OFFICIAL: The 999 Reading Challenge! Sign Up & Post Your Lists

[DoctorTeeth]

What's up, 11 O'Clockers? I have a reading challenge I'd like to run by you all.

A couple of years ago I did something called the 999 Reading Challenge. You pick nine books in each of nine different categories and try to complete them all in nine months. I figured that since we're all such voracious readers and some of us (cough, me, cough) have a fairly substantial Regina pile, maybe I could apply that to comic books. And, fortunately enough, there are nine months left in 2012 if we start on April 1 and go to December 31. So I would like to suggest that the forum community take part in what I'm calling the 999 Regina Challenge!

Here's what I'm suggesting:

1. Everyone who signs up for the challenge selects nine books in nine categories. (By "books" I mean either collections, OGNs, or runs of individual issues.) And yes, that means 81 items, which seems like a lot at first blush. But I bet any one of you could get through 3 comic collections in an afternoon on one of your days off, and that means you could get through 12 items a month. And also: if it seems hard, that's why it's a challenge!
2. The only limitations on categories are that one category should be non-comic books (just for flavour) and one category is a suggestion from a randomly selected person from the forums! That way you can get to know your forumites a little better, and maybe stretch your reading muscles a little out of your comfort zone.
3. For the other seven categories, you are completely free to pick from whatever category you want: books featuring a particular character, team artist, writer, inker, letterer; books from a specific company or imprint; books that are a specific genre (horror, crime, superhero, adventure, romance, horror erotica featuring tentacle-faced puppets); books that are a particular series; or whatever other criteria you can think of.
4. Any time after April 1, start your challenge, and post your thoughts on what you read in this thread. Roundtable discussion, thoughtful introspection, and/or drunken name-calling will surely follow

That's what I came up with on my drive in to work today. Anyone game?

[JasonP]

Teeth ideas like this is why your one the best on the forum.  I would say as an idea that batted around on the last podcast, how about a comic blindspot category.   A classic that you have missed, have had sitting on your shelf and just never read before.  As we found out our illustrious hosts have missed something and I am sure we all have as well.  Just a thought, great idea and I look forward to participating.

[Robert]

This. Is. Awesome.

Love the "blind spot" idea, Jason!

[whirlwindx]

I was waiting for the next reading challenge since it's been over a year since that last category/points like one in October 2010. Sounds cool.

[petedrags]

Failed miserably last time I tried a reading challenge, but I'm in for trying again.  Just so I make sure I understand the rules - 81 items total?  That's alot, but I'll try.  Are we posting our reading lists here, or just keeping them offline and reporting back on our thoughts?

[Farrell]

I was waiting for the next reading challenge since it's been over a year since that last category/points like one in October 2010. Sounds cool.

Thanks for remembering.   

Doctor, cool idea.  I would like to participate.  My categories: books with hot chicks, books with chickens, books without chicks, books with really hot chicks, books about sexism, books by sexists about extremely hot chicks, books banned in Scotland.

I really would like to participate.

[Farrell]

Failed miserably last time I tried a reading challenge, but I'm in for trying again.  Just so I make sure I understand the rules - 81 items total?  That's alot, but I'll try.  Are we posting our reading lists here, or just keeping them offline and reporting back on our thoughts?

9 items.  One book each in 9 different categories.

I think.  If I'm wrong and you're right, I humbly withdraw my pledge to join in, cause I will never, even make it.

[Robert]

Thanks for remembering.   

Doctor, cool idea.  I would like to participate.  My categories: books with hot chicks, books with chickens, books without chicks, books with really hot chicks, books about sexism, books by sexists about extremely hot chicks, books banned in Scotland.

I really would like to participate.

You're reading Glamourpuss, too, eh? 

[DoctorTeeth]

9 items.  One book each in 9 different categories.

I think.  If I'm wrong and you're right, I humbly withdraw my pledge to join in, cause I will never, even make it.

Actually...it is 81 items. Which is not that difficult to do, if you think about it. I mean, if I can make it through 4 or 5 trades or runs of issues in one night's recording of Scotch and Comics, then 81 is a decent challenge: a little bit of effort required but not impossible. Please don't withdraw, I have faith in you!

(Also: I will edit the original post to clarify. And then my lunch break will be over and I will go back to work.)

[S. Earl]

Where is the sign up sheet? I need all the incentive to get through that regine pile that I can.

[Farrell]

Actually...it is 81 items. Which is not that difficult to do, if you think about it. I mean, if I can make it through 4 or 5 trades or runs of issues in one night's recording of Scotch and Comics, then 81 is a decent challenge: a little bit of effort required but not impossible. Please don't withdraw, I have faith in you!

(Also: I will edit the original post to clarify. And then my lunch break will be over and I will go back to work.)

Oh.  I...will try.

[RobCVela]

Most of my stuff is in storage but I'm game. 

[Lesson_25]

Yes. Yes. Yes. I am so in it's not even funny. I'm a slow reader (I like to soak it all in...sip the words and art slowly so it stays with me), so this challenge sounds like a blast. The fact that I'll get to place everything I read into categories is making me dance already. 'Labels disable', but this is a great idea.

Query: Should re-reads be prohibited? Would allowing re-reads make for faster reading, thus making the challenge easier?

[Jeppe]

I don't know if I'll be able to succeed, but I'll definitely give it a try

[GrimlocksPS]

I'd have to buy more stuff. I tear through my comics as soon as they are delivered.

[evaD]

I'm in. No way I'll make it, but I'm in.

[DoctorTeeth]

Teeth ideas like this is why your one the best on the forum.  I would say as an idea that batted around on the last podcast, how about a comic blindspot category.   A classic that you have missed, have had sitting on your shelf and just never read before.  As we found out our illustrious hosts have missed something and I am sure we all have as well.  Just a thought, great idea and I look forward to participating.

A comic blindspot category would be an excellent idea! I may just pick that for one of my categories.

[DoctorTeeth]

Failed miserably last time I tried a reading challenge, but I'm in for trying again.  Just so I make sure I understand the rules - 81 items total?  That's alot, but I'll try.  Are we posting our reading lists here, or just keeping them offline and reporting back on our thoughts?

I think it would be good to post the reading lists on this thread; that way we can all marvel and/or give advice! And yes, you were right: 81 items. It's rough, but not as rough as you think.

[DoctorTeeth]

Yes. Yes. Yes. I am so in it's not even funny. I'm a slow reader (I like to soak it all in...sip the words and art slowly so it stays with me), so this challenge sounds like a blast. The fact that I'll get to place everything I read into categories is making me dance already. 'Labels disable', but this is a great idea.

Query: Should re-reads be prohibited? Would allowing re-reads make for faster reading, thus making the challenge easier?

Personally, I think that you could do a couple of re-reads if it helps you to flush out a category, but I'd be against an entire category called "Re-Reads" or "Old Favourites." But that's just one man's opinion; what does everyone else think?

[Jordan]

I'm in.  Are we picking from the same 9 categories or do I get to pick my own categories?