The Challenge Factory discussion

I'm glad that things are looking up for you Denise. Those decisions are always so difficult to make. I give you lots of props for having the courage to make the call even though you knew it was going to throw your life into upheaval. A lot of people wouldn't.

I was going through the posts in the 'Hosting a Challenge' thread looking for ideas, and one of our members suggested a gothic book challenge. Two posts later she said, never mind, she would just do a personal challenge.

I think I'll take that idea and run with it. I really like gothic books and I like the board game challenges we have. I've asked my husband to make me a suitably spooky game board.

I'm thinking I'll post it in time for summer. (Or maybe earlier if I can't wait.)

Lanelle wrote: "I was going through the posts in the 'Hosting a Challenge' thread looking for ideas, and one of our members suggested a gothic book challenge. Two posts later she said, never mind, she would just d..."

go for it Lanelle!

Ditto! I liked the idea when it was suggested since we have nothing of the sorts.

I like that idea Lanelle. Hopefully, I'll be able to give it a shot. I'm having to stay away from somewhat genre specific challenges right now cause I'm trying to kill off my review list and those are mostly romances. lol

You never know, some of those romances might have gothic tendencies ;)

hahaha some of them probably do Lanelle.

Here are my thoughts on the HP-challenge


Harry Potter-challenge:

In 2016 it is 15 years since the first Harry Potter-movie was released, so for a yearly challenge I propose a Harry Potter-challenge where one is supposed to read 15 books that fit into these chosen categories.

Book-title-challenge (Gryffindor)
In this challenge one should read books that can be associated with something in the titles of the Harry Potter-books.

* "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" - read a book where the main character is magical in som way or where stones are relevant to the plot
* "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" - read a book where secrets are relevant or where a main character is locked up
* "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" - read a book where the main character is imprisoned, wrongfully so for extra credit
* "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" - read a book where fire is of importance
* "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" - read a book where the main character re-invents oneself or is about something mythological, either era or character
* "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" - read a book about royalty or blood
* "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" - read a book where enchanted objects are relevant

Since there are 7 books and the challenge is to read 15 books, my suggestion is too read two books for each title and as the last read one of the Harry Potter-spin-off-books.

Name-challenge (Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw)
In this challenge one should choose 15 characters from the HP-books and read books that are written by authors who have the same first or last name as the character or an actor who’s in the movies. So for example if one chooses character one can read a book by Beatrix Potter or if they choose actors they can read a book by Daniel Defoe (for Daniel Radcliffe).

Iconic challenge (Slytherin)
In this challenge I have chosen 15 things that one might associate with the HP-universe and the challenge is to read a book where that iconic thing appears.
* Group of friends: read a book where a group of friends are the main characters
* Orphan: read a book where the main character is an orphan
* Hogwarts: read a book that takes place in a boarding school
* Dumbledore: read a book that has an older mentor-character
* Muggles vs. wizards: read a book that has a racial theme
* Scars: read a book where one of the main character has a physical oddity
* Potions: read a book where cooking is important (either magical or normal)
* the Marauder's Map: read a book where the characters are dependant on directions, either from a map or from a guide
* England: read a book that either takes Place in England or maintains a brittish way of life
* Secret passageways: read a book where the main characters get to a mystery place throug a magic portal
* the Triwizard Tournament: read a book where there they compete in sports
* the Dursleys: read a book where the main character has unsympathetic relatives
* Gringott's Bank: read a book where a main character is wealthy
* Parseltongue: read a book where someone is able to communicate with animals
* Mythical creatures: read a book where mythical or animals play a part

Sorry it's taken so long to reply, Sara. I should have made a quick post telling you that I wanted to think about your challenge and get back to you.

I think you have an excellent start to a wonderful challenge. I do have a few ideas for you to consider.

When you write up the challenge instructions, you'll need to say that the participants will be reading 45 books for the yearly challenge. (That is, if I understand correctly.)

For Gryffindor :
How about the Hogwarts Library books the Rowling wrote for the optional 15th book? You might be able to make reading prompts from those.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Quidditch Through the Ages
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

For Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw :
No changes here, but I think it would be good to make a list of characters and the actors for people to choose from.

For Slytherin :
5. there is a typo, should be Muggles

Here are some more iconic ideas :
red heads
Hagrid
wands and potions
snakes
the Marauder's Map
aunt and uncle
scar
Snape
Gringott's Bank
Voldemort
England

I got a good idea today that maybe my daughter and I talk too much about the challenges we are participating in. Or planning, in my case. (My daughters make good sounding boards.)

My oldest grandson, who is 9, asked if he could join Goodreads so he could do the challenges too. What's the youngest age you've seen here on Goodreads? Is 9 too young?

Personally the youngest I've seen is 14. I bet there's groups just for young people?

I think I've seen a few 11-12 year olds around, too. Though I don't think there's such a thing as too young - most of our challenges should easily allow him to find age appropriate books to read and if that's a hobby he can enjoy together with you and your daughter, that's a good thing, right? :)

Jenne, I've done a bit of searching around Goodreads. I only found a couple of groups that are active, but they seem to be more social than reading related. I'll keep looking.

Denise, I agree that my grandson could easily participate in many of our challenges. And I think it would be nice to work on them together. And my daughter and I could keep an eye the boy, too :)

Always a plus =) lol

Lanelle wrote: "I got a good idea today that maybe my daughter and I talk too much about the challenges we are participating in. Or planning, in my case. (My daughters make good sounding boards.)

My oldest grands..."

I believe Goodreads is pretty much in line with federal guidelines for social media sites - restricts members to age 13 and older.


But you could certainly set up a challenge for your grandson on your own .. like have him spell "Back to School" or find items in text (like our scavenger hunt) or match cover items.

You just couldn't have him do it on Goodreads.

Hey Trea,
how are the health issues?

Ezinwanyi wrote: "Hey Trea,
how are the health issues?"

Improving, Ezi, but there seems to be some lingering issues from the accident.