You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

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Closed Discussion Topic > BOO! or TRUE! Octoppler Reporting Thread

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message 1: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments BOO or TRUE!
It’s almost time for the October Toppler to begin!
I hope you have great books and yummy food and drink to get you started.

Start posting here at the bewitching hour!


message 2: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Start reading!!


message 3: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments A reminder of how it works:

TRUE OR BOO!


Grab your pen to write down the dates! The October Toppler (OcToppler) is just around the corner, October 14 (12:01 a.m.) to October 20 (midnight). This Toppler returns to the basic roots of the Toppler with opportunities to catch up reading our ever-growing tbrs without the team competitions of recent Topplers. So grab your non-fiction reads, devour classic horror novels (50-plus years old), take in poetry, essays and true crime books and prepare to read with us! To add some chills, there will be Tricks, Treats and Witches Brew to taste. You don’t read much non-fiction? No worries! There are ways to earn the chance to read fiction and have it count. Did you want to join in the Rainbow Challenge but thought you couldn't earn a full rainbow since August and your chance to read an "orange" book was past? Guess what? You have one more chance with this Toppler.

This is how this Toppler works:

Read pages, get treats. Every 500 or more pages you read makes you become eligible for a reward from the Treat list below. Completing a task listed in the Witches Brew list, makes you eligible for 500 free pages. You also have the option of completing a Tricks task and become eligible for more free pages. And if you are new to Topplers… Toppler Rookies earn an automatic free 100 pages!

Here is an example:

I read the book:The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School|8535464] by Alexandra Robbins
It = 396 pages
I also read [[book:Cleo|6818091] by Helen Brown
It = 304 pages

I now have 700 pages read and can claim a Treat, plus have 200 pages leftover which will count towards my next 500 page goal. Like this:

Leftover pages = 200 pages
Treat = 250 pages (I chose the free 250 page Treat)
Now I only need to read 50 pages to qualify for my next Treat! Its really that easy!!

Example 2:

I read The History of the Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire 1 (1232 pages). I can receive 2 Treats rewards plus have 232 pages leftover towards my next rewards.

500 pages = first treat
500 pages = second treat
232 pages leftover towards my next goal

*The rewards for reading this book will need to come from the same category.

3rd Example

I read Silent Spring = 378 pages
The Green Smoothie Bible: Over 300 Recipes for Super Nutritious, Delicious All-Natural Drinks = 240 pages

I now have 618 pages read for the Witches Brew category (green books for Rainbow Challenge). It would look like this:

378 pages plus 240 pages = 618 pages qualifies me for the Witches Brew reward of 500 free pages. The 500 free pages qualifies me for a Treat. So I am doubly compensated by choosing the Witches Brew category. Not to mention green books for your rainbow and Witches Brew and Treat badges....

A book can only receive points from one category. For instance, if I read a D-I-Y book (Tricks category) and do a project, I can't also claim points under the Treats category if it had an orange cover or claim points under the Witches Brew category if it had a green cover.

Witches Brew
Good for 500 free pages.

=Read any of the two books the group selected for the Death Narrates Group Theme Read and take part in the discussion.
=Complete the October Monthly Challenge (Only one book allowed.)
=Read either an indigo, green or red book for the Rainbow Challenge (Only one fiction book is allowed; non-fiction books are unlimited.)

Tricks

Add 400 free pages for accomplishment of any one of the below: (You may accomplish as many of these tasks as you wish.)

= Read a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) book and complete a project explained in the book (Must post a photo of completed task)
= Read a food memoir/biography and prepare a recipe listed in book (Must post a photo of dish or meal)
= Read a book on writing and post a short story/poem/essay

Treats
(Choose one for each 500 pages read.)

=Free: fiction read of your choice (pages count)
=Free: Add 250 pages
=Free: Read an “Orange” book for the Rainbow Challenge and have it count

Note How pages are counted:
Only count the pages you read. For example, if you are reading a book that has notes, bibliographies or appendices, only count these pages if you read them. In the case of audio books, listen to the complete book and use the number of pages listed by the most popular edition listed by GR. (The one that GR shows first.)


message 4: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments What's everyone starting with?

