Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017 discussion
Challenge Levels
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Mr. Bennet Level 101-199 Books
Eliza wrote: "There's no way I'd get over 100 if I didn't read some shorts and novellas in the mix. And there are a lot of medium-length stories in the 200-300 pages range. I tend to avoid the really long ones u..."I can usually hit around 65-75 books every year but that's mostly 300+ pages each, if I slip in a few novellas and shorts I should
Debbie wrote: "Silver Thistle {adores JAFF & TEOTWAWKI. Oh, and accronyms :P} wrote: "I feel like I'm really going to challenge myself if I'm to make it to my hoped for 100, so kudos to all who make it beyond tha..."Every year I challenge myself to read 50 books and I know that's do-able (for me). A nice leisurely 1 a week and a couple of weeks off for the unexpected. Normally I reach about 70ish without trying so I figured I should be able to reach 100 if I put my mind to it.
But, I forgot I'll still be reading normal books too so perhaps 100 JAFF is not as attainable as I thought. Maybe I should put myself in the 50ish group, that way I could have still had my 100 but just 50 of each. I can't change groups now though....can I?
Silver Thistle,if you want to change groups,then by all means do so. I'm not sure it matters,but if you'd like to post the first five books at the lowest level then you can work your way up from there.
Then if you'd like to stop when you've reached 50,you can. Hope that helps.
Great Idea Mary. Silver thistle, no worries. When that great ball fell announcing a New Year... every single one of us started over. We are all on level one, now known as Charlotte Heywood. I have already posted my first book and am off to a good start. Good luck to you and happy reading. It is the journey, so enjoy it. We'll be here to cheer you on. Woohoo!!
Silver Thistle {adores JAFF & TEOTWAWKI. Oh, and accronyms :P} wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Silver Thistle {adores JAFF & TEOTWAWKI. Oh, and accronyms :P} wrote: "I feel like I'm really going to challenge myself if I'm to make it to my hoped for 100, so kudos to all who mak..."I am laughing..."normal books". So Jane Austen isn't normal? Just struck my funny bone. Yes, we know - other genres, other interests...I read other books also and once I reach the top of my level I post those other genres as well so that maybe another readers might find just another book they will enjoy also. And I read both long (~400, 500 page books as well as those short story/novellas of 50 or so pages). They all count.
Thanks Mary and all. I'm so sorry I messed up the lists. I realise I didn't really know how it all worked until I saw everyone else posting and choosing their levels and then I had a moment of doubt...and then thought I should backtrack a bit and then I worried that backtracking would mess up the lists even more.... Unless it's not clear, I fret a bit about stuff sometimes, hahah.
I'll just pretend the first 3 days didn't happen and start again on level 1 like I should have done in the first place. *blush*
@Sheila - Normal, hahaha! I know. When I read it back to myself after posting I had a bit of a giggle and thought I'd made it sound like JAFF is abnormal, lol.
No apologies required. When I hooked up with this group last years, I knew I'd read at least 100 books, and that's the level I always posted my books on, although I commented on all the other levels to encourage other readers. No one ever said I was jumping the gun, although I kinda figured it out on my own. Since I'm kinda slow that way, it took me quite a while to realize it and I'd already read SO many books I'd posted on my goal level that I just sort of shrugged my shoulders and continued to do so. This year, I'm starting out on the first (Charlotte Heywood) level like a good little girl! But, see? I didn't get thrown in jail by the "wrong level" police!!!
As Sheila so comfortingly said, in either this or another thread,we are all here to trumpet our love of books,to shout out the immense pleasure we have in reading a fantastic book, and just as importantly to share a laugh along the way!! I don't think Sophia or anyone else minds what level we post on,as long as we're here to support and encourage others along the way!
I (cheekily,but rather innocently) posted my books at the start of the year in Mr Bennet's level.
I didn't reach his level,but if I thought that I would this year,then I'd begin where I fully intended to end,so that I could have full use of that comfy fireside armchair and enjoy all the other home/library comforts!!
Mary wrote: "I'd begin where I fully intended to end"That was my thinking, Mary. I thought I was supposed to go where I was aiming for. I'll know better next year but for now I'll just keep plowing on where I started and hope I don't embarrass myself by not reaching my goal. Oh, the shame after all this palaver, hahah.
...and thank you everyone for being so supportive and understanding and putting me at my ease.
No is ever going to comment on you not reaching your goal but confetti will be thrown and champagne consumed when you do reach it.
Sheila is perfectly right,Silver Thistle. We love a party...any excuse and we've bunting,balloons, streamers,confetti and lots of champers!
...of the virtual variety, of course.... (Rats!!)
Oh, can you just imagine the insanity that would ensue if all of us got together in the same room for an ACTUAL celebration?? Wow!
Oh,Debbie! Now that would be some party!! I actually think we'd have a small problem of finding a suitable venue......there have been rumours of rambunctious behaviour,giddy,fun filled conversations.......what can I say,our reputation precedes us!!
Sheila wrote: "No is ever going to comment on you not reaching your goal but confetti will be thrown and champagne consumed when you do reach it."That's so important! We need to encourage but not worry too much about meeting the goal. You are all my kind of people!
Debbie wrote: "Oh, can you just imagine the insanity that would ensue if all of us got together in the same room for an ACTUAL celebration?? Wow!"It would be so cool to actually meet everyone. Giggling would commence, I am certain!
Giggling,high pierced shrieks (that would give Mrs Bennet a run for her money!),hugs 'n' kisses too,I'd imagine.
Barb wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Oh, can you just imagine the insanity that would ensue if all of us got together in the same room for an ACTUAL celebration?? Wow!"It would be so cool to actually meet everyone...."
