Feb 2016 Challenge Reporting Thread - TOTALLED

[Janice, Moderator]

When you have completed your book, please provide a link to your book and score it according to the criteria below:

Scoring:

Title: (subtitles excluded)

a. What was the number in your title? Score that number, but with a twist. Like numerology, you need to get that number down to a single digit. So if you read Catch-22, add 2+2 = 4. If you read 1984, score 1+9+8+4=22 then 2+2=4. In the case of ordinal numbers - First=1, Second= 2, etc.

b. Count 4 if the title has 4 words
c. Count 3 if the title has 3 words
d. Count 2 if the title has 2 words
e. Count 1 if the title has 1 word
Note: If the title contains a numberic word (ie 22, 1984), the number will constitute one word regardless of how many digits are in it.

Author:

a. Take the vowels in the author's last name and add them together, applying the numerology equivalent: a=1, e=5, i=9, 0=15, u=21. Then narrow the total to a single digit. If you read Stephen King, your score would be i=9. If you read John Irving, your score would be the total of two I's - 9+9=18 then 1+8=9.

b. Count 3 points if the author has 3 names
c. Count 2 points if there is more than one author (doesn't include narrators or translators)
d. Count 1 point if the author's name is listed with only one name (eg Plato)

Cover: (it must be the issue you are reading)

a. Count 5 points if there is a crowd of people on the cover
b. Count 4 points if there is seal such as the "Newberry Seal of Honour". I don't mean the animal.
c. Count 3 points if there is exactly 3 colours on the cover. No more, no less.
d. Count 2 points if there are two of something on the cover - two people, two animals (may be different kinds), two cups.
e. Count 1 point if the colour of the cover is predominantly blue (70%)

Pages:

a. 500 + pages = 5 points
b. 400-499 pages = 4 points
c. 300-399 pages = 3 points
d. 200 - 299 pages = 2 points
e. 175-199 pages = 1 point

Bonus points:

a. 3 points - in honour of Leap Year, count 3 points if part of the story is set in February. The month must be mentioned and not implied.

b. 3 points - in honour of National Bacon Day, count 3 points if there is a pig in the story, bacon is eaten, or someone whose name is Bacon (Kevin Bacon, Sir Nathanial Bacon, etc) is mentioned.

c. 3 points - in honour of Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day, count 3 points if there is a cow, milk, or airplane in the story.

[Camilla]

I already finished mine:
First Born of the Moon: And Other Stories by Michael P. André

Scoring:
Title: Number in title = first = 1 point
Author: a + e = 1 + 5 = 6
Cover: 3 points (grey, black, white)
Pages: 1 point
Bonus: bacon 3 points, milk 3 points

Total: 17
Hope I managed to count this correctly.

[Janice, Moderator]

Looks right to me, Camilla!

[Travis]

OK here we go. Just like doing your taxes.

200,000 Miles Aboard the Destroyer Cotten
by C. Snelling Robinson

a. 2
b. o + o + I = 9+15+15 = 39 = 3+9=12=1+2=3
c. 3 names. 3
d. 0
e. 0
328 pages 3 points
Bonus
a. set in Feb. 3
b. -
c. lots of airplanes and some milk 3

2+3+3+3+3+3=17
17 points

[Janice, Moderator]

Travis of NNY wrote: "OK here we go. Just like doing your taxes...."

Yikes! It is that time of year, I guess.

[Travis]

Janice wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "OK here we go. Just like doing your taxes...."

Yikes! It is that time of year, I guess."

Most have until April 15, but since I don't pay quarterly as a business I have to file by end of February. Had to turn in stuff for 1099 to get mailed out last week to anyone who did more than $600 work for us last year. custom operators etc.

[Janice, Moderator]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Janice wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "OK here we go. Just like doing your taxes...."

Yikes! It is that time of year, I guess."

Most have until April 15, but since I don't pay quarterly as a busine..."

