Poll: Monthly Book Challenges
Last week, I got a crazy idea. You've noticed reviews in the past where I talk about reading challenges with various friends of mine (emerald_ibis and digitalclone). Reading challenges, or even dares, are a fun thing to do, and it occurred to me if I wanted to give all of you something REALLY interactive, why not have a reading challenge/dare/book club at calico_reaction?
I've thought about this working a couple of different ways, and so far, everything I've come up with has some kind of drawback, which is why I'm coming to YOU for feedback and brainstorming.
#1) Instead of ALL of us reading something together, I would put up a poll of books I'd read from the PREVIOUS month for all of you to vote on. The book with the most votes would be the reading challenge for the following month. Example: if we were to start in September, I would put up a poll using the titles of books I read in July. You would vote, and the winner would be September's choice.
Pros: the choices of books are really easy, because it's based off of what I've already read.
Cons: I wouldn't be reading the book WITH you, and also, you'd be limited to whatever mood I was in for said month the poll uses.
#2) I provide a poll of books based on something, either a theme (SF books with a female narrator, books written by authors of color, classic fantasy, etc), and you vote. The winner is the book choice for the following month, and all of us read it, including me.
Pros: I get to read the book YOU pick, and themes could prove interesting.
Cons: finding titles for the polls. That's what I dread most about this option, is coming up with titles for you all to vote on. I'd need help and lots of it if we do this option.
So those are my two scenarios. Obviously, in terms of YOU participating, you participate when you want. There's going to be months where you just aren't interested in the selection, so you're not going to read the book. And there's going to be months where you can't wait to get your hands on the next read. Also, there's no rule about finishing. Hell, if we do option two, even ***I*** might not be able to finish a book, so I don't expect you to either.
Which ever option, the idea is to generate lots of discussion for the title of choice, so whether you finish the book or not, I'd hope you'd participate in the discussion.
For the selection each month, I'd provide links to online venues where you can purchase the books, including non-US links so everyone can hopefully participate. I'd love feedback on this option as well, because I'd want participation to include as many people who are interested.
So, thoughts on a monthly book challenge? Lay them on me! In the poll below, vote on which option I described above appeals to you the most, or if you have another idea, let me know in the comments.
Poll Book Challenges
As always, your feedback is most welcome. Thanks so much!
I've thought about this working a couple of different ways, and so far, everything I've come up with has some kind of drawback, which is why I'm coming to YOU for feedback and brainstorming.
#1) Instead of ALL of us reading something together, I would put up a poll of books I'd read from the PREVIOUS month for all of you to vote on. The book with the most votes would be the reading challenge for the following month. Example: if we were to start in September, I would put up a poll using the titles of books I read in July. You would vote, and the winner would be September's choice.
Pros: the choices of books are really easy, because it's based off of what I've already read.
Cons: I wouldn't be reading the book WITH you, and also, you'd be limited to whatever mood I was in for said month the poll uses.
#2) I provide a poll of books based on something, either a theme (SF books with a female narrator, books written by authors of color, classic fantasy, etc), and you vote. The winner is the book choice for the following month, and all of us read it, including me.
Pros: I get to read the book YOU pick, and themes could prove interesting.
Cons: finding titles for the polls. That's what I dread most about this option, is coming up with titles for you all to vote on. I'd need help and lots of it if we do this option.
So those are my two scenarios. Obviously, in terms of YOU participating, you participate when you want. There's going to be months where you just aren't interested in the selection, so you're not going to read the book. And there's going to be months where you can't wait to get your hands on the next read. Also, there's no rule about finishing. Hell, if we do option two, even ***I*** might not be able to finish a book, so I don't expect you to either.
Which ever option, the idea is to generate lots of discussion for the title of choice, so whether you finish the book or not, I'd hope you'd participate in the discussion.
For the selection each month, I'd provide links to online venues where you can purchase the books, including non-US links so everyone can hopefully participate. I'd love feedback on this option as well, because I'd want participation to include as many people who are interested.
So, thoughts on a monthly book challenge? Lay them on me! In the poll below, vote on which option I described above appeals to you the most, or if you have another idea, let me know in the comments.
Poll Book Challenges
As always, your feedback is most welcome. Thanks so much!