Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

2018 May PIFM Challenge

What is the Pick-It-For-Me Challenge?

The Pick-It-For-Me Challenge (PIFM) is a reading challenge where each participant gives and receives book recommendations based on a given a set of rules. The assignment method and book selection rules change each month so it’s always new and always different.

The idea of the PIFM challenge is that you will get new-to-you books and authors selected for you as well as a push to read some books that have been lingering on your shelves. You may not be interested in the new books recommended, which is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf.

You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge!

After signups are closed, your names and any extra info will go into the super secret PIFM randomizer and it will select someone for you to recommend books to and someone to give you recommendations. This list will be posted along with any specific picking rules for the month.

In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or friend the person giving you recommendations. PLEASE NOTE: if you choose to keep your profile private, it is your responsibility to send a friend request to the person picking for you as soon as possible after the matchups are posted. Whether your profile is private or not, it is also very important that your profile be set to receive Private Messages (PMs) in case anyone needs to reach out to you (mods, organizer etc.)

Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!

Repicks:
You can ask for repicks if:
✱ The books picked for you are not yet released.
✱ If you have already read the chosen book(s) and they are on your ‘read’ shelf.
✱ If you did not receive four picks from your ‘to-read’ shelf, with at least one from your preferred shelf.

You may NOT ask for repicks because:
✱ A book is not available at your library.
✱ A genre or author you don’t enjoy.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP
Please sign up in this thread with the answer to the following question:

✱✱ How often do you get caught doing something you shouldn’t? ✱✱

A) All the time - I have no stealth
B) Sometimes - it depends on who I’m up against.
C) Never - I’m very convincing in everything I do.
D) I would never do something I shouldn’t

✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱

IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until April 25th (8pm Central Time).
For your convenience a Time Zone Converter.

You’ll have until April 29th (6pm Central Time) to make your recommendations.

Please do not start reading your book(s) until the first of the month. You then have the entire month to read your pick(s) and give some feedback.

If you’re new please read the PIFM Guidelines and FAQ. If you have any questions that are not addressed there, please feel free to ask!


✱Please note that late sign ups will be included at the host's discretion and no one will be included after re-picks are assigned!✱

TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!


Pickees
✱ To help your picker understand the type of books you like or are currently reading, please make sure your ‘read’ shelf is up to date. You can create shelves for books you DNFed (Did Not Finish) or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorite books and authors. In addition, you might consider updating your profile. You can include info about your favorite books, authors, genres, themes or tropes (or themes/tropes you dislike – i.e. secret baby).
✱ Please do not specify likes/dislikes in the sign-up thread. This information will not be included in the pairings and your pickee may not see your message and does not need to rely on that information when making picks.

Pickers
✱ Please remember this is primarily a romance readers group. Thus, most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are various sub genres within the romance category - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy. If your pickee reads a wide variety, you could add a non-romance as a choice.

✱ Choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These can be brand new to them (not found on any of their shelves) or a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author's work previously.

A few hints to help with book selection:
✱ Check the book’s publishing date. Select "date pub" from the checkbox selections and save.
✱ Check pickee's personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves. A personalized shelf is one the member has created. (e.g., 'to read next', 'favorites' ‘didn’t like’)
✱ Make sure the books you choose are not on their 'read' shelf. Just because it isn't rated doesn't mean it wasn't read.
✱ Look at your pickee's 'read' shelf and see what genres they have recently read or read the most. Reviewing their ‘read’ shelf might help you in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.
✱ If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.) Contact the Mods or the month's organizer for guidance.
✱ Include a variety of books (e.g., shorter page count, new addition to their 'to-read' shelf, an older book on their 'to-read' shelf) This variety gives your pickee options when choosing the book or books they will be reading this month. Use the sort feature within their shelves to determine date a book was added, published or read; page numbers, ratings, etc.

If you want to volunteer to make repicks:
✱ We love that you want to help out, but please remember those who need picks have been waiting for a long time already. Please only volunteer if you are able to make the repicks within a few hours of the deadline. Thank you!

