Around the Year in 52 Books discussion
2018 Plans
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MJ's 2018 Challenge List
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MJ wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "MJ I love the Just So stories. You can find them online at storynory. If not there I hope you can find the old Disney version.It is fun to listen to."I borrowed Just So Stories ..."
It is read by Stirling Holloway and is on record. That is how I first heard them. So dating myself now 😜.
I am glad that you love them. A british accent would be brilliant.
3. A book from the 2017 Goodreads Choice AwardsThe Women in the Castle
Finished. Still digesting, and a little tearful.
Word.
Gora
for
6. A book originally written in a language other than English
is on my bedside, I might get whiplash from the sharp veering from one culture to another. There are two more books waiting at the library.
One of them is a book called Twilight. No. Not that one. this one is a southern gothic for
7. A gothic novel
Although I meant to read Twilight, a southern gothic/horror for7. A gothic novel
I decided instead to read In a Glass Darkly because it was free online and I could access it immediately. It's been on my tbr since I first joined Goodreads. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't feeling the end-of-the-year reading challenge pressure. Like other books of its time, the plot lines are pretty predictable, but I am glad I read it.
Now...
I have Ancillary Justice as an ebook (I meant to get it as an audio version from the library. Oops) for
38. A science book or a science fiction book
and Gora for 6. A book originally written in a language other than English
and
The Essex Serpent for
37. A Women's Prize for Fiction winner or nominee
I've also requested The Stars Are Fire for
14. 4 books linked by the 4 elements: Book #2 Fire and
Chocolate Cherry Chai (it seems pretty obscure, but my library has four copies of it!) for
33. A book connected (title, cover, content) to a word "born" in the same year as you.
Apparently the word "chai" is as old as I am...
I might stop sleeping for a few weeks and read everything in sight.
I will be finishing Ancillary Justice today, and boy, does it want me to throw all my reading plans aside so that I can read the rest of the series!There are four books in my last comment waiting to be read, and I have no idea how many of them I'll actually get through by the new year.
Completed A Wizard of Earthseafor 18. a book with a location in the title.
Not my original choice for that prompt, but it's yearend, and I'm working on finishing books that I'm currently reading. It fit. On to the next one, whatever that is.
Another book I'm trying to finish before the new year: The Reconciliation Manifesto: Recovering the Land, Rebuilding the Economy fits for
21. A book written in first person perspective
Well, I am all over the place. Joined the read-a-thon, and in order to get something done (clean kitchen) I found the only audio book at the library that was a) available, b) fit one of my ATY prompts, and c) seemed remotely interesting. The result?Mad About the Boy
17. A book you expect to make you laugh
The first book, Bridget Jones's Diary was funnier the second time I read it. I was expecting this instalment to give me a few laughs, but it hasn't really yet. Bridget's voice (it has not changed) is nicely familiar, but the fact that she's still the same... well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. On the upside, I wasn't expecting to even get to this prompt. Not done yet.
Finished The Reconciliation Manifesto: Recovering the Land, Rebuilding the Economy!Yay! Sadly, I could not count this towards the read-a-thon, because I only had about 60 pages left in this one. But it's done. One more off my list!
Started The Stars Are Firefor the prompt about fire. (#?) I am really enjoying Out of Africa, but I needed a change of pace, and I am finding that I can only listen to an audiobook for only so long. Out of Africa is a denser book; it's funny how quickly pages fly by with an "easier" book.
Also: While I was browsing lists for books about fire, this one by Anita Shreve caught my eye. I haven't read one of her books for a while, but I always enjoy them. I was sad to discover that she died last year. It makes me want to read all her books. It was sad to discover there won't be any more.
Started reading Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster for 16. A narrative nonfiction
All year I've planned to read In Cold Blood for this prompt, but could never bring myself to actually start. Maybe I just don't want to read about murder? I may have already read Into Thin Air when it came out, but it's been so long, it's time for a reread. It's another easy read, and makes me want to sell all my stuff and travel. I might finish it today.
