Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2018 Challenge Archive
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2018 December Pick-It-For-Me Challenge
TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!Pickees
✱ To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read’ shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorite books and authors. In addition, you might consider updating your profile. You can include info about your favorite books, authors, genres, themes or tropes (or themes/tropes you dislike – i.e. secret baby).
✱ Please do not specify likes/dislikes in the sign-up thread. This information will not be included in the pairings and your pickee may not see your message and does not need to rely on that information when making picks.
Pickers
✱ Please remember this is primarily a romance readers group. Thus, most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are various sub genres within the romance category - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy. If your pickee reads a wide variety, you could add a non-romance as a choice.
✱ You will be using 8 picking rules to select books for you pickee. Choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These can be brand new to them (not found on any of their shelves) or a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author's work previously. The remaining 4 titles should come from your pickee's tbr, with a minimum of one from their preferred shelves if provided. Be sure to pick at least one book for each picking rule, but please limit your picks to no more than two books per rule as sometimes having too many options is worse than too few.
✱ Please remember when you are giving new recommendations, you are not limited to titles that you have read. You can choose books that are new releases, on your tbr, or titles you looked up on Goodreads or Amazon that you think your pickee would enjoy.
A few hints to help with book selection:
✱ Check the book’s publishing date. Select "date pub" from the checkbox selections and save.
✱ Check pickee's personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves. A personalized shelf is one the member has created. (e.g., 'to read next', 'favorites' ‘didn’t like’)
✱ Make sure the books you choose are not on their 'read' shelf. Just because it isn't rated doesn't mean it wasn't read.
✱ Look at your pickee's 'read' shelf and see what genres they have recently read or read the most. Reviewing their ‘read’ shelf might help you in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.
✱ If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.) Contact the Mods or the month's organizer for guidance.
✱ Include a variety of books (e.g., shorter page count, new addition to their 'to-read' shelf, an older book on their 'to-read' shelf) This variety gives your pickee options when choosing the book or books they will be reading this month. Use the sort feature within their shelves to determine date a book was added, published or read; page numbers, ratings, etc.
If you want to volunteer to make repicks:
✱ We love that you want to help out, but please remember those who need picks have been waiting for a long time already. Please only volunteer if you are able to make the repicks within a few hours of the deadline. Thank you!
2018 December PIFM Challenge - Picking RulesDecember is a special month with a lot going on. Major holidays, a change of seasons, the end of the year and planning for the New Year, along with other, lesser known fun facts make it an interesting and (hopefully) fun month, so let's celebrate it!
1. Tenth Month: Yes, December is the twelfth month of the year now, but the word December means "tenth month" in Latin, and it was the tenth month of the Roman Calendar.
Recommend a book that:
📚is part of a series that has at least 10 books or
📚has an author's name or title with at least 10 letters or
📚was originally published in October (current 10th month) or December (Roman calendar 10th month) of any year
2. Holidays and Celebrations: Holidays and celebrations abound in December. Whether it be religious, national, or cultural, most people can find at least one holiday to enjoy, and a lot can find several. Also, learning about holidays is often a great way to introduce children to cultures or religions that are new to them.
Recommend a book that:
🎄has a holiday storyline or
🎄is set in a country or culture different from yours, or if you know it, different from your pickee's.
3. Food: A special celebration isn't complete without special food. Most holidays have traditional foods that go along with them. Whether they be a widespread tradition or a small one just within a family, the one thing they will almost all have in common is the ability to lighten your mood just by thinking about or smelling them (or better yet, eating them!)
Recommend a book that:
🥧 includes the food or beverage industry in the storyline in any way. or
🥧 has food on the cover or
🥧 left you with a warm and fuzzy feeling
4. Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the official beginning of winter.
Recommend a book that:
⛄️is set in winter or
⛄️has something cold on the cover (use whatever interpretation of cold you choose) or
⛄️is short (preferably under 100 pages)
5. Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere): The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer
Recommend a book that:
☀️is set in summer or
☀️has something hot on the cover (again, interpret that however you'd like!) or
☀️is relatively long, preferably over 300 pages
6. December 25: Yes, it's Christmas, but that's not where we're going here! December 25 has the distinction of averaging the fewest births of any day of the year, excluding February 29 since it only occurs every 4 years.
