Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

I'm starting to notice that a lot of the books I've been reading for these challenges have just been ok. Reading is becoming more of a task. And I can honestly say my reading is much less diverse. Anyone else feel the same? Any tips?

Find books that creatively fit the criteria from your favorite genre. That seems to keep me going.

I agree with Melanie. I am constantly reevaluating my book selections to work in books I really want to read although I am still working to broaden my choices. Think outside the box and remember this is your personal challenge, and you can decide how you approach it. If you want to take a little liberty with some of the prompts that is entirely up to you :)

This is my third year doing this challenge and in the first year I felt very accomplished when I finished but reading started to feel like a chore. I vowed the last 2 years not to let that happen, and I choose to interpret prompts as I see fit because this is a personal challenge. And personally the "point" of it is to spread my horizons and to help motivate me to read more despite there always being something else I could do. In that spirit there's not much point in forcing myself to slog through a book I hate just because it fits a prompt. Do what you need to do to enjoy yourself while still maintaining the spirit of the challenge. And if you have a book you really want to read then do it even if it doesn't fit a challenge!

I do challenge prompts and then mix in non-challenge books too. That gives me a little more freedom.

And I agree with Tara - sometime I loosely interpret what the challenge is. For example my espionage book wasn't technically espionage but I already had it on my to read shelf.

I have just as much fun making the idea lists, reading through these posts, and looking for challenge ideas as I do reading the books. And its pretty satisfying marking those check boxes off for things read!

I also agree with everyone. Definitely mix in non challenge books along the way so it doesn't feel like a chore. And if you found a book for a particular prompt and you are just not into, stop reading it and try something else. The good part about being a member of this Goodreads group is everyone gives suggestions. There is ALWAYS more than one book for a particular prompt.

To add to what Nichelle said about there always being multiple choices! I got stuck in the trap the first year of making my list and not being flexible with myself.

I had the same issue with the reading challenge back in January and February. This is my first time participating in a reading challenge and was focusing way too much on making sure to pick a book that fit into the prompts. After two months of books that were not my favorite I went at it from a different approach and got books that I wanted to read and then fit them into categories instead of the other way around. This may get more difficult as I read more and have less categories to choose from, but for now it really seems to be working and the 6 weeks I have read some amazing books!

For what it's worth, I'm on my third attempt at the prompt to read a genre you don't normally read. I gave myself permission to abandon a biography and a collection of poems. I'm still trying - this time a romance. But I already feel disgruntled, and I've got yet another backup lined up (True Grit, a Western) in case I truly wind up hating this one.

I do view the prompts as an opportunity to move beyond what I might otherwise read, but not an obligation to slog through something that brings me no pleasure.

Enough with all the agonising!!
I'm with Michelle-keep on reading and if-no matter by how long a stretch-it fits a prompt......

I'm kind of in Zoe's boat. The last two books I finished were not great but they were books that I have been wanting to read. I really took the time to find books in my to read list to fit into the categories so that I could kill two birds with one stone (finish a category and read a book that I've been meaning to read). I think I'm just unlucky that I picked a couple books I didn't like in a row, hopefully I can play catch-up and get a few things read in the next week because reading something you're not into sucks and seems to take me forever to finish.

Give yourself permission to DNF (did not finish) a book if you're not that into it. Also, give yourself a reading break. Sometimes you just need to do other things for a bit; then pick up a book just because you really want to read it, without worrying about if it will fit a prompt. My reading tends to go through cycles where I will read 4 or 5 books in no time flat, and then I barely read 3 pages for 2 weeks.

I think it's interesting you say your reading is less diverse doing the challenge, Zoe. What's different about how you're choosing books for the challenge vs. how you choose books normally? Could you change the way you choose challenge books to get that diversity/fun back?
Speaking only for myself, when I first started challenges I found that I was putting too much faith in recommendations from these boards (which I love reading, don't get me wrong) and ended up with more YA fiction than I would prefer. As diverse as the suggestions are, I think they skew a bit toward particular genres, so I just read the boards for fun and turned more toward my own bookshelves (which also skew toward particular genres, but ones I like). I've been much happier since then.
Overall, good luck in finding your reading joy again! It's out there!

Zoe wrote: "I'm starting to notice that a lot of the books I've been reading for these challenges have just been ok. Reading is becoming more of a task. And I can honestly say my reading is much less diverse. ..."

I concur with the above. I love fantasy so I'm always trying to sneak some in whilst remaining true to the prompt. Scheming on how to find books that I enjoy while still participating in the challenge is part of the fun for me.

