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Hot Reading Challenge Tips from Pros Who Read More Than 100 Books a Year
More than 2.8 million readers have pledged to finish more books in the 2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge. For those stuck in a midyear slump, we asked avid readers Dan Schwent, Julie Ehlers, Bill Kerwin, and Kathy Habel for advice. These pros have read more than 100 books a year, so of course we asked them for their recommendations as well. Make sure to add their picks to your Want to Read shelf!
Goodreads: How many books did you read last year?
Dan Schwent: In 2017, despite getting married, vacationing in Maine, and remodeling three rooms in my house, I managed to read 137 books.
Goodreads: What tips do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
DS: One thing I learned the hard way is that there’s no shame in not finishing a book that you’re not enjoying. If there’s one thing you’re definitely in control of, it’s the books you’ll spend time reading! The book-finishing police probably don’t know where you live anyway...
Sometimes, change is good. If your genre of choice isn’t doing it for you anymore, try something else! Switching it up every once in a while is healthy and fun. Or it will be disastrous and you’ll go running back into the comforting arms of your genre of choice. It’s win-win!
Lastly, time is your biggest enemy in your Reading Challenge. If you’re behind on your count, maybe it’s time to look at what else you’re doing and make some changes. Scouring social media* for info on the newest Marvel movie might be fun, but reading about what some curmudgeon in Kansas hates about Avengers: Infinity War isn’t getting you any closer to your reading goals.
*This does not apply to Goodreads, of course.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
DS: Nothing will bust you out of a reading slump like a fantastic book. Here are a few I enjoyed quite a bit over the last few years:
Goodreads: How many books did you read last year?
Julie Ehlers: In 2017, I read 141 books (my Reading Challenge goal was 101).
Goodreads: What advice do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
JE: Follow your bliss! I think sometimes we read particular books because we feel like we should, or we dutifully plow through books we’re not enjoying because we feel bad about setting them aside without finishing them. Don’t do any of this! Read what calls out to you from the shelf. If something’s not working, quit it and don’t feel guilty.
Also, when you have a spare minute, pick up your book instead of scrolling through your phone. Not only will you get more reading done, but you’ll be improving your focus and concentration…and then you can get even more reading done! In my experience, it’s also much more rewarding.
Finally, make sure your goals are realistic! I’ve exceeded my challenge goal every year, but I’m not interested in setting a higher number—I don’t need that kind of pressure. The Reading Challenge should be fun and motivating, not make you want to change your name, move somewhere where nobody knows you, and start your life over again.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
Goodreads: How many books did you read last year?
Bill Kerwin: 240 books.
Goodreads: What advice do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
BK: Diversify. Read books of different types and genres, lengths, and levels of difficulty. Just make sure they are all from genres you like. Every month I read 18 separate works. The variety is what keeps my interest alive.
Read more than one book at a time. If I’m not in the mood for one book, I quickly shift to another. With four or five books at hand at any time, I can satisfy my reader’s mood, whatever it may be.
Always take a book with you when you leave the house. If the book is small, the inconvenience is, too. Even better: Take your Kindle along. Waiting is always easier when you have a book.
Read books you want to read, not books you think you should. Just because a book is on somebody’s “great list” doesn’t mean it’s the book for you. And if a book doesn’t please you after 50 pages, cut your losses and move on.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
Goodreads: How many books did you read last year?
Kathy Habel: In 2017, I completed my fourth Goodreads Reading Challenge, completing a total of 161 books. I'm hoping to double that number this year!
Goodreads: What tips do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
KH: Reading slumps are a real thing, especially for an avid reader. Life happens to all of us, and sometimes things get too stressful. I think it's healthy to take a break when it's needed, but if your slump goes on too long, here are a few suggestions to get back to reading:
No required reading. I used to force myself to finish every book I started. However, it's been years since I was in school, so there is no longer any "required reading" in my life. So give yourself permission to only read books you love.
Audiobooks. Try listening to audiobooks. While I love professional narrations and often listen to them through Audible or Overdrive, not every book I want to read has been professionally narrated. I often take advantage of my Kindle Fire's text-to-voice feature. Listening to audio versions of books while driving, exercising, and cleaning helps boost my book count.
Reread. Go back to an old favorite. What's the best book you've ever read? Which book elicited strong emotion when you read it? What is an unforgettable scene that is burned into your memory? Maybe it's time for a reread of an old favorite or maybe try another book written by a favorite author.