I've been waiting to read Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale for the monthly challenge, and now I'm ready to start!


message 5: by Debra (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments I am starting with an indigo for Witch's Brew called Heart of a Dog. Corazon De Perro by Mikhail Bulgakov


message 6: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly | 2033 comments I've started I Want to Get Married! One Wannabe Bride's Misadventures with Handsome Houdinis, Technicolor Grooms, Morality Police, and Other Mr. Not-Quite by Ghada Abdel Aal a short non-fiction read to start me out.


message 7: by Debra (last edited Oct 13, 2012 09:23PM) (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments Our Tipsy Toppler tea is ready and for all out European friends we are going to be eating biscuits; digestive biscuits! We even looked them up on Wikipedia. We got McVitie's brand with chocolate on top.

So, clear something up for us, our European friends. Do you call all cookies biscuits? Curious minds want to know! And when you have your afternoon tea, does that include coffee, or is it only tea?


message 8: by Ava Catherine (new)

Ava Catherine | 4258 comments I am reading Welcome To Shirley Welcome To Shirley by Kelly Mcmasters Kelly Mcmasters. It is a green for the Witch's Brew.


message 9: by Almeta (last edited Oct 13, 2012 09:20PM) (new)

Almeta (menfrommarrs) | 11456 comments Starting Green non-fiction Beatrix Potter A Life in Nature by Linda Lear 584 pages


message 10: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly | 2033 comments Almeta wrote: "Starting Green non-fiction Beatrix Potter A Life in Nature by Linda Lear 584 pages"

OOh I can't wait to see what you think of that Almeta! I've been wanting to read it for a long time.


message 11: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly | 2033 comments What kind of tea is everyone drinking to start off the toppler?
I'm starting off with some Tetley Cinnamon Spice tea to wam me up since it's pretty cool in the house right now.


message 12: by Debra (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments Our own Tipsy Toppler tea for Almeta and I. It's pretty yummy!


message 13: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments I'm starting with a minty Immuni-Tea.


message 14: by Ava Catherine (new)

Ava Catherine | 4258 comments I am starting with Proper Toppler tea. Yummy and warm.


message 15: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments My dad's in bed asleep, Callie just came back upstairs - she must have heard the microwave and thought there was a treat involved - so all's quiet. I was going to read a Nancy Drew book, I bought a couple for my niece at the big library book sale, but Dad already put them in hes car :)


message 16: by Beth (new)

Beth (eparks4232) | 2553 comments If I start with Casual Vacancy (red fiction), is that ok, or do I have to earn it as fiction treat? Sorry, just decided to do this...


message 17: by Deedee (last edited Oct 13, 2012 10:10PM) (new)

Deedee | 96 comments Connie wrote: "I am starting with Proper Toppler tea. Yummy and warm."
Me too! (It came in the mail on Friday.)

For books, I'll be starting with one of:


The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling Sleeping Naked is Green How an Eco-Cynic Unplugged Her Fridge, Sold Her Car, and Found Love in 366 Days by Vanessa Farquharson His Excellency George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis Edward VI The Lost King of England by Chris Skidmore The Stranger by Albert Camus The Secret Adversary (Tommy and Tuppence, #1) by Agatha Christie

Maybe I'll close my eyes and go eenie, meenie, minie moe LOL


message 18: by Ava Catherine (new)

Ava Catherine | 4258 comments Deedee, you have a fabulous selection there!


message 19: by Beth (new)

Beth (eparks4232) | 2553 comments Starting with This Child Will Be Great to be safe. It is nonfiction and the Oct Great Africa Reads book.


message 20: by Beverly (new)

Beverly | 194 comments Are we supposed to have individual toppled pages? If so how do I set it up? What are we suppose to post there?Help I'm confused.


message 21: by jaxnsmom (last edited Oct 13, 2012 10:42PM) (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Fiction other than Classic Horror, Poetry, Essays, True Crime, and a Witch's Brew won't count unless it's earned as a treat.


message 22: by Ava Catherine (new)

Ava Catherine | 4258 comments Jaxnsmom, that does not count classic horror, does it? I thought classic horror is a separate category; therefore, it could be unlimited fiction as long as we stay in the parameters of the classic horror category. Am I confused on this? This could easily happen to me byw. ;)


message 23: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Sorry Connie. My reply had disappeared and I left out part on the second try. My brain is malfunctioning, I believe some ancient horrifying alien monster is attacking it. That's my excuse for whatever mistakes I make tonight, and I'm sticking to it. If I become completely wonkers, Zombies got me!

