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Pass The Parcel Round 14 - Q&A: Week 11 msg 161
Q&AAbout the Challenge
Q: I see in the directions that a theme will be called each Friday. Under what circumstances would I need to read more than one book per week? Just if I fall behind?
A: Yes. You will only be reading more than one book in a week if you are behind in your reading. However if you can use your 'pass' (option 3) during the challenge you could read only 9 books in 11 weeks. This will be entirely dependent on how your team works those 5 available passes in each 5 week block - remembering that there likely 6 team members in your team.
Falling behind by more than two books: you can't fall behind by more than two books. If you have two books outstanding at the theme announcement, you will need to have read at least one book in the new theme's week. If another theme is announced and you have three books unread, then I will have to remove you.
PLEASE NOTE - I will not remove, nor accept retirement from, any players in the last two weeks of the challenge. This will mean that the team cannot win if their players are MIA in the last two weeks.
Q: For a theme call, can I use a book I'm already reading ?
A: No. Books must be started after the theme call. This is the same for all RRRC challenges. (You can start a book after a theme call but before you have posted your selection post.)
Q: Do we have to report anywhere when the team is done with a week's theme?
A: Each group will have their own thread, and members will post their progress there. Team Captains will summarise team progress at the front of their team thread. I will maintain an overall progress chart for all the teams - and will post progress sporadically (hopefully weekly depending on my time commitments), but definitely in the last week ;)
Q: Completion post. Rather than including my review in the completion post, can I insert a link to my review?
A: No. Please include your actual review in the completion post.
Q: Option 2. Select a book from the 'READ' list of a team-mate that they read in the last 6 months AND that the team-mate rated at least 3 stars. Can we have a firm date set for the full challenge, eg 1 August, to allow for planning?
A: No. The six months will recalibrate each week - you can't plan until you have your team and it is only up to 6 members whose shelves you can pick from. I'll provide the six month date limit each week to avoid confusion.
Q: Does the 'series' rule only apply to Option 2?
A: Yes
Q: Under Option 2, can I use the same book from my team-mates shelf in multiple weeks under the 'series' rule? eg. continuing a series but using the same qualifying book.
A: Yes. But this can only continue whilst the book on your teamie's shelf continues to meet the 6 month key date timeframe.
Q: Under Option 2, can you use the book even if they didn't put a date read?
A: No.
It has to have a read date to show that it was read in the last six months. Otherwise it wouldn't qualify for Option 2. You can ask your teammate to add a date if you know they have read it though.
Q: Regarding the option to 'pass'. Do we have to decide that week who's passing or could we choose later on? Let's say that during week 1, everybody decides to read their book but once week 2 starts, one player realizes she cannot read week 1's book for whatever reason. Assuming that nobody else from the team passed, could she then decide to pass on last week's book?
A: No. The book selection or pass needs to be specified in the theme announcement week.
Members can only change their book selection in that theme's week. Once the next theme is announced, books are set in stone and cannot be changed.
Q: Do the books we use have to be on a particular bookshelf?
A: In some cases yes. Books must be selected from the lists provided if I don't have "(stated in the precis or shown on listopia or shelf)". Where I have noted "(stated in the precis or shown on listopia or shelf)", if a book is chosen from one of the optional lists, it is automatically approved.
Q: Must people follow the format you provided exactly? Or does the captain just need to make sure they include pertinent info? Week, book, # of pages, option and in the case they pick a shelf/listopia, a link to that?
A: I absolutely need the information requested here. I don't mind what the format is, although I would prefer it set out in the order of the list.
A lbookink or bookcover MUST be used. You cannot just type out the book title. And where the book is from a list or bookshelf, you must note which list/shelf. I have removed the need to insert a link.
The reasons:
* If you don't have the link to the book, the Captain and I will have trouble checking that the book qualifies. There are a lot of books out there with the same title. You don't want to be told AFTER you have read the book that it doesn't work.
* I need the week that the book relates to since some books may be read out of order.
* The page numbers makes it so much easier for everyone to know that the books complies with the rules.
* The same for the bookshelf name/tag or the qualifying note referencing the GR summary (ie how it qualifies for the theme).
It is important that the members do their bit to help out the Captain and the organizers to show compliance without us having to go digging.
Q: When you say "the Captain will also double-check that your book selection complies with the rules": Does this mean that if team-members say 'book is in this shelf' the captain must verify that the book is actually on the shelf? And that if they say the theme is in the GR summary, we also have to verify that?
