RandomCAT -- General Thread

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RandomCAT -- General Thread

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1RidgewayGirl
Editat: nov. 1, 2014, 5:59 am



This is the easiest of the CATs to organize, since we only need to find twelve volunteers.

A volunteer will pick a month and then, on or after the 15th of the previous month, set up a thread here with their reading idea. This can be anything you like, from something about the title, an unusual situation or genre, or the cover art. Previous RandomCATs have had participants choosing books with the names of rose varieties in the title, poetry, lab lit and books about books. If this sounds like fun, throw your name in the hat.

If there are more than twelve volunteers, there will be a random draw. Names will be collected until November first, which seems like a long time, but many people don't wander over here immediately.

Now that we're all set for the 2015 Challenge, here are the hosts and the months they've signed up for, for easy reference:

2015 RandomCAT Hosts:

January -- Samantha_kathy
February -- DeltaQueen50
March -- LittleTaiko
April -- LibraryCin
May -- clue
June -- MarthaJeanne
July -- LadyoftheLodge
August -- LoisB
September -- Luvamystery65
October -- whitewavedarling
November -- RidgewayGirl
December -- Jonesli

2majkia
set. 1, 2014, 2:15 pm

I hope a lot of new folks volunteer for this. It's a lot of fun and not much work.

3LoisB
set. 1, 2014, 3:32 pm

I will volunteer to host a month. I would prefer it to be one of the summer months, if possible.

4Samantha_kathy
set. 1, 2014, 4:29 pm

I'll also volunteer, preferably right at the beginning of the year, if it's possible.

5MarthaJeanne
set. 1, 2014, 4:52 pm

I could do one. Better not be May.

6LittleTaiko
set. 1, 2014, 4:55 pm

I'm happy to host again if needed.

7clue
set. 1, 2014, 6:20 pm

I can do a month, I'd prefer a month after March if possible.

8LibraryCin
set. 1, 2014, 7:57 pm

I would like to do a month, but I might need some help on how to go about setting it all up. Do the volunteers have to set up any portion of the wiki, or will that be done ahead of time?

Thanks!

9DeltaQueen50
set. 2, 2014, 1:03 am

I have hosted a RandomCat month for the last couple of years so I will skip 2015, but if anyone needs any help with the set up, please don't hesitate to ask.

10RidgewayGirl
set. 2, 2014, 4:52 am

>8 LibraryCin: I have no idea either. Majkia has been relentlessly helpful in that area, but there are also several other people always willing to jump in and help.

11majkia
set. 2, 2014, 6:39 am

I've set up the wiki for several challenges. I can set up the bare bones again if folks wish me to. Then those who aren't comfortable with altering the wiki have a template to use.

12LoisB
set. 2, 2014, 8:16 am

>11 majkia: That would be great! Thanks! I believe that's what you did for me last year and I had no problem with the GastroKIT.

13MarthaJeanne
Editat: set. 2, 2014, 12:17 pm

I think you set up the biography reads in the wiki as well. I can copy templates, and otherwise have always found clever, helpful people when I needed them. Many thanks to all of them. Once in a long while I even manage to help someone else. At Wiki entries. I try to help at other things.

14luvamystery65
Editat: set. 4, 2014, 9:18 pm

I want a month if there is one available! ;-)

Any month is fine.

15whitewavedarling
set. 7, 2014, 9:22 am

I'll volunteer! I just can't do June through August because my summer work keeps me so busy...

Meanwhile, I'm glad RandomCat is definitely back :)

16sallylou61
set. 9, 2014, 10:06 am

I'm glad that folks have up until November 1st to volunteer (although there might be more than 12 people by then). I suggest not assigning anyone who had a turn in either 2013 or 2014 for this CAT until after others have had a chance to volunteer.

I volunteered for 2 cats this year (2014), and will NOT be volunteering for RandomCAT or SFFFCat although I may volunteer for HIstoryCAT depending upon how it is set up.

17majkia
set. 9, 2014, 10:07 am

I agree, I'd like to give different folks a chance to do a RandomCAT. I promise, it's not difficult! And I'll be glad to help with Wiki issues.

18LoisB
set. 9, 2014, 12:09 pm

I did a RandomCAT this year, and will gladly cede to someone else who wants a spot.