Participants
(view spoiler)[
Group A - All the time - I have no stealth
LaurLa - 04-challenges-picklist
Sarah
Romanticbookworm - PIFM
Fran (Private) - PIFM shelf

Group B - Sometimes - it depends on who I’m up against.
Mary-Megan - May
Courtney - pfm-may or outside-comfort-zone
Carina - nextofftheshelf
Carrie - Soonish
HeatherMarie - 0-picking-shelf
Nancy H
broken-barriers - to-read
Sunshine4559
Sonja - pifm
Enzinwanyi - audio-unread
Ashley
Chris Ann - Want-to-read
Chiara - 2018-reading-challenges

Group C - Never - I’m very convincing in everything I do.
Suzanne - any shelf as long as not book isn't already read
Melinda
Marshelle - want-to-read
☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ - pick-for-me or M&G

Group D - I would never do something I shouldn’t.
True.magic - Pifm-to-read
☘KathyD☘ - pick-shelf-owned
Rebecca
Michaele - pifm
Diane ~Firefly~ - next-to-read
MountainKat - to-read-asap
Leigh - pick-it-for-me-challenge
~KarenH~ - cant-wait-to-read
(hide spoiler)]

Picking Rules

May is National “Get Caught Reading” Month. As fans of reading, we have all probably been caught at least once with our nose in a book when we’re supposed to be working or socializing. Of all the offenses we can be caught doing, surely reading is the least offensive. This month let’s explore the different things people tend to get caught doing that they shouldn’t.

Caught Reading
Recommend a book that:
takes place in a library or bookstore or features books or a beta/nerd MC
is a retelling of another story
has been on the TBR list for a long time

Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
Recommend a book that
is an erotica or steamy novel
features a workplace romance
has a couple embracing or kissing on the cover

Caught Red Handed
Recommend a book that:
is a murder mystery / thriller / suspense
has a red cover
has a cover with someone holding something

Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar
Recommend a book that
features someone who works with food (chef, baker, bartender, waitress, etc)
has food on the cover
has a brightly colored cover

Caught Cheating on a test
Recommend a book that:
takes place in a school or features a teacher or a student
is a YA or children’s book or features children
features a cheating character

Caught Sneaking out of the house
Recommend a book that
has a house on the cover
features a parent
has a dark colored cover

Caught Speeding
Recommend a book that:
features a law enforcement (police officer, detective, etc) or military character (current or retired)
is a fast read
has a car on the cover

Caught Lying
Recommend a book that:
features a secret or lies
has yellow and/or orange on the cover
is a paranormal, fantasy, or sci-fi novel

Please make sure you select the required 4 new to them books and 4 books from their preferred or to-read shelf, but limit yourself to no more than two books per picking rule!

Pairings

Choose books for the person below you on the list. If you are last on the list, choose for the first person in your group - for example, Sarah will choose for Fran.

Group A - All the time - I have no stealth
📚Fran (Private) - PIFM shelf
📚LaurLa - <04-challenges-picklist
📚Romanticbookworm - PIFM
📚Sarah

Group B - Sometimes - it depends on who I’m up against.
Sunshine4559
📚Carina - nextofftheshelf
📚Enzinwanyi - audio-unread
📚Nancy H
📚Chiara - 2018-reading-challenges
📚Mary-Megan - May
📚Sonja - pifm
📚broken-barriers - to-read
📚Ashley
📚Carrie - Soonish
📚HeatherMarie - 0-picking-shelf
📚Chris Ann - Want-to-read
📚Courtney - pfm-may or outside-comfort-zone

Group C - Never - I’m very convincing in everything I do.
Suzanne - any shelf as long as not book isn't already read
📚☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ - pick-for-me or M&G
📚Marshelle - want-to-read
Melinda

Group D - I would never do something I shouldn’t.
📚~KarenH~ - cant-wait-to-read
📚Diane ~Firefly~ - next-to-read
📚True.magic - Pifm-to-read
📚Leigh - pick-it-for-me-challenge
📚MountainKat - to-read-asap
📚☘KathyD☘ - pick-shelf-owned
📚Michaele - pifm
📚Rebecca

📚=picks made

I'm in. I'll go with D. I would never do something I shouldn’t

Pifm-to-read

I'm in. I'll go with B - Sometimes - it depends on who I’m up against.

pfm-may & Outside-comfort-zone

D) I would never do something I shouldn’t

i'm in...and i'll go with D
pick-shelf-owned

I am definitely A... I can never get away with anything. Even with myself!

04-challenges-picklist

B. Use nextofftheself

I'm a D I guess, and please use the pifm shelf.

B

Use my Soonisht please.

D I guess

Next To Read Shelf

B Please.
0-picking shelf

B, I think.

