Questions, Suggestions and Feedback

[JoAnne]

I put up the rest of the 2018 A-Z Challenges today and will post a few each day before Christmas. Since I am the only mod, I need to take my time posting the challenges - so I can link people.

No holiday for me...

I have been working on the Titanic challenge too! It may be large!!

[Hannah]

Whew, you're the only one? Thank you! That's a ton of work.

[JoAnne]

Hannah wrote: "Whew, you're the only one? Thank you! That's a ton of work."

Yep! Penni does the newsletter and is busy with family, work and her other group - Gotta Have Romance with a Kick....

[Hope]

For challenges that require the book cover as well as the link, can I just use the cover?

[JoAnne]

Eclectisism Incarnate wrote: "For challenges that require the book cover as well as the link, can I just use the cover?"

Sure.

[Debs]

I haven't worked out yet how you're all putting up the links to the books. I've tried various things out but can't work it out. I'd love to follow suit.. could you tell me how PLEASE "!!!

[Hope]

Debs wrote: "I haven't worked out yet how you're all putting up the links to the books. I've tried various things out but can't work it out. I'd love to follow suit.. could you tell me how PLEASE "!!!"

The add book/author link, just above the text box, opens a little window to search books (and authors). You just click where it says add link to the far right. :)

I hope that makes sense. Lol!

[JoAnne]

Thanks Eclectisism Incarnate!

And at the bottom of that box, you can click for a bookcover.

Anything else, just ask!

[Debs]

Eclectisism Incarnate wrote: "Debs wrote: "I haven't worked out yet how you're all putting up the links to the books. I've tried various things out but can't work it out. I'd love to follow suit.. could you tell me how PLEASE "..."

yes THANK YOU xx

[JoAnne]

Deidre(Dee) ~ Official Bookworm ~ wrote: "Hey guys! I was wondering if you had heard of Colditz Castle. It was a place where officers, who were prisoners of war were put, and guarded by Germans. I used to watch a program about it, and ther..."

I'll look into it. Thanks Dee.

[Jody]

Maybe redoing the meet the mods topic, it's just a bit confusing since people have been deleted. Like a fresh start, a new look sort of thing. I'm just suggesting is all. I think it would look neater, and better put together with all the new mods being at the top, and then if members want to comment, then those comments will follow. Does this make sense or am I just nuts? 😂

[JoAnne]

Jody wrote: "Maybe redoing the meet the mods topic, it's just a bit confusing since people have been deleted. Like a fresh start, a new look sort of thing. I'm just suggesting is all. I think it would look neat..."

No, you aren't wrong. I have been worrying about getting the challenges done each month and that's quite a bit.

[JoAnne]

Deidre(Dee) ~ Official Bookworm ~ wrote: "@JoAnne. Will we be having a Summer Countdown? I absolutely loved doing the Spring version, because some of the books had such lovely covers."

Great idea! I'll think about it. I could add it to next month's challenges.

I'll definitely plan for a FALL edition...

[JoAnne]

Deidre(Dee) ~ Official Bookworm ~ wrote: "One day when life isn’t so busy, could we have a quest please? Something like-The Never Ending Story or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. With unexpected doors, and hi..."

I don't know about that. I'm only one person....

[JoAnne]

Deidre(Dee) ~ Official Bookworm ~ wrote: "Oh sorry, where’s everyone else gone JoAnne?"

It's been me for at least 8 months. Penni does the newsletter.

Caroline quit almost a year ago - a few weeks after I came on a mod. Sharon kinda faded away after that and decided she did not have enough time to give the group.

[Melanie]

JoAnne, I am happy to help out a little with welcome posts and posting badges.

Not a creative bone in my body to come up with challenges though.

[JoAnne]

Melanie wrote: "JoAnne, I am happy to help out a little with welcome posts and posting badges.

Not a creative bone in my body to come up with challenges though."

It's ok. I am fine but Dee wanted a huge challenge that is not possible for me to accomplish. But thanks!!

[Melanie]

Not a worry. Always open if you need help.

