Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
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How many of you double up on categories for one book?
Hey Katie,yes, definitely! Last year I focussed so much on getting the books for the prompts read, that I didn't get around to reading quite a few books I wanted to read because I couldn't find the appropriate prompts for them.
So this year I am going to try to tick off as many prompts as possible with one book. If I should end up reading more books that fulfill a prompt, I can always change and double up less. But I will focus on reading fun at least as much as on any kind of (self-put) assignment.
Also, I think, it can be a special kind of challenge to find books that you want to read and that fulfill different prompts
Katie wrote: "I’m usually a 10 books or fewer reader, topped out 2018 at less than 20 books in a last minute kind of way.I’m prioritizing reading more in 2019, but still only holding myself to 30-40 books. So,..."
When I started doing the challenge a few years ago, I thought that I would have to double- or triple-up as well in order to finish. It turns out that this challenge, with the substantial help of this group, kept me focused enough to actually finish each prompt with its own book read. I've completed each of the last 3 years' challenges this way.
One of the mottos of this group is, "There is no challenge police. You complete the challenge in whatever manner you like." However, if you give it a shot, I bet you can read far more than you think you can.
Also, short books and graphic novels are your best friends.
Miriam wrote: " But I will focus on reading fun at least as much as on any kind of (self-put) assignment."This is a great point. Don't get so focused on finishing that you don't have fun anymore.
Also, don't be put off when you see that some people have read 15 books by the end of January. Everyone reads at and sets their own pace.
Reiterating what's already been said. You do you! Focus on reading books you enjoy (or maybe stretch yourself a little) and see where it gets you. You can certainly double up if you wish! Like Mike said, you may surprise yourself with what you can do :) And yes, shorter books help you check off more prompts when you are short on reading time. Plus there are some true gems in the < 200 page category :)
The first year we did it, I remember we made a game to see how many prompts one book could tick off. My roommate “won” with Wuthering Heights but now I don’t remember what the prompts were for it that year. I think the goal is to get you to peek up and around and out of your comfort zone and maybe find a book or three you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
I am doing a couple challenges, in addition to this one. I am not planning to use one book to tick off multiple prompts in one challenge but I will be using one book to tick off prompts in multiple challenges. My goal isn't to complete all of the prompts in any one challenge; I just want to get back on track with my reading.
Kate wrote: "None, it's cheating!"There is no cheating. We're not competing with each other or getting prizes. However any individual decides to do their challenge, is how they're doing their challenge.
Kate wrote: "None, it's cheating!"Joking, yeah?
Like everyone else has said, the point of the challenge is to have fun, read more widely and if possible push yourself to read more than you might do otherwise. How you do that is up to you.
I use one book per prompt, but I'm doing 4 challenges this year and will use one book for as many challenges as I can. My first year I only managed 30 books, but it was more than I'd have done without the challenge. My second year, last year, I read 66 books...it does wonders for your reading life!
Kate wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Kate wrote: "None, it's cheating!"Joking, yeah?
Like everyone else has said, the point of the challenge is to have fun, read more widely and if possible push yourself to read mor..."
I have a feeling you're only here for a fight. You wont be getting that from me.
I am doing one book per prompt, but I use any books: graphic novels, picture books, long books short books. And I use the same book across challenges. I think it's basically up to you, like others have said.
Kate wrote: "Katy wrote: "Kate wrote: "None, it's cheating!"There is no cheating. We're not competing with each other or getting prizes. However any individual decides to do their challenge, is how they're do..."
I feel for the way I want to do it would be cheating for me. And, I have no problem with that opinion, per se. But, you kind of stated it as categorically wrong, and I'm just saying that this is a personal challenge and people can do it any way they like, and for them it won't be cheating. Because, like I said, we're not competing or getting prizes.
