Update: Fall Into Reading 2008 has begun! Visit the official launch post to see all the participants and add your name to the list!
Though the leaves are not yet changing color, and though it was in the 80’s here just a few days ago, it is — nevertheless — time to decide on some reading goals for the (3rd annual!) Fall Into Reading challenge!
For those of you who are new to this whole Callapidder Days reading challenge thing, or for those who just need a quick refresher, let me elaborate on what it’s all about.
Who: Fall Into Reading 2008 is a fun challenge that is open to anyone and everyone! As long as you can read, you can participate! (It’s best if you have a blog, but if you don’t, feel free to participate via comments as we go along.) We’ve had people from around the world, and readers as young as ten participate in these reading challenges, so don’t hesitate to join right in.
What: Fall Into Reading 2008 is a casual, low-pressure challenge that revolves around — you guessed it — reading. My goal is simply to provide you with motivation to read, and to provide an opportunity for all of us to set goals when it comes to our personal (or family) reading.
As a participant, all you’ll have to do is make a list of books you want to read this fall and post that list on your blog. They can be books you intend to read on your own, books you want to read with your kids/family, Bible study books you’re working through, or a combination of any of those things.
Bottom line of the challenge: We’ll share our goals with each other, and then share our experience and results when the challenge is over.
When: I’m sure this will come as no surprise. Fall Into Reading 2008 will take place throughout the fall of 2008. Shocking. The official dates are September 22nd through December 20th.
Where: Here, and on particpants’ blogs all over the blogosphere. I’ll put up a Mr. Linky on September 22nd where everyone can submit a link to their own Fall Into Reading 2008 blog post. All I ask is that you share your goals (your list of books) in your post, and that you include a link back to the post here that contains the Mr. Linky. On December 21st, I’ll put up another Mr. Linky where you can submit a link to a wrap-up post on your blog, telling everyone how you did on your goals.
Why: Because I love reading, and many of you love reading, and it’s wonderful to share our love of reading with each other. Fall is the perfect time to curl up with a good book, and it’s very cool to know that there are bloggers and blog-readers everywhere doing the same thing.
Besides, it’s through challenges like these that I often (finally!) read and finish some non-fiction books. A little motivation and a little accountability go a long way for me — and can for you too!
How: The start of Fall Into Reading 2008 is exactly two weeks away, so start thinking about your goals now. Keep a list. Make a pile. Visit the library. Talk to friends. Check under your bed and behind your nightstand for those books you intended to read (or finish) but never did. I’m sure it won’t take long for you to get an idea of what you want to read this fall. Work on your post and then come back here on September 22nd, ready to submit your link!
Some other notes:
*I’m not picky. If you think you’ll only have time to read two books this fall, that’s okay by me. If you change your list halfway through October, that’s okay too. It’s the reading and sharing that count, so don’t worry about getting “yelled at” — just join us!
*Spread the word. Be sure to let your blog readers know about Fall Into Reading 2008 so that they, too, can be part of the reading craziness. Feel free to grab the button from this post or from my sidebar and use it on your blog. I’ll include a code at the bottom of the post that you should be able to easily copy and paste into your sidebar.
*Visit the past. You might want to check out past reading challenges, either to get some ideas for books you want to add to your own list, or to see how participants wrote their posts. Here’s a link to last year’s Fall Into Reading kick-off day post. The rest can be found by exploring my left sidebar.
*A prize! Naturally, there will be a prize. I’ll award a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate to one Fall Into Reading 2008 participant, chosen at random. To be eligible, you’ll need to: post your initial Fall Into Reading 2008 post with goals (and add it to the Mr. Linky here) by midnight on September 24th AND post a wrap-up post at the end of the challenge (and add it to the wrap-up Mr. Linky that will be here) by midnight on December 23rd.
*Book giveaways! Bethany House Publishers will be sponsoring weekly book giveaways throughout the Fall Into Reading challenge. I’ll be giving away one book per week, beginning Thursday, September 25th. You don’t even have to be an official Fall Into Reading 2008 participant to be eligible for these giveaways. Just stop by and leave a comment to enter the drawings.
Well, you better get started on your list. Mine is in progress, but I still have some tweaking to do. See you back here on the first day of fall!
Oh, and here’s the button code. Thanks for spreading the word!
{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so excited. I actually have my list all ready to go and waiting for the Mr. Linky in two weeks! Hooray for Fall reading!!!
