2013 and the category challenge

There was a small debate on my thread over the 13/13 and the fact that some people were saying that they may abandon us as 13 categories is getting too much

RidgewayGirl suggested opening up the debate so here it is -

do we stick with 13 in 13 or open it out to a more general "category challenge" or mix and match approaches? Are you planning on doing 13 categories in 2013?

personally I think I could still do 13 categories but definitely wouldn't do 13 books in each category...

#2 ditto

I intend to participate in the 13-13 no matter what "rules" are established. I've been with it since the 999 and have had such good times with the group.

I'll stick around for 13 categories BUT the total in each may be variable.

Like Victoria, I've been around since 999 and don't want to call it quits yet. No chance of me doing a full 13x13 or probably not even a stepped challenge either. I have a couple of ideas for next year but nothing fully formulated as yet though.

I think we've always been a flexible group so wouldn't object to opening things up a little more. I think there are a couple of challenges in this year's group that stretch the boundaries already and I can't remember any objections to those.

I'd definitely like to keep this group going in some capacity! I agree that 13 categories is a lot, but I have no problem with making the "rules" broader. What if we just said that the challenge has to incorporate the number 13 in some way? For example, I could do 13 categories and read any number of books per category. Or I could pick any number of categories and read 13 books in each. Or I could decide to create a theme around the number 13...et cetera.

I think a categorial challenge is fun because it helps me to make sure I'm reading a variety of books. There's no reason people HAVE to read 13 books in each category. Also, I "cheat" by including each book in every category it falls into. With such flexibility, the number of categories isn't really a problem for me. :)

I love the category challenge and I'm in no matter what parameters are set! When I first started with the 999, I thought that it would vary my reading range. But what ususally happens is that I just fit what I want to read (9/10 a mystery of some sort) into my categories and I'm good with that.

I fully intend to strive for the whole 169 books. This is a lot, but I think I average somewhere around 150 a year give or take, and I have a train commute to work that is conducive to gettting a lot of reading in. Plus I don't sleep that much anymore:(

I think we're a flexible enough group for stepped challenges or some sort of mix and match to suit our individual needs.

It's all about the fun of reading and the book discussions that ensue!

I love this challenge group and fully intend to continue on. Personally I like having more categories to play with and I will try to read as many books for each category as I can, but I also like the fact that we are so flexible and that people can set up their own challenge to suit themselves.

I like Christina's ideas of working the number 13 in somehow. Another way would be to take the number 13 and break it down to 1 + 3 = 4 and read 4 books in 13 categories which would total 52 books.

I like the 4 books in 13 categories. Seems much more doable.

I don't want to do 13 categories of 13 each because I would tire of the categories before the end of the year. A step challenge would be 91 books, if I calculated correctly. 4 books in 13 categories might be a challenge for some people, but for others it would not. I like the idea of doing something with the number 13. If people want to do 13 categories, that's fine. If they want to do 13 books in however many categories, that's fine, too. If they want to use the number 13 in another manner, that is fine. I'm leaning toward the step challenge with 13 categories for myself at this point (if it's an option).

I'll be a part of the 13 in 13, not sure how I'll structure it but it will definitely involve 13 categories though I'll have to think about how many books will be in each one.

I'm agreeing with what everybody says here. I'll stick around no matter how loose the form becomes. Because I like the crowd here, because the level of activity suits me (I could never keep up with the pace and bulk over in the 75ers) and because I like the idea of categories. I'll most likely do 13 categories with 6 books in each next year, aiming for 78 books, same as this year. For me, that's a challenge, but achievable.

I've been looking forward to 13 in 13 and have already started planning my categories. Haveing the various categories as really pushed me to read a better variety of books. However, there is no way I could do 13 books in 13, but am a fan of leaving it flexible so people can fill read as many books as they like in the various categories.

Since coming up with 13 different categories might tax my wee brain, I might cut it off at 10 categories and then aim for 10 in each. 100 books is my upper limit, I think. I think the "rule" of most or all of these challenges is that there are no rules. Everyone can set their own goals at their own comfort levels. I like the flexibility of joining the TIOLI mini-challenges and group reads as one wants. I have an idea for the theme of my categories and will unveil them in December. Read on, my friends!

I've been here since 10 and plan to press on next year. I will probably do 13 categories of 6 each for 78, which is around what I read in a year. If I should reach that, I can always go back and add 1 to each category, etc.. I think having categories helps me focus my reading.

I am fine with flexibility within the challenge, I like the idea of keeping 13 as a theme but really I just like the idea behind having different categories and I like the group. Having said I am going to have 13 categories next year but will probably have a random number of books in each, a bit like this year.

I'll be back next year and agree that we should just keep the challenge as flexible as possible so everyone feels welcome. I'll probably do the 13 categories and aim for a minimum of 6 books in each.

I plan to do 13 categories, but as I think about next year, I'd like the flexibility of being able to change it. I do think we should plan to name our group some variation of Category Challenge - 2013 and just let everyone decide for themselves how to structure things.

