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As we wrap up the Fall 2009 challenge, I am wondering if anyone will do things differently for the winter one?

So far, I have competed in 3 challenges, starting with the Spring one. I finished the first and have a decent chance at finishing this one. However, for the winter, I am definitely going to do things differently. For example:
1) My goal is actually going to be to NOT try to finish. It looks like the winter challenge will be as big or bigger than the summer challenge. I've seen how much reading I have been doing lately, and frankly, I miss the rest of my life! I have decided that I will not allow myself to try to finish the winter challenge, in an effort to maintain some sort of reading/life balance. I think I may try to finish every other one, taking the summer and winter ones off to read at a more "human" pace.

2) I have at least 15-20 books that I REALLY want to read, and have been on my shelves for weeks or months, but that I have put off becuase they either do not fit into the challenge OR becuase they are too long and I feel like i need to keep up my pace of 2 books every 3 days. I am going to stop that. I dont care if every book is like 600 pages - i am going to read what I really want to this challenge and not focus so much on finding a quicker read.

Of course, I absolutely LOVE the challenges, but I think they have become a little too all-consuming for me personally! I have a book addiction problem and the only way for me to ensure that I actually have a life is to cut back a little here!!!

(but i probably will be back with a vengence in the Spring... :) )

I think this time around I'm going to pick my favorite tasks and complete those first regardless if it'll give me top points -or- finishing the whole challenge.

It's nearly halfway through Nov and given my RL schedule, I KNOW I cannot finish this challenge. I'm at page 326 of a 500 pg book and then I have another 500 pg book to finish by nxt wed for my RL book club. Think I'll have to be picky n' choosy as I round out this challenge.

But I hear you definitely on #1

I was all set out to complete this challenge, minus 1 or 2 tasks I had zero interest in doing. I got fed up that I couldn't read the books I really wanted to read. I also have reading obligations (I review books for another person's book blog) and I'm in 2 book clubs. Not all of these books fit the tasks, so I was losing time getting these obligatory books read.

I haven't decided if I'm going to do the next challenge. I'm competitive, and I'm cranky I didn't get more tasks completed.

I'm a mom as well, and reading takes time away from her. I can't just ignore my life like some people seem to do to complete these challenges.

Bridgit -- like you, I found myself avoiding long books during the Summer Challenge because I was so bent on trying to finish it up. This challenge I've been reading longer books (Outlander series books for example) so my point total is way down. It's a constant war between the the part of me that wants the points, and the part of me that wants to read the books that really appeal to me.

For the next challenge I my priorities are to read:
1) Books I own
2) Books that I have had in the library's Hold Queue that finally come in
3) Books that REALLY appeal to me

I worked on multi-book tasks first in this challenge, and that worked well for me. I'm going to continue that strategy moving forward.

I started keeping track of page totals this challenge, and that has helped eased my anxiety about my lower point total. I can see that I've read more pages than the last challenge so I know for myself I'm improving.

Oh gosh, watching the point totals sends my body into panic -- must read more. Must finish. *giggles*

Krista, I like your priorities. Mine would be:
1) Book Club
2) Books I Own & Haven't Read
3) Library Hold Queue
4) TBR List (great appeal)
5) Classics

If you look at the leader board, I was definitely not worried about finishing the challenge. Actually, I ended up reading more for my other groups, and leaving this till the last. In addition, I picked EPIC books to read (not just large ones. So, from that perspective, here is what I am going to do different:

Fit more books that I already own/are on my TBR into the challenge.

Try to fit as much of my other reading obligations in as possible.

Fit in some light reads for a break.

I understand the obsession with the points. During the Summer Challenge after I figured out which books to read for the challenges I actually figured out, using an excel spreadsheet, which order to read my books that would get me the highest points the fastest. It was actually some beautiful spreadsheet work if I say so myself.

About half way through it I totally burned out. So this challenge I just read whatever I wanted and fit it in where I could. If it didn't fit I didn't worry. The people who can finish these challenges are amazing. But I get tired of anything if I do it too often and that includes reading.

