The 2015 Annual Reading Challenge Discussion Thread - Page 28

CharredScribe · 09-10-2015, 05:28 AM

Despite a dip in my reading mid-year, I'm well on track. My goal was 60 books, at least five non-fiction (I used to read more non-fiction but something happened last year - not sure what - and I only read a couple so decided to step it back up this year).

I am currently on my 55th book, which will make my 5th non-fiction book. It's almost complete - really enjoying it. The book is Goodbye Sarajevo, by Akta Reid and Hana Schofield, two Bosnian sisters separated during the Siege of Sarajevo.

Also, since moving back home to South Africa, I was reunited with my hundreds of paper books that I had stored here, and I also started going to be library again, so I have read more paper books this year than last. In fact, I've read only a small handful of e-books this year. Not that I care really, but just interesting to note, since last year, I read almost exclusively on my e-reader. I also bought a ton of paper books, mostly non-fiction, since I really can't seem to get into non-fiction on an e-reader.

I'll post when I reach my goal of 60.

HomeInMyShoes · 09-21-2015, 12:02 PM

After finishing The Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono this weekend I have officially completed all of my sub-challenges. Some stats of where I am with a few months of free reading time left this year:

books: 57
pages: 15,854
authors: 41
new authors: 29
countries: 17
new countries: 6
paper books: 45
electronic books: 12
money spent: 0.00

I suppose the only challenge left to complete is the $50 book budget for this year, but seeing as though I have made the entire year so far at $0 that should be a breeze. I'm actually looking to finish up the year at $0 now.

CRussel · 09-21-2015, 01:52 PM

Well, a bit of a confession here. I have NOT been good at updating my reading list this last month or so. I got seriously behind, and it's hard to catch up. However, I think I'm back in sync now, and I _hope_ I didn't miss any.

Meanwhile, on the quantity goal, I'm doing well -- if I keep this up, I'll beat my stretch goal. But keeping an accurate accounting?? Not so well.

DrNefario · 09-21-2015, 04:03 PM

Half the fun of finishing a book is that I get to update all my spreadsheets and my list post.

OK, maybe not half, but definitely some.

Tarana · 09-21-2015, 05:20 PM

I'm 3-4 books behind on my goal, but will be catching up as I complete some rather longer books. I didn't know several book choices were long and others required no interruptions (my life is start/stop these days). That should teach me to look at Audible and see how many hours long the book is. Had some concentration issues as well this summer, but that is improving.

Hampshire Nanny · 09-21-2015, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

Half the fun of finishing a book is that I get to update all my spreadsheets and my list post.

OK, maybe not half, but definitely some.

My laptop goes with me everywhere and I use simple text files to keep up with what I've read -- I've been doing this since 2008, and I have *some* records going back to 2005. I like keeping records and then sharing them in online communities of book lovers.

DrNefario · 09-25-2015, 08:31 AM

Argh. I realised this morning that I'd forgotten to read my daily short story yesterday. I was very busy last night, and got distracted during my usual post-work routine, and then just forgot I hadn't already read it. That's only the second day I've missed all year. It's easy enough to read two stories today, but I can't go back in time.

It would have been nice to do an unbroken year, but I might have to take a break in November anyway, if I do Nanowrimo.

HomeInMyShoes · 09-25-2015, 10:32 AM

^Everyone needs a break. 260+ days in a row for reading a short is remarkable. Hats off for that dedication.

jbcohen · 09-28-2015, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

^Everyone needs a break. 260+ days in a row for reading a short is remarkable. Hats off for that dedication.

I don't. I have been reading since I was eight and I have never missed a day without sticking my nose in something. These days its more like pointing my nose at a screen.

Hampshire Nanny · 09-28-2015, 03:37 PM

Ah yes -- I read something every day. But since I'm not a fan of short stories, I don't think I'd set a goal of reading one per day.

DrNefario · 09-29-2015, 02:37 AM

I'm not normally a big reader of short stories either. That's exactly why I did set a target of one a day.

Otherwise I never read them. I've just finished Gene Wolfe's Book of Days, an ex-library paperback I've owned for at least 15 years and hadn't opened until this month.

