Questions, Suggestions and Feedback

[Andrea]

JoAnne, I'm trying to finish up an already-archived challenge. Would you allow the following book to work for coffee on the cover? The coffee shop is a key setting, so the model is holding a coffee cup.

[JoAnne]

Andrea wrote: "JoAnne, I'm trying to finish up an already-archived challenge. Would you allow the following book to work for coffee on the cover? The coffee shop is a key setting, so the model is holding a coffee..."

Looks good!! :)

[Andrea]

Thank you!

[Andrea]

Joanne, I posted finals for four challenges, three of which are already archived:
Strange State Facts
Purge 2020
A Trip Down Memory Lane: 1955
A Trip Down Memory Lane: 1958

Thanks!

[JoAnne]

Andrea wrote: "Joanne, I posted finals for four challenges, three of which are already archived:
Strange State Facts
Purge 2020
A Trip Down Memory Lane: 1955
A Trip Down Memory Lane: 1958

Thanks!"

Thanks for letting me know! I only check the archived stuff every few weeks. :)

[Andrea]

Sure thing! I thought I’d make it easy for you. ☺️

[SANDYE]

I scrolled through pretty quick, so if someone already asked this I apologize...

If I read a box set (say the first 3 titles in a cozy mystery series for example, or a 20 title box set where each one is a separate title by different authors, and with different MCs), when I'm updating my challenges do I use each title separately? I've been avoiding my boxed sets because I kept forgetting to ask this question.

[JoAnne]

SANDYE wrote: "I scrolled through pretty quick, so if someone already asked this I apologize...

If I read a box set (say the first 3 titles in a cozy mystery series for example, or a 20 title box set where each ..."

If the books have a separate listing, I'd use it that way. Just ignore the boxed set then.

[SANDYE]

JoAnne wrote: "If I read a box set (say the first 3 titles in a cozy mystery series for example, or a 20 title box ..."

Thanks, JoAnne!

[Lexi]

Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?

[JoAnne]

Lex wrote: "Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?"

When new things are added, you should see a red new message by the topic or the bell in the top address bar will have a red square over it.

And we do put everything in the newsletter that Penni sends out to everyone on the 1st of each month.

I hope that helps.

[Barb]

Lex wrote: "Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?"

Just under the last post in every thread, off to the right side, click on the link that says Notify me when people comment. When notifications are working correctly, you'll get one when there's a new post added.

[JoAnne]

Barb wrote: "Lex wrote: "Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?"

Just under the last post in every thread, off to the right side, click on the link that says No..."

Thanks Barb!

[Lexi]

Barb wrote: "Lex wrote: "Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?"

Just under the last post in every thread, off to the right side, click on the link that says No..."

Unfortunately, that option isn't available on threads that have been frozen by the moderators like the challenge news thread. :/ That's what I normally do, but I was curious if there was a way to do it with a frozen thread. Thank you anyway though! :)

[Lexi]

JoAnne wrote: "Lex wrote: "Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?"

When new things are added, you should see a red new message by the topic or the bell in the top..."

Okay, I'll just keep sticking with the newsletter :) I was mostly asking out of curiosity. Thanks for answering!

[JoAnne]

Sometimes there are ways! Like I did not even think of Barb's suggestion. :)

[Barb]

Lex wrote: "Barb wrote: "Lex wrote: "Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?"

Just under the last post in every thread, off to the right side, click on the link..."

Unfortunately, that option isn't available on threads that have been frozen by the moderators like the challenge news thread. :/"

Oh wow, I never noticed that, thanks for bringing it to my attention :) It's unfortunate that GR set it up that way :(

[Kendra]

Lex wrote: "Barb wrote: "Lex wrote: "Is there a way to get notifications when messages are added to the challenge news feed?"

Just under the last post in every thread, off to the right side, click on the link..."

You could try to sweet talk one of the mods into temporarily unfreezing the thread so you could follow it.

[Andrea]

If I DNF a book after the 150-page mark, may I still count it for challenges in TLC? I am not going to keep wasting my time on a book I'm not enjoying, but I did make it to page 154 before stopping.

