The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion
TEAM CHALLENGE: UNO 2026
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Team Mint Car
SPREADSHEETSPLANNING - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
OFFICIAL (please dont request access to edit this one, for captains only) - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
RANKINGS - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
SHELVESโ Captain Gem - Uno2026
โ Co-Captain Gwen Landis Uno game 2026
โ Nicole uno2026
โ RachelG. - uno2026
โ MelanieJoy uno2026
โ Louise- uno2026
โ Klare -2026 game uno
โ Andrea
โ Your finished books need to be on your Uno shelf AND marked as "read" for them to count. We will send out reminders if you forget.
RULESThis is a 3 month team challenge starting 1 February 2026
โ At the end of the challenge 30 April 2026 the team with the most points wins!
โ At the start of each month each team is given a minimum 14 hands of 7 "UNO" cards
โ The idea is to "play" each hand for points. It is up to the team how many "hands" they can get through in the month, but they must play one hand completely before being able to get points for the next
โ The team can choose to skip an entire hand to get to the next one, but they are not given a replacement hand. (You can only skip one hand in a month)
โ For book titles starting with an article (A/An/The), the article can be ignored or used. So The Hiding Place, for example, could be used as title starting with T or H
โ Re-reads are ok provided it has been more than 6 months since last read
โWord Count Verification: https://www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx
Books must be more than 100 pages in length
(Children's books, Graphic Novels, Manga, Cook Books, Plays and Poetry cannot be used unless by word count they can be verified as more than 25,000 words using arbookfind.com or more than 3 hours of audio using a reputable website (e.g. audible, overdrive)
โFor coloured cards, the cover needs to be 50% or more of the colour. If in doubt, ask your captains as we can check it and/or take to the captains group for another opinion. The mods generally want us to use common sense for this one, no TinEye required.
โ Note: it is up to the teams how they divide up the cards to read across the team players. Just remember, you can only get points if a hand is completed, and in order.
So, if you complete all of hand 1, some of hand 2, and all of hand 3, you will only get points for hand 1 and the books read of hand 2.
0-Z | 1-O | 2-T | 3-H | 4-F | 5-I | 6-S | 7-V | 8-E | 9-N | skip-K or P Letters - Name of book (OK to discard articles), FN or LN of Author, or characters (NN - nicknames OK, no titles), Location (needs to be obvious)
REV=read a book that a teammate has read
Wild=duplicate a card in that hand
Wild Draw 4=duplicate any color card
Draw 2=use the same book for two cards in a hand
Color=book cover has specified color and book meets specified number criteria.
COUNTDOWN
Only books STARTED after the challenge begins can count.
The challenge starts on February 1, 2026 at 9am UTC time. To see when this starts, use this https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...
TEAM BOOK RECS
Hi everyone and welcome to UNO 2026 (and reigning champs may I add :D)I'm Gem and I'm your captain. I live in the UK and am an avid reader of a variety of genres but my favourites are thrillers, mysteries and horror.
This will be my 7th UNO and its by far the best challenge! I notice all of you have played before so you'll probably remember how it works, but if not let us know :)
So please introduce yourselves; what's your favourite genres? What's the books you recommend to absolutely everyone? And do you have any Red, Blue, Yellow or Green covers you're hoping to get to in this challenge?
I've started a post in message 6 where we can share any books you recommend fellow players to read, doesnt have to be a colour cover, but it may help.
And I really like a spreadsheet so here's a link to my coloured covers I could use for the challenge: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
we have the following coloured cards we need to keep in the forefront of our brains when scouring shelves:0 Green
0 Blue
5 Blue
6 Blue
8 Blue
1 Red
1 Yellow
5 Yellow
and then 6 x WD4s
Feel free to start adding the books youre planning to read straight onto the planning spreadsheet. If you dont like using spreadsheets than a completeion post here works great, and between the caps we can move to the tracking sheet.
Hi all!I am Rachel and live near Seattle in the U.S. My favorite genres are cozy mystery and fantasy. This is my second year playing uno. i have been looking forward to getting a chance to play again. I have been saving books with colored covers just for the challenge and shelve them as I see them to easily bring up.
My uno shelf: uno2026
Hi everyone Iโm Klare, Gemโs sister and I also live in England. This is my fifth time playing UNO and itโs always been a really good challenge.
I will read any genre but currently I am really into crime, thrillers and horror.
Hello! I'm MelanieJoy and live in California in the US. My favorite genres are fantasy and mystery/thriller but I'll read plenty of other genres. My least favorite right now is horror. I've played UNO several times since I think 2018 but not every year. Gem and Klare I know I was on a challenge with you recently-ish, maybe UNO 2024? Can't remember exactly but congrats on winning last year!I'm looking forward to this!
