Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - The 7 Reading Dwarfs (7)
1. Introduce yourself to your team. Let your team members know where you are from. This is a great to know when categories are announced and when team-mates can expect other members to post their book choices.2. Team Captain - reserve a couple of posts in this thread tracking your team's book selection and completion. (Alternatively they could convert a chat comment to the tracking post/s.)
3. Name your team. Using this round's theme of SNOW WHITE, come up with a fun name. We are an open/public group with no age limit, so please make sure any chosen name is smart, not smutty ;)
Please PM your name to Jane(PS) by 7 March.
4. If you have a private profile, please 'friend' your team-mates. This is really important, because without this, your team-mates can't see your shelves to select a books under option 2.
5. Please post your book selections/completions in the format provided below. (This format is also posted in both the Q&A and Sign-Up threads.) We need to know the week that each book corresponds to, the page numbers, and how the book qualifies including links to lists/shelves (where applicable), etc. I can't stress this enough. When in doubt - link it*!
* don't link to your review in your completion post - reviews in your completion posts should be included in full in that post.
You don't want to start reading a book and then find it doesn't meet the requirements because some information (eg page count or theme link) was missing from your original post.
I will be monitoring this and your book will not be considered complete until I am satisfied that your selection and completion posts comply with the format rules of the challenge.
Remember - you can ONLY change your book selection in the week that the theme is called.
6. You MUST check in with your team each week, ideally once the theme is announced. Please let your team know if you expect to have spotty communication or are on holidays or having an operation.
7. When you post the completion of your book, you must post a review; enough for us to know you have actually read the book. Please don't link to a review. You must post the review in this thread.
8. Re-reads are allowed but you can't read the same book twice within this challenge.
9. There is no prize for the winning team - bragging rights only :)
10. Each week, the theme will be announced in the Q&A Annoucement thread. The full list of themes announced during this round will be maintained in msg 1 of that thread.
The Rule on the Pass Option
* Each team can only have ONE member using their pass each week.
* Each member can only use that pass once each 5 weeks.
* This means that one or two team members (dependent upon the size of your team) will miss using a pass in each 5 week block.
* No-one can use the pass option in the last week of the challenge.
* In the final week if Option 2 is used, members must select their book from another team. This will be advised in the week 11 announcement.
Key selection and completion post information. You must have ALL elements in your book posts.The format for selection posts Option 1:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
How the book qualifies - please insert a link to the qualifying bookshelf/list.
If the theme is based off the bookcover or a letter in the title etc, please just repeat the theme.
The format for selection posts Option 2:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Page numbers
Name of the team-member, their star rating, the date they read the book.
Format for completion posts:
Week #
Bookcover/link
Rating (1-5)
Review
Please DO NOT CHAT in these selction/completion posts. It needs to be super clear.
If you 'waffle' about your decided book - please REPOST your selection once you decide. DO NOT go back and edit your waffling post.
I'll be tracking each team's progress separately, using the Captain's summary in each team's thread to check for accuracy.
Categories:Set in Europe
Blond(e) Hair/Fair Skin
5&3 in Publication Date and/or Page Number
Historical
Housekeeper or Similar
Woods or Cottage/Cabin
Reflective or Shiny
2000+ Ratings
Actor or Entertainer
100-200 Pages
my link text
SelectionsWeek 1 Selections Made
Week 2 Selections Made
Week 3 Selections Made
Week 4 Selections Made
Week 5 Selections Made
Week 6 Selections Made
Week 7 Selections Made
Week 8 Selections Made
Week 9 Selections Made
Week 10 Selections Made
my link text
CompletionsWeek 1 Completions Made
Week 2 Completions Made
Week 3 Completions Made
Week 4 Completions Made
Week 5 Completions Made
Week 6 Completions Made
Week 7 Completions Made
Week 8 Completions Made
Week 9 Completions In Progress
Week 10 Completions In Progress
my link text
Basics:1. Themes are called on Friday evening.
2. Choose a book based on the theme; sometimes the book has to come from a list. Please include the list, page, and # on the list.
3. Selection posts must include the theme, link to title or cover, number of pages, and how it fits.
4. Read.
5. Completion posts must include theme (my preference to keep everything straight), link to title or cover, date read, rating, and a brief review.
