2022 CAT Planning Thread

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2022 CAT Planning Thread

1pamelad
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 12:40 am

Here's hoping that 2022 is a better year for all of us.

It's time to get started on next year's CATs. Please post your suggestions by the end of Sunday, October 31st. To clarify, Sunday 31st, by 10 pm in San Francisco, which will be 4pm Monday in Melbourne.

AdventureCAT
AfricanCAT Combined
AsianCAT Combined
African&AsianCAT
AuthorCAT
CATWoman
CityCAT
ClassicsCAT
ColourCAT
CulinaryCAT
NewsCAT
PrizeCAT
RandomCAT Now RandomKIT
SeriesCAT
ShakespeareCAT
TBRCAT
TravelCAT
WildCAT
YoungCAT

KITs
AlphaKIT Main Thread
HoliKIT
MysteryKIT Planning Thread
RandomKIT
ScaredyKIT Planning thread
SFFKIT

Here is the link to the 2022 CAT poll. Please choose your favourite CATs, maximum 4.

https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=617f6ec1e4b04db784c19635

Voting closes 4pm, Saturday, November 6th, Melbourne, Australia. That's 10 pm Friday in San Francisco.

2pamelad
Out 16, 2021, 4:04 pm

One from last year: AdventureCAT

3majkia
Out 16, 2021, 4:39 pm

How about a ClassicsCAT

4Tanya-dogearedcopy
Editado: Out 16, 2021, 5:21 pm

I hesitated to put these ideas forth as I'm not sure I could handle hosting (time-wise) should any of these proposals get picked, but that's definitely putting the cart before the horse! Let's see if there's any interest first!

AfricanCAT/kit - Fiction/Non-Fiction set in Africa, by African authors and/or, about Africa/Africans;
Could be set up by dividing Africa into twelve regions or having monthly hosts choose an African Nation...

AsianCAT/kit - Fiction/Non-Fiction set in Asia, by Asian authors and/or, about Asia/Asians
Could be set up by dividing Asia into twelve regions or having monthly hosts choose an Asian Nation...

Shakespeare's TragiCAT/kit - There are twelve Tragedies attributed to Shakespeare
Could be ordered by publication, rough historical timeline or, a monthly host's choice...

5pamelad
Out 16, 2021, 5:38 pm

>4 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I've made them all CATs for now. Could Shakespeare's tragedies be a group read?

6sallylou61
Out 16, 2021, 5:59 pm

We have not done CATWoman since 2017, and it seemed pretty popular according to the wiki. I would enjoy doing it again.

>5 pamelad:. I think in the past, we have discussed the possible topics, sometimes combining two or changing the descriptions. Then we vote on them. Some of the non-winners become KITs. The last couple of years, continuing favorites such as ALPHAKit have been listed as KITs from the beginning; they are not voted on and taking the chance of outvoting new topics.

7Tanya-dogearedcopy
Editado: Out 16, 2021, 10:23 pm

>5 pamelad: I've not been great with Group Reads either as a Leader (i.e. 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth in 2019) or a Follower ('Jerusalem' by Alan Moore in the 2 years it has been going); but if there is interest in it, I'm sure I could put something together.

8DeltaQueen50
Out 16, 2021, 6:23 pm

Thanks for taking this on, Pamela. I have a couple of previous Cats that I would love to see again:

ColorCat
TBRCat

and I have one to propose:

AuthorCat with themes such as Debut Authors, Authors in Translation, Female/Male Authors, Prize Winning Authors, Dead Authors, Best Selling Authors, Favorite Authors, Genre Authors, etc.

9pamelad
Editado: Out 16, 2021, 6:43 pm

>6 sallylou61: Internet has gone down, so I'll update later. Using phone.
>7 Tanya-dogearedcopy: Let's leave it on the list for now and see what people say.

I’ve made my phone a hotspot and connected the iPad. Feel like a tech genius, but it’s still fiddly to type.

10pamelad
Out 16, 2021, 6:47 pm

PrizeCAT - a different prize/group of prizes every month.

11VivienneR
Out 16, 2021, 7:05 pm

A perennial favourite is RandomCAT.

12LibraryCin
Out 16, 2021, 9:48 pm

Going to think about whether or not to propose anything this time. But also wanted to comment for ease of following along. :-)

13pamelad
Editado: Out 17, 2021, 2:14 am

The Internet outage is over, so I've fixed the links.

14kac522
Out 17, 2021, 1:12 am

>8 DeltaQueen50: I like the Authors idea!

>13 pamelad: I get links to 6 threads in >1 pamelad:, but the rest are not links.

15Helenliz
Out 17, 2021, 4:17 am

>8 DeltaQueen50: AuthorCAT is an interesting idea.
>11 VivienneR: Yup.
>3 majkia: another one I'd fancy.

Nice ideas so far.

16Tess_W
Editado: Out 17, 2021, 6:42 am

I love the idea of AfricaCAT and AsiaCAT! (or kits!)

>5 pamelad:
>7 Tanya-dogearedcopy:

I would be glad to help you with Asia or Africa CAT (or maybe they will be kits)

17majkia
Editado: Out 17, 2021, 8:15 am

SFFKIT and MysteryKIT of course.

18MissWatson
Out 17, 2021, 7:59 am

Thanks for setting us up, Pamela!

I like the idea of AuthorCAT and hope for RandomCAT. ColourCat was fun, too.

19clue
Out 17, 2021, 12:12 pm

I like Author Cat too. I've already made a list of authors I want to read next year, some old to me, some new. RandomCAT is my true love though.

20LibraryCin
Out 17, 2021, 2:42 pm

New options tend to be fun, and I also like the AuthorCAT idea.

