ŷ������

Play Harder

In this challenge, everyone will receive a customized list of different categories and the object is to try to select, read, and review books to complete the list.

In fact, we did our own variant here to celebrate PBT's 15th birthday. You can reference that challenge as an example.

/topic/show/...

Members and administrators will develop a list of reading tasks, and we will compile them into a database of tasks.

These tasks could be as simple as "Read a book with the word mystery in the title" to as challenging as "Read a book that's at least 1000 pages".

Submit task ideas using the form linked below. Only one idea per form submission please, but you may submit as many ideas as you have!

This form will remain open all year long so you may continue to submit new ideas whenever they occur to you. Duplicates will be consolidated.

So far, collectively, we now have over 300 submissions of tasks. I'm just going through these and removing the duplicates now. Then, I will be ready to start doling out the customized lists starting on Friday. Please don't start reading until January 1!!



You may also PM me with your ideas if that's easier for you (the form is preferable though). Please do NOT post them on this thread.

Each player will receive a CUSTOM list (randomized) of 12 prompts. The lists will be handed out any time after December 20th upon request. But please don't start reading until January. The lists will be posted for everyone to see in a designated thread.

If a member completes their list, they may request a new one (which may or may not have overlaps with the original).

Ideas for new tasks may be submitted all year long keeping the lists fresh and exciting.

Everyone who completes their list will receive an entry into a raffle to win a prize. Complete multiple lists to receive multiple entries. There will be a maximum of 4 entries into the raffle. There will also be a participation points prize of 20 points awarded for each list completed. There is no limit on the number of participation points you may earn. All books must be read and reviewed on PBT in order to receive the raffle entry or participation points.

NOTE: Please do NOT post the words "Play Harder" in front of your reviews in the two main threads. The admins agree that it is off-putting to new members. If you want Cindy to shelve your book on our shelf, there will be a special thread for that in the Activities folder, and you are not required to re-post your review there too. A title and author are sufficient. If you want to really help her out, please just shelve your own books on the Play Harder shelf.

There will also be a bonus participation points prize at the end of the year if you complete a list AND read one book each month for the monthly tag.

Finally, you will earn 1 participation point for every idea you submit to the database (awarded monthly starting immediately).

Please sign up below if you'd like to Play Harder!

UPDATE: I'm ready, so I'm going to start doling out the lists in the order of the requests below. Please, please don't start any reading, but you may each start an individual thread here in the activities folder for planning and tracking. We will also have a discussion thread to share ideas on what to read.

UPDATE 2:20 pm 12/19: Please feel free to create your own personal PLAY HARDER only tracking thread here in this Activities folder. I think people will enjoy seeing what others are doing and reading for various prompts, and I think it's easier in one dedicated thread per person.

Sign me up!!!!

I am in

I'm excited for this challenge! Can't wait to receive my first list of tasks!

Hi, Anita. Obviously not for any prizes or anything, but I'd like to play. Thanks!

I am planning to participate!

I'd like to also ask that people include an author along with the title in that thread for me to shelve. There are far too many books with the same title out there! Thank you so much.

Sign me up!

Add me as well, Anita! Looking forward to it

Please add me, thanks!

I am in and am looking forward to my customized list! I made zero suggestions and am just deferring the the creativity of others.

Please sign me up!

I'm very curious to see the tag suggestions.

Sounds fun. Please sign me up.

I'm in! Sign me up! Looking forward to this one.

I suggested some things but have absolutely no memory of what they were!

Sign me up!

Just want to mention that completing 4 lists means you are reading a similar number of books as you would for prompt based annual challenges like ATY and Popsugar. Not too difficult and I fiind it very easy to complete them without any planning, just plug in books that I happen to read for at least 95% of those challenges.

I added last night a whole bunch of prompt suggestions from my SECRET PHONE LIST OF TAGS (truth! existed before I knew about Amy's Secret Phone TBR!) that I have saved up for Popsugar, even those submitted to PS and used there!

I'm in and looking forward to the game.

I am in!

