The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion
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Personal Goals for the Challenge
Lauren wrote: "There is no way I could do this challenge without the library."I've kind of let myself go wild on buying Kindle books for the Spring challenge. So I think a budget friendly quarter might be in order :)
Lauren wrote: "There is no way I could do this challenge without the library."I agree Lauren. The library is my best and only resource.
I go to my local library at least twice a month.
I started the challenge a few seasons ago as a way to help me choose my next read and to direct my TBR. I don't buy or borrow any books specifically for the challenge-everything I read has to be already in my TBR or on my radar. So far this has worked great and really helped me to finally read books that have been on my list for a long time.
I'd like to be more organized on the next challenge . I lose track of what ones are done and what books I used. . Even if I wrote them down it'd help ,but I'm looking for a better method ( paper and pencil type ,instead of a list on here )
Do any of you have a good system for staying more organized ?
I don't know how to make spreadsheets and that type of stuff .
Do any of you have a good system for staying more organized ?
I don't know how to make spreadsheets and that type of stuff .
Julie wrote: "I'd like to be more organized on the next challenge . I lose track of what ones are done and what books I used. . Even if I wrote them down it'd help ,but I'm looking for a better method ( paper an..."Being organized is definitely key! This season, I bought a mini loose leaf notebook. Every book I read gets a page with potential tasks listed under the title. I also note the author name, MPGs, page number in the book and other possible relevant-for-tasks details. I then check-off the book as it's posted, and note the date and the message number from the completed tasks thread. There is a page for me to list each task as it's posted as well. I also print out a copy of the task list and note there when I've posted a task, what message it was in and what book I used. Finally, I created a private group here on GR where I can post draft tasks, ideas for books to match to tasks and links to threads in this larger group. There is a degree of overlap, but I find that all of this helps keep be organized.
Thank you for the ideas, Lorraine :)
Julie wrote: "I'd like to be more organized on the next challenge . I lose track of what ones are done and what books I used. . Even if I wrote them down it'd help ,but I'm looking for a better method ( paper an..."I make a shelf for each challenge and mark them as read when I post them on here
Julie wrote: "Thank you for the ideas, Lorraine :)"You're welcome! I hope some of them help. I used many ideas from this thread when I was getting started with the SRC. If you read some of the older messages, you will see details on setting up a private GR group for tracking. I use that group for all of my challenges and also my book club reads.
Mod
I'd be lost without my spreadsheet - for my personal reading, as well as for moderating.
I have one page for all the tasks, where I note the book I plan to read once I decide on it. Another page of the spreadsheet for posting, to keep track of the tasks I've posted, and the books I've read for a task that are waiting for me to read the second book for that task. And a page on the spreadsheet for each point group of tasks, to keep track of ideas for each task - for instance, if a task calls for an author with certain initials, I can go through my lists once, jot the names down there, and then worry about picking one later.
I am in several groups, so I have a shelf on GR for each group's challenges. I also have an Excel spreadsheet for each challenge. On my SRC spreadsheet, I make a note of any books that I am reading for another group's challenges that were not planned for SRC. I use that list later in the quarter to replace SRC books that I have not yet read to increase my points.
Thanks , everyone , for all your help. I'll try to come up with a more organized plan to start the Summer Challenge.
I also think I should check more books in the Help section before assuming they will work. The main area I forget to do is get ebooks verified for length.
I also think I should check more books in the Help section before assuming they will work. The main area I forget to do is get ebooks verified for length.
I use a Google Spreadsheet and would be completely lost without it. It is adapted from one that a member shared in either this or the "how do you work the challenge" thread. Sorry, but I can't remember whose it was.If anyone is interested here is a link to mine. Feel free to use and adapt:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Hi Lauren
Sorry if I sound like a Dingbat , but how would I get the filled-in areas blank to put in the new categories for June ?
Thanks for any assistance you can offer , and also is there a way to just print off a blank one of these and write in the categories , points and books, etc ?
Thank you
Sorry if I sound like a Dingbat , but how would I get the filled-in areas blank to put in the new categories for June ?
Thanks for any assistance you can offer , and also is there a way to just print off a blank one of these and write in the categories , points and books, etc ?
Thank you
Julie wrote: "Hi Lauren Sorry if I sound like a Dingbat , but how would I get the filled-in areas blank to put in the new categories for June ?
Thanks for any assistance you can offer , and also is there a way..."
Not a Dingbat at all :0)
You need to make your own copy of the document and then you can edit it.
You do this by going to "file" then clicking "make a copy".