I am a relative newcomer (my second year in the challenge), but I have to point out that as we progress through the 20-teens, the problem will only become worse... can you imagine 19 in 19 in 2019? Some sort of flexibility in outlining categories is a must.

I'm open to whatever... this is one of two reading challenges I plan to take on every year and I must say that I very much enjoy the camaraderie and creativity of the group.

As for next year (2013) I'm looking at a handful (4-5) of 13-book challenges, and then combining the categories I always read into groups with multiples of 13... I'll aim for the full 13 x 13 = 169 books... but won't despair if I fall short.

I'm already planning for next year, probably will have 13 categories and aim for a maximum of 13 per category but can declare a category closed on less than 13...

Having done number themes so far I may do something different next year but I like the idea of using 13 as a theme rather than a strict delimiter

Why not pick a random number of categories and then read 13 books in each? Some can pick 13 categories if they want to be tradional but others can choose 5 or 8 or whatever.

On my thread this year, I did something different. I am still reading 144 books but I have 50-odd categories. I pick one out of a hat each week and then roll a die to see how many I will read in the category. Once I hit 144 books, I will consider it completed.

I find that because the categories change frequently, it really helps me to read the oldies languishing on the shelf and prevents me from getting bored with a particular category. I am having a lot of fun with it.

I will be sticking around for next year (already planning my 13 challenge) so very happy to see so many already chiming in with the same sentiment! This year I am doing both the 75 and the 12 in 12 Challenge and while the 75 is completely unstructured - the only goal is to read 75 books over the year - but I am finding the very chatty nature of the 75ers to be just too much to keep up with. It is very overwhelming and i just don't have the time in to commit to that much discussion. It is not surprising that a number of the 75 admit they only follow threads they star. I have troubles doing that.... I never know when I may come across a gem of a book by someone in the group. Depending on how things go this year, I may abandon the 75 group after this year.

I will be doing a stepped challenge next year with 13 categories for a total of 91 books but I also like the idea at posted at >23 Yells: above to allow a random number of categories with 13 books for each category the challenger decides upon.

If 13 crops up somewhere is the challenge, I think it should meet the group's requirements....it also makes it more interesting to see how creative everyone gets with structuring their challenge. That is part of the attraction of this group for me besides the great people that participate in the group.

How necessary is the 13? I think I'd like fewer categories, but won't promise to read 13 in each. I think I'd be much happier allowing each participant to craft their own challenge without having to graft a 13 onto it. On the other hand, if you want to, you should go right ahead.

I guess I'm saying that with the last discussion, things broke down when people started crafting new rules. I think they were just thinking aloud about how they would like to do things, but some began to worry that they wouldn't be able to conform properly.

I think that the category concept is the only real requirement. Number and consistency are up to the reader.

I'm fine with RG's suggestion @ 25. I certainly don't want to lose anyone from the group by making the challenge too strict!

I'm willing to work with the 13 concept if it's the group decision, but I kind of agree with >25 RidgewayGirl: that it would be a good idea at this point to just make it a general category challenge and let everyone choose what works for them. I don't read quite enough books in a year to have 13 different categories that I can get very deep into.

But then again, there is something fun about us all working with a specific number and all its permutations. Well, we have lots of time to decide!

I love this group, and would hate for anyone (including me) to not participate because the rules were too strict. And I love seeing how the books I read fall into categories. So I guess I weigh in at making it just a category challenge, with the number of categories and number of books being open. My personal inclination at this point is for 13 categories, with perhaps 7 books in each (total 91 books, which should be within my usual range), or maybe try to stretch to 8 in each (total 104). But fewer categories of 13 books each is attractive; with too many categories, the distinctions start to feel somewhat artificial.

From what I hear, it sounds like the category aspect is more important than the number 13. I'd prefer to call this the "2013 Category Challenge", as some have suggested, instead of the "13 in 13 Category Challenge". I suspect most people will still incorporate the number 13 in some way.

I love doing the category challenge because it forces me to read broadly. I always have some "want to read" categories, "should read" categories and "would like to explore" categories. I also find it interesting to see others categorize their reading.

Actually, I'm looking forward to when we have 20+ categories! I find that, the more categories I have to play with, the more I can focus on specific areas I want to explore. For example, having 12 categories this year allowed me to have Nordic-mystery, classic-British-mystery and miscellaneous-mystery categories. Next year, I'll do 13 categories but probably just 8-10 books in each.

I'll most likely do 13 categories next year (not 13 books in each, though!), but I'm putting my vote on making it a "2013 Category Challenge" since I don't want people to leave because they can't come up with 13 categories.

My vote also goes to calling it the 2013 Category Challenge - that way it can be whatever people want it to be.

you know, folks interpret things differently all the time. the 12 in 12 category challenge I read as 12 categories in 2012, not 12 books in 12 categories. So I'm all for letting folks read things as they will. The idea is chatting and interacting not forcing folks to read a certain number of books.

