Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2017 Challenges Archive
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2017 December Pick It For Me Challenge
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.
� Remember, too many options is often worse than too few! It can be overwhelming to have too many books to choose from. Please limit your picks to no more than two for each picking rule.
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!
There are all kinds of romance novels - from sweet to sizzling hot and from darkly emotional to light and fluffy. With all these differences though, there are certain themes and characteristics that can be found across a huge range of sub-genres. Here are several of the more common ones...I hope you'll find some of your favorites here! Billionaire Playboy: Recommend a book with an extremely wealthy character, or a book with jewelry or black on the cover.
Damsel in Distress: Recommend a mystery or romantic suspense, or a book with a weapon or red on the cover.
Pets/Special Animals: Recommend a book with an animal in the storyline (shifters count), or with an animal or green on the cover.
Holidays and Celebrations: Recommend a holiday themed story, or one that includes some other form of celebration, or a book with white or a symbol of a celebration (Christmas tree, Birthday cake, wedding bells, etc.) on the cover.
Family and/or Friends: Recommend a book with family or close friends in the storyline, or with more than two people or yellow on the cover.
Kick-Ass Heroine: Recommend a book with a strong female character, or a woman or blue on the cover.
Friends/Enemies to Lovers: Recommend a book with a Friends to Lovers, Enemies to Lovers, or Second Chance theme, or a book with a couple kissing, embracing or snuggling on the cover, or pink or purple on the cover.
Cowboy: Recommend a Western romance or a book with a character that works primarily outdoors, or a book with an outdoor scene or brown on the cover.
Please make sure you have at least 4 books from your pickee's TBR and 4 that are new to them, but remember, too many options is often worse than too few! It can be overwhelming to have too many books to choose from. Please limit your picks to no more than two for each picking rule.
Happy Reading!
PIFM - PairingsPlease pick for the person below you in your group. The last person in each group picks for the first person, for example ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ picks for Elke.
A. Contemporary:
�Elke - on-deck-4-chlges
�Nicole - pifm
�Stacie - pifm
�Diane ~Firefly~ - mng-picking
�Fran - a-pifm-shelf
�Snowflakemood - please pick books that are available for kindle
�Mary-Megan - december-january
�jenny - challenges-to-read
�☘Kٳ� - pick-shelf-owned
�MountainKat - to-read-asap
�Sassafrass - meet-n-greet-25-picked
�LaurLa - 04-challenges-picklist
�Ezinwanyi - review-books or meet-greet-recs
�Nancy H
�~KarenH~ - cant-wait-to-read
�Carina - seasonal-reads
�☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ - meet-greet-picks
B. Historical and Paranormal:
�Heather - o-pifm
�Carrie - soonish
�Sonja
�Rebecca
�Shelby - current-challenge-to-reads
�Jane (PS) - mng18-decjan
i'm in...i read mostly contemporary and paranormal, but i'll go with c for this choice! =)pick-shelf-owned
The last one of the month! Where did the year go!??! It's a true toss-up for me between Contemp and Paranormal but I'd have to say Contemp by a nose, I think. So I'm A but can be C too...
04-Բ-辱�
I am in!"A" for me! Even though I can get lost with either genre!
Please pick from my On deck 4 chlges
LaurLa wrote: "The last one of the month! Where did the year go!??! It's a true toss-up for me between Contemp and Paranormal but I'd have to say Contemp by a nose, I think. So I'm A but can be C too...
04-chal..."
if you figure that out, will you let me know??
Hi! I haven't done this challenge in FOREVER but the romance genre question loved me back in. I'm going with "A" Contemporary, for this one.Please if you can pick a few off my meet-n-greet-25-picked list if you can!
Definitely A, Contemporary, although I do enjoy historical romances now and then.
I'm in!! (private profile, happy to friend anyone who picks for me)I'm an 'A' all the way!
PIFM shelf- /review/list...
