Who's interested in GMGR starting an A - Z reading challenge?

[S.W.]

I know we're already into April, but I was wondering who would be interested in GMGR creating an A-Z reading challenge. As it would be our first, it would be kept quite simple. Members would create a post on an A-Z challenge thread with the letters of the alphabet listed. Then the goal would be to read books with titles that start with each letter, and keep your list updated throughout the year. We can all keep an eye on each others lists and pick up some tips on books to read. Any books already read in 2016 can be added when setting up our posts.

Let me know what you think and if there's enough interest I'll set it up.

[Jemima]

Well, I'm already doing an alphabet challenge this year, SW. Of course it's for any books, not just MG, but I thought I'd tell you!

[Cheryl]

That's something I would love to do, but I can't even get the books on my nightstand read! Still I might try it.

[Cheryl]

I'd love to try it!

[Scott]

I'm down for that!

[S.W.]

Thanks all. Glad to have some takers. I'll leave this open for a little longer to see if we get more interest.

My thoughts are that it would run for all of 2016.

[Scott]

Anyone have suggestions for A?

[Scott]

a Light in the Attic? :)

[Lori]

Sure. :)

[Justine]

I'll give it go too!

[Cheryl]

Are we hoping to keep the focus on MG books?

[S.W.]

The aim would be to build a place where we can see what MG books others have read to keep within the essence of the group.

As it would be our first challenge, I think it's good to keep it simple. The intention wouldn't be to suggest books and then all read the same one, it would be more of a personal and dynamic listing of books that we have read during the year.

Each person would just edit their own post along the way to add a book once read. The A-Z part is the challenge to try to cover all letters in the alphabet with the first letter of the book titles.

Along the way we can all regularly check through each other's lists to pick up some ideas. Perhaps links to reviews could be included in the lists for the tech savvy members.

[Scott]

I like it!

[Jemima]

I like it too.

[Becky]

I'm interested!

[Scott]

So my wife pointed that technically A Light in the Attic would be filed under L as you'd drop the A. I keep having the same problem as the next book that popped into my head is A Wrinkle in Time. Anyone have any suggestions for A books? :)

[Cheryl]

Amelia Bedelia
Aldo Applesauce
Anastasia Krupnik

[Scott]

Cheryl wrote: "Amelia Bedelia
Aldo Applesauce
Anastasia Krupnik"

Thanks!!!

[Rebecca]

I might give this a shot. Can we include books we read going back to the start of the year?

[Jemima]

If we're starting now, Rebecca, then I think we should allow books read from Jan 1. Should we start another thread for everyone to make their own list and edit it as they go?

[S.W.]

Jemima wrote: "If we're starting now, Rebecca, then I think we should allow books read from Jan 1. Should we start another thread for everyone to make their own list and edit it as they go?"

Rebecca wrote: "I might give this a shot. Can we include books we read going back to the start of the year?"

Sure can, Rebecca. I'll be setting it up over the next few days.

Also, I'll leave it up to everyone to decide for themselves if they want to approach thier reading in alpha order or not. Just another level of challenge if anyone wants it

Jemima .. See comment 12

[Jemima]

S.W. wrote: "Jemima wrote: "If we're starting now, Rebecca, then I think we should allow books read from Jan 1. Should we start another thread for everyone to make their own list and edit it as they go?"

Rebec..."
Yes, but do you want it to be this discussion thread, Steve? Or a clean list in a different section?

[S.W.]

Jemima wrote: "S.W. wrote: "Jemima wrote: "If we're starting now, Rebecca, then I think we should allow books read from Jan 1. Should we start another thread for everyone to make their own list and edit it as the..."

I'm sensing a magical idea..... Spill , I'm open to your suggestion.

I was planning to close this thread and start a new one.

[Rebecca]

I'd say to close this thread and open a new one, with lists and discussions. Go for it, Steve!

[Cheryl]

(Oh, S.W. / Steve, your cover is blown! I'm embarrassed to admit I totally didn't guess you're male. Cool.)

[Jemima]

Cheryl wrote: "(Oh, S.W. / Steve, your cover is blown! I'm embarrassed to admit I totally didn't guess you're male. Cool.)"

Oh :blush: Sorry!

[Rebecca]

Jemima wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "(Oh, S.W. / Steve, your cover is blown! I'm embarrassed to admit I totally didn't guess you're male. Cool.)"

Oh :blush: Sorry!"

Oops. Hope you didn't mind, SW!

[S.W.]

All good :) I'll just join another witness protection program.

[Jemima]

Did you notice there's a place in the forum for Challenges? I've only just spotted it - up in the top right, under Discussions! We haven't used it yet...

[Rebecca]

Jemima wrote: "Did you notice there's a place in the forum for Challenges? I've only just spotted it - up in the top right, under Discussions! We haven't used it yet..."

Cool! Let's inaugurate it!

[Jemima]

Rebecca wrote: "Jemima wrote: "Did you notice there's a place in the forum for Challenges? I've only just spotted it - up in the top right, under Discussions! We haven't used it yet..."

Cool! Let's inaugurate it!"

I had a look, but I don't think it lets us add a comment for each person to edit. It asks people to add books to a specific shelf (we'd start an A to Z shelf). I think if we wanted to show the books we'd read we would need a thread in the discussion section, which is not to say we couldn't have both, but I think asking people to update a thread is enough. Do you want to test out my 'draft'? I've added my target of 26. See if it shows us both if you do it.

[S.W.]

Aiming to set this up over the weekend.

Jemima, I tried your idea. Couldn't see your name listed there, but it created a new shelf for me and showed in my timeline.

[Scott]

I can't see anyone else's lists there.

[Lori]

I set up my shelf for the challenge. Is there a way to write a list there so we can keep track of each letter? Or should we do that on this thread (or a new one)?

[Jemima]

I think the Challenge section doesn't do what we want. We can't see each other's information on it.

So everyone, please wait for SW to set up the new Challenge thread! (but while you're waiting....check the BOTM nomination thread if you haven't already!)

[S.W.]

Ok gang, it's ready. Drop over to the new topic GMGR Challenges, add your list to the A-Z Challenge thread and read away.

[Justine]

If I read a second book with the same letter, and I think I like it better, can I change it?

[S.W.]

Justine wrote: "If I read a second book with the same letter, and I think I like it better, can I change it?"

Sure. You can even list multiple books for tha same letter if you want. The overall challenge is to cover all letters during the year.

[Jemima]

Thanks, SW!!

[Annie]

Where did the A to Z challenge page go? I read another middle grade book and want to add it to my list, but I can't find the thread.

[S.W.]

Annie wrote: "Where did the A to Z challenge page go? I read another middle grade book and want to add it to my list, but I can't find the thread."

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...