Historical Fictionistas discussion

Around the World Challenge

In honor of summer (at least for those in the Northern hemisphere) and the summer Olympics, we're going on to do some "armchair" travelling. Each participant will put together a travel itinerary of countries to visit, pack their library cards and start their journey to earn points and bonuses along the way.

** Sign ups: Participants must sign up and provide their trip itinerary before 12:00am EST August 1st, 2012. Only those who have signed up and posted their itinerary by July 31st 11:59pm EST will earn points for their trip. If you do not have an itinerary, you may still earn task bonus points.

** All points must be reported by 11:59pm EST on September 30, 2012 to be counted.

RULES:
1) Books must be at least 200 pages long.

2) The first book used for the challenge should be started on or after August 1st.

3) Audiobooks are accepted.

4) Re-reads are permitted for this challenge.

5) There is no genre requirement for this challenge, but HF books will earn bonus. HF is defined as a work published at least 50 years after at least half of the events in the work. .

6) ALL page counts, regardless of edition or version read, will be determined by the most popular edition of the book on Goodreads. The most popular edition is the one that shows up first when you search for the book.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP:
1) You are going on an around the world journey consisting of 30 stops. To plan your journey you will create a list of countries that you will visit; each stop needs to be in a separate country. The countries will be ordered from 30-1, and when you read the book set in the country, its placement will determine the point value. You do not have to pre-select the books, only the destinations.

2) You may start your journey in any country, but from this point, you may only travel in one direction, meaning east to west or west to east. You may travel back and forth between both the northern and southern hemispheres as long as you’re moving in the same direction.

3) Since this is a historical fiction group and many read historical fiction novels, it is fine to use countries that are no longer in existence. However, you can only visit 3 former countries/territories for each modern country. Example, you can visit Normandy, Provence and France (which used to refer mostly to the Paris and surrounding region). If you are claiming a “former” country, the book must be a work of HF. Please provide a link (wikipedia or another credible source) for validation.

SCORING YOUR TRIP:
1) In order to claim the points for a country on your itinerary, you must read a book which is set in that country. At least 50% of the action needs to take place in that country. You score points based on the placement on the list. The book read for #30 spot/country will receive 30 points, the book read for #5 spot/country will receive 5 points. NOTE: You do not need to read the books in the order of your itinerary..

2) Bonus points will be awarded based on the length of each book read, as follows:
200 to 300 pages = 2 bonus points
301 to 500 pages = 4 bonus points
501 to 750 pages = 6 bonus points
751 to 1,000 pages = 8 bonus points
1,000+ = 10 bonus points

3) You will receive 1 additional bonus point for every HF book read. Please be sure to list that the book is HF to make sure that the additional points are counted. WE WILL NOT AWARD HF POINTS IF IT IS NOT REPORTED. Magical realism and historical fantasy does not count.

4) Review points (5) will be given for reviews written for challenge task books once read. In order to receive these points:
- You MUST link to the review in the scoring thread. If it is not directly linked, points will not be awarded. To link to your review, click on the view hyperlink on your bookshelf and copy the URL that is displayed in the address bar.
- It MUST be a new review. Points will not be awarded for a review written before the challenge start date.
- If writing a review after reporting points for a book, please link to the review in a NEW COMMENT, state the title the review is for, and refer to the comment number containing your original points for the book. Do not edit posts to add your review link as I will not be going back to check for them.

5) Additional task bonuses: You may earn additional bonus points for fulfilling the tasks listed below. Each book can only be used for one bonus task. Books for the bonus tasks are not required to be on your itinerary. If you didn’t make an itinerary, you can treat these tasks like a normal challenge.

6) When claiming a book, please link to the title of the book (not the cover) so that it can be verified. If you only link to the cover, it will not be counted. To link to a book, use the add book/author link just above the comment box and make sure that the book title button is selected.

7) For scoring purposes, I will note when I’ve updated the scoreboard in the scoring thread. Please do not edit earlier posts once the scores are tabulated. If you need to make adjustments, please note the number of the previous thread that you need adjusting. I will only look at the threads that have been posted since the last score update.