One of my favorite parts is exchanging book recs so keep those coming!
My shelf: UNO 2026
It looks like we have quite a few reverses for Feb. so I will be searching to see what I can read.
Yay, glad to see youโve both found us! And great to see familiar faces.I am swamped with books right now, Iโm hoping to finish 4 of my current reads, and two new ones before starting the challenge. I am a serial juggler so nothing new there but I feel especially stacked!
Gem: I have been looking at the planning ss and for the other possible cards section, what information do we put there? A characters name if that is what is applicable or just an X if the book works for that card?
Louise wrote: "Hi all, currently on holiday in Iceland until Sunday"
I have heard that Iceland is such a wonderful country to visit. I had a friend go a couple years ago. I hope you are enjoying it!
Hello teammm! Excited to be on this team with you all - I really like the band The Cure who we're named after, anyone else?Gem - I specifically requested to be on your team if possible because you were such a great leader last time I played with you (I think 2 years ago?).
*mic tap* My name is Andrea and I'm from Canada (west coast). My favourite genres lately are contemporary romance, thriller and romantasy probably but I read a little of everything. I read a lot of middle grade novels too as I have a Book Club with Tweens at my library job.
I JUST finished the newest Karin Slaughter book and my goodness I loved it so much. I think it might be my first 5 star of the year.
I ALWAYS recommend The Flatshare for romance lovers - Beth O'Leary is my absolute favourite and I will always tell everyone to read that one especially.
I plan to do some scouring of my TBR (hopefully even my PHYSICAL tbr to find some coloured covers to knock off with this challenge). I might try and read Emily Henry's Book Lovers which could work for a blue card in Feb, as a starter though.
Can't wait to get started on this with you all!
My uno shelf
Hi!I'm Nicole, I'm from England, I work as a bookseller and also have a part-time job. I'm unlikely to comment on Sundays or Mondays due to that job. I read at least 4 books for the book clubs, so I know a few I'll be reading. I read a lot of romance and fantasy (though rarely together), but read fairly eclectically.
Looking forward to playing with you all
Uno 2026
Hello all and welcome!My apologies for the late introduction. I just returned from a trip and immediately got sick so I haven't been online in the past few days. I'm feeling better now and I'm ready to go!
I'm Gwen and I'll be Gem's co-captain. This is my 7th year playing Uno and I just love it! I don't read a ton because I work fulltime but it is one of my favorite pastimes.
I live in the Vermont, the cold northeastern part of the US. I read all kinds of different books but I love post-apocalyptic, fantasy, some sci-fi, travel memoirs, really just about anything. I'm not a huge fan of romance, especially if that is the main theme but I'd give a book a try if someone highly recommended it.
Looking forward to playing with everyone!
Meant to add the link to my Uno shelf: uno-game-2026
It looks like a lot of our team has played Uno before! Yay! I just wanted to share a hot tip for those who may not know... there's an easy way to search for possible books for those Reverse cards. Here's how to compare books with another teammate:
Click on a teammate's name to access their profile (links in very first post of this thread)
On their profile page, click on "More" next to their picture at the top. Then click on "Compare Books"
You can easily see what they've read that you've also shelved. Of course this only works if you have a lot of books on your "Want to Read" shelf.
I love comparing books and I hope this tip is helpful.
BTW: you all should "Friend" each other if you haven't already!
Iโm desperately trying to finish up a whole stack of books in the last week. Also as a note, we go on holiday next Saturday (31st) so I wonโt be contactable that day but Iโll be on my phone and the hotel wifi whilst away to start the challenge off. I just wonโt be doing any early book completion moves to the main SS until Iโm back.
Less than a week to go! Is there a book limit for this challenge that I need to keep in mind?
Not exactly, but you signed up for 25 a month. If some people under read their expected figure we may need some to over read etc. also we get more cards than the team read so thereโs always scope for team mates to help out more than they signed up for. Itโs never been a problem in all the years Iโve played, so wouldnโt worry :)
Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~ wrote: "Not exactly, but you signed up for 25 a month. If some people under read their expected figure we may need some to over read etc. also we get more cards than the team read so thereโs always scope f..."Thank you! I just wanted to be positive. I have a lot of books that I plan to read in February.
eeeeek about 4 hours to go!! Like Gem I have been madly trying to finish my last January reads. Pretty close on both the audio one and ebook one too.
Finished both of my books last night, Iโm all ready to start the challenge ๐
1 hour 20 to go now to check what Iโll be reading this week
I gave up on my last book for January so I could start fresh today! Now I have to decide what I want to read - I probably should have figured that out by now, haha! Let's go!
