The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
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How do you work on the challenge?
Tess wrote: "This is my first time doing the challenge and feel like I keep screwing up posts. Is it just me or were you like that the first time through too? I reread every post several times, go over the chal..."Even the most season readers mess up on posts from time to time. It's okay. It may take a few challenges to figure it all out.
Justme wrote: "I feel unduly punished by my age for the 50 pt challenge, so I guess I'll skip it."As the task creator I certainly wasn't trying to punish anyone. I love the classics, so reading an older book isn't my idea of punishment, it's a joy. You can choose any book at all from the beginning of the written word to 1916, it is literally thousands of options. I hope you decide to look for one.
There are lots of tasks that narrow things down for people, sort of send them through the chute to read certain things. Your task, your choice. Just cause it doesn't suit me...oh well. I'm sure you are having fun with it, and others. But age definitely 'controls' the reading on option 3...in a way that is not the same for every participant.I either over or under participate...so, I'm just voicing my experience as a newbie. Not criticizing your choices :) My first thought on my first task was to put people through the 'chute' to something I really like, but there really seemed to be a preponderance of that sort of task this season, so I went the other direction. Trust me, I'll get y'all later!
Allison, I just wanted to give you credit for inspiring me to think up some new ideas for the next task I get (maybe)...I was doing the dishes & my dark side popped out with 'challenging' possibilities, heh heh. I imagine there are people who are looking for more challenge than fun, as one-in-the-same...but I won't torture the newbies (just so I don't scare you away!) lol
I know this is going to seem mean and maybe it is, but seriously...no one is forcing anyone to participate in this challenge - all of the task creators work hard to come up with tasks that are fun and challenging, sometimes more and sometimes less - so its frustrating to me to see people moan and gripe about them. if you don't like a task(s) - then don't do them - but why complain...
:) Dee, you aren't mean to share your opinion. That what I was doing. As long as it's not an attack...just saying you don't like something is no biggie.
I have enjoyed finding books for the challenge so much. I'm looking forward to the Spring Challenge so I can start planning the books I read from the very beginning. So my question is: When are the challenges posted for the Spring Challenge?Read on!
Tess wrote: "I have enjoyed finding books for the challenge so much. "Finding books to fit the tasks are one of my favorite aspects of the challenge. I know I will never finish but I read books that I would never have read otherwise and often get to books that have been languishing on my tbr.
Its all in good fun.
When are the challenges posted for the Spring Challenge?There is a calendar in the Winter Thread (Winter Challenge 2016: Calendar)...all the tasks are posted at different times. I think most of them are finalized after about a week into the season, so it'd be sometime in March.
I was so impatient, this being my 1st full time...next time I'm just going to read for a while & then fit the books in, like I did in Fall; it was more fun for me...like a puzzle.
Tess - the new tasks for spring will come out around the 20th of Feb (or so) - but you can check the calendar for sure. That initial posting will have the 5, 10, and 15 point tasks; it also serves as the cut-off for the 30 point tasks.They will be posted as soon as finalized and the time period between the 30point cut-off and end of challenge is the 25point period
My new goal is to not look at the tasks until at least April 1st! Of course, that depends on whether I get a task to create (then I will look to try & come up with something different). I find that I stress too much if I try to read to the challenge, but enjoy most fitting the books as a puzzle. I'm glad I experienced both so I could settle on something that makes it fun for me!What I like so much in this challenge are all the ways to participate & that the tasks are written by lots of different people, so it feels like each season brings something unique (it will be interesting to see if I still feel that way once I am 'seasoned') w/much variety. So, thanks to everyone participating in making this a great challenge & especially our moderators for the eye-popping amount of work they must put into keeping it all on track!
I am a seasoned player and I still enjoy the challenges.
Oh, I imagine so! I was referring to whether I would see so very many 'unique' tasks...they may just seem that way because I have not seen years worth of them. But of course, they just may surprise me, too!