Since I'm a sole proprietor, I have 6 months to file my taxes for 2015. BUT, I have to pay by the end of April. Go figure that one. Corporations have 3 months to file and pay their taxes from their fiscal year end.

Only construction contractors here have to file forms for subcontracted labour. I guess it's the industry that has the worst offenders. I'm glad I only have to worry about them for one of my clients.

[Donna]

Books by the numbers

1. Third Time's a Charm by Rose Pressey 225 pgs
Third = 3 pts
4 words in title = 4 pts
author 5+5 =10 1+0=1 --- 1 pt
cover is blue = 1 pt
225 pgs = 2 pts
characters ate bacon for breakfast = 3 pts

total 14 pts

[Janice, Moderator]

Hey Donna! Your first second challenge under your hat! I hope you enjoyed it.

ETA: I just realized you'd completed one other challenge. :)

[Donna]

Janice wrote: "Hey Donna! Your first second challenge under your hat! I hope you enjoyed it.

ETA: I just realized you'd completed one other challenge. :)"

Yes, I enjoyed it. I am in at least 20 groups and do several challenges a month. I seem to be addicted to challenges! LOL

[Janice, Moderator]

Wow! That will keep you reading, for sure.

[Lori]

600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

What was the number in your title? 600 6 + 0 + 0 = 6
6 points

Count 4 if the title has 4 words
4 points

Vowels
3 A's = 3; E = 5; i = 9
3 + 5 + 9 = 17
1 +7 = 8
8 points

Pages:
278 pages
2 points

3 points - in honour of Leap Year, count 3 points if part of the story is set in February. The month must be mentioned and not implied.

The date of February 26, 1970 stated in Chapter 1.
3 points

c. 3 points - Edward bought milk when he went grocery shopping
3 points

Total: 26 points

[Lynda]

Finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

Title: 10
What was the number in your title? 2+4 = 6
Count 4 if the title has 4 words = 4

Author: 7
a. Take the vowels in the author's last name and add them together: o=15 a=1 = 16 = 1+6 = 7

Cover: 3
c. Count 3 points if there is exactly 3 colours on the cover. Yellow/Black/White = 3

Pages: 2
d. 200 - 299 pages = 2 points

Bonus points: 3
c. 3 points - in honour of Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day, count 3 points if there is a cow, milk, or airplane in the story. - They fly from San Francisco to New York City

Total Points: 25

[Naomi]

Finished Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith
Title- 10 pts
a. number 44 = 8
d. 2 words = 2

Author - 12 points
a. vowel in last name i = 9
b. author has 3 names = 3

Cover- 5 pts
c. 3 colors= 3
d. 2 of something on cover (rails) = 2

Pages: b. 4pts

Bonus : a. present action of book starts in February - 3 pts
c. cow in barn page 34 - 3pts
plane p. 373 - 3pts? or just 3 for one of category?

total points =37 points or 40 points if each item in Cow milked bonus counts as 3 points

total 37 points

[Anna]

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome



Tittle
A) 3
C) 3

Author
A) 7
B) 3

Cover
0

Pages
1

Bonus
B) 3

Total: 20

[Janice, Moderator]

Lori wrote: "600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

What was the number in your title? 600 6 + 0 + 0 = 6
6 points

Co..."

Sorry, Lori but the book has to mention February in order to meet the criteria.

[Janice, Moderator]

Naomi wrote: "total points =37 points or 40 points if each item in Cow milked bonus counts as 3 points i>

Sorry, only one bonus of 3 points per category.

[Janice, Moderator]

Tracked to here.

[Naomi]

Janice wrote: "Naomi wrote: "total points =37 points or 40 points if each item in Cow milked bonus counts as 3 points i>

Sorry, only one bonus of 3 points per category."

No problem. Just wanted to verify. Thanks.

[Susan]

OK, finished! Now to total up the score...

The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones

Title: 9
a. ninth = 9
b. 0 (five words but I didn't see this as a choice listed so no points?)

