The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

Please post your general questions about the Spring 2019 Challenge here. Specific questions about individual tasks should be posted in the Help Threads for those tasks. You may find answers to some questions in FAQs.

Task 30.6 requires main page genre of sequential art.

I haven't read sequential art before and I don't understand the SRC general rules.

Graphic novels, manga or collected comic book issues must be at least 100 pages.

whereas

Collections of syndicated, periodical or internet comic strips, single or short-format panels, or cartoons must be at least 200 pages to be used for SRC tasks.

Does this book work under the 100 page minimum rule?
Aquaman, Volume 1: The Trench

Author initials

If as task directs us to find author initials (no other instructions), does this include the middle initial?

Frank W. Butterfield -- am I always looking for F and W and B? Unless otherwise noted?

Susan A wrote: "Task 30.6 requires main page genre of sequential art.

I haven't read sequential art before and I don't understand the SRC general rules.

Graphic novels, manga or collected comic book issues must..."

yes that book works.

The difference is between a unified story told mainly or significantly in pictures, versus a collection of comic strips or one panel comics (Calvin & Hobbes, Far Side)

Susan A wrote: "Author initials

If as task directs us to find author initials (no other instructions), does this include the middle initial?

Frank W. Butterfield -- am I always looking for F and..."

If the task doesn't specify, you need all initials shown in the author's name on Goodreads.

Another author question:

In general, are authors with single names allowed for tasks that involve finding author initials?

Tinnean
or
DiscontentedWinter

Susan A wrote: "Another author question:

In general, are authors with single names allowed for tasks that involve finding author initials?

Tinnean
or
DiscontentedWinter"

In general, two names. Task creators can allow single names for their specific tasks if they choose.

I'm not sure which paperback version to use for The Hate U Give I listened to the audiobook.

Typically most popular version is the one to use

Dee wrote: "Typically most popular version is the one to use"



Yes. But the first one says UK version , the second one special collection, an Arc paperback. then a bunch of different languages. I wasn’t sure if any of those first few are acceptable, or if I need to keep going down the list until I find a version that states paperback with no other qualifiers

Should I ask here or post my completion with my best guess?

Susan A wrote: "Dee wrote: "Typically most popular version is the one to use"



Yes. But the first one says UK version , the second one special collection, an Arc paperback. then a bunch of different languages. I..."

First, it doesn't matter unless a specific number of pages is required for the task. As long as there's a paper edition >100 pages, it's fine.

If you do need to establish specific page numbers, follow the directions in the Rules of the Challenge. First, MMPB. If none, paperback. Then hardback. Within the group, use the first one on the list that has page numbers.

I promised myself I wouldn't ask any more questions...and well, sorry. I swear I've read the directions over and over.

So...back to single author tasks involving initials...does single author refer to a single human being, or a single author name?

Nicci French -- one name, but it is the pen name of a writing team...

Can Nicci French be used for tasks like
Read a book written by a single author in which M A M can be found in in the title/subtitle and/or author's name.
or
Read a book by a single author whose initials can be found in the phrase BIG FIVE ANIMALS.

Would some kind librarian please weigh in on the following book
What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal
Is "Notes on a Scandal" a subtitle? It is bracketed on the main page and I assumed it was, but I need an opinion from someone who knows more than I do about it.
Thanks,
Andy

Susan A wrote: "I promised myself I wouldn't ask any more questions...and well, sorry. I swear I've read the directions over and over.

So...back to single author tasks involving initials...does single author refe..."

"Single authors" in tasks involving initials or names: a single author is a book written under a single name as opposed to coauthors or multiple contributors.

Andy wrote: "Would some kind librarian please weigh in on the following book
What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal
Is "Notes on a Scandal" a subtitle? It is bracketed on the main page and I as..."

You may have more success in Anyone with librarian's status....

Dlmrose wrote: "Andy wrote: "Would some kind librarian please weigh in on the following book
What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal
Is "Notes on a Scandal" a subtitle? It is bracketed on the main ..."

Ok, Thanks.

I would like to clarify about settings. I am currently reading Parasite which doesn't have a setting on the goodreads main page but is obvious when reading the book that it is set in San Francisco and its surrounds.
When the task says to include a reference does that mean a page number and a quote? eg page 79 (chapter 5) The Embarcadero encompasses a series of grassy lawns and jogging paths along the San Francisco Bay.
When it asks you to provide a link that explains how the book fits the task, how do I find such a link?

