Socializing III Showing 1,851-1,900 of 1,957

[Valerie]

Kathleen (itpdx) wrote: "Aha! The square peg is back! Some seasons it can be surprisingly hard to find."

Ha, I know!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I don't have many combos on books I've selected. We are hoping the Square Peg won't be a problem this season.

I put some numbers to my 2021 goals. And I added one. I decided I simply have to do something about book acquisitions. It isn't a big goal - just 1 book will accomplish it. But I simply must read more books than I buy.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I've updated the Project Spreadsheet, but you are still welcome to post whatever you've been reading and it will count for 30.1. It has been a fabulous season for the Project - there are no white countries remaining! We've turned a lot of countries green:

ARUBA
CZECH REPUBLIC
FRENCH GUIANA
HUNGARY
ISRAEL
JORDAN
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
MALTA
MAURITANIA
NEW CALEDONIA
PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, OCCUPIED
SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON
SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
SRI LANKA
TOGO
VATICAN CITY STATE

[Rosemary]

Well done to everybody who read all those hard-to-find books for those countries! I didn't do any this season, and I was in awe at all the titles and reviews!

[Valerie]

Yes, we did well! I was watching the countries rack up. I have one that I am reading right now for Somalia. I used my RwS amazon card for it!

It's nice to see that one of those Jaden Skye novels led to turning a country green! ;)

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jaden Skye contributed greatly!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Connie - I see that you have a Scotland goal. If this has been ongoing, I wasn't aware of it. How have you gone about this? Do you just need to touch a county, or do you require a majority in the setting?

(I have Scots ancestors. Not that I need another challenge myself, but I'd be interested in looking at this in general.)

[Connie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Connie - I see that you have a Scotland goal. If this has been ongoing, I wasn't aware of it. How have you gone about this? Do you just need to touch a county, or do you require a majority in the s..."

Elizabeth, I've been doing a challenge for a few years reading through the historic counties of the UK. I've finished England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. I'm still working on Scotland, and have some of the more rural historic counties left. It's one of the challenges in the "Around the World in 80 Books" group. Usually I try to find a book where the majority of the book is set in a county, but there are a few places where that's not possible. Scotland is known for its mystery books so I'll be using some Scottish books for our mystery challenge here. But I'm also adding in some classics such as reading "Macbeth" yesterday (and viewing one of his castles online.)

This is the link if you want to check out some books set in Scotland or the rest of the UK. Diane set up county book lists too. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Oh, very good. And I'll spend some time in that thread.

When we brainstorm for a season, there are multiple times possible tasks. One of the ideas this time that didn't make the cut was for Leila Aboulela, who is a Sudanese writer living in Scotland. I added her The Translator while I was reading about her. This book is set in Aberdeen, where some of my family came from.

The only Scots mystery author I know about is Val McDermid. I have not dipped my toe in that water. ;-)

[Connie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Oh, very good. And I'll spend some time in that thread.

When we brainstorm for a season, there are multiple times possible tasks. One of the ideas this time that didn't make the cut was for [autho..."

I enjoyed [book:The Translator|107824] which was set half in Aberdeen, and half in Sudan.

[Kathleen (itpdx)]

I have an almost 10 year granddaughter that I wanted to gift audiobooks to. She has been getting audiobooks and ebooks from the library. Her parents said that they were looking for a device that would let her download and read or listen to books but didn’t connect directly to the internet. They limit her screen time for games and YouTube videos etc. and would like to let her do as much reading and book listening as she wants without the temptation of other things. I have found dedicated e-readers and audioplayers but nothing that combines both without also accessing WiFi. Anyone know of such a device?

[Kathleen (itpdx)]

The link for the Lexile score from the styles and bonuses topic is wonky at least for me.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I had trouble the other day. It's working for me now, and I can't remember what it said, but I think there is an advanced option button which will allow you to go to the site.

Not sure what the problem is when this happens, but I think it is that their security certificate has expired. As long as you have nothing private at a site, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Valerie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I had trouble the other day. It's working for me now, and I can't remember what it said, but I think there is an advanced option button which will allow you to go to the site.

Not sure what the pr..."

I wondered about that. I tried to check a book yesterday but my browser said something about the site being unsafe + wouldn't allow access. I googled the book, and that worked.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Valerie wrote: "I googled the book, and that worked."

Did you get the Lexile site? Because that site is the only numbers that we use.

[Karen Michele]

Here's the link I use now:
https://hub.lexile.com/find-a-book/bo...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

If that works for people. You still have to click "New Search" upper right.

I'm pretty sure the problem is that they need to upgrade their security certificate and then all will be right again.

If people can't get to the site and need a Lexile checked (having looked at the Canon and BPL), I will be happy to check for you.