Compare books. If you have not yet found trusted friends with similar reading tastes, then choose your favorite book and find someone who has posted a five-star review similar to yours. Go to their profile and use Goodreads' "compare books" feature to see how compatible your reading tastes are.
This feature has led me to find a couple Goodreads friends who I am nearly 100 percent compatible with. Our ratings and reviews on books are so similar, I know that if they give a book five stars, I'm going to love it, too. When I'm in a slump and looking for something to pull me out of it, a great way is to choose a book one of these trusted top friends has raved about.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
KH: Anything by Amy Harmon (Making Faces, The Law of Moses, and From Sand and Ash are my favorites) and anything narrated by Jim Dale (The Night Circus, Harry Potter, Peter and the Starcatchers). Also, I'm with You by Taylor Dean and The Sidelined Wife by Jennifer Peel.
Dan Schwent: In 2017, despite getting married, vacationing in Maine, and remodeling three rooms in my house, I managed to read 137 books.
Goodreads: What tips do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
DS: One thing I learned the hard way is that there’s no shame in not finishing a book that you’re not enjoying. If there’s one thing you’re definitely in control of, it’s the books you’ll spend time reading! The book-finishing police probably don’t know where you live anyway...
Sometimes, change is good. If your genre of choice isn’t doing it for you anymore, try something else! Switching it up every once in a while is healthy and fun. Or it will be disastrous and you’ll go running back into the comforting arms of your genre of choice. It’s win-win!
Lastly, time is your biggest enemy in your Reading Challenge. If you’re behind on your count, maybe it’s time to look at what else you’re doing and make some changes. Scouring social media* for info on the newest Marvel movie might be fun, but reading about what some curmudgeon in Kansas hates about Avengers: Infinity War isn’t getting you any closer to your reading goals.
*This does not apply to Goodreads, of course.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
DS: Nothing will bust you out of a reading slump like a fantastic book. Here are a few I enjoyed quite a bit over the last few years:
Julie Ehlers: In 2017, I read 141 books (my Reading Challenge goal was 101).
Goodreads: What advice do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
JE: Follow your bliss! I think sometimes we read particular books because we feel like we should, or we dutifully plow through books we’re not enjoying because we feel bad about setting them aside without finishing them. Don’t do any of this! Read what calls out to you from the shelf. If something’s not working, quit it and don’t feel guilty.
Also, when you have a spare minute, pick up your book instead of scrolling through your phone. Not only will you get more reading done, but you’ll be improving your focus and concentration…and then you can get even more reading done! In my experience, it’s also much more rewarding.
Finally, make sure your goals are realistic! I’ve exceeded my challenge goal every year, but I’m not interested in setting a higher number—I don’t need that kind of pressure. The Reading Challenge should be fun and motivating, not make you want to change your name, move somewhere where nobody knows you, and start your life over again.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
JE: This is tough because obviously everybody’s taste is different, but when I think of Reading Challenge busters, I think "funny" and "lively," and nothing embodies those qualities more than David Sedaris’ essay collections. I’ve been enjoying his new one, Calypso, but all of them are great.
JE: I also think reading something completely different from what you’re used to can get you out of a slump. Lately I’ve been reading novels-in-poems, like Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming, for a change of pace.
JE: A lot of the best graphic novels are kind of dark and disturbing, but a good lighthearted one is Over Easy by Mimi Pond. As a bonus, this and Brown Girl Dreaming can be read pretty quickly, so you can feel an immediate sense of accomplishment.
JE: Another book that got me out of a recent reading slump is Christopher R. Beha’s novel Arts & Entertainments. I thought it was fun and so interesting, and really unpredictable. Unpredictability is good for keeping the pages turning.
Goodreads: How many books did you read last year?
Bill Kerwin: 240 books.
Goodreads: What advice do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
BK: Diversify. Read books of different types and genres, lengths, and levels of difficulty. Just make sure they are all from genres you like. Every month I read 18 separate works. The variety is what keeps my interest alive.
Read more than one book at a time. If I’m not in the mood for one book, I quickly shift to another. With four or five books at hand at any time, I can satisfy my reader’s mood, whatever it may be.
Always take a book with you when you leave the house. If the book is small, the inconvenience is, too. Even better: Take your Kindle along. Waiting is always easier when you have a book.
Read books you want to read, not books you think you should. Just because a book is on somebody’s “great list” doesn’t mean it’s the book for you. And if a book doesn’t please you after 50 pages, cut your losses and move on.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
BK: A horror/adventure novel featuring a black family in 1950’s Chicago who discover they have an occult family connection to a society of evil wizards on the East Coast.
