Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

Anyone want to take a stab at the next reading challenge? The dates will run April 1- June 30th. Check out our past challenges for ideas.

Rookies, don't be afraid to step up to the task! I'm sure our challenge veterans will be more than happy to help you out!

Well, since it's summer time, we almost certainly need a summer category.

Some ideas:

Read a book that takes place on a vacation

Read a book by an author with a name that begins with V, A, C, A, T, I, O or a N

I was thinking we could do an easier set up then we've been doing for the last couple of months. We've been doing the traditional, which I love, but the end of the school year and the beginning of summer would be a perfect time for a more relaxed challenge (like our A-Z one). I don't have any ideas past that, but I'll keep thinking.

Or even s-p-r-i-n-g b-r-e-a-k!

Sam wrote: "Well, since it's summer time, we almost certainly need a summer category.

Some ideas:

Read a book that takes place on a vacation

Read a book by an author with a name that begins with V, A,..."

Read a book that takes place in the span of a week or less.

What about a 50 states challenge? Or around the world? We could do an alphabet challenge where your book has to take place in a country that begins with different of the alphabet.

A-Afghanistan
B-Belgium
C-China

etc...

I hope someone continues running a challenge. I will be very busy next month and won't be able to help, but someone should!! :)

I can run it, but it would have to be an easy one. I'm liking an A-Z type challenge, but I think it should be author or title. It's too hard to do states or countries because that info is rarely in the synopsis, and it takes way to much time to research that. We could do 10 points per letter. Repeats are worth 2 UNLESS you have gone through the whole alphabet, then they could be worth 5. 5 points for genre bonuses, 5 points if they meet Kellee's challenges, 5 points if they are group reads (with an additional 5 if read during the month of the group read). Thoughts?

I like the A to Z one. The end of the year is a madhouse for me, but A to Z I could definitely handle.

Does anyone have a preference? A-Z Author (first or last name begins with the letter, except X, Q, Z, which can be anywhere) or A-Z Title (first letter, excluding A and The, except X, Q, Y, Z, which can be anywhere)?

Karis (YA Litwit) wrote: "I can run it, but it would have to be an easy one. I'm liking an A-Z type challenge, but I think it should be author or title. It's too hard to do states or countries because that info is rarely ..."

I didn't add EVERY book I've read/found, but I did make a topic in our group about books set in the different states. I believe I found at least one for each.

(An A-Z by author or title is still much easier!!)

Karis (YA Litwit) wrote: "Does anyone have a preference? A-Z Author (first or last name begins with the letter, except X, Q, Z, which can be anywhere) or A-Z Title (first letter, excluding A and The, except X, Q, Y, Z, whi..."

Our last A-Z was for book titles, so I vote for author name!

I remember the a to z one going over well last time around. Some people got some mad points too with the additionals.

I don't think there should be an exception on the harder letters, that makes it more of a challenge and there are plenty of authors who have names that start with q,x,y,and z!

I like the A to Z titles!

I like authors A-Z! I wouldn't mind helping you run it Karis. :)

I would also be more than willing to help out. Don't know exactly what that would require of me, but yeah =)

Ashley wrote: "I don't think there should be an exception on the harder letters, that makes it more of a challenge and there are plenty of authors who have names that start with q,x,y,and z!"

Y, yes, for authors. (It's a more difficult letter with titles.) If you can find me 15 YA authors, for each letter, who have first or last names beginning Q, X, and Z, I would say no exception. Z has a few. I have one on my 700+ TBR that starts with Q, but it isn't out yet, and X is nearly impossible (I'm pleased Fransico X. Stork and Adam Rex have newish books out), even with the exception.

I like to be able to complete challenges without having to read a book I absolutely hate because there are so few choices. Reading Q, X, Z anywhere in the name is very challenging if you're sticking to YA and MG.

Does anyone else want to weigh in?

@Kristen and Stephanie Yes! I will make up a spreadsheet and share it with you on Google Docs over the next few days.

