Historical Fictionistas discussion

Scoring Example

Here's an example of how it will look when reported:

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
#15 spot - 15 points
664 pages - 6 points
HF - 5 point
Date added: Jan 1, 2014: 15 pts
Total - 41 points


Scoring Primer:
Initial points is the spot on your list.

Bonuses for:
Historical Fiction
# of pages
Summer Task
How long it's been on your TBR

Any questions you have make sure to post them in the Rules.

SCORING / HOW IT WORKS:
1) At time of sign-up, each participant will select the books from their 'To-Read' list on Goodreads. Any variation of a To-Read shelf will count, including Wishlist. Example, I have a shelf called Nonfiction which are nonfiction books I haven't read yet but want to.

Books will be ordered from 50-1 (if you are not doing the 3 months, adjust when starting later), and their placement will determine their point value. Examples: A book in the #1 place will receive 1 point when done, a book in the #25 spot will receive 25 points, etc.

Tip: Order books that you are most likely to read in the higher value spots to earn higher scores. :)


NOTE: If you are a slow reader, and don't want to list 50 books, you can have a shorter list. However, if you start with 20 books, you can only play with 20 books for the whole challenge (Also, you will want to still start your list at spot 50 if you are playing for points)

2) Bonus Tasks for 50 points each: After you have read at least 5 books on your list, once a month, you can read a book from one of the mods TBR lists. Each month you need to pick a different mod, so if you chose to read one each month, you will have read one from each of the mods.

Choose a book from one of the moderators TBR lists ( Becky, JoLene, Gretchen, or Jasmine) that you have not read, and read it.


Becky's TBR

JoLene’s TBR

Gretchen’s TBR

Jasmine’s TBR

**Note: Most of the moderators have multiple TBR lists. However, I have only included one for each mod on this list, but you can read a book from any of their TBR lists so long as it is labeled some form of "want to read" or "to be read".

**Bonus book choices do not need to be chosen ahead of time and these can be changed at any time. ONLY the list of books from your own To-Read list need to be selected by the deadlines. **

***You may not give yourself a shelf score for a bonus book even if it is on your own TBR shelf.***

3) Summer theme bonuses: You can claim 5 point bonus for each of the following. You can only claim each bonus once during the challenge. Only one summer bonus can be claimed per book.
a. Read a book set in summer.
b. Read a book where the main character takes a trip.
c. Read a book with a summer scene on the cover.
d. Read a book set in a different country than where you live.
e. Read a book where one of the author's initials is in the word SUMMER.
f. Read a book that is set at the beach, on a boat, or on an island.

4) There are several opportunities to earn Bonus Points. Bonus points will be awarded PER BOOK READ when task points are awarded. Partial task points and/or bonus points (page count, HF point, etc) will NOT be awarded if the task is unfinished. Bonus points can only be claimed when reporting the book score (so make sure to check your postings).

4a) Book Length Bonus:
Bonus points will be awarded based on the length of each book read, as follows:
200 to 300 pages = 2 bonus points
301 to 500 pages = 4 bonus points
501 to 750 pages = 6 bonus points
751 to 1,000 pages = 8 bonus points
1,000+ = 10 bonus points

4b) Historical Fiction Bonus = 5 point
WE WILL NOT AWARD HF POINTS IF IT IS NOT REPORTED.

The definition of historical fiction that our group uses is a work published at least 50 years after at least half of the events in the work. Historical fantasy, alternate history and magical realism books are not considered historical fiction for the challenge.
If the book has a dual story-line than 50% of the action needs to take place in the historical setting.

4c) You can claim 2 points for each year that the book has been on your TBR. You should use the "Date Added" field on your bookshelf and you may need to add the field to your bookshelf view. The bonus is as follows, if the "Date Added" is before:
June 1, 2024: 2 points
June 1, 2023: 4 points
June 1, 2022: 6 points
June 1, 2021: 8 points
June 1, 2020: 10 points
June 1, 2019 and beyond: 15 points

__________________________________________


Hope that you are able to climb your TBR pile!!

Book List Sign Up

Good luck everyone!

