Outread Aubrey! Challenge discussion
What are you reading?
Audrey, can we do this again next year???
YES IT IS because if you become like me you will NEVER READ AGAIN. O.O Actually if you become totally like me you'll work more than you write. Eepers!
Whoa, Hannah, darling! Ask me after the first of the year and I have some handle on what my life will look like. o.O But I'm glad you're interested. :D
Whoa, Hannah, darling! Ask me after the first of the year and I have some handle on what my life will look like. o.O But I'm glad you're interested. :D
Aubrey wrote: "YES IT IS because if you become like me you will NEVER READ AGAIN. O.O Actually if you become totally like me you'll work more than you write. Eepers!"Hey, I get to read for at least 1 hour every week because I read while I eat lunch on the two days I work. And, that is already the case right now. :P I wish it weren't, but with all my other responsibilities, I have to work more than I write.
I do the same thing. I read on breaks and in traffic and while eating supper and waiting in lines at stores. That's when you know you're a real bookworm!
I've started doing that too, now that I have a job where they actually believe in things like breaks. I can read about ten pages in ten minutes and what happens then is that I can't stop thinking about the story. Which means when I get home I devour it instead of vegging. Which is good for the spirit and mind!
Three Dresden books down. Ten to go. Problem being? The author isn't done with the series yet, and only released one book a year! Eep!
I read to slowly for that to work, unfortunately...
You're so funny with this Dresden thing, Katie. But hey, that's 13 books for your total! Go!
I've been working too much to even sleep, much less read, but I have a nice mini break Christmas Eve and Day, so I'm hoping to plow through the stack of comics I've accumulated and see where that puts me towards my goal. Comixology put a bunch of collections on sale, too, so that helps. ;-P I'm Batman!
You're so funny with this Dresden thing, Katie. But hey, that's 13 books for your total! Go!
I've been working too much to even sleep, much less read, but I have a nice mini break Christmas Eve and Day, so I'm hoping to plow through the stack of comics I've accumulated and see where that puts me towards my goal. Comixology put a bunch of collections on sale, too, so that helps. ;-P I'm Batman!
Mama picked up the latest volume of Pandora Hearts for me at the library yesterday. I made the mistake of flipping through it last night, despite the fact that it was 1am and I hadn't properly eaten dinner yet (long story). Read it all in one sitting.
Oh well. At least that gets me started on my reading sprint for today! ;-P
Oh well. At least that gets me started on my reading sprint for today! ;-P
At the moment, nothing. I'm working on a large-scale project for HW and a character biography.
Oooh. Guess I can't complain about things involving HW.
I'm poking my writing. Which is not reading per se, but not entirely bad, either.
I'm poking my writing. Which is not reading per se, but not entirely bad, either.
I only have 13 books on my shelf at present, which disappoints me a little just for the low number, but I guess it's not too bad. And, looking over the list, I'm satisfied in the selection of books I've read this year. *nod*A little while ago I finished The Mysterious Benedict Society, which was fantastic. Then I rereread Epic, which I still really like (although I hadn't realized how many spells the witch character casts; only about five, but still, I thought it was next to none).
:) Although I'll be the first to admit that this challenge favors quantity over quality, what you read is equally important as how much. If you're happy with what you've read this year, then I'd consider it a successful year for you, Shadow.
I hit my 2013 goal of 75 books, which I'd upped from 60 part way through the year. Though it's a lot fewer than I've read in previous years (either 2012 or 2011 I read 150 books, can't remember which it was), with everything that's happened in my life I'm glad I managed that many. And I might get one more in before the year ends, just to feel like I went above and beyond my challenge.It's a shame I can't count the number of times I read through my own novel drafts, really. They're book length, and I did it a number of times. Shame.
No, you certainly can't. Especially as impressive as this one is. That's unfortunate though. You should do more than poke it.
Miriam, you can count your book drafts once each if you want to preemptively make Goodreads listings for them. :)
Well I edited a little, Kaleb. That's more than poking, isn't it?
