INTRODUCTION - 50 BOOKS IN 2015

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

This will be a fun challenge for everyone. If you are interested in participating, I will set up a thread for you titled your name and BOOKS READ IN 2015.

You can track all of the books that you have read during 2014 and get credit for them.

If you want to participate, post your request here or send me a PM and I will create for you your own thread so that you can challenge yourself. Always when you list your books only after finishing them, include the finish date, the name of the book (add book cover), the author's and author's photo link if available. Don't forget to number them consecutively so that you can keep track.

So let me know, and you can get started. You really are only competing against yourself and seeing how well you can do. Also, you can start this challenge any time at all...just send me a PM or post here and I will set up your own personal thread. Great way to keep track of your completed books.

Also, they can be in any genre, hardcopy, paperback, audiobooks, kindle, nook, sony e-reader. But they cannot be listed until you finish them. And you have to include the finish date (any genre), rating, short review, and genre type.

By the way, even if you do not think that you can make 50 books..it is still a great way to spur yourself on. Also there are those of you who I think will go beyond 50 since some of you are such avid readers.

Happy Reading,

Bentley

Sample Guide: (this is not an optional format but must be followed)

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston Churchill
Finish date: January 10,2015
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

READ ME

Everybody who is a group member and had a thread last year has a new thread for 2015. All Assisting Moderators have a thread set up for them in 2015 including those on sabbatical. All folks who asked for a thread on the 2014 introduction thread have been set up for 2015 (some albeit late). All folks who have asked for a thread on the 2014 introduction thread have threads set up for them. The 2014 threads will be archived at the bottom of the site once 2015 begins. If you would like a thread set up for you, this is the thread to ask for one. If I do not set it up in due course, remind me; it would not be intentional if I forgot or did not see your request. So please ask me again.

Just as an FYI: there is a required format; I have posted it as post one above. We will help you along until you get the hang of it; it is not hard, it is not time consuming; but we have found it helps group members a great deal to have this information all in one place and consistently in the same places. Saves a lot of time. Additionally we require as always that the book cover be added, the author's photo when available and always the author's link. All of the assisting moderators will help you with the standards and you will be an old pro in no time. We are here to help you.

Have fun in 2015.

Bentley

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Folks, for those who cannot figure out the PM scenario...then you can just post your interest here and I will get you set up.

Hope you join us and like I said 50 books is the goal but it is not something that you have to do, if you can only do 25, 10 or even 5 that is fine and if you do 100 that is good too. We do have a thread called What are you reading now...and that is a great thread to post any book which you are starting or about to start; but then after a few posts or more, folks cannot usually find the great books that you personally have cited. They always have the links at the side which are terrific and give all sorts of great info on the books and authors that have been recommended; but sometimes it is nice to look at the books that some of the moderators are reading, some of the other group members who might have similar tastes are reading or just some of the folks who you are in discussions with in some of our spotlighted book discussions. This is only a personal challenge and you are really only keeping track of yourself.

So this is a great idea to spur yourself on towards reading new books, help you select that next great book or just simply to have fun for those of us who like to keep lists. And you can go back and add January's books too. Any genre, even audio books count. So have fun.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thanks all - off to the Rose Bowl Game and parade - will get these set up by no later than tomorrow. Happy New Year.

Update: As I add your thread - I will post in a new message box with the link to your thread and then delete your post request - that is how I will check each request off and make sure it is done.

Folks I will set all of you up - wait for a mod to do set up

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

I have set up Laura.

Here is your thread:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Joseph wrote: "bent"

Joseph Burrell:

Here is your thread:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Kathy F. I have set up your thread.

Here it is:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Stormie Reid, I have set up your thread:

Here it is:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

M. Beal, I have set up your thread:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Nicole, I have set up your thread:

Here it is:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Thanks Kacy - it was great since my team won - but the Rose Bowl parade was terrific too - television does not do those floats justice. They are absolutely beautiful.

I have set up your thread:

Here it is:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Richard Thomas - I have set up your thread.

Here it is:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Robert Murray - I have set up your thread.

Here it is:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Susan (from Greensboro) - I have set up your thread.

You said:

Would like to join this challenge, too. My small goal is to read 12 new history books in addition to the wide range of fiction I typically read each year.
Thanks!
Susan

=====

Susan, we call it 50 Books Read in 2015 but it is up to you how many books you want to tackle - you are only challenging yourself. You can also post any genre at all alongwith your history/non fiction books so all of them count towards your yearly goal - so happy reading and no worries.

We will help you with the format or anything else you need help with in getting started and we are always here for you.

So enjoy.

Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

D.L. Bell - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

D.L. - don't worry about the number of books - it is not important - we call it 50 Books but it can be whatever number you challenge yourself to - so if you only do eight that is great. Or if you can squeak out nine - even better - it is all up to you. We are here to help you with format - to spur you on or to pat you on the back. Enjoy.

Update: I saw your additional comment - we call it 50 Books no matter how many you read - it is just the general title - you can read any number of books you want from 1 to 50 or more than 50 - the number is completely up to you and how you want to challenge yourself. Enjoy.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Chef - I have set up your thread - happy new year to you too.

Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Stephan D (from Madison) - I have set up your thread.

Here is your link:

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

You said:
Looking forward to following the reviews/suggestions of fellow history readers.

==========

You should enjoy this and we look forward to helping you in any way that we can.