A: I don't want the Captain to be a policeman but we do need someone in each team following how the rest of the team is progressing. If the info provided by the member looks reasonable to the Captain, fine - there is no need to investigate each shelf/tag or how the book otherwise qualifies.
But if we are reading a theme and the book selected looks dubious for that theme or how it qualifies, I would like the Captain to check it out further.
Q: What is the precis?
A: The precis is the blurb on the back of the book cover; the summary; the synopsis. Any of the details that are posted on the GR book description page will qualify.
Q: My book doesn't have a page count on Goodreads but I have the word count. Can I use the word count and what is the minimum acceptable?
A: Yes - a 35,000 minimum word count will be accepted as a substitute for the 100 page minimum. Because the word count to page conversion varies greatly, I have gone at the high end for this conversion.
Q: My book doesn't have a page count on Goodreads but Amazon does have a page count. Can I use Amazon's page count?
A: Yes. Please provide a link to the Amazon book page.
Q: If I read two books during the challenge that qualify for an announced theme, does our team earn more points?
A: No. We don't actually accumulate points in this challenge. You and your team-mates either complete all your reading and are ready to 'read-off' in the last week (week 11), or you aren't...
Q: If a team member is going to be away during the week of a theme, can they leave a list of pre-selected books (for all remaining themes) with the Team Captain to post that week?
A: Yes. If the team member has already highlighted that they will be away for a particular week, or has an operation etc, I am happy for the Team Captain to post that participant's book selection post. They must have pre-selected a book for that theme though.
The alternative is for the absent member to pre-select a book that complies with option 2, taking into account the 6 month date that will apply during that week.
Q: If a team member is reading a book in another language, should they post the book link in the selection & completion posts to the non-English version or to the English version?
A: Please link all books to the English version of that book. The book MUST have an English version to qualify for use during this challenge. (Apologies to everyone that is affected by this rule, but I need to know that the book qualifies for the theme etc.)
Q: Are re-reads allowed?
A: Yes. But each book can only be read once during the round/challenge.
If the theme specifically excludes a re-read, eg First in a new (to you) series, then obviously you must select a book you haven't read before.
Q: Does the book have to be a romance?
A: No, but it does have to be a novel. Textbooks will not count. Biographies and autobiographies are OK.
Q: If I don't find a book I like in the lists of theme books, can I choose any book that fits the theme?
No. You MUST select a book from a list where lists have been provided and where they do not have '(stated in the precis or shown on listopia or shelf) optional lists:' That is, if the only option for the theme are lists, then you MUST choose a book from those lists.
Other lists have 'optional' in front of them simply to help people. I won't question books that come from those lists. But you can also choose books that fit the theme via the blurb/precis, through bookshelves or other lists not provided. You just need to state how it fits and where the information came from.
REMEMBER: you may also select to use option 2 or 3 that week unless it is the last week, in which case only option 2 is a viable alternative.
Q: If a book is on a specified theme list but does not (in my opinion) meet the theme, can I still read it?
A: Yes. If the book is on the mandatory (or optional) lists/shelves in the theme post it qualifies whether it meets the theme or not.
Q: If I pick a book off a team mate's shelf it has to be a book that fits the theme? Or can it be any book at all, as long as it got 3 stars and was read in last 6 months?
If you use Option 2, you do not need to fit it to the week's theme. As you said, it can be any book so long as it was rated at least 3 stars by your teamie and was read no more than 6 months prior.
AND if the book is in a series but does not match where you are up to, you may read another book from that same series.
Q: Can I use the same option 2 book from my team-mates shelf more than once during the challenge by invoking the series rule?
Yes. So long as the book remains 'read' within the last 6 months with reference back to the week's key date, you can use the same book from your team-mates shelf. You just can't read reread a book previously used with this round.
Q: Option 2 - If the book I want to read isn't on my team-mate's shelf but they have read it during this challenge, can I just link to their completion post in our team thread?
A: No. The book MUST appear on their 'read' list.
Q: Can I DNF a book?
To DNF a book you must have:
* read at least 50% of the book
* the minimum page requirement of 100 pages must have been read in addition to having completed 50% (that is, if the book is only 105pp in total, you will need to have read through to and including page 100. If the book is 400pp, you need to read 200pp before you DNF the book.)
* note in your review that it was a DNF and explain why
* rate accordingly (no higher than 2 stars) and shelve the book as DNF
* in the 'completion post', you will need to note the pages read out of the total pages.
If it is a current week book, you can of course change the book. Once we have rolled into the next call, your book selection is set and cannot be altered.
