The Reading Challenge Group discussion

There was a request from a few members to include a section for smaller challenges. While we all have our yearly goals, there are some smaller challenges and goals that we wish to get to.

Feel free to make a new thread for a challenge you want to do, and people can join in!

I think I may have mentioned around here that I am an engineer by profession. One of the things we hear over and over is that the best designs are the ones that solve a problem the designer has. In my case, I find "gaming" stuff keeps me focused. So I decided to come up with a challenge.

I have been seeing these bingo style challenges that seem quite cool so I created one of those. I want to knock off some of the books that I have been meaning to get to for a while so I mostly kept the categories broad. That way I can shop my ereader/bookshelves.

Disclaimer: I'm an engineer. Not a very creative/artistic type at all! Also, prior to this year I have not participated in any challenges, far less tried to invent one. Still, I think (hope!) it will be fun and I would love if anyone wanted to join in.

*checking out Bingo Challenge*

Karen wrote: "I think I may have mentioned around here that I am an engineer by profession. One of the things we hear over and over is that the best designs are the ones that solve a problem the designer has. In..."

You've engineered a great game, Karen!

I have some ideas for challenges that I think are best launched in January.

Oops! I wasn't finished.
Two are travel related: one=USA , the other=international

One is a timeline or decade read. One book for each decade between 1800 and 2015. That's a pretty massive undertaking. About 22 books.

Those sound interesting Renee! If you provide details a bit closer to the end of the year, we can work them into our planning for 2015

Good! I've got a little going so I can brainstorm ideas for 2015. Then, reveal some time in December. Do you think that's enough time for scheduling?

Renee, my two cents is that if we schedule around the beginning of December, it will be enough time for 2015 planning. That way, we can shop for/request presents of some of the books if we choose to and move our TBR pile around to accomodate 2015.

I agree with Kassandra - end of November/start of December is the way to go. That gives folks time to figure things out in between the hustle of the holidays.

Renee wrote: "Oops! I wasn't finished.
Two are travel related: one=USA , the other=international

One is a timeline or decade read. One book for each decade between 1800 and 2015. That's a pretty massive undert..."


I love these ideas, can not wait!

They sound like amazing ideas, Renee! Very excited to see how they come about. :)

Don't forget, we're always looking for new challenges, so if you have any ideas, feel free to set up a thread in the 'Mini-Challenges' folder. Doesn't matter how big or small they are!

Okay so I'm noodling on another one (Procrastinating, again!) and I need some input.
Someone, in one of the threads (can't find it now), asked about adding more non-fiction. Which is a great idea, so I don't know if I want to do a mini-challenge or if it's better to do a new folder for Non Fiction. (So that's the first question)

I know, we already have NF as a challenge category, sooo maybe something more structured. Without necessarily being structured for the whole group, just those who want to participate.

These are the categories I've been considering (please feel free to suggest alternates!):

-biography
-memoir/autobiography
-history
-travel
-finance/business
-psychology
-current events
-personal improvement
-skill related (like knitting)
-sport related
-science
-sociology
-

I could match each to a month or just post the list as a challenge for 2015. (Which do you think?)

Personally, I read more fiction that non. And it generally takes me longer to finish, but something like this might make me push myself.

I like the idea of a challenge for 2015, so we can read them at our pleasure versus matching each month, incase that month you might struggle with that category. I'm like you Renee, that I'm more fiction motivated, but love the idea of being stretched.

You have such good ideas and have made this a fun year!

Me and Faye actually discussed doing more structured non-fiction reads when we first discussed doing a non-fiction group read. Much like the layout of the genre challenge, a category would be attributed to a month. Turns out we ended up doing a general NF group read.

It would definitely work as a mini challenge though! I can probably dig out our list if you want to check out our ideas.

Keep noodling, Renee, I like where your noodles lead! :D

Yes, please, Holly. I'd like to see that list.

I love the idea of a structured non-fiction mini challenge! My to-read NF list is LOOOONG and I tend to default to fiction simply because I find it easier. This would be a fantastic motivator!

I completely forgot about finding the list! I'll get onto it!

Just had a look into it, I can't find the list. Now I'm doubting my memory and I don't think we even made one!

Some ideas for categories:
Self Help
(Auto-)Biographies
True-Story
Essay

Edit: Just seen Renee's list! Which looks far better than mine!

You guys can do a 12 month challenge where you will read a book that has the month in the title.

Like For example for April, you'd read the Enchanted April or January you'd read a book that had the month in the title.

Renee, since you are the Queen of Mini challenges, do you have one for Halloween? This would be in addition to the readathon near the end of the month, but a whole month of ghosts and goblins etc would be fun!

Yes, Laura. I'll probably post another word association mini-challenge like the Back To School mini. :)

Renee wrote: "Okay so I'm noodling on another one (Procrastinating, again!) and I need some input.
Someone, in one of the threads (can't find it now), asked about adding more non-fiction. Which is a great idea, ..."

What about true crime? or would that be considered historical / memoir?

That sounds really good, Sandy!

