2017 Reading Challenge discussion

I began this challenge feeling really excited. Now though, it's starting to feel restrictive and I am less and less excited about it everyday. Anyone else feeling a little defeated or deflated by the challenge?

Maggie wrote: "I began this challenge feeling really excited. Now though, it's starting to feel restrictive and I am less and less excited about it everyday. Anyone else feeling a little defeated or deflated...?"

Hey Maggie!?! That doesn't sound too good..! I think the trick is to use the list to suit whatever you want to read in 2015.

Do the books you like not fit the categories, or is it the number of books that's restrictive?

To a certain extent I'm reading what I want to, then swapping books between categories to make the list fit me.

The challenge should be fun!! And if it isn't at the moment, you can always take a break or and read something completely different just for the fun of it!

What dya think?

It is getting harder to fill some of the categories now. But just because you put a book in a certain category early in the year, doesn't mean it has to stay in that category. You can move them around to fit any way that works for you.

The suggestion to read something that doesn't fit just for fun is a great idea. Relax, enjoy and then come back at it!

When I get stuck I read the posts to see what others have read. I have gotten some great recommendation that I never would have thought about. Don't avoid the ones you are really dreading. It is better to stick those categories in occasionally, rather than waiting until the end of the year.

And don't worry if you don't read all the books. I have a hard time reading more than 40 books a year. Just do your best and enjoy your reading time.

When I first read the different categories I felt "well none of this is for me". But now Im finding smart and clever ways to fit all my great romantic books into every category. So just make it your own way :) And read easier and shorter books if the large number gets you off, some of my books are quite short and easy ones, just to mix things up and keep the spirits high :) Best of luck!

I start feeling defeated when I'm reading a book I'm not that into, then start feeling better when I get to a book I enjoy more. I had to abandon two books halfway through, which bugged me for the lost time (which is rare, in my case), but it was better than slogging through something I really didn't like!

I totally agree. I keep picking up books then returning them because none of them fit. I am going to do as much as I can and if I don't finish the challenge by the end of the year, I'll give it up.

I think it might have more to do with the categories themselves. I like that they're there as suggestions but then it feels like I can't read what I *actually* want to read. I'm going to do my best filling in the categories (I only have 15 completed so I know I won't hit the 52 book mark) and then next year I don't think I'll participate. This challenge has made clear to me that I like the freedom of reading whatever I want instead of based on a list... this could be why I didn't like reading books for school. I have a problem being told what to do, hah. Anywho, thank you all for your suggestions and kind words! I just wanted to see if I was the only one out there having this kind of problem. Happy reading all!

Maggie wrote: "I think it might have more to do with the categories themselves. I like that they're there as suggestions but then it feels like I can't read what I *actually* want to read. I'm going to do my be..."

I know how you feel. I got about a dozen completed and then I found myself dreading every time I picked up a book and that was not why I began this challenge. So I effectively stopped. Now I read what I want and if it fits a category (however loosely) I use it; if it doesn't then I guess I won't finish but I'll be a happier reader and that's all that matters to me. :)

Annerlee wrote: "To a certain extent I'm reading what I want to, then swapping books between categories to make the list fit me...."

I'm doing the same thing! It is like setting off a chain of dominos - move one book & all of a sudden I can fill several categories!

Maggie wrote: "I think it might have more to do with the categories themselves. I like that they're there as suggestions but then it feels like I can't read what I *actually* want to read. I'm going to do my be..."

I had a problem with a few of the categories. And, there were a couple of books I really hated. One book, was so awful, I trashed it, and picked up another.

A few of the categories I got a little creative with. For instance, the Pulitzer Prize winner, I chose a poetry book. This book I could pick up at work on my break, and get a little done each day. Took me a couple of months to go through it, but it was done.

Short story book, I did the same way.

Meanwhile, while I was reading those at work, I had another book going at home.

Two books I did via books on tape. I did that in the evening when my eyes were a little tired, and while traveling. Again, I had another book going at the same time.

I know not everyone can do more than one book at a time, but for me, it made it more enjoyable. I could read the more in depth, and the ones out of my comfort zone a chapter or two at a time...and, read what I really wanted to read the other times.

Now, down to the point about not getting finished, and participating. This is YOUR challenge. The spirit of the challenge is to read more, and go a little out of your comfort zone. Not the number of books. YOU know what is a challenge for you. If you have challenged yourself, then you have done the spirit of the challenge. If you have gone beyond what you normally would do, then you have done the challenge.

Personally, I do not think I will do this kind of challenge myself again...even though at this point I only have two books left. Like you, some of them were way out of my comfort zone, and even though I completed them, I did not find the category fun.

