Play Book Tag discussion

Besides for group challenges, do you have any personal challenges which you do on your own?
What are they?
Why did you decide to do them?

I totally have my own challenges. In the last few years I have done an author challenge (the rest of an authors compendium), a series challenge, and a remarkable person of the year challenge.

I also try to do "owned" books, and books that have been really long on my TBR. And of course Trim, which helps me with all five of those!

I like to take on some big book read at least once a year, often a classic. Proust was one of those, Hunger’s Brides: A Novel of the Baroque, A Suitable Boy, A Brief History of Seven Killings.

I also like deliberately to pick up a classic or two to read at least once a year, usually in the summer. This year I am currently reading Madame Bovary, I plan to read Ulysses in May/June. I am also thinking about reading a Dickens I have not read.

Often those books also fit a prompt in some year long challenge, but that isn't why I read them. I alsomtry to read heavily from my TBR Towers. That can be a challenge with so many shiny new books to be had!

Yes, I do personal challenges. I have done a finish a series started, start a new series, and read so many Classics in a year challenge. Last year I did a read four book over 500 pages challenge but did not finish it so continuing it this year, two more to go.
I have also have done (like Amy) read books I own challenge. I make this a year-long challenge.
I have also do now and then( only for one month) read whatever my husband/family picks out of me challenge. This has turned out to have been both great and what the heck was I thinking adventures.

I do a "Read older Fantasy" -books have to be at least 10 years old. I have found some great authors doing it.

I also do a "Clear The Blanket Chest"-which is a truckload of books that sits at the end of my bed. In order for the book to qualify, it has to have been sitting there at least a year. Don't know why I still do it, because as soon as I clear one off-another one gets put it in it's place-

And for every challenge I do, the book has to come from my TBR list here on GR's. If it is a book I want to read, but it is not there, I still read it, just don't count it in any challenges.

I try to read at least one 500+ page book per year.

And for the last few years I've tried to incorporate more classics every year. Both standard classics and also a re-read of a personal favorite - sort of a personal classic.

I'm always worried that an old favorite won't stand up to a re-read, but so far I haven't been disappointed.

This year I taking a step back from one challenge. Instead of a goal of 100 books, I set it at 80. When I started listing and reviewing with Shelfari, my goal was to push myself to read new books and new genres. I was in a rut. I tend to get stuck in rereading favorites. I'd occasionally 'count' a reread if I used an audio. But I'm finding that I need to return to my old favorites and I don't need to push so hard to tackle new books. I am setting a goal to write a my impressions of each reread which I may or may not post.

I set a low goal to read 5 DTB from my shelves and 5 previously owned kindle titles every year. I haven't been very successful. I'd be a winner if I set a challenge for library books. Maybe I'll try that.

Jgrace wrote:I'd be a winner if I set a challenge for library books.

LoL-same here-the ladies at check-out desk don't even ask for my card anymore...that tells ya something!

Nope, not really. I just read.

However, I do make up a list of 100 "priority" TBR picked randomly from my four TBR excel lists. (Yes, I have more than one ... ) IF I think about it (and that's a big IF), I try to pick from that priority list for satisfying any challenges I do during the year.

I'm the same, Tessa. I love the time I spend reading and don't want to put any demands on it. I also like writing reviews.

I have so many personal challenges, I think it is getting out of hand:
- Read 12 books over 500 pages
- Read 16 specific books (I make a list of those I have been wanting to read, but never seem to get to them - if I make it part of my annual goal, I will get it done)
- Read 20 books randomly selected (I used the "randomizer")
- Read at least 20 books on the Boxall List
- Read 20 books that have been nominated for the Booker Prize
- Read at least 5 books from a specific author (I pick a different author each year)
- Read a book set in 24 different countries (other than my own)
- Read at least 12 non-fictions (I far exceed this number, but set it just as a reminder)

Note: Some books may satisfy more than 1 goal.

As far as "why" I set these goals, there are a variety of reasons:
- I find if I set a goal, I will find a way to complete it (barring something unforeseen happening in my life)
- I want to broaden my reading to include countries from around the world. I now track all the different countries I have "visited' vicariously.
- I like to get some of my large tomes knocked off, so the 500+ page goal encourages me to pick some of the big ones that I may otherwise ignore for a long time.
- I like reading multiple books by authors I enjoy (the author's "body of work" personal challenge)
- I tend to enjoy "literary fiction," so the Boxall List and Booker Prize goals help satisfy that preference. Plus, the Boxall List goes back into history, so it helps build that body of knowledge of the "classics"

I also enjoy writing reviews and find it helps me remember more about the books I have read.

I have a theoretical goal of reducing my TBR and the physical books on my shelves and ebooks and audiobooks I already own. But I don't have a number and never make much headway because great new stuff keeps coming out - or even great old stuff I become aware of.

I have used GR challenges these last few years as a way to read more, and that has really motivated me. I am in several groups with challenges, some quite easy to attain and others pretty much impossible. It's great when I can use a book for multiple challenges or games. I do have a concern that I tend to read shorter books in order to get more items checked off, and I don't get to long books, which I actually enjoy in general.

I had a goal of 100 books a year for several years and I would just about make it but feel stressed, so I cut it back and then I would increase it later in the year if I was ahead of schedule. Since being retired, and since covid, I have read way more than that.

I never really said why I have the personal reading challenges I do which are mostly big reads. I have always, since a teen, liked to disappear into big books now and again as well as classics. I found though as I got older my life got busier and my professional career and volunteer activities became more demanding in energy, mental engagement, and time, I was no longer reading anything except latest in favorite crime, romance, and thrillers.

Personal challenges keep those bigger reads in my life as I make time for them.

I read for enjoyment and hopefully along the way, I will also learn something.

I've set up a number of no pressure private little challenges for myself. Many of these help me find books which will be interesting to me and also help me to clear my tbr.

Literati-I try to read one book from their curated list every month. Generally, I will find one which is already on my tbr and other times I find new books which I will enjoy.

Various book awards - Edgar, Dublin Literary Award, Women's Prize for Fiction, Scotiabank Giller Prize, Miles Franklin Literary Award, Booker, National Book Award - I try to read at least one from these long lists. I always find some wonderful books.

Heritage/History Months - I try to read at least one which is represented.

I set aside a list of books I would like to read each year.- Last year, I read all but 3 on my list. This year I've fallen behind.

Unlimited- I try to read some from my unlimited list, to make it worth my while

Series- I realized last year how much I love my mystery series and try to keep up.

Slow Travel - I love these travelogues and though many are not great literature. I get a kick out of them and try to read one each month.

Booknblues wrote: "Scotiabank Giller Prize..."

I love that you read from the big Canadian award list, too. :-)

I have to agree about the Canadian list. I've discovered a bunch of gems through the Giller prize!

LibraryCin wrote: "Booknblues wrote: "Scotiabank Giller Prize..."

I love that you read from the big Canadian award list, too. :-)"

There are some great Canadian writers and I always find good books