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message 51: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Welp, looks like I'm going to finish 20 for 30, and I'm going to be just shy of my 7500 page limit. Unbelievable. I thought I'd reach that one for sure. :( Oh well, maybe next time. I know where I erred for sure. The major one was not having books lined up like I should have. I spent several days of my reading time browsing Amazon and GR trying to decide what to read.


message 52: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC To whoever is up for War and Peace, I'm going to go ahead and start a thread at here at Casual Readers for May 1st as the start date. :)


message 53: by GeneralTHC (last edited May 05, 2014 01:38PM) (new)

GeneralTHC I've got a few pretty hairy reads going on right now. About to finish MATTERHORN today, hopefully. It's been really interesting. Diane and I are reading WAR AND PEACE, I'm sure it's going to take me all month on that one, especially with all the other stuff I'll read. I've been reading one I've been meaning to get to forever from Neal Stephenson. That guy is definitely one of a kind. The book is called:Quicksilver. It's actually the first in an awesome series. And another I'm reading is a nonfiction book about all the politics and events surrounding the "War on Terror" since 9/11:Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield. Everyone should read this. It's absolutely crazy! Oh yeah, I've also started the first one in the Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford:Rules Of Prey I'm still looking for a "mega-series" to read, maybe this will be it. His books are really popular. We'll see.


message 54: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Man, is it hard to stay up on my reading! It's a lot of work just keep up with all the books that are coming out on Amazon to see if there's anything interesting out. And there is--a bunch!

And I got so many books going now it's unreal, though. Totally. I've been reading so much lately it's incredible, but I haven't been finishing books. I guess tonight I'll finish a Dan Simmon's book I've been reading: Summer of Night by Dan Simmons and get back to WAR AND PEACE tomorrow. I think I'm going to read 70 pages a day starting tomorrow so I can be certain to finish it this month.

There's just so much stuff I want to read! It's a shame I'm not a speed reader, lol.


message 55: by Angie (new)

Angie | 623 comments I loved Summer of Night Chuck:D It has some sequel's as well, and they're not bad books either. I know what you mean about keeping up with all the books lately, I've been having the same problem.


message 56: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Angie wrote: "I loved Summer of Night Chuck:D It has some sequel's as well, and they're not bad books either. I know what you mean about keeping up with all the books lately, I've been having the same problem."

Yeah, I just realized that it was part of a series type of thing. It's funny the next one is the one I started to read not knowing that. IIRC, it was called A WINTERS HAUNTING.


My reading is like SO out of control. I think I have about dozen books listed on my CR, but that's not even close to half of everything I'm really reading. And there are several out now that are screaming for my attention, lol. Heck I just accidentally started 2 more last night: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and a new rock bio Face the Music A Life Exposed by Paul Stanley . I have to get some kind of order here. It's going to be a while before I actually finish all these. Might never happen, haha!


message 57: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Well, my reading year thus far hasn't even gone as planned. What's new? My stats say I've read over 23,000 pages so far this year, but I have read significantly more than that. I literally have many dozens of books partly read, many of which I haven't even added to GR.

I am really hoping to read more classics and nonfiction--I've challenged myself recently to read at least 50 nonfiction books this year, so I need to get on that soon. Well actually I'm reading one today: In Cold Blood. I'm also hoping to squeeze in All the Light We Cannot See this weekend. Then it's WAR AND PEACE whether it takes me two days or two weeks, but just so long as I get in the month is all that matters.

I'm also hoping to get in INFINITE JEST sometime this summer and CRIME AND PUNISHMENT before the year is out.

I think I may even start working on the 1001 list officially: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...


message 58: by [deleted user] (new)

I just looked at your list. That is one hell of a challenge. I would like to read most of the ones on your list before I die. Couldn't possibly do it in a year or two.


message 59: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Cindy wrote: " Couldn't possibly do it in a year or two."

Oh yeah, it's definitely a lifetime type of thing for me. Though I know a few people that could do it in two or three years.


message 60: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Man, I think I burned myself out with that challenge last month, haha. Having trouble getting into a zone and sticking with something. Sigh...


message 61: by [deleted user] (new)

You are like me sometimes Chuck. I will start 20 books and take forever to get them read. Just switching back and forth between books. I have now found a "comfort level" so to speak. No more than three at a time. It keeps my interest that way because I don't have to stick to just one, but I get them read in a fairly reasonable amount of time.


message 62: by GeneralTHC (last edited May 18, 2014 10:47AM) (new)

GeneralTHC Cindy wrote: "You are like me sometimes Chuck. I will start 20 books and take forever to get them read. Just switching back and forth between books. I have now found a "comfort level" so to speak. No more than t..."

That's funny, Cindy, instead of no more than 1 or 2, it's no more than 3. I think you'll find that number has a way of drifting back up, lol.

