Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Reading Challenge 13 is in its final weeks. I know those who participate in challenges really like them. Last time, it was suggested that our next challenge be to read books from the 50 American states. Do we like that idea? Are there other thoughts?

BTW, if you're thinking this would be impossible, Angela has already started some awesome lists by state: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

Liking that idea, or what about a year of books where we choose a specific year (ie. 2012) and all the books have to have been first published in that year.

I like the idea of the year challenge! I don't really like the state challenge mainly because I am Canadian lol but I wouldn't mind it if you we could include some Canadian Province's in the challenge as well!

Kari wrote: "Liking that idea, or what about a year of books where we choose a specific year (ie. 2012) and all the books have to have been first published in that year."


Would there be other requirements as well, like our old challenges? IE: It's Halloween so read a scary book that was published in year X.

That could add a twist. Though as I get almost all of my books from the library, I'd like to request that we go back a few years.

Kristen wrote: "I like the idea of the year challenge! I don't really like the state challenge mainly because I am Canadian lol but I wouldn't mind it if you we could include some Canadian Province's in the challe..."


We could set a number, say 30, and people have to read books set in different real life places, states, provinces, countries, etc...

I just found an option that would be totally different. Use an internet random word generator (like: http://www.watchout4snakes.com/Creati...) and the words it picks has to be in your title. On the honor system, you gain points for using the words it creates, but lose points if you have to skip a word. for example, my first word was "question", I'm sure I could find a book for that, but my second word was "baffle", not too sure about that one.

Jennifer W wrote: "Kari wrote: "Liking that idea, or what about a year of books where we choose a specific year (ie. 2012) and all the books have to have been first published in that year."


Would there be other req..."

I agree with that. I think there should be the special requirements to whatever we choose to do. (All my books come from the library too, so I understand the request to go back a year or two)

Or maybe we get extra points for books that were published in the month we are reading in as well. ie. if we choose to read books from 2010 and you are reading a book in December that was published in Dec 2010 you would get extra points.

I like the holiday extras as well since our last 3 months have big holidays in them (US anyway) - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Xmas&Hanukkah.

Maybe we could do a decade challenge? So within that decade that the book was published we could find various genres, characters, etc?

Or a strictly genre challenge and we could expand our genres?

We could do a variation or mix of both a year challenge and a decade challenge where say we start in 2000 and have to try and read one book from each year up until 2012 or make it go back as far as we want!

I like the genre challenge. I could definitely come up with an extensive list of genres- I'll work on it now.

Graphic Novel
Short Story
Poetry Collection
Novel in Verse
Dystopian
Post-Apocalyptic or Apocalyptic
Sci-Fi (Not dystopian, apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic)
Classic
LBGT
Manga
Sports Fiction
Informational Nonfiction
Traditional Literature
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction/Contemporary
Action/Adventure
Horror
Mystery
Humor
Magical/Fantasical Realism
Steampunk
Romance
Multi-cultural
Drama
Biography/Autobiography
Epic/High Fantasy
Paranormal Fantasy
Fantasy (Not High or Paranormal)

And that is just off the top of my head ;)

Whatever the challenge style, I like when we give extra points for posting about our reads, or points for reading off another member's shelves. I think that encourages us to mingle with each other and keeps our topics fresh too.

Also extra points for doing the monthly challenges and group reads. :)

Kristen wrote: "Also extra points for doing the monthly challenges and group reads. :)"

Yes, I totally agree!

Angela Sunshine wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Also extra points for doing the monthly challenges and group reads. :)"

Yes, I totally agree!"

Yes and Yes!!!!!!

So does anyone want to take charge? It appears we don't have strong opinions about what our challenge looks like, as long as it encourages participation in other areas of the group. So... whoever wants to run it, can set it up as they like.

I'm really sorry, I wish I could, but I am part of an award committee that goes from October-June and it takes SO much of my time.
Anyone else interested in hosting the challenge?

I'm not able to either this time, we're regrouping at work and I'm working crazy long hours!!

