The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

25.3 - Andy P's Task: The Power of Three
For this task you are to read two books. No books with a main page genre of "childrens" or "kids" may be used for this task.

REQUIRED: In your post, state the options you chose.

Option 1. For this option you must choose a book written by a single author. No co-authors, multiple authors, or editors of anthologies.
The book should be written by an author who uses his or her full name, first, middle, and last.
Examples: Mary Higgins Clarkor John Dickson Carr. (Carr also writes under the name Carter Dickson, but books using this pseudonym will NOT work for this option). Also, initials will not work - for example, S.J. Bolton will NOT work

Option 2. Choose a book with a three word title. Two restrictions apply: the first word of the title may NOT be "The" or "A" AND the book may NOT have a subtitle.
Examples: Garden of Stones or Innocent as Sin will work. The Perfect Husband or A Fugitive Truth will NOT work.

Option 3. Choose a book originally published in a year ending in a three. Any book published in 1993, 2003 etc will work.

Option 4. Choose any book that is over 333 pages.
NOTE: ebooks without print versions cannot be used for tasks requiring a specific number of pages. If you read an ebook or audiobook use the page count for the mass market paperback if one exists. If there is no mass market paperback edition, use the paperback edition and if no paperback is available use the hardcover edition.

Option 5. Choose a book that is the third in a series as indicated on the book's GR home page

Option 6. Choose a book that is the third from the most recently published book in that series. Ergo, if the most recent book in a series is #8, you would read #5 in the series.

For options 5 and 6, you should only count whole numbers in a series - "in between" books such as 3.5 don't count.

Reserved for special problems

Reserved for special problems.

This thread is now open.

nice task Andy - i was hoping to fit in bk 3 in Karin Slaughters series ;)

Definitely helpful in cleaning out my tbr!

There's no mmpb for the book I would like to choose for option #4. The highest rated paperback is in French and lists 360 pages.
Salvation <--French edition.
I'll be reading the Kindle edition which lists 336 pages. Would that work since it is a translated version?

I'd like to use Heart of Brass for either Opt 2 three word title or Opt 4 over 333 pgs - 371 pgs - no Childrens on genre page.

I was really hoping that I'd find a place to put We Were Liars this season. I didn't get to it last season, and I really WANT to read it!

Thanks, Andy!

Hi,

I'd just like to confirm that "The" can be used in the title if it's not the first word?

Specifically I'm thinking of Tracking the Tempest

Thanks!

Morgan wrote: "Definitely helpful in cleaning out my tbr!

There's no mmpb for the book I would like to choose for option #4. The highest rated paperback is in French and lists 360 pages.
[book:Salvation|182..."
This is a question I'd rather one of the moderators answer since I'm a little unsure of the rules in this area.

KSMary wrote: "I'd like to use Heart of Brass for either Opt 2 three word title or Opt 4 over 333 pgs - 371 pgs - no Childrens on genre page."

Take your choice. It would fit either option

KarenF wrote: "Hi,

I'd just like to confirm that "The" can be used in the title if it's not the first word?

Specifically I'm thinking of Tracking the Tempest

Thanks!"

Yes that is fine, I just wanted to eliminate the thousands of book titles that start with "The" and we did that exact option a couple of challenges ago in a 20 point task.

Andy wrote: "Morgan wrote: "Definitely helpful in cleaning out my tbr!

There's no mmpb for the book I would like to choose for option #4. The highest rated paperback is in French and lists 360 pages.
[boo..."

You use the highest rated paperback. Doesn't matter that it's in French.

Will Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline work for option 1, the author using her full name?
Thanks

Counting backward from 9--- because book #10 isn't
due out until April--- That would be Book #6---
Correct???

thanks

Andy wrote: "Yes that is fine, I just wanted to eliminate the thousands of book titles that start with "The" and we did that exact option a couple of challenges ago in a 20 point task."

Thanks! That's what I figured I just wanted to be sure.

Sandy wrote: "Andy wrote: "Morgan wrote: "Definitely helpful in cleaning out my tbr!

There's no mmpb for the book I would like to choose for option #4. The highest rated paperback is in French and lists 360 ..."

Thanks Sandy and Andy :)

Option 1 - Author who uses three names - a book by either
Susan Elizabeth Phillips or
Maria Antonietta Berriozabal


Option 2 - three-word title
Bless Me, Ultima

Book Concierge wrote: "Option 1 - Author who uses three names - a book by either
Susan Elizabeth Phillips or
Maria Antonietta Berriozabal


Option 2 - three-word title
[book:Bless Me, Ul..."

All your choices will work. You get to pick between the two authors!

Kathy G. wrote: "Counting backward from 9--- because book #10 isn't
due out until April--- That would be Book #6---
Correct???

thanks"

I'm not the greatest at math, but 9-3=6 so you should be good to go

Vicki wrote: "Will Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline work for option 1, the author using her full name?
Thanks"

That works.

Option 1 - My Book Choice …

by Mary Alice Monroe

That's it. I'm set! Great task, Andy.

Pat wrote: "Option 1 - My Book Choice …

by Mary Alice Monroe

That's it. I'm set! Great task, Andy."