But ya know what I do is this mainly: there are books I read through in 1 or 2 days and the books that hang around a while are usually audiobooks. I mean, it takes forever to listen to an audiobook. I can read an average novel in about 6 hours if I read it straight through whereas a an average audiobook takes about twice that long. And rarely can I spend 12-40 straight hours listening to an audiobook, so it turns into quite an affair sometimes. Especially when you get 10-20 audiobooks going.


message 63: by [deleted user] (new)

That reminds me. You had encouraged me to give audiobooks a try when I was so sick. I finally listened to one and absolutely loved it. There was only one narrator but he was magnificent at changing his voice for each of the characters.


message 64: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Cindy wrote: "That reminds me. You had encouraged me to give audiobooks a try when I was so sick. I finally listened to one and absolutely loved it. There was only one narrator but he was magnificent at changing..."

Oh, I am so glad you did! That's great! That's what makes them so awesome. You can "read" when you don't really feel like it, or you need to be multitasking.

Did you just use your computer or do you have an MP3 player?


message 65: by [deleted user] (new)

Computer


message 66: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Cindy wrote: "Computer"

I use my laptop (connected to my guitar amp) most of the time, but when I have stuff to do or it's bedtime I prefer my little 2 gig iPod. Listening with headphones seems to be a more intimate experience. You can get an MP3 player now for pretty darn cheap: Here


message 67: by [deleted user] (new)

Cool, thanks!


message 68: by Natasa, co-moderator (new)

Natasa (natasa79) | 149 comments Mod
Chuck wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Computer"

I use my laptop (connected to my guitar amp) most of the time, but when I have stuff to do or it's bedtime I prefer my little 2 gig iPod. Listening with headphones seems to..."


I started listening to Dresden files short stories, they are good and the narrator is great! As you say, it stays now and waits till I grab my mp3 player again :)


message 69: by GeneralTHC (last edited May 27, 2014 05:37PM) (new)

GeneralTHC Natasa wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Computer"

I use my laptop (connected to my guitar amp) most of the time, but when I have stuff to do or it's bedtime I prefer my little 2 gig iPod. Listening with headp..."


I've been wanting to get more into short stories. Actually, I've been trying to write some for a while.


message 70: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Well, it turned out to be a really pitiful reading month for me. The worst in a couple of years . I did read a lot but it was sporadic and all over the place. I only got about 1/3 of War and Peace read. I just wasn't able to download the rest of it. It's just too huge, nearly three gigs. It's essentially a $30 download in data charges with my Verizon plan. Here's to hoping June is a whole lot better.


message 71: by [deleted user] (new)

The first part of the month was awesome for me Chuck. I am a VERY slow reader and if I get four in a month, it's good. I actually got 10 for the month of May if I'm remembering correctly. But now I've come to a startling halt. With everything that's been going on with the grandson and stress, I am barely reading 50 pages a day right now.


message 72: by [deleted user] (new)

Cindy wrote: "The first part of the month was awesome for me Chuck. I am a VERY slow reader and if I get four in a month, it's good. I actually got 10 for the month of May if I'm remembering correctly. But now I..."

I am wrong. It was seven. Still very good for me.


message 73: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Cindy wrote: "Cindy wrote: "The first part of the month was awesome for me Chuck. I am a VERY slow reader and if I get four in a month, it's good. I actually got 10 for the month of May if I'm remembering correc..."

Oh, it really is bad. I just looked. I have been averaging over 15 a month this year. This month I completed 3, hahaha! But ya know, I really did a read a lot, as much as any other month I'm sure, I was just all scrambled up with too many books. I guess it'll all come out in the wash, i.e, it should add to my yearly total as long as I finish them; otherwise, it's totally wasted reading.
BTW, congrats on your good reading month. :)


message 74: by [deleted user] (new)

Thank you Chuck!


message 75: by Natasa, co-moderator (last edited Jun 03, 2014 12:11PM) (new)

Natasa (natasa79) | 149 comments Mod
Chuck wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Cindy wrote: "The first part of the month was awesome for me Chuck. I am a VERY slow reader and if I get four in a month, it's good. I actually got 10 for the month of May if I'm reme..."

Chuck, when you finish all the books you are reading at the moment, you'll probably just post them something like every day a new read book lol

My mentor at my PhD (that is collecting methaforical dust for 2 years now unfortunately) has told me he does his assignements like that, he starts working parallel on articles and some books etc. and he usually finishes them at the same time more or less (the same month or week) andeveryone is in awe how he does it...but he actually just doesthe same thing every day...works a lot on a lot of different things...amazing, I wish I did it for a change instead of reading just my horror books. I just don't feel guilty anymore, almost I believe, I have given up on it. Which is totally a shame because of the money, the time invested and things sacrified to realize it and now just to give up on it (and giving up was never me) maybe this is just a phaze??? It would be good but somehow I doubt it :( sorry for my blabber and complaining...I guess I'm not that indifferent as I want to convince myself. Oh well, life sucks...it's actually kind of good to give up on something for a change actually...this is more like a personal carrer suicide lol but I will be happy to read books till the rest of my life, so who cares...