BK: A Catholic family from London journeys north to visit a shrine and encounters evil in the countryside.
BK: This second entry in the series featuring Roxane Weary—Columbus, Ohio’s bisexual, hard-drinking private eye—is just as good as the first book, The Last Place You Look.
BK: The first and best collection by the master of the English ghost story—a classic not to be missed.
Goodreads: How many books did you read last year?
Kathy Habel: In 2017, I completed my fourth Goodreads Reading Challenge, completing a total of 161 books. I'm hoping to double that number this year!
Goodreads: What tips do you have for someone stuck in a Reading Challenge slump?
KH: Reading slumps are a real thing, especially for an avid reader. Life happens to all of us, and sometimes things get too stressful. I think it's healthy to take a break when it's needed, but if your slump goes on too long, here are a few suggestions to get back to reading:
No required reading. I used to force myself to finish every book I started. However, it's been years since I was in school, so there is no longer any "required reading" in my life. So give yourself permission to only read books you love.
Audiobooks. Try listening to audiobooks. While I love professional narrations and often listen to them through Audible or Overdrive, not every book I want to read has been professionally narrated. I often take advantage of my Kindle Fire's text-to-voice feature. Listening to audio versions of books while driving, exercising, and cleaning helps boost my book count.
Reread. Go back to an old favorite. What's the best book you've ever read? Which book elicited strong emotion when you read it? What is an unforgettable scene that is burned into your memory? Maybe it's time for a reread of an old favorite or maybe try another book written by a favorite author.
Compare books. If you have not yet found trusted friends with similar reading tastes, then choose your favorite book and find someone who has posted a five-star review similar to yours. Go to their profile and use Goodreads' "compare books" feature to see how compatible your reading tastes are.
This feature has led me to find a couple Goodreads friends who I am nearly 100 percent compatible with. Our ratings and reviews on books are so similar, I know that if they give a book five stars, I'm going to love it, too. When I'm in a slump and looking for something to pull me out of it, a great way is to choose a book one of these trusted top friends has raved about.
Goodreads: What Reading Challenge busters do you recommend?
KH: Anything by Amy Harmon (Making Faces, The Law of Moses, and From Sand and Ash are my favorites) and anything narrated by Jim Dale (The Night Circus, Harry Potter, Peter and the Starcatchers). Also, I'm with You by Taylor Dean and The Sidelined Wife by Jennifer Peel.
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What tips will you be trying for your Reading Challenge? Let us know in the comments!
Check out more recent blogs:
The Best Books of the Year (So Far)
The Unputdownable Domestic Suspense Thrillers of 2018
Catch Up Now: These Big Series All Have Books Coming Out in July
Check out more recent blogs:
The Best Books of the Year (So Far)
The Unputdownable Domestic Suspense Thrillers of 2018
Catch Up Now: These Big Series All Have Books Coming Out in July
Comments Showing 201-250 of 479 (479 new)
Regarding counting unfinished books, I don’t. However, I’ve often thought that it would make a lot more sense to set a challenge by number of PAGES rather than number of books (and I wrote to goodreads several years ago to suggest it), and if I was doing a challenge that way I would count the pages that I had read. Doing a challenge by page numbers would also solve the issue of forgoing longer books in the interest of completing a certain number of books.
Monika wrote: "Regarding counting unfinished books, I don’t. However, I’ve often thought that it would make a lot more sense to set a challenge by number of PAGES rather than number of books (and I wrote to goodr..."I agree, I would really like to finally see a pages OR books challenge. Let us switch between! Especially since GR is already tracking our pages read in Stats. But that means they would also need to fix audiobook pages or you would just have to use a different edition of the audio you're listening to. But I like to use the correct edition.
Wonderer wrote: " Wouter wrote: "Whatever happened to quality over quantity?"Barbara wrote: "Amen!"
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was three paragraphs long and took just over two minutes to deliver. By co..."
Well said.
Personally, I joined GoodReads to help keep track of the books I was reading. I - to this day don't know why - started taking books out of the local library again this past fall. When I started taking out the same book by a favorite author because it sounded good even the second time *grin* I started keeping track.
When I joined I basically set my challenge at 52 or a book a week. With the amount of books I was reading, I should be able to keep up that rate. I'm closing in on my 'goal'. I'm not going to stop once I get there. I'm going to keep reading. Because I'm enjoying reading.
Fortunately, I have not yet gotten to the point in this spell of reading where I completely gave up on a book before returning it to the library. But there have been a couple that were chores to finish.
