Pick-a-Shelf discussion

I can't believe January is nearly over!

It's time to share just how much ROAR you've done the past month.

Here's the suggested format of reporting:

Challenge X.X: X books @ Y points each = XY points
Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): x books @ 50 points each = 50x points
Wide (Monthly shelf): x books @ 25 points each = 25x points
Mini SAT: x books for ‘month’ shelves = +50 points or -(x-5)15
Monthlies: x points
Grand Total: XY points

Oh, in addition, please share what you've picked up so far with ROAR that you would not usually and if you enjoyed it. If there isn't any, please share if there's one particular book you've picked up for ROAR that you really loved.

655 - Susan
615 - Lahni
480 - Coralie
425 - Natasha
360 - Christina
340 - Karen (Mod)
340 - Tara
325 - Karen of the Bookworm
325 - Vivian
320 - LynnB
295 - Lauren
275 - Roseann
265 - Emily
240 - Mercy
275 - Amy
235 - Lyn M
185 - Delicious Dee Challenge Addict
160 - Slayermel
100 - Lynne
65 - Sam

As an example of the suggested reporting, I'll go first:

Challenge 1.1: -
Challenge 1.2: 3 books @ 20 points each = 60 points
Challenge 1.3: 2 books @ 30 points = 60 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 book @ 20 points = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: -
Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 2 books @ 50 points each = 100 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 3 books @ 25 points each = 75 points
January: 25 points
Grand Total: 340 points

A unique book I've picked up this month for ROAR is Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. Not something I'd usually picked up. It's not manga but it's fantasy Japanese novel. Interesting read with a strong female protagonist and I just may pick up the next book in the series.

1.1
1.2: 2 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.3: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 2 books @ 30 points each = 60 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 1 books @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 4 books @ 25 points each = 100 points
Mini SAT: 4 books for ‘month’ shelves = 0 points
January: 25 points

Grand Total: 295 (shelf a thon not yet counted)

The book I read for ROAR that is outside my comfort zone is Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History. It is actually a reread for me after I read some really positive reviews on it. I am sorry to say that my opinion on it hasn't changed that much since the first time through.

Great stuff, Lauren!

For Mini SAT, points to be claimed only when completed but you're doing well there ;)

January Points


Challenge 1.1: Mini SAT @ 50 points total = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 4 books @ 20 points each = 80 points
Challenge 1.3: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 4 books @ 25 points each = 100 points
Monthlies.January: 1 "black" book @ 25 points = 25 points
Mini SAT: 4 books for ‘month’ shelves = +50 points

Grand Total: 325 points

A new one for me this month was Persepolis. It was my first graphic novel, and I was delighted by how good I thought it was. It's basically the story of a young girl growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. A little bit heart-breaking, but well worth the read.

January Points


Mini SAT 1.1: 4 books to complete January shelves = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 2 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.3: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 1 books @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 1 books @ 25 points each = 25 points
Monthlies (bonus on the 15th): 25 points
Mini SAT bonus: less than 5 books for January shelves = 50 points
Grand Total: 320 points

For the last book for this month's challenge, I just finished Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time which was an amazing tale of 3 young aboriginal girls in 1931 Australia after they were taken from their parents by the Australian government simply because they were mixed race. They made a long harsh trek across the Australian desert on foot to get back home.

Challenge 1.1: Mini SAT = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 2 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.3: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points
Challenge 1.5: 2 books @ 30 points each = 60 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 2 books @ 50 points each = 100 points
Wide (Coming of age shelf): 5 books @ 25 points each = 125 points
Mini SAT: 4 books for January shelves = +50 points
January midmonth: 25 points

Grand Total: 480 points

Thanks for the clarification Karen!