8) HAVE FUN!!

_________________________________________________

Bonus Task List:

5.1 Personal Journeys: Read a memoir involving travel.
5.2 Out of this world: Read a book which is set in another world; this book cannot be used on your itinerary.
5.3 Travelling through time: Read a book which features time travel.

10.1 Tourist visa: Read a book where the author is from a different country than the setting of the book.
10.2 Planes, trains, and automobiles: Read a book which has a mode of transportation or the name of a vehicle in the title. (Examples: Raise the Titanic! Murder on the Orient Express, Train Dreams)
10.3 Passport Stamp: Read a book set in a location that you would like to visit.

15.1 Tourist Trap?: Read a book where the characters visit a tourist attraction. Tell us why we should or should not visit.
15.2 Customs Official: Read a book which describes a specific custom of the country that you did not know about. Please share what that was.
15.3. Traveller’s Warnings: Read a book about a threatening event which would make you think twice about visiting that country. Please describe.. (Examples: disease, civil unrest)


25.1 Guided Tour: Read a HF book that has events that take place in more than 5 countries.
25.2 Wonders of the World: Read a HF book which features one of the wonders of the world. You may either use the ancient or modern ones (Examples include: Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, Petra) Resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonders_...
25.3 Travels with your Family: Read a HF book set in a country of one of your ancestors.

50.1 Island Hopper: Read 3 HF books that are set on islands.
50.2 Two sides of the story: Read 2 HF books about the same event that are set in different countries.

100.1 World Traveler: Read 5 HF books set in different continents. The continents are Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, South America, Europe and Antarctica.


EXAMPLES/RESOURCES:
Valid Trip Itinerary Example: Country listing will be frozen on July 31 at 11:59 pm.
30. United States
29. Mexico
28. Peru
27. Spain: A Queen’s Vow
26. England
25. Scotland
24. Normandy
23. Provence
22. France
21. Bavaria
20. Austria

Scoring Example:
#20 Austria - Becoming Marie Antoinette
224 pages = 2 pts
Review = 5 pts
2 stars → http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Task Bonus: 25.3 Travels with my family

Book Total: 52 pts

References:
(If you find others, please list in the comments).
GoodReads Listopia: search by word travel or by country name
Listing of literature by country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literatu...
Guardian World Literature Tour: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/serie...
HF by country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...
Books by country: http://aroundtheworldin80books.wordpr...

This looks wonderful, JoLene! Nice work!

Interesting idea. I'm already doing an Around The World challenge for 52 books from 52 different countries by the end of the year. I've read 28, though I haven't had a chance to shelve the last two.

But I'm not planning them in advance. I'm just finding books that apply to the challenge and posting them as I go. So I guess that challenge won't be compatible with this one because I need a challenge list in advance here. Oh well!

Shomeret wrote: "Interesting idea. I'm already doing an Around The World challenge for 52 books from 52 different countries by the end of the year. I've read 28, though I haven't had a chance to shelve the last tw..."

@Shomeret: You just need a country list in advance. You can read the books in any order so if you put together an itinerary with the countries that you haven't read yet, you can still participate if you want. However, as one who often has several challenges going in a row, I can also understand opting out :-D

okay so the bonus list, is that bonus points for us along with the Reading Around the World?

Yes, you get country points based on the location on your pre-planned country listing. The task list is bonus points.

It is a ashame I didn't keep my list from the last around the world challenge I did.

This really is a fantastic challenge, JoLene! I don't know if I can do the itinerary portion, but I will definitely try to do the bonus tasks.

Good job, and thanks again for volunteering! :D

I considered this challenge, but I realized that it would involve reading 30 books in two months. I could do it, but I'd have to devote all my reading to it for those two months. I'd find that too constricting. So I'm opting out.

I think I would need help with my itiniary.

Looking at your example, it appears that you can use a book read for your itinerary to fullfil a bonus task. Is this correct? Or are the bonus tasks in addition to the itinerary stops?

I believe they can overlap, Cheryl, except for the ones that specify otherwise, like "5.2 Out of this world".