An open-ended 2013 category challenge works for me. I'll be doing 13 categories with no specified number per category, which has worked well for me this year, but I'm fine with any pattern others may choose for themselves.

This year, I'd planned to do 12 x 12. However, today, I bowed to reality and changed it to a 12 x 10.

For 2013, I fully intend to do a 13 x 10 challenge. However, one of those 13 categories would probably be a Kindle singles category.

I love this group and hope it continues, in some fashion, in 2013.

I think calling our challenge the 2012 Category Challenge will work for everyone, I too love this group and look forward to it continuing on.

I'm already collecting ideas for new categories!

Me too! 2013 Category Challenge sounds great. Don't know if I'll aim for the full total or not, but I'll be around for sure. :)

I love the category idea and will be back next year, but I'll be fudging the numbers of books read in each category. I tend to like reasonably broad categories so 13 is starting to seem a little too many to me, so I'm all for a '2013 Category Challenge'.

I'd cast my vote for "2013 Category Challenge". Good thinking, Mathgirl.

I like the 2013 Category Challenge. No ideas on categories yet, but I notice that I'm heavy on non-fiction this year. So I'll need to adjust that somehow.

I agree that the 12x12x12 is starting to get a bit overwhelming and that in 2013 I would like to just see it as the "2013 Category Challenge", as some have suggested. I will be using 13 categories, because like mathgirl, more categories, gives me more types of books to spread my wings on. The Category challenge in 2009 was what actually caught my eyes when I first joined LT so I can't imagine not being part of it.

I know that I can't read 169 (13x13) books in a year, so I 've decided to do a pyramid challenge but I think I'll do a triple base in other words, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,13,13 = 117 that will be a challenge for me since I average between 110 and 120 books a year.

But then I have had a theme for my categories the last two years (2011 Love and Marriage and 2012 was High School Reunion) which has increased the fun but I need to decide which theme for 2013. I have three that I'm looking at...

TV networks - i.e. History Channel, BBC, Travel Channel
Series I follow - which would be very restrictive but would get me caught up on many of the series that I read. One category for each series. I would get 13 series caught up, plus a few singles read in the extra base categories.
Song titles - i.e. Yesterday for histories, Do You hear what I hear? for Audiobooks, etc.

Does anyone else use a theme for their categories?

I agree - 2013 Category Challenge - open # of categories, and entries in each category. I'll be doing 13 categories, probably 4 each. I'm looking forward to gaining a category.

#41 - Cheli, I would be leary of the Series I Follow Theme as it would be so restrictive, half way through the year I think you would want to break out of it. I love the sound of the TV Networks and maybe you could even work in a couple of categories for series.

I've found it difficult to do a theme. I've had a couple of ideas (including two of the ideas you mentioned), but I haven't fleshed them out, and I'm not sure if I'll go with a them or not for 2013. Mine will just be 13 categories, and some will probably be intentionally broad with a minimum for each category but no maximum.

Although I'm going to do 13 categories, I know I can't manage 13 books in each one (I won't even make 144 this year although I'm reading at a faster pace than last year.) I'm thinking I might try a step challenge - but 91 might still be a challenge. I haven't decided on any categories yet; I need to make a list of what I'd like to read and see where they fit. Last year I used words in the titles to pick my categories (i.e. colors, family members, etc) and I might do that again.

I'm really debating between the networks and the song titles.What I have so far are:
Networks

SciFi - Out of my normal realm
AMC - Classics
Hallmark - Romances
BBC - British settings
Nickelodeon - Young Adult Books
ABC - ARCs/ERs
Travel Channel - Thrillers/Mysteries
TNT - Mysteries
ESPN - GROUP READS/TIOLI/Recommendations
History Channel - History
PBS -Audio Books
NBC - Nook Books/ NetGalley
CBS - Books in a Series

Song Titles

Live and Let Die - Thrillers
Do you believe in magic? - Fantasy
Far Away - Foreign settings
God Bless the Queen - British settings
Baby It's Cold Outside! - Northern cozies
Who wrote the Book of Love? - romances or Young Adult
Ah - Sweet Mystery of Life - Mysteries
Dixie - Southern Cozies
Mystery Lady - FEMALE DETECTIVE
Yesterday - History
Do You hear what I hear? - Audiobooks
Beside a Shady Nook - Nook Books
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - TBRs

What do you think?

I like those Cheli. I'm considering trying to divide by time period in some way. or perhaps historical era or something.

I've really struggled with the challenge this year (with the organization, not with the reading). BUT I'm definitely going to participate next year simply because I've had a marvelous idea for a 2013 theme for months now! (I actually have already boxed up and put away some books to save for next year.) I plan to have 13 categories, but haven't yet decided how to set the books-per-category number.

Either will work, Cheli!

Hmmm, Cheli, they're both good. I slightly prefer the TV one to the other, but they're both fantastic! You've put a lot of thought into it, my dear! Kudos!

I have a feeling I'll just do months and have my 13th category be audiobooks or something. It's not clever, or any real challenge, but I'm trying to be a little more spontaneous in my reading and this will help.