I think the tasks are pretty imaginative
Kathryn CA wrote: "Cheya wrote: "SPREADSHEET TEMPLATE ~ HELP!Dimrose suggested in the "Getting Started" section for SRC that some of the seasoned members might be willing to share a template for a spreadsheet. I jus..."
Hi Kathryn. I've been doing the task for a couple of years, although since my youngest children have been born I've done it in the background.. (keeping track myself but without posting completed tasks). I just wanted you to know that I have 'borrowed' your spreadsheet template as yours is a lot more colourful than my boring old one. Just wanted to say thanks for my new 2017 look. :) You have clearly put a lot of work into it. Thank you for sharing.
Paul wrote: "Kathryn CA wrote: "Cheya wrote: "SPREADSHEET TEMPLATE ~ HELP!Dimrose suggested in the "Getting Started" section for SRC that some of the seasoned members might be willing to share a template for a..."
I'm pretty sure I probably borrowed it from someone and then tweaked it years ago. But I am glad it helps!
...same with my old ropey spreadsheet. Its been begged borrowed and stolen from other members :)
In addition to using a spreadsheet, I use Notes on my iPhone to track ideas for book options, as I think of them. It's very helpful, since I always have my phone & I'm constantly having ideas. I like the challenge of trying to optimize my number of points. This is a very fun challenge!
I use Notes on my iPhone too to list categories that I still need ideas for, especially the tasks that require a picture on the cover. Then as I am at the library or wandering through the bookstore I have reminders of what objects I'm looking for.
This season seems to have more than the usual "find the author's initials in this word or phrase". It has made me very aware of just how many authors I read whose first or last initial is J and how very few of the phrases have a J in them. :D Definitely has me branching out on my authors.
30 days! I'm giving in & looking at tasks today to see where I am. I have read a ton & the anticipation was grand!
Justme wrote: "30 days! I'm giving in & looking at tasks today to see where I am. I have read a ton & the anticipation was grand!"Yeah, I've read several books but now I have to take the time to fit them in tasks. I just have been so busy this month. I created my spreadsheet for the challenge but that is as far as I got. And with every book I finish, it just seems more and more daunting. lol
I plan out all my books for the tasks...and then read books, not only for SRC, but for the other two groups whose challenges I participate in. Then I come back to SRC and try to fit in all the ones I read that were not on the original plan! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But, if it is any consolation, I do the same thing to all my other group plans.
I plan mostly for the SRC. I am also in Reading With Style and that one has more wiggle room because you can repeat tasks.
This is my first proper challenge- I just squeaked in at the end of the spring challenge and fortunately had some overlap with books I'd been reading on my own and managed a respectable 270 points with that. I'm 24, but I find spreadsheets finicky- I get much more pleasure and satisfaction from writing and tracking my reading by hand. The way I would do it before joining this challenge was that at the start of the year I would give myself 4-5 books a month that I required myself to read- usually one classic, one non-fiction, and two or three others I considered must-reads. Then the rest of the month I filled in with whatever books I like. Luckily a fair amount of the books I set aside for summer will also fit different tasks, so I don't have to worry about that. As for the rest, it's shallow, but I like to read books in an order that will look nice on my Goodreads reading challenge page, so that the colors will flow into each other. Silly, maybe, but it gets me hopping all over the place, genre-wise.
I have already been doing the SRC for nearly a year - this will be my fourth challenge! I am of course completed addicted to it. My spreadsheet is my pride and joy, and I am going to use this exclusively this time to track things. I had several word docs and of course the reading plan here on the website - it was getting too complicated. I just use my 'next' shelves on Goodreads to pick the books for each challenge. I need to have quite a few classics, romance - that includes regency romances ;) - , recent books, loads of fantasy, a few science-fiction and thrillers - quite the mix!
