Of Reading Challenges & Such

[Hajar Y,]

Do you take part in any kind of reading challenges?
If so, what's the main purpose you participate into one?
Are you trying to reduce some of your reading pile?
Or trying to diversify the type of books you're reading?
Or trying to finish certain series or type of book that you wouldn't touch otherwise?

Let's discuss!

[Mimi]

I think I joined the challenge is just because I need some motivation to keep on reading my TBR pile..

[Nicole]

Yes, it's my first time participating the reading challenge here, just to see if I can read more books than last year and it is going well so far :)

[Hajar Y,]

Mimi wrote: "I think I joined the challenge is just because I need some motivation to keep on reading my TBR pile.. "

How's your progress so far, Mimi? I initially joined the challenge for the same reason as well and only started to make some lists of other things I'm trying to achieve.

Nicole wrote: "Yes, it's my first time participating the reading challenge here, just to see if I can read more books than last year and it is going well so far :) "

Nice job, Nicole! I've been behind schedule for so long so it has been a bit of a relief to see the gap begins to dwindle within these couple of weeks.

As for this year, my main purpose is to finish as many series that I've started. For some reasons, I have a tough time finishing some of them since I feel like I've lost interest in the stories but I'm still trying; one book at a time.

Do you guys often feel obligated to finish a series? Or are you the type that just leave it when it starts to lose its steam?

[Nicole]

I usually have problems finishing series, most series tend to have flat and draggy storyline after the first book, as if they just want to publish as many books as they can for the sake of writing a series, or simply making profit out of it. But of course there are still some exceptions out there, just a little limited in my opinion.

Forcing myself to complete a series that I no longer have interest will just make me lose motivation to read the rest of the books in my TBR list! So I now try to avoid series, or just buy book one first, unless they're really really good! Otherwise I'd prefer standalone stories, straight on-point less draggy and most importantly I think it's better to leave the story ends right there. Why ruin the ending by expanding it to another 2-3 books? Or never-ending series? I understand cliffhangers at the ending is very hard to fight against with curiosity, but personally I prefer to move on to new book with new story instead of revolving the same characters over and over again.

It may seems you can't have enough of the first book, but that's how they captivate your heart regardless how long you have read the book. :)

[Anne]

That's a thought. For me, I like/prefer series books because most of the time, I want to stay in that world for as long as I can. I want dwell into their character, their story, their life etc. Especially when the story is good but I understand if people drop the series when the story is not as good.

[Mimi]

Well.. The problem is that..im enjoying more of my ebooks than my TBR.. *sigh*

[Anne]

Main reason why I refuse to venture into ebooks world; cos i have lots of paperback still!! loll

I joined the normal Goodreads reading challenge. Other than to really read the books that I bought, it also somehow encourage me to read more.

[Nicole]

One thing I noticed is that I found myself reading ebooks faster than physical books, anyone feel the same? =)

[Hajar Y,]

Nicole wrote: "... most series tend to have flat and draggy storyline after the first book, as if they just want to publish as many books as they can for the sake of writing a series, or simply making profit out of it."

In a way, I do agree to that sentiment. A lot of series were published on yearly basis these days and I found them to be lacking in real storyline and content, which frustrates me. I prefer the authors that wait until their books are truly ripe and ready before publishing them rather than those that struggle to meet annual deadline with a product that doesn't count for much.

With that being said, I still like reading series and don't see myself stop reading them in the near future (or perhaps, never :P). High fantasy books are mostly good but I think I'll have to be a bit more picky in starting series on other genres. So far, I've only stopped reading two series: Ward's Blackdagger Brotherhood (Any fan of the series here? If so, I wonder what is it about the series that you liked most?) and also Lore's Lorien Legacy.

Ila wrote: "Main reason why I refuse to venture into ebooks world; cos i have lots of paperback still!! loll"

I try to alternate between ebooks and books that I still have on shelf. At times, I feel tempted to rely 100% on ebooks, so Mimi, I understand what you mean there, haha!

