Krista’s Comments (group member since Jul 24, 2010)

Krista’s comments from the Reading with Style group.

Please post your completed points frequently, especially at the beginning of the challenge. Smaller lists of completed books are easier for me to manage especially if I have any questions for you about the points you're claiming. So, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE --- post early and post often!

Post your completed tasks here. Use the following format when posting tasks. This is the order I record the Style points on the scoring spreadsheet, so it will save me some time if you could list the points in the same order.

Be sure to include how the book qualifies for the Style points. For instance if you need to read a book from a specific timeframe for the task, please provide the ORIGINAL publication year when claiming points.

Reading w/Style (RwS) Sample Completed Tasks Post:
(Note: While this is an actual book, some of the Style points have been fabricated for illustration purposes)

Task 20.1 Monsterfest Redux: The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

+20 Task
+10 Combo (10.5, "City" in title; 20.8, Non-fiction)
+ 5 Series (Book 2 in 'Devil' series)
+10 Canon
+10 Lit (Translated from Spanish)
+15 Jumbo (820 pages)

Task Total = 70
Grand Total = 710 (This total assumes that we're mid-season and you had already posted 640 points.)

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Reading through Time (RtT) Sample Completed Tasks Post for a 'Constant Traveler' & a RwS Task Combined:

RtT Tasks, Traveler Type = Constant

Task 15.1 (1951-2000) - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon (Publ 2000)

+15 Task
Task Total = 15

Task 15.2 (1901-1950) The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford (Publ 1945)

+15 Task
+10 Style Points
Task Total = 25

RwS
Task 10.3 - Fall Birthdays:
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (Birthdate: Nov. 8th)

+10 Task
+5 Combo (10.2 Literature Map, Author: Wilkie Collins)

Task Total = 15

Grand Total = 410 (Assumes earlier points posted.)

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Reading through Time (RtT) Sample Completed Tasks Post for a 'Time Leaper':

RtT Tasks, Traveler Type = Time Leaper

Book 1: Task 15.2 (1901-1950) The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford (Publ 1945)

+15 Task
Task Total = 15

Book 2: Task 15.4 (1801-1850)
Emma by Jane Austen (Publ 1815)

+15 Task
Task Total = 15
Grand Total = 350 (Assumes earlier points posted.)

Hi Sam: Would a collection of ghost stories work for Part C, or does it need to be a novel?

I'm thinking of using Ghost Stories of an Antiquary by Montague Rhodes James (M.R. James) if I can get my hands on a copy.

Also, would Odd Thomas work? I actually own this book, but haven't ever read it.

I'm having a hard time defining what a ghost means. If I got that straight in my head I'd probably be able to make more of these assessments myself. I don't read much in this genre, but I'd like to find a good juicy ghost story for this task.

Is a ghost a spirit that lives on after death? Can it be harmless, or does it have to be spooky to qualify? Any thoughts from the group?

Wow, how nice it is to simply ask and have someone jump on putting this spreadsheet together. Thanks so much Elizabeth. This will be a big help going forward!

Hi Sam:

I'm double checking to make sure my interpretation of the new 'Series' style category is correct.

Series Style point category explanation states:

"2. Series (5 points): Read a book to complete a task that is part of a series and receive 5 points. Read a book from that same series to complete another task and receive 10 points...and so on. " (I added the emphasis)

To me this means that you can't claim Series style points when books in a series are read for the same task. Multiple finishes of the same task with a series of books will only earn Series style points for the first book read for the task. Is that correct?

Elsewhere

Does anyone know if this would work for Part C, a Ghost Story?

It's told from the perspective of a dead 15 year-old girl, but I'm not sure if she'd be considered a ghost. Any thoughts?

Liz wrote: "Krista wrote: "Okay Liz -- Where are you? I'm counting on you to put the author's shown for September, October and November in a sortable spreadsheet. First and Last names in separate columns wou..."

Works for me! :-) --- You're life is mad busy right now too? Hang in there!

Okay Liz -- Where are you? I'm counting on you to put the author's shown for September, October and November in a sortable spreadsheet. First and Last names in separate columns would be nice. :-) -Krista

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Would "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe" be okay?"

Should be fine as Sam approved tomato for this task.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Erin wrote: "I'm having a "blond" moment...

According to this rule, we cannot claim ANY style points, including canon and translation?

2) You cannot claim regular style points for any book you read for Readin..."
-----
No style points for the 15 point Reading Through Time tasks. ..."

No Style points for the RtT books, but you do get the 10 point bonus per book after X number of books (based on your self-selection as a 'Constant Traveler' or a 'Time Leaper'.) AND you'll get the completion bonus if you get all 10 books in the series read.

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "For the RtT list, could we also include 2000-2010 as an option?"

Hi Jayme: I'll let Sam be the final word on this, but I think he just wanted to use books published up through the year 2000 for this cycle.

I'm thinking about slating Kindred by Octavia E. Butler for this task.

It looks like it switches geographic locations between California, and a plantation in the South. Has anyone read this? Do you think it would qualify for this task? Is enough of it set in the South for it to qualify?

Christy wrote: "Oh good, I thought I was the last person on earth who hadn't read the Girl With a Dragon Tattoo yet. I've got it on the shelf at home, ready and waiting."

I read (listened to actually) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo this challenge. I'm finally towards the top of the library queue for the second book in the series (in audio format).

I was excited to see Sam's challenge task, but then disappointed when he'd specifically ruled out Stieg Larsson. I asked him nicely let us read Larsson. (I hadn't quite gotten to the begging level yet, but was willing to go there if necessary.) He relented and removed that restriction.

Yipeee! :-)

Rhea wrote: "I'm recommending books by Jorge Luis Borges because he's my favorite author. I'm interested in other people's favorite books too, especially if they fit into this season's tasks.

Here..."

Hey, that's pretty cool to provide all the combo points and everything! You've taken the work out of the points totalling, and recommended a favorite author. It doesn't get much better than that!

I just may have to read one of these books this season. Thanks! -Krista

Can we expand farm to also include ranch? (I know, it may be splitting hairs, but it's best to get these questions answered early.) :-)

In Msg 34 Jayme asked: Only one book per RWS and RTT right? Like we can't use a book for reading with style and the same book for a Reading through Time task, right?

In Msg 35: Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "yes, no combo points for RTT - either direction. (Sorry, I shouldn't be answering for Sam and Krista, but that's my understanding of the rules.)"

You're correct Elizabeth. You can only use one book for one task.

The Reading through Time (RtT) tasks are going up in our 15 point category this season. The only bonus points you will earn for those are the 10 points per book you earn after the designated minimum number of books are read based on your selection as a Constant Traveler or a Time Leaper. (Plus the series completion bonus.)

Jayme wrote: "so we have to decide which we are before we start the challenge."

Yes. Or you can start at the top or bottom of the 'era' list and then decide after you've read that book if you want to be a Constant Traveler or a Time Leaper. If you're going to be a Constant Traveler, the first book read needs to be either published in the oldest era, or the newest era.

Wow, 31 members (so far) joined on the first day the group was made public. Pretty Cool! I'd just like to say "Welcome to the Group" everyone.

I'm looking forward having more space to stretch our wings in a whole separate GR group. I think it's going to be another fantastic season!!

-Krista