Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

The Amazing Race Team Challenge - Round 4
September 21, 2021 through November 17, 2021
Are We Just Running in Circles?!

Team:
★ MN Lisa
✓ Susan A
✓ Steph
✓ Hayley

The Amazing Race Team Challenge - Round 4
September 21, 2021 through November 17, 2021
Are We Just Running in Circles?!

Tracking:
Task 1 - 0. Each teammate reads a book initially published in a fall month, teams decide which month. 9.21.2021 - 9.25.2021
Task 2 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task. 9.25.2021 - 9.26.2021
Task 3 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task. 9.27.2021 - 9.28.2021
Task 4 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones. 9.29.2021 - 9.30.2021
Task 5 - 16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children. 10.1.2021 - 10.1.2021
Task 6 - 27. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books published in any one year prior to 2018, team picks the year. 10.3.2021 - 10.4.2021
Task 7 - 36. Read 6 books with animals on the cover. 10.5.2021 - 10.6.2021
Task 8 - 35. Read 6 books first published between 2011 and 2020. 10.7.2021 - 10.8.2021
Task 9 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task. 10.9.2021 - 10.10.2021
Task 10 - 39. Read 6 books set outside of the US. 10.11.2021 - 10.12.2021
Task 11 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG. 10.13.2021 - 10.14.2021
Task 12 - 81. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books with a dog/dogs on the cover. 10.15.2021 - 10.16.2021
Task 13 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0. 10.17.2021 - 10.18.2021
Task 14 - 93. As a team, pick a Romance List from GR Listopia with less than 100 books on it, each teammate reads a book from that list. No pass for this task. 10.19.2021 - 10.20.2021
Task 15 - 103. Read over 1500 pages in books tagged ‘family’. 10.21.2021 - 10.22.2021
Task 16 - 102. Read 8 book published in odd months and odd years. 10.23.2021 - 10.24.2021
Task 17 - 116. Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 2500 ratings. 10.25.2021 - 10.26.2021
Task 18 - 99. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them. 10.27.2021 - 10.28.2021
Task 19 - 52. Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color. 10.29.2021 - 10.30.2021
Task 20 - 71. Pick another team and each member reads one book that was read by a member for this challenge. No pass for this task. 10.31.2021 - 11.1.2021
Task 21 - 68. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books with one word titles. 11.2.2021 - 11.3.2021
Task 22 - 89. Read 8 books tagged with 'wedding' or 'proposal'. 11.4.2021 - 11.5.2021
Task 23 - 96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which. 11.6.2021 - 11.7.2021
Task 24 - 75. Read over 1000 pages in books that start with the same letter (no articles), teams decide letter. 11.8.2021 - 11.9.2021
Task 25 - 108. As a team, select a season and read a minimum of 1500 pages of books set in that season. 11.10.2021 - 11.11.2021
Task 26 - 66. Read over 1000 pages in books with Mystery or Suspense as MPG. 11.12.2021 - 11.13.2021
Task 27 - 73. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books by the same author, teams decide author. 11.14.2021 - 11.15.2021
Task 28 - Last Task. Read books with more than one person on the cover. 11.16.2021

Information required when posting your completion/s:

Task
Book/cover link
Page numbers with source
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary.
Date Completed.
Rating/Review.


**Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count only! If your page count comes from a Kindle edition published on the initial publication date on the editions page, it will count. If your page count comes from a Kindle edition labeled '1st edition', it will count. If your page count comes from the earliest dated English language Kindle edition, it will count. I am looking for one of those three things when confirming your books! As long the page count you list is correct, I will accept any link to the book. Ebook page count will be acceptable if no Kindle page count available. The acceptability of other page counts will be made on an individual basis.**

Please note that a rating is now required in your completion posts! A small review is also welcome. 😊

I think most of you know each other, at least a little, but feel free to introduce yourself again. Please give any relevant information, especially time zone as that helps know when it is best to communicate. 😊

Please select a team leader to help keep track of where your team is in any given task. And as necessary guide discussions for task decisions. Any teammate can report your completions though.

Remember, it is the team's responsibility to notify the host (me) if a teammate fails to complete the task in a timely manner or otherwise goes missing! I am not checking all the team threads regularly to notice and may only check when notified a task is complete.

If I have your team name wrong or if you wish to change it, please let me know!

Current Task
Task 26 - 66. Read over 1000 pages in books with Mystery or Suspense as MPG.

