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Archives > Spring 25 Read-a-Thon: Team Challenge Intro & FAQs

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message 1: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (last edited Feb 28, 2025 04:26AM) (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
It's our first Read-a-Thon of 2025, which is our tenth year of ATY! In the spirit of celebrating our anniversary, we are excited to get to know all of our members!

The theme of this Read-a-Thon is Get to Know You!

When: When you wake up Saturday, March 1, to when you go to sleep Sunday, March 8

Each group will be asked a series of questions, which you will answer with the books you read. You can answer these questions using the title, cover, or plot of the book.

Examples:

Title
How do you enjoy spending your alone time? Under a Dark Moon
What animal would you be? The Fox Wife

Cover
What is an essential part of your daily routine?
Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes, #1) by Travis Baldree (Coffee shop)
How do you define success?
The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas (House on a lake)

Plot
What's on your bucket list? The Unhoneymooners (Set in Hawaii)
What's your favorite hobby? The Gown (Protagonist who sews)

Wild Cards:
You can earn a Wild Card for every 2000 pages read or 30 hours of audiobook listened by the group. You have to answer the question in the threads when you use a Wild Card though!

Extra Bonus:
We posted a The Person Below Me thread last week, and it's been filled with amazing recommendations! For a bit of fun (and reading books recommended by our members), for every 9 questions you answer within the group, someone in your group must read one book from the recommendation thread!

The Spreadsheet
The spreadsheet for this challenge is a bit different from previous challenges. You'll see our normal tracking tab first, but then you'll see a completion tab. This is where you will copy the question you are answering, the book you read for it, a note about how it fits (if necessary), and who read it. Each 10 lines, you will have a line to put in a book from the recommendations thread! I've included some examples to guide you, but feel free to remove those lines when your group is up and running.

Remember, the goal of this read-a-thon is not necessarily to answer all the questions, but to get to know your group members! Multiple members can answer the same questions, but a member can't answer the same question more than once.


message 2: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (last edited Feb 28, 2025 04:12AM) (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
THE QUESTIONS

Who You Are
Which of your personality traits are you most proud of?
What's your highest priority in life?
What do you look for in a friendship?
What’s your favorite thing about your current job?
What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
What’s your favorite family memory?
How do you show kindness to others?
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
What is your definition of success?
What's your love language?
What’s on your bucket list?
If you had unlimited money to start your own business, what would it be?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
What dreams did you have as a little kid?

Personal Time
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
What was the best vacation you ever took?
Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
What are your hobbies?
What's one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Ideally, how would you spend your birthday?
How do you enjoy spending your alone time?
Do you like group activities, or prefer doing things solo?
If you could live in a book, which one would it be?

Favorites
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What’s your comfort movie or show?
Do you have any pet peeves?
What's your favorite season?
What's your favorite board game?
What’s your favorite content genre?
What's your most prized possession?
Who is your favorite author?
What's more important: family or friends?
Who do you most like spending time with?
Do you have a favorite holiday?
Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

Beliefs
What causes are you passionate about?
Do you believe in second chances?
Do you believe in soulmates?
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Do you believe in astrology?

Weird Questions
What’s your game plan in a zombie apocalypse?
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
If you could time travel, when and where would you go?
Which famous person in history would you want to spend the day with?
If you came back in your next life as an animal, what animal would you be?
What would be the title of your memoir?
If you had to wear just one color for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Would you rather be a superhero or a villain?
If you won the lottery, what would you do with all the money?
What's something you've always wanted to learn how to do?


message 3: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (last edited Mar 04, 2025 04:27AM) (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
THE TEAMS

Shaggy & Scooby
Captain: Erica
Captain: Sheena
Jillian
Sheyanne
JenK
Kathy
Emma R
Shelby

Batman & Robin
Captain: JennH
Captain: Roxana
Sherri
JessicaMHR
NancyJ
Joan
Kellie Lyn
Rachel

Thelma & Louise
Captain: J
Captain: Sophia
Chrissy
Kat
Allie
Tammie
Tamara
Susan
Kayleigh

Elphaba & Galinda
Captain: Traci
Captain: Kendra
Pat
Trish
Sue
Denise
Kelly Sj
Ciara

Timon & Pumbaa
Captain: Robin P
Captain: Andrea
Rora
Kate
Katherine
Nichole
Edie
Brittany

Tom & Jerry
Captain: Emily B
Captain: Nancy
Ira
Caitie
Elizabeth
Samantha
Fee
Joyce


message 4: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (last edited Feb 28, 2025 04:28AM) (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
FAQs

Q: I started reading a book before the Read-A-Thon. Does it still count?

