Bookopoly - 2016

[Tien]

A. Introduction

Bookopoly is a boardgame for bookworms based on the classic Monopoly. For our purposes, we will only keep the essence of the boardgame which is to roll 2 die to move along the board and follow on instruction for reading. There will be no cash exchanges etc.

For our reading challenge, the approach to Bookopoly will be somewhat similar to POTS with a dash of fun. Again, we are only keeping the essence of POTS which is for other readers to pick from our chosen shelf which book/s we are to read.

Everybody is a winner in this challenge! There is no finishing line as such nor do you have to collect cash/points but we all get to tackle our TBR.

Before we begin, however, you MUST have a dedicated Shelf for this challenge.

Please keep this Shelf up to date throughout the challenge. By all means, chuck all of your books-to-read-for-other-challenges here! But also remember to remove those you've read or do not wish to read any longer. I would also suggest to include, for at least half of your Shelf, easily accessible books, for reasons which will be clear later on.

Please provide a link to your Bookopoly Shelf in this thread: Shelves

You may compile your shelf now but Official Start date of this challenge is December 1, 2015. Challenge will run up to December 31, 2016 depending on how the challenge progresses or popularity, we may reconsider the end date. End date exists to assist us in moderating this challenge until everyone is on the same level of understanding / commitment.

***ANNOUNCED on 10/09/16 that Bookopoly will finish November 30, 2016****

B. Around the Board

1. GENRE: Read any book found on that shelf. Please choose your book from your Bookopoly Shelf if you can. If not, then from your general tbr.

2. KNOWLEDGE / EXPLORE: Read a book as required by task: Tasks

3. UTILITY / TAX: a Librarian will pick books for you. Post your request here

4. a. JAIL (Watching TV): Read the Biggest Thickest Meanest book on your Bookopoly Shelf at time of being sent to jail
b. JUST VISITING (Explore your mind): Read a book with word in title that is, at least, 3 syllables long. Please choose your book from your Bookopoly Shelf if you can. If not, then from your general tbr.

5. FREE DREAMS: Read a "Random" book from your Bookopoly Shelf. When viewing your Bookopoly Shelf, scroll down to the bottom and choose to view your shelf as 'Random'. When screen is refreshed, read the first book.

6. PROPERTY (in Bookopoly, these are actually Books):
a. If Property is For Sale: any participant (but not The Librarian) will pick books for you
b. If Property is Owned: Owner will pick books for you
c. If Property is Owned by you: read a book of your choice (preferably from your Bookopoly shelf)

7. GO READ: FREE roll of dice -roll 2 dice and move as per your roll.

[Tien]

C. Moving Along the Board

1. Roll 2 dice and move along the board as per number rolled

2. Follow instruction as per the square you’ve landed on –refer (B) above

3. If you are required to request books to be picked for you;
a. You may nominate a number of books that they pick for you (only to give you a little bit of leeway in choosing which book to read or is better accessible)
b. You only have to read ONE (1) book

4. You must finish reading your one (1) book within 4 weeks from time books are picked or there may be a penalty –refer D. 4. below

5. You may be on 3 squares (max) at any moment of the challenge. You may read the books in whichever order is convenient but note the 4 weeks' deadline.
This is purely to save confusion later on. Please datestamp all your movements so that it is clear should a Librarian checks your thread


D. Property: Purchase and Repossession

1. If you land on Property For Sale, post to Book Request to request your fellow participants to pick your books for you.

2. To purchase a Property:
a. Declare your intention to purchase in this thread (Purchasing Property) as soon as you have received your list of picked books.
b. Book MUST have 280-420 pages.
c. You have to read and review your chosen book within 7 days of declaration (a)
d. Please post the (short) review in the Property Reviews thread, as a new post, to finalize your purchase
e. If 7 days have lapsed and you have not posted a review, the Property will be put up For Sale.
f. There is a limit of TWO (2) Properties to be owned by a participant

3. If you land on Owned Property, post to the owner’s thread to ask them to pick your books.
NOTE: Property Owners have 48 hours to pick books for other players who have landed on their property and made a request in the appropriate thread. Failure to do so may carry the consequence of your property be repossessed.

