Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Faction: DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE/EMPIRE: Droids/Ships

Mentor: Shannon


• Carmen (Captain)
• Plethora (Co-Captain)
• Alanna
• Nereta
• Cathy
• Parker
• Natalie
• Shanna Redwind
• Jen Greenlees
• Anima Miejska
• Linda C
• Hina Jalali

Death Star Spreadsheet
Status Spreadsheet

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•Carmen - TT5
• Plethora - 2017-nbrc tt
• Alanna - towerv
• Nereta - tower
• Cathy - 2017 tower team
• Parker - ttv
• Natalie nbrc ttv
• Shanna Redwind - tower team
• Jen Greenlees - nbrc tower teams v
• Anima Miejska - tt 2017
• Linda C - tower
• Hina Jalali - tower team v

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Hi team! Welcome to Team Death Star. Hope everyone is excited to have some fun. I've been in many team challenges in NBRC and they were all fun. I enjoy a chatty group so chat away everyone. I do tend to be in and out but just know that I will be checking in whenever possible and if I'm not in my partner in crime,Plethora will jump in whenever I'm not ;) I'm on my phone app all the time but not always able to post since the app stinks.

I live in New York and have watched all the Star Wars movies except the latest which I'm sure I'll watch soon, lol. I like all kinds of books. Any chance I get I read. Whether its listening to audios or actually reading a book on my ereader or a physical book. Yes, yes, I still like physical books and visit my library quite often. :D

Hope everyone is ready for some fun. No worries if this is your first time or a regular, we will all have a great time. It's all about reading and having fun!

Hi everyone in the team :) I hope I'm not too forthcoming with saying hello, but I love bonding with the team members and friendly chat while in this challenge, so I thought I would start :)

Do we have any specific way of introducing ourselves? Or some other "rules" ;) I know from the previous challenges that some teams agree on their own ways of building up, so I would be interested in your views on it. :)

Hi everyone!

Hey everyone! My name's Parker, I'm from Canada, and this is my first Team Tower! (Actually it's my first challenge at all on NRBC ^.^)

I have to admit, I've never seen any of the Star Wars movies, so I was glad when my team name was something I recognized!

In general I like reading Fantasy, Mystery, Romance and Young Adult. What types of books do you guys read?

I'm super excited to work with all of you, and get to know you better!

Hi Shanna and Parker, good to hearing from you.

I'm fond of reading Sci-Fi: space operas, time travels, alien invasions and some such, I also love good Cosy Mysteries and some gripping Thrillers: psychological and boarding on the verge of horror. I often read Fantasy, and although lately seldom, Young Adult.

About me: I live in Poland, Europe. I read both in Polish and English fluently. I am an ex-English teacher, a graduate psychologist, and currently a secretary at school :), I have a great hubby and two children, and obviously I love reading ;)

Likewise, it would be great to know you all better!

Hello all my deliciously dark droid/ship teamies! I'll be your dark side mentor mod for this book fueled journey through space.

Looking forward to getting this party started!

I tend toward Science Fiction, Techno Thrillers and Dystopian stories, though I will read everything from Non fiction adventure to Romance.

My husband and I run a Market Garden farm, and I pick beans all summer. Audiobooks are my salvation from boredom. I've got 3 daughters.

Hi, everybody! (Hi, Dr. Nick!)

I read mostly fantasy, various kinds of "what did I just read" books, and a great deal of nonfiction, with smatterings of...everything else, really. Although the last week or two has been almost entirely Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Series tie-in novels, because I have roughly sixty of them and very little brainpower right now.

As geeky as I am, my first exposure to Star Wars was Episode I, which has left me uninterested in the series. Glad to see I'm not the only non-fan.

Hello!

I live near Boston and love reading most genres of books. Fantasy is my favorite genre and my greatest wish is to have my own dragon. I'm still waiting.

I have seen all the movies, usually multiple times. One of my cats is named Oberyn (after the A Storm of Swords character) and I nicknamed him Obi and call him Obi Wan Kenobi on occasion.

I've only done two team challenges here before, TTIV and Wobble, but I've done plenty of other team challenges in other groups. I am looking forward to this since you get more points for longer pages and I have a fair amount of long fantasy books that have been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.

