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FoF Annual Series Challenge
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Series Challenge Q&A
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Kathy
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Jan 01, 2014 06:37AM
Good point, Becky. I have to think about that. :)
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I am certainly game... most of my series will be first reads as I read up to date on some of them last year. However this years reading list for me is also designed to get through some of my 'to be reads' as like the majority of us (I am guessing), I very easily get distracted by shiny new books, meaning that my current reading list gets left behind and neglected :(... But there are just oh so many books!!! I know Stephen Fry said one of the things that contributed to his depression, was that he would never be able to get through all the books he wanted to read.. Also can we use audiobooks too or not? I don't mind as all my current books I have in book form. But I have just started listening to the hunger games so could sneak that one in to if its allowed. Errm I am waffling, so I am going to go now.
Great to see your interest, Anna. I think you'll do well with this challenge.And yes, audiobooks are fine. Several of us listen pretty regularly...
Listen regularly? Hell, I RELY on audiobooks!
I attempted an audiobook when I received a few freebies from Amazon/Audible.com. Maybe I chose the wrong thing to be my first audiobook (Stories I Only Tell My Friends) but I found it hard to concentrate on the actual "story". I ended up only listening for a short while.
I don't think I have the attention span for listening to audiobooks. :(
Nyssa wrote: "I attempted an audiobook when I received a few freebies from Amazon/Audible.com. Maybe I chose the wrong thing to be my first audiobook (Stories I Only Tell My Friends) but I found ..."I want to respond to this, but I'm going to create an audiobooks thread so we don't take over this one. Meet me there! :D
Becky wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "I attempted an audiobook when I received a few freebies from Amazon/Audible.com. Maybe I chose the wrong thing to be my first audiobook (Stories I Only Tell My Friends..."Will do. Please let me know when it is up.
Nyssa wrote: "Becky wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "I attempted an audiobook when I received a few freebies from Amazon/Audible.com. Maybe I chose the wrong thing to be my first audiobook ([book:Stories I Only Tell My Fri..."Done: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
To Chris: I think we are all going to be
Title:
Series:
Author:
Book#:
Review:
Monthly Goal:
Nyssa wrote: "To Chris: I think we are all going to be stealing borrowing your update format. It looks great! Thank You!Title:
Series:
Author:
Book#:
Review:
Monthly Goal:
"
^this
That's my goal - trend setting.Now, you all need to do like Emily and steal my points too.
I'm considering a way to earn more than one credit per month would be each time I finish a series I can get an extra credit. Thoughts? I don't know if I can limit myself to 12 new series this year - everything seems to be a series!! I could just take the hit on points, but I feel like if I knock one out I should be able to add a new one.Thoughts?
That makes sense to add an extra point for each series finished. I've also decided to add points for each book I read extra. Hey, it might happen. In that case I am only giving myself a 1/2 point per book, but maybe that will push myself even more.
Emily wrote: "I'm considering a way to earn more than one credit per month would be each time I finish a series I can get an extra credit. Thoughts? I don't know if I can limit myself to 12 new series this year ..."I like that idea!
Finishing a series should definitely be able to earn an extra point! Finishing series is the goal, isn't it? I'm going to add that to mine! :)
So will you be making it official, Chris, by adding it to the Challenge rules?
Yeah, I can. Though it could be used as a personal tailoring type thing. I can make it optional.Personally, I'd restrict myself on this option a little. That is, say a series has to be 3 or more books in length to count for the bonus. And finishing short stories wouldn't count. (i.e. Mitosis)
By that, I've read all of the Dresden books and stories except the new one "Bombshells" in the Dangerous Women book. I'd feel wrong reading that little thing and getting credit for the whole Dresden series.
Now, when I read Skin Game later in the year, that's fine.
I actually forget that "catching up" on an unfinished series counted as "finishing" a series.I see what you mean about series length, though. I wouldn't feel right about a 2 book series, either, especially since I don't count those as series in the first place. To me a series is really 4 books or more, but I'll accept it for a trilogy as well.
