Challenge #14 (Mar-Apr 2015): Tasks and Questions

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

Challenge length: March 1, 2015 until April 30, 2015

Participants may join at any time during the challenge. All points must be reported by 11:59pm EST on April 30, 2015 to be counted.

Any books that you read can also be claimed for other challenges (like HFU). All books read need to be started and finished during the challenge period. Please use the "currently reading" shelf, because this sets the start date of when you read the book (especially if it's something that has been on your TBR for a while.

RULES:
1) Books must be Historical Fiction if specified as HF. If no specification is made, the book can be ANY genre.

The definition of historical fiction that our group uses is a work published at least 50 years after at least half of the events in the work. Historical fantasy, alternate history and magical realism books will be considered historical fiction for our group.

2) Books must be at least 200 pages long. Eligibility for this is determined by THE MOST POPULAR EDITION OF THE BOOK ON GOODREADS -- NOT the edition you actually read. If the most popular edition is 197 pages, it will not count, even if the edition read is 215 pages.

To determine the most popular edition on Goodreads, simply do a title/author search - the first result that matches your book is the most popular edition on GR. If the first book is an audio book or ebook without page numbers, then use the 2nd book shown in the editions.

3) The first book used for the challenge should be started on or after March 1st. Re-reads and audiobooks are accepted unless specified otherwise in the task. (Audiobook page counts will be determined by the most popular edition on Goodreads.)

4) For cover colors, at least 50% of the cover needs to be the color specified. For settings, at least 50% of the action must take place that setting.

SCORING:
5) Task categories are assigned a point value, and points are awarded ONE TIME once all parts of the task are complete. When claiming a book, please link to the TITLE of the book (the most popular one) using the add book/author link above the comment box. If the task involves a cover, then also add the cover link (this is a radio button at the bottom of the dialog box to add a link for the book).

For multi-book tasks, please post only when ALL of the books are completed. Each book read for a multi-book task is eligible for book bonuses (HF & page)

The point value is the 1st number before the decimal point when looking at the task list. There are 3 tasks that have a value of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25. There are 2 50 tasks and 1 100 point task.

6) There are several opportunities to earn Bonus Points. Bonus points will be awarded PER BOOK READ when task points are awarded. Partial task points and/or bonus points (page count, HF point, etc) will NOT be awarded if the task is unfinished. Bonus points can only be claimed when task points are claimed (so make sure to check your postings)

6a) Book Length Bonus:
Bonus points will be awarded based on the length of each book read, as follows:
200 to 300 pages = 2 bonus points
301 to 500 pages = 4 bonus points
501 to 750 pages = 6 bonus points
751 to 1,000 pages = 8 bonus points
1,000+ = 10 bonus points

6b) Historical Fiction Bonus = 5 point
WE WILL NOT AWARD HF POINTS IF IT IS NOT REPORTED.

7) HAVE FUN!!!

NOTE: I will try to keep score this round, but anyone wants to volunteer, that would be great!
Post any questions below.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

CHALLENGE #14 TASK LIST: Mar - Apr 2015

5.1 Everyone’s Irish: In honor of St Patrick’s Day (US), read a book with a predominantly green cover OR a clover, leprechaun or a pot of gold on the cover.
5.2 Here comes the sun: Read a book with has a picture of the sun on the cover OR the title is in yellow.
5.3 Library Week: In honor of library week (1st week in April), read a book that you have checked out of the library.


10.1 Beware of the Ides of March Read a book which is set during Roman times (27 BC – 476 AD, any location) OR read a book which is set in the country of Italy (1861 and after).
10.2 Got Game?: Read a book which features the name of a boardgame or video game in the title. The book title must contain all words of the title of the game, but can include additional words and they can be in any order.
10.3 Spring Forward Read a book which features time travel.

15.1 Support the Red Cross In honor of Red Cross Month (March), read a book about a natural disaster.
15.2. New Series/New Author Read the first book in a new series which contains more than 3 books by an author that you haven’t read before.
15.3 Renaissance Man: In honor of Michelangelo's birthday (March 6), read a book which either features an artist as a main character or features an artwork in the plot.


20.1 Doubles Anyone? : Read a either the title or the authors name has 2 sets of double (consecutive) letters. The letters can be the same or different.
20.2Playing Catch-up: Read a HF book which we have read as part of a group read. Historical Fictionistas Bookshelf
20.3 Books into Movies Read a book that was made into a move that has been released in the 21st century (since 2000).


25.1Get out and explore Read a HF book which that features exploration or a major journey (taking at least a month of travel) as a significant part of the plot line.
25.2 Clear the TBR Read 2 books that have been on your TBR for at least 3 years.
25.3 Cult of the New-ish: Read two HF books from the Historical Fiction 2014

50.1 555: Read a HF book which is over 500 pages which one of your friends has rated 5 stars and the author’s (first or last) name is at least 5 letters long.
50.2 New Year, New Reads: For this task, you will use some of the features of GR to discover new reads; no re-reads are allowed. All tasks must be completed to get points, but you may want to plan all the books at the same time.

