We're about two months in! How is everyone doing?

[Jillian]

We are a couple months in so I thought I'd make a thread for us to talk about how we're all doing in the challenge!

* How many prompts have you been able to complete so far?
* Any questions/concerns?
* Have you found any new favorites doing the challenge?
* Or any disappointments?

I have three books crossed off and lots of ideas for the other prompts! But, I'm taking some time to revisit a favorite cozy mystery series to catch up on the two latest books that I haven't read yet, so my 12 in 12 is taking a bit of a back seat for now.

[ladymurmur]

I've finished 4 prompts so far, and have enjoyed them all.

Have titles planned for most of the rest - but I'm also taking a bit of a break for some non-challenge reading. Am catching up/re-reading a couple of other series in prep for new releases coming later this year, and trying to deal with an influx of holds coming in at the library. Seems like everything comes in at once!!

[Jillian]

ladymurmur wrote: "I've finished 4 prompts so far, and have enjoyed them all.

Have titles planned for most of the rest - but I'm also taking a bit of a break for some non-challenge reading. Am catching up/re-readin..." Wow, that is great! :D And I totally get taking a break. I did for a while, too, though I was inspired this weekend to start one that could work for the First Reads prompt (though it's from a previous year).

[Ian]

I am stuck on Middlemarch which is the one recommended to me by an over 35. It’s a long read for me and not my usual read. I was thinking of putting it down but it’s got my interest now at chapter 22 - I think there’s more than 50 chapters!

If the same novel was written today by Mary Ann Evans, she would have done it in 24 chapters and 360 pages. How writing has changed.

[Ian]

I forgot, I tried the audiobook too but I was too distracted to follow it, my mind wandered...

[Jillian]

Ian wrote: "I am stuck on Middlemarch which is the one recommended to me by an over 35. It’s a long read for me and not my usual read. I was thinking of putting it down but it’s got my interest now at chapter ..."

For me, DNFs (did not finish) books count toward topics in this challenge. If you made an effort, but you just can't finish a book, that's fine! You can see if it still holds your interest past chapter 22, and if it doesn't, you can mark this topic as done with a DNF book, or ask someone new recommendation in that category to try again! :D

[Jillian]

Ian wrote: "I forgot, I tried the audiobook too but I was too distracted to follow it, my mind wandered..."

Audiobooks may not work for everyone. Can I ask when you listened to it if you were doing anything else? For example, I don't listen to audiobooks at work because my brain is too engaged in other activities that require my attention. But, they are great for while driving, cleaning the house, falling asleep, doing daily routines, etc. In fact, I am listening to one right now while I type this!

Also, given what you told me about trying to actually read this book, it may be less that you were distracted because it's an audiobook and more that this book just isn't hitting the mark with you so it wasn't easy to pay attention to it and be engrossed.