Twist by Colum McCann
#25 spot - 25 points
239 pages - 2 points
Historical Fiction - 0 points
Date added: June 2, 2025 - 0 points
Summer Task (e) - 5 points
Total: 32 points

Intriguesby Mercedes Lackey
#39 -39 points
328 pp-3
Date added 2010 -15
Total points-57 points

Royal Mistress by Anne Easter Smith (My exception book)
#50=50 points
512 pages=6 points
HF-5 points
Date added 4/2014=15 points
Bonus e=5 points
Total points=81

The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner
#49=49 points
Date added 1/2023=15 points
432 pages=4 points
Book total=68 points
Overall total=149 points

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
#45 spot - 45 points
531 pages - 6 points
Historical Fiction - 5 points
Date added: January 5, 2019 - 15 points
Summer Task (d) - 5 points
Total: 76 points
Cumulative Total: 108 points

#46 The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag
#46=46 points
Date added-7/2014=15 points
415 pages=4 points
Book total=65 points
Overall total=214 points

# 50- The Bookseller’s Tale by Anne Swinfen
#50= 50 points
Historical Fiction = 5 points
Date Added= Feb 2023= 4 points
247 pages =2 points
Summer Task d)other country England =5 points
Book Total= 66 points

#49- The Huntsmen’s Tale by Anne Swinfen
#49= 49 points
Historical Fiction = 5 points
Date added 2025= 0 points
249 pages = 2 points
Summer Task e)author name S= 5 points
Book Total= 61 points

Overall total (2 books)= 127 points

#46- The Crooked House by Agatha Christie
#46= 46 points
Date Added 2025= 0 points
215 pages = 2 points
Book Total= 48 points

#43- A Lethal Engagement by April Skelly
#43= 43 points
Historical Fiction = 5 points
Date Added 2025= 0 points
315 pages= 4 points
Summer Task b) trip America to England = 5 points
Book Total= 57 points

Overall Total (4 books)= 232 points

I am reading fast because unfortunately my son is in the hospital and I am there for hours. Just wanted to clarify
#45 The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold
#45=45 points
Date added 12/2019=10 points
405 pages=4 points
Bonus d=5 points
Book total=64 points
Overall total=278 points

Linda wrote: "I am reading fast because unfortunately my son is in the hospital and I am there for hours. Just wanted to clarify
#45 [book:The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper|375705..."

Linda; So sorry to hear of your son is in the hospital. Sending best wishes to you, your son and family.

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
#50 spot - 50 points (EXCEPTION)
1068 pages - 10 points
Historical Fiction - 5 points
Date added: September 3, 2020 - 8 points
Summer Task (b) - 5 points
Total: 78 points
Cumulative Total: 186 points

The Fool's Tale by Nicole Galland
#50 spot : 50 pts
Date Added: 8/17 15 pts
Page Total: 519 6 pts
HF: 5 pts
Summer bonus task (d) 5 pts

Total pts: 81 pts

Changesby Mercedes Lackey
Spot #38-38
Page total: +2 328 pp
Date read: 6/21/25
Total points: 40
Grand total:97

Linda wrote: "I am reading fast because unfortunately my son is in the hospital and I am there for hours. Just wanted to clarify
#45 [book:The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper|375705..."

Thinking of you and your family and hoping for a speedy recovery.

Beautifully said, Jasmine. Linda, we’re all thinking of you.

Linda wrote: "I am reading fast because unfortunately my son is in the hospital and I am there for hours. Just wanted to clarify
#45 [book:The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper|375705..."

Linda, best wishes for your son and your family. Hope things are looking up.

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
#49 Spot - 49 points
432 pgs - 4 pts
HF - 5 pts
Added 1/3/24 - 2 pts
Book total - 60 pts

Working Stiff by Annelise Ryan
#8 Spot - 8 pts
311 pgs - 4 pts
Added 6/6/17 - 15 pts
Book total - 27 pts

The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue
#50 Spot - 50 pts
288 pgs - 2 pts
HF - 5 pts
Book total - 57 pts

Post total - 144 pts
Challenge total - 144 pts

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Linda wrote: "I am reading fast because unfortunately my son is in the hospital and I am there for hours. Just wanted to clarify
#45 [book:The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the..."
Thank you. He walked away from a horrible wreck three years ago and is still having multiple surgeries as a result. There are at least two more to go but that is a blessing. He shouldn't have survived.