But this blog was about how to get over any possible slump - there were some good tips given. For me, I read some articles in a magazine - Smithsonian and Archaeology come to the house. Changing genre also seems to help.
Wouter wrote: "Whatever happened to quality over quantity?"It's not up to you to judge how much people read or whether what they're reading matches your definition of quality.
If I could count the volume of pages I read at my work and include the amount of writing that I am compelled to do in my profession, the numbers put on the board by these high-achievers quoted here might look paltry. And I can tell others commenting here would have identical success. Do people who read 240 books a year (literally 2/3 of a complete book each and every day of the year) or 161 or whatever huge number have the luxury of not having to work, or undertake tasks other than reading? Do such people read books that have complex, non-fictional subjects that require focus to meaning? I just finished A Passage to India, and it took me far longer to complete this well-written, fascinating novel, because I had to stop to consider the intricate nuances of the characters and their interactions.
Each of us battles time in our lives, trying to surmount required constraints on our time to read than do a lot of other things. But work and families and responsibilities outside the home limit the luxury of being able to read whenever we'd like. Unfortunately, I am not convinced to appreciate the successes these readers who likely are no less voracious as readers than those others on Goodreads and commenters here who have other challenges in their lives that also must be addressed, making the 160 or 240-book reading goal a distant dream.
First, I want to thank Kathy Habel for her tip & information on comparing books.I've only been on Goodreads about 7 months, & didn't know about this feature. I'll be giving that a try.2nd. I am wondering if those who read 100+ books a year are enjoying what they read. I only read one book at a time, print only. But I like to lose myself in the story. I have my own little movie going in my mind, picturing the characters, the town,etc. I just don't see how that's possible when reading so many at once or reading them so fast that your count is so high.
Sometimes, I even take a day or 2 after finishing before I start another because I'm still living in that book's world.
Also, I have to wonder about people who are always reading everywhere. Somebody mentioned reading in line at the grocery store. I take that as an opportunity to talk to people, which I think is sadly becoming a thing of the past.
Well, this is just my 2 cents. To each his own. Just hope y'all are enjoying what you're reading.
I love the suggestion of using “compare” when you share a 5-Star rating with another Goodreads reader. Thanks for that!
PS I never do the “reading challenge” because I actually think I’m a reading addict. I need the “go-take-a-walk challenge” where I do sometimes struggle! It’s no challenge to read - it’s always my first choice activity.
Natasha wrote: "Cindle... wrote: "137 books, 141 books, 240 books, etc; plus, they want to double their amount next year. So I’m curious: are they retaining any of the plots and or characters they are reading abou...""I took a speed reading course and read War and Peace in 20 minutes, it involved Russia" :D
Hi,I also am an avid reader and always have a book or magazine in the car for those unexpected gifts of ten minutes. However when I kept track of how many books I was reading I noticed that I would get annoyed when I started a new book like Pachinko or the one I'm reading now, A Million Drops, both of which are long. I could read two shorter books and get more credit! This is wrong. Reading books with a "FitBit" mentality can take away the ability to appreciate the language, tone, and subtlety of the books. It's bad enough that the modern novel is increasingly written with short attention spans in mind. Notice how short the chapters have become. There's a lot of white space on those pages. What does that do in the long run to our ability to think complex thoughts and give something our full attention. I'm sure there are many who maintain they can read 150 books a year and appreciate them to their fullest--good for you. But I don't think it's a healthy goal for most of us. Read more? Yes. Read more quality? Even better.
By the way, it annoys me that Goodreads doesn't give credit (I don't think) for reading a book twice. Reading some books multiple times leads to some magical literary discoveries.
Barbara wrote: "I am wondering if those who read 100+ books a year are enjoying what they read..."I absolutely have enjoyed reading the 127 books I have read so far this year. Well, some of the books I didn't like, of course, but I enjoyed the act of reading them. The fact is that everyone reads and absorbs differently just like everyone learns differently. When I'm reading a book, I'm focused on that book. If I put it down for another one, I focus on the new book. If I'm still thinking about the previous book, I go back to it. But the book I'm currently reading in my hands, is my number one priority. Just because I can easily put it aside for something else doesn't mean a thing. I can multi-task. I may not be in the right mood for what I'm reading so I will pick up something else. I read portions of 2-3 books every day.
Humour aside, I think a person could retain and enjoy 200+ books a year if they devote a lot of time to it. I don't see why not. Dependent on other commitments of course like anything.There was a writer who read a book a day for a year, after her husband died. She wrote a book about the experience, never read it. I think she did keep the books below 300 pages. Obviously that's a pretty big commitment but doable.
