Time to Read the complete list

[Radiantflux]

According to my spreadsheet there are a total of 461975 pages in the total 1315 book list; though this is probably not totally accurate. To round up a bit we have 500000 pages.

Last year I read about 115 pages/day (121 books in total). I could improve that a bit, but to be conservative lets say I read 100 pages per day every day until I've finished each book on the list.

So I'll need 5000 days or 13.7 years to finish the complete list. Luckily I've already read some books on the list, so the total is probably closer to 12 years, but still a long way to go.

Has anyone read the complete list in a significantly shorter time?

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I wish I didn't have to read all of these before I die. I might need extra time.

[Sean]

RJ wrote: "I wish I didn't have to read all of these before I die. I might need extra time."

But you must. It doesn't say "may" or "should.": Sorry you don't have a choice.

[Sarah]

I started the challenge in February of 2016. I've read 174 books thus far. I usually group my selections by time period or length.

For longer titles I've noticed that reading them in succession often quickens your pace. I finished Les Miserables in a reasonable amount of time but went directly into War and Peace and was done in 3 weeks.

[Radiantflux]

Sarah: I like reading mixing up a long title with a few shorter titles to give me a sense of keeping the pace up. 174 is impressive btw.

RJ: I wish I didn't have to read all of these before I die.

Be grateful that it isn't 1001 books you have to read while you are still young and sexy.

[Sarah]

Radiantflux wrote: "Sarah: I like reading mixing up a long title with a few shorter titles to give me a sense of keeping the pace up. 174 is impressive btw.

Thank you. I made a concerted effort to increase my reading output in 2016 and completed 714 titles since that time. Theoretically it's possible to finish the challenge in a shorter duration with planning.

While I read multiple books simultaneously they are rarely the same genre. I focus on one classic at a time and usually relegate them for evenings or weekends. My mind is relaxed and is 'treated' to a good read.

I also create mini challenges too. I'll target an author and read all their books or focus on certain styles during the year. Grouping expedites your reading because you encounter similar themes and a greater appreciation for their craft. You'll absorb the material at a faster pace.

And I always read the books in a series even if they aren't on the list. Trollope's are often connected and I enjoyed his work much more by doing so. I'm starting the Palliser series soon.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Radiantflux wrote: "RJ: I wish I didn't have to read all of these before I die.

Be grateful that it isn't 1001 books you have to read while you are still young and sexy."

Oh yeah. Way too late for that.

[Sean]

I have just finished my 50th LIST book of the year. Of course, that consisted of books like The Nose, The Purloined Letter, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories, Amok and Other Stories, The Garden Party and Other Stories, The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories, and The Pigeon (do you see what they have in common?).

Now I have a ton of 1000+ page books to read. So if I can just read 50 a year I should be good by the time I am 72. I got this!

[Ellinor]

I first came across the list in ca. 2010. However I didn't start to actively read it until 2012. Then I had read About a 100 books from the list. Currently I'm at almost 450.

Like Sean I read a lot of short books to bring my numbers up but I try to alternate between short and long books.

I'm 35 now and if I continue reading 50 books a year I'll be ablt to complete the list in 17.3 years. I'll be in my early 50s then. I have two small kids which obviusly slows down my reading at the moment but once they're older and I have more time I'll maybe be able to increase this number and finish even earlier - that is if I can find copies (in languages I understand) of all the books in the list!

[Karen]

Ellinor wrote: "I first came across the list in ca. 2010. However I didn't start to actively read it until 2012. Then I had read About a 100 books from the list. Currently I'm at almost 450.

Like Sean I read a l..."

You might also consider the Boxall Children's Book List. You could complete that with your kids!

[Ellinor]

Karen wrote: "Ellinor wrote: "I first came across the list in ca. 2010. However I didn't start to actively read it until 2012. Then I had read About a 100 books from the list. Currently I'm at almost 450.

Like..."

I'm working on that one too. I'm currently at ~650 books. I only have books from the 8+ and 12+ sections left. My Kids are 2 and 4 now, so it's mainly the other sections at the moment.

[Nelson]

I just started reading this year so far I knock off three on the list and I’m on my fourth one.

[Karen]

Nelson wrote: "I just started reading this year so far I knock off three on the list and I’m on my fourth one."

And the journey begins -- good start!

[Aniket]

I'm just starting with the list. I think I've read about 10 of them in the past so only 1,306 left! The time it'd take to get through the entire list does make me a little nervous but I do hope that I can do it.

How do you folks choose what to read next? There's so many to choose from, I have no idea where to begin.