19LadyoftheLodge
set. 15, 2014, 9:58 pm

I would love to do this, but need help setting up, as others have said, since this would be the first time for me to volunteer. Summer months are best for me.

20RidgewayGirl
oct. 1, 2014, 8:15 am

With one month left to go, we are still in need of three volunteers. If you've already done a month in a previous year, but you'd like to do it again, now would be the time to volunteer!

21majkia
Editat: oct. 1, 2014, 8:19 am

oops, never mind

22lsh63
oct. 1, 2014, 8:51 am

I'll volunteer for a month, I've had a turn already this year, so I would like to give someone else a chance. If you still have no takers, I'll take any month that's still open.

23mamzel
oct. 1, 2014, 11:23 am

I'll volunteer for a month. June and August are my busiest months and would rather be assigned to another if possible but anything is fine.

24DeltaQueen50
oct. 31, 2014, 5:04 pm

I intend to participate in the RandomCat so I will change my mind and volunteer to host a month. Is it possible to have February?

25RidgewayGirl
oct. 31, 2014, 5:08 pm

Yes.

26DeltaQueen50
oct. 31, 2014, 6:59 pm

Thanks, Kay. :)

27RidgewayGirl
Editat: nov. 1, 2014, 4:45 pm

There are now ten volunteers. Here's what we have so far:

2015 RandomCAT Hosts:

January -- Samantha_kathy
February -- DeltaQueen50
March -- LittleTaiko
April -- Luvamystery65
May -- clue
June -- MarthaJeanne
July -- LadyoftheLodge
August -- LoisB
September -- LibraryCin
October -- whitewavedarling
November -- RidgewayGirl
December -- Jonesli

I've assigned months based on the comments you all gave when you volunteered. Feel free to trade months amongst yourselves if the one you've been given doesn't suit.

28lsh63
Editat: nov. 1, 2014, 5:58 am

I'll do December if no one minds.

29RidgewayGirl
nov. 1, 2014, 5:58 am

And we are ready for 2015. Thanks to everyone who volunteered, it will be exciting to see what you come up with!

30MarthaJeanne
nov. 1, 2014, 7:03 am

I've marked this in a couple of places, so I shouldn't forget.

31majkia
Editat: nov. 1, 2014, 8:20 am

Wiki for RandomCAT: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2015_RandomCAT

I'll fill it in a bit later, unless someone else wants to take a shot at it!

ETA: had wrong link. obviously haven't had enough tea yet this morning.

32Samantha_kathy
nov. 1, 2014, 9:52 am

I'm happy with January. When should I open up the January thread?

*Goes off to think which theme she'll pick*

33luvamystery65
nov. 1, 2014, 10:39 am

I'm excited!

If anyone needs to switch their month, I am fairly flexible.

34RidgewayGirl
nov. 1, 2014, 11:46 am

>32 Samantha_kathy: On or after the 15th of December. That gives people time to root about to find something, without blowing the surprise.

35LibraryCin
nov. 1, 2014, 3:46 pm

>33 luvamystery65: Would you mind taking April? I'd rather have done mine earlier than later, I think, but I am already doing HistoryCAT for April, so I just didn't want it to end up being me doing it for two CATs in the same month. Let me know for sure if that's ok and thanks so much!

36luvamystery65
nov. 1, 2014, 4:05 pm

>35 LibraryCin: Absolutely don't mind at all. I'll take April and you may have September. :-)

37RidgewayGirl
nov. 1, 2014, 4:45 pm

I've noted the change.

38whitewavedarling
nov. 1, 2014, 5:37 pm

I'm good with October, though I can also switch if need be, as long as it wouldn't put me on a summer month!

39Samantha_kathy
nov. 1, 2014, 6:07 pm

I can do the 15th, or there about. Gives me about six weeks to narrow down which theme I'll be presenting to you all!

40LibraryCin
nov. 1, 2014, 10:58 pm

41Samantha_kathy
nov. 2, 2014, 11:43 am

Just as a general discussion question, for those who've done the RandomCAT before:

Do you like broad themes that fit lots of books or do you like more narrow themes where it's a challenge to find a book that fits?

