2016 July Pick-It-for-Me Challenge

[☘KathyD☘]

July 2016 Pick-It-For-Me Challenge

What is the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge?
The Pick-It-For-Me (PIFM) Challenge is a reading challenge where each participant gives and receives book recommendations based on a given a set of rules. The assignment method and book selection rules change each month so it’s always new and always different.

The idea of the PIFM challenge is that you will get new-to-you books and authors selected for you, as well as a push to read some books that have been lingering on your shelves. You may not be interested in the new books recommended, which is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf.

You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge!

After signups are closed, your names and any extra info will go into the super secret PIFM randomizer and it will select someone for you to recommend books to and someone to give you recommendations. This list will be posted along with any specific picking rules for the month.

In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or FRIEND the person giving you recommendations. PLEASE NOTE: if you choose to keep your profile private, it is your responsibility to send a friend request to the person picking for you as soon as possible after the matchups are posted. Whether your profile is private or not, it is also very important that your profile be set to receive Private Messages (PMs) in case anyone needs to reach out to you (mods, organizer etc.)

Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!

Repicks
You may ask for repicks if:
☀ The book(s) picked for you are not yet released.
☀ You have already read chosen book(s) and they are on your ‘read’ shelf.
☀ You did not receive four picks from your ‘to-read’ shelf, with at least one from your preferred shelf.

You may NOT ask for repicks because the book is:
☀ Not available at your library.
☀ From a genre or author you don’t enjoy.


INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP
Please sign up in this thread with the answer to the following question:

What is your favorite summer activity?
Swimming
Sitting outside to read a book
Catching all the latest movies

☀☀If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick!☀☀


IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups — Open until June 23 (7 pm US CST)
Picking — Due by June 27 (7 pm US CST)
Repicks — If necessary, will be assigned and follow the picking deadline

For your convenience — Time Zone Converter

☀Please do not start reading your book(s) until the first of the month. You then have the entire month to read your pick(s) and give some feedback.

☀If you’re new please read the PIFM Guidelines and FAQs. If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please feel free to ask!

☀☀Please note that late sign ups will be included at the host’s discretion and no one will be included after re-picks are assigned!☀☀

[☘KathyD☘]

Tips to Make the Challenge Enjoyable for Everyone!

Pickees
☀ To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read’ shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed (did not finish) or authors that don’t work for you, as well as shelves for favorite books and authors. In addition, you might consider updating your profile. You can include information about your favorite books/authors/themes/genres (of themes/books you dislike – i.e., secret baby)

☀ Please do not specify likes/dislikes in the sign-up thread. This information will not be included in the pairing and your picker may not see your message and does not need to rely on the information when choosing for you.

Pickers
☀ Please remember this is primarily a romance readers group. Thus, most, if not all, your picks should fall in the romance category. There are various sub genres within the romance category—Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy, etc. If your pickee reads a wide variety, you could add a non-romance book as a choice.

☀ Choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These can be brand new to them (not found on any of their shelves) or a book found on their shelves if they have never read any of the author’s work previously.

Helpful Book Selection Hints
☀ Check the book’s publishing date…Select “date pub” from the checkbox selections and save

☀ Check pickee’s personalized shelves (especially their exclusive shelves)…A personalized shelf is one the member has created (e.g., ‘to read next,’ ‘favorites,’ ‘didn’t like’)

☀ Make sure the books you choose are not on their ‘read’ shelf…Just because it isn’t rated doesn’t mean it wasn’t read

☀ Look at your pickee’s ‘read’ shelf to see what genres/authors they have recently read or read the most…Reviewing their ‘read’ shelf might help you in choosing something they are interested in reading right now

☀ If your pickee reads books in a genre you are not familiar with (e.g., Erotica, YA, GLBT)…Contact the Mod’s or the month’s organizer for guidance

☀ Include a variety of books (e.g., shorter page count, new addition to their ‘to-read’ shelf, older book on their ‘to-read’ shelf)…This variety give your pickee options when choosing the book or books they will be reading this month. Use the sort feature within their shelves to determine date a book was added, published or read; page numbers, ratings, etc.

