How do you work on the challenge?

[Sheila]

Lorraine wrote: "Sheila wrote: "@Teri - I wonder how you find out where you can get an out of state card. That would be well worth a yearly fee. I'm thinking it would be nice to have a card to the NYC library. I..."

Thanks for the great info Lorraine. I'll be sure and check those out.

[Katie]

I'm starting to make a spreadsheet to help gear up for the summer challenge, so I'm really appreciating all the great advice in this post!

[Teri-K]

Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "I'm starting to make a spreadsheet to help gear up for the summer challenge, so I'm really appreciating all the great advice in this post!"

The planning phase is almost as good as the reading. :)

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Teri-k wrote: "Donna wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Donna wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I thought the same thing about kindle vs. real books. Now it is just so much easier on my paperwhite. Instant gratification is obtaining ..."

I live in Tennessee too and use Tennessee Reads through the library. LOL :)

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Dee wrote: "Philly has a great out of state card - i think likes like $50 a year; also check and see if your library has any cross-town agreements, where you can get a membership by being a member of yours"

HMMMMMMMMMM Dee this sounds so tempting---where would we get info on this? At the main library page?

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I don't have a Kindle, I have a Nook. I love it because I can make the font size bigger. I am vision impaired. I so love large print books. I can read like an average sighted person when I read lar..."

I have 2 kindles and a Nook and I must admit I love my NOOK so much more. Between the two kindles I have had them replaced 11 times and still have one that doesn't work properly :( hence the reason I switched to the Nook. Even though I still read more physical books than the e-readers.

[Teri-K]

♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Teri-k wrote: "Donna wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Donna wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I thought the same thing about kindle vs. real books. Now it is just so much easier on my paperwhite. Instant gratificatio..."

You're the first person I've ever encountered who uses TN reads too! I think it's awesome!

[Lola]

Robin, for the out of state cards mentioned upthread (Philly Free, Brooklyn and Fairfax, Va) you can find info for obtaining the cards on each library's main page in their get a library card sections. Brooklyn emailed me my number within a day and then sent me a hard card card via snail mail.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I don't have a Kindle, I have a Nook. I love it because I can make the font size bigger. I am vision impaired. I so love large print books. I can read like an averag..."

I still read physical books. E-readers are nice if you are going somewhere and don't want to carry alot of books with you. I wish I had an e-reader when I went to England for student exchange. I brought like 7 books with me in my luggage. We didn't have tvs in the dorms so I read books.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Teri-k wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Teri-k wrote: "Donna wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Donna wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I thought the same thing about kindle vs. real books. Now it is just so much easier on my paperwhite. Ins..."

I have been using TN reads for several years now.....probably since it first came about LOL I use it more audiobooks or books for my phone. I keep my physical copies at home and have the ebook on my phone so I don't have to take a kindle or Nook with me LOL

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "♥Robin ♥ wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I don't have a Kindle, I have a Nook. I love it because I can make the font size bigger. I am vision impaired. I so love large print books. I can re..."

My mom is vision impaired so she also reads LP books and buys a lot of them because she has already read almost everything the library has. Yeah, when I travel out of town I take an e-reader with me but still prefer my physical books when I am home. There is just something about holding an actual book.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Lorraine wrote: "Robin, for the out of state cards mentioned upthread (Philly Free, Brooklyn and Fairfax, Va) you can find info for obtaining the cards on each library's main page in their get a library card sectio..."

Thanks Lorraine. Wow they were quick getting you your number!!! I am definitely going to check into these. You can never have too many sources for good books :) I probably should use my e-readers more than I do and maybe this will give me more incentive to do so.

[Jenifer]

Maybe I'm a slow reader, but how are people posting completed posts on the first day? I am impressed and a little jealous (maybe a lot jealous lol).

I want to clarify that my question is really about "how are you doing it?" and is not meant to accuse anyone of cheating. I know that finishers must have strategies to read so many books in such a way as to finish the challenge, and am honestly curious.

I also want to thank the member who messaged me, thinking I was speaking of her specifically (I wasn't), which made me realize I needed to clarify this post/question.

[Sarah]

Jenifer wrote: "Maybe I'm a slow reader, but how are people posting completed posts on the first day? I am impressed and a little jealous (maybe a lot jealous lol).

I want to clarify that my question is really a..."

My first challenge was this past one (Spring 2015) and I am so competitive, I absolutely had to finish.