I am in!

I’m in! Excited to be participating in PBT again!

Me please! I fizzled out early after getting sick last year, so hopefully this one will go better 🤞🏻

I would like to sign up.

Sign me up please.

Me, me!

I would like to join please.

Yes please…sign me up.

Sign me up, please. Thanks!

Sign me up please

I’d like to join please! Sounds fun!

Please sign me up, thanks Anita! :)

Jason wrote: "Sign me up!!!!"


1. Read a book set in a National park.
2. A book with a plot including a circus or carnival
3. An award winning book from 2024
4. Read a book set in 1925 or earlier
5. Read a book set in a country you have never visited
6. Read a book about an artist (painter, musician, actor, etc.).
7. A book that someone else in the group put on their Top 10 Reads of 2024 list
8. Read a book that's been included on a celebrity book list. For example Oprah, Barack Obama, Reese Witherspoon, Bill Gates, etc.
9. A book about leaving a loved home
10. Re-read the first book you remember reading that you thought was an adult book (as opposed to a childrens book)
11. Read a book related to heat.
12. Read a book you’ve borrowed from a friend.

Joanne wrote: "I am in"

1. A book with a first person narrator who is not a human
2. A book written by an Indigenous author
3. Read a book with a title that contains all the letters of your first name.
4. A book set in New York
5. Read a book related to a culture other than your own.
6. Draw a random tarot card and read a book with a title that has to do with the card. Could either be literal i.e. if you drew The Magician, read The Magicians by Lev Grossman; OR pick any imagery from the card to find in a book title, i.e. if you drew the 3 of Swords you could read Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad because the 3 of Swords features a heart. If people don't own any tarot decks there are a number of free random generators like this one:
7. A book that involves the mind, brain, or neuroscience
8. A book with a wild animal in the content, title or cover
9. Find your most read author. Read a new book by them. If you have read everything by that author, use your next most read author.
10. Read a book from NPR's 2024 Best Books of the year list
11. Read a book that is Historical fiction
12. A book with less than 3,000 ratings on ŷ������

Hayjay315 wrote: "I'm excited for this challenge! Can't wait to receive my first list of tasks!"

1. A book set somewhere not on Earth
2. Book with a red cover.
3. Read a book or short story by Ursula K Le Guin
4. Read a book set in a National Park
5. Read a book that is Historical fiction
6. Read a book related to a culture other than your own.
7. A book nominated for the Booker Prize
8. A book involving evolution, revolution or.change
9. Read a book featuring one of your hobbies. For example tennis or knitting or reading.
10. A book with the word 'book' in title
11. A book written by a neurodivergent author
12. Read a book with a cemetery in it

LibraryCin wrote: "Hi, Anita. Obviously not for any prizes or anything, but I'd like to play. Thanks!"

1. A book featuring a journey, trip, or quest
2. Read a book that's been included on a celebrity book list. For example Oprah, Barack Obama, Reese Witherspoon, Bill Gates, etc.
3. A book published in the 1970s
4. A book featuring female friendship
5. Book with a dog on the cover.
6. A book with a plot including a circus or carnival
7. A book related to exploration (of any type)
8. Read a book that was made into a movie
9. A book about intelligence (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, espionage, the brain, a genius, emotional intelligence, animal intelligence, etc)
10. A book set in Asia
11. Read a book from the 2024 Play Book Tag Top Ten list.
12. Read a book recommended by a librarian.

NancyJ wrote: "Sign me up!"

