Our Novel Escape discussion

This was inspired by a quarterly challenge at a book blog called Semi-Charmed Kind of Life.

Final Quarter Challenge 2014
Dates: October 1 to December 31, 2014

One book per task!
Highest Points Wins!
All books should be 200+ pages long, unless the task specifically allows anything less!
Need ideas? See POST #2!!

The Tasks! (Do as many or few as you like. Plan ahead or fill it out as you go. Rereads are fine!)

5 (easy) Points: Read a book over 200 pages long
5 Points: Read a play (Can be less than 200 pages!)
5 Points: Read a new-to-you author
10 Points: Read a memoir, biography, or narrative non-fiction
10 Points: Read a book that has been made into a movie (or one coming by the end of 2014)
10 Points: Read a book published the year you were born (alternative: If you have trouble finding one that you really want, read a book from the half of the decade in which you were born. Example: Born between 1970 and 1974, read a book published in one of those years. If born in 75 to 79, read a book published in one of those years)
15 Points: Read a book with a season, holiday or month in the title
15 Points: Read a book with snow, ice, icicles, naked trees or fog on the cover
15 Points: Read a book by an author who shares your birth year (Helpful link: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/years/) (Having trouble? Alternative: Read by an author whose birth year is in your half of your decade. 1970-1974/1975-1979)
15 Points: Read a book that was published in 2014
20 Points: Read a non-fiction book that is NOT a memoir, biography or narrative non-fiction
25 Points: Read a book with a person's first AND last name in the title
25 Points: Read a book you've heard bad things about or that you expect to dislike
30 Points: Read a trilogy or any three consecutive books in a series
30 Points: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long
35 Points: Go to the library or a book store (or use a shelf at home but no cheating). Choose a book case from any section/genre. Go to the 3rd shelf (2nd if there are only 2) from the top; choose the 5th book from the left; read it and give a short review here. (If you have previously read -- and do not wish to re-read -- the first book your journey has taken you to, read the next one to the right. Proceed in this manner until you reach a book that you have not read, but no cheating and avoiding something you don't want to read).

Total Points Possible: 270

Helpful Ideas/Links!


Popular Books by Year (On the right side of the screen you will see a way to search by year. Choose your birth year and search)
Author Birth Years
Biographies and Memoirs Listopia
Best Plays Listopia
Books Made Into Movies
Four Seasons (in title)
Ice/Frost on Cover (This shows books with titles also, but please only use those with the items on the cover!)
Months in Title (Ignore the ones with months in the author's names, unless the title also has a month)
400+ Pages Written by Women
Some 2014 Releases
Big Fat Books Worth the Effort (400+ pages)
Winter Book Covers
Micro-Histories (narrative non-fiction)
Memoirs by Women
Names in the Title (Look only for those with a first AND last name)
Books I Regret Reading Listopia (remember: This is subjective! But it may be helpful for one of our tasks)
Worst Books of All Time (Subjective!)

*Note: The difference between narrative non-fiction and expository non-fiction: The goal of narrative text is usually to entertain the reader, while expository text is meant to communicate information.

Participants


Fairlee
Lanelle
Marie
Kathy
Kristina
Pigletto
Poongothai
Sandra
Teresa
Zara

I'm in. Not sure how many I'll get done so we'll see.

This is another great challenge Teresa.


One question Teresa. If one uses ones own bookshelves at home for the last one and discovers that the book fifth from the left is one that they've already read, what do you suggest they do so as to not to be seen to be cheating?

Thanks, Zara!

Oh, good question! I will amend it to say that they should read one book over to the right, although if they wish to re-read the first book the task requires,that is fine!

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Thanks, Zara!

Oh, good question! I will amend it to say that they should read one book over to the right, until they come to one that they have not read."

OK great. That makes a difference.

Teresa's Tasks
Final Quarter Challenge 2014
Dates: October 1 to December 31, 2014

*Tasks for Points
*One book per task!
*Highest Points Wins! (what do you win, you ask? The thrill of knowing you got a lot of points! And maybe some virtual confetti tossed your way).
*All books should be 200+ pages long, unless the task specifically allows anything less!
*Need ideas? See POST #2!!

The Tasks! (Do as many or few as you like. Plan ahead or fill it out as you go. Rereads are fine!)

