The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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How do you work on the challenge?
My TBR list on here is like over 600 books.
I wish we could upload pics here to show you my TBR pile. I thought after the challenge it would be smaller, but it keeps getting bigger."So little time, so many books"
And as other people have said, the point here, at least for me, is to read things that interest you. I'm definitely not reading books for some challenges.
I do admire the people that finish the challenges, or rather I envy that they have so much time to read!
From what I've seen, most of the people that finish the challenge, don't read any BB, but that doesn't mean anything, as they might have read 499 page books. And for me, anything above 400 pages is BIG!
I agree with Pat - I don't think Jayme was being judgmental. No one is judging how any of the finishers got to the finish line - it's a remarkable achievement. It would be remarkable if all someone "read" were children's picture books (assuming they were allowed). Just finding books to fit the challenge tasks (let alone actually reading them) is an accomplishment! If someone asked for a tip on how to get the challenge finished, I'd certainly recommend finding some shorter books.
That being said, how many pages a book has, may not necessarily be an indication of how fast a read it is.
Outlander and The Brothers Karamazov are both BIG books (by anyone's definition. But I sailed through Outlander and struggled with TBK (and finally gave it up about 600 pages in).
Read what you like, be willing to read a little outside your comfort zone now and again, fill in as many tasks as you can and have fun.
Book Concierge wrote: "That being said, how many pages a book has, may not necessarily be an indication of how fast a read it is.Outlander and The Brothers Karamazov are both BIG books (by anyone's definition. But I sailed through Outlander and struggled with TBK (and finally gave it up about 600 pages in)...."
Absolutely! Books also vary a huge deal in how many words are actually on a page.
I'm definitely on the 'this is fun, read accordingly' list.
The Brothers Karamazov will be tackled though during the next challenge. Along with Ulysses, Infinite Jest and probably House of Leaves. Hah! Yes I really don't have a prayer of completing next seasons challenge...
Print size has to do with how many words are on the page. If the print is smaller, you can fit more words. However, the smaller the print, the harder it is for me. I read Les Miserable for a challenge and that was over 1400 pages. The longest book I ever read.
Mod
..."
Actually, that's not necessarily so. Many people who routinely finish don't bother to claim BB tickets - they do no good at all to finishers, because the only reason to claim them is to have a chance at developing a task. And, because of this, we now delete the names of finishers from the BB and GRA lists, since they are no longer relevant.
Sandy wrote: "Pia wrote: "From what I've seen, most of the people that finish the challenge, don't read any BB, but that doesn't mean anything, as they might have read 499 page books. And for me, anything above ..."I didn't know that.
But anyway, finishing the challenge with any kind of books, small or big, is awesome!
Nicola wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "The Brothers Karamazov will be tackled though during the next challenge. Along with Ulysses, Infinite Jest and probably House of Leaves. Hah! Yes I really don't have a prayer of completing next seasons challenge... "
Infinite Jest and House of Leaves are fabulous and worth sacrificing finishing! :)
This was my first SRC and I joined late in September. At first I set myself the goal of 25 books - which was more than I normally read in a three month period. But I got totally addicted to the challenge and it really motivated me to read more - I ended up reading 53 books - more than the rest of the year in total! Towards the end I got really motivated thinking I might finish as top rookie - but I think I just missed out :(But anyway, it was a great experience and I'm looking forward to Winter. I definitely won't finish this one, but maybe some day!
Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Print size has to do with how many words are on the page. If the print is smaller, you can fit more words. However, the smaller the print, the harder it is for me. I read Les Miserable for a challe..."I read Les Miserables during the last challenge. It was my 'bath book' and so it took me ages as well. Totally worth the time though.
I read in the bath too! Thought I was the only one on the planet!!!!Do you wake up with nightmares about dropping a library book in the tub? Me too.
LOL
Pat wrote: "I read in the bath too! Thought I was the only one on the planet!!!!Do you wake up with nightmares about dropping a library book in the tub? Me too.
