Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Faction: LIGHT SIDE OF THE FORCE/REBELLION: Characters

Mentor: Amanda




• Vicky (Captain)
• Apoorv (Co-Captain)
• Amanda
• Moonlight Reader
• Jenn C
• Amanda Roper
• Mars
• Kim Anderson
• Xelly
• Kait
• Maddie
• Twila Simmons
• Rose
• Donna Flynn

Obi-Wan Kenobi Spreadsheet
Status Spreadsheet

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Welcome Padawans! :D

I'm Vicky and I, along with Apoorv, will be your fearless Jedi Training Masters for this team challenge. My first team challenge with NBRC was Tower Teams II back in 2013. I'm up to 8 or 9 captain-ings, and I don't think Apoorv is too far behind me. ;) We captained together for the Gladiator Games, and I'm super excited to be captaining with him again!

I've sent out friend requests to all of you, and I'm sure Apoorv will do the same shortly. Please accept these (or if you don't see them for whatever reason, feel free to friend request us), so that we can view your shelves and make sure everything is in order! If you have a private profile please make sure to send a friend request to the Mod Account, this is super important so that the spreadsheet can "see" your books when we start.

We have a few weeks to get organized before the fun begins but feel free to chat it up and talk about what you like to read, what you're currently reading and any personal goals you have for the challenge. Also feel free to talk about anything completely unrelated to reading, or to fill the thread with Star Wars memes.

As for me, some of my favorites are the Outlander series (Outlander), Ender's Saga (Ender's Game), Jane Yellowrock (Skinwalker), The Iron Druid Chronicles (Hounded), The Sparrow, Memoirs of a Geisha.

Authors that I will read anything by: Courtney Milan, Patrick Rothfuss, Cherie Priest, Meljean Brook

I just finished reading the Araneae Nation series (starts with A Hint of Frost), which is an indie paranormal/fantasy romance series where the clans of people are loosely based on scientific families of spiders.

I mostly read fantasy/paranormal/historical romances because they're light and don't take too much attention, but I also love a good complex fantasy or sci-fi - I just need to be in the right mindset to read it. :)

Looking forward to getting to know all of you! :D

Hiya Vicky! :) Nice to meet you. This will be my first time playing tower teams but I have played Battleship in this group before. I've also done many team challenge in other groups (Apoorv and I are on a team together for AMMP Bingo)! :)

I'm not caught up on either series but I also love the Jane Yellowrock and Iron Druid series! Urban fantasy is my jam :P

I've been meaning to try Courtney Milan for ages! I feel like a bad historical romance fan but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. And I'm waiting until the series is wrapped up before trying Patrick Rothfuss (that long between books is too hard on my memory).

Hi Kait! :D

I'm to the point now where I'm reading Jane Yellowrock and IDC as they come out. It's torture to wait! lol

OMGosh, you have to try Courtney Milan! She's amazing, her characters blow me away and every time I start reading one of her books before bed, I end up seeing 5/6/7AM on the clock before I fall asleep. Oops. ;) I don't particularly care for contemporary romance, but I just read Trade Me, which is the first in her Cyclone series and it's just as good as her historicals. I don't know that it's going to turn me on to the genre - but I will read ANYTHING she writes.

Hi everyone! I'm Kait :) This is my first tower teams; however, I did watching along enviously last time it was played. So glad I'm getting a chance to participate this round!

I am from Maine and have two of the sweetest furbabies (a wheaten named Harley and a yorkiepoo named Padfoot). When I'm not reading, I enjoy going on adventures with the pups, gardening (mostly flowers and pretty colored veggies), and playing video games (Sims, Civilization and Minecraft are my current favorites).

My favorite genre is urban fantasy but I love romance as well and read just about ever subgenre with paranormal romance being my favorite. I am trying to branch out a little bit into other genres but so far that's mostly burned me.

My favorite books ever (if you didn't get the hint from one of my dogs' names) are the Harry Potter series. Harry and I grew up together and he forever changed who I am by making me love reading. My other favorites include the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews (everything they write is freakin' amazing), the Others series by Anne Bishop, the Arcadia Bell series by Jenn Bennett... I'm sure I'm forgetting some critical favorites!

