How many books do you read each year?

[Barbara, Founder and Moderator]

How many books do you read each year? Do you set yourself a goal?

[Jennifer]

I know I read a lot of them but I never kept track. Because I read books of all age levels and types, and lengths it would be hard for me to judge. Last year most of my reading had been comic books. This year, in January, I joined Goodreads and decided to do the book challenge. Because a lot of the books I read are below my reading level and comic books I judged that they were probably about 50% of my reading so I set my goal for 200. I may have to set my goal higher though if I continue reading at the rate I am. My reading for this year will be higher than previous years because I am doing something new. From 3:00AM to 1:00PM every Sunday is now a set reading day for me. On Sundays I don't work on my writing, or layout designing for my books or anyone else's. Depending on the book or books I usually read anywhere between 1-5 whole books.

[Tui]

I have no idea. I do not keep track. All I know is that my weak eyes had slowed my reading right down - it was just too uncomfortable to read small print. Then I got my kindle, cranked up the font size and never looked back.

[Melissa]

I don't keep track, although since I got my Nook, I have been reading a whole lot more. Now I'm a book / reading addict!

[[deleted user]]

I never thought of it until I decided to make a goal to read 150 books this year. (Unfortunately, re-reading does not count.) Most of them are animal books as I love animals so much, but I do read many other books as well.

[Stewart, Moderator]

I am a voracious reader. I taught myself speed reading in my student days. I regularly get through four books a week, sometimes more. Even with my writing,family, dog training and animal care commitments, I always find time to read. I developed the ability to read and write anywhere. I once finished a book while resting on the back of an elephant. It was a book about elephants.
I guess I read over two hundred books a year.

[Barbara, Founder and Moderator]

Stewart wrote: "I am a voracious reader. I taught myself speed reading in my student days. I regularly get through four books a week, sometimes more. Even with my writing,family, dog training and animal care commi..."

I wish I could speed read as I would get through a lot more of the many books I want to read.

I usually get to about 75 books a yr.

[Nick]

Stewart wrote: "I am a voracious reader. I taught myself speed reading in my student days. I regularly get through four books a week, sometimes more. Even with my writing,family, dog training and animal care commi..."

After reading this Stewart I watched some youtube videos on speed reading and practised for about 30 minutes. I managed to boost my WPM from 280 to 400! I'm chuffed that's amazing.

[Stewart, Moderator]

Well done Nick. I think speed reading techniques actually help you absorb & retain material, which is why they were developed for students initially.

[Marcy]

Can you really learn to speed read so fast? I'll try!

[Correen]

I track all my books and have done so for years, unfortunately due to computer changes and digital memory (disk and program) changes, some records are gone. My records include both audio and visual methods of reading. Without tracking I would never remember what I have read. So far this year, I have listened to or visually read 215 books. I read science and ecology, biography and memoir, history, and general nonfiction; classics, detective, and general fiction, poetry, and an occasional graphic art or juvenile book. I do not read science fiction, fantasy, war, or horror books.
Throughout my career, I yearned to read more books outside my field. It is a joy now to be able to read freely on any topic.

[Stewart, Moderator]

"Throughout my career, I yearned to read more books outside my field. It is a joy now to be able to read freely on any topic."

I agree with that Correen.
I can pick up any history book on any period, and I am usually engrossed. Reading history has been one of the joys of my "retirement".

I have sometimes even ventured in "Chicklit" books and was pleasantly surprised by Marian Keyes and Mhairi McFarlane, and Gillian Flynn (though the latter probably not chicklit, way too dark, but fascinating plots). William Boyd is another accidental discovery I have really enjoyed.
Of course, I sometimes get a dud...
"Fifty Shades of Grey" being possibly the worst book I have ever read, but it was a giveaway, so all I wasted on it was time.

[Correen]

Stewart wrote: ""Throughout my career, I yearned to read more books outside my field. It is a joy now to be able to read freely on any topic."

I agree with that Correen.
I can pick up any history book on any peri..."

Thanks for responding. I am embarrassed to say that I rarely read in my field. It is the other books that I crave most. The career I left behind about a half century was science. Now, I it is a great pleasure. History books did not interest me but now they are wonderful -- just finished "Wilson" and am now reading "The History of the World in 100 objects."

I never read detective stories but now both the good and the bad ones are a treasure -- I read almost all of MC Beaton because her lady detective was grumpy, pushy, and clever. It was a great distraction from the complications of life.

