Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Team members

Presenter:
★ Dale

Nominees:
☆ Mamacita
☆ Sexyladi
☆ Nicole
☆ Louise
☆ Susan

1. Introduce yourself to your team. Let your team members know where you are from. This is a great to know when themes are announced and when team-mates can expect other members to post their book choices.

2. Team Captain - reserve a couple of posts in this thread tracking your team's book selection and completion. (Alternatively they could convert a chat comment to the tracking post/s.)

3. Name your team. Using this round's theme of International Awards, come up with an award from anywhere in the world for your team name. We are an open/public group with no age limit, so please make sure any chosen name is smart, not smutty ;)

Please PM your name to Jane(PS) by early Wednesday 4 September.

4. If you have a private profile, please 'friend' your team-mates. This is really important, because without this, your team-mates can't see your shelves to select a books under option 2.

5. Please post your book selections/completions in the format provided below. (This format is also posted in both the Q&A and Sign-Up threads.) We need to know the week that each book corresponds to, the page numbers, and how the book qualifies including names to lists/shelves (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough. When in doubt - link it*!

* don't link to your review in your completion post - reviews in your completion posts should be included in full within that post.

You don't want to start reading a book and then find it doesn't meet the requirements because some information (eg page count or theme link) was missing from your original post.

I will be monitoring this and your book will not be considered complete until I am satisfied that your selection and completion posts comply with the format rules of the challenge.

Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called.

6. You MUST check in with your team each week, ideally once the theme is announced. Please let your team know if you expect to have spotty communication or are on holidays or having an operation.

7. When you post the completion of your book, you must post a review; enough for us to know you have actually read the book. Please don't link to a review. You must post the review in this thread.

8. Re-reads are allowed but you can't read the same book twice within this challenge.

9. There is no prize for the winning team - bragging rights only :)

10. Each week, the theme will be announced in the Q&A Annoucement thread. The full list of themes announced during this round will be maintained in msg 1 of that thread.


The Rule on the Pass Option
* Each team can only have ONE member using their pass each week.
* Each member can only use that pass once each 5 weeks.
* This means that one or two team members (dependent upon the size of your team) will miss using a pass in each 5 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.
* In the final week if Option 2 is used, members must select their book from another team. This will be advised in the week 11 announcement.

Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.


The format for selection posts Option 1:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please link or name the qualifying bookshelf/list where applicable (link if possible).
If the theme is based off the bookcover or a letter in the title etc, please just repeat the theme.

The format for selection posts Option 2:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.


Format for completion posts:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review


Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.

If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.

I'll be tracking each team's progress separately, using the Captain's summary in each team's thread to check for accuracy.

Current Week Theme
Week 9 - 7. UNESCO Peace Prize
Option 1
The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize is intended to honour living individuals and active public or private bodies or institutions that have made a significant contribution to promoting, seeking, safeguarding or maintaining peace.
* Read a book with one of the following words in the precis/blurb on the book's main page:
'peace', 'happy', 'cooperation', 'good' or 'tranquil' or words that have the same root word.


Option 2
Book chosen from a team member's shelf that was read on the date below or more recently and rated at least 3 stars.
Key Date: May 3, 2019