I dislike books that are too 'real-life' so I don't often read contemporary novels (unless they're romance and even then they can't be angsty!). I read to escape and have fun.

I will start sending friend requests in a little bit :) I'm excited to get to know you all!

Vicky wrote: "Hi Kait! :D

I'm to the point now where I'm reading Jane Yellowrock and IDC as they come out. It's torture to wait! lol

OMGosh, you have to try Courtney Milan! She's amazing, her characters blow ..."

I hate waiting! Luckily (...I guess) I'm caught up on almost none of my series :P

:D Sold!! I'll see if I can fit her in soon. Do you have a favorite series I should start with? My favorite historical romance series are Castles Ever After by Tessa Dare and Mackenzies & McBrides by Jennifer Ashley.

I love books that make you stay up! I've been known to 'be good' and force myself into bed and 'accidentally' bring my kindle up then stay up until morning anyway reading in the dark. Even tired and cranky I rarely regret it!

Ohhh, that's a tough question.

If I had to pick a place to start I would say The Duchess War. It's the first book of Brothers Sinister, which is the first series she published completely on her own. It's truer to her than the books that she wrote under Harlequin. There is a prequel to Brothers Sinister and I did read it first, but in retrospect, I think it would have more meaning if read after the first two books (the novella is about the parents of the first two heroes) so I would definitely recommend skipping over it.

If you're not worried about reading in order, my favorites are Unclaimed (#2 in Turner and featuring a virgin hero, which is a soft spot for me LOL), Unraveled (#3 in Turner) and The Countess Conspiracy (#3 in Brothers Sinister).

I discovered Tessa Dare during the last challenge, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her. I went right to When a Scot Ties the Knot (because kilts, and I was reading good things about it everywhere), but definitely want to go back to read the rest of Castles Ever After! I've also read A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove) but wasn't completely enamoured by it.

I'm off to work - I'll be back on later tonight. :)

*busy voraciously writing down the names of the books mentioned above*
*looks up*

Oh, hey! Hi everybody!
I am super stoked to start another Tower Teams challenge. This will be my third Tower Teams after TT3 and TT4, so it shouldn't come across as a surprise that I was glued to NBRC's page to sign-up as soon the challenge went up. Yeah well, I have issues! :P

But hey, blame the Mods (psst Sonia! :P), not me!
NBRC's team challenges are so much fun! I started way back when with the first Wheel-a-thon, followed by Tower Teams 3, Wheel-a-thon 2, Gladiator Games, and then Tower Teams 4. These are addicting challenges, people! So, beware, you will be sucked into this magical world and you'd not even know! ;=)

But, this is such a wonderful team. I have played on other challenges with Vicky (and she is one of the finest captains I have played along with (her attention to detail is aah-mazing)), Kim, Moonlight and am currently playing with Kait in AMMP Bingo (which she will concur that I am struggling to keep abreast with, ugh!). All different challenges in different groups, but all such fun! And its even more exciting to meet all the new teammates who I haven't played with before (don't worry, you'd get tired of seeing me everywhere very soon :P :P).

This is so exciting. Can't wait to start! Yaaaay! :D

Hello everyone!
I'm Jenn (Jenn C on here) and I have done Tower Team Reads for every round except the first one. It is my all time favorite challenge. I feel that it really motivates me to read, and it is a huge part of what helps me reach my reading goal for the year.

I live in Arizona, which, since we don't follow Daylight Savings is on the same time as the Pacific Time Zone. I work managing 3 urgent care clinics. I am most active first thing in the morning, and after work and late into the evening.

I read a variety of things. Lately I've been reading some urban fantasty, young adult mystery, and non-fiction books about pagan religions. I recently started the Cassandra Palmer series for a book club. I thought it was good, not great. I checked out the second book, so we will see how the series progresses. I also like the Jane Yellowrock series. I have a love/hate relationship with the Elemental Assassin series. I am way behind on it and hoping to catch up during tower teams. I also need to finish the Dark Swan series.

