The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion

Team Ender's Game

Team Members:
👾
❅ Melissa Williams - Captain
❅ Denise Lauron - Co-Captain
❅ Laura crumpets
❅ Ilsen
❅ Elli
❅ Brittany
❅ Ashlee
❅ Aiswrya


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

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The basic idea of this game is that we read books that fit different "cards." Each card's number has a letter that has to be the first letter in the title of the book (A, An, and The can be used but don't have to be used), the author's first or last name, or a character's first or last name. The character has to have a speaking role, and be significant to the plot (not just a random person that says something once), is set in a place starting with the letter, or has the number in the book title.

At some point each month, there is a mini for more points that gets us scratching our heads in puzzlement.

Important Links:
Countdown to start of UNO: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

You can't start a book for this challenge until February 1st. After the first, you can start a book at any time.

Team Planning Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I do my best with spreadsheets, but if something looks out of line, let me know! I'll find someone to figure it out (or if you know spreadsheets, that is awesome too).

We will use this planning sheet to record what we are planning on reading. We should do our best to fill in the first hands first and then move down to the other hands. When possible, please add other options for your books in case we need to switch it around.

As we go through the hands, Denise and I will move the finished hands to the official tracker.

📕Red Book Covers
📘Blue Book Covers
📗Green Book Covers
🟨Yellow Book Covers
For colored cards, the cover needs to be 50% or more of the color. If in doubt, ask your captains as we can check it and/or take to the captains group for another opinion. The mods generally want us to use common sense for this one, no TinEye required.
But here's Tin Eye: https://labs.tineye.com/color/ just in case
AR Bookfinder: https://www.arbookfind.com/
Books must be more than 100 pages in length
(Children's books, Graphic Novels, Manga, Cook Books, Plays and Poetry cannot be used unless by word count they can be verified as more than 25,000 words using arbookfind.com or more than 3 hours of audio using a reputable website (e.g. audible, overdrive)

📝 Your shelf! Please make sure you tag each book you read with your UNO shelf. We can't use the book if it's not on your shelf :)

Uno Shelves:
Melissa: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Denise: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Laura: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Ilsen: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Elli: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Brittany: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Ashlee: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Aiswrya: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

APRIL MINI
In a galaxy far far away .... don't panic .....OK, actually you can start panicking a little bit.

You are going on 🛸 The Great Galactic Book Quest 🌌

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The Galaxy awaits - but before you launch your ship into the stars, you’ll need to build it from scratch, assemble a top-notch crew, and chart a course into the unknown.

Your tools? Books.
Crack open a sci-fi adventure to bolt on the engine. Devour a fantasy epic to recruit a magical mechanic. Need a brave pilot? A clever detective? A chance to contemplate the meaning of life? A robot who’s good with spreadsheets or an alien with other necessary skills? There’s a book for all that.

With every story you finish, your ship gets stronger, your crew gets weirder (in the best way), and your cosmic path becomes clearer. Where are you headed? Who knows! That’s half the fun.

Are you ready to read your way into space?

◈ Every book read, i.e. every task completed, is worth 10 points. Each book can be used for one task only.
◈ Books for tasks can be finished in any order. No need to complete blocks to get the 10 points/book.
◈ Captains' Log entries are 5 points each.
◈ If you complete all tasks, including Captains' Log, you get 30 extra points.

◈ Books used for this mini challenge do not need to be separate books from 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.

◈ 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 15 April, 9am UTC (Countdown: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...) and before 1 May, 9am UTC (the sad time for UNO 2025 to end).


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message 2: by UNO Pixie, Our UNO Helper (last edited 2 hours, 14 min ago) (new)2 hours, 14 min ago
UNO Pixie | 1836 commentsPart 1

🚀 Build Your Own Spaceship

1. The Engine Room (Power Source)
Read a book with "energy", "fire", "power" or similar in the title or plot (text).

2. The Cockpit (Control Centre)
Read a book where a character takes charge or leads a mission.

3. Navigation System
Read a book set in multiple locations or with a journey across space/time/land.

4. The Hull (Body of the Ship)
Read a book with a cover that's mostly either metallic, grey, or silver; or features a structure that is mostly one of those colours.