I also agree that giving yourself permission to abandon books you can't abide is important. I usually give myself around 50 pages or 3 chapters (per Nancy Pearl) before I decide whether to DNF.

Oh and for the categories I am really dreading I try to find very short books. Don't want to prolong the agony. :)

One thing that works well for me is to keep some variety as I'm reading. I alternate between shorter and longer books, and I try to avoid reading books that are very similar genre or topic back-to-back.

It's a bit different for me, since I participate in multiple challenges, so I have well over 100 categories to choose from. What I would suggest is to find a few books that you're very excited for and prioritize those. Ideally, they should also fit into a prompt, but if they don't, they'll at least get your motivation back up again.

Another thing I've done is I purposely knock out some of the prompts/books that I'm least looking forward to early on, and then follow it up with some of the books or prompts that I'm most excited for, almost like a reward.

I'm at the point where I'm just reading whatever I feel like reading. It's a double-edged sword since this usually results in me starting a new book, getting five chapters in, and then picking up another new book. It's yet to be because I don't like what I'm reading, which is fantastic let me tell you. I like all the books I'm in the middle of and just lack the focus to stick with one or two.

But yeah. If they fit a task, GREAT! If not, oh well, I'll probably only read 5 pages this month, anyway, lol.

Cheating is the way to go xD I have too many started series thanks to other challenges and I'm trying to fit the second and third parts in this year's challenge, for instance, for the prompt "A book by an author who uses a pseudonym" I read Who Could That Be at This Hour?, I loved it and bought the whole series in hardcover xD And since I really, really want to read them, I'm going to put them in the espionage thriller, book with a red spine and book with pictures propmpts, even though I don't think any of them are really espionage thrillers and the third one has an orange and black spine, not a red one (but orange is red + yellow, so I'm making it count)

I've had very few disappointments but I'm also mostly reading books I already long owned and planned to read so my chances of being disappointed are pretty slim. I own a lot of books print and digital -- I buy books when they catch my eye, or the latest by a favorite author, even if I know I'm not going to be able to read them any time soon, and I have been doing that since about 1985....it's a lot of books (although I have purged from time to time -- moving forces some decision-making).

But friends of mine who are doing the challenge have been less successful - often just reading a book they spot because it will fit a challenge category, not because they are seduced by the book itself. I think that sets you up for disappointment but if that's how they want to approach the challenge, who am I to criticize?

I mix things up - I've actually been on a challenge reading vacation - and I recommend doing that for a couple of weeks. Just read whatever you want for a time without considering whether it meets a challenge category. After a bit, see if any of them meet a requirement, then pick up a couple that do and get back into it.

This is my second year doing the challenge - I've made some very creative out of the box decisions on books -- my career advice (I'm a lawyer) was reading a John Grisham because it tells you what NOT to do as a lawyer! I've researched to figure out if there is a broader application of a descriptive word to help pick a book.

And I've already shifted selections for the challenge - this week I picked Dog on It to read for non-human perspective -- rather than the more serious book I'd originally chosen because I needed a change of pace. Someone last week in their weekly update mentioned reading one of Robert Galbraith's PI mysteries as her book about or by someone with a disability - now that's out of the box thinking as Cormoran is an amputee!

I always include books to read for the challenge that are in my favorite genres, but since part of my goal is to read more of the other genres I have on my shelves, I mix it up.

So I guess the answer is -- be flexible, allow yourself to take a challenge vacation, and get creative with your choices!

I drop books if I'm not enjoying myself. But I've been finding that these prompts are so open, that I can't help but find books I'm enjoying. I wasn't too keen on the prompts from last year's challenge so I only did the ones I was interested in. This year I'm planning to at least do all the 40, since the prompts seem to be leading me to good places. I started off with books I wanted to read and took more time to explore the other prompts as I went along. Perhaps think about what you love to read and go from there.

Oh no. Reading is my only hobby and I don't think it should ever be a chore. Life is too short for bad books and there are infinite choices! I have been reading one or two on my TBR list and then one for the prompt. If I don't finish the challenge, no worries. It is personal for me. I'm not worried what rules are imposed by others!!!

I agree with Amy. I also forgot to add that you can always shift books into different prompts as time goes on. My cat cover book became my holiday book. My bestseller in a genre I don't read got moved to first book in a series I've never read. I'm most likely moving my interesting woman book and subtitle book in order to include a different book I want to read.

