Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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Pass The Parcel Round 17 - Week 1
This is a team challenge to encourage members to meet new friends and find new books.PLEASE READ EVERY LINE OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS
I will be referring members back to this post if you ask me something already outlined here.
For this challenge we will have teams of roughly 6 players. The group will have a team captain who will track the completion of books for their team and remind their fellow team-members about compliance to the rules. Teams will be allocated before the reading starts. This will be done randomly.
Members signing up need to be prepared TO READ APPROXIMATELY ONE BOOK EACH WEEK.
Each week a theme will be randomly selected from the list posted in msg 4. This theme will be posted in the Discussion/Q&A thread between 3pm and 6pm US EST each Friday. (Feel free to prompt me if I forget :)
PLEASE NOTE THE TIMES for the theme announcements. I cannot guarantee I will post by the 3pm mark since that is 6am for me ~ but I suspect I often will.
Each member in the group has the following options:
1. Read a book that matches the theme (the parcel)
OR
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. (This essentially passing on a recommendation.)
If the book is in a series but does not match where you are up to, you may read another book from that same series.
OR
3. 'Pass' on reading a book that week.
BUT each team member can only select option #3 once each 5 (five) weeks. AND each team may only have ONE person 'passing' for the round each week. It is up to the team as to how they manage a 'pass'. (Yes - this means that one or two team-mates per group can't claim a pass in a 5 week block.)
Each team member must post their selection (option 1, 2 or 3) in the week that the theme is announced. Please follow the format provided in msg 3. You can only change your book selection in its posting week. So choose carefully.
Each team member must return to their team thread and post a short review of the book that they read. This review should be enough to indicate that the member DID read the book. A couple of sentences is sufficient. "I liked it" is not.
Key information is required in both the selection and completion posts. Please ensure that you and your team-mates follow the format set out in msg 3 below. You and your Captain cannot claim to have completed your book until the post holds all the required information.
This challenge will run for 11 weeks. The winning team is the one that completes the challenge first; they win bragging rights :)
No-one can use the 'pass' option in the last week of the challenge.
Rules:
* Each team member MUST post their selection book into their team thread each week or they will be removed from the challenge. It isn't fair on your team-mates if you are not committed to participant each week.
* You MUST post your selection book in the week of the announced category. If you miss selecting your book (or pass) in that week, you will be removed from the challenge. The only exception is if you have contacted your team, team captain or one of the Mods with a valid reason. The decision to not remove you is solely up to the moderator running the game.
* You can only change your nominated theme book in the week that the theme is announced. You CANNOT change your book once a new theme is announced.
* '5 weeks' will be counted in blocks of five, with a new count starting in week 6.
* No-one can use the 'pass' option in the last week of the challenge.
* To qualify for a theme, the book's eligibility must meet the rules for the theme as posted each week (eg tagged, in the précis, MPG or found on an official list as contained in the theme announcement). Refer to the Q&A thread for more clarification on this rule.
* You can change your nominated book only during the week that it's theme is called.
* Books must be at least 100 pages in length.
* Anthologies and bundled books are fine, but you must read the full set.
* You must quote the page numbers for your selected book each week. Please quote the goodreads page numbers (any edition of the book is fine).
* The 'series' rule for Option 2 only applies to Option 2. The same book can be used under option 2 for multiple weeks so long as that book remains within the 6 month timeframe.
Important!!! If a team member falls behind by more than 2 books, they WILL be removed from the challenge. The team who loses that member will continue with the lower number of team-mates. This rule is to ensure that ALL participants are committed to their team and the challenge.
PLEASE NOTE - I will not remove, nor accept retirement from, any players in the last two weeks of the challenge. This will mean that the team cannot win if their players are MIA in the last two weeks.
IMPORTANT:
In the last week of the challenge, Option 2 will be altered. Book selections under option 2 will have to be taken from a different team's members' bookshelves. I will allocate the teams out on posting the final theme (week 11).
