The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Do you feel that chill in the air? It's Winter Wars time (or Summer Days Redux if you're in the southern hemisphere).

The Wars begin November 1st

HOW TO JOIN
1. Reply to this thread with "I want to participate in a group" or "I want to participate by myself," and the number of books you read/listen to each year (this isn't to judge your reading habits but to attempt to create balanced teams).
2. The deadline to join a team is October 23
3. Anyone can join Winter Wars as long as the competition lasts, but after October 23 all newcomers will be soloists.

RULES
✧ Members will be broken out into up to 3-4 separate teams (or go solo option) before the start date (November 1st). You will work together to complete a series of tasks together and complete as many of them as you wish.
✧ Books must be read and reviewed during November 1st through December 31st. Any books or audiobooks started before November 1st or finished after December 31st will not count.
✧ If you read an Audiobook version of a book convert the hours to pages using this site: https://alamantus.itch.io/time-to-page or use the print equivalent on Goodreads.
✧ Graphic/Manga novels are accepted but will only count for half of the listed page count
✧ You must post at least 3 status updates OR a review. It doesn't have to be super detailed but try to not just say "this was good" for the book to count.
✧ For prompts: if it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit, and it will not count.
✧ Page Limits:
• Books: 150 pages
• Graphic Novels: 200 pages (halved=100 pages)
• Audiobooks: 150 pages (use GR print equivalent length)

POINT SYSTEM
+1 point for every book that has been read and reviewed that correlates with a category
+2 points for participating in a buddy read (must take place in the group)
+3 for one completed category
+4 points for reading/participating in a group read (must take place in the group)
+5 points for every 1,000 pages read
Note: Mods keep track of all points in a shared Google Sheets spread to keep everything as organized as possible.

CATEGORIES

Who's that?
1. Read a book where the main character is Black
2. Read a book where the main character is Latine(o/a/x)
3. Read a book where the main character is LGBTQIA+
4. Read a book where the main character is indigenous
5. Read a book where the main character is South Asian

What's in a Name?
1. Read a book with the character's name in the title
2. Read a book with a title or occupation (mr/ms/mrs/miss/mx, doctor, hangman, librarian, etc.) in the title (hereditary titles will not count for this prompt)
3. Read a book with a noble rank in the title (princess, king, queen, duke, earl, etc.)
4. Read a book with pronouns in the title (he/him/his, she/her/hers, xe/xim/xyr, they/them/theirs, we/us/our, you/your, etc.)
5. Read a book where the title has this format: A [Noun] of [Noun] and [Noun}

When is this?
Majority of the book (60% or more) must fit the prompt
1. Read a book that takes place during a holiday
2. Read a book set during the winter
3. Read a book set in the future (after 2022)
4. Read a book that has time travel (not dual POVS or flashbacks or jump forwards in narration, but the characters actually do a Back to the Future/Outlander thing)
5. Read a book set or published before 1880

Where are you?
1. Read a book set in your home state (or home country if not US)
2. Read a book that takes place in Asia
3. Read a book that takes place in Africa
4. Read a book that takes place in Europe
5. Read a book that takes place in South America or Australia/Oceania

Why are these prompts so hard?
1. Read a book that has been translated into the language you read (i.e., Spanish into English)
2. Read a nonfiction history book
3. Read a book written by an author who died before 1970
4. Read a collection of short stories/essays
5. Read a memoir/autobiography

How did this happen?
1. Read a book with snow or mountains on the cover
2. Read a book with a white cover
3. Read a book with a mostly-naked person on the cover
4. Read a book with a blue cover
5. Read a book with a bird or feline on the cover

LINKS TO SPREADSHEET AND DISCORD
To help track your team points, strategize and communicate, we've created individual team spreadsheets and team discord channels. Please note that the mods will not be checking either of these unless we are asked. Also, huge huge huge shout-out to Selina, who created the original team spreadsheet, taught us how to be amazing at excel, and is amazing herself, and also to Mina, who did a lot of the legwork in adapting it to team use. Any errors within it are mine—please let me know if you spot anything wonky.

