Readathon Team: Dewey Decimators

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I think that might make it harder to reassign things later; we'll need to be able to see what fits we have available if we swap things.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Oh wait I see what you mean. Sorry! It's been a long week! That might actually work really well.

[Joan]

Yesterday ended up being super busy so I didn't get to read or listen to audio. Today I made more progress in The Light We Lost which I'm still enjoying and I listed to 2 hours of Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood. I should be able to complete both this weekend if not tomorrow.

We're making great progress!!!

[Marleen]

Hi team, I changed the spreadsheet as discussed above: I removed possible other prompts for finished books and made the cell red so we can see still that that was an option, but it won’t be counted in the “possible fits” column. I think that this way it’s easier for us to see where we need more books.
And just so you know: if you guys don’t like this I can easily change it back!

Based on these adjusted numbers I’ve decided that after I finish Raising Steam I will read Lirael which can work for prompts 16 or 19 where we were short of books.

[Willemijn]

I've finished my second book, which counted for "the 25th book on your TBR". It's been on my TBR for ages now, and I'm so glad this prompt has made me finally read it. It takes place on the opposite side of the river to where I grew up, and is written in dialect, which really added to it. It was great to read a book that takes place so close to home (it even mentioned my home town a couple of times). It was written in 1925, nearly a century ago. It's funny how everything has changed since then, but also nothing has changed. Reading about some local history (although I would really love to do some research regarding the accuracy of some of it) and about Holland's constant struggle against water was quite fascinating.




Marleen wrote: "I added your numbers to the sheet Willemijn :)

Thanks!

oshizu wrote: "Hi Dewey Decimators!
How did you enjoy the first week of the readathon?

I'm with the comments of everyone else here, I haven't read this much in years, and it's been really nice!

[Willemijn]

I'm not entirely sure what I should read as my third book for this readathon. I'd really like to try to read another book that will fill a prompt, rather than only count pages towards a wildcard. But I'm not entirely sure about the book I want to read.

I have a half finished book that I really should try to finish reading. It's about a journey the author takes through the Netherlands, in order to learn more about the country (he's living here as a non-native). During one of the chapters, he visits a couple of cities in the south to experience Carnival there, does that count for prompt 21? I mean, I guess that counts as a party, right? (Can you tell I'm not from the south? hahaha)

Also, it has a subtitle, which would make it fit prompt 14, but does that count? Bc the title on its own is shorter than 25 characters. What do you guys think? The full title on Goodreads is: "Why The Dutch Are Different: A Journey into the Hidden Heart of the Netherlands"

[Chalmation]

Marleen wrote: "Hi team, I changed the spreadsheet as discussed above: I removed possible other prompts for finished books and made the cell red so we can see still that that was an option, but it won’t be counted in the “possible fits” column. I think that this way it’s easier for us to see where we need more books.
And just so you know: if you guys don’t like this I can easily change it back!

Based on these adjusted numbers I’ve decided that after I finish Raising Steam I will read Lirael which can work for prompts 16 or 19 where we were short of books."

Great idea, Marleen! I just added a book for prompt 19.

[Chalmation]

Willemijn wrote: "I've finished my second book, which counted for "the 25th book on your TBR". It's been on my TBR for ages now, and I'm so glad this prompt has made me finally read it. It takes place on the opposite side of the river to where I grew up, and is written in dialect, which really added to it. It was great to read a book that takes place so close to home (it even mentioned my home town a couple of times). It was written in 1925, nearly a century ago. It's funny how everything has changed since then, but also nothing has changed. Reading about some local history (although I would really love to do some research regarding the accuracy of some of it) and about Holland's constant struggle against water was quite fascinating."

Willemijn, I live in New Orleans, which is another place that struggles against water! After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, local leaders went to The Netherlands to look at the flood control systems there to see how they worked and if they could be implemented here. I don't remember if they used any ideas but we now have massive flood walls around the area.

[Chalmation]

Finished for prompt #10, read a book that starts with "Y".

[Willemijn]

Chalmation wrote: "Willemijn, I live in New Orleans, which is another place that struggles against water! After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, local leaders went to The Netherlands to look at the flood control systems there to see how they worked and if they could be implemented here. I don't remember if they used any ideas but we now have massive flood walls around the area."