**5 (easy) Points: Read a book over 200 pages long
Grave Witch - 11/4 (****)
5 Points: Read a play (Can be less than 200 pages!)
**5 Points: Read a new-to-you author
I Hunt Killers, by Barry Lyga - 10/15 (****)
10 Points: Read a memoir, biography, or narrative non-fiction
10 Points: Read a book that has been made into a movie (or one coming by the end of 2014)
10 Points: Read a book published the year you were born (alternative: If you have trouble finding one that you really want, read a book from the half of the decade in which you were born. Example: Born between 1970 and 1974, read a book published in one of those years. If born in 75 to 79, read a book published in one of those years)
15 Points: Read a book with a season, holiday or month in the title
15 Points: Read a book with snow, ice, icicles, naked trees or fog on the cover
15 Points: Read a book by an author who shares your birth year (Helpful link: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/years/) (Having trouble? Alternative: Read by an author whose birth year is in your half of your decade. 1970-1974/1975-1979)
**15 Points: Read a book that was published in 2014
Bones Never Lie - 10/8 (****)
20 Points: Read a non-fiction book that is NOT a memoir, biography or narrative non-fiction
25 Points: Read a book with a person's first AND last name in the title
**25 Points: Read a book you've heard bad things about or that you expect to dislike
Isla and the Happily Ever After - 11/8 (**) *note: I had wanted to read this long before it was published but after it was published, I'd read a lot of negative reviews. This did alter my excitement for the book so I read with some trepidation. I found out that the complaints most people had about the book were some that I agreed with, sadly. The author writes well, she just didn't write a character that I connected with this time.
30 Points: Read a trilogy or any three consecutive books in a series
**30 Points: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long
Beautiful Creatures - 563 pages - 10/26 (***)
35 Points: Go to the library or a book store (or use a shelf at home but no cheating). Choose a book case from any section/genre. Go to the 3rd shelf (2nd if there are only 2) from the top; choose the 5th book from the left; read it and give a short review here. (If you have previously read -- and do not wish to re-read -- the first book your journey has taken you to, read the next one to the right. Proceed in this manner until you reach a book that you have not read, but no cheating and avoiding something you don't want to read).
Total Points: 80

Total Points Possible: 270

IMPORTANT UPDATE!
For the "Trilogy/three consecutive books in a series" task for 30 points, it is exempt from the 'one book/task' rule! And it will count as 30 flat points for a trilogy or 3 consecutive books from one series. Since it's a flat 30 points for reading all 3 books, if you only read one or two, you didn't complete the task so you'd get 0.

Zara's Tasks
October 1st to December 31st

Completed: 0/270


One book per task!
Highest Points Wins!
All books should be 200+ pages long, unless the task specifically allows anything less!
Need ideas? See POST #2!!

The Tasks! (Do as many or few as you like. Plan ahead or fill it out as you go. Rereads are fine!)

5 (easy) Points: Read a book over 200 pages long
5 Points: Read a play (Can be less than 200 pages!)
5 Points: Read a new-to-you author
10 Points: Read a memoir, biography, or narrative non-fiction
10 Points: Read a book that has been made into a movie (or one coming by the end of 2014)
10 Points: Read a book published the year you were born (alternative: If you have trouble finding one that you really want, read a book from the half of the decade in which you were born. Example: Born between 1970 and 1974, read a book published in one of those years. If born in 75 to 79, read a book published in one of those years)
15 Points: Read a book with a season, holiday or month in the title
15 Points: Read a book with snow, ice, icicles, naked trees or fog on the cover
15 Points: Read a book by an author who shares your birth year (Helpful link: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/years/) (Having trouble? Alternative: Read by an author whose birth year is in your half of your decade. 1970-1974/1975-1979)
15 Points: Read a book that was published in 2014
20 Points: Read a non-fiction book that is NOT a memoir, biography or narrative non-fiction
25 Points: Read a book with a person's first AND last name in the title
25 Points: Read a book you've heard bad things about or that you expect to dislike
30 Points: Read a trilogy or any three consecutive books in a series
30 Points: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long
35 Points: Go to the library or a book store (or use a shelf at home but no cheating). Choose a book case from any section/genre. Go to the 3rd shelf (2nd if there are only 2) from the top; choose the 5th book from the left; read it and give a short review here. (If you have previously read -- and do not wish to re-read -- the first book your journey has taken you to, read the next one to the right. Proceed in this manner until you reach a book that you have not read, but no cheating and avoiding something you don't want to read).

Total Points Possible: 270

Brilliant idea!

Duration : October 1st to December 31st, 2014
Completed 105 / 270


The Tasks!