Then I just pick what I fancy reading at the time. I try not to look at the points. Up to now, except from last season, I've ended up at around 600 points. When I did force myself to read faster, I got quite fed up, and had a reading slump for a few weeks. So, never again. However, (teaching) holidays coming up so, I might fit in more reading ... naturally. We'll see. :)
Good luck everyone for this one - it is going to be HUGE!
In many ways i am like you Laura - i too have been doing it for a year. I am lucky to be retired and have completed the 3 I have done not so sure this one is going to be finished it looks Mammoth.I keep a paper record and a reading plan in the group.
I try to use my TBR and easily available books first
I buy very few books i think 1 each challenge so far
I use the library - physical and overdrive, I have an audible account so 1 title / month on there and find Kindle unlimited a boon
Classics over a certain age are often free on Kindle and i find certain authors are always good for initials in challenges.
Agatha christie is one and Sara Alexis has provided many books for me.
I try to keep page numbers low and just hit page requirements where necessary but that is not always possible. The 15 pointer 1 or 2 book tasks I ALWAYS find something to make sure it is 1 book rather than 2.
I admit to serious addiction to this challenge
Does anyone have a worksheet with the current Summer 2017 tasks on it? I've got the titles, but need the requirements and am hoping someone might already have typed it out. Would really appreciate it!
Rachel wrote: "Does anyone have a worksheet with the current Summer 2017 tasks on it? I've got the titles, but need the requirements and am hoping someone might already have typed it out. Would really appreciate it!"I may have something, but I just copy and paste then simplify the tasks - I don't include all the details of a task on my word doc.
If you are interested let me know, plus we are still missing quite a few tasks, so it is not complete. :)
Rachel wrote: "Does anyone have a worksheet with the current Summer 2017 tasks on it? I've got the titles, but need the requirements and am hoping someone might already have typed it out. Would really appreciate it!"I created a personal GR group where I copy and paste all of the tasks, organized by points, from the official group to that one. When it's time to post, I just add whatever book links are needed, cut out the extraneous language and post to the Completed Task thread. This works really well and ensures I don't miss any necessary task requirements.
I think one of the best things about a big challenge, is having a break from the frantic pace! If a task is more challenging than I'm in the mood for, I can skip it. Depending on whether I am trying for a 20 pt task, of course.I did peak at the challenges this time, but I enjoy most when I wait to start puzzling where books fit until about 1/2 way through the challenge, and just read for pleasure or other challenges. And boy does the anticipation build!
Neat idea Lorraine!
Rachel wrote: "Does anyone have a worksheet with the current Summer 2017 tasks on it? I've got the titles, but need the requirements and am hoping someone might already have typed it out. Would really appreciate it!"I have a google docs spreadsheet (like Excel) to help me keep track...with columns for post, date posted, task, book, author, # of pages, and comments. (Plus points, BB, GO, books read and tasks completed). I put any explanation needed in the comments line, including if I need to post a cover. And at the very bottom, a tabulation of everything I need to keep track (points, etc.).
I refer to the GR page though as I'm picking books, and again before I post to make sure I'm following the task.
I get almost all of my books from the library, so I color code each line with certain colors for book read, task completed, currently reading, and for books on hold. (my colors change every season...and I have fun deciding which I'll use)
My husband calls my participation in the challenge "competitive nerding"...and I won't lie...I spend a lot of time on it ! ;)
competitive nerding? Interesting.
Christi wrote: "My husband calls my participation in the challenge "competitive nerding"...and I won't lie...I spend a lot of time on it ! ;) "LOVE it ... My Hubby isn't so clever, he just says, "Are you STILL on the computer!?!!!!"
I am on this site, every day for a few hours and all day on weekends.
Lorraine wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Does anyone have a worksheet with the current Summer 2017 tasks on it? I've got the titles, but need the requirements and am hoping someone might already have typed it out. Would rea..."That's a really good idea!
I finished the challenge and now I feel lost. I have read a couple of just because books since, but there's something about the challenges that I look forward too. I like the earlier post about competitive nerding! Now back to my book. Happy reading!