I always suggest these, but they never make it through. Guess I'll mention them again, but I don't have high hopes! ;-)

YoungCAT (YA and Children's)
SeriesCAT

21LibraryCin
Out 17, 2021, 2:49 pm

I peeked back at the 2021 options and see others I liked, but they seem more specific, so maybe that's why they didn't get as many votes?

This one is a bit broader. How about
NewsCAT

Here was the description:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/325375#7287756

"base it around the different sections of a newspaper. So we could have months for things like politics, home, foreign affairs, cartoons, sport, celebrities, TV, finance, human interest, food, etc. "

I will give credit to Jackie_K, who suggested it for this year.

22Tess_W
Out 17, 2021, 4:40 pm

I would like to propose TravelCat

23Crazymamie
Out 17, 2021, 5:06 pm

>8 DeltaQueen50: I also like the idea of AuthorCat.

SFFKIT and MysteryKIT are favorites of mine.

24mathgirl40
Out 17, 2021, 6:58 pm

>4 Tanya-dogearedcopy: >5 pamelad: About Shakespeare's tragedies ... it would be fun to have a CAT where each month's reads are inspired by one of the tragedies. For example, for Romeo and Juliet, you could read the play itself, a retelling, or a book about a doomed relationship or feuding families. For Macbeth, themes could be ambition, the supernatural, Scotland.

Just thought I'd throw this idea out there. I like the idea of doing a year-long group read also, especially if retellings are allowed as well.

25VivienneR
Out 17, 2021, 7:40 pm

>24 mathgirl40: I like the idea of a CAT that allows the options you mention.

Unfortunately, I've never been able to finish an organized group read so that's out for me.

26Tess_W
Out 17, 2021, 9:18 pm

>4 Tanya-dogearedcopy:
>5 pamelad:
>24 mathgirl40:

How about opening it up to any of Shakespeare's plays?

27VivienneR
Out 17, 2021, 11:51 pm

>26 Tess_W: Even better!

28pamelad
Out 18, 2021, 2:14 am

>24 mathgirl40:, >26 Tess_W: It's a good idea to widen the scope of the topic.

29JayneCM
Out 18, 2021, 5:55 am

>24 mathgirl40: Love, love, love this idea!

30mathgirl40
Out 18, 2021, 8:29 am

>26 Tess_W: That's a good idea. A Midsummer Night's Dream would spawn a lot of choices!

>28 pamelad: Agreed. My understanding is that CATs should offer a lot of options each month, to attract as many participants as possible. KITs can be more narrow and directed to a smaller audience but still allow choice in the selections, and Group Reads have the books and/or authors determined in advance.

Something that I've always wanted to do as a KIT (not as a CAT, as it's probably too restrictive) is a CityKIT -- books set in specific cities like London, Paris, New York, Cairo, Shanghai, Tokyo, etc. But maybe I shouldn't distract from the CAT organization until that's done. :)

31Tanya-dogearedcopy
Out 18, 2021, 8:48 am

>28 pamelad: Could you pull “TragiCat” from the list of nominees, please? Thank you 🙂

32Jackie_K
Out 18, 2021, 9:10 am

>21 LibraryCin: Thank you for resuggesting NewsCAT! I still really like the idea, but was too embarrassed to suggest it again :)

33VivienneR
Out 18, 2021, 1:27 pm

>30 mathgirl40: CityCAT or KIT is a great idea. I would take part in that. If it doesn't make it, I'll consider making it a category in my own challenge.

34DeltaQueen50
Out 18, 2021, 1:32 pm

>30 mathgirl40: I think your suggestion of picking a city each month would work as a Cat, and I like the idea very much. CityCat has a nice ring to it! Of course this could also lead to a CountryCat ...

35Jackie_K
Out 18, 2021, 1:37 pm

>30 mathgirl40: I like the idea of CityCAT too, although I'm not sure how many books I have that would fit it.

36pamelad
Out 18, 2021, 3:24 pm

>30 mathgirl40: I've put it in the CATs list.

>31 Tanya-dogearedcopy: Done.

There's quite a lot of interest in a CAT based on Shakespeare's works, so perhaps someone would like to suggest one?

37LibraryCin
Out 18, 2021, 5:01 pm

>32 Jackie_K: LOL! No worries. I really like the idea of that one!

38kac522
Editado: Out 18, 2021, 5:10 pm

>36 pamelad: How about ShakesCAT? WillCAT? TheBardCAT? 2BeOrNot2BeCAT? Please stop me....

39Tess_W
Out 18, 2021, 6:55 pm

>30 mathgirl40: I think CityCAT or Kit is a great idea!

40mathgirl40
Out 18, 2021, 9:50 pm

>36 pamelad: Thanks for adding CityCAT to the list. I'm happy that there seems to be some interest in it.

>38 kac522: Those are all great ideas! I do like BardCAT, if I had to choose one.

41lowelibrary
Out 18, 2021, 10:03 pm

I love RandomCAT. It broadens my reading quite a bit.
I like the idea of YoungCAT but truly believe it should be a YoungKIT
>38 kac522: How about 2CATornot2CAT
as for new choices WildCAT (a different animal or animal family monthly) and HoliKIT (based on the holiday of the month)

42pamelad
Out 19, 2021, 12:12 am

>38 kac522:, >41 lowelibrary: Excellent suggestions. Adding another, BillyCAT. I'll add the ShakespeareCAT under that boring name for now, and will change it later. Favourite name, everyone?

43JayneCM
Out 19, 2021, 1:08 am

>30 mathgirl40: CityCAT sounds like a great one!

44MissWatson
Out 19, 2021, 4:34 am

>30 mathgirl40: Oh yes, great idea! I've been toying with that for a challenge theme, sometimes.

>38 kac522: Hilarious names!