I've read a few things. I don't think 20+ books by the end of the year is realistic, though...
Well I edited a little, Kaleb. That's more than poking, isn't it?
I've read a few things. I don't think 20+ books by the end of the year is realistic, though...
Aubrey wrote: "Miriam, you can count your book drafts once each if you want to preemptively make Goodreads listings for them. :)Ooh! So that means I can add the two books that I published this year, since I did read them over several times (including aloud to my younger cousins) before they got to the point of publication?
I got no idea whether these books'll ever be published -- mostly they're first or second drafts with only working titles. I'll stick to just counting 'proper' books for now. :)
Go ahead, Kendra! :D
UPDATE! I've clarified the rules for reporting and extended the deadline for getting final counts in. Read this to make sure you're eligible for the final giveaways! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
UPDATE! I've clarified the rules for reporting and extended the deadline for getting final counts in. Read this to make sure you're eligible for the final giveaways! https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
One more book! I finished it this New Years Eve. Fire and Ashes is a good one! I look forward to reading more!Happy New Year y'all!
105 total! My original goal was 100. Going for 150 next year!
After my family got the fourth Flavia de Luce book for Christmas, and the strong recommendations in this thread, I started the first one, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. There's a reason I didn't finish it by the end of the year.Growing up in a house without a TV, I never watched The Addams Family. And while I have found Harry Potter/Addams Family crossover fanfic by authors I already know and trust to be interesting and charming, I get the sense that I wouldn't like the show---or anything like it. And Flavia de Luce "feels" very similar if not identical in the most ... unpleasant ... respects.
If I liked that TV show, and black humor and morbidity in general, I might like these books. Just like I might well rave about Firmament: Radialloy if I liked Star Trek. But I don't, so I don't.
Yay, Supervillain of the Day! *high fives Shadow* Great last-minute choice. :D
*offers Hannah a cupcake* You have done amazingly well, my dear. ^_^
Anyone else get any last-minute reading in?
*offers Hannah a cupcake* You have done amazingly well, my dear. ^_^
Anyone else get any last-minute reading in?
In the last half-week, I did manage to get through all but one or two of the year's "Christmas books," but I shelved them already. (I had hoped I would have finished my close reading of Peter's Angel, but I was nowhere near.) I spent the last hours (and more) reading favorite fanfics, which are to me "comfort reads" but don't count here.
I finished Chautona Havig's "A Bird Died" on Monday night. You all make me feel a little pathetic though - I only have 39 books on my shelf! Though, I should remember, that I didn't count all the children's books I've been reading to the kids I was helping watch for the last few months... And I think I read something else this year, that I forgot to list - but I have no idea what it was, so oh, well! :p
You could list the children's books if you like, Rebekah. :) Still, that's a good number! That's a couple of books a month. (Actually, I think that's about what I read...)
I think the thing I got most out of this challenge was finally being trained to add everything I read on Goodreads. :) I've gone ahead and set my goal for the 2014 reading challenge and it's quite satisfying to see the books tick up, one by one...
Awesome, Katie! There are a lot of benefits to sharing your reads on Goodreads, particularly for us authors--especially if you rate and review many of your adds.
I'm setting new goals for myself as well, but I'll save that for another thread... after I give away some prizes!
I'm setting new goals for myself as well, but I'll save that for another thread... after I give away some prizes!
I did make it close to yours, I see, Aubrey. I really expected to read way less... This year has just been crazy! :D
If you read more than you expected, Rebekah, you're a winner! :D
Okay! *cracks knuckles* New year, new books, new goals. What's on the plate for all of you?
For the immediate present, my goal is to finally get around to reading all the nonfiction I've known I need to read but haven't tackled yet. I had kind of an epiphany--"You know, you aren't getting any younger. If you want to read all these books for new adults about life and relationships, you should probably do it before you're 30!" lol So that will be my main focus for a month or so at least.
I also want to focus on finally reading all those cornerstones of YA I haven't gotten to yet. Harry Potter and the Hunger Games being at the top of the list.
