SRC Moderator’s Comments (group member since Aug 19, 2016)

SRC Moderator’s comments from the The Seasonal Reading Challenge group.

5.8 We all scream for Ice Cream
Ice cream is a favourite summer treat, but did you know it was first created in the 1840’s? In the 1940s ice cream was so important for morale among the US Navy in the WW2 Pacific Theatre that over 400 ice cream machines were installed aboard their ships!

Read a book with ice cream on the cover – this must be an icecream in a cone, an icepop/ice lolly/frozen popsicle or a clear scoop of icecream on a plate/in a bowl.

Required: Post the cover

5.7 I do
June is a very popular month for weddings.
Read a book with one of the following words intact in the title (not the subtitle):
BRIDE, GROOM, WED, WEDDING, WEDDED, MARRIAGE, MARRY, MARRIED, HUSBAND, WIFE
(plurals & possessives are allowed)

5.6 Something to be proud of
June is pride month in the USA & UK
Read a book with MPG Gay, Lesbian, LGBT/LGBTQ+, Queer, Bisexual or Transgender

5.5 Pack your trunk!
August 12th is World Elephant Day

Read a book with an elephant on the cover
There must be enough of the elephant visible to clearly recognize it as an elephant, such as trunk, ears, tusks etc.

Required: Post the cover

5.4 – Let's hear it for the youth!
International Youth Day is on August 12th.

Read a book with MPG Young Adult or Teen or New Adult

5.3 Long Play or single?
August 12th is National Vinyl Record Day & the 1940s saw the launch of both the LP 33rpm & the "single" 45rpm vinyl discs.

Read a book where the authors initials (first & last) are found in “VINYL RECORD”

5.2 Becoming independent
India & Pakistan gained independence from Britain in 1947. The state of Israel was established in 1948.
Read a book set at least 75% in India, Pakistan or Israel
(A book set in two listed countries such as India & Pakistan during partition will count as long as at least 75% of the story takes place in the named countries)

Required: if the setting is not obvious from the GR description, provide a reference.

5.1 War & Peace
The 1940s were rather dominated by WW2, but also brought peace
Read a book with MPG World War II /WWII
OR Read a book with the word PEACE in the title
(Peace can be standalone or part of a bigger word as long as the meaning is maintained - eg peaceful, peacetime)

The verifications in this thread apply only to the Summer 2023 challenge - they do not carry over to future challenges and genre verifications from the past challenges do not carry forward - verifications are only applicable to the current challenge.

If you see the new GR book detail page, you may click "..more" to display up to 10 genres.
The "see all" genre list will not be used for SRC tasks.

A book need only be verified once in the thread - then it can be used by any participant in the Summer 2023 challenge.

Please do not post task-specific questions here ("is this cover green enough?") and other such questions.

If you are planning to use a book for a genre task and fear that the genre may disappear, post a link to the book in this thread. We will not "lock in" the lack of a childrens or kids genre on the main page.

When you post your book, if the genres have changed, just link to the post in this thread in which it was verified and you'll be good to go.

Because of the volume of verification requests in this thread, I will not be trying to compile any sort of master lists. If the book you are using does not have the required genre at the time of posting, but has been verified in this thread, please link to the post in which it was verified in your completed task posting. If the book you are posting still has the genre on the main page, there is no need to refer to any posts here or in other help threads - if it's there on the main page, you're all set.

If you would like a place to plan or share what you'll be reading for the Summer 2023 Challenge you may post a list in this thread. You are NOT required to post here to participate in the challenge.

The Summer 2023 Group Reads Polls are open! The categories are:

Fiction - Aviation
Fiction - Canadian Fiction
Nonfiction - Poetry

Voting will be open until the end of the Goodreads day on May 14.

Click on "comments and details" to get to the book links to learn more about the titles.

Navigate to the polls on the right of the group home page or click here.

12 MAY Midnight (EDT) – 30 point task creators identified
13 MAY Midnight (EDT) – Best Review/Logo contest submissions deadline

13 MAY – 5/10/15 point tasks posted for next challenge
13 MAY - 7 JUN – 20/25/30 point tasks posted for next challenge as available

14- 31 MAY – Best Review & Logo polls open

1 JUN 12.01am EDT – Summer 2023 Challenge begins
1 JUN – 20/25 point task creators identified
1 JUN – Logo/Best Review contests for next challenge begin
7 JUN – All tasks posted (goal)
12 JUN – All tasks proofread and FINAL

15 JUN – 5 JUL – 50 point task idea submission thread open.
6 – 12 JUL – 50 point task idea poll
13 – 15 JUL – 50 point task idea runoff poll (if required)

15 JUL Midnight (EDT) – Midpoint cutoff
15 – 20 JUL – Task 50.1 posted
16 – 31 JUL – Group Reads books nominated for next challenge

1 – 14 AUG – Group Reads poll for next challenge
1 – 14 AUG – Task ideas brainstorming for next challenge

15 AUG Midnight (EDT) – 30 point task creators identified
15 AUG Midnight (EDT) – Best Review/Logo contest submissions deadline

15 AUG – 5/10/15 point tasks posted for next challenge as available
16 AUG - 7 SEP – 20/25/30 point tasks posted for next challenge as available

15- 31 AUG – Best Review & Logo polls open for next challenge

31 AUG Midnight (EDT) – Summer 2023 Challenge ends

This is the thread where you can submit reviews for the Best Review contest. The thread is open for submissions and will close at Midnight EST on May 13, 2023. Voting will start the next day and run until the end of the GR day on May 31. The person whose review gets the most votes will have the opportunity to design a 20 point task for the Summer Challenge.

