The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

The Spring Challenge 2013 will begin on March 1, 2013 and will end at midnight (EST) on May 31, 2013. If you have a general question about the Spring 2013 Challenge, please ask here.

Getting Started, SRC Explained, The Rules, Posting Requirements, and GR Authors and Big Books may answer some questions about the challenge process and where things are located in the group discussions.

Where are the help threads for the five,ten and fifteen point tasks?

In this same folder: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

You can reorganize the topics by clicking on the "topics" heading to sort them up or down

LOL, I never knew you could do that! You learn something new every day. :)

Thanks---I was looking for the Help Thread under each task name---did not realize that I could find the whole folder.

When all the tasks are finished and finalized in what thread/post do we find the total number of points for this challenge? I remember I had trouble finding it for the last challenge LOL

♥Robin ♥ wrote: "When all the tasks are finished and finalized in what thread/post do we find the total number of points for this challenge? I remember I had trouble finding it for the last challenge LOL"

Under the same folder as you find the thread where you post your tasks, there's one that should say 'Spring Challenge 2013 Readerboard', or 'Winter Challenger 2012/13 Readerboard' if that's the one you're after. :)

♥Robin ♥ wrote: "When all the tasks are finished and finalized in what thread/post do we find the total number of points for this challenge? I remember I had trouble finding it for the last challenge LOL"

There will be 870 points in the Spring Challenge:
10 X 5 (50) + 10 X 10 (100) + 10 X 15 (150) + 10 X 20 (200) + 8 X 25 (200) + 4 X 30 (120) + 50 = 870.

The "base amount" is always 550, since there are 10 each of the 5, 10, 15 and 20 pointers, and 1 50 pointer. The 25 and 30 pointers are where the variation comes in!

♥Robin ♥ wrote: "When all the tasks are finished and finalized in what thread/post do we find the total number of points for this challenge? I remember I had trouble finding it for the last challenge LOL"

lol oops totally misread what you were asking. Clearly was too early for me

Sandy wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "When all the tasks are finished and finalized in what thread/post do we find the total number of points for this challenge? I remember I had trouble finding it for the last challen..."

Thanks Sandy!! I didn't even think about the "base amount" lol I was just to eager to get to planning, reading and posting my books ☺

LOL Katrina!!! Thanks though for trying to help ☺

I'm a bit confused! If the tasks are still in draft form until March 12th, what happens if we post before then, based on that draft, and then the task changes? I notice there are several postings already of completed tasks. Do we not get those points if the task changes after we've posted?
thanks!

Bekka wrote: "I'm a bit confused! If the tasks are still in draft form until March 12th, what happens if we post before then, based on that draft, and then the task changes? I notice there are several postings ..."

I was wondering about that too Bekka.

♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Bekka wrote: "I'm a bit confused! If the tasks are still in draft form until March 12th, what happens if we post before then, based on that draft, and then the task changes? I notice there are sev..."

Thanks, Robin! I'm glad I'm not alone! hehe

Bekka and Robin, your posts count based on the task at the time of posting. And, when the mods talk about the task being finalized by March 12, that means any changes to clarify the spirit of the task is made, not that the task itself changes.

♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Thanks Sandy!! I didn't even think about the "base amount" lol I was just to eager to get to planning, reading and posting my books ☺ ."

It took me a couple challenges before I even thought of that! Math is somewhat mysterious to me, LOL - thank heaven for spreadsheets that do the calculations for me - fortunately, my husband is a whiz at spreadsheets and sets them up for me to do whatever I need done.

Bea wrote: "Bekka and Robin, your posts count based on the task at the time of posting. And, when the mods talk about the task being finalized by March 12, that means any changes to clarify the spirit of the ..."

Exactly. Often there are things that none of us notice until the task has been "released into the wild" for awhile and we see something that needs to be clarified. Sometimes it might mean that a loophole is closed or something additional might need to be mentioned in your post.

So, any posts before the 12th are fine, but it's a really good idea to re-read the task after that point. You may find that you can now use a book that you thought wouldn't work!

Also, as the readerboard mod this season, I'll put in a plug here - PLEASE read through the task one more time right before you post, to make sure you've included all the "requireds" in your post.

The Spring Challenge will be my first challenge, and I'm really loving the idea of reading things outside my comfort zone :-)
I was only wondering - couldn't find the answer to it anywhere else, but might have missed it - if it's allowed to read books in other languages than English as well?
As I'm from Holland I tend to read a lot of books in Dutch, as well as English ones.
And if I read a 'Dutch' book, should I post the title in English, if there is one?