LOL"
I always have at least 3 books on the go now. I have an audio that I listen to while walking or doing housework, I have an ebook I'm reading on my nook which gets carted around everywhere and I have a not too heavy physical book for reading in the bath.
So far no droppages....
Well it would kinda hard to read in the shower unless you had a waterproof book :)
I use my kindle and any long books I can grab an audio for, I will. I don't always end up finishing the challenge, but I like to try for a bit x
Gemma, I'm like you - I LOVE the list-making/organizing part of this challenge! It's probably the best part! But I need to relax this season and just read books I want to. So I'm going to make a list of all the books I absolutely want to read this winter and then find tasks where they fit. Once I finish those books, I may work on one task at a time. But then again, I don't know, once I go look at the list of tasks, I may get the major itch to start planning a book for each and every one.
i started out super organized - books in slots etc; then realized i was forcing myself to read books I didn't want to readnow i look at the tasks - figure out which are the most restrictive and try to finish those first - more open ones, I tend to leave towards the end where I can slot in more books and just go from there
my spreadsheet is very basic - task number, points, sum of points, tasks remaining and just got from there
Hi all - I just joined tonight and I've already mapped out my strategy. I printed out the challenge list. As I take my next book from my TBR pile I see if it matches the list or not. I'm not caring really how many points I rack up personally I'd just like to see how many challenges I can complete.My issue is I have over 1000 books in my home (yes that's my TBR pile) plus add to that my 20+ books on my TBL for Audible, plus my 600+ on my Nook and the 2000+ on my wishlists. This makes it harder to sort and figure out what I should pick for which challenge so I pulled randomly about 60 books from my shelves to narrow it down a bit. :)
Holy cow girl, that is alot of books.
Dee wrote: "i started out super organized - books in slots etc; then realized i was forcing myself to read books I didn't want to readnow i look at the tasks - figure out which are the most restrictive and t..."
I started out super organized too Dee :) and ran into the same problem. It seemed like the books I had slotted I didn't want to read and a lot of the time I would force myself to read them. I don't like forcing myself to read anything LOL If you are like me it takes away from the enjoyment/fun factor.
Now, I usually do the easiest or least restrictive tasks first.....usually the ones that follow the general, standard SRC guidelines/rules with no set page numbers or too many specifics. I tend to get more accomplished this way. Then, I start tackling the harder ones if I still have time. Sometimes, I surprise myself and have an "A-HA" or "lightbulb" moment when I realize that one of the books I have read fits one of the most restrictive tasks and think that wasn't so hard fitting that book in LOL.
Last season and this season I have a friend working on the challenge with me :) She and I have a private group where we have figured/picked out several book options from our TBRs for a lot of the tasks so we have choices :) instead of just slotting in ONE book per task. This seems to help too especially since I am a mood reader.
I am "very challenged" when it comes to spreadsheets. I just don't do well with them and they can sure make me start pulling my hair out LOL So I just use the private group to track my books, what I have claimed/posted etc which is what I have done for every challenge I have participated in. Works good for me but still applaud all of you who can use the spreadsheets :) I also still use from time to time,for various reasons, the old pencil and paper method.
♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Dee wrote: "i started out super organized - books in slots etc; then realized i was forcing myself to read books I didn't want to readnow i look at the tasks - figure out which are the most restr..."
For the first 3/4 of the challenge or so, I just read what I was planning to read anyway, and fit them in. The one time I tried to put them all in first, I definitely kept changing my mind and then I couldn't read what I want. Almost all of my books are from the library, either hard copy or ebook, and so I want to be able to read what I need to read when the holds come in. With very popular bestsellers, I won't be able to get them again for a while.
Then once I get close to finishing, I go to my TBR pile to see what might fit, or look at the help thread for suggestions if it's a genre with which I'm unfamiliar or don't typically read.
I didn't participate last time, between a crazy work schedule and having to move Thanksgiving weekend (for the second year in a row) but hopefully I will get a chance to jump back in again once I have a better handle on the unpacking....
