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Erica wrote: "I was interested in *possibly* hosting a Diversity Challenge in 2017, but really don't know how to go about it. I have some thoughts on what it would entail, but don't know if it's enough for a cha..."I know Ezi mentioned at one point that she does a Diversity challenge in February/March-ish, but that it never sees much in the way of traffic. Might want to head into the Archives and see what she has done in the past as well...
Mod
Thanks. Sorry I haven't responded yet. I have been busy with Thanksgiving... I have chatted with Ezi about my idea and she did tell me she does something in February/March-ish - but I didn't realize it was specifically for diversity! I just thought she generally hosted a challenge at that time.
Mod
Erica, can you tell m..."
Okay, finally getting back to you on this, Lanelle...
I figured a minimum of 100 pages per book, but wasn't sure how many levels to create or how long it should run. But here are the categories I thought of so far...
Point of Departure: a book that is really you – that embodies something about you or focuses on one or more interests you have.
Starters: a book from a genre you don't usually read
*****
Getting Personal: a book about a different kind of spirituality than you practice (or don't practice) or that has a MC who is going through some kind of spiritual transformation.
Going Abroad: a book about a culture you know little about or with a MC who is immersed in a new (foreign) culture
*****
Really Out There: a book that takes place on another planet or that is written in a language that is not your native language
Danger Zone: a book about one culture dominating and/or trying to eliminate another (ie, total lack of acceptance and diversity), whether it be a political culture (like Hitler) or social culture (like the whole LGBT rights issue).
Mod
Erica wrote: "Hi again Trea - I looked in the archives but couldn't find any on past diversity challenges."It was a thought, sorry that there wasn't more out there!
Mod
If I understand correctly, participants would need to read 6 books? I would say it could be a 3 month challenge. Maybe you could suggest that folks feel free to repeat the challenge.
Or could your challenge be pyramid-like : (a year long challenge)
6 Point of Departure books
5 Starter books
4 Getting Personal books
3 Going Abroad books
2 Really Out There books
1 Danger Zone book
(just an idea)
Mod
It was a thought, sorry that there wasn't more out there!"
And it was a good thought. I was a little disappointed not to find anything - but if there wasn't a lot of traffic on the threads maybe there didn't seem to be a need to preserve them...
Mod
If I understand correctly, participants would need to read 6 books? I would sa..."
I like the idea of a longer challenge. My notes also included a progression of book reading, but I went the other direction:
Read 1-2 books for each of the first two categories
Read 2-3 books for each of the second two categories
Read 3-4 books for each of the last two categories
I'm not sure what people would like the best - more of the earlier categories or more of the later ones. Also not sure what levels people would like. I tried to think of names for levels that tie to the concept besides just easy, medium and hard. But maybe that's just getting to be too much.
And finally, I don't want to step on Ezi's toes if this is something she generally does. I didn't know because I just joined this summer.
Erica, I have a couple of thoughts but I am hesitant to intrude. Let me know if you're up for hearing them. Looks like you've given this a lot of thought and it's going to be a great challlenge!
Mod
I may be interpreting your categories too narrowly, but I was wondering if you might have considered including areas such as race - both as a privilege and a source of prejudice; physical, mental, intellectual, and emotional disabilities; socioeconomic status; and/or immigration. If any of these speak to you in relation to this challenge, I was thinking they might be incorporated into the structure you have outlined above.
Mod
Rather than the particular arrangement of the challenge, Erica, can you describe what you consider the goal of the challenge to be? Not necessarily here, and not necessarily to anyone other than you. I just wonder if that might help someone - in this case, of course, you - have a clear idea of what would fit and what might be unnecessary. It would be an excellent idea for me to remind you that I have never created a challenge, so please keep that in mind.I was thinking that in some of the categories you've listed, maybe choices would be a possibility? So instead of the ideas I mentioned being new categories, maybe they could fit in as choices in listed categories. The one that seems most related is immigration in Going Abroad. Race seems to fit in the Danger Zone. Maybe Starters could also include the option of reading a book about people who are different from you in a significant way, with the reader having the opportunity to choose what difference they want to explore.
