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2021 February PIFM Challenge

What is the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge?

The Pick-It-For-Me Challenge (PIFM) is a reading challenge where each participant gives and receives book recommendations based on a given a set of rules. The assignment method and book selection rules change each month so it’s always new and always different.

The idea of the PIFM challenge is that you will get new-to-you books and authors selected for you as well as a push to read some books that have been lingering on your shelves. You may not be interested in the new books recommended, which is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf.

You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge!

After signups are closed, your names and any extra info will go into the super secret PIFM randomizer and it will select someone for you to recommend books to and someone to give you recommendations. This list will be posted along with any specific picking rules for the month.

In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or friend the person giving you recommendations. PLEASE NOTE: if you choose to keep your profile private, it is your responsibility to send a friend request to the person picking for you as soon as possible after the matchups are posted. Whether your profile is private or not, it is also very important that your profile be set to receive Private Messages (PMs) in case anyone needs to reach out to you (mods, organizer etc.)

Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!

Repicks:
You can ask for repicks if:
�� The books picked for you are not yet released.
�� If you have already read the chosen book(s) and they are on your ‘read�� shelf.
�� If you did not receive four picks from your ‘to-read�� shelf, with at least one from your preferred shelf.

You may NOT ask for repicks because:
�� A book is not available at your library.
�� A genre or author you don’t enjoy.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP
Please sign up in this thread with the answer to the following question:

✱✱ Pick one: The Lion, The Witch or The Wardrobe ✱✱

✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱

IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until 25th Jan, 2021 10:00AM EST.
For your convenience a .

You’ll have until 31st Jan, 2021 3 PM EST to make your recommendations.

Please do not start reading your book(s) until the first of the month. You then have the entire month to read your pick(s) and give some feedback.

If you’re new please read the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ. If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please feel free to ask!


��Please note that late sign ups will be included at the host's discretion and no one will be included after re-picks are assigned!��

TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!


Pickees
�� To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read�� shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorite books and authors. In addition, you might consider updating your profile. You can include info about your favorite books, authors, genres, themes or tropes (or themes/tropes you dislike �� i.e. secret baby).
�� Please do not specify likes/dislikes in the sign-up thread. This information will not be included in the pairings and your pickee may not see your message and does not need to rely on that information when making picks.

Pickers
�� Please remember this is primarily a romance readers group. Thus, most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are various sub genres within the romance category - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy. If your pickee reads a wide variety, you could add a non-romance as a choice.

�� You will be using 8 picking rules to select books for you pickee. Choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These can be brand new to them (not found on any of their shelves) or a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author's work previously. The remaining 4 titles should come from your pickee's tbr, with a minimum of one from their preferred shelves if provided. Be sure to pick at least one book for each picking rule, but please limit your picks to no more than two books per rule as sometimes having too many options is worse than too few.

�� Please remember when you are giving new recommendations, you are not limited to titles that you have read. You can choose books that are new releases, on your tbr, or titles you looked up on ŷ������ or Amazon that you think your pickee would enjoy.

A few hints to help with book selection:
�� Check the book’s publishing date. Select "date pub" from the checkbox selections and save.
�� Check pickee's personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves. A personalized shelf is one the member has created. (e.g., 'to read next', 'favorites' ‘didn’t like��)
�� Make sure the books you choose are not on their 'read' shelf. Just because it isn't rated doesn't mean it wasn't read.
�� Look at your pickee's 'read' shelf and see what genres they have recently read or read the most. Reviewing their ‘read�� shelf might help you in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.
�� If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.) Contact the Mods or the month's organizer for guidance.
�� Include a variety of books (e.g., shorter page count, new addition to their 'to-read' shelf, an older book on their 'to-read' shelf) This variety gives your pickee options when choosing the book or books they will be reading this month. Use the sort feature within their shelves to determine date a book was added, published or read; page numbers, ratings, etc.

If you want to volunteer to make repicks:
�� We love that you want to help out, but please remember those who need picks have been waiting for a long time already. Please only volunteer if you are able to make the repicks within a few hours of the deadline. Thank you!