A goal I have during this challenge is to finally read 1Q84. It's 925 pages and I have been procrastinating on it for a few years now.

When I am not reading, I love playing with my kitties, Luna is a Tortie DSH who is turning 18 in August. I have had her since she was small enough to sit in the palm of my hand. Fiona, a fat and fluffy Siamese mix, who just turned 7. Lastly is Ringo Kidd, a Maine Coon and former show cat, that I adopted last March. He turns 3 in June. He is the biggest floofiest goofiest cat ever and I just love him!

I also enjoy doing crafts with my stepdaughters including making bath salts, fizzies, soaps, etc. This weekend we are making some borax and alum crystals. We've never tried it before, but the Youtube videos make it look fun. I also love to take pictures, go hiking, and collect crystals. We are working on getting into better shape - so we signed up for a Glow Foam nighttime 5K in May so we're using that to motivate us to get those steps in. We're putting in a garden this year too.....my first as an adult - and hoping that it goes well.

Anyway...sorry for rambling. I have trouble with intros. I am really excited to be doing Tower Team reads again and looking forward to working with all of you. Vicky and Apoorv I have been a captain or co-captain for this challenge before, so if one of you needs help with anything or has to go out of town I would be happy to help in any way you need.

Vicky wrote: "Ohhh, that's a tough question.

If I had to pick a place to start I would say The Duchess War. It's the first book of Brothers Sinister, which is the first series she published comp..."

Perfect! I will try to start there soon :) And thanks for the prequel information. I am someone who HAS to read series in order. I always struggle with deciding when to read prequels because I've read a few series that would have been confusing and not nearly as good if I had read the prequel (Alpha & Omega still drives me crazy! I can't believe it wasn't include in the first book).

Romancing the Duke is my favorite but I'm bias because even the slightest Beauty and the Beast retelling is so much fun.

Kilts are totally reason enough, yum!

Apoorv wrote: "*busy voraciously writing down the names of the books mentioned above*
*looks up*

Oh, hey! Hi everybody!
I am super stoked to start another Tower Teams challenge. This will be my third Tower Team..."

:P I recently gave in and created a maybe-to-read shelf. I'd made it YEARS on goodreads only adding next in series type books to my TBR but the team challenge recommendation books were killing me.

Not that I had any doubts, but I'm glad to hear Vicky is a great captain! :D I appreciate that oh so much for my first time playing.

Jenn wrote: "Hello everyone!
I'm Jenn (Jenn C on here) and I have done Tower Team Reads for every round except the first one. It is my all time favorite challenge. I feel that it really motivates me to read, a..."

Nice to meet you, Jenn! :) That's perfect! I'm a little behind on my yearly goal and am hoping for a push.

I have Touch the Dark on my TBR but haven't managed to get to it. I don't hear much about the series in groups so I'm never motivated to pick it up. I have loved the Elemental Assassin series so far :P I know a lot of people have serious issues with the repetition but I space them so far apart that I actually never noticed expect for her five silverstone knives and their placement on her body.

18?! Wow! That's amazing. I miss having kitties :( My sister is allergic and asthmatic so when my last one crossed the rainbow bridge I opted to get hypoallergenic dogs for my cuddle buddies.

Best of luck with your 5K prep and your garden!

Hey gang! I'm Kim. I live in Illinois. I have two kiddos - Mikey (age 9) and Joon (age 16). I also have two kitties - Nigel and Nala. I usually captain for these things, but decided to take a step back this go around. I started a challenge group that was supposed to be just a little hobby for me for some of my GR friends. Now I have 800 members and it's basically a second full-time job.

Things I like - cats, Olive Garden, video games, knee-high socks, and getting my nails done.

Things I hate - long books, crabby people, the sound of sandpaper, and the words "moist, creamy, and crusty."

Looking forward to playing another Tower Teams and getting to know all of you!

Sorry you're stuck with me again, Vicky.