I am in and I prefer contemporary romance (A), even if I also read historical novels from time to time. I don't have a preferred shelf, but please pick books that are available for kindle.
Whew almost missed it! I'm in for B: Historical. I'm trying to branch out more tho, and this challenge has definitely helped me! BBL with my shelf...
I’m in but as I do enjoy both A and C. I’m going to go with A and my shelf Meet & Greet.
Carmen, will you please check to make sure I linked to the correct shelf? I didn't see any others that were similar, but you have a LOT of shelves and I could have missed something. Thanks!
I’m in for Christmas!! 🎄 I’ll go with C although equally happy with A...
My shelf : will insert link before the sign ups close, but it is my mg17_DecJan if I stuff up the time :)
Link: /review/list...
Oops - make that 17 an 18...
Of course I'm in, and while I try to read all three every month, Contemporary is by far the majority, so I'm an A.My shelf: cant-wait-to-read
Hi all...Signups are now closed!Rules and pairings will be up in just a couple of minutes...rules in message 4 and pairings in message 5.
Rules and pairings are posted!
Hi Sonja, I hope you find something you would like to read.Billionaire Playboy:
TBR:
New:
Damsel in Distress:
TBR:
New:
Pets/Special Animals:
TBR:
New:
Holidays and Celebrations:
TBR:
New:
Family and/or Friends::
TBR:
New:
Kick-Ass Heroine:
TBR:
New:
Friends/Enemies to Lovers:
TBR:
New:
Cowboy:
TBR:
New:
Happy reading
Hi Heather!! This is going to be interesting ~ you and I have rated some books the same and other books at opposite ends of the scale! I've tried to add a few books focussing on the uncoming holidays. So let's see...1. Billionaire Playboy: Recommend a book with an extremely wealthy character, or a book with jewelry on the cover.
Romancing the Inventor TBR
I always enjoy Gail's books so hopefully this one is good as well!
Lust & Loyalty TBR
Fits the theme but not too sure how it all fits together ;)
2. Damsel in Distress: Recommend a mystery
A Case of Christmas NEW
You haven't yet read a Josh Lanyon mystery, and I thought this might be a good option ~ its well written, short and it's Christmas!
3. Pets/Special Animals: Recommend a book with an animal in the storyline (shifters count)
Stepping to a New Day TBR
A hog appears to be rather central to the storyline ~ how could I go past this?
Hammered NEW
I know you've read the first - thinking Oberon could nudge you on to the second book :)
4. Holidays and Celebrations: Recommend a holiday themed story.
Where You Lead NEW
Mary Calmes is one of my few 'go to' MM authors. She writes 'happy and humorous', even if there is also a touch of dark (although not in this book). I always feel good reading one of her books.
Ellen the Harpist TBR
Great precis and there has to be some celebration scenes in this...
5. Family and/or Friends: Recommend a book with family or close friends in the storyline.
Holiday Outing NEW
Very amusing MM holiday romance. Full of crazy and paranoia :)
Absolution NEW
Not sure if this will be your cup of tea, but its a MM series I love at the moment, featuring (over time) close friends.
6. Kick-Ass Heroine: Recommend a book with a strong female character.
Archer's Voice NEW
Thoroughly enjoyed this book by Mia Sheridan. First time I had read a book by this author and have since bought another. This book is somewhere on your shelves, but not on your pick list :)
The Epic Crush of Genie Lo TBR
This looks so much fun...
7. Friends/Enemies to Lovers: Recommend a book with Enemies to Lovers theme, or a book with a couple kissing on the cover.
Kick at the Darkness TBR
Great zombie/shifter story. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
A Hundred Thousand Words TBR
Added it to my list!
8. Cowboy: Recommend a book with an outdoor scene on the cover.
From Out in the Cold TBR
Christmas story ~ and one I really enjoyed.
Hey Sass - I get to pick for you! I'm just sitting down for a few minutes before heading back into the kitchen to get more baking done, but I'm hoping to get some down time tonight to do your picks! If not, it might be Saturday - so fingers crossed!
