House of Jaghuts 2020!

[Hailee]

I surpassed 28,000 pages in 2019. I would love to get to 30,000 in 2020 but if I do read a lot more epic fantasy and scifi this year I'm not sure how realistic that is.

[Mel]

Happy New Years everyone! May you have an excellent year of reading!

Am I the only one who doesn't do the yearly Reading Challenge? I love looking at the data after the fact to see how many books I've read, compare to other years, etc, but I don't like the idea of pushing myself to read for volume's sake. I figure however many books I end up finishing at the end of the year - that was the number I was inspired to start and wanted to finish, and thus the perfect amount. :)

[Saar The Book owl]

Happy New Year, everyone! I've just finished my first book for this year.

[Saar The Book owl]

Melissa wrote: "Happy New Years everyone! May you have an excellent year of reading!

Am I the only one who doesn't do the yearly Reading Challenge? I love looking at the data after the fact to see how many books ..."

I set up my goal every yerar, but when the end comes, I lower it to something more doable.

[Saar The Book owl]

Hailee wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "Hm, I'll keep an eye on it."

Hi Saar Iain was right we did decide on February, probably near the start but an exact date wasn't discussed. Anni is booked heavily and I do..."

Thanks for the invite. Normally I can join :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Melissa wrote: "Happy New Years everyone! May you have an excellent year of reading!

Am I the only one who doesn't do the yearly Reading Challenge? I love looking at the data after the fact to see how many books ..."

I don't read just to reach some GR number, but I like the tracker and relative success throughout the year (when my shelves are accurate)...

[Siobhan]

I set my goal to 52 as well, Hailee. I feel 1 a week is doable. :)
I smashed it and read 110 in 2019, but I would never target myself that high, far too much pressure.

[Bill]

I went with 150 this year. My goal in 2019 was 200 which I hit easily but didn’t want pressure this year either.

[Elinor]

I set it to 200 after some hesitation since I want to read some big books this year... We will see, maybe I will have to lower it at some point.
I read 2 Spirou graphic novels today (bandes-dessinées as we call them in French ^^) and I'm starting Wayward Son. If it's at least as enjoyable as Carry On, I'm in for a good read. Rainbow Rowell is already hitting me in the feels.

[Hailee]

Elinor Master of Gifs wrote: "I set it to 200 after some hesitation since I want to read some big books this year... We will see, maybe I will have to lower it at some point.
I read 2 Spirou graphic novels today (bandes-dessin..."

I definitely enjoyed Wayward Son but fair warning it will leave you wanting book 3 in your hands right now!!

[Hailee]

Siobhan wrote: "I set my goal to 52 as well, Hailee. I feel 1 a week is doable. :)
I smashed it and read 110 in 2019, but I would never target myself that high, far too much pressure."

Yeah I agree. It also leaves room for lengthier books without worrying it putting you behind

[Elinor]

Hailee wrote: "Elinor Master of Gifs wrote: "I set it to 200 after some hesitation since I want to read some big books this year... We will see, maybe I will have to lower it at some point.
I read 2 Spirou graph..."

I didn't even know there were a book 3 and this is making my day

[Shaitarn]

Oh good grief, I didn't even spot this earlier; what an idiot! Hello everyone!

[Kathrine]

Happy New Year guys :D

I've set my goal for 80 books again this year, so I hope I can keep up with my pace from last year, but I'm starting uni in the autumn so let's see what will happen.....

Also, I'm off to a terrible start in the competition with three unfinished books from 2019 xD Can I add the pages from those books that I read this year, so for example putting down 200 pages for Blood of Tyrants instead of the full page count?

[Anni]

Kathrine wrote: "Can I add the pages from those books that I read this year, so for example putting down 200 pages for Blood of Tyrants instead of the full page count?"

Sadly it doesn't work that way, only books started and finished (dnfs aside) during the time of the competition count...

If you only read a few chapters, you might consider restarting the book tho :)

[Kathrine]

Sir Anni wrote: "Kathrine wrote: "Can I add the pages from those books that I read this year, so for example putting down 200 pages for Blood of Tyrants instead of the full page count?"

