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Skye wrote: "Christine; I get up, like today, at 2 AM, get things done, take out my dog, drink coffee, do yoga, then off to teach; now I'm scoring essays online. Almost finished.Why are you up so late, Sue?"
Good grief, Skye, when do you go to bed??
Sean wrote: "I am going to challenge myself to reach at least 55 books this year. So 5 more.As I will have December Book Pal, Ty first book, Tom Wood's second book.
maybe a couple more, see how busy I am as ..."
The issue I have with book challenges is that they create pressure. Aren't we supposed to be reading for leisure? I do see that it is a goal- oriented thing and that does appeal to me, but it does add stress to our lives, don't you think? My other issue is what about those Stephen King books that are 800 pages. Don't you start looking around for short books just to make your number? Do novellas count?
Last night was really late for me. I went to bed at 4:00A.M. and then the dogs wanted out at 6:00A.M. I took a bit of a nap this afternoon, as I was dragging, with my work. It has been snowing heavily and steady all afternoon, and even though it looks pretty, my husband will be out there later. But he bought a snowblower, so I think he is itching to get out there and try it out. Guys and their toys! Me I plan to read.
I don't see my goal-setting as a challenge. I just like to see how many books I actually read over the course of a year. I'm not racing against anyone.
Brenda wrote: "I don't see my goal-setting as a challenge. I just like to see how many books I actually read over the course of a year. I'm not racing against anyone."
Same here, whatever I achieve is a bonus!!
Same here, whatever I achieve is a bonus!!
I don't feel the reading challenge causes me stress. In fact, I stay as stress free as possible due to health reasons and reading helps me do that. For me it is a goal I set for myself to meet, there is no competition other than against myself. As I wrote in another post, I don't watch much television, I might have it on in the background but almost completely muted not really paying attention to it at all. Trouble sleeping at night has been a problem so I stay up reading and nap on and off during the day. Yes shorter books do count and maybe some people look for short stories etc. but I read what I want to. In fact I have read a few books that were 500 to 600+ pages this year. If I read a longer book, or a trilogy of longer books (which happened this year); yes I am going to end up reading shorter books but they are novels that I have purchased over the last few years since I purchased my first Kindle and were chosen because I wanted to read them not for length. There are 393 books for me to choose from on my Kindle which haven't been read so I am never out of reading material. Plus I utilize two libraries in my state for Kindle and audiobooks.I read what my mood chooses at the time. I have Under the Dome by Stephen King which is 897 pages in my books for reading but just haven't been up to reading that large of book for me I have to be in a certain mindset to read a book that long, I hope to get to it this coming year. For me it evens out and you end up with an average page number over the year, shorter novels or long it equals out in the end.
Plus I am no longer working and since I became disabled I have more time to read since I am limited in what I can do physically. I'm still active, and make the best out of my life. Reading is a huge part of that. Sorry for the length of this.
No need to apologise, Lynn. You said what you felt and they're all your reasons for challenging yourself. Glad you enjoy setting yourself that challenge.
I can see why reading challenges appeal, it seems plenty do them ..... but it's not for me. I feel more like Christine on this one, it would feel like pressure. Heck my Netgalley commitments felt like enough pressure!!! Never will I request so many again!!!! :\
I can see why reading challenges appeal, it seems plenty do them ..... but it's not for me. I feel more like Christine on this one, it would feel like pressure. Heck my Netgalley commitments felt like enough pressure!!! Never will I request so many again!!!! :\
I won't be doing the challenge. After living with all the pressure and stress associated with healthcare, of trying to do more and more in the same time frame, I am through with adding to my "have-to-do" list. I want to read for enjoyment not because I have committed to a goal and feel I have to meet it. It is time for me to do the things I want when I want and not be chained to the things I have to do. I don't want reading to become just one more thing I have to do in a day.
Many good points and shows how we're all different. I can see how people who like competition would like to challenge themselves for fun. Not for me. It is interesting to have a list showing how much I've read, but I don't consider if very meaningful. I read Graphic Novels for pete's sake!
I've done the reading challenge for 2 yesrs now. Yes, I feel stress from it so I set the bar low. Christine - novellas count. Perri - graphic novels count, I use them to boost the numbers. Actually while writing this, I wonder why I do this???
I give myself a target, for fun, not for stress, I don't race to make my total.
We are all different, I am shocked in our other thread how some members have read over 200 books in a year.
I read a book usually 5-7 days, which I think is good going, but work full time, and have a hectic sports life and busy home life, with making jewellery every night, snooker and tennis.
