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2017 Individual Challenges
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Rumpelteazer's 2017 Challenge
I'm feeling in the mood for a clean start. So I think that after I finish my current book I'll wipe my Kindle and start fresh again. I had hoped I could hold out until my vacation (partial reading retreat) in May but my Kindle is getting cluttered and it makes it hard for me to choose which book to read next and then I end up uploading more books.
Bianca wrote: "I'm feeling in the mood for a clean start. So I think that after I finish my current book I'll wipe my Kindle and start fresh again. I had hoped I could hold out until my vacation (partial reading ..."I've never done that...
I've never done that either... LOL :D
I'm weird, just deleting books doesn't work for me. Once a year, or so, I need to start over again. Which is what I did this afternoon. I now have my active series, all in a collection, a bunch of first in series that look interesting, also in their own collection, and four stand alone books. I know that when I keep adding stand alone books I hardly ever look at the ones that aren't on page 1. I try to keep the number of those down to few, and I do succeed in this for a while after a reset. However, after I while I start adding more and more. Until I get to the point I need a clean start.
End of Watch by Stephen King.A good end to the trilogy. I couldn't really get into it, but that wasn't the book's fault but my own; I've read too many crime and mystery books lately.
It also means that I've finished my mini challenge and four series. Yay. Now I need a break and read a couple of stand alone books.
Bianca wrote: "I'm weird, just deleting books doesn't work for me. Once a year, or so, I need to start over again. Which is what I did this afternoon. I now have my active series, all in a collection, a bunch of ..."Maybe I should try that one day.
The Jersey Devil by Hunter Shea.Fun creature feature horror. Although I would have liked a bit more history and backstory.
The Winter Over by Matthew Iden.A surprisingly good thriller, though the mystery part was a bit obvious. A quick and easy read, just what I'm in the mood for, plus another new author for me.
I booked another partial reading retreat for mid May, since I had the flu in January I thought I deserved a second chance. It's partial because my sister will be joining me from Thursday or Friday evening (due to a big project at work she can't come the full week). However, since she likes to sleep in and I like to get up early I will still get a lot reading time. I'm already planning what I want to read.
Bianca wrote: "The Winter Over by Matthew Iden.A surprisingly good thriller, though the mystery part was a bit obvious. A quick and easy read, just what I'm in the mood for, plus another new auth..."
What do you mean by "partial read?"
It's a partial reading retreat since my sister is joining me for part of it, she always wants to do things. If she wasn't there I would go to a nearby town once and visit the restaurant we always went to with our grandparents after a walk in the forest (the park I'm going to is in the forest my grandparents always took us walking), but that's about it. My sister probably wants to go for a walk every day (and no, she's unable to do things on her own). She'll be joining me on Thursday or Friday evening (I'm secretly hoping on Friday), so I'll have a couple of days to binge on my books.
LOLI understand.
My sister asked me, snarkily, today if I was planning on spending most of the time on vacation reading. I told her I was, to which she replied that that is so boring. I replied that if she that's her opinion she was welcome to stay at home. Before she could replay she realized that I'm paying, which means that she can't bitch about my plans.However, I told her I am willing not to read for a full day if she is willing not to touch her phone and laptop for a day. Last year, when we went to Bruges together was the final straw for me. I won't be going on an active (cultural and/or shopping) vacation with her. When we're doing things she gets annoyed with my walking speed (a little bit slower than hers) and when we're at the hotel, a restaurant or bar she logged into the free wifi and basically ignored me. I can easily go without technology for a day (or more), going without reading is a bit harder but doable, but she's so addicted to her phone and computer. To this suggestion she merely mumbled some.
My sister asked me, snarkily, today if I was planning on spending most of the time on vacation reading. I told her I was, to which she replied that that is so boring. I replied that if she that's her opinion she was welcome to stay at home. Before she could replay she realized that I'm paying, which means that she can't bitch about my plans.However, I told her I am willing not to read for a full day if she is willing not to touch her phone and laptop for a day. Last year, when we went to Bruges together was the final straw for me. I won't be going on an active (cultural and/or shopping) vacation with her. When we're doing things she gets annoyed with my walking speed (a little bit slower than hers) and when we're at the hotel, a restaurant or bar she logged into the free wifi and basically ignored me. I can easily go without technology for a day (or more), going without reading is a bit harder but doable, but she's so addicted to her phone and computer. To this suggestion she merely mumbled some.
I can turn off the reading when on vacation. I can disconnect pretty easily too. But ask me to stop practicing or playing piano and now you've got a fight on your hands. :P
Bianca wrote: "My sister asked me, snarkily, today if I was planning on spending most of the time on vacation reading. I told her I was, to which she replied that that is so boring. I replied that if she that's h..."Ouch! I'm good about getting rid of the tech on vacation but I can't get rid of the reading.
Lucky for me I'm slowing making hubby understand that vacations are for tans and reading.
