SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Ok, I know I'm not the only one here that's addicted to group challenges! So, fess up!

✔ Have you joined a group just for the challenges?
(ok, yeah, you might stay b/c you love the chatter and all, but why'd you INITIALLY join?)

✔ Do you start searching your groups 1/2 way through a month for next month's challenges?

✔ Do you participate in every challenge the group throws or do you limit them?

✔ Do you continue to sign up knowing full well you won't finish all the books you've already committed to other challenges -or- do you try to tie in the same book in as many challenges as possible, so you can still participate?

If you can answer "YES" to more than one of those, then you're addicted! If you answered "NO" to more than two of those, then stick around here a while and we'll make ya one of us ... Addicted & Lovin' It!

As I've already admitted, I am definitely addicted to challenges. I actually have to make myself do the "first seen, first chosen" thing each month. I pick one (or try to pick only one) from a couple of the groups I participate in and don't look any further. Yes, it's VERY hard, but I was in so many challenges at one point that I thought I'd never read myself outta the whole I'd created for myself. LOL! I've got major OCDitis, so I must complete every challenge I enter.

I have to say though, challenges have definitely gotten me to read books I never would've otherwise. They've also helped me increase my reading speed (no, not skimming speed, really reading) and helped me fall back in love with books. :D

That's me, that's me. All 4 ticks work for me, mind you I finish those challenges or die. How did you know?

I notice you only went for 5 in RRRC's July Challenge - slacker. LOL. *I really mean sensible of you as you've got so many on the go*

Slacker! LMAO!! You got it! I was only going to do 3, but then realized that 5 from other challenges fit, so what the hell. LOL! I have found that recently I go for less v. more, like I used to, so I have more time to work in ones I want to read vs. ones that fit into a challenges categories. Although finding books that match are almost as much fun for me as reading them! :)

and ✔ #1 ... girl, I've joined several just b/c "challenge" was part of the group's goal/name! BAD! Gotta stop doin' that! I have enough to choose from already. LOL!

Yes, yes, no (but usually cause I can't get some books for it...though have a list started in my notebook and find myself trying to do it anyway!) and yes.

This is a much better addiction than say, FB games, though it does cost more money!

I just finished one challenge (name)...and realized many of my July books would fit if I signed up for my full last name...should I...shouldn't I...can I actually sign up for it again?? Hmm...think I need to pop over to the other discussion group for a minute or two (and check if the other July challenges are posted yet...)

I'm a YES for all four, too. Where's the sign up for the self-help group?

This is the first month I won't finish a challenge since I started them in October. Sigh. And I sign up for almost all of them. I think I do monthly challenges at 4 or 5 different groups. Plus all the fun seasonal, quarterly & yearly ones.

Honestly though, the best part about challenges for me is making the lists. I love scrolling through my book list to find stuff to fit the categories, and finding books that fit multiple challenges. It's a fun scavenger hunt challenge in itself. :)

Ahh....Laura Lulu...even with almost a week left? Good luck!!

I love making the lists too...and cross lists to see how many challenges I can actually fit that book in!

Ditto! Ditto! and Ditto! :)

I have to give myself a little pat on the back though, I've been MUCH better about limiting my entry into challenges. I'm trying REAL hard to read what I want in addition and they don't always fit into a challenge.

Go, Laura, read, read, read, push, push, push! You can do it! :)

I've thought about just creating more self-challenges. That way I get to pick what I want and I get to make my lists too. Which, as you've both said, that's 1/2 the fun.

So...self-challenge thread? LOL...or how about a challenge to complete 18 challenges between July 1 and December 31 (3 a month...and with the basic "read-a-month"'s could be managed!) Then we could also get ideas for new places to go for our "fix"!

Sounds good me, Judithe! LOL! I'm doin' about 3-5 a month right now, so that's doable for me.