I've given some thought to seven categories with ten books each and six categories with five books each, for 100 in all.

I like the song titles!

I'm leaning toward the song titles myself - lots of room for mysteries and the others are covered too.

Cheli: I continue to marvel at your creativity and organization. I can never come up with themes, maybe this will be the year that I come up with one.
I love your song titles, because all I could think about is the many mysteries that would fit there!

I'm more than happy to share my themes.

Well, I thought about it a bit more and decided that I'm going to go with the Sng Titles but then I was trying to decide about which categories would get how many books... still chumping on that one.

clfisha set this year's challenge up by making the title of each category one of the best books read last year. I'm tempted to hijack that theme, but there are still a few months before I have to make up my mind, so hopefully I'll come up with an idea of my own by then.

I think last year the 12/12 thread started about August/September so we have a while yet. I have to decide between a couple of different themes

>57 RidgewayGirl: - That was an interesting way to pick books; of course you might have to wait almost to the end just in case one of your last books was a "best read". I'm terrible about deciding what my categories should be. I usually look through my TBR and see what books I want to read and then try to mash them into similar categories.

I really admire the readers who can actually plan out a year's reading and do it. With me, the minute I tell myself that I can't read a book until next year, it instantly becomes the most attractive and alluring book ever and I find it impossible to wait (even if the wait is only a few weeks). And then once the new year begins, all those alluring books look unreadable, especially when they are clearly keeping me from the books I didn't have room for on my reading list.

Okay, in reading that over, I am willing to admit that I may have some weird problem.

What has worked for me is to come up with several categories of books I read a lot of, like "crime novels" or "books with titles" and then a few more challenging categories to stretch myself or to delve into a specific topic. But I tried listing possibilities one year and ended up reading several before the challenge started and utterly ignoring my lists afterward.

> 60

I've learned not to list them until I've finished them.

I make a list of what fits into my categories and then my secondary goal to the challenge is to read at least 75% of the books that were candidates at the beginning of the year (usually books I already own and haven't read). That way I have 25% for those "I can't wait to read this book" or group reads or such. It works out pretty well for me and this year, so far, 82% of the books I've read were on my original list at the beginning of the year.

There are so many books that I want to read, but I need to read the ones I already have before I start acquiring new ones. I have been working on my BOMBS (Books Off My BookShelves) all year, but I have been getting new ones at a faster rate than I am reading old ones. BAD Cheli, BAD! Somebody (I believe it was my darling older sister Tina (tututhefirst) told me about this site where I could get FREE books for my Nook and Kindle and now I have so many new books to read I'll never catch up. But what a wonderful predicament! The WWBF will not get me!

>62 cyderry: - I'm pretty much like you. I've got so many on the TBR pile (s), that I try to read a good chunk from there and then leave room for ER books and others I want to read right away. And no matter what I call them, there's always one for food, one for animal books, one for mysteries. This year the TIOLI with the months caused me to acquire a few books for months where I didn't have a book on the pile that fit. But I also acquire at a pace waaaaay above the reading rate.

Psst! - Could you whisper that site in my ear, just in case I should need a free book?

Go to Facebook and sign up with BookBub (one word) and you will be told of free Kindle Books or free Nook Books.

I'm warning you, it's dangerous!

Oh - I didn't realize that they had Facebook pages. I may delete the blog feeds for some of those type sites. A few other options: Pixel of Ink tells of free and bargain Kindle books. Books on the Knob tells of Kindle and Nook ones. Inspired Reads if for those who like Christian fiction and non-fiction.

I kinda gave up on my 12 in 12 (stopped logging what I read for a while which sent that one out). But will be around next year - regardless of what format the challenge takes. I'd prefer a more open one quite honestly - not that this year's one did not allow everyone to do whatever they want of course :)

# 60 -- I am at the point now, of wanting to read mostly things that don't fit my remaining categories.
I think that "Books With Titles" sounds like a great category.

#67

That's why I have both a fiction and a nonfiction "anything" category. Those are definitely staying next year!

I have a catch-all category as well. It's currently called "Anything That Floats My Boat."

>60 RidgewayGirl: I think we are many sharing that diagnosis... At least I'm reading more than I buy these days - but not dramatically. My TBR has shrunk with ten books so far this year. Yep, I'm keeping count.

>67 banjo123: I've benefitted a lot from having a category I'm not even allowed to plan, this year. I'm definitely using that again for 2013. My "Everything else" category tends to end up more or less a "general fiction" category, so it's good to have one that's really open.

@57/59 The best thing I like about the categories i chose thisnyear were having a list of 5 tags based on the book I,.e fantasy, horror, chickens etc.. It makes it refreshingly open whilst still being a bit of a challenge.

Also I had a list of candidates made during the year so can sort of plan beforehand :)

I have decided that for my 2013 category challenge I am going to divide it into two parts

The first 5 categories I am going to read at least 13 books for each category
The remaining categories I am going to half and read either 6 or 7 books in each category

Category 12 will be a Potpourri/Everything Else category and will probably end up with more than the 6 books I will allocate for it.

