Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2016 Plans
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Francesca's 2016 Plan That She's Definitely Not Going To Change At All!
Your plan title is totally lying :pI'll read Green Tomatoes for week 47 too, and I am a Legend.
The Ring movies were terrifying (I usually laugh with horror movies...), I think I'll never go near the books. Good luck!
Zaz wrote: "Your plan title is totally lying :pI'll read Green Tomatoes for week 47 too, and I am a Legend.
The Ring movies were terrifying (I usually laugh with horror movies...), I think I'll never go near..."
Haha! I know, I can at least try to kid myself though!
I had Fried Green Tomatoes down for this year's challenge for 'author with my initials' but I doubt I'm going to get around to it this year so I thought I'd slot it into the food category as I was stuck for that one.
Those movies were great but I agree, very scary! I'm looking forward to reading the book though, but then I'm a horror nut!
I had no idea The Ring was based on a book. Mind blown. I might have to fit that in somewhere next year :)
We share four books this year!(Hahahahahaha ... like either of us will end up reading anything we've planned)
Laura wrote: "I had no idea The Ring was based on a book. Mind blown. I might have to fit that in somewhere next year :)"I only found out this year and immediately needed to find a place for it somewhere!
Jody wrote: "We share four books this year!(Hahahahahaha ... like either of us will end up reading anything we've planned)"
I know, I'm trying to convince myself I will but it's definitely not going to happen! I'm glad we already share some books though, YAY!
I didn't know about The Ring either, I might use it for the "things that go bump in the night", thank for the suggestion.
The movie of The Ring scared the pants off me. I think if I had the book, I'd have to pull a Joey from Friends and put it in the freezer!
Sophie wrote: "I didn't know about The Ring either, I might use it for the "things that go bump in the night", thank for the suggestion."You're welcome! Although I'm not sure I want to take the credit just in case it scars you for life!
Jody wrote: "The movie of The Ring scared the pants off me. I think if I had the book, I'd have to pull a Joey from Friends and put it in the freezer!"Haha! I definitely nearly did that with my scary book from this year!
I've had a hard time thinking of what to read for the between the numbers week so I may have to steal your idea. I finished the series a few months ago and I'm still a little heartbroken.
I'm also leaning towards Jurassic Park for week 37. I'm looking forward to discussing it!
I'm also leaning towards Jurassic Park for week 37. I'm looking forward to discussing it!
@Laura steal away! I have no book series that I'm reading that have between the numbers books. Plus I have serious withdrawal symptoms from that show. I need more!Yeah, week 37 was a really hard topic to pick for as it turns out there are quite a lot of books that I've seen the movie of but haven't read. Right now I'm mostly leaning towards Jurassic Park and am planning to keep it as that but there are plenty of other options I could end up going with.
You list seems to be screaming classics ... I like it :DI'm reading the Claiming of Sleeping Beauty also, but the entire trilogy. I decided to read it for the embarrassing category. Thankfully there is someone else reading it too. haha
@Manda oh it very nearly made the embarrassing one, the only reason I didn't put it there was because it fitted into my category for author who writes under more than one name, because the only other author I would've probably used for that category is Stephen King and I'm trying to read more of a variety of authors.
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty is a possible on my list. I read it years ago but I need to reread them so I can read the newest one.
Charity wrote: "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty is a possible on my list. I read it years ago but I need to reread them so I can read the newest one."There's a new one?!
I liked them when I first read them but that may have been because I was young and it was taboo. I need to reread them as an adult to see how I feel now.
Charity wrote: "I liked them when I first read them but that may have been because I was young and it was taboo. I need to reread them as an adult to see how I feel now."That's basically why I want to read it. I get drawn to books that are very controversial or deal with very taboo issues. It just makes me want to read them more, which I guess probably says a lot about me! Haha!
I moved 1984 to my 'great opening line' book, realised that Animal Farm is counted as a dystopia so moved that to that topic, and then managed to fit 'A Study in Scarlet' in my challenge for my 'classic book with less than two hundred pages'.I think I like my odds better with the challenge for this year. The books are a bit more evenly varied in size and genre (and I've been able to include a lot more books from genre's that I particularly enjoy so they should be slightly quicker reads) so it should be able to keep it a bit more fresh and interesting, and I should be able to keep up a bit better. I can already tell some books on here that will probably take me less than a week and some more than a week so it should balance out a bit too.
The only topic I have left to fill is a book from the Goodreads Choice Awards, so I'll have to wait and see what comes out of that before I make that decision.
I'm joining the list of people who didn't know The Ring was based on a book. Definitely getting added to my list somewhere! And I love how you put all the covers at the bottom of your list! It makes everything look so official.
