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2024 January Pick-It-For-Me Challenge
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☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi Fran, my January picks for you. Health and Emotional Well-Being
🎆with a fit-looking person on the cover
TBR: Destry
New: Liars Like Us
[bookcover:Destry|18453..."
Thank you so much Carmen! These picks look great - lots of new ones that I want to try!
Good morning, all and Happy Almost New Year!!Just setting a reminder here in the thread that picks for your pickees are due TONIGHT by midnight! As a reminder, the pairings are list in message 4 and you should pick for the person below you (or for the first in the list if you are the last).
I know it's a crazy time of year with lots going on and lots on with holiday, family or just end of the year stuff! So I did send reminders to those who's profiles are accepting messages😊.
Please let me know ASAP if you are unable to make your picks so we can make adjustments as needed.
(P.S. If we have any volunteers for extra picking, please also let me know!)
For Ella sorry I'm lateHealth and Emotional Well-Being
Some of the most popular resolutions center around improving one's health through such things as more exercise, losing weight or eating healthy; Emotional well-being is important too, whether this means taking time for meditation or increasing mindfulness, and can lead to better physical health. The reverse is true as well. Increased physical health can lead to healthier emotional and mental well-being.
Recommend a book
🎆with a fit-looking person on the cover-
(from list)🎆with a person smiling or laughing on the cover
🎆featuring a health or mental health professional (doctor, nurse, counselor, psychiatrist, etc.)
Family and Relationships
Many people make resolutions to spend more time with family and friends or to seek out ways to be more social or meet new people.
Recommend a book
🎆tagged family or features a family, a found family or a group of friends
🎆with more than one person on the cover
🎆by a new author for your pickee (a new friend!)-
(new)Work and Employment
Whether you work outside the home, are a homemaker or are retired, many people make resolutions about jobs and employment. Some people are looking to find more fulfillment in their daily job or feel they need to focus more on their career. Or maybe they need to improve their work-life balance.
Recommend a book
🎆with a workplace setting
🎆featuring a job you would like to have (or is the job you have and love!)
🎆with a 9 or a 5 in the page count (because many work days are '9 to 5'!)-
(new)Travel
Do you want to travel more? If I didn't have to work to live or it was free, I'd travel all the time! Traveling is a common resolution as people are curious and want to learn more about the world and experience cultures different than their own.
Recommend a book
🎆set in a country different than your own
🎆where the main characters take a trip, for any reason
🎆with a mode of transportation on the cover-
(from list)Finances
Whether you are young or old, finances seem to be a top resolution topic. People make resolutions to save more, spend less, spend differently or just to create and follow a budget. I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone resolve to spend MORE, unless maybe it's to spend more on charitable giving.
Recommend a book
🎆with a wealthy character or a character that is in a financial profession (banker, stoke-broker, accountant, etc.)
🎆that you spent little or no money on-
I just got this book from the library (from list)🎆where finances play an important role in the story (your interpretation)
Hobbies or Activities
Learn a new skill, spend more time on things you love to do, teach someone about the things you love to do - these are all resolutions that might be some of the easiest to keep as they relate to things we are already doing!
Recommend a book
🎆that you love
🎆by your favorite author-
(new)🎆featuring an activity you'd like to do or learn more about
Volunteerism or Activism
Most people will agree that it is important to give back to our communities, help those in need, work to improve our world or remove injustices. It's hard to focus outwardly with our resolutions but it's an important thing to consider when making them.
Recommend a book
🎆where a character helps another character (your interpretation)
🎆where a character donates their time or resources in some way
🎆with two hands on the cover (to represent helping hands)-
(from list)New You
All resolutions, no matter the area listed above, actually have at the heart the goal of improving yourself in some way in order to be a better person for yourself or for others.
Recommend a book
🎆that is new (released in the last 6 months)
🎆has all the letters of NEW in the title (any order)-
(new)🎆has all the letters of YOU in the title (any order)
Carina wrote: "TrinaHere are your picks. Happy reading!
