Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Finished and starting up

Mary wrote: " I thought the recommendation was odd too, especially accompanied by the other book he wanted me to read, Life of Pi. They make an odd couple. ."

I tried reading Life on Pi but couldn't make it past the first five pages. If that wasn't the most boring intro ever, then I don't know what is.

Welcome to the team, Sheila!

I'm reading I'm completely addicted to the series as a whole. Rotten doorstoppers that they are.

Hi, Sheila! I'm so glad you've joined the A-Team! Welcome! Just to let you know, we have a Read-a-Thon coming up soon. The details are in this post if you're interesting in joining in. :-)

I loved The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest as well. The whole trilogy was excellent!

TheButterflyEffect wrote: "I'm reading I'm completely addicted to the series as a whole. Rotten doorstoppers that they are."

I just started watching the HBO series! I watched all 2 season in 4 days. To say that I'm addicted would be an understatement. I haven't read the books and now I'm hesitant because of the show.

Sashana wrote: "TheButterflyEffect wrote: "I'm reading I'm completely addicted to the series as a whole. Rotten doorstoppers that they are."

I just started watching the HBO seri..."

I've only watched the first season because I don't want to spoil the second book for myself. Let it be said the books are absolutely amazing. Though they're also huge! I don't think any of them are less the 800 pages!!

TheButterflyEffect wrote: "I've only watched the first season because I don't want to spoil the second book for myself..."

I will give the first book a try one of these days. If I start the books I will be tempted to stop watching the show (which has become an addiction!) because, like you, I don't want any spoilers. The size of the series as a whole is daunting though.

Sashana wrote: "TheButterflyEffect wrote: "I've only watched the first season because I don't want to spoil the second book for myself..."

I will give the first book a try one of these days. If I start the books ..."

The size is a bit intimidating. It's why I put off reading them for so long. Totally worth it though.

I have the first book in audiobook format, but the size (length?) intimidates me! While most audiobooks are 11-15 hours long, iTunes says that run time for Game of Thrones is 1.3 DAYS!!! Yikes!

I'm reading Delirium - the whole concept of love being a curable/preventable disease is so creative.

Barb wrote: "I have the first book in audiobook format, but the size (length?) intimidates me! While most audiobooks are 11-15 hours long, iTunes says that run time for Game of Thrones is 1.3 DAYS!!! Yikes!"

From what I understand it's very hard to take in with the audiobook. I wouldn't know, I don't have the attention span for audiobooks.

Barb wrote: "I have the first book in audiobook format, but the size (length?) intimidates me! While most audiobooks are 11-15 hours long, iTunes says that run time for Game of Thrones is 1.3 DAYS!!! Yikes!"

I listened to on audio...I can't even remember how many CDs there were. 24? But it was looooooooong.

Yeah, Game of Thrones is something like 27 CDs LOL That's a LOT of listening!

TheButterflyEffect wrote: "I don't have the attention span for audiobooks. "

Neither do I. Whenever I listen to an audiobook I sit very still, worrying that I will miss something.

24 CDs? 1.3 days? *faints*

@ Mandy
Love that series! The newest is about to be released and I can't wait to read it. :-D

@ TheButterflyEffect
I like to listen to audiobooks and play brainless games on my iPod or laptop. Mahjong, Brick Break, Flow Free, and Entanglement are some of my favorite games to play on my laptop (all free and can be played inside your browser). For whatever reason, it focuses a part of my brain and allows me to pay attention to to what's being read to me. If I just sit and listen, my mind wanders without me realizing it, or I fall asleep.

Mary wrote: "I like to listen to audiobooks and play brainless games on my iPod or laptop .... For whatever reason, it focuses a part of my brain and allows me to pay attention to to what's being read to me. If I just sit and listen, my mind wanders without me realizing it, or I fall asleep. "

I listen mostly when I'm driving -- to/from work, on road trips, running errands -- but also when I'm doing very repetitive things here at home or the rare times when I spend a morning/afternoon cleaning. It makes the time go faster!

I'm really torn on the Game of Thrones books vs TV series. I have only watched season 1, so far (I'm 3rd on the hold list for season 2 at the library!). I started the first book but then I put it down, watched the series, decided I really wanted to read the book for more depth but I still haven't yet. And then I read something about how season 2 doesn't go into a lot of detail about certain characters that the book covers richly so then I thought maybe I'd start reading the series soon, despite not wanting the show spoiled.

