Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

 2014 September Pick it For Me 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. The new books might not be books you are interested in, it happens sometimes, that is why you also get a minimum of four books from your shelf. But you never know, perhaps one of those books will turn out to be a new favorite if you give it a chance. You only have to read ONE book to complete this challenge! All of the books picked for you do not have to be something you are going to read.

After signups are closed, I'll put your names and any extra info I’ve required into the super secret PIFM randomizer and select someone for you to choose for. This will get posted along with the rules for the month.

While you're doing your picks, someone else is doing picks for you. Once you receive them, you pick a book off the list and get reading. To complete the challenge, you only have to read 1 (one) book but many of us end up reading more because we just can't resist a list of books to read.

In order to participate you need to either HAVE YOUR PROFILE SET TO PUBLIC (preferable), or make the person who will be giving you recommendations your friend. You will also need to have your profile set to accept Private Messages (PMs), occasionally there will be questions the host, a mod or your picker will want to ask you. On top of that, we strongly recommend keeping your bookshelves updated; otherwise you might end up with a recommendation that you have already read.
Everything gets done in this thread so be sure to come back often!!!

Some clarification on repicks: You can ask for repicks if the books picked for you are not yet released or if you have already read them 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 if supplied, you may also ask for more picks. You may not ask for repicks because a book is not available at your library or is a genre or author you don’t enjoy. Your picker likely put a lot of time and thought into the books they selected for you and want you to enjoy them, by following the tips they tried to come up some new ideas for you so check them out and read some reviews before you discount them!

***TIPS TO MAKE THE CHALLENGE ENJOYABLE FOR EVERYONE!***

1. 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 or authors that don’t work for you as well as favorites. Also, you might consider updating your profile info, many of us haven’t done so since we joined GR. You can include info there about your favorite books and authors. And in the ‘about me’ section you can add things you like or things you don’t - love friends to lovers, hate insta-love or burned out on billionaire bad boys for example.

2. Check the publishing date of the book before recommending it. To check the publishing date, from your pickee's to-read or similar shelf choose shelf settings, select "date pub" from the drop down selections and save/close the menu.

3. Check pickee's personalized shelves, especially their exclusive shelves - it could be very helpful in recommending something they want to read. A personalized shelf is one that a member has labeled themselves, for example, 'to read next', 'can't wait to read', 'favorites'.

4. Look at your pickee's 'read' shelf and see what genres they have recently read the most. That might help in choosing something they are interested in reading right now.

5. Please make sure the books you choose for your pickee are not on their 'read' shelf. Just because it isn't rated doesn't mean it wasn't read. Sometimes the reader may choose not to rate a book.

6. Although Buddy Reads are no longer going to be offered as a category, if there is a recommendation that you give your pickee that you would like to read with them, please feel free to suggest a Buddy Read with them. You can PM each other and discuss it.

7. If your pickee reads lots of books in a genre you are not familiar with (erotic romance, GLBT, YA, etc.), feel free to contact either Fran, Dee, Jane, Kat, Karen, Ty or the month's organizer and they can try to point you in the right direction for recommendations.

8. If possible, try to include a shorter book, a longer book, a new addition to their 'to-read' shelf, and and older book from their 'to-read' shelf. This gives them a variety of options to choose from. You can sort the shelves by many features - ratings, date read, date added, date published, #of pages and many other items from the shelf settings as described in tip #1. And they can be sorted by ascending or descending order as well.

9. Please choose at least 4 new titles for your pickee. These should be brand new to them books and not found on any of their shelves. It could also be a book found on their shelves if they've never read any of the author's work before. Part of the fun of this challenge is discovering new books to read, adding new titles to the ever-expanding tbr shelf. The remaining 4 titles should come from your pickee's tbr, with a minimum of one from their preferred shelves if provided.