Sadly it doesn't work that ..."

Oh damn :( I'm halfway through hahaha xD I guess I'll just have to catch up later after I've finished my leftovers from 2019

[Shaitarn]

The GR homepage isn't showing the button for updating my reading so I can't mark a book as finished...is it just me, or are you all seeing this as well?

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Shaitarn wrote: "The GR homepage isn't showing the button for updating my reading so I can't mark a book as finished...is it just me, or are you all seeing this as well?"

Mine is the same.

[Hailee]

Shaitarn wrote: "The GR homepage isn't showing the button for updating my reading so I can't mark a book as finished...is it just me, or are you all seeing this as well?"

Same for me as well. If you go onto the actual books page there is a bit in the My Actvity section where you can update your progress. But you still won't be able to see it on the homepage. Goodreads has been pkaying up for me all day. I think a lot of people are active on the first day of the year but I'm sure everything will fix itself soon enough.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Shaitarn wrote: "The GR homepage isn't showing the button for updating my reading so I can't mark a book as finished...is it just me, or are you all seeing this as well?"

Earlier I tried to use the add book/author button and it said "Search is temporarily disabled. Use this time to read a book."

[Shaitarn]

Thank you! I wanted to know it wasn't my laptop playing silly beggars!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Starting the year strong...

Dispel Illusion -- BR/Challenge -- 238 pages -- 3.5 points
Crownbreaker -- BR/Challenge -- 544 pages -- 7.9 points

Currently listening to Vanished! -- 20% thru -- BR/challenge -- 400 pages -- 5.8 points

It's a strong start, but I'm unsure how many BRs I'll have after today... definitely not this many per day...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Guess I have another BR tomorrow... just got my sheet sorted with all my January BRs:

Rotherweird -- Jan 02
Secret Chapter -- Jan 07
Alanna: The First Adventure -- Jan 12
Wyntertide -- Jan 14
Goblin Emperor -- Jan 15
Ten Thousand Doors of January -- Jan 15
Stars Beyond -- Jan 28

[Bea]

I did indeed go with 25 books for 2020. I guess I just liked the number, even though Iain's suggestion makes sense, too. I mean, I can always adjust it whenever I feel like it :)

[Bea]

Melissa wrote: "Happy New Years everyone! May you have an excellent year of reading!

Am I the only one who doesn't do the yearly Reading Challenge? I love looking at the data after the fact to see how many books ..."

I've seen a few people entering 1 book as their goal. Maybe that would be an option for you? I've thought about doing that this year, too, since it means having zero pressure and you're still able to track your yearly reading :)

[Saar The Book owl]

I can't update on what page I am from my books. Is anyone having this problem too?

[Hailee]

Yeah a few of us were talking about this yesterday on another thread. You can update your progress if you go onto the page of the book you are reading and go to the My Actvity section. It still won't display on the home page though but people will see it in their feeds. I'm sure goodreads will have it fixed soon

[Mel]

Bea wrote: "I've seen a few people entering 1 book as their goal. Maybe that would be an option for you?"

That's a cool idea, and I think it effectively says the same thing as my non-participation. It's less about feeling pressure to reach the goal, but the implication that I need to reach a goal at all.

I do love looking at all the numbers and data though. I appreciate all the work put into our competition spreadsheets. Seeing how many average pages read per day, or comparing the same month's reading to last year, or predictions for this year based on current progress. So much fun! :)

[Saar The Book owl]

Thanks, Hailee. I had problems too. GR was down due to enormous activity. Well, that proves on what big bookwurms we are ;)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Thanks, Hailee. I had problems too. GR was down due to enormous activity. Well, that proves on what big bookwurms we are ;)"

For alot of people, book goals are like New Year's Resolutions... unattainable numbers thrown around and forgotten in a few weeks... there's a reason GR doesn't crash from server stress often, lol... just look how many people reach their book goals each year, and how many millions of books are pledged...

I feel like this group are the outliers... big readers meeting big goals...

