Introductions and Pre Challenge Chat!

[Karen Michele]

I've ended up joining here after hearing about it on AMMP. I love matching books to challenges (obviously) and I also like that the tower teams will allow me to use all the books I read. I have some long ones planned for winter and sometimes I forego them in favor of finishing challenges. For this one, I'm encouraged because of page count points!

[Eldarwen]

Yaay, Karen Michele! :-D

[Karen Michele]

I'm excited and now I have a team! I'm on Team Moirai and can't wait to get started with my group!

[Delta]

Yes, the trick is fitting them all together. I've never done so many challenges at once with a deadline so I put together a spreadsheet so I could make sure my books would stretch the farthest. According to my sheet, I'm reading at least 36 books between November 1st and January 31st. Whoa. Fortunately, most of them are first reads giveaways that I'm way behind on and this will help me catch up.

I'm crossing my fingers that these books will also work for the Tower Team goals and another similar challenge.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Karen Michele wrote: "I'm excited and now I have a team! I'm on Team Moirai and can't wait to get started with my group!"

Me too! Looks like we're team buddies =0)

[Sonia]

Erin (Paperback stash) *is juggle-reading* wrote: "Karen Michele wrote: "I'm excited and now I have a team! I'm on Team Moirai and can't wait to get started with my group!"

Me too! Looks like we're team buddies =0)"

And I get to mentoring you!!!!! YEY

[Karen Michele]

Hi team mates! It looks like we can use our team thread now, too!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

That's super organised Delta ;)

[Berit☀️✨]

That's what I was thinking, I'm lucky if I know what I'm reading next LOL!

[Tara]

I have my books planned for November, and some into December, but no way near knowing for the next 3 months! Now, towards the end of November I'll have a good chunk of the next 3 months planned out due to SRC books....but that tends to change!

[Karen Michele]

I'm planned for November because of the SRC and two other seasonal challenges I'm doing, but I'm going to try something different in December. I am going to do those challenges next season, but not plan them all out completely. I have found that the excitement of new challenges monthly and new tasks that are announced by the week at AMMP keeps me more excited and keeps the fun of planning current. I tend to lose excitement for some of my books by the 3rd month of the challenges that work that way.

[Tara]

Karen Michele wrote: "I'm planned for November because of the SRC and two other seasonal challenges I'm doing, but I'm going to try something different in December. I am going to do those challenges next season, but not..."


Same here, Karen! I have had my SRC books planned MOSTLY from the start...as new challenges/BOTM get announced in other groups, I'll shift some around where I can. I'm on track to finish SRC for the first time ever (FINGERS CROSSED I can pull it off!) and then I'll go back to 'normal' reading plans (whatever that may be!)!!!

[Karen Michele]

Tara Jo wrote: "Karen Michele wrote: "I'm planned for November because of the SRC and two other seasonal challenges I'm doing, but I'm going to try something different in December. I am going to do those challenge..."

Good Luck! I haven't finished since years ago. I just can't seem to get there, so I like doing other challenges that I can achieve!

[Tara]

Karen Michele wrote: "Tara Jo wrote: "Karen Michele wrote: "I'm planned for November because of the SRC and two other seasonal challenges I'm doing, but I'm going to try something different in December. I am going to do..."

EXACTLY! I've only done the SRC a few times....I took a couple sessions off earlier this year as I had gotten really engrossed in other groups and just didn't have the time to focus...started back up last season and did decent for not even trying, just using books already using in other groups. This season I made it a personal goal to try to complete it...probably won't try again as it's super hard to do! But I'm having fun!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Sonia wrote: "And I get to mentoring you!!!!! YEY

"



Woot, couldn't have a better mentor

[SandyC]

Tara Jo wrote: "Karen Michele wrote: "Tara Jo wrote: "Karen Michele wrote: "I'm planned for November because of the SRC and two other seasonal challenges I'm doing, but I'm going to try something different in Dece..."

Wow, Tara Jo that's quite an accomplishment!
I haven't done that one for several seasons, but there is no way I could finish that many books in 3 months. Also, I thought the tasks were becoming way too picky and the moderators were strict on what they would accept.

[Tara]

Thanks...it's been hard but I want to finish it at least once. I am amazed at the people I see finish it season after season.
I agree...some of the tasks are pretty difficult. But I do like the firmness on the rulings...it leaves no question of fairness (from what I've seen). I at least see it being consistent and not lax in the rulings....sometimes you want to help someone succeed in finishing the challenge and your ruling on a book may cause them to not complete it and it's hard to say NO...but they (I think) for the amount of participants are very fair and consistent, although tough!