A: Yes! As long as you have at least 100 pages left at the start of the challenge, you may count the book.

Q: What's the page requirements for this challenge?

A: A book must be at least 100 pages long. If it is a book with illustrations or a book of poetry, it must be at least 200 pages.


message 5: by Sheena (new)

Sheena Davis (sheenad) | 560 comments Are we continuing to add to 'the person below me' thread throughout the read-a-thon or is it/will be closed?


message 6: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
It will be open throughout the week, then we will move it to the Fun and Games folder! (Obviously, I just ask that you don't set your team up with a category like "a book you hope to read during the read-a-thon" lol)


message 7: by Sheena (new)

Sheena Davis (sheenad) | 560 comments Foiled my plans, darn it!! lol

Seriously though, that's awesome. I've been wanting to participate but so busy trying to get myself caught up at home and work so I can read ALL THE books next week :D


message 8: by Erica (new)

Erica | 336 comments Will you allow books of the Clean Sweep series as well as.


message 9: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
Sure, any book that is on GR is fair game, as long as it meets the page requirements


message 10: by NancyJ (last edited Feb 28, 2025 10:12AM) (new)

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 3532 comments Emily wrote: "Sure, any book that is on GR is fair game, as long as it meets the page requirements"

I think Erica meant is it ok for the Bonus books from the TPBM game. Clean Sweep was recommended twice I think, but there are others in the series.


message 11: by Robin P, Orbicular Mod (last edited Feb 28, 2025 10:20AM) (new)

Robin P | 3959 comments Mod
General tip -

Some of our members are very conscientious in following exact directions. For this Read-a-thon, creativity in answering questions is encouraged!

Literal truth is unnecessary - maybe your favorite food is actually pizza but you have a book with salad on the cover - use it! But if something does actually describe you, that's fine too. That would be one way to narrow down the many choices.

Remember you can use the title, the cover, or plot. For instance, questions on success, ideal vacation, favorite memory could be a cover with a picture of a home, a beach, a party, etc. A question about your hobbies or interests could be answered with a book that has such an activity, even if it's not obvious from the title or cover.


message 12: by NancyJ (last edited Feb 28, 2025 10:26AM) (new)

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 3532 comments Robin P wrote: "General tip -

Some of our members are very conscientious in following exact directions. For this Read-a-thon, creativity in answering questions is encouraged!

Literal truth is unnecessary - mayb..."


LOL. I like the idea of using fantasy answers. I could read a Pride and Prejudice retelling instead of looking for books about my husband, friends or myself. Thanks Robin!


message 13: by Erica (last edited Feb 28, 2025 10:32AM) (new)

Erica | 336 comments NancyJ wrote: "Emily wrote: "Sure, any book that is on GR is fair game, as long as it meets the page requirements"

I think Erica meant is it ok for the Bonus books from the TPBM game. Clean Sweep was recommended..."


Yes, thank you NancyJ that is what I was meaning. Sorry for my poorly worded question. That's what happens before coffee. ;)


message 14: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
Haha! I think that's acceptable - if someone recommended the second book in a series, I think it's fine to read the first (or whatever).


message 15: by Erica (new)

Erica | 336 comments Emily wrote: "Haha! I think that's acceptable - if someone recommended the second book in a series, I think it's fine to read the first (or whatever)."

Awesome thanks!


message 16: by Jillian (new)

Jillian | 2872 comments Robin P wrote: "General tip -

Some of our members are very conscientious in following exact directions. For this Read-a-thon, creativity in answering questions is encouraged!

Literal truth is unnecessary - mayb..."



This helps. The challenge is creative and confusing for me. I’m definitely in the takes tasks literal group.


message 17: by NancyJ (last edited Feb 28, 2025 03:53PM) (new)

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 3532 comments Emily wrote: "Haha! I think that's acceptable - if someone recommended the second book in a series, I think it's fine to read the first (or whatever)."

Great. There is a Mrs Pollifax book on the list too, and they’re all free on audible right now.