Hi everyone! I am looking forward to getting started!!!

I read mostly romance- historical, fantasy, young adult, new adult, sci-fi. In addition, I enjoy cozy and historical mysteries and urban fantasy.

I am another non-fan. I saw the original 3 back in the day, but none of the new ones.

I am an elementary school teacher so my available reading time will increase dramatically in the middle of June.

I keep thinking I need to give a cozy mystery a try, I feel like I would find them oddly charming.. Maybe this challenge is the time to do it!

Nice to see I'm not the only non-fan!

Shanna - I listen to audiobooks at work too! Definitely a nice salvation, though I do think you have me beat on monotonous jobs! Hopefully your daughters help out with those beans ;)

Alanna - Are the Buffy books any good?! We are re-watching the series right now, and I've read the comics, but I didn't know there were novels? Let alone 60! *salivates

Natalie - I visited Boston a couple summers ago! Loved the aquarium ^.^ What kind of cats are yours?

Cathy - I have three friends and a mother-in-law that teach! Hopefully you teach in a calmer district than they do! Boy do they have some stories...

Loving hearing from everyone!

Hi all! Carmen! Great to be on your team again. (We were on TTIV together.)

TTIV was my first NBRC Team Challenge. I loved it! Since that one, I've done the Around the World Team Challenge and W.O.B.B.L.E. Both of those were great fun, too. :-)

I live in Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. and am disabled and unable to work. I read mostly Urban Fantasy books, but also, from time to time, enjoy Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Romantic Comedies, and Horror. I'm willing to read just about anything, though, with the exception of most nonfiction, most Literary Fiction, Chick Lit, and Westerns.

I am willing to read "weird westerns," though, so if anyone knows of any, feel free to shoot me a recommendation!

I'm also doing the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge for 2017, so I'm open to reading for all of those tasks, I just might try to find a children's book for some of them (like the "nonfiction book about technology" one).

I mostly read print editions, but lately I've been listening to a number of audiobooks. And I have a Kindle - and the Kindle app - for the occasional - very rare - e-book (though I own LOTS, I rarely read them).

It'll be great to get to know you all. Especially seeing as there are so many of us who love Fantasy/Sci-Fi. :-)

Oh! And as far as the Star Wars movies go, I have only seen the original trilogy (Episodes 4-6) and Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. I last watched the original trilogy in high school (or earlier?), around about 25 years ago or so. I saw Phantom Menace in Russia in the summer of 1996 and so hated Jar-Jar that I never watched any of the others.

So I too am not much of a fan (though I loved the original trilogy), and am grateful to have been placed on a team with a name I recognize and remember. :-)

When it comes to Star Wars saga, I have seen all the parts (some multiple times) apart from Rogue One. I am not a psycho-fan, but I really am into the atmosphere and stories, what's more my son (age 7) loves the saga, so some facts I know due to following his interest.

Have you already composed a "to-read" list for the challenge, do you have any specific books in mind to read while in TTV? I found during previous challenges that some tasks in TT were great for "cleaning" my current "to-read" list, so I hope to use the opportunity this time as well.

Natalie: I also hope to gather some nice points for longer books - both space operas and fantasy, as I have some of those on my list.

Cathy: I used to teach and I remember that summer time was really nice for reading more, I also hope to get extra time for reading as in my office at school summer months are usually quiet ones :)

Parker and Shanna: I love audiobooks, I listen mostly while doing housework, and when travelling longer distances, but I have lately found out that it is also quite relaxing in general. I have Audible membership and I especially enjoy their narrators.

Parker--they're a mixed bag. Chaos Bleeds seemed more like a Silent Hill book. The ones that fill in series holes are my favoriten and so far the Angel ones have been good. I read them like I read fanfiction; because they give me more time with characters and a world I really enjoy.

Jen--I'm doing the Read Harder challenge too! That task and the ones about sports and poetry are giving me issues.

Alanna wrote: "Parker--they're a mixed bag. Chaos Bleeds seemed more like a Silent Hill book. The ones that fill in series holes are my favoriten and so far the Angel ones have been good. I read them like I read ..."

Interesting! I'll have to check if my library has any and give them a shot!