Thanks for the great tips! I feel better about the challenge already. :)

I made a goal for myself to use as many books already owned as I possibly could. This choice was to help me get through my ever-growing TBR shelves and to be more mindful about spending money. I utilize my library as much as I can, but they don't have everything. Now I'm only buying a book if I really enjoyed it, rather than continuing to buy unread books that just add to the pile. I wasn't able to include every unread book in the challenge, but it's definitely made a huge dent in those I already owned. I haven't enjoyed everything I've read so far this year, but have found a few surprising new favorites. I did a lot of research when I set out to make my list, but have also left myself open for changes and adaptations. Flexibility is the name of the game!

I don't preplan the challenge. I read whatever I want and then slot things in, with a view towards filling in what's left in the last few months. That said, having read the prompts and knowing what I'm looking for does seem to guide me subconsciously to books that will fit. Sometimes I'll go looking on Overdrive for a particular prompt, but I find a variety of options and check them all out or put them on hold and then I read whichever takes my fancy.

Which isn't to say I haven't read some duds. I'm a fairly fast reader, so if a book is shorter I will still finish anyway and then rip the book a new one when reviewing, which for me is fun. Sometimes I enjoy hating a book. But since I'm not locked into choices for the challenge, these duds are duds I would have chosen anyway, with maybe an exception for poetry. Most genres I don't love I will still stick my toe into periodically out of curiosity. Like, I'm not a manga fan but my husband is, so I read maybe one a year because I can chat with him about it and that connection makes up for the fact that they really aren't my thing. I've always avoided poetry like the plague though and this year two of my challenges require it (Bustle's 2016 list and Book Riot). The first attempt was so great and I was excited to read more. The second was everything I hate about poetry. Overall, I feel like I came out ahead anyway because the good collection was so good.

for avoid some of this kind of problems I've a rule in reading books: for one read from a foreign author I must read one from my own language, in my case portuguese.

I took three weeks off from reading. I was reading so much, and felt burned out. And, now I'm just reading books I want to read, and making them fit the prompts. I think it's still great to expand my reading horizons, while still maintaining who I am as a reader!

I am agreeing with everyone! Reading should not be a chore. I use the challenge to tackle my tbr. Just pick what you want, you will fill in 80% of the categories without noticing. The last 20% is up to you. You can just not do them, interpret them broadly, or take it as a challenge to get you out of your comfort zone. If you know some categories will not be your usual fare, try mixing it in with the other ones.

Mix it always up! Alternate fun and challenging is my motto.

This is not happening to me. Also, I tend to be a lot more literal in interpreting the challenge. If I have trouble actually finding a book, I just google it.

If you're not enjoying reading the books, then you either need to pick different books or consider handling the challenge differently or not at all.

I don't mean that critically. What I mean is the point is to (1) widen the books you read. For instance, if I didn't have the challenge, all I would be reading was cozy mysteries and romantic suspense. And (2) the challenge is meant for you to read more. If you don't enjoy the reading, the challenge is not doing you any good.

I use the challenge just as a framework. If I don't finish, so what? I didn't finish last year either... But I had fun reading my way!

Just read. And have fun!

I have been having an amazing reading year - about the same number of 3 and 4 star reads, but a lot more 5 star reads that stand out and sort of GLOW over all my reading :-) and no DNFs yet this year. But I'm not sure what my "secret" is - I think it might just be luck.

This is my third year doing a reading challenge - the first year it was exciting and fun just because it was new. The second year I tried to do too many challenges, and while I read a lot of great books, I felt kind of overwhelmed too. And I also found there were books that I kept wanting to read, but never got to.

So this year I decided to actively look for new 2017 books to read (because that's something I felt I was missing in the past), AND I made myself a list of books (ended up being 41 books) that I absolutely HAD to read this year no matter what. Sometimes I can find a challenge category for them, other times I don't. My list of 41 has had its ups and downs so far, not every book on my list has turned out to be a wowsers book. Similarly, not every 2017 publication has been amazing. But enough of them have been 5 stars that I feel really satisfied. And on top of that, I have the satisfaction of doing what I had planned to do - it feels like an accomplishment.

I also have a long list of ideas for books I could read for the Challenge categories. If I find I'm not really "feeling" it with a particular book I was planning, I look at my list of ideas and pick something else for that category.

So, I don't know, that's what's working for me this year. No way to know if it will work for me next year, or if it will work for anyone else.