4. Repossession of Property:
a. If, at any time, you did not finish reading a book within the stipulated 4 weeks, one of your Properties may be placed on Notice of Repossession and will be up for sale, if others land on it.
b. If you manage to finish your book before anyone bids and settles on your Repossessed Property then you get to keep your property.
This might sound harsh but I'd like to keep this challenge as active as possible to knock off as many off TBRs

[Tien]

E. Housekeeping:

Please create your own thread for:

1. Your movements:
a. list of square you've landed on (please include datestamp for each landing)
b. list of picked books (please include who picked them and datestamp when they told you PLUS datestamp when you've read your chosen book.

2. each property you own: for others to request you picking from their shelves. Please list their picked books in this thread and NOT on their plan thread.


F. FAQ

Q: What if I want to join in mid-year?
A: You are welcome to join in anytime though there may not be any property for sale BUT you will still get book/s picked for you from your Bookopoly shelf and therefore, still get to tackle your TBR.

Q: What if I want to stop playing?
A: You may give up your property (The Librarian will list this up for sale) OR you could put it up "for sale" yourself. If there are any buyers, as the owner, you will have to pick books from their Bookopoly shelf and usual "Purchase rules" apply.
Buyers, please note limit of 2 properties to be owned per participant at any time.
We would appreciate it if you would let us know your intention to stop playing rather than just dropping off without a word :)

Q: What if I'm not sure if I can commit for the long run?
A: Feel free to join in anyway but if you're not sure about your commitment, you may refrain from purchasing properties. The only downside will be that you may not get to pick books for other participants but will get books picked for you and so, tackle a little bit of your TBR.

Q: Who is The Librarian?
A: The moderators. There is a caveat that they are not allowed to pick their own books

Q: Exactly how many books do I have to read for each square?
A: You only have to read one (1) book per square. You can ask for 3-5 books to be picked for you to give you an option but you only have to read 1. You can read all of them, if you like.

Q: How long do we have to read our book?
A: Generally, you have 4 weeks to read a book BUT if you wish to purchase a property, 7 days.

Q: Do I have to post reviews when I finish reading?
A: Reviews are only needed when you are purchasing a property.

Q: How short is a "short review"?
A: 1 paragraph only, please, of at least 3 sentences. Or, if you wish, bullet points (3 min) are also acceptable.

Q: Is there a limit to size of book?
A: The only limit set is for book/s read to purchase property which is to be between 280-420 pages -a fairly average book size and it doesn't matter on edition (as long as it's not Large Print) as this range will pretty much capture most variation.

Q: What if I wanted to purchase a Property but the books chosen for me are all outside the 280-420 page range?
A: Then, unfortunately, this means that you can not purchase the property.

Q: Can I ask the picker to pick 280-420 pages books?
A: No. It's the picker's prerogative to choose your books.

Q: What if I land on Property that's for sale but I do not want to purchase it?
A: That's okay, you don't have to purchase it. You still post in same thread to request for your books.

Q: What if more than 1 person landed on Property for Sale and would like to purchase it?
A: First in first served. The first person to declare intention to purchase will have first dibs at purchasing said property.

Q: How would you know if it's the "Biggest Thickest Meanest" book on my shelf?
A: We don't! As always, we rely on honor system in our challenges. Your conscience will direct you better than we can ;)

Q: Can I add / remove books at any time?
A: Please only undertake "maintenance" when you are in-between rolls (ie. you have received all your picks and are in your 'reading time' before having to roll again for your next move).

Q: How many books do I have to have on my Bookopoly Shelf?
A: We suggest within the range of 30-90 books. At least 30 books so that there is more than enough choices for the pickers and limited to 90 books maximum so it doesn't become too unwieldy when browsing.

Q: Can I plan ahead?
A: Refer to C. 5. above

Q: What do you mean by "datestamp"?
A: To note the date:
*at each roll of die; and
*every time you've received your list of books;and
*when you've finished reading your book.

Q: What if I can't finish the book I'm reading for the square?
A: You are required to read at least 1 book per square so read another book that has been picked for you. Or, if you're on a task-related square, pick another book that fits the task.

Q: What if I can't finish any of the books picked for me?
A: Essentially you owe that property owner some 'rent' so you'll need to finish reading a book picked by that owner so go ahead and request one additional book. If property is not owned, make that request in the Book Request thread.

If you cannot finish that additional book, then you go to debtor's jail (not the property) and must read the largest book on your Bookopoly Shelf to get out.

