Personal Goals for the Challenge

[Maria]

My first time :D I'll try to reach 200 point

[Teri-K]

Maria wrote: "My first time :D I'll try to reach 200 point"

Welcome, Maria! This is my second time with the challenge.
I hope you like it as much as I do. :)

[Trish]

I think that my personal goal for the next challenge will be to get through the season using books on my TBR list, rather than buying more!

[Meghan]

I am trying for *no errors* and to reach 500 points. Also, I want to whittle down my TBR pile.

[Sheila]

Trish wrote: "I think that my personal goal for the next challenge will be to get through the season using books on my TBR list, rather than buying more!"

Great goal Trish. Mine is similar. I have hundreds of audiobooks collected. I would like to be able to listen to and delete 40 of those during the summer challenge. My main goal though is to stay away from "The Wall"

[Cindy]

As a proud Canadian this next challenge I hope to fit in as many Canada Reads books as possible that are still on my TBR list.
For anyone interested in books about or by Canadian authors our CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) has a yearly battle of the books that are defended by some famous people. Here is a link to get you started for this years contenders and you can go to past winners and contenders. It is a pretty imptessive list.

http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads20...

[Sheila]

Thanks Cindy for the link. I have several fave Canadian authors. At the moment I am reading some Linwood Barclay.

[Cindy]

Sheila wrote: "Thanks Cindy for the link. I have several fave Canadian authors. At the moment I am reading some Linwood Barclay."

You are welcome, I am trying to get the word out that Canada has some great authors/stories!! I enjoy Linwood Barclay too!

[Donna Jo]

Cindy wrote: "As a proud Canadian this next challenge I hope to fit in as many Canada Reads books as possible that are still on my TBR list.
For anyone interested in books about or by Canadian authors our CBC ..."

Thanks for the shout-out, Cindy. Looks like I've got some good reading to look forward to.

[Teresa Jo]

My goal for the summer challenge is to actually read something. For the spring, my goals were unmet and I didn't even finish a single book. :( But school is over and I have time now to read read read!

[Katie]

For me, I'll be excited just to post some books. I've been part of the group for two seasons and during the last one, I was too busy, but during the first, I was just too intimidated by all the directions to start trying to post books! I'd also really like to read at least one book that's been translated from another language each month and might try to use the challenge to motivate myself to do that.

[Maddie]

I kind of jumped in right at the end of the spring challenge, but my summer challenge goal is to get at least 100 points. I also want to read at least 5 books on my shelf so I can give them to my friends and share the joy of English books in Japan. :)

[LouLouReads]

This challenge, I'd like to (finally) read Anna Karenina. I'd also like to read at least one book in German, and complete all the 30 point tasks.

[Teri-K]

Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "For me, I'll be excited just to post some books. I've been part of the group for two seasons and during the last one, I was too busy, but during the first, I was just too intimidated by all the dir..."

I was intimidated about posting when I started this challenge, too. :) So I began by reading 5 and 10 point books and posting them one at a time. They generally don't have any restrictions or requirements; just read a book that fits and post task number and title with a link to the book you read. Simple.

You can copy other people's successful posts and just substitute your info at first to get started. I made a template for myself from others' posts with a series of questions to ask myself to make sure I got it all right, but I tend to overdo things like that. lol I managed to get through my first challenge without any mistakes, though I did make one error this time around.

Also, there aren't actually any challenge police who show up at your door if you mess up. ;) The mods are patient with mistakes. It's really worth jumping in and giving it a go.

[Katie]

Teri-k wrote: "Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "For me, I'll be excited just to post some books. I've been part of the group for two seasons and during the last one, I was too busy, but during the first, I was just too ..."

Thanks for the advice Teri-k! I like the idea of making a template. I think that could really help.

[Laurel]

Gaining points is not what it is all about for me. I love the hunt for books to fit the tasks, and will be happy to take some books off my massive TBR list. I may break even since I need to add some to meet task criteria.

[Jenifer]

I've more than doubled my points from the last challenge and still have a week to read!