I keep double booking and sometimes triple booking myself. I forget I already assigned a book to a task and I go and put it in another task.
For the Fall challenge I used a Word doc. Now I have a spreadsheet; I thought I had all the books assigned but I forgot about the 20 & 25 point tasks that are just being posted, so I'm moving half the books around and trying to fit others.
Peebee wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Dee wrote: "i started out super organized - books in slots etc; then realized i was forcing myself to read books I didn't want to readnow i look at the tasks - figure out which a..."
I have some library books that I need to read this time too.....thankfully I found homes for them :) I also go to the help threads for suggestions if I am just clueless on what to read. A lot of times I find books that I have access to or can get easily.
I am glad you are still stopping by even if you aren't participating. It's always nice to see familiar faces :) I hope you get all the unpacking under control as there is nothing worse than moving IMO. Good luck, take care and good to see you!!!
Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I keep double booking and sometimes triple booking myself. I forget I already assigned a book to a task and I go and put it in another task."My friend and I have got a help thread for tasks in our private group and we have double booked some books because they fit in multiple tasks...But we each have a thread with our separate reading plans and we try to watch each other and double check to make sure we aren't making mistakes etc but sometimes we goof up :)
I catch it when I go back over my task list then I have to cross out the book that I double or triple booked and find something else.
♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Peebee wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Dee wrote: "i started out super organized - books in slots etc; then realized i was forcing myself to read books I didn't want to readnow i look at the tasks - fig..."
Thanks, ♥Robin ♥ -- it's hard to stay away. The move went well, and I'm reasonably settled (which means I've put my books back on the shelf and uncovered my library books before they are past due) but it's the time of year that between the holidays and football, less reading gets done. Probably won't be able to do this challenge, but you never know....maybe one day I'll start getting books plugged in and will be hooked again....
Any tips on getting through the dull or tiresome books that you do want to read and finish but its like walking through sand to do so?. Books like Ulysses and The Master and Margarita make me stop reading and clean the house and its supposed to be the other way around !!. Its not about the size or age of the book (Middlemarch is a fav book), its more about the prose.Does anyone do like 20 pages a day ?
I read middle march by doing 1 chapter am/PM on the metro - abt 15-25pgs a day
Have you tried audiobooks I find I do better with classics that way
Since I am a list maker and goal driven, I set a certain number of pages per day to read; and I make it reasonable (10 or 20 or a chapter). If the book is very dull, sometimes a reading buddy will keep you on track. That is the only way I got through Sons and Lovers. (Hated his writing style but wanted to read the book.)
Nikki wrote: "Any tips on getting through the dull or tiresome books that you do want to read and finish but its like walking through sand to do so?. Books like Ulysses and [book:The Master and Mar..."With those types of books I tend to read about 10-15 a day. You'll find if you do that you'll get through it quicker than you think :)
Yes I do the Audiobook thing but Im always wary of using audio for the dull ones as my mind just tunes out. I haven't thought of doing audio in short segments though, like 15mins at a time. I might try that and see how I go.Thanks peeps xxx
I read a lot and am varied in the type of books I've got around me so I can generally suit my book to my mood, sometimes I just want a lighter hearted book, other times I'm happy to wade through dense prose and philosophical ponderings. If I do come across a book that is proving rather a challenge I take it a bit slower, I'll often do some research around it to give me more of an appreciation of what other people see in it. I haven't given up on a book yet but never say never...
Oh, and don't forget rewards. A tough book needs rewards! Something fun to look forward to doing.
Nikki wrote: "Yes I do the Audiobook thing but Im always wary of using audio for the dull ones as my mind just tunes out. I haven't thought of doing audio in short segments though, like 15mins at a time. I might..."I use audible for audio books, it's got a built in timer. :)
How I finish a tough book really depends on my mood. Sometimes I just put on some music and brew some tea and make myself read for so many hours or until I finish it. Other times I set a certain amount - usually by chapters - to read each day, and read that much before I pick up anything else. If it's a physical book I put a bookmark in the target spot and read toward it. And sometimes I find alternating between audio and reading can help me stay interested.Right now I'm reading a book for my book club and this challenge which is well-written, but it's about concentration camps, which I hate reading about. So for each amount I read in that book I treat myself to the same amount in a fun book.
