You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Scoring for February 2015 monthly challenge - Spelling Bee.

Score all that apply:

TITLE :
5 pts - Is one word and starts with one of letters in FEBRUARY (excludes a, the, an, etc)
4 pts - Contains the word FEBRUARY
3 pts - Contains the word HEART

AUTHOR :
5 pts – If the author was born in February (may have to do some research)
4 pts – If the author is from France
3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).

GENRE :
5 pts - Romance
4 pts - Historical Fiction
3 pts – Paranormal Fantasy


COVER : (based on the edition you read)
5 pts – Has snow on it
4 pts – Has more than two people on it
3 pts – Has a dog on it

PAGES :

2 pts - 200-299 pages long
3 pts - 300-399 pages long
4 pts - 400-499 pages long
5 pts -500+ pages long

Bonus Points :

3 pts – In honour of Heart & Stroke month, 3 pts if there is a doctor in the story.
3 pts – In honour of Hula in the Coola Day, 3 pts if the book is set in Hawaii or a trip to Hawaii is made.
3 pts – In honour of Grapefruit Month, 3 pts if someone eats any fruit but tomatoes and anything else that doesn't fit Janice's connotation of "fruit".

Example:

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Title: 0 points
Author: 3 pts, she walks amongst us
Genre: 5 pts, romance
Cover: 0 pts
Pages: 2 pts, 271 pages
Bonus: 0 pts

Total points: 10

For this month's challenge, I read Fairchild by Jaima Fixsen. It is a Regency romance. I enjoyed the story, but there was nothing special about it. I gave it a solid 3 star rating.

Now for the points:

Title: one word and starts with F - 5 points
Author: walks among us - 3 points
Genre: romance and historical fiction - 9 points
Cover: no points
Pages: 292 pages - 2 points

Bonus Points:
3 points: doctor in the story - "...her physician explained she was going to have a baby." p. 40
no Hawaii :(
3 points: someone eats fruit - "He had the last remains of an apple in his free hand..." p. 19

Total points: 25

Good start, Lanelle!

Thanks, Janice. It feels good to have it done. Now to decide which time travel book to read.

for the February Spelling Bee Challenge I chose to read Moloka'i by Alan Brennert. I liked it, I even shed a tear or two at the end.

TITLE : 0 pts
AUTHOR : 3 pts – Living author
GENRE : 4 pts - Historical Fiction
COVER : 0 pts
PAGES : 3 pts - 389 pages long
Bonus Points :
3 pts – lots of doctors in story
3 pts – set in Hawaii
3 pts – eating papaya and pineapple for breakfast

Total 19 points!

That was a great book for all the bonus points. I really enjoyed that book. I have been to Moloka'i a year or so before I read it and was able to picture the scenes.

I finished Time and Again by Jack Finney

399 pages 3 pts
3 pts doctor
3 pts fruit. There was an apple a fruit basket and something else. Guess apple all that matters anyway


9 pts. Definite and I'm calling
4 pts historical fiction
13 pts

Although it is more historical fiction than sci fi. Do I call it historical fiction? The time travel was a very small portion. The bulk was 1880's NYC

What about the cover points, Travis? Snow and multiple people?

this was the cover audible used Cherie. Why is there a cover with no snow the whole book takes place in winter and is constantly snowing I'll never know

Travis of NNY wrote: "Although it is more historical fiction than sci fi. Do I call it historical fiction? The time travel was a very small portion. The bulk was 1880's NYC"

209 users rated it as Historical Fiction, so it will count.

Thanks Janice I obviously wasn't going for a high score with that but could have been a possible for a glue stick but wouldn't want to get that by neglecting points. If someone came in less than that 9 point original score the point is mute anyway

I read Counterfait Cowboy
Title: 0 pts
Autor: Living: 3 pts
birthday wanst aviable in the web
Genre: Romance 5 pts
Cover: Snow: 5 pts
Two people: 4pts.
Pages 220: 2 pts
Bonus: the brothers from one of the main character are doctors: 3 pts.
Total: 22pts
The book is predictable, the characters are flat and the history is a chiché... quick read for the challenge and up to greener pastures (not in wild west...)

Short and sweet, and earns you a badge, Mariab. :)

I read Believe by Victoria Alexander

TITLE:
5 pts - Is one word and starts with one of letters in FEBRUARY (excludes a, the, an, etc)

AUTHOR:
3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).
She was not born in Feb and was born in the US.

GENRE:
5 pts - Romance

COVER: (based on the edition you read)
5 pts – Has snow on it (mountains in background)
4 pts – Has more than two people on it (4 guys on horses)

PAGES:
3 pts - 300-399 pages long (392)

Bonus Points: sad to say none

Total Points = 25
The dialogue and the first several chapters are the best part of the book, but I admit that I got caught up in the story.