Yes, Classic Horror can be read anytime and count.


message 24: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Connie and Debra (and anyone else reading classic horror) - You will have to tell spooky stories to us now and then, to keep us alert.
Can you imagine a web cam video conference call with us all sitting around with flashlights or candles, and ya'll telling ghost stories like on a camping trip? LOL!


message 25: by Ava Catherine (last edited Oct 14, 2012 01:05AM) (new)

Ava Catherine | 4258 comments Just like in the Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood! : )

Don't worry, Jax! You have a long, long way to go to catch up with the silly things I find myself doing at times. We just try to do too much...that's my excuse! :) Thank you for all your incredible hard work! We applaud you and love you for all you do and who you are to us! xoxo


message 26: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Thanks Connie :)

I have just decided to make you official Toppler Cheerleader/Motivator!


message 27: by Kat (new)

Kat (katzombie) | 2478 comments Morning all!

Yep, every single biscuit is a biscuit ;-)

I've actually NO idea what to read!


message 28: by April (new)

April | 970 comments Good morning!! I fell asleep waiting for the toppler to begin! My little Romeo woke me to go "potty" so I thought I could get in an hour or two of reading. Romeo loves story time!

I will start with Something Wicked This Way Comes Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury .


message 29: by Kat (new)

Kat (katzombie) | 2478 comments Right, decision made - I'm going to start with Carnivorous Nights: On the Trail of the Tasmanian Tiger Carnivorous Nights On the Trail of the Tasmanian Tiger by Margaret Mittelbach


message 30: by [deleted user] (new)

Kat wrote: "Morning all!

Yep, every single biscuit is a biscuit ;-)

I've actually NO idea what to read!"


It's either a biscuit or a cake - and there's an important legal difference. There was a court case over what a jaffa cake might be...

Am I about to get de-toppled if I say I'm a coffee drinker, not a tea fan?


message 31: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Those sound like good choices. Kat, Carnivorous Nights has some really interesting reviews. Can't wait to hear what you think of it.


message 32: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Helen, I'm not sure - you might have to read extra pages to stay :)


message 33: by April (new)

April | 970 comments Helen wrote: "Kat wrote: "Morning all!

Yep, every single biscuit is a biscuit ;-)

I've actually NO idea what to read!"

It's either a biscuit or a cake - and there's an important legal difference. There was a..."


Helen, my Starbucks Espresso Roast is brewing right now! I hope the smell doesn't wake up the hubby. He will think I'm nuts! It's 3 AM over here! Anyway, no tea for me unless it is loaded with cream and honey! The cream and honey don't look good on my thighs so I'm sticking with coffee.


message 34: by Kat (new)

Kat (katzombie) | 2478 comments I've got coffee too - I need the caffeine!


message 35: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments Don't forget to record your page numbers when you finish a book!

*huge yawns* I'm so tired I can't think straight, so I'm going to bed now. See ya later!


message 36: by Debra (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments jaxnsmom wrote: "Connie and Debra (and anyone else reading classic horror) - You will have to tell spooky stories to us now and then, to keep us alert.
Can you imagine a web cam video conference call with us all si..."


That would be hilarious!


message 37: by Debra (last edited Oct 14, 2012 03:36AM) (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments Kat wrote: "Morning all!

Yep, every single biscuit is a biscuit ;-)

I've actually NO idea what to read!"


So what do you call the fluffy flour-made things we call biscuits? They aren't sweet and we often eat them with gravy. And what about my 2nd question regarding tea-time (from my original post)?


message 38: by Debra (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments April wrote: "Good morning!! I fell asleep waiting for the toppler to begin! My little Romeo woke me to go "potty" so I thought I could get in an hour or two of reading. Romeo loves story time!