What I DID find fun was the scavenger hunt feel of it. And, I have found another group that does monthly, seasonal, and even untimed challenges that allow me more freedom, but at the same time challenge me to find books out of my zone. For instance, this month I had to choose a book with a fish on the cover, something from one of Goodreads friend's list, and a book with veggies on the cover. Luckily for me, I actually had books in my TBR pile that fit these. But, it was cool to hunt for them.

This is not the Bataam Death March, this is suppose to be fun. It is suppose to be a challenge, not a chore.

You can find books you want to read that will fit the categories if you stretch it hard enough (I had a friend that stretch her school reading to over half of them. LOL) And, if you do NOT, no big deal. You read, that is the point. You have succeeded already by doing things you normally would not do. Congrats!!! You are doing great!

Eh I don't enjoy being told what to read even by myself so my nerdily researched spreadsheet with my reading plan for the year went out the window and it was back to where can I shove in what I am actually reading :p

Tbh I think it depends how strict you are with the categories, I am not particularly.

With only a few of exceptions I've used books I would have read anyway at some point either because I liked the look of them, they'd been recommended by a friend or they were already sitting on my shelf making me feel guilty that I still hadn't read them!

I have finished 26 categories which puts me right on schedule for finishing by the end of the year. I am getting to the categories now, though, that I will have to do some searching to find a book for. I did the easy ones first, which is probably going to back fire on me a bit. I have actually read a couple of books this summer that I am not reading for the Challenge, so I can do what I want for a while before jumping back into the Challenge.

Shannan!! I have done the same thing - something I NEVER do. I think it's kind of good for me to give up if I am really hating a book...that's a learning experience in itself!! Before this challenge there were only two books I ever picked up that I didn't finish. One of which I finished for the challenge!! So it's ok...no reason to be miserable. This should be enjoyable!!

Also just wanted to say that, while I haven't LOVED every book I've read for the challenge (I'm grading them...) I have definitely gone out of my comfort zone and had a few I never would have chosen that I did LOVE!!

It's a bit daunting when you realize that it's 52 categories, there are 52 weeks in the year, and some of the books you've chosen are 500 pages and over. I'm just using it as an excuse to get through my to be read list. I started in March and I've read 12 books so far. Life happens!!!

I find some of the categories a bit weird, like a book that made me laugh/cry, and I'm so avoiding the 500+ pages. however for someone who hasn't been reading as much as she was used to this challenge helped me get back to this marvelous hobby. I think we should do as Capt. Barbosa says "it's more of a guideline"

For this year I've chosen to only read 25 books, I used to read all the time, but once I started going to school it became more difficult for me to find the time to read. So this year I decided to go slow and read (basically) only half of what this challenge requires. But I saw this challenge and thought it looked fun, and I was excited about the idea that it would push me out of my comfort zone. So, knowing that I only wanted to read 25 books I chose 25 of the categories out of this challenge to better suit me. Ultimately I have been doing that with the categories as well, I chose the specific categories I wanted as well as stretching them a bit to be able to still read what I want to. For example, I was in between books one day and couldn't decide what to read so I decided to re-read The Great Gatsby which really didn't fit any of the categories, so I had to look up more stuff about it online and I found that Fitzgerald wrote the book when he was under 30! So, naturally, it went under the author under 30 category. But I had to really search for a way to fit that book in my customized 25 book challenge. Even though I have been doing that, I've still been able to be pushed out of comfort zone and find some great books that I wouldn't have ordinarily read! Overall, I agree, this challenge and these categories are more of guidelines and also, I do think a large part of the fun of any challenge really is the hunt.

I'm reading books for this list and another one. When I find something new (or cheap) that I want to read, I throw that in too. Don't stress yourself too much, I look at this list as a guidline and goal, but my life will not end if I don't finish every category :) I am rather OCD sometimes, and I'm sure that I'll eventually finish the list, even if it's not this year. (My reason for joining was motivation to read more variety & work through books I own but hadn't read yet)

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions! I'm just going to keep trucking through the challenge and I'll see where my final count ends up. Seeing as we're halfway through the year I doubt I'll hit the 52 book mark but I'll count it a success if I hit 20 :)

Maggie wrote: "Thanks to all of you for your suggestions! I'm just going to keep trucking through the challenge and I'll see where my final count ends up... I'll count it a success if I hit 20 :) "

Here's wishing you lots of fun finding and reading books towards your 20!!

20 is the new 50! Maggie, it sounds like you're doing great. Challenge the challenge: see how much you can stretch a category to make it fit something you want to read anyway. I've been struggling with "a book that scares you"; I've decided to broaden the meaning of scared way beyond the traditional. It might be one of those workout books...

