2017 Reading Challenge discussion

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message 1: by Anne (new)

Anne (librarianguish) | 636 comments Mod
Many of us have challenged ourselves to read a certain number of books in 2016, aside from the goals of this challenge.

What is your goal?

I'm aiming for 100 books in 2016. I've done it before, but in 2015 I was working on a year of creative endeavors and my reading came second. This year I want to get back to the books!


message 2: by Len (new)

Len (lenmacabre) I think I'm going to aim for 50 books this year. This is my first time doing the reading challenge.


message 3: by Joel (new)

Joel (rocknrolljoel) I'm hoping to average a book every week, so 52 is the goal for me. I'm just getting back into reading after a few years of reading hardly anything, so this is my new years resolution.


message 4: by Teresa (new)

Teresa Kander My initial goal is 350 for this year....we'll see how that goes.


message 5: by Valerie (new)

Valerie | 280 comments Last year was the first year I have ever tracked. I did 200 last year...but, I had two injuries, so that laid me up. I am going to shoot for 150, and change it higher if it looks like I am going to be doing the same pace as last year.


message 6: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Hillring (dakkster) Shooting for 35 or so.


message 7: by Kathy (new)

Kathy I am going for 52 this year. One a week is a good goal but still challenging for me.


message 8: by Natália (new)

Natália Lopes (silkcaramel) This year I managed 54 books and will probably end up in 55. Next year I'm aiming at 60!


message 9: by Frogli (new)

Frogli | 118 comments I think I will aim for 75 again, no one was more surprised than me when I whizzed through it so easily this year but there were quite a few short books involved so doubt I'll be up past 100 again next year!


message 10: by Stacy (new)

Stacy I've 300-365 in the past. I think I'll stick with 300 this year.


message 11: by Amanda (new)

Amanda | 229 comments I reached my goal of 60 books this year and will probably stick with the same number or aim for 70 for 2016.


message 12: by Amanda (new)

Amanda | 229 comments I reached my goal of 60 books this year and will probably stick with the same number or aim for 70 for 2016.


message 13: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Hillring (dakkster) I know I'm going to read a lot of bricks next year, which is why I'm aiming low.


message 14: by Elle Belle (new)

Elle Belle (michellele) | 13 comments Last year and earlier this year I used Goodreads as a way to keep up with all of the books I like to use in my classroom, so when I discovered the numerical reading goal I already had a bunch of books counting toward that goal. My solution was to set the bar higher, of course, and continue. This year my approach will be different and I will use the numerical reading goal for only personal books read. Total books for 2015: 207, next year's goal? I'm thinking 116.


message 15: by Kathy (new)

Kathy Ok! All you people reading 100 plus books - I am envious! How do you do it? What do you do for a living? It must be something with books. I can't even manage more than one book at a time, much less 100 or more in a year. LOL!!


message 16: by Bam cooks the books (last edited Jan 03, 2016 08:12AM) (new)

Bam cooks the books (bamcooks) Kathy wrote: "Ok! All you people reading 100 plus books - I am envious! How do you do it? What do you do for a living? It must be something with books. I can't even manage more than one book at a time, much less..."

I'm retired and gave up watching tv three years ago! :-) My goal this year is 160 books.


Steph's Romance Book Talk (stephsromancebooktalk) Last year was 100 book and late this year I found audiobooks and books on CD so 2016's goal is 150 new books. Since GR doesn't count rereads into your goal numbers unless you reset the date I figure my tracking will keep the accurate count and GR will keep the new book count ;-)

Good Luck all!!


message 18: by Amy Beth (new)

Amy Beth I'm going to shoot for 100. I set it at 50 last year (well, this year) and read 56, but some of those were cookbooks. It is tough balancing reading with work, but I want to focus more on reading and less on TV and, ahem, social media (Goodreads doesn't count!!).

I also am planning on working in 26 classics into that 100. One for each letter of the alphabet. But I can't find something for X. Wild card, I guess.

Good luck all!


message 19: by Kathy (new)

Kathy Well, there is hope for me! I could care less about TV and I just started listening to audiobooks. Retirement is a few years off for me, but maybe I can get those numbers up anyway. You guys are inspiring!


message 20: by Martha (new)

Martha (marthag503) I'm going to aim for 40 and hope for higher. I'll add on in 5-book increments once I've reached that goal. I want to get away from numbers and aim for a quality year. For one thing, I hope to read some really long books this year so meeting a set number may be out of the realm of possibility.


message 21: by Melissa (new)

Melissa @Amy Beth: Maybe for the letter X you could read a book by Aldous Huxley? His name has an X In it.


message 22: by Teresa (new)

Teresa Kander Kathy wrote: "Ok! All you people reading 100 plus books - I am envious! How do you do it? What do you do for a living? It must be something with books. I can't even manage more than one book at a time, much less..."

