Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2022 Challenge Archive
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2022 September Pick-it-for-me Challenge
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!
**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!!
2022 September PIFM Challenge - Pairings-Please pick for the person beneath you. The last person picks for the first person in each group ( Carina picks for Maddie and MountainKat picks for Romanticbookworm)
*= picks given
*A. Back to School and B. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
*Maddie
*Iraida
*Priyanka Books
*Se 202209PIFM
*Vanessa 1 pick it
Phi
*SunnyCaGirl
*Emily
*Alyhs
*Carina summer
C. Leaves begin to change colors
*Romanticbookworm read asap
*Catherine
*Fran PIFM Shelf
*LillianaPassions My pick list here
* ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ meet greet picks
*Daja
Kritiks
*KathyD tbr audios
*Jessica
*LaurLa 01 pick me please
*Sonja PIFM
*Chris
* MountainKat to read asap
✱ Remember to pick a minimum of four NEW books and four books from your pickee’s TBR or preferred shelf. Please limit your picks to no more than two for each rule , since sometimes too many choices can be as bad as too few!
2022 September PIFM Challenge - Picking Rules8 Fun Facts About Back-to- School Around the World-
1. France has the shortest school year from August to June (many vacation weeks throughout) and also the longest school day (lunch is two hours long!).
-Recommend a short book or
-Recommend a book set in Europe
2. One of the subjects taught in Icelandic schools is knitting.
-Recommend a longer title (knitting can take awhile!) or
-Recommend a book with blue or green or purple on the cover (the cold colors)
3. In Armenia, all children aged 6 and up are taught chess at school
-Recommend a book with a nerdy/brainy/geeky character or
-Recommend a book with a 6 in the page count or date published
4. The Shishi High School located in Chengdu, China is the world's oldest school.
-Recommend a book set in Asia or
-Recommend a Historical romance
5. A school in Germany has been built to look like a giant white cat.
-Recommend a book with an animal in the story or on the cover or
-Recommend a Paranormal or Humorous book
6. A school in the Philippines is made completely of recycled Pepsi bottles
-Recommend a book set in the food or drink industry or
-Recommend a book you loved (recycle the title)
7. The kids in Holland begins school on their 4th birthday so there is always someone new in class
-Recommend a new release (in 2022) or
-Recommend an author your pickee has never read
8. In the U.S., school buses have been around since 1915 (as long as the automobile), but the official color of bright yellow wasn’t adopted until 1939.
-Recommend a book set in the U.S.A. or
-Recommend a book with child(ren) in the story
**If you sign up for this challenge you are committing to posting at least 8 recommendations to your pickee and you in return will receive 8 recommendations from your picker. Please remember to post your picks by the deadline. Everyone works hard to give great recommendations and of course everyone wants to receive some awesome picks. Please make sure you can get yours done if you sign up. Thank you and enjoy the challenge! This one is my favorites!**
Hi Chris!Do you have a preferred answer for the sorting question?
I'm in! (private profile, happy to friend anyone who picks for me)I will say C, I love how the leaves look in the Fall here in NY. Really gorgeous.
PIFM shelf- https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I m in ! C also for me. Here in Canada, maple trees are famous for their autumn colors ! My pick list here
Fran wrote: "Hi Chris!Do you have a preferred answer for the sorting question?"
Also C!
When I posted I was searching for the question but I couldn't find it!
I mean how blind can I be ... and I thought "Maybe this month it doesn't have a question"
I'm in ofc! I love it all about Fall, but I guess you can put me at the changing leaves. Despite the fact in Los Angeles palm trees don't change colors, I do love that part!
Please use my PIFM shelf.
Updated to here.....I am sensing a theme, lol. Changing leaves really are nice :)
Chris wrote: "Fran wrote: "Hi Chris!Do you have a preferred answer for the sorting question?"
Also C!
When I posted I was searching for the question but I couldn't find it!
I mean how blind can I be ... and..."
It's all good Chris! It is kind of sandwiched in the middle of the post!
Though I like both B & C I’m going to go with C since it’s always my favorite to watch the leaves change colors Shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Me please! 🙋🏻♀️ When we had kids in the house, by favorite thing about this time of year was school starting. I told myself that when school started again, things would settle some, we would get more organized and back on a schedule after the summer chaos. Then school would start and I was dealing with one kid in marching band, one a cheerleader and another playing football - things did not settle and we were always busier than ever! That's when I told myself that once we made it through football season things would calm down... (You see how this goes right? Once football season ends, it is the holidays, then it is concert and competition season, then it is volleyball season and you are wishing for all those and school to end so you can have the peace of summer. Only for it all to start over again!! 🙄🤦🏻♀️)Now, life is simpler and I enjoy the leaves changing - as much as they do here in SoCal anyway. So add me to the C list! We do get some pretty yellows and oranges in the mountains as long as we start cooling off without getting the Santa Ana winds. 🤞🏼
Please use my to-read-asap shelf - thanks!
