Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

COMING SOON!

Time for another reading tournament. An open invitation to all our competitive readers out there. Here is a new challenge that will ask you to combine reading speed and strategy for the win.

Welcome to RRRC's 2nd Reading Tournament: The Name Game Edition.

I will post a list of popular names (100 male/100 female). The goal is to check off names on the list by reading books where these names are used for characters. You may check off a maximum of 4 names from one book.

The winner will be the reader who has the most number of names checked off the list by the deadline.

Challenge Duration is 6 months. Exact start date will be announced soon.

Special thanks to Jane(PS) for accepting the post of Tournament Master.

Guidelines and rules will be up soon!

Any questions, feedback, etc are welcome on this thread.

OK 'readathletes' we are inching closer to the our start of our ......*drumroll*...... RRRC's 2nd (Grand) Reading Tournament: The Name Game Edition

The tournament will start on 1st May and close on 31st October.

We are going to keep the rules to the tournament pretty simple. Following are our current list of rules (until someone raises a question that I haven't addressed!!):-

* A maximum of 4 names from each book
* Books must be at least 150 pages - we'll use Goodreads' paperback page count as the official count
* Rereads are fine
* Audiobooks are fine
* Please note the date that you finished the book
* Slight spelling differences to the names are fine, but not the diminutive/shortened name. Eg Katherine/Catherine is fine; Kathy/Cathy is not if the name to be checked off is 'Katherine'. If it sounds phonetically the same, it should be fine.
* If you are searching for Katherine and the character is called 'Kat' BUT it is made clear that her full first name is actually 'Katherine', then that fine.
* If you are searching for a name that may already be a shortened form of a longer name, eg Anna, but the character's actual name is Annabel - as long as the character is actually called 'Anna' during the course of the book, then that is fine.
* You can sign up any time before 31st October; you can post books read before sign up BUT all of these books must have been started and finished within the tournament's stated timeframe. *beady eye* I'll be watching you!!
* Lists may be posted in advance or as you go. You may swap books on your list (if pre-posted) at any time.
* Books read may be used in other challenges.
* The person with the most names checked off by 31 October WINS!!
* The Tournament Master's decision is final (I've always wanted to say that with reference to me!)

The official sign up thread is posted here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

So get your thinking caps on, polish your glasses, plump up your favourite reading cushions, hook into your local library network: the official sign up thread message 2 holds the keys to the this tournament - the NAMES!!!

The full names list is in the participants thread: refer above message and click on the link to go to the names list.

This message has become The Frequently Asked Questions post.

Names
Do alternate spellings count?
Yes - if they sound the same as the listed name.

Use these websites as a guide for pronounciation if you are unsure:
www.inogolo.com
www.pronouncenames.com

There is enough confusion over 'Nevaeh' and 'Neveah' that 'Neveah' may be used to mark off 'Nevaeh'.

However Alina can not be substituted for Alana.

Madelyn and Madeline are interchangeable due to an anomoly where Madeline may be pronounced as Madelyn...

Can I use a diminutive name to check off a listed name? eg Ben to mark off Benjamin?
Yes - if the full name (Benjamin) is noted by the author as the character's name somewhere in the book (once is fine). Otherwise, no.

Can I use a full name to check off a shortened name? eg Emma even though the character's full name is Emmaline?
If a character is known by two names, eg Emma and Emmaline, then Emma may be checked off the list.

Just to clarify, I can use variations of a name like Aidan for Aiden but I can't use Katie for Kathryn?
Yes to Aiden/Aidan, but no to Katherine/Katie unless the long form 'Katherine' is actually recognised as the character's 'full' name during the book.

Can the name be used multiple times or only once?
I know a book where the character is 'Abigail' but is also known as 'Abby' - I would allow one of the names to be ticked off, but you can't check off both names (since both are on the list) for the one character. That is, you are allowed to check off 4 names per book - but it must be for 4 separate characters within the book.

Where there is a two-book story with the hero named Alexander, but everybody calls him Alex. Can we use the first book for "Alexander" and the second for "Alex"?
As long as each book is at least 150 pages, then using Alexander for one book and Alex for the next book, is fine.