Ashley wrote: "I don't think there should be an exception on the harder letters, that makes it more of a challenge and there are plenty of authors who have names that start with q,x,y,and z!"

What about crazy (I'm thinking, +20) bonus points if you read an author who has a name beginning with Q, X, or Z?

Ooh! I like that idea Karis!

Karis (YA Litwit) wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I don't think there should be an exception on the harder letters, that makes it more of a challenge and there are plenty of authors who have names that start with q,x,y,and z!"

What..."

I like that idea too. But I have 6 YA authors in my TBR whose last name begins with Z. (Just saying'.)

Angela wrote: "Karis (YA Litwit) wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I don't think there should be an exception on the harder letters, that makes it more of a challenge and there are plenty of authors who have names that star..."

Yeah, I said Z had a few, but Q and especially X are next to impossible.

Karis (YA Litwit) wrote: "Angela wrote: "Karis (YA Litwit) wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I don't think there should be an exception on the harder letters, that makes it more of a challenge and there are plenty of authors who have..."

Absolutely!

How about the regular points if the letter is anywhere in the name and 10 points bonus if it is the first letter?

That seems fair. And it would take care of those hard to find letters.

Kellee wrote: "How about the regular points if the letter is anywhere in the name and 10 points bonus if it is the first letter?"

That sounds reasonable.

I like that idea Kellee. :)

Kellee wrote: "How about the regular points if the letter is anywhere in the name and 10 points bonus if it is the first letter?"

Sounds good to me too. Working on the official challenge rules this am and will get the spreadsheet out to co-hosts, Kristen and Stephanie, later. I will also post it here with the challenge so that ya'll can copy it and use it if you like. I have some nice ARCs up for grabs as prizes, plus maybe a signed copy of Crush Control by Jennifer Jabaley.

Kristen wrote: "I like that idea Kellee. :)"

Yay!

did we decide on authors or titles for the abc challenge?

I believe we are doing authors.

Stephanie wrote: "I believe we are doing authors."

Yes, author's last names, right?

Kellee wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I believe we are doing authors."

Yes, author's last names, right?"

Do ya'll want to do first OR last names, or just last names? I'm partial to just last names (except for I, Q, and X).

Okay All, Here it is!

WT Challenge #12: A-Z Author Challenge

1. This Challenge is just for fun, so make sure you enjoy yourself!
2. The Challenge begins at 12:00 A.M. local time on April 1, 2012 and ends at 11:59 P.M. local time on June 30, 2012. The final list of winners will be posted on July 5th.
3. All books must be classified as Young Adult or Juvenile Fiction by your local library or Goodreads (e.g., a YA Listopia, tagged as such at least 50 times, etc.). If your library classifies subsequent books in a series as adult fiction, they will still be considered as YA.
4. All books must be at least 100 pages long.
5. Re-reads count.
6. Audio books and electronic books (unabridged), such as Kindle, all count for this Challenge.
7. Page counts will be according to the page count of the first edition that comes up in a Goodreads search (if the first edition is an ebook or audiobook, we will use the first published edition).

Point Counts:

-10 points for each book read for each letter of the alphabet. The book must be written by an author whose last name begins with that letter. (ex: A- Dreamless by Josephine Angelini, B- Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, C-Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter, etc.). Exception letters are I, Q, and X. These letters may be found ANYWHERE in the author’s name.
-5 bonus points for listed genres (this bonus can only be claimed once for each genre; even if a book fits more than one genre, you can only claim one)
-5 bonus points if a book selected for any letter meets the criteria for Kellee’s Monthly Challenge for April, May, and/or June. (Check out the Monthly Challenge Board HERE)
-5 bonus points if the book is one of our monthly reads for April, May, and/or June (10 points if it’s read DURING the discussion period). NOTE: You MUST discuss the book on the appropriate thread to claim the bonus points.
-5 bonus points if the book takes place during the months of the challenge
-10 bonus points for letters I, Q, and X if the author’s last name BEGINS with the letter
-2 points for each additional book read for a letter
-50 bonus points when you complete all 26 letters and 25 additional bonus points for each subsequent time you complete the alphabet

Reporting Guidelines

-Author and Title (it really helps the hosts if you use the “add book/author” feature above the comment box)
-Base points
-Genre Bonus
-Other Bonus (Kellee’s Challenge, Discussion Reads, I/Q/X Bonus, etc.); please clarify what your other points are for and the value
-Page count
-Total points for the book
-Please keep a running total of points and pages at the bottom of each reporting. This makes sorting discrepancies much easier.