[Jenifer]

Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "Teri-k wrote: "Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "For me, I'll be excited just to post some books. I've been part of the group for two seasons and during the last one, I was too busy, but during the first, ..."

Here is a link to template. Feel free to use it if you think it will help. :)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[Katie]

Jenifer wrote: "Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "Teri-k wrote: "Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "For me, I'll be excited just to post some books. I've been part of the group for two seasons and during the last one, I was too bu..."

Thanks so much Jenifer! That's really helpful!

[Fairlee]

Get at least 200pts and stay off the board

[Karen Michele]

I have unusual goals this time. I want to read as many graphic novels as I can fit into 5, 10 and 15 point tasks and then also read some of the 500+ page books I have been putting off. I always play like I will be able to finish the challenge, but I never quite make it, so I thought I'd change up my mind set a bit for summer!

[Megan]

I aim to actually finish for the first time in...an embarrassingly long time *shifty eyes*

But since I'm done with my novel and got it all published, hopefully I'll be able to make it happen! Super-excited for Summer SRC 2015! I can't wait to get back to reading other people's books again! lol

[Lola]

Jenifer wrote: "I've more than doubled my points from the last challenge and still have a week to read!"

Congrats! I thought I met my points from winter, but I am 100 points behind. I am excited to have another week to read and rack up a few more. I was hoping to beat winter, but we'll see...

I use the challenge to help me get through my ever growing TBR. For both winter and spring, I used books I already had or were already on my TBR.

Like many, I was intimidated when I first looked at the challenge by the rules and the specific tasks. I find that printing out tasks and spending some time reading and rereading them is very helpful. As I read them, I make notations of books I have or are on my list to read that fit the tasks. I keep of folder for my SRC printouts and I have a library card composition book I use for additional thoughts, list and ideas about the challenge (I'm geeky like that ;))

So far, for the spring challenge, I've read fewer books (14 total as of today) than I did for winter (21 total) and have 100 fewer points. One advantage this go-round was being able to complete the 50 point task and have several 25 pointers done as well, but I still have quite a few books to ago if I want to beat my winter number.

Have fun everyone and happy reading!

[Lola]

Jenifer wrote: "Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "Teri-k wrote: "Katie/Doing Dewey wrote: "For me, I'll be excited just to post some books. I've been part of the group for two seasons and during the last one, I was too bu..."

Thank you so much for sharing! This looks great! Now to figure out how to use it…;)

[Sandy, Moderator Emeritus]

I use an excel spreadsheet, and one thing that I find useful is to set up my personal spreadsheet, in addition to the tabs for "plan," "posting list," and "books to work in," with separate tabs for each group of tasks (5 pointers, etc.). Every time I run across a book that sounds interesting and that would work for a task, I note it there, along with any necessary info (list it's on, etc). That way, I can look at that when it comes to actually choosing the book for the task, instead of saying to myself, "now, I know I ran across a book that I thought sounded really good that would work for this one, what was it?"

[Lola]

Lorraine wrote: "Jenifer wrote: "I've more than doubled my points from the last challenge and still have a week to read!"

OP edited because I apparently can't add or recall the past before I've had a cup of coffee. I thought I was even with my winter points and had a week of gravy reading ahead of me to beat that number, but alas, after looking at my records I see that I am actually 100 points behind. Shaking my head and diving back into the TBR. At least I haven't yet made a mistake on the completed tasks thread as I did in winter (hanging head in shame).

[Victoria]

I'm happy that I met my goals for the spring challenge, by a hair! I so far have 180 points vs. my 175 for the winter AND I have stayed off the question/problem board! I won't be participating in the summer challenge, but may return in the fall.

