The Reading Challenge Group discussion
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      I'm going back home next weekend so hopefully that'll knock it out of me!
I was doing some reading on Europe, and apparently there is this bookshop in France where you can stay for free, if you help out for like 2 hours a day and read. Most people stay a week or so, but this one guy spent 7 years there! If I ever go to France, I'm definitely going to endeavour to stay there!
  
  
  I was doing some reading on Europe, and apparently there is this bookshop in France where you can stay for free, if you help out for like 2 hours a day and read. Most people stay a week or so, but this one guy spent 7 years there! If I ever go to France, I'm definitely going to endeavour to stay there!
 I always have wanderlust but unfortunately my budget doesn't allow me to indulge right now.
      I always have wanderlust but unfortunately my budget doesn't allow me to indulge right now. There is a lovely village in Wales called Hay-on-Wye that I would love to visit again. This town is known as the Town of Books and has a major literary festival held there every year. I've been once and would love to go back for the festival. I remember every shop being filled with books, on shelves, stacked on the floor and tables, literally filling the shops. I had a lovely wander around and found 3 first edition signed books from some of my favourite authors. It was magical! Everywhere you went, it smelled of books. That will be my next trip when I go back to Wales to see my family.
        
      Kassandra, I'm hopefully going there in Easter! We're staying nearby for the weekend and my parents are going to drop me off and just leave me there for a day. I am literally so excited!
    
  
  
  
        
      The highlight of my day has been perusing the clearance eisle and discovering a lyle's golden syrup toffee cake... for 10p...
My life is complete.
  
  
  My life is complete.
 I came to ask for ideas but got distracted by the travel posts. That Town of Books sounds lovely! Now I want to go research airfares!
      I came to ask for ideas but got distracted by the travel posts. That Town of Books sounds lovely! Now I want to go research airfares!
     I'm learning a lot with my new puppy. He's super cute, funny and lovable...however, he has one serious defect - he doesn't let me get any reading done!!!
      I'm learning a lot with my new puppy. He's super cute, funny and lovable...however, he has one serious defect - he doesn't let me get any reading done!!!Does anyone have any advice about how to get around this with a 10 week old puddle of puppy in the house?
 I haven't had great success with them before Renee, but times are getting desperate so it may be time to take another look. Thanks for the suggestion!
      I haven't had great success with them before Renee, but times are getting desperate so it may be time to take another look. Thanks for the suggestion!
     Does anyone track books other than their own reading? I would like to track my (ever growing) wish list of books for my daughter and maybe review the ones we like. Not keen on managing two accounts though so I'm looking for a way to do it in my own. It would throw my challenge count off if I mark them as read though so I guess I would just have to create a shelf. Any ideas for me?
      Does anyone track books other than their own reading? I would like to track my (ever growing) wish list of books for my daughter and maybe review the ones we like. Not keen on managing two accounts though so I'm looking for a way to do it in my own. It would throw my challenge count off if I mark them as read though so I guess I would just have to create a shelf. Any ideas for me?
    
        
      Karen, I'd recommend using an exclusive shelf (like the to-read, and currently reading lists). That way you can keep it separate from your own books but on a shelf.
    
  
  
   Holly wrote: "Karen, I'd recommend using an exclusive shelf (like the to-read, and currently reading lists). That way you can keep it separate from your own books but on a shelf."
      Holly wrote: "Karen, I'd recommend using an exclusive shelf (like the to-read, and currently reading lists). That way you can keep it separate from your own books but on a shelf."This looks perfect. Thanks!
      I saw Chris Hemsworth on GMA this morning promoting his movie In the Heart of the Sea which is based on a book by the same name. Apparently this book inspired Moby Dick which I couldn't not get through when I had to read it for school. Also I am not a huge fan of nonfiction books but the movie looks so good that I am tempted to pick this one up. Has anyone read it or will read it before seeing the movie?
    
  
  
   I started to read in the Heart of the Sea. It started off really interesting but it was too slow moving for me and I quit reading.
      I started to read in the Heart of the Sea. It started off really interesting but it was too slow moving for me and I quit reading.At 7% they were still not on the boat-just looking at it. Maybe I quit a bit too soon; I don't know. I am wanting to see the movie for sure though.
      Anyone else in a reading funk? What do you do to battle it.? I am currently not reading anything serious at the moment. To wrap up this year I am chipping away at the quick reads that are on my Kindle that I stock piled last year. These quick reads hopefully will also help me reach my GR goal. As I read these quick reads though I realize that I just don't really know what to pick up next. I am planning on starting Outlander on January so hopefully that will kick start my reading year with a bang.
    
  
  
   PinkieFairy wrote: "Anyone else in a reading funk? What do you do to battle it.? I am currently not reading anything serious at the moment. To wrap up this year I am chipping away at the quick reads that are on my Kin..."
      PinkieFairy wrote: "Anyone else in a reading funk? What do you do to battle it.? I am currently not reading anything serious at the moment. To wrap up this year I am chipping away at the quick reads that are on my Kin..."I try to go with the flow and try different books until I find one that keeps my attention.
      I was taking a look at all the books on my Kindle and I have been so focused on the books that I want to get to that I totally forgot about the books that I have read in the pass. There are three books by a specific author that I was just absolutely sucked into. The author is Natasha Anders and the books are (should be read in this order):
The Unwanted Wife
A Husband's Regret
His Unlikely Lover
I will advise that there are very details sexual descriptions as well as some strong subject matter but absolutely great books. Happy Reading!!!
  