Challenge 1.1: 4 books @ 50 points total = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 2 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.3: 1 book @ 30 points each = 30 points
Challenge 1.4: 0 book @ 20 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 book @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus
Thick(>500 pages): 1 book @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide(monthly shelf): 3 books @ 25 points each = 75 points
Mini SAT : 4 books for 'month' shelves = +50 points

Total: 325 points

January Points

Challenge 1.1: 3 books for 50 points total = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 3 books @ 20 points each = 60 points
Challenge 1.3: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 book @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 book @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 0 books @ 25 points each = 0 points
Mini SAT: 3 books for ‘month’ shelves = +50 points
Monthlies: 1 book @ 25 points each - 25 points

Grand Total: 235 points

For my philosophy Shelf book this month I read The Shack by William P. Youngwhich was a very interesting book. I am giving this book 3.75 stars. Although the religious overtones were a little too much for me at some points, underneath was a beautifully written story about a man and his search to deal with the tragedies of his life. I also liked the personalities that the author gave to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Really!). I was really surprised by how much I liked this book.

Challenge 1.2: 2 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.3: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.4: 0 books @ 20 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.5: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 1 books @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 1 books @ 25 points each =25 points
Mini SAT: 4 books to completer: 50points + 50 points (for completing shelf with less than 5 books)=100 points
Monthlies: 1 book @25points ea. = 25 points

Total: 240 points

I had been wanting to read Everything Is Illuminated for a while now and i got to read it as a debut for ROAR. I loved it; the language was so rational and yet so hilarious!; the characters were unforgetable and the end made me cry. I really enjoyed it.

Challenge 1.1 Mini-SAT: 4 books for 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 3 books @ 20 points each = 60 points
Challenge 1.3: 1 books @ 30 points each =30 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 3 books @ 25 points each = 75 points

Mini SAT: 4 books for ‘month’ shelves = 50 points

Bonus challenge: 1 X 25 points =25 points

Total points: 340 points

I have only tried one other book of Manga and so I know I would not have picked up Honey and Clover, Volume 1 if it were not for the challenge. I think Manga and I are just not going to mix. I am not a big fan of Graphic Novels to begin with and this was just too much of a stretch for me.
On another note, I also would have never picked up Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth but it fit wonderfully in the Mini-SAT so I tried it. I really enjoyed this book, and shocked myself by how interesting I found the content.

oh dear, Tara, I agree that manga is not for everybody. I grew up with it though and there was a phase when I was absolutely crazy about them (mind you, I was a teen at the time).

However, I'm very happy that you found something else you loved through the challenge :)

I am reading the Tsubasa series. I had my son Joe help me pick out a manga. He knows my reading style and this one is the one he chose.

Karen wrote: "oh dear, Tara, I agree that manga is not for everybody. I grew up with it though and there was a phase when I was absolutely crazy about them (mind you, I was a teen at the time).

However, I'm ..."

I am not a big fan of Graphic Novels and
Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth and honestly Math and philosophy are not favored subjects either, so on the surface it would look like a book to avoid. So glad that I didn't.

Challenge 1.1: 4 books @ 50 points total= 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 3 books @ 20 points each = 60 points
Challenge 1.3: 2 books @ 30 points each = 60 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 0 books @ 25 points each = 0 points
Mini SAT: 4 books for ‘month’ shelves = 50 points
January bonus(black cover)= 25 points

Grand Total: 265 points

The book that surprised me the most this month was Miki Falls: Spring. I'm not so into graphic novels but I really enjoyed this one.

Typical shoujo manga, Emily but sounds like something I'd like ;)

January Points

Mini SAT 1.1:
Challenge 1.2: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.3: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points
Challenge 1.4: 4 books @ 20 points each = 80 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 0 books @ 25 points each = 0 points
Monthlies (bonus on the 15th): 0 points
Mini SAT bonus:

Grand Total: 160 points

What surprised me the most this month, is how much I actually like manga. I have never read manga before and now thanks to having read Fruits Basket, Volume 1 and a few others. I have discovered a series called Vampire Knight that i'm addicted too.

I also discovered the graphic novel of Pride and Prejudice which was fantastic. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite novel and I really like graphic novels so having them combined was just a bonus for me :0).