[Hailee]

You're right Iain. I went onto the help page to check the issue had been reported and one of the members who does regular maintenance checks said that goodreads do updates at this time because its quiet. Somebody should point out that while Jan on the whole may be quiet the 1st couple of days are most definitely a bad time to take things down for updates lol

[Saar The Book owl]

There were people with reading goals up to 400 books. I mean, you can't possibly realize that. I have a goal of 100. Last year I got until 70, I think, so maybe it'll work now, but I won't be sad if it doesn't. I keeps me also motivated to read and track on how many books I can read without stressing myself.

Yeah, we're definately the outliers :D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "There were people with reading goals up to 400 books. I mean, you can't possibly realize that. I have a goal of 100. Last year I got until 70, I think, so maybe it'll work now, but I won't be sad i..."

It's sad seeing how big people fail, really... especially towards the end of the year...

I think they removed that stat, since it wasn't very motivating... now the challenge page just shows the average pledge...

and pledgers/total books pledged...

[Virginie]

It's crazy how overloaded Goodreads has been ever since Jan 1st... Lots of people saying they'll read more as a new year's resolution. I imagine it's the same thing in gyms haha :p

[Virginie]

Intruding from the other team to say I've pledged 120 books, but only 'cause I log tons of short stories. Otherwise, I think I would shoot for 52, one a week!
Don't really pay attention to Goodreads stats anyway, I use my spreadsheet for that :)

[Chris]

I should start counting all the books I read with the grandson.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Virginie wrote: "Intruding from the other team to say I've pledged 120 books, but only 'cause I log tons of short stories. Otherwise, I think I would shoot for 52, one a week!
Don't really pay attention to Goodread..."

I like to pledge no more than 365... it's nice to say a book a day, even tho I'll likely read more... almost done with 4 books already, this year... maybe do a 5th today, if I stop talking on here and finish Vanished! and Rotherweird...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Chris wrote: "I should start counting all the books I read with the grandson."

Gotta read that Cosmere book when it comes out... Sanderson is in talks to turn the story Hoid & Shallan told about the girl and the castle wall stairs into a children's book...

[Virginie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "maybe do a 5th today, if I stop talking on here and finish Vanished! and Rotherweird..."

You mean, if I stop baiting you into a spreadsheet rabbit-hole? (which I totally am. Come see what cool new formulas I've come up with :p)

[Anni]

Virginie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "maybe do a 5th today, if I stop talking on here and finish Vanished! and Rotherweird..."

You mean, if I stop baiting you into a spreadsheet rabbit-hole? (which I totally am. ..."

But don't you distract yourself as well?

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Chris wrote: "I should start counting all the books I read with the grandson."

Gotta read that Cosmere book when it comes out... Sanderson is in talks to turn the story Hoid & Shallan told about t..."

Uh, that sounds cool! 😍

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sir Anni wrote: "Virginie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "maybe do a 5th today, if I stop talking on here and finish Vanished! and Rotherweird..."

You mean, if I stop baiting you into a spreadsheet rabbit-hole? (whi..."

Virginie figures she's distracting herself from TV vs my books... so it's a relative win...

[Elinor]

Virginie wrote: "Come see what cool new formulas I've come up with :p"

Now that's some smooth move

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Elinor Master of Gifs wrote: "Virginie wrote: "Come see what cool new formulas I've come up with :p"

Now that's some smooth move"

Come back to my spreadsheet and look at my etchings...

[Virginie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Virginie figures she's distracting herself from TV vs my books... so it's a relative win..."

Yup! Last year, Iain and I were in the same team, so spreadsheet rabbit-holes were to be avoided. But now... I'll sacrifice my TV-shows binging/measly manga points in order to keep Iain from speed-listening without hesitation xD

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'm gonna need a faster app, soon ;)

I'm starting to feel like I could listen to some books at 3.5-4x speed...

[Virginie]

You're a monster :O

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I actually dropped down to 2.5x speed for much of December... but been back up to 3x since Christmas...

[Virginie]

I can only do more than x1.8-9 if I'm eyeball-reading the book at the same time :p

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

It really depends on the type of book and narrator... Michael Kramer is one of the slowest narrators... and Spellslinger is an easy book...

The biggest slowdown on listening to Text-To-Speech app books is the disjointed nature of syllable-reading...