I'm retired, and an avid reader. I usually have two or three books going at the same time.


message 23: by Melissa (new)

Melissa Lol Kathy! I read 2 to 3 at a time. One of them is always an audio book. That helps me read when I can't sit still! I am a firm believer in audio books, it reminds me of when my mom read me stories as a child. Sorry to anyone that dislikes audio books, but I am a fan!


message 24: by Amy Beth (new)

Amy Beth Melissa wrote: "@Amy Beth: Maybe for the letter X you could read a book by Aldous Huxley? His name has an X In it. "

@Melissa That's a good idea! I had been doing the letters by title (e.g. J = Jane Eyre) but since I can't come up with anything for X, this seems reasonable. Thanks.


message 25: by Anne (new)

Anne (librarianguish) | 636 comments Mod
Thomas wrote: "I know I'm going to read a lot of bricks next year, which is why I'm aiming low."

You could always read a few graphic novels. They're a nice interlude between bricks.


message 26: by Margo (new)

Margo  (dandylines) 11 for sure because they are listed for another book club that I'm in. It is the Ravelry book club. Ravelry is for people that knit and crochet. Many patterns are free. Lots of fun. Lots of various groups.
Why not 12 you ask? Well that is because I already read "A Prayer for Owen Meaney". I may reread that though and count it here.
A few of their books can be noted in categories here such as Middlemarch a classic.
Actually I am going to try for 24, two a month. Which means I will stick to tier one and pick up some of the tier two books also.


message 27: by Alison (new)

Alison (akitchenwife) I am part of the Mt TBR reading challenge as well and I have said I would read at least 150 books this year.....that being said I am a single mom who is engaged to be married at the end of March, I work full time and I am also enrolled in college full time so yea, what planet am I on to think I can do all of this but I am going to try!!!!


message 28: by Ann-Marie (new)

Ann-Marie (amsjob) Marie wrote: "I'm aiming for 52 books. It seems like the past few years I've done a lot more collecting of books than reading of them so I'm trying to really focus on reading what I have."

That sounds just like me! I think I´ll follow your example!


message 29: by Ann-Marie (last edited Jan 01, 2016 12:04AM) (new)

Ann-Marie (amsjob) Well, having too many unread books in my shelves and having bought too many books in stead of reading them I will set my goal to 52 books. I will try to find the book for each category on my shelves. NOT buying....


message 30: by Valerie (new)

Valerie | 280 comments Kathy wrote: "Ok! All you people reading 100 plus books - I am envious! How do you do it? What do you do for a living? It must be something with books. I can't even manage more than one book at a time, much less..."

Combination of things.

I do not watch a lot of TV, or play video games and I read on my breaks at work. I also choose a variety of books that allow me to read at different speeds. I am a teacher, so I do have more time in the summer, and on winter breaks.

I also read some YA, and children's books, as that is part of my job to know what kids like.

Like others above, I read more than one book at a time. The one I read on my treadmill/exercise bike is generally one I can start and stop. As is the one on my break at work. Poetry and self help books are good for this.

My own kids are grown and out of the house, but I still work, do extra curricular activities, and go out with friends. (BTW, not having kids in the house does cut down on laundry, and the house stays cleaner longer!) But, when I have free time, I choose reading.

For me, reading is my hobby. I read at a pretty good clip, though I am not as fast as some (like my husband).

But, most importantly, I read the stuff I like...and, it makes me want to keep reading. Yes, I admit to staying up late to finish a book, or carrying it to the kitchen with me so I can read and stir because I got to a good part. I also have a Kindle that allows me to change over to voice, so when I am doing chores, or taking a bath, I can keep 'reading' so I do not have to stop when I just can't put the book down.

But, as I said, I have never tracked before last year...so, I did not know what I did. I might be slower this year because last year I had some medical issues. I might have more. But, I am pretty sure I can do at least two books a week, so that is why I am aiming for 150 this year. (Figuring in more for the summer)


message 31: by Valerie (new)

Valerie | 280 comments Ann-Marie wrote: "Well, having too many unread books in my shelves and having bought too many books in stead of reading them I will set my goal to 52 books. I will try to find the book for each category on my shelve..."

