Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Team Achilles - AEGEAN



• Jenny Stephenson (Captain)
• Angie ☯ (Co-Captain)
• Ashleigh (Co-Captain)
• Tammie (Co-Captain)
• Celeste Fox
• Stephanie
• Rachel Anne
• Kaley
• Ann
• Cilla Fleig
• Rachel
• ⚚♆ Cynthia ♆⚚
• Jennifer
• Donna Flynn
• Vicki
• Snowtulip

Official Team Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Challenge Status Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

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Team tracking spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Points and Rules
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Countdown to the Start
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Team TT shelves
Jenny https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Angie https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Stephanie https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Tammie https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Ashleigh https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Celeste Princessbookdragon https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Rachel Anne https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Kaley https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Ann https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Cilla https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Chales (Rachel) https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Cynthia https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Jennifer https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Donna https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Vicki https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Snowtulip https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

May Mini Challenge
(view spoiler)[

Meet The Muses May Mini

Our hosts on Mount Olympus (or TBR) would like to introduce themselves in preparation for the forthcoming festivities. To that end, they have inspired a mini-challenge to get your creativity started.

For this challenge, each muse has a selection of tasks to be completed. These are under the spoiler below.

(view spoiler)[

Thalia (“The Cheerful One”) was the Muse of Comedy and was often portrayed holding a comic mask or a shepherd’s crook
• Spell out Thalia - T
• Spell out Thalia - H
• Spell out Thalia - A
• Spell out Thalia - L
• Spell out Thalia - I
• Spell out Thalia - A
• MPG Humour
• Mask on cover


Urania (“The Heavenly One”) was the Muse of Astronomy, and you can often see her holding a globe
• Spell out Urania - U
• Spell out Urania - R
• Spell out Urania - A
• Spell out Urania - N
• Spell out Urania - I
• Spell out Urania - A
• Stars on the cover
• Map at the front of the book


Melpomene (“She Who Sings”) was the Muse of Tragedy, and she is either holding a tragic mask or some other symbol of tragedy (sword, club, buskins)
• Spell out Melpomene - M
• Spell out Melpomene - E
• Spell out Melpomene - L
• Spell out Melpomene - P
• Spell out Melpomene - O
• Spell out Melpomene - M
• Spell out Melpomene - E
• Spell out Melpomene - N
• Spell out Melpomene - E
• Sword on cover
• Tagged Tragedy


Polyhymnia (“She of the Many Hymns”) was the Muse of Hymns and sacred poetry, often depicted with a pensive look hidden behind a veil
• Spell out Polyhymnia - P
• Spell out Polyhymnia - O
• Spell out Polyhymnia - L
• Spell out Polyhymnia - Y
• Spell out Polyhymnia - H
• Spell out Polyhymnia - Y
• Spell out Polyhymnia - M
• Spell out Polyhymnia - N
• Spell out Polyhymnia - I
• Spell out Polyhymnia - A
• Letters of HYMN in title
• Author initials in SACRED


Erato (“The Lovely One”) was the Muse of Lyric Poetry; naturally, she’s usually represented with a lyre;
• Spell out Erato - E
• Spell out Erato - R
• Spell out Erato - A
• Spell out Erato - T
• Spell out Erato - O
• Poetry quote in the text
• MC is a writer


Calliope (“The One with a Beautiful Voice”) was the Muse of Epic Poetry; Hesiod claims that she was the foremost among the nine, since “she attends on worshipful princes”; Calliope can often be seen holding a writing tablet;
• Spell out Calliope - C
• Spell out Calliope - A
• Spell out Calliope - L
• Spell out Calliope - L
• Spell out Calliope - I
• Spell out Calliope - O
• Spell out Calliope - P
• Spell out Calliope - E
• Royal title in book title
• 1st in series


Clio (“The Celebrator,” “The Proclaimer”) was the Muse of History, and, quite fittingly, she usually holds a scroll;
• Spell out Clio - C
• Spell out Clio - L
• Spell out Clio - I
• Spell out Clio - O
• MPG History/Historical Fiction
• A celebration in the book