You could to a general test run of it for a month, then if that goes well, do a longer one covering different prizes.

eg. Read at least 1 prize winner (or nomination if you want) from each prize:

Pulitzer Prize
Man Booker Prize
Hilary Weston Prize
Nobel Prize
etc.

Just an idea!

I agree with Holly, what an interesting idea! One thing you could do is learn which prize is awarded each month, and you can read a book that's been given that award in that month. So, for instance, because the Nobel laureates are announced in October, you'd read a book by a Nobel laureate in October.

Here are some of the most important prizes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Pr...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Book...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN/Faul...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda_L...

And a list of all literary awards with a Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_...

That sounds seriously good fun, great idea, Aitziber!

I'd be up for this challenge also.

Just a thought about a minichallange--called All in the Family. Read books with titles naming a person in a family:
ie: The Perfect Husband
or The Hangman's Daughter
etc.

Michael, that's awesome! Set it up if you want! :)

I really like that idea Michael :)

Very cute! Looking forward to it!

Holly wrote: "Michael, that's awesome! Set it up if you want! :)"

how do I do that?

Michael-

From the phone:
Open MiniChallenge folder. You'll see list of all threads. Look in upper right corner. There will be a + sign. Click on it and a new screen will show up. Name your challenge. Then give a brief description of how it works.

From the computer:
Much more clear. Directions are Basically the same as above, but you'll actually see the descriptions like "new topic" in the upper right corner when you open the MiniChallenge folder.

Good luck! Feel free to ask more questions if anything is unclear.

Renee wrote: "Michael-

From the phone:
Open MiniChallenge folder. You'll see list of all threads. Look in upper right corner. There will be a + sign. Click on it and a new screen will show up. Name your challen..."

Thanks, it worked.

I just saw it. Great job!

Renee wrote: "I just saw it. Great job!"

I'm not seeing this one in the folder - what is it called?

That particular challenge was archived at the end of 2014.

I'm trying to create a calendar of challenges for 2015 so some things will resurface/be revisioned throughout the new year. Hopefully, each month will have something new to keep us energized.

Renee wrote: "That particular challenge was archived at the end of 2014..."

Ok! I'll keep my eye out for this one to resurface. I'm hoping that reading award winners will force me out of my comfort zone with some good quality books. :)

Award Winners definitely sounds like an awesome mini-challenge to do! Keep an eye out, Renee may add it to her infamous list!

Hello, All Mini-Challengers!

Members are welcomed to create mini-challenges to share with the group. But, Please. If you create a mini-challenge, take the time to keep up with it. Stop by once in awhile to answer the questions associated with the challenge you've created. And to encourage those who take part in the challenge you've created.

I would be happy to answer any questions about setting up a challenge. I can brainstorm with you, make suggestions, give advice on ways to make your challenge more popular. Thanks, in advance, for your ideas and involvement.

Holly wrote: "Award Winners definitely sounds like an awesome mini-challenge to do! Keep an eye out, Renee may add it to her infamous list!"

I have a personal challenge this year to read 6 Pulitzer prize winners.

I also have set myself a personal challenge to read 12 award winners, but I'm including a mix of awards. If we made this into a mini-challenge, what awards should we include? If it's wide open, a lot of books would count, so I think we should narrow it down a bit.

The awards I'm looking at for my personal challenge are: Man Booker Prize, Walter Scott Prize, Locus Award, Macavity Award, Prometheus Award, Hugo Award.

The Pulitzer Prize should be on the list, too. Any other suggestions? Any interest in making this a mini-challenge?

Another possibility might be the Newbery Award, if you want to draw in people who like YA. I know at least two members who have been working their way through that list.

Also, do you have a format or time frame in mind? All year? Levels? One from each prize listed?

Renee wrote: "Another possibility might be the Newbery Award, if you want to draw in people who like YA. I know at least two members who have been working their way through that list.

Also, do you have a forma..."

The Newbery is another good suggestion.

I'm planning to do one per month, and I think probably about 2 books per award that I listed. I want to leave it open enough for people to have a good range of choice, so maybe we could say a minimum of different awards from the updated list must be represented. There could be levels based on how many awards / how many total books they choose.

It sounds great and like you've put some real thought into it. You're welcome to set it up anytime. Let me know if I can help.

Renee wrote: "It sounds great and like you've put some real thought into it. You're welcome to set it up anytime. Let me know if I can help."

Thanks for the feedback!

I've posted the Award Winners mini-challenge for any who are interested!

Allison,
I answered your bingo question in the middle of the night, but am actually awake now. I love the idea of a genre based challenge. Getting members to stretch and try new genres is good for us all. It's the reason we kept the Whole Group Monthly Genre Challenge when we adopted World Lit and Non Fiction this year.

But two Bingos going at once might be a bit much. The spring/summer bingo that's upcoming was quite popular. Tic-tac-toe is a format I've been considering for an LGBTQ mini in June, but it would lend itself nicely to other things, like genres. It would essentially be a quicker, shorter version which might get a good response from members.

Of course, if you have your heart set on a Bingo format, go for it. You've been great about keeping up with the other challenges you've created, so I know I don't have to worry about getting overwhelmed trying to keep up two Bingos. I would ask that you set a time limit. The idea behind the mini-challenges was to keep things fresh. :)