[2020] Reading from the Jar of Random Prompts

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I read in order last year, and while I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would, I decided to tackle the Jar of Random Prompts (a la Jody). I know a few people have mentioned that they want to tackle the challenge like this as well, so I wanted to start a thread for us to discuss our tactics. I haven't completely decided how I'm going to do it (pull one prompt at a time? pull for the whole month? read a book for the one I pulled immediately? allow for side reads in between?) so I want to get ideas!

[Sherri]

In a way my plan is like pulling prompts from a jar. I am going to try & complete the prompts by reading books to fill the Book Riot read harder challenge & Pop Sugar prompts. What ever books I read for those challenges I will use to fill the ATY prompts. I am not going to double dip on the ATY. I will use one book for each prompt to stay with the nature of the challenge. I am just not picking out a book for the challenge. Hard to explain.

[Jillian]

I look forward to seeing how the jar challenge goes. If I was going to do it I’d probably pull three ideas and already have a few choices since I tend to need choices and I have several books going. The other idea would be to allow so many exchanges such as I could redraw once a month otherwise I know I’d cheat and not follow the draw.

[Stephanie]

Hmm I may have to do it this way. I have a spin the wheel app on my phone as well that I will be using to pick titles too.

[Steve]

In case anyone wants to use a random picker through their spreadsheet as a digital jar:

Put your list in column A.
In column B, fill "=RAND()" down the column.
In column C, fill "=INDEX(A:A,RANK(B1,B:B))" for as many cells as you want choices. So if you want the sheet to choose 3 random things from column A for you, fill in 3 cells (B1 will need to change to B2 and B3 but the sheet should automatically do that if you're filling down). If you only want one choice, just fill in one cell with the index formula.

Note that this is a "volatile" function so that means that any time you reload the file or you edit ANY cell in the spreadsheet, it's going to recalculate and give you new random choices. If you want to keep the list it generated, you need to copy the cells and do a "paste values only."

Here's what it looks like in action: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... (It's the "ebook chooser" tab if it doesn't automatically send you there). I'm going to play with it more in a few days, but currently it's pulling from my "TBR books" tab where "yes" is the value for if the book is available as an ebook somewhere

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Thanks for that, Steve! I have a jar because I wanted to have a more physical (visual) component of how much I'm knocking out.

I'm hesitant to start picking prompts lol. I feel like I may wait until the new year then pick one. I may try to just pick one at a time and see how that goes, regarding my library loans.

[Steve]

Emily wrote: "Thanks for that, Steve! I have a jar because I wanted to have a more physical (visual) component of how much I'm knocking out.

I'm hesitant to start picking prompts lol. I feel like I may wait unt..."

I'm not sure I've seen you mention... Any rationale behind going to random order instead of in order 1-52 for 2020 like you did for 2019?

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

No rationale outside of that it intrigued me and interested me.

Thinking more about it, I like that it's not as predictable/plannable as reading in order, but doesn't feel as random as just reading a book and applying it to a prompt after.

I figure pulling prompts from a jar will give me more spontaneity than last year but still have some structure.

[Sophie]

This year I'm pulling prompts from a jar and for now, I really like it, it's like an advent calendar and a scavenger hunt mixed together.

My strategy is that when I'm about halfway through a book, I pull out a new prompt and note down on my TBR spreadsheet every book that could fit. I then have a look at my possible reads and choose the lucky one depending on the medium I need to read it on (e.g. I can only read library books on my phone or maybe I'm almost done with my audiobook so I need a new one soon) and my mood of the moment. This year I'm also trying to read more diversely so that definitely helps me direct my choices.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I love that, Sophie. I think I've settled into something that works for me. I have a current prompt going, and I know which one is coming up next. So right now I'm reading for #6, and I know that #32 is next. Once I finish with my book for #6, I'll pull my next up and move on to my #32 book. It gives me enough time to pick a book and get excited to read it without stressing too much.

I'm really enjoying this process!

[Sophie]

I think it's going to feel great to have this flow of knowing what book comes next, but no further. I know that last year I got bored with the books I chose several weeks in advance even before starting them. Psychology is weird haha

Also I decided that if I want to read a book that has a long hold at the library, I'll also set this prompt aside until I can get the book and pull another one out of the jar.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Yes, psychology is so weird lol

I have so many options for each prompt that I’m not expecting too many problems getting books I want to read.