Not sure if you want to have your thread Stephan D or Steve D - set it up as Stephan D (from Madison) to avoid duplication.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Chris (joined October 2012) - I have set up your thread. I tried to find in the title something unique to you and found the goodreads join date - we have a lot of folks named Chris. This is the Chris with the avatar of a cute dog with a big kiss.

Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Jimmy (from Chichester) - I have set up your thread. I tried to find something unique to you for the topic header so that you would find yours easily.

Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Jorge (joined December 2014) - I have set up your thread. All the best to you too.

Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Piccolamimi (from Italy) - "Jennifer" - I have set up your thread.

Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Matthew Chisholm - I have set up your thread.

Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Lori (from Sunnyvale) - I have set up your thread.

Here is your link:

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

Lori said:

Please add me also.

I'll probably only post history, maybe some literature. I read 14 non-fiction history, 10 historical fiction and 19 literature books (some overlap) last year.

Enjoy the Rose Bowl!

=====

Thanks Lori - love California and the Bowl - go Ducks (smile).

Lori - you can post all genres on the challenge - not just history or non fiction - but this is your challenge so you can complete as many or as few books as you have time for. The challenge is a personal one and an individual challenge - we only call it 50 Books. It looks like you did very well last year and 2015 is another new beginning - so enjoy.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Skeetor (from Belle Chasse) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Emily Klein - I have set up your thread. No worries - just do the best you can - there are no hard and fast rules about the number of books - this is a personal challenge. We are here to help with format or a pat on the back and look forward to reading your posts.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Janet (from the UK) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Kme_17 (from Huntsville) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Suburbanrockdoll - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Jewell - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Helga - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Jennifer B. (from Portland) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

Go Ducks!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Jess (joined August 2007) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Samanta]

Is there some sort of guidelines for rating? I've never done ratings with letters, only stars or numbers. Tnx

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Samanta - - if you are used to stars - I will try to help you make a comparison - 5 stars would be an A, 4 stars a B, 3 stars a C, 2 stars a D, and 1 star is F (or a bad book) - with the letters you can also have an A+ book, or an A- book or any variations.

We are here to help if you need more assistance.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Bill Donovan - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Tom Wing - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

You said:

I would like to join, doubtful of making 50, but will be fun to see how many I can get...

====

There is no problem - 50 Books is just the title - you can read 1 to 50 or more than 50 - the challenge is a personal one for you - so Enjoy and no worries.

We are here to help with the format and/or a pat on the back.

[Samanta]

Bentley wrote: "Samanta - - if you are used to stars - I will try to help you make a comparison - 5 stars would be an A, 4 stars a B, 3 stars a C, 2 stars a D, and 1 star is F (or a bad book) - with the letters ..."


That is what I thought. Thank you!

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

You are welcome Samanta

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Tanya (dawnnoel) - I have set up your thread.

Here is your link:

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

You said:

I would like to try. My goal is 20, but that's not a limit by any means. Thanks.

====

The challenge is a personal one so you are only competing with yourself. We call the challenge 50 Books but you can read 1 to 50 or any number in between - or more than 50. It is all up to you.

Enjoy and no worries. We are here to help you with the format and a pat on the back.

[Emily]

Bentley, my link form not work. Maybe it's because I'm trying through my phone?

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Sharon Scott - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Emily wrote: "Bentley, my link form not work. Maybe it's because I'm trying through my phone?"

I am not sure - I went in and added it again - but it is working and took me right into your thread. Could be the phone but not sure.

Try it when you are at home. Or from your phone just go into the 50 Books folder and scroll down and click on your thread. But the link is working from my computer - checked it out to be sure.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Phillip (from Seattle) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Phillip]

Bentley wrote: "Phillip (from Seattle) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

Bentley wrote: "Emily wrote: "Bentley, my link form not work. Maybe it's because I'm trying through my phone?"

I am not sure - I went in and added it again - but it is working and took me right into your thread. ..."

thanks!!

Hope to participate more this year.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Great Phillip happy to have you

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Lonnie from LA - I have set up your thread.

For some reason - goodreads set it up in triplicate.

It looks fine now. Here is your link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Matt N. - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Folks, I have finished going through the first batch of PMs, then I did everybody who posted on this thread and now I am going to start the next batch of PMs.
If I missed somebody who posted on this thread - it was not intentional - just let me know. If you sent me a PM and you have not been set up - I will be doing the second batch next.

I may have to recharge computer when I get back to my hotel soon but will be on again to start adding those folks.

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Hello Marcella (from Ireland) - I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

[Bentley, Group Founder, Leader, Chief]

Rosa (from Glendale, Arizona) , I have set up your thread.

Here is the link:

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

Rosa wrote:

Please sign me up for the 50 Books Read Challenge. Instead of fifty, I'd like to challenge myself to 25. (One of my resolutions is to focus on realistic goals, so that seems more doable.

============

Rosa I will do that once I get back to the hotel - for whatever reason while I am out and about - I cannot respond to the PMs being sent to me.

The challenge is called the 50 Books Read in 2015 challenge but you can read 1 to 50 books or more than 50 books - that and the number of books are up to you - it is a personal challenge. You just do your best - just follow the format and have fun and talk about your books with other folks and see how many views you get on your thread - These views will tell you how many other folks are reading your thread. The counter only counts any unique person and IP address once.