Play Book Tag discussion
2023 Activities and Challenges
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Subdue the Shelf: What's Next?
Please post your questions!A tracking thread for those trying to be Porters will be posted in 24 hours. I just want to see if anyone raises any major concerns and/or I need to make any tweaks before proceeding.
Oh I love this! Seriously if anyone makes it to Conductor rolling only one die at a time, they deserve every accolade going. (Never mind ‘Pro’ - I’d be labelling that one ‘WTF’!!) Even getting beyond Porter would be a stretch for me. But it is really nice that there’s a promotion track - pun fully intended. Very clever.
This is so clever and so fun. Kudos to Anita and all of the mods for really just keeping the fun going. I for one just plan to get through my board by the end of the year. Wouldn’t it be fun to see how far I could get on the next, if that were remotely possible. The way I see it, is that I should be done with the entire birthday challenge within the first three months. Which will leave me more time for Subdue. I may have to, however, eat my words. I could be having birthday cake and that baggage car for a very long time. That said what a clever job and great continuation design. Again, kudos!
Thank you so much, Amy and Kate, for chiming in. I'm so thrilled you like it!!And, LOL on the WTF level, Kate. Now I'm going to be thinking of it as that the whole time.
I would love to continue, just at a much slower pace. Since I read 18 books on my first pass, I could replace those with other books (possibly over 500 pages to qualify for special rolls). Is that correct?If I decide to leave the read books, do I just count them part of my roll? If I land on one that I read on the first round do I read the book before or after?
Thank for continuing such a fun game.
I'm so glad we're going to keep going! Great job on the expanded version of the game!
The new rules are super fun!! So impressed with the creativity!! Excited to get the chance to loop around the board a few times and to revise as needed each time. Thank you Anita and Mods!!
I love the new rules for continuing the game - though from my chaise in the Caboose I figure I might get through only Porter, but who knows? Fabulous job, admins!Speaking of the Caboose - I am tickled pink that the admins have formally incorporated my whole train concept that started with my casual efforts to keep up the spirits and engagement of those reading more slowly or just tied up with other commitments (including me!) in a humorous way! And thank all players who jumped on board! You have all added so much, especially as you kept me entertained and engaged while I had no time to read for StS!
I had a long exhausting difficult work day today - this gave me such needed joy.
This sounds like a lot of fun! I am looking forward to revising my board for the Porter level.
I love the new rules! Looking forward to finishing the original board and trying out the new one:)
I think the special 15th birthday advantage is just golden!
I love this addition to the game. I think it's a great way to accommodate readers of all reading speeds. Great job as always admins and I like that we're continuing the train concept Theresa started.
Such a clever way to continue a game that we all are obviously having a wonderful time participating in. Thanks for coming up with a solution!
Huzzah to the Mods for finding a solution! Need to go back a reread it all again before I come up with any questions.
I am pretty sure of the answer to this, but just to clarify"b) If you land on a book that has the same tag as the monthly tag, you will get an extra move to use when you wish:
This ONLY applies to the current (month you roll), not previous monthly tags in the game?
I love the new additions, especially the crystal 15. This is all so creative. Can we give it a new train related name or nickname?Like Lynda, my pace will be much slower this time. I had the crazy idea that I would finish this challenge early, and feel like I already finished one of my goals for the year! Lol! 🥳🥲🤣 I made the same mistake one year with my MBOs at work. I attacked the hardest one first, so that I had more time for my own projects, and the boss thought I needed a new one right away.
I read more this month than I have in a long time! I can’t read 200+ books this year though, so I’m going for 2 or 3 loops. Maybe more if I get lucky with tags, or coordinate with other goals.
Anita, I will miss one thing though from the old game. I loved getting advance notice of the next roll when I was halfway through a book. It gave me an extra day or two to get the book (some of my books are in suspended holds) and built anticipation. More than once it motivated me to get over a slow part in a book, or to write a review faster. I think it helped me keep up the pace. Would it be possible to get the next roll back?
@Nancy, although the 1/2 way roll seemed like a great idea for those that like to plan,(me included), it really is a pain for those keeping score...sorry, as score helper I am glad to see it go.
Thank you for your questions, Olivermagnus. Here's my thoughts below.Since I read 18 books on my first pass, I could replace those with other books (possibly over 500 pages to qualify for special rolls). Is that correct?
You can do whatever you wish with your new board for each round. You can leave the books exactly the same (even the read ones), or you can switch out any books for new ones that you wish. It's very flexible so that over the course of the year, your board can include the books you most wish to remove from your TBR.
If I decide to leave the read books, do I just count them part of my roll? If I land on one that I read on the first round do I read the book before or after?
