Why #brunchbookchallenge is awesome!

There's no denying it now. You know it, I know it. So many of us have started reading, thanks to the reading challenges, that surprisingly have a far longer life than the fragile resolutions we make at the beginning of the year.
Just when the publishing industry was at its performance peak, churning out one good book after another (also some really crappy ones), Hindustan Times did what every one was waiting for.
They brought in the #brunchbookchallenge last year.
Lo and behold, a revolution was in action.
Twitter became a book hangout, recommendations are now being exchanged faster than it is possible to keep track of, our to-be-read lists have grown humongous tails, and we have publicly and unabashedly been a fangirl for our favourite books. We have read them, reviewed them, recommended them, sent spoilers and whatnot.

Just a challenge to read 30 books in a  year (increased from 24 from the last year) and we saw a revolution:
Avid readers became disciplined readers.
Unorganised readers started keeping a track of how much and what they are reading.
Non-readers took a plunge.
The reading bug had bitten and the reading mania was, and continues to be infectious.

Without much ado, let's get straight to the point, and let me list out why #brunchbookchallenge is awesome. (As if it needs reasons!)

1. They have a massive reach

Sundays had become synonymous with the treat of HT Brunch. And twitter was never before made better use of. This is my definition of corporate social responsibility. Using your power to reach masses and getting them to read. CSR is for real!
This was like book club level: 21st Century

2. They give recommendations

The folks at Brunch don't shove books in your faces, but they do give recommendations drawing from what they have read recently and what your tastes sound like. This bunch of readers are awesome.


3. They conduct giveaways and contests

Yes- free books and bookish stuff. Who doesn't like to be the lucky owner of some swag?

4. They have brought bibliophiles together

They have used their media presence well- bringing scores of readers and non-readers turned readers together. Logging in to twitter/Instagram became a prospect of excitement about finding new bibliophiles and registering our progress with reading. And well, reading 30 books a year isn't that difficult.

5. They are our Sunday treat, duh!
Reading=Brunch= Reading list update

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Mark Zuckerberg, facebook and a year of books

2015 got even more special for books the moment Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg launched his own reading challenge, and made an fb page, A Year of Books
When he posted on his timeline, "My challenge for 2015 is to read a new book every other week -- with an emphasis on learning about different cultures, beliefs, histories and technologies.

Thank you to all 50,000 of you in our community who gave me suggestions for different challenges.

Many of you proposed reading challenges. Cynthia Greco suggested I read one book a month that another person chooses -- and got 1,900 likes on her suggestion. Rachel Brown, Bill Munns, Marlo Kanipe and others suggested I read the Bible. My friend and colleague Amin Zoufonoun suggested I read and learn everything I can about a new country each week.

I'm excited for my reading challenge. I've found reading books very intellectually fulfilling. Books allow you to fully explore a topic and immerse yourself in a deeper way than most media today. I'm looking forward to shifting more of my media diet towards reading books.

If you want to follow along on my challenge and read the same books I do, I've created a page, A Year of Books, where I'll post what I'm reading. Please only participate in the discussions if you've actually read the books and have relevant points to add. The group will be moderated to keep it focused.

Our first book of the year will be The End of Power by Moisés Naím. It's a book that explores how the world is shifting to give individual people more power that was traditionally only held by large governments, militaries and other organizations. The trend towards giving people more power is one I believe in deeply, and I'm looking forward to reading this book and exploring this in more detail.

I appreciated all of your other suggestions for possible challenges as well. Many of you suggested I give money to help people in need -- and Priscilla and I fully intend to keep doing that through our philanthropic work. We'll have more to discuss there soon. Some of you suggested that I meet a new person every day. That was actually my challenge in 2013. Others suggested I teach a class. I've done that too, and I'd love to do it again and get more involved in education in the coming year.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions, and I'm looking forward to a year of books!" I almost got delirious with joy. What more could a bibliophile ask for, than a modern-day self-made celebrity with a huge following spreading the love of books?

Post by A Year of Books.

My thoughts on this:

#1. Wow, If Mark Zuckerberg does it, millions on facebook would follow. Now that is called leveraging your "social" networks for a good cause: getting people to read more, learn more, suggest more!

#2 Another book recommendation list. Let me add a few more pages to my to-be-read list.

#3 His first Book club choice:  The End of Power by Moisés Naím is selling well, which is an indication of how good an influence a public personality can be, on people. He will surely ge them to read.

#4 He finds books intellectually fulfilling! *all smiles*

For me, this is all good news, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Which reading challenge will you take?