I have about 100 pages left in my first book and then I am going to work on Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone which I am excited to read again.
Started Feb off with the shortest of the books I needed to read this month - Murder by Memory at 112 pages XD I enjoy novellas a lot and this was no different. I've also started the longest book on my list which is A Soul to Keep at 544 pages to balance it out.
I enjoyed Murder by Memory. You could use that as a reverse if you want. I am looking forward to the second book coming out at some point this year.
Iโm starting with a chunky one too, 464 pages. The reappearance of Rachel Price.
I've got the second book on preorder too :)
starting with
fits 0 blue but may fit other letters - just have to see which characters talk so I can update the listing.
I'll also be reading
is this blue or nah?
but I don't know what letters it fits for. Yellow cover though. :)
MelanieJoy wrote: "is this blue or nah?"-Checked it on TinEye Labs and it doesn't even say there's any blue in the cover - it's counting it as grey (I don't necessarily see that as grey myself but it's not obviously blue to me either so idk lol)
Also, I started my first two books for the challenge yesterday. Made a good head start on Book Lovers and loving it so far.
Andrea wrote: "MelanieJoy wrote: "is this blue or nah?"-Checked it on TinEye Labs and it doesn't even say there's any blue in the cover - it's counting it as grey (I don't necessarily see that as grey myself but..."
super strange. looks like a bluish green to me. Oh well.
okay so I just finished Unlikely Animalsand it was SO good! It's blue and works for multiple letters (also a reverse since I just read it haha)
If you like dark humor, tragicomedy vibes, with a teensy bit of ghosts and magic, this is for you! I can't quit singing this one's praises - the story telling, the bizarreness, and the humor just really got to me. I actually laughed so hard at one scene at the end, I had to go into a different room to not disturb my napping daughter and my husband on a meeting call. So that's my personal opinion - I really loved it.
I'm into a book Andrea has read now called Georgie, All Along - I'm only 8% in and also I find it great! I somehow found it in my ebook library - I stumbled on it somehow and I'm so glad I did!
I agree that The Best Way to Bury Your Husband is teal and not blue enough to pass. I have Unlikely Animals in my TBR pile and I think I'll move it closer to the top - thanks, MelanieJoy! I could read it for a Wild Draw 4, we seem to have a few of those.
I should finish The Frozen River today - it's quite good with a lot of characters so it will fit several cards. Then I'm reading James for my local book group - we meet on Tuesday. I think I'll read I Who Have Never Known Men after that since I borrowed it via ILL and can't renew it.
Do you want us to link the book on the planning ss? It's no problem for me to do so if that makes it easier.
RachelG. wrote: "Do you want us to link the book on the planning ss? It's no problem for me to do so if that makes it easier."I'll let Gem chime in but I think as long as you have the book listed on your current Uno bookshelf, we should have no trouble finding it. Feel free to link it if you'd like but I don't think it's required.
I always go to the book via your shelves so no need to link for me, but if you want to anyway, go ahead.Iโm on the last day of vacation tomorrow, flying home late tomorrow evening so will be more present here from Sunday. Hope youโve all had a great start to the month
Thanks for the answers! I just want to make things go as smoothly as possible.
Yes I think so, the blue on the right is navy in my opinion
We have details of the mini to share with you, I will copy over in a moment. Itโs a great one we can interpret in many different ways
Pixiedescription
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ๐จ HUE-DUNNIT?!
โWANTED: A Runaway Spectrum
๐จ Colours have escaped their pages, leaving clues of hues behind in books everywhere.
๐จ In this Mini Challenge, youโll set up the investigation perimeters, interrogate chromatic suspects and sleuth out secondary leads & shady associates - all done by the book.
๐ Read your books closely, follow the trail of tones and help uncover the truth behind this prismatic mysteryโฆ Hue-Dunnit!
โ Every book read, i.e. every task completed, is worth 10 points. Each book can be used for one task only.
โ Books for tasks can be finished in any order.
โ If your team complete all tasks, you will get 30 points as completion bonus.
โ Books used for this mini challenge do not need to be separate books from what you are claiming for your UNO hands.
โ The usual book length and spell-out rules apply.
โ Team spreadsheets will be updated with a mini challenge tab so that you can track your books and claim your points.
โ Books can be started at any point since the start of the UNO challenge (Feb 1).