As far as I know, the US didn't just use the ideas, they actually made sure Dutch engineers were heavily involved in that project. I don't know much about the flood gates that were built for New Orleans, but inspiration was probably taken from the "Delta Works" project here in Holland, which basically protects an entire province (as well as basically half of our country, which is a river delta). That project was built after the flood of 1953, which was one of the largest natural disasters Holland has ever seen. As a Dutch engineer myself, it always makes me quite proud to see other Dutch engineers working on such important projects abroad. (Afaik, it was also a Dutch company that helped build Dubai's palm islands)

Btw, could you perhaps recommend me any books that take place in New Orleans? The city has always fascinated me and would be my number 1 choice if someone would ask "Where in the US would you like to travel?" Any genre is okay, but historical fiction would be awesome. (Also, if you don't really have any recommendations, that's fine too of course haha)

[Marleen]

I just finished Raising Steam for prompt 11, book from a series with 25+ books. I really enjoyed myself, as I knew I would because it’s one of my absolute favorite series.

Next up I’m starting Lirael.

[Marleen]

Willemijn wrote: "During one of the chapters, he visits a couple of cities in the south to experience Carnival there, does that count for prompt 21? I mean, I guess that counts as a party, right? (Can you tell I'm not from the south? hahaha)"

Not from the south of the Netherlands either so I’ve never celebrated it but I’d say that carnival (carnaval) counts as a party :)

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Marleen wrote: "Hi team, I changed the spreadsheet as discussed above: I removed possible other prompts for finished books and made the cell red so we can see still that that was an option, but it won’t be counted..."

The spreadsheet looks great, Marleen. Thanks for thinking of that and doing the update! I'm so glad Raising Steam was good; I know that had to be bittersweet.

Willemijn wrote: "I'm not entirely sure what I should read as my third book for this readathon. I'd really like to try to read another book that will fill a prompt, rather than only count pages towards a wildcard. B..."

I think it would count for either prompt, Willemijn. If you put it towards the parties, I have another Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant novella that also has the 25 character title, but however you want to count it is fine.

I finished Annihilation and really enjoyed it again. I think I can get another novella done tonight, but I have no idea what I want to read. I have a few yet that can fit in different places from Mira Grant, and I still have that stack of library books staring at me. (I hate it when I don't know what I want to read!)

[Chalmation]

Willemijn wrote: "As far as I know, the US didn't just use the ideas, they actually made sure Dutch engineers were heavily involved in that project."

Well that's even better! I don't remember much about what went into redesigning the flood protections here. I know we call the massive floodwall system The Great Wall of New Orleans.

"I don't know much about the flood gates that were built for New Orleans, but inspiration was probably taken from the "Delta Works" project here in Holland, which basically protects an entire province (as well as basically half of our . That project was built after the flood of 1953, which was one of the largest natural disasters Holland has ever seen. As a Dutch engineer myself, it always makes me quite proud to see other Dutch engineers working on such important projects abroad. (Afaik, it was also a Dutch company that helped build Dubai's palm islands)."

You should be proud!

"Btw, could you perhaps recommend me any books that take place in New Orleans? The city has always fascinated me and would be my number 1 choice if someone would ask "Where in the US would you like to travel?" Any genre is okay, but historical fiction would be awesome. (Also, if you don't really have any recommendations, that's fine too of course haha)."

I haven't actually read that many books set in New Orleans, and I've never read the most famous ones, like A Confederacy of Dunces, A Streetcar Named Desire, or Interview with the Vampire. Here is a list of listopias about New Orleans books:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/ne...

I also have a "nola" shelf that you can look at, but I haven't read most of them, so I don't know if they're any good.

[Joan]

I finished The Light We Lost. I really liked it but I hated the ending. Left too many unanswered questions. I only rated it three stars due to the ending.

I counted it for a book starting with an L. Feel free to change if it works somewhere else.

Not sure what I'm going to read next. I should be able to finish Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood tomorrow.

