SA Book & Challenge Lovers discussion

A catch-all thread for any questions or suggestions you have for the Game of Thrones challenge

Thanks I forgot to set one up.

it was an act of necessity :) I just want to clarify a few things about some of the tasks, and beg for mercy with others:

3. Does the character in the book you read only have to start out at the same age as the GoT character, or do they have to stay that age throughout the book? Eg. Arya starts at 9, but can the book I choose have a 9-year-old who grows to adulthood?
Any chance of leniency in this task? Nine is a very specific age and I'm worried about finding a book. How about an age range, eg. 5-10 or 7-11?

16. I have only read until book 3, and Arya isn't any any real kind of training yet. Can I use "no profession" as well? And in terms of "training to be an assassin" - do I need a book about someone who is also in training, or do professional assassins count too?

24. Chapter numbers are also very specific and harder to search for than character age - is it possible to get a range for this instead? eg. between 30 and 40 chapters.

For the book tasks: thanks so much for looking this up! I only have eBooks, and I might have given up on the challenge rather than count chapters (I don't think my copies all have a table of contents, so I'd have to scroll through the whole thing).
May I ask one more favour though? Can you state which titles apply to each? For example, you gave me green for one of Arya's books, but I don't know which one you mean.

No mercy! *evil grin*

Hihi, we'll see what your troubles are.
3) no the character has to be the same age at then beginning of the book. They can age but they have to be your character's age for some time.

16) Not reading the books is not an excuse. Besides that she has created her hit list in book 2 so you already know she wants to kill people. She is in training but it is fully expected she will finish that training before the end of the series so you may use a professional assassin.

24) Oh crap I forgot to add that. Yes I was planning to add a plus or minus 2 chapters. That would give you a range of 5 chapters. If that proves still to hard for people I will make that a broader range.

It was my pleasure. I had to look everything up anyway just to see if the task would be doable for everyone. That is why it took so long and I just couldn't type all the tasks on my blackberry.

I will give you the books I based it on and the titles in the tasks topic. I also meant to add that, but in all the excitement of my internet finally working and being able to put everything online I forgot to make the final adjustments I was still planning to do. Sorry!

Thanks! You're so dedicated. I would have never even have considered using the chapter stuff just because it's too much work. I'd have used something from the TV series instead.

Sorry to keep bugging you, but I might as well get these out of the way now:

3) And the age range option?

16) I forgot to ask - can I also use someone who is in training for a different profession?

7) Forgot to ask this too: 4 brothers and 1 sister is another tough one to find, and not the kind of family arrangement you often stumble across. Can I also use 5 siblings? Or someone with full and step-siblings? One illegitimate sibling?

8) I'm a bit confused about Arya's family stuff. For task 7 you listed her as having 4 brothers (including Jon Snow) but for 8 as the third child (excluding Jon Snow). Can I include/exclude Jon depending on which is more convenient?
And can I use youngest daughter too?

I haven't seen the series. I gave up watching after a couple of episodes because it just didn't hold up against the books. So I couldn't use those.

Counting the chapters wasn't that hard. It was a bit frustrating that after counting everything I found that all that stuff is available on the internet and I didn't have to count anything.

3) if more people have a problem with the age I might be willing to give a range, but you choose your character yourself. You should have choosen an older character. I told you be carefull and that your list would have an impact. Hey I have to read about a character who has two different colours for his eyes and hair. All thanks to Lu.

16) No, it has to be an assassin of some sort. Arya is training for assassin. But there are a lot of options in there. For example a sniper is also a sort of assassin, so is a suicide bomber. So think outside the box, try some of those loopholes we're all so fond off and think of your own loopholes. Don't make me think of them for you. :P

7) Nope, I said brothers and sisters if you were able to use siblings I would have said siblings. I didn't make the distinction of half brothers etc. The Stark children and Jon don't seem to make the distinction between half, bastard etc. only for inheritance sake and because other people make that distinction then. So as long as the people in the book don't make that distinction they may be whole, half, step and adopted brothers and sisters.

8) I have excluded Jon in task 8 because of the inheritance thing and how everyone else sees the Stark children in the books. While they all agree that Jon is their brother he has no place whatsoever in the birth order. So I left him out.
Let me think on youngest daughter and how that would impact the other readers.

I found the first season bit dull because it followed the book very closely, but now I'm liking the changes they've made. I love the books but there are lots of things I think the series does better.

3. Well, to be fair I had absolutely no clue what my choices might mean, so your warning could not make any difference unless I simply decided not to take the risk of participating.

16. Thanks, assassin shouldn't be too hard, just wanted to know my options.

7. So only 4 brothers and 1 sister? Damn, that's tough...

8. OK, cool. I don't quite agree on how/why Jon sometimes counts or doesn't, but I'll go with it for simplicity's sake.

3) That is true, but if you had known what your choices meant would you have chosen differently?