โ Books need to be finished after the start of this mini challenge on 14 Feb, 9am UTC (Countdown: https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown...) and before 1 March, 9am UTC.
description๐ต๐ผ Preliminary Investigation ๐ต๐ผ
1. A book with a character or author or narrator (editor, translator also accepted) who has a colour (something colour-related) in their name
2. A book with a colour in the (sub)title or series title
3. A book with the word "shade" or "hue" or "tone" in text (we are looking for the word, not the context, plural is accepted)
4. A book from the Goodreads Shelf Rainbow OR Spectrum
5. A book with the word "mystery" in title or series title (plural accepted)
6. A book where a character has a colour-related profession or hobby (artist, tanner, designer, painter, illustrator, stylist, makeup artist, florist, craftsperson, etc.).
7. A book with glasses (spectacles) or a magnifying glass on cover
8. A book that mentions a real or fictional place name or geographical name that is associated with a colour (Blue Mountains, Chicago - the White City, etc...)
9. A book from the Goodreads Shelf Sleuth
10. A book with a cover that has at least 3 UNO colours (red, blue, green, yellow - % doesn't matter, letters count)
11. A book with a cover that has at least 3 Non-UNO colours (black, white, brown, grey, orange, purple, pink - % doesn't matter, letters count)
๐จ Prime Suspect: Have You Seen That Colour?! ๐จ
โTeam colours are listed below. (Teams with "ambiguous" names may choose from 2 options.)
๐ Find 4 different shade names of your team colour in the text or (sub)title, or series title. (1 shade/1 book)
- 1 may be the basic colour word (it doesn't have to be)
- 3 have to be specific shade words
(You may use this link for reference, but you don't have to. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Opening this on the laptop will bring you all the shade names of the colours listed with a palette, but it may have a different/very limited display when you are on the phone!)
! For colour shades: word is OK, plural accepted, meaning/context doesn't matter (book page/or chapter still needs to be provided). E.g.: Burgundy is accepted whether it refers to wine or the region or colour.
12. Shade 1
13. Shade 2
14. Shade 3
15. Shade 4
๐ Find 4 different things in the text or in the (sub)title or series title or on the cover commonly associated with your team colour.
These may be objects, phenomena, food, drink, places, symbols or concepts. (1 association/ 1 book)
You may choose any variety, but you cannot repeat the same thing. (I.e.: you can go after red fruits or yellow flowers, but they need to be 4 different ones.
Creativity is encouraged and you are given space for manoeuvering. The Colour Police ๐ฎโโ๏ธ๐จwill not judge you, if the team decides whether they consider a sunset red or orange, etc.)
16. Association
17. Association
18. Association
19. Association
+20. A book with a cover that is at least 50% your team colour.
๐Secondary Leads & Shady Associates๐ถ๏ธ
Choose 2 other colours (different from your team's).
- If your team name includes a non-UNO colour, both chosen colours may be UNO colours, but at least one must be.
- If your team name includes an UNO colour, then at least one of the chosen colours must be a non-UNO colour.
๐ Find 4 different shade names of the first Chosen Colour (1) in the text or (sub)title, or series title.
- 1 may be the basic colour word (it does not have to be).
- 3 have to be specific shade words.
21. Shade 1
22. Shade 2
23. Shade 3
24. Shade 4
+25. A book with a cover that is at least 50% of the first Chosen Colour.
๐ Find 4 different things commonly associated with the second Chosen Colour (2) in the text or (sub)title or series title or on the cover.
These may be objects, phenomena, food, drinks, places, symbols, or concepts, and may not be repeated.
26. Association
27. Association
28. Association
29. Association
+30. A book with a cover that is at least 50% of the second Chosen Colour.
๐Team Colours๐Azure (blue)
Bob S & the Silver Bullet Band (grey)
Caribbean Blue
Chartreuse (green or yellow)
Crimson & Clover (red or green)
Deep Purple
Ebony & Ivory (black or white)
Emerald Eyes (green)
Fields of Gold (yellow)
Green Day
Grey Seal
Indigo Girls (blue or purple)
Maroon 5 (red or brown)
Mint Car (green)
Ocean Colour Scene (blue or green)
Pearl Jam (white)
P!nk
Pink Cadillac
Purple Rain
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Something in the Orange
Sweet Auburn (red or brown)
The Black Eyed Peas
The Coral (pink or orange)
White Wedding
Yellowcard
Zac Brown Band
The Perks Of Being A Book Addict
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (other topics)The Saint (other topics)
Once There Were Wolves (other topics)
The Night We Met (other topics)
Queen of a Distant Hive (other topics)
More...
๐๐ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Team Members:
โ Captain Gem
โ Co-Captain Gwen Landis
โ Nicole
โ RachelG.
โ MelanieJoy
โ Louise
โ Klare
โ Andrea
๐๐ Team Spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
๐น Teams Current Points
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...