So I made a fancy spreadsheet that tells me how many pages I need to read a day (of the books I chose) to complete by the last day. And only around 20-25 days in, did I realize that I was WAY behind reading the required number of pages per day for me to finish.

About half way through, I realized I could not finish with the types of books I had slated for the remaining tasks. So I took out a lot of the books I wanted to read but would take me a longer time to read -- literature, classics, 400+ page books -- and filled in those slots with romance and chick lit, which I love, but I can read 1-2 a night!!!

Once I started these "easy reads," I completed the challenge with no problem.

As far as posting on the first day, I was one of those (eeek!), but that's because my strategy for this challenge is different. I'm going to read all my lower-page-count books FIRST. 1 June, I was home waiting for the gas man, and I knocked out 3 graphic novels. Boom! 25 points.

Then, having front-loaded a bunch of the easier reads in June, I can take my time in July and August savoring some of my longer reads.

[Jenifer]

Shiraloo wrote: "Jenifer wrote: "Maybe I'm a slow reader, but how are people posting completed posts on the first day? I am impressed and a little jealous (maybe a lot jealous lol).

I want to clarify that my ques..."

Thank you so much for the great description on what worked for you!

I never thought about trying figure out how many pages I need to read per day. I'm going to give it a try and see if I can double my points this time.

[Dee]

i mix up short books and long books - i listen to audiobooks on my commute and now (by the grace of technology gods) at work while i'm doing paperwork at work

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Jenifer wrote: "Shiraloo wrote: "Jenifer wrote: "Maybe I'm a slow reader, but how are people posting completed posts on the first day? I am impressed and a little jealous (maybe a lot jealous lol).

I want to cla..."

I have never thought about getting a grand total for my books and then figuring out how many pages I need to read per day. But that does sound like a very good plan :)

@ Dee It would be very nice to be able to listen to audiobooks at work. The only time I would be able to do that is on the Saturday nights that I have to work 2 hours after the store closes hanging up sale tags. Maybe I could do a combo:the actual book for home and the audio for those Saturday nights of what I am currently reading :)!!!

[Coralie]

I work in the opposite direction if I'm aiming to complete the challenge. I start with the number of pages I know I can read in a week. Then I work out how many books I need to read in a week to complete the challenge. Then I mix long and short books to get the doable number of pages for the required number of books.

[BellaGBear]

I try to fill in as many books as possible I own and I have on my to-read shelve. Comics for the lower point tasks and books for the higher ones. Usually whenever I do not feel like doing anything I browse the net or library to fill in imposible tasks. THis year for example I am really struggeling with the Unesco cities one.

Once the challenge starts yhe first month I read everything I want. The second month I start books I nead to finish a task (two-book ones) and the last month orso I really try to finish all the books I started.

This allows me to read whatever I want, within thr challenge's borders, for quite a long time and really motivates my reading lots and quickly.

Everything is organized in an excel spreadsheat which I am very proud of because I got it to add my points automatically! I mainly use excell because I wanted to see if I got it working. XD. And ofcourse I colour code, because colours are awesome. Also I added a lot of random columns such as POV, date finished and how many pages it is so I can do some statistics afterwards if I want to. Just to see if I am able to do that as well with excell,

[puppitypup]

What a fascinating thread to read, I appreciate everyone taking the time to give their ideas to us newbies.

This is my first time with the challenge, and I have run into some unexpected stumbling blocks. I'm curious if anyone else has dealt with these, and what's the best way to handle them.

1. I loved the scavenger hunt aspect of picking books for each of the tasks, but since I did that right when I joined the challenge, it was over and done with within a few days.

I'm thinking next time maybe I shouldn't do that, or only do one section of the tasks at a time, so the fun will be spread out throughout the challenge.

But, at the same time, most of my books I received through the library, waiting for the holds. I read exclusively on my kindle, since I can make the font larger. And from what I can see, it doesn't look like the library is willing to do inter library loans for kindle books, unfortunately.

So, bottom line, I'm worried that if I don't do all the planning up front, I won't get the library books that I need. But I want to spread out the fun. The two goals seem to be at odds with each other.

2. As part of the planning, I switched my TBR list from GR to an excel spreadsheet so I could track more info, like who recommended it, the setting, era and so on. I mostly hang out in historical romance, and found it easy to fill many of the challenge tasks with those.

But I must admit I miss having my books on the GR TBR list. Is there any way to add notes to a book that's on my GR TBR list?