Author: 4
a. 1+1+15+5=22. 2+2 = 4

Cover: 2
d. 2 cups of coffee = 2

Pages: 3
c. 326 pages = 3

Bonus points: 3
b. Bacon! Bacon is ordered in for breakfast in the diner where the MC works. = 3 points

Total = 21 points
And in the words on the t-shirt that begins chapter 4 - Being an adult means never having to show your work on math problems.


Oops! Correction - I obviously wasn't paying attention - Author points = 2 (for just the last name - 15 + 5 = 20 and then 2+0 = 2)
So total is only 19 points.

[Janice, Moderator]

Susan wrote: "And in the words on the t-shirt that begins chapter 4 - Being an adult means never having to show your work on math problems.
..."

ROFL! That's perfect! I love those slogans at the beginning of each chapter.

[Cherie]

Questions:
Title: Only points for exactly the number of words you specify? 5 words = 0? Are we counting "the, on, a, in, to" as words or not? Lori did, Anna did not, but Susan is questioning?

Author's name for points.
Only the last name, right?

[Janice, Moderator]

Cherie wrote: "Questions:
Title: Only points for exactly the number of words you specify? 5 words = 0? Are we counting "the, on, a, in, to" as words or not? Lori did, Anna did not, but Susan is questioning?

Auth..."

Answers:

Title

I only have criteria for specific titles - 4 word titles, 3 word titles, 2 word titles, and 1 word titles. There is no criteria for 5 word titles, so if you read a title with 5 words, there are no points to be scored.

We can count a, the, in, to, etc - if you need to amend your score, do so and then leave a message for me that you've corrected it. I'm not going back up to verify scores once I've recorded them.

Author's name Only part a is based on the last name of the author.

[Casceil]

I have the same question about words like "the" and "and," and your answer did not really answer it. My book, which I have now finished reading, is The White Magic Five and Dime. If "the" and "and" count, I don't get any extra points for title. If such little words do not count, then I pick up four more points (for four word title). I will probably assume I don't get the points, but let me know if I can claim them. Not that I am going to be in the running for any prizes, anyway, since my best guess is that I have 13 points. Or do I add the 1 and 3 together and I have 4 points?

[Sarah]

I just finished Six of Crows. It was amazing. I loved it. First book from this author and shall defo read more.

by Leigh Bardugo

Title:
a) Number in title = 6
d) 3 words = 3

Author: Bardugo
a) Vowels: a=1 + u=21 + 0=15 = 37

3+7=10, 1+0=1

Pages: 469 pages
b) 400-499 pages = 4 points

Bonus points:
c) 3 points - (page 11) 'Grey milk fog' OR (page 183) 'Margit gave them milk tea and warm pancakes'.

Total Points: 17

[Janice, Moderator]

Casceil wrote: "I have the same question about words like "the" and "and," and your answer did not really answer it. My book, which I have now finished reading, is The White Magic Five and Dime. If..."

We are counting words like "the, and, a, etc. So, your book will be 6 words and no points. Sorry.

[Janice, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "d) 2 of something: If it's allowed, there are 2 lines 1 above and one below the main title, or 2 swiggly lines beside the word OF .."

I was thinking of objects. Lines, to me, delineate sections separating or drawing attention to the title. If I accept that, then I'm looking at accepting two letter S's on the cover. So, let's stick to objects - two crows on the cover, two trees on the cover, etc.

Sorry, 17 points. And here I was trying not to be the meany moderator. :)

[Sarah]

Janice wrote: "I was thinking of objects. Lines, to me, delineate sections separating or drawing attention to the title. If I accept that, then I'm looking at accepting two letter S's on the cover. So, let's stick to objects - two crows on the cover, two trees on the cover, etc.

Sorry, 17 points. And here I was trying not to be the meany moderator. :) "

Not on the sqiggly red symbol lines beside the word 'OF'? =P

[Ollie]

My book was A Thousand Nights. Not worth many points, but it was a great, easy read!