Hi Shelby,I hope you like your picks! if you want to change anything just let me know.
Billionaire Playboy
TBR ~ Marked (A black cover) I absolutely loved this book and gave it 5 stars
NEW ~ The Summoning (Jewellery on the cover) This YA book is set in the same universe as Kelley Armstrong’s otherworld adult series. I gave it 5 stars
Damsel in Distress
TBR ~ Me Before You (Red on the cover)
NEW ~ An Earl for the Archeress (A weapon on the cover)
Pets/Special Animals
TBR ~ Welcome to the Jungle (Green on the cover)
NEW ~ Shiver (Wolves in the storyline) another book I gave 5 stars
Holidays and Celebrations
TBR ~ Until You (a lot of white on the cover and a symbol of a celebration)
NEW ~ Must Love Mistletoe (A Christmas romance)
Family and/or Friends
TBR ~ Just the Way You Are (yellow on the cover)
NEW ~ Sense and Sensibility (Family and close friends in the storyline) A must read classic
Kick-Ass Heroine
TBR ~ Crystal Magic (A woman and blue on the cover)
NEW ~ Gone with the Wind (A strong female character) I'ts a long book but worth it. It got 5 stars from me
Friends/Enemies to Lovers
TBR ~ Wanted (A couple kissing on the cover)
NEW ~ Tangled (Enemies to Lovers)
Cowboy
TBR ~ Animal Magnetism (Outdoor scene and brown on the cover)
NEW ~ Beautiful Bad Man (A western romance and an outdoor cover)
Hey Diane ~Firefly~!Hope you find something you like in these!! I tried to put my commentary if I had any after the book!
Billionaire Playboy:
TBR:
Well I assume she's extremely wealthy by the title!
NEW:
I just finished this one a few days ago and really liked it. He's super wealthy.
Damsel in Distress:
TBR:
NEW:
Kind of slow to start but once it gets going, the story is much much better and a quick read.
Pets/Special Animals:
TBR:
Love this author so so much!!
NEW:
So this is sort of a stretch but the male MC has dogs that are just amazing and a good part of the story.
Holidays and Celebrations:
TBR:
Not much of a summary for this one but going by the title I'm assuming it's Christmasy!
NEW:
One of my favorite Kleypas series!
Family and/or Friends:
TBR:
I'd say that their house qualifies for close friends and family in the storyline.
NEW:
I binge read this entire series over a couple of days. Friends who become family.
Kick-Ass Heroine:
TBR:
Meg and Simon!
NEW:
Girl power to the max! Loved this series so much.
Friends/Enemies to Lovers:
TBR:
Sounds like enemies to love theme here.
NEW:
I'd call this enemies to friends to lovers.
Cowboy:
TBR:
NEW:
This one was recommended to me and I never would have picked it up otherwise. Great book.
Nicole,Here are your picks...Hope you find one you like!!
Billionaire Playboy:
TBR:
NEW:
Damsel in Distress:
TBR:
NEW:
Pets/Special Animals:
TBR:
NEW:
Holiday's & Celebrations:
TBR:
NEW:
Family and/or Friends:
TBR:
NEW:
Kick-Ass Heroine:
TBR:
NEW:
Friends/Enemies to Lovers:
TBR:
NEW:
Cowboy:
TBR:
NEW:
FranI had fun looking through your shelves and I hope you find something good in these picks!
Billionaire Playboy: The Billionaire Bargain by Lila Monroe fits the bill or check out the YA dystopian novel where big businesses run everything with Replica by Jenna Black.
Damsel in Distress: Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti is awesome with Josie being called to the hospital for her husband who she hasn't seen in years and who has amnesia. Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan where Beth has dreams where a flight is hijacked that shake her so much, she decides to check out if it is true. She ends up working with a group of SEALS who are supposed to be on the plane.
