Pick-a-Shelf discussion

I know some of you are still finishing up the YOU CHOOSE Challenge but seeing as we are coming close to the end of the year with many many fun things to do, I'm announcing the 2011 challenge now so if we can answer any questions on the rules before the holiday season :)

Really Overly Ambitious Reading - 2011 Challenge

1. This challenge will run for the full year: 1 Jan 2011 to 31 Dec 2011

2. On the 1st of each month, we will announce 5 challenges worth certain number of points which you will earn by completing them (ie. 60 challenges in 12 months)
These challenges never expire and accrue over time but a maximum of 5 books are allowed for each challenges (ie. maximum 25 books for 5 challenges); however as an exception, this particular rule does not apply to Mini Shelf-a-Thon (refer #5 below).
One book may overlap a challenge from Jan, one in March, and maybe even one in September and points can be awarded for all challenges it covered (as long as the book was not previously reported & been awarded points) however maximum overlap of 7 challenges.

3. On the 15th of each month, we will announce bonus point challenges but these are only open for 7 days from day announced.
To earn these bonus points, you don't have to finish reading the book as long as you are either starting it or is in the middle of it within the 7 days’ period.
Bonus points challenges can only be used once (ie. one book per bonus point challenge).

4. If any of books that you read for the Really Ambitious Challenge:
a. is over 500 pages, you will earn a bonus 50 points
b. is on the shelf of the month, you will earn a bonus of 25 points (book that fits January shelf should be read in January to earn this particular points).

5. Incorporated into this game is our favourite game of all times: Shelf-A-Thon but a mini one. Mini Shelf-a-thon will be a monthly feature as one of the 5 challenges being announced.
Only 12 shelves are for play each month (ie. 144 shelves in 12 months) and we will announce which particular 12 shelves on the 1st of each month with the rest of the challenges.
Following Rule 2 (above), as an exception to Mini SAT only you may read as many books to complete Mini SAT challenge however:
** if Mini SAT is completed with less than 5 books(which we will check that it’s possible prior to announcing the 12 shelves), you will be awarded 50 bonus points;
** if Mini SAT is completed with more than 5 books, you will be penalised 15 points per book in excess of 5 (ie. If completed with 7 books, 30 penalty points)
A book may overlap between March & April shelves, so it counts as 1 book in the March mini SAT and 1 book in April mini SAT

Modified Shelf-a-Thon rules to apply for Mini SAT:
Object of the Game: To have read off the most shelves from the official list as per announced monthly in 2011.

a. To have read a book off a shelf, you must read a book that is found on that particular shelf. ie. to have read book off the read-2009 shelf, you must read a book that is found on read-2009 shelf. For example, New Moon is on the top of this shelf.

b. A single book may be found on several shelves however we will only count the first 2 pages of top shelves for this book. Following above example, you may find New Moon are found on the following shelves: New Moon - Popular Shelves. However we will only count the first 2 pages of listed shelves for this challenge (note: this is to make it easier for everybody as New Moon is found on 84 pages of shelves!)

c. You don’t have to read off the shelves in any particular order of shelves but the name of shelves must match exactly to the shelf you are trying to count. No deviations are acceptable (check the spelling off the official list).

d. You may skip up to 12 shelves out of 144 shelves, but you will be penalised 15 points per shelves. Please note if you skip a shelf in a particular month’s list of shelves, even though you completed the list with less than 5 books, you cannot claim the 50 bonus points.

e. It is permissible to read a book that is found on a shelf you've already counted; just ignore those when you are tracking them.

6. We will also post a reporting thread on the last day of the month.
We will create a folder where you can post your own planning / tracking discussion thread.
There will be a spreadsheet (which will be made available for you to download - a google document - on 1 January 2011) to help you to track. Of course, this is optional, it's only here to help you if you want it. As you'll be tracking your own progress, we would appreciate your honesty in the spirit of the game.
Please follow the following format when reporting on the 'formal' monthly reporting thread:

Challenge X.X: X books @ Y points each = XY points
Bonus Pointers:
Thick (>500 pages): x books @ 50 points each = 50x points
Wide (Monthly shelf): x books @ 25 points each = 25x points
Mini SAT: x books for ‘month’ shelves = +50 points or -(x-5)15
Monthlies: x points
Grand Total: XY points