It's great if you can make the time. You constantly get extra "free" books read in addition to your regular novel-reading. The main problem I have is finding stories of the right length. Modern shorts can be pretty long. Ideally I want something that will take less than half an hour to read. I'm not sure any of the stories in Dangerous Women by George RR Martin and Gardner Dozois has been that short, so I haven't got far on that one.

bfisher · 09-30-2015, 09:32 PM

I had a slow month in September, after a very active August. I read 8 books in September, didn't do anything with my existing TBR, and added 35 more books to the stack, plus more want-to-reads. Still, I did read several excellent books, so I felt it was a rewarding month.

pdurrant · 10-01-2015, 04:24 AM

It's October! I'm back under budget!

And I've finished all my unread books bought back in 2006/2007!

But my TBR is nearly 30 books up on the start of the year.

Two out of three isn't too bad. I'm clearly not going to get my TBR down to 700 by the end of the year. Currently my hope is just to break even, and get back down to 750.

[EDIT: Counting the subscriptions that came in at end September/1st October, my TBR is up 30 on the year. I expect to read about 50 books in the next three months, and my subscriptions will add another 10 books to my total (Lightspeed Magazine, F&SF, Asimov's, Analog, Grantville Gazette). So if I can keep my additional purchases to under 10 books, I'll manage to break even for the year!

Now there's a good challenge!

My challenge for the next three months: Buy no more than 10 'discretionary' books !]

DrNefario · 10-01-2015, 08:27 AM

Going quite well here. I typically pick up a handful of books at the start of each month - new Kindle Owners' Lending Library book, new monthly deals, trip to a local second-hand bookstore, etc - and then spend the whole month clawing my way back to parity on my TBR. I just made it back to +1 (91 read, 90 acquired) by the end of September.

I've resisted some very tempting "bargains" lately, though, so I think I might be cured.

My sub-challenges are going OK, but I think I'm going to cut back on them next year.

issybird · 10-01-2015, 08:39 AM

I'm running slightly behind on my sub-challenges, but it's nothing that can't be redressed by year's end. My sub-challenges are actually the meat of my yearly challenge, as I like my reading to have a little focus; ideally I gain some basic body of knowledge on a given topic. I'm less concerned with the overall total.

And all I'll say it's a good thing that adding to my TBR wasn't part of my official challenge (although I am much, much better); however, reducing it was. Next year I'm going to have to add in a net reduction rider and not just a gross one.

09-21-2015, 05:20 PM	#410
Tarana Wizard Posts: 3,991 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	I'm 3-4 books behind on my goal, but will be catching up as I complete some rather longer books. I didn't know several book choices were long and others required no interruptions (my life is start/stop these days). That should teach me to look at Audible and see how many hours long the book is. Had some concentration issues as well this summer, but that is improving. Last edited by Tarana; 09-21-2015 at 05:32 PM.

10-01-2015, 04:24 AM	#418
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 71,916 Karma: 307105450 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	It's October! I'm back under budget! And I've finished all my unread books bought back in 2006/2007! But my TBR is nearly 30 books up on the start of the year. Two out of three isn't too bad. I'm clearly not going to get my TBR down to 700 by the end of the year. Currently my hope is just to break even, and get back down to 750. [EDIT: Counting the subscriptions that came in at end September/1st October, my TBR is up 30 on the year. I expect to read about 50 books in the next three months, and my subscriptions will add another 10 books to my total (Lightspeed Magazine, F&SF, Asimov's, Analog, Grantville Gazette). So if I can keep my additional purchases to under 10 books, I'll manage to break even for the year! Now there's a good challenge! My challenge for the next three months: Buy no more than 10 'discretionary' books !] Last edited by pdurrant; 10-02-2015 at 07:06 AM.

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09-10-2015, 05:28 AM	#406
CharredScribe Addict Posts: 266 Karma: 959704 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: South Africa Device: Kobo Aura HD, Aura ONE	Despite a dip in my reading mid-year, I'm well on track. My goal was 60 books, at least five non-fiction (I used to read more non-fiction but something happened last year - not sure what - and I only read a couple so decided to step it back up this year). I am currently on my 55th book, which will make my 5th non-fiction book. It's almost complete - really enjoying it. The book is Goodbye Sarajevo, by Akta Reid and Hana Schofield, two Bosnian sisters separated during the Siege of Sarajevo. Also, since moving back home to South Africa, I was reunited with my hundreds of paper books that I had stored here, and I also started going to be library again, so I have read more paper books this year than last. In fact, I've read only a small handful of e-books this year. Not that I care really, but just interesting to note, since last year, I read almost exclusively on my e-reader. I also bought a ton of paper books, mostly non-fiction, since I really can't seem to get into non-fiction on an e-reader. I'll post when I reach my goal of 60.