45kac522
Out 19, 2021, 12:02 pm

>44 MissWatson: Yeah, I guess I've watched too many episodes of Shakespeare & Hathaway.

46LadyoftheLodge
Out 19, 2021, 7:00 pm

I hosted MysteryKIT for 2021, and would be happy to do it again if there is enough interest in it for 2022.

HoliKIT sounds sort of like CalendarCAT that we did a few years ago, which was a lot of fun.

47DeltaQueen50
Out 19, 2021, 10:17 pm

>46 LadyoftheLodge: I would be very interested in participating in a 2022 MysteryKit!

48LibraryCin
Out 19, 2021, 11:05 pm

>41 lowelibrary: I love the idea of WildCAT!

If there is interest, and it doesn't go through as a CAT, we could certainly try a YoungKIT.

49lowelibrary
Out 20, 2021, 12:17 pm

Nobody has mentioned BingoDOG or for a twist, we could make a variation of the Pop Sugar challenge with PopPUP

50LadyoftheLodge
Out 20, 2021, 3:06 pm

I like YoungKIT also.
Definitely BINGODOG. I am not sure what the Pop Sugar challenge is, but PopPUP is a cute name.

51pamelad
Out 20, 2021, 4:06 pm

>49 lowelibrary:, >50 LadyoftheLodge: The BingoDOG usually has its own thread. Is it time to start one so we can decide on the options for the squares?

52majkia
Out 20, 2021, 5:07 pm

53Robertgreaves
Editado: Out 21, 2021, 4:56 am

>38 kac522: KissMeCat(e), CATBardSeat

54lowelibrary
Out 21, 2021, 6:07 pm

>53 Robertgreaves: I like KissMeCat. Taming of the Shrew is my favorite Shakespeare play.

55beebeereads
Out 24, 2021, 5:24 pm

>46 LadyoftheLodge: Thank you, I am always here for MysteryKIT. Random CAT of course is an all time favorite.
I like the idea of City CAT or KIT
I might find my way to the Shakespeare CAT. It's a great idea.
Oh I would definitely follow NewsCAT. So many good ideas here. I don't have one to offer up, but will think on it more.

56thornton37814
Out 25, 2021, 10:07 am

At the moment, I like the idea of African or Asian CAT. I also love the ShakespeareCAT, but I would not want it limited to the tragedies as someone suggested. I'd want it to be a little more diverse--and maybe incorporate some of his sonnets as well as plays. I can probably find books for a CityCAT, but I really prefer books set in smaller villages and rural locations. I'm a little burned out on the RandomCAT although I know others enjoy it. I find very few themes chosen for it enticing.

57LadyoftheLodge
Editado: Out 25, 2021, 11:59 am

What would African or Asian CAT look like in practice? I am wondering what the monthly or quarterly topics might be?

Same as >56 thornton37814: for CityCAT. I prefer books set in smaller villages or rural settings, but might make it work.

I like RandomCAT because it really stretches my reading, and I like the surprise aspect of it. >56 thornton37814: What would make it more enticing for you? Just curious.

58fuzzi
Editado: Out 25, 2021, 12:27 pm

>1 pamelad: I like RandomCAT as always, and love the Alpha, Mystery, and SFF KITs!

I also would enjoy a ClassicsCAT.

ETA: I like the suggestion of a YoungKIT or CAT.

59Tess_W
Out 25, 2021, 3:31 pm

>57 LadyoftheLodge: I think the suggestion was that each host would pick a different country, say Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, etc.), and then readers would read a book set in that country. That is my interpretation, anyway.

60thornton37814
Out 25, 2021, 3:56 pm

>57 LadyoftheLodge: I don't know what would make it appeal. I think the late notification is part of what doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather have an idea of what is coming up so I can plan what to read what month. On more than one occasion, I've read the perfect fit book in the month or so before the topic, and I don't really want to find another. I could have held off if I'd known the topic was coming. I'll see. I've been bad at recording my reads on the Wiki this year. I should go through and add the ones that I did read during the month for all the topics.

>57 LadyoftheLodge: What >59 Tess_W: said is my understanding too. Asia might have months for China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, India, etc.

61SilverWolf28
Out 25, 2021, 8:26 pm

I really like SFFKIT/CAT and RandomCAT. CATWoman and WildCAT would also be fun.

62Tess_W
Out 26, 2021, 5:02 am

>60 thornton37814: I'm with you on the RandomCat!

63restrictionroof
Out 26, 2021, 5:47 am

Este utilizador foi removido como sendo spam.

64thornton37814
Out 26, 2021, 7:26 am

>62 Tess_W: Perhaps RandomCAT should become RandomKIT as have other previous CATs?

65sallylou61
Editado: Out 26, 2021, 10:57 am

>64 thornton37814: I like the idea of RandomCAT becoming a RandomKIT.

66pamelad
Out 26, 2021, 4:05 pm

>64 thornton37814:, >65 sallylou61: On the one hand, RandomCAT is many people's favourite. On the other hand, when a CAT becomes ongoing it usually turns into a KIT e.g. MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT.

How many CATs do people want? My current plan is to list all the suggestions, ask people to vote for their top 4, then select the 3 CATS with the most votes. So if RandomCAT got enough votes, it would run. We could have 4 CATs, particularly if the voting is close.

What do people think? Would RandomCAT fans be happy for it to become a KIT? How many CATs would you like?

67LadyoftheLodge
Out 26, 2021, 4:53 pm

>66 pamelad: Three CATs is good for me.

68LadyoftheLodge
Out 26, 2021, 4:58 pm

MysteryKIT planning thread is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/336275

69cyderry
Out 26, 2021, 6:41 pm

>8 DeltaQueen50: I like AuthorCat!

>20 LibraryCin: Like SeriesCat!