Can we use a character's last name to check of a listed name?
No - it must be the character's christian/first name.

Can we check off a character's middle name?
Only if the character is known by that middle name, and not their official first name. Eg Lord Percy Alan Landon Summerville, Earl of Bookvale, known as Landy or Landon throughout the book: Landon may be ticked off.

If a character has changed their first name, which name can be marked off?
Either name may be used for the tournament - ie their birth name or their 'new' (deed-poll etc) name may be used to mark off a name on the list. They have clearly been known by both names during their life.

If a character uses an alias, can that be used to mark off a name?
If an alias is used for a 'decent' length of time - not just a one-off jaunt, it may be used to mark off a name. The character has to be clearly known by other characters under that alias.

In the case of recurring characters in a series, if the character is generally referred to by a nickname, shortened name or last name, does the first name have to be mentioned in the specific book you're reading, or just be known from elsewhere in the series? Eg, in the In Death books, the character McNab's first name is Ian, but he is most commonly referred to as McNab, and his first name isn't necessarily used in every book. Would it only count if the first name is actually mentioned in the book you're reading?
The McNab ruling: if it is well known from prior books that the character's name is Ian McNab but the author simply doesn't mention it in that book, but McNab does take part in the book - not just referenced but having conversations with other characters, then the name may be checked off.

How about foreign variations of a name? Eg: Mikhail = Michael; Ilya = Elijah; Maria = Mary?
Sorry - no to foreign variants. It must sound the same.

For the girl name Jordyn can we use the name Jordan as well?
Jordyn/Jordan is fine, so long as it is the same sex.

With alternate name spellings should we put the alternate spelling in brackets after the original name on the list
I would appreciate that for clarification purposes.

Characters
How important or how frequent does a character have to appear in a book to officially call him a character?
The character needs to appear more than once; they need to have a 'personality'; and they need to be part of the story. For example: not a servant that is just in one scene. They don't have to be a main character, but they certainly need to be a part of the story.

I have found a baby / toddler called Peyton (female). She appears in a couple of books but I am thinking of using her appearance when she is baby-sat in 'Branded As Trouble' because it's an important scene for the couple: Is that okay, or does it have to be an adult character?
The Baby/Kid Rule: Kids are fine as long as they are significant to the story. Not just the one appearance with no interaction. They need to have a 'personality' if that makes sense.

What about dead characters? I thought that as long as they were an important part of the plot, I'd use them. For example, in the book I'm reading now, the heroine's dead brother was the hero's best friend and the hero promised to look after the sister. So even though the character is dead, he's having a profound influence on the hero's behavior.
The Dead Character Rule: They would have to be significant to the plot and have their personality convened to the reader - flashbacks would be great! But if it is just a convenient plot device by the author, you know, where they mention them ad naseum but don't really tell you anything substantial about the character, then they are out.

I have an evil character who is widely discussed by the other characters, but doesn't hold a conversation - can this name be marked off?
The Evil Character Rule: Yes, so long as this evil character is regularly mentioned and her evil doings are thoroughly discussed, even though she doesn't hold a conversation, the name may be marked off - because sometimes 'evil' is silent!!

Basically you need to have a solid impression of the character to mark them off the list.

Can we use a pet or animal to check off a name?
No - they must be a person. Or they can be a shapeshifter/half-human eg centaur.

What if the animal talks and interacts with the characters or is the main character in the book?
I'm sorry, but I'm going to insist that the characters marked off are people or beings that spend a good proportion of the book as a person (eg shapeshifter).

Book format
What if the Kindle/ebook version doesn't have page numbers?
THE KINDLE RULE (also use for ebooks). Use the Goodreads paperback page count for your books. This will be our guide as to whether a book meets the page criteria.

If Goodreads does not have this information, post the query on this thread and a GR librarian will estimate the pages for us :)

Is there a ruling on anthologies? Often the individual story is not 150 pages but the book is - so would it count if you read the whole book? Still with only 4 names for the book, of course.
Yes - so long as the whole book is read and only 4 names are checked off from the list for the whole anthology.

