Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2024 Challenge - General
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Excited chatter while we wait for the 2024 list to post!!!
Whatever I read for the Horror by a BIPOC Author or Second-Chance Romance prompts will also double as my Genre You Typically Avoid prompt.😉
Joanna wrote: "Whatever I read for the Horror by a BIPOC Author or Second-Chance Romance prompts will also double as my Genre You Typically Avoid prompt.😉"Oh, that's a good idea!
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Overall, this list feels fresh and new, and so I'm happy. After nine years, it's hard to keep things fresh, but the folks who worked on the list this time pulled it off!!
I'm going to need a ton of help on some of these categories (and yes, I mean on the NaNoWriMo category LOL), so I'm glad we are in this together!!!
Haha I totally didn’t notice published in 2024 and past favourite prompt weren’t on the list.
For a genre you don't usually read I would have chosen either horror or romance, and then I see have to read one of each of those as well (since I don't double up on these prompts), and they further specify what kind of author for the horror and what kind of characters for the romance. I am not looking forward to those, but the rest don't look bad. Still, since people are talking about switching to the ATY challenge I'll take a look at that too.
Jennifer W wrote: "I don't read much horror, either. I'm thinking I will allow social horror (which, *as I define it* is wide enough to include 'a society that does things that are horrific/horrible to a marginalized..."This might be the way to go. I am not a fan of horror, but if I do social horror it might work better.
The only book I can think of that starts with an X is Xenocide by Orson Scott Card.
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I used to not read horror, but in the last few years I've been picking it up more often. I don't like to be super scared and I don't like to be grossed out and I definitely do not want to be so scared that I can't get out of my bed to pee in the night, so these books are all mild enough ...
Lone Women by Victor LaValle - a Black woman from SoCal moves north and takes a tract of land in the cold snowing lands of ... um ... North Dakota, I think? and she's dragging something with her in a trunk that is dangerous to others if it escapes, and it's a spoiler, but (view spoiler)
VenCo & Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline - these are BARELY horror. VenCo involves witches (attempting to prevent the world from ending) and Empire involves a rigarou which is like a werewolf.
The Fervor by Alma Katsu - this was more like slightly nervewracking suspense than straight-up horror. Some sort of alien growth seems to be affecting people and turning them uncontrollably angry. TBH I was disappointed that this did not turn out to be a full-on zombie book
Nadine in NY wrote: "This new list is a true CHALLENGE! I get the feeling they saw BookRiot's past challenges and said hold my beer. I was surprised that the two perennial repeats - published this year, and past favori..."I definitely miss published this year and favorite prompt. I feel like those were two easy free spaces for me.
I don't envy the person who has to make these lists. Must be so tough to work hard on a list and then have people complain right off. Maybe I'm just too nice of a person haha. I get it though with however many people participate you're not going to please everyone!!
Erica wrote: "Haha I totally didn’t notice published in 2024 and past favourite prompt weren’t on the list."They do have published in a year ending in 24, so I think a lot of people will use 2024 for that!
I always liked favorite past prompt, but maybe they're looking at this like a new beginning for the list.
Ellie wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I don't read much horror, either. I'm thinking I will allow social horror (which, *as I define it* is wide enough to include 'a society that does things that are horrific/horribl...To be fair, a lot of those subjects are exactly what are being covered in horror books by BIPOC authors."
That doesn't surprise me, I guess I didn't know that because I don't read much horror! lol, Catch 22. :)
Nadine in NY wrote: "The Fervor by Alma Katsu - this was more like slightly nervewracking suspense than straight-up horror."
Is Alma a BIPOC? I read her book The Hunger and really enjoyed it and would read her again.
Do you guys try to fulfill prompts first with books that you already have and only then go out to find more? Or is everything fair game from the get-go?
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Yes, she is Asian-American, her mother is Japanese. I read somewhere that The Fervor, set in the Japanese internment camps, was the first book she wrote that felt personal for her.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "Is Alma a BIPOC? I read her book The Hunger and really enjoyed it and would read her again...."Yes, she is Asian-American, her mother is Japanese. I read somewhere that The Fe..."
Interesting, I did not know that. Thanks!
Doni wrote: "Do you guys try to fulfill prompts first with books that you already have and only then go out to find more? Or is everything fair game from the get-go?"I don't own many unread books anymore, but even when I did, everything was fair game. Now that I read mostly from the library, it's whatever I feel like reading and what is available at the time. I also don't save the advanced prompts for the end.
Megan wrote: "I definitely miss published this year and favorite prompt. I feel like those were two easy free spaces for me...."Me too Megan!
We do have a book that came out in a year ending in 24, so I think many of us will use that for a new release prompt.
I am so excited that there's more leeway for NF in '24!That will make things easier given that roughly what I read in '23 was 80% NF.
Jen wrote: "Christina wrote: "I think the prompts are so much better than this year's! Not necessarily easier but definitely more unique which also makes it more fun imo!also can't believe I read XOXO for an..."
These both sound fun to read! Thanks for the suggestions! I'm adding them to my list.