Tess wrote: "I finished the challenge and now I feel lost. I have read a couple of just because books since, but there's something about the challenges that I look forward too. I like the earlier post about com..."Tess or any others who have completed any of the entire challenges- do you have any "secrets" to both complete the challenge as well as keeping it enjoyable? This summer's was my first (which I will not be able to complete) and I decided early on to just read at my natural pace and not try to "hack" the challenge, by trying to read the shortest books possible, for example.
First world problems, I know, but while I'd love the satisfaction of completing a challenge, I'm worried that I'd end up trying to hack it by reading really easy/short books (ie reading quantity over quality) OR that I'd just get obsessed with reading 24 hrs/day to the exclusion of everything else, which would make me miserable too!
NB: Loving this group and can't wait for the Fall challenge to start!
I honestly used to push to finish it - and did for a couple of years but honestly I got tired of reading books that didn't really interest me - now I read what I want and fit books in where they fall - much happier
Dee wrote: "I honestly used to push to finish it - and did for a couple of years but honestly I got tired of reading books that didn't really interest me - now I read what I want and fit books in where they fa..."When you did finish, did you have any tricks to read so many books in the 3 month period? Or were you just kind of spending all day, everyday reading?
This summer was my first time doing the challenge and I think I did see on one of the discussion boards someone saying that it was the largest challenge ever, so maybe previous challenges didn't require so many books?
You do have to be very dedicated to reading to finish the challenge, but it definitely can be done. It seems like some seasons are easier than others based on the number of finishers. For example it looks like there will be fewer finishers this season which equals fewer tasks for the fall. The since there will be fewer tasks for fall there will be more finishers in the fall to create more tasks for winter. So it kinds of goes up and down in a kind of cycle.I for one love that it does that and think it was an excellent plan set forth by our hard working mods.
I for one never try and find shorter books to read for tasks. I still want to read my normal books for the tasks. If I don't finish all the tasks, then oh well, life goes on. However I do use my SRC plan for my reading base for the season.
I must be missing something! How does the number of finishers influence the number of tasks?
Each finisher gets to create a two book task for the next challenge. If 5 people finish that is 5 tasks (10 books). If 20 people finish that is 20 tasks (40 books)
Ooh! I love that. Something to look forward to if I can ever finish.
Jennifer wrote: "Dee wrote: "I honestly used to push to finish it - and did for a couple of years but honestly I got tired of reading books that didn't really interest me - now I read what I want and fit books in w..."I do a lot of audiobooks - 2-3hr commute each day plus I try to listen at work...but I naturally read fairly fast so that helps
Dee wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Dee wrote: "I honestly used to push to finish it - and did for a couple of years but honestly I got tired of reading books that didn't really interest me - now I read what I want a..."Absolutely Dee, audiobooks make all the difference.
I been in this group for 12 years and never finished. I like planning the books I read. I normally read 12 books a season. Just do what you can. Have fun.
This was my third challenge that I participated in and the third that I finished. I start by matching up books on my To-Be-Read list with tasks and slot those in first. Then I look for other books to fill in. I do look for shorter books when it's a task that doesn't interest me such as science fiction but otherwise I read as many long books as short books. What I most care about is that it's interesting.I get almost all of my books from the library which is a countywide system so I spend a fair amount of time putting things on reserve and hoping they will arrive in time.
I also always have a book available on my phone so that I can read even in short bits when I'm waiting at the doctor's office, eating lunch by myself in a cafe, waiting in the car picking someone up and so on.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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I messed up a few at first, but feel like I've got the hang of it. Also feel like it'd be really easy to slip & goof, so it would be an 'oh, well' moment. I cut & paste each part of the requirements for each task, and then I go over again as I'm entering in the challenge (completed), and then, after I'm done, I go over it again, like...book, check, author, na/check, pgs, check...each part double checking before I submit. Then, I click through my links to make sure the info there is correct, too. I miss stuff all the time I have to fix that last check through... Give yourself time to get used to it!