Participants:

The Lion
Prinzessbtrfly(8 books only)
M
Carina
Nancy H
KathyD
Aminko
Courtxneyburns
Jamie

The Witch
MKat
Leena
Sonja
LaurLa
Louise
Romanticbookworm
Elena K
Majstor
Suzanne
Elizabeth

The Wardrobe
Aiswrya
Nikitha
Susan A
April
Becca da
Fran
Maite

Pairings:
Please pick for the person below you in your group. For eg: Carina picks for Courtxneyburns and Aminko picks for Carina

The Lion
🦁Carina
🦁Courtxneyburns
🦁M
🦁KathyD
🦁Jamie
🦁Nancy H
🦁Prinzessbtrfly(8 picks only)
Aminko

The Witch
🦁LaurLa
🦁Leena
🦁Sonja
🦁MKat
🦁 Majstor
🦁Elena K
🦁Romanticbookworm
🦁 Louise
🦁 Suzanne
🦁Elizabeth

The Wardrobe
🦁Fran
🦁 Aiswrya
🦁 Nikitha
🦁April
🦁Susan A
Becca da
Maite

Rules: Feb PIFM is going to about.....

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

1. During the World War II bombings of London, four English siblings are sent to a country house where they will be safe.
Recommend a book containing some sort of war or conflict
OR
Recommend a book set in the country

2. One day, as the children play hide and seek, Lucy stubbles upon a wardrobe that transports her to the magical land of Narnia
Recommend a book tagged fairy tale or fantasy
OR
Recommend a sports romance

3. Amidst the snow and trees, Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus, a faun! He gives her cookies and tea, and lulls her to sleep with his magical flute. He plans to turn her over to the White Witch (gasp!) but his conscience gets the better of him. He quickly helps Lucy find her way back home.
Recommend a book where someone goes back home (eg: soldier returning from deployment, visiting family for the holidays, going back home after a vacation)
OR
Recommend a book with an MC whose name starts with an "L" or a "T"

4. Lucy soon makes a habit of visiting Mr. Tumnus. One such time Edmund, her brother, follows her into Narnia where he runs into sleigh drawn by reindeer, driven by a dwarf and the Queen of Narnia a.k.a the White Witch as the passenger. She charms Edmund into returning to Narnia with his all his siblings.
Recommend a book with royalty
OR
Recommend a book with something evil in it (drugs, mafia, Voldemort?)
OR
Recommend a book set in the winter

5. One morning not long thereafter, the kids are forced to hide in the wardrobe to escape the stern housekeeper Mrs Macready. Lucy leads them back to Narnia and to Mr. Tumnus' house. However, they find the house ransacked and the faun arrested for treason! Lucy being the sweet kid she is, insists on rescuing Mr. Tumnus.
As they look around, they come across Mr & Mrs Beaver, who are (you guessed it!) beavers! The beavers whisk them away to their dam on the frozen river, and tell them the story of Narnia, of its eternal winter and of Aslan the Lion.
Recommend a book with at least one animal in the story
OR
Recommend a book with a butler or a housekeeper (they don't have to be MCs)
OR
Recommend a book with a kidnapping or arrest

6. All will be set to rights in Narnia when the two daughters of Eve and the two sons of Adam sit on the throne in castle Cair Paravel. The beavers whisk the kids away to the Stone Table to meet Aslan the Lion. Enroute, Edmund slips away to find the White Witch. He soon discovers that the witch only wanted to kill them all and ends up in prison in the witch's castle.
Recommend a book where someone comes upon a grand realization (eg: finding one's soul mate/ fated mate? Finding out one's job sucks? Finding out they want a second chance with their ex (second chance romance?))
OR
Recommend a book tagged historical or with a castle on the cover

7. Soon, the witch faces the lion and the rest of Narnia in battle, where Aslan eventually kills the Queen. All of Narnia cheers and celebrates the victory of Aslan's Army.
Recommend a book tagged paranormal
OR
Recommend a book featuring a celebration or a joyous occasion (eg: graduation, a wedding, death of an evil uncle)

8. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy take their rightful place as the Kings and Queens of Narnia, where they reign peacefully for many years, forgetting all about England and the war. Many years later, as they hunt for the fabled White Stag, a creature that would grant any wish, they stubble upon the wardrobe again. As they walk through its doors, they realize no time has passed in their own world and the nasty housekeeper is still looking for them!
Recommend a book that takes place in two timelines
OR
Recommend a book with a peaceful cover
OR
Recommend a book tagged "Adventure"

I'm in! The Wardrobe, I don't even know why lol
My shelf

Ooohhhh definitely the LION, RRRAAWWRRR! 🦁

/review/list...
*No more than 8 books please
💜🙆🾶‍♀��

Lion for me please!

/review/list...

Hi, wardrobe please!

Wardrobe please.

mg pick from here - re-reads and short books are okay

Lion! Use /review/list...

I can't be the only one who wants to be the Witch?!

Please use my to-read-asap shelf that I really need to update - thanks!

The lion since I am a Leo.