Go ahead & start a Self-Challenge Thread, if you'd like. I'd be right behind ya. :)

I might finish. I finished Kushiel's Dart yesterday and can't wait to read the next fatty in the series next month. I started The First Days last night and read almost half of it in one sitting, so if I finish that tonight I have four days left for 2 books. Doable, but I probably won't make it. But it'll be close. :)

But Steph, I'm loving The First Days. Yes, it could use a bit of editing, and I thought the "I'm not a lesbian..." turn was stupid, but I just read that part, maybe I will be happy about that later in the book because I definitely don't want to see Jenni with him.

But I actually had a bad dream last night. I never have nightmares. Never. It wasn't about zombies, but the book was obviously enough to put me in a susceptible place. It was about an apocalyptical swarm of something--I woke up right when it hit the house and I was trying to hold the door closed and lock it. Lol. Nut job. :)

addict? Who me? *staring up into space innocently*

Laura Lulu wrote: "I might finish. I finished Kushiel's Dart yesterday and can't wait to read the next fatty in the series next month. I started The First Days last night and read almost ..."

No, I don't keep up with challenges, I'm too easily distracted

Kushiels dart is pretty hot :) I just finished Naamah's Curse a few days ago, I think her writing just gets better and better!

Laura Lulu wrote: "But I actually had a bad dream last night. I never have nightmares. Never. It wasn't about zombies, but the book was obviously enough to put me in a susceptible place. It was about an apocalyptical swarm of something--I woke up right when it hit the house and I was trying to hold the door closed and lock it. Lol. Nut job. :)..."

Damn, that sucks! I'm sure you would'a found a giant can of Raid and killed 'um all! :D

Keep with the series though, please, you'll love it and not be disappointed. :)

And good luck w/the challenge reads left. *push*push*push LOL! I have one left and it's one I've been ho-hum about ... "Undead & Unwelcome".

Welcome to the group, Marisella! You must have the strength of Gods, my dear! I wish my ADD would kick in long enough to keep me from entering so many. LOL I think my OCD battles my ADD and wins in that regard, lists ... lists ... lovely lists I cannot resist. LMAO!!! :D

ah yes, the joys of having OCD and being ADD; means you can hyperfocus on something completely inane, like using oxy-clean to whiten all the grout in your kitchen tile. and family room and bathrooms. doesn't allow you to do laundry or cook dinner though :) Reading is a constant at least, I can always stay still to read

LOL Marisella, you sure do fit right in here :)

not a bad thing, Sandra :)
I think the hardest part is keeping track of the lists, especially since I often start a book for a challenge, then get distracted by books on another list. It helps me to put the challenge books on that (cyber) shelf, then work off that. whew!

So....I didn't think I really had any ideas for self-challenges...but I DO! Where could I start a thread for that? Would that go in the "my lists" section? (maybe not the proper name....)

Judithe wrote: "So....I didn't think I really had any ideas for self-challenges...but I DO! Where could I start a thread for that? Would that go in the "my lists" section? (maybe not the proper name....)"

Hey, sorry for the delay, Judithe. Just now seeing your ? I also saw your "self-challenge" list. Which is great.

I was thinking I could create a "Challenge" folder, in there we could put any members' self-challenges and, if we ever have any, group challenges. What do you think? :D

Also, you are welcome to use the group's event option to invite people to join in on your self-challenges.

That's a wonderful idea! Having met through a challenge, and seeing many SOS members' names on challenges, figured that might just spontaneously happen sometime, and I love the idea! I've never done invites, but it's a lovely idea too...think I'll have to look into how it's done. In the meantime, everyone is always welcome to join!!!

Now I'm going to wander over to the thread on series to find some more ideas for my Firsts Challenge ;)

LOL Judithe!

I'm creating a "Challenge" folder now, you can either leave your existing lists where they are or move them to that folder. Up to you, either works for me. :)

I need to check them out and see which I'm going to be joining in on with you.