5. Shields & Defence Systems
Read a book featuring a warrior, protector, or a defensive strategy.

6. Communication System
Read a book where language, translation, or miscommunication is key to the plot.

7. Life Support System
Read a book about survival in extreme conditions.

8. Artificial Intelligence
Read a book with a robot, AI, or a highly intelligent system/character.

9. Fuel Tank
Read a book that energises you or refuels your reading mojo!

10. The Launch Pad (Get Ready for Take-Off)
Read the first book in a series, or a debut novel.

*****

Part 2
🧑‍🚀 Select Your Crew

1. The Captain
Read a book with a strong leader, mentor, or decision-maker.

2. The Pilot
Read a book with a character who’s always on the move — a traveller, driver, or adventurer.

3. The Engineer
Read a book featuring a problem-solver, inventor, or builder.

4. The Medic
Read a book with a healer, doctor, therapist or emotional caretaker.

5. The Scientist
Read a book with a character in STEM, or where science plays a big role.

6. The Cook
Read a book that features food, cooking, or a chef character.

7. The Communications Officer
Read a book with a journalist, writer, translator, or with social media presence.

8. The Security Officer
Read a book with a character in law enforcement, military, or security.

9. The Alien
Read a book with a character who’s an outsider, immigrant, or "not from around here" (genre-wise or culturally).

10. The Comedian / Morale Booster
Read a book that made you laugh or features a humorous character.

*****

Part 3
🌌 Off You Go

1. Pack Your Bags
Read a book where a character prepares for a journey or big change.

2. Choose Your Destination
Read a book set in a faraway land, another planet, or a completely imagined world.

3. Map Your Route
Read a book with a map in the front, or where navigation is part of the story.

4. Buy Your Ticket
Read a book where access, entry, or permission is a key theme.

5. Face Travel Delays
Read a book where things don’t go to plan — detours, delays or unexpected twists.

6. Meet Fellow Travellers
Read a book where strangers are thrown together on a journey (e.g. road trip, cruise, expedition).

7. Board the Ship
Read a book that starts with immediate action or throws you into the story from page one.

8. Set Your Course
Read a book where a character has a clear mission or purpose.

9. Zero Gravity Moment
Read a book that makes you feel weightless – dreamy, poetic, or mind-bending.

10. Emergency Landing
Read a book where a journey goes wrong — crash landings, lost in space, or stranded scenarios.

*****

Part 4
🌠 End of the Universe

1. A Final Mission
Read a book that’s the last in a series or features a character’s final journey.

2. Apocalypse Now
Read a book set during or after the end of the world (dystopian, post-apocalyptic, climate fiction etc).

3. Time’s Up
Read a book that involves time travel, time loops, or racing against the clock.

4. Stars Go Out
Read a book with a tragic ending or emotional farewell.

5. The Unknown Beyond
Read a book that explores philosophical questions, the meaning of life, or what comes after death.

6. One Small Step
Read a book that feels like a personal milestone — one you’ve been meaning to read for ages.

7. Cosmic Weirdness
Read a book with surreal, mind-bending, or speculative elements that challenge your view of reality.

8. New World Rising
Read a book about rebirth, rebuilding, or hope after devastation.

9. Drift into Darkness
Read a book with a dark or eerie tone — horror, gothic, or psychological thriller.

10. Light-Years from Home
Read a book by an author from a different country or cultural background than your own.

*****

Part 5
⏺️ Captain’s Log: Mission Chronicles📝

Every great journey needs a record—and yours is no exception!
As you read your way through the galaxy, you and your crew will be charting not just the stars, but your experiences among the pages.

You need to log entries for Parts 1-4.
Each log should be about 3–4 sentences long—but feel free to elaborate if inspiration strikes!
For each completed Captain’s Log entry, your team earns 5 extra points!

Here are some suggestions, but feel free to be creative and daring!