1. Read a contemporary romance
2. Read a book that is a love story
3. Read a travel essay or memoir
4. Re-read the first book you remember reading that you thought was an adult book (as opposed to a childrens book)
5. A book that fits “hip, hippy or hipster.��
6. Read a book who's author's initials appear in the phrase: PLAY BOOK TAG (letters may be used only as often as they appear in the phrase)
7. Read a book by a "new to you" author
8. A book that's under 200 pages
9. A translation of a Japanese Detective Story
10. An award winning book from 2024
11. Read a book with a cemetery in it
12. Read a book with an animal as a main character

KateNZ wrote: "Add me as well, Anita! Looking forward to it"

1. Read a book that was turned into a mini series
2. Book set in your favorite city
3. A book that somebody else has read for this challenge
4. A book featuring a story about a grandparent
5. A book set in the 1920s or about the 1920s
6. A book featuring a journey, trip, or quest
7. A book with a family tree
8. A book with a musical instrument in the title
9. Read a book that won the Bram Stoker Award.
10. Listen to an audiobook
11. A book with an insect on the cover or in the title
12. A book with an example of ‘science or technology gone bad��

Robin P wrote: "Please add me, thanks!"

1. Read a book that includes points of view from more than one character
2. Book set in your favorite city
3. A book tagged motherhood, mother or Mother’s Day
4. A book that is Science-fiction fantasy
5. A character who is an alien (or might be one)
6. A book featuring a ruler, monarch, or dictator
7. A book of essays
8. A book featuring a queen
9. A book with a family tree
10. Read a book where the main character is an artist.
11. Read a book written by an author that shares your initials.
12. A book with a fruit or vegetable in the title

Amy wrote: "I am in and am looking forward to my customized list! I made zero suggestions and am just deferring the the creativity of others."

1. Book with a dog on the cover.
2. A book including a character makes or serves something chocolate
3. Read a book on PBT's fly-the-pbt-skies book shelf.
4. A book set in New York
5. A book involving a father, fatherhood or Father’s Day.
6. A book published in 2025
7. Book with a bird on the cover.
8. Read a book that challenges you.
9. Read a book set in a National park.
10. Read a cultural book
11. A book by an author of color
12. Read a book featuring something (or someone) prehistoric

Sue wrote: "Please sign me up!

I'm very curious to see the tag suggestions."

1. Read a book that was published posthumously
2. A book written by a neurodivergent author
3. A book where the main character has a pet.
4. A book containing a long walking or hiking trek
5. A book published in the 1990's
6. A book with a predominantly RED cover. (At least 50%)
7. Read a book about the closest sports franchise to where you live. Sport of your choice.
8. Read a book written by an author who’s last name begins with the letter ‘Z��
9. Read a book featuring a current or historical person you admire.
10. Read a book from the 2024 Play Book Tag Top Ten list.
11. Read a book set before 1900
12. Read a book at least a hundred years older than you are.

Linda wrote: "Sounds fun. Please sign me up."

1. A book related to science or technology
2. A book with a family tree
3. Read a book which has a cover predominately in the colors in your country's flag,
4. The cover contains an object that starts with P, B, or T
5. Read a book who's author's initials appear in the phrase: PLAY BOOK TAG (letters may be used only as often as they appear in the phrase)
6. Read a book where the main character is an artist.
7. A book written by a neurodivergent author
8. Read a book where a letter is important to the plot
9. Read a book you’ve borrowed from your local library.
10. Read a book set in a country you have never visited
11. A book containing a long sea voyage
12. Read a book with a title where all the words begin with the same letter (3 word minimum)

I'm late to the party, but please sign me up, Anita.

MelanieJoy wrote: "I'm in! Sign me up! Looking forward to this one."

1. Read a book by an author who is also a scientist
2. Read a nonfiction book about food and or food culture
3. A book that fits your favorite PBT tag from 2024
4. Read a book featuring something (or someone) prehistoric
5. Read a book where the main character is an artist.
6. Read a book that is Historical fiction
7. Read a book that is Contemporary Romance
8. Read a book that could fit solar punk, cyberpunk or steampunk.
9. A book over 500 pages
10. Read a book that won the Bram Stoker Award.
11. Read a book that is a travel essay or memoir
12. A book about a sport

Theresa wrote: "Sign me up!

..."