Because Goodreads is being a butt and not allowing links from other sites in comments, the link to your team spreadsheet is in your team's discord channel

Participants

Bopeep (5)
crane (on semi-hiatus) (35)
Jamie (13)
June (10)
Kylie (32)
Laura (40)
Leslie (34)

COMPLETION POST:
The mods are going to be needing this from every participant for every book they finish for us to be able to track everything better. Only books that have a completion post will be considered for scoring points. Here is the template:

Title:
Author:
Start Date:
Finish Date:
Category and task: (only one task per book read)
Graphic Novel? (Yes or no)
Buddy Read? (Yes or no)
Group Read? (Yes or no)
Pages: (if a graphic novel, please post original and halved numbers)
Review: [link of your review]

Please ensure you include the category and task number. It really helps us when we input into our master spreadsheet <3

Hi everyone. I'm looking forward to playing the winter wars.

Here are some books I'm planning to read, in case anyone wants to buddy read:

Hey everyone :D This is my first time joining a team challenge here so I’m excited to start this! Also should we have a strategy for this? Maybe we could try to complete the prompt categories, try listing out books that fit each prompt?

Here is my plan for now (updated), though it will be fluid depending on buddy and group reads:
Who's that?
1. Read a book where the main character is Black: Dear Martin by Nic Stone (buddy read) (complete)
2. Read a book where the main character is Latine(o/a/x)
3. Read a book where the main character is LGBTQIA+: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune changed to The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (complete)
4. Read a book where the main character is indigenous; The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (group read) - changed to Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (complete)
5. Read a book where the main character is South Asian: A Burning by Megha Majumdar - changed to The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev (complete)

What's in a Name?
1. Read a book with the character's name in the title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab (buddy read)
2. Read a book with a title or occupation (mr/ms/mrs/miss/mx, doctor, hangman, librarian, etc.) in the title (hereditary titles will not count for this prompt):The History Teacher by Susan Bacon or The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton & James Patterson (potential group or buddy read?)
3. Read a book with a noble rank in the title (princess, king, queen, duke, earl, etc.): A Queen's Pride by N.D. Jones
4. Read a book with pronouns in the title (he/him/his, she/her/hers, xe/xim/xyr, they/them/theirs, we/us/our, you/your, etc.): He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedman - changed to
5. Read a book where the title has this format: A [Noun] of [Noun] and [Noun}: [book:A Song of Wraiths and Ruin|49629448] by Roseanne A Brown
.
When is this?
Majority of the book (60% or more) must fit the prompt
1. Read a book that takes place during a holiday: 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston (buddy read) (complete)
2. Read a book set during the winter: The Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman
3. Read a book set in the future (after 2022): The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird (complete)
4. Read a book that has time travel (not dual POVS or flashbacks or jump forwards in narration, but the characters actually do a Back to the Future/Outlander thing): Kindred by Octavia Butler (buddy read) (complete)
5. Read a book set or published before 1880: Once a Rebel by Mary Jo Putney

Where are you?
1. Read a book set in your home state (or home country if not US): my home state is Connecticut On Borrowed Time by Jenn McKinlay - changed to The Shadow Box by Luann Rice (complete)
2. Read a book that takes place in Asia: The Chinese Lake Murders by Robert van Gulick changed to A Burning by Megha Majumdar
3. Read a book that takes place in Africa: The African Queen by C.S. Forester (complete)
4. Read a book that takes place in Europe:
5. Read a book that takes place in South America or Australia/Oceania: Fatal Storm: The Inside Story of the Tragic Sydney-Hobart Race by Rob Mundle

Why are these prompts so hard?
1. Read a book that has been translated into the language you read (i.e., Spanish into English): The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin or Paprika by Yasutaka Tsutsui
2. Read a nonfiction history book: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson (possible buddy read?)
3. Read a book written by an author who died before 1970: Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
4. Read a collection of short stories/essays: Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom - changed to A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology (complete)
5. Read a memoir/autobiography: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (buddy read) (complete)

How did this happen?
1. Read a book with snow or mountains on the cover: The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson
2. Read a book with a white cover: The History of White People by Nell Irvin Painter
3. Read a book with a mostly-naked person on the cover: Dawn by Octavia Butler (complete)
4. Read a book with a blue cover: The Trees by Percival Everett - changed to Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune (complete)
5. Read a book with a bird or feline on the cover: Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus: Legends by Lydia Sherrer

Hey team 😊

Trying to complete each categpry at least once is always good tactic as get extra points each time a category completed. But tbh most the extra points come from doing buddy or group reads, other then that just read as much as you can for prompts.

I have some books to finish from previous months in november so doubt any be interested in buddy read. Other then that I will probably just see what interests and fits into tasks xx

My Masterpost

Books: 7
Pages: 1,460
Categories: 6/30

Who's that?
Who #3 // 1st Nov // 229pgs

What's in a Name?
What #2, 5th Nov & 224pgs
What #4, 9th Nov & 284pgs

When is this?
When #1, 13th Nov & 183pgs
When #1, 17th Nov & 156pgs
When #2, 15th Nov & 213pgs

Where are you?