For Example
Challenge 1.1: 2 books @ 20 points each = 40 points
Challenge 1.3: 3 books @ 7 points each = 21 points
Challenge 3.5: 1 books @ 50 points = 50 points
Extra:
Thick (>500 pages): 1 books @ 50 points each = 50 points
Wide (Monthly shelf): 2 books @ 25 points each = 50 points
Mini SAT: 4 books for ‘January’ shelves = 50 points
Mini SAT: 7 books for ‘April’ shelves = -30 points
Monthlies: 20 points
Grand Total: 251 points

Don't worry about the reporting format yet, it will make more sense when the challenges are actually announced

Here's a spreadsheet to help you keep track of the challenges (Note: it is pre-filled with January):

ROAR Challenge Worksheet

User Guide:
There are 3 worksheets: ‘ROAR’, ‘Mini SAT’, and ‘Example’

Mini SAT’ is as the name imply is specifically for Mini SAT – this is where you can keep track of shelves you have read off for the challenge.

‘ROAR’ is for to keep track of monthly challenges.
These worksheets are mainly to keep track of overlaps (ie. so you know if you have read the maximum number of books for a challenge (5 books) and if you have reached the maximum challenges overlap for a book (7 challenges)).

‘Example’ worksheet is an example of how the other worksheets are to be utilised. To ‘tick’ the challenge the book fulfils, place a number in the appropriate cell (any number will do, for this example I’ve just used the number 1). The Count in column C (to the left) is to count the number of books you have read for the challenge so you will need to note that it does not exceed 5. The Count at the bottom (Row 63) is to count the number of challenges a book overlaps and again you will need to note that it does not exceed 7.

I hope I’ve explained myself clearly on how to use the spreadsheet. Let me know if you have any Qs.

You really want all my ?????s?

1. I don't understand the books overlapping between certain months and why those months were picked.

2. The rules for Mini SAT say that the first 5 pages will be used and later that the first 2 pages will be used. Which is correct?

3. Will the shelves for Mini SAT expire at the end of each month or cam a shelf I missed in Jan. be hit in Feb?

Thats it for now. But I have to say this looks super fun. You Mods have been busy!!

Lahni wrote: "You really want all my ?????s? ..."

Good Questions to begin with :)
1. A book may fulfil criterias for a January challenge and / or a May challenge. The months I picked above were merely example.

For example: say you're reading New Moon and this may fulfil the criteria of a January challenge for a female author and a May challenge for a young adult fiction. Of course if you read this book in February and have claimed the points for the January challenge, you can't claim the points for the May challenge. However, if you read it in May, you may claim for both Jan & May points (but max of 5 books per monthly challenge)

Is that better?

2. Thanks & sorry for the confusion, I was editing SAT rule and I obviously missed one bit!

3. The shelves do not expire until you have read off them so yes, you can read off Jan shelf in Feb

This is great!! Good job guys. Although I may have questions as I go along, I think I have it for now. Especially, thanks for bringing back the Shelf-a-thon in a way, it was my favorite challenge. The mini SAT sounds like it improves on the old version and will be even more fun.

Natasha wrote: "Could you please clarify the Mini SAT. I get the five books or less, but I'm a little confused by the 12 shelves. Are the 12 shelves supposed to be fulfilled by fiv..."

Yes, Natasha, you got it exactly right :)

This is like Shelf-a-thon on crack!

So true, Tara. It will be great.

Wow you guys have obviously put a lot of work into this.... I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the information: the rules, point system, etc.

Blarneygod wrote: "Wow you guys have obviously put a lot of work into this.... I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the information: the rules, point system, etc."

I agree. I was going to do this, but I may just stick to shelf reads. Is the challenge easier to do than it looks? It looks rather complicated.

I suspect (hoping) that once we start seeing the monthly challenges it will start to make sense. Plus then our questions can be more specific.

BTW do we get to see the Jan challenges ahead of time so we can plan or will they apper in Jan? (I like to plan since I try to balance several challenges and book group reads)

Lahni wrote: "I suspect (hoping) that once we start seeing the monthly challenges it will start to make sense. Plus then our questions can be more specific."

