2020 Pop sugar challenge

[Rose]

As I am one who will read way more than 52 books in 2020 I make a list to fill the prompts and while I may switch out books due to mood or other options I find I commit to reading the 52 books I put on my original list in 2020. Helps to help clear out the tbr. And I don’t consider the challenge “done” until I read all the original books on the list even if I have swapped some out earlier. Perfect example this year I had Pillars of the Earth for a prompt but used another book to fulfill. I was done with challenge but had to finish that long book.....and ended up loving it and wasn’t sure why I put it off so long. I will allow a dnf if need be but my personal rule is have to at least try those “on the list” books in 2020...

[Brandon]

This is my first year trying to find a book for all 50 prompts. Some I have filled with books that were already on my TBR. However, I have already found 23 different books that I will consider reading that I would not have if this challenge didn't exist. Even if I drop a few like hot potatoes upon starting them, the odds are good that I will find a gem or two, too.

[Ellie]

I love making lists but I never stick to them! I probably plan my ATY books a bit more than Popsugar, this year I think most prompts will be easy to fill by accident, but it's good to have ideas.

[Heather]

This is the first year I'm planning a list. I used to read whatever I wanted and hoped it filled a prompt. For various reasons, I decided that wasn't as fulfilling as it used to be. So I'm making a plan for 2020. We'll see how it goes next year. I've had a lot of fun planning so far. It's nice knowing I have something for every prompt, even if I end up reading a different book.

[Tania]

The numbers on the list are different from the numbers in the discussion threads for many of the prompts after 14 - for example 32. A book by a WOC is numbered 26 in the discussion threads. Which is correct?

[Drakeryn]

I never plan a full list, but if a specific book catches my attention I'll usually jot it down so I don't forget. It's especially useful for non-obvious prompts like trans/non-binary author - I don't usually pay attention to authors' personal lives.

But for other prompts, like "great first line," I'm just going to read whatever I want and pay extra attention to every book's first line.

[Lauren]

Brandon wrote: "This is my first year trying to find a book for all 50 prompts. Some I have filled with books that were already on my TBR. However, I have already found 23 different books that I will consider read..."

Ha, thanks for this visual of dropping a bad book like a hot potato! LOL

[Sara]

Rose wrote: "As I am one who will read way more than 52 books in 2020 I make a list to fill the prompts and while I may switch out books due to mood or other options I find I commit to reading the 52 books I put on my original list in 2020. Helps to help clear out the tbr. And I don’t consider the challenge “done” until I read all the original books on the list even if I have swapped some out earlier. "

That is equal parts impressive and terrifying! I would be so hesitant to assign books if I knew I would be holding myself to that list! :) You're right though. It's a great way to work on that TBR :)

[Theresa]

I am sorely tempted to try to do PS just using books from mystery genre. Could be fun to see just how far I got. This would help, especially the long list in 'fine print' at the end.

https://crimereads.com/the-crime-fict...

[Nadine in NY]

Theresa wrote: "I am sorely tempted to try to do PvS just using books from mystery genre. Could be fun to see just how far I got. This would help, especially the long list in 'fine print' at the end.

https://crim..."


yeah that's doable, esp if you decide that "medical thriller" is just a subgenre of mystery novels. Might be tough to find a bildungsroman and book w/ upside down image & text-only image, the rest shouldn't be a problem. The only trans authors I know write in SFF but that's just because most books I read are SFF.

[dalex]

Theresa wrote: "I am sorely tempted to try to do PvS just using books from mystery genre..."

Long Black Veil by Jennifer Finney Boylan would work for the non-binary prompt.

[dalex]

Theresa wrote: "I am sorely tempted to try to do PvS just using books from mystery genre.”

Here’s a list for the Bildungsroman prompt...

https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/li...

[Ed]

Sara wrote: "Ed wrote: "poshpenny wrote: "They will post a thread for that with a handy-dandy blank list at the top."

ok...thanks."

Ed, were you able to find what you needed?"

yes...thanks.

[Karin]

Theresa wrote: "I am sorely tempted to try to do PvS just using books from mystery genre. Could be fun to see just how far I got. This would help, especially the long list in 'fine print' at the end.

https://crim..."

Yes, you can do this, and for bildungsroman there are both y/a and religious mysteries out there if you can stand a religious one. OR a scifi mystery with a made up religion--there are books like that out there.

[Darlene]

Lacey wrote: "Johanna wrote: "What the heck is a bildungsroman?"

I had to google it...

a novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education."

Easy novel(s) to complete this: Harry Potter series. Anything that deals with coming of age would work. They often are set in schools.

[Theresa]

Nadine wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I am sorely tempted to try to do PvS just using books from mystery genre. Could be fun to see just how far I got. This would help, especially the long list in 'fine print' at the en..."

I definitely consider any thriller as a subgenre of mystery genre as there is usually some unknown being solved.

