Hooked on Books discussion

Storyscape Seekers Book Quest
Duration: January 2025 to December 2025

Welcome, Storyscape Seekers! This thread is your space to connect, share book recommendations, discuss your reading experiences, and post updates throughout the Book Quest Adventure. 📚✨

🌟 Team Members:
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*
Robin (Saturndoo)
Bernadette
CassieCruel
Maritza

📊 Team Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
🏅 Scoresheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

🏆 *Updated* Scoring System

1. Page Points
0.01 points per page (with rounding)
100 to 149 pgs = 1pt
150 to 249 pgs = 2pts
and so on…

2. Task Completion
10 points for each monthly theme task completed
Maximum of 100 points per month (10 tasks x 10 points)

3. Bonus Genre
Additional 5 points if the task is completed with a book from the monthly bonus genre

4. Reviews and Summaries
5 points for each book review or summary submitted
Reviews must be at least 200 words to qualify

5. Discussions
5 points for active participation in each book discussion
Discussions must be held in the Buddy Read folder with a mod-approved thread

6. Team Reading Challenge
2 bonus points per book if the entire team reads the same book in a month

7. Diversity Reading Bonus
5 bonus points for reading a book by an author from an underrepresented group or a book translated from another language

8. Monthly Milestone Bonus
50 points if the team completes at least 80% of their monthly reading goals

9. Quarterly Milestone Bonuses
25 points if the team maintains an 80% or higher completion rate of their reading goals for the entire quarter

10. Team Balancing Bonus
To recognize teams that exceed their expected reading totals based on their combined maximum capacities, there is a Team Balancing Bonus. This bonus rewards teams for pushing beyond their limits while maintaining individual reading caps:

5% over Expected Total: 50 bonus points
10% over Expected Total: 100 bonus points
15% over Expected Total: 150 bonus points
20% or more over Expected Total: 200 bonus points

Example: If your team has a combined capacity of 36 books but reads 40 books in a month (11.11% over), your team will earn 100 bonus points.

11. Team Improvement Bonus
To encourage consistent growth and effort, there is a Team Improvement Bonus:
If your team increases its total books read compared to the previous month, you’ll earn an additional 30 bonus points. This bonus applies every month, rewarding teams for striving to improve regardless of their starting point.

Example: If your team read 29 books in Month 1 and increases to 35 books in Month 2, you’ll earn this bonus.

12. Adaptive Scoring System
To level the playing field further, there is an Adaptive Scoring System based on each team’s total monthly reading capacity:

Tier 1 (41-50 books): No multiplier
Tier 2 (31-40 books): 1.1x multiplier
Tier 3 (21-30 books): 1.2x multiplier

All points earned by the team (including bonuses) will be multiplied by this factor at the end of each month. However, if your team exceeds its tier’s capacity (e.g., a Tier 3 team with a capacity of 28 books reads into Tier 1 territory by completing 45 books), the multiplier will no longer apply. This adjustment ensures fairness as teams progress into higher tiers.

🌟 Quarterly Mini-Challenges 🌟
Get ready to level up your reading game with our Quarterly Mini-Challenges! These fun challenges are designed to earn you extra points while diving deeper into your reading journey. Remember, to qualify for bonus points, the books must match the monthly tasks! Get reading to multi-task!!

📚 Q1: Themed Reading Week
• Week 1 (January 8-14): Books with Strong Female Leads 💪
Dive into inspiring stories featuring powerful female protagonists. Whether they’re overcoming challenges, leading adventures, or breaking barriers, these characters will motivate you!

• Week 2 (February 12-18): Books About Friendship 🤝
Celebrate the bonds that matter! Choose books that explore the beauty and complexity of friendship, from childhood pals to lifelong companions.

• Week 3 (March 19-25): Books Set in Different Countries 🌍
Travel the world through literature! Read stories set in diverse locations, immersing yourself in different cultures and perspectives. Choose books set in countries different from your own. Each book should represent a unique country.

Points: Earn 15 points per book that fits the weekly theme.

Hey Team!

I see two familiar faces!!

My long standing partner in challenges...Erin!! Here you are stuck with me again LOL just like all the rest of the challenges! This one should be fun!

Hi Bernadette! Glad you joined us! It's been a little while since we've done a challenge together but I'm happy to see you!

Maritza and CassieCruel! Welcome!