Given that there will be books that can fit in to more than one category I reckon that I will end up reading between 100 and 120 books.

That sounds like a very doable challenge. I hope you don't mind if I model mine in a similar fashion. Looking at my numbers now, I am very likely to fill three or four large categories and have the rest small.

I don't mind at all, that is why I posted my plan .

I think I will title my challenge "Zozette's Full and Half" or something like that.

>60 RidgewayGirl: I'm exactly the same way. It's why I make my categories so broad and try to avoid listing too many possibilities.

I've got my theme and categories planned--there are 13 categories, but I'm not reading anything near 169 books. My goal is likely going to end up being ~50 books, since I've got some real doorstops I've been putting off because of the 11 in 11 and 12 in 12. I'm also planning on diving into nineteenth century novels, which take (for me, anyway) longer to read than more recent stuff.

I've done a stepped challenge for the last two years, but for 2013 I'm leaning toward 13 categories of 7 books each for a goal of 91 books. It has worked well for me to have a "just because" category each year in the challenge. There always seem to be books I have to read right now that just don't fit in any of the other categories, no matter how broad they are. It's also good for fitting in overflow from favorite categories! I have a preliminary list of categories, but I'd really like to come up with an overall theme. I'm trying to figure out if using the names of my favorite sports teams would work as a theme.

Okie dokie. The categories have been chosen, the lists have been made, the books have been sorted. So.......when's the new group gonna start?!? :D

Well, the 12 in 12 group was started on August 16, 2011, so... any time now???

Oh goody. :)

I am looking forward to the new group though I have only managed to select 12 of my 13 categories.

I think I have my categories sorted so looking forward to getting the thread started....

eek! I have to come up with categories already! Last year was my first year and I think I joined in December... Oh my. I've got to get to work!

Relax, majkia. Most people begin the challenge in January. You can start a thread in the 2013 Challenge anytime between now and then. I'll wait until November or December to stake a claim and then take my time coming up with categories. I'm not doing 13 categories this year as the number of books in each would have to be too small to be meaningful to me. Maybe I'll return to ten categories. That worked well for me.

Yep no rush, some of us are just too keen! (I spent a happy hour devising them last week. ahem).

I think next year will be the last time I match number of categories to year. I can do 13 next time but its getting silly & I agree 10 was fun.

Even though I won't begin reading for the 13 challenge for....um, 4 1/2 months....I'm excited for the unveiling since I've been tinkering with my idea since January. Too keen? Yes, guilty. :)

I going to try to do the 13 in 13 challenge, but I will have to admit since this year has sucked in my reading (can anyone say new boyfriend maybe) that Im going to settle for my different categories and start soon. I know I have debated myself that this will be cheating to some degree but oh well.

I keep tinkering with my categories so it is likely I won't firm up anything before January 1st - unless lightning strikes and I have a Eureka moment over my categories! Highly unlikely. ;-)

I'm not posting my 2013 thread until December of this year, even though I've got everything ready to go. I posted my categories in August last year and the anticipation made it hard to finish the 11 in 11 (which was already hard enough, as I did a full 121 books, when I usually don't read more than 70-ish books/year).

I'm refining my categories which means I'm having trouble deciding what I want to include and what I don't want to include. I'm also trying to come up with a theme. I probably won't post my categories until December either. Since I'll be here in the 2012 until the end of December, there's no rush anyway.

It's looking like I'm going to do something a little different for 2013. I seem to have a lot of ongoing series that I've been neglecting for far too long so will probably base my challenge on that. I have my tentative 13 categories but don't think I'll set a specific number of books for them. Wolfy's semi serious series category challenge is a distinct possibility as of now.

I have everything mostly all set category wise ( I think). No posting until December, because as # 88 stated, the anticipation makes it difficult to stay on track.

I'm so proud of myself; I actually have a theme this year. I'm usually not that creative!

I've been going through the books on my shelf and making a list of those I'd really like to get to next year. I've had no inspiration for categories or a theme. I'm hoping picking out some books will give me some ideas. Good thing I've still got a few months. And it doesn't look like I'll get around to some I picked out for this year, so I may have to try and fit them in next year too.

BOMBS for next year!

For those with no categories and who fear that they might not be able to complete many books in 2013, might I suggest the ever-popular Books with Covers and Books with Titles categories? They are perfectly formulated to maximize readability while minimizing stress (unless you, like me, have some older books without covers).

:)

I pretty much got my categories sit, I have a couple that is not sit in stone. And since one of mines is the nose bleed- Books over 700 pages and my 12 of 12 is already out of reach (I only have about 23 in for the year) I am going to go ahead and start my challange now. But i will be good and not post anything until the end of the year.

But most of the categories will be from my small library at home (last count around 1000 books) and the 1001 list.

