Week 1: Introduction

[Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~]

Cait wrote: "Stormie wrote: "For the 1st week, I will do The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I borrowed from the library, but haven't started it yet. So why not use it for this. :)

~Stormie"

I'm using this chal..."

Cait,yes, I have a lot of books purchased but never read. When I was in college, if we read a story in Lit class, which was abridged in the text, I would search out the book and buy it. I just never got around to reading them. I have enough books that I could mostly do this challenge from what I have...but I have taken to borrowing from the library in case I don't like the book. I also have a lot on Kindle, but I have a hard time reading electronic format, and remembering what I have read. Also,there is something comforting about the feel and smell of a book. :)

Michelle, I haven't really set down a plan yet, I decided when I saw this group and it was one of the suggestions. And since I had it near me...I though, "Why not?" :)

~ Stormie

[Cait]

Michelle, To Kill A Mockingbird and The Book Thief have already been bumped up for the challenge. I've got a few more down there that stand a chance of moving on up for Week 20 though, I'm not at home right now to remind myself of just which ones they are.

I have some books that I like to reread every year, chiefly The Lord of the Rings. My main rule for rereads is not two years running, so if I read it last year I wouldn't move it back onto my to-read list until next year. But rules were made to be broken. ;-)

How about you? Have you got reread rules?

[Michelle, Mod Assistant]

Hello Vanesa and welcome! Gone with the Wind is one of my favorite flicks of all time, but I've never read the book. I know that Lora is reading it next week, so you two will be able to discuss. I am sure I will get around to reading it eventually - maybe not this year.

[Taylor]

Cait, it's basically impossible not to break that rule for LotR, right?? I haven't read the books yet but I'm reading them for the trilogy this year. I've also seen the movies countless times and absolutely love them.

Vanesa, welcome to the group! Gone With the Wind is an excellent choice and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[Cait]

Michelle, I read The Hobbit when I was quite young but it took me ten years before I could get past the third chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring! Then when the films started coming out I gave it another go and something clicked for me. A tip I'd give you is to skip all the Prologue stuff until the end of the book, hehe. It's really heavy going when you just want to get to the story.

I love the movies too. And I'm loving The Hobbit films too. I just got The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition for Christmas, it's like watching a whole new film! ^_^

[Taylor]

Cait, I'll assume you're talking to me haha. Thanks for the suggestion and I will definitely skip the prologue now until later!

Vanesa, no problem! Stay positive :)

[Cait]

Taylor hehe, oops, yes I was talking to you. I was talking to Michelle in another thread and I must've gotten confused. I'll blame it on staying up insanely late to see in the new year. ;-)

[Michelle, Mod Assistant]

Cait - I don't really have a re-read rule. For me, it is sort of like food. Once I try something new and find it is delicious, I'll have it again when the mood strikes. Some are tastier than others. ;) I read The Help, as an example, for the first time in 2011 and loved it so much that I re-read it in 2012 and 2013. I didn't read it last year, but I have every intention of trying to re-read it again this year. I'm addicted to the characters.

I'd like to re-read The Hunger Games trilogy before the last movie is released, so that will probably come up at some point this year. And it has been since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released that I've read any Harry Potter, so I see that coming up at some point (maybe not till next year, that's quite an undertaking on top of this challenge).

I've never read any Tolkien. I know! For shame! I thought about reading one of his books (probably The Hobbit) for a task, but ultimately decided not to. Then again, the year is young. I've already changed my mind half a dozen times and we've only just begun. There could be a little Tolkien in my future yet, stay tuned... haha.

[Cait]

Michelle I like your description of some books being tastier than others.

I've been rereading The Hobbit each year before seeing the film. The Hunger Games books are due for a reread too, just when I get round to it.

So many books and so little time!

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

Okay, I read and finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy when I was twelve years old and since re-read it several times. I'm feeling like a freak :p

I re-re-re-read few books: The death gate cycle (every 2-3 years, cause I miss the characters so much), LoTR (maybe every 5 years) and the 1st 3 books of the Dark Tower (2nd & 3rd ones are kind of perfect stories for me). This year I will re-read books I liked but don't remember well as I read them 3-4 years ago.
Ok so now, I want to re-read my fav >__< Evil discussion!