10. Please remember this is a romance readers challenge, so unless you KNOW your pickee would prefer something else (something off their preferred shelf, for example) most, if not all, of your picks should be romance. There are many different sub genres and related types of books - Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Erotica, M/M, Urban Fantasy even. Take a look at your pickee's read shelf and see if they read non-romance genres before making your suggestions.




INFORMATION NEEDED TO SIGN UP

Please sign up in this thread with the answer to the following question:

***** Do you like to travel? ***** 

1.	 I would travel all the time if I could afford it.

2.	 I love to travel but I love to come back home too. 

3.	 I love to travel occasionally but prefer to be home. 

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

IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until August 23rd (8 pm EST).

You’ll have until August 27th (8 pm EST) to make your recommendations.
The re-picks will be assigned afterwards.

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 add a new comment rather than updating a previous post or your progress will likely be missed. It is also very helpful if you add more information like "I finished another pick" or "I finished my third book for this challenge" and mention if your pick was a buddy read. Thanks!***

*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!*

 SIGN UPS 

1. I would travel all the time if I could afford it.
Elizabeth Fall Reads Shelf
Elke’s On Deck 4 Chlges Shelf
Dee RRRC-Mng Picked Shelf
Vi
Brett
Sassafrass Meet-n-Greet Shelf
Aarati
Nancy H
Carrie Icanhasbooks
Ashley
Sandy



2. I love to travel but I love to come back home too.
Skandia
Laurla 01-tbr-owned Shelf
Fran PIFM Shelf
Leslie
Ty
Siriusedward
Ramneek
Daffodil
Shelby GB Q3 Shelf
Larissa
Lekshmy
Kathy Pick it for Me Shelf
Mountain Kat To Read Asap Shelf
Pam
Runell
AnniLuvs Shelf 1 Shelf 2 Shelf 3
Carla_Collette
Sunshine
Kai Picking Shelf
Tay Non Ya Shelf
Joyce
Crystal
Leslie Russchelle
Kristin
Mary Already Released Shelf


3. I love to travel occasionally but prefer to be home.
Zara’s Borrow Library Shelf
Diane~Firefly
Arshiya
Arena
Suzanne
Kami
Grace Meet & Greet Shelf
Karen H Can’t Wait to Read Shelf
Breann Pifm Pick Me Shelf
Erin
Macwolf01[Elise]
Carla

                     PICKING RULES
                    Please pick books following the rules below.


PLEASE NOTE: When making your picks please include at least FOUR choices that are new to your pickee and FOUR from their TBR/Preferred shelf. Thanks.

Our World:

Africa - Safari – Pick a book with the setting in Africa, the H or h from Africa, the author from Africa, an animal on the cover, a shifter book, or there is a pet in the story.


Antarctica – Only continent with no permanent residents - Pick a book with the setting in Antarctica, the H or h from Antarctica, the author from Antarctica (he-he), a book without people on the cover, a story where the H or h are held in isolation, or the H or h choose to be isolated from other people.


Asia – Largest continent - Pick a book with the setting in Asia, the H or h from Asia, the author from Asia, or pick a longer book 350+ pages.


Commonwealth of Australia – One of the wealthiest places in the world per capita - Pick a book with the setting in Australia/New Zealand, the H or h from Australia/New Zealand, the author from Australia/New Zealand, or the H or h are very, very rich.


Europe – Full of historical landmarks/buildings - Pick a book with the setting in Europe, the H or h from Europe, the author from Europe, or an historical romance.


North America – New World - Pick a book with the setting in North America, the H or h from North America, the author from North America, or a new release.


South America – hosting next Olympics 2016 and host Carnival - Pick a book with the setting in South America, the H or h from South America, the author from South America, or a book that includes sports or partying.


Ocean – Includes all islands - Pick a book where H or h is on a ship/boat/yacht, an island, or a resort near the beach, or a book with water on the cover.

                     PARTNERS


Please pick books for the person directly below you. The last person will pick for the first person in your category.


HAVE FUN! I hope you find some great books.