The Witch.
/review/list...

the lion...rereads are OK...tbr-audios

I'm in please! The Witch (no idea why, just fun!)
Please us my my PIFM shelf! They're ranked if that helps! :)

I'm in! And call me a witch!!
04-pick-me-please

I'm in amd it will have to be The Witch

Owned

I’m in. Wardrobe.
/review/list...

The wardrobe!

Please use this shelf: /review/list...

In in for witch please

Please use my PIFM shelf /review/list...

I'm in for the Wardrobe!

PIFM shelf- /review/list...

I choose the witch )

The witch

I'm in and I like the Witch!

Welcome everyone! Participants updated till here :)

Some of you have thousands of books on your TBRs (which is, of course, fine!) But, if you'd like to include a preferred shelf, let me know :) I know I've forgotten to include my shelf numerous times before!

I’m in. I’m going with the Witch

I'm in and I'll go with Lion.

Please use this shelf to make it a little easier /review/list...

The lion please ☺️

I'm in and I pick lion. I'll use my TBR shelf. I haven't had time to separate anything out. :)

Hi! The wardrobe for me please! :)

�Ѳ�ï�ٱ� wrote: "Hi! The wardrobe for me please! :)"

Hi Maite! Since you're new to GR, could you maybe add some details about what you enjoy reading? You'll get better recommendations :) Feel free to update your sign up post or post a new message or update your profile :) Thanks!

Sign ups are closed :) Pairings and rules are up.

You have until 31st Jan, 2021 3 PM EST to make your picks. Happy picking!

PICKS FOR Becca da

1. TBR: The Paris Library - tagged war
NEW: Rebel Rose - from precis: "France is on the brink of revolution"



2. TBR: The Princess Game - tagged fantasy
NEW: The Lightning-Struck Heart - tagged fantasy



3. TBR: Not with the Band - MC Jordan Lawson
NEW: Navigating the Stars - MC Lyra



4. TBR: Wicked Witch - from precis: "the evil King Alataris"
NEW: Teen Killers Club from precis: "super-secret society of teenage assassins" (even if the teens themselves aren't evil, surely whoever taught this kids to be assassins is)



5. TBR: Otherwise Engaged - kidnapped
NEW: Cold-Hearted Rake - butler



6. TBR: The Duke and I - tagged historical
NEW: Heiress Apparently - from precis - "Thus kicks off a summer of revelations"



7. TBR: The Darkest Part of the Forest - tagged paranormal
NEW: The Hidden Witch - tagged paranormal



8. TBR: In the Same Boat - tagged adventure
NEW: Beautiful Wild - tagged adventure

hi Jamie! here are your picks for February...I hope you find some great reads! I’ve read every book listed here...many are 5-star reads...those that aren’t are part of a series I love or written by a favorite author. happy reading!

1. During the World War II bombings of London, four English siblings are sent to a country house where they will be safe.
Reaper’s Property , Joanna Wylde �� includes a conflict (tbr)
The Darkest Hour , Maya Banks �� set in the country (new)

2. One day, as the children play hide and seek, Lucy stumbles upon a wardrobe that transports her to the magical land of Narnia.
Pucked , Helena Hunting �� tagged sports romance (tbr)
Zeus , Kamery Solomon �� tagged fantasy (new)

3. Amidst the snow and trees, Lucy meets Mr. Tumnus, a faun! He gives her cookies and tea, and lulls her to sleep with his magical flute. He plans to turn her over to the White Witch (gasp!) but his conscience gets the better of him. He quickly helps Lucy find her way back home.
Come Away with Me , Kristen Proby �� main character’s name is Luke (tbr)
Forgotten Sins , Rebecca Zanetti �� character returns to his family (new)

4. Lucy soon makes a habit of visiting Mr. Tumnus. One such time, Edmund, her brother, follows her into Narnia where he runs into sleigh drawn by reindeer, driven by a dwarf and the Queen of Narnia a.k.a., the White Witch as the passenger. She charms Edmund into returning to Narnia with all his siblings.
Royally Screwed , Emma Chase �� book with royalty (tbr)
Angels�� Blood , Nalini Singh �� includes an evil character (new)

5. One morning not long thereafter, the kids are forced to hide in the wardrobe to escape the stern housekeeper Mrs Macready. Lucy leads them back to Narnia and to Mr. Tumnus�� house. However, they find the house ransacked and the faun arrested for treason! Lucy, being the sweet kid she is, insists on rescuing Mr. Tumnus.
As they look around, they come across Mr & Mrs Beaver, who are (you guessed it!) beavers! The beavers whisk them away to their dam on the frozen river, and tell them the story of Narnia, of its eternal winter and of Aslan the Lion.
Wallbanger , Alice Clayton �� story includes a cat (tbr)
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie , Jennifer Ashley �� includes butler/housekeeper (new)