I will sta..."


So glad Romeo woke you up!


message 39: by Debra (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments Helen wrote: "Kat wrote: "Morning all!

Yep, every single biscuit is a biscuit ;-)

I've actually NO idea what to read!"

It's either a biscuit or a cake - and there's an important legal difference. There was a..."


Biscuits and cakes. So different over here!


message 40: by Debra (last edited Oct 14, 2012 06:16AM) (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments I'm so glad there are so many people here already. Almeta and I slept a bit and are back for more.


message 41: by Kat (last edited Oct 14, 2012 04:44AM) (new)

Kat (katzombie) | 2478 comments Debra wrote: "Kat wrote: "Morning all!

Yep, every single biscuit is a biscuit ;-)

I've actually NO idea what to read!"

So what do you call the fluffy flour-made things we call biscuits? They aren't sweet an..."


Your biscuits are similar to our scones. In all my eating years I don't think I've had them with gravy, so they could be slightly different, but in the pictures I found on Google they look pretty similar.

Afternoon tea is traditionally with tea, although a few rebels might have a coffee instead ;-)

All this (and the cookies thing) applies in Australia as well as the UK - the traditions don't change much!


message 42: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19202 comments Oh look at everyone go! I was planning on getting some reading done and some life stuff done, but then the other half invited people to over to play board games at exactly the Toppler start time, and the game took 5 hours. Urgh.

I have started (ie read 3 pages)An African in Greenland so I have picked up a book! Here's hoping the week is more reading conducive. I only have to run 2 conferences and go to the other side of the world ;)

Biscuits Debra, are what we call your cookies, but can be and are applied to savoury biscuits and things you call crackers too. Cakes, are baked goods that have much more flour in them and are larger and cut into slices. And then, to be confusing, we here (i'm assuming the same in Europe) we have slices, which are like brownies say but in different flavours. So a tray, cut into slices (hence the name), slightly more cakey than a biscuit but not as cakey as a cake.

Who would have known baked goods were so confusing?!


message 43: by Kat (new)

Kat (katzombie) | 2478 comments Mmmmmmmmmmm slices. I'd love a good peppermint slice right now!


message 44: by Kat (new)

Kat (katzombie) | 2478 comments I've just started reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

I put aside Carnivorous Nights: On the Trail of the Tasmanian Tiger for now, because I can read that one at night as my iPod is OK for reading in the dark, whereas my Sony that I'm reading Henrietta on doesn't have a backlight - boo!


message 45: by Debra (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments Baked goods are definitely confusing between y'all and us.


message 46: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19202 comments Kat wrote: "Mmmmmmmmmmm slices. I'd love a good peppermint slice right now!"

Peppermint?! Caramel slice is where it is at! (although my mum does do a good raspberry crumble slice).
(actually, both of those are completely different types of slices. (I told you it was confusing!) Caramel or Peppermint Slices are like this http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/9164/... and Mum's raspberry slice is like this (so more cakey) http://www.thatslife.com.au/Article/F...).

Have I mentioned I like parentheses?


message 47: by Kat (new)

Kat (katzombie) | 2478 comments Oh my mum used to make raspberry slice too - nom nom nom!


message 48: by Beth (new)

Beth (eparks4232) | 2553 comments You guys are definitely a bad influence. Yum. And scones not really same as our biscuits. Not sure there is a real match. Read some in night when dog wanted out and while baseball was in extra innings, now hoping I can keep 4 yr old sleeping/entertained and read more. Hubby at meeting this morning...


message 49: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 4026 comments I feel like kicking myself because I thought this toppler was starting 24 hours later than it is, what was I thinking?

I missed 8 hours! This is ridiculous. Where has my mind been lately?

And I still have a couple of fiction books to review. And some PhD work to do. All my planning's failed. So I guess I will be losing out on one day. *sad face*

Look at you guys go. You all are doing great!


message 50: by Beth (new)

Beth (eparks4232) | 2553 comments Tea (blueberry bliss) is steeping. Kid watching Diego. Reading!


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