Suggestions for Future Categories/Challenges Showing 351-400 of 1,360

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Melody wrote: I didn't think of it if like that Yz. I was thinking it might be a way for folks to combine with your monthly 10 book challenge and read some of the authors BHB mentions but doesn't list specific titles for. But we can delete the category if you think it's best. :O)
.."

Good point, Melody. You know what...go ahead and keep it. Plenty of options to try is always good. : )

[Melody]

Yz the Whyz wrote: "Melody wrote: I didn't think of it if like that Yz. I was thinking it might be a way for folks to combine with your monthly 10 book challenge and read some of the authors BHB mentions but doesn't l..."

I'm thinking the BHB threads are still in a kinda experimental stage anyway. We can adapt as we go along. :O)

Which brings up the question, does anyone have any suggestions for changes/improvements to the BHB challenges?

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

I know I'm a bit early, but since 'April is the cruelest month' perhaps an April challenge that the book must have cruelty in the title (cruel, mean, viscous).

Or since it is the month that buds start coming back to the trees (here in Ohio) something that has a green cover.

Also, 'April showers bring May flowers' could lead to a challenge based on rain or Pilgrims (because everyone knows the ending to that rhyme - but what do Mayflowers bring?)

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Or read something funny for April Fool's Day. :)

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Thinking ahead here... perhaps for Memorial Day (previously known as Remembrance Day) in May we could read a book by an author recently deceased. So far, in just this month, that made the national news...

1/28 'Catcher in the Rye' author J.D. Salinger dies
1/19 Robert B. Parker, author of the Spenser novels, dead at 77
1/19 Love Story Author Erich Segal Dead at 72

Here's a roll call of some of the other notable authors, playwrights, etc. who died in 2009. (Cause of death cited for younger people if available.)
JANUARY
Johannes Mario Simmel, 84. Austrian-born author; topped German-language bestseller lists. Jan. 1.
Hortense Calisher, 97. Fiction writer known for dense prose ("False Entry"). Jan. 13.
James Brady, 80. Author, Parade magazine celebrity columnist. Jan. 26.
FEBRUARY
Robert Anderson, 91. Broadway playwright ("Tea and Sympathy"). Feb. 9.
Hugh Leonard, 82. Irish playwright; won Tony for father-son drama "Da." Feb. 12.
Al-Tayeb Saleh, 80. One of Arab world's top novelists. Feb. 18.
MARCH
James Purdy, 94. Author of underground classics ("Cabot Wright Begins"). March 13.
APRIL
Tom Braden, 92. Helped launch CNN's "Crossfire"; wrote memoir "Eight is Enough" that inspired a TV show. April 3.
J.G. Ballard, 78. British author known for dark vision ("Empire of the Sun"). April 19.
MAY
Marilyn French, 79. Feminist writer; her 1977 novel "The Women's Room" sold millions. May 2.
Dom DeLuise, 75. Portly actor with offbeat style ("The Cannonball Run"). May 4. (Note: Also author)
Mario Benedetti, 88. Renowned Uruguayan author ("The Truce"). May 17.
Amos Elon, 82. Israeli author ("The Israelis: Founders and Sons"). May 25.
JUNE
JULY
E. Lynn Harris, 54. Best-selling author who pioneered gay black fiction ("Love of My Own"). July 23. Heart disease.
AUGUST
Budd Schulberg, 95. Novelist ("What Makes Sammy Run?") and Oscar-winning screenwriter ("On the Waterfront"). Aug. 5.
Elmer Kelton, 83. Acclaimed Western novelist ("The Good Old Boys"). Aug. 22.
Dominick Dunne, 83. Bestselling author who told stories of shocking crimes among the rich and famous. Aug. 26.
SEPTEMBER
Keith Waterhouse, 80. British playwright, novelist ("Billy Liar"). Sept. 4.
Larry Gelbart, 81. Slyly witty writer for stage and screen ("Tootsie," "M-A-S-H"). Sept. 11.
Trevor Rhone, 69. Jamaican playwright; co-wrote the reggae film "The Harder They Come." Sept. 15.
William Safire, 79. Pulitzer-winning New York Times columnist and word warrior. Sept. 27.
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
Francisco Ayala, 103. Spanish novelist, sociologist; went into exile during the country's Franco dictatorship. Nov. 3.
DECEMBER
Roy E. Disney, 79. Nephew of Walt Disney; exerted strong behind-the-scenes influence on The Walt Disney Co. Dec. 16.