Books selected for this task need to have 'Mystery' or 'Suspense' as a Main Page Genre. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.

Completed Tasks - Post 1
✓ 1. Each teammate reads a book initially published in a fall month, teams decide which month. 9/25/21
✓ Task 2 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task. 9/26/21
✓ Task 3 - 1. Each player reads a book by the same author, teams decide author - no pass for this task. 9/27/21
✓ Task 4 - 7. Read 4 books that are stand alones. 9/30/21
✓ Task 5 - 16. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books tagged/shelved as children. 10/1/21
✓ Task 6 - 27. Read a minimum of 750 pages in books published in 2017. 10/3/21
✓ Task 7 - 36. Read 6 books with animals on the cover. 10/5/21
✓ Task 8 - 35. Read 6 books first published between 2011 and 2020. 10/9/21
✓ Task 9 - 9. Each player reads a book in the same series, teams decide. No pass for this task. 10/10/21
✓ Task 10 - 39. Read 6 books set outside of the US. 10/12/21
✓ Task 11 - 14. Read a minimum of 1000 pages in books with Contemporary Romance as MPG. 10/14/21
✓ Task 12 - 81. Read a minimum of 1500 pages in books with a dog/dogs on the cover. 10/16/21
✓ Task 13 - 31. Read 6 books rated over 4.0.10/18/21
✓ Task 14 - 93. As a team, pick a Romance List from GR Listopia with less than 100 books on it, each teammate reads a book from that list. No pass for this task. 10/20/21
✓ Task 15 - 103. Read over 1500 pages in books tagged ‘family’. 10/22/21
✓ Task 16 - 102. Read 8 book published in odd months and odd years. 10/24/2021
✓ Task 17 - 116. Read 8 books with an average rating over 4.0 AND over 2500 ratings. 10/26/2021
✓ Task 18 - 99. Each teammate lists 5 favorite books. Select books from 2 different teammates and read them. 10/28/2021
✓ Task 19 - 52. Read 6 books with the same color cover, teams decide color. 10/30/2021
✓ Task 20 - 71. Pick another team and each member reads one book that was read by a member for this challenge. No pass for this task. 11/1/2021

Completed Tasks - Post 2
✓ Task 21 - 68. Read a minimum of 1200 pages in books with one word titles. 11/3/2021
✓ Task 22 - 89. Read 8 books tagged with 'wedding' or 'proposal'. 11/5/2021
✓ Task 23 - 96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which. 11/7/2021
✓ Task 24 - 75. Read over 1000 pages in books that start with the same letter (no articles), teams decide letter. 11/9/2021
✓ Task 25 - 108. As a team, select a season and read a minimum of 1500 pages of books set in that season. 11/11/2021
Task 26 - 66. Read over 1000 pages in books with Mystery or Suspense as MPG.

Completed Tasks - Post 3

Task List

Task Summary: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Task Details: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Decisions: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Hello Team! I volunteered to be the Team Leader, I hope that is ok with all of you.

I have linked the spreadsheet above, but if you don't want to keep it up, just post in here and I will maintain it. I would need Task #, Book Name, Author, and Page Count. I would appreciate a post when you select your read and when it is done.

Here is a little about myself. I'm in my 40s, have one teenage daughter currently studying abroad in England until the end of Dec or January. I'm married and my husband is in the military and being deployed at the end Dec/Begin Jan. I love to read and can read about a book a day if its around 300 kindle pages. I sometimes forget to eat and/or clean the house so I can read more.... I am a primarily MM Romance reader and love challenges. I'm finishing Hunt and join Speedy and Regular Bingo for this round. I can't wait for Spell again next year.

What would you like to tell us about you??

If you want to bookmark at a specific message, I recommend the one below. It should always contain our current task to be worked on.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Items we still need to decide on:
Task 53: Based in teammates Hometown
Task 56: List with over 100 books
Task 71: Other teams read
Task 73: Need another Author we all agree on.
Task 76: Specific Item on Cover
Task 84: RRRC Monthly Challenge Category
Task 92: Past/Future
Task 93 List with under 100 books

Thanks so much Lisa for the work you've been doing!

I'm Susan, stay at home mom. Two kids in college, one in high school. Husband is retired military -- looks like we have a lot in common Lisa.

I read mostly romance and I think mostly MM romance. This year I've been reading a lot of fan fiction too - TeenWolf (I've never watched the show), Marvel and hockey themed. It's very addictive.