Coralie wrote: "I would like to clarify about settings. I am currently reading Parasite which doesn't have a setting on the goodreads main page but is obvious when reading the book that it is set i..."

You could include a page number and quote or a link to a publisher's blurb, author's comment, review, etc. that establishes the setting
"in the near future of Mira Grant’s new novel, the bulk of which takes place in San Francisco in 2027," from Tor.com review

Dlmrose wrote: "Coralie wrote: "I would like to clarify about settings. I am currently reading Parasite which doesn't have a setting on the goodreads main page but is obvious when reading the book ..."

Thank you.

From Hell is found on the list "Required Reading Graphic Novels" from task 30.11, but the edition I own was published divided under 4 different volumes (Do Inferno 1, Do Inferno 2, Do Inferno 3 and Do Inferno 4). Should I provide links to the 4 volumes when posting?

In the Posting Requirements Effective Spring 2019 it says:
13. While it is OK to shift books between tasks during a challenge, you must make it clear from which tasks books are being removed and to which tasks they are being added.

But the first requirement is ONLY ONE TASK MAY BE INCLUDED IN A POST.

How would you like us to post changes?
One post for "I am removing this book from [Task #]" and a separate post for "I am using this book in [different Task #]"?

I don't have a change yet, but wanted to check before it comes up.

That’s what I did Julia! I posted the replacement task first and captioned - reposting task x.x due to shifting books; then posted the new task

Amanda wrote: "From Hell is found on the list "Required Reading Graphic Novels" from task 30.11, but the edition I own was published divided under 4 different volumes (Do Inferno 1, [..."

Do you have a reference that the individual volumes are the equivalent? The GR descriptions for those editions are very basic.

If those volumes are equivalent, you may claim them as you did in your question including the link to the book on the list and the individual links to the books you read. Include the reference.

READ 60

Are there reading plans listed for spring 2019?

Dana wrote: "READ 60

Are there reading plans listed for spring 2019?"

This? Spring Challenge 2019 Reading Plans

I have a question how books are handled, that have a physical edition that are not MMP, paperback or hardcover.

I have read The Kinsmen Universe on Kindle, but the book only has two Subterranean Press Leather Bound editions as physical books.

Fandury wrote: "I have a question how books are handled, that have a physical edition that are not MMP, paperback or hardcover.

I have read The Kinsmen Universe on Kindle, but the book only has tw..."

Use the GR standard formats in the dropdown - MMP, paperback or hardcover first, then the other print formats in order- Library Binding, etc.
For The Kinsman Universe use Leather Bound

I'm still learning some of the guidelines and would like some clarification about rule #3 concerning poetry and plays.

"3. Books must have at least 100 pages to be used for points in the SRC. This limit may be referenced as 100+.
Only plays or books of poetry may be combined to reach the 100 page minimum. Other genres of books must meet the 100+ page requirement on their own. "

So, if I read a couple of poetry books (or plays) that have less than 100 pages then I can list both to satisfy the task, as long as the combined pages are 100+?

Can a poetry book AND a play be combined?

Thanks.

Kathy wrote: "I'm still learning some of the guidelines and would like some clarification about rule #3 concerning poetry and plays.

"3. Books must have at least 100 pages to be used for points in the SRC. This..."

Yes, you can combine 2 poetry books or 2 plays to reach the required 100+. You cannot combine poetry and plays.

READ 60

What happened to the reader board ?

Dana wrote: "READ 60

What happened to the reader board ?"

Nothing. It's under the general spring challenge thread.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... See the Moderators Announcement re the beginning of the spring challenge and the rearrangement of folders and topics.

Dana wrote: "READ 60

What happened to the reader board ?"

It is in the Spring Challenge folder.

As far as that goes: I'd love it if you could make the Readerboard a sticky thread, so it is always visible at the top of the folder, with the tasks & completed posts.

it saves me a click and scroll, so no huge shakes if you don't :)

I can't find Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales (which has a children's designation) on either of the search engines for an AR score. I'm wondering if I'm doing it incorrectly or I'm just out of luck using that book for any tasks this season?

Ed wrote: "I can't find Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales (which has a children's designation) on either of the search engines for an AR score. I'm wondering if I'm doing it incorrectly or I'm just..."

I looked for in in the past, as the Philip Pullman edition is on my TBR. Just type in "Grimm". Here's the record from the UK version: https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/bookdeta...