Euterpe (“She Who Pleases”), was the Muse of Flute-playing, which is why she is time and again portrayed with an aulos;
• Spell out Euterpe - E
• Spell out Euterpe - U
• Spell out Euterpe - T
• Spell out Euterpe - E
• Spell out Euterpe - R
• Spell out Euterpe - P
• Spell out Euterpe - E
• Musical instrument on cover
• Characters attend a musical performance


Terpsichore (“The One Delighting in the Dance”), was the Muse of Choral Lyric and Dancing; as expected, she is usually shown dancing and sometimes holding a lyre.
• Spell out Terpsichore - T
• Spell out Terpsichore - E
• Spell out Terpsichore - R
• Spell out Terpsichore - P
• Spell out Terpsichore - S
• Spell out Terpsichore - I
• Spell out Terpsichore - C
• Spell out Terpsichore - H
• Spell out Terpsichore - O
• Spell out Terpsichore - R
• Spell out Terpsichore - E
• Dancing in the book
• Letters CLD in title of book
(hide spoiler)]

◈ Only books read and finished from the start of the challenge until 9pm GMT+1 on 31st May will count for the Meet the Muses mini challenge.
◈ You will gain 5 points for each task you complete.
◈ For each Muse you complete all the tasks for, you get an additional 10 points.
◈ You may only complete each task once.

How a "spell it out" works
Spell out the word(s) using the first letter in the book's title, the first letter in the author's first or last name, or the first letter of a character's first, last, or nick-name, or the first letter of the series name. As always, if the first letter of a title starts with an indefinite or definite article ('A', 'An', 'The', etc.), you may use the first letter of the second word in the title to spell out your chosen word. If you are listening to an audiobook, the first letter in the narrator's first or last name also can be used. We're also allowing for Translators names, as long as the edition you are reading is a translation version.
(hide spoiler)]

Hi everyone!
Welcome to TT9, and the brilliant muses!
We clearly have the best team photo, and will therefore be the best team. Or at least the one that has the most fun!!!!!

I hope you are all up for some fun books, some fun banter and maybe an extra thrill or two thrown in for good measure.

If you are new to Tower Teams, we will all have your back, and answer any questions you have. If you are a TT veteran, we will all have your back and will giggle at the fact that ten veterans will answer one question.

I am Jenny, one of your captains. I am from Phoenix, where I live with two brilliant kitties, and have a picture frame shop. I am a book addict, obviously, a football (American) fan, a single malt Scotch snob, and a science junkie. I apologize in advance if I wax rhapsodic over the pictures that should be coming from the James Webb telescope during TT.

If you all want to give a short or long bio, feel free. I hope we all get to know one another and have a really good time.

Res

REMINDERS:

◈ Books must be started after the start date of the challenge to count towards the challenge

Countdown clock:
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...

Start times:

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Hello Team Achilles!

I have to agree with our Captain - I do think we have a great team pic! :-)

I'm Angie, one of your co-captains for this round of TT. I am from East Tennessee where I work in an accounting/forecasting role. I am also a book addict (but I am guessing we all are!) and an American football fan.

I see some familiar and some new names and look forward to catching up or getting to know everyone. We will definitely be a fun team, for everyone that is up for it! We may even have some games for the team - for points - they'll be totally worthless points, but what the hey!!

Hello everyone! I’m Steph I am going to another captain on this fun book crew. I am a kitten foster mom from Michigan. My favorite genre is fantasy but I do almost enjoy any. I look forward to having a blast with all of you.

Hi everyone! I'm Ashleigh and I'm another co-captain. TT is one of my favourite challenges and I've lost count of how many I've taken part in lol!

Favourite genre at the moment is romance. The past year or so I've been become heavily invested in romance books and I'm having so much fun with them.

Looking forward to getting started and meeting everyone :)

Hi everyone! Just checking in. I am from Pennsylvania and I am hoping that TT will help get me out of this reading slump. It is one of my favorite challenges.

Hi team. I am an Accountant from upstate New York. Can't wait to get this game started. Uno just ended and I don't know what to do with myself lol!

Hi Jenny, Hi Angie!!!

*waves*

It seems that we are going to be on opposite sides of the war - Sammy and I are on Team Hector.

*sad face*

Sonia, I apologize in advance for when we tie your team to the back of a carriage, and we drag you around Troy three times. It's not personal. Just history. teehee

I think we should schedule an inter-team Troy watching party. With drinks.