Plus my kindle died on me (frozen screen that amazon is saying is unfixable) and that will give me time to replace that I HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only on LT would someone say "my SMALL library at home" and then point out it is over 1000. ;)

#95 Apparently we are all wearing our Kindles' out, yours is the 4th I've heard about freezing in the last couple of weeks....mine included.

>95 ALWINN:,96 - I'm glad to know my library is "small". I'm going to be telling my husband since he thinks it's "large'.

>97 clue: - Planned obsolessence?

So is there a fix for the frozen Kindle or do we in fact have to just replace it???

# 96 and yes I still consider my library small. How would you feel if you walked in a regular library with only a 1000 books we would shake our heads and turn around and walk out. But my dream house has a room that is floor to ceiling wall to wall bookcases filled w books. And a reading chair.

#99 while I dream of such a room as well, the reality is we keep threatening to become full-Time RVers so I'm definitely downsizing. And wrt books the only way to do that is to buy ebooks. I confess to owning three ereaders, but then they're small!

I'm already dreaming of next year. Last year, I think it was right about now that someone started the next year's group.

Anyone planning to do it? Nudge, nudge...

I wore my Kindle out in the spring and bought a Kindle Fire. Nowadays, I find I'm using the Kindle app on my phone when I'm out and about and using the Fire at home.

Well I will be hopefully fixing if not replacing since mine of only two years old and in tech terms a dinosaur.

I have a Nook. Then they came out with the Touch Glow so I bought that so that I could read in bed without bothering my hubbie with the light. I have Kindle for PC and Nook for PC. I only have about 200 e-books but now my library without cramming my bookshelves. ;-)

Good for you. My shelves are still crammed. I like my kindle, but really prefer those old paper books. The book I'm reading on my kindle gets read much more slowly than any other book I'm reading.

I am the opposite. I read more Kindle books than I do paper books. I have poor eyesight and I find it much easier to read if I can enlarge the font. I own both a Kindle and an iPad. I use the iPad more than the Kindle, i mainly keep the Kindle in my handbag and pull it out if I am waiting for a bus, or if I am in the doctor's waiting room.

I tried to alternate between paper books and my kindle since I am always picking up books at gargare sales durning the summer. So while Im trying to pull my funds together to fix or I think just replace my kindle I will just have to attack the mount of paper books in my bedroom.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but now I'd really like an e-reader. There are still hundreds in my house that are unread, but since authors are seeming to put out books in their series that they only make available on Kindle (or the like), I'm starting to get annoyed that I'm missing out. Maybe this year Santa will bring me one?

For the 2013, I'm going to do something easy like "books written by a woman" or "hardcovers", or even easier like "books read in january". A cop out, maybe, but I'll be sure to meet my goal every time! :) I'm having a harder time reading the books I "have to" each year, and am looking for a little more flexibility into what I read, and less guilt. Plus, I'm thinking of quitting both real-life bookclubs I'm in, just so I don't "have to" read anything any more. Or at least taking a break. I don't know. /ramble

You can always do categories like:
- Books I felt like reading now
- Books that I just saw on the shelf
- Books on my nightstand

and so on ;) And somewhere along the way, some grouping will emerge.

>107 LauraBrook: I'm looking for a break in 2013 as well. My plan is to have 13 categories, but no minimum or maximum for each category; as long as I've read at least one book per category by the end of 2013, the goal is met. My categories are a bit more specific than "books with titles," but I suspect that almost any book I pick could fit into at least two categories.

I don't think it's a cop-out. For me, at least, I want space to not feel like I "have" to read something that I picked out for myself in the first place, I want to have room for many rereads, and I want to have time to read some long books.

One concession I'm making, most likely, is making one of my categories "Kindle singles." These are either novellas or short 25 page essays. I like reading them and oftentimes, they're authored by big names.

I'm trying to read longer and more challenging books this year. Not altogether, obviously, but to not avoid them. That and a busier schedule means fewer books read. I'm happy to have not set any goal as to number of books read -- I'm just trying to keep my categories balanced. I'd like to continue with the big books. I'm discovering a love of Victorian novels and books that I have to live with for a while.

I made up one of my categories solely to encourage myself to read a book that has been on my bookshelf, unread, for about three years. Its a book I really really want to read but was daunted by its size. It has over 600 pages, which isn't in itself all that much, but it measurements are a height of 281 mm (11 inches) and a width of 214 mm (8.3 inches) . I have just looked at the book concerned and discovered that about 100 of it pages are either part of the bibliography or are photos. It seems to be an extremely well researched book.

Luckily I found several other much shorter books that will fit into the category.

With 13 categories, I have half a mind of doing an A-B, C-D, E-F and so on categories. With 26 letters in the alphabet, that will work :)

The alphabet challenge is creative!