3. I am keeping my challenge list on excel, but I can't figure out how to keep more than one option for a particular task. I'm such a picky reader, I will stop a book after an hour of reading if it just doesn't appeal to me.

Has anyone figured out how to list lots of books under each option using a spreadsheet?

4. And finally, the biggest issue I'm facing is my lovely husband, who is just about perfect in every way except one. He doesn't seem to understand the importance of the reading challenge!

I've always been a voracious reader, usually 3 books a week or so, but that's gone up to about 5 a week now. Hubby is noticing the difference. (Our kids are grown and out of the house, no grandkids yet.)

I have backed off the challenge a little over the last ten days or so, making sure I am in tune with him when he wants to have "us" time, but I love games and have such fun meeting a challenge.

Anyone else having a hard time justifying why they simply must spend so much time reading? Or balancing real life with their reading addiction?

5. Oh, one more question, and it's probably a dumb one. I read through the bible every year, which is about 1600 pages fine print, 1900 pages in my larger font bible.

I'm thinking there is no way to fit my bible reading into an SRC task, since although it is to some extent an anthology, I wouldn't be finishing the entire bible every three months.

Can you think of any way to use that reading in the challenge?

All ideas welcome!

Julie

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

puppitypup wrote: "3. I am keeping my challenge list on excel, but I can't figure out how to keep more than one option for a particular task. I'm such a picky reader, I will stop a book after an hour of reading if it just doesn't appeal to me.

Has anyone figured out how to list lots of books under each option using a spreadsheet?
..."

On my personal spreadsheet, I have a separate tab for each category of tasks - 5's, 10's, etc. On that page, I list each task and the options I have identified, and I can add to that as I go along - for instance, when someone posts a book for a task that sounds good, I add it to that list. Then, when I'm ready to actually commit to a specific book for a task, I can look at that list to see what strikes my fancy.

[Nikki]

puppitypup wrote: "What a fascinating thread to read, I appreciate everyone taking the time to give their ideas to us newbies.

This is my first time with the challenge, and I have run into some unexpected stumbling ..."

I probably do things differently than most people as I dont really plan that much in advance. I'm 10 books away from finishing the challenge and I dont have a clue what 2 books of those books will be because I only plan a weeks worth of books in advance.

I use a large notebook - i use computers and spreadsheets everyday at work but for me a notebook works with the challenge printed out and glued into it so that when I am browsing through goodreads on my ipad I can just write down my notes. Also it makes posting the completed tasks easier as I dont have to switch tabs, i just open the notebook in front of my laptop.

So I go through the tasks and make a note as to whether I think they will be easy or hard to match books to. If they are hard i'll try and focus on them first or have "emergency" books assigned to them. Books that Ive maybe read before that will fit if I can't find anything better or like a general Stephen King or pop-fiction book I can get hold of easily. I also get inspired by tasks so might end up researching that topic with a few books.

Then i just go through it for 20mins a few times a week and build up my reading list. Mainly its finding books i want to read and then matching them to tasks. I always leave the most open tasks to last as I might find a book tomorrow that i really want to read. Also I troll through the help threads and see what other people are reading looking for inspiration. Additionally I listen to a lot of Audio Books and find Audibles daily deals always fill a few spots for a couple of dollars.

I think the key thing is to enjoy the process. Only read books that interest you and if you enjoy the process why finish it in week. As for the library not coming through, have another couple of books as backup. Its a 3 month task though so theres plenty of time.

As for partner hassle. I listen to a lot of audiobooks so thats while driving, doing chores, running etc. i tend to restrict reading to before bed and while watching TV. Handily I travel for work a lot so those times theres hours of solid reading :).

[Lauren]

One of my favorite aspects of this challenge is finding books that fit the categories from my existing TBR. Sometimes I find new books, which is great but on the whole they books are ones I already own or want to read.

I don't feel obligated to stick to my original list. If I'm in the mood for something else, I will find a way to fit it into the challenge and I keep track of everything using a spreedsheet in Google docs.

[Dee]

puppitypup/Julie - maybe try looking at one of the big libraries that allows out of state members - i think library of philly lets people join (and borrow ebooks from them) for like $50 a year; there are other places that do that

also check out your library for cross-town agreements - if you live in a certain county, it may have an agreement set up with another county that you can get a library card from them to use

[Heather(Gibby)]

When I do a book challenge I set up a new "shelf" in goodreads and add books I want to read for the challenge to the shelf. I then print out the shelf and makes notes on the printed copy of which challenge task I will be using it for.