Maybe this time Cassandra predicts a different outcome! Not that we ever listen to her anyway.

But I like the party idea. Let's assemble the gang.

Hi all!

I'm Kaley. I live in Indiana (US) with my husband and our two dogs and one cat. I support my reading habit by working as a communications manager for a nonprofit.

This is my fourth TT, I think? My first TT was the Harry Potter-themed one, and I've signed up every time since.

My favorite genre for the last few years has been romance, and I've recently delved a bit into the fantasy romance subgenre as well.

Hi all! 👋🏽
This is my first TT, I invited my friend Rachel Anne along with me. I'm super excited! Team challenges are my thing this year and I have found a ton, it's making me productively happy. I'm getting books read and that is the goal! 🎉📚🪅 I love cats so I hope there will be pictures! *Hint to Stephanie 😉 I'm a shameless reader of urban fiction, romance, dark romance, erotica and fantasy romance- probably the same fantasy you like Kaley.
I'm a single mom, music lover, hopeless book sniffing book lover and I REALLY like flavored coffee....
💜🌄📚

Question for Jenny, is the shelf I picked ok or should it be empty, maybe I should change it---??

Hi Jenny, Hi Angie

popping in....
Team Achilles you have great leaders.....Just finished playing UNO with them and it was so much fun.....

I am on Team Paris with Melindam as captain....l think Achilles and Paris have the best pics.....

Have fun you guys and I ll pop in from time to time to say hi...

Hello Team!

I am Cynthia. I live in Spain on my own (I am single) and I work in analytics. This is my second TT and I am excited to see how it will play out.

Since I discovered team challenges two years ago, I have been pretty active and I love participating in them. I am reading less than before though as social life is busier now since covid restrictions have been removed. My favourite genres are romance, fantasy and mysteries. I was a 100% romance reader but lately I have been reading more varied genres.

This is my shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I have to say that this is my favourite team. I was sooo in love with Brad Pitt in the movie 😍

Question for Jenny, is the shelf I picked ok or should it be empty, maybe I should change it---??

I didn't see your shelf. What is it called?

You can put books on your TT shelf that you are planning to read if you wish, or just put them there when you are done. Either way works.

Rosina wrote: "Hi Jenny, Hi Angie

popping in....
Team Achilles you have great leaders.....Just finished playing UNO with them and it was so much fun.....

I am on Team Paris with Melindam as captain....l think A..."

Hello back! Melindam is great. You will have fun, I am sure.

Hi everyone who has checked in so far!
Cynthia, I added your shelf, thank you.

Prinzessbookdragon, do you want to be called that, or Celeste? I can't believe I never asked you that before. Idiot Jenny.

Hi everyone...I'm also one of your co-captains for this challenge...love TT's!

I am from the St. Louis area, am a married empty nester with 2 grown children and 2 grand-dogs.
We follow baseball - Go Cards! and like travel. So far this year we've been to Hawaii and the Dominican Republic. Banff is next.
I read quite a lot...actually I'm really trying to cut back on my reading a bit. I read most romance related genres, but I do like a bit of everything except horror. I'll also read YA, but not my favorite.

I'm a real estate agent and at the moment, I'm in living in Crazyville. Hopefully I can return to calmer RealtorWorld soon.

Tammie wrote: "Hi everyone...I'm also one of your co-captains for this challenge...love TT's!

I am from the St. Louis area, am a married empty nester with 2 grown children and 2 grand-dogs.
We follow baseball ..."

Oooof I can't even imagine being a real estate agent right now! We closed on our house in July 2020 and I remember it being a hassle then just as a buyer . . . and I know it's just gotten so so much worse!

Hi all!

My name is Jennifer and I'm currently from PA. This is my first TT and I'm very excited to be a part of this; it looks like a lot of fun! I'm interested to see what everyone else likes to read to get some now book recs while in a challenge!

Oh yeah. Be prepared to add a lot to your TBR list. It happens every time.

Helloooooooo Team Achilles! I have to say that I was so excited to see the group of captain and co-captains on this team! I have worked played with each and every one of you and I am thrilled to know you ladies are in charge...thank you!

I have also played with a few of our other teammates and see some new ones that I have already sent friend requests to so that we can see each other's shelves and get acquainted.

