The Reading Challenge Group discussion

I admit, not quite!

Me and Faye just wanted to get some feedback as to how people feel the group is going. People have been doing so well with their challenges, and the response to the Genre Challenge has been amazing. There's been some really interesting discussions and debates going on, and the general involvement has been more than we could ever imagine!

Now we're half way through the year (already?!), we want to get your opinions on how the group has been, and more importantly, where you want it to go. We're always trying to think up new ideas, but the best ideas come from our members.

Is there a particular idea you have? Threads you want to set up? Things you would love to have implemented? This is the time to say your ideas loud and clear. Or, if you just want to rant about horrendously awful this group is, that's okay too. We ultimately want your opinions on the past, present and future of the group!

Thank for spending this crazy half a year with us, and I hope you all do well in your challenges!

This group has honestly motivated me more than you could ever know, and I really hope there will be another for 2015!

This is one of my favorite groups, and probably the one I visit most frequently. The dialog and companionship of fellow readers has been a true blessing for me this year. I appreciate the positive, encouraging tone that permeates the threads. And the monthly challenges have kept me motivated and gotten me out of my reading ruts. I'll keep in mind your offer to accept any ideas for the group, but for right now I'll just say "Thanks" and "Great Job, Ladies!" :)

I agree I love that it is so positive and encouraging. I hope we go into 2015 too! Well done ladies. :)

I'm sorry that I haven't a lot of time to follow the discussions. I really hope to do better in the second half of the year, it seems a very lovely and positive group!

Renee wrote: "This is one of my favorite groups, and probably the one I visit most frequently. The dialog and companionship of fellow readers has been a true blessing for me this year. I appreciate the positive,..."

Renee said it all -- this group has inspired me to read more, explore unchartered genres, return to old loves! I've met people who inspire me....so well done Holly and Faye and thanks!

Dely, don't apologise. We all have different time constraints and commitments. Hopefully we'll see you towards the second half of the year!

This group is pretty cool! :)

Holly wrote: "Dely, don't apologise. We all have different time constraints and commitments. Hopefully we'll see you towards the second half of the year!"

Thanks, I hope it too!

Wow, what a warm and fuzzy thread this has become, hee! I'm so glad you're all enjoying the group so much! :D

Sandy wrote: "Roseanne wrote: "I agree I love that it is so positive and encouraging. I hope we go into 2015 too! Well done ladies. :)"

Yes, please, onward through 2015!"

Yes, onward... what kind of magic from 2015?

This is my favorite group too because of the amount of encouragement and the maturity level of this group. My one thought though was maybe to include little mini challenges to spice up the reading once in awhile (like maybe a smaller version of Holly's Shakespeare challenge), but I also wasn't motivated enough to attempt to start it either, so...

I was a part of a few other groups at the beginning of the year and I have found that I've quit all of them to focus more on this one. There are so many great things going for this group: engaging conversations, interesting monthly reads, support and encouragement and a wide range of interests from our members that has pushed me to read several new authors and genres. I've read more this year than any other and I can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings. I definitely want this group to continue into 2015!

Thank you, Holly and Faye, for all that you have done to make this such a successful group.

Chase, I was considering this too! I was thinking, much like the personal challenges, people post them, and people can join in if they wish.

What do you think?

This group is my favourite on Goodreads for the people I find in the discussions are very positive. Even when different ideas are presented they are done in a respectful and open manner.
I also think that the number of members is just right, not too big so you get ignored and not too small so that discussions become stale.

The Mini-challenges proposed by Chase sound good.

I have set myself a target to read a number of books from my tbr list. Perhaps this could be a challenge other people may want to do?

My tbr list keeps growing but I find sometimes it's hard to choose what book to read next. I have seen an idea in another group where a member ask advice from other people to pick from their own tbr list. This has the advantage that the one seeking advice is sure that they are going to read something they like. Sort of "pick a book from my tbr for me" kind of thing, what do you think?

Most of all I'd like to give big kudos and thank you to Holly and Faye for the great job you are doing as moderators! This group has to continue through 2015 please

Kiwi, I love the idea for a challenge from our TBR's. I'm working on something similar in my own thread but have been getting distracted. Having this as a group activity may really help!

Exams are beckoning, but when I get a spare moment this evening I'll set up a 'mini-challenges' folder and a few threads.

The TBR-list one would be so helpful for everyone, I know! I might set up an 'owned-book' challenge too, because I really need to get through some books sitting on my bookshelf.

I think what can make this feature really great is if members to about making mini challenges that they want to, so we get a wide range of subjects.

Also, I have no reason to stop this group in 2015. Scarily, I don't know where I'll be, or what I'll be doing (so much change, eek!) but I'll always be on Goodreads and this group. 2015 feels so far off for me though, considering everything that is going to happen between then!

Kiwi, I love the idea of other group members helping you pick out a book already on your TBR list - this would help me immensely to get through the list, and be very fun! (Nosing around other people's bookshelves is a guilty pleasure of mine...)

I really like the idea of a mini-challenge. I have to say this group has enhanced my reading so much and helped me read books I wouldn't have thought of reading before and have gone on to love. Thanks Ladies!

I like the idea of having someone pick from our TBR too. For that, I think I would have to create a separate TBR of those that I already own as I'm not allowing myself to buy any books for a while after my latest splurge!

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your great comments! I'll definitely be continuing the group next year (will probably keep the same group, just change the name and archive some items). Whether Faye wants to put up with me for another year is a whole different matter ;)

If you scroll down on the discussion page a bit, you'll see the new Mini Challenges folder with an introductory thread (and my idea for a challenge). Thanks Chase for the excellent idea!

In the 'Book Chat' folder, you'll also see the new thread Help me pick my next book!. This should hopefully make people really feel part of the group, and it's a wonderful idea! Thanks Kiwi!

Holly wrote: "Hi all,

Thanks so much for your great comments! I'll definitely be continuing the group next year (will probably keep the same group, just change the name and archive some items). Whether Faye wants to put up with me for another year is a whole different matter ;)"

Hey, I'm here for the long haul! :D

I am seconding (and thirding) all that has been said. I have to once more give special recognition to the genre challenge. I love that idea and the way it has been encouraging me to be a bit more open minded in in my choices. In general I find challenges help me streamline my choices when I am feeling overwhelmed. With that in mind I am looking forward to the mini challenges and I LOVE the "Help me pick my next book" idea!! I am truly enjoying this group :)

I just wanted to join in on the warm fuzziness and say I really appreciate the friendliness of this group. It's also great seeing the diversity of what people like to read, and I don't think that could happen without such a friendly open minded atmosphere.

Well I have not been good about keeping my updates as frequent as I would have liked I would like to commit to doing better for the last half of the year.

June is almost in the books and I have made some good progress with some exciting reads this month!
City of Heavenly Fire
Delirium
Pandemonium
Requiem
Before I fall
Uglies
Pretties
Specials
Extras

Have some exciting books already slated for July and I am looking forward to diving into some deeper reads outside of my YA mania I have been on since I finished the GOT books.