Why are these prompts so hard?

How did this happen?
How #1, 15th Nov & 171pgs

Options
(view spoiler)[
Who #3, 3rd Nov & 270pgs
Who #3, 7th Nov & 312pgs

Who's that?
2.
3.
4.

When is this?
3.
(hide spoiler)]

Hello team! Nice to meet you all!
I usually wait for all the members to post their TBR, and then I try to put them all together if anyone does it before me hahaha So we know what pompts we don't have.

Here's my list for now! If anyone wants to BR something, just tell me~ I also have a book list I want to read this year, if anyone want to BR something from there ;3

Books to read for (almost) sure
- When is this? 3 (BR Dec 16-24)
- Where are you? 1 (Spain)
- Why are these prompts so hard? 1 / How did this happen? 5
- Who's that 4
Alice - What 1 - BR with Diné and Jamie
My Hero Academia nº 03 - Why 4
Witches Steeped in Gold - Who's that 1 - BR with Laura (6-17)
Daughter of the Deep - (BR with Laura Nov 20-26)
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology - Why 4 (BR with Raquel Dec 1-15)
La ciudad de las bestias - Where are you? 5 (BR with Myra?)
Si adivinas mi nombre - Who's that 3


Maybe or maybe not
(view spoiler)[
- Who's that 5
- What's in a name 3
- When's this 5
(hide spoiler)]

(PD: the Laura I will BR with it's not our Laura :P)

Hey sasquatches.
I'm new to this kind of event but thought it would be fun. I'm already buddy reading for the what's in a name prompt 1. I've made a little shelf of books from my tbr that match up with a winter read prompt. I, like most readers, buy books and then never read them so I want to hopefully get through a few. A few I'm planning to read are:
WIAN 3
HDTH 4 and HDTH 5
WIAN 2
I'm also going to look at what's in the library for some more ideas.

Hi everyone, I like the strategy of planning reads based on categories so we will have back-ups. I'm a mood reader and in summer the team that won had the most Buddy reads or group reads.

So I will give my potential reads and buddy reads:

Network Effect -When Is this 3
Spinning Silver- When is this 2
Libertie- Who's that 1 AND Buddy read
Dial A for Aunties - Who 5
Love From A to Z - How 5
Lie to Me
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Where 5 or How 2 Group Read
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House- Where 1
The Hero of Ages - how 2
There There - who 4
The Blessing Way - who 4

As I hoping to read Nonfiction November
Why 2 - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Why 4 or 5 - Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body

June wrote: "Hi everyone, I like the strategy of planning reads based on categories so we will have back-ups. I'm a mood reader and in summer the team that won had the most Buddy reads or group reads.

So I wi..."

@June Do you want to do a Buddy read for Caste? I've been wanting to read this too and I have the book ready to go. I can change my Why 2 easily. Also, The Blessing Way I could do too as a buddy read (instead of The First Eagle).

Hi everybody! I love these challenges because they encourage me to read more. I’ve read less this year than in previous years because I had my first baby. I’m usually a mood reader too and don’t have any particular titles planned yet. But I’ll keep my eye out for potential BRs and GRs.

I wasn't planning too, but figured worth a shot as may provide me some motivation to read from my physical tbr. I'm awful for going to kindle first, so if anyones interest in readinh any of these let me know. I doubt shall get to all of these so will prioritise buddy read books 😊

Who's that?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What's in a Name?
1.
4.

When is this?
1.
3.
5.

Where are you?
4.

How did this happen?
4.
5.

Team! I did a little compilation of what we'll read and no one's going to read a book with a mostly-naked person on the cover (How 3).

Anyone here has a book or recommendation for it? (the two I've found on my TBR are pretty huge books haha ^^')

Bopeep wrote: "Team! I did a little compilation of what we'll read and no one's going to read a book with a mostly-naked person on the cover (How 3).

Anyone here has a book or recommendation for it? (the two I'v..."

Lol I will definitely have a few that fit that one, just not planning tbr. Lots my reads have that in general so I should be fine to do that one 😂

As while i have listed ideas for books and tasks, im probably only going to read those if do a buddy read. Otherwise I likely won't, so mine shall be random in general xx

So, I'm wondering if this will count for the How #3?


If not, then I might try to read this for it:

Leslie wrote: "So, I'm wondering if this will count for the How #3?


