HF Challenge #8 Task List and Q&A Thread

[Becky, Moddess]

Beth in NC's 50 point task has been added. It's a fun one too!

[Nancy from NJ]

Becky - where can I see the 50 point task?

[Becky, Moddess]

I added it to the first post in the thread (the task list), in the 50.1 position.

[Nancy from NJ]

Thanks Becky.

I am becoming familiar with the tasks, etc.

On the 100 point task, I see you have to read 5 books - 3 must be HF. Must you use books that are GR recommendations only - I think so - but wanted to chewck with you.

[Becky, Moddess]

Nancy, see below:

100 - Shay's Task: Read 5 books recommended by Goodreads.
- Three (3) books must be historical fiction. Go to the Recommendations link (at the top of the GR page) and click on it. Read a book that's listed on your recommendations page.
These 3 HF books must be found using the Recommendations section.

- Alternatively, every GR book page has a section called "Readers Also Enjoyed". Search for a book you rated 4 or 5 stars and go to the "Readers Also Enjoyed" section (about the middle of the page on the right side) and read one of the suggested books.
These must be found using the "Readers Also Enjoyed" section of a book that you've already rated 4 or 5 stars.

- When you're done with all five books, rate GR recommends by letting us know how many ( 1/5, 3/5, etc.) books recommended by GR you rated as 4 or 5 star books.

[Nancy from NJ]

OK - I guess reading this twice, makes me understand it.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

okay for 15.3 I was thinking of using Around the World in Eighty Days. Would it be considered a HF for this challenge? The original publication date is 1873.

[JC]

Holly P wrote: "Another resource for author recommendations is www.fantasticfiction.co.uk

On lots of the pages after it lists all the authors books it will have some recommended by the author."

This is a spectacular website! I'm bookmarking it for future reference. Thanks for the tip!

[Becky, Moddess]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "okay for 15.3 I was thinking of using Around the World in Eighty Days. Would it be considered a HF for this challenge? The original publication date is 1873."

I don't know what the setting is - if it's 50 years before 1873, then it will count.

[Shay]

Becky wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "okay for 15.3 I was thinking of using Around the World in Eighty Days. Would it be considered a HF for this challenge? The original publication date is 1873."

I don..."

I don't think it could have been 50 years before. I believe the first hot air ballon flight was in the 1870's.

[Shay]

To update regarding Around the World in Eighty Days, the novel opens: Mr. Phileas Fogg lived, in 1872, at No. 7, Saville Row, Burlington Gardens, the house in which Sheridan died in 1814.

So, I guess the novel starts in the year 1872.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

So it wouldn't count since it was first published in 1873.

[Shay]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "So it wouldn't count since it was first published in 1873."

No, I don't think so. But I think you're on the right track. I'm looking at nautical/sailing type books. I was thinking of We, the Drowned for that reason. Also books about the Crusades, since they obviously went by land (not planes) they would have had to cross quite a few countries to get to the Holy Land, right? I think there are a few Listopia lists with sailing type books and about the Crusades. It's just a matter, I guess, of trying to figure out from the description how many countries the book is actually set in.

I was also thinking of using Lady of the English. It's about Maude, so you know she's got to wind up in England and France eventually. And the book starts off in Germany. So, I'm pretty sure this will work. (Especially since there are maps showing France, Belgium, and England)

[Nancy from NJ]

I don't recall seeing anything about the date these books have to be written or what dates thery need to take place. Are there specific dates?

[Shay]

Nancy wrote: "I don't recall seeing anything about the date these books have to be written or what dates thery need to take place. Are there specific dates?"

There are a lot of definitions of what historical fiction is in terms of time of publication and actual events portrayed. Currently, the group is going with a 50 year difference between events and time of publication. I think that if the bulk of the novel takes place 50+ years, then it's okay if some of the novel is less than 50 years.

[Nancy from NJ]

Thanks so much Shay-I'm new to this and as I told my students there are no dumb questions --- until mine.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

So say if you read Phantom of the Opera and it takes place in 1870 and it is written in 1911 would that qualify as HF?

[Becky, Moddess]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "So say if you read Phantom of the Opera and it takes place in 1870 and it is written in 1911 would that qualify as HF?"

No, because that would only be 41 years. It wouldn't meet the 50 year rule.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

That's what I thought

[Nancy from NJ]

Becky wrote: "Participants may join at any time during the challenge. All points must be reported by 11:59pm EST on November 30, 2011 to be counted.

Tasks can be completed in any order and it is not required to..."