*I've read way to many books this month that I was not able to count :o( *

Mini SAT 1.1: 4 books @ 50 points total = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.3: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points
Challenge 1.4: 4 books @ 20 points each = 80 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Mini SAT 1.1: 4 books for "January" shelves = 50 points
Thick (500+): 1 book @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide(shelf): 1 book @ 25 points each = 25 points
Mid-monthly: 1 book @ 25 points each = 25 points
January Total: 360 points
Grand Total: 360 points

Like Emily, I liked the Miki Falls series. I read all four. It was cute, and I never would have picked a manga book if it wasn't part of the challenge. (Thank you for the idea Emily, stole it from your page.)

You're welcome for the idea. My library doesn't have the other three so I'm (not so) patiently waiting for my ILL to come through.

I am starting to wonder if I picked the wrong Manga series to try. :)

Tara they are all a bit different. I picked up one I just could not get into.

Looks like we're all off to a good start! This is fun, can't wait to see what's in store next month :)

Challenge 1.1: Mini SAT: 4 books for 12 shelves (50 points) = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 5 books @ 20 points each = 100 points - done
Challenge 1.3: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points
Challenge 1.4: 3 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.5: 2 books @ 30 points each = 60 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 10 books @ 25 points each = 250 points
January Bonus (black cover): 1 book @ 25 points = 25
Mini SAT bonus: <5 books (50 points) = 50 points

January total: 655

I'd always meant to check out manga, but kept not getting around to it. So Fruits Basket is something I probably wouldn't have done without ROAR. But there are several others as well. I had fun looking for books for each challenge that were on the coming of age shelf, so I read a lot I wouldn't have read otherwise: The Road from Coorain (Australia), The Color of Water, and Sula (African-American authors), and the other 2 Japanese books as well. Of all of them, I probably loved [Sula|532757] the most, but I was really glad to have discovered them all.

Challenge 1.1: Mini Sat: 4 books for 12 shelves = 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 5 books @ 20 points each = 100 points
Challenge 1.3: 2 books @ 30 points each = 60 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 2 books @ 30 points each = 60 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 1books @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 8 books @ 25 points each = 200 points
Mini SAT bonus: <5 books = 50 points
Monthiles (black in title): 25 points

Jan Points:615
Total Points:615

I would not have read Norwegian Wood. It was ok. I have a feeling that Japan challenge will really be a challenge for me as I continue to work on it.

ok, I think I did this right

1.2 20 points: 4@ 20 points = 80 points
1.3 30 points: 0 @ 30 points = 0 points
1.4 20 points: 0 @ 20 points = 0 points
1.5 30 points: 1 @ 30 points = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 1 book @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 1 books @ 25 points each = 25

Total - 185

This past month one of the better reads for me was Matterhorn - I had been putting off reading it because I was skeptical after We Were Soldiers - but I ended up really enjoying it

Holy moly, Susan and Lahni!! Those are impressive point totals!

Oop! Didn't know we were supposed to post here too. Here's mine.

1Completed--

1.1: 4 books @ 50 points = 50 points
1.2: 2 book @ 20 points = 40 points
1.3: 1 book @ 30 points = 30 points
1.4: 1 book @ 20 points = 20 points
1.5: 2 books @ 30 points = 60 points

Extras:
Mini SAT <5 books = 50 points

Total before mid-month bonus challenge (in other thread) = 250 points

Grand Total--275

Lahni wrote: "I would not have read Norwegian Wood. It was ok. I have a feeling that Japan challenge will really be a challenge for me as I continue to work on it."

Really? I liked it a lot, even though the style and pacing is different than I'm used to. I'd actually pick up another one by that author. It wasn't a 5 star read, but pretty enjoyable.

ETA:
No, I take it back, I love Murakami's writing, and wonder if it's even better in Japanese, but the story itself, wasn't actually that fond of.