If not, then I might try to read this for it:
[bookcover:The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love|3495..."

Dawn would work for How 3

Leslie wrote: "June wrote: "Hi everyone, I like the strategy of planning reads based on categories so we will have back-ups. I'm a mood reader and in summer the team that won had the most Buddy reads or group rea..."

Hi, yes I wouldn't mind buddy reading both of those books. Let me know what dates are good for you.

UPDATE

Winter Wars starts tomorrow (or whenever November 1st is for you)!

A couple quick reminders:

1. Only book started on or after November 1st count for this challenge
2. Buddy and Group Reads are your money makers!
3. Categories and prompts can be completed multiple times
4. Rereads are okay, but you can't reread a book that you've read for this challenge already (back-to-back rereads won't count)
5. If you have a question on a prompt, please ask in the General Sign-Ups thread—I'm sure others will have similar questions
6. Weekly updates will post on...Sundays. Yes, Sundays. Fingers crossed I remember.

And most of all: have fun!

hey everyone! just to confirm, does a group read mean that everyone in the group has to join?

Bopeep wrote: "Team! I did a little compilation of what we'll read and no one's going to read a book with a mostly-naked person on the cover (How 3).

Anyone here has a book or recommendation for it? (the two I'v..."

i… don’t have a recommendation, but i do have a book in my tbr that fits the prompt (and three other prompts too actually). Edin

Planned Buddy Reads: This is where y’all can put in the book that you want to buddy read)
1. (Book) + (No of prompts that fit) - (names of participants that are interested in BR this)
2.
3.

Ongoing Buddy/Group Reads: (Once someone wants to buddy read any of the books above, you input the book + participants’ names + prompts that fit here)
1.
2.
3.

Done Buddy/group reads: (once you’re done with the reading, move the book to this section)
1.
2.
3.

The Group reads are the ones made on the procrastinators club. There are four books chosen, on is Cemetery Boys, but can't remember the others. (Edit: the others are The only good indians, the love hypothesis and A Good girl's guide to murder). You can check them here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

The Buddy reads are asked on Nominations > buddy reads (November). (link here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...) There are a lot of books listed there, if you want to check too :)

GR is finally letting me post the link to the spreadsheet!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Yay, finally! Thank you Laurel! <3

Did anyone start reading, sasquatches?
I've started Alice and I love it! I hope to finish another book so I can fully center on the challenge huhu

Hey Bopeep,
Just about to start reading Alice myself. Good to know it's looking like good read I'm excited to start. Then I need to finish reading my book from last month to start getting into prompt reads!

Okay folks, one last thing before I leave you to read:

We're going to be a little stricter on Buddy Reads this time around.

This time around we are not going to allow Buddy Reads of series, which means one book per buddy read thread (view spoiler)[exceptions may be made for super short books in a series where the readers plan on reading back to back with no breaks (hide spoiler)]

Also, if you missed the initial sign-ups for a BR, you can only join if the original group hasn't hit the 50% mark on the book (per their reading schedule). If the timeline is past that, request a new BR—someone will want to join who also missed the first read through!

Bopeep wrote: "Yay, finally! Thank you Laurel! <3

Did anyone start reading, sasquatches?
I've started Alice and I love it! I hope to finish another book so I can fully center on the challenge huhu"

I started reading yesterday.
3 books under way in 3 different formats (physical book, Kindle book and Audible). and enjoying every one of them. I must admit I think I am getting less out of the Audible, so I might not do it that much any more. I must be more of a visual person than I thought.

Would anyone like to BR The Binding by Bridget Collins together? I’m currently losing focus on the book even though I’m just one chapter in… 😅

Title: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
Author: Fredrik Backman
Start Date: Nov 1
Finish Date: Nov 5
Category and task: What 4
Graphic Novel? (no)
Buddy Read? ( no)
Group Read? ( no)
Pages: 372
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Got three books read, just need to sort posts which i shall do tomorrow.

Hope everyones enjoying their books 😊

updated

Title: Southern Comfort
Author: Lola Carson
Start Date: 1st November
Finish Date: 1st November
Category and task: Who 3 // Read a book where the main character is LGBTQIA+
Graphic Novel? No
Buddy Read? No
Group Read? No
Pages: 229pgs
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

updated

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WINTER WARS update 7 November 2021

We try to post updates each Sunday of this challenge for teams and solo participants. It might not be Sunday yet in some parts of the world but this is for consistency purposes.