But I am sure, and believe I cannot wait, that when I retire I will be reading more, but then I will be doing so many more things I enjoy doing more.
I love walking, listening to music and watching films.
It is a time issue, I think more than anything for all of us.
More time, more reading.
But no pressure.
We are all different, I am shocked in our other thread how some members have read over 200 books in a year.
I read a book usually 5-7 days, which I think is good going, but work full time, and have a hectic sports life and busy home life, with making jewellery every night, snooker and tennis.
But I am sure, and believe I cannot wait, that when I retire I will be reading more, but then I will be doing so many more things I enjoy doing more.
I love walking, listening to music and watching films.
It is a time issue, I think more than anything for all of us.
More time, more reading.
But no pressure.
Sean wrote: "I give myself a target, for fun, not for stress, I don't race to make my total.We are all different, I am shocked in our other thread how some members have read over 200 books in a year.
I read ..."
Sean - as someone who is retired, I read more because I stay up later at night but never have afternoon time to read which I consider a true luxury. I have no idea why I'm so busy, just my interests as you stated, but I wonder how I found time to work!
BTW, what is snooker? Like American pool?
I used to read a book a week on average, before I started writing, now I hardly have time to read a book a month.Pat, snooker is like pool in that there is a table with six pockets, but the order in which the balls are potted and scored is more complicated, and the table is double the size of a pool table.
Thanks David. My husband plays pool and I've heard of snooker but my knowledge of the game stops there.
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Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)
(last edited Nov 22, 2014 05:31PM)
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Janet wrote: "No need to apologise, Lynn. You said what you felt and they're all your reasons for challenging yourself. Glad you enjoy setting yourself that challenge.I can see why reading challenges appeal, i..."
I have just learnt my lesson with Netgalley too Janet. 8:D I will be a little more selective in future too.
I am participating in a couple of challenges, but just for interest in the A - Z challenge; and purely to see just how many books a year I do read (I started my count Sept 1 and will run until August 31, 2015). I did a page count one month, but actually found that quite stressful, so am not doing that again. I read purely for pleasure, and if it is not giving me pleasure, I don't read it. I am not ashamed to put "abandoned" or DNF after a title with my reasons.
Happy reading everyone! 8:D
I have a question I'd like to put to you all.
Do you find over time your tastes in books change? Do you become picky, finding it hard to become 'thrilled' ?
I'm just wondering as I was up all night unwell and so I'm reading through some older books I 'loved' several years ago, and last night I was thinking.. Whaat?! And I seriously think if I read them from front to back again now, I would rate then a whole lot lower.
Do you find over time your tastes in books change? Do you become picky, finding it hard to become 'thrilled' ?
I'm just wondering as I was up all night unwell and so I'm reading through some older books I 'loved' several years ago, and last night I was thinking.. Whaat?! And I seriously think if I read them from front to back again now, I would rate then a whole lot lower.
An example of this for me is
'The Time Traveller's Wife' by Audrey Niffenger.
I read this about 7 years ago and loved it, and last night reading through passages, I just thought... I couldn't read this now, it would get on my nerves.
'The Time Traveller's Wife' by Audrey Niffenger.
I read this about 7 years ago and loved it, and last night reading through passages, I just thought... I couldn't read this now, it would get on my nerves.
Very interesting thought Kimberley. I know as we get older, (speak for myself) our tastes change, and I feel that I am more particular with the choices of books that I select, because our time is valuable. Also with the change in technology, a lot of books/thrillers have dated themselves, and are no longer interesting or acceptable to read.
Kimberley wrote: "I have a question I'd like to put to you all.
Do you find over time your tastes in books change? Do you become picky, finding it hard to become 'thrilled' ?
I'm just wondering as I was up all n..."
Sorry to hear you were unwell, Kimberley, hope you're feeling a bit better now. I was up most of the night reading!
In answer to your question, most definitely do our tastes change over the passing of time. Usually because our circumstances change, we all evolve and change as people so I think it stands to reason that our tastes, tolerances change. I don't feel the same way as I did twenty years ago, definitely not. A soppy romance might have cut it with me as a 'full of hopes and dreams' teenager, wouldn't touch one with a bargepole now!!! :))
Do you find over time your tastes in books change? Do you become picky, finding it hard to become 'thrilled' ?
I'm just wondering as I was up all n..."
Sorry to hear you were unwell, Kimberley, hope you're feeling a bit better now. I was up most of the night reading!