6. All will be set to rights in Narnia when the two daughters of Eve and the two sons of Adam sit on the throne in castle Cair Paravel. The beavers whisk the kids away to the Stone Table to meet Aslan the Lion. Enroute, Edmund slips away to find the White Witch. He soon discovers that the witch only wanted to kill them all and ends up in prison in the witch’s castle.
The Professional , Kresley Cole �� character learns something important about herself (tbr)
Slave to Sensation , Nalini Singh �� character comes to a grand realization (new)

7. Soon, the witch faces the lion and the rest of Narnia in battle, where Aslan eventually kills the Queen. All of Narnia cheers and celebrates the victory of Aslan’s Army.
A Touch of Midnight , Lara Adrian �� tagged paranormal (tbr)
Dragon Bound , Thea Harrison �� tagged paranormal (new)

8. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy take their rightful place as the Kings and Queens of Narnia, where they reign peacefully for many years, forgetting all about England and the war. Many years later, as they hunt for the fabled White Stag, a creature that would grant any wish, they stumble upon the wardrobe again. As they walk through its doors, they realize no time has passed in their own world and the nasty housekeeper is still looking for them!
Tangled , Emma Chase �� peaceful cover (tbr)
Beyond the Highland Mist , Karen Marie Moning �� takes place in two timelines (new)

Susan A wrote: "PICKS FOR Becca da

1. TBR: The Paris Library - tagged war
NEW: Rebel Rose - from precis: "France is on the brink of revolution"

[bookcover:The Paris Library|52761..."

Thank you!!!

Oh my! I'm super excited for this topic, thank you for the fun one, Aiswrya!

MKat I'm picking for you, my friend! Hoping to finish your picks tomorrow or Wednesday!

Yay!! I love this challenge 😁

KathyD - I'm working on your picks and hope to have them ready later today!

Hi Aiswrya!

Here are your picks for February....I hope you find something you love!

1.
TBR: Honeymoon for One- conflict
NEW: Spring Strings- country

2.
TBR: Heartstopper: Volume One - sports player (love this trilogy!)
NEW: Thief- Cinderfella

3.
TBR: Gay on a Train- MC is Lee
NEW: DJ Dangerfield- side character Tom (slight cheat) - this is so cute.

4.
TBR: Always- sounds like one evil dad
NEW: Tempt the Devil

5.
TBR: Oz- house manager character
NEW: Personal Delivery- cat in story

6.
TBR: Mine Till Midnight- historical (love this series)
NEW: Twice Baked- second chances

7.
TBR: Give Up the Ghost- pnr
NEW: Boss Man Bridegroom- celebration (super fun and funny)

8.
TBR: Walking on Thin Ice
NEW: Wanted, A Gentleman

Happy Reading!!

Hi KathyD! Here are your picks! Hope they work for you :)

1.
TBR - Redneck Romeo by Lorelei James (country)
NEW - Just Drive by L.A. Witt(conflict)


2.
TBR - Wylde by Sawyer Bennett (sports)
NEW - Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan (sports)


3.
TBR - One Moment Please by Amy Daws (mc name is starts with L)
NEW - Show Me the Way by A.L. Jackson (returns home)


4.
TBR - Entice by Rachel Van Dyken (mafia)
NEW - A Lesson in Thorns by Sierra Simone (tagged royalty)


5.
TBR - Atticus: A Woman’s Journey with the World’s Worst Behaved Dog by S. Bennett (dog in story)
NEW - Release by Aly Martinez (arrest in story)


6.
TBR - The Bride Test byHelen Hoang (grand realization)
NEW - Fallen by Mia Sheridan (historical)


7.
TBR - Dark Desire by Christine Feehan (paranormal)
NEW - Layla by Colleen Hoover (paranormal)


8.
TBR - Lethal Balance by Cherise Sinclair (adventure)
NEW - Parallel by Elizabeth O'Roark (multiple timelines)



Hope you find some books to read from my picks. Happy Reading!!

M wrote: "Hi KathyD! Here are your picks! Hope they work for you :)

1.
TBR - Redneck Romeo by Lorelei James (country)
NEW - Just Drive by [author:L.A. Witt|3..."

thanks M! these look great! =)

LaurLa here are your picks. I hope you find something you'll enjoy.

