Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
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Count Off Challenge
I think - like with every series - if that is all you read, then you might get burnt out! I still haven't figured out how Kate did the entire Sookie Stackhouse series - I would have gone insane only reading that...so i'm going to try and space the BDB about a month or so apart (I tend to get distracted really easy as well, which explains the 5 books I currently have in progress)Christine wrote: "I've read up to Lover Revealed in the BDB series and then got bored with them, so I've been hesitant to start Covet.
Delicious Dee wrote: "i'm enjoying it - I only just..."
Christine: Sometimes you gotta put a series on hold for a little while then go back to it. The interest will be fresh. I am trying to finish several PNR series but find I can't read the books in one series back to back.
Delicious Dee wrote: "I think - like with every series - if that is all you read, then you might get burnt out! I still haven't figured out how Kate did the entire Sookie Stackhouse series - I would have gone insane on..."I loved the Sookie books enough, it wasn't a problem. It was like reading one really big book (ie the Series) broken down into smaller books. So although I read every day each book taking me 1-2 days to read, it was like I was reading the same really big book for a week and a half.
I can't do that with every series. I have to really really like it to be able to do that. I read the Study series by Maria Snyder back-to-back as well in about 5 days for all 3 books. I am liking very much The Dresden Files by they are intense enough I started breaking them up with the Argeneau series which is light humorous PNR.
I wish I'd had that advice when I started the Anita Blake series. I read those books fast and in quick succession and now I can't even look at the name Laurell K. Hamilton without grimacing.
The series I got burned out on by reading too many too fast was the Pennsylvania Dutch mysteries (with recipes) by Tamar Myers. I read the first 12 in like 2 weeks and got burned out as soon as I learned the plot of #13. Would someone in an Amish/Mennonite community really murder the parish priest by putting peanut butter into the chili in a chili cookoff, where he is a judge and everyone knows he's highly allergic?, in "Assault and Pepper". The plots of the murders just got to be too rediculous (such as the Amish man found floating naked in a farm vat of milk in "No Use Dying over Spilled Milk).
Kate: LOL. The plot and the title made me giggle.The plots of the murders just got to be too rediculous (such as the Amish man found floating naked in a farm vat of milk in "No Use Dying over Spilled Milk).
That's what got me interested in the series in the first place Kenjii. The Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery Series with recipes, in order:Too many crooks spoil the broth
Parsley, sage, rosemary and crime
No use dying over spilled milk
Just plain pickled to death (body found stuffed in a pickel barrel)
Between a wok and a hard place
Eat, Drink and be wary
Play it again, Spam
The hand that rocks the ladle
The crepes of Wrath
Gruel and Unusual Punishment
Custard's last stand
Thou shalt not grill
Assault and pepper
Grape Expectations
Hell hath no curry
As the world churns
Batter off Dead
Good series but in small doses. I read too many too fast. In it, a mennonite woman with an amish couple (cook and handyman) run a bed & breakfast in a small amish/mennonite community. The police chief is a bit of a dunce, lol, so Magdelena Yoder, the B&B owner, is asked to help solve the murders that pop up every book. Each book is a stand-alone murder mystery, but the background storyline of the characters carrys over through the books.
Ok Kenjii and Kate, I'm mighty confused after those two posts on page counts and partial page counts and when we can start or not start counting pages between a old/new challenge...Help! For example:Last night BEFORE the challenge was won, I posted a small update. Then I read before bed. When I signed on the next morning, Christine had one the challenge at some point in the night. When the discussion started up, I held off on updating because now I'm confused as to where my pages count. Old or new challenge? It seems that the way Kate views it, I basically can't count any of those pages (or I'd need to try and aproximate where I may have been when she won; which is like AAH!) and the way Kenjii views it, I can count them, since I hadn't updated yet?? Is that right? I'm not sure which or what to do...
Also, I'm confused about what's meant about not doing partial page counts? Does that mean that I should only count pages once I've completely finished a book? Does that mean I shouldn't be updating if I'm in the middle of a book? That's seems odd to me, and makes it highly unlikely that I'd happen to win a challenge...
I think that I need more clarification! I'm so confused now! And I want to make sure I understand before I can go forward! Sorry!
If you notice, I only update after I've finished a book. I also only won one challenge in all of last year. Kenjii's going to have to clarify it, because she and I obviously have different views on it and she's the moderator not me. As for when challenges switch over, guesstimates would have to be made for where you were, doing it my way. It's just, for me, I read 3/4 of the book I was on during the last challenge, even though I didn't post any updates on it. When I finished it during this challenge, I only counted what was left, which was only 58 out of 360 pages. I've got a new book to start soon that's 624 pages. If I were to read 90% of it, without posting updates, and then we change challenges...seems unfair to me that a few hours into a new challenge to post the full page count of 624 pages. Granted, I'll have read alot of pages I'm not counting, but this is what seems fair to me and that's the way I've been counting it since last Jan when I started. Might be one reason I rarely win too.