[Willemijn]

Marleen wrote: "Not from the south of the Netherlands either so I’ve never celebrated it but I’d say that carnival (carnaval) counts as a party :)"

Yeah, I think that prompt would be the best fit for this book then.

Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "I think it would count for either prompt, Willemijn. If you put it towards the parties, I have another Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant novella that also has the 25 character title, but however you want to count it is fine."

I think we need books for the prompt about parties more. However, it'd be nice to have the option to move it around if we'd need to.

Chalmation wrote: "Well that's even better! I don't remember much about what went into redesigning the flood protections here. I know we call the massive floodwall system The Great Wall of New Orleans."

Hahaha I love that it has a nickname!

Chalmation wrote: "I haven't actually read that many books set in New Orleans, and I've never read the most famous ones, like A Confederacy of Dunces, A Streetcar Named Desire, or Interview with the Vampire. Here is a list of listopias about New Orleans books:

I also have a "nola" shelf that you can look at, but I haven't read most of them, so I don't know if they're any good."

Thanks! I guess I'll stick with the famous ones for now, and I'll have a look at your bookshelf. I actually did read Interview with the Vampire about 5 years ago, but I didn't write reviews back then and it didn't really stick with me as much as some books do. Maybe I should reread it at some point, to give it a proper review.

[Chalmation]

I can probably fit 2 more books in after the one I'm reading now, so I'm going to read for prompts 17 and 18.

For 17, we only need one more book, so we'll be able to complete that one. If I read really fast, I may be able to fill another prompt, but I won't know till later in the week.

[Joan]

I didn't really realize the read-a-thon only went to Wednesday. I am off this week but Monday through Wednesday I'm traveling. I might be able to fit another book in besides Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood but I'm not sure.

I'm thinking about reading The Butterfly Garden which is the first book of a 4 book series. I could probably read The Way I Used to Be quicker but I didn't really see a good prompt it would fit for.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

The timing on the dates is a little strange for this. I think they took the last week in March and the first week in April and called it good. Whatever you're able to read is great.

[Iton]

I've finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore.

Fortunately, I found the Purple Hibiscus audiobook and have already started listening. I'll update my audio hours later tonight.

[Willemijn]

I ususally don't read a whole lot on week days. I often can't focus on a book after spending a full day at a computer. Tomorrow is a bank holiday though, so I'm hopeful that I will be able to finish my current book before the readathon is over.

In any case, I think we're all doing incredibly well, especially considering that our team is two people short.

[Marleen]

Same Willemijn, I read big chunks in the weekend and smaller on weekdays, so my main remaining bulk of reading will probably have to be tomorrow. But I read a whopping 428 pages today (tipping us over to our 10th wildcard woohoo), so I’m sure I will at least be able to finish my current read before the end of the readathon.

[Marleen]

Iton wrote: "I've finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore.

Fortunately, I found the Purple Hibiscus audiobook and have already started listening. I'll update my audio hours later tonight."

Oo did you like it? I’m reading Penumbra as a very slow buddyread with my sister and it’s very intriguing so far.

[Joan]

I completed Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood. Should I count it for a book with a title of 25 or more characters? I wasn't sure if I should count after the colon.

Let me know what you all think.

It's a really good audio book if you all are looking for a good one.

[Joan]

I threw it in the 25 character spot. Just move it if you need to!!!

[Iton]

Marleen wrote: "Iton wrote: "I've finished Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore.

Fortunately, I found the Purple Hibiscus audiobook and have already started listening. I'll update my audio hours late..."

I really liked it. The plot is very engaging. I didn't know the genre so the fantasy elements were a surprise. I think I'll try to read the prequel at some point. A shame it's less than 100 pages and can't count towards the Readathon.

[Chalmation]

Chalmation wrote: "I can probably fit 2 more books in after the one I'm reading now, so I'm going to read for prompts 17 and 18.

For 17, we only need one more book, so we'll be able to complete that one. If I read really fast, I may be able to fill another prompt, but I won't know till later in the week."

Well, change of plans. One of my books I was planning to read had 209 pages according to Goodreads. In real life it has 392! How can Goodreads be off by almost 200 pages? So I will only do prompt 17 OR 18 and maybe one other prompt. I also didn't realize the readathon ended Wednesday instead of Thursday.

