If you need suggestions for books to read for this task post a request here.

pjreads, i got 326 as an option, "slavery." could i read Uncle Tom's Cabin for this?

kiki wrote: "pjreads, i got 326 as an option, "slavery." could i read Uncle Tom's Cabin for this?"Uncle Tom's Cabin is fiction and literature is found in the 800's so I don't think that would work.

oh, so it has to be non-fiction about slavery? i'm really confused by that task, but that's nothing new for me! thanks for the clarification, cynthia! :)

Ok, just to double check that I'm doing this right- I chose Middlemarch from last task, which has 912 pages. I added 2, got 914 which is "Europe". I plan to read How the Irish Saved Civilization The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe. Then I subtracted 250 (+/-2) and got 664 "Food Technology", for which I plan to read The Botany of Desire A Plant's-Eye View of the World, which is about genetic engineering of food, I think.

Did I do that right?

Amanda wrote: "Ok, just to double check that I'm doing this right- I chose Middlemarch from last task, which has 912 pages. I added 2, got 914 which is "Europe". I plan to read [book:How the Irish Saved Civilizat..."

Wiki shows Dewey Decimal 941.501 20 for How the Irish Saved Civilization (here)

This site shows Dewey Decimal 306.4 for The Botany of Desire (here)

This is harder than I thought, but searching by the title and Dewey Decimal got results for these two.

Amanda wrote: "Ok, just to double check that I'm doing this right- I chose Middlemarch from last task, which has 912 pages. I added 2, got 914 which is "Europe". I plan to read [book:How the Irish Saved Civilizat..."

I think you have the general idea, but I looked on my library website, and the classification for Irish book is 941, general history of Europe. For the Pollan book, it's 306, culture and institutions. I guess the appropriate category isn't always obvious! I never would have guessed the Pollan classification.

I'm not sure if the categories are a standard thing, meaning the same at every library. Maybe pjreads can clarify?

blast! ok, this is more specific than I thought! back to the drawing board..

Amanda wrote: "blast! ok, this is more specific than I thought! back to the drawing board.."

Do you have another book you can use as the starting point with a page count that would get either 941 or 306?

These both sound like great books.

Katie wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Ok, just to double check that I'm doing this right- I chose Middlemarch from last task, which has 912 pages. I added 2, got 914 which is "Europe". I plan to read [book:How the Irish ..."

Dewey Decimal is a standardized system.

"The work of assigning a DDC number to each newly published book is performed by a division of the Library of Congress, whose recommended assignments are either accepted or rejected by the OCLC after review by an advisory board; to date all have been accepted."

Not all libraries use the Dewey Decimal System. Some use the Library of Congress categories (more expansive, less standardized) or the Universal Decimal System (based on Dewey Decimal with added categories and features for new subjects and use in other alphabets).

I don't know if any of your libraries are the same, but my library's website has the ability to search the catalog online by call number. http://ipac.trlib.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&m...
This is obviously limited by what my library has, but it could still help to give you some book titles. Or maybe your local library has a similar way to search online?

I guess I just didn't realize that the books we picked had to have the exact decimal match...the description of the task says "Read A Book WrittenAbout The Dewey Decimal Subject That Matches (+/-2) The Number Of Pages Of One Of The Books You Rated Highest From The 2009 Fall Challenge (Or Your GR Read List)."....since it said "subject" and not "exact decimal" I thought there was a little more wiggle room..so since my first subject was "Europe", I figured I could just read a book about Europe. Maybe we could re-word the task to reflect this specificity? Unless I'm just reading it wrong, in which case ignore me :)

Amanda, Dewey Decimal divides things in the 900s so that 914 is Europe, travel, description, culture and 940 is Europe, History. Apparently, How the Irish Saved Civilization is considered more history.

I'm confused also. I thought it was "subject" and I had planned to read a fiction book that dealt with the related subject.

Does it have to be actually a book that is FILED under that number?