[Bonita]

Is it ok to read a book written in another language or does it have to be English??

[JoAnne]

Ghaid wrote: "Is it ok to read a book written in another language or does it have to be English??"

You may read in any language you wish!

[Bonita]

Ok thanks

[ElleEm]

Hey, JoAnne, are you the only person that creates challenges? I have an idea for a challenge and would be willing to write it. But if you would rather do it then I can give you the idea that I was thinking of.

[JoAnne]

ElleEm wrote: "Hey, JoAnne, are you the only person that creates challenges? I have an idea for a challenge and would be willing to write it. But if you would rather do it then I can give you the idea that I was ..."

Yes, I am the one! Although, in October we will have a challenge written by Lizz, the group creator!

You are more than welcome to write and host a challenge. Message it to me to look at when you're ready! ;)

[ElleEm]

Cool, I will start working on it. I will message you when it's completed and let you decide on some of the details. I'm not sure that I could live up to the hostess with the mostest though ;) Might need some help with that.

[JoAnne]

I'm sure that you would be great as a hostess!! I'm here for whatever you need!

[Celeste]

Hi! Do you guys have a Mandala - type badges ... I guess I mean like actual badges of circles of art that also happen to be reading badges. Cause they look quite nice and I may slowly get obsessed as I look through everyone else's. :))))

[JoAnne]

Celeste wrote: "Hi! Do you guys have a Mandala - type badges ... I guess I mean like actual badges of circles of art that also happen to be reading badges. Cause they look quite nice and I may slowly get obsessed ..."

I would not know how to make something like that. Sorry.

[Min]

If I use a book for one challenge, can I not use it for another?

[[deleted user]]

Min wrote: "If I use a book for one challenge, can I not use it for another?"

hi Min, on the first pages of every challenges you can read read the rules for that particular challenge, but usually you can use a book for as many different challenges as you want

[JoAnne]

Min wrote: "If I use a book for one challenge, can I not use it for another?"

Of course you can!

Thanks Rosa!! :)

Sometimes I write tasks in different challenges that I know will use the same book.

[Min]

Thank you so much ^^

[Kat]

Is there (or could there be) a World Read challenge similar to the 50 State Challenge? I'm in one in another group but wondered if there is one here.

btw, I'm planning to get one of the Scratch Off World Maps to track books I read. I love the idea of them but don't expect to actually travel the globe. This would be a fun way to do it via armchair.

[JoAnne]

Kat wrote: "Is there (or could there be) a World Read challenge similar to the 50 State Challenge? I'm in one in another group but wondered if there is one here.

btw, I'm planning to get one of the Scratch O..."

That sounds like a fantastic idea, Kat! I'll work on it for 2019.

FYI - Challenge Directory - A Guide To Our Current Challenges A list of all of the challenges. Hopefully, I have it totally current!

[Kat]

Thanks. My goals/plan for next year is to read more international as well as all 50 US States. My favorite genre is Historical Fiction but I tend toward European countries, especially UK, and want to branch out. I also plan to focus more on Women authors and Classics.

Thanks for all you do JoAnne!

Here are some ideas I found. Sorry, I’m not sure of the original source.
(view spoiler)[

Immersion challenge - reading several books from one country or region of your choosing during a specified block of time to get a deeper look into it's culture, people, etc.

Roadtrip challenges (non-US) - Travel all the states, provinces, counties, or geographical regions of a given country (i.e. Canadian or Chinese provinces, Indian States, Regions of France, Counties of the UK, etc.)

* Backpacking Around Europe (read books from several connecting European countries)

* Mediterranean, Caribbean, or South Pacific Cruise (Find or make up a cruise itinerary and read books for the ports of call)

* African Safari (Read books from several African countries)

* Pole to Pole (Read books set in connecting countries from pole to pole)

* All Along the Equator (Read your way around the equator)

* Along the Silk Trail (Read books from countries on the Silk Trail)

* Seven Wonders of the World (Read a book about or set near each wonder of the world)

* Genre challenge - Read books from multiple genres for one country (i.e. Memoir, Literary Fiction, History, Romance, Mystery, etc.)