I’m in, I’ll go in with option B!

My shelf: to-read

If the link doesn’t work, please do let me know, thanks!

Sign me up... for A 😎

Im In. Sign me up for group A as I never get away with anything and if I do my guilt takes over lol. Please use my PIFM shelf.

I'm in! (private profile, happy to friend anyone who picks for me)

A. no stealth

PIFM shelf- https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in and I'm an occasionally-crafty little B! LOL!
Please use my PIFM shelf

HAHA,
B Sometimes - it depends on who I’m up against.
Shelf: Audio Unread

I'm in and I'm a C

**Feel free to use whatever shelf you want as long as it's not something i"ve already read**

I'm a D, I've been a goody-goody rule follower all my life! I do break a few here and there, but nothing to get excited about...

Please use my to-read-asap shelf that desperately needs to be updated!

B to read shelf please.

I would say b
my list
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in. I choose Group C - Never - I’m very convincing in everything I do.

I'm gonna choose option B!

My shelf is: 2018 Reading Challenges

D) I would never do something I shouldn’t

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I'm in, and I'm a D. I'm too much of a rule follower to really want to do much that I'm not supposed to. In addition, even as a kid my first thought was always "what if I get caught", and rarely thought it was worth the risk! =P

Please use my cant-wait-to-read shelf...thanks!

I'm a C, Mwahahaha

to read shelf but feel free to pick something I don't have listed!

I'm in and C :)

Pick for me and M&G

Be sure to get your sign-ups in! Today's the day!

The time got pushed back just a little because I forgot I had dinner plans, so it's now 8:00 central time...which is 8 hours from when I post this...

Rules and pairings are posted!
Happy Reading!

Sonja

Here are your picks. I hope that there are some winners on this list.

Caught Reading
TBR: A Beauty for the Scarred Duke (Beauty and the beast retelling)
NEW: What a Difference a Duke Makes (A "retelling" of Mary Poppins)


Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
TBR: Playing Dirty (Embracing)
NEW: Part Time Cowboy (Embracing)


Caught Red Handed
TBR: The Hellion (Red cover)
TBR: Death on Tap (Mystery)
NEW: Broken (Suspense)


Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar
TBR: Cream of the Crop (Food on cover and character works with food)
NEW: Delicious (character works with food)


Caught Cheating on a test
TBR: Falling for the Governess: A Historical Regency Romance Book (Children and aren't governesses like teachers?)
NEW: The Nightingale (Children/teacher - Just finished this and LOVED it!)


Caught Sneaking out of the house
TBR: Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers (Parent)
NEW: With Love from the Inside (Parent - I'm almost done with this one and really enjoying it)


Caught Speeding
TBR: Mr. Perfect (Law Enforcement)
NEW: Show No Mercy (Former military)


Caught Lying
TBR: Next Year in Havana (Secrets - my friend LOVED this book)
TBR: Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord (Secrets - I don't generally read historical romance, but I liked this series)
NEW: Sweet Little Lies (Secrets)


Enjoy!

Chris Ann's May PIFM
Hope you find a good one!

1. Caught Reading
TBR: Sleigh Bells in the Snow (TBR oldie)
New: Nerd in Shining Armor (nerd)


2. Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
TBR:Wanderlust (workplace)
New: The Hating Game (workplace)


3. Caught Red Handed
TBR: Romancing the Duke (red)
New: Truly (holding something)


4. Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar
TBR: More Than Pancakes (food)
New: Dear Dwayne, With Love (food)


5. Caught Cheating on a test
TBR: The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily (YA)
New: Boom (cheating)


6. Caught Sneaking out of the house
TBR: A Study in Scarlet Women (dark cover)
New: Kulti (dark cover)


7. Caught Speeding
TBR: Disorderly Conduct (law enforcement)
New: Chasing Daisy (car)


8. Caught Lying
TBR: Next Year in Havana (secrets)
New: Shacking Up (secrets)

MountainKat,

Caught Reading
(Tbr)
(new)

Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
(tbr)
(new)

Caught Red Handed
(tbr)
(new)

Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar
(tbr)
(new)

Caught Cheating on a test
(tbr)
(new)

Caught Sneaking out of the house
(tbr)
(new)

Caught Speeding
(tbr)
(new)

Caught Lying
(tbr)
(new)

Happy Reading!

Wow Leigh - those look great! I can see my TBR growing as I type! So many options - I might have to start reading one early ; ) - it is actually one I planned to read in April, but haven't managed to start yet!