Travis of NNY wrote: " this was the cover audible used Cherie. Why is there a cover with no snow the whole book takes place in winter and is constantly snowing I'll never know"

Too bad, Travis. This is the cover that comes up in the link . I am glad you liked it. I thought it was fantastic!

At least the book gave you some good points without the bonus points, Cherie.

Yes, Janice, it wasn't a total waste of time. I was entertained. I was sure they could have needed a doctor or court physician but oh, well. All the author had them eating was stale bread and cheese. They talked about cabbages and rhubarb but nary an apple or a mention of one passed their lips. :0)

Travis of NNY wrote: " this was the cover audible used Cherie. Why is there a cover with no snow the whole book takes place in winter and is constantly snowing I'll never know"

But I still see more than two people on the cover - the tiny people on the photo held by someone :)

Elinaly wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: " this was the cover audible used Cherie. Why is there a cover with no snow the whole book takes place in winter and is constantly snowing I'..."

yep, looks like multiple people to me. ☺

Elinaly wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: " this was the cover audible used Cherie. Why is there a cover with no snow the whole book takes place in winter and is constantly snowing I'..."

I agree.

Added 4 points to Travis's total.

I read The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi and it was a 5 star read for me.

Here's my score:
AUTHOR : 3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).
PAGES : 3 pts - 300-399 pages long

Total: 6 pts

Looks like we have a contender for the glue stick! I'm glad it was a 5 star read for you Sarah.

I couldn't put it down Janice!

I read People Of The Book by Geraldine Brooks. (A book about books,can it get any better?!?!)

No title points.

AUTHOR :
3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).

GENRE :
4 pts - Historical Fiction


COVER : (based on the edition you read)
No points

PAGES :
4 pts - 400-499 pages long

Bonus Points :

3 pts – In honour of Heart & Stroke month, 3 pts if there is a doctor in the story. - multiple doctors in different time periods.
3 pts – In honour of Grapefruit Month, 3 pts if someone eats any fruit but tomatoes and anything else that doesn't fit Janice's connotation of "fruit". - a couple of characters eat figs.

Total: 17 points

I read Life After Life

TITLE : 0 pts

AUTHOR :
3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).

GENRE :
4 pts - Historical Fiction

COVER : (based on the edition you read) Life After Life
5 pts – Has snow on it

PAGES :
5 pts -500+ pages long

Bonus Points :
3 pts – at least 2 doctors make regular appearances
3 pts – lots of fruit being eaten - apples, raspberries, plums

Total points: 23

Amazone by Maxence Fermine

TITLE : 5 points
5 pts - Is one word and starts with one of letters in FEBRUARY (excludes a, the, an, etc)

AUTHOR : 7 points
4 pts – If the author is from France
3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).

GENRE : 0 point

COVER : 0 point

PAGES : 2 points
2 pts - 200-299 pages long

Bonus Points : 6 points
3 pts – In honour of Heart & Stroke month
3 pts – In honour of Grapefruit Month: They eat a selection of dried fruits

total:20 points

Well, this isn't the best, but it meets the challenge, so I'll add it and see if I do better by the end of the month.

I read Landline by Rainbow Rowell

TITLE: 0 pts

AUTHOR: 3 pts - if the author walks amongst us (is living).

GENRE: 5 pts - Romance

COVER: 0 pts

PAGES: 3 pts - 300-399 pages long

BONUS: 3 pts - In honor of Grapefruit Month: the main character eats an apple with cheese slices.

TOTAL: 14 pts

What did you think of the book? I see it won a Goodreads award.

I read Room 702

Title: 5 points
Author: 3 points
Pages 406: 4 points
Bonus: 6 points

Total: 18 points

Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry



Title:
3 pts - Contains the word HEART

Author:
3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).

Pages:
4 pts

Genre: 0 pts

Cover: 0 pts

Bonus: 3 pts – In honour of Heart & Stroke month
3 pts – In honour of Grapefruit Month

Total: 16 points

Jennifer wrote: "I read Room 702

Title: 5 points
Author: 3 points
Pages 406: 4 points
Bonus: 6 points

Total: 18 points"

"Told from the omniscient perspective of the room." How was that?

It was really good. Some really funny parts and some not so funny.

I just realized the book I just read for the Toppler, can be used for this challenge:
Forest - Love, Loss, Legend by Rod Raglin.
Points:
- One word title = 5 pts
- Author is living (no idea when he was born, even after doing some research...) = 3 pts
- Genre, Cover, Pages = 0 pts (it has 194 pages)
- Bonus for docter (Jas, the wife of Matt's best friend is a docter and Matt ends up in hospital twice during this story) = 3 pts
- Bonus for fruit (Matt picks berries when in the forest hiking) = 3 pts
(Matt is the main character)

Total of 14 points!

