2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2016
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Paul's Spinning Carousel - 180+ books in 2016
Very good! Now I'm not sure I should have said anything, you seem to have it all in hand already ;) :) But yeah, I'd definitely like to get into more challenges, it's just that not a lot of them have appealed to me so far because they've depended so much on fulfilling certain conditions. I'm sure as the year goes on I'll get more into it though. :)
Paul wrote: "Very good! Now I'm not sure I should have said anything, you seem to have it all in hand already ;) :) But yeah, I'd definitely like to get into more challenges, it's just that not a lot of them ha..."Lol it's always good having someone who can recommend books ;)
I'm the opposite, almost every challenge appeals to me lol. Not good :P
I had to stretch a bit to get my i-spy categories figured out too, but I finally got it. I'm actually sort of excited for that one because it is more challenging. I've only read a couple books for it so far though.
I'm mostly happy with what I was able to pick - because I restricted myself to just considering books I owned at the time (which I didn't even succeed at, some I've to get from my library), there are one or two I'm not entirely pleased with as I didn't have a whole lot of choice in the matter, though I'm sure they'll be fine. That being said, the rest are all genuinely interesting, exciting things that I'm looking forward to hopefully reading this year. Not to mention the classics that I have hanging around on the list as well. I've only read a few for it so far too, but I have read some of the classics as well, so that'll definitely bump me up a bit once the time comes.
Book #53
A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy, #1) by Deborah Harkness
Finished 11th March 2016
610p
Why I read it: One of my friends liked a mildly positive review of it once, which for some reason lodged the book in my mind. Then I saw it on sale for Kindle at a ludicrously low price, so I decided to grab it.
Rating: 3/5
Categories: Paranormal romance, long, novel, female, white, USA, 2010s, March, new, ebook, series, adult.
Challenges: Group Reads
Book #54
The Magic of Oz (Oz, #13) by L. Frank Baum
Finished 11th March 2016
160p
Why I read it: I'd come this far, I wasn't going to give up now!
Rating: 2/5
Categories: Fantasy, short, novel, male, white, USA, 1910s, March, familiar, ebook, series, children's.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Book #55
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
Finished 11th March 2016
559p
Why I read it: The Goldfinch was that good that I wanted to delve into the rest of Tartt's work. It helped that this was in the library too.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: General/historical/mystery, long, novel, female, white, USA, 2000s, March, familiar, borrowed, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Book #56
Glinda of Oz (Oz, #14) by L. Frank Baum
Finished 12th March 2016
154p
Why I read it: To reach the top of that hill and look down on the world in some sort of misbegotten glory.
Rating: 3/5
Categories: Fantasy, short, novel, male, white, USA, 1920s, March, familiar, ebook, series, children's.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
So, since you're doing Discworld with Mark... Which one is your favorite so far?
As a snap decision, it's either between Wyrd Sisters and Reaper Man. I'm fairly sure those are weird choices though, and part of me feels like I'd need to go away and think about it more and read the books again before I could come up with a good or better answer. Those two are still good, mind. :) Are you reading them too, Maya, if I might ask? You'll have to forgive me for asking because I don't know your ID name (if you have one, for all I know you might be a lurker, which is completely fine of course), so it's entirely possible that I've already seen you around on the Discworld pages (though I don't comment there much anymore) or indeed somewhere else (only Death Note as of right now, though I am looking forward to Doctor Who S9 and the Young Wizards series. Plus I read all of Tammy's books but never took part in the convos) and just not realised it.
Paul wrote: "As a snap decision, it's either between Wyrd Sisters and Reaper Man. I'm fairly sure those are weird choices though, and part of me feels like I'd need to go away and think about it more and read t..."I took part a bit back when he was watching Buffy, but stuck in the shadows pretty much since then. I think Color of Magic was my favorite to listen to him read, but Interesting Times & Hogfather are my favorites in the series in general. Hogfather was my first, so that's probably why. I don't think he's gotten there quite yet, but it's going to be amazing when he does!
Ah, OK. :) Oddly enough I'm watching Buffy right now actually, and I'm reading his posts as I go (more or less) so it's entirely possible I've still seen you around there. Just thought I'd mention that. :)Hogfather's still a ways off I think, but Interesting Times is definitely the next book after Soul Music. I'm kind of looking forward to that one (and Hogfather too) in particular, if only to see what I think of it.
