2020 December Pick-It-For-Me Challenge

[Fran, Moderator]

2020 December PIFM Challenge

What is the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge?

The Pick-It-For-Me Challenge (PIFM) is a reading challenge where each participant gives and receives book recommendations based on a given a set of rules. The assignment method and book selection rules change each month so it’s always new and always different.

The idea of the PIFM challenge is that you will get new-to-you books and authors selected for you as well as a push to read some books that have been lingering on your shelves. You may not be interested in the new books recommended, which is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf.

You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge!

After signups are closed, your names and any extra info will go into the super secret PIFM randomizer and it will select someone for you to recommend books to and someone to give you recommendations. This list will be posted along with any specific picking rules for the month.

In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or friend the person giving you recommendations. PLEASE NOTE: if you choose to keep your profile private, it is your responsibility to send a friend request to the person picking for you as soon as possible after the matchups are posted. Whether your profile is private or not, it is also very important that your profile be set to receive Private Messages (PMs) in case anyone needs to reach out to you (mods, organizer etc.)

Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!

Repicks:
You can ask for repicks if:
✱ The books picked for you are not yet released.
✱ If you have already read the chosen book(s) and they are on your ‘read’ shelf.
✱ If you did not receive four picks from your ‘to-read’ shelf, with at least one from your preferred shelf.

You may NOT ask for repicks because:
✱ A book is not available at your library.
✱ A genre or author you don’t enjoy.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP
Please sign up in this thread with the answer to the following question:

✱✱What do you like most about December?✱✱

1. The specialty drinks at Starbucks or my local coffee shop
2. Wearing cozier, warmer clothes like sweaters and scarves
3. The colder weather sports, like skiing and ice-skating
4. Other! Let us know what you like about December

Don't worry, I will be combining groups to make them larger.

✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱

IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until November 23 ( 8 pm US EDT)
For your convenience a Time Zone Converter .

You’ll have until November 29 ( 2 pm US EDT) to make your recommendations.

Please do not start reading your book(s) until the first of the month. You then have the entire month to read your pick(s) and give some feedback.

If you’re new please read the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ . If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please feel free to ask!


✱Please note that late sign ups will be included at the host's discretion and no one will be included after re-picks are assigned!✱

[Fran, Moderator]

TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!


Pickees
✱ To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read’ shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorite books and authors. In addition, you might consider updating your profile. You can include info about your favorite books, authors, genres, themes or tropes (or themes/tropes you dislike – i.e. secret baby).
✱ Please do not specify likes/dislikes in the sign-up thread. This information will not be included in the pairings and your pickee may not see your message and does not need to rely on that information when making picks.

Pickers
✱ Please remember this is primarily a romance readers group. Thus, most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are various sub genres within the romance category - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy. If your pickee reads a wide variety, you could add a non-romance as a choice.

✱ You will be using 8 picking rules to select books for you pickee. Choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These can be brand new to them (not found on any of their shelves) or a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author's work previously. The remaining 4 titles should come from your pickee's tbr, with a minimum of one from their preferred shelves if provided. Be sure to pick at least one book for each picking rule, but please limit your picks to no more than two books per rule as sometimes having too many options is worse than too few.

✱ Please remember when you are giving new recommendations, you are not limited to titles that you have read. You can choose books that are new releases, on your tbr, or titles you looked up on Goodreads or Amazon that you think your pickee would enjoy.

A few hints to help with book selection:
✱ Check the book’s publishing date. Select "date pub" from the checkbox selections and save.
✱ Check pickee's personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves. A personalized shelf is one the member has created. (e.g., 'to read next', 'favorites' ‘didn’t like’)
✱ Make sure the books you choose are not on their 'read' shelf. Just because it isn't rated doesn't mean it wasn't read.
✱ Look at your pickee's 'read' shelf and see what genres they have recently read or read the most. Reviewing their ‘read’ shelf might help you in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.
✱ If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.) Contact the Mods or the month's organizer for guidance.
✱ Include a variety of books (e.g., shorter page count, new addition to their 'to-read' shelf, an older book on their 'to-read' shelf) This variety gives your pickee options when choosing the book or books they will be reading this month. Use the sort feature within their shelves to determine date a book was added, published or read; page numbers, ratings, etc.

If you want to volunteer to make repicks:
✱ We love that you want to help out, but please remember those who need picks have been waiting for a long time already. Please only volunteer if you are able to make the repicks within a few hours of the deadline. Thank you!