Pets/Special Animals: From your TBR there is Where There's Smoke by Nico Jaye. Or check out a 6'6" female warrior who gets conned into trying out for a reality paranormal show by the newly returned matchmaker in To Woo A Warrior by Jane Cousins.
Holidays and Celebrations: Christmas Wrapping by Lisa J. Crane. Even though Thanksgiving will have just passed, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis and check out a cozy mystery.
Family and/or Friends: Lots of friends as family in The One You Want by Gena Showalter. Or check out how a small town outcast ends up helping stop a serial killer in Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose
Kick-Ass Heroine: Check out what is up with Charley in Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones. See if being unlucky can lead to love while on a ship in Unlucky by Jana Deleon
Friends/Enemies to Lovers: Lick by Kylie Scott was amazing. Evie had her life planned, but that all changed when she woke up hungover and married to David in Vegas. At first they are going to call it off, but as they get to know each other, things change. Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen has Regan comes searching for Quinn after her grandfather disappears and hopes he can help her find him.
Cowboy: In Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie, Kate heads to a resort to find a man. Jake pretty much runs the outside of the resort and just wants to chill until they start clashing. In Catch of the Day by Marcia Evanick, Gwen has moved to the tiny Maine town to open a restaurant and needs contractor Daniel's help to get everything up and running.
Stacie wrote: "Hey Diane ~Firefly~!Hope you find something you like in these!! I tried to put my commentary if I had any after the book!
Billionaire Playboy:
TBR:
Well I as..."
Thanks for the great picks (and commentary) Stacie! I'm looking forward to checking out a few of them next month.
Hi Snowflakemood !Here are your picks....I hope you find one you like!
Billionaire Playboy:
NEW: black on cover- Curio
Damsel in Distress:
TBR: red on cover- Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda- I love this book! And the movie is soon to be released.
NEW: red cover- His Road Home- really good story-emotional
Pets/Special Animals:
TBR: Neighbor Dearest- dogs in story
Holiday's & Celebrations:
TBR: Off Sides- white cover
NEW: Playing Doctor- wedding in story
Family and/or Friends:
NEW: Superhero - yellow on cover. A favorite of mine.
Kick-Ass Heroine:
TBR: The Viscount Who Loved Me- blue cover- I read this series quite awhile ago but remember loving it.
NEW: Dark Fancy- blue cover- super hot series
Friends/Enemies to Lovers:
TBR: Kissing Tolstoy- pink cover
NEW: Smut- pink cover- fun banter
Cowboy:
TBR: Promises- outdoor setting
Happy Reading!!
Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "FranI had fun looking through your shelves and I hope you find something good in these picks!..."
Thank you Diane ~Firefly~ ! I will let you know what I end up going with :)
Hi Carina!Our tastes are pretty different, so it was fun snooping through your shelves! I hope I was able to find something you'll enjoy!
Billionaire Playboy:
TBR: The Breathless by Tara Goedjen
New: Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb
Damsel in Distress:
TBR: Christmas Double Cross by Jodie Bailey
New: Damsel In Danger by Olivia Jaymes
Pets/Special Animals:
TBR: A Very Merry Princess by Susan Mallery
New: Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie
Holidays and Celebrations:
TBR: Sugar Pine Trail by RaeAnne Thayne
New: All You Need is Love by Marie Force
Family and/or Friends:
TBR: The Christmas Family by Linda Goodnight
New: Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey
Kick-Ass Heroine:
TBR: The January Wish by Juliet Madison
New: Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
Friends/Enemies to Lovers:
TBR: A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sheryl Woods
New: Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
Cowboy:
TBR: A Maverick for Christmas by Leanne Banks
New: Crazy Little Thing by Tracy Brogan
Happy Reading!
JennyHere are your books for December. I hope you find something you really enjoy!
❅Billionaire Playboy:
TBR: Royally Matched (Princes are wealthy, right?)