Hi everyone! This is my first tower teams and I'm SO EXCITED. This is actually my first challenge in this group, so yay.
My name is Twila, but you can call me Tee or Twi or whatever. I'm 19 and I live in Central America. I've got two dogs, named Africa and Asia lol.

I love to read obviously. But I'm also crazy into sports. Also video games and music. And audiobooks. I love audiobooks.

My favorite genres are epic fantasy, high fantasy, and all forms of fantasy really. I also really enjoy a good sci-fi every now and then. I'd read anything written by Brandon Sanderson and Rick Riordan.
I don't usually enjoy romance heavy books and contemporary bores me to death.

My goals for this challenge is to have fun and to HAVE FUN. I can't wait to get started! =)

Kim wrote: "Hey gang! I'm Kim. I live in Illinois. I have two kiddos - Mikey (age 9) and Joon (age 16). I also have two kitties - Nigel and Nala. I usually captain for these things, but decided to take a step ..."

Hi Kim, nice to meet you! I love your cats' names :)

You sound busy! I can't imagine running a group or even modding. I'm so busy just reading and keeping up with my challenges for GR time, and even then I feel constantly behind.

I'm not a huge fan of long books either (unless it's a series I'm already invested in and love).

Twila wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first tower teams and I'm SO EXCITED. This is actually my first challenge in this group, so yay.
My name is Twila, but you can call me Tee or Twi or whatever. I'm 19 and I ..."

Hi Twila! Nice to meet you :) I love paired names like that for your pups!

I want to love audiobooks, I keep giving them a try. I get so distracted though that it takes soooo long to finish them because I keep having to rewind. So far my best successes have been with non-fiction audiobooks because I don't have to keep track of who's speaking etc.

I need to try Brandon Sanderson! I've heard so many amazing things about basically all his books but have yet to read anything.

Hello everyone! I'm just checking in this thread, so excited that all of the chatter is already starting. This is going to be my first tower teams challenge and yet I'm so excited for it to start out!

Mars wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm just checking in this thread, so excited that all of the chatter is already starting. This is going to be my first tower teams challenge and yet I'm so excited for it to start out!"

Nice to meet you! :)
:P I am very chatty so be prepared! I have nobody to talk books with in person so I have to get my fix on GR.

Hi, I'm Xelly here or Lex is fine as well. This is my first tower team and my second team challenge in this group. I am currently living in Mongolia with one rescue cat, Taiga, but the two of us are flying home on May 8th. I have another two cats in the US, Sudah and Pippin, who have lived with my parents for the last year (rescues from NC).

I have been reading a lot recently but do not know if this will be sustainable once I reach the US. Until then, I read a book every 1-3 days.

My favorite genres are sci-fi and fantasy. I read some romance as well but usually within fantasy/paranormal. I have however been attempting to challenge myself with other genres this year so some of my favorites this year have been books in areas I do not usually read. All time favorite authors are Megan Whalen Turner, Ilona Andrews, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman.

Apoorv wrote: "I have played on other challenges with Vicky (and she is one of the finest captains I have played along with (her attention to detail is aah-mazing)), "

Staahhhpp, you're too nice.

It's okay though, I know what you really mean is that my obsession with spreadsheets is borderline psychotic. ;P


(I should add that I am currently severely upset at the fact that no good images came up when I searched Google for "Spreadsheet Jedi" - will need to rectify.)

Jenn wrote: "A goal I have during this challenge is to finally read 1Q84. It's 925 pages and I have been procrastinating on it for a few years now."

Hi Jenn!! You'll have to report back when you read it - it's been on my radar since it came out but I haven't jumped on it yet. Have you read anything else of Murakami's? I tried reading Norwegian Wood years ago but never got into it.

I also have a cat - she's a feral cat who is mostly outdoors but can be the sweetest cat you've ever seen. I think she's going on 8, she's all black except for a splotch of white on her tummy.

No worries about rambling, I have a tendency to be long-winded, so you are in good company! I'm always having to edit my posts to steer clear of the wall of text. :P

Thanks for the offer of assistance, we will definitely keep it in mind! :D Summer can get busy for me at work, but it seems things will be pretty low maintenance this go around.