Q: If I want to change my book within the week of the theme call, can I also change my option - eg from Option 1 to Option 2 or 3
A: Yes.
About the ThemesQ: Will any of the themes be repeated?
A: No, not for this round.
Q: Do we have to support that the book shows up in a particular shelf (eg showing you a link of how many people shelved a particular book as 'stalking') or just saying 'there's a stalker shelf' would suffice?
A: You must state the full name of the shelf/list/tag or provide a link to that shelf/list within your selection book post.
Tip from Calila: After you've decided on your book, If you go the book page, scroll and click on "Lists with this book" and then click on the appropriate list and copy the url, you'll link directly to the book's ranking on the list rather than just copy/paste the list in general.
This is not a requirement - just an easy way to link to your book in a list.
Q: What happens if a book is mis-shelved?
A: If books have been incorrectly shelved, they still count for that round. (I would appreciate them being removed if it is an RRRC shelf AFTER the round is finished.)
Where a theme has optional lists and the theme must be apparent in the title, the goodreads summary page or must be shelved by a GR member using words that show eligibility.
Q: Does the book HAVE to be on a bookshelf?
A: Where a shelf has been listed for a 'list-mandatory' theme, YES.
Q: Are listopia lists sufficient for proof of eligibility for the non-mandatory list themes?
A: Listopia will work for eligibility where it's name is apparent and correlated to the theme.
Q: Where a theme is based on a bookcover, can we use alternate edition covers of the same book?
A: Yes
Q: Book length - Some books straddle the page minimums depending on format (eg all books must be at least 100 pages). Can I choose, for example, to use the paperback page count per goodreads even though the hardback page count for the same book does not qualify?
A: Yes. If there is a goodreads edition that cites over 100 pages (any edition), that book is fine to use.
Q: When the themes are announced is there going to be listopia or Readers shelves suggested to help us pick?
A: I have included in the themes the lists/shelves that can be used to select books in most cases, where applicable.
Q: Does the 100 minimum page count still apply where books are included on a list/shelf that are under 100 pages.
A: Yes - the 100 page minimum still applies.
How to insert a link into a post
To insert a simple link to a shelf there are a couple of options:
* Copy the https address in the address bar of the page where the book is found - highlight the web-address, copy the address, and paste into your post
or
* Find a link to the shelf that you want (eg on my lists of shelves to use for the themes), right click with your mouse, select 'Copy Link Location' and then paste into your post
If you want to make it pretty and have a specific name:
* Type <*a href="insert the link that you copied as per above">name the location<*/a> but without the asterisks.
How to add in book links
* Click on 'add book/author' on the top right of your message box
* Type on the name of the tilte (if its popular I often add in the first or last name of the author as well)
* Select the correct book from the list and click 'add'
* At the bottom of the pop-up box you may choose whether to add a simple link or use the book cover.
Theme tracking2. Fires - read a book with a red or black cover. More than 50%.
3. Floods - Read a book that has more than 1,000 ratings.
Romances Set in Autumn
Best Seasonal Romance Christmas Winter
PNR Fantasy Christmas Winter Romance
Suspense Set in Winter and Cold
Winter Time Action and Romance
Best Gay Winter/ish Holiday Romance
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance
5. Cyclone/Hurricane - read a book from the following list:
Gay Romance with Crazy Jealous Partner/s
MM romance with Crazy Person
Crazy Love
Villains Need Love Too
Craziest Harlequins
Heroines Who Dye Their Hair Crazy Colors
6. Beautiful day - read a book set in spring/summer or a book recommended for reading in summer, from the following lists:
Gay Beach Summery Reads
Best Summer Romance Books
What to Read in Summer
7. Humid - read a book with the all the letters H U M I D in the Title, Series, Author's name, MC's names and/or Narrator's name.
8. Cold snap - read a book with less than 300pp (below 30 Fahrenheit)
10. El Nino (an ocean temperature weather pattern): In American Spanish, the capitalized term El Niño means "the boy" - Read a book told from the male MC's point of view or a gay romance.
List that may assist:
Romance Books Male POV Please show HOW this qualifies.
You may use a list (eg above), shelf, sole (or dual) male narration and, of course, MM romance.
11. La Nina - the opposite ocean temperature weather pattern to El Nino. Read a book from the following lists:
Odd Couples /Opposites Attract in Romance
Best Gay Romance with Characters from Different Backgrounds
Opposites Attract Contemporary Romance
Opposites Attract in Gay Romance
13. Clexit Coalition (International Climate Denial group) - read a book with an X in the Title, Series, Author's Name, MC's Names and or Narrator's Name.