Oh man....not buying. Hard, hard, hard. There is always another Tuesday!!!


message 32: by Valerie (new)

Valerie | 280 comments Margo wrote: "11 for sure because they are listed for another book club that I'm in. It is the Ravelry book club. Ravelry is for people that knit and crochet. Many patterns are free. Lots of fun. Lots of various..."

Might I suggest getting some books in audio format, and you can listen while you knit....


message 33: by Meredith (new)

Meredith | 7 comments Aiming for an average of one a week so 52.


message 34: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Hillring (dakkster) Anne wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I know I'm going to read a lot of bricks next year, which is why I'm aiming low."

You could always read a few graphic novels. They're a nice interlude between bricks."


I read the first part of Sex Criminals last year and I plan on continuing that one this year, as well as reading Saga and continuing The Sandman.


message 35: by Margo (new)

Margo  (dandylines) Valerie wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Well, having too many unread books in my shelves and having bought too many books in stead of reading them I will set my goal to 52 books. I will try to find the book for each cat..."

I have thought of that but my mind would wander off. I knit and crochet in front of the TV with my DH. I have created lots and lots of charity items which makes me feel productive and creative. Also I am now doing a little designing of patterns so I am now very conflicted between reading, cooking, my regular exercise routine and my "hooking" :>.


message 36: by Helin (new)

Helin Puksand | 8 comments At least 52


message 37: by Kristina (new)

Kristina I'm aiming for 70 books as my realistic goal, although my 2016 to read list has 110. I'm reading a mix of books that I own, books on my Kindle, book club books, and books that I just really want to read.

I read 74 books in 2015, so hopefully I can keep up or surpass that pace this year.


message 38: by Stacy (new)

Stacy Amy Beth wrote: "I'm going to shoot for 100. I set it at 50 last year (well, this year) and read 56, but some of those were cookbooks. It is tough balancing reading with work, but I want to focus more on reading an..."

I did Xingu for an X classic :)


message 39: by Stacy (new)

Stacy Kathy wrote: "Ok! All you people reading 100 plus books - I am envious! How do you do it? What do you do for a living? It must be something with books. I can't even manage more than one book at a time, much less..."

I happen to be a fast reader. Nothing I did - just born that way. I read so many because most books just don't take very long.


message 40: by Amy Beth (new)

Amy Beth Stacy wrote: "Amy Beth wrote: "I'm going to shoot for 100. I set it at 50 last year (well, this year) and read 56, but some of those were cookbooks. It is tough balancing reading with work, but I want to focus m..."

Whoa! Thanks, Stacy!


message 41: by Ann-Marie (new)

Ann-Marie (amsjob) Valerie wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Well, having too many unread books in my shelves and having bought too many books in stead of reading them I will set my goal to 52 books. I will try to find the book for each cat..."

You know a bookaholic LOL!!! I have already bought four books this year, but they don´t count since I bought them so close to 2015 or....


message 42: by Linda (new)

Linda Wagner | 28 comments Melissa wrote: "Lol Kathy! I read 2 to 3 at a time. One of them is always an audio book. That helps me read when I can't sit still! I am a firm believer in audio books, it reminds me of when my mom read me stories..."

A book is a book, doesn't matter what format! I have an hour commute each way and audiobooks fills that time. Stuck in traffic, no problem, there is always a story playing.



message 43: by Teresa (new)

Teresa (teremazon) OMG! Teresa, 350 books?????? Wow!!! That is amazing. I am slightly envious, I have to confess.
My personal best was 248 a couple of years ago because I was sick for a long time and therefore not working for a few months. Last year I did 165, but I am aiming for 150 again. I have a very long commute by train and that helps. I can hardly stand TV this days and that also helps.


message 44: by Teresa (new)

Teresa Kander Teresa wrote: "OMG! Teresa, 350 books?????? Wow!!! That is amazing. I am slightly envious, I have to confess.
My personal best was 248 a couple of years ago because I was sick for a long time and therefore not w..."


LOL....I'm a quick reader, and accomplish almost a book a day, sometimes more. Last year I read 490, but that felt too much like work, so I cut back for this year.


message 45: by Thomas (new)

Thomas Hillring (dakkster) Holy... A question: do you use any speed reading techniques?


message 46: by [deleted user] (new)

I lowered my goal to 42 books this year; trying to be realistic and keep it fun.


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