John wrote: "If I could count the volume of pages I read at my work and include the amount of writing that I am compelled to do in my profession, the numbers put on the board by these high-achievers quoted here..."I work full-time, I have responsbilities; husband, pets, home ownership, I see my parents and brothers and their families once a week. I prioritize reading above other hobbies. I'd rather sit at home and read then go out to the bar or go shopping or watch TV or play video games. Reading is my thing. I make time for it. Some of my reads are complex, some are not. Some are YA, some are non-fiction, some are mystery or thriller. I mix it up. I've read 127 books so far this year and they weren't all less than 200 page middle grade books. Less than 10 of them were graphic novels or novellas. People who read more books than others don't have to justify why or how they do it.
I read over 100 books last year, this year ,y goal is 70 and I will probably go over that. I also have any where's from 3-6 books going at once. I'm retired and watch a lot of tv programs I record so I don't have to watch commercials, and I watch sports, mainly college football, the NFL and the Boston Red Sox. I Belong to 2 book clubs at my local book store,, the Blue Umbrella Book Store in Westfield Mass. And I use the library all the time.
Kathy wrote: "Hi,I also am an avid reader and always have a book or magazine in the car for those unexpected gifts of ten minutes. However when I kept track of how many books I was reading I noticed that I wou..."
As of last year, Goodreads allows you mark a book as read multiple times and it counts towards your totals. You just have to have the end date on each time you've read it.
William wrote: "I read over 100 books last year, this year ,y goal is 70 and I will probably go over that. I also have any where's from 3-6 books going at once. I'm retired and watch a lot of tv programs I record ..."100 books a yeah doesn't seem an extreme amount really no. I might get that many in, and I don't even read that much. Do use audio books too mind. I don't speed read either, not a believer in it. Depends on the books of course, doubt you're going to read 100 thousand-page epics.
Kathy wrote: "Hi,I also am an avid reader and always have a book or magazine in the car for those unexpected gifts of ten minutes. However when I kept track of how many books I was reading I noticed that I wou..."
It actually is possible to set multiple dates read for a book, so you do get "credit" for rereading books!
Great tips - much appreciated. But I'm completely serious when asking - do these people have full time jobs?? How can you possibly read 100-200 books a year - even if you're reading a couple at a time?
There are some great suggestions here. I do read more than one book at a time, but if I am enjoying one I usually go ahead and finish it. I have a tendency to finish books that I am not particularly fond of though. Especially if it is a classic. I should cut my losses and move on. I watch a lot of sports on TV, but I tend to read during the annoying commercials. I never count the number of books I read--that seems a little 3rd grade to me. Having said that though, if it motivates you to read more, go for it.
Marie wrote: "Great tips - much appreciated. But I'm completely serious when asking - do these people have full time jobs?? How can you possibly read 100-200 books a year - even if you're reading a couple at a t..."It's pretty easy if you're mixing formats. Audio, ebook, and physical so you can literally be constantly reading. I listen to audiobooks on my commute which adds up to 10 hours a week plus most narrators are too slow readers so I speed them up to 1.5x. I'm constantly reading 3 books at a time, one in each format. I prioritize reading over other hobbies. I watch less TV. Weekends all I do is read. I work full-time and have responsibilities; husband, pets, home ownership, we go out to dinner, we see family. But in my spare time, I read. I love it, reading is my thing.
Cindle... wrote: "Katsuro wrote: "Cindle... wrote: "137 books, 141 books, 240 books, etc; plus, they want to double their amount next year. So I’m curious: are they retaining any of the plots and or characters they ..."Cindle:
If you really had cared as little as you say about my opinion and getting validation, you wouldn't have bothered to respond to me. The fact that you typed out all those paragraphs shows that you do care about what impression I get of you, and need people to see that you had a good reply to what I said. Nothing wrong about seeking validation that way; just try to be honest about it.
The reason I mentioned how many books I read a year isn't for bragging. I mentioned it because it's relevant to the discussion. If I hadn't provided at least an approximate number, it wouldn't have been clear that I spoke from experience when I explained that, unlike what you untruthfully claimed, those of us who read lots of books do remember what we read, and think about it.
If someone claims that people like me don't remember what we read, or don't think about what we read, then yes, I will point out that this is untrue.
Lastly: You claim you don't need validation, but you still found it important to tell everyone how good your memory of books is, and how you think about them... In short, seems like--as I said--you did want some validation.