Recommend a book that:
👶includes a pregnancy or birth (doesn't have to be a main character)or
👶includes a baby - infant or toddler, below school age or
👶has a low number of ratings (under 2,000).
7. Endings: New Year's Eve is a time to party, but also a time for reflection and tying up loose ends
Recommend a book that:
🍸is a stand-alone or the last (or most recent) book in a series or
🍸has been on your pickee's TBR for at least a year (or among the oldest if they have nothing that old) or
🍸stayed with you or really made you think
8. Beginnings: Ok, so the New Year technically doesn't start until January, but all of the lead up and planning starts in December, as does the celebration!
Recommend a book that:
🥂is a new release (within the last 6 months) or
🥂is either a new author or new series for your pickee
Please make sure you pick 4 new-to-them books and 4 from their to-read or preferred shelf for your pickee. If a preferred shelf is given, at least one book must come from that list!
2018 December PIFM Challenge - PairingsPlease pick for the person below you on each list with the last person picking for the first person. For example, ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ picks for Romanticbookworm.
✓ = Picks made.
Updated through msg #80
✓Romanticbookworm - pick-for-me
✓Diane ~Firefly~ - next-to-read
✓Hazel - on-kindle
✓Pam
✓☘KathyD☘ - c-m-g-31
✓LaurLa - 04-challenges-picklist
✓HeatherMarie - nov-pifm
✓Ashley
✓Carrie - soonish
✓Laura - pick-for-me
✓Robyn
✓Rebecca - audio
✓Nancy H
✓MountainKat - to-read-asap
✓Carina - nextofftheshelf
✓Fran - a-pifm-shelf
✓Sonja - pifm
✓~KarenH~ - cant-wait-to-read
✓Mary-Megan - december-january
✓Beth
✓☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ - meet-greet-picks
Repicks:
✓True.magic - pifm-to-read
A - Northern Hemisphere for me.Please use my to-read-asap shelf, thanks!
And now I need to go update that shelf before I completely forget with all the holiday craziness!
A - Northern Hemisphere use nextofftheshelf
A - Northern Hemisphere. Just use my regular TO-READ shelf. Thanks.
A- Northern Hemisphere(private profile, happy to friend anyone who picks for me)
PIFM shelf- https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
i'm in... A-Northern HemisphereFirst time in this kind of challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I am in - A - Northern Hemisphere.You can use my TBR Shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
So far it looks like we are all in the Northern Hemisphere.
Hahahaha your right Carrie 😂
Im A surprisely. please use my PIFM shelf.
i am in the A group. Never have done this so I will take picks from anyone, it doesn’t need to be on my shelves.
Hi everyone! Just a little over 2 hours until signups close, then the rules and pairings will be posted soon after that. I see we have several newbies...welcome! If you haven't already, you might want to take a quick look at the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ., and if you have any questions, please be sure to ask. I hope you all enjoy yourselves!
Argh, just added my pick shelf, sorry, Karen! Hmmm, we do seem to all be in the northern Hemisphere, don't we?
Sonja wrote: "Argh, just added my pick shelf, sorry, Karen! Hmmm, we do seem to all be in the northern Hemisphere, don't we?"
No problem Sonja - Just glad you got it in on time!
I expected the groups to be lopsided (figured I'd probably end up having to combine them) but I didn't expect not to have anyone from the Southern Hemisphere!
Signups are closed!Rules and pairings will be posted in msg #3 and 4 in just a minute. Happy picking and reading! 😛
how do we communicate the picks to our partner?first time sorry
Pa,
Pam - WELCOME! You'll post them here in the thread. Hang tight for a few hours and you'll see plenty of examples popping up. And then check back for your picks from your buddy! ENJOY! :)
No problem, Pam! The picks are just posted here in this thread. If you want to just wait until some picks have been posted to see how it's done, you're welcome to do that.
You beat me, Sonja! =P Thanks for answering!
~KarenH~ wrote: "You beat me, Sonja! =P Thanks for answering!":-D Happy to!
BTW I'm picking for YOU! Except.... am I reading it wrong or have you read most of the books on your Cant-wait-to-read shelf???
