Challenge Guidelines and Comments

[Nell]

Scroll to the bottom of the main discussion page and click on "More Discussions".

So far I haven't figured out how to display this folder on the main page.

eta - Here's a link to the archives folder

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Nell]

Karen wrote: "Ok, I'm in for June. I'm going to try this. It's my first attempt so please let me know if I'm doing it wrong.
[bookcover:..."

I reposted this to the June '16 challenge thread.

[Karen]

Nell wrote: "Karen wrote: "Ok, I'm in for June. I'm going to try this. It's my first attempt so please let me know if I'm doing it wrong.[bookcover:To Catch a Leaf|1430234..."

Thanks!

[Kitty]

Not participating yet, but I wanted to clarify something before I tried it in the future. So I pick 2 books from 5 series, then select 2 books from 1 series someone else posted, then someone picks 2 books from 1 series for me. So are you saying I read all 14 books, or 2 books from the 12 I picked and both the books selected for me? I'm confused. Also what do I do if I can't find one or more of the books?

[Sharon]

Hi, Kitty. I'm a newbie to the challenges, but it's really pretty easy. You really only need to read two books a month from the series that's picked for you. I've been introduced to several I'd never heard of since I joined this year. I had to skip one month ... too busy. But I just jumped back in the next. And I can guarantee Nell, the moderator, is super helpful.

[Nell]

Kitty

It's much easier than that. For this challenge, you post 5 series that you are interested in reading. There have to be at least two book that you haven't read in each series. Players are randomly matched to pick for one another. Someone will pick one of your series for you to read. You will pick a series for someone else from the books they have posted. The goal is to read two books from the series chosen for you.

Also what do I do if I can't find one or more of the books?
Check before you post a series to be sure that either you already have or can find at least two of the books.

[Linda]

Thinking about trying this in January, although like a lot of others I don't read 2 books in the same series close together but thought I'd try this anyway. I just wanted to make sure that the books I pick in a series don't have to be consecutive, they can be any two books, correct? I have 2 books left in one of the series I'm considering (who knew narrowing it down to 5 would be so hard!) and they aren't the last two.

[Nell]

It can be any two unread books in the series. They don't have to be consecutive.

[Danielle]

I think I will join for May 2017. If that is okay?

[Danielle]

I mean sign up in May for June

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review), Co-Moderator, Featured Series]

Danie wrote: "I mean sign up in May for June"

You can join in any month Danie - but yes you have missed this sign up :(

[Nell]

Danie -

Sign up for the serial reader challenge runs from the 15th to the 20th each month. Looking forward to welcoming you for the June challenge. Keep an eye out for my email around May 15th.

Nell

[Danielle]

Thank you.

[Nell]

Question from Cynthia:
"So let me get this straight. Five series? Two books in each? For a total of ten (10) books? That sounds like quite a challenge. Is there a finish line (date you have to complete reading by)?"

You post five series. Your partner picks ONE of them. The goal is to read two books from the series picked for you during the following month. You're reading two books, not ten.

[Gary]

My mother passed away this morning and I am weighing whether or not to take a month off from challenges. Not sure if I should post a message in the July thread or not.

[Barb, Co-Moderator Challenge Expert]

I'm so sorry to read that, Gary :( Our thoughts are with you and your family.

[Gary]

I appreciate that.

[Meg]

Gary, so sorry to hear this...my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

[Gary]

Meg wrote: "Gary, so sorry to hear this...my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family."

Been hard to push through reading challenges the last 2 months or so. My mom went into the hospital at the end of March. My younger brother died 8 weeks ago. This is the easiest of the challenges I take part in....

[MadameZelda]

Gary, I find reading helps me during tough times. I cannot imagine the passage of two loved ones so close in time. My heartfelt condolences to you.

[Mary]

Gary wrote: "My mother passed away this morning and I am weighing whether or not to take a month off from challenges. Not sure if I should post a message in the July thread or not."

Prayers and love are being sent your way to you and your family! We know that you have had a struggle in the past few months. Know that my family and I will raise you and your family in prayer at our Church service this Sunday! May the Lord be with you and yours through this difficult time!

Mary W

[Marsha]

So very sorry to hear of your loss Gary. I find the less pressure I put on myself when too many things are happening in my life, the better I handle what needs to be done. Maybe you can challenge yourself and be forgiving if you are unable to follow through. My prayers for you and your family.

[Gary]

We spent the morning setting up my mother's funeral arrangements. Having thought about, I have really enjoyed this monthly challenge. One of the books from the April challenge got me through my brother's death from ALS. He didn't know he had it until he was told the diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic the day before he died. He had been misdiagnosed here in Michigan.

My mom was fighting a number of medical issues including tongue and throat cancer. (She never smoked) Ultimately it was a heart attack that killed her, despite the excellent care she was receiving.

I posted a partial list of series in the July thread. I need to add one and may swap out one or two others.

[C-shaw]

Gary wrote: "My mother passed away this morning and I am weighing whether or not to take a month off from challenges. Not sure if I should post a message in the July thread or not."

Oh, Gary, I am so sorry. I knew your mother had been sick. My best friend of 48 years died this week, so I share in your grief right now. Blessings and comfort I send you, friend.

[Gary]

I am sorry to hear about your friend. My prayers are headed your way as well.