Like you I can easily give up tech, but not reading. And it really depends on the type of vacation. The on in May I've booked a cottage and I've planned it as a lazy vacation. Depending on the what the supermarket on the park stocks I will cycle over to the nearby town once or twice to get things. Also this park is in the forest our grandparents used to take us to walk, so I might have one or two walks myself (depending on weather). Other than that my plan is to read, have movie nights, nap and potter about.When I go abroad I am more active. However, differently than my sister. Who plans every day from getting up until going to bed. I leave room for more spontaneity; I usually do one or two planned things in the morning and have a list of possible things to do for the afternoons, I let my mood and weather decide what to do. And if I go away for a full week there are usually two or three afternoons where I either spend all or part afternoon in a park or at the hotel, I usually get some nice things to eat and drink from a supermarket and read for a while.
I'm planning a city trip for September or October. I had planned on going "home" to Wolverhampton (where I studied at uni) and from there visit Birmingham and Coventry. However, last week I got the idea to maybe go to Copenhagen for a couple of days, but it'll be fun to go to Dublin again, too. So I need to think about it.
I like Copenhagen, I would definitely recommend if you haven't been there before :)
Night Souls by L.H. Maynard & M.P.N. Sims.Nope. The sequel to one of the first ebooks I read, it took me longer than normal to read mainly because I discovered a new computer game. The last couple of days I sped through it, mainly to get it over with. The first half is very fragmented, then the various storylines are pulled together. Most of the book feels like an introduction, setting up the story. Then in about 20 pages it is revealed what the story is about and in the last 30 pages the battle commences and within a couple of pages the bad guy is killed. Also the deaths in the last part of the book are written to shock (not in keeping with the rest of the story) and they only accomplish to annoy me, rather than shock me.
Now, for something better I hope. The first non-fiction of the year.
DoodlePanda wrote: "I like Copenhagen, I would definitely recommend if you haven't been there before :)"I've never been to Copenhagen before, but have been wanting to go for years. Accommodation is a bit more expensive than I would like. Have you been there? Is Copenhagen do-able in a couple of days?
I think you can see a lot in a couple of days. I've never done the "tourist weekend" there, as my family has been going since I was little. So I'm not entirely sure how long the main attractions would take.
I just love the atmosphere there :)
And the fact that they have Tivoli in the middle of the town (theme park). I would def take a look there, even if you're not interested in the rides, I think they do midnight fireworks fairly regularly (though its been a while since I went there)
Bianca wrote: "Night Souls by L.H. Maynard & M.P.N. Sims.Nope. The sequel to one of the first ebooks I read, it took me longer than normal to read mainly because I discovered a new computer game. ..."
booo! I hate it when authors do that.
The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story by Douglas Preston.My first non-fiction of the year. Interesting story about the White City or City of the Monkey God in Honduras. A good mixture of history, getting the expedition the author joined together, the expedition itself and the aftermath, where a lot of the members of the expedition got sick with the same disease.
That looks really interesting! Much better than the blah science book I have right now.
MrsJoseph wrote: "That looks really interesting! Much better than the blah science book I have right now."I have problems with reading lists and, as I discovered last year, genre lists. I guess it's too much like the reading lists we had in high school, college and university.
I also have problems with non-fiction. At college and uni I had to read a lot of (academic) articles and books about education, language, Brititsh history and literature. A non-fiction must not only be well written, it must be a fast read, not boring and somewhat entertaining. I can do Bill Bryson (lot's of humour), this year I want to try out Ann Rule (true crime) and maybe some travel books, see how those go. I like Preston's fiction books, so I thought I'd risk it. Luckily it paid off. It wasn't a fast read, but it wasn't long and it had the right balance of facts, history and adventure.
My cousin is really into true crime. I can read non-fiction but like you it needs to be pretty specific (or I'm really interested).The last one I really liked and wasn't for education was the story about the creation of the OED. That was fabulous and I've plans to read more in that area.
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver.I took a ten month break of the Lincoln Rhyme books, but I'm glad I decided to continue. I really liked this book, better than the previous ones, although that might be due to the long break. It did take me a while to get into, but once past the half way point I sped through the book (I hoped I would be able to finish it on Monday, but managed to finish it on Saturday night).
I just noticed that I'm currently reading my 29th book of this year. And I thought it would be nice have finished or finish my 30th book of the year on Friday. Which will mean I will have to buckle down, my current book is a non-fiction (which are always slower reads for me) so I will have to choose my 30th book wisely (in other words, it will be a short read, probably a very short read).
I've got a couple of slow reads on the go right now. Seems like I'm getting nowhere. Looking for what the next book will be. I'm thinking a microhistory to check that off the challenge list.
Bianca wrote: "I just noticed that I'm currently reading my 29th book of this year. And I thought it would be nice have finished or finish my 30th book of the year on Friday. Which will mean I will have to buckle..."That's great! You're hitting about 10 a month.