I won't be checking off more prompts with one book, but as Terry and Sarah, I might use one book for more challenges...plus I didn't finish last year's Popsugar Challenge and I want to, so I might even use one book for last year's and this year's prompt. :) good luck with your reading everyone :)
Hi! I’m planning to double up (or triple up) too! I’m prioritizing reading more (and internet scrolling less) this year. But, I still don’t consider myself the fastest reader. And, I have several books I own that I haven’t read that I really want to. For those reasons I’ll be finding multiple categories for each book if possible. I’d like to keep a consistent flow of 2 books a months so I’m only holding myself to 24 books this year. Which, with my schedule, I’d be really happy with!
I'm not sure if I'm going to double up this year, but I'm leaving it open as a possibility. I read too much last year. I read to the exclusion of all else, which is a really bad idea for me. I'm trying to find some balance between reading and my other hobbies and responsibilities. I'm not sure I want to read 50 books. I might double up. But I might also find that the short stories and novellas I read will tick off prompts better this year than they did last year. *crosses fingers*
I always start off with the plan to not double dip, but towards the October I will start figuring out ways to double/triple dip across challenges. Last year was my first year doing this and I was surprised at how satisfying it was to get the challenge categories ticked off. Before that I felt like I was cheating but who needs that pressure. It kind of makes it seem like a homework assignment to me, and then I was feeling like a failure. Not letting it suck the joy out of my reading this year. Also, this year I'm just going to read what I want off my planned lists and not really care if I don't finish the challenges.
Tracy wrote: "I always start off with the plan to not double dip, but towards the October I will start figuring out ways to double/triple dip across challenges. Last year was my first year doing this and I was s..."This is how I start the year as well! And towards the end of October I started telling myself that I wasn't going to go all in on the challenge for 2019 and would read what I wanted and if the books I chose happened to fit any prompts then great......then the new challenge list was posted and that mindset went right out the window LOL
My plan is again to not double dip, but that plan can change if necessary. I also told myself I have to read at least 20 of the books I already own. And, as an added bonus challenge, I'm also doing a version of the A-Z challenge. I won't be putting as much focus on this one but thought it would be fun to see what happens :)
Kind of, I mean I want to check off each challenge with a different book but if it gets too difficult then I will use one book for two challenges/prompts.
I always use one book per prompt as it helps to keep me motivated to read more.
Mike wrote: "One of the mottos of this group is, "There is no challenge police. You complete the challenge in whatever manner you like."Miriam wrote: "this year I am going to try to tick off as many prompts as possible with one book. If I should end up reading more books that fulfill a prompt, I can always change and double up less. But I will focus on reading fun at least as much as on any kind of (self-put) assignment.
Also, I think, it can be a special kind of challenge to find books that you want to read and that fulfill different prompts
I am doing the same a Miriam. I have a whole bookshelf full of books that I want to read and most of them fill no prompts in the challenge. My goal is to read 52 books so that is 2 more than the challenge. I will double and triple up where I can so that I can read books I want to read as well as be challenged by finding books for each of the prompts.
Like others have said, I'll use one book for multiple challenges, but not for multiple prompts in the challenge. But that's just me, and I agree with those who say each person makes their own challenge. The bottom line is enjoying what you read, and reading what you want.
Heather wrote: "I read to the exclusion of all else, which is a really bad idea for me. I'm trying to find some balance between reading and my other hobbies and responsibilities...."Yes, people forget this when challenging themselves every year to read more. I love reading but there are also other things I like doing too. I used to read around 170 books in a year, but in recent years I've only challenged myself to read 100. I'm not bothered about the decrease because I know I have more things in my life now and I still read more than anyone I know outside online bookish circles!
This group is also more about motivation, recommendations, and broadening your reading horizons, than it is about a set number.
Katie wrote: "I’m usually a 10 books or fewer reader, topped out 2018 at less than 20 books in a last minute kind of way.I’m prioritizing reading more in 2019, but still only holding myself to 30-40 books. So,..."
I do the same :) I only follow this reading challenge on goodreads, and I read approx 40 books during a year.