[Chalmation]

Finished for prompt #19.

[Willemijn]

Chalmation wrote: "Well, change of plans. One of my books I was planning to read had 209 pages according to Goodreads. In real life it has 392! How can Goodreads be off by almost 200 pages? So I will only do prompt 17 OR 18 and maybe one other prompt. I also didn't realize the readathon ended Wednesday instead of Thursday."

That is a big difference... Sometimes these things are just wrong though. Either the book was manually entered, or sometimes they get imported wrong. If you're certain you've got the correct edition though, I could fix the page count on Goodreads if you want? Just send me a link for the book if you want.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Willemijn wrote: "In any case, I think we're all doing incredibly well, especially considering that our team is two people short."

We are definitely doing great. Kelly did message me and I'm hoping she'll swing by; real life got a bit in the way of Goodreads for her.

Marleen wrote: "But I read a whopping 428 pages today (tipping us over to our 10th wildcard woohoo)"

Way to go!

Joan wrote: "I threw it in the 25 character spot. Just move it if you need to!!!"

Looks good!

Iton wrote: "I think I'll try to read the prequel at some point."

Thanks for the reminder that it has a prequel!

Chalmation wrote: "Well, change of plans. One of my books I was planning to read had 209 pages according to Goodreads. In real life it has 392! How can Goodreads be off by almost 200 pages?"

I hate it when Goodreads has page numbers wrong so much. I got my librarian status almost solely so I could fix page number mistakes in edition info.

For progress, I finished The Drowning Girl to get one of the published in 2012 spots done. (I know, it was nowhere near my list but I went over to the 2012 books to see what might be out there and it called my name!) I really am going to try to knock out a couple of Mira Grant novellas the rest of the week.

[Chalmation]

Willemijn wrote: "Chalmation wrote: "Well, change of plans. One of my books I was planning to read had 209 pages according to Goodreads. In real life it has 392! How can Goodreads be off by almost 200 pages? So I will only do prompt 17 OR 18 and maybe one other prompt. I also didn't realize the readathon ended Wednesday instead of Thursday."

That is a big difference... Sometimes these things are just wrong though. Either the book was manually entered, or sometimes they get imported wrong. If you're certain you've got the correct edition though, I could fix the page count on Goodreads if you want? Just send me a link for the book if you want.

Thanks...I already sent a request to the librarian's group, and they are pretty quick.

It's also a Kindle book, so I didn't have a visual on how big it was until I saw that the pages were wrong when I downloaded it from the library this morning.

Amy (Other Amy) wrote: I hate it when Goodreads has page numbers wrong so much. I got my librarian status almost solely so I could fix page number mistakes in edition info.

I've thought about doing that too, but they have a test and I don't think I would pass!

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I got in back in like 2015 and they weren't doing anything like that yet, so we'll call it luck because I'm not sure I'd pass a test either LOL.

[Willemijn]

Same, I joined Goodreads in 2015 in order to keep track of my book collection. I got my librarian status solely because half of the books in my collection didn't have a picture of the cover and I wanted to fix that. I don't remember doing a test either haha

[Marleen]

(Hmm, the Goodreads notifications are acting really weird today for me, showing up hours after the fact...)

I read another nice chunk today of Lirael, about 2 hours of reading left I think, so should be doable over the next two days if work doesn’t explode too much tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Happy reading in these last few days everyone!

[Iton]

Purple Hibiscus audiobook is coming along. I have a little over 4 hours left which I can finish later today.

I decided to read Of Mice and Men. It fits prompts 17 and 18.

[Chalmation]

The test, or quiz, was implemented in October 2019 and only applied to new applicants at that time.

Iton wrote: "Purple Hibiscus audiobook is coming along. I have a little over 4 hours left which I can finish later today.

I decided to read Of Mice and Men. It fits prompts 17 and 18."

Oh, good. I'm also reading a book for those 2 prompts, so we can each do one.