[Michelle, Mod Assistant]

Haha. There are so many wonderful new books I want to read and how, oh how, am I ever going to get to all of them if they're constantly releasing more new books that I want to read and, whats worse, I keep falling in love with them and wanting to go back and re-visit them. ;)

The struggle is real. :P

[Sara]

So I decided to read "The Lady of the Rivers" by Philippa Gregory. It's 502 pages. I am 50/50 when it comes to Philippa's books so I'm hoping I enjoy this one. I REALLY love historical fiction and especially about English monarchy, so that is why I chose this as my first book of the year (and the fact that I already picked it out from the library long before I seen this challenge). Hopefully I can complete the entire challenge, and my personal 2015 goal, but with full time work, part time school, and full time mom of a teenager I have my hands full. Good luck everyone and happy reading!

[Denise]

Lora wrote: "Hmm...well I retract my first statement about The Princess Bride. I just double checked and it is 512 pages. I'm sorry for any confusion I may have cause! I SWEAR it was only like 490 pages when I..."

The Princess Bride is one of my all time favorite books!!! Well worth the read!

[Emilia]

got it for Christmas for my Hubby :D that time I had no idea (and even less did he, as he admitted he got it over half a year ago already ;) )I'll be joining the Challenge :D
so far so good :)

[Shaz]

I went to two different libraries and asked a librarian what books they could recommend I read that has over 500 pages. It proved quite a challenge for both librarians. :)

I searched the library catalogue and have decided to read

[Michelle, Mod Assistant]

It seems that everyone is really digging in! I'm so glad! I hope we keep this momentum going all year long!

[Cris]

Adriana wrote: "I was thinking of reading Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, however my edition (Wordsworth Classics, the font is pretty small) is about 480 pages or so. Is it okay anyway? According to Goodreads ..."
I'm in the same situation, I'm reading it in Spanish, and I have a paperback edition that's 544 pages, but I will be reading the Kindle edition that's just 444. It's amazing how much it can vary from one edition to another!

[Christi]

I'm reading The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan. It's 529 pages.

[Kate]

Where can I find the list of the weekly challenge for the year?? Thanks

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

Kate: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Anja]

For me it's Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett - 1098 pages. Does this count twice? ;)

[Johnny]

One of the books I started reading was The Federalis Papers. The particular edition I have has 672 pages. It will probably take me more than a week to read the entire book, though.

I read the entire Harry Potter series last year, so I probably won't be reading it again this year.

[Cait]

I think everyone at work thinks I'm crazy because I was explaining this challenge to them all today. I'm really enjoying it and my one danger is spending more time on Goodreads than actually reading!

[Cat]

Was really hoping Sarah Waters' The Paying Guests made the word count as I had just started it before finding this challenge and it does! 564 pages of sheer joy await me I'm sure :D

[Lorraine]

Question -- I see that one rule says not to create a new thread if someone else has chosen the same book. So I should just post on the other person's thread, mentioning that I'm choosing the same book? I sort-of feel like that would be hijacking that person's thread, but on the other hand obviously it would keep all the discussion in one place (which is why you have the rule in the first place, I'm assuming...)

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

Yes, threads are for discussion, so if 50 persons read the same book, everyone can talk about it with the others :)
You can create your thread with your year plan in the "2015 plans" folder to keep track of your books.

[Fragmentage]

I just finished "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen and loved it! Such a great way to start a new book year :)

[Poulami]

I am currently reading Murakami's 1Q84 trilogy ( 3 in one book.. it looks superb! *_* ) and put it up for my 500+ pgs book read challenge! It has 1318 pgs .. may I enjoy the enormous ride! :P

[Ebba]

can someone clear up if week one means the first whole week of the year or jan 1st-8th

[Zaz, Mood Minion]

We'll change every thursday, so you have some time to finish your 500+ book ;)

[Cristina]

I just finished "Digital Fortress" by Dan Brown. Really enjoyed it...it turned out to be a very good choice for my first week challenge ! Couldn't picture a better way to kick off 2015 ! :)

[Joanne]

I am new to the group, my daughter in law told me about it last night :) I am working on my list, but am starting with The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova at 642 pages. Very excited to do this challenge, my reading last year was severely restricted to textbooks and lesson plans as I just graduated with my Biology degree and teacher certification- I am SO EXCITED to read for fun again!!!

[Sophie]

Joanne wrote: "I am new to the group, my daughter in law told me about it last night :) I am working on my list, but am starting with The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova at 642 pages. Very excited to do this chal..."