If you leave the read books, you should still count them as you move over them. If you land on one that you have already read, keep looking backward from that spot until you find an unread book that is behind you, and read that, but do NOT move your actual spot on the board. I just want you to look backward to find an unread book. Let me know if I am making this clear. If not, I'll post an example.
Theresa wrote: "I love the new rules for continuing the game - though from my chaise in the Caboose I figure I might get through only Porter, but who knows? Fabulous job, admins!Speaking of the Caboose - I am ti..."
I appreciate (more than you know) how much color you have brought to this game! I know you offered to separate out the chit chat from the rolling, but I feel like it's nice to incorporate what you are doing right into the game. However, in order to assist Joanne, I am now going to bold the rolls. If you could avoid using bold in your posts, I would appreciate that. There will be a new rolling thread in February which will cut the scrolling down a bit. But still, we need to help Joanne (and frankly myself) to see the rolls more readily.
Thanks so much for bringing Subdue the Shelf to another level!
I love the new additions, especially the crystal 15. This is all so creative. Can we give it a new train related name or nickname?Great idea! Any creative suggestions? I will definitely think on it. The first thing that comes to mind for me is
Shinkansen
which is the name of the Japanese bullet train. 15 is like a bullet that moves you fast.
Would it be possible to get the next roll back?Unfortunately, it's basically a tracking nightmare, so I think the answer will be no. Also, the newer rounds are designed to slow down the pace. Not just so others can catch up, but also for the administrative side. It was super fun to watch the race in the Clerk round, but it's the dead of winter, and I can keep up! But for the whole year . . .um, I don't think the pace is sustainable.
I'm so sorry. I know people like to plan ahead.
Thanks, I understand! It makes it more clear where we are, and it needs to be manageable. I have other books I should be reading anyway. (Sorry, what was I thinking?)In addition to bolding rolls, I think we should all keep our roll requests short and to the point. I noticed that roll requests with other comments about the book were easier to miss.
Oh also, since it’s Friday already, can we skip Shake it up Sunday this week? It could put us in negative territory. ( For that matter does it always have to be backward? I liked the even-forward, odd-backward idea.)
Olivermagnus wrote: "I would love to continue, just at a much slower pace. Since I read 18 books on my first pass, I could replace those with other books (possibly over 500 pages to qualify for special rolls). Is that ..."Lynda, since we have the choice, I plan to leave the books I read on the board in their same spots. However my list was 50 books, so they were doubled up. Since your list was 100 books, I’ll eliminate the doubles on my list and replace them with new books. Does that make sense? I already read or started two others on the list, so I’ll take them off completely. At least one book is no longer available and I might need to make other adjustments too.
@Joy, does that make sense for you too? If we all leave the books we read in loop one, we’re starting off on the same footing. Then we can each make other changes to our boards as we wish.
Kudos to the Mods for quickly figuring out a whole new approach! I already thought this game was going to be very labor intensive for them, as opposed to the Birthday one, or either of last year's games. This one involves constant watching of the thread for roll requests, special rolls, etc. And it's only January, I hate to think how many hours of their lives this will take up!The good thing about what happened is that we had time to get used to the system and now we can incorporate the new rules. If all those details had been presented at the beginning, it would have been very overwhelming for me.
@NancyJ & OM:I plan to leave all the books I haven't read, but my original list was only 25 books. Going forward, I am going to put 100 on my list since there will be so many rounds. I can just delete the ones I read and replace them with new ones in future rounds. I am not planning to leave them all in the same position, though. I plan to bunch those on my original list at the top and add the new ones below. This is just for my personal tracking purposes. Does it matter to you guys where I place them?
I'm planning to put 18 new books in the spots where I already completed books in the last round. I'm planning a much more leisurely trip this time and have some audio versions I would like to substitute. A handful over 500 were added too.
Because I'm doing multiple challenges for different groups, I have actually read a few books this month on my board that I didn't land on. I think after the first round, which I am only halfway through, I will add new books to get back to 100. No danger of running out, my list is over 500 long!
Joy D wrote: "@NancyJ & OM:I plan to leave all the books I haven't read, but my original list was only 25 books. Going forward, I am going to put 100 on my list since there will be so many rounds. I can just de..."
That sounds ok to me. It will look neater than what I’m planning. You won’t be able to go backwards if you hit a book you already read, you’ll go forward instead. In the early numbers you’ll know which book you’ll get next, but once you get past that stage it will be random. You might want to check with Anita to make sure it’s ok with her. I think it will all even out.