Knowing that I would not finish the fall challenge with so much going on that reading time had to be sidetracked I decided midway through to follow the tasks as much as I could, but to also enjoy the ride. That meant for me if I found a book that worked I didn't worry about how many pages. For example one of the books I 'm finishing up is a book of fairy tales (800+ pages) instead of reading a couple children's storybooks. Overkill I know, but I never would have took time to read it front to back without this challenge. That was my whole draw in doing this--to read things I had been meaning to get to or finding something new that I otherwise would not pick up. That is my plan for the most part next time too maybe starting out with muti book challenges.

I don't know if I'm going to change anything for the winter challenge. I didn't plan on finishing this challenge with college, work, family, etc.

I also used a lot of the books I already owned and didn't buy anything specifically for the challenge - I either had everything or fit books in.

For this challenge, I want to fit several re-reads in, especially when I'm home for Christmas break. There have been a few books I have just been aching to reread, and I'd like to be able to fit them in.

I also underestimated how much I'd be able to read during the challenge, so I've run out of books that I came up with in my "planning for the challenge" period. I have a few I can still use, but I'm not feeling any of them right now. I'd like to make a more extensive plan of what to read with the books I have so I know what to bring from home (where most of my unread books are) and have options, especially at the end of the challenge.

This is an interesting topic. I've finally decided that I am just going to read and see where the books will fit in afterwards. I have to really finish my TBR pile (mainly borrowed books) before the end of the year. After that, I'm going to look at the list of books I own but didn't finish for the other challenges. After doing 3 challenges in a row, I'm a little burned out and really want to reduce the ever growing stack of recommended books.

Rebecca wrote: "This is an interesting topic. I've finally decided that I am just going to read and see where the books will fit in afterwards. I have to really finish my TBR pile (mainly borrowed books) before ..."

I know exactly what you mean Rebecca. I am feeling VERY burned out right now.

Well I realized from the get go I don't think I will EVER finish a challenge...and I am just fine with that.

This is the second challenge I have done, and haven't really been worried about getting as many points as possible the way I did with the summer challenge. Above all else these things are supposed to be FUN and putting pressure on yourself isn't fun. I love the challenges because they get me to read books I wouldn't normally read, and push me to read books that I've been meaning to read for a while (in some cases YEARS).

Like I said, I haven't been as active in this challenge. Life got busy for me, but that's OK.

I think for Winter I will delve in more like I did in the Summer challenge. I'm planning on really getting organized and planning out books. For fall I just kind of read let the books fall where they could.

I never intended to finish the challenge but loved the way I could select books from my TBR pile to do some of the tasks. The only thing I'll change is that I won't force myself to finish a book that I don't like even if it means less points overall.

It has never been my goal to finish a challenge. I always just want to get higher points then the previous challenge (considering I have like ten points in the summer, that wasn't hard to do). I think in the winter, to challenge myself, I will try to improve my number of pages read, rather then my points. That will allow me to read whatever I want and do the tasks I want, whether it is a 5 point or a 50 point.

I tend to be competitive, but as a full-time student working 30 hours a week, I know it isn't realistic for me to read that much. I have read 14 books so far and I just want to improve on that.

This time around I am going to try to put books on my list that are sitting on my shelf. Ones that I've been trying to read for a long time but haven't got around to reading.

Another thing I'd like to do is get off the tv and read more. Ever since I got my Directv, I've been getting a bit hooked on all the new fall shows and not on my great books. So I am going to set aside more time for reading.

But I'm also not going to put pressure on myself to finish the challenge. I'll read what I can and have fun with it.

I don't feel pressured at all by the challenge. I sometimes sigh about how my points are low, but I think I thrive on the puzzle aspect of the challenge rather than actually trying to finish. I have no expectation of ever finishing a challenge. It's just so much fun to find books that fit! I've been doing the Around the World in 80 Books challenge on TNBBC as well and finding books that fit both is extra fun! haha (It's the little things with me :P)

I do try to add things I own first and honestly if I don't own it already there's little chance it will make the read pile. I have so many books unread at home. I also don't pay any attention to page count, If it fits and I own it, I read it.