Oh shoot, I forgot to update it! Too much stuff going on...give me about 5 minutes! Thanks for checking!!!
~KarenH~ wrote: "Oh shoot, I forgot to update it! Too much stuff going on...give me about 5 minutes! Thanks for checking!!!"It's okay, I was only browsing anyway. I won't have time to do my picks until Monday anyway! :( Thank you!
Pam wrote: "how do we communicate the picks to our partner?first time sorry
Pa,"
Hi Pam - I hope I will have some fun books for you by this time tomorrow. I’m in the uk and it’s after midnight so only going to have a quick look now. Hx
Sonja wrote: "~KarenH~ wrote: "Oh shoot, I forgot to update it! Too much stuff going on...give me about 5 minutes! Thanks for checking!!!"It's okay, I was only browsing anyway. I won't have time to do my picks..."
Well, I'm sure glad you decided to take a peek ahead of time! Thanks again! 😊
Hi Dianeyour picks for this month are below. Please let me know if you need any repicks.
1. Tenth Month: Yes, December is the twelfth month of the year now, but the word December means "tenth month" in Latin, and it was the tenth month of the Roman Calendar.
Recommend a book that:
📚is part of a series that has at least 10 books or
📚has an author's name or title with at least 10 letters or
📚was originally published in October (current 10th month) or December (Roman calendar 10th month) of any year
TBR:
(Big series)NEW:
(published in December 2017) or
(published in October 2018)2. Holidays and Celebrations: Holidays and celebrations abound in December. Whether it be religious, national, or cultural, most people can find at least one holiday to enjoy, and a lot can find several. Also, learning about holidays is often a great way to introduce children to cultures or religions that are new to them.
Recommend a book that:
🎄has a holiday storyline or
🎄is set in a country or culture different from yours, or if you know it, different from your pickee's.
TBR:
(Holiday storyline)
NEW:
or
(Holiday storyline)3. Food: A special celebration isn't complete without special food. Most holidays have traditional foods that go along with them. Whether they be a widespread tradition or a small one just within a family, the one thing they will almost all have in common is the ability to lighten your mood just by thinking about or smelling them (or better yet, eating them!)
Recommend a book that:
🥧 includes the food or beverage industry in the storyline in any way. or
🥧 has food on the cover or
🥧 left you with a warm and fuzzy feeling
TBR:
NEW:
(food on cover) or
(Features a chef)4. Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere): The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the official beginning of winter.
Recommend a book that:
⛄️is set in winter or
⛄️has something cold on the cover (use whatever interpretation of cold you choose) or
⛄️is short (preferably under 100 pages)
TBR:
NEW:
(set in a cold country) or
(snow)5. Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere): The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer
Recommend a book that:
☀️is set in summer or
☀️has something hot on the cover (again, interpret that however you'd like!) or
☀️is relatively long, preferably over 300 pages
TBR:
( over 300 pages)NEW:
or
6. December 25: Yes, it's Christmas, but that's not where we're going here! December 25 has the distinction of averaging the fewest births of any day of the year, excluding February 29 since it only occurs every 4 years.
Recommend a book that:
👶includes a pregnancy or birth (doesn't have to be a main character)or
👶includes a baby - infant or toddler, below school age or
👶has a low number of ratings (under 2,000).
TBR:
(under 2000) or
New:
(Under 2000) or
7. Endings: New Year's Eve is a time to party, but also a time for reflection and tying up loose ends
Recommend a book that:
🍸is a stand-alone or the last (or most recent) book in a series or
🍸has been on your pickee's TBR for at least a year (or among the oldest if they have nothing that old) or
🍸stayed with you or really made you think
TBR:
or
(oldest on TBR)NEW:
(stayed with me) or
(stayed with me) 8. Beginnings: Ok, so the New Year technically doesn't start until January, but all of the lead up and planning starts in December, as does the celebration!
Recommend a book that:
🥂is a new release (within the last 6 months) or
🥂is either a new author or new series for your pickee
TBR:
NEW:
(New Author) or (
(new Author and new release)I hope you enjoy these and let I said if you need any repicks just let me know. Happy reading.
BethHere are your picks. Hopefully you find something good to read in this mix.