So, I guess this is my advice:

* Don't be afraid to DNF if it's not working out.
* Keep the list of books-to-read for the challenge flexible. So many times this year, I've read what I thought would be a non-challenge book, but then I discovered that it did fit a category!
* If your reading doesn't feel diverse enough, intentionally pick something completely out of your normal range, something completely away from your TBR list; something a friend is reading, or something displayed at the library.
* Don't worry about your TBR list - look for NEW-to-you books to fit a category, to freshen things up. If you find you hate it, DNF and try again. (Use the library so this doesn't get expensive!)
* and, on the other side, sometimes a book can seem to not be working, but if you stick it out, it suddenly becomes GREAT halfway through! (That just happened to me - unfortunately, I had procrastinated so long on this book that it is due back at the library now, and I have to wait for a copy to become available again. Sigh.)
* Lastly, and most importantly (I have to constantly remind myself of this one!): read what you WANT to read, not what you think you SHOULD read.

I use this challenge as a way to set what my goodreads challenge will be for the year (so, this was 40 books not counting the advanced, so my Goodreads challenge is 40 books) and then I just try to fit the books I want to read into the prompts the best I can. I may not fill all prompts, but I usually come close.

I got stuck too. I just stopped trying to find a book to fit a prompt and started to read what I wanted. My prompts have fizzled out after reaching about 30 of the 40. I'm struggling through A A Gentleman in Moscow right now, but I don't want to DNF it just yet! So I set it aside to read The Stars Are Fire, because it just came into the library I work at so I read that this past weekend instead.

Sometimes you need a "palette cleanser" book. This means something YOU enjoy. For me, they are usually quick reads or fun chick lit books. I roll my eyes at the plots of them, but they are fun, and aren't deep thinking books...so it's a break. Mysteries, romance, YA, an audiobook, bestsellers and re-reading favorites are all good for taking breaks, but everyone is different.

I've been alternating audio-novel-graphic novel-short story-(just one from a collection) and that has been preventing any sense of being stuck - though I also don't have any set in stone choices to follow, I just read and slot things in. Often I put 3-4 books on hold at the library just for one task, so I might read the first available or perhaps I won't get to it before the loan period ends and that's no big deal.

I also am going to use a few shorter novels/novellas to fill a few prompts. That ups my satisfaction of checking off prompts more often. My overall goal for the year is to attempt 30,000 pages, so I don't really care much if in doing so I use a bunch of shorter books to fill prompts.

Unauthorized Cinnamon wrote: "For what it's worth, I'm on my third attempt at the prompt to read a genre you don't normally read. I gave myself permission to abandon a biography and a collection of poems. I'm still trying - thi..."

I was at first using a small, general list of genres that was on Wikipedia. I did not find any of the "unheard of" genres appealing. Then I happened upon this list. There is so much more to choose from. I have no doubt that I will be able to find something great from this long list.

http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/genres...

Zoe wrote: "I'm starting to notice that a lot of the books I've been reading for these challenges have just been ok. Reading is becoming more of a task. And I can honestly say my reading is much less diverse. ..."

I don't make a list for myself like some people do. I'm currently reading 2 books (one on kindle, one regular) and other than the books I've already completed I have a few ideas jotted down for maybe 3 of the other categories (all books that I've wanted to read anyway.) I feel like by not getting ahead of myself with "required" books for the categories I can really take the time to think about a book that I already have on my want to read list and a category it would fit into.

I read what I feel like reading and if it fits the criteria from "the list" great.... if not, oh well. I also use kids books for some of the prompts that I really don't have an interest in. Maybe that's cheating but I don't care! lol

Chinook- Yep, that's what I do too! Short stories, graphic novels, kids books... whatever fits the prompt and appeals to me I will read.

I use the challenge to discover new things. I search my TBR lists and read other people's suggestions and find several options for each task. I always start with something I really want to read that fits a fun task, and enjoy trying to find something I think I will like that meets a task that I don't much care for. And I also read books I want to read that aren't task directed -- and often, they end up fitting a task! But I don't always complete every task: my goal is to expand my reading and enjoy the process, so if something is too far beyond what I am willing to do, I give myself permission not to do it. After all, the makers of the list don't know what I've tried before or where I am now. I usually at least try something for each task, but may not finish everything.

Zoe: you are not alone!

The advice here has been great. The DNF is a huge thing for me and I had that with a book I started and made it 100 pages through. I felt like it was a forced experience and so I set it down. Not sure if I'll go back to it. I hate to DNF.

I set my goals at the beginning of the year trying to read as many books on my "lifetime TBR" that fit in the challenge prompts this year. So, for example, I planned to read The Shining for "takes place in a hotel." When my book club selected A Gentleman in Moscow, I decided that I will slot that book in "takes place in a hotel" and cut myself some slack. The Shining will still be around next year.