MountainKat wrote: "Me please! 🙋🏻♀️ When we had kids in the house, by favorite thing about this time of year was school starting. I told myself that when school started again, things would settle some, we would get m..."I giggled, MKat... I'm right there in the trenches now! Chaotic summers fade into chaotic falls and school events, soccer practices and everything else. Of course, we got derailed with B2S because we all tested positive and have been in quarantine about 55 million years now... (fine only 1.5 weeks, but it feels like forever)! Life will go back to "normal" soon and we'll be missing this down time! Thanks for sharing and giving me a good chuckle!
Sonja wrote: "I giggled, MKat... I'm right there in the trenches now! Chaotic summers fade into chaotic falls and school events, soccer practices and everything else. Of course, we got derailed with B2S because we all tested positive and have been in quarantine about 55 million years now... (fine only 1.5 weeks, but it feels like forever)! Life will go back to "normal" soon and we'll be missing this down time! Thanks for sharing and giving me a good chuckle!"I knew others would understand!!
I hope your 55 million years ends soon. That is another bad part of school starting - all the swapping of germs!
hi i would like to join! i am B for sure! love pumpkin spice everything!you can use my want to read list or anything that is your favorite book! i love getting new books to read that i've never heard of or isn't popular!
I’m in! Also big C fan, I love the changing of leaves 🍁
I'm in!Its been a while since I did this, but here I come and B all the way..could never say no to a pumpkin spice latte <3
Finally some pumpkin spice love! I enjoy it too :)
I would have to say AI would last would be want to read
I would love to be a part of this. I am for C. leaves changing colorMy reading recommendations - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Kritiks wrote: "I would love to be a part of this. I am for C. leaves changing colorMy reading recommendations - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list..."
Welcome Kritiks!
Your preferred shelf that you post here should be the shelf you want 4 of your recommendations to come from for you. So your regular to-read shelf or another shelf you want your picker to choose from.
I am in, I am a PIFM newbie: bear with me if I mess it up!I choose A, though it seems low in the rankings. It gives me that “New Year’s resolution” vibe, new possibilities, new people to meet, new things to learn. And I soooo love picking stationery and starting a new fat soft copybook! (Though I haven’t been back to school in ages.)
You can use my Wtr shelf, maybe best if you check the Romance shelf (which should be the romance subset of the WTR shelf). Also the Pondering is available for picking: I haven’t made out my mind on those books, but I might trust your judgment into veering them into the Wtr list.
I am in! I will go with B- good old pumpkin spice lattes! I love leaves changing color, but do not see much of that in SoCal at this time of year.I am fine to have you go to my very full "want to read" shelf!
“Kritiks wrote: "I would love to be a part of this. I am for C. leaves changing colorMy reading recommendations - https://www.goodreads.com/review/list..."
Welcome Kritiks!
Your preferred shelf that you post here should be the shelf you want 4 of your recommendations to come from for you. So your regular to-read shelf or another shelf you want your picker to choose from.”
Thanks Fran! My preferred shelf for recommendation would be my to-read shelf here
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
I would love to participate. I’m definitely A!
Se... wrote: "I am in, I am a PIFM newbie: bear with me if I mess it up!I choose A, though it seems low in the rankings. It gives me that “New Year’s resolution” vibe, new possibilities, new people to meet, ne..."
Hi Se!
You can only post one shelf as your preferred shelf so please let me know which of the three you want used. If you want to use your general to-read shelf then there is no need to post it, it will be used automatically. If you would like to make a separate PIFM shelf and put titles on it that you would want your picker to choose from, you can totally do that and post it here before 5 pm tonight. Thanks!
updated to here :)Only 6 hours to go until Pairings and Rules are posted!!
If you are a newbie, Welcome! You might want to check out a few past PIFM challenges to get an idea of how the picks are posted. You can click on the 'Monthly Challenges' icon at the top of the page to see the past several monthly challenges.
Hi Fran,thanks for the explanations!
I made a PIFM shelf, to aggregate he Romance and the Pondering, hoping to give more choice to my picker: 202209PIFM.
:)
I would like to sign up. My favourite is C changing leaves.
Sign-ups are now closed!Be back in a few minutes with the Pairings and Rules :)
Parings are posted in message #5 and Rules in message #6- have fun!If you are unsure of how the choosing of titles works, please re-read the rules at the top of this thread, click on the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ link in message #1, look at past PIFM challenges or feel free to private message me any questions you may have!
hi Jessica...here are your picks for September...hopefully you’ll love whatever you choose to read! 😊1. France has the shortest school year from August to June (many vacation weeks throughout) and also the longest school day (lunch is two hours long!).