Thanks - let the planning begin!!
I actually think I get as much enjoyment out of planning the challenges as I do reading the books :)

This looks like a great challenge!

It does sound like a great challenge but I have a year long challenge and due to veering off for numerous books that did not fit already this year, I think I will have to focus on the books already on my reading plan for the next two months. And I just do not see much overlap between my list and this challenge. I will, however, check in and probably get lots more ideas for more books to read!

looks interesting

Jon, are you doing this? I've been planning an Around the World in 80 challenge, and the timing here is perfect!

@Cheryl, yes they can overlap. However, each book can only earn one task bonus. I did this because if you start a book and the the setting does not end up meeting the criteria of 50% taking place in one country, then there may still be an opportunity to earn points with it.

Laura wrote: "Jon, are you doing this? I've been planning an Around the World in 80 challenge, and the timing here is perfect!"

maaaayyyyybeeeee ... i wouldnt be a high scorer...but perhaps could help me blitz a few books on the shelf

I am going to have a hard time coming up with 30 different countries.

I am having a hard time accepting the fact that this challenge ends Sept 30th, why is time going so fast?

Jon wrote: "Laura wrote: "Jon, are you doing this? I've been planning an Around the World in 80 challenge, and the timing here is perfect!"

maaaayyyyybeeeee ... i wouldnt be a high scorer...but perhaps coul..."

I wouldn't be a high scorer either, but it sure would help me plan my 80 challenge.

well i might give it a go i can only fail miserably lol. shame i allready started the 63 book - could have had time travel!

Jolene, your challenge looks very interesting. I have too many other reading obligations to do the itinerary, but I will try to do some of the bonus tasks. You are really stretching us with this one. That's good!

Jon wrote: "well i might give it a go i can only fail miserably lol. shame i allready started the 63 book - could have had time travel!"

Oh good point, lol

I've almost got my list done but have one question: For England since we can use former countries/territories can I use England, Wales, and the Kingdom of Wessex?

Yes, you can use that.

Hi JoLene - Can horses count as a mode of transportation for 10.2?

Hi Jolene, This is a great challenge! I am having a lot of fun planning my books and countries (up to 26 now) Please correct me if I am wrong, may I use an HF book set in the Alaska Territory (The Snow Child), an HF book set in Hawaii Territory (Molokai) and a regular United States HF book? Thanks!

@Laura: Yes, horses can count as a mode of transportation if the horses are really used for transporting people or things vs being ridden for pleasure or used on a ranch.

@Christina: Yes, I'll allow the territories to count.

Hey JoLene... not essential,but is non-fiction allowed? Obviously not for HF bonus points

My Itinerary:


30. Canada
29. United States
28. Greenland
27. Ireland
26. Scotland
25. Wales
24. England
23. Kingdom of Wessex
22. France
21. Provence
20. Spain
19. Nigeria
18. South Africa
17. Italy
16. Germany
15. Netherlands
14. Sweden
13. Poland
12. Romania
11. Greece
10. Egypt
9. Ottoman Empire
8. Mesopotamia
7. India
6. China
5. Mongolia
4. Russia
3. Vietnam
2. Australia
1. Japan

@Jon, any genre is allowed for the itinerary. However, some of the bonus tasks must be historical fiction.

thanks

So it is only books set in a specific country? What about authors that were born in that country?

given my appallingly slow track record of reading speed of late - this could be a bit fruitless... this is more than i have read in the last 2 years i reckon! but hey..ill pop my itinerary up and we will see what happens


30 UK
29 Spain
28 France
27 Germany
26 Sweden
25 Italy
24 Hungary
23 Poland
22 Romania
21 South Africa
20 Egypt
19 Turkey
18 Kenya
17 Russia
16 India
15 Burma
14 Indonesia
13 Vietnam
12 Australia
11 China
10 North Korea
9 Japan
8 Canada
7 USA
6 Mexico
5 Chile
4 Cuba
3 Argentina
2 Iceland
1 Ireland

Here's mine:

30 USA
29 Jamaica
28 Canada
27 Dominican Republic
26 Brazil
25 Sierra Leone
24 Spain
23 Ireland
22 Guernsey
21 England
20 Scotland
19 France
18 The Netherlands
17 Germany
16 Italy
15 Norway
14 Denmark
13 Botswana
12 Zimbabwe
11 Israel
10 Turkey
9 Russia
8 Pakistan
7 India
6 Burma
5 China
4 Singapore
3 Australia
2 Japan
1 New Zealand

Setting (not author) is how you claim points for the itinerary.

