The Next Best Book Club discussion
Cynthia's Seasonal Challenges
>
SPRING CHALLENGE TASK SUGGESTIONS
bonus points! good one laura! what about a wild card winner to give a 25pnt entry.. oh dear sorry Cynthia.. we will all be happy with your wonderful fabulous Springy Challenge whichever way it ends up!
I'd rather try to keep the format as it is. I think it's easier to coordinate this way. I can try to keep the more open ended tasks with the lower point values and the more specific or multi-part tasks with the higher values as much as possible - those really should be harder to earn the points for. I do want there to be a mix of both kinds of tasks.
People still get to see their tasks on the board even if they aren't in the top 3 for the 25 pointers so I don't think a wild card is really necessary.
But if for example two people are tied for 3rd place or more than 3 people complete the challenge we will have additional 25 point tasks.
I will throw this out there as a twist to the next round...the person who is in the lead at the midway point (on March 17th) will get to pick a 50 point bonus task - it can be as specific or open ended as they want - and anybody can do the task.
I'm so excited for the next challenge, I'm feeling twittery! 
for Women's History Month: Read a biography about a famous woman (it's kinda lame but no one else put that up...maybe cause it's kind of lame lol)
I bow before the majority. I have found a good source for audio files and I actually even found a book with December/January/February in the title (The Door to December). The nice thing about audio is that if it's a book that I don't really want to read anyway, I can multi-task and satisfy both my irrational need to complete these challenges and clean my house! I am listening to a lot more mass market paperback thrillers than I ever would otherwise, so it does help me stretch out from my usual fare. I can't wait to see what Cynthia posts as the tasks.
Read a book that has some reference to Ireland (in honor of St. Patty's day)Read a book about Renewal, rebirth or awakenings (in honor nature waking up from a long winter nap)
Read a book about Mothers or honoring the Matriarch
Read an audiobook.Read a genre you've never read before.
I love that 50 pt. idea Cynthia - will that bonus task be for that season's Challenge or the subsequent Challenge?
I like the challenges quite a bit, but I do not really care for reading a book and then having to do something after I read it like, bake or make something like a craft. I do not mind the ones that we tie into movies at all, but I think the tasks should be more reading friendly... just my opinion (especially for the 5, 10 and 15 point tasks).
I also agree with Angela. I think it's fine if you want to follow up a book about candy or chocolate, but for those of us who are trying not to eat sugars, it makes it difficult if it's actually a part of the challenge.
Laura it will be for that season's challenge.
Some more suggestions:1) Read a book written before the 20th century
2) Read a play and then watch an adaptation of it (either movie or on the stage)
3) Read a book that is 500+ pages
4) Read a nonfiction book
5) And because I love lists, any of the following:
---Read a book from the BBC’s Big Read
---Read a book from the MLA’s 30 Books Every Adult Should Read Before They Die
---Read a book from Random House Modern Library’s 100 Greatest Novels of the 20th Century
Read a book from this list, but not your own contribution: TNBBC Top Books*Edited to change link so it takes you to the new final page of the topic.
I just checked out the TNBBC Top Book list and I really like your suggestion, Jamie!
Oh, I like that one, Jamie!
good one Jamie - i knew we'd find a use for that list! ive allready added a couple to the TBR so be a good excuse to dive into them
Thanks! I'm loving so many of the suggestions this time around - you all are so creative!
Here's another suggestion that might help those people who want to read about gardening or cooking: Read a book that is related to one of your hobbies or one of the hobbies you always wanted to start (but never have). I'd definitely want the second part included, because there's a book about ballet I want to read which is something I've never wanted to do but never have.
I think we should read a sci-fi book in commemoration of Pi Day (3/14), Square Root Day (3/3/09), Astronomy Day (5/2), Star Wars Day (5/4... May the fourth be with you...), and Nerd Pride Day (May 25th).According to wikipedia, May 2nd is International Scurvy Awareness Day... We could read a book that takes place on a ship... ;)
Cinco de Mayo. Book written by a Hispanic author or with a hispanic main character
In honor of Earth Day and St. Patric's Day, I think we should read a green book. (Predominately green cover.)
Read a book whose title is a question. (Random.)