Anima wrote: "Have you already composed a "to-read" list for the challenge, do you have any specific books in mind to read while in TTV? ."

*pushes up glasses* I'm a complete nerd and have my To-Read list in a spreadsheet. I added a column that figured out the number of pages per point for each of my books. The ones with the less pages per points have moved to the top of my list.

*waves* Hi Jen!

Hi Jen. Nice to see you again. Nice to see some new faces as well. I've seen all of the Star Wars movies except Rogue One. I enjoyed watching the older ones when I was younger but as for the current ones I only watched them because of my kids. They're entertaining but not something I would watch repeatedly.

As for my TBR, it grows everyday. I can't resist but hope to make a dent in it with all the challenges I'm in. LOL

Parker wrote: "Natalie - I visited Boston a couple summers ago! Loved the aquarium ^.^ What kind of cats are yours?"

They were rescues so they're just american shorthair.



Winry (from Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1) is on the left and Oberyn on the right. Winry is a good cuddler when I'm reading. She likes to rub her head on the book/kindle edges.

I'm actually also in the middle of a Buffy/Angel rewatch. It's my husband's first time through. We just started season 6/season 3. We're not at the musical yet and it's my favorite so I'm excited. I haven't read any of the tie in novels, but I have read season 8 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home) and part of After the Fall (Angel: After the Fall, Volume 1).

I have read a Star Wars tie in novel, Bloodline. I recommend it if you are a Leia fan or want to see what happened between Episodes 6 and 7.

I don't have any plan for the reading, but there are a few I have in mind. Also as a note, there is a week in July I may be without internet, but I will be reading.

I'll be back.... Oh phone at work right now but Carmen was asking where I was. When I first checked the thread it was still locked.

Hi Plethora *waves* I was giving you a heads up ;)

Natalie wrote: "Parker wrote: "Natalie - I visited Boston a couple summers ago! Loved the aquarium ^.^ What kind of cats are yours?"

They were rescues so they're just american shorthair..."

Oh they are beautiful :)!!

On the note of being gone... I'm off on vacation May 11th to May 28th. I imagine I will be able to check in and load my books every 2-3 days, but just in case I am away for more than that, I will be back!

Hi all,
This is my first Tower. I was on a Wobble team as my first game on this site.
I live near Rochester, NY and am a retired librarian.
I read sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, romance; really, a bit of everything.
I am currently on a cruise in the South Pacific, expecting to be back home late on the 26th. Just checking in here and will talk more when it is not costing me money per minute.

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi Plethora *waves* I was giving you a heads up ;)"

I was just giving you a hard time. ;)

Hi Linda C, Jen, Carmen and Plethora :)

Natalie, your cats are so cute, I love cats, but currently I have a dog and a rabbit LOL, hope to have a cat near the end of this year though.

Parker: I really like the idea of a spreadsheet for "to-read" list, must give it a try to order some of my reading needs and challenges' requirements :)

A Bookworm Reading (Plethora) wrote: "☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi Plethora *waves* I was giving you a heads up ;)"

I was just giving you a hard time. ;)"

I know. LOL

Hi Anima :)

Natalie your cats are so cute. I use to have a cat when I was younger and also dogs. Now I have one dog and she's enough of a handful so I'm good with her and my kids. LOL

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi Anima :)

Natalie your cats are so cute. I use to have a cat when I was younger and also dogs. Now I have one dog and she's enough of a handful so I'm good with her and my kids. LOL"

More animals!! What kind of dog?! I'm hoping once we move into a house, and not an apartment, we can start getting pets other than fish! But until then I need to live vicariously through others :P

Anima wrote: "Have you already composed a "to-read" list for the challenge, do you have any specific books in mind to read while in TTV?"

No, I don’t tend to do that as I read fairly fast and never know what I'll have on hand/be in the mood to read until very close to the start of things like this. That said, had I remembered about book length being good for this challenge, I would have held off on my "reading" of the Dune audiobook. But I read it earlier this month, so. . . Oops! :-)

Alanna wrote: "Jen--I'm doing the Read Harder challenge too! That task and the ones about sports and poetry are giving me issues."