[Karen Michele]

I checked it out before posting and I didn't have any trouble just now, so I hope it will work. I got the warning when I clicked our quick link, but it said "fab.lexile.com" and the main address is now hub.lexile.com. Here's the link direct to the search
https://hub.lexile.com/find-a-book/se...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

The link in the Quick Links and in the Styles and Bonuses post is correct. It is the same link since they changed it to a year or so ago.

EDIT: I know I changed it! But maybe the fab.lexile was just forwarding. Anyway, I have corrected it in case that forward wasn't working for others.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Whew!

And now that we should have that straightened out ...

If you haven't voted in the polls, please do so. They close tonight and one of the options is very close. If you have already voted and your choice is obviously not going to make it, you are allowed to change your vote. The Christmas poll is very close - your vote can make a difference!

[Kathleen (itpdx)]

When I go to Styles and Bonuses for both Fall and Winter and go to the Note on YA books and click at the end of the note on “here” I am still getting a warning.

[Kathleen (itpdx)]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Whew!

And now that we should have that straightened out ...

If you haven't voted in the polls, please do so. They close tonight and one of the options is very close. If you have already voted and..."
LOL Poll #1 is quite the horse race.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Kathleen (itpdx) wrote: "When I go to Styles and Bonuses for both Fall and Winter and go to the Note on YA books and click at the end of the note on “here” I am still getting a warning."

Yeah. I forgot they had problems with the "new" site and then when their problems went away I forgot to change the Quick Links and to let Kate know to change the Styles and Bonuses. The Quick Links has been changed and Kate will get the other in a day or two.

(LOL - my memory at 75 is still pretty darned good, but obviously not infallible.)

[Karen Michele]

You do a fantastic job with tech, Elizabeth!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

In the completed tasks thread Valerie wrote: "30.1 Go for the Green

The Orchard of Lost Souls by Nadifa Mohamed

100% Somalia

Yet another intense and moving novel, I seem to be on a roll.

=> this was the one of the book I splurged on with my RwS amazon card!
"

WooHoo! And you found one you loved! Well done!

[Valerie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "In the completed tasks thread Valerie wrote: "30.1 Go for the Green

The Orchard of Lost Souls by Nadifa Mohamed

100% Somalia

Yet another intense and moving novel..."

Yes! Thanks. I'm a careful shopper. I normally stick to the .99 vintage mysteries, but I read reviews and the book description and thought it would be good. Luckily I was right!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Cross-posting, in case not everyone checks the Questions thread.

Please note Kate's sample post for Name of the Game. It is different than how I posted in the Reading Plans folder. We need to help Kate keep track of squares used and this will be easiest for her.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Ed]

As you requested Elizabeth.... here is the just released Pop Sugar Challenge 2021 prompts. The GR Pop Sugar group hasn't reduced this to a list form yet...but when they do, I'll include it in this thread.

https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/fi...

Would you like me to also post the Around the Year in 52 Weeks list of 52 prompts too?

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Ed wrote: "Would you like me to also post the Around the Year in 52 Weeks list of 52 prompts too?"

Yes, please. I don't know if anyone else is doing it - but heck, when someone else has done the legwork for tasks, we'll always be happy to take a look at them!

[Ed]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Ed wrote: "Would you like me to also post the Around the Year in 52 Weeks list of 52 prompts too?"

Yes, please. I don't know if anyone else is doing it - but heck, when someone else has done the l..."

ok...here is the 2021 Around the World in 52 Weeks list:
THE 2021 LIST
1. A book related to “In the Beginning...”
2. A book by an author whose name doesn't contain the letters A, T or Y
3. A book related to the lyrics for the song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music
4. A book with a monochromatic cover

5. A book by an author on USA Today's list of 100 Black Novelists You Should Read
6. A love story
7. A book that fits a prompt suggestion that didn't make the final list
8. A book set in a state, province, or country you have never visited

9. A book you associate with a specific season or time of year
10. A book with a female villain or criminal
11. A book to celebrate The Grand Egyptian Museum
12. A book eligible for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation
13. A book written by an author of one of your best reads of 2020

14. A book set in a made-up place
15. A book that features siblings as the main characters
16. A book with a building in the title
17. A book with a Muslim character or author

18. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 1
19. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 2
20. 3 books related to "Past, Present, Future" - Book 3
21. A book whose title and author both contain the letter "u"
22. A book posted in one of the ATY Best Book of the Month threads

23. A cross genre novel
24. A book about racism or race relations
25. A book set on an island
26. A short book (<210 pages) by a new-to-you author

27. A book with a character who can be found in a deck of cards
28. A book connected to ice
29. A book that you consider comfort reading
30. A long book

31. A book by an author whose career spanned more than 21 years
32. A book whose cover shows more than 2 people
33. A collection of short stories, essays, or poetry
34. A book with a travel theme
35. A book set in a country on or below the Tropic of Cancer

36. A book with six or more words in the title
37. A book from the Are You Well Read in World Literature list
38. A book related to a word given by a random word generator
39. A book involving an immigrant

40. A book with flowers or greenery on the cover
41. A book by a new-to-you BIPOC author
42. A mystery or thriller
43. A book with elements of magic

44. A book whose title contains a negative
45. A book related to a codeword from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet
46. A winner or nominee from the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards
47. A non-fiction book other than biography, autobiography or memoir
48. A book that might cause someone to react “You read what?!?”