Oh KathyD, I get to dig into your shelves again! I can't wait! It is always a challenge to find new ones you will like - maybe I've read a few lately that you haven't discovered yet! Tonight got away from me, so I will get started tomorrow night. Thursday is a big day for me, all good but just one thing after another after another that leaves me wiped, so I don't know that I will finish. But I should be done by Friday.

Hi Mary-Megan!
These are my picks for you. I hope you'll find something interesting! Let me know if you need any repicks 😊

1. Caught Reading
TBR: By the Book by Julia Sonneborn (features books)
NEW: Jane of Austin: A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility by Hillary Manton Lodge (retelling of another story)


2. Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
TBR: One and Only by Jenny Holiday (couple embracing on the cover)
NEW: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (workplace romance)


3. Caught Red Handed
TBR: Kill Creek by Scott Thomas (thriller)
NEW: Waterfall Effect by K.K. Allen (suspense)


4. Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar
TBR: Ember Island by Kimberley Freeman (brightly colored cover)
NEW: Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins (features someone who works with food)


5. Caught Cheating on a test
TBR: The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin (features children)
NEW: Lucy in the Sky by Paige Toon (features cheating)


6. Caught Sneaking out of the house
TBR: The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March (house on the cover)
NEW: Even the Score by Beth Ehemann (features a parent)


7. Caught Speeding
TBR: The Thing About Love by Julie James (features a law enforcement)
NEW: Spying in High Heels by Gemma Halliday (features a law enforcement)


8. Caught Lying
TBR: The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick (features a secret)
NEW: The Summer of Secrets by Tilly Tennant (features secrets)

Hey Nancy H:
I hope you enjoy these picks.

❀ Caught Reading (nerd MC): New: TBR:

❀ Caught “Doing it” in the copy room (couple embracing): New: TBR:

❀ Caught Red Handed (mystery/thriller/suspense): New: TBR:

❀ Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar (food on the cover): New: TBR:

❀ Caught Cheating on a test (children): New: TBR:

❀ Caught Sneaking out of the house (parent): New: TBR:
has a dark colored cover

❀ Caught Speeding (law enforcement): New: TBR:

❀ Caught Lying (secret or lies): New: TBR:

Hi Leigh!!

Here are my picks for you. Please let me know if you need any re-picks

1. Caught Reading
Tbr: Fabric of Life Old in TBR .
New: By Book or By Crook place.


2. Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
Tbr: Barefoot in Whitekiss on the cover.
New: Wicked Intentions erotica or steamy novel.


3. Caught Red Handed
Tbr: Hunting Prince Dracula holding something.
New: Guidebook to Murder murder mystery.


4. Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar
Tbr: Double Fudge Brownie Murderhas food on the cover
New: Killer Cupcakes works with food


5. Caught Cheating on a test
Tbr: City of Glass YA
New: Wrong cheating character


6. Caught Sneaking out of the house
Tbr: A Novel Obsession house on the cover
New: Mr and Mrs parent


7. Caught Speeding
Tbr: Dead Heat law enforcement
Tbr: Under Her Skin fast read
New: The Undomestic Goddesslaw enforcement


8. Caught Lying
Tbr: Dark Light of Mine paranormal
New: Born in Fire yellow and/or orange on the cover


I hope you'll find something here you like ..Happy reading!!

MountainKat wrote: "Wow Leigh - those look great! I can see my TBR growing as I type! So many options - I might have to start reading one early ; ) - it is actually one I planned to read in April, but haven't managed ..."


I'm glad you like them. I seem to have the same problem with this challenge...as soon as I take a book off the list several are added. That is what makes it fun.

Chiara wrote: "Hi Mary-Megan!
These are my picks for you. I hope you'll find something interesting! Let me know if you need any repicks 😊.."

The picks look great! Thank you so much!