I love the time and effort that is put in this list. The prompts are, well, challenging. I'm using PS as my second challenge, so I'll see what I can fit in next year's reading.
Nadine in NY wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I don't read much horror, either. I'm thinking I will allow social horror (which, *as I define it* is wide enough to include 'a society that does things that are horrific/horribl..."Thank you for this! I was going to remove the word "horror" but now I think I'll just go for it with The Fervor.
Doni wrote: "Do you guys try to fulfill prompts first with books that you already have and only then go out to find more? Or is everything fair game from the get-go?"I start with what I own, then fill in the rest with the library or audible. I occasionally buy, but I've really been trying to cut down on how many new books I get. So if I find something used at a great price, I'm over the moon happy with my find.
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They are leaning hard on character, genre, setting, and author prompts. A LOT of those!
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This might be the way to go. I am not a fan of horror, but if I do social horror it might work better."
Oh, my, yes! I hadn't even considered this for that prompt! But The Trees by Percival Everett is one I meant to read and have not done so yet! Thank you guys for discussing this!!
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I will create a January nomination poll later today ( POLL IS LIVE ) and it will be available through Tuesday, December 12. Then the January final selection poll will be posted Wednesday, December 13, and available through Tuesday, December 20. We will know the January Monthly Group Read title as of December 21! I realize that doesn't allow much time, but it is what it is. 😊
I am personally extremely excited about this year's challenge! Kudos to those who worked on it! I tried to do it justice by researching to discover some more obscure connections between a month and a prompt! It was difficult to narrow it down since I ended up with at least 2-3 ideas for every month. I tried to avoid some of the more general/obvious connections since we have a much more unique listing of prompts to consider this year!
So YAY!! I trying not to do much planning until January, but I'm sure I'll 'cheat' and keep peeking every now and then at the listopias and comments for each prompt! I don't often *squee*, but I am now!!
I must say I'm not impressed. I see a lot of repeats, once again, and the kind that don't thrill me. I started outlining my reading plan for it, but I'm not happy that maybe a handful of titles from my massive TBR list can fulfill any of these prompts. If I have to force myself to read something that brings me zero joy only to satisfy the challenge, then I may have to just give it up and read whatever I want.
Nadine in NY wrote: "I didn't realize it yesterday when I was first looking at the categories, but last night it hit me: there isn't a single "cover" category. I love the cover scavenger hunt, and I'm a little sad that..."There's Nadine's Mini Challenge for next year then. Do you still have your chairs on covers list?
For those thinking of bailing on Popsugar, I'll leave you the link for the ATY list:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
You'll find a lot of familiar faces over there and the list is created by the group, so it tends to be more flexible.
Ellie wrote: "For those thinking of bailing on Popsugar, I'll leave you the link for the ATY list:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
You'll find a lot..."
Thank you, Ellie. After reviewing the two lists, PopSugar and ATY, I have decided on ATY since its flexiblity allows me to read more books on my TBR shelves.
This is just me, but I can't get over how excellent the prompts are for '24.There is so much more leeway for nonfiction books which I am extremely grateful for. For 2023 I struggled and missed 15 because so many were geared towards fiction which, as a NF reader, was a slight disappointment.
For 2024, I've got 12 that are fiction, and 27 that are nonfiction.
Well, I have not only reviewed the list, but I have started planning. I really like the GR lists for each prompt as it gives me a starting place for planning for those prompts that I do not immediately know how to fill - i.e. author specific traits (deaf, blind) or character traits (unreliable narrator, neurodiverse). I scan the list to see if any of my TBR shelves show for books on it. Then I check the comments on each thread related to those prompts. In that manner, I have been able to fill most of the prompts that would have stymied me in normal checking-my-books planning.
I have skipped 13 prompts because I expect them to be easy to fill over the year. Books about a writer, pirates, dragons, dying in the first chapter, magical realism, and cozy fantasy are easily done in my normal reading. Author related prompts for incarcerated (one of Anne Perry's many series that I am in the midst of) and pen name (several options in my series lists) will be found on my continuing series shelf. Bucket list will be Scotland - either about the land or set there. Recommends will come easy from local library or bookstore. Woman sport...probably a memoir or fiction. And genre avoided...couldn't think of one but I will come up with something. Too bad it isn't "book avoided" as I have a fair amount of them.
So...overall. I thought that the challenge had nothing for me and found that I am looking forward to it now.
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There's Nadine's Mini Challenge for next year then. Do you still have your chairs on covers list? ..."
LOL! if I find myself missing the cover categories too much, I'll throw together a mini-challenge for us in January!
LeahS wrote: "I think I'm done too, A book with a 24 year old character, a book with a 42 year old character, a book set precisely 24 years before you were born. A genre you generally avoid - hello, there is a r..."I'm done as well. This will be the first year since 2018 that I won't be attempting the challenge. Not only are the repeated prompts some of my least favorite from this past year, but a lot of the new ones are too specific for me to find much joy in looking through potential options. I like a good scavenger hunt, but not when there aren't many books to choose from in the first place, or I can't use hardly anything from my owned TBR, which are my priority reads. I personally like to be able to use at least 50% of the prompts for reading down my TBR and I just don't see that happening with this list.
