A History of Royals discussion

I have been thinking about what challenges we might want to do in 2013. In that light, I have some questions for the members:

1. Did you participate in 2012 challenges?

2. If you participated, what did you like about them?

3. If not, what kept you from participating?

4. What types of challenges would you like to see for 2013?

Also, I have been thinking of having anyone who was able to complete one of the 2012 challenges submit a task for one of our 2013 challenges. Has anyone finished one of the challenges or do you anticipate finishing it by Dec 31?

Thanks for any input and help on this.

Hmmm. I didn't do the challenge, in part because I would have come to it kind of late in the game. However, one big reason I do challenges is to get through books I already own, and since some of the dynasties covered by the challenge are about areas I don't have any interest in, it would have meant spending money to read books I didn't especially want to read in the first place. That being said, I thought this was an imaginative challenge, and well-suited to a number of readers because of the number of times I see people in these groups who really are a lot more willing to read outside their comfort zone than I am.

So... How to accommodate them AND me? (not that there's any need to accommodate me but you know what I mean...) Dunno. Maybe do different centuries instead of different geographic areas? (read any royalty-related book you want as long as its set in the 20th century, etc...).

This is a good group, by the way.

JA

I'm going to fail to complete spectacularly! I've managed 3 tasks so far, and likely only to read one more before the end of the year - 2 if I'm lucky. However I have put a bit of effort into shuffling the books I want to read around so that they fit the categories tho, lol. The one I've found most difficult is the castle one, because it is so vague, and maybe difficult to tell from the description of the book if it'll fit.

I think if we did it again I'd suggest each participant start their own thread in the challenge folder, and asking them to add a new post every time they complete a book. When people update their original post by editing it doesn't show as a new message in the group, so for long periods of time it looked like there was no activity in the thread when perhaps we were all going in and editing our original post.
Another idea would be to have a thread for each task in the challenge, and once a participant completes a book from that task they need to go list it in that thread, perhaps with a few thoughts about the book (not necessarily a review) so we can all easily see what each other are reading for each task.

I'd certainly participate again, though as 12 books is obviously too many for me, I'd suggest a tiered challenge - tier one might be to complete 3 tasks from the list, tier 2 might be 7, etc. We can sort of do that ourselves to some extent in the group challenge section, where we get to choose the number of books for our goal (and where I was waaaay too optimistic), but I feel this sort of staging may provide more incentive to keep going.

I liked this challenge, even though I knew before I even started that I wouldn't complete it.

I like the idea of different centuries. I am almost finished with this challenge and have enjoyed doing it. I was able to read some books I already owned and found the remainder from the library.

I do agree with different centuries. I've had a dreadful time with my challenges this year and have fallen way behind in my reading goals. But then, I had two books that really stumbled me and drove my numbers down. What is good is that these challenges really pushed me out of my comfort zone, so it's all good in the end. I have two more books to do in the 12 for 12 challenge, and then at least one challenge will be completed. (I know, I know, I'm a perfectionist)

Jennifer wrote: "Hmmm. I didn't do the challenge, in part because I would have come to it kind of late in the game. However, one big reason I do challenges is to get through books I already own, and since some of t..."

Thanks Jennifer. In fact, one of the ideas I had was to do a challenge broken down by century or some other time breakdown, so we are on the same page on that. I think I will probably come up with one like that for sure.

I was also thinking of doing more than one challenge this year to try to appeal to more members.

Rebecca wrote: "I do agree with different centuries. I've had a dreadful time with my challenges this year and have fallen way behind in my reading goals. But then, I had two books that really stumbled me and drov..."

I am smiling at you Rebecca. You don't even want to know how many challenges I have started and not finished. I am one of those people who cannot seem to pass up a challenge, but usually ends up biting off more than I can chew.

Lyn M wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I do agree with different centuries. I've had a dreadful time with my challenges this year and have fallen way behind in my reading goals. But then, I had two books that really stum..."