I'm sure there may be more, but that's what I managed to find when I was looking. Another option to go along with this could be to read a book about someone who died recently, either a biography or autobiography. (And to broaden the category, you could make it anyone who died in the last decade from 2000-2010 which would really open it up, so that everyone should be able to find something to fit.)

[~Sara~]

Photojim wrote: "I know I'm a bit early, but since 'April is the cruelest month' perhaps an April challenge that the book must have cruelty in the title (cruel, mean, viscous).

Or since it is the month that buds s..."

LOL! I really like the April showers bring May flowers (as opposed to Mayflowers) idea!
May flowers could be a book with a flower in the title/authors name/cover like Blue Dahlia or Rose Tremain.

How about for September: rereading a book that you had to read for school and loved/hated/can't remember, and see if your opinion has changed (or write a review if you're in the can't remember category so it doesn't happen again). If you don't like rereading, read a book that is often assigned as mandatory reading or that someone you know had to read for school.

For March: "In like a lion, out like a lamb" animal theme. Any book with an animal in the title/authors name/cover.

"There's no place like home": read a book set in the same city, state, province, etc. that you are currently living in (ruby slippers are optional but highly recommended).

Read a book by an author who has a birthday this month.

I love all the ideas but I really like the rainbow cover challenge, and the build a box set/undress a cowboy idea is hilarious! I actually went through and read all 8 pages of this thread they were so interesting!

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

There is a thread for build your own boxed sets challenge Sara, if you'd like to try it.

[~Sara~]

Thanks. I've seen it before but assumed it was about actual box sets, so I skipped over it. I guess I should pay more attention to the full title of the thread! I'll have to check it out and see what other ideas people have come up with.

[Jennefer]

Which brings up the question, does anyone have any suggestions for changes/improvements to the BHB challenges?

I think you guys are doing a great job with the BHB challenges! I like the addition of the featured author! I am really enjoying the books that have been chosen and are being discused (even if I didnt love Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels) Great job! :)

[Dee]

June is Gay Pride month - maybe read a book that features a gay main/secondary character or a M/M or F/F (although I know this isn't everyones type...) - but something like Jules from Brockmann's Troubleshooter's series

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

We did that last year Deanna. I know some don't mind reading it, but others do. Personally, I'd prefer to stay away from controversial categories. I prefer more generic categories. That way nobody has to read anything that they are uncomfortable with.

[Dee]

gotcha - i wasn't around last year...oh well

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "We did that last year Deanna. I know some don't mind reading it, but others do. Personally, I'd prefer to stay away from controversial categories. I prefer more generic categories. That way nobody ..."

[Valorie]

I'm sure some of us don't mind stepping outside the box sometimes Deanna. I know if I'm not interested in a category that is in the challenge I just skip it. I may not be into M/M or F/F, but I'm sure there are books with a gay character that doesn't have gay scenes in the book.

[Dee]

I admit I don't mind M/M (not a fan of F/F) which is why I said secondary character - someone like Jules from Brockmann's Troubleshooter series (if anyone has read it) - he plays a fairly pivotal role throughout the series and does get his HEA eventually

Valorie wrote: "I'm sure some of us don't mind stepping outside the box sometimes Deanna. I know if I'm not interested in a category that is in the challenge I just skip it. I may not be into M/M or F/F, but I'm s..."

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

The problem with secondary characters is, until you've read the book (or series)... how would we know they're there unless you've already read it? I know, I'm playing devi's advocate here. It's just I didn't like the category last year and I'm one of those that tries to read every category every month.

[Carolyn F.]

Deanna wrote: "June is Gay Pride month - maybe read a book that features a gay main/secondary character or a M/M or F/F (although I know this isn't everyones type...) - but something like Jules from Brockmann's ..."

Great idea Deanna - I've just finished some Lord John books which were pretty good (M/M). Let's add that to something for June. I vote yes!!!!