[Sophie, The other one]

What is SRC?

[SandyC]

Sophie wrote: "What is SRC?"

Seasonal Reading Challenge.

:-)

[Mary X]

Every time I preplan books for challenges, which I love to do, I never manage to stick to my list.

[Tara]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Every time I preplan books for challenges, which I love to do, I never manage to stick to my list."

Just like I tell my co-workers.....it's just a plan....we never follow it, but it gets us started! I would with a bunch of Project Managers who are very "Project Plan" driven....I have yet to work on a project that sticks the 'planned' dates/tasks/assignments! But we try! That's what counts, right??!!

[Maritza]

Sophie wrote: "What is SRC?"

i was just about to ask the same thing.

[April]

I just signed up. I love reading challenges but will expect help with keeping the rules.

Just work with me, I'm pretty easy going.

[Jen]

Maritza wrote: "Sophie wrote: "What is SRC?"

i was just about to ask the same thing."

I was actually typing to ask what it was. Refreshed the page before posting, though, and saw the answer and a few more comments to boot, lol. ;-)

I don't think I can do it, though. Sounds interesting, but I am already feeling overwhelmed by the five (or six?) challenges I am doing, so I don't think it'd be very wise of me to add another one. :-(

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lol same here Jen
I've seen SRC before, but it doesn't look like my kind of thing. Maybe it's just the way it is written, but it feels a bit rigid and I don't enjoy challenges where I "have" to read something specific.

I think that is what makes Tower Teams so popular as its more about the social angle - you can still read what you want

[❀Tea❀]

Yeah it is specific, but I still find that I can fit in most of my random read books. That said, I've never solved all tasks in SRC, but I don't really try to. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Haha
See I would feel compelled to try which would likely result in me hating it because it was "making" me read something lol

[Jen]

Karen wrote: "Haha
See I would feel compelled to try which would likely result in me hating it because it was "making" me read something lol"

That would be a worry for me, too. I can usually find a way to "make" what I read fit challenge tasks, but if the SRC one is very/too rigid, it's probably not for me.

The only challenge I'm doing that "requires" me to read outside my usual preferences is Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge, but even that one isn't as restrictive as it seems.

[SandyC]

Jen wrote: "Karen wrote: "Haha
See I would feel compelled to try which would likely result in me hating it because it was "making" me read something lol"

That would be a worry for me, too. I can usually find ..."

I was usually able to make 90% of my books fit. Some of the tasks can be really easy. What got tricky was when I could find a book that met the requirement,but in the fine print it would say something like "must be over 450 pages" or "author must be new to you." To actually complete the challenge requires reading 80 or so books in 3 months. If you dont mind not finishing it can still be a fun challenge. Those who do complete get the honor of creating tasks for the next round. It seemed like the same people were able to finish each season.

[Jen]

Sandy wrote: "I was usually able to make 90% of my books fit. Some of the tasks can be really easy. What got tricky was when I could find a book that met the requirement,but in the fine print..."

That doesn't sound too bad. Still, though, I think I have enough challenges going on for now. Maybe next season/year. Thanks for the info, though! :-)

[Karsyn]

I admire those of you who can make lists/plan out books even if you don't stick to it exactly. I can't plan out worth crap, it's just not me. I once tried to plan out books for a read-a-thon and read 1, I think.

My Hubby is the same way. He just tried (last night) to make a list of spooky/hallooween movies He wants to watch through Sat. Today He said the list is going out the window. He said He doesn't like to be told what to do, even by Himself. :D

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

80 books in 3 months? Yeah...never going to happen ;)

lol Karsyn!

[Joi]

Karsyn wrote: "I admire those of you who can make lists/plan out books even if you don't stick to it exactly. I can't plan out worth crap, it's just not me. I once tried to plan out books for a read-a-thon and re..."

I'm the complete opposite. I plan out everything.

