Pick-a-Shelf discussion

A. Introduction

Bookopoly is a boardgame for bookworms based on the classic Monopoly. For our purposes, we will only keep the essence of the boardgame which is to roll 2 dice to move along the board and follow the instruction for reading. There will be no cash exchanges etc.

Everybody is a winner in this challenge! There is no finishing line as such nor do you have to collect cash/points but we all get to tackle our TBR.

Thank you, Dee, for your brilliant suggestion for this year's Book Awards Edition!!

Before we begin, however, you MUST have a dedicated Shelf for this challenge. This Shelf is where participants will pick books for you to read during the challenge.

Please keep this Shelf up to date throughout the challenge. By all means, chuck all of your books-to-read-for-other-challenges here! But also remember to remove those you've read or do not wish to read any longer. I would also suggest to include, for at least half of your Shelf, easily accessible books, for reasons which will be clear later on.

Please provide a link to your Bookopoly Shelf in this thread: Sign Ups
You may compile your shelf now but Official Start date of this challenge is December 1, 2018. Challenge will run up to November 30, 2019.

B. Around the Board

1. "S" (Shelves): Follow the instruction in this post Shelves and read any book found on that shelf.

2. "C" (Chance / Community Chest): Read a book as required by task: Publication Day | Award Night

3. "T" (Theme): Read a book as required by task: THEME

4. a. JAIL: Read the Biggest Thickest Meanest book on your Bookopoly Shelf at time of being sent to jail
b. JUST VISITING: Read a book with word in title that is, at least, 3 syllables long. Please choose your book from your Bookopoly Shelf if you can. If not, then from your general tbr.

5. FREE PARKING: Read a "Random" book from your Bookopoly Shelf. When viewing your Bookopoly Shelf, scroll down to the bottom and choose to view your shelf as 'Random'. When screen is refreshed, read one of the first top three books.

6. PROPERTY:
a. If Property is For Sale: any participant will pick books for you
b. If Property is Owned: Owner will pick books for you
c. If Property is Owned by you: read a book of your choice (preferably from your Bookopoly shelf)

7. GO [READ]!:
a. Passing GO: Follow the instruction in this post GO Cards
b. If you land on GO, roll 2 dice and move as per your roll. Don't forget to collect your GO Card too! (so you'll need to roll twice)

C. Moving Along the Board

1. Roll 2 dice and move along the board as per number rolled

2. Follow instruction as per the square you’ve landed on –refer (B) above

3. If you are required to request books to be picked for you;
a. You may nominate a number of books that they pick for you (only to give you a little bit of leeway in choosing which book to read or is better accessible)
b. You only have to read ONE (1) book

4. You must finish reading your one (1) book within 4 weeks from time books are picked or there may be a penalty –refer D. 4. below

5. You may be on 3 squares (max) at any moment of the challenge. You may read the books in whichever order is convenient but note the 4 weeks' deadline.
This is purely to save confusion later on. Please datestamp all your movements so that it is clear.


D. Property: Purchase and Repossession

1. If you land on Property For Sale, post to Book Requests thread to request your fellow participants to pick your books for you.

2. To purchase a Property:
a. Declare your intention to purchase in this thread Properties FOR SALE as soon as you have received your list of picked books.
b. Book MUST have 280-420 pages.
c. You have to read and review your chosen book within 7 days of declaration (a)
d. Please post the (short) review in the Properties FOR SALE thread, as a new post, to finalize your purchase
e. If 7 days have lapsed and you have not posted a review, the Property will be put back up For Sale.
f. There is a limit of TWO (2) Properties to be owned by a participant
g. There is a limit of ONE (1) property purchase per round of the Board by a participant (that is for one full round around the board, you may purchase one property only)

3. If you land on Owned Property, post to the owner’s thread to ask them to pick your books.
NOTE: Property Owners have 48 hours to pick books for other players who have landed on their property and made a request in the appropriate thread. Failure to do so may carry the consequence of your property being repossessed.

4. Repossession of Property:
One of your Properties may be placed on Notice of Repossession IF:
a. there has been no movement on your Bookopoly thread for 4 weeks; AND
b. request on owned property has not been responded to within 48 hours without reasonable excuse.
If you manage to finish your book before anyone bids and settles on your Repossessed Property then you get to keep your property.

E. Housekeeping:

Please create your own thread for:

1. Your movements:
a. list of square you've landed on (please include datestamp for each landing)
b. list of picked books (please include who picked them and datestamp when they told you PLUS datestamp when you've read your chosen book.
Example: Tien's movement thread (last year's)

2. each property you own: for others to request you picking from their shelves. Please list their picked books in this thread and NOT on their plan thread.