[Dee]

Briansgirl/Kate had a point that unless you've read the series or a series you might not know about those characters - do you know of any websites where they list gay secondary characters (for people who wouldn't want to read M/M)

The only two I can think of right now are Jules from Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters and LJG from Outlander

Carolyn F. wrote: "Deanna wrote: "June is Gay Pride month - maybe read a book that features a gay main/secondary character or a M/M or F/F (although I know this isn't everyones type...) - but something like Jules fr..."

[Annvelwis]

I'm not a fan of M/M romance, but I don't mind reading it, either.
As for secondary gay/lesbian characters here are few more books that come to my mind right now:
House of Night series by P.C. Cast (#1: Marked) - Damien
St. Helen series by Jayne Castle (#1: Amaryllis) - Clementine
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon (#1: Outlander) - Black Jack Randall and Lord John Gray
Hotel Transylvania by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Achille Cressie
The Devil Inside by Jenna Black - Dominic/Adam
Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs (#1: Moon Called) - Warren/Kyle
Cashelmara by Susan Howatch - Patrick
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn - T.J.
Not the Marrying Kind by Hailey North - Donnie
Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - Michel, Simon Kale
Defy Not The Heart by Johanna Lindsey - Theo
also I think a couple of books from In death series by J.D. Robb have gay/lesbian character in them...
And while I see the difficulty of finding a book with certian type of anything secondary - I'm sure there are more of them.

[Mel W]

In Jane Feather's Chase the Dawn one of the secondary characters is gay. Also, Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz sometimes has gay/lesbian secondary characters. Can't think of any specific books right now though, sorry.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

My feeling is just if you make the category too controversial or too difficult, it isn't as much "fun" for everyone.

[Annvelwis]

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "My feeling is just if you make the category too controversial or too difficult, it isn't as much "fun" for everyone."

:D IMO If categories are all easy to fill that's when the fun isn't there, heh. I know that reading 10 books in a month is a challenge itself for a lot of people, but I like to do something... extra. Doing an extensive research to find the book that matches - that's fun! :D
As for controversy in reading material, well... I wouldn't like to read a book about cannibalism (that's controversial for me, heh) so I get your point. That said, I would read a book with cannibalism in the plot as long as it wasn't the main theme of it (e.g. Titus Andronicus comes to mind).
I think it's a matter of knowing with what one's comfortable and either sticking to it or pushing a little further than that.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

This falls into a different category to me though. Race, Religion, Politics, and Sexual Preference are categories that to me, should not be pushed. This isn't just a search for what jobs a hero/heroine has, or a book set in a certain place. These are topics that can definetly make some people uncomfortable. Granted, we don't have to read them, but I personally feel these should be avoided as part of monthly challenges. If someone wants to read a book on these subjects, they already will. I didn't like this category last year. If it comes up again - I will skip it this year. If you look back at this year already, the more controversial topics are already being skipped by many people for whatever reason. This is suppose to be fun for all involved.

[Annvelwis]

Hah, maybe this could be resolved by setting separate challenge - Taboo Challenge ;D

[Find a book with...
Race (interracial - or interspecies - relationship?)
Religion (other than yours, religious conversion or mixed religion relationship)
Politics (I don't quite understand why should this one be a taboo :/ ; mixed political views relationship?)
Sexual Preference (I: between adults (M/M, F/F, M/M/F, F/F/M, other); II: adult/child)
Disability (is it still taboo?; hero/heroine with disability)
Ghosts Of Taboos Past (alcoholism, divorce, suicide, other)
Of course there could be more categories...]

That way everybody would be happy. What do you think...?

[Mel W]

That would be an interesting challenge, Annvelwis :)

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Works for me. Instead of the regular monthly challenge, anyone interested can do the seperate taboo challenge.

Politics is just a controversial issue when people on opposite sides start discussions, which is why I included it above. Those are the topics they always say to avoid at parties (race, religion, and politics). As far as romances are concerned, it would probably work if the hero/heroine were arguing both sides of an issue. (ie. He wants the building torn down and she's trying to save it from destruction, etc.).

[Annvelwis]

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Works for me. Instead of the regular monthly challenge, anyone interested can do the seperate taboo challenge.

Politics is just a controversial issue when people on opposite sides start discuss..."