In answer to your question, most definitely do our tastes change over the passing of time. Usually because our circumstances change, we all evolve and change as people so I think it stands to reason that our tastes, tolerances change. I don't feel the same way as I did twenty years ago, definitely not. A soppy romance might have cut it with me as a 'full of hopes and dreams' teenager, wouldn't touch one with a bargepole now!!! :))
I, too, think our taste in books changes. Years ago, I used to read Danielle Steel and now just the thought gags me. I think as our life changes, so does what we need from a book.
Brenda wrote: "I, too, think our taste in books changes. Years ago, I used to read Danielle Steel and now just the thought gags me. I think as our life changes, so does what we need from a book."I used to read Catherine Cookson :x
Hahahahahahahaha! I started a trend! C'mon everyone! Make your admission here! (Kimberley, I hope all this cheers you and helps you feel better!)
Snooker for two hours lost 3 frames to 2.
Table is 12 feet long, by 6 feet wide.
15 reds, and black ball (7 points) pink(6 points) blue (5 points)brown ball(4 points)green ball (3 points) and yellow ball ( 2 points)
You must play a red then a colour, till no reds left, then you must pot all the colours in this order yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and then black.
No tennis this weekend all courts booked up.
But cooked a lovely soup, well made it this morning, a Orange, Carrot and Ginger soup, it was lovely.
Table is 12 feet long, by 6 feet wide.
15 reds, and black ball (7 points) pink(6 points) blue (5 points)brown ball(4 points)green ball (3 points) and yellow ball ( 2 points)
You must play a red then a colour, till no reds left, then you must pot all the colours in this order yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and then black.
No tennis this weekend all courts booked up.
But cooked a lovely soup, well made it this morning, a Orange, Carrot and Ginger soup, it was lovely.
Sean - thanks for the information on snooker. Goodness, pool is much easier.Kimberley - hope you are feeling better but yes, indeed, my tastes have changed with the books I read. I agree with Sue that the older I get, the more particular I am. If I don't like the book - goodbye. I do not finish it. In the past, I would never do that.
Also, I find that I like to read some "softer" mysteries once in awhile. The hard core thrillers can be depressing and I need to lighten up a bit with a cozy mystery!
Thanks guys. I had a giggle reading some of them. ;)
Feeling a bit better today.
Feeling a bit better today.
Sean, I enjoy snooker although I'm rubbish! Sounds like you are always very busy! :)
Yes life is hectic, with a home a garden, full time work, helping my wife run a jewellery business (four day show next weekend, 12 hours each day, and tennis, as well as snooker, and walking friends dogs for 8-10 miles each weekend.
Think I have an active mind, spend hours working on my own wen site, my wife's jewellery web site, here, and sorting our loads of music for my i Pod, added 16 Cd's to my I Tunes this week.
But we all lead busy lifes, I am sure you are busy with children and home.
Think I have an active mind, spend hours working on my own wen site, my wife's jewellery web site, here, and sorting our loads of music for my i Pod, added 16 Cd's to my I Tunes this week.
But we all lead busy lifes, I am sure you are busy with children and home.
I wanted to wish everyone a "Happy Thanksgiving". I'm logging off for a while and have family coming to visit. In the UK (and all the other countries), I don't know if you celebrate anything for this week/weekend but if so, Happy Holiday.Take care everyone. I love this group for how friendly and wonderful everyone is. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Pat! And to all Good Thriller folks every where. I'm very thankful I've "met" you!
I hope everyone celebrating Thanksgiving has a happy and relaxing one. Don't go stressing yourselves over all that cooking!! Enjoy and have fun!! :-)
Christine wrote: "Janet wrote: "Has anyone heard from Lavada? Hope she's ok."
No. I will PM her."
Thanks, Christine. It has been a while.
No. I will PM her."
Thanks, Christine. It has been a while.
I can't get out of the dreaded Mobile version of Goodreads on my iPad. Who can help me out of this nightmare and back to Desktop version?????
Christine, I found your answer under Goodreads Feedback discussion.If you'd like to try the new mobile site on your iPad you can switch to it using the "switch to: mobile version" link in the desktop site footer. There's also a link in the drop-down menu next to your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
Calathea wrote: "I would love if you could add the link to get back to the desktop version while browsing on the mobile, just to have the option."
If you click on the button in the upper left corner (the one with the three bars) a menu will open where you can select the option "switch to desktop".
Christine, I've been having the same problem with the mobile app on my android phone, the link to go to desktop site is no longer there. The only way to get around the problem that I have found is to go to the Goodreads website through the browser on my phone. if you find another solution please let me know. Everything was fine until the last update for the app.
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Why are you up so late, Sue?