So I guess I won't do anything differently. I might try to cater a little toward countries I still need to visit for my other challenge, but maybe not. I don't want to feel like my reading choices are getting stale. I only have a small window to read in, it would suck if I didn't enjoy the book!

Seeing how many of the TBR books fit, and reading some smaller books for the 5 point challanges.

Well, for me the biggest thing that's going to change is actually starting at the beginning of the challenge! The Fall Challenge was my first one, and I didn't discover it until mid-October. Luckily I was able to fit a lot of books in that I had already read in September, but I'm looking forward to actually starting on time with a plan for the Winter Challenge.
My goal isn't to finish. I'm just using the challenges as a way to discover new things I wouldn't have read otherwise.
Since I'm not going to finish the fall challenge, my plan is to try to shuffle things I was hoping to read for the fall challenge to winter challenge tasks where possible. Then I'll go to my TBR stack and then see what's available at the library.

Bridgit- I one hundred percent agree with your comments and I am taking it a step forward and have decided not to do the Winter Challenge. I may not even finish the fall one. I have too many things going on in my life to create this kind of pressure on myself over books.

Jennifer- I am also with you. I am very competitive and not finishing things makes me cranky. Also- I am not willing to ignore my life or constantly put it on hold for this challenge (as much as I love it).

I think I will take a break and be back in the Spring!

I was going to finish Fall, but reading this just reminded me of how much I don't want to read some of the books I have left- and one of them I don't want to rush through. So I think I am out until March!

Have fun guys!

oh and one other major thing I did not mention- I have many many books I want to read and so I am just going to read! The main thing the challenges has done for me has gotten me back to reading very voraciously. I was letting teaching take away my personal reading time. Now that I have that back, I want to slow down (a little) and set my own goals.

I know the point is not to finish, but something in my personality won't let me accept that readily. LOL

I think I am going to start with the highest point items first and I am going to try and use as many books I own or I can get from the library or paperbackswap. I am just going to try to do what I can and hopefully beat my points of 460 and tasks of 28 from the Fall challenge. I am just learning what works. Also, I will probably read books I want that may or may not fit too. I, like Nicole, have found my love and drive to read as much as I can.

I'm really trying to finish the Fall Challenge, but there is no way I'm going to finish the Winter Challenge.

There are a ton of books on my shelf and TBR list that I've been wanting to read but haven't because they have been either too hefty to read for a challenge, or they just didn't fit. This season, I'm planning on reading for my own enjoyment and if a books fits, I'll use it. If not, at least I knock one off my list! ;)

Bridgit wrote: "I dont care if every book is like 600 pages - i am going to read what I really want to this challenge and not focus so much on finding a quicker read. "

That's going to be my big change, too. I've been neglecting my long books!! I need to fit some of my longer reads, like The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love and August 1914 into the upcoming challenge. They may be the only books I get through (!), but I don't want them to sit on my shelves for years while I read their skinnier counterparts.

Like others have mentioned, I never plan on finishing the challenges. I use the tasks as a way to help me select my books. I read the ones I am most interested in first, no matter the length.

Actually my ego took a beating in the Fall Challenge, I started a consulting business in addition to my regular job, and just can't keep up with the speed readers. :) I'm also trying to get to books like Outlander than have been on my list for a while, but I knew would slow me down on the challenge boards.

I love having the challenge as it allows me to organize my reading and keeps me exploring new books, both from the tasks and other people's recommendations, but I've given up trying to be competitive for the time being - which hurts!

Nicole- I agree with you completely. I am still hoping to finish the Fall Challenge but it is really going to be a stretch. I am finding myself reading books that do not at all interst me just to fit them into a challenge. I have so many books that I want to actually read that do not fit into the challenge (especially this time around). I was a tad discouraged after looking at the finalized list because there are a lot of additional tasks that have to be done before claiming the points, such as watching a show/movie or cooking something. I just do not think I have it in me to be 'challenged'. I also participate in these challenges to finish because I honestly do not see the point of just getting a certain amount of points. I know that this is not the point, but like Nicole, once I start something, I feel I have to finish it (or try to). I am finding that I am getting WAY to consumed with these challenges that I am neglecting other things I enjoy just to read.