(All I can think of for the moment. I may add to it)
Q&AAny questions asked, I'll reply to your comment. But I will copy and paste the questions here with the answers. Trying something new.
Thank you, Jane! I'm so excited for PtP to start again! Hi! *waves* I'm Amy/GreenFairy. If you can't tell, I love this challenge. I normally bug Jane about when the next one will be...before the current one ends. I didn't this last time...I'm slacking lol.
I'm usually around often. Though some days, it might be just every couple hours. I just started a new job. My daughter is playing year-round softball. So, some days I have juggle hours.
I am very organized. And I can be a little "naggy". I'm thorough. I keep separate posts for category, selections, and completions. Usually when Jane posts it. There are also a couple posts on the main page (Post 5, 6, and 7). At the start of the new week, I make a post of who needs to either select or complete. I do this so all of you can check your information to make sure I have it right. And if it's not, you can tell me so I have the correct information. I'm not perfect. I can, and have, missed a couple things at times.
Any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask. It's better to ask.
So, a little about me. I'm married but we're separated. We still live together because it makes more sense. It's a weird situation but it's not very stressful. We have a daughter who turns 16 in a couple months...and she's counting down. Up until this year, I was a dedicated softball coach. But between work and our daughter's schedule, we're unable to. It will be nice to just sit and watch.
I really love to read. Not just for enjoyment either. It's also my job. I'm a book editor too. I love that after years of working retail I can work from home. I also crochet. I am always told that I should sell my stuff but normally when I crochet, it's for someone/something specific. So I haven't branched out yet.
Oh, and some key thingsPlease let me know where you live, so I can keep track of time zones. No specific details are necessary. State/country works fine usually.
Also, if everyone can make name suggestions, it would be appreciated.
Hi,I'm Debbie and live in Georgia (US). We are in Eastern Standard time zone. I am an online university instructor and am married. I have two kiddos - my oldest daughter is 19 and lives away at college (10 minutes from our house!) and my "baby" is 16 years old.
I love to read and would love to edit books since I do work from home. I do receive several books and audios to review.
I am awful with team names. I have been in the challenge several times and really enjoy it - no pressure!
Debbie! Happy to be on a team with you! We are usually on opposing teams though. And we're often in the same group from MnG. I fell into editing when I was out on medical leave. I started out as a beta reader years ago for one of my friends. She shared me with a couple other authors who needed a little help. Then a couple years ago, an author took a chance on me professionally. I haven't looked back. I have 4 authors that I have lifetime contracts with now. And I pick up editing jobs where I can find them. It's tough to do sometimes. But if you want help getting in, we'll talk.
I'm awful with team names too.
Not really creative but since the theme is Snow White maybe something like The 7 Reading Dwarfs.
Hi there. LaurLa here from Indiana in the US. Eastern time zone.I've lost count how many rounds I've played but it seems like it was in the single digits my first time... Anyway, looking forward to a great team. I think I recognize everyone and certainly have been grouped with you guys in MnG many times!
Team names.. Seems we lucked out a little being team 7 with the theme. We definitely can go the obvious with the dwarfs as Green Fairy suggested.
So I am going on vacation starting Sunday and will have very spotty online availability. The first call is Mar 9 and I return on Mar 11, so I don't think being gone will affect anything. It will just be a few days before I post my first selection.
Go Dwarfs Seven!!
Hi, LaurLa!We've been PtP teamies before and several times MnG group buddies. Two of my favorite challenges. I've done both since the very beginning!
Thank you for letting me know. I will try to remember that.
Does anyone try to plan out what they'll select while we wait for the theme call? I usually do. And often I end up changing my mind anyway LOL
Hi, my name is Rachel. I am from Springfield, OH. I'm currently working part time and going to school. I want to move onto a four year school and get my degree in library science, and a minor in history. I'm single and don't have any children.....maybe in the future.
I like to read and write reviews on my book blog. I'm not really picky when it comes to books. I am all over the place.
I was thinking that I will just stick with romance for this challenge,
This is my first time doing this, and I was kind of confused by the rules....to many. But I thought I just go with the flow and see where I end up :)
Hi team! My name is Megan and I'm from Illinois. I enjoy reading a lot of different genres, my favorites at the moment are contemporary and historical. I've participated in this challenge before, not sure how many times, and am happy it's starting up again.