F. FAQ

Q: What if I want to join in mid-year?
A: You are welcome to join in anytime though there may not be any property for sale BUT you will still get book/s picked for you from your Bookopoly shelf and therefore, still get to tackle your TBR.

Q: What if I want to stop playing?
A: You may give up your property (a moderator will list this up for sale) OR you could put it up "for sale" yourself. If there are any buyers, as the owner, you will have to pick books from their Bookopoly shelf and usual "Purchase rules" apply.
Buyers, please note limit of 2 properties to be owned per participant at any time.
We would appreciate it if you would let us know your intention to stop playing rather than just dropping off without a word :)

Q: What if I'm not sure if I can commit for the long run?
A: Feel free to join in anyway but if you're not sure about your commitment, you may refrain from purchasing properties. The only downside will be that you may not get to pick books for other participants but will get books picked for you and so, tackle a little bit of your TBR.

Q: Exactly how many books do I have to read for each square?
A: You only have to read one (1) book per square. You can ask for 3-5 books to be picked for you to give you an option but you only have to read 1. You can read all of them, if you like.

Q: How long do we have to read our book?
A: Generally, you have 4 weeks to read a book BUT if you wish to purchase a property, 7 days.

Q: Do I have to post reviews when I finish reading?
A: Reviews are only needed when you are purchasing a property.

Q: How short is a "short review"?
A: 1 paragraph only, please, of at least 3 sentences. Or, if you wish, bullet points (3 min) are also acceptable.

Q: Is there a limit to size of book?
A: The only limit set is for book/s read to purchase property which is to be between 280-420 pages -a fairly average book size and it doesn't matter on edition (as long as it's not Large Print) as this range will pretty much capture most variation.

Q: What if I wanted to purchase a Property but the books chosen for me are all outside the 280-420 page range?
A: Then, unfortunately, this means that you can not purchase the property.

Q: Can I ask the picker to pick 280-420 pages books?
A: No. It's the picker's prerogative to choose your books.

Q: What if I land on Property that's for sale but I do not want to purchase it?
A: That's okay, you don't have to purchase it. You still post in same thread to request for your books.

Q: What if more than 1 person landed on Property for Sale and would like to purchase it?
A: First in first served. The first person to declare intention to purchase will have first dibs at purchasing said property.

Q: How would you know if it's the "Biggest Thickest Meanest" book on my shelf?
A: We don't! As always, we rely on honor system in our challenges. Your conscience will direct you better than we can ;)

Q: Can I add / remove books at any time?
A: Please only undertake "maintenance" when you are in-between rolls (ie. you have received all your picks and are in your 'reading time' before having to roll again for your next move).

Q: How many books do I have to have on my Bookopoly Shelf?
A: We suggest within the range of 30-90 books. At least 30 books so that there is more than enough choices for the pickers and about 90 books maximum so it doesn't become too unwieldy when browsing.

Q: Can I plan ahead?
A: Refer to C. 5. above

Q: What do you mean by "datestamp"?
A: To note the date:
*at each roll of die; and
*every time you've received your list of books;and
*when you've finished reading your book.

Q: What if I can't finish the book I'm reading for the square?
A: You are required to read at least 1 book per square so read another book that has been picked for you. Or, if you're on a task-related square, pick another book that fits the task.

Q: What if I can't finish any of the books picked for me?
A: Essentially you owe that property owner some 'rent' so you'll need to finish reading a book picked by that owner so go ahead and request one additional book. If property is not owned, make that request in the Book Request thread.

If you cannot finish that additional book, then you go to debtor's jail (not the property) and must read the largest book on your Bookopoly Shelf to get out.

After completing that book, play resumes from last rolled square.

Q: What if we, as property owners, are sick or going away on holidays without access to Goodreads so we can't respond to requests within 48 hours?
A: Each property owner will have a 'silent' partner (ie. one of the moderators) to assist in overseeing their property threads. If you are going on holiday, please advise your moderator partner so they can respond to requests without waiting for the 48 hours to lapse. Understandably, if you're sick, you won't feel like getting online and won't be able to notify anyone so if requests aren't responded to by the property owner within 48 hours, the moderator will respond to the request.

There was a slight alteration to the Repossession rule last year but it appears that most didn't realise so just to highlight it here:

Repossession of Property:
One of your Properties may be placed on Notice of Repossession IF:
a. there has been no movement on your Bookopoly thread for 4 weeks; AND
b. request on owned property has not been responded to within 48 hours without reasonable excuse.

