2015 Year Long Challenge - Serial Killers

[Janice, Moderator]

Rebecca wrote: "If we've read the series out of order,for example I've read everything but the second book, does it still count as finishing the series? Or would I just get five points?"

Sacrilege... reading series out of order. That should give you penalties! :)

No, I'm just kidding. You will get full points for completing a series.

[Gail]

Rusalka wrote: "There are a few ways to put things as series in the database. I personally don't like the brackets, and add books this way. To me it's tidier. But you can see that these are listed as a series, as ..."

Ah, okay. I don't like the brackets either, to be honest, as they are not part of the actual title, but I figured that's just the official way it's done on Goodreads.

I am finding lots of series from different countries, so it looks like I'll be able to combine this challenge with my other challenge. :-)

[Gail]

Did some library person just fix the Maya Angelou series? Because now they all have brackets after the titles!

[Stephanie]

I want to make sure I am understanding the points correctly :)
For the JD Robb series I am reading, there are 40 books in the In Death Series. I have already read 34 of them over time so I have 6 left to read, book 40 comes out February 2015. Would my points work out as:

100+30 (6x5) =130

Is that right?

[Janice, Moderator]

Yes, that's right Stephanie.

[Stephanie]

Woohoo! Thanks Janice :) I was nervous that I wasn't understanding the math..math and I are not friends, lol! It makes me nervous :-)

[Janice, Moderator]

LOL! No problem. We can help crunch the numbers for you.

[Louise]

I have so many series that I have started reading and need to finish. 2015 is the year.

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Janice, can you make a ruling on this series?
Mistborn is a series by Brandon Sanderson that I want to read. According to this page on GR, there are 3 books in a trilogy to be read together. Books 4-6 (1 published and 2 planned) are sequels that take place 300 years later. If I read this series, do I stop with the trilogy or keep going with books 4 and 5 (assuming 5 is published before I finish)?

[Canadian Dragon]

I have so many series on the go it is overwhelming. 2015 will be a great year to catch up

[Janice, Moderator]

Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Janice, can you make a ruling on this series?
Mistborn is a series by Brandon Sanderson that I want to read. According to this page on GR, there are 3 books in a trilogy to be read ..."

It's a tough one... We'll treat the first three books as a trilogy, and not consider the remaining books.

[Esther]

Janice wrote: "Theresa~OctoberLace wrote: "Janice, can you make a ruling on this series?
Mistborn is a series by Brandon Sanderson that I want to read. According to this page on GR, there are 3 bo..."

I have read all 4. It's 2 different stories taking place in the same world. If there is a direct link, it is not apparent in the 1st of the 2nd trilogy. So it all depends on your way of seeing this.

[Sarah]

Good to get clarification on Mistborn as I'll be reading that one too.

[Peggy]

Indeed. I might start it too this year. It's on my list of possibilities.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Any thoughts to my question in msg 83 Janice?

[Rebecca]

Janice wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "If we've read the series out of order,for example I've read everything but the second book, does it still count as finishing the series? Or would I just get five points?"

Sacrile..."
Thank you, Janice.
I get my books used or from the library, and I don't always realize they are part of a series until I read them.

[Janice, Moderator]

Rusalka wrote: "Setting the cats amongst the pigeons here. What happens when the person is dead.

So The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He wrote 4, then 5. All good. Series of 5. But then after he die..."

Sorry, Rusalka! I missed your question.

Let's stick with one author. So in the case of Hitchhiker, only books by Adams is considered part of the series. Same thing with Tony Hillerman's Navajo Mysteries. His daughter wrote the last book in the series. Only those written by Tony will be included.

The Wheel of Time series are all listed as being written by Jordan.

[Peggy]

Good to know as well, also might read in the coming year.

[Lucy]

[EDIT] I saw that my question was already answered, I'm happy to hear we can read a series that hasn't been completed yet. This challenge will be a lot of fun!

-----

This sounds like fun, there are several series that I'd like to read, and a couple that I am in the middle of.

I have one question:

What if a series you are reading isn't finished yet?

I ask because I have been reading the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett in order over the last couple years and I could read the rest straight through for this challenge...but he's still adding books to the series. He's up to 40, and I think 41 is coming out soon. So, would reading through the most recently published book count, or will a series not work for this challenge if it is still a work in progress?

