle it this weekend.

As for your question, I believe that restarting the book on or after May 15 would be fine . I think the key is that all the pages need to be read during the challenge dates. I'm sure someone else will chime in with a definite answer, though.

Briana wrote: "Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a needy border colli..."

I would think it would count :) alsoo hii:)

Truitt_T wrote: "I'm also trying to convince myself to start Project Hail Mary. I really liked The Martian (although it fell a bit flat as a reread), but Artemis was a dnf for me."

if you liked the martian i think that project hail mary is much more like that than artemis. artemis was an ok read for me but i definitely thnk he's become a much better writer since then.

Dale wrote: "Briana wrote: "Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a nee..."

Truitt_T wrote: "Briana wrote: "Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a nee..."

I have Artemis as an audiobook so I'm hoping that will make some difference if and when I get around to it. The same goes for The Martian but I'm not sure I want to listen to the Wil Wheaton narration since I've read reviews where it's pretty bad.

Also thanks for the input about The Shadow Rising. I am going to move it to my on-hold shelf for the time being which is where it should have been all along anyway.

@Joanna- Welcome to your first team challenge! They are very addicting :) Also thanks for your kind words about Chloe (my furbaby)

I put my books on my shelf once I finish them but like others I will put a few on the spreadsheet. I check out most of my books from the library (physical and kindle/libby), so I roughly plan out my tbr for the month the month before. I developed a system, which I sometimes stray from if I am getting slumpy. I try to add a few new releases, some backlist, and series I have started so I do not get behind. I am also in the Seasonal Reading Challenge group, so I use the prompts to determine the books I am going to read.

The BOM are usually not my cup of tea and I try not to pick up books that won't hold my attention. I have so many books I want to get to on my tbr that I will dnf a book I am struggling to read.
I tried Project Hail Mary last year even though sci-fi is not a genre I typically read (unless there is time travel!) because it was so hyped. I dnfed it about 50 pages in. I have also heard that the Martian and Project Hail Mary are very similar.

I haven't read The Martian yet but I did like Project Hail Mary. If it counts for BOM points, I'm up for a reread.

Thanks for all the replies re: Andy Weir/ Project Hail Mary / Aretemis / The Martian. I feel better about getting to it this weekend.

@Jhmingos - Sadly, Project Hail Mary apparently won't count for BOM points for the team, but reading it and participating will count towards being able to get and extra entry for writing DQs.

Today, I actually added another shelf for books I'm thinking of reading for BG. I haven't added much to it yet, but I hope it will help me remember all the books I've been thinking about. My actual TBR feels to big to be useful.

Have any of you narrowed down some must-read books for the challenge? I need to read a few because it's almost due from the library and I want to read To Say Nothing of the Dog. Seems like it will be a weird book and I'm kind of in the mood for something different.

No i havent 🤣🤣 for challenge i try to make the task for the books im reading than trying to read books that fit the task(if that makes sense lol😅)

Hi team! I just realized the date and came to check in. I didn't realize that the threads were open.

I am a stay at home mom of 3 older kids. I have one still in cyber school and the other two kids are now officially adults (but I wonder some days because they certainly don't act like adults!). I have two very adorable but spoiled cats.

Just like everyone else, I love to read pretty much anything I can get my hands on. I don't care much for non-fiction but will read anything else. I have been in a bit of a reading slump but I have been slowly coming out of it.

I am really excited for this challenge and I am looking forward to reading some great books with all of you!

Jhmingos wrote: "Per the rules, we can only count books that are started on or after May 15...."

Oh dang, okay. I didn't realize this but it makes sense. Do you think I can restart the book? I'm only 40 pages in, so it's no big deal. But I want to respect the rules too so perhaps I should choose another book? What do you recommend?

Really excited to start!