For example (and this allocation will be randomly done on the day of the last theme call)
Option 2 for Team 1 must come from the bookshelves of Team 4.
******
For those of you who didn't play this growing up, a 'parcel' is passed from one person to another. ...When setting this game up, a prize (or 'gift') is wrapped in a large number of layers of wrapping paper. Smaller prizes may be placed between some or all other layers of wrapping.
During the game, music is played as the parcel is passed around. Whoever is holding the parcel when the music stops removes one layer of wrapping and claims any prize found under that layer. The music is then restarted and the game continues until every layer is removed and the main prize claimed.
This is the RRRC version of the game with a few more options and rules than we may remember from our childhood ;)
Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.For the initial selection post Option 1 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please note which qualifying bookshelf/list you are using or the tags that justifies that it works.
If the theme is based off the bookcover, post the cover. If there is a letter count in the title, publication date etc, please note these details.
For the initial selection post Option 2 you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.
For the completion post you must have:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review
Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.
If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.
IF YOU NEED TO CORRECT A POST FOR MISSING INFORMATION or because the didn't qualify etc, please REPOST this inforamtion in a NEW post. I don't want to have to keep going backwards in the thread.
Pass The Parcel Team - Round 17🌻 Spring 🌼
Whilst the northern hemisphere is heading into the colder months, the southern hemisphere is about to bloom! No matter which is your favorite season, we all need some positive thoughts, so let's base our books to new beginnings and growth!
1. Spring is the season of birth
* Read a book with a baby or pregnancy as a focus from one of the following lists or the noted sub-genre.
Accidentally Pregnant
Paranormal Pregnancy
Impregnation Stories are Domination at their Finest
Pregnant Heroines in Historical Romance
Any MM romance with MPG Mpreg
Qualification: your selected book MUST be on one of these lists, or have MPREG on the main book page.
2. New beginnings
* Read a book where the MC starts a 'new life', moves to a new town (or returns) or turns over a new leaf. Qualification must be evident in the precis.
Some of the following lists may help*** but are not mandatory:
Adjusting to a New Job or Retirement
Fresh Start Romances
3. Flowers are everywhere (well, hopefully)
* Read a book with a flower on the cover or with at least three of these colors - white, yellow, pink, red, blue and green.
For the three colors, it is not a percentage requirement - the colors simply have to be on the cover.
4. Animals of all shapes and sizes time mating to give birth when food is more plentiful ~ spring
* Read a book with pastures/fields/wilderness on the cover.
5. The southern hemisphere's spring season starts in September
* Read a book published in September, October or November.
6. Spring - a mechanical device that stores energy
* Read a book with 'steampunk' as a sub-genre (precis, shelf or list) OR read a book with something mechanical on the cover.
Examples of items that work for mechanical: machine (car, bike, wagon, boat), parts of a machine (eg cogs, bolts), device (eg computer/phone), anything that may have a spring in it (eg pen) ~ not a pencil/crayon.
Lists for Steampunk (simply to help, not mandatory)***:
Gay Steampunk
Steampunk Romance
7. Spring - a natural source of water
* Read a book with water on the cover.
8. Spring - a geometric surface in the shape of a helically coiled tube
* Read a book with an MC who is working or studying in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Qualification to be found in the precis, shelves or lists.
Here are some helpful*** (hopefully) lists:
STEM Heroines
2020 Women in STEM 1
Geeky STEM Romance
Gay Bookish, Nerdy, Geeky Characters
9. Spring - often used to name periods of political liberalization
* Read a book with a MPG 'historical'.
10. Spring tide - in oceanography, the maximum tide, occurring twice a month during the full and new moon
* Read a book set next to the ocean or on an island.
Qualification - any city located on the coast of a continent (not inland on a lake) or any island however identified. Show how it qualifies through the precis, shelf or list.
11. There are 4 locations/places called 'Spring' in the US (according to Wikipedia)
* Read a book set in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Texas or Washington.