[Sorry if this has already been answered, I haven't yet had time to read through all the comments].

[Dawn]

This was Janice's answer to this question:

Q: If I read a series that is planned for 5 books, and at this point only 3 are published, I guess reading all 3 will mean it's finished. But what if book 4 is expected to be published at some unknown time in 2015? And what if the date is known, but it's still many months away?

A: We will only consider books that have been published at the time you finish the series regardless of whether or not there are future books planned. If you finish a series in March that has 3 books published, you will count it as a trilogy. If, in October, a 4th book is published, you may read it in whatever level you are at and count 5 points. You won't get to count it as another completed series.

If, you have not finished the series when a new book is published, you will need to read the new book in order to complete the series. So instead of a trilogy, you are now reading and counting a 4 book series.

I think I've addressed all the variations of questions surrounding ongoing series that will have future publications. If I have not answered your question, please ask again.

[Kirila]

"I think I've addressed all the variations of questions surrounding ongoing series that will have future publications. If I have not answered your question, please ask again. "

I actually have one more question regarding unpublished books:
If a series currently has 2 books, but a third one will be published this year, can I count the first 2 books for 5 points before the 3rd book has been published? (referring to the Kingkiller Chronicle)

[Kirila]

Btw, Janice, great idea :)

[Cherie]

Do I understand the scoring correctly?

If I finish #21 in the Stephanie Plum series (because I have read all of the others).

I can complete Section 1 with 100 points for the series?

Then I move on to Section 2?

[Sandra, Moderator]

Lucky Cherie!

[Janice, Moderator]

Kirila wrote: I actually have one more question regarding unpublished books:
If a series currently has 2 books, but a third one will be published this year, can I count the first 2 books for 5 points before the 3rd book has been published? (referring to the Kingkiller Chronicle) ..."

My ruling on that situation was that two book series don't count. The Kingkiller won't qualify for this challenge until the third book is published. So, if you read books 1 and 2 in January, you won't get any points for the two books at all. They will be treated like books you'd read in 2014 or earlier. The way around that is to hold off starting the series until the third book is published.

I know it's not the best solution, but there has to be some semblance of order. We don't allow unpublished books, and we don't allow 2 book series. But, we need to allow for books that are published somewhere in 2015, so that's the best compromise that I can think of.

[Janice, Moderator]

Cherie wrote: "Do I understand the scoring correctly?

If I finish #21 in the Stephanie Plum series (because I have read all of the others).

I can complete Section 1 with 100 points for the series?

Then I move ..."

What Sandra said! :) Yes, you understand the scoring, Cherie. That makes up for all those extra books that you read for the Chunkster challenge.

[Janice, Moderator]

Further to Cherie's question. I guess I'd better start planning badges.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "Sorry, Rusalka! I missed your question.

Let's stick with one author."

No worries at all. So many questions, so little time.

I only wondered as it's one I can finish, and as I knew that there may be a few Wheel of Time readers around. Thanks for the answer!

[Travis]

Whew with only 3 wheel of times books to finish the series I'm glad they count. The only one I planned to read this year was the prequel which is a .5 or somwthing that doesn't count anyway

[Stephanie]

Do we have to finish a level before we can move on to the next level? Basically if I have books that are in separate levels can I read the at the same time or does one level have to be complete before I start the next level?

[Travis]

As long as a book is part of a series it can be read at any level and worth 5 points. If you had a 5 book series you could read 1 book in level 1,2,3,4 then if you read the fifth in level 5 you get the full 50 for a comolete series + 5 points for the book. So yes you can mix it up

[Janice, Moderator]

Stephanie wrote: "Do we have to finish a level before we can move on to the next level? Basically if I have books that are in separate levels can I read the at the same time or does one level have to be complete bef..."

Technically, yes.

You may have a mix of series in each level, but once you've completed at least one series and scored 100 points, you move on to the next level. You start out each level with 0 points. What you've read in level one doesn't score again. If you read a series book during a level, you may not "bank" the points for another level. You must count it in the level you are working on.

You may, however, start several series in one level and finish them in the next level, or three levels down.