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie
#49 spot - 49 points
563 pages - 6 points
Historical Fiction - 0 points
Date added: July 28, 2019 - 10 points
Total: 65 points
Cumulative Total: 251 points

A Bell for Adano by John Hersey
#47 spot - 47 points
278 pages - 2 points
Historical Fiction - 5 points
Date added: February 14, 2015 - 15 points
Summer Task (c) - 5 points
Total: 74 points
Cumulative Total: 325 points

Tiger Men
#44 - 44 points
HF - 5 points
624 pages - 6 points
On my TBR since May 2023 - 4 points
Summer Task (b) - 5 points

Post total: 64 points

Challenge total: 64 points

#47 A Being So Gentle: The Frontier Love Story of Rachel and Andrew Jackson by Patricia Brady
#47= 47 points
270 pages=2 points
Date added 3/2013=15 points
Book total=64 points
Overall total=342 pages

#50 Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
#50=50 points
304 pgs=4 points
Book Total= 54 points

Total Points-54 points

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism
#17 - 17 points
Not HF - 0 points
377 pages - 4 points
On my TBR since 2025 - 0 points
Summer Task (e) - 5 points

Post total: 26 points

Challenge total: 90 points

#48 The Better Sister by Alafair Burke
#48=48 points
Date added-3/2019=10 points
311 pages=4 points
Book total=62 points
Overall total=404 points

Babel by R.F. Kuang
#35 spot - 35 points
546 pages - 6 points
Historical Fiction - 0 points
Date added: April 30, 2025 - 0 points
Total: 41 points
Cumulative Total: 366 points

Aunt Dimity and the Widow's Curse
#37 Spot - 37 pts
240 pgs - 2 pts
Added 6/24/18 - 15 pts
Book total - 54 pts

City of Ghosts
#36 Spot - 36 pts
272 pgs - 2 pts
Added 9/3/18 - 15 pts
Book total - 53 pts

The Calligrapher's Daughter
#4 Spot - 4 pts
400 pgs - 4 pts
Added 10/7/10 - 15 pts
HF - 5 pts
Book total - 28 pts

Post total - 135 pts
Previous total - 144 pts
Challenge total - 279 pts

Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
BONUS BOOK (JoLene’s TBR) - 50 points
505 pages - 6 points
HF - 0 points
TOTAL - 56 points
CUMULATIVE TOTAL - 422 points

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
#50= 50 points
HF 5 points
Date added 8/2019=10 points
Page Total 610 pages 6 points
Bonus D 5 points
Book Total 76 points
Challenge Total 76 points

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
#50 - 50 points EXCEPTION
835 pages - 8 points
Date added: Oct 17, 2019 - 10 points
Bonus E - 5 points: Author's initial
Total book points - 73 points

Challenge total - 73 points
Total books read - 1

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
#49=49 points
288 pgs=2 points
Bonus B=5 points
Total Book Points= 56 points

Joan
#46=46 points
368 pgs=4 points
HF=5 points
Date Added=Jan 30, 2023=4 points
Bonus D=5 points
Book Total= 64 points

Challenge total=174 points

#44 The Secret River by Kate Grenville
#44=44 points
HF=5 points
Date added 7/2013=15 points
334 pages=4 points
Book total=68 points
Overall total=472 points

#41 Death Comes to Dartmoor by Vivian Conroy
#41= 41 points
Historical Fiction= 5 points
Date Added Feb 2023= 4 points
#pages 307= 4 points
No bonus points
Book Total= 54 points

Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
#27=. 27 points
Added 2025= 0 points
# pages 287= 2 points
Not HF, no bonus
Book Total= 29 points

Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower
# 31=. 31 points
Historical Fiction= 5 points
Added Feb 2023= 4 points
# pages 336 = 4 points
No bonus
book Total= 44 points