🚀 Build Your Own Spaceship – What books inspired your ship's design, power, and purpose?
👨‍🚀 Select Your Crew – Who joined your ranks from the stories you read? What skills or quirks did they bring?
🌌 Off You Go – As you launch into space, what did your reading journey teach you about exploration, courage, or the unknown?
🌠 End of the Universe – How did it all wrap up? Reflect on where your books took you, and what you’ll carry with you beyond the stars.

Hello! Welcome to UNO!
Denise and I are your co-captains for this journey.

Before the game starts, stop by and let us know a bit about yourself!

I'm a middle school teacher in the Northeast US. I like the winter, but I'm finding I spend more and more time inside as it gets colder. Good for reading!

I love book challenges - as I love games and books.

I'll read just about anything. I prefer non-fiction, sci-fi, and historical fiction, but I like something a little lighter too every so often!

My favorite read this year is The Frozen River and I'm reading this enormous book about NYCity that is very informative: Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 I love Tracy Chevalier and Sarah McConaghy.

I am looking forward to learning about all of the books folks will be reading!

I've read Ender's Game - I really liked it when I did (it's been a while). I haven't seen the movie, but you know... Harrison Ford, so okay.

Feel free to start filling in the planner if you'd like. Try not to add more than 4 books at first so everyone gets a shot at what they're hoping for.

Hi team, checking in :) I’m away at my cousin’s wedding this week. I’ll come back with an intro when I’m back home on Sunday. Looking forward to an awesome game again!

Hello everybody! I'm Elli from Singapore. It's the monsoon season here so there's loads & loads of rainfall. It's expected to ease off sometime in April so I think I will be indoors most of the time on my days off, with a nice drink & a good book.

I tend to be a mood-reader with an enormous TBR mountain so joining reading challenges helps me rein in the whimsical-ness & hopefully chip off a good chunk of the mountain.

I mostly prefer to read books than watch the movie/drama adaptations but sadly.. Ender's Game is the opposite. I enjoyed the movie but DNF'ed the book.
It just happened that way.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I haven't read any new favorite books this year so far.
Was on a re-reading spree on "The Hidden Legacy" series by Ilona Andrews~

Discovered a few gems in 2024:
- Found this while looking for a book that fits a "chair on cover" prompt
- Read this when I needed a book that has someone walking on the cover
& the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb

Welcome, Aiswrya! I hope the wedding was fun.

Welcome Elli! Those books look intriguing. There is a give away for The Fox Wife, so I just put in for that.

I am going to be reading soon for an in person book club :0)

I'm Brittany. Live in the SouthWestern part of Texas.

I work in computer security and modeling and simulation and I also have a side business doing sports and event photography.

I'm a single mother of a teenage boy (14) and 4 rescue pets. A mini dachshund, Comet, A Plott Hound, Maya. 2 cats: Mrs. Nesbitt & Stevie Nyx.

Reading is my escape and survival tool. I read books in all formats. I will read almost anything once, but my favorite genres are Speculative Fiction, Psych Thriller, Historical Fiction, Biography/Memoir, True Crime, & History.

I love creating and participating in Challenges (mod in For Love of a Book Group).

I have read and watched Ender's Game.

My 5 Star Reads so far this year have been:

Hi everyone! My name is Ilsen and I’m from Miami. I started working less than a year as a school admin assistant and I’ve been liking it so far. My dream is to have my whole life surrounded by books.

I’ve been joining UNO since 2020 and I loved it ever since! I feel like I’ve been reading less because of adulting but I hope to get back to it and just discover some great books. I like reading challenges because it helps me narrow down what I want to read.

My favorite genres are fantasy, contemporary, and mystery! I always like to try new genres and just read a little bit of everything. But I definitely gravitate toward fiction in genral!

My main goal is to read books that I own and just try to cull down my physical TBR. I’m excited to play with you guys! Here are my favorite books of last year:

Hey Im Really looking forward to Uno!!!