[Joan]

I didn't get to read too much of my new book since I'm traveling. I only read 12 pages sunday and not much yesterday. I should be able to read a bit tonight. I don't think I have a chance of finishing it before tomorrow though.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Marleen wrote: "(Hmm, the Goodreads notifications are acting really weird today for me, showing up hours after the fact...)"

I was getting them repeatedly for topics I'd already clicked into. Hope it's sorted.

I finished In the Shadow of Spindrift House. I put it on the bibliophile prompt to finish it, but if I find another book that fits that prompt I will do a little swapping. I think I can finish another of my Mira Grant novellas at least.

[Iton]

Purple Hibiscus done! Of Mice and Men already started and will finish tonight

What time does the challenge end tomorrow?

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Midnight in your timezone.

[Willemijn]

Marleen wrote: "(Hmm, the Goodreads notifications are acting really weird today for me, showing up hours after the fact...)

Yeah, it was lagging behind for me as well. It doesn't seem to be solved yet, but it looks like the notifications are only about 20 minutes late now hahaha

Iton wrote: "Purple Hibiscus done! Of Mice and Men already started and will finish tonight

What time does the challenge end tomorrow?"

Wow, you seem to be flying through books rn! Nice :)

Afaik, the challenge ends wednesday evening at midnight in everyone's own timezone.

[Willemijn]

I've finished my third book! I'll see if I can manage to read a little bit tomorrow, even if it's just for the page count and not for a prompt. This was already more that I thought I'd be able to read in two weeks though :) It's been really fun and it would be awesome if there could be similar events like this in the future.

[Marleen]

Wow, awesome final sprint everyone! I’ve read some more of Lirael today and am confident that I will be able to finish this tomorrow, which will make it my fourth prompt-book (and fifth book overall) finished during the readathon in stead of the two books I expected at the beginning :)

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I echo all of those sentiments, Willemijn and Marleen. I would love to do this again. I've read about twice what I pledged for as well. Everyone is doing so wonderfully!

[Chalmation]

Finished for prompt #18 but it also fits #17.

One more book to go. Its only 200 pages so I should be able to finish tomorrow.

Yes, this has been a blast to do!

[Iton]

Willemijn wrote: "Marleen wrote: "(Hmm, the Goodreads notifications are acting really weird today for me, showing up hours after the fact...)

Yeah, it was lagging behind for me as well. It doesn't seem to be solved..."

Thank you!

Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "Midnight in your timezone."

Thank you!

Chalmation wrote: "The test, or quiz, was implemented in October 2019 and only applied to new applicants at that time.
Iton wrote: "Purple Hibiscus audiobook is coming along. I have a little over 4 hours left which ..."

Perfect! Of Mice and Men finished and added to Prompt 17.

With the challenge ending at midnight, *fingers crossed* I'll try to read three more books. Two I already started but haven't finished, and the third is a children's book which shouldn't take a lot of time to finish. Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories, Undercover Bromance and Surprise Island.

[Joan]

I read 75 pages yesterday. I might be able to get a big chunk done tonight. Traveling back home today but I should be home early enough. Too bad it doesn't go through Friday because I have off this week and the rest of the week I was planning to spend at home.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

I agree it would make more sense to end these things after the weekend. I suspect there will be some kind of feedback thread after this and that can be called out.

I finished Final Girls. I will get one more novella in tonight.

[Amy (Other Amy)]

Just want to gloat :-) We have earned two more wild cards in the last two days (!!!) and we are going to finish all our prompts! Go team!

[Willemijn]

Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "I agree it would make more sense to end these things after the weekend. I suspect there will be some kind of feedback thread after this and that can be called out."

I agree. Ending it on a weekend would feel a lot more like ending on a high note, since most people have more free time during the weekend. Ending on a Wednesday feels a small bit awkward.

Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "Just want to gloat :-) We have earned two more wild cards in the last two days (!!!) and we are going to finish all our prompts! Go team!"

That's amazing! I have to be honest, I didn't think it could be done with such a small team. At the same time, I'm currently trying very hard to finish another book. I've left this book half read for far too long, because quite frankly, I hate it. But I'm determined to finish it, because it could count for 25K ratings, and also because finishing it makes me feel justified to rant about it in my review hahaha