Title: (subtitles excluded) : 4 points

Author: 3 points

Pages: 3 points

So a total of 10 points altogether.

[Kerri]

I read NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Title:
a. 4+2 = 6 pts
b. 1 word = 1 pt

Author:
I = 9 pts

Cover:
3 colours red, black and white = 3 pts
2 dead insects = 2 pts

Pages:
500+ = 5 pts

Bonus:
Wayne served bacon page 376 = 3 pts
several mentions of milk = 3 pts

total 32 pts

[Janice, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "Not on the sqiggly red symbol lines beside the word 'OF'? =P .."

Fraid not! I didn't even see them. I had to look hard.

[Casceil]

Okay, my book is The White Magic Five and Dime by Steve Hockensmith and Lisa Falco. I think it scores like this:
title= 5
author=2 (Hockensmith = 15+5+9=29; 2+9=11; 1+1=2)
two authors=2
length (326 pp.) = 3
extras=2 points for two statues in the shop window on the cover

Total=14

[Janice, Moderator]

Looks like you scored it right, Casceil.

[Sarah]

Janice wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Not on the sqiggly red symbol lines beside the word 'OF'? =P .."

Fraid not! I didn't even see them. I had to look hard."

Oh hehe. Nevermind 17 for me then =]

[Lori]

Janice wrote: "Lori wrote: "600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

What was the number in your title? 600 6 + 0 + 0 = 6..."

Janice,
The date February 26, 1970 is stated near the end of the first chapter. If the word February is in the book it counts, right??

[Janice, Moderator]

Yes, it counts, Lori. You are determined! LOL!

[Lanelle]

I decided to read The Nine Pound Hammer by John Claude Bemis.

Here are the points -

Title
a) 9 points
b) 4 points (four word title)

Author
a) 5 points e+i=14, 1+4=5
b) 3 points (three named author)

Cover
d) 2 points (for the two arms)

Pages
c) 3 points (370 pages)

Bonus points:
a) not set in February
b) 3 points "...several pieces of curly bacon." p. 95
c) milk is mentioned, but it is descriptive, not actual milk "...white as milk." p. 78

Total - 29 points

P.S. If anyone is still looking for a book for the Mountain Railways of India in the yearlong challenge, this book is perfect. It has a train on the cover and it is set on a train.

[Susan]

Janice - I corrected my score in my original post. I must have been half asleep when I did it the first time around. Only 19 points for me.

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks Susan

[Lynn]

Three Dirty Secrets

Title: (subtitles excluded)

a. 3pts
c. 3pts (Count 3 if the title has 3 words)

Author:

a. 3pts
(o=15, a=1, e=5 = 21, 2+1 = 3)

Cover: (it must be the issue you are reading)

c. 3pts (Count 3 points if there is exactly 3 colours on the cover. No more, no less.)
Janice, I think you'd class this as three colours?

d. 2pts (Count 2 points if there are two of something on the cover)

Pages:

c. 3pts (300-399 pages)

Bonus points: None

Total Points: 17 points

[Janice, Moderator]

Lynn wrote: "Three Dirty Secrets..."

Yes, three colours on the cover.

[Cherie]

Two Hundred and Twenty-One Baker Streets 2+2+1= 5

Title:
a: 5 pts
5 words = 0 pts

Author: David Thomas Moore 15+15+5 = 35= 3+5=8
a: 8 pts
b: three names = 3 pts

Cover:
c: three colors = 3 pts
d: two some things (guns) = 2 pts
e: predominantly blue = 1 pt

Pages:
c: 300-399 = 3 pts

Bonus pts: 0 pts

Total = 25 pts

Thank you, Janice for letting me find a book I may never have searched for, except for your challenge. I can never get enough of Holmes and Watson!

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm glad you enjoyed your read, Cherie. Bonus!