Here's my itinerary... I know I won't get half of them done, but it's such a cool idea I can't resist!! Thank JoLene for all the work!


30 Canada
29 USA
28 Mexico
27 Panama
26 Jamaica
25 Argentina
24 Brazil
23 Antarctica
22 Ireland
21 Spain
20 Scotland
19 UK
18 France
17 Germany
16 Italy
15 Greece
14 Egypt
13 South Africa
12 Ethiopia
11 Israel
10 India
9 Russia
8 China
7 Vietnam
6 Philippines
5 Australia
4 North Korea
3 New Zeland
2 Japan
1 Hawaiian Territory

i may make a tweak to my countries, can you start in any country you want or just where you live?

#2 under "planning your trip" says you can start in any country, Jon.

thanks L - ill prob get through 2 books so dont suppose it makes much odds!

Me too! We'll be slow coaches together! :)

You change your trip itinerary up until end of day on July 31 -- they will be copied to a new thread and locked for score keeping purposes.

You can also read books in any order. Just remember the your country list needs to have you travelling in only one direction (east to west, or west to east).

This is a great challenge! Here's my itinerary:


30. Canada
29. United States
28. Mexico
27. Jamaica
26. Dominican Republic
25. Brazil
24. Antarctica
23. Iceland
22. Morocco
21. Ireland
20. Spain
19. UK
18. France
17. Belgium
16. The Netherlands
15. Switzerland
14. Italy
13. Denmark
12. Austria
11. Poland
10. Greece
9. Botswana
8. Syria
7. Iran
6. India
5. Burma
4. Singapore
3. Vietnam
2. Japan
1. Australia

I don't know if I will do the around the world challenge. I will do the bonus task list.

Thanks for all your hard work on this, JoLene.

right...me thinks ill start in India to be different


30 India
29 Mongolia
28 Australia
27 North Korea
26 USA
25 Canada
24 Argentina
23 Iceland
22 Ireland
21 UK
20 France
19 Germany
18 Sweden
17 Botswana
16 South Africa
15 Zimbabwe
14 Poland
13 Romania
12 Greece
11 Ukraine
10 Turkey
9 Egypt
8 Syria
7 Jordan
6 Russia
5 Tanzania
4 Ethiopia
3 Saudi Arabia
2 Iran
1 Uzbeksistan

30 Alaska Territory
29 Hawaii Territory
28 United States
27 Haiti/Saint-Domingue
26 Chile
25 Brazil
24 Argentina
23 Uraguay
22 Guinea
21 Ireland
20 Spain
19 UK
18 France
17 Botswana
16 Italy
15 Germany
14 Austria
13 Poland
12 Greece
11 Turkey
10 Israel
9 Russia
8 Iran
7 India
6 China
5 Mongolia
4 Vietnam
3 Australia
2 Japan
1 Papua New Guinea

Thanks, JoLene. This sounds like fun. I had a great time just figuring out where countries were actually located in relation to one another!!

30. England
29. France
28. Scotland
27. Netherlands
26. Switzerland
25. Italy
24. Germany
23. Austria
22. Bosnia
21. Poland
20. Greece
19. Egypt
18. Russia
17. Israel
16. Turkey
15. Babylonia (Modern Iraq)
14. Pakistan
13. China
12. India
11. Philippines
10. Japan
9. New Zealand
8. Canada
7. Chile
6. United States
5. Cuba
4. Brazil
3. Iceland
2. Morocco
1. Ireland

I'm really anal, so I went by the longitude of the city listed in the book's description. I had a blast!!!