Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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Pass The Parcel: Round 3 - Q&A/Announcements
Q&AAbout the Challenge
Q: I see in the directions that a theme will be called each Friday. Under what circumstances would I need to read more than one book per week? Just if I fall behind?
A: Yes. You will only be reading more than one book in a week if you are behind in your reading. However if you can use a 'pass' (option 3) during the challenge you could read only 9 books in 11 weeks. This will be entirely dependent on how your team works those 5 available passes in each 5 week block - remembering that there likely 6 team members in your team.
Falling behind by more than two books: you can't fall behind by more than two books. If you have two books outstanding at the theme announcement, you will need to have read at least one book in the new theme's week. If another theme is announced and you have three books unread, then I will have to remove you :)
Q: Do we have to report anywhere when the team is done with a week's theme?
A: Each group will have their own thread, and members will post their progress there. Team Captains will summarise team progress at the front of their team thread. I will maintain an overall progress chart for all the teams - and will post progress sporadically, but definitely in the last week ;)
Q: Option 2. Select a book from the 'READ' list of a team-mate that they read in the last 6 months AND that the team-mate rated at least 3 stars. Can we have a firm date set for the full challenge, eg 1 August, to allow for planning?
A: No. The six months will recalibrate each week - you can't plan until you have your team and it is only 6 members whose shelves you can pick from. I'll provide the six month date limit each week to avoid confusion.
Q: Regarding the option to 'pass'. Do we have to decide that week who's passing or could we choose later on? Let's say that during week 1, everybody decides to read their book but once week 2 starts, one player realizes she cannot read week 1's book for whatever reason. Assuming that nobody else from the team passed, could she then decide to pass on last week's book?
A: No. The book selection or pass needs to be specified in the theme announcement week.
Further members can only change their book selection in that theme's week. Once the next theme is announced, books are set in stone and cannot be changed.
Q: Do the books we use have to be on a particular bookshelf?
A: In some cases yes. Where shelves and lists have been specified, the books MUST be on those shelves/lists. This also applies to themes #10 'random book lists' and #20 'romantic-suspense' - books MUST come from those shelves.
Otherwise the book can qualify because it fits the description in other ways, eg from the GR summary or title.
Q: Must people follow the format you provided exactly? Or does the captain just need to make sure they include pertinent info? Week, book, # of pages, option and in the case they pick a shelf/listopia, a link to that?
A: I absolutely need the information requested here. I don't mind what the format is, although I would prefer it set out in the order of the list.
A link or bookcover MUST be used. You cannot just type out the book title. And where the book is from a list or bookshelf, a link to that source MUST be provided.
The reasons:
* If you don't have the link to the book, the Captain and I will have trouble checking that the book qualifies. There are a lot of books out there with the same title. You don't want to be told AFTER you have read the book that it doesn't work.
* I need the week that the book relates to since some books may be read out of order.
* The page numbers makes it so much easier for everyone to know that the books complies with the rules.
* The same for the bookshelf link or the qualifying note referencing the GR summary (ie how it qualifies for the theme).
I think it is important that the members do their bit to help out the Captain and the organizers to show compliance without us having to go digging :)
Q: When you say "the Captain will also double-check that your book selection complies with the rules": Does this mean that if team-members say 'book is in this shelf' the captain must verify that the book is actually on the shelf? And that if they say the theme is in the GR summary, we also have to verify that?
A: I don't want the Captain to be a policeman but we do need someone in each team following how the rest of the team is progressing. If the info provided by the member looks reasonable to the Captain, fine - there is no need to investigate each link or how the book qualifies.
But if we are reading a theme and the book selected looks dubious for that theme or how it qualifies, I would like the Captain to check it out further.
Q: What is the precis?
A: The precis is the blurb on the back of the book cover; the summary; the synopsis. Any of the details that are posted on the GR book description page will qualify.
Q: My book doesn't have a page count on Goodreads but I have the word count. Can I use the word count and what is the minimum acceptable?
A: Yes - a 35,000 minimum word count will be accepted as a substitute for the 100 page minimum. Because the word count to page conversion varies greatly, I have gone at the high end for this conversion.
Q: My book doesn't have a page count on Goodreads but Amazon does have a page count. Can I use Amazon's page count?
A: Yes
Q: If I read two books during the challenge that qualify for an announced theme, does our team earn more points?
A: No. We don't actually accumulate points in this challenge. You and your team-mates either complete all your reading and are ready to 'read-off' in the last week (week 11), or you aren't...
Q: If a team member is going to be away during the week of a theme, can they leave a list of pre-selected books (for all remaining themes) with the Team Captain to post that week?
A: Yes. If the team member has already highlighted that they will be away for a particular week, or has an operation etc, I am happy for the Team Captain to post that participant's book selection post. They must have pre-selected a book for that theme though.
