Okay, I promised you more information about Fall Into Reading 2009, and here it is. Those of you who have participated in my reading challenges in the past already know the drill, but for those of you who are new (or who would just like a refresher), read on.
Essentially, Fall Into Reading 2009 is a fun, low-pressure reading challenge open to anyone and everyone. It will take place September 22nd-December 20th (which, not surprisingly, is the fall of 2009).
To participate, here’s what you need to do:
- Create a list of some books you’d like to read or finish this fall. This is the only real requirement for participating in the challenge.
- Feel free to set some additional reading goals (such as reading to your kids two hours per week, getting through your pile of magazines, etc.). However, this is not required; setting additional goals is completely optional.
- Write a blog post that includes the list of books you want to read (and any additional goals you’ve set), and get ready to post it on your blog on September 22nd.
- Visit Callapidder Days on September 22nd to sign up for the challenge. I’ll have an official launch post up that morning, complete with an area for you to submit a link to your personal Fall Into Reading post, where it will be added to the master list of participants.
- Read! Work on your goals throughout Fall 2009.
- Report your results. Write another blog post in December to let everyone know how you did. (I’ll post an official wrap-up to the challenge on December 21st, where you’ll be able to share your results.)
- Have fun! Visit other participants to see what they’re reading. Write reviews if you’re so inclined. But most of all, enjoy your fall reading!
A brief Q & A
Q. What is the point of this whole thing?
A. I started these twice-yearly challenges because I thought it would be fun to share my love of reading with other bloggers and to push myself to read some books I might not otherwise read, or to finish some books I had started and then abandoned & stashed under my bed. I thought there were probably others out there who would appreciate the accountability and encouragement that a challenge can provide. And along the way, I discovered there were lots of people who — whether they needed the extra push or not — loved to share what they planned or hoped to read during the upcoming months.
So that’s the point: sharing some reading goals with all the other participants and doing it in a way that works for you. If you want to push yourself, go for it! Or if you just want to share what you’re hoping to get around to reading before winter, that works too. The most important thing is to read this fall, to enjoy it, and to share that enjoyment with others.
Q. What if I don’t have much time to read and I only set a goal to read 2 books? Is that lame?
A. No, it’s not lame! Whether your list includes two books or thirty-two books doesn’t matter to me. Make the challenge work for you. Be reasonable. Maybe try to stretch yourself a little. But don’t stress about it. This is supposed to be fun.
Q. What if I get half-way through the challenge, realize it’s not working for me, and I want to change my list/goals? Does that mean I lose?
A. No! I don’t mind one bit if you change your list part-way through the challenge. The point of my challenges is to provide a fun and easy way for you to set some goals, work toward them, and enjoy reading. If your original list isn’t working for you, you’re likely to be miserable, which would completely defeat the point. Rework your list/goals and keep on reading.
Q. Do I have to review the books I read? I stink at writing reviews.
A. Absolutely not. Writing reviews of the books you read is entirely optional. To be honest, I usually don’t write reviews of the books I read during these challenges.
I will provide a place where participants can post links to the reviews they write, but again, this will be optional. Remember: Katrina’s reading challenges are low-to-no-pressure.
Q. What should I write in my post that has my list and goals? Is there any special format?
A. Nope. It’s entirely up to you. You might want to check out last year’s challenge page and visit some participants to see how they did it, if you’re not sure where to start.
Q. Do you have a graphic we can put in our sidebars?
I sure do. Feel free to grab the big one at the beginning of my post. Or use the code below to add the little one to your sidebar.
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Next week, I’ll post some additional information about the challenge, so let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll be sure to answer them then! In the meantime, you might want to start digging books out from behind your nightstand, or sorting through your to-be-read pile!
Seriously?? I’m really not believing that it’s already Fall and time for this!! I am looking forward to thinking about what I’m going to read.
your buttons get better and better each year! i love it!
.-= Deborah´s last post ..Just Between You And Me by Jenny B. Jones =-.
Hoping to participate a little more this reading challenge! Hard to believe it is already Fall!
The Spring Reading Thing was great for me; helped me clean off my shelves a little. So I’ll look forward to a few more empty spots by Dec 20. Hmmm…just in time for new books at Christmas.
Im working on my list of books.. super excited!!
It does sound like a good challenge and a chance to actually read my TBR pile.
I am all excited. I am determined to finish a series this year. Well I don’t have the latest one but finish up to what I personally own.
Hi – I’m new to your blog, but had heard of your Spring Challenge (and had all intents to participate). So, I’ll definitely be signing up for this. I have a bunch of library books on my night table and, like everyone else, a pile of TBRs to boot.
I have been so slacking in my reading that I need this. Can’t wait!
It seriously cannot be time for this already, yikes!
I’m new to challenges! I’ve never participated in one before, so i have a question, may be it’s a stupid one, lol
can i add the list of books from other challenge I am in ? say that I’m in (The Vampire Diaries Challenge) can i add this series to my Fall into Reading book list ??
What if I don’t have my own blog? Can I still participate?
I started early. Gotta squeeze it in when I can…
So far I’ve read two books since last weekend. I won’t cheat and include them in my list though. However, I might recommend them.
Recently I met a retired teacher who told me he watches much less TV now than when he was teaching. He used to come home so tired…I can relate!
But books it is!
This is right up my alley! I’m looking forward to participating. Love the button too!
Thanks for hosting this challenge; i recall enjoying it last fall.
Can’t wait to get started.
This is just what I need to finally clear off my coffeetable! Thanks for hosting!
I love this challenge, I really want to participate!! Thank you.
Sorry, I’m new to this but it sounds fun. Do Audio books count? I do a lot of commuting so it’s the best time for me to get “reading” done.
That’s the challenge for me!
Can’t wait!
cheers,
Anni
.-= Anni´s last post ..The Sunday Salon: It’s challenge time! =-.
did I miss the sign up link?
A reading challenge with low to no pressure. Just my cup of tea at this moment. Glad I stumbled on this.
Looking forward to doing this challenge. Thanks Katrina! Thought, actually, I’d already signed up just a few minutes ago and that I’ve done this correctly with the required links.
My list is up!
This is my first visit to your blog, and I am jazzed by this challenge. I somehow lost my rhythm this fall, and haven’t finished nearly enough books that I should have this month. Maybe this is just the thing I need to get moving!!
Going to find the sign up page!
Thanks!
I’m in – am setting up a link shortly to my book list
I love your friendly and low-pressure reading challenges. I did the Spring one and I felt so good when I completed it. And I like your graphics!
Have amended my list> In that have added one book. Just FYI.
Hello
I saw this great challenge over on S.Krishna’s Books and had to jump in. I apologize for being so late, but I;m moving my blog and working hard to get it all together. I really look forward to this challenge and it sounds like so much fun. In the next couple of days I will have my full list up, my goals and a couple of reviews.
Thank you so much!
Gayla
I can’t get this button to work on my blog- can you help?
Please see my update at http://booksandmusings.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/fall-into-reading-2009-an-update-4th-december/
I doubt I will finish. But I will try my best:)
http://booksandmusings.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/fall-into-reading-2009-an-update-4th-december/
I completed the challenge and I have my wrap-up post here:
http://jo-jolovestoread.blogspot.com/2009/12/fall-into-reading-challenge-completed.html
I completed the challenge. See my blog for the books I read/listened to books and their reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed this, Katrina. thanks for hosting.
Jan (in Edmonds)
Here’s my blog address -
.-= Jan (in Edmonds)´s last post .. =-.