I'm counting short series for my completion "credits", but I'm not trying to earn more credits, it's actually an additional restriction. So, I'm only allowing myself to start a new series if I have finished off a series (or more than one) AND have points to burn.
WHY DOES B&N HATE ME?? They just emailed me: Start a New Series Sale!
Save up to 70% on the first book in
some of our favorite series! For a limited time, discover a new saga and curl up for hours of cozy winter reading. Offer ends 1/13/2014.
Bastardos!
For my challege, I'm allowing myself to "buy" new series, if I have enough. If the series has 5 books in it, I have to have 5 credits to "buy" it.
Yeah, I got that email too! I refused to look at the options, though.
Becky wrote: "WHY DOES B&N HATE ME?? They just emailed me: Start a New Series Sale!
Save up to 70% on the first book in
some of our favorite series! For a limited time, discover a new saga and curl up for ho..."
I thought of this challenge when I saw that. :)
I know we talked about this, but I'm apparently a dunce this evening: I know we said that group reads will not be penalized; what I'm confused about, however, is whether or not it earns any points at all, or if its a wash.
I'm going to be reading Steelheart next; assuming I had no credits, would I score it and if so how?
Also, if this were my first book of the month, would I score it, and if so how?
Thanks You!
I think you score it normally, just do not subtract the 10 points for starting a new series, but someone please correct me if I am wrong! :)
Emily wrote: "I think you score it normally, just do not subtract the 10 points for starting a new series, but someone please correct me if I am wrong! :)"Yep, that's what I would say too. Score it the same way you would otherwise, just don't penalize yourself the 10 points for starting a new series.
Emily wrote: "I think you score it normally, just do not subtract the 10 points for starting a new series, but someone please correct me if I am wrong! :)"Becky wrote: "Emily wrote: "I think you score it normally, just do not subtract the 10 points for starting a new series, but someone please correct me if I am wrong! :)"
Yep, that's what I would say too. Score ..."
Thank you both!
Thanks, Emily and Becky...Now, it's my turn to ask y'all a question. Since this one pertains to me, I'll throw it out and see what you think.
I was awarded an eARC copy of Peacemaker and won a GoodReads First Reads paperback of Conquest.
Both of these are #1's in a new series. They're the only book out in each case.
So my question is, with books provided in exchange for a review, do we use the penalty for new series and/or burn a credit towards a new series?
I'm torn on this one.
Chris wrote: "Thanks, Emily and Becky...Now, it's my turn to ask y'all a question. Since this one pertains to me, I'll throw it out and see what you think.
I was awarded an eARC copy of [book:Peacemaker|18242..."
I would say that you should not incur the charge for this. It's like a deal you made prior to the challenge.
Yeah, that's true. Though I'd also want to extend it to future deals if people get ARCs later in the year...
Well seeing as they were both given to you and not purchased I would say they are exempt from penalty.Is Conquest for review as well?
Since Peacemaker is an exchange for a review, I would say that you can start that one free & clear, but I think Conquest should be "bought" with a credit.
Well, with First Reads giveawaya, you're winning a real book. But the hope of the publisher is that you'll review it and There's no rule that you review them, but good luck winning future books if you don't. Heh...
Ok. I'm trying to differentiate between active participation vs. receiving a gift. If an author contacts me and says "Hey would you mind reading/reviewing this?", and just gives me a copy, then I think I should be able to do so without any cost or penalty. But if I actively enter a contest and win a copy, then I should have to pay the cost of a credit.Does that make sense?
However, in your case, I agree with Mrs. J. Since this was all done before the contest then you are in the clear.
I can see your point (and this is part of why I'm torn).But by that same logic, I actively requested Peacemaker on the NetGalley site too.
A related question that I've also had, as it fits both of these books:
What about a "first" book in a series that's just starting? That is, as of this moment, both of these examples are the only books in their series. The assumption/projection is that there will be more, but they're not out yet.
Steelheart would be another example of this, were it not already a group read selection.
I think it can be used towards the monthly goal, but nothing else. No "series completion" points, because at this point it is a projected series, not an actual one. . Not to mention the fact, that we have no idea how many books there will be.