Another year is here. And while it spells an abundance of resolutions (some of which are never meant to be kept beyond 2 days), a reading challenge is different. You challenge yourself, to read more/ hard/diverse books. You may take one up to discipline your reading, or to increase the speed, add diverse genres to your credit, or to read the book before its movie adaptation comes out.
Reading challenges are always fun, because, oh, well we don't need to elaborate on the pleasures of reading.
Here's a list of my favourite reading challenges.
DISCLAIMER: I am certainly not gonna take all the challenges, but cherry-pick the ones I want to do, from the core of my heart. Because although I like to take up every challenge thrown my way, I have learnt to let go.
Tell me in comments what challenges you would like to take. Maybe you, with all your reading superpowers, decide to take them up all, in which case, I would love to meet you personally. :)

1. The Goodreads Reading Challenge

For most of us, Goodreads is the facebook of books, and by that follows our theory of the Goodreads reading challenge being the God of all challenges.It functions pretty simply: you add the number of books you wish to read in a year, and everytime you read a book and add it to your "read" shelf, it automatically tracks your progress. No complex promises to read a particular genres, author etc.

Best part: You challenge yourself. And you can update the number if you feel you can push a little more, or cannot read much.

2. The Book Riot 2015 Read Harder Challenge

Averaging at two books per month, they have categories like

A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25, A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65, A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people), A book published by an indie press, A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ, A book by a person whose gender is different from your own and many more.

Best part: They even have a goodreads group for it!

Check them out here

3. Epic Reads 365 YA challenge

True to their name, they have come out with this EPIC list of 365 YA titles to read: book recommendations for every season, month, week and day of 2015

I have not much to say, I am still reading the infographic below (They also have a very cool gif). More info on their site.

Best Part: We never get tired of YA, do we? So this is our goldmine!

4. Bethany house 2015 Reading Challenge

They have curated a great Bingo-challenge. Hop on!

Best Part: It is so much fun!

5. b00k r3vi3ws Indie Reading challenge:

This is a niche reading challenge, so to say. And the most noble one, so to say.

Rules are simple:  Read and Review as many Indie (Self Published) Books as possible during this year, post a review anywhere, share the link:you know the drill.

Best part:  The books can overlap with other reading challenges.  

I have signed up at the Lover level (26-50 new authors)

http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/12/FR15.html

6. PopSugar's Ultimate Reading Challenge

This Ultimate reading challenge is THE ultimate challenge. It has already sent the social media on an uproar. We couldn't have asked for more. Get on it only if you dare.

Best Part: It has already created a furore over social media, maybe if you complete it, fame will knock on your door?

7. Kindred’s 2015 Reading Challenge

Kindred Digital Books has created a challenge. If the previous challenge intimidated you, this one will probably restore your faith in your reading prowess!

Best part: Diversity!

8. 2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!

Their challenge is perfectly described in their own words:

"We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up.

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance. This is your chance!"

Best part: You get to unburden your TBR, what more can a biblophile ask for?

9. 2015 Nonfiction Reading Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader

You sign up, and then post the reviews here. I think it is a very simple challenge, with levels, of course, but it will bring the much-needed attention to the genre of Non-fiction titles.

Best Part: Crossovers with other challenges are acceptable, and feel free to read your books in any format you like.

10.   2015 Feminism Reading Challenge 

Read about feminism. Period.

Best part: Sign up anytime. Read any number, no tags. Read any format! Too flexible!

11. 2015 WOMEN CHALLENGE @ Peek a Book

As the name suggests, you read books by women authors. 

Best Part: You Probably don't even know, but you read a LOT of women authors. No kidding, Everybody does. So this one will be easy-peasy.

12.  A no-book buying challenge

This reading challenge comes in the form of a remedy to the disease of us book hoarders. This is a real challenge. You won't buy anymore until you are done with the ones lying unread on your shelf. I have thought about doing this more times than I can count. But i would probably suck at this challenge if I take one!

Best part: A great way to do what is right: save money and caress the hitherto neglected books!

13. 2015 Debut Author Challenge

The challenge is to read 12 or more (or less! It’s up to you!) middle grade, young adult, and new adult debuts this year.

14. 2015 AudioBooks challenge

If you are into audiobooks, this is the place to be!

Best part: Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed. And you can join in anytime.

15. Back to the Classics Challenge 2015

Classic Novella, classic by a woman author and whatnot. Go explore.

Best Part: one lucky winner will receive a $30 gift from Amazon.com or The Book Depository!

16. Banned Books Challenge 2015

For those of you who are as infuriated by the concept of banned books as me, this is the place for revenge. Hop on and get to read banned books, and get another challenge completed to your credit.

Best part: Hey, reading banned books, duh!

17. BrunchBookChallenge

This one is for you all Indians. Tweet your reading progress. with the hashtag #brunchbookchallenge. Aim is to read 24 atleast. Anything and everything. 

I did it last year and won too!

They are awesome, they send you bookish stuff of your fantasies. Go dive right in.

@PoonamSaxena_ So, I say it: Can't thank you enough. @HTBrunch has brought in the next revolution: reading revolution!
— Kritika Narula (@Kritika_n_books) December 28, 2014

There are so many more! Tell me if you are hosting one too!

And I am still deciding which ones to hop on to.

Here's hoping.