After completing that book, play resumes from last rolled square.

Q: What if we, as property owners, are going away on holidays but are still keen to participate in Bookopoly?
A: If you find that you are going to be gone for a longer time period than 48 hours you could do one of two things:
a. pick another player to "property sit" for you and pick books for players who land on your property; OR
b. Notify the librarians and we will pick for players in your absence.

If you do not notify anyone to pick in your absence, a librarian will pick for that turn, then your property will be repossessed and requests will go back to being handled in the general book request thread. The property will also be put up for re-sale.

[Tien]

reserved

[Tien]

reserved

[Tien]

Just a quick note:

Yes, this will replace POTS as we know it

Links will be updated as soon as all threads have been posted. Please be patient ;)

[Bea]

Link for dice roll is not working in message #2

[Tien]

Bea wrote: "Link for dice roll is not working in message #2"

fixed. thanks!

[Coralie]

Two questions.
Do we use our local date or a uniform date?

What do we do when we land on GO READ?

[Tien]

Just use your own local date.

If you land on Go Read, just roll again :)

[Coralie]

Thank you.

[Charity]

We can be on 3 squares at any one time....does this mean we act like we are playing 3 pieces and they all start from GO or can we "pre-roll" for 3 turns? (Ex....if I roll a 3 and move 3 spaces and set up for that space and then I roll again and get a 4 do I move forward from Space 3 to space 7 or do I start from GO and move to space 4?) Sorry if that's confusing.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Charity wrote: "We can be on 3 squares at any one time....does this mean we act like we are playing 3 pieces and they all start from GO or can we "pre-roll" for 3 turns? (Ex....if I roll a 3 and move 3 spaces and ..."

It means that you can pre-roll three rolls and ask for the books for those three. I believe, though, that you still have to read them in order. Also--keep in mind that you have a time limit on reading books....7 days if you want to purchase a property and 4 weeks for others, and this is from the time the books are picked for you, so be wise in rolling ahead to avoid any penalties for not finishing the book/books on time.

[Charity]

Lyn (Readinghearts) wrote: "Charity wrote: "We can be on 3 squares at any one time....does this mean we act like we are playing 3 pieces and they all start from GO or can we "pre-roll" for 3 turns? (Ex....if I roll a 3 and mo..."

Thanks Lyn...I think maybe I should stick with rolling one at a time :-)

[Susan]

Lyn (Readinghearts) wrote: " I believe, though, that you still have to read them in order. "

Lyn, I've checked the directions and FAQ, and don't find anything about that. Tien, could you let us know what you intended, and then, either way, add that to the game rules or FAQs somewhere?

I'd had been assuming that, as long as we thought we could finish within the 4-week deadline, we could complete the tasks for our 3 rolls in any order we wanted. Suppose, for example, the book for my first roll is one I have to get from the library, while the one for my second is on my bedside table. It makes sense to be able to start the second one while waiting for the first. Or suppose that I want to purchase the third site I land on. I might have trouble meeting the 7-day deadline if I have to complete books 1 & 2 first.

I'll be fine with whatever the ruling is. But I think that requiring that the tasks be done in order may work against Tien's stated intention of knocking as many books as possible off our TBR's.

[Bea]

Tien has the final say, but I think the intention is that we can plan 3 moves at a time. Each one successive to the previous move. Just like in Pursuit, a move's book can be read in any order but keeping in mind that you have only 4 weeks to read it once chosen or 1 week if it is to purchase property.

[Dee]

can i ask a question about the 7 day if its a property - i'm like 90% ok with that, my only question would be, I do have several audiobooks on my shelf and a pg range in hours in order to be for buying a property - could be over a weeks worth of listening (i.e.a 300pg audio is about 10hrs)

i guess my question is - could an exception be given prior to stating the desire to claim a property - if an audiobook is identified; length provided etc

if not its cool (with my current commute, I could probably easily knock out a 10hr book in the 7days, but you never know)...

[Tien]

Re: Planning / reading out of order

It is as per Bea's note in #16 -just like Pursuit. I'll amend C.5. to read as follows;

"5. You may be on 3 squares (max) at any moment of the challenge. You may read the books in whichever order is convenient but note the 4 weeks' deadline."