>24 mathgirl40: Like your take for a Shakespeare/TragicCat all Shakespeare works would be okay by me.

>30 mathgirl40: CityCat/Kit sounds fun but it would have to really large cities. Or should we do it as a Capital Cat where the cities have to be Capitals?

>41 lowelibrary: Holiday Cat sounds fun!

Maybe having the RANDOMCAT switched to a Kit would be better. Give other ideas an opportunity to shine.

Have we ever had a CulinaryCat? Each month could be a different kind of food - Breakfast, sandwiches, meat, pastries, etc. Then the book could be about a meal or set in a restaurant or have a food in the title - even the authors name could have a food link - Eggs Benedict?

70pamelad
Out 26, 2021, 7:01 pm

>69 cyderry: Added CulinaryCAT to >1 pamelad:

71VioletBramble
Out 26, 2021, 7:09 pm

>69 cyderry: We had a CookingKIT in 2015. There was a different theme each month and participants cooked a dish from the cookbook they chose for that theme.

72sallylou61
Editado: Out 26, 2021, 7:25 pm

>69 cyderry:, >70 pamelad:. Thanks for the suggestion >69 cyderry:.
Back in 2014 we had an "unofficial GastroCAT" set up and hosted by LoisB:
January - any food-related title/theme or any drink
February - Valentine's Day/Candy/Dessert or champagne
March - Ethnic foods (including Irish)/St. Patrick's Day/green food or beer
April - Seafood or juice
May - Dairy or coffee
June - Meat or red wine
July - Fruits or tea
August - Garden vegetables or water
September - School Lunch items or milk
October - Fall foods/apples/winter squash or cider
November - turkey/Thanksgiving or white wine
December - Christmas foods or hot drinks

If I remember correctly, it was quite popular. However, the wikis for the 2014 cats do not seem to be alive any longer. 2014 is a long time ago as CATs/KITs go.

P.S. Violet Bramble remembered the CookingKIT while I was writing this.

73sallylou61
Out 26, 2021, 7:39 pm

>66 pamelad:, >69 cyderry:. Unless more people than I expect are tired of RandomCAT, I think that it will probably win, probably with the most votes of any. That's the way it has been in the past. I really thought it was unfair when WomanCAT (which later became CATWoman) lost by something like one vote in 2016, and the LT community voted against having more than 3 CATs. (We had a Woman BingoPUP instead, which was popular, but which we discovered we could do for ourselves by choosing only women authors for the regular BingoDOG card.) We have had 4 CATs at least once in the past (2017) when we had both CATWoman and CultureCAT, which if I remember correctly, had one less vote than CATWoman.

I think the number of CATs depends a lot on the voting -- where a big break comes.

74lsh63
Out 26, 2021, 7:44 pm

I think that making RandomCAT a KIT is an interesting idea. How many years has RandomCAT been a main category? I’m curious to see if I can look back and find out.

75Robertgreaves
Out 26, 2021, 7:47 pm

>66 pamelad: I am fairly neutral on whether we have RandomCAT or RandomKIT.

76VioletBramble
Out 26, 2021, 8:08 pm

>69 cyderry: >72 sallylou61:
The 2015 CookingKIT categories were:
Jan- breakfast, focus:eggs
Feb -lunch, focus: wraps
Mar - soups & salads, focus: Mediterranean
Apr -Baking-Sweet, focus: cookies
May- main dish
June- side dishes, focus: rice
July- drinks & snacks, focus: iced drinks
Aug- one pan dishes
Sept- Ethnic, focus: Latin American
Oct - Baking-savory, focus: bread
Nov - desert, focus: chocolate
Dec - Holiday dishes.

Every month had a focus but I didn't write them all down. The missing ones were probably related to meats or seafoods.

77VivienneR
Out 26, 2021, 9:43 pm

I think it would be good to follow the tradition of recent years where CATs are chosen by the majority of votes, those with fewer votes are chosen for KITs. This seemed to make most of us happy. I seem to remember one year when two suggestions were pretty close and we had to decide if we wanted 3 or 4 CATs.

I wait to finalize my theme until after CATs and KITs have been chosen, that way if my favourite is not chosen, I can work it into my own challenge.

78LibraryCin
Editado: Out 26, 2021, 9:45 pm

>66 pamelad: I like RandomCAT, but I'd also like for it to stay in the voting to potentially be one of the three CATs.

It's not quite the same as the other continuing ones, since the other continuing ones have a specific theme.

Just my opinion.

ETA: I also think three CATs is a good number. One year, I believe, we did four, but that's because 3rd and 4th place in the voting was extremely close, if I'm remembering correctly.

79Tess_W
Out 27, 2021, 6:44 am

3 CATS is almost manageable, but 4 is too many for me! Although, my plans are not to over-commit this year!

80majkia
Out 27, 2021, 10:37 am

My plan this year, as with last year, is to just dip a toe into CATs as the spirit moves me. I'm trying to read my TBR and focus series, and doing my best not to be distracted by shiny new things!

81beebeereads
Out 27, 2021, 10:52 am

I love Random CAT, but I am all for making it a KIT. There are so many good ideas in this planning thread. I'd hate to see us limit them to just two by keeping the every popular Random CAT as one of the three. What is we try a KIT this year and see how it plays out? We can always go back to a CAT the following year. This gives a nod to those who don't care for Random CAT as well.
Love so many...the gastro/cooking one is intriguing for sure. I'm all about cities and they show up in every genre.

82sallylou61
Out 27, 2021, 11:11 am

>79 Tess_W:. All of the CATs (and KITs) are optional. A person does not need to participate in more than she/he wants to.

83cyderry
Out 27, 2021, 11:52 am

Can someone explain to me the difference between a CAT and a KIT? I've looked but can't seem to find any definition.

