What’s In A Name – 2014 Sign-Up Post
Posted 20th November 2013
Category: What's In A Name Genres: N/A
70 Comments
Bloggers who have signed up have written posts in the following languages: Portuguese (Landslide), Italian (Cinzia)
This is the sign-up post for the seventh annual What’s In A Name challenge, originally started by Annie, handed to Beth Fish Reads, and now continued here at The Worm Hole. I published a post earlier in the month in which I explained how I came to be the newest host, however to summarise:
Beth needed someone to hand it to and I had never taken part before but I knew I had the time she was saying it would take, and if there’s one thing that saddens me about blogging, it’s the demise of long-time ‘traditions’ and blogs. So here we are. I love the concept, the creativity, and I’m looking forward to meeting you all.
The basics
The challenge runs from January to December. During this time you choose a book to read from each of the following categories (examples of books you could choose are in brackets):
- A reference to time (Eleven Minutes, Before Ever After)
- A position of royalty (The People’s Queen, The Last Empress, The Curse Of The Pharaoh)
- A number written in letters (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, A Tale Of Two Cities)
- A forename or names (Rebecca, Eleanor & Park, The Unfinished Work Of Elizabeth D.)
- A type or element of weather (Gone With The Wind, Red Earth Pouring Rain)
Remember the titles I’ve given here are only examples, you can by all means use them if you want to – some are classics after all – but it’s not necessary. There are plenty of other books that will fit the categories and you may have some in mind already or even some on your shelves you can read. I’ve been getting a lot of questions about whether there will be a sixth category – not this year. I realised too late after publishing the post that I hadn’t included a sixth, so as not to confuse everyone we’ll be sticking with five this time around.
Extra information
- Books can be any format (print, audio, ebook).
- It’s preferred that the books don’t overlap with other challenges, but not a requirement at all.
- Books cannot overlap categories (for instance my first example, Eleven Minutes, could be used for category 1 or 3 but not both).
- Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed, it’s encouraged!
- You don’t have to make your list of books beforehand, you can choose them as you go.
- You don’t have to read your chosen books in any particular order.
Everything else
On January 1 I’ll publish 7 posts, one for each category and one for your wrap-up post. These posts will be published as WordPress pages and linked to from one main post on the blog. You will be able to post your links to your reviews or leave comments, depending on whether you’re a blogging reader or a non-blogger reader. You’ll be able to find this main post through a link I’ll be adding to the navigation section of my sidebar. Alternatively, for ease, you might want to subscribe to this blog via Feedly or email so that the gateway post will be immediately available to you without you having to search the site. The non-Feedly feed link and also a Bloglovin’ link are on the sidebar.
If you have trouble finding a book for a category, have a look at the corresponding page for it here – readers who’ve already completed the category will have linked to their reviews and added titles that you can look through.
To join the challenge, sign up using the Mr Linky if you’re a blogger, and if you’re not a blogger simply leave a comment below. If at any time you have difficulties adding your link, email me at the address on my contact page with your information, and I’ll add it myself.
How to use Mr Linky: put your name and/or your blog’s name in the top box and the URL (web address) of your blog in the second box. If you have a Tumblr or use a Facebook page instead of a blog, use the web address to that instead.
How you link is up to you, but it’s suggested that you include both your name and blog name in the first box.
If you have any suggestions for this year’s challenge, let me know in the comments.
And remember that you don’t have to sign up today – as the challenge runs until the end of 2014, you can sign up at any time during the year.
Hope you enjoy the challenge and best of luck! The hashtag for Twitter is #whatsinaname – it’s used randomly for other reasons, but still it makes the most sense for this challenge. Sorry about the lack of line-spacing on the links, I don’t know how to change it.
Sign up here!
November 20, 2013, 12:26 pm
I don’t do too well with challenges, and I’ve never tried this one, but I’m glad you’re carrying on the tradition!
November 20, 2013, 2:39 pm
I have a pretty bad record with challenges but that doesn’t stop me from joining new ones! I have never tried this one but it seems easy and fun.
November 21, 2013, 12:06 pm
Thank you, thank you for carrying on this tradition with some great categories! I’ll be signing up in a couple of weeks!!
Christine @Buckling Bookshelves
November 21, 2013, 5:56 pm
I usually don’t do challenges with a mix of very specific categories, but will take a look over my want-to-read list and see if I have anything that fits. Good luck hosting this year — it’s nice to see a long-standing blog challenge not die out!
November 21, 2013, 7:33 pm
I’ve signed up and already have some books in mind that I could read. I took part in this challenge a few years ago and only completed four of the categories, so I’m hoping to do better this time!