You can make notes on books in Goodreads, when you add a review, you can make additional comments, but I don't find that user friendly at all as they are not easily viewable.. Under Review click on the "more options" link and you can add private notes.

[Rachel]

I haven't read all the posts on this thread, but I wonder if anyone has tried to create an app for this? I'm annoyed with my spreadsheet and think an app would be better. :) Thinking of giving it a whirl.

[Sheila]

Lorraine wrote: "Robin, for the out of state cards mentioned upthread (Philly Free, Brooklyn and Fairfax, Va) you can find info for obtaining the cards on each library's main page in their get a library card sectio..."

Lorraine I was wondering if Brooklyn has access to the NYC library through interlibrary loans. That would be a great deal if it did.

[Sheila]

I created my own private group to keep track of all things goodreads. That way I can do all my linking for my SRC posts ahead of time and then just do a copy/paste from my group to the SRC.

[Leana]

Rachel wrote: "I haven't read all the posts on this thread, but I wonder if anyone has tried to create an app for this? I'm annoyed with my spreadsheet and think an app would be better. :) Thinking of giving it a..."

An app would be seriously cool!

I created my own private group to keep track of all things goodreads. That way I can do all my linking for my SRC posts ahead of time and then just do a copy/paste from my group to the SRC.

Sheila, this is genius and I might have to adopt your idea! I've tried having a spreadsheet before but I hate the time it takes in the beginning to reformat stuff from the posts into a tidy looking spreadsheet - keeping the planning on GR avoids that step which appeals a lot!

[Sheila]

Faith, creating your own group helps a LOT. That way I try to include for each task any special requirements like saying the book is new to me or whatever ahead of time so that when I read the book I can just copy and paste the whole task onto SRC. I have mine split into posts by amount. One post has all the 5 pointers, another all the 10 pointers etc.

Then in another topic I put the posted tasks so that I can keep track better. I check them off as I finish them and they have been credited.

Hope that makes sense. Sounds kind of babbling to me.

[Leana]

Yep that makes total sense, thanks Sheila! Hoping with some planning I can end up with more points in the Winter challenge than I'll finish with this time around ;)

[[deleted user]]

Just joined the group yesterday and I'm very overwhelmed right now by the challenge-this thread was a great help! I hate spreadsheets (ie I suck at making them lol), so I was thinking of doing my own group, but I like the idea someone had of using a notebook. That way I have a memento of the challenge when I'm done :)

[Sheila]

Welcome to the SRC SaraJ. You are going to love it here. Did you get your readerboard name yet?

[[deleted user]]

Sheila wrote: "Welcome to the SRC SaraJ. You are going to love it here. Did you get your readerboard name yet?"

I requested one yesterday, but I haven't checked to see if it's been added yet. I'm nervous about starting the challenge, but I also think it's going to be a lot of fun, and it will introduce me to books/authors I wouldn't have known about otherwise :)

[Sheila]

So true, I've read books I would have NEVER read before and really liked them. Don't be nervous, it is all for fun. We have 3 very good mods keeping us in line and all are very friendly and helpful.

[[deleted user]]

Ok, just went out and bought a medium sized notebook, colored pens (just for fun lol), and post-it tabs.
Each task gets a page, where I'm writing the task number, what the task is, anything extra to be included in task (post cover etc), and then the book I think I'd like to read. Then I'm using the post-it tabs to mark the tasks that I already have the books for.

Then I bought a second notebook to keep track of the whole points thing, which I haven't quite figured out yet, but after the challenge gets started should make more sense :D

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I use a notebook to write down the tasks and what books I am reading for each task and I keep track of points. Yes, it can be overwhelming but don't feel you have to complete all the tasks. Just do the tasks you want to do.

[Victoria (RedsCat)]

Sara2 {The Library Nerd} wrote: "Ok, just went out and bought a medium sized notebook, colored pens (just for fun lol), and post-it tabs.
Each task gets a page, where I'm writing the task number, what the task is, anything extra ..."

I do something very similar, Sara :) But with a mini-binder rather than a notebook. It has divider tabs and pockets.

[[deleted user]]

Victoria (RedsCat) wrote: "Sara2 {The Library Nerd} wrote: "Ok, just went out and bought a medium sized notebook, colored pens (just for fun lol), and post-it tabs.
Each task gets a page, where I'm writing the task number, ..."

