Let's Take a Minute

[Jonetta]

Anita, that's the push-pull of NetGalley....so many fun and great reads but it does impact your choice reading.

[Robin]

My goals for 2016 were to finish a few of the series that I had already started, and try to get through at least one short story or novella each month. That seems to have worked out well for me.

Last week I took off work to get some stuff done around the house. I also re-sorted my TBR books and culled out some that I will never read. I noticed that I have MANY trilogies. I think in 2017, along with a couple group reads (which are usually longer series), I'll concentrate more on getting through some trilogies. Hopefully this will let me read a variety of different authors. It felt like I kept reading the same 10-12 authors over and over again.

I also noticed that I have a lot of standalone books and category romances that I haven't touched in a long time. I would like to try to fit more of those in my reading in 2017.

[Viki]

Jonetta wrote: "Viki wrote: "Group reads are harder for me as i dont always have time to read them as quickly as everyone else. But i will try to keep up next year with one group read!!"

Only if it fits what you ..."

Thanks. If it is a series I don't own I have to make sure my library has it!

[Jonetta]

I love that your reading this year has been so good, Stephanie! I certainly have enjoyed your reviews and added quite a few titles as a result. Keep doing what you're doing as it seems to be serving you very well. Sebastian will be here when you're ready to read him.

[Tracey]

Charlene wrote: "Some of you may have noticed my absence in discussions the last part of this year. We are moving to a Church-related senior living community sometime in the next 4-6 months, and I have forty-eight ..."

All the very best for your move Charlene. Hope you both settle in well.

[Tracey]

Jonetta wrote: "I have a personal group I use to manage my reading lists......."

I have a personal group as well. Great for lists :-) :-)

[Charlene]

Friends, Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers as I try to organize the work of moving into small tasks that I can manage. I need to see some progress and not to wallow in paralyzed indecision.

[Viki]

Jonetta wrote: "Laura wrote: "How are you going to be more spontaneous? Also what's your system to keep track of books but not carry them over? 3/4 of my list each month is what I didn't get to the month before......"

How exactly does your planning group work? Just curious.

[Lauren]

Good to hear from you, Charlene and I'm so glad you are going to be moving to a place that really suits you. It must also be a relief to know that you will have the help on hand if you need it. Good luck and enjoy the library next door!

[Lauren]

In 2015, I was completely overburdened with challenges and group reads, and cut back on these significantly in 2016. It was a really good decision because I read more of what I wanted and not what I felt compelled to read.

2016 was really good with a mix of series catch up alongside new authors and series. I plan on continuing with this in 2017.

[Jonetta]

Viki wrote: "How exactly does your planning group work? Just curious. ..."

Here's a link where you can see.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Jonetta]

Lauren wrote: "In 2015, I was completely overburdened with challenges and group reads, and cut back on these significantly in 2016. It was a really good decision because I read more of what I wanted and not what ..."

Good for you, Lauren! I noticed your lists were trimmed.

[Viki]

Jonetta wrote: "Viki wrote: "How exactly does your planning group work? Just curious. ..."

Here's a link where you can see.

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/..."


What a great idea.

[Jonetta]

Thanks, Viki! I'd be lost without it.

[Mary Beth]

I am really excited for the group read for the Cork O'Connor series. I will be joining the discussion on that fot sure, a lot of my GR friends have 5 star reviews on the books, also plan on joining the discussion for Bullet Catcher, just not sure if I will stick to it since its romance but since it is romantic suspense I should be able too.
These are the series I am focusing on in 2017 along with the 2 group reads.

Inspector Lynley- buddy read with Kris
Taylor Jackson
In Death
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache
Dresden Files
Arvchie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell
Jonathan Stride
Joseph O'Laughlin
Lady Julia
Jack Daniels
Gaslight Mysteries

[Mary Beth]

Good Luck on your move Charlene. I know that its a lot of work. I just helped out my parents to move to North Carolina last summer. So know what you are going through.

[Sandra]

Charlene wrote: "Friends, Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers as I try to organize the work of moving into small tasks that I can manage. I need to see some progress and not to wallow in paralyzed indecision."

Best wishes in your move, Charlene. I know it's overwhelming, but hope it will prove to be a positive change in your life. Hugs.

[Jonetta]

Mary wrote: "I am really excited for the group read for the Cork O'Connor series. I will be joining the discussion on that fot sure, a lot of my GR friends have 5 star reviews on the books, also plan on joining..."

I started the Cork O'Connor series a couple of years ago and never got back to but really wanted to keep going. This is one I'm most excited about resuming as a group read in 2017.

I'm about halfway through Bullet Catchers already.

[Anita]

Bullet Catchers books look to be a fun, fast read. I look forward to starting them in January. I think I need to figure out how to use the series and monthly reading lists. I keep running across series that I've forgotten about. Case in point SEAL's Deliverance by Elle James. I just finished this book as an ARC, but I read the first two in the series and lost track of it.

[Jonetta]

Anita, I'm lost without that list. As large as it is, it doesn't include everything I own or started but those I really want to get to sometime in this decade:)

[Anita]

I know! I look at my "to-read" shelf and wonder how it got to 1669 book to read. I need to do some serious weeding. I think a lot of them are books from my physical library that I gave away when I went all e-reader.

[Ellen]

Jonetta, I would love to look at your planning group.

[Jonetta]

Ellen wrote: "Jonetta, I would love to look at your planning group."

Here's the link:

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Melissa]

In 2017 I would also like to be more spontaneous with my reading. I have so many books on my Kindle and physical bookshelf that need to be read. I'd like to continue the series I have started and hopefully finish some next year. My husband and I have decided to call off the divorce and work things out, so I've gotten my reading groove back. 2016 has been a rough one, so 2017 is my year!

[Jonetta]

YAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

I'm SO happy for you!!! Here's hoping for the best to you both in 2017.

[Melissa]

Jonetta wrote: "YAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

I'm SO happy for you!!! Here's hoping for the best to you both in 2017."

Thank you, Jonetta. Our line of communication is open again and things have been going great.

[Tracey]

Oh that is great news Melissa. I hope it all works out for you and your family.

(Sorry, have only just seen this.)

[Lauren]

That is really great news, Melissa. Crossing fingers for you and hoping 2017 is a better year!

[Jonetta]

It’s been a while since we’ve really done a check-in. How’s everyone doing?

[Lieke]

I won’t finish all of my goals but I have finished my series goals and those are the most important ;)

[Melissa]

My 2018 Goals

1) Read 50 books - Completed this month (+some)
2) Read 5 books that have been made into movies - Completed
3) Complete 3 trilogies - will be completed this month
4) Complete or get up to date in 5 series - I actually hit 6.

[Lynn]

Tracey wrote: "This sums me up!

"

Wow this is so true.

Thanks for this thread, Jonetta.
I love the challenges, but what's happening is that I'm either finding books in the library or buying books to fit the challenges rather than reading books that I already have on my shelves. Of course if I buy a book to meet a challenge, then I have to buy other books - it's the law or something, right? 🤥

[Jonetta]

That’s the danger of challenges. Have you considered changing your thinking about them? They’re fun so it’s not practical to just stop being in them. But how about selecting those that fit what you already want to read. I started doing that and all my issues went away. It’s a small shift but with a big impact.

Reading is supposed to be fun. With so many temptations around here, you’ve got to be careful to protect that.

Go for it!