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

I will need a ruling on one part of my points. See below


5 pts - Is one word and starts with one of letters in FEBRUARY (excludes a, the, an, etc)
3 pts – If the author walks amongst us (is living).
(5 pts - Romance (It is about a couple and they are in love but it is LitFic not a typical romance) need a ruling on this... )
4 pts - 400-499 pages long
Bonus Points : can't tell til I read it...
3 pts – In honour of Heart & Stroke month, 3 pts if there is a doctor in the story.
3 pts – In honour of Grapefruit Month, 3 pts if someone eats any fruit but tomatoes and anything else that doesn't fit Janice's connotation of "fruit".

18 points or 23 if you are really kind and give me romance points. This is probably as close to Romance as I am willing to get....

Awww, Beth. While there is love as a theme, it doesn't appear that anyone has rated it as romance. I searched online, too, and came up with nothing. So, I'll have to put on my meany hat and say no. 18 points. :(

I know there are others in the group who have read the book. Perhaps, they can offer their opinion.

I think the ruling is fair. If it really qualified as romance I wouldn't have gone near it...

Beth wrote: "I think the ruling is fair. If it really qualified as romance I wouldn't have gone near it..."

I used to think the same way, Beth, but I have been pleasantly supprised. ☺

City of Thieves David Benioff

awesome book!!

TITLE : 0
AUTHOR : 3 pts – walks amongst us (is living).

GENRE : 4 pts - Historical Fiction

COVER : 5 pts – Has snow on it

PAGES : 2 pts - 258 pages long

Bonus : 3 pts if there is a doctor in the story.

Total Points: 17 points

For this month's challenge I read Stop the Wedding!.
It was a fun, quick read.

Title: 0 pts
Author: 3 pts - author walks amongst us
Genre: 5 pts - romance
Pages: 0 pts - only 182 pages
Bonus: 3 pts - honor of grapefruit month. They ate skewers of proscuitto and cantaloupe for an appetizer.

Total points: 11

I read by Corbin Addison

3 pts – author is living

3 pts - 300-399 pages long

Total 6 pts.

Tracked to here.

One of the books I read for the toppler also works for this challenge. I enjoyed it.


Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Author: Jamie Ford

Cover: 0
Pages: 2 pts
Author still living: 3 pts
Romance genre: 5 pts
Also is historical fiction: 4 pts (if can count also)
Bonus for doctor in the story: 3 pts
Bonus for eating fruit (peaches): 3 pts
Bonus for Hawaii: 0 pts (there is a mention of Hawaii, but it is in reference to a past trip so I don't think it qualifies)

Total: 20 points

I read Rubbernecker by Belinda Bauer

TITLE:
Is one word and starts with one of the letters in FEBRUARY (excludes a, the, an, etc) - 5 points

AUTHOR:
If the author walks among us (is living) - 3 points

GENRE: 0 points

COVER: 0 points

PAGES:
400-499 pages (415) - 4 points

BONUS:
There is a doctor in the story (in honour of Heart & Stroke month) - 3 points


TOTAL - 15 points

I was a bit disappointed in this book after reading numerous good reviews about it. I thought it was going to be a lot darker than it was and I found the writing quite clunky at times. A couple of the characters grated on me too. However, the premise was an interesting one and there were some entertaining parts and a couple of good twists so I gave it 3 stars.

I read Dark Eden by Chris Beckett


Points:
Title: 0
Author: 3 (wasn't able to find any info on his birthday)
Genre: 0
Cover: 0
Pages: 4 (404 pages)
Fruit: need ruling for this. The book takes place on a different planet (the people call it Eden). The flora is quite different than on Earth, but there are whitelantern trees, which according to the book bear edible fruits. The people eat the fruit both fresh and dried several times during the book. Is an "imaginary" fruit like this accepted?

Total: 7 or 10 if fruit accepted

Camilla, it probably counts as soon as it does not look, smell or taste like tomatoes. :) Just kidding. Let's see what Madam Tuttifrutti says. :)

Sandra wrote: "Camilla, it probably counts as soon as it does not look, smell or taste like tomatoes. :) Just kidding. Let's see what Madam Tuttifrutti says. :)"

LOL! I would assume the whitelantern tree fruit is white, but the actual colour of the fruit was not mentioned. Can't say anything about the smell or taste either :-D

Well... it make sense that the fruit of the whitelantern is white, as soon as white is white in Eden and not red. You never now with fantasy - science fiction books. (view spoiler)[I think some authors take drugs before writing them (hide spoiler)]
Let's stop chatting in the reporting thread!