Genres:
Action/Adventure
Classic
Dystopian/Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic
Fantasy/Supernatural
Folk/Fairy Tale (including retellings)
Historical Fiction
Horror/Thriller/Suspense
Humor
LGBT
Manga
Multicultural
Mystery
Nonfiction
Paranormal
Poetry
Realistic Fiction/Contemporary
Religious
Romance
Sci-Fi
Short Stories
Sports Fiction
War

I made an executive decision to include I in the exception letters too. As I looked back on all the author challenges I've done, I realized that last names that begin with I are really hard. Since we aren't doing first AND last, I is also an exception/bonus.

Looks great, Karis! Thank you so much for taking charge of this. I love our quarterly challenges and really appreicate everyone who leads and helps lead them.

Jennifer W wrote: "Looks great, Karis! Thank you so much for taking charge of this. I love our quarterly challenges and really appreicate everyone who leads and helps lead them."

No problem! I love them too!

Anyone have suggestions for an "U" author? I'm drawing a blank...

Angela wrote: "Anyone have suggestions for an "U" author? I'm drawing a blank..."

I'm planning on reading

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, which also fits the Fairy/Folk Tale Re-telling genre... (she's also got a few other books) You could also try A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban, which I quite enjoyed.

In hindsight, U is kind of tough. I just looked up every author with a last name beginning with U at my library, and there were only 3 MG/YA, so I'm going to make it an exception letter. U can be anywhere in the name, but you will receive 20 bonus points if the last name begins with U.

The Shadow Thieves by Anne Ursu is also really good.

Jennifer W wrote: "Looks great, Karis! Thank you so much for taking charge of this. I love our quarterly challenges and really appreicate everyone who leads and helps lead them."

Yes- thank you!!!

Good suggestions, thanks guys! I broke down and bought Breadcrumbs since it's gotten such rave reviews. I'm excited to start it. :)

Karis, I know the rules say:

"-5 bonus points if a book selected for any letter meets the criteria for Kellee’s Monthly Challenge for April, May, and/or June. (Check out the Monthly Challenge Board HERE)"

What if I read a book now (in April) that meets the criteria for May? Can I claim the 5 points? Or does it have to be read during/after the start of that monthly challenge?

Angela wrote: "Karis, I know the rules say:

"-5 bonus points if a book selected for any letter meets the criteria for Kellee’s Monthly Challenge for April, May, and/or June. (Check out the Monthly Challenge Boar..."

It doesn't have to be during the month of the challenge to claim points for this challenge, but if you wait, you can claim for both... : )

Karis (YA Litwit) wrote: "Angela wrote: "Karis, I know the rules say:

"-5 bonus points if a book selected for any letter meets the criteria for Kellee’s Monthly Challenge for April, May, and/or June. (Check out the Monthl..."

I'm going to hold out! I picked up a book but put it back down for now :)

Does anyone have any ideas for X or Q author books?

X- Francisco X. Stork, Alex Sanchez, Adam Rex, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Helen Fox, Janet Fox

Q- Jacqueline Woodson, Jacqueline West, Matthew Quick, Jacqueline Kelly, Brian Jacques, Jacqueline Houtman

:)

Kellee wrote: "X- Francisco X. Stork, Alex Sanchez, Adam Rex, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Helen Fox, Janet Fox

Q- Jacqueline Woodson, Jacqueline West, Matthew Quick, Jacqueline Kelly, Brian Jacques, Jacqueline Hou..."

Thanks!

You're welcome :)