>113 AnnieMod: You totally just stole my plan for 2026! :)

This year has become quite the challenge to try and fit in the quota of books each month so next year I'm planning an open-ended challenge. I'll set the categories as I pick up a book that belongs in it, and at the end of the year see which category wins out with most read. With running the bookstore totally by myself, I'm finding my reading time gets more and more limited and I don't want to feel like I "HAVE" to read to accomplish a goal. After all, reading is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, not stressing over whether I can fit enough books in each month. I think I'll read more genres by not pre-setting them as well. Guess we'll see. 2013 seems a good time to make a change to me. :)

This year I did not set a specific number goal and it worked well. I plan to do the same next year. Still have not decided on the number of categories...

Oh, I'm getting excited, I've finalized my plans for the 2013 Challenge. I have decided that I will not set a specific number of books to read for each category but will try to keep the categories balanced. Of course, I still have quite a way to go to complete this year's challenge.

I have the theme that I've decided on and I think I was going to do a step challenge, but then I got to thinking that maybe I'd do a point system and the categories would be complete when I read enough books to reach a specific number- say for instance 33 (20+13). A 5 star book would get 10 points, 4½ stars 9, etc. so the minimum books per category would be 4 and maximum would be 33. Still thinking about that.

I did a random dice roll for category numbers and that seemed to work, although had no real relation to 12 :) Still someone could that for 13 as its closely related to luck :)

I think the best set of categories is a large mix of open, easy to fill categories and a small amount of ones that provide a challenging nudge. I want to enjoy it, but I don't want it wide open :)

I like sitting the different categories because it pushs me to read stuff that I normally would not have picked up.

#99...Yes, you may be able to "unfreeze" your Kindle. Instructions are on Amazon...there is a small hole at the bottom (I think it's always in that location regardless of which Kindle you have) and you are to take a pin and push it into the hole to reset the screen. It didn't work for me but I hope it does for you. In addition to the aggravation I really like the first one I had better than the one I have now. I preferred pushing a button to advance the screen rather than the swiping.

Apparently the Powers That Be have decided to prolong the suspense of launching the 13 group........ :)

@ 123 -- There are no powers that be. :) I have been the one to start the group for the last couple of years, but I haven't had time yet to put one together for 2013. If anyone else would like to do it, they're more than welcome! Otherwise I will try to find time within the next few days -- I know many of us are chomping at the bit to start our 2013 threads!

We still have our books in paperbags all over the living room floor, waiting for the new wall-to-wall bookshelf to be built. Which won't happen for another month and a half. Before the books are shelved it's highly impractical to start planning 2013 too closely. That being said, I still have my categories and theme pretty well worked out. Since like february. Ahem.

#124 Patiently chomping at the bit, Christina. We've waited this long, what's another few more days or whatever.

The extra time will give me the chance to change my mind yet again.

>126 lindapanzo: So what does patient chomping look like? It's not a skill I've ever mastered.

I doubt that I'll post a thread until December. I just can't see posting a thread that far in advance when I won't begin reading books for it until January 1.

Well, since Christina (aka The Power That Be) is being all selfish and doing stuff like having a life, I guess we'll ALL have to wait until December. *sulk* (J/K!!!!! :) )

I have already written out my category summary ready to post.

I have started buying books for next year. I cashed in my big tin of coins ($350 worth) and am using that money. I rarely borrow from the library because I find it hard to get to there due to disability. For the cost of taxi fares to the library and back I can buy two or three books (either paperbacks or Kindle books).

I was going to start in December so as to do a 13 month challenge (and considering I aim to finish the 12/12 on 12/12/2012)...

I have a theme, just need to tighten up the categories...

#127 Patient chomping is a feeling of alternating between extreme eagerness for the event (posting of new challenge) to happen, blended with a realization that Christina or whoever is starting the 2013 group does have a life beyond our little group and so a sense of "it'll happen when it happens."

Maybe we should discuss who should start the new forum? Christina, do you want to head the 2013 Challenge? I think that it should be yours if you want it, but you should also consider your share of the labor done for good and you should only take this on if you passionately want to. You did a great job, by the way.

For the past three years, I've had very open categories (like "non-fiction", "young-adult", "science-fiction", etc.) and then tried to fit all my reading into at least one category. My goal had been to achieve breadth in my reading, but I've found it frustrating that some categories seem to fill up much faster than others, and then I struggle to finish all of them by the end of the year.

For 2013, I think I'll do something completely different and pick somewhat narrower categories (like "golden-age mysteries", "steampunk", "books set in Africa", etc.) that I want to explore. However, I'll only set a goal of 5 books per category, and I will let myself read whatever I want in between reading category books.

->133 RidgewayGirl:
Seconding what @RidgewayGirl says - @christina_reads has done a great job and should have "first dibs" but also shouldn't have to if she feels she doesn't have the time/urge/whatever.

Thanks, all! And apologies to those who have been chomping so patiently. :) If someone else would like to take the lead in 2013, I am more than happy to pass the torch along! However, if no one else volunteers, I can probably commit to starting the group by the end of this week, say August 25.

Thirding the great job, not volunteering as Am doing the Sandman group - that everyone should join by the way!

Thanks @christina_reads!! @RidgewayGirl - do you want it? Or does someone else?? I've not started a group before, but I'd be willing to give it a try if nobody else wants it. Let me know, please!!