[Theresa]

dalex wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I am sorely tempted to try to do PvS just using books from mystery genre..."

Long Black Veil by Jennifer Finney Boylan would work for the non-binary ..."

Ooh, that's great!

[Theresa]

Thanks all for supporting my idea about a crime fiction mystery based challenge! I think it is doable, and the the tip about Jennifer Finney Boylan as author is excellent.

Not sure I am going to do it as it would take more planning than I like to do...I am a 'read what I want and make it fit' reader. And I work almost exclusively from my TBR Towers of unread print books and ebooks to fill challenge reads.

But there are a lot in the crime fiction mystery genre lurking in those towers....

[Heather L]

Nadine wrote: "Yeah that’s doable.... Might be tough to find a...book w/ upside down image & text only..."

Actually, I picked up a new cozy the other day that has an upside down plate on the cover, And Then There Were Crumbs, and I think a “text only-no images” could also be doable, especially if you look for older, classic mysteries (for example, a free Amazon generic two-tone cover).

[Vanessa]

I never planned my reading until this year, and it's turned out really well. I've read well over my # of books target and I'm on track to finish all of my challenge books by the end of the year. Even with a list, I had leeway to read some extra stuff, and it was really helpful for putting titles on hold at the library in advance (especially the popular titles that might have a month or two waitlist).

[Theresa]

Heather L wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Yeah that’s doable.... Might be tough to find a...book w/ upside down image & text only..."

Actually, I picked up a new cozy the other day that has an upside down plate on the cover..."

As I think about it, I think I will read crime fiction mysteries as often as possible, and if I am lured to something else, I can double up. I tead between 150 & 175 books a year. Easily doable for me even doubling up. And I suspect almost all will come from my TBR Towers. There are so many mystery series I have started and want to move forward in.

[Krissy]

I just wrote out all the prompts on little paper scraps, and the advanced ones i put on different coloured scraps. I folded them all up and put them in a small paper bag and will pull out 4 regular prompts and 1 advanced prompt per month to accomplish. That way if I force myself to get 4/5 or 5/5 done each month and i have 2 months at the end for buffer incase some months I don't get them all done

[[deleted user]]

Ohhhh, I like that idea, Krissy! It would be a good way to mix “I already know what I am reading” with “gotta find something on the fly.”

[Lauredhel]

Hi - I've seen the blog post announcing the challenge, but the prompt list is inaccessible. Can someone please point to the text version? Kinda weird to announce a challenge recognising social justice AND with a prompt about characters with vision impairment, but exclude people with vision impairment from participating.

[Tanu]

Lauredhel (love the username, by the way), sorry to hear you’re not able to access the text prompts.

Here’s the URL for a thread about the 2020 spreadsheets: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

If you click on the URL, there should be a plain text option on the second post, made by Sara.

If you’re still having issues, I’d be happy to email or link you a blank copy of the spreadsheet (sorry, not entirely sure how screenreaders work).

Cheers

[Lauredhel]

Tanvi wrote: "Lauredhel (love the username, by the way), sorry to hear you’re not able to access the text prompts.

Here’s the URL for a thread about the 2020 spreadsheets: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2..."

The best way to make the challenge accessible is to put a text list of prompts into the blog/website announcement, not require people to dig around in groups on a separate site to find spreadsheets. Access should be up-front, not buried.

[Tanu]

I agree - Sara and other mods, that’s probably a good suggestion for next year (or for this year, for that matter).

[Sarah]

@Lauradhel Are you referring to PopSugar’s website not having a text list? I only ask because I know PopSugar is aware of this group but they aren’t responsible for it.

If you’d like I can mention in the Facebook group (which they do run) that the graphic list is not accessible to some.

[Ellie]

The text list is posted in the first post in this thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

This group isn't run by Popsugar staff but maybe the mods can contact Tara at Popsugar about it?

[Nadine in NY]

Lauredhel wrote: "Hi - I've seen the blog post announcing the challenge, but the prompt list is inaccessible. Can someone please point to the text version? Kinda weird to announce a challenge recognising social just..."


We are just a fan group, we are not affiliated with Popsugar.

We do have a full text list here, in the first post:

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

[Tanu]

Ah, sorry, didn’t notice the first post, since I jumped straight to the spreadsheets!

[Karin]

Krissy wrote: "I just wrote out all the prompts on little paper scraps, and the advanced ones i put on different coloured scraps. I folded them all up and put them in a small paper bag and will pull out 4 regular..."

That's a cool idea! Now I am more of a mood reader, but I might try that when it gets down to the wire and I have managed to knock a number off with other reads.

