Rated YA-MA discussion

YA-MA Dynamic Duos (July-September 2019 ~ Challenge 4 of 4)

Explanation:
This challenge will be a little more open-ended than usual. Your challenge (if you choose to accept) is to read books in groups of 2. You pick how to pair them!

Pairing Examples:
**2 Books with Something in Common:
both books have exactly 3 characters on the cover, both books have green covers, both books are YA romance, in both books someone dies, etc.
**2 Books with a Strong Contrast:
one book has a single male on cover/ the other book has a single female on cover, one cover is mostly black/ the other cover is mostly white, one book is realistic/ the other is fantasy, book one has a character found after being lost/ book two has someone get lost forever, etc.
**Invent Your Own Category:

Point System:
I liked Diane’s idea to use a point system:
[+100 points] Mischief Managed
**read a complete SET (3 duos/ 6 books total) for this challenge
[+50 points] Themed SET
**your completed SET (3 duos/ 6 books total) has a common theme
[+20 points] On Deck
**gain points for each completed duo, even if you don’t finish a full SET
[+20 points] Buddy Up
**read a duo as a buddy read … use this THREAD to set up a buddy read, then discuss them HERE.
[-10 points] MA-Nay
*subtract points for each MA book you read for this challenge

Standard Rules:
♦ Audio Books: 1.5+ hours
♦ Paper Books: 150+ pages
♦ Ebooks (without a page number equivalent): 37,500 words

Bonus Achievements
1. Over-Achiever: Complete multiple SETs for this challenge. [points= 100 X #of SETs completed, ex. 2 sets= 200 pts, 3 sets= 300 pts, etc.]
2. [+10 points] Committed Reader: Complete a full SET from the same series or author
3. [+20 points] Diversified Portfolio: Complete a full SET without repeating the same author or genre
4. [+10 points] First Blood: Be the first to earn a full SET
5. [+5 points] Salutatorian: Be the second person to earn a full set
6. ???: I may add bonus achievements as I think of them. FYI: I am definitely open to suggestions; it’s feeling a little harder to come up with ideas for this topic.

Tracking Progress:
I'll be keeping track of participant’s progress (as much as possible) in posts #2 and #3. If you spot an error, let me know and I’ll fix it.

Posting Suggestions:
1. When posting, let us know how you paired your books.
2. It is also nice, but not necessary, to tell us what you thought of the book just in case it grabs the interest of another member.

Participants/ Score Card

♦ Jennifer: 350 points (on deck, 7 duos/ 2 full sets, salutatorian )
♦ Melanie: 350 points (on deck, 6 duos - 2 MG/ 1 full themed set, 1 full set)
♦ Maree: 200 points (on deck, 5 duos/ 1 full set)
♦ Diane: 180 points (on deck, 3 duos/ 1 full set, first blood)
♦ Laurel: 40 points (on deck, 2 duos)

Bonus Achievements

1. Over-Achievers:
♦ Jennifer:
♦ Melanie:

2. [+10 points] Committed Readers: none…
3. [+20 points] Diversified Portfolios: none…
4. [+20 points] First Blood: Diane
5. [+10 points] Salutatorian: Jennifer

I accept! I accept!

1st Duo - Twinsie Titles

2nd Duo - Dressed Up Titles

Points: 40

I will join this challenge - Hopefully I will over achieve :)

1st Duo - King and Queen in the title: and
2nd duo - Same author - and

This seems interesting. I accept as well. I like the point system too. Makes it a little more interesting.

First pairing: Boarding school setting:

Second pairing: Both by an author named Jennifer:

Third pairing: Heart in the title:

Fourth pairing: Girl on cover with an odd/distorted face:

Fifth pairing: Bird on the cover:

Sixth pairing: Books with cards on the cover:

Seventh pairing: Books with someone wielding a sword on the cover:

I just realized when I started the book today that One Word Kill is a YA series starter! I am pairing it with The Shepherd's Crown (last book of a series) for my first set of opposites.

*Going to try a theme of no people on the book cover.

and

What are your plans for your first duo?

Melanie wrote: "I just realized when I started the book today that One Word Kill is a YA series starter! I am pairing it with The Shepherd's Crown (last book of a series) for my fir..."

I like the theme of no people on the cover.
I have yet to figure out my pairings. For some reason I'm finding this more difficult than it should be...lol

I finished listening to my first duo (at this point in my life listening is working out for me but I will loose the listening time in the next month so we will see how I progress) I chose and for a King and Queen pairing.
I am really enjoying this series so am finishing the next woe in the series also. Could I use that as a pairing from the same author? or is that going too easy?

Diane wrote: "I finished listening to my first duo (at this point in my life listening is working out for me but I will loose the listening time in the next month so we will see how I progress) I chose [bookcove..."

I feel like that works

The challenge is intended to be fun, not hard. As long as you enjoy reading, I say go for it!!

Also 2/3 of my “reading” I’d audio. I used to shame myself about it, but I’ve gotten over it and you can too.

Melanie wrote: "The challenge is intended to be fun, not hard. As long as you enjoy reading, I say go for it!!