I have not read Fifty Shades of Grey and probably will just accept your review as a good reason to not read it. I like William Boyd and plan to read more of his work next year. I have not read the others and am not sure I know what all the Chicklit genre includes. I like Tracy Chevalier who writes interesting books with strong female characters and Susan Vreeland who develops historical novels most often around little known women, usually with an artistic bent.

[Stewart, Moderator]

Hi Correen

I enjoy Tracy Chevalier too.
Ian MacGreogor's "Shakespeare's Restless World", about Elizabethan life and society, is even better than "History of the World in 100 Objects".

One of my favourite Historical and Literary writers is Peter Ackroyd. His output is huge and always has a high standard of research & writing.

You would probably enjoy Dava Sobel's books, including:

Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time

Galileo's Daughter: A Drama of Science, Faith and Love by Sobel, Dava (28 Apr 2011)

Both are historical biographies with a scientific orientation. She is a fine writer and meticulous researcher. She seems to get the science right in all her books.

[Correen]

Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed Galileo's Daughter, even saw the play; looked at Longitude once but it got lost in the pile of books and returned to the library; will look for MacGregor's book.

With a "Greenreader" group that looks at environmentally (loosely)related works, I am currently reading The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes.

You have an interesting career -- I checked out your personal page.

[Stewart, Moderator]

Thanks for that, I plan to keep it so.

You mentioned the play of Galileo's Daughter. I would love to see that.
In 2000, Granada Television produced a drama series for Channel 4,UK, based on Dava Sobel's "Longitude"; with Michael Gambon as the Watchmaker John Harrison. It was a high quality production and was completely captivating. Must be something in her writing that lends itself to drama.

[Barbara, Founder and Moderator]

Correen wrote: "Throughout my career, I yearned to read more books outside my field. It is a joy now to be able to read freely on any topic. ..."

Correen,

That's why I like being in book groups. It makes me go outside the box of what I normally read. I've read some good books I would have never picked up otherwise.

[Barbara, Founder and Moderator]

Stewart,

You said: ""Fifty Shades of Grey" being possibly the worst book I have ever read, but it was a giveaway, so all I wasted on it was time."

I would have to agree with this. Maybe not the total worst I've read but way up there. I don't like that type of genre anyway and everyone kept saying how great it was. I didn't read the last two books in the series, I had had enough. I asked another lady who did read all of them, to give me the quick version of the end. lol.

[Correen]

Barbara wrote: "Stewart,

You said: ""Fifty Shades of Grey" being possibly the worst book I have ever read, but it was a giveaway, so all I wasted on it was time."

I would have to agree with this. Maybe not the..."

Barbara wrote: "Correen wrote: "Throughout my career, I yearned to read more books outside my field. It is a joy now to be able to read freely on any topic. ..."

Correen,

That's why I like being in book groups...."

I agree. They are wonderful if the members have a strong common interest to discuss and terrible when it is just a group of friends just throwing in their favorite books with little meaningful discussion.

[Correen]

Stewart wrote: "Thanks for that, I plan to keep it so.

You mentioned the play of Galileo's Daughter. I would love to see that.
In 2000, Granada Television produced a drama series for Channel 4,UK, based on Dava ..."

Barbara wrote: "Stewart,

You said: ""Fifty Shades of Grey" being possibly the worst book I have ever read, but it was a giveaway, so all I wasted on it was time."

I would have to agree with this. Maybe not the..."

Barbara wrote: "Correen wrote: "Throughout my career, I yearned to read more books outside my field. It is a joy now to be able to read freely on any topic. ..."

Correen,

That's why I like being in book groups...."

I agree. They are wonderful if the members have a strong common interest to discuss and terrible when it is just a group of friends just throwing in their favorite books with little meaningful discussion.

Stewart

I like to read all the books by an author. Sobel would be a good one to add for 2011. She apparently balances her writing with a full academic career and, as you say, researches her work thoroughly.

[Stewart, Moderator]

I agree; reading an author's complete works really lets you see their range and skill.With wide ranging authors like Peter Ackroyd and Jeffrey Masson it also can lead you into fascinating new areas. Ackroyd has taken me from Ancient Egypt, to Chaucer, then Tudor England to the London Sewers and Underground, all fascinating. Great writer.
Jeffrey Masson has taken me from ascetics in ancient India, to a brilliant critique of Freud and Psycho-analysis and the therapy business, early twentieth century "guru" figures, to animal emotions and behavior, especially dogs and elephants.