On the other hand, if I truly don't like a book I rarely finish it. Why bother when there are so many good ones out there?
Nikki wrote: "Any tips on getting through the dull or tiresome books that you do want to read and finish but its like walking through sand to do so?. Books like Ulysses and [book:The Master and Mar..."
Yeah, if the books hasn't hooked by the 10-15% there is a good chance I am going to stop reading it and find a different book for the challenge. So far I have dropped off about 6 books that I just couldn't make happen.
I try to give a book at least 50 pages.....if it hasn't hooked me by then, then it isn't worth my time.Life is too short to ready books I don't truly enjoy!
Teri-K which book about concentration camps?
Nikki wrote: "Any tips on getting through the dull or tiresome books that you do want to read and finish but its like walking through sand to do so?. Books like Ulysses and [book:The Master and Mar..."I finally, finally finished Ulysses last January. Basically I picked it up and started reading from the very beginning (again), and then forced myself to read it in chuncks for as long a period of time as I could. I wrote notes in the margins, although they didn't really help, (other than to maybe keep me from nodding off), but when I reached the last 100 or so pages I just inhaled it because I said "This stupid book isn't going to beat me!" lol I can't recommend skipping it, since I felt the same desire to accomplish it, and I did feel pretty proud for a while, but mostly I just hated that &%$*ing book. I read a lot of classic literature in college, and I still don't understand why that is supposed to be one of the best books ever written. Joyce sounds like a mentally ill person with a very high fever tripping on acid.
The Auschwitz Escape by Joel Rosenburg. I've read Anne Frank, The Hiding Place, Hersey's The Wall and a few others, but I find those books pretty tough to take and I usually don't read them.Dee wrote: "Teri-K which book about concentration camps?"
*also a color-coder*Of course I keep like....four different list versions going according to various sorting methods and in paper/electronic too. haha. I have a plethora of issues. ;)
I like to get all the tasks with books slotted (extra options if I have them on hand/on my tbr) and then when the challenge starts, I read whatever tickles my fancy.
I usually have a "slower" book going along with others and try to have a variety of genres/types of stories. I usually have 4-5 books going at a time. They're divided between: Physical/Kindle/Kindle app/Audible, playway or Overdrive audio. Then I divide up by when I read them.
Work/Commute/Cooking/Cleaning/Etc = Audio
Pre-work (I am usually ~30 mins early, so I like to sit in my car and read)/Break = physical or kindle books
Home/Downtime = whichever one I am closest to finishing/most invested/wrapped up in at the time.
Bedtime = Something that doesn't require much brainpower/Start something new.
Dividing them to different parts of my day helps me keep them separate in my head / along with having them in different mediums.
If something isn't progressing or I'm not enjoying it, I will drop it and replace it. Forcing myself to slog through something (English degree...I've slogged through too much already.) will usually put me into a reading slump.
Jumping around so much though means that I have 5 tasks right now that are 1/2 completed, so that can make me twitchy if I go too long without reporting a task. lol.
*waves* Hi, I'm new here! I'm not sure how well this structured game will fit in with my personal 2015 Diversity Challenge (all recreational reading to be by authors in marginalized groups), but it will be interesting to see how well I can make an overlap, so I thought I'd try.I could never make a detailed reading plan. The most organized I could get is an Amazon wishlist or Goodreads bookshelf where I toss on TBRs. Then when I finish a current read and want the next, I look at the TBR list and pick the next one. If there's a group discussion, that might influence me, but not if I have a more exciting book to read.
Nikki wrote: "Any tips on getting through the dull or tiresome books that you do want to read and finish but its like walking through sand to do so?. Books like Ulysses and [book:The Master and Mar..."