Kim wrote: "Sorry you're stuck with me again, Vicky."

Nooo! haha It's always good to see a familiar face, everyone except you and Apoorv are new to me this challenge. I didn't know you started a challenge group, I might have to check it out! :)

Twila wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first tower teams and I'm SO EXCITED. This is actually my first challenge in this group, so yay.

WELCOME!! We're excited to have you, it should be a fun time. :)

I also love audiobooks - do you have any favorite narrators? I'll listen to anything Scott Brick or Stefan Rudnicki narrates. I also LOVE Luke Daniels and Davina Porter, but they're so ingrained into my mind as Atticus (The Iron Druid Chronicles) and Claire (Outlander) that it's hard for me to listen to them as other characters.

I need to get back onto the Brandon Sanderson wagon. I've read The Reckoners (Steelheart) which I loved, but I haven't jumped into the Mistborn Universe yet, and Stormlight scares the crap out of me. XD

Mars wrote: "Hello everyone! I'm just checking in this thread, so excited that all of the chatter is already starting. This is going to be my first tower teams challenge and yet I'm so excited for it to start out!"

Yay, welcome! I love seeing everyone so excited. :)

I love this phase when we have everyone trickling in into a new challenge and the excitement is all so very palpable. Welcome everyone! We are sure in for a fun few months with this challenge... it really is just simply "read, read, read", with this challenge.

So, to that point, I am going to ask all of you a question!
Give me ONE book (just one, mind you!), that you would recommend for me to read through the course of this challenge.
Don't worry about the genres (I tend to read everything, some fewer than the others, but I am always willing to expand my horizons to any and every direction), suggest me that ONE book that stole your heart away! :)

Xelly wrote: "Hi, I'm Xelly here or Lex is fine as well. This is my first tower team and my second team challenge in this group. I am currently living in Mongolia with one rescue cat, Taiga, but the two of us ar..."

Welcome Xelly! What took you to Mongolia? It's a country I would like to visit one day!

Don't worry about slowing down once you get back into the states - the idea is just for everyone to read at their own pace, so there's not a lot of pressure.

We may think of a few friendly competitions to have along the way though, for motivation. :)

Apoorv wrote: "Give me ONE book (just one, mind you!), that you would recommend for me to read through the course of this challenge."

One book is so hard! I narrowed it down using books I've read this year, and I'm going with Balanced on the Blade's Edge.

I actually read it during WOBBLE, but I have read two other books in the series this year. I picked it up specifically for a WOBBLE goal and, since it's a freebie from a self-publishing author, approached warily. But it is SO GOOD, I only have 1 book left in the series and the only reason I haven't read it yet is because I'm waiting for the audiobook. It's a fantasy/steampunk/romance/war conglomeration.

Apoorv wrote: "I love this phase when we have everyone trickling in into a new challenge and the excitement is all so very palpable. Welcome everyone! We are sure in for a fun few months with this challenge... it..."

It's always hard for me to pick ONE book....but one that I really enjoyed is a young adult humorous mystery Trouble Is a Friend of Mine and there is a second book as well. I thought the mystery element was good and the characters are fun and funny.

Vicky wrote: "Twila wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first tower teams and I'm SO EXCITED. This is actually my first challenge in this group, so yay.

WELCOME!! We're excited to have you, it should be a fun time...."

I am really like the narrator for the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. She does such a good job with the different characters.

One I dislike is the guy that does the Harlan Coben Mylan Bolitar series. I returned the audiobook without finishing it because I couldn't do his voice.

Xelly wrote: "Hi, I'm Xelly here or Lex is fine as well. This is my first tower team and my second team challenge in this group. I am currently living in Mongolia with one rescue cat, Taiga, but the two of us ar..."

Hi Xelly! Nice to meet you :) I hope you have enjoyed Mongolia and have a safe flight home! The furthest I've been is Canada but I hope to do more travelling one day (for pleasure only since for work would stress me out!).

I love Ilona Andrews too! <3 I'm working on Terry Pratchett. I don't think his brand of humor is for me but I find his story lines to be a lot of fun.