Possibly, the concept of disability could be a category of its own in the middle group. I'm not good at coming up with clever names, but maybe something like Roadblocks? This category could also include books about chronic, serious or life-threatening illness; recovering from traumatic injury, etc.
The length of the challenge seems like it could be related to the number of books read, like you have listed. I've seen people finish a yearly challege in a couple of months and a quarterly challenge in a few weeks.
I have no particular attachment to any of my ideas here, so please feel free to use a piece here or there or nothing at all. I really appreciate your investment in this type of challenge!
Mod
Erica wrote: "I thought we would all do better to ..."Amen, Erica. Amen, amen, amen.
Mod
It was a thought, sorry that there wasn't more out there!"
Actually, there was a whole huge area of archives I didn't find before, so I'm sure her threads are in there. So I stand corrected!
Mod
I would like to host a holiday-themed challenge for the year.Basically, my idea is quite simple, to read a holiday-themed book per month (but can be read in any month, for example supernatural outside of October/Halloween) or one of the alternates. (Alternate example: January - New Year's Day, a book set around New Year's Day or alternate, the first book in a series.)
I didn't see another yearly challenge like that for 2017 so far...
Would anyone be interested in something like that?
Jennifer wrote: "I would like to host a holiday-themed challenge for the year.Basically, my idea is quite simple, to read a holiday-themed book per month (but can be read in any month, for example supernatural out..."
A lot of the monthly holidays are covered in the Merged TCF Monthly Challenge. By making a separate Holiday themed challenge, you take away potential tasks for that challenge. Not to mention, I'll be running a "By the Numbers" challenge next year, which will cover some of the alternates you were mentioning. Not sure we would need a third challenge that would cover aspects of the previous two. It is a good idea though!
Okay.If anyone is interested, I'll probably put it on my blog for 2017! I'm not sure if links are allowed so simply Google my name and you can find my blog. Thank you!
Jennifer wrote: "Okay.If anyone is interested, I'll probably put it on my blog for 2017! I'm not sure if links are allowed so simply Google my name and you can find my blog. Thank you!"
I don't know of any rule in the group that says that you can't link to your blog, so feel free to post a link to the challenge on your blog when you get it up and running!
Jennifer wrote: "Great! Thank you so much!"You're welcome!
Please let me know if you know anything like this: A poetry reading challenge.The terms: From January-March, 2017. In early April in celebration of Poetry Month I will give out 3 book certificates---either an amazon.com one or the international one. The competition will end on Sunday, April 2 so that there will be full weeks involved.
The reading: Each week you will read two poems (minimum 12 lines) by the same author. You will select 10 authors from a list of about 30 I will provide. Texts should be easy to find on the Internet.
If you approve, I will host the competition here. There are 13 weeks, but I will ask people to read for any 10 of the weeks. Readers will leave a very brief review or reaction note.
My goals: To join in the fun; to see if more people can learn to appreciate poetry; to give a little prize for people to aim at, and just to have fun.
Natalie wrote: "Please let me know if you know anything like this: A poetry reading challenge.The terms: From January-March, 2017. In early April in celebration of Poetry Month I will give out 3 book certificates..."
The mods will have to look at this after the Holiday, Natalie. If approved, you will have to host it, not have a mod host it for you and you will be responsible for the prizes, not the mods.
Mod
The terms: From January-March, 2017. In early April in celebration of Poetry Month I will give out 3 book certificates..."
I like this idea Natalie! I had planned to read a book of poetry as a different genre I never read as part of my diversity challenge... I think the idea of gift certificates is nice, but certainly not necessary.
Trea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Please let me know if you know anything like this: A poetry reading challenge.The terms: From January-March, 2017. In early April in celebration of Poetry Month I will give out 3 b..."
I would certainly host it: my question is whether there's a topic in this particular discussion group where I could set up shop. And certainly I would take care of the prizes. It's actually a mini-challenge: 3 months.
Thank you very much for considering my proposal.
Natalie wrote: "Please let me know if you know anything like this: A poetry reading challenge.The terms: From January-March, 2017. In early April in celebration of Poetry Month I will give out 3 book certificates..."
