Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

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:

✱✱ What’s your favorite tradition around the holidays? ✱✱
A: Decorating! My tree is already up!
B: Cooking, baking and making goodies!
C: Buying (or getting) gifts! Black Friday here I come!
D: Chilling at home in my PJs, warm fire not required!

✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱

IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until November 25 at 2 pm (US Pacific time)
For your convenience a Time Zone Converter.

You’ll have until November 29 (9 pm US Pacific) 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!✱

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!

PARTICIPANTS
(view spoiler)[A: Decorating! My tree is already up!

B: Cooking, baking and making goodies!
Nancy H
Carrie current tbr
Rebecca
Sonja PIFM

C: Buying (or getting) gifts! Black Friday here I come!
Laura want to read
Fran (private profile, please friend!) a-pifm-shelf
Hazel November-reading
LaurLa 04-challenges-picklist

D: Chilling at home in my PJs, warm fire not required!
MountainKat to-read-asap
Mary-Megan meet-and-greet
Gabriella tbrowned
Suzanne Books-I-Own
Diane ~Firefly~ Next-to-read
Carina nextofftheshelf
Chaos Book Review To-Be-Read
Fran (private profile, add friend!) a-pifm-shelf
Allie
Courtney
Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress Meet & Greet
KathyD c-m-g-37
(hide spoiler)]

PAIRINGS
Please pick for the person BELOW you in your group. The person on the bottom will pick for the first person on your grouping. (For example, Group B Rebecca will pick for Carrie.)

Note: Please double-check your pickee link to ensure you are picking from their requested shelf (if applicable). It's been a hectic day and I may not have the links right, but I do have the shelf names right, if they chose one. If your pickee doesn't have a shelf listed, you'll pick from their TBR shelf unless they PM you otherwise!

HAPPY PICKING!

B: Cooking, baking and making goodies!
★✔Carrie current tbr
★✔Sonja PIFM
★✔Nancy H
★✔Rebecca

C: Buying (or getting) gifts! Black Friday here I come!
★Laura want to read
★✔Hazel November-reading
✔LaurLa 04-challenges-picklist

D: Chilling at home in my PJs, warm fire not required!
★Chaos Book Review To-Be-Read
★✔Mary-Megan meet-and-greet
★✔Fran (private profile, add friend!) a-pifm-shelf
★✔Carina nextofftheshelf
★✔Gabriella tbrowned
★✔Diane ~Firefly~ Next-to-read
★✔Allie
★✔KathyD c-m-g-37
✔Suzanne Books-I-Own
Courtney
★Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress Meet & Greet
✔MountainKat to-read-asap

★ - Made Picks
✔ - Received Picks

PICKING RULES

Christmas cookies from around the world

The holidays are my favorite time of year, mostly because I can take my kids to see my parents and watch them spoil the heck out of them. It also holds wonderful memories of my childhood. (Clearly I'm in the B group, right?) My dad’s side of the family is Swedish, mom’s is German/French and English. We have a long-running tradition as family to convene in the kitchen after the Thanksgiving madness and bake cookies, pastries and breads from a Swedish recipe book my grandmother passed down to us. While I miss this tradition, my mom still does it and my kids are treated to all the flavors and smells I remember as a kid.

For our December PIFM, let’s look at some popular holiday goodies from around the world. And for fun, I also linked recipes to each treat, in case you feel inspired to try your hand making them! (I’m looking at you, fellow Bs!)
(Disclaimer: I don’t pretend to know every culture, but I was able to verify some of these from friends and family and good ol' Google.)

Decorated Sugar Cookie (North America) – These are actually popular year round, but the fanciest decorating usually comes out around the holidays. A simple recipe of sugar, flour, butter, eggs, vanilla and baking powder or baking soda, the dough is usually chilled and then rolled out flat. Cookie cutters in various festive shapes are used to cut the dough and then it is baked to a golden tan. The rest of the year they are typically dusted with sugar on the top, but during the holidays of Christmas, Halloween and Hanukkah (and let’s face it Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter as well), these yummy goodies are decorated with colorful icing, sprinkles, M&Ms or, for the extreme cookie maker, a completely unique design!
Pick a book with a brightly colored cover, or is part of a series, or features a close-knit family.