Im Laura - i Turned 37 last week - Mama to 2 amazing little men a 9 year old and My 7 year Old who suffers from Autism - so i get a lot of reading on Audio driving to and from his therapy sessions over an hour away 4 times a week, along with the house work and i have also discovered diamond Art!!!

I live in Greece My mum had moved out to greece when i was 10 and i used to go and see her in the summers - My hubby was the Nightclubs cute Barman - we hit it off i moved here permanently - we been together 18 years Married 10 - Our Family has a taverna and a clothes boutique - so im usually found there in the summer season.

I do Read paperbacks or from my Kindle if i get the time - but thats usually only on weekends or just before bed if i dont fall asleep... HAHAHA

Im a seasonal reader - winters and Auntumn are my Romantasy phase (and cheesy Christmas reads in December) the summer i usually go for light hearted rom coms i can pick up and put down easily in between work and the kids

My fave reads this year so far....

Brittany wrote: "I am going to be reading soon for an in person book club :0)"

I just received that from the library! I've been waiting to read it until it will count for UNO.

I'm Denise from California. I'm mom to 2 mini adults who are living with me. We have a full house, since we live with my mom, too, and each of them have their SO's with us, too. We have what my mom affectionately calls the zoo with two dogs, three cats, a bearded dragon, three leopard geckos, and whatever else my offspring have managed to sneak into the house without my knowledge.

I tend to do more audiobooks, since I can check those off during my commutes. I've been trying to turn the TV off more so I can actually get more read than I have been. I met my 2024 goal with a little wiggle room, but I'm hoping 2025 will not be as close, even though it's the same goal. This is the first year I haven't increased it.

I love UNO because it encourages me to actually finish the books that I started. I can't recall how many rounds I have played, but I have played for several years, and co-captained for at least 2 years.

I've recently increased my hours at work, so I'm not on here as much, but I am attempting to log in multiple times a week.

I've sent friend requests to the members of this team. Thank you to those who have accepted already. I'm looking forward to playing with you all.

Hello,

I am Ashlee from Pennsylvania. I am a middle school Special Education teacher.

I love reading and might have a small issue of buying books faster than I can read them. :)

I will read pretty much anything, but I gravitate towards mystery, thriller, and romance. I have set a goal for 2025 to finish a few series' that I have started, and to finish the catalog of some of my favorite authors. (James Patterson, Colleen Hoover, Rachel Van Dyken)

UNO is one of my favorite challenges; the minis always get me to read something that I have had on my TBR for entirely too long.

The link to my shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "Hey Im Really looking forward to Uno!!!

Im Laura - i Turned 37 last week - Mama to 2 amazing little men a 9 year old and My 7 year Old who suffers from Autism - so i get a lot of reading on Audio ..."

I love diamond art! If you haven't already done one, you need to create a bookmark for all of your reading.

I just brought coasters to do lol well keep my eye out for bookmarks

I have diamond art bookmarks. They are a little bulky, but pretty.

Denise wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I am going to be reading soon for an in person book club :0)"

I just received that from the library! I've been waiting to read it until it will ..."

Sweet!
We can all read it and then count it for reverses :)

Brittany wrote: "I'm Brittany. Live in the SouthWestern part of Texas.

I work in computer security and modeling and simulation and I also have a side business doing sports and event photography.

I'm a single mo..."

Welcome Brittany! I'm glad we're on a team again together!

Ilsen wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Ilsen and I’m from Miami. I started working less than a year as a school admin assistant and I’ve been liking it so far. My dream is to have my whole life surrounded by book..."

Welcome Ilsen! Our administrative assistant is indispensable. Thank you for all of the work you do for your school!

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "Hey Im Really looking forward to Uno!!!

Im Laura - i Turned 37 last week - Mama to 2 amazing little men a 9 year old and My 7 year Old who suffers from Autism - so i get a lot of reading on Audio ..."

Welcome Laura! How's the weather in Greece? It's so so cold here.

Denise wrote: "I'm Denise from California. I'm mom to 2 mini adults who are living with me. We have a full house, since we live with my mom, too, and each of them have their SO's with us, too. We have what my mom..."