8) I know, it wasn't easy for me to figure this one out either. But I went for what the books told me. Most of the Stark children don't see any difference between Jon and their other siblings so they consider him their brother in every way that counts. So that is why he counts as a brother.

However he will never be able to rule Winterfell or inherit from his father because he is a bastard and so has no official place in the birth order and that is why I left him out. The birth order can have serious impact on a child's/person's life. Especially when that somehow means certain responsibilities. Like ruling a country later on in life or in richer families where the oldest son inherits, the second son goes into the army and the third son takes the cloth or in poorer families where the oldest daughter has to raise the younger children if their are a bunch of them or the oldest son not being able to go to school because he has to work to support the younger ones.

Ok, that makes sense, thanks :)

Oh, and I might have chosen differently because of things like the 4 brothers and 1 sister task, a 9-year old MC or the 33 chapters. Like if I had Joffrey, who was also on my list, it would be one brother and one sister, no chapters, and he's older.

Ok, so need recommendations and I'd prefer them to come from my 'allies'. Since I'm Arya that'd be Crusader (Bran) and Varla Fiona (Jon). Guys?

Hi. I'm also having trouble finding someone who is 33. I've searched every book I own but have come up with nothing. And age, especially a random one like 33 is not something you can get off a back cover.

I have found a 34 and a 35 so a little leeway would be great :D

John agrees with the whole keeping things in the family and asks his little siblings (Bran and Arya) for recommendations...

He will find something awesome for his little Needle worker!

Thanks! :) Will give it some thought as well.

Lauren wrote: "Ok, so need recommendations and I'd prefer them to come from my 'allies'. Since I'm Arya that'd be Crusader (Bran) and Varla Fiona (Jon). Guys?"

I'd suggest Feed.

I also need recommendations so I'll ask you and Varla for some. Make it good.

I'm also having difficulty in tracking down a book with a 7 year old I'd want to read. Could we get an age range. Something like +- 3 years?

Crusader wrote: "I'd suggest Feed."

That's already on my tbr list though; not sure if that counts? Although it will force me to read it within the year if I want to finish the challenge.

I recently requested an eARC that made me think of you, so I recommend The Martian by Andy Weir.

It was an indie book that has now been picked for mainstream publication next year. It might still be available on NetGalley. If you have trouble getting hold of it though I can recommend something else.

Oh, and Lauren F's question reminded me: does anyone have a recommendation for a book with a 9-year-old protagonist? Not forgetting that it will also have to be at least 150 pages long.

Lauren wrote: "Ok, so need recommendations and I'd prefer them to come from my 'allies'. Since I'm Arya that'd be Crusader (Bran) and Varla Fiona (Jon). Guys?"


Next It is one of my favourites from him. Genetics...

Lauren wrote: "Crusader wrote: "I'd suggest Feed."

That's already on my tbr list though; not sure if that counts? Although it will force me to read it within the year if I want to finish the challenge.
"

It didn't say it shouldn't be on your TBR list. If so it might be a problem since lots of our TBR books will overlap. Will see what Barbara says and think of alternates. I think I've been approved for The Martian, so that should be fine.

@Varla: Thanks! In return I recommend Oryx and Crake.

@Crusader: very true :) Although I'm a bit wary of this particular loophole and will wait to see if Barbara approves.

Lauren wrote: "@Crusader: very true :) Although I'm a bit wary of this particular loophole and will wait to see if Barbara approves."

Alternate would be The Explorer. Still need to read it myself but it got rave reviews.

Ooh, that sounds pretty good too.

Crusader wrote: "

I also need recommedations..."

Micro This is my favourite Crichton and I see you haven't read it although you have read others.

Lauren wrote: "@Varla: Thanks! In return I recommend Oryx and Crake.

Thanks. I don't know if I will squeeze it in this month although I will try (so I can use it in Monthlies).

I left that loophole in on purpose. A friend will look at yout tbr-list and pick one from there. An enemy might use your tbr-list too, but to pick something that is not on it.

Since everyone is having so much trouble with the age thing I will adjust it it to plus 3 years. So if your character is 10, you can read any book in which the main character is 10,11,12 or 13. I have chosesn 3 years because the story takes place over 3 years time.

Varla Fiona wrote: "Thanks. I don't know if I will squeeze it in this month although I will try (so I can use it in Monthlies)."

It's two months long now, so you can read it in December too :)

Barbara wrote: "I left that loophole in on purpose. A friend will look at yout tbr-list and pick one from there. An enemy might use your tbr-list too, but to pick something that is not on it.

Since everyone is ha..."

Thanks! Now I have a book :)

Lauren wrote: "Varla Fiona wrote: "Thanks. I don't know if I will squeeze it in this month although I will try (so I can use it in Monthlies)."

It's two months long now, so you can read it in December too :)"

Oh yes. I forgot.