Alfajores (South America) – In South America, the traditional alfajor is a must during the holidays. Each region of South America has its own version of these caramel sandwich cookies, but the basic idea is that a layer of dulce de leche is spread between two of the butter-sugar cookies to create an irresistible cookie sandwich. Variations are then dipped or rolled in powdered sugar, chocolate or coconut shavings.
Pick a book with a character who speaks Spanish or is from a Spanish-speaking country, or with a couple embracing on the cover, or a book that is ‘sandwiched’ somewhere in the middle of a series (not first or last).

Nian Gao (China) – Technically these are more for Chinese New Year, which occurs at the end of January, but variations of this wildly popular cake feature among holiday dishes as well. Also known as “sticky cake”, Nian Gao is China’s most famous cake, fed to the Chinese Kitchen God so he will report favorably on the family’s behavior when he returns to heaven before the start of the New Year season. In Chinese culture, cakes symbolize togetherness and a rich life. The main ingredient is glutinous rice flour. The cake is then filled with dried fruit or red azuki beans and steamed, though you can bake them if you prefer.
Pick a book with a Paranormal or Fantasy tag, a wealthy character or with an Asian character.

Struffoli (Italy) - My best friend is Italian and she always gives my family a plate of these, which last all of 3 days. She says no self-respecting list of Italian treats for Christmas would ever be complete without these lovely fried honey balls known as Struffoli. Believed to have originated in Greece, these delightful desserts were adopted as a favorite of Southern Italy. The balls can be shaped into a wreath, piled into a ball or covered in sprinkles.
Pick a book with any of the colors of the Italian flag (red, white or green), a sweet story, or one that was recommended or passed on to you.

Krumkake (Norway) – I avoid making these simply because I burned myself on the cookie iron when I was 14, but I’ve no problem eating them! Each region of Scandinavia has its own variation, but there’s no denying these are among the prettiest of all cookies. They are cooked on a circular cookie iron, then rolled into a cigar or cone shape. Krumkake cookies have a texture more like a waffle cone or cracker than a cookie and are delicate, lacy and sweet.
Pick a book with a soft-spoken or delicate character (does not have to be the MC), has fire on the cover or with the numbers 1 and 4 in the page count or publication date.

Pernik na Figurky (Czechoslovakia) – Ginger is a very popular ingredient in lots of holiday baking in many parts of the world. Most recognizable would include gingerbread men, gingerbread houses, ginger snaps and, my favorite family tradition, pepperkaker (literally means ‘gingerbread cookie’). The perfect cookie for vánoční cukrovi, or Christmas sweets, are these traditional Czech Christmas treats called Pernik na Figurky (meaning “gingerbread on figures”). Lovely to give as a gift or just eat along with a cup of tea or coffee (or milk!), these ginger-spiced cookies are actually super easy to make (unlike the pepperkaker we make which takes 2 days!).
Pick a book with a brown cover, or a book set in Europe or with a ‘spicy’ character (your interpretation!).

Polvorones (Spain) – A very traditional Spanish shortbread sweet that hasn’t changed in centuries, except for the use of shortening or butter for pork fat, and using an electric mixer of course. Not to be confused with the Polvorones variation known as Mexican wedding cookies; 'polvo' means powder or dust in Spanish, and the cookie is said to be tied to the days of the Spanish Inquisition. These soft, crumbly cookies are flavored with almond and sometimes cinnamon for a lightly sweet taste.
Pick a book tagged as Historical, features an animal or animals, or has a yellow cover.