Welcome Denise! I am excited to be a co-captain with you.

Ashlee wrote: "Hello,

I am Ashlee from Pennsylvania. I am a middle school Special Education teacher.

I love reading and might have a small issue of buying books faster than I can read them. :)

I will read pr..."

Welcome Ashlee! Go SPED teachers!
Yes, buying books is so nice.

Okay, I'm going to buy some Diamond Art bookmarks - the little corner ones. Thanks for the suggestion :)

Melissa wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Ilsen and I’m from Miami. I started working less than a year as a school admin assistant and I’ve been liking it so far. My dream is to have my whole life surr..."

Aww thank you! I’m actually an admin assistant at a small private school for special need kids and it’s a lot of work but I do like the work I’m doing. Definitely not what I expected from my first job but I like it! I hope I can try to balance reading with my job!

Its Cold here too our Mountain Has snow!!!! lol

Melissa wrote: "Denise wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I am going to be reading soon for an in person book club :0)"

I just received that from the library! I've been waiting to read it..."

That's a great idea! Hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did :)

Ilsen wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Ilsen and I’m from Miami. I started working less than a year as a school admin assistant and I’ve been liking it so far. My dream is to have my whole life surrounded by book..."

I'm also a fairly new admin staff in a University (slightly more than a year) and I'm happy there too.. For now. Hee hee.. Too bad its a technology + design school so there are not many books that I can read around.

Oh yes my Uno shelf:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Uno shelf Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Elli wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Ilsen and I’m from Miami. I started working less than a year as a school admin assistant and I’ve been liking it so far. My dream is to have my whole life surr..."

💖

Thank you for all of your UNO shelves!
We're all set.

my uno is

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

Hi team! I’m back to say a proper hello to everyone. I’m Aiswrya (Aish-war-ya). I live in New Jersey with my husband, and we are both techies.

I love audiobooks too. So convenient when household chores never seem to end lol! I read a wide range of genres but am usually partial to murder mysteries, historical fiction and adventure books.

My favorites from last year:
The entire Alex Craft series - Grave Witch
Matterhorn (highly recommend it to fans of action and espionage)
Slowly making my way through the Dresden files and have loved every one of them so far! Storm Front
Detective lavender mysteries have been great too - The Heiress of Linn Hagh
Her Deadly Game (great start to a new legal fiction series)
Deadlock (another brilliant action thriller)
The Spellshop (a heartwarming fantasy)

Welcome!
I just purchased The Heiress of Linn Hagh (1.99 after credits!). It looks good! I have not read any of these before.

I just gave permission for some folks to edit our planning sheet. If you find you need access, let me know, and I can get that open for you!
One week until we can start!

Got it!
Looking forward to the start!

Excellent!
Me too!

Melissa wrote: "Welcome!
I just purchased The Heiress of Linn Hagh (1.99 after credits!). It looks good! I have not read any of these before."

Hope you enjoy it! The audio is pretty good too

Does anyone have any color covers that would work? I always find those the hardest to get.

This month, we have these -

Yellow - 3, 5, 7
Green - 1, 9
Red - 9
Blue - 4

I've added an extra tab to the spreadsheet for extra and overflow books. If you can't fit your finished books anywhere, put them on that tab. We'll try to rearrange things to get them in.

These can also be used for minis.

I might read Our Violent Ends next month possibly so I’ll see if it fits for the Red 9.

i will be starting on the 1st

Is it blue?

Looks blue to me

Denise wrote: "Does anyone have any color covers that would work? I always find those the hardest to get.

This month, we have these -

Yellow - 3, 5, 7
Green - 1, 9
Red - 9
Blue - 4"

I can read a 9 Green. Let me add to the sheet.

Denise, you're missing a Green 0 in your list above. My book will work for both 0 and 9 Green.

Aiswrya wrote: "Denise, you're missing a Green 0 in your list above. My book will work for both 0 and 9 Green."

thank you!

I dont really claim ahead but I fill in as I finish books. I am terrible at planning ahead with reading