Team The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

[Melindam]

Dear Hitchhikers!

Greetings from Team Orient Express. 😉

You can find our collected recommendations here: Book recommendations by Team Orient Express

Please feel free to drop by and recommend books in return, you will always be welcome aboard.

May the towels always be with you!

[Judith]

Sonia wrote: "*swoops in*

Hi all!!

*waves*

Don't mind me, I'm just here to pay my respects to the Mistress of Lust, and to let you know that if you feel nostalgic about Sammy's daily inspiration, she has plan..."

Hello Sonia, your homage is appreciated. And don't worry, I'll be stopping by to see Sammy's inspiration. It'll be a good thing I have a towel handy to wipe up the drool.

[Judith]

Alright team, we finished the Planning spreadsheet last night. Lexi added it to one of her top posts in message 6 so you won't have to troll through the thread to find it.

Because of the length of our spelling and the size of this team (14!!) we are asking people to sign up for letters to make sure things can fit into a spelling. We can only have one partial spelling by check in and want to make sure we can get everyone's books to fit.

Please only sign up for a few books at a time and if you have signed up for a letter and realize you won't be able to finish before the deadline that round, just let us know ASAP. Either another team member can read for that spot or Lexi/I will move things around. Real life happens so don't feel bad if you can't get a book completed.

As for the tasks, there are formulas written so once you use a task, it will automatically be marked on the Master Task List tab and your own personal Task List. You will not be able to edit the Master Task List tab. However, you can edit your own task tab to your heart's content. Though if you over-write/edit with the links to the Master Task List (column called 'Task Used'), you'll have to check the tasks off yourself.


Link to Planning Sheet: Planning Sheet

Again, this link can also be found in message 6 of this thread so you can find it easily in future.

[Judith]

Please let me know if anyone has issues accessing the Planning Spreadsheet. I think I have the setting correct so anyone can read it if they click on the link. But as the spreadsheet creator, it's not an easy thing to check.

Also if you don't like spreadsheets, aren't comfortable using them, or are having access issues, etc. Lexi and I are happy to help you. You can post the information in the thread and we can transfer it to the spreadsheet. We can also do things like link books or help you look for tags on books you are reading (or would like too).

Using the spreadsheet just from the app is not the easiest, so if you are on the app it will likely be best if you post the information in the thread.

[Judith]

As some of you who have been around know that sometimes tasks are interpreted very specifically. But I think Cat and the other mods are trying to keep this fun, still though if you aren't sure your book works for a task, just ask in the thread and Lexi/I will help you figure it out.

But a question came in on task 11: Read a book set in a hotel. The person asked if motel would work as well since one of the July BOMs is set in a motel. This was the Mod's reply:

I consider a motel to be a hotel already! ditto B&B. This is a road trip, so hostel would work too. Campsite or caravan parks wouldn't, mind.

[Judith]

I complied all of the book recommendations (not counting the tagged books from Lexi) into one post at the top of the thread.

I will continue to add books the team recommends as they will be useful to us and other teams to complete tasks.

Please continue to post recommendations throughout the challenge as you read good books ;)

[Kristel]

Thank you captains for your hard work on the planning SS! Especially for the personalized task tracker:)

[Melanie]

Thank you so much for creating the planning sheet Judith! I know in past teams I've been on with you that it's incredibly helpful.

Most of my books in this first round will be library books I need to finish before my library reopens later this month (assuming it still will since the NJ governor keeps changing his mind on when stuff in NJ will open). You'd think I'd have read them by now because I have had them out since March, but I just kept putting them off as they had so much time before they were due. So because they're a set list, not a lot of them have the harder letters in our word, but I'll slot them where I can.

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~]

Sorry to need this completely spelled out but I want to check I'm getting things right.

So we need to read books that count towards highway sixty one?
Then also must be tagged one of the words in message 6?
and they also must fit one of the 200 tasks? and the more pages the better?

[Donna]

Greetings from The Wonderful World of Oz! We are preparing some book recommendations for you. We still have some people on our team to add theirs but you can check them out here. Happy Reading Y'all!

[Judith]

Gem ~Zero Shelf Control~ wrote: "Sorry to need this completely spelled out but I want to check I'm getting things right.

So we need to read books that count towards highway sixty one?
Then also must be tagged one of the words in ..."

They only have to work for the spell it out. If it doesn't fit into a spelling, we have no way to log the book for any points.

We can only claim 10 tags per round, so if they don't work for a tag, don't worry about it and no big deal.

Tasks are also a bonus and not required. I think at least initially we can find a task that fits anything you read. Lexi and I can help you with this. And you may not know it works for a task until you start reading and come across something. Later in the game it might be harder as you can't repeat a task. But if it doesn't work for a task, oh well, no biggie.

