The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Excellent! Thank you. I'm a INTJ and a little OCD, so I feel all anxious if I don't follow the rules properly.

Navarra wrote: "Excellent! Thank you. I'm a INTJ and a little OCD, so I feel all anxious if I don't follow the rules properly."

Hey, the mods appreciate it if you read and follow the rules! And it makes your completed task posts easier to process.

Me again... I'd rather ask even if it seems silly.
1.- When I complete a book and post a task, I also post the points, etc., or does a mod do it?

2.- When it's a 2 book challenge, the points we get are for 1 or 2 books? For example task 25.6 "This is home" requires us to read 2 books. Do we get 25 or 50 points?

Pia wrote: "Me again... I'd rather ask even if it seems silly.
1.- When I complete a book and post a task, I also post the points, etc., or does a mod do it?

2.- When it's a 2 book challenge, the points we g..."

You just post your completed task. You wouldn't be able to post anything on the readerboard.

Any task has as many points as its number indicates - so a 25 point task has 25 points. However, you must read both books, to get the points, and you should not post until you have read both books and can give all the information for the complete task requirements.

Hi! I meant when you post in the completed tasks section. You post the points you get, and if it's a BB or GRA book, right?

I've seen that the posts have this info:
Points this task: 5
Grand Total:5
BB Tickets:0
GRA Tickets: 0
Total Books: 1

Hi, this is my first challenge and I've come across a book that I want to use that I don't know where to begin getting it verified. The book is Gerard's Beauty - it's only available in ebook form, but is on the list as verified for length. But I own it as part of this collection: Kingdom Series Collection: Books 1-3, which also only exists in eBook form. I also need the genre verified for fairy tale. So how should I proceed? Thanks!

If you need genre verified, go here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Also, if they are only available in ebook format, you can get length verified here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I looked at Kingdom Series Collection and saw a paperback edition.

Berls, here's the official rule on reading something from a collection:

"If you choose to read an element isolated from an aggregate work, you MUST include a link to the book (isbn) that you read AND provide a link to a separately published work that relates to the isolated title. The use of particular title words, cover colors, or cover images to fulfill tasks applies to the actual book that you read.

Page numbers should be determined by the copy you read whenever possible. If a component part has 200 pages in the volume you read, record those numbers. For digital or audio formats use the page numbers provided if possible or follow the page number guidelines in item 8 above for the isolated title."

So, since Gerard's Beauty has already been verified for length, you should be good to go. Just link to the collection, and the individual book, and mention that the length is approved. And of course go get the genre verified. :)

Regarding the new children's rules, if the book is brand new, has children's listed and does not show up on AR, we can't use it anywhere even if it's almost 500 pages, or is it allowed on one 5 point task if it's not on AR at all yet? Sorry - I'm still just a little confused on this new rule.

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Pia wrote: "Hi! I meant when you post in the completed tasks section. You post the points you get, and if it's a BB or GRA book, right?

I've seen that the posts have this info:
Points this task: 5
Grand Total..."

Sure, it's a good idea to add this info to the bottom of your post. That way the readerboard mod can check her totals against yours. Please keep in mind that if you are claiming Big Book or GR author tickets, you must say so explicitly in your post - the total at the bottom is not enough.

Karen Michele wrote: "Regarding the new children's rules, if the book is brand new, has children's listed and does not show up on AR, we can't use it anywhere even if it's almost 500 pages, or is it allowed on one 5 poi..."

You can use it for 5.10.

Thanks, Sandy,
That's where i put it and then I will see if it gets on AR later in the challenge.

Karen Michele wrote: "Thanks, Sandy,
That's where i put it and then I will see if it gets on AR later in the challenge."

and that could certainly happen.

Sandy - this is an odd request and I didn't know where to put it so I'm hoping you can help me out. Paul's task (20.8) is showing up as 2 letter O in the help thread. I noticed this because I typically sort by task number and couldn't find it earlier this evening. (Hope this makes sense!)