[Berit☀️✨]

I just took a look at that challenge, the first task look tough, some of them seems pretty easy, but others were very specific, but I didn't get the idea you have to plan everything in advance, maybe I'm missing something, I'm not very good at individual challenges, I'm better at the group ones :-)

[Tara]

For me, it's a matter of trying to pre-plan for the 3 months...if there's any chance of finishing, for me I'd HAVE to plan or else I'd end up reading a few books that just don't fit anywhere and then you lost time. It is a pretty high number of books....80-90 I think...so I've been pushing 25+ books/month...I've started listening to a lot of audio books so when I can't read (driving to work, doing laundry/housework/etc.) so I've gone from 15-20 books/month to nearly 25-30/month...but...in the end I don't always feel like I 'got it' when I was done.

Also, I tend to go for shorter books than longer books...and audio I'll speed them up faster so I can listen to an audio book in less time than the standard is. But...this is more a one-time shot at trying to finish it....i'm going to be mush in another 5 weeks!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I prefer team challenges too ;)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Best of luck Tara Jo!

[Tara]

Karen wrote: "Best of luck Tara Jo!"

Thanks!

And I do prefer team challenges...but I like the individual aspects of them as well. I like being able to pick my own books (not a huge fan of 'read from this listopia' kind of things) but what I really enjoy is the camaraderie and chats and getting book recommendations and all that!

[Karsyn]

Joi wrote: "I'm the complete opposite. I plan out everything."

I can't imagine it. It's foreign to me, especially with the amount of books that I read. It'd be like Tara Jo and her 80-90 books but all the time. A normal reading month for me is 30ish. I just gotta go with what I'm feeling at the time. If I made a plan, I'd feel like I HAD to stick to it then I'd get pissy when I wasn't in the mood for something. :)

We all got our own quirks! :)

[Alison (Lady Coffin)]

OH MY!!!

That is a LOT of books a month. I was excite with getting 15 done in a month. And even with that I have people look at me like I am crazy for reading that many.

I bow down to you "book reading goddesses"
*currently on my knees in a supplicant pose*

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I'm with you! I'm a 10-12 books a month person which I can stretch to about 15-20 during a challenge

[Kazen]

Alison (Lady Coffin) wrote: "That is a LOT of books a month. I was excite with getting 15 done in a month. And even with that I have people look at me like I am crazy for reading that many."

I'm a ten books a month person - to each her own! *~high five~*

[Alison (Lady Coffin)]

Oh no.....

Can someone please help me get up, my knees locked up.

Ahhhhhh!!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

maybe this will help! (even has a basket for your books)

[Karsyn]

LMAO. I'll help ya up, Alison.

I have a LOT of time on my hands, so I read a lot, especially during challenges. :) Trust me, I'd rather lead a different life where I didn't have so much time, but since life is what it is, I read, when I'm not playing games. :)

This month has been light for me, and would have been REALLY light if I hadn't read 8 books for Dewey's. I'm at 17 completed for the month.

My record, this year (probably most ever, can't remember though) for books in a month was during the last team challenge here I did, I think it was Wheel? I read 52 books in April. I was a little burnt out after that month. :D

[Alison (Lady Coffin)]

Karen wrote: "maybe this will help! (even has a basket for your books)

"
lol!!! Gee, um, Thanks Karen. Now I really feel old. :-(

[Alison (Lady Coffin)]

Karsyn wrote: "LMAO. I'll help ya up, Alison.

I have a LOT of time on my hands, so I read a lott ...

...My record, this year (probably most ever, can't remember though) for books in a month was during the last team challenge here I did, I think it was Wheel? I read 52 books in April. I was a little burnt out after that month. :D

52 Books in 30 days???
Did you sleep at ALL??
Only way I can think of doing that is with a bunch of short Novelas, around 100 pages or so, even then.
I would repeat the bowing, but it got me in trouble last time. Maybe I'll just take my hat off to you, unfortunately I would have to find one first.
:-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Matching hat?

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

I just signed up on the google doc but saw that the thread was closed. Did I miss the deadline? Am I too late to join in? :(

[Karsyn]

Alison (Lady Coffin) wrote: "Karsyn wrote: "LMAO. I'll help ya up, Alison.

I have a LOT of time on my hands, so I read a lott ...

...My record, this year (probably most ever, can't remember though) for books in a month was d..."


LOL! I slept. It was the month with Bout of Books, and I go a little overboard with BoB (a week long read-a-thon). 19 of them were novella-novellaish length. I was reading the 39 Clues series then, and those books range up to the low 200s.

If you're interested (it's quite the reading length in itself) you can check out my April Reading Log on my blog for the list of books. :) The 39 Clues, the Betrix Rose and the Jeff Probst books were the shorter ones.