49. A book with an ensemble cast
50. A book published in 2021
51. A book whose title refers to person(s) without giving their name
52. A book related to "the end"

see the link to the GR group for this challenge at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Thank you!

[Ed]

ok...here is the 2021 Pop Sugar list in text format:
REGULAR
1. A book that published in 2021
2. An Afrofuturist book
3. A book that has a heart, diamond, club, or spade on the cover
4. A book by an author who shares your zodiac sign
5. A dark academia book
6. A book with a gem, mineral, or rock in the title
7. A book where the main character works at your current or dream job
8. A book that has won the Women’s Prize for Fiction
9. A book with a family tree
10. A bestseller from the 1990s
11. A book about forgetting
12. A book you have seen on someone’s bookshelf (in real life, on a Zoom call, in a TV show, etc.)
13. A locked-room mystery
14. A book set in a restaurant
15. A book with a black-and-white cover
16. A book by an indigenous author
17. A book that has the same title as a song
18. A book about a subject you are passionate about
19. A book that discusses body positivity
20. A book on a Black Lives Matter reading list
21. A genre hybrid
22. A book set mostly or entirely outdoors
23. A book with something broken on the cover
24. A book by a Muslim American author
25. A book that was published anonymously
26. A book with an oxymoron in the title
27. A book about do-overs or fresh starts
28. A magical realism book
29. A book set in multiple countries
30. A book set somewhere you’d like to visit in 2021
31. A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality
32. A book whose title starts with “Q,” “X,” or “Z”
33. A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child)
34. A book about a social justice issue
35. A book in a different format than what you normally read (audiobooks, ebooks, graphic novels)
36. A book that has fewer than 1,000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads
37. A book you think your best friend would like
38. A book about art or an artist
39. A book everyone seems to have read but you
40. Your favorite prompt from a past POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

ADVANCED
41. The longest book (by pages) on your TBR list
42. The shortest book (by pages) on your TBR list
43. The book on your TBR list with the prettiest cover
44. The book on your TBR list with the ugliest cover
45. The book that’s been on your TBR list for the longest amount of time
46. A book from your TBR list you meant to read last year but didn’t
47. A book from your TBR list you associate with a favorite person, place, or thing
48. A book from your TBR list chosen at random
49. A DNF book from your TBR list
50. A free book from your TBR list (gifted, borrowed, library)

see the link to the GR Pop Sugar group at
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

More thanks!

[Valerie]

I am in awe of Ed's points per book this fall season. I did look back a couple of seasons and it is the highest I can see. Well done!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Yes - quite extraordinary!

[Ed]

Valerie wrote: "I am in awe of Ed's points per book this fall season. I did look back a couple of seasons and it is the highest I can see. Well done!"

It helped a lot to have all those 30 style points. I also stuck with books that probably didn't deserve the sticking. LOL

[Valerie]

Ed wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I am in awe of Ed's points per book this fall season. I did look back a couple of seasons and it is the highest I can see. Well done!"

It helped a lot to have all those 30 style po..."

Ha, ha.... I know those books!

[Ed]

Congratulations Mary on winning the gift card!

[Karen Michele]

Have fun buying books, Mary!

[Connie]

Congratulations, Mary! Enjoy the gift card!

[Valerie]

Congrats to Mary on winning the gift card!

[Mary]

Thanks everyone! Now I just need to figure out ehat book is calling my name!

[Rosemary]

Mary wrote: "Thanks everyone! Now I just need to figure out ehat book is calling my name!"

Haha I expect you will find hundreds of them! Have fun choosing :)

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

We have a complete Winter season! All of the tasks have been posted!

[Tien]

YaY!

Thanks for all your hard work, Elizabeth & Kate ... another fab season to look forward to, for sure :)

[Kathleen (itpdx)]

Wow! That was fast! I think the winners had been thinking about their tasks!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tien wrote: "another fab season to look forward to, for sure"

Books are always wonderful, but I think I'm more excited about my reading prospects overall this season than for several seasons.

[Valerie]

I am ridiculously excited about this seasons tasks. Such good ones...... where I seem to able to fit a lot of mysteries in! Although I haven't picked book for my own task. lol

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Some of you may be interested to learn that John le Carré died today.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

[Valerie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Some of you may be interested to learn that John le Carré died today.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202..."


I did see that. I have (presumably) his last novel on my 'Name of the Game' list for this season.