Eva, I think you'll do a great job.

Eva, go for it! If you need help yell. I'm sure others will be ready to assist if you need it.

Thanks!

It's now a done deed - The 2013 Category Challenge is OVER HERE!

PM me if I miss something!!!

Yay! Off to join the new group...

Yay 2013! I'm joining now, although I've forbidden myself from starting my thread until December 1/I finish my 12 in 12, whichever comes first. (At the rate I'm going, you should place your bets on the former.)

I'm in though setting up a thread on my iPhone is probably not optimal so it might not be til tomorrow.

Yay!! Hurray for Eva for starting the 2013 group!!

Fantastic! Thanks so much for picking up the baton and running with it Eva! :)

Thank you, Eva. I have joined and posted my list of categories.

Woohoo! Thanks, Eva! I'm sure you'll do an excellent job. Off to join the new group now!

ETA: I've also posted a link to the 2013 challenge in the 2012 group info. So hopefully everyone in this group will be able to find their way over to next year's!

Also want to thank Eva for starting the new group. And thanks to Christina for administering this year's group.

Thank you Eva - I've joined the group, but will probably not start my thread towards the end of the year though:) I'm still working on this years challenge.

Thanks Christina for doing such a great job this year.

Yes thanks Eva & Christina, I think I might have to start a thread very soon

Thanks, Eva and Christina. I'm off to join the new group!

Thank you, Eva. Off to join up!

I joined but since I'm not sure how I'm handling 2013 yet, I'm refraining from posting my thread until I have a better idea of what I'm going to do.

But trust me, I'm working on it!

I joined also, but no posting of anything for me yet. I don't want to get distracted by shiny new threads for next year just yet. But I am also working on it, and really trying to incorporate most of my TBR. That will be a first for me!

Well done, Eva! I staked my claim in the new group but will be starting on it later.

Thanks Christina for doing such a great job the last few years, and cheers to Eva for launching us into the next year. I am going to head over there and join shortly, but I am also going to try and refrain from setting up my thread, as I, too, don't want to get distracted from completing this year's challenge.

DQ, I had planned to wait too, but then had a brain fart, so there you go...

#157 - LOL, it will be interesting to see how long I can hold off! Luckily we are leaving on vacation tomorrow, so very little computer time for me over the next couple of weeks!

After I finish my current book (about 20 pages to go), I'll have two books left for my 2012 challenge. I'll work on 2013 after I finish 2012, which won't be long!

All along, I've been thinking about 2013 categories but haven't done so in awhile. With the 2013 group now available, I'm thinking about it again.

I've got a hectic next couple of days but will probably start a thread over there next week, perhaps. I'm never as clever, with song titles and such, but I love to look at all the categories everyone comes up with. Gives me ideas.

Thank you for doing a great job, Christina, and yay for new beginnings, Eva! Not starting a thread yet, but will probably not be able to resist for long...

I was away with my husband over the weekend for his birthday and I had like 60 messages to read here when I got back. So I'm off to join the 13 group, but probably won't post my thread for a while. I'm trying to look through my TBR and see what I want to get to next year. I'm thinking of a "leftover" category for those I don't finish this year that I "swore" I'd get to.

Thanks Christina and Eva, I joined last night. I'm won't be starting my thread yet either, inspiration for my categories is slow in coming, but there's still plenty of the 12 in 12 left.

I just caved in and created my thread.. hmm exactly the same thing happened last year. I must be weak willed or something ;)

Haha, I've started my thread as well, even though I have no categories yet! I think I'll be tinkering with them for a while yet.

I just realized that every single book on my TBR (all 1144 of them) fit into at least one category for next year. I'm kind of excited about this.

I joined the group but probably won't create my thread until December. I'm excited about the new format and am thinking about categories and the books needed to fill them. Got a peak at other people's thread and everybody is so creative!

That's what I did, paruline. The only bad thing about joining the group this early is that people create placeholders for their categories without the names in them. When that happens, I don't get notifications that those messages are unread when they do go back and fill them in. I'm sure I miss out on a lot of threads I'd like to follow because people create their threads before they are ready to name their categories.

Lori,

That's the exact reason why this year I am not creating my thread until I am ready with all the info I want everybody to know.

@ 168 -- I plan to post a little notice when I've filled in my categories, so that people will remember to scroll up to the messages they've already read and look at the new content. Don't know whether it'll work, but I hope people will still find me over there! :)

but that's always a problem for later too, when you put the books you've read into the categories, again there is no change from read to unread for the threads.

no, I put a list candidates for each of my categories but new messages are the read ones a s I go along and I just fill in the block on the categories.

Getting caught up here. Very happy to learn that next year's group is up and running - Thanks Eva for setting up the new group and thanks to Christina for the great job she has done with the previous and current groups!

I have joined but will hold off on setting up my thread until I am finished or nearly finished my 12 in 12... .which should keep me going for a couple of months still, provided I get my act together and get back into reading mode, that is!