Thank you @Raeann! I actually stole the idea of putting the covers at the bottom from someone else's list, so I can't take credit for that. It just looked so much neater and more organised than the way I did mine this year.
Jody wrote: "I used book covers this year too (I can't remember where I first saw the idea) and I loved it!"It just looks so neat and organised! My plan for this year looked like a complete mess because I tried to write the book title and who it was by and add the picture of the cover all on the same line for each topic and it just didn't work. This one looks so fresh and tidy, I love it!
With the addition of Felicia Day's book for my Goodreads Award book, my list is now officially complete!
I like your choice of Middlesex for #36. I don't have a book selected but may add that one. I bought it early this year & it's still unread! It looks really good!
Pam wrote: "I like your choice of Middlesex for #36. I don't have a book selected but may add that one. I bought it early this year & it's still unread! It looks really good!"I originally intended to read it this year for my Pulitzer prize winner but as I fell so far behind this year, I swapped it out for a shorter book. I'm now determined to read it next year. I'm really looking forward to it!
Oh dear, I've already made a few changes. I decided I want to jump on the Lunar Chronicles bandwagon, so I took a couple of the books from the other series I'm planning to read off the list (that one is one continuous and on going series of books so I don't mind pushing a couple of those until next year), I took off the next book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series and replaced that one (I'm probably going to wait to read those books for a while, they're great reads but not very fast ones for me), and I took off the Sons of Anarchy graphic novel and replaced it with Fairest (I can always read that one as a side read as graphic novels don't take too long to read).This means I'm going to be reading the whole Lunar Chronicles series next year as well as making my way through the Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne series by Richard Montanari throughout the year too, on top of the other stand alone novels. Phew! Talk about a challenge for me!
This also means that I'm definitely going to be jumping around with the challenge as I had to put the Lunar Chronicle books in an odd order to make them fit into the challenge.
This year, I discovered that I loved listening to audiobooks, especially for really long books, because you're not put off by the door-stop size of them. I listen to Fall of Giants, which is almost 1000 pages, in three weeks and it didn't even feel like it was that long. Maybe it would be a good option for A Song of Ice and Fire!
I did my first audiobook this year too, and I also found that I really enjoyed it! I've decided to tackle the Lord of the Rings trilogy this way instead of reading it - I did a bit of research and found the apparently definitive audiobook version of them that everyone goes gaga over.
Sophie wrote: "This year, I discovered that I loved listening to audiobooks, especially for really long books, because you're not put off by the door-stop size of them. I listen to Fall of Giants, ..."That's a really good idea! I think that would be a better option for me with that series. When I read it, I just start daydreaming a lot as well which doesn't help me read the book any faster. At least if I'm listening to it, I can listen and daydream at the same time! Haha!
Jody wrote: "I did my first audiobook this year too, and I also found that I really enjoyed it! I've decided to tackle the Lord of the Rings trilogy this way instead of reading it - I did a bit of research and ..."I listened to my first one this year too, which was for my memoir. I'll see if I can find a great version of the Song of Ice and Fire series and then I can give it a go!
I listened to my first audiobook last week, without falling asleep! I just discovered the Overdrive app, which is awesome. You can borrow the book from the library & listen on your e-device. I'm thinking the same thing - using it for really big books like Pillars of the Earth & Fall of Giants and the next in The Song of Ice & Fire Series!
Pam, I listened to Fall of Giants narrated by John Lee, it was very good. I love how he does all those accents. You know which character is speaking immediately, it is very entertaining.Sadly, Overdrive isn't used in Switzerland (I think). But I subscribed to Audible, it costs £3.99 the first 3 months and then £7.99 to have one credit to redeem on any book per month. It's not cheap, but when you see that a 30 hours long audiobook like Fall of Giants is £35 on the website, it's a good deal. (Sorry if I'm out of topic)
I'm always on the hunt for even better deals, so if anyone knows a good place where to get audiobooks, I'd be happy to hear!
Good idea to 'read' big fat books via audio books ... one of my friends only does audio and I have to confess I have never even tried an audio book. Perhaps that should be another 2016 sub-category!
I'm trying to fit in some books that I already own, that I bought for this years challenge and didn't get to, so that I don't feel like I've spent my money on them to just not read them. I'm planning to start going to my local library more often to find some of the books there rather than buying them, and if something's free or cheap on kindle then I'll use that instead. I'll also try more charity shops for cheaper books.I'm using an autobiography for my 'character in a profession that interests you'. I don't know if that classes as cheating or not but I don't think it does.