1.
TBR: Lover Reborn - War or Conflict
NEW: The Nightingale - War or Conflict

2.
TBR: A Discovery of Witches - Tagged Fantasy
NEW: A Kiss at Midnight - Tagged Fairytale

3.
TBR: Born to Be Wild - MC's name is Lauren
NEW: The Summer Deal - Coming back home

4.
TBR: Bedeviled - Royalty
NEW: To Marry a Prince

5.
TBR: Miracle Pie - Dog on the cover
NEW: A New Leash on Love

6.
TBR: First Comes Scandal - Tagged Historical
NEW: While the Duke Was Sleeping - Tagged Historical

7.
TBR: The Darkest King - Tagged Paranormal
NEW: Covet - Tagged Paranormal

8.
TBR: Unspeakable - Peaceful Cover
NEW: The Time Traveler's Wife - Duel Timeline

☘K���ٳ����� wrote: "hi Jamie! here are your picks for February...I hope you find some great reads! I’ve read every book listed here...many are 5-star reads...those that aren’t are part of a series I love or written by..."

Thank you so much Kathy! I can't wait to read them!

Hi Susan here are your picks. Enjoy
1.
TBR- Restored by Joanna Chambers (London)
NEW- Blackmailed by the Italian Billionaire by Nina Croft (London)

2.
TBR- Barbarian's Lady by Ruby Dixon (tagged fantasy)
NEW- Night's Rose by Annaliese Evans (tagged fairytale)

3.
TBR- Bishop by A.E. Via (out of prison goes back home)
NEW- Shooter by Dahlia West (back from Iraq)

4.
TBR Up for Heir by Stella Starling (royal)
NEW- Throne of Glass bySarah J. Maas (royalty)

5.
TBR- Death Checks In by David S. Pederson (arrest)
NEW-Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins ( has a dog)

6.
TBR-A Pint for the Omega by C.W. Gray (tagged second chance)
NEW- Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward ( tagged fated mate)

7.
TBR- Craved by an Alien by Amanda Milo (tagged paranormal)
NEW- The Protector by Abigail Owen (paranormal)
8.
TBR- Stay by Jessica Frances (peaceful cover)
NEW-Black Ice by Anne Stuart (adventure)

Hey Sonja, went thru your PIFM list. Uve got some great books there that I've quickly stolen to my TBR.
I'll post your reads by tomorrow.

Thanks for the picks April!

Nancy H here are your picks. Hope you find something you enjoy!

1.
TBR: Dire Threads by Janet Bolin - conflict
NEW: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon - conflict

2.
TBR: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - tagged fantasy
NEW: The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker by Matilda Woods - tagged fantasy

3.
TBR: The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen - return home
NEW: The Duke She Desires by Violet Hamers - MC starts with a "L"

4.
TBR: Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley - has royalty
NEW: The Last Lady of Thornhill Manor by Patricia Haverton - has royalty

5.
TBR: Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood - one animal in story
NEW: A Borrowing of Bones by Paula Munier - one animal in story

6.
TBR: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig - tagged historical
NEW: Destiny by Sally Beauman - tagged historical

7.
TBR: The Phantom of the Bathtub by Eugenia Riley - tagged paranormal
NEW: The Wedding by Danielle Steel - wedding celebration

8.
TBR: Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center - Peaceful Cover
NEW: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes - Peaceful Cover

Leena wrote: "Hey Sonja, went thru your PIFM list. Uve got some great books there that I've quickly stolen to my TBR.
I'll post your reads by tomorrow."

HAHA! Thanks Leena! To be fair though, I probably stole most of them from someone else's TBR list! ;) Can't wait to see what you pick! Cheers!

Also I probably shouldn't tell you, but I added one more this morning because the third book in one of my favorite author's series is finally coming out! *squee!*

Hi Prinzessbtrfly,
Here are your picks and I hope they are okay. We don't have a lot of books in common, and as far as new ones for you, I picked ones that I thought you might enjoy, some of which are different from those on your list. I hope you like them!

1. Book with war - The Nightingale

2. Fairy tale/fantasy - Lock

3. MC goes back home - The Simple Life

4. Set in winter, actually in a Winter Land - Wildest Dreams

5. Kidnapping - The Game Maker

6. Grand realization - The Vixen's Lead

7. Paranormal - Dark Fae

8. Two timelines - Letters from Skye

Happy Reading!

Thank you, Jamie. These look great! I immediately saw three that I want to start with...hard decision picking up just one - lol!



Jamie wrote: "Nancy H here are your picks. Hope you find something you enjoy!

1.
TBR: Dire Threads by Janet Bolin - conflict
NEW: Dragonfly in Amber by [author:Diana ..."