So really, as long as your book fits into the spell it out, it works for this challenge.

The tags & tasks are just for bonus points so don't get stressed out if a book you want to read doesn't have a tag or task. This is supposed to be fun and we want you to read what makes you happy, not books you feel forced to read.

[Judith]

And yes, more pages equals more points (unless you break into the 1000 page realm).

But don't feel that you have to read just really long books. Just make sure they are over 160 pages.

In previous years books were worth more per page if the page count was over a certain amount (like 500 pages or something). That isn't the case this year, all pages up to 1000 are worth the same number of points.

I hope all of that was helpful.

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~]

Clear as mud. Thank you Judith, Ill try pick books that give us bonus points where I can.

[Judith]

Gem ~Zero Shelf Control~ wrote: "Clear as mud. Thank you Judith, Ill try pick books that give us bonus points where I can."

LOL, okay. Basically pick books the work for the spelling and you want to read. Lexi and I will help you figure out the rest as we go.

Just have fun and don't stress about your picks :)

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~]

I've just gone through all 154 pages of tags for The Silent Patient and found its tagged Ireland once! I know this is a popular book at the mo, and I'll be reading it as my first one.

[Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~]

Judith wrote: "Gem ~Zero Shelf Control~ wrote: "Clear as mud. Thank you Judith, Ill try pick books that give us bonus points where I can."

LOL, okay. Basically pick books the work for the spelling and you want t..."

Thanks, I think its clicked after looking at the spreadsheet!

[Judith]

Gem ~Zero Shelf Control~ wrote: "Judith wrote: "Gem ~Zero Shelf Control~ wrote: "Clear as mud. Thank you Judith, Ill try pick books that give us bonus points where I can."

LOL, okay. Basically pick books the work for the spelling..."

Awesome! I know it can seem a bit daunting at first.

[Melanie]

A couple of questions to see if these will work for certain tasks.

Would you consider this cover orange enough for task 191?



And does an illustrated city scape work for task 26 (see bottom of the cover)?

[Judith]

Melanie wrote: "A couple of questions to see if these will work for certain tasks.

Would you consider this cover orange enough for task 191?



And does an illustrated city..."

I would say yes to both!

[Melanie]

Judith wrote: "I would say yes to both!"

Great. Added both tasks for those then.

I've claimed 4 spots for now, all of which work for a task, but only 1 works for one of the tags.

[Sammy]

Hello hitch-hikers!

Your co-captain (and Mistress of Lust) alterted me to the fact that you guys are lacking in the towel-boy department.

Please accept these with my compliments.

(view spoiler)[





(hide spoiler)]

Although, if you succeed in getting the towels off them, please do come let me know! ;)

Happy hiking!

[Bee]

Lexi wrote: "Abir (or anyone), no worries on all the rules. You will figure it out as we go. I have included the critical ones below.

Basic Rules and the rest can be figured out as we go:

1. No books started ..."

Roger that Cap

[Judith]

Sammy wrote: "Hello hitch-hikers!

Your co-captain (and Mistress of Lust) alterted me to the fact that you guys are lacking in the towel-boy department.

Please accept these with my compliments.

Althoug..."

Teehee! Thanks Sammy ;)

[Judith]

Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!

[Sammy]

Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P

[Judith]

Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P"

But . . . .

can I use him for A task? hehe

[Sonia]

Judith wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P"

But . . . .

can I use him for A task? hehe"

Sorry... he's busy :P

[Sonia]

Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P"

That's a damn shame....

[Sammy]

Judith wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P"

But . . . .

can I use him for A task? hehe"

I'd be most disappointed in you if you didn't... ;)

[Judith]

Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P"

But . . . .

can I use him for A task? hehe"

I'd be..."

Well, I wouldn't want you to be disappointed

[Sammy]

Judith wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P"

But . . . .

can I use him for A task?..."

You will however have to peel Sonia off him first.

Good luck with that. :D

[Judith]

Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "Oh goodness and Chris even has a deckchair.

Hahahahaha!"

No, you can't use him for the task! :P"

But . . . .

can I use ..."

Eh, I'll be just fine with Gerry. Even without the deck chair


FYI - I'm pretty sure my whole team thinks I'm a cray-cray perv now. LOL

[Sammy]

Judith wrote: "Eh, I'll be just fine with Gerry. Even without the deck chair


FYI - I'm pretty sure my whole team thinks I'm a cray-cray perv now. LOL"

Thinks..? lol!

[Sonia]

Judith wrote: "FYI - I'm pretty sure my whole team thinks I'm a cray-cray perv now. LOL"

I'm trying to come with a witty comeback but I'm drawing a blank...