Rebecca NJ wrote: "Sandy - this is an odd request and I didn't know where to put it so I'm hoping you can help me out. Paul's task (20.8) is showing up as 2 letter O in the help thread. I noticed this because I typic..."

that does make sense (your explanation, not my doing it in the first place!), and I'll go fix it! Thanks for letting me know.

Sandy wrote: "that does make sense (your explanation, not my doing it in the first place!), and I'll go fix it! Thanks for letting me know. "

LOL!! Thanks Sandy.

Angie wrote: "Berls, here's the official rule on reading something from a collection:

"If you choose to read an element isolated from an aggregate work, you MUST include a link to the book (isbn) that you read ..."

Thank you so much Angie!

Can I backdate to the 1st of september, or do I start completing the tasks from now?

Anita wrote: "Can I backdate to the 1st of september, or do I start completing the tasks from now?"

You can backdate to the 1st of September, all books read during the 3 month of the challenge work, even if you started at a later date.

I can't find the Serine book even at my usually reliable library and i can't buy it this month. Does anyone have any suggestions ? I want to participate in the challenge.

Can you get one of the other two group reads at your library? You only have to read one of the three, and that's only if you plan on completing Task 20.10. The other two are All the Light We Cannot See and A is for Alibi, which would very likely be at a reliable library.

Bob wrote: "I can't find the Serine book even at my usually reliable library and i can't buy it this month. Does anyone have any suggestions ? I want to participate in the challenge."

Do you have a Kindle? The Kindle edition is lendable, so maybe someone here can loan it to you. Or you can join BookLending.com and hope that someone gets it to you during the challenge.

Even if you don't have a Kindle, you can download the free app from Amazon, and still use those two options.

Hi! I feel like a dork asking this, but I want to include a link to the approval message for a book I read when I post my task.
I know how to get the link, but I've seen people that post like this:
Book approved "here" and the link is under "here", or book approved in this "message" and the word message takes you to it

Pia, for that you'll need to use a bit of HTML:

<*a href="LINK GOES HERE">message/here/etc<*/a>

But take out the asterisks.

Thanks!

You're welcome. :)

Hi there. New to the challenge and I might have missed this but if a book is listed as an example in a task, can we still read it. EX- Under the Dome is listed as a 5.1 book example, am I able to read it for the task?

Thanks and sorry for the newbie question!

Yes you can

Thanks a bunch!!

if it is shelved as children's/middle grade and doesn't show up in AR - you can use it for 5.10 and that's it

I ran into that problem with a book by an indie author who isn't in AR

This might be a dumb question, but as I was reading through the suggested strategies, I noticed several people comment that they had never completed a challenge. How do you complete the challenge? Is there somewhere that you have to post the tasks you want to complete? Thank you.

"Completing the challenge" means doing all the tasks. In the case of this season, there are 51 tasks with a total of 815 possible points. Obviously, it's not easy to complete all the tasks, so most of us use the challenge for personal goals and/or to expand our reading horizons. The people who do complete the challenge get to create the 25 and 30 point tasks for the next season.

You complete the challenge by correctly completing all the tasks. I usually am lucky if I manage to complete half of the tasks posted.

Many people post in the 'reading plans' thread and use this post to keep track of what tasks they have completed or have partially completed and what books they will be reading. However, you don't have to post there to take part in the challenge.

Ann A wrote: ""Completing the challenge" means doing all the tasks. In the case of this season, there are 51 tasks with a total of 815 possible points. Obviously, it's not easy to complete all the tasks, so mos..."

Got it. Thanks

Am I understanding correctly that if a book is available only in eBook, as a general statement it can't be used in any task that is page number related? Can it count towards Big Book credit?

If not, what is the purpose of the thread of ebook page length verification? Is it just to verify they are at least the minimum length requirements? What is this based on if not just using the GR length listed?

Thanks in advance for clarification.

Tara Jo, the length verification is to make sure the books meet the minimum page requirement. You must provide information from outside of GR (Amazon, Smashwords, etc), since GR page numbers can be changed by any librarian and be incorrect (or cheating, by making a too short book long enough).