I think part of the big difference Kenjii and I have is that she reads several fiction novels all at once, and I tend to read one at a time. By doing partial page counts, she can make sure she's getting credit along the way. I have a half dozen non-fiction books that I read a chapter at a time, that take me months to read, as I only read them when I'm in the mood for them. But I've never done partial page counts on them and don't count them when I finish since they were read over a weeks to months. We had discussions last year about wether to do partial page counts in the middle of books, as in multiple updates and it was confusing then too and I'm not sure we came up with a clear answer either.
May 1st 2010 ChallengeDuration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
150/2385
Dark Lover - JR Ward - started at page 266 - 150 pages - 4/28/2010 - 5 stars (i'm soo reading the rest of this series)
Legend - Jude Deveraux - started at page 191
Covet - JR Ward - started at page 248
Katharine the Virgin Widow - Jean Plaidy - started at page 50
Twice Loved - LaVyrle Spencer - started at page 122
Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "If you notice, I only update after I've finished a book. I also only won one challenge in all of last year. Kenjii's going to have to clarify it, because she and I obviously have different views on..."This sounds (mostly) like what I've been doing. However, I post 1 or 2 updates a day, depending on how much I've read, verses only posting when I've completed a book. I guess I just thought of it as counting my pages...and a way to keep track where I stop and start. Kenjii, I'd love to know if I should only be posting when books are completed.
I totally agree that you shouldn't be able to count a ton based on not updating in a brand new challenge. I was planning on either not counting any I read that night or trying to figure out where I may have been at that time.
I'm not saying keeping track of partial page counts is wrong. It's just alot of work to keep track of. I just find it easier to post when I've finished.Here's what I did. I finished reading last night at 4am. I don't know what time she posted that she won as I found it when I woke up. So I started counting where I was at that time. Didn't feel right to me to count the whole 360 pages a few hours into the new challenge, since I hadn't counted anything from the book yet. But again, it may be a contributing factor to why I only won once last year that I don't update til I finish a book.
i guess since I was up when Christine won...I just made a note of where I was on my various books i progress, so that when the new one started I had a record of where to start for counts...
Delicious Dee wrote: "i guess since I was up when Christine won...I just made a note of where I was on my various books i progress, so that when the new one started I had a record of where to start for counts..."That was convienent. :)
the joys of working nights currently...at 3 in the morning, there is nothing to do!! (although of that, i should be glad i guess)Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Delicious Dee wrote: "i guess since I was up when Christine won...I just made a note of where I was on my various books i progress, so that when the new one started I had a record of where to start..."
Ok, whew. Here's the original rule from the guidelines:Any books started in a PREVIOUS challenge and FINISHED in the current challenge can only be counted in the current challenge once the book is done. All other books can be counted as you read them.
You guys can use whichever method works for you. For me a finished book during the current challenge counts .
May 1st 2010 Challenge Duration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
216 (339-123 previously read) pp.: Hiding in the Shadows by Kay Hooper Apr 28 (5*)
Total Pages = 216
not to be a pain, but that is a very ambiguous statement...basically, i could like Kate pointed out start reading a 600 page book in one challenge, but someone finishes the challenge...then i can count all that for the next...it doesn't seem right...for example, i just finished reading dark lover, which is 421 pages...now of those 421, i counted 266 on the last challenge, so I only counted the remaining pages on this one, but going by the official guidelines, i could technically count all 421 (the way i read them)Kenjii ~*~Black Kat~**~ wrote: "Ok, whew. Here's the original rule from the guidelines:
Any books started in a PREVIOUS challenge and FINISHED in the current challenge can only be counted in the current challenge once the book i..."
I used the guidelines from my personal book diet, so if it needs to be overhauled to fit better with the challenges I am for it =DJust help me word it the right way. I am not sure what you all are asking me to do.
My current book list for current challenge/notes/pages:Butterfly Scales
Start: 4-28-10
End:
p/c 120/229
Kenjii ~*~Black Kat~**~ wrote: "I used the guidelines from my personal book diet, so if it needs to be overhauled to fit better with the challenges I am for it =DJust help me word it the right way. I am not sure what you all ar..."
I think we need a consensus on how we want to do this, then an accurate statement can be written.
Do we want to:
A) Count all pages of a book finished during a challenge, even if started in a previous challenge as long as the pages have not been previously counted (ie all 350 pages, even if 200 were read before new challenge starts)
or
B) Start counting pages in any book read, from wherever you are in a book when the new challenge starts (even if you have to guess back to where you were at the time).