All right, at the risk of doing something I'm going to wind up pulling my hair out over... here's what I've come up with:

Different Genres, different years

General Rules

1. The Challenge begins at 12:00 A.M. local time on October 1, 2012 and ends at 11:59 P.M. local time on December 31 2012.
2. This Challenge is just for fun, so make sure you enjoy yourself and all the books you will be reading!
3. All books must be classified as Young Adult or Juvenile Fiction, unless otherwise noted in the task. If you local library classifies the book you chose as such, then the book may be included.
4. All books must be at least 100 pages long to count for any of the tasks, unless otherwise noted in the task.
5. Re-reads count, unless otherwise noted in the task.
6. Audio books and electronic books (unabridged), such as Kindle, all count for this Challenge. Page counts will be according to the Good Reads page count.

Genre/Year challenge

1. Read YA/J books from the genres listed below. You can decide which genre you would classify the book as, within reason (ie: you can get away with To Kill a Mockingbird as being a classic, multicultural, or realistic, but it's clearly not a novel in verse)
2. Each book must have been *first* published in different years.
3. You may NOT repeat genres or years until you have read a book from each of the genres listed. At that time, you may reuse whatever you like. All point values will remain the same if you get to the point of reusing genres.

Genres

Graphic Novel
Short Story
Poetry Collection
Novel in Verse
Dystopian
Post-Apocalyptic or Apocalyptic
Sci-Fi (Not dystopian, apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic)
Classic
LBGT
Manga
Sports Fiction
Informational Nonfiction
Traditional Literature
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction/Contemporary
Action/Adventure
Horror
Mystery
Humor
Magical/Fantasical Realism
Steampunk
Romance
Multi-cultural
Drama
Biography/Autobiography
Epic/High Fantasy
Paranormal Fantasy
Fantasy (Not High or Paranormal)

Points

1. Each correctly posted book (see below) is worth 10 points
2. If a book is a current group read, AND you post in the group read thread, 10 points
3. If the book is a former group read, AND you post in the old thread, 5 points
4. If the book meets Kellee's current monthly challenge AND you post in the current thread, 10 points
5. If the book meets Kellee's previous monthly challenge (that you have not earned points for previously) AND you post in the old thread, 5 points
6. If you create or contribute to any other thread, 10 points

On Your Honor

1. I am too busy to check each post for accuracy. What you post, I'm going to believe, unless it's pretty obviously incorrect. This goes for your math, too!
2. If I do find a glaring inconsistency, I'll point it out. Please don't fix the original post (well, you can if your posting OCD demands it of you), because I'm not going to go back and check. Please repost info in a new post so I can keep moving forward instead of jumping back and forth.

Posting

Please post using the following format:

Book Title and Author (linked is super helpful)
Genre:
Year first published:
Any bonus points- please list:
New points for this book:
Total points for all books:

Genres used*:
Years used*:
*once you've completed all genres, you no longer need to do these sections

Example:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Genre: Classic
Year: 1960
Bonus points: Previous group read, posted in thread
New points: 15
Total points: 15

Genres used: classic
Years used: 1960

If you need to change a genre, you may do so. Please follow this format:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
REMOVE Genre: Classic
ADD Genre: Realistic
Year: 1960
Bonus points: Previous group read, posted in thread

New points: 0
Total points: 15

Genres used: Realistic
Years used: 1960

Like it!!!

Yay Jennifer!!

I'm glad you like it. Does it make sense? I can get rambly at times when I'm trying to explain things... :)

Jennifer W wrote: "I'm glad you like it. Does it make sense? I can get rambly at times when I'm trying to explain things... :)"

I'll reread it tomorrow and see if it still makes sense :)

Jennifer W wrote: "I'm glad you like it. Does it make sense? I can get rambly at times when I'm trying to explain things... :)"

The only thing that maybe needs clarifying is that you can't reuse a genre OR a year until all genres have been used. (If I am reading it correctly, if not, then definitely clarify! :))

You are correct, Angela. I rephrased rule #3 to hopefully clarify that point. Let me know if I need to clarify it further.

Question- so, if I read a book that has a duplicate genre but a different date, I can't get points for it because of the duplicate genre (unless I've used all genres)? Just clarifying :)

You'd have to pick a different genre (so Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone could be fantasy while Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire could be adventure), or claim it after you've read all the other genres. I'm trying to get people to expand their reading choices. ;)

Kellee wrote: "Question- so, if I read a book that has a duplicate genre but a different date, I can't get points for it because of the duplicate genre (unless I've used all genres)? Just clarifying :)"

Yes, you have to go through all of the genres before you can repeat one, whether or not the date is different.