Once you have your own copy you can clear all the fields and print out a copy. Choose "file" and then "print"
Thanks very much. I appreciate the help. :)
Julie wrote: "Thanks very much. I appreciate the help. :)"Sure thing. Hope it helps keep you organized :0)
Lorraine wrote: "I started the challenge a few seasons ago as a way to help me choose my next read and to direct my TBR. I don't buy or borrow any books specifically for the challenge-everything I read has to be al..."I do the same, Julie. Right now I do not aspire to complete the challenge fully so it's more about matching books on my TBR list and getting to as many of those as I can.
My goals for summer would pretty much be the ones I've had for several years of SRC challenges.Have fun!
Read some great books that I ALREADY HAVE!
Don't create any extra work for our hard working mods by making sure my posts have all the info required the FIRST TIME.
I've got my own private group all ready to go to fill in on new task day. I just love new task day.
I'm trying to read through several TBR lists in somewhat of an order -- alphabetical from my physical bookshelf, chronological order from Goodreads TBR shelf, books for three book clubs, and weaving in non-fiction occasionally. If they fit in SRC, then that's great.
I love how many great finds I discover by checking the posts of what other people in SRC read :) I am halfway through the challenge and only had 2x 2 star books. I also enjoy to broaden my reading experience, too often I tend to fall into a romance or mystery rut and read nothing else for a while, so SRC opens up a nice variety every season ;). And hunting for books that fit a task are half the fun of the challenge. Love that!
Maybe I hold back with buying new books in summer, who knows ;) I always think I can use them in the next challenge ... Although it would kill me if I couldn't rely on audiobooks and paperback books from the library system.
I am specifically trying to avoid having finishing the challenge as an actual goal because this is my first time, and going through all the tasks made it feel VERY overwhelming!So, my goal this time around is just to get the hang of the challenge, really. xD
I think I'd like to be able to say that I at least finished all the 5 and 10 point tasks, though, since those all sound so easy.
This is my first time attempting this challenge. I already have a reading list planned for the year, including books I need to read for other challenges. I went through the SRC Summer list and chose books that fit the challenge based on what is already on my reading list for the year and just rearranged the order of a few things. I tallied up my expected point value and I came up with 320 points which isn't terrible for my first foray into this type of challenge. I was originally hoping for closer to 500 points, but that doesn't seem realistic for me based on my already busy reading schedule this summer. Looking forward to a summer of reading!
I'd got super busy in life and work in 2014/2015 and even though i was still collecting books i wasn't much reading them. Now i've got an enforced period of rest because of health reasons i'm jumping back into reading heaven and have used this reading challenge to make a dent (very small) in the 200ish books i have yet to read in my house.
I've just spent today making 6 pages of notes and choosing all the books for every single challenge and lining them up in a small bookcase in the living room :) Now my aim is to get through at least 30 of them with this challenge, more would be a bonus and to discover some new favourite authors hopefully.
well if you are on bed rest, reading passes the time. I am sorry to hear you need to be on bed rest.
Thanks Jayme, i'm sure the doctors will have me as good as new shortly and the positive is that i get to read lots of lovely books.
My goal is to stick with the challenge. I've attempted this challenge a few times and never stuck with it until the end. I don't care if I finish, I just want to attempt to finish until it's over.
That sounds like so much fun Nicola! Having them all lined up. :)
Nicola wrote: "Thanks Jayme, i'm sure the doctors will have me as good as new shortly and the positive is that i get to read lots of lovely books."Your readerboard name is the same first name of the author of a book I just finished reading.
Alisha Marie wrote: "My goal is to stick with the challenge. I've attempted this challenge a few times and never stuck with it until the end. I don't care if I finish, I just want to attempt to finish until it's over."
You can do it Alisha! Just break it up with other challenges or random reading if you are feeling a slump.
Daphne wrote: "That sounds like so much fun Nicola! Having them all lined up. :)"
Daunting too! Makes you realise how many books go into the challenge
Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Your readerboard name is the same first name of the author of a book I just finished reading."
That book is on my list for task 25.8 :)
Enjoy the challenge everyone!
Sheila wrote: "My goals for summer would pretty much be the ones I've had for several years of SRC challenges.Have fun!
Read some great books that I ALREADY HAVE!
Don't create any extra work for our hard workin..."
Sheila, I love new task days too. The hunt is always satisfying.
My goal is to read more classics and books I own. I'm also doing a year long 12 book challenge with specific books identified (all of which I own). I want to fit as many of those books as possible in to the summer challenge, since I've only read 2 of them and it's already July! I'm not focusing on points this season but rather # of books.