I thought this to be a discussion on helping people with ideas to interact with more books. It seems participants want to discuss quantity versus quality or worry about genres of books read. Who cares. It’s your list. You decide what is on that list and at what speed you want to read them given your personal time constraints. Excuse me, I think I will leave everyone to their discussion. I have a book to read. Lol
Marie wrote: "Great tips - much appreciated. But I'm completely serious when asking - do these people have full time jobs?? How can you possibly read 100-200 books a year - even if you're reading a couple at a t..."I read well over a 100 books a year, always have, I am a military wife mom of 2 girls ages 9 and 10 whom I homeschool, I am also a dialysis patient and have an active social life as well as getting my girls to all thier activities. So yes I have a life but it also includes books and lots of them.
I do not do audible, YA, graphic novels nor erotica, everything esle is fair game. I never quit a book once started. I read alot of different series, so yes you can read those faster because after the 1st book you've gone through the world building and character introductions. I usually have three books going at once 1 classic, 1 book from a series and 1 book that is not a series that is a different genre from the series book, so three totally different books. I am not a speed reader and I retain everything I read. But every extra second I get I have my nose in a book (I am 99% just a physical book person)
Also being a mom, I would rather have my girls see me with a book in my hand than playing on my phone or computer, or sitting in front of the tv. Not fair for me to limit thier time doing those things if I can't or don't set a good example.
Dana wrote: "Some good tips in here. However, I have one minor (pedantic) peeve:Listening to audiobooks is not reading. You get a completely different experience reading something than you do from listening t..."
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https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily...
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http://www.scholastic.com/parents/res...
Everyone of those books seem to be in the high $$ range. If I'm paying that much for a book I'll get the print edition.
Cindle... wrote: "Katsuro wrote: "Cindle... wrote: "137 books, 141 books, 240 books, etc; plus, they want to double their amount next year. So I’m curious: are they retaining any of the plots and or characters they ..."Look, you're keeping a polite enough tone, and I appreciate that, so I'll do the same. Here's how I see it:
I do regard audiobooks and printed books as two different things. This doesn't mean that I regard one as lesser, let alone that I specifically regard audiobooks as lesser. Apples and oranges are both delicious and nutritious fruits. We can acknowledge this, and agree that they're equally tasty, without claiming that apples actually are oranges too.
Lemme use another, better simile. Does riding on a stationary exercise bike give pretty much the exact same health benefits as taking a bike ride outside? Yep! Does this mean that using a stationary exercise bike in a gym is the same thing as taking a bike ride outside? Nope, and me acknowledging this does not mean that i regard either of these exercise forms as lesser.
I'm not claiming that if somebody says "I read The Grapes of Wrath last month" then I'm gonna scream "NO! You LISTENED to it! You are bearing FALSE WITNESS about your STEINBECK EXPERIENCE!"
But I am saying that it's silly to claim that it's literally the same thing, when lots of people--including me--enjoy audiobooks because of the differences. (Some kids books go from good to great with a really good narrator.)
EDIT: This reply was intended for David, not Cindle. How embarrassing!
Marie wrote: "Great tips - much appreciated. But I'm completely serious when asking - do these people have full time jobs?? How can you possibly read 100-200 books a year - even if you're reading a couple at a t..."I have a full-time job and a social life and travel quite a bit and I read 171 books last year. I enjoyed all of them, and only noted the 5 books I didn't enjoy and didn't finish reading so that I wouldn't make the mistake of getting them again in a few years. They didn't count towards my 171 total.
Probably 20 or 30 of those were graphic novels. I read fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art instruction books, and a few very long novels. Anna Karenina took me a month to read, but I read other things as well. I don't watch TV at all, so time I would have spent doing that goes to reading.
Just because somebody reads more or less, it really is okay. Do what works for you. Why worry about somebody else's reading habits?
We keep all our books I turned the unused formal living room into a home library, plus we have more bookshelves in the office and our family room has built in bookcases on either side of the fireplace.But everyone in my house are readers. We have so many great discussions around the dinner table every night. :-)
Reading so many books would take the fun out of it although when I was in high school I did read one western novel per day over one summer. And I guess my comment is: These people you interviewed; They must not have a life! One read 161 books and has a goal of 322 for this year. She needs to "get a life." Do these high volume readers actually "read" or do they listen to audiobooks while doing other things?