Themes

1. Nobel prizes
(view spoiler)[
A set of annual international awards bestowed in several categories by Swedish and Norwegian institutions in recognition of academic, cultural, or scientific advances.
* Read a book with a crazy smart MC from one of the following lists:
Brainy/Genius romantic heroes
Brainy/Genius romantic heroines
Intelligent erotica with a real storyline
Best gay romance with bookish/nerdy/geeky characters
(hide spoiler)]
2. Booker prize
(view spoiler)[
The Booker Prize for Fiction is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original novel written in the English language and published in the United Kingdom.
* Read a book written by a UK author.
No foreign language editions to be used when showing how your book qualifies.
(hide spoiler)]
3. Academy Awards
(view spoiler)[
The Academy Awards, also officially and popularly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in the film industry.
* Read a book with alliteration in the title. Eg Borrowing Blue or Devil's Daughter
The alliteration can be anywhere in the title and can have 'a', 'an', 'the' or 'and' in between the two alliterating words - eg Twisted and Tied. No other words.
(hide spoiler)]
4. BAFTAs
(view spoiler)[
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts or BAFTA Film Awards honour the best British and international contributions to film.
* Read a book with an MC who is an actor or works in the film industry, from one of the following lists:
Best gay romance involving performing arts
Romance with actors/actresses/acting
Best historical romances with actor heroes/heroines
Best contemporary romance starring actors/actresses
(hide spoiler)]
5. Palme d'Or Cannes Film Festival
(view spoiler)[
The Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival. It was introduced in 1955 by the festival's organizing committee.
* Read a book with a tree on the cover. (hide spoiler)]
6. Pulitzer Prize (view spoiler)[
The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, literature, and musical composition in the United States.
* Read a book with the letter 'U' or 'Z' in the title.
(Anywhere in the title; does not need to be a capital) (hide spoiler)]
7. UNESCO Peace Prize
(view spoiler)[
The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize is intended to honour living individuals and active public or private bodies or institutions that have made a significant contribution to promoting, seeking, safeguarding or maintaining peace.
* Read a book with one of the following words in the precis/blurb on the book's main page:
'peace', 'happy', 'cooperation', 'good' or 'tranquil' or words that have the same root word.
(hide spoiler)]
8. Olympics
(view spoiler)[
The modern Olympic Games are leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions.
* Read a book with an MC who plays sport from one of the following lists:
Sports Romance
Romance with hero/heroine are athletes
Best Gay Athletes
(hide spoiler)]
9. Global Music Awards
(view spoiler)[
Global Music Awards is a top-tier music competition that honors talented musicians around the world. It is a showcase for musical gems and unique voices.
* Read a book with an MC who is a musician, from one of the following lists:
The ultimate bad boy / rock star list
Musically inclined heroes/heroines in romance
MMR profession musicians / rockstars bookshelf
(hide spoiler)]
10. Golden Raspberry
(view spoiler)[
The Golden Raspberry Awards is a parody award show honoring the worst of cinematic under-achievements.
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Guilty Pleasures - Crap You're Embarrassed to Love
Male characters you would run from if they tried to date you
Would Rather Pluck My Eyebrows
Most Unappealing MM book covers of 2015
Most Unappealing MM book covers of 2014
(hide spoiler)]
11. Darwin Awards Chlorinating the Gene Pool.
(view spoiler)[
The Darwin Awards recognize individuals who have supposedly contributed to human evolution by selecting themselves out of the gene pool via death or sterilization by their own actions.
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Death gods and reaper protagonists
OMG you almost DIED mm with hospital scenes
Gay romance featuring a grieving MC
OMG you almost died - straight edition
Best near death angst books - romance historical
Best injured or ill heroine with hero angst
Black widow/widower romances - hero/heroine is suspected of killing spouse or lover
Grim reaper theme
(hide spoiler)]
12. Longines Prize for Elegance
(view spoiler)[
The Longines Prize for Elegance is an award given by Longines to a male and female currently at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
* Read a book with a beautifully dressed person on the cover. E.g. wearing formal attire or a smart business outfit.
(hide spoiler)]
13. Archibald Prize
(view spoiler)[
The Archibald Prize is awarded annually to the best portrait, 'preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics', painted by any artist resident in Australasia.
* Read a book set in Australasia or written by an author from Australia or New Zealand.
Australasia comprises Australia, New Zealand, and some neighbouring islands.
(hide spoiler)]
14. Best in Show
(view spoiler)[
"Best in show" is the title that is given to a winning animal in an animal show/competition, such as a dog show, cat show, or horse show. (Source: Urban Dictionary)
* Read a book with a dog, cat or horse on the cover.
(hide spoiler)]
15. Rotten Tomatoes
(view spoiler)[
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The highest rated romance movie to date is It Happened One Night from 1934.
* Read a book with 3 or 4 in the publication date. You cannot convert the month to a number equivalent.
(hide spoiler)]

Week 1 - Golden Rasberry
(view spoiler)[
☆ Dale - Selection - Completion
☆ Louise - Selection - Completion
☆ Mamacita - Selection - Completion
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection - Completion (hide spoiler)]

Week 2 - Best in Show
(view spoiler)[
☆ Dale - Selection - Completion
☆ Louise - Selection - Competion
☆ Mamacita - Selection - Completion
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection - Completion
(hide spoiler)]

Week 3 -Palme d'Or Cannes Film Festival
(view spoiler)[
☆ Dale - Selection - Completion
☆ Louise - Selection - Completion
☆ Mamacita - Selection - Completion
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection - Completion
(hide spoiler)]

Week 4 - Archibald Prize
(view spoiler)[
☆ Dale - Selection - Completion
☆ Louise - Selection - Completion
☆ Mamacita - Selection - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection - Completion
(hide spoiler)]

Week 5 - Olypmics
(view spoiler)[
☆ Dale - Selection - Completion
☆ Louise - Selection - Completion
☆ Mamacita - Free Pass
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection - Completion
(hide spoiler)]
Week 6 - Pulitzer Prize
(view spoiler)[
☆ Dale - Selection - Completion
☆ Louise - Selection - Completion
☆ Mamacita - Selection - Completion
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection - Completion
(hide spoiler)]
Week 7 - Global Music Awards

☆ Dale - Free Pass
☆ Louise - Selection
☆ Mamacita - Selection - Completion
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection - Completion

Week 8 - Darwin Awards Chlorinating the Gene Pool.