🎇Health and Emotional Well-being
TBR - A Spirited Swindler
New - Sweet Dreams
[..."Thank you
Sonja wrote: "Whew, Christmas did not go as planned... Carrie promise I'll get your picks, but it may be coming down to the wire... Nancy H I managed to update my PIFM list today, hoping you haven't started ye..."
Completely understandable
Hi Carrie! Whew, just found time to get your picks in! I'm sure I've picked for you before and I know I've recommended a few of these... apologies if some are repeat recommendations! Health and Emotional Well-Being
🎆 TBR: The Girl in the Steel Corset (fit-looking person on cover)
🎆 NEW: Year One (doctor character) I’m still in this series and found it chillingly fascinating!
Family and Relationships
🎆 TBR: Written in the Stars (family)
🎆 NEW: The Lost Summers of Newport (family) This one surprised me!
Work and Employment
🎆 TBR: Sweetbitter (workplace setting)
🎆 NEW: Identity (workplace settings) Thrilling story!
Travel
🎆 TBR: A Most Agreeable Murder (different country) Sounds good!
🎆 NEW: The Paris Apartment (different country/MC takes a trip) Good one!
Finances
🎆 TBR: Belladonna (wealthy character)
🎆 NEW: A Study in Scarlet Women (got it free at the library!) Love this author’s other works and really enjoyed this one.
Hobbies or Activities
🎆 TBR: Silent on the Moor (love this author’s work!)
🎆 TBR: Like No Other Lover (another of my favorite authors) Know I’ve recommended this one before but I definitely recommend the series. This one can be read alone or after the first book, if you choose!)
Volunteerism or Activism
🎆 TBR: The Electric Michelangelo (two hands on cover)
🎆 TBR: The Botanist's Daughter (character donates time) This one sounds fascinating!
New You
🎆 TBR: The Bone Flower (NEW in title)
🎆 NEW: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (YOU in title) Highly recommend the audiobook if you can get it, but either way, this was great!
Hope you find something good and happy reading!
Nancy H wrote: "Hi Sonja, I had a few minutes so I was able to get your list done. Please let me know if you need any changes.
Health and Emotional Well-being: More than one person on the cover - [book:Codename..."
Nancy, these look so great! For sure my TBR doubled and I hope to find the time to get to all of them! Thank you and happy January reading to you!
Sonja wrote: "Hi Carrie! Whew, just found time to get your picks in! I'm sure I've picked for you before and I know I've recommended a few of these... apologies if some are repeat recommendations! Heal..."
Thank you, I read A Study in Scarlet Women a couple of years ago however. But that is fine there are plenty of others to pick from
Oh no! It didn’t come up when I searched your list! Well if you need another option, try the next in the series!
Looks like we still have several outstanding picks to be made. 😢I'm asking for a few volunteers willing to make some extra picks - let me know here or send me a PM. I'll assign the pickees to new pickers as I get volunteers.
I will be assigning new pickers only for those missing picks where I have heard from them or they made their picks.
LaurLa sorry for the lateness! Here's my picks for youHealth and Emotional Well-Being
🎆featuring a health or mental health professional (counselor)
🎆with a fit-looking person on the cover
Family and Relationships
🎆tagged family or features a group of friends
🎆with more than one person on the cover
Work and Employment
🎆featuring a job you would like to have
(I still think about going back to become a librarian sometimes)🎆with a 9 in the page count (because many work days are '9 to 5'!)
Travel
Recommend a book
🎆set in a country different than your own
🎆where the main characters take a trip, for any reason
Finances
Recommend a book
🎆with a wealthy character or a character that is in a financial profession (banker, stoke-broker, accountant, etc.)
🎆that you spent little or no money on
Hobbies or Activities
Recommend a book
🎆that you love
🎆featuring an activity you'd like to do or learn more about
(always wanted to ride a motorbike!)Volunteerism or Activism
Recommend a book
🎆where a character helps another character (your interpretation)
🎆where a character donates their time or resources in some way
New You
Recommend a book
🎆that is new (released in the last 6 months)
🎆has all the letters of YOU in the title (any order)
(This was something I adored but is not everyone's cup of tea!)