I'm toying with a goal of reading one nonfiction and one narrative fiction book a week. (Manga and comics would be bonuses.) I'm not sure yet if that will play out, but it's a good goal to aim towards.
At the moment I'm reading It’s (Not That) Complicated: How to Relate to Guys in a Healthy, Sane, and Biblical Way, which was a gift to me by my dear Grace. I've got some Harris, Deyoung, and Cloud & Townsend waiting at the library for me.
For the immediate present, my goal is to finally get around to reading all the nonfiction I've known I need to read but haven't tackled yet. I had kind of an epiphany--"You know, you aren't getting any younger. If you want to read all these books for new adults about life and relationships, you should probably do it before you're 30!" lol So that will be my main focus for a month or so at least.
I also want to focus on finally reading all those cornerstones of YA I haven't gotten to yet. Harry Potter and the Hunger Games being at the top of the list.
I'm toying with a goal of reading one nonfiction and one narrative fiction book a week. (Manga and comics would be bonuses.) I'm not sure yet if that will play out, but it's a good goal to aim towards.
At the moment I'm reading It’s (Not That) Complicated: How to Relate to Guys in a Healthy, Sane, and Biblical Way, which was a gift to me by my dear Grace. I've got some Harris, Deyoung, and Cloud & Townsend waiting at the library for me.
Not entirely sure about all of my reading goals this year... But I'm doing a self-made author study. Basically, you have one author, and go through reading all of his/her books that you can find/want/handle and read them, comparing them to each other, comparing them to other people, studying their style, what they do well, what they do poorly, etc... That being the case and my first author being Charles Dickens - I have an awful lot of reading lined up already! :D
Aubrey wrote: "Okay! *At the moment I'm reading It’s (Not That) Complicated: How to Relate to Guys in a Healthy, Sane, and Biblical Way, which was a gift to me by my dear Grace. I've got some Harris, Deyoung, and Cloud & Townsend waiting at the library for me."I want to try that one too. My hands down favorite I've read on the subject is Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity. And Eric and Leslie Ludy are awesome too.
Aubrey wrote: "I also want to focus on finally reading all those cornerstones of YA I haven't gotten to yet. Harry Potter and the Hunger Games being at the top of the list."I keep thinking about whether or not I should read The Hunger Games or not... Still haven't decided. I'm afraid the present tense would drive me batty. :p
Oh, realized I didn't mention what I'm currently reading. I started with Great Expectations. It's good so far.
I did my yearly splurge in all of twenty minutes before getting on the road from Dallas to get back to Little Rock in time for work the day after Christmas, so one of my goals is to get all those books read. I've read almost all of the books from the summer box I got, but I went somewhat crazy on some Amazon ordering a couple months ago, so I have a stack from that too. So my immediate goal is to read all of those, so I can have a good excuse to buy more!! :)~Hannah
That's a great idea, Rebekah! I should make you write essays about what you learned and share them here. Homework! >:D
I want to read the Hunger Games 1) because I write and love dystopia and 2) I like the movie. But TBH I'm not expecting to like the book as well as the movie with this particular title.
We have the Prince Charming book somewhere in the house, so that's definitely high on the priority list for me. Thanks for the recommendation of those other authors, Leah--definitely going to add some of their titles to the list!
That's always a great reason to read, Hannah! ;)
I want to read the Hunger Games 1) because I write and love dystopia and 2) I like the movie. But TBH I'm not expecting to like the book as well as the movie with this particular title.
We have the Prince Charming book somewhere in the house, so that's definitely high on the priority list for me. Thanks for the recommendation of those other authors, Leah--definitely going to add some of their titles to the list!
That's always a great reason to read, Hannah! ;)
Rebekah wrote: "I keep thinking about whether or not I should read The Hunger Games or not... Still haven't decided. I'm afraid the present tense would drive me batty. :p"It's actually not that bad, Rebekah. It feels awkward at first, but once you get past the initial weirdness it works. Coming from someone who used to hate present tense, so...