I have typically read 300 plus per year; however, this year I have only read 34 books due to some RL taking up so much of my time so I simply had to put reading and challenges on the back burner. Things have eased up for now so I had to hop on board again, especially after seeing this challenge posted. It's one of my favorites! I believe this is my fourth one or something like that. Due to my RL this year, I only put in to read 15 books so I will probably also read some more hefty books for us.

Favorite genres: historical fiction, romantic historical fiction, romance, thrillers, especially true psychological thrillers, mystery, fantasy but not so much sci-fi.

Happily married, 5 grown kids, 21 grandkids, 5 greats, and 2 dogs. I can write a book on my grandkids so please forgive me if/when I do! 11 grandsons, 10 granddaughters, 3 great-grandsons, 2 great-granddaughters. Ages range from 27 down to just turned 2. :)

LOVE to travel! @Tammie, we also have plans to go to Banff (our 3rd try) this summer! We travel a lot since I am retired (as of 2017). @Jenny I have 4 grandchildren and all 5 of my greats who live near Phoenix, I think. Three live in Scottsdale and the other I forget the city but there is a GOOD chance I'll visit them in the somewhat near future. When I do I will try to remember that you live there and we can hopefully meet. I have met others from Goodreads in person and it's been great every time!

I look forward to getting to know all of you and to having a lot of fun with this one! SO excited to get started!

And we definitely have the best eye-candy photo! :)

Definitely give me a heads up when you are in town! Everything in the Valley is twenty minutes away, (well, almost). It would be a gas to meet up.

Sounds like a plan, Jenny!

Hi everyone! I'm Rachel or Chales..this is my third TT challenge! Last year I did 29 books in three months and it was thrilling. Currently making my home (for the third year..unheard of for me!!) in Canada. I'm an electrophysiologist by trade but my true love is reading.

This is my shelf:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

It was erroneously added to the sheet as The Gospel Trust. Every time I hear "the Muses" I think of the Disney film Hercules and hear The Gospel Truth song, which is what inspired the name!

Looking forward to all the team work!

C.

Hi all! I’m Rachel Anne. I’m currently living in Delaware and I work at one of the nearby library branches.
My favorite genres to read are mysteries, historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy and nonfiction.
My friend Celeste told me about this challenge and it looks like it’ll be fun! I’m looking forward to getting started! 😊

Jenny wrote: "Question for Jenny, is the shelf I picked ok or should it be empty, maybe I should change it---??

I didn't see your shelf. What is it called?

You can put books on your TT shelf that you are plann..."

this is the shelf i submitted:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

BUT, go ahead and change it to this shelf:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

or do i ask the mod of the game to change it??

as far as my name goes, Prinzess or Celeste is fine- makes no difference. <3 :D

Celeste, you don't need to change anything. The shelves are there so the captains can check them, and you are golden.

As is everyone else! Way to be planners, guys. We all have our shelves. I don't think anyone is looking forward to this challenge or anything. teehee

ok, cool. That's the shelf i want to read books from- what ever i finish, i will just make sure i leave it on the shelf. <3

Wow. It looks like we are only missing one person, and the thread has been open for only 18 hours.
...off to stalk Cilla...

Great to see everyone here. Quick question how is everyone's comfort level on filling out books read on a google sheet?

Hello everyone, I'm Cilla. This is my second TT. I am glad to meet all of you and look forward get started. I had to have an MRI of my shoulders today and don't do well with tight, enclosed places so I had to have some Valium. I think I am finally awake.

My shelf is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Cilla wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm Cilla. This is my second TT. I am glad to meet all of you and look forward get started. I had to have an MRI of my shoulders today and don't do well with tight, enclosed places ..."

Hi Cilla!!!!!
I am so glad you are on this team. Sorry about stalking you to show up. You had a really good excuse. Hope you feel better. Now.

I think we have everyone!! Woop Woop!!

Let the fun begin!

Stephanie wrote: "Great to see everyone here. Quick question how is everyone's comfort level on filling out books read on a google sheet?"

Stephanie - I think most of the players on the team (at least the ones that I've played with before) are very comfortable with google sheets. I am - LOL! My entire day is spent in some type of worksheet! ... Spreadsheet tetris is my superpower.

