If I post my reading list for this year, will someone be willing to tell me which ones qualify as books? I'm trying to read 50 this year but I'd hate to include things that don't qualify.

I'll leave off the four audio books since those clearly are right out. (Where the Crawdads Sing, They Both Die at the End, Days of Distraction, and The Fisherman). Of Mice and Men was barely 100 pages so I'll leave that out too. Same with Life on Mars, that short poetry book by Tracy K Smith, what was I thinking?

Brandon wrote: "If I post my reading list for this year, will someone be willing to tell me which ones qualify as books? I'm trying to read 50 this year but I'd hate to include things that don't qualify.

I'll le..."

Thanks for the chuckle :)

Brandon wrote: "If I post my reading list for this year, will someone be willing to tell me which ones qualify as books? I'm trying to read 50 this year but I'd hate to include things that don't qualify.

I'll le..."

Yes, none of those are sufficient, and the only reason you would do all of that is because you're a cheating cheater who cheats, and want to make strangers feel inadequate by inflating your numbers.

In seriousness, I took on a 50 book challenge because despite growing up a voracious reader, I don't read much now -- less than ten a year usually, probably closer to five -- and I wanted to correct that. My library was running the challenge, including fifty categories to fulfill, which especially appealed to me. I've gone from having a "to read" list that I'd assumed I'd never finish to creating a "to re-read" list; I've read a ton of new authors (new to me and young up-and-comers); recommended and received recommendations from friends and strangers; spent much less time flipping through Netflix. It's been a great experience.

As for what qualifies -- I read Roots, The Road, Go Tell It On the Mountain, Lord Jim, A Good Man Is Hard to Find -- but the most powerful thing I've read this year was Persepolis. Yeah, a graphic novel. Everyone, read it.

Brandon wrote: "In seriousness, I took on a 50 book challenge because despite growing up a voracious reader, I don't read much now -- less than ten a year usually, probably closer to five -- and I wanted to correc..."

Sounds like you've had a terrific year! I'm glad you're finding ways to read more. It's so common to both love reading, and never actually prioritize reading. I've been there. I'm still sometimes there.

I had Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, and was enjoying it. I set it down next to my chair. My dog had wolfed down his dinner too fast, and -- I'd rather not say. I need to get a new copy.

Have you read The Complete Maus?

I've read 6 of the no-good, very bad list above and own 4 more. Those numbers are pretty even between books I bought before the list, and those that the list give me the final push to purchase. For those that hate Amazon, and see this list as Amazon Amazoning, I bought the latter books at B&N. Sticking it to the man by buying from the other man! LOL!

I enjoyed the majority of the ones I read.

I think the best author I've discovered this year is S.A. Cosby. He knows how to tell a compelling story. Last year I discovered Stephen Graham Jones, who has some shorter stuff that could have made the above list.

If you are so against the idea, then why bother open this page and spend your valuable time on commenting and discouraging. For some peoples finishing can be beginning. And, it can be a huge motivation. Just leave it alone if you don’t like the idea of ‘crush’ the challenge. You are not in a race.

M. wrote: "Brandon wrote: "In seriousness, I took on a 50 book challenge because despite growing up a voracious reader, I don't read much now -- less than ten a year usually, probably closer to five -- and I ..."
It has been a very good reading year, thank you!

As to the original subject, "Nothing But Blackened Teeth" is next on deck, after I finish King's "Billy Summers". In October I read "You Should Have Left" which likely would have been on this list a couple of years ago. Several others on this list look interesting but I think I have the rest of the year planned out already. I'll use them to rebuild my To Read.

Aditya wrote: "If you are so against the idea, then why bother open this page and spend your valuable time on commenting and discouraging. For some peoples finishing can be beginning. And, it can be a huge motiva..."

You are just anti-epic.

Some of these ‘short’ books are just the usual length to me…
Am I an impatient reader ??

Unknown wrote: "Some of these ‘short’ books are just the usual length to me…"

I thought that too!

I agree with just about every comment that has been made on this subject, which just goes to show that a person can participate in a reading challenge for a wide variety of reasons.

As for me, I’ve been a voracious reader my entire life but hit a major slump after the 2016 election and again during the pandemic last year. I decided to read some shorter books as a way to train myself back into the reading habit. It worked. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction every time I finished a book. And it added a bit of fun to my reading life. I like mixing long novels with shorter ones. Let’s face it- a long book can be a slog - why not have variety in the length of books we read just like we seek variety in subject matter and genre?

Reading is so important to me as a value that I was willing to treat it like homework for awhile until it became a pleasure again. I don’t always participate in the reading challenge but this year I did. Like others have said, it helps motivate me to turn off the tv, put down my phone, and engage in an activity that I know is better for me on so many levels. It’s no different that setting a goal to work out x times per week. Nobody has a right to judge.

mmm I like lists

Leave audiobooks alone!!

How can I count reading some of the comments towards my goal?

Anna wrote: "I’m afraid I don’t understand the very concept of this list.
Why would anyone want to “crush” their reading challenge?
It sounds like people no longer read books to get something out of them. It’..."

It's great for people like me who have ADHD and read more than one book at once. It helps me categorize my reading better instead of trying to read and remember several long books. Also, gifted kid burn out. I used to read all the time and without care, but growing up I fell victim to my gifted kid burn out and it just helps to have a goal to reach. Let me crush that goal with several small books and get the pride I no longer get from the adult world.