I am feeling slightly defeated, but even if I fail, this is still a fun challenge. I didn't have much time to read whatever I want for a few months due to my studies, so I missed out on a lot of time! Doing my best to keep up now. I know at the very least I'll try to complete the list by choosing books that qualify for more than one category. That's the minimum plan :)

Nancy wrote: "20 is the new 50! Maggie, it sounds like you're doing great. Challenge the challenge: see how much you can stretch a category to make it fit something you want to read anyway. I've been struggl..."

This is exactly what I did. I'm going to read a physics book because I have always struggled with that subject!

Oksana wrote: "...I know at the very least I'll try to complete the list by choosing books that qualify for more than one category. That's the minimum plan :)"
Same plan here :)

I'm finding that the books I pick specifically for the categories actually don't fit them. so I'll read a book and then decide what criteria it falls under.

Well, I had started the main Goodreads Reading Challenge a few years ago and used to go along on my own. However, I joined this group just a while back and only now did I realise what it actually is. At first I didn't know that it was a separate challenge, sort of. When I read this thread and the people complaining (LOL), I found out.

Now I don't think I am going to leave the group but one thing's for sure, I'm not going to take part in this idiocy. No offence to those who like it, but I find it very boring.

It was only this year that my sister persuaded me to create a separate folder 2015-to-read and add books there, from all the different genres. Now I'm the sort of person who doesn't like many genres, and hates spiritual and philosophical books (maybe because I don't like to read slowly SMH), but I agreed to try - challenge myself.

However, all those books are lying there still with a WANT TO READ tag, when I am just going along reading others. That is what happens. No matter what, if some books that fall in the genre that you like, come across you, you tend to pick it up. And yesterday I did some real browsing on Goodreads, and I got at least 5 more series (average of at least 5 books per series) that I want to read.

My point, I think, is, if you start to get bored trying to read books in certain categories, stop the challenge. Why read a book with no enjoyment when you could breeze through three or four amazing ones in the same time?

You know what? I'm going to let this go. I've been going at this to an almost obsessive degree and it's just too constricting for me. I have so many books that I want to read that just don't fit into my challenge this year and, frankly, I don't want to wait until 2016 to read them. I'm happy with how much I've read so far. I've read so much more than I usually do, but it's time to relax a bit and not force anything. I want to read the Kingkiller Chronicles, damn it! And Matt Taibbi's The Divide. There's no room for them on my list, but I don't care! :)

wow :) I'm surprised people feel this way. I didn't force a single book upon my self, I just adapted my ever growing "to read" list into the challenge. I think that's the beauty of it - I am finally getting to the books I'd otherwise be putting off and off and off because something I want to read more comes along.

By now, I don't think I'll manage 52 unique books, but some books tick off more than one category and that's the goal. The reason I won't manage is because I'm not picking them small. I've already read a book over 600 pages but it went for Christmas category,not 500 pages one. I'm now in progress of reading two books that are over a thousand pages each, and they will go to other categories too. So I won't have time to finish 52 and that's fine, I'm aiming for at least 30 and all categories ticked off. And hopefully a smaller reading list, but hey, that never stops growing...

Same here. I also don't see why you would limit yourself to reading ONLY books for the challenge if you really want to read others. I have read 36 books so far this year, but only ticked off 21 categories for the challenge (even by using more than 1 category for 1 book).
I often feel that I don't know which book to read first, and then the challenge can help me decide (sometimes for the less obvious option, which is nice). Sometimes I know very well what I want. If that book fits into one of the categories: great. If not: so be it. :)

Well, it's a stretch for me to complete the challenge as it is, so if I sprinkle in three 500+ page books that doesn't fit into the challenge, I don't have the leeway to complete the challenge. It's all or nothing for me.

Thomas wrote: "You know what? I'm going to let this go. I've been going at this to an almost obsessive degree and it's just too constricting for me. I have so many books that I want to read that just don't fit in..."

I love the challenge part, but several of the categories were not up my alley. I read quickly...even doing 500 pages. (I did a 500 page one for two others besides the 500 page one). But, I also can do that. Others cannot. The point is to make a challenge for YOU. You know what challenges you to read, and YOU know what works for YOU. If this one did not, then there is no shame in calling it quits. It is suppose to be fun. If you are not getting pleasure, then it is OK to drop it, and try something else.