Nicole wrote: "One thing I noticed is that I found myself reading ebooks faster than physical books, anyone feel the same? =) "

I do notice that too, Nicole. My Kindle has turn out to be my best friend these days and I can't see myself going anywhere without it. What do you think the reason that contributes to such feeling?

[Zahidah]

Nicole wrote: "I usually have problems finishing series, most series tend to have flat and draggy storyline after the first book, as if they just want to publish as many books as they can for the sake of writing ..."


I totally agree with you! I forced myself to finished the Divergent series last time. But had to agree that the last book is far more interesting compared to the second one. Well the second book for (almost) every series is just a filler. Now facing the challenge to finish the 3rd and 4th book of The Maze Runner. Might have to rethink before buying series titles after this. But yes,the reading challenge does help to keep me 'motivated' towards finishing off my TBR list. I'm 5 books ahead of schedule for my Goodreads book challenge by now! :D

[Suria]

i join the reading challenges beacuse its kind of motivating / boosting me to read more books

[Mimi]

I think I do read my ebooks faster.

Myb because I dont really hv time at home to finish my real books. I love to bring my books with me everywhere. Since my books getting bigger and thicker, I found it hard for me to carry them in my bag.

So, I downloaded new ebooks and carry them in my tablet which is much more easier for people like me. :)

Yeah.. I am struggling to finish my real books right now.. :/

[Anne]

Ohh that's a thought. Does it make any sense to buy an ebook version of the thick hardcover books that you already have just so you can read it anywhere? Or is that what you're doing Mimi? Lol

[Mimi]

I dont buy.. I just download it for free..

[Sherryl]

I love collecting books. But I hate owning books that I haven't gotten around to reading.

My Kindle has pretty much saved me from insanity, I download ebooks... then go out and buy the physical book after I'm done.

I figure I'm karmically fine by offsetting downloading now with buying later.

[Ezza]

where do you usually downloading ebook?

[Arfa]

I do read to reduce the number of my tbr books cause oh god I have so many books to read ): and I have exams in less than two months so I think I'll have to stop for awhile.i usually prefer series like the mortal instruments, the infernal devices and trylle trilogy. I just started on maze runner series recently and am so looking forward to it! I like fantasy books as they gave me an escape from reality. I just joined this group in less than 5 minutes so hope we can make friends here! It's so hard to find malaysian readers who actually read English novels. Be nice to me!

[Hajar Y,]

Ezza wrote: "where do you usually downloading ebook?"

Googling always yield bountiful of results in my case. You can also download various classics through Goodreads too, actually, and the format is pretty good. In fact, I think that they are better than those I downloaded from Project Gutenburg.

Kim wrote: "I like fantasy books as they gave me an escape from reality."

Welcome to the group, Kim! I am a big fan of fantasy books, so I'm sure that there is a lot that we can talk about. What's you favourite fantasy book(s), so far?

How many books in the Maze Runner series that you've read, by the way? The first book didn't intrigue me much but I think I'll have to re-read that one again before starting on the rest of the series.

Anyways, I'm glad to see more new people here. Don't be shy and start a new topic if you like!

[Anne]

Omigod Kim! I'm reading The Kill Order right now! The series was amazing!!! I thought I would hate the maze runner series but it's funny how I end up liking it. And I always thought I would love Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking series but I couldn't even finish the third book loll. So glad to know that you like it too. Not so many people like the series. I think it's either love or hate with TMR. Sooooo can't wait for the movie urggh I hope it won't sucks or flops. Please don't be another TMI. Loll

[Arfa]

hey anne! well I kinda liked tmi movie just that im disappointed they cut the simon being a rat part but I don't really mind since we get to see robert sheehan's body ;-) ahahhahaha just kidding! I like the casts especially magnus!

[Anne]

I LOVE TMI MOVIE!! But I also understand why it's a flop. Not sticking to the plot is one thing but changing its course is another. Oh well..I have no hope on them making COA movie. It's been almost a year and the official statement remains as it is without any progress.

Anyways, glad you found your way here! ^^