Harry Potter Reading Challenge

[Crusader]

At the start of the book. One of the two drones that escapes when the "Excession" entity takes over and destroys the ship it was on. Think it's in section II of chapter one. Both drones are eventually destroyed and play a minor part in the story.

[Lauren]

Oh, ok! I remember now.
That's even more of a stretch than the clones though.

On the whole, what did you think of Excession Crusader?

[Crusader]

Lauren wrote: "Oh, ok! I remember now.
That's even more of a stretch than the clones though.

On the whole, what did you think of Excession Crusader?"

I know, that's why I said IF the drones count. ;)

I found it quite interesting. It's basically a complex love story enmeshed in a possibly Universe altered event. What's not to like?

[Lu]

Wow clones... It's too late for me to decide lol

[Emma]

I dont know whether robot clones are more of a stretch than human clones. The boys from Brazil is about Dr Mengele (the doctor of Auschwitz) who tries to make clones of Hitler. I think in real life he ctually tried to do this to create a new world order and preserve the Aryan race. Quite an interesting book but creepy. I think it should be allowed, not many books with twins in it.

Also just a question. If we complete all classes, and we dont want to read Harry Potter, does that mean that we can no longer add any points to our total number. We cant find another book for number 2 and so on. If you cant and all the other people have read Harry Potter, then obviusly they are going to win the challenge, wouldnt it be better to keep it open? Just a thought, maybe Im not sure how it works.

[Crusader]

Good point Emma. I think, provided someone finishes all tasks they can do so multiple times. However you have to finish all tasks each time before you are allowed to redo them.

Finish all, finish all 2nd time, start on 3rd attempt.
Thoughts?

[Lauren]

It would solve our problem with uneven group numbers and inactive members.

On the other hand, it most likely means that none of the groups will ever catch up with Slytherin (I might be evil but I like a little competition :)

[Lu]

I'm sorry guys I have to say no to the multiple times thing. If you finish the challenge its done.

The people that read Harry Potter do have a edge, but that is why its called the Harry Potter Reading Challenge.

We have tons of challenges and this is just one. I really don't think we should do it multiple times.

Maybe we could start a new one, where its every man/woman for him/herself. Or a new Team one, but once the year is done and the house that has the most points because of members all participating and not 1 member then I'm happy :)

The clone thing, sjoe I don't know, if you 3 think its ok, the its fine :)

[Barbara]

Yeah, I agree with Lu. There are so many challenges and if you can do this one multiple times then people will get in trouble with the other ones. It is called the Harry Potter challenge and all the tasks are based on Harry Potter if you don't want to read the HP books that is your choice. In other challenges like for example the series madness challenge you can't read three second books in a series if you can't find a fifth book in a series. You just have to do the tasks and not find ways around them if you don't want to read the books. It could be a challenge idea for next year though. Set a group of 5 tasks and see how many times you can read them. But you have to complete all 5 before you can restart.
I'm just curious; why don't you want to read the Harry Potter books Emma?

[Emma]

Ok Lu, I guess the fact that it is called The Harry Potter Challenge makes sense that somewhere along the line you have to read Harry Potter. Its just that if you read all Harry Potter and all of the classes theres only so many points that you can contribute.

I do like the idea of working in teams, its fun, but only add people who are actually participating, and some members who are good readers need to be put in certain groups in order to make it fair. Its a difficult task and glad youre doing it Lu :-)

I think the clone thing is fine. Ill be adding it then. ;-) Not finished it yet though.

[Emma]

Barbara wrote: "Yeah, I agree with Lu. There are so many challenges and if you can do this one multiple times then people will get in trouble with the other ones. It is called the Harry Potter challenge and all th..."

I am al ittle confused with the series challenge, maybe someone can tell us how it works in the series challenge topic thread to make it a little clearer. :-)

Barbara: I have read Harry Potter whenever the books came out and enjoyed them, but Im not really the type of person to re-read books, the way I see it there are so many books on my TBR list that I dont want to waste time re-reading a series of books, when I can be reading something new.I also know what is going to happen in the HP books and that somehow takes away some of the excitement. Like I said I do understand the logic of having to read HP books as it is a HP Challenge after all. I will just carry on and do the classes and contribute what points I can. :-)

[Lu]

I like idea of doing a challenge with lets say 5 tasks, finishing them and then seeing how many times you can do it again :)

Trying to make the teams balance has been on hell of a mission. I'm not sure how we would be able to do it again. But i'm sure someone will think of a plan :)

[Barbara]

Ok Emma. I understand that. I do feel the same way and am not in the habit of rereading books, but sometimes I just can't resist. I have reread the HP books now for the challenge but mostly because the last two movies are coming out and I like to compare the movies with the book. If that hadn't been the case maybe I wouldn't have reread them. It's to bad that you can't win if you don't reread the books but maybe we can get you an honourable mention if you finish the other tasks. I just feel bad that you can't win if you don't reread the books. I know totally out of character for a Slytherin but still..

