If you are participating in the H/F Challenge, please read this and give us your vote. I started this challenge thing, but it's not "my" challenge, it belongs to all of us, so I want to make sure the rules work for all of us.

For the main challenge, we have the rule of no doubling. This means that you have to choose a different title for each goal on the challenge. You can't use one book for two goals. We are trying to decide if we should allow the books chosen for the mini-challenges to also be used toward a goal on the main challenge.

My first thought was to say no, to stick with the original rule of no doubling up. Plus, reading a book for the mini-challenge also makes you eligible to win a prize, so maybe the doubling wouldn't be fair for everyone.

Then again, I also know that we are having to read a lot of books and being able to double just the mini-challenge books may give more people the ability to participate. We're reading for the BOM, the mini-challenges, and the main challenge, plus we have some who are also participating in other challenges. That's a lot of reading! I don't like to think that some of us may not be able to join in on a challenge because they just don't have the time to read that much. Being able to double the mini-challenge books and use them for the main challenge might make it easier for some of us.

So what do you think? To double or not to double? Optional doubling?

Personally I don't think I will need to double since I tend to read a lot during the month anyway. 

How about something like allowing everyone a set # of times they can double like maybe 2 or 3 times out of the year they can count a book twice and the rest of the time they have to read the mini-challenge books in addition to the regular challenge (and BOM and all other challenges). 

I guess I already expressed my opinionated opinion :)  In my mind, it wouldn't be a "challenge" if it were a book you were already reading for this forum. 

Now, if it fit in with some other challenge, so be it.  I'm not that rigid!

I think everything is very accommodating here.  We don't have to do the entire HF Challenge - you could only do part.  BOM is not obligatory and I don't usually participate because I can't usually manage that.  Some people have more time to read than others; some read faster.  I can live with that :)  (I would like a sticker if I finish my big, big book though.)

I can see both sides.  However, I like Holly's idea of each person being allowed only a very limited number (maybe 2) opportunities to double up.  I'm participating in the full HF Challenge, most BOMs and as many mini challenges as I can. Not to mention I hae 8 zillion books on my shelf that I'm dying to read that don't fit any of the categories!  I also made a commitment this year to doing a bit of spiritual reading each day, so that eats up some of my limited reading time.  I realize I don't HAVE to participate in all of these things, but dang it!  I just can't pass anything good up, and I find it really fun to read books along with other people and share thoughts and ideas.  I also have a limited amount of time to read.  Between work, my family and other interests, some days I'm lucky if I get 10-15 min. of reading in a day.  I'm hoping once summer rolls around, I'll have a bit more time.  I tend to relax more in the summer, spending time sitting in the sun while the kids play outside, reading.  However, that's also when I have my large vegetable garden to tend to, so I don't always have the luxury of relaxing in a lawn chair with a book.  If there's hoeing or picking or  washing/chopping/freezing/perserving veggies to be done, it usually can't wait.  LOL! 

Bottom line, my vote is a limited number of chances to "double up" are allowed for each person.

Anyway, I will, however defer to the concensus of the group! 

I am one of those who asked this question. It didn't occur to me it might be unfair for someone to double up on books for a mini challenge when a prize is at stake. After thinking about it, I'd be totally OK with no doubling up at all. However, if there's a continued difference of opinion, I think allowing people a limited number of "doublings" (say 2) would be the best compromise.

Now for another burning question (Re: Headless ladies). Does a headless lady count as headless if she has a partial head on the cover. Examples: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778326012/ref=s9_sdps_c2_s5_p14_t2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1PQB1X8RMWSB45Y9E2RG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846    http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Moor-Lady-Julia-Novel/dp/0778326144/ref=pd_sim_b_3

Kidding! I'm just kidding. ;-)

From a personal stand point, I would never even consider doubling up.  I suppose if others do, that's their decision.  It seems to me that the purpose of accepting and participating in a challenge is to challenge ourselves to read more, and to read books of varying subject matter -- biographical, mystery, new authors, different geographical settings, etc.  "Doubling up" seems (to me anyway) to defeat part of the idea of a reading challenge.

Linda

I think we should stick with the original rule of no doubling. We arent required to participate in all of the challenges and if it is too much reading you dont have to join in. I think doubling would lesson the challenges. IMHO.

Not that I will have any time to complete any mini-challenges this spring, but I agree w Diana:

 In my mind, it wouldn't be a "challenge" if it were a book you were already reading for this forum. 

Yep. Put me down with the others who say "no doubling." Within the challenge & the mini-challenges, we should be reading different titles. Now like Diana said, if a challenge book fits in another game or discussion that someone is participating in, then no problem. For example, if a BOM also works for a challenge category or one of the mini-challenges, then I think that would be fine. Or titles from our challenge crossing over and fitting in with another challenge or goal hosted by someone else.

My reason is the same as the others ... this is all voluntary ... we get to make the choices on what we want to read, what challenges or games we wish to participate in, we have an entire year for the main HF challenge, etc., etc.

Let's keep it challenging. No doubling up.

Kelly

My preference would be for no doubling, but if we did allow it, I definately think it should be limited ( twice in the year sounds good).

I would also agree with the "no doubling" on the challenges as Kat said.  You aren't required to participate and the idea is to challenge yourself.. 

Felicia,

I was totally baffled by the "headless" lady challenge and until Valli (I think) gave some examples, I was trying to find totally headless ones.  The only book I had was the Cherie Priest books but they are more like bodyless too.  (Zombies!)

I don't remember what the cover of my Deanna Raybourn was like but they've definitely changed it.  Not for the better, I'll guess. 

I can use The Winthrop Woman almost anywhere since my copy is headless.  Some might argue that we are a pair some days.

I haven't had a chance to participate in a mini-challenge yet, though the March one is interesting to me, so I might have a chance to do that one.  I think I agree with what most people have said here, it's a challenge, so doubling up doesn't really make sense (unless it happens to count for a challenge outside of this forum or something).  The idea of limiting the doubling up (2 times only) or something like that, is a good compromise, but I think I'm more on the "no" side of things since the monthly mini-challenges aren't mandatory or anything like that, if you have time, great, if not that's OK too.

I agree with those that voted against counting a book twice for more than 1 challenge.  If the BOM fits for a challenge, then I think that's great.  But, like others have said, the whole idea of a "challenge" is to stretch yourself for a goal.  I'm sure I will have months that I'll be busy at work and won't be able to complete a mini-challenge, but that's fine - it's not mandatory to participate every month!  And like Kelly pointed out, it wouldn't be a challenge if it wasn't challenging...

Well, it looks like the consensus is "No Doubling". I thought the idea of two double's to be a good compromise and that might be something we will want to consider further in the year if it looks like some of us will have a hard time with finishing the main challenge.  

I just realized I needed to change my list because I was guilty of doubling! I had the book I chose for the mini-challenge listed on my main challenge.  :-O