Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

RRRC’s World Cup of Romance Genres Tournament

With World Cup 2014 officially over and done with (congrats Germany), its time for the 1st RRRC World Cup of Romance Genres. Have you ever wondered which romance genre/sub-genre/theme is the most popular and wanted to try a wide variety, then this tournament may be for you.

The mods have put together a list of what we think are some of the more common romance sub-genres/themes/tropes that will battle it out to see which one will reign supreme in the 1st RRRC World Cup of Romance Reading

There will be 2 phases to the tournament – you can choose to play in only one or both, it is up to you. There will be a maximum number of books set for each phase to determine which books move through each rounds, and a set time period for each phase and round.

This is going to be a fairly complicated challenge, so please bear with us. Due to the complicated nature of this challenge, there are going to be some guidelines for how posts need to be formatted etc (for ease of scoring).

Questions and Answers

1. Do we get to choose what genres/sub genres we read? Or at least list ones we never read and have not interest in reading?

the groups are randomly assigned with 5 sub-genres, themes in each. You can opt to not read one of themes in your group if you have issues with it, but you won't get any points read for that book or predictions

2. If I finish my first group, can I read a second?

yes - just post in the thread that all 5 books are completed (I will be checking prior to putting you in another group).

3. Required Page Count
minimum 150pgs or 45k words

Genre/Trope Clarifications
Victorian - books set from 1837-1901
Regency - 1811-1820
Medieval - 5th to 15th century - inclusive of Nordic
early 20th C thru WW2 - until the end of WW2 (1901-1945)

Using this example from another post:

Group A
1. Vampire
3. Regency
2. GLBT
5. Ghost
4. Space Opera

Assume I am assigned to this group.

1. Do I get to choose the book I want to read for each of my categories? For Vampire -- I can choose whatever Vampire book I want, including re-reads?

2. If so, what proof is needed that the book fits the category? Does it have to be on a particular shelf or list? Or mentioned in the plot description, or have the genre listed?

3. I think this is NOT a team challenge correct? SO if I try it and find it is not working out for me, I won't be messing things up for any other players. Is that right?

Thank you Dee for hosting this challenge. I appreciate the work that you and the other moderators put into creating and managing these games for the group.

going to delete your double post susan ;)

yes, so if you have vampire, then you can read any book that is a romance and has vampires - it just needs to be obvious from the shelving on GR/the description that it fits the theme

not a team challenge - the groups are solely for determing which books move on

so say you, me and Ty are in group A - we all rank our books - I take the individual ranks, do my funky math and figure out which 2 from our 5 move on - does that make sense?

its part of the reason we also decided to divide up the round robin and the play-off - so that people could do one or the other, or both

Stinkin' screwed up connection - -I didn't think my question had posted at all!

Yes, your answer makes sense to me. I think I understand the game now. Thanks!

Think of it as a betting pool for a sports event - you are competing against everyone for poibts

Is there a list of the "subgenres"?

i'll be posting it either tomorrow or Friday - unless you guys successfully bribe me with something ;)

Dee wrote: "i'll be posting it either tomorrow or Friday - unless you guys successfully bribe me with something ;)"

Do you shop at KOBO? I've got a bunch of 65% off coupons I can give you :)

Haha I don't but thanks

Hi Dee, what is the qualifying criteria for a book to fit the theme? I am assuming it will have to be shelved as the sub genre theme (eg paranormal) for us to use it?

Also, will you be providing shelves for us to find books for each of the more "obscure" themes? I struggle to distinguish between some of the themes, eg, Urban Fantasy vs Paranormal Fantasy. And I have never even heard of Space Opera!?!? :)

I can't wait to see what Group I am in and what themes I will be reading...

Margaret - qualifying criteria - has to be shelved as romance and then the theme apparent from shelving; book description; title etc

We tried to keep the themes fairly common/not too obscure

Dee wrote: "Margaret - qualifying criteria - has to be shelved as romance and then the theme apparent from shelving; book description; title etc

We tried to keep the themes fairly common/not too obscure"

Makes sense - thanks Dee :)

Can I confirm, can the books come from any groups shelves, provided they fit the theme and are romance?

Yep - as long as they have romance and you can identify the theme via title/description/shelving - you are good

I know I saw page count somewhere... I just can't remember >_<

150pgs/45k words - i'll put it in the FAQ

Will the themes be posted soon?