Francesca wrote: "I'm planning to start going to my local library more often to find some of the books there rather than buying them, and if something's free or cheap on kindle then I'll use that instead."Check out your library's digital database, too! Using that can help cut down on the wait time for books that everyone's requesting and you'd otherwise have to wait months to get. And it's free!
You do have some great books on your list. Lord of the Flies is shocking! Audiobooks are a great option for the big books. They're also amazing for any book you think you might have trouble getting through. I bought Moby Dick on iTunes & started listening today. It's my pick for the book I started but never finished. (I resorted to the Cliff Notes version for college). It's actually quite funny & I can knit while listening.
Books mentioned in this topic
Bonkers: My Life in Laughs (other topics)Everyday Sexism (other topics)
I, Robot (other topics)
I, Robot (other topics)
Everyday Sexism (other topics)
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1. A book you meant to read in 2015, but didn't - The Hunger Games - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
2. A book set in a different continent - The Green Mile
3. A book from the Goodreads Choice Awards 2015 (winner or nominated) - Modern Romance - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
4. A book by an author you discovered in 2015 - The Heart Goes Last
5. A book with a title beginning with the 1st letter of your name - Frankenstein - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
6. WILD CARD : A book with nonhuman characters - The Fifth House of the Heart
7. A book about books - Fangirl - FINISHED - 1 Star.
8. A classic book with less than 200 pages - Treasure Island
9. A book that was mentioned in another book - Lord of the Flies
10. A book by an author you feel you should have read by now - Endless Night
11. A book from the Rory Gilmore challenge - Emma
12. A childhood classic - A Little Princess - FINISHED - 3 Stars.
13. Reader’s Choice - A Monster Calls - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
14. A book with one of the five W’s or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How) - Why Not Me? - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
15. A book set in the past (more than 100 years ago) - The Last Temptation
16. A book from the top 100 mystery novels - A Study in Scarlet
17. A book with a beautiful cover - A Thousand Pieces of You
18. A book on a summer/beach reading list - We Were Liars - FINISHED - 2 Stars.
19. A non-fiction book - Everyday Sexism - CURRENTLY READING.
20. A book with a first name in the title - Jimmy
21. A book from the Goodreads Recommendations page - Thirteen Reasons Why - FINISHED - 1 Star.
22. The first book in a new to you series - You
23. The next book in a series you are reading - A Storm of Swords: Steel and Snow
24. A "between the numbers" book of a series (0.5, 1,5, 2.5, etc.) - Sons of Anarchy, Volume 2 - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
25. A book whose main character is in a profession that interests you - Bonkers: My Life in Laughs - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
26. A book everyone is talking about - All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
27. A book with a beautiful title (in your own opinion) - The Butterfly Garden
28. A biography, autobiography, or memoir - Yes Please - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
29. A book by an author who writes under more than one name - It
30. A fairytale from a culture other than your own - The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales
31. A work of young adult fiction - Rats Saw God - FINISHED - 3 Stars.
32. A historical fiction book - The Blind Assassin
33. The 16th book on your TBR - The Jigsaw Man
34. A book about mental illness - The Bell Jar
35. An award winning book - Fahrenheit 451 - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
36. An identity book - a book about a different culture, religion or sexual orientation - In the Country We Love: My Family Divided
37. A book that you've seen the movie of but haven't read - I, Robot - CURRENTLY READING.
38. A book about an anti hero - American Psycho - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
39. A previous suggestion that did not make it into the list: A book that raises your heart rate (any genre) - Let's Go Play At The Adams' - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
40. A novella from your favorite genre - Sour Candy - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
41. A book about a major world event (fiction or non-fiction) - Half of a Yellow Sun
42. A top 100 fantasy novel - American Gods
43. A book about a thing that goes bump in the night - Fellside
44. A book you're embarrassed to read in public - Apeshit - FINISHED - 2 Stars.
45. A book related to a hobby or passion you have - The Axeman's Jazz
46. A crime story - The Black Dahlia
47. A book with a type of food/drink in the title - Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
48. A dystopia - The Walking Dead, Compendium 1 - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
49. A book with a great opening line - A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold
50. A book originally written in a language other than English - Ring - FINISHED - 2 Stars.
51. A short story from a well-known author - Kindred Spirits - FINISHED - 3 Stars.
52. A book published in 2016 - On the Other Side - FINISHED - 2 Stars.
Group Reads:
Feb - Attachments - FINISHED - 1 Star.
Side Reads:
Annie's Day - FINISHED - 2 Stars.
Sons of Anarchy, Volume 1 - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
Adulthood Is a Myth: A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go! - FINISHED - 5 Stars.
Love You Forever - FINISHED - 4 Stars.
The Perfect Murder - FINISHED - 3 Stars.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two - FINISHED - 2 Stars.