I did join another forum that has challenges that I am enjoying, and are helping me to get through my TBR pile. One that I like is an Acrostic of words per season. You can use ANY books you want, and you can choose as many words as you want from the list given. The words are as short as four letters, or as long as 12 or more. The time limit is for three months.( For instance, for the summer, you could choose the words sand, or Independence Day.) What I did was look at what I wanted to read, figured out a word(s) I could make with a lot of them, chose those words, and went to town. I had three letters left, so that gave me some to choose, and search for at libraries and book stores.

For me, this is fun, gets rid of my TBR pile, and helps me choose the next book to read. I like the deadline, because it forces me to do the reading I want in a timely manner. No more having that Diana Gabaldon that I got for a gift sitting in my pile and not being read.

So, if you have to drop it, do not feel bad. You probably got rid of some books you did want to read, got a few out of your comfort zone, and found a book or two you did like. You know you were motivated to read others in your pile...so, that is a win!

If you find you need to have a challenge to get yourself motivated to go through your stack, feel free to take up OTHER challenges. There are many around there. (Local library has a challenge thread that people challenge others to read a specific book. Not up my alley, but others love it. Introduces them to books they never would have thought of).

Happy reading!

Thanks for the kind words! I changed some stuff around and read a few Asimov short stories as well as a bunch of pages here and there in various books. I'm good to go again. We'll see how much of this challenge I end up finishing, but at least I'm motivated again. But yeah, more laid back approach from now on :)

I've been enjoying the challenge but knew early on that I wouldn't be able to read a book for each category so I'm trying to find books that may fit into more than one category (my personal challenge). This challenge has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone but I've read some great books that I never would have selected if it wasn't for this challenge or the suggestions of other on this site. My "To Read" list continues to grow! As of now, I'm on track to finish by the year end.

Thanks to those who put this challenge together and to those who gave me some great suggestions (even if you didn't realize it).

Happy Reading!

ive read a lot of books in the given categories, but i still have plenty to go, too. i am hoping to be able to do all of it, but like a few people have said i am not going to NOT read something or hold off in order to squeeze in others first. i am finding i have a lot of books that apply to two or three or more categories. for example, i chose all the light we cannot see for my pulitzer, but it is also over 500 pages, set in a different country, and also by an author i havent read before. because ive gone with the a book can count in more than one place theory, my thought is if i am going to do that, i should have more than one book in those categories (no this doesnt apply for EVERY category). this has helped with making the challenge not seem like im being forced to read certain specific types of books. i have been enjoying doing this because it has opened doors for me to read some things i maybe wouldnt have bothered with beforehand. so dont feel defeated. even if you get a handful of these accomplished it is still something to be happy about.

I have been reading off of the list. As books come out for any of my "go-to" authors, I read them and if they fit into a category, fine, and if they don't fit, I don't worry about it. It's a stretch, but Kris Radish's latest is going to count as a book with non-human characters, the protagonist is campaigning against plumage used in hats in 1904. Birds are the non-human characters. - A stretch, but the challenge is for me, not a contest against others!

Oh dear, just realised I am slipping behind on this challenge. I have 22 books to go still and there's only 18 weeks left to the end of year. My problem has been reading books which don't fit any of the categories. I'm enjoying the challenge though, whether I finish it or not!

I never expected to have such an outpouring of responses! I pretty much stopped the challenge when I originally posted. There was too much anxiety for me to find a book that fit a category or to make a book I wanted to read fit a category. Next year I'll set my goal for a certain number of books and read whatever I'd like without a list to check off! My reading has been more enjoyable since I ditched the challenge.

Maggie wrote: "I never expected to have such an outpouring of responses! I pretty much stopped the challenge when I originally posted. There was too much anxiety for me to find a book that fit a category or to ..."

Goodreads allows you to set a goal for a set number of books for the year, and tells you how you are doing throughout. You can always change the number in case you want to up it, or feel you were a bit over zealous. You can even go out and do that now, if you want to do it for this year.

I'm in a similar spot - running out of time with still lots of books to read. Even if I don't complete the challenge, it's been a great experience. And the fact that I've read more books this year than I can ever remember reading in a single year, I will consider this a success!

A couple of months ago, I was feeling pretty defeated. I was proud of how much I had read so far this year but at one point, I was still six books behind schedule. In the last month though, I found a series of YA books that I've been wanting to read so much that I decided to just read them. Now I'm all caught up numbers wise and I'm stretching the categories more to fit them in. I'm still going to try and fill as many categories as I can but I think I'm more focused on reading things I enjoy. And if there's a book I want to read right now and it doesn't fit a category, I'm okay with that at this point whereas at the beginning I was being much more of a purist with my goals. I definitely feel better now.