New: The Princess (wealthy characters)
❅Damsel in Distress:
TBR: Perfect (red cover)
New: Show No Mercy (Romantic suspense/red cover)
❅Pets/Special Animals:
TBR: My One and Only (Animal on cover)
New: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (animal on cover and green)
❅Holidays and Celebrations:
TBR: A Christmas Wedding (Christmas story)
New: Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (Christmas story)
❅Family and/or Friends:
TBR: The Story of Us (yellow cover)
New: You Say It First (Family and close friends)
❅Kick-Ass Heroine:
TBR: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (just a woman on the cover)
New: The Girl In The Ice (Strong female/blue cover)
❅Friends/Enemies to Lovers:
TBR: Something About You (Couple embracing/enemies/pink)
New: This Heart of Mine (Embracing/Second chances)
❅CǷɲDz:
TBR: Surviving Raine (outdoors)
New: Part Time Cowboy (western romance)
Elke wrote: "Nicole,Here are your picks...Hope you find one you like!!"
Thanks so much Elke! These look great.
Hi Stacie,Out of the +5300 books we have between the two of us, we only have 232 books in common. I hope you find something you like from the new pickings. Happy reading 😁
❤️ Billionaire Playboy ❤️
TBR: Mister Moneybags by Vi Keeland
NEW: The Negotiator by Avery Flynn - billionaire CEO in need of a buffer.
❤️ Damsel in Distress ❤️
TBR: The Ghostwriter by Alessandra Torre
NEW: Fatal Affair by Marie Force - female cop who has to solve the murder of a Senator.
❤️ Pets/Special Animals ❤️
TBR: Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
NEW: Two Cabins, One Lake by Shaye Marlow - hilarious story with a dog, fish and a bear in the storyline.
❤️ Holidays and Celebrations ❤️
TBR: Royally Screwed by Emma Chase
NEW: An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne - one of my favourite authors and this looks like a good book to get into the holiday spirit.
❤️ Family and/or Friends ❤️
TBR: The Beauty of Us by Kristen Proby
NEW: Challenge by Amy Daws - soccer crazy family with sexy British accents.
❤️ Kick-ass Heroine ❤️
TBR: Out of the Shallows by Samantha Young
NEW: Angels' Blood byNalini Singh - female MC was tough as nails and good at her job.
❤️ Friends/Enemies to Lovers ❤️
TBR: Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne
NEW: Anything You Can Do by R.S. Grey - childhood enemies that continues into adulthood but with sexual awareness now a factor. Loved it!
❤️ Cowboy ❤️
TBR: Pictures of You by Leta Blake
NEW: Long Hard Ride by Lorelei James - sexy cowboys and lots of sexy times.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS Nancy H. I hope you eat lots of turkey and pies as i plan to. Enjoy these picks and the holiday spirit.
❤️ Billionaire Playboy: ❤️
TBR: The Billionaire Who Wasn't
New: Egomaniac
❤️ Damsel in Distress: ❤️
TBR: Gone Fishin'
New: Worth the Fall
❤️ Pets/Special Animals: ❤️
TBR: A Catskill Eagle
New: The Witness
❤️ Holidays and Celebrations: ❤️
TBR: Sweet Holidays
New: Apples Should Be Red
❤️ Family and/or Friends: ❤️
TBR: Grin and Beard It
New: Forgotten Sins
❤️ Kick-ass Heroine ❤️
TBR: Portrait in Death
NEW: One for the Money
❤️ Friends/Enemies to Lovers ❤️
TBR: Until You
NEW: Forbidden
❤️ Cowboy ❤️
TBR: Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck
NEW: His Secondhand Wife
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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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:
✱✱Which romance sub-genre do you read the most?✱✱
✱✱ If you have a preferred shelf, please list it along with your pick! ✱✱
IMPORTANT DATES
Sign ups will remain open until November 22nd (3 pm US EST).
For your convenience a .
You’ll have until November 27th (6 pm US EST) 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!