Huh, maybe it's a cultural thing. In Poland (or at least at parties I attend) politics and politicians are quite a hot topic ;) It's a source of never ending laugh...

Mel W wrote: "That would be an interesting challenge, Annvelwis :)"

Heh, thanks, but I wouldn't get the idea without Briansgirl help ;))

...

Question for Yz:
Do we need to come up with some new monthly challenge categories?

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Let's see.... April Holidays

April Month Long Observances

Autism Awareness Month
International Guitar Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Frog Month
National Garden Month
National Humor Month
National Mathematics Education Month
National Poetry Month
Stress Awareness Month

April Week Long Observances

3rd Week - Week of the Young Child

April Holidays/Observances
April 1st - April Fool's Day
April 1st - One Cent Day
April 2nd - Hans Christian Anderson's Birthday
April 2nd - International Children's Book Day
April 3rd - Find-A-Rainbow Day
April 4th - 1st Home Phone Installed In 1877.
April 4th - Easter
April 4th - NATO Established In 1949.
April 5th - National Read a Road Map Day
April 6th - North Pole Discovered In 1898.
April 7th - No Housework Day
April 7th - World Health Day
April 8th - Ponce de Leon Day. Born in 1460. He discovered Florida and searched for the Fountain of Youth.
April 9th - 1st Public Library Opened. In 1833, in Peterborough, NH.
April 10th - Encourage a Young Writer Day
April 10th - National Sibling Day
April 11th - Jackie Robinson Day. On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson became the 1st african-american in modern major-league baseball.
April 11th - U.S. Navy Acquires its 1st Submarine
In 1900. It was a 53-foot craft designed by Irish immigrant John P. Holland.
April 12th - Space Shuttle Columbia First Launched
Crewed by John Young and Robert Crippen - 1981
April 13th - Thomas Jefferson's Birthday. Born in 1743.
April 14th - Titanic Struck The Iceberg Shortly before midnight on April 14, the ship collided with an iceberg causing the ship to sink at 2:20 AM on April 15.
April 15th - First McDonalds Opens By Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, IL, 1955.
April 15th - Income Tax Day
April 15th - Leonardo Da Vinci Birthday. Born in 1452.
April 16th - National Eggs Benedict Day
April 16th - Slavery Abolished in D.C. By Lincoln in 1862.
April 17th - Daffy Duck's Birthday. He debuted in a Warner Brothers cartoon in 1937.
April 17th - Sherlock Hemlock's Birthday. Sesame Street character.
April 18th - First Laundromat Opens. In Fort Worth Texas - 1934.
April 18th - Great San Francisco Earthquake In 1906.
April 18th - Paul Revere Day. Paul Revere rides to alert patriots that "The British are coming..." - in 1775.
April 18th - Pet Owner's Day
April 19th - Humorous Day
April 20th - Cuckoo Day
April 20th - National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
April 21st - Kindergarten Day. The first kindergarten was founded by Friedrich Froebel in Germany in 1837.
April 22nd - Earth Day
April 22nd - Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day
April 22nd - Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
The fourth Thursday of April.
April 23rd - Home Run Day. Hank Aaron hits his first home run in 1954.
April 23rd - International Sing Out Day
April 23rd - William Shakespeare's Birthday. Born in 1564.
April 24th - Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
April 25th - Anzac Day. Australia, New Zealand
April 25th - National Telephone Day
April 26th - Hug a Friend Day
April 26th - National Pretzel Day
April 27th - Tell a Story Day
April 27th - Walter Lantz's Birthday. The creator of Woody Woodpecker.
April 28th - Administrative Professional's Day. The fourth Wednesday of April.
April 28th - Poetry Reading Day
April 29th - Zipper Day. Modern zipper invented by Gideon Sindback in 1917.
April 30th - Arbor Day. Usually the last Friday of April. Celebration dates may vary from state to state.
April 30th - National Honesty Day. George Washington inaugurated as first US president in 1789.

I'll point out that Arbor Day was started in my state in Nebraska City. And we are the only state where Arbor Day is an official holiday (and state employees get the day off!). And also, this year celebrates 100 year's of the Boy Scouts.