For me, this challenge is about WHAT I read, not how much. I already top out at 70 ish books a year ( I don't track my trashy ones on Goodreads, so I know I hit 60 publicly). When I saw this challenge, I thought, "Yes! A rhyme and a reason." I have felt like I was cheating when I laid in bed at night and read some free romance or YA paranormal, or whatever, off of Kindle Unlimited just because I wasn't motivated to commit to any more substantial books.This year - that changes!
You do you, girl.
I usually only read 50 to 60 books in a year, so I will probably double dip. I will try to keep it to just a double and not a triple;) But, if I want to come close to finishing this challenge I don't think I would be able to put the 50 books I read into the 50 slots in the challenge, so double dipping might be my only option.I think the spirit of the challenge is to have fun and read outside your comfort zone, so whichever way you want to do it that's for each one of us to decide. Reading should be enjoyable, it's a hobby, and not homework.
Have fun, enjoy the challenge!
I'm not a fast reader, so I'm not sure if can finish the challenge with one book per promt. In the beginning I try to match the books I read to as many promts as possible and if I read more I try to swap the double ones.
In the end I might have 50 books or not, but I'll still be able to finish the challenge and not be frustrated end of the year.
I will use a book on as many prompts as I can & on different reading challenges. Also I am a member in 2 face to face book clubs. My goal is to use the face to face book club selections on my different reading challenges. I try to use on my TBR queue or ebooks from Overdrive & Libby.
No doubling up for me, that’s a personal choice but it does get tempting at times especially toward the end of the year. Personally doing it one book per prompt also allows me to get through more books in my own library & free’s up bookshelf space for me to get more books! Win-win.
I'll be doubling up on a few. I average about 35-40 books a year and there are a few books that I would like to read that i can't seem to fit into a prompt. Reading the Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb now and its one i couldn't find a prompt for. So, yeah, thats how I'll make it work.
Personally, I don't double up but I also read incredibly fast. That being said YOU are the one completing the challenge, make it your own. 😍
Having done this challenge before I know that some do double up. It's actually fun to see how many categories a book will work for. That being said, I always do one book, one category but I will frequently move a book around to different spots until I settle on a final category. This gives me more flexibility as the year progresses.
It had never occurred to me to use one book for more than one category until I read comments about people doing it. I personally would feel as if I was cheating.Saying that, I do not create a list beforehand, but kind of make it up as I go along and most of the time I will find a book I have not yet read and would like to read to fit a category.
I am also quite a fast reader, so reading more than 50 books in a year is not a problem for me.
I have the • 50 prompts for POPSUGAR,
• 12 prompts for a BookCrossing Challenge that's based on publication dates (so they can't double up with each other, but can double up with POPSUGAR),
• 52-books-in-52-weeks challenge on Ravelry, and I arbitrarily opted for
• 52 books in the generic GoodReads challenge.
Last year (starting in March), I read 52 adult books and another 12 kids' books. A couple of the books I've chosen for this year are 800+ pages (I think 6 are 500+ pages). I've got 50 books on this year's challenge shelf, and those cover all but one of this year's prompts as long as I double up. (I'm hoping something I read turns out to take place all in one day. I found one book that would fit, but it sounds dreadful.) So I'm leaving myself two I want to read this book slots to accommodate something new I want to read.
But it's not as if I'm going to stop reading once I finish any (or all) of these challenges. I haven't committed to read no more than 52 books this year--or even to stop at 52. I've just decided not to allow the POPSUGAR Challenge to dictate every book I read.
I have an 8-month-old baby so my reading time has been severely limited so I'm allowing myself to double up on challenges this year. I'm checking off each category that the book applies to. For example, the book I just finished ticked 3 boxes.We'll see how far I get. I'm hoping to be able to stretch my time and get one book per category but that's almost double my overall book commitment this year, and that already includes a large chunk that will be audio because that's the only way I can get more books in my life. :)
I chose not to double up in 2018 and it pushed me to find books I never would’ve read. (I also had a lot of available time to read).