Kim wrote: "The Spring Challenge will be my first challenge, and I'm really loving the idea of reading things outside my comfort zone :-)
I was only wondering - couldn't find the answer to it anywhere else, b..."

You certainly can read books in other languages. From the Rules of the Challenge:
2. Books in languages other than English may be used. Please provide information on the book and/or title to your English speaking moderators so they can understand how the books fit the tasks. Any task requiring a specific title (number of letters, number of words, specific word in title, etc.) should apply to the title that you use.

Sandy wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Thanks Sandy!! I didn't even think about the "base amount" lol I was just to eager to get to planning, reading and posting my books ☺ ."

It took me a couple challenges before I ev..."

AAAACCCKKKK...**sighs** me and spreadsheets just don't get along LOL I can do really simple ones on Excel like to make a list of books only...if there is a magical formula involved...Well FORGET IT!!! ☺

Sandy wrote: "Bea wrote: "Bekka and Robin, your posts count based on the task at the time of posting. And, when the mods talk about the task being finalized by March 12, that means any changes to clarify the sp..."

OK got it!!! I always try to double check one last time but sometimes I still seem to miss something. Thanks a bunch ☺

Bea wrote: "Bekka and Robin, your posts count based on the task at the time of posting. And, when the mods talk about the task being finalized by March 12, that means any changes to clarify the spirit of the ..."

Thanks Bea!!!!

oh I love doing formulas in excel - I used to be able to use it to figure out on the ship what time we needed to leave a place and what speed we needed to go to get a certain place at a certain time...yes, I was that much of a dork!

I'm wondering if Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and A Taste of Blackberries by Doris Buchanan Smith would work for the 5 point tasks. For the most part I understand what "younger reader" books are but I'm not sure about those two. We are allowed 1 book between 80-100 pages for one 5 point task, right?

Lorna wrote: "I'm wondering if Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and A Taste of Blackberries by Doris Buchanan Smith would work for the 5 point tasks. For the most part I understand what "younger reader" books are b..."

While these books are certainly meant for elementary school children, they don't fall into the easy reader or transitional categories, so you can use them for lower point tasks. One book 80-100 pages may be used for a 5 point task.

Thanks for the clarification. That helps!

Sandy wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "When all the tasks are finished and finalized in what thread/post do we find the total number of points for this challenge? I remember I had trouble finding it for the last challen..."

Where does the +50 come from?

there is a 50 point task that will be released half-way though - it will be the person who has the highest score on the readerboard at that time (who doesn't already have a task out there)

Is there a ruling on books that are listed as both young adult and children's?

Specifically, I'm reading The Giver and it's sequels; the first three are all under 300 pages and have both YA and Children's listed on the book page.

The Giver - 4310 YA / 589 Children's
Gathering Blue - 1039 YA / 121 Children's
Messenger - 740 YA / 68 Children's

I know I can use them for 5, 10 and 15 point tasks - but I like to have options to move things around, so I'm wondering if they'd work for 20+ tasks as well.

Vicky, we have a new rule for that circumstance.

5. Books with the genre "childrens" or "kids" that are between 100 and 299 pages may only be used for 5, 10, and 15 point tasks unless they are excluded by Rule 4. Books with the genre “childrens” or "kids" on their main page may ONLY be used for tasks above 15 points IF they are at least 300 pages long.

YA is not the determiner; it the "childrens"" that decides whether or not it can be used above the 15 point task limit.

I need some friends with 5 star reviews for 5.8 cinco de mayo. I'm currently a loner :-( lol

Post over in Looking for GR Friends

And you can see others who are open to friend requests

I read the book The Penny Whistle byB.J. Hoff for Task 5.6. The only edition that is listed here on GR is for the large print edition and it has the same ISBN as my copy which isn't large print. So, I ran by the library to see if they had a copy of the book and they did....the same one I have,same ISBN, and it was not shelved with the "Large Print" collection. Can I still use this book for this task even though the only version here on GR is the LP edition?

it could be a bad book inport - I just looked at the log and it was updated automatically via the ingrams feed

Dee wrote: "it could be a bad book inport - I just looked at the log and it was updated automatically via the ingrams feed"

The book was originally published in 1996 and IDK what the large print edition "type/font" was back then but it certainly isn't what large print is now (which is why I say this book isn't large print)....I can't find any other editions of this book (besides a hardcover large print) after searching other sources. So I thought I had better ask before using this book ☺

I would like more clarification on the new "Children's" book rule. I have several books that have Young Adult, Children's, Children's>Middle Grade (which I wouldn't consider a "Children's" book) and Young Adult>Teen all on the book's "Home" page. Are all books that have Children's listed as a genre going to be included in this category no matter what other genres are listed?