[Tien]

Re: Landing on GO READ

I'll add another point for Part B.

B. 7. GO READ: FREE roll of dice -roll 2 dice and move as per your roll.

[Tien]

Re: audiobooks

~4 weeks' limitation; we are not going to hound you to finish exactly within 4 weeks for any kind of books you read. This is more of a guideline so that if we see that you have been inactive for that length of time whether you're still keen on participating in the challenge or not. However, we also hope that this limitation will mean that you'll keep on reading :)

I know, however, if you choose a really big book in audio form (like The Stand by Stephen King which took me 2 months to listen to), it may take you a while to finish. So, just put a note in your planning thread and maybe even an update after 4 weeks have lapsed so we know you're still reading.

Note the use of "may" in D.4. on repossession

~property purchase; I think this is got to do more with strategy than anything. You should request more than 1 book so you'll have a good choice and hopefully, got one that you could read/listen to within the 7 days period.

[Dee]

I was thinking more audiobooks and the 1 week purchase req

[Tien]

Dee wrote: "I was thinking more audiobooks and the 1 week purchase req"

I know... I included the first 2 paragraphs in case other people were thinking about audiobooks.

[Tien]

Amanda's daughter, who's 9, would love to join in a reading challenge. Amanda, as all of us bookworms, would love to encourage her in reading. She is, however, concerned that some of the participants will not be comfortable with a child joining in our challenge.

I've raise my concerns with Amanda and she's advised that she's quite comfortable with it. Her daughter will also be always under her strict supervision whilst on Goodreads.

If you've any concerns, please PM me or any of the moderators. If we haven't received any concerns by Sunday, 29 Nov, we will assume that you are all happy to have her join our challenge.

[Dominique]

I think it`s great that she wants to read and we should encourage her!

[Dee]

gR specifically doesn't allow for ppl under 13 due to law (COPPA requirements); i wouldn't want to risk it

[Susan]

Dee wrote: "gR specifically doesn't allow for ppl under 13 due to law (COPPA requirements); i wouldn't want to risk it"

Dee, could you explain more about your concerns? Are you afraid that Amanda might legally get into trouble, or that PAS might get sanctioned and shut down?

One alternative, depending on what your concerns are, might be: Amanda sets up additional threads herself and labels it as "books for my 9-year old daughter," "my daughter's moves," etc. Also, she has two shelves, one for herself and one for her daughter. That way, it's clearly Amanda doing it. The daughter is not technically participating in GR (except that Amanda is choosing to share her account, which any of us can do with any of our kids/grandkids). But she still gets the benefit of participating. Does that make you feel safer?

[Dee]

Both - members have been kicked off for being under aged; groups warned and legally GR has to report violations and tgey could receive legal sanctions potentially shut down If too many violations occur

I highly recommend reading the COPPA laws (children's online privacy and protection act)

[Dee]

It's not a safety issue it's violating federal law if Amanda's daughter is ever online GR regardless of supervision or not

[Amanda]

Dee wrote: "Both - members have been kicked off for being under aged; groups warned and legally GR has to report violations and tgey could receive legal sanctions potentially shut down If too many violations o..."

Dee wrote: "It's not a safety issue it's violating federal law if Amanda's daughter is ever online GR regardless of supervision or not"

Thanks Dee, I have gone and read it, although it's hard to make sense of the legal jargon, and it seems it is directed and the website rather than parents, etc.

from what I do understand, it's about the collecting of personal data, which is what I guess recording the books read would be.

I am kind of sad, as she reads so much and keeping a record of it this way is fun and helpful, but I will discuss it with her later about why she can't do it.

[Dee]

I know it was mentioned at GR symposium on the potential but the changes made in order to make GR compliemt would be significant - have to make enclaves or similar

I can only imagine how hard it is - I was the same growing up - drove my mom nuts ;)

Maybe you could help her come up with a list and using like a random number generator to help her pick books or something

[Amanda]

Dee wrote: "I know it was mentioned at GR symposium on the potential but the changes made in order to make GR compliemt would be significant - have to make enclaves or similar

I can only imagine how hard it i..."

Good idea :)

I have tried to give her a challenge before, and we got part of the way through it. I will look around online because I do remember a sign at my library that was a kids reading challenge, so I am sure there will be ideas online to work with.

