The challenge is simple: You have one year to read 50 new books and watch 50 new movies.
Rules:
- 1) Read 50 books. Watch 50 movies.
- 2) Follow this format:
GK86 - 0/50 books | 0/50 movies
That is it. Two simple rules.
How to sign up:
All you have to do is make a post in this very thread. Your initial post will be where you update your list. So whenever you watch or read something new, update this post!
One more thing that needs to be repeated. When you are updating your post/list, please follow the format: GK86 - 0/50 books | 0/50 movies
The format will make everyone's life easier. At the end of the each month, you should be posting your monthly progress. I will also be updating the master list around this time.
FAQ's:
- What do you mean by 'new'? It doesn't matter what year the book/movie was released in, as long as you have NEVER seen or read it before, it counts.
- What is the prize for finishing the challenge? You will win some brownie points.
- What is stopping me from lying? Absolutely nothing, but, why would you?
- Ok, I'm in. Who keeps track of what I read/watch? You do! Update your initial post as you rack up the books and movies.
- What counts as a book? Anything over 100 pages.
- Do Audiobooks/Textbooks count? Yes.
- What if it is really long? If it is more than 500 pages, you may count it as two books. The trend stops with two books though.
- What about Comics/graphic novels? Use your best judgement. Rule of thumb, a "run" would be consider one book.
- What counts as a movie? 90+ minutes of pure enjoyment.
- Can I count my favorite tv show? Most will say no. One season = one movie. Use your best judgement.
Hints and Tips (from fellow Tragiccomedy):
- Prioritize reading early and often! Participants in last years thread watched twice as many movies as they read books, since the time commitment and mental effort tends to be significantly less on the film front. Theoretically, you could binge watch all 50 movies in a month or two and be done with that aspect of the challenge. If youre reading a regular 300+ page book, that is unlikely to hold true on the book front.
- Avoid dead time. My wife gets hooked on HGTV programs because when they finish an episode they cut straight to the next one without a commercial break. Thats their hook, and its quite effective. Treat reading the same way. Finish a book knowing what you want to read next and try to start it immediately. Even reading 10-15 pages might be all it takes to get you immersed in your next book.
- Read every night as you fall asleep, or find time to squeeze in a chapter or two during break times at work. If you can read ~30 minutes to an hour a day, you should be able to finish the challenge quite easily (and maybe even early).
- Lists can be super helpful! Goodreads, in particular, is a great way to track what youve read and whats in your queue to read next.
- Consider picking up a Kindle or e-reader of your choice. One very common trend youll hear among e-reader users is they actually read more and at a faster pace than they do with physical copies of books. That has certainly been my experience.
- Check out some classics. Some stuff may be dated, but there are a ton of gems out there ready to be discovered by a younger generation.
- Find your niche! Im a science fiction and fantasy guy. I can blast through a 1K page fantasy book faster than I could ever finish a 300 page love story. Feel free to expand your horizons but know whats in your current wheelhouse.
- Ask for suggestions in this thread and monitor what others are enjoying. A few of the very best books I read or movies I saw were direct recommendations in last years thread.
- Similarly, if youve discovered the best book/film ever, shout it from the rooftops! You might just sell us all on our next story.
Archives and Links:
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- Goodreads Nice way to keep track of what you're reading and creep on other participants.
- Letterboxd Keep track of what you're watching.
- Good lists of books by genre by Maklershed.
- Movie lists: IMDB and Rottentomatoes.
- 52 games. 1 Year. 2016.
Misc:
This challenge came from fiftyfifty.
Most of the OP has come from previous threads. So credit to the OP's before me.