Natalie, the consensus among us mods is that we'd like to see your fully planned out challenge before we will approve it, since you've said in the introduction thread that you are a challenge newcomer.
We've also decided that you should not offer a prize for completion of the challenge, simply because we're not willing to be responsible for fulfilling your prizes should you not be able to do so. If you're still wanting to host the challenge with that provision, feel free to send me a private message with your challenge and I'll get it to the other mods for consideration.
Kaily wrote: "Hi! I'm new to the group and learning Japanese so I thought this might be interesting.What about a language based yearly reading challenge? (2017)
Achievements: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Bronze: ..."
It seems an interesting enough idea, Kaily, but I see two issues with it. First, with the requirement that it must be in a language other than your native tongue, I don't think you'll have a lot of participation in it, because people might not be able to read the chosen book in its native language. You've narrowed it too much to be workable. I would recommend going with books that are not written in your native language, but translations are acceptable.
Second, you need to state exactly what your cool twist for the shiny level will be. Prizes are not allowed to be offered, so it must be something else.
As stated to Natalie above, the mods want to see fully planned out challenges before we will approve them, since you've said in the introduction thread that you are a challenge newcomer. You can feel free to PM it to any of the mods and we'll look it over for you.
Would any one be interested in an Arthurian legend/fantasy themed challenge? I don't mind putting it all together but I was just trying to gauge interest in this kind of challenge before putting it together. there could be two variations:
1.) read as many King Arthur books or themed books as possible examples include: The Once and Future King The Mists of Avalon The Winter King etc.)
2.) to make it universal to fans of genres different from fantasy read books pertaining to themes/events in the book:
Queen Guinevere falls in love with Lancelot even though she is married to King Arthur: Read a book with a forbidden romance
Morgana betrays her half-brother King Arthur: Read a book where the protagonist is betrayed by a family member
Knights of the Round Table: read a book where a group is formed the protects/embodies noble ideals, where no one member has status or priority over others, or a book with a protagonist that embodies the chivalric values.
What does everyone think? If I put it together would anyone be up for it?
Mod
I would definitely participate.
I don't have much interest in it, but I can wish you luck with it! If you get it set up in time for the newsletter going out on the 25th/26th, I can put a blurb in there about it and get you more exposure for it! Keep me updated!
⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "I don't have much interest in it, but I can wish you luck with it! If you get it set up in time for the newsletter going out on the 25th/26th, I can put a blurb in there about it and get you more e..."Awesome - Thank you! What would the deadline be to get it out to you?
Lanelle wrote: "I was just thinking a couple of weeks ago that it's been too long since I've read Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy. And I wouldn't mind trying Jane Yolen's series (althoug..."The Mary Stewart books sound awesome! I think I will put it together and try to get it in the newsletter like Trea mentioned. I have way too many Arthur books in my to-read list.
Sarah wrote: "⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "I don't have much interest in it, but I can wish you luck with it! If you get it set up in time for the newsletter going out on the 25th/26th, I can put a blurb in there about it and..."If you can send me the link to it before 4 am EST on the 25th or 26th of this month, I'll see it that morning and add it to the newsletter. I'm usually up and at the computer by 6 am EST every day, and do my Goodreads duties then.
Mod
Mod
Sarah, have you created a King Arthur bookshelf here on Goodreads? I'm curious.
Erica wrote: "Sarah, the Arthur Series sounds great. I would definitely do. I have The Once and Future King plus several other Merlin books just waiting on my shelf!"Awesome! I started playing around with this today and I think there are so many things I could do with it.
Lanelle wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I have way too many Arthur books in my to-read list."
Sarah, have you created a King Arthur bookshelf here on Goodreads? I'm curious."
I haven't.... Yet. Love that idea!
Sarah wrote: "Awesome - Thank you! What would the deadline be to get it out to you? ⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "If you can send me the link to it before 4 am EST on the 25th or 26th of this month, I'll see it that morning and add it to the newsletter. I'm usually up and at the computer by 6 am EST every day, and do my Goodreads duties then."
Sarah, I'm posting the newsletter now, so you'll have to send me the link for your new challenge before next month's newsletter goes out. I like to post it on the 25th, so I'll need it by 4 or 5 am EST on August 25th to make sure it get into the newsletter to give you a good amount of exposure.
⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Awesome - Thank you! What would the deadline be to get it out to you? ⚜Trea⚜ wrote: "If you can send me the link to it before 4 am EST on the 25th or 26th of this month, I'll see it ..."
Thanks Trea, I'm still working on it. This weekend was busier than I thought, but I should be able to get it out before the 25th of next month.
I had an idea for a challenge and wrote a "rough draft" version of it up to see if y'all liked it/would be interested in it. Let me know what you think :)Hidden Gems Challenge
This challenge is to show some love and encourage discovering not as well-known books on Goodreads. Those hidden gems are just waiting to be discovered! There are 5 categories and depending on what level you want to go for will dictate how many in each category you read. You can change levels at any time.
Please post the number of ratings the book had at the time you read the book, date read, and your rating of it (if you want to post a link to your review as well that is welcome but not required.
Levels:
Emerald – 1 Book In Each
Ruby – 3 Books In Each
Sapphire – 5 Books in Each
Lapis Lazuli – 10 Books In Each
Fire Opal – 15 Books In Each
Diamond – 20 Books In Each
Catagories
Less Than 100 Ratings
Less Than 500 Ratings
Less Than 1,000 Ratings
Less Than 5,000 Ratings
Less Than 10,000 Ratings
Nikki (Nyx) wrote: "I had an idea for a challenge and wrote a "rough draft" version of it up to see if y'all liked it/would be interested in it. Let me know what you think :)Hidden Gems Challenge
This challenge is ..."
It seems interesting, but I have a couple of recommendations.
1) Take the part about linking to the participant's review out. Not everyone reviews, and it might pressure folks unnecessarily. Plus, there is a limited amount of characters in each comment window, and the review links will eat up that available space, especially for those that are doing the higher levels and all the other data you want when they post.
2) Give folks some starting point to find these Hidden Gems. Some folks won't know where to look for them, and giving them a place to start might help jump start them.
Mod
Hidden Gems Challenge"
This is a great idea, Nikki! I would definitely participate.
Since I read public domain books that are unknown, I regularly find books with less than 25 ratings. If you wanted to expand the categories, I don't think it would be too hard.
About Trea's 2nd point, I like to give links to Listopia in my challenges. I've seen quite a few lists about unknown books.
Another 'gem' could be pearl. They certainly qualify as hidden :)
Noted, I can take the review part out. And there are actually a couple really good listopias for this. Someone put together ones that list books with a certain number of ratings and there is one of them that has links to all of the others in the description so that’s probably the one I would use
EDIT: This is the list I was talking about that I’m thinking about using in the description it has links to other list with different rating amounts https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Pearl would be great! Would you recommend up replace our current level or would you recommend it as an additional level?
Mod
For an additional level. Maybe 50 ratings?
I wasn’t sure about having too many categories I was originally considering also having an under 25 and under 50 in addition to the ones I listed but I wasn’t sure if that was too many I’m open to opinions lol
Lanelle wrote: "Nikki (Nyx) wrote: "Pearl would be great! Would you recommend up replace our current level or would you recommend it as an additional level?"For an additional level. Maybe 50 ratings?"
Oh I meant level as in number of books read in each category.
So so far changes that would be made:Take out mention of a review link
Add Listopia Link
Add Pearl for 25 books per rating category
Add a Less than 50 ratings catagory
Anything else you would reccomend?
Mod
Ah. My mistake. You have plenty of levels, I think.
Maybe a "pearl' necklace if all your books have less than 25 ratings? But that's going in a different direction than what you have outlined so far.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
The Darkest Hour (other topics)Circle of Friends (other topics)
All the Light We Cannot See (other topics)
The Slow Regard of Silent Things (other topics)
My Life Next Door (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Mary Stewart (other topics)Jane Yolen (other topics)
Mary Stewart (other topics)
Jane Yolen (other topics)
Erica, can you tell me a little more about what you have in mind? We had a member host a monthly diversity challenge in 2015. Here is a link to Sabreen's Diveristy Challenge. Are your ideas similar to this or different?
I'll be glad to help you in whatever way you need.