I'm off, sorry to invade your personal space :)


message 76: by [deleted user] (new)

Anytime I start reading four or five books at a time, I typically finish them within a day or so of each other. BUT dang. It takes so damn long.


message 77: by Natasa, co-moderator (new)

Natasa (natasa79) | 149 comments Mod
Cindy wrote: "Anytime I start reading four or five books at a time, I typically finish them within a day or so of each other. BUT dang. It takes so damn long."

I used to do that, many years ago :) But, lately I have been reading a book after a book...especially if it's really good then I just can't put it down and start something else lol

But I'm doing 2 reads at this moment, both are buddy reads and one of them is The pillars of the Earth with Chuck...and I'm doing it mostly like this because this is a long read he said he will take his time reading it ergo me too and that is great with me :)


message 78: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Natasa wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Cindy wrote: "The first part of the month was awesome for me Chuck. I am a VERY slow reader and if I get four in a month, it's good. I actually got 10 for the month of M..."

No worries, Natasa. I hate to hear that you've given up on your Ph.D. though. I think you'll regret that in a few years.


message 79: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Cindy wrote: "Anytime I start reading four or five books at a time, I typically finish them within a day or so of each other. BUT dang. It takes so damn long."

Yeah, it does. It almost seems to drag me down psychologically or something. But I'm just not going to force myself to read something if I've falling out of the mood. I'll come back to it.

Another thing I do to mitigate that feeling is what I'm doing today: reading a book straight through in a day or two.


message 80: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Whew-hoo! Any day Stephen King releases a new book is a good day!


http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Mercedes-A-N...


message 81: by [deleted user] (new)

That is a good deal Chuck. Hope you enjoy it.


message 82: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC These past few months just haven't been good for me as far as my reading goes. I mean, yeah, I've read some good books, but I have just been all out of sorts.

I screwed up several buddy reads--I sure hope no one is mad at me. I sure don't like it when people cheese on me.

Also, I have like 30 books on my CR and that's not even all of them! I think I have a strategy to deal with it though. I'm going to try to knock out at least one a week and hopefully I can finish the year with a clean slate.

Anyways, I hope everyone is doing well, and I hope we can get the group rocking again.


message 83: by Sam (new)

Sam Arnold (samharnold) Chuck wrote: "These past few months just haven't been good for me as far as my reading goes. I mean, yeah, I've read some good books, but I have just been all out of sorts.

I screwed up several buddy reads--I ..."


I have had a bad reading couple of months too Chuck have resorted to an August TBR list to try to encourage myself.


message 84: by Natasa, co-moderator (new)

Natasa (natasa79) | 149 comments Mod
Chuck wrote: "These past few months just haven't been good for me as far as my reading goes. I mean, yeah, I've read some good books, but I have just been all out of sorts.

I screwed up several buddy reads--I ..."


Totally in the same boat there with you Chuck :)

Maybe it's some GR virus going around lol

And yes, it would be great if the group gets live again...I hope it does when the winter comes again, this was a really great group of people.


message 85: by GeneralTHC (last edited Aug 04, 2014 03:45PM) (new)

GeneralTHC Natasa wrote: "Totally in the same boat there with you Chuck :)

Maybe it's some GR virus going around lol

And yes, it would be great if the group gets live again...I hope it does when the winter comes again, this was a really great group of people. "


Did you ever finish PILLARS OF THE EARTH? I'm still like on page 300. I can pick up from there though anytime though because I can completely remember everything that's going on.


message 86: by Diane (new)

Diane | 76 comments Sounds like a lot of us have had some crummy stuff going on.


message 87: by Sam (new)

Sam Arnold (samharnold) I think it's the summer that makes everyone quiet. I know my own group is quieter during August than other months especially with the school holidays.

Sure things will pick up again soon.


message 88: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Sam wrote: "I think it's the summer that makes everyone quiet. I know my own group is quieter during August than other months especially with the school holidays.

Sure things will pick up again soon."


Sam, did you ever read The Silkworm yet?


message 89: by Sam (new)

Sam Arnold (samharnold) No I have brought it just not got round to reading it yet.


message 90: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Sam wrote: "No I have brought it just not got round to reading it yet."

I just started it this morning, read about 50 pages of it so far.


message 91: by Sam (new)

Sam Arnold (samharnold) Let me know what you think.


message 92: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Sam wrote: "Let me know what you think."

Will do.


message 93: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC No one would believe the number of books I have going.

I'm not throwing in the towel on any of these either, well maybe 1, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I just can't get into that one.

I think I'm going to be quite relieved when I get all these finished, lol. It's hard to do when the pile keeps growing.


message 94: by Holly (new)

Holly | 140 comments Chuck wrote: "No one would believe the number of books I have going.

I'm not throwing in the towel on any of these either, well maybe 1, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I just..."


How many books are you reading now, Chuck?


message 95: by GeneralTHC (new)

GeneralTHC Holly wrote: "Chuck wrote: "No one would believe the number of books I have going.

I'm not throwing in the towel on any of these either, well maybe 1, [book:The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society|27..."


I lost count at around 40, but it's pretty close to that.


message 96: by Holly (new)

Holly | 140 comments Oh wow.....


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