The Way Down, Danielle Stewart — short book (tbr)
Beyond the Highland Mist, Karen Marie Moning — set in Europe (new)
2. One of the subjects taught in Icelandic schools is knitting.
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green — blue cove (tbr)
A Discovery of Witches, Deborah Harkness — long book (new)
3. In Armenia, all children aged 6 and up are taught chess at school.
The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang — brainy character (tbr)
Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh — book with a 6 in the date published (new)
4. The Shishi High School located in Chengdu, China is the world’s oldest school.
Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden — set in Asia (tbr)
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, Jennifer Ashley — historical romance (new)
5. A school in Germany has been built to look like a giant white cat.
Wallbanger, Alice Clayton — animal in the story (tbr)
Flirtasaurus, Erin Mallon — tagged humorous (new)
6. A school in the Philippines is made completely of recycled Pepsi bottles.
The Bride Test, Helen Hoang — book I loved (tbr)
Rock Chick, Kristen Ashley — set in the food or drink industry (new)
7. The kids in Holland begins school on their 4th birthday so there is always someone new in class.
Book Lovers, Emily Henry — released in 2022 (tbr)
Dark Lover, J.R. Ward — author you’ve never read (new)
8. In the United States, school buses have been around since 1915 (as long as the automobile), but the official color of bright yellow wasn’t adopted until 1939.
Namesake, Adrienne Young — book with children (tbr)
Naked in Death, J.D. Robb — set in the USA (new)
Hi Romanticbookworm! Here are some picks for you. 📚 I think I picked for you fairly recently so I hope I found some different options!🤞🏼1. France has the shortest school year from August to June (many vacation weeks throughout) and also the longest school day (lunch is two hours long!).
TBR: Shoulda Been a Cowboy by Maisey Yates - It's short!
NEW: Do Over by Mari Carr - One of my favorite shorter books to recommend!
2. One of the subjects taught in Icelandic schools is knitting.
TBR: Dark Lover* by J.R. Ward - Great start to a really good series!
NEW: Kiss of the Highlander* by Karen Marie Moning - One of the most romantic books I've read!
3. In Armenia, all children aged 6 and up are taught chess at school.
TBR: Ceremony in Death* by J.D. Robb - Always love an In Death book!
NEW: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie* by Jennifer Ashley - Love this book and the whole family!
4. The Shishi High School located in Chengdu, China is the world's oldest school.
TBR: The Highwayman* by Kerrigan Byrne - I really enjoyed this one!
NEW: Surrender* by Pamela Clare - One of my favorite HR books/series!! So very good and very well written!!
5. A school in Germany has been built to look like a giant white cat.
TBR: Pack Challenge* by Shelly Laurenston - Fun, though I liked later books more!
NEW: Magic Bites* by Ilona Andrews - Took me a little to get caught up in this series and then I just loved it!
6. A school in the Philippines is made completely of recycled Pepsi bottles.
TBR: A Hunger Like No Other* by Kresley Cole - Such a fun world!
NEW: The House in the Cerulean Sea* by T.J. Klune - The best book I've read in the last couple of years!! It made me so happy!!
7. The kids in Holland begins school on their 4th birthday so there is always someone new in class.
TBR: The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert - Looks interesting!
NEW: Halfway to the Grave* by Jeaniene Frost - Loved this book and went right into the next one!
8. In the U.S., school buses have been around since 1915 (as long as the automobile), but the official color of bright yellow wasn’t adopted until 1939.
TBR: Virgin River* by Robyn Carr - Comfort food in book form - all of these books!
NEW: First Grave on the Right* by Darynda Jones - Fun and very entertaining!
Just in case you enjoy audiobooks, I marked the ones I listened to and enjoyed with an asterisk.
Happy Reading!
MountainKat, I hope you like some of the picks! 1.
TBR: The World (Short Story)
NEW: On Dublin Street (Set in Europe)
2.
TBR: The Sinful Ways of Jamie Mackenzie (Long Title)
NEW: Lingus (Blue on the Cover)
3.
TBR: Riggs (6 in the Date Published)
NEW: Alpha's Temptation (Geeky Heroine)
4.
TBR: Fiona and the Three Wise Highlanders (Historical Romance)
NEW: Never Kiss a Rake (Historical Romance)
5.
TBR: Immortal (Paranormal)
NEW: Pestilence (Paranormal)
6.
TBR: Treachery in Death (5* Rating by Kat)
NEW: Slave to Sensation (One of my Favorites)
7.
TBR: Hitched (Released in 2022)
NEW: Sinners Anonymous (New Author)
8.
TBR: An Unconditional Freedom (Set in the US)
NEW: Dirty Letters (Set in the US)
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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
✱✱ Which one is your favorite September happening from this list-
A. Back to School
B. Pumpkin Spice Lattes
C. Leaves begin to change colors✱✱
✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱
IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until August 25 ( 5 pm US EST)
You’ll have until August 30 ( 5 pm US EST) 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!✱