Qualification must show location link to the MPG setting, shelf tag or list
12. There are also locations/places called 'Spring' in Germany, Romania, the Philippines, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (according to Wikipedia)
* Read a book set in Europe, Asia or Africa.
Qualification must show location link to the MPG setting, shelf tag or list
13. Spring into action
* On your 'want to read' shelf (the full one that GR sets), sort your shelf by date added and with 100 books per page, and then select a book to read on the oldest page (the 100 books that have been on there the longest!)
An exclusive TBR shelf works as well. When you click on My Books and you look at your bookshelves listed on the left hand side : You may use any of those shelves except the All, Read, or Currently Reading that show above the first grey line (between 'Bookshelves (edit)' and the grey line).
14. The Earth has been slumbering but is now waking up!
* Read a book from one of the following lists:
Amnesia Themed Romance
Amnesia based Historical Romance
Gay MC with Amnesia
Amnesia in Harlequins
Qualification: your selected book MUST be on one of these lists
15. Sprouting procreation or the unusual
* Read a book from one of these lists:
Vamps and Alien Males with Endowed & Unique Penises
Unusual Genitalia (Gay)
Well Hung - When Size Matters
Pierced Peckers
Tentaclesex Yay! (Gay)
Monster Cocks - Erotica (Gay)
Weird Inheritance Romance
Monogamy is Genetic & Impossible to Avoid
Dandy, Metrosexual, Clotheswhore
Gay SuperQueeros & SuperVillains
Superlove Romance
Qualification: your selected book MUST be on one of these lists
***Note - the 'helpful' lists provided in a few of the categories do not automatically qualify the books, unless the title of the list clearly provides the required information.
Eg #8 - MC works/studies in STEM. The gay list does not automatically qualify the books on that list as it does NOT mention STEM in the list title.
Sign UpsIf you are happy to be a Captain Flower Power, please let me know in your sign up post.
I'd really appreciate that bit of extra help from anyone who is happy to take on this fairly minor role :D
Flower Power Captains
Lisa
LaurLa (backup)
Laura
DianeD
KathyD
AnnMarie
KarenH
MountainKat
Shivani
Sprouts
Sexyladi
Naomi
Iliana
Laks
Michaele
Maggie
Cynthia
Lea
Gustaf
Fran
Shandrea
Sherece
Sally
Louise
Hazel
Emeli
Avigail
Heather
bamaace83 (Anna)
Darkness
Shelby
Eugenia
Mary-Megan
Karen (kmk)
Jamie TRR
Milica
Trio
Bailey
Maddie
Helke
Nikk TSBD
Lorene
Alyssa
Sandra
HeatherA (lamom)
Sarah TBK
AliciaJ
Liza
Sassafrass
Hinal
Mariem
ShanA
Lioness7
Kira
Dani
Krissy
Annie
Christy t
Carri
Courtney
Tink MISBAR
R~wka
JL
Danielle GS
Susan
UCbeppy
Teams Allocated:Team 1
*Lisa
R~wka
Liza
Lioness7
UC beppy
Avigail
Mariem
Team 2
*MountainKat
Trio
Helke
Sandra R
Danielle GS
Hazel
Team 3
* KathyD
JL
Heather
Iliana
Lea
Sassafrass
Carri
Team 4
* Gustaf
Michaele
Courtney
Sally
Kira
Krissy
Team 5
* KarenH
Maggie
Sherece
Annie
Naomi
Jamie TRR
Team 6
* DianeD
Bailey
Louise
Susan (jazz)
Dani
AliciaJ
Team 7
* Shivani
Shan A
Hinal
Shandrea
Karen (kmk)
HeatherA (lamom)
Nikk TSBD
Team 8
* AnnMarie
Eugenia
Sexyladi
Laks
Cynthia
Lorene
Tink MISBAR
Team 9
* Laura H
Darkness
Fran
Emeli
Alyssa
bamaace83
Shelby
Team 10
* LaurLa
Mary-Megan
Christy t
Sarah TBK
Maddie
Milica
As you read through this round's themes, please think of adding books that qualify to our lists in the theme post. This will help everyone with their selections :DThis thread is now open for sign-ups!