[☘KathyD☘]

Sign ups

Current through Post 48

Swimming
Jane (PS) — mg16-junjul or picking shelf
Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress — to-read
MountainKat — to-read-asap
Cecily — epl-to-read
Danielle — pifm
Katherine — to-read-this-year
Zorina — to-read


Sitting outside reading a book
☘KathyD☘ — cp-pick-it-for-me
LaurLa — 04-challenges-to-pick
Fran (private profile) — a-pifm-shelf
Aminko — picking-shelf
~KarenH~ — cant-wait-to-read
Nancy H — to-read
Vandhana — to-read
Tink Magoo is bad at reviews — to-read
Rebecca — to-read
Tina Theresa — to-read
fleurette — meet-n-greet-old or meet-n-greet
Shelby — current-challenge-to-read
Pam — pick-it-challenge
ravenbleu — challenge
~Melissa~ — june-july-mng-picked or freebie
Nereta — to-read
Kimberly — to-read
Ashley — to-read
Lacee — to-read
Jody — pifm
Nicole — to-read
Amanda — to-read


Catching all the latest movies
Diane ~Firefly~ — mng-picking
Rachel C. — have-and-to-read or have-on-kindle-and-to-read
Emelie — to read
Suzanne — to read
ThatEzi — audiobooks (unrated books only)

[☘KathyD☘]

Pairing
Within each group, each person picks for the person below them. The last person in the group picks for the first person. For example, Katherine picks for Cecily.

✔ = picks made

Swimming
✔Cecily — epl-to-read
✔Jane (PS) — mg16-junjul or picking shelf
✔MountainKat — to-read-asap
✔Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress — to-read
✔Danielle — pifm
✔Zorina — to-read
✔Katherine — to-read-this-year


Sitting outside to read a book
✔Shelby — current-challenge-to-read
✔Rebecca — to-read
✔Jody — pifm
✔~KarenH~ — cant-wait-to-read
✔Nereta — to-read
✔Tina Theresa — to-read
✔☘KathyD☘ — cp-pick-it-for-me
✔fleurette — meet-n-greet-old or meet-n-greet
✔Amanda — to-read
✔Vandhana — to-read
✔Fran — a-pifm-shelf
✔Nicole — to-read
✔ravenbleu — challenge
✔Kimberly — to-read
✔Lacee — to-read
✔LaurLa — 04-challenges-to-pick
✔Tink Magoo is bad at reviews — to-read
✔~Melissa~ — june-july-mng-picked
✔Ashley — to-read
✔Aminko — picking-shelf
✔Pam — pick-it-challenge
✔Nancy H — to-read


Catching all the latest movies
✔Rachel C. — have-and-to-read or have-on-kindle-and-to-read
✔Emelie — to read
✔ThatEzi — audiobooks (unrated books only)
✔Diane ~Firefly~ — mng-picking
✔Suzanne — to read

[☘KathyD☘]

Picking Rules for July

Please make sure to pick 4 books new to your pickee, as well as 4 books from your pickee’s designated or ‘to-be-read’ shelf, for a total of 8 books!

July is National Blueberry Month! These berries are a popular fruit commonly found in pies, muffins, and pancakes…but here are some fact you may not know about this healthy, delicious berry…

Native to North America, blueberries were used by Native American tribes for food, medicine, and dye for baskets and cloth
☀ Choose a book set in North America (Canada, US, and/or Mexico)

Blueberries are only blue on the outside; the inside flesh is actually green.
☀ Choose a book with a blue and/or green cover or a book featuring an alien (little “green” men) or shifters character

Summer is peak blueberry season! Typically, the season begins in May and last through early fall.
☀ Choose a book added to your pickee’s to-read (or designated) shelf between May and September or a book set in the summer