But weren't you the one that discovered the vanilla scented... candles?

*giggles*

That train left the station a long time ago...

[Cat]

Oh god Sonia! You missed Quidditch....

Jenny and Suzanne were reading about a TSTL girl who kept schlepping into hot guys & getting distracted. Both of them wanted her to die already.

Judith's helpful comment involved emojis of aubergines. I ask you?! I'll never be able to look an aubergine parmigiana in the face again! (or, y'know, anywhere else)
Everyone was so traumatised after her intervention that we had to have a lie down!

[Sonia]

Oh gawd... that sounds terrible.

note to self: Do not miss quidditch games.

[Judith]

Cat wrote: "Oh god Sonia! You missed Quidditch....

Jenny and Suzanne were reading about a TSTL girl who kept schlepping into hot guys & getting distracted. Both of them wanted her to die already.

Judith's he..."

Hahahahahaha!

[Sammy]

Cat wrote: "Oh god Sonia! You missed Quidditch....

Jenny and Suzanne were reading about a TSTL girl who kept schlepping into hot guys & getting distracted. Both of them wanted her to die already.

Judith's he..."

There's a reason Judith is the Mistress of Lust.

And apparently aubergines. :D :D

[Judith]

Sonia wrote: "Judith wrote: "FYI - I'm pretty sure my whole team thinks I'm a cray-cray perv now. LOL"

I'm trying to come with a witty comeback but I'm drawing a blank...

But weren't you the one that discover..."

It was body spray the the MC sprayed on her hoo-ha. Who does that?

[Sonia]

Judith wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Judith wrote: "FYI - I'm pretty sure my whole team thinks I'm a cray-cray perv now. LOL"

I'm trying to come with a witty comeback but I'm drawing a blank...

But weren't you the one..."

Please, stop

[Judith]

We need to or my team members may decide to leave the game or request being moved to a separate team.

[Sonia]

Heeeeeyyyy Cat?
What about you put a rule no books under 260 pages for quidditch?

Maybe then people would read... not about coffee tables.

See... I read a KU book last weekend. It was fun, and cute, and it had the MCs doing the scene from Ghost, you know the one, with the clay and the spinning thingie.... It was cute. And hot. And no traumatizing!!!

[Judith]

Sonia wrote: "Heeeeeyyyy Cat?
What about you put a rule no books under 260 pages for quidditch?

Maybe then people would read... not about coffee tables.

See... I read a KU book last weekend. It was fun, and cu..."

That would certainly cut down on the smut being read and slow the game down.

[Cat]

I suggested that they could do a Wheels Exhibition Match, with min pages of at least 160p.
Got no response :(

Though that might be because they were all in the recovery tent getting their massages from one of the towel-boys ??

[Lexi]

Sanah, could you please make a Wheel shelf at some point and I will link it under important links? Thank you

The July BOMs have been chosen:
YA - - Starts July 16th
Adult - - Starts July 2nd
(These have also been added to the BOM links in Message 7)

[lucy]

I have added my first two reads to the spreadsheet. I thought I would get through those and then work on what is needed on the list after that. :-)

[Judith]

Lala wrote: "I have added my first two reads to the spreadsheet. I thought I would get through those and then work on what is needed on the list after that. :-)"

That a good approach!

I was going to do the same, then realized both BOM for June would be in round one and wanted to make sure I could get them to fit in the spellings. So I've claimed more right now than I intended before we even started the game.

[Jimmie]

Hello Everyone,
My apologies that I haven't been responded because I just been graduated from my school and there's so much going on in my life. I had the book but I return it because it's was school. Also Can't check the book at my local library Lord knows how long it will be reopen. So I'm not sure what to do unless someone will spare me another copy if you could. So what nice to meet you.

[Lexi]

Jimmie wrote: "Hello Everyone,
My apologies that I haven't been responded because I just been graduated from my school and there's so much going on in my life. I had the book but I return it because it's was scho..."

I'm sorry for not understanding but are you saying that you do not think you can read books for this challenge due to your library being closed? Thank you

Also, congratulations on graduating

[Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫]

Ok, I have another (yes....ANOTHER - UGH!!!) clarification question!

So per previous post # something-or-other, we may earn extra points from 10 tags per round. Where/how do our player tasks come into play? Is it still 10 bonus points for tags OR tasks? Or 10 tags plus however many tasks we stack in a round? Just wondering! ;P

Oh, and thanks, mods, for putting together the tracking sheet! I'm working on planning my books so I'll be putting my books on pretty soon. Its a little early for my mood reading self yet....