I can help with re-picks LaurLa :)
Fran wrote: "I can help with re-picks LaurLa :)"Thanks Fran! If you could pick for KathyD and Nancy H that would be lovely!
KathyD, Nancy H, SunnyCAGirl, Carmen, Maggie - we're working on getting your picks today! You will have them for the New Year for sure!! Thanks for your patience!
No problem LaurLa, I will have it done by the end of tonight :)
Hi LaurLa,No problem at all and no hurry. I would have volunteered to help with repicks but I am sick and trying to get over a bad case of bronchitis. We had a great holiday with 13 extra family here for almost two weeks, but unfortunately some of them came with colds, which they generously shared!! lol lol lol
LaurLa wrote: "KathyD, Nancy H, SunnyCAGirl, Carmen, Maggie - we're working on getting your picks today! You will have them for the New Year for sure!! Thanks for your patience!"
Hi SunnyCAGirl!! Here are your picks, finally! I admit I recycled the NEW picks from the other picks I've made this round but I hope you enjoy anyway! This year is starting with a bang for sure - let me know if you need any re-picks.
Health and Emotional Well-Being
🎆TBR: Royally Screwed ♾️ very fit
🎆NEW: How Much I Feel ♾️ medical professionals
Family and Relationships
🎆TBR: Beyond the Thistles ♾️ more than one person
🎆NEW: Zoey And The Nice Guy ♾️ features family
Work and Employment
🎆TBR: The Soulmate Equation ♾️ sort of workplace setting
🎆NEW: The Seven Year Slip ♾️ publicist is an interesting job
Travel
🎆TBR: One Night in London ♾️ set in England
🎆NEW: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute ♾️ a survival course trip
Finances
🎆TBR: Beginner's Luck ♾️ money plays a role
🎆NEW: The Game ♾️ wealthy
Hobbies or Activities
🎆TBR: Any Duchess Will Do ♾️ loved it!
🎆NEW: By Any Other Name ♾️ also loved it!
Volunteerism or Activism
🎆TBR: Never Fall for Your Fiancée ♾️ faking engagement as help? Maybe
🎆NEW: Instant Karma ♾️ donates time to a shelter
New You
🎆TBR: A Brilliant Match ♾️ released in November
🎆NEW: Role Playing ♾️ released in July
Hi Maggiel!! Okay - Done with your picks now!! I admit I recycled the NEW picks from the other picks I've made this round but I hope you enjoy anyway! This year is starting with a bang for sure - let me know if you need any re-picks.
Health and Emotional Well-Being
🎆TBR: Matchmaking Mischief ♾️ smiling
🎆NEW: How Much I Feel ♾️ medical professionals
Family and Relationships
🎆TBR: Love Next Door ♾️ tagged family
🎆NEW: Zoey And The Nice Guy ♾️ features family
Work and Employment
🎆TBR: The Lost Apothecary ♾️ being an apothecary sounds interesting
🎆NEW: The Seven Year Slip ♾️ publicist is an interesting job
Travel
🎆TBR: Bad Cruz ♾️ set on a cruise
🎆NEW: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute ♾️ a survival course trip
Finances
🎆TBR: My Unexpected Vow ♾️ wealthy billionaire
🎆NEW: The Game ♾️ wealthy
Hobbies or Activities
🎆TBR: Well Played ♾️ Vi and Penelope are 2 of my faves!
🎆NEW: By Any Other Name ♾️ also loved it!
Volunteerism or Activism
🎆TBR: Faking It with the Frenemy ♾️ hands on cover
🎆NEW: Instant Karma ♾️ donates time to a shelter
New You
🎆TBR: The Hate of Loving You ♾️ letters of you
🎆NEW: Role Playing ♾️ released in July
Hi Carmen!Sorry you had to wait so long for your picks! Hopefully I found something that makes the wait worth it!