With the Fall one being my first challenge I think I'm going to have to set more time to either read or I'm going to have to get myself more organised in other area - EG assignments etc...

I have also found that I'm on a bit of a dry strech when it comes to reading and I've got a couple of books that I at least want to finish for the fall challenge... hopefully!

The Fall challenge I was "on" and had to finish. The Winter challenge I'm going to be "off." When I complete a challenge I always read books just to get the points; not because I want to read the book or because I enjoyed it.

I'm going home for two weeks for Christmas and I want to spend the time I have with a library reading what I WANT, not what is necessary for the challenge. After that, I need to finish up the books I own because I'm leaving Japan for good in July and need to get through and then sell/give away nearly all my books. Which, again, means I need to read the books I have and not necessarily books that fit the challenge.

That said, there are some tasks for Winter that look really fun (and some that I'm really glad I'm giving myself the chance to opt out of). In the spring, depending on the tasks and how far through the books-i-own pile I'm through, I might try to finish again.

Another one here going to sit the Winter Challenge out. I gave it a lot of thought and as of last night was still planning to go ahead. I think I've finally come to my senses now. I'll check in for the Spring Challenge to see if things are better.

For me, its gonna be what I can read and when I can read it.

Like a few other people, my goal will be to get most of my TBR reads off my shelf first. I'll fit them into the challenge as best I can, but I have some books that I borrowed from friends that I need to return soon so I'll be reading those whether they fit into the challenge or not.

I have a 4-year-old and a 4-month-old, so I really can't read often, but I would definitely like to get more than 40 points this time around! LOL

I hope all of you who are sitting out will still be here in the group :)

After really looking at the winter tasks, there aren't a whole lot of my TBR books that I can fit into the tasks. I don't think any of the books I'll read for the rest of the month will be for the challenge, and I'm going to try to read more books during the winter challenge because I want to read them. I want to read books because I actually want to read them. If they fit into the challenge, great, and if not, I'll read them anyway. The challenge tasks are also good for choosing a book if I really have no idea what to read.

I will still be in the group. I love these seasonal challenges, but I just really need a break. I have 647 book on my TBR (not at home:), but on GR that I have been wanting to read and not a lot of them fit. I do not want to read a book just to fulfill a task requirement.

Having just looked at the challenges it feels to me that it is going to be a bit harder to fit books in. I normally read the books that I already have but haven't read yet and fit them into the challenge somehow but these tasks seem a bit too specific to be able to do that this time around! I will probably buy a lot of new books to fit into the challenge this time round! I have never finished a challenge, and I have now done a whole year's worth, but I don't mind that. I just use the tasks as a way to choose what to read next and love finding books I wouldn't normally read but they happen to fit the tasks and I find a new author I like!

Alice wrote: "Having just looked at the challenges it feels to me that it is going to be a bit harder to fit books in. I normally read the books that I already have but haven't read yet and fit them into the cha..."

Alice, I had the same reaction when I looked at the list of tasks. It seemed like the tasks this time were so much harder (as you said, more specific) than in the fall challenge. But I was surprised to find that about 30 books from my TBR shelf fit the tasks. I probably won't be able to read more than that, anyway!

:), I felt exactly the same way at the beginning of the Fall Challenge.
I finished the Summer, but just couldn't get going into the Fall Challenge, both because of burnout and things going on in my life. To make it worse, there were a few tasks I just didn't want to do.

A rest helped tremendously. I found I can't keep up even a reasonable reading pace without the competitive piece of this, I slip back into reading the beginning and the end of books.
It appears that there are more general books I can fit into the Winter, although some of the tasks are specific, and some of the books I wanted to read I can't see how will fit, overall I'm more excited about this one. I know though, the best part is picking the books, doing the scavenger hunt aspect of this, not the actual reading.

And how do these people read these books so fast!? I've always been proud of being a fast reader, but this is ridiculous.