Many of these are quite frankly, silly. But I'm sure you could do something with quite a few of them. Humorous month - read something silly. For the anniversary of the first library opening - read a book about a library, librarian as a character, or just read any book checked out from your local library (the first part I added in case you don't live near a library).

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Annvelwis wrote: Question for Yz:
Do we need to come up with some new monthly challenge categories?
..."

I'm paying attention. : )

Yes, I'm taking notes of everybody's suggestions, and still open for more. As always, I can't immediately used all that is suggested, but I appreciate everyone's contribution.

As for the suggestion of a m/m or f/f category for April, I will probably skip that one, since we did that last year.

However, I like the idea of the "Taboo" Challenge, so, I'm mulling that over, or if anybody, wants to put it together, I'm open. You can either post it here or simply PM me.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Yz, whatever you pick is going to be what I read. Don't shy away from controversy. Being forced to pick a book that is outside of my comfort zone broadens my horizons and makes me a better person.

All I'm asking is that I don't have to read a historical for the third month in a row. I'd rather read 500 pages of a gay black Catholic Congressman having an illicit affair with his blind drug addicted cross-dressing white grandson (I think I hit most of the topics with that pairing) than 50 more pages of: 'But I am the Lord of Summerfield! You must do as I command.' 'You are so right. Because you have a title and a position I shall immediately fall in love with you and bear your children. My life is now complete.' (Excuse me whilst I vomit)

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Photojim,

You always have the knack of making me smile with your comments. : )

I do not deliberately choose controversial categories, but then I just sort of go with what was suggested or what I thought personally would be fun to try. Sometimes they just sort of end up as not somebody's cup of tea. Like someone doesn't like to read historical novels. : )

I have to admit when this group was very new, I used to be sensitive when somebody complains about a category, until I realized that with the variety of members, not everyone will always be happy about something. All I can do is offer a variety of challenges, and everybody has the option of choosing what is fun for them and what is not.

Thanks for the encouraging words. : )

[Nikki ♥]

Yz the Whyz wrote: "Annvelwis wrote: Question for Yz:
Do we need to come up with some new monthly challenge categories?
..."

I'm paying attention. : )

Yes, I'm taking notes of everybody's suggestions, and st..."


Maybe the Taboo challenge can be the next quarterly challenge.

[Kelley]

can I make a comment abotu the "taboo" challenge idea you have? I for one find multiple partners/same sex/BDSM/etc highly offensive and won't touch it with a 10 foot poll if I can help it.

But I also like to shoot for completing all 10 challenges each month (or at least I've been doing that since I joined anyhow). So I'd be seriously bummed if I had to skip a challenge because of the type of story.

So myt comment is... if you do a taboo topic or something like I listed above, have an alternate challenge as well. That way those of us who want to do the full 10 challenges won't be stuck because one of the topics is a potentially offensive one.

[Annvelwis]

Kelley wrote: "can I make a comment abotu the "taboo" challenge idea you have? I for one find multiple partners/same sex/BDSM/etc highly offensive and won't touch it with a 10 foot poll if I can help it.

But ..."

I'm sorry, I tought it was clear that taboo chllenge is supposed to be separate from monthly challenges the way Serial Reader Challenge or any of Dare You To Read Challenges are. That way if anybody don't want to participate, they can just ignore it.

I'm sure that quite a lot of members here would have similar reaction to yours - categories in Taboo challange should provoke it, should be controversial or it would be... a farce.

Anyhow I don't think Taboo will launch anytime soon - there is a lot of new challenges right now, so it's... prudent to wait a bit.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Okay, guys, there will be a challenge inspired by the "taboo" topics discussion, and it is in the works.

It will not be part of the regularl monthly challenge and neither will it be a quarterly challenge. So for those who have concerns about this, be at peace. : )

It will be a separate challenge.

Annvelwis: You are right. It will not be launched this month, since we have few that have started or will start this month.

[Hope]

Um, this is more of a question than a theme. I'm a newbie here and I've been looking around at the challenges and I note that in a number of cases the challenge involved the number of pages read. This is somewhat problematic for me, since, as noted in posts elsewhere, I have left physical books behind. I read everything, including the morning paper, on my Kindle and the Kindle doesn't have pages in the traditional sense. It has a status bar at the bottom of the screen that tells you how many "locations" you have read and where percentage-wise you are in the book.