I'll move them later tonight...have to go teach some kids English!!!

I'll probably need to fine tune them (the challenges, though the kids surely need it too!), so suggestions/questions are very welcome!

LOL!

No worries, take your time. Have fun with the kids. Hey, can you teach me Japanese? :)

Mochiron!

Â, yokatta! I know sukoshi. Is that even a sentence? LOL! :)

Sou desu ne. It's just like my students in reverse, Short English sentences, then longer ones in Japanese with English words adding flavor here and there! It's fine, and the meaning is clear!

Iitai koto ga tsutaeba, daijobu desu yo! (As long as you can communicate what you want to say, it's fine!)

And phrase to learn for today is "Hon wo yomu no wa(pronounced "wa" but written with the hiragana character "ha") DAISUKI desu!"

Ooooh FUN! I'm creating a TEACH STEPH JAPANESE thread right now! :D

You love me? yomu ... read? Love to read?!

Ok, I'm writing it down ... need a new notebook for this ... hang on ... got it! Off to find my Jap-Eng school book. LOL

ETA link to "Watakushi wa gakusei desu, Senséi" thread: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

Of course I love you...but the last one is correct! Next phrase later...

ima, shigoto ni itte-kimasu!

Now off to work with ya. :P

did you see the movie "wasabi"? French and Japanese, with Jean Reno, it was very funny! in one scene, the police are negotiating with a bank robber, and the negotiator starts with "kinichi wa" on the bullhorn! how very polite, "good afternoon, please come out with your hands up"

No I haven't. I'll have to look for it. Right now, I'm kinda like Scarlett Johansson in "Lost in Translation". But the people are SOOOOO friendly and polite. They get a kick outta me when I speak any amt of Japanese. They seem to appreciate the effort on my part, even if I screw up. :)

Gotta challenge addiction?? Join the club! Well, you kinda already did, by joining this group! We (group members) openly admit we are addicted, but notice how I said "Seek Solace Here" and not "Seek Help Quitting Here"? Well, that's because this group will most certainly be contributing to your challenge habit, not helping you break it! :D

HAPPY READING!

"Misery loves company" and all that? I must confess, since joining this group, my challenges have more than doubled...I must say....

Thank you so much!!! I love you guys! (And have you noticed, many other groups are putting up their August challenges...time to go sign up!)

LOL! Seriously? Is that b/c your scoping out other members' challenge lists?

Yes, I've noticed and *pat, pat* I've managed to keep from looking at them all day, thank you very much!

I still have to organize my relays before jumping in anything new. Otherwise I just know I'll screw up my "yeah that should work" reading order. LOL!

Hehehe! Of course!

Actually, I got one group notification...and have been trolling for the next monthly challenge on another of my "regulars" (if I only started doing challenges 4 months ago, and that is the one I've done every month, can I say "regular")but have been trying to avoid other signing up on any new ones...though I found I'd started unconsciously creating a relay after finding myself halfway through the discussion on it!

I'm just going into the cheerleading section-
Go, Steph, Go!!!

I don't even know how many I have going on right now... I am trying to figure that out!

I am so bad... I need to figure out which ones are over by the end of the year so I can get a list of which books I have to choose from and hopefully get some of my challenges completed. I don't think I will manage all!

The challenges are all delightfully evil. I sign up for more than I should. Thank goodness you can cross-challenge books or I'd have to seriously limit my challenges. I love making the lists ahead of time, although I almost always end up changing some of the books.

I'm struggling with the idea I might not finish one of my July ones because the book I need from the library is 2 1/2 weeks overdue and doesn't look like it will be returned in time for me to get it. :(

I'm struggling with the idea...
I hope it comes through for you...I hate not being able to complete a goal I set myself. Good luck!

Thanks, Judithe. :)

Diane, hope you're able to finish July's challenge(s). Good luck!

AV, I've had so many going at once for so long I'm surprised I know what's what. But, that's where I thank my OCD-itis and my love of lists. Otherwise, I'd never keep it all straight.