That's what I'm hoping too, at the moment I can't get my head around it at all!

It does look a bit complicated, isn't it? We were trying to make it as smooth as possible and hopefully minimise the questions by capturing all facets in one go :p

But I think when the challenges start (you can obviously ask more pointed questions) and as I have also prepared an example with the spreadsheet, I hope overall won't be that complicated :)

Well, the plan is to announce the Jan challenges on 1 Jan (I will try my hardest to do this) but don't worry as challenges do not expire (ie. you can do Jan challenges in May if you want to!) :)

This sounds awesome!! I love SAT and have been doing it on my own for a while now... :)

I am so curious about this one, but I am a bit overwhelmed... I am always willing to try though.

Same here, Natasha. I've seen what these ladies come up with, and I am sure that it will be great and a lot of fun.

Is there a page limit for countable books? I'm thinking specifically of SAT. But I guess in general is a good question too.

Lahni wrote: "Is there a page limit for countable books? I'm thinking specifically of SAT. But I guess in general is a good question too."

Hhmm, well, I never really thought about setting a page limit but to be fair let's say at least 100? Excepting of course, for SAT, when it comes to children's books and / or picture books :)

Perfect. You must have read my mind with the children's books. That was exactly what I was thinking.

Now that it kinda makes sense to me, I'm finding it hard to pass up! I've become such a sucker for challenges, lol.

Vivian wrote: "Now that it kinda makes sense to me, I'm finding it hard to pass up! I've become such a sucker for challenges, lol."

Me too! I think I'm doing 4 reading challenges this year :-/ Let's do this!

I'm still sort of confused on the mini SAT... if I understand it right, I must read 5 books or less for the entire mini SAT challenge and those 5 must come from all of the 12 shelves (so must overlap). Example for January's shelves: I could use The Giver for teen and teen fiction shelves. Am I getting it or is that wrong?

Second question - Are the other parts of the challenge limited within the 5 books also, or are they separate?

I think you have it right. Your goal is to read all shelves with 5 or less and you lose 15 points (i think) per book over 5 that it takes you. You must read all shelves to get any credit.

For the other challenges. You can get credit for up to 5 books. so if you read one debut novel, you'll get 20 points. two: 40, and so on...with 5 at 100 points max. for that challenge.

someone correct me if I have it wrong :)

Christina wrote: "I think you have it right. Your goal is to read all shelves with 5 or less and you lose 15 points (i think) per book over 5 that it takes you. You must read all shelves to get any credit."

Thanks!

Welcome :)

Christina wrote: "I think you have it right. Your goal is to read all shelves with 5 or less and you lose 15 points (i think) per book over 5 that it takes you. You must read all shelves to get any credit..."

Thanks, Christina, you got it exactly right :)

Ok Christina, I'm with you! I'm in a bunch of challenges in other groups, but this is definitely the biggest, most complicated one I'm in. It'll be fun :)

Yes it definitely is...

....and yes it will :-P

Good Luck :)

same to you! and everyone else crazy enough to do this, hehe :)

Clarifications please!

1. Asked earlier, but maybe I missed the answer. For the Mini-SAT - we can use only the first TWO pages on the shelf, correct, as opposed to 5?

2. In extras, I get 'thick' and 'wide', but what do 'monthlies' points refer to?

I'm not sure about that one. I also wanted to clarify...

if it takes 7 books to complete the mini SAT do we earn -30 points...

or is it 50 for completing -30 =20?

Vivian wrote: "Clarifications please!

1. Asked earlier, but maybe I missed the answer. For the Mini-SAT - we can use only the first TWO pages on the shelf, correct, as opposed to 5?

2. In extras, I get 'thick'..."

I believe "monthlies" are the books that meet the challege tasks and also are found on the current shelf we are reading from. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

As I understand it - upon completing mini SAT:


1. 5 books = 50 points (the standard)
2. every book over 5 is minus 15 pts (6 books = 35, 7 books = 20)
3. 4 books = 50 points + 50 bonus points,
total = 100 pts

The way I'm scoring it is to have 'challenge 1.1' as completing mini SAT @ 50 points. Then, I'll add or subtract points under the 'extras' if I go over or under 5 books. But I'm not sure if the mods want us to do it differently?