Would it be possible for somebody to post how to score a book. I'm not quite sure and since I expect to finish my first book with a 5 point value, I'm not sure how to score this. The book I rad is The Kidnapping of Aaron Greene which is not a histroical fiction book.

[Rachel]

Nancy wrote: "Would it be possible for somebody to post how to score a book. I'm not quite sure and since I expect to finish my first book with a 5 point value, I'm not sure how to score this. The book I rad is The Kidnapping of Aaron Greene which is not a histroical fiction book."

Here's how I would post my score:

5.3 - Expand Your Vocabulary! Read a book with a word in the title that you wouldn't use in everyday speech. (or whichever task you did!)
The Kidnapping of Aaron Greene
434 pages = 4 points
Task points = 9

[April]

Have fun with this one. I will not be participating because I have so many I really want to read and really none of my first 20 to reads fit.

See you all in Jan

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

Would Juliet work for 15.3? Part of it takes place n 1340 and part of it in modern times. Plus the main character travels to Italy.

[Nancy from NJ]

Ok - I think I've got it. But one never knows does one. LOL

Thanks for being so patient with me. I'd rather ask now and not make mistakes.

[Shay]

Nancy wrote: "Ok - I think I've got it. But one never knows does one. LOL

Thanks for being so patient with me. I'd rather ask now and not make mistakes."

Just make sure to use/link to the default edition of the book. Which may or may not be the one you are actually reading. The default edition is the one that comes up (first) when you hit the "add book/author link".

Also, if you look through the threads for the older challenges, you'll get a better understanding of how things are posted and scored.
Link to previous challenge:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

[Jackie]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Would Juliet work for 15.3? Part of it takes place n 1340 and part of it in modern times. Plus the main character travels to Italy."

Yes. Not because of the main character though but some other characters end up traveling out of Italy and their time period can be considered HF as well.

[Nancy from NJ]

Shay wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Ok - I think I've got it. But one never knows does one. LOL

Thanks for being so patient with me. I'd rather ask now and not make mistakes."

Just make sure to use/link to the d..."

Thanks for asll of the information you've given me. I was at the library earlier today and borrowed some books (I also have some here) which I think will fit the bill.

[Nancy from NJ]

I thought this website would be useful to some of the members here. I have used it several times.


http://www.historicalnovels.info/

[Cheryl A]

Quick, but odd, question. Do alternative history novels count as historical fiction?

Signed,

Falling in love with steampunk...

[Jackie]

LOL. Not for this challenge, but you can use them for the any genre tasks.

[Shay]

Jackie wrote: "LOL. Not for this challenge, but you can use them for the any genre tasks."

Not even for task 50.1, the last option: D. There is no rational explaination - Read a Paranormal HF

[Nancy from NJ]

Ok - as Eliza Doolittle said - I think I've got it but have two last(I hope)questions.

Q1. For 50.1, it saays to read an HF book which is over 400 pages. Can this be any book or one with a mystery theme?

Q2. For the 100 point challenge, do we score each book individually or wait until we've finished all five books? Do we add 1 point for each of the three HF books as we did for other reads?

Thanks - I'm really excited about this challenge and actually reading a book which one of my favorite authors suggested so almost one down - more to go.

[Becky, Moddess]

50.1 can be any genre, but just needs to have the qualifier mentioned: pre-2000, doctor, etc. Except the paranormal one - that would have to be that specific genre.

100 You will score this one differently (sorry for not mentioning before). When you complete ALL FIVE books, you'll get the 100 points for the task. Each book will earn bonus and HF points depending on the book.

No points will be awarded at all until all 5 books are completed. (No points for partially completed tasks.)

For example:
100 - Task description that's way too long to type out right now. ;)
HF Book 1 - 394 pages - 4 bonus points + 1 HF point
Book 2 - 204 pages - 2 bonus points
Book 3 - 259 pages - 2 bonus points
HF Book 4 - 550 pages - 6 bonus points + 1 HF point
HF Book 5 - 333 pages - 4 bonus points + 1 HF point

So the total would be 100 + all bonuses + all HF points = 121 points total for my example.

Make sense?

[Becky, Moddess]

50.1 can be any genre, but just needs to have the qualifier mentioned: pre-2000, doctor, etc. Except the paranormal one - that would have to be that specific genre.

100 You will score this one differently (sorry for not mentioning before). When you complete ALL FIVE books, you'll get the 100 points for the task. Each book will earn bonus and HF points depending on the book.

No points will be awarded at all until all 5 books are completed. (No points for partially completed tasks.)

