Extended Challenges 2022

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Hi, friends. These 18-month challenges continue on through June 2023.

However, I would love your input now... or whenever you'd like to share it with me.

Have these challenges been fun for you?

Have they been too easy or too difficult?

What other types of challenges would you like to see in this 18-month section in the future?

2022-23 18-Month Challenges
Book Pyramid
Grab Bag
TBR Crusher

[Lauri]

I didn't do Pyramid or grab bag

TBR Crusher helped me make a huge dent in my TBR pile although, I think I will miss a few categories as I didn't have books that fit prior to 2022.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Thank you, Lauri! I appreciate your thoughts.

[Katrina]

I have only been working on the TBR Crusher. It is going well and I have plans to finish by June. I was thinking of trying the Grab bag if you started it again in July 2023. But I think the TBR Crusher would also be fun to do again. It really helps me look for books on my TBR pile and keeps me reading them.

I was interested in the Book Pyramid but I think the number of books to read overwhelmed me. I would prefer to choose the 2nd tier but have all 18 months to work on it. The TBR Crusher was 50 books which seemed just about right. So Tier 2 of the Pyramid at 55 books felt similar but was to be finished in a year. And Tier 3 at 120 books seemed way too many when I knew I would be reading additional books in this time frame that wouldn't fit the categories. So I just didn't start when I didn't feel it was doable for me. So I do like the idea just wanted more time to accomplish it with less books required in that time.
I am doing a similar challenge in another group called the twelve towers and I have 5 years to complete that one for a total of 78 books.

Thanks!

[Jenn]

I'm doing the pyramid and the TBR crusher, and I'm really having fun with those two. Though I've determined that apparently I don't really read a lot of male authors, so that's been a bit challenging to come up with some good options to read.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Katrina, thank you for that very detailed information. Since this is the first extended-time group of challenges to host, it was a bit of a guess on how much time to give per tier. I love having input like what you gave, because it helps me learn more about how to frame the book/time ratios. Thank you!

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Jenn, I know what you mean! That's one reason I included that particular task, because I also struggle to find more male authors to complement the plethora of lady writers out there. I figured it would be a good challenge for us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor]

I've only done the TBR challenge from the 18 month list, but I'm on track to finish by year's end. TBH, I prefer challenges that take up (or can be completed) in one calendar year, though I've definitely found the TBR challenge a true challenge for me. I even ended up needing to re-arrange a few of my books to fit different 'categories' in the challenge because one of the books on my list turned out to not be Christian fiction as I'd originally thought. (Normally that wouldn't be a problem, as I don't read exclusively from the Christian fiction category, but this one was definitely feeling a bit edgier than I prefer reading.)

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Thanks for the thoughts, Kate! Great job on being on track to finish soon. That’s wonderful!

[Bridget]

I just jumped into the Grab Bag challenge this month. But it has me reading books that I've had on my want to read list for awhile. I am enjoying it so far.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Thanks, Bridget! I'm glad it's a helpful and fun challenge.

[Sarita]

I'm doing all three and loving them, though some I will need to catch up first 6 months next year! I love the focus and helps me to get those books on my TBR for years!

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Thanks, Sarita! I love hearing that you're enjoying the challenges. I'm right there with you in needing the catch-up time.

[Bonny]

I've been enjoying the TBR Crusher! It makes working through my TBR pile more fun and interesting. But the Pyramid challenge just seemed like way too many books.

[Andrea, Hospitality Coordinator]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Bonny!