[Poongothai]

Title: 99 Thoughts on Ganesha
a. What was the number in your title? 9+9 = 18, 1+8 = 9
b. Count 4 if the title has 4 words

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
a. Take the vowels in the author's last name and add them together, applying the numerology equivalent: a=1, e=5, i=9, 0=15, u=21.
a+a+a+i = 1+1+1+9 = 12, 1+2 = 3

Cover:
c. Count 3 points if there is exactly 3 colours on the cover - Orange + black +white
d. Count 2 points if there are two of something on the cover – Two rats

Pages: 221 pages
d. 200 - 299 pages = 2 points

Bonus points:
a. 3 points - in honour of Leap Year, count 3 points if part of the story is set in February. – A chapter explains about the Vinayaki Chaturthi which is being celebrated during February (The Vinayaki chaturthi which falls in the bright half of Magh, January-February, is also celebrated in some parts of India as Ganesha Jayanti)

c. 3 points - in honour of Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day, count 3 points if there is a cow, milk, or airplane in the story. – Cow and milk are mentioned many times in the book as they are sacred in Hinduism ( Gauri is the earth. She is visualized as the milkgiving cow, making Ganesha her calf, whose arrival marks the arrival of milk, symbolizing harvest and prosperity.)

Total : 29

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

I read Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson


Title: 3 points Fever 1793 3 points

a. 1 - (1+7+9+3=20; 2+0=2)
d. 2 - Count 2 if the title has 2 words

Author: 6 points Laurie Halse Anderson

a. 3 - Vowels A + E + O = 1+5+15=21; 2+1=3
b. 3 - Count 3 points if the author has 3 names

Cover: 4 points


b. 4 - Count 4 points if there is seal such as the "Newberry Seal of Honour". Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award 2003

Pages: 2 points - 272 pages

d. 200 - 299 pages = 2 points

Bonus points: 6 points

b. 3 - Pig in the story - in honour of National Bacon Day, count 3 points if there is a pig in the story, bacon is eaten, or someone whose name is Bacon (Kevin Bacon, Sir Nathanial Bacon, etc) is mentioned.

c. 3 - Milk in the story - in honour of Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day, count 3 points if there is a cow, milk, or airplane in the story.

Total: 21 points

[Lilisa]

I hadn't realized that I inadvertently participated in this challenge reading The Two Sisters of Borneo! So yay, I hope to get a badge!

Title: The Two Sisters of Borneo - 2

Author: Ian Hamilton - a=1; i = 9; o=15 Add up to 25; 2+5 = 7

Cover: 0

Pages: 326 pages = 3

Bonus: Ava Lee is on an airplane numerous times as she jet sets across the world = 3

Total = 15 points

[Janice, Moderator]

LOL! Yes, you'll get a badge, Lilisa.

Tracked to here.

[Lilisa]

Janice wrote: "LOL! Yes, you'll get a badge, Lilisa.

Tracked to here."

Thanks Janice!

[Lara]

I read Twelve Kings in Sharakhai by Bradley P. Beaulieu

Scoring:
Title: (subtitles excluded) = 7
a. What was the number in your title? 3
b. Count 4 if the title has 4 words

Author: 4
a. Take the vowels in the author's last name and add them together, applying the numerology equivalent: a=1, e=5, i=9, 0=15, u=21. Then narrow the total to a single digit. 76 --> 13 --> 4

Cover: 0

Pages: 5

Bonus points: 0

TOTAL: 16 points

[Beth]

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Scoring:

Title: (subtitles excluded)

a. 4
e. Count 1 if the title has 1 word
Author:

a. 1
Cover: (it must be the issue you are reading)

e. Count 1 point if the colour of the cover is predominantly blue (70%)

Pages:

b. 400-499 pages = 4 points

Bonus points:

c. 3 points - in honour of Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day, count 3 points if there is a cow, milk, or airplane in the story.


I think that is 14.