Play Book Tag discussion
2016-19 Activities & Challenges
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Announcing the 2017 PBT Challenges -- updated with Group Stair
I like both of these and am really looking forward to getting started!
Woohooo! My top two votes :) Excited to see what tag comes up for the group "stair".
haha. I think I voted for "hitting the high notes" I should have looked at the books first. I've read (or attempted) 90% of the books already, and the ones I haven't read I kind of don't want to. it's just never happening for me and Mary Doria Russell I think I'm going to feel like Ove like I felt about Filkrey. Just goes to show how much this group influences my reading!Looking forward to picking my tags for the staircase, and then ignoring the challenge because I don't have time to read. :)
Nicole wrote: "Looking forward to picking my tags for the staircase, and then ignoring the challenge because I don't have time to read. :) "Story of my life, but I'm determined to do better next year, even though by ignoring challenges, I apparently read more (books and pages) than ever this year. Go figure.
I did read all the PBT tags and my 50 books, but my ambitions are always so much higher than my reality.
There is already a folder for your individual tracking threads for January if you want to start planning. I'll post something in it so it shows up.
Yay, the two challenges I voted for. I'm definitely picking Canadian for my tago picked by the mods because duh. And for the others picking that as a stair, I very warmly recommend Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald.
I voted for the stair tag(s) (not giving away how I voted).... I'm torn between true crime and Canadian for the Moderator stair.
QUESTION ... could I pick another one of the moderator's choices as one of my "three remaining stairs"? For example, if I pick true crime as my moderator stair, could I then pick Canadian as one of the remaining stairs?
Fun! I can't even remember what I ended up voting for. Should be fun either way.
Book Concierge wrote: "QUESTION ... could I pick another one of the moderator's choices as one of my "three remaining stairs"? For example, if I pick true crime as my moderator stair, could I then pick Canadian as one of the remaining stairs?"Yes, you can.
I'm excited for climbing the PBT stairs. I think I sent some votes to high notes but like Nicole I think I've read most of the books already. Maybe I'll make my challenge to read the few books I haven't already read on the top 10 lists.
Nicole wrote: "Looking forward to picking my tags for the staircase, and then ignoring the challenge because I don't have time to read. :) "LOL I have a similar problem sometimes, depending on the challenge! But I voted for these two (at least I think I voted for second one too) so I'm looking forward to both!
Nicole wrote: "haha. I think I voted for "hitting the high notes" I should have looked at the books first..."Yup! I did the same! There are a couple of years where I believe I've read them all, but I should be able to use the top 100 list to help me out there!
Ellie wrote: "Yay, the two challenges I voted for. I'm definitely picking Canadian for my tago picked by the mods because duh. ..."haha! And I'm sure everyone can figure out which admin chose that tag! (At least any members who have been here a while... :-) )
I have to say I was quite excited to see any version of canada/canadian in the top tags we will be choosing from this year!
Anita wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Looking forward to picking my tags for the staircase, and then ignoring the challenge because I don't have time to read. :) "Story of my life, but I'm determined to do better next ..."
Same here... =/ But it's fun to try!
Becky wrote: "Anita wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Looking forward to picking my tags for the staircase, and then ignoring the challenge because I don't have time to read. :) "Story of my life, but I'm determined to d..."
Agree!!! I sometimes look at the sum total of the challenges I've opted to do and realize that the number of book exceeds the 50-60 I am actually capable of reading. I'm going to try not to do that this year!
I think this is a project I need a lesson in. I am indeed excited, I just need to better learn how it works. And plan it out well.
Nicole wrote: "haha. I think I voted for "hitting the high notes" I should have looked at the books first. I've read (or attempted) 90% of the books already, and the ones I haven't read I kind of don't want to. i..."I voted for the high notes too, and also find that I've read just about all I am interested in reading. I should have checked.
Can't remember what I voted for. I do think the stairs was one of them. Looking forward to the tabs.The high notes will be a challenge. There are not so many books left on the lists I really want to read and I much rather read for a topic than from a list of books...
Sushicat wrote: "Can't remember what I voted for. I do think the stairs was one of them. Looking forward to the tabs.The high notes will be a challenge. There are not so many books left on the lists I really want..."
I've read sooooo many of the books on High Notes - - was rooting for Long Book myself. But I'm going to give it the ol' college try! The key driver is I truly have at least enjoyed, if not loved, most of them.
I will probably try both of them, but I resolve to forgive myself if I don't complete the challenges. High notes will force me to read Hunger Games. It's the only book on at least one of the lists that I haven't read.
This year I am being careful not to overwhelm myself with reading plans, so decided to choose Climbing the PBT Stairs. Both challenges sound really fun though.
I am going to do the Stair challenge for sure. I pick Canada as my admin tag. At this time, I think I won't do the high note one though I think I put most my votes on that one.
Nicole R wrote: "Thank you everyone for voting on the two *official* challenges for PBT in 2017! I am really looking forward to these and hope you are too :) On January 1st, we will start threads for each of these ..."53I think you cheated. I see a Nora Roberts tag is #253!LOL
Okay, I'm going to mull this over. I am probably going to do the stair one and so I voted, but not the other, since I checked the years and often I've read all of the books I want to out of the top 10, but haven't read all of them.