Paul wrote: "Ah, OK. :) Oddly enough I'm watching Buffy right now actually, and I'm reading his posts as I go (more or less) so it's entirely possible I've still seen you around there. Just thought I'd mention ..."Ooh, yay! Interesting Times was definitely the first time where I couldn't put down one of Terry Pratchett's books. They're all fantastic, but I definitely stayed up past my bedtime to finish that one. :D
Book #57
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christine Lamb
Finished 15th March 2016
276p
Why I read it: I think Malala Yousafzai would have been one of those people I vaguely knew about but not much more, so it would have been on my mind to read this book at some point. Its being the March Group Read solidified that.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: Autobiography/memoir, medium, other, female, POC, Pakistan/UK, 2010s, March, new, borrowed, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Group Reads Challenge, Around the World
Book #58
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Finished 16th March 2016
401p
Why I read it: This book was praised fairly highly by some of my friends years back, so it was one I kept in mind from then on.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: Fantasy, medium, novel, female, white, USA, 2010s, March, new, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Group Reads Challenge, Every Year (2011), Recommended by Reading Challengers
A while ago on my topic for the books I have read, you ask what I was planning after Harry Potter, sorry for the late reply! I was planning to read two or three Doctor Whos and then one more Outlander book.Then, I am glad to say, you can see me journey through Middle Earth as I will be reading Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit which will hopefully lead me to some of Tolkien's other works :)
Book #59
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland, #1) by Catherynne M. Valente
Finished 17th March 2016
247p
Why I read it: This book got praised fairly fulsomely at a forum I like to lurk at, so I held onto it from there.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: Fantasy, short, novel, female, white, USA, 2010s, March, new, ebook, series, children's.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Group Reads Challenge
Book #60
A Calendar of Tales by Neil Gaiman
Finished 17th March 2016
42p
Why I read it: Goodreads member Felicia read it a few months go, I saw the update, thought "Wait, a Neil Gaiman thing that I don't know about, what is this?!" and straightaway sought it out.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: Fantasy/general, short, short stories, male, white, USA/UK, 2010s, March, familiar, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Patricia wrote: "A while ago on my topic for the books I have read, you ask what I was planning after Harry Potter, sorry for the late reply! I was planning to read two or three Doctor Whos and then one more Outlan..."Sounds good to me! :) Oooh, have fun with Tolkien in particular, I've been meaning to reread LotR someday to figure out what I actually think about it, though I do still love the films (haven't seen them in years, mind, still love them. The Hobbit films are ... not as good, but still more or less all right). Looking forward to seeing what you think :)
Paul wrote: "Book #60
A Calendar of Tales by Neil Gaiman
Finished 17th March 2016
42p
Why I read it: Goodreads member Felicia read it a few months go, I saw the update..."
Wait, a Neil Gaiman thing that I don't know about, what is this?! - My sentiments exactly :D Seriously, how was it?
It's very good! They're all short stories, and they're all very short (about three pages each), but for the most part it doesn't feel like they need to be any longer. Sometimes it's a bit trite, sometimes it's a bit too strange, but once you get into it it's really enjoyable and funny and thought-provoking too. As a bonus it has some really nice pictures in there and it's not just fantasy either, it dips into sci-fi a bit, there's a kind of historical story, and sometimes the world is weird enough as it is without anything else needed to be added to it :DAnd if nothing else it shouldn't take you too long to read either, even if I maybe rushed it a bit. Here's a link of fun stuff for you: http://www.acalendaroftales.com/ :)
Paul wrote: "Book #59
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland, #1) by Catherynne M. ..."
I lovelovelove this series. ♡
Paul wrote: "It's very good! They're all short stories, and they're all very short (about three pages each), but for the most part it doesn't feel like they need to be any longer. Sometimes it's a bit trite, so..."Best. Website. Ever.
Good to hear! Circumnavigated did more to convince me that I need more Valente than just it in my life (I've heard so many great things about Silently and Very Fast), but at the same time if Fairyland stays good then I'm unlikely to give up on that either. :)It's not what I was expecting (I only clicked into it there, then again what was I expecting), but it's a pretty great site all right. Honestly it seems a shame I just stuck to the PDF when there are so many other lovely pictures and pieces of Neil's voice to hear. But what's done is done, I suppose. ;/
Paul wrote: "Good to hear! Circumnavigated did more to convince me that I need more Valente than just it in my life (I've heard so many great things about Silently and Very Fast), but at the same time if Fairyl..."Something that made me love the Girl Who series was reading it out loud. Specifically in a British accent. I can't do accents but for some reason, this made it come easily.
Paul wrote: "It's very good! They're all short stories, and they're all very short (about three pages each), but for the most part it doesn't feel like they need to be any longer. Sometimes it's a bit trite, so..."Wow, loved the website, I think I'll listen to this one ^^ Thanks for the link! :)
Paul wrote: "...Why I read it: To reach the top of that hill and look down on the world in some sort of misbegotten glory."