The alteration was made to lessen the pressure for property owners

How exciting the new round of Bookopoly has been posted! It looks great Tien!

May we roll our first 3 moves so we are ready to start in december?

Thanks, Lusie!!

And yes, of course :)

I’m excited to get started and I have some time to kill to get started, so I have a question on my first roll and task: would Paranormal Fantasy count as ‘Fantasy’ for Goodreads Choice Awards?

Mell wrote: "I’m excited to get started and I have some time to kill to get started, so I have a question on my first roll and task: would Paranormal Fantasy count as ‘Fantasy’ for Goodreads Choice Awards?"

The categories listed are the categories of Goodreads Choice Awards from which you're to read a nominated book (or winner). If you're looking at a specific Paranormal Fantasy book that's been nominated / have won a Goodreads Choice Awards then you'll have to see which category it's been nominated / have won for. If this book wasn't nominated for Fantasy category but won a Debut Goodreads Author then you can't read it for Fantasy but you can read it for the Debut category (#8). I hope this makes sense.

The book I’m looking at was nominated for Paranormal Fantasy in 2012, maybe that’s not a category anymore? Should I look for something else?

I ended up in jail on my first roll LOL

Tien, P: Edgar Award is missing a link on the board.

Lusie wrote: "I ended up in jail on my first roll LOL"

That is just your luck :P

That is what I was thinking too! Luckily my biggest book on the booopoly shelf is not that big, 630 pages. Not bad.

Lusie wrote: "I ended up in jail on my first roll LOL"

oh no! 630 pages is definitely not bad! good luck! ;p

Lusie wrote: "Tien, P: Edgar Award is missing a link on the board."

Thanks, Lusie, I'll fix it now.

Thank Tien!

Lusie wrote: "I ended up in jail on my first roll LOL"

So did I!

lol Beth. We can keep each other company then. How big is the book you have to read?

Hi, everyone. Just a heads up post.

I monitor this game once a month (usually at the end of the month) by checking your personal threads to see if you are on track with your book. No penalty if you are not, just trying to help move the game along.

If you are late with a book, I will send you a message to see if there is some way I can help.

What you can do, other than read your books, is keep me posted as to life events, reading slumps, difficulties with the chosen books or other things that interfere with your reading. Sometimes I can make suggestions.

If you tire of the game, please let me know that you are dropping out, so that I do not bug you with my messages.

Finally...in your tracking posts...what I look for is the most current rolls, date due and book. Please be sure that info is available.

Lusie wrote: "lol Beth. We can keep each other company then. How big is the book you have to read?"
Sorry...just saw this reply. I got The Talisman....over 1000 pages! I thought I had the book, but I can't find it(recently moved), so I have my request in at the library. They are supposed to be bringing it from another branch. I checked at our local used book store but they don't have it at this time....actually they have very few King books. People either don't bring them in or when they do they are snatched up quickly!

Bea wrote: "Hi, everyone. Just a heads up post.

I monitor this game once a month (usually at the end of the month) by checking your personal threads to see if you are on track with your book. No penalty if y..."

Thanks for the reminders!

Beth, that sure is a lot of pages. I hope you will be able to get the book before the start of bookopoly!

Thanks Bea.

Lusie wrote: "Beth, that sure is a lot of pages. I hope you will be able to get the book before the start of bookopoly!

Thanks Bea."

The library called today....I have the book!!

Yay Beth! I've got my copy from the library as well for my jail book. I'm not sure if I'll start with the jail book or read something else first.

Hi all ^_^
A question for the MODs: on my first roll I've landed on C: Award Night, rolled again and made 7. Advance to Go [then roll 2 die & accordingly move forward on The Board].

So now I'm on the GO square: does it count as 1 on my new roll or should I start counting on the next square?

Start counting on the next square.

Wow, Paola, the challenge has yet to start and you've done a full round already ha ha ha well done!

Tien wrote: "Start counting on the next square.

Wow, Paola, the challenge has yet to start and you've done a full round already ha ha ha well done!"

XD very lucky! And I also picked a "go out of jail" card on the go square!!

Another question, as I've seen many people are on the same property as me: how can we claim the property? First one to post the message gets to claim it?

Paola wrote: "Another question, as I've seen many people are on the same property as me: how can we claim the property? First one to post the message gets to claim it?"

The "Properties FOR SALE" thread will be open on the 1st and yes, first in first served basis on reserving to purchase property. Once reserved, however, the book must be read within 7 days then property may be claimed.

I hope that makes sense?

Tien wrote: "Paola wrote: "Another question, as I've seen many people are on the same property as me: how can we claim the property? First one to post the message gets to claim it?"