@Regina, Anita made the list!! Maybe she took pity on me ;)
I didn't vote because most of them sounded pretty good.I did go through and I think I can find 1 book on each 10 ten list --- they are even books that are on my TBR. This is one of the first years that I didn't do a "staircase" type challenge so only 5 should be easy --- if I get my reading mojo back!
Very cool! I picked contemporary romance for my stair 1 because it is so outside my comfort zone (but I'm sure I can manage at least one)! Recommendations please??
KateNZ wrote: "Very cool! I picked contemporary romance for my stair 1 because it is so outside my comfort zone (but I'm sure I can manage at least one)! Recommendations please??"
I'm sure Nicole R can recommend more than one!
Ladyslott wrote: "I'm sure Nicole R can recommend more than one! ..."Well, I confess I was hoping that the oracle would respond, lol!
Yay these are the two I voted for!Excited to make my staircase. I see the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge did come up! I hope that one wins the PBT stair.
@KateNZ. I'm guessing on what Nicole R will recommend. But if she's going for Nora, I'd guess Vision in White, the first of a wedding-themed quartet of books. I feel like we've both recommended that one before.
If contemporary romance is TOTALLY out of range for you, I'd suggest a quick moving book- something by Sophie Kinsella (Can You Keep a Secret? or I've Got Your Number). Or Nicholas Sparks. Both these authors read super quickly.
Darn it. Not the one I voted for. Oh well. These should still be fun.
Ohhhh, I wish I was off work already. I have time off, but 2/3 of the break will be with my family. I will only have a few days on my own before I go back to work. In that time, in addition to doing more unpacking that hasn't happened since summer (ha! I doubt that will happen with my limited time), and finishing up any reads I want to finish, I will THEN have time to plan my challenges for next year and get it all set up... and wrap up this year's reading (top 10, etc).
Sigh... I want more time - did I say that already!?
LibraryCin wrote: "Ohhhh, I wish I was off work already. I have time off, but 2/3 of the break will be with my family. I will only have a few days on my own before I go back to work. In that time, in addition to do..."
I know the feeling of wanting more time. I noticed you haven't set up your challenges over at LT yet. I am hoping to spend time reading and fine tuning challenges but the time, where does it go?
Yeah, I will likely set up my challenges in a Word document first, then post both here and at LT. I'd like to have everything figured out, so I can post all my challenges at the top and not have other comments and such in between. I guess, now with the Bingo cards posted over there, my challenges are pretty much figured out - there and here, so if I had time, I could finally post them!!!! But, I won't be taking time for it until after Christmas.
I think I'm going to go with 'true crime' for my moderator stair, specifically because it's absolutely on the bottom of my preference list. Here's to pushing outside my comfort zone! :)
Just to be clear -- on the PBT Stairs Challenge -- Can it be a book that has not already been tagged here on Goodreads, but is appropriate for the tag? Say I read a book that is clearly religious based, but it has not been added here, would it still count?
I want to sign up to fewer reading challenges next year, as they tend to stress me out a bit and consequently I don't complete them. BUT, "Climbing the PBT Stairs" seems so fun, that I can't help but try it. Other than that, I did sign up for a few challenges in other groups, all of them connected to previously owned books in one way or another. I really need to trim that TBR!
J.W. wrote: "Just to be clear -- on the PBT Stairs Challenge -- Can it be a book that has not already been tagged here on Goodreads, but is appropriate for the tag? Say I read a book that is clearly religious b..."Yes . . .I view this challenge in the same way we treat the regular tags. Especially since the tagging here is slightly questionable to say the least. We always alert people if we are going to be super strict in some way (usually only for games with prizes). Good to see you and thanks for checking ahead!!
Marina wrote: "I want to sign up to fewer reading challenges next year, as they tend to stress me out a bit and consequently I don't complete them. BUT, "Climbing the PBT Stairs" seems so fun, that I can't help b..."I hear you - - I always WANT to sign up for so many challenges, but it's folly because then I complete none. I'm sticking with PBT challenges only this year and see how that goes. I may try to track some other things, but in terms of actual challenges - - I'm doing PBT and a total book number and that's it. I do think the stairs will be more fun than hard! We'll see.
I know we can't have a book count for multiple stairs, but could a single book count for two different challenges at the same time?
I have decided that I'm good with the challenges that last longer and I can plan ahead (meaning that I can use a book for multiple challenges --- which I do get some enjoyment out of the planning).However, I am no longer going to sign up for challenges where you read one at a time. Neither of the PBT are this type, but for example, there were Olympic challenges where you finished one event and then got a tasks for the next event. This stresses me out too much because I want to complete as many events as possible but am not really able to plan my reading much in advance or I risk stalling (and or forgetting about).