1. Read a Pulitzer Prize winner.
2. A book with a predominantly RED cover. (At least 50%)
3. A book featuring a journey, trip, or quest
4. Read a book about Vietnam
5. Read a book that has been tagged dnf at least 1000x
6. A book that fits “hip, hippy or hipster.��
7. Read a book with a kitchen utensil in the title. eg: The Fork in the Road, A Knife in My Back
8. Book with a bird on the cover.
9. A book related to or featuring the game of baseball
10. Read a book that's won a prize. For example Pulitzer, Booker, etc.
11. Read a book that you think your mother would like.
12. Read a book set during a war that's NOT WWII.

Olivermagnus wrote: "I'm in and looking forward to the game."


1. Book with an orange cover.
2. A book with a Star in the content, title or cover (this could be an astronomy book, a celebrity memoir, or something else.
3. A book with a politics tag
4. A book that includes at least 1 recipe
5. A book involving archeology or an archeologist
6. Read a book that won the ŷ������ choice award, any year and any category
7. Read a book that was reviewed in 2024 and given 5 stars in PBT's Other Books Discussion
8. Read a book that's been included on a celebrity book list. For example Oprah, Barack Obama, Reese Witherspoon, Bill Gates, etc.
9. A book set during a civil war or revolution
10. Read a graphic novel
11. A book tagged "Literary-Fiction" at least 5 times.
12. Read a book with a main-page genre of HUMOR. (Tag appears on the book's main page; NO need to open up the tag pages)

Cheryl wrote: "I am in!"

1. Select one of your favorite authors and read their debut book
2. Read a book that won the Pulitzer Prize
3. A book over 500 pages
4. A book about intelligence (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, espionage, the brain, a genius, emotional intelligence, animal intelligence, etc)
5. Read a travel book
6. Read an "alternate history" book
7. A book tagged motherhood, mother or Mother’s Day
8. Read a book you’ve borrowed from a friend.
9. A book that is next in a series you have been reading (or first if you aren't reading any series)
10. A book with a map
11. A book with the word 'book' in title
12. Read one of the top ten most popular books on your tbr (defined by number of ratings)

I notice you seem to be going in order of sign-up. Did you miss mine? (see msg 6)

Joy D wrote: "I notice you seem to be going in order of sign-up. Did you miss mine? (see msg 6)"

Thanks for the heads up! I was trying to go in order. I appreciate the alert!

Joy D wrote: "I am planning to participate!"

1. A book with a wild animal in the content, title or cover
2. Read the next book in a series you started in 2020 or before. If you have no unfinished older series you may move forward a year at a time to find one. If you don't have any series started, start a new one.
3. Read a novel based on a true story.
4. Read a non-fiction book
5. Read one of the top ten longest books on your tbr.
6. Read 2 books, one fiction, one nonfiction, that have something in common
7. A book with a predominantly RED cover. (At least 50%)
8. A book with a “Fish out of water�� theme or trope (e.g. immigrant, new school, alien, travel)
9. Read a travel book
10. Read a book with a dragon
11. Read a book that makes you nervous
12. Read a book with a character who is an alien (or might be one)

Shelly wrote: "I am in!"

1. A book with a plot including a circus or carnival
2. Read a book with the character(s) name in the title.
3. A family saga or family drama
4. Read a book by an author who is also a scientist
5. A book set somewhere not on Earth
6. Cover includes shiny gold or silver lettering in Title
7. A book featuring a female athlete
8. Reread a chapter book that you originally read under the age of 18.
9. Read a book you’ve borrowed from a friend.
10. Read a book that was published posthumously
11. A book tagged "alternate history"
12. Read a book about or set in Eqypt.

Erin wrote: "I’m in! Excited to be participating in PBT again!"

1. A book that somebody else has read for this challenge
2. A book with a BIPOC main character
3. Read a book related to heat.
4. A book set in a castle
5. A book that is Science-fiction fantasy
6. "Yesterday's tomorrows" - read a book written before 1990 that takes place in the 21st century.
7. Read an "alternate history" book
8. An award winning book from 2024
9. A book with a wild animal in the content, title or cover
10. A book in a genre you rarely read
11. Read a book nominated for an Edgar award in any category between 2010 and today.
12. A book that's under 200 pages