I haven't yet picked a poetry book, either. But for the sports task, I read a sports romance. It was just okay, but it was a fast read and suited my desire for a "fluffy" book. :-)

Parker wrote: "*waves* Hi Jen! "

Hi, Parker! Hi all! *waves madly* :-)

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi Jen. Nice to see you again."

:-)

..................................................................................

As for the pets discussion, I am sadly allergic to cats after living in a home with several and homeowners who were not the greatest at picking up after them. :-(

But I love dogs and have one! My Max is my puppy-son, my service dog, my love, and my life. Here's a picture of the two of us from around Christmas of 2013 (he was seven months old and not yet an "official" service dog, so no vest):



:-)

Jen, Max is a really handsome dog ;)

Jen, what a great picture! I love Max's eyes, and how happy he looks!

Thank you, Anima and Parker! I love this picture. It's one of very few adult pictures of me that I like. I credit Max for the fact that it's a good picture of me, and I remain impressed at how well he behaved for this photo. Nowadays, I have trouble getting him to look at me when I want him in pictures. And nine times out of ten, when he does look at me, it's with his "long-suffering, 'again?'" face. ;-)

But I do love this photo. So thank you again for the compliments! :-) <3

Nice picture Jen.

My dog is an Old Boston American Bulldog. She loves taking pictures but most the kids are taking them :)

I have a yellow lab who, even at the age of 9, has a hard time sitting still for a photo. (unless she's sleeping ;-)

My husband's family dog will run away anytime a camera or cellphone is point at her like a picture is being taken. It's actually a great trick for when you need her out of the room! Haha

Sorry for the double post, but I'm on mobile and can't figure out how to edit.

Is anyone thinking about reading the May BOMs? I have The Circle and Strange the Dreamer on hold at the library - we'll see if they come in on time :)

Parker, I would gladly read Strange the Dreamer, I have an e-book waiting to start. :)

I have also checked The Circle - I would like to read it too, I have had it on my to-read list for some time, but I need to get the copy first, if I manage to acquire it before the beginning of the group reading, I will join in.

Thanks, All! And it sounds like we have a number of dogs who are real characters among us! :-)

As for the May BOMs, I don't know if I'll be able to read any of them (what is the third one?). I have sooo many books out from my library to read instead.

Jen wrote:
As for the May BOMs, I don't know if I'll be able to read any of them (what is the third one?). I hav..."

That's A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, which I'm considering reading myself.

I wish they were counting April's BOMs too; I'm going to start reading Norse Mythology tomorrow.

Alanna wrote: "I wish they were counting April's BOMs too; I'm going to start reading Norse Mythology tomorrow."

Me too! I was able to check Norse Mythology out from the library on Thursday and hope to read it soon.

Of May's, I'm most interested in Strange the Dreamer, but I don't know when I'll get a turn with it from my library.

Oh! And thanks for sharing the third BOM for May. :-)

I've got a dog too, who likes to tear up things to pieces when he's alone. He's a hunter Walking Hound crossed with a podongo, and looks a little bit like a beagle, but smarter.

Jen wrote: "Of May's, I'm most interested in Strange the Dreamer, but I don't know when I'll get a turn with it from my library."

That's my issue with The Circle, I'm number 48 on 5 books, so I don't know if it will come in time for the BOM reading. I was able to get Strange the Dreamer on audiobook though! So hopefully I'll have some time to listen to that between the 4th and it's return date.

Shanna_redwind wrote: "I've got a dog too, who likes to tear up things to pieces when he's alone. He's a hunter Walking Hound crossed with a podongo, and looks a little bit like a beagle, but smarter."

Beatles and Walking Hounds are beautiful breeds! Your puppy sounds like a handsome one.

Hi guys,

My name is Hina and I live in Chicago. This is my second tower team challenge, but it has been a while since I have done any reading challenges in the last year. I have been in school full time and working full time and it has cut mostly all my time to be in on goodreads and reading. This quarter, I have only one class till the summer, so I thought I would get back in the swing of things. I am open to read any genre, but I love reading romance. I am a big fan of Star Wars (the older movies), the new ones are just okay. I was surprised by our team names, but I guess I can be on the dark side. :) Looking forward to getting to know all of you.