Reading challenges?

[ziggy23213]

Hi ladies,  I used to post on the NBC board on the nest a few years ago before my son was born, but I haven't been over here on GBCN much.  I've finally started to get back into reading, and I was hoping to start doing the seasonal reading challenges, but it seems like you don't do them anymore?  Is that true?

[charlatti]

No one has started them over here. I don't recall if it's been talked about or not. You could probably try to get it going, though --- and welcome!

[snshne322]

I think there were a few people interested, but I don't think it had a big following. We even stopped doing them on the nest a few years ago. It didn't get the same traction it used to.

Can't hurt to try, though!

[travella]

I always liked doing the reading challenges from the nest at home, especially when my to read pile was getting low and I needed new ideas for books. I would be interested in participating.

[litskispeciality]

I was going to post on a similar topic. I was on the Nest at the end, we did a couple of group reads in different genres. Does this group ever do anything like that? If so, what would be considered a reasonable timeline for everyone to get the book and read?

[Nonny]

The topic has come up before, but it always seems to kind of fizzle out. Someone has to be willing to step up and run the discussions, which is harder than you'd think. I say this as the person who took over for the Harry Potter re-read/virtual book club when life got in the way for the original organizer. It doesn't seem like it should be a big deal, but remembering to post on the agreed upon day, and provide questions (if that's what you want for the challenge) does take time and commitment, as does wrangling spoilers vs. no spoilers - because we had some first timers in that re-read and you kind of want to talk about the things you notice in book 2 that you know become relavent in books 6/7, but you don't want to ruin it for people who don't know yet.

Also, speaking just for myself, I already have two IRL book clubs picking about half of my reading material, so adding another challenge in isn't really at the top of my priority list (unless it's something I'm already interested in reading).

Disclaimer, I'm not saying these things to discourage anyone who wants to spin up a challenge! I absolutely think you should if you want to! I'm in favor of anything that makes the board more lively, even if isn't something I'm actively particpating in. 

But I would suggest that if you want to do a challenge you just jump in and do it without a lot of fanfare and decision by committee.  Make some strong executive decisions from the get go, and be like*,

"Hey ladies, I'm doing a six month YA Fantasy & Dystopian Challenge in 2017.  I'll be reading and posting about the following series on the second Sunday of each month:

February:  Hunger Games Trilogy

April:  Red Rising Trilogy

June: The Giver Quartet

...

Or

I'm declaring 2017 the Year of the Memoir!  At the end of every month I'll be starting threads about these memoirs:

January:  I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai

February: Not My Father's Son: A Memoir by Alan Cumming

March:  Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by JD Vance

*I'm not offering to run these challenges, I'm just offering suggestions. LOL!

[rainbowchip]

I would be interested in a group read. My problem in the past was not being able to get the book from the library during the time frame we do the read.

[tcu2003]

I mostly lurk on this board, but would potentially be interested, depending on the genre/books.

[ziggy23213]

I don't know that I have the time/energy to organize a challenge, but if someone starts one, I would absolutely participate!

[litskispeciality]

I know this isn't the old site, just a thought. We did a suggestion thread by genre, then a vote based on the top 3 - 5 choices. There were some issues with getting the book, and some duds, but honestly how would anyone know until we all read it.

In Dec/Jan does anyone post a thread about 2017 reading goals, books you want to read etc.? Perhaps if we find a theme or a specific book a lot of people want to read we just pick that one for a few months later?

[ufcasey]

I volunteer as tribute to get this started. I'll start a thread for voting.

[aurora]

Nov 3, 2016 10:31:17 GMT -5 ufcasey said:

I volunteer as tribute to get this started. I'll start a thread for voting.

(this board could use more pictures and gifs. )