Lisa - President of Challengeaholics Anon and Challenge Enabler wrote: "Will the themes be posted soon?"

What she asked.

Soon - I'm out right now - by 8pm est

I have read all the intructions I think, but did not find how much time is required (or min/max time?) to read all 5 books? The amount of time will determine if I decide to be assigned to one group or two.

this first round is going to be a month - so 5 books in that time period

i won't be doing anything with the data until the month is up, so there is no rush to finish; no one wins anything by finishing first

Predictions:

For every group, A-H, I rank them from 1 - 5, with 1 the highest -- this ranking reflects what I think the group as a whole will like, not necessarily what I like. Is this correct? When do we post our predictions? Do we put them in spoiler?

After I read my 5 books, I rank what I read (1-5) based on how much I liked the particular book I read, not on the theme as a whole. Is this correct?

After I've read my 5 books, I can request another group - -will I pick the group, or do you assign the group?

Thanks for your help!

for predictions, you only need to pick 1 and 2...only the top 2 from each group will move through to the next round

when you read your books - rank from 1-5 - each book will get points for ranking - rank for the theme and liking the book - since we are looking for the best theme/sub-genre in romance

I'll assign the group if you want to do another after you have finished your first one

Can you check Predictions message 52 and tell me if that is what you want?

Yep that's exactly right

Ok, so I've got the predictions thing, but then what I don't understand is what we're supposed to read? Are you going to assign groups or something once all the predictions are made? Or do we have read every category?

when sign-ups close on the 29th, I'll throw the names into my magical mixer and pick out the 8 teams

you only have to read the books for your assigned team

so for example, you are randomly assigned to group A

Group A
Romantic Suspense
Cop/Mil/Firefighter
Steampunk
Medieval
Reunited/Second Chance

you would read 1 book that fits each of those categories (so 5 books total); and then rank those books once done on favorite (based on the theme/overall story)

Ok, thanks, that makes more sense. LOL Oh man, I hope the magical mixers on my side, because some of those categories...

what - you don't like what the magic mixer came out with? lol!

I am so in trouble with alot of those cats. There are only a couple of groups that appeal. Some of the themes are usually no gos for me.

Dee wrote: "what - you don't like what the magic mixer came out with? lol!"

LMAO, well, that's why it's a challenge. I'll have to stretch outside my comfort zone on some of them. We'll see.

I remember dreading having to do Nordic Noir for a challenge once and ended up really liking it!

I know which challenge and what season that was, Sass..... much better than a certain Asian zoo one... *still muttering after all this time*

geez Ty...that was like what 5 seasons ago...

and that's how bitter I am.

lol

lol

Sassafrass wrote: "Ok, thanks, that makes more sense. LOL Oh man, I hope the magical mixers on my side, because some of those categories..."

I definitely know which category I don't want to be in. But if I say it, I know the magical mixer will put me there!

I think I'd be good with all of the groups. There is one I'd prefer not to have... but I think I'm with Pam, I'll keep that to myself :D

I bet I know which one, Breann. LOL.

I'm preparing for the worst. I'm already trying to decide what books I'll read if I'm in there. :P

I'm just glad we can re-read. I prefer new reads, but in a pinch, a re-read will do for me.

Breann wrote: "I think I'd be good with all of the groups. There is one I'd prefer not to have... but I think I'm with Pam, I'll keep that to myself :D"

I think there is one that sticks out as having some of my least favorite sub genres but it also has some subgenres I like. but will not name it, for the magical mixers has a way of putting me where I don't want to be when I say it out loud!

There is one group that I want no part of as well...I wonder if we are all worried about the same group?

lol - well, we'll see what the magical mixer says tonight/tomorrow

I'm with Lisa. This is definitely going to be a challenge! I already foresee me getting a group with themes that are totally out of my comfort zone.

I might have missed it, but can the books be rereads or also used for other challenges? Thanks.

Re-reads and other challenges are fine

Dee wrote: "what - you don't like what the magic mixer came out with? lol!"

I don't comment often, but I must say, this is one of my favorite groups. I almost snorted my tea with this conversation. lol I'm hoping the magic mixer is kind to all of us! :)

i'm sure everyone would like the magic mixer more if it was a magic margarita mixer ;)

That sounds great to me! Yummy!