Summer Reading Challenge?

[honeydew1894]

Hey! I was wondering if this board does the summer reading challenge like we did on the nest? If so, when does that list come out? Thanks!

[charlatti]

Nope, no one has started those here. They're not my style, but if you or someone else wanted to give it a try over here, I would think people might join in.

[honeydew1894]

Oh okay! I am regular over on BNOTB so I didn't want to step on anyone's toes over here since I am new. I would be happy to design the challenge if I could post it over here. It helps me expand my genres, etc. I will get working on it.

[christy082]

How does the challenge work? I'm not familiar with them.

[honeydew1894]

I would create a list of book categories (ex: beach read, mystery that takes place in the summer, etc.) with point values assigned. You would read as many book as you can that fit the categories. The person with the most points at the end is the winner!

[charlatti]

They really are pretty fun. I did one a long while back, but it ended up feeling like too much pressure for me to find things to fit the categories and still read what I wanted. But I can see the appeal and the categories are pretty interesting.

[msmerymac]

Yeah, I did a few back in the day. They are fun, especially if you already have books on your to-read list that fit the categories. Occasionally I had to seek out a new book that fit one category, but that's not really a problem, it expanded my horizons. Also would force me to read some genres or books I was putting off or normally wouldn't have read.


ETA: This was the spring challenge over at TN. Ours doesn't necessarily have to be as long, but I do remember that only a handful of people on TN would finish them because they can be pretty intense:

Five Points

Read the next book you see a stranger reading in public. Post a review on NBC!

IHO of April Fool's day, read a book with a funny title or cover

Read a Southern Fiction.

Read a book of short stories.

IHO April showers, read a book with a water word in the title.



Ten Points

IHO of The Audies in late May, listen to an Audie award finalist audio book (from any year).

Read a book whose movie version you have already seen. Post a WIJFR post to tell NBC about it.

Memoir written by a man, post a review on NBC.

Read a book written in the 1970’s

IHO Mothers Day, read a book featuring an eccentric mom! Post a review on NBC.



Fifteen Points

Book which revolves around a medical theme (fic or non-fic)

Read a book set at least 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future.

IHO of Easter: Book about a religion.

Read a book it seems like everyone has read but you. Post a review on NBC.

Read a book on this list www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/books-to-read-before-they-hit-theaters-this-year

[rootbeerfloat]

This sounds like fun!

[honeydew1894]

Those are great! Feel free to PM me with ideas. I was thinking we could start mid-June and go to the end of August.

[dorothyinAus]

May 15, 2014 11:27:30 GMT -5 charlatti said:

They really are pretty fun. I did one a long while back, but it ended up feeling like too much pressure for me to find things to fit the categories and still read what I wanted. But I can see the appeal and the categories are pretty interesting.

This is kind of how I feel about them.  Add to that the fact that I don't read fast enough to finish that many books in the time frame and I felt like it was a hopeless task from the get-go.  Even with the shorter versions on the Nest with only 20 books, that's still 7 books a month over the 3 month-span and I'm lucky if can finish 4 books a month.  I just can't read faster and still appreciate what I'm reading.

I'd love to do something more like the Cozy Mystery Group on Goodreads, who do a "read of the season" using titles or authors that start with the letters of the season S-U-M-M-E-R or A-U-T-U-M-N.  Or one of their "Monthly Mini-Challenges."

This is May's:
>>  The second week in May is National Wildflower Week, May 8th is Iris Day and May 30th Water a Flower Day — Read a book that features flowers or has a flower on the cover. Bonus: Get outside and go on a nature walk.

>>  Mother’s Day is celebrated by more than 80 countries on the second Sunday in May (May 11th) — Read a book that features a mom (does not have to be the main character).

>>  National Police Week is the third week in May and May 15th is National Police Officers Memorial Day — Read a book that features a member of the police force. This should be easy for cozy mystery readers, right?

>>  May is National Bike Month, the third week is National Bike Week and May 16th is National Bike to Work Day — Read a book with a character who rides a bike, or that has a bike on the cover.

>>  May 18th is International Museum Day — Read a book set at a Museum or Historical site (I can think of a few cozy series that would fit this category). BONUS: Visit a museum this month!

Obviously, if we did something like that, it wouldn't be specifically cozy mysteries, but I like the idea for just general reading as well.

[honeydew1894]

May 15, 2014 20:35:25 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

May 15, 2014 11:27:30 GMT -5 charlatti said:

They really are pretty fun. I did one a long while back, but it ended up feeling like too much pressure for me to find things to fit the categories and still read what I wanted. But I can see the appeal and the categories are pretty interesting.

This is kind of how I feel about them.  Add to that the fact that I don't read fast enough to finish that many books in the time frame and I felt like it was a hopeless task from the get-go.  Even with the shorter versions on the Nest with only 20 books, that's still 7 books a month over the 3 month-span and I'm lucky if can finish 4 books a month.  I just can't read faster and still appreciate what I'm reading.