I do a mixture of reading ebooks and listening to audiobooks. I listen to audiobooks at a pretty fast pace - at least speed 2 and up to speed 3. I do not understand how people listen to it at speed 1 -- it sounds like the teacher on the old snoopy cartoons to me ...wa wah wa wah wa wah...I cannot pay attention to that slow pace.

I participate in a lot of challenges in various groups, but not a lot of team challenges. I am looking forward to this one.

Susan A wrote: "Thanks so much Lisa for the work you've been doing!

I'm Susan, stay at home mom. Two kids in college, one in high school. Husband is retired military -- looks like we have a lot in common Lisa.

I..."
My husband will retire from the military after he returns next August. 27 years.

Congratulations! My husband retired after 22 years. He was Army Reserve, but he was activated after 9/11 and served pretty much full-time until retired after that - so that was a bit of a shock, we weren't really used to it. 3 times in Iraq and a few tours at the Pentagon.

Regarding this task:
53. Each teammate reads a book set in one of your teammates' home town (born in, raised in, currently live in - all work), teams decide. No pass for this task.

In the QA thread Kat said
But you are free to use the state if within the US

Last time it was a nearby city, at least I thought it was. Sorry I steered us the wrong way.

So we can choose from: New Jersey, Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky - -these are the states we live in.

But, I think we can also choose from other locations -- like I worked in Philadelphia at one point, so that's an option if we need it. Does any one else have any other options?


I think my vote is Ohio...but I'm sure I can figure out something for every state.


Here are some lists:
MM Kentucky
MM New Jersey
MM Minnesota
MM Ohio
MM Around the Country

I'm not sure how recently any of these have been updated, but it's at least a place to look if you are stuck.

Hi, everyone! I'm Steph my time zone is EST. I'm a SAHM of 4 kids and 4 fur babies.

I stumbled upon the world of MM Romance accidentally. I was looking for a new book and saw The Backup Boyfriend by River Jaymes. I thought the author name was familiar so I borrowed it without reading the blurb or looking at the cover. I've been hooked ever since.

I'm a habitual rereader (shoutout to anxiety and ADHD) and will often have 3-4 books going at the same time. I don't have any triggers that I know of and will read anything from super light and fluffy to so dark it'll have me wondering about my soul status.

I also like audiobooks. However I'm one of those people who only listen at 1x speed 😂 my ADHD doesn't allow me to listen any faster than that. I'll tune out so fast and miss the entire story.

This will be my third team challenge. I only ever used Goodreads as a way to keep track of my books and leave reviews. So I'm still learning.

When I'm not reading you can find me doing diamond paintings, coloring, playing card and board games with my kiddos or scrolling on TikTok for far to long to avoid doing laundry.

We missed this task in our spreadsheet

12. Read a book recommended to you by a teammate - no pass for this task.

If this task was assigned, we'd each need to post a rec for every teammate

Susan and/or Hayley which one (or both) left a note in the spreadsheet saying no Cara Dee or Ella Frank? I’m going to go through everyone’s read lists Monday and get a list together should we have to rec to each other. I don’t want to give someone an author they don’t want to read at all.

While we’re on that topic. Should we all come up with a list like that? Just books, series or authors that we’d prefer to not read.

Sure. I'd love that. Part of the problem with looking through shelves is we all do so many challenges that there are so many authors on our shelves. I have read both Ella Frank and Cara Dee before and I have given 3-4 star ratings for their books. I can appreciate their work while not enjoying it -- so I don't think anyone would be able to tell from my shelves that these are authors I'd rather not read (They seem to come up in challenges, so I've read a few by both of them!)


Like Steph, I really do not want to recommend a book and have anyone be stuck with it. So when I make up my recommended lists, I try find authors we've both rated 5 stars, or books that I've rated 5 stars and are on your TBR list - -and then I hope I've chosen well. In addition, I hate the thought of making someone buy something they weren't planning to buy. I can definitely make sure I pick a KU book or Hoopla if anyone would like that. I have kindle unlimited and hoopla and would really prefer to not have to use up my book budget. And I own, can borrow or am prepared to buy anything on my TBR.


In the spreadsheet, when I suggested authors, I went through our shelves to see what we had in common and then suggested them. Of course, that wouldn't catch a situation like I described above.

So for two of the author tasks, we have Lily Morton and KM Neuhold -- if anyone is at all unhappy with those choices, I would feel better if we tried to find an author that wasn't making one of us suffer through it, or spend money on something not actually wanted.