Blueberries are also called star berries.
☀ Choose a book with stars on the cover or a book with a character that is a “star” (e.g., actor, rock star, celebrity, or other famous person)

“Perfect” blueberries should be dusty in color.
☀ Choose a book with fog/haze on the cover or a book where things are hidden on the cover or a book tagged romantic mystery/suspense

Often considered the healthiest fruit, blueberries are rich in vitamins C and E, manganese, and fiber, and have phenomenal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
☀ Choose a book title that begins with the letter “C,” “E,” “M,” or “A”

Since 1995, blueberry consumption (and production) has tripled and the US and Canada produce roughly 200 million pounds of blueberries throughout the year!
☀ Choose a book that is part of a trilogy (three-book series) or a book with 200+ pages

Grown on bushes, blueberries are part of the rhododendron and azalea family
☀ Choose a book with a strong family theme or a book that features main characters that are family members or a book with flower(s) on the cover

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I'm going to jump in this month Kathy ~ my annual participation ;)

I'm a swimmer.

My preferred shelf:
mg16 junjul - The books which are also on my 'to read' shelf.
Apologies - some already read; and some are rated but are also included on my 'to read' shelf so they are fine to pick.)

If the selection is not enough, my picking shelf would be the next best to get a smaller selection than my To Read shelf!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Movies

mng_picking

[LaurLa]

I'm in!! And of course my favorite activity is Sitting outside to read a book... preferably by a pool or (better yet) a beach!

Preferred shelf: 04-challenges-to-pick

[Fran, Moderator]

I'm in! (Private profile)

I will say.....reading a book

PIFM Shelf

[Aminko]

I'm in!!!

My favourite summer activity is Sitting outside to read a book

Picking Shelf

[Rachel C.]

I'm in! This is a hard one.... I can't really pick sitting outside with a good book right now due to the 117 degree heat today, so I have to go with Catching all the latest movies :)

Shelves to choose from: have and to read or have on kindle and to read

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

I'm in, and while I do love the water, I spend a lot more time in the summer Sitting outside to read a book.

Please use my cant-wait-to-read shelf...thanks!

[Nancy H]

Sitting outside with a book, of course!

[Vandhana]

Sitting outside to read a book :D :D

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews]

Sitting outside to read a book, of course

[Rebecca]

Sitting outside to read a book!

[Tina Theresa]

Sitting outside to read a book.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I'm in! love swimming :)
Pick it for me

[fleurette]

Sitting outside to read a book :)

Please use my meet-n-greet-old shelf. When it's not enough use this one - meet-n-greet.

[Shelby]

Definitely sitting outside to read a book. :)

Current Challenge to Reads

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I definitely enjoy sitting outside with a book, but right now the bugs are way too thick and the sun is way too hot! So I'm going to go with swimming! Because other than ice cream, that is about the only thing that sounds good right now!

Please use my to-read-asap shelf - thanks! Now I just need to update that shelf...

[Cecily]

I'm In!!

This is the hardest choice because all three is usually the definition of my summer but I think I am going to choose Swimming!!

epl-to-read

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

I'm going to say swimming :)

My list: My list

[Katherine]

I'm in!!!!!

What is your favorite summer activity?
Swimming

My shelf name: to-read-this-year
Link to shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Zorina]

Swimming.

[Pam]

sitting outside to read a book (preferably by water)
Shelf pick it challenge

[Ravenbleu]

To read a book.

My list

[Emeli]

Im in movies for me

[Ezi]

I'm in
Please choose an unrated book from my Audiobook Shelf

I only like romance books. Please keep that in mind. I like HEA or HFN.

[~Melissa~]

I'm in - sitting outside reading a book.
Shelves to use please june july mng picked OR freebie shelf

[Suzanne]

I'm in and I love catching all the latest movies!

[♎ Nereta♎]

I am in
Sitting outside

[Kimberly]

I'm in
Sitting outside reading a book

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Hmmm Kathy - I don't think I have a private profile do I??

