Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

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General > 2016 Reading Challenge - Yes or No?

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message 1: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
2016 is rapidly approaching and I was wondering if our members would be interested in participating in a yearly reading challenge that focuses on historical mysteries.

All ideas for a challenge are welcome.


message 2: by S.K. (new)

S.K. Rizzolo (skrizzolo) | 49 comments I like the idea, but I don't do very well with challenges because I get too busy with other things. I would suggest a modest challenge--but then it wouldn't really be a challenge.

Maybe the challenge could focus on reading new authors or authors from different cultures?


message 3: by Meghan (new)

Meghan | 267 comments I'm up for something, but I'm with S.K. on life getting in the way sometimes. I like the idea of something modest and general. Maybe something about reading different time periods than your favorites? I like the new authors thing, too.


message 4: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
Thanks for the input.
Whatever we decide on, it would be very general and not place too much pressure on readers. It's supposed to be fun not anxiety inducing :0)


message 5: by Lynn (new)

Lynn (lynnali) | 62 comments I did the Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge this year and I found it really made my reading a chore rather than something fun and enjoyable.

I'd participate if what I was reading at the time fit the category/challenges, but I doubt I'd commit myself to complete a year-long challenge.


message 6: by D.G. (new)

D.G. I never do well with challenges focused on one genre so I probably won't participate.


message 7: by Sue (new)

Sue | 2 comments Two points:

First to this question, yes I would probably participate but will be looking for book ideas. I like those that have a paranormal element to the mysteries. But it's not required. Amelia Peabody, Graveyard Queen and Tradd Street are standouts but definitely wouldn't mind more ideas.

I'd be very interested in a challenge that was used in 2014 where basically every genre of romance was represented and you tried to find titles for each. I wanted to join that one but felt I couldn't because I wasn't part of this group in 2014.


message 8: by Veronica (new)

Veronica  (readingonthefly) | 697 comments I'd be interested in a reading challenge. I don't typically get stressed out about them because even if I don't complete the challenge (I tend to get distracted by shiny new books all the time) I usually end up reading and really liking a few books I might not otherwise have read.

I like the suggestion about reading in a specific time period (one outside your preferred period), a new to you author, an award winning book, a book with dual protagonists, a book set during a specific time of year, etc.


message 9: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
Lynn wrote: "I did the Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge this year and I found it really made my reading a chore rather than something fun and enjoyable.

I'd participate if what I was reading at the time fit..."


I took a look at that challenge when if first came out and remember deciding against it because there were too many categories that I could never fulfill.

I will try to come up with categories that are easy to fit books into.


message 10: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
Sue wrote: "Two points:

First to this question, yes I would probably participate but will be looking for book ideas. I like those that have a paranormal element to the mysteries. But it's not required. Ameli..."


I also enjoy ones with paranormal elements. I'm sure the categories will be general enough to fit many sub-genres.


message 11: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
Veronica wrote: "I'd be interested in a reading challenge. I don't typically get stressed out about them because even if I don't complete the challenge (I tend to get distracted by shiny new books all the time) I u..."

The new and shiny get you every time ;0)

Great ideas there, Veronica. I'll be thinking of ways to include them.


message 12: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
D.G. wrote: "I never do well with challenges focused on one genre so I probably won't participate."

I'm thinking that the challenge will have levels so you could read as few as 3 books or as many as 50.


message 13: by Veronica (new)

Veronica  (readingonthefly) | 697 comments Lauren wrote: "D.G. wrote: "I never do well with challenges focused on one genre so I probably won't participate."

I'm thinking that the challenge will have levels so you could read as few as 3 books or as many ..."


That's a great idea!


message 14: by Michelle (new)

Michelle Cox | 221 comments I would love to try it! Not sure how many I can honestly do, but why not throw it out there?!

Thanks for organizing!


message 15: by Irene (new)

Irene (ireneh) | 28 comments What is a Reading Challenge?


message 16: by Meghan (new)

Meghan | 267 comments Irene wrote: "What is a Reading Challenge?"

It's a "challenge" that you sign up to participate in. They usually (but not always) revolve around some type of theme. For example, one I did a few years ago was about classic books. There were 12 different categories (ex. a translated classic, a 19th-century classic, a classic mystery) and you had to choose books to fit into all of the categories. Some are extensive and extremely specific, while others are shorter or more general.


message 17: by Irene (new)

Irene (ireneh) | 28 comments But in what way do I participate?


message 18: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
Irene wrote: "But in what way do I participate?"

The challenge will begin in January and I will set up a thread with details and guidelines on how to participate. It will all be done here in the group


message 19: by Gretchen (new)

Gretchen (eab2012) | 255 comments I think this would be fun. Let me know if you would like some help.


message 20: by [deleted user] (new)

I would give it a go. My life is such that planning ahead never works, but even if I'm unable to complete the challenge it would give me an opportunity to perhaps read authors/themes/periods (or however it's set up) I would otherwise not try.


message 21: by Veronica (new)

Veronica  (readingonthefly) | 697 comments It's all for fun and certainly not something to stress over. I was participating in a yearly challenge for another group and I'm going to fall short by four books but it's okay. I still got to read some interesting books I otherwise would not have picked. You can also find good books by seeing what other people have chosen for certain categories.


message 22: by Antoinette (new)

Antoinette | 23 comments Lauren wrote: "2016 is rapidly approaching and I was wondering if our members would be interested in participating in a yearly reading challenge that focuses on historical mysteries.

All ideas for a challenge ar..."


Great idea. I'm in. I'll think of some suggestions.


message 23: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
Gretchen wrote: "I think this would be fun. Let me know if you would like some help."

That's great Gretchen. I will definitely let you know :0)


message 24: by Lauren (new)

Lauren (laurenjberman) | 1891 comments Mod
Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I'll be setting up a challenge based on settings (we already have the featured author for new authors) toward the end of the year.

It will have different levels so both light and heavy readers of the genre can participate.


Kris (My Novelesque Life) (mynovelesquelife) I would be interested too!


message 26: by Antoinette (new)

Antoinette | 23 comments S.K. wrote: "I like the idea, but I don't do very well with challenges because I get too busy with other things. I would suggest a modest challenge--but then it wouldn't really be a challenge.

Maybe the challe..."


I'd enjoy trying some new historical mystery authors I haven't read.


message 27: by Jadetyger (new)

Jadetyger Sevea | 12 comments I'd be interested. I have a backlog of historical mysteries that I've been meaning to finish...


message 28: by Merle (new)

Merle (merletau70) | 172 comments I have my own TBR and it includes lots of other things besides historical mysteries. For that reason I wouldn't participate in the challenge. I generally like to identify and read on my own.


message 29: by Chris (new)

Chris Hunt (chrisnina) I'm reading Fire Court by Andrew Taylor. It is book two in the series.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...


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