*smiles*
Kim
I have thought this challenge silly the past two years… But this year I can think of at least 3 books that I want to finish this year. Now to setup a blog.
Thanks for the challenge!
I’m in - going to work on my list this week. I finally have my TBR list in Excel so it should be earier to pick some books for the challenge. Thanks so much for hosting this!!!
I posted about it on my blog and will start compiling my list.
Thanks for hosting again!
Thanks for doing this again, Katrina. It really does get me motivated to clear that stack off my nightstand and get going. My list will be overly ambitious again, but with the new 5 Minutes for Books site’s encouragement I’ve been doing better! Can’t wait to get started!
I am very excited for the fall challenge! I have started thinking about my list.. I need to start stacking them up for the challenge.
If you’d like to have your Fall reading count in another important way. Drop by http://www.eharlequin.com and register. Harlequin is hosting a 100,000 Book Challenge. Every book read and briefly reviewed counts toward a book giveaway to a national literacy group. Drop by and click on 100,000 Book Challenge and read the details. Your reading could put books into the hands of others.
Lyn
I love a challenge, so count me in!
I can’t wait! I have come to look forward to these challenges twice a year as a way to focus my reading.
Ok, ok I’ll do it! =D I think it’ll be good for me to be a little bit more focused and accomplish some personal goals (and not just review goals).
Looking forward to it Katrina. I’ve got my books already lined up!
Hi Katrina! I really look forward to the challenge! It’ll be my first, but I am needing a motivator real bad to get the books on my shelf read! I start and don’t finish and then buy more books….aye!
Thanks!
This should help me what I need to read for my other challenges and make me read them. Be thinking of my list in the mean time.
Oooo…now I need to dig out all those books from my nightstand and get a move-on.
Jolanthe
Woo hoo! The only thing unexciting about this is owning up the failure of my goals for summer reading. I’m ready to put that behind me though!
I’m working on my Fall list!! Looking forward to the challenge!
I can’t believe it’s that time again!!!
WHOO HOOO !
I LOVE TO READ, I’VE BEEN READING LIKE CRAZY THIS YEAR! http://WWW.READINGFORTHESOUL.BLOGSPOT.COM
HAPPY READING, HEATHER
I am so playing along this year! Last year, I found out about this a little late…so I’ve been on the lookout.
Can’t wait!
I am ready to begin!!!
Ooh, I’m definitely doing this. I’m going to go write a reminder to myself right after posting this comment. This is such a great idea!
Looking forward to it! I usually get some good ideas from everyone’s lists…and piles, I’ve got piles!
Never done this before and am really getting into my blog now, so hopefully I will be up to this challenge. I love to read.
I can’t wait. I’ve been compiling my list. We’ll see how much it changes between now and the 22nd.
I’m in! I love your challenges. I’ve posted a preliminary list.
Well I guess I’ll just have to start my new blog early in time for your challenge now, won’t I?
AND I even get to put new non-fiction on my list this year because I actually read the one from last fall’s (and spring’s!) challenge! I know - I’m still in shock over it, too!
I’ve got my list started!
And I’ll be ready for it! With even a few book giveaways of my own!
Hi Katrina! I’m planning on participating! I’ve got the icon in my side bar too.
WooHoo!! I am so very excited about this.
I Love to read. I have been reading to my boys. But, would like to do more personal reading, also.
I saw a link to your site at `A Path With A Promise`
I am so glad I found your blog. We are kindred spirits.
Thank you for having this challenge.
Michelle
I am so excited for this reading challenge. I have my list posted on my blog. Thank you for hosting!
I have read about this one for two years and now I am finally going to jump in and join. Thanks!
Oooh, glad you’re doing a Fall challenge, Katrina. I’m working on my list now, should have it up in a day or two and I’ll come back on the 22nd to sign up with Mr. Linky. Thanks for hosting!
Kristi
I didnt’ see my name, so I must have forgotten to sign up. I really dont need motivation to read, the reverse is true. I have no blog, can use the one at A Novel Challenge. This is what I will red probbly thru Octl. Sincer I use the library it is based one what I can find.