Woo Hoo! I got an email from the library saying my book is in. I can finish my challenge!

Steph wrote: "Thanks, Judithe. :)

Diane, hope you're able to finish July's challenge(s). Good luck!

AV, I've had so many going at once for so long I'm surprised I know what's what. But, that's where I thank..."

Lately I have just been going through all the challenges I can remember whenever I finish a book. Then I can update them and I just hope I don't miss any. I am going to really clean things up for the new year. I want to get all my challenges I can done by the end of the year and have very few come January. Then I will get myself more organized. I have been trying already. We will see lol.

I want to get all my challenges I can done by the end of the year and have very few come January.

Me too! I like to start the year with "a clean slate" and all that...well, at least as much as possible!

I know I will have "Firsts" that carries over... but that is only one book per month and can be flexible and worked into any other challenges. Maybe I will do a year long clean up challenge or something that has like 50 books in it for next year. That should put a dent in the books I own. :-P I am trying to limit buying but... I have bought 2 in the last week and have read 1 and am over half way through the other. I am able to work both into some form of challenge. I need to change my "Books into Movies" list for the later.


Great reads both of them Linger I read in 4 days... and Charlie may be done in 2. :) That's FAST for me.

I've got Shiver on my TBR later, for this and other challenges. Glad to hear it's a good series!! I'm so limited in the books I can get ahold of...have to buy most of them! So I work them into challenges to "justify" my spending sprees! LOL!

Your clean-up challenge sounds like a good idea--Have fun creating it!

Judithe wrote: "I've got Shiver on my TBR later, for this and other challenges. Glad to hear it's a good series!! I'm so limited in the books I can get ahold of...have to buy most of them! So I work them into c..."

Maybe I will find one that is already going come January... or maybe I will make my own... we will see.

I've got a self-challenge for 2010 to try to finish up my ongoing series. Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2.... Well, I just realized when I was copying that link that I actually completed my goal of 52 (next-in-series) reads in the year. But, you can see what I've done and others as well, if that helps. I've got links at the top to my many other lists.

Good luck to you (and all of us) and here's hoping we have a fresh start in 2011. I'm sure we'll be fillin' our plates back up by mid-Dec when all the new yearlies start poppin' up. LOL!

I think I have already figured out my clean up challenge for next year. It is flexible so it should work with a lot of my books. I will invite others to join me. I guess I will give you a preview. I can post it in the challenges early if anyone wants... but I am not starting that until Jan 1st. Here is the preview:


The "Dirty" Dozen Clean Up Challenge
Admit it readers, those TBR shelves are dirty! Even the virtual ones on your e-readers and Goodreads are collecting digital dust! Read 12 books from each category focusing mainly on books you already own or series you have really wanted to read for a long time. Make a list as you go or post in advance. Change you list at any time. Rereads will not count for this challenge.
60 total books. 0/60 Completed 0 in progress
Duration Jan 1st, 2011 - Dec 31st, 2011

12 books from series already started

12 first in series books

12 Stand alones from ANY genre

12 contempory fiction/chic lit/ regular romance NOT PNR

12 public domain books

Some of those categories will be easy on the wallet for e-reader users because you can get public domain freebies and promotional freebies in romance on most devices. My Kindle is packed with these books so I might as well read some!

EDIT: I posted this in challenges so you all can join me in creating a list whenever you are ready. :)

Ohhh...wicked housecleaning there! Will have to think about that one! Too cool!!

Judithe wrote: "Ohhh...wicked housecleaning there! Will have to think about that one! Too cool!!"

Ya LOL it is intense... but flexible! :) I have a Kindle that is so stuffed I have to delete book samples whenever I want to download another book... It is time to read some LOL. I can make a big dent in those by the end of the year but I hope to make a bigger dent next year! :) I hope you will join me, Judithe. :)