I think I've decided that I'll read the books and just think of the show as a way to see it all in action and not worry too much about spoilers. I want to read the books no matter what but I think my bigger fear is watching the show first and then reading the books thinking, "I can't believe they didn't bother to film this! It would have been awesome!" Somehow I've convinced myself that I could handle that more than criticizing it after reading, haha. Not sure why... maybe because a lot of people who have read the series have said that the show is good, it makes me feel comfortable enough to read first, watch later.

I found the first book very easy to get into, despite the daunting size!

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "I'm really torn on the Game of Thrones books vs TV series. I have only watched season 1, so far (I'm 3rd on the hold list for season 2 at the library!). I started the first book but then I put it d..."

I thought it was fairly easy to get into too!

And the show is VERY CLOSE to the book. It just goes a little faster and skims over a few things.

Stephanie wrote: "In regards to Discovery of Witches. I enjoyed it well enough, but parts bothered me. Especially the romance bit that is happening at about the point you are at now >.< "

Yeah, the romance sort of makes me cringe. Yes, I expected it was going to happen, but I'm still sort of disappointed by it, it seems the author took a shortcut and tbh the whole romance aspect just reminds me too much of Twilight to be able to enjoy it!

Audiobooks, oh audiobooks... I'll have to have another go at trying those. So far I have fallen asleep every single time (I've tried for example Bill Bryson and Stephen King, so I don't think it's the books' fault), but that's because I've tried to listen to audiobooks the same way I read books - only focus on them. Next time I'll figure out something else to occupy me, too, so I won't doze off!

I'm nearly finished with . I've only got about 175 pages to go. It's so good :D! I'm really glad I bought the whole box set before reading them. I think I'm going to read at least the first 3 before starting on the TV series.

Megan L wrote: "I do have a question though. If we played in round I and already have a shelf for this challenge do we have to have a new shelf for the second round or can we continue to use the shelf we have already?"

I really want to read Game of Thrones, but as you guys mentioned they're like 800+ pages..I'm worried I won't get through them but I haven't watched the show either so what should I do? As I really want to do both!

Like should I read book 1 first and then watch season 1 of the TV show? Then read book 2 and watch season 2? Oh and one more question, is the TV show drastically different from the books?

>>>

Finished these lately:
&

going to start,

Hello A-Team!

We are catching up, GO TEAM!!!

:o)

TEAM A:1187
TEAM B:1189
TEAM C:1249
TEAM D:1111

6 days to the RaT and counting!!!

Happy readings

Cathie wrote: "Ok, the above answer leads to another question: Do we need to take all of our books off the shelf that we have already read, if we keep the same shelf name?"

Alexa wrote: "I really want to read Game of Thrones, but as you guys mentioned they're like 800+ pages..I'm worried I won't get through them but I haven't watched the show either so what should I do? As I really..."

I've been reading the book first then watching the season. And the show is very close to the book. As for the books being long, they really aren't that hard to get through despite their length.

This may have been asked before, but I can't remember what the response was: Are children's chapter books allowed for this game, as long a they're over the 170-page minimum? I'm reading a Hardy Boys book for another challenge and am unsure if I can count it here too. Thanks!

Yes, Barb, it counts! Children's picture books are not allowed, but chapter books are just fine as long as they meet the page limit requirements.

Thanks Mary :)

Hi Guys! I just got assigned to the team, and am excited to get started!

About me:

Name: Ashley
Location (optional): Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Book of All Time: Neverwhere
Favorite Book of 2012: The Rook
Favorite Book Genre: Urban Fantasy or Paranormal YA
Favorite Animal: Foxes, but really anything furry (except furry spiders!)
Favorite Cartoon: X-Men anything
Favorite Movie: Casablanca
If I could meet any fictional character, it would be: Yvaine from Stardust
Some of my other hobbies/interests are: I ride horses and host a radio show. Not at the same time.

TheButterflyEffect wrote: "Alexa wrote: "I really want to read Game of Thrones, but as you guys mentioned they're like 800+ pages..I'm worried I won't get through them but I haven't watched the show either so what should I d..."

Ohh! thank you! I'm going to do that (read the book then watch the season).

Today & yesterday: I've finished,

Welcome to the team Ashley! I didn't read Neverwhere, but The Rook was a real page turner.

Who likes furry spiders? (Or any kind of spiders, for that matters)

Anyway, if you have questions/comments/suggestions, just post them on the thread!

And we'll going to have a read-a-thon next week. You can see the original post here.