November 21, 2013, 9:29 pm
Sadly I don’t think I’ll have time to take part this time round but I look forward to seeing what people read. And good luck Charlie as the new host!
November 25, 2013, 10:41 pm
I’ve never done this challenge before, but it sounds like fun. Thanks for hosting it this time around.
November 26, 2013, 5:44 pm
I’ve always loved this challenge. Glad you’ve taken it over so it doesn’t just die off! I’m definitely thinking of joining in again.
Just one question: You say the books chosen “cannot overlap with other challenges” – is that right? Thought I should check before I decide what I might read.
Margaret @ BooksPlease
November 30, 2013, 7:01 am
I’ve done this challenge since the first one and I’m glad you’ve taken it over. I have the same question as Joy – is it really right that the books chosen “cannot overlap with other challenges”? If so, that counts me out as I’ve always tried to read books for this challenge from my to-be-read books which I also count in other challenges such as Bev’s Mount To Be Read challenges.
Also are you planning to have a sixth category? I see that you going to publish 7 posts, one for each category and one for your wrap-up post, so I assume you are?
FancyNancy
December 5, 2013, 12:52 am
I am excited about this challenge! I will post again when I decide on the books. Thanks for doing this!
December 8, 2013, 2:55 am
I’m so glad you took over this challenge. I’ve enjoyed it in the past and would have missed it.
December 8, 2013, 5:03 pm
I’ve always enjoyed this and am glad that you’ll be keeping it alive. The different categories are always fun and it’s interesting to see what they will be each year. I’m also glad that (from the comments above) it looks like you’ve adjusted from “no cross-overs” to “no cross-overs preferred, but not a requirement.” With the number of challenges I enjoy and support there is no way I could possibly participate unless I cross-count some if not all between challenges. I’ll be adding my link-up post soon.
December 8, 2013, 5:12 pm
Just to echo Margaret’s question–will there only be five categories this year instead of six? Thanks!
December 9, 2013, 2:33 am
Welcome to becoming a hostess! When I get a post ready, I’ll happily return to this circle. Like you, 2014 has me as a first-time hostess but my 3 are brand new themes I launched last week!
I thought everyone here would like a look. I smiled to see two of your categories are similar to my word game. An easy start for anyone overlapping! :) May 2014 be fun for everyone! Carolyn.
December 9, 2013, 1:47 pm
Glad to see the challenge continue! Thanks! I can’t wait to see what we all read!
December 10, 2013, 3:06 am
This will be my 3rd year doing this challenge. I try to finish as soon as I’m able.
A
December 10, 2013, 11:13 pm
Will there be a sixth category?
December 12, 2013, 2:29 am
Hi, I want to try this challenge. This will be my first time at this one. Sounds like a fun one. I already have some titles in mind.
December 13, 2013, 5:06 am
This challenge sounds like fun. Wicked Autumn should fulfill the time category. Not sure what to read for the others yet but am looking forward to finding something.
Katy McCoy
December 15, 2013, 5:00 pm
I finished this for 2013, so I’m looking forward to this year. The proper name might be a “challenge” for me since I read primarily mysteries but that’s just part of the fun.
December 15, 2013, 11:03 pm
I realize that one lists a royal position would “Royal Blood: be an acceptable title?
December 15, 2013, 11:33 pm
thanks for taking over, this wonderful challenge needs to keep going
December 15, 2013, 11:34 pm
Thanks so much for hosting this challenge. It has been one of my favorites.
December 16, 2013, 6:07 am
Hi Charlie! Thanks for hosting this challenge – I’ve waited for the sign-up post for a while now and thought it’s not gonna be there in 2014 :) Looking forward to a lot of excitement!
Amanda @ The Book Babe
December 16, 2013, 8:13 pm
I signed up for the challenge last year and sort of forgot about it. Going to give it a go again this year!
December 19, 2013, 12:52 am
I haven’t done a challenge in years (and haven’t missed it at all) — but this one was always my favorite!
Well done in carrying on a great blogging tradition.
December 19, 2013, 9:11 pm
I’m really looking forward to making 2014 the year I complete the What’s In a Name challenge. Thanks for taking it over!
December 20, 2013, 4:36 am
I have enjoyed this challenge for 2 years, but was planning to ‘pass’ when I read yesterday’s rules (no crossovers). I returned today in order to ask if you might reconsider — and found many others already did! Glad to read it, since I join many challenges (50 in 2013) and could not possibly enjoy them all if crossovers were not permitted. Thanks!
December 20, 2013, 11:15 am
I’m going to participate, Charlie!
