Thursday, December 30, 2010

Take A Chance Challenge 3


Several of you asked if I’d be hosting the Take A Chance Challenge again. At first, I wasn’t sure, but once I started thinking about it, I got all excited.  So here are the details for the 2011 version of the challenge.
Basic Information
  • The concept of the challenge is to take chances with your reading by finding books to read in unusual or random ways. I’ve listed 10 different ways to find books below. Feel free to complete at many as you want. However, anyone completing all 10 challenges by December 31, 2011 will be entered in a prize drawing to win a book of their choice from Amazon.
  • The challenge will run from January 1, 2011 until December 31, 2011.
  • Crossover books from other challenges is fine. You can read books in any format.
  • On January 1, 2011, I will post pages for each of the 10 challenges so you can link up your completed posts.
The 2011 Challenges
1: Staff  Member’s Choice: Go to a bookstore or library that has a “Staff Picks” section. Read one of the picks from that section.
2: Loved One’s Choice: Ask a loved one to pick a book for you to read. (If you can convince them to buy it for you, that is even better!)
3: Blogger’s Choice: Find a “Best Books Read” post from a favorite blogger. Read a book from their list.
4: Critic’s Choice: Find a “Best of the Year” list from a magazine, newspaper or professional critic. Read a book from their Top 10 list.
5: Blurb Book: Find a book that has a blurb on it from another author. Read a book by the author that wrote the blurb.
6: Book Seer Pick: Go to The Book Seer and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.
7: What Should I Read Next Pick : Go to What Should I Read Next and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.
8: Which Book Pick: Go to Which Book and use the software to generate a list of books. Read a book from that list.
9: LibraryThing Pick: Go to LibraryThing’s Zeitgeist page. Look at the lists for 25 Most Reviewed Books or Top Books and pick a book you’ve never read. Read the book. (Yes … you can click on MORE if you have to.)
10: Pick A Method: Pick a method for finding a book from the choices listed below (used in previous versions of the challenge).
  • Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)
  • Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.
  • Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2010 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.
UPDATE:  You can link up reviews at the devoted site.
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Confession:  I failed miserably at this challenge last year!  However, I really cannot quit after such a miserable year.  It's not really that I feel like I need to make up for such failure; it's more that the challenges this year are just so intriguing!  I just could not pass it up!

I am not going to shoot too high on this one considering my past record, but I am going to try to complete at least 3 challenges!  Wish me luck!
  1. Blogger's Choice:  The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde thanks to Kristen over at We Be Reading!

10 comments:

  1. I'm very tempted to try this challenge, but since I'm not going to be buying any books this year it would probably make it too difficult - will certainly bear it in mind for next year, though.

    Good luck!

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  2. Tracy . . . I probably should not be buying anymore books, but I know that I do not have the willpower for that one! I'm very impressed with you!! :)

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  3. Well, my willpower is pretty strong on some things - I've givem up chocolate for at least a year on 4 or 5 occasions previously - but I find books far more addictive than chocolate, so it will be interesting to see if I manage to resist (and I will be getting a few books for my birthday in the summer)

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  4. Tracy . . . You've given up chocolate for a year?!?!? No way!! I am now really impressed! I don't know if I could do that and books!! :)

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  5. I couldn't give them both up at the same time! That really would be seriously cold turkey. So this year I'll be eating plenty of chocolate.

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  6. Tracy . . . I'm so glad to hear that you are at least balancing your loves!! :)

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  7. ROFL!
    I try!

    But since my chocolate intake will increase, I'm going to have to exercise more - but I have a fun game at the moment of trying to sneak as many yoga poses in as possible at work, have managed tree a couple of times, mountain several times, albeit briefly, even the odd meditation (though have to keep my eyes open, which is interesting!). Can't quite get away with sun salutation, sadly.

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  8. Tracy . . . You are cracking me up! I don't know yoga, but maybe I should try if I can sneak in a bit of it at work too! :)

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  9. Welcome to the Take A Chance challenge! I hope you have fun with it and get lots of fun and surprising books to read.

    Here is the link to the blog that I created to post your finished entries: http://www.takeachance.lifewithbooks.com/

    P.S. It is easier than it was last year ... have fun with it!

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  10. Jenners . . . Thank you! I am excited to have a little fun with it! Going to check out the site now!

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