[JoAnne]

Andrea wrote: "If I DNF a book after the 150-page mark, may I still count it for challenges in TLC? I am not going to keep wasting my time on a book I'm not enjoying, but I did make it to page 154 before stopping."

No, sorry....

[Andrea]

I understand that, JoAnne. Thank you for getting back to me quickly. :) I hope you have a blessed weekend.

[Lexi]

I have a few challenge ideas I've been brainstorming, so I figured I'd see if anyone has ideas to enhance them or what people think of them in general.

The first is pretty basic.. not sure what it would be called, but the point is to read several books by the same author. For example, I recently discovered I really enjoy Nora Roberts' books, so I have been binging them. The levels would probably be like:
- 3-10 books: Passing Fancy
- 11-18 books: Author Crush
- 19-26 books: A Little Bit Obsessed
- 27+ books: Fan Club Leader

The second is pretty similar to the first. The point is to read the first novel by and author and then the most recently published novel by them. I've been calling it How Far We've Come. The levels would depend on how many authors' first and most recent novels you complete. I don't have ideas for level names.

The third challenge is a chain challenge. I've noticed that a lot of the books I've read recently mention other books and thought it would be fun to choose my next read that way. So you pick a book and choose your next book out of any books mentioned within the first book. If you have already read all the books mentioned or if no books are mentioned, then you can choose your next book based on the recommendations on the books main page.

[Lexi]

ooh, I'm on my phone, so I can't edit that post, but a great name for the first one just came to me haha "Shrink Your Horizons"

[JoAnne]

Very interesting!!

[Kendra]

For spell out challenges, if the series name starts with 'The' or 'A', you ignore that too right?

[JoAnne]

Kendra wrote: "For spell out challenges, if the series name starts with 'The' or 'A', you ignore that too right?"

Yes - I will add that to the directions from now on.

[JoAnne]

I also added it in the Standard Rules.

[Kendra]

Thanks. I was pretty sure that was the case, but I just wanted to check.

[Reed]

Can we do a read a thon for everyone that is part of this group please

[JoAnne]

Reed wrote: "Can we do a read a thon for everyone that is part of this group please"

No.

[Helen]

Hi,

I signed up for the SF Musical City challenge, and now I can't find it.

Where is it listed?

[Helen]

Hi,

I'm doing the SF Musical City Challenge--Thanks!

Why does each movie date have a dash & some numbers after it?

Do those numbers count as numbers our page count can include?

[JoAnne]

Helen wrote: "Hi,

I'm doing the SF Musical City Challenge--Thanks!

Why does each movie date have a dash & some numbers after it?

Do those numbers count as numbers our page count can include?"


I believe that you are asking about Our Favorite Dog Movies Challenge. The prompt for #1 says where the page count contains TWO numbers from 04/14/1918 - 33 (share page count)., which means your page count has to have 2 of the numbers listed.

I got these numbers from the date that the movie was released and the number of minutes which is the length of the movie. Each prompt has the date and length in numbers pertaining to the movie.

[Anne]

Hi JoAnne,

Quick question about the States Spell Out 2 challenge. The first version is by states entry into the US and the second is in states by alphabetical order. I don't know if that was intentional.

Second quick question - I haven't finished the first one. Can I start the second one or should I wait until I finish the first? (I may be a nerd and wait anyway.....)

Thanks,
Anne

[JoAnne]

Anne wrote: "Hi JoAnne,

Quick question about the States Spell Out 2 challenge. The first version is by states entry into the US and the second is in states by alphabetical order. I don't know if that was inten..."

Thanks for letting me know I got it fixed up!

No, don't wait! Then you can use 1 book for both challenges!! :)

[Anne]

Thank you!!!

[Anne]

Any chance for a Betty White tribute challenge? As a quick thought, I had a couple possible ideas for challenge questions.

1.) Betty was raised in Beverly Hills - book set in California.