Me. I totally do. I don't have time/patience to read 26 books in a year so if I feel one satisfies more than one requirement, I cross it off.Plus crossing items off of lists is SUPER satisfying. ;)
Terry wrote: "I am doing a couple challenges, in addition to this one. I am not planning to use one book to tick off multiple prompts in one challenge but I will be using one book to tick off prompts in multiple challenges. My goal isn't to complete all of the prompts in any one challenge; I just want to get back on track with my reading."I'm like Terry. I do multiple challenges (I do the Seasonal Reading Challenge [https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...], in which I usually aim to get about halfway each season, and three different ones via the Cozy Mysteries group [https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...]), then use a single book for as many of those individual challenge prompts as it fits.
To be honest, it hadn't occurred to me that with the PopSugar challenge, you can use the same book for multiple prompts. Maybe, if it had, I wouldn't have missed finishing 2018 by just five books! :-)
I'm saving it as an option. This is my first year with this challenge. I read 36 books last year, and I intend to read what I like and then look at the list of prompts to see where it fits. If I get to October with a lot of prompts unticked, I'll have another look at what I've read so far and see if it fits more than one prompt. Otherwise, I'm okay with some going blank, because while I hope to read more than 36 books this year, I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't make it.
Cheryl wrote: "Me. I totally do. I don't have time/patience to read 26 books in a year so if I feel one satisfies more than one requirement, I cross it off.Plus crossing items off of lists is SUPER satisfying. ;)"
Yes! I agree!
I will double or triple up because it is suppose to be a fun challenge, and I find it very satisfying to cross off prompts. Last year was the first year I did the challenge and it really helped me to read books I normally wouldn't have. It also helped me get back into the habit of reading. I made it my goal to read 12 books last year, and I read 11 and listened to three on audiobook. So I've increased it to 20 for this year.
I think as long as you are having fun, reading, and stretching yourself to read books/genres you might not normally read on your own, you are doing just fine regardless if you are a one book/one prompt person or if you use one book for multiple prompts.
I like to keep two lists, one with double-dipping and one without. (And a third list that also includes standalone short stories. I love lists.) I think of my no-double-dipping no-short-stories list as the "real" list, but it's also fun to compare them.
I haven’t doubled up on the prompts, but I definitely have to reassign books to prompts as I start to have less and less available! (If that makes any sense haha)
I don't double up because I don't care if I finish the challenge completely. I use the challenge and the group to find new suggestions for books to read.
I didn't finish last year's advanced prompts so I'm going to try double up with this year for the missing prompts where I can
Drakeryn wrote: "I like to keep two lists, one with double-dipping and one without. (And a third list that also includes standalone short stories. I love lists.) I think of my no-double-dipping no-short-stories lis..."I like your idea - I'm going to keep a second list for double-dipping just for the fun of it. I want to see how quickly I can finish the challenge that way. It sounds amusing.
I made a little excel sheet and every time I finish a book I'm going to see how many different prompts it fits into. I'm mainly just curious. Plus it'll help later when I decide to read something that I hadn't planned on.
I’m glad someone brought it up! A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffet and Love in the Time of Cholera fall in at least two categories each, so I’m going to double up! :)
I do one book per prompt, but I also think it would be fun to see how few books I could read that would still let me check off all the prompts. I think I could do it in 15-18 books if I really got creative!
I made an Excel spreadsheet with the prompts and added several books to all prompts sometimes doubling up. When I'm done reading one, I mark all prompts it matches with a checkbox mark, but then I decide which prompt I like it in the most and highlight that book. I try to read a different book for each prompt, but it's interesting to see how fast I can fill all prompts with books.
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I’m prioritizing reading more in 2019, but still only holding myself to 30-40 books. So, I plan on doubling up on some categories which still gets me the reading diversity that I want.
Anyone else plan on checking multiple boxes per book when possible?