[Krissy]

Karin wrote: "Krissy wrote: "I just wrote out all the prompts on little paper scraps, and the advanced ones i put on different coloured scraps. I folded them all up and put them in a small paper bag and will pul..."
I am a mixture of structured and mood reading. I set a monthly TBR of books I need to read for readathons or challenges and then have leeway to pick up books I am in the mood for

[Karin]

Krissy wrote: "Karin wrote: "Krissy wrote: "I just wrote out all the prompts on little paper scraps, and the advanced ones i put on different coloured scraps. I folded them all up and put them in a small paper ba..."

This is a great mix--I have done similar ideas but not with your scraps of paper, but was doing too many challenges and stopped enjoying them. Also, some stressful stuff with my Aspie daughter. If all goes well, by 2021 I ought to be in a place to do more of tha again because it's a lot of fun when done without too much added stress :)

[Hanane'S]

What is the popsugar ? I am new here

[Heather L]

Popsugar.com is an entertainment website that does a yearly reading challenge. Read the group description on this group’s home page.

[Jen]

Does anyone have any suggestions where The Amityville Horror, The Heart's Invisible Furies or Zone One might go. I just received them all today and want to read lovely shiny new books.

[Nadine in NY]

Jen wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions where The Amityville Horror, The Heart's Invisible Furies or Zone One might go. I just received them all today and wan..."


Wow that's tough. The only one I've read is Zone One, and ... I'm coming up with bupkis for it. It doesn't fit a single prompt. (Except, I can't remember how old the protagonist was - he might be in his 20s.)

Heart's Invisible Furies has more than 20 letters in the title. Amityville was published in the 20th century. Depending on whether you count "the" they both could fit "three word title." Maybe they were published in your birth month or have a good first line or you meant to read them last year ... And there's always the "favorite prompt from a previous challenge" - that's basically a wildcard.

[Jen]

Nadine wrote: "Jen wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions where The Amityville Horror, The Heart's Invisible Furies or Zone One might go. I just received them all t..."

Thanks Nadine. I had stuff for those prompts but will add these as options so I can adapt to mood. Might reduce the slump of this year towards the end.

[Hanane'S]

Heather L wrote: "Popsugar.com is an entertainment website that does a yearly reading challenge. Read the group description on this group’s home page."

Thank you ; we will read the same book ?

[Sara]

Hanane'S wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Popsugar.com is an entertainment website that does a yearly reading challenge. Read the group description on this group’s home page."

Thank you ; we will read the same book ?"

This group is not a traditional book club where everyone reads the same book and then discusses. We have a subset where that does happen - our monthly group reads - but those are optional. Popsugar has posted a list of reading "prompts" and we each pick the book we want to read for those prompts. Some of us will read the same books, but there will be a wide range of books being mentioned. The best thing to do is simply start reading through the discussion threads. You'll get an idea of how this group works. You can also read some introductory information here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jen]

Sara wrote: "Hanane'S wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Popsugar.com is an entertainment website that does a yearly reading challenge. Read the group description on this group’s home page."

Thank you ; we will read th..."

Just be warned once you start the weekly updates you will end up with a huge TBR but also have a lovely group of people who will share book ideas till the cows come home (and beyond since it is an international group)..

[Emi]

Monnie wrote: "I was wondering also! Planning the books to me is one of my favorite parts!"
Me too!

[Tara]

Lauredhel wrote: "Hi - I've seen the blog post announcing the challenge, but the prompt list is inaccessible. Can someone please point to the text version? Kinda weird to announce a challenge recognising social just..."

Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention! I'm sorry I didn't see this comment earlier. I've added the text list to the reading challenge on popsugar.com to make it easier. I hope this is helpful! Here's the link: https://www.popsugar.com/entertainmen...

[Hanane'S]

I ask who want to read 200 books in 2020
If you want to read that number do you mad a book list ?

[Anne]

I frequently read 200 books a year. The only list I make is the planning I do for this challenge, and even that I don't stick to as I would most lists I make.

[Gordon]

Hi everyone! In other years I've checked out the PopSugar Challenge then chosen a different challenge because they were less challenging. For 2020, I'm all in!
I'm excited to see the tracking mechanism that was used for 2019. I thrive on things like that. When will the tracking for the 2020 challenge be set up?

[Stephanie]

Is anyone planning to combine this challenge with the 'Around the Year in 52 Books' challenge? (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...) I skimmed both lists and it seems like they would work well together.

[McKenzie]

Stephanie wrote: "Is anyone planning to combine this challenge with the 'Around the Year in 52 Books' challenge? (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...) I skimmed both lists and it ..."

I've always wanted to do the PopSugar challenge, but I definitely agree that you could almost coordinate the two challenges... it would be neat to try!

[Ed]

Stephanie wrote: "Is anyone planning to combine this challenge with the 'Around the Year in 52 Books' challenge? (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...) I skimmed both lists and it ..."

I've done both the last two years and planning to do both again...and yes..it is a challenge to find books that satisfy a prompt on each list at the same time.