5 (easy) Points: Read a book over 200 pages long
314 pages, Oct 2
5 Points: Read a play (Can be less than 200 pages!)
5 Points: Read a new-to-you author
by Loretta Hill Oct 21
10 Points: Read a memoir, biography, or narrative non-fiction
10 Points: Read a book that has been made into a movie (or one coming by the end of 2014)
Oct 20
10 Points: Read a book published the year you were born (alternative: If you have trouble finding one that you really want, read a book from the half of the decade in which you were born. Example: Born between 1970 and 1974, read a book published in one of those years. If born in 75 to 79, read a book published in one of those years)
15 Points: Read a book with a season, holiday or month in the title
The Winter Lodge Dec 22
15 Points: Read a book with snow, ice, icicles, naked trees or fog on the cover
15 Points: Read a book by an author who shares your birth year (Helpful link: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/years/) (Having trouble? Alternative: Read by an author whose birth year is in your half of your decade. 1970-1974/1975-1979)
15 Points: Read a book that was published in 2014
Oct 5
20 Points: Read a non-fiction book that is NOT a memoir, biography or narrative non-fiction
25 Points: Read a book with a person's first AND last name in the title
Falling for Max Oct 23
25 Points: Read a book you've heard bad things about or that you expect to dislike
30 Points: Read a trilogy or any three consecutive books in a series
30 Points: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long
, 608 pages Oct 10
35 Points: Go to the library or a book store (or use a shelf at home but no cheating). Choose a book case from any section/genre. Go to the 3rd shelf (2nd if there are only 2) from the top; choose the 5th book from the left; read it and give a short review here. (If you have previously read -- and do not wish to re-read -- the first book your journey has taken you to, read the next one to the right. Proceed in this manner until you reach a book that you have not read, but no cheating and avoiding something you don't want to read).

I'm in

I try

The books that I read for the Fall/Spring challenge, can those also be counted into this challenge, or does everything have to be seperate?

Everything you read counts for this challenge, no matter what other challenges you are using them in.

My completed reads:

5 Points: Read a book over 200 pages long: 1984 by George Orwell.
5 Points: Read a new-to-you author: The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer.
15 Points: Read a book with snow, ice, icicles, naked trees or fog on the cover: The Puzzle Bark Tree by Stephanie Gertler.
15 Points: Read a book that was published in 2014: To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris.
30 Points: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long: Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky.
25 Points: Read a book you've heard bad things about or that you expect to dislike: The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris.
10 Points: Read a book that has been made into a movie (or one coming by the end of 2014): Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

105/270.

I will try this. Sounds fun.

Duration : October 1st to December 31st, 2014
Completed 75/ 270

The Tasks!

5 (easy) Points: Read a book over 200 pages long - Five Little Pigs (224 pages) 12/10/14
5 Points: Read a play (Can be less than 200 pages!)
5 Points: Read a new-to-you author
10 Points: Read a memoir, biography, or narrative non-fiction
10 Points: Read a book that has been made into a movie (or one coming by the end of 2014)
10 Points: Read a book published the year you were born (alternative: If you have trouble finding one that you really want, read a book from the half of the decade in which you were born. Example: Born between 1970 and 1974, read a book published in one of those years. If born in 75 to 79, read a book published in one of those years)
15 Points: Read a book with a season, holiday or month in the title
15 Points: Read a book with snow, ice, icicles, naked trees or fog on the cover
15 Points: Read a book by an author who shares your birth year (Helpful link: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/years/) (Having trouble? Alternative: Read by an author whose birth year is in your half of your decade. 1970-1974/1975-1979)
15 Points: Read a book that was published in 2014 - Horrorstör 12/10/14
20 Points: Read a non-fiction book that is NOT a memoir, biography or narrative non-fiction
25 Points: Read a book with a person's first AND last name in the title
25 Points: Read a book you've heard bad things about or that you expect to dislike - The Last Battle (read it to finish the Narnia Chronicles and I indeed didn't like it) 04/10/14
30 Points: Read a trilogy or any three consecutive books in a series
30 Points: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long - NOS4R2 (704 pages) 08/10/14
35 Points: Go to the library or a book store (or use a shelf at home but no cheating). Choose a book case from any section/genre. Go to the 3rd shelf (2nd if there are only 2) from the top; choose the 5th book from the left; read it and give a short review here. (If you have previously read -- and do not wish to re-read -- the first book your journey has taken you to, read the next one to the right. Proceed in this manner until you reach a book that you have not read, but no cheating and avoiding something you don't want to read).

I will join in

Final Quarter Challenge 2014
Dates: October 1 to December 31, 2014

One book per task!
Highest Points Wins!
All books should be 200+ pages long, unless the task specifically allows anything less!
Need ideas? See POST #2!!

The Tasks! (Do as many or few as you like. Plan ahead or fill it out as you go. Rereads are fine!)