Hi Sarah

Here are your picks for this month:

Caught Reading
Recommend a book that:
takes place in a library or bookstore or features books or a beta/nerd MC
is a retelling of another story
has been on the TBR list for a long time

TBR - Secret Of The Lost Summer - (Oldest Book)

New - Driftwood Summer - (Features Bookstore) or Kiss Of Fire - (Features Bookstore)


Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
Recommend a book that
is an erotica or steamy novel
features a workplace romance
has a couple embracing or kissing on the cover

TBR- The Rancher's One Week Wife-

NEW - Marriage Made On Paper - or The Rule Book -

Caught Red Handed
Recommend a book that:
is a murder mystery / thriller / suspense
has a red cover
has a cover with someone holding something

TBR - Desperate Strangers - (Thriller/Suspense) or Mountain Hideaway - (Thriller/Suspense)

NEW - (Thriller/Suspense) or (Red Cover)

Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar
Recommend a book that
features someone who works with food (chef, baker, bartender, waitress, etc)
has food on the cover
has a brightly colored cover

TBR - Cold Ridge- (Bright Cover) or Deadly Night (Bright Cover)

NEW - More Than This (Bartender) Taste The Heat or (Chef)

Caught Cheating on a test
Recommend a book that:
takes place in a school or features a teacher or a student
is a YA or children’s book or features children
features a cheating character

TBR- A Family After All- (Features Children)
NEW - Beautiful Mistake - (Teacher) or Ripple Effect - (Teacher)

Caught Sneaking out of the house
Recommend a book that
has a house on the cover
features a parent
has a dark colored cover

TBR -Family Wanted (Parent) or (Dark Cover)

NEW - (Dark Cover) or (Dark Cover)

Caught Speeding
Recommend a book that:
features a law enforcement (police officer, detective, etc) or military character (current or retired)
is a fast read
has a car on the cover

TBR- (Military) or (Sheriff)

NEW - (Miltary) or (Car on Cover)

Caught Lying
Recommend a book that:
features a secret or lies
has yellow and/or orange on the cover
is a paranormal, fantasy, or sci-fi novel

TBR- Wanted - (Yellow Cover) or Chasing Perfect - (Orange Cover)

NEW - Miss Mechanic - (Yellow Cover) or Long Shot - (Orange Cover) or Unraveled - (Orangeish cover)

Hope you find something you like. If you need me to pick any of the books again just let me know. Happy Reading :).

OMG Mary-Megan, you were fast! Of course you are hosting this one so... LOL! Thank you!!! Super excited for May and hoping I can do your fab list some justice! Sadly, a lot of them are repeats from this month (and even worse, March)! And btw, totally loving your theme this month! LOL!

Broken-Barriers!!! I get to pick for YOU! YAAAY!
*happy dance*

Hi HeatherMarie, I hope these picks work for you.

Caught Reading:
TBR: (on your list the longest)
New: (retelling)

Caught “Doing it” in the copy room
TBR: (steamy/workplace)
New: (steamy/couple embracing)

Caught Red Handed:
TBR: (holding a book)
New: (mystery / thriller / suspense)

Caught with a Hand in the cookie jar:
TBR: (chef)
New: (food on cover)

Caught Cheating on a test:
TBR: (YA)
New: (YA, set in school)

Caught Sneaking out of the house:
TBR: (parent)
New: (Dark cover)

Caught Speeding:
TBR: (Military)
New: (military character and a fast read)

Caught Lying:
TBR: (Yellow and orange)
New: (secrets)


Happy Reading

Sonja wrote: "OMG Mary-Megan, you were fast! Of course you are hosting this one so... LOL! Thank you!!! Super excited for May and hoping I can do your fab list some justice! Sadly, a lot of them are repeats from..."

I'm sorry some of them were repeats - do you want me to give you some repicks? Just let me know. When I see repeats in the months, I see that as a push to get those books read, but I'll gladly give you some more. Let me know which categories and I can go again :)

Mary-Megan wrote: "Sonja wrote: "OMG Mary-Megan, you were fast! Of course you are hosting this one so... LOL! Thank you!!! Super excited for May and hoping I can do your fab list some justice! Sadly, a lot of them ar..."

Oh no no, that's exactly how I see repeats too! (And more than likely it's cuz I re-checked it out from the library since I couldn't get to it in time!) I definitely don't need any repicks - I'm only sad I didn't get to some of them sooner! LOL! Thank you again for all the fab picks - and esp for including a lot of the actual books that are library books! I highly doubt I'll get to all of them (I have 16 of them either checked out or on hold for! And the only reason a few aren't on hold is because they aren't available at my library!), but my TBR list has definitely increased! LOL!

Carrie wrote: "Hi HeatherMarie, I hope these picks work for you...."

Carrie,
Thanks for the picks- they look excellent! Love all the mysteries you picked. ❤️🔍❤️🔍❤️🔍