And, furthermore, I don't think we actually have to come up with a 3rd author -- there are 3 author tasks, but it's not likely that we get all 3. I think we can pick two authors and choose one of them to be the first author we use on an author task, and one of them to be the second author we use. Rather than assign them to a specific task. If we do get two authors, I think we can pick a third then.

Authors I'd rather not read:

(view spoiler)[
I do not like BDSM, kink, dark or angst
Ella Frank
Cara Dee
Garret Leigh
Riley Hart
Amy Lane
Sloan Kennedy
Jay Bell
Mercy Celeste
Gregory Ashe
Leta Blake
Charlie Cochet (hide spoiler)]

okay....I'm going to stop there. I had no idea I was that picky. That took like 30 seconds to come up with. Honestly though, it's one book. I would finish it.

Authors I'd rather not read
(view spoiler)[NR Walker
Nora Phoenix
Kindle Alexander
Alessandra Hazzard
Brittany Cournoyer
Silvia Vilolet
Stella Starling
Brigham Vaughn
Jason Collins
The only books I'd like to stay away from are mysteries (it took me a week to read Mahu for SH and I really didn't think I was going to make it), tentacles, and mermen. I'm good with most other subgenres though including mpreg, ABO, kink, BDSM, angst, dark, and thrillers.
(hide spoiler)]

Most of these authors are very hit or miss for me. I also have KU, Hoopla, and Overdrive (Libby) so my options are pretty open. My book budget is kind of limited but I'm willing to spend if needed.

I also wanted to let everyone know. My family unplugs on most Sundays and we spend the day together with no distractions. If there is a task that has to be completed or posted I'll do my best to log on for a couple minutes and get it done.

I can't think of authors I would say no to off the top of my head. While KM Neuhold and Lily Morton were not on my list, everyone else has them on theirs, so I just went with it. They are not my favorite, but by no means an author I wouldn't read.

I also have KU and Overdrive through my library but don't seem to find a lot of MM on their. I also have Audible and 6 credits because I'm super stingy one what I get and should really cancel that. I also won't usually pay more than $2 per book if i have to buy, but can as needed.

When it comes to recommending, I would usually review the TBR list of the person to see what I have loved that they haven't read yet. I think it's a pretty good way to not recommend something they really wouldn't like.

I think it is great that you unplug on Sundays. I wish I could do that, but my family is a family of "multi-taskers" and we are usually doing multiple things at the same time. Like now I am reviewing GR and watching TV. :)

In case it wasn't clear in the sign up -- the series rule applies when we have to pick from each other's shelves, or with recommendations.

So for example - this task - 19. Each teammate reads a book another teammate read and rated 4 Stars or higher in the last 3 months. No pass for this task.

I read Sink or Swim #3 -- you can read book #1


I think I'll do what Steph is doing...I'm going to do my 5 stars shelf, and teammate rec on Monday so that eeveryone has had time to update their shelves if needed.

Still waiting for Hayley to check in. 😊

MountainKat wrote: "Still waiting for Hayley to check in. 😊"

Haley sent us a pm before the team thread was posted. She is away until 9/22. Inconsistent internet service.

Susan A wrote: "MountainKat wrote: "Still waiting for Hayley to check in. 😊"

Haley sent us a pm before the team thread was posted. She is away until 9/22. Inconsistent internet service."

Thanks for letting me know, I won't worry about her then. 😊

I'm getting excited for the first call tomorrow. :)

Waiting all day is so hard! I just finished my BINGO book and did the updates for that challenge. I think I'll find something short to read in the meantime.

Susan A wrote: "Waiting all day is so hard! I just finished my BINGO book and did the updates for that challenge. I think I'll find something short to read in the meantime."

I know. I'm getting anxious. Instead of reading, I'm going to do the job I actually get paid for. :)

I managed to finish all of the books I needed to before this begins. Now to organize the chaotic mess of scavenger hunt notes and try to get those posted lol

Uggh. It’s back to school night. I marked the wrong day on my calendar. I always feel obligated to go, and it’s always a complete waste of time. At least it’s virtual.

Steph wrote: "I managed to finish all of the books I needed to before this begins. Now to organize the chaotic mess of scavenger hunt notes and try to get those posted lol"

I finished writing my reviews last night for hunt and just need to do the posting. My least favorite thing about hunt.