Brigadeiros (Brazil) – When my mother-in-law makes these Brazilian fudge balls, I stash my own supply at work and eek them out with military rigidity. Which is ironic since the name of this intoxicating truffle comes from the Brazilian Brigadier General Eduardo Gomes, a fan of this treat, who ran for president in Brazil in 1945. The recipe combines caramel and chocolate flavors. Sweetened condensed milk is cooked along with cocoa powder until it is thick and shiny; after it is combined with butter and vanilla and refrigerated, the mixture is rolled into balls and coated with chocolate sprinkles. Brigadeiros are traditionally served in little paper cups.
Pick a book with chocolate in the story or on the cover, or has a 4 and 5 in the page count or publication date, or with a military character.

’Shortie’ (UK) – In Britain, there are many biscuits (cookies) baked every year and choosing a favorite wasn’t easy. Scotland has this delightful shortbread biscuit, nicknamed ‘shortie’, which is eaten year-round throughout the British Isles. The buttery biscuit is at its best around the holidays; however, and Hogmanay (the Scottish New Year’s Eve) is not complete without it.
Pick a book set in the UK, or has plaid on the cover, or is a short story (under 200 pages) or with a character that goes by a nickname.

I like everything but my family would say "B" for sure!

E - all of the above! (Except Black Friday, that is tree decorating day with the family! Doesn't stop the online shopping though...)

But my favorite is probably D, not that there is much chilling beforehand, but the 26th is for rest! Warm fire is often necessary though - they are saying we might get a white Thanksgiving this year!

Please use my to-read-asap shelf - thanks!

I would have to say D. Everything else is just a little too stressful or too much work...

Please use: meet and greet

D, as I don't celebrate Christmas.

Please use tbrowned

All of the above. I love decorating and baking with my daughter, it's been just us for so many years until the past few. But I love just chilling at home too.

For this I'm going with B for baking (I don't do a lot of cooking over the holidays)

Please use: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

All of these are great options and I love christmas, but I'm going with C I love finding gifts I know family and friend will enjoy also seeing what people get is lovely xx [I am definitely waiting on black friday, mainly online orders]

Use my want to read shelf, I've cleaned it up a lot since last time and added more.

B: Cooking, baking and making goodies!

I'm in and I"m a D: Chilling at home in my PJs, warm fire not required!

Please pick from my Books-I-Own shelf, I'm broke and need to read stuff I already have in my house :)

I like them all but decorating, but will go with D (chilling at home)

Next To Read Shelf

D - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

D- My daughter's birthday is Boxing Day & summer holidays start a weekish before im Australia so I feel so overwhelmed by absolute everything leading up to Christmas.


please you My To Be Read Shelf. *will tag later*

I'm in and I'm going with....C (private profile, happy to friend anyone who picks for me)

PIFM shelf-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'd like to try this. I choose D

D, I choose you. My list is coming soon

I would say all of the above but I'm going to say D.
Shelf - Meet & Greet

i'm in...d...c-m-g-37

Hey everyone! We're looking for volunteers to help with hosting duties for the PIFM for next year (Yikes, how did we get here so fast?!?) It's not too difficult and can be a lot of fun, so if you enjoy participating in the challenge and would like to take a turn at hosting, just send me a PM and we'll get something set up. C'mon, you know you want to! 😃

I’m in and I’m a C

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in for C (or d)...04-challenges-picklist‎

OMG what a hectic weekend.... going to update the participant list now finally. Almost time for pickings!!

Okay, participant list is up to date and signups are CLOSED (though I will accept late sign-ups as long as signee knows they'll have to wait for pickings!

Pairings and rules coming....

Hi Sonja, I am not seeing my name in the Participants list, unless I missed it somewhere, and I think I was one of the first to sign up - lol.

Nancy H wrote: "Hi Sonja, I am not seeing my name in the Participants list, unless I missed it somewhere, and I think I was one of the first to sign up - lol."

I'm so glad you said something, Nancy! I'm so sorry! You were definitely the first and you're on there now!