* Following in the Footsteps of... (Read books from all the countries of a traveler or noted person in history i.e. Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Freya Stark, Che Guevara, etc.)

US Road Trips

Appalachian Trail
Read a book set in each of the states along the Appalachian Trail. There are 14 states along the trail: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Louisiana Purchase
Read a book from each of the 15 states with land from the Louisiana Purchase: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

Original 13 Colonies
Read a book from each of the original 13 colonies of the USA: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.

Pony Express
Read a book from each of the 8 states on the historical Pony Express: Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California.

Route 66
Read a book from each of the 8 states along historic Route 66: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Optional: You can further challenge yourself by reading only books set in the 40s through 70s when the roadway was most traveled.

Trans-America
Read a book from each of the 10 states on the Trans-America Bike Trail: Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon.
(hide spoiler)]

[JoAnne]

There's a Route 66 challenge already. Get Your Kicks on Route 66 .

I already wrote the challenge but maybe I can add a couple of those suggestions to it. The US suggestions would make some fantastic quarterly challenges!!

[Melanie]

Kat wrote: "Thanks. My goals/plan for next year is to read more international as well as all 50 US States. My favorite genre is Historical Fiction but I tend toward European countries, especially UK, and want ..."

Im loving all those travel style reading challenge ideas. Combines my love for travel with reading.

[Hope]

I saw the A toZ boys/girls names challenges and I would love to see an A to Z animal names challenge!

[[deleted user]]

Since it's almost the end of the year I just want to say thank you for all the great work you've done!

[Hope]

Seconded ^^

[JoAnne]

Thanks!!
@EI Check out the Spell Out Challenges folder

There are all kinds of Spell Outs, including cats, dogs and Animals!

[Hope]

I was actually thinking of pet/animal names (like Pongo for 101 Dalmations, or Sassy for The Incredible Journey, or even Hedwig for Harry Potter).
I just read Heart-Shaped Box and his dogs made me think of it.


I am definitely giving that challenge a look though!

[JoAnne]

Eclectisism Incarnate wrote: "I was actually thinking of pet/animal names (like Pongo for 101 Dalmations, or Sassy for The Incredible Journey, or even Hedwig for Harry Potter).
I just read Heart-Shaped Box and his dogs made me ..."

Ok, that's a great idea!!! I'm gonna work on it!! Thanks!!!

[Hope]

Thank you!

[JoAnne]

Was that Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill??

I moved some challenges around and we will have it for February!

[Hope]

It was, and I was pleasently surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Cool! :D

[Ana]

Hi,
I've got some questions:

1) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
What is the maximum number of pages for short books?

2) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Do we have to both start and finish the book within the single week?

[JoAnne]

LadyPorgana wrote: "Hi,
I've got some questions:

1) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
What is the maximum number of pages for short books?

The number of pages is up to you! You can use a half book in a series.

Do we have to both start and finish the book within the single week?
You should try to stick to that, but if you get behind you can catch up.

[Ana]

JoAnne wrote: "LadyPorgana wrote: "Hi,
I've got some questions:

1) https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
What is the maximum number of pages for short books?

The number of pages is up to..."

Ok, thanks because I've just read a novel, but it took me from 1st to 8th instead of 7th XD

[Sue]

I was just checking out the monthly word search challenge and noticed that one participant has already completed her words for this month. In her posting she mentions something about a search facility in Amazon. What is this exactly, where can I find it and will it help me find books with certain words in it. So far I have been lucky in past months finding a good portion of the word list (this is the third month I have participated), Some of the words on this month's list are tough ones and if there is something out there that will narrow down the list of potential reads so I am not reading a 500 page book to find out it contains no words that I am looking for that would help me greatly. I have a huge library of unread books.

[JoAnne]

When you look at a book in Amazon, click on the Look Inside feature, if they have a print version, you can search for the words (Search inside this book). It does not work for every book.

You can also use Google Books. Sometimes you can find them with this site.