Lu, maybe we don't do big teams next time but teams of two and a lot of tasks that you can divide between the two of you and see which team finishes first. I don't know let's think about that one when the time comes for new challenges. I do like the team asspect of this challenge so I would like another one next time, but we must make it easier. Thanks for liking the idea. I was inspired by what everyone else was saying and thought it would be a nice idea.

[Lu]

Finished nr 3 :)

[Emma]

At the end of the day Challenges are meant to be erm well challenging, lol so I dont have a problem with just doing the classes. I was just curious if there was a way to win extra points. I do like the idea of smaller teams of 2 Barbara. Its something to think about.

Lu, you did a great job of teaming everyone up, not an easy task. Thanks for the Challenge :-)

[Lu]

Thanks :)

[Barbara]

Yeah Lu, really nice job!

[Sonette]

I finished 12 and 17. So 110 for me!

What's up with the rest of Ravenclaw? You not reading anymore?? Hehe?

[[deleted user]]

Finished nr 11
Thats 130 for me plus 2 HP books... 170

[Emma]

8. Fred + George - Read a book about twins or has twins in it- The Boys From Brazil –Ira Levin

Just a hypothetical question, but if everyone in this challenge read all the Harry Potter books and then read all the classes, wouldnt we all end up with the same amount of points?

[[deleted user]]

Yes...
But I dont think everyone will read the HP series

[Sonette]

Ditto, like me!! Have too many other brilliant books to read! I really admire the rest of you who reread them!

[[deleted user]]

I reread some of them, but I'm not so sure about the larger ones for now...
I'll probably read them a bit later in the year.

I just wanted to add that you all should see the collection of ebooks Sonette has! I think she's addicted to downloading hehe

[Sonette]

Hahaha! You just might be right! Good I'm doing an Ebook challenge this year!

[[deleted user]]

I'm doing one as well, and guess where the majority of my books come from?

[Sonette]

Hahaha! No from me???

[[deleted user]]

.... from this girl Sonette, not sure if you know her hehe, she has a library of ebooks :)

[Emma]

Just to update my points

15/20

150 Points total

Downloading ebooks can be quite addictive and there are oads that I just havent gotten around to reading yet.

[[deleted user]]

I know what you mean Emma

[Diane]

I'm done on task #18. Points now at 90 for Hufflepuff.

[Barbara]

Finished task 1. My new total is 270 points.

[[deleted user]]

Well done Barbara!

[[deleted user]]

Finished nr 11

So far got 140 + 20 (HP) + 20 (HP) = 180

[Lu]

Updated!

[Emma]

Finished The Colour of Magic and wondering whether I can use it for Number 5. Most characters in the book are a bit loony, and or eccentric.

If so then thats

16/20

160 Points

[Barbara]

The main character is Rincewind and he is in my opinion both loony and eccentric. So yeah you could use it for task 5.

[Lu]

Finished nr 1 and 7

+ 20 points to Hufflepuff

[[deleted user]]

yay!!!

[Crusader]

Finished Harry Pottery and the Philosophers Stone. +20 to Slytherin.

My total: 180

Is it just me or does the first HP now feel MUCH MUCH more like a kids book?

[Claudia]

I finished No. 16.
New total : 270

[Sonette]

Finished The Lost Saint - Nr 9

+10!

Overall: 120 points!

[Barbara]

Crusader wrote: Is it just me or does the first HP now feel MUCH MUCH more like a kids book?
Nah, it's not just you. But I think that is part of the charm of the series. In the first book Harry really is a child and so is the style of writing (i.e. for children) and as he grows up so does the style of the books. I love that.

[Barbara]

Ok, I'm going to do some switching. I've just finished Lord of the Bows which I'm going to use for task 1. Which means I have to switch Wolf of the Plains that I used there to task 6. Which means that the last book of the Boudica series that I used there has to be switched to task 10, which is still open.
Or simpler said I've just finished task 10 and that brings my total to 280 points. That leaves me 6 tasks to finish which may mean Crusader that you don't have to read the other Harry Potter books. Slytherin is going strong.

[Crusader]

Barbara wrote: "...which may mean Crusader that you don't have to read the other Harry Potter books. Slytherin is going strong..."

That's good. I'll focus on the rest of my tasks to finish and hold the HP books in reserve in case we need it.

*evil laugh*

[Crusader]

Finished #12

My Total: 190 (170+20)

[Anna]

Finished #3, and #15-- 20 points to Hufflepuff! :)

And my total's 60... I'm pretty sure.

[Crusader]

Can we get a points update? I'm pretty sure Slytherin has got to be close to 1000 now.

[Barbara]

Great Picture Crusader!!!!!

[Lauren]

Frickin' awesome, I love that!

[Anna]

That's so awesome, I want to frame it-- it perfectly combines the love of Harry Potter and LOTR.