Week 50: What are you reading?

[Liz]

We are getting so close to the end! How was your experience with the 52 Book Challenge? What 2014 your first time taking the challenge?

This year was my second time taking the challenge. Last year, I made 52 books my goal and exceeded my own expectations by reading about 75 books. This year, I decided to up my personal challenge and aim for 75 books. Again, I've met my goal and am now at about 86 books.

While I love this challenge and enjoy sharing what I'm reading with everyone here, I do think the quality of my reading suffered slightly this past year. I was more focused on finishing a book so that it would be another tally mark rather than simply reading the book for pleasure. Because of this, next year, I'm going to go back to the original 52 goal since I know I will meet it, but I will focus more on the enjoyment of reading.

Is everyone else planning to take the challenge in 2015? Why or why not?

Also, feel free to share what you are reading this week!

[Kyra]

This is my first time doing the challenge! I met the 52 book goal, but also made myself a goal for 75 which was a little too high while I'm in school! I think next year I will stay with 52! I'm not reading anything at the moment because of finals, but I have Nocte by Courtney Cole downloaded on my kindle for when I'm done on Wednesday!

[Jennifer]

This was my first time doing the challenge. I feel I got caught up in tally marks as well sometimes, and other times I just let it go and if I read a lot that week then cool. I hit my personal goal of 60 and am currently at 70 for the year. I think I'm actually going to aim higher next year because last year (2013) I read 60 books in 6 months so I feel like I fell a little short this year.

[Ann]

My goal for the year was 150 books. I'm currently at 191, and expect to reach 200 by the end of the year. Next year my goal is going to be 100 books, and I hope to stick to that goal. I've done a lot of reading this year, and very little writing. So that is my goal for the new year. I'm not setting a word goal, but I would like to finish one book, and finish editing another. I also would like to read more nonfiction next year, I found some really interesting ones while weeding the NF at the library.
I finished Nora Roberts Cousin O'Dwyer trilogy, and enjoyed it (set in County Mayo, Ireland- where my family comes from), I'm listening to James Patterson's 12th of Never, and read A Christmas Hope by Anne Perry (I was going to say I've enjoyed all of her Christmas books, but actually I enjoy both her Monk and her Pitt series).

[Ursula]

Right Now I'm just trying to get threw these 52 books, but I have read over 600 books and I enjoy reading a whole lot, and plan on being involved in the next 52 books read program.Animal 3: RevelationsHood Misfits Volume 1: Carl Weber PresentsBeauty and the StreetsBeauty and the Streets

[Pattie]

This was also my first 52 book challenge, and I loved it. It made me focus on reading books for me, not just reading books to recommend to my middle school students. I can't wait for next year's challenge.

Right now I am reading "All Joy and No Fun" which is about modern parenthood. It explores the effects of children on parents rather than the other way around. Interesting read, but nothing earth-shattering. It seems the main premise is that times have changed since our parents generation. Well, duh! :)

[Julie]

Wow, I'm so impressed by all the books ya'll have read!

I'm still trying to reach the 52 book goal, but I think I've only got eight more books to read. I also have the last eight days of the month off of work so I am pretty sure I can do it!

I have cycled back and forth between enjoying reading simply for reading and trying to read more books for the challenge. I have really enjoyed the monthly inspirations, and those have gotten me out of my comfort zone. I have discovered some new genres that I enjoyed as well!

I will most likely do the challenge again next year. I've enjoyed pushing myself, but I also really enjoy this group and seeing what others recommend etc.

Are we planning any kind of a goodreads group get together at the end of the year? I think it would be fun to meet some of you!

Also I am reading another Oz book, The Serenity graphic novel, and listening to The Wizard Heir.

[Liz]

I am also very impressed by how much everyone has read! I'm so glad this challenge took off and that you all had a good experience.

Next year, I hope to keep things interesting by having a Bingo card for you all to fill out, rather than doing the monthly challenges.

Julie, I'd love to do a goodreads group meetup, but I don't know if I can make it happen before the end of this year. We will be doing a Readathon on January 24 throughout the Chesapeake Library system, and that will be an official kickoff of the 2015 program. I encourage all of you to join us (I'll be at Central) for that Readathon, which involves 4 hours of reading to raise awareness for literacy.

As for an actual goodreads meetup, maybe we can try to do a couple over the course of the challenge next year? I think it's a great idea and would love to make it happen.

[Vivian]

This is my first year of the challenge. I wasn't aware it was something the library was doing. I did not meet my goal of 52 but have read 32 & will probably finish one more- which is on track of what I read last year.
(I kept a list of what I read last year on my own). I will most assuredly do the challenge nest year!

I applaud all that were able to read 50-200 books!!! I wish I could find the time.

Viv

[Jodie]

I read 29 books this year, not reaching my goal of 52. This exercise really showed me how little time I get to read -- and how much I miss it! I'll set 52 books as my goal again next year, and take the time to meet it!

[Ingrid]

This challenge was so fun. It made me take more time for myself and helped me stay focused on reading.
At times I did read less challenging books to keep my numbers up, but I still read many books that I enjoyed.
I just finished If I Saty & Where She Was. Really good books. Quick reads if anyone needs to get a last book or two in. I read the second book in a day.
Two more books to go & I meet the goal!
Congratulations everyone! Even if you didn't meet the goal, you still focused on yourself some.
For Christmas, I just bought my daughter a kids version of Jane Eyre. One of my favorite books.

[Kyra]

Has anyone dropped by the library to pick up their "small prize"?? I'm curious as to what it is! :)

[Liz]

Kyra, it's a bookmark that says, "I read 52 books in 2014." I just wanted everyone who completed the challenge to get a small token of their accomplishment. The grand prize and other prizes will be drawn on January 9.

[Ingrid]

Fun! I am reading my 52nd book right now!

[Liz]

Awesome! Congrats reaching the goal.

[Kyra]

Liz, that's exactly what I wanted for Christmas!!! ;)