Can a couple of novellas in a series be combined to meet the page count - with a total of four names allowed to be marked off from the two books?
You must read a minumum of 3 novellas in that author's series with a maximum of 4 names allowed for check off for the total series read. The total of the (minimum 3) novellas MUST exceed 150 pages. (Logically, they should hit around 300 pages...)

If we are using the books in a series option...do you want us to link the series and the book numbers we used?
I'm happy for you to link, list the applicable books, or put the series name and books in that series, noting the author's name - Eg Cattle Valley series, books 1-3 by Carol Lynne.

Is there any chance of getting a chubby chunkster name bonus?
Additional name may be checked off where big books are read - as follows:-
Up to 500 pages: check off 4 names
500 - 750 pages: check off 5 names
750 - 1,000 pages: check off 7 names
1,000 + pages: check off 10 names

Page numbering to be based off the mass market paperback edition where possible.

Do alternate spellings or diminutives of the name count? For example, Katherine is on the list, so does Kathryn, Catherine, Cathryn, Kathy or Cathy count as well? My guess is no, but I figured people will be curious.

Is the list of names limited to only being the first? Could a character with the last name "Thomas" be counted or is it strictly first names?

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Do alternate spellings or diminutives of the name count? For example, Katherine is on the list, so does Kathryn, Catherine, Cathryn, Kathy or Cathy count as well? My guess is no, but I figured pe..."

We'll accept alternate spelling, but not shortened version of the posted name. Catherine for Katherine, but not Kathy or Cathy.


If it's unclear, just post your 'problematic name' in this thread, and Jane(PS) will say yea or nay. : )

Amanda wrote: "Is the list of names limited to only being the first? Could a character with the last name "Thomas" be counted or is it strictly first names?"

Strictly first name.

its a pity you can't search for character names here...like, when you put in information about a book you can list characters, but I haven't found anyway yet to search for those names (aside from finding another book with that info and doing a backwards search)

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "its a pity you can't search for character names here...like, when you put in information about a book you can list characters, but I haven't found anyway yet to search for those names (aside from f..."

The SOS group has a excel sheet with character names, occupations, etc.

SOS DB

Thanks for thinking of our db Diane :)

ohh that's good! can you search for a name...I took a quick look, but i could only see find and replace on a pull-down (definately don't want that)

i'm wondering if doing a boys name/girls name threads might be appropriate...because once you start putting the name of the books in,that is going to kill characters available really quickly...thoughts?

I see some "difficult" names on the list, but I can't resist a challenge - even though I don't have much reading time nowadays. Thanks for the link, Diane. And thanks for creating the db, Sandra. :)

Since I’m reading anyway, I might as well play in another Challenge. Heck, they are getting me to branch out my reading some.

Fortunately this challenge runs from May 1 to October 30 which will encompass the October 2011 24 Hour Readathon on October 22.

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "ohh that's good! can you search for a name...I took a quick look, but i could only see find and replace on a pull-down (definately don't want that)"

Yep, in that you can alphabetize the name column & search that way.

Thanks Dina but it was Steph's idea and we all contribute to the spreadsheet, when we remember. LOL.

OCD question: Why does the tournament end on October 30 and not October 31? I need all the days/hours/minutes/seconds I can get, LOL.

Thanks to Steph and all the contributors, then. :)

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "ohh that's good! can you search for a name...I took a quick look, but i could only see find and replace on a pull-down (definately don't want that)"

Cntl-F brings up Find and Replace window. Just type in the name and click Find and no worries. :)

Sandra wrote: "Thanks for thinking of our db Diane :)"

np. It is handy and I need to remember to update it more often.

Hi, guys! This definitely sounds interesting but I can't understand how it works exactly. Do we have to post a list of books with the names before we start or we post a book and check off the names as we go?

i'm going to check off the names as I go with the book next to it (and probably the date finished)

hey guys - if you are going to participate, there is a separate thread that Jane started for you to post your lists on ;)

depends on the format...but give or take about 1500-2000 i think...