Also 2/3 of my “reading” I’d audio. I used to shame myself about it, but I’ve gotten over it and you ..."

Just get over it Ha Ha the story of my life :)

I finished my first book. I'm not sure what I'm going to pair with it...I need to find another boarding school type book I think...
Anyway - Loved this book. November is dropped into this boarding school mid-semester, has no idea what is going on. There's a classmate killed basically on her first day there. Finds out it's some sort of secret society and that what she thought she knew about her parents is not the whole truth.

Jennifer wrote: "I finished my first book. I'm not sure what I'm going to pair with it...I need to find another boarding school type book I think...
Anyway - Loved this book. N..."

I am planning to read (listen to) because it is my favorite classic. I was going to pair it with with an orphan theme but since Jane Eyre is at a boarding school I might choose Killing November.

Jennifer wrote: "I finished my first book. I'm not sure what I'm going to pair with it...I need to find another boarding school type book I think...
Anyway - Loved this book. N..."

I would recommend
A Study in Charlotte, Carry On, A Great and Terrible Beauty, and Winger.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is also an option.

Melanie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I finished my first book. I'm not sure what I'm going to pair with it...I need to find another boarding school type book I think...
Anyway - L..."

I've been looking at A Study in Charlotte off and on for a while now, so I think now is a good time to read it :)

I’m confident you’ll like it.

Scores/ Participants updated! It's never too late to sign up.

Melanie wrote: "I’m confident you’ll like it."

I just got A Study in Charlotte from the library, so I'm excited! :)

I finished my first set:
Theme: no people on covers
Duo/ opposites (first in series vs last in a series)


This is a YA sci-fi book set in 1980s England written by an author whose other works I have like.

The story begins with the mc undergoing his first cancer treatment in a time when it is still very much the Big C. He doesn't want to tell his friends (they all play dungeons and dragons together), but the truth will out. Oh and a time traveler has come back in time and charged them with a special mission to change one of their lives in the future. The on-going D&D games were themed nicely with the main conflict, and the time travel was cool and explained in a way that I didn't actually have to care about the science. But somehow this story fell short. Maybe it was the cancer thing, but it was just a little depressing and the characters were okay, but I was not captivated by them. It was a good story, just not great. There are @ least 2 more books in the series.


This is the final book of the Tiffany Aching Discworld books. Near the end of his life, Pratchett's kid was doing a lot of the writing and that is evident here. The story holds true the characters and the world-building but lacks Pratchett's wit in a very obvious way. It was a good conclusion to Tiffany's arch that I don't regret reading. The first three books in the series are better though.


Next up: 2 stand alones with no people on the cover. I already read The Night Circus but I'm still trying to decide what to pair it with.

First Duo down:

Twinsie Titles

Points: 20

Post #4 is updated

4/5 stars to Spin the Dawn: Part 1 is incredible, but the romance overwhelmed the rest. I'll definitely be staying tuned for book two, which promises to be much darker.

2/5 stars to Shatter the Sky: a sapphic romance and dragons didn't save this one. Bland Mary Sue MC, trope-heavy and unevenly paced plot, and one-dimensional secondary characters. I probably would have liked it a lot more if I hadn't read so much YA fantasy.

I finishe the second duo - and

I liked this series very much and cannot wait to go to the next series The Shattered realms.

Finished my first pairing for a boarding school setting

Jennifer wrote: "Finished my first pairing for a boarding school setting
"

I really enjoyed A Study in Charlotte, so thank you Melanie for recommending it! In fact I just got numbers two and three in that series from the library to finish it out :)

Scores updated! Diane takes the lead :)

Actually I have one part of my next duo down but am going to wait to finish that for awhile because I have a few things on my plate coming up. Looking forward to our group read Steelheart and I have one week left before I start my new teaching job. Switching jobs will definitely eliminate most of the listing time which has enabled me to experience books again.

2nd Duo - Dressed Up Titles

Post #4 is updated

Not sure if I totally understand what makes a set? Just reading 3 pairs? Or reading a pair for each category?

Here's what I read for July:


for contrast (Prince v Princess). Really enjoyed both of these for anyone interested!


for common. I don't want to get into how they're the same for fear of spoilers, so I'll just say they both have a square theme on the covers!!

Oh, also read if anyone has any recommendations on a good pairing?

Maree wrote: "Oh, also read if anyone has any recommendations on a good pairing?"

How about (books with repeating titles)

Maree wrote: "Not sure if I totally understand what makes a set? Just reading 3 pairs? Or reading a pair for each category?

Here's what I read for July:

[bookcover:The Cruel P..."

Yes, 3 pairs equal a set, since the traditional challenge is 6 books long.

Scores are updated.

Announce 2 new bonus opportunities...
4. [+10 points] First Blood: Be the first to earn a full SET

5. [+5 points] Salutatorian: Be the second person to earn a full set

Happy Reading!

I finished the full set. I will update with the cover links when I get to a pc - not sure how to do it on my phone. I am bad at updating in a timely manner.

I read Jane Eyre a couple of weeks ago and finished Wither last week. Both of the main Characters are orphans so that pairs them. That brings me to 3 pairs or 6 books.

