Book Challenge by Erin 5.0

This week (apparently) is all about book challenges...Read My Books challenge starts today!...and here's a big announcement for Book Challenge by Erin 5.0...

I host a book challenge on facebook.  If you've read this blog for any amount of time at all, you know I love books.  I read.  I like to talk about books.  I'm a sucker for book challenges.  I started my own challenge a couple of years ago hosting it through this facebook group page.  My thought was this: if I host it through facebook, that's another venue to talk about books with my fellow readers.  I am already in a few challenges that link back to blogs, but not facebook.  I'm pretty happy and proud of the group I've got happening on facebook.  It's so fun to see a collection of readers that are my high school friends, friends of friends, friends around the globe, all coming together for a mutual love of books.  If you're a reader, please join us.  Even just join the group to follow along with the fun.  Or jump in and rock the challenge!

I attempt to be a stress-free, no-pressure kind of host.  This is about loving books, supporting readers, and encouragement for all who express an interest. 

Book Challenge by Erin 5.0

·         First and foremost, have fun. Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.

·         The challenge will run from JULY 1, 2016 to OCTOBER 31, 2016. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on July 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on October 31 will count.  (We live in different time zones – follow this according to your own time zone.)

·         Each book must be at least 200 pages long.   Audio books are fine too.

·         A book can only be used for one category, and each category can only be completed once. If you want to switch the category of a book, or change the book you originally chose, no worries. 

·         You can read your books in any order you choose.

·         Rereads can be used only once.  If a book you love fits into a category, go ahead and visit it again.  Read it in its entirety.  But, only do this once for the challenge.

·         There will be a photo album for each category with links to books chosen.  Please comment on the photo for each of your books when you finish reading them.  A comment can include a review, a rating, a recommendation…other readers want to hear what you thought of your choice.  (if you need help with this, let me know…or there is a file attached to our group explaining what to do.)

·         There will be 10 book categories with a possibility of earning 200 points.   That’s 10 books in four months.  For some of you, this will be a BIG challenge; for others it will be easy peasy.  It’s all for fun, remember!

·         Book categories will be posted June 1st to give you time to gather books in preparation. 

·         After the categories are posted, please post a preliminary list with books of your choice according to their categories on the facebook group page by June 15^th (if possible).  If you need help with a particular category or want a book suggestion, we as a community of reading enthusiasts can help each other.  (Late entries will still be accepted)  Some bloggers don't do FB but still want to participate; if this is you, let me know, and we can work this with an alternate plan.

·         The first three people who finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the next challenge. The top winner will get a small prize from me!  Plus, everyone who completes the challenge will gets all sorts of recognition and support!

·         Lastly, have fun.  Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.  Wait, I’ve read that somewhere before…Good luck!

Book Challenge by Erin 5.0:  Categories 

·         5 points:  Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages.

·         10 points:  Read a book that starts with the letter “R”.

·         10 points:  Read a book with five words in the title.

·         15 points:  Read a book that has a (mostly) blue cover.

·         20 points:  (Submitted by Barb; she’s a twin and is a mother to twins.)  Read a book with twins as characters.  Here’s a list that should help:  https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5031.Best_Books_About_Twins

·         20 points:  (Submitted by Christina) Read a book from the following list of books made into movies:  http://www.popsugar.com.au/celebrity/Books-Being-Adapted-Movies-32702763

·         25 points:  (Submitted by Stef) Read a book set in a country you have always wanted to visit.

·         30 points:  (Submitted by Linda) Read a historical fiction book.  Helpful links:  https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/historical-fiction or http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-Historical-Fiction/zgbs/digital-text/157059011

·         30 points:  (Submitted by Ericka)  Read a music related book.  (i.e. a memoir from a musician, singer, band, roadie, producer, groupie, music journalist, etc. OR a fictional book with a lead character that is a musician, music teacher, etc.); Helpful links: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/music-themed or https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1566.Classical_Music_themes_in_Literature or http://www.mtv.com/news/1860773/music-themed-ya-book-list/ or https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/26006.Best_Biographies_Memoirs_of_Popular_Musicians

·         35 points:  (Submitted by Ferne) Read a book originally published over 100 years ago.  This link should help:  https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/16.Best_Books_of_the_19th_Century

If you are stuck on any of these categories, ask for help or recommendations!  GOOD LUCK!

Do you want to know my preliminary picks?  Of course you do.  Or maybe not.  But, here they are anyway.

·         5 points:  Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages. - Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper - I'm slowly, but surely, reading all of the books by this author.  I haven't read one I didn't like.

·         10 points:  Read a book that starts with the letter “R”. - Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

·         10 points:  Read a book with five words in the title. (this has been on my radar for probably 18 months; finally, I'm giving myself incentive to read it.) - I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

·         15 points:  Read a book that has a (mostly) blue cover. - Missoula by Jon Krakauer

·         20 points:  Read a book with twins as characters. -  In The Woods by Tana French - 

·         20 points:  (Submitted by Christina) Read a book from the following list of books made into movies:  The Thicket by Joe R. Lansdale

·         25 points:  Read a book set in a country you have always wanted to visit. - Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride - Our challenge has some Scottish participants (one of them recommended this series to me); I've never been to Scotland and would love to go, so this seemed like a great pick.

·         30 points:  Read a historical fiction book. - Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

·         30 points:  (Submitted by Ericka)  Read a music related book.  - Adrenalized: Life, Def Leppard, and Beyond by Phil Collen, Chris Epting

·         35 points:  Read a book originally published over 100 years ago. - The most difficult of all my selections, because I confess, I'm not a "classics" girl.  So, I went with a recommendation from a friend who just finished her Master's in English Lit - The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Are you going to join us???????