0. Each teammate reads a book initially published in a fall month, teams decide which month.

As a team select a fall month. Fall this year is from September 22 through December 21 - so you may select September, October, November or December, then everyone reads a book initially published in the selected month of any year. For this task, use the initial publication date. If there is a date listed at the top of the editions page - use it! Otherwise I will be looking for the earliest dated English language edition regardless of format for the qualification. Please include the selected month in your completion posts.

I have no preference on this one. Someone just pick a month and I’ll find something.

Lisa -- October works for me...but anything will. So if you want to pick a different month, no worries here.

Let's Just go with October. That works for me too.

Task-0. Each teammate reads a book initially published in a fall month, teams decide which month. (October)
Love Always, Wild

Page numbers with source 402-Goodreads
How book qualified, with links or cover as necessary.
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
Date Completed.
Rating/Review.

Not sure if I posted right. Will change when I'm back at my computer if needed. 🙂

Task 0 Selection Post
Published in October
Hard Ink by Ali Lyda
Pages: 224
How it fits: Pub 10/1820
[*book:Hard Ink|55720448]

Are we doing the last person to finish check us in? That's the fastest way to get the next task.

And are we doing separate selection & completion posts, or editing the selection post?

I would think the last person to finish should check us in. I think we could do just completion posts here? Update the spreadsheet so we know everyone has selected??

COMPLETION POST
Task 0 Published in October
Book: The Spy's Love Song
Author: Kim Fielding
Page count: 166p, per good reads
How book qualified first published October 2nd 2018
Date Completed 9/22/21
Rating: 3 stars

Review
This book is part of Dreamspinner Press Dreamspun Desires line which one person described as "These are contemporary category romance novels, complete with your favorite heartwarming heroes, cracktastic clichés, and terrific tropes. It’s all about the feel-good loving that will leave you grinning." If you realize that this is the goal of the book, I think you agree that the author does an excellent job. The Spy's Love Song is unrealistic nonsense, but it is an entertaining piece of fluff. This 3 star rating is a "I'm satisfied with this book" rating.

I listened to the audiobook, The Spy's Love Song narrated by Drew Bacca, a new to me narrator. I thought he did a fine job .

Completion Post
Task
0. Each teammate reads a book initially published in a fall month, teams decide which month. (October)
Book
Love Always, Wild
Page Count
402 per GR
Qualifies
Pub. Oct. 2020
Date Completed
Sept. 22
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review
This book has just been sitting on my kindle since it's release. I just hadn't made time for it. What a mistake on my part.

I don't usually like books that flashback. It takes me out of the story but it was well done in this case.

I'm not one of those people who has trouble putting a book down to go to bed. I'm really good about finding a stopping point. I stayed up way too late. And then got up way too early. I had to finish. This was that good.

Task 0 - Completion Post
Published in October
Hard Ink
Date completed: 9/22/21
Rating: ****
Review Link: Lisa’s Review
Review: A continuation of the gorgeous, generous guys from Get Ink'd. Mateo and Bryan are wonderful together, both learning they can lean on the other without being considered weak. There are laughs, tears, misunderstandings and miscommunication and even a little stalking. It all comes to a HEA and I can't wait to read more.

Steph wrote: "Susan and/or Hayley which one (or both) left a note in the spreadsheet saying no Cara Dee or Ella Frank? I’m going to go through everyone’s read lists Monday and get a list together should we have ..."

sorry i'm good with anyone, I like both Cara Dee and Ella Frank. I did the spread sheet on a phone lol

COMPLETION POST
Task 0 Published in October
Book: Battle Stations
Author: Chris T. Kat
Page count: 217 p, per good reads
How book qualified: Published October 12th 2015
Date Completed 09/25/21
Rating: 4 Stars

Battle Stations picks up pretty much right were Breeding Stations ended. While I enjoyed both books immensely, i think that Battle Stations was my favorite out of the series so far. It ended with room for a follow up book and i hope there is one eventually. Great MC's and supporting characters and action packed.

Hayley wrote: "Steph wrote: "Susan and/or Hayley which one (or both) left a note in the spreadsheet saying no Cara Dee or Ella Frank? I’m going to go through everyone’s read lists Monday and get a list together s..."

I ended up using Lisa's suggestion. I went through everyones TBR and the first book I came across that I gave 5 stars to is what I picked. It's funny everyone got the same author and Susan and Lisa the same book.

Sorry i held everyone up! I should be quick on the next tasks since i'm back in the country!