Added: Since we can fantasize, I might use a Mrs Pollifax book to answer the question about what I like about my job, I’m retired, so I’ll imagine that I became a spy at 62 just like she did.


message 18: by NancyJ (new)

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 3532 comments
- For every 9th question answered/book read, a book from the recommendation thread must be read


Does this mean that the 9th, 18th, etc books must come from the list? (1 out of 9)
OR
Does it mean that the 10th, 20th etc. books must come from the list? (1 out of 10)


message 19: by Jillian (new)

Jillian | 2872 comments NancyJ wrote: "
- For every 9th question answered/book read, a book from the recommendation thread must be read

Does this mean that the 9th, 18th, etc books must come from the list? (1 out of 9)
OR
Does it mea..."


On my team's spreadsheet completion thread it is book 10, 20, ect.


message 20: by NancyJ (new)

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 3532 comments Thanks Jillian!


message 21: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
Yes, numbers don't always number for me, but you read 9 books, then the 10th has to be a TPBM book... whatever I did on the spreadsheet lol


message 22: by Susan (new)

Susan (jazzescrapper) | 14 comments Is there still room for me? I have been really sick for the past couple weeks so I didn't see this sign up but now that I feel better I went into my inbox and saw this message


message 23: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
Absolutely! You can sign up in this thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 24: by NancyJ (new)

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 3532 comments If we only read part of a book, we can still count the pages or hours to earn wild card points, is that correct? I have some short stories I’d like to fit in, and I might start a book that I’m not able to finish in time.


message 25: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
Yes! Any pages read counts on your tracking and towards Wild Cards. Yesterday I read 25 pages of a book and DNF'd but I earned those 25 pages lol


message 26: by Trish, Annular Mod (new)

Trish (trishhartuk) | 1170 comments Mod
Do all the questions we answer have to be different? Or can we repeat questions?


message 27: by Kathy (new)

Kathy E | 3307 comments I'm reading the Large Print copy of The Wedding People which has 623 pages. Do I count the 623 pages or use the pages from the regular print The Wedding People which has 384?


message 28: by Jillian (new)

Jillian | 2872 comments Trish wrote: "Do all the questions we answer have to be different? Or can we repeat questions?"

I was wondering the same thing this morning and reread the instructions and the last lines say, “ Multiple members can answer the same questions, but a member can't answer the same question more than once.”


message 29: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
Yes, unlike most read-a-thons, the goal isn’t necessarily to check every (question) box, it’s to get to know each other. So we don’t want the same person answering the same question, but group members can all answer a question once each (so 8 answers to the same question).

As for page count, go with the format that you read!


message 30: by Kathy (new)

Kathy E | 3307 comments Emily wrote: "Yes, unlike most read-a-thons, the goal isn’t necessarily to check every (question) box, it’s to get to know each other. So we don’t want the same person answering the same question, but group memb..."

Thanks, Emily.


message 31: by Trish, Annular Mod (new)

Trish (trishhartuk) | 1170 comments Mod
Kathy wrote: "Emily wrote: "Yes, unlike most read-a-thons, the goal isn’t necessarily to check every (question) box, it’s to get to know each other. So we don’t want the same person answering the same question, ..."

Thanks, Emily.


message 32: by JennH (new)

JennH | 531 comments One of my team had a question about the TPBM/bonus book:

"I had a question about the TPBM book. Are we allowed to skip it if say, no one has finished there TPBM book and we have more finished books to input. ie: we reach book 20 on the list and I have a book to input but it is not a TPBM book can I just put it in the next regular book spot without the TPBM line being filled?"


message 33: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (last edited Mar 04, 2025 04:27AM) (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
Your call. My thinking was that you could fill it early (like you could fill spot 20 before spot 19), but you needed to fill it before moving forward (so you would have to fill spot 20 before going to spot 21).

However, if that holds up your group or makes this frustrating, then y’all can decide as a team that as long as someone has a book in progress for that spot, you can skip it and come back to it. I won’t be the challenge police on this one, and it’s not a competition, so do whatever makes this fun for your group.

I would definitely say you shouldn't skip more than one though (so you need to fill spot 20 before you get to spot 30).


message 34: by Emily, Conterminous Mod (new)

Emily Bourque (emilyardoin) | 11183 comments Mod
You can also use your wild cards for TPBM books!


message 35: by JennH (new)

JennH | 531 comments Emily wrote: "Your call. My thinking was that you could fill it early (like you could fill spot 20 before spot 19), but you needed to fill it before moving forward (so you would have to fill spot 20 before going..."

Thanks, Emily!

Emily wrote: "You can also use your wild cards for TPBM books!"

And I forgot all about the wild cards. They don't seem as important here, as they are in previous readathons.


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