I really like the idea of reading our mother's favorite book or one that reminds us of her, and the plant-in-the-title suggestion (more broad than the flower title). Also, for an e-book to save trees for Arbor Day--I'd request and expansion to include audiobooks.
I like Bonnie's idea of reading a book by an author who was born in March-May, as opposed to hunting for another month title.
I personally can't do audiobooks. It defeats the purpose of reading for me. There's no escape, no relaxation, no enjoyment out of audiobooks as I'm always doing something else while listening, so it's almost more work than not. If audiobooks is a challenge, it should be used in conjuction with another option for non-audiobook people.
El wrote: "I personally can't do audiobooks. It defeats the purpose of reading for me. There's no escape, no relaxation, no enjoyment out of audiobooks as I'm always doing something else while listening, so it's almost more work than not. If audiobooks is a challenge, it should be used in conjuction with another option for non-audiobook people. "And I can't do e-books. I can't stare at my computer screen/blackberry screen for extended periods of time without wanting to kill myself (or at least scratch my eyes out).
I listen to audiobooks while I drive or clean the house (mindless activities, for the most part). It makes washing dishes go by very quickly! ;)
Me too Sara - and getting ready in the morning is a lot more pleasant with a book to shower and brush your teeth to! Couldn't live without 'em anymore.
Sara, I wasn't suggesting e-books necessarily - those also bother my eyes.I keep trying audiobooks under different circumstances. For whatever reason I just can't focus on it; I wind up getting distracted too easily and then miss crucial points in the story. The only time it sort of works is if I'm the passenger in a car on a long-distance ride. The stopping and starting of a short ride, even on a commute to work, drives me batty. :)
Melissa wrote: "LOL, my mom doesn't read books. :-/"hence the "reminds you of" part of the suggestion...maybe you can read a book about someone who doesn't read books LOL
I'm glad everyone likes the spring author idea, but credit where credit's due: it was Sherry's idea, I just posted the link to where people can find out which authors were born in spring.And, this was funny: Sara wrote: "Star Wars Day (5/4... May the fourth be with you...)"
The main astrological signs for Mar-May are Pisces (fish), Aries (Ram) and Taurus (bull) so maybe books with those animals in the titles
Bonnie wrote: "And, this was funny: Sara wrote: "Star Wars Day (5/4... May the fourth be with you...)" I stole that from Wikipedia. I thought it was hilarious!
Read a book set in, or by an author born in, a country that no longer exists.Read a book by an author that died before you were born
Read a utopia/dystopia
Read a book about an author or about writing.
Spring - baseball. Have about books about baseball?
I have a question for Cynthia: I was looking back at the threads about the past challenges and I noticed that some of our ideas have already been used. I think they're still great ideas and want to see them in the next challenge. Also, there are some tasks in the current Winter Challenge that I'd love to see used again. So, the question is, do you ever choose a task that you've used before? What's your policy on that?Also, another idea: Read a book with a number in the title. And if you're willing to re-use ideas: Read a book with a one-word title. I hadn't realized that there are actually quite a few books that work for this (everything from Othello to Twilight).
Surely reading 10 books from your TBR would have to a massive pointer Fiona? That would take some people, including perhaps me, the entire three months of the challenge to do!Read a book that is about leaving something behind and starting something new (spring clean idea). Could be a book about someone who divorces etc.
Read a book that is on the Richard and Judy Book group list.
Read a book that has an X in the title.
Read a book that was published in the year 2000
I like the children's rec. one, Fiona - we could tie that into the MOther's Day challenge - read a book your mother OR your child recommends. Bonus pts. if you read both recommendations??Cynthia I bet when you started this, you had no idea it would become so popular.
Mar- May are months Three, Four and Five so could read either books with those numbers in the title or the thrid fourth or fifth books in a series
Thank you , Bonnie, for mentioning the 'credit'!I like some of Fiona's ideas.
What about....go to an author reading? Maybe as an 'extra credit' task, as some folks may not have much access to bookstores/libraries that host those kind of events. Maybe you can find something on TV or radio with an author interview?
Just a question, I'm not familiar with TNBBC...can someone explain, please? Thanks
laura it would be a bit unfair to get bonus points if you read a book recommended by your mum and your child because some people may not have either of those. i don't have children!i think specificity (is that a word?!) is good but not if it involves you having to have something because then it could make it impossible!!