I understand you so much, when I finished university, I was so excited to finally be able to choose my own books! But with so many incredible books I didn't know what to choose!

[Elizabeth]

Lora wrote: "Hmm...well I retract my first statement about The Princess Bride. I just double checked and it is 512 pages. I'm sorry for any confusion I may have cause! I SWEAR it was only like 490 pages when I..."
My copy is 472, so it does really depend on the version you have.

[Andrea]

I am reading The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (1000 pages) for this first week, but I had already read about half of it before January 1, so technically I will be reading 500 pages. The first half took a lot longer than 2 weeks though.

I love seeing all the different books people are choosing.

[Bam cooks the books]

Hi! I've just joined but read The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco for week #1, a book that I've been wanting to read for a couple of years. The Name of the RoseThe mystery was very good.

[Jenni]

I chose All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr for my week one challenge. I choose this book because I am interested in historical fiction on the world wars and it seemed like a compelling read and received good reviews. I have never read this book and have high expectations based on reviews that I've read.

[Erika]

Ugh I'm not gonna get my book done before week 2 (I got sick and did nothing but sleep) :-( I'm gonna keep reading it, but also start my week 2 book and read them concurrently.

[Jessica]

Erika wrote: "Ugh I'm not gonna get my book done before week 2 (I got sick and did nothing but sleep) :-( I'm gonna keep reading it, but also start my week 2 book and read them concurrently."

Do what you have to, Erika! This is supposed to be a fun challenge :)

[Karen Michele]

I just found the group, so I will start "officially" participating with week 2, but I do have a 500 page plus book I'm reading, To the End of the Land, which I will use as my book for the week one task. I've also been reading Demons slowly since December which I plan to finish sometime fairly soon. I'm really going to enjoy focusing on a book a week!

[Jenny]

This book has been the hardest one of all to pick because I've started the challenge 8 days late and it's one of the longest books! The Angel's Game is what I've finally settled on: The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Book #2. I loved the first book. Gonna postpone starting this one until the first scheduled Read-a-Thon in March and catch up then. I had picked The Bible, but I'm going to use that for #23: Books More Than 100 years Old. I will be working on that one all year.

[Arto]

And first week causes a headache. There is so many 500+ pages long books in my to-read list. Do I choose easy one, because I'm one week behind or some classic, which should be read, but is demanding task? In my native language or English? Book or Audiobook, there is also 500+ pages comics, which would be easiest. Or do I choose ambitious and intelligent choice? Or should I save them in another week?

Zusak: Book Thief would fit this weeks challenge, but also for week 3, 13, 43, 44, 46.

Murakami: 1Q84, Tolstoy: War and Peace, almost everything from Brandon Sanderson, Roth's Insurgent?

So many choices, so little time.

[Sophie]

In the ones you mentioned, I think Insurgent would be the quickest and easiest read if you also want to read book 2 this week.

[Jessica]

Well, I've never participated in a reading challenge before, but I'm excited to start. I'm a little late in the game but I am currently reading "Prince Lestat" by Ann Rice and Prince Lestat. Will have to read overtime to catch up!

[Jenny]

Jessica, I think many of us have some catching up to do. If you haven't already, take a look at the scheduled Read-a-Thon. I plan to catch up then if not before :)

[Tessa]

I'm a week behind getting started (plus had to finish some that I was already reading). Week 1 for me will be Dragonfly In Amber (Outlander #2) Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon. I loved, loved the first book. I generally enjoy historical fiction. Plus, I think we're going to include Scotland on our honeymoon - what better way to prepare???
Although I'm not new to Goodreads, I have honestly not used the site for anything more than recording what I've read and getting ideas for future reads. I'm looking forward to being inspired by the group. I think it's a great idea.

[Cait]

Welcome to the group Teresa. I've not read any of the Diana Gabaldon books but they've been recommended to me. Good choice on Scotland for the honeymoon, which bit are you going to? (I live on a little island just off the west coast :-D).

This group is the first one I've been a member of on Goodreads and I'm finding it a great help and motivator for the challenge. Hope you have fun here. :-)

[Debra]

I have chosen to read The Hostby Stephenie Meyer it has 651 pages. I liked the twlight series and am looking forward to this book.

[Jessica]

I am a bit behind on this challenge, but I read The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks for this week (it was actually over 600 pages). New this group and new to groups in general, so I hope I am doing this right :D

[Melissa]

Clockwork AngelI have heard great things about this book.