For example:
100 - Task description that's way too long to type out right now. ;)
HF Book 1 - 394 pages - 4 bonus points + 1 HF point
Book 2 - 204 pages - 2 bonus points
Book 3 - 259 pages - 2 bonus points
HF Book 4 - 550 pages - 6 bonus points + 1 HF point
HF Book 5 - 333 pages - 4 bonus points + 1 HF point

So the total would be 100 + all bonuses + all HF points = 121 points total for my example.

Make sense?

[Nancy from NJ]

Becky wrote: "50.1 can be any genre, but just needs to have the qualifier mentioned: pre-2000, doctor, etc. Except the paranormal one - that would have to be that specific genre.

100 You will score this one di..."

It certainly does make sense.

[Nancy from NJ]

Wow - I now think I can relax since it all makes sense to me until I won't know something. Must thank you but wonder how long did it take you to come up with this whole challenge idea. I am so impressed with it. Did it evolve over time? Did you do something like this before and what kind of work did you or do you do? I'm wondering if there's any connection.

I hope I an not too much of a PITA. This sort of thing really motivates me to read and especially HF which is my favorite genre.

[Jackie]

We've been doing the challenge since last year and it's sort of evolved with the help of feedback from our members. For example, last year we did 2-3 month challenges back to back. Some of our participants told us they wanted a break to read books that didn't fit the challenge and others told us that they still wanted a challenge...so we came up with the one month mini-challenge which allows members to read whatever they want but still get points.

Most of the tasks come from our suggestion thread and with the help of previous winners who each get to create a task...all in all it's an easy challenge to put together. Heather, Becky and I each take turns, look it over and then post it. Simple really :)

Glad you like it. :)

[Becky, Moddess]

For me, there's unfortunately no connection between the challenge and my job (except when I check in from work when I shouldn't... :P). I work in the travel industry, specifically managing hotel chain operations (making sure rates, promotions, information is correct etc) for an online travel agency that shall remain nameless. ;)

I wish someone would pay me to make fun challenges like this. But I'd need hazard pay to score them! LOL I'm still recovering from scoring the last one. hahaha...

[Nancy from NJ]

Thanks Becky - I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I think you are unbelievable and perhaps shoud seek some employment to do this without the stress. That goes for Jackie and Heather as well.

[Shay]

5.3- Expand Your Vocabulary! Read a book with a word in the title that you wouldn't use in everyday speech. (Examples: triptych, templar, amulet, bouganvillia, boogaloo, caliphate, caribee, corsair, cotillion, etc.)

Any of these okay? I'm going to just list the books in case anyone is looking for something to read for this task:

The Concubine by Norah Lofts
The Devil's Diadem by Sara Douglass
The Lute Player by Norah Lofts
People of the Longhouse by W. Michael Gear

Not that a word like Longhouse is obscure, but it's not something you use in daily life. Or at least I don't.

[Diane S ☔]

When will the other 50 pt. challenge be posted?

[Jackie]

Shay, I think all of those would be fine.


Diane, we are waiting on Kiri.

[Kiri]

Heather wrote: "Hey guys, my fault Kiri's task hasn't been posted yet. I got confused on how we were going to handle her task. I'll get with her ASAP so we can get that task posted. Sorry for the delay!"

Good I've been wondering for days! :D

[Becky, Moddess]

50.2 task has been added. :)

[JC]

Becky wrote: "50.2 task has been added. :)"

....and I already have a question about it. Can we read ANY HF on this list? Some of the books aren't big fat books - for instance I found Snow Flower and the Secret Fan on just page 3 and it's only 258 pages. Is there a page minimum, like with the other 50 pt. task?

[Becky, Moddess]

O_o

I'll ask, Jen. LOL

[Shay]

JenC. wrote: "Becky wrote: "50.2 task has been added. :)"

....and I already have a question about it. Can we read ANY HF on this list? Some of the books aren't big fat books - for instance I found [book:Sno..."


If you look at the list's description, the list was meant for 500+ page books. But, unless it's a GR created list, I believe, anyone can add books. I don't know if I would take the "risk" of reading a book under 500 pages from the list as, at any time, a GR librarian can prune it out of the list. (Delete it)

[Becky, Moddess]

Yep, Holly confirmed the 500 page minimum as intended for the shelf.

Thank you, too, Shay! :)

[JC]

good to know, thanks for the quick response!

[Christina]

For Task 50.2, Would the Poisonwood Bible qualify as a Historical Fiction book? I know this group has defined historical fiction as a book written about something (fiction) that has occurred 50 years previously. According to the synopsis the Poisonwood Bible takes place in the late 50's. Does this squeak in or should I find another book?