[Tien]

Thanks, Dee. I was excited for Amanda & her daughter that I wasn't thinking about the implication for GR!

Sorry, Amanda, would've loved to have her join us :(
I believe there are Premier Reading Challenges (per state) that usually run through the year? Or maybe, you can liaise with the library on organising one yourself for your daughter & other kids in the area? Might be a good one for your daughter to meet new friends too... :)

[edited: bah, Premier Reading Challenges have closed! However, their book list may interest you/your daughter? book lists]

[Amanda]

Tien wrote: "Thanks, Dee. I was excited for Amanda & her daughter that I wasn't thinking about the implication for GR!

Sorry, Amanda, would've loved to have her join us :(
I believe there are Premier Reading C..."

Her school didn't run with Premier's Reading Challenge this year, and we forgot about it until too late in the year.

For the short-term I will try to get her to focus on her Lvel2 Literature badge and Lester Literature badge for Cubs, and then we will have time to set something up.

[Bea]

Amanda, perhaps you can adapt some ideas from Bookopoly and have her track things through Google doc or Excel spreadsheets or even a notebook. Or take a game that she enjoys playing and give it a book twist. I am sorry that she cannot join us. However, I applaud both you and her for wanting to continue her reading.

[Tien]

Or you could make up a Bookopoly board (& print it out!) with a list of her books & your books and play between the two of you!

THAT would be so much fun!

[Amanda]

Bea wrote: "Amanda, perhaps you can adapt some ideas from Bookopoly and have her track things through Google doc or Excel spreadsheets or even a notebook. Or take a game that she enjoys playing and give it a b..."

When I mentioned it to her she asked if she would get tokens, so I am thinking maybe something like Readers Pursuit might work, and make her a pie with wedges, as visual aids always help.

[Amanda]

Tien wrote: "Or you could make up a Bookopoly board (& print it out!) with a list of her books & your books and play between the two of you!

THAT would be so much fun!"

We could do that too, and still use the GR lists, or just make up our own properties ...

[Dee]

Are we allowed to roll now in prep for dec1?

[Bea]

Can't start reading until Dec.1

[Dee]

I know not reading but can I roll...

[Bea]

Dee wrote: "I know not reading but can I roll..."

The disadvantage to rolling before Dec 1 is that the clock starts sooner, leaving less time to read.

And, I checked the rules but found nothing about not being able to do so. Not advantageous as I said, but not disallowed.

[Dee]

well, Lyn has said we are starting on Dec 1, but most other challenges we have been able to pre-roll to get books requested form library etc

and I'm mostly asking because i've noticed other people have posted in their threads asking for recommendations

[Tien]

I see!

I don't mind the rolling etc. After all, this isn't a competition so it doesn't really matter if people do start early but for moderating purposes, official start date is 1 Dec (noting busyness due to Thanksgiving weekend for most of you!)

[Tien]

@Amanda, we'll have to delete your request as LynM will need to reserve a couple of spots for moderating purposes, sorry!

Please post your request again after LynM has reserved her spot. Thanks!

[Dee]

and i like stirring up trouble ;)

[Dee]

seemed appropriate ;)

[Tien]

Dee wrote: "seemed appropriate ;)

"

Bahaha! Going through trouble waters will only strengthen our friendships ;)

[Susan]

Dee wrote: "most other challenges we have been able to pre-roll to get books requested form library etc"

But remember, even if you do pre-roll here, any future moves after the first three you won't be able to roll until you've completed a previous one. And the clock will still be ticking. That's why Tien stressed in the guidelines that we put at least some books on our shelf that are easily accessible. I added a bunch from my nightstand and other shelves, so not everything has to be obtained from the library.

[Dee]

But in 43 tien said she didn't mind since we were all starting on the first....thus my questions / confusion and i wasn't the only one - people had rolled at least once before i asked which is why i did because i thought we couldn't start until the 1st rolls and all

[Susan]

It is probably too late to change it, but it occurs to me that there was a very good reason not to allow any pre-rolling. Some of the places on the board allow us to choose our own books. Other places (properties & utilities) require us to wait until we can make requests and get responses from librarians or other players. That means we have some people able to plan and start early to get things from the library, and other people not able to do so. I know we're not in a competition, but it still seems unbalanced.

I'm going to wait until Dec. 1. It just seems more fair.