  
  The Unwanted Wife
A Husband's Regret
His Unlikely Lover
I will advise that there are very details sexual descriptions as well as some strong subject matter but absolutely great books. Happy Reading!!!
      Congratulations!! That is awesome bews especially during this time,
    
  
  
   It’s already 2:00pm Christmas Eve and we all ready to start the celebrations! Before it gets too crazy around here, I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas! I hope you’ve all been good and you receive lots of prezzies!
      It’s already 2:00pm Christmas Eve and we all ready to start the celebrations! Before it gets too crazy around here, I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas! I hope you’ve all been good and you receive lots of prezzies!
     I had been looking for personalized books for my nieces and daughter and I really liked the Girl/Boy who lost their name. Essentially the child meets a series of creatures, helps them, and in return they each give the child the first letter of their name. These letters eventually spells the child's name. Then someone in another group raved about the one they got and offered a discount code! That sealed it. I'm so excited, I think the girls will love them. That said, I got a discount code as well so if anyone wants I'm happy to share.
      I had been looking for personalized books for my nieces and daughter and I really liked the Girl/Boy who lost their name. Essentially the child meets a series of creatures, helps them, and in return they each give the child the first letter of their name. These letters eventually spells the child's name. Then someone in another group raved about the one they got and offered a discount code! That sealed it. I'm so excited, I think the girls will love them. That said, I got a discount code as well so if anyone wants I'm happy to share. My daughter is 7 months and I think I have gotten an average of 4-5 new books each month. I'm addicted to sniffing out fun books. We read every day. Hopefully I'm raising another enthusiastic reader!!!
        
      Note to self: STOP BUYING SO MANY BOOKS.
Wandered round some charity shops and 'accidently' bought:
Middlesex
The Long Earth
H is for Hawk
The Danish Girl
plus I already have my next set of reads planned out...
  
  
  Wandered round some charity shops and 'accidently' bought:
Middlesex
The Long Earth
H is for Hawk
The Danish Girl
plus I already have my next set of reads planned out...
 I know what you mean, Holly. This year I have a resolution to buy as few books as possible, as I have around 400 waiting for me both on my shleves and on my Kindle.
      I know what you mean, Holly. This year I have a resolution to buy as few books as possible, as I have around 400 waiting for me both on my shleves and on my Kindle.However, Middlesex is a wonderful, wonderful book, so it's good you accidentally bought it.
        
      I'm really looking forward to Middlesex! It sounds like a fascinating book and I've heard so much about it!
    
  
  
  
      Not sure if you all are aware but there is an app called Overdrive. As long as you have library card, this app allows you to borrow books from the library. This app will definitely help me fuel my book addition without breaking my bank.
    
  
  
  
      Renee wrote: "Overdrive is wonderful! And really easy to both get and use."
Yes it is and I was just able to put myself on the hold list for three books last night. I am so in love with Overdrive. I guess it's an excuse to not get Kindle Unlimited. Big money save that Overdrive.
  
  
  Yes it is and I was just able to put myself on the hold list for three books last night. I am so in love with Overdrive. I guess it's an excuse to not get Kindle Unlimited. Big money save that Overdrive.
 I have not had any luck with Overdrive. That is because our local library's selection of E-books is so bad. The list will make you cry. I wish Overdrive let you borrow books from any library. Am I right, you have to have a good local library system.
      I have not had any luck with Overdrive. That is because our local library's selection of E-books is so bad. The list will make you cry. I wish Overdrive let you borrow books from any library. Am I right, you have to have a good local library system.
    
      Cindy wrote: "I have not had any luck with Overdrive. That is because our local library's selection of E-books is so bad. The list will make you cry. I wish Overdrive let you borrow books from any library. Am I ..."
With my limit experience that seems to be right about only being able to borrow from your local library. Sorry you are not having poor luck. I hope it improves. I guess I might be having pretty good luck but I am aiming for popular books.
  
  
  With my limit experience that seems to be right about only being able to borrow from your local library. Sorry you are not having poor luck. I hope it improves. I guess I might be having pretty good luck but I am aiming for popular books.
        
      Cindy-
I don't know how it works in your area, but my library is part of a larger system of libraries and I can borrow titles from any in the system. It might be worth looking into if it means more of a selection for you.
Also, iTunes carries many audiobooks from Librivox for free. As does the Librivox website. I know you read classics frequently so that might give you the best selection for your interests.
  
  
  I don't know how it works in your area, but my library is part of a larger system of libraries and I can borrow titles from any in the system. It might be worth looking into if it means more of a selection for you.
Also, iTunes carries many audiobooks from Librivox for free. As does the Librivox website. I know you read classics frequently so that might give you the best selection for your interests.
 I will check out Librivox. If I would have downloaded The Spy on audio it might have made more sense. According to Overdrive, our library E-book system is Titles To Go. It is all one system and the selection has nothing I would read. I have to use a library card from the local library.
      I will check out Librivox. If I would have downloaded The Spy on audio it might have made more sense. According to Overdrive, our library E-book system is Titles To Go. It is all one system and the selection has nothing I would read. I have to use a library card from the local library.
     Free Library of Philadelphia lets non-residents buy a library card online. I think it's $50/year, probably US only. You could browse their selection and see if it's worth it to you. I've heard of a couple other libraries that do that but I can't remember their names.
      Free Library of Philadelphia lets non-residents buy a library card online. I think it's $50/year, probably US only. You could browse their selection and see if it's worth it to you. I've heard of a couple other libraries that do that but I can't remember their names.
    Books mentioned in this topic
The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride (other topics)Middlesex (other topics)
Middlesex (other topics)
The Danish Girl (other topics)
The Long Earth (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Natasha Anders (other topics)Matthew Reilly (other topics)
Diane Duane (other topics)
Toni Morrison (other topics)







 
There are times when I just want to get away. Usually I seek to go and visit family and friends. Visiting family and friends is cheaper. :)