09-21-2015, 12:02 PM	#407
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	After finishing The Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono this weekend I have officially completed all of my sub-challenges. Some stats of where I am with a few months of free reading time left this year: books: 57 pages: 15,854 authors: 41 new authors: 29 countries: 17 new countries: 6 paper books: 45 electronic books: 12 money spent: 0.00 I suppose the only challenge left to complete is the $50 book budget for this year, but seeing as though I have made the entire year so far at $0 that should be a breeze. I'm actually looking to finish up the year at $0 now.

09-21-2015, 01:52 PM	#408
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,189 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Well, a bit of a confession here. I have NOT been good at updating my reading list this last month or so. I got seriously behind, and it's hard to catch up. However, I think I'm back in sync now, and I _hope_ I didn't miss any. Meanwhile, on the quantity goal, I'm doing well -- if I keep this up, I'll beat my stretch goal. But keeping an accurate accounting?? Not so well.

09-21-2015, 04:03 PM	#409
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,114 Karma: 11315768 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	Half the fun of finishing a book is that I get to update all my spreadsheets and my list post. OK, maybe not half, but definitely some.

09-25-2015, 08:31 AM	#412
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,114 Karma: 11315768 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	Argh. I realised this morning that I'd forgotten to read my daily short story yesterday. I was very busy last night, and got distracted during my usual post-work routine, and then just forgot I hadn't already read it. That's only the second day I've missed all year. It's easy enough to read two stories today, but I can't go back in time. It would have been nice to do an unbroken year, but I might have to take a break in November anyway, if I do Nanowrimo.

09-25-2015, 10:32 AM	#413
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	^Everyone needs a break. 260+ days in a row for reading a short is remarkable. Hats off for that dedication.

09-28-2015, 03:37 PM	#415
Hampshire Nanny Guru Posts: 614 Karma: 8064562 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3 KB, iPad2	Ah yes -- I read something every day. But since I'm not a fan of short stories, I don't think I'd set a goal of reading one per day.

09-29-2015, 02:37 AM	#416
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,114 Karma: 11315768 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I'm not normally a big reader of short stories either. That's exactly why I did set a target of one a day. Otherwise I never read them. I've just finished Gene Wolfe's Book of Days, an ex-library paperback I've owned for at least 15 years and hadn't opened until this month. It's great if you can make the time. You constantly get extra "free" books read in addition to your regular novel-reading. The main problem I have is finding stories of the right length. Modern shorts can be pretty long. Ideally I want something that will take less than half an hour to read. I'm not sure any of the stories in Dangerous Women by George RR Martin and Gardner Dozois has been that short, so I haven't got far on that one.

09-30-2015, 09:32 PM	#417
bfisher Wizard Posts: 1,638 Karma: 28483498 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Sony PRS-T3, Galaxy (Aldiko, Kobo app)	I had a slow month in September, after a very active August. I read 8 books in September, didn't do anything with my existing TBR, and added 35 more books to the stack, plus more want-to-reads. Still, I did read several excellent books, so I felt it was a rewarding month.

10-01-2015, 08:27 AM	#419
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,114 Karma: 11315768 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	Going quite well here. I typically pick up a handful of books at the start of each month - new Kindle Owners' Lending Library book, new monthly deals, trip to a local second-hand bookstore, etc - and then spend the whole month clawing my way back to parity on my TBR. I just made it back to +1 (91 read, 90 acquired) by the end of September. I've resisted some very tempting "bargains" lately, though, so I think I might be cured. My sub-challenges are going OK, but I think I'm going to cut back on them next year.

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10-01-2015, 08:39 AM	#420
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,445 Karma: 224000000 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	I'm running slightly behind on my sub-challenges, but it's nothing that can't be redressed by year's end. My sub-challenges are actually the meat of my yearly challenge, as I like my reading to have a little focus; ideally I gain some basic body of knowledge on a given topic. I'm less concerned with the overall total. And all I'll say it's a good thing that adding to my TBR wasn't part of my official challenge (although I am much, much better); however, reducing it was. Next year I'm going to have to add in a net reduction rider and not just a gross one.