@ Lahni - isn't that what "wide" is? It also fits on that month's shelf? Or am I misunderstanding that?

Vivian wrote: "@ Lahni - isn't that what "wide" is? It also fits on that month's shelf? Or am I misunderstanding that?"

You're right. apparently I haven't a clue what "monthlies" are. Thats what I get for multitasking! :P

Maybe its the bonus challenge given on the 15th of the month that is only open for 7 days.

Oh right! I think I had that thought at some point and it flitted away. That sounds good to me :)

Vivian wrote: "Clarifications please!

1. Asked earlier, but maybe I missed the answer. For the Mini-SAT - we can use only the first TWO pages on the shelf, correct, as opposed to 5?

2. In extras, I get 'thick'..."

1. yes
2. 'monthlies' refers to the bonus points announced on 15th (as Lahni's msg #39) - I didn't know what else to call it, :p
And Vivian, you are correct on #36

sorry being short, my son is being a fuss-pot!

Wait first 2 pages on the shelf...or first 2 pages of shelves for that book??

Christina wrote: "Wait first 2 pages on the shelf...or first 2 pages of shelves for that book??"

Oh dear, you can choose a book from any page of that particular shelf but to count all the other shelves that book is shelved on, you can only use the first 2 pages of top shelves that book is listed on... It's a bit confusing unless you are working with an example:

A single book may be found on several shelves however we will only count the first 2 pages of top shelves for this book. Following above example, you may find New Moon are found on the following shelves: New Moon - Popular Shelves. However we will only count the first 2 pages of listed shelves for this challenge (note: this is to make it easier for everybody as New Moon is found on 84 pages of shelves!)

So 'New Moon' could be on page 10 of 'Fantasy' shelf and then to tally your shelves, you can check the 'top shelves' on the book page but only use the first 2 pages of it. I hope that makes a bit more sense.

Karen wrote: "Christina wrote: "Wait first 2 pages on the shelf...or first 2 pages of shelves for that book??"

Oh dear, you can choose a book from any page of that particular shelf but to count all the other ..."

yes. Thats what I thought at first but then I read someone's post and started to doubt my understanding. I'm glad, since that's what I was doing. Thanks Karen! :)

Oh, I totally had the shelves thing wrong. Makes sense now thanks!

soo confusing! :-P so many rules! :-/ so excited! ;)

Karen wrote: "Christina wrote: "Wait first 2 pages on the shelf...or first 2 pages of shelves for that book??"

Oh dear, you can choose a book from any page of that particular shelf but to count all the other ..."

This is only for the mini-SAT though. For the other tasks the book just has to be shelved on the "monthly" shelf (in this case Coming of Age), right?

Tara, yes, that's correct :)

Tara wrote: "Karen wrote: "Christina wrote: "Wait first 2 pages on the shelf...or first 2 pages of shelves for that book??"

Oh dear, you can choose a book from any page of that particular shelf but to count al..."

Oh, didn't know that. So only mini SAT is limited to the first two shelves pages? Nice.

I often read large print books rather than the regular editions. I was just requesting Memoirs of a Geisha from the library, and noticed that if I'd gotten the regular edition, it would have only been 434 pages, but the large print edition has 699. I suspect that may often be true for books near the 500 page mark. How do we deal with that to make it equitable about who's eligible for the extra 50 points?

Susan wrote: "I often read large print books rather than the regular editions. I was just requesting Memoirs of a Geisha from the library, and noticed that if I'd gotten the regular edition, it would have only b..."

Ah, thanks for asking!
Of course, for most editions, you could use the number of pages for that edition however for LP / audio / ebook, please use the number of pages stated in the mass market paperback (or most common paperback) edition.
Cheers!

Thanks Karen, I was wondering the same thing, only about e-books.

Sorry, I seem to keep coming up with a lot of questions about unclear areas. Here's my newest:

I am Number Four was written by a duo, under the pseudonym Pittacus Lore. (You have to read the book to understand the pseydonym.). One author, James Frey has written prior books; but for the other author, Jobie Hughes, it's his first (and he isn't even listed in Goodreads). I think that makes it fair to call a debut work. Does everyone agree?