The "Properties FOR SALE" t..."

Yes, perfectly sense :) Thanks!

2Tien, For Theme #1: Goodreads Choice Awards, can we choose the goodreads awards of any year it does it has to be 2017?

I landed on Publication Day, rolled 9, and screwed up. I grabbed the "9" task (go to jail) from Award Night instead of Publication Day. I have made an additional roll since then which resulted in a "book request" task. Tien selected three books for me.

The task for Publication Day should have been a book request for Hugo Award. Should I move Tien's pick there and then adjust my new roll (a 6) to start from Publication Day instead of Jail where I thought I was? Did that make any sense?

That will teach me to play when I'm tired...

Lusie wrote: "2Tien, For Theme #1: Goodreads Choice Awards, can we choose the goodreads awards of any year it does it has to be 2017?"

Any year, Lusie.

@Amy: um, don't worry about fixing back your position, Amy, just keep going from where you are. It's not a competition in any way so no one is being cheated out or anything :)

Tien wrote: "@Amy: um, don't worry about fixing back your position, Amy, just keep going from where you are. It's not a competition in any way so no one is being cheated out or anything :)"

I only caught the error because I was going to ask you another question. If you get sent to Jail but Jail is behind you on the board, I assume you move forward which passes GO. Do you roll to get a card?

Since I didn't get any books yet for my rolls last night, I'll fix my round. I'll apply your pick to Hugo and then move from Publication Day. I hate messing things up and it's early enough to correct.

Yet another question. Publication Day, task 9 reads: Now you're published, next step Hugo Award - Book Request. Do you stay on the Publication Day square and just request a book or do you also advance to the Hugo Award square?

I think I'm Bookopoly challenged...

Amy wrote: "I only caught the error because I was going to ask you another question. If you get sent to Jail but Jail is behind you on the board, I assume you move forward which passes GO. Do you roll to get a card?"

I'm going to apply what goes on when you actually play monopoly and that is if you get sent to jail (wherever jail is), you don't actually get the cash you get from passing Go. So, no Go card.

Amy wrote: "Yet another question. Publication Day, task 9 reads: Now you're published, next step Hugo Award - Book Request. Do you stay on the Publication Day square and just request a book or do you also adva..."

You also advanced to Hugo Award.

Tien wrote: "Amy wrote: "Yet another question. Publication Day, task 9 reads: Now you're published, next step Hugo Award - Book Request. Do you stay on the Publication Day square and just request a book or do y..."

Told you I was Bookopoly challenged... <:‑|

Tien wrote: "Amy wrote: "Yet another question. Publication Day, task 9 reads: Now you're published, next step Hugo Award - Book Request. Do you stay on the Publication Day square and just request a book or do y..."

Think I've got it now. So from Publication Day I move to Hugo Award. Since Hugo is behind me, I move forward going almost all the way around the board to Hugo, and in so doing, I pass go and roll for a card. Right?

Amy wrote: "Think I've got it now. So from Publication Day I move to Hugo Award. Since Hugo is behind me, I move forward going almost all the way around the board to Hugo, and in so doing, I pass go and roll for a card. Right?"

Yep. that's it ;D

Tien wrote: "@Amy: um, don't worry about fixing back your position, Amy, just keep going from where you are. It's not a competition in any way so no one is being cheated out or anything :)"

Amy, I have done the same thing...only, in my case, I was several moves further on. You just accept that you made a mistake and move on. :) Welcome to my club!

Tien wrote: "Lusie wrote: "2Tien, For Theme #1: Goodreads Choice Awards, can we choose the goodreads awards of any year it does it has to be 2017?"

Any year, Lusie."

Yay! that makes it easier. Thank you. I was a bit confused because that task links to 2017.

It's the only way to link; to the most recent year and since it was done before 2018 was announced, it's linking to 2017 ;)

FOr this task in Award Night: 10. Received inviation to Nobel Prize in Literature award night (Status:For Sale - Book Request), I advance to Nobel Prize and request books, right? I don't stay on the Award Night square?

Edit - I'm also assuming if it's up for purchase, I can reserve it?

Yes to all, LaurLa

Looks like it is going to be a good time to read here in NW NC with the snow on the way!!

Okay so I couldn't finish my book by the 8th to purchase the property. My mother passed away that morning and I'm just getting to it later today. What do I need to do to let the Mods know I won't be purchasing that property? Anything or is automatically back on the market? Thanks. "Jammin" Jenny

Jenny - i'm sorry about your mom :( my sympathies to you and your family

I believe its an automatic if you don't post

Thanks Dee (both for the sympathy and the answer).