JoLene wrote: "I have decided that I'm good with the challenges that last longer and I can plan ahead (meaning that I can use a book for multiple challenges --- which I do get some enjoyment out of the planning)...."This is actually interesting and helpful feedback to know . . .I think you make a good point here. PBT really is more about being flexible (hence a tag rather than a specific title) while still sharing our love of books within an organized structure . . .it's a fine line though . . .
Ellie wrote: "I know we can't have a book count for multiple stairs, but could a single book count for two different challenges at the same time?"Yes, definitely. So if you can find one book that fits on a stair and is on one of the PBT Top 10 lists - - that absolutely works.
Anita wrote: "JoLene wrote: "I have decided that I'm good with the challenges that last longer and I can plan ahead (meaning that I can use a book for multiple challenges --- which I do get some enjoyment out of..."I really like to read for tags or lists like the popsugar challenge where a book has to fit some characteristic. I like the fact that these requirements send me to my tbr or wishlist to browse for a book that fits my mood. I don't do well with challenges where there is a set list of books to read. Inevitably I want to read something that's not on the list (even if the list is one I put together myself).
I was wondering about that too... like a PBT tag month book could also be a stair as long as it wasn't the same tag, and a high note, kind of like fall flurry doubles for Christmas short stories. But that kind of crossover will be rare.
Amy wrote: "I was wondering about that too... like a PBT tag month book could also be a stair as long as it wasn't the same tag, and a high note, kind of like fall flurry doubles for Christmas short stories. B..."Even if the tag is the same, you could read a book for the PBT monthly tag, AND if that tag is one of your stairs, you can count it as a step. So, for example, if one of your stairs is foreign literature, and you read Book A for this month's tag (also foreign literature), Book A may be used for your stair as well.
I agree Anita, I like PBT because it sometimes forces to me to read outside of my comfort zone, but I still get to pick something that might appeal to me. @SushiCat --- yes the PopSugar or the Read Harder from Book Riot are good ones that I like.
Anita wrote: "J.W. wrote: "Just to be clear -- on the PBT Stairs Challenge -- Can it be a book that has not already been tagged here on Goodreads, but is appropriate for the tag? Say I read a book that is clearl..."Thanks Anita, I knew that used to be the case but with two jobs, 4 active kids, and other aspects of life I don't get to do the challenges as much as I used to.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Born to Run (other topics)Vision in White (other topics)
Can You Keep a Secret? (other topics)
I've Got Your Number (other topics)
Fall on Your Knees (other topics)
Did the challenge you voted for not make it? You can still complete the challenge and track it in your personal challenges thread! I know that I will be doing the long book challenge for sure.
And, without further ado, the 2017 PBT Challenges are:
Climbing the PBT Stairs
Let's get to work in 2017 and exercise our TBR piles! Please carefully read the rules below and then if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Every PBTer who wants to participate will have a "staircase" of 5 stairs and each stair will have a tag associated with it. For the first stair, you will read one book that fits that tag; for the second stair, two books that fit that tag; for the third stair, three books; etc. Books cannot be used to double-dip on two difference stairs, so this challenge will require reading a total of 15 books. You do not need to read the stairs in order (i.e., you do not have to read stair one then move to stair two before going to stair three).
The below instructions reference the PBT Top 300 tags list, which can be found at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
The manner in which the tags will be selected for the stairs is below, but keep in mind that once you have selected your five tags according to the guidelines, you can order them on your staircase in any order that you prefer!
Selecting tags for the stairs
1. One tag must be selected from tags the admins have selected from the list of Top 300 Tags: true crime, time travel, Canadian, or contemporary romance.
2. One universal tag will be on everyone's staircase and will be voted on by the group. I randomly selected 9 tags from the Top 300 Tags list and each member can cast up to 5 votes for their favorites. You can cast all 5 votes for one tag or divvy them up. These votes are NOT tied to participation points, so everyone can vote! Please vote by midnight on December 24th at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TQK392M
UPDATED: The Group Stair is "series"
3. You select the remaining three tags from the Top 300 Tags list.
You CANNOT have duplicate tags on your staircase, so if you had your eye on a tag that ends up being voted as the universal tag that everyone must incorporate, then you will need to select another tag of your choice for a stair.
And, remember, you can order the tags on the stair any way you like!
Want an extra challenge by having more stairs? After your first five stairs adhere to the guidelines above, you can add as many additional stairs as you like, assigning each one a tag from the Top 300 Tags list.
Hitting the PBT High Notes
2016 brought big changes to PBT as we moved to GoodReads, but let's celebrate our continued bookish friendships by looking back at some of our favorite reads over the years.
Read one book from each of the PBT Annual PBT Top 10 lists. If there are honorable mentions included, they do not count toward this challenge.
All of the past lists are tagged on the PBT shelf or you can view them at:
2016 -- coming soon!
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Some books are listed for more than one year, but books cannot serve double (or triple or quadruple) duty! A different book must be read for each year for a total of 9 books.
If you have read all of the Top 10 books in a given year, then you may read a book off either the Honorable Mentions List (if there is one) or a book off one of the PBT Top 100 lists. You can find the PBT Top 100 lists on our group bookshelf.
Want an extra challenge? Read more than one book per year!