OKAY! Rules and pairings are up!
Pairings in Message 4, rules in Message 5

Hello Sonja, I just wanted to let you know that the linked shelf for KathyD goes to Carmen's shelf. I'm glad that I caught it before I got too crazy making my picks!

Allie wrote: "Hello Sonja, I just wanted to let you know that the linked shelf for KathyD goes to Carmen's shelf. I'm glad that I caught it before I got too crazy making my picks!"

I KNEW I messed one or two up, Allie! Thank you for letting me know, I'll go fix it now! :)

UPDATE: FIXED!

Hi Rebecca,
Here are lots of picks for you, but if you don't find anything you like, please let me know. You have a lot of great books and series awaiting you on your TBR shelf - many series that I am also reading or have read and enjoyed!

Decorated Sugar Cookies: Brightly colored cover (and hilarious book!) - No-one Ever Has Sex on Holiday; Close- knit family (eventually) and really good - The Lemon Sisters


Alfajores: Spanish-speaking character - Beso Dulce; Series sandwich - Cop a Feel


Nian Gao: Paranormal - Changeling; Both wealthy and Asian characters - Crazy Rich Asians


Struffoli: Sweet story - The Little Café in Copenhagen; Recommended to me (and really good) - Flirting with the Frenemy


Krumkake: Soft-spoken character (also really good!) - The Bookshop on the Shore; Fire on cover - Smokeless Fire



Pernik na Figurky: Brown on cover (and some paranormal characters, really good) - Midnight Crossroad; Set in Europe (and some paranormal) - A Most Extraordinary Pursuit


Polvorones: Two historical fiction - A Curious Beginning (I loved this one!) and Bringing Down the Duke


Brigadeiros: Two good 'chocolate' ones - The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris and Criminal Confections (a chocolate whisperer and two hot men!); Military character (I love this series!) - 2000 Kisses


Shortie: Book set in the UK - Aunt Dimity's Death (another series I love!); Character that has a nickname- Real Murders (Aurora "Roe" Teagarten) - great series!


Hope you can find something you like! Happy reading!

Sonja wrote: "Nancy H wrote: "Hi Sonja, I am not seeing my name in the Participants list, unless I missed it somewhere, and I think I was one of the first to sign up - lol."

I'm so glad you said something, Nanc..."

Thanks, Sonja. I love the categories!

Hi Sonja!

I’m in two of the pairings groups - I signed up for C so should I stick with that group?

damnit. didn't get a chance to make a new list. just go with: audiobook

Fran
Here are my picks for you. I hope you find something good in here.

Decorated Sugar Cookies:
TBR: Sex in the Sticks (series)
New: Rebel Heir (series)


Alfajores:
TBR; Chance of a Lifetime (embracing)
New: Stealing Her (embracing)


Nian Gao:
TBR: Walk of Shame (wealthy)
New: The Kiss Quotient (Asian characters)


Struffoli:
TBR: 'tis the Season (red and green on cover)
New: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill (recommended to me)


Krumkake:
TBR: Owning the Beast (2014 pub date)
New: Sweet Filthy Boy (2014 pub date)


Pernik na Figurky:
TBR: A Broken Christmas (brown)
New: Marx Girl (brown)


Polvorones:
TBR: Where There's Smoke (animal)
New: Animal Magnetism (animal)


Brigadeiros:
TBR: The Navy SEAL's Promise (military)
New: A Fine Romance (chocolate)


Shortie:
TBR: A Grosvenor Square Christmas (set in UK)
New: A Highlander Walks into a Bar (plaid on cover)


Happy Reading!

Mary-Megan
I'm going to be honest, picking from 17 is really really hard. Like almost harder there more than 100. For the most part your books had a bit of each category, so I did my best, but am happy to re-pick from your other shelves if need be.