I still have to prepare my post with the challenges for 2014 :)
December 23, 2013, 10:49 pm
I did this challenge in 2012 and enjoyed it. I was so busy in 2013 I never got around to signing up for ANY challenges. I’m looking forward to another year where I can hopefully find time to read. :-)
December 24, 2013, 10:51 am
I want to join this challenge, even though I write my reviews only in Italian… Sorry :-(
December 25, 2013, 3:42 pm
This looks like a challenge I can fulfill. I’ve signed up and posted my book selections. Thanks for hosting, it looks like there are many who enjoy this challenge.
December 27, 2013, 6:23 pm
Thank you for picking this challenge up! It has always been my favorite even though I have failed to complete it the past 2 years. Here’s to 2014!
xoxo
Jasper
December 27, 2013, 6:34 pm
Joining my mom, HeatherAnne, on this challenge.
December 30, 2013, 2:29 pm
Hi Charlie, Having participated in the challenge for the last few years I’m delighted to be doing so again this year. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll do a great job as our new hostess.
December 30, 2013, 9:10 pm
I’ve been participating in this challenge every year I’ve been blogging. Hard to believe this’ll be my 5th time! Glad the challenge will live on. :)
December 31, 2013, 6:44 am
This is the first time I am participating, and I am really looking forward to it. Thank you for hosting!
January 1, 2014, 2:10 am
So glad you’re able to take this challenge over! It’s one I look forward to every year even though I can’t always complete it. ;) This year feels possible!
January 1, 2014, 4:27 pm
Thanks for hosting. I love this challenge and look forward to this year.
Amanda D
January 2, 2014, 1:06 am
I would love to take part in this challenge. I don’t have a blog. I’m just an avid reader and blog follower.
Kate @ booksaremyfavouriteandbest
January 2, 2014, 3:57 am
Thanks for hosting! This is by far my favourite challenge – love scouring my TBR stack for books that fit.
January 2, 2014, 6:55 pm
This is my first time with this challenge. I’m looking forward to it!
January 3, 2014, 9:47 am
I’ll try this one again — I love the way it can push me to try books I wouldn’t pick up otherwise.
I’m going to pick my own sixth category for my OCD needs. If you had made everyone do this, you’d have a big pool to grab from next year. :-)
January 3, 2014, 2:17 pm
Hi Rachelle, I can’t remember if I answered this for you or not (as I sent some people emails) – ‘Royal blood’ isn’t technically acceptable however if you’ve royal blood you’re in a position of royalty so it’s not incorrect, just a very different take on it. Creativity is welcome so if you want to go for it, do :)
January 3, 2014, 5:59 pm
Thanks for keeping this challenge going. Although I’ve cut back on reading challenges the past few years, I won’t quit on this one. Too much fun.
January 5, 2014, 11:12 pm
Thanks for taking this one! I didn’t complete it last year, but I did enjoy trying to — looking forward to succeeding this year!
January 6, 2014, 8:01 pm
Thank you so much for this idea. I am looking forward to reading some interesting books this year and will love to hear what everyone else is reading.
I have started my challenge here
Marianne from Let’s Read
January 7, 2014, 1:15 pm
Having already signed up for the challenge its only today that I’ve really thought (and posted) about what books I might actually read and now that I have I’m even more excited.
http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/announcing-whats-in-name-2014.html
hannah
January 10, 2014, 5:25 am
Yay! I was hoping someone would take over this challenge. I was sad to see Beth Fish wasn’t going to continue. This’ll be my 3rd year participating. Fun!
January 13, 2014, 3:12 pm
I did the 2013 challenge, but fell short on two. I’m still working through the last two book and will get on the 2014 Challenge. Thanks for carrying on the challenge.
January 13, 2014, 8:30 pm
Yike
I have blogged about this twice yet haven’t signed up ~ blame it on the gray hair
January 14, 2014, 6:06 pm
I really shouldn’t be joining any more challenges for this year, but here I am. Thank you for hosting this!
January 20, 2014, 10:33 pm
Thanks for taking over the hosting of this challenge! I’ve always loved doing it!
January 21, 2014, 2:07 am
Thanks so much for hosting! This is one of my favorite challenges. :)
February 28, 2014, 12:26 am
Ok, I’ve finished this one. Here is my wrap-up post.
http://jannghi.blogspot.com/2013/12/another-reading-challenge-yes-im.html
Jamie
April 26, 2014, 4:18 pm
Wasn’t planning to do any reading challenges this year, but changed my mind and decided to join What’s In a Name.
Happy Reading :)
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Suziqoregon
November 20, 2013, 2:44 am
I have to finish one last book for this year’s challenge. Once that’s done I’ll do my official sign up post. In the meantime I will obsessively scour my bookshelves and TBR spreadsheet for books that will work for the 2014 challenge.
It makes me so happy that this challenge lives on.