This statement alone is why I read your comments here. Brilliant.
I recently starting reading the Oz Omnibus. I struggled to visualize what was happening in the books, and I found that this helped a ton. The art is beautiful. It's only the first 6 Oz books, so I'm know you're past this, but it's still a great next step if you wanted to pursue Oz some more.
...
Not that I imagine you want to. ;)
I do come out with the strangest things sometimes, I'll admit. (I mean, it's not even the top of the hill, there's an entire other hill of books on top of that and then some other hillocks of books here and there too, but regardless.) Glad you enjoy them though. :)I think I got on reasonably fine with visualising it (though I've never been the best visualiser, I have to strain for it) but I can see why someone might. And yes, I've seen you reading that, and you seem to have nothing but good things to say about it. You're right that I'm not particularly interested in more Oz right now, I feel like it's something I need to clear my head of for a bit before I ever get back to it, and I have no idea how long it'll take. Plus I have no idea whether it's available where I can buy comics (or whether I'd want to get it there), though they are on Comixology. Then again I don't really use Comixology or have anything on there, there's just too much else I could have going on that I can access easier too to make much of it. I wouldn't mind doing that someday though. :)
Well, the omnibus costs a pretty penny. I'd certainly recommend a Library if you didn't want to own this forever. I hope you find something lovely to supplement your Oz reading and give you a break!
It's not in my system, I'm afraid, I checked it last night and it wasn't there. :( Checking again, there ain't much call for Oz in this here backwater in general, there aren't that many Baum books in there, never mind anyone else's. And you're right about it being expensive too; Wonderful Wizard of Oz alone is something like €15 on Comixology, which isn't really what I want to spend on it (right now). Maybe later though. :)Thank you! Don't worry though Jackie, I'm expecting lots of lovely things this year, the only problem is whether I'll be able to get around to them. ;) :) And same to you too of course :)
Paul wrote: "Book #58
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Finished 16th March 2016
401p
Why I read it: This book was praised fairly highly by some of my friends years ba..."
I'm always happy to see when people like this book. The author wrote her rough draft during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month Here's a link if you or anyone else is interested in what it is and don't know) and I think it gives the rest of the people who participate hope that maybe they can write something good that people will love. I'm waiting on this one from the library myself.
I did know about NaNoWriMo actually (a fair few of my friends in other parts have tried their hands at it before), and I did know that Morgenstern originally wrote it for that. In fact for a second I thought you were linking me the rough draft and I got a little disappointed when I worked out it wasn't that, but it's no big deal. It's definitely not something I think I could ever do, so fair play to her and everyone else who's done it, absolutely!Ah, lovely! :) I hope you enjoy it Bobbi - I don't like it quite as much as most people seem to, but to me it feels close to being something pretty special regardless. :)
Book #61
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Finished 18th March 2016
95p
Why I read it: It's Jane Austen! Even if it's rather short.
Rating: 2/5
Categories: Classics/romance, short, novella, female, white, UK, earlier, March, familiar, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Book #62
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Finished 20th March 2016
96p
Why I read it: It's one of those classic poems apparently.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: General/classics/thriller, short, poetry, male, white, UK, earlier, March, new, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Book #63
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Finished 20th March 2016
308p
Why I read it: I first heard about The Color Purple through the Oscar-nominated Spielberg film; I'm not sure when I realised there was a book. Somehow it sunk into my mind when I realised it was in my library, despite knowing very little indeed about it.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: Historical/general, medium, novel, female, POC, USA, 1980s, March, new, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Group Reads, Popsugar (National Book Award)
Book #64
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Finished 21st March 2016
96p
Why I read it: It's Jekyll and Hyde! Of course I was going to seek it out eventually. (Btw, that pun is in the book, so do not judge me on it. No really. It is.)
Rating: 3/5
Categories: Classics/thriller, short, novella, male, white, UK, earlier, March, familiar, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages
Book #65
The Banyan Tree by Christopher Nolan
Finished 21st March 2016
374p
Why I read it: I first heard about Christopher Nolan on the day he died. He found his way into my memory, and I found one of his books in my library, but only now did I finally find a time to read it.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: General, medium, novel, male, white, Ireland, 1990s, March, new, borrowed, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, I Spy Book Edition, Léamh go Brách
Book #66
The Dog by Joseph O'Neill
Finished 24th March 2016
241p
Why I read it: What can I say? I liked Netherland!