A little bit about me:

Location: Tennessee
Age: older than a spring chicken-- lol I'm 53
Occupation: I'm disabled so I'm at home majority of the time.
Favorite Genres: Historical Fiction, YA, Juvenile Fiction, LGBTQ--honestly I will read just about anything.
Least Favorite Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Paranormal(except ghosts & witches), Non-fiction.
Favorite Writing Formats: Novels in verse, mixed media formatting, or epistolary.
Favorite Book Formats: Audiobooks and physical hard copies. Ebooks are ok but my least favorite. I will choose any format, if I can, over an ebook.
Fun Fact(s) I'm a grandmother so I will speak of my grandchildren from time to time. I'm an animal lover and will speak of my granddogs as well. Besides reading, I like to play games on my phone and I dibble and dabble in all kinds of crafts.

For the most part, I'm a very heavy speed reader. Usually the heaviest reader on the team. I generally let my team mates pick the tasks they want and I will pick up what's left or what nobody wants to read for.🤣 As Erin and Bernadette will tell you, I will take one or many for the team to pull us through.

I'm excited for this one and happy to be on a team with all of you!

Hello all!!

Brief intro: UK, 35 almost 36, I like reading PNR, UF and paranormal cozy mysteries :)

Hello, all!

I'm loving our given name, Storyscape Seekers

I adore these year challenges. I really enjoyed Disney and jumped on this one immediately as a spreadsheet based yearly one. Can't wait to see our Spreadsheet and tasks. I have some buddy reads pre-planned from the group I'm wanting to hopefully read for 2025 as well.

Look forward to playing with everyone here.

Favorite Genres - Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, M/M Romance, Horror, Mysteries - Psychological; Thriller; Cozy; Children's Middle Grade Audiobooks, Non-Fiction Select Bios, True Crime.

Least Favorite - Certain High Fantasy, Magical Realism that is far out there. I don't enjoy themes of time travel, sports, war.

I read all time periods and age groups.

I put aside some plans for some of the Informal and Formal Buddy Reads

Interesting we can get some bonus points for paragraph reviews, will try to do that as well for my reads in 2025 for that.

We may want to try this at one point but not sure how easy it would be to coordinate --
6. Team Reading Challenge
2 bonus points per book if the entire team reads the same book in a month

Looks like our spreadsheet is up, and the first "genre of the month" bonus will be for Contemporary, which is an easy one.

I’ve had a quick browse, pretty exciting!

Asked a question on Contemporary tag here

I found two that worked for the new years tasks but that took a little searching.

Hello fellow Seekers.

I live in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA with my husband. We have one daughter. who got married last December.

During the day I'm a CPA/tax accountant at a national accounting firm, I have a flex schedule and for most of the year I work 2-3 days a week but I do work some full-time weeks during tax season., which for me starts mid-February.

I am a big library user and am currently on the Board of Directors of my local library.

I'll read almost anything I needed for the team, but my favorites are Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery and Thriller. I'm not a fan of SciFi but I do like Fantasy.

I just finished the year-long Disney Challenge and will do the 2025 (Impossible) Solar System Challenge as well. I like the year-long challenge.

This looks fun and interesting.

Looking forward t playing with Robin & Erin and again, Maritza we may have been on a team together before and Cassie, before the end of the year I'm sure we all know each other better. 😉

I also am enjoying the year-long challenges, Bernadette. I know we've played on team challenges together and always enjoy being on the team with you :0)

I also did the 50 State one, and Disney, but not sure if I'll fully finish both of not. We'll see what I can get done by end of December. Naturally I swear my reading has slowed down this month.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Asked a question on Contemporary tag here

I found two that worked for the new years tasks but that took a little searching."

Oona Out of Order will work for New Year's Day task. I just read it 3 weeks ago, so I can't use it. I enjoyed it, 4⭐

Oh, good to know in case!

Got us some clarity on a few things I was wondering.

For the New Year's Day tasks - It definitely doesn't have to be set ONLY on that day. New Year's Day just needs to be included... maybe they attend a party, etc.

So that makes it easier.

My question - Would you accept Contemporary for Contemporary Fiction? Or if it says Contemporary Romance, etc, would that count? I have several saying contemporary but not all say contemporary fiction,..."

She has answered - As long as Contemporary is part of the genre and a MAIN PAGE one, I'll accept it!

That helps a lot to click the bonus checkmark easier on our sheet.

And another question I had - apparently I'm on a roll! - Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "And not to bombard with questions ,which I've been doing, but could we count it as Diversity if the novel setting is a country other than our own?"

She answered - Diversity only counts if it's a book by an author from an underrepresented group or a book translated from another language.

I figured that would be her answer on Diversity as it makes sense, but it was worth a shot in case!