If anyone is not comfortable with spreadsheets OR prefers to do completion posts, that will not be an issue. I (or another of our lovely captains) will add items from completion posts to the spreadsheet.

Angie ☯ wrote: "I think we have everyone!! Woop Woop!!

Let the fun begin!"

🪗💃🏽🍹🥳🎉🎈

It’s great to see our entire team here and ready to play! Next week we leave for Oceanside with one of my daughters and her hubby and their two daughters. We’re eager to hit the beach and relax. I’ll spend part of my indoor time planning for TT so I will be so ready on the 15th! I’m normally a very patient person I am definitely having a hard time waiting for this one!

Woot woot! I need a start clock for the countdown! Lol

Jenny wrote: "Cilla wrote: "Hello everyone, I'm Cilla. This is my second TT. I am glad to meet all of you and look forward get started. I had to have an MRI of my shoulders today and don't do well with tight, en..."

I'm glad to be on this team too and that you are our Fearless Leader!

Vicki wrote: "It’s great to see our entire team here and ready to play! Next week we leave for Oceanside with one of my daughters and her hubby and their two daughters. We’re eager to hit the beach and relax. I’..."

Fear not. The captains are planning to keep you all occupied until the game starts.

We have many days until the challenge starts. In the next few days we will make sure that everyone is up to speed on the rules and all that, but until we start, let's get to know one another.

So, answer all, or a few, or come up with some more, but here is a list of questions...

1- If you were a wrestler what would be your entrance theme song?
2- What is one article of clothing that someone could wear that would make you walk out on a date with them?
3- If a movie was made of your life what genre would it be, who would play you?
4- What would the title of your autobiography be?
5- Chunky or smooth? (Is that just an American thing?)
6- Describe the funkiest pair of shoes you own/ have owned.
7- Tell us about your pets, or share pictures.
8- Where is the coolest place you have ever visited?
9- Where do you want to go next?
10- And, because we just need to start the book sharing, what are the 5 books you recommend the most to other people?

Jenny wrote: "Vicki wrote: "It’s great to see our entire team here and ready to play! Next week we leave for Oceanside with one of my daughters and her hubby and their two daughters. We’re eager to hit the beach..."

I am counting on it! We definitely lucked out with our captain team! :)

I'll kick this off with my answers:

1- If you were a wrestler what would be your entrance theme song? Hmm, this might be the hardest question of the lot.. the songs which make me feel the most empowered and like badass and tough would be Fighter by Christina Aguilera, Misery Business by Paramore or Mother's Daughter by Miley Cyrus.

2- What is one article of clothing that someone could wear that would make you walk out on a date with them? - No, this is the hardest question. I don't know the answer to this one?

3- If a movie was made of your life what genre would it be, who would play you? - Comedy and I think I have the personality of Aubrey Plaza in Parks and Rec so maybe her, but skin and hair colour wise, Emma Stone in Zombieland when she had the dark hair, so if you could combine the two lol.

4- What would the title of your autobiography be? - It'll Be Fine: Burying My Head in the Sand and Hoping It'll Work Out.

5- Chunky or smooth? (Is that just an American thing?) - Don't have a preference but I don't eat a lot of peanut butter unless it's in chocolate like a KitKat or something.

6- Describe the funkiest pair of shoes you own/ have owned. - I'm very boring and I like sensible shoes, but as a teenager I had bright yellow Adidas trainers which my friends made fun of because they were ugly AF.

7- Tell us about your pets, or share pictures. - Don't currently own any pets. Growing up, I had a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was the softest, most loving dog you could ever imagine. My parents have a small white Jack Russell dog at the moment and he is running the show at their house right now lol.

8- Where is the coolest place you have ever visited? - Without a doubt, my favourite place in the world is Edinburgh, Scotland. Such a beautiful city and I've been 4 or 5 times now, and still haven't done everything I want to.

9- Where do you want to go next? - The Lake District, UK. Another beautiful place and I just want to lounge by the lakes.

10- And, because we just need to start the book sharing, what are the 5 books you recommend the most to other people?



The last two books include the full series as they're all just so good!

Jenny & Angie, I just saw your team won Uno — congrats!!

I am very comfortable with using Google sheets!