Didn't know we got credit for the mid-monthly challenge already if we still haven't finished it. Can you update my points to 360 Karen? Thank you :)

Challenge 1.1: 1 books @ 50 points = 0 points (not yet completed)
Challenge 1.2: 2 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.3: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.4: 0 books @ 20 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.5: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 1 books @ 25 points each = 25 points
January Bonus: 0 books @ 25 points = 0

Total points = 65

Wow! How far behind am I on this one :-S

Tara wrote: "Holy moly, Susan and Lahni!! Those are impressive point totals!"

I think mine is going to turn out to be a fluke. I found it easy in January to find things that were on the shelf of the month and satisfied one of the challenges as well. That's not seeming so easy to do in February.

I agree, Susan. January kind of fell into place, but Feb is not going so well.

I agree! February is hard!!

That was the plan all along, wasn't it?? Lure us all in with an easier month ;)

Challenge 1.1: work in progress (20 points so far)
Challenge 1.2: 1 book @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.3: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.4: 0 books @ 20 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 book @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 2 books @ 25 points each = 50 points
January Bonus (black cover): 1 book @ 25 points = 25 points


January total: 129 (or 145 if I cheat and count my "in progress" points)

Not so good, but my personal challenge is to better my score each month.

I'm thinking as the months go by, more of our books will start overlapping with previous months and our scores will jump! *crosses fingers* hopefully :)

Vivian wrote: "I'm thinking as the months go by, more of our books will start overlapping with previous months and our scores will jump! *crosses fingers* hopefully :)"

That's what I'm hoping for too Vivian :-D

I still need to report, but I haven't had time to sit down and figure it all up. I should have some time this weekend.

Vivian wrote: "That was the plan all along, wasn't it?? Lure us all in with an easier month ;)"

LOL Vivian - no such thing, if Feb seems hard, it wasn't particularly meant to be but hey, that means challenging right? Goes with the name of the challenge ;)

BTW - Karen, Slayermel, Luann,and Lynne - can I just say I am LOVING this challenge. What a great idea. It is really cool and pretty unique.

I'm afraid I can take NO credit for it whatsoever. My fellow mods are the (diabolical) genius' behind the whole thing!

I didn't want to leave you out,though.

Karen wrote: "Vivian wrote: "That was the plan all along, wasn't it?? Lure us all in with an easier month ;)"

LOL Vivian - no such thing, if Feb seems hard, it wasn't particularly meant to be but hey, that m..."

Oh, I'm having fun, so no worries! I love going through the shelves and seeing what I can cross-challenge, it's half the fun :)

I agree, Vivian. Sometimes I have more fun trying to decide what to read over reading the books.

Lol I know wat u mean, Lyn. I get excited looking @ my list and then I get depressed thinking how am I supposed to read all in these in a month or year...!!!??? But still can't resist the challenge

Exactly, Karen.

I wanted to finish my mini-SAT before posting my January points, and finally did this morning. Here goes:

Mini-SAT: 50 points
Challenge 1.2: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.3: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points
Challenge 1.4: 1 books @ 20 points each = 20 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 0 books @ 50 points each = 0 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 2 books @ 25 points each = 50 points
Mini SAT: 4 books for ‘month’ shelves = 50 points

January Bonus - Dark Summer = 25 points

Total for January: 275

Of my January reads, I enjoyed I am the Messenger and Where the Sidewalk Ends the most.

I have I Am the Messenger on my list for February, excited for it, but not sure I'll get to it this month. Glad you enjoyed it :)

Updated (and still ongoing) Points:

Challenge 1.1: 1 books @ 50 points = 0 points (not yet completed)
Challenge 1.2: 3 books @ 20 points each = 60 points
Challenge 1.3: 0 books @ 30 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.4: 0 books @ 20 points each = 0 points
Challenge 1.5: 1 books @ 30 points each = 30 points

Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): 1 books @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 1 books @ 25 points each = 25 points
Mini SAT: 2 books for ‘month’ shelves = 0 points
January Bonus: 0 books @ 25 points = 0

Total points = 165