TEAMS:
The Abominable Abdominals: 19
The Jet-Setting Yetis: 29
The Suffering Succotash Sasquatches: 2
The Blistering Bigfoots: 34
The Laughing Lake Monsters: 13

The Cryptic Cryptids

Laurel: 1
Isabella: 2

It's our first weekly update! Woohoo!

Remember, those buddy and group reads are where the points are won—and if you buddy read within your teams your points add up a lot faster. And if you're feeling a little behind, that's okay! In the past it's not always the groups that jump ahead in the beginning that win in the end. Points can change dramatically from week to week—the goal is to keep reading, keep posting updates, and rack up those bonus points!

Three housekeeping notes as we roll past our first week:
1. Don't forget to put the prompt category and number in your completion post. It helps us out a lot!
2. If you are participating in a Group or Buddy Read, don't forget to post in that thread!
3. Have a question? Ask in the sign-up thread (because other folks might have the same question)...and check to see if anyone else has asked the question before :)

Happy Winter Wars

❤︎ From the Procrastinator Mods

Title: Coach
Author: Declan Rhodes
Start Date: 5th November
Finish Date: 5th November
Category and task: What 2 // Read a book with a title or occupation (mr/ms/mrs/miss/mx, doctor, hangman, librarian, etc.) in the title (hereditary titles will not count for this prompt)
Graphic Novel? No
Buddy Read? No
Group Read? No
Pages: 224pgs
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

UPDATED

Hello team!
I've started a book that can fit on various prompts, which one do you think it could be the hardest to fit?
-What 2 (Read a book with a title or occupation (mr/ms/mrs/miss/mx, doctor, hangman, librarian, etc.) in the title (hereditary titles will not count for this prompt))
-Where 2 (Read a book that takes place in Asia)
-Why 4 (Read a collection of short stories)

How are your reads going?
I hope to finish at least 2 books this weeks so maybe we could get more points soon hahaha

Bopeep wrote: "Hello team!
I've started a book that can fit on various prompts, which one do you think it could be the hardest to fit?
-What 2 (Read a book with a title or occupation (mr/ms/mrs/miss/mx, doctor, ..."

Id go for where 2 or why 4. The what seems easy enough to find and I done once for it already, so better to spread across tasks for now.

Just going with the flow and enjoying my books, see if they fit anywhere as I go. Originally I thought these tasks easier then usual, but as I read and realize can't fit I've changed my mind about that 😂

Hope you're enjoying your books too!

Title: Alice
Author: Christina Henry
Start Date: November 1st
Finish Date: November 11th
Category and task: What 1 (the name on the MC on the title)
Graphic Novel? No
Buddy Read? Yes - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Group Read? No
Pages: 291
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Title: Alice
Author: Christina Henry
Start Date: November 1st
Finish Date: November 11th
Category and task: What's in a name? 1
Graphic Novel? No
Buddy Read? Yes
Group Read? No
Pages: 291
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

@Bopeep I'd say Why 4, I don't know about anyone else but I rarely read short story collections so maybe that'd be the hardest one to fill?

Title: The Suspect
Author: Fiona Barton
Start Date: November 4
Finish Date: November 10
Category and task: Where 4
Graphic Novel? no
Buddy Read? no
Group Read? no
Pages: 480
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I should finish the group read - A Good Girl's Guide to Murder tomorrow.

I read two books in the MurderBot series- but not sure if to add. Can't find any prompt they fit nicely. There is no concrete evidence of being in the future. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Next week I should be free for some buddy reads.

Title: Love Lessons
Author: Heidi Cullinan
Start Date: 7 Nov 2021
Finish Date: 12 Nov 2021
Category and Task: Who's that? Task 3
Graphic novel? No
Buddy Read? No
Group Read? No
Pages: 379
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Title: Primal Sin
Author: Ariana Nash
Start Date: 12 Nov 2021
Finish Date: 13 Nov 2021
Category and Task: Who's that? Task 3
Graphic novel? No
Buddy Read? No
Group Read? No
Pages: 282
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Title: Eternal Sin
Author: Ariana Nash
Start Date: 13 Nov
Finish Date: 13 Nov
Category and Task: Who’s that? Task 3
Graphic novel? No
Buddy Read? No
Group Read? No
Pages: 310
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Title: Total Creative Control
Author: Joanna Chambers
Start Date: 13 Nov
Finish Date: 13 Nov
Category and Task: Who’s that? Task 3
Graphic novel? No
Buddy Read? No
Group Read? No
Pages: 364
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

UPDATED