☆ Dale - Selection - Completion
☆ Louise - Selection - Completion
☆ Mamacita - Selection - Completion
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Completion
☆ Susan - Selection

Week 9 - UNESCO Peace Prize

☆ Dale - Selection
☆ Louise - Selection
☆ Mamacita - Selection
☆ Nicole - Selection - Completion
☆ Sexyladi - Selection - Selection

Week 10

☆ Dale
☆ Louise
☆ Mamacita
☆ Nicole
☆ Sexyladi - Selection
☆ Susan
(view spoiler)[
Week 11

☆ Dale
☆ Louise
☆ Mamacita
☆ Nicole
☆ Sexyladi
☆ Susan
(hide spoiler)]

Hi Team
My name is Dale and I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I have been an avid reader for the past 20 + years. I am an accountant and read to relax after the stress of work. I enjoy most genres however romance in particular, though i like been challenged to move out of my comfort zone.

I am looking forward to the coming weeks as the different tasks are very interesting. Jane has been very creative as usual.

Please introduce yourself and suggest possible names of international awards for our team name.

My suggestions for Award winning names are;
Spelling Bee Award
Red Carpet Readers
The Page Turner Awards
Readers Guild Awards
The U-reader Awards (play on eureka).

Looking forward to getting to know you better and seeing what interesting books you will choose for the challenges in the coming weeks.

Hi I’m Louise from South Wales, I too am an accountant and use reading as stress relief. I read most genre’s and am addicted to challenges. I am always on the lookout for that elusive book that fits the most challenges.

Not good with names before my morning coffee but I do like

The U-reader Awards

Hello everyone, I'm Lillian aka Sexyladi -- I live in the Windy city, work nights at the post office. I having been reading since I was a small child from fairytales, comic books, to novels contemporary, paranormal, fantasy and science fiction. I like U-Reader Rewards also.

Hello all. My name is Nicole. I love to read. I too read to relieve stress. I am the Chief Nursing Officer of a free standing Psychiatric Hospital. I love my job but its stressful. I live in Virginia. I like all types of romance. Historical is my least favorite. This is one if my favorite challenges. I like U-reader awards as well.

Thank you Louise, Nicole and Sexiladi for checking in. It seams we all have very similar tastes in books.

If you have not already added each other as friends please do. We need to have access to each others bookshelves just in case we need to use option 2 during the challenge.

We have 2 more members that still need to check in.
So far we have 4 votes for The U-reader Awards as our team name.

Louise wrote: "Hi I’m Louise from South Wales, I too am an accountant and use reading as stress relief. I read most genre’s and am addicted to challenges. I am always on the lookout for that elusive book that fit..."

I found a book this weekend that fit 3 challenges that i am currently doing. So i know the feeling.

Nicole wrote: "Hello all. My name is Nicole. I love to read. I too read to relieve stress. I am the Chief Nursing Officer of a free standing Psychiatric Hospital. I love my job but its stressful. I live in Virgin..."

That must be very stressful Nicole. When things go wrong at work for me it is figures that are not balancing. For you it is people's lives.

I am always in awe and have deep respect for nurses. Credit is always given to the Doctors but it is the nurses that do all the hard work.

My 9 year old nephew is severely disabled stage 5 Cerebral Palsy with epilepsy and scoliosis. Without the love and support of nurses during very difficult times where the Doctors gave him a low chance of survival the nurses were the ones that pulled him through. Once a matron told us that he would not die on her watch. She and her team of nurses stayed with him through the night and made sure that he kept breathing.

Keep doing what you are doing.

Hi everyone. My name is Susan and I'm from Las Vegas, NV and I have always been a stay at home mom and I guess I still am. I have 7 kids but they are all grown and now I stay home and take care of my mother who is mostly blind and has severe spinal stenosis. I also have 11 grandkids (soon to be 12 in Dec.)