For instance I'm reading "A Talent for Sin" by Lavinia Kent right at the moment (Great Book BTW) and this book has 4446 locations. So, if I use the second to largest font (my personal favorite since I've blinded myself by so much reading over the years), there are roughly 4 locations for each electronically generated page. If I were to set the device at the smallest font, I would get 12 locations per page. If you do the math, using the smallest font available you come up with about 370 pages. Of course that font will put your eyes out.

So, my question is one on rules: how does a kindle reader count pages? Alternatively, it might be interesting to know if there are other folks in the group who are using electronic book readers. Maybe there is a special challenge we could devise for the electronic heads in the group.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Hope wrote: "Um, this is more of a question than a theme. I'm a newbie here and I've been looking around at the challenges and I note that in a number of cases the challenge involved the number of pages read. ..."

Actually, we only have 2 challenges that involve page count: Chubby Chunkster and Count-off.

I think for the Chubby Chunkster, you can use the official page count posted on the book's GR page. As for the Count-off Challenge, it is run by Kenjii, so you can address that question to her.

The rest of the challenges are by books, so it doesn't matter what format are you using: ebooks, audiobooks or printbooks.

Hope that helps.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Yz the Whyz wrote: "I think for the Chubby Chunkster, you can use the official page count posted on the book's GR page. As for the Count-off Challenge, it is run by Kenjii, so you can address that question to her.
.."

We do the same thing in the Count Off Challenge.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

I can foresee a game/challenge for May called 'Mother MAY I'. Several people start the book at the same time and have to ask permission to read X number of pages. It is always so tantalizing to have a book but not read it for whatever reason.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I didn't read all 8 pages of recommendations, so I apologize if this has already been suggested.

Inspired by trying to find a book for Iowa (April challenge), I think it would be cool to have a yearly challenge to read a book set in every state.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Or you could even have a geography race. You have to read a book that is set in an adjacent state or country. Let's say I start in Italy. The next book could be set in France. After that I could go to Spain or England. You get the idea.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

I've had my father's old collection of harlequins by Janet Dailey. It's called the Americana Series. She wrote a book, one set in every State. Harlequin originally published them as original titles with white covers like every other harlequin in the 70s. However, when they gave the series a name, they reprinted them and put the state flower on the cover of each one. I'm sloooowly working my way through them. Over the years, I'm maybe a just over a third done. They aren't bad but dated pretty badly.

Other than using this series above, reading a book from every state to me, would not be easy. Simply because we don't always know where a book is set, until we start reading it. Also, 50 books in a year is alot for many people. I think like our Read Your Lifetime challenge, it would need to be longer like a 2 year challenge. I know I personally read more than 50 books in a year, however, I started getting a bit burned out last year. I read so many books specifically to fit challenges (not that this is entirely bad) but that left me very little time to read books I wanted to read that didn't fit challenges.

Photojim - I think we did something similiar when we did Around the World in 80 days last year. We had to either A) read a book from 7 different countries in Europe or B) read a book set in every continent (Antartica was the kicker!). That was a quarterly challenge last year.

(After awhile you'll see that I tend to play devil's advocate a bit on here. lol Challenges are fun, but I don't like to see them too hard.)

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "After awhile you'll see that I tend to play devil's advocate a bit on here. lol Challenges are fun, but I don't like to see them too hard."

That's why they are called CHALLENGES. If everyone can do it, it's not much of a challenge is it? (Just countering your work for the dark one.)

[Annvelwis]

I wonder if it could be possible to repeat goodreads author category sometime in monthly challenge...? I liked it very much. Also, I have an impression of increasing number of them.

For May: "Conversely, the Roman poet Ovid provides a second etymology, in which he says that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for "elders,"" (source: wiki) so maybe an over-40yo hero/heroine*? It could be as well 35 as 45... I really don't care about defining elderly age here. I'm thinking more about quality of character, his/her percepcion by others, and trying to put some easy way to find books for the category. I know it doesn't seem very fitting for spring season, but I think it would be fun.