Disappointed.
I am super happy that I'll be able to participate more come 2024. There were 15 books I didn't get to in 2023 because so many of the prompts were geared towards fiction genres, which as a nonfiction reader, kind of didn't bode well for me.There's so much more leeway this time around and I have more to play with in the nonfiction genres, while also dabbling with some fiction.
I filled out my template on canvas and I noticed that I'm only missing 3 which is completely fine by me.
Erin wrote: "LeahS wrote: "I think I'm done too, A book with a 24 year old character, a book with a 42 year old character, a book set precisely 24 years before you were born. A genre you generally avoid - hello..."Erin I feel the same. I am still giving it a try though.
And the lack of a selection based on a book cover bugs me, too.
I've got my way all set. I completed the canvas template and then because I plan to read all of the books I chose I'm going to wrap them and number them. I think it will be a fun thing to do.My plan is to officially start on Dec. 31st.
I never do the full PopSugar challenge (because I have my own challenges and some years I don't even read 50 books)What I'm stumped on is how many books to sign up for. I said 30 this year, but am currently at 39 and will do a 40th one by the end of the year.
They seem so restricted this year that I'm unsure whether 25 or 30 would be the right number.
I'm actually surprised I was able to hit so many prompts with books that I currently own (24!). Might aim for 30 as a goal this coming year but I also have some other personal challenges, so we'll see.
Erin wrote: "LeahS wrote: "I think I'm done too, A book with a 24 year old character, a book with a 42 year old character, a book set precisely 24 years before you were born. A genre you generally avoid - hello..."I jumped over to ATY....great stuff going on there.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Doni wrote: "The only book I can think of that starts with an X is Xenocide by Orson Scott Card."I'm going to read one of my collection of Xenophobe Guides - they are short and entertaining. One example: The Xenophobe's Guide to the English.
I jumped over to ATY....great stuff going on there.I'm doing ATY - I usually do that and PopSugar. I've looked at the PS list a few more times because there are some prompts I like, but I just can't get into it. It just has too many limited choice prompts or ones that I am never going to read like Kpop.
Did a count and I've got 33 nonfiction and 14 fiction for the 2024 challenge! I cannot tell you how excited I am for that high of a number when it comes to NF. As a nonfiction reader this challenge seems a lot easier for 2024 than it did for '23.
Tracy wrote: "First year I am not liking the prompts, I may just do one from another year that I didn't get to do."I feel the same way, and I think I'm going to go back and do 2015's list. It looks like a lot of fun.
Quick question, not sure where this question goes and I haven’t seen it asked yet.For the 2024 challenge do we have to read the prompts in order or does that matter?
Taylor wrote: "Quick question, not sure where this question goes and I haven’t seen it asked yet.For the 2024 challenge do we have to read the prompts in order or does that matter?"
It doesn't matter. I never read in order. Mostly just put a book wherever it fits.
Mod
For the 2024 challenge do we have to read the prompts in order or does that matter?"
There are no rules here! And the only prize at the end is your own sense of satisfaction. No one will check to see if your book really fits the category (the only time you'll get comments about that is if you ask if a book fits, or suggest a book to others for a particular category). You can read all of the categories or just a select few. You can read one book for multiple categories. You can read all picture books, or all graphic novels. You can buddy read, you can join the group reads, or you can read solo. You can read in any order you want. You can read as slowly or as quickly as you want. You can even do the challenge as movies instead of books! (although that would be TOUGH for 2024)
Here's an ethics question for everyone!If the list gets posted in December 2023 (and it has been, we all see it now)... can I start the 2024 challenge now? Or do I really need to wait until January 2024 to start counting books towards that challenge?
It is such a tease to give me the 2024 list and then say... but don't start these prompts yet. Ugh!
Michelle wrote: "Here's an ethics question for everyone!If the list gets posted in December 2023 (and it has been, we all see it now)... can I start the 2024 challenge now? Or do I really need to wait until Janua..."
Your challenge, your way! I personally start after the list drops. Why waste the excitement?
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If the list gets posted in December 2023 (and it has been, we all see it now)... can I start the 2024 challenge now? Or do I really need to wait until Janua..."
LOL at the idea of this being unethical!!
Personally, I like to spend December "free reading" and planning for my 2024 challenges, and I don't start counting books until January 1st. (I can start the book sooner, but it has to be finished on or after the 1st.)
But you can start right now if you want!! There's no rule that says you have to wait!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
XOXO (other topics)Comeback (other topics)
The Xenophobe's Guide to the English (other topics)
The Trees (other topics)
The Hunger (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Percival Everett (other topics)Victor LaValle (other topics)
Cherie Dimaline (other topics)
Alma Katsu (other topics)
I thought I wasn't going to do the horror prompt, but then I realized that The Vegetarian fits it, which is a book I want to read!