Allen wrote: "Reading so many books would take the fun out of it although when I was in high school I did read one western novel per day over one summer. And I guess my comment is: These people you interviewed; ..."Are you kidding me? Maybe mind your own business. Just because some people prioritize reading over other hobbies doesn't mean they don't have a life. I take offense to that. Just because it doesn't suit you doesn't mean that everyone else needs to "get a life." Get off your high horse.
Jessica wrote: "So do you count audio books as "reading" a book? I never had but if I did, it would for boost my numbers. What is the general consensus?"I'm currently at 82 books this year out of a 130 book 'challenge', and many, if not most, of these are audiobooks. I have no problem with counting audiobooks: in Greco-Roman Antiquity (which is where I live much of my life), words only came alive when spoken, so all books were read aloud - if you couldn't get somebody to read to you (maybe a slave), you read aloud to yourself. I just pay a professional to read to me, is all.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "So for those who think audio books don't count, what about people with vision problems who physically can't read? They can't ever say they've read a book because they had to listen to it instead? "Whether listening to audiobooks counts as reading or not isn't determined by that, though. Or at least, I honestly don't get why it would be.
Let's say--only for the sake of the discussion--that it doesn't count as "reading" when I listen to an audiobook. In that case, surely the exact same activity doesn't suddenly become reading if a blind person does it?
I'm not trying to be rude; I genuinely don't understand what you mean.
Wouter wrote: "Whatever happened to quality over quantity?"I'm with you. I would rather read fewer books that I remember and truly enjoy than focus on how many I am reading per year.
Well after reading this I don't feel guilty. Especially when I can't finish a book. This is good advice, especially about letting social media consume our time. I am always reading 2 books at a time. One at home and one for my commute. I read a variety of genres. That's what keeps me going.
The tips here are good ones. I read more than 100 books a year, work full time and have 2 teenagers. I am blessed that I read fast. My goal for this year is 210 books and I am at 139. I want to weigh in on several points in the thread. A variety of books does help and you can read quantity and quality. I like fiction but I am reading a business book and historical book too. The average page counts on my books is well over 300. I am reading My Dear Hamilton which is over 600 and not the first one of that high page count I read this year. I don't watch TV and I read while I am on my elliptical so I can get some exercise in. I think that audiobooks count as reading. I don't do as many of them because I like to read but when I am driving I like to listen to audiobooks. Yes you do hear it instead of view it and I catch different things when I listen rather than read. Audiobooks help me catch new points within a book. I read what I like. I will abandon a book if it is really bad but I have only started doing that recently. I will often wait a period of time and see if when I come back it is better. I don't count books I reread because I think A) It goes faster the second time around and B) I sometimes skip parts so that is not reading the whole thing. I think read whatever you enjoy and no pressure on the number.
Krista wrote: "Wouter wrote: "Whatever happened to quality over quantity?"I'm with you. I would rather read fewer books that I remember and truly enjoy than focus on how many I am reading per year."
Sometimes, the focus on quantity helps quality, though. I read a classic play every week, and not only does it help my reading count, it also--and more importantly--means that I get to read wonderful classics. I always wanted to read Brecht, Euripides and Molière, and the book count is just a nice means to make sure I finally get around to it.
I'm a naturally fast reader. I might take a a couple of hours to read a book that it takes a friend a month to read. I read all sorts of books. I read Fahrenheit 451 for the first time since high school last year and LOVED it, but I also read trashy romance novels, suspenseful thrillers, thoughtful contemporary literature, and serious non-fiction, all of which I enjoyed just as much. I'm a mood reader, if I'm not in the mood for one, I just grab another. I often switch back and forth between a kindle version and an audio version so i can continue "reading" while I drive, clean, work or cook. Also, Books > TV
By the by: on the whole 'people who read a lot of books must not have a life'-nonsense - I'm a knitter as well as a reader, and we get that, too, the passive-aggressive 'I wish I had time for that!' implying that they have more important things to do with their time.Lifehack of the day: you can read and knit AT THE SAME TIME; choose simple knits (garter, stockinette in-the-round) for actual reading, and have a lovely (by which I mean engrossing and possibly scary) audiobook at hand for lace and cables.
Krista wrote: "Wouter wrote: "Whatever happened to quality over quantity?"I'm with you. I would rather read fewer books that I remember and truly enjoy than focus on how many I am reading per year."
Krista,
Then you do that, and don't focus on what anybody else is doing. Don't assume that someone who reads more isn't enjoying it or focusing. You do you. :-)
Daniela wrote: "I wonder if they include books started but not finished in their lists...."I don't include it. If I don't finish the book, it doesn't get counted.