Some of the content made me a little uncomfortable, but I definitely lean towards the picky side on romantic stuff. :P
Aubrey wrote: "We have the Prince Charming book somewhere in the house, so that's definitely high on the priority list for me. Thanks for the recommendation of those other authors, Leah--definitely going to add some of their titles to the list!"
When Dreams Come True is my personal favorite from them. As far as relationship books go anyway. My overall fav is When God Writes Your Life Story.
Preparing To Be a Help Meet by Debbie Pearl is also wonderful, albeit radical. I don't agree with her 100% on everything, but the book as a whole had a huge impact on me. I need to re-read it.
I'm currently reading the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. Just in time, too, as the movie is coming out. :D
I've been wanting to re-read Little Women for awhile, so that's one of my current reads.I just started Les Miserables a couple days ago (so excited!) and I'm reading the last book in the Bastable Children series by E. Nesbit. :)
Totally planning on re-reading Red Rain this year, Philli. *grin* ^_^
Annie wrote: I just started Les Miserables a couple days ago (so excited!)LES MIS. Although ... you'll probably be there a while if it's unabridged, lol. :)
--
I'm currently reading The Blue Blazes by Chuck Wendig. My aim is to finish it tomorrow before I go to France at 5am on Saturday - no point taking a nearly-finished book with me, after all.
I am currently reading the "Daily MacArthur Bible" and will be until December 31, 2014. :) I am also reading another book right now (Fiction), but the name of it escapes my mind. I think it is "Midnight Marriage", but I'm not sure.
Miriam--I read "Blackbirds" by Chuck Wendig last summer. His writing style is...quirky. I'm still reading the Dresden Files. I had to switch to print books so I'm getting them out of hte library two at a time. I got two new ones today, and I think there's two more after that...meanwhile in the world of library ebooks I have "Princess of the Midnight Ball" and the fourth Flavia de Luce book. And I finally read Steelheart! I got it on sale on New Year's Day, so I actually own that one. Pity I can't lend it out. :P (publisher restrictions.)
@ Mirriam: It IS unabridged. I definitely won't be lacking in reading material this year. *wry chuckle* :)@ Katie: How was Steelheart? *wants to read that*
Steelheart was good. Better than Supervillains. ;)
Oh, and in the nonfiction realm I still have the second half of "Seeing Red," the book that draws it's primary inspiration from it; "The Big Bang Never Happened" and sequals to non-fiction books like "A Pattern Language" and "Earth in Upheaval." One of these days, one of these days...
Oi! You're not allowed to say such things about your books! ;) :DSpeaking of which, I SERIOUSLY need to read them. o.o *wants to muchly*
No, seriously, it is. From an objective viewpoint. They may both be good but Steelheart is better. I read the five-chapter sampler he has on Amazon and walked away grousing "He took my idea and did it BETTER than me..."
Whoa. I'm not sure whether that makes me eager to read Steelheart or scared to.
And good grief, of course Annie must read Supervillains! Get on it, girl!
Y'all are off to a rockin' start! Ooh, Divergent! That's a fantastic piece of dystopian fiction, with a few content caveats.
I got a bundle of nonfiction from the library, including some DeYoung for this month's sprint. I'm still working on "It's (Not That) Complicated," but I'm pausing to read "Just Do Something."
And good grief, of course Annie must read Supervillains! Get on it, girl!
Y'all are off to a rockin' start! Ooh, Divergent! That's a fantastic piece of dystopian fiction, with a few content caveats.
I got a bundle of nonfiction from the library, including some DeYoung for this month's sprint. I'm still working on "It's (Not That) Complicated," but I'm pausing to read "Just Do Something."
Easier week this week...only 62 hours. Thus, reading! And I am trying out an ARC that I just got free at work tonight, translated from the Italian. We will see if it is worth keeping.
Translated from Italian, huh? That's cool? Do you mind sharing the title/author/translator info? There was talk at some point about getting Supervillains translated INTO Italian...
Outread Aubrey! Challenge
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*sighs and twitches for the third book*