I have always had a love of reading and my daughter (my only girl out of 7 kids :) got me into some of her books and it opened up a whole new world for me. I read everything, contemporary, manga, fantasy, paranormal, thrillers, mystery, romance,...you name it I read it.

I also like U-reader Awards as the team name too

Hi All

Our team name has been changed to U Readers Awards.

Just waiting for one more nominee to check in and then we are all set.

I am at a convention over the weekend so will only be able to post in the evenings.

Sorry, I was out of town for Labor Day.

I'm Mamacita. Most peeps just call me Mama tho. We live in Texas just outside of the Houston area. I stay at home but travel to see my only Grand-Baby fairly often. I read only romance & live HR, PNR, Rom Sus, Rom Com& Dark Romance. Least favorite is straight up mushy contemporary or NA.

Not sure what other info you want. My account is not private but will friend any of you that request.

Thanks Dale for being our captain & waiting for me.

Yay everyone has checked in. Welcome Mamacita hope you had a fabulous trip. I don't have grandbabies however I have 2 beautiful nieces and a very handsome nephew that love books.

Jane messaged that we might have early call on the first theme. Will keep thread updated in message 5.

Message 6 has all the themes listed with all the bookshelves that are to be used in each task.

I don't know about all of you but I am a planner and have already chosen my book for each challenge.

Is this where we post our selection ans can I post mine since I found a book that fits for Nobel Prize?

Susan wrote: "Is this where we post our selection ans can I post mine since I found a book that fits for Nobel Prize?"

Hi Susan, the list of themes are for information to pre-plan. The first theme won’t be called until later today and could be any of the 15 themes mentioned.

Susan wrote: "Is this where we post our selection ans can I post mine since I found a book that fits for Nobel Prize?"

Thanks Louise!

Hi Susan - I will announce the first theme at 4pm US EST (Friday). I will pick it using a random number generator, so at this stage I don't yet know what the theme will be.

Once I announce the theme (from one of the 15 options here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...) you will then select your book.

And yes, you will post your selection in this thread, following the format described in msg 3 above: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hope this helps :)

Thank you so much. I got it and will find books for all challenges :)

Hi Team

Only a few hours until the challenge starts.

I am at a 3 day convention this weekend so will try and check in on my phone with you all through out the weekend.

I will post the first weeks challenge early tomorrow morning once it is announced.

Susan wrote: "Is this where we post our selection ans can I post mine since I found a book that fits for Nobel Prize?"

Hi Susan

You do post your selection posts in this feed, however only after the theme for the week is selected as indicated by Jane in her reply.

Thanks Louise for responding this morning.

Week 1: selection post

264 pages
How it fits: #150 on list https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/6...

Week 1;Selection Post

Pages-416
How it Fits-#3 on the list of https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

Susan wrote: "Week 1;Selection Post

Pages-416
How it Fits-#3 on the list of https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2......"

I thought about that one.

Trying to decide between & &

What is this week theme?

Week 1

Option1
10. Golden Raspberry
The Golden Raspberry Awards is a parody award show honoring the worst of cinematic under-achievements.
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Guilty Pleasures - Crap You're Embarrassed to Love
Male characters you would run from if they tried to date you
Would Rather Pluck My Eyebrows
Most Unappealing MM book covers of 2015
Most Unappealing MM book covers of 2014

If you use this option please quote the list and page number where the title is found. A link would be even better!


Option 2
Book chosen from a team member's shelf that was read on the date below or more recently and rated at least 3 stars.
Key Date: March 8, 2019


Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.

Sexyladi wrote: "What is this week theme?"


Hi Sexiladi

Theme this week is Golden Raspberry in message 5

💖PTP 13 Week 1💖
Date: 09/06/2019
Task: The Golden Raspberry Award
💖Selection Post💖

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Pages: 432
Qualifications: Guilty pleasures - Crap You're Embarrassed to Love
Number 98

Selection Post
Week # 1

Page numbers:360
How the book qualifies - Book #220 on Guilty Pleasures

Sexyladi wrote: "💖PTP 13 Week 1💖
Date: 09/06/2019
Task: The Golden Raspberry Award
💖Selection Post💖

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Pages:..."

Good choice Sexyladi

Can you put Selection Post at the top of your post

The Golden Raspberry Awards is a parody award show honoring the worst of cinematic under-achievements.
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
*Male characters you would run from if they tried to date you

💖PTP 13 Week 1💖
Date: 09/06/2019
Task: The Golden Raspberry Award
💖Selection Post💖
Book:
Reaper's Property
Page # 308
Qualification #49 *Male characters you would run from if they tried to date you

I might have screwed up my first post but now I am on track <3

Sexyladi wrote: "💖PTP 13 Week 1💖
Date: 09/06/2019
Task: The Golden Raspberry Award
💖Selection Post💖

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Pages:..."