Think of all the books you will never ever EVER get to read before you die, close the book you aren't enjoying, and go get a book you will.
Sorry, I'm afraid I cannot help there!
However, I do have bath reading advice for Kindle readers. Go on ebay and run a search for Kindle waterproof case. It's no good for iPads, since they use a different kind of screen, but for Kindles, you can read away in the bath with no fear of drowning your darling! I do half my reading there.
One more comment on reading books that are hard to read. I have read a few that I have slogged through. Like a lot of people, my mother feels it is a waste of time. Others have advised me to "just see the movie".
Here's my take. If it is a book that I really want to read (i.e., Les Misérables or Sons and Lovers), then it is worth it to me to finish it - even if I hate it. The writer and I do not need to agree for me to get something of benefit from reading his work. However, I must admit, that this is only classics that I will plough through. More modern works are more likely to be DNF.
For the record, I am glad I read the above two books. One I hated; the other I admired and learned from. But, regardless, I am more enriched by my exposure to both of these authors and their times.
New observation.I have noted in the past several challenges that books totally selected because they are on my home shelves or obtainable through the local library for tasks often relate to each other.
Last challenge, I was reading The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale Of Love, Murder, And Survival In The Amazon for Task 25.1 and At Play in the Fields of the Lord for task 50.1. Turns out they are both set in the same area of South America - along the Amazon.
This challenge, I just finished reading The Wizard of Seattle about a master wizard in modern times named Merlin for task 30.5 and then picked up The Crystal Cave for task 30.6. Turns out it is about King Arthur's Merlin.
Not planned. Just happened. Nice occurrances, huh?
Nikki wrote: "Any tips on getting through the dull or tiresome books that you do want to read and finish but its like walking through sand to do so?. Books like Ulysses and [book:The Master and Mar..."I try to read 50 pages a day. Usually ends up being 30-60 depending on how much reading I get done.
This was my first challenge, and I really wanted to finish it completely. I knew I'd be busier in late Jan/Feb, so I front loaded my reading. My other goal was to read a lot of TBR. I calculate I read over 50 TBRs and I finished the challenge, so that was great.But this time I'm thinking I'll take a different approach. I still want to use a lot of my TBRs. But I'm not sure I care if I finish. I may just read what I want, see how those books fit the challenge and see how many points I end up with.
Anyone else considering a different approach this time around?
I'm the same way. It was my first time, and I was excited to finish, but I'm not sure if I can do it again. I dropped a lot of other things to just read-read-read and I think I'll be a lot more casual this time! Plus there were at least three books that I forced myself to finish that would have been definite DNFs if I hadn't needed them to fill a slot. That's just not me! I don't force-read! I just don't!That was only a very few books. I read a much larger number of books that were complete treasure finds for me, that I never would have read otherwise. I think that's the best part of the SRC challenge, and the part that will reward the participant whether they finish or not. :)
Happy wrote: "I read a much larger number of books that were complete treasure finds for me, that I never would have read otherwise. I think that's the best part of the SRC challenge, and the part that will reward the participant whether they finish or not. :) ..."Well said Happy, U used to push to complete all tasks too and did so for many seasons. Now I am more relaxed about completing and have really enjoyed the books and tasks I did finish.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Seven Perfect Things (other topics)State of the Union (other topics)
All Fall Down (other topics)
Terminal City (other topics)
A Christmas Carol (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Catherine Ryan Hyde (other topics)Brad Thor (other topics)
Erica Spindler (other topics)
Linda Fairstein (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
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To me, it sounded like a logical observation. Of course the more books the challenge requires, the more likely that finishers will be reading shorter books as well as multiple delivery systems of those books. There's only so many words anyone can take in at a time. The fewer words in a book, the fewer pages in a book, the faster that book can be read.
It's not a judgement. It's just a fact of the way the challenge works. I don't think there's any reason to be "pissed" off or defensive.
Come on. Seriously. It's only a challenge. It's supposed to be FUN, not divisive.