I'm just getting confused about how the date comes in...

You have to pick a book that is both a different genre and a different publication year. Once you've read 28 books (1 for each genre listed), then you may repeat genres and publication years.

So if I read a fantasy written in 2002, I can't read a realistic fiction book written in 2002. And I can't read a fantasy book written in 1998. Until I do all the dates/genres.

Correct.

AH!!!! Got it :)

Are there any other points that need clarifying? Scarily, October is just a couple of days away!

Jennifer W wrote: "Are there any other points that need clarifying? Scarily, October is just a couple of days away!"

I know! September was quick!

New genre- Contemporary Historical Fiction: a novel that takes place in modern times but is centered around a contemporary historic event :)

Can you define epic/high fantasy, magical/fantastical realism, and traditional literature?

Here's my reading plan... I can guarantee I'm not going to be reading a Poetry Collection or Informational Nonfiction book, so I won't even bother picking them!

POST-APOC/APOCALYPTIC 2012 FLESH & BONE JONATHAN MABERRY
PARANORMAL FANTASY 2011 THE SPACE BETWEEN BRENNA YOVANOFF
STEAMPUNK 2010 BEHEMOTH SCOTT WESTERFELD
SHORT STORY 2009 GEEKTASTIC HOLLY BLACK
REALISTIC FICTION 2008 EVERY SOUL A STAR WENDY MASS
NOVEL IN VERSE 2007 HEAVEN LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE MALL WENDY MASS
MYSTERY 2006 WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE GAIL GILES
MANGA 2005 LAST HOPE VOL. 1 MICHAEL DIGNAN
DRAMA 2004 THINGS CHANGE PATRICK JONES
ACTION 2003GREGOR THE OVERLANDER SUZANNE COLLINS
DYSTOPIAN 2002 THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION NANCY FARMER
GRAPHIC NOVEL 2001 PERSEPOLIS 2 MARJANE SATRAPI
HUMOR 2000 DEFINE NORMAL JULIE ANNE PETERS
BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIO 1998 THANKS TO MY MOTHER SCHOSCHANA RABINOVICI
SPORTS FICTION 1997 TANGERINE EDWARD BLOOR
LGBT 1995 BABY BE-BOP FRANCESCA LIA BLOCK
TRADITIONAL LITERATURE 1993 DEERSKIN ROBIN MCKINLEY
MAGICAL REALISM 1992 ELSEWHERE WILL SHETTERLY
INFORMATIONAL 1991 THE HOLOCAUST ABRAHAM RESNICK
ROMANCE 1990 THE SILVER KISS ANNETTE CURTIS KLAUSE
EPIC/HIGH FANTASY 1982 THE BLUE SWORD ROBIN MCKINLEY
MULTI-CULTURAL 1977 DRAGONWINGS LAURENCE YEP
FANTASY 1971 MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH ROBERT O'BRIEN
POETRY 1964 FINAL HARVEST EMILY DICKINSON
HORROR 1962 SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES RAY BRADBURY
CLASSIC 1951 THE DEFENDER NICHOLAS KALASHNIKOFF
HISTORICAL 1927 DOWNRIGHT DENCEY CAROLINE DALE SNEDEKER
SCI-FI 1897 THE INVISIBLE MAN H.G. WELLS

Angela Sunshine wrote: "Can you define epic/high fantasy, magical/fantastical realism, and traditional literature?"

Of course :)
High fantasy takes place in an invented world http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fan...

Magical/fantastical realism is a story that is mostly real, but may have elements of magic or fantasy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_...

Traditional literature is all encompassing of stories that started as oral tradition- myths, fables, legends, fairy tales, etc.

Thanks Kellee. I didn't really know, myself!

Also, I'd rather not add new genres, it may confuse things.

Jennifer W wrote: "Thanks Kellee. I didn't really know, myself!

Also, I'd rather not add new genres, it may confuse things."

Up to you. Just was trying to give readers more of a variety :)