Loved the movie...

💖Selection Post 💖
💖PTP 13 Week 1
Date: 09/06/2019
Task: The Golden Raspberry Award

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Pages: 432
Qualifications: Guilty pleasures - Crap You're Embarrassed to Love
Number 98

Thanks its been on my to read shelf for a while.

Mamacita the only one I've heard of is Captive Prince and I thought about reading that one myself. Then I saw Beautiful Disaster and I had just picked it up from the library and I knew I had to read that one.

I think I've heard good things about though. I wish I could tell you something about the other 2 I just haven't heard of them before.

Kindra wrote: "The Golden Raspberry Awards is a parody award show honoring the worst of cinematic under-achievements.
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
*Male characters you would run from if they tri..."

Hi Kindra - the only issue is that you have posted in the wrong team.

Could you please repost in Team 12? Thanks :)

Susan wrote: "Mamacita the only one I've heard of is Captive Prince and I thought about reading that one myself. Then I saw Beautiful Disaster and I had just picked it up from the library and I knew I had to rea..."

Thanks Susan. I was trying to do double duty between 2 challenges, I gave Silk & Seduction a couple of chapters & it was a no go & the other I have on hold @ library. If it comes in by Tues, I will use it. Otherwise, Captive Prince will be the one.

Selection Post - Week 1

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Pages: 313
How It Fits: #44Guilty Pleasures

Mama's Selection Post


Option/Week ~ Option #1 Week #1
Book ~ Someone to Watch Over Me
Page numbers ~ 384 pages
Published October 13th 2009
Qualifications ~ #289 Male Characters You Would Run From If They Tried To Date You List Page #3
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

Mama's PtP Completion Post


Team #2 The U-Reader Awards
Week # 1
Book: Someone to Watch Over Me 2.5* ✔️ 9/8
Qualification: #289 ~ Page #3

Male Characters You Would Run From If They Tried To Date You List
Pages: 384 pages
Published October 13th 2009
Review: Oh My God! I was so disappointed. I never thought there would be a Lisa Kleypas book that I would not like. But here it is In Living Color. I was so bored throughout the whole thing. I had figured out what was going on 20% in and it just went downhill from there. The only reason I finished the 300+page monstrosity of a book was so that I could count it for 2 challenges and to find out why. This should be on the list of Books you would run from if it landed on your Kindle.

Completion Post


Week #1
Bookcover/linkBeautiful Disaster
Date Read-9/10/9
Rating (1-5): 4 Stars
Review-I loved this book. It was a romance book and one that I have heard such mixed reviews about. Travis is the tattooed bad boy who has slept with most of the women at his college. Abby is the sweet young girl who is done with the bad boys in her life. She and her friend America have moved there to get away from the type of people Travis represents. Travis is a fighter and fights to earn extra cash to pay for his schooling. All the fights he fights in are not legal and they need to break into the places where the fights are being held. Abby goes to a fight one night and is front and center when Travis first lays eyes on her. He could think of no one else once his eyes were focused on Abby. He was absolutely taken with her the first time he laid eyes on her and he was instantly protective of her. They had a very strange kind of friendship and Travis clearly wanted more then what Abby was willing to give. Eventually she gives in and the relationship is rainbows and butterflies one minute and explosive the next. The highs and lows are what keeps you reading. I was rooting for their relationship the whole time. The only reason the book got 4 stars and not 5 is the thing that happens in most YA books. No one talks when there is a problem or a misunderstanding. No one answers the door or answers their phones. I mean God forbid they try to get to the bottom of the problem. It seems it's book after book that does this. It drives me crazy. Other then that I loved this book. I loved Travis and Abby. I thought the side characters were great too. Sheply and America were amazing as well. I thought it was a great book!

Hi Susan

Can you add a date that you read the book

Completion Post
Week # 1

Page numbers:360
Rating: ★★★
Date Completed 12 September
How the book qualifies - Book #220 on Guilty Pleasures
Review:
I normally enjoy Maya Banks writing however, this time it seemed blah.
There are a lot of trigger points in this book and I felt the Elle was in denial most of the time.

She has no memory of the attack on her and then she moves in with two men. It shows that not all men are abusers and that there are some really good men in the world.
I liked the Merricks part of the story. He is training for the title shot in the heavyweight division as a mixed martial artist.
I felt that Cade was put on the back burner a lot of the time.