Started reading Chocolate Cherry Chai
for
33. A book connected (title, cover, content) to a word "born" in the same year as you
(chai)
I seem to have left my brain somewhere. I'm just listening to the last minutes of Mad About the Boy for 17. A book you expect to make you laugh
I've warmed up to it, once I got over the fact that Bridget is still the same mess she has always been. A few laughs in it, but a really enjoyable book.
My brain, however, thinks I can finish ALL THE BOOKS in a few days. I have two other books on the go, and have amassed about a dozen books (physical books waiting to be picked up at the library, and several audio versions) that my brain thinks I can read by January 1.
I can't read them all (obviously) but I am unable to put a realistic limit on what I can get accomplished in the next four days. The read-a-thon hasn't helped.
Four days. About a dozen hopefuls lined up thinking I can read them. Help!?
Lol, MJ, the struggle is real! I’m the same 😅 At this point I have started double-dipping, so that might be an idea if you can wrap your head around it. I know a lot of people are not okay with double-dipping within the same challenge, but I find it kind of fun fitting a book several places. I have only done it for 4-5 books though.
Hilde wrote: "Lol, MJ, the struggle is real! I’m the same 😅 At this point I have started double-dipping, so that might be an idea if you can wrap your head around it. I know a lot of people are not okay with do..."
I didn’t even mention the books waiting for January 1. Ridiculous. 🙄
Started listening to On Writing: A Memoir of the Craftfor
20. A book rated 5 stars by at least one of your friends
It's not my first choice, but American Gods will not be available until next year.
Also listening to Pax, but that's for the read-a-thon...
Okay, okay, I might have four books on the go right now, but I think I can finish them all by midnight on the 31!Pax is not for ATY.
Just started reading Murder at the Vicarage
for
19. A book nominated for the Edgar Award or by a Grand master author (books & authors).
It should be considered a humour book, it's funny and her writing is delightful!
Ok. Finished Murder at the Vicarage.Currently still listening to Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft for
A book rated 5 stars by at least one friend
but I'm not sure I'll finish it.
Also reading Chocolate Cherry Chai for
33. A book connected (title, cover, content) to a word "born" in the same year as you
I'd have to do nothing but read today to finish either of them, and I've got a potluck/party tonight. We'll see how far I get.
The only book left that I had *realistically* hoped to get to is Gora. I'm not even going to try to fit it into my 2019 ATY plans... I'm going to try to get to it as a side read. Theoretically, it looks really really interesting.
I'm all about getting prepared for 2019. I have 7 books checked out from the library and a couple of physical books I'm itching to get to.Good luck finishing out the year strong!
Rachelnyc wrote: "I'm all about getting prepared for 2019. I have 7 books checked out from the library and a couple of physical books I'm itching to get to.Good luck finishing out the year strong!"
Thank-you, and yes! I have a pile of books on my bedside table waiting for tomorrow!
Finished On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft for 20. A book rated 5 stars by at least one friend
It did not disappoint.
Here is where I am calling my year. Despite not getting as many books read as I would have liked, I really like the mix of books in my list. New authors, and several familiar ones. I went way out of my comfort zone this year. Really enjoyed some books that I was skeptical about. It was good.
Around the Year in 52 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (other topics)Gora (other topics)
Chocolate Cherry Chai (other topics)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (other topics)
Murder at the Vicarage (other topics)
More...
The Essex Serpent for
37. A Women's Prize for Fiction winner or nominee (link1, link2)
My first choice is/was Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine but there are 85 requests for it at the library (22 copies of the book, 3 weeks loan period.... bleargh. I am requester #86) and I will have The Essex Serpent in hand within the week...
Sorry for the play by play. Apparently I am most motivated to read in January, and in the home stretch. I was going to work through this list methodically/in numeric order, but no. I will read what strikes my fancy at the moment.