Ed wrote: "I can't find Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales (which has a children's designation) on either of the search engines for an AR score. I'm wondering if I'm doing it incorrectly or I'm just..."
Trish wrote: "Ed wrote: "I can't find Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales (which has a children's designation) on either of the search engines for an AR score. I'm wondering if I'm doing it incorrectly ..."

To use the Accelerated Reader scores for Grimms' Fairy Tales a librarian would need to combine Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales with that record.

A book with the main page genre childrens or kids that is not found in AR Bookfinder may be used for task 5.10.

I've got two potential titles for a challenge that specifies that no books with the genres children or kids on the main book page may be used. Both titles show Young Adult on the main page but neither of the unwanted genres. However, childrens shows up on both if you ask to see top shelves. Is there a place to verify that they are currently not subject to the childrens book rule? Do I do that in the same thread as genre verification?

Aprilleigh wrote: "I've got two potential titles for a challenge that specifies that no books with the genres children or kids on the main book page may be used. Both titles show Young Adult on the main page but neit..."

You cannot "lock in" a lack of childrens genre. If childrens or kids does not appear on the main page, you can use the book. If they do, the book won't work.

Yes, well, wouldn't it suck for me to read one, expecting it will work because it doesn't show up as MPG, only to have people shelve it as such and have that change? There needs to be a way to verify that something isn't subject to that rule if there's a possibility (as there ALWAYS is on Goodreads) that could change.

How do we treat works that no one knows who originally wrote them? For example, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written by an unknown, but various translations are available by J.R.R. Tolkien, Simon Armitage, and others.

If I'm looking at a challenge for an author name that one of those fits into, can I use that?

For example, a challenge that needs author initials in the word SALMON (guess what I'm having for lunch LOL), would I be able to use the Simon Armitage translation?

Aprilleigh wrote: "How do we treat works that no one knows who originally wrote them? For example, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written by an unknown, but various translations are available by J.R.R. Tolkien, ..."

You may not use a translator for an author task.
From the rules
Only authors that are identified as authors (or a default blank in the author role field), co-authors, or contributors may be used for tasks involving author information. Other roles or functions such as editor, illustrator, artist, translator, introduction, designed by, foreward, preface, assistant or afterword may not be used for author-sourced tasks.

Thanks, so can I assume we can't use books with unknown authors for any author tasks? In other words, "Unknown" is not an author.

Aprilleigh wrote: "Thanks, so can I assume we can't use books with unknown authors for any author tasks? In other words, "Unknown" is not an author."

correct

I've looked through the rules for graphic novels and other sequential art, and I can't seem to find anything that expressly permits or doesn't permit using two such books for 15-point tasks that require (or have the option of) reading two books.

For example, task 15.1 based on my readerboard name needs one book with an author initial 'A' and one with either 10 words or 10 letters in the title.

I have five graphic novels whose author's first initial is 'A' and one of those has a 10-word title/subtitle. I have an additional graphic novel with a 10-letter title.

I'm undecided if I will use any of these for this task, but when I realized it was possible to choose one for each book I started wondering if that would even be permitted.

Aprilleigh wrote: "I've looked through the rules for graphic novels and other sequential art, and I can't seem to find anything that expressly permits or doesn't permit using two such books for 15-point tasks that re..."

you can use two graphic novels for a 15 point task.

Sandy wrote: "Aprilleigh wrote: "I've looked through the rules for graphic novels and other sequential art, and I can't seem to find anything that expressly permits or doesn't permit using two such books for 15-..."

Thank you

Now that Amazon has started their "Audible Originals" ... which usually do not have a print edition (not even e-book)....

Will there be any thought to starting an approval thread similar to the one for e-book only editions?

I would think that a length of 4 hours should be at least 100 pages ... Of course, you may want to do more research on this.

Thanks for the consideration.

Book Concierge wrote: "Now that Amazon has started their "Audible Originals" ... which usually do not have a print edition (not even e-book)....

Will there be any thought to starting an approval thread similar to the on..."

From the rules
Audiobooks that do not have a written word equivalent, either published in paper or digitally, may NOT be used for SRC tasks.

Yes, I've read the rules ... I was just asking if the mods would consider looking at length to approve, as e-books with no print version are approved for use.

Most of the audible originals are very short ... but some are over 4 hours ... so equivalent to at least 100-page book.

Book Concierge wrote: "Yes, I've read the rules ... I was just asking if the mods would consider looking at length to approve, as e-books with no print version are approved for use.

Most of the audible originals are ve..."

We will put it on the review list.