[☘KathyD☘]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Hmmm Kathy - I don't think I have a private profile do I??"

I guess not! Don't know where I came up with that....sorry! =)

[Fran, Moderator]

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Hmmm Kathy - I don't think I have a private profile do I??"

I guess not! Don't know where I came up with that....sorry! =)"

I have one! You may have been thinking of me ;)

[☘KathyD☘]

Fran wrote: "☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Hmmm Kathy - I don't think I have a private profile do I??"

I guess not! Don't know where I came up with that....sorry! =)"

I have one! You may have been thinki..."

I think we have a winner! Thanks Fran...I knew someone had a private profile!

[Ashley]

Sitting outside reading a book ofcourse.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Fran wrote: "☘KathyD☘ wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Hmmm Kathy - I don't think I have a private profile do I??"

I guess not! Don't know where I came up with that....sorry! =)"

I have one! You may hav..."

Phew - I was sure I didn't but I could have pressed a button accidentally... :D

[☘KathyD☘]

ThatEzi wrote: "I'm in
Please choose an unrated book from my Audiobook Shelf"

Hey Ezi...can you let me know your summer preference?
swimming
reading
movies

[Lacee]

Sitting outside to read and my preferred shelf is "to-read."

[Ezi]

☘KathyD☘ wrote: "ThatEzi wrote: "I'm in
Please choose an unrated book from my Audiobook Shelf"

Hey Ezi...can you let me know your summer preference?
swimming
reading
movies"

Ezi prefers all of the above...but for the purposes of this game, I will say catching up on Movies & TV Show

[☘KathyD☘]

ThatEzi wrote: "☘KathyD☘ wrote: "ThatEzi wrote: "I'm in
Please choose an unrated book from my Audiobook Shelf"

Hey Ezi...can you let me know your summer preference?
swimming
reading
movies"

LOL...fair enough and thank you!
Ezi prefers all of th..."

[Jody]

I'm in
sitting outside reading
pifm

[Nicole]

I'm in. I like sitting outside reading.

[☘KathyD☘]

pairs and picking rules are posted...sorry for the late posting! let me know if you have any questions! Happy Reading!

[☘KathyD☘]

hey fleurette! here are your picks for July...hope there is something here you’ll enjoy!

Native to North America, blueberries were used by Native American tribes for food, medicine, and dye for baskets and cloth
Sticks & Stones (tbr) – set in the US
Delicate Freakn’ Flower (new) – set in Canada

Blueberries are only blue on the outside; the inside flesh is actually green.
Lover Unleashed (tbr) – blue cover
Claimed (new) – features aliens

Summer is peak blueberry season! Typically, the season begins in May and last through early fall.
Ecstasy Unveiled (tbr) – added in May 2016
Reaper’s Property (new) – set in the summer

Blueberries are also called star berries.
Lead (tbr) – main character is a rock star
Come Away with Me (new) – main character is an actor

“Perfect” blueberries should be dusty in color.
Cold Midnight (tbr) – tagged mystery/suspense
The Restorer (new) – hazy cover

Often considered the healthiest fruit, blueberries are rich in vitamins C and E, manganese, and fiber, and have phenomenal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Against the Ropes (tbr) – title begins with an “A”
Marked (new) – title begins with an “M”

Since 1995, blueberry consumption (and production) has tripled and the US and Canada produce roughly 200 million pounds of blueberries throughout the year!
Destined for an Early Grave (tbr) – 200+ pages
Wanted (new) – book 1 in a three-book series

Grown on bushes, blueberries are part of the rhododendron and azalea family
Rev It Up (tbr) – main characters are family (siblings)
Wife by Wednesday (new) – flowers on the cover

[Amanda]

Sitting outside to read a book. :)

[☘KathyD☘]

Amanda wrote: "Sitting outside to read a book. :)"

i'll sneak you in Amanda! =)

[☘KathyD☘]

sign ups are now closed
pairing post is current