Nope! I don't feel defeated at all because my goal was to read more, and to branch out and I've done both. Some of the categories were always going to be a struggle (hometown, book your mom recommended, author initials, etc) so I focussed on the ones I could do. I haven't read anywhere near the goal number, but I am happy about what I have read. This challenge gave me the excuse to pick books I've always wanted to read, get into a new series, try new genres, and talk about reading. All good.

It has become more of a challenge to meet the categories rather than read the actual books (in a fun way). My mom and I keep a google spreadsheet of our books for each category and it is fun seeing what each of us comes up with. I feel that this challenge overall is getting me back into reading, but at the same time I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew for having not read in a while! With 4 months left, it will be quite interesting fitting in that 500+ page book! :)

Well, I wouldn't say that I'm feeling defeated, but at this point I have quite a long way to go if I want to finish the challenge.

I got bogged down reading a very long book (which fit into the "book with bad reviews" category), and during the summer I read less because I'm busy doing other things. Looking at which categories I still have left, it's going to get harder and harder to get them all in. I'll probably start doubling up in a couple of months.

Mostly, I don't really care at this point if I finish or not! I read a lot of books at the beginning of the year that I wouldn't have tried otherwise, so I consider it a success for me.

A month ago, I read this thread and couldn't have disagreed more with everyone who dislikes this challenge. (But I respected your opinions so I did not comment and interrupt your commiseration.) Today, though, I'm in the same boat.

I like that I've been challenged to get outside of my comfort zone and read books I wouldn't have before. I also like that I've gotten back to reading regularly. But I'm chafing against the idea that I can't pick up whatever I want next. I can read book #1 of a series, but can't fit in books #2-#4 so they'll have to wait. I've tried to spread out the categories I didn't want to read and be creative with them, but I'm feeling backed into a corner with my reading choices now.

I'm determined to finish, but a little resentful about it.

I stopped trying to make books fit into categories almost as soon as I originally posted. I've been focusing on the other challenge which I am two books away from reaching my goal. From the looks of it (I've been reading Dean Koontz Odd Thomas novels), I will end up exceeding my original goal. So for the rest of the year I'll be picking up what strikes out at me and not worrying at all about whether it fits into a category. Oh well, now I know for next year that this type of challenge just isn't for me :)

Heather wrote: "A month ago, I read this thread and couldn't have disagreed more with everyone who dislikes this challenge. (But I respected your opinions so I did not comment and interrupt your commiseration.) To..."

That is the reason I will not do this kind of challenge next year. I resented that I could not read the new book I had been waiting for in order to complete one on the list. I was lucky in that I finished early, but I still felt that way more than once.

Its looking as though I will struggle to complete this challenge, but I am still enjoying reading the books I wouldn't normally pick up. I keep telling myself it wouldn't be a 'challenge' if it was easy.

I hate to say this, but I'm throwing in the towel. These are just such odd circumstances that I find myself in that restrict how to get the books to read; and now I'm moving, so packing, moving almost a hundred miles and unpacking, trying to get that all done by Halloween, with a further time commitment in early November--I just can't focus on this, too. I have had an audio book of Perks of a Wallflower here for 3 1/2 weeks, and I can't sit long enough to listen to it. Maybe next year, I can start early, and finish it before I have to move again (July-August), and probably start school.

This has been a fun group though, and I've really enjoyed reading what everyone has picked out for the categories

Have fun, everyone!
Coonie

Heather,I feel a lot like you! At the beginning, I was very excited, since it was pushing me out of my confort zone and making me read more, something that I was missing a lot. I'm happy that I found books that I loved and wouldn't have read otherwise, but now, even though I have the rest of the challenge planned out, I'm beginning to struggle with it, mainly because there are other books coming out that I want to read but can't make time because it doesn't fit a category or I can't finish a series that I started because of the challenge and enjoyed but can't fit the others in. I will complete a few categories,mainly because I already started books, but I'm starting to stray from it, and picking up the ones I really want to read. I don't think I will finish this, unless the books I read happen to fit the remaining categories.

I'm having the opposite experience. I've tried to do so many challenges of various sorts and I never last a month. I'm right on track with the number of books and have the rest of the categories planned, so I'm feeling like I'm really going to finish this challenge. It's a nice change of circumstance and I feel better about myself because of it :)

That said, I don't know that I'll do this again next year. I think I might set my own challenge, like "read every book I own" and "re-read my favorite series", or something like that.

Likewise, I have planned out every category, so it feels a bit more manageable and has pushed me to read outside of my comfort zone, which I am particularly enjoying. However, I do have many, many books that I own and haven't read, so perhaps next year's challenge will be a sort of "no more buying books until all of these are read" challenge :P