I haven’t even picked new books yet, so I’ll probably keep it at 50 for this loop. My eyes are losing focus, so I’ll do it later.
Don’t forget to add some England books.
"Oh also, since it’s Friday already, can we skip Shake it up Sunday this week? ."Yes, I will let everyone get started since we just announced this addendum.
But no, someone's moving backward. You all have already won and will be getting some prize/award. Now it's going to be harder.
Robin P wrote: "Kudos to the Mods for quickly figuring out a whole new approach! I already thought this game was going to be very labor intensive for them, as opposed to the Birthday one, or either of last year's ..."Thank you for all of these kind words, Robin!! They make me feel happy!!
@Nancy and @Joy,I believe that Joy is saying she is going to remove books she already read from her list and substitute new ones.
Then, she is bunching the unread books from her original list at the top.
All great!
But honestly, I don't care at all how you create the list of 100 for each new round.
And no one should feel restricted by what others are doing with their own boards. As long as boards aren't edited while you are marching along them, we are all good.
Anita wrote: " "Oh also, since it’s Friday already, can we skip Shake it up Sunday this week? ."Yes, I will let everyone get started since we just announced this addendum.
But no, someone's moving backward. Y..."
LOL.
Thank Anita.
Anita wrote: "@Nancy and @Joy,I believe that Joy is saying she is going to remove books she already read from her list and substitute new ones.
Then, she is bunching the unread books from her original list a..."
Yes, that is what I was saying. Thanks for clarifying.
I am also planning a more leisurely trip through the list in future rounds. I am working on my list but it may take a couple days to finish it.
There's no rush. Just request your roll once your list is finalized, and at that point, I will take my screen shot of it.
Anita wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I love the new rules for continuing the game - though from my chaise in the Caboose I figure I might get through only Porter, but who knows? Fabulous job, admins!Speaking of the C..."
😊 I am delighted to accommodate you in the no bolding request! I promise to keep the humor and color going forward -- with the so able help of everyone!
NancyJ wrote: "I love the new additions, especially the crystal 15. This is all so creative. Can we give it a new train related name or nickname?Like Lynda, my pace will be much slower this time. I had the craz..."
@NancyJ - you can easily impose your own planning alert when reading your book at the 50% mark. Since you will only be concerned with possibly reading one of the 6 books ahead on the board when you get your single die roll, you can on your own review the next 6 books and adjust the suspended holds or add a hold or start searching through your TBR Towers for the copy of the book you know is there (that's me). Since you can adjuste suspended holds any number of times, once you know your next read, you can re-adjust as needed.
Anita wrote: "I love the new additions, especially the crystal 15. This is all so creative. Can we give it a new train related name or nickname?Great idea! Any creative suggestions? I will definitely think on ..."
OHHH I love that! Definitely my mind went to the Japanese Bullet Trains.
So, I never posted my review for my first roll because I got bogged down on the second half of the book AFTER I requested my second role.So, am I starting completely over? Am I starting from where my second roll would have landed me?
Should I post the review for my first roll/book from the initial stage of the game (or just start over).
Sabrina wrote: "So, I never posted my review for my first roll because I got bogged down on the second half of the book AFTER I requested my second role.So, am I starting completely over? Am I starting from wher..."
Hi Sabrina! No need to start over, no. You should just continue onward from where your second roll lands you. And yes, you should review the first book.
The game for you has not changed! It is only once you finish your initial board that new rules and changes come into play. So for your purposes, you can just ignore this whole thread!!
Sorry for any confusion!
Just to make the steps clear.
1. Keep using your existing game board
2. Finish your first book and review it.
3. Take the roll you requested at the 50% mark of Book #1, and start reading that book next.
4. Request a new roll when you hit the 50% mark of Book #2.
Anita wrote: "Sabrina wrote: "So, I never posted my review for my first roll because I got bogged down on the second half of the book AFTER I requested my second role.So, am I starting completely over? Am I st..."
So, do I need to repast my list in the Porter thread or leave it? Just to clarify?
Sabrina wrote: "Anita wrote: "Sabrina wrote: "So, I never posted my review for my first roll because I got bogged down on the second half of the book AFTER I requested my second role.So, am I starting completely..."
No, Sabrina, you don't need to repost. Nothing has changed for you. You are still a Caboosian in the Caboose with the Cabanna Boys and your board is still in the same place.
Right now, only JoyD, NancyJ, and Olivermagnus will be posting their boards in Porter.
Theresa wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I love the new additions, especially the crystal 15. This is all so creative. Can we give it a new train related name or nickname?Like Lynda, my pace will be much slower this time...."