Hi, I’m Jane and I’m from Denmark and my timezone is GMT+1 as far as I know. I love reading and I take part in a lot of challenges in different groups on Goodreads and also a few not on Goodreads, I’ve taken part in PtP a few times. Also love canoing, there is nothing better than sitting in the middle of nowhere, looking out over a river and reading.
GreenFairy wrote: "Does anyone try to plan out what they'll select while we wait for the theme call? I usually do. And often I end up changing my mind anyway LOL "I actually haven't done that in the past. I tend to plan my books for the month based on individual challenges like the monthly or quarterly ones here (and elsewhere) and then choose my team challenge books from that. Obviously that doesn't always work because team challenge tasks don't always cooperate with my 'pre-chosen' books. Then I just go off-plan and can usually find a place for that books somewhere else too.
It used to really bother me when I had to do that, especially if it meant not getting one of those challenges completed. But I've learned to let it go... a little. I like team challenges too much so if the monthly doesn't get all read, oh well...
I think, just by virtue we're here, in this group (and probably several others), we're all a little challenge crazy ;-P
Good morning, ladies!Hello, Rachel, Megan, and Jane!
Rachel, anything you are confused on, ask. It's a lot simpler than the rules make it look. My first time (and probably most of us) were a little confusing.
I'm definitely a little challenge crazy. I don't normally do monthly challenges though. Between work, softball, and my daughter's social calendar I tend to forget I have them LOL. But if it's a longer one, or one that builds on itself, I will probably jump in.
GreenFairy wrote: "Hi, LaurLa!We've been PtP teamies before and several times MnG group buddies. Two of my favorite challenges. I've done both since the very beginning!
Thank you for letting me know. I will try t..."
I try to plan in advance but then typically will change. I do have several books that I need to read from publishers and hope to squeeze those in with this challenge.
GreenFairy wrote: "Does anyone try to plan out what they'll select while we wait for the theme call? I usually do. And often I end up changing my mind anyway LOL..."I'm not very good at planning. I read a lot of books but most are chosen as and when I need them for challenges.
The only ones already planned are usually my BOTM (book of the month) and POFM (pick one for me) in another group but this month it is only 3 as it is the same in both places.
GreenFairy wrote: "Good morning, ladies!Hello, Rachel, Megan, and Jane!
Rachel, anything you are confused on, ask. It's a lot simpler than the rules make it look. My first time (and probably most of us) were a lit..."
I thought I had an idea, but I started reading rules and got myself confused, lol. Here are my questions.
1) Is the first weeks theme Snow white?
2) when do we have to post our first book selection to you by?
3) And is March 7 - the official starting day? And we have to have the book read by the following Wednesday the 14th?
Oooohhhh... Questions!1. This entire round of Pass the Parcel is themed Snow White. Not just the week. Jane does that to provide a little more fun for the teams.
2. You can post your reading selection any time from the moment Jane posts the theme call up to when the following theme is called. So, the first theme call is Friday, the 9th. You have from the moment she posts it until she posts the next one on the 16th.
3. The official start day is actually the 9th. We don't usually have to wait until then to get a them for week one. It goes by when all the players have checked in and teams get a name. If we don't give her a name by the 7th, we'll still get a theme call on the 9th.
For the 2nd part, this is where it can get a little tricky. It's recommended to have your book read by the next theme call. However, life can happen. You need Week 1 book read and posted as completed by the time she calls the theme for Week 3.
Now, if it's not read by the time Week 2 is called, that's fine. If you get Week 2 book read and posted completed by the time Week 3 is announced, you're okay. Because only 1 book is outstanding. It doesn't matter which week is still outstanding as long as you don't have 2 outstanding by the next theme call.
Does that make sense?
LOL - Even I was a litte confused Amy (GreenFairy)!!!Amy actually explain it all pretty well but I'll add a couple of clarifying points :)
When I announce the first theme (on Wednesday if all the teams are ready, but otherwise Friday) I will randomly select one of the themes in msg 5 of the Q&A thread (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...)
Once the theme is up, you select a book that
1. fits the theme (option 1) OR
2. option 2 - select a book from your team-mates shelves that is rated at least 3 stars and was read in the last 6 months OR
3. take a pass - you can only use this option once every 5 weeks.