42luvamystery65
nov. 2, 2014, 11:44 am

>41 Samantha_kathy: Both! You're welcome. I know that was very helpful. ;-)

43Samantha_kathy
nov. 2, 2014, 11:47 am

I'm just curious :D. Personally, I'm a fan of the more broad themes. I'm more likely to have a book on my TBR stack that fits a broad theme and I like to see the (sometimes very) creative ways people interpret a broad theme.

44majkia
nov. 2, 2014, 11:53 am

I don't mind a narrow theme if it can be interpreted in creative ways (as you mention). But I try to read off my TBR so I don't want to have to go out to buy a book, or struggle to find something at the library.

45LoisB
nov. 2, 2014, 11:54 am

I like the broader themes, just in case I have a chance for a CATtrick!

46RidgewayGirl
nov. 2, 2014, 12:27 pm

I like the quirky, unusual themes, that surprise me.

47LibraryCin
nov. 2, 2014, 2:04 pm

I also like broad themes, as I also try to find something already on my tbr.

48DeltaQueen50
nov. 2, 2014, 3:15 pm

I'm all about the hunt, and learning how people interpret the theme, so I actually like both, although I admit the broader ones are usually the ones that are easily found on my TBR.

49countrylife
nov. 2, 2014, 3:29 pm

Agree with both RidgewayGirl (the quirky) and DQ (both). When I look back at 2014's Random list, it feels like most of them were rather broad. I enjoyed all of them, but my favorite was the Toronto International Film Festival month. I had fun investigating the various angles that could be used in that particular challenge.

50LittleTaiko
nov. 2, 2014, 5:40 pm

I too prefer a broad topic, but enjoy the ones that make me really think about which book will fit from my TBR pile.

51LoisB
des. 15, 2014, 10:46 pm

Has the January theme been posted?

52Samantha_kathy
Editat: des. 16, 2014, 4:43 am

I just posted it. It's here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/184661

Edited to add: It's a bit off the wall, but then, that seemed to be what people like ;).

53DeltaQueen50
gen. 15, 2015, 12:53 pm

The February RandomCat is up. You can find it HERE

54LibraryCin
Editat: gen. 15, 2015, 11:08 pm

Oops, wrong thread!

55LibraryCin
feb. 4, 2015, 11:08 pm

I was just looking at the wiki, and see I'm listed at hosting the April RandomCAT. Originally I was, but I traded with someone, so that I'm now doing September instead.

I am happy to go change my name out for September, but I see there are links to people's profiles. Do we just add square brackets around the name for the same effect as the book touchstones? Thanks!

56MarthaJeanne
feb. 4, 2015, 11:18 pm

What I would do is cut it from the April edit page and paste it into the September page. Then you don't need to know the proper form.

57LibraryCin
feb. 5, 2015, 8:35 pm

>56 MarthaJeanne: Thank you! I'll go fix it...

58LittleTaiko
feb. 14, 2015, 5:26 pm

March RandomCAT is up. You can find it here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/187927

59luvamystery65
març 15, 2015, 10:35 pm

April RandomCAT is up. You can find it here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/188967

60majkia
abr. 13, 2015, 3:16 pm

61MarthaJeanne
maig 9, 2015, 3:08 am

I've got good internet this weekend. Should I put June up today, or wait until we get home? That could be as early as the 15th, but could be a few days later.

62RidgewayGirl
Editat: maig 9, 2015, 4:21 am

>61 MarthaJeanne: Wait until you get home, it's fine if it's late, unless that will be a big pain, in which case, go ahead and put it up.

In other words, whatever works best for you, but on or after the 15th is preferable.

63MarthaJeanne
maig 15, 2015, 3:44 am

RandomCAT for June is up. http://www.librarything.com/topic/191124

Jump in, the water's fine.

(Um, It's not a good idea to jump (or fall) into the canals. The water is quite filthy. Been there, done that, but not this trip.)

64RidgewayGirl
juny 16, 2015, 2:46 pm

I haven't heard anything from the person setting up the July RandomCAT. If she doesn't set it up in the next week, I'll request a volunteer to do so. But it is vacation time, so let's give her a few days.

65rabbitprincess
juny 16, 2015, 4:51 pm

July RandomCAT is up, with thanks to RidgewayGirl for the sorely needed reminder. I bring you the RandomCAT on behalf of LadyoftheLodge.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/192174

66LadyoftheLodge
juny 17, 2015, 1:19 pm

Thanks for setting this up for me! Wow--looks great.

