Hey everyone, we're juuuuust over halfway through our second books@lemmy.world community book bingo challenge! If you haven't joined in yet, there's still plenty of time. You might've even already made progress by accident: anything you've read since May has the potential to count! The challenge only requires completing five squares in a line.

If you're already working on bingo, how's it going so far? Doing any fun themes? Having trouble?

The last day of bingo is April 30th; there'll be a turn-in post near the beginning of April. Even if you don't end up finishing the challenge, we'd love to hear from you!

On behalf of myself, Dresden, and JaymesRS, thanks for stopping in, and happy reading!

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[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I've been finding more time to read this year, so I already finished one card and am almost halfway through another. (This is less impressive than it sounds, as I think ~13 of those squares are works under 200 pages.) The first card is all hard mode (sans the Cozy Read square), and the one I'm working on now is (almost) all normal mode. (I didn't want to read Harry Potter or A Man Called Ove, so those two squares are going to default to hard mode.)

Normal-only is surprisingly challenging in places (LGBTQIA+ Lead without a significant romance? Steppin' Up with an MC that does become a ruler?).

[–] dresden@discuss.online 3 points 1 month ago

Wow, already on to your second card. I am impressed!

[–] OmegaMouse@pawb.social 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I've nearly done the top two lines - just need a book with a number in the title, and one from an independent author. But the book I'm currently reading and the one I'm planning to read next should cover those prompts!

Then I've got a scattering of completed prompts in the bottom half of the bingo card. Should hopefully be able to fill those out in the next few months.

It's encouraged me to read certain books and try out ones I hadn't considered before - thanks for setting this up!

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 2 points 1 month ago

Sounds like you're well on your way; grats in advance!

It's good to hear that you're enjoying it. Thanks for joining in!

[–] dresden@discuss.online 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I haven't gotten Bingo yet, but all rows other than 4th have 3 boxes marked. For columns, B, C and E have 3 entries each. Some of these are repeats though, so won't count for full coverage.

This is just me reading naturally though, and if I don't get any Bingo by year end, will start looking for recommendations for remaining boxes.

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Sounds like a good amount of progress, well done! Checking off squares by reading naturally is an excellent way to do it.

[–] dresden@discuss.online 2 points 1 month ago

Thanks! Well it's not as well as you, but not bad for an average Joe like me 😀

[–] FishFace@piefed.social 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I never read enough books to do challenges

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 2 points 1 month ago

They're definitely not for everyone, but that's ok! We're still glad to have you around.

[–] EyeBeam@literature.cafe 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

No bingo yet, but if I finish the book I'm about 30% through, I can claim the top row^*^. That one seems to be easy mode for my reading strategy (I read what I want, at the pace I want, and think and occasionally comment about if and where it fits.) A few other squares scattered about, and some unscored reads that if applied to free space or alt prompt gets close in other directions.

^*^Considering the content of his novels, I've deemed it within the spirit of the rules to call Frank Delaney an Irish author, even though he eventually moved to my continent.

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 3 points 1 month ago

Awesome, early congrats!

[–] dresden@discuss.online 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

I completely forgot about alt prompts! I have some unscored books, so maybe I can do some shuffling around to get the Bingo!

Edit: There are no alt prompts! I was thinking about something else. 🤦‍♂️

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

There aren't any specific alt prompts this year, but you can substitute one square from last year instead (more options!). Check the announcement post for specifics.

[–] dresden@discuss.online 2 points 1 month ago

Hehe, I knew I remembered something about alternate prompts, but couldn't find it when I skimmed. So this was it!

No need for substitution yet. Will think about that if I can't manage it by March or so.

[–] sh00g@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm happy to report that I've nearly filled out my card (I have two blank squares left). Admittedly I've interpreted some of the criteria pretty loosely, but doing the card has really helped inspire me to read! I've finished more books this year than I think I have read in the past five years combined, so I'm very grateful!

It helped that I became obsessed with the Red Rising series. :D

[–] misericordiae@literature.cafe 2 points 1 month ago

That's wonderful to hear! Nice work.

(We don't police what books you use for squares, so as long as you're happy with your selections, so are we. :) )