1. Tenth Month
📚TBR: How the Dukes Stole Christmas (Published in October)
📚New: Angel's Rest (10+ books in a series)
2. Holidays and Celebrations
🎄TBR: The Christmas Catch (holiday)
🎄New: Kiss Me at Christmas (holiday)
3. Food
🥧 TBR: The Only Pirate at the Party (holding cake - food on cover)
🥧 New: Listen to Me (food industry)
4. Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
⛄️TBR: Cowboy SEAL Christmas (winter/cold)
⛄️New: Hot Winter Nights (winter/cold cover)
5. Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere)
☀️TBR: Naughty or Nice (half naked men are hot)
☀️New: Heat Exchange (half naked firemen are definitely hot)
6. December 25
👶TBR: Watermelon (baby)
👶New: My One and Only Duke (pregnancy)
7. Endings
🍸TBR: Bachelor (oldest on TBR)
🍸New: Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating (standalone)
8. Beginnings:
🥂TBR: Body Check (new to you series/author)
🥂New: Royally Screwed (new to you series/author)
Hello CarrieHere are my picks for you. Please bear with me. I am out of town so I am using an iPad. I will post part of the picks now and edit later to add the rest.
Finally done!!!!
1. Tenth Month
Conspiracy in Death (TBR)
2. Holidays and Celebrations
The Duke and I (TBR)- set in another country.
The Raven Prince (NEW)- set in another country.
3. Food
The Bride(TBR)- warm and fuzzy.
Law Man(NEW)- warm and fuzzy.
4. Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
Magic Mourns(TBR)- under 100 pages
Mistress of the City (NEW)- under 100 pages
5. Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere)
First Drop of Crimson(TBR)-hot cover
The Stranger I Married (NEW)- 320 pages
6. December 25
Winter White(TBR)- under 2000 ratings
Alpha Dog (NEW)- under 2000 ratings
7. Endings
Tempt Me at Twilight (TBR)
8. Beginnings
Daughter of the Forest (TBR)- new series
Playing for Keeps (NEW)- new author
I know that Sign ups are closed ... But i wish if i can participate ?!
Hi Rebecca,Here are your picks.
1. Tenth Month:
is part of a series that has at least 10 books
TBR:
New:
2. Holidays and Celebrations:
is set in a country or culture different from yours, or if you know it, different from your pickee's.
TBR:
New:
3. Food:
has food on the cover
TBR:
New:
4. Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere):
has something cold on the cover
TBR:
New:
5. Summer Solstice (Southern Hemisphere):
has something hot on the cover (Does a HOT guy count? lol)
TBR:
New:
6. December 25:
has a low number of ratings (under 2,000)
TBR:
New:
7. Endings:
has been on your pickee's TBR for at least a year
TBR:
New:
8. Beginnings:
is either a new author or new series for your pickee
TBR:
New:
Robyn1.
📚is part of a series that has at least 10 books or
TBR
Has nearly 40+ books now brilliant though.My pick
13.5 books i think now... Amazing series......2.
🎄has a holiday storyline
TBR
My picks
3.
🥧 left you with a warm and fuzzy feeling
TBR
Not read this one but this Author usually leaves me feeling fuzzy.My pick
couples chemistry is amazing makes me read the whole series in two weeks!!!!!! hope that counts as warm and fuzzy.4.
⛄️is set in winter or
⛄️has something cold on the cover (use whatever interpretation of cold you choose) or
⛄️is short (preferably under 100 pages)
TBR
- Pepper Winters Winters ......My picks
its the first in a collection of novellas of a high class companion.....5. ☀️is set in summer or
☀️is relatively long, preferably over 300 pages
TBR
445 pages of brillianceMy picks
set in summer also cover a little raunchy..... Love this series its my go to, my books are so worn down...6.
Recommend a book that:
👶includes a pregnancy or birth (doesn't have to be a main character)or
👶has a low number of ratings (under 2,000).
TBR:
2.98 rating (sorry the only romancyish one on your shelf, that low)My Picks
Amazing book series!!! Has a pregnancy.7.
🍸is a stand-alone or the last (or most recent) book in a series or
TBR
Its a standalone, makes you think afterward tooMy pick
a standalone but so funny.8.