1. I would travel all the time if I could afford it.

Carrie Icanhasbooks
Dee RRRC-Mng Picked Shelf
Sassafrass Meet-n-Greet Shelf
Nancy H
Vi
Elke’s On Deck 4 Chlges Shelf
Elizabeth Fall Reads Shelf
Ashley
Sandy
Brett
Aarati



2. I love to travel but I love to come back home too.

Larissa
Leslie
Pam
Shelby GB Q3 Shelf
Fran PIFM Shelf
Kai Picking Shelf
AnniLuvs Shelf 1 Shelf 2 Shelf 3
Laurla 01-tbr-owned Shelf
Kristin
Ty
Daffodil
Tay Non Ya Shelf
Siriusedward
Mary Already Released Shelf
Lekshmy
Ramneek
Leslie Russchelle
Kathy Pick it for Me Shelf
Crystal
Joyce
Skandia
Runell
Carla_Collette
Mountain Kat To Read Asap Shelf
Sunshine


3. I love to travel occasionally but prefer to be home.

Breann Pifm Pick Me Shelf
Arena
Grace Meet & Greet Shelf = Added to the Repicks List
Suzanne
Diane~Firefly
Arshiya
Macwolf01[Elise]
Karen H Can’t Wait to Read Shelf
Zara’s Borrow Library Shelf
Carla
Kami
Erin

                     Picks Received

Message 222 √

1. I would travel all the time if I could afford it.

√ Carrie Icanhasbooks
√ Dee RRRC-Mng Picked Shelf
√ Sassafrass Meet-n-Greet Shelf
√ Nancy H
√ Vi
√ Elke’s On Deck 4 Chlges Shelf
√ Elizabeth Fall Reads Shelf
√ Ashley
√ Sandy
√ Brett
√ Aarati


2. I love to travel but I love to come back home too.

√ Larissa
√ Leslie
√ Pam
√ Shelby GB Q3 Shelf
√ Fran PIFM Shelf
√ Kai Picking Shelf
√ AnniLuvs
√ Laurla 01-tbr-owned Shelf
√ Kristin
√ Ty
√ Daffodil
√ Tay Non Ya Shelf
√ Siriusedward
√ Mary Already Released Shelf = Added to the Repicks List
√ Lekshmy = Added to the Repicks List
√ Ramneek = Added to the Repicks List
√ Leslie Russchelle
√ Kathy Pick it for Me Shelf
√ Crystal
√ Joyce
√ Skandia
√ Runell
√ Carla_Collette
√ Mountain Kat To Read Asap Shelf
√ Sunshine




3. I love to travel occasionally but prefer to be home.

√ Breann Pifm Pick Me Shelf
√ Arena
√ Grace Meet & Greet Shelf = Added to the Repicks List
√ Suzanne
√ Diane~Firefly
√ Arshiya
√ Macwolf01[Elise]
√ Karen H Can’t Wait to Read Shelf
√ Zara’s Borrow Library Shelf
√ Carla
√ Kami
√ Erin

○
○
○
Repicks/Late Picks

√ Zara PICKS for Beepy ==== THANKS ZARA!

√ Beepy PICKS for Grace Meet & Greet Shelf ==== THANKS Beepy!

√ Elizabeth PICKS FOR Mary Already Released Shelf ==== THANKS Elizabeth!

√ Elke PICKS FOR Lekshmy

√ Karen H PICKS FOR Ramneek ==== THANKS Karen H!