For me, it seems KITs are ones we seem to repeat every year with modifications (monthly changes- different letters, focus changes, themes), so why wouldn't a RandomKIT be okay with everyone? Seems it would be the same one way or another.

I just don't understand.

84Tess_W
Out 27, 2021, 11:53 am

>83 cyderry: I have never understood the difference, either!

85sturlington
Editado: Out 27, 2021, 12:18 pm

Well, as I see it, the main difference is that the CATs get the attention of a large part of the group while the KITs are either for a subgroup dedicated to a particular topic/genre and/or were once CATs that were popular enough to be put in the yearly rotation (like the AlphaKIT). The CATs give an opportunity to try new topics with broad appeal. The KITs give an opportunity to keep old favorites in the mix.

I know for the ScaredyKIT, those of us who participate really like the genre but it's likely not popular enough to win a full group vote. So we're a small but dedicated group. Also, rather than hashing out and voting on all the topics, we leave it up to each host to pick a topic, so the whole process is a bit more laid back.

I think since RandomCAT gets repeated each year, it makes sense to transition to a KIT.

86clue
Out 27, 2021, 1:09 pm

I don't think I care if it's KIT or CAT, I don't remember participating in a KIT before.

87Jackie_K
Out 27, 2021, 1:23 pm

It makes no odds to me either if RandomCAT is a CAT or a KIT. As with the other CATs, I only participate on months where the theme fits something I already have on Mt TBR. But I realise that that doesn't work as a method for everyone (I'm too old to be a completist any more, life's too short!).

88majkia
Out 27, 2021, 1:24 pm

I find the CATs turn out a lot more restrictive than the KITs do. More decisions made by the group, rather than left to whoever is hosting a month for the KITs.

89DeltaQueen50
Out 27, 2021, 4:00 pm

I am planning on only participating in Cats and Kits if I have a book that fits in my TBR. I want to commend >85 sturlington: on her clear definitions of Cats and Kits. I actually think the idea of a RandomKit is a good idea since it comes up every year anyway. If we do make it a Kit, then I think 3 Cats are enough.

90pamelad
Out 27, 2021, 4:21 pm

>85 sturlington: Thank you for this nice, clear explanation. Also, from time to time there's a one-off KIT when someone suggests a CAT that doesn't get up, then offers it as a KIT instead. CATs are voted on by the group, but anyone can set up a KIT.

91Tanya-dogearedcopy
Editado: Out 27, 2021, 4:35 pm

In the past, even though I knew in my head that everything was à la carte, I felt like I was sitting down to 12-course meals with any CAT/kit that interested me! I'm going to try a slightly different approach for 2022: I've picked 22 books from my stacks and the idea is to fit them in according to the CAT/kit prompts. So I'll be dipping in and out of various threads... more buffet style than full service! :-)

>85 sturlington: >89 DeltaQueen50: FWIW, I second the idea of making the RandomCat a Kit as it's a perennial feline. Three CATs seems to be the magic number! :-)

92clue
Out 27, 2021, 4:32 pm

>91 Tanya-dogearedcopy: I like the way you explained that, I love a good buffet! I've made a longer list of fiction from my shelves that I want to consider as priority next year and that's exactly how I want to use it. I plan to try it with fiction next year and add nonfiction later if this works for me.

93LibraryCin
Out 27, 2021, 4:46 pm

>83 cyderry: I guess I'd like to keep it a CAT (maybe selfish of me?) because I do like to participate in all the CATs, then am more selective of the KITs. If it's made a KIT, I know I'll want to do it, but then if I'm also aiming to do all the CATs, that means it's an additional one for me.

I know, selfish reasoning, I suppose. If people don't want it as a CAT, they don't have to vote for it. It seems to me that it could "automatically" become a KIT (given the popularity) if it isn't voted in as a CAT.

95majkia
Out 27, 2021, 5:13 pm

I'm a good either way

96dudes22
Out 27, 2021, 6:08 pm

Every year I think that I'll pull back a little in my participation of CATs and Kits, but they always draw me in. I love the Random and I'll participate no matter what you call it.

97fuzzi
Out 27, 2021, 6:37 pm

>94 pamelad: if RandomCAT always wins, why not just make it permanent, and vote for three additional CATs?

98lowelibrary
Out 27, 2021, 6:43 pm

>94 pamelad: CAT or KIT doesn't matter to me. Either way, I am participating.

99cyderry
Out 27, 2021, 6:45 pm

I think it would be easier to see everyone's preference with a vote.

Votar: Should the RANDOMCAT be transitioned to a RandomKit in 2022>

Resultado actual: Sim 18, Não 5, Indeciso 5

100Tess_W
Out 27, 2021, 6:45 pm

No never mind to me!

101pamelad
Out 27, 2021, 6:48 pm

>97 fuzzi: A permanent CAT is a new complication! It would be simpler to call it a KIT if it's ongoing, and leave it out of the CAT voting. Most people seem to be agreed on 3 official CATs.

102pamelad
Editado: Out 27, 2021, 6:51 pm

>99 cyderry: It's good to read what people think, and I don't mind collating the posts. Can we leave voting to further down the track, please?

103LadyoftheLodge
Out 27, 2021, 8:19 pm

I plan to participate in RandomCAT or KIT either way. However, maybe sticking with our past procedure is the best option and let the voting show the preference.

104Robertgreaves
Out 27, 2021, 8:53 pm

>99 cyderry: Do those of us who have already expressed an opinion as recorded in >94 pamelad: also have to vote?

105cyderry
Out 27, 2021, 9:53 pm

106LibraryCin
Editado: Out 27, 2021, 9:59 pm

>99 cyderry: >102 pamelad: I think it's a good idea to have the poll because people can vote anonymously.