Anand, Valerie Gildenford
Steinbeck, John Cannery Row audio
Hans Christian Anderon The Little Mermaid
Koontz, Dean Shadow Fire
Rice, LuAnne True Blue
Steinbeck, John Cannery Row
Pattrson James Suzanne’s diary for Nicholas
Browne, Sylvia Exploring the Levels of Creation
Lehane, Dennis Mystic River
Slaughter, Karin Triptych
Lewis, CS Mere Christianity
Sheldon, Sidney The Doomsday Conspiracy
Beach, Jane The Other Woman
Anderson, Hans Christian The little mermaid /
Roberts, Nora. Tribute
Gilbert, Eliz Eat, Pre, Love
Lindsey, Johanna A Loving Scoundrel
Connelly, Michael The Poet
Plath, Sylvia The Bell Jar
Picoult, Jodi 10th Circle
Alrighty, I’m in. I really need some more blog friends, so hopefully sharing this list will help me accomplish that. It can be lonely out there!!!
This sounds fun! I’ve got half my list ready and I’ll work on the rest. In the meantime, I’ll post and spread the word about the challenge.
I’m excited about this challenge! I’ve already started to compile a list of books. Thanks for hosting.
I'm in! I've got your button up and running… have my list ready and will be back on the 22nd. By the way, how do you make those and put in the neat code box? I'm a newbie!
Sheri at A Novel Menagerie & Thursday's Thoughts
Sheri, I used the instructions from this post on Blogging Basics 101 to make the scroll box with the code on it. The key for me was that (in Blogger), I had to put it in on the Edit tab, and then NOT go to the Compose (WYSIWYG) tab before publishing, or else it didn’t work. Weird.
I’m in! I’ll be back with my list on the 22nd!
I’m in, already almost finished with my 2nd book!
Spend more time in front of your computer then behind a book and want to tack on an extra book or two this fall for the reading challenge?
Give dailyreader.net a try. It is a free service that breaks novels into short (5-10 minute) installments and emails them to you on your schedule.
Now, I certainly don’t advocate this as a replacement of a real book as nothing can really compare, but I certainly think it is a nice little helper for times that you think you are too busy to read.
I have posted the button on my blog and I am getting my list together to post next week. I am looking forward to the reading challenge. Thanks for hosting the challenges Katrina.
Of course I’m in!
I’m choosing my books as we ’speak’ and will be ready to post my link on Monday 
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY I have my list made and it’s all set to go up on Monday
Looking forward to the challenge! I am getting my list ready to go.
Katrina,
I’m definitely interested and will be back!
I have a question — I do media reviews and would love to get in contact with Bethany House about getting review copies for my site. Do you know who I would get a hold of?
sounds like fun
count me in.
How Cool!!! Oh my…. TOMORROW IS 09/22/08!! I must create a list……. I added the button to my blog
I’m in and my list is ready! Thanks so much for the impetus.
I’m in!
Got my post ready to go up tomorrow morning about this challenge.
my post is up
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/2008/09/fall-into-reading-2008.html
I just found your challenge and am so excited! thanks for the opportunity. can’t wait to linky soon!
http://thoughtsofaneccentric.blogspot.com/2008/09/fall-into-reading-challenge-2008.html
got mine up!
http://the160acrewoods.com/?p=1230
i would like to join, no blog, will post back hee when i am done Lindy
I’m looking forward to accomplishing by goals!
http://colleen213.blogspot.com/2008/09/fall-into-reading-2008.html
I’m from Singapore, new to all these reading clubs except bookcrossing
Singapore is summer all year round, so when is fall? Haha.
List made: check
Post posted: check
Halfway through my first book already: woo-hoo!
Sign me up! thelusciousliterarymuse.blogspot.com.
awalworth19(at)gmail(dot)com.
My list was Dracula and Les Miserables. Well, I already finished Dracula. Now to get my hands on a copy of Les Miserables. That will probably take most of the rest of the fall!
I’ve posted my second review: The Mark of Zorro.
It looks like I’m starting a month late, but still want to join in the fun. I wasn’t sure if there was a minimum of books though. I’ll post 5 for now and if there is a minimum just let me know and I’m sure I can come up with some more. Thanks ~ Nely
http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com
You are a terrific host of this event.
You are a terrific host of this event.
Thought I’d joined but if not consider me in. And is it ok to listen on CT, CD and/or audio books?
Thanks so much for hosting!
Jan (in Edmonds)
Jan - definitely! Any kind of reading works for me.
Thanks, Katrina. Really appreciate it! Now I can go hog wild!
I just stumbled across this challenge. Can I add to the list the books that I read within the dates?
Judy
Judy -
Yes, please feel free to list anything you’ve read this fall!
- Katrina
I never commented when I joined…I love to read and any challenge to read more is fine by me!
Thanks for hosting this!