Decorated Sugar Cookie (North America)
Shelf: New:

Alfajores (South America)
Shelf: New: &

Nian Gao (China)
Shelf: New:

Struffoli (Italy)
Shelf: New:

Krumkake (Norway)
Shelf: New:

Pernik na Figurky (Czechoslovakia)
Shelf: New:

Polvorones (Spain)
Shelf: New:

Brigadeiros (Brazil)
Shelf: New:

’Shortie’ (UK)
Shelf New

For Hazel, I hope you find something you like out of these! Romance is my preferred genre too, so I tried to pick a variety of types and some of my highly rated. Let me know if want repicks and will do.

Decorated Sugar Cookie (North America)
[New] - [series]

Alfajores (South America)
[Shelf] -[sandwich]

Nian Gao (China)
[Shelf] - [paranormal/fantasy]

Struffoli (Italy)
[Shelf] - [Red cover]

Krumkake (Norway)
[Shelf] - [1 and 4]

Pernik na Figurky (Czechoslovakia)
[New] - [Europe]

Polvorones (Spain)
[New] - [Historical]

Brigadeiros (Brazil)
[New] - [4 and 5]

’Shortie’ (UK)
[New] - [UK]

Diane ~Firefly~
Here are my picks for you, I hope you like them :)

Decorated Sugar Cookie (North America) –
TBR -
New -

Alfajores (South America) –
TBR -
New -

Nian Gao (China) –
TBR -
New -

Struffoli (Italy) -
TBR -
New -

Krumkake (Norway) –
TBR -
New -

Pernik na Figurky (Czechoslovakia) –
TBR -
New -

Polvorones (Spain) –
TBR -
New -

Brigadeiros (Brazil) –
TBR -
New -

’Shortie’ (UK) –
TBR -
New -

Laura wrote: "For Hazel, I hope you find something you like out of these! Romance is my preferred genre too, so I tried to pick a variety of types and some of my highly rated. Let me know if want repicks and wil..."

Thanks Laura, these look great.

Hi Laurla

Here are my selections for you. Give me a shout if you need any changes made.

Decorated Sugar Cookie (North America)
TBR: (series)
NEW: (hot brothers)

Alfajores (South America)
TBR: (4th in series)
NEW: (embracing)

Nian Gao (China)
TBR: (Fantasy)
NEW: (Fantasy)

Struffoli (Italy)
TBR: (green)
NEW: (white)

Krumkake (Norway)
TBR: (Fire on cover)
NEW: (Fire on cover)

Pernik na Figurky (Czechoslovakia)
TBR: (sounds like a spicy character)
NEW: (my favourite and set in Europe)

Polvorones (Spain)
TBR: (Historical)
NEW: (Historical + features animals) can be read as a standalone


Brigadeiros (Brazil)
TBR: (Military)
NEW: (Military)

’Shortie’ (UK)
TBR: (UK)
NEW: (UK)

Sonja, I hope you find something to curl up with for December


Decorated Sugar Cookie (North America):

TBR: (Family)
Relatively Normal by Whitney Dineen

New: (brightly colored cover)
Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill

Alfajores (South America):

TBR: (middle of series)
Dr. Strange Beard by Penny Reid

New: (Spanish)
Love, in English by Karina Halle

Nian Gao (China):

TBR: (fantasy)
Dragonshadow by Elle Katharine
White

New: (Asian)
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny
Han

Struffoli (Italy):

TBR: (sweet)
Meeting Prince Charming by Emma Lea

New: (passed to me from my mom as a child)
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery


Krumkake (Norway):

TBR: (April 4 2017)
Geekerella by Ashley Poston

New: (fire)
Storm Born by Richelle Mead


Pernik na Figurky (Czechoslovakia):

TBR: (Europe)
A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

New: (brown)
When Lightning Strikes by Jenny Carroll

Polvorones (Spain):

TBR: (historical)
What a Pirate Desires by Michelle Beattie

New: (yellow)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Brigadeiros (Brazil):

TBR: (5 in page count)
Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries

New: (Chocolate)
Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec

’Shortie’ (UK):

TBR: (UK)
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

New: (Plaid)
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Happy Reading!