107pamelad
Out 27, 2021, 10:48 pm

>106 LibraryCin: Whatever you think is a fair thing. I'm just a bit taken aback.

108LibraryCin
Out 27, 2021, 11:01 pm

>107 pamelad: Oh, I see. Makes sense. I do think it's nice when people can be a bit more anonymous if they are not comfortable with speaking up, though. (Once upon a time I was one of those people! LOL! Obviously not as much, anymore!)

109Kristelh
Out 28, 2021, 6:11 am

I am one who does like to be a bit more anonymous. I will go ahead and express my opinion. While I like the idea of random cat, I hardly ever participate. It seldom fits for me, this year seemed even harder than previous years. If random cat is always going to be, then it really doesn't require voting and whether it just becomes a given CAT or KIT, it would seem to work either way.

110RidgewayGirl
Out 28, 2021, 12:10 pm

Eh, there's too much going on for me to participate in KITs and the RandomCAT is always my favorite, but it's good to have a vote and do what the most of us will enjoy. The world won't stop because I'm no longer participating and it's good to see that the KITs are being enjoyed.

Do the KITs get as much engagement as the CATs?

111Kristelh
Editado: Out 28, 2021, 12:44 pm

I participate in the KITs more than the CATS. This year especially. I have done 0 random, 0 history. I have participated in genre. That one has been good one for me.
The KITS that I do are the scary and the SFF and the alpha.

112DeltaQueen50
Editado: Out 28, 2021, 2:32 pm

I participate in many of the Kits - Alpha, Scary, SFF, and Mystery and I would participate in a RandomKit - but I can see that having so many Kits does take away from people's ability to join in on the Cats as well. I don't want to be in the situation where every book I read is a commitment that I have to fill so I will definitely have to be more picky about which months that I join in on next year.

113LadyoftheLodge
Editado: Out 28, 2021, 2:34 pm

I participated in 2 CATs (Genre and Random) and 2 KITs (Alpha and Mystery) in 2021. It just depends on the annual topics as to which ones I participate in the most. I try to make my reading selections fit more than one category (CAT trick!) and/or my own individual personal challenges.

114pamelad
Editado: Out 28, 2021, 4:45 pm

>110 RidgewayGirl: Do the KITs get as much engagement as the CATs?

Assuming that engagement is highest early in the year, here are the numbers of participants in the CATs and KITs in January 2021:

GenreCAT 23
HistoryCAT 31
RandomCAT 45

AlphaKIT 31
KITastrophe 10
MysteryKIT 32
ScaredyKIT 18
SFFKIT 25
GEOKIT is year long, divided in regions not months.

RandomCAT is a clear winner, followed by MysteryKIT, HistoryCAT and AlphaKIT. So yes, some KITs get as much engagement as CATs.

From people's comments it looks to me that:

1. RandomCAT has many fans, but most of them would be happy to participate if it were a KIT.
2. Some people only do CATs, so want RandomCAT to remain one.
3. Most people want to limit the number of CATs to 3. If RandomCAT is a CAT, that means two new CATs. If it's a KIT, we have three new CATs.

It looks as though the majority would prefer that RandomCAT become a KIT.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

There is another issue, pointed out by >112 DeltaQueen50:, the large number of CATs and KITs. To me it looks as though most of them are goers, with people being able to choose those that interest them. But to others it's like keeping chocolate in the house. If they're there, they have to indulge!

ETA I've edited this post multiple times because I can't count.

115VivienneR
Out 28, 2021, 3:29 pm

This year I took part in RandomCAT, HistoryCAT, GenreCAT, GeoKIT, MysteryKIT and AlphaKIT and found it to be too much. It might have been ok if I didn't have any categories of my own, but as it was they were neglected. My problem is that I just can't resist CATs and KITs. :)

116sallylou61
Out 28, 2021, 4:36 pm

>114 pamelad: Many of the KITs are so popular that someone, often the same person, sets up that particular KIT a number of years running. I think that probably they just want to be sure to have the challenge. The KITs are "unofficial;" I guess that the CATs are official since they won through voting although there does not seem to be much difference between the CATs and KITs in general. This year two of the KITs were not monthly. KITAstophe is quarterly with one year long set of topics, and GeoKIT is yearlong although it is also divided by continents so that people can read about different places at their leisure.

Also, all of the CATs and KITs are optional; a person does not need to participate in all or any -- and does not in to participate in any of the CATs or KITs everytime.

117pamelad
Editado: Out 28, 2021, 5:00 pm

Three and a bit days left for suggesting CATs. I'll set up the voting on Monday afternoon, Melbourne time (Sunday night in San Francisco).

I'm not too clear about the CulinaryCAT. Is it about reading, or cooking? Official or unofficial?

AfricaCAT and AsiaCAT: would it be OK to combine these into AfroAsiaCAT? I think that having the two options would divide the vote, so neither would have a chance of getting up.

118lowelibrary
Out 28, 2021, 5:24 pm

This year I did RandomCAT, GenreCAT, MysteryKIT, ScaredyKIT and AlphaKIT. I found that it stretched me too thin and had too much planning to make my reading enjoyable. Next year I am going to lower my commitment to CATs and KITs and focus on my own categories more.

119DeltaQueen50
Out 28, 2021, 6:40 pm

>117 pamelad: I think combining the AfricaCAT and AsiaCAT is a good idea, I was thinking that coming up with 12 separate countries would make for some pretty obscure locations. 6 each seems more do-able.

120hailelib
Out 28, 2021, 8:13 pm

I was thinking alternate the months between Asia and Africa.

121Robertgreaves
Out 28, 2021, 8:55 pm

I've been participating in GenreCAT, HistoryCAT, RandomCAT, AlphaKIT, MysteryKIT, and SFFKIT, but not all of them every month. At the beginning of each month I choose 6 ROOTs to read based on the challenges plus my bookclub books and some personal challenges. I want to cut down on the number of CATs and KITs next year because books that only fit AlphaKIT aren't getting read.