Finished my second pairing:
Both by an author named Jennifer:

I enjoyed The Naturals. I give it 3 stars. I will continue with the series as it was fun and I enjoyed the twist at the end. I really did not see that coming :)

I really enjoyed Traitor's Game and immediately went out to get the 2nd book in the series as well.

Finished my second set for my no people on cover theme:
*both covers feature the books main setting

YA
Set in a magical circus, this books wasn't bad, but it did disappoint me. It was on so many lists, I guess I let its hype give me more expectation for it. Plus, I'm getting fed up with the YA trope where the MCs are abused as kids, but it's okay because they grow up to be someone special. (*3 stars, pretty language, beautiful magic)

MG
Primarily set in a creepy alternate world overcome by scarecrows this book blew me away in a good way! It is definitely a middle-grade book, and it is definitely a horror story. It was perfectly paced. It had great characters and a great unravelling of a mystery. I don't want to spoil the story. The book blurb does a good job of explaining the premise. It's worth checking out.
PS: I did not like this author's adult series The Bear and the Nightingale. The two are not similar.

Planning to read and (both part of a duology) for the final set.

I was also looking at the YA books I've read that I didn't count people they DID have people on the cover. I'm starting a second themed set to include them.

1, 2, or 3+ People on Covers
set 1
YA 08/14
(single white male)
This was the August BOTM. I really enjoyed this reread and I am enjoying having a BOTM once more. My thought are already posted on that thread.

YA 08/24
(single white female)
This is a newer sci-fi caper. It is very predictable and trope-y (probably not a real word but I know what I mean). It was a nice light read. I've enjoyed other books by these authors more, but I am very likely to read the next book in the series when it is published.

set 2
MG 07/31
(3+ peeps)
This was a delightful find. It is apparently a fantasy classic that I never read. It too was a great read. I'm waiting for book two to become available at the library.

YA 07/24
(3+ peeps)
This is part of an ongoing project to read all of Rick Riordan's books with my niece. We are just absolutely enjoying reading the books out loud to each other. We are actually on book 3 of the Apollo series now.

I read The Red Fox Clan for the 3rd set, but I'm not yet sure what to pair it with. I gladly welcome suggestions.

And ... scorecard is updated. If I made any mistakes, let me know.

Good idea, thanks. Read that one already though, so I'll try to think of something else.

Melanie wrote: "Maree wrote: "Oh, also read if anyone has any recommendations on a good pairing?"

How about (books with repeating titles)
[bookcover:Will Grayson, Will ..."

Maree wrote: "Good idea, thanks. Read that one already though, so I'll try to think of something else..."

You always go with the genre: romantic YA or find a cover that is similar or opposite.
Goog luck!

Finished my third pairing
Heart in the title:

A few more pairs!

and

Both have the "villain" of the story as the main character (though it's always so difficult to really tell, isn't it?).

and

Both the second in a series (and about royalty).

and

Yup, found a match for Everything! Both these books use journal entries as part of the story (though in very different ways).

So I guess I've finished my first set and am well into my second! I'm really sad now that the third books in the Wicked King/Lady Smoke series aren't out yet, or I could have read those to give me a themed set. I think I might try to read another duo on royalty for that if I have time this month!

2 people on the cover - set #3 [Theme: people on the cover]

*4 stars*
This is book 2 of the newest series set in the Ranger's Apprentice world. I group of rabble-rousers seek to destabilize the kingdom; so that, the throne will remain in the hands of a male heir. When Will and her dad get intentionally side-lines, Maddie must use her training to stop the soup and keep all that she loves safe. This was a very engaging installment of the series. I actually liked it better than book 1. It ended with a proper cliff-hanger, so now I need to wait for the library loan for fall through to find out what happens next.

*4.5 stars*
This was an AMAZING but depressing book. Eleanor is the new girl, and high school is mean under any circumstances. At home, she must go out of her way to avoid her stepfather, who abuses her mother but has left Elanor alone so far. Park is the only Asian kid in an all-white school. He loves comic books, punk rock, and doing people's hair. He doesn't quite fit in with his family or his peers. Then Eleanor and Park's lives collide first on the school bus then everywhere. It is a sad and very real tale of teenage love under difficult circumstances.

Score Card updated!

Congratulations Jennifer - our salutatorian!
and
Congratulations Maree - you stole Dianne's lead!

*As always, if there are any mistakes, let me know.

New Set

*4 stars* *4.5 stars*
both were nominated for the September BOTM

Both of these books were exceptional reads. Great characters. Great plots. Great suspense. I recommend them both!

Finished my fourth pairing: Girl on cover with an odd/distorted face:

Finished a few over the past week. Just now getting the time to update:

Fifth pairing: Bird on the cover:

Sixth pairing: Books with cards on the cover:

Seventh pairing: Books with someone wielding a sword on the cover:


*Updated post #7

Scorecard updated! As always, if I've made any errors let me know.

1 more day to post!

Good God Guys I have not been getting notifications for this thread for some reason and didn't realize that the 3rd quarter challenge ended a week ago!
I will get the 4th quarter challenge up and running (finish it for the years finish) ASAP.

Sorry