Happy Readings!

Sonia wrote: "Welcome to the team Ashley! I didn't read Neverwhere, but The Rook was a real page turner..."

Thanks for the welcome, Sonia!

The read-a-thon actually works out perfectly for me - I have a few vacation days during that week!

I'll commit to participating, and I'll shoot for 1000 pages.

I'll join the march read-a-thon!

Nice, will add you both to the participant's list.

For the new team members, don't forget to tag your books read (and started) since January 1st, and remember that no books with less than 170 pages or picture books allowed.

Any issue just post them on the thread or contact me or Mary (or any of the mods).

Welcome, Ashley Marie! That's so neat that you host a radio show! My boyfriend works in radio, too. He produces two shows and hosts a weekend show. I love hearing him on the radio. :)

So glad you've joined us!

Welcome to the A-Team, Ashley! I haven't read any of the books you listed but I've had Stardust and Neverwhere on my TBR for awhile. I've only just heard about Rook this past week and I may have to add it, as well.

And what do you mean you don't host your radio show while riding horses? That would be super impressive! lol

Welcome to the team, Ashley! What part of Pittsburgh are you from? We live near Harrisburg now, but lived in the Mars area for a few years, then in Moon Twp. after that.

Mary wrote: "Welcome, Ashley Marie! That's so neat that you host a radio show! My boyfriend works in radio, too. He produces two shows and hosts a weekend show. I love hearing him on the radio. :)

So glad you..."

I'm just a local college community show host - that's so cool that he's parlayed it into a professional gig! Very impressive!

ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) wrote: "Welcome to the A-Team, Ashley! I haven't read any of the books you listed but I've had Stardust and Neverwhere on my TBR for awhile. I've only just heard about Rook this past week and I may have to..."

Neil Gaiman is so good - I rarely dislike anything he writes. He's really an amazing reader, too, if you ever get the chance to see him at a talk!

Combining my two hobbies is next on my list of things to do ;) I just have to figure out how to get all the equipment to the stable!

Barb wrote: "Welcome to the team, Ashley! What part of Pittsburgh are you from? We live near Harrisburg now, but lived in the Mars area for a few years, then in Moon Twp. after that."

I'm originally from Washington, PA, then moved to the South Side, but the hubby and I just bought a house in South Park...so a little bit of everywhere!

Welcome to the team Ashley. We have the same middle name.

Ashley Marie wrote: "I'm just a local college community show host - that's so cool that he's parlayed it into a professional gig! Very impressive!"

Well, you have to start somewhere! Are you interested in working in radio? The Boyfriend works in sports radio and he loves it. Although when you produce two 4-hour weekday shows and host a weekend show (two, in football season), it's a LOT of work. But I'm glad he's doing what he loves.

Mary wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "I'm just a local college community show host - that's so cool that he's parlayed it into a professional gig! Very impressive!"

Well, you have to start somewhere! Are you inter..."

I just do it as a hobby - I'm actually involved in the nonprofit sector (Director of a small literacy council!). But, I love music, and love telling people about music, so when the chance to get air cleared and host a show came along, I jumped at it!

Nancy wrote: "Welcome to the team Ashley. We have the same middle name."

It's a good one! With a name as common as Ashley, I have to put something in my username to clear up confusion :|

Ashley Marie wrote: "Neil Gaiman is so good - I rarely dislike anything he writes. He's really an amazing reader, too, if you ever get the chance to see him at a talk! "

Did you know he has a new book coming out soon? Actually, two new books! One in June for adults, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and in November, one for kids, Fortunately, the Milk. He describes the kids' books as his "silliest, strangest book yet" LOL

I just finished it was good

Barb wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "Neil Gaiman is so good - I rarely dislike anything he writes. He's really an amazing reader, too, if you ever get the chance to see him at a talk! "

Did you know he has a new ..."

I'm REALLY excited for both books (so many emotions!). I got to hear him read an excerpt of The Ocean in November, and it sounds AMAZING. It can't be published fast enough for me!

I am reading . The hardback book( 436 pages), not the paperback book(around 700 pages). When I am putting down the pages on the homepage on Goodreads, do I make it go all the way to the 700 pages or do I stop at the 436 pages, and click finish? I never had a book like this.

Nancy, is this a question for the Mods? (If so, I'm confused.) Or for a challenge within this group?

I gave up on Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Too bad I can't count the 300 pages I read for it ;) To better books!

Finished reading and started reading