I've posted in GeoKIT when I've read something set outside the UK and the US, but have been surprised how rarely that happens, so I would be in favour of that continuing just to keep me aware.

>117 pamelad: If we combine Africa and Asia, how about one place from each continent per month, trying to combine one place with lots of options with one place where there are fewer, eg. China and Chad, or South Africa and Mongolia?

122pamelad
Editado: Out 28, 2021, 9:56 pm

>121 Robertgreaves: It might be more doable for the people leading months to choose just one region, but we don't have to decide that now. If no one objects, I'll combine Africa and Asia into one CAT, assuming six months for each continent, details to be decided later.

ETA An even split isn't a foregone conclusion.

123Tess_W
Out 29, 2021, 5:00 am

I think combining the Africa/Asian CATS would be good!

124pamelad
Out 30, 2021, 5:34 pm

Tomorrow is the last day for 2022 CAT suggestions: 10 pm Sunday, San Francisco time. (I think it's tomorrow for everyone. The time zones are confusing.)

125pamelad
Out 30, 2021, 5:52 pm

>3 majkia: For clarification, before we start voting, how should we define a Classic? Any book first published (or written, in the case of recently discovered manuscripts) fifty or more years ago?

126majkia
Out 30, 2021, 6:04 pm

>125 pamelad: That sounds fine.

127majkia
Out 30, 2021, 6:07 pm

What is TravelCAT? Just travelogues, or what?

128pamelad
Editado: Out 30, 2021, 6:24 pm

>127 majkia: I'd assume that it would cover almost any sort of journey or stay away from home. >22 Tess_W: What did you have in mind, Tess?

AdventureCAT was suggested last year by Fuzzi and there was quite a bit of discussion, with a list of suggestions from Sturlington.

129clue
Out 30, 2021, 6:55 pm

>20 LibraryCin: I may be missing an explanation in the thread somewhere, wondered how Series CAT would work?

130pamelad
Out 30, 2021, 7:20 pm

>129 clue: SeriesCAT ran in 2019. Here's the planning thread. https://www.librarything.com/topic/298613

131Tess_W
Out 30, 2021, 8:12 pm

>127 majkia:
>128 pamelad:

Each host would pick a place to "visit" This could be either fiction or non-fiction, In the past it has also included a few "trips" to space or a different realm. But mostly, my vision is for actual places (London, Egypt, Thailand, North Pole, etc.)

132majkia
Out 30, 2021, 8:22 pm

>131 Tess_W: Thanks for the explanation.

133LadyoftheLodge
Out 30, 2021, 8:24 pm

I hosted TravelKIT in the past and the monthly volunteers suggested their topics.

134LibraryCin
Out 30, 2021, 11:16 pm

This was the planning thread for the TravelKIT when it ran, with suggestion and finalized topics in the first post:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/312949

135pamelad
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 12:36 am

Here is the link to the 2022 CAT poll. Please choose your favourite CATs, maximum 4.

https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=617f6ec1e4b04db784c19635

Voting closes 4pm, Saturday, November 6th, Melbourne, Australia. That's 10 pm Friday in San Francisco.

136Robertgreaves
Nov 1, 2021, 12:33 am

>135 pamelad: I only seem to have one vote. When I tried to vote for my second CAT, the first one lost its highlight and only the second one was lit.

137pamelad
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 12:45 am

>136 Robertgreaves: Fixed it. There was a button I should have clicked on to allow multiple responses. There's a link to the new, corrected poll >135 pamelad:.

138Robertgreaves
Nov 1, 2021, 1:13 am

>137 pamelad: ok, ta. Duly voted

139kac522
Nov 1, 2021, 1:11 pm

2022 Planning Thread for RandomKit:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/336399

140pamelad
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 4:21 pm

Duplicate

141pamelad
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 4:32 pm

32 35 people have already voted, which is a very good start.

1. ShakespeareCAT
2. (equal) AuthorCAT
2. (equal) CATWoman
4. (equal) African&AsianCAT
4. (equal) ClassicsCAT

If there ends up being a tie for third, I'll set up a quick tie-breaker poll.

142cyderry
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 7:18 pm

>141 pamelad: Since there are so many, maybe this should be a preliminary vote and then take the top 8 to select the 3 winners. That way if you originally voted and none of your choices were high, you could get another chance to make your voice heard.

143pamelad
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 7:30 pm

>142 cyderry: Thanks, but that's unlikely to be necessary. Many of the options are receiving very few votes, so it's clear that they've been rejected. My sympathies if none of your favourites are chosen.

Sometimes you just have to be philosophical!

144LadyoftheLodge
Nov 1, 2021, 7:31 pm

>139 kac522: Thanks for including this thread. Many months still remain, although some are taken. RandomKit fans, here we go!

145LadyoftheLodge
Editado: Nov 1, 2021, 7:49 pm

MysteryKIT is up and running, with all twelve months of hosting spoken for. Thanks to everyone who volunteered. I will set up the wiki soon.

146pamelad
Editado: Nov 4, 2021, 3:58 pm

>135 pamelad: Don't forget to vote for your favourite CATs. Voting ends 10pm Friday, San Francisco time (4pm Saturday in Melbourne).