Health and Emotional Well-Being
TBR: Gabriel's Long Haul by Jean Marie
New: Garrett by Sawyer Bennett
Family and Relationships
TBR: Well Played by Jen DeLuca
New: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Work and Employment
TBR: The Rivals by Vi Keeland
New: Year One by Nora Roberts
Travel
TBR: The Highland Fling by Meghan Quinn
New: The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
Finances
TBR: Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods
New: Fatal Consequences by Marie Force
Hobbies or Activities
TBR: Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis
New: Do Over by Mari Carr
Volunteerism or Activism
TBR: The Naked Truth by Vi Keeland
New: Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey
New You
TBR: Fall Into You by J.T. Geissinger
New: Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne
Happy Reading!
Thanks so much for picking for me LaurLa! I appreciate it. And Happy New Year!
LaurLa wrote: "KathyD, Nancy H, SunnyCAGirl, Carmen, Maggie - we're working on getting your picks today! You will have them for the New Year for sure!! Thanks for your patience!"No problem LaurLa!
LaurLa wrote: "Hi Maggiel!! Okay - Done with your picks now!! I admit I recycled the NEW picks from the other picks I've made this round but I hope you enjoy anyway! This year is starting with a bang for sure -..."
Thanks LaurLa! There are some on here that look good. Thanks so much!
Hi KathyD!Here are your picks for January- I hope you find something you love. Happy New Year!
Health and Emotional Well-Being
Tbr- Pucked Off- he's fit
Family and Relationships
Tbr- Indigo Ridge
Work and Employment
New- Bastard Boss
Tbr- Crushing on the Cop
Travel
new- The Summer of Chasing Dreams- plane on cover
tbr- Wild at Heart- plane on cover
Finances
new- The Good Part
new- The Mistress of Normandy
Hobbies or Activities
Tbr- The Spanish Love Deception- I want to go to Spain
Tbr- Forever- love this author
Volunteerism or Activism
New- One Night Only- helps
Tbr- The Proposal
New You
New- Baby, It's Cold Outside- YOU in title
Tbr- Inheritance- pub. 11/23
Happy Reading!
Hi NancyH!Here are your picks for January- I hope you find a goodie or two here. Happy New Year!
Health and Emotional Well-Being
Tbr- Mrs. Saint Nick- smile
Family and Relationships
New- The Soldier's Surprise Family family
Tbr- Caught A Vibe- two on cover
Work and Employment
New- A Firefighter's Christmas Gift 196 pages
Tbr- The Gingerbread Man- 155 pages
Travel
New- Hold on to My Heart- travel in story
TBR- Hotel Laguna- plane on cover
Finances
Tbr- Well Traveled
Hobbies or Activities
Tbr- Verity- I would like to try writing
New- His Runaway Campfire Princess- love this author
Volunteerism or Activism
New- One Night Only- main character helps
Tbr- A Modern Proposal- main character helps
New You
New- Emergency Contact - published 10/23
Tbr- Strawberry Lane - ‘NEW’ in title
Happy Reading!
I think we all have our picks now! Happy New Year and Happy Reading!!
LaurLa wrote: "KathyD, Nancy H, SunnyCAGirl, Carmen, Maggie - we're working on getting your picks today! You will have them for the New Year for sure!! Thanks for your patience!"no problem! 😊
Fran wrote: "Hi KathyD!Here are your picks for January- I hope you find something you love. Happy New Year!
Health and Emotional Well-Being
Tbr- Pucked Off- he's fit
Family and Relationship..."
thanks, Fran!
Fran, Thank you very much. These picks look great and I am planning to read as many as I can.
Fran wrote: "Hi NancyH!
Here are your picks for January- I hope you find a goodie or two here. Happy New Year!
Health and Emotional Well-Being
Tbr- Mrs. Saint Nick- smile
Family and Relation..."
Completion Post (I'll update this one as I read the books)
1/5/24 ****
1/9/24 ***
1/15/24 ***
~KarenH~ wrote: "Hi Carmen!Sorry you had to wait so long for your picks! Hopefully I found something that makes the wait worth it!
Health and Emotional Well-Being
TBR: Gabriel's Long Haul by ..."
Thank you Karen 😊
Completions!Still working through a few and have a hold on 2 in my library but I've really enjoyed the reads!