You are definitely not alone! A friend and I agreed to do this challenge and have encountered the same problem. I have given myself permission to DNF several books that I was reading just to fit a prompt. I have read books that I wanted to read and assigned them to a spot that fit. My current issue- I have read way too many sad books so I need something light/happy. So I will find something that fits what I need and then see if it fills the spot. Also, this is a year long challenge, no need to finish in the first 6 months so take a break and find something that inspires your love of reading again. At the end of the day, this is a personal challenge so do what works for you. Happy reading!

I skip any prompt that feels like a chore, but I understand how easy it is for this to happen. Some of the prompts sounded like they would be easy to fill at the beginning of the year, but as it turns out there's simply nothing on my TBR that fits! That's when it starts to feel chore-like, and I drop it at least for a while. And then of course once I find one book that fits a prompt, it seems like all the books I'm reading fit the same prompt. I usually have several challenges I'm working on at once, I think that helps with the diversity.

Luciana wrote: "Cheating is the way to go xD I have too many started series thanks to other challenges and I'm trying to fit the second and third parts in this year's challenge, for instance, for the prompt "A boo..."

What a good idea! I read that series for my " first book in a series I hadn't read before" after rereading the entire Series of Unfortunate Events. I checked off quite a few categories with those 13 books.

I'm nearly done with the entire challenge, and it's only May. I could be done before June if I keep this up. So I'm starting to select more books that are NOT part of the challenge, just to have enough to read. Last week, I went to the library and selected a bunch of books off the shelf that looked interesting, with zero thought about challenge prompts. Plus I'm still reserving books based on discussions here to fulfill the rest of the challenges.

Alycia wrote: "I read what I feel like reading and if it fits the criteria from "the list" great.... if not, oh well. I also use kids books for some of the prompts that I really don't have an interest in. Maybe t..."
Totally not cheating! Especially for "book you loved as a child." ;) I've already used two picture books to fill prompts and may read my mom's "Lots of Latkes" for " story that takes place around a holiday other than Christmas" if I don't naturally pick up an adult or YA that fits the bill before the end of the year.

You're putting too much pressure on yourself. Read what you want and if it fits into the catagories listed yay! if not oh well, move on and pick up the next book. I had the same feelings at one point until I realized I wasn't doing this for anyone but me, and if I wasn't enjoying it what was the point?

I'm taking a break from the challenge. I am doing the challenge to try to force myself to be more diverse with my reading. I really enjoy silly, historical western romances and last year, I found myself reading too many of those and very few of other genres.

In April, I'd read 32 books for the challenge-I became somewhat obsessed. I no longer enjoyed reading! I missed reading my fluff-books! I was at a point that I just wasn't enjoying anything I read.
I started several books that I found interesting, but I just couldn't focus on them! I honestly missed the pleasure of reading books that didn't require much focus and thought. Right now, I'm just devouring western romances really enjoying it. I also have some thrillers I want to read. I can tell that I am balancing out and I will happily try another "challenge" book soon. I am going to be careful to balance things better, though, and also read lots of books that are purely for entertainment and escape. I don't think I'll ever be the kind of person who truly enjoys reading a wide variety of books, and I'm beginning to accept that.

I'm lucky that I am retired with a little more time to read and I have found audio books for some of the categories so I can listen and garden or sew. Some wise librarians told me about their DNF criterion. (Subtract your age from 100 and that's how many pages you read before you quit). I have time to read outside the challenge but try to fit as many of the books I read into a category. With that in mind.....any suggestions for a category for "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"? Story within a story? Two different time periods? Thanks and happy reading to you all.

Caren that's a good rule of thumb. I usually commit to 5 chapters or around 100 pages before dnf.

Caren wrote: "I'm lucky that I am retired with a little more time to read and I have found audio books for some of the categories so I can listen and garden or sew. Some wise librarians told me about their DNF c..."

John Green talked about that book in a vlogbrothers video, so if you like his work you could put that in for a book recommended by a favorite author.

Who only has a couple left to go? I'm on my last of my advanced but still stuck on 4 prompts in the first 40. An espionage thriller, a book from a non-human perspective, a book with a month or day of the week in the title and a book set around a holiday other than Christmas. I can't find anything I am really interested in reading for those books! :(

Sara Grace wrote: "Who only has a couple left to go? I'm on my last of my advanced but still stuck on 4 prompts in the first 40. An espionage thriller, a book from a non-human perspective, a book with a month or day ..."

For the book from a non-human perspective, I suggest "Fifteen Dogs." I loved it! I read "Infinite Tuesday" for my book with a month or day of the week, but that might not be for everybody. I can't think of anything for the other two right now.

Fifteen Dogs was good.