Rating: 4/5
Categories: General, short, novel, male, white, Ireland/UK/USA/Mozambique/Turkey/Iran/Netherlands, 2010s, March, familiar, borrowed, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, I Spy Book Edition, Around the World, A to Z Character Edition (X), Léamh go Brách
Book #67
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Finished 24th March 2016
460p
Why I read it: It won the Goodreads Choice Award for Historical Fiction last year, and it sounded interesting.
Rating: 4/5
Categories: Historical, medium, novel, female, white, USA, 2010s, March, new, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Around the World, Every Year, Recommended by Reading Challengers
Thank you Leslie! I'm fairly sure I borrowed this format off someone actually, but I can't think of who it was now. Possibly Cassandra, but it's hard to say. And I have to admit I'd be far happier with it if I had actual reviews to go with them, but life and college just keep getting in the way of that. Pesky life, eh? ;/ I'm hoping to be able to write most or all of those during the summer though. :)
You have been really crushing through some books lately, Paul! I'm really impressed/jealous. I often stop and think about whether I should delay writing my reviews like you do... But I know myself well enough to know that I'll never write them if I don't force myself to do it before I mark the book as Finished on Goodreads. It also looks like you've been making some great progress on your challenges! Does that mean you've gotten more into the concept behind challenges lately?
Jackie B. wrote: "You have been really crushing through some books lately, Paul! I'm really impressed/jealous. I often stop and think about whether I should delay writing my reviews like you do... But I know myself ..."Thanks Jackie!
Honestly most of the reason I delay is because I really am just that busy with college right now. I mean, I *could* do them every now and then, but I'd rather spend the time on reading instead, especially when reading is something I can put 45 minutes or an hour or x amount of pages specifically to, and reviews would just be too unknown an idea to be something I could be confident of heading into. Not to mention that I don't want my parents or family to see what I'm doing and ask questions. So I'm happy to leave them to the summer, when hopefully all the things rushing through my head might actually make sense. Although it also means I'll probably forget things along the way too. I'll figure it out.
To an extent - mostly though it's knowing that a challenge is finishing soon, knowing that I have a bunch of books on hand that apply to it that I haven't read, and rushing to read those right Now! Also some of it's just luck, because I picked specific books for challenges and they happened to come up now. But other times it's really knowing what to look for, and it really is getting more into it in general. Take that new 2nd quarter challenge is going for - I've dived into that something furious. No award is too obscure! :D
Paul wrote: "Jackie B. wrote: "You have been really crushing through some books lately, Paul! I'm really impressed/jealous. I often stop and think about whether I should delay writing my reviews like you do... ..."Paul, if you think that you'll forget some things along the way till you write your reviews, you can write down some key notes like I do sometimes if you want, and then you can return to them when you wanna write a review about a book :) Though maybe you are already doing this, I don't know, but this is what I do when I have an idea about a story I wanna write, so I thought maybe it'd work out for you too ;)
Ecem wrote: "Paul wrote: "Jackie B. wrote: "You have been really crushing through some books lately, Paul! I'm really impressed/jealous. I often stop and think about whether I should delay writing my reviews li..."Great idea! And no, I'm not doing it already - though I probably should be! But that takes effort, and I don't wanna take effort. *pouts* :P Not to mention time as well, time that I'd prefer to use on [even more] reading. Plus I don't want people to ask me what I'm doing either. :/ Thanks though. :)
Paul wrote: "Ecem wrote: "Paul wrote: "Jackie B. wrote: "You have been really crushing through some books lately, Paul! I'm really impressed/jealous. I often stop and think about whether I should delay writing ..."Well, I can't blame you for wanting more time to read, since I keep slacking from my translations to read books - and also I'm a lazy cat that doesn't wanna take efforts too ;) So well, never mind, and keep going like this ;D
Ha! Well, like I said I was going to do that anyway, but now that I have your permission I'm not going to feel particularly bad about it ;D :D Happy reading! (And translating ;)) :)
Ahahaha, thank you, happy reading to you too! ^^
Book #68
Belle: The True Story of Dido Belle by Paula Byrne
Finished 26th March 2016
304p
Why I read it: It turned up in a Kindle sale at some point, I had already been vaguely aware of the film, and it sounded interesting.
Rating: 3/5
Categories: Historical/biography, medium, non-fiction, female, white, UK, 2010s, March, new, ebook, standalone, adult.
Challenges: Let's Turn Pages, Nonfiction
2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge
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The Undertaking (other topics)
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Part of the fun though having much to read ^^
If I'm in a tight spot I certainly will! Many of them will probably be filled by list books. I have a list app that you can search for all books with words in title, author name and such, it's brilliant for I spy! ^^ Also for I spy I often check others what they read, A-Z too to see if there' some interesting ones I haven't thought of :)