Hello KathyD! I hope you enjoy these books that I chose for you. I tried to choose a wide array of genres for you to choose from. Enjoy Reading!

1. Decorated Sugar Cookie
TBR: Things You Save in a Fire - bright cover
New: Borrowing Blue - close family


2. Alfajores
TBR: Lucky in Love - middle of a series
New: Kulti - Spanish speaking character


3. Nian Gao
TBR: Eighth Grave After Dark - paranormal
New - Happy Trail - Asian Character


4. Struffoli
TBR: Peas, Carrots and an Aston Martin - green cover
New: Some Kind of Wonderful - sweet story


5. Krumkake
TBR: Rock the Heart - fire on cover
New: Snow Angel Cove - gentle character


6. Pernik na Figurky
TBR: Break the Day - brown cover
New: Trickery - spicy character


7. Polvorones
TBR: Meet Cute - Yellow Cover
New: The Bride - Historical


8. Brigadeiros
TBR: Santa's Executive - 5 in the publication date
New: Finn - military character


9. Shortie
TBR: First Drop of Crimson - I think they go to the UK in this book. I may be reaching, this was a hard category.
New: The Duchess Deal - This book plays a lot with nicknames

Fran wrote: "Hi Sonja!

I’m in two of the pairings groups - I signed up for C so should I stick with that group?"

ARGH!!! I really bungled up those pairings then, didn't I?! GAAH!
It also looks like Mary-Megan already picked for you in the D group. Your the mod, Fran... what should we do?
Doesn't look like LaurLa has picked for you yet in C so I can remove you from C and LaurLa can pick for Laura. Deal?? *facepalm*

Unless Mary_Megan wants to donate her picks for Fran to LaurLa and then pick for Carina instead? GAAH what a mess....

Nancy H wrote: "Sonja wrote: "Nancy H wrote: "Hi Sonja, I am not seeing my name in the Participants list, unless I missed it somewhere, and I think I was one of the first to sign up - lol."

I'm so glad you said s..."

Thank you NancyH! :) I'm working on your picks today!

Carrie wrote: "Sonja, I hope you find something to curl up with for December


Decorated Sugar Cookie (North America):

TBR: (Family)
Relatively Normal by [a..."

Great picks, Carrie, thank you!!
I was totally tickled to see To All the Boys I've Loved Before on here! I just watched the movie on Netflix and been thinking to read the book - thanks for the push! ;)
I have actually read both [book:The Help|4667024] and Anne of Green Gables before I joined Goodreads and have just never added to my profile. Totally okay though, I have plenty of goodies here to try! And I think it's so special and sweet that you shared Anne of Green Gables with me! My mom gave me my copy too! :) Such wonderful memories reading that one!

Thank you for the awesome picks, I'm positive I'm going to be very bookish with all my free time this Christmas! LOL!

Nancy H wrote: "Hi Rebecca,
Here are lots of picks for you, but if you don't find anything you like, please let me know. You have a lot of great books and series awaiting you on your TBR shelf - many series that..."

What an amazing list this month, Thanks Nancy (BTW you have one of my favourite names Nancy was my nannas name and I always said if I have a little girl that's the name I will choose)

Carrie, I will definitely have your picks up in time. I finally passed my driving test so over the next few days everything is taking a backseat while I look for a car. When I do picks I like to sit down and take my time and no one likes a rush job.

Rebecca wrote: "Carrie, I will definitely have your picks up in time. I finally passed my driving test so over the next few days everything is taking a backseat while I look for a car. When I do picks I like to si..."

I have just read that last bit back lol.

Chaos Book Reviews. wrote: "Mary-Megan
I'm going to be honest, picking from 17 is really really hard. Like almost harder there more than 100. For the most part your books had a bit of each category, so I did my best, but am ..."

These picks look great! I'm sorry I made it hard for you. I have so many specific books I need to read for end of the year challenges that I didn't want too many other options. What you chose is perfect! Thanks so much.