14. Whirly Wind - Read a book with Insta love from one of the following lists:
Insta Love Romance Books
Insta Love Romance No Cheating
Can't Live Without You Insta Love Romance
Best MM Romance with True Soul/Fated Mate
Book published by Harlequin
Book published by Dreamspinner Press under the Dreamspun Desires label
15. Dust/Sand storm - read a book that has been on your TBR for more than 1 year OR read a book written before 1 January 2010.
MPG = Main Page Genre. This is the list on the far right side of the book's summary/precis.
I have removed the requirement that a link to a list or shelf is required in the selection post. BUT you MUST include the full name of that shelf/list in the post so that the book can be checked if needed. The name of the list or shelf MUST indicate that the book would likely fit that shelf.If you aren't sure - please include a link.
The Captain may request a link be provided by a team member if they need to verify that book
For category 7. HumidWhen you say the letters included in the title, series, etc
could H be in the title and UM be in the series and ID be in a characters name...or do all the letters need to be in one...ie title?
10. Male POV...does the entire book need to be or just part?
thanks
Tammie wrote: "For category 7. HumidWhen you say the letters included in the title, series, etc
could H be in the title and UM be in the series and ID be in a characters name...or do all the letters need to be i..."
HUMID - yes, your example would work where the letters are spread throughout the title, series and MCs.
Male POV - the whole book needs to be from the male POV. I will accept
*books on the provided list that I included in the themes,
*any books solely narrated by a male/s and
*all gay romances.
Sorry for the late reply (I hadn't clicked on notifications!!)
For cold snap I am thinking the book needs to be 299 pages or less.For heat wave 301 pages or more. Is that correct?
Is a 300 page book excluded from both?
Lisa wrote: "For cold snap I am thinking the book needs to be 299 pages or less.For heat wave 301 pages or more. Is that correct?
Is a 300 page book excluded from both?"
I'll update #9 to say 300pp and above, so that 300pp doesn't miss out :D
Male POV...would a non-fiction book written by a man work? The one I'm contemplating is not a romance.
Tammie wrote: "Male POV...would a non-fiction book written by a man work? The one I'm contemplating is not a romance."Yes - whilst this challenge allows non-romance but it isn't encouraged and we wouldn't want to see it used much. Given this is could be a difficult category to pick for, I'm happy for non-fiction to be used.
Jane (PS) wrote: "Tammie wrote: "Male POV...would a non-fiction book written by a man work? The one I'm contemplating is not a romance."Yes - whilst this challenge allows non-romance but it isn't encouraged and we..."
Jane, readers could always comr over yo the dark side and read a little man on man loving...lol
Lisa wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Tammie wrote: "Male POV...would a non-fiction book written by a man work? The one I'm contemplating is not a romance."Yes - whilst this challenge allows non-romance but it isn't..."
LOL - yes. That did cross my mind 🤗
Team 7 would like to be called “It’s Raining Men”
Hi Jane, Team 1 would like our name to be :Rock Me Like a Hurricane
Thanks,
Two teams to be named and one player to check in.I will announce the first category tomorrow at 4pm US EST regardless 😊
Hi Jane. . .team 5 would like to be knows as Category 5 Readers. . .thank you!
Jane, if the Male POV comes up, is it ok just to put MM Book as the qualification?
Jane, team 13 would like to be called Riders of the storm.
Lisa wrote: "Jane, if the Male POV comes up, is it ok just to put MM Book as the qualification?"Pretty much - put down MPG MM Romance :)
Ok - all teams are named and all members have checked in!!I will announce the first theme as soon as I get up in the morning. (This might be only an hour or so early.)
Week 1Option 1:
2. Fires - read a book with a red or black cover.
The cover. must have more than 50% of the color 'black' or 'red' on it. If you aren't sure, post the cover here for approval.
Option 2:
Key date - 6 September 2019
A book on your team mates 'read' list AND rated at least 3 stars and read on or after the key date.
Option 3:
Pass
This can only be used once each 5 weeks. Only one team mate can use this option each week.
Jane, is this ok?
Lisa wrote: "Jane, is this ok? "Yes :)
Hi Jane,I used https://labs.tineye.com/color/ and it adds up to over 50% in red, but just wanted to check with you:
thanks!
Is this red enough, Jane?
Kristen wrote: "Hi Jane,I used https://labs.tineye.com/color/ and it adds up to over 50% in red, but just wanted to check with you:
thanks!"