✔ 5 (easy) Points: Read a book over 200 pages long Last Call 30/10/2014 219 pages
✔5 Points: Read a play (Can be less than 200 pages!) The Importance of Being Earnest 04/12/2014
✔ 5 Points: Read a new-to-you author Rivers 11/10/2014 Michael Farris Smith
✔10 Points: Read a memoir, biography, or narrative non-fiction In Cold Blood 11/11/2014
✔10 Points: Read a book that has been made into a movie (or one coming by the end of 2014) Revolutionary Road 368 pages 10/11/2014
✔10 Points: Read a book published the year you were born (alternative: If you have trouble finding one that you really want, read a book from the half of the decade in which you were born. Example: Born between 1970 and 1974, read a book published in one of those years. If born in 75 to 79, read a book published in one of those years) The Midwich Cuckoos 25/12/2014 Published in1957
✔15 Points: Read a book with a season, holiday or month in the title Tenth of December: Stories 17/11/2014
✔ 15 Points: Read a book with snow, ice, icicles, naked trees or fog on the cover The Visitors 02/11/2014
✔15 Points: Read a book by an author who shares your birth year A Land of Two Halves 15/11/2014 Joe Bennett born 1957
✔15 Points: Read a book that was published in 2014 The Interestings 14/11/2014
✔20 Points: Read a non-fiction book that is NOT a memoir, biography or narrative non-fiction Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers 09/12/2014
✔25 Points: Read a book with a person's first AND last name in the titleThe Midlife of Dudley Chalk 04/10/2014
✔25 Points: Read a book you've heard bad things about or that you expect to dislike The Conservationist 16/11/2014 and it was truly awful
✔30 Points: Read a trilogy or any three consecutive books in a series
All Roads Lead Home
A Big Life in a Small Town
Treasure Uncovered
✔30 Points: Read a book that is at least 400 pages long The Girl You Left Behind 544 pages 06/11/2014
✔35 Points: Go to the library or a book store (or use a shelf at home but no cheating). Choose a book case from any section/genre. Go to the 3rd shelf (2nd if there are only 2) from the top; choose the 5th book from the left; read it and give a short review here. (If you have previously read -- and do not wish to re-read -- the first book your journey has taken you to, read the next one to the right. Proceed in this manner until you reach a book that you have not read, but no cheating and avoiding something you don't want to read). All Men Are Liars 240 pages 07/12/2014
My review
I have no idea what this book is about - a lot of it centre around who wrote a particular manuscript and how they came to do so - I could care less. The book lacks structure chapters of 99 pages do not lend themselves to ease of reading. No this one joins the rest of the drivel on that appropriately named shelf


Challenge complete 25/12/2014

I'd like to join in. Can I count the books I've already read this month?

Welcome! I will update the participant list later!

Yes, Lanelle, the date is from October 1 so whatever you've read from that date forward counts.

This sounds like a lot of fun.
Per Teresa's approval, I am backdating from 10/01

The points: 270/270

The tasks:

Read a book over 200 pages long - Poppy Done to Death 10/29/14 ***
Read a play - The Importance of Being Earnest 12/11/14 ***
Read a new-to-you author - Sprinkle with Murder 10/22/14 ***
Read a narrative n/f- Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod 10/30/14 ****
Read a book that has been made into a movie -Life of Pi 10/20/14 ***
Read a book published the year you were born - The Clocks 11/15/14 ****
Read a book with a holiday in the title - A Berry Merry Christmas 11/17/14 ***
Read a book with snow on the cover - Mrs. Mike 10/22/14 ****
Read a book by an author who shares your birth year - The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks 11/1/14 ****
Read a book that was published in 2014 - The Penkeepers - 12/11/14 ****
Read a n/f book that is NOT a memoir, biography or narrative n/f - The First 100 Temples 11/23/14 ****
Read a book with a person's first AND last name in the title - Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller 10/23/14 ****
Read a book that you expect to dislike - Blackmoore 11/15/14 ****
Read a trilogy
1. A Discovery of Witches 10/9/14 ****
2. Shadow of Night 10/10/14 ****
3. The Book of Life 10/11/14 ****
Read a book that is at least 400 pages long - Frederica (437 pages) - 11/8/14 ****
Read the 5th left book from the 3rd shelf - The Door 10/31/14 **

Nice, Lanelle!

Thanks, Teresa. Now you see why I was so anxious to know if I could backdate. So many of the books I had read fit the categories.

And now for my report about the library book I found on the 3rd shelf, 5th book from the left:

After looking at the cover art and reading the synopsis, I figured this book could easily fit the task - read a book you expect to dislike.

The book I pulled from the shelf was The Door. One of the other reviewers here on Goodreads described it perfectly. "It's like being inside someone's drug induced dream."

If I were use one word to describe this book is trippy. Or odd.

The book is about a 14 year-old homeschooled girl with seemingly OCD tendencies and her paranoid widowed mother. They live in a lighthouse. Hannah has talked her mother into letting her attend public school, but before that happens, her 'uncle' shows up with a boy about her age. Strangeness ensues.

I really can't recommend this book.

How is everyone doing on this? I'm up to 80 points. Updated my post.

Very interesting book you found for the 35 point task, Lanelle! Good for you for giving it a chance. Thanks for the review. :)

Participants List has been updated to here! Alphabetical order!

I've reached 270 points. This challenge was a lot of fun! Thank you, Teresa.