Here was my plan, please let me know if it works :)

A 5 star book of mine is "Midwives", which is 374 pages. +/- 2 in Dewey Decimal is: 372 Elem. Ed, 373 Secondary Ed, 374 Adult Education, 375 Curriculum [BOOK TO BE DECIDED:]

Minus 250 = 125 = no longer used (previously: Infinity). 126 is The Self and I planned to use Genesis by Bernard Beckett Genesis

Is that ok?

edited to ask: what about numbers no longer in use? I hit that several times. Thanks!

1. PJ READS TASK - FUN WITH THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM – Read 2 Books...
A. Read A Book Related to The Dewey Decimal Subject That Matches (+/-2) The Number Of Pages Of One Of The Books You Rated Highest From The 2009 Fall Challenge (Or Your GR Read List).
EX. If One Of Your Highest Rated Books From The Fall Challenge Was 183 Pages Your Choices For The First Book Are…
181 Oriental Philosophy
182 Pre-Socratic Greek Philosophies
183 Sophistic & Socratic Philosophies
184 Platonic Philosophy
185 Aristotelian Philosophy

B. For The Second Book, Imagining The Dewey Decimal Numbers As A Circle With 000 Following 999, Move Forward Or Backward 250 Numbers (+/-2) From The Subject Chosen For The First Book (OR Forward Or Backward From Your Original Page Count Number.).
EX. If You Decided To Read A Book About Oriental Philosophy (181) Then 250 Decimals Forward = 431, 250 Decimals Backward = 931 So Your Choices Would Be...
429 Old English (Anglo-Saxon)
430 Germanic Languages German
431 German Writing System & Phonology
432 German Etymology
433 German Dictionaries
929 Genealogy, Names, Insignia
930 History Of Ancient World
931 History Of Ancient World China
932 History Of Ancient World Egypt
933 History Of Ancient World Palestine

I have the same question as others...is it subject? or does the book actually have to be filed under that number. If it is subject, I think most people will be able to find something easily. If it has to actually be filed under that number, I see this becoming a headache for you PJREADS. That would mean we could only read non-fiction AND likely, you would need to approve every single selection.

Not complaining, I can just see where this is headed based on other tasks from other challenges (poetry, christian fiction, rhyming).

For example, one of my options is to read a book about heat physics. The idea of actually selecting a non-fiction book about this has no appeal for me, but I am sure I could find a book about a mad scientists that dealt with lightning or something like that, that I could have more fun with.

So is this right for the first part of the task?

First part: I got 303 pages..I'm using 305 (Social Groups) and planning to read The Lolita Effect .

Second part: I got 055 and nothing shows up with that. And I don't want to use the other number because it's about geology or something..do I get another option?

Bridgit wrote: "I have the same question as others...is it subject? or does the book actually have to be filed under that number. If it is subject, I think most people will be able to find something easily. If it ..."

The 800s are literature. Aim there! Any 800ish page 5* reads? (But then +/- 250, you'd have to read something on technology or organizations/libraries.

It helps if you have a lot of 5* reads this challenge. (I have three.)

I am using Her Fearful Symmetry (401 pages) for my start off book.

So... I am going to read Um. . . Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders, and What They Mean (Call # 401.9) and

Postcards from the Brain Museum The Improbable Search for Meaning in the Matter of Famous Minds (Call # 153)

This one could be hard! I can't wait to start searching though!

Katie wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "I have the same question as others...is it subject? or does the book actually have to be filed under that number. If it is subject, I think most people will be able to find somethin..."

Yeah - i only have 4 - three in the 300's and one in the 500's. Nothing will get me to 800... :(

How does one know which Dewey Decimal catagory number a book has? I've figured out the Catagories but don't know how to search for books within those Catagories.
Thanks!

Okay, I figured it out using my Library's system.
Is there a minimum page requirement for any of the books read for this task?

I will re-word the task from:

... Read A Book Written About The Dewey Decimal Subject That Matches ...

to:

... Read A Book Related to The Dewey Decimal Subject That Matches ...

and allow fiction for either choice.