I'd love to do something more like the Cozy Mystery Group on Goodreads, who do a "read of the season" using titles or authors that start with the letters of the season S-U-M-M-E-R or A-U-T-U-M-N.  Or one of their "Monthly Mini-Challenges."

This is May's:
>>  The second week in May is National Wildflower Week, May 8th is Iris Day and May 30th Water a Flower Day — Read a book that features flowers or has a flower on the cover. Bonus: Get outside and go on a nature walk.

>>  Mother’s Day is celebrated by more than 80 countries on the second Sunday in May (May 11th) — Read a book that features a mom (does not have to be the main character).

>>  National Police Week is the third week in May and May 15th is National Police Officers Memorial Day — Read a book that features a member of the police force. This should be easy for cozy mystery readers, right?

>>  May is National Bike Month, the third week is National Bike Week and May 16th is National Bike to Work Day — Read a book with a character who rides a bike, or that has a bike on the cover.

>>  May 18th is International Museum Day — Read a book set at a Museum or Historical site (I can think of a few cozy series that would fit this category). BONUS: Visit a museum this month!

Obviously, if we did something like that, it wouldn't be specifically cozy mysteries, but I like the idea for just general reading as well.

This sounds great as well. I just need some guidelines for some summer reading. Want to use the June, July and August version of what you've posted above? I am not on Good Reads, so would you mind posting it?

[dorothyinAus]

May 16, 2014 5:08:44 GMT -5 honeydew1894 said:

This sounds great as well. I just need some guidelines for some summer reading. Want to use the June, July and August version of what you've posted above? I am not on Good Reads, so would you mind posting it?

I'd be happy to either post the mini-challenges from that group or develop a unique one for this group.

[Pippin]

I agree this sounds fun.

[MrsAxilla]

I'm in if someone else organizes it. Also, I would like a prize! Like a badge or something.

[honeydew1894]

May 17, 2014 5:24:24 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

May 16, 2014 5:08:44 GMT -5 honeydew1894 said:

This sounds great as well. I just need some guidelines for some summer reading. Want to use the June, July and August version of what you've posted above? I am not on Good Reads, so would you mind posting it?

I'd be happy to either post the mini-challenges from that group or develop a unique one for this group.

That would be great! I would be happy to help if you need it. I am OK with either idea.

[AJL]

I would do a reading challenge! Count me in, too.

[aurora]

May 15, 2014 20:35:25 GMT -5 dorothyinAus said:

May 15, 2014 11:27:30 GMT -5 charlatti said:

They really are pretty fun. I did one a long while back, but it ended up feeling like too much pressure for me to find things to fit the categories and still read what I wanted. But I can see the appeal and the categories are pretty interesting.

This is kind of how I feel about them.  Add to that the fact that I don't read fast enough to finish that many books in the time frame and I felt like it was a hopeless task from the get-go.  Even with the shorter versions on the Nest with only 20 books, that's still 7 books a month over the 3 month-span and I'm lucky if can finish 4 books a month.  I just can't read faster and still appreciate what I'm reading.

I'd love to do something more like the Cozy Mystery Group on Goodreads, who do a "read of the season" using titles or authors that start with the letters of the season S-U-M-M-E-R or A-U-T-U-M-N.  Or one of their "Monthly Mini-Challenges."

This is May's:
>>  The second week in May is National Wildflower Week, May 8th is Iris Day and May 30th Water a Flower Day — Read a book that features flowers or has a flower on the cover. Bonus: Get outside and go on a nature walk.

>>  Mother’s Day is celebrated by more than 80 countries on the second Sunday in May (May 11th) — Read a book that features a mom (does not have to be the main character).

>>  National Police Week is the third week in May and May 15th is National Police Officers Memorial Day — Read a book that features a member of the police force. This should be easy for cozy mystery readers, right?

>>  May is National Bike Month, the third week is National Bike Week and May 16th is National Bike to Work Day — Read a book with a character who rides a bike, or that has a bike on the cover.

>>  May 18th is International Museum Day — Read a book set at a Museum or Historical site (I can think of a few cozy series that would fit this category). BONUS: Visit a museum this month!

Obviously, if we did something like that, it wouldn't be specifically cozy mysteries, but I like the idea for just general reading as well.

I'm late to this thread but I got a kick out of this bike one not including the obvious BONUS: Go ride a bike!

I have enough travel over the summer that I probably wouldn't do every element of the challenge but I'd certainly participate when I could if someone else is willing to put it together.

[Wallflower]

Like others, I'm not sure I'll hit every category, but I'm looking for ways to mix up my reading a bit. :-)

[meshimeshi]

Just as a fyi, they still do the challenges over on TN.

I'd be down for a challenge here too though! I know I am really late to this post, but since this board isn't usually very active, I usually post on the nest's book club. That's the only board I visit over there.