I joined ages ago but never stuck to the challenge but I've rejoined as I need to tackle some more TBR books. I'm not buying new books unless they are for university so everything is from my current tbr shelf and the only editions will be books I receive for Christmas.My 3 aims are:
1. To read 20 books.
2. To continue going until the end of the challenge.
3. To waste less time online and more time reading.
Katrina wrote: "I joined ages ago but never stuck to the challenge but I've rejoined as I need to tackle some more TBR books. I'm not buying new books unless they are for university so everything is from my curren..."Now, your number 3 is also high on my priority list. Stop reading Goodreads and adding to my tbr!
My first challenge is nearly finished, and I will manage, I think, to get into the 500 point range. I am not sure if I should aim for more points in the next challenge. I could have got more points this time if I had prioritise the 'shorter' and 'easier' books on the list.
I 'lost' a bit of time with two huge books in November - but I don't of course regret it!
So my aim for the next challenge will be:
- same point range as per last challenge (500 or so)
- keep mixing up the genres and adding more 'classics'
- stop adding to my tbr!
-
Readerboard name: EmilyD1037I think I am going to start with a goal of reading for 250 points.
I don't know if I could finish the whole challenge anytime, but as this is my first challenge (Winter D16-F17) I know I won't get the rules down that fast.
#2. Read the books I have. I have thousands .. e-books and paper. I have most of one set coming from Amazon, but that is it until I get some read and out of the house.
#3. Read at least one BB and a few, say 1 of GO.
#4. Spend at least 30 min per day reading.
#5. Complete all 5/10/30 points challenges
Brand new here ... my goal for the Winter challenge (D16-F17) is to learn the rules and hopefully not screw up! Then in spring I'll see if I can set some real goals.
Make sure you read all the tasks carefully, some require you to add information when you post. There is a thread called Questions?Problems in the Completed Task Thread. We seasoned readers call this the wall of shame because if your name appears on it, you made a mistake in posting. It is okay if you make mistakes :). The moderators will ask you to fix the error and repost.
Alycia wrote: "Brand new here ... my goal for the Winter challenge (D16-F17) is to learn the rules and hopefully not screw up! Then in spring I'll see if I can set some real goals."I found the quickest way to learn the rules is to read through the Problems in completed tasks thread
I agree with you. I've read 4 books since first of year and still havent figured if they meet the challenge or how to figure points. I will be working with you to try and learn the rules. Good luck to you.
When posting a completed task, I find it helpful to copy and paste the entire task from the task list into the comment box and then delete the unnecessary parts before I post. That was I can make sure I've hit all of the requirements for the task as I am posting it.
Peggy wrote: "I agree with you. I've read 4 books since first of year and still havent figured if they meet the challenge or how to figure points. I will be working with you to try and learn the rules. Good luck..."Peggy, you do not need to figure the points at all (although some of us do that, just to double check) ... the mods will do it for you.
If you have trouble figuring out if a book meets a particular challenge, you can always ask in that task's help thread. You can also ask for help in fitting a book. There is usually a help thread titled: 0.0 Fit This Book. Though I haven't seen one for the current season yet.
I've just joined the challenge, and made my first task post ... really hopeful that I haven't messed it up. I've never been so stressed out about a post on Goodreads before!My personal goal, being my first time, is just to hit 100 points. A very small one! I've got a few different challenges on the go, but I really like the puzzle element to this one - I had a lot of fun fitting my existing December & January reads into the plan!
I would like to push myself and make 250 points. I am at 85 right now. I went on a big family vacation in December and got no reading done then.
I want to read 100 points' worth of books, which is a good goal since I'm only starting mid-January!
Ariel, that's actually not too difficult if you start with the 20-pointers. I try to read my books in order from most points per book to least. That also means I try to plan the books I most want to read in the 20-point tasks. It's a fun puzzle!
Ariel wrote: "I want to read 100 points' worth of books, which is a good goal since I'm only starting mid-January!"You can count any book you read in December as well if they fit the tasks.
i haven't participated in a while.. so i'm just trying to ease my way back in and get reacquainted with the challenge..good to see all the familiar faces and the new ones.
I'm finishing the winter challenge on just over 200 points, I thought I'd manage more but I didn't read as much over Christmas as I usually do and had a lot of new books for Christmas/Birthday that I wanted to read so I had to change things.I'm going to stick to having a shelf with the books for this challenge separate from my other books, that really help. But I'm going to print my reading plan and place books next to each other which need to be read as a pair.
I'm aiming for 350 points - I have 2 weeks off of work for Easter where I'll largely be at home alone so I'm hoping to make the best of that.
I want to complete all of the 5 point tasks.
Katrina- I like your idea of placing books together on your bookshelf, that pair up for a task. I'm going to try that for the spring challenge. I have a hard time completing the 2 book tasks, despite my detailed spreadsheet.
The Seasonal Reading Challenge
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I just love Goodwill for their book selection! And good call on BookBub!