(I hope this post makes it into the system. GR has been locking up for me all day. I will answer individual posts when the system lets me.)

pjreads- I bow to your greatness.

kiki wrote: "oh, so it has to be non-fiction about slavery? i'm really confused by that task, but that's nothing new for me! thanks for the clarification, cynthia! :)"

Task modified to allow fiction -- Uncle Tom's Cabin is OK.

Ashley wrote: "I'm confused also. I thought it was "subject" and I had planned to read a fiction book that dealt with the related subject.

Does it have to be actually a book that is FILED under that number?

He...

and I planned to use Genesis by Bernard Beckett ..."

Genesis is OK

El wrote: "1. PJ READS TASK - FUN WITH THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM – Read 2 Books...
A. Read A Book Written About The Dewey Decimal Subject That Matches (+/-2) The Number Of Pages Of One Of The Books You Rated ..."

El,
Cynthia made two changes to the task for me.
- Changing "written about" to "related to"
- Adding (OR forward or backward from your original page count number).

Would you mind making these changes in your post to avoid more confusion.

Thanks!

PJReads - I think that is a great amendment! Thanks so much!

Bridgit wrote: "Katie wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "I have the same question as others...is it subject? or does the book actually have to be filed under that number. If it is subject, I think most people will be able to...

Yeah - i only have 4 - three in the 300's and one in the 500's. Nothing will get me to 800... "

In:
"... One Of The Books You Rated Highest From The 2009 Fall Challenge (Or Your GR Read List)

Insert "seven (7)" so that it reads:
"... One Of the seven (7) Books You Rated Highest From The 2009 Fall Challenge (Or Your GR Read List)

It does not have to be a 5* book.

Thanks for the clarifications, pjreads. You are the best!

pjreads wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "Katie wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "I have the same question as others...is it subject? or does the book actually have to be filed under that number. If it is subject, I think most people..."

Even better!!!

Same answer for Ashley (post #14) & Jamie (post #17)

Ashley wrote: "...
edited to ask: what about numbers no longer in use? I hit that several times. Thanks..."

Jamie wrote: "So is this right for the first part of the task?

First part: I got 303 pages..I'm using 305 (Social Groups) and planning to read The Lolita Effect .

Second part: I got 055 and nothing shows up with that. And I don't want to use the other number because it's about geology or something..do I get another option?"

If a Dewey Decimal System number is not used or you cannot find a book that fits, you may move forward or backward 125 (+/-2) numbers from that number.

If moving 250, then 125 still results in a Dewey Decimal that is not used or you cannot find a book that fits, then you may move forward or backward 62 (+/-2) numbers from that number.

You will need to explain all your moves when you claim points for the task.

pjreads wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "Katie wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "I have the same question as others...is it subject? or does the book actually have to be filed under that number. If it is subject, I think most people..."

*jumps up and down* Yay! I think that will make it much easier for me. Thanks.

Okay, I think I figured this out. But can you verify if my books are closely enough related? Then I will narrow down to two depending on what I feel like later :)

My book was 336 pages-

334-338 are subtypes of economics- I would like to read Freakonomics A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything which is actually shelved as 330, but since it is related does it work?

-250 gives me (84-89) which are general collections in various languages one of which is french- so is it ok to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog since it was originally published in French?

+250 gives me (584-589) which is botany- Can I read this cozy mystery Mum's the Word whose series title is "Flower Shop Mysteries"?

Thanks so much for altering your task. This would actually let me use books from my TBR if they all work.

Ok, so do my original picks work then, since they're related? Here's my original post:

Ok, just to double check that I'm doing this right- I chose Middlemarch from last task, which has 912 pages. I added 2, got 914 which is "Europe". I plan to read How the Irish Saved Civilization The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe. Then I subtracted 250 (+/-2) and got 664 "Food Technology", for which I plan to read The Botany of Desire A Plant's-Eye View of the World, which is about genetic engineering of food, I think.

Hi pjreads,

For call number 944, "General history of Europe; France & Monaco," would you accept A Tale of Two Cities as fiction related to French history?

Thanks!