The alternative is for the absent member to pre-select a book that complies with option 2, taking into account the 6 month date that will apply during that week.
Q: If a team member is reading a book in another language, should they post the book link in the selection & completion posts to the non-English version or to the English version?
A: Please link all books to the English version of that book. The book MUST have an English version to qualify for use during this challenge. (Apologies to everyone that is affected by this rule, but I need to know that the book qualifies for the theme etc.)
Q: Are re-reads allowed?
A: Yes. But each book can only be read once during the round/challenge.
If the theme specifically excludes a re-read, eg First in a new (to you) series, then obviously you must select a book you haven't read before.
Q: Does the book have to be a romance?
A: No, but it does have to be a novel. Text books will not count. Biographies and autobiographies are OK.
Q&AAbout the Themes - listed here
Q: Will any of the themes be repeated?
A: No, not for this round, nor any rounds in the balance of this year.
Q: Do we have to support that the book shows up in that particular shelf (eg showing you a link of how many people shelved a particular book as 'crying') or just saying 'it's in the grief shelf' would suffice?
A: You must provide a link to that shelf/list within your selection book post.
Q: What happens if a book is mis-shelved?
A: If books have been incorrectly shelved, they still count for that round. (I would appreciate them being removed if it is an RRRC shelf AFTER the round is finished.)
'Themes must be apparent in the title, the goodreads summary page or must be shelved by a GR member using words that show eligibility.'
Q: 'must be shelved by a GR member' - Does this mean on the RRRC group bookshelves, or any bookshelf?
A: The shelf can occur anywhere on goodreads. Not just in the RRRC group. This rule however does NOT apply for themes where a specific list or bookshelf has been provided already - all books chosen for those themes MUST come from the linked shelves/lists.
Q: Does the book HAVE to be on a bookshelf?
A: Where a shelf has been listed for that theme, YES.
Q: Are listopia lists sufficient for proof of eligibility?
A: Listopia will work for eligibility where it's name is apparent and correlated to the theme.
Q: #8 - Book cover predominantly black (at least 50%). Can we use alternate edition covers of the same book?
A: The cover should match the version/edition of the actual book you are reading. If the version you are reading doesn't have a cover loaded on GR or the cover has changed since you put the book on your shelf, please use the closest match to your cover.
Q: Can I add books I haven't read to the Romantic Suspense shelf? Is there a group guideline for adding to the shelves?
A: Yes. You can add books you haven't read to any of the RRRC shelves where eligibility is clear eg. YA, shapeshifter, sci-if, audiobook, etc. If you aren't sure, don't add it.
Please ensure that if you do add a book to any RRRC bookshelf, that all relevant themes are attached to that book. Eg. If the book is 'romantic suspense' but also a menage, please ensure that 'menage' is also selected as a category.
Q: Do you have a definition for Romantic Suspense?
A: Not specifically - please use your common sense, but I would expect an element of uncertainty for the MCs clearly outlined in the precis or reviews.
Q: Book length - Some books straddle the page minimums depending on format (eg all books must be at least 100 pages). Can I choose, for example, to use the paperback page count per goodreads even though the hardback page count for the same book does not qualify?
A: Yes. If there is a goodreads edition that cites over 100 pages (any edition), that book is fine to use.
Q: When the themes are announced is there going to be listopia or Readers shelves suggested to help us pick?
A: I have now included in the themes the lists/shelves that can be used to select books in most cases, where applicable. There are only a few themes where you have free-reign on shelf selection being 'law enforcement' and 'single parent'. For these themes, I am using the previous style of requiring key words to be on the bookshelf/list. One of these words MUST be in the name of the list/shelf, for that book to qualify.
Q: Do the 'random lists' for theme #10 change?
A: Yes and No - these lists are used and maintained by Yz and other 'randomizers'. The first three lists are static lists; '151-200 random book list' is a work in progress and will have books added to it each week. Participants in the PtP are NOT to add books to these lists.
There are nearly 2,000 books on these lists and from all genres. I would expect that you should be able to find something to read there.
Q: Does the 100 minimum page count still apply where books are included on a list/shelf that are under 100 pages.
A: Yes - the 100 page minimum still applies.
How to insert a link into a post
To insert a simple link to a shelf there are a couple of options:
* Copy the https address in the address bar of the page where the book is found - highlight the web-address, copy the address, and paste into your post
or
* Find a link to the shelf that you want (eg on my lists of shelves to use for the themes), right click with your mouse, select 'Copy Link Location' and then paste into your post
If you want to make it pretty and have a specific name:
* Type <*a href="insert the link that you copied as per above">name the location<*/a> but without the asterisks.
Question for the theme headless model on the cover there are cases where covers have more than one model, do all the models have to be headless or can just one that fits the requirement qualify?