Is that clear as mud? :)

[Stephanie]

I think so :) thank you :)

[Cherie]

Janice wrote: "Yes, you understand the scoring, Cherie. That makes up for all those extra books that you read for the Chunkster challenge..."

hahaha. Thanks! They weren't a complete loss. I really enjoyed them, except for one! I had a few listed that I never did get to, so I will have to see if I can move them over.

Jo Nesbø is one. I have the first and second book, but I am not sure if I will kill Harry off.

Can't wait to see the badges, Janice. At least I won't have to wait 6 months to get the first one. ☺

[Janice, Moderator]

That was a tricky one to explain. :)

[Esther]

Rusalka wrote: "I only wondered as it's one I can finish, and as I knew that there may be a few Wheel of Time readers around. Thanks for the answer!

I have the last one just by my bed. I think it will be my first book of 2015. At least i will get one level done fast.

You know this challenge was pretty much what i was doing after i joined Ficfact and realized how many series I had going. Then I joined this group and you led me astray.... I already have plenty of last books of a series in my TBR. He he...

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Esther wrote: "You know this challenge was pretty much what i was doing after i joined Ficfact and realized how many series I had going. Then I joined this group and you led me astray.... I already have plenty of last books of a series in my TBR. He he... "

Led you astray *PFFFT*
You know you would have totally done it yourself, we're just enablers ;)

Lucky you with lots of last to be read books. I seem to be in the middle (if not the beginning) of every series possible.

[Cherie]

Rusalka wrote: "Led you astray *PFFFT*
You know you would have totally done it yourself, we're just enablers ;)

Lucky you with lots of last to be read books. I seem to be in the middle (if not the beginning) of every series possible..."

LOL! I was thinking that too, to both comments although I think I have a few more chances of killing off series than you, Rusalka.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

My problem is that I just have a short OOOOoooo shiny!

[Janice, Moderator]

Hehehe! Yes, we're good at leading people astray. Enabling too.

[Kirila]

Janice wrote: "Kirila wrote: I actually have one more question regarding unpublished books:
If a series currently has 2 books, but a third one will be published this year, can I count the first 2 books for 5 poin..."

Thanks for the answer Janice. That seems fair and does follow everything you have said so far :)

[Debra]

Love this challenge, Janice!

Do graphic novels count, like the Sandman series?

[Marie Claude]

Debra wrote: "Love this challenge, Janice!

Do graphic novels count, like the Sandman series?"

Thanks for reminding me to put this one on my list... I don't think I can finish the series because I am missing a few, but at least I can read 5-6 of them :)

[Travis]

I believe she said manga counted as long as its in a series so graphic novwls should count as well I assume. Especially since I recently purchased all Joe Hill's Locke and Key series and have about half the Dark Tower graphic novels series sitting here

[Marie Claude]

Travis of NNY wrote: " Especially since I recently purchased all Joe Hill's Locke and Key series and have about..."

I just received the boxed set of Locke and Key and can't wait for the holidays to have the time to sit, by the fireplace with the set and just enjoy :) Glad to know I will not be the only one :)

[Stephanie]

Do all of the levels have to be set before the 1st or can we add levels throughout the year?

[Sandra, Moderator]

Stephanie, I think you can "build" the levels through the year and make changes all along the way according your needs.

[Stephanie]

Thanks, Sandra :-)

[Travis]

Marie Claude wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: " Especially since I recently purchased all Joe Hill's Locke and Key series and have about..."

I just received the boxed set of Locke and Key and can't wait for the holidays t..."


Tha boxset was such a good deal. I haven't even taken the plastic off the package yet

[Marie Claude]

Travis of NNY wrote: " I haven't even taken the plastic off the package yet "

Yes it was a great deal! Last July, I was about to buy the individual titles when I realized it was set of publication in November! So decided to wait and preordered! It would have cost me almost twice the set price for the individual books, and Amazon even refounded me 4$ when they realized they had "overcharged" me LOL

As for the set, I have removed the plastic, and even got one of the books out, but that's it LOL DH and dD have decided I have priority and they are waiting for me to read them...

In fact I have read the first 3 - in French - from the library, but am planning on rereading them so I have Joe Hill's words, and not a translation, in mind when I get to number 4 for the first time :)