[Lindy-Lane]

i also love the hunt for books to fit the tasks. plan out my season reading journey with old-fashion notebook paper & pencil. gather the books into one fabric organizer bin, and start the reading. often i chuckle within myself over the feeling that it's the "kentucky derby" starting gate adrenaline at the beginning of each season to accomplish my goals.

each season i aim to complete at least 15 tasks and usually average 250+ points. i don't always aim for the higher point tasks first. in fact, the last few seasons i've tried to finish all the 5pts or 10 pts task first. but mostly it's just where the books i choose lead me and the mood of the day genre/book choice preference. there are some task #'s that i traditionally always complete (i.e. #20.10 [group read] and #50.1 [3 book task]).

posting for me is one task at a time and i usually wait for the readerboard updates before i post another task.

[Beth]

I completed the challenge in Spring as I set out to and I doubt I will ever try to do that again. I felt rushed. I neglected my magazines. I painfully finished things I wish I could have abandoned. Although I also enjoyed thing I would have never picked up otherwise. I kept track of how many books I read that were from my physical tbr shelves. This season my goal is to match or exceed that number and just get however many points that works out to.

[Donna]

Lindy-Lane wrote: "i also love the hunt for books to fit the tasks. plan out my season reading journey with old-fashion notebook paper & pencil. gather the books into one fabric organizer bin, and start the reading..."

I also love the hunt for books that will fit the challenge requirements. That is fun. But I don't use pencil & paper. I have 3 spreadsheets and easily find myself obsessing over them for many days when the task start being revealed. June 1st can't come fast enough.

[Lauren]

Well...

At the end of my first round of the challenge (Spring 2015), my stats are as follows:

Points: 700/1035
Tasks completed: 40/59
Books read: 59
Books actually used: 57
Two unused books. I'm going to have to plan better :0)

My goal for the summer challenge is to improve on these stats.

[Jayne, Moderator Emeritus]

As awesome as it would be to aim for completing the challenge, I think it's best I avoid it lest my optician gives me an earful for causing myself eye strain!

Honestly, my main goal is just to work through my insane collection of paperbacks, and hopefully whittle it down in time for moving in with my boyfriend. With that in mind, I'll be choosing my tasks based on what I already have a copy of and ruling out any that I don't have suitable books for.

[Pat]

Peakles


I've realized that I'll probably never finish one of these challenges. That disturbs me. My goal for Spring was only 500 points, and I will fall short even though I was reading books during almost all spare moments.

I think I'll try a different approach for Summer so my level of disappointment will be lessened.

[Cait S]

Pat, I felt similarly my first season. I had never not finished a challenge before, so when it came to like two weeks out and I realized there was no way, I was like.........oh.

But since then I've found that setting mini goals or mini challenges for myself to complete instead of thinking about the fact that I won't finish the main challenge... That helps a lot. I'm in other challenge groups with little challenges and so I use the SRC to fill in those. I say okay I will finish THIS challenge in the Spring season and if I do, success. Or I say I want to make at least 50 author tickets. or I only want to use library books. Etc

That way I still feel a sense of accomplishment for finishing something and I get to enjoy this challenge for how challenging it is :)

[Lola]

I am in awe of those who finish and of those who accumulate so many more points than I do. My first challenge was winter-21 books, 300 points. This season I will end with 22 books (two were over 500 pages) and 305 points. I really think I'd have to quit my job, cut off my family and friends and never make another meal to do much better than I've done the last two seasons :) The competitor in me is disappointed that I can't score much higher than I have, but that's just the way it is. My personal goal is to try to at least match the previous season's challenge and to continue finding books already on my TBR lists, shelves and e-readers to fit the tasks. I find that part of the challenge to be the most fun-and it helps me to actually read the books I've bought or have on my radar and want to read. This season, I read only one book that I couldn't make work for a task. Last season it was two or three.

[Pat]

Cait wrote: "Pat, I felt similarly my first season. I had never not finished a challenge before, so when it came to like two weeks out and I realized there was no way, I was like.........oh.

But since then I'v..."

Thanks for the great suggestions! Likewise, I've rarely, if ever, fallen short on a book challenge of any kind. I should probably spend more time reading and less time obsessively poring over my printed task spreadsheets. My hat is off to the moderators who can participate in the challenge AND spend so much time keeping the rest of us in line.