The fact that my average page count per book is about 18 pages less than I've read on average from 2012 until last year might have something to do with the 10 book a month average. However, if I finish my current book and the book I've selected to read next I'm about 15 pages above average for the three months of the year, which evens it out.I did well today, I've read about 150 pages, so I'm giving myself the night off. Netflix recently made the second season of Secrets of Great British Castles available, which I binge watched over the weekend. So now I'm in the mood for a historical read, so that's what I'm looking for tonight.
The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain by Bill Bryson.I loved this book, but then I usually love Bill Bryson's books. But his books about the UK I love, because as a foreigner having lived in the UK for a period of time (three times for about four months), and visit the country regularly his observations are so recognizable.
Now I have until Friday to read a 200 page book, which seems doable.
On another note I saw today that the tv adaptation of Neil Gaiman's American Gods will soon premier, so I'll need to reread the book.
Also, tomorrow the trailer for Stephen King's It (the film) is released. Last year I both reread the book and watched the mini series again. I was a bit disappointed to see the film won't be released until September 7, but it'll give me some time to convince my sister to go with me to the cinema. She normally doesn't like horror, but she has a tiny weak spot for Stephen King.
The Ghosts of Idlewood by M.L. Bullock.Another series scrapped off my possible list. I hadn't realized it's the follow up to a previous series about the same group of friends. I felt like I missed a lot of the back store, which is hinted at, but never fully explained. Also, it was a bit too cozy and fluffy for my liking.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simon St. James.A surprisingly good read. I was afraid of too much romance, but it wasn't too bad. Only 2 sex scenes, which weren't too long and were easily skimmed over. It seems most of St. James' books are romantic paranormal mysteries, so I need to get her other books, too. This one was ideal as an in-between book; quick, easy and entertaining.
My mind is on a Romance block right now. I don't mind too much but it is weird.
Doctored Evidence by Donna Leon.Good book, though the title is misleading.
Now onwards with The Circle. Which according to the review you either love or hate. So far (about 7% in) it's okay and interesting. But I need to charge my Kindle first so I can't continue, a good excuse to play my new game tonight.
Great excuse!
I'm trying to moderate my gaming, this game is too addictive. If I'm not careful I would spend most of my free time gaming and only read for fifteen minutes before going to sleep.I can remeber when I could read the night away, curl up in bed with a good book. Now, no matter how good the book I can't do that anymore. I usually last not much longer than midnight nowadays.
I'm too old to last that long but i read a good 80 pages tonight. Plus 40 on the bus and 30 at lunch. A good day's reading.
I'm waaaay too old to stay up all night now - at least and not still be functioning next day.
I can remember that I used to read late into the night when I was in secondary/high school. At college/uni I was either too tired to read late into the night and when I studied in the UK I only had 4 classes a week, so enough time for my own reading without having to resort to midnight reading.Only when I got my lighted PDA and discovered Project Gutenberg did I start reading late into the night again. I loved to read Gothic novels in the dark. I would love to be able to read in the dark on my Voyage, but nowadays I just fall asleep.
MrsJoseph wrote: "I'm waaaay too old to stay up all night now - at least and not still be functioning next day."^this :(
Bianca wrote: "I can remember that I used to read late into the night when I was in secondary/high school. At college/uni I was either too tired to read late into the night and when I studied in the UK I only had..."I used to stay up til morning, go to breakfast and then my early class when I was still in college. But now? I wish, lol.
I don't remember how much reading I got done during college - it's all a haze now.
My first DNF of the year.The Circle by Dave Eggers.
I neither hated it nor loved it, after the first 50 pages or so I became indifferent and found excuses to put aside the book. Which is never a good sign. From the reviews I had already gathered that the main character doesn't go through much, if any, development and at the end of the story she doesn't see the wrongs of The Circle, it's for the reader to decide. That's all fine with me, but after 112 pages (about 22% in) it still felt like an introduction and not much had happened. Everything the main character does is described in detail. So I'm giving this one a miss and I might just watch the film, or not.
Bianca wrote: "My first DNF of the year.The Circle by Dave Eggers.
I neither hated it nor loved it, after the first 50 pages or so I became indifferent and found excuses to put aside the book. Wh..."
Ugh. I hate those kinds of books. 100 pages or I'm done
I'm usually too obstinant to give up after investing that much. Probably a fatal character flaw.
I've learned to let go. The beginning was good, it was interesting and a quick read, but then it got repetative and I got bogged dow in the details. It's a shame because the premise was good, it needed editing.
Unlike Goodreads I have decided to count an abandoned book as a book read, and count the pages I've read towards the year's total.
The only thing that matters to me is I mark it as something. I've got a DNF shelf that I made exclusive so it works with Read/Reading/Want To/DNF. I like that because I can remember what I've tried in the past.
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Definitely my favourite book in this series so far. However, it would be nice to have a book where the main character just helps solve the crime and isn't personally involved in it.
Another one crossed off, now it's time for a little break before I continue with the final book of the challenge.