67rabbitprincess
Editat: juny 17, 2015, 9:40 pm

>66 LadyoftheLodge: You're very welcome! :D I especially like the covers for Sunshine on Scotland Street and The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop.

68LibraryCin
ag. 15, 2015, 2:26 pm

Just an fyi that I'm working on September's RandomCAT and it will be posted either later today or tomorrow.

69LibraryCin
ag. 15, 2015, 7:57 pm

Ok, September's RandomCAT is now posted:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/194570

70whitewavedarling
set. 15, 2015, 4:13 pm

October's RandomCat is posted.... (though, I'm still trying to remember how to get in a picture...)

https://www.librarything.com/topic/195784

71LibraryCin
set. 15, 2015, 7:58 pm

>70 whitewavedarling: I just tried adding images to the SFFFCAT that I also just posted, but was having trouble with the sizing. So, I'm not sure if there is some kind of glitch or if I was missing something, but I don't think I was!

72RidgewayGirl
set. 16, 2015, 2:22 am

LibraryCin, to adjust the size of a picture, put height="250" between the img and the src in the code. Or any other number you want. I'll plug in 250 and then change the number depending on how it looks once I post it.

It took me forever to learn how to post a picture. So now I post too many of them as a way of showing off my vast html skills.

73LibraryCin
set. 16, 2015, 8:55 pm

>72 RidgewayGirl: Well, I was using width="XXX" with XXX being different numbers that I was trying and it didn't change the size. (I started with 200.) I copied and pasted just like I did it for September RandomCAT (changing the URL of the image I wanted to use), but it wasn't getting any smaller than HUGE! I don't know if it would make a difference to change it to height, but it doesn't hurt to try! Thanks!

74LibraryCin
Editat: set. 16, 2015, 8:59 pm

I just tried redoing it both ways. Neither seems to be working. No matter what I put the number at, it's staying giant.

ETA: We might just have to do without images for the October thread... which really is too bad with it being Halloween, and so having some nice, fun, creepy images would be nice. I might try again another time, hoping it's just a weird glitch.

75mathgirl40
set. 16, 2015, 9:50 pm

Are you still having trouble with images? I usually do mine this way:
<img src="zzz" height="200">
where zzz is the Web address of the image and 200 can be replaced by whatever number works for you.

By the way, to answer a question that might have appeared in a different thread, here is how you show html code verbatim. This is what I entered to get the code above to show.
<pre>&lt;img src="zzz" height="200"&gt;</pre>
The problem is that html code is always interpreted as html, even within the "pre" tags, so you've got to fake the angle brackets with &lt; and &gt;. If you're giving instructions on how to write the HTML entities like &lt;, then you've got to fake those too , with &amp;lt;. :)

76LibraryCin
Editat: set. 16, 2015, 10:53 pm

>75 mathgirl40: Yeah, I had guessed why the html code wasn't working when I tried to show it. I thought extra spaces might help, but that didn't do it, either! Thanks for that!

Ok, so you put the height AFTER the link? Maybe I'll give that a try tomorrow. It's just funny that it has worked the other way for me in the past!

77mathgirl40
Editat: set. 17, 2015, 6:56 am

>76 LibraryCin: It should work in the other order as well. I'll send you a message and we'll see if we can get it figured out.

78LibraryCin
set. 17, 2015, 7:22 pm

>77 mathgirl40: Thanks, I'll check your message (though I may not do any testing till the weekend. I am only online for a short time tonight).

79RidgewayGirl
oct. 15, 2015, 6:56 am

The November RandomCAT is up!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/198399#

80lsh63
nov. 16, 2015, 6:31 pm

I don't know how to do the link thing, but the December RandomCAT is up!

81LibraryCin
nov. 16, 2015, 9:43 pm

>80 lsh63: Thought I'd post the link here for you to make it a bit quicker for others:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/205398

82countrylife
des. 28, 2015, 8:47 pm

I had a great year playing with the RandomCAT. My log shows that I had at least one book read for each month; my highest month came to eight books. Altogether, I found the challenges interesting; the months where fewer books got read was more because of library timing or other reads competing for my time, rather than indifference to the month's theme. Each month's host chose good challenges and explained them well. Thank you, RidgewayGirl for putting it all together!