Xelly wrote: "Hi, I'm Xelly here or Lex is fine as well. This is my first tower team and my second team challenge in this group. I am currently living in Mongolia with one rescue cat, Taiga, but the two of us ar..."

Mongolia sounds exciting. Safe travels to you and Taiga!

Apoorv wrote: "I love this phase when we have everyone trickling in into a new challenge and the excitement is all so very palpable. Welcome everyone! We are sure in for a fun few months with this challenge... it..."

Tough question! I will also stick to books read in 2017... I think I'd have to recommend Crocodile on the Sandbank! I only read it because I needed a book set in Egypt for a challenge and was swept off my feet. Amelia is an odd duck but I adore her! The mystery was fun but this story was mainly about the characters and I can't wait to explore more of Egypt with them.

Thanks everyone, I am in Mongolia for research on horses and camels. The baby camels that are my picture on Goodreads are from earlier this year. I would suggest visiting between June - September, outside of that is too cold or right now, there are dust storms.

Kait, which Terry Prachett did you start with? I love Discworld, especially the Guard books, and Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.

Apoorv, I have to go with The King Of Attolia even though it is the third in the series, so I might be cheating as you would have to read the first two first. It is my favorite book of all time.

Vicky wrote: "Twila wrote: "Hi everyone! This is my first tower teams and I'm SO EXCITED. This is actually my first challenge in this group, so yay.

WELCOME!! We're excited to have you, it should be a fun time...."

Omg Vicky. Stormlight Archive is my favourite fantasy series ever. Read it! :)

Also, I forget narrator's names a lot, but I'm pretty sure I haven't listened to any of those. My favourite is Tim Gerard Reynolds who coincidentally narrates some of my favorite books! I also really like Charlie McWade and Claudia Black.

@Apoorv: I would recommend The Monstrumologist if you're in the mood for horror. It's unlike anything else! Absolutely fantastic :)

Hi all :)

I'm Rose, a graduate student in Nashville, TN. I'm originally from Minnesota. Though, I don't sound like Fargo actors. I read pretty much any genre, but I tend to be light on horror.

Xelly wrote: "Thanks everyone, I am in Mongolia for research on horses and camels. The baby camels that are my picture on Goodreads are from earlier this year. I would suggest visiting between June - September, ..."

I just need to support any post with Good Omens and Megan Whalen Turner in it. <3

Jenn wrote: "I am really like the narrator for the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. She does such a good job with the different characters. "

Jenn, I agree! But the narrators changed atleast thrice for the series, which one do you like? C.J. Critt narrated the first 4 books, Debi Mazar narrated 5, Tanya Eby did the 6th one, and its been Lorelei King since.

IMO, CJ Critt was the best. She created distinct personalities for each character and enlivened them. I havent been fond of the others, not because they did a bad job, but because it wasn't a step above Ms. Critt.

OMG, guys! :D
Thank you sooooo much for the suggestions! These are all new books and new authors for me, and I am definitely going to try and read them through TT5. What's awesome is all of you have suggested different genres, without probably wanting to do so! Love it! :)
Plus, I haven't delved a lot in Fantasy/High Fantasy off-late, this might be my cue! :)

- Balanced on the Blade's Edge | Lindsay Buroker
- Trouble Is a Friend of Mine | Stephanie Tromly
- Crocodile on the Sandbank | Elizabeth Peters
- The King of Attolia | Megan Whalen Turner
- The Monstrumologist | Rick Yancey

Is anyone else really happy we aren't named after the prequels?

Rose wrote: "Is anyone else really happy we aren't named after the prequels?"

Would now be an OK time to say that I've never seen any of the Star Wars movies?

Me neither Kim lololol.

Xelly wrote: "Thanks everyone, I am in Mongolia for research on horses and camels. The baby camels that are my picture on Goodreads are from earlier this year. I would suggest visiting between June - September, ..."

Adorable picture!

My first book was Good Omens and I really enjoyed it. I'm someone who has to read series in order so I've only read The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic from Discworld.