Katie wrote: "Alice wrote: "Having just looked at the challenges it feels to me that it is going to be a bit harder to fit books in. I normally read the books that I already have but haven't read yet and fit them into the cha..."

Alice, I had the same reaction when I looked at the list of tasks. It seemed like the tasks this time were so much harder (as you said, more specific) than in the fall challenge. But I was surprised to find that about 30 books from my TBR shelf fit the tasks. I probably won't be able to read more than that, anyway!..."


At first glance, the tasks seem more specific but I found that they are really rather versatile. I've looked at my bookshelf for ideas and found that many of the books that I wanted to fit into the Fall Challenge fit into the Winter Challenge instead or as well.
I'm one of those who won't ever actually finish a Challenge. There's too much happening in RL for me to read that many books in 3 months. However, I really enjoy finding a way to incorporate the books I want to read, finding new and interesting authors and genres and knowing which book to pick up next. The Challenge to me is participating with the Group and enjoying good books (thick or slim) with people who also enjoy good books.

Amy wrote: "I hope all of you who are sitting out will still be here in the group :)

I'll still be around - this place is too addicting to leave ;) I just went through the stack of borrowed books last night and was able to fit in a few which makes me happy!

I have a 3-day old baby so my schedule doesn't exactly belong to me anymore. :)

So the thing I plan on doing differently this time around is splitting the tasks into 3 different groups (after choosing all the books) based on my level of interest in completing them: want to read, don't care to read and might want to read if I get the chance.

I love lists and crossing things off lists, so these challenges fulfill that need in my life whether I have a chance at finishing or not.

Beth(MN) wrote: "I have a 3-day old baby so my schedule doesn't exactly belong to me anymore. :)

So the thing I plan on doing differently this time around is splitting the tasks into 3 different groups (after c..."

Congratulations!!!

Beth(MN) wrote: "I have a 3-day old baby so my schedule doesn't exactly belong to me anymore. :)

So the thing I plan on doing differently this time around is splitting the tasks into 3 different groups (after c..."

Aww, what a cutie! Congratulations, Beth.

Beth(MN) wrote: "I love lists and crossing things off lists, so these challenges fulfill that need in my life whether I have a chance at finishing or not."

I feel the same way! I like these challenges because they motivate me to find new books to read (and make the time to read them). I'd like to finish a challenge at least once, but it won't be this next one, since I have a couple big projects that I'm working on this winter.

this will be my second challenge and i'm really just interested in trying to broaden my reading horizons. I like to see how many points i can get, but am not focused necessarily on finishing all the tasks. this is supposed to be fun!

Congratulations, Beth!!! What wonderful news!

Congratulations Beth!!!

Thanks everybody. I'm so thankful to have her! :)

Cindy said: "I know though, the best part is picking the books, doing the scavenger hunt aspect of this, not the actual reading" I know exactly what you mean, I feel the same way! I found this club at the end of September so the Fall Challenge was/is my first one. I'll have approximately 350 points when November is done, then it's onto the Winter Challenge, which will be my second one. What I'm planning to do is: the fun scavenger hunt part, winding up with lists of books applicable for each task; then I'll start off by choosing books out of the stack and reading them. To increase the number of points, I'd start off with the 25-point tasks first, and work downwards from there.

I've enjoyed these challenges because they help me decide on what to read next and to find books that I would be interested in that I normally wouldn't pick up right away or find at all. Especially since I like to see what books others choose. That being said, I've never finished a challenge and don't expect to finish one any time soon. I started keeping track of how many pages I've read and how many books, to me that tells me more about my reading habits.

I enjoy reading for myself. Some tasks just don't appeal to me and since I have so little time to read I refuse to read something just to get points. I'd rather have fun and read something I enjoy. But I LOVE getting the tasks printed out and then deciding what on my TBR and WANT lists works and then as the months go by adding new books in that I find along the way. This time I actually read 5 books in a series thinking only 1 would fit, and I think I've actually ended up putting them all somewhere in the challenge, so paired with other books for multi-book challenges.

Beth - I'm so impressed you're even online and functioning! Congrats!

@ Beth