Hi Guys, I didn't realize teams were up.
My name is Maritza (does age really matter?) - I live in NYC - I am a sucker for team challenges and this looked like fun.
I started past yearly challenges but did not like the format for me.
I like Romance, Thrillers, non-Historical Fiction and pretty much everything.
I don't like FF Rom (just not my thing), gothics and some other genre.
I will pretty much read anything for team challenges and am happy for this one.
I was thinking of taking it easy next year as my reading has gone done a lot. Need 5 books to finish my Goal of 50.
Already joining challenges but want to take it easy.

Hi Team! I have updated your team sheet with the new scoring system!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Hi guys, I was looking over the ss and have decided to try to clear out some of my Carrie Ann Ryan (Montgomery..) series. They are contemporary and will fill lots of the slots. I want to clear out my kindle a little and recently read one of her books and love the family dynamics.

Sounds fun!

I did some pre-planning myself and left two blank on my planning sheet to fit in as needed. Based on any quarterly bonus or weekly theme I may change it around when the time is actually here.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Sounds fun!

I did some pre-planning myself and left two blank on my planning sheet to fit in as needed. Based on any quarterly bonus or weekly theme I may change it around when the time is actuall..."

Erin, did you add them to our SS? I don't see any. Are we all using the same SS?

It was my pre-planning SS, I hadn't added it on our "official" one yet, sorry to be confusing!

Looks like the old SS has been moved to trash (still accessible temporarily), so if anyone bookmarks their spreadsheet links, make sure to update to the new one from Ashley above. Just doing that now.

I won't be reading buddy reads every month, but did like the look of both for January, so will probably slide at least those two on there.

I kind of suck at diversity half the time, but I'll do a small review on each for the bonus points.

Doing some updates now on it with pre-planning

Found this list too set around new years eve and cozy mysteries
https://cozy-mystery.com/new-years-my...

I have now added some of my pre-planned books in.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Looks like the old SS has been moved to trash (still accessible temporarily), so if anyone bookmarks their spreadsheet links, make sure to update to the new one from Ashley above. Just doing that now."

Yes, please do this! It was simpler to just re-do the SS than to edit ALL the formulas!

Can anyone link to the approved Buddy Reads.

Maritza wrote: "Can anyone link to the approved Buddy Reads."

Formal Buddy Reads Schedule

okay thanks - will see if I can get copy of book.

She has updated the part of our Spreadsheet that says weekly quarterly bonus.

📚 Q1: Themed Reading Week
• Week 1 (January 8-14): Books with Strong Female Leads 💪
Dive into inspiring stories featuring powerful female protagonists. Whether they’re overcoming challenges, leading adventures, or breaking barriers, these characters will motivate you!

15 bonus points for any books that are read/finished during that time frame that fit, which is pretty good

I'll adjust some of the book's I'm reading completion weeks for the bonus.

I got verification in the solar thread that if anyone reads from the Quarterly Group Series, it counts in Solar and here as a "Formal Buddy read" book for those points.

"Yes (to both), the Series Read is part of the Formal Buddy Reads, so you would check the Formal Bonus box"

So, bonus opportunities all around for a variety of folks, which is fun.

Are all of you also doing the yearly 2025: (Impossible) Solar System Challenge?

I'm doing the 2025: (Impossible) Solar System Challenge. I was able to complete the 2024 Impossible Disney Challenge! A few more tasks in the 2025 challenge and Ashley has made the spell-out harder😖

I am BARELY making it with Disney, have given up on other yearlys not completed like States, but fortunately finished most. I have 3 left for Disney, with two of them halfway complete, determined to finish it but next year I will not wait for some of these till December wrap-up. Learned my lesson on that!

I'm excited on the changes but agree if you want to do well and finish, it's intensive. I feel you could just do Solar and this one and be "booked" for a full year of challenges. A lot to keep up with but I enjoy spreadsheet challenges and matching books to cover multiple.

I think I have it with the changes - hopefully.

With Solar, you have the planet tasks like Disney, you have the Single Book monthly bonus like Disney, but she also added a Quarterly single book bonus.

Then there's the Monthly Bonus side challenge that only coordinates to the planet of the month (January: Sun), and then there's the Quarterly bonus side challenge that covers the first three planets. These two do not seem to work with Book Quest Adventures.

We then have the Formal Buddy read, Informal Buddy Read, and Series Buddy reads, which I verified counts for both Book Quest and Solar.

AND with Solar there is a bonus WEEK each month where you get 15 bonus points per book finished that week as long as it fits the bonus theme.