[Bryan--The Bee’s Knees]

Aniket wrote: "How do you folks choose what to read next? There's so many to choose from, I have no idea where to begin..."

That's a good question. I don't really make it a point to read from the list, though I've always got two or three in my most-likely-to-be-read-next pile. I pick up a lot of used books at library sales and thrift stores, so if I happen to see something cheap that's on the list, I usually pick it up, figuring one of the groups I'm in will eventually read it, and I'll be ready.

If I were just looking to start reading primarily from the list, or with the goal of actually reading them all, I guess it would help to have a real plan. Someone around here posted all the shortest entries on the list--that would be a way to start and knock out a hundred or so in a couple months. Or else if you have a certain time period you are most interested in, you could start there--maybe you like Victorian fiction, or up-to-the-minute current stuff. I don't know how fast you read, but you could start with the Group's current reads, and if you're ready for another book before the month rolls around, you could work your way backwards through the books we've read--that way you'd have the benefit of some threads to look at if you wanted, and since they never close, you could still comment.

Or just pick what looks most interesting--a person could probably just do that for a long time before every having to try something they weren't very sure of.

[Sean]

Some really good ideas in there. I really like the idea about reading backwards through all the books this group has read. I might have done that If I were about where you are.

Here is how I decide. Depending upon availability in the library or the bookstore, some combination of:

1. Books that this group and my other two groups are reading as group reads take priority (if they are on the list)
2. Books that match the current A-Z Challenge: Myths, Legends, & Fairy Tales - 2020. For example I am reading Martin Eden because the title character shares a name with the Garden of Eden. (I already have 26 books picked out that match each letter of the alphabet).
3. Books in order according to The complet 1001 list sorted in order of Wilson score compiled by J_BlueFlower here in our group.
4. Books the wife happens to pick up at the bookstore completely ignorant to the fact that they are LIST books (which she will do when she sees a good deal even if she knows nothing about the book.)

[Amanda]

Aniket wrote: "I'm just starting with the list. I think I've read about 10 of them in the past so only 1,306 left! The time it'd take to get through the entire list does make me a little nervous but I do hope tha..."

I read them somewhat chronologically, as I feel like this is the best way to get a grasp of context, which is pretty essential for getting through the early novels.

But I also will take breaks. In October I only read horror fiction. I also will choose authors from the list and read all of their work, usually alternating between that and the oldest unread book on the List.

So right now, going chronologically, but also reading all the List books by Virginia Woolf and Henry James.

[Lotte_ladybird]

Aniket wrote: "I'm just starting with the list. I think I've read about 10 of them in the past so only 1,306 left! The time it'd take to get through the entire list does make me a little nervous but I do hope tha..."

When I first started reading from the list, I read a bunch of the shorter books. That was I felt like I was getting somewhere! Then I picked the books I really wanted to read. Now I’m reading all the longest books (last year it was all those with 900 pages, this year the 850 pages) and the most represented authors. I have made a list with the authors with 4 or more books on the list, and each year my goal is to finish five authors. I have just read the last two Virginia Woolf and now I’m reading my last Dickens. I mix up my plan of attack, so it doesn’t get boring. Good luck and let us know how you get along with it :)

[Aniket]

Bryan wrote: "Aniket wrote: "How do you folks choose what to read next? There's so many to choose from, I have no idea where to begin..."

That's a good question. I don't really make it a point to read from the ..."

Thanks for the reply. All of them are are really good suggestions.

[Aniket]

Amanda wrote: "Aniket wrote: "I'm just starting with the list. I think I've read about 10 of them in the past so only 1,306 left! The time it'd take to get through the entire list does make me a little nervous bu..."

Thanks for the reply. That's really interesting what you said about chronology and context. I'll keep that in mind.

[Aniket]

Lotte_ladybird wrote: "Aniket wrote: "I'm just starting with the list. I think I've read about 10 of them in the past so only 1,306 left! The time it'd take to get through the entire list does make me a little nervous bu..."

Thank you. I agree that mixing up your plan of attack would certainly keep it interesting. I'll check out the shorter books.

[Donella]

I've just started on the list but had already read about 15. And then when I looked thru my bookshelves, I had about 100-125 of those on the list. I have always been an emotional reader but I joined to try to read a good cross section of the greats of the English language. I plan on keeping up with the monthly and filling in with those I already have and others I find on sale/borrow. I'm sure I will find authors I adore and read everything they've written as I have done many times in the past. So far I was very pleasantly surprised with "The Bell Jar".