I'm voting for B, as that's how I've been doing it for the past year. Which option does everyone else prefer?
I vote B, as well, since that's how I've been doing it.
I also vote B, as that's what I've been doing.
I vote for B cause that's what i've been doing
May 1st 2010 Count-Off Challenge LeaderboardDuration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
Briansgirl/Kate = 58 pages
Dee = 150 pages
BJ Rose = 216 pages
Will keep track of the votes as well. (Editing this post, since rules were updated)
A = 0
B = 7
****
GUIDELINES UPDATE
****CHALLENGE GUIDELINES**PLEASE READ**
The challenge is to count the pages you read (books, e-books count from BOM and challenges can count. Using the printed edition page count to count the # of pages in e-books and audiobooks is OK too!). Start counting pages in any book read, from wherever you are in a book when the new challenge starts (even if you have to guess back to where you were at the time). All other books can be counted as you read them. Whoever has the most pages read by challenge end gets a reward for themselves. The catch? NO BOOK BUYING DURING THE CHALLENGE. If you decide to join this little mini challenge you cannot purchase any books during the time of the challenge. Although the point is to EARN your books =). Sometimes books are already on the way to you through: Wishlist swaps or pre-orders. These books are OK! Count the front and back pages, and add date to keep track of the title of the book read. This # should go next to the title [see examples on the currents posts:]. The winner picks the next Count Off Challenge. The pages counted will tally back to zero for new challenge. New comers, later comers you can join anytime but you start at zero. You are more than welcome to continue keeping track of original pages counted for personal reference.
This is more about sticking with reading down that TBR pile. Trying to keep those book buying impulses to a min. and counting pages really is a simple task that requires very little skill =P Any questions on how the guidelines work or what to do to join a challenge, please post a comment or PM me [Kenjii:].
Mini/Bonus-Challenge
Here is a way to get small rewards. As a host you are responsible for giving the rewards. Post on the thread a theme to be read during the current challenge. If someone can fulfill that challenge, they win! Then they can choose to host the next mini challenge.
An additional note to bonus challenges:
Occassionally a count off challenge may include a bonus (or two). This is where you can get double (or triple) the page count for a single book, provided it meets the bonus criteria. The criteria may be certain word(s) in the title, on the cover (or both), or in subject matter. You may specificially look for books that fit the bonus, to get the extra page counts, as this encourages you to read the theme of that particular challenge.
Misc./Addt.'l guidlines
New comers, later comers you can join anytime but you can only count the pages you read during the time frame of the current challenge.
All finished books must be dated and partial reads must have the last pages read . So you can have that page to refer back to.
If you purchase a book during a challenge, you can: A) Re-set your count to zero and continue in the challenge OR B) Sit out until the next challenge.
Sounds good Kenjii. :)
Do you guys notice the little tweaks GR has added to the site? Like if someone likes ur review, status or something like that you can be notified via email. Also I like being able to see the ratings ppl give books when they comment on your review. Or it'll have 'added' or something like that. I dunno. I just notice little things and it gives me more reason to spend time on GR! I read a lot today though.
I've been notified via email if someone comments on my review, but I've never been notified if they just clicked they liked it. Have to check my settings. :)
Kate: Thanks. I just recycled my old formula from my book diet, and it didn't have deadlines. So this way makes more sense. I get it =D.
Your welcome. It does make a difference if we don't all count the same way. :)
I've used up almost all of my reward books. Only 1 new book left and since I'm considering ebooks 'new', that'll be gone as soon as I get my hands on my credit card. ...I think I have a problem. :/May 1st 2010 Challenge
Duration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
181/2385
A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands - In Progress; 181 pages
How are you liking A Quick Bite Christine? I thought the premise of a hemaphobic vampire was funny at first, but the kidnapped doctor was a little too accomidating to his hosts to make it reasonably believable to me. I finished it, it was okay, but I didn't enjoy it as well as book #7 in the series, The Accidental Vampire which had me laughing or smiling through the entire book. Since I found a later book in the series I enjoyed so much, I'll stick with it as she obviously, to me anyway, got better as she went along. Based on book #1 alone, I don't know if I would have continued the series. I'm waiting to read Lucian's story. That should be interesting. :)
May 1st 2010 Count-Off Challenge LeaderboardDuration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
Briansgirl/Kate = 58 pages
Dee = 150 pages
Christine = 181 pages
BJ Rose = 216 pages
It's okay. I thought the same thing about the doc. He's just goin' with the flow, while I'm thinking, "Um... shouldn't you be a little more freaked out?" But it's cute. I've got the first nine books of this series, so I'll at least see if the second one's any better.Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "How are you liking A Quick Bite Christine? I thought the premise of a hemaphobic vampire was funny at first, but the kidnapped doctor was a little too accomidating to his hosts to make it reasonabl..."