[Fran, Moderator]

2020 December PIFM Challenge - Participants

(view spoiler)[1. The specialty drinks at Starbucks or my local coffee shop
Romanticbookworm pick for me
♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ Meet & Greet
Fran PIFM shelf
Prinzessbtrfly meet & greet challenge shelf

2. Wearing cozier, warmer clothes like sweaters and scarves
KathyD tbr audios
Laura
M pick for me rrr
Kayla
Suzanne
LaurLa 04 pick me please
Carina bookshelved
MountainKat to read asap

3. The colder weather sports, like skiing and ice-skating
Leena
Sonja PIFM

4. Other! Let us know what you like about December
Mony a3-pifm-8-book-dec
NancyH
Carrie Current tbr (hide spoiler)]

[Fran, Moderator]

2020 December PIFM Challenge - Pairings

Please pick for the person below you in your group. For example:
Sonja picks for Carmen, Romanticbookworm picks for Sonja.
Laura picks for Carrie, Carina picks for Laura.

You have until November 29th, 2020 2 PM EST to make your recommendations.

Groups 1,3 and 4-
* Sonja PIFM
♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ Meet & Greet
*Prinzessbtrfly meet & greet challenge shelf
*Fran PIFM shelf
*Mony a3-pifm-8-book-dec
*Leena
*NancyH
*Romanticbookworm pick for me

Group 2-
*Laura
*Carrie Current tbr
*LaurLa 04 pick me please
*Kayla
*KathyD tbr audios
Suzanne
*M pick for me rrr
*MountainKat to read asap
*Carina bookshelved

[Fran, Moderator]

2020 December PIFM Challenge - Picking Rules

Let's celebrate the end of 2020! This has been a rough year for many of us around the world. Here's to looking forward with positivity and light! The tasks below reflect a fun, upbeat and sunny outlook.

Please recommend ONE book for each task (OK, maximum 2 books per task). Most, if not all of your recommendations should be Romance.

1. A humorous book or a book with a smile on the cover

2. A book with a 4.0 rating or higher or a book you have rated 4* or more that you would love to recommend

3. A book published before 2020 or a book with any other number than '2' or '0' in the page count.

4. A book with insta-love or a book with a cover you instantly loved (or liked)

5. A holiday romance or a book with a celebration of any kind in the story

6. A book with an attractive and/or colorful cover

7. A book with a light source on the cover (i.e. sun, lamp, fire) or a story with a character who has a sunny disposition

8. A book that has a futuristic, paranormal, sci-fi or magical element

[Fran, Moderator]

**You do not need to include a preferred shelf if you would like to use your tbr shelf.

If you have a preferred shelf, PLEASE include the link with it when you post it in this thread. It really helps the hosts when listing the participants and pairings. Thank you!!

[Fran, Moderator]

*

[☘KathyD☘]

i'm in...i love the cozier clothes (2)!
tbr-audios

[Leena]

Winter sports

[Leena]

Can I post my shelf a little later. I want to go through my list

[Trip]

Im in... I love cozy clothes and wrapping up warm (2) 💕

Use my wtr shelf, thank you xx

[M]

I'm in and #2 - I love fuzzy socks and beanies!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Fran, Moderator]

Leena wrote: "Can I post my shelf a little later. I want to go through my list"

No problem Leena, post the link whenever you are ready :)

[Fran, Moderator]

Updated to here :)

[Kayla]

I hope I'm following all the guidelines, this seems like fun!

2. Wearing cozier, warmer clothes like sweaters and scarves

[Suzanne]

I'm in and I'm a #2! I like my snuggly clothes :)

[Sonja]

OMG I have to pick between skiing and my red Starbucks cup?! THE HORROR!!!

I think I'm going to say C: Winter sports because I miss skiing so much!!! My feet literally itch to carve some powder when we see snow reports in the mountains... (Yeah, I'm weird, but I've already had 3 red cups so far... :D )

Please use my PIFM shelf!

[LaurLa]

Wearing cozier, warmer clothes like sweaters and scarves for me!
04-pick-me-please

[Romanticbookworm]

I'm going to say A but if you need me to change would definitely go with the warmer clothes as back up.

Please use my PIFM shelf.

[Fran, Moderator]

Romanticbookworm wrote: "I'm going to say A but if you need me to change would definitely go with the warmer clothes as back up.

Please use my PIFM shelf."

I will put you in A Romaticbookworm :)
I'm going to combine groups so it will all work out in the end :)

Can you please post the link to your PIFM shelf when you get a chance? It makes it so much easier for me to post everyone's preferred shelf - thanks so much!

[Fran, Moderator]

Sonja wrote: "OMG I have to pick between skiing and my red Starbucks cup?! THE HORROR!!!

I think I'm going to say C: Winter sports because I miss skiing so much!!! My feet literally itch to carve some powder w..."

I know! The cute Starbucks holiday cups are irresistible!

[Fran, Moderator]

Updated to here :)

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎]

I'm going to go with A but I also like cozy sweaters and scarves, LOL

Meet & Greet

[Carina]

2. Use https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Fran, Moderator]

Kayla wrote: "I hope I'm following all the guidelines, this seems like fun!