To be eligible for this task opportunity you must have achieved at least 100 points on the Spring 2023 Challenge Readerboard by midnight Eastern Time on May 13. Only one task per person per challenge.

Just a reminder that each person can only submit one review - but you can make edits to your review up until the end. The review does not have to be any particular length and doesn't have to be a positive one (i.e. you can choose to review a book you didn't like).
Please include your Readerboard Name.

PLEASE DO NOT comment on people's reviews in this thread - this is for submissions only - you will be able to comment when voting begins.

SPOILER ALERT! These reviews may include spoilers.

This is the thread for the logo design contest. Each season, group members will have the opportunity to design a new logo that will represent the group during the duration of the following challenge. You may submit a masthead banner design to accompany your logo.

Pictures and anything used to create the logo should be original material (i.e. no copyrighted images, including the use of AI generators).

Images must be between 1KB and 6MB and of type: jpg/jpeg/gif/png/tiff/tif
Logos are best in square or slightly rectangular (either vertical or horizontal) shapes. Some images may be cropped by GR.
A working size would be approximately 340px X 340px.
Mastheads are 3:1 or 970px wide by 245px high
On the group's homepage the logo overlaps the masthead at the lower left.

You can post a picture directly in this thread, provide a link to the image or send a message to a mod for help. The logo should reflect in some way the season, bonus theme or purpose of the group.

The Summer 2023 bonus theme is: Decades: 40s

This thread is open for submissions and it will close at Midnight EST on May 13, 2023 - voting will start the next day and run until the end of the GR day on May 31. The winning submission will replace the current logo on June 1st. Good luck to everyone!

It’s time to start thinking about fun ideas for the Summer Challenge.

The bonus theme is Decades: 40s

As in past challenges some tasks may revolve around the seasonal theme of summer. Others may reflect the bonus theme. Other tasks may have nothing to do with either of those themes, they’re just fun or unique ideas to stimulate your reading.

Feel free to post as many ideas as you can come up with. Don’t worry about repeating what someone else has might have already suggested. The more ideas, the better!

The moderators will draw from these ideas as well as their own to create the 5, 10 and 15 point tasks. This thread will be open for ideas until May 11. Summer tasks will begin to be posted on May 13. We look forward to seeing what you come up with!

This help thread is open.

50.1 - Lisa MD's Task: The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad
This task is designed to honor our moderators, past, present and incoming! We appreciate everything you do in order to make this challenge fun and entertaining, especially maintaining order when we don’t follow the rules. Thank you!

Past: Kristina
Present: DLM Rose, Sandy
Incoming: Jayne, JennRenee, Lucy-Bookworm

This is a 3-book task. Complete 3 different options from the list. Books must total 750 pages or more.
No books with children, kids or related genres on the main book page may be used. No graphic novel, sequential art or related genres may be used.
Required: Identify the options.


Option 1: As DLM Rose, Sandy and Kristina walk away from their moderator duties for a much-deserved break, Jayne, JennRenee and Lucy-Bookworm prepare to take over moderator duties. They have big shoes to fill!

a) Read a book whose cover shows an adult female(s) walking away. The female image must be a full body shot completely from the back, head to foot (the full hem of a dress with assumed feet would work). Some representation of movement must be show: a stride, a step, a lifted foot or skirt. Other persons can be on cover facing any direction.
Required: Post cover.

Examples:

OR

b) Read a book that has at least two shoes on the cover. Shoes can stand alone or be on someone’s feet. Slippers, sandals, boots, athletic shoes, and other footwear work. Required: Post cover.

Examples:

Option 2: Read a book whose author’s first or last name shares one of these initials with our mods, “D, S, K, J or L.”

Option 3: Read a book whose title or subtitle contains a word of 4 or more letters made from the letter combo of our founding mods names: (DLMRoseSandyKristina) OR the letter combo of our incoming mods names: (JayneJennReneeLucy-Bookworm.) Letters can only be used as often as they appear in mod name combo.
Required: Identify which name combo and word used.

Examples:
The Maidens
Word: "maidens" found in DlMroSEsANdykrIstina

Hang the Moon
Word: "moon" found in jayNejennReneelucy-bOOkworM

Option 4: Our mods are from Virginia, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, England, and Wales. Read a book set at least 50% in one of these locations.
Required: If the setting is not clear from the GR description or the metadata, state the setting and provide a reference.