🥂is either a new author or new series for your pickee
TBR
new series.My Pick
Fb series
Robyn wrote: "Hi Rebecca,Here are your picks.
1. Tenth Month:
is part of a series that has at least 10 books
TBR:
New: 2. Holida..."
Thank you Robyn. There are two books on this list I almost started last week.
Hi Ashley!Here are your picks. Hope you find something good to read.
1. Tenth Month
TBR: Hounded (series with at least 10 books)
New: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (series with at least 10 books)
2. Holidays & Celebrations
TBR: The Varlet and the Voyeur (set in Ireland)
New: The Ides of April (holiday: set during festival of Cerealia)
3. Food
TBR: Lost and Found Sisters (chef heroine)
New: North to You (food truck)
4. Winter Solstice
TBR: An Accidental Goddess (space is cold?)
New: His Road Home (set near Thanksgiving)
5. Summer Solstice
TBR: The House on Tradd Street (329 pgs)
New: Radio Silence (set in summer)
6. December 25
TBR: Nice Girl (222 ratings)
New: Gunpowder Alchemy (404 ratings)
7. Endings
TBR: Extreme Exposure (TBR since 1/12/12)
New: Cinnamon and Gunpowder (stand alone)
8. Beginnings
TBR: Kill the Queen (pub 10/2/18)
New: Neurotica (new to you author: Eliza Gordon)
Happy reading! Let me know if you need repicks.
Hi Kathy. Here our your picks. Hope you find something interesting to read.1. Tenth Month Sure Thing
Jana Aston2. Holidays & Celebrations Holiday Magic: An Irish Romance
Reece Brett3. Food The Chocolate Birthday
H.K. Kiting4. Winter Solstice Blame It on the Mistletoe
Eli Easton5. Summer Solstice Summer House
Nancy Thayer6. December 25 The New Pastor
Sherman Cox6. December 25 The Last Lecture
Randy Pausch8. Beginnings Twelve Angry Men
Reginald RoseLet me know if you need repicks.
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Beard Science (other topics)Christmastime Cowboy (other topics)
Duchess by Design (other topics)
Witchling (other topics)
Frozen Heat (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jana Aston (other topics)C.M. Owens (other topics)
Jana Aston (other topics)
Reece Brett (other topics)
H.K. Kiting (other topics)
More...
What is the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge?
The Pick-It-For-Me Challenge (PIFM) is a reading challenge where each participant gives and receives book recommendations based on a given a set of rules. The assignment method and book selection rules change each month so it’s always new and always different.
The idea of the PIFM challenge is that you will get new-to-you books and authors selected for you as well as a push to read some books that have been lingering on your shelves. You may not be interested in the new books recommended, which is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf.
You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge!
After signups are closed, your names and any extra info will go into the super secret PIFM randomizer and it will select someone for you to recommend books to and someone to give you recommendations. This list will be posted along with any specific picking rules for the month.
In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or friend the person giving you recommendations. PLEASE NOTE: if you choose to keep your profile private, it is your responsibility to send a friend request to the person picking for you as soon as possible after the matchups are posted. Whether your profile is private or not, it is also very important that your profile be set to receive Private Messages (PMs) in case anyone needs to reach out to you (mods, organizer etc.)
Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!
Repicks:
You can ask for repicks if:
✱ The books picked for you are not yet released.
✱ If you have already read the chosen book(s) and they are on your ‘read’ shelf.
✱ If you did not receive four picks from your ‘to-read’ shelf, with at least one from your preferred shelf.
You may NOT ask for repicks because:
✱ A book is not available at your library.
✱ A genre or author you don’t enjoy.
INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP
Please sign up in this thread with the answer to the following question:
✱✱ Do you live in the: A - Northern Hemisphere or B - Southern Hemisphere? ✱✱
✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱
IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until November 23 - 6 pm US EST.
For your convenience a Time Zone Converter.
You’ll have until November 28 - 9 pm US EST to make your recommendations.
Please do not start reading your book(s) until the first of the month. You then have the entire month to read your pick(s) and give some feedback.
If you’re new please read the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ. If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please feel free to ask!
✱Please note that late sign ups will be included at the host's discretion and no one will be included after re-picks are assigned!✱