A binder with divider tabs is a great idea! Will remember that for next time :)

[Allison Ann]

The last week of the challenge and I always seem to be stuck with a couple of crappy chick-lit or YA novels that I really don't want to read. I do this to myself every single time. :D

[Nicola]

Allison Ann wrote: "The last week of the challenge and I always seem to be stuck with a couple of crappy chick-lit or YA novels that I really don't want to read. I do this to myself every single time. :D"

Me too :-) Although it's never chick-lit. Sometimes I get desperate and manage a last minute substitution for something that I'm actually enthusiastic about reading.

[[deleted user]]

Well, I ended up creating a private challenge tracking group for myself, to keep track of everything lol. I'm also doing a spell out challenge in another group (over 2,000 letters/books for that one oiy!!), so I think having a designated area on GR will help me keep things straight!

Ok, I'm all set up and ready to go-bring on the challenge :D

[Sheila]

Sara2 {The Library Nerd} wrote: "Well, I ended up creating a private challenge tracking group for myself, to keep track of everything lol. I'm also doing a spell out challenge in another group (over 2,000 letters/books for that on..."

That sure helps me keep track of all my challenges. I like being able to do all my linking ahead of time in my private group so I can just do a copy/[paste to the SRC.

[[deleted user]]

That's what I'm attempting to do Sheila :) I have the tasks listed that I'm interested in completing, along with the books I want to read to fill them. Then I have another section where I'm going to keep only my current task at-making sure I've got all the correct info, links, requirements etc. Then when I've finished the task I'll copy/paste it to here, and then re-start the process with another task :) In theory it should work really well, we'll see how it goes though once the craziness starts lol!

[Celine]

Sara2 {The Library Nerd} wrote: "Ok, just went out and bought a medium sized notebook, colored pens (just for fun lol), and post-it tabs.
Each task gets a page, where I'm writing the task number, what the task is, anything extra ..."

I've literally just joined the group and was feeling a *tad* overwhelmed by it all, and then I saw your post, Sara, and excitement at the thought of new stationary took over from the overwhelm, lol ;-)

Going to do some rifling through this thread to work out how best to organise my tasks and reading and then go hit a stationary store. Was already excited at the thought of discovering new books and writers, but now that I get an excuse to buy stationary - well that's a bonus!

[[deleted user]]

Celine wrote: "Sara2 {The Library Nerd} wrote: "Ok, just went out and bought a medium sized notebook, colored pens (just for fun lol), and post-it tabs.
Each task gets a page, where I'm writing the task number, ..."

I ended up starting a private Gr group to keep track of everything-really easy to keep track of things this way :) It takes like 30 seconds to get a new group going, if you wanted to go that route but don't know how to set one up just let me know and I can walk you through the process :)

Here's my group link (I'll open it to the public for a bit so you can see it). I'm also going to start using it to track other group's challenges that I'm doing as well :)

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

The folder labeled SRC Winter 15/16 is the new challenge stuff for this group!

[Sheila]

Your private group looks great Sara2

[[deleted user]]

Sheila wrote: "Your private group looks great Sara2"

Thanks! Since I'm also doing the insane Jelly Belly Jelly Bean challenge over at the CCC group, I figured it was time to start a private group to keep things organized :) I'll tweak it as I go along, but I feel really good with how things are organized going into the Winter challenge!

Ok, I really need to stop playing around with logo designs, group organization, designing for my hubby's blog etc etc and actually get reading here buwahaha!

[Melissa]

I have a Word document for each season with all the tasks, task descriptions, etc. copied over from each task help page and I make my notes and suggested reading there. I cross off tasks as I finish them.

I have an excel spreadsheet with tabs for each season where I keep track of actual books finished and the points, GO tickets, and BB tickets.

[Celine]

Sara2 {The Library Nerd} wrote: "Celine wrote: "Sara2 {The Library Nerd} wrote: "Ok, just went out and bought a medium sized notebook, colored pens (just for fun lol), and post-it tabs.
Each task gets a page, where I'm writing th..."

The group looks great! If don't mind, I'd love it if you could tell me how to set up the group for the challenge. I'm not very good with goodreads/technology in general, and it seems like it would make things pretty easy since you can copy and paste stuff once the challenges are completed :) I'm still going to get a notebook, because stationary, but something on goodreads will be good for later I reckon.

(Pretty amazed by the number of challenges you're taking part in btw! All for winter, or are they staggered?)