Angie wrote: "Tara Jo, the length verification is to make sure the books meet the minimum page requirement. You must provide information from outside of GR (Amazon, Smashwords, etc), since GR page numbers can be..."

Thanks for clarifying...so as long as Amazon (for example) shows the length as being above the minimum, it should work for a general task, just not a page-specific task?

Can they count for Big Book credit if only available in ebook? Thanks.

That's right.

As for Big Books, I double checked the rules, and there isn't anything specifically saying you can't use e-books without print editions. But the rules do say that when a task requires page numbers you need to use the Mass Marker Paperback (or Paperback, or Hardcover) pages, which applies to audiobooks also. So I'm assuming that since Big Book tickets require page numbers, there needs to be a print edition.

QUESTION re: AR Bookfinder / Childrens books

Here are two of the rules regarding books with "childrens" or "kids" genres on main page:

c) Books that have an IL designation of MG+, UG, or UY (in the UK) may be used with no restrictions (other than general SRC and specific task requirements)

f) All AR Bookfinder information MUST be posted when the book is claimed for points or no points will be awarded (You can copy the AR BookFinder ratings)


SO ... if a book has an IL designation of MG+, UG or UY (in the U.K.) do I have to list ALL the AR BookFinder ratings ... or does it automatically qualify by just listing the IL designation?

Tara Jo wrote: "Can they count for Big Book credit if only available in ebook? Thanks. "

books that only exist in ebook form do not work for big book tickets. The moderators will try to verify that an ebook only would be at least 100 pages if it existed in print form, but trying to go any further than that is not feasible.

Tara Jo wrote: "so as long as Amazon (for example) shows the length as being above the minimum, it should work for a general task, just not a page-specific task? .."

Actually, the amazon page number is not always going to work - amazon page numbers are sometimes higher, because they include extra stuff - preview chapters of other books, etc. Dlmrose looks at a number of sources to determine whether an ebook meets the 100 page minimum.

Book Concierge wrote: "QUESTION re: AR Bookfinder / Childrens books

Here are two of the rules regarding books with "childrens" or "kids" genres on main page:

c) Books that have an IL designation of MG+, UG, or UY (in t..."

If the IL designation works with no other requirements, that's enough to include in the post.

Sandy wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "QUESTION re: AR Bookfinder / Childrens books

Here are two of the rules regarding books with "childrens" or "kids" genres on main page:

c) Books that have an IL designation ..."

I've looked and can't find an explanation....can someone assist? I've seen several references to IL Designation (and other similar codes). Is there a thread somewhere that explains these and how they should be used in relation to this challenge? It may not be too important for me based on the books I select, but curious to understand based on what some people are asking.

Thanks for clarification on the Big Book and eBook.

Tara Jo wrote: "I've looked and can't find an explanation....can someone assist? I've seen several references to IL Designation (and other similar codes). Is there a thread somewhere that explains these and how they should be used in relation to this challenge?..."

A good starting point would be to read the Rules of the Challenge.

To confirm - for task 20.4, Option #2, I need to use paperback to determine page count, correct? The Kindle edition has 328 pages but the paperback doesn't. So I'm guessing the book won't qualify for the task..?

Vi wrote: "To confirm - for task 20.4, Option #2, I need to use paperback to determine page count, correct? The Kindle edition has 328 pages but the paperback doesn't. So I'm guessing the book won't qualify f..."

Yes, for this task you need to use the paperback page count.

Tara Jo

I don't understand the AR designations either. However, you don't need to understand them. (I'm not acutally interested in what they mean, so I haven't bothered to investigate) You put your book name into AR search and if it is there it will give you the IL MG+ and whatever other parameters we need to evaluate whether the book works and for posting.

Hi, where do you find the main page genre? Is this listed on GR?

if you look on the main book page, off to the right (if they are there) - you will see a list of genres - that is what they mean

Should I see this on my GR phone app? I just don't see any genres listed!