Yep
~KarenH~ wrote: "Is this red enough, Jane?"Yep
This looks black to me but wasn't sure...
or possibly this one -
Jane (PS) wrote: "I’ll accept both."Thanks.
Mostly Black?
⚣Michaelle⚣ wrote: "Mostly Black?"Yes.
Do either of these work?
or
Jane (PS) wrote: "Yes to both."Thanks Jane.
Ok Jane I'm debating between these two and I don't want to second guess myself later...
or
black enough?
Shelby wrote: "Ok Jane I'm debating between these two and I don't want to second guess myself later... or black enough?"Yes to both. Heading to bed now.
is this considered black?
Will this work?
Sorry Jane to pile on with request for approval but we can't come to consensus in my team thread :-( Are either of these red enough?
LaurLa wrote: "Sorry Jane to pile on with request for approval but we can't come to consensus in my team thread :-( Are either of these red enough?"Tin Eye says no to Hot Ice - not quite enough red.
Yes to To Tough to Tame :)
Mamacita wrote: " is this considered black?"I'm going to say yes because it is such a dark grey, it is almost black.
Nicole wrote: "Will this work?"Also no - the red can't quite get to 50%...
but to my eye it looks red enough, so go ahead :)
Leisha wrote: "Enough for red? I'd argue it's about bang on 50% with the dark red above and below the image but wanted to check!
"No it is mostly brown...
(This one really is more brown than anything else so I can't bend it slightly.)
Will this cover work?
- or this version
Trio wrote: "Will this cover work? - or this version "I'll allow that one since it IS a picture of fire.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Duke and I (other topics)The Duke and I (other topics)
The Real Deal (other topics)
The Real Deal (other topics)
Prisoner of Silk (other topics)
More...
I will also announce the themes each Friday in this thread and keep track of those categories announced in this message.
The themes will be announced between 3-6pm US EST.
Themes Announced:
(view spoiler)[Week 1
Option 1:
2. Fires - read a book with a red or black cover.
The cover. must have more than 50% of the color 'black' or 'red' on it.
Option 2: Key date - 6 September 2019
Week 2
Option 1: Compulsory list
5. Cyclone/Hurricane - read a book from the following list:
Gay Romance with Crazy Jealous Partner/s
MM romance with Crazy Person
Crazy Love
Villains Need Love Too
Craziest Harlequins
Heroines Who Dye Their Hair Crazy Colors
Option 2: Key date - 13 September 2019
Week 3
Option 1:
9. Heat wave - read a book with 300pp or more (30 Celcius or more)
Option 2: Key date - 20 September 2019
Week 4
Option 1: Compulsory lists
14. Whirly Wind - Read a book with Insta love from one of the following lists:
Insta Love Romance Books
Insta Love Romance No Cheating
Can't Live Without You Insta Love Romance
Best MM Romance with True Soul/Fated Mate
Book published by Harlequin
Book published by Dreamspinner Press under the Dreamspun Desires label
Option 2: Key date - 27 September 2019
Week 5
Option 1:
1. Drought - read a book with no people or animals on the cover
Option 2: Key date - 4 October 2019
Week 6
Option 1:
13. Clexit Coalition (International Climate Denial group) - read a book with an X in the Title, Series, Author's Name, MC's Names and or Narrator's Name.
Option 2: Key date - 11 October 2019 (hide spoiler)]
Week 7
Option 1:
12. Greta Thunberg (Climate Activist) - Read a book set in Europe.
Option 2: Key date - 18 October 2019
Week 8
Option 1: Compulsory lists
4. Snow storm - read a book set in autumn or winter from one of the following lists:
Romances Set in Autumn
Best Seasonal Romance Christmas Winter
PNR Fantasy Christmas Winter Romance
Suspense Set in Winter and Cold
Winter Time Action and Romance
Best Gay Winter/ish Holiday Romance
Best Gay Winter Themed Romance
Option 2: Key date - 25 October 2019
Week 9
Option 1:
15. Dust/Sand storm - read a book that has been on your TBR for more than 1 year OR read a book written before 1 January 2010.
Option 2: Key date - 1 November 2019
Week 10
Option 1:
6. Beautiful day - read a book from the following lists:
Gay Beach Summery Reads
Best Summer Romance Books
What to Read in Summer
You may also read a book that clearly notes that it is set in 'Spring' or 'Summer' in the precis/blurb or it is included in the title (eg Boys of Summer). Unless it is clear and easy to verify, I will not accept the book.
Option 2: Key date - 8 November 2019
*****
How the teams are going:
Google Drive link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Sop...