2. Wearing cozier, warmer clothes like sweaters and scarves"

You are all set Kayla.....welcome!

[Romanticbookworm]

Fran wrote: "Romanticbookworm wrote: "I'm going to say A but if you need me to change would definitely go with the warmer clothes as back up.

Please use my PIFM shelf."

I will put you in A Romaticbookworm :)

..."

Hope I'm doing this right https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Fran, Moderator]

You did it! Thanks Romanticbookworm :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Me please! My favorite thing about December is celebrating the holidays with family, but since it's 2020... I'm all in for the comfy, cozy clothes and boots!

Please use my to-read-asap shelf - thanks!

[Mony]

4. Other...I like Christmas and hanging out with my family!
🎄☃️🎁📚🥂🍰☕️🔥📚

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Nancy H]

4. Holidays and being with family

[Fran, Moderator]

Updated to here. Welcome everyone!

[Fran, Moderator]

Only 10 more hours until pairings are up along with the picking rules for this round :)

We have a small cozy group this round.....I'm excited to get started!

[Fran, Moderator]

I'm in lol! I will go with 1.- I'm driving through Starbucks a lot! And I'm always in sweats and cozy clothes these days ;)

PIFM shelf- https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[🐉 PrinZessBookDragon 👑🌶️]

I'd like to try this💜🖤

1. The specialty drinks at Starbucks or my local coffee shop.

Meet & Greet Chal. Shelf
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Fran, Moderator]

Only 4 1/2 more hours!

[Fran, Moderator]

I posted the picking rules early, feel free to take a look :)

Pairings will be posted at 8 pm, about an hour from now.

[Carrie]

4. Other! Let us know what you like about December

The magic in the air. It's different then fall, also going for walks with my bf through the park when they have the tree lights on.

Please use: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Carrie]

Made it with 11 min to spare, haha.

[Fran, Moderator]

Sign Ups Closed! I will be back very soon with Pairings :)

[Fran, Moderator]

Carrie wrote: "Made it with 11 min to spare, haha."

Whew!

[Fran, Moderator]

Pairings are up in Message #4!

Have Fun and Happy Picking!!

[🐉 PrinZessBookDragon 👑🌶️]

Fran wrote: "Pairings are up in Message #4!

Have Fun and Happy Picking!!"

Whoop whoop!! 🎉🎈💃

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Mony!
Here are your picks for December- I hope you find a goodie or two in here!

1. A humorous book or a book with a smile on the cover
new- Cupids Anonymous- humor and a smile
tbr- Welcome to Temptation- humor

2. A book with a 4.0 rating or higher or a book you have rated 4* or more that you would love to recommend
new- Happily Letter After- 4.25 rating
tbr- Devil in Winter- 4.25 rating and my favorite Kleypas!

3. A book published before 2020 or a book with any other number than '2' or '0' in the page count.
tbr- My Torin - pub 2018
new- Heart Signs- pub 2016

4. A book with insta-love or a book with a cover you instantly loved (or liked)
tbr- Mr. Romantic- cool cover
new- Making Waves- fun cover and I really liked this book.

5. A holiday romance or a book with a celebration of any kind in the story
new- Chestnuts Roasting
tbr- Red Snowflakes

6. A book with an attractive and/or colorful cover
new- The Opposite of You
tbr- See Jane Score

7. A book with a light source on the cover (i.e. sun, lamp, fire) or a story with a character who has a sunny disposition
tbr- Jabril- lights on cover

8. A book that has a futuristic, paranormal, sci-fi or magical element
new- Demon King
tbr- Betrayed


Happy Reading!

[Fran, Moderator]

Prinzessbtrfly wrote: "Should I be the first to post my person's books?? 😁 I wonder if I did it right...."

I'm sure you did a great job Prinzessbtrfly!

[🐉 PrinZessBookDragon 👑🌶️]

K!! 💜❤️ Fran...
I hope you approve

1. Last Minion Standing by Eve Langlais
2. Gentleman Nine by Penelope Ward
3. Piece of Cake by Mary Calmes
4. Defiant Queen by Megan March
5. Gifting Me to His Best Friend by Katee Robert
6. Sweatpants Season by Danielle Allen
7. Filthy Vows by Alessandra Torre
8. Hot Vampire Kiss by Lisa Renee Jones

[Mony]

Fran wrote: "Hi Mony!
Here are your picks for December- I hope you find a goodie or two in here!

1. A humorous book or a book with a smile on the cover
new- Cupids Anonymous- humor and a smile
..."

Wow Fran, you really nailed it. All great choices! Thank you!
And that book cover for Chestnuts Roasting...good for holiday spirit. 🎄😉☃️

[Mony]

Hi Leena,
Here are your books for December...hope there is one or two that appeal to you this month!
M.