Katsuro wrote: "David wrote: "If you think an audiobook is an equally valid way to "experience" a book but it still doesn't count as "reading," to you, then what point are you trying to make by voicing your very p..."
You may be overthinking this. Goodreads allows you to choose and audio version of a book and mark it as "read." So people are probably just using Goodreads expanded definition of "read" because it's in context to the article.
You may be overthinking this. Goodreads allows you to choose and audio version of a book and mark it as "read." So people are probably just using Goodreads expanded definition of "read" because it's in context to the article.
240 books a year? You simply can not be serious. I've recently read a book on speedreading and best piece of advice was not wasting time with c**p. So I just skimmed through a number of books people in the article claimed to have read and understood reading full article will be waste of my time.
Forgive me, but I think this is nonsense. Who cares if you meet your "Reading Challenge"? I set one, but purely as a bit of a spur for myself, and if I don't meet it, I don't meet it.I read 20 books last year, but they were almost all serious books and classics that I should have been required to read when I was in school. No need for anyone to do this if they're not so inclined, but it's ridiculous to emphasize quantity over quality. Unless, ahem, you're in the business of selling books.
Howard wrote: "it's ridiculous to emphasize quantity over quality.."Thing is, none of us who read almost literal tons of books do that. We don't say "This Peter F. Hamilton novel sounds super good, but it's 900 pages. I'll skip it, and read these twenty mediocre Goosebumps books instead to meet my Goodreads goal."
Instead, we say "This Peter F. Hamilton novel sounds super good, but it's 900 pages. I'd better clear up some time to read it, so I can fit it in with all the other books I'm reading."
I have always been described as a "voracious reader", my husband tells people that I absolutely eat books - which I do.But, I've never really done a "reading challenge". Because mainly? I don't do well with deadlines. I have OCD & am a procrastinator, so I'm kinda screwed from the get go.
I read as often as I can. Usually an hour or two before bedtime, any time I have to sit in a waiting room, sometimes in the car (when I'm not driving, calm down) and ALWAYS on public transportation.
Sometimes I read 3 books in a week, sometimes it takes me a month to get through a single one. "Game of Thrones - A Storm of Swords" is a prime example and is what prompted me to finally say okay to a Kindle. It's 973 pages and about 5 pounds, which I was carrying around in my bookbag.
I will never forsake the hardback, my collection is the heart of my home. But, I'm really loving my Kindle Fire for ease of access!
So many of you are questioning the quality and quantity of books that people read but think of this, my daughter who just turned 9 read 67 books last year, we are talking chapter book series for 10 to 12 year olds. This year thus far she has read 27 books page count is 6,573 which averages about 234 pages per book. She is reading more advanced longer series books. And yes she understands and retains what she reads. These are not her school books either, these are simply books she has chosen to read.So when you say an adult must not have a life because they can and do read as much, or more than 100 books even when the "adult" books are longer is just absurb. If a child reading well above thier level can put up those kind of numbers and is involved in gymnastics. swimming dance and soccer, then there is no reason an adult who can and does should be slammed with derogatory statements.
Mary wrote: "So many of you are questioning the quality and quantity of books that people read but think of this, my daughter who just turned 9 read 67 books last year, we are talking chapter book series for 10..."I love your daughter!!! A girl after my own heart! I can only hope I will be able to instill this kind of value and pleasure in reading in my future children. <3 <3 <3
All I get from this thread is I should read some more books I think. I've not really been reading that seriously, could definitely read more which would be good..
Mary wrote: "So many of you are questioning the quality and quantity of books that people read but think of this, my daughter who just turned 9 read 67 books last year, we are talking chapter book series for 10..."I completely agree. Maybe "those people" need to slow down a bit, let go of Netflix or (insert any other ridiculous time wasting thing here) for a night or two of just reading. You'd be surprised what you can accomplish in 5 hours of only you & a book.
When I was little, my Dad would let me sit on his lap while he read the Wall Street Journal aloud. He had a wonderfully sonorous voice and would point out small words for me to read (and practice writing). I fell in love with words at 3 and was reading by 4. Not surprising, by 4th grade I was reading at a high school level and by 6th grade at a college level. I'd rather get lost in "Narnia" than worry about which boy liked who in 5th grade.
Both of my parents are college educated (technically 3 parents due to divorce) and are huge readers. It's just what we did. Libraries were a major part of my childhood as well.
It's too bad we've become a society so willing to remove books from the public.
Wasn't that kind of a Hitler/Nazi thing? I don't remember that working out so well.
But you can speed up the narration!