I think life here is already one long party! Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, ready with support when needed, even when you don't expect it. I may not be around as much as some of our friends as I still work and have other commitments, but when I do pop in, it feels like I've never been away. It can take a while to catch up with all the mischief everyone's got up to, though!
Last year, I guesstimated where I'd get to and posted in that level to start with but I'll do it the other way this year, working my way through the levels.
Finally, can I ask for some support on a totally unrelated matter? Due to my back problem last year, my activity levels dropped considerably but guess what? I didn't take that into account when eating and as such I've put on a not inconsiderable amount of weight. And then came Christmas! Yesterday marked the start of trying to remedy all that. So, my plan is to post how much I've lost when I graduate from each level and when I post a summary on my YTD tracker at the end of each month. It'd be great if I could get some cheers and/or hugs when I need them.
If cheers and hugs are what you're looking for,then Anji,you've certainly come to the right place!!!
Sounds like a great idea, Anji! Rooting for your new year’s resolution!
Anji wrote: "Barb wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Oh, can you just imagine the insanity that would ensue if all of us got together in the same room for an ACTUAL celebration?? Wow!"It would be so cool to actually meet ..."
Oh, I am sure we will cheer you on. I have given up in that department!
I'll definitely cheer you on, Anji! I'm trying to lose some weight myself, with the side-along goal of training for my first half marathon (speaking as someone who's never been a runner, but would love to be!). Not a New Year's resolution, per se, but just reality that I've already paid for the half marathon and no have no choice but to train for real! :-)Welcome to everyone at this level who wasn't posting here last year, if I haven't already welcomed you specifically. I love this group, and I'm sure you will, too.
Mary wrote: "Lenora,first of all I'd like to congratulate you on having read two books already! Great job!! I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Am I right in presuming he's having 'mini' strokes?
Please kn..."
yes Mary they are mini strokes. and thank you and J. W. and Debbie for your understanding and hope to meet with everyone in each of the libraries on our journeys
Mod
Bless you for your giving heart and care for your folks, Lenora. No biggie if you must reduce your reading goal with life being so complicated. We will definitely cheer and encourage as you go. :)
Mod
That was my thinking, Mary. I thought I was supposed to go where I was aiming for. I'll know better next year but for now I'll just keep plowi..."
No need to fret. There are many reasons to alter the plan and I think any forward progress is a win so we'll cheer whether you read 5 or fifty. Cheering you on, Silver Thistle!
Mod
It would be so cool to actually meet ..."
What a great plan, Anji! We'll be happy to be your cheer leader and accountability partner. I posted my resolutions last year on the blog just to have that. Need to do it again as a matter of fact.
Steady wins the race! :)
Thanks for the support and encouragement everyone! I'll keep you posted as to how things are going.
3. A Christmas To RememberI like this series of books. A very different retelling but everything turned out ok at the end.
thank you Mary. my dad is in the hospital so I have alot of time to read
Hope everything goes well. We'll be thinking about you.
Lenora-like Jeanne said,we'll be thinking of you.
Hope things turn out okay for your father, Lenora! My back and neck sympathize with your back and neck, sitting for hours in those chairs. I hope the reading offers some respite from the emotion and the fatigue.
Mod
Take care and hoping for the best for your dad. Wishing you a few fantastic stories in a row to help you relax into another world for a while. :)
Lenora wrote: "thank you Mary. my dad is in the hospital so I have alot of time to read"I want to add my hopes that your dad gets better soon.
I finished the Pride and Prejudice Sheik of Araby trilogy. WOW! What a great conclusion!4. Queen of the Desert: Pride and Prejudice in the Desert Concludes - 5 enthusiastic stars!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
4. Queen of the Desert: Pride and Prejudice in the Desert Concludes - 5 enthusiastic stars!..."
Love it that your last of the series was a grand finale. :)
Posting as part of Mr. Bennet's Level and also posting under Y-T-D:1.) Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey: A WWI Pride & Prejudice Variation 5 stars
2.) Miss Bingley's Christmas 4 stars
3.) A Short Period of Exquisite Felicity 5 stars
4.) Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy: Engaged at Pemberley 2 stars
5.) Passages: A Pemberley Tale 5 stars
6.) A Lie Universally Hidden 5 stars
7.) Swayed Impressions 3 stars
8.) Mr. Darcy's Christmas 4 stars
9.) Five Valentines 4 stars
10.) Tempt You to Accept Me: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 3 stars
I've been sick with bronchitis so have not been reading for several days but did rewatch P&P with Colin Firth!
You re-watched Colin?? And there I was feeling sorry for you,imagining you such in bed.....and all the time you'd your eyes feasted on Colin and Jennifer!
Mod
Sorry to hear it's partly because you weren't feeling good. Wishing you well.
High praise for several I've got my eye on. :)
Mary wrote: "You re-watched Colin?? And there I was feeling sorry for you,imagining you such in bed.....and all the time you'd your eyes feasted on Colin and Jennifer! "My daughter, who is residing with us while they find jobs and a place to stay here on the east coast (from the state of Washington) also has me watching LOST from the beginning on Netflix. I was never interested at the time it was originally being shown. So many characters, so many tales and then black smoke monsters and "moving" the island, etc. Stretches the imagination.
Sheila, hope you are feeling better and back to your regular routine. Blessings...
Awesome start to the year, Sheila... as far as book-reading and Colin-watching, that is. Bummer about coming down with bronchitis, though. Not something to fool around with, so you'll just have to enjoy lounging around with your books, your daughter and your Netflix until you're ALL better!
Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017
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Sorry to hear about the poor health of your parents. So many I know of caring for grandchildren and parents and just being so weary. Hope you have some respite in there.