I feel that if an author contacts you and offers you a book for a review, that should incur a penalty but entering a contest should not. I feel this way because an author contacting you for a review is a sure thing. You will get the book and more than likely it will be prompt. With entering a contest (and most NetGalley reviews other than the "read now" ones) you have no control. You don't know if you'll get the book and you don't know when.
I feel like if you are doing something as a professional courtesy (reviewing a book by author request or through NetGalley, Edelweiss or whatever), you shouldn't be penalized. However, if you decide to carry on with the series of your own accord, I'd say you need a credit or take the 10 points.
MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "I feel that if an author contacts you and offers you a book for a review, that should incur a penalty but entering a contest should not. I feel this way because an author contacting you for a revi..."Thats an interesting take on it...
but with the author contact, aren't you usually expected to read it within a certain period of time (limiting your control on when you start the book)? Where as with a contest, you can start it whenever since a review is appreciated but not necessarily expected.
Nyssa, I see where you're going. If we call it a standalone, we don't count it for points. Makes sense.Emily, that's kinda how I'm thinking. When trying what to read after I finally finish (and promptly delete from my Nook) The Book, I considered my "obligation books". And thought, "wait, they're series firsts, I'll have a penalty".
While I'm not as serious as some, that decision has an effect on my choice to be a book blooger/reviewer.
Nyssa, all contests or rewarded books come with some degree of expectation, even though they can't legally require it.If you don't promptly review a giveaway win, you'll be blacklisted and won't win anymore. That's the theory, anyway. GoodReads denies it.
Chris wrote: "Nyssa, all contests or rewarded books come with some degree of expectation, even though they can't legally require it.If you don't promptly review a giveaway win, you'll be blacklisted and won't ..."
Well thats crap! (sorry - will edit out the language if its a problem).
Ok. So then I suggest a blanket - no penalty, but needs 1 credit.
If we are going to require something, I'd say the opposite, actually. This is because the 25 point review reward can arguably cover you for the -10 for starting a new series. However, I really do not feel like these reviews should require a credit since you have no control over when they are due.
Emily wrote: "If we are going to require something, I'd say the opposite, actually. This is because the 25 point review reward can arguably cover you for the -10 for starting a new series. However, I really do n..."Okay, yeah. I see what you mean.
Nyssa wrote: "Thats an interesting take on it...but with the author contact, aren't you usually expected to read it within a certain period of time (limiting your control on when you start the book)? Where as with a contest, you can start it whenever since a review is appreciated but not necessarily expected. "
Everyone wants you to give a review asap. Everyone. Have you seen the whining in Feedback? One smarmy character wants GR to send FirstReads winners "gentle" reminder emails to get to those reviews.
So in that, I feel that the expectations are the same. The difference (to me) comes in the uncertainty of if or when you will receive a book.
To be true to the spirit of the challenge, I'd tell everyone to make their own call for their own situations, if they come up. Again, it's a self challenge so the only one you're going against is your own daunting TBR.I was looking for thought on it as it came up though. We've had some great discussion and ideas on it.
And I still don't know what I should do. LOL
MrsJoseph (taking back my data & giving GR the middle finger) wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Thats an interesting take on it...but with the author contact, aren't you usually expected to read it within a certain period of time (limiting your control on when you start the boo..."
I see. No, I hadn't seen those threads.. nor have a I ever received an ACR, nor Giveaway, nor "First Read" award. I
In fact, other than one written by a family member, I've only received books from two authors (via MobileRead). One I read right away and reviewed, and the other I haven't read yet and I've had it for almost 2 years now.
Well... I have no dog in this fight, because I have decided I'm no longer reading books for review, but if it were me, I would probably handle them the same as any other book, except that perhaps I'd let myself overdraft credits if necessary to review it in a timely manner. (As though I've ever done that.)That's just me though. I can understand all of the different perspectives, but I wouldn't give myself a pass on the penalty just because it is for review - it's still MY decision to read it.
Becky, how about the question of stand-alone vs. series book on a 1st in a new book series where only one book currently exists?
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