Lori wrote: "I would like more clarification on the new "Children's" book rule. I have several books that have Young Adult, Children's, Children's>Middle Grade (which I wouldn't consider a "Children's" book) a..."

Yes, if "Children's" is on the main page the book may be used for 5-15 point tasks or higher point tasks that have the expansion note that includes Children's genre books <300 pg

If a book with genre "Children's" has 300+ pages it may be used for any task it fits

Just a question about library books. Like most people here i borrow a lot of the challenge books from the library. I don't generally go to the library and browse, i jump on line and just use their "hold" system so i'm borrowing based on title, not version of the book.

So my question is, what happens when i've ordered a book because based on my TBR list it had a polar bear on the cover, but the version i get from the library has an iceberg instead. My library doesn't have an option to request "blue cover with polar bear please".

It happened today but it was no big deal as the book worked for another task anyway. What do other people do? I can't be the first person this has happened to.

My library system usually shows the cover, so I kinda know ahead of time. However when a book has been borrowed from another library, I sometimes get a surprise. If I can't use it based on the cover, I sometimes have to change books.

Nikki wrote: "Just a question about library books. Like most people here i borrow a lot of the challenge books from the library. I don't generally go to the library and browse, i jump on line and just use their ..."

This is why cover picture options drive me crazy!
When you access your library's catalog, does it show pictures of the cover of the book you're looking for? (Mine does for most books, but some of the older ones don't have cover photos available.) And sometimes the library's copy has lost the dust jacket or been rebound.
Some library catalogs can be searched by ISBN numbers which should get you the cover you want--if they own a copy.

No, no photos and not even whether its a hardback or paperback. Isbn's are listed, but there will be say 20 copies available at all the different libraries throughout the state, some with different ISbn's and i'll have no idea or choice as to which book i'll get.

I have that problem too. Although my library catalog sometimes includes covers it still doesn't mean that that is the cover you end up with. So I avoid cover options when possible. Every time I go to the library I check the covers of all the books on display to see if they fit any of the cover tasks. Hopefully with the constantly changing displays I find something that fits by the end of the challenge.

I love the cover option tasks. For these tasks, I generally use books I own, are on my kindle, ebooks borrowed from the library because I can see the cover right then and there for that version OR I go to the library and see what edition of a book they have. But since I'm avoiding the library right now, I'm just using books I own/kindle books/ebooks saved on my computer for these tasks.

Two questions : Where do I find an alphabetical list of Goodreads authors? How can I find my average rating? I followed instructions to my profile page but no luck.

Sharon wrote: "Two questions : Where do I find an alphabetical list of Goodreads authors? How can I find my average rating? I followed instructions to my profile page but no luck."

Do you want a list of all authors who are goodreads authors? I don't think there is one, or not one I've seen. The only way I really know is that in your tbr list there's an asterisk next to all goodreads authors names if you want to know which authors you like to read are also goodreads authors.

For average rating, go to your profile, and look under where your picture would be (if you had one) and at the moment it says '244 ratings (4.01 avg)'. Hope that helps!

Katrina, thanks. I am new at this. What ia a tbr list and how do I find it. I went to my profile and didn't. see the average.

Sharon wrote: "Katrina, thanks. I am new at this. What ia a tbr list and how do I find it. I went to my profile and didn't. see the average."
tbr is your to-read shelf. The average is under the photo, at your profile page

Sharon, at the top of this page, click on HOME. That will take you to your home page for GR. On that page on the right side is a section called MY PROFILE. The first item in the list of that section is "profile". When you click on that, it takes you to your profile page.

TBR stands for To Be Read. This is the GR created list of books that you want to read. You can get to your lists by clicking on MY BOOKS at the top of this or any page. Some of us also have stacks of books at home "to be read". Those are also TBRs.

I hope this helps.

Guys, thanks for the help but..
I still don 't see my average rating on My Profile page and none of the authors in my tbr list have a Goodreads Author notation even though I know that some are. Could it be due to the fact that I am using a Kindle Fire?