2.) Betty was not an Elizabeth and married actor Allen Lunden.
Authors initials in BETTY WHITE LUNDEN.

3.) Betty was a game show mainstay (and Allen was a game show host). Characters play a game/ go on a game show/ attend a game.

4.) Betty was Sue Ann Nivens, the Happy Homemaker, on the Mary Tyler Moore show. Read a book with a man hungry character or a cake on the cover.

5.) Betty next was on Mama's Family, which spun off a Carol Burnett sketch. Read a book with a snobby character or a mother.

6.) Golden Girls! Rose Nyland from St. Olaf Minnesota told outrageous farm stories from her youth. Read a book set in Minnesota or Miami or with a quartet of girlfriends.

7.) Abe Vigoda and Betty White star in a Super Bowl ad for snickers. Read a book where someone eats chocolate or is wrongly presumed dead.

8.) Hot In Cleveland has Betty playing Elka Ostrovsky. Read a book where a character wears a tracksuit, has mob connections, or is elected mayor. (Bonus if two at once!)

9.) Betty was a huge animal rights activist. Read a book with a dog or car on the cover or an animal is rescued in some way.

10.) Betty almost made it to 100 years of age. Read a book that features a centenarian or the page count ends in 00.

11.) Thank you for being a friend. Read a book where there are friends or someone sings.

12.) The Proposal - Ryan Reynolds referred to Betty White as his ex-girlfriend since the filming of The Proposal. Read a book with a May December romance, a character named Ryan, or a proposal.

[JoAnne]

Anne wrote: "Any chance for a Betty White tribute challenge? As a quick thought, I had a couple possible ideas for challenge questions.

1.) Betty was raised in Beverly Hills - book set in California.

2.) Bett..."


Genevieve is working on one for February. I am sure she will look at these tasks!! Thanks!

[Anne]

WooHoo! I should have been more patient. But, I love(d) Betty

[JoAnne]

Anne wrote: "WooHoo! I should have been more patient. But, I love(d) Betty"

No problem!! :)

[JoAnne]

It seems they are dying offf, one each day. Sad to hear of Yvette Mimieux today. I loved her when I was a kid. Loved Donovan's Reef with her, Jimmy Darren and Charlton Heston.

[JoAnne]

From now on we will be selective with the Tributes and then do a yearly challenge.

Especially right now, we would be writing and posting one a day! Genevieve and I also have our "regular" challenges to get ideas and writing done.

If anyone is interested in writing and/or hosting challenges, please message one of us!!!

[Daniel]

JoAnne wrote: "If anyone is interested in writing and/or hosting challenges, please message one of us!!!"

I’d like to help y’all out in any way I can. 😃👍

[Shannon]

Question: If we are doing more than one challenge at a time, is it against the rules to count the same book for multiple challenges? (For example, if I'm reading #4 in a series for Ducks in a Row, can I use it for a task in a quarterly challenge that calls for a book that's #4 in a series?)

I apologize if this question has been asked and answered -- I didn't see it when I scanned posts. Thanks!

[TLC Mods, Mod Acct]

Yes, you may use the same book for many challenges. :)

[Sheila]

Question regarding spellout challenges: If a book starts with a number rather than a word, can it still be used as a letter? I'm reading 29 Seconds so I'm assuming I can use the letter T?

[JoAnne]

Sheila wrote: "Question regarding spellout challenges: If a book starts with a number rather than a word, can it still be used as a letter? I'm reading 29 Seconds so I'm assuming I can use the let..."

Yes, that is correct! :)

[Katelyn]

I love the Spell outs and they are my favorite! I just wanted to throw out a few that I was thinking of.

💚A-Z Sports Teams
💚Hockey Teams
💚A-Z Disney Movies
💚A-Z Disney Characters

💜“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all” – Mulan

💜“All it takes is faith and trust”– Peter Pan

💜“The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it” – The Lion King

💜“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all” – Bambi

[JoAnne]

Thanks Katelyn!!!!!

[Debs]

Have you ever done a planets spell out?