Wow crazy challenge! So just to make sure, if the name is spelled differently for instance, my name is on there as Hailey, but I spell my name Hayley. It's ok for different spellings, just don't shorten it. Correct? Just want to make sure!

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i'm wondering if doing a boys name/girls name threads might be appropriate...because once you start putting the name of the books in,that is going to kill characters available really quickly...thou..."

I agree. I think we'll reach the characters available quite quickly.
Also, what is the secret to typing in links for the book/author after you have all ready typed in your challenge categories? When ever I have tried this in the past the links that I try to add in always end up at the bottom of my list. For example if I have pretyped in:
Alexa
Allison
Alyssa
Amanda
Amelia....

And then go back in to edit that I read (trying to insert the book link beside the character name of Amanda) it places my link at the bottom of my edit comments.


Heiress For Hire

I'm in, but I'm going to have to think how to post it. I'll probably do a separate spreadsheet and post completed ones.

I'm in, but I'm going to see how I do without "trying". I'm a little burned out on challenges where I force myself to read something and I feel guilty getting a book and not reading it. I'm reading 10-15 books per month, so even if I average one name per book, I think I'll do ok.

I don't know how reliable this is but Shelfari has a way of searching books by character name, e.g. Michael http://www.shelfari.com/characters/michael

And just replace the name in the address to find other characters.

I found a book with the name Ben can I use that for Benjamin?

Dina wrote: "OCD question: Why does the tournament end on October 30 and not October 31? I need all the days/hours/minutes/seconds I can get, LOL."

Because I'm a dope! LOL! OK - I'll change the end date to 31 October! Too many things on my mind last night(!) :)

Hayley wrote: "Wow crazy challenge! So just to make sure, if the name is spelled differently for instance, my name is on there as Hailey, but I spell my name Hayley. It's ok for different spellings, just don't ..."

Yes - that is right... Full name with only a minor spelling difference. A shortened version of the name does not count unless it is made clear in the book that their full name is one of the names listed.

Lindy-Lane wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i'm wondering if doing a boys name/girls name threads might be appropriate...because once you start putting the name of the books in,that is going to kill cha..."

I just cut and paste. That is, the link falls to the bottom of the comment. I then highlight the type/link, right-click 'cut', and then put my cursor after the required name, and right-click 'paste'. This removes the link from the bottom of the comment and places it next where you want it.

Sarah wrote: "I found a book with the name Ben can I use that for Benjamin?"

Not unless it is made clear within the book at some point, that his full name is Benjamin. Sorry :(

Emily, KarenH and Sallie
Would you mind deleting your lists and placing them in the Participants Thread? Here is the link: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

I want to keep this thread for comments and discussions. And all the lists go in the other thread so that I don't miss anyone.

Many thanks :)

Sorry Jane, I actually have it already posted in the other thread, and somehow when I copied it to post in my reading list thread, it ended up here instead. I guess I'm just a little brain-dead today!

I've deleted the post from this thread - sorry again for the confusion!

Jane (PS) wrote: "Emily, KarenH and Sallie
Would you mind deleting your lists and placing them in the Participants Thread? Here is the link: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...-..."

Jane (PS) wrote: "Lindy-Lane wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i'm wondering if doing a boys name/girls name threads might be appropriate...because once you start putting the name of the books in,that i..."

AFAIK that is an issue with boards like this in general...because I know amazon does the same thing...if you haven't written anything after it you can insert a product link whereever, otherwise it inserts it at the end of the block of writing

Jane (PS) wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I found a book with the name Ben can I use that for Benjamin?"

Not unless it is made clear within the book at some point, that his full name is Benjamin. Sorry :("

That works both ways, right? If the name on the list is "Emma", I can't use a character that's full name is "Emmaline", but throughout the book she is called "Emma"?

Hmmmm - good question Rena. I think I would allow that. If you are searching for Emma, and the full name is Emmaline, but she is called Emma - yes you can use that.