Whew! That's a lot!

But, fun.


I have seen many teams wanting to do buddy reads for the team reading bonus. I'm competitive too but not sure if it's worth it at this point of doable. If we all five read the same book in the same month, it would be 2 points per book per person for a total of 10 bonus points

In January I'm doing both group buddy reads and the first series book buddy read, which are worth more points, and I'm going to try to time a lot of my finished books the bonus week for the 15 book point bonus task, so already going to be pretty tied up. Not sure the Team bonus of 2 points and that coordination for all of us is worth it, but I'm open to thoughts on it since several teams seem to think otherwise.

Has anyone read Daisy Jones & The Six? Does it fit any of the prompts? I know its Contemporary ●

Maritza wrote: "Has anyone read Daisy Jones & The Six? Does it fit any of the promts? I know its Contemporary ●"

Yes, a few years ago. Was a good audiobook.

From my memory of it, I'd say it could fit these:

Read a book where a character reinvents themselves. - This could apply at the end of the story with some characters who change in life purpose/goals
Read a book about overcoming a major life change. - They have some changes in the band members that create issues throughout
Read a book about someone starting over after a setback. - I can't remember specifics of who gets what problems, but this applies
Read a book where a character embarks on a new adventure. - The band starts new adventures and growth when Daisy joins

If anyone wants to do a book read in a future month for the team points, let me know. January I am doing several buddy challenges so not the optimal month, but we have a year at least.

Is anyone else reading any of January's buddy reads?

I won't be participating every month for all the buddy reads, but will slip in the ones that interest me.

Maritza wrote: "Has anyone read Daisy Jones & The Six? Does it fit any of the promts? I know its Contemporary ●"

I've read it as well and all of the option that Erin listed will fit so it will be a good choice. The audiobook is great!

Thanks guys. I would like to do BR for first book but its on hold.

Mines also on hold with libraries, but it should come in before January is over.

Looks like the series I nominated for Quarterly series won, it's a cute series, I had read a few books in it before. The author is humorous but not sappily so. https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...

Although I'm going to try to hold off on finishing most of mine until the 8th through the 14th for those big week bonus points, we technically start tomorrow.

Hope all have fun and looking forward to playing with you all this year.

A few books I have left the bonus unmarked as I'm not sure if it fits just yet until I've read the books.

I listed the 2 books I have from the library which could fit the week bonus. I doubt I'll finish before then as I still have 1 book to finish from this year.

Sounds good. This one does take pre-planning for maximum points, but I enjoy doing that and we have plenty of time with these since they are monthly.

Happy New Years Guys. Hoping for a healthy year and more love among people.

FYI, I do not know how to post links so will need your help with the ss. I got a free copy of a book that fits New Year task.

Maritza wrote: "Has anyone read Daisy Jones & The Six? Does it fit any of the prompts? I know its Contemporary ●"

Yes, and I hated this book! I think it's one of those love it or hate it type books😂

And from what I remember, I agree with Erin, those are the tasks that the book will fit with.

Maritza wrote: "Hapoy New Years Guys. Hoping for a healthy year and more love among people.

FYI, I do not know how to post links so will need your help with the ss. I got a free copy of a book that fits New Year ..."

We will pitch in and be more than happy to help you! 🙂 Just be careful with Erin, she might bite LOLOL

I'm so far behind looking at all my challenges--old and new but hopefully I can sit down and spend a little time catching up tonight and tomorrow because I'm not on babysitting duty LOL and🤞that everyone is getting well.

My son has had Covid and coming out of quarantine and the rest of us had a variety of colds, bronchitis, upper respiratory issues, allergy/sinus infections and everything in between!

I'm excited for this one to start and hopefully can plan on reading some of the BR. I have a few of the BRs on hold but none of them look like they will be in this week. Maybe next week, but we'll see!

On my time zone this challenge has officially started now, among with many, many others spread across groups.

Happy New Years!

Robin (Saturndoo) wrote: "I'm excited for this one to start and hopefully can plan on reading some of the BR. I have a few of the BRs on hold but none of them look like they will be in this week. Maybe next week, but we'll see!
"

Same, but with the "weekly bonus" being easy this month, I am trying to finish almost all of mine the week of Jan 8th anyway, so maybe your holds will come in time for that. Hoping all mine do, I have the Last House Guest on digital hold but the other was a Kindle unlimited borrow

I have most of mine reserved for the month but will fill in the rest as I finish books based on page count, fitting genre and if they match other bonuses for the points. Not sure yet.