1. A humorous book
Perfection (Neighbor from Hell #2) by Mathewson- TBR
Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - NEW


2. A book with a 4.0 rating or higher more that you would love to recommend
Beard Science (Winston Brothers, #3)- TBR
The Baller by by Vi Keeland- NEW


3. A book published before 2020
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker - TBR
The Grand Sophy - Georgette Heyer - NEW


4. A book with a cover you instantly liked
A Chance at Love by Beverly Jenkins - TBR
Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas- NEW


5. Book with a celebration of any kind in the story (weddings)
A Princess by Christmas (A Royal Wedding #3) by Julia London- tbr
Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins


6. A book with a colorful cover
Everything Girl - TBR
The Hating Game- Me


7. A book with a light source on cover or a story with a sunny character
All the Light We Cannot See by Doerr- TBR
Bossman by Vi Keeland - NEW (sunny character)


8. A book that has a paranormal/ magical element
The Cruel Prince - Holly Black - TBR
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella- NEW

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Carina! Here are your picks - I hope I found some good ones for you. I did use some authors you had on your shelf but hadn't read as New to You picks. I figured you had some interest at some point in trying them. 😊

A Humorous Book:
NEW: Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words* by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt - This was sweet and fun and made me laugh out loud!
TBR: Nobody But You* by Jill Shalvis - Her books always have some humor and I remember liking this series!

A Highly Rated Book:
NEW: Surrender* by Pamela Clare - Absolutely AMAZING!! Even better in audio! And the brother's books are too!
TBR: Any Day Now by Robyn Carr - I've always enjoyed her books! (Like this narrator too, she does her others books.)

A Book From Before This Insane Year:
NEW: Sex, Not Love* by Vi Keeland - Loved this one!
TBR: Maid for Love by Marie Force - I've enjoyed a different series by this author!

An Insta-Love Book:
NEW: Delayed Satisfaction* by Lauren Blakley - Short and sweet!
TBR: The Christmas Key by Lori Wilde - The cover caught my eye!

A Holiday Book:
NEW: Love Me By Christmas by Jaci Burton - I remember this as a sweet holiday story and you've enjoyed other books by the author!
TBR: Santa's on His Way by Lisa Jackson - This looks cute!

A Pretty Book:
NEW: Royally Screwed* by Emma Chase - Loved this series!
TBR: Mistletoe Cottage by Debbie Mason - Again, the cover caught my eye and I'm a sucker for holiday stories!

A Lit Book:
NEW: Repeat* by Kylie Scott - This one just worked for me on all levels!
TBR: The Baby and the Cowboy SEAL by Laura Marie Altom - Sounds sweet!

A Magical Book:
NEW: Year One* by Nora Roberts - This trilogy blew me away! I almost didn't read it because of the pandemic, but am soooo glad I did!
TBR: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - Sounds interesting!

*I don't know if you like or are interesting in trying audiobooks, but I marked the ones I listened to and enjoyed with an asterisk.*

Happy Holiday Reading!!

[Sonja]

Woohoo! Perfect theme for this last month of 2020, Fran! Carmen, my dear, I’ll ideally have your picks tomorrow!

[M]

MountainKat - Here are your picks. I had lots of fun getting this ready for you. Hope you're able to find some great reads on the list! Happy reading!!

1.Humorous book or book with smile on cover
TBR The Boss Who Stole Christmas -- Humor
NEW Flirting with 40 -- Smile on cover


2. Book with 4.0 rating and up or a book I've given 4 or more stars
TBR My Favorite Souvenir -- 4.2 rating
NEW The Bribe -- I rated 4 stars


3. Book published before 2020 or book with numbers other than 2 or 0 in page count
TBR Fatal Jeopardy -- Pub in 2014
NEW Pieces of You -- 185 pages


4. Book with insta-love or cover you instantly love
TBR Angels Sing -- Cover love
NEW All I Ask -- Cover love


5. Holiday book or book with celebration in story
TBR Scrooged -- Holiday
NEW The Christmas Blanket -- Holiday- It's on my tbr for December


6. Book attractive and/or colorful cover
TBR A Royal Christmas Cruise -- Colorful cover
NEW The House in the Cerulean Sea -- Colorful cover - Favorite of lots of readers


7. Book with light source on cover or story with character with sunny disposition
TBR Mistletoe in Paradise -- Sunset on cover
NEW Look the Part -- MC is overly happy


8. A book that has a futuristic, paranormal, sci-fi or magical element
TBR Barry the Lonely Reindeer & His Bashful Elf -- Paranormal
NEW Magical Midlife Madness -- Fantasy/magic