Is is just that if it was Emmaline on the list, but the character is never known/explained as having that name but is known as Emma, then the shortened Emma is out... (Because we never actually knew she was really 'Emmaline', the name we are searching for.)

Hope that makes sense. :)

KarenH wrote: "Sorry Jane, I actually have it already posted in the other thread, and somehow when I copied it to post in my reading list thread, it ended up here instead. I guess I'm just a little brain-dead to..."

Thanks KarenH - I know it is easy to do :)

Here is another confusion: I know a book where the character is 'Abigail' but is also known as 'Abby' - I would allow one of the names to be ticked off, but you can't check off both names (since both are on the list) for the one character. That is, you are allowed to check off 4 names per book - but it must be for 4 separate characters within the book.

Polina wrote: "Hi, guys! This definitely sounds interesting but I can't understand how it works exactly. Do we have to post a list of books with the names before we start or we post a book and check off the names..."

You can post as you go - checking off names and noting the related book next to the name. I think putting the date that the book was finished is a good idea (thanks for mentioning this DDee). I might make this a rule as well. (hehehe)

Amber wrote: "I'm in, but I'm going to see how I do without "trying". I'm a little burned out on challenges where I force myself to read something and I feel guilty getting a book and not reading it. I'm readi..."

I'm pretty much going to take this approach Amber. I don't get through more than about 10 books/mth - so I'll fit my books in as much as I can... I just think this will give a fun slant to my reading :)

I just want to make sure Im clear. I can use variations of a name like Aidan for Aiden but I can't use Katie for Kathryn? Also, can the name be used multiple times or only once?

I've added a few more rules in message 2 just clarifying topics discussed thus far - please read.

Other than clarifying what name (shortened or lengthened) are acceptable, I have also requested that the date that a book is finished is also noted next to the title.

Drq wrote: "I just want to make sure Im clear. I can use variations of a name like Aidan for Aiden but I can't use Katie for Kathryn? Also, can the name be used multiple times or only once?"

Yes to Aiden/Aidan, but no to Katherine/Katie unless the long form 'Katherine' is actually recognised as the character's 'full' name during the book.

How do you mean multiple times Drq? Once the name is checked off, it is finished and can't be counted again...

Oi! I wanna play too, but ...... I'm gonna think on it. Might do like Amber and just see how well I do without really trying to find the names. Might be a bit less stressful that way. Although, who am I kiddin'? I'm sure to stress at some point. LOL!

Great idea, though! And, Thanks to Jane for refereeing!

@Diane ~ Thanks for mentioning our database/spreadsheet. Poor thing doesn't get as much love as it should. I'm always forgetting to add to it. Hopefully it'll help some people out. This is a perfect example of why we created it in the first place.

OCDemon request~ Since it's fully editable (that's a word?) by all, please be careful not to delete anything already listed there. Thanks! :D

I apologize but I am unclear on how to chose the names. Do I make up my own name list or chose the name off the list is alreally post? Also do I put the title of the book I found the names?

Cinquetta: The names are listed at message 3. The rules are in message 2. Basically, to play you have to check off as many names in these 2 lists (girls/boys). The person with the most names marked off at 31 October wins!

If you are interested, then you post your list in the separate Participants Thread. You keep the same message number throughout the tournament - editing that same message as you progress through the list and noting the book and date the book was finished against each applicable name.

I have a summary of who is participating and their message number in the Participants Thread at the beginning (in that thread's message 3).

Hope this helps.

Ok, here's another point for clarification. In the case of recurring characters in a series, if the character is generally referred to by a nickname or last name, does the first name have to be mentioned in the specific book you're reading, or just be known from elsewhere in the series? For example, in the In Death books, the character McNab's first name is Ian, but he is most commonly referred to as McNab, and his first name isn't necessarily used in every book. Would it only count if the first name is actually mentioned in the book you're reading?

Jane (PS) wrote: "Drq wrote: "I just want to make sure Im clear. I can use variations of a name like Aidan for Aiden but I can't use Katie for Kathryn? Also, can the name be used multiple times or only once?"

Yes ..."

I just wanted to clarify some things that popped in my head. You answered my questions. thanks