Then that makes three of us. It's dawning on me as I write this that today is the 27th and I have about 5 unread books for challenges for this month alone!!!

I finished the challenge. I liked it because it made me read some books that I wouldn't have normally read. I think the idea of more than one challenge is a good one.

I have really enjoyed this challenge. It was the only one I have done this year. 12 books is quite a lot for me as I am a slow reader and do want to read some books outside of the challenge too so I would favour a staggers challenge. Having said that I think I am going to achieve the challenge this year. What I have loved about this challenge is it is different to others in that it does have categories and therefore encourages you to read out of your comfort zone. I have been wanting to read here be dragons for a long time but not got round to it as it was so long and this challenge made me do it. Also I really struggled with the Asia part but eventually read empress orchid. I have never read anything based in Asia

(sorry pressed done before I had finished!) I have never read hf set in Asia before but I loved empress orchid and was so glad that I had been challenged to read it. Maybe you could have options ie. Read 3,6,9 or 12 books completing the following challenges (from a list of about 15? Including centuries and places).

I really enjoyed this challenge. I will be able to finish it before the year is out. I just have one task outstanding. I very much like the idea of breaking it down by century and maybe letting people choose a few tasks from many for the year. I had no problem with the number, but I probably have more free time on my hands than the average person. Possibly we could break some of the tasks down by page number? Just a thought. :)

I also very much enjoyed the challenge. It not only forced me out of my comfort zones it also gave me the push I needed to explore other countries/time periods that I've been meaning to learn about. I think I agree with everyone that breaking the challenge down might be good. I have struggled a bit with getting all the books read (but some of that is because I keep choosing big books).

I also like the idea of having different threads for each task of the challenge. I think it will lead to good discussions about what everyone is reading.

I would love to do another one next year though, it is good for me to get out of my comfort zone!

Nikki wrote: "I have really enjoyed this challenge. It was the only one I have done this year. 12 books is quite a lot for me as I am a slow reader and do want to read some books outside of the challenge too so ..."

I like the idea of multiple options. I will think about the possibilities of options in this year's challenges.

Brandy wrote: "I really enjoyed this challenge. I will be able to finish it before the year is out. I just have one task outstanding. I very much like the idea of breaking it down by century and maybe letting peo..."

Are you thinking of separate tasks for page numbers, combining page numbers and other tasks (i.e. task 1 is such and such and must be with a book in a specific page range, or making page number options within a task? I can think of several ways to go with this. :)

Amanda wrote: "I also very much enjoyed the challenge. It not only forced me out of my comfort zones it also gave me the push I needed to explore other countries/time periods that I've been meaning to learn abou..."

I love the idea of having different discussion threads for each task of the challenge/challenges. :)

Something like that. This is the first challenge that I have done so I don't have a whole lot of ideas. But I really enjoyed this challenge! So anything similiar will appeal to me for next years challenge. :)

I will keep that in mind, then, Brandy, and see how I can incorporate it.

This was the first challenge that I had ever done and I liked that it wasn't too complicated. I didn't have to look at how many pages a book had or something like that. I just had to make sure the book fit the category. Since most of the categories were pretty open, it made picking a book easy.

I'm depressed. Don't think I will complete the challenge! I had great momentum going into it-then couldn't find some of the books-now I'm short on time! I loved what I did of it though!

Laura wrote: "This was the first challenge that I had ever done and I liked that it wasn't too complicated. I didn't have to look at how many pages a book had or something like that. I just had to make sure th..."

I think we will have at least one challenge next year that is open like last years, so hopefully it will be good.

Kit wrote: "I'm depressed. Don't think I will complete the challenge! I had great momentum going into it-then couldn't find some of the books-now I'm short on time! I loved what I did of it though!"

I am sorry to hear that you are not going to finish, Kit, but then, neither am I, lol. I am glad that you enjoyed it though. Any ideas for next year?

Lyn M wrote: "Kit wrote: "I'm depressed. Don't think I will complete the challenge! I had great momentum going into it-then couldn't find some of the books-now I'm short on time! I loved what I did of it though..."