[Meg]

C-shaw wrote: "Gary wrote: "My mother passed away this morning and I am weighing whether or not to take a month off from challenges. Not sure if I should post a message in the July thread or not."

Oh, Gary, I am..."

I'm sorry to hear this sad news, as well. Such long friendships are so special and cherished! I have a friend of 50 years and we are hopeful of adding many more years...

[Marisa]

Greg, sorry about your mother, I have read it just now. My prayers are really with you!

[Marisa]

C-Shaw, sorry about your friend. It's difficult to lose a person who has been so much time with you. I'll pray for you.

[Helen]

Gary and C-Shaw, so sorry for your losses.

[C-shaw]

Meg wrote: "C-shaw wrote: "Gary wrote: "My mother passed away this morning and I am weighing whether or not to take a month off from challenges. Not sure if I should post a message in the July thread or not."
..."

Thank you, Meg. I do hope you and your friend have many more years together.

[C-shaw]

Marisa wrote: "C-Shaw, sorry about your friend. It's difficult to lose a person who has been so much time with you. I'll pray for you."

Thanks, Marisa. I've already lost one best friend, my father, and my two aunts, in addition to others. That's one bad thing about getting older.

[C-shaw]

Helen wrote: "Gary and C-Shaw, so sorry for your losses."

Thank you, Helen.

[Gary]

C-shaw wrote: "Marisa wrote: "C-Shaw, sorry about your friend. It's difficult to lose a person who has been so much time with you. I'll pray for you."

Thanks, Marisa. I've already lost one best friend, my father..."

Losing family is hard. I decided I would get back to reading today, tonight I will be back cranking out paperwork for clients.

[C-shaw]

Reading has always been the way I deal with trauma - at least since I gave up drinking and drugs years ago. Not the best therapy, perhaps, since it's in essence a postponement of feeling (though better than my former way of handling stress), but when processing the pain of losing loved ones (whether to death or betrayal), during plane takeoffs and landings, when experiencing worries of all kinds, I read read read like crazy until the pain lessens. Whew, I've said too much. So much for remaining aloof from the world, huh?

[Gary]

C-shaw wrote: "Reading has always been the way I deal with trauma - at least since I gave up drinking and drugs years ago. Not the best therapy, perhaps, since it's in essence a postponement of feeling (though be..."

Thanks.

[Barbara]

Gary and C-Shaw, I am terribly sorry to hear of your losses. My prayers are with both of you.

[Nell]

C-Shaw and Gary - I am sorry to hear of your losses. Be kind to yourselves. Grieving is a process; it evolves over time and expresses itself in different ways.

Reading cozies has helped me through difficult times, especially ones that are 'light' and predictable. The distraction can be a relief or a respite when life is hard.

[C-shaw]

Barbara wrote: "Gary and C-Shaw, I am terribly sorry to hear of your losses. My prayers are with both of you."

Thank you, Barbara. Prayers help in every situation!

[C-shaw]

Nell wrote: "C-Shaw and Gary - I am sorry to hear of your losses. Be kind to yourselves. Grieving is a process; it evolves over time and expresses itself in different ways.

Reading cozies has helped me throug..."

Your comments are so true, Nell. Thank you for your uplifting remarks.

[Gary]

Thanks Nell.

[Nell]

There are at least two authors with long-running series that are starting over with a new publisher. The series' name is changed slightly but it's really a continuation. The books will be counted as the same series for this challenge.

So far I've seen this with:
Denise Swanson - Scumble River Mystery becomes Return to Scumble River
Sally Goldenbaum - Seaside Knitters becomes Seaside Knitters Society

Let us know if you notice any others.

[Helen]

Glad to hear the Scumble River series is continuing. These books are among my favourites.

[Julesy]

Not exactly a long-running series since there are currently only 3 books, but Eva Gates is continuing her Lighthouse Library series with a new publisher. I believe the name of the series remains the same, however.

[Marisa]

Glad to know about Sally Goldenbaum and Eva Gates.

[Judy]

Heather wrote: "Sounds great!"

I would like to join for September as well.

[Nell]

Judy wrote: "Heather wrote: "Sounds great!"

I would like to join for September as well."

Great! The thread for September has been posted. Please post five series of your choice in that thread.

[Nell]

The current monthly posts note the name for each month's full moon. Full Moon names date back to Native Americans of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. The primary source for this information is https://www.farmersalmanac.com/full-m...

[Sharon]

Hi, Nell. I've got a question about short story anthologies. There are a few collections of Miss Marple and Hercules Poirot books. Can they count as a novel in the serial reader challenge?

And thanks for letting me get by without pictures. Today I happen to be on my computer, but I generally use the Goodreads app on my phone and some features aren't available there. I just posted my June picks and I'll try to get them switched to pictures today.

Thanks!

[Nell]

Sharon wrote: "Hi, Nell. I've got a question about short story anthologies. There are a few collections of Miss Marple and Hercules Poirot books. Can they count as a novel in the serial reader challenge?

And tha..."

Yes, Agatha is the grand dame of traditional mysteries. I can't say no to an anthology of her stories.

btw - I did not set a minimum page requirement for this challenge.

[Nell]

Serial reader challenges are archived after six months. Find older challenge months at this link:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...