_________
* for those reading pnr/uf it could mean that they would be allowed to read almost anything so why not make it harder for those too = paranormal creature must be considered by his/her peers as an elder

[Annvelwis]

Another idea. What do you think about love story about money? Big inheritances, blackmails and bribes, theft and embezzlement, money as a motive (not only of murder)... I'm sure there's a lot of books with one of those.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Photojim wrote: "That's why they are called CHALLENGES. If everyone can do it, it's not much of a challenge is it? (Just countering your work for the dark one.) "

I understand them being challenging, but I'm also looking out for others. Not everyone has a large home library or has access to a public library. And they can't always afford to go out and buy books just to complete challenges. So while yes, it can be fun to scrounge for stuff to fill challenges, I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't like a narrow category (like the most recent top 100 romance list) where there isn't anything on the list you want to read, have a copy of, etc. I like being able to find books I want to read, that still fill categories. Last year I read so many books just to complete challenges (many I liked and many I did not) that there are dozens of books just sitting around that I wanted to read but never had the time to because I was always reading challenge books.

[Jennefer]

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Last year I read so many books just to complete challenges (many I liked and many I did not) that there are dozens of books just sitting around that I wanted to read but never had the time to because I was always reading challenge books.
"

No one is obligated to participate in every challenge and/or fill every category. It can be a fun way to encourage us as readers to pick up something we might not normally read but if it feels like an obligation and not fun then maybe that reader should make a different choice.

I think the moderators here do a great job of having a variety of different challenges and categories (some very open and some more narrow) and I appreciate all the hard work you guys put in! :) xoxo

I think the book from every state could be a fun challenge. It would be a hard one much like the lifetime of books challenge so it should certainly have a 2 year timeframe.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Jennefer wrote: No one is obligated to participate in every challenge and/or fill every category. It can be a fun way to encourage us as readers to pick up something we might not normally read but if it feels like an obligation and not fun then maybe that reader should make a different choice.

I think the moderators here do a great job of having a variety of different challenges and categories (some very open and some more narrow) and I appreciate all the hard work you guys put in! :) xoxo

I think the book from every state could be a fun challenge. It would be a hard one much like the lifetime of books challenge so it should certainly have a 2 year timeframe.
..."

Thanks for the kind words, Jennefer.

You definitely hit the mark with your comment. It is our goal to provide different challenges that will cater to different kinds of readers. We try to have easy ones, difficult ones, long ones and single-book ones, so the appeal will be across the spectrum. We want that there is at least one or two challenges that will interest any member. : )

The 50-state challenge is not a bad idea. Let me mull that over more.

[Hope]

Yesterday Romance Writers of America (RWA) announced the 2010 RITA finalists. How about a challenge related to the 2010 RITA books? There are way too many to read in a month, but maybe we could have a challenge to read all of the books in a specific category, or read one of each category, or maybe read them all by July when RWA will announce the winners. The RITA finalists can be found at this link:

http://www.rwanational.org/cs/2010_ri...

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ]

Jennefer, I didn't say the moderators didn't do a good job and I don't appreciate that you made it look like I did. I'm merely trying to point out there are alot of people who try to read every category of the monthly challenges and that sometimes categories that are more difficult are showing up. I know from discussions with others last year I am not the only one feeling this way. Not everyone has access to a library, etc. Notice lately there are more people skipping categories of the monthly challenges. There are different challenges that are harder and not everyone takes part in those, but the monthly challenge is usually kept more open and general for everyone to take part.

[Jennefer]

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "Jennefer, I didn't say the moderators didn't do a good job and I don't appreciate that you made it look like I did. I'm merely trying to point out there are alot of people who try to read every cat..."

I was not trying to suggest that you do not appreciate the moderators, I just wanted to take the opportunity to express my appreciation. Seems to me they get more comments of people complaining (in general not from you necessarily) and I want to make sure they get a little pat on the back sometimes :) Appreciation doesn’t do anybody any good unless expressed and I want to make sure they know I don’t take all their hard work for granted. (and I know I am not the only one!)

Personally I skip categories every month either because I am not interested, I just am not going to fit in 10 books that month, or there is something else special I am interested in reading that does not apply, and it does not bother me one bit. No biggie. The challenges are just a fun way for me to pick something to read when I don’t have something planned. I don't think that members skipping categories is necessarily an indication that the categories are too hard.