Dr. OB - 10/01
Tangled - 19/01
Stormsong - 23/01
Sonja wrote: "Hi Carrie! Whew, just found time to get your picks in! I'm sure I've picked for you before and I know I've recommended a few of these... apologies if some are repeat recommendations! Heal..."
Sadly I dnf'd The Lost Summers of Newport I got to 48% and I was getting bored. Hopefully the other book I have lined up to start will be much more successful.
☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Hi Fran, my January picks for you...."Hi Carmen,
I read Her Pastry Shifters from your list for me. It was a bit of fun, silly fluff and it made me smile. Thank you for the pick and for the push to get it off my tbr :)
Thanks again for the picks Aoife!! So many great options, so little time! I did get one read - it was a good read, a little different than I expected but I'll keep going in the series and see what happens.Finances
✅🎆TBR: Champagne and Lemon Drops ♾️ accountant ♾️ 01.21 ★★★
Thanks, LaurLa!I read
Royally Screwed and
One Night in London and like them both a lot. 4 stars each! Thanks for the picks!
LaurLa wrote: "Hi SunnyCAGirl!! Here are your picks, finally! I admit I recycled the NEW picks from the other picks I've made this round but I hope you enjoy anyway!
This year is starting with a bang for sure -..."
Sonja wrote: "Hi Carrie! Whew, just found time to get your picks in! I'm sure I've picked for you before and I know I've recommended a few of these... apologies if some are repeat recommendations! Heal..."
I finished a second of the list,
it was cute and I gave it 4 stars
Hi Maggie! Thank you so much for the picks! January was crazy, but I was able to read some of the picks off my TBR. Some of the new are on the list for future options though. 😊Limited Edition Husband by Lauren Blakely (read in December) 12.28.2023 - So good I went right into the next one!
Manhandled by Lauren Blakely (series rule) 1.1.2024 - Another good one!
Lost in Your Arms by Christina Dodd 1.3.2024 - I really enjoyed this one!
Chasing Secrets by Sloane Kennedy 1.9.2024 - Typical for the author, I enjoyed it!
Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb 1.11.2024 - LOVED!!
Part & Parcel by Abigail Roux 1.16.2024 - Sad to say goodbye to all these guys, but so glad I reread their books!
State of Bliss by Marie Force 1.19.2024 - Love all these books!
Thanks again!
~KarenH~ wrote: "Hi Carmen!Sorry you had to wait so long for your picks! Hopefully I found something that makes the wait worth it!
Health and Emotional Well-Being
TBR: Gabriel's Long Haul by ..."
Karen is was able to read
and I really enjoyed it. It was a 4.5 stars for me. I do intend to read a few of the others but it will be part of Feb's reads. Thank you :-)
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Gabriel's Long Haul (other topics)Rumor Has It (other topics)
Manhandled (other topics)
Limited Edition Husband (other topics)
Lost in Your Arms (other topics)
More...
Here are your picks - I hope they are worth the wait! For a change, picking new books was easier than the books from your TBR. I'm familiar with some of the authors on your shelf, but not those books. So with some luck I found some good ones for you! 🤞🏼
Health and Emotional Well-Being
NEW: Royally Screwed* by Emma Chase
TBR: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Family and Relationships
NEW: Cake* by J. Bengtsson
TBR: Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Work and Employment
NEW: Extreme Exposure* by Pamela Clare
TBR: Going for It by Elle Kennedy
Travel
NEW: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
TBR: Seek by Mia Sheridan
Finances
NEW: Big Rock* by Lauren Blakely
TBR: The Way I Hate Him by Meghan Quinn
Hobbies or Activities
NEW: Year One* by Nora Roberts
TBR: Play by Play by Kaylee Ryan
Volunteerism or Activism
NEW: Poison Princess* by Kresley Cole
TBR: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
New You
NEW: The Year We Fell Down* by Sarina Bowen (NEW) or The Family You Make* by Jill Shalvis (YOU) - I couldn't decide!
TBR: Finding You by Kelsie Rae
*I don't know if you enjoy audiobooks, but in case you do I marked the ones I listened to and enjoyed with an asterisk.*
Happy January Reading!!