Lyn M wrote: "Kit wrote: "I'm depressed. Don't think I will complete the challenge! I had great momentum going into it-then couldn't find some of the books-now I'm short on time! I loved what I did of it though..."

I was going to suggest an author like Phillipa Gregory's work. I've read most of her works and love her!

I liked how this challenge pushed my boundaries where I read about royalty. I do like how different locales and centuries were used. How about reading a fictional royalty book -- that way we're not locked into just one author, not all will agree with the author that's picked.

Rebecca wrote: "I liked how this challenge pushed my boundaries where I read about royalty. I do like how different locales and centuries were used. How about reading a fictional royalty book -- that way we're not..."

I'm open to anything!

I did participate in the challenge and will probably finish it by the end of the year (I have one task left to complete) despite taking a 4 month break for school (which is why I haven't been very active lately). I liked that it made me broaden my horizons about what royalty I read about. I read a LOT about English royalty and Egyptian royalty and not much else. I think a dynasty or royal family challenge would be fun. Something like read one book about the Tudors, one about the Valois, one about the Borgia etc.

I finished the challenge. Some were a bit tough for me to figure out what to read since I've already read so many in those categories. I might join a challenge in 2013. Will depend on how my challenges in another group are going (only doing 4 others at the current moment). :P

I like the idea of a royal family challenge.

Another possibility would be various specific countries in Europe. (England, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, etc.)

I might join the 2013 challenge. Starting with XII century Spanish Monarchy and take it from there. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Kit wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "Kit wrote: "I'm depressed. Don't think I will complete the challenge! I had great momentum going into it-then couldn't find some of the books-now I'm short on time! I loved what I di..."

I was actually thinking of doing an author based challenge, but it would be a bit different, not based on one author. I like that suggestion, though.

So, as it stands now, I have three or four challenges running around in my head I think I will post all of them and let people choose. If not, I will do one category based, I.e. RoyL fA ily, time period, etc., and one author based. How does that sound to everyone?

That sounds great to me.

I will finish the Royalty Challenge sometime next week. I am always looking to join another challenge. I'll finish 4 this December and will only be in 5 with 3 of them with no end date.

Sadly im not quite going to finish as i made the mistake of leaving the autobiography of henry VIII till the end and it has taken me 7 weeks so far. I am making good progress but still a while to go. Should finish it over Christmas. So im one book short. I'm reading the Anne Boleyn essays alongside henry viii ao i might be able to fill the gap with that one somehow.
looking forward to seeing the challenges for next year and planning my reading

Hi, i was just wondering when the challenge was going to go up, or if it had and i have missed it, as i am trying to plan my next book!

Nikki wrote: "Hi, i was just wondering when the challenge was going to go up, or if it had and i have missed it, as i am trying to plan my next book! "

Sorry, I have been on holiday. I will try to post them tomorrow. :)

No worries, just wasn't sure if i had misses something some where else. Very excited to see next years challenge

Nikki - there are actually going to be two or three challenges to choose from. Hope one of them fits what you want to read. :)

I didn't participate much in any challenges in this group ast year. unfortunately...I kept forgetting to come here :( I was participating in a whole slew of challenges elsewhere...Alphabet challenges..for author and/or character(male and female), and title.....among others. I like the centuries challenge..now I have to go through my immense list to find books. I know I have books for most periods, and of course I keep finding (and adding) more!!! if you were to take a peek at my list...you might swoon! :) lol

incidentally..I just joined the centuries challenge! :)

Good for you Catherine. Good luck on the challenge.

thanks...

Hey are we doing any challenges in 2014! I haven't noticed any threads for any....I hope we do. I loved the Reading Through the Eras Challenge this year!

I loved the Reading Through the Eras Challenge too!! Can't wait for a new one in 2014!!

Sorry all,I have had a hard time getting going in 2014. I definitely have some challenge ideas and will try to get them posted in the next week.