If you go with option 1 and there are lists with the theme, you HAVE to select your book from those lists. If there are no lists you just need to show how the book fits when you post your selection post.
You post your selection post in this thread once you know which book you will read. Follow the format in msg 3 of this thread (above) and all will be well :D If you don't know how to insert a link there is an explanation in msg 4 (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...) of the Q&A thread.
Ideally you will read your selected book during the week of the theme (esp since you can't change your book selection if you dont' like it after the week of that theme). If you don't finish in time that's OK. But you can't have three books outstanding. So by the end of week 3, you must have finished one of your books. If I announce week 4's theme and you still haven't posted your completion for one of the books, I'll have to remove you :( This is simply to ensure the challenge is fun for your whole team.
A couple things I keep forgetting to note for all of you.Whoever sees Jane's theme call posted first, you can post it here for the team. You do not have to wait for me.
Also, there might be times that I won't be available because of softball. I usually know when that is ahead of time and I'll let everyone know.
Finally, if anyone has posting issues, internet issues, etc., please reach out to me. Here or through a message. We can usually get something worked out.
GreenFairy wrote: "Oooohhhh... Questions!1. This entire round of Pass the Parcel is themed Snow White. Not just the week. Jane does that to provide a little more fun for the teams.
2. You can post your reading se..."
Yes, thank you both you and Jane for clarifying things for me. I think I have better grasp on what to do.
Good morning, teamies!Good. If at any time something confuses you, just ask.
So, team name. I haven't seen any suggestions other than mine. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or do you all like the one I gave? I know we have a couple days left but I don't want to wait to the last minute.
GreenFairy wrote: "Good morning, teamies!Good. If at any time something confuses you, just ask.
So, team name. I haven't seen any suggestions other than mine. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or do you all like ..."
I can't think of anything. I like the idea of something to go along with the Seven dwarfs.
GreenFairy wrote: "Not really creative but since the theme is Snow White maybe something like The 7 Reading Dwarfs."Your suggestion is great.
If Megan and Debbie agree, I'll submit it to Jane then.
Jane wrote: "GreenFairy wrote: "Not really creative but since the theme is Snow White maybe something like The 7 Reading Dwarfs."Works for me. :)
Thank you, ladies! I'm submitting now!
If anyone is dealing with the storm hitting the east coast, please be careful. Where I'm at, we were supposed to be getting just rain. However, for the last hour and a half, it's been pure sleet.
Head's up, ladies!The first theme call is supposed to happen at 6pm!
Now, since I'm sure there might be a question or two, I'll try to answer them first. Even though Week 1 is starting early, it still does not end until the theme call on Friday, March 16. Your book must be selected before the theme call then. The only thing different from a normal theme call is we get 2 extra days.
Jane's awesome like that!
Week 1 Theme Call OutOption 1
1. Read a book set in Europe.
If you aren't sure, please use this wiki link to determine if your book qualifies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of....
The countries on the lists will quality (Recognised States and States with Limited Recognition).
Option 2
Key date: 8 September 2017
Week 1 SelectionsGreenFairy-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DebbieDoc-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jane-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
LaurLa-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Megan-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rachel-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Week 1 CompletionsGreenFairy-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DebbieDoc-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jane-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
LaurLa-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Megan-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rachel-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Week 1 SelectionTheme: Set in Europe
123 pages
How it fits: Set in England
Week 1 SelectionTheme: Set in Europe
Page Numbers: 369
How it fits: Set in London, England
Week 1 SelectionTheme: Set in Europe
386 Pages
How it fits: Set in London, England
Week 1 SelectionTheme: Set in Europe
Book: A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason
Page: 369
How the book qualifies: set in Derbyshire, England
Week 1 CompletionTheme: Set in Europe
123 pages
3 stars
How it fits: Set in England
I didn't like this one so much. It time jumps too much. I would rather read through the years. (view spoiler)
Week 1 - Selection Post -- Option 1Call: 1. Read a book set in Europe
Book: The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine - Jayne Fresina
How it fits: set in England
Pages: 384
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Captain: GreenFairy
DebbieDoc
Jane
LaurLa
Megan
Rachel