The inspiration for this round... Twinnies, born two days ago!!
I'm in too, thanks! Sprout please
Jane (PS) wrote: "The inspiration for this round... Twinnies, born two days ago!!"
Aww...congrats on the twinnies, Jane. That looks like a very proud mom!
I have to sit this round out, but wanted to congratulate you on your livestock fortune.
I’m in! Sprout for me please :)
I am in!!! :) excited to do this challenge again!
Chan wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "The inspiration for this round... Twinnies, born two days ago!!"
Aww...congrats on the twinnies, Jane. That looks like a very proud mom!
I have to sit this round out, but want..."
Thanks Chan :) She's a lovely cow - beautiful time of the year.
I'm in!! :) I really enjoyed the last round of this challenge... which was my first ever challenge in the group
I’m in. I’m not a fast enough reader for Bachelor - one book a week is fine for me but I am a dreadful rose earner so not a good teammate - last round was my last
But Pass the Parcel - woo hoo - I’m in my element here and a good little teammate.
Looking forwards to the themes so I can spend a few happy hours selecting books to cover all potential tasks - because I’m boring like that 😂😂😂
I'm in after a dretful reading slump, sprout for me. Maybe this challenge will make me read more.
I'm in too, but I gotta say I don't have the Flower Power this round unfortunately.
Jane (PS) wrote: "As you read through this round's themes, please think of adding books that qualify to our lists in the theme post. This will help everyone with their selections :DThis thread is now open for sign..."
Are the themes still being worked out? I usually check those out before deciding whether or not to join. I'm not seeing the list...
Mary-Megan wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "As you read through this round's themes, please think of adding books that qualify to our lists in the theme post. This will help everyone with their selections :DThis thread is..."
They are now in message 4... 🧐
Jane (PS) wrote: "Mary-Megan wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "As you read through this round's themes, please think of adding books that qualify to our lists in the theme post. This will help everyone with their selections..."Oh no!
Now I will have to pour a glass of wine and browse my TBR Romance pile to pick my books ready for theme calls.
Sally906 wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Mary-Megan wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "As you read through this round's themes, please think of adding books that qualify to our lists in the theme post. This will help everyone wit..."Tough job but someone has to do it 🤪
Jane (PS) wrote: "Tough job but someone has to do it 🤪 ..."Hic! 🍷🍷🍷
I'm in. No to captain though.
I'm in, and happy to be captain!
THEME - 🌻 SPRING 🌼
Start date - FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
Sign up - now through to FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 4pm US EST
Teams assigned by 3 September after sign ups close
Last theme call - 19 November
If you sign up for this challenge, you must be prepared to:
* Read roughly one book each week
* Follow the format for the selection and completion posts.
* Post your selection book BEFORE the next theme is called, or you will be eliminated
* Technically be able to put links to other threads/bookshelves/lists, and insert book links and book covers in your posts. (These are not difficult but you MUST be able to do these links; they don't have to look pretty, but they do need to go to the intended location).
PLEASE READ THE RULES OF THE CHALLENGE CAREFULLY.
IF YOU HAVEN'T POSTED EACH WEEK WITHIN THE TIMELINES ABOVE AND YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY TOLD TEAM-MATES OR A MODERATOR - no questions - YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM YOUR TEAM and the challenge.
FURTHER, if you have dropped out of this challenge without explanation in the past or have been removed for lack of attendance, and you sign up and wish to play again, I will be PMing you...
This does not include those players who have PMd me or their Captain and dropped out due to real-life issues... We all understand that sometimes life throws curve-balls that mean you can't continue playing with us 🧡