147Tess_W
Nov 5, 2021, 4:34 pm

44 people have voted! Have you? Time is running out to vote for next year's CAT. Vote here:
https://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=617f6ec1e4b04db784c19635

148pamelad
Editado: Nov 6, 2021, 1:42 am

45 people cast 165 votes. The winning CATs, with their % of total votes and number of votes, are:

ShakespeareCAT 12%, 19
AuthorCAT 11%, 18
CATWoman 11%, 18

Runners up:
ClassicsCAT 9%, 15
African&AsianCAT 8%, 13

149Helenliz
Nov 6, 2021, 5:19 am

If anyone who had suggested a CAT that didn't win would like, feel free to suggest a Bingo square based on CAT suggestions that didn't make the cut.

thread for suggestions is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/336125

150majkia
Nov 6, 2021, 7:35 am

pamelad Thank for organizing this!

151NinieB
Nov 6, 2021, 7:45 am

Thanks for organizing, Pam! I'm looking forward to next year's categories.

152rabbitprincess
Nov 6, 2021, 8:57 am

Hooray! Thanks so much, Pam, for organizing the planning and votes!

As group admin, I will pin the CAT planning threads as they are created, so that you'll always be able to find them by going to the main group page :)

153sallylou61
Nov 6, 2021, 10:05 am

Many thanks, Pam, for organizing and running the CAT selection process.

154MissWatson
Nov 6, 2021, 10:31 am

That's an interesting mix of CATs for next year. Thanks for organising this, Pam!

155Tess_W
Nov 6, 2021, 10:33 am

Thank you for doing this, Pam!

156Kristelh
Nov 6, 2021, 11:12 am

Yes, thanks for doing this and agree that this is an interesting mix.

157DeltaQueen50
Nov 6, 2021, 1:05 pm

>148 pamelad: Since I suggested AuthorCat, I will set up the planning thread for it.

158cyderry
Nov 6, 2021, 1:15 pm

Guess I'll be sticking with the KITs this year.

159LadyoftheLodge
Nov 6, 2021, 1:26 pm

>158 cyderry: Aww, you are welcome to the KITs! Hope to see you there.

160LibraryCin
Nov 6, 2021, 2:45 pm

I think, for the first time, there is one I won't be doing at all. I will participate in the other two.

161pamelad
Editado: Nov 6, 2021, 8:58 pm

>150 majkia:, >151 NinieB:, 152, >153 sallylou61:, >154 MissWatson:, >155 Tess_W:, >156 Kristelh:, A pleasure!

I'll be away for a few days, so it would be great if someone could collate the CAT volunteers.

>6 sallylou61: suggested CATWoman, and the ShakespeareCAT was a sort of committee proposal stemming from the TragiCAT suggestion.

162Tess_W
Nov 6, 2021, 4:01 pm

>161 pamelad: I'll wait a few days for Tanya to check in before I organize ShakespeareCAT since she first proposed Tragicat.

163Tanya-dogearedcopy
Nov 6, 2021, 4:11 pm

>162 Tess_W: Please, take the lead! Something as broad as ShakespeareCAT is just too much for me to try to corral. I will participate when and where I can...
#LimitedBandWidth #MyBrainIsBroken

164Tess_W
Nov 6, 2021, 4:36 pm

>163 Tanya-dogearedcopy: OK, wanted to make sure it was okay with you!

165sallylou61
Editado: Nov 6, 2021, 5:03 pm

Does anyone else want to set up CATWoman? I'm willing to do it, but will turn 78 later this month, and am perfectly willing to have someone who has not experienced setting up CATs do it. A lot of ideas for topics are available in the CATWoman 2017 thread although we probably also want to replace some with newer topics. https://www.librarything.com/topic/239374#5790808

166beebeereads
Nov 6, 2021, 5:43 pm

>148 pamelad: Thank you for doing this organizing. Although not my choices, I will be interested in following and participating as I can. I know I will find some months that interest me and likely suck me right in-LOL Thanks again!

167pamelad
Nov 6, 2021, 6:44 pm

>166 beebeereads: I also plan to dip in and out of CATs depending on which topics appeal.

168mathgirl40
Nov 7, 2021, 10:12 am

@148 Thank you for organizing the CATs! I look forward to participating in them next year.

169majkia
Nov 7, 2021, 10:47 am

@158 I intend to only deal with the CATs when I see something that will work with my TBR. I'll be sticking with the KITs too.

170JayneCM
Nov 13, 2021, 2:21 am

I love all these CATs! Looking forward to 2022!

171sallylou61
Nov 13, 2021, 10:01 am

>170 JayneCM:. Glad that you love the CATs. Would you enjoy hosting a month? At CATWoman we have several months still open and plenty of interesting topics from which to choose!

172pamelad
Nov 13, 2021, 3:40 pm

Many of the KITs run year after year because they're people's favourites, so we could look at CATs as test KITs! Backing up >171 sallylou61:, please come and host a month on CATWoman.

Thank you to all the people who said thank you!

173LadyoftheLodge
Out 4, 2022, 11:44 am

When can we start planning for 2023 Category Challenges?

174rabbitprincess
Out 4, 2022, 5:18 pm

My tradition is to put the new group up on Canadian Thanksgiving.

175thornton37814
Out 4, 2022, 5:41 pm

>174 rabbitprincess: Which appears to be less than a week away--October 10!

176LadyoftheLodge
Out 6, 2022, 2:01 pm

>174 rabbitprincess: Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving soon.

177LadyoftheLodge
Out 6, 2022, 2:01 pm

>175 thornton37814: Sounds good to me!

178Tanya-dogearedcopy
Out 8, 2022, 7:58 pm

>174 rabbitprincess: LOL, I've been checking daily...

179rabbitprincess
Out 10, 2022, 8:50 am

180Jackie_K
Out 10, 2022, 9:37 am

>179 rabbitprincess: Ooh how exciting!

Happy Thanksgiving rp!

181JayneCM
Editado: Out 12, 2022, 1:37 am


182kac522
Out 25, 2022, 3:55 pm

2023 CAT Voting is now open at https://www.librarything.com/topic/345396