Enjoy your choices
Andy

To confirm
option 2 : If I Stay - 3 words in title
option 4 : When Mr. Dog Bites - 368 pages

Option 1: I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

Option 2: This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

Aleksandra wrote: "To confirm
option 2 : If I Stay - 3 words in title
option 4 : When Mr. Dog Bites - 368 pages"

They are both viable choices. Enjoy!

Claire wrote: "Option 1: I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

Option 2: This Charming Man by Marian Keyes"

Both choices are fine. Read on1

I wanted to clarify something. There are six options, but we only have to read two books, right? So that means we would just pick two of the options? Just want to make sure

Cynthia wrote: "I wanted to clarify something. There are six options, but we only have to read two books, right? So that means we would just pick two of the options? Just want to make sure"

Yes, all the 25 pointers are 2 books. The extra options are just to give you a little more leeway in your choice of books

For Option 4, may I used What's Bred in the Bone, which is 525 pages (over 333) in my paperback version and The Lyre of Orpheus, which is No. 3 in the Cornish Trilogy by Robertson Davies?

Navarra wrote: "For Option 4, may I used What's Bred in the Bone, which is 525 pages (over 333) in my paperback version and The Lyre of Orpheus, which is No. 3 in the Cornish Trilogy by ..."

Both choices are fine. Go for it.

Hi, would Eleanor & Park be ok? I'd hate to find out that the ampersand doesn't count as a word!
Also I assume that the "no kids / children" doesn't include YA type genres?
thanks!

Does this work?

Option 1: Wild Highland Magic by Kendra Leigh Castle.
Option 2:Tempting the Bodyguard by J. Lynn.

Coincidentally, both are 3rd in their respective series.

Hina wrote: "Does this work?

Option 1: Wild Highland Magic by Kendra Leigh Castle.
Option 2:Tempting the Bodyguard by J. Lynn.

Coincidentally, both are 3rd in their respective..."

It is always nice to overachieve. Enjoy your books, they both fit their respective options.

Catherine wrote: "Hi, would Eleanor & Park be ok? I'd hate to find out that the ampersand doesn't count as a word!
Also I assume that the "no kids / children" doesn't include YA type genres?
thanks!"

I'm going to defer to the moderators on this one as they know the rules much better than I do.

Andy wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Hi, would Eleanor & Park be ok? I'd hate to find out that the ampersand doesn't count as a word!
Also I assume that the "no kids / children" doesn't include YA ty..."

The rules refer "childrens" genre, not YA.

Catherine wrote: "Hi, would Eleanor & Park be ok? I'd hate to find out that the ampersand doesn't count as a word!
Also I assume that the "no kids / children" doesn't include YA type genres?
thanks!"

After consulting with Sandy, there is no official Good Reads rule on this, I am going to say no, since & isn't really a word and there are plenty of choices for titles with three words that do work as well as other options in this task that should be easy to find a book that works.

Andy wrote: "After consulting with Sandy, there is no official Good Reads rule on this, I am going to say no, since & isn't really a word and there are plenty of choices for titles with three words that do work as well as other options in this task that should be easy to find a book that works."
Ok, thanks!

Does this work for a 3 name author? He has 3 names, but is also a Junior?

Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders by Richard Ellis Preston Jr.

Cindy AL wrote: "Does this work for a 3 name author? He has 3 names, but is also a Junior?

Romulus Buckle & the City of the Founders by Richard Ellis Preston Jr."

Sorry, no Three names only. As mentioned in the previous message there is plenty of latitude in this task that you should be able to find a book that fits although this book seems to be long enough to fit the option for books over 333 pages.

Hey just wanted to clarify,if there are four books in a series, I can read the first book for Option 6?

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel garcia Marquez for option 1?

Prajakta wrote: "Hey just wanted to clarify,if there are four books in a series, I can read the first book for Option 6?"

Yes, that is correct

Annapoorni wrote: "Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel garcia Marquez for option 1?"

Yes that will work

Jen A:

Looking for approval on a book for option 1: Jam! On the Vine by LaShonda Katrice Barnett. The Goodreads page lists the author as just "LaShonda Barnett", but if you look at the cover image, she clearly uses three names on the cover. Thanks for your consideration!

Jen wrote: "Jen A:

Looking for approval on a book for option 1: Jam! On the Vine by LaShonda Katrice Barnett. The Goodreads page lists the author as just "LaShonda Barnett", but if you look at the cover image..."

I think we are supposed to go by what it says on the Good Reads home page for the book which would mean no, but this book is over 333 pages so it would fit for that option.

Andy wrote: "I think we are supposed to go by what it says on the Good Reads home page for the book which would mean no, but this book is over 333 pages so it would fit for that option. "

Good point :) I did go update the author listing as well - I'm a GR Librarian and forgot I could do that - because I think the name used on GR should be the name the author chose to use on the cover. But I'll use the 333-page option for this book so there's no apparent conflict of interest. Thanks!

To confirm
option 2 : Dracula, My Love - 3 words in title
option 4 : The Tudor Conspiracy - 352 pages

Thanks!

Melanie wrote: "To confirm
option 2 : Dracula, My Love - 3 words in title
option 4 : The Tudor Conspiracy - 352 pages

Thanks!"

Yes those are both ok.

Hiya, just wanted to get by Emily St. John Mandel verified for Option 1. According to her website, "St. John" is her middle name :)

I've chosen Lydia Netzer's for Option 2.

Thanks!