2010, for me is going to be a year of fresh challenges both personally and in business. So to kick things off I am going to embark on my book a fortnight a challenge. It seems a simple enough challenge in that I will aim to read a book every fortnight. Yeah, it seems dead simple, I got loads of time on my hands!!
Why oh Why?
Put simply I would rather read a book than say watch the mindless slurry pumped into my living room every evening or prance around like a dancing elephant in front of the Wii, but It seems that my valuable time is occupied by just those activities. I enjoy reading, so now is the time to focus and get some proper reading done.
Hopefully It will help me expand my knowledge and hopefully improve my not only my reading skills but my writing skills too.
I have decided to make the challenge public just to give me some accountability and hopefully garner some support.
Little Competition
At the end of each fortnight I will write a brief review of the book and also will be giving away a copy of the book that I have just read, yes a brand new copy, not my dog eared copy!! There will also be a 6 month grand prize and a 12 month super grand prize. To encourage some interactivity I have changed the format of this challenge in a small way thanks to @redeye
Instead of me picking the books, I am going to let you pick the books (I would prefer not to read the complete works of shakespeare!!) All you need to do is leave a comment with the name of the book and author. A week prior to the next challenge strating I will add the books to the book poll page, You can then vote for the book that I will read. To get started I have added some titles to cover the next challenge period which begins on Monday 18th January so get voting and add your suggestions for future titles either by leaving a comment below or a comment on the polls page
The competition will change slightly to. Whoever suggests the title that is selected for that challenge period will win one of the following:
- Book of your choice to the value of £25 (Approx $40)
- Amazon Gift Card to the value of £25
- Itunes gift card to the value of £25
Update – 6 Month prize will be an Amazon Kindle
To enter all you need to do is leave a comment on this post below (please leave your name and a contact email)
or
Tweet about this challenge with a link to this post. Something like “I am supporting @sbunker on the book a fortnight challenge http://wp.me/pJHD3-9W”
or
Write a blog post about my challenge and link back to this post.
One other thing, you may think that I could just blag my way through this and pretend that I have read the books. Well yes I could, but that would kind of defeate the object of the exercise and would only end up cheating myself. So my promise is to be open and completely honest about my book completion rate. Oh and my wife is involved in this challenge so she will make damn sure that I remain honest!!
Let The Challenge Commence
So the first book I am going to read as its been sat on my desk starring at me for the past 3 months is “The Whuffie Factor – Using the power of social networks to build your business” authored by Tara Hunt. I will start reading tonight and will aim to finish by Monday 18th January.
Thanks for your support
Great challenge, especially against the Wii Factor! Hope it works out and looking forwards to the next book review.
Thanks Chris.
I have a few challenges lined up so hopefully it will be a busy and fruitful year.
Thanks for the comment and support.
Simon
Great challenge… Great idea. I’ve found that the kindle has made me read more, you can just buy a book from bibliographies, so you buy before you’ve finished the current one.
Why not give the prize to the person that reccommends the book that you read next?
Thanks Mark for the comment. Funnily enough I was thinking of using that concept going forward.
Thanks for that…
Simon
No worries. You’ve inspired me to get our collective blogs rolling.
The last few books that I’ve read:
Engaging Leadership – One of our clients and really great thinker and astute people person.
The End of Days: Armageddon and Prophecies of the Return
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prometheus-Rising-Robert-Anton-Wilson/dp/1561840564/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263144001&sr=8-1
Currently reading:
Free: The Future of a Radical Price: The Economics of Abundance and Why Zero Pricing Is Changing the Face of Business
Thanks Mark – Great list
I’m not sure if this is the right place to leave a suggestion, but I recommend Buyology written by Martin Lindstrom. It’s a great book about what actually makes people by something. Available in paperback, so it’s not that expensive.
Thanks for the suggestion, I will add that to the list
Hi Simon,
Great challenge! I suggest this book because a) It’s absolutely life-changing (EVERYONE should read it!) and b) I’d love love love a Kindle!
My suggestion” Pscho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
(don’t be put off by the heavy-sounding title – it’s quite an easy read.)
Hope you read it and enjoy it as much as did.
Danielle Raine
Hey Danielle,
Thanks for the support and the suggestion. I will add that to my list. Hopefully you may be lucky enough to win the kindle!! I so want one as well.
Thanks again
Simon
PS – Danielle – forget to mention that your site and blog is pretty cool!!
Your Message read Chris howards new book, I will bring you a copy when I see you this week, think it hit the top sellers list on amazon before xmas
Thanks Tara – will look forward to reading that.