I just need one headless model, Roger. So if one qualifies, it's good to go :)
now about the first post in this page it says starting date 12 February 2014. are you going to change that to what the starting date is for this round?
Apologies - I obviously missed that date. The dates in the first post of the sign up thread are the ones to follow.I'll fix these up on Thursday when I'm back on my computer :)
The participants in this round are doing great! EVERYONE has checked in already!*High 5*
So - assuming we get all the team naming sorted out and Captains appointed - do you want to start extra early?? Rather than a Wednesday start as per other rounds, we could start on Monday. ...But of course, you'd still need to wait 11 days for the next call...
I'm all for it! Makes it easier to choose a longer book and less time fretting that you will start the perfect book for the theme too!
Monday is good!
Starting on Monday sounds great to me!
OK!But I still need the team names and Captains first :)
Jane,Team 2
Name Double Trouble.
Captain. Lisa
Hey Jane -- Sadly, I'm the captain for Team 7 and we would like to be known henceforth as The Space Monkey Mafia. :P
Lol Katie - gotta make sure you are kept extra busy ;)
Jane sorry, just looked Ipad added an extra a in our name.Can you amend to Double Trouble.
Thanks
Lisa - President of Challengeaholics Anon and Challenge Enabler wrote: "Jane sorry, just looked Ipad added an extra a in our name.Can you amend to Double Trouble.
Thanks"
Sure - I thought it had some sort of meaning in the northern hemisphere I wasn't aware of ;)
For the single parent category, could the shelf be "single father" or "single mother"? Or does it have to be specifically "single parent"?THANKS!
I'm happy to expand it to single mother/father :) I'll change the theme to reflect that.
Jane (PS) wrote: "I'm happy to expand it to single mother/father :) I'll change the theme to reflect that."Thanks, Jane!
Team 1: Frisky FirstiesCaptain: Mrs.Soule (I knew I shouldn't have told them this was my 3rd round ;)
Mrs.soule wrote: "Team 1: Frisky FirstiesCaptain: Mrs.Soule (I knew I shouldn't have told them this was my 3rd round ;)"
I had a similar issue. Told them it was my 3rd time and I had more time to read since my son started Kindergarten.
Since Vi may be offline I will postTeam 5
Vi is Captain
Name: Axiomatic Minks
And we are ready for a Monday start!!
Woohoo - all teams are now sorted.I'll call the first theme on Monday :)
Can we start reading as soon as the theme is called for any week?
dose everybody in the team read at once or do we take turns I am unsure
theguiltiespleasure wrote: "dose everybody in the team read at once or do we take turns I am unsure"everyone reads at once
Week 1Option 1:
12. MC is a nerd/geek/genius - from the following lists:
Books With Nerdy, Geeky or Genius Heroes and Heroines
Brainy Genius Romantic Heroes
Nerdgasms
Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Option 2:
Key date: 8 March 2014
*Please* ensure your selection and completion posts comply with msg 3 in the 'We're Off and Running' Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Just a general goodreads policy reminder...Please make sure that when you write up your review, that you do not reveal how the story proceeds or resolves itself. Please put any comments that may do this behind spoiler tags. A lot of our members get really upset when they read a spoiler on a book that they are intending to read themselves.
Opinions on the book are fine - just don't reveal the details and plot beyond that already clearly stated in the precis.
To hide a spoiler comment type the following around the comment without the asterisks:
<*spoiler> blah blah blah<*/spoiler)
Jane, are we going to have a "team progress" board for captains to post on this round? I think I remember seeing that on the last round...I think.
Not for the Captains to post. If the Captains keep up to date (track) in the their thread (on the first page) I'll post progress updates that link to a spreadsheet in google so that all the teams can see where they stand :)I'll use the Captains posts to make sure I haven't missed anything.
Captains - could you please make sure all the theme qualifications contain a link to the page in the list/shelf where the book was selected. It is optional to include the book's numbering on that page (eg book 295), but that does make it easy :)Please refer to https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Do you want that to be part of our "Captain's Log" post for each team member or just to check for the links ourselves?
Mrs.soule wrote: "Do you want that to be part of our "Captain's Log" post for each team member or just to check for the links ourselves?"You don't need the links to be part of your tracking/log - just be satisfied that the links are there :)
Week 2Option 1:
14. Unrequited love - from the following lists:
Unrequited Love
Unrequited Love bookshelf (MM books included)
Long Term Unrequited Love
The Paranormal Unrequited Love List
Hero in love with the heroine before she is with him
Option 2:
Key date: 20 March 2014
*Please* ensure your selection and completion posts comply with msg 3 in the 'We're Off and Running' Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
*Please* make sure you link to the list that you use - refer msg 4 above on how to insert a link into your posts.