Rachel Lee wrote: "Okay, I think I figured this out. But can you verify if my books are closely enough related? Then I will narrow down to two depending on what I feel like later :)

My book was 336 pages-

334-338 are subtypes of economics- I would like to read Freakonomics A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything which is actually shelved as 330, but since it is related does it work?

-250 gives me (84-89) which are general collections in various languages one of which is french- so is it ok to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog since it was originally published in French?

+250 gives me (584-589) which is botany- Can I read this cozy mystery Mum's the Word whose series title is "Flower Shop Mysteries"? ..."

Yes to all

Amanda wrote: "Ok, so do my original picks work then, since they're related? Here's my original post:

Ok, just to double check that I'm doing this right- I chose Middlemarch from last task, which has 912 pages. I added 2, got 914 which is "Europe". I plan to read How the Irish Saved Civilization The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe. Then I subtracted 250 (+/-2) and got 664 "Food Technology", for which I plan to read The Botany of Desire A Plant's-Eye View of the World, which is about genetic engineering of food, I think."

Yes

Katie wrote: "Hi pjreads,

For call number 944, "General history of Europe; France & Monaco," would you accept A Tale of Two Cities as fiction related to French history?

Thanks!"

Yes

For catagory 286 (Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Adventist), would either Reading Judas The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity or The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot A New Look at Betrayer and Betrayed be acceptable (as a disciple of Christ)?

On Bullshit fits directly into catagory 177 (another of my choices) but its under 100 pages. Would it be acceptable?

sweet! thanks

Petra wrote: "For catagory 286 (Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Adventist), would either Reading Judas The Gospel of Judas and the Shaping of Christianity or [book:The Lost Gospel of Judas Iscariot ..."

Disciples of Christ in 286 is the Christian denomination, not the 12 apostles, but since the books relate to Christianity they're fine.

On Bullshit is perfect and I want to read it.

pjreads wrote: "Same answer for Ashley (post #14) & Jamie (post #17)

Ashley wrote: "...
edited to ask: what about numbers no longer in use? I hit that several times. Thanks..."

Jamie wrote: "So is this righ..."

Thanks!! You are great! PS. I think this task is fun! I've been reading through some of peoples subjects and they sound so interesting! The weird thing about all my highest rated books for the Fall challenge is that all but 2 of them have either 303, 304, or 305 pages. What are the odds that all of the books I rated the highest would be the same page amount!? lol

Thanks for tweaking your challenge - this will be a great task!

pjreads wrote: "On Bullshit is perfect and I want to read it...."

Super! Since this is an exact fit, I'll choose On Bullshit (which I've been wanting to read for a long time).

......I checked out your Read list for a 5* book and found that you gave Buddenbrooks The Decline of a Family only 4*. Sigh! I was hoping to fit it into the challenge somewhere..... :(

Ok..so would My Sister's Keeper work for 179 which is "Other Ethical Norms"..because it seems that this would be another ethical debate..all the books that were shelved under that were like euthanasia and capital punishment and other ethical debates.

Petra wrote: "pjreads wrote: "On Bullshit is perfect and I want to read it...."

Super! Since this is an exact fit, I'll choose On Bullshit (which I've been wanting to read for a long time).

......I checked..."

I read Buddenbrooks decades ago in a translation that apparently wasn't the best.

Jamie wrote: "Ok..so would My Sister's Keeper work for 179 which is "Other Ethical Norms"..because it seems that this would be another ethical debate..all the books that were shelved under that were..."

Yes

pjreads wrote: "El, Cynthia made two changes to the task for me.
- Changing "written about" to "related to"
- Adding (OR forward or backward from your original page count number).

Would you mind making these changes in your post to avoid more confusion.

Thanks!"

Sure, done.

pjreads wrote: "kiki wrote: "oh, so it has to be non-fiction about slavery? i'm really confused by that task, but that's nothing new for me! thanks for the clarification, cynthia! :)"

Task modified to allow f..."


yeay, thank you! i'd like to read Uncle Tom's Cabin for "326 slavery" and Silent Springor The World Without Us for "577 ecology." hope those work!

ps...i'm really intrigued by On Bullshit, now! thanks for mentioning it in this thread!