Task 25: Can The House of Hades count for a series of 4? There are only 4 in the series so far, but another is coming.

Anyone found an easy way to search for how many chapters books have? All the ones I have checked so far have too few or too many.

Anyone know of a book with a character who has 3 brothers and 2 sisters? Silly Starks had too many kids.

Varla Fiona wrote: "Anyone know of a book with a character who has 3 brothers and 2 sisters? Silly Starks had too many kids."

I know! *grumbles*

Will keep an eye out. Let me know if you see one with 4 brothers and 1 sister.

Varla Fiona wrote: "Anyone found an easy way to search for how many chapters books have? All the ones I have checked so far have too few or too many."

Have a look over at http://www.shelfari.com/ . For the more popular books they sometimes have the number of chapters listed under Table of Contents, for instance http://www.shelfari.com/books/1532611...

Questions:

1. 21) Read a book in a series that corresponds with the book in which your character has most of their chapters. So if your character has most of their chapters in book 3 you have to read the third book in a series. - first of fifth -

Is that first or fifth Barbara?

2. For my recommendation I'm going to ask Lauren F and Varla

3. Did I need to give anyone a recommendation yet? I thought I saw something.

@Lu, would you give me a recommendation?

And another from Lauren F. :)

*fingers crossed*

Wouldn't Lu (Dany) have to give Claudia (Cersei) and Lauren F (Jaime) recs for books they would not like and vice versa? Because Dany is coming to take the throne, Cersei and Jaime would be her enemies. Or do you have to assume that their relationship is uncertain because they haven't actually met yet?

However, I also see this being a tad problematic if you haven't read all the books. I've only gotten to book three, and there's no alliance between Dany and the Lannisters, but there may be one in later books (hard to believe, but you see my point). I know that some characters who were definite allies/enemies have now shifted, but those who haven't read book 3 won't know that. Do you just give recs based on your own understanding of your relationship between the characters (depending on what you've read/watched) or do you have to check with someone who has read all the books?

@Barbara I see no 3 has been changed to "Read a book with a main character that has the same age as you at the beginning of the series. (plus a max of 3 years)".

Does that mean we can't use a character 3 years younger? I've got a book in mind where the character is younger than Bran.

wait let me re-type

Looking for one now Claudia :)

Basically if we are allies I give a good recommendation, if not I give one they won't like. If it is unsure, I can choose good or bad.

This is how I understand it. Now to figure out if Dany and Cercei are enemies lol

From what I understand, if the character is definitely an enemy, you MUST give a bad rec. If the character is an ally you must give a good rec Only if it's uncertain can you go either way. That makes the task more dynamic. For the Stark characters, this is simple, as there are two obvious allies. But Cersei has no real allies except Jaime. Tyrion kind of hates her, so he's a question mark. The Starks surely want her head on a stick, so Claudia doesn't have great options here. Sansa is a possible exception because she's so stupid that Cersei might be able to win her favour.

Dany hasn't met any of the characters in this challenge (as far as I know, so no spoilers please!), so she has no definite allies. However, she obviously wants the Lannisters off the throne so they are enemies. Since the Starks hate the Lannisters too, they are more likely to be her allies, but she's also a Tagaryen, so that's uncertain.

Of course, I say all this without having read all the books. And I know you're looking at it without having read book 3 or watched season 3, and there are some things that have changed a bit.

Lu (Sugar & Snark) wrote: "Basically if we are allies I give a good recommendation, if not I give one they won't like. If it is unsure, I can choose good or bad.

This is how I understand it. Now to figure out if Dany and Ce..."

Yes, that's right. Only saw that after posting my message above.

Because of the uncertainty between Dany and Cersei, I am going to give a recommendation that I am uncertain if Claudia will like. One that could go either way.

How is that?

My assumption is that they'd be enemies. Even if they don't think or speak about each other, Cersei is fiercely defensive of the Lannister's power as the royal family, while Dany loathes the Lannisters as usurpers who helped kill her family and drive her and brother out of the land.

But, they haven't met. I'd wait to see what Barbara has to say about it.

Yea will wait for Barbara. I must just say when trying to figure this out I came across quite a few Cersei/Dany love stories... lol

Lol! You shouldn't research it though - you're going to find spoilers. I hope the Cersei/Dany thing isn't one...

Yes, I was wondering that to. I'm going with unsure for Jon and Dany unless I get corrected...


@Crusader, please recommend for me.

Varla Fiona wrote: "@Crusader, please recommend for me."

How about Earth Unaware since you seem to have enjoyed Ender's Game.

Yeah, I just saw that one the other day and am keen to read it. Thanks

@ Claudia - My recommendation is Never Fade I hope I am correct and you have read the first book in the series otherwise I am unintentionally being a bad Allie.

Seeing as I am Jaime Lannister I am going to "keep it in the family" and ask Claudia and Barbara for recommendations.