Book Challenge by Erin 6.0

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!

If you aren't a facebooker, that's okay too.  I have some that participate through their blogs and others through goodreads.  Participation is encouraged as much or as little as you choose.

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.

We now have a goodreads group too.  It's in its infancy, and Jenn at Optimization, Actually has been kind enough to join me as a moderator to help organize it.  Just trying to create enough options for those who want to participate can in the easiest medium for them to do so.

Warning:  this may be the longest blog post I've ever published, but it's easy to skim.

Book Challenge by Erin 6.0 - General Rules

·         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 JANUARY 1, 2017 to APRIL 30, 2017. No books that are started before 12 a.m. on January 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on April 30 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 December 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 December 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.)

·         The first three people who finish the challenge will be invited to contribute a category for the next challenge. The following will get a small prize from me (1^st to complete 1st round; 1^st to complete both rounds; most points accumulated; and WILD CARD random draw – all who finish the 10 book challenge will qualify as an entry)!  If the same person wins all categories, then I’ll move to the 2^nd finisher, then 3^rd, and so on.  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!

Now that the rules are outta the way, here's the fun stuff:

Book Challenge by Erin 6.0 - Categories

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

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

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

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

·         20 points:  Read a book with a homonym in the title (inspired by the book Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin that I read last challenge with a character who is obsessed with homonyms.)  Only one word in the title needs to be a homonym.  Helpful link:  https://www.cooper.com/alan/homonym_list.html

·         20 points:  (Submitted by Linda) Read a book by your favorite author.

·         25 points:  (Submitted by Christina) Read a book set in the city/town/state/territory/county/province where you live.  To help with books set in certain U.S. states, this link should help:  https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1152882-where-we-ve-been-master-list  To help with international locations, try with this list:  https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1152745-where-we-ve-been-previous-years-master-list

·         30 points:  (Submitted by Peggy) Read a “Rory Gilmore” book.  The character of Rory from the Gilmore Girls was shown reading over 300 different books throughout the series.  Choose one of them from this helpful link:  https://www.buzzfeed.com/krystieyandoli/all-339-books-referenced-in-gilmore-girls

·         30 points:  (Submitted by Stef)  Read a book from a genre that you’ve never read (or rarely read.)

·         35 points:  (Submitted by Ferne) Read a book with time travel.  Helpful link:  https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4018.The_Best_Time_Travel_Books_of_All_Time

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

Anddddddd..........here's my preliminary list (which can also be found on goodreads):

• 5 points:  Freebie – Read a book that is at least 200 pages:  The Girl Before by Rena Olsen - Micah sent this to me, so it is waiting on my bookshelf for me.
• 10 points:  Read a book that starts with the letter “W”:  Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight - I picked this up at a discount bookstore after reading good reviews...still need to read it.
• 10 points:  Read a book with six words in the title:  Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta - I love this author and looking forward to reading her most recent release.
• 15 points:  Read a book that has a (mostly) green cover:  Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani - I had a few books with green covers on my tbr, and this is the one that intrigues me the most.
• 20 points:  Read a book with a homonym in the title:  Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (homonym: some=sum) - I bought this book (quite possibly) over a year ago when bloggers were talking about it in Show Us Your Books.  Still haven't read it.
• 20 points:  Read a book by your favorite author:  How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper - I have enjoyed every Tropper book I've read, and I will read everything he publishes.  I'm slowly but surely making my way through his back catalog.
• 25 points:  Read a book set in the city/town/state/territory/county/province where you live:  I Came to Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington - I think Sanch (a blogger that participates in the challenge who just moved from Sydney) read this last book challenge, and it interested me enough to pick it this time.
• 30 points:  Read a “Rory Gilmore” book:  The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - it has been on my tbr for years, and I picked it up at a secondhand bookstore.  About time I read it, don't you think?
• 30 points:  Read a book from a genre that you’ve never read (or rarely read):  Pines by Blake Crouch - I looked up a list on goodreads for "science fiction" books because that is definitely a genre that I rarely read.  Other book lovin' blogger have raved about this author, so I'll give it a shot.
• 35 points:  Read a book with time travel:  A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain - this category could double for the one above because I avoid "time travel" books.  I didn't even like The Time Traveler's Wife.  But, I enjoy that these challenges push me out of my comfort zone.  This book was nominated for a Goodreads Readers' Choice Award, plus Olya said she didn't expect to enjoy it as much as she did and rated it 4 stars.  Seems like a good pick for a somewhat challenging category for me.

Are you still with me?  Will you join us for Book Challenge by Erin 6.0?  Have you read any of my choices?