Then again some writers, especially novelists, like to focus on a specific period or social group, like Jane Austen. But her observation and creativity within the narrow society which she describes, is impressive too.

[Correen]

I take suggestions -- just requested The Trial of Elizabeth Cree. I would started with the Dickens book but do not have time for one of that length at the moment.

I did become bored with Jane Austen but have recently returned to her works and checked out some to hear on my I-pod.

What are you reading now?

[Stewart, Moderator]

Ackroyd never disappoints in my view. He calls the Dickens book "abridged" but it is 626 pages. He makes historical London come alive. His William Blake book is a masterpiece.
My reading...
Just finished Marc Berkoff "The Emotional Life of Animals" (Strongly argued & well supported case for respecting animals and ending their exploitation).

& Samuel Hawley ( a member of this group) "Bad Elephant Far Stream" Good story but very upsetting, about the mistreatment of Circus Elephants in late 19th early 20th century, USA.The level of ignorance and brutality shown by "keepers" & "trainers" is shocking.

Currently reading Dean Koontz "The Watchers"
( A thriller with a dog in it. Not read anything by him before)

[Correen]

Ackroyd's Dickens book at the local library is 1195 pages -- perhaps you read an abridged version.

Koontz's books were a disappointment. He recently wrote a book that was supposedly about his dog but was more about his own perfection. He has a significant following but I find him a mediocre writer lacking a sense of humor.

[Stewart, Moderator]

Thanks for that re: Dickens. I guess I'll have to read the full version, if I have the strength to carry it.

I think you're right about the Dean Koontz; it is pretty ordinary so far, though I like the dog.

[Stephanie]

I had to laugh about the Dean Koontz comment. Someone gave me A Big Little Life when we lost Buddy Girl, and I had to wait about 8 months before I could bear to read it, thinking it was about his dog. When it was, in fact, all about him! While I do think he is a skilled writer, and I like that he is using his fame to help support Canine Centers for Independence, I didn't care for that book. (I don't read horror so I haven't read anything else by him).

[Correen]

Stephanie wrote: "I had to laugh about the Dean Koontz comment. Someone gave me A Big Little Life when we lost Buddy Girl, and I had to wait about 8 months before I could bear to read it, thinking it was about his d..."

Thanks for your comment. So pleased to hear he is acting as a good citizen and providing a useful service. Perhaps my comment was one-sided and harsh. He has given many hours of pleasure to a large following.

[Skye]

Correen wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I had to laugh about the Dean Koontz comment. Someone gave me A Big Little Life when we lost Buddy Girl, and I had to wait about 8 months before I could bear to read it, thinking ..."

I love this part of the discussion! I read a book by Koontz once - be mistake! I have since read maybe 3 and reviewed them. I will post my reviews. Darkest Evening is a golden retriever book and NOT sci-fi as I recall - or whatever it is called that bores me!

[Skye]

Skye wrote: "Correen wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I had to laugh about the Dean Koontz comment. Someone gave me A Big Little Life when we lost Buddy Girl, and I had to wait about 8 months before I could bear to re..."

I just posted my reivews of Darkest Evening, I Trixie, A Big Little Life - all by Dean/Trixie Koontz. I would be happy to send anyone my review of Life is Good but don't want to post it because it was an early attempt of reviewing and needs so much more work!

[Correen]

Skye wrote: "Skye wrote: "Correen wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I had to laugh about the Dean Koontz comment. Someone gave me A Big Little Life when we lost Buddy Girl, and I had to wait about 8 months before I cou..."

Thank you, would love to read.

[Samuel]

Thanks for reading "Bad Elephant Far Stream," Stewart!

[Stewart, Moderator]

You're welcome Samuel."Bad Elephant Far Stream" is a good book, written from the heart.
I will write a review asap. Been busy rescuing and treating puppies, and taking a little terrier to be spayed today. No rest...

[Samuel]

I'd really appreciate a review, Stewart. Thank you.

I checked out your website, by the way, and see that we share some similar interests. My earlier writing, for example, was on East Asian history, and included a book called "The Imjin War," about Japan's attempted conquest of Ming China. And I've been to Thailand numerous times. My wife and I love it there.

[Stewart, Moderator]

"The Imjin War" sounds fascinating...and another one for me to read. When I was living in Taiwan I was interested in Koxinga, the Ming patriot/pirate (probably part Japanese )who resisted the Manchus and threw the Dutch off Formosa. He frequently "appeared" to modern spirit mediums and was a well respected deity.