TNBBC stands for The Next Best Book Club Sherry which is the name for this group!
Alice wrote: "laura it would be a bit unfair to get bonus points if you read a book recommended by your mum and your child because some people may not have either of those. i don't have children!..."Agreed--I have no kiddos yet. Although, those of us who are in the same boat as Alice and I could re-read a children's book we loved as a child, or get a suggestion from a sibling or child we know instead.
Sherry wrote: "What about....go to an author reading? Maybe as an 'extra credit' task, as some folks may not have much access to..."I like that idea! It has been a long time since I've been to an author reading/discussion, but I actually just listened to a podcast by an author whose book I recently read. It was on the book publisher's web site, and there were quite a few others on there. It was interesting to listen to after reading the book and finding out what some of the motivations behind the story were.
I start collecting suggestions from scratch for each challenge... so if they we're used in previously challenges they have a chance of being used or something similar done again - probably not exactly the same task from the immediately proceeding challenge - so winter challenge tasks probably won't be repeated in spring but could come up again in summer if people would like to do them again. Whereas I'm pretty sure some tasks we won't ever do again like the Christmas Song Task - a lot of people didn't like that one so much. How it all started was my library (the one I work for in my county) does a challenge like this every summer and I posted the one they did last summer and I think I got like less than 100 posts for that entire challenge and then with the fall challenge I got a lot more interest and the winter one is even bigger than that one was - so yeah it has exploded beyond my imagination but it's really cool and I really enjoy putting it together.
Cynthia - I'm glad you enjoy putting it together and administering it--finding this challenge and working on it over the past couple months has been some of the most fun I've had in a long time! :)
Yeah, thanks for doing this Cynthia! It's really fun!
We've grown so strong I personally think we deserve our on folder now ;-)
Agreed! I'm having a blast! Plus, it's encouraging me to read books I might never have read otherwise!
Heather that would of course be up to our wonderful leader Lori's discretion. :)
yeah Kudos, Cynthia you continue to do a fabulous jobs and can have a personal claim to encouraging alot of people, not only to read more but to broaden their horizons, interact with other readers and get a bit competative. Your very fair, with what books you allow, everythings very well organised and you manage to get in regularly to update everyones scores. We are very grateful to you and cant wait for the next one - i wonder how many entrants we will get - you may need an assistant!
I started to read the 105 posts before (didn't have time earlier) but..well it will be for later. Managed to read a couple and was already thinking which books I could choose for them!Some ideas
One I really hope we will do is read a book in honour of St. Patrick's day. Different ways to do it like reading a book set in Ireland, about the history of Ireland........ That would be great!
Check if you live north, east, west or south of the capital (of the country you live in)and then read a book with east, west, south or north in the title.
depending on when you birthday is this year, read a book with in the titel the day(f.i. thursday), month or year.
read a book with the name of an animal in the title
In the lists thread Fiona made a list (added with one book each by members) of best books, the TNBBC top books (I think). There are almost 100 books. Read the book that is put at the number that corrsponds with how old you are. Or do something else with that great, wonderful list.
read a book about someone who realized your dream.
Jeane wrote: "In the lists thread Fiona made a list (added with one book each by members) of best books, the TNBBC top books (I think). There are almost 100 books. Read the book that is put at the number that corrsponds with how old you are. Or do something else with that great, wonderful list. "I'd also suggested that we use this list for the challenge, but I don't think we should make it that specific. Particularly by age - nobody would be able to read the books near the top of the list for sure! If we have to make the task more specific, maybe (like a previous challenge) we could choose 10 books from the list and then pick 1 title from a hat. Although, you've got to figure, for many previous tasks, there have been a lot more than 100 books from which we've been able to choose.
The Next Best Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Gone with the Wind (other topics)Romeo and Juliet (other topics)
The Diary of a Young Girl (other topics)
The Maude Reed Tale (other topics)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (other topics)
More...
Oh and ive just spotted a book with Spring in the title in the 1001 books list so im hoping there might be a question to fit it! its got flower in it too - surely it must work! !Spring Flowers, Spring Frost ...ramble, ramble...sorry I have a book to get back to that wont get read by itself!