Volunteers for picking


√ Zara

√ Elizabeth

√ Elke

√ Karen H




my link text

                     Completed Challenge

Message √

1. I would travel all the time if I could afford it.

Carrie Icanhasbooks
Dee RRRC-Mng Picked Shelf
Sassafrass Meet-n-Greet Shelf
Nancy H
Vi
Elke’s On Deck 4 Chlges Shelf
Elizabeth Fall Reads Shelf
Ashley
Sandy
Brett
Aarati


2. I love to travel but I love to come back home too.

Larissa
Leslie
Pam
Shelby GB Q3 Shelf
Fran PIFM Shelf
Kai Picking Shelf
AnniLuvs
Laurla 01-tbr-owned Shelf
Kristin
Ty
Daffodil
Tay Non Ya Shelf
Siriusedward
Mary Already Released Shelf
Lekshmy
Ramneek
Leslie Russchelle
Kathy Pick it for Me Shelf
Crystal
Joyce
Skandia
Runell
Carla_Collette
Mountain Kat To Read Asap Shelf
Sunshine




3. I love to travel occasionally but prefer to be home.

Breann Pifm Pick Me Shelf
Arena
Grace Meet & Greet Shelf = Added to the Repicks List
Suzanne
Diane~Firefly
Arshiya
Macwolf01[Elise]
Karen H Can’t Wait to Read Shelf
Zara’s Borrow Library Shelf
Carla
Kami
Erin

Reserved

I would travel all the time if I could afford it, Crystal!

Please sign me up. Number 3 for me. I'm much more of a home body but travelling sometimes is a nice change.

Please use my borrow library shelf. Thanks

I am in! I am #1...would travel all the time!


Please pick from my On deck 4 chlges

I've got you Elizabeth, Zara and Elke.

I used to be #1. Now my love for traveling is still there but it's always nice to come back home.

Sign me up for #2

Skandia wrote: "I used to be #1. Now my love for traveling is still there but it's always nice to come back home.

Sign me up for #2"

:-)

Sign me up for # 2 too... I love to travel but there comes a time when I just want my own bed back!!

01-tbr-owned

Laurla wrote: "Sign me up for # 2 too... I love to travel but there comes a time when I just want my own bed back!!

01-tbr-owned"

Got ya. :-)

i'm a 1 - i'll add my preferred shelf in later on

I'm in!

I am a 2....I like to travel, but there is something so comforting about coming home :)

My preferred shelf- PIFM shelf

I've got you Dee and Fran.

I'm in and I'm a 2! Traveling is great and so is coming home!

Thanks Leslie.

I'm a 1. I love, love traveling. Just give me a unlimited bank account...

*chuckles*... you're on the list Vi.

Totally a homebody, so #3 for me.

I'm in and I would love to travel if I could afford it

I'm a #1! Please get some recs from my meet-n-greet shelf.

thanks!

Great, I have Diane, Brett and Sassafrass added to the fun.

I'm a 3. :D
Preferred shelf: My Shelf

I'm in I love to travel occasionally but prefer to be home.

crystal - here is my preferred shelf - TiA - RRRC-MNG-Picked

I'm in! #2

Thanks Arshiya, Arena, Dee and Ty

I'm in and I'm #3!

You're all signed up Suzanne

i am in. and i am 2

I am in with #2 please!

Sign me up please:

I love to travel but I love to come back home too.

I've added you Siriusedward, Ramneek and Daffodil. Thanks for signing up!

I'm in. I pick 3. I love to travel occasionally but prefer to be home.

I love to travel but I like to come back home too. Definitely #2 :D

I'd love a few picks from my current GB Q3 Shelf. Thanks!

Group 3 please.

Please pick a couple from my meet & greet shelf. Thanks!

I've added Kami, Shelby and Grace.

I'm in!
I love to travel but I love to come back home too.

I love to travel but I love to come back home too

Hello Larissa and Lekshmy... I have you both listed.

could you please sign me up for #2?
I love traveling, but being home is nice too! :)

please use pick-it-for-me

Put me down for #2 - not that I travel all that much, but I would like to! (Just need to get hubby onboard, he has this aversion to taking any of his vacation days...) But home is still one of my favorite places to be!

Please use my to-read-asap shelf.

I'm in and in group #2. Love to travel and like to come home.

I'm in and group #2, please.

I would love to travel all the time if I could.

If possible please choose just contemporary romances. Atleast majority of them and some fun and flirty books. No cheating and love triangles.

Sorry about the rant!