That was the plan, but I've exceeded all my hold spots (and my husband's) with books for tags, future book clubs, other challenges, and the books with crazy long waits. You're right that it's easier to plan ahead for 6 spots compared to 12, but it's still hard to predict. I just downloaded an England book to make room for a hold on Watership Down and it says there's a 6 week wait. Go figure. Often when I delay taking a popular book, it goes to someone else for a week or two, so there is always the risk of a longer delay even if I'm #1 on the list.
It doesn't matter because I'm not rushing now. I can just read a book for another challenge while I'm waiting. Or I'll read one of the new shiny buzzy books that pops up earlier than I expected. Most of the books on the list will be ones that I already own, or plan to buy. I'll put some England books at the very beginning to let the roll pick some of my tag books.
My kindle and audible libraries are like your TBR Towers. I used to have to think of which shelf or room to look in, or what it looks like. Now I ask, is it on libby, kindle, audible, hoopla, or a pdf on an old thumb drive? It's even harder when I can't remember the title of that book about x, y, and z.
Theresa wrote: "Sabrina wrote: "Anita wrote: "Sabrina wrote: "So, I never posted my review for my first roll because I got bogged down on the second half of the book AFTER I requested my second role.So, am I sta..."
Got it! Thanks
Anita wrote: " Thank you for all of these kind words, Robin!! They make me feel happy!!
Glad it came off that way, after I posted I wondered if it would seem like I was criticizing the original setup. I am a Mod in another group where we have shorter term games and I find it a challenge to stay on top of them.
NancyJ wrote: "Theresa wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I love the new additions, especially the crystal 15. This is all so creative. Can we give it a new train related name or nickname?Like Lynda, my pace will be much s..."
I have ebook TBR Towers too but easier to search. The physical book tower searches require my recognizing the spine of the book from a distance....
Theresa wrote: "😊 I am delighted to accommodate you in the no bolding request! I promise to keep the humor and color going forward -- with the so able help of everyone!..."Theresa, I have wondered a few times how it is you ended up being a lawyer and not a writer as we live it up in the caboose!
Away for a week and this happened... LOVE it!I'm not even close to finishing my first round yet but look forward to tackling more of my TBR for the rest of the year :)
If you are working your way through your original game board, great! Keep going! You will be eligible for consolation prizes, and we will continue to track your progress on our Master Board.
Once you have completed your initial game board, you will have the option to continue and earn one of the following designations by year's end:
Conductor (Pro) - 8 or more loops
Station Master (Expert) - 6 or more loops
Engineer (Advanced) - 4 or more loops
Porter (Easygoing) - 2 or more loops
Clerk (Novice) - 1 loop
But after your first loop, there will be some rule changes. These are enumerated below. Again, these rules only apply for people who have completed their game board once.
1. There will be a separate tracking thread for each loop, so if you have finished as a Clerk, you must re-initiate your board on the Porter (Easygoing) tracking thread. You may copy over the exact same board, OR you may revise the board as much as you wish.
2. You may now only roll ONE die at a time.
3. You may only ask for a new roll of the die once you have completed your book and reviewed it.
4. You will start over with 2 swaps when you begin a new board. However you may carry over any other special prizes you received/earned to the new board.
5. You will still be eligible for special rolls, however a special roll will be designated by two adjacent rolls of the die. For example, if your first roll in round two is a 6 and your second roll in round two is a 4, then you will be eligible for the 6-4 special roll and the surprise advantage that goes with that.
6. Special rolls may still impact people on the original board and vice-versa.
7. For those that are no longer on the original gameboard, some new benefits and challenges kick in.
a) If you read a book longer than 500 pages you get to roll an extra die for every incremental 100 pages. So a 500 page book let's you roll two dice on your next turn. A 600 page book let's you roll 3 dice, and so on.
b) If you land on a book that has the same tag as the monthly tag, you will get an extra move in conjunction with any future roll:
5-25 taggers - move forward 1 space
25-50 taggers - move forward 2 spaces
50-100 taggers move forward 5 spaces
More than 100 taggers - roll two dice
This award must be noted on your tracking thread at the time you land on the book that earns it. The book does not need to be completed/reviewed in the month with the tag . . .this bonus is triggered when you land on the book.
c) Every Sunday will be "Shake It Up Sunday". Everyone on a board above Clerk (Novice) will be entered into the randomizer. The person selected will roll the die, and move backward whatever number is rolled on their next turn. The book on that space must be read and reviewed before progressing forward again.
d) In honor of PBT's 15th birthday, if you land on the 15th spot on your board, whether you move forward to that spot or backward to that spot, the randomizer will pick a number between 15 and 100, and you will transport to that spot on your board.