The 7th one was good enough to make me want to read the rest. So okay, first book in series was just okay. Hoping the rest are more like the first one I read. If nothing else, she has, so far, come up with uniquely imperfect vampires which is hilarious. The 62 year old lady turned into a vamp who learned the rules from the movie Dracula and the hemaphobic {faints at the sight of blood} vampiress. I'm wondering what else she came up with. lol
May 1st 2010 ChallengeDuration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
340/2385
Dark Lover - JR Ward - started at page 266 - 150 pages - 4/28/2010 - 5 stars (i'm soo reading the rest of this series)
Legend - Jude Deveraux - started at page 191
Covet - JR Ward - started at page 248
Katharine the Virgin Widow - Jean Plaidy - started at page 50
Twice Loved - LaVyrle Spencer - (started at page 122) - 95 (x2 - the arrival of summer is mentioned about 1/3 of the way in) - 190 pages
May 1st 2010 Challenge Duration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
80 pages - Real Vampires Have Curves by Gerry Bartlett Apr 29
80/2385
I'm a B by the way - I'm doing it right now with the 80 pages as I know where I was when Christine won. :)
Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "I've been notified via email if someone comments on my review, but I've never been notified if they just clicked they liked it. Have to check my settings. :)"Kate, I haven't changed any settings, but suddenly "...liked your review" started popping up in email. It's nice to know that the reviews are liked by others. Also, I think I noticed it more because I'm finally getting around to writing reviews for books, some of which I read weeks and months ago - I get too caught up in reading and don't take the time to sit down and write a review! bad me!
I checked and I'd had that option checked. Perhaps I'm not seeing it as nobody is clicking they like my reviews. lol It's possible. I review every book after I finish reading it, but most are short. I do like getting emails when friends comment on the reviews. :)
I don't see your reviews in my updates that often, Kate. I don't hunt my friends reviews down unless its a specific book I am looking for. But it is neat how GR is adding the 'like' feature and whatnot.
May 1st 2010 Count-Off ChallengeDuration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
184 Pages The Darkest Night (st. on Page 50) IN PROGRESS
Kenjii, I get an email with reviews from top friends. You can edit your friends and check which ones you want to receive updates from. I see when they've added books to their shelves and what their reviews are. Some reviews (like Photojim's) are fun to read.
Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Kenjii, I get an email with reviews from top friends. You can edit your friends and check which ones you want to receive updates from. I see when they've added books to their shelves and what their..."Oh Ok. I'll do that. Thanks!
May 1st 2010 ChallengeDuration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
655/2385
Dark Lover - JR Ward - started at page 266 - 150 pages - 4/28/2010 - 5 stars (i'm soo reading the rest of this series)
Twice Loved - LaVyrle Spencer - (started at page 122) - 252 (x2 - the arrival of summer is mentioned about 1/3 of the way in) - 504 pages - 4/29/2010 - this book is like chocolate an old comfort read
Legend - Jude Deveraux - started at page 191
Covet - JR Ward - started at page 248
Katharine the Virgin Widow - Jean Plaidy - started at page 50
May 1st 2010 ChallengeDuration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
880/2385
Dark Lover - JR Ward - started at page 266 - 150 pages - 4/28/2010 - 5 stars (i'm soo reading the rest of this series)
Twice Loved - LaVyrle Spencer - (started at page 122) - 252 (x2 - the arrival of summer is mentioned about 1/3 of the way in) - 504 pages - 4/29/2010 - this book is like chocolate an old comfort read
Legend - Jude Deveraux - started at page 191 - 225 - 4/29/2010 - its been a long time since i've read Jude Deveraux, but this was a good read
Covet - JR Ward - started at page 248
Katharine the Virgin Widow - Jean Plaidy - started at page 50
ughh, I don't check in for a day and the challenge gets won, and a new one goes up. I have been so out of it this last week. - Good new challenge, I am in, but slow. May 1st Challenge
343 pages - Apocalypse Happens (4/29) ***
343 pages / 2385
_____________________________________________________May 1st 2010 Challenge
Duration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
Total 220/2385
______________________________________________________
My current book list for current challenge/notes/pages:
#/# [page # start/total # in book:]
Butterfly Scales
Start: 4-28-10
End:
p/c 121/229
Swan Song
Start: before current challenge [B.c.c:]
End:
p/c
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Duration: April 28th - May 5th
Goal: 2385 pages
Reward: 4 new books or 8 used ones
Bonus: Double pages if one of the main characters is a lawyer, in the military, a law enforcement agent, an elected politician or judge, or if the start of summer is included at anytime during the book.
Dee = 0 pages
Briansgirl/Kate = 58 pages