Option 5: Take a page out of our Mod Squads bookshelf. Choose any mod and read a book that she rated 4 or 5 stars.
Required: Identify the mod and rating in your post.

50.1 - Lisa MD's Task: The Mod Squad

This task is designed to honor our moderators, past, present and incoming! We appreciate everything you do in order to make this challenge fun and entertaining, especially maintaining order when we don’t follow the rules. Thank you!

Past: Kristina
Present: DLM Rose, Sandy
Incoming: Jayne, JennRenee, Lucy-Bookworm

This is a 3-book task. Complete 3 different options from the list. Books must total 750 pages or more.
No books with children, kids or related genres on the main book page may be used. No graphic novel, sequential art or related genres may be used.
Required: Identify the options.


Option 1: As DLM Rose, Sandy and Kristina walk away from their moderator duties for a much-deserved break, Jayne, JennRenee and Lucy-Bookworm prepare to take over moderator duties. They have big shoes to fill!

a) Read a book whose cover shows an adult female(s) walking away. The female image must be a full body shot completely from the back, head to foot (the full hem of a dress with assumed feet would work). Some representation of movement must be show: a stride, a step, a lifted foot or skirt. Other persons can be on cover facing any direction.
Required: Post cover.

Examples:

OR

b) Read a book that has at least two shoes on the cover. Shoes can stand alone or be on someone’s feet. Slippers, sandals, boots, athletic shoes, and other footwear work. Required: Post cover.

Examples:

Option 2: Read a book whose author’s first or last name shares one of these initials with our mods, “D, S, K, J or L.”

Option 3: Read a book whose title or subtitle contains a word of 4 or more letters made from the letter combo of our founding mods names: (DLMRoseSandyKristina) OR the letter combo of our incoming mods names: (JayneJennReneeLucy-Bookworm.) Letters can only be used as often as they appear in mod name combo.
Required: Identify which name combo and word used.

Examples:
The Maidens
Word: "maidens" found in DlMroSEsANdykrIstina

Hang the Moon
Word: "moon" found in jayNejennReneelucy-bOOkworM

Option 4: Our mods are from Virginia, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, England, and Wales. Read a book set at least 50% in one of these locations.
Required: If the setting is not clear from the GR description or the metadata, state the setting and provide a reference.

Option 5: Take a page out of our Mod Squads bookshelf. Choose any mod and read a book that she rated 4 or 5 stars.
Required: Identify the mod and rating in your post.

Thank you for your suggestions. The Group Reads Categories for the next 12 months have now been chosen (the Gutenberg classic will continue):

Summer 2023
Fiction: Aviation
Fiction: Canadian Fiction
Non-Fiction: Poetry

Fall 2023
Fiction: Books made into TV shows
Fiction: Families
Non-Fiction: Medicine

Winter 2023
Fiction: Road trips
Fiction: Indigenous
Non-Fiction: Treasure Hunting (this could be Tutankhamun tomb, Gold rush, hunting for lost treasure etc)

Spring 2024
Fiction: Space Opera
Fiction: Biographical fiction (fictional account of a real person's life)
Non-Fiction: Extreme Survival (shipwrecks, avalanche, Apollo 13, lost in the jungle, Everest etc)

This is the thread where you can submit a task idea for the 50 Point Task contest. The thread is now open for submissions and will close at Midnight Eastern time on April 5. Voting will start the next day, April 6 and will close at the end of the day on April 12. If the moderators determine that the vote is close, a 3-day runoff poll will be held. The person whose idea gets the most votes will host the 50 point task for the Spring Challenge.

The 50 point task will require:
1. Only 3 options. These options may not include more than 2 "sub options" - 6 total in the task.
2. One book per option.
3. Three books totaling at least 750 pages. Your task idea may require a higher page threshold but this must be disclosed in your entry.
4. No books with the genres children or kids on the main book page may be used.
5. Books whose main page lists any of these genres: Sequential Art, Comics, Comic Book, or Manga may not be used.
6. No “free choice” options will be allowed. This is a challenge, so tasks that have no element of challenge do not fit the purpose.
7. A task must be accessible to the majority of players, i.e. not limited to a specific format, edition, publisher, etc. and reviewable by the moderators.

Anyone eligible* to design a task may submit an idea for a task that follows the general guidelines above. Your idea should be a sketch that may be developed with the moderators.

* To be eligible to create a task, the player’s profile must be set up to accept Goodreads messages, and they must not have a task in the current challenge. Only one task per person per challenge.


The group will vote to determine the 50 point task. All ideas that fit the general guidelines will be included in a poll. The poll winner will develop their idea with the moderators to refine their task. The final task may differ from the original idea submission. The task will be posted as close to the midpoint as reasonably possible. The task creator will monitor and answer questions in the help thread.

Please include your Readerboard name and a title for your task. The entries will be listed by Readerboard name and task title in the poll. Please include only one task idea entry per post.

PLEASE DO NOT comment on people's entries in this thread - this is for submissions only - you will be able to comment when voting begins. Comments in this thread will be deleted.