Hi Jane, I have a question - instead of searching through Unrequited Love bookshelf, if suppose we find the book to be shelved as unrequited-love (same bookshelf), would you accept that?For example,
is shelved as unrequited love by 2 people on page 5. Can we use it?
The book is still on the bookshelf that I posted but you found it a different way? Eg through the book's top shelves?
I can confirm it is on page 5 of the shelf. The question still holds - instead of going through the entire bookshelf, if I find the same shelf in the Top shelves of the book, can I use it? (AM I making it sound too complicated?)
That's fine Vi.I don't mind how you find it - so long as it is there somewhere :)
Week 3Option 1:
2. Friends to lovers - from the following lists:
When friends Fall In Love
Friends to Lovers bookshelf
Best Gay Friends Become Lovers
Childhood Friends Bcome Gay Lovers
Childhood Friends Become Gay Lovers Part 2
Option 2:
Key date: 28 March 2014
*Please* ensure your selection and completion posts comply with msg 3 in the 'We're Off and Running' Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
*Please* make sure you link to the list that you use - refer msg 4 above on how to insert a link into your posts.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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I will also announce the themes each Friday in this thread and keep track of those categories announced in this message.
Themes Announced:
Week 1:
Option 1:
12. MC is a nerd/geek/genius - from the following lists:
Books With Nerdy, Geeky or Genius Heroes and Heroines
Brainy Genius Romantic Heroes
Nerdgasms
Best Gay Romance with Bookish Nerdy Geeky Characters
Option 2:
Key date: 8 March 2014
***
Week 2
Option 1:
14. Unrequited love - from the following lists:
Unrequited Love
Unrequited Love bookshelf (MM books included)
Long Term Unrequited Love
The Paranormal Unrequited Love List
Hero in love with the heroine before she is with him
Option 2:
Key date: 20 March 2014
***
Week 3
Option 1:
2. Friends to lovers - from the following lists:
When friends Fall In Love
Friends to Lovers bookshelf
Best Gay Friends Become Lovers
Childhood Friends Bcome Gay Lovers
Childhood Friends Become Gay Lovers Part 2
Option 2:
Key date: 28 March 2014
***
Week 4
Option 1:
17. Book title that starts with 'A', 'An', 'The'.
Option 2:
Key date: 4 April 2014
***
Week 5
Option 1:
13. MC is a single parent.
To qualify for this theme, the fact that an MC is a single must be clear in the precis OR must come from a bookshelf or list that has 'single parent/mother/father/daddy/mummy' in it's name. (Only one of the parent equivalent words are required in the shelf/list name. Eg 'Single father')
Option 2:
Key date: 11 April 2014
***
Week 6
Option 1:
3. Book starting with the letter 'G'
You are fine to ignore 'A', 'An' and 'The' at the beginning of the title.
Option 2:
Key date: 18 April 2014
***
Week 7
Option 1:
7. MC works in law enforcement.
The word 'police', 'sheriff', 'detective', 'FBI', 'cop', 'law enforcement' MUST be in the shelf/list name OR clearly outlined in the precis. (Expansions/contractions of these words are acceptable)
Option 2:
Key date: 25 April 2014
***
Week 8:
Option 1:
19. Scarred/injured MC - from the following lists:
Scars are sexy
scarred bookshelf
Gay Romance Featuring a Scarred MC
Option 2:
Key date: 2 May 2014
***
Week 9:
Option 1:
1. Main character is royal - from the following lists:
Royalty in Romance
Royalty bookshelf
King Queen
Gay Romance Featuring Royalty Nobility
Option 2:
Key date: 9 May 2014
***
Week 10:
Option 1:
6. Time for a cleansing cry. Select a book from one of the following lists:
Made Me Cry
Cry Tear Jerker Romances
Tear Jerker Romance Novels that Jerked the Tears Right Out of Ya
Best Gay Tear Jerker with an HEA
Heartbreaking Gay Romance
Option 2:
Key date: 16 May 2014
***
Week 11:
Option 1:
15. Author or MC lives in, or is from, California.
Clarification: they (author or MC) may be been born in California but then moved. That is OK.
Please advise HOW you know the author or MC is from/lives in California. This may be precis, lists, shelves, wikipedia etc... I just need to know where you obtained the information. Please LINK to the info.
Option 2:
Key date: 21 May 2014
This week, if you use Option 2, you will select your book from the bookshelves of a member in the team BELOW your team. That is: someone in team Eclectic Six will pick a book from a member in team Space Monkey Mafia. The Romantics will select from members in team Eclectic Six. This only applies if you use Option 2.
Eclectic Six
Space Monkey Mafia
Double Trouble
The Axiomatic Minks
Three Ring Circus
Frisky Firsts
The Romantics
Refer post 128 for formatting required if you use this option.