This posting total (3 books)= 127 points
Previous post = 232 points

Challenge Total to date=359 points

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
#43 =43 pts
Date added: 5/18 = 15 pts
411 pp = 4 pts
Summer bonus task e = 5pts
Book Total= 67 pts

Challenge Total: 148

Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
#24 spot - 24 points
1200 pages - 10 points
Historical Fiction - 0 points
Date added: December 24, 2024 - 0 points
Total: 34 points
Cumulative Total: 456 points

The Names by Florence Knapp
#49 points
Dated added 2/2025 =0 points
Page Total 336 pages =4 points
Book Total 53 points

Challenge Total 129 points

Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "Intriguesby Mercedes Lackey
#39 -39 points
328 pp-3
Date added 2010 -15
Total points-57 points"

Should be 4 points for the pages. Add one point to total score.

Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "Changesby Mercedes Lackey
Spot #38-38
Page total: +2 328 pp
Date read: 6/21/25
Total points: 40
Grand total:97"
page bonus for this one is 4 point. Add two points to total score.

Sophie's Choice by William Styron
#46 spot - 46 points
575 pages - 6 points
Historical Fiction - 0 points
Date added: July 18, 2014 - 15 points
Summer Bonus (a) - 5 points
Total: 72 points
Cumulative Total: 528 points

SCORES UP TO POST #40

Lorna 528
Linda 472
Diana 359
Cheryl 279
Chris 148
Maureen 129
Jasmine 103
Jayme 100
Erica 90
Peggy 73
Becky 0
Dotty 0
Kathleen 0
Marty 0
Mindy 0
Samanta 0
Sarah 0

Closer to Homeby Mercedes Lackey
Spot #37 -37 pts
325 pp-4pts
Summer bonus-takes place partly in summer +5

Closer to the
Heartby
Mercedes Lackey
Spot #36-36 pts
330 pp -4 pts
Summer bonus-takes place partly in summer-5 pts
Book total: 91
Grand total: 191

Jayme(theghostreader) wrote: "Closer to Homeby Mercedes Lackey
Spot #37 -37 pts
325 pp-4pts
Summer bonus-takes place partly in summer +5

Closer to the
Heartby
[author:Mercedes Lac..."

You can only claim each summer bonus once. So if you are using Bonus A(Read a book set in summer), you can only use it once on a single book.

Murder is for Keeps
#38 Spot - 38 pts
272 pgs - 2 pts
Added 6/24/18 - 15 pts
Book total - 55 pts

Death on the Sapphire
#22 Spot - 22 pts
292 pgs - 2 pts
HF - 5 pts
Added 10/18/17 - 15 pts
Book total - 44 pts

The Stone Circle
#33 Spot - 33 pts
384 pgs - 4 pts
Added 2/17/19 - 15 pts
Book total - 52 pts

Post total - 151 pts
Previous total - 279 pts
Challenge total - 430 pts

A Woman in Berlin: Eight Weeks in the Conquered City: A Diary
#47 - 47 points
Not HF - 0 points
261 pages - 2 points
On my TBR since 2014 - 15 points
Summer Task (d) - 5 points

Post total: 69 points

Challenge total: 159 points

(summer tasks completed: b, e, d)

Heaven, My Home by Attica Locke
#41=41 points
295 pgs=2 points
Book Total: 43

Challenge Total=146 points

]The Beach at Summerly by Beatriz Williams
#46= 46 points
Date added 3/06/23 4 points
HF 5 points
Bonus A set in summer 5 points
Page Total 336= 4 points
Book Total 64 points
Challenge Total 193 points

#43 If You Were Here by Alafair Burke
#43=43 points
Date added= 10/2013=15 points
384 pages=4 points
Book total=62 points
Overall tota;;=534 pages

Encore Provence: New Adventures in the South of France by Peter Mayle
#30 spot - 30 points
226 pages - 2 points
Historical Fiction - 0 points
Date added: July 7, 2013 - 15 points
Total: 47 points
Cumulative Total: 575 points

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
#45 = 45 points
HF = 5 points
Date added 4/13/20 10 points
336 pages = 4 Pages
Bonus E 5 points
Book Total 69 points
Challenge Total 262 points