Book 1: Read a HF book from the GR recommendations from the Historical Fiction genre. To do this, select Recommendations from the menu and then scroll to genres and pick Historical Fiction. (NOTE: please validate that the book also meets our group’s definition of historical fiction).

Book 2: Read a HF book by a “new to you author” by looking at the “Readers also enjoyed" link on the main page. You will need to click on it to see a list of titles and authors.

Book 3: Go to the author page for Book 2’s author. If you scroll down to the author’s book section on the right, the first line of this section will have a link to similar authors.. Click on this link to pick another “new to you” author and read a book by them.

100.1 Best of the Best: Read 4 books that are at least 300 pages from any of the GoodReads Readers Choice nominees or winners. At least one of the books needs to be HF. 2014 GR Readers Choice, 2013 GR Readers Choice, 2012 GR Readers Choice, 2011 GR Readers Choice

[Louise]

Great, I'll give it a whirl!

[Donna]

JoLene for 25.2 regarding my TBR pile. I haven't been on GR for 3 years...So what can I use?

[Shannon SA]

Hi Jolene, for 50.2 Book 2, do we use Book 1 as reference for "readers also enjoyed similar books"?

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

@Donna, it doesn't have to be on GR. Do you have a book that you bought over 3 years ago, or something you've been planning to read.

@Shannon, you can use the Book 1, but you can use another book. The key thing is to find an author that you haven't read yet.

[Shannon SA]

Thank you JoLene :)

[Chris]

I find these challenges fun, although I read at such a slower pace, I rarely rack up a lot of points comparatively. I'm in the middle of two slow books I started last month ( one is our FEB read Catherine the Great) so that will delay my start on this challenge!

Happy reading everyone.

[Diane]

Thanks for the challenge JoLene!
A question, could you offer additional instructions for locating these options? I haven't been able to find the section you are referencing.
"Book 2: Read a HF book by a “new to you author” by looking at the “Readers also enjoyed similar books” section of the main page. You will need to scroll down and look on the right-hand side of the page."

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

When you are on the books main page. Right night to the description of the book there is a section called "Readers also enjoyed" and underneath there are some book covers. (Sorry they changed the format a bit). If you clock on the "Readers also enjoyed", you can see a bigger list with titles and authors. Pick an author you haven't read yet.

[Viji]

Will Le Morte D'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table qualify for the task:
25.1Get out and explore Read a HF book which that features exploration or a major journey (taking at least a month of travel) as a significant part of the plot line? Thanks.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

@Viji -- I have not read this particular version, but if the plot has the knights travelling than it qualifies.

[Viji]

Yes, the knights are travelling most of the time on quests and for adventures and the travels last for more than a month in many cases.

[Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~]

I would like to do this challenge. Since I just joined, if I have read any books since March 1, would they count if they fit the task? I will see how many I can get done. :)

[Melanie]

I'm late starting this but will try it out too.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

Yes, anything that you started on or after March 1st can count.

[Melanie]

Question: for 5.2 Here comes the sun: Read a book with has a picture of the sun on the cover OR the title is in yellow - would this one work or does the entire title have to be yellow?



Thanks,

Melanie

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

Sorry Melanie -- the whole title needs to be in yellow

[Gretchen, Keep your head up or the crown slips]

For task 15.1 about a natural disaster, I'm guessing things like hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. Not illnesses? Like the bubonic plague

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

I'll accept a plague.

[Christine]

For Task 20.1 Doubles Anyone?, can one set of double letters be in the title and the second set be in the author's name? (I'm wondering if I can use Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer to satisfy this task's requirements.)

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

@Christine --- it was intended to be in either the title or the author's name so no it doesn't work. Sorry

[Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~]

Any suggestions for how to find some books for 5.2? I have googled books with sun on cover and books with yellow titles...I did get the Beatles song "Here Comes the Sun" in the search...but anyway, not having much luck searching for a book.

[Cheryl A]

Stormie wrote: "Any suggestions for how to find some books for 5.2? I have googled books with sun on cover and books with yellow titles...I did get the Beatles song "Here Comes the Sun" in the search...but anyway..."

There's actually a listopia list of yellow & blue covers - a lot of those have yellow words on a blue background. I also just cruised the shelves at the library!

[Louise]

A Duty To The Dead by Charles Todd has a yellow title. I enjoyed it.

[Deborah Wells]

Here's a list of yellow & blue cover books - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

Maybe that will help?

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Would you consider a musician to be an artist for task 15.3?

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

@Jayme --- yes, I will since I do for the HFU

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

yay!

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Would you accept The Red Tent for task 10.1 as set in Roman times?

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

@Jayme -- I think that the Red Tent is based on a bible story from Genesis which is much earlier than Roman times. Sorry.

[Viji]

For task 15.1 about a natural disaster, could 1906: A Novel be used?

[Viji]

For task 15.3, could Death at La Fenice be used?

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

@Viji - yes for both

[Viji]

Thanks, JoLene.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Okay I have a question regarding 25.1 Get out and explore...Would "The Red Tent" qualify for the task? It is a HF book and the main character Dinah does journey from place to place. She traveled with her family when her father seeked out new lands. Also she traveled to Eygpt. It is also part of the plot line.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

sure.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

thanks :)