[Pia]

First challenge I entered, it was Fall and I made more than 600 points. I was in the top 30 for the mid-season cutoff. Then Winter and I had 460 points.
And now for Spring I barely made 310 points.
I'm a fast reader, but I'm a free lance event planner and I've been working non stop since January.
And for the Spring challenge I made a mess out of mi lists and read a book for one task and completely forgot about the second one needed for the same task.
So now, I'm trying to get everything in order before the task starts, and will be adding new books as soon as new tasks are out.
I also landed twice on the Wall of Shame. That was kind of embarrassing

[Bea]

I read a lot of books for Spring challenge that were not on my reading plan for SRC. Usually, I try to fit them in; but, this time, I decided to let my plan stand as is. I achieved 33% of the points.

I also read more Big Books - earning 7 tickets. Usually I am so intimidated by bigger books that I avoid them.

So...for someone who managed to have urgent major surgery this past season, I did accomplish some goals.

My goals for summer: continue to participate at whatever level I can; enjoy my reading; and have fun!

[Laurel]

Bea wrote: "I read a lot of books for Spring challenge that were not on my reading plan for SRC. Usually, I try to fit them in; but, this time, I decided to let my plan stand as is. I achieved 33% of the point..."

I really like your conclusion about getting what points you can, enjoying your reading and most importantly, having fun! I stopped doing challenges for awhile because I pressured myself into reading too any books I did not want to read, because they fit the tasks. My goals are the same as yours. Hope you enjoy this time around!

[Bea]

Thanks, Laurel. Glad to have you sharing those goals.

[Lauren]

Couldn't agree more Bea and Laurel. The point is to have fun and getting books of the TBR is a bonus!

[Beth F]

Based on my past performance, I’ve noticed that I usually tend to earn the most points in the fall and winter challenges and the least points during the spring and summer challenges. Knowing this, I’d like to challenge myself to earn lots of points (for me) without losing momentum by mid-June:

***I earned 720 points during winter and 370 during spring. My summer goal is to achieve the average between those two: 545.

***Finish 4 books/week

***I’m only allowed to buy 1 book for the next 3 months.

[Teri-K]

My goal this time is to not finish. :) I have completed the previous two challenges, but this summer I have lots of other things to be doing, including spending many weeks with my son, dil & and two young grandsons. So I plan to have more of a life and do less reading. And a lot of the reading I'll do will be hard to fit into the challenge. I'll continue the goal of not finishing books I don't care for.

It will be interesting to see how many points I end up with this time and if I manage to qualify to write a task or not.

Some of my enjoyment of this challenge comes from seeing what books others are reading. So I'll keep being a book voyeur. lol

[Bea]

LOL, Teri-k, I love the goal of "not finish". You gave me a morning laugh. Hope your day is a good one.

[Teri-K]

Bea wrote: "LOL, Teri-k, I love the goal of "not finish". You gave me a morning laugh. Hope your day is a good one."

Always happy to help someone start their day with a laugh. :)

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I reached the goal of not finishing the challenge since I started.

[Beth F]

Hehehe!

[Teri-K]

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "I reached the goal of not finishing the challenge since I started."

That's what makes it so fun - it's flexible! lol

[Ann A]

I love the planning part, so my favorite goal is just finding books to fit all the tasks - it's like solving a puzzle. I'll never be able to finish the challenge and I'm ok with that.

[Catie]

For the summer challenge, I'm going to add up how many pages you have to read to complete the challenge (so at least 100 per task), and try to read that many pages in total - even if I only complete ten or twenty tasks.

For previous challenges, I've sometimes put off reading longer books (especially the 450-499 page ones that don't quite get me a big book ticket!), because it would be a "waste" of the time, or because I could read two shorter books and get more points.

(So far, thats 8904 pages I'll be trying to read, assuming that there are no page requirements on any of the yet-to-be-posted tasks, including the 50-pointer. I fully expect that number will go up though!)